True Deceit

Part Four

In the council room, Lion-O and Tygra were talking. Everyone else left by Tygra's request. He wanted to talk to Lion-O alone.

"I see you and Cheetara were getting close when the other Thundercats and I entered. Why? I told you to avoid her."

"Yes, Tygra, I know. I was trying to convince her that I do want to work this out. I don't think your advice of staying away from her would help."

Tygra frowned. He tried to think of something to make Lion-O stay away from Cheetara, but before he could, Panthro entered.

"Were you able to talk to her?" Lion-O asked once he saw Panthro.

"Yes. In public, you two will act like a normal married couple. However, once inside the lair, you'll be like room mates. She's going to remain in her old room until you two are able to work this out. You have your work cut out for you, Lion-O. She thinks that you don't love her anymore."

"Of course I love her. She's the only I have ever loved."

"You avoiding her lead her to believe that you don't. Why are you avoiding her? Spending nights inside the study instead of with her? Keeping you distance from her?"

Lion-O looked away. "I can't get into that."

"Well, it's not us you have to explain that to. It's Cheetara, but it would help us if you let us in on it. We could help you," Panthro said.

"No, I can't tell you. I haven't come to terms with it, but I will prove to her that I love her."

"Is there something wrong between you?" Tygra asked.

"I said I don't want to talk about it. Why are you two still questioning me about it?!" Lion-O shouted.

"We're just trying to help," Tygra said unaware of the dark glare Panthro was giving him.

"However, we understand if you don't want to talk about it, so we'll let it go," Panthro said. "Come on, Tygra. Let's leave Lion-O alone to think."

Panthro and Tygra left. As they walked down the hall, Panthro spoke.

"I hope Lion-O and Cheetara work things out."

"Yes, me too," Tygra sounded as if he wanted Lion-O and Cheetara to break up. "I'm going to see how Cheetara's doing."

"Give her some time alone. She needs it."

"I'm going to talk to her. She needs a friend now."

"What she need is her husband," Panthro argued.

"She and her husband aren't talking now. During times like these, she needs a supportive friend," Tygra argued back.

"She needs a supportive friend that doesn't want to jump in bed with her."

Tygra stopped walking dead in his tracks. "What are you talking about?"

Panthro stopped and looked at the tiger. "You. You want Lion-O and Cheetara to break up so you can have her for yourself."

"I most certainly do not," Tygra denied.

"Yeah, right. Just remember Tygra, Cheetara belongs to Lion-O and no one else."

"Are you saying I want them to break up?" Tygra asked.

"I saw the look on your face in the council room, and you're the one who told Cheetara to ask Lion-O for a divorce."

"I was only helping her, Panthro. She's tired of Lion-O's behavior towards her. She deserves someone better," Tygra commented and added. "You of all people should talk. It's not like you never wanted her for yourself."

Panthro's face darkened. "That was a long time ago. Times were different then."

"It wasn't that long ago, Panthro. It was six years ago."

"I never should have told you anything."

"Oh, but you wanted to and you did. Even that night of Lion-O's anointment party when you had to zipped her dress up, but you know you wanted to unzipped her. I just wish I had that opportunity. And then of course there was the time when--"

Panthro growled, grabbed Tygra by the shoulders and slammed the tiger into the wall. "Shut up! Don't ever bring that up again. It was a long time ago when all this started, and you wanted her, too. Times were different or do you need a reality check on what happened?"

Six years ago. The Thundercats crashed landed on a mysterious planet named Third Earth. Soon after they met metallic teddy bears called RoBear Berbils who helped the Thundercats build their home. It was now six months after the lair was built. During this time, the Thundercats had a break from fights between their enemies Mumm-Ra the Mutants who followed them from their planet when it was destroyed.

Early one morning, Panthro and Tygra were working on a new vehicle they would call the Feliner in the hangar under the left claw of Cat's Lair. Cheetara stepped in.

"Morning guys, how's the new aircraft coming?"

The two men turned to Cheetara and said their good mornings.

"The Feliner is going well. In about four weeks, I say we should be through," Panthro said.

"What about the megacondenser? Do you think the one from the airship we crash in would be good?"

