Disclaimer. I don't own Thundercats except my O.C's and other events that are non-canon.
Trials of Lion-O, Part one
"How about we fire up the book of Omens, Panthro, find out where the next stone is?" Lion-O said. They had decided to rest and eat before continuing their search. The tension between the cheetah and lion could be felt by everyone, but they all kept it to themselves. They all gather in front of the new screen in the tundertank. Cheetara and Tygra were next to one another, Isha and Aideen next to Tygra. Isha had her eyes on the book, she had been making sure Aideen was fine and feeling better. Not that she expected her to get over what she saw so fast but at least better enough to travel. She had also been staying away from the new couple, far away. For some reason the fact that the two were together was bothering the older girl, the question was why.
They look at the book as a books gem glowed red, a red circle appeared with an arrow at the center. It began to beep and the arrow pointed at the ceiling. They all looked at it in confusion. They all look up expecting to see something.
"Up?" question Panthro, "How could it be up?"
"I don't know," Lion-O said as he looked down, then moved to the computer. In the screen the top of a cliff appeared. "But if the book says the stone is up, then that's where were going," he pointed to the top. Isha and Aideen looked at one another in confusion and at the same time knowing that the book may mean another thing.
"Why does up always have to be so high?" Tygra said.
Isha looked at him the crossed her arms and was about to say something until Aideen stop her. "Don't start Isha, I mean it," she said as she looked at the screen. Isha huffed and closed her mouth, not saying anything. The last thing the young girl wanted was for the two to start fighting again.
"The book can be cryptic at times," Cheetara said as looked at the screen. They all turn to Lion-O, "Maybe you're misinterpreting the message?"
"Wouldn't be the first time," The young king commented as he looked at her. Isha raised an eyebrow while Aideen sigh, knowing he would still not understand, but neither said anything. "But I've learn my lesson," he turned an began to walk away.
"Have you?" Tygra asked, "Because heading up there feels like another wild goose chase."
Lion-O looked at him with a hint of anger, "When you're king, you can do things your way," he restored, "Now let's go," then turned and kept walking.
They watched the lion walk away and climb down the tank. Tygra looked at him with a scowl. Everyone kept their complain silent, all questioning the decision he had made. Aideen and Isha looked at one another with a sigh, kind of expecting this to happen. After what happen with Tygra and Cheetara they both knew it would cloud his judgement, just like it did when Aideen was in captain Tunar's ship.
Isha turn to Aideen as they all began to follow the lion, "How bad do you this is going to be?" she asked.
"Well, my guess is pretty bad. His emotions are clouding his judgement," she answer. She let a tire sigh, and touch her head.
Isha looked at her worriedly, her cousin was getting headaches and was worried they could have a very bad effect on her. "Are you okay?"
"Huh?" the young girl look up at her and noticed her worried look. She waved her hand dismissively, "Yeah, fine. Just worried about him. You know sometimes when one doesn't know how to control their emotions they tend to end up hurting other and themselves more. I just wish he understood not to let him emotions take control of his actions." Isha arched an eyebrow, she stop and inched her head closer to the girl. "What?" Aideen was taken back by the girls sudden move.
Isha back away with a small smile, "you really care about, don't you?" she question.
Aideen frowned, not understanding what she meant. Of course she cared about Lion-O he was her friend. The first person to truest in years, it was only natural for her to care about him. "Of course I do. Why would't I?"
"I don't mean like that. I mean... perhaps a... little more," the older girl suggested with a half smile. She wanted to know what she really felt to the lion, after all what she had done fore him a friend could do but there was a feeling that it was more than that.
Aideen frowned more at what she said. Then she took a closer look at the girls eyes and knew what she suggested. Her jaw tighten at the idea, not much of the idea but that her cousin had suggested it. "Don't think that Isha. You know very well what think of it."
From ahead Tygra has looked back not seeing the girls following. At seeing them behind he decided to wait for the two, to make sure Aideen was alright. Once the two girl got closer he head their conversation, or at lest half of it. "It?" he thought wondering what the young girl was talking about.
Isha at not seeing the tiger continued, "I know he broke your heart, Aideen. But that doesn't mean you cant find you true love." The older girl knew why her cousin didn't believe in love and was sadden that event were to strong for the girl to forget. And had dug deep enough to make her no longer believe in the shannes most precises feeling.
"True love?" Aideen question in disgust. That was perhaps the first time both Isha and Tygra heard that tone from her. "That's something I don't believe in or wish to have. So please stop talking about it. Especial when it has to do with, Lion-O. Hes a very good fried of mine and I don't want to break that friendship with you nonsense." With that she walked away, not wanting to hear anymore from her.
Isha sigh in defeat knowing perhaps she had gone to far in suggestion things. She turn to see the tiger looking at Aideen leave, she groaned as she was sure he hear them talking. The last thing she wanted was to talk to him but she had to know how much he heard. She approached him, with arms crossed, "So, how much did you heard?"
Tygra turn to her with a raised eyebrow, "Who's he?" he asked.
"No one you should worried about," was her simple replied. The look the tiger was given her told her he wasn't going to back down. With a roll of her eyes she answer his question, "Look, Aideen doesn't want to talk abut it. Truest me this is by far the most hurtful thing Julie did to her."
