Optimus got up extra early to prepare for the day to care for Aurora. He was very curious and anxious about how the day's events would play out. From what he knew, Aurora was strong yet fragile, because of her treatment growing up as a sparkling. Optimus wasn't sure what would set her off, but he knew he would have to proceed with caution.
He headed off towards Arcee's and Aurora's shared berthroom to wake up Aurora. The the silence was interrupted by a loud shriek.

"Aurora!" Optimus moved quickly through the hall to their berthroom. Once he keyed in the pass codes to the room, he ducked a datapad that flew at his head. Optimus looked to see Aurora tearing the room apart very frantic, looking panicked.

"Where is it? Where is it!?" Optimus jumped into the room as more data pads flow in his direction.

"I can't find it! Ate, where are you!?" Optimus took one step at a time to Aurora while dodging everything that came at him.

"Where could it BE!? It has to be he-" Optimus grabbed Aurora out of midair. Still panicked, Aurora flung Optimus at the door. She turned when she heard him crash to the floor and looked on at him in horror.

"W-what have I done!?" Aurora sank to her knees with her wings hugging around her arms, as her hands covered her mouth. Ratchet came into the room and analysed the scene and went straight toward Aurora.

Aurora's P. O. V.
I sensed someone approaching and found Ratchet heading towards me. I stumbled back away from him as he advanced.

"Aurora, I'm not going to hurt you. Calm down for me, please?" Nothing made sense in what he said, or it did, but at this moment it didn't. I stilled, not wanting to anger him, and just accepting fate of what was to come. I knew little of Ratchet other than the fact he is a field medic with great precision and accuracy when it came to fighting and was cold sparked from the files I have on him. Ratchet's servo reached out, once it was really close I flinched, and shut my eyes.

"Aurora, please look at me. I'm not going to hurt you." That was an order, so I complied, and slowly opened them and looked directly into Ratchet's optics.

"Come on, Aurora. I'm not going to hurt you." Staring into his optics made me relax. He wasn't going to hurt me. I crawled into his servo and held his thumb as he began to move. He turned and moved toward Optimus and I grip his thumb tighter, preparing my wings to get out of both of their grasps if need comes to rise.

"Optimus, are you alright? Nothing damaged." Aurora held her breath, waiting for Optimus to respond.

"I'm alright, old friend. I was only thrown, nothing more."

"I'm sorry, sir. Please forgive me, sir. I was too lost looking for ..." I didn't want to tell them what I was looking for. I mean I was still having a little trouble with trust, and I so far only trust Ate 'Cee, Kuya 'Bee, and Kuya Raf, while I'm still testing everyone else. Although, Ms. Obsidian, Jack, Miko, and Ratchet are getting there, in that order.

"It is alright, Aurora, no harm done. There is no need for such formalities." I closed my eyes and bowed my head.

"Yes, there is. You are the Prime. I understand you are mortal, as are the rest, however, your title allows you to have such formalities. Your people look up to a Prime, and as such I do as well, with all the wisdom of the ancients, you are above me." I look up seeing Ratchet and Optimus exchange a look of concern.

"Aurora ... you do not have to call Optimus that. But ... how would you know that?"

"Well, sir, I have all sorts of information that I ... obtained from the Nemesis. Right after I blew up the facility, I slept in a cave with leaves, but when I woke up I was in the Nemesis. I accessed a lot of their archives. I started taking and copying files and I quickly made connections and learned to read and speak many of the Cybertronian languages. I read up on the copied files, which are just mainly information on histoy, the current main characters in the war, projects and schematics to many of your peoples technology and medicine. It is ... quite intriguing to say the least. However, very sad to the know such a war made such an advance race dwindle down close to extinction all because of a cast system that died a long time ago and jealousy for one friend being better than the other ..." There was a very uncomfortable silence that settled. I look away from them and around the room. Seeing the room made me remember what I was doing before Optimus had interrupted. I took to the air and flew around once again in my search.

"Aurora, what are you looking for exactly? I'm sure we could be of some assistance in your search." I paused my route to check under my ate's berth and looked up at them. It would go a lot faster with their help, and maybe Ate 'Cee told them where it is. But still ...

"I'm not sure. I ... don't- I'm not really-"

"Aurora, I had told your ... Ate that I would take care of you today, while she is protecting Jack. Now, what are you looking for?" Ate had someone else, the Prime no less, to watch over me. Does she really have faith and trust in him? I would trust the field medic more though. Sure his file is scary, but his medical experience allows him to be very patient and cautious with my ... faults. Prime is, well ... I don't know him. The file describes him in a sort of dark light. The one guided by Primus himself, but with great power similar to Megatron.

