Aurora stood fascinated by Raf as he poured a large amount of baking soda into his model volcanoe. It was his science fair project. Although this was known as a common project, Aurora never knew a lot about science and was very curious.

"Kuya Raf, can you tell me the science behind volcanoes?" Raf chuckled at that.

"Sure thing, Light. I will be great practice for when I'm actually presenting." Raf goes on about how some volcanoes are made due to the submerging of tectonic plates that cause volcanoes to form and erupt.

"I will demonstrate now, by pouring vinegar into the volcano, which will then react with the baking soda I put in earlie to demonstrate the violent reaction." Raf poured it in the volcano. It started to rumble and shake, then it erupted really loud throughout the base. Smoke spread throughout the area.

"Decepticons! We're under attack!" Aurora heard from the other room. Then two pairs of peds headed in their direction. Ratchet and Optimus gazed upon Raf, Aurora, and Bumblebee from the clearing smoke.

"It's no attack, Ratchet," Raf coughed a bit. "It's my volcano," Raf turned to see his volcano melting, "... or was."

"Yeah, daddy. It was so cool!" Aurora exclaimed. She turned back to Raf and asked, "Can we do it again?"

"Hold still, Bulkhead. Jupiter needs its red spot." Ratchet turned to see Miko and her project, as well as her mess. "Woopsy."

"What ... in the Allspark is going on here?"

Jack was the one to speak up saying, "Our projects are due tomorrow."

"Maybe it needs one of these doohickies," Arcee suggested.

"You're a motorcycle, Arcee. Shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?"

"You're a human, Jack. Can you build me a small intestine?" Arcee retorted.

"Well you can't work on these projects here. You're ... making a mess," Ratchet said.

"But the science fair is a big part of our grade," Raf said.

"Yeah, if Bulkhead doesn't help me finish this model of our solar system," Miko said. Ratchet questioned what their guardians knew about their project, making a clear point that they weren't scientists.

"But the Autobots are their guardians, Ratchet. Would it not hurt to learn more of Earth by helping our young friends with their school work?" Optimus asked.

"Maybe our young friends should learn more about Cybertron," Ratchet grumbled.

"Cybertronian science is cool, but I want to learn more about their science," Aurora said.

"'Their science?' Aren't you suppose to say 'our science', Aurora? You are human, and this is human science. So you're suppose to say 'our science.'" Aurora eyes widened at the simple fact Ratchet pointed out. She knew so much of Cybertron and very little about Earth, that she had forgotten the fact she herself, was a human. Raf noticed the slight defencive shift in Aurora, that he went up and hugged her.

"Hey, it's okay. Aurora. You worked really hard by helping me with my project, you deserve some rest. Let's get you to bed." With that, Raf led Aurora to her room with everyone silently watching them go. Then the kids went silently back to work.

"Poor, Aurora. Taken at a young age, and knows nothing about her own species or knowledge."

"Not only that, Optimus. It seems that she doesn't consider herself human, but more as a Cybertronian." Ratchet sighed. "She has probably all the knowledge from the Nemesis which makes her very knowledgable on our culture, and yet very distant from her own."

"Then it was a good decision to put her in the kid's school?"

"Indeed, it was. Aurora needs to learn some of her own culture. She may know a variety, but she is missing vital components to it. Ones that she can only learn first hand. Things such as happiness, loyalty, and friendship."

"But does she not already have friends outside of the children?"

"Yes, however, Aurora still has anxiety though. She still doubts them, and has yet to realize they are truly friends she can count on."

"And how do you know this old friend?"

"Through Raf, of course. I am her sire, and have the right to know. Raf spends lunch with Aurora and her friends Barricade and Zakaries. He found the sincerity within the two when they wanted to protect her as well as Raf, Jack, and Miko." Optimus was surprised. Aurora, was always trusting of those around her, yet doubts her own friends.

"But, why?"

"Raf and I had come up with theories of our own. I think Aurora doesn't want to compromise our mission and might let it slip that we exist. She doesn't want to make more trouble than she already has, but she knows we can't be mad at her."

"What of Raf's theory?"

"He thinks that it is more of lack in experience."

