By the end of the week, it was obvious that Lioness-A had what it took to be a Thundercat. She won all the trials that were slated for her group and had a few tricks up her sleeve that no one knew about except her. These along with her cunning and her wits helped her become one the ones to be anointed. She had also completed the community service hours as well and everyone described her to be passionate and a hard worker, which was a couple of things that the Thundercats were looking for. Panthro, Bengali and Cheetara had led some of the community service hours and they had worked with Lioness-A so they knew what she was like. Of the three, Cheetara had sensed a connection to Lioness-A that led back to Lion-O and had wondered about it.
Right before the final trial was to begin Lion-O went through the family records looking for a distant cousin that shared the same information as he did but he didn't find anything that helped him since none of them were a female lioness and that made it more frustrating. Tygra happened to find out about it and that worried him, especially when he saw the sadness in Lioness-A's eyes as she had lunch with Lion-O that last day. She'd been allowed to eat with him for most of the week and Tygra had been happy to know they were getting along and also connecting slowly but Lion-O still hadn't made the connection that Lioness-A was his missing twin sister. Tygra knew then that he was going to have to spell it out for Lion-O at the anointing ceremony and he went into one of the storerooms looking for something. There was a box stashed in one corner of the storeroom and he pulled it out and found it had Lioness-A's name printed on the top of it.
"What is this?" Tygra mused and opened the box to find a filmy material inside along with a note. He pulled out the note then, surprised to find his name written on the outside of it.
'Tygra,
This is the uniform and weapon that was set aside for Lioness-A. I had thought that the family fostering her would try to return her to the lair before we were to leave when the planet was falling apart but alas, that didn't happen. My hope is that she makes her way back to join Lion-O on her own. This is to be her uniform if she does make it back to the lair and Lion-O. I saved it for her at the request of her father Claud-Us and he chose her weapon. Make sure she gets it when she's reunited with her brother.
Jaga'
"So that's what this is," Tygra exclaimed to himself and he closed the box and left the storeroom and took it to his chambers to hide it. He knew deep down that Lion-O was oblivious to Lioness-A's existence such as it was and she was oblivious to her true destiny as a Thundercat. Tygra had also seen the wooden boomerang Lioness-A had brought with her and she had told him she'd made it. By her carrying it was no different than Lion-O's strange feeling that he knew her from somewhere deep in his past as he and Tygra had talked about it a day or two ago. "This is going to be worth it to reunite the two," Tygra said with a smile.
The day of the anointing ceremony dawned bright and sunny and Lion-O was in his bedchamber getting ready. Tillen was there along with Snarf who was helping Lion-O get dressed in the royal ensemble.
"This has been a wild week and Tygra's quite proud of Lioness-A. He was honored to be her sponsor and I think she welcomed his advice but I also think that she enjoyed being able to eat with you as well," Tillen said as Snarf handed Lion-O the deep purple cloak to put over his white tunic and breeches. "He also said that she enjoyed the community service time she had at the hospital clinics with him," Tillen added. A slim black belt with the Thundercat insignia was fastened across Lion-O's waist and on the bed was the silver brooch that had a silver lion embedded on a purple background waiting to fasten the cloak. Black boots rounded out the attire.
"Here's the brooch Lion-O. Turn around and let me get a good look at you, snarf, snarf," Snarf said as Lion-O fastened the cloak at his left shoulder. The Sword of Omens and Claw Shield were already on his left thigh.
"It has been interesting and I think Lioness-A will enjoy having her Thundercat status again and it was good to eat with her and talk to her about different things," Lion-O murmured as he turned around for Snarf. "I still feel like I know her more though." Lynx-O arrived then to say that the ceremony was ready to begin. The group headed for the main hall where everyone else was anxiously waiting.
"Will everyone who passed the trials please come forward at this time?" Tillen called out. Everyone came forward wearing a new uniform except for Lioness-A who didn't have one, oddly enough. She wondered why. Tygra hadn't told her a thing except to show up for the anointing ceremony where her questions would be answered. Lion-O proudly anointed each of the others waiting and they were allowed to leave for a celebration going on in the courtyard. Tygra caught Lioness-A and had her remain behind because it was way past time that she was reunited with her brother. The information on the form she had filled out at the beginning of the week had nailed it for Tygra as he had recognized both the birthdate and clan name and seeing the birth certificates at the hospital cinched it. The fact that she'd been eating lunch with Lion-O for most of the past week had helped as well.
"Lioness-A would you come here please?" Tygra asked her gently. "Everyone else gather around for a bit of surprising news," he added as the others looked confused, Lion-O in particular. As they did so, Tygra cleared his throat for the announcement to come.
"What are you up to Tygra?" Cheetara asked him.
"Don't worry, it'll be made clear in a moment," he assured her before turning to face Lion-O. "I wish to introduce someone to all of you. This is Lioness-A, daughter of King Claud-Us and Queen Claudana," Tygra announced as Lion-O blinked in shock. The lioness he'd been eating lunch with every day that week was none other than his sister, twin sister at that. He vaguely remembered her but the memories had been hazy at best. This cleared that fog. Everyone else looked surprised. "Her uniform was with the original Thundercats when Jaga gave us ours aboard the spaceship when we were departing Old ThunDera. I think he thought that she would be allowed to join us on the flagship when Old ThunDera was destroyed. However, because she wasn't with us, the uniform was saved for Lioness-A's return to the Thundercats. I found it earlier this week and I have it with me. Lion-O?" Tygra asked.
"I'm stunned," was all Lion-O managed to get out before Lioness-A broke protocol and ran to hug him. "Oh sis, it is good to see you again! I missed you!" he cried out as they hugged tightly. Now most of the odd bits including him finishing her unspoken sentences was beginning to make some sense. Cheetara and Wilykit had tears in their eyes and Snarf was sniffling into a handkerchief that Snarfer handed him.
