Chapter IX

No matter how many stones and rubble Tygra and Lion-o cleared, the tunnel was sealed shut by earth. They'd made a dent, but at this rate it would take days to clear the tunnel out enough for them to get out. The kits had tried to help out earlier, now covered in dirt they lay asleep from exhaustion, curled together against the cavern wall. Cheetara sat on a rock staring blankly at the ground.

She had no idea how long it had been since the battle with Mumm-Rah. They really had lost everything, well except for the gauntlet, which if that mouse-man had been right was a treasure equal to the sword or book of omens. At least she had freed Jaga. Closing her eyes she tried to think, to sense anything that could help them. Her concentration was hindered though as she heard a soft whisper; the words were unintelligible.

She was about to snap at her teammates to be quiet when she realized that there was a distinct mana signature next to her. She opened her eyes and looked around, but there was no one there. But the signature was still there, not only that but it was beginning to get stronger and in an instant she realized she knew who it was.

It was Jaga. But that was impossible. She heard the whispers again, slowly getting louder.

"Cheetara," just her name, but it was Jaga's voice for sure.

"Jaga?" She asked. Tygra and Lion-o looked over at her questioningly.

"What is it?" Lion-o asked. Cheetara shook her head not sure how to explain what she was hearing. Maybe it was all in her head; he had passed on after all.

"You know better than that." Jaga's voice was soft, barely audible.

"Did you… hear that?" Cheetara asked. Her chest felt tight, a mixture of hope, confusion, and fear slowly spreading through her. Tygra and Lion-o glanced at each other.

"No," Tygra answered frankly for the both of them. Lion-o gave Tygra an annoyed look. "What?" Ignoring Tygra, Lion-o approached Cheetara and knelt in front of her, their faces now level.

"What did you hear?" Lion-o asked. He looked concerned, all she could think was that he'd think she was crazy if she told him she was hearing the voice of her dead teacher.

"It doesn't matter whether they believe you," Jaga's voice echoed in her head. "Just that they follow you. There is another way out of here."

"Jaga…" Cheetara started, but she couldn't admit it, "Jaga once told me there was another way out of the temple." She ended lamely.

"And you never mentioned this before because…?" Tygra asked raising an eyebrow. She hesitated.

"The passage…" Jaga's voice whispered.

"…is only one way, there is another that can only be used as an exit." Cheetara repeated the words of her former teacher. "And I didn't remember it until now…" Cheetara added. Tygra gave her a disbelieving look, but Lion-o at least seemed on board.

"Do you remember where it was?" Lion-o asked. She gave a half nod. "Alright then," Lion-o stood and went to wake the kits. "Lead the way."

Cheetara led them back into the temple where they had found and subsequently lost the Book of Omens. She paused at the doorway waiting for Jaga's instructions.

"The seal on the floor," Jaga's voice became stronger as soon as she entered the temple. Looking up to where the pedestal was, and indeed right in front of it was a large round seal carved ornately into the stone. "Go to it." Jaga continued.

Cheetara led the group to the seal, all of them standing within the circle. She hesitated again needing further instructions. She noticed Tygra watching her; he seemed to know she was keeping something from them. She ignored it as best she could.

"Place your staff at the center of the seal," Jaga instructed. Cheetara took out her staff and noticed that there was a circular groove right in the middle where her clerical staff fit perfectly. "Now, channel your mana."

She did as he asked. At first nothing seemed to happen, then the seal beneath them shifted. With the scrapping sound of rock on rock the seal began to elevate upwards towards the cavern's ceiling.

"Ah!" WilyKit had been near the edge of the seal when it began moving, she lost her balance briefly, but WilyKat pulled her back from the edge. Despite her no longer needing his help keeping her balance, he didn't let go of her hand. "Thanks," she said softly. He smiled in reply, his healing throat injury still preventing him from talking.

"Stay towards the middle," Lion-o told the kits. The group moved to be closely knit around Cheetara, who was in the center. The seal was fast approaching the ceiling, but above them was only rock. They were all getting a little nervous

"It needs more mana," Jaga's voice whispered, his signature was getting weaker and weaker as they rose.

