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The sun rises, marking the start of a new day upon Cybertron. The morning light filters through the charred remains of the city and paints the blackened ruins with orange and pink, reflecting off of the few bits of glass that remain in spotty, sparkling fractals.
Optimus looks out sadly at the city’s macabre beauty. Oh, Iacon. He still remembers what it looked like before the war—at least, what he believes are memories. It’s been so long that even he’s not sure if what he sees in his mind’s eye are true to life or fantasies he clings to for the sake of his own sanity.
He doesn’t know which he’d prefer to be the case.
As he remembers—or perhaps, as he’s conjured—Iacon with golden streets and mighty towers that touched the sky. But even those memories are bittersweet. Anytime he recalls Cybertron’s gilded capital in its Golden Age, he also remembers a voice, speaking passionately about the evils and injustices the city’s splendour hide, and that its ruling class ignored.
Optimus can’t help it. Those words and that voice burned themselves onto his very spark eons ago, and now he can no longer separate them from his memories of his home.
The gilded city. And the voice that spoke against it. Both eternally intertwined in his mind, replayed over and over ad nauseum. They must, otherwise he’d lose the memory.
And the memory is all he has left of either of them.
“You’re up early.”
The gruff voice broke Optimus out of his ennui, and the Prime turned to see Ironhide joining him atop the roof of their base.
Optimus huffs. “You say that as if you’re surprised.”
Ironhide smirks, holding up two Energon cubes. “’course not. Just sayin’ hello.”
Optimus takes one gratefully, looking at the contents, and is surprised to find the cube full.
“Ironhide—”
“You have a long day ahead of you, Prime,” Ironhide interrupts. “Gonna need all the energy you can get.”
Optimus sees Ironhide’s own cube is only half full. As his bodyguard is distracted by the dawn, Optimus snatches the cube from his servos and begins to transfer some of his Energon.
“Prime—”
“Everyone needs all the energy they can get.” Optimus affirms, as he pours Energon until both cubes are three quarters full. “And I’ll need you at the top of your game, today.”
He returns the cube to Ironhide, who looks at it with faltering disapproval.
Ironhide grumbles as he brings the cube to his lips. “I’m not the one who’s gonna be arguing with Megatron all day.”
“Oh I’m sure you’ll do your best, though.”
Ironhide snorts.
The two mechs fall into silence, watching the sun rise and illuminate more and more of the destroyed city and lands beyond.
The sight of their razed planet never gets easier to witness, no matter how many millions of years it’s been.
Optimus’ grip tightens on his cube. It would be so easy to put the destruction of Cybertron solely upon the Decepticon’s shoulders, and he knows many Autobots do, usually the younger ones, but Optimus is all too aware of the miserable truth.
The worst years of the war are a blur in his mind, filled with nothing but constant battles and apathetic strategy meetings, increasingly savage military tactics and desperate Energon scouting missions.
When both sides were finally run ragged and exhausted, unable to engage in perpetual offensives anymore, the fog of war lifted, and everyone saw what 9 million years of war wrought upon the home they had purported to be fighting for.
That should have marked the end of war. At the sight of their shared, razed homeworld, everyone should have come to their senses. Yet here they are, another million years later, Autobots and Decepticons still at each other’s throats, overlooking the remnants of their home as they each scrounge in the wreckage. As the years stretched on, the war’s end seemed all but impossible. And even Optimus had begun to believe it.
Ironhide finally breaks the silence. “D’you really think ol’ bucket head means it? An end to the war?”
At that, Optimus turns to look at Ironhide. His friend’s frame had long lost its lustre, his joints have been catching, and his optics, while still bright and defiant, have begun to droop.
He’s tired. Exhausted. They all are.
Tired of foraging for measly Energon scraps. Tired of waking up everyday to a dead world. Tired of pretending like the war still has any meaning. Just…tired of fighting.
Still, when Autobot High Command was contacted by Megatron himself and told that he wanted to meet on neutral ground to discuss an official ceasefire that would lead to an end of the war, they weren’t exactly quick to trust him.
It took significant back and forth over the call just to agree on the logistics of such a meeting, but agreed they did and at last, today is the day.
Swirling the contents of his cube, looking out at what remains of the city he grew up in, Optimus says, “I hope so.”
Soundwave picks through the ruins of Kaon, following the signal sent to him by Ravage, who’d gone out scouting for Energon.
It’s not a job that would normally go to the Decepticon Spymaster and his cassettes, but in recent centuries it’s been all hands on deck when it comes to Energon. Both sides have been more focused on locating Energon than fighting each other. One would think that this would mean that war is all but over, but insinuating as much to anyone of import would be met with fervent denial, and affirmation that they—the Decepticons—will rise up once and for all to crush the Autobots once and for all and finally save Cybertron.
10 million years on, Soundwave knows everyone recognizes this sentiment for the delusion that it is, but in the face of near empty tanks and a homeworld that is all but dead, they all cling to that delusion and the charismatic mech(s) that continue to peddle it.
Soundwave isn’t exactly charismatic, and he’s long past the point of earnestly buying into that delusion, but he’s still here, loyally fulfilling his duties and serving the Decepticons.
No. Not the Decepticons. He’s serving Megatron.
Loyalty is all that’s left now, isn’t it? For Soundwave anyways. The planet is dead. The war is pointless. Energon continues to dwindle. Even if the day’s peace talks go miraculously well, neither side has had a stable source of Energon for centuries. Whether anyone is willing to admit or not, upon Cybertron, their species faces a slow, quiet extinction.
And so, in the face of existential dread, Soundwave finds solace in his oaths. In his loyalty, and faith in the mech that started them all on this path so long ago. If he is to die, Soundwave will meet his end in service of the mech he—
Soundwave abruptly clenches his fist. He doesn’t want to say it, not even to himself, not even in his own thoughts. It would hurt too much.
Loyalty is all he has. It’s all he’s ever had.
And so he sets aside his own better judgment to further Megatron’s will…whatever that may be nowadays.
In recent decades Megatron’s thoughts and intentions have been…opaque, to say the least. Even to Soundwave. His decisions would be erratic and nonsensical, and his mood would change on a dime. Then one day, a few years back, Megatron just disappeared.
Well, disappeared is hyperbole. There was video evidence from the citadel’s security—manned by Soundwave, of course—of Megatron just…leaving.
He told no one he was leaving, and no one had any idea why. It left the Decepticons in disarray as the ensuing power struggle engulfed the faction. It certainly kept Soundwave busy, and his mind focused on keeping his fellows in line and not on why Megatron would leave so suddenly, and where he could be going. All searches for the wayward Decepticon leader turned up fruitless, so all anyone could do was wait, and choose a side in the brewing internal divide.
And then, right when it seemed like Starscream finally got his shit together and took control of the faction, Megatron returned, unannounced, completely out of the blue. Everyone had been shocked of course, but Soundwave felt a great wave of relief at the sight of his dearest leader. He hadn’t realized just how much he’d been spiralling in his absence.
But Megatron returned…different. With Starscream taking charge—more or less—in his absence, everyone naturally assumed that Megatron wouldn’t take that lightly. Yet when Megatron came face to face with the Air Commander upon his return, the towering silver mech patted Starscream’s shoulder, and actually thanked him for watching over the faction in his absence.
Perhaps under different circumstances Starscream would have relished the praise, but having it come from Megatron, with a gentle smile on his face and a servo on his second’s shoulder, Starscream actually recoiled. And he wasn’t the only one.
All of the bots present either balked at the interaction or looked around desperately to see if anyone understood what was happening. More than of few of them turned to Soundwave, looking at him as if he would offer them any insight into their lord’s mind. Not that he was willing to check.
Mechs assumed that it was some sort of ploy, that Megatron was biding his time to punish Starscream and all of the treacherous bots who took his side, perhaps with some powerful weapon he found during his time away, but no such ploy ever came. In fact, life just…carried on. While Megatron never formally stepped down, or even announced Starscream as acting regent, the Decepticon leader withdrew from many of his responsibilities, spent much of his time holed up in his quarters, and Starscream stepped up to deal with the day to day dealings of the faction.
And anytime Megatron did make an appearance, it would be with that odd countenance. A gentle smile and downright kind demeanour. Frankly, it was unsettling.
Then one day, out of nowhere, Megatron took it upon himself to contact the Autobots and declare that he wanted to meet with them to discuss an official end to the war. It was a shock to everyone, after millennia of listening to Megatron rant and rage about how the war would only end with Optimus Prime’s helm on a pike and what remained of the Autobot faction kneeling at his feet.
And so Soundwave is searching for Energon deep into the night before the scheduled meeting, so they have diplomatic offerings to bring to the table.
Even Soundwave finds such a gesture odd. They’ve had many (unsuccessful) peace talk attempts in previous years, but neither side has ever brought an accompanying peace offering. Soundwave wonders if Megatron is planning to poison the cubes, which would be a spectacular waste of a precious resource since the Autobots would probably suspect that.
But the thought of Megatron doing something objectively foolish and malicious would be more in character than genuinely bringing refreshments for their lifelong enemies in a legitimate gesture of openness.
Soundwave simply cannot fathom why Megatron would do such a thing, or even just why he’s changed so much since his return from…wherever he went.
