Fall Of The Empire
Rating: T-17+
Disclaimer: I don't own this. . . or do I? Nah, I don't. So don't sue me. I'm already in enough debt with my student loans.
Author's Notes: I return.
I really can't say everything that happened to me in the time I've been away. But I'll just cover the big stuff. I was taking some time off to enjoy my first, official summer vacay, and then bam. My mom and I got food poisoning. It was so bad, she was hospitalized and almost died, and I took a trip to the nurse's station and got myself some nausea medicine they give to chemotherapy patients. I lost a whopping 6 pounds in two days, and had to take nearly a week off of work because of it.
So that was that. And after I recovered, my writing just kinda dissipated. I didn't want to work on anything. So I'm sorry, but my heart just wasn't there! I'm slowly getting back up onto the horse, but it'll take a while. This chapter felt like I was cutting my arm off with a rusty saw - it's not my best, but I need to get over this hump to get to the good parts.
Finally, I enrolled myself in a super-intensive schooling program, and I did it! I got my hands on a prestigious certificate sponsored by Cambridge University. I feel accomplished. But now that's all over, and I'm back to just working, so everything's calming down.
Anyway, I haven't abandoned this story, but updates aren't going to be monthly, like they were originally. I'm going to try to shoot for that, but I'm not going to rush it. In any case, I'll give this chapter to you to make up for it.
. . . I still somehow got a 7.5k word count. Sigh. Anyway, hi everyone! PM me if you wanna chat!
More story-related, stick with it. This will be continued in chapter two, and I'll explain some things. But you gotta wait to understand the scope of everything that's going on.
Warnings: Nothing, except for stylistic things FF loves to om nom. Mild cursing. If you see anything with the first-person in it, it should be italicized. That is all.
. . . this text is here for a mysterious reason.
"It's good to see you, my lord." An old, weathered cat said.
Lion-O looked at him, and offered a small smile. "I don't mean to be hidden away. Council meetings take away most of my free time."
The old cat chuckled, helping to package up a bundle of medical supplies. Lion-O helped him. He wasn't very versed in medical knowledge (best leave the healing to Cheetara and field dressings to Panthro and Pumyra), but it felt good to be helping his fellow cats. Besides, creating the medical bundles was deceptively simple - it was a roll of bandages, a small packet of ointment, some sticking tape to help keep it all together, and a wrap to keep it all in. They were grab-bundles, in case anybody had a gash or a cut that needed tending to. Lion-O was glad for the simple task, because it gave him refuge from his scattered, incredibly frustrated mind. Life was getting incredibly complicated, and volunteering what precious free time he had in the medical pavilion, or the storage units, was an immense relief.
Politics were not his strong suit - they never were, and they never would be. Lion-O felt his happy mood dissipating just at the mere thought of having to step foot back into the council chamber. Whoever had created politics needed to be run through with a sword or something, because it was just ridiculous. By that same token, however, Lion-O desperately wished that he would have paid more attention to his father and Jaga's lessons. . . he wouldn't have been nearly as unprepared if he'd just taken his responsibilities as prince and heir to Thundera a little more seriously. . .
But by Thundera. What was there left to rule? A broken pile of rubble, shattered statues, and charred wreckage. . .
Shaking his head, Lion-O threw himself back into the task of making the medical bundles, expertly folding the wraps to keep the items in place. It was nice to have a little sanctuary away from his political duties. Just a tiny snippet of time away from having to deal with supply allotments or meting out justice to criminals, or even having to put up with ridiculous spats between species.
The old cat shuffled to the side, depositing his wraps into a container to be neatly organized when it came time to stash them in the medical pavilion.
"You seem troubled, my lord." The old cat said, walking over to the table again to begin preparing more wraps.
Lion-O grimaced. Have I really been that transparent lately?
No wonder Tygra kept giving him private lessons. He was making a terrible example for a king. Still, Lion-O smiled wryly. "It's that obvious, is it?"
The cat chuckled. "Most cats like to think themselves opaque. . . but it's my understanding that animals are a little more translucent than they'd think. If I had to guess, my king, your troubles have to do with the state of our camp."
Entirely, one hundred percent yes. Everything has to do with the state of our camp, and my failure as a leader so far.
Lion-O was quiet, but he felt his body stiffen. The cat looked down at his bundles, old hands slowly making the packages with practiced ease.
"Don't fret, my lord," The cat continued, "You're doing the best you're able - I know this. The other cats who can't see this are still angered by the fall of Thundera. . . they demand action, crave it. But as an old cat, let me tell you, rash actions often led to the worst disasters. Your father learned this the hard way when the lizard war came about. Give it time, my king. The correct course of action will come to you when the time is right."
