A/N: Hello old and new readers! For those who don't know this story is connected with another that I am currently writing called Born on the Battlefield. So if you want the full story I suggest reading both, preferable with Born on the Battlefield first but go wild, for now. And if you don't know what the heck this is in the first place allow me to tell you, this is a story about my Dungeons and Dragons characters coming into the Prime universe, its a thought I have had awhile and its not really crossover-y so it is here. This first character in this story is from a short lived campaign using the Tal Dorei Campaign Guide from Critical Role, a online show of nerdy ass voice actors sitting around and playing dungeons and dragons. And since we never finished I decided to take some liberty to finish her story, somewhat. Yes there will more characters coming in both stories but hold on its gonna be a ride yet.
Now with that out of the way, please enjoy the first chapter of the brand new addition to the Falling Stars Universe, Of Steel and Magic
P.S her Cybertronian name is pronounced Bullet-tah, just letting you know
NOW on with the SHOW!
Edit-This story used to be rated for teen but is now mature, it won't always be mature but for safety reasons for later on in this story it has been changed!
Chapter 1-From a Calamitous End to a Curious Beginning
Throughout my entire life I had only known hardship, but I guess that is the life of a street urchin for you. I lived on the streets due to unknown reasons, my mentor and father figure named Hamilton, said he had found me alone in a shadowy back alley and took pity on me and decided to raise me.
We always figured I was abandoned due to my nature, being a Tiefling, half mortal, half devil. So either someone made a shady deal or someone decided it was a good idea to have friendly relations with embodiment of evil. However you spin it, it's all the same in the end.
I never let my living situation get me down though, I am a natural tinkerer and I love reading new books, or old books, or well any kind of book really. I also guess that's how I found myself a follower of Ioun, goddess of knowledge and what have you.
It's also how I finally got off the streets.
A nearby University which also serves as a temple to the Goddess saw potential in me and took me in. My entire world was changed overnight, I had to say goodbye to Hamilton which was hard but he wanted it for me in the end. I was only twelve at the time and I guess he thought I deserved a better chance in life rather than on the streets.
At first, they sought to infuse my creations with magic, the Age of Arcanum, the time in which we lived, was full of magic. But, this was something I didn't want tainted by magic, for I saw magic as a cheat and a gateway to the sins of creation. Many who practice magic fell into sin, greed, power lust, wrath, the list goes on.
As such, I would never allow the sinful magics of the others to taint my work.
But, my most proudest work was something that was stolen and conjured within my own mind. The part stolen, was the key ingredient, black powder. The rest came from me, but my fine invention was something I didn't like to show off, it was my trump card after all, but my guns have always been somewhat of an obsession for me.
No one is allowed to touch my creations of steel and fire, as sometimes, they can be volatile.
Enough about that though, I must move on or else we'll be here for awhile.
When I turned 19 I had become a full member of the Temple of Ioun, as a scouter for knowledge it was my job to search the land for new knowledge or to record it. And with my inventions being my weapons I had no problem navigating the world.
It's also around this time that I met them.
We were a merry band of Ioun worshipers, who sought out new adventures, treasures and knowledge wherever we went. It was a great couple of years, they even help me out of my shell a bit.
But….it ended in tragedy.
A crazed mage tore open the prison of the Betrayer Gods and their horrid creations, unleashing the hells upon Exandria and what ensued was equally devastating, known as the Calamity, a war that tore and destroyed civilization and the way of life I knew for so little yet so long.
I died.
In the battlefields halfway across the world from my home, I stood against the hordes of evil that wished my goddess dead and I died. I was the last to die, the others, I watched as they fell to blades, magic, claws and darkness.
My name was Moon Nemesis, I was a Tiefling Gunslinger, first of her kind.
And I am dead.
….
…
….
So why doesn't it feel like death?
I've heard of near death experiences or even some who did die but were brought back. I had heard all the tales of such of an event that I had every detail memorized in my mind.