They all follow the small path leading up to the tip of the cliff. Isha stayed behind as she wanted to have both kitt's in her sight, and she knew her cousin was still upset with her. Aideen was behind the lion, while the others were right behind her. "Do you even know where you're leading us, Lion-O?" Tygra question. Lion-O glance at his brother with a humph, then turned back to the road.
"Right into Mumm-Ra's hands, if you ask me," Panthro then commented. "We're totally exposed to attack on this route."
Aideen turn to look at him but didn't say anything, she turn back to lion and could see him getting irritated. 'I have a feeling this isn't going to turn out right,' she thought.
Wilykat stop walking being to tire to continue, "How much higher can we go?" she whined.
His sister looked down at the side of the cliff, "I'm more worried about the way down." Her brother looked down then both looked at one another, scared of how high they were.
Isha walked to them and put a hand on their shoulder. They all turn to her, she smiled down at them, "Don't worry. I won't let you fall."
Cheetara looked back at the three then turned to lion-O, "Maybe we should consider turning around. What do you think?"
Lion-O looked back at them, a scowl on his face. He looked down in thought, he felt anger at being question by the others. Feeling a hand on his arm he turn to see Aideen looking at him with a smile.
He looked back down, "I think..." he began then looked ahead. There in front of them were candy fruit growing on the end of the cliff. He sigh,"we should stop here for a quick rest."
Wilykat picked from behind Tygra and sow the candy fruit, "Candy fruit!" He shouted then ran toward the fruit. No longer tire.
"So hungry!" Wilykit said as she followed.
Tygra walked past him and turn, "First food idea you've had all day," he commented then kept walking.
Lion-O only got angrier by his comment. "Don't let him get to you," Aideen said as she stood next to him. He looked down at her, "And don't let your emotions cloud your judgment and sight," she finished then walked towards her cousin.
Lion-O turn to look at front again. He walked toward a candy tree then climbed the tree and grabbed a from from the branch. "Lunch will be easy compared to finding the stone," he said a he sat down ready to eat.
But his fruit was taken from him by Wilykat, "Too slow, your highness," he teased.
Wilykit came from behind him and took his other fruit, "You really need to keep your eyes open," she commented as both began to laugh before taking a bite out of the fruit.
"Thanks," he replied dryly as he began to climb more up, "I'll try to remember that."
From down below, Cheetara grabbed one of the fuits that was on the ground. She looked up at the king, "You always do things the hard way, Lion-O."
Aideen looked up from where she was sitting, her mothers book in her lap. She saw the lion trying to get a from from a branch far from him. She shook her head and sigh, "So stubborn," she mutter as she closed her book. She took a bite from the fruit then walked towards the lion.
Lion-O was about to get the fruit when a whip wrapped around it. Lion-O looked up at his brother in anger, while Tygra looked at down at him, "A king should never eat before his people," he said with a hint of amusement. He just loved to teased his brother and get on his nerves. The lion, anger by his brothers move, began to shake the tree making the tiger began to lose his balance.
"Tygra!" Aideen said as she saw Tygra fall down.
His brother looked up at him as he robbed his head, "Or lose his temper."
Aideen walked to him and extended her hand, "Are you okay?" she asked. He nodded and grabbed her hand. Lion-O jumped down and stood in front of them.
"Oh, is that it?" he question with a dep scowl, "You're all against me?"
"It's not us, kid," Panthro said as he climbed down, Lion-O looked at him. "You're your own worst enemy."
"He's right, Lion-O," Tygra said making the lion turn to him. He put a hand on his chest, "You may be king, but that doesn't mean you can't learn something from us."
Lion-O looked at them before he could say anything there was an explosion. His eyes widen as missal flew there way, and hit the side of the cliff. They all turn there attentions to were the missals were being fire from. Isha ran toward both the kitts as she felt the wind change, knowing what was coming.
"Ambush!" Lion-O yelled as the candy fruit was hit. The tree exploded, sending the twins, Isha and Snarf on the ground. The older girl grabbed them making sure they didn't get hurt. Aideen looked around trying to see where her cousin was and if the twins where okay.
Tygra took out his whip but was grabbed from behind. Addicus stood behind Tygra, "No going to hide this time," he said as he punched him, sending him to the ground.
"Tygra!" cheetara yelled as she ran to him, only to be stopped by Kaynar.
The jackal grabbed her from the neck, "You run like a girl!" he mocked then gave a maniacal laugh.
Isha tried to stand, as the two kits began to run. At haring them gasp she looked up to see th twins where stopped by lizards pointing their guns at them. "Why you-" she mutter before being hit from behind. She fell to the ground with a groan, before she could move one of the lizard hand cuffed her hands with the same cuffs they used on Aideen back in the elephant village.
"Isha!" Aideen yelled before running toward her. The lizard turned and pointed his gun towards her. She stop and turned around noticing herself surrounded. Thinking of a quick plan, she moved forwards, ducked then kicked the lizard in front of her. She turned towards the other behind her, only to be punched in the stomach, they grabbed her hand and cuffed her as well.
"Oh, once I get out of this- things- I'm gonna make you pay!" Isha said as she tried to use her element. Her eyes widen as she noticed nothing happen, she tried again but nothing. Looking up, the lizards laughed at her and pointed their swords at both girls. The older girl swallowed at not having an escape.
