Part 1:
The Beginning of a War
Chapter 1
Somewhere in Earth's atmosphere...
Cheetor looked out of the ship as they left Earth. The moon looked eerie in outer space, Cheetor thought. In the past few years, Cheetor saw death, life, and new beginnings. His new beginning.
Cheetor looked down at his not-so-new Transmetal 2 body. He smiled a crocked smile as he looked back at the place he had called home for the three years. Now, they were going to Cybertron, their "real" home. All were happy, except Cheetor. He felt that he belongs back at Earth that was where he grew up. He learned more on that planet than back on Cybertron.
He frowned and looked at the others. Silverbolt and Blackarachina were holding hands and talking softly to each other. Rattrap and Rhinox were talking about what they were going to do when they got back "home". Optimus was reading some notes from the ship's data banks. No one seemed to notice that Cheetor was no really happy. He looked back at Earth and thought of all the Maximals who died to help them go back to Cybertron. Tigatron, Airrazor, Dinobot, Tigerhawk, Depth Charge . . . He couldn't go on. Cheetor stood up.
"I'll be in the back if anyone needs me." Cheetor walked to the door that storage room as everybody looked up from what they were doing and looked at the young cheetah.
Optimus looked at Cheetor with concern. "You want to talk about it?"
Cheetor just shook his head and left. Rattrap and Rhinox looked at each other and shakes their heads. "Ya know, Fearless Leader. He's gettin' worse. Ya should, ah, ya know, talk to him. He hasn't been happy since we left dat prison."
"I know what you mean, Rattrap. Something is wrong, but I trust Cheetor. He'll come to me when he's ready"
"Oh, yeah? Well, what about when he turned into that Trans 2 thingy?"
"He didn't know what was happening to him." Silverbolt told the Transmetal rat. "What else could he do?"
"He could have asked for help, ya know."
Optimus looked annoyed. "All right, Rattrap. Maybe your right." Optimus sighed and stood up, "I'll go talk to him. He sighed again and left the room.
"You have to be so annoying, Rat Face?" BA asked. The rat stuck his tongue out at the she-spider.
Cheetor was sitting on a metal box when Optimus walked in. The cheetah looked up in surprise, then looked down at the floor. Optimus walked over and sat down on a bigger box. Optimus stared at Cheetor for a minute, then began to speak.
"Do you know why I'm here?" Cheetor nodded, "Cheetor, I want to know what is going on. Why are you so depressed all the time now?"
Cheetor was still looking at the floor. He sighed and said, "I'm not sure yet . . . that's why I'm here now, to think about what's happening." He looked back at Optimus and shook his head, "And I still don't know yet. I need more time to think . . ."
"Of course, Cheetor. Come back to the bridge when you now what you want to do." Optimus stood up and walked back to the bridge without another word to Cheetor. He just looked back at the semi-young cheetah and left. Cheetor sighed and looked at the wall in front of him.
"So, what is da kid's problem?" Rattrap asked as Optimus walked back in the bridge, Optimus shook his head.
"He didn't say. He said he had to think about what to do, and then, he'll tell us."
"Oh, great. And did he tell you when will that be?"
"No, Rhinox. But I hope it's soon." Optimus sat down and began reading again. The bridge was quiet for the next few cycles. Then the rest of he Maximals talked quietly to each other. All were wondering what would happen next.
Almost and hour later, Cheetor finally came out of the storage room. When he entered the bridge of the ship, all was quiet. Every Maximal on the ship was all ears, even Rattrap.
Cheetor looked at every crewmember in the eyes. They each stared back, waiting for the cheetah to speak. When Cheetor finally came to Optimus, he stopped and sighed.
Optimus took a deep breath and sat back. "Yes, Cheetor?"
"I've been thinking about what's been going on since we left Cybertron." Cheetor answered. "How we all changed, and what happened between us and the Predacons."
"And how did you feel about it?" Optimus asked.
"I think we've changed too much." Cheetor sighed, "At least, I have. It would be different if we had left much sooner. . .And so, I decided to do something about it."
"And. . .what would dat be, Spots?" Rattrap asked before Optimus and the others could ask.
Cheetor again looked around the bridge, and again stopped at Optimus. How will he be affected by this. . .
"I've decided. . . to go back to Earth and stay there until I feel like I can go back to Cybertron."
The news struck the Maximals by surprise. Cheetor, the lively youth that would have been the first in line to go back home, wanted to stay back at the place that held them captive for three years.