"I missed you too Lion-O. Anoint me so I can always be with you," Lioness-A whispered. Lion-O took the filmy cloth from Tygra and proudly did so and her uniform appeared. A purple bodysuit, gray leggings, and purple boots along with leather armbands and a belt soon appeared. A small box was on her left wrist.
"What's that supposed to be?" Cheetara asked. Lioness-A removed it and it activated into a crossbow with an imprint of the insignia on the side.
"A crossbow," Lion-O said in wonder. "That's one of the rarer weapons." Lioness-A lifted it up to view it closer before she gasped. "What?" he asked.
"It's the same one that our mother had," she said and pointed to a name written on a plaque on one side as he blinked in surprise. She was able to deactivate it and place it back on her left wrist.
"I knew Queen Claudana used one when she went into battle long before she had the two of you," Lynx-O said as Lioness-A eyed him curiously.
"Who are the new ones?" she asked her brother, indicating Lynx-O, Pumyra and Bengali.
"These are my friends, Lynx-O, Pumyra, and Bengali. They wish to be your friends too," Lion-O told her as the others came up for a hug. One was Wilykit and the other was Cheetara. Snarf was the last one and he was sobbing. Lioness-A hugged him tight.
"Oh Lioness-A! You look great! Where has Rella been hiding you?" Snarf asked.
"She was camped in the settlement outside Calora up till the week of the trials and I heard she went back to her home city," Lioness-A answered. "As to where I've been, it's a long story."
"How did you find me?" Lion-O asked. "Or better yet, how did you know who I was?"
"I didn't know Lion-O. Rella told me to come here to Calora because she knew you were at the lair here. She gave me this and it helped me figure which was you," Lioness-A said gently. She removed the locket she wore from around her neck and presented it to Lion-O. "Open this and see what you think."
Lion-O opened the locket and found himself staring at two pictures inside of a male and female of the Barbary lions. They both had scarlet manes and one had topaz eyes and the other's were a dark golden in color. What was even more interesting was the fact that the male was King Claud-Us, Lion-O's father. He had a vague clue who the female was, but she looked like Lioness-A standing nearby.
"Who's the female?" Lion-O asked, his voice cracking.
"Our mother, Queen Claudana," Lioness-A replied, her own voice softening. "Does this explain those visions?"
"Yes it does explain those visions I kept getting there for a while," Lion-O observed softly.
"Oh, Lion-O, you don't know how long I have waited for this day! And for us to finally reunite, is more than I can possibly say," Lioness-A whispered. Lion-O looked at her a moment and saw a strap on her left thigh.
"What's that?" he asked. Lioness-A smiled when she felt the holder for her boomerang, grateful that it too, would be part of her uniform, and she pulled it out to show him.
"A boomerang I made not long after I landed here with my guardian," Lioness-A answered as he took it to look it over carefully.
"This is a marvelous piece of work you did and I want to see you use it one time," he said as she smiled warmly and took it back to place it in the holder. Everyone began talking then.
"I don't believe it!" Panthro exclaimed. He too, went over and gave her a hug. Cheetara, Wilykat and Wilykit followed him. Tygra chuckled before Lioness-A hugged him. Pumyra, Bengali and Lynx-O quietly hung back. Lion-O explained some things to them.
"Lioness-A and I have been apart from each other ever since we were seven years old when she was sent out for fostering then. She only just now returned home," Lion-O explained.
"Your voice sounded familiar Lioness-A and I now know why," Lynx-O said then. "You have your mother's voice in yours and I know that she would be very proud of both of you," he added as the twins smiled. By then, they had regrouped in the council room.
"Thank you Lynx-O and I hope to get to know everyone here over the next several days. But I will say this, being back with Lion-O is more than I ever can say," Lioness-A added as she smiled at her brother. Cheetara, standing nearby, smiled to herself. She had known that one day that Lion-O and Lioness-A would soon get back together.
It was about that time that Soros, the resident healer, arrived, carrying a disc in one hand, having been notified by Tygra of what was going on. He looked from Lion-O to Lioness-A and nodded in satisfaction.
"This disc has some information for both Lion-O and Lioness-A. I think they would like to view it," Soros said as he popped the disc into a recorder. The disc produced a birth record on a nearby screen for Lion-O and Lioness-A. As they viewed it, they realized that there was no denying the fact that they were twins. The birth record went as follows:
Type of birth: Twins
Names: Lion-O and Lioness-A.
Sexes: Male and Female
Date born: September 12, 4430
Time born: Lion-O at 5:45 a.m. and Lioness-A at 6:00 a.m.
Weight at birth: Lion-O: 5 pounds 6 ounces. Lioness-A: 5 pounds 3 ounces
Parents: father: Claud-Us; mother: Claudana
Attending Healers: Soberos and Shella
"As you can see from the birth record, Lion-O and Lioness-A are indeed twins. I was there in April when Shella gave the king and queen the news that they were expecting twin cubs. It was quite a surprise for both of them," Soros noted as he watched the twins.
"How did the birth for the queen go?" Pumyra asked. Lioness-A blinked and looked over at her oddly. Pumyra saw the look and said to Lioness-A, "I'm a practicing healer Lioness-A. These things just strike my curiosity," she added as Lioness-A smiled. "Please continue Soros," Pumyra said to the healer who nodded.
"The birth went surprisingly easy for one of Queen Claudana's size and weight. It was a bit long but that's to be expected with twins," Soros answered as he studied Lioness-A. "Lioness-A resembles her mother almost perfectly," he added and went on, "Queen Claudana's contractions started early on the night of September eleventh and continued on until Lion-O arrived at the time you see indicated. Lioness-A arrived a mere fifteen minutes later. It was a surprisingly painless delivery and she had carried the twins well until that time," Soros said.
