As Hot Shot awoke in his room he found he was sore all over his chest. He placed his hand gently over it and grunted as he sat up. It felt like Unicron had just opened it and then left a sharp torture device in there. He couldn't understand why it hurt him so much, but he had to deal with it.
Hot Shot also noticed he wasn't the only one in the room. He looked straight to see Cheetor starring at him. Hot Shot then struggled to get up to his feet and as he had slowly accomplished this Cheetor came to speek-
"Well, you're awake."
"Cheetor what are you doing here?" groaned Hot Shot as he straightened himself in pain. "My chest hurts more than normal today."
Hot Shot then began to lose his balance, but Cheetor came and helped him stand up straight.
"Be careful," he said helping Hot Shot regain his balance.
"Thanks," said Hot Shot as he stood up straight. "Why does he do this to me?"
"Well my guess is that you haven't given into him," said Cheetor.
"I'll Never!!" spat Hot Shot as he stumbled again.
"Why not?" asked Cheetor as he caught Hot Shot. "Your pain will be gone forever."
"Will it?" said Hot Shot his face growing stern.
Cheetor was then silent as Hot Shot sat down in a chair and said-
"If the torture stops then more . . . a new torture will start . . . the torture of not being with my friends whom I love. You'll regret what you did all your life and you'll know it was your own fault for not being able to see them again . . . cause you chose to be with Unicron and not them . . . don't you miss your friends Cheetor?"
"They never cared about me, so no," said Cheetor. "And what makes you think your friends are searching for you?"
Hot Shot just gave out a small smile as he tried to remember his friends . . . their faces . . . their behaviours . . . they're kindness.
"Because I know them . . . they wouldn't rest till they find me . . . it is the way they are, and besides . . . I can feel it in my sp-ARK!!" he said as a pain shot through him like someone had shot his spark.
"That's your problem Hot Shot. You have too much faith in your friends," said Cheetor.
"Well not for long," sighed Hot Shot with a sad dark sigh. "Unicron is finaly taking his toll on me . . . he is dampening my spirits and, I'm afraid, darkening my spark to where I can do nothing . . . I need to get out of here."
"Well he'll never let you go Hot Shot. You're his forever now," said Cheetor.
"That's what he thinks!" said Hot Shot stadning up.
But then a wire came and stabbed itself right through Hot Shot's torso. Hot Shot looked down and gazed at the retched thing. He then gave out a small sad smile and his optics unfocused as he said-
"Heh, you see . . . I can hardly feel anymore 'cause of him."
"Sometimes it's good not to feel. To feel . . . numb," said Cheetor his mind going to his past.
"No . . . not for me," shook Hot Shot slowly as he was taken away to Unicron's spark.
It was almosy, sadly, a routine to Hot Shot. He knew the exact time of day when he was to be tortured. It was no surprise to him anymore. He knew many things about Unicron, but he still remembered that he hated Unicron and all his mind could dwell on that day was how good it was to hold onto that hate . . . but was it good?
That year seemed so strange to Hot Shot. He began to realize things about himself he had not noticed before. He began to like things that he had not before, like hate and darkness. Had he always been like this?
He caught himself thanking Unicron for making him forget many things like light and the warmth of love anf carelessness of freedom. He found himself calling all the things he once loved stupid and a waste of time. How could he think such things? What had Unicron done to him?
Ever he hated Unicron for doing this to him, but Hot Shot did not know what he did to make him act this way. It must have been something to do with his spark because it felt a little heavier and downward than normal. What had Unicron done to him? What new trick was this?
Hot Shot wanted to know and it greatly angered him that he didn't know. Hot Shot realized, also, how quickly angered he was. Even when he was younger he wasn't this quickly angered. What had he done to him?!
As the year passed its normal slow way he only grew darker and darker to where he hardly never wanted to leave his dark room. Many a time Cheetor would have to force Hot Shot to move around than just moap in the dark. One time when Cheetor did this Hot Shot found himself smiling at him and saying-
"What is better than the darkness?"
