I am deeply sorry for yet another long wait. I don't think they'll get any shorter. :( I hope you will enjoy the chapter. :)

VIII.

Caution and interest, especially the latter ruled the scientist's consciousness, his thoughts were clean and steady, maybe even more than Megatron's. That was the first thing that went through Soundwave's processor when he finally came face to face with Shockwave. The mech was as tall as him and sported light colors, his torso red, the helm and crest surrounding the white faceplates blue as ice. Soundwave could feel a strange, unexplainable familiarity in the EM field and mind. This mech was calm, but inside him doubt and distrust whirled; he was merely restraining his emotions much in the same way Soundwave did. However, it wasn't because he didn't know how to live them out - he purely wanted them out of the way to more efficiently concentrate on his work.

He was there because he wanted to believe there was still a way to go on. The strength of the gladiator's presence kept him from leaving.

This similarity struck Soundwave and he didn't know what to think at first. Shockwave eased himself back to his seat in Onslaught's office and Soundwave also sat down after they greeted each other. Megatron exchanged glances with the dual-spark, but nothing more passed between the two mechs.

"So," Shockwave was the first to speak, "I am the first in the field you contacted. What use would I be for you?"

"Your academy's main field is robotics," Megatron answered him patiently, "both physical and genetical robotics. You are experts at hardware modifications, you also dealt with combiner technology–"

"Modifications..." Shockwave interjected and leant forward in his seat, optics bright, "Let me get this straight; you want us to make you ideal soldiers... super warriors for your rebellion?"

Megatron allowed a small smile to his face, "I do believe we need all we can get to stand up to what the government will send against us."

"And how do you know all that about us that I saw in your message?"

"From me, Dean Shockwave." Soundwave spoke up for the first time in a quiet tone, "I was part of the InfoCore Data Exchange Unit, I had access to the articles published by the Academy's scientists, you mainly. By establishing DataNet contact to the arena's system, it is once again available to us. After an analysis of your personality, we decided to share our plans with you and ask for your help."

The last part brought a flash of surprise onto Shockwave's features, raising his optical ridges he asked, "You analyzed my personality? Were you a behavioral analyst or a psychologist?"

Soundwave remained quiet and Megatron decided to take over the conversation from him again, "What we don't yet know is how far you are willing to go."

Shockwave turned back to the champion gladiator, the hint of a smirk on his lips, "In your message, you were ready to offer me mechs to continue the forbidden experiments... among them the testing of combiner technology. The real question is, how far you would go? How much would you... sacrifice for this cause?"

Megatron glanced at Onslaught and this time, the arena's director answered the question, "You must understand, dean. The matches that are fought here are not friendly battles. There are two types of gladiatorial combat; one where robots die and one where they don't. Either way, they may receive injuries that are impossible to treat. They are just waste on energon, space and the energy of our medics, there has been no point in keeping them alive. Until recently, these mechs were... mercifully relieved of their misery. But we can find a better use for them... if you take our offer."

"I see." Shockwave murmured, his gaze for a moment became distant as he scratched his chin, "If I say yes, do you swear to keep your word?"

Soundwave felt a peak of appreciation seeing how quickly the young scientist could decide. The dual-spark could see in Shockwave's mind that he wanted the answer very much to be yes; he wouldn't give his full trust, but he wanted to have the control over his life back and he saw an opening in Megatron's offer, an escape route from the restrictions, a roof to hide under. Soundwave quickly opened his comm. link to Megatron, their conversation did not take longer than a few nanoklicks.

"We will show you something." Megatron leant forward, "A place underneath this complex only those already initiated into the plans know about. We call it the Forge. Please, come with us."

Onslaught turned to him sharply, optics questioning whether it was a good idea, but Megatron's stance did not reveal any uncertainty. The arena's director only rose to watch them leave his office, shaking his head slightly as the door closed. Megatron seemed to be too quick to trust recently and Onslaught couldn't help think he discussed things with him only out of formality now. He brushed away that thought, however; Megatron was to be their leader, but he was still in charge of the arena and nothing could happen without his acceptance. Onslaught noticed his champion seemed much more confident in his plans since Soundwave arrived - he befriended the dual-spark mech rather soon and asked for Soundwave's opinion now even more than his.

