Azura's Dream

Opening her optics slowly, half expecting to find herself in a nightmare again, Azura was surprised that she was actually inside the room with mirrors again. She stared at herself as she saw the dragon in the reflection and she looked around curiously. The mirrors seemed different, and she could not figure out what that difference was. She knew that she has finally accepted Optimus as her father, and she was fully comfortable calling him as such. And during the day, she spent time with Jack, Miko and Raf. They had all been super great with this whole thing that Azura was very grateful.

But now she was in her dream again. And she didn't know if this has actually unlocked the ability to transform. That is what was promised after all. She kept looking until she noticed a golden door behind her. It was huge, much bigger than herself with square markings carved into it. She saw light filtering through the gaps of the door. It must be a new place, and she knew it. She didn't know who she would even meet now, and she was nervous. She knew she had to apologize for her reaction, but she was so upset.

She stepped closer to the door and gently pushed it open, not sure what she was expecting. She widened her optics as her optics fell upon a different place. It was a huge valley in front of her with snow covered mountains in the distance. There were plants all around that she did not recognize. And she spotted deer-like creatures that had blue fur with white markings on their legs and their antlers were silver instead of dark brown or black. This seemed more like a fantasy world than she had expected.

She looked around to see where she had to go. "Alpha Trion? Primus? I-I am so sorry. I didn't mean to freak out so much about who my sire is. I am so sorry."

"They accept your apology, young dragon." Azura jumped as she turned upon hearing a gentle, but strong female voice. She glanced up as she saw a ghostly figure of the celestial dragon. She was a glowing blue, but she was completely transparent and her light purple eyes were staring back at her. "Do not be afraid. None of us are disappointed in you. You are still a baby, despite how old you thought you were. Even by my standards, you are still considered very young."

Azura listened to her as she stared. She never thought she would meet the dragon who helped Primus and the original Primes defeat Unicron. "I…I can't believe it. I didn't think I would meet you. Am I seeing things?"

The dragon chuckled gently and shook her head. "No, you are not. This is real. My spirit might have lost its physical form all those years ago, but I am still very much alive. The world you see before you is mine." Azura turned her head to look over the valley in front of her. "At least, a part of it. Unfortunately, this world no longer exists. But you see only the memory of it."

"It is beautiful." Azura smiled as she gazed upon it before looking back at her. "What is your name? Or should I call you mother?"

She chuckled softly at the girl's innocent question. "Mother isn't the right term for me, Azura. While we are related, it is because my DNA is within that Matrix. But I can see why you would feel that way, young dragon. My name is Celeste, and I am here to help you understand what Optimus has been trying to teach you."

Azura smiled happily as she was glad to learn from the dragon. "Really? I am still not understanding what he means by looking at the water and how it flows naturally. I understand it visually, but I am not following the metaphor. It just seems confusing to me."

"It might seem like that at first, young dragon, but once you do know what it means, you can learn further abilities. Such as healing and using the power of the Matrix within you itself. Including shadow." Azura tensed as soon as Celeste mentioned using the power of shadow. "Do not think that shadows are evil, Azura. Evil is not born, remember. Night and day is a perfect example of light and dark working in harmony. You cannot use one without the other."

"But…I-I thought it was just elements, not that," Azura said nervously as she trembled a little. "But…th-that means…uh, I-I am Megatron's…well…"

"It is true you are Megatron's daughter. It is a fact that even Optimus suspects." Azura was not surprised that Optimus suspects that is who her sire is, and he likely will not say it or test for it unless necessary. "But Megatron was not always the way he is. In fact, he started with very good intentions. But sometimes, good intentions are corrupted. And that is where is has led to his downfall. You are not like him."

"Well…as everyone keeps saying, I-I am still a baby…well, toddler, and you don't know the future. So…well…I don't want to be like him, but…I don't know. I sound silly, don't I?" Azura looked away from Celeste as she felt a bit of shame saying that. "Sorry…"

"No, no, it is perfectly understandable to have that fear. But you are able to learn a lot, and there are so many years before you are matured enough. Until then, you do not need to fear about being evil like Megatron. You already know you don't want to be like him, and that is good. But do not give up on Megatron." She frowned as she listened to Celeste as Megatron was dead. "Not all is lost."

