When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

It took Azura a whole day of recharging to fully recover from the exhaustion of using her abilities to create the cavern in the Arctic. Bulkhead has already started to harvest some of the energon as he knew that they needed it. And the cavern worked well while the surface of the ice would experience the harsh climate and weather of the Arctic. Bulkhead did not reach the blue zone once, and he was thrilled. They were all happy that Azura was able to achieve such a thing. Now Optimus wanted to spend time with his daughter, due to the procedure being days away now from being started.

And today he planned on just doing that. Especially now she has got her energy back, and she was already running and playing with the humans, so that was a very good sign. And Optimus wanted her to be well rested before taking her with him. As she had already expressed interest in going to Wyoming to spend time with him, he planned on surprising her after Jack made a suggestion to him for a different place. A beach side, pine forest to explore. Jack told him where to find it in the US, and Optimus was pleased. He just hoped that Azura would not mind the change, but he knew she would enjoy spending a lot of time with him.

Azura and Jack were in her room at this time, as he had brought the decorations for her tanks, and she allowed him to help her put the decorations into the tanks. Miko and Raf were a bit disappointed that Azura did not ask them, but Jack was Azura's closest friend, so it made sense. Optimus didn't ask Azura about going out of the base to spend time together just yet, as he wanted her to finish the tanks. He knew that he would see how wonderfully decorated the tanks are when he would see them.

"When are you and Azura going to head out today?" Arcee asked as she approached Optimus. He was standing off to the side of the lobby deep in thought about the day, and he turned to face the femme with a smile. "Jack told me this time of year is a good time for things to happen at a beachside pine forest. He mentioned something about baby turtles hatching and such, which I think Azura would enjoy seeing."

"Once Azura has finished decorating her fish tanks, I intend to take her there after telling her the change in plans. I do not wish to disturb her as she and Jack decorate her tanks." Optimus could hear Azura and Jack talking due to the monitor still set in her room, and he enjoyed listening to them. "I know that she and I will spend time together, but there is no rush for her to spend time with me."

"I also know that you and her will undergo this procedure Ratchet keeps talking about. I am curious to know about it, since he's really only kept it between you and him. I hope it doesn't stop you going out in the field for a short time, but I guess we won't have a choice if that does happen." The femme looked at the paintings while Optimus did agree with her to a point. He did know he might not be able to leave the base for a short time, but he hoped for not long. "I must admit, it still feels like a dream that you have your sparkling, Optimus." Prime smiled and nodded as he felt that way too at times. "I know I am not related to her, and you being her carrier probably fears that one day you will wake up and this has all been a dream. But...I never thought it was possible to find her."

"I feel the same way. To be honest..." Optimus intakes heavily and looked away. "At some point, I even once believed that my sparkling did not survive the journey. I think it was at one of the lowest points of the war of Cybertron, and I looked at the stars wondering where she was. But...I was in despair, and I had thought that she might have perished, and I regretted...well, I still regret, sending her away."

"Yeah. I can believe that." Arcee smiled sympathetically at him as she listened to him. "But she...she is alive, and probably will be the next Prime, even though she kind of is already."

"I know. The shard of the Matrix in that crystal would be part of the reason, but...no, I don't think she will be Prime. I believe, in my spark, her destiny will be...different. I honestly believe her destiny will bring her to the origin planet of the dragon." Optimus knew that might not be true, but that was his feeling. "It is no coincidence she has the abilities she has. I have no doubt, she could revive the very planet her ancestors once lived upon. But for them to return...that I don't know if she can do."