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MegaSound Week 2023 - Operation: LOYALTY

It’s also on Ao3 if you read better there! ^^

[ Continuity: Transformers Prime. Pairing: Megatronus/Soundwave. Pre-War! Word count: 3,216] Got a few pretty irrelevant Original Characters! Circuitwringer who goes up against Soundwave. Crazanity who has processor issues and gets abused by some corrupt guards.

Also just in case Soundwave and Megatronus seemed slightly out of character, I want to clarify that it’s due to them being rather young and not yet fully mentally maturing. It’s why Soundwave is so skittish after being thrown into Kaon, and Megatronus is pretty easygoing.

Summary: It was love at first match viewing for Megatronus.

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Everyone knew, but nobody cared.

That’s the first thing Megatronus came to realize.

Perhaps watching Superior Soundwave—the new mech who transferred to his section—combat against someone three times his size wasn’t the best moment to become entrapped in his philosophies. Megatronus couldn’t help himself.

But it was true. Everyone knew the mech was a Host to four Symbiotes. He had been exiled from some other fragged up small city for whatever crimes the government deemed against him.

Survival, Megatronus thought bitterly. Doing his best to survive in this unjust society is the crime he has committed.

Soundwave had himself and his younglings to take care of, and all the Systems could think to do was punish him for trying to keep them all alive? They sent him away to the Gladiator Pits in Kaon, where Megatronus, and various other unfortunate mechs, resided in, claiming he didn’t have a better purpose than to be trained to earn them some shanix and ratings.

What a joke. What an absolute fragging joke. Megatronus scowled fiercely, servos clenched and claws piercing into his armored palms.

He was jolted out of his thoughts when—the mech who said thoughts had been revolved around—crashed into the arena’s divider wall that protected the spectators from the ongoing fights, in front of Megatronus’ stands.

“Come on, Superior, get the frag up before he murders you.” Megatronus muttered. He was definitely rooting for him. His optic ridges were narrowed as he stared determinedly at Soundwave’s back, as if the lithe gladiator would be able to read his thoughts and become motivated by them.

Circuitwringer—an idiotic designation in Megatronus’ opinion—went charging towards Soundwave’s crumpled form, a rabid snarl emitting from his alarmingly wide maw full of enormous, sharp dentae.

Megatronus vented with a frown. Soundwave was doing exceptionally so far. He had hoped he would win. And not….

Before Megatronus could resume his train of thought, Soundwave leaped out of the way before Circuitwringer could, well, live up to his name.

Megatronus couldn’t resist giving a bark of laughter when the damn oaf slammed face-first into the same divider Soundwave had a klik ago.

Soundwave released a cable, and it whipped forward to latch onto the back of Circuitwringer’s exposed neck wiring. Before he could react, the tip of Soundwave’s appendage crackled to life with energy, and proceeded to electrocute the massive mech, wrenching an agonized scream out of him. It lasted a good 10 seconds before Soundwave relented and left Circuitwringer twitching on the arena’s unforgiving ground beneath them. Megatronus found himself impressed.

The stands were silent, watching with bated ventilation as Soundwave stared down at his now unmoving opponent, cable withdrawing back to its containing with a Click! Slowly, the smaller gladiator approached the fallen mech, and proceeded to climb on top of him to stand on his back.

He looked up at the crowds, firm glare present on his scarred and energon splattered faceplates. His golden optics—a hue the likes of which Megatronus had never seen on another mech—glimmered with smug triumph.

The intercom started up, and the faint sound of static filled the otherwise silent arena. Then,

“And…. AND THE VICTOR IS SUPERIOR SOUNDWAVE! HE REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH 56 STRAIGHT WINS IN UNDER THE THREE DECA-CYCLES SINCE HIS ARRIVAL!”

“Damn.” Megatronus grinned. In the background, the stands erupted into cheers.

****

A few joors passed since the prior match. Megatronus had a harsh day ahead of training for his own upcoming fight, so he chose to spend the remainder of his free time relaxing.

Well, at least he was trying to unwind. Instead, his pedes led him around his station, passing by his fellow gladiators. A hysterical Crazanity was pinned helplessly underneath two laughing guardsmechs. Further along, someone Megatronus was not too familiar with held his arm in one hand, trudging in the direction of the infirmary with a lost look in his dim optics. In the corner, a trio was engaged in a brawl. Megatronus could distantly hear the shouting of more guardsmechs, no doubt going over to break up the fight.

Megatronus wasn’t interested in the madness at the moment. Usually the treatment and conditions of his low-caste peers always darkened his mood, got him thinking dangerous ideas that could get him into some deep slag.

But not now. He tramped forward with purpose. He needed to find Soundwave.

It didn’t take much longer to do just that. The mech was sitting on the ground, slumped against the wall. His chinplate rested on his kneeguards, and he had his arms wrapped around his legs, making him appear more small than usual.

