Depths of Despair
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 The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. | ||||||
| "Depths of Despair" (Zetsubō no Soko) | ||||||
| Airdate | 2025 July 16 | |||||
 Watch this episode on YouTube
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In the depths of despair, Optimus encounters either a desperately needed ally or destruction itself.
Synopsis
Megatron departs the battlefield. With the main threat removed, all that remains is to destroy the Element Shield. The others look down into the crevice in despair, uncertain of how to help Optimus.
Meanwhile, Optimus finds himself in a black void, confronted by a darkly colored counterpart. Optimus is shocked to see a bot that looks the "same" as him, but his doppelganger swiftly corrects him with a mighty swing of its axe. They are far from the same—Optimus' power can't even compare.
Optimus' axe manifests in his hands, and he charges at his counterpart. Optimus proves unable to damage his foe, who quickly heals from all wounds. Optimus is knocked to his knees by sustained attacks, the handle of his axe breaking.
His counterpart asks if it hurts. Optimus can do nothing without power, the doppelganger claims, extending its own axe handle and inviting Optimus to take it. The doppelganger will offer him power—all Optimus needs to do is join it.
Optimus grabs the axe handle, the color beginning to drain from his body. However, he hears Lightlong's voice call his name, envisioning the Energy Beast's Wildocking form on his arm. Four orbs of light, matching the elemental colors of his four allies, appear in front of his chest. Filled with new resolve, Optimus rejects the doppelganger's offer. He already has power—the power born of bonds with his friends.
Wildocking with an illusory Lightlong, Lightning Optimus attacks the doppelganger with a Lightlong Slash, bringing the Energy Beast's electrically charged pickaxe weapon down on his foe. The doppelganger splits in two, revealing its true form—a purple and black, gold-chained dragon.
The dragon vows to continue appearing before Optimus until he submits. The dragon transforms into two beams of purple light, which wrap themselves around Optimus. Hearing Lightlong call out once again, Optimus sprouts large white wings which split the dragon's bonds. Optimus flies up and out of the void, awakening on the ground in front of the Animal Tribe Energy Beasts.
Reflecting on the dragon he saw, Optimus has the distinct feeling it was not power, but a desire for ruination itself.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Energy Beasts | Other |
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Notes
Continuity notes
Transformers references
Real-world references
Animation and technical errors
Trivia
- The Lightlong-hosted promotional "Wild King Research Lab" segment placed at the end of the episode features Lightlong, in minimally stop-animated toy form, introducing the play features and transformation sequences of the line's remaining Wave 4 releases—Nemesis Prime & Lavamuleta, and Shadow Megatron & Frost Saber. Transformation sequences utilize live-action footage of the toys being transformed in hand, with Lightlong narrating each step.
