TFP: Youngling
Ch.5~ Happy Beginnings
I stood by the platform Megatronous was using as a speech podium listening as my brother spoke. He spoke to the crowd with fierce passion and charisma. I was proud of the gladiator for speaking so intelligently persuasive.
"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." he proclaimed, turning to me he smiled. "There are others in the higher classes that believe this, my brother from the streets of Iacon sees our pain. I shall get a meeting with the Senate and we shall all be free to choose our own path in life.
The crowd cheered, I smiled at their hopeful cries of joy. I felt a clawed servo on my shoulder plating. Looking up I saw Megatronous smiling down at me.
"You give them hope for a better future." I stated, "with your sanctimonious and charismatic persona you will undoubtedly change the system."
"Charismatic I may be, but I am far too humble to be sanctimonious. You could be charismatic as well if you had a bit more confidence." he teased, shoving me lightly. "You should come to my match next cycle."
"You know I would rather not see you or anyone else fight in those barbaric events."
"This match shall be special, I plan to stop the match, my opponent and I both agreed on this. Then I shall give my speech to the crowd, leaving the gladiator rings to enter the political world in Iacon."
"If that's the case I would be happy to go."
(Prowl's POV)
I followed Sire through the horrible building, every time I looked into the cells I wanted to purge. No mech or femme should ever live like this, this why in Praxus we forbid slavery. It was horrifying to see how badly they were treated; I wouldn't even treat a petrorabbit this way.
Looking into a cell I saw that there was a mech about my age inside, I stopped and moved closer to him. He wore a blue visor and had a simple striped paint job. How could anyone do this to him; I myself am only a youngling and I cannot imagine anyone treating me with such blatant disregard.
"Hello," I called, the small form moved closer to the bars as I grasped them.
"You shouldn't touch the bars young sir you'll dirty your servo's." he stated.
"I'm Prowl, what's your name?" I asked.
"My number is written above the cell, young sir." he answered.
"No, you're real name, or did you not get one?"
"I have a name young sir, it's Jazz."
"I am pleased to meet you Jazz, and you don't have to call me young sir."
"Of course I do, I am merely a slave that would be an insult to you young sir."
"No it wouldn't, see these wings on my back, I'm from Praxus I don't believe that slaves should exist. Call me Prowl."
"Okay.. Prowl."
"Are there others around our age here?"
"No, it's just me right now."
"Do you want to come to Praxus?"
"I can't leave unless someone buys me."
"Then I'll get Sire to buy you, then you can come to Praxus with me."
"Thank you for being so kind, but I could not ask for that."
"Good thing I offered; my Sire is a kind mech he'll help you. Come on hold my servo till he comes."
"I couldn't touch you, you'd get dirty."
"Then we'll just both need a bath when we get to Praxus. Come on Jazz, it's okay."
Jazz slowly reached out to grab my servo, right as he was about to hold it a bang came at the bars and he shrunk back. Looking toward the noise I saw the guide for me and my Sire glaring at Jazz.
"Filthy little slagger." he growled, I glared at the mech angrily.
"Leave Jazz alone." I hissed, I felt Sire place a servo on my shoulder. "Sire, I want to take him home."
"Unlock that cell, I will be taking that little mech with us." Sire stated, rubbing my helm.
"Your majesty will have to purchase him." the guide said.
"I am well aware of that, unlock the cell." Sire replied.
The mech pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the cell door, once it was open I ran in and grabbed Jazz's servo. Helping him out of the cell I glared at the mech one last time before walking over to Sire.
"Young sir, you're a Prince?" Jazz asked, in a hushed voice.
"Yes I am Jazz; just call me Prowl okay," I answered, squeezing his servo comfortingly.
"Follow me your majesty so we can fill out the purchase forms." the guide stated, leading us to the main entrance.
"You and Jazz stay put while I handle this, keep close to each other." Sire instructed before walking off into another room to purchase Jazz.
"Why are you helping me?" Jazz asked he looked like he was ready to cry.
"I couldn't let you stay there, it would morally wrong. Something about you just makes me what to get to know you, is it wrong to want to help a friend." I answered, he looked so happy now, smiling I pulled him into a hug.
"You're going to be all dirty now." Jazz said I held him tighter as he slowly wrapped his arms around me.
