WilyKit walked the streets of Thunder City. Cats all over the city were rejoicing at the news of the impending royal birth. Kareala would give birth any day now and Kit hoped to find some news. He was shocked to find out Lion-O had the Thundercats searching for the leopard female as well as the mystics of New Thundera.
Why was he so interested in Kareala? Kit stood around, trying to decide which direction to go when a two cubs bumped into him. He nearly dropped his pack of baby clothing and supplies which he had picked up for Kareala. She would need them soon.
"Sorry, sir," the young female responded. Kit looked down and fought the urge to run. It was Lihat, one of Tygra and Cheetara's young twins. Her brother, Logen trailed behind his twin. The cubs smiled brightly when they noticed WilyKit. They both gripped him around the legs, nearly tripping him. They shared their father's red hair but their coloring was more the bronze color of the cheetah. Tiger stripes lined their arms and shoulders with a few irregular spots here and there.
"WilyKit, where have you been? It's been so long since we've seen you. Will you teach us to hoverboard?", they rattled off one questions after another.
I am sorry, sir. You must forgive my children. Their exuberance..." Tygra called out, stopping abruptly when WilyKit turned around. "Kit!" he exclaimed, wrapping the young wildcat in a huge embrace, nearly taking him off his feet. "Where have you been? Do you know how much I've missed you? Cheetara will be thrilled to see you," he said as his eyes welled with tears. Tygra loved Kit like a son.
"I've been OK, Tygra," was all Kit said.
Tygra looked at him closely. Still holding on to the pain, if only he would allow us to help him, Tygra thought.
"Your sister's cubs are growing daily. Have you seen them?" Tygra asked still watching them closely.
"Yes, though it has been sometime," he responded. His sister had given birth several months ago, shortly after he found Kareala in the river. Galin and Ghanima reminded him so much of he and Kat when they were younger.
"You must have dinner with us tonight. Cheetara won't mind," Tygra said.
Kit stiffened. "I...I can't Tygra. I have...business to attend," he said, not able to look Tygra in the eye.
"Logen, Lihat go buy some candy from one of the street vendors," he said handing both of the young cubs a few coins. "And don't tell your mother I let you have candy before dinner," he yelled as the two excited cubs disappeared down the crowded streets. He turned back to Kit his expression suddenly very serious.
"Kit, we could use your help. There is a female who has been missing for months now. Lion-O insist we keep looking for her, but I don't know..."
"Lady Kareala isn't it? Why is this female so important to him? I would think the impending birth of Thundera's next heir would be more important," Kit said much more sharply than he intended.
"That is for Lion-O to answer," he said. He leaned in close to the young wildcat, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Kit, you know that Lion-O never intended..."
Kit pushed Tygra's hand away, silencing the stunned tiger, "It's all in the past now, I have...
"Is it?", this time Tygra interrupted him. "Is it really in the past? You keep...
Kit turned to leave, "Tygra I really must go." Kit wanted no part of the feelings and emotions Tygra was invoking.
Tygra grabbed him and accidentally knocked the package from his shoulder, spilling its contents on the ground.
"Kit, these are swaddling clothes. Does this mean that..."
"They are not for me. I was picking up a few things for a friend," he said, quickly gathering up the items and stuffing them back in the shoulder bag. He stood up and swiftly moved down the street.
"Kit, please!", Tygra called after him but he ignored his old friend and lost himself in the crowd, leaving a very stunned and disappointed Tygra.
Kit ran faster as he left the city. He lost himself in the jungles, turning back occasionally to make sure he wasn't being followed. Tygra did not answer his question. "That is for Lion-O to answer," he repeated aloud Tygra's words. What connection does Kareala have to Lion-O? The more I find out, the more question I have, he thought as he made his way through the dense overgrown jungle that he called home. The trip from the city took nearly an hour. He was nearly there when he heard Kareala cry out! He quicken his pace, nearly tripping over some tree roots as he made his way to the hollowed out tree that he shared with the leopard female.
She was on her knees, gripping her swollen belly, "Kit, it is time! I think the cubs are coming!"
Back in the palace, Oona gave Amnextria a vial of some foul smelling potion to drink. "Drink it all," she said. "It tastes terrible but it will help speed the delivery of your cubs."
Amnextria obeyed and fought the urge to gag. Oona had been by her side the whole time. Lion-O was stunned when she had given him the news nine months ago. He was not the father but the healers and attendants of the court were loyal to her and would help her cover that fact up if necessary, she was sure of it. Lion-O played the part of the doting father to be. It nearly made her sick. She knew he had the Thundercats searching under every rock on Thundera. She also knew his attempts would prove futile. Kareala was most likely decomposing at the bottom of the river somewhere. Lion-O would soon join her. And Lord Trion, her hated father would join them soon after that. She made a mental list of all the cats she would repay when she was queen.
"How long will it take to work?", Amnextria asked impatiently.
"Not long, my queen," Oona said. "You will deliver before sunrise, I promise."
"Is this safe? Will the cubs be alright?"
Oona only smiled at her. She had ask that question a million times since Oona informed her of the herbs needed to force the labor. The timing had to be perfect.
Amnextria sat upright in her bed and groaned. The first labor pains hit.
One of the attendants in the room quickly left as Oona motioned her. The heir to Thundera would soon be born...
Lion-O sat in the command center of the Cat's Lair. His heir would soon be born. All that passionless coupling with Amnextria at least produced the desired effect. She would give birth to his son or daughter or sons and daughters. Multiple births were common among the cats of Thundera. In two or three generations we will repopulate this planet, he thought. The birth of his cubs was the one good thing in his life right now. He had all but given up hope of finding Kareala. Cheetara and the mystics only saw darkness when they tried to sense her. It didn't mean she was dead, they told him. It was as inconclusive as the physical search for her.
Perhaps Amnextria had not lied to him. Maybe, she was only toying with me, he thought. He closed his eyes and tried to block out those thoughts...
"Sir, we have a incoming message from the palace," Lt Ilira, a female serval said.
"Put it through."
The smiling very excited face of a female lion appeared.
"Your Majesty, it is time! Your cubs are on the way!"