Fall Of The Empire
Rating: T (for now.)
Disclaimer: I don't own this. If I did, the second season would have been out already, and I would be all over that like white on rice.
Author's Notes: Alright, now we get to the good stuff. I'm excited! Are you excited? Because I am excited. Immensely. Prepare for the action to start rolling along!
Warnings: Mild cursing. Beware, Echo will curse more in the chapters ahead. She just can't help it, I'm afraid.
The sky was blue.
Echo stared at it in awe, noting the different hues of blue that all blended together. Little wisps of white clouds dotted the sky, interrupting the endless azure. Man, that sky is beautiful. She was completely alright with just laying there and looking up into it.
A black shadow leaned over her and frowned, not at all pleased with her decision. . . or her performance.
"That's the fifth time you've failed in disarming me, human," Tygra snapped, "How many more times do we have to do it before you get it right?"
"Echo," She retorted, glaring up at him, "My name is Echo, you overgrown fuzzball!"
Tygra's eyes narrowed on her, but Echo ignored it as she sat up. She groaned when a vast majority of her muscles protested angrily. Tygra had been utilizing her as a punching bag the entire damn morning, running her through drill after drill. . . and he certainly hadn't pulled any of his punches. It was still early in the morning, she was hungry, she was covered in sweat and bruises. . . in short, Echo was crabby. At that point, she wouldn't even deny it.
And Prince Charming wasn't helping matters either.
"Listen, human," Tygra said, voice firm and terse, "I am a Prince. You are to show me respect for my station."
Echo was done with training for that day. She was tired of listening to Tygra harp on her, and she was sick of being thrown onto the ground mercilessly. Several ugly bruises were already developing on her hands as a result of Tygra's 'teaching.' Getting to her feet, Echo glared up at Tygra, used to his empty threats and snarled demands for respect.
"I'll start calling you Prince Tygra when you start calling me Echo." She growled in return.
Turning on her heel, Echo began to stalk away. Behind her, Tygra was silent - for once. Good. Maybe that shut him up for once in his life. Dumb tiger always likes the last word-
Echo vaguely heard a crack, and the next thing she knew, her legs were wrapped up, and she did a spectacular face plant into the dirt. She gave a low moan of pain as her nose throbbed, having taken the brunt of the impact. Calmly, Tygra strode over, and with a simple flick of his wrist, unwrapped his whip from her legs.
"And," He declared smugly, "That will teach you for showing your back to a prince. I think today's training is over."
Echo scowled after him, hating that stupid, arrogant stride of his. Tygra disappeared around a corner, and Echo wanted nothing more than to hit him. I could've taken his feet out from under him. Or. . . or something! Angry that the chance was gone, Echo slapped her hand against the ground in aggravation, then got to her feet a second time.
She departed the training grounds, mood sour, and she tried to shake it off. She and Lion-O were going into town that day. That should have been reason enough to make her happy. Jorma was a curious animal, and his shop was always filled with trinkets that made Lion-O's eyes fill with wonder.
Casting a glance around herself, Echo approached the outer wall surrounding the castle. Satisfied nobody was watching, she traced her fingers along the rock until she felt a well-worn scratch. Two notched carved into the edges of the stone made it a perfect handhold to pry it free. It slid out of the wall easily, making little sound.
Just behind it, her cloak laid, waiting patiently for her to put it on. Retrieving it, she slid the stone back, and dusted her hands. Tucking the cloak under her arms, she continued along her way. There was a doorway that Lion-O had shown her - it led into the upper echelons of Thundera. From there, she would take a staircase leading down, bypassing a security checkpoint, and then she'd be clear. Right as Echo turned the corner to make her way across the courtyard-
She found Sunda standing before her, his arms crossed.
"And just where," Sunda asked, "Are you going with that cloak?"
Echo looked down at the bundle of ratty fabric in her arms, and then up to Sunda, and gave him a sheepish smile.
"Uhm. . . going back to my room?" She answered, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. She prayed it would work, hoped her escort would buy her ruse, but when Sunda crossed his arms over his chest and pinned her with a disbelieving stare, she knew it was over.
"Nice try."
It was relaxing to sketch. Her pen raced over the paper, drawing quick, short lines - some items were nearly unrecognizable.
Different doodles were scattered everywhere over her personal journal - there was a knife here, a vial of poison there, a hammer. . . dates and times had also been added, but everything seemed to be a chaotic jumble of nonsense. Still, Echo drew, continuing to pen down everything she'd been dreaming of the night before.
Drawing helped her get her mind off of her foiled escape attempt. Echo pinched her lips together as she drew a rather silly looking version of Tygra, and promptly scribbled all over it.
Stupid tiger. He ratted me out.
Leave it to Tygra to add insult to injury. He'd somehow found Sunda and had informed her bodyguard of her plans to leave the city with Lion-O. Apparently, Tygra was one to stoop down to petty revenge. Anything to pet that ego, huh?
One vicious scribble went wide, and Echo cursed when it crossed over other drawings.
"Shoot." She muttered, dabbing at the wet ink.
It had sliced over a sketch of Lion-O. Embarrassingly enough, drawings of her friend were present - little doodles, and full-on sketches were everywhere, joining the mess of other drawings. If he ever saw it, she'd never be able to live it down. The lion was a constant in her dreams as well, but Echo could honestly never figure out why.
Since her arrival in Thundera six months ago, she hadn't dreamed, not really. Four months ago, however, they had started with a vengeance, plaguing her nightly. In fact, if Echo wanted to be exact, they started the night that she'd first used her power, and had been a constant ever since. It was all a huge, odd coincidence she just couldn't figure out.
Lifting the pen, Echo tapped it against her lips and stared thoughtfully down at the paper.
During the six months she'd been residing under Claudus's patronage, she had been studying, and looking into the vast library Thundera offered. When she wasn't buried in the texts, she was in daily training sessions with Jaga, developing her 'telekinesis' as Echo had come to name it. And when she wasn't occupied with that, Echo was in the sparring ring with Tygra, honing her skills.
