It's not the first beating he's ever received, nor the worst. But it doesn't mean he can tolerate it very well, either. He can feel the unfortunately familiar feeling of energon bleeding down his impressive chin, and he hasn't much the strength to fight off the Autobot.

He probably won't die, but obviously worse things than that can happen.

The needles make his optics widen, and the threat is haunting. Removing his friends from his memories, the only reason he had any real inspiration to stand up to Tarn? It makes him angry and terrified.

A hand comes up and grabs onto Chromedome's wrist, struggling and attempting to shove the needles as far as possible from himself. "Get the hell away from me," Fulcrum hisses, trying to sound more furious than afraid. Inwardly, he hopes that maybe Spinister heard him.