Lion-O wrapped up his last package, and with a sigh, deposited his into the same box as the old cat's. His precious time in his sanctuary had come to an end, he knew, and he'd have to make his rounds through the rest of the camp. His fingers trailed over the package with longing, but he knew he had to go. Nodding to himself, he turned to his old companion and gave him a bigger, less strained smile.
"Thank you. I'll take your words to heart. . . but I have to go now. I must return to my other duties."
The old doctor cat nodded.
"I understand. You know you are welcome in my supply room any time you need it, my king."
Lion-O nodded, and very reluctantly, turned to go and leave. As he made it outside, the late afternoon sun brushed over his fur, warming him. It was a pleasant day in Cat City (as the locals had affectionately nicknamed it), and had it been a year ago, Lion-O would have loved to laze about and lounge in the sun, soaking up the heat. But as it were, he had to take care of his other duties. . . which involved soaking up the animosity of the cats. And. . . yup, there it was. The resentment in the eyes of his fellow animals as they looked at him.
The lion didn't need to stand still to hear their whispers - they followed him everywhere. Each cat wanted to know why he hadn't taken action yet, why he didn't go forth and find Mumm-Ra himself, a functioning Book of Omens or not. Between his own species's anger at him, and the political battles between all of the races, Lion-O honestly didn't think he could take anymore. His skin was thick - it had to be, after living under his father for so many years - but there was only so much that a lion could take.
And he'd been dealing with this for six months.
Ignoring his own thoughts of himself as a coward, Lion-O headed to the Cat City's center, where the Feliner sat, soaking up the sun. It hadn't flown in a few days, but it was scheduled for another flight tomorrow. Panthro and Tygra liked taking it out to "stretch her tail feathers" every week, an activity that Lion-O sometimes got to indulge in himself, if he wasn't volunteering in the camp or having to attend emergency meetings. Scrubbing a hand over his face, Lion-O approached the Feliner, where Cheetara sat on one of its wings, eyes closed in meditation.
The sun highlighted her gold fur, giving her a halo of light. Looking at her, Lion-O thought that he might feel a twisting pain in his heart, as he had so many times before. . . but he didn't. He'd been in love with her, had wanted her more than anything, but it wasn't meant to be. . . Another victory that Tygra had claimed. But no. Instead, he'd gotten himself into the strangest, most convoluted relationship he'd ever been in in his life. . . If one could call it that, that is.
"Hey, Cheetara. Where's everyone?"
The cleric opened a golden eye and looked down at him.
"Tygra and Panthro are at the technology center, teaching a lesson. I don't know where the twins are, and Pumyra-"
A small cargo door to the Feliner opened, and there, the puma emerged, looking around before her eyes landed on him. A small smile twitched at her lips.
"Lion-O. I wasn't expecting you back so early."
Some of the tension in his body eased as he walked forward, to Pumyra, Cheetara forgotten. More than anything, he wanted to curl up in a ball, go to sleep, and forget the day, but spending some much-needed alone time with Pumyra would work just as well. The combat medic moved aside, allowing him to enter, and when the door closed, she leaned against him, her hands coming to hold onto his shoulder. She leaned in, placing a soft kiss to his cheek.
And just like that, Lion-O felt the stress of his day melting away.
"You look very fatigued, my king." Pumyra said softly.
Lion-O turned, wrapping her in a hug, and rested his forehead on her own. Six months, and their relationship had progressed very well. Sure, they had their hiccups, but so did Tygra and Cheetara. Pumyra could be a little short-tempered at times, but she was always the best cure for his bad days. One hug, a peck on the cheek, and he felt like the world was going to be right again. Pumyra rested a hand on the nape of his neck, massaging the skin there, and it took everything in Lion-O not to purr like a little cub.
"I am." Was all he managed to say. Don't I sound like a confident leader.
Pumyra, in the strange, clairvoyant way that she had about her, looked at him knowingly. She pulled back, just slightly, and cupped his face in her hands. Lion-O practically felt himself melting at the contact. The puma didn't show him affection in public (as per Tygra's "how to be a solid king"'s rules, but in private, it was what Lion-O craved the most. Who knew that holding a girl could feel so right? Pumyra tapped at his cheek, drawing his attention back to the present.
"Lion-O, the Book of Omens not working isn't your fault. It's nobody's fault. Jaga has his reasons for keeping silent for so long. And Mumm-Ra hasn't been doing anything-"
"Exactly," Lion-O groaned, "He's mobilizing against us-"
She placed a finger over his mouth. "I wasn't finished. Mumm-Ra might be mobilizing against us, but every day we spend together, united, is a day that we become stronger. Relax. And remind yourself that you need to take care of your people. You are a great king, Lion-O, and just because we are not fighting against Mumm-Ra today doesn't mean you are any less of a great king."
