When the bough breaks
Chapter 2
By Leanna
Tygra shouted to the others and knelt down beside Panthro, the panther's shout had startled the newborn which made the infant start softly crying. "Thank Jaga we found her," Tygra said as he moved the ferns out of the way. Panthro never spoke, his eyes fixated on the squirming child. Myra dropped to the ground and quickly started cleaning and drying the newborn, "the cord and placenta are still attached," Tygra noted as Myra cleaned the cubs airway.
"She's small but looks to be in good shape," Myra nodded as Tygra cut the cord and wrapped the infant in a warm blanket.
"She's just scared," Tygra nodded, "let's take her back to the tank and get an air tube in her and in the incubator".
"She's lucky you found her," Myra said patting the panther's shoulder
"Where is she Myra, Where's my wife and son?" Panthro asked quietly.
"We'll find them Panthro don't worry," the tigress nodded, "come and be with your baby girl"
Panthro nodded and followed the tigress back to the Thundertank, "she's going to be a beauty for sure," Tygra smiled after giving the infant a quick scan.
Once the blood and dirt was cleaned from the newborn her true coloring showed, her flesh was just a shade lighter then the panther's, she had a thick crop of jet black hair and her father's body markings, "she looks a lot like you," Myra smiled.
"You think so?" Panthro questioned not taking his eyes off his daughter, "Poor child," he smirked.
"I came as fast as I could," Cheetara said suddenly appearing by the tank, "I checked every where within a five mile radius and found no sign of her, I am sorry Panthro".
"I know Tara, thank-you for looking," Panthro said quietly.
"Ooooooh my…..is that?" The cheetah gasped seeing Tygra place the newborn inside the incubator.
"Yes, this is??..Umm," Tygra said looking at Panthro, "what's her name Panthro?"
"Lila, it means dark-haired beauty," the panther finally smiled.
"She's beautiful," Cheetara smiled, "will she be ok?"
"Yes, she will, she's a fighter," Tygra smiled
The panther never said anything; he jumped out of the back of the Thundertank and walked over to the patch of soft ferns where the newborn was found. He stood looking around the area, "she couldn't have gotten far," Lion-O said coming up behind the panther.
"Far enough that I'm not there when she needs me the most," Panthro said quietly, "he left her to die, Lion-O,...he left my baby girl to die, what kind of monster is he, to leave a defenceless newborn to die in the woods?"
Lion-O knew he couldn't answer that question without further upsetting his already furious friend, "the sword showed me once where she was, it will again," He nodded hoping to bring a bit of comfort.
"By then it could be too late," Panthro scowled, "they could already be dead"
"You would know if she was," Lion-O nodded, "we'll find her Panthro. I swear to you we will".
"And when we do, may the gods have mercy on Schwenk soul when I get a hold of him," The big panther snarled, "he'll learn the true meaning of justice".
Lion-O knew what the panther would do when he caught up with Schwenk, "we will handle him," the lion said knowing full well, Panthro would kill the human, code or no code.
"We need to get the baby back to the lair where we're better equipped to care for her," Tygra nodded, "Pumyra is on her way over with the thunderstrike and will take her back while we go searching for Leanna"
"Is the baby ok?" Panthro asked concerned.
"She's stable, but her breathing isn't as good as I would like it to be, but that's to be expected were she's premature" Tygra answered honestly.
"She is quite small," Myra added, "a normal thunderian baby weights around 9-12 pounds, and she's only 5 pounds, half the size she should be".
"This makes it even more imperative we find Leanna, she needs her mother's milk for the antibodies and nutrients". Tygra added, "Even a small infection could make her very sick".
Lion-O seen the panther becoming more agitated, he walked over and took Tygra aside, "maybe you should have told him this stuff later Tygra," the lion said.
"If I didn't think is was important I would wait Lion-O, but that newborns life is at stake" Tygra said, "we have to find Leanna within the next 12 hours or things could get worse, we need to get moving, now".