"'Lack in experience'?"

"Indeed. Raf knows Aurora, and he knows she lacks experience of growing up normal. Aurora can't really relate to anyone, due to the fact that she never had a normal life. The lack in normalcy puts a big rift between her and everyone around her. All anyone can really do is have empathy and pity for her. Though, from what I heard from Raf, her friends are trying really hard to bridge the gap between them." Ratchet rubbed his faceplate. "My little sweet spark doesn't deserve this."

"I would agree with that, but it can't be helped. We can only do the best that we can for her, and that's to be there for her when ever she needs us to be. You, Raf, and Arcee are the ones she mostly relies on. This has allowed her to open up and act closer to her age than that of a grown adult."

"I'm glad to make such a difference in her short life."

"'Short life'?" Ratchet's optics widened and shook his helm.

"Later, old friend. I need to ask Aurora, but until then, please be patient for her." Optimus nodded his helm.

"Understood, Ratchet. I'm very glad everything is calm. Aurora and Raf seem back to normal. How are things between you and Arcee?" Ratchet sighed.

"Well, we have a truce since I pointed out the fact Aurora was crying about us arguing over her. Last night, Aurora had formed a creator and creation bond between us." Optimus was surprised.

"You two formed a bond!?" Ratchet nodded his helm.

"She has been wanting to form the bond, and so have I. We just weren't sure of how the other would react, but it happened." Ratchet rubbed the back of his helm a bit. "Well, Aurora formed the bond on her own while we were recharging."

"I'm very happy for the both of you. Now you can assure Aurora being alright, and that both of you truly love and care for each other." That may have been true, but Aurora never wanted to actually form the bond. When the two found out that the bond was formed, Aurora got upset. She explained to Ratchet that a broken spark bond is very painful, and that some never recover from it. Aurora was afraid that Ratchet and Arcee would offline themselves after her passing. She could never be able to sever the bond between Arcee and herself since they were bonded by two halves of Aurora's spark, but she didn't want to form a bond that could hurt her sire. After promising he would continue functioning after her passing, Aurora agreed to keep the bond.

"Thanks, Optimus. That means a lot. The bond between us is very strong and platonic. I have never felt so loved before, but now I'm very happy."

"That is the true power of the spark bond, old friend. It is very strong and proves to be a good way to show how one deeply cares for the other."

"I know. I am a-" Ratchet stopped mid sentence, and quickly rushed away.

"Ratchet!?"

"Aurora!"

Earlier with Aurora

Aurora and Raf made it to her shared berthroom with Arcee. They made it to her bed and sat down next together in silence for five minutes. Then Raf spoke up after the long silence between them.

"Aurora, don't feel bad. I would have forgotten too if Arcee and Ratchet were my family." Aurora didn't answer. Raf moved closer and hugged her. She responded to lean in and hug him back. Aurora shook ever so slightly.

"How could I ... it's not fair ... when will all this confusion end for me?" Raf rubbed her back to calm her down before she has a very bad breakdown like before, when they first met.

"I know it's hard and all, but this goes to show how strong and resilient you are. No matter what, you are still living. That takes bravery, and lots of it."

"Why does this have to be so difficult."

"If it wasn't, then there wouldn't be hard work."

"I just hate that I'm not normal. It's so hard to fit in with other people, but not here at home."

"Why else would Optimus allow you to go to school. He want's you to gain experience. To try and be normal. You even got friends on your second day of school. Especially just being yourself. You got them to be who they really are, and that's really hard to do with anybody." Aurora's trembol subsided much to Raf's relief.

"You're right. I made friends pretty fast, even with everyone being against me," then Aurora started shaking again, "Raf."

"What's wrong, Aurora?"

"I ... I ... " She started to hyperventilate.

"Aurora, calm down. Deep breaths, deep breaths." Aurora tried, but couldn't calm down. Raf trid his best not to panic.

"I formed ... spark bond ... with Ratchet," she said.

"That's good, but you need to calm down." Raf told her and he hugged her tighter as her shaking increased.

