Yes! Its finally here. I have been planning for this chapter and the one before native son as well as the episode itself.
Warning there will be some blood. I fine this one to be a sad chapter, towards Aideen, but will have some answers, as well as provided knew questions. And it will in a way bring Lion-O and Aideen a bit closer before lion-O's trial, (which is another one I can't wait to write.) Anyway hope you like it!
Disclaimer. I don't own Thundercats except my O.C's and other events that are non-canon.
Between brother's
Panthro stood to the side of the brick stone wall. He looked at the lizards army that were not far away from the village. Using his telescope he spotted Grune standing at the center, the sabers arm cross and his eyes closed.
Looking inside the hut, the other thundercats stood next to Anet. Panthro walked toward them and stood to cheetaras side, "Bad news the entire village is surrounded," he informed.
Cheetara turned to him, "How many troops?"
"If I had to guess, I'd say all of them," he replied.
"How about Isha? Have you been able to communicate with her?" She asked.
Panthro shook his head. He had tried, with the communicator that she had gotten, but for some reason she hadn't answer. He looked at the old elephant, "Considering how hopelessly outnumber we are, maybe you guys could lend us a hand?"
"As always, We will seek to understand our role through meditation," Anet replied.
"I'll take that as a no," panthro said with a hint of annoyance. He turned and left making plan on what to do in case the lizards attacked.
Once panthro left they all turn to look at the hut. "I wounder whats keeping them," wilykit said as she looked at the portal in thought.
"Keeping who? Asked A net already forgotten why they were standing in front of the hut.
"Lion-O, Aideen and Tygra, remember?" She replied as she looked up.
"Ah, yes.. of course," Anet said, "They went after the spirit stone, didn't they?"
"I bet something went wrong," wilykat said with worried.
Wilykit looked down, "I hope Aideen is alright."
Anet looked up with a frown of worry, "I do sens a dark presence within, but on the Astral plan, they will face an even greater challenge."
Cheetara looked up, "What's that?"
"Themselves," he replied then looked ahead once again. "By even' bell tomorrow, Lion-O will feel betrayed by his brother."
Cheetara looked at the portal, deep in thought at what she had learned.
Aideen looked around the place but there was nothing. The sky was cover, with what seemed but she wasn't sure, clouds. The floor looked as if it was are of glass. "Wow," she breathed out. The place looked incredible.
They stopped as the tower that was in thundera began to appear from beneath the floor. Then the cat statue that was in the courtyard and two pillars with lion statues carved at the top. They felt something lift beneath there feet making them lose balance before the rumbling stop. Aideen looked down at what they were standing on, the statue of Lion-O's father.
"This place gives me the creeps," Tygra said.
Aideen shrugged, "I think its incredible," she said.
Tygra rolled his eyes, "of course you would. Let's just find the stone and get out of here."
Lion-O looked back at the two, a frown on his face. Ever since they left thundera the two, who hated each other, began to grow closer. And was annoying Lion-O. He had never really had any friends, perhaps a few that lived in the castle, but Aideen was different. Unlike everyone else she didn't judge him on his choices, she followed him. Even if it lead to trouble, she just stayed with him. Every one expected something from him, like his father or brother wanted him to change who he was. Aideen though was different she just wanted him to be himself. And if he did do something wrong she would tell him but without making him pressure. In truth he didn't want the two to get along, she was his friend. "We've already search everywhere," he said.
"The elephants always say if you can't see something, it's because you're not looking at the bigger picture," Tygra replied as he walked closer to his brother.
"That means it probably right under our noses," the lion said.
Aideen walked towards him and put a hand on his shoulders. She gave a small smile, "Don't worry we will find it. Lets just keep looking." He nodded, both jumped down the statue. Tygra had a frown on his face, then followed.
"If I find it first, I'm keeping this one," he stated making Aideen turn to him. She frown at him and would have said something if the lion hadn't spoken.
"The stone is my responsibility, Tygra," he stated.
"It hasn't chosen you yet," Tygra stated.
Lion-O stop and turned to look at him, "Something tells me it will," he replied then began to walk again.
Aideen sigh, "why can't you two just get alone for.. at least this mission. I don't need the two of you fighting one another in a place we don't even know." Both cats looked at her ut said nothing as they kept walking. 'What did I get myself into. This two are not going to stop fighting and something tells me Cheetara had something to do with it,' she thought.
"Embrace your jelousy, your greed, your fear, for in this world, I can make your darkest thought as real as flesh" a dark voice said as he watched the two brothers walk. A black bird flew behind them watching the cats moves. "Here you are nothing more than my puppets and when you destroy each other, both stones will be mine." He looked down at Aideen who was falling behind the two, "and soon so will she. My queen will soon be by my side again and there will be no one to help her from her darkness."
Aideen turned around, she looked around but found nothing. 'Something not right' she thought. The voices that tended to tell her of danger were silent. There was something odd about this place, and she could feel it.
