The Future of Third Earth

By 18lzytwner

Chapter 1

It had been fifteen months since the end of the sabotage at the Thundrillium mine and spring was slowly making itself known. Lion-O sat inside the mouth of the Cat's head, watching the sun slowly rise. Ma-Mutt was next to him gnawing on a bone that he'd brought with him. It was still cool out, so the lion had a jacket and pants on, not wanting to be too cold but wanting to get some fresh air and some quiet time.

"Why didn't you wake me?" The familiar voice made both turn around to see Cheetara. She was all bundled up in a jacket and fuzzy pants.

"You needed your rest. That head cold did a number on you," Lion-O told her as he stood and quickly pulled her close. He could tell his wife wasn't one hundred percent better, but he wasn't going to argue with her. It had been a long week of her fighting the illness.

"I feel much better, honest," she said as the lion moved them down next to their loveable pup. Lion-O sat down and pulled her onto his lap, making sure to keep her off the cold floor surface. Cheetara leaned onto his powerful shoulder and snuggled into his chest.

"A nice few minutes alone before the crazy starts," he said.

"Panthro said we need a vacation," she told him.

"Yes, I imagine the living ooze is lovely this time of year," Lion-O cracked a joke. Cheetara giggled but that led to a small coughing fit.

"You're better huh?" He asked, rubbing her back.

"Well, enough to go on duty. I'm bored in the bedroom all by myself," she said. The cheetah had gotten tired of reading books or keeping up with what was going on in the Lair via tablet. Lion-O gave her an update every day when he came back anyway. The other option was to hang out in the Med Bay.

"I can send Snarf in. I'm sure he'd want to keep an eye on you," he teased.

"That's the last thing I need. He'd fuss like I was dying, when I only had the sniffles," the cheetah shook her head.

"Well let's call it what it was – a complete snot-fest with coughing that rivalled Ma-Mutt's bark," Lion-O was on a roll. Ma-Mutt heard his name and looked at the two while Cheetara playfully slapped her husband's chest.

"I've never used so many tissues in my life," she admitted.

"I was afraid that I was going to have to call Willa and borrow some of her trees to make more of them," he chuckled.

"Well, here I was thinking that we could enjoy a nice quiet morning and you're picking on me," she pouted. Lion-O leaned over and kissed her forehead. That had been all he'd been doing for the previous week.

"I want you closer," the cheetah told him.

"I want to be but you're still sick. Don't try and tell me you're not," he was being serious. Cheetara heaved a small sigh, not wanting to trigger a cough. Ma-Mutt suddenly stood up, dropping his bone.

"What is it boy?" Lion-O asked. The Sword had not gone off, so it was probably someone looking for them. Ma-Mutt barks as Slythe makes his appearance, coming out of the nearby stairwell.

"There you two are," he smirked.

"What's up?" Lion-O asked, having turned his head to see his friend.

"Lea didn't show up for duty this am and when I called down to her and Panthro's room, no one picked up the phone. I figured they were busy doing things that I don't want to know about but that's when Tygra calls up the Control Room to tell me that Pumyra just rushed over to their room with the medical kit," Slythe told them. Cheetara carefully picks herself up off of her husband's lap, missing his warmth immediately. Lion-O stands up as well.

"What's wrong with her?" Cheetara was concerned.

"Pumyra said it wasn't her place to say so I think that means…" the reptile lets the thought hang there.

"I'll go find out," the cheetah said, knowing the puma would spill to her.

"Be careful and then back in bed," Lion-O told her.

"I will be," she promises before heading back down the stairs.

"So, you're thinking that Lea is with cub?" The lion asked Slythe.

"Pumyra didn't haul her off to the Med Bay so I'm guessing that would make the most sense. I suppose we should have seen this coming. They'll have been married for almost two months," the lizard chuckled. Lion-O chuckled too and they headed back down the stairs with Ma-Mutt in tow.

To Be Continued…