A/N: 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
Tigerhawk had arrived at the stasis pod, but soon came under heavy fire from the Pride.
"I'm afraid this stasis pod belongs to the Predacons, Maximal scum," Leo said.
Tigerhawk hid behind a rock and returned fire whenever he could.
"Tigerhawk to Cheetor," he said, "I need some assistance." There was no response. "They must be jamming my comlink." he thought to himself.
"You do realize that you won't leave here alive," Tigerhawk heard a voice say. It seemed to be coming from inside his head.
"I will do what I must to ensure that my sacrifice will not be in vain," he responded.
"Join us, Tigerhawk," the voice said, "Your powers would be so much more appreciated with us."
"I will never join the Predacons," Tigerhawk shouted out.
"I do not speak of the Predacons," the voice said, "I want you to join the Pride. You and Cheetor both. Together, we could crush both Maximal and Predacon and rule this planet."
Tigerhawk stopped firing and began to think. "How do I know that I can trust you?" he asked.
"We are psychically linked to all feline cybertronians," the voice said, "You can scan my thoughts and know that I'm telling you the truth."
Tigerhawk began to give the offer serious thought when he heard Cheetor's voice.
"Hang on, Tigerhawk," he said, "I got your back."
Cheetor transformed and began firing at the Pride. Tigerhawk, out of reflex, fired a shot that nailed Cheetor square in the chest, knocking him back. He looked at Tigerhawk, dumbfounded.
"What was that for?" he asked.
Tigerhawk said nothing, but fired another shot, rendering Cheetor almost unconscious Tigerhawk looked down at Cheetor, then back at the Pride.
"I accept your offer, Leo," he said as he shook Leo's hand.
"Welcome to the Pride, Tigerhawk," Leo said.
Cheetor was quickly losing consciousness.
"Tigerhawk," he said weakly, "Why?"
Tigerhawk walked over the Cheetor and crouched down beside him.
"It is our destiny," he said, "You will understand in due time." Tigerhawk watched as Cheetor went into stasis lock.
Tigerhawk stood up. "What is to be done about the stasis pod?" he asked. Leo shook his head.
"It will never become a Maximal or a Predacon. Snarl."
Snarl nodded and raised his large rifle and fired at the stasis pod, destroying it and the protoform inside. Prowl had just arrived in time to see the stasis pod explode. She looked down and saw Cheetor, unconscious in stasis lock.
"Did you kill him?" she asked, causing Leo to laugh heartily.
"Don't worry, Prowl," Darkstripe said, "Your boyfriend is just in stasis lock."
Prowl shot him an angry glance, making Darkstripe chuckle. Fang walked over to Cheetor and placed a tracking beacon on him.
"Tracking beacon in place," he said, "Unblocking Maximal signals now. They should arrive to claim him in a few cycles."
"Very good," Leo said, "Now as for you, Tigerhawk. We must keep Megatron in the dark about our plans. So, whatever I say, you go along with." Tigerhawk nodded and all of them walked back to the base.
Waspinator, Stampede, and Frostbite had just arrived at the base when Optimus and Silverbolt were leaving.
"Waspinator," Optimus said, "Why isn't Cheetor with you?"
"Cat-bot tell Waspinator to take new Maximals back to base," Waspinator said, "Cat-bot say he going to check on bigger cat-bot."
"Cheetor's emitting some sort of emergency beacon," Silverbolt said, "It's coming from Tigerhawk's last known coordinates."
Optimus transformed into flight mode and took off, followed by Silverbolt in beast mode. Rattrap and Rhinox walked outside to greet Waspinator.
"Is something wrong with cat-bot?" Waspinator asked.
Rhinox shrugged. "We're not sure," he said, "We know that the stasis pod in that area exploded."
"Yeah," Rattrap chimed in, "And we can't seem to get a hold of Tigerhawk. Then we find Cheetor's signal in that same area, but we can't get a hold of him, either."
"Waspinator hopes cat-bots are alright," Waspinator said.
Rhinox looked over and saw the new Maximals. "These must be the new recruits," he said, "Follow me. We'll get you up to speed." Stampede and Frostbite nodded and followed Rhinox, Rattrap, and Waspinator into the base.
Rattrap and Waspinator had been playing cards while Rhinox explained the history of the beast wars to Stampede and Frostbite as well as their duties as part of the team. Rattrap had look out of the corner of his eye and noticed that Blackarachnia had been standing in the doorway, observing what was going on.
"Something we can help you with, legs?" he asked.
Blackarachnia narrowed her eyes at him.
"I asked you never to call me that again," she responded.
"Ok, sorry," Rattrap replied, "Now, is there something we can help you with?"
"Silverbolt and Optimus aren't back yet," Blackarachnia said.
"Wow," Waspinator said, "Spider-bot very perceptive."
Blackarachnia was about to throw something at Waspinator when Optimus and Silverbolt's signals had appeared on the screen, moving towards the base extremely fast. Optimus landed and rushed inside, carrying Cheetor in his arms.
"Rhinox," he said, "Get the CR chamber started, quickly!"
Rhinox activated the CR chamber and Optimus placed Cheetor in it.
"What happened to Cheetor?" Rattrap asked.
"Optimus and I found him like that, badly damaged and in stasis lock," Silverbolt answered.
Optimus was visibly upset. "And Tigerhawk was nowhere to be found," he said, "It's possible that the Predacons have him captured."
"Let's hope he's okay," Rhinox said.