Episode 5: "Of What May Be"
Part 2 of 4
Lion-O's ears drooped. He frowned, dispirited. "If it's any consolation, you had three other cubs to grieve with you." Cheetarah quickly continued.
New Cat's Lair courtyard (20-some odd years later…)
Cheetarah turned around to pull Lion-O away from the flames, but someone else beat her to it. Three young lionesses with wild red manes, other offspring of Lion-O's, Cheetarah assumed, circled their father in a group hug. The eldest, a teenage Molly, held Lion-O, allowing him to rest his sorrows on her shoulder while the toddler in her arms sobbed on the other shoulder. The middle, a kitten several years shy of her first heat, clung to Lion-O's side, balling.
"Come on. He's with your mother now." Lion-O led his daughters away from the pyre. Tygra then went to his brother's side to comfort him. Two male cubs followed his lead; one a teenager around the same age as Lion-O's oldest and the other, three or four years younger than him. They gave Lion-O their condolences. He thanked them, patting "Wiley Kub", the youngest, on his shaved bald head.
Cheetarah identified the perfect genetic blend of her and Tygra's features. A warm feeling filled her heart to see her beautiful kittens, even with such somber expressions. She felt herself being instinctively pulled towards them. "Tygra-" She started to greet him, but a female came up behind him and placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, a teenaged leopardess, clearly with kitten. "I'm terrible at funerals. Please hold me…" The leopardess begged Tygra.
She couldn't help but stare in repulsion as Tygra held the stranger in his arms and kiss her tenderly. On the inside she swelled with anger, confusion and a stinging pain of betrayal. Was Tygra not HER love anymore? Apparently not, after all she is the head Cleric of this cat's lair. But why? She wanted desperately to interrogate, but she remembered the Oracle's warning. This is not the time or place…
The flames burned a bright, cleansing blue. What usually takes a few hours took less than thirty minutes. It felt like a decade.
Racing against a gust of wind, a young white Tyger helped her collect Le-M's ashes while people still approached the pyre to carve a mark of remembrance.
"Another tiger?" Tygra kicked himself inwardly for interrupting. "I thought the rest of my clan died of a pox."
"He might be from another clan." Cheetarh speculated. "I'm not sure. I never got the opportunity to ask. His name is Bengali. Eventually he becomes one of us and then serves Lion-O as the royal blacksmith. We have to keep an eye out for him. He carries the thunder hammer."
"The thing Jagara needs to dismantle the Claw of Dara?" Wiley Kat recalled.
Cheetarah nodded. "It's also one of the six Immortal Treasures we need." The others looked confused. "I'm getting to it…"
New Cat's Lair; Prince Le-M's funeral…
"I finished his urn this morning. Here, Lio- er, lord Lion-O, I hope it suits poor Le-M." The white tiger, Bengali presented Lion-O with his son's remains, bowing his head respectfully.
"Thank you, Bengali. It suits him fine."
Cheetarah couldn't believe the sheer number of mourners. Certain people she expected to be there and was relieved to see them alive and well while the presence of certain others shocked her. Wiley Kat approached the pyre sporting Thunderguard armor and several metals of valor. In behind him came Kit, who by the look of her simple, yet colorful and exotic garb, must have come in from the elephant village. A young, earthy toned reptilian male Cheetarah did not recognize escorted her to the pyre; their arms locked. He kept close to her, stroking her mane to comfort her when the tears started flowing. They received many strange stares and hateful whispers by most of their peers.
Wily Kat's nose crinkled in disgusts as the odd interspecies couple. "How could she bring him here? Do either of them have any respect?"
"They showed out of respect." Lion-O defended them. "Maybe we don't understand it, but they're not hurting anyone. Besides, she loves him. Who are we to judge?"
"Don't worry, I won't start anything today." Wiley Kat assured him, though his tone was not all too convincing. "I don't understand Kit. I guess Inever will." He made a nauseated face.
"Oh Lion-O…" Kit threw his arms around him, exhaling soft, silent sobs. Lion-O embraced her, patting her on the back for comfort.
"He wasss too young." Her husband added, bowing respectfully. "Thanks you for inviting usss."
