A/N: Hi Everyone! It has been a long time I know, but with COVID, life, and just good old writer's block I have been having a hard time writing anything. So yes this is short, but it is better than nothing, that's all anyone can ask for. Again, sorry for the long wait, but with this out of the way, I think my block is slowly lifting! So I hope you enjoy this small chapter, also, happy new year, a little late I know, but hey, this year is looking better by the day, so yeah!

Chapter 23-Darkness's Embrace

No One's POV

Pain, heat, and fear are what he can recall in this black inky ocean that he finds himself suspended in. This would be disconcerting if it weren't for the bigger issue of that of the ocean of darkness. He could move, couldn't vent properly, it felt sticky and gross, something he didn't appreciate.

He for once let his grandiose facade fall, letting the fear sink in, and he tried to cry out, but the substance stopped any sound from being said. To say that he was terrified was an understatement, he tried to kick and swim his way out.

But nothing that Makeshift did, mattered, in the slightest.

Helpless, alone, and the searing pain that crept in and settled around his spark as he kept struggling.

'This is my fate.'

It was a sudden and strange thought, and as soon as he thought it, he was repulsed by it. This couldn't be it, this suffocating void couldn't be his fate, that was ludicrous.

He was destined for greatness, maybe even rulership over the Decepticons. Primus would love to lead that army, Megatron was so old fashioned, he was young, bright, strong, cunning. He was everything that old gladiator wasn't. Why settle for anything less than him? This was everything he was striving for, power and control over the Decepticons, with Astraea at his side.

Yes, Astraea, the strongest femme and the most cunning out of them all.

She was a prize to him, a beautiful queen to sit by his side. She was merely a tool for him to use, her mind was indeed powerful which could threaten his goals. So keep her close, and gain a wondrous prize.

But now he couldn't think about that, this void ocean and this burning sensation around his spark. Again, he thrashed, he screamed, he did everything he could...but nothing came.

'I want out, get me OUT!' His inner voice screamed in frustration.

Then, he felt it, a presence, a dark presence.

Something about whatever watched him, was sinister, so much so that it made his spine crawl. It felt old, ancient, and dark. Something that shouldn't be here and yet it felt so well placed. Its growl echoed in his audios, rumbling his spark uneasily.

Then, it spoke.

"Such an ambitious little spark, yet your time is near its end. A shame, I could've used you. But, your spark is about to extinguish, so there is no point…" The voice was deep, impassive as if looking at a bug.

It was mocking as well, and it made his Energon boil.

Before he could bark back though, he was thrust back into the living world.


She sat near where Makeshift was recovering from the little spat with Nerium, it had been a couple of days since then and he still wouldn't wake up. Knockout said it was completely normal, but kept prodding about how the incident happened. She didn't say, fearing that little glitch's power. Even then, she had Megatron wrapped around her digit and it seemed like she would become untouchable.

It was a bother, to say the least.

With it becoming harder and harder to actually get rid of these femmes and their influence. She needed to be more careful, like Makeshift. Though his brashness, which was rare, cost him this time, Astraea believes it will give him the understanding he needs to see how to defeat these femmes.

Makeshift was her answer to everything, his mind and plans to destroy these femme's and taking the throne of the Decepticons. Of course, when it does happen, she will take the throne from him. Why? While the mech was handsome, charming, and downright sly as frag, he was a tool.

And someone like that wasn't worth her time.

She would rule, and she would rule alone.

That said, she had to play the part of a dumb femme follower. He was so easily manipulated, it was so adorable. And when straps that bomb she's made especially for him onto his back, in the end, it will be a spectacular sight to see, all those colors mixed in with metal and Energon...it made her drool just thinking about it.

That was interrupted when he suddenly vented heavily and shot up, scream in pain or..fear? She couldn't tell, his wide optics were searching the room till they landed on her, the 'act' needed to be kept up.

"Makeshift! Are you alright?" She asked, fake concern coursing through her voice as she stood up next to him.

He hissed, scowling, "Do I look alright?! How long was I out for?"

Astraea huffed, scowling as well, "Several cycles, and it seems as time goes on, their influence spreads."

He rolled his optics, "Of course, that's just great, but I don't want to talk about that right now with you. Get out, I wanna recharge." He said with a coldness that was almost new to her, in some ways.

It seemed someone woke up on the wrong side of the berth.

"Whatever…" She growled, and walked out, stomping her way to the bridge to complete some task given to her by Soundwave.

She was behind, on purpose, just annoy him. And it would be a good distraction from the glitch's onboard this accursed ship. But as she turned the corner, she wasn't on the Nemesis anymore. She was now in a void ocean of darkness, it felt like she was suddenly surrounded by a dark, sticky substance, it seeped into her optics, and her vents.

She felt stuck and cold, she screamed out trying to make some noise, but nothing came out.

Then, she wasn't alone. Something else quickly made its presence known, a dark and cruel force of power, that made her shiver with delight at the implications. It curled around her, seemingly inspecting her for some quality.

Then, a deep and dark voice hummed in approval tone, saying, "Yes, you will do quite nicely, a dark empress right to rule my dark empire with my other chosen. Soon, you will know true power, my dear, soon enough."

And then, she could vent and see again, back on the Nemesis, with a feeling of being branded and new like the day she was born.

Power was offered to her, and she was all too pleased to know she wasn't the only one who saw her rightful duty to have such power.

She was chosen.