She always knew just what to say. Six months ago, he might had stammered, flushed, and embarrassed himself, but he knew how to act around Pumyra now. He leaned forward and kissed her, feeling his heart lighten in his chest. She was just what he needed to cure the irritation, the frustration, the everything. No wonder Tygra's stuck to Cheetara like glue. I'm starting to think everyone should have a girlfriend. I should make that my first official decree when I finally settle down and rule my own kingdom.
That
thought caused a pang of panic to knife through him. Oh, yeah. If he was having trouble here, in Cat City, how the hell was he going to be when he had to rule over Thundera?
His worries were interrupted when Pumyra smiled and pulled away from him. "I have to go. I'm teaching a lesson in the medical pavilion tonight."
"Do you have to?" Lion-O asked, holding her hand.
"Yes, I have to."
Pulling her, Lion-O tugged her in and kissed her again. "We could stay in the Feliner, you know."
Pumyra chuckled. "No, I'm fairly certain I have to go."
"I could hide us both."
"My students need to learn how to dress wounds."
"Oh, is that why I was wrapping bandage packets?"
Pumyra's eyes glowed in both appreciation and affection. "And here I was wondering why the medical pavilion was so well-stocked. You spend your free time volunteering there, don't you?"
"Maybe." Lion-O teased.
Reaching up, Pumyra gave him a peck on his cheek, and finally pulled away from him. "Remember to share your appearances with the other pavilions. Panthro and Tygra have been wanting you to teach a class on technology. But I have to go now. I'll be back later. I promise."
And with that, she finally walked out of the Feliner, giving him a happy look as she disappeared through the doors. Lion-O grinned to himself, feeling like a fool. Yeah, he was a pretty shoddy leader, but as long as he had Pumyra to come back to, he had a feeling he would be okay. . . and maybe even, later on. . . he might even consider the question as to who would rule beside him. . . Shaking his head, Lion-O scrubbed hand over the back of his neck. Yeah, later on, but now would be a silly time to be asking that question to himself, right? Right. So, moving on.
The reminder of the technology class had him smiling, though. In their time in Cat City, each of the original ThunderCat band had offered their knowledge to the resident Cat population. Panthro and Tygra were at the helm of the technology program, and Lion-O was incredibly pleased to note that the Cats - and all other animals (their classes were open to everyone) had taken to technology very quickly. Guns, vehicles, and computers were commonplace now, and startlingly easy for the populace to become accustomed to. What had once been a source of ridicule and myth had become an integral part of their species.
Though, Lion-O mused, that was primarily to keep pace with the other species. The birds were heavily integrated into technology, and the dogs had been using guns for quite some time. The cats, with their primitive weapons, had needed to gain ground. So they had. But, Lion-O thought, at least it was a start. He even attended some when he was able, but lately his schedule had been filled.
Like right then and there, he had some alone time. He should probably use it to catch some sleep, which always seemed in short order nowadays. Stretching, Lion-O padded across the Feliner's hangar bay. . . and he passed by the cockpit. There, sitting innocently in the control panel, the Book of Omens laid, dormant and quiet. Despite himself, and even before he knew what he was doing, Lion-O crossed the hangar bay and headed to the cockpit. He was before the Book in just a few moments, and he stared down at it, feeling a mixture of a hundred different emotions.
It was useless. He'd done everything - begged, pleaded, even asked Jaga for help. But the Book had remained utterly quiet. For months, it had sat in the Feliner's console, quiet, and asleep. Lion-O sighed, for the millionth time, and collapsed into an empty pilot's seat. He placed a hand on the jewel, feeling its cover. He remembered when he'd been dragged inside, when he'd seen Leo and Mumm-Ra. When he'd died, and he'd faced his trials. . .
And yet, now, when he needed it most, it was silent.
Dropping his hand from the cover, Lion-O stared blankly out of the windshield.
"Jaga. . . I really do need your help. Now. More than ever. Without a sword in my hand and a mission. . . I make a terrible king. But I'm getting better. I'm leading my people. It may not be with a sword, and I may not be the best king, but I'm trying."
The Book was still silent, dormant and quiet. Lion-O smirked.
"But I'll just get better from here. I always learned best by throwing myself into things. I'll get there. But Mumm-Ra's still out there. And so is the last stone. I'll have to find it before he does, Jaga. And I hope that's soon. Whoever gets that stone decides the fate of Third Earth. And I won't have Mumm-Ra destroying everything again."
Breathing in, Lion-O stood up, glancing down at the Book one last time. Whether or not Jaga answered him, he knew he would have to go find the last stone eventually. As he turned to leave, a bright, red flash illuminated the cockpit, and he spun around, his heart leaping in his chest.
