I have been getting artwork for this AU I have going on! As well as making mood boards. If you want to see the art of Jazz before the events of Cybertronian King be sure to check out the lovely jigsawthedoc on Instagram! Anyways here is my next chapter

Chapter 8

-Jazz's POV-

"No, no, no! These answers are all wrong. You are too distracted." My math tutor threw my datapad across the room. He spun around with frustrated grumbles. "Our kingdom is going to be run by a fool."

I quickly dropped my helm at the comment. I told him the homework was too hard, and now he thinks I'm dumber than a bolt. My gaze went to Prowl, who looked like he was trying to hold himself back. No, Valour back. Archwing moved from her spot, she put a servo on my shoulder as she defended me.

"The Prince expressed that he wasn't understand these equations, and you still gave the assignment. You are setting him up for failure. Royal Guard Prowl has told you where the Prince's previous tutor had him at. Now, you will start from there and apologize to his highness for being disrespectful." Archwing walked over to my tutor with her wings flared.

"He should be studying then instead of spending his free time playing." I looked at the scene in horror.

Archwing gawked and threw an arm at my direction. "He is still a youngling! If you have forgotten they play! The Prince is a lot smarter than you give him credit for. Now, you will go back to the previous level that he should be on, or I will have to notify his majesty."

I heard a groan behind me, and I quickly whipped around to see Prowl holding his helm. "Oh no," I hurried to my friend to calm him down. "No, no it's okay V. You can calm down. I'm okay."

"Prince." Prowl struggled to get out as he looked down at me. I smiled up at him with a nod. "It's okay, go back to stasis V. Prowler can still protect me."

It was a bit of time passing before Prowl looked like he was relaxing. He grabbed my servos as his intakes started leveling out. "Thank you, my Prince."

"You're welcome." I smiled again.

"I will have a word with his majesty myself. You two are distracting, he can learn these equations if neither of you are in here." My spark went cold at the demand. They couldn't ask for Prowl to be removed, could they?

My tutor gathered his things and looked at me with a big frown. "Lessons are finished. You're dismissed, your highness."

I bowed my helm, "yes, Siege."

When we made it to my chambers, I made a beeline for my berth. I honestly forgot what happened after my math lessons. I felt someone getting me under the thermal blankets, and someone else putting music on. A gently servo touched my cheek plate. "You will be a wonderful King, your highness. You are our shining crystal."

I felt my visors being removed as I started going into stasis. Prowl sitting on the ground was the last thing I saw before darkness. I onlined to the sound of quiet shuffling. I sat up to see three pairs of optics staring back at me. My gaze went to Prowl, but he was bent forward with an inhibitor sticking out from his helm. I saw Archwing by the window in a similar position.

I went to call for help, but one of the intruders lifted a digit to his masked face. "We have come to the Shining Crystal with a message. Confirm."

"Wh-Who are you? Wh-What do you want? I'll call for guards." I threatened as I moved backwards until my back hit the wall. "How did you get in?"

"Confirm." The mech repeated.

I panicked as I nodded rapidly, "fine, yes I'm the Shining Crystal."

"We have come from Primus with a message. Once I finish my message, you will slip into stasis, and you will remember this only as a memory reflux." He stepped forward as his face plate was removed, and it was this red helm and this weird yellow bit on his helm. I looked at the other two mechs, and watched them removed their face masks. The second one also had a red helm except he had this glass lens over his left optic. And the last one had Praxian wings, but his helm was blue. They all had blue optics.

"Who are you? How did you get past all the guards?" I slowly stood and looked at Prowler with a worry. "You didn't hurt Prowler, did you?"

The one with the lens looked at my friend with that same look that the Lords and Ladies give me when I open my mouth. "Just listen to what we have to say."

"Tell me who you are!" I shouted before going to Prowl and grabbed his shoulder. "Tell me who you are, or I will call for him."

"Don't be silly Jazz, he's in stasis." The Praxian knew my name, but it was weird how he said it. Like he knew me as a friend. "Come on, we don't have much time left. Just confirm."

I nodded and kept a firm hold of Prowl's arm. "I am Prince Jazz."

The first mech smiled as he stepped closer. I tightened my hold with a whimper. These mechs terrified me, but they were so calm. They treated me as if I was their best friend, and that scared me. "In sols to come, you will have a very hard decision to make, and you will make the choice that will save Cybertron from extinction. But, someone very close to you is endanger, and you won't be there to protect him. You will have to try your best to remain on Cybertron to protect him. Can you do that?"

"Cybertron's in trouble? But… but I can't do anything, my creators are the only ones able to protect it." I shook my helm with a frown. "I'm nothing special."

The Praxian lowered in front of me with a smile. "You are so special Jazz, all of Cybertron knows. Primus knows it too. You won't meet this mech for a very long time, but you have to promise you will not leave Cybertron when he needs you. You may not think he will listen to you, but you are the only one that can save him."

