Just a warning, this one is quite violent. We're also starting to head towards the end of this story.
Song/s: No World For Tomorrow by Coheed and Cambria
Chapter 36: No World For Tomorrow
" Shut up or this gets rammed into your throat…"
I gulp as I feel the sharp tip of the blade being pressed against my neck, my fur standing on end as the metal rubs against my skin. I feel so uncomfortable with this current situation but there's nothing that I can do about it. I glare at Saturnus as he growls at me, his hand on a sword hanging from his waist.
"Your Majesty, what do you want us to do?"
I turn to look at the Guard with a dismissive expression. "They have me hostage right now, you can't do anything to help me…"
A sharp slap hits me around the face out of nowhere, shocking me and making me nearly lose my balance but the Asiatic lion who has my arms bound behind my back keeps me standing.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot about that wound on your stomach." Kesari says as he walks up to me holding a knife, "You've had it done so many times so what would it hurt if it happened another time…?"
He slowly sinks the knife into the wound as I roar, the pain bringing me to my knees as blood trickles down my belly and leg. Laughing, Kesari continues to slice through the stitches until he's hauled away by Az'takvis.
"Not now, Kesari…wait until later…"
I look over at my wife and friends who are being kept back by a pair of heavily armed Asiatic lions that are pointing what look like guns at them and threatening to shoot them if they move.
"Lion-O…"
I hear the worry in Cheetara's voice as I'm hauled up to my feet and it scares me; she's crying in fear and pain because of how tight the grip is of the white lion who is restraining her.
"What are you going to do, Kashī lion? Are you going to save your woman? She's crying for you…"
I strain against my captors, growling viciously. Seeing my mate in such distress is pushing me to the edge and the rage is getting the upper hand of me, and that's when Saturnus looks over at me and notices my struggles.
The bullets that spray on the floor shock me beyond belief, and I nearly fall over again as my uncle presses the barrel of the gun against my forehead.
"The next one goes in your brain…"
I gulp uncomfortably and look at Cheetara as she tries to comfort Lola who is crying miserably, and Saturnus does so too.
My heart drops into my gut and I roar and fight against the Asiatics as the older Barbary lion wrenches my daughter from the grip of her mother and turns the gun on our defenceless cub; I break free from their grasp and let my powers surge uncontrollably, and to my satisfaction, the area behind me is lit up with the blue flames which roar and crackle wildly.
"LET. HER. GO!" I scream in Barbary, the blue fire turning to a disturbing shade of pitch-black. Saturnus places a finger on the trigger and slowly starts to pull it, only to be sent reeling as he roars in pain, blood dripping from my claws from where I struck him around the face.
"Don't let him push you around, you idiots! That fire doesn't burn!"
I growl and look around myself, trying my hardest to intimidate the White and Asiatic lions that are advancing on me as Lola clings to my leg.
"Get the cub! Kill her if you have to but leave the King alive!"
I push my cub behind me as I'm pressed into a corner, and I try to activate my powers again but am dragged down to the floor as the other lions manage to get ropes around my ankles, neck and arms.
"Daddy! DADDY!"
The pain of multiple blows in quick succession to my wounded body is borderline excruciating as I try to roll to my belly to protect myself, but a swift kick to my ribs and stomach catches me by surprise as I gasp for breath, coughing and spluttering as I bring up blood.
"Please…" I somehow manage to gasp out between painful beatings, "Please…do whatever you want to me…leave my cubs out of this…they've done nothing wrong…"
Az'takvis and Saturnus look at each other as I wipe the blood from the gouges on my nose and brow, my breath catching in my throat from how much pain I'm in right now.
"Your kids have to die too, Lion-O, and they will…but not before your family and friends witness your fate at our hands…" Az'takvis says as he makes me look him in the eyes, "Barbary flesh tastes better after a vicious beating…The more extensive the bruising, the more tender the meat when roasted…"
My eyes go wide when I realise what sadistic plan that they have conjured up for me. "Are you crazy Az'takvis!? That's CANNIBALISM!"
"No, Paītqa, it's tradition."
I try to push myself up, only to get kicked in the back of my head, making me see stars.
"Please, leave him alone, you're hurting him!"
I hear Cheetara's desperate pleas as multiple nasty blows land on my aching body and I even feel the pain of a knife in my shoulder, but I'm in far too much pain and shock to even make a sound.
"Just how the hell do you think you're going to be able to take the King without us putting up a fight?"
I look at Orion as he stands up, his face a mask of pure rage as his tail swishes wildly, "He's my best friend and I won't let you do this!"
"Is that so…well, your armour shows that you're his personal guard and you're also the Father of the King's son's personal guard…" Az'takvis snarls, and he turns to the Asiatics who are keeping the guard at bay, and when they converse in their native language, Orion and Raphael are dragged out into the open.
Az'takvis looks at me as he draws a gun out of his robes, and shoots the pair of snow leopards as I roar in fury and pain.
"Let this be a lesson to those who help and support Barbary lions! Everyone knows how Jansh'r laid waste to Ancient Thundera and it just so happens to be that our 'King' is his direct descendant! There is no way of undoing the wrongful actions of the past but we can and will avenge our slaughtered ancestors!" the crazed lion roars, and I'm dragged to my feet as a serval approaches, carrying a hypodermic needle and phial.
"Now, Lion-O, you have a choice. That phial contains a dosage of Atroxin that is so toxic to your kind that if I stabbed you in the chest with it, you'd be dead in under as little as fifteen minutes; it would burst all the blood vessels in your body and you'd drown in your own blood in front of your children…you either lead me to the Village, or you die in pure agony and suffering…it's your call…"
I groan as I struggle to stay on my feet, my legs seemingly refusing to bear my weight. I nearly collapse again, which enrages the Asiatic lion; he grabs Lola and goes to stab her in the neck with the needle, but I manage to stop him.
"Stop…just stop…" I roar, gasping for air, "Fine, you win…I'll take you to the damn village…"
Az'takvis grins, and I see the crazed, psychotic look on his face.
"Finally, … I knew that you'd give up eventually…"
- (BORDER) -
At the Village
"Try to concentrate, Karys, you're getting there."
I groan and hold my head in my hands as my Mother tries to get me to unlock my powers. This isn't working! Why can't she see that it isn't working…? Frustration takes over and I push the book away from me.
"It's no use, Mum. I can't get it to work...it's not fair! Lion-O and Leo can do it and they're really powerful but I can't do it…" I whine, looking up at the lioness as she stands in front of me. She smiles warmly and sits beside me then.