"It's an honor to have you both here, Ilio. Kit speaks very highly of you." Lion-O shook his hand. Wiley Kat rolled his eyes to that statement, and received a stomp on the foot for it by his sister.
Ro Bear Bill and his whole kin showed of course. The king of the Snow Knights came and offered several gifts to Thundera including a solid Thundrillium plaque of the Thundercat insignia so large six of his strongest knights had to carry it. The next descendant of Ratilla, either Ratar-O's son or grandson, which exactly Cheetarah was not sure, Embraced Lion-O in a big hug and offered him twelve of his prettiest daughters to ease his sense of loss. Lion-O respectfully declined, but appreciated the gesture. Alpha dogs from packs Cheetarah never heard of traveled to offer their condolences and large amounts of alcoholic spirits. Monkain chieftains left exotic fruit, perfumes and hand crafted totems to honor Le-M's short-lived memory. Lion-O spoke to all of them, always respectful.
She admired Lion-O as much as she pitied him. She could only imagine how emotionally exhausted he must feel trying to stay strong in front of the masses when she knew deep down all he wanted was to be alone and grieve…
Fashionably late, Vultaire arrived in a shiny new aircraft with all of his children and grandchildren dressed in their blackest black. To Cheetarah's surprise Lynx-O accompanied them. "Just what every funeral needs, a kettle of buzzards circling it." Tygra remarked under his breath.
Lion-O jabbed his brother in the ribs. "Be civil. He's a valuable ally."
"Until he decides he isn't." Wiley Kat added.
Cheetarah clamped her eyes shut for a moment in disbelief.
"Greetings old friends." Lion-O saluted the graying Vultaire and the unexpectedly still living Lynx-O. "It means a great deal to see you both here."
Lynx-O reached out and firmly grabbed his shoulder. "I know your pain too well, my lord. I outlived all my cubs. The best thing you can do is hold onto the memories."
Lion-O paused. "Fate didn't allow me much time to make many memories of Le-M."
"Remember the first time you saw him, how he smiled at you. Stay in that place as long as it takes."
The Thundercat lord nodded.
Vultaire bowed respectfully to Lion-O. "On behalf of Avista and all the avian colonies, I am truly sorry, my lord. I have lost several wives myself, two of whom I loved most dearly. Their absence left a hole in me nothing can fill, but do keep in mind all children born today are children of the grave." He quoted his flock motto.
The other Thundercats flashed Vultaire a dirty look. Lion-O tried not to take offense. Vultaire meant well. "I'll try to remember that."
"We really cannot afford to stay long. The berbils can manage well enough at the Tower of Omens with Lynx-O, but the gyroscope itself needs my supervision." Vultaire, in all his conceitedness warned. "I hate to "Talk shop" on such beautifully tragic day, but we really must discuss the gyroscopes."
"Soon." Lion-O assured him. "I've arranged for us all to meet in the council room after the services. *Wylde Kat,* Leonne, this time I need you two to join us." He looked to his oldest and Tygra's oldest.
"Us?" The cubs exchanged confused glances.
"Sure, I mean, yes Lord Lion-O. We'll be there." Wylde Kat assured his uncle.
"What is this about?" Leonne asked outright.
"I'll explain in council." Lion-O flashed his daughter a scolding look. "In the meantime, you cubs run along. Be with your friends; try to think of happier times."
The young cats dispersed with the crowd. Wylde Kat immediately sought out the lionesses. Leonne and one of Vultaire's granddaughters paired up to catch up on gossip. Tygra's new mystery love led the kittens towards the dessert table.
One slipped away from her and tugged on Cheetarah's cloak. "Mother? You don't look well." Wiley Kub remarked.
Cheetarah looked down at her boy, flashing him a weak smile. "I will be alright. It's difficult to see so much sadness." She explained.
"Step Mother Lella says Le-M died of crib death." Wiley Kub sniffed back a tear. "Did Le-M suffer like Panthro when he died?" He asked.
"No, kitten, it was like going to sleep." She replied to comfort him, but truthfully she could not say for certain. After all, she never died before and she hadn't a clue how Panthro went. She brushed her hand gently across his cheek.