"Then we'll be dirty together," I replied.
"Thank you, I can not thank you enough for this." he thanked.
"You're very welcome, I am glad I can help you," I replied, smiling I nuzzled his cheekplate.
(Starwatcher's POV)
Sighing I stared at Megatronous, I thought they had both agreed to not try and kill each other today. I motioned him to get on the medical berth, as I grabbed my tool cart pulling over to the berth side.
"Do you secretly enjoy being on my med berth Megatronous?" I stated as I began to repair his damage.
"Rest assured this will be the last time I will be here for gladiatorial injuries." he replied.
"You said that last time you came in here covered in your own energon. I won't believe you till that ring is shut down."
"Iacon wasn't built in a day, although I'm sure you knew that, I bet you saw it being built."
"Haha, another old joke I assume. You need better material."
"I should ask Ironhide for some tips he has seemed to master frying your circuits."
"Remember that I'll be the one patching you up next time you nearly kill yourself."
Finishing his patch job I watched as he examined his damage. Putting away my tools I pushed the cart back to the wall, taking a cloth to wipe the tools clean. Setting down the clean tools I dropped the cloth in its compartment.
"Perfect as usual."
"Should be, I've been doing this long enough."
I followed Megatronous back out to the entrance. I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw a red and blue mech being crawled on by the younglings. The mech was laying flat on his backstruts as they crawled over his frame. Who was he?
"Seems like they like you, Orion." Megatronous teased, the mech looked at us smiling meekly.
"It would appear so." he replied.
"Alright, little ones get off of him." I scolded, slowly they all got off the mech and he got to his pedes.
"Can't even stand up to younglings," Megatronous stated, lightly punching the tall thin mech.
"They were only having fun." he said.
"It's been a while since they've had someone new to play with, I hope they were too much of a hassle," I explained.
"No, they were fine. Oh, my names Orion Pax." he introduced, extending his servo.
"Starwatcher, I am the head doctor of this hospital." I greeted, shaking his servo then I turned to the younglings. "Now little ones it's time to head to the rec room, Chromia will be here any moment to start your lessons."
"Alright." they said, helping each other walk toward the rec room taking a few toys with them.
"How have things been here since I was last here for a visit?" Megatronous asked.
"Same old, more bots arriving every cycle, trying to get some council money to expand the hospital," I answered I noticed Orion look at me curiously.
"I wish I could help Starwatcher, you are doing a great service here." Megatronous replied, "Well we better go, Orion, I shall be back for a visit soon."
"Don't come back covered in energon," I growled as he left, Orion turned and gave me a small wave before following after Megatronous.
Chromia walked in holding a stack of datapads, I stared at her confused, "New donations." she stated. "Who was the tall mech with Megatronous, looks way too fancy to be from Kaon?"
"His name is Orion Pax, I assume he is from Iacon since he has the accent," I replied.
"Orion Pax? Fancy name too."
"The young ones are waiting for you in the rec room."
"Thanks, Starry, don't forget to drink some energon."
"Sparkplug already nagged me."
"Good. Go home at a reasonable time tonight, okay?"
"You better get to the younglings."
"Just promise me you will?"
"Fine."
"Talk to you later Starry."
I watched my sister run off for the rec room, shaking my helm I walked over to check on my patients. That Orion mech seemed nice.
(Prowl's POV)
I stood in the lobby of the senate house holding Jazz's servo, he was very anxious being here. One could feel him trembling as if the ground beneath him were shaking. Hearing a door open I saw my friend Mirage enter the room, he looked at me worriedly.
"Is he alright Prowl?" Mirage said, walking over he grabbed my free servo. "Both of you are filthy come to the wash station so you can wash yourselves up a bit."
"Thank's Mirage," I replied, following him with Jazz in tow toward the wash station.
He grabbed a few cleaning rags and handed one to me which I took happily. Extending the other one to Jazz, he took it with a bit of hesitation.
"Thank you." he said, slowly wiping the grime of his servo's.
"No problem, I'm guessing your Sire's talking with my Sire and the other Senators," Mirage added.
"Yes, this is my friend Jazz." I introduced.
