The brothers clung to one another, taking comfort in each others' presence. Prowl was very grateful that he had Bluestreak and Smokescreen. He probably wouldn't be able to go on without them, thought losing Jazz made it very difficult for him to even move. He wasn't sure how long they sat there, but he didn't really care. Time no longer had any meaning for him because it would all be time without Jazz.
Prowl looked up when he heard a knock on his door and Smokescreen got up and let Ratchet inside. The medic looked faintly surprised before he smiled slightly and walked over. Prowl watched him as he took the energon drip out of his main energon line. He hadn't even realized that it was there. Ratchet obviously wanted to say something but he hesitated with wasn't like him at all. Prowl fluttered his door-wings curiously.
"You look better," said Ratchet quietly.
"Actually responsive, you mean?" asked Prowl, his voice so quiet Ratchet had to strain to hear him. The medic nodded.
"You had us all worried," said Ratchet. Prowl knew Ratchet really wanted to lecture him but was holding himself back. Prowl was grateful for that as he wasn't sure he could stand to be lectured about taking care of himself.
"I apologize," said Prowl softly. There was an uncomfortable silence for several moments before Prowl spoke again. "I'd like to see him." Ratchet, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen all looked startled.
"Are you sure Prowl?" asked Ratchet hesitantly. He was still working on putting the silver mech back together, and he wasn't sure it was a good idea for Prowl to know why. He knew he could say that he was repairing Jazz out of respect, but Prowl was extremely intelligent and would probably be a little suspicious.
"…Yes," said Prowl. "I have to see him…one last time."
"Alright, on one condition," said Ratchet, his expression becoming stern. "You go to the rec room for some energon and show everyone that you'll be alright."
"…But I'm not sure I will be," whispered Prowl. Ratchet placed a hand on Prowl's shoulder and Prowl peered up at him, his red chevron shadowing his optics.
"You know Jazz would be upset with you if you didn't at least try," said Ratchet softly. "I know it's a little presumptuous of me to say this since you know him better than all of us, but he was a good friend to a lot of us, and we all know he wouldn't want to see you like this. He treasured every moment he had and he would want you to do the same, even without him." Prowl reached up and rested his hand on top of Ratchet's and squeezed it, grateful for the small contact.
"I…I'll try…" said Prowl and Ratchet gave a smile and a nod.
"That's all any of us can ask of you Prowl, but you're strong and determined. You care about all of us and don't forget that we care about you as well. We don't want to lose you too," said Ratchet. Smokescreen gave Ratchet a grateful look and the medic nodded. "Just remember you're not alone." Prowl nodded, grateful to Ratchet, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen for being there.
"Ready to go to the rec room?" asked Smokescreen as he got to his feet. Prowl looked up at him for a moment before hesitantly nodding. Bluestreak hopped to his feet with a smile and Prowl stood, a little unsteady from not refueling even though he had the energon drip, but he straightened up. He tried to stand like he normally did, perfectly straight with his door-wings raised, but he wasn't able to completely manage it. His shoulders were still slumped slightly and his door-wings were held a little lower than normal. Also, his paint was dull and scuffed and his optics weren't as bright.
Smokescreen found it hard to see Prowl like this and Bluestreak silently agreed, but it was better than him being completely unresponsive. It was a step in the right direction and he hoped that Prowl would continue to get better, though he knew there was no way to completely heal from losing someone you loved, you merely found a way to cope. He just hoped that Prowl found a way to cope that wouldn't lead to his deactivation.
Ratchet opened the door to Prowl's quarters and headed for the rec room with the three brothers behind him, though Prowl's pace was slow. The medic walked ahead and reached the rec room minutes before the brothers and sat down with a cube of energon. He decided not to announce that Prowl was coming knowing the SIC probably wouldn't appreciate it much. Smokescreen was the first one to walk through the doors after Ratchet and the mechs perked up in interest, wondering if the blue mech brought news of their tactician. Bluestreak stepped in next and they were all a little caught off-guard by his smile. They all shuttered their optics in surprise when Prowl stepped through the doors.