Onslaught told himself not to let it bother him. When was the last time he could tell Megatron what he could do? Megatron reassured him he was important, a valuable advisor and supporter and he simply needed to remain that way. His main job was to make sure the rest of the world wouldn't notice anything from what they were about to unleash on them. Then no more pretending. No more bowing. It would be only them and their goals to reach.

Crasher was already waiting for them by the massive door when they arrived.

Shockwave focused his attention on her, sky-blue optics settled on the mini-con after they finished scrutinizing the wide door behind her. Soundwave kept his sensors on him, taking note that the dean was also silently analyzing everything he saw, barely anything seemed to distract him for longer than a few klicks. They did not talk much on the way and Shockwave's curiosity grew with each step they took, but only Soundwave knew about that; on the outside, the Tarnian mech looked calm, only the glow in his optics intensified.

Crasher also studied Shockwave with the same veiled suspicion she looked at Starscream when the senator first came to them with his trine. She averted her gaze back to Megatron who sent her a small nod. He had called her and they had a brief conversation through their comm. about the dean - she told him she did not like the idea of showing the place to a stranger, but Megatron told her not to worry, they were handling the situation. Crasher narrowed her optics slightly at the sight of the three mechs, but took a step forward to offer a greeting to the dean. Their palms met and Crasher turned back to the door immediately and opened her subspace to pick up the item she needed.

"A key?" Shockwave asked with a frown when the mini-con pushed it into the port on the massive door. He had noticed earlier there was no code panel next to the opening, but he thought it was merely hidden, "Rather old-fashioned method. Code-locks are much safer."

"Believe me, dean, a key-lock can be just as strong." Megatron replied, "I entrusted only one robot with the key," he nodded towards Crasher with a small, soft smile that in turn made Crasher's anxiety for a moment melt into pride, "to be the overseer of everything going down here."

Megatron gestured inside and let Shockwave step in. The very first thing that caught the geneticist's attention was the large pool half-embedded in the ground in the far end of the spacious room - two robust mechs could have fit in comfortably. Shockwave recognized its function the next moment as a smelting pool and his intakes hitched softly as realization dawned on him. His spark soared in his chamber when he finally tore his optics from the pool and looked around. There were three berths lined up perpendicular to the wall with the most basic medical supplies - besides them a long line of shelves ran along the wall, below that an equally long, wider table where different analytical measuring instruments, bottles of chemicals, mechanical tools and some datapads took place.

It was quite clean, however, only a few other instruments were scarcely on another table by the other wall, otherwise the huge room looked empty. Shockwave let his optics roam over every inch of the place, for the moment, his mind wandered to all the possibilities and he let his imagination run wild - a whole laboratory could be set up, his scientists could work freely in the projects, even those that had fallen under prohibition, those that could have never been born...

"The Forge is mostly used by our construction team," Megatron started, making Shockwave turn back to them - he hadn't even noticed he started pacing forward in his thoughts, "mainly their chemist, Mixmaster. The room itself was used for training before it was modified and rearranged. Well-shielded and kept in secret." he turned to Shockwave, "I am sure a scientist like you could make good use of such a place."

"You would be willing to give it to me?" Shockwave asked quietly. He wanted to sound doubtful, but he now couldn't hide the gleam in his optics, barely containing his vibrating EM field. Despite how he held still a calm demeanor, silent excitement broke and shone through the gaps in his carefully maintained indifference.

"I would be curious to see what you would turn it into," Megatron replied, "what results and inventions you would achieve when there's no limit to your... imagination. As long as it is valuable to our purposes."

"In the end, we are all driven forward by our thirst for knowledge." Shockwave murmured and looked around the Forge one more time, "If I bring here my scientists, how will I know they won't be open to... abuse from your gladiators?"

That was the first time Soundwave spoke up, "Current and future participants of our rebellion will be sufficiently informed."

