AN: Here's the next episode. At this point, I admit the idea I got for this came from hidden object games Called Dark Parable: the curse of brie Rose. And I know My writing isn't from best part. But still, enjoy.

Next day Leona was feeling much better, but Boin said it would be best if she rests another day. Maybe more if it's necessary. Boin told that it's because Leona had a huge wound on her side. It kind of made sense on why she collapsed in moon shrine and before she got shot with poison. Leona hadn't told yet, where she had it, but it's possible she never will. But even still Boin said she had to rest more than usual. He did put some medicine on the wound so it could heal it faster since he already looked same age like Wilykittens and he did not wish to return back as tree-year-old. Leona had to accept that and tried not to do much. She was even laying on the bed or on Qui's back. She now could at least eat normally. The soup wasn't that bad, but having just it, wasn't great either.

It was night time when Thundercats where sitting near the fire with defender Orthrus, defender Boin and Rose. Night sure had affection on wolves. In the campfire, warm night air and moonlight made Orthrus and Rose sing some songs they knew from their people or from Hidden Paradise. Boin in other hand started to play his flute along them. It kinda felt amazing. The elephants where meditating again and singing didn't seem to bother them. In fact, it might have even relaxed them to meditate more.

"Could you teach me to play like that too?" Wilykit asked from Boin, it kind seems that Boin's flute was effecting on nature itself.

"Well, I don't see why not," Boin said.

"You know, there's one thing I like to know," Tygra said.

"What's that?" Lion-o asked.

"Back at the Moon shrine, the Shadow Queen called you princess of Canine kingdom," Tygra said to Rose.

"He does have point." Panthro said."The canine kingdom was known a long time ago. How old are you?"

Rose bite her lip. Not that she didn't like the question, if not how to answer.

"Um... it's a bit of complicated and long story," Boin said.

"Correction. It's way long story with many complicating parts," Orthrus said.

"It's okay, guys. It's already been done. It's kind of also part Leona's story too after the Thundera."

"Really? We love to hear it," Wilykat said and look Leona. "What happened after you got back to Hidden paradise?"

"Ugh! I'm not good at this..." Leona said. "First of all, I feel so stupid in it."

"No, no. You didn't sound stupid." Orhtrus said.

"But you sure looked weird." Boin laughed before he got a bowl on his head.

"You promised never to laugh about it," Leona said.

"What was that all about?" Lion-o asked.

In this Orthrus sighed and took good sitting position

"I think it's best if I'll tell you," he said. In this, some the elephants came listen too.

"When Leona came back Hidden paradise, we hold a memorial for those who lost their lives. In that time we defenders were prepared to help everyone who survived there."

"Except all, I got when we all were captured and taken to rats." Boin points out.

"At first we tried help every survivor to get used to on Hidden Paradise. It wasn't easy, but we managed to help them and get used to our ways. After that, we started to train her, so the earth and sky won't always go nuts when she emotions go all out control."

"Does that usually happens to defenders?" Wilykat asked.

"No, but like I said Leona isn't an ordinary defender," Orthrus said. "After she had trained enough to control those powers on nature, elders asked her to meet them..."

*Flashback*

Leona was standing front of the elders. On that time there was only elder Torton, elder Ceres, elder Ron and elder Owmel (white owl). She was wearing training outfit, which looked like an ancient white tunic.

"You asked me to come," Leona said.

"Yes." elder Torton said. "Since your training is soon to be finished, I think it's time tell you about your first mission."

"My mission?"

"Yes. Considering that Mum-ra has shown up, this must be done in time," Elder Ron said.

"What's it going to be?" Leona asked feeling bit worried since it seems to be very important.

"You must go find stone replicas." elder Ceres said.

"A what?" she asked.

"I know. This is very new to you since it was last known before paradise became Hidden," elder Torton said.

"With all respect, eldest one. But this feels like you know this because you have been there," Leona said. Everyone looked on the oldest elder among them.

