A/N: Heyo, sorry for the short chapter but again I had a hard time with this chapter like in BOTB. But I hope its too your liking. I also keep forgetting to mention that I now have character bios for the Falling Stars universe on my profile with theme songs for them. So check it out, now, enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter 11-Stoke the Embers
Cenotaph's POV
If the world were perfect, we wouldn't be alive. And it seemed that Ratchet was hellbent on perfection. Everything with him was meant for perfection, his servos graced him with perfection in the medical field, his mannerisms and attitude screamed prideful and perfectionism. Even his tools and projects, all claiming perfection.
He wished for perfection, peace, order and stability….
….But where's the fun in that?
It was early in the morning hours, Ratchet refused to go back to recharge and remained up with me, awaiting the rest of the team's arrival to the main area.
And I have already made chaos out of his orderly perfectionism.
Small things, switching placement of equipment, turning things off or on, knocking things onto the floor. It may be bad due to his medical profession, but, chaos is always a little more exciting when you are the one causing it.
But the real way to get under his armor plating was by simply flirting with the poor mech. It was clear the mech had never really given anyone a second thought in the sense of romance. So, when he started to stutter, quake and heat up, hm, now that was something to relish in more than just pure chaos!
"C-Cenotaph, please!" He almost begged as I skirted around him, knocking over a tool once more.
I smiled, "Why?"
He turned to me quickly, his face hardened in a scowl, "Because you are bound to break something important!" He hissed.
I rolled my optics, "Ratchet, I know what you do and I know what to mess with and what not to mess with, you aren't the only one with medical expertise as my...field of study requires such things at times."
He seemed to suppress a shudder, "R-Right, I forgot, but please! Just don't!"
I relented, "Fine, it's about time the team is to arrive, correct?"
"Yes, though I don't know how I explain everything…" He said, putting down his tools and looking past me.
"Leave that to me, and by the way Ratchet," He looked to me curiously, "Don't say a word about my school of magic, that is for me to disclose, not you." I growled the warning, he quickly stiffened and nodded, heading to the terminal to get away from me, if only just for awhile.
It wasn't long after that, the tell tale signs of bots approaching, talking amongst themselves. I walked over to the Ground bridge tunnel at stood halfway covered in the shadows...I always loved dramatic entrances.
No One's POV
All of Team Prime entered the main hall together, some chatting amongst the others while some, mainly Optimus and Sunstreaker, kept to themselves. Each having just refueled they were all ready to start the day, after all, they had just won a major battle against the Decepticons and they felt like they could take on anything thrown at them.
Optimus noticed his old friend at the terminal, "Ratchet, how long were you up last night?" It seemed like he didn't move since he bid the medic a good rest.
Ratchet gave a quick glance, "Doesn't matter…" He mumbled.
Sunstreaker walked up beside the Prime, "You stayed up again, didn't you?" He mocked concern which earned a growl from Ratchet.
"Drop it, we have bigger problems right now!" He said, turning to face them.
Cliffjumper interjected as the rest of Team Prime noticed the exchange, "And what's that?"
Ratchet kept glancing at the Ground bridge tunnel, Optimus followed his line of sight to the darkened tunnel where for the first time he noticed a figure standing there.
Activating his blasters and mask he pointed his weapons at the figure along with everyone else as they were suddenly put on high alert, only for Ratchet to run between them.
"WAIT, don't shoot!" His servos up and a worried expression crossing his face.
"Who the frag is that?!" Bulkhead bellowed, "And how are they here?!"
There was a light laughter that drifted from the figure, feminine and sinister.
"How else do you think I got in?" She said with a dark smile as she stepped into the light and behind the medic who tensed as she approached. "Ratchet was more than willing to let me in."
Bulletta lowered her weapon Veracity ever so slightly, her yellow optics widening in recognition at the figure's physique and the glow of magic around her.
"You're...a Goliath Lander." She said in a surprised whisper, the others looked to her. "And you're a wizard, or sorcerer? Or is it Warlock, I can't tell you magic types apart."
She rolled her light violet optics, "I'm a wizard thank you very much, my name is Cenotaph and I'm pleasantly surprised to see a Tiefling, and a grey one at that!" She stared in fascination at the smaller femme.
