[I'm feelin' myself since it's the holiday season. On an added note, all my readers, there might be some changes in this fic later and suggest you read the tags on AO3. Forgot to mention that in the last chapter]
(Chapter 29)
Wheeljack escapes, Makeshift is now useless, I talk to big ole MegAss again (in my mind this time), and I finally put a mass shifter in my damn suit. Other than the rundown, I've been feeling sicker lately, knowing the cause and knowing how I can flush it out, but I'm trying to use it to my advantage despite the cons of my decision. I only force myself to endure because everything is starting to flow more smoothly despite my position being compromised. Let me warn you that none of this is in order. That's how out of whack things are for me. Imagine the stress.
—--
(Ven POV)
My palm itched, throbbed, and pulsed. I felt heated, sickly, and cold at the same time. I was aware of the effects of the Dark Energon in my systems, all too aware of the side effects and downsides, but I needed it. My reason? It is exceedingly useful with helping me figure out the things I need to be careful with in the future, an example would be Megatron. He's all too aware and it's kinda freaking me the fuck out.
While I was freaking the fuck out, on the inside by the way, I had decided that some projects were being held off for way too long, one would be the mass shifter. I honestly need dat. What if I need to be bigger or smaller? It would be greatly useful for the future and I know my invisible audience would agree ith me.
Okay, mini-rant session. I won't say this much, even though I've mentioned it many times throughout the years and these current days, but I am scared as fuck. Not of the Bitch, don't worry. I'm scared because I have a so-so grip on everything, but just as I've reminded myself, not everything is as it seems on screen compared to reality. I have to chant this to myself constantly so I don't make dumbass decisions, like I've just done, a multitude of times. Sad. I know.
I was currently in a slightly empty room, I say slightly because there were some hardly used tools in here. I was currently using them to dismantle the mass shifter, asked a Vehicon to grab it from my room, and was putting some of the parts in the center of my suit, and if you're wondering how the suit is taking the upgrade, the nanites reach out and kind of just … eat it and add it within the many programs it has. Don't worry, I made it that way. It's simpler and less taxing. I am gonna need more nanites for the future tho. Don't worry how I get them. Seriously. Don't.
Just know I'm upgrading the design of my suit. I'm keeping it a surprise, so don't bother asking.
I was in the middle of feeding a small part from the shifter to my suit when my palm started throbbing painfully, making me wince. The pain shot up from my hand, all the way up to my arm, and over my shoulder. The pain was honestly knee buckling.
I'm 'bouts just say fuck it to this hand I swear. It's like it's having a godamn fuckin' attitude.
I glared down at my palm, currently not wearing my suit, and hit the side of my hand on the slab that my suit was laid out on, hissing angrily since this pain was not helping with my currently frenzied emotions, one of the very big downsides that the Dark Energon involved. You'd think you'd escape the generational bipolarness, but here I am, getting it due to an outside source. Kinda fucked up if you think about it.
I slicked back my damp hair with the hand that didn't harbor this nasty ass cut on my palm. I roughly shook my head and used my opposite hand to continue adding the parts to my suit.
I sighed harshly through my nose at the continued feeling of pain coming from my hand, making me stop what I was doing once again, putting down the current part that I had in my fingers, making the decision that I really needed this cut to be looked at despite me continuously putting this off … I'll just take this as karma.
I can feel some of you looking at your screens judgmentally. Stop it. I'm aware of my actions.
I don't even know why this bitch is still even hurting, ( I do know I'm just deflecting ) knowing that my healing was supposed to be slightly more elevated, but then again, my body's never dealt with Dark Energon, so I can't exactly complain, and honestly, it wouldn't even be hurting if I just got this hoe dealt with when I first got it. I wouldn't even be dealing with the silverback now that I realise. My dumbass. I really just created problems for myself.
I shook my head at my thoughts, grunting in annoyance and shaking my head in disappointment for myself. This is what I get for not being more smart or careful. Stress is about to kick my ass when he wakes up.
I huffed and shook my head again as I brought my hand that was in pain into sight, seeing the bandages that have been in need of a change for quite a while in all honesty. I used a sharp tool to cut some of the thick strips of bandages, moving carefully since, let me remind you, my hand still feels like the tweaker took a fat ass bite out of it with his fuck ass rotten teeth.
I slowly took the bandages, my face scrunching up, my new, sharp, blackened denta being barred as the pain began giving me a headache. I wanted a sharp grill, nothing like the silver shitstain, I promise you. I don't have piranha denta like him. My shit is more shark like. No small teefies here.
I winced, not at the pain, but at the condition of my hand. I just gotta inform you all that I bandaged my entire hand the last time I took care of it, as in fingers and all. The bandages ended at my wrist, so I have no idea what it looks like now. I know, I'm dumb, and I've been making dumb ass decisions lately.
The cut was no longer filled with pus, it just looked like blackened skin at this point. I flexed my fingers and cringed in both pain and how the cut looks. I could literally see the blackened flesh, that was supposed to be red, move. Picture it and tell me you wouldn't find it gross too.
