As always: I OWN NOTHING!

ThunderCats: War of Kings

Chapter II: King without a Throne

A cracking sound echoed through the Royal Palace's training grounds as a whip landed a blow on a training dummy. What made this dummy different was that it was made to resemble the traitorous "Rebel Prince".

Every day for the past three days, the Crown Prince Tygra had been out there training. After General Grune's death, his father had made him the head of the Thunderian army, taking the place of his mentor. Claudus also charged him with the duty of capturing Lion-O and bring him to justice.

As Tygra continued to whip the dummy, he could not help but imagine it as the real Lion-O. It seemed almost unreal how the lion had taken everything from him. His mother, the late Queen Leona, who accepted the tiger as if he was her own flesh-and-blood son, had died trying to give birth to Lion-O. He had killed General Grune, the man that had taken Tygra under his wing and was like a second father to him. And then, worst of all, Lion-O had manipulated Cheetara, the very woman the tiger loved, into doing his every bidding.

Tygra paused in his attacks if only for the moment. His injuries that he received from his beating had long since healed, but his heart had yet to recover. The Crown Prince would keep himself awake at night, his thoughts plagued by the memories of his brutal beating by his beloved. Despite it all, Tygra still loved Cheetara, and he would free her from Lion-O's grasp.

He was so deep in his thoughts that he had not heard someone's approach. "Your Highness."

Tygra quickly turned to see his second-in-command, General Lynx-O, standing before him. The gray irises of the lynx's blind eyes unnerved the Crown Prince. He always wondered how the General still managed to find his way without sight.

"I thought I said that I did not wish to be disturbed during my training, General Lynx-O," Tygra grumbled.

"I apologize, Prince Tygra," the blind cat bowed, "but your father sent me. He requests your presence in the council chamber immediately."

Tygra frowned at this. He wondered what was so important that his father would call him to the Council. Was it another surge of Lizard raiding parties in the outer settlements? Or was it another traitorous noble abandoning the King of Thundera and proclaiming his support for the "true" Lord of the ThunderCats?

Tygra followed Lynx-O into the Royal Palace and down its hallways, the tiger still wondering how the blind lynx found his way. They eventually reached the doors of the Council Chamber, guarded by two Clerics. The guardians of the throne opened the doors and the prince and general entered the room.

As the doors closed behind them, Tygra saw his father read from a piece of vellum. "Tygra," Claudus said and motioned to a chair next to him, "come take a seat."

Tygra took his place at the king's side. "What is that you're reading, Father?"

"Another manifesto from the Order of the Hand," Claudus growled. "Listen to this: 'All of Thundera should pledge themselves to the rightful King Lion-O, the true Lord of the ThunderCats. The cruel false King Claudus has committed unspeakable crimes against this once great nation. Only when King Lion-O brings him to justice and reclaims the Throne of Thundera will our kingdom be brought into a new golden age not seen since the first King Leo.'"

Claudus glared at the manifesto before he tore it in twain. "What utter nonsense," the king said. "The boy is a king without a throne, and this Order blindly follows him."

It was then that a leopard spoke up. "But this Order also has managed to secure supporters for your son, Your Majesty." This was Lord Pardalis, the new Head Cleric appointed briefly after Jaga's death. Though he was short in stature, he made up for his size in speed and skill. "It's not just nobles and governors, many of our soldiers and several of our most loyal Clerics have defected to Lion-O and the Order of the Hand."

This reminder from the Head Cleric brought grim faces to those in the chamber. Tygra only wondered what his father was thinking behind his face of stone. He wondered what his father thought of his own flesh and blood leading a rebellion against him.

"Is there anything else that requires my attention?" Claudus asked, the tension heard clearly in his tone.

Another lord stood up, a sealed envelope in his hands. "Your Majesty," he said, "we have received yet another message from Lord Ratar-O."

Claudus groaned. "Let me guess," he said, "the Master of Mount Plun-Darr is once again offering me this 'ultimate weapon' of his."

"Perhaps we should consider his offer, Your Majesty," the lord said again. "This weapon could give us an edge over the Order of the Hand's Technology. Also, there are the reports that General Slithe's armies are now armed with their own Technology."