There, right before him, Omens was coming to life, projecting a hologram into the air. Lion-O could hardly believe his eyes as a thrill wove through him. He grinned as he felt all of the pieces sliding into place, and his hand itched to hold the Sword of Omens in his hands again.
Looks like eventually came a lot sooner than I thought.
"No! This is ridiculous!"
"Why? What objections do you have to this cause?"
"An emissary to every animal should attend this voyage."
"And how should such a thing be possible?"
The council chamber was in an absolute uproar. Lion-O stood, still and silent, as he contemplated what each of the animals were saying. The Book of Omens had finally returned to life, shown him the next step to his journey (which, thanks to the Feliner, would be much, much quicker this time around), and all the animals could do was fight. Lion-O glanced to his right, wishing for the millionth time that Tygra could join him in the council room. His brother would know the best way to cut through the ridiculousness. Especially since they were fighting over the right as to who would attend this mission.
Lion-O let the arguing continue for a few minutes more before he finally held up his hand. A hushed quiet fell over the room as the bickering animals subsided, wanting more information - information only Lion-O had.
"Enough fighting. This is only breeding contempt between our races. Let's discuss this civilly." Lion-O was amazed at how calm, and strong he sounded. For just a minute, he actually believed he was the strong leader that he was trying to be.
A birdman with beautiful white feathers, narrowed his eyes at him and snarled. "The Cats only seek to increase their power! By allowing an emissary of all races to accompany you-"
A dog barked. "Why? Because the birds weren't saturated with power of their own? I don't recall the Cats having a city that floated in the sky!"
"What of the fish?" A fishman said, jumping up, "For years, we have been shunned by all races! No more! We seek our own fair share-"
Words wouldn't reach them.
Instead, Lion-O flexed his hand and with a strong flare of anger, raised his fist and smashed it against the slab before him that served as a desk. Instantly, started cries filled the chamber as the animals jumped up in shock. In the gauntlet, the Spirit stone flared to life, sending bolts of purple energy lashing out - not to injure, simply to gain attention. And it worked. All of the animals fell quiet, and Lion-O leaned forward, shifting all of his weight onto his hands as he stared out at them.
"Listen," He said, calm, and solid as stone, "The Cats will atone for our mistakes. I will atone for my mistakes. I will go on this mission, but there will be no emissaries, no senseless fighting. Mumm-Ra may pose a threat to all of Third Earth, but he is my fight. I will be the one to stop him. Is this understood?"
A stunned silence fell over the animals assembled, and Lion-O straightened, pinning them all with a critical stare. "Good," He continued, "I understand that on the surface, this may seem unfair. But the stones chose me to fight - they would not work for any of you," (Harsh, but true, another thing that made it possible for only him to do this), "And we leave immediately to pursue this mission. Dobo."
The doberman perked up. "Lion-O?"
"In an act of goodwill, I ask that you lead the cats in my absence."
Shocked murmurs rang through the council chamber as the other animals looked at him, thinking him absolutely crazy. Crazy's my specialty.
"I will," Dobo agreed, "They'll be in good hands."
Lion-O nodded, and then stepped around the side of the stone slab, "Thank you. If any of you have need of me, you can contact me via the Feliner's communication systems. I'll try to respond as promptly as possible. We depart for our mission now."
Nobody stopped him, not a single animal cried out in outrage. It was utterly silent as Lion-O turned his back, pushed open the door to the council chamber, and walked out. And that, all in itself, was exhilarating. For the first time since he'd begun leading, Lion-O finally felt as though he'd managed to accomplish it. He'd done it. He'd done it. Lion-O's heart was still pounding as he strode through Cat City and made a beeline for the Feliner.
Stepping on board, he saw another incredibly amazing sight - all of the Cats, already in position to go. Under his feet, he felt the Feliner power on, a powerful thrum rattling the frame of the craft as it came online. Pumyra was the first to greet him, smiling broadly and giving a small wink. Lion-O's lips twitched in response, giving her a small, secret smile, and then he turned to Tygra, who was flipping switches and turning dials, prepping for takeoff.
"We're ready to go!" Panthro announced, looking over a diagnostics screen.
Tygra grinned. "Words I never thought I'd hear again. Just give the word, Lion-O."
Lion-O sat down, buckling himself into a jumpseat, and beside him, the twins were practically small blurs, they were so excited.
Lion-O nodded. "Take her up, Tygra."
"Let's go find the last stone!" Kit cried, jumping up and down in her seat.
The Feliner lifted from the ground gently, careful not to disturb the Cat's tents that had been erected close to it, but when it was clear, the engined thrummed to full power, and Lion-O felt gravity shift as it took off, speeding away. The twins cheered, and Lion-O breathed in, feeling a sense of normalcy, of confidence settle into him.