The cut looked like it affected some of my veins too, noticing that some of them had turned black, and it was dark enough to be noticeable above the skin, which lets me know that yes, this does need to be flushed out.
I tilted my head and had a quick thought. Does it smell? Hey. Don't give me that look. If you had a cut that looked like a dead body was cut into after a week or two you'd want to know if it smelled like it too.
Seriously tho. My hand looks like it came from the dead.
I was slightly hesitant, but I leaned down slightly and brought my hand up to smell, taking a slow inhale. A confused look came upon my face when no scent came up. I looked down at my hand with furrowed brows, wondering if it really didn't have a scent or if I was just tripping and my nose somehow got fucked up. It would make sense though. Dark Energon fucks with everything, as all of you already know.
I shrugged roughly and just reached my other hand over the chassis of my suit, the nanites already reaching for me and moving along my body as I continued to look at the cut on my palm, forgoing the bandages since I no longer found any use in them. They were dirty anyway.
When the nanites completely covered me, my palm now disappeared from view. Not gonna lie, when the nanites flowed over the cut it kinda stung. I don't know what the hell the nanites are doing, but they better stop. I'm not playing at this point. If things keep messing with me I'm 'bout to disable a whole bunch of bitches and it ain't gon be pretty I fear. I ain't even gon fear. Keep playin'.
Yes. I'm pressed and I'm pressin'.
Just as I was about to turn around to face the door someone barged in, making me tense, not noticeable though. Can't let anybody know they got the slip on me.
The mech that barged in sounded like they were winded, so I remained quiet, patiently waiting for them to speak, because quite honestly, I don't feel like talking with this heavy ass jaw. I might just go to Knockout and see if we can find a lighter material, get some upgrades since I've got some inspo from when he accidentally split my chin down the middle. Still have the split honestly.
"Makeshift just reported in. He's got the coordinates to the Autobot base!"
I hummed in acknowledgement, rubbing my wrist since the pain felt like it was slowly fading, now only a low throbbing. I spoke to the Vehicon over my shoulder, already knowing they weren't any of the mechs that I knew exceedingly close.
That doesn't mean my tone turned rude. I'm deranged, not a bully.
"Gather a squadron of fliers on deck as well as all the officers. We will give him a nice welcome when he returns."
I slowly turned, looking down at the Vehicon that shrunk into themselves, having taken a step back as I moved to walk past him. I reached behind him to grab a sharp tool that had a small hook at the end. My grip tightened on the handle and I nodded my helm towards the door.
"You may go. Be quick to inform everyone."
The Vehicon nodded quickly and rushed out of this room. I huffed in amusement, finding their behavior funny. I don't really know why, but the Vehicons have recently been more fidgety around me.
I tilted my helm as I looked back down at the tool in my hand, humming in interest as I got ideas, violent ideas … I'll hold onto this for a bit. See what I can find so that I can do things with it.
I walked out of the room after standing in place for a bit, walking down the halls to the deck, already knowing the outcome of today. Perhaps I will pass Wheeljack as he makes his escape today? That will be an entertaining send off.
It will be a shame since the impression I've left on him is hardly a good one … oh well. I have to give the Autobots a reason to approach me with caution anyways. I don't like being underestimated.
I took my time getting to the deck, not wanting to rush since I wanted to see when- op! Nevermind!
Alarms went blaring down the halls, echoing ominously. The red flashing lights did not help with the atmosphere. I hummed in curiosity as I heard the shouts of Vehicons and the voice and Stasrscream over the speakers.
"The Autobot has escaped! I repeat, the Autobot has escaped. Capture him at all costs!"
I huffed in amusement at the sound of urgency in Starscream's tone, continuing to take my time making my way down the halls, close to getting to the deck. I even hummed a little tune, slowly twirling the tool I had in my servo, fidgeting with it, picking at the sharp hooked end with the curved claws of my digits.
When I barely got to the deck, I hurd rushing pede steps behind me, pausing when I heard them slide to a halt. The screech of metal against metal was loud af. I had a suspicion on who it was and slowly turned around to see the one and only Wheeljack. I slowly smiled under my helm, the optics on my helm creasing to give the impression as well.
"Well, well, well. Trying to leave so soon? We were just starting to know one another so well."
Wheeljack didn't say anything, only getting into a fighting position and holding his blades out in front of him. The sight can only make me laugh, but I held it in. I've got to have some respect for my favorite characters, but I did huff.
"You're lucky. Your use has been reached."
The deck doors opened when I took a single step back, stepping to the side and holding my arm stabilizer out to show him the currently empty deck.
"You may leave, Autobot."
Coincidentally, a Groundbridge, not ours, opened up. I knew that it led to the Autobot base, but he didn't know that.
Wheeljack faltered, his expression morphing into that of confusion, his grip on his katanas tightening as he shook himself out of it and practically barked his words at me. Justified.
"What sort of sick game are you playin' Con!"
I only tilted my helm and let my arm fall to my side, slowly twirling the tool in my servo.
"No games. That Bridge isn't ours, so no need to worry."