Megatron hummed, turning back to the dean, "I understand your concern, but as I said, not all my gladiators know about this place, only those who know about our plans, and they won't come down here. The construction mechs may come down, but I am sure you will find agreement. Only bring robots you trust... only if you are ready to take our cause."

There was a slight push in the words, Megatron's optics bore into Shockwave's light blue ones, the two mechs held each other's gaze captive until finally Shockwave broke the crispy silence, "I also want my Cybertron back."

He took a step to the side and ran his optics over the three other robots in the room, his stance somewhat more relaxed than before, "The research in combiner technology is still in the early stages and has been stagnant since the tragedy of the experimental team at Galaxxon. The scientists of the Institute for Higher Programming in Crystal City made more extended researches on the combiner mind. It will take long arrangements and preparations... and be kept strictly a secret."

"That is what we keep to ourselves as well." Megatron nodded and they left the room. The champion watched as Crasher deactivated the lights and closed the door, the key-lock making a soft klick as the small light above it switched back to red again, "This all will take time. I don't want to rush things, we want everything to go smoothly. We don't have any other way to break out of the oppression. If you can increase our chances - all our chances, you are welcome here."

"You really think you can make it possible, don't you?"

"We do. We won't let any potential go to waste."

Shockwave nodded, his features softened somewhat, optics distant for a moment in memory that Soundwave felt too personal, too intimate to sneak into, "Inspiring." he whispered, "So be it."

Silence ruled over them as they made their way back to the main hall after bidding farewell to the dean of the Tarnian academy. Except for some of the personal quarters, there were no windows in the arena building - dim artificial light shone down on the three of them that surrounded them with a cold, eery atmosphere. None of them took notice of it, they were used to living among its walls; all their thoughts were occupied by the changes that were slowly taking place around them.

"Megatron..." Crasher was the first to speak, "I saw this mech turn from an iceberg to completely believing you. It is apparent he... has the expertise and ability to lead a science group. If he brings more robots and they start their... projects... will you still need me to be your key-keeper? Do you want me to supervise them?"

"Of course." Megatron's optics flashed in surprise, "Why do you think I won't need you?"

Crasher shrugged uneasily as she looked up at the other gladiator, "Scrapper and the others know me. They don't mind me being there. But Shockwave... he's used to being in charge. Won't he find it... degrading to come to me for entrance? What if they need the Forge for the whole cycle and I'm not available? Would you trust the key to them?"

Megatron took a deep vent, "For now, I will need your supervision even more as long as we get to know them." he looked at Soundwave and saw him move his head in a minute nod before turning back to Crasher, "As to what will come... here, I am in charge, not him. And you are my trusted ally and friend. The key is yours as long as I say otherwise."

Crasher allowed a small smile to her face and bowed her head before walking away, leaving the two mechs by themselves. Megatron stopped and Soundwave stopped with him - he was still deep in thought, but kept his optics on the champion's face, waiting for the question the former miner wanted to know the most.

"He really wants it?"

"He does." Soundwave replied smoothly, but his voice remained quiet, "He sees the same strength and determination in you that I saw when I came here. He sees an opportunity in you and he will use it for his own purposes."

Megatron hummed and scratched his chin, "He may not have much power anymore in his own field because of the execution, but that doesn't mean he's any less intelligent. Do you trust him?"

The dual-spark did not answer. His optics wandered and features hardened; Megatron tilted his head to the side, raising his optical ridges, the volume of his voice rose only a micron, only for the other to notice, "Soundwave?"

"I don't know." came the answer at last, "His mind is very complex, he... feels many things right now. He has endured much. He already has his own plans and ideas and you mean a chance for him. While I don't think he will be completely loyal to you... he wants what we want; a free, developing Cybertron."

"So... you chose to lure him to our side because you thought it better to have him with us than against us?"

Soundwave nodded after a microklick of running that question through his processor. Jhiaxus and his academy used to be quite influential and Shockwave was a part of it - by now, so much anger and hatred lay buried in his mind it was inevitable he would burst one cycle. It seemed to be a much better option to give direction to this strong determination, to break out and go against the principles, to change the world for their benefit. Shockwave knew what he wanted and they needed to use that.

"I am more certain in that decision now." Soundwave nodded.

