It had been a week or so he thought. Hot Shot was just wasting away. He hated it. It just wasn't him . . . but what else could he do?

Hot Shot sighed and just laid his head back against the wall. He gazed at the ceiling and just thought to himself. He wondered so many things like where they were going to take him when he . . . when the time came. He also wondered what it would feel like or what it would be like when he exploded into nothing but pure and raw energy.

He shouldn't be thinking about it, but what else was there to think of? He had never been so depressed before in his life. He was always such a jolly 'bot so full of life and love for his friends and everything . . . but not now . . . how could anyone be?

Hot Shot stood up and just walked around a bit. Sure the room where he was being kept was nice and big, but he felt so closed in. He rarely moved around and so he just stayed near his bed occasionally just sitting down again and thinking to himself. All he ever seemed to do was wait.

When he neared his door on a circle of his small walk it opened and he gasped inwardly surprised to see anyone near him. It was Scavenger and he just starred at Hot Shot with stern optics. Hot Shot starred back, but wanted to be left alone.

"What do you want Scavenger?" asked Hot Shot.

Scavenger just turned and walked away saying behind him after Hot Shot-

"Follow me Hot Shot."

Hot Shot thought this was just craziness. What was Scavenger thinking letting him out? . . . what was he thinking at all? Hot Shot hesitated for a moment just watching Scavenger vanish in the darkness of a all-but-empty base, but then his curiosity which he managed to not lose on his death days took over him.

He slowly started out of his room. He took one foot out and look both ways wondering if anyone was watching. He then turned to his room and knew it was the last chance he had from staying, but he decided not to take that chance as his other foot stepped out as well. He took a deep inhale and began to slowly walk after Scavenger.

He was taking a chance following him not knowing what was going to happen, but hey . . . that was Hot Shot right? . . . a Hot Shot that he longed to be again. His walk soon quickened and he caught up to Scavenger who was in the warp room. He just starred at Hot Shot and Hot Shot him.

"So," started Hot Shot breaking the silence. "What is it you want?"

"Come here Hot Shot," said Scavenger signaling Hot Shot to come to his side.

Hot Shot sighed a hesitant sigh, but he did. Scavenger then look out to a portal he activated and so Hot Shot knew they were going to some place on earth. They warped somewhere on earth and when Hot Shot realized where he was he was surprised by seeing the kids there along with most of his autobot friends.

"Surprise Hot Shot!" they smiled.

"Wha-? . . . what is this?" asked Hot Shot looking at Scavenger.

Scavenger just smiled and took a hand on Hot Shot's shoulder and said-

"This day is just for you Hot Shot. You can do whatever you want . . . except burn up the world. Have fun soldier. You need it."

"Come on Hot Shot!" smiled the kids running off.

"Hey they're getting bro," smiled Sideways coaking his head back at the kids.

Hot Shot just looked at him and did something all had not seen him do in so long . . . smile. Hot Shot then started off after the kids playing games and such. They, along with the autobots, had constructed a transformer sized carnival just for Hot Shot to enjoy himself. That was why they hadn't been around to see him lately.

This was such a big and joyous surprise to Hot Shot that he soon laughed. Not only did he ride the rides with the kids, but he also raced around on some race tracks they had from a previous carnival there long ago. Blurr was glad to race Hot Shot beating him twice, but once Hot Shot got back to his old self he was in trouble. Sideswipe tried to have a go at him, but failed miserably.

The kids wanted to race as well and so they took turns in Hot Shot and Blurr as they raced furiously against each other. Once the victor was named the kids got out and they transformed and congratulated each other.

"Nice race Blurr, but I won again," smiled Hot Shot hitting fists with him.

"Care to kick up the sped a bit with out minicons?" asked Blurr.

Their minicons then came to them and surprised Hot Shot to see his old friend again.

"Uh, Jolt! I haven't seen you in forever!" smiled Hot Shot as Jolt jumped on his shoulder.

"Yea, he missed you Hot Shot," smiled Blurr. "As did I."

Hot Shot just looked at Blurr silently for a moment and smiled. He bowed his head and wiped his nose once saying-

"Thanks Blurr."

"What are friends for Hot Shot," smiled Blurr with his hand on Hot Shot's shoulder.

Hot Shot just smiled and so they raced again. The autobots watched the two go head-to-head in another race, but this time more faster with their minicon power. The kids could hardly see the blurs in time, but they managed with Laserbeak playing it in slower motion. It was a tie this time and so they just kept going at it till one won and it was decided Blurr was the champion.