"Aideen?" Tygra said as both brothers waited for the girl.
She turned to look at them then turned back. After one last glaces she ran towards them stopping when she was next to the two. "Sorry, I thought I heart something," she said then began to walk again. The two brothers exchange a look then fallowed. Aideen had a had feelings.
Panthro bent down and placed an explosion at the bottom of the mountain. Wilykat and kit were with him but instead of helping they were looking at Grune threw the telescope. "Look at Grune and Snaggletooth just sitting out there," Wilykat said. He looked at his sister, as she and snarf where next to him, "I bet he's scared."
At hearing this Panthro turned to them, "Ever heard how he lost his tooth?" he asked then walked towards them, he looked at the horizon as he remembered. "It was during the Lizard War. Grune and I busted out of a prison were on the run. With no food, no weapon, and an army after us, we hid in a cave."
A younger looking Panthro stood next to Grune as thick web surrounded them. Both looking at something in front of them. "Turned out it wasn't empty," a giant black spider moved towards them. "It was Spidera's nest."
Wilykat and kit turned towards him in shock, "Spidera? I-I thought Spidera was just a myth" he said.
"So did we," panthro replied, "Next thing we knew, that beast had us backed into a corner, fangs dripping with venom."
"What did you do?" the young cat asked.
Panthro turn to look down at him, "Me? Once she had me in her web, I prepared for the end," he said then turned back to look ahead, "But Grune, he ripped out his own sabertooth."
Wilykat made a disgusted sound, "Why?
"Because he knew that beast had only one weak spot," the older cat answer.
Grune had his tooth on hisnhand as he ran towards Spidera, "Grune used his tooth and jammed it right into that monster." He stabbed the spider on it red eye.
Both kids gasped at what they heard, now they were the once becoming scared. "Afterwards, Grune said something I never forgot. Any sacrificed is worth the defeat of your enemy," He recalled then glaced at the boy from the corner of his eye, "You really think he's scare?"
Aideen looked up at the sky in annoyance. She may have dealt with Xander and Isha when both began to fight or even Isha and Zane. She always had a limit of how much she would let them argue and when they past that, both knew she got mad and Aideen never got mad easily. Now she was almost at that point with the two brothers as they both kept on pushing each other to their limit. And Aideen was soon going to reach hers and that was something's they shouldn't want.
"Face it. You've always been jealous of what I have," Lion-O said as he walked behind his brother.
Tygra stop and turned to look at him, "I just think people should only be given what they earn," he replied.
"You haven't change since we were kids," the Lion commented. He walked past him and after a few seconds Tygra fallowed.
Aideen heavily sigh, no matter what she said neither one would listen. "Their more stubborn than Isha," she mutter.
As they walked a mist began to surround them. Stone walls began to rise from the floor, as a forest speared in front of them. They stop and watched as the scenario appeared.
"Come, on, keep up!" a voice said from behind them making them turn. They watched as two kid ran towards them the two cats eyes wide, "just up ahead! Follow me!"
"It can't be," Tygr said in disbelief.
Aideen watched the kids then turned to the older cats, "is that.."
"It's us as kittens," Lion-O said.
Aideen looked as they came closer the two kids ran threw both Lion-O and Tygra. Not noticing them. They turn to see where they were going.
"It looks like a memory," Tygra said as they watched the boys ran around.
"You're right, and it's a bad one," the lion agreed.
"Out trip to the forbidden ruins," Tygra said. In front of them was a hole with a branch across from it. A small carved like ran from one side to the fores. Small pieces of wall surrounded the hole making it look like a square. Perhaps it used to be a source of water or an old dried water well.
"I remember it like it was yesterday" Tygra said.
Aideen looked at the kids then at the cats next to her. "I have a bad feeling about this," she mutter.
The younger tiger jumped over a couple of rocks. "Wait for me, Tygra," the young lion-O said as he looked up at his brother.
Tygra looked down, "Sure you want to keep going? Legend says no one who visits the ruins is ever heard from again."
"I'm not scare," young lion-O replied, "I'm the heir to the kingdom of Thundera."
"If something did happen to you, no one would ever know," the young Tygra said as he kept on running. He ran until he came to the hole, then ran across it. Halfway he yelled at his brother, "Come on! I dare you to cross this log, scary-king!"
"This isn't helping us find the stone," Tygra said, "Let's go."
Lion-O turn to look at him, "Wait. If we're seeing this, it's for a reason."
Aideen looked between the two and noticed the way Tygra was acting. 'Oh, no. I have a very bad feeling, ' she thought and at that moment she really did miss the voices that tended to guide her.
"We know what happen," Tygra replied, "The branch broke, you fell in. End of story."
A cross from the branch, the young Tygra was holding onto one of the smaller branchs. Just as the younger lion-O began cross his brother rocked the branch scaring the boy and making him fall and hold on tight.