"There's something interesting about that night that I recall as well," Lynx-O observed from his corner chair. "If I remember right, there was a terrible storm that same night, but it cleared early in the morning about the time the signal appeared to announce the arrival of an heir," Lynx-O added.
"How true that is Lynx-O. I remember that storm keeping me awake for most of that night," Cheetara said from where she sat next to Lion-O. Lioness-A, on the other side of him, looked down at the table for a minute and then raised her head. When she did, Lion-O saw her tears.
"Does anyone happen to have a holophoto of my mother somewhere that I can take a look at?" she asked. "I hardly remember her and being where I was, I never heard anything about Lion-O or Father," she added. Lion-O rubbed her back gently.
"I'll be back," Cheetara said softly and quietly left the room. When she returned a few minutes later, she carried a holophoto recorder in one hand and a disc in the other. She laid both on the table in front of Lioness-A and sat back down.
"What is this?" Lion-O asked studying the disc.
"Put it in and see," Cheetara said softly. "It has something Lioness-A wants to see," she added as Lion-O slipped the disc into the slot. What followed that was a series of pictures depicting Queen Claudana with King Claud-Us on dates around the Thunderian countryside. There were also several shots of her at her wedding to King Claud-Us with Jaga present. Lion-O could also see a young Cheetara, Panthro and Tygra present as well. Their mother's wedding gown was a lovely white silk with matching veil and their father wore the royal ensemble. Both looked very happy and very much in love with one another. Still more pictures of the two on the royal tour and at their apartment in the main Cat's Lair in Calora followed those. There were also a few shots of her pregnant with the twins and one of her and Claud-Us with them a month after the twins were born. Lioness-A could barely see herself and Lion-O, wrapped up in blankets as they were. There was also a couple of birthday party shots, including the twins' fifth birthday which had been taken the month before Queen Claudana had died of a devastating illness. When the disc had finished playing the pictures, Lion-O ejected the disc and laid it on the table, his eyes lost in thought.
"Incredible," Pumyra murmured quietly. "Your parents must have loved each other very much Lioness-A," she noted softly as Lioness-A smiled softly.
"They did and Baroness Rella told me that Mother had fallen in love with Father not because of his position and power, but because of his kindness and compassion," Lioness-A said her eyes lost in thought.
"Who's Baroness Rella?" Lynx-O asked. "The name sounded familiar from somewhere."
"She's Baron Ternas' mate," Lioness-A replied. "I was sent to them for fostering when Lion-O and I turned seven years old. She and Mother were best of friends growing up in Wizzara," she added. "Mother had promised her that one of her children would go to her for fostering if anything should happen to Mother," Lioness-A said as her voice cracked slightly.
"Ah, I see," Lion-O murmured. "Father had problems explaining where you were and I think he had problems with you being gone. I barely remember those visits we had afterwards when you came to see us," he added.
"If I had to guess on why, it was to protect us from harm," Lioness-A answered. "He thought it was for the better and in a small way, he may have been right."
"True," Lion-O conceded, "but the reasons for it still escape me. After you left, Father put me through some rigorous schooling in order to be prepared to rule ThunDera. You came and saw us when we were eight and again at nine years old. Then he was blinded when we were ten and you saw us after that as well for a bit but it was after that visit that you vanished," Lion-O added, his voice thick with emotion. Lioness-A's eyes closed in pain. Lion-O placed his hand on her shoulder and gently rubbed her back. "I'm just glad you're here with me now," Lion-O added as Lioness-A raised her head to meet his gentle eyes. Lioness-A smiled and gave her twin a hug.
It had also been discovered that Lioness-A had a gift for music and could play a flute with ease. She could play almost anything and late one evening at a special dance, Lion-O asked her to play a song he and Cheetara could dance to. Lioness-A smiled and complied with the request. Lion-O had told her of his love for Cheetara and that Cheetara returned the feelings with equal strength. Lioness-A wished them the best and hoped that she could find someone like that as well.
Late one afternoon several months later, Lion-O went looking for his sister and found her in her paint room, which held paintings that she had drawn while away from Lion-O and some that were recent pictures, including one of him and Cheetara together. Lion-O blinked as soon as he saw it. His twin had a reputation building because of her unique artwork and Lion-O could see why everyone wanted her to paint something for them. The fact that she was a princess didn't seem to bother them or her all that much.
"When did you finish that one?" he asked his twin. She smiled and continued working on the painting that was set up on her easel. A paint-stained smock covered her uniform as she worked. Lion-O walked over to get a closer look at the sketch she was working on and noticed that it was one of their father as she remembered him. "That's beautiful sis. He looks so real," Lion-O said softly.
"Thanks Lion-O," Lioness-A replied as she paused to study her work closely. "The one of you and Cheetara I finished yesterday before I went on shift in the control room. It's been drying since last night," Lioness-A said walking over to survey the picture. "That one of Father is almost finished," she added as Lion-O walked around the room studying the various pictures.
"Cheetara didn't give you the idea for the one of us together, did she?" Lion-O asked. His twin grinned. "I thought so," Lion-O murmured.
"You'll have to thank her for it," Lioness-A told him as Lion-O sighed. "She wants everyone to know that you're already taken. I was only too happy to do the picture for her," she added as Lion-O smiled faintly. "Besides, unless I miss my guess, you two are very much in love and can't wait to wed," she added as Lion-O blushed furiously.
"How'd you guess that?" Lion-O asked. "I haven't said anything about it to anyone yet."