"Nice to meet you Jazz." Mirage greeted, extending his hand for a handshake, cleaning his servo quickly Jazz reached over and shook his hand.
"The honor is all mine young sir." he replied.
"Decided to rescue a slave while at that dumb tour?" Mirage stated, "He knows he doesn't have to call me sir right?"
"Sorry sir, I was just trying to be polite. I had no intention of insulting you." Jazz apologized.
"Didn't I tell you to just treat us like friends," I stated, reaching over to rub his helm.
"Just not used to nobles acting like this." he added.
"You'll get used it soon Jazz." I soothed, he smiled brightly.
"So you two want to watch some holovids till the meeting ends," Mirage said I turned to see Jazz nodding excitedly. "I'll take that as a yes."
(Starwatcher's POV)
I stared at the donation check file long and hard trying to figure who would send us this much money. Couldn't be Megatronous he wouldn't be so foolish would he? I heard a knock at my office door, getting up I answered the door.
"Hello, how are things?" Megatronous asked, I grabbed him and drug him over to my desk.
"Did you send this? You know this hospital can't be connected with you." I hissed, he stared at the check file then began to laugh. "What the pit is so funny aft?"
"Don't worry about the money it isn't from me, remember Orion, the mech who was getting crawled on by the younglings?"
"Yes, what does he have to do with this?"
"When we left he asked a good bit about the hospital, he must have decided to give the hospital some credits."
"Some credits, this is like the checks I used to make working at a big hospital in Iacon. How much money does he make?!"
"He works at the Iacon Hall of Records, he makes himself quite a fortune, although he donates most of it away."
"Must have been working there longer than you were alive to make that kind of credits."
Megatronous laughed again, actually laughing so hard he was gripping my desk as he hunched forward holding his abdominal plating. What the scrap was he laughing about now? Grabbing one of my wrenches I whacked him over the helm stopping his laughter.
"Don't laugh at me you youngling."
"How old do you think Orion is?"
"Older than you, closer to my age I guess."
"He's younger than me, much younger than you although that's not saying much."
"I'd shut up if you want to keep your helm intact."
"He really is younger than me, what made you think he was older?"
"His attitude."
"That coming from you."
Smacking him over the helm again he rubbed his helm sadly looking at me like a kicked petropuppy. Sometimes I wonder why I hang around with younger mechs, all they do is tease me about my age.
"Got any more old jokes you'd like to get off your chassis before I kick you out of my office."
"I believe I shall save the rest for Ironhide, he's more of a sport when it comes to friendly teasing."
"You haven't changed since you were a young mech, still as annoying as ever."
"I shall see you again soon, hopefully without an injury again."
"Keep up this track record and I may have to believe you've matured."
"See you later Starwatcher."
(Jazz's POV)
Prowl held my servo leading me into their home, his Sire called someone's designation as Prowl smiled at me. Smiling back I heard another person walk into the room, turning I saw a beautiful femme looking down at me. Kneeling down in front of me she rubbed my cheeks before checking me over.
"You poor dear, take him to the wash racks Prowl and both of you get into the bath I'll be there in a few clicks." she said, Prowl nodded leading me further into the house.
"Who was that?" I asked he smiled.
"That was my Carrier," he answered opening a door revealing a large wash racks with a large soaking tub. "Come on Jazz it's bath time."
We crawled into the tub still holding servo's, Prowl broke the hold and instead hugged me. I hugged him back gently still unsure of why he would care for me so much. Leaning forward he made me fall back into the tub and we both stood up giggling.
"Alright none of that little mechs, let's get both nice and clean." Prowl's Carrier soothed holding up a brush and solvent. "You're first Jazz."
"Okay, Miss," I replied sitting down so that she could get to work on cleaning me.
"No need to be so formal sweet, Prowl dear can you help." she hushed, Prowl grabbed a cloth and began to clean my faceplate and helm. "Stand up Jazz so I can get your pedes."
Standing up I let her continue scrubbing away the grime, I blushed as Prowl began to rub my audio horns. Grabbing onto his servo I leaned into him shaking, his touch felt so good but it stung a bit from past less than gentle treatment of the sensitive horns. He stopped and dropped the cloth, grabbing onto me worriedly.
"Are you okay Jazz? Did I hurt you?" he questioned worriedly, I looked at him smiling fondly.
