[3rd Transformation // Anon Text // Optional Action with Bumblebee]

[proveyourmetal]

[When Bumblebee first emerges from the damaged apartment of 010 in his robot form, 16 feet of towering metal and living machine, Vanguard is filled with immeasurable awe an wonder.

In an hour, when he finds himself sitting in the car form of his partner, playing session after session of video game inside his cabin, that wonder becomes joy. In three hours, when Vanguard goes to tell off some insolent digimon on Bee's behalf but Bumblebee speaks up on his own first, gently resolving the situation with his own voicebox. All he feels is confusion. Six hours later, when Vanguard has to step outside and get his feet on steady ground after one of Bumblebee's races, it's irritation. The final straw happens when Vanguard finds himself held in the giant, protective metal hand of his robot partner, narrowly injured from a reckless Chosen. Saved. Protected. Lovingly guarded.

Then... it's just anger and resentment.

He leaves Bumblebee to talk with companions just beyond the hole in their apartment (hastily covered by the staff with a sheet of plastic). Bee doesn't need Vanguard to help translate his feelings to the friends he encounters outside. He laughs, and dances and transforms just fine on his own.

So the digimon retreats to their room just a few paces away. It takes ten minutes for it all to boil over. In the back of his mind, he knows he's going to calm down and regret this later but... he's not thinking about that at the time. He angrily jabs an anonymous message into the D-terminal.]

+ [Anonymous Text] +

All you Chosen. You think you're so impressive.

You could hardly take care of yourselves when you got here. You couldn't figure out how to eat, sleep or walk. Some of you couldn't even speak. We chased off digimon three times our size to keep you alive. We kept you safe on the journey down to HospiTown.

We did everything we were supposed to. We're your digimon. We were made to meet you and fix this world together.

So much for partners.

You can take your real forms and just

Just go home. We didn't need you either.

[The moment he presses send, he experiences a moment of hesitation. Of something beyond anger. Regret? He crosses his arms and tries not to think about it.]

[ooc: Vanguard (Coronamon) will respond to text anonymously while Bumblebee will react to action outside the hospital.]

Comments

[neededthat]

Hey now. We might be back to our original bodies, but I don't have the proper tools to fix you up if you do that.

[Slightly joking of course. But seriously, he had no tools to fix them up.]

Just take it easy hm? For my sake at least.

[proveyourmetal]

Just think of it as practice. You're probably rusty from treating us as humans this whole time.

[All joking aside, though...]

I woudn't worry. Vanguard is cautious enough for the both of us. There were some bumps in the road in the beginning, but I'd say we're pretty good as a team. He's pretty dedicated to keeping me functioning at my best.

[What about you, Doc?]

[neededthat]

[Ratchet's smile falters as he suddenly realizes that he isn't alone here. He looks around for Otto for a moment, blinking optics owlishly, before he vents a heavy sigh.]

He's... something. [Ratchet aves his hand dismissively.]

Still not Autobot potential in the least.

[proveyourmetal]

[His eyes search and eventually find the same thing that Ratchet does. His tone is easygoing, a little sorry for Otto, but not chastising.]

I know he's no Optimus. But I wouldn't write him off just yet.

What would you consider 'Autobot potential'?

[neededthat]

I'll know it when I see it.

[He stands a little straighter.]

I know Optimus calls the shots when it comes to taking individuals onto our team, but I strongly feel as though Otto is not ready to be called one.

Studying and willingness to learn is appreciated, but it's not what an Autobot does alone. [He gestures to Bumblebee.]

Courage, for one thing, is something he lacks.

[proveyourmetal]

[Bumblebee tilts his head, considering Ratchet's words. Courage can mean different things to each of them.]

Is he afraid to engage in Combat?

[neededthat]

He's hesitant. Flakey.

[He frowns tighter.]

He has yet to fight, and I'm worried that if he does...

[He may get himself hurt. Badly. And Ratchet may not be able to fix him.]

1/2

[proveyourmetal]

[Bee's expression softens, realization coming across his features. He knows that look- it's the telltale sign of someone who's so used to taking the burdens of others onto himself. It isn't that he cares too little, it's that he cares too much.]

2/2

[proveyourmetal]

[His voice is soft but steady.]

Ratchet. He'll do fine.

And so will you.

Otto just hasn't had the chance to show you that yet.

[neededthat]

Who knows if he will have that chance.

[He shrugs but glances back at him.]

But, perhaps in time he will. For now, I'm doubtful.

[proveyourmetal]

[A subtle touch of humor:]

You ever heard of 'having a little faith'?