"Cheetara," Tygra didn't have to finish asking his question, the urgency in voice was enough. At the present moment it looked as though they would end up being crushed against the cavern ceiling. She closed her eyes and channeled as much mana as she could through her staff and into the seal. Immediately two things happened. One the rate at which the seal was rising increased, and two her mana, which was glowing white where her staff met the seal, began to spread out flowing out in the design of the engraving on the seal. The team was bathed in the white light as they skyrocketed towards safety or death.

She heard someone call her name, and heard WilyKit yelp in fear as they collided with the ceiling. But the impact never came. When she opened her eyes they were above ground, on the side of the mountain. Her mana still spread out around them. As she stopped channeling her mana the light faded and they watched as the seal sunk back into the ground leaving only grass beneath them. Cheetara sighed in relief.

"You knew that would work?" Tygra asked.

"Of course," she answered, though it sounded more like a question that a reassurance. "Jaga told me about it." At least that part was true.

"So why did you look scared?" Crossing his arms Tygra once again gave her the impression that he knew she wasn't telling the whole truth. Thankfully Lion-o saved her from having to answer.

"Good job Cheetara," Lion-o gave her a smile "We should set up camp for the night, and try to come up with some kind of plan." Tygra sighed in annoyance at having his conversation with Cheetara being cut off, but he followed after Lion-o.

OooooooO

They had made camp in the woods under the cover of the thick trees, the brightness of the stars unable to penetrate the covering. The only light came from their fire, which cast an orange glow over everything.

The kits had fallen asleep right after dinner, and were curled up with one another. Tygra and Lion-o were sitting together by the fire talking, or maybe arguing, Cheetara wasn't sure anymore. Cheetara was at the edge of the camp. She'd found a small break in the canopy of leaves and looked up at a sliver of the night sky.

She had realized as soon as they had left the temple Jaga's mana signature had disappeared and she could no longer hear his voice. She wasn't sure how she had been able to hear him. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't hear Tygra's footsteps as he approached.

"Hey," Tygra's voice broke her train of thought.

"Hey," she echoed, continuing to look up at the sky.

"Do you want to tell me what happened back there?" Somehow she knew he wouldn't let something like this go. She'd hopped that he would have forgotten about it and just focused on coming up with some kind of idea for getting the sword and Book of Omens back. She should have known better.

"Nothing." She answered her voice staying flat and unemotional. She heard Tygra snort softly. Then he was in front of her blocking her view of the stars, looking down at her.

"Cheetara," he warned. He really wasn't going to let this go.

"It's really nothing," she turned her head so she was looking off into the forest rather than into his amber eyes. "You wouldn't believe me anyway." She added softly.

"Try me." He challenged.

"It was Jaga," she said still avoiding looking at him. She didn't want to see his expression when he decided she was crazy, or emotionally unstable. "I felt him… his mana signature. I heard his voice and he told me there was another way out." She shrugged the rest of the story not needing further explanation.

"Can you still hear him?"

"No," she shook her head, "Once we left the temple his mana signature disappeared." There was silence for a few moments. Dread began to fill her, she shouldn't have told him.

"I believe you." Her eyes snapped up to his; all she saw was sincerity. She couldn't help herself. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," she smiled. She felt his strong arms come around her as he reciprocated. She could feel her heart speeding up, and knew she needed to break the embrace. Now was not the time for this.

"I guess we should get back," she muttered into his neck, and he felt more than heard her words. She pulled away slowly, and they both released each other. She didn't get far though, because he took her by the shoulders and pulled her into a bruising kiss.

Heat shot through her, as well as shock. The stars still shone above them like fireflies but neither of them noticed even though her eyes were still wide open, as she hadn't been expecting this at all. But her eyes slowly fluttered shut and her hands moved of their own accord to rest on his chest. His own hands migrated upwards to cup her face, and she felt her back press against the rough wood of the tree behind her. His scent invaded all her senses, a musky manly yet distinctly Tygra smell.

Her hands slowly wandered from his chest to his back allowing him to move even closer until their chests were pressed against one another. They broke the kiss both breathing heavily, his forehead resting on hers.

"Cheetara," he breathed and her name felt so good coming from his lips. But now that the kiss had broken her mind began to clear. He moved in to kiss her again.

"Wait."