Prowl flinched slightly when everyone's attention focused on him and his door-wings twitched in agitation. He wondered if he really should have come to the rec room when just about everyone else was there. He never really was very social and avoided the rec room when he could mostly because he didn't fit in with the other mechs, especially since he was an officer. It was unusual though for him to be the center of attention and he never enjoyed that. Suddenly, two mechs were moving and he tensed, ready to move, but he was trapped between two larger bodies with their arms around him.
"Prowl!" cried Sideswipe with a wide smile. Sunstreaker's smile was smaller, but still there. "Primus, you scared all of us!" Prowl shuttered his optics in surprise.
"Slagger, don't do that again," muttered Sunstreaker. Prowl could only look back and forth between them in confusion.
"Oh come on, don't look so surprised. We do care about you, you know, no matter how much we like to aggravate you," said Sideswipe.
"Yeah, you cared about us and gave us a second chance when no one else would. We're grateful for that," said Sunstreaker. "And you're the only one we haven't ever successfully pranked."
"There is that," said Sideswipe with a grin. "Prowl?" asked the red mech worriedly when Prowl began to tremble.
"Thank you," whispered Prowl and the twins smiled.
"Come on, let's get you some energon," said Sideswipe as he tugged Prowl over to one of the tables where Bumblebee was sitting with Sam and Mikaela sitting in front of him. Ironhide was sitting across from Bumblebee with Will and Epps sitting with the two teens. Hound and Mirage were sitting nearby along with Jolt and Arcee. Skids and Mudflap were sitting on the couch with a paused game on the big screen in front of them. The smaller set of twins was watching Prowl curiously as they had never met the Autobot SIC before. Sideswipe shoved Prowl in a chair as Bluestreak and Smokescreen walked over to sit nearby and Sunstreaker went to get a cube of energon for Prowl.
"It's good to see you Prowl. You had us worried," said Ironhide and Prowl looked down at the table, slightly ashamed to have worried everyone so much. "I thought you'd like to know…Jazz fought his hardest to protect the Allspark. He gave his all."
"…I wouldn't expect anything less from him," said Prowl softly as Sunstreaker set the cube of energon in front of him before sitting next to his twin. Prowl merely stared into the depths of the liquid, unable to force himself to drink it yet.
"He really liked this planet, you know? What little of it he saw anyway. He said he was looking forward to showing you all he discovered when you got here. There should be a data chip in his quarters somewhere with a bunch of music on it; he said it was music you might like," said Bumblebee.
"Thank you…I'll look into it," said Prowl with a slight nod. He took a sip of the energon and noticed that everyone's smile widened a fraction. He realized he must have really worried them if they were happy that he was merely taking a sip. After a larger sip, he set the cube down and looked at all the mechs around him. "Will you tell me all that happened?"
"We'll give you the short version since Optimus wants to give you the detailed version himself," said Ironhide and Prowl nodded. They were in the middle of explaining everything when Skids and Mudflap got into an argument over their game and started shouting. Bumblebee looked over his shoulder with an annoyed expression. Prowl's door-wings twitched in irritation and Sunstreaker and Sideswipe glanced at each other with smirks on their lips at the familiar movement. Bumblebee stood up to go break them up, since the others usually got him to do it, but Prowl rested at hand on his forearm, stopping him.
"I'll deal with this, I am Second in Command after all," said Prowl, lifting his door-wings and schooling his expression to one of stern disapproval. Those familiar with Prowl's behavior all grinned. Prowl was strong and determined and nothing would keep him from doing his duty, something he felt was important. He got to his feet and walked over to the now brawling Skids and Mudflap, Jolt and Arcee watching with interest from nearby as they had never met Prowl before either. "Enough," said Prowl coldly as he grabbed the twins' collar armor and lifted them off their feet and apart. They fell silent in shock and because of the cold tone. "I do not tolerate brawls, especially not when I'm just across the room. I don't care how things went before my arrival, but now that I'm here, you will follow the rules or you will face the consequences. Is that understood?"