"You seem to be forgetting that your brothers are nearly twice your age. They've had many, many years to perfect their skills and powers, but you're still a kitten, so you're still learning. These things take time, but I know you'll get there someday soon…"
Her words help me to calm down some, and I decide to try again, managing to create a small teal flame out of thin air.
"There you go!"
I look at the flame with pride, happy with myself for finally managing what I've struggled to do for so long. Mum sits down beside me then with a cup of hot tea which she passes to me as she gently strokes my mane.
"Your Father would be so proud of you if he could see you, Karys…"
I look at her then.
"You really think so? I never thought he'd be too interested in me because he has Leo and Lion-O…"
She smiles warmly as she sits beside me, an arm around my shoulders.
"Even though he never got the opportunity to meet you, I know that your Dad would be ever so proud of you, Karys. You're a smart, bright young lady with a heart of gold who is excelling in school, and I am so very proud of you."
She nuzzles the top of my head as I purr happily, hugging the lioness tightly.
"I love you so much, Mum…"
"I love you so much too sweetheart. Now come on, let's finish this last page, then I'll make dinner and we'll have hot chocolate after, ok?"
I nod enthusiastically, but then the expression on her face changes as she looks up and the sensation of dread washes over me.
"Mum? What's wrong?"
She doesn't answer me as she gets up to look out of the window, but once she does, she quickly goes around the house closing the blinds and curtains and locking all of the doors, a look of pure worry on her face that terrifies me thoroughly.
"Mum?"
She finally looks at me then but she scoops me up and carries me upstairs to the attic where she finally puts me down.
"Karys, you need to stay here, ok? Something is going on out there and I don't like it…"
"What do you mean, something-?"
"Evil has infiltrated the Village, Karys, and I can't risk you getting hurt…"
I gulp then I'm swamped in darkness as she shuts the hatch, leaving me alone as I scramble to the only window but when I try to reach it, I realise that I'm far too short to see.
Gathering sturdy boxes and old dusty furniture doesn't take too long and I pile it up before cautiously climbing the precariously positioned stack so that I can look out of the window, and that's when I see Lion-O being held at gunpoint, leading the Asiatics into the Village through the thick sheets of snow.
My half-brother is dragging his feet and doesn't look very happy, and when I run to grab my binoculars, I notice that he's bound in chains and is covered with blood and nasty bruises. I see many of my neighbours going out on to their porches and balconies to see what's going on and those ones are dragged over to where the Asiatics are surrounding the plaza.
The one holding a giant sword steps forward and starts talking, but I can't hear what he's saying because of the window being sealed shut.
However, I hear the loud bangs as the Barbaries that were dragged out onto the plaza are shot, and they drop to the floor, the snow beneath them being melted by the spreading red patches beneath them as I scream in horror, hearing my brother's roar of fury.
My sudden movement causes the pile to collapse and I lay there, sobbing and wishing that I could forget the horror I've just witnessed as I hear the screaming and gunshots from outside.
"Mum! MUM! MUMMY!"
I scream until my voice goes hoarse, but my Mother doesn't come and I cry harder than ever before I eventually hear heavy footsteps approaching. I try to calm myself down, sniffling as the footsteps stop beneath the ladder.
I sigh, but then to my horror, the trap door opens and two burly Asiatics enter the dark attic, looking straight at me as I scream, and I hear a familiar voice from downstairs.
"Karys! Don't you dare hurt her!"
I'm dragged kicking and crying out of the attic and I see Lion-O being held by chains and iron poles in the kitchen.
"Lion-O!"
He struggles with all his strength as he's forced to his feet, following me as I'm thrown to the snowy floor and a foot is pressed against my back, so hard that I feel a couple of my ribs shatter as I scream.
My brother roars again and tries to fight against his bonds, but he stops when he sees one of the Asiatics press the barrel of a loaded gun at the back of my head.
"Please, Az'takvis, don't hurt her…she's just a kid!"
The lion who I'm assuming is Az'takvis laughs before pressing the gun harder against my head.
"But she's just a cub, she's nothing to you. Her life doesn't matter anymore than those who we have already gotten rid of so far, so why the hell do you care?"
Lion-O roars in rage, his powers showing as his eyes and hands glow blue before turning black.
"Because she's my sister!"
I'm roughly shoved down as I hear whimpering, and when I look to my side, I see Katzeran who is sniffling and sobbing, tightly bound up with Thundrainium chains, his fur shaved down to less than a centimetre thick in places.
"Katz?"
The kitten turns to look at me, shivering violently in the minus twenty-degree weather.
"Karys, they're going to kill my Dad…They've come here to kill the Barbaries and then they're going to kill me then roast Dad and eat him…"
The litah kitten cries harder before screaming when a lion starts to brutally beat him, and I hear Lion-O's screaming roar of rage when he sees his son being attacked.
Az'takvis looks at him then.
"If you really value the lives of the future generations, then perhaps you should have thought before you decided that a Barbary lion should be on the throne!"
Lion-O drops to his knees, defeated and sobbing as the sounds of screams resume in the once peaceful village, before it falls eerily silent. This makes me so uncomfortable; they can't have killed all the inhabitants of the village already…
"Lion-O, please get up! Please! You have to help them!" I plead, begging for the lion to get up but I can see that he doesn't have the strength, mentally or physically. Az'takvis sees this and laughs, and my half-brother looks up at him.
"Well, how the mighty have fallen…" the Asiatic lion says as Lion-O is dragged to his feet, "We're going to kill the rest of your species and then your precious little wife will get the pleasure of being in the front row when we roast you over a fire…She'll really love it when we force her to eat your slow-cooked flesh…"
I hear Lion-O growl, and he spits right in Az'takvis' face.
"You're damn crazy, Az'takvis! You belong on the psych ward! You'd be arrested for attempted regicide before you even manage to tie me to the spit!"
I feel my heart pounding in my chest as Az'takvis draws a dagger and digs it into Lion-O's trapezius muscle, the blood flowing freely as the younger lion's deafening roar of agony reverberates through the market square.
"But before we roast you alive, I'm going to skin you…Barbary fur is the most precious of all furs on the market due to its unique properties and your fur will make me a beautiful robe for my coronation…"
My heart sinks at my brother's pained screams, tears streaming down his cheeks as the Asiatic slowly cuts away at the membrane that keeps his skin attached to the muscle, the sound of screaming mixed with tearing skin making me feel sick. I hear Katzeran crying brokenly, and I go to comfort him but I'm slapped around the face roughly, reeling from the pain as I hear an infuriated roar and I watch as Lion-O wrestles my attacker to the snowy ground, digging his claws into the Asiatic lion's throat.
"Get him!"
I watch as the lion manages to singlehandedly fend off a small group of Asiatic lions, that is, until Saturnus creeps up behind him and gets him into a chokehold.
