Hope's Return

Megatron

Megatron surveyed his home of the past several years with a sigh. It was no more then he deserved. If only he had never submitted to using dark energon in his deranged quest to remake Cybrotron.  Then Unicron wouldn't have had a hold over him and Optimus and Hope would still be alive. It was all his fault that Cybertron almost perished again.

Lost in his thoughts, he failed to hear the quiet ped-steps behind him.

"It's not a pleasant place it it?"

Megatron whirled around as the voice continued.

"Though the flow and ebb of the acid is rather calming."

He could only stare at the figure beside him. It wasn't possible.  She had perished on that terrible day so long ago.  He had visited her statue grave himself and yet here she stood.

She gazed at him, a sly smirk sliding into a smile.

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

Trembling, he held out a servo to her and flinched when he was greeted with a touch of warm metal.

"You're alive? How? Impossible!"

"I was never dead Megatron,  merely in deep stasis until both my and Cybertrons healing was complete."

They stood together, staring out at the acid wastes. Hope waited patiently for Megatron to gather his thoughts. Raising her optics to the night sky, she sent a silent prayer to Primus for guidance.  Finally she spoke again.

"Do you miss Earth?"

Her softly spoken question surprised him. Did he miss Earth? Was he even welcome there anymore? Did he deserve the right to return?

"The acid wastes are where I deserve to be."

"Why?"

"Well, because due to my lack of judgement, Unicron was able to gain control of me and use me as a puppet to almost permanently destroy Cybertron.  It's my fault that Optimus sacrificed himself and when we thought you were lost too..."

The strong mech fell to his knees in anguish. Hope swiftly knelt beside him and wrapped her wings tightly around his shaking frame. He had been carrying this burden for far to long and with her return, it had triggered a breakdown.

Together they sat in silence until the war lord had regained his composure and was once more in control of himself. Gazing up at the stars, he stated in a whisper.

"I miss my sparkmate the most. I left him on Earth when I exiled myself. I cannot feel the bond between us and I fear he no longer wishes to be by my side."

Hope bowed her helm in acknowledgement of his pain. Her spark still ached from the loss of Optimus.

"You still have a chance with him. That's more then I have."

Her voice shaking with emotion, she stood up and walked a short distance away. With back turned, her next words humbled him.

"I don't blame you for his sacrifice.  That was his decision to make."

"Why didn't you bring him back after his death?"

In response to his question,  she lowered her helm in grief.

"Primus wouldn't allow it. He said that he would reside with the Primes now."

She built up a portal and through it he could see the plains of Earth's midwest. Turning to him, she offered her servo.

"I'm off to find some old friends.  Are you coming or not?"

With a dry chuckle, he took her offered servo and together they walked through the portal. A new beginning beckoned for both of them.

*******************

Stepping out on the wavy grass, Hope scanned the horizon. Beside her, Megatron followed her gaze but could see nothing but green.

"Where are we?"

"I have no idea."

"Then how do you know where to go?"

"I don't."

Her simple statement left the warlord sputtering as she continued to survey their surroundings. Almost absentmindedly she turned in a slow circle.

"Tell me Megatron, what way does your spark lead you?"

Confused by the question,  he stared at her causing the winged femme to sigh and shake her helm.

"Your spark, is it pulling you in a direction?"

"What are you talking abo...?"

"Starscream you big metal dolt!"

Megatron was up and growling at her in a flash. She stood her ground and waited for him to realize what she had said. The anger started to ebb from his face plate as he comprehended her words.

Off lining his optics, he felt a small tug coming from the left of him. When he on lined them again, he found himself turned to the West.

"That way?"

At his nod of assent, Hope turned to face the setting sun. Flaring out her wings, she lifted up into the air.

"Well than, lead on Mc Duff."

"What is this Mc Duff?"

"Just lead the way Megs."

With a flash of metal, he had transformed and shot off into the sunset, a laughing Hope close behind.