Lion-O saw what happen and took out his sword. It extended to it full length, Lion-O got ready to fight but the sword was taken from his hands. Slith stood behind him with a gun on his hands. The young lion turn to look at him before being grabbed from behind by both Addicus and Kaynar.
Slithe grabbed the sword and gauntlet, he looked down at him with a smirk, "We have the sword and the gauntlet. Now, give us the book."
"I'd rather die," Lion-O said before being hit in the face by Slithe's tail. He looked up and saw Aideen looking at him with worry. He then remembered the warning the lizard had given Isha and what he saw Alchy do to her mother. He needed to find away out and protect Aideen from Alchy.
"You're willing to risk your life for it," Slithe began. The lions attention turn back to him, "But what about hers?" he turned toward Wilykit who gasped.
"Better not hurt her, Slithe," Lion-O warned. He may not like the way both twins tease him but he had learn to care for both of them. The last thing he wanted was to see them hurt.
"Danm it!" Isha cursed as she tried to get her hands un-cuffed. She watched the lizard with hateful eyes. No way, was she going to allow Wilykit to get hurt. Even if wasn't long she had travel with them she had grown to care for the twins just like she cared for her own twin sibling.
"I would never harm such an adorable creature," Slithe said as Lion-O looked at the smaller cat. "Addicus, on the other hand," to this Aiddicus smirked and lifted his staff, scaring Wilykit.
Lion-O stokd quick and grabbed the gauntlet taking Slithe by surprise, "Grab him!" the lizard order.
The lion put the gauntlet on then ran to Addicus, who turned and slapped his staff on the ground. Lion-O jumped away from him, but got closer to the cliffs edge. Aideens eyes widen, she began to move her hands trying to take the cuff of. She turn back as the lion tried to regain his balance. She looked at the jackal and watched him get closer to her friend.
"Lion-O!" she yelled. Kaynar walked to him and pushed him off the edge.
"Ooopsie," Kaynar said as he looked down with a smug smile. The lion feel, a couple of rocks falling from the cliff along with him. "Think he'll land on his feet?" Jackal asked Addicus as both looked down. They watch lion-O fall into the water, the fallen rocks falling right in with a slash.
Slithe part the two generals, "Fools! He had the gauntlet."
Aideens eyes were wide as she looked at the cliff. She felt as if she had just watched her mother die in front of her all over again. The same feeling she had when she saw the scene, was the same feeling she felt at that moment.
"You.. killed him," Tygra said, his eye widen at seeing his brother fall to his death.
"Lion-O.." Isha said softly with wide eyes. She turned to her cousin with worried eyes.
Aideen stared at the place were he was, unable to speak or move. She just remember her mothers death and now she got to experience her best friends death. It was all to much for her, far to much.
Slithe looked down at ther cliff, "He has the gauntlet with the spirit stone," he said then turned to the lizards next to him, "Get down there and find it!" As the lizards left he turned to see the cats but his eyes landed on Aideen. A smirk appeared on his face as he got a new idea, one he was sure Alchy would appreciate. "What wrong, human? Never seen someone die before?"
Isha growled at the lizard and stood in front of her. "Leave her alone," she warned, but Slithe only smirk.
He looked at one of the lizard. The lizard nodded before moving Isha away, Kaynar grabbed Aideen by her arm. Aideen tried to free herself but the Jackal kept a tight hold on her, "What's wrong? I thought you wanted a closer view?" he said as he brought the girl closer to the edge. "Look he won't come up. How sad, I heard your mother died to. What a shame seems you lost someone again."
Aideen looked down as tears finally feel, a pleased smiled appeared on Slithe.
Lion-O tried to hold his breath, the rocks that had fallen after him had fallen on his body, trapping him to the bottom of the river. He open his eyes and tried to move but was unable to. Finally, he gave up and let out the air he was holding and feel into darkness. The spirit stone began to glow and a bright light surrounded him. When the glow deemed, Lion-O was no longer lying down in the ocean. Instead he was in room, a pillar next to him with the thundercat's symbol in the center. Lion-O woke and took a deep breath, he kneed and open his eyes, "I'm... alive," he said with surprise.
"No, Lion-O," a familiar voice said. He looked up to see Jaga's spirit in front of him, "I'm afraid you are quite dead."
"Jaga," he said in surprise, "Dead? Then I fail." He feel ashamed at admitting his failure. He could even keep his promise on not letting Aideen get hurt.
"Not yet, Lion-O," Jaga said, "The spirit stone had deemed you worthy of another chance to walk amongst the living,"
Lion-O stood and touched the stone, "I'll take it!" he quickly said.
"It's not that simple, Lion-O," Jaga said as he began to explain, "While your first life was given to you, your second life must be earned."
Lion-O looked at him with a confuse look, "What do you mean?"
"You must complete a series of trials," he answer.
"Slithe has the sword, and hes going to kill the other cats. Aideen is on her way to mumm-Ra, who knows what he and that witch have plan for her, " Lion-O exclaimed with angrily. Every second he stayed there, was every second Aideen got closer to the witch and mummy, "I don't have time for this right now!"
