Epilogue

Not to anyone's surprise Ben had been incredibly happy that he and Pumyra were going to have a cub. He didn't even try to temper his enthusiasm while the puma remained slightly pessimistic. Tygra tried to reassure Pumyra that she would be in good hands as Lion-O should regain the ability to go on full active duty in two weeks and everyone's jobs shifted back to normal. She felt reassured that Tygra would be back on full medical duty soon and was glad that two weeks didn't seem so long to wait for her friend to help. In the meantime, Doctor Pungali would help her with the usual tests and checkups.

Tygra had been right, as usual, in regards to Lion-O. Two weeks later, Pumyra cleared him for duty and the lion immediately got a date set for the funeral for those on the doomed ship. The research he had done while he was laid up was certainly interesting but regrettably impossible to continue. Bodies were mummified and they didn't have any bodies. Therefore he decided that the ashes of the ship would be placed in jars that Panthro had crafted with the help of Ben-Gali and Snarfer. Originally the Ancient Egyptians didn't have access to metal like the ThunderCats did and would have used clay to make the Canopic jars. Instead, Panthro improvised and used some of the metal from the shell of the doomed ship to create the jars. They were laser etched with the Ancient Egyptians hieroglyphics so that they would last forever. The lion only hoped that their efforts would be looked favorably by the Gods that these people had worshipped.

The ceremony had been a somber one as the monument, an obelisk, which had the Canopic jars entombed in it, was placed. Lion-O said some words that all the Thunderians would understand and then he attempted Ancient Egyptian which he had been practicing. Although no one, including Lion-O, understood what happened next, the Sword of Omens roared and flashed the symbol of the ThunderCats across the sky. Then as if by magic, Whiz-Ra, appeared from the sky. He landed in front of Lion-O and bowed his head. Everyone was stunned but they realized that he was literally the last of his kind. He turned to the monument and Mumm-Rana's pyramid, uttering words that no one understood. Mumm-Rana's pyramid began to glow and the Ancient Spirits of Goodness walked from their home. The ThunderCats watched, completely stunned, as the Spirits chanted in their ancient tongue. In a flash, the pyramid, Whiz-Ra, and the Ancient Spirits were gone. In their place, a burned patch of ground, with ancient hieroglyphics permanently etched into the soil.

"May the Gods protect you and guide you home," Lion-O whispered to himself before giving the farewell salute. Everyone around them saluted as well. Then they began to disperse.

"That was very well done," Cheetara smiled at him as he wheeled her in her wheelchair to the ThunderTank. She had been discharged from the Med Bay but it was taking a while to rebuild her strength and Tygra and Pumyra insisted on the wheelchair.

"I hope it was enough," Lion-O said as he pushed her up the ramp. The cheetah reached behind her and put a hand on his cheek.

"Your father would have been proud to see how you handled everything with dignity and respect. I can only hope their Gods agree," she said, turning her head to him. He turned his face into her hand and kissed it.

"I would like to think that Whiz-Ra's surprise arrival means they did," Lion-O nodded.

"Yes. I think so. We should be sure to toast him at dinner tonight," Cheetara told him.

"Agreed. He was a great help to us as well and now I fear he and the Ancient Spirits will disappear," the lion admitted.

"Then we will do our best to remember them," she said as they settled into their seats. Panthro fired up the ThunderTank with Lea beside him and the vehicle headed back toward the Lair as the sun began to set. Lion-O looked back at the site as the metal obelisk caught the sun's rays and smiled. Many had sacrificed their lives but now the Kingdom would prosper and for that he could not be more grateful.

THE END

So we've reached the end. Look out for a new story next week. :) Thanks for your support!