Megatronus frowned in concern. Could the poor mech not even make it to his quarters? The designated gladiator rooms were in the same hall he was sitting in. It would only take a few more steps to reach Soundwave’s.

Perhaps he is in need of fuel. Excellent, Thought Megatron. He had brought along some delectables, because what use would a mech have if he didn’t have something to offer? He was already going to bother him, he might as well make it worth his while.

“Ah, Soundwave, just the mech I wanted to see.” Megatronus greeted. He advanced towards him, and promptly silently thanked the Allspark that the difference in heights wasn’t so immense and he didn’t have to awkwardly crouch as he extended his servo.

Soundwave looked up. Still dazed from the earlier fight, he stared at the treat in Megatronus’ large servo, confusion apparent.

“Congratulations for the victory,” Megatronus explained. “I know the rations aren’t enough to satisfy the hunger of a Host and his symbiotes. This would be wasted on me. You should have it.”

Tentatively, the smaller gladiator reached out to Megatronus’ offer. He stopped just before he could take the energon, clearly hesitant. When Megatronus nodded and gave an encouraging smile, he made his decision. He snatched up the nourishment, and to Megatronus’ surprise, hissed.

Soundwave curled into himself, shielding the energon dessert protectively.

“It’s yours.” Megatronus assured. “I won’t take it from you.” Cautiously, he took a step forward, only to backtrack when the other mech pressed himself more into the wall.

“Forgive me,” Megatronus apologized for making him uneasy. “I shall take my leave. Enjoy.” He turned around, and began to walk back to his quarters. He still had about half a stellar cycle left to rest, and that’s what he intended to do. In his haste, he forgot about the other snacks he had saved in his subspace.

Megatronus realized too late when something flew straight in his direction. He whipped around in time to be struck in the chassis.

Okay, perhaps not struck. More like a light Thwack. A tap, even.

He stared at the culprit questioningly. The mech had detached a cable from his midsection. Megatronus supposed the swat was an attempt to garner his attention. He tilted his helm to the side, prompting Soundwave to clarify his intent.

The mech merely shrugged, golden optics darting side to side as his cable retracted and snapped back into its place. Megatronus waited patiently.

“Megatronus may stay, if he so desires.” Finally came Soundwave’s laconic statement.

Megatronus knew an invitation when he saw one. He nodded and went over to sit beside Soundwave, who initially flinched. He slowly but surely relaxed.

“Where are they? Your Symbiotes, I mean.” Megatronus asked. He had been wondering about the Younglings. He knew they existed, but he had never seen them before.

“Recharging.” Soundwave simply replied. Then, he hesitated, helm canting downward so that he was looking at the ground.

“….They are very exhausted.” He continued, fidgeting with the energon snack as he spoke. “They were ravenous, so, to save up their energy, I had them go into emergency stasis. Soon, they will have recharged decently enough to safely awake. And then they will eat.”

Megatron nodded in understanding. “What about you? I know you are also starving.”

“I will not eat without my Symbiotes.” Soundwave snapped. Megatronus’ optics ridges raised in surprise. Soundwave’s cheekplates tinted blue, and he receded into himself once more with a grumble. “Apologies. I became unnecessarily defensive.”

“No apologies needed.” Megatronus chuckled, batting a servo in the air dismissively. “I did not mean to push. I suppose I was merely—“ He cut himself off.

Soundwave stared at him.

Megatronus reboot his vocalizer, “…concerned.”

The smaller mech was quick to look away, startled. “Concerned, about me?”

Megatronus found himself grinning faintly, “Perhaps.”

There was a moment of silence between them. Megatronus willed himself to remain casual. He wanted to kick himself for his previous words, but if he did that, it was most definitely make the moment more awkward.

Soundwave kept glancing at him. Megatronus pretended not to notice, until one gaze lingered a second longer than the rest. He turned his own helm to finally face him.

Soundwave immediately leaned up against the wall, suddenly finding the ground fascinating.

“Are you alright?” Megatronus questioned, vaguely amused. It was hard not to be, when Soundwave kept on reacting so eccentrically.

No response.

“Soundwave?”

“Query!” The smaller mech blurted out. He looked more embarrassed at his outburst than even previously.

Megatronus cracked a half smile. “Hmm?”

“D-Does…” Soundwave paused, and his digits dug into his arm anxiously. Megatronus knew it was a way to ground oneself, but he also knew it was harmful, evident by the dents that now resided in his frame once Soundwave released himself. Megatronus frowned. He wanted to grab his servos and lecture him to not do it again, but that’d be too familiar of an action, and he didn’t want to scare him off. He stayed silent instead, allowing Soundwave to gather his thoughts.

