[I just wanna apologize to you guys because I felt guilty about how much time I had been gone. I had been working myself up to write the last chapter up for you guys, but I kept getting so overwhelmingly tired. I recently felt good enough to write, so I finished this for you guys.]

(Chapter 22)

(Ven POV)

I can't believe I slept through the whole battle. I wanted to see Megatron get blown up …. Eh, Oh well.

—--

After I had been rudely woken up by my favorite trio I had been informed of everything that went down. I luckily already knew how it went down, so I was good on that aspect. I just paid attention to make sure that everything went as the original plot. The only thing that I knew changed was that Cliffjumper was also taking part in the battle, which was perfect.

After the rundown I had been informed that I yet again would have to lead the Decepticons.

Soundwave had come into my room, setting off different recordings to make up a sentence. What is this, have a meeting in the human's room? It's feeling a little too crowded in here and I'm not even as big as them.

"Ven will - rule - in Megatron's - absence."

I had given him a look. I was too tired and irritated to be looking after everyone after just a short break. Wait. Megatron really came back and got blown up right after he came back? That's pathetic and sad in the most funniest way, but still, I think I deserve a small break from taking care of everybody on this vessel.

"Why do I have to do it? Why can't he do it?"

I had pointed at Starscream, which looked like it had him baffled that I even suggested him in the first place. He even pointed to himself and looked in between me and Soundwave. Even Breakdown and Knockout looked kinda surprised that I suggested him.

"Me?"

I mean seriously, I may share a role with Megatron, but that's a little too much for me since the plot for the show has already begun. I didn't want to mess anything up, and knowing me, I probably will, and if I'm extremely lucky, they'd be small messes. They won't. I just know they won't. Whoo the future is looking pretty messy already.

"He's literally Second in Command."

Starscream continued to look slightly confused and surprised that I'd even suggested him. Why wouldn't I though? He takes over momentarily in the show too, so I don't want to steal his spotlight. I want to give him a chance at it since I feel like he'd do significantly better than he previously did in the show.

Soundwave shook his head, dismissing my suggestion, making me sigh and Starscream look slightly dejected. He did still want to rule y'know. He told me himself that he still wanted to, but he felt that if he did he might make the same mistakes that Megatron had made with his troops, but I reassured him that he wouldn't. I have trust that he wouldn't and I made sure to tell him that. I wasn't about to hear my friend talk shit about himself after he'd been working on himself for a bit.

Soundwave pointed at me insistently and repeated the recorded sentence.

"Ven will - rule - in Megatron's - absence."

I scoffed and rolled over in my bed. Soundwave may be one of my favorites, but nah booskie. I'm not ruling shit right now. They wake me up out of my sleep and expect me to take up most of the workload? Tuh. No.

"Nah. I'm good."

Even though I was rolled over and had declined the position twice, Soundwave had walked up and grabbed me, pulling me out of my bed, making me shout in shock. I had grabbed onto his thin digits so that I'd have some leverage. I kicked my feet slightly as he had let my legs dangle and I looked at him with a scowl.

"Bro, what the hell!"

Soundwave just stared and repeated himself a third time.

"Ven will - rule - in Megatron's - absence. Most suitable - to rule."

I let my head fall back limply and I groaned exasperatedly. I didn't want to do it man. I'm too tired to be taking on the responsibility again. Sigh. Y'know what? Fuckin fine.

"Fine, you demanding danger noodle. Now put me down before I bite your cables."

He nodded and popped me down onto my bed, face down. I let out an annoyed muffled huff and rolled over onto my back, looking a bit disgruntled and irritated. I looked at Soundwave, narrowing my eyes at him for a moment before I just clicked my tongue and reached a hand up to cover my eyes.

"Is there anything else I need to be aware of?"

The silence was loud….

"Anything at all? Knockout? Breakdown? Starscream?"

I could hear some shuffling before I heard one of them speak.

"Our Energon stocks need to be addressed. The Space Bridge that Lord Megatron had us build required a large amount, so we'll need to take care of that first. We have a shortage of staff in the Med-bay as well."

I dragged my hand down my face and I sighed heavily. I was going to be for quite a fuckin while. I just know that the days ahead of me will be filled with work and sleep deprivation … I wanna go back to bed.

—--

I had gotten up quite a while ago, putting together a sloppy, but quick plan to get some tasks done before I had to do anything else.

I was in the Main Bridge, getting ready to inform the rest of the vessel that Megatron had unfortunately 'passed' trying to bring victory to the Decepticons.

I was putting my hair up into a high bun, just knowing that I was going to be very busy today and probably all night long trying to get things as organized and put together as possible.