Azura stared at Celeste and tilts her head in confusion. "But Megatron is dead."

Celeste simply chuckled softly at her. "Yes. He is unavailable at this time." Azura did not know if that meant that somehow Megatron was alive. If he was, she didn't know how that would have happened. "Let us not think of that. Now is the time for you to learn how to use the basic element comfortably. Just like how I can fly, you can use your abilities without much thought."

Azura smiled at her as she also wanted to learn how to fly. "How can we fly?"

"Simple." Celeste lands on the ground beside Azura with a smile. "Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath, and empty your mind." Azura hummed softly and did as she was told. She closed her optics and intakes deeply. She cleared her mind of all her thoughts, and tried not to worry that she could accidently wake up suddenly from this dream. "Search for the spark of my being in you. It will be like static, but gentle." Azura remained focused as she looked inward. It took a bit of time before she found it. She found the spark of Celeste's being in her own. "Good. Now feel that power course through your body. Just look at everything you ever thought knew, forget yourself. Only through forgetting, you will achieve what your ancient blood already knows." Azura cleared all of her thoughts of her knowledge and allowed the spark of Celeste's being course through her. She felt as though her body began to float and it felt amazing. "You can fly."

Opening her optics, Azura glanced down and realized her feet were not touching the ground. A big smile formed on her face and she lurched herself forward and moved in a slithering motion as she moved through the sky. She couldn't believe she was able to do it. It felt so amazing and free! It was something she has never experienced before! But it was amazing! As she got high, she looked down below, seeing the beautiful green of the world beneath, the white of snow on the mountains and the blue of the different bodies of water.

"I-I can't believe it! I can fly!" Azura cheered loudly and twirled her body around in the sky, smiling as she flew closer to the clouds. "This is amazing! Wow! I cannot wait to show daddy this! I haven't learned how to transform yet."

"Like being able to fly, your blood already knows how to transform, Azura," Celeste said gently as she flew beside Azura. The girl looked at the ghostly dragon with happy optics. "And now that you know how to fly, using the elements will not be so hard." Azura hummed thoughtfully and Celeste chuckled at her. "Follow me! One of the best things about dragons, we can swim. Cybertronians are not built to remain underwater for long periods, but you can."

Azura watched Celeste turn and dive towards a lake. She smiled and followed her. "And being surrounded by water means it will make it easier. But I think I might have got it. You told it to me differently, and maybe I can influence water easily."

Celeste was pleased about it as Azura had not been learning too quickly about her abilities. But now it seemed like she will progress better. It was necessary as the cons will eventually get Azura, and she needed to be able to get herself out of situations when Optimus or any of the other autobots weren't around to assist. While Celeste did not know of the future, she knew that it was necessary for her safety and potential survival.

Celeste dove straight into the water and Azura followed, feeling the water around her whole body. She smiled as soon as she was underwater, finding herself looking at bioluminescent plants at the bottom of the lake, and numerous sea creatures she has never seen before. She couldn't help but feel the water all around her body. It was different to when she was in the bath, it felt as thought there was some kind of connection. Something that was new, but has always been there. Just as her ability to fly.

"The water feels different…" Azura gasped in surprise as she realized she could speak underwater. "Wait! Dragons can speak underwater?!"

"Yes, we can. On the world we came from, water was always the first element we could master. Without water, we would not survive. Nothing would. Same without the light of the sun." Celeste sighed deeply as she looked around. "Sometimes a part of me regrets leaving this world. But Unicron is a threat to all of us."

