*Writers Note* Sorry guys this chapter is kinda long compared to the others, I tried to leave suspense for the last chapter and this 1 but it'd only make the next chapter even shorter so I figured I'd just do it all here. Anyways happy reading!
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POV: Cheetara
Lion-O looked to me as if asking my opinion on the situation, I gestured for him to follow me as I ran to the villager. We opened the door to comfort him so he could tell us what's wrong.
"T-Thundercats! Mine! Villagers! Danger! Help, please!" He said between pants, we sat him down on the steps so he could catch his breath.
"Woah, take it easy ok? Breathe." I heard Lion-O say to soothe the Wollo, once he calmed down Lion-O spoke again "Good now tell us what happened." I could tell he was trying to seem calm for him, he was always like that. Sometimes it was concerning, he was always the person to put others before himself even if it meant he kept things bottled up from the rest of us.
The villager began explaining the issue, bringing me back to reality. Now the others were here ready to leave as soon as possible "The mines! Some workers got stuck in the mines! If we don't get them out soon they'll either be crushed or suffocate!"
I look to the others anxiously to which they did the same. As if on que we took the villager and ran to the Thundertank, we all got inside and rushed to the mines.
Our eyes swept across the villagers as they ran from the chaos, a look of fear and worry written across their faces as the mines crumbled down. Some of them managed to get out but just barely, there were a lot of casualties and even more people surrounding them. Probably family and friends.
"Alright here's the plan," Lion-O began "Cheetara and Bengali waits by the entrance for me, tygra, and panthro to get the survivors. Pumyra, wilykat, and kit tend to the injured and try to keep everyone calm, we don't want anymore panic than necessary."
We all nodded and got into positions, Pumyra and the kittens tried to occupy the crowds while we stayed by the mine. Just as the boys were about to go inside someone warned them. "Be careful Thundercats! If you stay in there too long you'll get white damp poisoning!"
Lion-O looked at us confused "White damp?" Tygra seemed more worried now "Carbon monoxide, depending on the concentration it can kill in about an hour"
"How long have they been in there?" The villager stops to think "About 20 minutes..? Please, just get them out" he pleaded
We looked at each other with worry before we started to clear the mine enough to get inside. The 3 got headlamps then went in "We'll bring them to the opening for you 2 to get out while we go back in to find the rest, got it?" We said yes then they made their way into the mine shaft
POV: Lion-O
I went inside with Panthro and Tygra making sure to be aware of time and our surroundings. It was quiet, kind of uneasy, but I guess I can't expect much else from a coal mine. None of us found any workers yet, that is until the shaft split into 2 tunnels. I can feel that the others are looking at me knowing that if we all go then we might not get all the workers in time, but if we split up 1 of us will be alone and in a situation like this that's not exactly ideal though its a risk we'll have to take.
"You 2 take the left side I'll go right" the others look me like I'm crazy "Lion-O we both know that's not smart, why don't we get cheetara or bengali to go with you?" Tygra tried to convince me but I shook my head "No I don't want to risk any more then I have to, you guys have each other and I have the sword. If you don't see me in at most 30 minutes then you can come look for me, if something happens then I'm putting Tygra in charge."
"Lion-O" Panthro started "No, my decision is final." I said sternly, he only sighed and shook his head "Be careful, if you need anything call us" I smiled then nodded "I will" and with that we went our separate ways
About 10-15 minutes in we each found 2 workers and brought them back to surface, every once in a while we'd stop for a quick break then go back down. Every time we'd come back with more dirt and minerals on us and every time the mine would become less stable. When we brought back who we thought were the last of the workers a little boy looked around with tear filled eyes "Where's my dad?! He's not here!"
I know what's it like to lose a father and I can't bear to see someone else go through that, especially a child. I kneel down and put a hand on his shoulder "Was he working in that mine today?" He nodded, tears streaming down his face. I wipe them away then calmly ask him "What's his name?" He took a quick breath before replying "A-avalon sir" I nodded "I'm going to find your father ok? I promise."
He wiped his tears and looked at me full of hope "R-really?" I smiled at him. Seeing someone so hopeful, that's a reward all in itself. I bring him to Pumyra and Bengali to make sure he's alright, after that I asked around to make sure Avalon was the only 1 missing. Once we confirmed he was I went back inside.