Claudus snarled. "Thundera has stood for countless generations and will still stand without the aid of other animals, especially from rats like this Lord Ratar-O."

"But, Your Majes—"

"I will not make deals with a rat!" Claudus spat out the last word like a curse. The king calmed down for a bit before speaking again. "Is there anything else that we need to discuss?" They all shook their heads in the negative. "Then this council is adjourned."

Claudus quickly left the council chambers along with the others, leaving Tygra and Lynx-O alone. "Is there something wrong, Your Highness?" the blind general asked.

Tygra frowned. "He's still out there," he said. "Lion-O is still out there, and he is destroying everything Thundera stands for, everything that Leo stood for, and we cannot do anything about it."

Lynx-O made his way to leave, passing the Crown Prince as he did. "I believe that there is more to this so-called 'rebellion' than we know," he said to the tiger.

The general was gone before Tygra could retort. Such talk would be considered treason, but the tiger would let it slide for now. All he could think about right now was Lion-O, and how he would be brought down in the end.

Lady Kotiya was a leopard not known for her patience. As the first female governor of a Thunderian settlement, she held a lot of influence amongst the nobility and had a small army of her own. She allowed herself to be dressed in a tight black dress that did nothing to hide her curves.

Kotiya had to admit the Order of the Hand knew when secrecy was important. The soldiers that escorted her didn't remove her blindfold until after they arrived. It was then that she saw the statues first. On the left was Leo, Thundera's first king and Lord of the ThunderCats, who held the Sword of Omens with the blade downward. And on the right was Queen Leona, Lord Lion-O's late mother. If what the Order had told her was true, it would make sense that they would have a statue of her here in honor of her sacrifice.

But the true marvel was behind these statues, for behind them stood the Cat's Lair. Kotiya was now entering the rumored stronghold that the entire Thunderian army was trying desperately to find. One of the two hangar doors opened as the "Armored Troop Carrier" (nicknamed the Big-Cat by the soldiers) entered the lair, but not before the leopard saw the lion's head at the top of the fortress.

Kotiya expected to meet Lord Lion-O in the Great Hall, but was told that she would have to wait until he returned from an "unexpected" rescue mission. That was the problem; he was supposed to wait for her, not the other way around. This was why she now stood alone in the Grand Hall of the Cat's Lair.

"Lady Kotiya," she heard Valern call out. The Grand Master was walking to her. "Let me apologize once more for this delay. Lord Lion-O should be along shortly."

The first female governor frowned. "You and your subordinates have been saying that for the past hour, Grand Master," Kotiya said.

"Say it enough times, and it will become true, Lady Kotiya."

The governor turned to see Lord Lion-O—the Claw Shield and Sword of Omens strapped to his thigh—entering with his Head Cleric. Kotiya slightly grimaced as she saw that the rumors of Lady Cheetara's beauty were true. She also wondered if the other rumor about the Rebel Prince and Head Cleric were true.

Lady Kotiya bowed gracefully in respect. "My King," she said, "it is the greatest honor in my life to meet you."

"I am not a king yet, Lady Kotiya," Lion-O told her honestly. "You can't exactly be one without a throne."

The governor smiled. "You may not sit on the Throne of Thundera today," Kotiya said, "but it always helps to strengthen your claim. If you are to be king, you must call yourself one."

To Lion-O, that did not seem logical. He wondered what Kotiya was playing at. Everyone has a price. Some of the nobles had supported Lion-O out of loyalty, but there was that small part that wanted a favor from the Rebel Prince. So the question was: what did Kotiya want?

"Grand Master Valern has told me that you wish to support me and the Order," Lion-O said. "What exactly are you offering us?"

Lady Kotiya smiled. "Whatever you need to take the throne, Lord Lion-O, it will be at your disposal. Should you need soldiers, my army is available to you. Should you be running low on food, I'm sure we have room in our granaries to support you. And should you or any of your allies need shelter, my settlement shall gladly house and protect you."

"You are too generous, Lady Kotiya," Lion-O said, slightly impressed by her offer. "There must be something that I can do to repay you."

Lady Kotiya's eyes seemed to be traveling up and down Lion-O's body, and Cheetara did not like it one bit. She would have to be blind not to see the leopard undressing her prince with her eyes. The Head Cleric breathed deeply and balled her fists to try to quell the rage growing inside her.

