I felt like it was unfair for me to update my new book so much and not this one. Honestly, I am in love with this book. Even though it may have been a little better in the beginning chapters, I wouldn't change a thing. I've found myself growing with every new thing I write. It's awesome. Also, I've noticed that I haven't really mentioned Knockout much in this book.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Feel free to check out my newest version of 'The Girl with Wings!' (Also, sorry for mistakes. I'll edit this book as soon as possible.)

~Enjoy <3

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Several days passed after the infiltration of the Nemesis. Unknown to Megatron, the Autobots had all four of the Omega keys. Though it was hard to detect the location of the last Omega key without Soundwave the warlord demanded constant searching. Blazing anger hit the mech in the spark when he realized it had already been retrieved. 

Soundwave had not only escaped him, but helped the enemy. There was no doubt in his processors- Megatron was going to eradicate Soundwave and send him to the pits. But, of course, not before toying with him first. If there was one thing any bot knew about Megatron, it was his tenacity and passion for justice served his own way. 

Starscream sulked around the Nemesis, seemingly bored with his lack of duty as the armada had ceased to take flight. Megatron was furious- for once, not at him- and he was taking the opportunity to plan. 

There had to be some way to gain overall leverage over the Decepticons and Megatron himself. The only problem was, Megatron held nothing precious to him other than his own pride, cunning, and brute strength. Nothing remained of his previous life that would make him back from his position.

The order was sent out exactly seven days after the Omega keys were stolen. "I will personally see to it that the Autobots will kneel before me. Knockout- you and Breakdown will capture the pets," Megatron said. He knew more than anyone that the synthetic energon would be completed sooner than later with Soundwave at the Autobot's side. Failure was not an option.

Starscream watched Knockout and Breakdown walk through a groundbridge. Schemes and plots flew threw his processor as he stared silently at the Decepticon warlord. "Starscream," Megatron snapped, "you will remain here until further ordered."

Servos clenched, Starscream nodded his helm and gave a short bow. "Of course my liege."

Meanwhile, the Autobots were huddled around the work table that Ratchet and Soundwave stood at. Miko, Jack, and Rafael were at a school science fair while Lynlee was sitting on Soundwave's shoulder. The mech refused to let her sit anywhere else.

The girl was happy to find the two mostly uninjured after their return from the Nemesis. Arcee seemed to gain a small amount of respect for the mech, while Soundwave actually took the time to remove his visor for short periods of time.

It wasn't much, but it was progress. Lynlee smiled at the thought as Soundwave slowly pointed towards something and softly said, "Here."

Optimus Prime glanced at the mech while Ratchet violently shook his helm. "Ep, Ep, Ep! That would ruin everything-"

"Here," Soundwave repeated. It was strange for every bot, hearing his voicebox, but it was very rare. Ratchet, on the other servo, was completely unfazed as his irritation grew.

"I think he's right, Ratchet," Lynlee interjected.

"And you know the structure of Cybertronian sciences?" the old medic snapped angrily. Lynlee flinched at his reply. Soundwave turned his helm to get a better look at the girl's crestfallen face before glaring at Ratchet.

"No."

"You two need to calm down," Arcee said sternly. "It's obvious he knows what he's doing, Ratchet-"

"And I don't?" Ratchet scoffed, optics wide and absolutely dumbfounded.

"I think we've completed more than we had before with Soundwave here." Arcee snapped suddenly. "We don't have time for this. If we get this, we win the war. It's as easy as that."

Bumblebee whirred happily and Bulkhead smashed his wrecking ball into his fisted servo. Optimus Prime stepped in easily, calming the group down. "I think it is best we attempt Soundwave's proposal, Ratchet."

Ratchet grumbled before glaring at the mech and doing as he was told. Much to his surprise, the formula was completed. Lynlee nodded towards Soundwave in praise as Ratchet coughed and sputtered, "It was impossible!"

"Not... for any bot-who...k-knows what he is-doing." Soundwave shrugged.

"Let's head out and get the kids," Arcee said towards Bumblebee and Bulkhead. The two nodded. 

Optimus thanked Soundwave for his help and turned towards Ratchet, who begrudgingly stopped to listen to Optimus as he devised a plan with the new items they had. 

"I'm kind of excited," Lynlee said, "I think we're going to win. Don't you, Soundwave?"

Soundwave didn't respond at first. The first thing he had noticed after returning from the Nemesis was the girl's black strands that protruded from her skull. Hair, as the humans called it. Though he lacked the obvious knowledge on human affections, the mech felt something different when seeing that Lynlee had cut her hair. It suited her, in a way.