Megatron straightened and began walking down towards the training rooms, Soundwave unconsciously followed him, "Our circles are growing." the champion murmured, "I am satisfied with your assistance. You have already proven to be of great help - I hope it will continue so in the future."

Soundwave did not say anything for a few moments. He had processed all the data, the sensory input he received during Shockwave's visit and the conclusions and now he let a small part of his mind, the small part that he still found strangely upset, wander back to where he had come from, who he had to leave in favor of meeting and analyzing the dean...

"Our rebellion is still in its infancy. There is much to do." he finally said and noticed Megatron's steps slow down just a little bit and turning to the other gladiator he found the grey mech was looking at him with a small smile that he even dared call proud.

"You're starting to refer to it more and more as "our" rebellion." Megatron said, "I'm glad you are getting comfortable to the idea... to this life."

Soundwave took a deep vent, his frame tensing, "Master Onslaught said I will... have to kill my opponent on my next match."

Megatron nodded, "Yes, I heard. I will train you for that."

"What will it... what will it feel like?"

The champion gladiator, the mech who had already been through this phase of his life and accepted it, regarded him for a moment before he replied, "I don't kill for fun and what it causes I wouldn't call joy... rather relief." he said, "Think of it as one of the many tests you have already and will have to endure. When the moment comes, it will be easier than you think. You will gain the strength and control that you will need in this life that awaits you."

"About fragging time."

Blaster lightly chuckled at hearing Ratchet's grumbling as the applause died down and the robots slowly started leaving their seats. The Fractal Amphitheater was soon filled with the sounds of clattering and the stage was now empty. Blaster also stood up to follow Ratchet as he made his way to the backstage, his steps surprisingly quick and EM field vibrant that stood in contrast to his grumbling and seemingly tired expression. It was one of those rare nights he had allowed himself to leave the hospital for this particular play, only to the begging of one particular robot.

The dual-spark remained one step behind with Wheeljack, the roboticist was talking excitedly and Blaster was glad to take part in it. Because of their jobs, it had been a really long time since he last met and could talk to these mechs. Wheeljack only came at first to accompany Ratchet, he wanted to use the free time they had to go out, to take Ratchet out of his exhausting life at the Deltaran Facility and the operating rooms of the Iaconian infirmary, but in the end, he came to enjoy the play for itself.

Sunstreaker was one of the performers - it was the rewritten, modernised version of an older play, and he insisted that Ratchet and Wheeljack come as well, not just his brother, after all, they had been living together for stellar cycles by now. The apartment they lived in had three smaller flats; one he and Sideswipe owned, Ratchet was their neighbor next door while Wheeljack lived opposite to them. Ratchet was the inspiration for this. Before that, Sunstreaker earned a pretty amount of credits and bonus from being a freelance artist, adding to that Sideswipe's earning, they lived a rather prodigal life. Only after meeting Ratchet and Wheeljack, who both rented small flats and put their earnings on either the patients or research, did they decide to join them.

Ratchet liked to think he changed them for the better, but he knew that was far from the truth. He tried to focus his audios on the twins' familiar voices once in the backstage, closing out Blaster and Wheeljack's conversation. While he wouldn't admit he did feel good during the performance, he wanted to get home. His circuits were buzzing and it threatened to make his limbs shaky, he just wanted to grab those two and head back to the apartment to recharge, even though he knew it wouldn't be that easy hearing the breathless chatter of Sunstreaker and his brother...

Blaster fought back another chuckle as both mechs were trying to pull Ratchet into a triple hug, but the medic successfully resisted. The journalist read his chronometer and decide he still had some time before he had to leave for Kaon. On the other side of the planet it would be early morning; he told Soundwave he would be there on his next match, he did not want to miss the opportunity to see the other dual-spark, especially after they had to part so abruptly the last time...

"Hey, no running away tonight!" he looked up hearing Sideswipe's voice, "You gotta come drink with us!"

"What part of 'leave me alone and go home' is so difficult to process?" Ratchet raised an optical ridge and took a deep vent, "Come on already."