"Uh, yeah, sure, you got it," said Skids.
"Yeah, yeah, what he said," said Mudflap and Prowl scowled lightly.
"Another thing, I am your superior officer and you will address me as 'sir', understood?" asked Prowl.
"Yes sir," they said in unison.
"Good," said Prowl as he set them on their feet. "Don't let it happen again." He turned around and headed back towards the tables where the others were grinning and Jolt and Arcee were staring with wide optics. The humans were all staring with wide eyes as well. Behind him, the twins scowled and made faces at Prowl and his door-wings twitched. "Would you like me to throw you two in the brig for insubordination?" They stared at him in shock as Bluestreak and Smokescreen burst out laughing. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe snickered as Prowl sat down and finished his cube of energon.
"Oh mech, I've been waiting for that," said Sideswipe with a grin. "Did you see the looks on their faces?"
"Priceless," said Sunstreaker.
"Just be glad I haven't shared the image captures I have of your expressions when you first walked into my office," said Prowl and the red and yellow twins stared at him in shock.
"You didn't," they said.
"Would you like to try me and find out?" asked Prowl.
"You sneaky fragger," said Sunstreaker.
"Language Sunstreaker, or you'll be the one in the brig for insubordination," said Prowl, a tiny smirk on his lips that could be mistaken for a trick of the light.
"Tight-aft," said Sideswipe with a teasing grin.
"Would you like to join him Sideswipe?" asked Prowl.
"Uh, no I'm good," said Sideswipe. Bluestreak and Smokescreen were both smiling widely. The twins were a good distraction for Prowl and they were glad Ratchet managed to get him to come here. They could still see that Prowl was hurting because his door-wings were still held a little lower than normal and his optics weren't as bright as they usually were, but it was an improvement from earlier. Everyone fell silent for several moments, not really sure what to say next. Prowl turned his gaze to the medic and the chartreuse mech sighed.
"Alright, alright, I get it Prowl, come on," said Ratchet as he stood. Prowl stood up as well.
"Prowl…" started Bluestreak.
"Want us to come with you?" asked Smokescreen.
"…No, I'll be fine," said Prowl, flicking his wings in reassurance. This was something he felt he needed to do alone.
"Where are they going?" asked Sam from his spot on the table.
"He…he wants to see Jazz," said Bluestreak quietly. The others all looked sympathetic. Prowl followed Ratchet to the med bay and back to one of the private rooms.
"I've been working on repairing him out of respect, so the room is a little cluttered. Try not to move too many things around," said Ratchet and Prowl nodded in understanding, his frame tense. Ratchet opened the door and Prowl stepped inside. He gasped at the sight that met his optics. Jazz's cold frame was resting on a berth, a tear completely through his middle, armor shredded and cables and circuitry exposed. His visor was shattered, only remnants left, and his optics were cracked and dark. Prowl shuddered and his intakes hitched as he wrapped his arms around himself as if trying to physically hold himself together. He slowly stepped forward until he was standing next to the berth gazing down at Jazz's mangled frame.
"Jazz…" Prowl whispered as he trailed clawed fingers down Jazz's cold faceplates. "You broke your promise Jazz. You broke it…but I can't find it in myself to be angry with you…only very sad. I miss you…"
"Here, I found this in his subspace," said Ratchet as he held out a familiar blue crystal. Prowl stared at the crystal before gently taking it from Ratchet. He looked into the depths of the crystal, the blue color reminding him of Jazz's optics. Turning it over in his hands, he noticed that some of the edges were a little worn. With a tiny smile, he realized Jazz had probably done the same thing he was doing now many times over the vorns they were apart. On impulse, Prowl took Jazz's hand and wrapped his fingers around the crystal.
"Keep it for me Jazz," he whispered. After a few more moments, he looked up at Ratchet. "How did this happen to him?"
