The (unknown) beginning of the end.

[Rewritten 8/NOV/2024]

Soundwave dodged Megatronous' blow, returning it with her own. He barely dodged the swipe and backed away, vents working harshly.

But he laughed excitedly. "Watching you fight and actually getting to fight you is entirely different."

She tilted her helm, amused, "Megatronous: skilled."

He puffed up. "Thanks."

It was a compliment.

"But a long way from mastery," she teased.

He spluttered and she chuckled, enjoying the easy raillery between them. There weren't many bots Soundwave could get along with well. Megatronous had quickly slipped into the category.

"May I ask something?" he asked suddenly, shifting from his stance into something looser. "If you would not consider it offensive."

Soundwave tilted her helm, waving a servo in a continue gesture.

"How did you get involved in the pit?"

Ah.

"Overcharged gladiators: unsavoury toward Soundwave. Necessary action: protected self. Gladiators: offlined as result. Conclusion: Pit Boss demanded reimbursement," Soundwave explained in as simple terms as she could.

Megatronous pursed his lips visibly trying to withhold a grimace. "Apologies."

She shrugged, "Soundwave: familiar with such attention. Overcharged gladiators: unexpectedly weak for high ranking."

He snorted.

They returned to fighting.

"Soundwave," her Intended greeted as she arrived home from a long day of work. But she immediately spotted Harmonious' fretting glance as he approached, his voice dropped to a whisper. "Some femme turned up and refused to leave."

A…femme?

Clearly, her confusion was visible because Harmonious continued. "A Soundburst?"

Frag.

Soundwave peered around him, wide optics silently asking him if she was still here. Harmonious nodded.

"Who is she?"

"My carrier," she whispered.

Harmonious fret even worse. "She's in the lounge."

Soundwave cycled air through her vents. Primus, why today? Her work schedule today had already been drawn out and needed extra hours. All Soundwave wanted to do was spent the evening relaxing with her family.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Soundwave tuned into the sound of her mechlings chatting with Soundburst. She could spot Ravage lounging on his designated berth, watching them keenly as if any wrong move would set him off, aiming for Soundburst's neck cables.

Lazerbeak and Ratbat, docked on her frame, both poked and offered reassurance to her. Soundwave stepped into the longue. The talking was cut short.

Soundburst stood. "Soundwave."

"…Carrier."

"You've been ignoring my emails," Soundburst primly sniffled.

Yeah, no slag.

"Soundwave: busy."

"Busy enough to adopt twin mechlings?" she cocked an optical ridge.

Soundwave grit her teeth. "Frenzy, Rumble: big part of Soundwave's life. Their safety and care primary responsibility. Carrier and creator: low on Soundwave's list."

Soundburst did not appreciate Soundwave's retort.

"Soundburst: criticizing Soundwave when Soundburst failed to act as carrier?"

Soundburst spluttered. "You—"

"Raised myself," Soundwave snapped, breaking her preferred speech momentarily in her anger. "Soundburst: cared more about social life and gave up trying to understand Soundwave. Soundwave: does not care for Soundburst or Ironwove."

"After everything—"

"You hardly did anything!" Soundwave snapped. "The only good thing you did was give me Ravage! Now leave and don't come back, don't even think of contacting me!"

Soundburst thankfully did just that, but not before retaliating by saying she would be telling Ironwove.

"I do not give a damn!"

The door was closed, and Soundwave sat, face buried within her servos. Her mechlings curled up into her sides and Harmonious knelt before her.

"I'm sorry," he said, "She kinda just, barged in and wouldn't leave."

"I don't blame you," she reassured, dropping her servos to meet his yellow eyes, "You'd never do anything like that. Soundburst is…she doesn't like being told no. We clashed a lot when she decided to grace me with her presence."

Harmonious snorted, "What a bitch."

Soundwave didn't protest the crude comment as Frenzy and Rumble sniggered.

In the next pit fight, Soundwave is happy to take out her pent-up anger at Soundburst on the mech before her. She desperately wished it was her carrier lying dead, energon rapidly spilling.

Megatronous greeted her upon her exit of the arena. He had fought a handful before her.

"You went no nonsense tonight," he commented. "Did something happened?"

"Soundwave: has personal issues," she murmured. "Had an unwanted face-to-face with Cybertronian I did not want to see ever again."

Megatronous frowned. "They weren't giving you trouble, were they?"

"Cybertronian: Soundwave's carrier. Soundwave: does not get along with carrier or creator."

Pursing his lips, Megatronous walked beside Soundwave as they moved to allow the next fighter to slip into the waiting area. They began heading toward the recreation waiting room.

"Can't say I got along with my creator either," he shared. "Different…views. He was content to stew in the filth we were born into. I want to make something of myself, try and make a change to all of us stuck in this unfortunate way of life."

"Megatronous: sparked in Kaon?"

"I was."

Soundwave pursed her lips. "Soundwave: lives in Iacon."

The mech stilted, optics wide. "Wha—"

Soundwave met his gaze. "Soundwave: grew up comfortable but alone. Prefers company not of the elite, humbler bots often found within lower classes. Soundwave: left when old enough, found a job and refused any contact. Soundwave's carrier: condescending to Soundwave and those she considers beneath her. Creator: much the same."

Megatronous averted his gaze, she could tell he was stewing in the information. That she didn't live in Kaon.

"I suppose," he began. "…I can admit I first thought you were someone of a different class. Your frame is too sleek."

Soundwave snorted.

"But thank you for telling me," Megatronous continued. "It is no secret you do not like sharing personal information."

She nodded. "Soundwave: when not fighting, works at High Pavilion and cares for twin mechlings and companions." A straight digit brushed across Ratbat's pink frame docked on her chassis. "I spend much of my days avoiding others within the IT suites. I do not get along with Cybertronians, my ways often cause discomfort."

Megatronous stilled once again, there was a curious flicker in his optics. "Soundwave, I have a proposition."

"Of course."

And he began to speak.