Over the past half a year, she'd found her abilities with her swords had become honed and refined. Like a forgotten memory, swordplay just seemed to. . . click. Echo had also worked diligently to develop her muscle mass, and had even put some weight on her body. She was pleased to note that she was a lot healthier now, and her muscles were visible under her skin. It gave her the leverage she needed to fight without tiring.
She did have a downfall when it came to swordplay, however. She was working tirelessly to correct it, but over six months, the progress was slow and frustrating. When she held her swords in her hand, and danger rushed at her, Echo found she didn't react at all - her instincts did. Her body responded to the threat, and her mind was just along for the ride. It posed a dangerous situation in combat, and everyone agreed that she needed to learn to reign it in and fight with both her body and her mind. Which was easier said than done. Forcing her body to move certain ways while she was dodging blows and slashing with swords was almost impossible.
Still, over the months, she had somehow begun to manage it, but the results were little more than twitches. . . and she'd often end up with a nasty bruise as a result of missing a block or a clay disc.
Thankfully, Lion-O was always there to offer her a cheerful smile and encourage her not to give up.
She spent the rest of every waking moment with the lion.
Echo sighed, staring at her journal woefully. Because of Tygra's pettiness, she'd miss her chance to go into the city that day.
"Marow!"
Echo turned, and there Snarf was on the windowsill, a rope in his mouth. She grinned mischievously, and took the rope from Snarf. Within moments, she was gone, rope tied securely around a table leg, her journal left open on the table.
The ink from her pen bled onto the open pages, dribbling onto her most recent sketch. Decayed bandages swirled, rotting with age and moth-eaten holes, surrounding a cowled hood. . .
"My back hurts because of you." Lion-O whined.
"Oh, hush up. It's your fault you got a rope that snapped."
The pair were walking down the streets of the slums, covered in dirty, ragged cloaks. Echo had to stifle a chuckle as she remembered their escape. Lion-O had supplied a rope for her to climb out of the library. . . only it had frayed and snapped while she'd been climbing down. She had fallen right on top of the poor lion, knocking the wind out of him. It was pretty funny. . . just glad he got me out of there, though. I can't stand bodyguards. . . sorry, Sunda.
Beside her, Lion-O sighed, which only made her let out a loud snort. So much for keeping it quiet.
Her mirth faded quickly as the streets grew dirtier, the houses more ramshackle and rundown, and the patrons surly and dark. Echo drew her cloak more tightly around herself, feeling uneasy. Lion-O carried himself straighter, projecting an aura that he was not to be trifled with, and Snarf ran by their feet, shooting them both a distraught look.
Echo shared the sentiment. Even though Thundera was a safe place, this part of the slums was renown for slave trading, illegal gambling, and fights of all kinds.
It was also where she'd decided to make her grand appearance nearly six months ago.
"I really wish Jorma didn't live so far out," Echo said quietly, "It'd be easier to visit him. Not to mention a lot safer. . ."
Lion-O canted his head slightly and gave her a small smile.
"Look at you. You sound just like the clerics now - what, are you afraid of a little danger? Relax, Echo! You and Snarf always think we're gonna get killed whenever we come to this part of town."
"That's pretty easy for you to say," She replied, tone sulky, "You don't have white hair, and you have fur. . . besides, it's a fair assumption."
Echo frowned, desperately wishing she had her swords mounted on her back. She always felt comforted by their weight. Her steel security blankets.
She'd vowed to herself that she would never be in that situation again - broken, alone, and defenseless. It was one of the driving reasons why she threw herself into her training. . . and put up with Tygra's attitude. The more methods of defense and attack she had at her disposal, the less she had to worry about in this world.
Echo was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she hardly noticed when Lion-O had stopped, and she nearly collided with him.
Bits of fruit rolled on the ground, one gently knocking against her foot. She followed the trail of produce and saw a merchant dog cowering in fear before a thug and his gang. Below him, his stand lay in shambles, broken and squashed. Echo could see fear in the merchant's eyes, and anger pulsed through her.
She knew how it felt. To be stuck in the middle of danger, to be choking on her own fear, wishing there was some kind of escape. . .
"That's right!" The thug barked, malice in his eyes, "Pay up or get hurt!"
Echo stepped forward, about to throw herself at him, but a small tugging at the bottom of her cloak stopped her. She looked down, and saw Snarf, biting the hem of her fabric and pulling backward, making worried noises in the back of his throat.
"Snarf, I can't stand by and let this happen."
"Nobody deserves to be treated like that." Lion-O murmured.
A snarl rippled in the air behind her, and Echo whirled around. The thug was facing them, and his gang had taken notice of their presence as well.
"What're you lookin' at?" The leader snapped, advancing on them
"Whiskers." Lion-O hissed.
Echo didn't react when Snarf ducked under her cloak. The small pet emitted a low growl and arched his back, all of his hair standing on end. Discreetly, Echo shifted closer to Lion-O, trying to get into a better defensible position as the gang surrounded them. The dogs, noticing her arms, looked at her and laughed.
"What, you got the rot? Why're your arms bare?"
"Yeah, look! It's a no-fur!"
The insults didn't rile her. Echo glared at them from under the lip of her hood, wishing they would go away before things escalated, but it just wasn't meant to be.
A dog approached her, wrapped his hand in her cloak and pulled, intent on ripping it off her.
"Let's take a look at you, no-fur!"
She lifted her arm and slapped his hand away before shoving his shoulder. With her mind, she grabbed his ankle and pulled. The dog stumbled backward and fell, expression morphing from shock to rage. Behind her, Echo felt Lion-O stiffen, a growl rumbling in his chest.
. . . this isn't going to end well at all.
"Why, you-!" The dog spluttered, jumping up to his feet.
The leader placed a hand on the dog's shoulder, stopping him, and extended the other to Lion-O.
"I'm feeling charitable today," He said, voice running thick as oil, "you pay me, and nobody gets hurt - twice as much. In the slums, everyone's a dog." He waggled his fingers, demanding compensation for Echo's actions.