Jaga frowned at the lions impatient, "Your only other choice is death." The lions eyes widen at what the old cat said, "Pass through this door," Jaga moved his staff to his side. He slid it down the air leaving a small trail of light that expand, "and you'll begin a series of trials designed to test whether you can overcome your greatest weakness, to see if yours is a life worth saving. Good luck."
Lion-O nodded and jumped into the white light, ready to start his trials and get to the others.
For an extensive long time, Aideen learn to truest no one. Not even her own siblings and cousins. She closed herself to everyone, her fears controlling her judgement and within time overcame her fear of been alone. She didn't truest anyone, as she had the idea that they would leave, sooner or later. That didn't mean she wasn't kind to new people, she will always show kindness but trust with her feelings, fear, and past was something she didn't have for others. She didn't trust. She didn't open herself to others. She didn't believe in love. It was nothing but a fantasy, something that never happen, just like love at first sight or true love. It wasn't real, it didn't exists. No one stays forever, wishing for it was nothing but foolishness. She wished for other things but not love.
And yet, she began to believe little by little in each thing, except for love that was something she still closed herself to. She began to care about other, but it seemed the cruel reality she lived in only ripped everything from her again. She thought about the lion, she didn't love him, she couldn't. They were both different even if her kine could be with others from different planets. So why did she feel like everything was ripped away from her. Like her own soul had shatter. That wasn't a feeling a friend would have at seeing another friend die. Perhaps family members and extremely close friend but she hadn't spend that much time with lion-O.
Aideen closed her eyes and clapped her hands together. 'No, hes fine. He has to be,' she thought as she allowed herself to wish for the lion to be alive. Isha watched her cousin and looked down, right now what she needed to do was get her away from the lizards.
"You!" one of the lizards shouted at Wilykit. The young cat had been drawing a small figure, before the lizards notice she was away from them. "Get back here now!" he order.
They all got int the hovercrafts before taking off. "Lion-O can't be gone," Wilykit said after a few minutes of flying. She wiped her eyes as tear feel, "I-I wont believe it."
"It's okay, sis," Wilykat tried to comfort his sister, "Were going to get through this."
Cheetara bent down to talk the two, "There will be time for mourning, as soon as we take care of them," she said as she glanced at the lizard and generals.
"But how?" Tygra asked. His thought were on Aideen worried about her after seeing thr look on her face.
"You always wanted to be king," Panthro said as he looked down at the tiger, "Well, now, you are. Just hope you've got a plan." The tiger looked ahead deep in thought.
Isha turned from the cats to look at her cousin. She was kept closer to Slithe most likely an order from Alchy, her head was down and her growing bangs cover her face. The only time Aideen had been like that was when her mother died. Everything had became to much for her, she knew it. Right now Aideen was weak, and she knew Alchy's would take advantage of that.
Lion-O walked out of the portal to see a city he knew well. "Slumbs of Thundera?" the lion said as he recognized the old looking town.
"Surprise a big, fancy king even knows what slums are," a familiar voice said. Lion-O turned and saw both Wilykit ant kat sitting on top of a ruff.
"What are you two doing here?" he asked then thought of one posibility as to why they were there. "You're not.."
"Dead? Hardly" Wilykat answer, "We've just taken a form you'd be familiar with." Both twins jumped down close enough to the lion.
"We're your first test," Wilykit informed, "But don't worry. This one's easy."
Wilykat took out a key from his pocked, a small string was attacked to it. "All you have to do is steal this key."
"And it will open the door to your next trial," Wilykit continued as she grabbed the key. Lion-O tried to get the key only for her to move it down a bit, he tried again and both disappeared. He looked around trying to find them, "Be careful not everything is as it seems."
Around him appeared clones of Wilykat and kit, "You really need to keep your eyes open," they all said.
One pair sat by the stairs, "Cause only one pair of us is real," Wilykit said. Lion-O tried to grab them but they diapered. He looked around as there laughter echoed in the slumbs.
He looked up to see two pair run away, onto of a building. He began to jump up trying to get to them. Once on top of the building, there stood three Kat, two twirling one key while the other just had it in his hand. Lion-O when to grab the middle one only to end up going threw him. He looked next to him, the center and right kat disappeared only leaving the kat on the left.
"You never look before you leap," the real kat said as he jumped of the railed and down to the ground. Lion-O fallowed him as the boy ran laughing. Without noticing the rope on the ground he trip and hit two barrels that were against the wall.
"You don't look before you run, either," Wilykit said as she twirled the rope in he hand. Her expression turned from playful to serious, "That's how you led us into that trap."
"I was only following the book" Lion-O defended, frustrated at not being able to get the two.
"Come on, Lion-O" wilykat said from the side. He leaned against a wood door with another kat next to him, "You can't just follow it blindly. You should truest your instincts."
Lion-O got up and ran toward kat only to be hit in the back by wilykit. He fell on the ground, then lifted himself up and spat the dirt that got into his mouth. Both Kit and Kat had left the clones were around him. "Instincts," he repeated, be thought about what they had said then stood up, "Have to learn to look," he looked around before sniffing. He sniffed again before he got a scent, "But that doesn't mean I have to us my eyes."
He began to sniff the air around the clones, each one disappearing as he walked past them. He stop to sniff one of Wilykats clones, "Isn't this what you're looking for?" Kat asked.
