XIV

Orion sighed, standing near the exit of the stands. For the first time in a while, he was alone in public. The arena probably wasn't the best place to go to ease his paranoia. The crowd chanted, cheering at the bots in the center battled. Orion looked around, listening to their cries. He remembered this place when every seat was filled, all voices crying out for the champion. He smiled. Megatronus.

Orion sighed, glancing down at the center. He'd come to see one of the other gladiators. Easily as powerful as the former champ, Soundwave was declared champion soon after Megatronus' arrest. The silent warrior was once a manipulative player in the game but now he got straight to the point of battle, defeating his opponents rather quickly and without mercy. Orion winced as he watched Soundwave disconnect his opponent's limps, walking away from the wailing lump.

Though he hadn't been to the arena since Megatronus, Orion still had an access pass to some of the backstage quarters. He had gotten it originally so he could meet up with Megatronus quickly after matches. Though he'd been arrested, they never requested the pass back. Until now, Orion had forgotten he had it. This was probably the last place he thought he'd go again.

"Orion?"

Orion jumped at the digitalized voice behind him. Swearing to Primus, Orion turned around to see Soundwave standing with a tilted head. He let out a deep sigh, placing a hand on Soundwave's shoulder.

"You scared me, Soundwave," panted Orion. "Don't sneak up on me like that…"

"Mistake me for someone else?"

It'd been a while since he talked with Soundwave. The quiet gladiator never seemed to talk with his own voice, only recycling what he's heard from others. In moments when he didn't have an exact quote, he would shuffle dialogue and mix them into a phrase. It should've sounded like a mess of voices but when Soundwave did it, it sounded as smooth as a normal voice.

"I needed to ask you a…favor," sighed Orion, looking around. "Can we talk in private?"

Soundwave tilted his head to one side before displaying an image of Orion's arrest record on his facial screen. Orion sighed.

"Would this be related?"

"Yes," Orion nodded.

"Why should I listen to you?" Soundwave shook free of Orion's grip, stepping back. "You abandoned Megatronus."

"I know," Orion groaned, shaking a fist. "I realize that now…Megatron was right. The council is wrong."

Soundwave shook his head, turning off his display, and beginning to walk passed Orion. The latter grabbed Soundwave by the wrist, stopping him.

"Listen, I'm not just saying this, Soundwave!" snapped Orion. "Listen. The council is up to something. Something big."

"I know."

"I need your help."

"I figured."

Soundwave shrugged, raising his arm to free himself from Orion's grip. After a moment, he motioned for Orion to follow him. Orion let out a sigh of relief, walking behind Soundwave. They entered a small room with nothing by a desk, chair, and berth. Soundwave offered Orion the chair. The latter sat down as Soundwave sat on the edge of the bed.

"Do you know the condition of Megatronus?"

"No…" Orion whispered. "I haven't been able to visit him. They're…"

"Watching."

Orion looked over at Soundwave, watching the brief light reflect off the screen. Everything seemed dark, except for the light shining off Soundwave's facial monitor. Orion sighed, nodding.

"They used to watch me,"Soundwave instructed, "but then something caught their attention."

Orion chuckled lightly.

"I need your help."

"And what do I get?"

Orion shook his head. Megatron head a very similar way of looking at things. Nothing came without a price. It was one of the things Orion disagreed with, but it was beginning to make a lot more sense.

"Something tells me…" Orion whispered. "I'm going to finish what Megatron started…" He looked up. "You're free to join me. I've others helping me."

Soundwave nodded lightly. After a moment of silence, his display lit up with files on Knockout, Shockwave, and Ratchet. Orion sighed. Soundwave was quick and always connected. It used to be a freaky magic trick. Now, it's what he needed. He just didn't know what to do in order to get Soundwave to cooperate.

"There's more than meets the eye…"

The display cut out, revealing Orion's reflection. The latter gulped, lowering his head.

"You'd say I'm crazy."

"Megatronus used to say the same thing…"

Orion smiled lightly. Only Soundwave knew Megatronus the same way Orion did. It'd been a while since he'd had a proper conversation with someone talking about the good in Megatronus. It was refreshing and still the faint memory of the alternate timeline haunted him. How everything went wrong.

"What if I told you…this isn't how things are supposed to be?" Orion grinned slightly. "That someone purposefully changed time? That I sometimes…see into this other timeline?"

Soundwave didn't speak. Orion felt his spark ache. His hands shook as they rested on his lap. Soundwave had been his friend. He had never told a friend about his visions. Ratchet. Knockout. Shockwave. They were all strangers. This felt too close, and he wasn't saying a word. Soundwave got to his feet. Orion couldn't move.

"What do you need?"

Orion looked up quickly.

"Serious?" he whimpered.

"I don't know about alternate timelines or such but I believe in Megatronus…and he believed in you."

"Then why ask?

"To know the truth…"

Orion nodded, getting to his feet slowly.

"What do you need?"

"Recent councilman changes. Specifically, someone who quit maybe?"

Soundwave nodded, opening the door. Orion stepped over.

"What do you plan to do with that information?"

"I want to talk to him."

Soundwave let out a noise reminisce of a chuckle. Orion stopped, looking him in what should've been the eyes.

"You don't believe me?"

"Megatronus once said similar things."

"And?"

"They somehow always ended up in less than perfect condition."

Orion snarled, shaking his head. Megatronus. No matter how often he thought of his old friend, that haunting reminder that he was secretly a monster kept ruining the pleasant memories. Soundwave's display offered a smiley face. Orion groaned, shoving Soundwave aside as he exited.

"I will send you the information at a later time."

"Thank you."

"Long Live Megatronus."