A/N: Heyo, a new chapter! This one's a little shorter but its basically a set up for the next couple of chapters. Things start to get interesting in this chapter whoa. Anyways, hope you enjoy, the next chapter for both stories is gonna be very, very, interesting! I'm so excited! Now please...

Enjoy the show.

Chapter 14-True Colors

Starscream's POV

I hurried down the long halls of the Nemesis, many officers and drones were recharging, getting ready to recharge or heading off for the night-shift. But I was on a mission, to find Nerium and tell what I was just told, whatever it all meant. Anyways, I neared her quarters, my spark racing with determination.

I stopped in front of the door, unsure if I should just walk in or knock.

...maybe I should knock…

So, I raised my servo to knock only for the door to open on it's own.

I looked down to see Nerium with a less than stellar expression.

She growled, "Starscream, do you know what time it is?!"

I chuckled, "Well yes, but it's important!"

She sighed, and stepped aside, letting me in.

I quickly made my way in, and the door closed behind me. Her room was modest with not many personalized features but for a nest where her minicon rested and her berth, which had strange growths on it that I have only seen on Earth before, some even glowed in the low light of the room.

"Starscream," Nerium barked out, "What is so important to not wait until morning!?"

I chuckled dryly before saying, "I-I..well, it's really a message that I have to relay to you. It's from…somebot and she said that you needed to be told about it."

Her cold expression seemed icier at this point, "What. Is. It?"

"All she said was; 'Open up your mind and the stars shall align.' I don't know what it exactly means but-"

"Stop." She cut me off.

I now took note of her rigid stance, her face frozen in shock that slowly melted into understanding, as if someone was explaining it to her. Then, for the first time since I met her, she smiled, a pleased and almost terribly gleeful smile. I stepped away from her, almost now afraid of her, and what she might do.

She looked up to me, a calm and pleased smile gracing her lips.

"Well...it seems we have a meeting to get to, hm?"

I frowned in confusion, "I don't understand…"

She chuckled, "No, not yet you don't, not yet. But, don't you want to understand?"

I nodded.

"Then go recharge for the night, and everything will be revealed. I have some preparation I need to do before then." She said, opening the door and giving me the sign to leave.

I stepped out of the room, still confused but the door slammed shut in my face before I could ask more questions. I just stood there for a moment, trying to understand what just happened when I felt a tug on the crystal in my subspace.

Pulling the necklace out, the gem was glowing brightly and pulling towards a direction.

Where do you want me to go, Moonfall?

My peds worked faster than my processor, and began to follow the direction. My spark suddenly started to hammer in my chassis, like it knew what it was about to happen, it wasn't completely fear; though some of it was, it was more giddy excitement and exhilaration, like I had just pulled up from a dive mere meters off the ground and back into the sky.

My optics were trained on the gem, but they weren't focused. My focus was on my spark, and the electricity that now rang through my entire frame, that made it super-sensitive. And when my peds came to a stop, my optics refocused and I looked up. I now saw that I was in the Med-Bay, and Moonfall's slumbering frame laying on the berth before me.

The jewel tugged towards the frame.

"Moonfall, I don't understand…" I said out loud, unsure of what to do.

Then, her voice whispered into my audio, "It's time to let me go."

My optics widened, "W-What?! You mean...you want me to put you back?"

"Yes, it's time."

I shook my helm, "But five more events have to occur for you to come back, why so early?"

She sighed, I could feel her wrapping around me from behind, her frame perfectly fitting in between my overly sensitive wings. Her arms wrapping around my chassis and her servos gripping my chestplate. Her vents were hot against my frame and I shuddered as some of the air blasted onto my wings.

"I know. I won't be around as much anymore, but it's only temporary. In your dreams, I'll be there. The night will belong to us alone, as it should be for the Moon and her Star. And during the day, when I rest, I'll still be there in your spark."

I shut my optics, "H-How will I know you are there?" My servos clenched the necklace tighter.

"Starscream…begin the process."