"I can't. I ... I ..." I raised my hand and move Optimus out of the room, locking it behind him. I landed on the floor, feeling it really hard to breath.

"Aurora?! What's the matter? Why did you put Optimus outside the room?" I gripped my chest. I lifted my hand and flung Optimus down the hall, creating a loud crash.

"I can't. I'm not ready. Optimus is ... too much for me. I just- Please forgive me, sir. I'm trying, but to many similarities."

"To who, Aurora?"

"To Megatron ....  t-to S-s-silas!" I fell to my knees, my right hand holding my chest, my left holding half of my face. Ratchet picked me up and held me close to his spark.

"Aurora, Optimus isn't like that. Like them. You know that right?"

"Don't know that. M-megatron and S-silas both started out to help the g-greater good, but ended up lusting for power. I-I-I just can't trust Optimus yet. I know that he is nothing like that, but my spark-" I balled out my eyes.

" ... I understand, Aurora. It is fine to take it slow. How about we get you ready for school?"

"B-b-but Opt-"

"I'll take you. I will explains to him later, okay?" I stayed quiet, but nodded nonetheless. We stayed like that for a few more seconds until I calmed down.

"Can you help me find my sweater? I can't find it and it's the only thing I have to cover my arms."

"Sure. I know where it is."

"You do!?" I looked into Ratchet's optics.

"Yes," he walks out the room and to the main area, Optimus nowhere to be seen, "it's with your backpack. You took it off once you came home." I don't remember that. I look at the sweater and saw it was a new one similar to mine. But ... where is mine? Oh well.

"Thank you very much, Ratchet. I'm ... sorry abou-"

"Don't worry about it. Your welcome. How about I take you to school now, how does that sound?"

"Sure!" I was jumping up and down as Ratchet transformed. I got in and quickly buckled up.

"Someone's excited."

"I think I had a dream of riding in an ambulance. Not sure though since ..." I became an experiment.

"Let's get you to school." There was silence between us the rest of the way there, but at least it was comfortable.

Once there, I exited Ratchet's cab.

"Have a good day, Aurora. When you're ready, please contact me so I can pick you up." I look back at Ratchet's alt mode and nod.

"Okay, Ratchet, I will. I'll see you later." I wave as Ratchet rolls out of the parking lot. Once he is out of sight, I begin to focus on the task at hand. That being my new training ground, school. 

This is a really difficult situation for me. All rules that I learned under M. E. C. H. supervision doesn't apply here and I have to make my very own decisions here, while watching out for those who are out to get me. 98% isn't really assuring of people out to get me. At least the teachers are decent and can tolerate me, because of the paper Uncle Fowler gave me.

I turn to the school and start walking towards it. My main adversary at the moment is Zak, Cade, and Vince. They had targeted me before and will definitely continue doing so. It's going to be hard for the rest of the year, but if I play my cards right, then I'll be fine. Passing through the front doors, I head to my locker for my books for class, while using my C. L. ability to keep tabs on who is around me. I can't afford to be ambushed by anyone. Great, my experiment training is kicking in. Can I not truly break from their control?

With my C. L. ability, I sensed Cade at the end of the hall. I quickly closed my locker and head straight for Ms. Obsidian's room. I walk in a calm and swift manner, even when I sense Cade approaching me faster. I was at the door when he stopped me.

"Hello there, demon. How is your day so far?" I really wasn't up for dealing with my adversaries again. I need to fix this right away.

"Fine. How about you, Mr. Barri Cade? Is the senior year treating you well?" Cade seemed startled by my questions. Most likely about the information then the question.

"You truly are from the underworld if you know my full name. Truly, though, I wish to know how you do it? Is it a ritual, a spell or something? I really want to know." That was a strange request. I wasn't quite sure how to go about the situation. However, I took that as an order if anything.

"You wouldn't believe me, but I have an ability that allows me to access a lot of information, Cade Barri, one of the low lifes of Jasper, Nevada with quite a record of repeated offences." Cade looked stunned, if not horrified.

"How did you-"

"I told you the truth believe it or not. Like you requested. You wished to know a little about me, but refuse to see the truth as just that, the truth. I must say, you have so much potential, but you are held back by none other than Vince. You and your cousin Zak Arias, both. Anyway, class will start soon, and I don't want our private conversation to be the reason for you being late. It was a pleasure talking with one such as yourself. It was quite refreshing. I hope we talk again soon." I open the door and brush passed him. Before the door could close, Cade's words stroke a chord with me.

