Chapter 2 – Discoveries

Three days had passed since Alana learnt who her rescuers were. In that time, she had got to know the ThunderCats. Where she didn't want to grieve in front of the ThunderCats, she tried her best to only grieve in. She even wanted to get out, but Tygra had insisted that she was not well enough to venture out in the cold weather of Third Earth in her condition.

She didn't like the idea, she agreed. She knew physically she wasn't ready to see the wreckage but wanted to give them a burial as soon as possible. And even if she were able to handle the wreckage, it wouldn't be until the ground thawed before she could properly bury her friends.

As she woke for a new day, she felt the need for a bath. She knew Tygra would soon be in to change her bandages, she was hoping maybe she could get a bath before he changed them. She slowly got up out of bed and walked over to the window. She stared out over the vast white valley for a few moments before moving away to a door, which led her to the bathroom facilities. When she emerged from the room, Tygra stood by her bed, waiting patiently for her.

"Hello," she said. "You know from all those oils and ointments and the fact it's been three days, I could use a bath. I know I was cleaned up when you first brought me here."

"Yes, Cheetara cleaned you up as soon as we got you here." Tygra chuckled. "After breakfast and when Cheetara returns from her run, I'll have her help you get cleaned up. But in the meantime, I'm going to change your bandages."

"Thanks," she said sarcastically. "I was hoping you could hold off until then."

"The more ointments are rubbed on, the faster you heal. At least it doesn't have a vapour."

Alana chucked as she walked over to the bed and sat down. What she hated most about the bandaged changing, Tygra had to rub a cream on to her back to help heal the bruises faster.

"I'll check the cut on your head first."

Alana pulled her bangs out of the way to allow Tygra to remove the bandaged. He soon washed around the cut, put more cream and a fresh bandage.

"You're quite skilful with medicine," she responded as she let her bangs fall loose on her forehead.

"Back on Thundera, our home planet, I learnt medicine, even though I had no desire to. When we crashed here, and where it's just Snarf and the six of us, I was the only one with knowledge of medicine. So it turned out to be a blessing in disguise."

"But I'm sure, you've learned more about medicine since you've arrived then you did before."

"That is true. Thanks to Willa, I've become quite the medic when needed."

"When will I meet this warrior woman? Yesterday I overheard Lion-O speak about her and he wants me to meet her."

"I'm not sure. Willa is quite busy these days."

"How did you guys build this place?"

"Where I wasn't as skilful as others on Thundera with medicine, I decided to take up architecture instead. Turn around so I may check on your bruises."

Alana cringed but turned and then raised her nightshirt so he could see her back. She carefully kept the shirt up against her chest. Though she did not like this part, she continued. "So you designed your home?"

"Yes and with some friends, they helped us build this within a matter weeks. Your back is looking pretty good. After today I may not need to put any more ointments. Your bruises are healing up good."

"Good," she said nervously. She slightly jumped when she felt the ointment hit her skin and then Tygra's fingers rubbing it in gently.

When he finished, he stood up from the bed. "I'll leave you now. Breakfast will be ready soon. And I'm sure, you'll want to change."

"Tygra, how much longer will I be confided indoors? Not that I'm grateful for your hospitality and all but I would like to try and see if any of my belongings are salvageable."

Tygra chuckled. "I suppose Cheetara's outfits that were given to her since she came here are starting to get uncomfortable?

"No it's not that. It's just…ok that is part of it. I've never been comfortable in wearing someone else's clothing."

"I'll give you an answer later today." He turned and left.

Soon after breakfast and with Cheetara's help, Alana was able to get cleaned up. When Alana was all cleaned, Tygra came into the room, to give a fresh bandage on her head. He smiled as he watched the two women begin to bond. He noticed, while they spoke, Alana was in the process of brushing her long brown hair.

He did not think her hair was that long. When he first saw her, there was too much worry in making sure she was going to all right plus dirt over her face to really notice. Also parts of her hair were still up in whatever hairstyle she had it in. When Cheetara, cleaned her wounds and washed her hair, she had braided her hair and pinned it in a bun to keep if off her back.

Cheetara turned to Tygra. "Anyway," she said as she stood from the bed. "I'll leave you now. Panthro has asked me to take the Thundertank to the crash sight. He's found a few items that are still in good condition."