"So," Arcee lowered her weapons, "Why are you here and why did Ratchet let you in?!"
"Hm, I told him I wanted to join the Autobots and he agreed to allow me entrance." She said stepping to the side of the medic who was deadly silent at the moment.
Optimus put his mask and weapons away, staring at Cenotaph questioningly, "Why is it that you wish to join our cause?"
"Experience and because I'm bored." Cenotaph sighed, exacerbated.
"Bored?" Bumblebee clicked and chirped at her, her optic ridge raised a bit but she elaborated.
"Yes, things get boring if they aren't entertaining and what's more entertaining than war!?" She said, shifting her staff from one servo to the other before coming face to face, literally because she was that tall, with Optimus Prime.
"This isn't a game, Cenotaph, there are things at stake. And you need to understand that." His tone was serious and resolute, something that made Cenotaph simply smirk at.
"I know Optimus, believe me I know, but if you are so concerned about me then why don't you and your team teach me...or I can simply go to the Decepticons, they would most likely love to have my talents unlike you." She quipped, before stepping away from the group before Bulletta shouted.
"NO, we can't lose her Optimus! Wizards are extremely versatile and heavy damage dealers, we can't lose her, we'd lose the war!" She sighed before saying, "Even if she is a magical user and I don't trust them, she may be our greatest weapon against an army that outmatches us in firepower and strength."
Cenotaph looked quizzical at the Tiefling, "Don't trust magic users?"
Bulletta frowned, "Lets just say, I've had a bad run with them in the past, don't like it when people tamper with my projects." She said before slowly putting Veracity away.
Sideswipe asked, "So, can we keep her, she seems fun!" The red mech said, looking to his brother and the Prime.
Optimus looked at the tall femme for a long time, before looking to the tense medic, "Do you trust her, old friend?"
He nodded without hesitation, "Yes."
Cenotaph was surprised by his quick answer but smiled before looking to Optimus.
"Well then, welcome to the Autobots, Cenotaph."
Sierra's POV
We drove towards base in relative silence, when I heard that there was a new bot joining the ranks I was excited, it meant more firepower for the good guys. But, the way she talked about this Cenotaph left me concerned. It was clear that Bulletta wasn't completely happy with her arrival but she never really voiced it, more like her wording was double meaning and I wondered what kind of femme made Bulletta sweat, well, bullets?
"So, why don't you trust her?" I asked my jeep femme friend, she skidded a little letting me know she was surprised by the question.
She let out a sigh, "I don't like magic users, and something just feels...off about her."
"Why don't you like magic users?" I asked.
"Well, I lived in a time where magic was abundant and literally could do anything you desire. Some used this power for good, while others...it was something that I learned to fear as a kid, and when someone tries to tamper with what you worked for for so long, you tend to get defensive. I always saw magic as a crutch, I didn't need it, all I needed was my mind, my weapons and my knowledge of how to make someone hurt, real bad."
There was a pause, "So, I guess that's why you are so defensive about your weaponry?"
"Yeah," Bulletta chuckled, "When you live on the streets, you cherish everything you got, that includes your weapon, if you don't have one, you are screwed."
I stayed silent, she never really talked in detail about her past, so I didn't know what to say.
But I couldn't as we entered the Base and something passed through me, I didn't know what is was but a shiver ran down my spine and a cloud of invisible darkness seemed to roll over me. Something didn't feel right, something felt very wrong.
We came into the main hall and I stepped out of Bulletta's jeep mode. She transformed behind me, clearly tense and guarded as her tail whipped around with anxiety. I looked to what made her so nervous and froze.
Standing there was the new femme, Cenotaph. Her light violet eyes were scanning each human with intrigue and something else. She was very tall and even though she didn't seem bulky, she looked strong too. Her staff interested me, a triple moon at the top with the crescents floating and I wondered how she got that to do that.
She seemed like a pale ghost, with black strange tattoos and black corded like hair. It was unsettling, the way she held herself and the way she stared down at us, it was more than curiosity, it was something else, something...sinister.
"So, these are the humans I've heard so much about!" She crooned.
