The Curse

Chapter Two: Animal Instinct

The scenery flies by as we speed through the jungle on our way back to the Lair, the cool twilight air blowing through my thick mane as I relax, but I have a funny inkling that something isn't right.

"Guys, I'm not sure why, but I've got a funny feeling that something's up." I say as I gingerly rub my aching neck where I was cut with the knife, "I know that Mumm-ra is up to something bad, but I don't know what."

Tygra looks at me before saying "It probably doesn't help with the fact that you haven't eaten since breakfast. You know how bad that is for you – you've gotten pretty thin because of you skipping meals."

I run a hand through my tousled crimson mane which is being whipped about my head by the breeze.

"You've got a very good point there Tygra, but I don't think this is relating to that. I can sense Evil at hand in all of this…"

"I wouldn't be surprised if that's just your nerves acting up."

"I know you're most definitely right but I just can't shake this feeling and I definitely don't like the fact that I do."

"You'll feel better once you've eaten something, trust me. But I fully understand the feeling of unease. There was definitely some kind of ulterior motive behind what happened today as it's very rare for both the Mutants and the Lunataks to actually work together unless they're receiving something as a reward for doing so."

My brow furrows as I think about this, as now that he's mentioned it, it does seem extremely suspicious and it only serves to heighten my worries. It just doesn't make any kind of sense whatsoever and that's what I find the most stressful. My hand absent-mindedly goes to the wound on my neck again, fingers running over the small piece of lint taped carefully to prevent any further bleeding. It's incredibly lucky that the blade didn't go deeper than it did because knowing my luck, it would have nicked an artery or vein.

Finally snapping out of my stupor, I look up as the Lair looms on the horizon, silhouetted against the early evening sky of many hues of orange and pink. I can't wait to be able to have something to eat before getting a nice hot shower and then going to bed. Despite the serum that Tygra gave me, I still feel the horrible effects of the Thundrainium. The Thundertank slows gradually as we approach the towering stone building before coming to a complete stop as I get to my feet, albeit very unsteadily.

"Woah, careful."

Panthro catches hold of my arm, and it's his strength which is the only thing keeping me standing. Tygra looks at me and I can see the worry in his eyes as he checks me over.

"I don't like how your body is reacting to the Thundrainium. I'm sorry to say it but I'm going to have to get you to the infirmary to get you checked out, Lion-O. Usually, that serum works no matter how much exposure you've had."

I merely grunt in response, my head spinning from the heat of the day and my lack of suitable hydration. My own fault, really, as I barely have drank anything today. It feels like I'm being pushed in every direction as I'm helped into the Tower, and it takes a lot of effort just to get to the infirmary. I lay down on one of the beds on my side, my head sinking into the softness of the pillows. The nausea has lessened off somewhat and I don't feel as dizzy as I had been, but I don't blame Tygra for wanting to check me over.

~(BORDER)~

Today seems just like any other as I look over the scanners. Nothing appears to be amiss aside from the report of the attack by the Lunataks and the Mutants and, all things considered, it's definitely quieter. I sip my cup of candyfruit juice before taking a deep breath in, wondering how my friends dealt with the attack in the way that it happened. I haven't heard very much as both Panthro and Tygra seemed very reserved but now that they are back home at the Lair, I'll finally be able to find out.

The door opens behind me as I stretch, banishing the stiffness within my joints by getting up once I see the Wily twins headed towards me. The kittens are definitely in a very good mood as is evidenced by their talk of the flight they've just had on their hoverboards, and I have to admit that I feel bad for them having to take up watch duty from me. However, I head out of the Control Room and off towards the hangar where I know everyone usually congregates after a journey out in the Thundertank. The evening breeze coming in through the open windows is sweet with the aromas of the flowers of spring, bringing with it the promise of new life and beginnings.

Upon arrival to the hangar, I'm surprised to find that it is in fact almost completely empty aside from Panthro, who is seemingly working on repairing minor damages sustained from the skirmish. He hears my approach and looks up from inspecting a dent on the bodywork, his face a mask of anger.

"Hey Panthro, where are Lion-O and Tygra?"