It frustrates Soundwave to no end, having no insight into Megatron’s thoughts. Even without his outlier skill, the Spymaster can usually glean Megatron’s intentions from context, or his facial expressions, or even the twitch of his fingers. Soundwave has known him long and well enough to know this much. But now…it’s like interacting with an impenetrable, smiling wall.
And then a wall ahead of him explodes. Soundwave immediately pulls out a blaster, but out of the smoke comes Ravage, running like hell towards him, two jugs of Energon hanging from his sides.
“Ravage! Explain—”
“No time! Run! Just run!”
Soundwave doesn’t press him, heeding his frantic command and turning back the way he came, taking off as fast as he can. Ravage passes him in speed, and so he follows his lead, not slowing until they’re within range of the Decepticon Citadel’s security scanners.
Exhausted, Soundwave asks in between pants, “Ravage…explain…”
“There was…a monster.”
“A…monster? Can you be more specific?”
Ravage trembles, the Energon he carries shaking madly in their jugs. “It was…I don’t know a…a mass of arms and legs that…oh Soundwave it was screaming.”
It sounds outlandish, but between the genuine fear in his voice and the fact that the story comes from Ravage, Soundwave is inclined to believe it, no matter what it sounds like.
“Where did you see this…monster?”
Ravage takes a moment to catch his breath before answering, “On the outskirts of the city. I-I didn’t get a close look at it. Didn’t record it either. I just saw it shambling around and then it-it screamed and…I bolted.”
Seeing Ravage be so visibly shaken is enough to strike fear in Soundwave as well. Ravage is a veteran himself, he’s lived and survived 10 million years of war and the ensuing Energon crisis just as anyone else. He’s seen his own share of horrors throughout the millennia, but if this…monster has frightened him to this extent…
“Take your haul to storage and then rest up, Ravage. Compose your official report later. For now, I will inform the rest of Command about your encounter.”
Ravage dips his helm. “Thanks, Soundwave.”
--------
Starscream isn’t so readily accepting of the outlandish.
“A monster!” He cries sarcastically. “Come now, Soundwave, are you sure Ravage didn’t just take a few sips of unfiltered Energon on an empty tank?”
“He did not.” Soundwave answers plainly. “I trust Ravage’s word. He will submit a formal report after he’s rested.”
Starscream huffs and throws Soundwave another sour look, but doesn’t press the matter any further.
“Oh, by the way Soundwave,” Starscream adds. “Before you go, have you seen Shockwave recently? He went to his offsite lab a few days ago and hasn’t checked in. I don’t suppose you’ve seen or heard from him?”
“Negative.”
“Tch, alright. I hate it when he does this. Who knows what vile abomination he’ll come back with this time. Whatever, you’re dismissed.”
Being acting leader of the Decepticons has left Starscream with a considerable amount of work, now that he’s overseeing general matters alongside his role as Air Commander, it barely leaves him any time to be a snivelling rat.
Not that Soundwave isn’t also busy—he’s always busy—but he would feel amiss if he did not also inform one more mech about this incident.
Megatron has kept largely to himself since returning, spending most of his time locked away in his quarters, so Soundwave isn’t surprised when he knocks on the door and his leader opens it right away.
“Soundwave!” He greets jovially. “Always a welcome sight. Please, come in.”
Soundwave obliges, and once the doors close, he gets straight to business, letting Megatron know about what Ravage saw.
Megatron listens quietly, his eyebrows raised a bit by the end.
“A monster you say…well, I have no reason to distrust Ravage’s word. Still, if there’s only one, then it can wait. After all, we have much more pressing matters.”
Megatron places his servos on Soundwave’s shoulders, bringing him in close. Almost too close, but Soundwave doesn’t protest.
What with his self imposed isolation, Soundwave doesn’t get to see Megatron very often these days.
“Tomorrow will be one of the most important days of our lives. I will need you at my side. Are you ready, Soundwave?”
Always. “Affirmative.”
Megatron’s smile widens. Then he does the truly unexpected.
He leans down to kiss the top of Soundwave’s helm. “Thank you Soundwave. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you.”
“Y-yes.”
“Now go get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us.”
Soundwave nods, and returns to his quarters in a daze.
“You…what?”
“I want this war to end just as much as you, Optimus,” Megatron repeats, a lovely smile on his face. “And I am ready to agree to any of your terms to make that happen.”
“Within reason!” Starscream interjects aggressively. “We have terms of our own.”
“Not many.” Megatron says, earning a sharp look from his SIC. He ignores him, keeping his gaze set firmly on Optimus. “And besides, if we end the war and simply all come together, terms will mean nothing. We will be one people, as we all ought to be. Truly.”
Ironhide and Prowl both show their bewilderment plain and clear. Jazz is the only one who maintains his poker face, but Optimus can see how tight and stiff his interlaced fingers have gotten.
Optimus can’t blame any of them, he’s not doing much better. He’s grateful for his facemask, as his own jaw hangs loose from his mouth.
This isn’t what any of them were expecting. They’ve all been through (fruitless) peace talks before, everyone knows this song and dance. Both sides will present their terms, everyone will argue, tensions will continue to rise, feelings will be hurt, boundaries will be broken, and when they’re all at each other’s throats and just shy of breaking the truce that brought them to the bargaining table in the first place, Optimus will manage to calm everyone down just enough to allow all parties to leave with their lives. Rinse and repeat until the next time someone decides to try peace.
But on this day, the Autobots balked at how positively demure the Decepticons seemed. They were welcomed to the meeting space, and even offered them Energon upon sitting down. Well, Megatron welcomed them and offered them Energon, meanwhile Starscream and Soundwave stayed back, looking just as disturbed by their leader’s strange, pleasant demeanour as the Autobots.
Optimus had hoped that Megatron was being genuine in his request, but he never would have pictured…whatever this is. He was prepared for intense debate, not amicable acceptance. Not to mention the Decepticon leader’s attitude…
“What are you playing at Megatron?” Optimus asks. He isn’t usually the one to play skeptic at these meetings, but everything about his counterpart has just been so suspicious. “What are you really after?”
At that, Megatron’s smile drops, replaced with a look of what seems to be innocent surprise. Then, sadness.
“I understand your suspicion,” he says. “And I know I have done nothing to inspire your trust in eons. Which is why I made sure to come with a peace offering to show my sincerity.”
The offered Energon was perhaps the greatest surprise of all. With how it has become such a rare and precious resource, the thought of offering it as a gift is madness. Optimus had naturally assumed trickery.
Has he truly fallen so far? Is the thought of genuine generosity from the Decepticons really so foreign to him now?
Optimus takes the cube in front of him.
“Optimus!” Prowl hisses, but Optimus waves him off and takes a swig.
And Megatron looks so happy.
The discussions begin in earnest, and it all goes alarmingly smoothly. Terms are presented, some compromises are made, but many more are agreed to, particularly by Megatron, who earns Starscream’s repeated ire.
Then comes the topic of Energon.
“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that anymore.” Megatron says cheerfully. “Well, at least not for a while.”
“We…don’t?” Optimus asks.
“We don’t?” Starscream also asks.
“No.” Megatron confirms. “During my travels I discovered an unrecorded well of Energon on the outskirts of the Rust Sea. With how deep the cave is it may prove difficult to mine and transfer, but I have no doubt that we will be able to figure it out.”
Everyone present looks at him in shock.
Except Starscream, who looks furious. “WHAT? You’ve known about a bountiful source of Energon for Primus knows how long, and YOU DIDN’T TELL US?”
“Not that long,” Megatron says innocently. “And if I had made you aware of it, the Decepticons would have surely monopolized it.”
“Of COURSE we would have!” Starscream rages. “We need that Energon! We are at war!”
“Starscream.”
“NO. What possible reason could you have had to keep us in the dark about this? Is this not treachery?”
“Starscream!” Megatron yells, suddenly bursting up from his seat to look down at his second, his more recognizable personality shining through as Starscream cowers beneath his steely gaze. “We now have enough Energon to share between us all. Let that be the end of it. Do not jeopardize these proceedings any further. Be silent!”
Shakily, Starscream sinks submissively into his seat.
Satisfied, Megatron sits once more. His smile returns.
“Now, where were we?”
The only other thing that receives significant pushback is Megatron’s offer to house everyone in Kaon. The Autobots are naturally hesitant, but Megatron explains that right now, Kaon is more developed, with more rebuilt buildings and faculties, Kaon is simply the more functional city. And besides, if peaceful coexistence is truly the goal and they are to be earnestly sharing resources, then both factions will have to start integrating at some point. It might as well be in the city that accommodate them all.
Eventually, the Autobots agree to a gradual integration plan.
They have a peace treaty drafted by the end of the day, and both parties leave to tell their respective sides the good news.
The Autobot reaction is predictably mixed, generally bittersweet across the board. Of course many are happy to hear that the war’s official end is within sight, but to move to Kaon? To live amongst Decepticons? So soon?
“It will not be all at once,” Optimus explains. “The move will be gradual, but the goal is to have all Autobots and Decepticons living side by side. It has to be, otherwise how can we ever hope to truly move on? A document may say that the war is over, but we are still divided. If what we seek is truly peace, then we must be able to live with each other once again. Please, my Autobots, we must work hard for peace.”
The Autobots agree, many begrudgingly so.
Optimus and Megatron sign the treaty in Kaon the following week. With both factions in attendance, they spend the night celebrating.
At some point the two leaders break away from the party, opting instead to take a quiet walk together through the various ruins and settlements throughout Kaon.