After he said that he had not known why he said that. He had known why had had done many things that were out of his character that year. He wanted to know why, but he knew that only Unicron knew and that he would never tell him and so ever Hot Shot hated Unicron for what he had done to him. That was the oly feeling Hot Shot remembered . . . to hate and hate was all he had.
At this Unicron smiled for this is exactly what the reaction he wanted out of Hot Shot. This peice of Unicron's spark was changing Hot Shot's into a darker more colder one like his own. This is what Unicron wanted. He wanted to not feel or like the darkness and to hang onto his hate.
This is why Unicron made him forget his other feelings so he could only remember hate and not ever remember when he never had it. Unicron wanted Hot Shot to always hold onto it and never let it go for he knew that Hot Shot wanted always to hold onto his feelings and the only one he remembered was his hatred and so Unicron knew that he would never want to forget his last feeling. Everything was going according to plan now. Soon, Unicron knew, Hot Shot would fall into his darkness and be lost like the others forever.
Unicron was still fascinated though as to why his other torture techniques didn't work on him. If this was the only way to force Hot Shot into the darkness of evil then Hot Shot was indeed strong. It was as if Primus himself gave him that strength . . . did he? Why would he?
Unicron remembered Hot Shot's father Optimus. He remembered that one battle where Optimus had been knocked unconscious. Unicron remembered how he took the Prime and made sure that he was never to carry on his line so the Primes would die and me no more a menace to him and his rule for he knew Primus created the Primes to be the head of protection of Primus and to carry on his power so that if Unicron returned to try and destroy his brother then they would step up and defeat him. He still wondered why Hot Shot was here.
He remembered that because of Optimus not being able to have children that when Elita One, his wife, concieved Hot Shot it would cause many problems for Unicron did not want that child to be born and so she had him early, but it only killed her when it was meant to kill him. It seemed that what ever Unicron did to try and prevent the Primes on being carried on that Primus would always switch things around and allow them to be, but Unicron didn't mind to much . . . at least he took down his mother so she could not teach him to be kind and gentle or to be with him the day the fire almost killed Hot Shot. If Elita would have been there then she would have not let the decepticons even burn down her home for she was a fierce fighter and would let no one touch the ones she cared for. But even when she wasn't able to protect her child he still managed to make it out of the fire Sideways had convinced Megatron to start . . . how had he done this?
Unicron very much wondered how he was able to live this long and not be killed. Since Unicron had been one of cybertron's moon for a long while in time he watched the transformers waiting to slaughter the insects, but he does remember that night when the fire claimed Prime's home and almost . . . his child. After looking back on his memories he watched the young sparkling play with his toy till something else got his attention . . . what was it? Unicron closely looked and saw it was a small speckle of light. It guided Hot Shot outside and far away from harm.
It was Primus who saved the young Prime from his fate in the flames. Unicron had sent Sideways to go and slaughter him in the night, but he too soon found a transformer named Geargadget to help him and care for him. This caused Sideways to not attack, but wait for the perfect day . . . but that day never came and so they lost track of Hot Shot when he went into the army. If only Hot Shot knew how Primus protected him during his life . . . if only he knew.
Unicron could kill Hot Shot right now, but he likes Hot Shot and knows that if, somehow, he were to die then Hot Shot would take good care of his spark for if Primus protects Hot Shot then He shall protect his own spark as well. So Unicron would keep Hot Shot alive, forever if possible so he could use him against his own people, but Hot Shot is not quite ready to serve Unicron just yet so he would have to wait a little longer till Hot Shot would take Unicron's mark and serve him forever. This is what Unicron wants and so if he wants it then Hot Shot will too. It should, perhaps, take another year, but Unicron can wait another year.
The horsemen did not know about Unicron placing part of his spark in Hot Shot and so treated him the same like he was a slave. Rhinox still challanged him to spar, but Hot Shot did not want to. He wanted to be left alone in the darkness and bitterness and not be spoken to or touched by anyone, but Rhinox did not care what Hot Shot wanted. He only cared what he, himself, wanted.
