Hot Shot came that day to the base where he saw great warriors and leaders. He felt out of place being there. He was no one great, just a simple soldier.

"This way Hot Shot," said Optimus leading him to a room where his men were gathered.

Hot Shot entered and the moment he did he was met with a familiar cheerful voice-

"Hey little buddy!"

"Smokescreen?!" he said utterly surprised. What are you doing here?"

"Hey, you're not the only one Optimus was interested in," Smokescreen grinned.

They then heard the sound of a tray full of objects drop and someone saying-

"Oh sweet Primus, not you!"

Hot Shot turned and saw the blue doctor Red Alert.

"Red Alert!" he smiled coming to him. "You were the last transformer I ever thought of seeing again."

"You stay away from me!" said Red Alert holding his hands before him.

"Take it easy will ya," Hot Shot grinned.

"Well I'm glad to see someone smiling again," came another familiar voice.

Hot Shot turned and saw the playful, jolly ole Jetfire standing there with his fists on his hips.

"Hey Jetfire," he smiled.

He then looked down and saw a little child behind Jetfire's leg.

"Who's this?" smiled Hot Shot bending down to the sparkling's height.

"This is my son Jetstream," said Jetfire shoving him in front of him.

"But when did you . . .?" he asked confused.

"It's a long story," Jetfire said halting him.

Jetstream looked just like his father Jetfire, but he had blue optics.

"Alright little one, go off and be with the baby-sitter," Jetfire said pushing Jetstream along.

"Alright daddy," he smiled hopping off.

"Heh, he's cute," said Hot Shot standing up.

"You should have seen his mother," Jetfire said shaking his head and whistling a bit.

"What was her name?" asked Hot Shot trying to pry the information from him.

"Nice try Hot Shot," Jetfire said shaking his finger in Hot Shot's face.

Hot Shot just smiled. Perhaps he would like it here. Perhaps he would fit in. He knew many people there.

"I see you're getting quite acquainted with everyone Hot Shot," came the most familiar voice.

Hot Shot turned to see a smiling Optimus.

"Well I know quite a few transformers here," Hot Shot said shrugging.

"I'm glad," he smiled as he turned and left.

"Optimus," said Hot Shot stopping him.

Optimus turned and looked at his young son.

"Thanks," smiled Hot Shot with a small smile, but a glad one.

Optimus just smiled and then turned and left. Hot Shot grew to like it there. He spent many a time with his old buddy Smokescreen and kept his distance from the crazed doctor Red Alert.

"So how's Blaster and Lazerburst Smokes?" asked Hot Shot wondering about his other buddies.

"Well after graduation Blaster was sent to Ultra Magnus' squad and Lazerburst was sent to a small unit away from the hard war. I kept in touch with Blaster and Lazerburst for a while, but now I don't know where they are with this crazy war and all," he said catching his head. "After I got sent here I never heard from them again."

Hot Shot then cast his optics down and bowed his head and said-

"I miss them Smokescreen."

"So do I little buddy," said Smokescreen. "They were brothers to us, even though sometimes annoying brothers, but brothers none-the-less."

"Yea," Hot Shot chuckled.

"So . . . I heard about what happened . . . sorry buddy," said Smokescreen.

"I don't want to talk about it," said Hot Shot not a second too late after Smokescreen spoke.

He then got up and walked over to a window where he looked out at the clear blue sky.

"I'm sorry Hot Shot, I didn't mean to-" started Smokescreen.

"It's alright," said Hot Shot turning to Smokescreen again. "I'm just so tired of everything."

Smokescreen just gazed at Hot Shot wondering if he would ever see his old friend again. Time past and slowly Hot Shot began to go back to the way he was, his stubborn ole self. Every time Optimus would try and help him Hot Shot would insist on doing it himself. Smokescreen could then see his old friend returning.

After a couple of months there he soon returned back to his normal self again, but soon they were called to battle and they faced Megatron's men. Hot Shot fought well against them. Smokescreen was near to him and would help him out when he needed it. They would make jokes in the middle of battle and laugh at them.

They were almost two of a kind, but Smokescreen would follow orders and Hot Shot would, on countless occasions, disobey them. This greatly displeased Optimus Prime for he knew one day Hot Shot would get hurt because of it.

"Hot Shot join Jetfire on the left flank," Optimus ordered.

"No, I can hold my own!" shouted Hot Shot.

"Hot Shot that is a direct order!" said Optimus wishing Hot Shot wouldn't talk back.

