A/N: Heyo! This time around a little shorter than I wanted but hey, this is all leading to the third part, I'm thinking this may be a four part thing but I'm not holding myself to it, maybe longer, we'll see! Anyways, this one was a fun one to write so I do hope you enjoy it! Anyways, stay safe out there and have a great day

And please, enjoy the show...

Chapter 16-Dream Team, Part 2

North Tower of Castle Ravenloft…

No One's POV

The warmth of his hand is what kept her grounded. With him, she felt safe, even in these haunting walls. It was enough for her mind to decide a path, either across the bridge outside to another tower, or down this tower. She looked to Starscream, his white-silvery hair moving slightly with the slight breeze drifting lazily from the walkway behind them.

"Do you know where she could be?" He asked quietly, looking down into the large tower.

"No, but we should head to the main floor, then we have more options. The other way as I remember it was filled with Strahd's minions and I worry she may have recreated them." Moonfall said, clutching his hand a little tighter.

He squeezed back, looking up at her with reassurance, "If that's what you think is best, I've never been here before so you'll have to lead us."

While it was true, she would have to lead them, it didn't sit well with her. Just another thing she had over him, and she didn't want that control, but it was times like these where she just swallowed her disgust and carried on. At least, for their sakes.

They silently began making the long trek down the tower, and it was a very tall tower.

Light sources were placed on the walls, making the tower glow an eerie light, as the middle was completely hollow. The stairs were wide enough to allow them to walk side by side, their hands never letting go the entire time.

Starscream smiled to himself, it had been sometime since he felt Moonfall, yes of course he could always hold her servo or kiss her helm back in the Med-Bay but there was no response, nothing squeezing his servo back like there was here. Even in her ghostly form, it didn't feel real, like she didn't have enough mass sometimes, pliable almost.

So, to hold her hand, to feel her skin, to taste her lips on his, was magical.

He silently wondered how he so easily differentiated himself from reality and this form, using human terminology like nothing. It was strange, new, but appreciated. In truth, in this form he felt different, stronger even. He felt in tune more so with air around him, the current, the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere and the silent breathing of both of them.

Yes he was sensitive to those sorts of things back in his Cybertronian form, but he only got readings from those, this was different. He didn't just know how fast the wind pushed him, he felt it, in his skin, in his bones, in his entire being.

"Moonlight, I must ask, what am I?" He said, breaking the silence between them, they had been walking for sometime down the tower and had finally come to a landing. There were four exits, the stairs that led further down, a door and two openings that led to parapets of the keep itself.

She looked to him curiously before answering, "I do know the answer, but now is not the time for it."

He looked confused, "What? Why not?"

She felt her heart sing at him questioning her, she answered, "Well I assume everyone who wasn't a Lander before also got new forms. Everything will be explained when we are all together, it's just better that way."

"Oh," He hadn't even considered the others, "I suppose you have a point."

She smiled sadly, "I'd love to ramble to you about everything, but then you might be doubly explained too and that's just boring. And I can see that glint in your eye, you are very curious, aren't you?"

He was surprised, then he did realize that yes indeed he was curious. It had been a long time since he had this level of curiosity about other things, other than Moonfall as of late.

"Well...I suppose that's my inner scientist saying hello…!" He said, rubbing the side of his head with his free hand sheepishly.

Her eyes lit up and it made him stop as she asked.

"You are a scientist?"

It was such an innocent question, a simple question. He hadn't even realized that he mentioned his old profession. But the question brought up so many memories, from long before the war. Many now look upon with a longing mixed with guilt and sadness.

He looked down sadly, "I...once was a scientist...not anymore though."

She frowned, stepping closer and squeezing his hand, "I don't understand…"

Starscream sighed and looked up to her, "This war takes many things, all wars do. It took many, many things from me, my old life, my city, my people...my curiosity that drove my profession…"

Her face melted into understanding and sadness, "Well...I don't think it took that from you."

He laughed dryly, "This isn't the same curiosity as my old one, this one is different."

"No." The word was said kindly yet strong, enough to make him stop for a moment, "Curiosity is not different from itself, it simply is. I can see that you are a smart man, a clever man, and that comes from a pure curiosity, the same that drives discovery in every aspect of life and the universe itself."

Starscream smiled sadly, "Such wise words…" He said, trailing off.

She merely shrugged, "Curiosity is the one thing that I held onto throughout my life, sometimes it cost me dearly, sometimes it rewarded me. But it still remains as it is, no matter what subject befalls it's call."

Starscream squeezed her hand, and began to lead her down, "Come on, let's get going."

She smiled fondly, matching his pace once more as they continued down.

