When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 56

Optimus nodded in agreement. "I will stop her soon. I am happy she's learned Cybertronian very quickly. I think we don't need to worry much about that anymore. She will be fluent in it without much aid from us. That will leave room for her to concentrate on her abilities."

"I think trying to get her to separate her emotion from her abilities would be a good idea. A lot of the time, if she is upset or angry, the weather seems to respond to those emotions. I think that will be the hardest part, but that should be something for her to work towards." Ratchet looked at Optimus who was nodding in agreement. "Also...do you know when her spark day is?" Optimus widened his optics in surprise, only for his shoulders to slump slightly as he shook his head. "Jack was saying yesterday that Azura would be turning eighteen soon. I assume that her spark day is the day she was found on the side of the road, so...if we can find out, we could prepare for it."

"Ooh! I can't wait!" Bulkhead beamed enthusiastically with a big smile on his face. "I love spark days! Especially when we celebrate a sparkling's spark day!" Bumblebee nodded in agreement. "And honestly, Azura probably hasn't celebrated it either, so we need to throw her a party."

Optimus smiled as he realized that was coming up soon. He had not thought to ask, mostly because if he had carried her naturally, he would have known what day was her spark day. But he was happy to celebrate it, even if the date was likely not fully true. "I will ask Jack what day it is. The humans will undoubtedly want to join in. I believe they will get her a cake...at least she will be able to eat it. We don't have access to any of the treats we would normally have on Cybertron."

"Would she be old enough to get her first coverings by then, Ratchet?" Arcee asked the medic curiously. "I think that would be a nice surprise from the girl to have. I have no doubt she would thoroughly love it, unless you are waiting for her to go through this procedure you have mentioned before."

Ratchet smiled at Arcee and nodded. "Yes, she should get them by then. As for the procedure, the coverings will get removed for it." He looked at Optimus who was still curious by the procedure. "I can tell you are very intrigued about the procedure, Optimus. For the moment, I still think it is best you don't know. But I think you have a rough idea since we all know carriers are the ones that provide the sparklings with their system within their bodies."

"Well, duh..." Ratchet raised an eyebrow at Arcee as the femme spoke. "We all know that. The umbilical lines that form around the sparkling during the development are connected to the carrier's system, and during the time of the carrying, parts from around the body are either taken directly from the carrier, or the carrier's body forms spare parts to be delivered to the sparkling through those lines. We are all fully aware of that, Ratchet."

Bumblebee widened his optics slightly. "Wait...that kind of means that procedure will sort of involve that. Is that right, Ratchet?"

Ratchet sighed as he knew that fact could not be hidden. "Well...yes it will involve something like that..." Optimus folded his arms with a look that said that be knew Ratchet was avoiding the question. "Okay, fine, yes it does involve that. But getting the procedure started isn't simple. I would explain it in further detail, but I will wait until it is possible. I believe sometime after Azura's spark day, she will be able to undergo the procedure."

And that was not far away. Optimus thought on it for a moment before he softened his expression. "As long as you explain the procedure to the full extent and not leave any detail out, Ratchet. We already know what lying does to Azura, and I personally want to be told about the procedure in full detail."

"I know, and I will. It will be a private conversation though...and I mean it." Ratchet glanced at the other autobots who all nod in understanding. "For now, I know Azura is aware of what is likely to happen based on what she knows about the growth of a sparkling. So that part is already out in the open."