"I'm fine just they're really sensitive," I answered, he vented heavily and brushed them softly.
"Someone scraped them, did they hurt you Jazz?" he replied, I nodded he partly hugged me.
"Swift dear we'll need to take Jazz to see Ambulon." she called.
"Of course Bluesong." Prowl's Sire replied, so her name was Bluesong.
"Alright turn around Jazz and I'll get your front." Bluesong soothed, turning she scrubbed me clean taking care not to harm me as she removed the last of the grime from me. "There all clean, now it's your turn Prowl."
I switched places with Prowl as he let his Carrier clean him, she took extra care of his wings. I could from his reaction that his wings were very sensitive much like my audio horns. Soon he was all clean he turned to me and grabbed my servo again leading out fo the tub and to the dryers.
"Feel a bit better now?" he cooed as we were dried off.
"Uhuh, now what Prowl?" I asked he smiled turning to Bluesong.
"Carrier what are we going to do now?" Prowl repeated, she thought a moment.
"How about I get you both some energon, then you can show Jazz around Prowl?" she suggested, Prowl nodded excitedly and dragged me out of the wash racks toward what I assumed was the kitchen.
"I'll get the energon you can sit up on a stool at the counter." Prowl explained, I nodded and went over and crawled up onto a stool. "Carrier can me and Jazz have some goodies too?"
"Sure, but don't eat too many." she replied, Prowl looked at me grinning.
"We won't, thank you Carrier." he called, as he poured our cubes.
"Do you need help?" I asked he shook his helm taking out a small bag of treats.
"Have you ever had these before?" he replied sitting next to handing me my cube and setting the treats between us.
"A medic I knew when I was younger used to give us home-made treats," I explained I smiled at him.
"These are just store bought but hopefully you like them." he stated, I waited till he took a sip of his energon before drinking my own.
The fuel tasted very good, it was the best fuel I think I've ever tasted, Prowl looked at me as he drank his cube curiously. Setting down my cube again I watched as he did the same, he had a bit fuel on his lips reaching over I wiped it off. He smiled at me, reaching into the treat bag he took two out handing one to me.
"Thanks, Prowl." I thanked, he leaned over and rubbed my helm gently.
(Flashback)
I helped Rodian sit back into his hover chair and recovered his pedes in his thermal blanket. I felt footsteps behind me and a rough servo rub my helm gently. Looking up I saw Starwatcher looking down at me proudly.
"You're such a good mech Jazz, helping Rodian like this." he complimented, I smiled he grabbed Rodian's servo to hand speak with him. "Would you like some sweets?"
"Sweets?" I questioned, Rodian smiled and nodded replying to Ratchet in hand speak.
Starwatcher pulled a metal container our of his subspace and popped off the lid. Pulling out an energon sweet he places one carefully in Rodian's servo. Rodian slowly brought the treat to his mouth and popped it in. Taking out another treat he grabbed my servo and placed the treat in it.
"I made them myself last evening cycle, you two have been very good. You both are well behaved and very helpful with the others, that's why you two get to have sweets. Don't expect this every cycle, this is a special treat." he explained, I smiled up at him.
"Thank you Starwatcher." I thanked, he rubbed my helm again.
"You're very welcome Jazz, now I better head back to work. You two have a great afternoon," he stated, getting to his pedes he waved and patted Rodian's shoulderplate before heading back to work. Looking at the treat in my servo gobbling it up quickly, before grabbing Rodian's servo to speak to him.
'So what do you want to do now?' I asked him in hand speak even happier than I had been before.
(End Flashback)
(Starwatcher's POV)
I set a small tin of energon goodies down at the small memorial, touching the metal headstone I traced the name fondly. Patting the memorial gently I tended to the small crystal growing in front of it. It had been one stellar cycle since Rodian had passed and two stellar cycles since his best-friend since younglinghood Jazz had disappeared into the slave system.
"I'll find him Rodian, I know you were worried about him since then, I am too. All of you little ones are very precious to me and he was too sweet to be stuck in that blasted system. I hope you are happy and finally free of the pain you lived with. Rest well little one." I prayed, patting the memorial again I got to my pedes and headed back to the hospital, time to get back to my current lot of little ones.