"No way, my doctor." Sunstreaker swung an arm around the surgeon's waist and pulled him to himself, their hips meeting in a quiet clank, "You know the drill; small dose of engex is medication, a big dose is cure."

"You didn't learn that from me."

"Nooo, certainly not." Sideswipe turned to Blaster, "Aren't you coming?"

"Sorry, I've got to go soon." The journalist raised up his hands, "I'm bridging to Kaon."

"Kaon?" Wheeljack asked with a frown, "Why do you want to go there?"

"Well, there are many tidy auditoria in Kaon." Sunstreaker interjected, "There's the Jekka Rotunda, the Kaonite Digital..."

"No." Blaster shook his head, "Would be good for a cultural investigator, but that's not my thing. I'm doin' research elsewhere."

"Okay. I'm going home." Ratchet spoke up again, "Whoever wants to join comes. I won't wash up anyone's overcharged aft. Just so you know."

In the end, he and Wheeljack headed back to their apartment, leaving the twins and Blaster in the Amphitheater. Sunstreaker just huffed looking after the surgeon and roboticist's retreating forms before turning his attention to the small crowd waiting for him outside the glass doors.

"Something's wrong with him?" Blaster asked quietly, frowning in concern at the medic's irritated behavior.

"Nah, he's just tired." Sideswipe shrugged, seemingly not at all bothered by it that much. He must have been used to seeing this side of Ratchet.

"How did you meet him at all? He doesn't seem the type to come to such places."

"There was a play." Sunstreaker answered him quickly, his optics flashing in sharp blue, "I was miraculous! Everyone stood applauding us and there was Ratchet in the second row and... he didn't clap." he pushed on the last three words for dramatic effect, "He just sat there looking at us with those narrowed optics, and he didn't clap! I had to know why. I wanted to make him enjoy the show, make him clap. I didn't stop until I found him. And now we're living together. That's how it's done, my mech."

Blaster glanced at Sideswipe who just nodded in confirmation, "We made it our mission to make him loosen up." the red mech grinned and turned to his twin, "You know, we've got to drag him out tomorrow. Or just make him. He's gonna explode."

"Are you his... lovers?" Blaster asked, raising his optical ridges. He wasn't surprised that the twins weren't subtle about these topics, he saw how Sunstreaker pulled Ratchet to himself and he had lived in Iacon long enough to know that, in some parts, what "make him" could mean.

"Well... not exa–"

"We just frag him."

"Sunny!" Sideswipe hissed. They did not have any problem telling it to Blaster, but he did not want his brother announcing it so casually, "Well, we... care about him. And we know he can't function without us, so it's a win-win."

"Excuse me," Sunstreaker started walking to the glassdoor, back arched and hips swaying gracefully, "can't keep my fans waiting for long."

With that, only Sideswipe and Blaster remained at that part of the backstage and a klick later, Sideswipe clapped a hand down on the dual-spark's shoulder and asked, grinning, "Hey, is Eject here with you? I don't wanna listen to Sunny's bragging all night."

"No, he's home with the others. And 's not like I'd let you make my kid drunk even before it's midnight."

Blaster knew Sideswipe sometimes, as a restorer, was called to the museum where Eject worked when he wasn't on site. The blue twin loved sports and going out as much as Sideswipe, but now he was tired after having been at an excavation site all cycle long - and Blaster also knew that Sideswipe wouldn't go easy on him, even if he swore to take care of Eject. And, of course, his creation would be more than happy to comply...

"Kid's already grown-up, you know." Sideswipe frowned, "C'mon, Blaster–"

"I said no." Blaster pushed a digit to Sideswipe's chest, "And I gotta go anyway."

Sideswipe groaned, but let him go. The dual-spark transformed quickly outside the Amphitheater and drove straight to the Iaconian ground bridge nexus. He just arrived when the one leading to Kaon was activated. His spark swelled and pulsed slightly when he stepped out to the Kaon station, the cool yet heavy air of the city weight down on him, but couldn't take away the flutters in his chest.

