Transformers Prime: A New Beginning

Chapter 80: Minus One

Normal Perspective:

Several hours had passed since Project Predacon had been taken down and the Decepticon's discovery of the Cybermatter, and it was now daylight at Unit E. Knockout and Ratchet had stayed up all night working on Ultra Magnus's destroyed servo.

Jack, Raf, Miko, and Vince had arrived earlier that morning, and had been told about what had happened, and they, along with Jessica, watched the operation in concern, feeling sorry for the Autobot Commander, as the rest of Team Prime did the same.

Michael and Mike had both tried using Cure spells on Ultra Magnus to try and fix his original servo, but the damage was too extensive, and the spells didn't work, leaving the two medics to find a solution themselves.

Eventually, they finished, and turned to address the others.

"We've done everything we can, considering the limitations of our equipment and less-than-ideal spare parts." Ratchet said, and the two medics moved to let them see the new appendage for the Commander: a claw. "It remains uncertain whether Ultra Magnus's new appendage will be fit for battle, but it should prove functional after a requisite amount of therapy."

"That is all we can hope for, Old Friend." Optimus said, to which Ratchet simply frowned, and said nothing.

"You doin' okay?" Arcee asked Wheeljack, knowing how he too had taken a beating from Predaking.

"I'm still two-fisted." The Wrecker replied, flexing his servos.

"So's Magnus." Arcee assured, knowing that the Commander wasn't going to let his disadvantage get in his way.

"Wait and see." Smokescreen said, as he walked over to Bumblebee. "That claw is gonna become his signature, you know, like the way that voicebox Ratchet slapped in your throat?"

"<:Excuse me? My broken voicebox is not my signature! I'm still very much wanting my original voice back! Not like you would understand, considering you still have yours.:>"

"I mean, everyone understands you fine! Why would you even consider getting it fixed now, right?" Smokescreen said, trying to remedy his words, but Bumblebee wasn't having it.

"<:Just shut up Smokescreen!:>"

"Smokescreen, don't make me walk over there and shove my Keyblade down your throat." Michael growled, his anger having risen at Smokescreen insulting his boyfriend.

"<:Michael, please back off. I can take care of this myself.:>"

"But he intentionally threw that up. We all know it's hard for you to talk about the subject of your voicebox. I'm not going to let him walk on you because you can't speak normally like the rest of us."

"<:I don't need you to jump in every time someone says something to me or hurts me. I can take care of myself.:>"

"I just want to protect you!"

"<:WELL MAYBE I DON'T NEED YOU TO PROTECT ME FROM SOMETHING AS SMALL AS SMOKESCREEN INSULTING ME AND THREATEN TO HURT PEOPLE THAT DO! PRIMUS MIKE, I DON'T NEED YOU TO JUMP IN EVERY TIME SOMEONE HURTS OR UPSETS ME! I CAN TAKE CARE OF THINGS ON MY OWN! I DON'T NEED YOU TO ALWAYS TAKE HITS OR STAND UP FOR ME WHEN I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF DEFENDING MYSELF! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST UNDERSTAND THAT AND BACK THE FRAG OFF?!:>"

Michael stopped, shocked that Bumblebee was yelling at him when he was only trying to stand up for him, and looked around as a dead silence filled the room.

Everyone was now staring at him, even Ultra Magnus, who was now awake, a feeling of concern crickling and crackling in every bot's EM Field, especially those of Elita, Optimus, and Ratchet, with anger wafting from Bumblebee's.