She continued to talk, but he simply lifted a digit and lifted some of the hair onto it as delicately as he could. Femmes were so frail compared to mechs here on earth. On Cybertron, the femmes were equipped with training and were built to withstand attack better so they could protect themselves.

Lynlee would break if something attacked her.

He worried about Megatron's words- about abusing the girl in front of his very own optics. A pain he hadn't even experienced with his parental units- they were with the allspark before he'd seen anything. 

"S-soundwave?" Lynlee glanced at the digit on her hair. "You okay?"

Okay. Not only did Soundwave grow more accustomed to the Autobots, but the feeling of the spark bond. He understood what the difference between functioning and okay was now, thanks to Lynlee. With a small vent, the mech took a step away from Optimus and Ratchet, pulling Lynlee onto his servo and holding her close to his chest.

"No," he softly admitted.

The girl frowned. "What's wrong? Do you think something will go wrong? That the Decepticons will win?"

That wasn't it at all. Soundave slowly placed the girl onto the ground. She crossed her arms over her middle, feeling anxious as the bot closed his optics. In an instant, Soundwave's holoform was beside her. She had gotten better at her reactions, but Lynlee still found herself jumping slightly in surprise.

"Why aren't you okay?" she asked slowly.

Soundwave hesitated, but reached out to take her hand before lifting it and placing it towards his spark. A blush formed on Lynlee's face. For the past several days, Soundwave had been acting strange- he wouldn't go without her by his side. He would talk more, but never anything more than a few words at a time. 

It felt nice, like he was opening up, but so wrong at the same time. As if he was rushing things. 

"Sparkmates." Soundwave stared down at her hand as she held it close to his spark.

"Yeah, I still don't understand completely, but I get the gist." Lynlee made a nervous smile. "I guess that explains why you didn't kill me when we first met. And like Primus said, our dreams are linked together."

Optimus had been ating like counselor to them. Eventually, all their dreams and thoughts on Primus and sparkmates came forth. Soundwave didn't talk much about his fear of killing Lynlee, but his hesitation was obvious. 

"You don't have to worry about anything, Soundwave. You don't have to turn into something for me. You've been holding onto things for thousands of years. It doesn't just disappear like that." She snapped her fingers.

"Soundwave is worried," he replied. 

"Worried about what?" 

Without a warning, he removed her hand and wrapped his arms around her. The blush intensified, but she didn't move. He was obviously trying to find his own form of comfort. It felt nice when he was the first one to make a move instead of her. Lynlee had began to wonder how awful it would be to lack affection from a mother.

Of course her own family was messed up, but her mother still gave her love and affection despite the circumstances when she was alive. Soundwave's parents were brutally abused and murdered at a young age. 

"Why don't we go do something?" she asked quietly.

Soundwave pulled away. He said nothing, but confusion was still in his eyes. Lynlee shrugged. "When all of this is over, we can go do something together. You haven't even begun to see Earth. It's beautiful."

He liked the sound of that. 

"Lynlee," Optimus Prime said in his baritone voice, "Nurse Darby requires you. Ratchet will open a groundbridge."

Soundwave's holoform disappeared. His true form scooped Lynlee back up just as she asked, "What for?"

"She is worried about your education- as an adult should be about a child your age," Ratchet said. 

A look of disgust crossed the girl's face. "I have to sign up for school?"

"Soundwave-goes..with Lynlee." 

"I require you here." Ratchet shook his helm. "There is still much that needs to be discussed about the formula. 

"Lynlee will be safe within the premises of the school," Optimus assured the ex-Decepticon. "Agent Fowler will have eyes on the building to make sure nothing happens. June Darby will only require her for a short time."

Lynlee felt the grip on her body squeeze tighter. A small laugh escaped her lips. "I'll be fine, Soundwave. Put me down. I'll be back in a little bit."

"Yes, and I also require to rid you of that." Ratchet grimaced and pointed towards the Decepticon symbol on his shoulder platings. "Though I am still unsure, the others, including Arcee, think you are truly willing to change."

Some emotion, Soundwave couldn't quite describe it, filled his entire being. Lynlee grinned as she was put down. Her hands ran through her short black hair. "I can't wait to see it Soundwave!"

The mech nodded as Ratchet opened a groundbridge. "Nurse Darby is waiting for you at the school. You will return back to base after completing your work."

Optimus nodded a goodbye as the girl walked through the groundbridge. As Ratchet closed it behind her, Soundwave tilted his helm at the sudden unease he felt. It was the first time he had let her out of his sight for several days, so he expected it. But there was something else.

Something didn't feel right. 

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Hope you guys liked this chapter. 

I'll make sure to edit this book when I have time. Love you guys <3