"Fight me I say!" he cried once again to the turned Hot Shot.
"Will you leave me alone then?" asked Hot Shot not turning his head to him.
Rhinox just smiled as he glanced at the others and then looked at Hot Shot again and said-
"Maybe."
Hot Shot then turned and as all saw him he didn't look to challanging or happy. He was unfocused. His optics were always unfocused and you couldn't tell what he was looking at and he would not even turn his body to you anymore. Hot Shot then shook that state off him and stood.
He then focused his optics on Rhinox and then slowly moved his lips and said-
"No . . . I will not fight you for you will just keep on fighting me."
"Well you don't have a choice!" cried Rhinox as he threw a chain that wrapped around Hot Shot's legs and then tripped him.
As Hot Shot hit the ground he just layed there starring at the ceiling looking ever emotionless. Rhinox then jumped and took a spear and stabbed Hot Shot right in the shoulder pinning him to the ground. Hot Shot let out a couple of groans and grunts and Rhinox twisted it. Rhinox just smiled and spat-
"Hmp, you're not worth it kid!"
He then kicked Hot Shot in the side and walked away leaving Hot Shot with a sharp spear in his shoulder and him ever gazing at the ceiling. He looked dead almost, not moving, not making a sound. As all gazed at him they wondered if Rhinox hadn't killed him or did.
"Rhinox what did you do?" asked Airazor as they gazed at the emotionless Hot Shot.
"He's been messed up for far too long 'cause he won't give in to Unicron," smiled Rhinosx not even looking at him. "It is his own fault."
Hot Shot couldn't feel anymore. He wasn't sad, he was happy that Rhinox had left him alone. He was . . . angry. He felt the only feeling he knew . . . hatred.
As he felt this his body began to shake as his spark darkened andmade his hatred grow to where it controled his whole body. All saw this and wondered what was going on.
"What is going on?" asked Terrorsaur swearing he could even feel Unicron shake with anger.
Hot Shot then took the spear and snapped it off him so he could just pull himself out of it. He then stood up and with now seen red darkend optics gazed at Rhinox in a blind hate. Rhinox turned to see this and so smiled and said-
"So you now choose to fight me huh? Well then . . . let's fight."
"I wouldn't if I were you," said Cheetor seeing Hot Shot was not himself at that moment. "That is not Hot Shot."
"Then who is it?" spat Rhinox at the idiot.
But as he glanced at Hot Shot he saw he was gone.
"Where did he go?" he asked as he turned.
But as Rhinox turned his face was met with Hot Shot's hard fist and this made Rhinox fly, nearly, half way across the room. As Rhinox leaned up he touched his lip and found that a line of oil was running down it. Hot Shot had managed to crack his lip. When Hot Shot never gave him a chance to get up again and so therefore hit him again Rhinox knew Cheetor was right . . . he was not Hot Shot, but if not then who was he?
It was Hot Shot and all, but because of Unicron's spark it made the darkness of Hot Shot come out in full force and so he attacked what he hated . . . or who he hated . . . Rhinox. It was not that Rhinox was afraid or anything, but it was that he was in shock at seeing Hot Shot like this. How could a mere boy beat him up like this . . . it wasn't like him. Soon as Hot Shot continued to kick Rhinox in the gut to where he couldn't get up wires came down and grabbed him and lifted him off the ground.
Rhinox then got the chance to get up and stare at the crazed Hot Shot. All were shocked to see Hot Shot like this. He was still the same as the wires held him. He struggled to get free and had managed to break some off his body, but more came and replaced them.
Hot Shot's optics were still red though and it was as if he was a wild animal for all could have sworn they saw fangs on him as he cried out in hatred. All then wondered if they were to soon get another horsemen, but Unicron told them nothing concerning this matter. All wondered why he was acting this way just now. Why hadn't he done this before?