He stopped at her voice and opened his eyes. She moved her hands back to his chest and gave a slight push, he moved back from her and immediately she missed his heat, his lips on hers. "What's wrong?" His voice had an edge to it, as though he had some idea already and didn't like it.

"We're… in the middle of a war Tygra," she explained uneasily. She looked into his eyes willing him to understand especially because he looked as though he had been rejected. "We need to plan right now, we can't get…distracted."

"Is this about Lion-o?" Tygra asked, although it sounded almost like a statement, and his tone defiantly had a growl to it.

"No," Cheetara replied confused. How did Lion-o end up in the conversation? Tygra shook his head and started to leave.

"Tygra!" She grabbed his arm trying to stop him but he pulled out of her grip easily.

"You've made your choice." He said flatly before leaving. She watched him walk away. A sense of loss filled her immediately, she was sad and confused and desperately wanted him to understand and she wanted to know what he was talking about and what he was feeling. He seemed so angry and hurt, and it pained her that she had so wounded him. She leaned back against the tree and looked up at the once clear sky, which was now filled with dark rain clouds. She sighed, her countenance not hiding any of her melancholy.

The next morning everyone knew there was something horribly wrong. Both the gauntlet and Tygra were gone.

OooooooO

Mumm-Rah and his troops that he had brought with him to the temple, which were now cut in half after the battle and collapse of the tunnel, had made camp at the base of the mountain. A light drizzle had started and was making a drumming sound as the droplets hit the roof of Mumm-Rah's large lavish battle tent. Inside Mumm-Rah stood before the large planning desk. The maps of the various regions lay strewn and the marked areas were growing, each new region falling to his control. Now before him on the desk were added both the Sword and the Book of Omens.

He caressed the book, his spindly bony fingers gliding over the cover making him break into a sinister twisted smile. Glancing at the sword his glee faded. He still could not touch the sword, whatever spell had been cast on it was unknown to him. It must be an old blood spell, something that only let the royal family use it. Most annoying was that his imprisoned cleric had been taken from him by that thundercat. Now all he needed was the gauntlet; the Key of Thundera.

Behind him he heard his tent flap open. The incessant sound of the continuous rain broke his quiet solitude, and pulled him from his thoughts.

"I told you not to disturb me, General Rezard." Mumm-Rah snapped annoyed. He turned to someone that he would never have expected to see.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced."

There standing in the doorway of Mumm-Rah's tent was none other than Tygra. Behind him Mumm-Rah could see the bodies of his lizard guards, their necks snapped. He hadn't heard any kind of scuffle.

"You can't kill me boy." Mumm-Rah taunted with a toothy smile. Tygra walked further into the tent, seemingly unconcerned, allowing the flap to close behind him.

"I didn't come her to kill you." Tygra told him; he took a seat on one of Mumm-Rah's cushioned chairs making himself quite comfortable, not waiting for an invitation. He acted as if he owned the place, on the one hand Mumm-Rah found the cat's attitude annoying, after all he was in the presence of the great Mumm-Rah. On the other hand he found it intriguing, and it reminded him of himself in some ways. "I came here to make a deal."

"A deal?" Mumm-Rah laughed, though it sounded like a cackle. But he stopped when he saw Tygra's eyes darken. "Alright. I'm listening."

"I want power." Tygra's tone was dark and hard, "Lion-o doesn't deserve to be king. He doesn't deserve…anything." Tygra looked directly into Mumm-Rah's gaze, and he could see Tygra's anger and hatred smoldering within the embers of his eyes.

Mumm-Rah mulled over Tygra's words; his feelings were true enough, but still. Could he really believe him?

"And how do I know you've truly betrayed your king?" Mumm-Rah asked him with a cool grin. Tygra smirked as the words.

"Give me a seat of power and I will give you the gauntlet." Tygra took out the gauntlet and set it on the table with the book and sword. The gold glimmering seductively, as if it were calling to Mumm-Rah. Smiling the dark one reached out his skeletal hand for the gauntlet. But Tygra pulled it back. "Deal?"

Mumm-Rah grinned again. "Alright boy, deal."

Tygra tossed the gauntlet, which Mumm-Rah caught with ease. He ran his hands over the metal; he was practically shaking with excitement. He had all the pieces now.

