Lion-O was distracted beyond reason. It had been three days and no word from Kareala. She would not just leave. It was not possible. He wandered around the command center of the Cat's Lair. Anything to be away from Amnextria and her endless stream of females. He would mate with his queen but no other. Kareala would be the only other female to know his touch.
"Lord Lion-O", Tygra called out from across the room. It was their custom for him to address him formally in public. Lion-O did not answer. Tygra gave a concerned look. The other cats on duty exchanged glances. A female jaguar was stationed at the communications center. She handled all incoming messages. A tall, slim serval served at the tactical station. He tracked all ships in and around New Thundera. The mutants were oddly quiet of late. Pumyra and her team were searching several nearby star systems. Tygra would remain vigilant. The mutants would never leave them in peace. They were gathering their strength out there somewhere.
Tygra walked over to Lion-O and tapped him on the arm. He leaned and whispered, "What's the matter, Lion-O?"
Lion-O motioned for him to follow as he walked to his private room just beyond the command center. There, he told Tygra everything. The tiger sat down and rubbed his chin deep in thought.
"And now, you say this female is gone?" he asked
Lion-O only nodded.
"Lion-O, females can be fickle sometimes. Perhaps she only wished to bed the Lord of the..." Tygra never finished his sentence. Lion-O pounced on him, knocking him out of his chair. The lion held the tiger by the collar.
"Never say that about her! Ever! She would not do that!" He roared.
Tygra stunned, held up his hands, "Forgive me, Lion-O. I..." Lion-O walked out of the room, not bothering to speak to Tygra.
Tygra let out a sigh and rose from the floor.
"Young and in love," a voice called from the other side of the room. Tygra turned around on guard. No cat was here except he and Lion-O. Jaga's ghostly form shimmered as he stepped from the shadows. Tygra smiled. The elder Thundercat had not appeared in years.
"Blessed Mother, it is good to see you again," Tygra said.
Jaga nodded. "He is still impetuous at times, isn't he?"
"Yes, I should not have advised him to marry Amnextria," Tygra said and chided himself for the thousandth time. New Thundera was still young. The support of the nobles, all of them was necessary. Marrying Amnextria insured that. Lion-O needed the goodwill of the returned noblity until his throne was secure.
"You did what was necessary, Tygra. I gave his father the same advice many years ago. What the heart wants and what's best for the future sometimes are at opposing ends," Jaga said looking solemnly at the tiger.
Tygra had never thought the Lion-O's mother was forced upon Claudis all those years ago. Royalty made sacrifice others would never have to. Who was Claudis's true love? Tygra thought.
"You have been much more fortunate in your marriage," Jaga said. Thoughts of Cheetara caused his face to light up. He could not imagine life without her. He suddenly gained much more sympathy for Lion-O. He could not fathom fathering children or raising a family with any other and yet that's what Lion-O was being forced to do.
He and Jaga sat and shared many memories but Tygra's mind wandered to Lion-O. He was Lord of the Thundercats. Master of all he surveyed and yet he was completely miserable.
Amnextria walked proudly through her palace. She had not felt this good since becoming queen. Her smile was truly joyous. Her rival had been eliminated. Kareala's lifeless body was now somewhere in the river, where she and Oona had dumped her. Hopefully feeding whatever life called the waters home.
It was only a matter of time now. She would lie with Lion-O again and she would send female after female. He would relent eventually. He was only a male afterall. His desire would overcome him eventually. The female she sent would be given herbs to help with conception. Once pregnant, they would go into seclusion and she would claim the cubs as her own. She smiled even bigger and then no more Lion-O. Once he was eliminated, she would be a true queen at last!
She would lie with him again, she thought.
"I may even allow myself to enjoy it," she said laughing to herself. The two huntresses guarding her chamber door looked at her confused which only caused her to laugh louder.
Deep within the jungle, a wildcat ran along leaping and jumping. As a child, his favorite hobby was simply running through the jungle or gliding on his hoverboard. Being wild and free. Adulthood only brought responsibility and pain. WilyKit ran faster as if he could escape the memories of the past. The humiliations he and his sister endured at the hands of Mumm-Ra. He pushed his body to the limit, collapsing beside the river. He gasped as he fell. The cities of New Thundera would never be his home. Kat had found a mate and would soon deliver cubs. He was truly happy for her. He would carry the shame and burden of the past, let her be free.
He dipped his hand in for a drink, lowering his head when something caught his eye. A body! A female cat. Her body lay partially in the water. He ran to her and pulled the female on the bank of the river. A leopard female. She was beautiful and alive though barely. Her body was very cold despite the heat and her pulse was weak, but she would live. There was a horrible wound on her head. Like some cat had tried to bash her head in.
"She must have a strong will," he whispered as he wiped her face and tended to her as best as he knew. To have survived after being in this water for Blessed Mother knows how long. After he cleaned her wound, he removed his tunic and tore it into strips and wrapped her head gently. He then lifted the female and carried her into the jungle. He would find a healer for her.