Lion-O looked at him, "Yeah, but you don't have it," he said taking the clone by surprise, then it disappeared. The lion began to sniff each one of them, making them disappeared.
From ontop of a rof, Wilykat and Kit looked down at the slumbs. "This is taking longer than I thought it would," Wilykit said as she looked at her brother.
"Do you think he'll ever get the key?" Wilykat question.
"I already did," lion-O said from behind him with a smirk making both gasped in surprise. They turn to see the older cat with the key in his hands.
"Ahh!" Wilykat exclaimed as he took his key hold and found it empty, "Huh?"
"Got to keep your eyes open, Kat" Lion-O repeated what Kit had said before. "And if those deceive you, you can always trust your nose," he pointed to his nose.
"You did it!" "Good Job, Lion-O," they both exclaimed at the same time.
Behind him, a trail of light appeared and expand, a small key hold appeared. He inserted the key and it disappeared, making the portal expand. He jumped inside the portal, ready for his next trial.
They kept flying keeping watch on the prisoners especially the brown-red hair girl. Whatever happen they had to make sure to bring her to the black witch. Now was their chance as the girl was weak. One of the lizards hovercraft flew close to them. Slithe turned to him as one of the lizard shook his head. "Nothing?" General Slithe asked.
"No trace, General Slithe," the lizard reported, "Probably watched out to the great sea." Wilykit gasped and Aideen's eye widen. This could give the human girl hope, hope that he was still alive and that alone gave her strength.
"Mumm-Ra will not be pleased," Slithe said. He could imagine the angry look on Mumm-Ra alone with the harsh comments from Alchy.
Kaynar walked toward the two kitts. He looked at them, "But surely, these cute kittens will cheer him up," he said then laughed as both kits got scared.
"If there's anything left of them," Addicus said as he walked closer to the cats.
"I can assure you, Addicus, there won't be," Slithe said as he lifted hid weapon.
Aideen stood up in front of the cats, her expression was serious and very calculative. "I won't let you touch them," she stated. She tried to use her element again but nothing happen. Then she got an idea, perhaps if water element didn't work maybe her fire element wound. She could feel her hands heating up but not make fire like last time. She was hopping to melt the cuff but it seems that idead was not going to work.
"Well, see about that," Addicus said as he got closer to the girl but she didn't fright and kept her eyes on him.
Some where else, a portal open in the sky dropping the lion. Lion-O yelled as he fell into the thorn branch, until he reached the ground. Bird like creures, with red and yellow feathers, flew above him. He groaned in pain.
"Ouch," a female voice said from above him. Lion-O stood, and looked up. Cheetara laid on a thick branch, "Sure took the hard way down, Lion-O."
"Well, I didn't see an easier one," Lion-O replied. He wasn't ready to talk to her or an image of her.
"There's always an easier one," she said calmly, "You just never look for it. That's how you got us caught in the first place."
"I took that mountain pass because we had to," he explained at feeling her accusing him of what happen. The female cat jumped down standing, a few feet from him. "I don't choose where the book points, Cheetara," he continued.
"But you're the king, and it's up to you to choose how to get there," she replied simply, "And if you want to win this trial, you better choose carefully." She looked to the side where a Labyrinth stood. At the center stood a small branch with a key hanging from the curve tip. "There's only one way out, and you've got to find it and get to the key before I do."
The young king looked at the cheetah, "A race?" he question, "That's impossible!" She looked back at him as he kept talking, "This place is a Labyrinth, and I couldn't outrun you if I had the thundertank."
"If you believe that, then you've already lost," she said simply. "But don't worry. Just to make it fair, I'll give you a head-start," the lion looked at her doubtful. "Well? What are you waiting for?"
He began to walk still with doubt in his head, then he ran. He kept runing, turning to where he thought was the right way. He kept running until he came to a stop, a dead end right in front of him.
From the beginning of the labyrinth, Cheetara bent down getting ready to run in. "Time's up, Lion-O. Here I come," she said as she used her speed. Lion-O heard her, then turned and walked out of the dead end. Taking another turn he ran faster, trying to find the way out. He made another turn then stop as the cheetah ran in front of him. "So much for the head start," she said.
He gave a scowl, "Now you're toying with me. Just like you always have," he said.
"And you're still acting like the same stubborn prince you were the day I meet you," she commented back, "Can't see the dead end even when you're running straight into it."
"Believe me, I've run it plenty," he stated then was taken by surprise as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Then maybe it's time to take a different path," she advised with a smile. Turning she glanced at him, "See you at the finish line," then began to run again. The lion followed, he made another turn and found himself on another dead end.
Lion-O fell down on the ground tire of all the running. "Some shortcut that was," he mutter as he tried to regain his breath. The trial was making him irritated as he felt he wasn't going to win. He looked up at the sky, a bird appeared and began to circle where he was. "Easy for you to say. You've got wings," the lion said as if the bird was talking to him, telling him it was was an easy trial. The lions eyes widen as he looked at the bird keep flying in circles. As he form a plan, "Which is just what I need." The bird flew down closer to him, close enough for Lion-O to grab him and climb on his back. The bird flew high up in the air, "She said I had to win. She didn't say I had to do it alone." Lion-O directed the bird toward the small three at the center. He got closer and saw the key hanging from the tip of it curved branch. His victory moment was short lived as he heard the cheetah get closer.