Cheetara walked passed Tygra on her way out. But before he moved away from the door, she whispered. "She's hiding something. I can't figure out what it is but it's something to do with her father, that I'm sure."

Tygra nodded and walked into the room, allowing the doors to the room to close. "You look better."

Alana placed the brush done on the bed. "It feels good to have my hair lying down. Before I was engaged, it hardly ever was up out of my face. But when I left my planet, it hasn't been down since."

"What planet is that?" he asked as he sat on the bed and went to work on placing a new bandaged on her head.

"This will sound funny, but it's called Second Earth."

"Second Earth?"

"See there's a reason why this planet is called Third Earth. Ages ago, this planet was home to all humans and was called just plain 'Earth' or in what other inhabitants call it 'First Earth'. And humans were the only humanoids.

"After the humans began to explore the galaxy, a great disaster happened and almost wiped out the planet. Most areas for vegetation withered away; so most humans left, leaving only a certain amount to stay behind to keep the planet thriving and begin its healing process. After so long, the planet healed itself and vegetation began to bloom as it once did.

"Settlements began again as alien races began to land here. When humans learned that Earth was flourishing again, there was more than one Earth. The alien inhabitants adopted the name 'Third Earth' as it's the third planet in the solar system. The humans agreed to its name, as there was now a First Earth and Second Earth. However after so long, a cursed creature, Mumm-ra was released from his coffin prison."

"How do you know this?"

"For one it's common knowledge amongst the humans who travel the stars. Before my ship crashed, we had a database on Third Earth's history. All the way from when it was first formed, or at least the theory of formation, to now."

"Perhaps, we could check to see if the databanks are still functional. And if they are, we could download the history into our computer."

"Well if the databanks are still functional, you could probably integrate the computer into your systems."

Tygra thought for a moment. "I never thought of that. What sort of studies do you have?"

"Science, medicine are my majors but I do have some off to the side as hobbies."

"You were saying about Mumm-ra. What is his story? We've been battling him since we crashed here."

"Ages ago, in a country once called Egypt, there was a priest. I don't know the whole story but legend has it that this priest had done something that was forbidden. So he was placed in a curse. The curse was called Undead. It was designed that if evil beings not from this world would come, He'd arise and create all sorts of havoc."

"Well that explains a lot," Tygra fingered his chin. "Willa said that Mumm-ra had never caused any sort of havoc until we had arrived."

"What would have happened that would have caused him to rise? You don't seem to the type to be evil."

"We aren't but the Mutants are. When we fled Thundera, we were attacked by our enemies, the Mutants. During the attack, our guidance system was damaged. We were placed into stasis as our ship guided us here, which was the closest planet. The Mutants followed."

"Well you can't blame yourselves for Mumm-ra's release. You were just trying to survive. For two alien races, we have a bit in common."

"By the way I have great news. With the ointments and your rest, you have recovered enough that you could venture outdoors. But not too far, I'm afraid, it's still too soon to see the crash sight."

Alana leaned her head down. "I figured that but at least I can get some fresh air. Fresh air will also help get my strength back."

"I agree." Tygra stood up. "I almost forgot. Willa is here and she's waiting for you in the conference room."

Alana stood up. "Let's meet this woman."

Willa was sitting in the conference room, waiting patiently for the human to arrive, with Lion-O sitting across from her. As she waited, she thought back to when she had watched the woman's ship crash but at the time, she had no idea what it was but knew the ThunderCats probably saw it and went to investigate. The next day, she confronted the ThunderCats about it and learnt what it was she saw.

It annoyed her to know another ship had crashed but her annoyance soon turned sorrowful when she learned all but one female crewmember died. When she went back to her kingdom, she had decided she wouldn't help the woman, who ever the woman was.

A couple of days later, Lion-O arrived requesting an audience with her to ask if she would visit Cats' Lair to meet the woman. To her surprise the person was human and was a daughter of Safari Joe and she was running from her husband to be.

Feeling sorry for the woman, she agreed she would meet her and hopefully help her anyway possible. Perhaps the woman could actually answer a few questions. Willa had met other humans but rarely were they from space.

Willa's thoughts were interrupted when the doors opened, revealing Tygra escorting the woman in. The woman was wearing an outfit Cheetara wore a couple years during a ceremony the Warrior Maidens held in which a young woman was declared a warrior.

