“It sounds like you miss them,” Kiros commented.

“I do,” she answered truthfully.

“Even my father?”

She smiled weakly and replied, “Even him too.”

“When I become Lord, you can rejoin the ThunderCats. You can live in Cat’s Lair once again.”

This time, Cheetara frowned and shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Kiros. Too much has happened.”

“What will you do?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I’m thinking about returning to Welkin. We left a good life there. Yes, I think I will. It is my home now.”

Just then, the communicator beeped. Cheetara flipped it on and said, “Mara here.”

There was a moment of hesitation before the voice on the other end said, “It’s Lion-O. You need to turn on your viewing screen now. I’m going to make an important announcement. I want you to watch it.”

“I know all about that. Panthro told me what you’re going to do,” she responded, remembering what Panthro told her about Lion-O opening his position to the lion clan.

“Well, watch it anyway. It’s starting here in a few seconds. Bye Cheetara.”

Cheetara sighed and turned off the communicator. “He has some nerve. Turn on the viewer, will you Kiros?”

He did as instructed. Mother and son watched as the ThunderCats came out of the lair and circled around the main podium. Trumpets were blown then, signaling, Lord Lion-O’s entry. He walked to the podium as cameras flashed in front of him.

“Greetings, my fellow Thunderians. I have called this press conference to make a special announcement.

I know that you, people of New Thundera, have been anxious to have another person ready to take over as Lord of the ThunderCats.

But before I tell you the news, I must admit that I almost made a mistake this morning.”

Cheetara and Kiros looked at each other and stood up to pay close attention to Lion-O’s words.

The Lord of the ThunderCats glanced at Panthro and WilyKit before saying, “My friends have pointed out my mistake before I made it. I would like to thank them for that now.

This morning, I have good news to report to you, New Thundera. After much searching, I have found my child.”

The media began murmuring that soon escalated to a bustle of activity. Cheetara noticed that the other ThunderCats did not show shock on their faces at the announcement. She wondered if Lion-O had told them about Kiros.

“He’s going to tell them about me,” Kiros muttered in astonishment.

“It looks like it,” Cheetara remarked.

Lion-O raised his hands in the air and pleaded, “Please, if I may finish. You may ask questions when I’m through talking.”

The reporters hushed as he continued with the press meeting. “My son, Kiros, will be coming to Cat’s Lair within a month so that he can be properly trained to become your future Lord of the ThunderCats. In seven months, he will be twenty years old. At that time, he will be anointed as your new Lord.”

Cheetara’s jaw dropped at the news. She put her hands to her mouth and looked at her son. He seemed just as surprised as she did.

“Time for questions.”

Words shot out all at once toward Lion-O. He raised his hands once again and said, “Please, one question at a time.” He pointed to one reporter. “Go ahead.”

“Where has Kiros been these past years?”

“He was born and raised on another planet far from here.”

“Why wasn’t he here on New Thundera?” Another report shot out.

Lion-O thought for a moment before answering. “His mother felt it was best to raise him elsewhere for their safety.”

“Who is the mother?”

“I’m not inclined to say. It is up to her if she wants to come out publicly.”

“Was the safety of their lives a true concern?”

“There is always a risk of being involved with the Lord of the ThunderCats,” he replied.

“Is she a lioness?”

When Lion-O hesitated to answer the question, Cheetara frowned and leaned closer to the screen.

“No, she is a cheetah.”

To his surprise, the media did not react negatively to his reply. Instead, they acted indifferent to the news.

“Will she be living in Cat’s Lair and be involved in Kiros’s training?”

Again, Lion-O hesitated before answering. He looked into the cameras and said, “Things have happened between me and his mother. Things that...I hope she can forgive me for doing. I and the Noble ThunderCats would like nothing better than for her to return to Cat’s Lair. But again, that is up to her. The same thing applies to the second part of your question. I know that already, she has been actively involved in Kiros’s training. If she wishes to continue, it is up to her.”

He glanced over the reporters and announced, “One more question.” He pointed to a reporter in the back.

