Disclaimer: The Transformers and all characters in this fic are property of Hasbro – I don't own any of this stuff.

Mixed Feelings

Chapter Five: Sudden Events

Kup pressed the autopilot and got up out of his chair to stretch his servos. It was a long journey to get to Cybertron, and he intended to make the best of it. As he turned around, he was surprised. Now, not much can surprise the grizzled Kup; only a select few have ever done so. Even fewer have done it repeatedly.

And Hot Rod was one of those 'Bots that would never cease to surprise him. When he first met him, he was surprised at just how reckless he could be. Then he was surprised by just how capably he had filled the role of leader. Of course, Optimus had surprised him, coming back from the dead and all, but that was hardly of his own doing.

Hot Rod would continually find ways to surprise Kup. And he would never do it consciously, either. And Kup was surprised yet again by the young Autobot as he sat quietly looking out of the viewport next to his seat, a thoughtful look on his face. Yes, thoughtful. Not bored, annoyed, sulking or an otherwise immature response, but thoughtful.

He walked over to the young Autobot, casually taking in what the other Autobots were doing as he did so. Jazz was leant back in his chair listening to some Earth music (with headphones, much to the relief of Kup, Optimus, and everyone else on board). Kup had no aversion to Earth music (he particularly enjoyed Louis Armstrong), but the drivel that Jazz and Blaster usually listened to made him short circuit.

Optimus was sat at his command console, engrossed in a datapad in front of him, holding up his head with his hand thoughtfully. Kup smiled at how similar Hot Rod and Optimus looked at that moment. It was still hard to believe that he had actually come back from the dead. In Kup's experience, no-one ever returned from the dead. Everyone he knew that had died had stayed dead, no matter who they were.

Kup wondered what it was like to be dead and then come back. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that it must have been a very traumatic experience. He shook his head as his admiration for the Autobot grew in the space of a few seconds. To be pulled back from the abyss and to then just get down to business so quickly… it simply reinforced Kup's belief that he was in the presence of a living legend.

His thoughts were interrupted by Bluestreak almost bumping into him. "Oops… sorry Kup, I didn't mean to run into you, I was just looking at this report a bit too much, and-"

Kup nodded and smiled understandingly, putting up a hand to silence Bluestreak. "It's okay, Bluestreak. I wasn't looking where I was going."

Bluestreak nodded and walked past. Hot Rod's attention had been drawn to him by the near collision, so Kup gave a wave and sat down next to the Autobot. "How're you doing, lad?"

"Okay," Hot Rod said, the frown on his face remaining regardless.

"Don't try to fool an old warhorse, lad. What's bothering you?"

Hot Rod smirked. "'Warhorse'?"

Kup shrugged. "I've been hanging around Spike for too long."

"Really? I thought you were hanging around with Carly the most."

Kup raised an optic ridge. "What are you implying?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing, my foot."

Hot Rod raised his arms in mock surrender. "I swear, it's nothing!" he said, a smile evident on his face.

Kup grimaced and grumbled, crossing his arms. "Anyway, I came over here to ask you what's wrong. So, are you going to tell me, lad? Or am I going to have to guess?"

Hot Rod's easy smile faded, and he looked out of the window next to him, once again resting his chin on his hand. "I was thinking about Springer."

Kup nodded. "Ah."

Hot Rod looked at him. "'Ah'? What d'you mean, 'Ah'?"

"I swear, it's nothing," Kup said, imitating Hot Rod's earlier tone of voice. Hot Rod's face darkened, and Kup laughed. "You know, lad, just because you couldn't handle your energon, there's no reason to get depressed."

"That's not it."

"What is it, then?"

Hot Rod sighed. "It's… something Springer said last night. About how…" he checked over in Optimus' direction before lowering his voice. "…he thinks our 'group' is going to be broken up."

"Our 'group'?"

"You know… me, you, Ultra Magnus, Arcee, Springer, Blurr…"

Kup frowned. "Why on Cybertron does he think that?"

"Well, just look at what happened today. Ultra Magnus and the others have all been left on Earth, while you and I are going with Optimus."

Kup nodded thoughtfully. "I see your point… and I suppose Springer's itchy about not seeing any action, am I right?"

"Something like that. I suggested that he go and talk to Optimus, but-"

"Well, that wouldn't work."

"Why not?"

"Because Optimus doesn't know him."

"But… Optimus knows every Autobot's name."

Kup cast his optics skyward. "You honestly believe that, lad?"

"Well…"

"Let me put it this way: did you know the difference between Inferno and Red Alert when you leader?"

Hot Rod paused, and guilt crossed his face. "Well… no, I didn't… but Optimus is different than I was… he's…" Hot Rod looked down slightly. "…he's better."

