Authors note, the passages referring to and use of the lion clan blood mating is a creation by Tara, I have her full permission to use it in this story which picks up after the return home.

Souls unite

By Leanna

Chapter 1

After the Ty-Khan was over Panthro took the lioness's hand and went back to his bedchambers. Once inside the panther walked over and sat heavily down on his bed.
"Panthro," Leanna said kneeling in front of him, "are you sure your alright," she asked softly caressing his bruised face.
"I will be," he said smiling softly at her putting his hand over hers, "that whelp can pack quite a punch," he chuckled slightly then winched putting his free hand on his rib cage.
"You really should have Pumyra or Tygra check you over to be on the safe side," Leanna said running her fingers over his ribs cage.
"I said I'll be fine…you worry to much," The panther snorted.
"Me worry too much…. bah…that's rich coming from you," she smirked.
"It's my job to worry," Panthro nodded.
"Oh really and what's my job," the lioness asked putting her hands on her hips.
"Just to be your beautiful self," he smiled, "and warm my bed," He teased.
"Hey," she growled and grabbed his ear, "I'm more then just a bed warmer Panther".
"There's that fiery spirit," he smirked, "and yes baby you're more then just a bed warmer," he winked
The lioness rolled her eyes, "I think you took one too many punches to the head," She said letting go of his ear, "look what you've done…. you've reopened the stitches on your arm".
"Meh…all it needs is to be cleaned and it will be ok," Panthro nodded.
"Why do you insist on being so damn stubborn panther," Leanna said standing and walking into the bathroom.
"I wouldn't be me if I wasn't," He nodded as she returned with a basin of warm water and a soft cloth.
The lioness cocked a brow and set the basin down on the nightstand and put the cloth in the water, "it's going to be your undoing…you do know that," she said wring the cloth out and started cleaning the blood from his face.
"I wouldn't talk woman…your worse then I am at times," he said capturing her hand, "You know if I weren't stubborn you'd be on your way back to New Thundera getting ready to marry that idiot".
"I know," she said quietly gently wiping the blood from his face.
"Lea," he said quietly, "about what happened at the space port"
"I would rather forget about Gaston Schwenk and his friend," she nodded.
"I know but, it still bothers me…I wasn't there to protect you," He said quietly.
"Panthro…. I know what your thinking and the answer is no…he didn't touch me…believe me he wanted nothing to do with me once he found out I meant business," she smirked," he has the scars to prove it".
"That's my girl," Panthro grinned.
"But that's not the only thing on your mind is it," she asked.
"No," the panther said shaking his head, "I keep wondering if circumstances were different, if you had of been home…would you have…taken something to prevent going into season".
"Do you wish I would have," she said lowering her head.
"Lea…. how can you say that," He scowled.
"Well you brought it up," she answered, "if you asked me such a thing then you wish I would have".
"No, no, no…. I didn't mean it the way it sounded," He sighed, "I just meant…was it meant to be or…would you have done something to prevent it".
"Honestly…. I don't know Panthro…. it's not that I wouldn't want to have a child with you...it's just that I don't want you to feel trapped into anything," she said raising her head and finally looked at him.
"Lea…you know how I feel about you…. and if by chance you are carrying my cub…then nothing would make me prouder," he smiled.
"But you and I both know not to get any hopes up…I mean with the thundranium poisoning and all," she said quietly.
"I know Lea…. but let's not worry about that now," The panther said and captured her hands in between his, "I have something to show you," He said getting up and walking over to his wardrobe and taking a small box down off the shelf.
Leanna sat down on the foot of the bed as Panthro sat down and set the box between them, he opened the lid, Leanna looked in and saw a small red stone and a small black velvet cloth Panthro picked up the cloth and opened it, "this has been in my family for many generations," he said showing her a bright red stone that was fashioned into an earring.
"It's very pretty," the lioness said watch the stud glitter in the light.
"It's worn by the female to signify she is married," the panther nodded, "It was my mother's ". Leanna looked at him and smiled, "what's that stone, "she asked nodding to the larger bright red stone.
"This," he said picking it up between his fingers, "is also very old…this is what's known in the Panther clan as the blood stone…it was said to have gotten it's colour from the blood of two lovers who were forbidden to see each other…neither one could live with out the other, the two met at sunset in a cave, where they were caught by the woman's brother, he killed her young lover, the woman was so distraught she took her own life, as she lay dying beside her beloved their blood seeped into the ground and surrounding rocks creating the blood stone, it is said if two lover mix their blood and let it seep into the stone their spirits will be bound together for all eternity like the two who created the stone".
"May I," Leanna asked holding out her hand, Panthro nodded and placed the stone in her hand, the lioness was shocked, the stone was warm and almost seemed to be alive, "it's a very sad story," she said turning the stone over in her palm, "but yet at the same time a beautiful one, two hearts and souls united for all eternity…much like the blood mating of the lion clan"
"Yes," Panthro smiled placing his hand over hers capturing the stone between their palms, "tonight at sunset," he said. The lioness looked at him and nodded, "Yes my love," she smiled. Panthro took the bloodstone and placed it back in the box. Leanna stood and headed for the door.
"Where you going," the panther asked.
"I have to tell the others," she winked and left the room.