"He…It was during the battle in Mission City for the Allspark. We were fighting several of the 'Cons with our human allies as they tried to get the Allspark away from the 'Cons and the city. Optimus had been stalled by Bonecrusher on one of the freeways when Megatron arrived. Jazz called for everyone to fall back, but Megatron attacked. Jazz took on Megatron alone and…Megatron tore him in half. By the time I got to him…he was already gone," said Ratchet softly. He noticed that Prowl was trembling and wondered if he shouldn't have told him since it obviously upset the black and white, but what he wasn't expecting was the look of pure, cold hatred on the mech's face. Prowl's door-wings were held high, stiff, and trembling and his fists were clenched at his sides. "Prowl?"
"I'll kill him," muttered Prowl.
"What?" cried Ratchet.
"Megatron will pay for this. He's taken too many lives, and I've had enough," snapped Prowl.
"Prowl, you're no match for Megatron! Optimus is the only one who can take him on and you know that," said Ratchet. "Or do you not remember the time he nearly killed you or permanently damaged your helm by smacking you into a wall."
"This time, I don't have Jazz as a distraction," said Prowl and Ratchet flinched. "He will pay for this Ratchet." Both mechs looked up when they heard the med bay doors open and they left the room to see Optimus walking towards them.
"Here you are Prowl, I'm glad to see you're up and about," said Optimus. "Come, there are things I would like to discuss with you." Prowl merely nodded as he followed Optimus out of the med bay without a backward glance at the medic. Once they reached Optimus' office, the taller mech motioned for Prowl to take a seat.
"What do you need to speak with me about sir?" asked Prowl.
"I would like to tell you about what has happened here since we arrived and of our situation with the human government," said Optimus. Prowl merely nodded and began to listen as Optimus began informing him of everything that had happened in full detail, though he did pass over quickly what had happened to Jazz which Prowl was a little grateful for. Once Optimus finished the explanations, he sat back with a sigh.
"Much has happened on this planet," murmured Prowl and Optimus nodded in agreement.
"Which remind me, you need to get an earth alt-mode," said Optimus and Prowl looked down at his armor to realize Optimus was right. He was still in his Cybertronian armor and sighed. "You could probably search on the internet for a suitable alt-mode, or there's a nearby highway that you can go to in order to find one."
"I'd…like to go to the highway. I haven't seen much of this planet yet," said Prowl and Optimus nodded.
"Bumblebee, Sam, and Mikaela can show you the way," said Optimus and Prowl nodded, standing at the clear dismissal. "And Prowl?"
"Yes sir?" asked Prowl curiously.
"It's good to have you back," said Optimus and Prowl nodded before leaving the office to head back to the rec room. When he stepped back inside, Bluestreak and Smokescreen rushed over to him and hugged him tightly, whispering words of comfort in Cybertronian.
"What made you so angry?" asked Bluestreak hesitantly and Prowl realized that he hadn't even thought of blocking some of his anger from his brothers so as to not worry them.
"It's nothing," murmured Prowl.
"Don't give us that slag Prowl. We know you still have some of those emotional blocks in those processors of yours," said Smokescreen tapping his brother's helm, but he was quiet so no one could overhear him. Prowl wouldn't appreciate it if everyone knew about the blocks he had up on his emotions. "If something mad you that angry with them, you would be extremely, frighteningly pissed without them."
"Jazz…Megatron will pay for what he did," muttered Prowl and his brothers gave him concerned looks.
"Prowl…you're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?" asked Smokescreen.
"Depends on what you think I'm thinking," said Prowl.
"Don't do anything foolish Prowl," said Smokescreen and Prowl scoffed.
"I don't do anything foolish, it's illogical," said Prowl as he pulled away from his brothers. "Bumblebee, will you assist me in finding an alt-mode?"
"Sure Prowl," said Bumblebee as he stood. "Sam, Mikaela, you coming?" The teens nodded and hopped into Bumblebee's offered hands.
