A/N: Again, I don't own anything related to Transformers or Beast Wars. A few of the names of Pride members are original, but that's it. Enjoy
Silverbolt and Blackarachnia had just arrived at the crash site when Cheetor's voice garbled over their comlink.
"Cheetor to…bolt and…rachnia…do n…ship…in dang…" The rest of the message was just static.
"We must be in Megatron's jamming zone," Blackarachnia said.
"Then, be careful, beloved," Silverbolt said, "I have no doubt that the Predacons are aware of the ship's presence, and I expect that they will arrive to claim it.
"Indeed we do, Silverbolt," Megatron's voice rang out behind them. Megatron was joined by Quickstrike, Inferno, and Dinobot. "Now, if you'll just step aside, Maximals, I can claim this ship and use it against you," Megatron added.
"I think not, Megatron," Silverbolt said defiantly, "If there is anyone still alive in this ship, you will not warp their minds to evil."
Megatron chuckled and shook his head. "Ah," he said, "Noble Maximal sentiment. The universe will be better off without it." As Megatron finished his sentence, Inferno fired at Silverbolt, knocking him off his feet and into the ship.
"Predacons," Megatron said loudly, "Do not allow those Maximals to leave this place."
With that said, all four Predacons opened fire on Silverbolt and Blackarachnia. The two maximals took cover behind a rock and began returning fire. From the air, Optimus and Cheetor could see the battle raging and quickly swooped in to aid their comrades.
"Cheetor, Maximize!" Cheetor shouted as he leapt off of Optimus, transformed, and immediately began firing at the Predacons even before he landed on the ground.
Optimus transformed and opened fire on the Predacons. They were soon joined by Tigerhawk. As the battle raged outside the ship, inside was where the real action was going on.
The five prisoners observed the battle and observed each side.
"That's Megatron," one of them said, "Which means those are Maximals. Quickly, open the doors. It's time to help our Predacon brothers."
As the door to the ship slid open, the battle died down as each side stopped to see who would emerge from the ship. Five large transmetal cats emerged from the ship. A lion, a tiger, a panther, a puma, and a saber-toothed tiger walked in formation to the middle of the battlefield. The lion lifted his head and spoke.
"Maximals, your time has come," he said, "Leo, Terrorize!" He transformed stood between the Maximals and the Predacons.
The tiger joined him, followed by the saber-toothed tiger. "Darkstripe, Terrorize!" "Fang, Terrorize!" The two transformed and were lastly followed by the puma and the panther.
"Snarl, Terrorize!" the puma shouted and transformed. "Prowl, Terrorize!" the panther shouted and transformed into a female Predacon, which immediately caught Cheetor's eye.
Leo drew his weapon and shouted, "Pride! Open fire!"
They did, followed by the Predacons. The Maximals were too outnumbered to fight, and backup wouldn't arrive in time, so they had no choice but to retreat. They transformed into beast modes and took off, leaving the Predacons and these five new, strange additions. Megatron observed each one carefully.
"I am Megatron, leader of the Predacons," he said, "Who may I ask are you?"
Leo stepped forward. "I am Leo, leader of the Pride," he said, "We tracked our commander, Ravage, to this planet. Are you aware of his location?"
Megatron sighed and said, "Yes, I do. Sadly, though, your commander, Ravage, was destroyed in a fight with the Maximals."
Each member of the Pride bowed their heads in sorrow for their lost commander.
"The Maximals will pay," Darkstripe said, "Leo, you are commander now. What is our agenda now?"
Leo stared at Megatron and drew his sword. He stuck it into the ground and dropped to one knee. The rest knelt with him.
"Megatron," Leo said, "We pledge our allegiance to you."
Megatron smiled and started chuckling.
Tigerhawk emerged from the CR chamber, feeling refreshed. Everyone wanted to know what was going on with these new Predacons. Optimus had the answer, but no one would ask the question. Everyone was gathered in the control room, each one looking to the other for an answer. Cheetor finally spoke up.
"Who were those new Preds, big bot?" he asked.
Optimus sighed. "They weren't Predacons," he answered, "They were Maximals."
The others gasped as they each looked to the other mouthing the word "Maximal".
"Maximals?" Waspinator asked, "How can this be? Waspinator heard Predacon command code."
"It's a very long story," Optimus said. Silverbolt crossed his arms.
"We're listening," he said as he took a seat, along with the rest.
"They're collectively known as the Pride," Optimus said, "Five of the Maximal High Council's finest soldiers. But, they were corrupted by Ravage and became Predacons under command of Ravage and the Tripredacus Council. They committed unspeakable acts and destroyed entire colonies of Cybertronians."
Rhinox bowed his head. "My brother was on Colony Prodigy. He was killed by the Pride when he refused to join them."
Rattrap put a hand on his shoulder. "So was my father," he added, "That's why Rhinox and I joined the Axalon. We wouldn't have to go anywhere near the remains of Colony Prodigy ever again."