"Sunset...as in tonight," Snarf complained.
"Yes snarf…tonight at sunset," Leanna nodded.
"Kind of short notice don't you think," Lion-O said scratching his head.
"yeah..that's like seven hours from now," Snarf complained
"All you have to do is show up," Leanna nodded.
"Oooooh no," Cheetara said putting her arm around Leanna's shoulder, "that won't do at all…you see we've known that panther for a very long time and we want to celebrate, so we'll need at least a week".
"Well I don't think he will want to wait a week," Leanna said, "but you will have to ask him that yourself".
"Ask me what," Panthro asked coming into the kitchen after he had showered and changed.
"They want us to wait a week," Leanna nodded.
"Your joking right," Panthro said.
"Nope they are serious love," the lioness nodded.
"Sorry but we are not waiting a week, the mutants or lunatacs get wind of this they will see that as a chance to attack," Panthro said folding his arms across his chest defiantly.
"Oh…never thought of that," Cheetara said, "well then I guess we have a busy day ahead of us," she winked.

Unknown to the felines deep inside the black pyramid Mumm-ra stood watching, "so the Thundercats don't want anyone to know what their planning," he said looking down at his beloved pet. The mummified hound looked up at his master giving him a questioning look.
"I know what you're thinking you decrepit hound, none of my past plans have worked," he said walking around his cauldron thinking, he stopped and gazed into the dark water. A evil smile crossed his leathery lips, "that's it ma-mutt. It's prefect," he said turning and stood at the edge of the cauldron, he looked up at the four stone statues that surrounded the viewing pool.
"Ancient spirits of evil…. send me BASSET the cat goddess," he bellowed, the eyes of the four statues took on an eerie red glow. The mummy stood back as the waters glowed and spun, lightening lit the room, a few moments later the water began to calm. The smiled widened on the mummy's face as the water receded and a figure hovered over the water.
"Welcome my dear," Mumm-ra nodded and slightly bowed as the woman with the head of a lioness and body of a human slowly came down and stood on the platform.
"What do you want with me," the cat goddess asked slightly annoyed.
"Now, now Basset ….no need to be that way, "Mumm-ra said coyly, "I have some interesting news"
"Oh really, "she sad crossing her arms over her ample chest.
"Oh yes…it's about you beloved cat's…. I'm afraid they are no more…you four legged children no longer roam this earth in their original form, "Mumm-ra said.
"What do you mean, "she asked slightly confused.
"They have taken humanoid form," Mumm-ra nodded.
"You lie, "she hissed.
"See for yourself my dear, "he said pointing to the viewing pool
The goddess looked as the waters cleared and showed the inside of cat's lair, her eyes widened when she seen the Thundercats, 'what…what is the meaning of this," she said narrowing her eyes.
"As you can see my dear…your beloved cats have turned into theses creatures you see before you," Mumm-ra said, "The cats of this world are no more, all that are left is what you see before you".
"What…. no that's, that's impossible," Basset said sadly, "my beloved cats…gone".
"Oh there maybe a few of the smaller ones left…but the most of the big cats have turned into this," Mumm-ra nodded towards the pool.
The cat goddess closed her eyes and searched with her mind, "most of them are gone…killed by man kind, "she said opening her eyes, a growled formed in her throat, "No…I can't let my beloved cat's live like this…trapped in humanoid bodies, they were never meant to live like that…they were meant to be free".
"But what can you do to fix this, "Mumm-ra asked innocently.
"Put things back as they were suppose to be…take the cat out of the man," Basset nodded.
The mummy smirked, "you mean make them fully human," Mumm-ra asked.
"Yes…… I will free my feline children…they will be free to roam and live where they please," Basset nodded, "once they go to sleep each one will in turn be freed leaving only their human forms behind," the woman said then in a flash vanished.
Mumm-ra cackled with laughter, " oh ma-mutt…this will be perfect, "he said picked his beloved hound up, "I can't wait to see the look on the Thundercats faces when they wake up human," he chuckled, "can you picture the confusion…the pandemonium…they won't know what hit them," he said throwing his head back laughing.

