Beast Wars Knights
Part Two
By: Sapphire
The next morning, the clouds had cleared a little, allowing the sun to peak in and cast a few rays of light onto Axalone. Rattrap had been on guard duty from the early hours of the morning, taking over from Rhinox's shift. The small archer yawned and stretched his legs. He was tired, yes, but not in the mood to sleep, for his mind had been, and still was, very active.
He got up and walked along the wall, looking over into the canyon, and across the lands ahead of him. He could see for miles from this point, which was quite the advantage when Megatron wanted to attack the castle. The Axalone castle was impenetrable and all of the Dark Prince's attempts to overthrow Optimus had failed. Rattrap felt very safe up here.
Even if it came to face-to-face combat, each of the Maximals had skills. Dinobot was the lead knight, after Optimus. He didn't like the tall, gruff man very much, but he'd seen Dinobot in action, and he had to admit, he was very good at handling a sword. Cheetor was Optimus's squire and helped him prepare for battle, and went in with him. Cheetor was a skilled infantryman, but not very good on a horse. Tigatron was a third ranking knight, and had a strong, dark grey stallion which he rode into battle on. It was the biggest horse Rattrap had ever seen and before Tigatron even got to his opponent, they were already quivering in their armor just looking at the size of his horse. Airazor, when she was healthy, was an archer like him. They were both good at aiming their bows and arrows and hitting their target dead on. Rattrap rode a horse, although he didn't enjoy it much. He was a mediocre rider, unlike Tigatron and Dinobot. Rhinox was the engineer, but when he was needed in battle, he made one tough pike man.
Still, even though they had all these fighting skills, they had never had much chance to use them. Rattrap got so bored waiting for something to happen, but for once he was glad things were quiet. The last thing they needed was an attack while Airazor was so ill.
He heard someone calling him from below and he turned around to look into the castle's courtyard. There stood Rhinox, looking up and blinking in the strengthening sunshine.
"Rattrap! Are you busy?"
Rattrap looked over his shoulder. Everything looked fine.
"There doesn't seem to be much happening, other than the rising of the sun. So, I suppose not. Why?"
Rhinox waved for him to come on down.
"I need your help. Airazor broke out with a bad rash last night and I need someone with a little medical knowledge to help apply bandages on her sores."
Rattrap groaned inwardly.
He did know a little in the medical field, but not much. Still, Airazor needed the aid and he was her friend.
"All right, I'm coming down. But who will take shift?"
"I will." Rattrap turned his head to the right to see Tigatron emerging from a side entrance into the courtyard.
Rattrap descended down the flight of stairs and when at the bottom, he looked sympathetically at Tigatron.
"Are you sure?"
The White Knight nodded.
Rattrap and Rhinox went inside, leaving Tigatron alone.
Tigatron walked up slowly, miserably...each step was an effort. He kept a stern face, but only halfway up the stairs, he collapsed to his knees and began to sob quietly, face in hands. The reason he wanted to take shift, was because he wanted to get out of the castle and be alone. He needed to let out his grief. The stairs were inside the wall, so no one could see him, at least. He sat on the cold, dank steps and cried softly. It was getting too much to bear, Airazor's illness. He loved her and each day was a battle for both of them. He would have helped Rhinox with the bandages, because in reality one didn't need to know much about medicine to cover a wound. But Rhinox had seen his pained expression upon hearing the news of Airazor's deterioration during the night, and Rhinox had spoke softly to him, telling he'd call in Rattrap and that Tigatron needn't see her now. He was grateful for Rhinox's understanding towards him.
Tigatron lost track of time, and when he had managed to pull himself together, he realized that the sun was now high in the sky and the clouds had almost cleared. He got up and walked to the top of the stairs, and looked over the wall.
And gasped.
Megatron couldn't believe his luck. He and his troops had managed to pull the portable drawbridge along while Tarantulas had been riding atop the catapult, which was being drawn by six horses. He had been prepared to be spotted, because even if the Maximals were ready for an assault, they had no way to prepare for the devastation the catapult would cause! As it happened, no one was on guard duty anyway, and Tigatron had only just appeared on the wall.
The Predacons were at the edge of the canyon now. Inferno and Blackarachnia were setting up the draw bridge and Tarantulas and Waspinator readied the catapult.
"Megatron! What do you want?!" cried Tigatron, his angry voice echoing in the canyon.
