A Fox Among Cats
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Naruto x Cheetara
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Story Start
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The giant construct that Grune had brought with him shined with the image of the lizards. The gems that made its eyes along with a large one encrusted in its side began to fall out of the sockets and side, crashing against the ground with a thud and kicked up dirt. Lizards began pouring out of it. Among them was an overweight lizard with bluish green skin, golden yellow eyes, and dark circles around his eyes. The lower part of his nose is the same color of his underside, and his amulet had eye sockets, horns that curve downward, and a red stone. This creature was known throughout the lands as Slithe the general of the lizard army. A lizard walked up to Slithe "It was getting a bit rank in there General Slithe!"
"A night in that rock is nothing compared to how long I've waited… to set a foot inside the cat's impenetrable castle!" he hissed, and he ran to a statue of Claudus, pulling out a strange black, spherical device. Its sides opened revealing antenna like handles as the bright green gem center began to glow from its place on the statue. "This time you'll finally fall Claudus!" Slithe said, and he leaped down and headed for the main gates to greet the king and his subjects.
At the gates of Thundera the king was commanding his troops to fire, and they did, shooting arrows into the air to fall on the lizards. "That's it! Let's send these cowards running once and for all!" He jeered. It was then that it got quiet. The air was heavy, and then they heard something, and from overhead, something flew past the cats into the city.
Strange projectiles flew in, heading for the devices planted by the lizards, impacting and exploding with violent force. Emerging from the forests were mechanical machines armed with shoulder mounted cannons.
''By Thundera!'' the King exclaimed. ''What sort of sorcery is this?''
The bulky and heavily armored bi-pedal machines continued their slow and heavy descent towards the city, making large tremors foot prints in their wake. Missiles, bombs, and the likes detonated and hit their targets. Bit by bit parts of the city were destroyed, statues being blown apart and homes being lit ablaze. The soldiers of the city found themselves being overwhelmed.
Grune soon revealed his treachery, showing the captured form of Panthro to the King and Tygra. ''It looks like I'll have to take that sword from you!'' the traitor said, arming himself with his cat.
''You've forgotten one thing Grune.'' the King began, his confidence not lost. ''Jaga's Clerics.''
Likes blazes the Clerics led by Jaga entered the battlefield. The armed soldiers began firing their weapons, but found themselves overwhelmed by the power and speed of the Clerics. The King had left the protection of the Clerics to go save Panthro, leaving the warriors to take on the army. With a mighty kick Naruto sent Slithe flying into a wall. Grabbing one of the downed enemy's swords he scooped up with great speed and brought it down with a mighty slash to which Grune blocked with his weapon.
''Petulant Fox! I should have finished you off when I had the chance!'' the cat roared as he pushed back against the strike causing Naruto to jump back.
''You...'' the Kitsune hissed. He always suspected that Grune didn't like him, but never did he think the cat was the one who tried to kill him. He suspected he would have been willing to let him die maybe, but to try and kill him? ''You'll pay traitor.'' he said as he charged forward, leaving to move and divert his strike when several wizards began firing their laser weapons at him. Jaga, using his powerful magic caused one of the giant mechs to explode. Naruto shield his face and jumped back to prevent himself from being caught in the attack.
Naruto readied the sword, charging forward to strike again when something shot out from the shadows. Before he could react, a foot impacted him in the chest, knocking the air out of his lungs and causing him to fall back on the ground. To his shock the attacker was another cat. It was a female, with red-brownish fur with a white under belly shown off by the armor that shown off her stomach. She had a short, black-tipped tail with long, strong legs, large paws, and tufted ears. She was easily twice the size of even the trained guards. The one breed of cat that did not get along with foxes, a bobcat.
Steadying himself he raised the sword and began pressing the attack but the large she-cat easily avoided his strikes. "I expected more from your kind fox.'' she taunted as she caught one of the strikes and hoisted him up by his blade. Naruto dropped down to all fours and snarled. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Grune heading for the Coliseum.
''You won't get away traitor.'' he shouted as he attempted to chase after only to be yanked back by his tail. He was hurled into the destroyed mains of a statue, his back impacted against it with a sickening thud. He began coughing up blood, falling to his arms and knees as he looked up at his attacker with blurred eyes. Taking the weapon, she raised it above his head.
''Disappointing, but a trophy is a trophy.'' she raised the weapon back as she prepared to lop off his head.
