Last-minute entry - Anniversary Challenge: FIC nine pieces
Title: Collection
Rating: K+
Characters: Jazz, Prowl, assorted others
Continuity: Any - G1/IDW
Author: Rose0mary
Prompt: Like two peas in a pod - Everyone said they were alike. Nine times they showed how different/alike they were
Summary: Eight times Jazz and Prowl showed their differences, and once they revealed how alike they are.
1. ~ Twins, or not?
“Prowl and me, twins?” Jazz scoffed. “Just cause we look alike does not make us twins. Look a Sunstreaker and Sideswipe - or Rumble and Frenzy.”
Cliffjumper glowered. “First of all, Rumble and Frenzy don’t count - they’re Soundwave’s cassettes, and not proper twins at all. Second of all,” The red minibot raised his fist, “Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are spark-twins! They’re different from our Black-and-white officers.”
“You all believe this slag?” Jazz asked those unfortunate enough to be on their break in the rec room during this confrontation. “Look, just cause Prowl and I share a paint job doesn’t make us twins!”
“It doesn’t?” Prowl always had impeccable timing. Cliffjumper wasn’t alone in using the Quartermaster’s arrival to escape. “And here I thought it meant we were united in giving the unruly something to do with all their ample spare time.”
The faint frown was turned upside down faster than Gears could blink. “On that we’re agreed - but cleaning the Ark is not an instructive use of time.”
“Neither are pranks which cause the entire company to walk tiptoe to avoid being targeted.” Prowl countered.
“Yeah, but I get better results - your discipline escalates to brig time and lectures from Prime, which really instructs everyone BUT the one caught.”
Prowl vented, ignoring the escapes hanging in the hallway - they knew they were risking getting charged with eavesdropping and dillydallying, but Prowl and Jazz NEVER argued in public. “Oh, and I suppose the incentive you use doesn’t harm them physically?”
“Now, Prowler, ya’ know I only challenge the best to go ped-to-ped with me. Not my fault when they get sent to Ratchet’s tender care after jumping me.”
“We’ll finish this discussion after the officer’s meeting - for which you are late.”
2. ~ Inseparable
“Prowl,” Optimus began, tried again. “Jazz,”
The two officers waited for Optimus to figure out which one he wanted to address first - or find a new topic, that didn’t involve the current … situation.
“What am I going to do with you?” Optimus finally asked.
“You could turn one of us into a throw rug” Jazz offered. “I hear every base needs a welcome mat - and black really stands out against burnt orange.”
“Jazz,” Prowl interrupted. “We need to talk about your obsession with Disney movies.”
“Hey! Ain’t nothing wrong with The Lion King!”
“Nothing except your perverse desire to be turned into a pile of parts for others to step on.”
“I was talking ‘bout Megatron. Know how many mechs would love to stop all over him?”
“Only half the galaxy. The other half would be running as far as fast as they could to escape his coming wrath.”
“Xactly!”
“JAZZ!”
The saboteur shut up.
“How is it you two have gotten welded together?” Optimus didn’t know what answer he was expecting, but it wasn’t the one he got.
“Skyfire.” Prowl said flatly. “By the way, don’t anger him while he’s working.”
“But Skyfire never gets mad,”
“He did this time,” Jazz retorted, very softly. “Said something about this orn being a sensitive time for him - and silly me, took that as a challenge.”
“Of which, I am simply thankful we survived the experience relatively unscathed.”
3. ~ Decision divisions
“So, devil’s advocate?”
“Why do you always choose to be Unicron’s advisor? Do you think I like playing the optimistic planner?”
“I meant to offer you the position of Chaos’ avatar - but if you insist I take the pessimistic view and tell you exactly how the plan will fall apart, I will.”
“Certainly - I enjoy being pleasantly surprised.”
“Gee, with that attitude, its no wonder people call you the ultimate downer - Captain Positive.”
“Humans and their sarcasm. Very droll. Do you want to hear my predictions or not?”
4. ~ Practice fights
“Hey, what’s up?” Chip Chase asked when he finally got Prowl during the officer’s limited downtime. “You and Jazz going through something?”
Some people said the Autobot’s were hard to read, with their mechanical faces, and limited mobility. Chip didn’t grasp where the difficultly lay - he had no problem figuring out that Prowl was more puzzled than astonished by the question.
“What something would Jazz and I be going through?”
“Not sure - fighting couples don’t like airing their grievances, but you two don’t seem to be trying to hide the fact to hard.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” Prowl now seemed curious, not concerned. “It’s simply a difference of opinion - I hadn’t realized anything had gotten out of hand.”
