Sitting in the bathtub in her bathroom surrounded by clouds of bubbles, Azura laid in the tub as she relaxed in the warm water. Optimus had brought her back to her room sometime after Jack had left as Ratchet needed time to study the schematics that the human children were able to retrieve on their adventure with Bulkhead. Optimus was still disappointed that the children were reckless enough to even follow Bulkhead, and that Bulkhead didn't contact the boys to send Miko back to base, but what was done was done.

Though when Azura asked about having a bubble bath, Optimus was not sure how to answer that. The girl explained to him what it was, and she actually had a bottle of rose scented bubble bath that Fowler had brought back to her. When he actually saw what it looked like and how relaxed Azura was once she was laying in the bath, he could see she was thoroughly enjoying it and it seemed to be rather comforting. It was doing her the world of good after losing another friend, even if he wasn't actually dead.

Azura looked at Optimus and saw that he was deep in thought. He seemed to be troubled by something, and she wanted to ask about it. "Optimus, I see you are troubled by something." He looked at her and smiled gently. "It might not be my business, unless it is something you want to protect me from."

He almost let out an amused chuckle as he listened to his daughter. "I do not think you need to be worried about what I am thinking, Azura. There were things said when Ratchet and I fought the undead Cybertronian warriors that I can't get out of my head. But…" He knelt down, his hand on the side of the tub as he looked at her directly. "I want you to be free of my concerns."

She just nodded before looking away, bringing up her knees to hug them. "I just wish Jack didn't choose to leave. He has been…unhappy that I have been leaving him in the dark about…well…who I am to you, and who you are to me."

"I have noticed that, and I know it is confusing the young boy as he likely has been used to a different behavior from you than what he's been observing," Optimus said gently, softening his expression as he saw her face fill with sadness. "But I do believe has been unfair to you as well. I think a lot of what he has said comes from a place of fear and worry, even though it puts pressure on you. You already have enough on your plate without Jack making you feel guilty about not telling him the truth of your identity."

She listened to him and smiled a little at Optimus's kind understanding of the situation. She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "I haven't even fully accepted it yet. Especially since…uh…I have a connection with the Matrix." Optimus raised an eyebrow slightly in curiosity of her choice of words. "At least you'll be the ones to tell the story of how I came into existence."

"That is why I believe you are right to withhold the truth for the time being. And we respect that. I want you to know there is no shame in waiting and taking your time to accept who you are. You're likely to not go through a growth spurt for a while." She looked at him curiously, wondering when she may go through one. "Not until the energon has strengthened your protoform skeleton, even though I have noticed that you have already grown slightly taller and your skin is more vibrant than it was before." She looked at her arms in surprise as she had not noticed that. "All of those are good signs, so long as you do not return to binging on just human food."

Azura smirked and looked at him with a light chuckle. "Oh? Like I did before with the ice cream?"

"Exactly." He widened his smile at her before he leaned in and kissed her cheek, making her giggle a little. "I do not want to dent you the enjoyment of eating human food, but you must have low-grade energon every day." She just nodded as she understood what he was saying. "Now what do you mean by your connection with the Matrix?" She widened her eyes and she suddenly seemed fearful. "I am aware part of the Matrix's power had been past into you from your creation, but I think you are already aware of some special gift that you have that the Matrix has given you."

Scrap! I didn't want to tell him yet!

"I know it is likely how you were able to escape from the base three years ago." She flinched a little and tightened her hug on her legs. "You have no need to fear, Azura. If you do have a gift, I can probably help you to an extent." She looked at him for a moment before looking away quickly. "I believe that by knowing this, I can protect you better from the decepticons. If they learn of this gift, they will come after you are lot harder than they have been."

Azura really didn't know what to say. She felt cornered, even though she knew the autobots would find out about her powers at some point. She didn't have to tell him she could transform into a dragon yet though. She didn't know how Optimus will react, but if he could somehow help her, she would thoroughly be grateful. "I…I guess you…caught what I said. I…uh…can…um…c-c-control elements…a-and the weather…" She looked at him shyly and looked away. "Um…I…h-have known th-this for a while…but I never knew it was because of how I was created until I learned that…um…you are my carrier…" She was shaking as she told him the truth. She looked at the bubbles thoughtfully for a moment.

Optimus smiled gently as he listened to his daughter. Hearing her admit that she had elemental abilities made him feel happy to know she trusted him enough to tell him. But it also reinforced fears he had regarding her safety. "Thank you for telling me, Azura. I know it was not easy for you, but I assure you, I still love you." She looked at him in surprise before tears fill her eyes. "Even if you had no abilities, it wouldn't matter to me. You are my daughter, my sparkling, and I will make sure you know how much I love you."