Back at cat's lair, the dinning room was a buzz with what was going to happen at sunset.
"I know this maybe a stupid question Panthro," Kit said, "but why Sunset"
"Well that's just the time it has to be," the panther nodded.
"You never told them about the blood stone," Leanna asked.
""Blood stone," Lion-o said.
"So I take that as a no," the lioness said cocking a brow.
"Well it's not something I never thought I needed to bring up," Panthro shrugged
"What you never thought you'd take a mate," The lioness asked.
"Frankly... no," he nodded eating his lunch.
"Anyway...what is this bloodstone, " Lion-O asked.
"It's something very special indeed...you know about the blood mating," Leanna nodded.
"Yes of course," the lion nodded.
"Well this is something similar, only this a stone is used. Once the couples blood seeps into the stone, they are bound together for all eternity," Leanna nodded.
"Seems I've heard about that," Tygra nodded, "wasn't the stone formed when two forbidden lovers died in each other arms, there blood seeped into the ground and combined creating the stone".
"Yes," Panthro nodded.
"Oh that's so romantic," kit smiled, "who knew such a tale would come from the Panther clan," she said.
Panthro cocked a brow, "and exactly what do you mean by that, " He scowled.
"Umm… Nothing," she said quickly lowering her head.
"I don't think she meant it as an insult Panthro," Tygra nodded," just that well… We've never seen that side of you quite frankly".
"You've always been so…. serious and…. temperamental," Kat piped up.
"Can you believe these guys," Panthro snorted looking at the lioness who was trying hard not to laugh.
"Well they just don't know you like I do, "she smiled and winked.
"And we don't want to either," Lion-O teased.
Panthro looked at the lion and growled, Lion-O decided to push his luck, "So tell me something Leanna, why would you want some old cat like him, when you could have had a buff young stud like me," Lion-o teased.
"To be frank, I want a man whose ego isn't bigger then his muscles," Leanna snorted.
"She's got you there," Kit snickered.
"You calling me arrogant," Lion-O said in mock anger.
"Well red…. if the wild mane fits," Leanna smirked.
Lion-o threw back his head and roared with laughter, "now see that's why I like her," the lion said wiping tears from his eyes.
"Disrespectful," Snarf said shaking his head, "That's what that is…. talking to Lion-O like that," The fury creature said chattering his teeth.
"Aww come on Snarf," Lion-O said patting his former nursemaid on the head, "I deserved it…that's what I get for teasing her," he winked.
Snarf just gave him an odd look and started clearing the table, Lion-O chuckled, "well guys let's get back to work".
"Come on Myra," Tygra nodded, "we have some supplies to pick up in the birble and wollow village".