"Tygra," Panthro said walking over, "you call who you need too to help look after my daughter, and if you have to take her to thundera you do it, ok".
"Alright," Tygra nodded seeing a new determination on the big panthers face.
"Myra….. You look after my baby girl until I get back," Panthro nodded putting his hand on the tigress's shoulder.
Before she had a chance to say anything Panthro bolted through the brush in a dead run.
"Tygra, you, Myra and Tara, take the tank and meet up with Pumyra,...Tara can follow us when your done," Lion-O said grabbing a backpack of supplies from the back of the Thundertank and ran after the panther.
*****************************************
It had been less then ten minutes the lioness gave birth to her daughter, but that short time felt like hours as she lay on a cold stone slab groaning in pain, "get away from me you bastard," the lioness roared as Schwenk stepped near her.
The human just looked at her and smirked, "painful isn't it, "he winked and crouched down so he was just a few inches from her face.
"Please. This is just an innocent baby, it can't hurt you," Leanna cried.
"Created by two people I hate the most," he sneered and backhanded her across the face.
"You've already killed one of my babies," she hissed and made a swipe for his face with her sharp claws.
"Still a vicious little thing aren't you, pet," he smirked catching her hand.
"Please just let me go," Leanna pleaded, tears ran down her faces, from pain and grief.
"No. I don't think you've suffered enough," Schwenk said running his fingers over her sweat drenched brow. He knew she was too weak to do anything; he stood and watched a thin line of blood run down the side of the stone slab, if the lioness didn't get medical attention soon he knew she would slowly bleed to death.
"Your blood and the blood of your child will give me more power," Schwenk smirked, "your death and the death of your child will not be wasted, because it will be helping me," The human said holding his hand up, suddenly in a flash of white light one of the Lioness's Kama's appeared in his hand, "Remember this," He scowled, "the very weapon that took my life…and now it shall take yours," he whispered in her ear, then stood.
"First I shall take the life of your second child….then yours," he hissed raising the razor sharp weapon high over the lioness's bulging stomach.
Leanna Screamed and rolled off the stone slab just as Schwenk brought the Kama down, "Get back here bitch," he growled in frustration as he missed his mark.
Despite her weakened condition the lioness knew she had to protect her unborn child no matter the cost, she quickly picked herself up off the ground and just ran.
*****************************
The panther's sharp hearing picked up the scream from his mate; it was hard to tell which direction it had come from as he ran down a narrow path between two small cliffs. He ran faster letting his instincts guide him, Lion-O was right behind him when the sword growled a warning, "Panthro," he shouted and stopped and removed the sword from the claw shield.
"Well," Panthro said stopping.
"Head west and hurry he's trying to kill her," Lion-O said bolting.
Leanna ran into the thick brush to help give her protection, she didn't have the strength to leap up into the trees for safety, she didn't make it far before her legs gave out, she dropped to her knees and held onto her stomach as a painful contraction ripped through her body, "please baby, not now, just hold on a little while long," she pleaded to her unborn child
"Gotcha," Schwenk said grabbing the lioness by the hair and pulling her to her feet.
"NOOOO!" she screamed and dug a deep gash on his cheek with her claws.
"AAAAAAAAAAAARGH," Schwenk yelled in pain and let her go, Leanna ran again, "Your death is going to be very painful," the human snarled wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand.
Despite not being use to running any long distances, Panthro ran as fast and as hard as his strong legs would carry him, Lion-O who was by far taller and use to running was surprised when the panther bolted ahead of him when they heard the lioness's second scream, and was having a hard time keeping up with the panther. As they drew closer, the sword of omens came free of the claw shield and flew off into the bush, Panthro seen the sword fly past his head and followed.
Leanna ran as far as she could before she collapsed to the ground, she knew she could no longer run or get up, she looked up and saw Schwenk running towards her, she knew her life was about to come to an end.