Cheetara ran threw the labyrinth getting closer to where lion was flying. She looked up at the lion, then ahead, and increased her speed.
"Come on!" the lion said as the cheetah speed ahead, "Faster! Faster!" The bird did as told and flew faster, they got closer to the key, just as Cheetara exit the labyrinth. She began to climb the tree just, Lion-O gave a cry then jumped of the bird. He grabbed the key just as cheetara had gotten closer to it. The lion rolled down the tree until he reached the ground.
Cheetara slid down the tree, an walked next to him, "You win," she said.
Lion-O picked himself up and lifted the key, "Or to put it another way, you lose," he said with a grin.
"Well, my goal was to teach you a lesson," the Cheetah said with a smile, "so actually... I still win." The lion was taken back, but didn't say anything.
He turned and another portal open, he inserted the key and the portal expand. With one last look at the cheetah, he jumped in.
Aideen stared at Aiddicus as he was a few inches from her. He was taller and looked down intimidatingly at her, but she didn't fright, nor did she look away. She learn to not let other get the best of her or to make her frighten. To Aiddicus, not having his victims fright was not want he enjoyed. He made a noise before raising his staff wanting to strike the girl, and he would have had it not been for slithe.
"Stop, Addicus!" he order making the general look at him. "Don't harm the girl, Mumm-Ra wouldn't be to happy if something happen to her."
"Oh, I'm sure he wouldn't care if she got a few bruises," Kaynar commented from the other side. Aideen broke eye contact to glance at the Jackal before looking back at the monkey. No way where they going to make her fear them.
"Not only would Mumm-Ra not be pleased, but the black witch would have your head if she finds you did something to the girl," the lizard said. Aiddicus growl a he looked at her then backed away. Aideen looked as he walked away, she looked ahead then at the two kitts who were hiding behind Isha. She glanced at Tygra who was looking at her with worried eyes. Giving a small smile she turn to the lizard who decided to turn to the tiger.
Slithe pointed his gun at him, "Yours will be the shortest and last reign of any cat king," he said.
Tygra turned his head from him, "I'd rather die a king than live forever as a mindless lackey," he mutter.
"What'st that ,cat?" Slithe said.
Tygra turn back to him with anger showing on his face, "I said, I'd rather die a king than live forever as a mindless lackey!" he shouted. Slithe became angry and hit him with his weapon. No one was going to talk to him like that, let alone a cat. Tygra groan at the pain from being hit, but that didn't stop him from talking. "Well, you got one thing going for ya. You hit harder than the monkey."
Addicus gave a growl as he became anger with the tigers comment. "You want to see how hard I hit?" he said, he grabbed the tiger and threw him off the hovercraft.
"Tygra!" Aideen yelled as she looked down at the tiger. Isha took this opportunity to try an unlock her cuffs with the help of kat and kit.
Just then Aiddicus jumped down and pinned the tiger on the ground then began to punch him. Kaynar laughed as he looked at the tiger getting hit. "Can I play, too?" he asked then jumped down. He walked to the monkey and moved him aside. He threw a punch at the tiger, "Seem he likes getting hit as much as we like hitting him!" he said then began to punch him harder.
Tygra graon then looked at him, "No.. just had to buy sometimes for kit and kat to pick the locks," he said with a smirk. The jackal looked up with wide eyes, Aiddicus turn to the cats.
Both Wilykit and Kat waved her cuffs at the generals, "Hi!" Kit said.
"Hey, there!" wilykat said.
Both generals looked up in shock at being fooled. Then Kaynar was kicked from behind by Panthro, as Addicus was punched in the face. Cheetara ran toward the tiger and shatter his cuffs. Isha and Aideen jumped down the hovercraft and walked away from it, bot twin cats stayed close to the girls along with snarf. Neither one of the girls could use their powers as the effect of the cuffs or whatever was on them was yet to wear off.
Slithe saw the cats and humans leave the craft, "Lizards, Attack!" he order.
The lizards, though, were stopped by cheetara as she ran to them and punched each one in the face, while using her speed. Isha looked up frustrated at not being able to do anything. Aideens was weaponless as both her swords had stayed in the thundertank. Now she regret leaving them.
Slithe was punch on chin, by Tygra who had turn himself invisible. The lizard looked at him with surprise, "That's for me," the tiger siad. He threw a harder punch, "and that's for Lion-O." The lizard was thrown back, but the tiger didn't see the monkey walk behind him.
"Tygra, behind you!" Isha yelled as she looked at the tiger.
Tugra turn but wasn't able to move away, and was grabbed from behind. Thinking quick he decided to throw his head back and hit the monkey on the face. As Addicus let go, the tiger jumped up and kick him back. Addicus rolled on the ground then stood up and ran toward the tiger, anger at being hit. He threw a punch throwing the tiger on the ground. He moved towards the tiger only to be stopped by a shot of electricity, that made him move back. Both monkey and tiger turn to were the older girl had her hand in front of her with two finger's pointing at Addicus. Her natural element didn't work but it seemed her inner element did.
