Sorry for the long update. Guess what guys? I beat the Phoenix Wright game a while back, so that means I have more time to write! *throws confetti in the air* NOT GUILTY!
That was random… Hmph..
Remember when I said this chapter is going to have some new characters entering the stage?
Yeaaaaaaaaah…. That's next chapter. Oops. I meant to write this part chapter as part as the Sparkling sitting chapter, unforchantly, that chapter was long as it is.
I do not own Transformers.
Usually, Soundwave doesn't mind being alone in the underlit room of the bridge. In truths, he wasn't really alone to begin with, Laserbeak was always by his side. Now, without that little sparkling to distract him, things were peacefully dull, so to speak.
Ironic enough, in the sparkling's absence, Soundwave was less focused in his work. He couldn't seem to concentrate at the task at hand half the time, it was ridiculous!
Honestly, he's not even suppose to be working at this time; he's on break for crying out loud… No wonder the mech is always tired, he doesn't know when to quit. But, it's for reason. 'Always one step ahead' is his motto. Attitude like this is admirable, mostly from Megatron, and if not a bit stubborn for his own good.
He finally came to his senses that he was definitely not going to anything involving work until tomorrow. Or until Megatron comes in with a new task. Other than that, nothing.
… Actually, doing nothing is just as worse as doing busywork. And he wasn't at the stage that recharge sounded like a option either. Not yet.
Tapping away on the control panels in a effortless style, he takes a look at this 'Data Net' that humans and Starscream were all so fascinated with. Surely, there must be something of interest on here. Who knows? He might just find something important too while he's at it.
Page after page, link after link, nothing caught his attention until he stumbled upon a website called youtube. Apparently, people post videos about everything and anything. Primus, there were videos about everything, where can he even start? Is this what humans do with their free time?
There was a video in the suggestion tab that caught the TIC's attention. 'Slender - part 1' it read. Oh, why not? He clicked on it and started to watch a man with a funny way of talking playing a game. The goal of the game was to collect the scattered eight pages while trying to avoid a tall, faceless man, Slenderman, who was trying to prevent the player from doing so. To say the least, it looked like fun.
Soundwave looked up the game and downloaded it. Once the game was up and running, he began playing it for himself after learning the controls.
It was fairly easy. He found the first two pages, no problem. A total of two times did he hear the single, low, bone chilling flat tone that echoed out every time Slenderman was in his sights and a total of two times did that startle the usually calm mech. The third time, however, he wasn't very lucky when he got lost inside a small building trying to find the third page. It only took a quick turn behind him before the screen turned to static, his stalker's faceless mug zoomed in, flicking harshly. When that was over with, a new screen appeared with the options of continuing or not.
At the moment, he's deciding whether or not does he want to risk having another Spark attack in an attempt to beat this game… It's not like he was terrified of the monster, no. It was more of the issues of him hating unforeseeable surprises.
"Oh, there you are, Soundwave. I knew I found find you in here." Like Knock out's voice for instance, coming out of the blue. He certainly picks the right time to show his face. The addressee only glanced over his shoulder before his whole body face the narcissist.
Once Knock Out knew he received the TIC's eyes on him, he continued. "I thought it would be necessary to inform you about Laserbeak's condition. He's fine for the most part, but that cold of his has yet to cease."
Behind his mask, Soundwave narrowed his eyes, playing back a recording. "Why isn't he with you?"
"Didn't you hear me? He has a cold. I'm not getting myself sick!" Some medic he's turning out to be. Then again, if the medic's under the weather, that could spell disaster all over. "But I'm not foolish enough to leave him by himself. Breakdown is keeping an eye on the kid. I think those two are playing a game or something, I dunno. I'd left." Since he's here, he might as well ask a question that's been on everyone's mind. "I've been meaning to ask for a while now… What's with the whole 'Sire' business?"
A brief pause filled the room. Knock Out figured he showed no intention of answering the question.
