Chapter 21

The following morning all the ThunderCats gathered in the counsel room with the exception of the ThunderKittens who remained on guard in the control room. Everyone took their seats and it was painfully obvious that the seat between Ben-Gali and Panthro sat empty.

"I've called this tribunal for an obvious reason. We have lost a good comrade and friend and now we must decide our next course of action." Lion-O was the first to speak. Silence fell amongst the others. No one was really sure what to say. After a few minutes, Tygra cleared his throat.

"I don't know if Pumyra agrees but medically, we did all we could. We tried to revive him for close to twenty minutes. There was nothing else for us to do." The orange tiger told the group.

"I agree." Pumyra said. The words killed her but she knew Tygra was right.

"Then the fault lies with the plan." Lion-O nodded. He had already made his mind up three days ago.

"There is only one thing that can be done." The lion continued. He rose from his seat and pulled the Claw Shield and Sword of Omens from his hip.

"As of this moment, I resign my post as Lord of the ThunderCats." No one said anything as the lion headed for the door. This whole situation was shocking and confusing. However one cat knew she couldn't let him leave like that. Cheetara left her seat and followed Lion-O out into the hallway.

"What are you doing?" She asked him.

"It's my fault Lynx-O is dead. I was rash to think that my plan had any kind of hope of succeeding without such as horrible outcome." The lion told her as he continued to walk away.

"Are you forgetting something? Lynx-O did not die from a Thunder Guard member's weapon but Jackalman's. He is the one to blame. He is the one to blame. He is the one who used that spear to stab Lynx-O. No one else did. He is the one who should pay for this." Cheetara said as she easily caught up to him. This made Lion-O stop in his tracks. The cheetah put her hand on his big muscular shoulder. He turned to her and said,

"I feel responsible. I am –was- the Lord of the ThunderCats. I am honor bound to take responsibility."

"Even if you where not at fault? We all know the risks involved with our job, yet here we all stand. Lynx-O knew them too. Everyday we stand in the face of danger and do not blink because we know that we must protect this planet and its people. We would all lay our lives on the line for them and for you at a moment's notice. We are feared throughout the galaxy and if we do not stand together now, our enemies will come at us. We will fight but eventually we will fall." Cheetara said. She was right, now was not the time to be weak, no matter how much Lynx-O's death hurt. However, he had given up on being the Lord of the ThunderCats.

"Someone else must lead you now." The lion gave a sad smile and left the cheetah standing at the entrance to Cat's Lair. She stood there unsure of what to do next. Her heart said to follow him but her head said to go and tell the others. It only took a few moments before she realized the others would have to decide his fate and she took off after her mate.

Back in the counsel room, Panthro stood up and grabbed the Sword and Claw Shield. He would not stand for the other's hesitance.

"Lion-O is our leader and nothing in my mind is going to change that. He's not the reason that Lynx-O is dead. Jackalman is and that blasted Mutant will pay." The panther stormed out of the room and headed after the two that had left before him leaving just Tygra, Ben-Gali, and Pumyra in their seats. Two of them got up and went after the engineer, leaving Tygra alone in the room.

To Be Continued…