"I'll talk to you later ... Aurora." I stood there frozen. He said my name ... my name. Cade even wishes to speak to me again. I ... I did it. I really did it! I did something right to get at least one of my problems fixed. Cade will no longer be a problem ... Hopefully.

I notice the class staring at me, so I quickly take my seat right as Ms. Obsidian enters the room, and starts class.

My classes were all the same. Coming in, the stares from the class, greeting from Raf, the teacher teaching the curriculum, then leave for the next class while being cautious of who is around me. When lunch came around, so did Cade. We crossed paths at the front of the school.

"... Aurora, what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be eating, or did someone steal your lunch money?" He asked with what I assumed to be concern, though it was covered with his usual snarky tone.

"No, not at all. Many people always stay away from me. I just ... don't eat lunch is all."

"Then what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be with ... your ... "

"I could, but then I would make their school life harder."

"So you do have friends."

"More like family since they accept me for who I am as a complete whole."

"Then why not hang with them?"

"I don't want more people to target them. They have bullies of their own, and I don't want to add to that. I was always alone, anyway. Old habits die hard, you know." Cade looked concerned now. I don't really know what he may be thinking right now, but I know this isn't like him, ... or is it? I apparently can't find any file or information that isn't bias at all. The only way to get information is from the source when it come to learning about people.

"You ... you're not really a-"

"Demon, no not at all."

"Then what are you? You aren't normal, but you- Well to some extent are normal." Is this truly Cade trying to understand me? I can't tell. Even now, but I won't get anywhere if I don't try and do something. After all, experience is what you do with what happens to you.

"I'm human ... to say the least. Some of the teachers along with my friends know I was ... experimented on. That is why I'm me. I'm only 8 years old, so I'm not sure if you-" I was shoved to the floor. I forgot to keep tabs on who's around me that I let Zak and Vince get close. I look up to the new arrivals and then to Cade.

"I see," I get up and looked directly at Cade, "I thought you ... Never mind, what would a lowly demon spawn know about people? Nothing, right Cade?" Cade looked hurt by my words. Sure they were harsh, but proved that Cade didn't plan on Vince or his cousin coming around.

"I must go, Ms. Obsidian is expecting me soon and I wouldn't want to keep her waiting, right boys? Anyway, nice talking with you Cade. I hope you will keep my secret. Sure, if people knew they would treat me better, but I want them to seek answers on their own. ... Much like you ...  See you around Barricade." I walk off and back into the school. Cade wasn't that bad. Maybe I could call him friend one day. It seems more likely than any. I'll just keep at it I suppose.

I continue walking to the back of the school. I wasn't going to see Ms. Obsidian today. I don't need her to worry than she already does. I mean, it's only the second day of school for me.

The halls are somewhat abandoned in favor of the cafeteria, so I relax a little, knowing it will be hard to run into a problem.

~Aurora, how are you?~ 

~Ate 'Cee! I'm doing fine. The usual stares and whispers, nothing more. What about you? You doing okay? Any decepticon activity that I need to heal you for later?~ I step out the back doors, marveling at the open space, and the perfectly placed sunlight over the small field of grass. Then I feel Arcee's awareness in my head. I didn't know what to think.

~Luckily, no 'con in sight during scouting. Nice view by the way. I didn't know that was behind the school. You should take pictures. You know, for memories. Miko seems to do it all the time, but almost for all the wrong reasons.~ I quickly take out my phone and angle it to have a great view of the peace and serenity of the field. Right when I took it, there was a breeze that blew some of the few fall leaves we had into view to capture Fall at its purist.

~Got it! It actually looks great.~

~Yeah, I know. I can see it with you.~ I was fairly confused. I let that feeling go through the bond.

~We have two halves of the same spark, Light. I think the extent of our sharing is unbound. You could probably see what I can if you focused your sense on me.~ I was really stunned about the nickname as Arcee's awareness leave my mind. I was happy about my nickname, Light, just another word for Aurora. I then went back of what Ate 'Cee said about this information. I did a search through the files and found several with information on spark twins. I read quickly through it and found that if spark twins had a close bond they could switch bodies. Even though I wasn't spark twins with Arcee, we did have a uniquely close bond between us.