'Damn...not here.' Naruto thought as he tried to push himself up. 'Not when people need me. I can't...I can't die now!' he thought as a strange power flowed through him.
With a roar, the female bobcat brought the blade down only for her query to disappear. ''What?'' she exclaimed in outrage. ''Typical fox trickery.'' she snarled as she began searching for the downed fox. She would not let her prey escape.
Naruto landed on one of the branches, still reeling from his injuries. 'No.' he weakly thought as he saw Tygra and Claudus surrounded by soldiers who were preparing to take fire. He pushed himself to his feet.
"Luckily, I know a thing about technology you traitor!" A voice said, and from the darkness, a disk flew and attached onto the back of the walker, blinking, then it detonated, destroying the walker, several more flying out and attaching onto the other walkers, destroying those as well. From the smoke, the form of Lion-o appeared, Lion-o on his steed.
Cladus began walking forward. ''Father, where are you going?''
''To show the Lizards that the Sword of Omens is the greatest weapon of them all!" Claudus said, and grabbing his sword, he lifted it to the sky. "Thundercats, HOOOOOOOO!" He shouted, the Sword of Omens crackling with power. He charged, and with a single swing, he cut down multitudes of lizards, slashing his way through to the tree and began to run up the twisting branches.
Grune grabbed his mace and pointed at the king, it then opened, and green energy formed, and he shot a pulse of green lightning at Claudus, who raised the sword, blocking the attack. He struggled, and then he pushed forward, dissipating the attack and knocking Grune down, continuing his charge toward Panthro.
Claudus slashed the chains off, Panthro falling, but caught himself.
"You came for me?" He asked.
''Look ou...'' Naruto tried to shout before two laser blasts tore into his side and he fell into the unlit depths of the tree.
"I would fight an army twice that size to save you old friend!" Claudus said, and he turned to Lion-o and Tygra. As he looked at them though, Panthro pulled out a dagger.
"FATHER!" Lion-o shouted, but Claudus wasn't quick enough as Panthro stabbed him in the back, blood spraying Panthro's face. ''NOOOOO!''
Claudus fell forward, the sword falling from his grip, and the dagger embedded in his back, he fell into the water, disappearing as he sunk. Lion-o and Tygra dived in after him, and they pulled him out, and swimming to the tree, they lay the king against the base. Claudus opened his eyes and looked at Lion-o.
"No matter what happens, you made me proud today…" He said, and then closed his eyes and relaxed into the cold embrace of death. Lion-o looked at his father, and then he turned to Panthro upon hearing a dark chuckle.
"You're a traitor too Panthro!" He shouted.
Panthro then spoke, and as he did his voice changed, becoming old, ragged, and menacing.
"Not quiet, have you ever considered that if technology was real, then so are the things of your worst nightmares!" Panthro said, and purple energy coursed from his body, and he began to shape shift, his body shrinking and becoming bone thin, the skin graying, and his face becoming wrinkled and rotten. Standing there was the decrepit form of Mumm-ra.
"Mumm-ra!" Lion-o gasped.
Just outside of the Coliseum on the rubble of buildings, the clerics stood as a dark storm brewed above the Coliseum. Jaga saw Mumm-ra and he knew that it was truly him. "The day I have always feared has arrived! Clerics! To the death!" He said, and they all sprung forward, ready to fight and die.
Mumm-ra chuckled darkly.
"You are but insects to the power of MUMM-RA, THE EVER LIVING!" He shouted a dark wave of energy shooting out, obliterating all that came into contact. Jaga and a cleric managed to dive under the wave, but were soon surrounded by lizards with rifles. Tygra and Lion-o were also surrounded. "Thundera has fallen!" Mumm-ra shouted to the cheer of lizards. "Take the young heirs to the dungeon and bring the old Cleric to me!'' he commanded before searching around for something. 'No matter. He will come to me in time.' the aged one thought before vanishing in a whirl of his dark cloak.
Despite his heavy injuries Naruto could slip into the water. Peaking his head out a bit he saw as Tygra and Lion-o led away by the lizards. A few more seconds passed before he found it easier to breath. He was quick healer, it was unnatural, and another thing that set him apart from the cats. He waited until the coast was clear before searching around.