Megatron smiled darkly.
"I see you Maximals are getting slack with your guard duty! Here's a tip: never underestimate a Predacon! Not that you will survive to regret it."
With that, he turned to Tarantulas and nodded. Tarantulas ordered Inferno to set fire to the rocks that were loaded in the catapult, and smothered with oil. Inferno let out a loud, crazy laugh and took a large candle and tipped the flame onto the rocks. Almost instantly the rocks burst into flame and Inferno jumped back with a cry of delight.
Megatron's facial expression became one of hard determination, and he looked towards the Maximal castle.
"Fire!"
Rhinox watched Airazor sip the medicine. It was a new formula he'd made out of herbs, honey and water that he'd found inspiration for out of an old Herbal Treatments book he had discovered in the back of his cupboard. Hopefully, it would help her.
Rattrap had just finished applying the last bandage on Airazor's stomach when the entire castle shuddered.
"By Primus, what was that?" Rhinox gasped.
Both of them looked around in alarm.
A smell wafted in through the window in Airazor's room and Rattrap realized immediately what the smell was.
"Something's burning!"
Rhinox and Rattrap ran to the window and looked out. To their horror, they could see the outer wall was burning and the tower from where the archers usually fired was smoking.
"Look there!" Rhinox said and pointed to the canyon. The Predacons were there, with two large contraptions.... There was one that was tossing balls of fire into the wall while the other..."
"They've built their own infernal draw bridge!!!" yelled Dinobot as he burst into the room.
Rhinox and Rattrap turned to look at the enraged knight.
Dinobot tossed them both their weapons.
"Don't just stand there! Can't you see we're under siege?" Dinobot snarled. The knight was still in his dressing gown, but as he spoke Cheetor came up behind him and started dressing him.
Dinobot turned irritably and snatched his armour from the squire.
"Go away! I can dress myself!"
Cheetor frowned.
"Just stand still! Optimus is already in his armour but you spend so much time talking if I don't dress you you'll go running out there in your pajamas!"
Rattrap pushed passed them both and whipped out his sword.
"Just hurry, I'm going to need support."
He ran down the hallway and opened the weapons cabinet at the end of it. He took some arrows and without bothering to close the cabinet door, ran towards the entrance of the castle, Rhinox coming up behind him with his pike.
They met up with Optimus at the outside gate. Their leader was looking fearfully through the gate as the Predacons crossed their own drawbridge.
"What are we going to do?" Rattrap cried as he came up alongside his king.
Optimus bit his lip.
"We're going to have to destroy that catapult, before it destroys us!"
Three of the Predacons were halfway across the bridge already and for the moment the Maximals were at a loss of how to stop them. Suddenly, there was a scream from above and the three looked up to see a very burnt and bloody Tigatron, standing on top of the wall, waving his fists in the air. With one, swift move of his arm, he smashed his fist down on the lever which controlled the Maximal draw bridge, and it came crashing down at full speed towards the Predacon bridge. The crossing Predacons yelled in terror and turned around, but only one made it off the Predacon bridge before the Maximal one came down and forced the other two to jump into the canyon.
Rattrap grinned at Tigatron's witty move and looked up again to congratulate him, but before he could say anything, the warrior was hit by a large, fiery ball and was thrown backwards off the wall.
"No!" Optimus cried as the White Knight hit the ground a few meters from them, a large rock on his stomach, his clothes on fire. Rhinox had since gone to fetch a bucket load of water to put out the various little fires in the courtyard, but when he saw Tigatron he ran over to him and splashed the water over him. The fire was out, but so was Tigatron.
Rattrap and Optimus joined Rhinox, who was had removed the rock from his comrade's stomach and was now keeling beside him and checking his pulse. He sighed and his shoulders dropped. He shook his head sadly.
There was a moment of silence, but it was short lived as another rock came smashing into the gate, ripping through it and setting fire to the courtyard once again. Rattrap noticed unhappily that the remaining Predacons were crossing the double bridge and it was too late now to use the same trick twice. They were almost across.
Dinobot and Cheetor ran out from the castle, weapons ready. Dinobot was fully dressed, except for his night cap. Cheetor was in pursuit of him, trying desperately to put on the warrior's helmet.
Dinobot ran up with a fierce look upon his face, but his expression changed when he saw Tigatron's lifeless body on the floor.