"Oh, I thought you knew. Lion-O was ambushed by the Mutants and Lunataks during the battle. The whole thing was a ruse so that they could get to him; he's perfectly fine but Tygra just wanted to check him over so they've gone to the Infirmary."

"Thank you…"

I leave the hangar, walking at a brisk pace until I reach the infirmary, and when I walk in the first thing I see is the lion huddled up on his side on one of the beds. I notice that he's only wearing the lower half of his uniform, his bare chest and back allowing for a full view of the intensely-muscled structure of his torso which is covered by thick glossy fur.

Lion-O glances up at me as I approach his side, and the first thing I see is the blood that mats the fur on his neck. He looks very tired and I notice the intravenous drip connected to his arm. I look into his golden eyes and see a world of emotions within.

"I hear that they decided to ambush you?"

I sit down on one of the chairs by the side of the bed as the lion rolls to his back and pushes himself up, albeit quite sluggishly.

"Yeah…injected me with…pure Thundrainium…"

I look up at Tygra worriedly, fearing for the lion's health at having been administered a direct dosage of the weakening substance but he merely shakes his head. What does that mean? I glance up at the fluids in the IV bag and recognise the green liquid as the concoction that the tiger invented to negate the harsh effects of Thundrainium poisoning. A small relief, yet relief nonetheless.

I gently place a hand upon Lion-O's cheek and immediately I can feel the warmth radiating off of his body. Today has been extremely hot for the time of year that it is and I know that with his clan being from the harshest of climates, he will have struggled immensely with the heat. He hasn't even began to shed his thick winter coat yet, which is strange.

"He's very hot, Tygra."

"I know, that's why those fluids that are being pumped into him are cold."

"Can't I go yet? You know how much I despise being cooped up in here…"

Lion-O scowls deeply as he straightens up, seemingly almost losing his balance in the process. I gently take hold of his hand as Tygra checks him over.

"Once I'm happy with your vitals, you can. You're almost there but I do want your temperature to drop just a couple more degrees."

"Pumyra would let me go."

"She's the one who told me to keep you here. Nice try though."

~(BORDER)~

Later that Evening

Today will be the day. Everything which I need for this ritual is lain out neatly before me on the stone table and all I need to do once the elixir has been formed is find a suitable way of entering the Cats Lair in order to spike the meal for Lion-O. The Thundercats will have absolutely no idea of what has happened as, come the morning, their leader will no longer be the man who they know him as. I study the bubbling pot meticulously, unplugging the phial of the lion's blood before tipping the vital fluid into the pot. It lets out a loud hiss accompanied by a puff of black smoke, and I grin widely. Everything is coming along as it should.

I turn my attention to the Mutants and Lunataks who are gathered nearby. None are talking to the other, preferring to just stand and glare at each other with malice and hatred. A well-placed crackle of electricity sent arcing through the air to lash at their feet has the desired effect though, as their attention turns back to me.

"It is almost ready. By sunrise tomorrow, the Lord of the Thundercats will have been transformed into a viciously wild man-eating beast."

"What if your plan doesn't work as expected, hm? What is they all turn into those feral creatures? That would be more according to-"

Alluro quickly shuts up as I snap my head to turn and look at him, and I see the visual discomfort on his face at the eye contact. Letting a growl escape, I turn back to the pot and add the lock of Lion-O's mane.

"If it fails, I'll string you all up by your ankles and leave you for the crows to pick at, although I'd doubt that they would want to feed upon something quite as foul as you. Any more pathetic questions out of any of you and I'll singlehandedly ensure that none of you see the light of day or taste freedom ever again. But it is formulated specifically to rewrite the lion's DNA; if it alters his friends as well, then that will just be a bonus."

"And how do you know that Lion-O will devour the Thundercats? He always foils-"

"I said no more pathetic questions!"

With a bolt of electricity, I manage to shock Jackalman as he lets out a loud yelp of pain before falling silent, and I can't help but smirk at this. There's nothing like a good old silencing spell to prevent the target from being able to say anything. It's proven useful against the wretched leader of the Thundercats many a times but for some reason it never seems to last as long on him as I'd like it to. Still.