Schwenk reached the down she-cat, and raised the weapon once again, then the sound of a loud roar and something crashing through the bush drew his attention, in a flash an object came sailing out from the trees and embedded it's self into his arm that held the lioness weapon, he cried out and dropped the Kama to the ground, the sword of omens embedded in his flesh sent an electrical jolt through his body, sending him flying backwards. Then on its own withdrew from the humans arm and flew back to its owners waiting hand ten yards away.
Schwenk wriggled on the ground in pain as the two big ThunderCat males ran over.
"Move and it will be your end," Lion-O warned the human on the ground, the end of the powerful swords blade pointed between Schwenk's eyes growling fiercely, ready at a moments notice to send another volt of energy through him.
Panthro ran to his mate, who was on the ground curled up into a ball, with her eyes squeezed shut, her arms covering her Belly, in an effort to protect their unborn child, her once white night gown, ripped in places and covers in dirt and blood. He dropped to his knees, turned her over and picked her up until she was half sitting up. Leanna couldn't speak all she could do was sob as she buried her face into his neck and clung to him with what strength she had left. Lion-O dropped the backpack he was carrying and stood between the couple and Schwenk taking the roll as protector.
Schwenk knew his time was running out as the sun started to go down, if he didn't soon recharge his powers he would never get them back. He was mortal now and an easy target. While the two ThunderCat males where distracted, he slowly crawled towards the large stone slab.
"Shhh," Panthro soothed holding his mate tightly as she cried," I'm here," he said softly running his hand through her hair. The lioness's body suddenly tensed and she cried out as a contraction ripped through her body.
"I'll summon the others," Lion-O nodded.
"No time," Panthro said reaching for the backpack with one hand while still holding his mate with the other.
The mighty lion's face paled, "you mean…she's …now".
"Yes," Panthro nodded, "get the blanket and spread it out," the panther ordered.
Lion-O quickly took the blanket from the backpack and spread it out on the ground, "Pan," Leanna said as the panther gently picked her up and moved her to the blanket, "Schwenk….stop him".
"You're more important then he is right now," Panthro said placing his hand on her belly.
Leanna shook her head vigorously, "no….you …have to stop him".
"Woman," Panthro said sternly, "I am not leaving your side".
Lion-O looked up and seen Schwenk slowly crawling away, he went to get up, "Lion-O …Leave him, we'll deal with him when we're done" Panthro said, "get behind Lea and prop her up".
Lion-O nodded and knelt in back of the lioness and let her lay her upper body against him, he could feel her body tremble as she fought against the urge to push, "you do know what you're doing?...right?" the lion asked looking at the panther.
Panthro just gave him a 'not really' look as he dug through the backpack, taking supplies out he thought he would need. Then glanced up as the lion offered Leanna his hand, "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Panthro cautioned.
"Oh boy," Lion-O said quietly then cringed as Leanna grabbed a hold of his hand and squeezed, "Panthro, do something before she breaks my hand," Lion-O said through gritted teeth.
"Lea," Panthro said capturing her face between his hands, "look at me…you're ok…just calm down," he said soothingly, then stroked a spot just under her left ear.
The lion watched as the lioness began to relax, "what did you do?" Lion-O asked
"Pressure points," Panthro nodded and continued to stroke the lioness's neck, "the pressure point releases the body's natural pain endorphins".
"Feels like my poor hand got run over by your tank," Lion-O said flexing his fingers to get the circulation to return.
"I did try and warn you," Panthro chuckled, "be thankful it was only your hand she grabbed".
The lion cringed inwardly at the thought, "what do we do now?"
"We get ready to deliver my son," Panthro nodded.
"Umm, shouldn't Pumyra be doing this instead of us," Lion-O gulped hard.
"Do you see them around?....no…we're it," Panthro nodded.
"No…stop him before he reaches the stone," Leanna hissed through the pain.