The sky was filled with grey clouds and Blaster wondered if it ever rained in Kaon. It was on the southern side of the planet and he heard about snow falling in Kaon that never reached the surface; it sublimed away well before touching the ground. It must have been a sight to behold, he thought as he transformed again and hurried to the arena. It would have been nice if it started falling just now - Soundwave's match would start in a few breems...

"You know... Sunny was right." Wheeljack spoke up, "It really wouldn't be so detrimental to go out one evening."

"I know." Ratchet sighed, turning ahead, "If one cycle I don't have seven surgeries, four new patients to admit whose treatment and therapies I have to organize, not to mention scheduled reports, then I will probably consider it."

Wheeljack raised an optical ridge, "Primus, why do you keep First Aid there if you do everything?"

"He does enough." Ratchet shrugged, "You know I like to know about everything, and do everything myself."

"Yeah, yeah..." Wheeljack rolled his optics, "He's there to learn from you, you have to let him now that you snatched him away from traumatology."

"I get that from him, too, don't worry. I'm... going to let him! I want him to continue after me, but while I'm there and able to do it, it has to be me."

Wheeljack huffed and shook his head. They were slowly getting outside of the rich shine of Translucentica Heights and were on their way to the city center. Their apartment wasn't very far from the Central Infirmary of Iacon, Ratchet originally moved there to be close to his workplace, well before accepting the diagnostics department in Rodion. For Wheeljack, it was perfect; he liked to be in the center of things and while the Kimia Facility was located at the border of Iacon and Rodion, he liked to drive in the morning, it woke him up. Neither of them were bothered by the traffic and bustle, by the time they were home they were usually too tired to care.

If Ratchet got home at all.

"Not everything revolves around you."

Ratchet snorted at that and they both turned back ahead to continue their walk. It was spent in relative silence, neither of them speaking, only the sounds of night traffic ruled over them. It had been a breem when it was finally too much for Ratchet.

"What is it?" he asked, searching for Wheeljack's gaze, "You're too quiet. Something's wrong?"

The roboticist shrugged, his lips pulling to a tired smirk, "Must you know me so well?" he asked, then shook his head, "It's just... Shockwave. I couldn't reach him for cycles, and when he finally answered his comm... I don't know. We talked, and it wasn't bad, I just feel that he's... getting further and further. I could talk to Flamewar a little more and she tells me he's busy, but he just won't talk. I mean... you not talking to me has a reason, that's something I know, I can deal with that. But with him, I'm at loss."

"Is it still Jhiaxus?"

Wheeljack fought down a shudder at hearing his old mentor's name, "I told you I don't know. He's not telling me anything. He used to, but he won't now."

"And what would you say?"

Wheeljack frowned, "Just... stuff. We used to tell each other everything, and it's strange."

Ratchet grunted, "You can talk to me, too. I thought we already discussed that."

"When ever are you free to talk to?" Wheeljack rolled his optics.

"Now, for example. I see Shockwave had closed himself away from the world, but you... you are quiet, and nothing more. Just pretending that everything's alright. You never talked about what's going on in you."

"I..." the younger mech shook his head again, the movement more feeble this time, "Work distracts me enough. I'm okay."

"Want me to call your carrier?"

"No!" Wheeljack finally laughed and Ratchet couldn't help smile at the sound. He wouldn't admit, but he missed this joyful side of the mech. He was a sad sight after Jhiaxus' execution, Wheeljack being depressed was simply something Ratchet had a hard time dealing with. It just wasn't him. However, his smile turned down at the next thing the engineer said, "Okay, I'll tell you, but only if you come to my place and stay."

Ratchet vented, rolling his optics to the dark sky, "How many times have I told you, just tonight, that I'm tired, you idiot?"

"Always the same excuse. And you wanted it." Wheeljack smirked and put a hand on the medic's arm.

"Ah, fine! You won't leave me alone anyway."

Wheeljack's EM field brushed against his for a klick to transfer his gratitude and Ratchet let himself relax into it. Maybe he really needed all this distraction his friends had offered so readily. Wheeljack pulled his hand away and Ratchet decided to hide the fact he noticed the reluctance in the move.