So why doesn't feel like I was told it felt?
"Because it ain't death, Nemesis." A gruff yet cheery voice called out and my yellow eyes snapped open.
I was staring at a metallic ceiling crisscrossed with chains and dangling equipment, some I recognized, some I didn't.
I sat up quickly, looking down to where that icy bolt of magic should've hit me in the chest yet it was gone, not a scratch, even my clothing was pristine, my black coat, my red leather armor, blouse and pants as well as my heel brown boots. My ashen grey skin was clean and not dirt stained and my white hair was in a nice bun, I touched my horns, not broken and shattered, and my tail was still attached to me instead of being cut off.
I hugged my tail with that thought.
It was then that I took in the surroundings.
It was a large metal room, circle in nature, with benching's and tools scattered about, a forge in the corner and a chemistry table off to one side. In the middle was a round table with a strange opal like mirror floating above it.
"Welcome, Moon Nemesis, to my laboratory." The same voice called out from behind the opal mirror, stepping from out behind it was a large rotund metallic man. His metals were earthy and grey in hue, he had a cord like beard and strange glasses fixed to his head, he also held a bottle of something but I couldn't tell.
"By the Knowing Mistress prey tell what are you!? A-And how do you move so fluidly?! Oh my...this is amazing!" I got off of where I had been laying, my yellow eyes wide as I tried to discern how he-or was it even a 'he' to begin with? My itch to know everything was something hard to contain despite my usual reserved nature.
'He' or it I still can't tell laughed heartily. "Ah, you make me laugh, well it's good to know that I have chosen right, it seems this might work after all!"
I was confused, "I-I'm sorry, what?"
"Where are my manners!? My name is Alchemist Prime and I have a proposition for you, if you're interested that is?" He took a swig from the bottle he was holding with an unreadable expression.
"What kind and does it involved you tell me how you were made?!" I asked, my tail swishing excitedly behind my.
He snorted, "I was going to get to that, but, if you really want to know then I think the offer I have for you is an offer you won't turn away, especially with the amount of curiosity you have stored in that tiny body of yours!" He chuckled, I was a head lower than him.
"Get on with it then!" My impatience was getting to me.
"Calm down there Moon, no need to rush it." He grabbed a chair nearby and sat down next to the table with the opal mirror, I followed him also grabbing a seat as he waved his hand in front of the mirror and images came forth.
He went on this long story of him and his people, about how they are aliens from another world called Cybertron, that has been embroiled in a war for millions of years. Which was shocking, as well, he described the two factions, how they came to be and who lead them, the chosen Prime and the fallen warrior.
He showed me images of a new world, close in features to Exandria but with different continents, one less moon and the fact that there were only humans that roamed the planets surface. The war that had consumed their home was on another now, and more than ever he and his siblings wish to stop it.
He told me there would be others like me, to help along with the mission but the fate of such a mission was left in our hands.
Alchemist also told me that if I were to accept it I was to be transformed into a Cybertronian, grounder type thank the Knowing Mistress for that and that I could keep my current weapons, they would just be adjusted with energon bullets instead.
After everything he told me I had a choice to make.
It's not like I could go back, because back in Exandria I am dead, and the Calamity rages on. I don't even know if there is a home to go to! But I know that this world was new thoughts, knowledge and myths and legends to be recorded in the name of the Knowing Mistress, Ioun.
Speaking of which…
"Alchemist, what about Ioun, will I still be able to commune with her or...do I have to give her up?"
Alchemist hummed, "No, that is up to you, from what I understand the choice of having connections to the gods of you're worlds is up to you, even in her current state within your realm, she can still reach just fine, if you so wish it."
I frowned, "Current state? What do you mean by that, is something wrong with her!?" I asked leaning close to him with a frantic stare.
He sighed, "I am afraid the battle you took part in, it was the last battle of the Calamity, and in the end she was greatly wounded in combat against the Chained Oblivion."