"Could you hang onto these for me?" He removed a slingshot and a bag of trick pellets from his belt then handed them to her. "I don't want to be tempted to use this today." He explained.
"Of course."
"Thanks, mother." Wily Kub scurried off without so much as an "I love you" or a kiss goodbye.
Feelings a little hurt by this, Cheetarah started to follow him, but like his father, Wiley Kub was stealthy and disappeared easily.
Lost in a sea of strangers, Cheetarah froze, senses on fire. Out of nowhere the ground beneath her feet started to rumble. The music instantly stopped. A chorus of panic filled the courtyard as a violent earthquake rattled New Cat's lair. A large crack formed beneath Cheetara's feet that stretched from the funeral pyre down the entire flight of stairs at the entrance.
Tables collapsed, window's shattered. Pillars and balconies crumbled. Cheetarah noticed a few servants plummeting towards the ground. In a flash, she ran and caught one, while Wylde Kat sprang into action, catching the other. "Nice catch old Lady!" He commended her jokingly.
Cheetarah froze, dumbstruck. Old lady? For the first time she noticed her reflection in a large hunk of metal debris. Such a shocking reminder of her mortality was enough to make her heart stop a moment. Her cub was right, she aged. Though in good shape, the last few decades did take a toll on her face, fur and body like the rest of her comrades.
Leonne shielded her baby sisters from shattered glass. Wiley Kit and her scaly half herded the younger guests to safety. The others preformed similar rescue acts. There was a brief pause in the commotion. Just when everyone thought it safe to move again another earth quake shook the ground with a vengeance, this time putting a crack through the lair's head.
The muzzle of the new Cat's lair head broke off. It would have surely crushed everyone standing beneath it had Lion-O not leapt onto the pyre and caught it. There was a boom on impact and a cloud of dust arose. As it settled it revealed Lion-O perfectly unharmed, though wobbly and knee deep in concrete. Cheetarah stared in disbelief as the lion struggled to keep the massive chunk of rock balanced on his shoulders. Exhaling a strained growl, Lion-O gently and safely placed the hunk of Cat's Lair down beside him. Tygra and Wiley Kat grabbed his arms and helped him climbed out.
The earth quake stopped. The courtyard looked a mess and all the food, decorations and gifts had been destroyed. After a few anxious minutes the atmosphere felt normal once again. The crowd cheered Lion-O on briefly, but then quickly reverted back to their sense of panic.
"QUIET!" Tygra ordered while brushing dust off his young wife. He made a quick head count, taking care to pinpoint Wilde Kat and Wiley Kub's faces in the commotion. They appeared in tact, thank Jaga. "Everyone stay calm! The clerics and medics will care for any injuries. Miraculously, only a few guests needed attention. No injuries appeared overly severe. Most were able to walk with a limp or at least with some support from a medic or cleric.
"It's all over!" Lion-O assured his guests and subjects, rubbing his sore shoulders. "No worries. The damage is minimal, but we must start repairs immediately! I'm sorry to turn away so many displays of kindness and generosity, but I must ask that everyone not injured clear the area and return to your homes for your own safety!"
There was some hesitation. Many lingered, demanding a further explanation, but Wiley Kat and his Thunderguard shooed them away.
The Thundercats gathered under the archway of the Lair entrance as the funeral guests departed. "The tremors are getting more violent." Tygra noted.
Lion-O frowned. "And more frequent."
"That's exactly what we need to discuss." Urged Lynx-O's. "The divine stone is growing more and more unstable by the week. Third Earth quite possibly is at the brink of destruction."
Lion-O motioned for everyone to keep their voices down. "Mumm-Ra didn't destroy Third Earth and neither will the divine stone."
"Hold up." Panthro interrupted the story. "What is the divine stone?"
"And how did Lion-O catch a bolder that broke off the head of Cats Lair?"
Lion-O pretended to stretch, but was actually flexing. "That's the part of the story you have trouble believing?"
"You could blast it or slice it apart with the sword maybe, but you couldn't physically catch it. Father couldn't even do that! And to be fair, I find it just as hard to believe Vultaire becomes our ally."