~Hey, Arcee, can we try something, please?~ I really wanted to try this and see if it was possible. I mean, our shared sparks is just mine spark in half, but in two different places, or should I say in people.

~ ... alright, what do you want to try?~

~ I want you to close your optics and think about being where I am. That's all you have to do.~

~Alright then.~ I close my eyes and think about being Arcee. Being big and having metal plating. I felt my mind slipping from my body and going else where, while Arcee takes my place. Once I settled in, I open my eyes and ...

~ It worked! I wasn't sure since I'm not Cybertronian, but it worked!~ We did it! We can switch bodies. I try to move around and found it like moving my body. I feel Arcee's shock and curiosity of this new situation. I - or should I say Arcee- was at base in our shared berthroom. I walk out and walk to the main area finding Kuya Bee and Bulkhead lobbing metal scrap in the shape of a ball, Ratchet at the computer, while Optimus was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey, Arcee." I shyly waved at Kuya Bee.

"Hey, Bee. Nice lob by the way."

"Thanks!" I saw him turn back to Bulkhead and continue their game. I then headed toward Ratchet to see what he was up too.

"What do you want, Arcee?" I didn't say anything. I was far too surprised that he could tell it was my me. He turned his helm to face me.

"What is it, Arcee? Something wrong? Does it have to do with Aurora?" He seemed a bit worried once he mentioned my name.

"N-no, nothing's wrong. I was j-just curious that's all. I never seen you work before." He looked like I had two helms. Ate, wasn't one to be defencive.

"Arcee, you seen me d-" His optics widened and quickly drags me into the medbay, shutting the door behind us and turns to me. " ... Aurora, are ... are you in there?" I was shocked.

"H-how did you k-know it was me?" I avoided his gaze not sure how he'll react.

"Well, if I didn't take notice of the difference in the way you act, then it was the slight purple within your optics Aurora. I must ask, how is it possible for you to be in Arcee's body, and where is Arcee?"

"I ... I was curious when Ate 'Cee was able to see what I was seeing. Then, I did a search through the files I had, and found info on spark twins. I wanted to see if we were similar to spark twins, and in the file they could switch places. We just proved it's true."

"That is incredible." He looked really intrigued. I didn't want to be here any longer, so I thought hard about how my body felt and my mind slipped back into my body, while Arcee's mind moved back to her's. I found myself in the middle of the field, facing the school.

~Sorry, Aurora. I was testing out my- I mean your body.~

~I think we could just say our body. That way there will be no confusions.~

~ ... Alright, but we won't do that too often.~

~Well, only in our free time and emergencies, deal?~

~Deal. It was actually a cool experience, seeing the world through your eyes. Everything looks better when when you're small, but I now I know how it feels to be weak and helpless.~

~Ate, even though we are small we have the advantage of surprise, we're underestimated, and we're strong in our own way in dangerous situations. You, yourself, are a small bot, but you pack quite a punch. I may be young, I may be small, but due to my ... circumstances I'm probably stronger than any human or maybe even Cybertronian!~

~Maybe so, but there is no way we're putting you in the field. Everyone, would agree to that, and Optimus has final say. He would never allow it.~ I didn't like the fact Ate mentioned Optimus. Not after what happened. I felt Ate's worry and fear from her.

~Ate, please don't worry about it. I just need to learn to start trusting people. It will take awhile to trust Optimus though. He ... he has too many similarities to Megatron and Silas, due to the fact they had power to change for the better, but turned evil, because of their ambitions.~

~But he-~

~I know that. It's just ... the scars that marred my spark from my ... my four years in hell. I know he isn't like them, but my spark has yet to know the difference.~ There was sadness, fear, love, but also blunt feelings of anger and thoughts of murder.

~Ate, you should know revenge will get you nowhere. I want them to pay for what they did, but only time could tell when. I don't want you to take revenge for my sake.~

~BUT-~

~No. Let fate take its course. Afterall, good things come to those who wait.~ I felt Ate's weariness and concern, but she knew I was right even though she didn't want me to be.

I start walking back seeing as the warning bell is going to ring soon anyway. I walk through the empty halls to my next class. I sensed Cade coming, and sure enough he appeared around the corner looking very frantic. When he spotted me he looked relieved, and ran to me.

"Aurora, thank goodness I found you. I wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn't-"

"I know, don't worry. I know you didn't know they were coming. I should have been more aware of my surroundings. You are not at fault here." I tried to pass him, but he wouldn't allow it.

"It still wasn't right of me just to see you get attacked like that. You don't deserve that kind of treatment. Not after your ..."

