Chapter 34
"I think you would have been proud to see how things went today," Lion-O told his wife from the seat next to her bed. Cheetara was still unconscious due to the medicines she'd been given; Refik assured him that it was better that way given how she was hooked up to the machines.
"There is definitely a level of confusion between those that don't understand why we'd be helping them and the others who obviously find this whole experience hard to trust. We'll get there I'm sure, it just won't be overnight," the lion said. He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze before bringing her hand up to his lips and giving it a kiss.
"I miss you, but I want you to get better, no rushing this ok?" Lion-O wasn't sure why he was asking the question given the fact that the cheetah couldn't hear him.
"I wouldn't say what I can do would be a rush," the voice from the doorway caused the lion to put down his wife's hand and turn his head toward the door.
"Why didn't you come get me when this happened?" Wizz-Ra asked as he moved into the room and closer to the two ThunderCats. The ancient wizard was concerned that he hadn't been called upon to help out. He'd been busy helping the doctors with Timur in the beginning, but it was soon discovered that he could not correct a birth defect. Wounds were easy but an issue such as the little pumiger's was a whole different matter. After that he'd been watching the entire process with the Mutants unfold but at a distance. This was something that interested him greatly, but his pyramid was not entirely complete, the Lair's partial destruction had left his construction project as a secondary concern.
"Truth be told, I'm underwater here. First, Tara uses her speed to put out the fire in front of the Lair. Then Panthro had to track down Colonel Rattigan. We tried to interrogate the rat, but I think it only made things worse for Slythe. This morning I was helping make sure our new Mutant neighbors were getting settled. The housing will take some time to complete and even then, it's only temporary; just enough to get us through the coming winter. We're still in the planning stages on how to make things more permanent, plus adjust the crop outputs. Then of course, there is still the matter of building trust between the Mutants and everyone on this planet. Mandora has joined us back on the planet and she is physically better, but her mental condition is very much in question. I now understand why I didn't get to spend as much time with my father as I would have liked," it was a rare moment when Lion-O admitted that he was feeling overwhelmed.
"The weight of the world is on your shoulders as King but let me help ease some of the troubles," the wizard said putting a hand on the lion's shoulder. Lion-O smiled slightly and nodded. Wizz-Ra removed his hand from the lion and went to the foot of the bed. He raised his hands and spoke in the ancient language of his people.
Cheetara opened her eyes, confused. Lion-O quickly comforted her, telling her to not try and pull anything out, before anyone arrived. He'd pushed the call button and, in a few moments, Tygra walked into the room. Seeing Cheetara awake and the wizard there, the tiger didn't bother to ask any questions. He just quickly explained what he had to do and then did it. Now off the breathing machine, Cheetara could only croak, her throat was dry. Lion-O urged her not to speak. Wizz-Ra promised to be right back.
A minute later, he returned with Pumyra and a plastic cup and a small pitcher of water. The puma helped Tygra remove the feeding tube and fluids IV while Lion-O poured Cheetara some water. Adjusting the head of the bed, so she was sitting up, Lion-O handed her the water. The cheetah took it gratefully and drank it quickly.
"Is that better?" The lion wanted to know.
"Much but could I have some more?" She asked. Lion-O quickly poured her some more.
"Handy to have those powers," Tygra said, pulling Wizz-Ra aside.
"Handy indeed, but it just doesn't seem I can help with much else," the wizard frowned.
"I don't know about that. I think Lea would like your opinion on Mandora," the tiger told him.
"Lion-O said she's having a mental issue. Those, like the problems of Timur, are something I cannot cure," the wizard said.
"Yes, but what you just did for Cheetara can be done for Mandora. Her physical condition is quite delicate. Perhaps that will alleviate some of her mental woes," Tygra suggested. Wizz-Ra nodded.
"Point me in the direction of the lioness. It would seem we have much to discuss," he smiled, glad to feel like he could be more useful. Tygra headed out into the hallway and the wizard followed. They moved down to the hangar, where Lea had been seen last. The door was locked and Tygra thought that was odd. He pressed the doorbell option on the door's electrical pad and Lea answered via the panel.
"Care to have some visitors?" Tygra asked.
"Yes, sorry. We locked the door so little Timur wouldn't wander out into the hallway earlier," Lea quickly unlocked the door and the large entrance opened.
"What are you two up to?" Wizz-Ra wanted to know.
"Pan thinks he has something that will help the little guy see but we needed our patient in order to test something out. Plus, Lynx-O was helping," the lioness explained as they moved toward the office where Lynx-O and the Panthro were fiddling with the computer and what looked like a set of goggles, which were connected to the machine. In a nearby playpen was Timur, he seemed to know that there was a lot going on or at least he was just happy.
"Hello, you two," the lynx said.
"Hello Lynx-O. You'll have to tell me how you do that. It's almost like you have some magic of your own," Wizz-Ra said.
"You walk heavier than you realize. You're the only one that I know that actually walks lighter than everyone else but not light enough for my ears to not hear," Lynx-O smiled.
"The sandals help soften my footfalls but I'm guessing that what you are working on is more impressive than sandals," the wizard said.
"Indeed. I think we've managed to come up with some glasses that will help Timur. I also have some ideas that might help him in the future," Panthro smiled as the computer program finished running. Lea went over to the playpen and scooped the little one up before sitting down next to the panther.
"How do these work?" Tygra asked pointing to the goggles.
"Well, they magnify everything but with any luck they'll adjust as objects get further away from or closer to him," the panther explained.
"You whipped these up since Lea got home this morning?" The tiger was surprised.
"Three heads are better than one, but truth be told I think he was stewing on this for a little while," Lynx-O said.
"I had an idea; I just hadn't had the time to put it to the test. It's actually only taken a few hours, with any luck, that is," Panthro smiled.
"Well can I borrow Lea for a few minutes?" Wizz-Ra wondered.
"After our test, absolutely," the panther said. He took the goggles and disconnected them from the computer. Carefully, he slipped them over the head of the little pumiger and put them into the proper position. Suddenly, what had been a content face lit up. Timur reached for the panther and Lea handed the almost one year old over.
"Is that better little buddy?" Panthro asked. Of course, Timur couldn't answer but he clapped his hands to the panther's face.
"Success, I'd say," Lynx-O was beaming.
"I can think of two people who really want to see you. How about we take you and Lynx-O to see what they think?" Panthro wondered. Timur smiled, possibly the first real smile he'd ever had.
"Save those smiles for Mom and Dad," the panther chuckled. Quickly, he and Lynx-O excused themselves.
"So, what's up?" Lea wanted to know.
"I think I might be able to help Mandora," Wizz-Ra said.
"I'm all ears," the lioness said, offering him a seat.
To Be Continued…