I heard the quick pede steps of incoming Vehicons and heard the engines of fliers flying down the halls. I looked over the helm of Wheeljack, and there they were.
"You better hurry or else they'll get you."
My tone was teasing and condescending, like I was talking to a child, which made Wheeljack snarl and look over his shoulder plate, seeing that there were indeed a bunch of Vehicons closing in.
He roughly shook his helm and ran, running past me and quickly making his way to the Bridge. I only watched on in amusement as he ran, noticing the little limp in his quick gait. Let's hope he does well enough against Makeshift.
It'd be really fucking unfortunate. I'm serious.
When he jumped through the Bridge I walked forward, stopping just in front of the portal, kinda just standing there patiently, continuing to twirl the tool in my digits. I mostly just stood there to guard it since I knew the others would want to go through, but no. We're not doing that.
I heard the sound of transforming metal behind me as well as the sound of halting pede steps. I could also hear the questioning voices of the mechs behind me, which were silenced by the one and only Starscream.
"Ven!? What is the meaning of this!? Why would you let the Autobot get away!?"
I continued to face the Bridge, but I answered, making my answer vague and short.
"He is no longer needed today, but we will see him again in our care."
Starscream made a sound that I knew was akin to frustration.
"What nonsense are you speaking!? We had him! In. Our. Grasp! Do you even know the amount of valuable information he could have given us!?"
I let him rant, letting him get it all out even as I kept my gaze forward, hearing the voices of Skyquake as well, but I still paid them both no mind even as I saw the quickly incoming frame of Makeshift who was still disguised as Wheeljack, being thrown through, which I quickly dodged. Starscream was hit, making me snort. My friend, still slightly unfortunate as always.
I grabbed Makeshifts ankle guard, dragging him off of Starscream, and hearing the Bridge slowly close behind me.
I stood straight as they both quickly got up, Starscream quicker than Makeshift, who winced as he got up, having been thrown roughly.
Starscream optics widened as he saw the Bridge close, his optical rides furrowing in anger as he quickly turned to face me, scowl on his faceplates and everything, but before he yelled at me Makeshift spoke up.
"I've gained the location of the Autobot base. It is located outside of a small town-"
A low, slowly speeding up beeping was heard, being cut off by a frantic Starcsream who quickly backed up and several Vehicons who rushed to follow their SiC. Skyquake, and oh! I almost forgot Soundwave came out here too! Where was I? Oh yes. Both, as well as many of the Vehicons follow after Starscream, all transforming and flying up.
"Back! Get back!"
I used the sharp tool that was in my hand and jammed in the Energon lines of Makeshift, flicking my wrist as I dug it even deeper, making him quickly raise his servos to stop the excessive leaking, a gurgled pained sound making it's way out his voice box, but before he could even do that I grabbed him by his helm and threw him overboard, the mech exploding quickly after.
I looked over the edge, down at the pretty blue glow of the explosion, cocking my helm and crossing my arms as I felt my cut start acting up again, this time more painful than before.
"Even if he failed, he made a pretty lightshow."
I was pulled back by the crook of my arm, my elbow for those who don't know, and was whirled around to face an angry, hold on, two angry seekers. Both mad at me for the same reasons, but in different fonts. Well, they weren't mad at me for the exact same reason, but it was close.
They both took turns yelling at me. Skyquake mostly just cursed at me in cybertronian and Starscream was just fuming. Surprised they got along just to scold me. Yes, I consider this a scolding, and this is actually pretty light compared to how I used to get scolded in my world.
"Do you even have the slightest idea on how you just ruined this for us? We were so fragging close- this close! To finding the Autobot base and destroying them once in for all!"
Skyquake cut in, scowl planted firmly on his face and his optics blazing as he put his peice in by cursing me out, some words he said in English.
"I knew you would be absolutely useless! You do not deserve the position if you're not going to take it seriously!"
Okay, now I was getting annoyed, but I held it in. Instead, I clenched my teeth and slowly blinked under my helm, breathing slowly as I continued to watch as they both hammered into me with their words. I had to stay calm or else I might say I do something they both are not gonna like and I'm gonna regret soon after. I say things I don't mean sometimes when I'm mad.
After they both winded down some, the verbal abuse still trickling through, I decided it was best if I just cut them off and gave them an explanation on how I intended things to go, by that I mean lie. I didn't plan shit with this in all honesty. The Wheeljack situation just kinda … happened and didn't go how I wanted it to go.
"I planned this."
Starscream sputtered and flipped his arm stabilizers up in the air, a look of defeat and disbelief etched on his faceplates. It was kinda funny to see, but I feel like he's gonna wanna talk about my random planning soon. I would do the same in all honesty.
"And you didn't bother to mention this? To anyone!? Why would y-"
He suddenly cut himself off, closing his optics and raising one of his servos to rub his crown. He grumbled and vented slowly, turning around and walking away. It was impressive since he walked through the squadron of Vehicons with his optics closed. I huffed in amusement, but felt guilt right after. I will apologize right after this. I'm uncomfortable with the fact that I didn't let him in on things for so long and didn't think about his feelings about not being let in on plans or not being informed what was going to happen.