"You have no idea how satisfying this is to be this close to you, boy…" Saturnus snarls as he squeezes Lion-O's throat, "I was always jealous of my older brother getting everything that I'd always wanted… and so that's why I did what I did to you…if I couldn't ruin my brother's life then I'd ruin the life of the Crown Prince…And I can't think of a better way of getting back at my brother than being the first one to consume the meat from his youngest son…"
I watch with horror as my brother starts to slowly turn blue from oxygen deprivation, blood streaming down his arm from the wound as he claws at our uncle's arm in desperate attempt to free himself, and that's when I catch a familiar scent as someone rushes at Saturnus and punches him in the face.
"Get the hell off my son you freak!"
I watch in amazement as my Mum appears out of seemingly nowhere, her knuckles bloody from having punched the older Barbary. She roars angrily and slams Saturnus' head into the ground a good few time until the lion eventually stops struggling and lays still, and then she turns towards me after helping Lion-O to his feet.
"Karys, baby, are you ok?"
I nod as best as I can as she goes to hug me when there's a sudden deafening bang and I feel hot blood splatter over my face as Mother's face contorts into a mask of pure agony as she slumps forward, pinning me under her weight as I scream, and it dawns on me that the lioness has just been shot.
"MUMMY! NO! GET UP! PLEASE!"
Tears stream down my cheeks as I scream harder, struggling to move due to my mother's body pinning me to the ground. But no matter how much I cry and beg, she doesn't move and I feel the blood soaking into my clothes and fur.
That's when a vicious roar splits the air, accompanied by a powerful shockwave of black and blue.
"LYDIA! NO!"
- (BORDER) -
I feel the surge of pure, animalistic rage rising from the very pit of my stomach as I take in the carnage around me, my focus going from the slaughtered Barbary lions, to Az'takvis holding the still smoking Barbary hunting rifle, to the still form of my beloved stepmother who has pinned Karys as she fell, and I know from the way her eyes are still open and the place she's bleeding from that the lioness is dead.
Ignoring the burning agony from the nasty wound on my arm, I try to keep control of myself but fail miserably, sending a shockwave of fire out in every direction as I drop to my knees with a roar that would shake the very heavens themselves as icicles fall from the rooftops of the homes around us. I slowly walk towards Az'takvis, a wall of black flame separating us from everyone else as I seize him around the throat and lift him into the air.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't do to you what you did to her!" I hiss, pissed beyond all belief as the Asiatic drops the gun, instead clawing at my arms.
"Be-Because you-you're not-a murderer!"
I tighten my grip on his throat and feel his trachea beginning to deform under the immense pressure I'm exerting on it. The Asiatic starts to cough, bringing blood up as I growl and continue to squeeze harder, wishing to crush the very life out of the damn son of a…
"Lion-O, stop it!"
"Dad, you can't do this! You'll be no better than him if you kill him!"
My grip loosens as I hear the pair of voices, and I turn to see my sister and my son stood together. Both look terrified by my appearance which I see reflected in the locket Karys is wearing – because of the black flames that cover my chest, arms and bellows from my mouth whenever I roar combined with my pitch-black eyes, I look like some unholy demon. How is this not scaring the pair of kittens?
"Dad, this isn't you…" Katzeran says as he wearily approaches me, taking hold of my hand as I withdraw the fire power, causing the wall of black flames to recede, "You can't kill him…"
I drop Az'takvis then, and he rapidly backs away, rubbing his throat as I drop to my knees again, and the grief finally washes over me and I break down. She's gone… I can't believe that she's gone! I roar in pain then, my heart heavy and aching with the pain of my loss, but I can't even begin to imagine how Karys must be feeling…
"Az'takvis, what did you mean when you said your coronation?"
I look over at the sudden disturbance and watch as Kesari steps forward, walking towards the Asiatic leader and looking very irritated, scooping up the rifle as he goes, "You told me that I was going to be the King!"
Az'takvis pales upon finding himself staring down the barrel of the very gun he hasn't long ago used to massacre a small selection of my Clan.
"Kesari, it isn't what you think…"
The white lion snarls with rage, his blue eyes gleaming dangerously. "You promised me that I would be the one placed on the throne after we killed the Barbary lions and slaughtered Lion-O! But your plan this whole damn time was for you to assume control? To hell with this!"
The lion cocks the gun and that's when Az'takvis starts pleading for his life.
"Why should I spare you? Once you're outta the way, all I have to do is finish our 'glorious' King off and I'll be crowned the new ruler and I'll take Cheetara as my mate! I WILL HAVE WHAT I WAS PROMISED!"
With a roar, the enraged white lion shoots as I cover both of the kittens' eyes so that they don't have to witness anymore of the needless killing, and that's when Kesari locks eyes with me.
"As for you, Your Majesty, it's the end of the damn line!" Kesari snarls as he advances on me, loading the gun again, "I've put up with you for long enough! I'm sick to death of always having to do what you tell me and the other Elders to! But today, everything comes crashing down! Your legacy and that damned prophecy will both end! Say hello to your parents for me!"
He aims the gun at me as I close my eyes, preparing myself for a killing shot. There's a loud gunshot but I don't feel anything aside from the spray of blood that coats me, and when I open my eyes, I see the white lion now lying face down in the snow, gasping for breath as the wound on his chest lets out a steady stream of blood.
I immediately lose my lunch when the sight of all the death becomes too much for me to handle, my head spinning from the amount of blood that I've lost today.
"Your Majesty, it's ok, you're safe now!"
I look up and even with my fuzzy vision, I can see the Thunderguard troops approaching. Weakness takes over as the last of the adrenaline leaves my body, and I falter and fall but one of the young troops manages to catch me before I hit the floor.
"Don't try to stand, Sire, you're very weak…"
I groan, willing myself on but I can barely move from the pain - it's overwhelming and my head is spinning as I try to keep going.
"Lion-O!"
I look up and see Cheetara running towards me and I try to run to her, only to collapse into her arms. "Oh God! We've got to get you back to the Lair!"
I say nothing, only gazing up at her angelic face which is blurry.
"Lion-O? Can you hear me?"
I simply groan in response, my body hurting beyond belief.
"Pumyra! I need some help over here!"
The puma comes over, her face paling as she sees the condition that I'm in. She helps me walk to the Thundertank, every step making me feel like I'm about to collapse again. How is she bearing my weight?
Once we reach the Thunderstrike, I can't help but break down crying again, in pain and loss. Pumyra struggles to keep me still and trying her best to clean my arm as it starts bleeding again, which makes me immediately feel dizzy again.