"I ... don't  ... want to ... hurt ... him." Before Raf could respond, Ratchet along with Optimus entered the room. Ratchet quickly picked them both up, hugged them to his chassis, and rubbed Aurora's back with his digit. No words were spoken, yet Aurora calmed down.

"Raf, what happened?" Ratchet asked.

Raf glanced at Optimus then asked, "Aurora, is it time to fill him in?" Silence answered him. Though Ratchet felt approval through the bond and sighed.

"Optimus, the secret that we hold is that, by the end of the war, Aurora is going to die." This shocked Raf and Optimus. But then Raf remembered Aurora had formed a spark bond with each other.

"But how-"

"Optimus, we don't know. Aurora had a dream, but it was so real to her. All we know is that by the end of the war, she will die." Silence settled after Raf's statement.

"I-I-I d-don't want to h-hu-hurt daddy o-or Ate. I don't wanna. I don't wanna." Aurora burst into tears, crying into Raf.

"How can you hurt Arcee and Ratchet?"

"Raf, if one of the people were to die that had a spark bond, the other person that lived would feel a never ending void. It hurts them because the spark is our soul to humans. With the bond destroyed, we feel the pain in our soul and it never leaves." This caused Raf to hug Aurora tighter, looking down at her as if to cry, but he didn't.

"Aurora, they will be fine."

"B-b-but-"

"They have been in war for a long time. They had suffered one too many times as it is. Ratchet and Arcee will be fine. Even if they feel pain, they will still live on to live for you. Just like how you live for all the other 200 test subjects." Optimus and Ratchet were surprised by his words. They didn't think Raf would say something like that, but considering his close connection to Aurora, it wasn't that impossible. Not to mention he did learn a thing or two about war in school.

"Thank you, Kuya. I really needed the reassurance," Aurora said as she looked up into Raf's eyes. Raf smiled and hugged her tight.

"Anytime, Light. You know I will always be there for you. Even till the very end. So you can always come and talk to me when you're troubled." Aurora nodded, pulled away yawning. "I think I was right when I said you need rest."

"Uncle OP, can I sleep in your alt. mode cab?" Optimus was about to decline, but Aurora continued. "I need to get over the fact that you are not like Megatron or him. Please, Uncle Op." Optimus was weighing the pros and cons.

"Optimus, this will also calm your's and Aurora's fears that you have. Not to mention that you won't even know she's there," Ratchet said.
Optimus sighed, "Alright. If it will help me gain your trust, then I will do it." Aurora smiled at that and left Raf's hold to fly to her bed to grab her pillow and blanket. Then she flew to Optimus who held out his servo to her. Optimus opened his chassis to his alt. mode cab. Aurora turned and waved.

"Night, daddy. Night, Kuya. Night, Uncle OP." She went into the cab and laid down as Optimus closed the cab. Aurora felt safe for some odd reason from the warmth radiating from Optimus's spark. As she drifted off, Aurora smiled knowing that Optimus was someone she could trust.

The others were silent in the room, until Ratchet smiled.

"Aurora's asleep now. I also have to say, you might be asked if she could sleep with you again, Optimus."

"Why is that, old friend?"

"I felt it over our bond, that she felt safe and happy before she fell asleep. Aurora will ask you again."

"Isn't that great, Optimus!? Now Aurora trusts you in our little circle!" Raf exclaimed.

"It is good to know that, but I wonder why it is that she feels safe with me? I'm not saying that I do not want her trust. I just want to know what brought on this sudden change?" They were silent until Raf spoke up.

"It could be your spark. I mean Aurora can look deep into people's souls and know who they really are. So being really close to your spark could have brought on the sudden trust."

"I would agree with Raf on this one, Optimus. I mean Aurora formed our own bond without trying. It would stand to reason she can sense the good in your spark. Not to mention all the good memories I gave her of you so she could move forward."

"I see. Thank you, old friend."

"I need to continue my project. Can you bring me back to Bumblebee?"

"Sure thing, Raf." With that the three left the room to go about their day.

Time Skip

Aurora found herself floating in a white plane. She looked around, fearing one of her sister's memories would start to surface, but nothing. Right when she was going to let her guard down, an orb appears. The orb was a light blue that glowed softly. It gave off warm that was very similar to Optimus's spark.