"Quit it, " the young lion exclaimed
"Come on, prince heir! I thought you lions were supposed to be brave," Tygra taunted as he put his hands on his hips.
Aideen watched as the young lion-O stood up and began to cross again. He began to smile as he was almost at the end, but the younger Tygra smirked and with his foot snapped the branch making the younger Lion-O fall.
Aideen gasped and looked at Lion-O who looked in shock at what had happen. "I always thought the branch snapped by itself. But it didn't, did it?" he said as he looked at his brother wirh anger, "You broke it." Tygra though looked in different.
With the lizards army, they all waited for the order to attack. Slith looked ahead as Grune walked towards him. "Why do we continue to wait when we can crush them in a breath?" Grune asked as Slith turn to him, "Don't tell me you're being concerned about those senile pachyderms."
"Of course not," he replied, "The elephants never fight."
"Then why?"
"Mumm-Ra's orders," slith explained, "If we attack now, we risk destroying the portal to the Astral plane, trapping him inside forever."
"Tell me, Slith, would that really such a bad thing?" Grune said with a sly smile
"Mumm-Ra is our master," Slith stated, "He controls the largest army on Third Earth and wields more power than you could ever dream of. You would dare betray him?" he asked in disbelief but Grune only smirked. Slith gave a smirk of his own, "You know, Grune, for a cat, you're quite the snake."
Aideen, Tygra, and Lion-O watched as the young tiger looked down at his brother. "Tygra, help!" the young lion said as he reached his hand towards his brother. But the young Tygra just turned and left, "Don't leave! Don't leave me!" the boy said with teary eyes.
"How could you?!" Lion-O exclaimed, "Your own brother."
"I thought I'd get in trouble with father," Tygra replied, "I was scared."
"You were always against me, Tygra, because you could never have this" the lion said as he looked down at his sword.
"It should have been me," Tygra protested. From under his feet a replica of the sword of Omens appeared. The tiger looked down, "Maybe in this world, it can be," he grabbed it.
Aideen looked between the two, she knew she needed to stop this before it went turn neither one could turn back to. She tried to move but found herself unable to. "What?" she looked down and sow tree roots rapped around her legs. "What on earth is going on!" she exclaimed then looked at the two. "Stop," she said as she extended her hand only for it to touch glass. Aideen began to panic as she touched her surrounding. What should be air was actually a wall. Aideen began to bang on the glass trying to make noise but neither one of the brother heard her.
"Then let settle this once and for all," Lion-O said making her turn and look at them. He unshield his sword making it extend to its full length. "This is the true Sword of Omens. It can't be beaten!"
"But you can," Tygra stated, the swung his sword clashing it with his brothers. Both began to fight, swinging their sword at one another. Tygra began to push his brother back as he had more strength than him.
Aideen began to bang on the wall more. She tried to concentrate on her elements but nothing happen. "No, No! Come on!" she said in frustration. Looking back at the boys she tried to move but was unable to, "this can't be happening."
From behind her, a dark shadow watched her struggle. Her two dark red eyes seeing the girls frustrating. She smiled in amused meant, 'soon. Soon, you will come to me. And when you do...you will be the most feared person in the world' the shadow thought as it disappeared.
The lizard army began to march towards the village. Some machines and lizards began to get close to the thindercats. Panthro looked threw the telescope not liking how the odds were against them, "Its time," he said. He turn around to look Anet and Aburn, "So, are you going to help us or wait for that army to roll over your village?"
"We were supposed to meditate on that, weren't we?" Anet said as he turned to Aburn then back to the cats. "It completely slipped my mind. Come on, Aburn," he began to walk towards his meditation spot, "Let's get right to that." Both elephants walked away leaving a frustrated cat.
Panthro watched them leave felling frustrated. "Of all the slow, dumb..." he sigh knowing whatever her thought didn't matter at the moment. The army was getting closer to them.
He turned to cheetara who was looking at the army. "We can't stop an army that sizes," she said as she gestured to the army.
"No," he agreed then lift a explosion disk, "but I've got a few surprises that will slow them down."
With the army, the lizards marched towards the village none noticing wilykat who was hiding behind a small tree. He looked at some of the lizards past the hidden explosive, but not all past them. One stepped on the explosive setting it off. But not only lizards but machines were thrown off as more explosives were activated. Wilykat gasped as he saw one of them get hit by the explosion, he closed his eyes.
Sloth watched as his army was thrown back but instead of worrying he only laughed. "A pitiable defense. Thundera fell in a day. This will only take moments," he hissed.
Grune walked to his side, "Take the hut. The cats are mine," he order and readied his weapon. Lighting surrounding the mace-like weapon as he began to shot each one of the explosives, clearing a way for the army to keep marching.
Once on top of the mountain and in the village. The lizards ran towards the hut. Cheetara swung this used her speed and ran towards them, "No one gets near that hut," she stated as she used her staff to knock out some of the lizards.
