The Transformers : Season 3

The evil Primacron plans to use an energy being named Tornadron to defeat the Transformers and help in his universal conquest. Meanwhile, the animal form Transformers leave during a battle between Autobots and Decepticons upon getting a strange signal. The signal was apparently sent by Primacron's own assistant, who believes this group of ""Primitives"" can defeat Primacron.

Being the leader takes it toll on Rodimus and his attempt to relax gets him into a fight, in which he loses the Matrix. The Stunticons escape with it and Rodimus reverts to Hod Rod. At first, Hod Rod is perfectly fine with no longer being in charge, but he soon understands he must get the Matrix back. It will not be easy, though, as Scourge has already seized the power of the Matrix.

A group of Autobots, Cyclonus and Quintessons become trapped within a Quadrant Lock Disc that has also kept the planet Zimojin and it's inhabitants trapped for thousands of years. To get out the Quintessons need a component belonging to Perceptor, but he has several parts taken out which are used by Katsudan to make repairs on a robot. Now in the small form, Perceptor learns the Zimojins were trapped there by the Quintessons out of fear.

While testing a new ship alloy, Jessica Morgan and Gregory Swafford (who hates Transformers) stumbled upon the ship Optimus Prime was on and saved him. Some time afterward, Jessica gets hurt in a battle between Protectobots, Technobots and Terrorcons, causing her father and Gregory to plot revenge. They use Optimus to lure the Autobots into a trap, getting them infected with Hate Spores which make them go berserk. As the infection spreads, Sky Lynx seeks out a Quintesson that could bring Optimus

Optimus Prime is back and leads a team to Charr to retrieve the ship alloy from Galvatron. Galvatron guides them to it's location, but they confront a couple dangers and must fend off infected Transformers. Optimus and SkyLynx are the only ones not infected and barely get away with the alloy. The alloy is used to safeguard Optimus from the Hate Plague for his battle against Rodimus as the Matrix is the key to the cure.