Aurora found that it was very nice at first, but started to panic. She thought about how this was similar when she bonded to Ratchet. She thought that she might bond to Optimus as well and was going to fly away, but was stopped as a voice resonate through the white plane.

"There is no need to worry, little sparkling. You will not bond to the Prime. Not unless you really want to. So there is no need to worry." The voice spoke softly. Aurora knew the voice belonged to a mech, but didn't know who. Aurora did calm down at least knowing she wasn't going to accidently bond to Optimus.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my dream plane? Do you know Ate or Daddy? Do you belong to Ate or daddy's memories?"

"Young sparkling, I am known as The Creator. I know all my children, including Arcee and Ratchet. I am in every Cybertronian memory." Aurora gasped. She was in front of The Creator, Primus himself! Aurora quickly got down on one knee, put her right hand over her spark while the other was behind her back, and bowed her head to the orb now known as Primus.

"It is a great honor to meet the all mighty Creator, in my dreams no less. How may I help you, Oh Great One? Tell me so I can die trying to fulfil your wish."

"Rise, sparkling. There is no need for you to be so formal. You are only a sparkling, and shouldn't bow to me."

Aurora didn't rise. Instead she replied, "I have to be formal, for that would be showing great disrespect to one such as yourself. If not for you, my Ate and sire would never been created, never mind meet me. I ask again, what may I do to be of serves?"

There was a suffocating silence between them. It seemed to be like hours after hours before Primus spoke again.

"I came to you to apologize." He waited for her to respond, but when she didn't he continued. "I was the one who fated you to die. I am so sorry. Please forgive me." There was great sadness and regret that laced his voice.

Aurora got up and walked while still looking at her feet until she was a few feet from Primus.
"It is alright, Primus," she looked up. If Primus had a face, he would be crying. For Aurora was smiling at him. "I forgive you. If anything, I should be thanking you."

"B-but, why!? You're going to-" Aurora held up her hand to interrupt him.

"I'm sure of it. If it weren't for you changing my fate, I was sure I would have died with my parents, and I wouldn't have met my Ate or daddy. They would have never known about the energon experiments, and they would have been running low on energon in the future if I never appeared. I am grateful for the change in fate. I will make a difference with my presence, and I know that when I die, I will also be giving my life for future generations. There is no need to be sad or regret your decision. Just know this," Aurora to a deep breath before continuing again.

"Every decision you make is always the right one. Even if the few were to suffer, they will help in the future of others. Just as a Prime was to suffer the burdens of leadership, they take the role knowing that their sacrifice is for the greater good."

Silence settled for a moment. Aurora was happy with what she had said, for it was true. Even if it was wrong to have someone meet their end early, it was for the greater future. Aurora knew that she could never be mad a Primus or anyone for that matter.

"I did not realise how much my decision had changed you to be as wise as a Prime. Thank you for your forgiveness, Aurora. There is one last thing I need you to know. The reason behind why you will die."

Minutes Later

Aurora jolted up as Optimus was hit into the stone wall by Skyquake.

"AH! Uncle, what's going on!?"

Optimus looked at his chassis. "Aurora!?" He gasped in surprise. He found that Ratchet was right about not even knowing she's was there. Optimus completely forgotten she was sleeping in his alt. mode cab. He had to get her out and put her somewhere safe.

Then Optimus was thrown to the side, causing Aurora to hit her head, and gained a wound that started bleeding. Optimus had to get away from Skyquake long enough to get Aurora to safety.

"Aurora, are you alright!?" Optimus asked lowly so only she heard.

"Sort of. I hit my head on your dashboard, and now I'm bleeding at the side of my head."

"Can you heal it?"

"No. Also, due to my injury, I won't be able to hide my energon signature much longer. The decepticons might come looking for the source." Optimus really worried now. If he let her out, the decepticons could get her while he was busy with Skyquake, but if he didn't, then Aurora could get more injuries. Optimus was at a lose here.

Optimus tried to shooting at Skyquake, but it didn't seem to affect him at all. Skyquake pulled out his machine gun and started to shoot Optimus, who was pushed back by the sheer power of the gun.

