A/N: It took me so long to write and it isn't even that long! But I'll take it if it means I can move forward! So yeah, we are back in the present with Nerium and Moonfall! I had a hard time nailing the feel of Nerium because its been so long since I played her and her way of thinking is hard to describe sometimes but I think I got it, hopefully. Sorry its a short chapter, but it was better than no chapter, so please enjoy!

Chapter 11-Planting the Seeds

Nerium's POV

I stood alone on the Flight Deck. It was the break of dawn and just hours ago I was given a home here among the Decepticons. They had given me a room to sleep in, but I couldn't sleep. My mind kept racing with every possibility now, everything seemed to crash into me all at once.

I can still hear him, that foolish Half-Elf Bard calling my name.

I hated that, that he seemed to care when really he didn't. I knew what I was to him, to others, I was an annoyance, a liar, a murderer, a nobody. I expect nothing from anyone I come across, and yet these past few hours…

The Primes, they gave more than I would ever ask, so did the Decepticons.

To my surprise, they welcomed me into the fold without a second thought. None of them knew my past, well maybe the Primes, but the Decepticons knew nothing about me. How could they trust me so readily? They gave me their insignia, but Knockout added wings to it, to signify my strange background.

I don't know, but they'll eventually see what I really am, a monster and nothing more.

"Nerium?" A voice asked suddenly, I looked behind me to see another Decepticon standing there. He was much larger than I but not as big as Megatron, his orange faceplate was unusual and his blue paint only brightened further in the rising sun.

I shook my helm, "Yes, what is it?" I asked in a monotone voice.

"Oh, I was just wondering why you were here, I was supposed to fetch you from your room but you weren't there." He said, shuffling his peds nervously.

"Okay, where am I needed?" I asked.

"Lord Megatron actually wanted to speak with you." He said, his optics glued to my small form.

"Then lead the way, uh…?" I prompted.

"Breakdown, and just follow me!" He said in slightly cheery if nervous voice.

I followed him into the ship, my servo's resting behind my back. The mask that was so easily slipped on that it was sometimes burdensome. While others saw an off putting, almost callus Gnome, underneath was something much different. My mask was something I treasured, and when some get to close and start peering behind it, that is when the monster comes out.

Because behind the mask of indifference, calculation and caution, was a monster of impulse, blood lust and death. I am nothing more than an imposter.

The door slid open, bringing me back to reality. Breakdown stepped before stepping to the side allowing me entrance. I entered to see we arrived at the Bridge of the Nemesis.

There standing at the helm was Lord Megatron, next to him was Soundwave and Knockout. Each turned to see me, before Breakdown stepped out and the door shut behind me.

My mask hardened even more.

"Nerium, I've asked you here for one purpose, as we all know Moonfall is capable of extraordinary power, we want to know what you can do." He said with a devilish smile...handsome smile I should say.

I nodded, "Of course, but what is her powers?"

Knockout explained, "She said she can do minor magic, as well as use her combat skills in battle."

"Eldritch Knight than, a subclass of Fighter which is a wide ranging class. Well, I am much different than her, I am a Druid with the subclass known as Circle of the Land. Unlike her, I am only a spellcaster and my specialty is natural magic, summoning creatures and weather, changing form and terrain etc." I explained, each mech sans Soundwave, seemingly curious about my powers. Soundwave didn't show his emotions which I could relate too.

Megatron than mused, "A demonstration may be in order?"

I nodded and quickly picked one of my favorite spells.

Alighting my onyx stones in my palms, I drew a circle of reddish light in the air, connecting symbols and mumbled words before I pushed it into the air. The air rippled and tore and a portal into a lush world opened up. Stepping out of the portal was a tall woman with skin made of wood, her hair made of reddish leaves, and her eyes black shining orbs.

The portal close and I said, "Conjure Fey spell, allows me to summon a fey creature from the Faewilds and to command them as I please until they die or when I stop focusing it becomes independent. This is a Dryad, a tree spirit."