"Regretfully, no, Cheetara. The megacondensor is too badly damaged plus it's too big for an aircraft like the Feliner. We'll have to look for one or Panthro will have to build one which isn't easy," Tygra explained.

Cheetara looked dejected and stared at the front of the Feliner where it showed most of its catlike features.

"Don't worry, Cheetara. We'll find one for you so you can fly this ship. We all know how you'll love to fly again," Tygra said.

"Thanks, Tygra. I understand if I have to wait. Besides, it's more important that we have it for defense instead of pleasure. The mutants already have flying aircraft's like the Sky Cutter and Vultureman's flying machine, and we don't." Cheetara commented. "Well, I'll see you guys later. I'm going on my morning run."

She sped off into the morning sun. Tygra whistled.

"That is one fine Thundercat."

"You're right about that, Tygra. It's a shame Jaga made us wear these uniforms, but then again. I guess it's good. Leaves more to the imagination." Panthro added.

"I know what you mean. I noticed Cheetara was beautiful when we first met, but I only saw her as a friend on Thundera and since I've only seen her in clothes on 3rd Earth, I'd forgotten what she looks like."

"It's pretty lonely not having a woman," Panthro admitted.

"Me, too. You think it's time one of us rectify that?" Tygra asked.

Panthro put down his wrench and stepped outside the hangar. Tygra followed him outside confused about Panthro's behavior.

"I don't think we should do that. I don't think Cheetara sees anything but friendship with us, and in any case, if one of us were to be with Cheetara, don't you think it should be Lion-O?"

Tygra looked at Panthro as if he was crazy. "Lion-O? Why him?"

"Because he is the Lord of the Thundercats. If anyone needs to provide an heir, it would be him. Besides, they would make a better couple."

"A better couple?" Tygra looked insulted. "It's every man for himself."

Panthro looked at Tygra disappointedly. "You may be intelligent, but you are selfish and blind. It's quite obvious that Lion-O likes her and I think Cheetara likes Lion-O. My suspicions were confirmed when that alien aircraft pushed Lion-O into Cheetara not too long ago. You saw the way she was looking at him then and at his anointment party. Also, they are just the right age for each other. She's only three years older than him. You are three years older than her and I'm nearly ten years older than her."

"Lion-O is physically three years younger. Mentally he is much more," Tygra corrected Panthro curtly.

"He is mentally ready for her as well as physically," Panthro shot back. "Lion-O's proven he has matured mentally during the trials. Otherwise Lion-O wouldn't have won the trials and officially be named Lord of the Thundercats. I think they are right for each other and we should respect their feelings for each other and respect Lion-O by stepping out of the race for Cheetara."

"If Lion-O wants Cheetara, he would say so. If not to her, then to us."

"Maybe he's not saying anything because he thinks we want her too. If anything, he probably confides in Snarf."

"I still say it's every man for himself," Tygra said grumpily.

"No, it's not. It's up to Cheetara to decide who she wants and we won't pressure or persuade her in anyway. And when she does make that choice and it's not us, we back off. Agreed?" he held his hand out.

Tygra didn't want to agree to such a thing but he felt it was best because he figured Cheetara would choose him. "Agreed," he said and shook Panthro's hand to seal the deal.

"And when Cheetara chose Lion-O to be her lifetime mate we backed off, but I don't know about you. You seem like you still want her, don't you?" Panthro questioned Tygra.

"I don't know where you got that, but if she wanted me, I wouldn't deny her, and you wouldn't either."

"You'll take her even when she doesn't want you, and if you try that, I'll be here to stop you. Cheetara belongs to Lion-O. They are going to work their marriage out, and you are to stay out their of reconciliation, got it or else," Panthro warned him.

Tygra pushed Panthro's arm off him. "I get it, and I won't interfere."

Panthro grunted doubtingly at the tiger and left.

Tygra waited until the panther was out of hearing distance before speaking again.

"Panthro thinks he's going to get in my way of having Cheetara mine. Never. Hmm, I must think of something to get Panthro out of Cat's Lair and not make it think I had something to do with it." The tiger thought for a moment and came up with an idea. "I've got it. I know what to do."

