A/N: Took a while, but I think I got it right :D Let the time waiting be worth it ^^

Here goes nothing! Enjoy!

The ship came to a halt behind the moon of Earth, on the dark side, which was the only spot it was invisible now. They knew they would be able to get this close safely, but the next part would prove trickier. Shockwave noticed a slight problem and luckily it was spotted in time.

"So their satellites will pick us up after all," Starscream grumbled as he pondered a way to be less detected. The humans would surely ready for them before they arrived just from the sheer size of the Nemesis. He'd underestimated the abilities of the native species, apparently.

"So what now?" Shockwave turned from his station to face Starscream.

"Give me a moment, would you?" Starscream again went about thinking. "Compile me a list of everything in orbit around that filthy rock. Maybe we can go in a blind spot,"

After taking a moment to look, Skywarp just about laughed, "That's a big negative, Starscream. There are countless satellites in both stationary and non-stationary orbit. There's even a space station,"

"I'm well aware of the space station! Narrow it down to the most obvious satellites… you idiot! Must I do everything myself?" Starscream chided, thinking that this time Skywarp might think on his own for once.

"Having Soundwave about now would have made this part a cinch, probably," a voice quipped from one of the corridors behind the main bridge.

"What…?" Starscream was thrown completely off track with that statement. Yes, it was true, but who in the hell was that? He turned to argue but was cut short by no one being there, "I have no time for this-!" He paused, wondering if the one who'd said that had already left.

"I've got a spot," Thundercracker suddenly said, redirecting Starscream's attention. "We will make it, and it will place us in the middle of one of their large bodies of water. All spectrums to see the ship will be blocked or not in line of sight. We will be invisible to anything that might spot us. I suggest diving straight into the water. From what I have picked up so far, the ship can handle the density."

"That's good." Starscream then grinned, planning his next move on the humans and the Autobots. "Then we go there. For what little I know about them, they don't know their oceans very well. They won't think to look under the water." The scientist in him was annoyed at their pure idiocy. "You'd think they would have studied every inch of their planet,"

Generations of priests all had to know one thing in common. It was the origins of the Allspark and the undiluted story that followed it. It was a secret that only the priests knew until Sam came into the picture. The true information wasn't known to even exist outside of the priests, so it was no surprise that only Soundwave – and now Sam – knew it.

Back on earth, Soundwave had his own problems and he never picked up the signal from the Decepticon battleship that was parked out by the moon. His mind was busy on what to do about the Matrix, as the Autobots could wait. It was supposed to be gone! – Into another galaxy to be exact… how was this possible! How had the Prime of the Autobots gotten it? Someone must have retrieved it. But who? And that same someone had given it to Optimus and told him it was used for power? He needed to find out.

Almost immediately after the call to bind him, they had isolated him in a completely different building with his symbiots. Ratchet had quickly rigged up an energon-charged border. He had to hand it to the medic to have gotten it done so quickly. So this was what it was like to become a prisoner of the Autobots… It wasn't as if he was going to run. Where would he go? The mech decided to take the time to evaluate things up to this point. They obviously weren't going to kill him, so he figured he would answer their questions so long as he could keep an eye on the human that was now bound to the Allspark. He also needed to find the other Decepticons and see what they were up to. He didn't think Starscream would be happy to see him alive.

The parasites had been placed on a forced order that Soundwave could not break without trouble. None of them were happy to be stuck here, but they were Soundwave's team, and where Soundwave went, they went. What Soundwave ordered, they did. All except one unscrupulous critter called Frenzy. The building was under constant guard should he or his symbiots think trying to get out was a good idea. The priest himself was bound in such a way that he could not break free, no matter his might. Soundwave wondered if it was influence. But it couldn't be. Optimus would have done far more than had him locked up if that was the case. He needed to know for sure. He had to see it for himself. If it was real, then it posed a possible problem for Sam.