"Stop treating him like he's fragile, he is going to become commander of special forces." The lensed one had that tone that my math tutor had.

"Yeah, will. He is still a youngling." The blue Praxian snapped at him before looking back at me. "His name is Silverstreak. He will do something, but it puts Cybertron in danger. Please Jazz, please help save our home."

I shook my helm as I stepped away with my spark pulsing hard. "I'm scared. You're scaring me. V-"

"No, Jazz don't please. You have to help." The mechs started becoming blurry.

"Valour! Valour help!" I sat up with screams. The lights turned on quickly with my doors being thrown open. I looked around with my spark pressing against its casing hard. Valour was looking around my chambers while Archwing was holding onto me. Guards were standing near the door with Carrier and Sire hurrying through.

Valour moved to my berth with his wings angled to try and hide my face. "Clear."

"Jazz, what happened?" Carrier hurried to me; I cried into her arms as I looked around for those strange mechs. "Jazz, Jazz sweetspark talk to me. What happened?"

"S-Someone was in here. They did something to Prowl and Archwing, and… and they said something scary." I whimpered as her arms tightened around me. "Valour, I'm scared."

Valour lowered next to my berth, and put my servo just on the edge of his helm. "Valour protect spark. Could… not find threats."

"Son, I think it's time to let Valour rest." Sire hinted as he looked around my room. "Guards, check the cameras in the palace and around the courtyard."

They all bowed, "yes your highness."

"Valour you can rest now, I'm safe." My voice shook, but Valour was replaced with Prowl. He kept hold of my shaking servo. "But the scary mechs?"

"There is no sign of a break in. It could have been a memory reflux Jazz." Sire told me while Prowl was summoned by his Sire.

I bit my lip as I looked at Archwing clean up the mess Valour's searching caused. "But it felt so real."

"Some reflexes are like that. What did these mechs say?" Carrier smiled gently at me as she cupped my face.

"I-I can't remember." It couldn't have been a memory reflux, could it? Carrier layed me back down as she pulled my thermal blankets up to my face. "Get some recharge. You had a very long sol. And guess what?"

I spoke softly, "what?"

"Tomorrow, we will be getting your next frame upgrade." Carrier whispered back with excitement. She was trying to distract me from the three mechs, but how could I forget what they did to Prowl and Archwing?

Do not let the people see you are scared. You must always look confident and that you have a plan. If you show that you are not scared, then they will stand behind you with that same confidence.

Sire told me that when I had asked him if he was scared. I shook my helm before forcing myself to sit up straight, and put on a smile. "It was just a memory reflux."

"That's my strong mech. Now you get some more recharge. We have someone very important to introduce you to." Carrier had that smile that said I would be excited about this someone. She took my visors off when it finally clicked, and I grinned at her.

When morning came, I was drinking energon with my creators before a servant entered the room. "The fitter has arrived your majesties. Shall I take him to the Prince's chambers?"

"Yes, we will be right there." Sire answered as he sat the cube down with his gaze going to me once she had left. "Are you ready, Jazz? You'll be one frame away from taking on more duties as future king."

I sat my cube down as my gaze darted around the room. Everyone in the room was looking back at me. Was I ready to take on more duties? Sire had taught me a bit of what I would have to do as king, but now it was getting close to when I would be king. "I was sparked to keep Cybertron safe."

I quickly looked at my cube before back at Sire. "May I be excused?"

"Do not stray far, we will be going to the fitter soon." Sire reminded me as I quickly got out my chair.

I nodded before hurrying out of the dining hall. Prowl didn't say anything as we went to the East wing. There wasn't much in the East wing, just some guest rooms and a small lounge. We stopped walking when we made it to the end of the hall.

"Jazz, what's wrong?" Prowl knelt in front of me. He took hold of my arms with worry in his optics.

"I'm going to be upgraded. What if no one will like it? What if I don't do a good job at being king?" I looked down with a frown.

Prowl hugged me as he shook his helm, "you will be the king your people need. The one Cybertron needs. And your upgrade is for you, not for your creators, not me, not the nobles. You." He rubbed the top of my helm, though avoiding my horns. Prowl stood with a heavy ex-vent, "are you ready to get fitted?"

"You'll be with me the entire, right?" I pushed my digits together with a nervous gaze up at him.

"Until my dying intake." Prowl always said silly things like that, but I also knew he meant it. We walked to my chambers, and the armor fitter looked annoyed that he was waiting. My Creators were talking to the fitter's assistant about armor types. "I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long? The royal heir had a few topics to discuss with me in private."