I gasped in shock, tears welling my eyes. For her to be wounded was as if someone had wounded a Motherly figure to me.
"I...see...then please...I still want a connection to her...if that is alright?" My voice was weak and Alchemist placed a metallic hand on my shoulder.
"Chin up kid, she's a goddess, she's tougher than she looks." I nodded wiping the tears away before saying.
"Then I accept, I will aid you and your people."
He smiled and clapped his hands together, "Good, good, now you must decide on which side you wish to be with, it's up to you."
A map appeared with two symbols showing the current locations of the Autobots, led by the Prime and the Decepticon, led by the fallen warrior. After hearing everything I think my best chances are with the Autobots, they must have good resources if they have been battling in such a small unit on the world for so long.
And I am never afraid to get down and dirty to get the knowledge that I seek either.
Also, they seem more of the friendly type.
"The Autobots, if you don't mind." I said with a worried smile, still unsure as to how it will all come about.
"Alright then kid, good luck and have a safe journey."
I nodded, "Thank you, Alchemist Prime, for giving me another chance at life."
He chuckled and clicked something on his glasses and in a bright white flash the world suddenly became darkness once more and I fell into a deep sleep.
At first I noticed the darkness, a different type than the previous two times, it was a light sleep darkness. Suddenly something flashed across my darkened vision, something called the HUD, informing me that I was functioning normally, even though some of the words were new I understood what they meant, Alchemist said that when I was transformed I would be aided in helping me blend in better among other Cybertronians.
I guess he meant this.
Slowly things started coming back to me, I could feel once more, it felt like I was lying on a metallic bed, berth, as my HUD called it. It was warm which is strange for metal but I brushed it off.
I then noticed something else other than my HUD, something called a Atheneum. To my understanding it is the collection of knowledge that I have obtained...huh, so I have library within my processor...interesting.
I guess I should wake up my other most important sense, hearing.
Turning on my audios I can now hear a conversation happen close by.
But it's too far away from me to hear, almost as if a wall blocks my hearing, so I increase it, and can now make out the conversation.
"-am is not going to be happy about this Prime. And how in the Sam hill did she end up at the crater sight!? Is she a Con?!" A infuriated voice, smaller than I expected was yelling at a...Prime!? I must be within the Autobot base!
"I check her over, no insignia of any kind on her, just the two weapons that were on her person and nothing else, it was like she was dropped there, unscathed by the carnage around her." An older yet annoyed voice came through, much stronger compared to the yelling voice.
"So what, she's a neutral?!" The first voice questioned.
"And as such we have a code to honor, Agent Fowler, it states that Neutrals are not to be harmed but aided, although I do not know if the Decepticons honor that code and thus reasoned she would be safer here than out there." A strong yet calming voice called out, it sent my racing spark into a slightly relaxed rhythm.
"Well keep me informed of the situation as it develops, I need to let my superiors know of this development." The first voice then went silent before a door shut closed leaving the room silent.
Seeing as the most important conversation was done, I turned my attention away as the two other voices hushed quietly to themselves to focus on onlining my 'optics'...I love this new terminology.
Suddenly the world came into view, I was staring up a cream ceiling with lights streaming down. I looked at the room I was in, it looked like what my HUD called a 'Med-Bay', there was equipment and tools everywhere yet organized neatly, which was a pleasant sight.
As I took in the room I noticed that the door where the voices were was closed...wait how could I hear through that!? Never mind...more important things, like how I look.
Mind you I am not vain, I just want to know what a female cybertronian looks like...knowledge and stuff you know?!
I saw a shiny tray next to me, I took it and looked upon the reflection.
I was a tall yet slender figure with my horns on my helm curving back and up, my hair had turned into white plates that were 'tied' into a bun. My 'protoform' was ashen grey and my optics yellow. My black coat now metallic and my red armor underneath it remand, my 'peds' were heels and I whipped my tail around to see it still there, my 'digits' were sharp and I still had my fangs. Two tires rested on my back while others rested in my legs.