From the side, many of the machines began to get closer but Panthro used the tank to defend against them. He shot blast of energy to the machines destroying some of them, but more just kept on coming .Panthro smirked, "Come on you old sabertooth. Show yourself," he mutter. Looking to the side he spotted Grune jump over a shatter wall. Hey growl and backed the thundertank. Hey drove it until it stood in the sawtooth way. "'bout time you showed up," he said once he stood on top of the tank.
The saber looked at him, "This is meant to be a battle about cats, not machines," Grune replied.
"Then the odds are in my favor," Panthro replied with smirk, then took out his weapon.
"To the death, then old friend," Grune replied with a smirk of his own.
"Yeah, yours," he replied as he turned his nunchuks and headed towards him. Grune twirled his mace and ran towards him. Not cats weapon clashed as they tried to hit one another. Panthro dodged one of his attacks and backed away. He swung his nunchuks towards Grune but the saber just moved to the side then aimed his mace and fired.
The elephants mean while, were meditating, the noise not bothering them the least. Wilykit stood by their side along with snarf.
Wilykat though, was trying to grab a large gun but having a hard time as the gun was rather heavy. Unknown to him, threw lizards were heading towards him a smirk on their faces. Wilykat aimed the gun and fire hitting the machine in front of him, but the plaster was to much for him that it sent him back and hitting the lizards. He stood up after having fallen and grabbed his head with a groan, he looked down and noticed the lizard.
Mean while in the Astral Plane, Aideen watched as the two brothers fought. She hit the invisible glass and shouted for the two to stop but neither one of them listen. She desperately tried to move her feets but the branches held her tight in place. Turning back she watched as the took kept swinging at one another.
Lion-O jumped back and away from Tygra but the tiger was furious that he couldn't think straight. With a growl he swung the sword hard that send the lion back in the air. Lion-O landed safely but the tiger wouldn't stop. He kept swinging with to much force that it kept sending the lion back.
Aideen tried hard to make the two listen but it was no us. She watched as the lion was sent to the ground, "stop! She shouted but none heard her. She felt useless and helpless, she hated it.
Lion-O stood up with a groan of pain. He looked at his brother as he readied his sword, "Anet warned me you'd betray me. He said it was inevitable," he said, then ran and swung his sword at the tiger. Both sword clashed as small lightning sparked from the clash.
Tygra's expression was nothing but fu of anger and hate. "You've undermined me my whole life! Blocked me at every turn," he said as he pushed his sword harder against lion-O's. Aideen watched in fear as the tigers anger grew. "You took the crown. You took her!" He pushed him back then kept swinging.
Lion-O dodged all the attacks but was being pushed back. Tygra jumped up in the air and swung his sword towards lion-O. The lion blocked the attack but was pushed all the way towards the hole. He looked back then towards the tiger that walked towards him.
Aideen watched as Tygra pushed lion-O into the hole. "Lion-O!" She yelled as she watched the lion disappeared. "No, no!" She tried to use her powers but nothing happen. She yelled in frustration and began to his the wall.
"Irritating, isn't it?" a voice said making her look behind her. A shadow with two red eyes looked back at her from the wall. She tried to move back but the roots kept her in place. "watching the people you love and care about fight one another. All because of some worthless statuses or... because of a female. And you unable to do anything but watch."
"Who are you?" She asked in fear.
A smile soon appeared, "don't worry you'll know who I am. You will need my help and once you do, you'll know how to find me." The eyes soon banished and she was left to stare at noting.
"Tygra, help me!" Aideen heard making her turn back to the cat. Lion-O had thought quick and took out his gauntlet. Putting it own he was able to grab onto a rock from within the hole. He looked up at his brother who just turned away from him. He didn't want to believe his brother would leave him."Help me!"
Tygra looked down at the sword from the side of the hole. "Tygra, whatever we are to each other, brothers or rivals, we call the same cat father. We're both sons of Claudus," he head lion-O say.
The tiger looked up in surprise as he began to remember, "Father " he said then turned around, "He was there, too."
A young as as as Tufts ran threw the forest, desperate. "It's true, Lion-O. I thought about leaving you there, but I instantly regretted it. I ran, but it was to find help."
The young tiger ran into the palace to were his father was. He was out of breath as his father looked at him, "Lion-O...He's in the ruins...Have to save him...My fault," the young tiger between breaths then looked down.
Lion-O looked up and groan as it become harder to hold on. Soon the rock began to shatter, and the lion began to fall until a hand grabbed him. Tygra stood above him, a hand holding onto a rock as he grabbed lion-O, "I would never betray you, not then, not now," he stated.
Both cats climbed the wall and out of the hole. Lion-O put the sword of Omens away and looked at his brother, as he looked down at the sword and watched it vanish.
The lion-O looked around the place, "It's this place. It's making our worst nightmare and desires real," he said as Tygra looked around as well.