Echo opened her mouth to tell Lion-O that it wasn't worth it, but quicker than she could blink, the lion had snatched up the dog's hand and used his momentum to throw him on the ground.
"You're the one who's gonna pay." Lion-O snarled.
The gang rushed at them, and the fight erupted. Echo moved as two of the dogs ran towards her, and ducked out of the way as a knife flashed. She dodged the punches meant to knock her down, and, taking an opening, swept the feet out from under a dog that tried to claw her across the face.
Echo breathed heavily as she flowed back to her feet, and then grit her teeth. Even in hand-to-hand I can't control my body's reactions!
"You're gonna regret that!" His partner snapped.
Perfect opportunity.
Echo turned to face her nearest opponent, watching his advance. Okay. I can do this. I just have to concentrate.
The dog rushed at her, a fist cocked. Planting her feet in the ground, her legs shivered with the need to duck and roll - she refused. She had to learn to reign it in. The dog was almost on her, and the tremor increased, so much so she looked like she was quivering in fear. But she refused to give into her body's demands. A fist rocketed towards her face, and with a mighty mental heave, she latched her hand onto the dog's own, and slammed the heel of her palm into his jaw. She followed up with a vicious roundhouse. And, just like that, the thugs were sprawled on the street, picking themselves up and groaning.
Echo let out a happy squeal. She'd done it. She'd done it!
I guess I do have to thank Tygra. . . a little.
She thought, enthusiastically dusting off her hands.
Meaty arms wrapped around her, and Echo let out a choked gasp in surprise. It was cut short as a forearm pressed against her throat, crushing it. She wriggled in the thug's hold, trying to breathe, but a knife pressed against her side, making Echo still. Absently, she heard Lion-O let loose a nasty snarl, one that had Echo's hair standing on end, but the thug leader only huffed a laugh.
"Now I'm gonna gut you like a-"
There came a harsh thwack, and the dog gave a yelp as he fell to the ground.
Echo stumbled, coughing as she rubbed at her throat, and Lion-O snatched her wrist and jerked her behind him. Gaining her bearings, Echo peered around her friend to see the new arrival - and was remotely taken aback when she found a Cat standing there, wearing a cloak pulled low over her figure. The staff she held shrank, and Echo frowned.
Oh boy. Sunda sent out the cleric squad to find us. . . but she doesn't look familiar at all, though.
The cleric looked at them, and her lips quirked in an amused smile.
"You should be more aware of your surroundings. Celebrating a battle not yet over is the epitome of foolishness." She chided. Echo cast her eyes down, slightly embarrassed.
"Rookie mistake." She muttered.
"Not that I needed it," Lion-O spoke up (and Echo rolled her eyes at the friendly barb), "but who can we thank for the assist?" Before her, Lion-O relaxed as he spoke, recognizing an ally in another cat.
Echo watched in interest as the cleric shed her hood - and then she stared. The Cat was utterly stunning. She was feminine, and soft, but with each dainty curve of her face and body, she exuded twice as much power and strength. You have to be a cleric. But where have you been in the six months I've been in the hall?
"I am Cheetara." She introduced herself.
Lion-O looked absolutely awed. Echo could understand why, but she had to stifle a snicker of laughter. His eyes were wide, his mouth slightly open - he was a love-struck cub. She failed at hiding her laughter, and a guffaw escaped her. Noticing the sound, Lion-O shook his head, dissipating his stupor.
"Hello-" He coughed into his hand, and then pitched his voice lower, "hello."
She was going to explode, she was pretty sure of it.
Echo bit her hand in an effort to keep quiet, fighting the urge to just laugh and laugh and laugh. Lion-O, of course, responded by cuffing her on the back of her head. She let out a small noise of shock - it hadn't actually hurt - and rubbed at the spot for dramatic effect and glowered at him. It's not my fault you're acting like a kitten!
"Hello," Cheetara responded, "while it is a pleasure to meet you. . . I'm sure the king would not be happy to learn that his son was wrestling alley cats." Her voice carried clearly over the small alley they occupied.
The dogs startled and jumped up, as though they'd been shocked with a live wire.
"He's the prince?!"
"Scatter!"
In seconds, they were gone, leaving nothing but dust in their wake. Probably what Cheetara wanted.
"Neither," She continued, "should the prince be happy that he almost let his companion become seriously injured."
. . . Well, that's one way to flip the mood upside down.
Echo felt guilt swell inside of her as Lion-O scratched the back of his head, eyes downcast. She really shouldn't have let that dog get his paws on her in the first place. . .
"What's so important to you two that you'd risk your life coming down here, anyway?" The cleric asked, curiosity in her voice.
"That depends. . ." Lion-O mumbled.
Echo looked at Lion-O, and then to Cheetara, a wide grin spreading on her face.
"Can you keep a secret?" She asked.
"As long as it's interesting." The cheetah replied, tucking her small staff in the waistband of her outfit.
Echo straightened her cloak back up, and began to walk again, gesturing for her to follow. Lion-O picked up pace beside her and grinned at Cheetara.
"It is. Promise!"
Echo trailed one hand along the dirt-packed wall next to her, mainly because it helped keep her mind off the fact that, just to her right, a gaping canyon spread, deep and wide. A single misstep, and she'd fall to her death. It was also the home of their favorite resident tinkerer, Jorma.
Upon reaching the bottom of the winding rock staircase, Lion-O pulled open the curtains leading to a hut overflowing with junk, and Echo hurried inside, a bright smile on her face.
"Jorma!" She beamed.
The dog looked up, and returned her smile.
"Echo, my girl! It's been two weeks since you last came to see me."
Echo captured the old dog's hands in her own and squeezed them fondly.
"I wasn't able to sneak out - I'm sorry! I'm here, though, I'm glad I came to see you too." She gave Jorma a small peck on his cheek, and the dog twittered, grin widening.
"Oh, you spoil an old mutt." He attempted to sound embarrassed, but Echo knew he enjoyed the attention. Jorma had been a forgotten dog, and had it not been for Lion-O, she was fairly certain he would still be a hermit, locked away in his tinkering shop.