Megatron breaks the uneasy silence.
“You are still unsure.” It’s not a question.
“Of course I am.” Optimus replies, crossing his arms. “Perhaps a million years ago I would have happily jumped at this chance, but now…it almost feels too late. No, no it is too late, Megatron. And this feels too easy. Why now? Why not earlier? Why not during the countless other peace talks we’ve tried to have?”
Megatron looks at him sadly. “I’m afraid I have no good answer. I simply wasn’t ready then.”
He takes Optimus’ servos. “But I am ready now. Please, Optimus, will you stand with me on this?”
“Of course, Megatron. But after everything that’s happened…trusting you again will be difficult. But I…I do want to.”
Optimus looks away, muttering under his breath. “I have…missed you.”
There’s a beat, and then, cupping his helm, Megatron leans forward. Optimus’s optics widen, and his mask retracts completely unbidden, allowing Megatron to connect their lips.
Optimus’s immediate reaction is shock, paralyzing him and allowing Megatron to deepen the kiss, making the Prime melt into distant memories. Lengthy conversations in dim bars. Debates in golden streets. Steamy encounters in dark rooms…
…and the reality of the last ten million years comes crashing back into Optimus’s mind.
He pushes Megatron away, and he collides with the back wall.
“What are you doing?” Optimus demanded shakily.
“Oh,” Megatron says.
Optimus shakes his helm. “Oh?”
“My apologies, I thought—”
“You thought wrong. We cannot simply pick up where we left off, Megatron. That bond between us is long dead.”
Megatron looks devastated. “I see.”
“But,” Optimus sighs. “For what it is worth, I hope we can indeed be…friends, once more. One day. And then, we will see where things go from there.”
“Alright.” Megatron says, beaming.
Truthfully, Soundwave thought that the peace treaty would have been broken within weeks of the Autobots moving into Kaon. Granted, there were some fights, and some close calls, but the treaty held firm, and for the most part everyone worked hard to maintain it.
That Energon well certainly helped. Full tanks—especially full tanks after years of semi-empty ones—keep everyone happy, easing many of the tensions between the factions.
The rebuilding efforts also help. With Bots and Cons working together, bonding over work and shared labour, Soundwave dares to think that the future actually looks bright.
The weeks turn into months, and the months carry on until a year has passed. Kaon is lively, mechs laugh and drink together regardless of faction, the commanding officers of both sides are actually content.
Then one day, out of the blue, Megatron sends out an invitation to all bots, to a presentation that night, at the Pits of Kaon colosseum.
War or not, Soundwave always comes when Megatron calls, but this time he isn’t alone. Rumble and Frenzy chose to stay up late and accompany him of course, but well over a hundred mechs congregate into what was once the Pits of Kaon. And to his surprise it isn’t only Decepticons either. Megatron’s invitation had been extended to everyone, and Soundwave can spot a number of Autobot brands in the crowd.
Atop a raised platform at the centre of the colosseum, there is a small table with some sort of device sitting on it, and to its right, is something cube shaped covered with a dark tarp. As the last few mechs file into the Pits, Megatron removes himself from the crowd and heads up to the stage.
At the sight of his silver frame, the buzzing crowd almost immediately falls silent, with everyone’s attention resting soundly upon their leader. It makes Soundwave proud to know that Megatron still inspires such reverence among the Decepticons, even after all this time and after all that’s happened.
Megatron must notice this as well, as he smiles fondly at them all.
He raises his arms and begins his presentation. “My fellow Cybertronians, I am glad to see so many of you assemble here tonight. I admit, I had feared that only a few would answer my summons but it truly warms my spark to see so many here. Decepticons and Autobots alike.”
Megatron looks pointedly at one spot, and Soundwave turns to see where he’s looking, only to spot Optimus Prime among those gathered tonight.
He can’t tell if he’s surprised to see him. Even after all this time, he still has a soft spot for Megatron.
Megatron continues. “Since the war officially ended, we have all worked so hard to make this peace work. And yet, integration still proves very difficult. Old rivalries and so many years of war have taken their toll on us as both a species, and a society. But I have found a way to bring us all together. To make us all of one mind! Truly uniting us as one people!”
As everyone begins to wonder, Megatron removes the tarp.
Beneath it is a strange device resting atop a cage, which holds…some sort of monster. Many in the audience shout in alarm at the sight of its grotesque form.
A memory rises in the back of Soundwave’s mind.
It was…I don’t know a…a mass of arms and legs that…oh Soundwave it was screaming.
The creature in that cage matches that description perfectly.
Megatron beams at the audience. He picks up the device. “This machine makes use of combiner and black hole technology. A prototype had been made during the war, and only utilized as a mere torture device. At the time I was disgusted with the results, but recently I realized it’s true potential to unite us once again as a single people! As you can see, dear Shockwave discovered its full effects during our experiments.”
At that, upon closer look, Soundwave can see the distinct shape of Shockwave’s finials poking out of one side of the creature, as well as his optic, illuminating a section of the cage’s bars.
Why had Soundwave initially assumed it was some sort of biolight?
“Unfortunately, in their current state, their mental faculties are questionable, but I believe I have determined a solution. Would anyone care to volunteer?”
No one moves. Silence chokes them.
“Ah…demonstration it is, then.”
Without another word, Megatron opens his chestplates, and plunges the machine into his spark, like some horrifying bastardization of the fabled Matrix. Upon contact with his spark, it bursts into a show of blinding lights, and Megatron falls to his knees.
Soundwave almost surges forward to help his lord on instinct, but then the lights die down and are abruptly replaced by a collection of dark portals floating around Megatron’s body. No one has time to wonder what they are before layered metallic tendrils shoot out from the voids and begin grabbing bots from the enraptured audience.
The only thing more blood curdling than their screams is the sound of twisting and crunching metal, as some of the portals are not large enough for their captives. They are violently forced through, horribly mangling their bodies as they are taken, their awful screams abruptly silenced as they disappeared within the voids. Though said silence does not remain for long as more portals appear and more and more tendrils shoot out from their depths, too fast to be countered as they continue to pluck random bots from the floor.
The colosseum erupts into chaos as those who haven’t been taken all make a mad dash towards the exists.
Yet Soundwave can barely focus on the chaos around him as his attention is focused squarely on Megatron, who is hunched over on his knees, and…growing.
It’s as if he’s mass shifting in reverse, illogically growing bigger and bigger with each passing moment and every aborted scream.
Then his frame begins to shake and his plating trembles. His protoform expands from beneath his armour. The mounds split, and from within their folds begin to emerge innumerable hands and arms of various sizes. Some claw their way out, revealing more of the mechs they belong to and Soundwave doesn’t need to recognize any of the uncovered faces to know that the faces and arms and servos belong to the bots that disappeared into those voids. Energon and viscous black bile seep from the wounds.
The fleeing bots continue to be culled by the tendrils as they completely congest the doorways, trampling and suffocating one another in their turbulent bid to escape.
Suddenly, Rumble and Frenzy’s screams are added to the rest.
One moment they’re at Soundwave’s side, and the next they’re in the air, both being pulled away by a single tendril.
“Soundwave!” They cry.
They flail against each other and their restraint, and Soundwave surges forward to try and grab hold of them. But as they inch ever closer to a yawning void, their screams become louder and faster.
“Soundwave! Help! Help, please! Soundwave! SOUNDWAVE!”
Soundwave jumps forward in one last desperate attempt to seize them, but he only barely grazes their outstretched fingers, feeling them slip against his palms as the portal consumes them. It’s not big enough for the both of them. Soundwave hears their plating crunch and their frames twist as they’re forced through. And oh, their screams!
“Soundwav—” The last thing he sees of either Cassette are their wide crimson optics, brimming with tears and overflowing with pain and terror.
And then they’re gone, along with the portal that took them, leaving Soundwave alone on the ground.
At last, Megatron raises his helm, looking out at the remaining mechs, optics flitting about them excitedly.
This is incomprehensible. What is going on? The massive, lumbering monster that consumed and is tormenting a plethora of Cybertronians—Decepticon and Autobot alike—can’t possibly be Megatron. The orchestrator of this horrific madness can’t possibly be him. He would never do something like this. Never.
Megatron committed many heinous acts during the war. He approved many more war crimes and atrocities. And Soundwave stood dutifully by his side for every one of them. Because the war had to be won. The ends would justify the means because they fought for a just and noble cause. (But Soundwave doesn’t believe in any such cause anymore. He serves only Megatron.) The ends would justify the means because they had to!
Megatron would never be an accessory to horrors such as this. Never. . He would never hurt him. He would never kill Rumble and Frenzy. Especially not like that. Never! Soundwave knows he wouldn’t. Soundwave knows!
Megatron turns his helm, his gaze landing squarely on Soundwave. A huge smile splits his gaunt face like a knife.
“Sssoundwaaave~” Megatron intones, his now jagged and sharpened teeth clacking together. His voice is ragged and staticky, yet somehow still booming. He holds out his servo—his own—as his left optics goes white and pops. Megatron twitches, but pays it no mind. “My most faaaithful. My daaarling. Come nowww. Join us.”
A number of the exposed faces along his body echo his words.
Join us. Join us. Join us.
Many of them simply weep or wail.
Soundwave can hear a few moan, Kill me.