This was what he'd been born to do.
The trip, surprisingly, only took a solid six hours.
The Book, settled neatly into the navigation console of the Feliner, projected a map onto the air, and Tygra and Panthro both followed it closely. The path was fairly straightforward, and despite Lion-O's irrational fear that the Book would somehow offline and go dark, the flight went very smoothly. With the Feliner, they sped over the landscape, and a journey that may have taken half a week was greatly reduced to just a few hours - something all of the Cats loved. Kit and Kat were excitedly bounding around the aircraft, their possessions and weapons cleaned and packed neatly. The rest of the Cats had also followed suit, prepping for deployment before the Feliner had already landed, Pumyra and Cheetara taking the longest.
Medics do love to be prepared, Lion-O mused.
Finally, however, the fated moment came, where Tygra began to set down the Feliner. And Lion-O could hardly contain the excited quiver in his hands as he felt the Feliner settle down, and Tygra powered down the engines.
"Alright," His brother announced, "Book says we're here. There's a cavern about half a mile away - that's where the Book's pointing."
Lion-O peered at the map, and then looked to the outside world just beyond the Feliner's cockpit. Panthro mimicked the action, and let out a thoughtful hum.
"Book took us just to the ridge of the Fishmen's Sea. I know there's a cavern system here - don't know how deep it goes, though."
"We'll have to find out. Let's keep on our guard - we don't know if Mumm-Ra's here or not." Lion-O said. Secretly, Pumyra brushed by him, offering just a modicum of assurance. If Mumm-Ra was in that cavern system. . . Lion-O planned on venting a solid six month's worth of frustration and anger.
Finished prepping, the crew set out, disembarking the Feliner. Salty air stung Lion-O's nose, and he scrubbed at it, fighting memories of a time when the sea had been made out of sand, and he'd nearly gotten them all killed in a bid for vengeance. But that had been a lifetime ago, and this was the now. After ensuring everyone had their gear checked one final time, Lion-O lead the way as they hiked to the cavern, which was, quite oddly, very out in the open.
Lion-O was so excited, he hardly remembered most of the walk. With Omens right at his hands, just begging to see a bit of action, he hardly felt like he could contain himself. He wasn't a king that could sit by and make do with ruling politically. He had to have action, he needed conflict. War seemed to run in his blood, as much as it ran in his father's. Upon reaching the cavern, Lion-O brushed against the Spirit Stone, which illuminated the darkness with a radiant pink light.
Kit and Kat rushed to his side, peering into the dark.
"Anybody else have a torch light?" Panthro said, looking into the gloom. "Never hurt to be prepared."
"I have one. Let me get it." Tygra offered, and began digging through his hip pouch.
"Look at it! It's so dark!" Kat said.
Kit's tail swished behind her. "You know, I really miss Echo. She wasn't afraid of the dark. . ."
Immediately, Lion-O jerked to Kit, pinning the young kitten with a harsh stare. "That's off limits, Kit." He said, injecting a little bit of steel into his voice, "You're not allowed to talk about her. You know that."
Rightly, the kitten looked ashamed, but the damage had already been done. Panthro and Tygra had stiffened, anger in their eyes, and Cheetara's jaw clenched, a tell that the cleric was doing her best to mask her own anger. Pumyra's eyes were steely, and her fur bristled. Shortly after setting up Cat City, all of the Cats had instituted the rule - Echo, and any subject pertaining to the human, was strictly off limits. Nobody talked about her, and that was just fine with Lion-O.
The more time went by, the more the wound the human had left was starting to patch over. Just thinking about her still left him conflicted, but time really did heal all wounds. The more he thought about it, the more anger began to bleed into his guilt. Some nights, he honestly hoped that the human had died, losing too much blood that day, because if they met on the battlefield, he'd probably have to finish up the job.
Shaking his head, he gestured to the cavern.
"Let's get moving. Kit, Kat. . . No talking."
The kittens obeyed, as did the other Cats, and without much waiting, they headed into the cavern. Panthro took the rear with Tygra, and popped the torch light, giving them all a radius of light to see by. The more they walked into the cavern, the more the sound of the ocean faded, as did the salty air. It was quiet, but it was also somewhat tense. Every second that passed, Lion-O felt like one of Mumm-Ra's generals was going to jump out and attack them at any moment - or even Mumm-Ra himself.
But there was nothing but darkness and shadows.
Lion-O had a small bit of pride as he noticed how quiet they were, but that was something of a necessity. There was no telling what they were walking into, and Lion-O knew that stealth was of the utmost priority.
Time stretched on, and they headed deeper and deeper into the cavern. Eventually, as Lion-O walked, he felt a shiver crawl over his body, and the next step he took made it feel like he stepping into oil. He stilled, drawing the rest of the column to a stop.