Echo loved being around Jorma. Much like Lion-O, he enjoyed her for her differences. Jorma had a detailed file in his office about her - from everything to how tall she was to her hair and eye color. She was the only human he had ever encountered, he'd told her, and he wanted to remember it. Echo didn't mind - Jorma didn't invade her privacy, or make her feel like a freak of nature. He accepted her with open arms, and that was what Echo liked most about him.
". . . everyone just think those stories are fairy tales" Cheetara's voice floated in the air, and Echo turned away from Jorma to look at the Cat. The tinkerer moved into his shop, disappearing from sight as he sought to retrieve something.
Lion-O led the cleric to Jorma's workstation and pulled the cloth covering it off, expression shining with his intent: he wanted to prove Cheetara wrong.
This wasn't the first time that Lion-O had tried to convince someone of his love for technology, and Echo knew it wouldn't be the last. Before she had come along, he'd had nobody but Jorma to share his passion with. A small frown pulled at her lips as she saw Lion-O's face. He tried so hard sometimes. Despite the harsh words of his bodyguards, or Tygra, and even his father, Echo had to marvel in the fact that the love for his hobby had only flourished in the face of all the criticism.
"You think this is a fairy tale?" He asked, gesturing to the strange metal objects.
Lion-O had a good twenty of them back at the palace, hidden away in his secret technology room. He constantly pulled them apart, cleaned them, and put them back together again.
"I think it's a fake people like him sell to people like you. It's nothing special." Cheetara said, offering a shrug.
Ouch. Pretty strong words from someone they'd just met. Echo expected to see the spark in Lion-O's eyes die. . . but it didn't. He picked up a piece of the tech, turning it over in his hands.
"As cubs, we believed the tales about ships that could fly. Maybe everyone else outgrew them, but. . . I didn't. I know there's a bigger world out there, a world where there's technology, and where more species exist. . ."
Echo met his gaze, and Lion-O held it for a moment before he turned to Cheetara, an exasperated expression on his face.
"You. . . you think I'm crazy, don't you?"
A moment passed, and the cleric finally responded. "I think you're. . . different."
Well, it was a hell of a lot better than freak or tech brain. Tygra often slung the insults around at his brother when arguments broke out - and Echo had been present for most of them. None of them had ended well.
In the distance, Echo heard the faint sound of a bell pealing.
At first, she didn't notice. Either did Lion-O, it seemed, until he stiffened suddenly, his eyes growing wide with shock, and a gasp left him.
"Whiskers! I'm late! Jorma, I'll take it. And hey, maybe next time, we can bail you outta trouble!" He tossed a small coin purse at the dog, and grabbed Echo's wrist before dashing out of the hut.
Echo frowned as she trailed behind Lion-O, clearly confused.
"What's-?"
"My ceremony!"
"That's today?"
"I know, I know! It was just a short trip-"
"Lion-O!"
She winced.
And then she grimaced.
With every blow he received, Lion-O seemed to buckle just a little more.
". . . who first defeated Mumm-Ra!" Claudus was saying, striking harder with every word. Lion-O was losing ground rapidly, just barely managing to parry his father's blows. Echo stood at the side of the room, watching the proceedings. . . until Tygra managed to catch her eye.
An arrogant smirk crossed his face as he gestured outside, where the sun was clearly past noon. . .
The time that Lion-O's ceremony had been scheduled.
"Late." He mouthed at her.
Echo glared, and made a series of hand movements she hoped he roughly understood as, "just wait until we get back on the field. You're dead, tiger." She wouldn't forgive him so easily for having Sunda intercept her.
Next time, he was going to eat a face full of dirt, courtesy of her telekinesis.
"It was the ThunderCats who brought order to a world of warring animals! And it is now the ThunderCats who are strong enough to maintain this fragile peace!" Claudus's voice resonated in the air around them.
In his hand, his sword crackled with barely suppressed power, bolts of energy skittering off its' surface. Echo watched, stunned and awed by the power he wielded with such grace.
And to think, the Cats have this artifact of power. . .
Another strong blow, and Lion-O was forced to his knees. Claudus impaled the sword in the floor, uncaring of ruining the grandeur. Lightning, bursting with energy, exploded around the room, and instinctively, Echo flinched as it hit her. Small tendrils of power brushed her gently, and she expected them to hurt, to burn, but. . . it felt cool. As though Omens knew she was a friend.
Echo looked at Lion-O as he moved again, getting to his feet. He approached the sword, appearing slightly unsteady, but he held firm. Echo bit the inside of her cheek and wished him strength, because she didn't miss the way his hand shook as he wrapped it around the hilt of Omens. You can do this, Lion-O!
If Lion-O had faith in her for half a year, then she could believe he could do this.
Brandishing the sword, he swung the blade at imaginary enemies. His face grew tense with concentration, and energy began to crackle around the blade, lightning coming to life on its surface again.
"That's it!" Claudus said in approval, "Concentrate!"
Lion-O lifted the sword, determination on his features, and pulled it close to his face. The hilt began to extend, curling around the jewel set into its cross guard, and Echo felt an unseen power thrum around her. She just barely managed to bite back a gasp as the world vibrated around her-
And then she wasn't there anymore.
She was standing in the dark, a deep sense of urgency coursing through her, as though something - or someone - were desperately trying to warn her, only it couldn't form the words to do so. Pictures flooded through her mind in a noisy, chaotic jumble. It all ground to a screeching halt as yellow eyes snapped open, reflected on a dark, shadowy blade that promised blood and death.
Everything about it was dark and evil and so, so cold. It petrified Echo, down to the very deepest part of her core.
From the light of those eyes, she could see something else, too. Shadows flickered everywhere, making her dizzy. Echo tried to gain her balance, but she paused as she swore she saw something - a figure, swallowed up by the shadows. The person stood there, and began to approach, darkness churning even more rapidly-
And then it ended, and she was back in the throne room.
What just happened? She wondered frantically, god, it was just like my dreams. . .