"I can read your mind Lion-O. It doesn't take much for me to do that," Lioness-A said as Lion-O blinked. "We're twin bonded Lion-O and this is one of those things that we can pick up from each other. You can probably read my mind too if you try hard enough," she added as Lion-O studied her thoughtfully.
"I would if I could Lioness-A but something's blocking me," Lion-O said as he spread his hands in confusion. "You can read my mind but I don't know how to do that with yours. I guess it comes from being in that suspension capsule for ten years," Lion-O added as Lioness-A walked over to lay her hands in his.
"Let's see what we can do about that Lion-O," she whispered. Lion-O eyed her nervously. "Don't worry Lion-O. All I'm going to do is wake your end of the twin bond up enough so you'll be able to pick up what I'm feeling and we'll be able to talk mind to mind with each other. It's fairly simple and easy. So just hold on to me and let your mind go blank," Lioness-A whispered as Lion-O closed his eyes and let his mind go blank. He felt an odd feeling as Lioness-A entered his mind and gently began the process of waking his end of the twin bond up from its long sleep. Once that was done, he began picking up memories from his twin who was full of love for her brother. He smiled and sent her some memories of him in the Shadow world rescuing their father from the Shadowmaster. Lioness-A's eyes were full of tears as she watched her brother battle the Shadowmaster and finally free their father from his prison.
*I wish I could see Father again Lion-O,* Lioness-A's voice whispered through his mind. *I miss him so much,* she added, the pain evident in her voice. They broke the connection a minute later, happier and more bonded than they were before.
"I think I know a way for you to see Father, Lioness-A. Come with me and I'll show you," Lion-O said as he led Lioness-A to the Hall of Omens where the Sword of Omens and Book of Omens rested on their pedestal. Lioness-A looked around the chamber in wonder. Lion-O meanwhile had picked up the Sword of Omens from its holder and was looking from it toward the Book lying below on its stand. Using the Eye of ThunDera Lion-O soon had Claud-Us standing in the room with them. Lioness-A's jaw dropped in amazement and she walked forward to gently touch his arm. Claud-Us turned at the touch and raised a hand to gently trace her face as Lioness-A's eyes closed in bliss. The tears were rolling down her face.
"Lioness-A is that you?" Claud-Us asked backing up. He still had a hand on her shoulder and reached out to touch Lion-O's shoulder.
"Yes Father it is Lioness-A, your long-lost daughter. I have come home," Lioness-A whispered as Claud-Us' sightless eyes watered. He pulled her close for a hug. Lion-O walked over and was also pulled into the hug. His own eyes watered with unshed tears.
"Lioness-A my daughter. It has been so long since I've seen you! Your mother would be proud of you if she were here now to see you," Claud-Us added. "You sound so much like her." He turned toward Lion-O then. "I made a promise to you before ThunDera exploded that I would find your sister but I see that she's made her own way home," he said as the twins blinked.
"I landed here with Rella and she let me come to the capital to find Lion-O," Lioness-A said. "You were looking for me all that time?"
"For most of it when I wasn't trapped by the Shadowmaster," Claud Us said softly. "I wish to share some things with you two about your mother and I and things will be fine here," Claud-Us added as the twins smiled and took his hands. The world turned blue and purple and then the room vanished from their sight. The twins soon found themselves on the plains of Old ThunDera near Wizzara which was one of the clan cities. Claud-Us turned toward them and gestured toward the city. "Your mother and her twin brother were born here to Dabar and his mate Delana in May of 4407. This is where she was raised and also where she met Rella, the daughter of a cougar baron and his mate. Those two became close friends and often took picnics in the surrounding countryside when they weren't handling their Thundercat training or duties," Claud-Us said as a pair of young females appeared on the horizon. "They can't see or hear us, since this is the past," he added quietly as the two walked over to the shade of several trees to have a picnic. "The year is 4423 and they are both eighteen," he added as Lioness-A turned to watch the pair.
"So Claudana, tell me about this Barbary lion that your brother knows," Rella was saying as the three invisible people walked over to hear better.
"I don't know that much about him Rella except that he's the son of King Cristoforo of Calora and that he's twenty years old. That's it," Claudana replied as she carefully lowered herself to the ground. "He was quite nice though." She was beautiful with a long scarlet mane and topaz eyes. Her gown was a light purple color with a gray belt. She also wore a pair of gray ankle boots. Lion-O looked from her to his sister and discovered that the two favored each other closely.
"Did you get his name?" Rella asked, pushing a strand of her brown mane behind her ears.
"He said his name was Claud-Us," Claudana replied. She sat down and leaned against a tree. "Benthor introduced me to him since he knew Claud-Us and I had that archery class together. We hit it off and hung out after class ended most of the time while it was going on," she added as Rella smiled.
"I wonder why?" Rella said teasingly. Claud-Us signaled to his twins and they followed him through purple and gray mists to another date and time.
"Where are we now Father?" Lioness-A asked gazing around the dance room in awe.
"It is April of 4427 and your mother and I are attending a dance together. She is twenty-two years old and I am twenty-four years old," Claud-Us replied. "This is the dance that followed my birthday party. Claudana had moved to Calora to attend college at the Cat's Lair I lived in with my family. My father had stepped down as lord about a year or two earlier. Watch," he added as a very young Claud-Us entered the room with Claudana at his side. The young Claud-Us bore a striking resemblance to his son and Lioness-A found herself studying the two closely. A band began playing a very slow song as Claud-Us escorted his young date out onto the dance floor and began dancing. Over along one wall was a group of Thundercats that Lioness-A didn't recognize except for Tygra, Panthro and Cheetara. Cheetara was nine years old and Tygra was eleven years old. Panthro looked to be at least fifteen years old. Lioness-A blinked and pointed the three out to Lion-O whose eyes widened as he recognized the young Cheetara. Also, against the wall was Jaga, King Cristoforo and Queen Althana, Claud-Us' parents. Next to them were a set of lions that looked to be Claudana's parents and one that looked identical to her so it must be Benthor. There was also a young lioness standing on the other side of Althana that Lioness-A and Lion-O didn't recognize.