To the side, Kaynar hit Panthro as both fought against each other. He jumped on top of the cat, "I didn't hurt you, did I?" he mocked.
Panthro threw a punch getting the jackal off him, "Not as much as I plan to hurt you," he replied back.
"Forget the cats," slithe said from the hovercraft, "The sword is all that matters."
Keynar and Addicus looked at them displeased at having to leave, but neither disobey the order. As Kaynar walked to the hovercraft he looked to the side where Aideen was. He gave a smirk then ran to her. Kit, Kat and Snarf saw the jackal run to them and moved away, but the girl didn't have much time to reach. She turn an was punch on the stomach. She groaned in pain before fainting. The jackal gabbed her then jumped on the hovercraft, Addicus right behind him.
"Aideen!" Isha yelled as she ran to her cousin, but was stop by the tiger as the lizards began to shoot her. He cover her from the blast and the hovercraft began to take off. The older cat and girl just as the hovercraft began to get farther away from them.
"You have your lives," slithe said from the hovercraft, "But they're of little good as long as I have this." He held the sword up then turn to the girl, "at least we have the gil' he thought.
"Aideen!" Isha shouted as Tygra took out his gun and began to shoot the hovercraft. He kept shooting until it was out of sight. Isha looked at the way it left, worry clouded her mind as she thought of what Alchys wound do to her cousin. What she had plan for her for years.
Cheetara walked next to the tiger as he looked at where the craft left. "Your brother would be proud if he could see you now," she said.
Tygra glanced at her, "This isn't over yet" he declared then turn back to the road, "We're getting the sword and Aideen back."
"We better," Isha mutter making him turn to her, "or else where going to have something worse to worry about."
He would have questioned what she said but there was no time for that. He began to ran to where the hovercraft left, the other fallowing. Isha waited as Wilykit drew the same figure on one of the rocks. Both followed others.
Lion-O landed in dark space, he looked around but didn't found anything. "So, is this the end of the trial?" He question.
"Not quite," A cheerful voice said. The black background change into a forest with a small river ran down next to the forest. He turned to see Isha hanging upside down on a tree. Her outfit different from what she wore on third earth. Instead of a leather jacket, she had a cream color sleeveless loose shirt, black leggings, with her black shoes. A ring was on her left hand and a necklace hanged loosely on her neck. "You are only halfway through," she said. Grabbing the branch with her hands she flip down. Walking next to the lion she look at him, "we are your next trial, but unlike the next or the once before. Nope, this trial will test something else... something greater."
"What do you mean?" He asked but she just smiled." And what do you mean we?"
The girl didn't say anything she just giggled and pointed to the side. He turn and saw the Red-Brown hair girl. Aideen had her head back to a tree a small blue bird was standing right in front of her, posing as she drew him on a her drawing book.
She looked up and smile at the king, "So, you've arrived. Good, I was staring to think you would be late," she said closing her drawing book. The bird that stood on the branch disappeared. She stood and walked next to him, her cloths were different than the once she wore. She had a gray loose long sleeve shirt, whit blue jeans and black boots. Her hair was breaded to the side and her head band was still in place. She didn't were her gloves, showing the two rings in her hand and a small bracelet on the other.
"So, you're my next trial?" he asked.
"Yep! isn't great!" Isha exclaimed. "The best part is where not even really illusions like others!" Aideen rolled her eyes at the girls excitement.
"What do you mean?" he asked in confusion.
Aideen took this time to begin explaining, "Well you see the stone, no the stones, are all connected to us. We are the decedents of the royal Shannen family. And considering I didn't have a sister, Isha is taking her place a part of the royal family. The stones were created along time ago by a powerful force, but all came from someone, that being a shannen. And though I wish to explain more, everything must be learn within time. Truest me, you will know the origin of the stones in order to understand why they were separated," she explained. "Now, we are not an illusion but far from that, were are a part of the person you know. Because our connection is strong to the stone it allows part of the persons personalty to appeared in front of you." She turned to Isha and gestured to her, "The ones that you will need to pass this trial."
Lion-O nodded his head understanding what she mean. "But why you two?" he asked, "Not that there anything wrong with it but I-"
Aideen raised her hand stopping him from going on. She gave a gentle smile, "Because our connection to you is strong. We may not be cats and... it true we shouldn't be here teaching you, but sometimes connections are stronger than onces races or species in this case."
"Does this have to do with the spiritual connection Anet talk about?" he question.
Both girls looked at one another, "Well.. in a way," Aideen answer. "You see that connection is only between you and Aideen not Isha. And that is something the two of you must figure out.. once you two get past that line the two of you don't wish to cross."
Lion-O looked at her with confusion. Line? he never drew a line between the two of them, so what was she talking about. "I don't understand."
"Don't worry, you don't have to figure it out right now," Isha said as she stood to his side. Even if this was part of the trial and she wasn't the real Isha, the girl couldn't help but find the situation quite... amusing. She clapped her hand, "Now, we don't wish to hold you too long from your next trial. So let get started." With a snap from her finger the forest disappeared. "This trial is about wisdom and knowledge."
"A king must be wise when making choices, even when others don't agree with you, but with that comes knowledge. We will judge you on three things," Aideen held up three fingers and began to explain. "One, being just. Two, choice. Now three...we are not going to say. That one will be judged base on what you do on the event."