"If you're not going to answer me that, than tell me what on Earth on you doing?" Knock Out pointed to the screen.
"Playing a game." The mech received his answer by his own voice.
"You're playing a game? Honestly, you're the last mech I would expect to do such a thing… Is it fun?"
Soundwave simply waved, gesturing for him to try it out for himself. Knock Out did just. Climbing upon the computer's panel, he sits down on it. After being explained what control does what, the game starts.
"So… I'm just finding eight pages?"
Soundwave nodded his head, intentionally not informing him about the lurking creature.
"That's it? Boring…" He found one of the pages attached to the silo that had the words, 'HELP ME' scribbled in pencil. "Okay. I found the first page… PRIMUS! What was that?!" Knock Out had the misfortune of walking smack into Slenderman, nearly falling backwards from shock.
The red mech could have sworn he'd seen a small, twisted smile on Soundwave's face as if he was enjoying his anguish. "What the Pit… Who would make a game like that?!"
"Humans." Said a recording from the purple and black mech. It was a rhetorical question, Soundwave knew, although the response came out anyway.
"How many pages did you get?" Soundwave raised two fingers. "Only two? I would have figured you collected about four."
Ears catching the door sliding open, they both instinctively looked behind to see who was the enterer. Knock Out was the first to address him. "Starscream? Are you looking for Megatron, if so, he's not in here."
"No, doctor, actually I came to pass along a message from Breakdown." Starscream started with his tone hinting a slight uninterest of the subject. "He wanted to know where the blankets are kept at. Why? I don't know. He said he would have contacted you himself, but he couldn't because he claims that your comm. link was down."
Then the doctor placed a finger to his ear. "So it is… Hmm.. Wonder how that could have happened." It must have accidently turned off between the time he left the med. bay while Breakdown was with Laserbeak. Aside from the fact it still remained off was completely his doing. "Anyhow, while you are in here for the meantime, Soundwave found this human game. Knowing how much you like funny monkey videos, games made by the same race shouldn't be too much of a stretch. So, what do you say?"
Starscream mentally weighed his options. "I suppose I can indulge myself seeing I have no further task."
Starscream joined them and was told the same thing Knock Out was told about the game, which was not much, only that the objective of the game was to collect eight pages. Nothing more, nothing less. In the game, the ex-Seeker was having the worst of luck. Not only did he fail to locate a single page, Slenderman caught him ten minutes into. "The Pit!?" He shrieked in agony, not expecting the screen abrupt in loud static.
The medic wasted no time rubbing it in. "Haha! You suck! You couldn't even find one page."
"Forget the pages! You didn't think it would be a good idea to tell me about that… that… thing!?" Aggravated glares shot at Knock Out and Soundwave's entertained faces.
"I wasn't told about it either. Pfft…! Oh my Primus, the look on your face was priceless!" The vain mech couldn't hold his laughter at this point, only making Starscream fume even more before he shoved him off the panel that he once rested on. A painful, "Ow!" comes from Knock Out. He was going to go back up there and teach that ex-seeker a lesson or two if it wasn't for the arrival of Breakdown. Pretending that he wasn't just pushed off, he simply waved at his fellow companion.
"Oh, there you are, Breakdown. Were you able to find those blankets?"
"Nope. Couldn't find them anywhere. Oh, and I came by to thank you."
Knock Out's eyebrows raised. "Thanks for what?"
"For being kind enough for me to borrow yours. You don't mind, do ya?" He watches the redhead spring up from the ground onto his feet, obviously minding.
"Of course I would mind! It's my blanket!"
"Then good luck taking it from a sleeping Sparkling."
"You…" Couldn't even say that he would do such a thing like taking the blanket from Laserbeak; Soundwave was present.
Breakdown finally processed the scene in the room with all three of Megatron's officers in it. "Sorry for interrupting whatever is going on around here... What are you guys doing there? I want to be part of it."
