FIC: My December - Chapter 28
Title: My December
Chapter: 28 of 31
Author: wicked3659
Verse: TFA
Rating: PG13
Word count: 1327
Prompt: Day twenty eight - Light a candle
Warnings: angst
Other Characters: Perceptor, Optimus Prime, Sari
Summary: Willing to leave everything behind on a whim and a dream, Jazz follows his spark to search for the one part that he never knew had been missing all along.
A/N: The start of my December challenge. A fic written just for the occasion, each prompt is one chapter. This is based on a bunny given to me by and written for vejiraziel may you get the December you deserve. Thank you for your encouragement and this little bunny. <3
I'm sorry for the lateness ><;; RL knocked me for six and I've been entirely stumped on how to finish this story. Ideas are welcome for these last few prompts ^_^;; Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
****
Chapter 28 - Light a candle
'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' - Peter Benenson
Over the next few days their relationship blossomed. The ninjas were still taking everything slow and were simply enjoying each other's company and the company of their friends during the holiday period.
News filtered through the grape vine that Megatron was to undergo trial on Cybertron and they'd all been called to bear witness. When Perceptor delivered the news, him being privvy to information straight from Ultra Magnus himself, Jazz sat heavily on the sofa, prompting worried glances from Optimus and Prowl.
"Jazz what is it?"
The white ninja sighed and rubbed his faceplates. "It's not something I want t' re-live if you know what I mean. I was in the war a lot longer than both of you and I lost friends..." His optics flicked to Prowl briefly. "And more because of him."
Perceptor stepped forward, his brow slightly furrowed in thought. "Then why are you reluctant to testify against him?"
"Frag, mech. Isn't it obvious what the mech did? He plunged our entire world into darkness, and almost took Earth with him the second time he was let loose, the glitch doesn't deserve a trial." Jazz began to pace, surprising all present who weren't seeing him so riled up. "I mean we're lucky t' even have Prowl here because of him. He deserves t' be deactivated." His final comment came out as a low growl as he met their surprised expressions.
Tilting his helm, Prowl spoke softly. "But then, if we do that... we're no better than he is. Didn't we fight to do what's right, isn't justice part and partial of that?"
His words hung in the air, and Jazz locked optics with his lover, surprise at his words flickering across his face. "I would have thought you'd be the last one t' say that, after everything..."
Bowing his helm, Prowl shook his helm. "I died Jazz, that was my choice. Others have suffered far greater at Megatron's hands, don't their stories deserve to be told? Don't they deserve solace for his actions, should he not be held publicly accountable, or do we just bury that along with everything else, keep it in the dark, cursing his existence?"
"Prowl..." Jazz frowned, completely taken aback by the other ninja's reply. He had always been so sure about his views on Megatron and the war that he hadn't really considered what good putting the leader of the Decepticons on trial could do. How could anyone benefit from parading a genocidal maniac out in the public eye? He was guilty there was no question about it so why put him on trial?
"He's right." Optimus added softly, nervously meeting Jazz's gaze. "I mean in part I agree with you Jazz but those who have been forgotten, who have suffered because of Megatron's actions either directly or indirectly need to see this. They need their closure too."
"It'll just be a farce, can't you see that? Nobody comes away from war with a clean slate... Who's going t' get closure from this?"
"I might."
They all turned towards the quiet voice in the doorway. Sari stood tall and bold, meeting each of their gazes. "He came to this planet, and turned mine and my dad's world upside down and almost destroyed it completely. Nobody on Cybertron knows what we went through because of him. He deserves to know what he did and that despite everything, he failed.
Sitting back down, Jazz found himself stunned to silence at the young girl's words. Was he really so short sighted? Was it so wrong for him to just want to forget the pain and suffering of the war? Those vorns of long dark missions, the loneliness, the ugly side of being in the Elite Guard that the rest of Cybertron weren't supposed to see, that would all come out in a trial. There were no victors in war, just survivors.
Shaking his helm, Jazz got to his feet and sighed. "I can't be a part of this, I'm sorry." With that he quickly left the room.
The others watched him leave, they understood where he stood and why, even Perceptor didn't question his decision. "You will all be called to attend." The red mech spoke finally. "What you say, is your choice."
****
"I thought I'd find you here."
Jazz barely glanced over his shoulder at the sound of his lover's voice. Sat cross-legged on the roof in the light rain, he simply shook his helm. "Not right now, Prowl... please I just want t' be by myself."
"I only wanted to speak with you, try to understand."
"Well you can't. Just... Leave me alone."
"I see..."