I sighed through my nose and my shoulders sag as I put my hands on my hips, a wave of tiredness hitting me like a freight train. I shook myself out of it and huffed, knowing that being tired will get me nowhere, so it's best to try and stay awake for as long as I could before I went and did anything.

"Ey Soundwave, I'm ready for the broadcast thingy."

Soundwave was in the room with me, wait…I didn't say where I was did I? No? Damn, hold on. I'm in the Main Bridge, which was empty at the moment. I was giving the Mechs that usually worked here a break, which they really needed after Megatron came here and worked them with NO breaks. Seriously, the dude has a problem with overworking his men.

Okay, now we can get back to the present.

Soundwave walked towards me and gave me the sign that he was recording. I cleared my throat and I put my hands behind my back.

"As you all know, we've unfortunately witnessed our leader getting blown up, but fear not, I will be taking over and making some slight changes. First things first, everyone is going to have scheduled breaks, no excuses."

I went down from there giving them a list of things that would now change, the first thing I mentioned: scheduled breaks, which WILL be mandatory. The next on the list is that everyone will have a name, no matter how strange or weird. Nobody finna be nameless here. There were a bunch more, but I don't feel like going over them right now so that'll have to wait till later, at best mind you. I legit might forget, but oh well.

After I was done briefing the whole ship about our situation and Soundwave let me know he was done recording I let out an exasperated sigh, just knowing that I'm finna be busting my ass in a little bit, but I sadly had to suck it up. Won't be able to get anything done with this type of attitude, so might as well make it positive and say it's for the Mechs on this vessel. Do it for them and I won't shut down. Alrighty then, let's get to work.

Soundwave had let me know that I would need to look over files and reports from different mechs on different groups like: The mechanics, the fliers, the grounders, and ECT, which will be a workload.

I pulled out my computer from a bag that I made sure to bring along with me, just knowing that I'd need it. It was filled with water and clothes, with a small amount of other things that I may or may not need, but you never know. I might need those mysterious things. Anyways….

I pulled out my computer and popped my knuckles, taking a deep breath and then absolutely going in on the files and reports that Soundwave sent me. I went through them all, looking them over thoroughly and sending back my input to certain mechs that didn't quite understand what they had to be doing. While I was doing this, I was also sending messages to my favorite trio, letting them know about certain things and telling them what they had to do for the day. I was also quick to inform them, just in case they weren't listening to the vessel wide briefing, that there will be mandatory breaks for them and any Vehicons that accompany them with anything that they do. I'd beat their afts if they don't follow through with it, which I was quick to let them know about.

They all reported back and let me know that they understood, which I was pleased to see. I wasn't about to torture them by working to death.

I even told this to Soundwave, just knowing that he was the most overworked, but hold on, he was also a workaholic, so I told him that if push came to shove, I would find a way to force him into taking a break, and I was quick to let him know that I was not playing with him. I would find a way and I will end up making him take a break, however small the break may be. He nodded, showing he understood, but I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion, knowing that he was just going to continue to work, making me sneer. Just wait you danger noodle. I'll be watching your ass.

I quickly got back to work on the reports, handling everything and such with a precision that I usually don't really harbor. I was a lazy bitch, so this quite honestly also surprised myself as I got everything done. Next thing I knew, it was early morning.

I yawned, stretching my back and twisting to pop my lower and upper back, letting out a pleased sigh as I heard and felt the pops go up my back.

"Oh that felt good. Whooo! I'm just about ready to crash."

I huffed through my nose as I itched my head, really tired. I was slouched over my computer, my eyes feeling heavy and puffy as I rubbed them, trying to get rid of the sleepiness, but to no avail. I was leaning forward, my forearms resting on my knees as I looked at my computer, just staring for a moment and thinking to myself, just wondering why I was even brought here in the first damn place. I wasn't anything special, and I sure as hell wasn't no main character. I was fine as I was, just lazing around, being a normal, plain kid.

I missed my mama, my brother, and my sister. I missed hearing my mama yell at us, telling us to clean up, I miss hearing my sister talking shit, and I miss my brother's brain rot jokes, no matter how annoying they were. I just miss being home, being normal. I rubbed my eyes again, letting out a heavy sigh as I leaned back and laid down. I should mention that this whole time I've been chilling in the Big M's throne. It wasn't comfortable, but this is where most of the troops expect to find me anyways. Couldn't exactly tell them to come to my room. Would be unprofessional.

I looked up at the ceiling of the Nemesis, just staring for a long while, just thinking and sifting through my memories, having some nostalgia of the good old days of my childhood, looking back when I didn't have to worry about a war that I really didn't want to be involved in, or when I didn't have to worry about literal millions to billions of lives being lost. I snapped out of it when Soundwave and Lazerbeak came into view, Lazerbeak giving some concerned chirps and Soundwave showing a concerned emoji on his visor. I sigh and sit up slowly.