"What, you're not going to get the same alt-modes as us?" asked Bluestreak, hoping to lighten the mood. "Smokey and I are Dodge Chargers." Prowl merely nodded in acknowledgement as he followed Bumblebee and his charges out of the base. As soon as they stepped outside, Prowl looked up at the sky. Bumblebee paused and waited for him.
"It's great, isn't it?" asked Bumblebee with a faint smile.
"The sky is so…blue," said Prowl softly.
"Yeah, just wait until the sun sets. It's amazing," said Bumblebee.
"I still don't get why you guys are so fascinated by a sunset," said Sam from Bumblebee's shoulder.
"Cybertron had no sun," said Prowl as he walked to stand beside Bumblebee. "We had two moons, but our planet had no sun."
"So, it was always dark on Cybertron?" asked Mikaela.
"The sky was always filled with stars, yes, but the cities were always lit up so it was like there was a sun," said Prowl as they began to walk towards the highway. They still had a ways to go, so they weren't worried about being spotted by humans. Prowl studied the tall trees around them and the green life.
"What was your home like Prowl?" asked Mikaela. Prowl's door-wings flicked and he let out a faint sigh.
"Praxus was the most beautiful city on Cybertron, though some would argue that Iacon was," said Prowl softly. "Praxus was home to the Helix Gardens, beautiful crystals suspended in methane. It was the most beautiful, and largest, cluster of crystals on the planet, and Praxus is the only city where they could be found in so many colors and in such abundance. They grew all over the city as well, and buildings incorporated the crystals into their architecture. When I was a youngling, I would spend a lot of time in the Helix Gardens, just listening to them."
"Listening to them?" asked Sam curiously.
"Yes, the crystals hummed, had an energy all their own. Only those with door-wings like myself, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen could really pick up on the vibrations though. We pick up the vibrations and they are interpreted as sound," explained Prowl.
"But Bumblebee has door-wing things," said Sam pointing to Bumblebee.
"Those are merely part of his earth alt-mode. True door-wings are also called sensory panels because of all the sensors in them. We pick up all kinds of information about our surroundings with them. It's because of them I knew Skids and Mudflap were mocking me in the rec room when my back was to them," said Prowl.
"Are there others with door-wings like you?" asked Mikaela and Prowl was silent for several moments.
"No," said Prowl quietly. "My brothers and I are the last. Praxus was completely destroyed near the beginning of the war, along with nearly everyone in it. Bluestreak was the only one that survived the attack. Smokescreen and I were elsewhere when the attack happened."
"Jazz said you watched it happen," said Bumblebee quietly.
"I did," said Prowl and the two teens gasped. "I was stationed at a base just outside the city when the Decepticons attacked. There was nothing I could do." Prowl clenched his fists and glared at the ground. "There was no reason for the Decepticons to attack Praxus. It was a neutral city with no strategic importance to either side, but the Decepticons razed it to the ground to make a statement; you were either with them or against them."
"I'm sorry Prowl," said Mikaela.
"Don't be, you weren't even alive then," said Prowl. He and Bumblebee began to move carefully as they got closer to the highway. Finally, they were in sight of the highway, but remained hidden in the trees. Prowl held still, watching the cars for several moments before he got an idea and scanned a vehicle. A moment later, his armor was shifting and changing as Sam and Mikaela watched in awe. Prowl transformed and Bumblebee grinned.
"A police cruiser, it fits you," said Bumblebee.
"Jazz would be laughing hysterically right now," said Prowl. "He'd say it was ironic."
"What? Why?" asked Bumblebee.
"He was the Enforcer on Cybertron, not me," said Prowl.
"But that still doesn't explain the irony," said Bumblebee.
"It has something to do with what I used to do before the war," said Prowl. "Let's get back to the base." Bumblebee nodded and set the teens on the ground before transforming and opening his doors to let them into his interior. Prowl's engine rumbled to life and he had to admit that it felt good. With that, they all headed back to the base.