"I was shocked too." Cheetarah concurred. "But in this future, Vultaire turns on Mumm-Ra at some point and sabotages the black pyramid."
"Why?" Asked Lion-O.
"Not sure what his motives were or will be."
"I have a question." Kit raised her hand. "Where is the sword and book of omens?"
"And why is Kit married to a lizard? Isn't that a…a sin against nature?" Wiley Kat cocked his head, puzzled.
"Obviously we meet and fell in love. Love is NEVER a sin against nature." Wiley Kit stated firmly.
Kat shook his head. "In THAT case, it really is, Kit."
"Animals' outlook on love must be more progressive in the future."
Wiley Kat cringed. "Gross."
"Why is it gross?"
"Because lizard wee wees have multiple heads among other reasons."
Panthro scowled. "Enough."
"Nu-uh!"
"Yeah-Hu!"
"Enough!" Panthro snapped. He looked to Cheetarah. "What about this divine stone and the earth quakes?"
"I only managed to pick up half the details, but from what I understand, somehow at some point, the four power stones fuse together into one all-powerful stone. Likewise, the sword of Plun-Darr and the sword of Omens also combined into one blade. Mumm-Ra tried to use the divine stone to destroy all life, starting with ours, but it rejected him and possessed Lion-O instead. The stone gave Lion-O the power to launch Mumm-Ra into the core of the sun where his evil spirit ignited into oblivion. The physical enhancement continued after the stone was purged from his body, but the increase strength quickened his aging process. "
Lion-O smiled. "If Mumm-Ra burns up inside the sun it's worth it. That's exactly how I always wanted him to go."
Cheetarah's expression remained serious. "Unfortunately, Jaga, Jagara and I had to rip the divine stone out of your body and burry it deep into Third Earth's core. Had we failed to free it from your being, the divine stone it would have permanently evolved you into something equally as mad and destructive as Mumm-ra."
"Oh…Thank you in advanced then."
Cheetarah chuckled. "No problem." Her lips formed a sober frown once again. "We thought without a host to carry it the divine stone would stay inactive, but it… started to use Third Earth itself as a host. A few short years later it awoke. The more its consciousness stirred, the more natural disturbances started to occur around the planet. Vultaire volunteered his tech and labor forces to help us design and build a gyroscope to keep the divine stone stable, but it was only a temporary fix…"
Meanwhile, 20 years later…
The lair servants managed to clean up the council room well enough to conduct the meeting as arranged. Playing on a large holo screen, footage of earth quakes/landslides leveled kingdoms and countryside all the way from the sand sea to Hook Mountain. Unrelenting windstorms destroyed crops in the hoofed towns and forced entire populations of dogs and other animals to flee the desert and wander aimlessly. The oceans churned with tsunamis and hurricanes, taking its rage out on the shores while devastating tornadoes and lightning storms tore up the inland. Nowhere in the sky, under the sea or remote corner on any continent was spared by nature's onslaught.
Vultaire ended the footage. The holo screen dissipated in mid-air. "The last surge from the divine stone caused a city wide black out on Avista. Had I not realigned the gimbals the city would have plunged into the ground for a second time. My birds and I are doing what we can to keep it stable, but it is becoming harder and harder to compensate. According to these readings-" He swiped his fingertip across his hand device, bringing up several blueprints of the gyroscope. "If the divine stone is not removed from Third Earth's core OR neutralized within four days the planet could literally blow apart." He quickly exited the screen. "You don't wish to see the simulation, I'm sure." Vultaire sat.
"The berbils and I are doing everything we can from the tower of omens, but despite our efforts we fear the gyroscope might give at any moment." Lynx-O added.
"We cannot just release the divine stone. It will latch onto the first poor soul it can." Tygra warned. "We'll have to sap it of its energies somehow."
"How many failed attempts have you and I made to design and construct anything effective?" Vultaire reminded the Tyger.
"Then Cheetarah and I will consult the book of Omens." Lion-O volunteered.
"And if we don't have enough time for the solution the book gives us?" Inquired Wiley-Kat.
Lion-O paused. "It's the best chance we have."
Wiley Kit frowned with disapproval and stood. "I thank you for the warning, but I don't believe the divine stone will destroy the planet. I don't believe we need to "sap" it dry either."