"I'm fine you guys. Just looking back at the good old days."

I sighed and my shoulders sagged.

"My safe days."

They both looked at each other, but they backed off giving me some space that they probably thought I needed, which was kinda nice of them. I actually appreciate it. Shows they care y'know? It's good to be around that when you feel like things are going to spiral.

I looked back down at my computer, just in time for a notification to come through. Curious, I press the icon which then shows the exact coordinates to a signal, a very familiar one.

I sat there, shellshocked as I realized who the signal belonged to, making me choke on air, making me cough and pat my chest. As I regained my breath I glanced at Soundwave for a moment and saw that he was looking directly at me, probably being the one to have sent me the notification in the first place. I looked back at my computer and quickly tried to summarize a plan, which was easy to put together, but would be crucial for the future. All these decisions, all having risks that could go awry at any moment.

I rubbed under my eyes roughly, my eyes feeling dry, which didn't really pair well with my every growing headache. The series was just starting and I thought I had a little more time to prepare, more time to get things done on time, more time to deal with the Autobots, more, more, more. Sigh. It feels like time was slipping through my fingers, time running out at a faster and faster pace, just continuing to speed up as I continue to try and heal this broken as FUCK world. Like seriously, why? Why cause all this damage? I blame two beings. The bucket with teeth and the rotting fuck at the core of this world. Don't argue with me on this right now. I'm tired.

I clicked my tongue as I just made a decision, which I don't really want to do, but he's the only one that can do it and will come straight to me. He won't go to Soundwave nor will he gossip. He'll probably be clueless, but I'll be there to help him out. I guarantee you since he comes to me for help anyway.

I called Soundwave over, having my mind made up.

"Do me a favor and call Starscream please. We will be taking a little field trip to these coordinates."

I showed him the computer showing him the notification that he had sent me, letting him know my planned trip. I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by and not leave him to rust below the surface level of the earth.

"Oh and before I forget, you're coming with us to kind of supervise."

Soundwave looked down at Lazerbeak, Lazerbeak looking back at him, both probably wondering what I could possibly need him for, but he complied.

Later, after Soundwave had done what I asked, Starscream came walking in, looking around for a moment before locking eyes with me. His optics widened slightly, perking up, but paused when he saw me in Megatron's throne, making him raise an optic ridge at me. He walked up and stopped right beside the throne. I shrugged up at him, holding my computer in my lap, still finishing up some more work that had come flooding in.

"What? He ain't using it."

He just vented and shook his helm.

"Only you would have that logic."

I shrugged again and looked at my computer, pulling up the coordinates that Soundwave had sent me earlier and picked it up, turned it around and showed it to him, looking up and over the computer, now my turn to raise my brow at him.

"Do you know where this is? What this location contains?"

Starscream leaned down and squinted to see the exact coordinates, pausing and freezing once he recognized what he was seeing on the screen. He glanced at me then back at the computer then over his shoulder to look at the ever busy Soundwave, who was also listening in, but we're not supposed to know that. He looked back at me and blinked once, a slightly sheepish expression on his face.

"I do. He was to remain posted there until needed. Do you need him?"

I nodded my head and turned my computer back around, looking at the coordinates again before nodding my head in confirmation to Starscmream's question. I did indeed need Skyquake, for if he dies, it might endanger Starscream and mess up my plans for the future. I do need the twins alive. It was heartbreaking when they both ended up dying. Broke my heart since the other twin felt the other's death from galaxies away. Oof.

"Yeup. Since Megatron has been blasted off the board we need all the help we can get, and since he's a fellow commander and has experience, same as you all, he'll be able to provide an extra opinion while navigating this war. I mean, I would end the war, buuut, I don't feel like it would be the right time, my reasons will be unknown for now."

Starscream tilted his helm and gave me a look, even Soundwave paused momentarily, resuming in his typing, but now at a slower pace than before. Both seemed to be surprised that I could even consider an ending in the war, which is kinda surprising because isn't that what they want? The war to end and to finally relax? Not having to look over their shoulder every five minutes of the day? Eh. I'll just look at it from their perspective. They're so used to war that they probably wouldn't know what to do other than have ptsd…I feel like therapy is going to be needed in bulk at the end of this all.

Hold on, I mentioned that I would end the war, but I wasn't going to right? My reason being is that I don't want Megatron to suddenly come back and rain down his wrath on us all. I'm paranoid, so there are many ways that he could come back. He still has that shard of Dark Energon in his spark chamber, so he could just be healing in space right now, albeit at a slow pace, but he's still healing.