I bottle up the concoction once it has finally finished bubbling before admiring my handiwork; the fluid is as black as ink and appears just like it as I swill it around in the bottle, and a cruel smile forms at the corners of my mouth. Screw the Thundercats, Lion-O himself has absolutely no idea of what is in store for him. The curse of Tlaltecuhtli isn't anything like the pathetic old folklore tales that the ancient inhabitants of this damn planet used to tell to their offspring. The stories of people being able to painlessly shift between their humanoid form and that of an animal? The pain that Lion-O will go through is a fate becoming of the person he is. He deserves nothing more and nothing less, and I for one cannot wait to watch from within the safety of the Pyramid's walls.

"Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form to Mumm-Ra the Ever-Living!"

My own transformation is completely painless as I look down at the phial which is now considerably smaller in my palm. This is perfect and I can't wait to see the reactions of the felines once they realise that their leader wishes to do nothing more than slaughter them. To see Cheetara's face as her once-lover mercilessly ends her life out of hunger. Some may call me a sadist but the thought itself of their pain brings me joy in amounts which I can't even begin to explain. The Thundrainium that I had the Mutants inject into Lion-O had a special formulation to it in order to make it even easier for the serum to take hold of his body; by weakening his immune system, I doubt that his body will be able to hold off the powerful spell for all that long. Uttering a spell of the ancient tongue, I take off into the sky and travel in the direction of the Lair. This is going to be fun.

…

I carefully pop the cork from the bottle before pouring the contents into the large pot of food that Snarf left simmering upon the stovetop. The mixture is thankfully both odourless and tasteless which will prevent detection, and even the colour doesn't affect it as I stir it in. Sneaking into the Lair had been far easier than I had been expecting it to be as the cats had their guard down due to the hour. Sneaking in using the form of a fly, repeating that which I had done before, made for swift entry through the open window. Making sure to leave absolutely no traces of my presence behind, I return to my insect disguise and just in the nick of time as the Thundercat Lord's old nursemaid returns to the room to check on the food.

"Mmm, delicious! Snarf Snarf, I just hope Lion-O likes it!"

I can't help but scoff at this. The pathetic little creature always seems to be vying for the approval of his former charge, almost as if he sees himself as having absolutely no worth now that he is without a full duty. I make my exit through the window, seeing the lion himself lounging on a blanket in the shade of a large tree with Cheetara at his side. I am repulsed by the sight, but at the same time it springs a new idea into my head and I can't help chuckling to myself with glee and rubbing my hands together. I get closer, landing upon the trunk of the tree as I listen to their conversation. Typical musings of a couple in the early months of courtship.

"You had me worried earlier, Lion-O. You looked like death itself warmed over, but it's good to see you feeling better."

"Trust me, I felt like shit. I don't know what was going on with me but that Thundrainium made me feel as sick as a damn dog and I hope that I never have to experience anything like it again."

I hear the soft purring from the lion as the pair huddle closer together, and it takes everything to not gag and give my position away. I'm just eternally grateful for the aid provided by the Ancient Spirits of Evil; without them, I wouldn't have been able to completely mask my actions from the cheetah's sixth sense and my ruse would have been long foiled by now.

"Sneyaaarf! Reow, Lion-O, Cheetara, dinner's ready!"

I take Snarf's shrill voice as my sign to get the hell out of there, and so I make my hasty retreat to my pyramid. Oh, come the early hours of the morning. I for one can't wait.

~(BORDER)~

"You've really outdone yourself tonight Snarf; this is incredible!"

I look over the platter of steaming food spread out across the table in front of me from which my friends have already eagerly taken, and when I look to my right, I can see that Lion-O is ravenously shovelling it down, almost as if he hasn't eaten in weeks.

"Hey, go easy! You'll choke yourself!"

"Can't help it...Starving...Haven't eaten since breakfast..." the lion says around mouthfuls of food, only beginning to slow down when he notices the stern looks that he's receiving from Snarf and Tygra. He swallows awkwardly, cheeks flushing red as he continues in a far more polite manner.

"Reow, I thought I taught you better manners than that, Lion-O! But it's good to see that you're enjoying my food," Snarf says as he places hot buttered rolls in the middle of the table, before turning to face the Wily twins who have barely touched it, "Unlike some people here."