The lioness's plea fell on deaf ears, as the panther got everything ready. "Damn it Panther," the lioness growled and grabbed his shoulder straps and pulled her self up, "listen to me; he will kill our baby as soon as he's born, he's already killed our baby girl".
"He won't get near him," Panthro nodded trying to calm her, "Lea, our daughter is ok".
"Wha...but" she said stunned.
"I found her, Tygra and Myra are taking her to Pumyra to be looked after, she's alive and doing well, now we need see to her brother".
"Who does she look like?" the lioness asked, "How small is she?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Panthro nodded moving down by the lioness's feet, "now don't fight it any more," he said kneeling down and placing Leanna's feet on his thick thighs, "you go ahead and push".
Lion-O held onto the lioness with one arm and gently placed his other hand on her forehead, lending her some of his strength as she gather what was left of hers and pushed.
******************
As the lioness struggled to give birth for the second time, Schwenk's strength start to grow a bit stronger, he reached the stone and placed his hand on the blood stained surface. Drawing enough strength from it, when he heard the cries of a newborn, his eyes glowed.
With one final push, the panther guided his son into the world; he quickly grabbed a clean cloth and started to wipe him down.
"That was, wow… gross…but …wow," Lion-O said totally amazed, "and you didn't faint".
Panthro just looked at Lion-O and scowled, but even the lions good natured ribbing couldn't put a damper on how he felt looking down at his son, the big cat felt as if his heart would burst with pride. A smile crept across his face as he wrapped the newborn in a warm blanket.
Leanna smiled and reached for her son, just as her fingers touched the towel the infant vanished.
"What the," Panthro gasped holding an empty towel in his hands.
"NOOOOOOO," the lioness screamed looking over in Schwenk's direction. The human smiled and held the newborn cub in his arm, he turned and laid him down on the stone, with a snap of his fingers, the lioness's Kama appeared in his hand. Being forced from his warm watery environment only to end up on a stone cold slab of stone, the infant started crying louder in protest.
Panthro growled and jumped to his feet, then bolted towards Schwenk like a nearly 300 pound missile, Schwenk raised the weapon over his head, as he brought it down towards the helpless newborn something wrapped around his wrist and with a sharp tug, jerked him backwards off his feet, Schwenk looked up and saw a very enraged panther standing over him, "Bastard," Panthro snarled and picked Schwenk up by the throat with one hand, lifting him clear off the ground.
"What are you going to do baldy...kill me...your code prevents you from do just that, "the human smirked.
The panther looked at him narrowing his eyes, "what code," He snarled removing the ThunderCat insignia from his belt and tossing it too the ground. "There is no code, this is just between you…. and me" Panthro said squeezing harder.
Schwenk struggled to free himself, he felt as if his head was going to explode from the pressure, "help…me," he gasped as Lion-O walked up to the stone slab and picked the newborn cub up and cradled him in his arms. The lion just walked past him and took the baby back to Leanna.
"No one will help you now," Panthro growled and slammed Schwenk against the stone slab with all his strength. The slab rocked slightly under the force of the impact, Schwenk couldn't breath the force shattered his ribs.
"You left my baby girl to die," Panthro roared and squeezed his hand around Schwenk's throat tighter.
Schwenk clawed at the panther's hand, "then you try and kill my wife and son," Panthro growled and lifted Schwenk back up off the stone.
Schwenk continued to claw at the panther's hand and kicked out his feet in a effort to free himself, Panthro roared angrily and flexed his shoulder muscle, the humans struggling stopped as one of Panthro's' sharp shoulder spikes went through the middle of his chest, piercing his heart. Panthro slammed Schwenk's lifeless body on the stone with such a force the stone cracked and broke in half.
The panther stepped back and took a few deep breaths to calm himself, he turned and picked his insignia back up and went over to his mate. He dropped to his knees and clutched his wife and new son to his chest. "Told you I'd protect our children," he said quietly in the lioness's ear.