Moonfall was surprised internally, she never thought she'd learn more than what she already knew. Then again, that was a foolish thought, he was more than a mech who waged war for his Master. He was...so different from what she imagined. He was understanding, caring, thoughtful and curious. He wasn't repulsed by her, he accepted her for who she was.

And...he kissed her.

Her heart fluttered, she could still feel everything from that kiss, it was so...loving.

No, no, she was imagining things, she had to be! He couldn't love her yet...the more she denied it, the harder was it to believe. Her heart and her brain weren't in sync, her heart says that he loved her while her brain weakly protested.

He still held her hand, still said kind and knowing words.

All her life, she followed her heart's desire, and that got her killed. She listened with her mind more now than ever in her life, but that pesky heart...the one that kept telling her that he loved her and she in return...it messed with her entirely.

...what am I going to do…?

...yes, my Bloody Moon, what are you going to do when I kill him…

Her step faltered for a moment, but she kept going, her eyes wide with alarm.

...what…?

...I was put here for a reason, my dear. To her, this is a test, a challenge…

...why?! Why did Cenotaph put you in my head…?!

...oh, Bloody Moon, I wasn't talking about Cenotaph…

Her eyes widened at the implication.

If Cenotaph didn't put him in her head again….but why?! Why would Solus Prime do this?! Torture her with his horrifying voice, his knowing words?! Why!?

...not her either, my Bloody Moon…

...no…

...not again…

...it can't be…

"Moonfall?" Starscream asked, noticing quickly that the elven woman had stopped near the bottom of the stairs, the main floor visible now.

Her entire form was shaking, her hand becoming clammy with sweat that began to build on her skin. Her eyes wide with horror as if she just witnessed the end of the world. It was worrying, and he tried to snap her out of it.

"Moonfall! What's happening?! What's wrong?! Talk to me!" He said, letting go of her hand and grasping her shoulders.

Finally, her eyes stared off into the distant looked him in eye with terror.

"...we are not alone...and we are in terrible danger..."


Outside of the Chapel in the Hall of Faith…

Nerium's POV

I stared blankly at the hall ahead from the doors that I had ruthlessly kicked in. Even with the dark vibe coming off the very walls I didn't blink at it, but the same couldn't be said for Bulletta, who seemed nervous as she followed me. The hall was long, lit with low light torches, layers of dust and cobwebs were everywhere, bronze statues lined the hall and I came to realize that they depicted the Thirteen Primes, including the Fallen and the mysterious Thirteenth Prime.

But I paid it no mind, wanting to find the maker of this world and ring her a new one.

We finally came to the end of the hall, a large double door of oak was closed, blocking the way. Above it hung a rusted bronze sun, I wondered for a moment what the meaning behind it was before brushing it off again.

I raised my foot again, and kicked the door in once again, slamming and echoing in the next chamber. I was lucky to wear leather armor as Wendigo was digging her claws in so as not to be knocked off by my powerful movements.

As I walked into what seemed like a foyer, with four tall pillars, a staircase to the right, large doors ahead and a small hall to the left, Bulletta huffed in annoyance.

"You know you don't have to kick every door, right?" She almost sneered at me.

I snapped my head to her and shot back, "Then there is the difference between us, you are a strong tall tiefling and I am the small gnome that finds every door a challenge, so thus I need to kick it in to get it anywhere."

I then turned back and stepped further into the foyer, I heard her cursing and huffing behind me like a child, honestly, these younger races were always so annoying. And the fact that she was this inconsiderate to the challenges my people faced only made my blood boil.

It was then, in the huffy silence, did we hear low playing music coming from the small hall.

I frowned "..the hells..?"

I began to walk quickly towards the sound.

In the small hall was two directions, a stairwell that went up and down the left and two large doors that were slightly ajar to the right. The music played from the ajar doors and I made my way to look inside.

I was met with the sight of a grand feasting hall, with a large oak table and pillars on each side of the room, three crystal chandeliers hanging above and across was a large pipe organ.

Sitting there was a woman, playing a melody I didn't know. She turned after she stopped suddenly, her white skin and black arcane tattoos down her face were the most striking feature along with her black dreaded hair and violet eyes.

She smiled, "Welcome, to my abode."

"Cenotaph?" Bulletta blurted out, stepping in front of me, "Oh thank the Goddess we found you, what in the nine hells is going on here!?"

I stared at this woman, supposedly Cenotaph, and something turned in my gut. Bulletta stupidly starting walking forward, so I grabbed her leg and stopped her in her tracks.

"Wait...something's not right here." I said, glaring at the pale necromancer.

Bulletta was about to retort but was stopped when Cenotaph sneered at us.

"Well, aren't you perceptive. You should really listen to her, you never know if something is coming when you least expect, especially here." She said with a devilous grin...I may like this femme's style...