As dusk approached the lioness sat at her vanity, Myra, Cheetara arrived an hour before to help get things ready, "you know for a woman who is about to be wed you seem very sad," Cheetara said brushing the lioness's long mane.
"I always pictured my whole family with me when this day arrived," Leanna sighed, "but we both know that's not going to happen, my father went back home the second the Ty-Khan was over and he will probably never speak to me again…my mother has to go back home and probably sell her possessions to pay my father's debt to keep from losing the house".
"Leanna that's not your doing," Myra said braiding the lioness's long hair and winding a white ribbon through it, "your father got himself into that mess, so it's his problem…would you rather of just went back home and married a total strange just to please your father".
"Well no," Leanna said, "Why do you think I ran in the first place".
"Tell me something," Cheetara said, "I always wondered why your hair was so long, I mean its sort of a hindrance if in a fight".
"Tradition," Leanna nodded, "a lioness is not allowed to cut her hair until the day she weds, then it's the male who cuts it to seal his claim on her, once the braid is cut and he burns it she is belongs to him".
"Ahh hence the display at the end of the Ty-Khan. "Myra nodded.
"Yes, he cut off a short section to claim his right as my mate," Leanna smiled, "once the rest of it is cut, I can wear my hair down if I wish. A lioness with long braided hair means she is unwed".
"Well he's got a lot to cut off," Myra chuckled admiring her handy work, " I made the braid 12 inches like you said," she replied holding up the braid, the white ribbon sectioned off where it was going to be cut.
"Thank-you Myra," Leanna smiled.
"I just wish that panther wasn't in such a hurry…we wanted to throw a huge gathering," Cheetara nodded.
"Tara you know Panthro wouldn't like that… besides as long as our friends are there that's all that matter's to us," The lioness said.
"Well from what I smell coming from the kitchen Snarf's been cooking all afternoon," Myra chuckled.
"Oh I know…. We're in for a huge feast this evening," Cheetara smiled.
" It's time," Sahara said coming into the room, "the men just left".
Leanna looked out the window and seen the sun would soon set, the women left the lair and walked to the lagoon that was just inside the unicorn forest less then half a mile from the lair.

Lion-O and Tygra stood on either side of the panther as he smiled at his bride, Lion-O stepped forward and offered his arm, The lioness smiled and took it, Lion-O grinned and escorted her to her groom, Lion-O bowed slight as Panthro took the lioness's hand. He put his hands over the top of Leanna and Panthro's, "I Lord of the Thundercats, give my permission for this union, to you both I give my love and my blessings".
The panther turned to face his Bride, "I take you Leanna as my wife. I belong to you. I offer my life to you. All that I have and all that I am I share with you freely and unconditionally," Panthro smiled as he drove the red stoned stud through the Lioness's left ear midway between the tip and ear lobe.
Sahara stood and walked over to the couple, she bowed and held out a small box towards the lioness and opened it. Inside was a solid gold hoop, "for your mate," She smiled and nodded. Leanna looked at Panthro who had knelt down on one knee in front of her, he looked up at her and winked. Leanna smiled and nodded to her mother as she took the earring form her, the elder lioness returned to her spot.

"I take you Panthro, as my Husband. I belong to you. I offer my life to you. All that I have and all that I am I share with you freely and unconditionally," Leanna smiled as she quickly drove the sharp end of the hoop swiftly though the Panther's left ear.

Tygra stepped forward and held out a small decorative dagger Panthro reached out and took a hold of the braid, "I abide by all of the lion clan traditions," the panther said as he cut the rest of her long braid and tossed it into a small fire.
The lioness turned slightly and looked at her mother who beamed with joy and wiped a few stray tears from her eyes, Then her attention was drawn back to the big panther as he wrapped one arm around her waist and grabbed her wrist with the other.
He admitted a low growl as he brought her wrist up and nuzzling it to his face. A chill went down the lioness's spine as she felt his hot breath on her bare flesh. She gasped and froze as he sunk his teeth into her arm drawing blood.
Leanna growled lowly as she grabbed the panther's wrist. She rubbed her cheek against his palm and smiled at him Panthro hissed as she sunk her teeth into his flesh Initiating the first step of the blood mating.
The panther lace his fingers with hers and placed the blood stone between their palms, "as our blood seeps into the stone we become one heart one soul, bound together for all eternity," he said then drew his bride to him kissing her tenderly, the blood from there wounds running down their wrists in-between their palms and into the stone.
As the sun went down it crept along the walls of the small cliff that surrounded the lagoon, the fading light hit their clasped hands the stone reacted, giving off a soft red glow signalling the pair were now bonded. Panthro drew back his head and looked at his mate and gently caressed her cheek with his free hand. The Lioness looked at him and smiled.
"Did you see that," Myra whispered.
"Yes," Snarf blubbered blowing his nose on a handkerchief.
"Let's go back and celebrate, " Lion-O smiled putting his arm around the cheetah.
For the rest of the evening they all celebrated with food and drink, it wasn't long before the newlyweds snuck off to their bedchamber.
"Suppose we'll see then before noon tomorrow," Lion-O teased.
"Hmm, hard to say," Tygra chuckled, "but I wouldn't want to be the one to interrupt them"