"What was that?"
"Magic," Cheetara supplied, "Give me a moment."
She reached out and touched the wall of the cavern, closing her eyes. Her hand glowed, and several blue lines appeared from the cavern wall, coming to life under her hand. A second later, the cleric detached from the wall.
"It's not hostile. It's just a masking spell, keeping this place hidden from prying eyes. Likely, it could be what took the Book of Omens so long to locate it."
"Anything else you pickin' up with your mumbo jumo?" Panthro rumbled.
Cheetara smiled and shook her head. "No, Panthro. You're safe."
"You clerics and your magic." The general grumbled.
Tygra laughed. "That cleric's saved your life a few times with that mumbo jumbo."
Lion-O gestured them forward. "Less talking, more moving."
"Of course, your majesty."
"Don't start with me today, Tygra."
Silence fell a second time as they kept going forward, and Lion-O kept having to remind himself to walk, not run. A cavern, in the middle of nowhere, followed by magic lacing its walls? Oh yeah, they were definitely in the right place. It was just getting to the secret of the cavern that seemed to be taking forever. Lion-O was not a lion known for his patience, and he just wanted to get to the heart of things already. He was tired of having to go through riddles and ancient traps in order to find out what he wanted to know.
Apparently, however, that was exactly what he'd have to do.
They emerged into an antechamber with three large archways leading off into the gloom.
"Typical." Lion-O muttered.
"Use Omens, Lion-O." Pumyra suggested, glancing down at the blade, "Maybe it might be able to tell us the way."
Nodding his head, Lion-O drew Omens, and held the sword in front of him. The War Stone glistened in the faint light of the torch, and he exhaled steadily, remembering six months of frustrated visions, or trying to find the next stone and coming up empty. . .
"Sword of Omens, give me Sight Beyond Sight!" Lion-O said, holding the hilt closer to his face. He saw the edges of the sword curl up, around his eyes, and he felt Omens reach out, brush against his mind, and then the world was lost to him. He saw a murky pinkness, something not unlike the Astral Plain, but then the clouds subsided, and he saw a large, cavernous room, something large glowing in the center. . . and the vision faded.
Lion-O shook his head and sheathed the sword. "The spell has to be confusing the sword. There's a room a little ways in, but I don't know how to get there. There was something in the center of the room, but I couldn't see it very clearly."
Pumyra rolled her eyes and looked to Cheetara. "Clerics and their helpful magical spells."
"It kept Mumm-Ra at bay for centuries, so I'd certainly say it was." The cleric retorted.
Tygra examined the caverns. "I say we split up. One group per archway. We'll cover more ground that way."
Lion-O nodded his head. "I agree. With any luck, one of them will converge on the main cavern. . . I hope."
"Only one way to find out," Panthro said, and grabbed the twins. "You two, you're comin' with me. Only way I'll make sure we don't get a repeat of the Temple."
"Awwww!" The kittens pouted.
Tygra, eager to seize the opportunity, shifted closer to Cheetara. "We'll be our own group."
Lion-O shook his head, exasperated, but it was cut short as a certain puma took her place by his side. "Works just fine for our group."
Oh. . . I could get used to this, he thought.
"Alright everyone. Pick your cavern, and had in. Keep an eye out for anything - and be on your guard. We don't know if Mumm-Ra or his generals are here. . . or anything else, for that matter."
And they set off. Lion-O let Pumyra guide him to the central archway, and they headed in. No fuss, no fights - Lion-O had a large suspicion that everyone wanted to get to the heart of this mission as much as he did. It got quiet as they continued, the sounds of the twins fading, and the echoes of their footsteps replacing it.
"Are you sure it was wise to let the twins go with just Panthro?" Pumyra asked, walking by his side, in the light of the Spirit Stone.
Lion-O nodded. "Tygra's been training them daily. Six months has done them a lot of good. They're probably not ready to fight Kaynar or Addicus, but I'd trust them to hold their own."
"I was wondering what they were up to in their spare time. . ." The puma mused.
Lion-O cracked a grin. "You were spending a lot of time in the medical pavilion."
"Our people needed tending to. . . And I'm glad you've stepped up to take your father's mantle."
Lion-O blushed, and angled his head away so Pumyra couldn't see it. Since the initial chase after the first three stones, Lion-O had been trying to curry the puma's favor, but now that he had it, he still felt as though he were as clueless and oblivious as a newborn cub. Women were a whole other ballgame for him. Regardless, this wasn't the time for him to get distracted. Lion-O shook his head, but he had to suppress the urge to clear his throat.
"I'm glad you approve." He said.
In the dark, he could hear the puma snicker.