He paused long enough to allow Cheetor to put on his helmet with an exasperated sigh. Then Cheetor too saw Tigatron and he shook his head miserably.
"Well, we must not let his death be in vain! To battle!" Dinobot suddenly roared, his face showing renewed aggression. He ran to the stables and opened up Periya's stable, mounted him and rose towards the gate.
Optimus joined him and the two rode toward the damaged gate, while Rhinox opened it for them.
"Megatron!!" Optimus yelled as he crossed the bridge. Terrorsaur and Inferno were on horseback and there to greet them, and the four knights engaged in battle, halfway across the bridge.
Rattrap decided to risk going atop the wall where he could get a good position for his arrows. Rhinox stayed within the courtyard, pike ready incase any Predacon made it across.
Cheetor got onto Airazor's horse and rode out to help Optimus, realizing that this once he was going to have to use a horse.
Back across the river, Megatron mounted his own, black horse. His horse was named Nightmare, and she was grand and laden with deep purple robes, with the Predacon symbol burning red on each side of the robe. He took up his sword, cursing the absence of Waspinator and Blackarachnia, and called to Tarantulas: "When we've secured the bridge, I want you to move the catapult across it, and fire the biggest collection of rocks you have, into the main flesh of the castle!"
Tarantulas nodded and continued to load rocks into the catapult.
Megatron rode across the bridge.
Inside the castle, Airazor shakily got out of bed, coughing because of the smoke that was pouring in though the window. She closed the window and leaned against the wall for support, as her legs almost gave way. There was a very large battle taking place outside, and from what she could see and hear, the Maximals weren't winning. She stumbled across her room to her cupboard, and opened it.
She was sick, she was weak, but if she was going to die, she might as well make use of the last few days, hours, perhaps even minutes now, of her life. She took out her armour, and slowly but surely, began to dress herself.
Periya was not fond of Nightmare, and neither was Dinobot fond of her rider. The Knight thrust his sword at Megatron, who twisted to the right in his saddle and dodged the blow. He brought down his sword, but Dinobot intercepted it quickly.
"Give it up, Dinobot! You stand no chance against both us and our weapon!"
Dinobot dodged another blow, and twisted around to stab a passing Terrorsaur in the arm. The Red Knight let out a shriek of pain, but Cheetor was keeping him too busy to respond to Dinobot's little jab.
Dinobot turned to face Megatron again, and just in time as the Dark Prince almost cut his head off.
"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, we're not going to make this easy for you, so stop complaining and fight me!"
Megatron growled and reared up his horse, so that it's front legs kicked at the nose of Periya. Periya let out a loud neigh and charged into the stomach of Nightmare with his armoured head. Nightmare stumbled backwards on her hind legs, nearly toppling over the edge of the bridge, but she regained her balance and landed back on all fours again. Megatron's face had gone a little pale from that scare. Dinobot snorted in amusement, and attacked again.
Meanwhile Optimus was trying to handle a very energetic Inferno. Inferno's horse was chestnut, with a red robe over her sides, flames imprinted on the robe, with the symbol of a red fire ant in the middle. Each warrior had their own symbol, and Optimus had chosen one of the most intelligent and powerful animals in the animal kingdom, a gorilla, and it was a great silver symbol planted in the middle of the navy robe upon his horse. Optimus was considered the best rider and fighter, but Inferno was giving him a difficult time nonetheless.
The Predacon slashed his sword about ruthlessly, never giving Optimus a moment to attack him, as he was always on the defense. Optimus figured Inferno would grow tired soon, but was surprised to see that the Predacon had shown no signs of growing even the slightest bit weary.
Both of them were distracted, though, when there was a loud thump from behind, the sound of a horse in agony and the gut scream of a soldier as he fell. They both turned to see Terrorsaur had brought down Cheetor's horse, and Cheetor himself was hanging by his fingers on the edge of the bridge. The horse had a great gash in his side, and it was clear he wasn't going to be able to get up by himself. Optimus was torn in two. On one hand, if he helped Cheetor, he'd have to dismount and leave himself and his horse vulnerable to attack, but if he didn't help Cheetor...well, it was only a matter of time before one of the Predacons finished him off.
Inferno took advantage of Optimus's temporary indecision, and thrust his sword towards him. Optimus turned so that Inferno's initial aim of his heart was off, and instead he struck Optimus's shoulder. The King let out a cry of pain and his horse reared up in fright.