"Who's the young lioness standing next to Grandmother?" Lioness-A asked her father. He blinked and smiled sadly.
"Your aunt Lilabet," Claud-Us replied softly. "She became a close friend of your mother's because they were the same age," he added.
"What happened to her?" Lion-O asked as they continued to watch the dance.
"She died from the virus when she was about twenty-seven. She left behind one cub," Claud-Us added. "Your young cousin Celyna who was born about three years after you were."
"How about Benthor?" Lion-O asked.
"You should know him Lion-O because your cousins Rialla and Catsy are his two daughters. Make sure Lioness-A meets them," Claud-Us added. "The last time she saw them was Midwinter's Eve of 4437. Lioness-A left for Rella's in the winter of 4438," he added. He listened for a moment and then smiled. "Listen my children. I am about to make an announcement."
"Father, Mother I have an announcement to make," the young Claud-Us said as everyone quieted down. "I have asked Claudana to be my mate and she has gladly accepted my proposal," he went as everyone cheered. King Cristoforo smiled and came over to hug his son.
"Well done my son. I am very proud of you and welcome this young lioness into our family," Cristoforo said to everyone gathered nearby. "Dabar, you and Delana have blessed my son with a very intelligent young lioness and for that I thank you," he added as Dabar came over to shake hands with Claud-Us.
"We shall assist your mate with the preparations for the wedding. I will be honored to call Claud-Us my son in law," Dabar added as his mate came to stand beside him. The older Claud-Us gestured to his children and they withdrew from the scene, surprise written on their faces.
"What happened to Mother's parents Father? We never knew them that well," Lioness-A asked on the way to another day and time.
"They were very much a part of your lives during the early years Lioness-A. Dabar died during the Great Thunderian Virus of 4435. It was a few months before we lost your mother," Claud-Us said sadly. "Your grandmother moved to Calora after your mother took ill and assisted me with your care. She returned to Wizzara right after your mother passed away. I think she couldn't bear the loss of losing her mate and daughter so close to each other. As far as I knew, she died several years later. We lost my mother in 4434 and my father in 4436," Claud-Us added as he paused. "Ah, here we are at my wedding to your mother. Watch carefully," Claud-Us told his twins as they surveyed the scene before them. They were in one of the large temples present throughout the city. A large Thundercat insignia was on the wall behind the lion priest Barok who was there along with a large number of the Thundercat nobility. Claud-Us was there in a white tunic and slacks and had a gold sash around his waist with the Thundercat insignia in the middle. He also wore a gray cloak edged in gold. Claudana's dress was white with silver trim and her hair was braided and trimmed with silver threads. She also wore a silver belt with the Thundercat insignia on it. Barok took their hands and the ceremony began.
"We have convened today to see this pair mated," Barok said and took the couple's hands. "Do you agree to this?"
"I do," said Claud-Us proudly as Barok took one end of the gold belt in his right hand.
"I do," echoed Claudana as the priest took one end of her silver belt in his left hand. He crossed the gold over the silver one and looked the couple in the eyes.
"The crossing of these cords signifies the handfasting of this couple and their love for one another and with the binding of the cords, no one may separate them," Barok said and took a deep breath, "By the power of the Eye of Thundera, I now pronounce you mated. You may kiss your mate Claud-Us," he added with a smile as he gave the belts back to their owners. Claud-Us gently kissed Claudana as everyone cheered. After that, found everyone outside to enjoy the reception held in the couple's honor.
"Lion-O, the wedding set that you see your mother and myself wearing is yours to use at your wedding," Claud-Us said as Lion-O nodded quietly. The three then quietly withdrew as the merrymaking continued onward. "That was January of 4428 two years before you were born. We are now going to the year 4430, which is the year you were born. It is early September and your mother is ready to deliver you both. She had an easy pregnancy and carried both of you surprisingly well. Watch and listen closely. What happens here Lion-O you will have to listen for when your own son is born. It is a part of our heritage with the Eye of ThunDera and the Sword of Omens," Claud-Us said as Lion-O nodded. Once there they quietly settled into a corner of the council chamber. Lioness-A could see her grandfather seated at the large round table and Jaga standing next to her father at the window. It was obvious that the birth was worrying Claud-Us, although Jaga tried to get it off of his mind. Not having the fathers present at the birth was a custom of the royals that had happened for many long years beforehand.
"Come Claud-Us, let us play some Thunderchess while we wait for word from the sick bay," Jaga said to his friend.
"How can I do anything while my mate's laboring to bring forth the twins that she's carried for the last nine months?" Claud-Us asked. His father smiled.
"Son, these things take a while. Sit down and play a few rounds with Jaga. It will help pass the time," Cristoforo said as Claud-Us sat down at the table across from Jaga and the gameboard. Several hours passed by uneventfully. Cristoforo dozed off while Jaga and Claud-Us talked in low tones nearby. Around 5:40 though the Eye began growling and the noise woke Cristoforo up from his nap. He sat up and listened to the noise and grinned when he realized what was going on. The storm that had been going on for most of the night had abated some and it was lightly drizzling when the growl occurred.
"Why is the Eye doing this Father?" Claud-Us asked baffled. His father only smiled.
"I think we're getting close to the arrival of an heir," Cristoforo said as his son blinked.
"Are you sure Lord Cristoforo?" Jaga asked. Cristoforo nodded.