"Awh jeez, we're sorry Snarf. It is really good, we're just not hungry."

"Well, I'm hardly surprised when you two have been snacking away on candyfruit all afternoon! Brrr, I told you that you'd only end up spoiling your dinner!"

I can only chuckle, knowing of the Twins' antics as they tend to be a bit of a regular occurrence. They are kids though so you can hardly blame them for wanting to do what they want to do, but even then, they do need to eat actual food too.

Lion-O reaches out and fills his plate with a second helping, which is something that he doesn't tend to do very often at all.

"Well somebody is definitely very hungry tonight."

"Helps that it's my favourite meal too."

He tears into one of the hot buttered rolls as the discussion around the table turns into information from scans and other menial tasks.

"Scans that we're done today showed seismic activity in sectors 17 through to 25 which shouldn't be too much to worry about, likely just one of those small earthquakes that happens every now and then."

"Lion-O, tell us about what happened earlier!"

I glance at the lion then, watching as he slowly looks up from his now empty plate. Damn, he really did eat that quickly. He coughs awkwardly, hand going to the little bandage on his throat as he sighs.

"It's not really something to be discussed at the dinner table, I don't think."

"Awh come on!"

He sighs, admitting defeat as Snarf goes around the table and clears the dishes away.

"So, it all just started off like any other day, I suppose? I was literally just doing some of the daily tasks when the Mutants and Lunataks started to attack the Tower of Omens. I went out in the Thundertank with Panthro and Tygra and that's when I saw Vultureman's Flying Machine. It had been completely abandoned behind an outcropping of rock and nobody was around."

"It was abandoned? Just like that?"

"I'll explain more if you let me continue. But yeah, it was seemingly completely abandoned and recently too. Stupidly, I decided to check it out because it's not very often that we see it without the Mutants being around. The Sword tried to warn me but the Mutants and the Lunataks were working together for some reason and they were able to subdue me long enough to get pure liquid Thundrainium inside me. I am okay though, just a little tired."

"It really is a relief that you're okay though."

The lion looks at me as my hand rests atop his, his eyes showing nothing but pure love as he blushes, again. I hear the twins start snickering, but a sharp glance from Tygra stops them. All of our friends know of our courtship. It's only been about six months but anybody here can see that we are very serious about our feelings for each other. If we were back on Thundera, it would likely never have been approved of but our friends are definitely more than supportive as they help wherever they can or need to.

…

That Night

"These sheets feel so nice…"

I get myself into a more comfortable position in bed as Lion-O flops down beside me, just narrowly missing my arms. This is the first time that he's invited me to sleep in his chambers and I have to admit that I had been waiting for the day he'd ask. I watch as he slips out of his uniform, revealing his strong body as I feel a shiver of delight run down my spine. All lions are known for being extremely sleek, elegant and attractive, but there's just something special about the particular young male Barbary sat in front of me that just makes me feel so safe and warm inside. He lets out a loud yawn, showing his fangs as he stretches before ditching his shorts and clambering into bed beside me, wearing nothing but a pair of briefs.

The open window allows for a cooling breeze to sweep through the room as we nestle down under the covers together. His arms wrap around my body, and I can't help but purr happily as I take in his scent. I've never loved a man the way I do him, none of my previous lovers have ever made me feel the way that he does. I bury my face into the soft thick fur of his chest, taking in the sweet notes of the body wash he used which compliments the earthy tones of his natural musk as he lets out a low purr of contentment.

I loop one of my legs around his, pulling myself even closer so that I'm almost on top of him, but he doesn't seem to mind at all. In fact, he definitely seems to be enjoying this almost as much if not more than I am. It isn't very often that we get to have a private moment together and we're nowhere near the later stages of our relationship just yet, although I know from the feelings deep within that I am on the cusp of heat.

"Every waking day that I get to spend by your side is like a gift."

I drag myself further up so that I'm laying atop him, my fingers tangled in his crimson mane as I feel his arms rest across my lower back, claws lazily trailing through my fur and wandering underneath my gown.