I'm a terrible friend for not realising this sooner, I know, but I'll fix it.
Skyquake scoffed and shook his helm, crossing his arm stabilizers, overall looking like somebody's disappointed uncle.
"I am adding this to the many points I've made on why I think you're a terrible fit for your position."
He then scoffed and turned, following Starscream who was already back inside the ship.
The Vehicons looked back and forth at their leader and then at Commander Skyquake, a slight burst of anxious energy coming from a good grip of them as they watched this spectacle in front of them, never seeing such drama so much.
The fact that all the drama began because I'm here. It's a known fact. I'm pretty sure if you ask around they'll say yes.
I stayed where I was for a moment, the silence a bit tense, but I waved my hand, the one that wasn't currently dead looking, and waved them off.
"You are all dismissed."
They all turned and sped walked inside, the deck now being silent except for the nearly silent whistling of the wind. It was quiet in the sky, so very quiet you'd think you were in a noise canceling room. It was almost peaceful.
Strange how I don't dread the silence anymore.
I turned around and turned to walk inside, pausing at the sight of Soundwave still here. I didn't notice him leaving, so I should've guessed that he was still here.
I vented softly and continued walking, standing in front of him and staring at him for a few seconds before speaking. Soundwave's the type of mech to be comfortable enough to just stand in silence with, no awkwardness to be found.
"You have all of this recorded?"
He didn't move for a moment before slowly nodding his helm, which was the only thing I needed. I should ask him for the recordings of me that he has and make him send them to me. I wanna see me in the visor of this mech. I wonder what Soundwave really thinks of me.
"Good … Would you mind setting up an assembly for me? I figure it's about time I share my decision for not ending the war at the moment."
He nodded, his visor lighting up and cybertronian numbers running down the screen.
I then walked around him and headed inside, waving from over my shoulder.
"Later Sounds."
I'm not gonna lie, it felt like he was glaring at me … aw man. I'm in trouble. Everyone's about to be mad at me. I just feel it. But that's okay. I'm gonna be honest with them and I'll work on gaining their forgiveness. I wonder where Breakdown is in all honesty. Would he be mad at me too I wonder?
Well at least I can tell them why I didn't plan on ending the war. I mean, I was to end it, but I want to make it to the point where their planet will have more than just low percentages of survival. It's a pretty hefty plan, and my hopes are high, but I'm doing everything I can to make sure this ends nearly perfectly how I want it.
I especially need to make sure that they end up with an alive planet to reside on. Can't have them living here. Just … no. I really thought about that situation and I really don't feel like dealing with that.
I walked down the hall, humming under my breath, sliding my claws together to create a sharp metallic sound that I made rhythmically, making the sound go in tune with my gait. What can I say, I like to be on beat.
Not gonna lie, it sounded kinda eerie with the kinda voicebox I have. Especially with the echo! Hey, some creepy shit excites me. Some! Especially when I know it's me being creepy. Although, sometimes I feel weird about it, like why am I pleased that I'm being creepy? Isn't that kinda weird?
Back on point, I started making my way to med-bay, figuring that it'd be best if I just got this nasty ass gnash on my palm figured out since it really is getting on my nerves. The damn thing hasn't even healed yet.
Maybe I can find Starscream in the med-bay? I can find my chance to apologize and include him in things. I have been saying that everything will be revealed when the fucker was dragged inside.
I paused in the middle of the hall, staggered slightly as I felt a wave of nauseousness hit me, my vision spinning and my mouth flooding with saliva. I swallowed hard and took slow, shallow breaths. I did not want to puke in this helm, nor do I wanna have to take my helm to puke in this hall.
Do you know how hard it will be to explain the fucking nasty ass puke in the middle of the hall? Or how it got there?? How will I explain the, most likely, very large acidic sludge in the floor??
It'd be real fucking weird I tell you.
I'd feel sorry for any poor Vehicon that comes across the sludge.
I huffed as I stood up from the slouch that I had ended up positioning myself in, putting my servos on the back of my waist, leaning back slightly and making a gurgled grunting sound in relief, the wave of nauseousness having been one of the most violent.
I wasn't offered a moment of peace after that however.
I felt another wave of nauseousness come over me, my vision swimming as I blinked. I felt my mouth yet again fill with saliva. My stomach feeling like it was pushing bile up my throat, making me make a weak sounding exhale, sounding like a wheeze and very light whistle.
Even during all of that I forced myself to move, not wanting to be found in the middle of the hall if I did puke my entire intestine out.
I staggered down the hall quickly, well, as quick as I could as sick as I felt.
I was leaning as I walked, walking near one side of the hall before staggering and leaning towards the other wall, not walking the middle like I usually would've done. Dizziness does not mix well with feeling sick, I swear. Kinda pisses me off.
I grunted as I leaned against the corner of the hall, panting slightly and giving myself a break before forcing my body to make the turn. The med-bay is just around this corner, and I'd be damned if I don't make it and puke all over this hall.