Soundwave now could value that he took Megatron's advice and did not attempt to delve into the minds of all the robots who lived in the arena. It would have been much harder had he known about the gladiator he was fighting any more than necessary. He restrained his telepathy as much as he possibly could, he concentrated solely on the mech ahead. On the task he had to carry out...

After all, he now lived to entertain the crowd. Let them all believe in that.

Cy-Kill was a strong mech. Many scars adorned his massive frame, the long metallic spikes protruding from the wheels on his shoulders were dangerous weapons in themselves. The markings on his shoulder plates indicated the number of robots he had already finished off which alone made him far more experienced than Soundwave. But he almost bested Megatron - he had been trained by him. All he needed to do was use his abilities to their full extent, not let his concentration slip for anything.

He yelped as Cy-Kill's fist collided into his helm. The hard metal vibrated and his audios rang, he could feel energon pooling in his oral cavity. Trying quickly to regain his senses, Soundwave dodged another attack and made a move towards his energon sword that Cy-Kill previously flung out of his hand. His shield was already broken and the other gladiator now also saw the opportunity to reach for his own weapon. Energy swirled and sparks erupted when they clashed again.

The audience roared; Soundwave, for a nanoklick,had trouble hearing it only with his audios, but turned his attention back to the tall mech. Hot waves of air rolled down on their overheated chassis, Soundwave could actually detect smoke lifting occasionally from Cy-Kill's vents. He was just another metal frame walking on two legs, nothing more...

He was Crasher's friend...

Soundwave gritted his dentae. As much as he tried to close out the other's emotions and only focus on the thoughts that told him about where he would attack next, they broke through from time to time. He did not want to associate with the mech any more. Fighting and beating someone was one thing, but the thought that he actually had to take away his life was heavy on his mind.

They didn't even tell her...

This was an everyday event in the gladiatorial arena - they were fighting for their lives. Kill or be killed. Anything else were unnecessary shackles they had to shake off. Not everyone survived. They had not been introduced to the plans - the weaker, those who did not understand. Cy-Kill was an exceptionally restless robot, so full of himself. Never part of the big picture.

Soundwave fought back a cry of pain when the energon blade tore into his armor on his abdomen. His vents wheezed and knee joints trembled for a moment, but he seized his hydraulics and stood straight again, ready to strike. Warm energon trickled down his plates and he could literally hear his fuel pump whine with the effort of rushing energon and coolant to his systems and limbs, but he could also see that Cy-Kill was in a similar shape, if not worse. However, the seasoned gladiator's lips pulled into a snarl, all the way visible through his broken facemask, energon was tainting his cheeks, optics flashing in bright red.

"What does Megatron see in you?" he grumbled, "What can you do that others can't?"

Soundwave did not intend to engage in conversation. He swung his sword and Cy-Kill blocked, the energies were blinding. Cydraulics creaking, pain flared through the dual-spark's system and added fuel to his anger. Of course he kept the true nature of his friendship to Megatron a secret and the champion did not tell anyone about his telepathy either. The ex-miner had been his first and only friend so far and he felt that Megatron trusted him in return, too. There was no one else.

Blaster, sitting in low in the third row to better see his match...

Concentrate! Soundwave ducked just in time as the sword cut through the air above him. Gritting his dentae again, the dual-spark moved as swiftly as his armor allowed him; coming in contact with the other's hot frame he pushed and felt panic grip Cy-Kill's mind. Detaching himself from the feeling he stroke again, his sword pushed through a weight and slid further. Cy-Kill's intakes hitched, his optics widened and a strained groan left his vocalizer as his knees buckled under him.

The energon blade scorched the ground when it fell from the gladiator's hand. Soundwave let go of his own sword and watched as it stayed in place, standing out from Cy-Kill's chest like crystal rods from the ground. Energon gushed forth the wound and the energies burnt into the red flame, making it black like the night sky.

When Soundwave finally comprehended what happened, he knew immediately it was the end. The audience seemed to have realized it also, cheering him on to finish his task, finish the bot kneeling before him. Soundwave slowly wormed his digits under Cy-Kill's chin and pulled his head up gently to face him. The mech's optics were flickering, his ventilations shallow and mind numbing. His spark was still stubbornly holding on though while Soundwave's contracted in his chest.