Meanwhile, Terrorsaur was upon his horse and looking down at Cheetor with an evil smirk.
"Awww, is the poor little squire in a bit of a mess, hmm? Hanging on for dear life? My my, your arms must be so tired by now."
Cheetor stared up at him, wide-eyed and watched as Terrorsaur moved his horse forward. The great beast put its hoof on Cheetor's left hand and Cheetor yelled and instinctively withdrew it. He almost fell, and was now holding on with just his right hand, while his left hand hung sore and broken by his side.
Terrorsaur laughed and reared up his horse, ready to bring it down when suddenly an arrow went through him. The Red Knight's eyes went wide with shock and a few moments later, he toppled off his horse and lay on the ground, and arrow in his side. Cheetor looked up, and saw Rattrap standing on top of the wall, his bow and arrow aimed. Cheetor sighed in relief, but was aware that his arm was growing tired, and that his fingers were slipping. He watched Rattrap dive down as a fiery rock almost knocked him from his perch. Cheetor then turned his attention to Dinobot, who was was bleeding badly from a gash on the side if his head, and another from his left arm.
Optimus called out, "Retreat! Retreat!" Both Dinobot and Optimus were both badly injured and the two galloped back inside the gate, leaving Cheetor alone with Megatron and Inferno.
Megatron hadn't noticed him and pursued Dinobot into the courtyard. Cheetor could hear Megatron's scream of shock and Rhinox's battle cry, and he knew that his big friend has given the Dark Prince a nasty surprise with his pike.
Inferno had thankfully rushed to his master's aid, and Cheetor was glad because the Predacon had been eyeing him with a demented grin a few seconds ago. Cheetor was left alone, dangling from the bridge, and for the first time he realized that no one was going to help him. He looked up to see Rattrap had disappeared and he feared that the archer had been knocked from the wall. Cheetor brought up his left hand gingerly, and tried to hold onto the bridge with it. It was immensely painful, and ultimately futile, as all his fingers were broken. He was holding on by his right hand's fingertips now, and knew in a few seconds he was going to fall. He heard a rumble and turned weakly to the source of the noise. Tarantulas was driving the catapult across the bridge!
Cheetor whimpered in dismay, and found he was too tired now to scream. He watched Tarantulas giggle madly and he whipped the horses that drew the monstrous weapon. It suddenly reminded him of his dream, except the fire-breathing dragon was a catapult.
"Victory is mine!!" Tarantulas screamed and let out another bout of maniacal laughter. It was cut short when one arrow then another, and quickly another, penetrated his throat and he slumped in his seat, dead, and still smiling.
Cheetor suddenly felt someone grab him and haul him onto the bridge, and once he was on safely, he looked up to see his savior.
"Airazor!" he whispered hoarsely.
She was pale and shivering with illness, but she managed a smile.
"Yes, it's me. But I'm afraid...I can't fight anymore. I'm spent...get onto the catapult, Cheetor. Steer it away, because although the driver is dead, the horses are pulling it still!"
Cheetor nodded adamantly and got to his feet.
"Stay here," he said and took his robe off and put it around her shoulders. He ran to the slowly moving catapult and jumped on. He climbed up the side of it and got to the driver's seat.
"Sorry, mate," he said as he pushed Tarantulas off his seat and let his body roll off the side of the machine and off the bridge. Cheetor grabbed the reigns attached to all the horses and pulled as hard as he could. The horses stopped, much to his relief.
"Now...what to do with this thing," Cheetor said softly.
Megatron was highly annoyed that Nightmare had reared up, thrown him off and run away when Rhinox stabbed her side with a pike. He'd fallen hard and twisted his ankle, and now he had to stand and fight, along with Inferno, against four Maximals. Two of them were injured, but Rhinox and Rattrap were healthy and full of anger.
Inferno was off his horse, afraid that she might do the same to him when Rhinox made a stab at her with his pike. The Predacon was having an intense duel with Dinobot, who had also dismounted, and despite his wounds, fought on bravely. Inferno had taken one arrow in his shoulder, thanks to Rattrap, but he ignored the pain.
Megatron was trying to fight Rhinox and Optimus, while dodging the odd arrow from Rattrap.
"Curse this! What is taking Tarantulas so long?"
