Omar and Kwarli return from trying to find Sky and Faygar. Omar and Jag put aside their differences in order to work together. Shadow and Harmony bully Sky and Faygar. Harmony reveals the Privileged have a spy at the Ant camp. And Shadow is sent to deliver a message.

Sky pursues Dan but both get caught in a Barb trap and are taken prisoner. In the Barb camp they meet the warrior queen, Zora, and attempt to arrange a meeting of reconciliation between the Barbs and Ants. Meanwhile, the Privileged tribe is revealed to be the real threat.

Zora moves the Barbs to the Ants' camp. Some Ants aren't too happy to have new neighbors. Flame instructs the invincible Shadow to fight Sky in hand to hand combat, so everyone can witness Sky's real weaknesses. Kwarli discovers an old contraption in the Ant camp which he believes was once called a bicycle, and Erin is intrigued by the notion that it could be a descendent of an ancient machine.

The Ants and Barbs compete to decide whether Omar or Jag will lead their warriors. Sky investigates the cave and the forbidden zone. Flame is haunted by his loss to Sky. Harmony suggests they send out a spy and Gwyn is chosen under the disguise of being a Privileged emissary.

The mysterious Stranger lashes out when Erin touches one of the stones the Stranger is using to build a small tower, which bears a significant resemblance to the group of rocks in the forbidden zone. The Ants and Barbs agree that they can't trust Sunni or Harmony, and decide on an unexpected resolution with the Bird tribe as the very future of all concerned is under real threat.

A storm is approaching. Sky and Faygar journey to the cave to investigate Sky's discovery but Faygar doesn't like what she finds. Gwyn files her first spy report to Shadow. Leanne and Sal attempt to bake bread. And Erin wishes he didn't try to get out of the daily chores as his fascination and fear of the machines and forbidden zone is forever present.

During his strict training process, Flame searches for a suitable sparring partner as preparations continue for the attack on the Ant tribe. Gwyn tries to settle into her life as a Privileged but can't help missing her brother. The Ants learn that the Warps have tricked them. Cass and Omar try to convince a reluctant Faygar to meet with Zora. Dan attempts to join the Barbs.

After running away from the Ant tribe, Dan finds himself alone in the forest. Zora tries to contain her second-in-command, who doesn't trust Sky. At the Ant camp, Omar is happy that Sky and Dan have both left. In the Privileged tribe, Shadow prepares the Warps, for an attack on the Ant camp. Shadow advises that they will be ready in a week but Flame wants the attack to happen the next day.

The Ants and Barbs celebrate their victory against the Privileged and ponder what to do about Flame who is now held prisoner. Shadow is brought into the Discard camp by Warp guards and Sky discusses escaping. 'Things' begin to go missing in the Ant camp, including Erin's bike, and the Stranger continues to furtively observe all the inhabitants.

After escaping the Discard camp, Sky and Dan journey back to the Ant camp and discover the Stranger watching them. They pursue the Stranger and find all the items he has stolen from the Ant camp. The Ants and Barbs decide to release Flame. But under strict conditions. Some consider that it is a truly unwise course of action.