I sped walked, staggered, to the doors of the med-bay, making my way inside.
I couldn't help but feel my nauseousness lighten up at the sight of Starscream talking with Knockout, not looking as mad as he did on deck.
I smiled, but my smile fell quickly after, feeling my throat swell slightly, making me make a whining sound at how uncomfortable that felt, even as I felt the bile slide back down into my stomach.
My whine had caught the attention of both talking mech's, making them whip their helms towards me, both holding a surprised look on their faceplates, Knockout's surprise lasting longer and Starscream's expression turning to slight annoyance.
"Must you always have something wrong with you?"
I scoffed and staggered to lean against something, knocking some things down as I bumped into counters and whatnot. Knockout came to my side and guided me to a medical slab.
My helm slid back, revealing my sickly features, along with a slight scowl that was practically carved in my face due to this new jaw of mine.
"I didn't ask to be patient zero Star."
I gagged as I reached for a berth, hunching over as I sluggishly climbed into it, Knockout assisting me, grunting lightly at the fact that he had to help lift my heavier frame.
"For one so sickly you sure weigh more than a full grown mech."
I swallowed thickly, slowly blinking as I tried to get my vision together, my sight now blurry.
"I'm just well fed."
I groaned as I felt a stabbing pain in my side, my eyes scrunching close as I moved onto my side that wasn't killing me as much.
I burped, a slight bit of puke making it past my lips, revealing itself to be black and tasting of blood.
Knockout flinched back away from me and Starscream cringed, hard. They both made disgusted sounds and backed away from me, Knockout sliding a makeshift bucket towards me.
"Not the floor! Not on my floors Ven!"
I scrambled to grab the bucket, chunks of black bile forcing its way past my puffed cheeks and onto my lap. When I successfully grabbed the bucket I hurled, gagged, and burped as everything in my stomach was expelled, which wasn't much since I haven't been eating. Tears streamed from my eyes as I struggled to get some air when I gagged particularly hard, air struggling to get to my strained lungs.
As I was throwing up chunks, basically struggling to stay conscious, I heard the voice of a very concerned Knockout.
"I'm actually going to have to agree with Starscream Ven. You've been having too many problems for this to be considered normal."
He hesitantly moved up to my side and cringed as he softly patted me on my spinal struts as I took some heavy breaths, tightly holding onto the bucket, hugging it close like it was my lifeline.
"And I especially know that something like this? Is definitely not normal."
I sighed heavily once I got my breathing into control, shakily breathing in through my nose and forcefully out my mouth, feeling much better after having puked my guts out for a solid thirty seconds.
I slowly looked between Knockout and Starscream, huffing as I looked down at the sludge in the bucket, cringing before closing my eyes and shaking my head.
I opened my eyes again and put the bucket beside me, slouching over my legs as I felt a slight ache spreading over my stomach.
"You keep this confidential. You tell no one outside this room. Both of you."
I looked straight into Starscream's optics, already knowing that he probably thought that I was going to exclude him again, but no. Can't do that anymore.
Speaking of Starscream, he looked surprised, his wings hiking up and jerkily flicking in what I knew was curiosity.
"No more hiding secrets?"
I shook my head, my shaggy hair falling over my face slightly, which I was quick to get out of my face. I may be a sweaty, sickly mess, but there is no fucking way I'm getting puke in my hair. Cuh, that ain't even puke at his point, I mean, look at it. It's a disgusting bucket of unknown, acidic waste.
"Nah. I know that it hasn't exactly been easy for you to not be tuned in with things, and I'm sorry for that. I won't hide things from you in the future. Not much anyway."
Starscream rolled his optics, his vocalizer clicking in exasperation.
He shook his helm and came up to my side, opposite of my puke bucket, and sat next to me, comfortingly, but very jerkily, rubbing my spinal struts. I can tell he didn't want to get any puke on himself. Relatable if I wasn't the one puking.
"I reluctantly forgive you."
I huffed in amusement and shook my head, smiling weakly to myself, but frowned again when I felt my throat swelling again, my mouth once again flooding with saliva. I kept my jaw hanging open as I started to pant, feeling a lot more pain than when I puked the first time. I felt like a mass, not bile, was forcing itself up my throat. I made sure to grab my bucket before I hurled all over my lap.
I cursed under my breath as I clenched my eyes and gagged hard enough for it to actually hurt. I'm not lying, this shit feels like it's making me rip my own throat open.
I hurled into the bucket, making Starscream yank his hand back even though he was only rubbing my back, his servo nowhere near my front. Rude, but then again, relatable. I'm not about to judge someone when I'd do the exact same thing. That'd make me a huge hypocrite.
My throat swelled even further as I felt my throat bulge and felt a mass pass my esophagus and fall past my tongue, hearing it fall into the bucket, making a wet 'plopping' sound. I panted as I felt my nose starting to run with watery liquid and my vision blurring as I felt tears fall down my face. That actually really fucking hurt.