"I heard the noise well over twenty-five years ago when Claud-Us was born. Your uncle told me what the noise was for and I believe we'd better be ready to receive word from the sick bay," Cristoforo said. "We don't have long to wait."
About five minutes later the Cat signal appeared in the early morning hours. Cheers erupted from both ends of the Lair as the reason for the signal became apparent. Shella, one of the nurses attending Queen Claudana arrived in the council chamber to give King Claud-Us the news. He was waiting for her.
"You have a healthy son and daughter my lord," Shella said as Claud-Us sighed in relief. "The mother's doing fine and wants to see you as soon as possible," she added and led him to the sick bay. The three ghost figures followed from a distance, but once in the sick bay headed for the room where Claudana rested with the twins. Lioness-A's eyes watered as she watched her mother gently cradle her newborn twins in her arms as they nursed. Both had their parents' markings and also had scarlet fuzz covering their tiny heads. About then, Soberos, the head healer, led the young Claud-Us into the room to see his new family.
"The twins both weigh over five pounds and the male arrived first with the female fifteen minutes later. It was a fairly easy delivery even with it being twins. I'll leave you with them for a few minutes," Soberos said as he quietly withdrew from the room. Claud-Us walked over to the bed to view the twins up close.
"Oh Claud-Us, aren't they beautiful?" Claudana asked as Claud-Us smiled and gently kissed her.
"They are my love," he whispered. "You did great and I'm so proud of you."
"What do we name them?" Claudana asked then.
"How about the names we agreed on last night?" Claud-Us asked as he stroked his son's tiny head with one finger.
"Lion-O for the male and Lioness-A for the female. I like them. And I hope the twins like their names," Claudana added as the twins both yawned at the same time. Their parents smiled and Claud-Us slid an arm around his mate's shoulder. His hand was still stroking Lion-O's scarlet fuzz. Soberos reentered the room and smiled as he watched the young family. Handing over a small computer he asked Claud-Us to sign his name and also write down the names of the twin cubs. Claud-Us did so and had Claudana sign her name to the computer. Soberos walked over and took the computer from Claud-Us and turned to study Claudana.
"Time to let her and the twins rest for a while Claud-Us. I will allow you to burp your son while Claudana takes care of your daughter. Then we'll put them down in that basket nearby so they can sleep," Soberos said quietly as he watched Claud-Us take Lion-O from his mother and gently burp him. Claud-Us cradled Lion-O close to him as Lion-O began mewling.
"It's okay son, your father's here. Shhh, everything's fine," Claud-Us murmured and began to gently hum a tune. The older twins blinked as they recognized the tune as a lullaby that their mother had often sang to them. Lioness-A had learned it and the music from Rella several years ago and could play it well. Lion-O's eyes were misty as he watched them. The tiny Lion-O quieted down and Claud-Us tucked him into the basket as Soberos walked over to tuck Lioness-A in beside her twin brother.
"I'm surprised at you Lord Claud-Us," Soros noted as he watched the sleeping cubs. "They're sleeping peacefully. Where did you learn that song?" he asked.
"Ask my mate, she'll tell you," Claud-Us answered gazing at his sleeping mate with love shining in his eyes. The older Claud-Us gestured to the twins and they quietly withdrew from the scene before. It was then that Claud-Us sensed something had gotten his son's attention while they were there.
"I take it that you're familiar with the tune?" Claud-Us noted quietly as they headed through the mists to another location only he knew about. Lion-O nodded and smiled quietly.
"Lioness-A was humming it last night while she was getting ready for bed," Lion-O replied, his eyes lost in thought. "Where did Mother learn it?" he asked.
"Your grandmother Delana taught your mother the lullaby and ever since then, she sang it whenever the two of you were restless," Claud-Us said as they appeared in an apartment that was strewn with toys all over the sitting room floor. Over in the corner Lioness-A and Lion-O could see themselves playing with a stack of blocks while a red and orange snarf watched from the couch.
"Snarf, Lion-O watch what you're doing with the blocks," Snarf said as he walked over to where the four year old twins were playing. He gently pried a block loose from Lion-O's fingers and set it on the ground. "The building is too tall right now Lion-O. Start on another one," Snarf said as Lady Claudana entered the room.
"Mommy!" Lioness-A chattered, getting up and running over to where her mother was standing. "Look what we did!" she added as Claudana picked her up. Claudana walked over to inspect the village.
"It looks nice Lioness-A. Why don't you and Lion-O show me around," Claudana said as she settled on the ground next to the cubs. Lion-O and Lioness-A then spent part of the afternoon with her showing her the village until Claud-Us arrived a little after four. He paused as he watched the scene.
"What are we looking at here?" he asked coming over to where they were. Lion-O saw him and jumped up to run over and hug him.
"Daddy! You're home!" Lion-O exclaimed as Claud-Us caught him in a hug. "Come see the city that Lioness-A and I built this afternoon with Snarf's help," Lion-O said as Claud-Us followed him over to where the village was set up.
"Creative aren't they?" Claudana noted quietly. "I went and saw both Lilabet and Celyna. They're doing fine today and Althana was also there," Claudana added as Claud-Us smiled.
"Were the twins good today Snarf?" Claud-Us asked. Snarf smiled and nodded. "Good, then head to the dining room to get your ice cream," Claud-Us said as the twins grinned. "Snarf make sure Lion-O gets the vanilla and not the chocolate," Claud-Us said as Snarf nodded and scampered off to find the twins. The older Claud-Us beckoned to his twins and they followed him back into the purple mists. Lioness-A turned to study her brother.
"I forgot that you were allergic to chocolate Lion-O," she said as he smiled.
