Chapter 29

The news of Leo's injury and subsequent resignation from the ThunderCats spread like wildfire. His father promised him he could still be a ThunderCat no matter what the capacity but Leo shook his head. What good would he do in a wheelchair? He couldn't see it at this point and promised what he should be focusing on was learning how to deal with the situation.

While the news spread, Leo lay in the med bay looking up at the ceiling, thinking. Mari had promised to stand by his side no matter what his decision and said she would be right back with some food that Snarf was whipping up. The Prince saw Pumyra out at the desk, filling out paperwork, and called to her. The puma stopped what she was doing and came to him.

"Everything all right? Are you in pain?" She asked.

"I'm ok as I can be but I need to ask you something. I need an unbiased opinion," he said, glancing around the room as though he was afraid of eavesdroppers.

"Anything my Prince, you know that," the puma winked.

"When I got hurt my first thought was, 'how do I tell Mari?'. I couldn't get her out of my head. I was so concerned that I'd leave this world without expressing everything I felt and I've never felt like that before. I want to make sure that if some complication arises with this condition I find myself in that she'd taken care of. I couldn't bear to leave her but if I must, I want to make sure that's she in good hands. How do I do that?" Leo asked.

"Well she'll always be in good hands here at the Lair. You shouldn't worry about that," she smiled.

"But didn't Ben-Gali worry about that with you?" He wondered.

"He did before we came to the Lair. He worried that Lynx-O wouldn't be able to take care of me because of his eyesight and his age but then again I am a ThunderCat. I can take care of myself," the puma reminded him.

"Without question. It isn't the physical things I worry about. Who will be there emotionally for her? Sure anyone can cry on a parents' shoulder but we don't have anyone here who really gets the situation," Leo said. It was deep thinking for a man of his age and the puma nodded thoughtfully before responding,

"She can come to me. I will be there for her. I do understand what it feels like when you lose a piece of yourself." He was about to ask what she meant when Mari came back into the room carrying a tray of food.

"Oh sorry, I didn't…" the puma stopped her as she put the food down.

"I was just leaving, no worries," she smiled at the young panlion.

"Don't go; I need your help with one more thing. Could you go over to the shelf and hand me my box?" Leo wanted to know. Pumyra nodded and retrieved the box of personal hygiene items that his mother had brought over. She handed it to him and turned to leave.

"Would you do me one more favor?" He asked as he opened it and retrieved what he wanted.

"I know you're the Prince but…" the puma teased. Leo smirked and turned to Mari and opened a small box. Inside was a small ring that didn't look like much but the panlion was stunned just the same.

"This ring used to be one of my mother's earrings that she wore on only special occasions. It was damaged in one of the many battles with Mumm-Ra and my father swore to her that he'd replace them. He did but he held onto the damaged ones, a keepsake that always reminded him of where they had been and what they'd accomplished. We have just started one of the many battles I'm sure we'll face in the years to come but I can't imagine going through them without you. I'd kneel but I'm afraid we'll have to settle for a hospital bed. Mari would you…" he never finished the sentence as the panlion gingerly pulled him close and planted one on him.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," he smiled when they parted.

"I'll get your folks," Pumyra smiled, happy for the two.

"And a priest. We're not waiting," Leo said. The puma chuckled as she remembered Lion-O's impulsiveness. It was obviously passed onto his son.

Meanwhile just outside the reach of Plundarr's satellites, ships of Lunatac origin were gathering. There were fifty in total, carrying a multitude of the different species of Lunatacs, and their commanders tuned into the video screens in front of them.

"Gentlemen," the voice boomed over the air waves and everyone turned to hear General Korzai speak.

"We are on the brink of war. Our spies on Plundarr were found and the Mutants did not wait for their King's approval before executing them. We intercepted communications telling New Thundera that the threat had been eliminated to which the reply was to wait for further instruction from Lion-O. Now is our chance to strike before they know we are coming. We are all that remain of our once gallant and noble people. Our number stands at fifteen thousand. When we are done killing the ThunderCats, their number will be zero." A cheer went up from the troops and courses were plotted for New Thundera.

To Be Continued…