"What?!" Cried Wiley Kat. "It's destroying our planet now! How can you defend that thing?"
"It's a LIVING thing and it's sentient. The divine stone chose to merge spirits with Lion-O and kill Mumm-Ra. If we give it a chance it will choose good over evil again."
"No offense, Aunty Kit, but that sounds… insane. It didn't merge spirits with father, it latched onto his being like a leech. I was only three when it happened, but I still have nightmares about it." Picturing the entity caused a shiver to run down Leonne's spine.
"You had a connection with it, Lion-O. You know the divine stone is alive and you still won't take time to consider other options?" Wiley Kit looked to her fellow Thundercats with wide, pleading kitten eyes.
Lion-O exhaled a sad sigh. "It's too unpredictable, Kit and it's not giving us much time to play with. Unless the divine stone calms itself, it's either it or us."
Wiley Kit frowned. "You can do what you will, but I'm going back home to wait for the planet to restore order to itself."
"Because that's going to happen JUST LIKE THAT!" Wiley Kat threw his hands in the air. "What are you going to do in the elephant village? Play a little tune on your flupe while your creepy peace cult hold hands in a big circle? That is a great plan of action if you're a pachyderm on the inside that screws reptiles." Wiley Kat hissed as his sister turned her back to the table. She shot a hateful glare at him over her shoulder. "If you expect us to call you a Thundercat, stand by to fight like a Thundercat." He added.
Wiley Kit looked to her brother, betrayed. "Call me whatever you want. I made a promise to myself and all living things and I'm going to keep it." With that she stormed off in a huff.
"That was unnecessary, general." Lion-O scolded him. "Kit has the right to her opinion."
A resentful growl escaped Wiley Kat's throat as he slumped lower into his seat.
"There is another matter we need to discuss." Tygra shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Lion-O, I'm sorry to bring this up at a time like this, but the natural disasters, the earth quakes especially are making the civilians very uneasy. With the city crumbling faster than cats or berbils can repair it and the loss of your only heir-"
Cheetarah noticed an insulted expression form on Loelle's face.
"People are starting to question the stability of the crown. Grune and his marauders will take advantage. Maybe you should consider taking a lioness for-"
The present
Tygra's ears droop. "Grune comes back?"
"Grune comes back with vengeance."
"Blast…"
"I croak, but Grune is revived?" Panthro huffed. "Shenanigans! I call Shenanigans!"
Cheetara ignored them, continuing…
"Maybe you should consider taking a lioness for-"
"No!" Lion-O refused before Tygra could even finish the sentence. "Remarrying is out of the question."
"The civilians need to believe a tomorrow is definite. Leaving Thundera without an heir is-"
"I have an heir."
Loenne's large hazel eyes lit up.
"Tygra, Claudis named you his first son and raised you to be a Thundercat. As far as I'm concerned that makes Wylde Kat heir to his crown."
The tiger and his half-cheetah son appeared equally shocked. "Wylde Kat? Really?"
"He's a little young, but we're better off prepared in these uncertain times."
Wylde Kat smirked. "No way. Thanks, uncle-Lord Lion-O!"
"What?!" Leonne cried, outraged at her father's decision. "How can you name HIM the next lord of the Thundercats?!"
"Wylde Kat is heir by birthright. He's oldest." Lion-O explained.
"You're going to knight Wylde Kat the next Lord of the Thundercats because he's a boy!"
"Wylde Kat is older. He has received basic infantry training and has experience in the field as a foot scout."
Wylde Kat chuckled. "He has a point."
"Wylde Kat is a screw off, a pig and a douche bag!" Leonne spat.
Wylde Kat's smirk instantly melted into an insulted frown. "Hey.."
"Leonne!" Lion-O pointed a scolding finger at her. "Sit down and watch your mouth. Before the subject of the crown came up you and Wylde Kat were like two peas in a pod."
Leonne complied, but did so with a pout. "I exercise with the clerics every morning. I can swing swords with the Toms. I study the history and laws of Thundera-" She argued.
"But you have no experience outside the Lair."