"But someone is guiding this," the tiger commented.
"I'll give you one guess," Lion-O looked to the side, "Mumm-ra."
"Such spirited sibling rivalry," Mumm_Ra said then turned to watch the human girl walk toward the two cats, "but my work is not done yet. I may have fail with the two brother but for her I need to leave something else."
Before Lion-O or Tygra could do anything they felt someone hit them on their arms and hard. They turned to see a furious Aideen. She had gotten out after the two brother got out of the hole. She didn't know how or who had helped her but the roots and wall vanished. Of course at that moment she only thought about what the two cats had done.
"Aideen-" the lion began but stop as soon as she turned and glared at him.
"I can't believe the two of you!" She said as she looked at both of them. It was rare for her to get angry, she was a rather calm person and after leaving with Isha it became easier to stay calm in... difficult situation. But after seeing the two of them fight and almost kill each other she became angry at the two. "I told you before, you two are brothers and shouldn't fight. I know you two have... whatever rivalry and are jealous of what one has and what the other doesn't!"
Tygra looked at her, "Aideen-"
"Shut up!" Aideen said, taking both cats by surprise. Neither one had seen Aideen like that, and to be truthful it was not something they wishes to see. "I know this is not only about your stupid rivalry, but because of cheetara. I told both of you to not let a female stand between the two but do you listen. Of course not!" Both cats wanted to say something but they knew if they did they would only anger her. "I lost my mother, the only person I ever truly trusted. I lost all truest on people because of Julie. And now that I do truest someone again, they both want to kill one another! You two are a bunch of stupid idiots!" Tygra and Lion-O looked down unable to look at the girl. Aideen looked to the side as she tried to calm down. Once calm she turned back to the two and sigh. "I don't want to lose the people i care about." They looked at her as she looked at them, understanding why she had reached that way, "I swear if you do this again, I'm going to kill both of you. And you will wish you had never fought each other."
The seriousness in her eyes made the cats looked at one another before one of them finally said something. "Sorry, Aideen," lion-O said and Tygra just nodded.
Aideen took a deep breath and looked at the two. "Just don't do it again. You two are just like Isha and Xander when they become competitive and don't listen." She gave a small smile before turning and looking around. Her smile though soon vanished as the surrounding change to one she knew very well.
"What's happening?" Tygra question as the old forest changed to a different one. This forest was green and full of life. The moon's ' light brighten the forest, crickets sang in the quiet night.
Both cats looked around, "where are we?" Lion-O asked.
Aideen stayed quite as she stared to the side. "This can't be," she said in disbelief. Tygra and lion-O turn to where she was looking. A wooden fence stood between the forest and the small two story house. The house was designed as an old Victorian and had been past down from generation to generation. "This is my home," Aideen stared wide eye as the door to the back yard open, the door that lead to the forest.
A young girl with short brown-red hair walked out the house then headed towards the fences door. She looked out to the forest, where the cats and human stood. "Mama?" the young girl called out.
Tygra looked at Aideen then back at the girl, "I that.. "
"Me, " Aideen said as she frowned, "But..I don't remember this."
The young girl look back at the house and was about to walk back inside until she saw a bright glow light the forest. "Mom! " she ran towards the fores following the glow. Aideen looked at the girl run then fallowed her within seconds.
"Aideen," Lion-O yelled as both brothers ran after her.
They folllwed the girl until she came to a stop and hi behind a tree with a gasp. Aideen looked ahead and on walking. Was she was next to her younger-self her eyes widen as she looked at who was in front of her.
Irene, her mother, was on the ground a small trail of blood running down her mouth. Ahead of her was a woman that looked like her mother except her eyes were darker and her hair was black with brown strikes. Her black skirt flowed as she walked towards Irene. "Why don't you just give up?" the dark hair lady said as black energy formed on her hand. She shot the blast towards Irene making her fly back and hit her back against the tree.
Irene groan in pain as one of the tree branches cut her arm. But even after being badly injured from all the spells trown her way, she stood. Her breath was quick as she grabbed her side, it had been about three years, if not longer, since she had use her nature element. She knew her ribs were broken and her leg and arm were bleeding to much. "I will never let you get close to her, Alchy, " she said as she tried to use her powers to at least get more energy to move.
This made Alchy angry, "perhaps if you hadn't gotten in my way none of his would have happen!" she said as she got closer and did exactly what Irene wanted her to.
Gathering her strength, Irene made the trees move and grabbed Alchy then used her Air element and began to push the woman back. Achy was thrown back, she stood up quick and began to fight Irene once again. Neither wanting to give up.
Aideen watched as her mother fought then looked down at the small girl. "Why! Why, don't I remember this?! " she exclaimed as the bother looked at the scene unable to take their eyes again.
"I wonder what she would say, " Alchys began again as both were separated. She had a smirk on her face even as blood trail down her side. To her pain no longer exists, not after all the things she had done. "What she would say when I tell her, that you left her father to die."
