Here we are at Chapter 21. Let's get back to Yang and Megatron as they begin looking for Raven, and ultimately, Ruby. I do not own RWBY or Transformers. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 21. Enjoy.
Chapter 21: Past Mistakes
The ship gets ready to dock at the port to Anima, and Yang and Megatron are standing on the deck, watching the port come into view.
"So, what's the plan?" Megatron asks.
"Dad and Uncle Qrow gave me an idea of where to start looking for Mom, so we'll go there, ask around and narrow the area," Yang replies.
"Not the most detailed, or best-laid plans, but I suppose it'll have to do," Megatron replies.
"Hey, you gotta better one, I'm all ears," Yang retorts.
"If I had my old resources from home, then yes, I would... But I'm afraid I must consent to this scavenger hunt since I don't," Megatron replies, looking out to the sea.
Yang stares at him, "...You still think about it? About where you came from?" she asks softly.
"Everyday. But there's nothing to be done about that. I was a monster who hungered for power, and went down the wrong path. I even betrayed some of my own men when things weren't going exactly my way," Megatron replies as he looks down into the water, thinking about those that once served them.
"Your own troops. Like who?" Yang asks.
"There was one who was one of my most loyal followers. He and his twin brother. They were honorable and strong, and fiercely loyal to our cause. However, one of the brothers, named Skyquake, was killed during a battle against our enemies, though not while under my command. They were far apart, on different missions, but even then, the other, Dreadwing, felt his brother join the Allspark, and returned to my side for confirmation. Though he wanted revenge at first, he quickly learned to not let conflicting agendas harm our cause. However, that was before he found out what happened to his brother's remains," Megatron explains.
Now, Yang is concerned, "What did you do?" Yang asks, getting a little angry.
"No, this was not my doing, but rather my 1st Lieutenant's. A being known as Starscream, whose thirst for power was even greater than my own. During the war, I was mortally wounded, and in a coma for a time, during which he was in command. He was in charge when Skyquake died in battle. However, sometime after I awoke from my coma and took back control, Starscream had apparently... desecrated Skyquake's remains. We all learned about it soon enough, and Dreadwing was beyond angered at this fact. Even though I ordered him not to kill Starscream, he wouldn't listen... and I was forced to take his life with his own weapon," Megatron admits.
Yang silently gasps at this, "You... killed one of your own? Simply because he wanted some payback for his dead brother?!" she quietly asks, so as not to draw attention, though her anger was very apparent.
Megatron finally looks at her, "...Yes. Another action that I now deeply regret. I should've let Dreadwing kill Starscream, or at the very least had him imprisoned for insubordination. At least, he would still be alive. They were both loyal to me, and I rewarded that loyalty with betrayal. Sometimes I wish I could see them and apologize for my actions. I know they would never forgive me, and I do not want forgiveness. I do not want to be forgiven for my actions. That is why I am here, Yang. To make amends for my past mistakes, or at least attempt to do so. So, now what, Yang Xiao Long? Do you still want me to tag along?" he asks.
Yang looks away, thinking, before going to rest her arms on the railing, "I think... I think we all have things that we regret. My regrets are nowhere near as messed up as yours, but they're things I regret. I'm going to trust you, Megatron. But, if I ever ask you anything more about your past, you'd better tell me everything," Yang says as she looks back at him.
"Though it holds no weight, you have my word. And this time, I will keep it," Megatron replies, looking her right in the eye.
Yang smiles a bit, "Okay. Come on, the ship is getting ready to dock. We need to get moving," she says and walks off, with Megatron right behind her.
…
"Must I always be the one riding behind you?" Megatron asks with annoyance as he rides on Bumblebee, behind Yang.
"Hey, no one drives my ride but me. If you want, you can always walk, or try that hoverboard thing you did back home?" Yang replies, smirking.
"You know as well that I'm still working on it. I can only maintain it for a few minutes, so I'd rather not waste energy in case we end up getting into a fight. Which, considering how you are, is rather likely," Megatron retorts.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Yang asks.
"We must focus on our objective. Let's just be on our way," Megatron says to change the subject as they continue moving through the forest.
A while later, they come across a local gas station and decide to pull over to refuel the bike and themselves. They hook up Bumblebee and fill it up before going inside for some drinks. Behind the counter is a middle-aged man, cleaning a few glasses. As they walk in, they walk past a drunk man sleeping on the counter top.
"Good afternoon, how may I help you two?" the older gentleman asks.
"We'd like a couple of drinks," Yang says.
"Um... aren't you two a little young to be drinking?" the barkeep notes.
"A pair of waters. It's hot out," Yang clarifies, taking off her shades.
"Oooh, okay. I'll be right on that for you and your boyfriend here," the man notes before going under the bar.
Yang blushes at this, "He's not my boyfriend!" she yells.
"What's this boyfriend thing that people keep calling me?" Megatron asks, confused.
Yang groans until she hears some noise off to the side and they see the drunk man wake up and look at them.
"If that's true, then does that mean you're not taken. You look like a bonafide huntress, and a beauty at that," the shady man notes.
