20

Increasing the Ranks

Three days later, the ThunderCats, Lynx-O, Bengali, and Pumyra all sat around the council table to discuss what they'd accomplished. They'd just gone out to check on their work, that day being the first they'd all felt like it. Cheetara still was shaky on her feet, and Lion-O was tired enough to stumble a bit as he walked. but at lest they were up and walking around.

Pumyra mentioned something that had been worrying many of them. "After all of this," she said hesitantly, "couldn't that...that demon just do it again? I mean, it was his doing that changed the forests into that unnatural swamp in the first place. Couldn't he do it again?"

"Yeah," Wilykat said glumly. "I was thinking about that too the other night. In fact I had a stupid nightmare about it last night."

"Oh, was that what that was all about?" Wilykit said, looking at him. "You woke up screaming, then kept waving your hand in my face when I came over and tried to find out what was wrong."

Wilykat's face broke into a sheepish looking grin as the others laughed. "I did? Wow, I don't even remember it."

"Yeah. You poked my eye, too."

This time Wilykat laughed, his face a bit red. "Sorry..."

"That is a good question," Tygra said. "But the swampland, and the severe mutations were random act of nature. Yes, Mumm-Ra's magic changed the forest forever when he scoured the planet, but he couldn't have anticipated the meteorite, and couldn't have predicted its effect on the gasses and wildlife."

Lynx-O nodded in sudden understanding. "It's too random," he said, nodding his head. "I understand...there's no way one can reproduce the chaotic properties of nature. He couldn't duplicate the effect if he tried."

"Exactly." Tygra grinned. "So I think we're safe from that." His expression sobered a bit. "And as for him trying, well from the journals you found, twins, he did this planet wide. And he even said that every once in a while he had done so to prevent the citizens from advancing too far. To keep his control of the planet." He spat the word disgustedly. "How often do you think he can do that? he'd need to get so much massive power from whatever spirits or gods he gets his immortality from, that I doubt they would be willing to give it so frequently."

"And he'd likely have to rest for years, even decades afterwards," Cheetara put in. "And we're too much of a threat, I think, for him to be willing to rest so long. That feels right, at any rate."

This was good enough for everyone. Once this was established, everyone relaxed, and the tension in the room slipped away.

Lion-O grinned. "Well, we did it, then. Tygra's readings show that there's absolutely nothing that can live on that rock we blasted. And because it was done with the power of the Sword of Omens..."

"Mumm-Ra can't mess with it!" Bengali said, also grinning. "Man, that creature scared the living daylights out of me. I was completely terrified."

"And you admit that?" Pumyra said, surprised. "I'm impressed."

Bengali laughed. "Well the fact that I was cowering on the ground was kind of a giveaway," he said, his white face flushing pink.

Lion-O stood, bracing himself against the table. "Well," he said. "I guess that brings us to our next question." He looked at Lynx-O and his two young companions. "You are welcome to stay here, at the Cats' Lair if you want to." He smiled. "Maybe even add to our ranks in time. Jaga knows we need the help."

Bengali looked surprised at this, and looked down at the table, thinking. The idea of becoming a warrior had never occurred to him. All of his life he'd lived off the land as a hunter and a gatherer. There had been nothing but stories to even let him know what a warrior *was*.

And Pumyra was also considering, Lion-O could see. Lynx-O's expression was unreadable.

"But," Lion-O continued, "if you want to return to your island and your home, I would also understand, and we can help you do that. With the hovercrafts in working order, and safer now that Panthro got a hold of them, you could visit." He smiled at the panther who smiled rather cockily back.

Bengali turned to Pumyra and Lynx-O. "What do you guys think?" he asked them. "I mean, the reverse is true, too. Anytime we think we need to we can go back..." It was obvious he was excited about the possibilities.

"Well," Pumyra said. "Like you say, we can change our minds at any time,or return when we need the retreat." She looked at the others and smiled. "And it's been so long since I've been around other Thunderians that I scarcely remember it. A new beginning could be a good idea." She looked at the one who had been a father to her most of her life. "Lynx-O?"

The old cat finally smiled and stood, having wanted to let the younger cats make their own decisions. "I am also happy in the company of others of my kind," he said. "And Thunderians have made many strides in technology and history that I must catch up on." He chuckled and turned towards Lion-O, extending his hand. "I believe we accept."

"Cool!" the twins exclaimed as the two men shook hands. She stood up with a grin and narrowed her eyes at Bengali. "Now I can show Bengali how to fight."

"What!" He also stood with a laugh. "I could beat you any day of the week!"

"No way! And besides, you've got to catch me first!" The girl darted out of the room, and Bengali laughed and gave chase, with Wilykat hot on his heels.

Lion-O laughed, a truly pleasant sound after so much worry. "Well, my friends, I think you will fit in just fine," he said. "Maybe someday those of us that survived will find their way here...and we can build again." he gazed out towards the Forest of Mists. "Rebuild what Mumm-Ra took away."

As the others nodded, Lion-O dismissed the meeting, his hand raised in salute. "Hoooo!"

And the cry was echoed back.

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