The stench of death permeated the air and he felt sick. He began searching around, hoping to find some survivors. Hiding in an alcove he watched as many cats were being led away by gun point. He repressed the urge to growl as he watched men, women, and children being led away. He even hated the fact they took a light to scaring the children and even tore families apart, putting them in separate groups. The cries of young children separated from their fathers, the sound of grieving mothers losing their children. He couldn't sit by and watch this happen. So making use of this knowledge of the city infrastructure he leaped from one alcove to the next as he angled himself above one of the guards. Dropping down he let gravity do its work, dropping down on one of the slender wizards with a decisive crush quickly snatching up his weapon and firing at the other lizards before they could react.
Briefly the captives cheered before Naruto silenced them with a shush. "To the safe zone." Naruto noticed one of the captives was a bound lieutenant from the army. "Can you get them there safely."
"Indeed, I can sir, kick some scaly ass for me."
Naruto was taken back from the look of respect and confidence that he wasn't used to from many of the citizens. Answering with a nod Naruto snuck away to see if there were any other survivors he could save before they were carted away.
One way or another, the lizards, Grune, and everyone involved was going to pay.
As he continued freeing what small captured collection of citizens he could he continued maneuvering around the city.
'''Persia...'' he softly mumbled as he checked the body of a fellow Cleric. Her body was found mangled, twisted on one of the spires of the enemy and hung like a decoration. It was absolutely sickening. Despite initial misgivings Naruto didn't hate the Persian cat. Removing her body from the embarrassment he used whatever tattered rags he could find to cover her.
One after another he found bodies. A hairless Sphyn cat and then an Ocicat. One after another he found and unmasked the Clerics. Dread filled him as he accounted for all the bodies, but two. On one hand, he was relieved and on the other fear still filled it at what could be happening to them. Where could Jaga be? Where could Cheetara be?
Naruto continued his way to the throne room. It was the most likely place he would be.
Mumm-ra sat on the throne, the Sword and Gauntlet of Omens hanging next to him. Before him was Jaga, wrapped in bindings. ''These two are all that remain of the fable guardians.'' one of the lizards spoke as Jaga was brought forward. ''On the ground!'' it hissed and pushed Jaga to his knees.
"You are Jaga… Sorcerer to the dead king!" Mumm-ra questioned him.
"And you are even more grotesque than the stories suggested." Jaga shot back at the undead creatures.
"Did the stories neglect to tell you that the stone in that sword is mine?" Mumm-ra snapped. He reached for the Sword of Omens, but he barely touched it when lightning sparked, knocking his hand away. "I want it back!" He ordered.
"I'm afraid an ancient spell prevents the sword from being touched by the hands of evil!" Jaga answered, smiling.
"That is why you're going to remove the spell!" Mumm-ra ordered him.
"Never!" Jaga exclaimed defiantly.
"Then I will just have to find another way!" Mumm-ra said, and from his cloak, bandages shot forth and wrapped around Jaga, lifting him into the air. From Mumm-ra's hands, purple energy glowed, and then shot out at Jaga. Jaga groaned in pain as his body was battered by the dark powers.
Mumm-ra suddenly gave a cry of pain as something descended and stabbed him in the head. Jaga was dropped as the figure was blasted forward by Mumm-ra's magic. ''You mangy creature. What did you expect with such a feeble attack?'' Mumm-ra asked as his soldiers raised their weapons.
''Its more than sitting back and allowing you to take any more innocent lives.'' Naruto declared.
''Naruto...run!'' Jaga pleaded with a strained tone.
''Forgive me Jaga, that's one command I can't follow.'' Naruto replied. Mumm-ra gave a hand gestures for his troops to lower their weapons.
''This will prove amusing. I wonder if you will fare any better than last time.''
'Last time?' Naruto's eyes narrowed. ''What do you know? Tell me specter!''
''You wish to learn boy? Come and pry it then,'' Mumm-ra taunted. Naruto gave a shout as he charged forward, Mumm-ra countered by firing bandages. Naruto leaped to the side, landed on one hand to turn himself up right, flipped back and again avoiding the bandages. He charged forward as he leaped in the air, attempting to punch the specter when he was blasted by Mumm-ra's magic sending him sprawling to the ground.
On a balcony, overlooking the scene, a lizard watched the show. It was then that Tygra grabbed him, choking the lizard into unconsciousness, and grabbed the blaster from the lizard's hand, looking at Lion-o, who nodded. Tygra fired at the specter, drawing his attention giving Naruto enough time to attack one of the guards, slugging him hard enough that he dropped his pistol to which he began firing at Mumm-ra who swayed to the side of the shot.