Azura let out happy tears and a sob. "Do…do you really mean it?" He nodded and kissed the top of her head. Her bottom lip trembled and she reached her hands out to him, hugging his face. "I…I-I was so nervous…I…did not know if…"

"Azura, you should know that many of the elements on Earth also can be found on Cybertron." She smiled as she listened to him. "It is true we don't have as much water, but you have a unique ability. And I now see how you got out." She immediately acted shy and looked away from him with a giggle. "I distinctly remember hearing the strange sound of rock splitting apart. I remember believing my processors were hearing things, but now I know why."

She giggled as she was feeling guilty and shy. "Uh…it is a little too late to apologize…since I've already apologized." He gave her an amused expression and she looked at the bubbles again. "Is it okay…um…if I can show you?"

Optimus nodded affirmatively. "Take the time you need. I do believe, even though I cannot harness the power of the elements, I'll be able to assist you in practicing your abilities."

Azura was relieved to hear that as she didn't want to rely on her dreams to practice. She took a deep breath and focused, lifting her hands up slightly. Optimus watched silently, not wanting to interrupt her concentration. He was watching closely to see where he could assist her, and so far, she seemed to have a very good sense of concentration. She was relaxed and he hoped to help her practice to the point it becomes easy.

Multiple bubbles and droplets of water rose from the tub. They glisten gently under the glow of the light. Azura smiled as she began to move the droplets and bubbles around in a form of dance. He watched in fascination as the bubbles and water droplets move in front of his optics. It was a beautiful sight to see, and he was so proud of what Azura could already achieve. It already seemed like she was very advanced in her abilities, and that was a good thing.

She lifts the droplets and bubbles up before she concentrates and the bubbles and droplets slowly turn into clear icicles. She had not done this before, so she was worried about it. But she was happy she could change the temperature of the water. Optimus saw this too and he really was happy. She danced the icicles around before she suddenly smashed the bubbles and droplets together, creating an explosion, creation a small, but beautiful and sparkly rainbow as the pieces fell slowly.

"You are amazing." She looked down at the water shyly and winced when he kissed the top of her head. "It seems you have already learned a lot. Now is the time to master them." She nodded in agreement and Optimus moved away suddenly, grabbing a nearby towel. "Though I am happy that you have shared this with me, I am afraid you need to get out."

Azura pouts almost immediately as she wanted to stay in the bath. "But I only just got in."

Optimus was extremely amused by her response and pouty expression. He stepped closer to the tub and Azura slipped her body further into the water with her head just above the surface. "You may not have noticed, Azura, but you have been in there for a little over a half hour." She raised an eyebrow as she did not believe him. "You had been thinking a lot since you got in and as have I. I am keenly aware of the time, Azura. It is time to get out and get yourself ready for bed. I will ask Bulkhead and Bumblebee tomorrow if the school will be open in the morning."

Azura sighed deeply. She really, really did not want to get out of the bath. It was so comfortable and warm that she didn't feel like leaving for another hour. She knew it was evening though with the kids gone home. She looked at Optimus as stood by waiting patiently for her, he showed no sign of impatience or anger, which was good. He was simply patient. She groaned a little and finally stood up from the water and moved to the edge of the tub.

Optimus smiled at her as he gently picked her up and wrapped her in the towel to dry her body. He pressed a button on the side of the tub to drain the water. "I enjoy my time in the shower too, Azura. She looked at him with a smile as she listened to him. "Before the war, I particularly enjoyed oil baths. I spent a lot of time soaking in them as they are exceptionally great for our bodies." She wondered if that meant oil baths were good for her. "But I also enjoyed standing in the shower and feeling the warmth and cleanliness that comes from being clean. It seems that has passed onto you, and that is amusing and makes me happy at the same time."

Azura giggled softly, enjoying the massage from his fingers as he dried her body. He walked into her room to grab her pyjamas for her. "That is a very interesting detail to know. Now I am curious about what an oil bath would be like. Though…is it even possible to have one on Earth? I assume the oil you use is different to what people use for their vehicles on this planet."

Optimus let out a light chuckle as he picked up her pyjamas and hands them to her. She began to slip them on as he responded to her. "I am afraid you would be correct. The type of oil we use for the oil baths are most certainly different to the oil on this planet. I do promise that you will get the chance of experiencing them someday, but…" He paused as he thought on the possibility. "I am not entirely sure when we will return to our planet. You would have loved Cybertron in all her glory."

Azura hoped that they can return there. But she was still happy to remain on Earth. It was her home after all. "I guess it will be one of the many things to look forward to." She slipped her shirt on and looked at him with a smile. "Thank you for being understanding, Optimus. I…" She glanced away from him briefly and looked back at him. "I had been worried about…well…what would happen if I told you about my abilities."