It also made me realize that my back aches from laying on it, guess the tires are sensitive, I did always like laying on my side while sleeping ...ah I'm getting off track here.
I stood slowly, getting used to the shift in the center of gravity before slowly walking towards the door. I didn't see any handles but I saw a code pad and realized I needed the 'code' to get in and most likely out. I looked around the room and saw a 'computer'...what is a 'computer'...well both my HUD and my Atheneum says it's useful for info gathering so it shall aid me.
I walked up to the device but was unsure how to use it, so I let my systems take command, instinct told me to transform my servos, suddenly the digits popped out from the servo and linked by cable linked up with the computer. The computer's 'data' flashed across my optics as my Atheneum cross reference the data I need, the key code, with the data in the computer.
Finally it found what I needed, I disconnected from the computer, making sure also to download a copy of it's content into the Atheneum for later use. My digits returned and popped back into the palm of my servo and after retaking full control walked back to the keypad where I flawlessly typed the code and with a green flash to door automatically opens into a hall.
I looked left and right, both ways looked the same and I sighed.
"Pick a direction and start walking...I guess." I grumbled to myself and decided to go left.
As I wandered aimlessly for about five minutes I began to hear faint voices. I could now start to gage the distance and by golly it was a long ways off. But the fact that I could pick it up means my 'audio receptors' are more sensitive than the normal bot.
I made my way towards the myriad of voices, talking about all things...ME!?
"So we are going to trust her, just like that?" A 'femme' voice called out.
"No, but if she wishes to stay than I must oblige, as we are robots in disguise here. If anything, if she decides to leave then we will teach her the basics before sending her off via groundbridge." The calming voice was back again and I started making my way faster, noticing now that my pedsteps were quieter than expected.
I guess I really am made for info gathering, huh?
"But could she become one of us, an Autobot?" A strange voice called out, yet she heard the translation clearly, which was odd.
"We could always use an extra gun on the battlefield." A tough yet warm voice suggested.
"Well first she has to wake up, only then we'll know for sure." A light almost humor filled voice said to the others, the older voice from before huffed.
"From what I could tell she might be out for awhile."
And that's when I came to the end of the hall into the massive room. It was so tall that I was unbelievable, even at my current size. There was a hole in the wall with metallic rings, another tunnel leading out of the room, a pillar with platforms for small creatures in the center and on the floor was the same symbol Alchemist showed me the Autobot insignia.
It was then that I saw them, but they didn't see me.
There were six other cybertronians in total, one femme and five 'mechs'. The femme was blue with pink highlights and only slightly shorter then me, the mech next to her was my height with red and black colors, the mech next to him was the same height with black and yellow, across from him was a taller bigger mech of green and black and next to him was a taller mech of orange and white.
And the tallest of them all was a red and blue mech.
As I stared at them I noticed a gleam behind them and realized my creations were behind the biggest one. My long range sniper rifle and my revolver pistol, they looked slightly different, using different ammo will do that and emblazoned on each of them was the golden stylized eye of Ioun, my goddess.
My optic twitched, I hadn't realized I had them on me, and some ELSE touched them!
They had yet to see me standing in the hallway doorway.
I called out, "Excuse me," all there helms snapped to me and I felt nervous all of a sudden. "C-Can I have the Betrayer and the Veracity back please?"
There was a stunned silence before the orange and white mech asked in the older voice, "How did you get out?"
"I found my way out." I answered automatically, my nerves getting the better of me as my tail swishes slowly back and forth as I wring my servos.
That caught their attention, it seemed to unnerve them.
The largest one spoke in the calming voice, "What is your name?"
"O-Oh, right. My name is…" I hesitated for a moment before something came to mind and before I knew it, I said.
"My name is Bulletta, n-nice to meet you."