“Anything I can do to help?” Chip asked, realizing the answer wasn’t an answer to his question.
“Keep score.”
“What?” Before Chip could roll himself forward, and demand a more succulent response, he discovered what Prowl meant.
Something black and white dropped out of the air-vent and fell towards the waiting mech below. Except Prowl was no longer underneath the falling mech.
“Not supposed to dodge, Prowler,” Jazz commented after being tossed into the wall.
“Not supposed to use the vents as an attack vector either,” Prowl rejoined, before the two mechs stepped together for a second lightning-fast attack-and-spar.
5. ~ Separate yet connected Tasks
“I need someone to watch Red Alert,”
“I’ll do it.”
“You, Prowl? You avoid the med-bay at all costs.”
Prowl just looked at Ratchet.
“Right - I remember now. Sorry.”
“Remember what?” Blaster asked, wishing he knew the story. Or why Ironhide and Jazz were now giving Prowl sad glances.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s old history,” Prowl dismissed the past.
“Right - okay, I guess that means Jazz will be leading the mission to get the parts from Cybertron.”
“Me or Mirage,” Jazz agreed. “We’ll see you when we get back.”
6. ~ Opposing view points
“Forever Friends?”
“Yeah, cause letting fresh wounds turn us into enemies would sink our cause faster and more thoroughly than anything I can think of.”
“Jazz - I thought we were already friends.”
“Ah, but forever friends are special.”
“You mean permanent.”
“It could grow into something more than just platonic friendship, if you wanted,”
“Having something to fight for, would probably increase moral and survival rates than revenge.”
“Great - I bring up something that might change the course of our lives outside of war, and you turn it into a tool to keep more troops fighting. What a nice friend you are Prowler.”
“What did I say?”
7. ~ Reconciliation
“Ever since CJ claimed near identical paint jobs revealed your secret status as twins, you and Prowl have been deliberately choosing to be on the opposite sides of any argument or proposed plan of action.”
“Is there a question in there somewhere, Mirage?”
“Yes - can we please have our real Jazz back?”
“Real Jazz? Am I not real enough for you?”
Snorts. “Please don’t try claiming you like doing everything Prowl hates, cause you two meshed well together … least until Cliffjumper spoiled it for the rest of us.”
Jazz sighed. “I’ll ask Prowl if he’s had enough of this exaggerated animosity. But no promises.”
“Good - cause as scary as you two are separately, you’re much worse together.”
8. ~ Outside views ~
“So,” drawled Skywarp. “You and Jazz.”
“Oh not you too!”
“There is something going on between you two? I thought Rumble and Frenzy were messing with us.”
“Skywarp, the entire Autobot base has had an ongoing challenge to figure out what is between us - and now you’re telling me the CONS are in on it? I give up!”
“Wait, seriously?” Skywarp peered closer at the prisoner. “Prowl is giving up? I thought there was something in the Officer code that prevents then from conceding anything.”
“When everyone assumes I’m either a twin to Jazz, or bonded to him, it gets very tiring trying to make a future with someone else.”
“So, you’re interested in someone? I guess Swindle wasn’t exaggerating that bit.”
“Skywarp, if I hear the Decepticons trying to hook me up with someone, I will let a drunk Jazz loose in your base.”
“Okay, okay. Just don’t let anyone know I helped you escape.”
“Deal - and I don’t care for black paint jobs.”
“Huh?” Skywarp tried making sense of that nonsense statement. What did the color black have to do with anything?
9. ~ Rest and Relaxation
Jazz sat next to Prowl. He said nothing, did not deliberately distract the second-in-command.
Prowl had stopped protesting Jazz’s presence shortly after waking up. Having a mech who understood at his back had been exceedingly helpful. Though, the ongoing silence was starting to irritate him.
“Jazz,”
“Hmm, Prowl.”
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yep.”
“Good - cause I’m getting a little stir-crazy here.”
Jazz laughed. “Want me to bug Ratchet and get him to let you work on paperwork?”
“Yes, please - anything to relieve the boredom!”
“Sure - after all you did get injured saving my life. Again.” Jazz stirred, but did not get up just yet. “You didn’t have to risk your spark for little ol’ me.”
“Stop complaining - the Autobots need their moral officer.”
“That’s a nice way of saying ‘party-leader’. And as much as we enjoy having an excuse to goof off, we need our tactician to keep us alive. Primus knows I wouldn’t be able to inspire others like you, or encourage them to keep on fighting.”
“If you two are just going to continue listing how the other is more important, you BOTH can get out of here!” Ratchet interrupted them from his office. “Prime already knows light duty for the both of you.”