Cenotaph bent down but the Autobots seemed not to trust her yet as they stepped closer to their charges protectively. She looked at them with a smile before ignoring them.
"What can you do?!" Miko asked excitedly, completely ignorant about the tension.
She smile widened, "Magic my dear, want to see some of it?"
The punk girl's eyes sparkled, "Really!? Heck yeah!"
Bulkhead warned, "Miko.."
"Don't worry Bulkhead, it will be harmless." She said as she stood before taking the staff and alighting it with a white glow.
Then she said a strange word I didn't understand and a flash crossed Miko's eyes and she shook her head and blinked her eyes. Cenotaph simply stared at Miko, waiting for something, but then Miko started to screech.
"Hey! Why'd you turn off the lights?" She asked, we looked at her confused.
"She didn't, is something wrong?" I asked looking at Miko, realizing quickly that her eyes were now clouded white.
"Wait, what!? AM I BLIND?!" She screamed at a direction, probable most likely wanting to yell at Cenotaph.
"Did you blind my charge?!" Bulkhead yelled at the taller femme as he picked up his now disabled charge.
"Ah, the Blindness/Deafness spell, simple yet devious. Don't worry, it isn't permanent, it will leave you after a minute." She roguishly smiled, she turned on her heel. "I'm not something to be commanded by anyone, Miko, remember that!"
She then stalked away with a strut in her step to stand at Ratchet side at the terminal, who gave a look of satisfaction to the strange femme. I looked to the others, worry across my face.
Bulletta narrowed her optics at Cenotaph, but only shook her head and mumbled.
"Why did they chose you?"
No One's POV
Bulletta walked down the hall with purpose. She grumbled to herself, having got a private Comm. from Cenotaph, telling her to meet in private storage room. The tiefling didn't trust her as far as she could throw her, which wasn't far considering their height differences.
She stopped in front of the door and opened it, a hand on Veracity.
Cenotaph leaned against the opposite wall, her staff to the side and her arms crossed.
"Good, good, now we can talk freely." She said as Bulletta closed the door.
"About what?" She hissed.
She huffed, "I assume the mission, but I have to know, why were you picked, how did you die?"
Cenotaph laughed, "I believe it was because of my expertise, my magical ability. The way I died, well, I chose my end as I knew how to avoid it."
"You...committed suicide?!" She stared with shock and horror.
The pale femme cackled, "Yes, but not for anything really, I was promised a new life, a new start and a new path. So, I took it. I am not afraid of death, it's more of a nuisance in the way of my work."
Bulletta seemed horrified at her stance of things, before she asked, "What...school of magic do you practice?"
"Take a guess…" She slyly remarked.
There was silence, Bulletta tried to figure her out until the puzzle pieces clicked. She pulled Veracity on the femme, her hand shaking and her yellow optics wide in fear.
"You-you are a…" She tried to spout out but nothing more came, Cenotaph stood and swiped her staff menacing walking over to the fearful gunslinger.
She sneered, "Well, Bulletta, are you going to shoot me? A teammate? What would the Primes think? I'm not afraid so put that away, it only makes you look like a fool and let's talk, like civilized dead femmes." Her face close to the fear ridden femme who stared up at the Necromancer femme.
Slowly, she lowered Veracity and Cenotaph stood back from the femme with a victorious smile.
"Now, let us discuss our plan, do you have one for ending this war?"
Bulletta frowned, "N-No, I don't have one…"
She hummed, "Well then we need to collaborate, we need to contact our Decepticon counterparts."
"What!? But...how?" Bulletta asked, her tail swishing behind her.
"Simple, we make contact, through magic and through the Primes." She said twirling her staff in thoughtfulness, "I have spells, we have the Primes and together, we can be sure of victory."
"Okay, but, how do you know they will agree?" The gunslinger asked, nervous about the plan.
There was a silent air in the room, then a whisper came into their helms with both Primes, Alchemist and Quintus, in unison said.
'They will cooperate, because you are on the same side, take upon the wings on your insignia. All of you were born on the battlefield, of steel and magic. Rising to the call, to end it all…'
'You are the Falling Stars.'