Megatron may be unstable, but his actions are predictable. He disappeared without warning. He left without telling you. His thoughts may be opaque, but his intentions are never unclear. You’ve been terrified of his mind for eons.
Soundwave knows. Soundwave is delusional. He knows Megatron better than anyone. Delusional and mad.
A portal emerges before his very optics. A large one. He’d be able to fit inside with no issue.
“Join us,” Megatron says again, his face twisting into a facsimile of softness. “Join us in bliiiss. You deserrrve it.”
A pair of tendrils emerge from the void, unlike the rest’s shooting flurry, these two inch slowly towards him.
Soundwave trembles violently, still unable to move as his mind frantically tries to make sense of what he’s seen. And heard.
He deserves this? He took Rumble and Frenzy. They were in agony! Megatron called it bliss. Look at the mechs he’s taken, listen to how they scream in pain! When has serving Megatron ever steered Soundwave wrong? EVERYDAY SINCE THE WAR BEGAN!
Soundwave’s vision floods with warning signs. His frame feels hot. He’s glitching.
The tendrils slide up his legs (run), caressing his thighs (run!), exploring his seams (RUN!)
“Run Soundwave!”
Optimus Prime crashes into Soundwave, tackling him away from the tendril’s grip. They roll away and collapse together in a heap.
The Prime, on top, grabs hold of Soundwave’s shoulders and gives them one good and hard shake. “Snap out of it, Soundwave! We must get out of here!”
He stands up, pulling the dazed Soundwave up with him, who leans heavily against the Autobot.
“Aahhh Optimus~”
Both mechs swivel towards the still growing, looming monster. Megatron’s voice rumbles throughout the colosseum, and rattles Soundwave’s own mind. The slow tendrils change their course.
“Come, my ooold friend. My beloved.”
Optimus’ breath hitches, but he doesn’t respond. Instead he looks back at Soundwave, putting a firm, stabilizing servo on his shoulder. His blue optics are bright, his gaze steady and unyielding, despite the fear rolling off of his field.
“Soundwave.” That low timbre, that determined gaze, the strong arms keeping him upright. “We must go. Now.”
The Prime has grounded Soundwave and calmed his mind. Under different circumstances, perhaps that would aggravate him, but in the shadow of a grisly monster grafted together with the still living bodies of fellow Cybertronians, many of which were loyal Decepticons.
“Can you stand?” Optimus asks.
Soundwave ex-vents, pulling himself away from Optimus’ grasp, and nods.
Optimus nods back, transforms his arm into an axe and slices through the tendrils inching towards them. They flail and slither back into their voids.
“Let’s roll!”
Optimus transforms and Soundwave follows suit. They both floor it towards the exits—now much clearer—but they aren’t pursued. The tendrils don’t shoot out or continue to follow them. Megatron’s one optic merely watches them leave, that awful smile remaining wide and motionless.
As they make it through the door and into the tunnels leading outside, Soundwave hears Megatron’s voice once more. “I understand. But do not worry, my deeearests. I will not give up on you. Just as you neverrr gave up on me.”
Outside the colosseum is not much better. Upon exiting the tunnel Optimus immediately swerves and transforms to avoid barreling through the terrified crowd. It’s utter pandemonium.
He can see several bots nursing injuries, whether from contending with the tendrils or from the trampling crowd. Some are weeping or trembling. Most are racing about like headless chickens.
There are a few who are trying to take control of the crowd. Ironhide is one of them, Optimus quickly catching sight of his bright red friend as he barks orders and yells at the fleeing mechs around him, a small collection of bots already forming around his person.
Optimus turns to his right and is glad to see Soundwave shifting back to root mode beside him. The visored mech still lightly trembles, but at least he can stand on his own again. Though Optimus wouldn’t blame him if he couldn’t.
Megatron’s betrayal and…grotesque metamorphosis was dreadful to behold. Watching the body of his old friend mutate and then pluck random bots from the audience to add to his mass, turning him into a massive coagulation of writhing limbs and screaming faces. Even Optimus found himself paralyzed watching the events unfolded, spurred only by the sudden taking of a mech directly next to him.
His reflexes took hold of him and Optimus was able to grab the mech’s servo midair. He remembers to complete and utter terror in the mech’s face as he was pulled taut between the tendril and the Prime. Optimus looked him dead in the optics and said, “Hang on! I’ve got you—” Right as more tendrils wrapped around the mech and pulled him away screaming.
Optimus takes a moment to flex his servos as he vividly remembers the feeling of the mech literally slipping through his fingers.
Just as you never gave up on me.
The words ring in his mind.
He had been wrong to accept it all so readily. Optimus had known something was off with Megatron all the way back during that initial meeting to discuss peace. Seeing how agreeable he was, and the way he said all the right things, the Prime should have been more suspicious. He should have paid closer attention even after the treaty was signed and the factions began to integrate. Should have investigated more aggressively when Megatron grew reclusive. Shouldn’t have been bewitched by a charming smile and lured in by the promise of rekindling old flames.
For what it is worth, I hope we can indeed be…friends, once more. One day.
Should have, should have, shouldn’t have…
The moment passes, and he steels his resolve. What’s done is done. Optimus can regret and take responsibility in due time, but right now he is surrounded by bots who are alive and terrified.
Optimus knows his role and responsibilities. Starting with the traumatized mech at his side. “Soundwave, are you functional?”
The comms officer nods silently. Optimus wishes he could offer kinder words, but functionality will have to do for now.
“Then let us convene with Ironhide.”
Both mechs quickly run through chaos to catch up with the red Autobot.
“Ironhide!” Optimus shouts once they’re close enough.
The Prime’s bodyguard lights up at the sight of his friend. “Prime! Thank the Allspark you’re okay.”
“And you, my friend.”
As Optimus and Soundwave approach, the little crowd surrounding Ironhide split to accommodate their arrival. Ironhide meets them in the middle, and the moment he spots Soundwave his expression turns venomous.
“You!” Ironhide pushes past Optimus to get in Soundwave’s face. “Decepticon creep, you know about this didn’t you?”
“Negative.” Soundwave flatly intones.
Ironhide growls. “What a load of scrap! You’re his TiC! His eyes and ears! You literally read minds and you expect anyone to believe you didn’t know about this?”
Soundwave dips his helm, but doesn’t reply. That only aggravates Ironhide further, as well as several of the surrounding mechs.
Optimus steps in before this gets out of hand.
“That’s enough, Ironhide. If Soundwave says he didn’t know then we must take him at his word.”
“But—”
“We don’t have time to deliberate. And besides—” Optimus remembers Soundwave on the ground, looking up at his leader, trembling violently as the tendrils wrapped around his legs. “—I believe him.”
Soundwave perks up at that, his visor meeting the Prime’s optics before looking away with what Optimus can only assume is some sort of embarrassment.
“In any event,” Optimus continues. “We must make use of his expertise to establish communications and coordinate some countermeasure for…whatever Megatron has become.”
He looks up at the imposing walls of the Pits of Kaon. “Do you think that will be enough to hold him for a while?”
“Oh yeah,” Ironhide huffs. “I mean look at it. Ten million years of war and all the Pits have to show for it are some cracks and blaster marks. Unless Megatron manages to shrink again, the big ugly mug only managed to trap himself in there. At least for the time being.”
“Then we must use whatever time we do have to come up with a plan and begin evacuations. Soundwave, if you haven’t already, get in contact with the rest of both Decepticon and Autobot High Command so we may—”
“LOOK OUT!” Someone screams as the structures and buildings around them begin to explode.
No, wait. They’re not exploding. Optimus glances up and sees a collection of massive boulders racing through the air, demolishing any and everything they collide with.
“The colosseum…” Soundwave murmurs.
Yes, Optimus realizes as pieces of the nearest, tallest building fall around them. Megatron, trapped within the thick walls of the Pits colosseum, must be digging his way out, throwing the chunks out and decimating the city.
Everyone runs for cover, and the area erupts into chaos once more. With Kaon crumbling around them, and various falling rocks to watch out for, Optimus and Ironhide lose control of the little crowd that had gathered as they all begin fleeing once more.
Optimus, Ironhide, and Soundwave remain together.
“Bucket head ain’t giving us any time to breathe, is he?” Ironhide comments as they continue to dodge debris.
No one replies as a boulder narrowly misses crushing them dead, blocking their path instead. It forces the trio to dive into a smaller, nearby building. The exit is only a few more steps away, but the roof collapses. Optimus realizes it’s right on top of him as Soundwave dives forward to shove him out of the way.
Soundwave removes himself from the Prime’s personal space just as Optimus’ thoughts process what just happened. The comms officer stands awkwardly at the side of the Autobot leader’s fallen body.
“Oh,” Optimus rumbles. “Um, than—”
“Prime!” Ironhide interrupts from behind the fallen debris. “You alright?”
“Yes!” Optimus stands back up. “Are you alright?”
“Ack, my shoulder got a little nicked by some glass, but I’m still kickin’!”
Optimus chews his lip. Knowing Ironhide, and hearing the slight tremor in his voice, it’s probably more serious than a little nick. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much time to consider it as the onslaught of colosseum pieces and collapsing buildings continue.
“Ironhide! I will meet you at Autobot Command!”
“Prime—” it sounds like he’s about to argue.
“That’s an order, Ironhide! Do not fight me on this, there’s no time! Get to HQ!”