"Come sit. We have another seat that isn't taken yet." For someone who has been blanket-napped, he is being way too nice. The motive was unclear and oblivious to the big mech. Who knows what possessed him to take up that offer. Now, he is going to learn the hard way.
"What the frag!? Why didn't you tell me that thing is following me!? Slag, slag, slag, run faster…!" Knock Out and Starscream laughed at Breakdown's funny reactions. Soundwave grinned (who knew he actually has a personality?).
"I seriously need to learn when I'm walking into a trap." Groaned Breakdown, looking up at the static screen.
"You go work on that. Good news: you beat Soundwave's score." Knock Out commented as the guy himself shoved himself to the front seat, restarting the game.
"Someone's mad." Commented Starscream, realizing out that Soundwave has a competitive nature.
Thus the competition of who can outsmart the slender man began.
"Is he going to make it?"
In anticipation, the three Decepticons were hovering over Soundwave's shoulders, he having the seven pages and ventures forth for the eighth page.
"There's the last page!"
Ah, in dreaded bathroom where Soundwave's luck often shattered in, he finally managed to find and collect the final page. The music that gradually began, a different sound added each time a page was collect vanished the instant the last page was found.
"... Is that it?"
Well then, isn't that disappointing. All that hard work collecting pages and for what? The lost character wanders aimlessly into the forest for a couple of minutes.
Guard down and all relaxed, the medic, the warrior, the SIC, and the TIC did not count on the screen to blink in static pulses. A few startled remarks and comments escaped through a few vocalizers.
"What," A thunderous voice boomed out, petrifying the four as they shoot glances behind them, Megatron in sight. "Is this commotion about that has four of my soldiers riled up from?" By the tone of the Warlord's voice, he sounded annoyed for some reason, and because of that, none of his men wanted to reply. Doing nothing, on the other hand, would result badly, possibly ending with a trip to the med. bay.
"Er… Um… Well… That is a very good question, My Liege, a question that Soundwave will have no problems answering. Isn't that right?" He eyes a look at Starscream.
He got the hint and followed Knock Out up. "Yes, he has an explanation."
" I, uh, just got here…yeah..." Was Breakdown's sad excuse.
Funny how they basically threw Soundwave under the bus like that. The dark haired man expected not of this to happen, nevertheless, he went along with it for the meantime.
"Digital survival exercise." It was much more professional than saying playing a game and technically it wasn't a lie.
Megatron raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Really now?"
"An extreme training exercise." If it wasn't for the years of loyalty, Megatron would have continued questioning him.
"Very well. As long you're not goofing off playing some mindless game. Remember, we must remain alert for anything, especially since the Autobots haven't made any moves yet. Because of that we must take precautions and assume they are planning something. That means I want every one of you to remain on high alert at all times."
Variations of "Yes, My Lord," was said in response to the Warlord. With nothing else to say, he left. It was about that time that the rest of the crew does the same, besides Soundwave who remained, alone again. The difference this time, he was working.
Residing in his quarters, Megatron couldn't sit down, too bothered by something. So, he stands and faces the wall, musing irritatedly to himself. Bringing him out of of his mind and into reality was a knock of the door as a slim figured enters. He didn't have to turn around to know who it was as there was only one person aboard this ship who was deadly silent.
Megatron sighs deeply. "What is it, Soundwave?"
It was getting late on the Nemesis as the occupants, namely Knock Out, Breakdown, and Starscream, prepared for recharged, or sleep, which ever. Well, let's just say that didn't work out. Individually, each had the wind knocked out of them by a mysterious force before they could see their attacker. To add onto the confusion, all awoken on the cold, hard ground with matching pain in their heads in a foreign place together.
Ignoring the pain in his head, Knock Out surveys the dark area. "The slag happened? Where are we?"
"How should I know? Damn, my head is spinning..." Breakdown moaned, rubbing his aching head. Whatever knocked them out, did a darn good job.
"What's this?" Starscream found a lone datapad that was placed near them. The others huddled around him to read it.