"You stay away from Aideen!" Irene yelled as she threw another blast of air but this time it turned into small thin blades. Alchys eyes widen as she began to dodged the thin air, but not to all did she get away from.
Alchy hissed as she was hit to her side and her arm along with her left cheek. She looked to the side and noticed the younger Aideen. With a smirk she made another ball of energy but this time instead of sending it toward Irene she redirected it to the young girl.
Irene looked to the as she heard a small noise. Her eyes widen as she saw the blast heading towards her daughter. Without a second thought she stood and ran, using her air for more speed, towards the girl. And getting hit by the blast, she kneeled down as the girl grabbed her from behind but Alchy wasn't done.
Aideen stood in horror as she watched Alchy ran towards her mother a thin blade in her hand. She shook her head, "No, I don't want to see this!" she said as she tried to move back only for roots, like before, to stop her from moving.
"Aideen!" both brothers yelled as they tried to move to her but were unable too. They looked down and saw the same roots rapped around their legs.
"Mom!" the young girl yelled making the older cats and girl look up. Aideens eyes widen as she watched her mother, the one person she loved the most die right in front of her.
Alchy has slashed Irene as she kneeled down. Small trails Blood ran down the girls face, her mothers blood. Alchy stood as Irene grabbed her chest, the younger Aideen trying to help her mother and getting her hands cover in blood.
"Now then," Alchy said as she looked at the young girl, "you will be coming with me." She was about to grab the girl but Irene grabbed her wrist tightly.
"I told you to stay away from my daughter," she said as she blast the woman back.
Alchy rolled to the side and stood up, "It doesn't matter. You've lost a lot of blood and your energy is low. You can't heal yourself by the time someone comes, you'll be dead."
"mom, no!" the young Aideen said as tears rolled down her cheek. Her mother looked at her a small smile on her lips.
"I love you, Aideen. I'm sorry for hiding things from you, I hope one day you will forgive me," Irene said as she grabbed her daughters cheek, leaving blood on her face. She then turned and stood, "If I die at least I will make sure to lock you back in the world were your darkness began," she put her hand on her chest, "spirits of good leaned me your strength to vanish evil from this planet!" A bright light shined threw the forest brightening everything and making Aideen and the two brothers close their eyes.
As the light died down, they heard crying. Aideen open her eyes to see her younger-self hugging her dying mother. "Don't leave me, please!" she begged as she kept crying.
Her mother put her hand on her head, where her headband was. She looked up, "make sure to take good care of her," she said. Zane stood behind her mother, his eyes widen as he looked at his mother bleeding to death. The only thing he could do was nod. She then looked down at her daughters head band, and brushed her finger over it, "forget the sadness you have seen today," she said as the headband glowed.
They watched as the young Aideen fainted and her mother closed her eyes. Then her mother, her younger-self and her brother disappear, leaving them on the forest. The roots unwrapped and Aideen fell to the ground sobbing.
She was there the day her mother died and she couldn't remember anything. She couldn't do anything to help. It was all her fault. The brothers watched as she cried unable to day anything.
"Such sadness," a voice said making the two cats look around and Aideen loom up. They knew this dark voice anywhere. The black crow flew towards them, "Ancient spirits of Evil, transform this decoyed form to Mumm-ra the ever-living!" Lightning surrounded him as he transformed, his wings spread free.
Aideen stood up, both cats stood in front of her in projection. "Protecting the girl, are you. Since i couldn't get you two to kill each other, I'll just have to do it myself," he said as he shot lightning at them throwing them on the ground. Lion-O was thrown back to a tree the sameone Aideen's mother had been leaning against. He groaned as he open his eyes. A shining glow caught his attention as a small crack was on the ground, and part of a pink crystal was visible.
Cheetara stood in front of the hut, lizards and machines surrounding her. Wilykat soon joined her, making her look down at him. "Get out of here! I'll try to hold them off as long as possible," she said.
"No way," wilykat replied, "I'm defending this hut till the end."
The machines turned towards the cats guns ready to fire. Just as they were about to fire wilykat closed his eyes, small tears began to form in his eyes but he didn't move. The machine fire but the blast didn't get them as it was redirected. Both cats looked towards the machines and watched Anet lift the metal robot.
"Thought you were going to meditate," cheetara said with a smile.
"We did," Anet replied, "And this was the answer that came to us." He then processed to throw the robot onto another near by making them crash and against one another and explode.
The rest of the elephants walked towards the lizards ready to fight. "You just woke a village of sleeping giants," wilykit said from on top of Aburn, "Thundercats, Ho!" The elephant began to throw the lizards back.
Slith watched in surprise as a lizard was thrown his way, "The elephants!" He exclaimed with wide eyes. "The elephants never fight!"