"Man . . . good race buddy," gasped Hot Shot with weariness after five races in a row of tying and finally being beaten.

"I know," smiled Blurr.

"Who's up for, what the kids call, a rollercoaster?" asked Sideswipe coming up to them.

"Hm, sounds like fun. What do you say Hot Shot?" asked Hoist.

"I say bring it on!" smiled Hot Shot raising his fist.

And so they went on the ride and Hot Shot quite enjoyed it and so did Blurr. Them two always wanting to sit up front, but supposedly the back was always the worst and Hoist and Sideswipe got it and didn't like the ride too much as they whipped around, sharply, curves feeling like they were gonna fall right out. Blurr and Hot Shot just laughed hearing the two scream behind them. Once Hot Shot turned to look at them and saw the two holding each other just crying for the ride to stop.

"Oh come on you bunch of sparklings . . . this is fun-WHOA!!" gasped Hot Shot suddenly dropping downward.

"Well it scared you now didn't it?" asked Blurr next to him.

"Just a bit," said Hot Shot looking to see that he had dented the rail he held just a bit.

Once the ride was done Hoist and Sideswipe were on the ground dizzy and so out of it. Blurr and Hot Shot just laughed at the two seeing they couldn't take the speed.

"It's not the speed," sighed Sideswipe. "It was the tur-UNS!" he gasped holding his mouth trying to conquer his queasy stomach.

"I didn't like that ride," sighed Hoist trying to shake off the dizziness.

"Oh you bunch of babies," said Alexis.

"Well I'd like to see you go on it!" said Hoist.

"Fine I will!" said Alexis. "But one of you guys have to come with me."

"I'm up for round two," smiled Hot Shot taking Alexis with him.

"Hey I want to go!" said Billy.

"Yea, me too!" smiled Fred.

"Then come on you two," said Scavenger deciding to take them.

"They're gonna get it," giggled Rad.

"You said it," giggled Carlos.

And so they rode it and Hot Shot came back with a frozen Alexis.

"Is . . . is she okay?" asked Rad and Carlos.

"Um . . . yea . . . I think so," said Hot Shot gazing at her.

She then tensed down and gave out a sigh of relief saying-

"Oh . . . I think I'll stick to human sized coasters."

Scavenger then returned, but Billy or Fred wasn't with him.

"Hey, where's Billy and Fred?" asked Hoist.

"Fred had a little accident during the ride and afterwards so did Billy," said Scavenger.

All just laughed knowing the two had puked their lunches up. When they came back they just got laughed at more.

"So what do you have to say Fred?" chuckled Carlos.

"I'm hungry," whined Fred.

"That's because you hurled your lunch up you doofess!" roared Billy at him.

"Oh yea," laughed Fred an uneasy laugh.

All then laughed at them. The humans could always make them laugh . . . always, even one so much condemned to death. At the end of the day when the sun set and all watched it Hot Shot stood up and wanted to say a personal thanks to everyone.

"Hey guys," he started. "I'd like to thank you all for taking me out here. I really needed a day like this."

"No sweat bro," smiled Sideswipe.

"No really, I needed this," said Hot Shot. "If I didn't come I would have still been moaping in my room just waiting for death and I realized today that that's not me. This is me . . . having fun with my friends."

"Hey it was Scavenger's idea," smiled Alexis pointing to him.

This surprised Hot Shot even more as he gazed at him in confusion.

"Huh? . . . Scavenger?" gasped Hot Shot.

Scavenger just shook his head and gazed at a very appreciative Hot Shot.

"Optimus was right Hot Shot. I was wrong to treat you like that and have you think you were going to die that very day. You shouldn't be acting like that. You need to be yourself the most and I know how much you enjoy having fun with your friends and so I decided to do this for you since you hadn't in forever," smiled Scavenger.

"Thanks Scavenger," smiled Hot Shot.

He then turned to the kids and said-

"Remember guys . . . I'll always remember this day and cherish it for however long I have. I love you all."

"Okay Hot Shot," smiled Rad. "Just keep those last sayings to yourself right now. We don't want to hear them just yet and not from you."

Hot Shot smiled and then gave him a thumbs up.

"You got it buddy."

Rad just nodded. The kids enjoyed seeing their old friend Hot Shot back again and hoped he'd stay this way and never would leave him . . . but then again . . . that was just denying the inevitable.