I have devised a training assessment, very similar to the little 'game' we played earlier, concept wise. There are eight datapads like this scattered in the woods. Collect all eight and you shall returned to the ship. Unharmed. failure to do so before I catch you will result in a lost. You have a 10 minute head start. I advise you start your search immediately.
-Soundwave
Once the note was read, Starscream was the first to react accordingly. "What glitched in his head to give him this idea?!"
"I have a good guess why… Remember earlier when our Lord stormed in like he was going to extinguished our Sparks?" Brought up Breakdown.
"You can not believe that drone put us in this predicament all because of that. Do you?"
"I don't care about his reasoning! I just want to get back. This forest is already creepy enough…" Time for Knock Out to act as leader… Yeah, that isn't weird at all. "Alright, if we want to find them quickly, all of us need to split up-"
"Right because splitting up would make us easier targets…" Muttered Breakdown, receiving a 'shut up' glance from his read partner.
"...To cover more ground and find the datapads faster." Knock Out finished.
"Fine. And let's keep our comm. links open this time. Knock Out."
The given ten minutes ended and so began the hunt. Starscream was shaking like a leaf, all exposed in a clearing as the nagging feeling that something was going to jump out and attack him was haunting his mind. All that was needed to tripped him off was a simple word via comm. link.
"Gah!" His high pitched shriek gave those who were listening a pain in their ears.
:: Keep your voice down! Do you want Soundwave to find you? How are things on your end? :: On comm. link, Knock Out's voice was hushed for safety precautions..
"Terrible. I haven't found anything."
:: Really? I have found two. :: Breakdown butted in.
:: I found my first one.:: Knock Out spoke afterwards.
"Do not tell me the purpose for you calling is to brag…"
:: That wasn't the original intent, though I don't see why not.:: Said the chuckling soft tone of Knock Out. Breakdown quietly snickered, also finding enjoyment in this. It took off the feeling of dread in them.
Having enough humiliation already, the grey trench coat wearer turned off his comm.
While Starscream was mumbling rather harsh words about a certain medic, he quickly turns around to see what caused a rustling noise in the trees. He prayed that it was only the wind that time, highly illogical that decision may have been since there was hardly a breeze in the air… He continued walking on a dirt trail, pretending he heard nothing.
Meanwhile, Knock Out, wiping dirt off the top of his shoes, resumes searching for the remaining datapads so that he can return to ship for sleep. He can report Soundwave's unforgivable antics to the Lord… in the morning. 'What did I do to deserve this?' He mentally whines to himself. Knock Out perks up and picks up the pace when he spots his second datapad in the hollow base in a tree. "Hello." He reaches in a open hole and pulls it out.
"One step closer to having eight. Things might actually go on plan this time. What do you think, Starscream? Starscream?" Awaiting for the skinnier 'Con to reply back, he jumped up after his ears hears a sharp cry.
:: Knock Out, did you hear that? :: Commed Breakdown about the same time Knock Out was going to do the same.
"Something tells me Soundwave found his first victim…"
:: You can't really be surprised if you think about it. Starscream did suck at the game. ::
"No question there. How many datapads do you have?"
:: Three. You? ::
"Two. How much do you want to bet that Starscream had at least one?" There were no words exchanged for the couple of seconds it took for Breakdown to think about the question.
:: Not much. So it's safe to assume that there's three left… This place is really starting to mess with my head, Red... ::
"Who are you telling. I'm mistaking almost every small tree as that monster…"
:: Soundwave or Slenderman? ::
"Does it matter?" He then freezes in his tracks, seeing something that he really didn't want to see. Breakdown caught the wave of silence and became concerned.
:: KO? :: He heard his partner groan.