This was it. This mech's life was now in his hands and for a moment, a shiver ran down Soundwave's struts at the thought. So much physical power had never been focused in him...

"Well?" the gladiator whispered, a small smile on his face, "Take it like a mech. Take my spark. Let them know... that I went out fighting..."

He offlined his optics, and Soundwave drove his hand into his chest plates. The plates and spark chamber crushed in his grip and searing hot shot up his arm, a swirling ball of indescribable energy. Like the brilliant nova of a dying star - he held up the spark in his hand, starring at it even after it finally faded between his digits.

It took his mind several moments to clear. There was cheering, applause, chanting a phrase he did not understand; Cy-Kill's body, his empty shell lay at his pedes. Tremors ran along Soundwave's body, his intakes gasped as he lowered his arm and stood hunched in the middle of the arena under the lights, his plates were glistening with both his and Cy-Kill's energon. He looked around the robots, all celebrating him and he let it course through him, let himself bath in it...

It was his victory. His only. Soundwave closed his optics and took a deep vent, letting pain return to his trembling limbs, the energies slowly left him. He had never felt anything like this before, and he didn't yet know what to think or feel. All he could feel was that it shook him to the core, vibrant and horrible and brilliant, so much at the same time.

The dual-spark onlined his optics to see Stormbringer walk up to him to escort him to the medical ward. The energy rings that separated him from the audience had been deactivated and he looked up at the seats in search for one particular robot. He found Blaster in no time; the journalist's optics were pale, his frame was tense as he looked back at Soundwave. He was clearly shaken by what he had just witnessed. Soundwave wished he could talk to him, explain why he had to do it, but they couldn't speak now. Not until he was repaired and free to go out again.

It was over now. Soundwave's spark fluctuated slightly and he let his weight rest upon the blue medic. The pain was crippling now that he did not have to move and concentrate, but his head was still full of thoughts even as he was laid down on a berth. His creations were there, talking, colors and sounds and smells a maelstrom around them, but it did not bother Soundwave this time. His mind was too busy. But he had...

He had done what was necessary.

Stormbringer and the others injected him with nanites to force him into recharge while they started repairs on him. Soundwave regained consciousness in the middle of the night. He could not leave his berth, the pain suppressants made his processor fuzzy a little, but he could still feel some of the pain of the new welds and yet-to-be closed wounds. Part of his armor was taken away to be replaced, but he did not feel naked. Cy-Kill's last words kept repeating themselves in his head, over and over again like a corrupted audio file. He saw his face again for the last time. The memory of the white-hot energy entity in his hand as life slowly seeped out between his digits...

He had trouble recharging during the rest of the night. He numbly drank from the cube Flatline held up to him the next morning as he helped him sit. The world came to him through a fog that stubbornly weight down on him and refused to clear away. Only when Laserbeak came did it lift, her presence helped him collect himself a little, but ultimately it was Megatron's arrival that helped him wake up from his daze.

"How are you feeling?" the champion asked quietly.

Soundwave did not answer at first. It took him a moment to get his vocalizer to form coherent words to speak, "Better, but..."

Megatron put a hand on his shoulder, his touch light not to hurt the dual-spark's weary frame more, "It must be strange. I don't know how much you felt... but you were strong. Soon it will be easier. You will learn to control it just like you had done with everything else."

"It... it is a difficult experience. But it did feel a bit... I won..."

"I know." the grey mech smiled a little, "You have taken the first step, and you will learn to walk soon without support. But for now, if you need help, I'm here."

"I have much to experience still. You have so much more behind you than me."

"That may be right," Megatron stood straight, "but now let us focus on what is before us instead."

Soundwave gave a small smile, relief filled him for the first time again. That was what he liked about Megatron. He was an anchor he could hold onto, he knew what he wanted. Someone who did not live in the past, but lived for the future...

Their future.

Last part was... difficult to write, and yeah... I don't know what more to say at the moment. I also used Shockwave's IDW colors before he was reformatted into his current shape, before his emotions were wiped out. Well, I... this is what I can give you now. Tell me your thoughts...?