"Lion-O, I need you to stay awake, ok? You need to try and stay awake…"
I feel my body fighting between staying awake and falling unconscious, my mind feels fuzzy. My vision is blurry and I feel cold - I'm going into shock from blood loss and exposure…
It only just registers when the puma wraps me in a blanket after bandaging my wounds, and I watch through eyes half open as she inserts a drip into the back of my hand. Hanging it from one of the overhead pins, she helps me to sit up against the seat.
"You're going to be ok; I promise."
Again, I only groan in response, tears streaming down my cheeks as Cheetara comes back into the pod with Katzeran and Karys. Both of the young kittens look absolutely traumatised and Karys is sobbing uncontrollably as my wife holds her and our son close.
"I'm so sorry Karys…"
The young lioness doesn't respond to my wife, tears streaming down her cheeks as I see Panthro and Tygra talking outside, before loading what I assume is Lydia's body into one of the waiting ambulances. It's heart-breaking, I can't believe that this is happening, nor can I believe that this situation was resolved as quickly as it was…
My head spins as I try to move, but I can't find the strength to, and I feel my body get wrapped with something comforting and warm. I feel it when my mate caresses my cheek before gently kissing me.
"Stay awake, babe…I know it's hard but you have to try…"
I feel the lurch of the aircraft as it starts to take off, struggling to keep myself awake as we pick up speed. The pleasant warmth of the blanket wrapped around me is soothing, and I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. Surely just a little nap wouldn't hurt…
I close my eyes as the sound of the engine settles into a rhythmic purr, but the pain behind my eyes combined with the sensation of my head spinning is making me feel sick. I go to move but I can't, and I eventually settle into sleep…
…
I wake to the cooling breeze of an open window and bright light, telling me that it's either late morning or early afternoon. My head still hurts and my arm feels like it's on fire, but the comforting softness of the pillow behind my head is welcome relief from the cold hard floor that I'd been forced to lay on.
I look around the room but my vision is hazy. With what little strength I have, I knuckle the dried gunk from my eyes as I groan, cursing the pained sensations of my aching body. I see the horrific bruising on my arms and even on my chest beneath the medical gown that I'm wearing, and I can't help but growl when I remember my harsh beating…the slaughter of my people…the murder of my stepmother…
I see a familiar person standing in the doorway, but it can't be…Az'takvis shot him dead…
"Orion?"
The snow leopard turns around and I see that he's not in his guard armour, rather a tank top and some shorts. I see the bandage on his chest. He comes in and sits down in the chair by my side, smiling.
"Finally decided to wake up from our little beauty sleep, have we?"
I chuckle, the action of which sends painful spasms through my chest as I cough; Orion grabs me a glass of water which I gratefully take and sip at.
"You've only been out for twenty-four hours so that's not too bad. Kesari is in the hospital under strict police and Thunderguard supervision, and he's being sentenced to life imprisonment on the Penal Planet for his involvement in the slaughter of sixteen Barbary lions. However, as for Az'takvis and your uncle…the circumstances are, how should I put this…they're very different because they can't be charged…"
"Saturnus is finally dead?"
Orion looks up at me, and that's when he sees the look on my face.
"Yes…it'll never erase the pain and memory of what he did to you but you can rest easily knowing that he can't hurt you again."
"I hope he rots, wherever he is…"
Orion sighs sympathetically before getting to his feet and walking towards the door before stopping and looking back at me.
"I can't even begin to imagine the horrors that you witnessed in the Village. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there to help you…to help protect your people… And I know how close you were with Lydia…I'm so sorry, my friend…Your feelings of grief are completely natural and it's going to be okay to have bad days because it reminds you how much you love them and the good days remind you, they're right there with you."
He leaves then, and I lay there staring out of the window at the beautiful clear blue sky. It's not fair, Karys is only a little kid and she's lost her mother, the only parent she had left after our father passed. I know exactly how she feels but should I actually be allowed to feel the way I do? Lydia was only my stepmother; I wasn't biologically related to her. But I feel like I've just lost a true parent, and it hurts.
I look down at my arm which is heavily bandaged from shoulder to elbow, and when I try to move it, I feel nothing but pain. I groan, willing the dull ache to just stop but it doesn't. Pumyra walks in and I see the relief wash over her when she sees that I've woken up from my sleep. She comes to check me over as she looks solemn. She helps me sit forwards so that she can change the bandages on my wounds, and when I see the stitches against bare skin, I have to hide my expression of disgust; the scarring is going to be extensive, and I can tell exactly why it hurts so damn badly.
"I know that you're in pain but it's going to take a good couple of weeks for this to heal along with the other wounds you sustained. I assume that Orion informed you about Kesari?"
"He did…Pumyra, about…about Lydia…"
She glances at me as she continues working. I think she knows exactly what I'm about to ask her.
"When she was shot…was it quick? I-I mean, did she, you know, pass quickly?"
She sighs as she smears some antiseptic ointment on my shoulder, and I feel the immediate regret in asking her. As the puma re-bandages my shoulder and arm, she's silent before standing again.
"Lion-O, I don't think you really need to know that. You've just lost your stepmother and I'm not going to provide you with information that could further your grief. I'm not going to tell you, ok?"
"Pumyra, please?"
"No. I stand by what I said. You need to rest and you can't do so when you're hurting both physically and mentally."
I growl slightly, not at all happy at being told no but I suppose that she's right. I watched the only person who I've ever known as a maternal figure die in front of me, which was bad enough, but to learn that she either passed painlessly or suffered for her last moments. But I can't help the morbid curiosity – it's eating away at me on the inside. For whatever messed up reason, I want to know.
I try to swing my legs out of the bed, but Pumyra sees this and, very gently, pushes me back in again.
"I don't want you to move anywhere just yet ok? You somehow managed to survive a brutal beating which, by all means, would have killed you. You also lost a fair amount of blood so I'm going to keep you here for a couple of days until you're healed enough to leave."
"What about my arm? I watched Az'takvis try to skin me. I can move it but it's very sore."
"I think that is going to take the most time to heal due to how severe the wound was. Now, do you need me to get you anything before I have to see to the other patients?"
"My tablet from the suite would be great."
"No, you're resting. Cheetara has told me to inform you that while you're healing, you're forbidden from doing any paperwork. You're one of my patients now and I have the authority to tell you when you aren't allowed to do something. It's going to be a lot of resting and some physical therapy on your arm for a few weeks."
"I have to at least do some of that work. I hate to think about how big that pile of paperwork in my office is getting to be."
"This is why you have your secretary, Lion-O. They will handle all of your paperwork and will attend meetings in your place while you're busy or too ill to attend yourself. You really should use them."