"It's true. I was small baby tortoise when it all happened." elder Torton said before started to tell. "Back at the time when Mum-ra was looking for the power stones. All the best kind of animals were picked to serve him. The rest were destroyed among those who put against him. I was one of that kind. But I was saved by Leonora, the first Thundercat Leo's younger sister in the medical section. She had kept me and other animal cups hidden, so we won't become like the rest. This wasn't an easy secret to keep since we needed to be fed and she hardly ate herself for not to raise any suspicion. On time came she heard they're going to Plun-Darr galaxy, so she prepared to get in there before they did. Knowing well that it was either to serve Mum-ra or die. She about got there when she discovered that Mum-ra's intention was to destroy the entire galaxy. Leonora tried to get away but was caught by the wave of the explosion. She did manage to get back without been notice, but after not eating for a long time, she was already feeling weak. Leo noticed this and discovered us. In this, he decided to go against Mum-ra and take the last stone before he did. Leo kept his sister's secret save and even made sure we got feeding like we always did, but also that his sister got something to eat too, but she refused.

Then when came the time when Leo got the war stone and went against Mum-ra. When he managed to free everyone from the ship, we came out from our hideout. The older ones carried us young ones. But Leonora could hardly walk then because she still hadn't eaten anything. When third earth's gravity started pull ship to it, everyone tried to prepare for crash landing, but in that time Leonora started to wish that everyone will survive, even if she won't. By that pure innocent wish, the tree stone started to glow brightly than ever. Then tree light beans surrounded her in which everything was covered by light. In this, no of us knew what happened then, except we all were safe on the third earth. When spot Leonora we then noticed that she had three identical power stones like Leo had, except the Power stone.

When all the animals start to spread and shared the stones, Leonora kept the replicas of the three stones, because only we knew this and keåt it from others. I wasn't sure back then why we didn't, but I believe those replicas reacted on Leonora's pure wish. Which why they can't be shared like others were. They need to be earned. We animals cups went with her to somewhere else and started a new home and called it paradise. Among us were the ones who became first defenders on third earth. But after her death, some races wanted to take over the "Paradise" in which why defenders made it Hidden."

"So, you mean these replicas are like my legacy from my ancestor?" Leona asked.

"Not quite. Like elder Torton said, the replicas are not like the originals. These stones don't accept any metal if not a pure heart. This was confirmed, when we discovered guiders" elder Ceres said.

"Does Mum-ra know about these stone?"

"Not that we think of," elder Owmel said. "The light of Leonora was too bright, that it even mix up the book of omens. Not to mention he was already a prisoner in the capsule."

"But even if he does know, he sure knows that he can't get his hands on them. The stones protect themselves from dark forces and evil creatures. It's because of them Mum-ra can't stand any light." elder Torton said.

"But why me then?" asked Leona.

"The stones left Leonora after she took last breath. They obviously didn't want to take the risk that next generation will be a cold-hearted. But now, since the Mum-ra has shown his face we think it's time we find them to protect ourselves from forces of darkness." elder Torton said.

"But where are they?" Leona asked.

"The guides know their locations. And since you have now your own, you're more than ready for this," elder Ceres said.

"When do I start?" Leona asked.

"Soon as possible." elder Ron said. "Take time to prepare now."

"Okay. I will," she said and was ready to leave.

"But Leona." elder Torton said. "In the end, the stone only accepts someone with a pure heart. You do realize what happens if you don't have one." Leona let those words ring in her mind. This sure won't be any easy.

Next day all defenders were waiting in front doors of the palace for Leona not just start her very first mission, if not also most important one. There were eight defenders in Hidden Paradise, for now, seven, because defender Boin was in Mount Plun-Darr. Orthrus, Fen, and Selene where canine defenders. Lacar was only reptile defender. He now had some scars on his chest and back, but that didn't seem to mind him at all. By what he had learned over the years have made him bit serious in certain things. Then there was defender Aquil, the leader of bird city, Avista. Even by all technology in his kingdom Aquil has also interest in old ways. Which has made him far wise than any other birds from his age. He usually is called when the danger is too great to everyone, except this time he wanted to come by himself. While he is gone, his twin sister Aquila looks after the city. It's was better her then prefect Vultaire. The twins dislike him a lot. No matter how they know he likes to be in charge in Avista. Luckily defenders had told them that they'll help them when the situation gets nasty. The last defender is defender Serena, a dolphin. Her mother works as a high healer in Hidden paradise. By how it looks she can control water in any form. What comes to her nature she never has gone angry.

When Leona came out she was wearing her cape, but it seems like she holds her cape like to cover herself.

"What are you hiding?" Orthrus asked.

"It's a bit of my fault," Luna said who came behind Leona. "I tried to find a proper outfit, but all I had was her dresses."

"By all this time, that's all you have prepared? My dresses?" Leona asked bit annoyed.

"Well, we defenders do need to look our best in important meetings or feasts," Aquil remind. "And since this defender stuff was started by your ancestor, you're almost like a princess here in Hidden paradise."