"Wait, is?" Azura frowned in confusion. "I thought…"

"He was banished, not killed, Azura, there is a difference. Unicron is too great of a being to simply destroy. Primus would be the only one capable of destroying him, but that is not in Primus's nature. Never has been, and never will be. Unicron is still out there." She did not like the sound of that all, and she hoped he wouldn't be around, but the fact Celeste was telling her made her think. "No one really knows what happened to him. But he will try to awaken again. And only Optimus can stop him with the Matrix."

Azura did not want to think on that as she knew it took thirteen Primes to stop Unicron. And Optimus was only one. She didn't want to think about that. "I hope that won't be the case." She looked at Celeste with some curiosity. "So how do I use my abilities better?"

Celeste smiled at her and gestured around her. "You can feel the difference when you are surrounded by water, do you not?" The girl nodded affirmatively. "Good. That is all you need. Make some bubbles, and see what you can do."

Azura didn't quite understand, but she stopped swimming forward and lifts her hands to concentrate on making bubbles. She widened her optics as she formed a bubble between her hands and watched it float upward. It was no effort at all. She just had to think of a bubble, and it formed. She did not want to believe it as that seemed too easy. So she tried again, and she created another bubble.

"I…what?"

Celeste chuckled gently at the girl. "It is as easy as flying through the air or swimming through the currents, your abilities are not as complex as you might think. It does take time to master. Especially when you learn how to control fire, and the weather on Earth. But it isn't as difficult as you think, Azura. This is in your blood."

Azura stared as she made some more bubbles before sighing a little. "Yeah, but…it seems easier here than when I wake up." She turned her head to look at the dragon. "I don't know why, but it seems easier."

"That is because your subconscious is open, Azura. It is the part of your brain that knows what it already knows. What you learn here, is just the same as when you wake up. It might take a little extra effort, but you have created your own river." Azura frowned and looked at the bubbles. "The way you made them, is just as easy as the flow of water. Do you understand what we are trying to say now?"

Azura created some more bubbles as she pondered on the metaphor. She didn't have any effort in creating the bubbles the were forming within her hands. She watched them curiously as the metaphor repeated in her head. Just like a river. She knew that rivers started from somewhere though, and continued flow until it reached a large body of water. Maybe that is what they were meaning. But then Optimus used the ocean as an example too. The way it changes naturally through the tides and currents. And this happened all the time, every day. There was nothing to stop the water from these. It was a cycle, but it was unstoppable.

She tilts her head as she watched the bubbles before she froze three suddenly as she looked at them curiously. "The cycle of water is endless. It is how there is always water, it evaporates, forms into clouds and rains down." She hummed softly as she moved the bubbles around playfully. "Just like the wind, it cannot be stop."

"Yes, yes, that's it," Celeste said happily with a smile. "You are getting it."

Azura heard the dragon, but she did not focus on her. She focused on the frozen bubbles in front of her. She was mesmerized by them. She repeated the metaphor and she began to realize what it means. She didn't have to try so hard. She thinks and feels, she was already connected to the abilities and nature, so it shouldn't be complicated. It still required practice, but she was already doing it naturally before she ever met the autobots.

"I do understand. It is not complicated." She turned her head to look at Celeste who nodded. "I have been making it complicated…I have let frustration in my mind cloud my effort. And it turned into something…well…"

"There is no shame in knowing that, Azura. You are still extremely young, so it is naturally going to be harder for you. Young minds keep going, they do not relax like mature minds do. But you are very mature for your age." The girl smiled as she appreciated that. "You've had to grow up quickly. And it is unfortunate, but destiny clearly has a plan for you, Azura. And my task here is done."

"Done?" Azura widened her optics in shock. "Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean done? Are you telling me that I only was going to meet you once? You're not going to help me any other time aside from now?"

Celeste placed her paw onto Azura's shoulder gently. "I am afraid so. You needed to hear from me, Azura. A dragon shouldn't get advice for an autobot, even the wisest of them all. And unfortunately, Primus can only give you so much too." Azura's optics fill with tears, only for the water to wash them away. "Do not despair, it was my pleasure meeting you, young dragon. I am sorry that you wanted to spend more time with me, but I am unable to stay with you in your dreams."