Her heart was pounding and her hands felt clammy and cold. She looked around, trying to see if anybody else had witnessed what she had, but the only person who looked fearful was Lion-O, who was staring down at Omens. He looked like he wanted to fling the sword away from him.
"Lion-O, why did you stop?" Claudus demanded, face clouding in anger.
Lion-O startled visibly, as though he hadn't realized his father had been standing right next to him.
"I. . . I saw something."
Jaga took a few steps closer to the prince, looking calm and collected. Claudus, however, scowled and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Tell us, Lion-O." The head cleric said, voice inviting.
Echo took one look at Lion-O and knew he didn't want to say anything. Suspicion clawed at her, and the emotion grew as her friend looked around frantically, searching for an out, and he met Echo's eyes. They looked at each other, and just for a moment, time seemed to stop. Silence descended on the room, and she stared at Lion-O in shock.
She saw the fear in his eyes, and she just knew.
You saw the same thing I did.
Lion-O jerked his eyes up, looking past her.
"Um, that!" he said triumphantly, relief almost palpable in his voice. He dashed by her and ran to the window she'd been standing in front of. "Ha. Me-ow!"
There, two female servants walked by, and filtered laughter wandered in through the window. Echo looked at the girls for a moment, and then to Lion-O. She could hear the forced enthusiasm in his voice, and she knew his cheerful tone was false. There was a harsh line of tension in his shoulders, and Lion-O looked almost. . . twitchy.
Claudus, however, was not pleased with his son in the slightest. He brushed past her, bristling in rage, hand moving her aside as he stormed by, yanking the swords out of Lion-O's grasp.
"The sword is ready, Lion-O, but you are not." The words were scathing, and Echo grimaced as she heard them.
Lion-O stared at his father's back as he began to walk away, face shattering. Her heart ached for him.
Jaga materialized at her side, and this time, it was Echo who jumped. The old cleric looked down at her, an eyebrow raised in question, and in response, Echo shot him the best smile she could manage at the moment. She really felt like breaking down and shivering in light of all she'd seen, but she wasn't going to. Not when Lion-O needed her. She seemed to pass Jaga's inspection, for he turned his attention to Lion-O, whose defenses sprang up in record timing.
"What? I didn't see anything! I swear, Cat's honor!"
"And I did not say anything." Jaga replied.
He turned, leaving the room right behind Tygra and King Claudus.
He knows that Lion-O saw something. That I saw something. But he didn't press it. . . probably for the best. I don't even know what it was. She sighed quietly, closing her eyes. The door to teh throne room shut with an ominous bang, leaving Echo and Lion-O alone.
"Whiskers! Why couldn't I just say it?!" Lion-O buried his face in his hands, and Echo moved into place next to him, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Lion-O. I know."
He stood like that for just a moment longer before he sighed and looked at her.
". . . you saw it too, didn't you, Echo?"
Echo dropped her hand, her stomach knotting.
"Yeah. I think. . . I think I did."
"What was it?" Lion-O pondered aloud, "I was in this dark place, and there was this horrible. . . thing."
His voice quivered, just slightly, and a moment of silence stretched between them.
"I don't know. I saw it, too. There was a sword like Omens, but. . . evil."
Lion-O made no mention of the person in the shadows. Echo debated bringing it up, and her journal, with the drawings and the dates and times. . . but decided against it. The events seemed entirely unconnected. Besides, how did she know if she even saw a figure in the shadows? She'd been freaked out.
It was just too much, too soon. She and Lion-O needed some time to wade through it all before she threw more wood onto the fire. The two of them moved over to the steps before the thrones and sat together, idly throwing ideas back and forth. Echo knew they weren't going to get anywhere with it, but it felt good to try and decipher it somehow, to answer their questions.
Time passed as they tried anyway, and Echo was glad they'd been left alone to each other and their thoughts.
A horn sounded, shattering the quiet.
An attack? She thought as Lion-O jumped to his feet.
"No second horn, it's not an attack. Let's go find out."
Echo trailed along behind him as they wound their way out of the palace and outside, where a balcony allowed for viewing of the barren land surrounding Thundera. In the distance, she could make out a giant rock, pulled by a horde of animals. King Claudus and Tygra were already moving on the lower levels of the palace, and from the small snippet she'd seen of Tygra, Echo realized he looked downright gleeful.
Well, that's downright terrifying.
Lion-O tugged at her arm, and she fell back into step beside him. They emerged from the palace at the stables, and Echo paused at the top of the stairs, watching as Lion-O mounted one of the steeds. Tygra and Claudus disappeared through the gates, rushing out of the city to meet whoever was with the rock. Lion-O stopped, noticing her hesitation.
"Want to come?"
There wasn't room enough on that bird for the both of them, and the thought of being shoved up against Lion-O was. . .
"Uh, go on ahead. There's something else I want to do."
He nodded, and with a swift kick to the bird's side, was off, joining his father and brother. Echo watched him leave, one hand idly playing with the pendant hanging around her neck.
She needed to get to her journal and look over it, see if there might be any clues. She also wanted to add this strange vision to it. Turning on her heel, Echo made her way to the cleric hall, fingers already itching with the need to sketch and write.
"Grune?" She asked.
Sunda, currently taking meticulous care to polish his headpiece (as though he hadn't buffed it to hell and back before the ceremony), nodded his head.
"Yes. The general has been gone from the city for many years. He was sent on a task from the king to find the Book of Omens with Panthro."
"I've read about them. Big war heroes. And I've read about the Book, to, but all the texts offer conflicting information. A few things remain the same, though. They often say the Book knows everything. Any question you have, the Book will answer."
Sunda looked at her from the corner of his eye, a smirk on his face.
"You always have your head buried into those books. You read them far too much for your own good, Echo. . . unfortunately, that's all I know about the Book, myself."
I wonder if I could find it, Echo thought, and ask it about my past. If it's as powerful as the legends say. . .
"There's going to be a feast tonight." Sunda continued, gaining her attention, "You're more than welcome to attend the games. . . but I fear you will have to enjoy my company. Lion-O will be dining with the King and Grune."