“Symbiotes have recharged sufficiently. Would Megatronus be interested in meeting them?”

Megatronus sat up straighter, crimson optics exhibiting his curiosity, “I’d be honored to.”

Soundwave gave him a smile, one of genuine content. Megatronus had never seen him look anything other than exhausted, apprehensive, or that expression of hostility that comes with kicking aft in the arena. Megatronus found he liked Soundwave’s smile. So much, his vents stuttered, and he had to quickly regulate them as Soundwave, oblivious to Megatronus’ predicament, stood up and put some distance between the two of them.

“Symbiotes; Eject.”

Megatronus watched in awe as the bulk on both of Soundwave’s arms detached, launching upwards. In the air, they span, almost playfully, and transformed.

Small, they were so small. Megatron expected as such. They landed by his pedes—Which, they didn’t even make it up to his knee joints—and stared up at him.

Red and blue. Blue and red.

The red one turned back to his creator, “Boss? Who’s this guy?”

Soundwave gestured to the large mech. “Meet Mighty Megatronus.”

Then, Soundwave turned around so that he was facing the wall with his back exposed. Another mass of confined metal detached itself from his back with a spring. A cybercat landed gracefully on its feet.

It spared Megatronus less than a glance, preferring to stretch out and rub against the red twin affectionately. “R-Ravage!” The sparkling laughed, and enveloped the feline in a hug. He then promptly froze, remembering Megatronus’ presence. He gave him a sour look, but Megatronus didn’t notice as he was focused on the Gladiator title Soundwave had used.

Megatronus scoffed, but he was grinning. “Please, just Megatronus is fine. Unless you want me to address you as Superior Soundwave?” He chaffed.

“Oh, no, such courtesies are not need—“

“Yeah, ya totally should!” The blue Youngling nodded eagerly, interrupting his Host. “Soundwave’s the best there is, y’know! Soundwave Superior!”

“Everyone else? Inferior as frag!” His red counterpart finished, and the two bumped fists.

Soundwave shook his head, but couldn’t resist a quiet laugh that he politely hid behind a servo.

Megatronus had another urge to pull his servo away, but this time for a different reason than preventing the mech from marking himself.

He ignored it.

“Absolutely,” Megatronus agreed with the twins. “I’ve seen your Creator fight. He’s an excellent combatant. I assume you’re proud of him?”

“Pit yeah!” They exclaimed simultaneously. "56 wins in a row, mech!" Frenzy added smugly.

Megatronus chuckled. The sparklets were so excitable. It was a refreshing change of pace from the dread and cynicism that were the mechs Megatronus associated with on the daily.

“What are your designations?” He asked them. He crouched slightly, placing his servos above his knee joints in an attempt to match their height.

“Uhh…Name’s Rumble….” The blue one nudged his twin to introduce himself, who only crossed his arms defiantly and looked away.

Megatron quickly discerned that he was extremely stubborn. And rude. Megatronus didn’t mind too much, he was only a Youngling after all. Not to mention all he and his kin might have had to endure before being forcibly moved to Kaon. He couldn’t fault him for being abrasive to anyone outside of his small circle.

When Rumble got the sense that the other Miniature wasn’t going to respond, he shrugged at Megatronus apologetically. “My bro’s name is Frenzy…He ‘on’t really like strangers.”

Frenzy merely grunted.

“Don’t worry ‘bout ‘im, though. He usually ain’t even like me!” Rumble sniggered. Megatronus snorted, going back to standing up straight.

Rumble turned to give the mechanimal a pat on its little head, who leaned into the touch with a purr. “This here’s Ravvy! Well, his real name’s Ravage. Only I call him Ravvy, heh.”

“Yeah, ‘cause Ravvy’s a dumb fragging nickname, Stupid!” Frenzy snarked. Rumble immediately glared at him. The feline gave an irritated flick of his tail.

“Frenzy, language. Do not speak to your brother that way.” Soundwave firmly scolded. Frenzy scoffed in reply, causing the Host to frown disapprovingly.

“Anyways, before I was so damn rudely interrupted…” Rumble directed his attention to Soundwave, and trailed off for dramatic effect.

Ah, the last Symbiote. Megatronus made a noise of appreciation at the mechabird perched proudly on Soundwave’s shoulder. He must have missed the transformation when he was conversing with the twins—conversing which quickly turned into an argument between the two.

“Laserbeak!” Rumble concluded, outstretching his arms towards Soundwave and the taloned Miniature in a grandiose manner.

“Excellent,” Megatronus chuckled. Rumble was quite entertaining. “Pleasure to meet you all.”

Rumble smiled up at him, “Nah, nah, pleasure’s all ours, mech! Any friend of Soundwave’s is a friend to us.”

“Friend?” Frenzy frowned scornfully, but wasn’t heard due to Rumble’s exclamation.

