Please Enjoy. I only own Snow, her staff and her culture/home, also Snow's POV is in first person whilst everyone else's POV is third person.
I would like to thank Heart of the Demons for the review
Chapter 11: - The Astral Plane
The Thundertank raced through the woodlands almost as if it was sensing Panthro's eagerness to get back to the Elephant village "So the Spirit Stone's been in that blasted hut all along," Panthro stated.
"Not exactly," Me and Lion-O said at the same time which caused the other cats to look at us weirdly.
"It's in the Astral Plane," Lion-O said.
"And the Hut is the gateway," I finished.
"Ok can you two not finish each other's sentences, it's creeping me out," Tygra said.
"Getting back on track where on Third Earth are the Astral Planes?" Panthro asked.
"It's not on Third Earth at all Panthro. The Astral Plane is the Spirit Realm and as Snow said the Hut is just a gateway in," Cheetara explained.
"Is it in the village or isn't it?" Panthro asked and I could tell he was getting confused.
"It is and it isn't," Tygra answered which defiantly annoyed and confused Panthro even more judging from the growl and shake of his head.
"Is it creepy that we finish each other's sentences?" Lion-O asked me and I smiled.
"To them maybe, but like Aburn told me and Kit, Perfect Harmony is a beautiful and powerful thing maybe we're getting there," I said whilst shrugging my shoulders.
The kittens and Snarf were currently in the resting area, Tygra and Panthro were in the cockpit, Cheetara and Lion-O were leaning out of the hatch and I was sat in-between Lion-O and Cheetara on the roof of the Thundertank.
"It took a while but I finally got a hang of this thing," Lion-O said pulling out the Sword.
"I knew you would, there was a reason the Sword choose you," Cheetara said and patted Lion-O's hand before ducking back in.
"It's probably the same reason she's going to choose me," Lion-O told Tygra and he ducked back in.
"And just like the Sword one more thing you don't deserve," Tygra said
"I thought I told the two of you to pack this silly love squabbling in," I said whilst shooting a glare at Tygra.
"That won't happen any time soon. When two Cats want the same thing they'll fight to the end until one of them has it," Panthro said.
"I know that, but this is ridiculous they could at the least wait until a certain threat is gone," I replied.
"I couldn't agree more," Panthro stated and silence fell on the three of us but I noticed that Tygra looked to be lost in thought.
We had arrived in the mountain area where the village was located only for Panthro to quickly stop the Thundertank, when we saw smoke rising from the Elephant village "By Thundera," Panthro exclaimed.
"What in the name of Seraphina happened?" I asked as shocked settled on my face.
"I don't know, maybe we should check it out," Tygra said and I stood up and jumped off the tank.
"Everyone stay here I'll look," I said and I snapped my fingers and turned invisible I crept along until I came to the village and horror struck me, Lizards were all over the place and the Elephants were all herded together and Grune was talking to them.
'Damn him.' I thought before creeping back to the Thundercats, I saw that the others had come out and Lion-O was using Sight Beyond Sight.
"We're too late the Lizards have found the hut," Lion-O said and everyone snapped their heads to him.
"Doesn't mean they have the Stone," I said and turned visible and then everyone turned to look at me "Let's face it the Elephants might not even remember that the Stone's in the Astral Plane," I said.
"Snow's right we can use this to our advantage," Cheetara said and Panthro nodded his head.
"All we need is a plan," Panthro added and everyone looked at one of the royals and Lion-O suggested that we should get a better look at what was happening in the village.
We had situated ourselves on a hill across from the village "Grune," Panthro growled out.
"Remember he's mine this time," I reminded Panthro of our deal in the mine and he nodded.
"Get in a good hit for me," Panthro said and I nodded, that seemed fair enough to my mind.
"We'll have to go about this delicately, he's got hostages," Lion-O said and Kit looked worried.
"What are you thinking Lion-O?" Cheetara asked and everyone turned to the young king to hear his plan.
"Lets' wait until nightfall, use stealth," Lion-O suggested and I agreed it seemed like the best option we had.