"I'll contact you later…" He had an odd sensation that Soundwave would hid one of the datapads in a cave-like tunnel he stumbled across. "Note to self: Never ask what Soundwave is doing… Just walk off next time." He inwardly gulps and takes a step inside. His surroundings didn't appear as dark as it would be compared to a normal person's visions, but it didn't make things any less creepy. His hunch was correct, finding his third datapad, making it a grand total of six including him and Breakdown's together.
"Now, to get the scrap out of here…" He shakes his head and turns around back for the entrance. Bad move. Soundwave stood a couple of meters away from him. The second his eyes spotted the TIC, he screams, running away in the opposite direction. Assuming that he ran far enough, Knock Out pants hiding behind a tree. He checks back to see if Soundwave followed him. Closing his eyes in relief, he lets out a sigh, then open backs up his eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
And then there was one...
'Frag my life...' Breakdown knew he was the sole player in the game now. Clinging onto the four datapads he collected, he bravely continues on. What seemed like hours, Breakdown wanders aimlessly in the forest, unsure where to go and was pretty certain that he basically went around in a full scale circle.
"Why do I have to be in this? I didn't even sell that son of a fragger out…" The big mech sulked, on the verge of giving up. A part of him wanted Soundwave to catch him so all of this could end. And yet, he gained confidence that he was going to win when he came across three datapads that were scattered on the ground in a bunch. He picked them up with a questioning look. "I wonder if these were Knock Out's…" Seven in total means that there is one left. Somewhere. What place is left? As if to answer his inquiry, a couple of idle leaves dropped from a rustling tree. The direction the leaves fell was in the direction of a small, wooden, abandon cabin...
It had to be an abandon cabin.
"Primus, help me." Little did he know, he was falling straight for a trap.
Long story short, Breakdown was captured like a fly in a spider's web, humiliated and helpless. Although they didn't win and Soundwave was tempted to make them play again until they do, he was feeling merciful that night (truth was that he was getting tired.)
Soundwave opened a groundbridge back to the ship, specificity the bridge where Megatron himself just so happens to be there. What ever the case, the three wasted no time about telling him what Soundwave did to them similar like children do to their moms. Their jaws dropped after Megatron had said something earth-shattering.
"What!? What do you mean you knew about this!?" Usually, it isn't wise to question Megatron's decisions, but Knock Out couldn't care less after the night he just had.
Overlooking that outburst this one time, Megatron gave in his reasonings. "Soundwave here had proposed a little training exercise. He'd taken up my advice about how everyone should remain fully alert at all times and how it even benefits him ensure that his skills were kept sharp as well." He turns his head to a screen as it played collective recordings. Breakdown shied away when a recording of him flipping out when Soundwave caught him.
"Clearly, I see room of improvement. I don't know, this may turn out to be a weekly thing." The three that were Soundwave's victims, all of their faces lost their orginal coloring replacing it with pale, terrified expression.
"You are all dismissed."
Knock Out, Breakdown, and Starscream simultaneously turn around to the exit, unknowing that Soundwave was behind them with two simple words on his visor.
'Always watches' So much for hanging on the little ones of composer; they fled out the room after reading those words.
A dark chuckled escaped through the Warlord's lips. "Soundwave, do rewind that last part of Breakdown."
What can I say? Even Megatron needs a little smile on his face from time to time.
Slenderwave, Slenderwave~
All the sparklings try to run~
….. Pretend I didn't do that.
I hope everyone have a great Thanksgiving! Yours truly almost ate herself into a coma. :3
On the side note: Guys, if there's a part you don't understand, please tell me because it could be a grammatical mistake that I missed. I don't have anyone re-reading this after me so… yeah. And I tend miss things. I'm not proud of that.
I'm putting this out there. I am not consisted with my words sometimes… So, please forgive me on that too.
I have never played Slender, I've only watched it on youtube and I know some parts of it is inaccurate, so please give me a break if I'm too scared to play it myself… I have the backbone of Starscream… No, wait.. I want to reword that…. I'll reword that later.
See ya'll next time, mechs 'n femmes! Don't forget ta comment 'n review!