"I know, but I'm use to this treatment. Being experimented on a daily for four years along with that treatment everyday. It doesn't bother me. Only those who care about me. The effect only bothers them. That I don't do anything about it." I feel Ate 'Cee's awareness in my head again. I must have sent over my feelings and she wanted to know what was bothering me.

"Well you should. It isn't right. What I did wasn't right. You shouldn't allow such treatment. Those ... those monsters who experimented on you have no power over your life since you escaped. I can tell, just by looking in your eyes, that you're a fighter and you're not weak." I felt really funny inside. No one has ever told her that. I felt Ate being protective of me and a hint of anger towards Cade.

"I guess you know more about me than I thought. Since I only just met you today, that is pretty impressive. I am strong, but I refuse to use my strength on those weaker than me. I'm stronger knowing I made the right choice with the power I have. Also the fact that they are attacking an eight year old is just so amusing." I giggled a bit. Then looked up to see Cade turn a bit red. I stopped and slowly backed away.

~He's just embarrassed, not mad, Light. You just made fun of Vince, and in turn, himself.~

~I know I was making fun of Vince, but why is he embarrassed?~

~He is a friend of Vince. Since he didn't stop him-~

~Cade Barri.~

~Barricade feels bad for being his friend ... ~ Ate knows something else, but didn't want to say.

Luck was on my side, as the bell rang.

"Well, I have to get to class. It was nice talking to you Barricade, and don't worry about me. I makes me happy to know you care, but you have a lot more to worry about than a little girl like me. You know a lot more about me than many since we first met, and I'm very glad. I hope to talk with you more. Hopefully away from those who target me." I walk passed him to my next class, without another word.

~He'll talk to you again.~

~He will? How do you know that?~

~Cade seems to be very understanding. Not only taking the time to listen to, but also gave you a chance. To see what you're really like, not what he was told.~

~It seems that I just fixed one of my problems then. Maybe Cade will help when it comes to his cousin Zak. Anyway, Ate, I'm going to class now. I'll see you when I get back to base.~

~Wait, I thought we were going to go to base together. Seeing that I'm picking up Jack.~

~No. I have some engagements with my teachers. Most of the staff at school have noticed the hostility around me, and wish to see if they can do anything to help me.~

~Well that's good to hear that your teachers want to help make your school life a bit easier.~

~I know. So I'll see you later. I need to focus on my next class, and not to be mean or anything, but your awareness is kind of distracting.~

~But what if you need help?~

~I can ask you. You don't have to watch me, and if I do need help, you can just look over my memories. Oh, and don't play dumb Ate 'Cee I know you have. I can see your memories too, and look through your processor as well.~

~You looked through my memories!?~

~Well, sort of. I didn't mean to, they came into my dreams. I woke up very frantic this-~ I stopped cold in my train of thought. I didn't want to remember Ate's memories. They were riddled with overwhelming emotions that I almost wanted to kill myself. I even wrecked our berthroom, because of them.

~Light! Light, what's wrong!?~ I stopped in the hall for a few minutes to get a hold of my emotions. When I felt I was calm I continued on and entered class.

~N-nothing Ate. I-it's just that ... your memories are a bit too intense for my fragile mind. I'm sorry about wrecking our room. I ... I was sent into a panic.~

~Light, it's alright. I fixed everything, but that's not what I heard from Optimus and Ratchet.~

~Well, that was another problem. I knew they were coming, and remembered I had to get ready for school. However, when I was looking for my jacket, I was felt lost, and then your intense emotions from your memories made me frantic, that I forgot Optimus and Ratchet were coming.~ I felt Ate's immense guilt and concern.

~I'm sorry, Light. My own painful memories was having a negative effect on you.~ I shook my head.

~Not at all, Ate. Your memories show me how passionate, caring, and devoted you are. You are a wonderful influence, and I'm glad to call you my Ate.~ I was sincere about my word. Even though I never really knew how family was suppose to act, I knew that family stick together through thick or thin.

~Thanks, Aurora. I'm also grateful to call you my Ate as well. I think I will take my leave then. I'll see you when you get home.~ With that Ate 'Cee's awareness left my mind. I turned back to class to see Raf looking at me with concern. I just shook my head and mouthed 'later'. Raf nodded and we turned our attention back to the front of the class.

A/N: Had to stop. I lost my train of thought here. My deepest apologies. For not only this, but leaving you hanging for weeks or more. I still have a lot of obligations in my life such as school.