Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Soundwaves helm hurt.

As he stared at the screen, all he could feel was disbelief when he saw that there was going to be no more chapters. It was done. This Primus forsaken disgrace for literature was actually done, and all he could feel was dissatisfaction.

It's not that he liked the story, quite the opposite. He despised it and lived to send hate comments under every update the author had under the name of, 'TelapathicWaves.' It was a routine, a hobby even, to criticize and argue with people in the comments that actually enjoyed the poor quality writing of the current biggest story now, 'The Absolute Logic' By 'TheStarsScream'. Soundwave was of the personal opinion that it only had one saving grace, and it was the protagonist, Shockwave, who was the best character to come of existence!

His story began with tragedy after tragedy, the writing actually promising and of decent quality. The next arc of Shockwaves story began when he joined up with the Decepticons and became a scientist within their ranks, all was looking up for him until the villain appeared. To his surprise, the villain had the same name as him, Soundwave, but he supposed it fit due to his abilities with sound. To say he hated this character though would be an understatement. Such great potential, the second best gladiator and Megatrons most trusted alley, a great set up to a great and interesting character.... If he didn't turn out to be an absolute bastard! Scum he tells you, absolute bottom of the barrel scum! He had no right tormenting and making Shockwaves life a living hell! The Decepticon cause could've absolutely lived without him, if only their leader, Megaton, wasn't such a pushover for the guy. Maybe then the end of the second story arc wouldn't have ended with Shockwave being betrayed and rid of his literal emotions.

The following arc was of Shockwave overcoming his challenges and rising to the top using his newly found logic. Soundwaves favorite part was when his name companion finally got what he deserved, of course.

"The sound of gasps filled the room, at the center a deconstructed bot tied uselessly to a table. "you... Soundwave: Superior. Shockwave—"

"Inferior. Yes, I know. You're illogical as ever, Soundwave." Shockwave narrowed his singular optic, there would've been hate if he hadn't had his emotions blocked, no, removed, ages ago.

Soundwave laughed weakly, like he'd just heard the funniest joke in eons. He laughed, and laughed, and laughed until Shockwave finally found it fit to deactivate his processors for good. After all, it was the most logical decision."

The writing! The Characterization! it was the peak of the novel, and it all went down from there.

It started with the plot holes. Sure, there had been some before but none this obvious. Like how Decepticon leader Megatron even knew of Soundwaves death! And don't even get him started on his cheap death afterwards, seriously, grief? Grief?!?! What was there to grieve! His oh so horrible personality? Soundwave could feel his helm pounding the more he thought about it, just a simple one line sentence and then... and then everything moved on! That wasn't even the worst part, the worst part was when Shockwave started a harem.

Shockwave was one of logic, he had no feeling and didn't really care for others unless they helped pushing forward in his goals. That being said, he just started collecting harem members out of the blue, For! No! Reason!!! There was no logic in it, and people loved this new development. 'The Absolute Logic' skyrocketed in popularity and soon Shockwaves character was watered down to a mere sadistic harem lord who only cared for having beauties by his side! What the Fuck!!

Soundwave grew understandably upset the more he thought about it. He spent all his time and money on this. So of course the first thing he did was immediately open up his comments and start furiously typing out criticism after criticism until his processors began to heat up and start sparking from stress.

"What the hell. This stupid author!! Not even loyal to your own characters! Justice for Shockwave!!!" He yelled in absolute frustration, before finally his processors fried up and he short circuited. Death, and the last thing he'd ever said or thought about was pure hate for that web novel.

[System Activated, Code: Justice for Shockwave]

[Welcome to the System! We hope to provide you the best experience as you fulfil your desire to transform a poorly written work into a high quality masterclass novel!]

You've got to be kidding.

Chapter Text

Soundwave wondered what he did to deserve this treatment.

First he reads the most disgraceful piece if literature (if it can even be considered that) to ever land in view of his optics, then he literally dies because of said thing, now he's, what, bound to a system?!?! As much as he felt angry about the situation, he couldn't help but also feel a definitely normal amount fear as well. If this is anything like those stories he's read about, he might get bound to the villain role, the villain of 'The Absolute Logic.' There's no worse fate than that, in Soundwaves very humble opinion. He most definitely did not want to get taken apart and experimented on by an emotionless Shockwave. Shockwave was already scary as is at that point of the story... The scenes with Soundwave just further proved that.