Knockout whispered in amazement, "Incredible…"

"What happens if you lose focus exactly?" Megatron asked, looking impressed at the female spirit.

"She gains her own will and could, possible, become hostile to the summoner." I said looking to the Dryad who held a passive smile while waiting for an order.

"Hm, need help with that?" Megatron asked with a snarky smile.

I nodded, "Go ahead..."

He pointed his canon with an amused smirk and fired, the Dryad screamed before disintegrating into a pile of ashes. I stared for a moment before turning back to Megatron who seemed satisfied with ending it's life. I sighed silently as I began a new power.

I muttered again, slammed my servos into the ground, metals began to shift, my optics became slits, my arms and legs melded into my body and slowly I grew larger and larger until I stood a head above Megatron, my body longer than any of them.

I was now a metallic Giant Constrictor Snake.

"This is...I don't even know the words!" Knockout said, slowly walking around my form.

I was unable to answer in my form, but I rolled my eyes anyways. Suddenly I felt something touching me and reacted immediately, I hissed and followed instincts, I wrapped my body around the offender and constricted around the frame.

Metal creaked and moaned, a low grunt of pain was eminatting from the prey.

My eyes widened in delight, my mouth opening as the meal stopped moving so much. I started to bend down to shallow the prey…

"NERIUM, ENOUGH!" Megatron shouted and I snapped out of it, releasing Soundwave from my grasp who collapsed to the ground venting hard.

His metal and plating was dented and his visor was slightly cracked...the monster came out to play for a moment to my horror. I quickly transformed back with horror written in my expression before I schooled it once more.

"I apologize Soundwave, I don't like...touching…" I said, before shuddering slightly.

He played a recording, :My fault!:

It sounded like Starscream in the recording, I nodded as Knockout made his way to Soundwave to assess him.

"Impressive, your talents could be very useful to our cause Nerium. But I must ask, where is the golden plate on your chassis?" I looked down and realized Wendigo had been missing since I transformed.

"Oh," I said, before looking up making a clicking noise. Suddenly Wendigo appeared and landed on my helm with a soft khaw.

"A minicon?" Megatron asked, his ruby optics wide as he looked at the bird.

"Her name is Wendigo," She khawed again, Megatron raised his servo to her and she jumped onto it, examining the mech I found so interesting.

'Momma...I like him!' She proclaimed through our bond.

I hummed, "She likes you."

Megatron smiled as he lifted her higher to his optics level, he then looked to me, "Wendigo...strange name…" He mused.

He handed her back and she transformed back into my chest, I looked back up at him.

"It's a native word from the Druidic language, it means Wind Cleaver. I've had her since she was young, so she's special to me." I thought for a moment, "You aren't mad about me hurting your TIC?"

He stood straight and tall over me with a smile, "He should've known better, besides, I knew I could take you down if necessary."

"While I doubt that claim, I won't deny your 'fantasy'." I said with a slight smile.


Elsewhere on the Nemesis...

Starscream's POV

I sat in silence but it wasn't oppressive silence either. Sitting across from me with a small smile, was Moonfall. Her purple form glowing lightly against me, a warm feeling dancing across me from her glow. She waited for my questions, many thoughts went through my helm.

"Moon, how...are you here?" I asked, the first big one I had about this all.

She smiled wide, "It is Dark Energon...it is my blessing to ward off death and thus her grasp…!" She hissed the last part before returning to normal.

"Her...The Raven Queen I presume," She hissed again, "Sorry, sorry...so that's how you knew about corruption...but why would you accept it? You denied Megatron it, why you?"

She huffed, "I didn't exactly chose to have it in me, but suffice to say I think I knew deep down it was there and that is what I wanted. To be free of her, of death, hells know how much I have suffered from death."

"Hm, right. But, is it safe?" I asked, worried for her future and what it all could mean.