"Eating dinner with you?" She said, wrinkling her nose, "The mere thought disgusts me."
Sunda laughed, placing his helm onto his neatly-folded cloak and stored them on a shelf. "I'm glad we are in agreement!"
"As am I. You cats are such dreadful creatures with the most despicable manners."
"That we are, young human. . . I heard you met Cheetara."
Echo's mind relived the fight in the market place. Cheetara had aided them through the small scuffle - though she'd have to remember to thank the cleric properly sometime. If it weren't for Cheetara, she'd probably have a new hole in her side.
"Yeah," Echo nodded, "Why haven't I seen her around before? She's an excellent fighter."
Sunda pinned her with a look, and crossed his arms over his chest.
Echo realized her blunder and mentally slapped herself. Why the hell did I say that? Damn leopard set up a trap for me! Vainly, Echo hoped he hadn't noticed her admission.
"She's been away, training. But that's not important. You got into a fight?"
Busted.
It had been a great hope while it lasted.
"It was just a scuffle. It was minor. Really."
The leopard let out an irritated huff, and his expression clouded in concern.
"Echo," He began, "You know you can't wander outside of the palace - it's a security risk. And what if somebody learned of your abilities? People would try to take advantage of you."
Thundera knew of her existence, but not the full extent of it. The citizens had been informed that an embassy of the Wood Forger race was residing in the palace, and that was it. Of course, she'd been "restricted" from leaving the palace walls. At last count, Sunda had foiled twenty-three of her escape attempts. She had had to come up with some incredibly creative ways to escape the watchful eyes of the ever-present leopard.
"I know it is," She said, voice falling, "But I just can't help myself, Sunda. Thundera is such a beautiful place, and Lion-O keeps and eye on me, too. . ."
It wasn't worth it to fight with Sunda about this subject again.
She expected him to chide her. Instead, a hand came down on her head, and Sunda let out a heavy sigh. Echo blinked up at him in surprise - and it stunned her when he ruffled her hair.
"That expression gets me every time. Listen, Echo, I consider you a close friend. That means I worry about you - a lot. If anything were to happen to you, I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself."
Echo managed a tiny smile, feeling her guilt slowly melt away. It quickly turned to confusion as he grabbed a well-worn cloak and donned it.
"Where are you going?"
"We," He corrected, "You have wanderlust. And since there just so happens to be a party in town, I will escort you, madam. Come along. Maybe if I chaperone, I can get it out of your system."
Echo laughed, giving him a cheeky wink.
"Not likely."
"I'd be worried if you said otherwise."
Sunda escorted her out of the hall, and within moments, they were on the streets of Thundera.
Almost immediately, Echo could see why Sunda decided to chaperone her. The sounds of the celebration drew her to it like a fly to honey, and Sunda had to stop her from outright sprinting to the first vendor she'd laid her eyes on.
The festivities were infectious, and as Sunda guided her through the streets, she'd happily lost herself in the party. With the cleric by her side, she walked among the people of Thundera without a cloak, and nobody so much as batted an eyelash. Many a Cat greeted her warmly, and upon seeing the sigil she wore, invited her to tell the Wood Forgers to come and see the splendor of Thunderian parties. Echo drank it all in, her body alive with the thrumming energy that ran through the entirety of the city.
Finally, it was enough to make her completely forget about the vision she'd seen earlier that day.
Sunda had even purchased her a headband for her hair. She hadn't been able to stop touching it since he'd help her put it on. For once, her bangs were swept back (mostly), as the headband kept them at bay. Her fingers kept straying to where it laid, and the cleric rolled his eyes.
"Keep doing that, and it's going to fall off." He warned.
She snatched her hands away and beamed at him.
"Thank you, Sunda. It's really beautiful."
"You needed something to tame that hair. I used to buy them all the time for my sisters." The cleric said, placing a hand on the smal of her back to guide her through the streets. They were making their way to the game dome, which was alive with the cheers of thousands.
"I didn't know you had sisters, Sunda. Will I get to meet them?" She asked.
"They don't live here." He replied. A little too quickly.
Echo opened her mouth to ask him why his voice had adopted such a hard edge, or why he'd answered her so quickly. Something caught her eye, distracting her. On the far side of the party, there were stockades, and inside of them, two lizards looked on dejectedly. Echo stopped walking, staring at the sight before her. She knew the cats and lizards had never been friendly to one another - many tomes of the library spoke of their ancient wars - but it just looked so wrong.
Especially locking them right up on the fringes of the party. Talk about cold-hearted.
Sunda grabbed her arm, and Echo looked back at the cleric.
"No, Echo. You may be under the king's patronage, but showing the lizards any pity would strip you of that. Cats would assume the worst."
He started walking again, dragging her along, and Echo reluctantly fell into step beside him. It was hard to tear her gaze away from the lizards, but she managed.
"I don't understand, Sunda," She said, "I've read the stories, but maybe-"
"Leave them alone, Echo." Sunda's tone was flat, but she could sens ea hot, boiling anger under his words. Echo bit her lip, slightly startled by the cleric's actions. She feared she'd hurt him somehow, offended him in some manner.
Sunda took in a deep breath before he looked over at her again, "I'm sorry. . . maybe one day, I'll explain it to you. Let's just. . . forget about it right now, okay? Let's go to the games."
The game dome loomed in front of them, and in moments, he ushered her inside, detaching them both from the crowd walking into the main entrance. They entered a small hallway set to the side, which traced a circular pattern around the arena. It was hard to forget what she'd seen, but Echo tried her best. There had to be a good reason for what Sunda had said.
A bell began to ring, and Echo focused on that instead. Moments later, she heard the roar of the crowd, so loud it almost shook the very stone foundations. The worry for the lizards slowly bled from her mind as curiosity took its place. She had never actually witnessed the games, but she'd read about them.
They arrived in a private viewing area, set close to the water, which was reserved for clerics. Several of them were seated inside, enjoying the food set out, and they greeted each other warmly. Sunda seated himself, and Echo followed suit, inviting herself to eat.
"Lion-O and Tygra are taking the arena now." One of the clerics informed them.