"Are you kidding? We can't waste time waiting for the right window we should move in now. I say we take the tank it's our only chance against their firepower," Tygra argued and this surprised me.
"Why do you have to challenge every command I make Tygra?" Lion-O asked annoyed by his brother's argument.
"Because I was the one who actually studied military strategies with father while you goofed off," Tygra argued back.
Cheetara gave her argument and since she had a clear mind she could see the logic but Tygra looked hurt by her words when everyone left I grabbed his arm "Mind explaining to me why you're so obsessed with Cheetara," I asked.
"I'm not obsessed with her," Tygra growled out, as he ripped his arm free from my grasp.
"Well it's either that or you have a major crush on her," I argued back and then he looked down "You do don't you?" I asked seeing his expression.
"Yeah so what?" Tygra growled at me, he turned his back almost was if he didn't want to look at me.
"Since when?" I asked him and I crossed my arms whilst also pinning him with a stare and he seemed to fidget underneath it.
"Since I was a teenager," Tygra said and a look of shock graced my features I then shook my head and I patted his shoulder.
"Listen I've never been in this position but I'll tell you now you both should let her decide who she wants to be with," I said and walked back to the rest of the Thundercats.
We waited in the tall grass and I had removed my cloak so that I would be that visible, I waited with Lion-O and Cheetara "Ever since we were cubs Tygra's fought me at every turn," Lion-O said and I knew he was angry about the argument before.
"Tigers are known for their pride," Cheetara said but Lion-O claimed that there was something dark inside of Tygra and Cheetara said it might have been because he was in his younger brother's shadow.
"Doesn't mean it didn't go both ways," I said and the two Cats turned to look at me.
"Lion-O got the throne, Tygra got everything else they both existed in the other's shadow," I explained and looked back at Tygra.
"You both need to work out this sibling rivalry otherwise who knows what could happen," I advised and Lion-O turned back seeming to mull over my words and a bell began to toll.
"It's time let's move," Lion-O said and Tygra argued we still should have brought the tank.
We crept through the grass and we eventually arrived at the bottom of the stairway that lead to the village and Lizards were guarding the front, Snarf ran over and began to serve as a distraction by making the Lizards chase after him.
He also serve as bait when he led them right to Panthro who swiftly and silently knocked them out, we entered the battled and I used my speed to knocked the Lizards out with a punch to their blind spots.
Lion-O used the Sword, Cheetara used her staff which we discovered could turn in to living roots when struck to the ground, Tygra used his stealth whilst the kittens raced up to the village after dealing with everyone we followed them up and hid in the bushes Kit however revealed herself and Aburn noticed us and I restrained myself from slapping my forehead.
We all came out and were surrounded by Lizards we had our weapons raised ready for a fight "Weapons on the ground or the grass eater gets it. I assure you I won't miss a target this big," Grune said as he pointed his mace at Aburn, I growled but dropped the Staff along with everyone.
Panthro was the only one who held on to his weapon "General?" Grune questioned.
"Traitor," Panthro spat back and then he also dropped his weapon to the floor, then Grune came over and picked up the Sword.
"At last the Sword falls in to worthy hands, of course it's not what I came here for. Where is the Spirit Stone?" Grune demanded answer and pointed the Sword at Lion-O.
"Have you check the hut?" Lion-O asked Grune almost as if he was trying to aggravate the Saber-Tooth.
"Oh you may be prepared for their dead but are you prepared for theirs or hers'?" Grune questioned and then faster than anyone could reacted, I was pinned with my back against Grune with the Sword at my throat.
"Snow!" Everyone exclaimed but I looked straight at Tygra.
*Thundercats*
Tygra stiffed when Grune pulled Snow forward and used her as a hostage 'Dammit.' Tygra cursed in his mind but then he saw Snow looking at him her eyes darted behind him Tygra glanced back to see the cliff the tank was on and he understood what Snow was trying to convey with her eyes.
"I don't know where it is?" Lion-O said trying to stall for time hoping to save the Snow Leopard.
"And yet you came back to the village," Grune said he turned his head to the Lizards "Wipe out the entire herd," Grune ordered and Tygra felt disgusted that he had ever idolized that Cat.