Registering the soft sigh of disappointment, Jazz immediately regretted his answer and turned to apologise only to find himself alone on the empty roof. Wilting where he sat, the white ninja returned to his darker thoughts. Memories, designations of those he'd not been able to help and those faces whose lives he'd extinguished on the call of an order. Some stories weren't meant to be told.
Tired of wallowing, the guardsmech finally headed back into the base to seek out his mech. He hadn't meant to send him away, Prowl's presence was more a comfort than anything else. The mech knew some of his past, only what Jazz had revealed so far and it hadn't fazed him, he remained steadfast and assured that Jazz was far more of a decent spark than he allowed himself to be believe.
Finding Prowl's room empty, Jazz frowned and headed to the living area. "OP, have you seen Prowl?"
The red and blue mech gave a small smile and a shrug. "I think he took Sari out, she wanted to do something, or show him something."
"Thanks, mech." Transforming, Jazz headed out, sending out a pinging comm. ahead just in case his presence wasn't welcome. The reply was immediate, something which had the ninja internally smiling to himself, he really was a lucky mech.
//We're at the park. By the lake.//
The rain spattered onto his windshield as he drove to the park. What were they thinking being out in the freezing rain? Pulling up and making his way to the lake, Jazz frowned. "Are you two tryin' t' catch your death?"
"Catch our death?" Prowl tilted his helm curiously. "How can you ca--"
"--Nevermind." Jazz chuckled, holding up his hand. "I'll explain later. What are you doing?"
"Waiting for you." Sari smiled warmly up at him. Prowl gave her a subtle nod and handed her a small flower shaped candle.
"For me?" Jazz blinked in confusion. "What is that?"
Sari lit the candle and held it up to him. "It's for you. There's a saying that it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness. We wanted you to light your own and maybe you can see that whatever darkness you had to go through, it wasn't for nothing."
Jazz gave Prowl a sidelong look. "You knew I'd come?"
Giving a sheepish shrug, Prowl smiled and took hold of his hand. "I had faith you'd come looking for me."
"That obvious huh?" The white ninja flashed him a faint smile, holding the lit candle in his palm. "So what am I supposed t' do with this?"
Prowl pointed out to the lake before meeting his questioning gaze. "Let go."
"Think of all those you've lost." Sari added softly. "All those who can't speak for themselves. Remember them, speak for them and then let it go, rather than..."
"Cursing the darkness..." Jazz finished softly, crouching low to set the candle afloat on the still water.
Chapter: 28 of 31
Author: wicked3659
Verse: TFA
Rating: PG13
Word count: 1327
Prompt: Day twenty eight - Light a candle
Warnings: angst
Other Characters: Perceptor, Optimus Prime, Sari
Summary: Willing to leave everything behind on a whim and a dream, Jazz follows his spark to search for the one part that he never knew had been missing all along.
A/N: The start of my December challenge. A fic written just for the occasion, each prompt is one chapter. This is based on a bunny given to me by and written for vejiraziel may you get the December you deserve. Thank you for your encouragement and this little bunny. <3
I'm sorry for the lateness ><;; RL knocked me for six and I've been entirely stumped on how to finish this story. Ideas are welcome for these last few prompts ^_^;; Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
****
Chapter 28 - Light a candle
'Better to light a candle than curse the darkness' - Peter Benenson
Over the next few days their relationship blossomed. The ninjas were still taking everything slow and were simply enjoying each other's company and the company of their friends during the holiday period.
News filtered through the grape vine that Megatron was to undergo trial on Cybertron and they'd all been called to bear witness. When Perceptor delivered the news, him being privvy to information straight from Ultra Magnus himself, Jazz sat heavily on the sofa, prompting worried glances from Optimus and Prowl.
"Jazz what is it?"
The white ninja sighed and rubbed his faceplates. "It's not something I want t' re-live if you know what I mean. I was in the war a lot longer than both of you and I lost friends..." His optics flicked to Prowl briefly. "And more because of him."
Perceptor stepped forward, his brow slightly furrowed in thought. "Then why are you reluctant to testify against him?"
"Frag, mech. Isn't it obvious what the mech did? He plunged our entire world into darkness, and almost took Earth with him the second time he was let loose, the glitch doesn't deserve a trial." Jazz began to pace, surprising all present who weren't seeing him so riled up. "I mean we're lucky t' even have Prowl here because of him. He deserves t' be deactivated." His final comment came out as a low growl as he met their surprised expressions.
Tilting his helm, Prowl spoke softly. "But then, if we do that... we're no better than he is. Didn't we fight to do what's right, isn't justice part and partial of that?"
His words hung in the air, and Jazz locked optics with his lover, surprise at his words flickering across his face. "I would have thought you'd be the last one t' say that, after everything..."