The mech waved me over, "fine, fine come stand in front of me." I hurried over to the pedestal in front of him. The assistant removed my cloak and crown before the pedestal activated, and it started scanning me. "Arms out, stand straight, helm up. We are giving the Prince two frame upgrades, per his royal majesty's request."

I broke posture to look at Sire with a frown, "what two? Why?"

"Young Prince, please hold still. The scanner needs to get a clear reading." The femme quietly asked me while the fitter held up a datapad in front of me. "Are you wishing to keep your original colors? Black and white for the future king, is rather plain."

I frowned at the comment and firmly shook his helm. "I like my colors."

"Then perhaps slimming up the white, brighten up the black slightly." The fitter started tapping on the datapad.

"No, no I like how I look now." I looked down at myself then at the mech in front of me. "I don't want to change what I look like."

The mech looked at Sire and Carrier for their permission. Carrier smiled at me, "if my son wishes to keep his current look, then I am okay with it."

"Default colors and schematic." He sounded annoyed with me, and I was about to let him choose what I looked like but I remembered what Prowl told me. This was my frame and I could do what I wanted with it. "It will take about ninety sols for the pieces to be finished. I would suggest seeing a medic four sols before the frame arrives."

"Perfect, thank you again Cynder. I will have the payment transferred upon the arrival of the Prince's frame." Sire spoke sternly, and looked at QuickStart. "Remind me to keep my schedule clear those sols."

QuickStart bowed his helm, "as you wish your highness."

When the fitter and his assistant left, Carrier and Sire were quick to leave also. I went to my washroom with Prowl and Archwing behind me. Archwing started warming the oil bath while Prowl was flipping through music. It was something that Archwing started doing, and it was really nice to have something fill those quiet moments. She even brought music from parts of Cybertron I haven't been to yet.

"So, two frame upgrades? Are you nervous?" Archwing asked me while helping me in the oil bath.

"I- yes. Prowl, do you know why Sire did it?" I looked at my friend as he moved over to the door to keep an optic on the door coming into my chambers.

He shook his helm, "this is news to me. Have you told their majesties about Crystal City?"

"A little, but I don't think Sire really liked the idea." I played with the oil in front of me.

"Hm, maybe they found you a spark match?" Prowl suggested and Archwing gave him an angry look.

"Their majesties would not force the Prince to upgrade twice just for a noble. Why not just ask them? I doubt they would keep secrets from you." She looked at me while wiping oil off my visors. "Wouldn't taking off your visors be easier than getting oil all over them?"

My servos held my visors firmly against my face. "My visors keep everyone safe. Carrier and Sire say they only come off for emergencies only."

"Really?" She looked like she didn't know what I was talking about. I nodded firmly and slowly took my servos off my helm. "Well then they stay on. I apologize if I caused you any stress."

I smiled up at her, "it's okay."

After the oil bath, I did my studying before going to stasis. When I onlined, Prowl had some servants helping him get ready. Everyone was in a hurry. I sat up and put my visors on with a yawn. "Prowler? What's going on?"

"The Prime Council and noble court are on their way for a surprise visit." Prowl went over to the balcony window with his wings twitching as his scowl grew. "Remember what I said Archwing?"

She nodded, "stay with the Prince unless their majesties state otherwise."

I got out of my berth as servants were touching up my paint job and then placed my cloak and crown on. They straightened everything before hurrying off to probably help with cleaning the castle. Prowl exited first, me, and then Archwing behind me. Sire and QuickStart were at the bottom of the steps in the main room looking over a datapad.

"Sire, Prowl said the Primes were coming over. Why?" I asked after hugging him.

"I sent them a data burst about your city idea. They wish to go over it with you. And my noble court are coming over to see Quartex and QuickStart's new creation." Sire said as he looked me over before tilting my crown back slightly. "Now, remember the Primes will ask you questions. If they start to get off topic, put them back on track."

I nodded as my nerves grew when I ran what Sire had said to me. "My city? You were listening?"

"Of course, I was. What made you think I wasn't?" Sire looked at me in confusion. He gaze briefly went to QuickStart before back at me. "I know I have been extremely busy lately, but anything you say to me is always important. You are my son and I care about the things that are important to you."

I hugged him hard with a smile. "Thank you, Sire."

"Your majesty, the Council has arrived." QuickStart told us, which meant Sire was going to be extra serious. "Prowl, it is important Valour does not try to interfere if the Council upsets the young prince."

Prowl nodded as his optics turned to me. "We understand."

"Are you ready, Jazz?" Sire asked me as we walked to his office.

I went to nod before I quickly folded my servos in under my chin. "Please help me, Primus." I looked up with a big smile and nodded extra hard knowing Primus would help me convince the Council.

-Prowl's POV-

After Jazz's prayer, we entered the empty office. That meant I could prepare Valour a bit longer before the Primes arrived. Valour and I didn't agree on much except for our distrust in the Council. The King sat at his desk and Jazz stood beside him. I moved to the window to lower the chances of an assassination. Sire stationed himself by the door.