"Really? This is a rare occasion. The princes don't usually participate." Sunda replied.
The two were already going at it, racing each other to reach the bell first. Echo winced as Tygra landed a vicious kick to Lion-O's side, sending him toppling down. Lion-O was quick to recover, and dug his claws into the thick roots that sprawled the arena. Within moments, he was off, regaining his ground. Echo groaned as she saw rage rippling across his face.
Oh, Lion-O. . .
Common sense flew out the window as he sped forward, his intent clear: rip Tygra to shreds.
"I understand the strategy behind it, but Tygra really needs to stop saying things to make Lion-O angry. His words stay with him."
"Ah, but that is Lion-O's burden to bear," Sunda replied, ribbing his elbow into Echo's arm, "The prince needs to learn how to stop letting Tygra's words get the better of him. It would make for an ill-suited king."
Echo pursed her lips as Tygra landed a solid punch across Lion-O's face - and he hadn't pulled it. Her own cheek ached watching it happen. The lion fell, splashing into the water below him. Tygra, celebrating his victory, jumped on the bell and swung it with his body, a triumphant grin on his face. Echo could make out the crestfallen expression on Lion-O's face as he swam, dejected, back to shore.
Sunda clapped her on the shoulder.
"Come on, white-haired wonder. Get something to eat. After the games are done, you can find Lion-O. . . so long as you promise not to go into the city without an escort, okay?"
Popping a grape in her mouth, Echo nodded.
"You saw that?! Whiskers! I wish you hadn't been there!" Lion-O groaned.
Echo gave him a consolation pat on the shoulder, a sympathetic smile on her face. They walked together, tracing the inside of the palace grounds.
"It's okay, Lion-O. I'll try to forget it if it makes you feel any better." She replied soothingly.
"Please do." He grumbled.
"Well, I'll tell you both one thing: I won't forget it!"
A beaming Tygra jogged to catch up to them, and Lion-O groaned again. The tiger threw a cheerful arm around his brother's shoulder, his teeth gleaming in the light.
"Another victory for Prince Tygra! You really need to start catching up, brother." He snickered as Lion-O batted at his arm, and the three fell into stride together.
Echo let out a small, secretive pent-up breath of air, glad she didn't see any underlying anger in Lion-O's composure. The young prince had seemingly forgiven his older brother, as far as Echo could see. She hated bearing witness to their arguments, as more often than not, they often turned ugly quickly.
"Just imagine what would happen if I competed," Echo said, filling the silence, "I'd lose in a few seconds."
"I can see it now, human. You, jumping, and then turning to the crowd and saying, 'I can't reach!'"
"Hey, I'm not that short!"
She actually was, by Thunderian standards. Most ThunderCats were easily six feet tall, give or take some women. Standing at roughly five five, she thought she was tall. . . enough.
"I don't think you'd be able to reach the first root."
"Lion-O!" Echo gaped, whirling on her friend.
It was too late, however, as both Tygra and Lion-O lost themselves to a nasty fit of the giggles. Echo stood there, trying to look offended, but a smile kept creeping onto her face. Tygra gave a sigh as the laughter died down, and gave her a whack on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, human, you're tall enough for me. If you were taller, though, your kicks would be better."
Yup. Leave it to Tygra to add some criticism where it's not needed.
"Thanks, teach." Echo griped.
She heard the muted sound of yelling, but the voices were laced with anger. Next to her, Tygra and Lion-O perked up. Echo looked for the source of the sound, and noticed cats were gathered in a thick mob. She stared at them in open confusion - especially when she saw the torches.
"What's happening over there?"
The mob shifted, and she saw what they were gathered around. The lizards she'd seen earlier with Sunda were surrounded by angry Cats.
Lion-O took off in a heartbeat, but Tygra latched onto his shoulder.
"We can't let that happen!" Lion-O protested, shaking off his brother's grip.
"They're our greatest enemy, Lion-O," Tygra warned, "The cats and lizards have always been at war."
"Well, maybe we don't need to be!"
Lion-O sprinted to the crowd, and started to push his way through them. Next to her, Tygra sighed, and covered his face with his hand.
"That idiot!"
"Make that two idiots." Echo said, as she took off after her friend.
She agreed with Lion-O, wholeheartedly. Despite the fact that the cats and lizards had always fought each other, prisoners deserved a measure of respect. Being held, helpless and afraid, was more than enough. Being mobbed by an angry crowd with no chance of escape? Too far.
"These barbarians deserve death!" A cat from the mob yelled.
Lion-O had shoved his way to the front of the crowd, by most of the Cats were already pressing in around him, pressuring him. Echo grit her teeth and joined him. There wasn't time to push her way through, so she went up and over, using a cat's shoulder as a springboard. Her power helped boost her the rest of the way up, and she tucked into a neat little ball in the air. She landed in a crouch, feet sliding apart and hands clenching into fists as she fell into a defensive stance.
"I'm not gonna let you lay a paw on them! Stand back! Or do you not obey your prince?" She yelled, projecting her voice as much as she was able.
A small part of Echo was utterly astounded at what she'd just done. Never before had she managed such athleticism. But her body had just. . . done it. Another mystery for another time. Right now, focus on just standing by Lion-O.
"What would you know, Wood Forger?! You have not fought a war with the lizards, you self-important whelp! Are you siding-"
Tygra bodily shoved the cat into the dirt as he leisurely strolled through the mob. He joined Lion-O and Echo, palming his whip. Echo didn't miss the way Lion-O's face brightened. He wants Tygra to stand by his side. I don't think Tygra knows how much it means to him.
"You best rethink your words, Cat. You are directly threatening a prince and offending a patron of King Claudus."
"Ha!" Another cat spat out of the mob, "All of us? Against you three?"
The wind rustled, and Echo felt another presence beside her. A staff extended, and her lips quirked slightly. Cheetara stood a little ways apart from her, staff held at the ready.
"Make that four." The cleric said calmly.
"Twice in a single day - now I know you're following me." Lion-O quipped.
"Yeah. Right into trouble - again."
