Optimus kept a close optic on Hot Shot. He saw that he was at the top of his class and, for a moment, he was proud. His son was opticed by every commander known to the autobots. He would make a fine soldier indeed.

Optimus had wished Hot Shot would not get caught up in war for he wanted to keep him always safe, but even he knew he couldn't do that. He decided to make sure, when he was old enough, to keep him as far away from the war as possible. He hoped Hot Shot would be cooperative though. He knew about Hot Shot's hard temper.

It had been 2,000 years now and Hot Shot had just turned 13,000. He had entered his teenage years with a good start. He was very popular with his platoon, and with the younger crowd. In many ways he was very much like Optimus when he first started out . . . but in a way not.

Optimus was already leader of the autobots when he first started training, and he was very shy, but with the training of Scavenger he became very popular among his comrades, especially Elita One. She began training the same time as he did. They were childhood friends and sweethearts. He was always calm around her.

Optimus wished Elita was here with him. She would be so proud of their son. She always wanted children and now she would never get a chance to enjoy the part of them the most . . . watching them grow up. This saddened Optimus' spark. He missed his wife dearly and wished Hot Shot could have seen her.

Hot Shot excelled in everything, but being a medic. Red Alert, an older student, had beaten him on numerous occasions. Hot Shot didn't mind for he hated medics. He was satisfied that he was at the top of everything else. His fathers would be proud of him.

They were, but soon Hot Shot received some news that his father Geargadget had been captured during battle. Hot Shot feared the worst and just waited news of his father's safety . . . or death. Optimus was worried for him and wished he could comfort him, but he did not go to him. After weeks of waiting he received news.

Geargadget had been killed and Hot Shot mourned for his lost father. Optimus worried about him and wanted to tell him, but knew if he told him he would never forgive him for telling him so late. Optimus didn't want to put any more grief on him than he could handle. Hot Shot soon began to not care.

He began to fail at his classes and he did not care, but Optimus would not just stand there and watch his only son whither away. He came to Hot Shot in shooting class one day. Hot Shot just sat there on the ground doing nothing and he never would if he didn't want to.

"Hot Shot I want to see you for a moment," said Optimus as he tried not to interrupt the class.

"What do you want Prime?!" growled Hot Shot. "Just leave me alone! Can't you see I want to be left alone?!"

Optimus then came to him and grabbed a hold of Hot Shot's arm and dragged him to his feet.

"LET GO!!" shouted Hot Shot not caring if all heard him.

"I can't do that Hot Shot. You need to calm down!" said Optimus with stern optics.

Never did he have to do this to Hot Shot, but he would not put up with his sorry attitude. He dragged Hot Shot to a place were no one could see or hear them. Optimus then let him go.

"What is your problem Prime?!" shouted Hot Shot stumbling back a little.

"Why must you act like this?" asked Optimus.

"Why should I tell you?! You don't know how I feel inside!" shouted Hot Shot still in anger and in sadness.

"Yes I do Hot Shot," said Optimus catching Hot Shot off guard.

"No you don't!" cried Hot Shot regaining his place. "You've lost your son, not your father. It's much different. What do you know about anything?!"

Optimus held him down as Hot Shot let out all his anger. He then began to cry and fell to the ground. Optimus then placed his hand on Hot Shot's shoulder and said-

"I too had lost my father at a young age, and yes . . . losing a son is different than losing a father, but in both cases you still lose someone."

"It's just so hard sir," said Hot Shot biting down on his thumb's knuckle. "My mind keeps playing tricks on me. I can see him everywhere, but he's not there . . . he's gone."

"I know Hot Shot," said Optimus bending down beside Hot Shot. "When I first lost my son . . ."

He paused for a moment to clench his fist, but he started again-

"When I fist lost my son I could see him everywhere, but I knew he was gone. Every day I saw him. It tortured me so, until now."

"Have you finally accepted his death Optimus, sir?" asked Hot Shot looking at him with watering optics.

"No," said Optimus. "Come on, let me help you up."

Hot Shot was a bit confused but let Optimus help him up. As they walked back to the shooting class Optimus said-

"Hot Shot, if I make a deal with you will you make a deal with me?"

"Uh, sure Prime," said Hot Shot.

"If I promise to be like the father you lost will you promise to be like the son I lost?" asked Optimus.

"Will I have to call you father, 'cause that will seem a little weird with the guys and all," said Hot Shot.

"No, no," said Optimus. "I just think that we can help each other, that if you have any problems coping with your father's death you can always come to me."

"Alright," smiled Hot Shot. "I'll try Optimus, but in no way do I ever want to truly replace your real son."

"Don't worry Hot Shot. You won't," smiled Optimus.

Optimus gently pushed Hot Shot back into his shooting glass and he went. He smiled as he watched Hot Shot turn and smile back at him. Optimus waved and let Hot Shot go back to his class. Optimus was glad that Hot Shot agreed for Optimus would try and be the father he was meant to be.

He hoped this would somehow replace those 9,000 years he missed, but deep down inside his spark he knew it never would, so he knew he would have to make the best of the years that still remained while they lasted.