SOUND AND FURY
I. Soundwaves
The first thing he remembered seeing were street lights. He had no idea where he was, how he had gotten here, or why. All he knew was that he could hear everything: from the roar of jets shooting through the sky to conversations murmured in private. More than that, he could hear the thoughts of those who walked right past him, apathetic to his situation.
--worthless beggar--
--good for nothing--
--what use are they--
He clutched his head. The sound waves were too numerous for him to handle. He could not take it. Curling into a fetal position, he sat there for a long time.
II. Ravage
He was awakened by something nudging into his arm. He sat up to see a black cybercat, which blended into the night, its red optical sensors glowing at him. With the feline were two avian creatures, both regarding him in curiosity.
"R-Ravage," he said to the feline. "Your name... it's Ravage."
The cybercat tilted its head and did something unexpected; it spoke. "How do you know? I hadn't even said anything."
"Your mind... I can read it. Your friends... they're Laserbeak and... Buzzsaw."
Ravage exchanged glances with his two companions before saying, "Right. And you are?"
He did not hear the question; instead, he started murmuring to himself. "The sound waves...."
"Soundwave? Nice name." Ravage stepped closer to him. "You know... I can empathize with what your going through. I have a unique ability myself; I can smell anything for several miles. Took years to master it."
Soundwave tilted his head. "Could you... help me?"
Ravage stared at him before swaying his head in a nod. "Sure. From one outlier to another."
III. Mute
A few weeks after meeting Ravage, he was attacked by a gang of thugs. They had beaten him up and tossed him about, laughing as they did. When they were finished, they saw that he had no money or valuable possessions to rob him of. So they tore out his vocal processor and left him for dead.
Had it not been for Ravage and the others' efforts to repair him, he would have surely died. He owed his life to them, to their selflessness and loyalty.
But he could not voice his gratitude. All he could do was vow to himself that he would one day return the favor.
IV. Haven
Soundwave had heard of the Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology and knew it to be a haven for outliers like himself. Nonetheless, he was amazed to see the many Cybertronians that, much like himself, had unique powers not tied to their alt mode.
He watched each one as they practiced their abilities: Trailbreaker with his forcefields, Skywarp with his teleportation abilities... he could only hope that he could learn to master his own powers like they had.
Either way, he knew that he would be safe here.
V. Ratbat
When Soundwave first met Councilor Ratbat, he instantly hated him.
Armored in reflective violet and black plating, with gold accents, Ratbat wore a charming smile on his visage, but Soundwave knew it was a facade. He had read the councilor's thoughts and saw nothing but ruthless greed and ambition.
When Ratbat arrived at the academy, Shockwave greeted him like an old, trusted colleague, but Soundwave knew it was a mere formality to conceal the animosity they held for each other.
"So this is the one you were talking about?" Ratbat asked his rival, gesturing at Soundwave.
"Yes," Shockwave said. "Soundwave here is very adept in stealth and guile, and can 'read' people very well."
Ratbat scratched his chin, visible intrigued. "Interesting. Does he have any tricks?"
Shockwave smiled. "As a matter of face, yes. Show him, Soundwave."
Soundwave nodded and spoke with the new, monotonic vocabulator Shockwave had installed into him. "Ravage, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, eject. Operation: Demonstration."
The window-shaped panel on his chest lowered and three data discs shot out, converting into three different creatures. Ravage stood menacingly at his feet while Laserbeak and Buzzsaw perched on his arm and shoulder, respectively.
Ratbat smirked. "Impressive. I do believe you're the right person for the job, Soundwave."
Soundwave bowed slightly. "I live to serve you, Councilor Ratbat."
VI. Injured
"Ah, there you are, Soundwave," Ratbat said as he entered his servant's quarters. "You hardly ever visit your quarters, so I didn't think to search for you here."
Soundwave did not respond, too engrossed with a more pressing matter.
"Soundwave?" Ratbat tapped him on the shoulder. "Are you all right?"
"Ravage is not," Soundwave said in his typical monotone. "He has been injured."
Ratbat scoffed in derision. "Such a shame. I'll find you a new pet."
Soundwave tensed. "Not necessary. He is still alive."
"But what good is it if it's too hurt to do anything? Just throw it away and get a new one."
Moving without thinking, Soundwave spun around to face the councilor, ire glinting in his red visor. "Negative. I can fix him."
Ratbat sneered. "Why do you spare these pitiful creatures any compassion? They're disposable class; expendable slaves made to do our bidding until they're no longer of use to us."
Soundwave's hands rolled into fists; it took every bit of his will to not bash the councilor's face with them. "I can fix him."
Ratbat snorted. "You have until tomorrow to do that, or I will have to dispose of it myself."
With that, he strode away. Soundwave continued to glare at him as he went, silently vowing to himself that this was far from over.
VII. Retribution
Ratbat stood at the window of his office, watching as Autobots and Decepticons fought down below. This was merely the beginning of the Decepticons reemergence; at this very moment, Trannis' protege was preparing to assassinate Sentinel Prime.
The battle did not last long, as Soundwave expected. The Devastator Winds created by the Constructicons' generator were no doubt approaching the battlefield by now.
Clueless as always, Ratbat said, "What's going on? Why are they running?"
"Councilor, Devastator Winds detected," Soundwave said. "Approaching Tyger Pax at eighty miles per hour."
Ratbat tensed and Soundwave could instantly read the terror and regret in his mind. He most likely did not expect the Decepticons to take things this far.
"Then we had better get a move on," the councilor said. "Prepare my shuttle."
Soundwave knew that this was his opportunity, and he seized it. "The shuttle will not be able to take off in time. I suggest we take an alternate escape route."
Ratbat turned to him, eyebrows raised. "And what would that be?"
"First of all, adjustments must be made. Laserbeak, Ravage, eject. Operation: Assimilation."
His two pets shot out of his chest and began to surround the councilor, malicious hunger gleaming in their optics.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ratbat demanded. "Are you threatening me?"
"Negative. I am protecting you."
At their master's beckoning, Ravage and Laserbeak lunged at Ratbat and began to tear at him, ripping him apart. Before long, they had torn open a hole in the councilor's chest, at which point Soundwave signaled them to stop. He then walked over to Ratbat's form and extracted his spark from it. At the same time, a violet-shaded data disc launched from Soundwave's chest and ended up in his other hand.
Let us see how you enjoy being "disposable," Soundwave thought as he opened a port for Ratbat's spark in the disc.
VIII. Megatron
The new leader of the Decepticons seated himself comfortable on the throne at New Kaon. It wasn't long ago that Soundwave had bore witness to him overthrowing Trannis. Such a feat proved that this Megatron person was someone to be reckoned with.
Reading the ex-Autobot's thoughts, Soundwave knew that someone would have to keep an eye on him, lest he let his ambition get the best of him. Soundwave would be that person, and Megatron would know that he was being watched.
After all, what was a ruler without a shadow?
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