There is the briefest of pauses before Ironhide replies, “Got it. But if anything happens to you, I’ll be blaming that ‘Con!”
Optimus doesn’t feel like going back and forth on this. “Worry about yourself, my friend. And be careful! I’ll meet you there.”
“Meet you there, Prime.”
With that, Optimus turns once more to Soundwave, and the two mechs leave the building and the property surrounding the Pits, transforming and heading out in the dense city together.
Boulders from the colosseum continue to shoot through the sky and destroy various parts of Kaon, debris falling and explosions ringing through their audials for quite a while. At least, for what feels like quite a while. It’s still night when the boulders finally cease, and everything goes silent.
Too silent.
The only thing Soundwave can hear for a while are the sounds of his and Optimus’ engines and their tires against the roads as they continue to drive.
Had Kaon always been this big? Even if they’re not taking the highway, Soundwave doesn’t recall it taking this long to get from place to place in this city. Is he just impatient? More likely he’s just tired.
It has been an exhausting night.
As that thought registers in his mind, Soundwave’s engines sputter, and he falls behind Optimus Prime.
The Prime notices, immediately slowing down to match his speed.
"Soundwave,” he rumbles softly. “Let us rest for a moment.”
“Negative.” Soundwave says. He doesn’t want to stop. He has to keep going, keep moving forward. “We keep pushing until we arrive.”
“Soundwave,” Optimus repeats. “Are we going the right way?”
“Affirmati—” Soundwave slams on his breaks.
Scrap. They are going the wrong way. Looking at the dilapidated skyscrapers around them, Soundwave realizes they are on the complete opposite side of the city they needed to be.
What happened? How did they get so turned around? Why didn’t Optimus say anything sooner? No, wait, why would he know which way they needed to go? It’s been millions of years since he regularly visited Kaon, and between the scars of war and Megatron’s onslaught of rocks forcing them away from the highway, of course he would defer to Soundwave’s directions in the moment. And Soundwave is…
…completely out of it.
He transforms and buries his face in his servos. This isn’t like him, Soundwave is better than this. He shouldn’t be losing his mind just because two of his dearest cassettes died in front of him, or because the city he calls home is crumbling around him, decimated by the very mech he’d dedicated most of his life to…
Just as you never gave up on me.
He keels over.
Soundwave is so stupid. He’s stupid, and delusional, and mad and…and…
Soundwave knows Megatron. He knows he is a monster, and has been for a long, long time. He’s known and did nothing about it. And now that monster has manifested as he sets out to kill and destroy everything. So what does that make Soundwave, who saw the monster in its infancy, and didn’t snuff it out before it fully spawned?
“Soundwave.”
There’s that firm servo on his shoulder again, preventing his further spiral.
“Let’s take a rest.”
There are those optics again. Tired, but still so bright and kind. Even to Soundwave.
So he relents. “Very well.”
They settle into one of the buildings. The two mechs collapse side by side against a wall. Optimus leans his helm back, and he sees that most of the ceiling and upper floors had fallen, giving them a fairly good view of the sky.
How long has it been since Optimus has taken the time to sit and admire the night sky? He’s watched many sunrises, but his nights have been monopolized by work and whatever recharge he can squeeze in. Not to mention before the war, Cybertron—and Iacon in particular—had been so bright that even at night, most of the stars were rarely visible. Optimus does remember one specific night he spent marveling at the night sky.
It was one he had spent with Megatron. A few dozen klicks outside of Kaon, beyond the smoke and smog of the factories, the two young mechs lay side by side on the plateau, staring up at the stars and speaking passionately about their dreams and the hopeful future of the world because, with the moons as their witnesses, vowed they would bring about the change that would save the world together. And then they got lost in each other.
In the present, Optimus sighs. He can see a sliver of moon through the holes.
How did they get here? When did it all go so wrong? Why has it only gotten worse?
Why didn’t he end Megatron when he had the chance? There have been many.
They are familiar questions. He’s asked them countless times. The answers he lands on never get better.
Soundwave stirs beside him.
The poor mech. Optimus wasn’t the least bit surprised to see him collapse again. He can’t imagine what must be going on in his processor.
Then Soundwave chuckles.
Optimus almost doesn’t even recognize it as such. It’s an odd sound to hear coming from him, what with the mech’s unique vocal filter and of course, with the fact that it’s Soundwave. He’s usually so monotone.
The chuckles turn into cackles and then Soundwave is fully laughing, folding over and grasping his midsection.
Optimus is confused, to say the least. “S-Soundwave?”
“He meant it literally.” Soundwave mutters between laughs.
“W-what?”
Soundwave plays a clip. [My only wish is to bring everyone together, so that we may live as one people upon Cybertron.] “He-he meant it literally!”
Oh. Right. Megatron did say that. Repeatedly.
He forcefully, and gruesomely added living bots to his own body, uniting them all into a grotesque, deformed mutated mass.
He…brought them together. Ohhh.
Optimus gradually joins Soundwave in laughing.
They lean on each other and slump over as they laugh and laugh. At some point the humour leaves them but they continue to laugh. Everything is a mess. So many bots have already died. There is an unnatural abomination loose on the world.
What else can they do right now, but laugh?
Still, Optimus is the first to recompose. Meanwhile, Soundwave’s laughs turn increasingly frantic. He sputters and coughs and the laughs devolve into sobs and before long he’s curled up on himself and openly weeping.
Optimus is taken back. Shocked, yet not surprised.
“Rumble,” Soundwave mutters. “Frenzy. They’re gone. He took them.”
Optimus gently put his servo on Soundwave’s shoulder, as he has been doing all night.
Soundwave looks at the Prime, and then slumps against him to continue crying. Optimus feels him trembling, and wraps his arms around the other mech.
He’s never interacted with Soundwave this much before, anytime they came into contact the interaction was usually formal and professional. Or it was the rare combat situation. Needless to say, Optimus has never really known Soundwave that well. So many stories surrounded the mysterious mech, and logically they couldn’t all be true. However, collectively they painted a vast, fearsome mythology surrounding the Decepticon’s eyes and ears, and more often than not he lived up to the tales. It was daunting even to Optimus.
Yet after a few hours, here he is rocking Soundwave slightly as he cries in his arms, mourning the loss of two of his Cassettes, the visored mechs’s walls of stoicism breaking down as grief consumed him. Behind those stories and his power, Soundwave feels just as any other bot with spark does.
Optimus lets him weep. It would be far too cruel to do anything else right now. He too knows loss and grief all too well.
“I’m sorry,” Optimus whispers. “I am so sorry.”
Soundwave shudders. “I couldn’t save them. I didn’t…I should have done something. About Megatron. Long ago.”
“You couldn’t have known.” Optimus says, and immediately knows it probably isn’t true. Soundwave is well known to possess telepathic abilities. The extent of his power is unknown, at least to the Autobots. (A fact that has caused many in High Command endless frustration).
If Soundwave can truly read minds, then surely he should have been able to look into Megatron’s mind and find some hint of his plans, or see his insanity. He said he knew nothing about what Megatron would do, and Optimus still believes that.
So why didn’t he know?
With Soundwave in his arms, weeping and vulnerable, he doesn’t vocalize these thoughts.
Soundwave should feel humiliated. It’s bad enough that he’s completely lost control of his emotions and has allowed himself to devolve into hysterics, but it’s happening in the presence of Optimus Prime.
This is absurd. Soundwave doesn’t cry, not in public, definitely not in front of Autobots, and certainly not in front of Optimus Prime. He should be better than this, he’s supposed to be better than this. He doesn’t need consoling from anyone, let alone Optimus fragging Prime.
The damned Prime. Guardian of the Golden Age. Tool of the Senate. The embodiment of everything the Decepticon cause was built to tear down. Everything Soundwave dedicated his life to destroying. Well…most of his life, anyways.
The cause was long dead, but now with the war over it is fulfilled. Technically speaking there is no Decepticon cause at present, not that there’s been one in eons. For the longest time, all Soundwave had was Megatron, and his Cassettes.
His Cassettes. Megatron.
Rumble and Freny’s screams. Megatron’s unmoving smile.
Soundwave flashes back to that moment. Those images play in his mind over and over. Screams ring in his mind. He trembles.
Optimus’s grip around him tightens and the Prime manages to ground him once again.
He unfortunately cannot deny how good it feels to be held by the Prime. The sturdy arms are comforting and keep him steady, and the sound of Optimus’ spark puts him at ease.
This is pathetic. Soundwave is pathetic.
Is this how his Cassettes feel when in his dock? And he has embraced them countless times as well. Rumble and Frenzy should be here. It should be them who are held and comforted
As Optimus attempts to console him, he feels the Prime’s grip slightly tighten around him for a brief moment. He doesn’t say anything, but he’s clearly asking the obvious questions internally.
“…I have not utilized my outlier abilities in centuries.” Soundwave says, feeling Optimus hitch in surprise. Frankly, Soundwave is surprised too, but as he continues to relax in the Prime’s arms, the walls of denial that have kept those sentiments locked away for so long break down, and the words just spill forth.
“Megatron was—has been—unstable for quite some time. When I first recognized his odd behaviour, I probed his mind to see if anything was wrong, and-and it was all wrong. His mind had cracked and his thoughts were…it was terrifying. And I-I simply disregarded it. Ignored my findings and carried on. I deluded myself into believing that he would just get better, and stopped using my powers altogether so I would never be proven wrong. Even then, I thought the worst that could happen was Megatron stubbornly sticking to an endless war until we all starved. To think that would be preferable. And now…heh.”
