Annabeth

When I was done with what I had to do, I walked over to where Soundwave was standing, by the infirmary. I still couldn't help but feel intimidated by the hulking alien. He radiated this kind of power I couldn't explain. He held himself so confidently that it seemed like he knew his superiority like fact.

He was talking with Nico, who was sitting by his leg. Laserbeak was perched on his arm, Ravage was laying by Soundwave's other foot, and the twins were playing catch with... something. I couldn't tell what they were throwing, maybe a basketball.

I approached them, when one of the twins yelled out, "Hey, Annabeth! Catch!"

"Woah!"

I barely ducked put of the way before the thing he tossed at me hit. I guess they raided the armory, because they were using a cannon ball to play catch. The ball embedded itself halfway into the ground. That could've taken my head off.

"What was that for?!"

"Woh, chill! I only barely tossed it at you!" Rumble yelled.

Nico agreed, "It's true. He barely put any force into the throw."

"Whatever. Look, I just want to talk to Soundwave. Alone."

"Wait, alone?" Laserbeak questioned.

"Yes. Now, if you guys don't mind, can Soundwave and I go somewhere else?"

Nico responded, "I don't know. Will asked us to stay near him, and the minicons never leave Soundwave."

"Look, I'll tell Will that I asked you. I'll bring him right back once I'm done talking to him."

"Alright then," Ravage answered, "it is settled."

"Thanks. Soundwave, could you follow me?"

"Affirmative."

I walked over to the Cave of the Oracle, half-leading Soundwave. I'm sure he knew where I was taking him, and could probably get there faster, but was following me out of courtesy. Either that, or he was watching me.

We got to the area of the forest I was going towards. It's a spot in the forest, near the Cave of the Oracle. It's the only spot with relative privacy where Spundwave can actually fit.

"So, this is where I wanted to talk to you."

"What would you like to talk about?"

I asked, "I wanted to ask you why you're focusing on me specifically. You singled me out the first day, and you were staring at me at the dining pavilion. Why?"

"I was listening to your mind."

"Wait, I thought you needed to scan someone to read their minds?"

"I do. I can also hear people think."

"Wow, okay. Why were you listening to my mind?"

"I find it therapeutic."

"How?"

Soundwave explained, "Your mind is organized, yet organic. I equate it to classical music."

"Oh, okay. Just wanted to ask you."

"May we return?" he asked.

"Not yet, I want you to talk to someone else."

"Who?"

"Hey, E.T!" Rachel shouted.

I knew Rachel wanted to meet Soundwave, and I thought it was a good idea. Maybe she had a vision that would help him.

Soundwave's head snapped towards Rachel. He looked at her for a second before simply stating, "Humor: detected. Conclusion: unamused."

'Strange. Why'd he talk so mechanically?'

Rachel asked, "What?"

"I find your attempt at humor un-amusing, as I stated." he responded.

"Well, okay. Just wanted to make a joke. Anyway, wanna come into my cave?"

Soundwave simply responded, "Undecided."

"Soundwave, let's go in. I wanted you to talk with Rachel."

"Affirmative."

We walked over to the entrance of the Cave. I knew it was big enough for Soundwave to fit if he crouched, but was more worried about the curtains and furniture. I didn't want the curtains to get caught in his joints, or him accidentally crushing the furniture.

Rachel and I held the curtains all the way open, beckoning for Soundwave to crouch and enter. He obliged, carefully entering the cave. He avoided the furniture, getting to a clear spot in the center before sitting down. Rachel and I followed him in, getting to a couch to sit down. He could avoid the furniture, but still stepped on some of the bones and weapons, either crushing or denting them.

We settled before I started, "So, do you know why I wanted you to see Rachel?"

"You believe she may have a prophecy that can help me. Perhaps an older one, or one recited by Ella."

"That's... right. How does he know that?" Rachel asked me.

I answered, "He read my mind."

"Wait, he can do that?"

"Affirmative." he responded.

"So, I wanted to know if Delphi showed you anything or if Ella read anything that relates to someone called 'the Dreamer.'"

"No, I haven't heard anything about this 'Dreamer.' Why?"

"The Dreamer is the one who could lead me to the one who can make me dream." Soundwave answered.

"What do you mean? Why do you need to dream?"

"I need to dream to uncover my memories of my past. To do this, I have to be able to sleep. Once I can sleep, I can dream."

"Well, sorry to say this, but I've never heard anything about the Dreamer, whether from Delphi or Ella."

"Sorry, Soundwave."

"It is alri..." he trailed off.

Soundwave looked something near his foot. Rachel and I looked to what he was looking at, and saw a silver breastplate with a strange symbol on it. It had a circle with wings and three triangles underneath. It was completely foreign to me. Neither camp used silver, and I had never seen that symbol before.

"What's that?" I asked.

"I... do not know."

"Strange. Well, either way," I beckoned, "I promised Nico that I'd bring you back. Come on."

"Affirmative."

We all got up from our respective seats. Rachel and I went to pull open the curtains to let Soundwave out. He followed, making sure to crouch.

When he walked through the entryway, some strange noise caught my attention. Sounded like... a child's laughter? I looked at the direction to where I thought I heard it, but didn't see anything. I looked back only to find two things. One, Rachel was also distracted. Two, Soundwave was gone.

"Soundwave. He's gone."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I don't know I.. Soundwave! Where are you?" Rachel called out.

I asked, "What happened?"

"I don't know. I was looking at Soundwave, looked away for one second, and he was gone. It's like vanished."

"Maybe he walked away?" I suggested.

"Something that big getting away from us that quickly, without making noise? Yeah right."

"You'd be surprised how quiet he can be. I think my footsteps were louder than his."

"Well, he still couldn't have walked away. Look."

I looked down, and saw that Soundwave's footprints just stopped abruptly. He didn't jump, didn't walk away. It's like he vanished out of thin air when we walked through the doorway.

Don't worry, Soundwave isn't being beamed to another dimension. He's just gone to meet the Dreamer.