Episode Title:
Sacrifice.
Episode Description:
Thrust offers to Megatron his "Master Plan" to get the Requiem Blaster from the Autobots. He considers it necessary to make them fight and use the Requiem Blaster against the enemy, and he means Starscream for being his patsy. The Autobots lie in ambush in a forest and wait for the Decepticons' assault. Suddenly they see Starscream approaching quite alone, though being armed with the Star Saber. Starscream challenges the Autobots to a battle. His audacity bewilderes them, because they know that he isn't strong enough to manage them all. At last Optimus Prime takes up his challenge. They are facing off, while Megatron watches their duel from the cover waiting his turn to engage in battle. But, much to Megatron's surprise, neither Prime nor the other Autobots employ the Requiem Blaster. At the A-Base, the children are watching the camera, when Sideways makes it go crazy. He informs Thrust that the three Mini-cons are all back at the Autobots' base being guarded by Smokescreen, and the ingenious tactician changes his plan instantly. According to the new plan, the 'Cons warp in to the A-Base at once. As for Starscream, he has to go on with fighting the 'Bots so as not to let them suspect something wrong. Starscream is overpowered when Optimus Prime links up with Jetfire. He can't flee in safety because the warp gate turns out to be closed. Starscream calls for help in despair, but the Decepticons have abandoned him. They invade the A-Base to get the Blaster, while Smokescreen tries to defend it. Optimus hears him calling through the Matrix and orders his comrades to return to the Base immediately, leaving Starscream alone on the battlefield. But they arrive too late. Megatron seizes the Requiem Blaster and shoots Smokescreen before warping out. Smokescreen is fatally wounded, his body being almost melted away. All the Autobots pay the last honor to the dying hero and Rad realizes that even the Autobots feel emotional pain.