My optics shot open and my mouth hung open...was she suggesting? No, no...it couldn't be, could it?

I choked on my words, "I-I...Moonfall...are you.."

She laughed lightly, "Starscream, you are thinking too far ahead, besides that process has already begun."

I froze. "Y-You mean…we are..?

Suddenly, I became aware of a faint feeling. It was so faint, barely felt. But, there it was, beside my bonds with my trinemates was another one, a bond that was different from the rest and where a trickle of emotions bubbled through. It was then, that I realized that what I had been feeling weren't just my own emotions…they were hers.

That is what Cenotaph meant…Moonfall had begun the process, whether accidentally or purposefully, of spark-bonding.

We were on the path...to becoming sparkmates.

My spark felt another pulse, of excitement, joy, and a slight bit of remorse;it now knew that it was Moonfall.

I gasped and before I could speak she said, "I am sorry I did that...it was not my intention. But, I was drawn to your spark in this state, as I am merely a spark at the moment, even if I am contained in that crystal.'

She hugged me tighter, the barely formed bond pulsed causing me to gasp again for air as my frame was quickly heating up.

'But, you were so...so...I just wanted a connection. It's been so long, I've never felt like this with anyone before, no one could compare to you. I know we barely know each other, but I hope we can become more...to be…" She fell silent and only the sound of both of our fans going off was heard, somehow her ghostly form could be as flustered as me.

I finally grasped ahold of my words, "Moonfall...I am not mad at you. We'll figure all of this out together, no matter what. It's been sometime, since someone has moved me the way you do. You are different, special, and I will protect you, understand you, wait for you."

I could feel her smile as her lips ghosted my audios, "Thank you, a thousand times over, my Starlight."

I smiled, leaning into her as much as I could, "No, thank you, my Moonlight."

I grasped the gem and walked forward towards Moonfall's physical frame.

"This isn't goodbye…" She said as I could feel her fading, "I'll see you soon…"

And then I shoved the jewel into her chassis, a glow erupted as I felt the gem shatter and scatter in my servo before the light faded and a monitor off to the side sprang to life. It was showing processor activity and it was spiking, hard. She was home back in her mind and frame, I suddenly felt cold without her near.

So, I sat beside her and grasped her servo, the faint bond sparked with recognition but it seemed as though she was focused on other things at the moment.

I smiled and leaned down, leaving a feathered kiss on her forehelm.

No matter, I knew what was to come and soon, I would have her back with me, complete and restored.


Nerium's POV

I walked briskly down the halls, keeping my mask high and strong as I passed those working the night-shift. I walked with a purpose, one given to me by my Primes. Starscream had alerted me to an upcoming meeting tonight, so, I had to do this before it started, as requested by the Primes.

It would be risky, maybe even get me into a unnecessary bout of trouble.

But, it was important. I had to download the entire Decepticon database before the meeting. But there was a trick, I wasn't the one downloading it, it was Wendigo that was.

And the biggest problem I faced, someone may walk in while she works, so I was the distraction while she worked.

Finally, we made it to a secure room with many monitors, similar to Soundwave's but a more public terminal.

'Don't worry, Momma, I'll get it done as fast as I can!' She said as she fluttered to the terminal and began the download into her systems.

I sent reassurance that she could do it through the bond before turning to stand in the anti-chamber to the room as a guard. I shut the doors so that I was completely alone, with my thoughts.

I sighed, as time went on things were getting complicated. Not just with the other Landers, but with the Cons as well, and Megatron. I wondered, when at all, we would do that again, just run through a landscape as primal animals, free from the world and it's wars. For a moment there, while in those woods, I felt free again, free from the constraint of worry, if only for a little while.

Megatron...didn't react like I predicted.

I wondered, how would he react to my full story, all of the tragedy, sorrow, blood and tears of my life? Would he understand my past decisions? Would he… scold me for what I did to get here? Would he see me as a coward for choosing the easy way out?

