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“Okay, so.” Jazz reached for the planet’s natural magic, still so very foreign to his processor but becoming more familiar with every spell, and called it long enough to light the training globe. The other Autobots watched, optics wide with varying degrees of surprise. “The power isn’t gone, it’s just different. Cybertron was all grids and pathways, in nice neat lines, at least before the war. And mostly even now, because it’s a machine like we are. Earth isn’t, it’s all bubbling magma and swirling breezes and chaos. Our spells all stopped working because we can’t access Earth’s magic they way we can Cybertron’s.”
“And how do we address this problem, Jazz?” Optimus asked the question that was on everyone’s processor in a voice that sounded a little relieved. The Prime had been the most worried, when they initially discussed the issue.
“We gotta adapt.”
In the back of the crowd, Ironhide snorted. “Easier said than done.”
“Yeah, I know. But I also know that I got my lockpick spell back up and running in a week, once I stopped trying to reach for a grid and just reached for whatever was around.” Jazz shrugged. “Look, I ain’t a teacher so I don’t know the fancy terms, I just know what I’ve been doing has worked.”
“Jazz has always been largely self-taught,” Prowl broke in, voice quiet and thoughtful. “Where the majority of us trained in elite academies, he always had to rely on innate ability and intuition. He is very likely correct, and we must learn to access Earth’s power the way he does.”
Now it was Jazz’s turn to be surprised. He’d expected Prowl to be the hardest to bring around to the idea.
“For some of us, particularly Perceptor and myself, it will be a difficult transition,” the Praxian continued. “But with practice and re-training, we can learn. And hopefully before the Decepticons do.”
“Don’t jinx us, Prowl.” Jazz grinned at his friend. “I’m kinda enjoying having a Skywarp that can’t teleport.”
“As am I, but we both know he will learn as quickly as you did.” Prowl gave him the smallest smile. “Therefore, I suggest you all get to work. Jazz proved to us that the magical power is present on Earth, we simply need to learn to use it again.”
There were a few moments of silence before anyone replied. Then Wheeljack sighed. “Guess we better put the training toys into the blast room then. Cause you know Cliffjumper and I are going to blow things up. Again.”
“You’re gonna?” Ironhide shook his head. “I once blew up the whole academy during my training days. We’re gonna need more than a blast room.”
“I believe that will be a problem for tomorrow, though.” Optimus put a hand on Ironhide’s shoulder and squeezed gently. “Today, we all need to draw up new training plans for our individual commands and begin practicing our ability to connect to Earth’s power. We cannot rely on Jazz for every practical demonstration, after all.”
“Well, you could if you had to,” Jazz argued with a smile. “But I hope you don’t have to.”
“As do I.” Optimus nodded. “We will reconvene once you’ve had time to discuss this new change with your troops. You’re all dismissed.”
The other officers left the room, but Prowl lingered so Jazz did too. “Everything okay?”
“I do not…” Prowl’s wings drooped. “I may not be able to adapt, not with the tactical processor.”
“If you can’t, you can’t. I know you ain’t got a lot of control over how that thing works.” Jazz reached out and put a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Me an’ Ops won’t leave your mechs hangin’ though.”
“Thank you, Jazz.” Prowl’s wings lifted a little, and while it wasn’t their usual proud stance, it did indicate that the Praxian was a little less worried now. “Join me for fuel? I have more questions for you, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure.” Jazz smiled. “Bee and ‘Raj already been practicing anyway, cause we already had our meeting.”