It's so strange to just lay it all out like that, after spending so long denying it so fervently.
Optimus says nothing, presumably to be nice. He also doesn’t push Soundwave away, which is appreciated, but as he still refuses to use his telepathy he can only assume that the Prime’s personal thoughts were much less charitable.
Would he feel better if the Prime pushed him away in disgust? It would make sense at the very least. It would be nice for things to make sense again, for things to be simple. Autobot and Decepticon, at odds, hating each other.
...but Optimus is so warm.
“Soundwave, I—” He’s abruptly cut off by a sound in the distance.
Soundwave isn’t sure of what he’s hearing at first, but as more and more voices join the cacophony, he quickly realizes that they’re screams, echoing across the city.
Megatron must have escaped the colosseum, and is now wreaking havoc across the city.
“Soundwave,” Optimus says. “Are you functional?”
Soundwave disentangles himself from the Prime’s arms. “Affirmative.”
Optimus had been wondering about them not encountering anyone else. He supposes it makes sense, they’re out by the outskirts, and since the peace treaty most of the population collected towards the centre. The majority of those who escaped the colosseum would have gone that way.
So it stands to reason that’s the direction Megatron has gone.
The remainder of our people, Optimus thinks as the sound of screaming continues. He’s slaughtering them.
The screaming is eventually overlaid with distant sounds of small explosions and combat.
But they’re fighting back. Optimus tries to take comfort in that, but all he can think about is how the fighting was meant to have ceased. The war ended. The factions have been integrating. Everyone should be enjoying their well-deserved rest.
Optimus tries his comms again. He doesn’t know why it’s not working. Are they too far? Is it something about the outskirts? Or had something happened to Autobot HQ? Had Megatron gotten to them? Is there anyone left?
They can still hear screaming. They press on, weaving between the buildings as they speed across the city, both desperate to get back to civilization. Whatever may still be left of it.
Soundwave leads again, now much more confident.
Oh, Soundwave.
Optimus didn’t get a chance to say anything to him back in that ruined skyscraper. Though, what was he going to say in response to Soundwave’s confession? His first instinct would be to say ‘it’s not your fault, but the Decepticon probably wouldn’t appreciate that. Most likely he’d actively push against the notion.
And besides…is that even true, that it’s not Soundwave’s fault?
Optimus internally chastises himself at the thought. That’s unfair. Soundwave is a Decepticon, and well known as Megatron’s most loyal officer. Even before the war, Optimus remembers Megatron’s devoted shadow, steadfast and dutiful at his side. And he never left, even going against his own better judgement to stay there.
Perhaps Soundwave should have taken action when he first realized something was wrong. Perhaps Optimus should have cleaved Megatron’s helm in two when he had him dead to rights for the first time. Or the second time. Or the third time. Perhaps perhaps perhaps…
Optimus forces his mind to stay rooted in the present. There’s no time for regretting what could have been done, because right now they are dealing with the consequences of what has been done.
There are still bots out there, he thinks to himself. The screaming proves that. There are still lives to save.
The closer they get to the city centre, the more Optimus begins to recognize where they are, and the louder the sounds of all the chaos become. They pass through rebuilt buildings and see some new damage, a few fires and—
“Optimus!”
He slams his breaks.
“Optimus!”
That’s Ironhide’s voice. Undeniably. Optimus would recognize it anywhere.
He transforms and begins looking around. He’s vaguely aware of Soundwave stopping ahead of him, but Optimus focuses on finding Ironhide.
“Ironhide!” He calls. “I’m here! Where are you?”
Did he manage to take the highways? It makes sense that he would’ve made it back before them. Optimus imagines him arriving, getting himself a medic to patch him up quickly and then immediately jumping back into the fray, guns blazing.
Yeah. That sounds like Ironhide. Optimus will have to reprimand him for his reckless behaviour. He’s had to do it countless times before, and will likely have to do it countless times more.
“Here Prime!”
Optimus follows his voice towards an alley. He sees Ironhide’s distinct outline on the other side, obfuscated by shadow.
“Ironhide!” he exclaims happily. “I’m glad to see you okay.”
“C’mere Prime!” Ironhide waves him over.
Optimus begins walking over, but he’s jerked back by a pair of servos.
“What are you—”
Soundwave pulls him back. “That is not him.”
“Look at him!”
“Yes. Look at him.”
So Optimus does, determined to prove Soundwave wrong. That is undeniably Ironhide’s silhouette, but his helm and limbs hang limply. He waves, but it looks more akin to the movements of a puppet on strings than a mech with a spark.
“Priime. Come here.”
No.
“Optimus,” Soundwave says. “We must go.”
It can’t be.
Ironhide’s silhouette steps forward, and Optimus can see the distinct shapes of a pair of tendrils connected to his back.
Meet you there, Prime.
Optimus chokes back a sob.
“We must go, now!” Soundwave exclaims.
Behind Ironhide, an illogical collection of limbs emerges. It looks like the beast Megatron presented at the colosseum. As Optimus miserably turns away, Ironhide—or rather, Ironhide’s body–is pulled back and added to the mass.
As he transforms, he hears a shrill cacophony of wails, Ironhide’s voice among them.
Soundwave doesn’t waste time looking back. He is aware of Optimus following him, and that’s all he has time to be concerned about now.
They rush deeper into Kaon’s centre, and find themselves right in the middle of the chaos.
Soundwave is horrified to see that the beast Ironhide had been grafted to isn’t the only one. It looks like Megatron has unleashed a small army of them upon the populace, each one equipped with their own collection of tendrils with which to kidnap and add to their mass.
They climb the sides of buildings and scurry about with their many limbs, chasing any bot unfortunate to catch their optics.
Up ahead, one monster has captured a mech and is dragging them towards it.
Optimus’ engines rev loudly as he surges forward aggressively, crashing directly into the monster and slamming it into a wall. The Prime leaves it twitching on the ground. The mech he saved transforms and peels off in another direction with nary even a ‘thank you’.
Soundwave and Optimus continue onwards, the closer they get to their respective command centres, the more destruction they must navigate. The fires have grown so strong that the skies have gone red and smoky.
The chaos. The death. The screams.
It’s like the world is ending. The world they were just beginning to rebuild.
They help who they can. An Autobot officer who had been fending off three of the beasts, points them towards the general direction of a temporary base. He says that the command centres had been the beasts’ primary targets, and all comms had been down all night. He tells them to leave him there. Says the commanders need them more than him.
Soundwave has to pull Optimus away from him as well. They press on.
“Ssoundwave. Optimuss.”
They both come to a grinding halt. A massive arm appears from behind a tower, and the two mechs duck behind a smaller building.
Morbid curiosity gets the better of him though, and Soundwave risks peeking around the corner.
Megatron barely looks like a mech anymore. He still has his signature helm, though ragged, missing an optic, and with sharpened teeth. But there are arms everywhere. They stick out of his chest, his shoulders, his back. Further down his frame are smaller arms of various sizes, the tightest density of the lot coalescing together on his lower section, looking less like legs and more like the trail of a worm. Soundwave can’t see the end of it yet. Megatron drags himself forward with his many limbs, buildings and infrastructure crumbling beneath him and his grips.
He still smiles.
Soundwave ducks back as the giant’s helm begins to turn towards them.
“Optimuss. Ssoundwave.” The rumbling voice fills the air, now fully joined by a vast ensemble of the bots he captured. Each word spoken with a thousand voices, though one clearly leads the rest. “I know you’re heeere. I have seeen you. I can ssense youuu.”
He must share some sort of hive mind with those smaller monsters. Of course he does.
To make us all of one mind! Truly uniting us as one people.
Soundwave pushes himself ever harder against the wall behind them. He tries to make himself small, as if that would hide him any more effectively.
“I have friiightened you. I’m ssorry.”
His spark pounds violently in his chest.
“But I don’t want to hurrt you. Quite the contrary.”
Soundwave wraps his arms around Optimus, desperate for comfort. The Prime obliges him, clasping his forearm gently.
“I looove you. Both of you, so dearlyy. I only want what is beest. An end to conflict upon Cyybertron.”
A massive servo grasps the corner of the building they hide behind. Soundwave feels like he’s going to cry again.
“Become one with us, my daarlings.”
Join us. Join us. Join us.
He’s pulling himself forward. His helm will come around the corner any moment now—
The distinct sounds of Seeker jets zooming overhead, the whistling sounds of falling bombs. Soundwave and Optimus get down just as the explosions hit.
Megatron and his many voices wail as explosives rain down upon him.
Staying low, Soundwave and Optimus move as quickly as they can, getting away from Megatron and the blast zone. They duck through another building as the explosions continue.
Then Soundwave senses—
“Ravage!”
The dark beastformer comes bounding through a broken window, jumping right into Soundwave’s arms.
Soundwave holds him tight, absolutely elated to see his oldest Cassette alive and well.
“Soundwave.” Ravage says. Soundwave lets him down, still feeling elated. “Are you alright?”
“Affirmative.” He replies.
Ravage notices Optimus, arching his back and growling. Optimus steps back.
Soundwave gets in between them, warding Ravage off. “Stand down. Optimus Prime helped me. He is not our enemy.”