"Tell me more…"

He chuckles as I lean down, nose to nose with him before kissing him.

"Once we have managed to accomplish all of our goals, I know exactly what my next plan will be."

"And what would that happen to be?"

"Taking you as my mate officially, of course."

His voice sends shivers of delight down my spine as he whispers in my ear. Such a smooth talker, I can't help but wonder where he got that from? He yawns again and, as much as I yearn for more, I know that we both need our sleep. We've both had very long days today as I was up before first light and Lion-O has been awake since three this morning for watch duty.

"I think that's enough talk for tonight, my love," I say as he rolls to his side, taking me with him, "We're both tired and need to sleep because we have another lot of hard work ahead of us tomorrow."

"Do you have to go to new Thundera?" Lion-O asks around a yawn, his eyes drooping from the fatigue.

"Unfortunately I do but I'm only going to be gone for the weekend."

"Still too long…"

I just chuckle in response as we get ourselves comfortable, and eventually I hear the soft purring snores of my bedmate as he sleeps. I let myself relax, muscles aching from my workout routine earlier. I felt amazing afterwards though, so I figure it was all worth it in the end…

I wake with a start at the bloodcurdling scream from behind me, and as I become more aware of my surroundings, I can feel that I'm being violently kicked out at. I remember where I am then, and I roll over to find Lion-O who is writhing and howling in what I can only assume to be indescribable agony. The bedsheets and his entire body are both completely sodden with sweat. I turn the bedside lamp on, and that's when I see that he's been violently sick as well.

"Lion-O…oh Gods of Thundera, it's okay, I'm here…"

He looks at me, and I get the fright of my life when I see that his eyes, instead of being a deep shade of reddish orange, are a yellowish brown with round pupils. He lets out a bellowing roar of pain, blood flowing freely from his mouth where I see that his teeth are…changing? His canines are now easily the length of one of my fingers and the thickness of my thumb, and now that I've noticed it, I can see that his entire body is starting to change. I throw myself out of bed, looking at my mate in alarm as he screams and roars in pain.

"Cheetara! Help me! Please! It hur-aaaaAAAAAAAAAGH!"

"Please try to hold on! I'm going to go and get Pumyra!"

"Hurry!"

I run from the room and I can hear the lion's screams and roses echoing through the entire corridor. By the time I've reached Pumyra's room, everyone is already gathered outside.

"Cheetara, what's goi-"

"Please, you need to come quick, it's Lion-O, something's happening to him!"

I'm in tears by the end of the sentence, and I lead them back to Lion-O's room, throwing the door open to reveal our leader who is now doubled over and trying his hardest to stay stood up. The entire room looks like a crime scene, and the lion's shrieks, growls and screams are ear-piercing and show just how much pain he's in. His mane has grown down his back and stomach, and I can see that along with huge claws and paws where his feet should be, he's also gained a tail.

"Lion-O, it's going to be okay, we'll figure this out, I promise…"

"Get away from me!

He suddenly turns, and I gasp in shock and rapidly step back in horror at the sight of him. There's only one way to describe the way he looks but it can't be possible because I've only ever seen photos in history books.

"I don't wan…" he begins, but eventually his voice just melts into animalistic roars and growls and his wickedly clawed hand goes to his throat, tears streaming down his cheeks in rivulets from the pain as he tries to speak but fails. I can only stand there and watch in horror as my mate slowly changes in front of me, and before I know it, the Thunderian who I was sharing a bed with mere minutes ago is stood before me as an animal. I've seen them before, in the history books owned by the Warrior Maidens.

Lion-O looks around wildly, ears pressed flat against his mane as he backs himself into a corner, smearing blood all over the flooring as he looks at me and I see the pure pain and suffering in his eyes. He stumbles as he steps back, landing in a heap upon the floor with a growl, and I turn to face my friends who are all just as in shock as I am. There's absolutely no way on this planet that Mumm-Ra didn't have something to do with this, I know it. Suddenly, the lion roars again and charges, barrelling past us and leaping out of the open window. Shit!

"We can't let him just go on the run like that, we need to catch and contain him as soon as we can. If hd gets to the Treetop Village, who knows what will happen?"

To Be Continued