"It's nice to see you Willa," Tygra said.

"Likewise," Willa answered.

"Willa," Lion-O began. "This is Alana."

"It's the first time in a long time, I've come across another human that does not live on Third Earth."

For the moment Alana was silent. Tygra escorted her to one of the vacant chairs as he descended in another, beside her. "It's all right Alana, she's a friend."

"Is something wrong?" Willa asked, concerned.

"After she met us, she became somewhat shy around us," Lion-O said. "She's most comfortable with Tygra, though she shows a little nervousness around him too."

With her head down, Alana said, with a lace of anger, "I don't appreciate being talked about when I'm in the room. My father always did that and it made me feel small."

Taken aback by her comment, Lion-O looked as if he just got slapped in the face.

Ignoring the Lord of the ThunderCats, Willa quickly rushed out of her chair, pulled Alana's chair out a bit and knelt down next to her.

"It's ok," Willa started. "I suppose you're not use to being around strange people."

"It's not that I'm not use to it. Its just…" she trailed off.

"Its just what?" When Willa got no response, she sighed. "I understand you don't want to talk about it. That's ok. If and when you're ready, you will."

Alana looked up at the warrior maiden. "You can fight?"

"Why, yes I am. I'm Queen of my tribe, the Warrior Maidens."

"I've heard of you. You reside in a jungle and in the middle of it is the Tree Top Kingdom."

"How did you know that?" Willa asked, surprised.

"When humans left Earth, a tribe of women and tribe of men were two of the groups, of a few others, that stayed behind to allow the Earth to heal. In time, they became known as Warrior Maidens and Warrior Men. But the Warrior Men turned into a savage group and ended up being separated and forced to live in caves."

"You have quite the knowledge of the Third Earth," Willa stated. "More knowledge it seems than myself."

"One of my favorite hobbies is learning up on human history."

"Maybe sometime we could get together and you can tell me a little more about human history. What I know is either myth or legend. I've heard so much, I'm not even sure what is fact anymore."

Alana smiled. "I'd like that. I'm sorry for not speaking sooner."

"Don't apologize. I sometimes have one of those moods and Lion-O has witnessed a few of them first hand."

"I'm sure he has," Alana agreed.

"Unfortunately, I can't stay long," Willa said as she stood. "I have a kingdom to run and I think there's been a little mutant activity."

"Anything we can help?" Lion-O asked as he stood.

"Not at the moment." Willa stood and looked at the Lord. "If there is, you'll know. Nayda knows how to work the communications to contact you if there is."

"I'll see you out," Tygra said. He stood and began to walk out of the room. He knew what Alana said was wrong but she did have a point and he figured she probably regretted it to. He hoped she may apologize to Lion-O at her words.

When they left, Alana pulled herself around to face and look at the Lord. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude."

"No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have spoken out about you. But I was only trying to help."

"I know. Tygra tells me you are originally not suppose to be as old as you are."

"No," Lion-O agreed. "When we left Thundera, I was a mere child, about the same age as Wilykit and Wilykat. But when I arrived here, I was a man. My stasis capsule was damaged and I aged. I had a lot to learn and even to this day, I'm still learning."

"That's only being mortal. Everybody learns something new, all the time. I'm sure even Panthro still learns."

"That he does."

"Tygra told me I could start venturing outside but not too far. I was wondering where I could find something warm to wear. I'm sure you ThunderCats are not as vulnerable to the cold as humans are."

"We, ThunderCats are more immune to the cold. Though there are some occasions the brisk cold weather will chill us but its not as often as humans."

If a human were to venture outside in what you wear, they'd die of hypothermia."

"Hypothermia? What's that?"

"It's a condition most mortals can get when they've been exposed to the cold either too long or not wearing enough clothing."

"When Willa arrived, she left a bundle of clothes for you. She said when you got strong enough to venture out, they will keep you warm."

Alan rolled her eyes. "Great more borrowed clothing."

"Actually it's not," Tygra said as he came back in the room. "Willa had the clothes specially made for you."

Alana turned at the sound. "You guys keep coming up with surprises. First rescuing me, then your medicine and Cheetara giving me some clothes and now this."

Tygra chuckled. "Like I said when we met. We like to help."

"Tygra can I speak with you for a moment," Lion-O said.

"Sure, Lion-O."