I sighed, never in my entire life had anyone consumed my mind so much like him, except for that Half-Elf Bard….I not comparing the two, they are vastly different and I rather enjoy Megatron's company.

Now that I think about it, his actions at the mine were rather...intimate.

The way he talked, the way he held me close to him and his optics…

...I haven't felt a connection to anyone like this before…

"Nerium, wasn't it?" A smooth and cold voice asked, I turned around to see standing in the doorway was a new mech I had never seen before.

His armor was completely black, almost sucking up the light around him and his optics, they were white. He had a sinister grin adorning his sharp features and something just told me that this guy was dangerous.

"Who-?"

"Makeshift, my dear." He cut me off, bowing slightly.

I kinda regretted now not making the Primes make me bigger than my original gnomish height. I hardened my mask and frowned.

"So, what are you doing here, Makeshift?"

He stepped in further and the door closed, "I was searching for you actually, I was quite curious about you and your friend."

"Why's that?" I asked, making sure he didn't corner me. I kept him a good distance away.

"Well, it's just that I've never heard of Landers before. And as a former scientist before the war I was quite curious."

"Hmph, well, I am afraid we are nothing special."

He laughed at that before beginning to stalk towards me.

"Oh no, Nerium, you are very special. No Cybertronian has skills or abilities such as yourself. We could only dream of the power you all wield, and that is what I am interested in. Power, power is what makes this crazy universe expand infinitely and I want it, all of it."

He now backed me into the other door, that led to Wendigo who through the bond I could tell was halfway through the download.

I growled, "And how, prey tell, are you going to accomplish that?" My sharp claws twitching with a thousand spells to throw at him.

"Simple, you are going to give it to me." He said, leaning down. "You are going to give me all your secrets, you'll teach me all the magic you possess and then, I'll put you out of your misery."

"And what if I refuse?" I growled angrily, I never liked being threatened.

He snickered, "Then, I'll tell dear Megsy about how you are currently stealing the entire Decepticon database."

I froze, my spark stopped and I stared at him in shock.

"How-" He cut me off.

"Oh it's not too hard to figure out, especially when you are good at spying like I am." He said, standing straight up looking down at me. "And lets not forget about Starscream's involvement, it seems we have a little conspiracy here. You and he are planning something, and I want to reap your powers as compensation for keeping my trap shut."

"Blackmail is it?" I gritted out, "Well I have news for you, there is no way to get power from me or anyone else. You need to learn a special language and I have to teach you or else it won't work and since that's not happening you have nothing."

"Hm, is that so? Then maybe I'll just make you my pet." He reached down ruffled my spikes on my head. I growled loudly and smacked him away.

"Don't. Touch. Me. And by the way, I'm no one's pet."

He chuckled darkly, "But you are, unless you want Megsy finding out. Then surely you and your friend as well as Starscream will be put to death. Ah, Astraea would love that!"

I huffed, "What, she your mate?" I said with a dark smile.

He stuttered, finally caught of guard. "W-What!? D-Don't be ridiculous, I just tend to agree with her!"

"Right…" I said with sarcasm.

He became angry at that, suddenly he slammed his ped into me knocking me back into the door which opened and made me fall in. I could feel the surprise of Wendigo as she finished downloading the database.

Makeshift walked in and smirked, "Now, I have all the proof I need. So you have two choices, Nerium. Either follow my every order or get you, Moonfall and Starscream sent to the Allspark, which is it going to be?"

I growled, my chassis hurt from where he had kicked me.

What was I supposed to say, just go along with his plan? Like hells I would…

Then two voices speaking in tandem whispered into my audios, the Primes.

'Go along for now, Deathless Thorn, his time will soon be up.'

I sighed internally and got back to my peds, glaring the biggest death glare I could at him before saying.

"I am at your beck and call, Makeshift." It made me want to barf on my own words.

He smirked in victory, standing tall and looking down at me.

"That's Master to you now, pet."

I am so gonna kill this motherfucker when I get my hands on him

And that's a fact.