Bowing his helm, Prowl shook his helm. "I died Jazz, that was my choice. Others have suffered far greater at Megatron's hands, don't their stories deserve to be told? Don't they deserve solace for his actions, should he not be held publicly accountable, or do we just bury that along with everything else, keep it in the dark, cursing his existence?"
"Prowl..." Jazz frowned, completely taken aback by the other ninja's reply. He had always been so sure about his views on Megatron and the war that he hadn't really considered what good putting the leader of the Decepticons on trial could do. How could anyone benefit from parading a genocidal maniac out in the public eye? He was guilty there was no question about it so why put him on trial?
"He's right." Optimus added softly, nervously meeting Jazz's gaze. "I mean in part I agree with you Jazz but those who have been forgotten, who have suffered because of Megatron's actions either directly or indirectly need to see this. They need their closure too."
"It'll just be a farce, can't you see that? Nobody comes away from war with a clean slate... Who's going t' get closure from this?"
"I might."
They all turned towards the quiet voice in the doorway. Sari stood tall and bold, meeting each of their gazes. "He came to this planet, and turned mine and my dad's world upside down and almost destroyed it completely. Nobody on Cybertron knows what we went through because of him. He deserves to know what he did and that despite everything, he failed.
Sitting back down, Jazz found himself stunned to silence at the young girl's words. Was he really so short sighted? Was it so wrong for him to just want to forget the pain and suffering of the war? Those vorns of long dark missions, the loneliness, the ugly side of being in the Elite Guard that the rest of Cybertron weren't supposed to see, that would all come out in a trial. There were no victors in war, just survivors.
Shaking his helm, Jazz got to his feet and sighed. "I can't be a part of this, I'm sorry." With that he quickly left the room.
The others watched him leave, they understood where he stood and why, even Perceptor didn't question his decision. "You will all be called to attend." The red mech spoke finally. "What you say, is your choice."
****
"I thought I'd find you here."
Jazz barely glanced over his shoulder at the sound of his lover's voice. Sat cross-legged on the roof in the light rain, he simply shook his helm. "Not right now, Prowl... please I just want t' be by myself."
"I only wanted to speak with you, try to understand."
"Well you can't. Just... Leave me alone."
"I see..."
Registering the soft sigh of disappointment, Jazz immediately regretted his answer and turned to apologise only to find himself alone on the empty roof. Wilting where he sat, the white ninja returned to his darker thoughts. Memories, designations of those he'd not been able to help and those faces whose lives he'd extinguished on the call of an order. Some stories weren't meant to be told.
Tired of wallowing, the guardsmech finally headed back into the base to seek out his mech. He hadn't meant to send him away, Prowl's presence was more a comfort than anything else. The mech knew some of his past, only what Jazz had revealed so far and it hadn't fazed him, he remained steadfast and assured that Jazz was far more of a decent spark than he allowed himself to be believe.
Finding Prowl's room empty, Jazz frowned and headed to the living area. "OP, have you seen Prowl?"
The red and blue mech gave a small smile and a shrug. "I think he took Sari out, she wanted to do something, or show him something."
"Thanks, mech." Transforming, Jazz headed out, sending out a pinging comm. ahead just in case his presence wasn't welcome. The reply was immediate, something which had the ninja internally smiling to himself, he really was a lucky mech.
//We're at the park. By the lake.//
The rain spattered onto his windshield as he drove to the park. What were they thinking being out in the freezing rain? Pulling up and making his way to the lake, Jazz frowned. "Are you two tryin' t' catch your death?"
"Catch our death?" Prowl tilted his helm curiously. "How can you ca--"
"--Nevermind." Jazz chuckled, holding up his hand. "I'll explain later. What are you doing?"
"Waiting for you." Sari smiled warmly up at him. Prowl gave her a subtle nod and handed her a small flower shaped candle.
"For me?" Jazz blinked in confusion. "What is that?"
Sari lit the candle and held it up to him. "It's for you. There's a saying that it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness. We wanted you to light your own and maybe you can see that whatever darkness you had to go through, it wasn't for nothing."
Jazz gave Prowl a sidelong look. "You knew I'd come?"
Giving a sheepish shrug, Prowl smiled and took hold of his hand. "I had faith you'd come looking for me."
"That obvious huh?" The white ninja flashed him a faint smile, holding the lit candle in his palm. "So what am I supposed t' do with this?"
Prowl pointed out to the lake before meeting his questioning gaze. "Let go."
"Think of all those you've lost." Sari added softly. "All those who can't speak for themselves. Remember them, speak for them and then let it go, rather than..."
"Cursing the darkness..." Jazz finished softly, crouching low to set the candle afloat on the still water.