"Rainbow, I promise you, I'm fine," Fluttershy tried to reassure her friend.
But Rainbow was still unconvinced, darting around her at great speed to check for any kind of bump, scrape or cut she might have sustained after her encounter with Starscream. "No deal, Fluttershy. You went up against a friggin' giant! I'm not letting you outta my sight until I know you're okay!"
Fluttershy knew she meant well, but still sighed to this display of overprotectiveness. Meanwhile, Bumblebee was going through something similar, laying down on the massive bed intended for Cybertronians in the Ark's medical bay while Red Alert looked him over. Despite the beeps the yellow scout was producing, his doctor remained beside him. "Even I know you're trying to tell me you're fine, Bee. But I wouldn't be doing my job if I just let you go without an exam. You've already sustained one serious injury on this planet, so let's not risk it, alright?"
Bumblebee knew it was pointless to resist, and so let her get on with her work. Down below, Fluttershy looked on as the rest of her friends arrived in the medical bay, rushing to her with with obvious and understandable worry. "Fluttershy!" they all exclaimed together.
Once there, they barraged her with questions about how she was and what happened, and after a while the girl finally just had enough. "Girls!" Watching them fall silent, she took a deep breath before speaking again. "I'll tell you what happened, okay?" In response, and after looking to one another, the girls collectively stepped back, giving Fluttershy some space. After taking a moment to show her appreciation for this with a smile, she began to regale them with a detailed description of everything that had happened in the past hour. Starscream's attack, his fight with Bumblebee, the arrival of Optimus and the others, all of it. The girls listened well, their reactions ranging from fearful to excited, and when it was all done, Fluttershy concluded her story. "And then me and Bee were brought here to be looked over."
"I deeply regret that you had to become involved in our fight, Fluttershy." All heads turned to see that it was Optimus who had spoken, and as the Autobot leader approached the still-shocked girl, he got to one knee to bring his face closer to hers. "It was never our intent for you or your friends to become entangled in our conflict. But such is the nature of the Decepticons that you became so once they knew you to be associated with us."
Fluttershy looked like she accepted the apology, but Rainbow was not so swayed, zipping over to look Prime right in the eye. "Oh yeah? Well, in case you didn't notice, big guy, but your fight almost got Fluttershy killed!"
"Rainbow!" Sunset called to her, clearly not wanting to see any kind of dispute flare up.
But Rainbow ignored her, keeping her gaze squarely on the Autobot. "Good robots, bad robots, what difference does it make if our people, our world is the one that's gonna get hurt from it?!"
Here, Twilight stepped forward, pulling Rainbow back and stepping in front of her so as to be between her and Prime. "Rainbow! That's enough!"
"No, Miss Sparkle, your friend is right to be angry," Optimus declared. When all eyes were on him, he continued. "We knew from the moment we saw you that there was a chance this could happen. It was the main reason why we were so hesitant to approach those of your world when we first arrived. It has happened before." He glanced upwards. "Back when the war still raged on Cybertron, associates from other worlds that had ties to our planet would often find themselves as targets for one reason or another. Cutting off relations was one of the only ways we had of making sure those worlds did not suffer retaliation from Decepticon forces." Again, he looked to her. "But given our situation upon Earth, that option may not be possible for us."
Rainbow, still angry, folded her arms. "So...what, we're just supposed to 'get used' to being attacked by Decepticons now?"
Optimus hung his head. "As grim a situation though it may be...it will undoubtedly be something we must prepare for, especially since Starscream has most likely informed the remaining Decepticons where we can be found."
Rainbow turned away from him, walking over to Fluttershy. "Just count yourself lucky I was able to get there as fast as I did. If it wasn't for my speed...well..."
She didn't want to finish her words, but Fluttershy understood, placing her hand upon her friend's shoulder in a further effort to reassure her. However, Optimus, upon hearing the girl, took on a concerned look of his own. "You...displayed your abilities during the fight?"
Rainbow looked to him, eyebrow raised. "Yeah? Why?"
"That...may present complications," Optimus replied.
The air of ominousness was undeniable after he'd said that, but none of them got the chance to ask him about it, for it was at that moment when Chromia burst in, looking more than a little worried. "Optimus, we've got incoming."
Optimus looked to her, frowning. "Decepticons?"
Chromia shook her head. "No. Humans. They arrived at the park entrance a few minutes ago and have started looking around. I don't know them, but I get the feeling they're not friendlies."
Sunset stepped forward. "The park's closed right now. Nobody's supposed to be here except us," she explained, gesturing to herself and her friends.
"Well, they're here," Chromia answered back. "And the fact that they've arrived so soon after Bee was attacked can't be a coincidence."
"We must tread carefully," Optimus commanded. "Even if they are not here with benign intentions, Cybertron has already risked human life enough for one day. We cannot act directly, Chromia."
"You won't have to," Sunset said to him. "It's our job to see to human troublemakers in this park. So..." She turned to her friends. "Let's go and do our job, girls."