Hotshot: ...I have no excuse for this. This has been floating in my head. I PROMISE this will my last new works...fr this time! I am not sorry for this lovely prologue, I'm really not.

Summary: Something has happened that caused Hotshot's universe to fall apart. He went through a fracturing warp gate and ended up in a universe like his own but with some differences. Mainly that the Decepticons were good and the Autobots were evil. Post-Energon, AU
Pairings: ?/Hotshot, Demolisher/Cyclonus, Maybe Thrust/Tidal Wave
Warnings/Tags: Talks of Death, profanity, PTSD, future mech/mech, Depressed!Hotshot

Through the Shattered Portal
Prologue

The alarm blared shrilly as the entirety of the Autobot HQ in Iacon was bathed in a red light. Mechs ran through the hallways, trying to figure what was happening to their home. Hotshot was among the mechs, heading straight to the command center of the HQ. Baby blue optics glowing brightly against the red glow of the emergency lights. His pedfalls were lost in the onslaught of other pedfalls around him. He had no idea what the pit was going on and he was hoping to find at least some answers from Optimus.

He ran into the control center and he could see Red Alert, Inferno- well, Roadblock but he will forever be Inferno to Hotshot- Jetfire and Optimus at their stations. Hotshot quickly announced his presence before looking at Optimus. "Optimus, what's going on?"

"We're not sure yet but...Primus seems to have an inkling at what's happening." answered Optimus as the older turned his golden optics on Hotshot. There was something in those optics that gave Hotshot an uneasy feeling, like his leader knew something grave that he didn't want to tell the younger.

"Well, what did he say?"

Optimus didn't say anything, just gave a look to the other three in the room before he sighed. "Follow me Hotshot- you three as well."

The three mechs stood and followed both Optimus and Hotshot out and to the warping room. It had been under construction during the events of two years ago but now, it was finally finished and was up and operational.

"Seriously, Optimus. You're scaring me." Hotshot stared up at his leader once they made it into the room. Optimus didn't say anything for a long moment, not even when the HQ trembled around them.

"Primus told me," Optimus finally started. "That the balance of our universe was disturbed to such an intensity that it's literary tearing everything we know apart. This is all because we destroyed Unicron once and for all."

"Well, what do we do then?"

"There's nothing we can do, Hotshot." Jetfire told the younger, voice accepting of what was happening.

"So- we're just gonna stand around and wait to die?!"

"We are." Inferno cut in, taking a step forward.

"...What? There's nowhere for me to go."

"Technically, not true." Red Alert told Hotshot. "There is a place where you can go- into a different universe or dimension."

"Let's say you guys are right- and it could be done- You think I'm just gonna leave you guys here alone?! I am staying right here and-"

"Do not finish that sentence. You are going."

"But why me? Why not Optimus or Inferno?"

"It was all voted that you would go." Inferno explained. "And you should."

"I-"

"It's an order." Optimus cut Hotshot off sternly. "You're the one who will be going through. Do you understand me?"

"...Yes sir..."

One by one, the Autobots around the room took their turns at hugging silver colored mech. When it was Inferno's turn, the other mech made sure to squeeze him reassuringly. "I'll see you on the other side, brother."

The last was Optimus and he pulled the younger in close, holding him tightly against the larger body. Hotshot cling to the other and let his field tangle with Optimus'. Fear, sadness and grief filled his field while Optimus' were filled with calmness, acceptance, pride and love.

"I'm proud of you." Optimus murmured into his audio receptor.

"Sire..." Hotshot's voice was weak and quiet, as if he was a scared sparkling once more.

"You'll be all right, I know it. I'll always be with you." Optimus let his engine rumble soothingly, a servo stroking the younger's back.

Hotshot couldn't help but let out a whimper, tightening his grip on the other before letting out his patterned clicks, though they were wavering. His shoulder door wings were trembling as well.

"I love you. I do not regret the day I took you in as my own, remember that."

Then, Hotshot heard the gate whirling to life before he was forcefully pushed backwards, making him let go and stumble back. His optics widened as the momentum kept him stumbling backwards. One arm was flailing while the other was reaching out to Optimus. "SIRE-"

A bright light blinding him and he could feel himself beginning to warp away.

Then, in a blinding flash, he was gone from the warping room and towards a new a dimension or universe unknown.