"And it's Tygra, not boy" Tygra said flatly, crossing his arms, annoyed at the title.

"Welcome to the winning side," Mumm-Rah told him, smiling again and chuckling slightly. "Admiral Tygra."

OooooooO

"Then where is he?" Cheetara asked. The whole atmosphere of the camp was one of distress and alarm. The dour and gloomy weather wasn't helping anything either.

"I…I don't know." Lion-o admitted, he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "But there has to be some kind of explanation for this, he couldn't have-"

"Betrayed us?" Cheetara finished. She didn't want to believe it either; but after last night she wasn't sure. He had felt rejected by her, and the animosity between him and Lion-o had been growing ever since the lizard city.

"But Tygra's your brother," WilyKit pipped in, "He's your family, family would never do something like that right?" She couldn't imagine WileyKat ever betraying her. But both Lion-o and Cheetara were silent.

"We need to find him." Cheetara pressed, "We can probably try to see if we can find a mana signature. He hasn't really honed his skills but maybe since you're related you'll be able to find him." It was a long shot but the only other option was to track him on foot. Lion-o nodded in agreement and the group set out.

Cheetara followed Lion-o, he seemed to have picked up on some kind of trail. It was raining lightly turning the dirt to mud and matting their fur as they pressed on. It didn't take all that long for them to find Mumm-Rah's camp. That is where the trail led. It seemed their fears were confirmed. "Tygra…" Cheetara whispered sadly, her chest constricted. She felt Lion-o's hand on her shoulder and squeezed it comfortingly; she turned to face him.

"It'll be okay." He gave her a reassuring smile. He turned back to look at the camp. "There're too many guards for us to make a frontal assault. We'll have to go in with stealth. Kits, you're small and fast, I think you should go after the book…and gauntlet, they'll be in Mumm-Rah's tent probably."

"Which one's his?" WileyKat asked, his voice still a bit scratchy both from disuse and his injury. WileyKit gave him a look that clearly said 'no talking until you're all better!'

"The biggest one," Lion-o nodded towards the center of the camp, not only was it the biggest but right next to the tent knelt Mumm-Rah's currently inactive mech. The silver and black coloring was seared into Lion-o's memory from the day his father had died. He took a breath before continuing. "You guys get in and get out. I don't want you in this fight."

"What about your sword?" WileyKit asked. "Should we get that too?"

"No," Lion-o shook his head, "You wouldn't be able to. Only those in the royal family can touch it, I'll have to get it. Cheetara you'll have to run interference. I'll help out as best as I can but when I go for the sword you'll be on your own." Cheetara nodded in agreement.

"Everyone…be carful," Lion-o finished, and they all split up heading out to their assigned destinations.

Lion-o easily snuck into the camp, the rain helping to keep him concealed. He had no weapon at this point, the Sword of Omens having been taken. So he prepared to use his mana. Without an amplifier it would be difficult but he also had his hand to hand combat which, as long as his opponent was close, he was confident he could take them on.

As he crept up behind one of the tents, he heard one of the tent flaps open, the sound of laughter and merry making carrying through the air. In an instant a lizard had exited the tent; he turned and saw Lion-o. Lion-o froze, he was prepared to fight but he hesitated. The lizard wasn't doing anything, he hadn't yelled for help nor had he drawn his sword. Not only that but Lion-o recognized this lizard. It was the lizard from when they were attacked just after they'd met the kits. It had taken a moment for Lion-o to recognize him but it was definitely him.

"General Rezard! Should we come help you with that?" one of the other lizards called from a short ways away. Lion-o couldn't do anything now. If this Rezard called for help, it was all over for his 'surprise attack' to get the sword!

"No, I'm fine." Rezard called back, "I'll be there shortly, go ahead without me."

"Alright."

Lion-o heard the other lizard shuffle away and Rezard turned back to him, glancing around, making sure no one else could see Lion-o before striding towards him quickly. When Rezard grabbed his arm and began pulling him around to the side of the tent, Lion-o didn't fight, Rezard wasn't hostile. Drawing his sword he handed it hilt first towards Lion-o. Taking the sword automatically Lion-o couldn't control his surprise.

"What are you doing?" Lion-o asked dumbly.