"I have no doubt that you will be a strong king, Lord Lion-O," Kotiya said, placing her hand on his arm, "but you will still need a loyal queen by your side."

Lady Kotiya wrapped herself around the Rebel Prince's forearm, her breasts pressing against him through her dress. "I know that most kings choose lionesses to marry," the leopard purred, "but King Leo's wife was not one herself. I believe it is time to break away from that old tradition."

Kotiya began to whisper in his ear. "Let me be your queen, oh great King of Thundera," she murmured in a sultry whisper. "I will be faithful only to you, and I will bear you strong sons and beautiful daughters. Please, let me love you as only I can. This is all I ask of you."

It took all of Cheetara's will not to visibly seethe. Every nerve in her body screamed to attack the whore that dared to touch the cheetah's love. Though she already knew that Lion-O would not agree to such a thing, Cheetara still hated the fact that this woman thought she could seduce him.

Lion-O had his own opinion on this. Kotiya seemed to have thought all this through. Though she was older than him by several years, it was not exactly scandalous that an older woman would marry a younger man any more. It was also not much of a big deal for cats to marry outside of their breed. Though some old conservatives could rant about him marrying someone who is not a lioness, they could not argue that it was an old tradition that was becoming obsolete. Lion-O could accept Kotiya's offer and take her as his queen.

But, unfortunately for her, Lion-O had Cheetara by his side, and nothing would tear him away from her.

Lion-O released himself from the leopard's grip and strode over to Cheetara. Kotiya's eyes seemed to almost bulge out of her head as the Rebel Prince brought his Head Cleric into a passionate kiss, one that the cheetah enthusiastically reciprocated.

Lion-O looked to the governor after he broke away from the kiss. "My apologies, Lady Kotiya," he said to her, "but I'm afraid I will have to say no to you being my queen." He gestured to Cheetara. "As you have seen, my Head Cleric and I are involved with each other, and I do not see myself changing my mind any time soon."

"Think carefully, Lord Lion-O," Kotiya said after composing herself. "You would be making a mistake in refusing me."

It was Cheetara that spoke up. "And it would be you making a mistake when you thought he wouldn't," the Head Cleric said. "You cannot come in here, make such a demand, and think to throw yourself at Lord Lion-O just so he could say yes to you. You would have better luck with Prince Tygra if you wish to whore yourself out to anyone with power."

It was no surprise that the leopard began to seethe. "You little bitch," she almost screamed. "How dare you insult me in such a way? Lord Lion-O should learn to keep his servants on a shorter leash."

"And you should learn how to treat your betters in a respectful manner," Lion-O spoke up. "I think you have over-stayed your welcome, Lady Kotiya. I shall have my soldiers safely escort you back to your settlement."

The first female governor stared hard at the Lord of the ThunderCats. "I will not forget this, Lord Lion-O," Kotiya hissed.

She then took her leave, exiting the Grand Hall as fast as she could. Lion-O had no doubt that the leopard would try something against him, but he would deal with that eventually.

Valern approached the Rebel Prince, and he did not seem happy. "Lion-O," he said, trying to remain calm, "do you have any idea on what you have just done? We have just lost who could have been one of our most influential supporters."

Lion-O only changed the subject. "Cheetara and I know where the Tower of Omens may be," he said. "The two of us and the other ThunderCats shall begin our search there, and, hopefully, we will find the Book of Omens. We are leaving first thing in the morning."

"Is this lost book more important than gaining support for our efforts?" Valern asked, seething.

"It is if we have any chance against Mumm-Ra," Lion-O argued.

"Mumm-Ra will not matter if Claudus kills us all first," the Grand Master almost yelled. It took some time for Valern to calm himself down. "What if this search proves fruitless? What if this book of legend is just that, a legend?"

Before he said anything, Lion-O stared hard at the puma in front of him. "Then pray, Grand Master, that it is not just a legend."

It was then the Lord of the ThunderCats left with his Head Cleric following close behind, leaving the Order's Grand Master alone with his thoughts. Valern was never the praying sort, but after Lord Lion-O left in the morning, it was perhaps time for him to do just that.