"They were finally captured and brought to trial," Optimus continued, "They were sentenced to life imprisonment on Penal Colony Independence. However, they never made it, as they hijacked the ship and continued on another path of destruction. They were again captured and taken to Independence. Last I had heard, they were on Independence and were causing nothing but problems."
"Not anymore," Cheetor said, "Now they're causing problems here."
"They must have hijacked another ship and tried to locate their commander, Ravage," Optimus said.
"Yeah," Rattrap said, "And ol' Decepticon dirt bag got thrashed, but his signal still lingered enough for them to lock on and follow it."
"Optimus," Rhinox said, "We need to develop a plan on what to do about the Pride."
As he finished his sentence, the computer started beeping. Rattrap turned back to the computer.
"Hey, fellas," he said, "We got three stasis pods landing. Two in sector omega and one in sector talos."
"Cheetor," Optimus said, "You and Waspinator go to sector omega. Tigerhawk, you go to sector talos. Make sure you recover them before Megatron does."
Cheetor and Waspinator transformed into their beast modes and took off. Tigerhawk did the same.
"Silverbolt and Blackarachnia," Optimus said, "I want you two to get some rest, I'll need you both fully rested. I'll call you if we need you."
Silverbolt and Blackarachnia nodded and walked back to their quarters. Optimus turned to Rattrap and Rhinox.
"As for us," he said, "We need to start formulating a plan on how to deal with the Pride."
Waspinator was having trouble keeping up with Cheetor's speed.
"Cat-bot," he said between gasps, "Slow down. Waspinator having trouble keeping up."
Cheetor slowed his pace to allow Waspinator to catch up.
"Sorry, Waspinator," he said, "I'm usually used to Rattrap and Tigerhawk with me on these missions."
They stopped at the start of the clearing, observing two stasis pods in the midst of their scanning and replicating phase. They transformed and slowly approached the two pods.
"Hmm, it's too quiet," Cheetor said, "I was sure there would be at least one Pred here to try and apprehend the pods."
Waspinator started chuckling. "There is one Predacon, cat-bot," he said, "Waspinator here." Cheetor laughed along with Waspinator.
Both stasis pods beeped and began to open. The first one out was a horse with a beautiful long black mane. The second was a transmetal wolf. It had spots of organic fur here and there, but for the most part was a transmetal super-structure. Cheetor and Waspinator slowly approached the two new cybertronians.
"Hi there," Cheetor said, "I'm Cheetor. I represent the Maximals. I just want to welcome you to the team."
The horse and the wolf stared at each other for a moment. "Maximals?" the horse asked in a very feminine voice.
"Yes," Waspinator added, "You are Maximals, just like us. Just speak the command code, Maximize."
"Stampede, Maximize!" the horse shouted as she transformed into a beautiful Maximal soldier. She still had her mane, which flowed from the top of her head down to her shoulders. She was simply stunning. Cheetor turned to Waspinator and actually found him gawking, which is something he'd never seen him do. He quietly chuckled to himself.
"Frostbite, Maximize!" the wolf cried out as he transformed. His appearance was a bit frightening. He looked like he would fit in well with the Predacons. His wolf hair lined the upper side of his arms. His wolf head was connected to his hand and his face reminded Cheetor of his old transmetal face, except more nightmarish. Waspinator had caught sight of Frostbite and instantly became terrified.
Frostbite saw Waspinator out of the corner of his eye, trembling. He laughed.
"Don't worry, buzz boy," he said, "I'm on your side."
Cheetor looked around, still feeling uneasy.
"What is it?" Stampede asked.
"Something's not right," Cheetor replied, "There should be Preds here, but there isn't."
Just then, he got a whiff of something in the air. An alluring scent, but also a Predacon scent. He spun around and saw Prowl standing there
"I should blast you right now," Cheetor thought to himself, "But why can't I?"
"Because you can't bring yourself to shoot a lady," he heard a female voice inside him say. Cheetor's eyes widened.
"Waspinator," he said, "Take Stampede and Frostbite back to base. I'm gonna check on Tigerhawk."
"Horse-bot and creepy-bot follow Waspinator," Waspinator said, turning to Stampede and Frostbite, "Waspinator lead the way back to base."
Waspinator transformed into beast mode and buzzed back into the forest, followed by Stampede and Frostbite, both in beast mode.
Cheetor still stood, staring at Prowl.
"How did you get into my head?" Cheetor asked inside his head.
"That's the beauty of being a cat. We're all linked through our feline psyche. I can read your thoughts and vice versa," Prowl responded in thought.
"Why are you here?" Cheetor asked.
"Because Tigerhawk needs some backup and I was the perfect distraction," Prowl responded.
Cheetor, startled by Prowl's words, quickly changed into beast mode and took off towards Tigerhawk's location. Prowl simply stood there, leaning against a tree.
"He is cute," she thought to herself. She changed into beast mode and followed Cheetor.