I'm somewhat broke, so I don't own ThunderCats.

ThunderCats: Sword of Kings

Chapter XII: The Order of the Hand

Lion-O and Cheetara were lucky that Pumyra never spotted them as they followed her through the streets. Ever since the prince spotted the "courtesan" from the roof, they had been careful to tail her and keep the puma in their sights.

"Where do you think she's going?" Cheetara asked as they discreetly followed the puma.

"I don't know," Lion-O answered, "but she may be able to lead us to Panthro."

Cheetara seemed curious. "Why would you think that?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Her necklace," Lion-O said. "It had the same symbol as the soldiers Panthro was with."

Cheetara shook her head. "This doesn't make any sense," she said confused. "Panthro and his soldiers attacked us, but you said that Pumyra saved you from an assassin."

"It's confusing," Lion-O admitted, "I'll give you that. But if we follow her, we may be able to find some answers."

The prince and Cleric saw Pumyra turn to the right, walking right into an alley. Lion-O and Cheetara crept along the wall, reaching the entrance to the alleyway. Cheetara saw her charge preparing for a fight.

"I know this alley," Lion-O told her. "This is a dead end; we have her now."

The two waited only for a slight moment before they rounded the corner and—"What the…?" Cheetara said confused. "Where did she go?"

That was what Lion-O was asking himself as well. They looked down the dead end alley and saw no one. This couldn't be right; they saw Pumyra walk down here just a moment a go. How could she leave without them seeing her?

They both walked down the alley, observing the walls as they did. They looked for any marks that indicated that she could possibly have climbed the walls to the roofs. They reached the end of the alley where they saw a mural of Leo holding the Sword of Omens carved into the stone wall.

"That's strange," Cheetara said. "Why is this here?"

Lion-O shrugged. "I've been down this alleyway before," he said. "It's just always been here."

"But why is it here?" Cheetara asked as she inspected the mural. "This alley is a dead end, Lion-O. Why would someone put a mural like this in a place so out of the way?" She tapped her finger on a spot on the mural. "What's this supposed to be?"

She was indicating where the Eye of Thundera was on the mural. Instead of the famed jewel, it seemed that a hand was carved into the center of the sword. Lion-O realized that the same hand was the symbol that the soldiers had on their armor.

"Wait a minute," Lion-O said, having an epiphany. He dug through his pants pocket and pulled out the necklace Panthro gave him. The gold hand was the same size as the one in the mural.

"Lion-O," Cheetara said, peering at the necklace, "where did you get that?"

The prince was a bit hesitant. "Panthro gave it to me during the attack," he said. "Maybe this is why he wanted me to have it." Lion-O held up the golden hand. "This obviously has something to do with this mural."

Cheetara nodded. She was a bit hesitant on using something given to her charge by the enemy, but they didn't actually have a choice right now. Lion-O slowly and steadily placed the hand in the carved outline. A few clicks sounded before the mural slid down, revealing a hidden passage.

Cheetara looked down to see a torch lit staircase leading downwards. "Where could this possibly lead to?" she asked amazed. The Cleric was in awe that something like this was even in Thundera.

"I don't know," Lion-O said, grabbing her hand, "but we're going to find out."

They both kept silent as they carefully traversed down the barely lit stairs. The Cleric and her charge kept their feet light with each step they took. "I think we're at the end," Cheetara soon said.

She was right; Lion-O saw an arched opening a few feet away. Cheetara took one of the torches hanging from the wall and followed Lion-O through the opening. A huge tunnel awaited them as they looked to the left and right from the opening.

"The size of this tunnel is enormous," Cheetara said amazed, the light from her torch barely reaching the ceiling.

"I think this is where Panthro's machine went," Lion-O said while the Cleric seemed uncertain. "Think about it; this place is big enough for it to come through here underground. No wonder Captain Cabrae and his guardsmen couldn't find it."

Both lion and cheetah walked down the tunnel, hoping that the direction they chose would lead them to something. They eventually came to a large chamber; Panthro's machine stood in the center with other pieces of Technology strewn about the room. There were no guards to be seen.

"Where is everyone?" Lion-O asked confused. "Shouldn't there be guards around?"

"Who knows?" Cheetara shrugged. "They probably never thought that any outsider would be able to find their way down here."

They eventually found themselves wandering through a torch-lit hallway, hoping to discover more about this underground haven. Cheetara kept a hand on her staff, ready to strike if they were ever discovered.

It was a while before Lion-O halted in front of her. "Do you hear that?" he asked.

"Hear what?" Cheetara asked, straining her ear to listen for any sound.

The Cleric soon began to hear it to. Mumbling voices began to echo from the dim hallway. They followed the voices to a pair of double doors. Quietly, the pair opened one of the doors just a crack and peered through.

Inside the chamber was a circular table with light-blue hooded men sitting around it, and the golden hand and ThunderCats symbol was embroidered on a banner on the room's far side. Lion-O gave a silent gasp as he saw Panthro standing behind a cat wearing a darker shade of blue with Pumyra by his side.

"There he is," Lion-O whispered. "What do you think is going on here?"

"It looks like some sort of meeting," Cheetara said.

