Silenced

10 | Hollow

He didn't realize he was out of the dream just yet. At least, that was what Soundwave ardently wished for. Although he knew it was foolishly futile, and that he was lying to himself, he wanted to wholly believe that he hadn't returned still. It was like the flip of a switch that turns off a light in a pitch dark room, yet the brightness would linger in the space for a few seconds longer despite its source of power being withdrawn--quickly fading and decaying until it was finally enveloped into the surrounding blackness, lost in a soundless void. His light, his hope that relied upon his vehement denial of the proof that laid itself plainly in from of him, was no more. It was extinguished, no matter what Soundwave tried to make up in his mind.

His headache was gone, and everything suddenly clicked into place like an ugly puzzle. Soundwave couldn't brush off the truth anymore--not now. All the events were so clear in his mind, and he knew that everything he'd witnessed was real, despite what he so desperately wanted to disprove.

His memories were repaired.

Ravage noticed his master stir from his sudden coma, transparently shaken by what the mini-con inferred to have been induced by the now colorless and dull cube, and rushed over to him.

"Master, what happened?" Ravage tried to urge a response from him as the Communications Chief slowly sat upright, simultaneously pressing the side of their helm to reveal their previously retracted visor and conceal their faceplate. Nothing was said in response. Ravage waited a little longer before he hesitantly tried again.

"Master..?"

Soundwave would yet to answer once more, still collecting all of his thoughts inside his mind. Soundwave knew now why it was so effortless for him to strike Airachnid down when she tried taking over the ship. His gladiator senses were still there, buried deep within his subconcious, despite his erased knowledge of them.

And Megatron, forcefully picturing himself as Soundwave's savior in their warped memories from the psycube. Calling and proclaiming their relationship to be friends as Soundwave lay dying from the very wounds Megatron inflicted upon him.

Ha.

Soundwave wandered through the Nemesis with an empty gaze filling his optics, all but broken and alone as he slowly stalked the halls like an undead vessel.

"Master, please. Tell me what is troubling you," Ravage tried to get through to him, worry etched in his voice. But, it was all in vain. Soundwave could not hear him, nor anything from the outside. He was lost in his own heavy daze, a sickening one - the kind that makes one numb to all things else around oneself. Megatron, whom Soundwave had committed and dedicated every circuit of his being to, the leader and creator of the Decepticon cause that he so whole-heartedly believed in; was in fact the source of his unbearable grief, agony, and silence.

Soundwave thought he knew everything, always. There were never secrets witheld from Soundwave. Only for him to realize that he'd been living a lie for over a millennia.

There were so many overwhelming emotions contained within him, yet he could not express any of them to anyone. No one could know he regained his past memories. They were altered for a reason - to keep his loyalty, and garner hatred for their mortal enemy, the Autobots. Soundwave wanted to slit Megatron's throat right where he stood, and then crush his spark with his bare servos. And Shockwave... Shockwave...

. . .

"Soundwave...are you online?"

Soundwave held his throbbing helm as he regained conciousness, feeling as if he'd been run over by the alterate mode of Optimus twice over. Soundwave lifted his view up, taking a few astroseconds to focus his optics, and recognized the vibrant indigo painted scientist that asked of him. He tried to speak out in reply, but quickly winced and touched his cables. Shockwave stilled.