When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 88

She changed her lens again so she could see the crystals like she did before and intakes deeply again as she concentrated. She did wish she could actually see through the snow itself, but she knew dragons did not have that kind of ability, so it was just wishful thinking at the moment. She focused on the snow and ice again, reaching out with her mind as she tried to feel with her mind of what she has done so far. She knew she had already created a cave inside, but she wanted to check.

It took a moment before the autobots would hear the sound of cracking and snow shifting again. Bulkhead stared at the ground as he stumbled a little. "Woah...I am kind of having a hard time standing like this." He chuckled lightly as he tried to keep his balance. "It is almost like an earthquake. I imagine she could create that too."

"She probably can, but it will be unlikely she would need to use such an ability." Ratchet was also trying to keep his balance, while observing what was happening in amazement. "She is already showing such amazing capabilities. I honestly think after the procedure, she will be stronger. And hopefully, she will not drain energy as fast as she has."

Optimus nodded as he was also working to balance himself. He did not say anything as he allowed Azura the time to concentrate. He did want to look down to see what she was doing, but he did not. He didn't want to distract her unintentionally, as he knew she was concentrating. And as they began to feel a stronger shift, they take some steps back as they stare at the snow, and they watch as it seemed a part of the ground between twist around slowly.

Azura smiled as she was forming a tunnel down into the cavern she had made, and she was ensuring that the ice would be solid so the autobots could walk into it without any trouble. Even making sure that they could not slip on the ice. As the perfectly circular entrance opened, the bots stare into it in amazement, and Azura let out a huff as she stopped for the moment, needing another break. She really wanted to recharge now, but would wait.

"She...I think she's done it." Bulkhead walked over to the entrance and looked inside, shining his lights in the tunnel to see how far it went. He looked at the ground and lifts his left foot to place down to test it. He leaned to put his weight on it, and he heard no crack, and his foot did not slip. "Come on! Azura's made it safe! We can shelter from the wind and snow down here!"

Optimus and Ratchet approach the cave as Bulkhead walked down first. The wrecker chuckled excitedly as he walked down with happiness in each step. Ratchet smiled as he looked around at the tunnel. "I guess...this is amazing." Ratchet walked in to follow Bulkhead. "If you can, Azura, when we get into the cavern, you may want to close the tunnel just in case we get unwanted visitors. Only if you want, what you have achieved right now is phenomenal."

Azura smiled as she watched the medic follow Bulkhead. "I am glad I did it...I hope..." Azura took deep intakes as Optimus walked into the tunnel. He closed his chassis a little more to ensure she would remain warm, but left enough of a gap so she could see as he walked down the cave. "I hope the cavern is big enough too."

"You still have given us a good opportunity, Azura. We are proud of you." Optimus was in awe of what his daughter has already achieved, even while still young and learning. "I guess now we can understand the extent of your abilities."

That was true, and it was scary in a sense, as Azura knew her abilities would get stronger the bigger she got. But she didn't want to think about it. She watched as Optimus reached the other end of the tunnel, and stepped into a large cavern. Azura blinked and widened her optics as she saw there were several layers of the cavern with dozens of energon crystals all around. She had not realized, as she only followed what she had seen and outlined, but there basically layers of ice with exposed energon crystals. All uncovered and ready to be mined and processed.

"By the All Spark, this is a lot of energon!" Bulkhead looked around in awe and turned to face Optimus while looking at Azura. "Not a bad job for a little sparkling like you. Especially since you are part dragon. The walls are sturdy, I see not sign or risk for collapse, and all the crystals have an easy access point. You've done a fantastic job!"

"I am in agreement." Ratchet smiled and looked at Azura. "You should be proud."

"I am." Azura giggled a little before she yawned a little. "Um...I want to try and close the cave before we go back." She rubbed her optics a little and Optimus turned to face the tunnel. "Thanks, daddy! I'll do what I can."

Optimus said nothing as he watched the tunnel patiently. It took a few moments before they would hear movement as the ice seemed to expand and close the tunnel, rather than Azura actually closing with the ice and snow already around it. She simply created more ice, and she ensured it was strengthened enough so it would not collapse in on the cavern to ensure that none of the autobots would be buried. She would be extremely upset if that were to happen.

"And that is enough." Optimus opened his chassis to gently lift Azura out, keeping her cusped into his palms as she laid in them, looking back at him with a tired expression. "You have done extremely well, Azura. I am very proud of you." He hugged the sleepy sparkling and kissed the top of her head gently. "Just remember, I love you for who you are, not what you can do. I know you will make a great warrior when you are older, and maybe, a leader. But what you have done now has given us the means to survive."

"I am glad...thanks, daddy." Azura closed her optics as she mumbled her words to him and fell into deep recharge.

Optimus felt Azura's body relax and he smiled. He opened his com link back to base. "Bumblebee, Azura has successfully created a safe cavern here in the Arctic for us to mine the energon that is here. Now the sparkling has fallen into a deep state of recharge. We need a ground bridge."

"I might go back to get necessary tools before returning to start harvesting some," Bulkhead offered while he was still looking around in awe. "I know we have plenty for the moment, but I figured starting a little at a time would not hurt."

"Understood." Optimus rubbed Azura's back gently and looked at the bridge vortex when it was opened. "Today certainly has been good."

He walked into the vortex, feeling extremely proud of his daughter. He had doubted a little that Azura could do this, simply due to her age and still in need of training, but she has surprised them all. And she was able to achieve exactly what she wanted to achieve. Optimus was extremely proud of her, and he knew he would be extremely proud no matter the achievement. Even if there was nothing at all. And yet, this achievement also shows why the decepticons cannot learn more of her abilities. As they would want her just for that. Especially Megatron.