'If he was lying…' But Optimus wasn't known for lying. The priest immediately dismissed the thought. 'Is it true, though?' He wondered. 'Could he possibly hold the Matrix and not even know about what it really is?' True, the Matrix had a few stories, but only one was real. He was one of the very few who knew its real story. He could hope that this was it, otherwise, things would get really sticky, and he didn't particularly like sticky.

He needed to find out what the circumstances were before it was too late.

A week had gone by. Sam hadn't left the premises because of Ratchet wanting to run tests, but that wasn't his problem today. It was beginning to eat at him little by little. The scout didn't say anything about it, nor did he make a fuss about it, but one thing was for certain… He was beginning to feel betrayed. These new changes in Sam brought on things he didn't particular like.

Sam didn't hang out with him much anymore, and when he did, he didn't talk much. Instead, Sam was talking about going to the Decepticon. It seemed Sam only wanted to be around that evil mech more than he was with him. He understood that it had to do with the Allspark, but that didn't stop him from still feeling jealous over it.

So much had happened in such a short time, they weren't even sure they were in the same dimension as before. Mikaela had sworn that they'd walked through some portal somewhere and they were living lives of complete strangers, yet a lot of it was awesome… Awesome up until Sam had performed his little miracle with those Decepticons. Then, everything changed.

The two sat quietly. When they talked, their conversations didn't hold as much life to them as they had before. One could tell something weighed heavily on both of them but when asked they'd blow it off as nothing, apparently avoiding it all together. They did this a lot lately.

There was so much to talk about; but what to say? 'Hey, I'm the Allspark now. Things are gonna change.' No… it was more than just a conversation starter… it was the beginning of something that would either tear them apart, or bring them closer together. Perhaps it was the fear of losing each other that made the subject so difficult…

"So what now?" Finally having a moment without the Autobots up their asses, Mikaela started first. Why not get right to the point immediately? Better to know now than later, right?

"Whatta ya mean?" Sam asked, secretly relieved he wasn't the one to say something first. Quite frankly, he'd been avoiding the subject and did his best to steer clear of any conversation that might go that way. Maybe Mikaela understood, because even though she had seemed she wanted to say something about it, she didn't.

"About what's happened with you? You can't tell me everything is going to go on like it was, Sam. Our lives changed when we met the Autobots, and now…" She paused waving her hands at him, "Now, you're some… alien… whatever…"

"-Allspark, Mikaela, listen…" he said as he rested his hand on hers, "I don't want anything to change between us. I want things to be as they are. I'm gonna do my best to make that happen, okay?"

"But that's impossible Sam," she argued. "I still have no real idea what's going on. I'm scared,"

"Yeah," he admitted with a glance to the ground, "I am too… heh,"

"So… what are we supposed to do?"

"I don't know right now. I really don't. But give me some time," And he didn't. It was all so much for him to absorb. "I need to talk to Soundwave. They won't let me but…" Mikaela gave him a funny look and he only nodded, understanding the look, "Yeah. I think I'm gonna just go where he is and try to find a way in."

Mikaela saw the flicker in his eye… but momentarily. "But the Autobots will stop you, won't they?"

"They don't like it that I am curious about him. It's like they want me to forget about him, but I can't. It's weird, ya know? I feel this strange draw to him. I guess it has something to do with the Allspark,"

"Doesn't that creep you out? Even a little? He is the bad guy!"

"Yeah, it's weird, but uh… the stuff is true. He has the answers I need," Sam pushed himself off the wall, "He's not as bad as you think, Mikaela. It's like… his spark is pure and he can live again… he's the High Priest,"

It was strange when he would suddenly say something like that. His tone was just slightly different. As if he was speaking for someone else. It was almost too much for her to handle. "Don't let the Autobots hear you say that," she gave the tone a pass by. "They really hate him, you know. I overheard Ironhide talking to Ratchet. He was even more wanted than that Megatron guy, and he was the leader wasn't he?"

"Megatron betrayed them all. He thought he had devised the perfect plan, but it didn't work. The Autobots were onto him and made his plan impossible. He got what he deserved. Soundwave's different. His ultimate goal is to protect me."