He looked at her a confused look, "event?"
"Yep, event. Well show you three events that took place to this day, and you will answer some question. Answering all three correctly and you will get the key to your next trial," Isha explain. The scene changed to thundera. The night before thunders fell and Grunes betrayal was reviled. The lizards were cuffed with juice on their face from being thrown by the cats. "Now, this one's easy. What would you, or did you do?"
Lion-O looked at the lizards, "I set them free."
"Why?" She asked.
Lion-O looked at her, "because it was the right thing to do. Because they didn't deserve to be treated like that.
Aideen stood to his side, "why?"
Lion-O looked at her a question look, "what does this have to do with my trial. This already happen," he said.
"Ah, yes. But sometimes we forget or we learn from what happen in the past," Isha lectured. "You must always look in the past to learn from your mistakes or to never forget what is right. Knowledge comes from what you learn and wisdom from what you've lived. Now why did you think they didn't deserve to be treated like that."
The lion gave a sigh then thought about her question. Why did he let the lizards go? Why did he think they didn't deserve that? "They didn't do anything. They were only trying to feed their family. It wasn't right for them to be treated like that."
"Well done," Aideen said then snapped her fingers. "A king must be juste and fair, especially with its people. Now," the scene chnage to the Tunar's ship. But Tunar wasn't there, instead mumm-Ra was at one end and the book at another. Aideen turn to lion, "what do you chose?"
Lion-O grinned, "that's easy, the book."
Isha looked at him, "let's say Mumm-ra was harm and you could kill him with a swing of your sword. What would you do?"
Lion-O looked a them then he frowned. If he could kill the mummy then everything would end, right? His eyes moves to Aideen and he remembered the black witch. He didn't knew her intentions, what is she was planing something more, she was working for Mumm-ra that he knew for sure. He looked down in thought, looking up he answer, "the book."
"Why? You can end him, why the book?" Isha pressed.
"I could be fighting him but..he would have had someone looking for the book. And perhaps find it, it would all be a trap," he answer.
Aideen smiles at him, "well before you were quite set on killing him," she said.
Lion-O looked down at her, "yeah, and it almost cost me losing my friend," he said as he remember her almost drowning. He didn't want her to go threw that again, that made him more motivated to get this trial over with. "The life's of others is more importan and we needed the book without it we wouldn't have known about the stones."
Isha gave him a sly smile, "you must have been really worried about her huh," she nudged him. The lion scratched the back of his head at her teasing.
"Isha," Aideen said as she looked at her.
Isha raised her hand in the air, "sorry, sorry." She cleared her throat, "anyways let continue," with a snapped of her fingers the scene change once again. They were all in the forest of as Magi Oar, to one side the wood forger stood and to other side was the guardian of the forest. "This once a bit harder as you don't know what were judging you on. Look at both sides," she stood in the middle one hand to each side. "Now, what was your mistake?"
Lion-O looked at them in confusion, "my mistake?"
Aideen stood next to Isha, her head tilted to the side, "did you make a mistake?"
"You just said my mistake," he responded, now more confused than before.
Isha put her hand behind her back, "well did you make a mistake? You can always say no, you know."
"I..." lion-O began then closed his mouth. He looked between the two. What was his mistake? Did he make a mistake? Yes, he did. He didn't see the full picture, and believe people who were wrong. "Yes, I did made a mistake. I didn't see the bigger picture. The wood forgers were lying the hold time saying Viragor was harming the forest when it was the other way around."
"Good you admitted you were wrong," Aideen said. "But that wasn't your mistake. Think what did you do wrong."
The lion looked down in thought, what did he do wrong? Beside listening to someone he had just meet, but he was sure that wasn't it. Perhaps what he did wrong was not listen to both side of the story. He didn't know if Viragor was the bad person until he spoke to him. "Was it... that I didn't know both sides of the story?" He asked hesitantly.
Both girls looked at one another and smiled. Isha turn to him, "yep, you got it right."
"So, what do they all have in common?" Aideen asked. Before the lion could say anything she took out the key to his next trial.
The lion looked at both girls before understanding what connected the scenes. "Listening. I wasn't listening to the people around me."
"Listening is the key to wisdom," Isha lectured.
Aideen nodded in agreement, "the wisest are those who listen to those around them. They don't make a decision without having all the facts. A great king must learn to listen and he will have the wisdom needed to rule with justice." She handed him the next key, "don't forget to listen and learn from your mistakes."
"Good luck, Lion-O," both girls said.
He turned just as a portal open. He inserted the key and the portal expanded, but before he could jump he gave one last glace at Aideen. He hoped the real Aideen was alright. And with that he jumped in, his next trial awaiting him.
I had plan to update this chapter on Wednesday as it was done that day. But I wanted to skim threw it and add something. I think I may be done with the second part soon to but I kind of want to work on the next chapter for secret so I hope I get part two done fast so I can update it next week along with Secrets but I'm not sure If I will get it done.
I don't have a schedule, but I think I'll try to update Unexpected journey then secrets and so on.
Anyways, hope you like it! Sorry for any mistakes that I made.
Thanks to all who review, followed or favorite this story. I love reading all of your comments.
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