"Soros gave me some chocolate about nine months ago to make sure I still was and to make sure the medicine to counteract the allergy still worked. I was miserable after eating that stuff, but the medicine helped," Lion-O said as his father chuckled.
"You inherited that allergy from your mother Lion-O. We found out when you were two years old and you had a piece of chocolate cake and got sick afterwards. You were a brave boy to take the medicine without screaming," Claud-Us noted and paused as he considered what was ahead of them. "We are at the point where your mother has just died over a month ago. Your grandfather, my father, is still alive and is keeping you while I work with Jaga," Claud-Us said as the three stepped into a much-changed apartment. It was definitely quieter and Lion-O and Lioness-A looked around and found King Cristoforo seated on a sofa with the five year-old twins seated on either side of him. The mood was somber and quiet. Lioness-A was clutching a brown teddy bear in her arms and was trying hard not to cry. Lion-O, on the other side of their grandfather, was also trying not to cry. Cristoforo stroked their scarlet manes while Snarf folded laundry nearby.
"I miss Mommy Grandpa," Lioness-A whimpered, burying her face in his chest.
"I know you do darling and I miss her too," Cristoforo said gently. However, he had been dealt a double blow. Althana, his mate, had died in May of 4434 from complications brought on by a stroke. Lilabet, the twins' aunt had died later that same year from the Great Thunderian Virus. She had been one of the first cases reported. Her mate, Jores and their cub, Celyna, were devastated by the loss. The pain had not only affected Cristoforo but also his son as well. Claud-Us worked nearly every day for long hours and as a result, his cubs barely saw that much of him.
"I wish Daddy were here," Lion-O observed quietly from his side. Snarf turned at this and saw Lion-O's sad face. As the heir to the throne, he had hoped to spend more time with his father. Such wasn't the case and Snarf knew how much it hurt the cubs not to see their father every day. If Cristoforo knew of it, he wisely said nothing.
"Lion-O's right, Cristoforo. How's he supposed to learn the responsibilities if his father isn't home enough to teach him?" Snarf asked walking over to the sofa. "Claud-Us usually gets here right after they're put to bed and is gone to his office by the time they wake up in the morning. You're the only person besides me that they've seen on a steady basis," Snarf added as Cristoforo pursed his lips in thought.
"I'll talk with Claud-Us tonight Snarf after these two are put to bed. You're right and it's time I told Claud-Us that," Cristoforo said as Snarf nodded. The older Claud-Us beckoned to his children and they followed him into the purple mists.
"Did Grandpa ever talk to you about that?" Lion-O asked his father, who slowly nodded.
"Yes son he did and I must say that I'm glad that he did," Claud-Us said and went on, "I started spending more time with you two after that. Especially after he died in October of 4436 from pneumonia. That was one rough time as I realized that I was the only one left of my family. It was also part of the reason I never took another mate after your mother died. I loved her dearly and she meant the world to me. You two were her legacy and gift to me," Claud-Us said as his twins smiled. "I'm glad I had you two with me and I love you dearly," he added as the twins hugged him tightly.
"We love you too, Father," Lioness-A whispered. "Where are we going now?"
"We are going to the day before you left with Baron Ternas and Baroness Rella, Lioness-A," Claud-Us replied as Lioness-A gasped. "I know it hurts, but it was a custom on the Old ThunDera and you must learn the reason," Claud-Us added, gently rubbing her back. The scene before them was of the royal apartment once again but with boxes stacked in various locations. Some were full and already labeled while the others weren't full and had been left open. Snarf appeared from a side room carrying a stack of clothing and had both of the twins, now aged seven, following him. They were strangely quiet and Lioness-A was holding her stuffed bear.
*What happened to that bear of yours?* Lion-O asked his twin via their link. She smiled.
*I've still got it in one of those boxes in my bedchamber,* Lioness-A replied. *Do you have yours?* she asked teasingly. Lion-O smiled gruffly but didn't answer. They turned back to the scene before them.
"That's the last of it," Snarf was saying as he closed and sealed the last of the boxes. "I'll go tell King Claud-Us that you're ready Lioness-A. Be right back," Snarf added and left the room.
"I don't want to go!" Lioness-A wailed as she and Lion-O sat down on the couch. "It's not fair!" she went on, tears rolling down her face. She rubbed her face with her fists angrily.
"I know sis, but try to be brave for Daddy's sake. He's only doing this for us and we know he doesn't like it," Lion-O said as he rubbed her back. "Who knows, maybe it'll be fun to see something different," he added. The older twins stared at each other in amazement. Lion-O had evidentially inherited some sort of wisdom from his father and it was starting to show through at the age he was now. By then, Snarf had reappeared with Claud-Us, who walked over and hugged his daughter tightly.
"Be brave my daughter and one day you will see both of us again. I'm not sure when or how though, but I know you one day will," Claud-Us said and took her hand. "Come you two, Baroness Rella wishes to see you," he added as he led them from the room. Snarf and the three spectral figures followed him to the Great Hall where they saw Baron Ternas and his mate waiting.
"Come to me Lioness-A and let me see you," Rella said gently as Lioness-A came forward shyly, still clutching the bear in one arm. "Everything will be all right, you'll see," she said softly to the trembling kitten. To King Claud-Us standing nearby, "I'll watch over her my lord and will send you updated holophotos as needed my king."
"Thank you Baroness and I appreciate it. Please allow her to come and visit us sometime this summer if you can swing it," Claud-Us said as she nodded.
"We'll do so my king. Come Lioness-A, we have a long way to go to get to Bersona," Baron Ternas said as she nodded. She hugged her brother, father and Snarf one last time and was gone from their sight. Claud-Us knelt down and pulled his son into his arms and rocked with him back and forth as Lion-O cried.