"How do you know all this stuff? I mean, sometimes you sound like you lived with them and know all their history or something,"

Sam shrugged, "I'm still trying to figure that out,"

A few times, Sam walked by the Decepticon, but still he hadn't formed the right questions he wanted to ask him, so he moved on with routine either to go with Bumblebee or do something else. Deep down it bothered the teen seeing Soundwave shackled up like that. For some reason, the Autobots didn't believe the mech and it annoyed Sam. He had even tried to get Optimus to release him, but the Autobot refused. It was a strong mistrust between the two factions, he was sure, but they also didn't realize what Soundwave was telling them.

Finally, the annoyance getting to him, he detoured from going to see Optimus to see Soundwave. Ratchet had tried to tell him not to, but a strange look came across him and he simply walked past and into the building where the 'Con was being held.

When he opened the door, he gazed at the numerous glowing red optics that watched him approach. He knew Soundwave's immediately, as he could see the reflection of his optics off his visor. The place was barely lit, so he could only make out some of the features of all of them, making it look more like a mess of metal than any actual creature. He approached with his hands in his pockets, all the while watching the giant metal take on forms of actual bodies.

He was sitting against the wall, one knee up with his arm across it. Both his hands and feet were shackled so that he had movement, but he couldn't get free. "You shouldn't be shackled up like this, ya know," Sam looked at the chains with a frown, "I mean… it's not fair,"

"I am their enemy. I expect no better treatment," Soundwave replied honestly. The mech shifted and Sam visibly twitched at the sound of the chains on the floor.

"But you're so much more than that. I need you out, I need to get answers, Soundwave. This… this whole thing is crazy!"

"I was not well known before. They can only hold onto the memories of my time under Megatron. I do not condemn them for this. And what has happened, happened."

Why did it seem like even Soundwave was avoiding speaking to him about what was going on? "But this is different,"

Soundwave's head moved to the side and away from Sam, hiding the look in his optic. "I am still to blame for what I have done while under Megatron's command. I will allow them to treat me as such for now."

Sam sat down near the mech, looking up at him, taking in features he might have missed earlier. Finally he asked, "What are you? Exactly? I mean I know you're an alien and all but I wanna know about the priest part."

Soundwave looked back at the teen, wondering why he was asking, "Have you not already been told?"

"Yeah," Sam waved him off, "The spirit of the cube showed me but I want to hear it from you."

"Why must I repeat what you already know?"

"I dunno," The teen shrugged, "maybe it's because I can't quite wrap my mind around all of this," He paused as he glanced to the ground. "Maybe… maybe it's because I am awake now and this is reality."

Soundwave gave Sam a good look when his gaze met the teen's. "Very well," he finally said, "the Allspark is not just a cube, but so much more. It is neither a he nor a she, but it exists. A spirit dwells within the cube that came to be known as the Allspark. It was not the cube itself, but the spark within it, that gave the cube tremendous power. The priests were to look after it after its counterpart; the Matrix was somehow shot to another galaxy with power that is still unknown to this day."

"So fill me in on the Matrix. The spirit did say that it was cast out of the galaxy, but it didn't say anything more than that. Do you think Optimus knows about it?"

"I will assume not. The Allspark and the Matrix are the result of a powerful blast that trapped both spirits within these relics. To compare human time spans with ours, you would call them ancients; the first of our kind."

Samuel, I am a priest of the Cybertronian court-"

"-I think better High Priest, Soundwave," Sam cut him off.

Soundwave paused a moment before continuing, not expecting the interruption nor what was said during that interruption. "That is why Megatron brainwashed me and destroyed all the others. He then destroyed the femmes ensuring I was the only one who could manipulate the Allspark."

"Wait a minute," Sam stopped the priest's talk, remembering Bumblebee in Hoover Dam and how he got the cube to shrink down to a much smaller version, "Bumblebee could manipulate it. Why isn't he a priest?"