“Energon?! Ay, Laser says this big guy got us some grub!”

Megatronus nodded, and the twins stared at him hopefully. “I have more.” He un-subspaced two rust sticks, three cubes of energon, some crystal bits, and an energon gelatin—similar to the one he had given Soundwave earlier.

“Rust sticks! He’s got rust sticks, Frenz!” Rumble whooped, happily bouncing in place. Suddenly, Ravage appeared by Megatronus’ pedes, sitting still and staring up at him expectantly.

“It’s so much. I deeply apologize for becoming such a burden, Megatronus.” The other mech bowed his helm.

“What? Aw, c’mon, Boss. He came ta you, remember?!” Rumble tried to protest.

Megatronus nodded, and before Soundwave could say anything else, gave Rumble a cube. He drank some enthusiastically before passing it to his reluctant twin. "Rumble is correct."

“But….” Soundwave hesitated.

“You are no burden. I did this on my own accord. I wanted to.” Megatronus clarified, and set another cube on the ground. Laserbeak flew down to meet Ravage, and they took turns consuming the substance.

“Y-You are so kind….I must repay you somehow.” Soundwave whispered.

The taller gladiator approached his new…friend, and placed a reassuring servo on his shoulderplate. “You are not obligated to do anything of the sort. I have no ulterior motive. Please, I only wish for you to enjoy. I know how it is to starve for stellar cycles, with no one who cares enough to even pity you. It pains me to know that you and your Creations suffer the same way. I want to help.”

Soundwave finally looked up, moisture causing his remarkable optics to shine.

“Thank you, Megatronus. I greatly appreciate your understanding.”

Megatronus called the fact that he didn’t jump when Soundwave reached up to cover his large servo with his own spindly one a victory. He gazed into the other mech’s optics. The poet in him was so, so close to complimenting those resplendent, vent-taking aureate optics of his when—

”Ay, Mighty Megs!” Rumble called out, snapping the two mechs out of their stupor. Soundwave recoiled, allowing Megatronus to withdraw and turn to face the sparklet.

With neither Soundwave nor Megatronus looking at each other anymore, the deep shades of azure that had rushed to their faceplates went unnoticed.

“Think we can snag a rust stick? Those things smack! Oh, and maybe som’a those crystal bitties?” Rumble asked with a smile, wiping away some energon that dribbled down his chinplate.

“Rumble, it’s impolite to—“ Soundwave started, but Megatronus waved him off.

“Of course, I brought this for you all anyway. Here.” He handed each twin a rust stick, making sure to place the container of crystals into Rumble’s awaiting servo.

“Thanks, mech!” Rumble was already opening the container. “We owe ya big time for this, huh Frenzy?” He not-so-subtly jabbed his twin in the side with his elbow. It wasn’t an appreciated action, seeing as how Frenzy gave him a mean glare.

“Frenz, fer real, stop bein’ an aft and jus’ eat!”Rumble talked with a mouthful of bits. “Mmmm!”

Frenzy stared suspiciously at the rust stick in his servo, as if it had done him a great disservice. “I’mma just give it ta Lasa’ an’ Rav.” He crouched down and made a few clicking noises with his glossa. The mechanimals were in front of him in an instant. They sniffed at the snack before deeming it worthy enough to eat. They bit into it, pulling out chunks and scarfing it down. Frenzy smiled softly at them.

Rumble shook his head as he munched on his own rust stick. He caught Megatronus’ optic and grinned, playfully jutting his chinplating in Frenzy’s direction, as if to ask Can you believe that guy?

Megatronus chuckled fondly. Soundwave walked on light pedes, stopping to stand next to him. He offered his half full cube of energon.

“I’ll be fine.” Megatronus declined. “But thank you, Soundwave.”

“I insist.” Soundwave said. He took Megatronus’ servo in his, and Megatronus was swiftly rendered helpless to do anything but watch as Soundwave maneuvered his digits to grasp the cube.

Unfortunately, Soundwave ended up pulling away, and Megatronus lifted the cube to his derma, tipping his helm back and allowing the liquid to glide smoothly down his intake.

Also unfortunately, that was the moment Soundwave decided to speak. “You are wonderful, Megatronus.”

The silver mech choked on the energon, intake constricting uncomfortably and forcing him to cough. He managed to hand back the cube to Soundwave, and brought up his arm to hack into.

Slag, why did he keep embarrassing himself in front of this mech? Primus, I'm pathetic.

“You alright there, big guy?” Frenzy asked, an unimpressed look of his faceplates.

“Yes, fine, fine.” Megatronus grunted, and loudly reboot his vocalizer.

Soundwave shot him a knowing smile, a gleam of mirth present in his optics.

Hmm. Perhaps he could deal with the embarrassment, so long as Soundwave continued to smile for him.

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