Ravage puts his claws away, but he still glares at the Prime. Then he blinks up at Soundwave. “And…Rumble? Frenzy?”
Soundwave looks away. “Megatron took them. They’re gone.”
“…oh.”
Ravage presses his helm against Soundwave’s leg. He kneels and pulls Ravage close.
The moment is interrupted by a sky splitting scream.
The three mechs rush to look outside and see three of the seven jets in the sky being grabbed by Megatron’s tendrils.
“We need to go.” Ravage says. “I’ll take you both to the base.”
The temporary base is set up beneath one of Kaon’s old metro stations.
There are a great many evacuees down here, more than Optimus would have let himself hope for. They hand out and drink Energon, there are medics abound, running around tending to injuries. and most are simply resting wherever there’s space.
The Autobots they pass by light up at the sight of him, and Optimus waves kindly, sharing a few passing, soothing remarks. Optimus is ecstatic to see Ratchet among those tending to the wounded, clasping him on the shoulder, his old friend taking the time to give him a hug. But they both know there are more pressing matters, so they’ll have to talk later.
Ravage leads them through to High Command.
Optimus is elated to see Prowl and Jazz among those in the Command Centre, even if they are in the midst of arguing with Starscream—who he is also happy to see well.
They are noticed immediately upon their arrival. Laserbeak and Buzzsaw drop from the rafters and straight into Soundwave’s arms, where he holds them close. Optimus relaxes at the sight.
Good, he thinks. He still has them.
Some happy words are shared, once they see that they are functional, everyone gets back to business very quickly.
“The Command towers and majority of the residential areas are lost. Those abominations performed a very thorough sweep of the area.” Prowl explains.
“So he lost his mind but is still thinking strategically.” Jazz snorts. “That’s annoying.”
“Is there a way to draw the monsters away?” Optimus asks.
“The only thing they seem to care about is other Cybertronians.” Starscream answers. “So unless you’re willing to use live bait, we’re better off focusing on the source of this nightmare.”
The Decepticon Second in Command—well, he’s probably just their leader now, isn’t he? —pulls up an image of the monstrous Megatron on his datapad.
He is horrifyingly long. So many bots…
Starscream swipes past that image to another, one showing Megatron’s chest at a side angle. He zooms in, showing a gap between the arm and the centre seams in his chest. Within the hole, Optimus sees the device Megatron plunged into his spark.
“From what we can tell, this is the source of his power. If we destroy it, perhaps it will put an end to this madness. At the very least, hopefully it will keep them from reproducing any more.”
“It’s attached to his spark.” Optimus says. “Destroying it would kill Megatron, wouldn’t it?”
Starscream rolls his optics. “Yes. Most likely. It will be a shame and he will be missed dearly. Or probably not, since he’s the one who started all of this.”
Someone pats his shoulder, and Optimus sees Jazz. “Trust me, Prime. We’ve already been arguing about this at length, but this seems like our best bet and being able to find some cure for the bots he’s taken.”
Optimus turns away, not in thought, but to look at Soundwave, who has remained motionless and silent throughout the discussion. He shows no outward evidence of any opinion on that matter, but from what he’s learned about the Decepticon throughout the night, Optimus can only assume that his thoughts are tumultuous.
As for Optimus’ own…
For all the regret he’s expressed for either not killing or refusing to kill Megatron throughout the course of the war, Optimus still finds himself loathe to take that step.
It is patently illogical, as Prowl would say, and Optimus is well aware of that. After all that Megatron has done, especially after tonight, Optimus should be chomping at the bit to finally bring an end to the Slagmaker. Yet still, he hesitates.
After all the time he’s spent with Megatron after the war’s end, rebuilding more of Kaon, their shared responsibilities, the integration efforts. Optimus can’t even say that he thinks most of his actions during that time was an act. He really had been trying to bring everyone together—heh—working hard alongside Optimus to make peacetime work and last. To simply kill him now seems so antithetical to all the work they’d done together, to the relationship they were finally repairing.
But looking at Megatron’s new monstrous form, after seeing all the death and destruction he’s wrought…
Just as you’ve never given up on me.
“…I understand,” he says at last, trying not to let regret show in his voice. “Do you have a plan? We know where the device is, but that opening is so small.”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.” Prowl replies. “We need to distract him somehow, and also keep his arms occupied and out of the way.”
“I can do it.”
Everyone looks at Soundwave, surprised.
“I can keep him distracted. Go into his mind and keep him occupied, perhaps even still.”
“Soundwave—” Optimus starts, but Starscream interrupts.
“Go into his mind? I thought your outlier ability was glitched.”
Soundwave looks at him. “It was. This has since been corrected.”
Starscream narrows his optics for a moment, then sighs, not pressing the issue. Even he must be too tired to argue.
Prowl remains skeptical. “In that case, are you certain your powers are reliable enough for this?”
“Affirmative.” Soundwave says with grim determination. “I will give you the time you need to end it.”
The light of dawn creeps through the sky as everyone gets ready to put their plan in motion.
The plan is to lure Megatron to Kaon’s old marketplace. It’s the largest, and nearest open space to his current location as he continues to ravish the city alongside his monsters.
Soundwave leans against the entrance to the base with Ravage curled up at his pedes, partly watching as bots file in and out moving supplies and weapons, but mostly lost in his own thoughts.
He volunteered to go into Megatron’s mind and keep him distracted. Primus, why did he do that? He’s never been so impulsive.
But he knows now what he knew then—there is no better way to guarantee Megatron’s attention. Soundwave can do it, he’s done many times before, but in this case…will he?
“Soundwave.”
He doesn’t need to turn to know it’s Optimus. The Autobot leader takes the space next to him. Ravage acknowledges the Prime with an open optic, but closes it again just as quickly. Soundwave trusts him, so Ravage will begrudgingly also trust him.
They stand together in silence for a while.
Eventually, Optimus breaks it. “I want you to know that you are not the only bot who blames himself.”
Soundwave cocks his helm.
Optimus continues. “Surely you are aware, over the years I have had many opportunities to kill Megatron, both off and on the battlefield.”
Soundwave is most certainly aware.
“Especially when the war was still in its infancy. Many of my officers have expressed frustration about that, and as the eons rolled on, I steadily came to regret my mercy, and my hope that he could change.”
Soundwave listens intently but says nothing.
“I know it’s not entirely the same, but we both had opportunities to put an end to Megatron’s madness long ago, and neither of us took them. So if there is any blame that rests on our shoulders, we will make amends today, one way or another.”
Optimus holds out his servo, Soundwave takes it, then the Autobot brings up his other servo to completely clasp Soundwave’s.
“For whatever it’s worth to you, coming from me—I believe in you, Soundwave.”
Soundwave stalls. He says it so earnestly, what is he supposed to say to that? No wonder the Autobots are all so sentimental, if this is the sort of treatment they deal with.
“…thank you.”
Optimus nods, and then heads off. Soundwave watches him go. If this doesn’t work, it’s very possible this will be his last interaction with the Prime.
He wouldn’t hate that as a final sendoff. Though…it would be regrettable if he never gets to see him again…
“Since when did you become buddies with the Prime?” Ravage asks playfully.
“Silence.” Soundwave retorts.
--------
Astrotrain flies in a wide arc around Megatron and drops Soundwave off at the marketplace. Long abandoned, the wide space stands empty, and near barren. Only a few broken stalls and ancient wares buried in the dirt prove that this was ever a place where mechs frequented.
This place was among the upcoming locations within the rebuilding plans. Looks like it will have to wait a while longer.
Speaking of waiting, it’s all Soundwave can do while the rest of the soldiers bring Megatron here. Though there are warriors stationed around the area, mostly hidden within the surrounding buildings, Soundwave stands alone at the centre of the open space, clear as day.
He tries to take the time to strengthen his resolve, but the longer he waits the more he seems to falter.
He can’t do this. He hasn’t used his telepathy in so long. He’s out of practice, he will fail, his mind will join Megatron’s ensemble of agony, everyone will die, Cybertron will fall and it will be all his–
“INCOMING!”
Several squads of Seekers come barreling through the labyrinth of buildings, the massive, hulking form of Megatron hot on their tails. For such a large creature, he is surprisingly fast, though not very nimble. He doesn’t bother dodging the buildings in his way, crashing through them with nary a thought. His tendrils grab at the Seekers, plucking one or two, but most are still able to maneuver around them.
Once Megatron is in position, the Seekers disperse, leaving nothing between Soundwave and his once beloved leader.
It takes a moment with his one optic, but Megatron catches sight of Soundwave. His damnable smile widens, and he drags himself towards the agora.
“Sssoundwave!” He says joyfully, his victims still echoing his words. “There you arrre!”
His army of monsters crawl about him, mixing with the mess of limbs and agonized faces that now make up his body.
Megatron draws closer, and his tendrils inch towards him slowly. Soundwave opens his arms as if to embrace him.
He allows the tendrils to gently wrap around his limbs and torso. They lift him up towards Megatron’s enlarged face, his single optic staring gleefully at his catch.
“At last. My daaarling, I am so happy to see youuu.”
It’s now or never. He’s rusty, so Soundwave uses every bit of power he can muster to plunge right into Megatron’s psyche. He hears Megatron cry out, but the sound is lost once Soundwave is inside.