"All can, but they are very limited – like reasons for transport," Soundwave explained. "A priest like myself can do so much more, including use the Allspark as a weapon or even procreation, which I believe was Megatron's ultimate goal. Knowing I was the last, the Autobots shot the cube into space to avoid Megatron's plan in using it with me,"

Sam was silent a moment, as if taking in the information Soundwave was telling him. "I remember Optimus saying they wanted to rebuild Cybertron with the Allspark, but how?"

"There is so much that others do not understand about the Allspark. And now, you, Samuel, single handedly; hold the key to our future,"

The teen stared at Soundwave blankly. That statement made Sam feel awkward as all hell. He kinda considered that it had probably had no choice in the matter – he sure didn't. He was the one running with it, he was the one who fell with it, he was the one who killed Megatron with it and he was the one who got the weird cut. Soundwave watched Sam's inner confusion but whatever had happened, happened; there was no turning back now. "So, uh, what now?"

"Now, I must teach you how to control that power before you kill us all," the priest replied.

Well that just made Sam feel worse. He didn't want this kind of responsibility. "I'm gonna get you out of here come hell or high water,"

Soundwave gave him a funny look wondering how his reference to hell had anything to do with high water or getting out.

"They will help to protect you," Soundwave said while he nodded to his parasites. If he couldn't be around the boy, then one of them would have to suffice. With a nod in the panther-like Decepticon's way, Ravage stood up and stepped forward, already aware Soundwave had chosen him for this very important task. "He is to do as you like with him. He will still be linked to me, and he understands that he is to follow your orders unless in situations you cannot handle."

"But, why?"

"Until I can get out of here, I cannot allow you go be alone – especially in such close proximity to the Matrix. You need to leave here and Ravage will go with you. I guess you could consider him your…" Soundwave searching for the word he needed, "Pet,"

Ravage gave Soundwave a dirty look for the reference, but said nothing. He knew his mission was very important and digs could wait until another time. The cat-like mech stepped nearer to Sam. "How do you plan to leave with me?"

Sam looked between the two Decepticons, now wondering how he was going to convince the Autobots to allow him to be accompanied by Ravage. He had already heard them speaking, and they didn't sound like they planned on letting Soundwave free for a real long time. "I think I got a plan."

Sam turned for the door, Ravage in tow. He opened and nonchalantly just allowed Ravage out with him. Immediately Ironhide darted for them but Sam quickly jumped in front of him, causing him to come to a screeching halt."It's okay, Ironhide. He's with me,"

"Are you crazy? That mech has no right leaving that building!" Ironhide argued. The black mech lowered till his face was right in front of Sam, hoping to intimidate him into coming to his senses. What was he thinking?

Sam raised his brows as he thought up a good excuse and then gave Ironhide a look, "I plan on going home, you see, and rather than I go home alone, I figured I would take someone who could get places you guys can't. Rather I bring Ravage with me or something bad happen to me and all."

Now how could Ironhide argue with that? Technically, the main one, Soundwave, was still under their confinement. "Meh, Optimus isn't going to approve," the mech backed off.

Word traveled fast, and Optimus was now aware that Ravage was roaming free and Sam was planning to go home. He thought a moment and then opened a line to Bumblebee to give him orders.

Sam made his way to where Bumblebee was, still giving looks to those who had heard him, "Come on, Bee, what do ya say we get me home, huh?" Bumblebee glanced at him, unsure what to say. He wanted to help his friend, but then again, Sam had just walked out with Ravage as if he owned the place. He wasn't sure which the correct answer would be. At that time, Optimus nodded to Bumblebee. "Oh, and, uh, Ravage comes as well," Sam then said.

That's when Bumblebee came to a dead halt. The normally gentle scout turned bitter. "You're joking, right? You expect me to let that filthy Decepticon inside of me?" It was bad enough that Sam had been hanging around those Decepticons, but to let one ride in him? That was taking it a bit too far.

"Can't say I'm too thrilled about it either, but it's in my job description, it seems," Ravage groaned.