“When will we get to meet Kiros?”

“Whenever he is ready to be introduced or at the very least, at his anointment.”

Lion-O walked away from the podium despite reporters continuing to shout questions at him. The other ThunderCats followed him back into the lair.

When the news anchor came on the screen, Cheetara turned it off. She looked at Kiros and smiled. “I can’t believe it. He is accepting you.”

“Do I trust him, though?”

“Yes, I think so. It would be stupid of him to try something after what we just heard. I think he is being sincere.”

Cheetara looked down at her hands and asked, “When do you want to move into Cat’s Lair?”

“I suppose within a week. Get the introductions over with.”

“That’s a good idea,” she nodded in agreement. “I’ll stay with you at the lair for a few days to help you adjust.”

“Then after that?”

“I’ll return to Welkin.” Mother and son embraced each other as the thought of being apart saddened them.

“You’ll come visit me, won’t you?”

Cheetara smiled and replied, “Of course I will. I want to be here when you are anointed.” She pulled back far enough to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”

Kiros hugged her again as she said, “I’ve had my time with you. It’s your father’s turn now.”

“I wish you would reconsider staying.”

“I know, but I can’t always be in your life. You are a man now. Not too long from now, you’ll have your own family to take care of.”

She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “We’ve got some packing to do. No more moping around. Let’s get busy.”

*****

“That must have been some conversation you had with Panthro the other night!” Candra exclaimed.

Mara giggled and remarked, “I’m assuming you are referring to Lord Lion-O’s recent press conference.”

The cheetah leader nodded her head. “Yes! Why didn’t you tell me that Kiros was Lion-O’s son?”

“The less people that knew, the better,” Mara explained. “I didn’t want Lion-O finding out until the appropriate time.”

“Then you are the ThunderCat Cheetara who was declared missing twenty years ago. Things are beginning to make sense.” Candra folded her arms and studied the cheetah. “I don’t sense the aura of foreboding or anger around you anymore.”

Cheetara smiled and replied, “I must admit, I’m looking forward to returning to Cat’s Lair. I never thought I would return.” She paused and folded her hands together before looking back at Candra. “I want to thank you for your help, especially for giving me and my son asylum here. I know that must have been a difficult decision for you to make.”

“Yes, but it will have been worth it now that I know that Kiros will be our next Lord. He will remember the cheetahs’ kindness.”

The door opened and Kiros walked into the room. He looked at his mother and asked, “Are you ready?”

She nodded and picked up her bags. “Did you thank the elders for their personal time to train you?”

“Yes,” he responded.

“Okay, well I guess we should go.” Cheetara glanced one last time at Candra. “Thank you again.”

“You don’t need to thank me, although you are welcome. If you don’t stay at Cat’s Lair, you are always welcomed here.”

Cheetara smiled again. “I will remember that. But I have already decided to return to Welkin.” She turned around and followed Kiros out of the cheetah headquarter building.

Outside, Lion-O and Panthro waited for them in the Thundertank. When the two ThunderCats saw Kiros and Cheetara exit the building, they immediately leaped out of the vehicle and met them halfway.

“Panthro, I want you to meet my son, Kiros.” Lion-O introduced.

The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries while Cheetara continued to smile. Lion-O took her bags and loaded them into the Thundertank. “I’m glad that you decided to come to the lair so quickly,” he admitted.

“I’m ready to see how much things have changed since I left,” she replied.

Panthro put Kiros’s bags into the bag as he said, “Everyone can’t wait to see you again.”

“Yeah,” Lion-O continued, “We all fought yesterday on who got to come to pick you two up. Kiros, you can sit up front with Panthro.”

The youth nodded and turned to the panther as he got into the vehicle. “I know why...” Kiros hesitated as he glanced back at Lion-O. The lion sat down next to Cheetara when she jumped into the tank. Kiros looked back at Panthro and finished his question. “...my father came, but why did you come?”

Panthro grinned and started the Thundertank. “Because it’s my Thundertank!”

he shouted over the tank’s roaring engines.

