With the population of Iacon looking to him for guidance in the face of the Necrotitan's appearance—misinterpreted by all as the return of Metrotitan—Starscream takes a moment to visit Metalhawk's body as it lies in state, once again talking out loud to his departed friend. Unfortunately for Starscream, he is entirely unaware that Rattrap is eavesdropping on him and has overheard him apologize to Metalhawk for killing him. Departing the mausoleum, Starscream tries to calm the throng of citizens outside, informing them he is going to speak to the Titan; Rattrap comes scampering up, feigning concern for Starscream, but Iacon's ruler isn't falling for the act. He's aware of Rattrap's scheming nature and respects it, proceeding to leave for the Titan after offering the ex-Autobot a nugget of wisdom: "don't make your first move until you're sure of your last one." Rattrap takes this to heart, and decides to visit Scoop to get more information on the "Dark Cybertron" prophecy, talk of which has somehow begun to spread among the populace despite Scoop's incarceration, and which he is starting to believe is much more than some random conspiracy theory. Scoop has realized that Starscream has an important role to play in the prophecy's catastrophic fulfilment, and in this, Rattrap sees an opportunity...

On the Lost Light, Ultra Magnus is distracted from the unease he feels with his new captaincy when the ship is unexpectedly pulled off course. Magnus and Getaway are summoned to Brainstorm's lab to witness the cause of their sudden change of direction: Metroplex's severed thumb, on board since before the Titan Hunters' invasion of the ship, is levitating, pulling on the craft, and Brainstorm theorises that Metroplex is trying to call them to him.

At the Necrotitan's feet, the battle between Bumblebee's Autobots and Soundwave's Decepticons is brought to a halt by the appearance of Starscream overhead, heading for the Titan. Prowl is infuriated by Bumblebee's willingness to compare notes with the Decepticons, insisting on immediate action, but before anyone can do anything, Starscream lands on the Titan's shoulder and tries to speak with it. The giant's eyes flare to life... and it emits a colossal energy wave that tears across the surface of the planet, devastating everything in its path. The shattered Autobots and Decepticons, many gravely wounded, try to take stock of the sudden, violent eruption, while Starscream rockets away, just ahead of the wave, trying to beat it back to Iacon. He calls for his subjects to flee, and tries to stand in the wave's path, but it sweeps over Iacon irresistibly, putting the city to ruin. The wave also has a second, unexpected effect: it brings Metalhawk back to life! The reanimated NAIL turns on Starscream, hungry for vengeance, but after trading a few blows, announces that now is not the time to settle old accounts. Instead, Metalhawk smashes into the vault holding the immobilized form of Megatron, deactivates the stasis field restraining the Decepticon leader, and abSconds with his unconscious body. His departure is observed by Rattrap and a liberated Scoop, now conspiring against Starscream together, but for the moment, Scoop is more concerned with helping the victims of the disaster.

Back on the Lost Light, Ratchet argues against looking for Metroplex, on the basis that Orion Pax's request for them to hunt down Jhiaxus takes precedence. Brainstorm and Perceptor, however, advocate following Metroplex's signal, and manage to bring Magnus around to their side. The Lost Light locks on to Metroplex's signal and quantum jumps to its source, materializing beneath a blood-red ocean on an unknown world, where it is immediately beset by a swarm of robotic lifeforms!

Metalhawk delivers Megatron to Shockwave, who clearly has plans for the space bridge technology contained within his former leader's body. As Megatron awakes, Shockwave is confident that he will help fulfil their plans, as doing so - even at the cost of "unimaginable pain" - will realize all their dreams...?