The dark-hooded cat rose and removed his hood, his face resembling somewhat like Pumyra's. "Welcome, brothers," he said. "This council is now in session."

The other hooded figures stood up and raised their right hands, and then they spoke as one. "We are the Hand that will guide Thundera."

They returned to being seated as the male puma, their leader, spoke again. "Brothers," he said, "we have achieved a great victory. We have the Sword of Omens; the very icon of this great nation is now in our grasp. This is only the first step in our goal."

Another hooded figure stood up. "Grand Master Valern," he addressed him, "are you saying that the time has finally come?"

"Yes," Valern said. "Technology was once the tool that Mumm-Ra used to submit us to his reign, but now it's our greatest weapon." The puma began to circle the room. "For almost two decades, the Order of the Hand has grown. We have gained numerous followers, and gained the influence of lords, governors, and even Clerics. It is now time to cut the head from the serpent."

Panthro glared at the Grand Master. "What are you saying, Valern?"

Valern met the glare head on. "You know exactly what I am saying, General," the Grand Master said. "Once I send out the word, our armies will be here in a matter of days. Then, we will be able to take the throne in Prince Lion-O's name."

Lion-O and Cheetara shared a worried look. Take the throne in Lion-O's name? What did they mean by that? Why would they do that?

"You're going to usurp Claudus?" Panthro asked in disbelief. "Are you insane? You can't just commit a coup d'état and expect the people to stand by and let it happen. They will revolt against us!"

"They won't if they learn the truth, General," Pumyra spoke up.

Panthro looked unsure. "You and I both know that this needs to be done, Panthro," Valern said. "After everything Claudus has committed, this is the only option that we have available. Once Lion-O is on the throne, Claudus will finally be held accountable for what he has done." The Grand Master placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is for the good of Thundera."

The old cat sighed. "Fine," Panthro said. "If this will help Thundera, then so be it."

Lion-O couldn't believe what he was hearing. So many questions began to run through his mind. Why was this good for Thundera? What did his father do for them to try and usurp him? Lion-O backed away from the door, a blank stare coming from his eyes.

"Lion-O?" Cheetara whispered worriedly. She stepped toward her charge, but in doing so, accidently pushed against the door, sending it forward.

Cheetara swallowed hard, hoping someone didn't see that. "Someone's out there," Pumyra's voice called out; she did see it.

Cheetara grabbed a hold of Lion-O and practically dragged him through the hall. She pulled him around the corner and pressed both of them against the wall. The Cleric peered around the corner and saw Pumyra and Panthro emerge from the room followed by a few soldiers. They sealed the room shut as they left.

"Pumyra," Panthro said, "take the men and check the east wing. I will search the west wing alone."

Pumyra nodded hesitantly before having the soldiers follow her down the hallway. Panthro approached the hall where Cheetara and Lion-O were. "I know you're there," he said. "You can come out."

Cheetara came out, her staff fully extended and pointed directly at the General. She made sure that Lion-O was safely behind her. "That's far enough, General," she seethed.

Panthro looked to the prince behind her. "Lion-O—"

"You do not speak to him," the Cleric seethed again. "We know what you're up to, Panthro. You won't get away with it."

The old cat ignored her. "Lion-O," he said, "I need you to listen. There are some things that you do not know."

"Like what?" Lion-O asked.

Panthro looked toward the hallway where Pumyra had disappeared. "I can't tell you here," he said. "Meet me at the Ring tomorrow after dusk. You can even bring your Cleric friend here. Meet me then, and I will tell you everything you need to know."

Lion-O was silent, but then gave a nod. The panther looked to the Cheetah. "Take him out the way you came in; I'll keep them busy."

Cheetara then took her charge down the hall, out of sight of the General.

After they emerged from behind the same mural, neither Cheetara nor Lion-O had spoken a word. As the moon shone above them, they snuck into the palace through the garden. No one saw as they walked through a trail lined with roses.

"Cheetara," the prince finally spoke, "what are you going to do?"

Cheetara was silent for a while. "I am going to tell Jaga and your father everything we saw," she said. "I will tell them where Panthro will be tomorrow and hopefully the City Guard will arrest him."

"You can't!" Lion-O exclaimed suddenly. "He has the answers I need."

"He'll just lie to you, Lion-O," Cheetara said. "He's done it your whole life."

The young prince couldn't help but think of his mother's words. "Anyone can tell us truths," he said, "but they can also tell us lies. We need to decide who is telling what." Lion-O placed a hand on her shoulder. "I need to decide. I have to see him, Cheetara."

The Cleric shook her head. "I can't let you do that, Lion-O," she said. "I can't fail to uphold my oath again."

"You won't," Lion-O said, "you'll be coming with me. I need you to trust me on this, Cheetara." He seemed a bit worried. "You do trust me, don't you?"

A slightly wounded look flashed in her eyes. "Of course I do," Cheetara whispered. "I trust you with all my heart."

They looked into each other's eyes before they embraced. They pressed their lips together as they began to forget all their worries. This kiss was not as raw and passionate as the one they shared on that rooftop. This slow kiss was to reassure each other that they were still here, that everything was going to be okay.

Unfortunately, everything was not going to be okay.