Both men walked out of the room, leaving Alana to ponder. "What was I thinking?" she degraded herself. "They are trying to help me and I practically shove their hospitality down their throats. Josh why did you protect me? Why did you want me to survive?"

"He wanted you to live," a voice said.

Alana whipped her head around, wondering where the voice came from. "Who are you? Where are you?"

"Not from this world."

Alana turned to her left and saw a man appear standing in front of her. The man was transparent and wore a Thundercat symbol on his clothing. She gasped at who the person was. Tygra told her that a man, who sacrificed his life to save them, would appear in front of Lion-O and he was often the only one to see him.

"You're Jaga," she gasped.

"That is correct," the man smirked.

Out in the hall, Lion-O talked to Tygra, not knowing Alana was talking to Lion-O's mentor. Lion-O was just a little curious how much longer it would be before she would see the wreckage. Seeing the broken ship was not something he was looking forward to but she was determined to help bury her friends.

"How well is she?"

"She's healing pretty good. I don't know if it's the ointments from Thundera or what I learned here. Either way, she's actually ready to travel but I don't want her to. The grief is still too new."

"That may so but how do you think I felt when I was forced to watch Thundera explode. Jaga had Cheetara wake me from my sleep to witness the destruction. I wasn't ready for that just as I wasn't ready to lead you all as an adult. I was forced into both."

"You may be right but you also had all of us to back you up. Alana on the other hand is only getting to know us. She doesn't trust us as well as we trust each other. I've noticed how she accepts my help but then shy away. Cheetara told me she's holding something back."

"I agree with you there. She was about to tell us something of why she is shy but stopped."

Meanwhile in the conference room, Alana talked Jaga. "But I was told you only appear in front of Lion-O most of the time."

"I can appear in front of who I want. It's one of the many wonders of the Astral plain. You are in great sorrow. And for that I am sorry but you know yourself, everything happens for a reason."

"You know about me."

"Yes, I do and I have a message for you. Someone who wishes to speak but cannot has asked me to speak on their behalf. Your brothers are happy to know you survived. And they want you to know that they're sorry you are alone."

Alana looked at the ghost in front of her as tears sprang from her eyes. "My brothers."

"Yes, but you are no longer alone. You have the ThunderCats to help you and the Warrior Maidens. Your grief is strong but in time, it will mend."

"Can you tell them, I love them?"

"I can do better." Jaga smiled gently. "Even though you cannot see them, they are in this room, hearing every word you say."

More tears streamed down her face with a slight smile. She felt a cool breeze touch her shoulder. She looked to the shoulder but saw nothing.

With her mind focused on Jaga, she did not know she was no longer alone. At the entrance of the room, Tygra and Lion-O stood amazed. Both men were stunned as they saw their mentor stood before the woman, speaking to her. Normally Jaga was not seen by others, besides the ThunderCats and Mumm-ra.

"Your eldest brother has placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. He wants me to inform you that your safe and he'll, as the rest of your brothers, will always be with you in heart and soul."

Jaga looked up and saw the two ThunderCats. He smiled at the both then turned back to the grieving woman. "It appears we are not alone. I shall leave you now for another time."

Speechless, Alana watched as Jaga threw is cape over himself as he disappeared. When he was gone, Alana felt the cool breeze leave. She slowly stood up but quickly collapsed to the floor, crying.

Tygra and Lion-O were quick to her side. Tygra pulled the woman into his arms and rocked her softly until her tears turned to whimpers.

"Why don't you take her back to her quarters?" Lion-O suggested softly.

"No," she said weakly in Tygra's chest. "I'll feel better if I went outside."

Tygra looked down at her. "Why did you break down?"

"Jaga, he…he…"

"We saw," Lion-O said. "It surprises me he appeared to you. Normally he only appears to me and if the others around, they see. No one outside of the ThunderCats has been able to see him. What did Jaga tell you?"

"He said…" she started as few more tears streaked down her face. "That my brothers are happy I'm safe and they are sorry I'm alone. But he also said that I'm no longer alone."

Tygra looked at Lion-O with a slight smile. "He's right you know. You aren't alone."

"Did Jaga say anything else?"

"He told me that my brothers are with me all the time. They are even in this room as we speak."

Lion-O looked at her with a known smile. "So it lightens your heart to know you haven't completely lost your brothers."