I spit the rest of any stomach acid left in my mouth into the bucket and sighed a huge sigh of relief as I felt the stomach pain immediately subside, sitting up some more before I looked into the bucket of bile that had a huge red chunk floating in it, making me cringe.
My cringe only grew to horror as I only continued to watch it, seeing the red chunk actually fucking pulsing. I looked up at both Knockout and Starscream, looking in between them both with an expression that said "wtf".
"I just puked up a pulsing red meat ball."
Both mechs looked at each other with disgusted expressions that turned into morbid curiosity, bothing turning their helm again to look back at me in synchronization.
Starscream was surprisingly the first to move, carefully snatching my bucket and looked into it, his faceplates scrunching up at the sight and smell, jerking his helm back and shaking his helm quickly, shivering as he nearly shoved into towards Knockout, the mech flinching to the side as the bile in the bucket swished along the walls, nearly spilling onto the cherry red mech.
"Careful you idiot! Do you know how acidic human waste is!?"
Starscream was waving a servo over his olfactory sensors, his optics scrunched closed and he shook his helm quickly.
"Take the bucket you overzealous buffoon!"
Knockout huffed dramatically and carefully took the bucket, gagging lightly as he held his opposite servo, that wasn't holding the bucket, and held it over his oil olfactory sensors, his optical rides scrunching up and his expression souring as he looked into the bucket, having the same reaction as the seeker and jerking his helm back, shaking his helm as he quickly moved to put the bucket back next to me, reaching over and quickly jerking his entire frame back.
Knockout gagged before he said anything.
"I'm pretty sure your fragging liver isn't supposed to be outside your fleshy insides!"
I didn't even bother hiding my disgust as I leaned over to peek into the bucket to get another look at the mass that came up my throat, shaking my head as I leaned back again.
"I'm not sure if that's my liver. Too round."
Starscream, once getting his bearings back, vented heavily and rubbed his crown, his optics closed and a frown on his dermas.
"Well, whatever it is, I'm very sure that it isn't meant to be outside of your frame."
Knockout, having gained his bearing later on, shook himself as he grabbed a scanner, aiming it at me, getting my vitals down I'm pretty sure.
I slicked my oily hair back out of my face, eyebrows raised as I finally felt some relief from the pain that I've been in these past few days, leaning back and laying down on the slab, looking up at the slowly spinning ceiling that felt oddly comforting, blinking slowly as I felt a wave of sleepiness come over me. I was really comfortable right now and I might just take a nap right here.
I heard sputtering from one of them, but I didn't bother to pay attention to who it actually came from, having closed my eyes and started dozing off. The relief of not being in any more pain or discomfort has made me incredibly relaxed.
I had fallen asleep by the time both mech's had started panicking, both quickly moving to shake me awake, but at this point, there was nothing they could do because I wasn't waking up and wasn't about to open my eyes.
I've been awake for a couple days now, no sleep, so I deserve this. I don't play about my sleep.
—--
(Megatron's POV)
The moment Ven had left the throes of his mind his environment had changed, the scenery more dark than his own, blurring into a mind he knew to be one of his most annoying adversaries.
Red everywhere he landed his optics on, the taste of iron heavy on his glossa from what made up the air here, the organic soil below soaked with crimson and the skies dark with no sun, moon, or star in sight. There were organic trees that reached high, like neverending dark pillars with deadly branches that looked like they would reach out and snatch you at any moment.
The more he surveyed his surroundings the more he knew that this was not his mind, his dreams morbid, but not to the point of this.
He pushed on and witnessed more.
The further he walked the more he witnessed the same things, which quickly made this experience mundane. He did not know what he was expecting to see in Ven's mind, but he did not think that it would appear like this.
He vented softly and stopped, surveying his surroundings once again to see if there was a change that he did not see in the beginning.
He froze when a scent that was something fierce came across his olfactory sensors. An incredibly sour, sickly sweet, rotting scent that overpowered that of even the rusting, deceased frames that littered the Pits.
He roughly vented to get rid of the smell in his olfactory sensors, not wanting the scent to linger. He decided to just turn his sensors off, not wanting to process the scent any longer.
Strange how you can smell in a dream.
When he was more used to the positively rotten smell he moved forward, careful with where he stepped due to the soaked gravel beneath his pedes, not wishing into what he had eventually figured out was human blood.
The further he walked he had noticed the thinning of the pillars around him, the branches no longer connected to those said pillars, many having thinned out and some littering the soaked soil. Perhaps he was reaching the center of Ven's mind, but that was an amusing thought. They were too knowledgeable to have a center.
Now there was a thought. What secrets could he learn here? What could he uncover? What future awaits him?
What is his Destiny?
He continued walking absentmindedly, these thoughts of 'what ifs' going through his processor, thinking up all of these possibilities that could be or would be, possibilities that all made him angry, impatient, and excited, because who wouldn't be excited for a future that you never know will come? Who wouldn't be mad for the failures that you could prevent if you just knew? And who wouldn't be impatient about the future to come quickly?
He was snapped to reality when he heard the whisper of a voice, so incredibly soft he would have missed it if he wasn't paying any attention at all.