"Because you won't let me outside the Lair! Let Lenessa play the pretty princess that's helpless and only good for marrying nobles."
"I hope you and your sisters' futures are much more fulfilling than that." Lion-O assured her."You have much more to offer Thundera-"
"As what exactly? Mother was a warrior. She believed I could be a warrior. Why can't you?"
"If you want to be the Lady of the Thundercats, why don't you duel me for the crown?" Wylde Kat bluffed.
"You're on!" Leonne snarled in his ear.
Lion-O paused to consider. "What do you think, Tygra?"
Tygra's brow knitted in thought. "A duel sounds fair to me."
"What say you, Cheetarah? Is Leonne ready for a chance to take on such a responsibility? Or Wylde Kat for that matter?"
Leonne stared at her in anticipation, eyes begging. Cheetarah froze a moment. She had to answer carefully or risk screwing up the timeline. Unable to decide the best answer, she chose her gut answer. "I think the proposal is acceptable. Blood alone doesn't make a leader. Let them show their worth."
"Then it's settled. At noon tomorrow Leonne and Wylde Kat will duel for the title of lord or lady of the Thundercats." Lion-O announced. "Rest up, you two. And show on time." He warned, looking more so in Wylde Kat's direction than Leonnne's. "Depending on what the book of Omens has to say there might not be a Thundera for either of you to rule."
Late near sunset…
Lion-O retreated to his chambers to gather his thoughts during some much needed solitude. He would meet with Cheetarah in the temple to consult the book. In the meantime Cheetarah wandered the imperial halls for further investigating. Much of the new Lair's architecture mirrored the original she knew as a cub, but still it was easy to become lost in all the grandeur. Outside one of the few intact windows Cheetarah watched civilians pick up the pieces of their day.
Like the Lair, the city of Thundera itself looked essentially the same, but a few major differences caught Cheetara's eye. The citizens of Thundera now enjoyed a substantially upgraded infrastructure along with nationwide, environmentally friendly power. Tygra spent most of the afternoon working on restoring light to the surrounding homes and businesses. While the elders used this new resource for more practical uses the youths mostly used tech as toys. They carried communication devices much like Wiley Kat and Kit used as kittens on the field that also provided entertainment via music and videos as well as communication.
Just as the city was growing and diversifying, the population itself was much more diverse than the Thundera Cheetarah remembered. Lizards, dogs and even a few birds roamed public areas, not as slaves or undesirables, but as neighbors, purveyors, shoppers and students. On street corners animals of all species played music and sang songs of their peoples. The newer generation especially embraced the artistic expression.
Cheetarah also noted a shift in fashion. As a cub, well, as her younger self, female cats wore dresses and skirts and were given strange looks if they roamed the streets in pants or in her case shorts. Now more females wore pants than not, an influence of chic bird pop culture. The dresses females did wear more resembled revealing, see through sun dresses that used to be only worn by reptilian women. Vibrant, multicolored asymmetrical patterns and strange floral prints replaced the dignified earthy pallet of the apparel of Old Thundera.
She tried to soak in every last detail of the "present" while still maintaining all that was discussed in the council room. From the sound of things she and her fellow Thundercats only succeeded in replacing Mumm-Ra with another monster and the future of Thundera could possibly be in the hands of her wiry hybrid son.
Cheetarah looked to the queen's garden below. She remembered when Tygra had given her a day astrid flower from his mother's garden. She reached in the pocket on her belt, hoping to find the flower she always kept in Tygra's memory and found nothing but some herbs and rations. She checked all her other pockets, the cuffs of her gauntlets and the brim of her boots and found no trace of it. She wondered feverishly why her future self would throw away Tygra's token of love she once cherished so deeply. Why had their love failed to maintain?
Distraught, Cheetarah stared off towards the wall, saddened by the sight of the queen's garden. Half focusing, she noticed something rustling in the topiary decorating the balcony of the lionesses' chambers. It appeared to be only a mischievous male cat peeping in for a thrill, but then again, she didn't know what new enemies lurked over the crown. Something more sinister could be in progress. Instinctively, she acted.
