Transform

Maestro spent the next 6 days teaching Jazz everything he knew, while in between, helping him convert his room into proper living quarters. The table and equipment were taken out and an old, but working recharge berth put in. Besides that, the room was bare. Jazz didn't mind however. To him it was cozy and comfortable, and above all, it was home. He and Maestro spent much of their time in there as opposed to the rest of the little house they lived in, mostly because that was where Jazz felt the most safe and at ease.

For the most part Maestro talked and Jazz listened, and soon the old robot realized that Jazz not only had the ability to talk and convince, he also had the talent of listening and understanding, before he opened his mouth to ask a question. So Maestro felt encouraged to tell him what he wanted to know.

On the 7th day Maestro took Jazz outside to let the young robot get a feel of the external environment. Jazz spent a good deal of time just gazing at everything his optics showed him, while Maestro stood back and waited patiently for the questions that were bound to come along soon. Sure enough Jazz looked at him.

"What am I looking at?" he asked. "I mean I know there's a city in front of me, and more beyond that, but why is each one sending a different light to the sky?"

"The city in front of you, the one we belong to, is Ferronix. The silvery light beyond comes from Dyacron. Further ahead and more to the west lies Iacon, and east Polyhex – my old hometown. After the First Great Wars, the ones I told you about, many of the cities began to develop at different paces – some faster than others, like Iacon and Polyhex. Some, like Ferronix, are still trying to catch up. Then there are those in the middle, like Dyacron."

"But why the different paces? It aint fair to leave poorer folk behind."

"No it isn't, but that is what power does to some. It makes them hunger for more, forgetting what is more important. Remember that young Jazz, for as you grow older, you will be faced with many choices like that. We're not perfect, but I trust you will make the right choice."

"I'll try my best," Jazz replied.

"Good. Now, I have given you yet another ability that I lack, one that I hope will be to your advantage. Transform."

Jazz stared at him. "What?"

"Transform. You can do it. Don't think, just try."

Half afraid, Jazz twisted his body and the next minute folded into a little hovercar. For a long while he just floated there.

"Wow," he said at last. "Now this is different. What do I do next?"

"Try moving around."

Jazz shot forward. "Whoa!"

"Slowly. Get the hang of it first."

"I'm trying! This aint easy!" He fishtailed, swerved, and narrowly avoided crashing into the side of the house. "Woohoo! Hey, this is kinda fun!"

"Yes, well try not to kill yourself," Maestro called.

Then through the comm-line Maestro heard something that made his core flare with happiness. Jazz was unconsciously humming a random tune as he drove around. The rev of another engine made Maestro look up.

"Jazz look out!" he called. "Stop or you'll crash!"

"I don't know how to stop!"

"Transform!"

Jazz managed to revert back to robot form. He hit the ground and slid under the burnished anti-grav truck. When he was clear, Bronze quickly transformed too.

"What are you trying to do!" he asked.

"Hey, no need to get all mad about it," Jazz replied. "I'm sorry I nearly rammed you, but I'm new at this. I haven't quite figured out how to stop yet, well besides sliding around on my skidplate. Heh, guess that's why they call it a skidplate." He grinned widely.

"Who on Cybertron do you think you are, and what are you even doing here? This is private property."

"Hey, I live here. The name's Jazz." He held out his hand. "And since you're the stranger now, who might you be?"

"The name's Bronze." He shook the other robot's hand. "You seem somewhat familiar now that I get a closer look."

"He should Bronze," Maestro said, coming up. "You had a hand in his construction."

Bronze's optics widened. "This is your creation?"

"The one and only."

"He seems so different. I got so used to seeing him as just an empty black and white husk."

"Well the black and white husk is standing right here and he can speak, so, hey!" Jazz retorted.

"I think you made him a bit too talkative Maestro," Bronze said.

"Again with the hey!" Jazz replied. "I aint deaf alright."

"Well Bronze, I hope you can bear with his chatter because you'll be spending the next few days together."

"WHAT!" both bots exclaimed.

"I need you to teach him the finer art of transforming," Maestro said to Bronze. "And I need you, Jazz, to learn as much as you can. Your very survival may depend on it."

"How long?" Bronze asked.

"As long as it takes. Let him experience something of life outside the walls of his home, and have some interaction with other mechs and femmes. Take him with you when you leave."

"Today?" Jazz asked. "But I'm not ready. You haven't told me enough, I don't know what to do."

"I could tell you everything I know, but it would do you no good unless you can learn for yourself. I have told you enough for you to survive. And you will survive."

"What if I screw up?"

"Learn from your mistakes and do not lose faith. You must learn to look after yourself Jazz. I wont always be here. Don't be afraid, Bronze's bark is worse than his bite."