The robots began to power up and the lizards stepped back Tygra realised that no one was watching them and so he used this as a chance to sneak away "My turn Lion-O," Tygra whispered and he crept away with Snow being the only one to notice.
*Thundercats*
'I guess you aren't as dense as I thought.' I thought to myself as I saw Tygra sneak off, it Panthro, Cheetara or Lion-O left it would be to obvious, whilst the kittens wouldn't understand my meaning but Tygra could easily sneak away and he would understand what I meant.
"Wait! I'll tell you" Lion-O spoke and I looked at him, I was thankful he had saved the heard but I was worried the Lizards would get it.
"If you say it's in the hut…" Grune said but Lion-O cut him off and explained it was through the hut in the Astral Plane.
"Now let Snow go," Lion-O said but Grune only chuckled at the young Lion's request.
"Oh I don't think so, after all she's leverage over all of you," Grune said gripping me even tighter "See none of you can attack me without hurting her," Grune explained.
Panthro growled whilst Cheetara and the kittens looked worried but Lion-O was trying to keep calm but I could tell that he was worried about me so I gave him a small smile.
Grune took me and Lion-O to the hut with some Lizards guarding the entrance "If the hut is just a door way then how do we open it?" Grune asked and looked at Lion-O.
"With a key," Lion-O said and pointed at the Sword "And you know full well I'm only the only one here who can use it," Lion-O said.
"Don't do anything foolish," Grune replied and gave the Sword to Lion-O, the Sword lengthen and lightened crackled off the blade Lion-o charged forward and a glowing golden portal opened before us.
"Incredible," Grune said and he tossed me aside seeming to forget his reason to hold me hostage, he grabbed the sword and turned back "Prepare a party to enter but first kill them all," Grune said and I heard the powering up of the robots.
Then there was a familiar rumbling and explosions could be heard from outside, I looked outside to see the Thundertank had arrive Lion-O helped me up and we ran out with Lion-o grabbing the Sword and he did his chant and the symbol appeared.
I began to run around and after grabbing the Staff I knocked the Lizards out however Grune being the coward he is ran off along with the rest of the Lizards I walked up to the tank and gave a thumbs up to Tygra.
"Smart idea," Tygra said and hopped out but I shook my head and pointed at him.
"It was yours to begin with. I did think the sneaking in was our best option but the minute we were caught we need another plan and I recalled yours," I said and he chuckled then we head into the hut with the other I tapped the portal with the Staff and the portal stabilised.
"Finding the Stone will not be easy, the Astral Plane is unlike anything you've ever encountered. There thought itself is formed into reality," Anet warned Lion-O.
"I'm coming with you," I said and Lion-O looked at me and he smiled.
"Glad that you are," He said and I smiled back at him, he then turned back to the doorway "Ok, I can do this," He said trying to reassure himself.
Cheetara then walked up and kissed Lion-O cheek "I believe in you," Cheetara said and I swear it reminded me of Leo and Panthera, but I also noticed that Tygra was hurt by her actions.
"I'm going with you this mission is too important for the two of you to handle alone," Tygra said.
"Thanks but I don't need your help," Lion-O replied and I placed a hand over my eyes.
"Funny because I already saved your tail once today," Tygra said and I waited for the argument to start.
"I sense a negative energy between you two," Anet said and I silently thanked the Elephant for stopping this argument.
"Yeah ever since we were cubs," Tygra said looking at the Elephant.
"Fine after you," Lion-O said and Tygra entered the portal but just as we were about to Anet stopped us.
"There is one thing I must tell you. I see something, a vision. By evening bell tomorrow you will know a betrayal from your brother like you have never known," Anet warned.
"We don't always get along but he wouldn't betray me," Lion-O said.
"Anet's visions are never wrong," Aburn said.
"Never?" Lion-O asked almost as if this doubt were consuming him, I took his hand and lead him into the doorway letting the light engulf us as we travelled to the Astral Plane but as we entered I felt another presence follow us in a dark and evil presence.