"Optimus! I'm coming!" Bumblebee rush out from cover.

"Bumblebee, no!" Bumblebee ignored Optimus and shot Skyquake.
Skyquake tried to return fire, but Bumblebee dodged but jumping from the canyon walls. Bumblebee tried to attack Skyquake head on, but was thrown at a nearby wall. Skyquake was going to shoot Bumblebee, but Optimus pushed the gun up just in time. Bumblebee charged at Skyquake, but was once more tossed away.

Soundwave was watching the fight, but his sensors started to pick up a faint energon signal that continued to grow by the second. He tried to pinpoint it, but was confused for a second as it was moving with Optimus. That was until Aurora's file popped up.

'I need to capture her,' Soundwave thought as he continued to watch the fight. Not only was Aurora a good supply of energon, but she has gotten him quite curious. Aurora wasn't afraid of any of the Decepticons like the other human pets. He wanted to know why that was, so he decided to be patient in order to get her. He judged that Prime would have to release her soon, because she would get hurt the longer she was within the Prime.

"Do not miss a single moment, Soundwave. We shall need visual documentation of Optimus Prime's demise. For the historic record," Starscream said.

At the fight, Optimus punches Skyquake in the faceplate, but he retaliates with a punch of his own.

"Aahh!" Aurora hit her head once more on the dashboard. Skyquake goes to it Optimus again, but Optimus swiftly dodges and tries to restrain him, but gets punch in the helm.

This caused Aurora to be thrown up and hit the roof with the back of her head. She hissed in pain and saw she was getting energon on, not only herself, but on her blanket, pillow, and on Optimus's interior.

Optimus backs up a bit to put some distance between them and Skyquake.

"Why hasn't he taken off yet?"

"Skyquake has not yet, acquired a vehicle mode."

"Optimus, you're bleeding!" Optimus looked down and saw a lot of energon leaking from his chassis. Optimus really has to get Aurora out now.

"No, Bumblebee, I'm fine. However, Aurora is not." Before Bumblebee could say anything, Skyquake charged at them.

"Fall back." Both Autobots transformed, reversed, and drove away from Skyquake.

"So time has made you a cowered, Prime!" Skyquake started to shoot at them. He looked down and saw a trail of energon that followed Optimus. "Or I am close to extinguishing your spark," he whispered to himself. Then he chased after them.

Meanwhile

Ratchet wouldn't let anyone help make their science fair project. As he continued the work, all three kids got a message from Aurora. They exchanged looks between each other, and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, Ratchet. We will let you work, we will just get out of your way then. Come on, Arcee," Jack said.

"Yeah, come on Bulk," Miko said.

"I'll, join you guys," Miko said. Said bots looked at the kids in question, but did a silent shushing gesture and motioned for them to follow along.

"Alright, I will call you when I'm done," was Ratchet's reply.

Once the group was out of earshot from Ratchet, Arcee stopped.

"Where are we going?" Arcee asked.

Jack replied, "We all got a message from Aurora. She said that we had to do our projects."

"She said that the projects that Ratchet was making could cause a lot of harm and destruction," Miko said.

"Not to mention, we would fail, and Aurora doesn't want that. She knows my mom won't let me out of the house if my grades aren't solid," Raf added.

"So what? Are we just going to let to let Ratchet think we are going to use his projects, but really use the ones we're making?" Bulkhead asked.

"Yeah," the kids said in unison. The two bots looked at each other for a minute then looked back to the kids.

"Sure, let's do this," Arcee said as the got their original projects, and went to work on them in a storage room.

At the Battle

Bumblebee was being tailed by Skyquake. He drove to a dead end in the canyon.

"It will be a shame to crush you, bug. But it is my duty-"  a horn interrupted Skyquake. He turned to see Optimus driving toward him.

"Brace yourself, Aurora." Skyquake started to shoot at Optimus, but he kept going. Optimus transformed, jumped up and dealt a crashing blow to Skyquake's helm, forcing him to the canyon wall.

"Excellent strategy, Bumblebee." Skyquake fell to the floor, but then quickly scratched Optimus's chassis.