"Say what?!" Once again, Rattrap beat the others. "Yous gotta be joken', right? You want to go back DAT dump."
"Wha-what do you mean, Cheetor? You. . . don't want to go back to Cybertron?" Silverbolt was stunned.
"You don't want to go home? Why?" BA asked curiously.
"I don't believe it, Cheetor. . .you was always so excited to go home. . .Why change your mind?" Rhinox ask, his face in disbelief.
Optimus was the only one that didn't ask the questions that he had in mind. Why would he want to go back there? There is nothing he could do there. . .or is there?
Of all the questions that were thrown at Cheetor, he didn't answer any of them. He just looked at Optimus, as if waiting for his reaction to all of this. But Optimus just stared back for a second, then stood up.
"How do you plan on getting back to Earth?"
Cheetor sighed and looked at the storage room door. "I found a pod in the engine room, behind the storage room. It's fully functional, and it will be able to fit me in beast mode." He looked back on Optimus and shrugged, "But I'm going to need help powering it up."
"When do you plan on leaving?"
"As soon as I can power it up."
Optimus looked down at Cheetor for a moment and sighed "Are you sure you want to do this, Cheetor? We've been away from Cybertron for a long time, won't you miss it?"
Cheetor looked down so he could hid the tears in his eyes. "Yes," he whispered, "I am. I have no one there for me anyway."
Rattrap stood up and placed a hand on Cheetor's shoulder. "Sure ya do, kiddo. You've got us now," Rattrap looked around at the others and they all nodded, then the rat looked bat at Cheetor, "All of us."
Cheetor knew that he will miss his friends very much, but this was something he must do. "I'm. . . sorry, I have to do this. . ." Cheetor looked at everyone in the ship. Then he looked at Optimize, "You know I do."
"Yes," Optimus sighed, "We do." Optimus turned to Rhinox, "Do we have anything to power up that pod?"
"Yes, but we are going to have to shut down the engines for a megacycle."
"We'll do that then. Cheetor," the cat looked up, "Get ready." Cheetor nodded and went with Rhinox to get ready to power up and get the stuff he needed. "As for the rest of us, we need to get to our stations, incase they need more power.
"Oh," Rattrap started, "Don't we get a say in dis?"
Optimus stared long and hard at Rattrap. The rat gulped, "I guess. . . not."
"Cheetor is going through a rough time Rattrap. Right now, he needs our support. And you know I don't like the idea of letting him go back by himself, but what else am I suppose to do? Tie him to a chair until we reach Cybertron? He'll only leave from there. We might as well let his time away shorter by letting him go now. Now, Rattrap, is there anything else you would like to ask?
"I guess you asked my question. Optimus. But I just can't help feeling like I have to stop him, ya know?"
"I know what you feel. Rattrap, but we need to let him. . .grow up. And if that means letting him go back, we'll going to have to step a side and let him." Optimus the ship shake. "I guess they're starting the pod up."
About a megacycle later, Rhinox came out, "The pod's ready. Cheetor is loading up now." Rhinox looked at their leader, "Maybe you should talk to him before he's finished."
"I was planning to." Optimus stood up and walked to the door. "I'll be back in a few megacycles."
Optimus entered the storage room to find Cheetor kneeling down near a create, looking at a picture in a silver frame. Cheetor was staring at the picture with tears streaming down his face. Cheetor then let out a sob and buried his face in his arms. Optimus let Cheetor cry for a few moments until Cheetor calmed down a bit. Then, Optimus asked.
"Are you ready, Cheetor?"
"I'm never going to be ready," Cheetor said with his face still buried. "It's not up to me. I have to go back, no matter if I want to go or not." The young bot looked up at the older one. "My life has always been like that. I can never control my destiny. Someone else always has to, and I'm sick of it!" Cheetor lowered his head again.
"What do you mean, Cheetor?" Optimus asked curiously. "Someone else?"
Cheetor looked up, surprised that he let out something he didn't want to talk about now. Optimus felt this and looked away from Cheetor and look at the picture he was holding. It was a picture of himself and Cheetor, posing near the Axalon. It was taken before the transwarp drive explosion wave hit them. Some tears fell down Optimus's face as he looked back at Cheetor.