Kup laid a hand on Hot Rod's shoulder. "He's not a better leader, lad. He's just different. And he'dbe the first one to tell you that."

Kup got up and headed back to the helm and sat down. He shook his head at how ludicrous Hot Rod sounded, and got back to running diagnostics on the various systems on board. He paused for a moment as he wondered what duty Optimus would assign him. When he thought about it, he hadn't served under Optimus in a time of relative peace before; he wasn't even sure if Optimus himself knew what to do. He shook the thought from his mind and got back to his diagnostics.

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Hot Rod raced through the streets of Cybertron and felt free again. He hadn't felt this good in a long time. This had been his first time using his old alternate mode since he became Hot Rod again. It had taken a few painful bumps and dents, but he had eventually adapted to his newfound speed. He wondered how he ever managed move about with that huge trailer on his back. As he saw his reflection in the shining metal, he also realised how much cooler this alternate mode was. And, even better, he could think of what was cool and what wasn't again. As Rodimus, he hadn't had time to worry about it. Now, he could take the time to be cool again.

He turned another corner and panicked as an Autobot suddenly appeared in his path. He swerved to the left and collided with a wall, jolting him to a stop. He transformed, groaning, thankful that his metal chassis was nowhere near as fragile as Earth automobiles' were. He rubbed his head and stood, turning to see the Autobot who had stood in his way. He didn't recognise him, and instantly cocked an optic ridge. The Autobot laughed nervously.

"Oh, uh… sorry about that, Rodimus, sir."

Hot Rod shook his head. "Hot Rod. And you are…?"

"Oh! I'm Brainstorm. I'm one of the new recruits from Paradron."

Hot Rod frowned in thought for a moment. "Paradron…" his face loosened as he remembered the planet of Cybertronian pacifists. "Oh, from Paradron. Yes, I remember we were getting ready to begin training before the Hate Plague business."

Brainstorm nodded. "Right."

"And, what can I do for you?"

"Well, as part of my training, I've been assigned to you."

Hot Rod ducked his head slightly. "'Assigned to me'?"

"That's right. To follow your actions, learn from you as you handle different situations… kind of like an apprentice."

"Apprentice…" Hot Rod repeated numbly.

"So…" Brainstorm said nervously, "what are we doing first?"

Hot Rod's optics widened. "We're…!" he began loudly, exasperated at what was unfolding in front of him. Brainstorm jumped backwards slightly, and Hot Rod calmed himself. "…we're going to find out what's going on, that's what."

Hot Rod transformed and zoomed off towards the command center. He heard Brainstorm transforming behind him and almost veered off the road again as a Cybertronian jet roared overhead. Hot Rod resisted the urge to shout at him to slow down, and turned another corner as sharply as he could, hoping that the jolting turns would shock this anger from him before he went to talk to whoever ordered this.

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It took little time for Hot Rod and Brainstorm to get to the command center, and Hot Rod had to bite back the urge to tell the pacifist Autobot to stop following him. He reminded himself that he was just a new recruit, and that he didn't know better. They stepped into the elevator leading to the main command center. There was an awkward silence as the elevator silently ascended the building. At least, it was awkward for Brainstorm. Hot Rod simply stood fuming, tapping his foot impatiently.

The doors opened, and Hot Rod rushed out, walking quickly towards Kup, who was stood at a large control panel at the back of the room. Brainstorm looked around in awe at the command center, wondering how long it would be before he was in here, working with the best of the best. Hot Rod ignored his supposed 'pupil' and tapped Kup on the shoulder. Kup glanced over his shoulder and tapped a few buttons on his control panel before turning totally to face him.

"Yes, lad?"

"Can I have a word with you?" Hot Rod asked angrily, trying his best not to raise his voice. He looked over at Brainstorm, who was still stood in the middle of the command center, utterly enraptured in one of the screens. "In private?" he added.

Kup hesitated momentarily, then nodded, walking over to a small room in the corner that was labelled 'Optimus Prime'. Hot Rod paused before he followed, noting that that used to be his office.

They haven't wasted any time changing the sign.

Hot Rod shook his head, though he wasn't sure why. He followed him in, and Kup stood before him with his arms crossed. Hot Rod waited until the door had shut behind him before speaking.

"Was this your idea?" Hot Rod asked angrily.

"The training method was Prime's idea. The candidates and their tutors were chosen by yours truly."

Hot Rod scowled. "And you thought it was a good idea to give me someone to look after? Me? Hot Rod? The most irresponsible Autobot in the entire army?"

"I don't think that description really fits anymore, lad."

"Why? Because I've been leader?"

Kup cocked his head slightly at Hot Rod's sceptical tone of voice. "Why? Don't you think so?"

"No!"