Bulletta, however, didn't see the bigger picture, "W-What? Nerium, what are you-"

"You two should get going, you have quite a challenge ahead of you in order for you to find Cenotaph." The femme said, her smile becoming demented now.

It was only now that it hit the gunslinger, "You...aren't Cenotaph, so then, who are you!?"

It spoke again, "I am merely an illusion, here to give you a warning and as I already gave it to you, my work here is done."

Its features then turned insane, and a deranged laughter left its lips before it disappeared. Then, there was silence. Bulletta stared at the spot where the illusion used to be, her mind most likely reeling from what had just happened.

I smiled at this though, cracking my knuckles and neck saying, "It seems she likes her mind games, good, I haven't had a proper challenge in some time."

But it seemed Bulletta was more volatile than I was when I loosed my monster out, as she almost looked ready to explode.

"Of course, OF COURSE! Nothing is ever simple with her isn't it! That lying and manipulating succubus!"She growled, turning to look at me, "This is why I don't trust her as far as I can throw her! Goddess, so help me when I find her ..."

Not surprisingly I rolled my eyes, "Tsh, you need to calm down, that attitude will get you nowhere."

She grinded on her teeth and hissed, "Like you miss cold and stony face!?"

"...yes…" I replied in a simple term, hoping that the simpleness of it would get through to her. She really needed to control her emotions, especially in a seemingly dangerous place such as this one.

But, it was not to be.

She groaned and stomped out of the room and back into the small hall. I sighed, staring for a moment at her antics and looking to Wendigo who merely shrugged. I groaned and began to run after her...curse my damn tiny legs!

I caught up to her quicker than I thought as she made her way to the main stairs in the foyer.

"You know, Bulletta, I believe she's doing this on purpose too you." I said, pausing for a response only to get none and moving on, "It seems from what I seen, she loves toying with people and uses her magic in aid of that. Both of which upsets you, unreasonably so."

She scoffed as we began to climb the stairs as they curved to the left and up, "I have my reasons."

I slightly narrowed my eyes and asked, "You are a follower of Ioun, correct?" She silently nodded, "Then I can see why you hate lies and illusions, but magic, I don't get."

"I have had people try to use magic to interfere with my creations, thus, I don't like magic." She said, sending me a warning growl to stop my talking.

But that wasn't gonna happen anytime soon.

We came to a landing, where the stairs separated into two wells and two statues standing in between them, of unrecognizable figures.

I stopped her in her tracks, stomping my feet in front of her and said, "So, someone tried messing with your weapons? Seems like this goes deeper than just that."

Bulletta rolled her eyes, "Sure, sure, but here's the thing, magic in my world was out of control!"

I gave her a questioning look, I now became very interested in this grey tiefling gunslinger.

She sighed, "I lived in a time known as the Age of Arcanum, where you could mold the world with magic, no limits whatsoever. Gods and Goddesses walked the face of the world and all was well. But...magic is corruption, many used it to gain wealth and power, some used it to become gods themselves, and many used it for ill-intent against the innocent. So, yes, I don't trust magic, as it leads to only despair and greed."

I stared at her for a moment before Wendigo said in Sylven, "Well, that world sounds like it sucked."

I silently agreed with her but turned back to Bulletta to say, "Understandable, but this isn't your world anymore. Remember that."

"I know that!" She yelled, "That's why I am cautious…"

I simply turned from her, heading for the stairs once again. I was so tired of this routine.

I said to her over my shoulder, "Then get with the program, just because she can use magic, doesn't mean she'll turn out like them. Yes, there's a chance, but if you are there, maybe you can change it."

"Why are you giving me advice?" She asked.

I stopped and said, "I've seen people like you before, people who don't trust anything but a stereotype and just go in gun ho about these beliefs...and I hate those types of people."

"Why?"It was a simple question, one that I had learned to now hate.

My hand started to shake slightly as it balled into a fist, "Because….I was once like that...and the very thought of others like that….was one of the reasons I saw fit to not live in that world anymore."

Her words faltered, "You…I remember now, you killed yourself and were brought here by the Primes."

My little sun nestled against me as I started shaking more from the memory, "...Yes...and I will not allow myself or anyone else make those mistakes. It's time for a cold hard look at reality, to be logical, reasonable, not emotional. Emotion leads to strife and bursts of emotion can lead to unreasonable death...so yes, I'm going to give you advice, whether you want it or not."

Silently I climbed the stairs, away from that excuse of a femme. I hoped what I said to her finally got through that thick skull of hers. It seemed like for someone of the faith of truth and openness, she was very closed-minded. All of it looping back to the hypocrisy of it all.

But as I climbed the stairs a dreadful feeling sunk in my stomach, and the hairs on my arms twitched.

Danger was ahead, and it was time to face it, head on.

Whether Bulletta or I was ready for it, or not.