It was Prowl’s turn to laugh. “Light duty? Not sure I know the meaning.”
Rating: K+
Characters: Jazz, Prowl, assorted others
Continuity: Any - G1/IDW
Author: Rose0mary
Prompt: Like two peas in a pod - Everyone said they were alike. Nine times they showed how different/alike they were
Summary: Eight times Jazz and Prowl showed their differences, and once they revealed how alike they are.
1. ~ Twins, or not?
“Prowl and me, twins?” Jazz scoffed. “Just cause we look alike does not make us twins. Look a Sunstreaker and Sideswipe - or Rumble and Frenzy.”
Cliffjumper glowered. “First of all, Rumble and Frenzy don’t count - they’re Soundwave’s cassettes, and not proper twins at all. Second of all,” The red minibot raised his fist, “Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are spark-twins! They’re different from our Black-and-white officers.”
“You all believe this slag?” Jazz asked those unfortunate enough to be on their break in the rec room during this confrontation. “Look, just cause Prowl and I share a paint job doesn’t make us twins!”
“It doesn’t?” Prowl always had impeccable timing. Cliffjumper wasn’t alone in using the Quartermaster’s arrival to escape. “And here I thought it meant we were united in giving the unruly something to do with all their ample spare time.”
The faint frown was turned upside down faster than Gears could blink. “On that we’re agreed - but cleaning the Ark is not an instructive use of time.”
“Neither are pranks which cause the entire company to walk tiptoe to avoid being targeted.” Prowl countered.
“Yeah, but I get better results - your discipline escalates to brig time and lectures from Prime, which really instructs everyone BUT the one caught.”
Prowl vented, ignoring the escapes hanging in the hallway - they knew they were risking getting charged with eavesdropping and dillydallying, but Prowl and Jazz NEVER argued in public. “Oh, and I suppose the incentive you use doesn’t harm them physically?”
“Now, Prowler, ya’ know I only challenge the best to go ped-to-ped with me. Not my fault when they get sent to Ratchet’s tender care after jumping me.”
“We’ll finish this discussion after the officer’s meeting - for which you are late.”
2. ~ Inseparable
“Prowl,” Optimus began, tried again. “Jazz,”
The two officers waited for Optimus to figure out which one he wanted to address first - or find a new topic, that didn’t involve the current … situation.
“What am I going to do with you?” Optimus finally asked.
“You could turn one of us into a throw rug” Jazz offered. “I hear every base needs a welcome mat - and black really stands out against burnt orange.”
“Jazz,” Prowl interrupted. “We need to talk about your obsession with Disney movies.”
“Hey! Ain’t nothing wrong with The Lion King!”
“Nothing except your perverse desire to be turned into a pile of parts for others to step on.”
“I was talking ‘bout Megatron. Know how many mechs would love to stop all over him?”
“Only half the galaxy. The other half would be running as far as fast as they could to escape his coming wrath.”
“Xactly!”
“JAZZ!”
The saboteur shut up.
“How is it you two have gotten welded together?” Optimus didn’t know what answer he was expecting, but it wasn’t the one he got.
“Skyfire.” Prowl said flatly. “By the way, don’t anger him while he’s working.”
“But Skyfire never gets mad,”
“He did this time,” Jazz retorted, very softly. “Said something about this orn being a sensitive time for him - and silly me, took that as a challenge.”
“Of which, I am simply thankful we survived the experience relatively unscathed.”
3. ~ Decision divisions
“So, devil’s advocate?”
“Why do you always choose to be Unicron’s advisor? Do you think I like playing the optimistic planner?”
“I meant to offer you the position of Chaos’ avatar - but if you insist I take the pessimistic view and tell you exactly how the plan will fall apart, I will.”
“Certainly - I enjoy being pleasantly surprised.”
“Gee, with that attitude, its no wonder people call you the ultimate downer - Captain Positive.”
“Humans and their sarcasm. Very droll. Do you want to hear my predictions or not?”
4. ~ Practice fights
“Hey, what’s up?” Chip Chase asked when he finally got Prowl during the officer’s limited downtime. “You and Jazz going through something?”
Some people said the Autobot’s were hard to read, with their mechanical faces, and limited mobility. Chip didn’t grasp where the difficultly lay - he had no problem figuring out that Prowl was more puzzled than astonished by the question.
“What something would Jazz and I be going through?”
“Not sure - fighting couples don’t like airing their grievances, but you two don’t seem to be trying to hide the fact to hard.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” Prowl now seemed curious, not concerned. “It’s simply a difference of opinion - I hadn’t realized anything had gotten out of hand.”
“Anything I can do to help?” Chip asked, realizing the answer wasn’t an answer to his question.