Azura looked down as she was very sad to know she would only spend time with Celeste for a short time. "But I really hoped to get know you more. I only know about dragons from the myths that humans make."

"And despite some of the very unusual stories, like hoarding treasure, there are some truths in what they write. So don't think that all of it is false, Azura. You already know dragons as wise and powerful beings. So keep that in your mind, and so are Primes." Azura looked at Celeste and smiled as she thought about her father. "Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but it is turning out very well for you now."

She giggled softly and shook her head. "I have heard that reference more than a few times now. But I like it." She sniffled a little and sighed. "I am sad this is the first and only time to know you, but I am honored, Celeste. I hope I will never disappoint you."

"You never will. Let's get out of the water." Celeste swam upward to leap out of the water.

Azura smiled and she followed Celeste to fly back into the sky. Feeling her tail and legs propel her into the sky felt amazing. She smiled as she felt the wind on her body as she slithered through the sky. She closed her optics as she intakes the fresh air around her. It was such a shame she would never be able to see this world properly. She opened her optics and gasped in surprise when she saw shapes of other dragons flying around. And these were ghostly figures like Celeste, and not all were celestial dragons. Some appeared to be wyverns and others the European style, but they were all flying around. It felt as though it was a welcoming or something to her. But it was beautiful.

Celeste flew ahead of her and Azura watched as clouds formed above and began to rain down. With the sunlight upon them, a rainbow form within seconds and Azura smiled as she saw Celeste fly down and then back up, creating crystals of the rain behind her and creating a near permanent rainbow. It was beautiful! Azura wanted to try that. However, as she went to try, Celeste flew in front of her and stopped her before kissing her forehead and patting her head. Azura widened her optics and was about to protest just as she began to feel herself waking up. She tried to fight as she wanted to stay, but she couldn't.

End of Dream

Opening her optics, Azura blinked and rubbed her optics and looked around. She realized she was back in her berth as she saw the stuffed toys around her and she wasn't in her dream with Celeste. She was so disappointed that she woke up after having such a good dream that she let out a few tears. She really had wanted to spend more time with Celeste, but there was nothing she could do about it now.

She sniffled and wiped her cheeks before grabbing her pink dragon toy and hugged it. She looked back at all the times she has used her abilities, and she realized she already knew how to use them, she only complicated it by thinking it was. It was how she was able to get out of the base after all. She stared at the toy's eyes, thinking about Celeste and the things she had told her. She was happy that she got help from her, and she was going to cherish that.

But she was disturbed that Celeste seemed to suggest that Megatron might not be dead. She didn't know if that is right, but that is what she understood by what Celeste had been telling her. And she told him to not give up on Megatron too. She didn't know about that. She does not know him. She only knew what has been told to her about him, and for Azura, that was enough. Especially with what she has known about her own creation.

She intakes heavily as she stretched her limbs. She grimaced at some pain in her leg and back, but it wasn't as strong as before. She guessed it due to the faster healing that the Cybertronians seemed to have. She wanted to use the bathroom first, however, she heard the door open and she turned head towards it, smiling as she saw Optimus walking in. She didn't know what time it was, but it did not matter as she had no school.

"Morning Azura," Optimus said gently as he approached the berth. He smiled at her as she smiled back at him. "Did you recharge well? It would seem that the nightmares have gone away…which seemed to be because of the scraplets."

He picked her up from the berth and she kept a hold of the stuffed dragon in her arm. "I slept fine. Um…it feels weird to wake up and not need to go to school." She huddled against his chassis as Optimus held her against it as he walked towards the bathroom. "I guess it is nice. No need to rush, just relax."

"As it should be." Optimus brought her over to the toilet and lowered her down.

Azura looked at Optimus curiously as she stepped off his hand. "By the way, since I am not going to be going to school today, can we go to the island today? I still feel a bit sore, but I have the urge to go and do something. And I don't want to be held back."