"I hope to stay that way. And get proper outfits," Leona said.

"But I don't see what so wrong with this?" Luna asked.

"I look like explore here," Leona said while turning around to show on Luna. She was wearing boots, blue pants with white silk belt and green blouse with transparent sleeves.

Then she heard laughter behind her. Aguil, Lacar, and Fen have started to laugh out loud with their guides. It seems to be obvious to tell that their guides have shown them what she was wearing. Serena and Selena in other felt pity for her. As girls, they knew how she feels. Orthrus stayed quiet since he never saw what's so important on what anyone was wearing. Plus, it might also be that he didn't want to disappoint Luna because it seems he was having a crush on her.

"I promise I'll make something for you before your next mission," Luna said.

"You means before next replica stone," Leona cleared.

"Well, that depends..."

"I think...you could use... my... my sisters...help," Aquil said while was still laughing.

"IF YOU DON'T STOP IT, I MAKE YOU WEAR SOME OF MY DRESSES!"

In this, they stopped.

*End of flashback*

"She made them what?" Tygra asked.

"I know. Good thing I wasn't there," Boin said.

"But I will if you started it again," Leona said.

"What then happened?" Lion-o asked from Orthrus.

"A cording to guides she haded to start from Vulpus village. So, I and Selene took her there. It was there she heard legends of Canine kingdom."

"And that has to do with you, right?" Cheetara asked from Rose.

"You could say Canine kingdom fall after what happened to me," Rose said while looking down.

"What happened?" Wilykat asked.

"On that time I was going meet some suitors who I should pick to marry, a strange woman came. She turns out to be a witch of plants who wanted stay young, but for that, she picks someone's body to take it over."

"And she was going to take yours." Cheetara finished.

"Yes," Rose said. "She put me into deep sleep spell, so she could take my body, but when she tried, something blog her to get in."

"It was the replica of the spirit stone." Orthrus explained. "In that time Defender, Leonora had passed way and replica choose her."

"But because the sleep spell no one couldn't wake me up. All I could see how my parents tried many things to get me back, but nothing. In the end, they pass way and kingdom went apart."

"Well, that does explain why you live now, but how did you wake up?" Lion-o asked.

"Well, that's was when we came to the village." Orthrus said and continues the story.

*Flashback*

In Vulpus village, Leona looks around the village, while Selene showed the place. It was her first time out in the world and it felt amazing. Orhtrus was speaking with the chief of the village. It seems like he knew where Leona should be looking the stone. After the talk Orthrus came with the chief to the Leona. The chief of the village was a strong looking fox. He seemed to face some battles a long time ago, but little girl next his legs tells that he hasn't been any battle because of his daughter.

"I have spoken with chief Zor and Lou does agree. The replica is in there," Orhtrus said and points up to the nearest mountain.

"What it's in there?" Leona asked.

"The old castle of canine kingdom." chief Zor said.

"Okay..." Leona said. "Is there something I must be aware in there?"

"Also that a whole place is in ruins and you might find the sleeping princess. No." Selene said.

"A what?" Leona asked.

"Look. You have Qui there. You'll be fine." Orthrus said.

In time Leona was on her way to the old castle. Qui told its story of the sleeping princess. Once they get there Qui notices something.

"What's wrong, Qui?" Leona asked.

"Something is wrong. I sense something dark magic here."

"Dark magic?" Leona wonders. Then she noticed that vines were growing fast than usual. "Qui, you think...?"

"Yes. Even if this place is old, the vines don't grow that fast. Whatever is happening here must be stopped before it gets to the Vulpus village."

Leona swallowed hearing that. Not that vines are dangerous or anything, but by how they were growing it would be a matter of time before it covers half of the third earth. Once they get the castle's garden they started to feel more and more that they weren't only ones there. The place seems to become creepy to both of them.

"Qui, you don't think that..."

"Are you scare of the ghosts?"

"No. I tried to ask if would be possible that the witch could be here too?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, she did want to have the body of the princess."

"True. But since she failed back then, she had to pick another body. Otherwise, she could be dead by now."

"Okay..."

They kept walking more in the garden until they came to old swing chair. In there sense someone's presence.

"Qui?" Leona asked.

Qui didn't answer if not get small and hide in her cape. Because whatever it was it seem to even come to them or starting to show up.

*End of the Flashback*

CONTINUES ON NEXT CHAP