"Weaponless you aren't going to get very far." Rezard's voice was like steel. It was clear he didn't like Lion-o. "Your friend, the tiger is in the armory with Mumm-Rah. Now go."

"Why are you helping me?" Lion-o wasn't so much suspicious as puzzled. He and Rezard had seemed to come to some kind of understanding last time they had met, but they certainly weren't friends.

"Just because I work for Mumm-Rah doesn't mean I like him, or want him to be 'supreme ruler'." He said, something akin to disgust dripping from his words. "The lizards are just as much subjugated under Mumm-Rah as they were under the cats."

"Thank you," Lion-o said, Rezard gave him a deadpan look in response. "For the sword." Lion-o clarified, and with that rushed onwards.

He was so close to Mumm-Rah's tent. There was only one sole guard in front of it. Creeping up behind the guard Lion-o struck him with the hilt of the sword and the lizard fell down motionless in the mud. Lion-o dragged the body into Mumm-Rah's tent with him so no one would see. He looking around puzzled, he didn't see the Sword of Omens anywhere. But Lion-o did notice both the book and gauntlet were laying on the table. This was odd, the kits should have made it here long before him. Had something happened? And where was the Sword of Omens?

That's when he heard the battle begin. The shouts of lizards calling to arms was recognizable even from within the tent. Scooping up the book and gantlet he rushed out of the tent. He looked over in the direction of the battle, where he saw some of the tents on fire despite the heavy rain. In the moment of distraction though he never saw his attacker coming. The fist slammed into Lion-o's jaw knocking him back, the Book of Omens and the gauntlet spilling from his hands. They landed and skidded across the slick muddy ground. Lion-o regained his balance quickly though, turning he saw his attacker. His eyes widened.

Tygra stood before him decked in black leather, whip and gun drawn. He was standing right next to Mumm-Rah, and Lion-o saw that the desiccated dark lord had the Sword of Omens sheathed and tied to his belt. It was true enough that Mumm-Rah could not use the blade, but he wasn't going to let it out of his sight again.

"Tygra…" Lion-o didn't have time to say anything more before his half-brother raised his gun and fired. Lion-o dogged, he hesitated to lunge, which allowed Tygra time to crack his whip and ensnare Lion-o's sword wielding wrist. Lion-o gripped the whip with his free hand trying to prevent Tygra from yanking his arm forward, throwing him off balance and disarming him.

Lion-o channeled a burst of mana into his free hand holding the whip, and it snapped easily from the force, throwing both of them backwards. They both regained their footing quickly. Tygra took a shot a Lion-o, he dodged again, but he slipped in the mud almost losing his footing once again.

Mumm-Rah smiled as he watched the display. Tygra was certainly a good investment for his growing empire. First getting him the gauntlet, and now about to rid him of the last heir to the Thundarian throne. Morale and spirit would fall drastically among the rebelling former Thundarians if Lion-o died.

Lion-o blocked Tygra's shots fairly easily. But staying on the defensive wasn't going to help him any. But he didn't want to fight Tygra; not really fight him. They'd sparred in the past, but this was something else. This was different. But he couldn't die here that was for sure.

Lion-o rushed forward in a burst of speed and sliced Tygra's wrist on his gun handling hand. Tygra hissed in pain as blood was drawn, his gun becoming lost in the flowing mud. Lion-o leapt back, Tygra stumbled a few steps backwards till he was once again next to Mumm-Rah. With Tygra disarmed hopefully the battle was done.

Tygra looked up from his bleeding wrist; his and Lion-o's eyes locked. Fear shot through Lion-o. He'd never seen Tygra look so enraged. In one swift movement Tygra drew the Sword of Omens from Mumm-Rah's sheath and charged forwards.

Mumm-Rah was shocked; he was so surprised that for a moment he was frozen in confusion. How could Tygra use the sword? It wasn't possible! Not unless he had royal blood…?

Lion-o was also shocked. He was not well prepared for Tygra's attack, just barely blocking as the Sword of Omens came crashing down onto his own sword. Lion-o heard a horrifying cracking sound. He watched as his sword broke. The rain must have been getting continuously harder because the mud beneath Lion-o shifted and in a moment he was on his back looking up at Tygra. His half-brother now raised the Sword of Omens to attack.

AooooooooooooN

Review please.