"only rarely " Anet said as he stood in front of him with clenched fist, "But when we do, we fight to win."
Anet began to throw punches trying to get slith but the lizard only dodged them. Slith then tried to stab him with the knife on his sword, but was stoped. Anet grabbed the weapon and bend it, breaking it in half then he threw it to the side. Slith ran away in fear.
"What do say we settle this with our fists?" Panthro suggested. Grune smirked and threw his mace to the side, panthro did the same. Then both began to throw punches, and kicks at one another.
Lion-O and Tygra layed on the ground and while Aideen was by a three as she had been thrown back by the balst. "With you two out of the way, there will be nothing to stop me from finding the spirit stone" he said then looked at Aideen a smirk on his face as he saw her headband begin to crack.
"You're too late. I already found it," Lion-O said making Mumm-Ra frown. Both cats stood up as Aideen walked towards them.
"What!" Tygra said as he and Aideen looked at the lion.
"It's been right under our noses," Lion-O said as he looked down. The forest soon disappeared and was replaced by a Crystal in what looked like space. Lion-O put on his gauntlet and hit the crystal with it. Mumm-ra yelled at at the bright light that came from the crystal. Soon the crystal appeared on the gauntlet, lighting sparked from the crystal all the way to the lions shpilder making a small armor.
Mumm-ra yelled in anger then shot lightning towards them, but the lion held the gauntlet up making a shield with the spirit stone.
"Now, let's see what the spirit stone can do," he said as he gabbed his sword. "Thunder," he swung the sword to the side making its length grow. "Thunder," he swung it again, "Thunder." He lifted the sword up, "Thundercats, HO!" Both stones began to glow and a red beam of light shot from the stone directly to Mumm-Ra. The force was to strong that it send the mummy faraway from them. The armor became undone as the lion stared at the way the old mummy was sent.
Then the ground began to shake, "What's happening?!" Tygra asked asked as the ground began to shatter.
"Without the spirit stone holding it," the lion said as he took a step back,"together the whole Astral plane is collapsing."
"Then let's get out of here," Tygra said he began to run towards the Astral planes portal. Lion-O grabbed Aideens hand as they ran to catch up with Tygra.
Outside the Astral Plane, Grune and Panthro kept fighting avoiding each others punch while trying to land some of their own. The hut glowed behind them, and just when Panthro was about to throw a punch they heard the lions voice.
"Take cover!" Lion-O yelled as he, Aideen and Tygra ran out of the hut. Lion-O grabbed Aideen shielding them both from the wind that wanted to suck them both in.
Grune tried to move but the wind was to strong. He grabbed onto Panthro who was also trying to get away. They both got closer to the portal, "hold me free, panthro. Hold me free, or we both die," Grune said as he got closer to the portal.
Panthro looked at the cat who was once a friend of his. Who he fought many battles with him and who he had trusted. But hatred was one of the many emotions that was hard to over come. And the betrayal of the one called friend and even harder act to forgive. He looked into the sabers eyes, "The defeat of your enemy is worth any sacrifice," He said.
Grunes eyes widen as he was pulled fully into the portal, he yelled as it closed. The hut then explode and from within the smoke a black bird flew out and away from the village.
Aideen open her eyes as she was kneeled down. "Are you okay?" Lion-O asked as he stood up. She nodded.
The rest looked toward Panthro to see if he was alright.
Panthro looked in pain as he began to sweat. He looked down at his two arms that were gone. "Worth it," he said as the others gasped. He fell, exhausted. The thundercats were by his side seeing if he was okay.
Aideen walked towards him until she stop. She could feel someone staring at her and it frighten her. The wind picked up as she turned, her eyes widen at who was in the hills alone side Julie. Alchy stood far from the girl but visible enough for her to make out who she was.
In the years seeings having kill Irene she hadn't change with the exception of her hair, that had turned completely black and her eyes were darker than before. She gave a sinner smile at the girl as she knew her memories of her mothers death had returned and within time the memory of her fathers wound too.
"Aideen, help me bandage him," Cheetara said but at hearing no respond from her, they all looked her way.
"Aideen?" Lion-O said, but the girl didn't respond.
"Lion-O" his brother said as he looked at who the girl was looking at. Lion-O turned and saw Alchy and Julie.
Alchy's smile widen as she looked at the two brothers. He plan would work after all. She waved her hand and both her and Julie disappeared in a black clouded.
"Who was that?" Wilykat asked as he looked at the girl.
Aideen turned towards them then gave a smile, "No one." She moved to stand next to Panthro and help cheetara. The two brothers looked worried at the girl knowing she was lying.
That night there was a feast, everyone was cheering and celebrating. A fire stood at the center as the elephants drank and danced. Some were playing music with their trunks along with wilykit. It was a cheerful night, or at list for the elephants and cats. Aideen was no where in sight. After she helped Cheetara she left saying she wanted to look around. The wise elephant knew something was wrong but didn't day anything. Lion-O and Tygra decided to give her space, as they also had things to figure out.
