Chapter 14
Lion-O and Cheetara entered the control room. WilyKit and WilyKat were practically asleep at the monitors. Today had been a long day.
"Poor dears, it's been a rough day." Cheetara smiled.
"You mean yesterday was a rough day." Lion-O pointed out the time to her. "Come on. They deserve a break." Carefully he scooped WilyKit off her chair.
"I'm watching the screens, I promise." She mumbled. Lion-O chuckled. WilyKat didn't say anything as Cheetara lifted him up.
With the ThunderKittens tucked in, the two older ThunderCats returned to the control room. Lion-O immediately sat down at the controls and continued the scan the surroundings as the sun slowly began to rise over the distant mountains. Cheetara sat down across from him. So many things were running through her head, she didn't know where to start.
"You think I'm crazy don't you?" Lion-O said as if reading her mind.
"To be perfectly honest, yes I do. Remember we talked about thinking things through before reacting?" She reminded him. Lion-O turned his chair toward her. His usual beaming smile had been replaced by a concerned frown. Cheetara reached out for him and cupped his cheek in her left hand.
"Lion-O, you know I love you. I just don't think fighting Panthro to the death is such a great idea." Cheetara told him.
"According to the Book of Omens and Jaga, the only way to save him is to kill him. In order for Panthro to die with honor would be in pitched combat. Trust me, I didn't want to make this decision but as Jaga reminded me as Lord of the ThunderCats, there will be difficult decisions to make. I don't see as how I have a choice." Lion-O explained to her. Cheetara sighed and let go of his cheek.
"I know this wasn't easy but what if, Jaga forbid, you lose? Who would step in to take your place? I don't know what I'd do without you." She asked. The look on his face told her he hadn't thought about that. Lifting herself out of her chair, the cheetah moved over to him. Lion-O took her onto his lap and she rested her head on his shoulder. He put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. The two sat in silence.
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Pumyra and Ben-Gali sat in the sickbay monitoring Tygra and Panthro. Both were exhausted from their travels and wondered how much longer they could take it.
"What do you think of Lion-O's idea?" The puma asked her husband.
"I see what he wants but I'm not sure." Ben-Gali pulled her to him and they kissed.
"I'm nervous about Tygra." She said when they separated.
"Pumyra you are very good at what you do. Tygra is in good hands." The tiger told her. She sighed and put her head on his chest. He gave her a squeeze and the two sat down on the empty bed by Tygra.
"Why do you suppose Panthro has been so quiet?" She whispered to him.
"Didn't you have Lion-O give him a sedative?" Ben-Gali asked, following her lead.
"Yes, but that should've worn off by now. The machines are still registering that his heart rate and breathing are normal. I think I need to check him out. You and I should get some clean scrubs on." Pumyra continued to keep her voice low. Ben-Gali nodded and the two quickly put the medical garb on.
Walking over to Panthro, they made sure the machines were still attached properly. They were indeed attached properly and the panther seemed to be asleep. Something about the situation seemed wrong and Pumyra didn't like it. Carefully, she checked Panthro's wound to see that it was practically healed. Somehow the evil inside him had sped up the healing process. Ben-Gali helped her re-wrap the flesh wound and quickly the two retreated from the patient.
To Be Continued…