With the Lizards distracted Lion-o shimmed down one of the long, red wine curtains of the throne room. He ran across the room and grabbed the Sword of Omens.
"You took my father's life, but you won't take father's sword!" Lion-o said, and he swung the sword.
"THUNDER! THUNDER! THUNDER! THUNDERCAT'S HOOOOOO!" Lion-o shouted, the sword extending with each slash as a great power echoed from the blade. He held the blade up, and red energy blasted from the stone and hit Mumm-ra, blasting him into and out of the wall. He rolled on the ground, and then got to his feet.
"You cannot comprehend the forces you are dealing with! Ancient spirits of evil! Transform this decade form into Mumm-ra the Ever L...'' thought Mumm-ra couldn't finish, staggering forward as the sun-light scorched his skin.
''My lord! Hang on!'' the female bobcat said. Throwing her cloak over the ancient being. She had just finished exploring the rumors of some young cats liberating some of the supplies to the troops under her command when she was alerted to attack.
Inside Naruto got the whiff of a familiar scent. He rushed over to the one of the bound clerics tied to one of the pillars. ''Hang on!'' he said as he slashed the ropes freeing the Cleric before she could be hit by one of the stray laser blasts. Catching the cleric he hastily removed the cloak and to his relief it was Cheetera.
She slowly stirred with a groaned. Her body was covered in bruises, indication that she had been tortured. She stirred, looking up at the face of her savior. ''Naruto...'' she softly stated. Before he could say anything, she tore herself from his arms. The blond would have been emotionally hurt if it wasn't for the fact after the moment he saved her life she saved his by swiftly landing a kick to the face of a lizard who was charging them.
Afterwards she zipped across the room with her amazing speed easily taking out several lizards that threatened to flank the princes.
''Cheetara...''
''She's a cleric.'' the princes voiced their surprised. However, they were soon hailed upon with laser fire, and they ran toward Jaga, grabbing him and pulling him up. Cheetara grabbed the gauntlet, and ran toward a wall with a fire light. Jaga grabbed the fire light, and turned it, revealing a secret passage. Naruto and the others hurried inside, Jaga going last. But as he went inside, a laser bolt shot him in the back, causing him to yell in pain. The door closed behind him, and the lizards began to blast the wall, attempting to break it down. Lion-o, Naruto, Cheetara , Snarf, and Tygra ran down the passageway. "Before we go any further, something must be done!" Jaga said.
"It can wait!" Cheetara said, but Jaga pushed Tygra and Naruto off him.
"It must be now! Lion-o, your left arm!" Jaga ordered. Lion-o held out his arm, and Jaga grabbed the gauntlet and fitted it onto Lion-o's hand. Lion-o held up his gauntleted hand and flexed the fingers. Jaga then knelt, and he touched the gauntlet with his hand, Tygra and Cheetara doing the same. "For the Eye of Thundera, and the Sword of Omens," he then tapped the gauntlet with his staff, and it glowed golden. "Now Lion-o, Lord of the Thundercats, go!" Jaga said.
"You're going with us Jaga!" Cheetara said. Jaga shook his head, and he stood up and walked to a wall, he touched it with his staff, and the wall glowed, and then parted.
''I'm afraid I will only slow you down. At least this way I can buy you time to get to safety.'' he then grasped Lion-o's shoulder. ''The Book of Omens lies in the setting sun… find it before Mumm-ra does.''
''I can't do this alone,'' Lion-o replied.
''You won't have to. You have everything you need Lion-o. Whatever questions you may have one remain are within the Book. Find it! Now go!''
The others except for Naruto began down the hall.
''Jaga...''
''You've always been a hard worker. Determined and stubborn, but a good heart nonetheless. Keep them and yourself safe Naruto. I have fate you'll find what you're looking for on this journey.''
''Okay, thank you.'' Naruto replied as he followed the others. He ignored the explosion and every else that took afterwards, knowing that there was no turning back.
Naruto, Cheetara, Lion-o, Tygra and Snarf looked at their decimated home. Lion-o looked at his gauntleted hand, and said one phrase that they would all remember. "This is only the beginning…" And from that moment on was the beginning of a new journey.
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Chapter End
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Next chapter will begin with finding any survivors that were missed and everyone gathering their bearings. I think that would be a bit more interesting and allow for the addition of other potential characters that we never got to see.