"Yes."

Tygra curled his arm under her legs and lifted her up. "Why don't we get you dressed and then go outside to get some fresh air."

With her arms wrapped around Tygra's neck, she nodded in agreement.

When she was dressed in the clothing Willa gave her, her, Tygra and Lion-O ventured outside. When the cold air hit her face, she covered her face with her covered hand, until she was use to the cold. She removed her hand and took a big breath of air.

"It's beautiful. I've forgotten what it's like to see the sun glisten off snow. When I was child it always reminded of what thousands upon thousands of diamonds would look like glistening in the sun." She looked down and saw the Thunderkittens playing in the snow.

Tygra and Lion-O looked at each other with a smile. This was the best thing for her. They both wanted to ask her what diamonds were but right now sided against it, as they just wanted her to enjoy the outdoors.

"Wilykat," kit called to her brother as she looked up at Lion-O. "Look who has joined us."

Wilykat looked up to the top of the steps to see their guest standing beside Lion-O and Tygra, wearing the warrior maiden's winter clothing. She was dressed in a brown fur coat to the hips and light brown fur leggings. The boots were also furred and tied around up to mid calf. Over her hands were covered in leather mittens with fur on the backs

Before Wilykat could say anything, he was suddenly hit in the back of the head with a snowball. He turned to see Wilykit sprawled on the snow laughing.

"Oh really," he said. "You think that was funny." He picked up a snowball and was about to throw it at his sister when he was hit again. But by who? He looked over at the direction where the ball came from and saw Alana chuckling. Her hands and coat were dusted in snow.

"Sorry, I had to do it." She wiped the snow off her mittens. Wilykit laughed even more. The two men beside her also laughed.

Wilykat quickly turned around and whipped the ball at his sister, getting her right in the face.

"Come, let's take a walk," Tygra offered, controlling his laughter down. He grasped her hand and began to walk down the steps.

Not knowing what to do, she allowed him to lead her, for now. When she first met Tygra, she felt relieved but as she began to know him, she began to feel scared. She had been hurt before and didn't want to be again.

When they reached the edge of the drawbridge, she began to pull out of his grasp. Tygra immediately noticed this and stopped. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said as she walked away towards the closest tree.

Tygra followed her and when she stopped, he placed his hands on his hips and giving her a soft but stern look. "There's something bothering you, I know it. All day I've noticed you are pulling away from my help."

Alana turned her head so she wouldn't have to look into the unusual eyes. "It's silly."

"Nothing is ever silly," Tygra tried.

"It's just…It's just you're the only one giving a lot of fuss over me and I'm just getting a little nervous is all."

"Why would you be getting nervous?"

What would she say? She couldn't and didn't want to tell him what had happened to her in the past. It was a private matter that was between her and her friends and they were all dead. With the thought of her dead friends, she looked at the tiger. "When will I be able to see the wreckage?"

Tygra noticed she avoided his question. "When you would like? After speaking with Lion-O, he has suggested I give you more space. I have been holding back in letting you know you are doing better than I expected."

"That's probably because of Josh," she said sadly. "Josh was my eldest brother and just when I had yelled 'all hands brace for impact', he grabbed me out of chair and threw to the side. Before I could protest, the bulkhead was covering me. I could here my crew members screaming as the ground came closer."

Alana was grateful for the crisp air. With the cold air, kept her tears at bay. "There was nothing I could do. All I could do was curl up in a ball and wait to find out what the fates were going to do."

"Well that bulkhead is what saved your life."

"I figured that and probably so did Josh. With what I witnessed today, I'm not ready to see the wreckage. But it's good to know I can go at anytime. Do you mind if I stay out here a bit by myself. I need time to think and being outside has always made feel better."

"Sure, under one condition, you stay on the other side of the bridge. I want to make sure nothing is going to happen to you."

Alana nodded.

Tygra went to grasp her hand but she pulled away. A little disappointed, Tygra shrugged and began to walk back to Cats' Lair, walking beside Alana. With her withdrawing was starting to annoy him. Perhaps maybe he was spending too much time with her. He did after all save her, cleaned her wounds and always escorted her to dinner. She hardly had any major chances to see the others. One thing he needed to do was seek a woman's point of view over the situation. He was feeling drawn to her and wasn't sure if that was a good thing.