Early the next morning Basset perched herself on top of the head of cat's lair, she looked out as the stars started to fade into the approaching dawn, she raised her hands in the air, "let my children be free, let them roam this earth once more," she said looking up at the sky.
The clouds rolled in and started churning, the goddess eyes glowed, "be free my beloved cats…be free," she cried out and clapped her hands together over her head. A flash of lightening lit the sky and a clap of thunder rumbled slightly shook the Thundercats home. As quickly as it came it vanished along with Basset.
Half an hour later the sun peeked over the horizon, Lion-O was the first to wake. The Thundercat lord looked over at his beloved cheetah and smiled and climbed groggily out of bed, he padded barefoot to the bathroom and turned on the light, he leaned over the sink and turned on the faucet, cupping his hands together he splashed cool water on his face like he done every morning to help wake himself up.
As he reached over for the soft fluffy towel, he noticed he felt different some how…he just couldn't put his finger on it, he grabbed the towel and dried his face, he looked up in the mirror and nearly passed out.
The lion quickly jumped back in shock and turned around…no one was behind him the he slowly turned back to the mirror, "wholey Thundera," he exclaimed seeing the reflection in the mirror, he stepped closer, "no it must be a trick," he said leaning closer to the mirror. He reached up and touched his pale face, the looked down at his hands, his once sharp claws were replaced with flat dull fingernails, he looked up and studied his reflection, gone was the masking around his eyes and mouth, his short sharp fangs were replaced by normal teeth, his eyes were no longer a bright amber, the were now hazel, his once bright red full mane now was now dull flat copper colour hair.
Not only had his appearance changed so did his height and build, he now stood barely six foot, his one well muscled arms were now gone, everything that made who he was. Was gone, instead of a once powerful thunderian male of the lion clan stood a human. Once the shock was over and reality set in he turned and looked at Cheetara who remained unchanged, she was still herself. He stood and shook his head in confusion, trying to understand what happened.
"Lion-O," Cheetara said slowly opening her eyes, she sensed something was wrong, "Everything alright," she asked concerned.
"No," he croaked nearly in tears.
"Lion-O…. what's wrong," The cheetah asked getting out f bed.
"No…Stop…. don't come any closer," the lion said quickly shutting off the bathroom light.
"Lion-O…please…your starting to scare me," Cheetara said inching closer.
"Oh Tara…you have no idea," he sighed, "don't say I didn't warn you, "he said flicking the light back on.
"By Jaga," the cheetah gasped seeing her beloved lion in human form standing in the door way, "how …how did this happen," she asked stunned,
"I ….I don't know, "the lion said, "but we have to fix it."
"We have to tell the others," Cheetara nodded.

Further down the hall the lioness slowed started to wake, she stirred slightly still wrapped in her husbands arms, as her senses started to wake, she knew something was different, she could feel the panthers warm body next to her, but somehow something felt different, she slowly realized his scent was a bit off.
Leanna slowly opened her eyes, she looked at Panthro, instead of her beloved panther a man with skin the colour of hot chocolate lay in her bed, she screamed and tumbled out of bed, "Who the hell are you…how did you get in here and what have you done with my husband, "she growled grabbing the sheet and covering her body.
"What you going on about woman," Panthro snorted, "you having a night mare or something".
The lioness growled, leapt up on the bed and clamped her hand around the man's throat digging her claws into his flesh, "where's Panthro," she demanded.
"Whoa…Lea…what the hell," he said grabbing her hand to pry it loose.
"You have three seconds to answer me before I rip out your throat," Leanna growled fiercely.
"Lea…calm down…it's me…now let go," Panthro said then noticed his hand, "what the hell," he said looking at his hands, then looked at the lioness, " Lea…what's going on," he asked glancing down at the rest of his body, "I'm…I'm"
"Tell me who you are," Leanna snarled.
"Human," Panthro finished, "but, but".
Panthro just lay there stunned ignoring the lioness's sharp claws in his neck, "Lea…it's me," he said reaching out and touching her face.
The lioness growled, "Lea…look," he said showing her the bite mark on his forearm just below his wrist.
She looked and gasped and quickly released him, "Pan," she said shocked.
"Yeah baby…. it's me…. well mostly me," he said then got up and went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror, "wholey shit," he gasped seeing his reflection in the mirror. Like the lion his marking were gone, everything that made him thunderian was gone, he also lost height and muscle mass, he now was just under six feet tall and might have weighted 150 pounds soaking wet. The once mighty strong man was now a skinny human with dark brown skin.