"Leonus is a nice kid, but I just don't think he'd be able to handle the workload that I have to deal with. I'm in my office almost fourteen hours a day, working my ass off on reading through the new proposals sent to me by the elders, looking through security briefs, and coordinating missions for the Thunderguard and Thundercat trainees. If it drives me crazy, I can't even begin to imagine how Leonus must feel when doing it! I need to keep my mind busy or I'll feel like I'm the one going insane; you know how I feel about being cooped up in here with nothing to do! After the Feliner crashed, it was months of torture for me staying in here, confined to this bed…"
"I know, but I don't want you to hurt yourself. This is the second time in three days that you've been in here after minor surgery and I don't want it to happen again. I can't imagine that you'd want it to either."
"No…Where is Cheetara anyway?"
"She's gone to go and collect Lola from school, so she'll be back shortly."
"Can't I go back to my suite? I'd prefer it to being stuck here."
"I'll think about it but I can't promise anything. You're probably not healed enough."
I groan again as she leaves, but I know that I can't do anything. I glance up at the drip hanging above my head which is slowly feeding blood into a vein in my arm, along with what is presumably antibiotics in some type of saline solution. One thing which I know is that I can't wait to get out of here. I need to see Karys.
…
I sit up as Cheetara enters the room with our kids, and Karys is shyly trailing after her. Both Katzeran and Karys look deeply disturbed, but Lola isn't fazed as she scrambles up onto the bed, talking to me but it doesn't register with me what it is that she's saying and it makes me feel so guilty.
"Daddy? Are you listening?"
I look down at her, finally snapping out of it.
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm sorry. What was it you were saying?"
"Mummy took us out for ice cream and you missed it!"
The cub chuckles to herself, and I feel Cheetara's hand settle on my good shoulder as I relax slightly.
I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling right now, Lion-O, but you don't have to worry because you're safe here, as you should be.
I look up at her, having heard her thoughts through the bond. I know she felt every bit of my agony yesterday from the pain in her beautiful eyes. Using my good arm, I grasp her hand in mine, grateful to have my wife safely at my side. Katzeran looks at us from the chair he's sat in, and the face he makes when the cheetah kisses me on the lips is comical.
"I see that you're feeling better Katz?"
The kitten grumbles, pretending to vomit as he turns away, and that's when I see Karys – she's staring out of the window and it looks like she's willing the very ground to swallow her up. I place a gentle hand on my sister's shoulder, making her jump as she looks at me, before hugging me as she cries.
"I miss Mum, Lion-O…"
I hold the kitten close as she sobs brokenly into my chest, her raw emotions breaking my heart as I know exactly how she feels. Lola looks at her jealously and is about to say something when Cheetara promptly picks her up and takes her and Katzeran outside. I gently stroke the lioness's mane, trying everything that I know to comfort her as my own tears threaten to spill over.
"I know you do Karys, I do too…But it's ok. You're safe here."
She looks at me again as Cheetara walks back in, joining me at my side.
"I know you live in the Barbary Village but you're too young to live by yourself. By default, myself and Cheetara are now your legal guardians until you're old enough, and I'd like you to stay here with us, in the Royal Suite."
Her eyes light up momentarily before she looks away again.
"I can't, that's for your family…"
"Karys, don't be silly, you are my family. You're my sister."
"I'm not your full sister though."
"No but that doesn't matter. You're still my sister regardless and there is a spare room for you if you want it."
She's silent for a while before eventually nodding, curling up against me as she trembles. I look up at my wife then and the cheetah catches my gaze as she nods, and I know that she agrees with me. I know that Katzeran won't mind having another young kitten around but Lola will probably have difficulty adjusting due to the suddenness of the situation.
"Ok, my friends Bengali and Snarf will take you to the Village to- "
"No! I can't go back! Not now that Mum won't ever be there again!"
I sigh, holding the kitten. "That's ok, I'll tell them to bring your things back for you, how does that sound?"
She nods, eventually relaxing against me.
"And one thing which I'm going to do for you is get you seeing a therapist; it's what I do and it's helped me through a lot of hardships and struggles, and even Katz sees a therapist for his issues. It'll help you."
Karys says nothing as she sits up, her shoulders drooped. Cheetara sits beside the kitten, rubbing her back and comforting her before leading her back to our suite as I relax against the pillows behind me. I wish that there was something that I could do to take my sister's pain away but I know that there's nothing I can do. But how many more people that I love and hold dear are going to die? I've lost cousins to the Asiatic and White lions' attack on the Village, and it infuriates me that I wasn't able to help them. I was too weak. Pitiful. Pathetic.
I growl then as tears come to my eyes unwanted. So many innocent people – innocent Barbaries – dead because their so-called Lord and King couldn't save them. I caused their deaths. If only I wasn't stupid enough to cave into Az'takvis' threats then maybe nothing would have happened…maybe Lydia would still be alive.
"You cannot blame yourself for the actions that were taken against your people, Lion-O."
I don't look up at Jaga as he appears by my side. Instead, I look away from him. I feel like a traitor. I betrayed my own Clan by leading the very cause of our forced hiding right to them. If it hadn't been for the Guard turning up when they did, I'd either currently being tortured, or worse. I shudder at the memory of Az'takvis' words, the memory that he, my uncle and Kesari were going to roast me alive over a fire then consume me like how they used to do back in the old days whenever a Barbary lion was captured.
"And you can't blame yourself for Lydia's passing. There was nothing that you could have done."
"But there must have been! If only I'd have reacted quicker, maybe she would still be here! I should have been the one who got shot, not her! Karys is in extreme grief now because her mother was killed right in front of her, and it's my fault because I didn't do anything to stop Az'takvis from killing her!"
Jaga gets down onto one knee so he's at my eye level as he stares me right in the eyes.
"Lion-O, Az'takvis was psychotic and extremely dangerous; he would have easily ended your life had you have tried to take him on in the state you were in. You did everything that you could in the situation, young King. The Barbary Village will recover from the loss, and you have to allow yourself to grieve; throwing yourself into your work once you've healed is not going to help you."
The jaguar's words linger in my mind long after he disappears. There has to be something that I can do to make it up to my people. I know that Lysander's son was killed in the attack. How will the elder ever forgive me? Leonvix was only twenty-one years old and he's left his fiancée behind.
Heaving a heavy sigh, I turn the tv on in my room, only for the first channel to be a Barbary one airing the news report of the attack on the village. I quickly turn it back off again, not wanting to deal with it just yet. When am I going to be ready to face it? Will I ever be able to bring myself to go back? So many questions plague me as I growl, wanting nothing to do with it for the time being but I know that it is inevitable. Only time will heal my wounds, both physical and mental.