"I'm good pal, and I'm not interested," Yang replies, rolling her eyes.
"What's with him?" Megatron asks.
"That's what happens when you drink too much alcohol. Try to stay clear from that stuff," Yang tells him.
"Noted," Megatron replies.
"Hey, I'm just trying to be nice here. I mean you're not too bulky, not too lean..." the man says as he makes his way closer to them.
"Yeah, I'm just right. Thanks, but I'm good," Yang replies, getting annoyed.
"Come on, why don't you ditch the one-armed reject here and hang out with me. I'm sure I can show you a much better time than that freak," the shady man notes as he reaches out to Yang.
However, his advance is stopped when Megatron grabs his arm and crushes it so hard that the man falls onto one knee, crying in pain while Megatron keeps his hold.
"First of all, don't insult me. Second of all, she deserves to be with someone who will actually show her some respect. Not a worthless insect like you," Megatron growls before he kicks the man up into the air and then roundhouse kicks him out of the door.
Yang is a little surprised by the altercation, but even more surprised by what Megatron said about her. It helps put a smile to her face before the barkeep returns to the counter.
"These two are on the house. That guy's been driving me crazy. Guess I'd better not piss off your friend here," the barkeep says. The two warriors open the bottles of water and guzzle them down slowly, enjoying the feel of cold water pouring down their throats. "So what brings you two around these parts?" he asks.
A moment later, the two finish their drinks, "Thanks for the refreshment. We're here searching for someone. A female," Megatron notes.
"Heh, the only notable female individual around here would be Ra-," the man begins.
"Raven Branwen," Yang finishes for him, and then grabs her shades. "Thanks for the drinks. We'll be going now," she says, putting her shades on as they make their way out of the station.
"Wait, wait, hold on. You don't want to go messing with bandits, young miss. They're a world of trouble. Your friend here seems strong, but he's injured. They'd rip him apart!" the barkeep warns them.
"We know they're dangerous," Yang notes.
Megatron grunts, "There's only one person that can take me on, and they are not him. Don't underestimate me," Megatron replies as they exit the building.
"Just remember, I'd like to try and avoid a fight with her if we can. Our goal is Ruby, and we need Raven to do that," Yang says.
"That's up to Raven and her lapdogs. I won't be responsible for what they try to pull," Megatron replies.
"Fair enough," Yang says as they get on the bike.
"Hey, blondie," the shady man groans as he slowly gets back on his feet.
"You would do well to remember your place, insect, and stay out of our way. Unless you want me to come over there and break you in half," Megatron warns him.
"I... I hear you're looking for someone," the shady man notes, smiling a toothless smile.
"Can I kill him now?" Megatron asks, aiming his arm cannon at the man.
"Hold on," Yang stops him, getting off the bike and walking up to the man, picking up by his collar and slamming him against the wall. "Start talking. NOW," Yang demands.
"Okay, look. You're saying you're looking for Raven Branwen. I know where her camp is. I-I can take you there!" the shady man quickly tells her.
Now, Megatron is on him, arm cannon charged and right next to his skull, "You'd better not be deceiving us, or you'll soon regret it," he warns the man.
"It's the truth, I swear. Look, I'll take you there right now. Just don't kill me," the man starts to beg.
Megatron and Yang glance at each other before she drops the man onto his backside.
"You had better be right, for your sake. Now, start pointing us in the right direction," Megatron says.
"Alright, alright, just don't kill me," the shady man says. The group then approach Bumblebee. "So, I guess I'll be sitting behind blondie here," he says, smirking.
Megatron punches him in the gut, making him gasp for breath, "You'll sit nowhere near her if you know what's good for you," he warns him again. Yang gets on, followed by Megatron, and then the shady buy has just barely enough room to sit behind him. "Try anything, and you're dust," he says.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," the shady man replies.
"So, which way do we go first?" Yang asks.
"Head northwest, down this road, for a little while. I'll tell you when to make a turn as we get closer," the shady guy says.
Yang revs up the engine and starts driving. Megatron wraps his arm around her, making them both blush a bit, but she can feel a slight tenseness in his hold. He doesn't like the guy sitting behind them, and she can understand that. Throughout the drive, Megatron keeps the man just in the corner of his eyes, never letting him out of his sight. As they drive, the man makes occasional vocations about where to go. However, they apparently have a long way to go before they reach Raven's camp. It would take them at least a day to get there. Eventually the sun starts to set, and they have no choice but to make camp for the night. Once they find a spot to settle down, Yang sets up a fire while Megatron does his own thing and ties the shady man to a tree.
"Hey, why am I tied to a tree?!" the man asks as he suddenly finds himself tied to a tree.
"Because we don't trust you," Megatron states the obvious.
"But I said I'd help you find Raven's camp!" the man retorts.
"Yeah, and that's supposed to make us trust you? Especially after you tried, and failed, to hit on me back at the gas station. Do we really look that stupid to you?" Yang adds dully.
"Oh come on, we just got off the wrong foot, babe," the man replies.