By the side Snarf was trying to feed Panthro but it only got him irritated. "I don't need a blasted nursemaid!" He yelled scaring snarf away. He then sat straight and closed his eyes.
Lion-O walked to him making as panthro look up at him, "how you holding up?" He asked.
"Know what I miss the most?" He said as he remembered, "the scars. Lots of history on those arms."
Lion-O nodded, "You're going to be okay. Get some rest," he said then left. Once the lion was gone snarf tried to feed panthro again only to receive a glare. The small cat laughed.
Lion-O lookd around worried for the human girl. He knew what it felt to see your father die but at the same time it was different for Aideen. She had seen her mother die at such a young age and then learn that she had forgotten what happen. In truth, perhaps he didn't know how she felt.
Aideen looked, from were she was sitting, at the moon. Tears fell down as she remember everything that happen that night. She wanted to believe it was a lie an illusion, but knew deep down it wasn't. She wanted to know why her mother had erased her memory. Why Zane hadn't told her anything. But most of all why Alchy had said her mother had left her father to die. There was so many things her siblings and mother had hid from her and she didn't know how much more she could take.
"don't let go, stay by my side
Tell me its all a lie
Cover my eyes to a the death I've seen
And all the sadness i have
Help my heart heal, from it bleeding inside
Hold me tight and tell me it going to be alright
Let me hear your voice one more time
I want to be together like old times
Please don't tell me goodbye
My heart can't take you leaving my side
It can't take more goodbyes"
"I need you mom," she said as she began to let go of all her emotions and just cry. She felt alone, very alone in a place that wasn't even her home.
Anet walked toward the lion as he looked at the horizon deep in thought. "Few could have faced what you did and come out victories, lion-O," he said as he stood next to the lion. "You did well."
Lion-O looked at him, he pushed his previous thoughts to the side for now. "You know, you said I'd be betrayed before the evening bell," the lion said, "I thought your visions were never wrong."
"Did the evening bell ring already?" Anet asked, "I don't remember hearing it."
Lion-O looked ahead, "Of course you don't."
The wise elephant looked instantly at the cat, "you're worried about the human girl, are you not?" he asked.
Lion-o looked up and sigh, "I don't want to push her into telling me how she feels but... "
"But she won't tell you herself," the elephant finished. He looked ahead and thought about the girl. He could feel sadness and hurt around her. He was sure she only smiled to not make anyone worry.
"The only one she's talked to is Tygra, " the lion added with a small hit of jealousy.
Anet looked down, "there other ways of knowing when a person is hurt. And other ways to comfort them. Perhaps all she wants if for someone to be there when she needs them, no questions asked. Or she may just want someone to listen without interruption or judgment."
The lion thought about what he said. He nodded, "you're right. I know she may not tell me as much as Tygra but she has been there for me and I will do the same." He turned and began to walk away, his mind set on helping Aideen or at least being by her side.
Anet looked up at the sky once the lion left. "I see a strong bond of loyalty between the two, but darkness still lurks in the shadows waiting for its changes. Aideen will have to face its biggest enemy yet," he said to none. He gave a sigh, "I hope you prepared your daughter for this, Sahib."
Tygra stood by a pillar alone, looking at one of third earths moons. His thoughts were on cheetara ans his brother. Though he still couldn't stop liking cheeara and fell jealous of his brother, he decided to lot go. Finally deciding to listen tl Aideen, a female wasn't worth losing his brother. His thoughts the wounder to Aideen as he was worried about her.
"I heard about what you and lion-O went through in there," cheetara said as she walked towards him. He turned to look at her, not truly ready to see her. "I feel I've contributed to it by not being clear with my feelings."
Tygra looked to the side then back at her, "No, it's pretty clear you made your choice," he said.
"You're right," Cheetara agreed, "I did choose, years ago."
She remember when she was small how she waited at the door of the clerics. "During those days when I was tested by Jaga, I came close to giving up." The younger cheetah looked to the side and found the five white petal flower, "And then, I found your gift. Of all the flowers, you picked the day Astrid." She grabbed one of the petals and put it in her mouth, "Each petal is said to have trapped a day of life within it. It gave me the strength to endure, to make it one more day."
Cheetara smiled as she remember the memory. From within the fabric that was on her wrist she took out a small flower steam, "This is the heart of that very same flower. I've kept it all these years in memory of your kindness," The tiger smiled at what she said. "Which reminds me," she got closer to him taking him by surprise as she rapped her arms around his waist, "I never had a chance to thank you." They looked at one another then kissed.
From behind them not to far away, Lion-O watched with shock as the two kissed. The evening bell began to ring.
hope you like it! Sorry for any mistakes that I made. Also Secrets should be updated tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I think that one is longer than the rest.
Thanks to all who review, followed or favorite this story. I love reading all of your comments.
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