…
Two Weeks Later
"Your Majesty, this is a very worrying development and we can't be sure that our army is going to be prepared to handle it."
I growl as I look at the screen on my tablet, which is showing a mass of life forms in the desert on Third Earth that our scans picked up. I rub my chin, not liking this one little bit. I stand up with a growl then, walking to the side of the room and fixing myself a mug of hot herbal tea before returning to my seat. The mutants have been awfully quiet recently which makes me feel very worried. I look down at my arms, which are still discoloured with bruises that are taking their time to fade.
"We don't even know if they will be able to get here with an army of that size, Tyland." I say as I sip my tea, trying to ignore the discomfort in my arm and chest, "Besides, we have beaten the Mutants' asses multiple times before and we can do it again."
"With all due respect sire, you aren't in any fit condition to fight against the Mutants."
I growl again, but I know that what Tocho has said is right. I'm still weak because I'm still healing from the attack. It's frustrating because my body won't heal faster than it is, and I want to be able to fully resume my duties as soon as I can. Tygra has been acting in as Lord for the past two weeks and I feel bad because I'm not severely wounded like I was after the crash of the Feliner.
"I know I'm not but I have to try to do my normal tasks. If this is going to be something that leads to an interplanetary war then I have to be ready at all times!"
"Lion-O…"
I look at Lysander as the older Barbary looks at me.
"You really aren't in any kind of shape to be fighting in a war on this scale, you were severely wounded and you're struggling to regain your strength. This is the time for you to be resting and allowing Tygra or Orion to step in for you."
"Lysander, I'm going to fight for my planet if this war happens. And if I die, then so be it; I'm on borrowed time now, as I feel that I'm not going to fully recover from my injuries."
I watch as the looks on the Elders' faces change upon hearing what I've just said. I know that I probably don't have very much time left judging from how I feel right now. I shift around in my seat to try and get comfortable, but the bruising is making it difficult.
"You'll heal, Lion-O; you just need physical therapy and you'll be back to your old self. You need to let yourself rest."
I look down at the tablet again, zooming in on the scans with a growl in my throat. Suddenly, the quiet is interrupted by Orion who bursts in, looking terrified.
"Orion?"
"Lion-O, we're in trouble! You need to get to the Control Room and you need to get there NOW!"
I get up and run after the Snow Leopard as quickly as my body will allow me to, and by the time we get there, my legs and chest are burning as I gasp. Cheetara comes rushing around the corner, almost knocking me over as she stops, but she helps me inside where I see the Telescreen, with Slithe's hideous reptilian face dominating it. To my satisfaction, it still bears the heavy scarring from the last time I was able to get my hands on him.
"Ssso it'sss true then? You did get your asss handed to you…You look like ssshit, cub…"
I growl, pulling my shirt into place to try and hide the worst of the bruising. I feel the anger surge. What the hell does he want? Is he responsible for whatever is going on in the desert on Third Earth? I feel Cheetara's hand settle on my shoulder, immediately placating me. I glare up at the reptile on the screen, a look which he returns with equal malice.
"We have a ssscore to sssettle, Thundercat," he hisses as he drags a claw down the scar on his scaled face, "Your people and your planet will be ourss, and I will revel in the victory as I sstand over your broken body and once again when I bed your mate…"
I feel the growl forming deep within my chest, rising through my throat and sounding low and threatening as I feel myself pull Cheetara close to me. There's no way in hell that I would ever let that Mutant scum anywhere near my wife and family. Cheetara immediately goes to rubbing my back, and I know that Slithe is just trying to make me lose my temper and rush into something without thinking it through. I've done that so many times on separate occasions and it's stupid, I should never have done the things that I have in the past but there's nothing I can do about those now.
"What do you want, Slithe? Have you forgotten that we've defeated you and your pathetic band of Mutants time and time again? I've done it singlehandedly before and I'd do it again."
Slithe cackles, and it makes me uncomfortable. What is he planning?
"You never learn, cub. We have reinforcementsss thiss time, yesss? Our army is fifteen-thousand ssstrong. You'd be beaten to a bloody pulp before you even knew it," Wait, army? I feel my heart sink as I realise just what this means, and I think everyone else does from the complete silence from my friends, "We want war, Lion-O, and we are going to get what we want. The massss that your ssscanners picked up was my Mutant army camp, who are training before we return to New Thundera. Once we do arrive, we will fight, just you and me. If you win, we leave you in peace. If I win, then our planets go to war - your preciousss Kingdom will crumble and we will enssslave your people. But, jussst to ensssure what isss going to happen…"
The lizard turns around and motions to someone off-screen. Seconds later, a young Barbary cub is dragged on-screen. I feel my heart drop again, knowing that they kidnapped the poor little kid from the Village either before or after the attack.
"We will return this wretched lion cub to its parents but only if you agree to the fight."
I growl, feeling uncomfortable with the situation and the similarities it has to the battle with Grune from so many years ago. I can't do this; I'd never be able to beat him in a fight while being in the state that I'm in. I sniff, considering my options. But I don't have many.
"No. I've done this type of thing before and it almost cost me my life. I won't be so stupid as to do this again."
The expression on Slithe's face goes from shock to outrage in seconds. He turns to the cub and, to my horror and anger, he kills the little boy on the spot as the poor thing screams for his mother. I feel my blood boiling in my veins and I can see my reflection in one of the blank screens – my eyes have turned black as the flames threaten to burst forth. My chest is heaving as I struggle to keep my composure. I can't lose my temper; it could be detrimental.
"Lion-O, calm down babe, it's ok…" Cheetara whispers in my ear as I growl, absolutely furious at the Mutant's actions. I've always known him to be a coward, but this is the first time he's ever acted out on a threat.
"Foolisssh decision, cub. We will battle and I will win, yesss?"
"Not if I can help it…"
He cackles again before smashing the screen, as the transmission cuts to static. I can feel myself shaking with pure, blinding rage as Cheetara tries everything to get me to calm down. Why is so much happening in the past two weeks, it's insane. I roar in fury before storming out of the room, and I don't stop until I'm in the forest beyond the Lair's gardens. I reach the lake where I sit down, my hands in the grass as I pant heavily, sweat streaming in rivulets down my forehead, chest and back. To hell with this!
I pick up a large rock and hurtle it into the calm waters, disturbing the tranquil blue with a loud splash and ripples in every direction. This can't be happening. I growl and rake my claws through my mane, disbelief washing over me. Why is it that I always have to deal with incidents like this? My Father never had as many issues as this when he was on the throne – he only ever had to deal with that one war that cost him his sight. I've had so much happen to me within the past thirteen years and I am sick to death of it. My friends help out as much as they can and I really appreciate it but it feels like my destiny is to die before I reach old age; I'm only thirty-four but I have been a myriad of health issues and brushes with death, the majority of which I have nobody to blame for but myself.