Kup jerked his head back ever so slightly at the sudden response, and Hot Rod paused to calm himself. "Look, Kup… I appreciate what you're doing, but… that was Rodimus leading the Autobots, not me. Everything I did as Rodimus was because of the Matrix. Without that, I'm not the Autobot you think I am."

Kup remained silent and turned. He walked around his office, keeping his arms crossed. He stopped at the window overlooking Cybertron. "There were times when I never thought I'd see this." He turned to look at Hot Rod, who had a questioning optic ridge raised. "Cybertron at peace, I mean. And it was because of you, lad."

Hot Rod was about to object, but Kup continued before he could say anything. "And not only that, but you took on new challenges. You fought the Quintessons. You fought Galvatron. You set up trade agreements and settled disputes between planets. You did that, lad. Not the Matrix. The Matrix just gave you the information you needed to do the job. It was up to you what to do with it. And that is why Prime personally requested that you look after one of these young 'Bots."

Hot Rod wasn't sure how long he remained silent before speaking up. "Prime did what?"

Kup nodded. "That's right. He obviously thinks you've got potential."

"Yeah, well… I'm not so convinced."

"Just do it, lad. The sooner you get him up to snuff, the sooner he's out of your hair."

Hot Rod smiled. "'Hair'? Let me guess, too much time with Carly?"

Kup scowled and pointed to the door. "Out."

Hot Rod grinned and left. He waved to his new student, still not happy at the arrangements, but feeling a bit more tolerant of it.

"Brainstorm, let's go."

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"Um, Hot Rod?"

"Yes, Brainstorm?"

"Explain to me what the point of this exercise is?"

Hot Rod sighed and looked over at his fellow Autobot. "The point," he said, "is to learn patience." And with that, he turned back to the pool of water in front of him. One of the luxuries of being leader was being able to request the strangest things. As Rodimus, he had personally asked for a large pond to be installed within a bio-dome on Cybertron, and to have it filled with cybernetic fish. The Dinobots had approved, as had Daniel. Rodimus had enjoyed unwinding there, though he had found little time to go because of various leadership duties. Of course, now that he was Hot Rod, it was a different story.

Brainstorm was still having difficulty grasping the situation. "But… what possible practical use could this have?"

"Some things don't have to be practical for them to be useful," Hot Rod said in a mysterious tone, enjoying being able to mystify his pupil. He realised that Ultra Magnus had probably done it to him more than a few times. Brainstorm suddenly began lurching forward.

"Um… Hot Rod? My stick's moving."

Hot Rod tried not to laugh at what would, to humans, be a particularly rude innuendo. He partially succeeded, letting out a brief snigger before walking over to him. "Well…" he said, still snickering, "just grab your stick."

"What's so funny?"

Hot Rod shook his head and tried to wipe the smile from his face.

Slag it, this is difficult.

"Nothing. You've got a fish on the end of your line; just reel it in."

"Reel it in?"

"Right. Grab that handle there… and pull it back."

Brainstorm did so, and the handle rotated back. He looked at Hot Rod in achievement, a smile forming behind his faceplate. Hot Rod anxiously pointed to his line.

"Keep on going, keep on going."

Brainstorm whipped his head back and kept on winding the handle backwards, until the fish came writhing up from the water.

"Y'see?" Hot Rod said, gesturing to the fish on the end of the line. "Patience."

Brainstorm nodded, then looked at the fish. "Now what?"

"Now… you let it go."

Brainstorm looked over at him in surprise. "Let it go? But… I spent so long getting it."

Hot Rod shrugged. "Don't ask me, ask Daniel."

"Daniel?"

"Human kid. You'll like him."

Their conversation was interrupted by Hot Rod's comm going off. He pushed a button and Kup's face appeared on the screen. Hot Rod tried to ignore Brainstorm's struggle to remove the fish from the end of his line as he spoke.

"Hot Rod here."

"Get up here lad. We've got a distress signal coming in, and Prime wants you on his team."

Hot Rod paused. "What about-?"

"He comes too. That's the whole point of this training program, lad; working in the field."

Hot Rod looked up to find Brainstorm desperately trying to grab hold of the slippery fish that was writhing in front of him. He sighed.

"We'll be right there."

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The ramp slowly lowered, and Hot Rod cautiously stepped out onto the desolate asteroid. He turned to look at Optimus.

"This absolutely stinks of a trap, you know."

Optimus nodded as walked down the ramp. "I agree, but we can't ignore the possibility that the distress call was genuine. The message held all of the correct Autobot signatures."

Hot Rod shrugged. "Just so you know…"

Brainstorm came out after Optimus, and looked around the asteroid in awe. In fact, Hot Rod noticed, he seemed to look at everything in awe. He looked forward to see that Optimus and Hot Rod had gotten ahead of him. As he ran to catch up, Hot Rod looked over at Optimus.

"So, how come you don't get a student?"

Optimus continued to look ahead. "I have an army full of them."