"Honestly, I don't know. But I don't care, because I am here, now with you." She said, smiling as she got up to stand. She walked up to me and sat in my lap.

"...Moonlight…?" She shushed me, placing a servo over my mouth.

"Be still...I need you to know something...I was placed here for a reason, so was Nerium...you need to do me a favor...make sure to safeguard my jewel. Starscream...my Starlight...it's time for a mission...find the Unholy Mistress….she knows how to bring me back…"

She leaned into my chassis, her arms wrapped tightly around me.

"Moon, who is the Unholy Mistress? What are you talking about?" I asked, worried as I felt her starting to fade against me.

She looked up with pleading optics, "Starlight...never tell anyone about me...keep me guarded even from Megatron...find her…"

Moonfall faded even more, her form becoming more lost.

"I...will do it, for you...Moonfall, please don't leave me yet!" I cried out, she simply smiled before leaning in close to my face.

"I am never far, Starlight, remember that."

No One's POV

Thundercracker and Skywarp stood in front of Starscream's door, they both wanted to talk to their brother about what had happened but were worried. What they saw before was unsettling and after, when they were in front of the wreckage field looking for Moonfall's signal. It seemed like he was in a trance, like something was there that they couldn't see.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Skywarp asked, "It's only been a solar cycle or so…"

Thundercracker sagged, "I don't know, but I want to try."

He knocked on the door, his spark racing as he couldn't feel what Starscream's emotions were. They waited in silence for a moment before the wall between them and Starscream lifted, emotions and a phrase came into their minds and sparks.

'Leave me alone, we will talk later.'

The brothers were disheartened, but understood. At least they would eventually know what was wrong with their brother soon enough but the wait for now felt worse than being shot in the wing.

They sent waves of reassurance before backing off and heading away. As they walked away, feelings flowed from Starscream's bond before it was shut off again, it was only brief but it was all too real.

Gone was the emptiness, the darkness that once was there.

And in its place was hope, longing, understanding, determination and a new emotion they thought impossible at one point for their brother to feel.

Affection.


Nerium's POV

I sat in the Med-Bay, watching the slow rising and falling of Moonfall's chassis. Her battered form was now repaired, Knockout insisted on giving her an upgrade, whether it was by fate or coincidence, he had also given her the same insignia with wings to her, resting on her left breastplate.

Her new frame was more sleeker and would give her better range of motion, along with that her helmet was removed, so that her fine red fiber 'hair' draped over one optic, the damaged optic.

Knockout couldn't repair it, rendering it blind and useless.

The life support tubes covered the nastiest scar on her chassis, and resting near her were newly made weapons courtesy of Breakdown. Whenever she was to awaken, she could finish her upgrade by choosing a new weapons system.

I stared at the God Scorner for a long time, I only came here to see how she was doing. Here, I felt as if I could lower my mask, if only a little. She wouldn't judge, because she couldn't. But when she awakens, I don't know how she will react.

Uncertainties weighed on me heavily, I was unsure of how the road would end. How were we going to stop the war? Where do we even start? So many burning questions, so little time. So, I thought long and hard of any solution and my mind always came back to one.

A cabal, a gathering of those who were sent as the Champions of the Primes, who could get together and work out a plan. Like a fourth faction in this war that no one would know but us.

The three others, the Autobots, Decepticons and the Neutrals will never reach consensus like this if it kept going on it's path.

It is why we were sent here in the first place.

So, a cabal was needed, but how do we contact the others on the other side?

A plan was forming, not of my own but of the Primes. They had something in mind, and since I had no further solutions I accepted whatever they had even though I didn't know what they were doing.

They seemed to smile at the thought of a cabal.

And they already had a name for it, sneaky bastards most likely planted the idea into my helm.

But I smiled anyways, fully knowing that I was on the right path.

We are the Champions of the Primes, the Hope of Peace, the Chosen Dead of Other Worlds.

Born on the battlefield, of steel and magic. Rising to the call, to end it all…

We are the Falling Stars.