"You would end the war?"

I was snapped out of my thoughts and I looked up at him, blinking slowly as I nodded.

"Yeah. I would."

He then narrowed his optics.

"But, … not now?"

I nodded my head and looked to the side quickly before looking back at him. Yeah, I know my decision was strange, but if he knew my predicament and why I was choosing to do this he would understand. It's not easy for me either, but I'd rather not have this universe implode on me okay? Even then, I'm scared as fuck right no trying to figure out how to come out of this alive. My nerves feel fried too since I'm pretty sure that I'll be officially introduced to the Autobots, I mean, I already was, but I think they forgot about me. They probably think I died.

I'm planning for the war to slowly, SLOWLY, simmer down to the point where the war is just … over. I want them to feel like fighting would just be pointless, endless war would be pointless. I know it's a pretty big thing to want, but hey, I can get them at least a little close to that. Low progress is still progress in this type of situation.

"I have an answer for that, but right now isn't exactly the time to explain. We've got things to do, things to fix, and things that need to be discussed going forward. All of which needs to be scheduled now that I'm realizing."

I looked back down at my computer and I pulled up a google doc, listing down moments where things just need to be handled. I didn't bother to notice the strange look Starscream threw my way, I felt them and I was kinda filled with some embarrassment. I didn't like that I had to do some of this right now, but coming in either one or two days, maybe a couple weeks, I'm gonna talk to them on exactly why I don't really want to end the war at the moment.

I cleared my throat and I closed my computer, slowly standing up, my knees aching since I sat in one position for a couple hours too long. I groaned and arched my back, twisting so that I could stretch and pop my back, which I did. I let out a strangled sound in my throat as I felt and heard the pops go up my back. I relaxed and popped my knuckles, preparing to make a show of difficulty by stumbling off of the throne, but before I did that I looked up and Starscream and I ended up snorting. If you could see the look on this mech's face I swear. He was looking at me like I was crazy.

"What? Does popping my bones disturb you or something?"

He nodded his helm and made another face, his upper lip curling and his optics narrowing.

"Very."

I chuckled as I grabbed my bag and shoved my computer in it, throwing it over my shoulder and making my way to the edge of the throne, sitting down and slowly slipping off of the edge, still talking to Starscream as I 'struggled' to get down.

"I've popped my bones around you before man."

I slipped down and staggered back against the throne, which wasn't for show since I ended up actually slipping. I huffed as I pushed myself up and straightened myself out. I playfully clicked my tongue in faux annoyance when Starscream snickered at my little mishap.

"Yes, but that does not mean that I am used to it."

He shivered in disgust.

"Hearing it and knowing what happens when you pop your bones is quite disgusting."

I shrugged my shoulder for I don't even know how many times that night, beginning to walk towards him so that he could pick me up, which he did by picking me up by my backpack, making my legs dangle for a moment, holding onto the straps of my backpack tightly so that I didn't fall. He plopped me on his shoulder and began to walk out, both of us heading to my room so that I could change into adequate clothes.

When we made it there I told him to wait outside. I planned on bringing my little nano-tech suit and wanted to surprise Starscream and Soundwave. Just so everyone knows, as I'm going to take over temporarily again, I need the Autobots to think I'm some sort of minicon that's somehow ruling the Decepticons in Megatron's place. Hmm. Wait, maybe it might be a better idea if I just let the Autobots think Starscream took Megatron's place like in the show … I'll think about it for now. I wanna have this go perfectly. Ooouuu I'm kinda excited! Okay calm down.

I walked to the bottom of my berth and knocked my fist against it, making a human sized sliding door slowly open to reveal a secret human sized room in the berth, AKA, my workshop, secret workshop. Top secret at this point if none of the mechs pointed it out.

I walk in, walking past sharp shards of metal and scrapped projects that never quite got completed or were just completely put off due to their inability to work, but past all that was my most prized and precious possession: The Little Shit. Dark purple was the main color, nearly pitch black, but when put in the light, a dark shimmering purple appears. Gold accents were put on the very sharp edges of the suit, wanting to go for a dark marble kinda look. The suit was nearly, NEARLY, the same as the Iron Man suit, but I didn't want to plagiarize, so I made some differences. The eyes for one, are sharp and a dark red color, closer to the color of blood than the regular red. Two, I added claws since I'm going for a more Decepticon look. Third, for the feet, I'm basically going to be walking around on knives. The feet are pointed, kinda like a knife almost, like I said, but it's kinda like a ballerina. Don't know if that makes sense, but moving forward. Finally, I added some horns…don't judge me. I wanted to go for an evil vibe, and I am going to be a little shit y'know. Gotta look the part of an imp. Maybe I should add a tail? Would it complete the look I wonder? Eh I'll figure it out later. I should also mention that I made the suit make me taller…I don't know how tall minicons are. I'm seven feet tall in the suit.