What were they thinking, putting an immature man-cub like me on the throne? I may have been the Crown Prince but that freak incident with the suspension capsule should have made them change their minds. I may have mentally matured over the years but sometimes it just isn't enough. It's never going to be enough and I know that a lot of the Elders don't trust me to make good decisions because of it; I've lived every year since returning to New Thundera trying to please them, jumping through hoops to prove to them that I'm every bit as good a King and Lord as my Father was but I know they just don't see it – they're only ever going to see me as that terrified little twelve-year-old cub who fled Old Thundera for safety with the people who would one day become his closest friends and mentors. A twelve-year-old cub who would grow to adulthood in suspension and sometimes be left out of important meetings because his peers didn't think he would understand, who is now the King of a whole planet. A planet that he shouldn't be tasked with protecting because he's far too weak and pathetic.
I wipe the tears from my cheeks, furious at myself for letting my emotions spill out. Maybe those Elders are right. I'm not fit to be the King. I never was. I was never even supposed to have the throne, it traditionally would have gone to Leo, and now I realise that it should have done. I look out at the clearing ahead of me as the sun slowly starts to get lower in the sky, bathing everything in her beautiful golden glow. In many ways, I suppose that the Kings of Thundera are much like the star and the days that it brings – while powerful and essential, it never lasts long before another rises and falls. I sit there for what seems like ages as the birds sing, before turning as I hear footsteps from behind me – it's Snarf.
I turn away, going back to watching the sun set in the sky.
"Shneyarf, it's beautiful, isn't it?"
"I guess it is…"
My old nursemaid regards me carefully, not knowing what type of mood I'm in. He sighs before sitting down beside me, his tail curling around himself. Despite wanting to be left alone, I find his company to be very comforting.
"Brrrr, we used to do this all the time with Leo when you two were just boys. You used to love it, especially whenever there were meteor showers. You always said that the sun setting was one of the ancient gods telling the sun that she needed to sleep for the night…" the little red and yellow cat says, but he trails off when I stay quiet, "This isn't like you, Lion-O. Reowr, I'm getting worried about you…everybody is. Lysander told us about what you said in the Council Meeting. Times are hard at the moment but things will get better – after the worst of rainstorms comes the brightest of rainbows."
I can't help but smile slightly, petting Snarf on the head. He tenses, but starts purring then before I stop and go serious again.
"Snarf, what do you think of me?"
"I'm…not sure what you mean, Lion-O…"
"The Elders all see me as a little boy still, even though I'm a grown man. They talk down on me like I'm nothing but a cub and sometimes I feel that the other Thundercats still do it, even Cheetara. It's been at least fifteen years since we crashed on Third Earth and nothing feels like it's changing recently."
My friend is quiet for a short while before picking up the courage to speak.
"Reowr, you were a cub when we left Old Thundera, and when I woke you once we had landed on Third Earth, you had physically grown to a young cat of age twenty. Despite you ageing physically, you hadn't experienced anything important from the teenage years that you'd missed, and it became obvious when you were going through your early twenties that your mind was trying its hardest to catch up on what it had lost. There isn't any easy way to put it, shneyarf, but we all saw you at the age you were when you left for a long time on Third Earth."
"But what about Cheetara? She was eleven years older than me but despite that, we were dating for a while before we wed."
"Despite your physical age Lion-O, she still is eleven years older than you. She realised that she liked you romantically from the moment she saw you during that first fight, she just had to wait…"
"For me to actually grow up, I suppose? She'd never even think of sharing a bed with an immature man-cub like me."
"She didn't want to confuse you, Lion-O. Your mind was fragile – the confused teenage thoughts combined with the urges and desires of a fully-grown male Barbary. She wanted you so badly but she knew that she could hurt you if you weren't ready."
"So, that night when I asked her to be my mate…"
"She'd been patiently waiting for you to decide when it was that you felt ready for a relationship. Cheetara loves you with all of her heart and she would do literally anything for you. After the Feliner crashed, she point-blank refused to allow Pumyra to turn the life support off because she would never be able to live without you by her side."
"He's right, you know."
We both turn at this point and see Cheetara herself as she approaches and sits herself down on the opposite side of me. She rests her head on my shoulder, her scent helping me to relax even more as Snarf choses that point to leave, deciding to give me and the cheetah some space and time alone. My wife looks at me once my former nursemaid is out of earshot, and she looks just as worried as he had.
"What's been going on in that mind of yours, L'ûencho? This is so not like you; you would have agreed to fight against Slithe normally."
"I know, I just don't want to because I really don't think I would win if I went up against him. Ever since the attack, I've been struggling with everyday tasks."
"You haven't allowed your mind or your body to rest. Come on, we're going to go home to have dinner, and then me and you are going to have a movie night once the kids are in bed."
She helps me to my feet and has a steady hold on me as we return to the Lair, but I know that she's eyeing the bruises on me – she hasn't seen the extent of the worst ones because I don't want her to get upset at how badly I was hurt. Going up the steps of the Lair is sore on my knees, but my wife patiently helps me as we head towards the Royal Suite.
"Katz, do me a favour and set the kettle to boil, ok?"
Our son nods before running to the kitchenette, and Cheetara gets me settled on the sofa before touching my brow.
"Just how long were you out there for? It's scorching hot out there and your temperature feels higher than it should be!"
She goes to peel my sweat-drenched shirt off me, but I quickly pull it back down again, not wanting her to see the bruising on my back, chest and stomach as she sighs with slight disappointment.
"Babe, I know you don't want me to see the bruises but it's going to happen at some point…"
She manages to get the sodden shirt off of me, and I see the pain in her eyes as she sees just how bad the bruising is as tears trickle down her cheeks. She immediately goes to the mini freezer and grabs some ice packs which she places against the blackish-blue welts on my body before wetting a square of flannel under the cold tap which she gently daubs on my face and neck.
"We need to get you cooled down…"
I hear the waver in her voice, which his me like a knife in the gut as she helps me get up, leading me to our sleeping quarters. I sit down on the bed as she peels my clothing off, before helping me into the shower where she gets me to sit down on the floor, seconds before I feel the soothing ice-cold water washing over my back and through my mane. My breathing slows as I begin to relax, feeling safe with my mate right next to me. Now that I'm in the cold water, I realise that it feels like my entire body is burning – a sign that my internal temperature had gotten too high.