That cat knows she flusters me. . . And I have a feeling she does it on purpose.
The cavern slanted downward, and Lion-O focused back on the task at hand. The cavern was oddly quiet. It was like some giant beast, waiting, just waiting, holding its breath. . . And Lion-O couldn't shake the feeling that this first section really was too easy. Even in the Temple, he'd had to bypass traps. All of the other stones had been laced with century-old security traps. And this cavern simply had a spell masking its location.
"I don't like this," Lion-O said, "Everything's been too easy."
"Is that a bad thing?" Pumyra asked. "I feel we're owed a break."
"That would be nice, actually. . ."
A draft hit Lion-O in the face, and he perked up, finding light shimmering ahead of him. The same lines began to glow under their feet, and raced to an entryway - almost as if they were ushering him forward. And within moments, he was at the exit of the tunnel. . . And so where the other two.
"That. . . was almost kind of predictable." Tygra said.
The archways all led to a huge, cavernous room - the same one he'd seen in his vision, Lion-O noted. The glowing lines painted strange runes and symbols on the walls, and illuminated the room in a blue/white light.
"Look!" Kit said.
"Is. . . Is that. . .?" Kat continued.
Their voices carried, and Lion-O looked to the center of the room, their whispers still echoing. . .
And his heart stopped.
There, in the center of the room, a podium stood. In the middle of that podium, there was a rolled-up scroll encased in crystal, and. . .
And a human hand laying against it, tracing over the smooth surface. A black cloak swallowed up the rest of their frame, but Lion-O knew of only one human, he knew those hands, stained and diseased when she'd picked up a sword that hadn't belonged to her.
"Traitor." Pumyra hissed.
Her hand stilled.
Lion-O felt frozen.
What happened next was a flurry of action.
Tygra and Cheetara raced ahead, hardly waiting for any kind of plan to be formulated, and Lion-O startled. The first thought that raced through his mind was concern - if Tygra and Cheetara got their way, Echo was going to get murdered. The second thought that ran through his head was shame. Why should he care if Echo died? She'd betrayed them. Still, Lion-O ran forward, but he didn't have the speed or distance that Tygra and Cheetara had with their head start.
Echo turned, and as Lion-O drew oOmens, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Echo looked different - the air around her felt different. Gone was the blue and black garb, the red scarf - what replaced it was gray, with belts and buckles, and it reminded him of the Leo's time. She stood there calmly, her face impassive, electric, alien eyes staring at her two attackers. Cheetara drew her staff, rearing back for a hit - and somehow. . . the cleric ran to the side, never striking her - like she'd intentionally missed her.
Tygra drew his gun and stopped, propping his handgun on his other hand, giving him a steady surface, and he fired three shots - all of which missed.
"Lion-O, now!" Pumyra snapped.
Watching the action, he'd hardly even noticed he'd started slowing down. Being prompted, however, he drew Omens and raced forward, Pumyra at his side, Panthro just a small distance away, Tygra running forward, and Cheetara leaping into the air, twirling her staff again. . .
And they froze.
Lion-O felt as though he was weighted down by rocks, and try as hard as he might, he couldn't move. Shock poured through him so strongly, he felt like he was choking. He could barely breathe, and as he tried to, he felt those invisible rocks press against his chest, strangling him. A wheeze escaped him, and in response, a feral growl left Pumyra. Calmly, as though she had all the time in the world, Echo shook the hood off of her head, and Lion-O was again struck by how different she looked.
Her hair was white, and still long, but the ribbon he'd given her all those months ago was gone. Her eyes, normally warm and inviting, now looked like ice and steel.
A small, dark smile twitched the corners of her lips. "Hasn't anyone taught you that it's rude to interrupt somebody while they're doing something? No? Well. . . I can't blame you. You lot are just a bunch of uncivilized animals, after all."
And the rocks holding him pushed, and Lion-O felt the wind leave him in a rush as he was blown backward. He twisted in midair, recovering, and slid along the rock. Digging his claws into the stone, he skidded to a halt, and stared at Echo, not knowing what to say, or even what to think. She'd never been that strong. Not even towards the end - she'd only ever been able to hold Panthro back for a handful of seconds before she overloaded.
And she'd just. . . all of them. . . at once? It just wasn't possible.
Those eyes looked at him, so alien and different, and Lion-O knew that that power couldn't be hers. It had to be Mumm-Ra's. Mumm-Ra's gotten into her head. He's controlling her!
Jerking up to his feet, Lion-O felt Omens vibrate in his hands, but whether or not it was a warning, he didn't know. He just knew he was looking at his friend, his best friend, the human that had sacrificed so much for him - it made sense. Maybe she'd never been the spy. Mumm-Ra had probably been in her head this entire time.
