Chapter 14
The next day, the Feliner was ready to take off. Tygra walked over to Lion-O and did some last minute medical checks.
"I'm sorry Lion-O." He said.
"For what?" The Lord of the ThunderCats asked.
"For Bob. I didn't mean…" Lion-O cut him off.
"Not your fault. You were trying to help us out." He said.
"But he almost killed you." Tygra said astonished.
"Again, not your fault. You didn't tell him to kill me. You didn't tell him that I was a bad leader. Maybe he is right. But I'm sure that someone else would have said something by now. At first, I'll admit, leading was not something I was entirely prepared for. I would like to think I've improved." Lion-O smiled.
"Yes. Things are just fine. I wouldn't want anyone to take your place. But you really are ok?" Tygra asked.
"Trust me old friend. If I was upset, you'd know it." The Lord of the ThunderCats answered. Tygra nodded and finished checking him over.
"Well, you're healing incredibly well. I promise we'll keep you informed about the Thunderstrike. Have a good trip." The orange tiger smiled. The two friends shook hands and parted company.
Cheetara was waiting for Lion-O out at the Feliner. She had a theory about what Jaga had said but didn't want to tell anyone else.
"There you are. Ben-Gali and Pumyra are really anxious to get back to New Thundera." She smiled.
"Well I'll make sure to set them straight." He smiled back. Pulling him close, she whispered,
"I think Pumyra knows about us but I don't know if she has said anything to anyone."
"Well if she has, secret out. If not, it doesn't matter. We're happy and that is what is important." Lion-O told her.
"You sure?" The cheetah asked.
"Well if you are." He said. Cheetara smiled and nodded. The two walked over to the Feliner and climbed aboard.
"Finally." Ben-Gali teased.
"Hey, I'm Lord of the ThunderCats. If you have to wait, then you have to wait." Lion-O joked back.
"Yeah well maybe I want to be Lord of the ThunderCats." Ben-Gali smiled.
"Oh really? So you're engaged and now you think you can do anything." The lion laughed.
"I don't see why not." Ben-Gali answered.
"Do I have to separate you two?" Pumyra asked. The two seemingly ignored them.
"We'd better. No need to put up with this the whole trip." Cheetara smiled.
"Boys." Pumyra shook her head.
"All right. Lion-O get in the back seat. I'm coming up." Cheetara ordered.
"What! He started it!" The Lord of the ThunderCats complained.
"Now!" Cheetara put her foot down. Lion-O sheepishly unbuckled his seat belt and moved into the back with Pumyra. The cheetah took her seat next to Ben-Gali.
"No fair." The white tiger pouted. Pumyra scooted forward in her seat and whispered something into Ben-Gali's ear. He immediately fired up the engines and the Feliner took off. Cheetara looked back at her friend with an inquisitive look. All the puma did was smile.
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The group landed on New Thundera and was met by Lynx-O and the ThunderKittens. WilyKit and Kat started to ask questions but Lynx-O told them to be quiet and go call Third Earth. The two young ThunderCats mumbled and went back inside.
"Lynx-O, they haven't been giving you too much trouble have they?" Lion-O asked.
"No, they haven't. Its good to hear your voice again, Lord Lion-O." The lynx smiled.
"Its good to be here." He said giving Lynx-O a hug. The group began to unpack the Feliner.
A little while later, they were eating dinner. A strange silence seemed to have blanketed the conversation. The ThunderKittens had gotten bored with asking questions and not getting any answers so they finished their meal and were excused.
Pumyra, Ben-Gali, and Cheetara cleaned up while Lion-O and Lynx-O went up to his office. The whole incident that occurred on Third Earth was explained and the dilemma of trying to explain it to WilyKit and Kat was discussed. Snarfer had been told by Snarf and had promised not to say anything.
Noticing how late it was getting and how tired he was, Lion-O said a decision could be met tomorrow and that he was going to get some sleep. Lynx-O agreed that that was a good idea and he shouldn't over tire himself. The two said good night and Lion-O made his way to his bedchamber.
When he opened the door, Lion-O found Cheetara there. She was busy putting his luggage in his closet.
"Fancy meeting you here." The Lord of the ThunderCats said. Cheetara turned around and smiled. She wrapped her arms around him and he was about to pick her up when a stabbing pain went through his leg. He tried to ignore it but Cheetara noticed his wincing.
"Sorry." She said letting go of him.
"I guess my body is just letting me know I should get some sleep." Lion-O smiled and sat down on the bed.
"Today was a big day; maybe too big. Do you want me to get Pumyra and have her look at it?" The cheetah asked.
"No. I'll be fine." Lion-O promised. Cheetara sat down next to him and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. She kissed his forehead and said,
"You don't have to be so brave, you know."
"Somebody has to." The lion told her.
"I think you've already filled your quota for the month." Cheetara said.
"Well in that case, my leg hurts like hell." Lion-O smiled. He made one swift move of his left arm and pulled her close.
"But I think I know something that will make it feel better."
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Pumyra and Ben-Gali sat in the control room watching the sensors. The white tiger had been teasing the puma about her earlier promise and she had said she wasn't going to do anything where someone could walk in on them.
"What's that strange beeping noise?" Pumyra said changing the subject.
"What beeping noise?" Ben-Gali asked. His fiancée held her hand over his mouth and made him listen. He heard what she was talking about.
"I have no idea what that noise is." The white tiger said after she let go of him.
"Come on let's make a sweep of the room." Pumyra suggested. The engaged couple got out of their chairs and walked around the room.
"I think I found it." Ben-Gali said a few minutes later.
"It's the satellite." Pumyra said.
The End