None knew what Unicron had done to Hot Shot for nothing like this had happened before and Hot Shot was the first to hold part of Unicron's spark. No other did Unicron give part of his spark. Hot Shot was then taken away from them still crying out in rage leaving the horsemen to talk about this matter.
"What was that all about?" asked Terrorsaur as he came to Rhinox's side.
"I don't know," said Rhinox as he wipped the oil off his face that Hot Shot had forced out.
"He was so strong . . . it was unnatural," said Airazor. "No one should be stronger than you Rhinox."
"I know," growled Rhinox. "Unicron has done something to him to make him this dark."
"Do you think he shall be one of us soon?" asked Terrorsaur.
"If so then it shall be next year," spoke up Cheetor.
All turned to him and asked-
"How do you know Cheetor?"
"Because Hot Shot has been acting this way all year and I know he still fights whatever Unicron has done to him, but his strength weakens and so it shall be spent next year," said Cheetor.
"So he's not as tough as he looks ah?" smiled Terrorsaur.
"He has been strong for fours year Terrorsaur, through all this torture. He is strong and don't you mistake that," said Cheetor as he left.
"Sheesh, you'd think Cheetor cares about him," said Terrorsaur as they watched Cheetor leave.
"Yea . . . you'd think," said Rhinox.
Hot Shot soon went back to the way he was, but he was scared at what he had just done. He never knew he could have that rage outburst, but he didn't like it and never wanted to do it again, but because of Rhinox it would happen more than once and ever he hated Rhinox. At times he wished to kill him, but stopped himself for he knew it was not right . . . or was it? Hot Shot was not sure anymore.
He hated everything that he didn't understand. He hated being there. He hated the horsemen. He hated Unicron.
One day, before the year came into the fifth year that Hot Shot was with Unicron, Cheetor came to Hot Shot when he was wrapped in the dark and coldness of his room. Cheetor would check on his very often to make sure Hot Shot was well, but he never was. Hot Shot would tell him this, but Cheetor would always want to know. Hot Shot wondered why he cared so much, but he didn't mind his company to much. Hot Shot was glad he was there.
"How have you been lately?" asked Cheetor as he came to him.
"The same," sighed Hot Shot as he stood up from his bed. "I still don't know what causes those rage outbursts though."
"Maybe you don't want to know," said Cheetor.
"Maybe you're right," chuckled Hot Shot a little.
"Hey," smiled Cheetor. "You chuckled. I haven't heard that in a long while Hot Shot."
"Yea, well savour it while it lasts, 'cause I'll soon forget how to do that to," sighed Hot Shot.
There was then a cold silence as they just gazed into the darkness, but soon Hot Shot spoke again.
"I've been . . . haveing dreams."
"Dreams of what Hot Shot?" asked Cheetor.
"Of Rhinox," said Hot Shot.
"Are you beating him up in the dream world as well as the real?" smiled Cheetor.
"No," said Hot Shot as he shook his head a bit. "This dream is so strange . . . I don't usualy dream of this, but . . . I am."
"Hot Shot what is it?" asked Cheetor growing concerned.
"He's running . . . trying to get away from me . . . but he can't," said Hot Shot as he gazed at his hands.
Hot Shot then continued as he optics began to unfocus again as they focused on the memory of his dream.
"He's trapped and then . . . I come."
"What then Hot Shot?" asked Cheetor.
"Then . . . I kill him . . . it then replays and I know it has and so I kill him a different way, it does it again and so I kill him again and again and again . . ."
Cheetor didn't like the way Hot Shot was explaining the dream. It was as if Hot Shot . . .
Hot Shot then looked up at Cheetor as his optics focused on him and smiled with a cold smile as he finished-
"And . . . I like it."
Hot Shot's girl: I forgot to mention this. You know how I like to listen to songs so they can inspire me to write better? well I was listening to the one song I like from Korn-Coming Undone, and well I thought it reminded me of this chapter. I don't know about you all, but I was just saying. I have other songs I might mention in furture chapters and all, but who knows. I just like listening to songs so I can get the mood of the chapter:)