"It will be all right Lion-O. Just wait and see. I'm here son," Claud-Us murmured in his son's ears while he stroked the scarlet mane. "One day she'll be home with us again." Snarf appeared at their side and looked worriedly on. The three ghost figures took the opportunity to withdraw from the scene. "You did come to visit us once during the summer before you two turned eight," Claud-Us said as they appeared in another scene of a different apartment. Lion-O was seated on the sofa and Claud-Us was pacing until Jaga came in with Baroness Rella and a young lioness kitten.
"Daddy!" Lioness-A yelled as he held out his arms as he hugged her as Lion-O jumped off the sofa. The twins hugged tightly. "I brought something for you Lion-O," Lioness-A said as one of Rella's men brought in a box.
"You didn't need to do that," Claud-Us said.
"She wanted to since she misses her brother and she knew he missed her," Rella assured him. The attendant set the box on the floor and withdrew. Lion-O opened the box as Lioness-A watched, an eager grin on her face. The minute the lid came off a gray sabertooth puppy popped his head out of the box and licked Lion-O's face as he laughed. Claud-Us only chuckled.
"Perfect," Claud-Us said, a smile on his face.
"It's a boy puppy and Lion-O can name him," Lioness-A said.
"I like Kano," Lion-O said as he took the puppy out. The twins ran off to play with the puppy. Claud-Us shook his head but he was happy to know his son and daughter were happy.
"How has school gone for her?" he asked. Baroness Rella let him see the report cards and he saw that they had kept the clan name for her. She'd fitted in well as it was an exclusive private school similar to the one in the capital the twins had been attending before. The three ghost figures left then.
"I forgot that's how I got Kano," Lion-O said as his father laughed.
"He was a big help for a long time with you and there were times I couldn't pry you and him apart on your bed," Claud-Us said as Lioness-A chuckled before they appeared in the Sword chamber. Claud-Us thought a moment. "If things had gone like they should have Lioness-A would have come home at the age of sixteen but the explosion messed that part up. Before then though, you two maintained contact until the year you two turned eleven which was a year before the explosion cause you came and saw me not long after I was blinded by the Mutants and that was when the two of you turned ten." Lioness-A sighed heavily as she thought back.
"Ternas died in a Mutant raid the year I turned eleven and Rella went into seclusion almost and didn't want to reach out to anyone, including you for some reason and she never said why. When we heard about the imminent explosion, she bought passage for herself and I on one of the passenger ships and we made it to Boktor. I grew the rest of the way up there," Lioness-A replied sadly as Claud-Us sighed.
"I had wondered and though I had searched for you I never learned more than what I had," Claud-Us said. "Your mother would be proud of both of you if she were to see you. We were reunited in the Astral world when I crossed over."
"If only we could see Mother again. It would mean so much to me," Lioness-A said, lowering her head. "Just this once."
"Let's see what I can do about that then," Claud-Us said and lowered his head. A few seconds passed quietly by and then both Lion-O and Lioness-A backed up in startled amazement as a purple glow filled a corner of the room. The figure that was forming was feminine in nature and she had a long scarlet mane and wore an outfit of purple and gray that was similar in color to the uniform Lioness-A now had. Her dark golden eyes shown with love as she studied both Claud-Us and the twins before her. She walked over and gently touched Claud-Us's shoulder. When he realized who it was, he smiled and hugged her.
"Claudana, my love. There are two people here who wished to see you," Claud-Us said as he gestured to the twins standing nearby. Claudana turned and her face brightened when she saw the twins. She walked over to them and hugged each of them tightly.
"My darlings! Oh, how I have waited for this day!" she whispered, stroking Lioness-A's cheek with a gentle finger. Lioness-A was smiling through the tears rolling down her face. "You have grown up well Lioness-A. A very striking young lady you have become. And could this tall, handsome male be your twin brother?" Claudana asked, walking over to study Lion-O with a mother's eye. His eyes were watering as she stroked his cheek.
"Mother," was all he could get out before the tears overtook him. Claudana smiled and hugged her son close to her while Claud-Us did the same for their daughter.
"Shhh, my son, your mother's here now for a visit. I realize that you needed this as much as your twin," Claudana murmured, studying Lion-O's face.
"Sorry about that," Lion-O whispered, drying his face with the back of one hand. "I've seen more than my share of memories today," he added as she smiled.
"So I noticed," Claudana said and looked him over. "You remind me of your father when he was that age. You're what, twenty-four now?" Claudana asked as the two nodded. "How time does fly," Claudana murmured.
"We understand why Rella took me and also how to be stronger in our understanding of one another," Lioness-A said as her mother smiled.
"I see that the twin bond is working in both of you now. Good. Keep it functioning and it will never let you down. You will be able to communicate with each other even if one of you is unconscious or in a lot of pain. That will be useful if the doctors do not know what is wrong with one of you. They can ask the other twin," Claudana said as the twins blinked and looked at each other. "Benthor and I learned that a long time ago and the only reason that he outlived me for so long was because he managed to sever the twin bond between us," Claudana added.
"Can that be done?" Lioness-A asked, astonished.
"Yes, it can, but only if one of you is nearing death and the other's in perfect health and not affected by the same illness," Claudana replied and hugged them again.
"I do have a special story to tell the two of you and your mother knows what it is," Claud-Us said then. "You may have thought that I forgot about you Lioness-A, but I didn't. I was trying to find you before ThunDera blew so you could go with your brother but I never could. The Shadowmaster thwarted my escape to a pod so I never had a chance to look till Lion-O freed me and I went to the Astral World to join Jaga and reunited with your mother." The twins looked at each other then.
"Can we hear this?" Lioness-A asked. Her father nodded.