Suddenly, the child in Cheetor came out. Cheetor leaped up and embraced Optimus. The bigger bot was stunned for a second, then hugged Cheetor back. They stood therefor a few moments until Cheetor stood back and looked up at Optimus. Optimus remembered just before they left Cybertron when he found a grief stricken "Starchaser" in the cemetery. Optimus placed a protective hand on Cheetor's shoulder.
"Let's finish packing, the fast we're finished. . . the easier it will be."
Cheetor nodded and started place stuff in a bag, including the picture. When he was finished, they both went to the pod in the engine room. They placed the bag in a capartment and walked back to the bridge so Cheetor can say good bye.
When they entered the main room, all the Maximals stood. They all looked at Cheetor, as he looked at his fellow members. Then he split a huge grin. "Hey, Rat Face. Be sure you visit that amusement park I told you about. They got rides even YOU can't grip about."
Rattrap sighed and shook his head. "Yous are somethin' else, pussy cat." Rattrap punched Cheetor's shoulder. "I'm goin'a miss ya, kiddo." Rattrap gave Cheetor a cocky grin and stepped back. Rhinox was next.
"Remember everything I taught you, Cheetor. Your going to need it to fix up that dump we called a base."
Cheetor smiled, "Don't worry, Rhinox. I won't blow it up. . ."Cheetor grinned evilly. Rhinox turned to Optimus. "Are you sure he'll be ok?"
Optimus just laughed. Cheetor then went to Silverbolt. Silverbolt cocked hid eyebrow and sighed. "I must give you credit. . .You are, and always be, a true soldier, even though, you do get in the way sometimes, and-"
"I'll miss you, too, Silverbolt." Cheetor laughed. Then, he shook is hand. Silverbolt stepped away and BA faced Cheetor. Cheetor blushed and looked down.
"BA. . .I know I've been a pain in the butt, and I was hoping if you could-" Cheetor started.
"Forgive you?" BA asked, "Cheets, there is nothing to forgive. You were just growing up." With that, she kissed Cheetor on the cheek and walked back to Silverbolt.
Cheetor was stunned for a second, then blushed again. "Thanks, BA." He muttered and then walked over to Optimus.
"Well, Cheetor. Are you finished saying good bye?"
"Not quite yet, sir." Cheetor answered, then he raised his hand and solutes Optimus. "Good bye, Optimus Primal. I hope to see you soon."
Optimal solutes backs and lowered his hand. "Good bye, Cheetor," Optimus said, "Good luck on your journey. I hope you find what you are looking for."
"Me, too." Cheetor agreed. Then he tuned to the others. "I wish you well on your way back home, let just hope no more Megajerks out there."
The crew smiled. Cheetor stared at all the Maximals, then waved. "Beast mode." Cheetor said and he became a cheetah. He stared at them once more and let out a friendly growl, turned and left the room. Optimus and Rhinox followed him. The rest sat down and looked at each other. They didn't speak.
Back in the engine room, Rhinox was making last minute instructions to Cheetor while Optimus watched.
"Now, Cheetor." Rhinox said, "When you land. Try to land it close to an open plain. It's softer and safer landing."
"YES, SIR!" Cheetor solutes with is paws and looked at Optimus, "You need to take him out more often. Send him with Rattrap."
Both Optimus and Cheetor laughed, Rhinox looked annoyed. "I'm just trying to prepare you."
"I know," Cheetor laughed, "I'm sorry. . ." he tried to hold back his laugher, "Okay, Rhinox. I'll do that. Anything else?"
"I guess not. Cheetor, are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Cheetor climbed into the pod. He turned to Rhinox, "Hey, Rhinox."
"Yeah?"
"Make sure Rattrap goes to that park, I think he'll really like it. And go along with him, they got a science tent there."
Rhinox laughed, "Will do."
Cheetor then turned to Optimus, "Good bye, Big Bot."
Optimus smiled at the sound of his nickname. "See ya, little buddy." Cheetor smiled and winked. Optimus closed the pod door. Both Rhinox ad Optimus pushed Cheetor's pod to the gate. Rhinox pressed a few buttons and they pushed the pod out of the ship. Within seconds, the pod's lights turn on. Rhinox and Optimus ran to the bridge to watch their team mate launch off.
Just as Optimus and Rhinox entered the bridge, the pod engines kicked on. All stood and solutes as Cheetor left for Earth. Optimus stood in the position the longest and before he put down his hand he said, "Farewell, my friend. May the heavens look down on you." And the rest of the members of the Axalon left for Cybertron.