"The Matrix is a powerful entity, Azura. There are still a lot of mysteries surrounding it. That includes the story behind the creation of the Matrix itself." She was intently listening to Optimus as he spoke of the Matrix's creation. She already knew that a dragon had come to aid the thirteen original Primes, and the dragon had given part of its power to the Matrix. "I know the Matrix was not created just by Primus. A power from another being also resides within the Matrix. And that creature came from a world that, unfortunately, went dark because their sun died." Azura immediately felt sad knowing that the dragon who helped Cybertron also lost her home. "That world was a lot like Earth. But the nature of that planet was quite a bit different to this world. Unfortunately, no Cybertronian got the honor to visit the planet. We only know this from pictures we have from space. And when it was decided to visit, it was too late. The planet was dead and void of life with only a dark ocean." She listened to him quietly. "I believe your abilities came from that creature. Even though I still do not know everything about it, other then the original Primes being aided in their fight against Unicron."

"I guess so…" Azura did think it was peculiar she was related to dragon. But she felt okay about that. A lot more than she felt okay about being Optimus's daughter. She wanted to accept that fact, but she was still too frightened to, despite the wall melting away. "Would you mind not telling the others just yet?" Optimus was surprised by her request. "I know, I know…I am probably being too selfish…but…I really want to wait on telling the others."

Optimus listened to her quietly. He had planned on not telling the other autobots until much later, but with her requesting he keep it secret for the time being, he felt compelled to listen to her. He smiled at her kindly. "I will keep this between us for the time being. I know you'll be in a position to tell them, whether it will be good or not. But I am curious if you told Cliffjumper about it." She shakes her head immediately and he softened expression. "I see. I am sure he would have suspected."

"I think he did. But I just never told him." She rubbed her arm nervously and yawned suddenly. "Oh, looks like I am starting to feel tired. I always do after a bath." She chuckled a little before glancing at his chassis and looking back at his optics. "I know I binged on ice cream, but I would like to have some low-grade energon, please. I have been feeling peckish for ice cream for a little while."

Optimus obliged as he opened the panel to draw out the fuel line. Azura grabbed onto it and relaxed in his hand as he cradled her against his chassis. "I had suspected you were feeling hungry for it. While I know the feeling of hunger for energon, you might have a different feeling of hunger for human food." She seemed to think about that because it had not actually occurred to her. "Regardless, your need for energon will outweigh your need for human food. But I know that your tank can't hold all of it." She raised an eyebrow when he referred to her stomach as a tank and she placed her mouth on the fuel line to drink the low-grade as it flowed slowly. "If there isn't much difference, you may not notice it straight away."

She shrugged as she didn't think there was a difference. But Optimus could also be right, so she didn't care to argue about it. She just focused on filling her stomach with the low-grade…even though she still had to get used to the bots referring to it as a tank. Maybe it was a tank, but that still sounded weird to Azura. She really had a lot to get used to, and she suspected it will make her go a little bit crazy at some point. She knew they may not use those words around the kids, but…she couldn't be totally certain.

"Now that you have shown me your abilities, taking you to places privately will be more important," Optimus said gently, making her look at him in surprise. "I know being stuck in the base you are limited to your potential. If you wish, meditating at the top of the base in the fresh air will be one way for you to work on your abilities. I do not know what situations you have found yourself in to need to use them…and thinking back to when the bus was attacked…" Azura shuddered as she hated that memory. "I think you might have used your abilities to try and get away." She didn't admit that she did or didn't as she just kept drinking the low-grade energon. "If you had, it seems in those situations, you can use your abilities. It will be better for you to learn without stress and fear."

Using time to spend with him to learn to control her abilities sounded good, but Azura genuinely would prefer to spend actual time with him. However, she was open to doing both. She doubted he would prevent them both from spending real, quality time together. She would take what she is learning in her dreams and apply them as well, even though Primus had already told her she would still need to learn and practice. Especially being able to transform.

"Well…sounds good to me," Azura simply commented with a slight smile. "But I do just want normal time with you too, Optimus. Spending time worrying about the decepticons and training all the time will make me not want to go anywhere." He did not react as he listened to her concerns. "I don't think that is much to ask."

"No, it is not. I will not pressure you, Azura. I do believe a small amount of training is better than a heap, especially for your age. You are not at a suitable age to be put under that kind of pressure." She raised an eyebrow as her school assignments and homework would beg to differ. However, she did not comment about that. "Your mind will work better if you learn from short periods. I know you will practice in your own time, but any serious training can be done in short periods."

"I am glad to hear you say that." Azura swallowed a few more mouthfuls of energon as she thought about it. "I can control water fine. It's the earth, fire, wind and lightning I have the most trouble with."