I went through the right tunnel first. It was fairly straight forward, not a lot of different paths and fairly easy to navigate. I called out his name to make sure but Avalon wasn't there, already feeling slightly dizzy I pushed through and went to the other side. The left shaft was much more complicated, less stable, and had a few tight spots. I'm glad I let Tygra and Panthro take this together because it wouldn't be hard to get lost or stuck on this side.
I started to call out Avalon's name being careful not to be too loud as to not cause any more damage to the tunnels. Suddenly I hear a faint groan, I quickly follow the sound and see an injured Wolo villager. I let out a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding then asked "Are you Avalon sir?" with a small smile. He looked at me, obviously very weak from being in here so long, and smiled "L-lord Lion-O! Am I glad to see you" he said before going into a small coughing fit
I was relieved to finally find him "Can you walk?" He nodded and carefully got up as I started to lead him out "Your son is going to be happy to see you" even in the shadows I could tell his face lit up "My son? He's alright?"
"He's doing just fine" I assured him just before going into a coughing fit myself, I tried to stop as the walls started to shake. I try to hurry but the mine shafts were too unstable, I shoved Avalon forward out of the way before rocks fell and separated us.
I tried to dig my way out but nothing worked. I heard some voices in the distance, probably the Thundercats. I was losing oxygen and fast, in a last attempt to escape I used the sword to shoot my way out. The last thing I saw was a bright light before blacking out.
POV: Cheetara
We heard something collapse, as we turned to the mine a worker limped out, he was weak and covered in dirt. "Dad!!!" We heard as a little boy came running to him, they hugged each other tight as the wolo conforted his son. Then it hit me "Where's Lion-O??" He looked at me with sad eyes "We got separated, just as the rocks fell he pushed me away so I could still get out."
Without a second thought I rushed over, got a headlamp, and ran inside. I could hear the others calling my name but I wasn't going to wait and risk being too late. About half way there I already felt sick to my stomach, I could only imagine how bad it was for Lion-O. By the time I found the site there was a beam of light, when I was able to see again Lion-O was standing there.
He looked bad, weak and covered in dirt. Running toward him just as he collapsed, I put his right arm over my shoulder and picked him up. The walls shook and more debris fell, I started to get him out when dirt got in my eyes. I couldn't see and I couldn't really move to wipe it away.
Trying to ignore the stinging in my eyes I did the only thing I could do. I shifted my stance and paused to concentrate, soon enough I could sense all the earth around me. Being sure to avoid any more falling rocks I ran out with Lion-O and sat him down before throwing my headlamp off and sitting on my knees coughing, trying to breathe.
The others rushed over. Tygra, Panthro, and Ben going to help Lion-O while the others came to me. I couldn't stop coughing, to the point where it was hard to breathe. I was given a wet rag for my eyes but before I had the chance to use it I laid on my arms and knees trying to stop coughing, the wind shifted so that it was blowing towards me and soon enough it subsided.
I laid there for a bit catching my breath before wiping my eyes and looking at Lion-O "How is he?" He was laying on Panthro's lap to keep his airways open "He's breathing but that's all we can say" I nodded and laid down on my back to rest
POV: Lion-O
I struggled to open my eyes but when I did I look up to see Panthro and others huddled around me and someone else.
What happened?
I started to turn so I could see who else was injured when Panthro and Tygra helped me to my side as I started coughing. "Lion-O are you ok?" I heard Tygra ask "Y-yea I'm alright... At least I think so..."
"When we get back I want all 4 of you in the infirmary, you need oxygen if you want that carbon out of your system." Pumyra ordered
"We'll be fine just take care of Lion-O and Cheetara" Panthro declared "Cheetara?" I said confused then wilykat and kit moved to show cheetara laying close by covered in dirt, she looked at me and smiled before sitting up. "Are you sure you're ok? We can help you to the 'Tank if need be"
I shook my head "No I'll be fine, what about you?" She moved her hair out of her eyes as she carefully stood up offering her hand to help me "I'm alright, we got everyone out and we've helped them as much as possible. Let's just head home" I smiled and nodded, taking her hand and hoisting myself up.
She winced in pain, I was confused until I saw her shoulder. There was a giant gash with dirt all around it, she'd probably need stitches. "Cheetara you should've told us" I said worriedly but she only looked at me confused until she saw it for herself "By Jaga... I didn't even feel it, must've happened when I was carrying you out"
Pumyra came to examine it "You'll definitely need stitches but we should go before it gets infected" she put a cloth on it to stop the bleeding then told cheetara to hold it. We all gathered everything and went back to the lair.