A/N: Only one more chapter to go. Thanks so much for reading!
Chapter 37
Lion-O stood in front of the crowd of Mutant defectors the next morning. Between the Mutants, Berbils, Warrior Maidens, and Evil Chasers, they temporary housing had gone up quickly. Wizz-Ra had promised to return to help after he regenerated a little. Healing Cheetara and Mandora had taken quite a bit out of him and Lion-O had thanked him for his help as well.
"I know this is a lot to take in. There is a lot to be excited about but in our excitement, we must remember we're all on a bit of a learning curve. We may have different cultures but deep down we are not that different.
"The good peoples of Third Earth have accepted your arrival despite their misgivings. They are willing to work with you to make Third Earth a home for all beings. I'm sure that you have misgivings of your own, given what you've been told about Thunderians. We do not expect this to go completely smooth. It's hard on everyone but with hard work we can gain a level of trust that was once thought impossible between our peoples.
"We'd like to start meetings so that we can get to know everyone and hopefully help get everyone settled. After the winter, we'll begin working on permanent housing and growing more crops. I know there are probably lots of questions that everyone has, I'm not sure this setting will be helpful to answer them. Please select representatives and then they will become the conduits for information. The leaders of Third Earth will meet next week with these representatives," he finished up.
"What do we call you?" A voice from the crowd came up.
"You can call me Lion-O. There is no need for a formal title. Here on Third Earth, we do not have a sole governing body. We govern our own people and involve the other peoples of the planet only when necessary. I believe that you can do the same," the lion explained.
"But you're a King!" another shout went up.
"I am only a King of Thundera, not of Third Earth. If a major decision, that affects the whole planet, arises the leaders of Third Earth meet, as I mentioned. This will not change now that you are here. Your representatives will join the leaders when planetary decisions are needed," Lion-O told them.
"Why did you do this?" A third Mutant asked.
"We once offered Captain Baki and his men shelter here. It would tarnish their memories if we were not prepared to do the same for you," the lion said. There was a murmur amongst the Mutants.
"Now please spend the day getting yourselves settled and relaxing. Things have been crazy and there is nothing pressing left to do," Lion-O smiled, with that the meeting ended and he headed back inside the Lair with the other ThunderCats and their Mutant friends.
"You think this will work out ok?" Slythe wondered as they entered the Lair.
"I think so. It won't be easy, but we'll figure it out. I do have a question for you," the lion said.
"Ask it," the lizard was surprised at King not just coming out and saying it.
"What do you think about becoming a ThunderCat?" Lion-O asked.
"Me?" Slythe was even more surprised and stopped in his tracks in the hallway. He realized that everyone else had stopped too.
"Well, you, Arzu, the crew. You guys have been instrumental to helping us with this. I have made the same offer to Captain Samson, Torr, Nkiru, Mr. and Mrs. Ceylan, and Mr. and Mrs. Hamdi, as they too have been very helpful during all of this. They are mulling it over. I think that the title can no longer just be held by Thunderians and should be opened up to those who have shown they embody the soul of what a ThunderCat is," Lion-O admitted.
"I… wow," Slythe didn't know what to say.
"Well think it over. No need to know instantaneously," the lion smiled.
"He's an idiot. I am honored that you would bestow this honor on me and my crew. I only hope that we can continue to prove we deserve it," Arzu spoke up.
"I have no doubt that you will," Lion-O beamed.
To Be Continued…