"That we can work on down the track." Optimus definitely did not wish to force her into perfecting the elements. "Do not concern yourself about it tonight." He could tell Azura was starting to get full as she slowed down on her drinking. "I know you may not believe this, but I honestly feel like the luckiest mech from Cybertron." She paused her drinking as she was stunned by his words. "I always wanted a sparkling, and I never thought I could have one. And yet, despite the evil intentions, a miracle was creation." She blinked as tears fill her eyes and she drank some more energon as Optimus shut off the flow. "And I never cared if I would get a mech or a femme, and if they were strong or not. I know you are already strong, maybe not physically, but you are strong."

Azura let the happy tears flow, smacking her lips as she finished drinking and spread her hands on his chassis as an awkward hug. "Thank you for your kind words, Optimus. You make me feel special."

"Because you are." He kissed the top of her head as he retracted the fuel line and closed the panel. He walked over to her bed. "Never forget that." She smiled as he rubbed her back gently and he moved to sit beside the bed. "Let me tell you a story from my past. About my old friend…who sadly perished in the war, Ironhide…"

Azura looked up at Optimus as he moved her to sit on his knee as he began telling her the story of how he met Ironhide. It was apparently by accident. A funny accident as Optimus admitted that in his youth, he did some stupid things. Like drink the Cybertronian equivalent to alcohol. And he had actually challenged Ironhide to a race at the time. Both of them had been drunk and they raced around the city, causing a few accident along the way. Hearing this story made her wonder how he grew into this calm, stoic leader in front of her. But…this was his teenage years. She listened to his story until she fell asleep and he gently placed her into her bed, allowing her to dream away happily.

Azura's Dream

Finding herself back in the dream world, Azura had expected to find herself in the castle. However, she was shocked to find herself standing in a bioluminescent forest. There were wattle-like trees everywhere, and glowing crystals of different colors stuck out from the ground with tiny, golden, glowing insects flying around. This place felt familiar, and yet she did not recognize it. However, she had a hunch. This was the world that went dark. She looked up and saw this world was surrounded by three moons, and it was very beautiful.

A grassy path was before her and she looked down to see she still had dragon paws instead of human feet. She smiled and walked along the path carefully, looking around in awe as she saw so many large flowers as well. They were golden, and seemed to look like daffodil flowers. She saw some mountains surrounding the forest and it just seemed so peaceful here. If this was the world the dragon came from, she guessed that the fight with Unicron must have been pretty bad enough for the dragon to leave this home world.

However, her attention was caught by what looked like a massive temple with golden walls and goldish red roof tiles. Celestial dragon statues stood outside the temple, covered in vines with a calm pose. They were standing gesturing to a stone flower on their pillar. Azura couldn't help but wondered what they were made from as they looked like metal, but it wasn't iron…or at least, not the iron she knew.

She looked at the large doorway, looking at the ivy growing over the large temple curiously. She sensed she had to go inside. She felt a big upset as she had expected to look into another pool tonight, but the scenery has changed. She could not help but wonder why it kept changing. It felt like a coincidence that she heard about this world from Optimus and she was now seeing it.

"This is because you have accepted more of yourself," Alpha Trion's voice startled Azura just before she entered the temple. She froze and glanced around in shock. "The more you discover and accept yourself, the world evolves with you. You have accepted that your power comes from the dragon who helped to save Cybertron. I am just sad we were not able to help in return."

"Why did the Cybertronians not help?" Azura asked curiously, entering the temple and glancing around at the painted glass windows that had blue, flying celestial dragons on them with raindrops. "I would have thought they would."

"Sadly, our world was in such devastation after Unicron, it took years of rebuilding before they could even build a ship to fly to this planet," Alpha Trion explained gently as she walked through the temple. "No one had anticipated that the world would die before Cybertrionians reached it."

"I see." Azura did not know if that was all true, but she didn't know how long ago this took, so she really could only go by his words. "Now it makes sense…the castle was me accepting that…I am…not human."

"Correct. Keep walking, the pools are still here." She looked ahead at a rectangular archway with lit torches either side. "However, there is nothing to see in the pools tonight. There are other things for you to do." She was a bit disappointed as she walked through the archway and found herself in a large room. This wasn't a cave this time, and the pools were all in raised pools with fountains. "I will be helping you learn and practice more of your abilities. This world is filled with what you might consider as magic, and it will help you a lot."

Magic was a word Azura never thought she would hear from any of the Cybertronians. She knew that the Cybertronians were way more logical than that, but she guessed using the idea of magic would actually help her. In fact, she liked the idea a lot. She smiled at him happily. "When do we begin?"