Moonfall's POV

It was hard to adjust, as much as being trapped in your own mind was. I made it feel like home, with a grand castle of my own design. Why a castle? I always liked them as a child, and wanted my own as I got older. But when you are in a war cult, those dreams tend to die, or get suppressed, like really suppressed.

Anyways, I walked happily through the black and purple decorated halls.

I was in my second form, not my Lander form, but my Elf form.

Brown shoulder-length hair, my blue-green eyes, fair skin, pointed ears and a dress that was form fitting, and purple and black in color, shoulderless and long sleeve with a cut on the side of the dress.

I felt regal in it, and...pretty, I guess.

I finally made it out into the gardens that were enclosed by the large walls of the castle. Said castle rose into the sky, seemingly going on for forever. The sky above was a deep red and the two suns shone brightly. All around were flowers, of all different colors, shades and sizes.

My heels clacked and clicked on the stone pathways as I found a large tree at the center of the garden. Underneath was a bench and sitting there was Solus Prime.

She had a soft smile and patted the seat next to her.

I sat next to her and she said, 'It's been sometime since we last spoke, Moonfall.'

I sighed, "Yeah, sorry about that."

'No, no, it had to be done. Besides, we were never really out of direct contact with one another.' She said crossing her legs and staring at the garden.

"Right…" I sighed, "It's been so long since I've been in my own head. It's strange."

Solus laughed, 'Ah, it happens, do you have any regrets about before?'

"Yes...many." I looked up to the red sky, "Starscream is the main one."

'How so, I thought you liked him?' She said, with a devious smirk.

"That's the thing!" I stood and began to pace, "I-I lied to him, I made him believe in a false version of me! What I was, was not whole! When I come back, what will happen!? I can't face him, he's fallen for someone who is undaunted in their decisions, who is better than my true self! What that was, was not me, I used him for my own end, to make me anew and now...now I'm dragging him into a war he has yet to understand.'

I stopped pacing.

'I dragged him along, and I made him believe in me. He doesn't question me anymore, he doesn't think for himself anymore. I made him into my puppet...just like that cult did to me, like that GODDESS did to ME!'

I looked to Solus who wore a frown now.

'I am afraid that when I do go back, that things won't be the same because they aren't. He doesn't like me because of me, he likes a false version of me. Starscream shouldn't be focusing only on me, he should be with his brothers, he should be at his leaders side, dictating the war. Not cooped up in his room because of me. I led him on, and there is no going back on that. He'll never truly love me, it's not possible, not after what I have done to him."

There was silence for a moment, I sat back down next to her.

Then she asked, 'Do you love him?'

I snapped my head to her in shock, "W-What!? That's….I care for him deeply, yes."

'You said that he'd never truly love you, do you want him to love you?' She asked, her voice soft and calming.

I stared at her, trying to find the words.

'Cortanna, I believe you want him to love you because you love him. He has done more for you than anyone else in your lifetime. No one has devoted much of themselves to you, and that makes you afraid. Maybe it's a little unhealthy, but that's something to work on, for both of you.'

"But, I-I...I dragged him into this." I said, tears springing up in my eyes.

Water droplets starting falling from the sky.

'Maybe you did, or maybe it was something else. What matters now is the present and what you make of it. Cortanna, don't be afraid of love, sure it may hurt you in ways you can't imagine, but the pros outweigh the cons any day. I should know, I was in love at one point as well.' She said with a sincere smile.

Tears started falling down my face, the rain began to pour.

"B-But...I don't know how to love…" I whimpered.

She chuckled and brought me into a hug, 'My dear Cortanna, no one truly knows how to love. It's something that only people who have experienced it can truly understand, and you will, someday.'

"B-But...when he learns the truth tonight…" I shook in her grasp.

'Luna Cortanna Quartz Moonfall, trust in love, it's more powerful than anything in this universe, including fear itself.'

Then everything was still.

It stayed like that for a while, then a pulling sensation took over and I was no longer in my own mind anymore.

This was it. Now it began.

The first meeting...of the Cabal of the Falling Stars.