His mind is utter chaos. Fractured thoughts and dark ideas, cluttered together in a bright storm of madness. Soundwave is almost immediately overwhelmed. It isn’t just Megatron’s own mind in here, he’s also consumed the minds of those he captured. Their wills swirl weakly about the current. This is much worse than when he peeked in Megatron’s mind last, and yet, this storm is somehow easier to weather.
Perhaps that speaks to his own mental state.
Soundwaaave. Sssoundwaaave~
He pays the words no heed, focusing solely on maintaining his own individuality, making sure Megatron’s attention remains internal and squarely on him.
Thank you sooo much, Soundwaave. Thank you for all you have done for me, Soundwave. I don’t say that enough, do I Soundwave? Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank youuu…
Time passes differently within a mindscape, but Soundwave really hopes they hurry it up out there.
I need you Soundwaave. I would be nothing without youuu.
If Soundwave falters for even a moment, he risks completely drowning and losing himself in this tornado.
Do I say that I love you enough, Soundwave? Because I dooo. I love youuu~
No. Stop that. That’s not fair. Why now, why this? It’s too much. But Soundwave forces himself to keep it together despite the pain blooming in his processor, and just when it feels like he’s finally about to crack, Megatron screams in pain, and Soundwave throws himself out of his leader’s broken mind.
Once he’s back in his own body Soundwave is immediately struck by a splitting helmache. It takes a few seconds due to the pain, but Soundwave gradually manages to reacquainte himself with reality, giving him the wherewithal to recognize that Megatron—and subsequently, he—is toppling over towards the ground.
Soundwave catches sight of a few soldiers holding on for dear life about Megatron’s chest. Optimus Prime is among them, his rifle plunged into the small opening in his chest.
Megatron hits the ground wailing, a choir of screams accompanying him.
“Optimus!” He cries. “OPTIMUS!”
He flails his many arms, but the Prime pays him no mind as he sinks his axe deep into his chest.
Megatron and his victims let out one last, shrieking wail as his chest erupts in that blinding light once more, and burst.
When Optimus comes to, he’s on the opposite side of the large area.
Whatever blew up, had thrown him and his team some considerables way away. As he gets up, he sees the aftermath.
Where Megatron’s large body had been, now lies a great pile of lifeless bodies, toppling over and rolling against one another as gravity takes hold of them.
“Fan out!” Someone shouts. “Search for any survivors!”
Grimly, Optimus doubts they’ll find any, but he forces himself up so he can go and help search anyways.
The first—and only—sign of movement he sees from the pile is at its bottom.
“Soundwave!” Optimus rushes to the visored mech’s side. He’s splayed out, wrapped in a tangle of tendrils. Optimus frantically works to pull them away.
“Soundwave!” Optimus repeats. The red light behind Soundwave’s visor flickers.
When most of the knot is gone or loose, Optimus leans down to speak softly in Soundwave’s audial. “You did it, Soundwave. You gave us the time we needed. The monster is gone, the nightmare is over.”
There are a few tense, horrifying moments where Soundwave remains entirely still, and silent. He almost looks indistinguishable from the corpses around them.
Then his frame shudders, and Soundwave groans. Optimus sighs in relief.
“We couldn’t have done it without you.” Optimus adds.
“Soundwave…superior…”
Optimus chuckles. “Yes. Without a doubt.”
Soundwave is clearly still out of sorts, but he forces himself to stand regardless.
“Wait Soundwave,” Optimus says. “You need to rest.”
Soundwave shakes his helm, walking towards the bodies. “Negative. Our work is not finished yet.”
He says it firmly and clearly walks with as much confidence as he can muster, so Optimus doesn’t press the issue.
He lets out a hefty vent, and goes to sift through the plethora of bodies alongside Soundwave.
--------
Time passes, everyone gathered pitches in. Occasionally someone will shout, “Over here!” and the medics will rush to their location, but as silence continues to coat the space, Optimus imagines that whoever may have been alive, didn’t last very long.
It breaks his spark. He continues looking.
“It’s Megatron!” Someone eventually shouts. Someone nearby. “H-he’s still alive!”
Optimus rushes over, Soundwave hot on his heels.
They’re among the first to make it there. They stand over Megatron’s body, which lies horrifically broken. His optic is still missing, his legs are mangled beyond repair, and there is a huge, deep wound in his chest. A tiny sliver of light still emanates from it.
His Energon pools beneath him.
A crowd swiftly gathers around him, but his single, flickering optic stares upward, seeing nothing.
And even now, he still bears that accursed smile.
He chuckles weakly. “I did it…I did it…everyone united…the war is over…they can all rest…I did it…I did it…”
No one moves to help him. But no one moves to kill him either.
Optimus couldn’t ask for anything more.
Before long the light in his optic fades, as does the light of his spark. Once both are dark, his helm falls limply to the side.
Megatron is dead.
It takes a few more days, more bots arrive to help, but eventually, all of the bodies are laid out, ready to be put to rest. Megatron included.
Soundwave and his remaining Cassettes sit by the bodies of Rumble and Frenzy. He’s long since closed their optics, as they were still wide with terror when they were found.
They had suffered until the very end. Soundwave brokenly apologizes until his throat is raw and his voicebox crackles with static.
Some ways away, Autobot High Command gathers around a cluster of their own. Optimus spends quite a while kneeling by Ironhide’s corpse.
And on it goes. Every living mech has someone to find, to sit by, to cry over.
No one goes to Megatron. Not even Soundwave or Optimus.
Not even to try and desecrate his corpse. Though Soundwave doesn’t know what he would do if someone did. He would try to stop them, wouldn’t he? Go to his lord’s side, defend him, unquestionably loyal until the end.
And look at where that blind loyalty’s gotten them. Look at what’s happened because Soundwave let Megatron go on unchecked for so long, because of his unquestioning loyalty.
Does his part in Megatron’s death redeem his lifelong foolishness? No, probably not. Looking down at the lifeless bodies of Rumble and Frenzy, no matter what he’s done recently, in the end it came far too late. To think, it really took all of this to finally make Soundwave see sense.
But Soundwave still mourns Megatron, privately. After all that’s happened it feels wrong, especially in light of Rumble and Frenzy, but…it would be lie to try and deny what Megatron has meant to him for so much of his life.
He mourns what Megatron once was, perhaps even moreso than his death.
The bodies of the dead cannot remain out in the open forever. Eventually, one by one, they are gathered up. There’s a new cemetery being dug just outside the city where they will be buried.
Soundwave stays by Rumble and Frenzy until they are wrapped in hastily made ceremonial coverings and taken away. He feels numb as they disappear within the trailer and are hauled away.
He remains seated for a while longer. At some point, Optimus joins him.
Soundwave leans against him once again. Thankfully, Optimus doesn’t try to hug him. That’s not what he wants right now.
Instead he takes Optimus’ servo, and intertwines their fingers. The Autobot doesn’t protest.
“We both had opportunities to stop him long ago.” Soundwave mutters. “We should have taken them.”
“But we didn’t.” Optimus says faintly.
“But we didn’t.” Soundwave agrees.
They sit there for a while longer, servo in servo.
“The cost was too great.” Optimus continues eventually. “This never should have happened.”
Soundwave agrees wordlessly, guilt rising in his spark once more. Primus, what is he going to do now? With Megatron gone, what purpose does he serve? After all that’s happened, everything he’s done, everything he failed to do, does he even deserve to continue–
“But we’re still here,” Optimus goes on, interrupting his thoughts. “As are many of our comrades.”
Soundwave scoffs, taking back his servo. That obnoxious Autobot optimism. Or maybe that’s just Prime’s thing. It would certainly make his name make sense.
“Our people are still here,” he continues. “Our planet still turns. And we are still needed.”
Optimus stands, looking down at Soundwave with those kind optics of his, the sun behind him and his servo outstretched. “You are still needed, Soundwave. Now more than ever.”
Behind his visor Soundwave blinks. What a fool. A naive fool. A naive optimistic fool with an open spark and sincere optics. Look at him. That living pile of good intentions, with his kind optics and sunny disposition. He sounds exhausted, and yet he manages to press on.
“There’s nowhere to go but forward,” Optimus continues. “You have everything to gain, by continuing on.”
And nothing left to lose, goes unsaid. Still…
…it’s unfair. He doesn’t deserve this...compassion.
Soundwave buries his helm in his servos.
Something taps against his knee. A cursory glance reveals it to be Ravage, joined by Laserbeak and Buzzsaw perched at his sides. They all look up at him.
His remaining Cassettes, they’re still alive, they still need him.
Kaon isn’t entirely destroyed. There are still plenty of bots, Decepticon and Autobo–well, that doesn’t matter as much anymore.
Optimus’s servo remains extended. The sun still hangs in the sky.
Megatron is dead, and miraculously, Soundwave’s spark still beats.
"Let us rebuild our home, Soundwave. Together."
Tentatively, Soundwave reaches out to take Optimus’s servo, and the Prime helps him stand. He wobbles on his pedes, but the Prime keeps him steady. Optimus’s embrace feels so comforting. His blue optics crinkle as he smiles behind his mask.
The Prime can’t see it, but Soundwave feels himself smile back.
Gradually, the bodies disappear from the streets of Kaon. The rebuilding efforts begin anew. The maintenance of Energon sources becomes a central topic. Integration becomes less of a pressing issue with each passing day.
Cybertron continues to spin. The sun continues to rise.
And they are still here. Life presses on.