In his chest, his heart began to shatter. If that was the truth, then everything he'd done to her. . .
"Echo!" He shouted, gaining her attention, "Mumm-Ra's doing this to you! You can fight it!"
For a second, a very long moment, she simply stared at him. But then a flicker of pain came to life on her face, and she hissed.
"Fight it, Echo! Mumm-Ra doesn't have to control you!"
Her face contorted in pain, and a few, strangled whimpers escaped her. She staggered back, hands coming up to hold her head. Lion-O watched as the rest of the Cats tensed, staring in shock.
"L-Lion-O. . ." Echo said, her voice saturated with pain. "Lion-O. . . h-help. . ."
Warily, Lion-O approached, his heart in his throat. He was on the cusp of getting his friend back. They'd work through their problems together. She would be at his side again, laughing and smiling and being the strange human he'd come to know and cherish.
"Echo, fight it! Please! You're stronger than he is."
Echo stilled, her shoulder shaking, and Lion-O stopped. He stood a good twenty feet away from her, and his breaths were shallow and strained. He swallowed against a tightness in his throat as he watched her hands drop away, and the shaking grew.
And she chuckled. Within moments, it erupted into full-fledged laughter. She wrapped her arms around her middle and stood straight, calming down.
"Jesus, I can't believe you bought that!" Her voice was bitter, dry, and dark, and it make a shiver crawl down Lion-O's spine. "There isn't any mind control. This is all me! All of it!"
Panthro, in a move telling of all of his years and experience on the battlefield, somehow materialized behind her, nunchucks drawn, prepping to hit her in the head - a sure knock-out blow. Lion-O felt a thrill weave through him. She wouldn't be able to stop him up close. She'd never been that strong before. But, in a move totally defying everything he knew, Panthro did stop. Just a hair's breath away from her, and with that same freakish strength, the general was sent skittering away.
The general crashed into the wall with enough force to crack it, and he groaned, sliding down to the floor.
She won't hurt me. I have to do something.
He ran forward, drawing Omens, and the Spirit and War stones glowed. Lion-O felt his eyes sting, but he could see a gaseous aura surrounding the human. Her mental power. It raced to him, but he cocked his sword arm back - and swung. And he cut through it. It parted around him, acting almost like water, and for just a moment, he grinned. Echo looked surprised - she stared at him in shock, but as he got closer, she responded by drawing her own blade.
She prepped her guard, and when Lion-O brought his blade down, she met him. Her form was entirely alien and different (reminding him of the first time they'd practiced her sword skills), and it was like nothing Lion-O had ever seen before. She was stronger, too, muscles streamlining her strange body. But Lion-O would always be stronger than her, and they both knew it. He pressed down on his blade, making her arms shake. He could see the anger flash in her eyes as she registered that he was showing her that.
he would always be stronger.
"You don't have to do this. If you just stop-" He started.
In response, she laughed. Her smile was colored with madness, with rage.
And somewhere, in the back of Lion-O's mind, he idly wondered if that was what he looked like when his father died.
"No. You don't get to say that me!" She snarled.
She reared back and kicked him, sending him staggering backward, and she spun, the hilt of her sword crashing into his temple. Lion-O dropped like a stone, his head throbbing, and he laid on the floor, stunned. The rocks returned, and not a moment too soon for the human. Cheetara and Pumyra had been a moment away from her, readying to lash out against her. Calmly, and without any hurry, Echo sheathed the strange sword - where did the ones I gave her go? - and turned to the crystal.
"I don't feel like playing anymore today." She said, hands touching the crystal.
It shattered, the shards floating in the air as she reached in and grabbed the scroll. With it in her hand, she looked to Lion-O again, her eyes glittering with pent-up fury.
"You'll pay," She said, her voice low and promising retribution, "For what you've done. All of you. . . but you, most of all. I won't sleep until every one of you is dead."
She turned, striding over to the edge of the platform, where the rocks dropped away, and led into darkness.
The invisible rocks fell away from them a moment later, and Lion-O struggled to his hands and knees as Pumyra landed, rolled, and came up in a crouch, her mini-bow ready. She fired shots in succession, but they stopped, hitting Echo's freakishly strong mental shield, and before Lion-O could cry out for the puma to stop, Echo reflected the bullets back to them.
Lion-O rolled behind the podium just a second before the bullet hit the space where his head had been, leaving a rather noticeable crater and crack.
She took a step - a single, calm step - and gravity took her down, the darkness swallowing her up.
Lion-O crouched there, breathing heavily, shards of crystal raining around him as the last of Echo's mental abilities faded.
The silence that followed covered him like a wet blanket, imprinting on him Echo's eyes, and he could hear the human's dark vow, echoing in the darkness.