Kiros laughed and leaned back in his chair as Panthro took them to Cat’s Lair. In the back of the vehicle, Cheetara looked out at the scenery. She was uncomfortable sitting that close to Lion-O. But the ride to the lair remained quiet and uneventful. When the Thundertank pulled into the garage, everyone ran out to meet Cheetara and Kiros.

Hugs and hand shakes were exchanged in the wonderful welcome. Cheetara could not hold back her tears as the ThunderCats welcomed her with open arms. She saw Pumyra and Ben-gali’s children for the first time as well as Kat’s wife and child. Kiros felt overwhelmed as he met everyone for the first time.

After a while, it was Snarfer who broke them up. “Okay, okay. Leave them alone long enough for me to show them their rooms.” The snarf turned to Cheetara and remarked, “Of course, you know where your room is at. I have it all ready for you, snarfer, snarfer.”

“Uh, thank you Snarfer,” Cheetara replied as everyone filed back into the lair, the luggage being carried by WilyKat, Ben-gali, and Tygra. “But I think I would feel more comfortable in a guest room.”

“Don’t be silly,” Lion-O commented, putting his arm over her shoulders. “Stay in your old room. It’s where you belong.”

She smiled weakly and pulled away from. “Maybe later, but I thought I should take a room next to Kiros. I mean, he could get lost.”

“Mom,” Kiros groaned. “I think I’ll be fine.”

“It’ll only be for a few days,” Cheetara argued.

Snarfer shrugged as he continued to lead the way. “If that’s what you want.”

“Thanks, Snarfer,” she replied and sighed inwardly. The cheetah was afraid to stay in her room where only a door separated her from Lion-O’s bedroom. Also, she thought it would be harder for her to leave if she stayed in her old room. How could she tell them that she had no intentions of staying on New Thundera, especially after their excitement at seeing her? No, it would be best if she stayed in a guest room. That was, after all, what she was: a guest. Even if the ThunderCats did not know that.

After Kiros and Cheetara’s luggage was put away in their rooms, everyone but Lion-O went back to their duties promising to see them again at dinnertime.

“I think we should give Kiros a tour of Cat’s Lair. What do you think, Cheetara?” Lion-O suggested.

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” she agreed.

The three of them went to the very top of the lair and made their way down. They made idle talk along the way, mainly about the workings of the ThunderCat organization. Cheetara was amazed at the changes within the lair since her departure. Most of the day-to-day work was now handled by ThunderCat workers, Thunderians who had joined the ThunderCat alliance but were not considered nobles.

She teased Lion-O, “If I knew that I wouldn’t have to pull monitor duty anymore, I might have returned.”

“We don’t get out of it completely,” he remarked. “When we are operating under a state of high-security because of threat of war, we take over that duty.”

“I knew it was too good to be true,” she joked.

They continued walking through the ThunderCat fortress. At one point, Kiros stopped in front of a door. He pointed to it and said, “That’s where the sword is, isn’t it? The one that my mother calls the Sword of Omens...”

“Yes. How did you know that?” Lion-O asked as he opened the door.

Kiros glanced at his father and replied, “I felt it.”

Cheetara watched from the doorway in amazement as the next events unfolded before her eyes. Lion-O allowed Kiros to pick up the sword. The younger male’s eyes flashed gold as he held the weapon for the first time. Without being commanded verbally, the sword lengthened and the Eye of Thundera opened and gave off a bright white light.

As Cheetara continued to watch, Lion-O told Kiros everything he knew about the sword.

Kiros nodded his head in understanding. He decreased the sword’s length and placed it back in its holder. “It is this that has been beckoning me, even to the far distance of Welkin. I feel as though I am bound to it.”

“There is no doubt about that,” Cheetara commented. “Your sixth sense is responsible for your ties to the sword.”

Lion-O stared at Kiros. “You have the sixth sense too?”

“And telekinetic power,” he answered. “Let’s finish our walk through this lair. I‘m interested in seeing the Treasure of Thundera and the Book of Omens!”