I AM SO SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT.
When Silence Is Loudest chapter 13
But, of course, Soundwave's new little life was far from perfect.
The majority of the other gladiators hated him, and the social reject that was becoming so popular among the Kaon Cybertronian masses because of his superior fighting skills.
It was only a matter of time before it reared its ugly head.
The colors blurred again.
Warblazer finally got his battle with Soundwave.
And lost miserably. Hilariously so. Which that defeat put a maniac-like grin on Megatron's face.
Too bad it wasn't a fight to the death battle.
But with Soundwave suddenly being around lots of other mechs and femmes all the time now, a little something that Megatron has been missing came up.
Soundwave's sass.
Primus save them all.
Outwardly, he was completely stoic and emotionless, but inside he was very scathing and sarcastic. And almost always in a state of annoyance.
It was hilarious. When Soundwave finally goes on a raging diatribe about various Decepticons calling them every name and insult he has come up for them since the very first time he's met them. Including him from time-to-time. All of them, of course, were clever all though not for the easily offended.
And since learning Soundwave's almost non-existent body language he could understand when his disdain for beings that annoyed him flared more than usual.
Which he has said, except for Megatron, it was the majority of both humans and Cybertronians. He found that the Autobots' humans were both annoying and amusing. All though he has admitted that he does find even Megatron annoying on some days.
There was a blur of more battles. More memories.
Some gladiators beating him up outside of battles occasionally. But the favor was returned.
Soundwave getting overcharged for the first time. Megatron could not control his laughter at the grumpy drunk and pouting Soundwave.
He (and defiantly his pout) had absolutely no business being that adorable. He didn't even like adorable things.
Except Soundwave wasn't just that. He was so many other things too. Including attributes he did like.
He diverted his attention to the memories again.
Then he showed up.
Literally.
It was strange, looking the younger version of him. With his face baring no scars and his optics blue instead of red. And the matter of his lack of name.
He chose Megatronus as his name. Now he had to earn it.
Soundwave observed him. Learned his strengths. Learned his weaknesses. Really just observed him.
It made him feel slightly uncomfortable, even though it was thousands of years ago, and didn't realize it then. And now that he trusts Soundwave completely.
His Third-In-Command was seizing him up. Then he realized that he did this with all of the other gladiators.
It brought up his own memories and thoughts from back then.
Back then the thoughts of equality and revolution were just that, thoughts. Disconnected and so impossible to achieve.
Soundwave continued to do what he did best, observe, keep to the background, and absorb information.
No wonder he didn't realize he was being observed.
It was as normal as a gladiator's life could get in the pits of Kaon.
But now he knew what was going to happen.
He smirked.
The warlord still says (half-jokingly or not) that he almost beat him that day. But his communication officer always claims the opposite.
But in all the battles he has fought this one was one of his favorites. And hardest. Not even battles with Prime lasted as long as his and Soundwave's first one.
This was going to be immensely entertaining and amusing for him. Seeing it from an outside perspective.