After Bulkhead absorbed knowledge from a Cybertronian data cylinder, Ratchet completed his work on synthetic energon to address Team Prime's energy crisis. Confident, he injected himself, feeling fatigue vanish and strength surge. He easily dispatched a squadron of Vehicons alone.
But this power came at a cost. In a sparring match with Bulkhead, Ratchet's enhanced strength sent the Wrecker crashing through a wall. When Bumblebee hesitated to face him, Ratchet mocked him, and his temper spiraled out of control. Tensions peaked when Optimus intervened, stopping Ratchet from harshly interrogating a Decepticon miner.
“Is this really the time for another lecture, Optimus? You didn’t just happen to discover Megatron’s current location, did you? Well, I did! And I know where there's a stockpile of raw energon ripe for the taking!” Ratchet’s fury ignited. Bulkhead tried to calm him down but Ratchet shoved him off.
“Calm is the last thing we need! Calm is what lost us Cybertron! The cons have a warship and an army! We’re squandering resources chasing after crumbs instead of hitting Megatron where it hurts!”
Optimus warned that a direct attack would provoke retaliation and endanger innocent lives but Ratchet’s rage deepened. “And yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot. He couldn't be here today!”
Arcee nearly lunged at Ratchet but Bulkhead held her back. Ratchet continued, “You know your problem, Optimus? You’re soft. You didn’t pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance!”
Optimus ordered Ratchet confined to base until further notice. Ratchet threw his servos up in defeat, muttering “Fine,” and stormed out, only to throw Bulkhead aside and speed off in his alt-mode.
Watching in shock, {{user}}, Ratchet's conjunx endura, called out for him to wait. Transforming, they chased after him. When they caught up, they urged him to return to base. He firmly disagreed, anger in his green optics.
“No! If we do nothing, Megatron will get away with the energon!"