"No way! I won't do it,"

"Listen," Ravage hissed, "it's either you let me ride with you, or I go with you by force. I am to remain with the Allspark wherever it goes in whomever it goes. High Priest Soundwave's orders,"

"I don't care what you're supposed to do. You're not riding in me, Decepticon!"

"Both of you, please! Just shut up and get me home!" Sam then said with exasperation, tired of hearing the bickering. At that time, Bumblebee had also gotten a warning via an internal communicator.

Bumblebee gave the cat-like Decepticon a very dirty look – one that was irrefutably returned. The stare-down lasted until Bumblebee had taken on his Camaro form. Sam didn't miss the exchange, but he kept quiet about it, feeling the tension. Both doors opened and Sam and Ravage got in. The Camaro spun up dirt as it took off. The ride was oddly quiet and Bumblebee let Sam do the driving.

Sam was finally at home. He hadn't known a time since he'd met the Autobots that he wanted to just go home, lay down in his own bed and sleep – If he could. His mind was still whirring with questions, anxiousness and fears he never thought he'd be feeling in his life. Perhaps some time in his own bed and not around the Autobots would help him think.

Bumblebee backed out of the driveway. He'd received orders just as Sam went in. The Camaro turned and drove off, wondering why he'd gotten such an order.

It was late, around 9 or 10 when he had finally entered the house. After trying to explain to his father and mother that he had some business to attend to with the Autobots, he was dog tired and wanted nothing more to do than sleep.

However, when Ravage rounded the doorway… Sam had a difficult time trying to explain a giant, mechanical cat meander in after the him. Both wanted explanations, but Sam couldn't tell them that a Decepticon had decided to protect him and let one of his symbiots stay with him. Ravage wasn't much for talking, and much preferred to stay watching, listening to Sam talk, "He followed me home, can I keep him?"

"Sam, what is that?" Judy stood straight up from her seat, unsure if she should run or scold her son for bringing a monster into their home.

"He's… a long story."

"Samuel Witwicky, you have some explaining to do! Why is there a giant metal…" Judy paused as she gave the creature a good once-over. Deciding what to akin it to, she continued, "…cat in my living room?"

Sam conceded and gave them the basic run down, omitting the Allspark part altogether. Neither of them seemed convinced after he'd mentioned that Ravage was also a Decepticon. "But mom, dad, he won't hurt anything,"

"Anything? What about anyone? You know how dangerous a Decepticon is, Sam!" Ron tried to argue, though the stare the cat was giving him was beginning to freak him out a little.

Judy tilted her head, "You don't expect it to stay in the house do you?"

"He mom, Ravage is a he. And well yeah, it's not like he isn't house trained," Sam tried in a show of humor.

"So he has a name, huh? Who named him?"

"Soundwave?"

"What's a Soundwave?"

"An even bigger Decepticon," He couldn't help but snicker under his breath at the faces his parents made when he said that. Sometimes it's just funny no matter how hard you try. "But don't worry. This guy will protect me," he turned to Ravage and patted the large cat on the shoulder.

The cat nodded, "With my life, as Soundwave has ordered,"

Obviously the parents weren't going to win this one. The kid brought home a cat – A really, really big, mechanical cat. And the cat refused to leave his side, "Fine, but if he breaks anything, you're paying for it, young man!" Ron finally gave in. Shortly after, Sam made a beeline to his bedroom to get some rest.

This was a story to tell; only he wouldn't dare tell it to any living soul. Thinking back, seeing Megatron standing in that dam still bothered him to this day. He wasn't naive enough to think they had put him there and didn't do anything. Just as Simmons had said, most of their technology was derived from NBE-1. He grew annoyed as his reality came crashing down on him. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that the humans would turn him into an experiment like they had with Megatron. He needed Soundwave to teach him what he knew.

So yeah, there ya have it :) Was prolly a lil choppy in some places, and maybe a little conusing in others, but I promise by the end of the story, you'll know everything :P Next chapt hopefully won't be such a long wait.