“Keep score.”
“What?” Before Chip could roll himself forward, and demand a more succulent response, he discovered what Prowl meant.
Something black and white dropped out of the air-vent and fell towards the waiting mech below. Except Prowl was no longer underneath the falling mech.
“Not supposed to dodge, Prowler,” Jazz commented after being tossed into the wall.
“Not supposed to use the vents as an attack vector either,” Prowl rejoined, before the two mechs stepped together for a second lightning-fast attack-and-spar.
5. ~ Separate yet connected Tasks
“I need someone to watch Red Alert,”
“I’ll do it.”
“You, Prowl? You avoid the med-bay at all costs.”
Prowl just looked at Ratchet.
“Right - I remember now. Sorry.”
“Remember what?” Blaster asked, wishing he knew the story. Or why Ironhide and Jazz were now giving Prowl sad glances.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s old history,” Prowl dismissed the past.
“Right - okay, I guess that means Jazz will be leading the mission to get the parts from Cybertron.”
“Me or Mirage,” Jazz agreed. “We’ll see you when we get back.”
6. ~ Opposing view points
“Forever Friends?”
“Yeah, cause letting fresh wounds turn us into enemies would sink our cause faster and more thoroughly than anything I can think of.”
“Jazz - I thought we were already friends.”
“Ah, but forever friends are special.”
“You mean permanent.”
“It could grow into something more than just platonic friendship, if you wanted,”
“Having something to fight for, would probably increase moral and survival rates than revenge.”
“Great - I bring up something that might change the course of our lives outside of war, and you turn it into a tool to keep more troops fighting. What a nice friend you are Prowler.”
“What did I say?”
7. ~ Reconciliation
“Ever since CJ claimed near identical paint jobs revealed your secret status as twins, you and Prowl have been deliberately choosing to be on the opposite sides of any argument or proposed plan of action.”
“Is there a question in there somewhere, Mirage?”
“Yes - can we please have our real Jazz back?”
“Real Jazz? Am I not real enough for you?”
Snorts. “Please don’t try claiming you like doing everything Prowl hates, cause you two meshed well together … least until Cliffjumper spoiled it for the rest of us.”
Jazz sighed. “I’ll ask Prowl if he’s had enough of this exaggerated animosity. But no promises.”
“Good - cause as scary as you two are separately, you’re much worse together.”
8. ~ Outside views ~
“So,” drawled Skywarp. “You and Jazz.”
“Oh not you too!”
“There is something going on between you two? I thought Rumble and Frenzy were messing with us.”
“Skywarp, the entire Autobot base has had an ongoing challenge to figure out what is between us - and now you’re telling me the CONS are in on it? I give up!”
“Wait, seriously?” Skywarp peered closer at the prisoner. “Prowl is giving up? I thought there was something in the Officer code that prevents then from conceding anything.”
“When everyone assumes I’m either a twin to Jazz, or bonded to him, it gets very tiring trying to make a future with someone else.”
“So, you’re interested in someone? I guess Swindle wasn’t exaggerating that bit.”
“Skywarp, if I hear the Decepticons trying to hook me up with someone, I will let a drunk Jazz loose in your base.”
“Okay, okay. Just don’t let anyone know I helped you escape.”
“Deal - and I don’t care for black paint jobs.”
“Huh?” Skywarp tried making sense of that nonsense statement. What did the color black have to do with anything?
9. ~ Rest and Relaxation
Jazz sat next to Prowl. He said nothing, did not deliberately distract the second-in-command.
Prowl had stopped protesting Jazz’s presence shortly after waking up. Having a mech who understood at his back had been exceedingly helpful. Though, the ongoing silence was starting to irritate him.
“Jazz,”
“Hmm, Prowl.”
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yep.”
“Good - cause I’m getting a little stir-crazy here.”
Jazz laughed. “Want me to bug Ratchet and get him to let you work on paperwork?”
“Yes, please - anything to relieve the boredom!”
“Sure - after all you did get injured saving my life. Again.” Jazz stirred, but did not get up just yet. “You didn’t have to risk your spark for little ol’ me.”
“Stop complaining - the Autobots need their moral officer.”
“That’s a nice way of saying ‘party-leader’. And as much as we enjoy having an excuse to goof off, we need our tactician to keep us alive. Primus knows I wouldn’t be able to inspire others like you, or encourage them to keep on fighting.”
“If you two are just going to continue listing how the other is more important, you BOTH can get out of here!” Ratchet interrupted them from his office. “Prime already knows light duty for the both of you.”
It was Prowl’s turn to laugh. “Light duty? Not sure I know the meaning.”