Cheerio was born to a litter of eight in a breeder’s home. At a few weeks old he was adopted by a family with two children and a dog, and there he remained for the next three years. He was happy living with his twoleg family, leading for the most part a very simple life as a kittypet. As a kitten he did deal with a genetic disease that led to his teeth erupting, causing him immense pain. He would scratch viciously at his face in an attempt to alleviate the pain, leaving scars on his muzzle. Eventually, though, through the help of medication he was cured. After that all was dandy in Cheerio's life.

One day, the twolegs loaded him up into the car for a ride. He was excited, looking forward to going somewhere. Cheerio loves to go new places and meet new people, after all. During the ride he sat by one of the children, who tied a teabag around his neck like a necklace. It was a peaceful ride, looking out the window and admiring his new necklace. Little did he know, this would be his last ride with his family. Far out in the countryside the adult twolegs pulled over, opening the door and dropping him off into the grass. He sniffed around excitedly, wondering what they were doing there. But then the monster roared to life once more, and he turned and watched as they pulled away, disappearing off out of sight. Not sure what was happening, he sat under a nearby tree, waiting for them to return. He sat there for three days, but at last reluctantly left in search of food. Surely, no matter how far he went, they would still be able to find him when they returned. After all, they were his family.

Cheerio spent the next few days failing again and again at finding any food. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to catch anything. Then, by pure chance, he came across a large group of cats. They were wary of him at first, but he was clearly hungry and overly friendly, so at last they agreed to feed him. Cheerio wound up travelling with these cats for a good while, learning the story of a great war from them. When the cats at last found a new territory to settle into Cheerio was offered a place among them, joining Emberclan. Though he cannot hunt or fight, they were kind enough to give him a place amongst their elders, and now he spends most of his time in Emberclan camp cheering up downtrodden cats, entertaining apprentices, and getting on the nerves of the more serious warriors. However, he continues to claim that his stay in the clan is only temporary. Just until his twolegs return for him.