Cheetarah took off down the hall to build momentum, then turned abruptly out a damaged window and in seconds crossed the garden and scaled the lair walls. Staff ready, she leapt onto the balcony and with a swift unmerciful swing, swatted the peeping Tom's feet right out from under him. As Cheetarah watched the peeping Tom stumble forward into the window, she realized what a mistake she had made.
Not only was the peeping Tom only a peeing a Tom, but the peeping Tom was none other than Wylde Kat. He yowled in pain, struggling to pull himself to his feet safely with broken glass everywhere. The lionesses screamed in terror, caught off-guard in the process of grooming and undressing. They scrambled to cover themselves, not bothering to help Wylde Kat.
"What the hell, mother? You broke my P-Com." He pulled out his shattered communication device and angrily toyed with it before even brushing broken glass off his shoulders.
"Kitten I'm so sorry." Cheetarah inspected him for injuries. "But what were you doing up her?"
"He was trying to post nude pictures of us!" Leonne fumed, tightening the belt on her robe. "Creeper!"
"Well, I kept waiting for you to get your big butt out of the shot so I could get the hot ones-"
Leonne snarled, taking a swipe at her cousin with her claws, but Wylde Kat was too quick and dodged.
Cheetarah wedged herself between them. "Is this true, Wylde Kat?" She looked to her cub sternly.
He half smirked. "I was just taking a shot from a different angle. The buzzard hen had already started snapping before I climbed up." He motioned to Vultaire's granddaughter, who had made no effort to conceal her nude body.
The young she vulture shrugged. "If this doesn't get me 1000 likes on my profile, I don't know what will."
Cheetarah frowned. Extending her staff, knocking the hen's P-Com out of her hand and smashing it against the wall. She and the other females gasped, then looked to Cheetarah with a deep sense of fear. "The party is over, girls. No more photography in the lioness's chamber." The cleric decreed then flashed a warning glare at the young hen. "I believe your family is waiting for you on the landing bay. Leonne, I won't tell your father about this."
The young she-buzzard sighed. "Cats are sexually repressed species." She grabbed her school uniform and headed for the door. "Later, princess." Leonne waved her trendy avian friend goodbye, feeling more than embarrassed.
"Jokes on you mother, she already downloaded every titty in this room, minus yours, ten seconds before you caned me." Wylde Kat joked.
Cheetarah yanked her son out the door, down the hall and around the corner by his ear.
"Ow, ow, ow, stop! I'm a could-be king, release me!"
"Your behavior certainly doesn't reflect this." Cheetarah finally released him. "What do you have to say for yourself?" She asked, folding her arms.
Wylde Kat shrugged. "The lionesses are wasted on uncle Lion-O."
"What you did was completely inappropriate and disrespectful."
Wylde Kat rolled his eyes. "Since when is where I go or what I do a concern for you?"
"Since… always. I'm your mother."
He chuckled. "Right, right. I appreciate the motherly support in the council room earlier. You would like to see Leonne kick my ass in front of dad and the rest of the Thundercats, hu?"
Cheetarah cocked her head, confused. "No, I-"
"It's sad you see more potential in her than you do your own son. At least the king believes in me."
"Wylde Kat, I-"
"What's all the commotion?" Tygra appeared from nowhere at the top of the stairway. His voice made Cheetarah jump. Startled, she turned around. Pouncing on the opportunity, Wylde Kat snuck off.
"It's settled now." Cheetarah assured him. "But you may want to have a chat with-" She looked behind. "He ran off! How dare h;, I was speaking to him."
"Who?"
"Wylde Kat."
Tygra frowned. "What did he do?"
"He was spying on the lionesses while they groomed."
"Oh." Tygra half chuckled. "Is that all?"
"You see nothing wrong with that?"
"Well, no. Lion-O and I used to hide and spy on the lionesses in the showers all the time. It's no more harmful than sneaking off to the stables to take a puff of catnip during lunch hour or "borrowing" your father's mount when he's away on business. It's just harmless boy stuff."
"I can't believe you would take something like this so lightly. Wylde Kat should have been taught a better sense of respect towards females."
"You didn't question my parenting skills when you gave us up to be head cleric." Tygra hissed bitterly.