"DON'T call me babe," Yang says, cracking her knuckles a bit.
"Sheesh, you're a real piece of work, you know-," the man begins until Megatron punches him hard in the face, knocking him clear out.
"He was really taxing my patience," he says, and then goes to gag him and blindfold him. "There, that way if he wakes up, he won't be able to say or see anything and annoy us further until it's time to move on," he says.
Yang sighs in relief, "Thanks. That guy is really annoying," she says.
"I am tempted to snuff him out right here and now, but it wouldn't be as pleasing if he didn't put up a fight," Megatron adds.
"We need him to show us the way to my Mom's hideout. He can't do that if he's dead," Yang replies.
Megatron sighs and sits next to her on a log, watching the flames turn from the fire. He then notices Yang holding her left arm as it shakes a bit.
"You okay?" he asks.
Yang sighs as she calms down, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a little nervous I guess," she says.
"... You'll be alright," Megatron notes.
"Huh?" Yang asks, confused.
"You're stronger than you realize. You were knocked down, but you eventually got back up, and are trying to get back in the fight by searching for you sister. You're making up for your mistakes, and though we haven't known each other for too long, I believe you can accomplish that," Megaton says.
Yang looks between him and the fire, "Come on, let's not forget about you. I've never been able to beat you in a fight. Hell, even when I got my arm, before you got yours, I still couldn't beat you," Yang notes.
Megatron grunts in amusement, "Maybe so, but that's not the strength I'm talking about. I meant that you are strong in that you're facing your failures. As an experienced warrior, yes I am far stronger, but... as a living being, that is different. My sins, my mistakes. I am... unsure if I can ever face them. I left my home to protect it, but did I do it for that reason, or because I was afraid to own up to my mistakes? I'm unsure of which is the true cause sometimes," Megatron sadly notes, staring at the fire.
"Megatron..." Yang mutters before grabbing his face and forcing him to look her in the eye. "You are strong. You said so yourself that you're here to atone for your mistakes. Even if you haven't succeeded yet, you're trying at the very least. There are plenty of people that would just quit, but you didn't. You're here, and that means something," she says softly.
Megatron is bewildered, "How... How can you still have so much faith in me? After everything I've told you about my past. Everything I've done. How?" he asks.
Yang lets him go and looks back to the fire, "Because it's something Ruby's mom, Summer Rose, once said. She said that no matter how bad they seem, people deserve a second chance to make things right. And, I don't know, I guess... I want to have faith in you. I DO have faith in you, if your past actions back home are anything to take into account," Yang explains.
"She sounds like Optimus Prime. I'm sure if they ever met, they would get along quite well... Thank you, Yang. For having faith in me, even when I don't exactly have faith in myself," Megatron thanks her.
"In times like these, it's okay to ask for help. You taught me that when I was sitting on my butt, doing nothing but feeling miserable for myself. We both have things we need to make up for," Yang says.
"Aren't you afraid that I might one day betray you, like I betrayed some of my former comrades?" Megatron asks.
"Hmmm... Nope. When you were talking about that Dreadwing guy, I could see the look of guilt and regret in your eyes. I could see the pain it was putting you through. You can't fake something like that, no matter how good you are at it," Yang says, and then slowly reaches to touch his hand. "If you won't believe in yourself, then someone will just have to do it for you," she says, looking away with a slight blush. "What the Hell are you doing Yang?!"
The two remain silent again as they watch the fire, though Yang feels Megatron hold Yang's hand in his.
…
Early in the morning, Megatron is the first to awaken, blinking the sleep away in his eyes and groaning a bit. However, he quickly wakes right up when he notices his position... Sleeping next to Yang on a sleeping bag, curled up together, with said blonde sleeping contently against his chest.
"What in the name of the Pits of Kaon?!" Megatron thinks as he starts blushing against his better judgment. However, despite what his mind is telling him to do, his body acts on its own and pulls Yang a little closer in his arms. "Why can't I move!? Scrap, curse these human physiological anomalies!" Megatron thinks again before he stares at Yang's peaceful face and calms down. "It is only when she's asleep does she appear less violent... And she feels... warm. Feels... nice for some reason," Megatron thinks before he notices Yang wake up and quickly realizes the position that they're in.
They quickly separate, looking away as their faces turn red, "I'm sorry!" Yang yells, embarrassed.
"M-My mistake! Let's just focus on finding Raven," Megatron replies, equally out of sorts.
Just then, they hear some muffled noises and see the shady man, still tied to the tree, moving around as he wakes up and freaks out from the blindfold.
"Can I kill him NOW?" Megatron asks.
"No... Not yet at least," Yang deadpans.
And that's the chapter. Yang and Megatron grow closer as they make their way to Raven's camp, but how much further will they go? The next chapter will be back to Ruby and Soundwave. What awaits Megatron on his path to redemption? Until then, please Read and Review. Plus, if you haven't read it yet, I highly suggest you read Transformers RWBY: The Light of Hope by Twilightnite13, which is based off of my story. It is awesome.