Soon enough the door opened with a servant guiding only two Council members. Alpha Trion and Prima. This wasn't looking good for the Prince's dream. I was miffed that neither of them bowed to neither of the royals, but I couldn't do anything other than glower. "Your highness, we have looked at the blueprints for this city, but we came to a unanimous vote."

"A forced unanimous vote." Alpha Trion gave the other Prime a look of disapproval.

Prima shook his helm as he tapped a digit on the desk. "We simply cannot support this type of build. A city built for merging races? This is a foolishly brave dream, but that is all it will ever be."

"What is wrong with trying? You and your brothers were all for supporting the rise of Protihex and expanding Velocity." His majesty kept his tone firm, but I could see the disappointment in the Prince. I wanted to assure him that the King would win the Council over, but I had to remain seen and not heard. "Are you scared that merging races would actually work, and ease the revolts in the mines?"

"How did?" The two mechs looked in shock at how his majesty could have found out, but a small cough behind them reminded them who they were talking to. Alpha Trion interrupted his fellow Prime before he could speak. "It's not merging that we are afraid of. It is merely the fact that we barely have the resources to build an entire city. We think your cause is admirable, but unless we have more servos to help with the building, we can't do it."

Jazz looked at me briefly before back at the Primes. "I wanna help. We could also ask the Praxians. They'd help too. There are a bunch of mechs and femmes that were released from their jobs because they're on an automated system now."

"Young Prince, it's not as simple as that. We can't just hire a bunch of mechs and femmes without thorough background checks. There is a lot to applying to jobs that you won't understand." Prima was trying to put his ped down on his decision.

"Does the Matrix do full background checks before picking you? It gave Megatronus a chance despite him being from Kaon." I smiled as Jazz matched Prima's stubbornness. "This could help hundreds of Cybertronians have work. You just don't want to help any of them."

Prima sat straighter as his face tightened up. "You are far too young to understand the stress we have on our shoulders to keep the population safe."

"I'm not dumb. You think just because I'm not as old as you, 0doesn't mean I don't know anything." Jazz frowned. I wondered when the King would step in, but he looked mildly amused.

"Why are we even having a very adult conversation with a young spark?" Prima rubbed his nasal ridge with an agitated sigh. "Your majesty, we won't find this project."

His majesty rose to his peds gracefully, walking over to a door and left the room. When he came back, he was holding a box, and I was confused as to what was inside. The King sat the box on the desk, opening it in front of the Primes. "There's nothing in it." Alpha Trion looked at his majesty in confusion.

"Exactly, because I do not need funding from the Council. I never actually needed your approval for building this city. The reason I came to you, was that I had hoped that despite our strained relationship, you would be more cooperative with a mech that has a dream. A dream of achieving something greater than any of us could, and instead of being open to the idea, you shot him down." The King slammed the box closed with a cold expression on his face. "Do not forget council members, I am still King, and I have access to every corner of this planet. You want to have your little quarrels with Kaon leadership, fine, but I will do what I think is right for this planet. And Crystal City is the next step to keeping Cybertron safe."

Prima stood faster than my coding liked. I tensed, but my Sire grabbed the hilt of his blade faster. "You have too much power, Sharp Point. And one day that power is going to get to your processor."

"You had better remember who you are speaking to, Prima. It would look bad on your wire thin reputation if you attack me. All of Praxus would pull support and their people from your reach. Polyhex and Helix would shun the Primes from their lives." I have never seen his majesty like this before. I didn't even know he could get a temper, but I was definitely not moving from my spot. "I don't need you or your petty influence, you need me and my coding to keep the people in line."

No one said anything for a long while before Prima finally left without saying anything. Alpha Trion shook his helm while stroking his beard. "My apologies for Prima, your majesty. Old age will get to you sometimes. I will put a good word in for the young Prince's idea. If this city succeeds, then I look forward to what else the Shining Crystal can make happen."

He bowed and left us. The King sat back down with an agitated ex-vent. Jazz hugged his Sire with a smile. "Let this be a lesson Jazz, sometimes you will have to pull the royalty card to keep your ground. The Council may have Primus as their beacon, but we have direct contact with his frame."

"Would Praxus really make people leave Iacon?" Jazz asked as he pulled away with a curious tilt of his helm.

"Praxus is a neutral city, but their loyalty lies more with Helix than any other city. If his majesty sees Iacon as a danger or a place to not be trusted, then Praxus will label them as an enemy." Sire answered with a bit of truth behind it. "Prowl, can you take the young Prince to his chambers while his majesty and I talk?"

I quickly bowed as I waited for Jazz to get close to me before guiding him out of the office.

I'm still alive! And I hope you all have enjoyed! :)