The Doctor has found the architectural plans for Nero’s new Rome, and deduces that since the year is 64 AD that the Emperor is planning to destroy the city. Tavius arrives and warns the Doctor that the Emperor is planning to kill him too, advising him to complete his mission and kill Nero soon – Pettulian was an assassin all along. The Doctor accidentally sets fire to Nero's plans. Nero notices this and gets the idea for the Great Fire of Rome, thanks the Doctor and decides to spare his life. A rabble are bribed into starting the blaze and Ian is helped into the palace by Tavius, who reunites him with Barbara. Under Tavius' eye the two are allowed to escape and make their way back to the villa. The Doctor and Vicki also escape the city, watching it burn from a nearby hill. All four leave in the TARDIS but have barely begun to travel when a strange force starts dragging the ship to an unknown location.