When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 24

"He only had a short recharge. He was able to repair the damage to his arm and he's now working rather hard." She nodded a little and squeeze the syringe as the chemical is added to the water. He looked at the other two tanks and looked back at her. "When do you plan on adding new fish?"

"In a week or two." She placed the syringe down and walked away to wash her hands. "I don't suppose we could do the aquarium after school? I want to see if I can put fish on hold or order some fish for my other two tanks. And get some gravel and other decorations while I am there too."

"I think we can fit that in. But if Ratchet does discover what exactly Miko found, it might be something that requires my attention. I don't want you to feel like I am pushing you aside, but we do need to prevent Megatron from going forward with his plan. Especially since he has decided to put dark energon in his veins." Azura didn't react much to Optimus's response. She fully understood that he would need to do that, and she hoped that if Ratchet discovered what it was, that it could be dealt with. "It would be best if I take you to the lobby now and feed you, Azura. School starts in just over an hour and a half, and we should start heading into town."

Azura sighed and walked over to him. "I guess you're right." She looked up at him as he gently picked her up. "I am feeling a bit hungry anyway...might as well have a bit of breakfast."

Optimus smiled at her as he cradled her to his chassis and opened the panel. He stood up as she took hold of the fuel line and brought it closer to herself, waiting for the low-grade energon to reach the end to drink it. She wondered why he never let it run quickly, but she was okay with it since she didn't want to get a big mouthful of it. She was a little uncertain about drinking the low-grade in front of the other autobots though.

"Good morning," Arcee said just as Optimus stepped out of the room and Azura immediately tensed and became shy as she felt the line in her hand. The femme smiled kindly at the girl. "I see the shyness of feeding around others is still there." She looked up at Optimus who was amused by this. "How are you feeling today, Optimus? You did look like you had been weakened a bit yesterday."

"I have got my strength back, Arcee," Optimus responded in a reassuring tone. "Thank you for asking. The battle Ratchet and I endured yesterday was not something I had hoped to go through...but we had no choice."

"I know." Arcee walked alongside Optimus towards the lobby. She seemed less happy than she was before, and Azura guessed it was because she was sad Jack had left. "Do you have any other ideas of what Megatron is planning?"

"Until we know what Miko and the children found while they were on the warship yesterday, I do not wish to speculate at this time. I know Megatron intends on using dark energon again, but I am not sure where or when he will do it." Optimus knew there was no other resting place of dead Cybertronians on this planet that Megatron could use, which was good. "The other threats he made yesterday are things that have been repeating in my processor."

"I can only guess which ones you are referring to." Arcee glanced at Azura who began to drink the low-grade while keeping her body facing Optimus's chassis as she tried to keep her face hidden. "You know I will be beside you if anything does happen. We all will."

"I am fully aware, Arcee. But that still does not shake the worries I have." He glanced down at Azura, smiling at her shyness as she huddled into his chassis. He wished he had the chance to carry her properly, if it had not been for the war, he could have. "However, I want to believe that good will come around soon. And we will find a way to return to our home, and rebuild our broken world."

"I do not know if I share that sentiment right now, Optimus. But your hope is something that seems very hard to break. And I guess hope is one of the most powerful things in the universe." He nodded in agreement and Arcee smiled at him. "On the bright side, if we don't get to return to Cybertron, I have no doubt living here will still be fine. Azura can show us all the best things about this planet."