Empty cradle

Chapter 12

By Leanna

Meka growled and reached for the gun Rohan still had in his hand, "How dare you break into my home and spit this self-righteous bull to me," he snarled and aimed at the panther.

Panthro seen the gun, Leanna was still in front of him, he knew if Meka fired, she might be the one who got hit. Just as the gun fired, he grabbed the lioness by the shoulders and pushed her out of the way. Leanna gasped in surprise as she hit the floor. Panthro let out a roar as the bullet grazed his right shoulder. Meka tried to fire again but the panther was too quick for him. He landed on the floor with a thud as Panthro launched himself and landed on him, forcing them both to the floor.

Seeing this Rohan ran for the door, he wanted no part of this. Leanna seen her father run, but didn't go after him, he wasn't important, Panthro was. She got up and ran over to the two men who were scrapping on the floor. "Panthro stop!" She shouted trying to get him off the older lion.

Panthro wasn't listening, he was too furious to listen; he has his sights set on Meka and nothing was going to stop him. He balled up his fist and drew back his arm; he didn't even feel that his elbow accidently connected with Leanna's rib cage as she tried to stop him, his fist struck home with a powerful blow. Meka's head snapped back and he was out cold.

Lion-O and Bengali came upon the scene which was total chaos, Panthro on the floor with Leanna's struggling to restrain him "what in Thundera!" the lion king exclaimed.

"Stop him!" Leanna wheezed holding no to her rib cage"he'll kill Meka".

It took the combined strength of Lion-O and Bengali to pull Panthro off the elder lion and keep him restrained," Ok, Panthro," I think he's had enough"

"I'm not done with him yet" Panthro snarled and tried to break free.

"Panthro, stop...That's an order" Lion-O said firmly pulling the panther back.

Leanna ran over and checked on Meka, "he's alive, just out cold, "the lioness said, then stood.

"You realize you could have just started an all out clan war" Lion-O said as he and Bengali released the irate panther.

"Don't give a sh*t, "Panthro snorted and checked the wound on his shoulder

"You should, "Lion-O said with a frown, "what did you think you were doing?"

"Having a little chat.. .That's all" The panther said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Right, must have been some chat," Bengali replied taking in the devastation of the room.

Panthro scowled "too bad I didn't run him over with my tank" and spit at the unconscious lion on the floor.

"Bad enough you drove through his front door, "Leanna said shaking her head.

"It was an ugly door anyway," the panther said.

"That's not the point. You are really in serious trouble now" Lion-O sighed, "we better get Meka some medical attention..Ben, put him in the tank and we'll take him back to the lair" Lion-O looked at the panther's arm "You ok?"

"Just a flesh wound, lucky he was a poor shot" Panthro answered and looked at his mate, "Lea.. you ok?"

"Yeah," the lioness said, "Didn't know your elbow was so sharp".

"Sorry about that," The panther said and ran his hand gently down the lioness's rib, "think they're just bruised, I am sorry lea; you know i would never hit you, it was an accident" He said feeling like a sack of crap.

"I know, "she said with a smile. "Can we go home now?"

"Yes...now we can go home "the panther nodded and headed to the tank.

"Next time, I'm bringing the wrench," the lioness said and jumped into the transport car she had come in.

Lion-O had sent a few thunderguards to Meka's home to protect it from looters and to also asses the damage that had been done to the building. It didn't matter if Panthro was right or wrong in what he had done, either way Lion-O knew they had to repair the damage that had been done, after all the Thundercats were his responsibility and he knew if word got out, the people of Thundera would likely frown upon the panther's actions. And after what happened at the meeting would only make matters worse.

The Thunderian king went down to the med bay to check on Meka. He met up with Pumyra before going into the main clinic. "So what's the damage?" the lion asked.

Pumyra pulled up a file, "well. His jaw was dislocated, cheek bone fractured and his nose broken in two places, "the puma answered, "I suppose he's lucky to just have that," she said with a slight smirk.

"Very," Lion-O agreed, "so is he awake?'

Pumyra glanced back towards the ward, "yes, and in a very bed mood, maybe you should wait until morning to speak to him, I'll give him something for the pain and to settle him down for the night"

Lion-O smiled, "Thank you Pumyra ... Given the situation I think that would be best for everyone...cooler heads in the morning sounds better"`

"No problem Lion-O, I can knock him out for a month if you think that would help" The puma offered with a smile.

Lion-O couldn't help but chuckle, "Remind me never to get on your bad side," he said then winked. He knew she was only trying to ease the tension of the situation.