She lathers my mane and fur up with soap, rinsing me off before shutting the water off once I'm clean and my temperature has fallen to a safer level; she helps me up and towels me dry before helping me get into some shorts and a thin tank top then leading me back into the living room. I sink back onto the sofa, relieved at feeling clean. I watch the cheetah as she opens the windows and turns the fans on before walking into the kitchenette and pouring a mug of herbal tea which she brings over to me along with a light snack of a slice of breadfruit smeared with honey accompanied by two melon slices.
"I'm not going to risk losing you to fatigue, so I want you to do nothing but rest for a couple of days. You sorely need it."
I slowly eat the fruits before sipping the tea as my wife sits down beside me, comforted by her presence. I love the little moments like this, it's just a shame that I don't tend to get the chance to enjoy them very often due to my duties. Lola comes over once she's finished her homework and sits in my lap while Katzeran and Karys do theirs at the kitchen table.
"Lion-O, I heard what you were talking to Snarf about earlier."
"How long were you standing behind us?"
"Long enough to hear everything. Listen, what you worry about is valid because we all have fears and insecurities. It is true that, for a short while, we did see you as a child but that stopped when you proved yourself to be maturing mentally. You are an amazing King and Lord, and I am so happy that I get the honour of calling you my mate and Husband. And I am so proud of everything that you have managed to accomplish. All of your hopes and dreams for life on New Thundera have come to fruition through all of your hard work and determination. If anybody is fit to be the ruler of this thriving planet, it's you."
I smile at her words and turn to kiss her as I purr. I love her so much that I would do anything to keep her and the kids safe – I'd lay my life down for her if I had to. She's been by my side through thick and thin and, despite the arguments that we've had and the hardships we've faced, we've stayed strong and truly lived for each other. I wonder what our future is going to bring, now that our kingdom has returned to its former glory which tore the planet to pieces so many years ago.
I gaze into my lover's eyes as we break the embrace, and she rests her head on my shoulder as she purrs. I'm so happy that I've managed to keep my family safe – it's one of my greatest achievements that I've ever made, having two beautiful cubs with the woman I love most and raising a happy family. I couldn't ask for anything better, but I still worry. The threat of the impending Mutant Army looms above us and I just pray that I can keep my people safe.
I look down at my daughter in my lap, remembering how I came so close to losing her the other week, and tears come unbidden to my eyes at the thought of not being able to protect her or her brother from the evil in the universe. They're both so precious to me that I don't know what I would do if I lost them; they're both the future of New Thundera and are very important.
I hold Lola close as she shrieks momentarily before cuddling into me.
"I love you Daddy!"
"I love you too, Lola…" I breathe into her mane, "More than you'll ever realise…"
…
Three Days Later
My blood pounds in my ears as myself and Slithe circle each other. The heavy rainfall has turned the earth to a thick mud and my mane slings to the back of my neck and my shoulders. I glare at the reptile as he returns the look to me, trying to find any signs of weakness, but I refuse to let them show. I feel better than I did three days ago, but I still don't feel like my usual self just yet.
"Come on, cub! Unlesss you want to concede your cowardice…"
I growl before lunging, swinging my left arm out to punch him when I get close and I'm satisfied with the impact on his cheek, but it doesn't knock him back. The reptile stumbles, almost slipping in the mud before performing a counterattack, swinging his club towards me as I duck, swinging my foot out to trip him over, spraying us both with the mud as the roars of the crows watching us soar.
"You won't win against me, Slithe! Admit it!" I roar as he throws a punch at me which I easily dodge, grabbing his arm and using his momentum to trip him up. He falls to his knees with an angered hiss, turning to face me as he gets up and regains his footing.
"I'm not a coward, Thundercat, and anybody here can tell that you are not fighting with your full ssstrength, yesss?"
I bring the Sword up and block a swing from the club, but the sheer force of the strike sends spasms of pain from my wrist up through my arm as I drop the weapon in shock. How is he so strong?
"Come on, Dad! You can do it!"
I hear Katzeran's shout of encouragement as I wrench the Sword from the mud and use my powerful legs to leap at Slithe, the Sword held aloft with hopes of cutting through the Mutant's club, but with a quick flick of his tail, I'm sent sprawling into the mire. Pushing myself up onto my elbows, I spit out a mouthful of the vile wet dirt.
"That's it!" I wheeze, slowly getting to my feet, "No more playing nice!"
"Lion-O, be careful…"
I unleash a deafening roar and charge at the reptile as he charges at me, exchanging blows and blocking attacks as I headbutt him, breaking his nose as he growls before snarling with rage.
"You'll pay for that one, Lion-O!"
"I-I'd like…to see you try, Mutant…" I wheeze, the tone in my voice giving away how much his last attack hurt me. He hisses as I ready the Sword and Claw Shield to strike again, and Slithe draws his own sword as we lock blades, growling at each other.
"You're weakening, cub…"
"You won't win against me, Slithe. I've won before and I will again."
"Don't count yourssself ssso lucky…"
What he does next fails to register in time and, before I know it, his fist connects with my cheek and jaw and I feel it when one of my canine teeth shatters. Growling with agony, I force myself up again when he hits me with his tail in the face and chest once more and sends me sprawling as I gasp, bringing up blood when I cough. I try to push myself up, by my arms give way and I collapse into the thick sludge face-first, my body refusing to co-operate as I lay there in disbelief. How? How has he beaten me? This can't be happening.
I look up at him as he hisses, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he holds his sword aloft to spear me through the chest, only to be struck around the face by Cheetara. He hisses with rage as he falls into the mud, looking up at my wife as he snarls.
"Sssstay out of this, Cheetara! Thisss fight isss between me and Lion-O!"
The cheetah growls in fury, and the Mutant rapidly backs away from her.
"Your agreement was a battle, not an execution!"
Slithe gets to his feet and looks at me as Cheetara and Tygra pull me to my feet.
"You have been defeated, Lion-O. We get our war, asss per our agreement…You're lucky that your friendsss were here to help you, cub. Next time, you might not be ssso lucky, yesss?" he turns to his lackies then, "Come on, we ssshould return to train the troopsss…"
One by one, they dematerialise to their ship above us as my friends turn to help me, but I can't bear to look at them. How can I? They've all just watched me get defeated by one of our oldest enemies. I cry out in pain as I'm helped to my feet, and Pumyra looks worried as she checks me.
"Keep him steady, some of his ribs and his clavicle are broken…Get the med team out here, we need to get him stabilized so that the bone doesn't injure him further."
The humiliation washes over me and I don't know what hurts more – my body or my wounded pride.
"Well guys, I'm sorry to have to say this but Thundercats, we are at War with the Mutants of Plun-Darr…"
To Be Continued…