He tilted his helm as he blinked once and turned around to face the direction of the whisper, freezing once he was met with the sight of a younger Ven, much more younger than when he had first met them. They were so small. And much more ugly.
His optical ridges furrowed and he stayed standing where he was, internally thinking of how this might be a trap, but then again, not likely. Ven had previously shown that they were unpredictable with how they spoke or how they showed their actions.
This complicates things. He did not like not knowing, and Ven's mind was the great unknown.
He did not know how to approach this.
"You're fucking huge!"
He blinked twice and stared down at the young, little, ugly version of Ven, raising an optical ridge. He stayed quiet, not exactly wanting to speak to this figment of Ven's mind.
He ultimately decided that they would be no use, so he turned back around and continued walking in the direction he was going previously before he was stopped by this trivial little thing.
"Where are you going!?"
He heard the little, soft patters of their little pedes as they began running after him, the soil making soft, wet sounds as the little human struggled to keep up, already panting in exertion … pitiful.
He rolled his optics in slight annoyance as young Ven caught up to him, speed walking by his side, continuously looking up at him in what he found to be amazement and awe.
It has been a very long time since he was looked at with any type of admiration, especially with one so young.
He glanced down at them a few times, looking ahead and looking down at them to see if they were continuing to follow or if they had fallen behind, but every time he felt a slight bit of disappointment when seeing that they were still there.
"Fuckin- wait! Don't go that way!"
They panted heavily as they stumbled after him, appearing to be tired out and unable to go on any longer. He huffed and stayed quiet continuing on.
The longer he walked he focused on the steadily quieting sound of the child's footsteps the more he felt pleased to have known that Ven is still as weak as their younger self. Very pleased. Amused even.
It was quiet for a moment before he heard a breathy shout from ways away.
"It'd be a real shame if you died because you didn't listen to me!"
He rolled his optics and grunted under his breath, shaking his helm at the very weak attempt to frighten him into coming back.
When silence fills the air once more he softly vents, feeling his helmache lighten up, having gained one from the little creatine after being annoyed by their very vicinity.
He softly snorted at the thought of them, wondering if they were still huffing and puffing after trying, no, failing to keep up with him for not even five minutes. He shook his helm and a small, amused grin lifted at the corner of his dermas. He was greatly amused.
He put his servos behind his back as he continued to walk in the same direction, now paying better attention to his surroundings.
He wondered why it got darker.
The path that he stayed on had led him to an area with thicker pillars and sharper branches, the branches looking oddly deformed, distorted, horrified expressions of former beings that may have existed at some point in time.
It was strange. While he was scanning his surroundings, he couldn't help but hear pained screams, guessing that if he headed further he would find something of valuable information.
The pained screams soon turned into wailing, borderline screaming, also feeling the ground beneath him oddly vibrating, the trees seeming to have morphed into more twisted, intricate, and horrified expressions, blood bleeding with what seems to be their empty human optics.
He felt disturbed, not exactly knowing how to proceed, having never been in a situation like this before.
The vibration under his pedes felt more intense, the wailing now closer than before.
He felt like he should tread with caution, maybe transform into his alt and fly between the trees, get a glimpse of what he strongly believed he might just have to fight.
He stood for a moment before transforming and carefully going between the trees, maneuvering his flight frame skillfully so as to not get caught by the branches.
He got bored and just decided to shoot through the trees, the pillars exploding, gushing with disgusting, organic, human blood, the rest of the tree collapsing. He shot at some more trees, feeling that whatever was coming must have already passed and will now follow the racket he's making, but that's what he wants, he wants the beast to come.
Optimus Prime was the only mech providing a challenge back when he was awake. It's time he tested his skills on the unknown. It might just prove to be a nice exercise. A good stretch if you will.
His train of thought was paused to a halt as he saw what he was going to fight, and he had to say, it's definitely one of the ugliest beasts that he may have the pleasure of fighting.
It was large, looking to be incredibly longer than him. He says longer because that's all it is. It's incredibly thin, about as this as Soundwave, but longer than he. It was a wonder how it was even moving with such long limbs, but the beast did it.
Its face seemed to be stuck into that of a terrified, pained expression, its optics gouged out, its mouth elongated and down turned.
With its long, gangly arms it dragged itself past the trees at a near frantic pace, a trail of dark, maroon red trailing behind it, the liquid melting all in its path, leaving a putrid scent behind, the scent that he had smelled before.
He transformed back into his biped mid air, landing heavily onto his pedes, his blade at the ready and his Energon cannon ready to be used.
Just as he was about to clash with the creature he felt something rough wrap around his middle, quickly looking down to see that it was a rope, an organic rope. He scowled and raised his arm to cut it, only to be interrupted once again, pulled back violently past the trees and away from the creature that he was looking forward to fighting.
Anger filled him, making him shout out, moving to cut the rope that had wrapped around his middle, but he couldn't even do that, the rope having loosened, making him fall against the ground, his frame creating deep gouges in the soil beneath him, his frame now covered in the disgusting crimson that soaked the strange organic material.