[User? Would you like an option for Soundwaves personality? This shall benefit you till you've unlocked OOC mode! Yes / No ?]

The system seems... Helpful. Well, helpful enough that it's offering him something to make getting into role easier. The more he thought about it though, the more the OOC function sounds like a blessing actually, why couldn't that have been offered?

[The system is joyous!! Congratulation! Congratulation! Congratulation! Good things must be said thrice! Character User: Soundwave is waking up!]

The light was harsh on his optics, everything hurt for some reason and for a moment, he felt his spark sink at the thought that maybe he was too late.

Those fears were washed away though when he heard someone speak, "Soundwave? Oh, Soundwave! You're awake, I apologize, I didn't mean to hit you this badly during the match...." It was a silver bot, a bulky one at that, and he seemed very worried. It was almost on instinct that he immediately knew who this bot was, from the descriptions from the original novel, to official art, he knew this was Megatron.

""Soundwave.... Soundwave is the one worthy competitor in the gladiatorial rings, he who is most loyal to me in the end. Most importantly though, he is my companion, Shockwave." -Excerpt from 'The Absolute Logic' spoken by Megatron

...He did have to admit, this character was done very well in the story. To the very end everything, as much as he hated to admit it, was loyal to his character. Unlike with Shockwave. (he's very much still bitter about this)

With a grimace, he sat up from the berth he lay in. "Er... Soundwave: Forgives...."

[OOC Warning!! Host is recommened you use more in character language provided by the official Soundwave personality data pack!]

Right. "....When Megatron leaves Soundwaves line of sight." Megatron visibly wilted at that, interesting. He closed his optics and began to think. Character interactions between Megatron and Soundwave were scattered around 'The Absolute Logic', but in very few numbers. They usually go bad considering how vile the original Soundwave was, and how Megatron at this point was for some reason a push over to him. The only redeeming trait of that whole dynamic was how loyal Soundwave actually was to Megatron and the cause. Perhaps that was the reason for keeping Soundwave around, much to speculate.

He reopened his optics and saw Megatron still there.

"Soundwave: Did not tell you to leave?"

"You said for me to leave your line of sight, I did when you closed you eyes." Maybe being in character wouldn't be as hard as he though.

Resisting the urge to embody Soundwaves spirit, he decided to ask about something instead. "Query, where is Shockwave?" If the way Megatron tensed a bit wasn't telling, the words he spoke next definitely were.

"Soundwave, you really shouldn't torment him anymore. He's one of our scientists for Primus sake!" Soundwave felt his spark sink, is he already to late after all?

"Bring him."

"Soundwave, I just told you—"

"Bring. Him."

Megatron got one of the subordinates there to bring him, wonderful. Now, to see the damage and if it's salvageable. He shooed Megatron out of the medical quarters despite the other very evident, and vocal, protests. He needed to assess this alone. So, when Shockwave was brought in, he felt an ache in his spark when he saw the acceptance in his optic. He then felt anger when he saw how the subordinates were treating him.

"Release him, and leave."

They shared a glance before letting Shockwave go and scattering away, like they wanted to get away before they faced Soundwaves wrath. Soundwave turned his gaze back to Shockwave who instead of carrying himself like the emotionless, logic filled character he'd come to love, was slouched and very much nervous, not emotionless. Maybe, just maybe, he can salvage this.

"I'm moving you to a private quarter. Shockwave: Too much for the others." Shockwave was surprised, but there was a hint of hope that made Soundwave want to break every OOC rule the system instilled.

[Idea not suggested! Points will be taken off if host does so!] Points? There's points?? Soundwave really is in some kind of transmigration type of story, huh?

A hesitant (Shockwave should never be hesitant) broke through the silence, "I... I thank you, Soundwave." He looked unsure of how to respond, unsure how he was supposed to react to something like this actually happening to him for the first time since he was recruited into the Decepticon cause.

Soundwave could feel his optic twitch, such a wonderful looking character, such an interesting character, only for him to be wasted in such a horrible way.

Shockwave stared at Soundwave, visibly confused on what was going through the bots processor. Wondering perhaps if this was really Soundwave.