Optimus was growing faint from loss of blood, and Rhinox pushed in front of him.
"Go inside and bathe your wounds, my King. I'll deal with Megatron!"
Megatron snorted.
"That's Prince Megatron to you, peasant!"
Rhinox dropped his pike and pulled his sword from his sheath.
Rhinox was a good pike man against cavalry, but he didn't do well with a sword against infantry. Megatron defeated him a few minutes later, when he sliced open his middle section. Rhinox fell backwards with an angry cry. The large man would not die, the wound was not deep enough, but he was injured enough for the time being to allow Megatron's focus to fall on Rattrap.
"Now, only you are in my way!" Megatron snarled and charged towards Rattrap.
Rattrap dropped his bow and arrow and gulped.
"Oh dear."
He took out his sword and stopped Megatron's first blow, but the little man knew he was no match for the Dark Prince when it came to sword skills. Megatron attacked ferociously, and managed to cut Rattrap across the face, from his cheek to his lip.
Rattrap winced in pain and glared at Megatron's grinning face. He spat blood at him and Megatron cursed him indignantly.
"You'll pay for that!"
He was about to give Rattrap a final blow when he heard a shout.
"Now that's not fair, Megatron! Why don't you fight someone your own size!"
Megatron turned around swiftly to see Cheetor and Airazor standing on the wall, bows and arrows aimed at him. Rhinox was up on his feet again, holding his bleeding stomach, but with his free hand he was holding his sword. Dinobot had Inferno pinned down and had his sword to the Predacon's throat.
Rattrap spoke from behind Megatron.
"Surrender, Prince, you are defeated!"
Megatron turned toward the open gate, to see that the catapult was nowhere in sight, and neither was Tarantulas. Realizing now that he was outnumbered and that his plan had failed, Megatron took a few cautious steps backward.
He turned to look at Rattrap.
"Maybe this time. But there will be another."
With that, he made a swift move with his sword and knocked Dinobot's out of his hand. Immediately Inferno got to his feet and the two of them ran out through the gate and picked up a groaning Terrorsaur as they crossed the bridge and headed back home.
Rhinox let out a heavy sigh and dropped his sword. Rattrap was there with him in the blink of an eye, and he started to help his friend walk back inside. Dinobot sucked his sore knuckles and grumbled as he picked up his sword.
Cheetor emerged from the staircase, holding Airazor, who had fainted with weakness.
Dinobot approached them both.
"What is she doing outside?" Dinobot exclaimed.
Cheetor shrugged.
"She came to help."
Dinobot shook his head slightly, and brushed a strand of her long black hair from out of her face.
"She's pale, but she's looking a little better. Best get her back to bed, though."
Cheetor nodded and a small smile appeared on his face.
Dinobot had a soft spot for Airazor, it was obvious.
"Where's Optimus?" Cheetor suddenly asked, alarmed.
"Inside, tending to some bad wounds. He'll recover. He fought bravely, as did you. I'm sorry...Cheetor, that we had to leave you. It was a strategic move...we-"
Cheetor patted him on the arm and Dinobot flinched.
"Oh...sorry. I forgot about your wound. And, it's all right. I'm alive, aren't I?"
He turned to look at Tigatron, to find the slain soldier was no longer there.
"Where's..."
Dinobot sighed.
"Rhinox took his body inside earlier. It is sad, that we lost such a brave fighter. But we are lucky he is our only fatality."
Cheetor nodded gently and the two of them started to walk back inside.
"By the way, Cheetor," Dinobot said as he entered the hall, "what happened to the catapult?"
"I let the horses go free, and set fire to it."
Dinobot looked extremely relieved.
"Good. We outnumber the Predacons too...unless Blackarachnia and Waspinator survived the jump."
"I wouldn't be surprised if they did," Cheetor said. "Blackarachnia always has a hook-ended rope and she's survived falls more than once before, as has Waspinator.
Dinobot walked towards the fire and once again put his hands over it. He'd have to wait for medical treatment until Rhinox had treated himself.
"Then there will be more battles to come, and we may not be so lucky next time."
Cheetor grinned.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that! I received a letter from my cousin a day ago. He's coming to stay with us for a few months, and he's an excellent knight and archer!"
Dinobot looked at him curiously.
"Really? What is his name?"
Cheetor crouched by the fire and enjoyed its warmth.
"Silverbolt."