Optimus smiled at her as she sat down on the seat while waiting for his response. "I think we can see if we can. I'll ask Ratchet as he has been working on getting the bridge back to normal."

"Oh, I forgot." Azura felt stupid for asking that. "Maybe I'll wait, but surely we can do something. I know I don't look human now, and that really narrows everything that I can do, but I would like to do something with you."

Optimus pondered on what they could do today. "Well...I am not really sure if I will take you outside the base. Despite Jasper being a small town, and not many humans traverse the roads leading into the town, we cannot drop our guard I am afraid." She groaned a little as she listened to him, feeling upset that they might not get to do anything. "And I have had to help with a few of the repairs around the base, which could impact what we can do." Optimus grimaced as he knew he was listing off things that would hinder their time together. "I know you mentioned to Jack that you wanted to add some lights to your room. Is there anything else you want to do to it?"

Azura was surprised by the question and she tapped her foot thoughtfully. "Huh...well...I do like the color purple...lavender to be exact. I wouldn't mind getting my room painted that color, but we would have to move the fish to keep them away from the paint fumes."

"If that is something you want, we can do that. Maybe we could plan an entire redecoration of the room. You can show us examples, or draw us what you want and we can make it happen." Azura thought about going over the idea of renovating her room. It sounded like fun and she smiled with a nod. "I think that will give us something to pass the time. And if there are images you want printed onto the walls as well, that could also be something we can do for you."

It really feels like he's trying to spoil me. But…I kind of like it. I've never been spoiled before.

"I have to say I am very happy that we can do something together today," Azura said happily as she finished using the toilet. "I think that does sound like a lot of fun. Though my laptop is in the lobby, so it could be a shared thing as well. But mostly just you."

Optimus was very pleased that she liked the idea. "The brings my spark happiness to know we have found something you will enjoy, even though we will probably be stuck indoors for some time. Give Ratchet the time and chance to fix the bridge. It is a delicate task that I am not equipped for."

Azura chuckled softly as she finished wiping herself and flushed the toilet. She washed her hands and kept a hold of the plush tucked under her arm. Optimus picked her up once she finished and cradled her against him. "I am okay with waiting, daddy. I am not going to rush Ratchet. Can you imagine me annoying him like that? I wonder how long it would take him to get annoyed if I started to say…" Azura smirked as she thought about it before speaking quickly in a sarcastic tone. "Is the bridge done yet? Is the bridge done yet? Is the bridge done yet?"

Optimus chuckled gently as he imagined how annoyed Ratchet would be if Azura was to do that. "That would be quite amusing to see. Ratchet would probably blow a fuse very quickly."

She widened her grin and optics at him. "Does that mean I can do it?"

He shook his head in amusement at her. "No. I know it would be very amusing, but Ratchet needs to get the bridge done so we can use it. We do not have an everlasting supply of energon after all."

"Oh yeah, I should really be thinking of that." Azura shrugged and looked at his chassis for a moment before looking back at his optics. "Can I have energon? I am hungry, daddy."

He smiled as he opened the panel, drawing out the fuel line for her. Azura took it and he walked out of the room to head to the lobby. Azura grimaced as she was still unhappy that she would have to feed from him again around the others, but it was better than when the kids are there. She began drinking once the line filled with the low-grade and Optimus was just pleased that Azura was able to recharge without a nightmare that night. He had worried about it, but it seemed they went away. He was glad they didn't have to give her anything to make her rest.

For that Monday, Azura spent the day figuring out what she wanted done to her room. She had picked the color lavender and showed the bots what fairy lights looked like. In between, Optimus assisted Ratchet and the others with fixing the base as there was still a lot for them to do. Azura was happy to deal with that, and she ended up making use of her paint in the lobby as well. She decided she wanted to keep using it as a hobby, and she began to sketch a new image of a celestial dragon, making sure to remember Celeste as clearly as possible so she could paint the image during the week. Optimus did not know what she was drawing, but she was very happy today, and he was thrilled. He looked forward to the rest of the week.