Hot Rod stopped walking, staring in wonderment at the back of Optimus' head. Was that a joke? From Optimus Prime? Brainstorm caught up to Hot Rod, and stopped next to him.

"Problem?"

Hot Rod looked at Brainstorm, then looked back at Optimus. "No, it's nothing." He continued ahead, and Brainstorm walked alongside him.

Maybe the Quintesson that brought him back crossed some wires.

Optimus suddenly stopped in his tracks, prompting Hot Rod and Brainstorm to freeze. There was a long pause as all they could hear was their own inner workings. Hot Rod pulled his two laser pistols from subspace, and Brainstorm followed suit, pulling out his own weapon. Everything was still until Optimus began to slowly squat down.

Suddenly, he sprang back, pushing himself backwards in time to avoid a particularly large explosion. The force of the explosion blew him backwards, and he landed awkwardly on his back. He turned the landing into a backwards roll, toppling heels over head while he pulled his rifle from subspace.

His roll ended in front of Hot Rod and Brainstorm, and they looked forward at the giant dust cloud formed by the explosion. Hot Rod was expecting Galvatron to emerge, and was surprised to see Onslaught stepping forth. Optimus was obviously surprised as well, judging by how he whispered Onslaught's name questioningly. Onslaught was holding some kind of huge weapon which was still smoking.

"Do you like it, Prime? It's something I had the Constructicons whip up for me!" He took aim at the trio, and the weapon made a whining noise as it powered up.

"Move!" Optimus yelled, moving to his left. Hot Rod and Brainstorm followed suit, transforming and darting off in different directions. The explosion sent a giant dust cloud billowing over them, and for an instant, Hot Rod was blinded. When the dust cleared, he was greeted by the sight of Astrotrain taking aim at him. Hot Rod quickly transformed and leapt over his opponent, blasting away at him as he did so. The awkward angle prevented him from making any hits, but it enveloped Astrotrain in a cloud of dust, causing him to yell in protest.

Hot Rod landed and transformed again, heading to the shuttle as he dodged random laser blasts coming from the dust cloud. As he approached, he found that Brainstorm and Optimus were making their way to the shuttle as well. The Decepticons seemed obsessed with landing a hit on Optimus, which didn't surprise Hot Rod in the least; Rodimus Prime was considered a popular target back in the day. And the fact that he had just miraculously come back to life wasn't doing him any favours, either.

Brainstorm, meanwhile, was being pursued by two very persistent Sweeps, and Hot Rod prepared himself to help out, when Optimus fired off two shots that caught both of them dead center. He heard them yell in pain and tumble from the sky. Just as the shuttle seemed within reach, Predaking landed in front of them, roaring menacingly as he did so. Hot Rod and Brainstorm transformed as they stopped, and Optimus skidded to a halt. Hot Rod put his hands on his hips and 'scratched' his head.

"Damn; a trap. I wish we'd thought of that."

Predaking felt himself being rotated around by his shoulder, and turned in time to see Superion's fist collide with his chin, sending him flying backwards. Optimus, Hot Rod and Brainstorm vacated the area, letting Predaking land on the ground with a crash.

"Oh, wait," Hot Rod smirked, "We did."

Predaking growled and hauled himself to his feet, and Superion readied himself for the attack.

"Superion!" Optimus yelled. "Take the fight away from the shuttle! We don't want-"

Optimus' orders were interrupted by the whine of Onslaught's new weapon, and Optimus' optics widened. "Superion! Get away from the shuttle before-"

The shuttle exploded, sending Superion tumbling forward and sending the others flying away. The trio landed in roughly the same area as each other, and Hot Rod went over to Brainstorm to see if he was hurt. Brainstorm groaned and nodded in response to Hot Rod's concerned look. Hot Rod turned to Optimus, who was already on his feet. The whining could be heard again, and Optimus looked around for the source of the noise.

"Hot Rod, can you see him?"

Hot Rod shook his head and lowered his scanning visor. "Give me a-"

He was cut off by an explosion, and the last thing that Hot Rod saw was a white flash before his systems put him into stasis lock.

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(A/N: Just thought I'd answer a few queries:

Ultra Rodimus: Galvatron kept his name for another reason, which you'll see later. Also, this is a precursor to the three part hell that is 'Rebirth', so it's for continuity's sake too. And your Galvatron… dude… he's crazy. I don't mean 'Hooch is crazy' kind of crazy; I mean 'Hooch is really crazy' kind of crazy. (If you haven't seen Scrubs, you will have no idea what I'm talking about).

MariaShadow: There's no query to answer here, but I'd just like to thank you for introducing me to the term 'optic ridge' (as a replacement for eyebrow) in your fics. It's been a life saver, let me tell you.

Thanks for the reviews, folks! Keep 'em coming!)