Cheetarah did not know what to say in her defense. She would never choose anything over Tygra and their cubs, would she? Luckily, Lion-O approached them before the pause in the air grew too awkward.
"Am I interrupting something?" He asked, wary of coming any closer.
"No, the cubs are just being mischievous." Tygra explained.
Cheetarah and Tygra exchanged dirty glances. "Are you ready to consult the book?" She asked.
"As I ever will be." Lion-O motioned for her to follow. "Don't wait up for us, Tygra."
Cheetarah couldn't mask the expression of wonder on her face as she entered the Lair's Library. Books, or rather holo data files stacked in perfect order all the way to gothic ceilings. In the center, hooked into a motherboard was the book of Omens, perpetually feeding information into the library.
"Are you alright, Cheetarah? You seem… I don't know…off."
"What?" She flinched upon realizing she was gawking. "I'm as alright as I can be I guess. I should ask you if you're alright."
"Yes. No… No, I guess I'm not. But I have to be if we're going to get through this. We'll start whenever you're ready."
Cheetarah nodded. "Very well…" She took a deep breath and hesitantly approached the book of omens. The red gem embedded in the face of the book glimmered as she stepped nearer, in its center, an eye watching her every move. She locked gazes with the book's new eye and realized she had no idea what she was doing!
"Did you bring the key?"
"The key…?" Cheetarah noticed a large golden key dangling on her hip. She yanked it off her belt and held it to the eye on the book (unsure of where else to stick it). "Shall I enter the book first?"
Lion-O supported her hand in his. "No, together this time. Tygra still hasn't recovered from the last time he entered. I'm not taking any chances."
"On three then. One…two… Three." In unison, they inserted the key into the eye of the gem. Cheetarah felt herself being sucked into the book at the speed of light exactly as before. She saw blackness, then a dragon made of stars of planets appeared, opening its shimmering eyes wide, allowing Cheetarah and Lion-O entrance into the blinding womb of the cosmos
Creation unfolded before her very soul and her mind just could not handle it.
"Stay with me!"Cheetarah gasped for breath, twitching pitifully as the Oracle pulled her head above the pool of quicksilver. The lizard spirit held Cheetarah on her feet, stroaking her back gently. "That's it, steady…" She hissed a sigh of relief. "That was close."
"What happened?" Cheetarah choked out, woozy and eyes still rolled in the back of her head.
"You presented the Book of Omens with a paradox when you entered that future Book of Omens. It crashed. You could have been scattered and lost across time and space had I not pulled you back."
"How long before you can send me back?"
"Never. It's not safe for you or the book. One more paradox could break the time line."
Cheetarah regained her bearings quickly. "But you must show me more! There are so many questions we need answered still."
The Oracle picked up her sitar and continued playing, looking to lap to avoid eye contact with Cheetarah. "I did my best. Now go. Make a brighter future than the one you witnessed."
"No, I can't." Cheetarah protested, reaching for the sitar.
A sour note pierced the air as she clutched the neck, preventing the Oracle from picking the strings. The quicksilver froze as did the course of time. The Oracle flashed Cheetarah her fangs. "Are you mad?!" She cried, pulling the instrument from Cheetarah's grip.
"I'm desperate." She explained. "I will be more careful. I swear. Please trust me…"
The Oracle's tune lingered in the air.
Author's note: *Wylde Kat and Wiley Kub are tribute names to the Thundercats Wildstorm comics. Wylde Kat is also a reference and homage to the first Thundercats fan fiction I ever read and fell in love with /gate/fiction/. *Leonne is pronounced "Lee-Own" The gyro scope is of course a reference to the original series and yes, this is loosely based off the last episode of the 80's series.
If it appears that I ripped off this plot line from another fan fiction with the aspect of the divine stone, I apologize. It was not done intentionally. Before anyone gets too pissed, keep in mind this is a possible future. Mumm-Ra has more than one use for the power stones :3 PS, I really didn't do much character description, but I have drawings of Leonne, Wylde Kat and Wiley Kub are on my deviantart page. DirgeYouCanDanceTo I'm known there.
As always, thanks for reading. *looks around* I feel like I'm becoming the William Overgard of fanfiction. It feels like a mix of pride and shame.