A/N: One more to go in this one. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 34
To say that the Mutants handled the news badly would be an understatement. Slythe was angry and Arzu actually cried. Hamza and Ayşegül were stoic which most chalked up to shock while Refik did the best he could to comfort Esen, who looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown. It was all understandable. With Baki's death, the dreams of a changed Plundarr died as well.
"We must bury them properly," Refik spoke up.
"If that is what you want, we will scope out a spot to bury them all," Lion-O nodded.
"What of the swine that did this?" Slythe wanted to know.
"Mandora says that once the investigation of the ships is complete, charges will be brought against those that fled. Currently all of the Interplanetary Control Force is out looking for the ships," Cheetara told them.
"Please know that this has not changed your status here. What they did has not and will not reflect on you. We will begin construction on a settlement outside the Lair for both you and the other Thunderians that were rescued. We have gotten behind because of all that is going on, but we will begin again," Lion-O explained.
"We will help," Arzu spoke up.
"It is appreciated. For now, just grieve as you must. Tomorrow starts a new day, one that I hope means more for everyone on this planet," the King smiled slightly. With that, the crowd began to disperse. Willa and Nada stopped to talk to Lion-O and Cheetara, telling them that they must head home to check up on things. They would return if needed in a week's time, but Lion-O told them that they could stay home. They had been away from their people long enough and with the Evil Chasers at the Lair; the Warrior Maidens were not needed to keep the peace.
Similarly, Wizz-Ra said he needed to return to his pyramid but promised to be back if he was needed. Ro-Bear Bill and Ro-Bear Belle promised that they would return with more Berbils the next day so that a settlement could be made. The weather would turn cold in just a couple months and any work to be done outside would need to cease. Lion-O thanked them profusely once again. He had no idea on how to pay the little mechanical teddy bears back.
"Well my friend, Snowmeow and I should be on our way as well. I know that Ma-Mutt might not like that," Snowman smiled.
"He's enjoyed having a friend to play with. I appreciate your help old friend. Safe travels," Lion-O shook his hand. The large man headed out into the hallway and whistled. Snowmeow came running with Ma-Mutt right behind him.
"There you are. Hiding with Snowmeow huh?" Lion-O asked the pooch. The former horrible hound barked and then promptly jumped into the King's arms, licking his face.
"Yes, I've missed you too. Sorry that we haven't been able to play much," the lion smiled.
"No love for me? I see how it is," Cheetara pretended to be hurt and Ma-Mutt whined. Lion-O handed him over to the cheetah, who immediately received her doggie kisses.
"I have something that you two should see down in the Med Bay," Tygra approached them now that everyone else was gone.
"What is it?" Lion-O wanted to know.
"A long story and one I'd rather not share until we have some privacy," the orange tiger said. The two nodded and quickly the group headed down to the Med Bay. Lynx-O had heard the door open and stood at the entrance to Pumyra's room.
"Ah Lion-O, Cheetara, and Ma-Mutt," the lynx bowed his head as they approached.
"How are you Lynx-O?" Lion-O asked as Ma-Mutt went up for a pet on the head.
"Well. I think we've managed to come up with a name for the little one. Just need to run it by Ben-Gali first," the elder Thunderian smiled.
"That's excellent news. I think Ben went down to the hangar with Panthro and Lea," Cheetara said.
"They'll turn her into a grease monkey yet," Lynx-O chuckled. This gave them all a good laugh as he was probably right. Prior to the baby's emergency birth, Lea had split her time between the hangar and the Med Bay. Now it seemed she was back at it. They said their goodbyes and Tygra pulled them into the lab, where Technician First Class Molly Simmons was waiting. Ma-Mutt went to visit Pumyra.
"So, what's going on?" Lion-O asked.
"Well the genetic profile finally came back for Kimoni. It had actually been back for a few days but with everything going on…" Molly explained.
"We totally understand. Should we get Nkiru?" The King wanted to know.
"It might be best if I break whatever was found to her," Cheetara said. Lion-O nodded.
"Per the database, he was genetically predisposed to chemical imbalances. Wandering into the Forest of Silence or near the River of Despair in the middle of an episode of instability and…" Molly trailed off.
"So, it's possible that he committed suicide and then his remains were picked at by animals and the weather," Cheetara swallowed.
"I think so. Perhaps it was all too much. The destruction of Thundera coupled with finding you still alive probably put him in a vulnerable state," Molly nodded.
"He was acting strange before he disappeared," the cheetah said.
"I'm sorry that we weren't able to diagnose it. We might have been able to help him," Lion-O frowned.
"Not unless you had a trained psychologist and access to medicine. The medicine would have needed to be tailored to a Thunderian's physical makeup. Both would not have been quick to have and the possibility of Kimoni hurting himself or others was very real," Molly told them.
"Thank you for telling us," Lion-O smiled slightly. He and Cheetara left the two alone.
"Should we have told them what else it found?" Molly asked the tiger.
"Cheetara doesn't need to know how Kimoni killed himself. I wouldn't have even found it if you hadn't suggested where to look," Tygra said. Further close examination of the bones had proven that some of the marks near the wrists, that they thought were cause by animals were actually tool marks. The weapon had not been found at the scene but that didn't mean the marks hadn't been caused by something that had been there originally. The markings weren't enough to tell them what kind of tool and with no other evidence to the contrary, they would never know for sure. It was just an educated guess.
"You're probably right," Molly nodded.
To Be Continued…