With the others rendered powerless, Smokescreen has to enter the gambling world to get the Energon needed to revive them.

Failing to topple Megatron, an exiled Starscream plans his revenge. He uses World War II era machines and five personality components to create the Combaticons, which prove very powerful in their Bruticus form.

The Quintessons use Wreck-Gar, Cyclonus, Ultra Magnus and Marissa as research subjects, watching how they interact. Unfortunately for all of them, the ship they are on is heading for a black hole and this unusual group will have to work together to survive.

Starscream, in Scourge's body, attempts to complete three assignments for the damaged Unicron in exchange for getting a new body.

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.