I walked up to the suit and admired it for a moment, pride swelling in my chest as I gave it a once over. You definitely wouldn't be able to tell my gender in this since I made it androgynous. I did give the suit a more snatched waist, but that's about it I SWEAR. I just wanted to add some … I'm just making excuses, anyway, I also put a voice changer in it so my voice will be completely different. Ooouuu I get to show it off! Okay lemme hurry up and put this on.

I reached forward and put my hand on the shoulder of the suit, the nanites already doing their job and shifting over to cover the entirety of my frame, looking like a shiney, silvery, dark purple liquid. I only watched with widened eyes and a slowly growing smile as the nanites spread up my arm, over my shoulders and continued to cover me from there.

When the mask covered my face I looked around, the edges of my vision slightly shadowed, but still clear enough to see. I could see statistics going across my screen and the locking on features describing everything. I was happy. I finally got to wear the damn thing. I mean, I have worn it, just never outside of my workshop.

I walked out, slightly stumbling due to the new height and walking around on the tips of my toes in the suit, a very light sound of 'tinks' following my every step. I walked forward for a moment and quickly got the hang of it walking towards the door and quickly steeling myself for the reaction that might receive. Hold on, lemme take off my mask. Don't want him thinking I'm a different person with the voice changer still activated.

I walked up to the doors and they slid open, looking up and seeing that Starscream had his back towards me, just mumbling to himself, whatever about, I have no idea, but I don't exactly care right now. I've got a suit to show off!

I cleared my throat, making Starscream lightly jolt and his wings to twitch slightly, startling him to attention. He whirled around and looked down at me before blinking slowly, his mouth slightly hanging open and his optics slowly widening. I made a T pose and slowly twirled, my pointed feet making me spin quite gracefully if I say so myself.

"So? Do I look cool enough?"

He sputtered for a moment, trying to find his voice so that he could answer me, but it looked like he was absolutely flabbergasted to me. I looked up at him and slowly blinked, waiting for him to answer as he looked back down at me, hardly blinking.

"When did you even make this? How did you have enough time to make this?"

I shrugged. How many times have I shrugged now? Feels like a bit at this point.

"I dunno."

Better to answer with that than an answer that he'd try to investigate. Starscream is majorly nosey, hell, the whole damn ship is nosey. Nothing private goes on in this ship without at least the whole ship knowing. At least.

"C'mon. We gots work to do, people to dig up, and suits to show off."

I walked past him, still trying to get a feel of walking this way. Whoo now I just gotta worry about flying. Eeeeeh. I'm taking the groundbridge. I don't want to start free falling, I mean, you guys know that I've fallen free before, but that experience was NOT pleasant, so leave me alone. No judgy judgy.

I hummed a little jolly tune as I walked down the halls to meet up with Soundwave, heading to the Main Bridge so that he could open a Ground Bridge for me. I've already informed him that we're gonna need an Energon Cube, so he should have that with them as well. Can't really wake up the buried mech without.

I had gotten strange looks from the passing Vehicons and Starscream, who trailed slowly behind me. I just ignored it, at least I tried to. That shit makes me self conscious, but I figured that this was way better than criticism. At least I looked cool, so that's a plus.

When we made it to the Main Bridge I saw Soundwave patiently waiting by the Ground Bridge, Lazerbeak on his chassis, chirping a little bit higher with what I assume is excitement. Man, I love Lazerbeak. They're so cute. Kinda feel bad for them later in the series since they'll be shot out of the sky. Eh. I don't like dat. Imma change it.

Soundwave turned his helm towards me and slowly tilted his head once he saw my new suit, which I did a T pose and spun around, showing it off the same way I showed off to Starscream. I had a grin on my face, proud to show off, but kinda worried since I haven't gotten any compliments yet, but that's okay.

Soundwave paused for a moment, pretty sure he was staring, and his visor lit up with a smiling emoji along with a thumbs up, making me beam. Finally got a reaction that didn't make me nervous.

Soundwave started up the Ground Bridge and my mask enclosed around my face, concealing my features. I steeled myself and walked forward, preparing for the events of the day, hoping everything went well.

[Uh hey. I was gone for a while, but I'm alive. I'm well, a little tired since I finished this in school, but I did my best to make this chapter as interesting as possible. Now, as always, I'd love it if you guys commented and told me what you guys thought about this chapter]