Then, as Hot Shot was caught off guard talking back to Optimus, Starscream came up behind him with his sword drawn.

"Hot Shot behind you!!" cried Optimus running towards him.

As Hot Shot looked back it was too late. Starscream jumped in the air and came down upon him with his sword held high. The Hot Shot was pushed to the side by . . . Red Alert? He came quick enough to him and pushed him out of the way, but at the cost of his left hand.

Instead of slicing Hot Shot he took Red Alert's hand off. Red Alert hand off. Red Alert cried in pain at his lost hand. Starscream came to finish him, but Hot Shot wouldn't let him.

"Oh no you don't!" growled Hot Shot leaping in front of him and punching him away.

"Why you!" growled Starscream as he got up and they clashed.

Hot Shot did his best to try and protect Red Alert. Even if he didn't like him at times he was still his friend and didn't want anything to happen to his friends. Hot Shot kicked Starscream in the gut causing him to fall back, but he soon regained his balance. Starscream quickly took his sword and implanted it in Hot Shot's leg. He didn't care if he got it back he just wanted to see Hot Shot scream.

Hot Shot fell to the ground screaming in pain. He tried to pull out the sword, but it was dug deep into him. Starscream just grinned as he circled the pained Hot Shot.

"Hmph, how does it feel Hot Shot?" he smirked gazing at the screaming Hot Shot. "Do you like the pain?"

Hot Shot just grinded his teeth as he looked at the decepticon.

"Why didn't you just die in the fire?" Starscream said with his raspy voice.

Hot Shot's thoughts then went back to his lost friend and his anger took hold of him. Screaming, he jumped on Starscream and they wrestled with one another. Hot Shot then took the sword out of his injured leg and stabbed it into Starscream's back making him scream in pain.

"Do you like the pain Starscream?!" Hot Shot said through his teeth.

Starscream then elbowed Hot Shot in the stomach and Hot Shot stumbled back. Starscream then, in pain, took the sword out of his back and then turned to Hot Shot and said with dark optics as he heard his commander yell retreat-

"I swear to Primus I'll get you Hot Shot."

He then jumped in the air and took off with the decepticons. Hot Shot then remembered pain and he came to Red Alert.

"How are you Red?" he asked kneeling to him in a bit of pain.

"I should be fine," he said holding his hand.

"Thanks Red," Hot Shot smiled.

When the decepticons retreated the autobots went back to their base for some rest and recovery. Hot Shot was with Red Alert when he attempted to repair his lost hand.

"How 'bout instead of a hand a weapon?" suggested Hot Shot limping over to Red Alert.

"Why?" asked Red Alert almost annoyed by his presence.

"Hey, it'd be easier than worrying if you have a gun or not," shrugged Hot Shot.

"You do have a good point," said Red Alert pondering the idea.

He then smiled and said-

"For once you you have a good idea. Ill do it, but don't think I won't get revenge on you for what you did to me."

Red Alert then grinned and Hot Shot didn't like the way he got out his clipboard.

"So Hot Shot . . . how good is your optic vision?" he grinned mischievously.

After everything Hot Shot came out of Red Alert's office and crossed his arms in anger. Jetfire was sitting just out side when he saw Hot Shot.

"Sweet Primus what happened to you?!" he laughed gazing at Hot Shot.

Red Alert gave Hot Shot a light green visor that sat nicely atop his head for his 'bad optic vision'. Hot Shot knew his vision was fine, after all Red Alert did say he was going to get revenge on him. I mean who wouldn't believe a doctor?

"Laugh it up Jetfire," He grunted.

Then and idea popped up in his head and he left the room. Jetfire was confused. He knew he would probably never understand the young yellow mech. Hot Shot knew how to think outside-the-box and he knew what to do wit his visor.

He took it and colored it pitch black to go with his colors.

"There, much better," smiled Hot Shot looking at it.

When all saw him with them they didn't laugh, but thought they were a good look for him. (They were like sunglasses now.)

"Hey, nice look Hot Shot," smiled Smokescreen. "Where'd you get 'em?"

"Red Alert gave 'em to me," Hot Shot smiled pointing back at an angry looking Red Alert.

"Nice, very nice," said Jetfire seeing them. "They look much better than before."

"Hey what can I say, I'm just creative," he smiled with his arms out.

Optimus saw how happy Hot Shot was now and he was glad. He only hoped war would never harden his spark again.