Somebody in the mob let out a war cry, and the cats advanced. Echo found herself incredibly busy, then, as she ducked and wove under flailing limbs and angry, wild punches. They were weak, but stood strong in numbers, and Echo was tired from her practice earlier that morning. Her body took over, and she did her best to keep up with it, evading punches. She had to use her mind a few times to stop torches and sharp, pointy things from hitting or stabbing her. She used her power a lot, to make a cat stumble, or bodily shove a few of them away. As the fight continued, her head began to throb from the stress of it, and she groaned.
The crack of Tygra's whip announced he was getting serious, and it helped snap Echo out of it. Right in the nick of time, as a cat seized the collar of her vest and bodily hauled her up in the air. He cocked back a fist.
Oh, god, this is gonna hurt-
"Lion-O!"
Echo found, in that very moment, that she had been turned into a mannequin. Around her, every person in the fight froze as Claudus's voice resonated over the impromptu battlefield. The cat that had seized the front of her tunic released it, as though it had stung him. The mob quickly backpedaled away from the fighters, and the mighty wrath that was King Claudus was quick to bear down on them all, several guards trailing behind him.
I think my life is coming to a swift end tonight.
"Lion-O!" Claudus barked, "Explain yourself! Are you protecting lizards?!"
The king sounded a second away from exploding in sheer rage, and Echo shrunk away from it. How Lion-O managed to stand against his father's fury, she'd never know. Unfortunately, the action drew the king's eyes to her, and he glared, as though assuming she'd been the one to start the whole mess.
"No," Lion-O said, dragging the king's attention back to himself, "I'm protecting us - from turning into the very coldblooded creatures we fear. These lizards did nothing and should be released, father!"
"Release them?" Claudus stood in front of his son, fury rippling over his frame, "Don't be so foolish, Lion-O! As Lord of the ThunderCats, it is my duty to keep my people safe. And one day, may I remind it, it will be yours."
Echo wanted to cheer as Lion-O straightened his spine and glared at his father, refusing to back down. Had that been her, she would have turned into a stuttering, gibbering mess. Claudus was downright terrifying when he was angry.
"You wanted me to start acting like a king, father - well, this is it. And I don't think the only way to rule is with a sword. Maybe we'd have less trouble with the lizards if we began to act civilized and weren't always repressing them." His words were strong, and Echo smiled at them. Normally, Lion-O buckled in front of his father, always seeing himself as inadequate in front of the king.
If you keep that up, Lion-O, I know you'll make a great king. He had the makings for it, he truly did, but. . . he needed time to mature.
It was almost comical as she discovered the cats gathered were looking back and forth from Claudus to Lion-O, wide, surprised eyes almost moving in sync. It was almost enough to make her laugh, but she tamped down on it. Wrong time, and most definitely the wrong place.
To her utter shock, however, King Claudus actually nodded, as if agreeing with his son. He gestured for his guards to release the lizards.
"Get out of here!" One of the guards prodded them, jabbing at the reptiles with the blunted end of their spears.
"Consider this an act of goodwill between the species," Claudus said, albeit he sounded as if the words tasted like vinegar as he spoke them, "perhaps now you might show some goodwill of your own. . . and take your responsibilities as a prince more seriously."
He pinned Lion-O with a hard stare, but in return, Lion-O simply nodded.
From there, the crowd rapidly dispersed, not wanting to seek trouble at the hands of the king. Echo groaned as she felt her adrenaline high wear off, and pain began to blister over her skin. She glanced down at her knuckles, and saw several ugly black and blue bruises already beginning to form. At the rate I'm going, Sunda's going to be glued to my side.
King Claudus ordered them all back to the palace, and the guards wasted no time shoving Echo into the entourage before she could object. Not like she wanted to, anyway, with her head throbbing the way it was. She'd definitely overused her abilities. Her body craved sleep, which, she'd come to learn, was the best remedy for making her headaches and nosebleeds go away.
In all honesty, Echo didn't remember much of the trip back to the palace. A few times she stumbled, and a guard straightened her out. Lion-O was caught in a very heated lecture by Tygra, but the voice of Claudus was silent. Once they were back inside of the palace walls, the doors shut and locked with a loud bang (which made her wince beyond measure), and she detached herself from the group, heading to the cleric hall.
Her vision had gotten fuzzy around the edges, and her nerves were beginning to feel like sandpaper, braising the inside of her skin. She paused, however, when she saw Snarf running, darting around a corner. Frowning, she followed, the small creature, wondering what he could be up to at this hour in the evening.
"Snarf?" She asked, her voice somewhat raspy.
"Marow!" Came the enthusiastic answer.
Lion-O's nanny was in front of the palace entrance, where a huge rock structure resided. Echo stared at it, wondering where she'd seen it before - and then it clicked. Earlier that day, when Grune had first arrived at the palace, he'd been toting this behind his caravan, but she hadn't had a chance to observe it up close. Echo approached it, admiring the yellow crystals that jutted out of the rock.
It was beautiful, and she was certain that whatever was carved from the crystals would be even more so.
Snarf, however, seemed entirely happy to stick his tongue out and make faces in the reflective surface. Echo rolled her eyes and crouched down, spreading her arms wide.
"Come on, Snarf. Let's go to bed, okay?"
Snarf looked torn, as though he wanted to play with the crystal some more, but after another second, he let out a happy, 'marow!' and then ran at her, jumping into her arms. Echo straightened, giving a groan as the action made her head pound, and she started back to the cleric hall.
Snarf mewed up at her happily, quite used to her "kidnapping" him and spending the night in her room.
The small creature did, however, wriggle in her grasp to settle on her shoulder and stare at the rock. He watched expectantly, but when nothing happened, he squirmed back into Echo's arms.
"What were you looking at, anyway?" She murmured, running her fingers down his spine.
Snarf made a face, spreading his lips wide, but it looked nothing short of comical. Echo huffed a laugh as she made her way back to her room.
Snarf, however, made it a point to visit the crystal again the next day.
Maybe he'd see the face pressing up against the other side again.