"Skyquake, stay down," Optimus said, then he went and punched him on the side of his helm. Optimus looked up at the sound of a jet. "Fowler?"

Skyquake saw the jet and thought to scanned it. Optimus tried to warn him but it was too late. Once he scanned it, he to to the sky in his alt. mode.

"Air superiority, achieved," Skyquake said. He tried to shoot at Optimus and Bumblebee while they were driving away. He tried to fire missiles, but Agent Fowler shot at him. Skyquake got behind Agent Fowler and shot four heat-seeking missiles, but Agent Fowler dodged them.
Skyquake returned to shooting at Optimus and Bumblebee. He fired a missile sending him flying, while Aurora decided that she had enough injuries and bolted out of the cab just before he transformed. She flew and landed above the canyon and hid in the shadows of a rock that was a tall as Optimus's shin.

Aurora thought she was safe, but was wrong as tentacles grabbed her. Aurora came face to screen with Soundwave. Aurora couldn't do much. She lost a lot of energon and was dizzy. With all the pain she was in, Aurora started coughing in energon on Soundwave's appendage.

Soundwave observed Aurora, and felt concerned for her. Why, he didn't know, but the injuries on her made him worry. She was drenched in energion. From what visible injuries he saw, were on her arms and her head, while coughing up energon ment she also had internal injuries.
"S-soundw-wave, I n-need go b-b-back with my U-uncle O-optimus. P-please? My sire is waiting for me." This triggered a forgotten memory from Soundwave.

Flashback

Soundwave was looking through some monitors, watching the situation unfold in an Autobot ship. He was glaring at the Autobots who stood before the most precious things that Soundwave held so dear.

"P-please, we need to go back to him! P-please, Prime! Our sire is waiting for us," the little blue mech pleaded. Optimus, Ratchet, and a few other Autobots stood before the small chained up forms of Soundwave's symbiotes. Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, and Buzzsaw.

"I cannot allow that, younglings. I will not condone such a fate for you four." Optimus turned to Ratchet. "You know what to do." Optimus said as him and every other bot left, except Ratchet.

"W-what are y-you going to do t-to us?" Frenzy asked.

"Simple, let you go. Optimus didn't want the troops here when I let you go, because they would have protested. I know about that you are nearly just sparklings, and you can't help who your sire is. We wish for you to live as long as you can," Ratchet replied. After releasing them, they left the area.

End of Flashback

Soundwave lowered Aurora to the floor. He owed the Autobots for releasing his creations. It was due to an idiot vehicon that put them into stasis lock. He just needed to jump start them, but needed a lot of energon that Megatron couldn't afford to use on his creations.

He watched as Aurora wobbled to the edge, slowly spread her wings and flew to the side so she didn't fly away directly from him, so the Autobots wouldn't give his position away by accident.

'Very smart for a sparkling," Soundwave thought as he saw that Skyquake was defeated.
Aurora was losing consciousness while flying. She lost control and smashed into Bumblebee's chassis.

"Aurora!? What happened!?" Aurora didn't answer as sleep took over.

"Ratchet, we need a bridge, now! Aurora is injured!" Not a second later, a ground bridge opened and the two rushed in. Ratchet took her from Bumblebee and rushed into the med-bay.

A few hours of yelling and cursing later, Ratchet came out.

"I can't believe I forgot about my little sparkling. I can't believe I forgot she was sleeping in your cab! What kind of sire am I!?!?"

"Ratchet, it was not your fault. It was simply an accident. Will Aurora be alright?"

Ratchet nodded, " Aurora will be fine. After cleaning and ... well wielding her some of the cuts on her arm, the energon on her moved and closed the rest of her wounds. Luckily for us, Aurora generates so much energon that it is impossible for her to bleed out. We just really need to be careful."

"We will!?! Before anyone goes anywhere we'll ll check where she is," Bumblebee said. They all agreed. Then Ratchet proceeded to repair Bumblebee, while Optimus praised his efforts.

A/N: I have decided to start skipping some episodes, due to the fact that there are so many. I write ones where Aurora plays important roles, or does slight changes to the plot. OMG!!! I think I'm evil. Oh, so evil.