When his frame slid to a stop, having crashed into a pillar, he raised a servo and wiped his face off, removing the gunk that coated his faceplates.
He flicked the disgusting material off of his servos as he moved to sit up, anger boiling through his frame as he looked around for the culprit who snatched him away from a fight and dragged him through this weird landscape.
When his optics landed on the little creatine from earlier his faceplates contorted in rage.
How dare they? How could they? They were only as tall as his ankle guard and as thin as his middle digit.
They held a rope in their hands, the same rope that was currently wrapped around his middle, that was used to yank him far away from the deformed creature that had taken his interest.
"You maggot!"
The child only looked as interested as he did whenever Starscream decided that he wanted to open his intake.
"I don't know why you're calling me a maggot when you're the one that was about to do something stupid."
Megatron made a face, appalled that this insignificant speck of dust said that HE was the one who would have done something.
He got up, wiping himself down as he did so. He didn't want to be covered in this disgusting muck while he would give this child a piece of his processor. Perhaps he should just shoot them? Obliterate them from Ven's mind.
That sounded very pleasing.
As he loomed over the child, cannon whirring to life and hearing up, he was yet again interrupted, this time by the familiar, but very grating voice of the only being that dared cross him other than Optimus.
"How in the ever living fuck did YOU get here?"
He slowly turned to face Ven, his optics blazing with both annoyance and anger at this point. He didn't want to be around the child version of Ven, or their older self. He could only predict that it would not end well for himself.
Ven made a face, their little, ugly organic nose scrunching up in displeasure.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like shit."
He was getting increasingly closer to shooting them, he swears to the pit he fought in.
Before he could even speak, the little leach decided it was a wonderful time to open their disgusting little intake.
"I had to drag him back because he shot some trees and was about to shoot the Clot."
Ven sputtered, looking down at the child with widened organic optics before turning back to him, their eyes now holding annoyance and a type of aggravation that he's never faced before with them.
"You made me puke and pass out you empty helmed dolt!"
He huffed and rolled his optics, groaning in annoyance at the squabble that he's about to go through.
"Ever the dramatic one."
Ven huffed themselves and threw their servos up in the air.
"There's no-okay, y'know what, I can't. I can't do this. Every time I turn my back, he's doing something that makes my head feel like it's gonna explode."
Nevermind.
(Ven POV)
Uuueeegh he was SO. ANNOYING. This mech really never gives me a god-damned break for shit!
I wouldn't be asleep right now if he'd just stay where he was, outside of me and my mind. You know I would've been flushed this fucking purple rot outta me if he didn't knock me out? I would've been free of him! Never letting him breach my personal mind space again! Best believe he ain't once I wake up. I'm kicking this bitch out.
I had ended up taking some steps away from him, not wanting to be in the same vicinity or even look at him. I didn't even wanna see him outta the corner of my eye!
I'm serious this time. I'm this fucking close, this - close! To actually fucking fighting this soggy piece of shit.
My attention was grabbed by mini-me, having heard them clear their throat.
I looked down at them and sighed, shaking my head and crossing my arms. One thing about being connected to your inner child is that they can be good security.
What? I like to be self-aware. I mean, it's too self-aware, but it works when you know something is wrong.
"What happened while I was awake, big head?"
Little me did have a big head, but they still looked like me. They did have some differences too though. They had a lighter skin tone than me, and their hazel eyes were more green at that age. They had curlier hair than me and their eyes were much more slanted.
Mini-me let out a little huff and crossed their little arms.
"Say please and I might consider telling you, big tits."
I smacked my lips and rolled my eyes, having forgotten the amount of sass little me had with older figures. I still do have a problem, but it was worse when I was younger.
"At least you get big tits when you're older, you pig nosed brat."
Little me stuck their tongue out at me and blew a raspberry, making me shrug my shoulders and raise my brows.
"Not much to say about that ass tho huh?"
I scowled.
"My ass is a respectable size, you little shit."
"You humans and your senseless bickering of the shape of your frames."
Both me and little me snapped our necks to look at the fart turd when he spoke, finding what he said to be true, but rude since he interrupted our discussion.
"Shut up you big bitch!"
He scowled at the both of us before he just shook his helm and turned around walking away, but before he could even do that, he sort of just … tripped, falling forwards and kinda … turned to ash. Aye, don't ask me how. I don't even be knowing the full capacity of my mind. Does anyone tho?
I blinked once and looked down at mini-me.
"Thanks."
They shrugged and grinned.
"You're welcome."
I looked towards the direction that Megatron kinda just disappeared in and then looked back down at them, nodding my head in the said direction, brow raised.
"What even made you start crushing on him anyway?"
They paused and looked down at their feet, kicking at the dirt as they mumbled something under their breath, kicking their foot in the soil.
"You know we're hooked on the Bayverse version."
I blinked and slowly nodded my head.
"Touche."
[Merry (late) Christmas yall! This is yall present by the way. 22 fucking pages. Smh. I'll see yall in 2025.]