*****

Panthro kept his word and closely watch Tygra whenever he was talking to Cheetara. Tygra knew he would do this, but he kept his calm. His plan would work and Panthro will no longer be an interference. The tiger waited two weeks before conducting his plan. That night while everyone was sleeping, Tygra quietly entered the hangar where the Feliner was. He typed in commands to raise the cat's claw up. A few moments later, he was on a secret mission to 3rd Earth. Since Panthro was able to make more powerful, stronger engines for the Feliner not to long ago, it took a few hours but he was there. Although it was so late at night, the tiger would be sleepy getting up at this time at night, but his mission forced him to be alert. It was vital for him to be with Cheetara. Being a Thundercat, Tygra knew the secret codes to break security. He did that while he preparing to land in front of Cat's Lair. Once he landed, Tygra jumped out and entered the lair. He made sure to go by each bedroom to make sure everyone was asleep. Then he went into the control room. He began rewiring all the systems except communications in a way only Panthro would know how to fix it. It took a couple of hours but he was through. He quietly left the lair and flew to the Tower of Omens. He sabotaged all the wiring there including the communications and made his trip back to New Thundera. When he returned, the sky was lightening up. It wouldn't be too long before the Thundercats awaken. He quickly landed the Feliner, let down the claw and raced back to his room. He grin to himself as he pulled the covers of his bed to his chest, knowing no one will be able to trace the sabotage back to him.

A loud blaring noise woke the Thundercats up thirty minutes later. The Thundercats got up and ran into the control room to see what was the trouble. Tygra was the last to enter. Panthro opened the communications channel to Cat's Lair.

"Panthro here. Come in 3rd Earth."

Bengali and Pumyra appeared on the monitors.

"There's something wrong with the systems here at Cat's Lair. Everything's gone haywire."

"Sabotage?" Lion-O guess.

"We don't see how, Lion-O," Pumyra said. "The alarms didn't alert us to anyone coming in the lair. The only thing that works are the communications. If we try using the scanners, the missiles will go off. If we use the missiles and lasers, the lights will go off. Everything has gone completely topsy-turvy."

"How could the wires get so switched like that?" Cheetara asked.

"I don't know, Cheetara, but I'm trying to fix it as fast as I can and looking at it, it could take me weeks by myself," Bengali answered.

Lion-O looked at Panthro and said, "Panthro, looks like you're up."

Panthro nodded. "I'll pack and head for 3rd Earth as soon as possible."

"Can't Snarfer help you?" Tygra asked, pretending he cared.

"We tried contacting Snarfer at the Tower of Omens, but we're not getting anything. We think their communications have been tampered," Bengali answered.

"Both the Tower of Omens and Cat's Lair have been sabotage? That sounds suspicious," WilyKat stated.

"Could their be a new enemy on 3rd Earth?" WilyKit questioned.

"I don't know. Maybe a couple of us should go with you, Panthro," Lion-O said.

Panthro shook his head. "No, you all should stay here. I can handle it. If I can't, then I'll let you know. Besides, the ball is coming up in a few weeks. It wouldn't be right if everyone miss it."

Lion-O nodded. "You're right. Good luck."

Half an hour later, Panthro finished loading the Feliner with all his tools. Lion-O was out there to see him go. Panthro packed the last box he had and walked to Lion-O.

"Lion-O, this ball coming up is your chance to prove to Cheetara how much she means to you. Don't let her out of your site. The last thing you need is someone trying to take her from you."

"Who would do that? No one else but the Thundercats know that Cheetara and I are having marriage troubles."

Panthro thought about telling Lion-O about Tygra, but decided against it. If he told, then Lion-O would know about the feelings Panthro had for Cheetara. He saw her as a friend now, but before she and Lion-O ever got together, he sadly had to admit it was lust he had for the cheetah, and if he told Lion-O that and more, Lion-O may think he still have those feelings for her, which he doesn't.

"I know, Lion-O, but if you don't act like a married couple, someone may pick up on it and hit on Cheetara. Also, married or not, some men would still hit on a married women, even someone with as high power as Cheetara. Stick close to her and even be affectionate to her," Panthro suggested.

"I know. I'll win her heart again. You go and help Bengali and Snarfer. Keep us updated."

Panthro nodded and jumped back in the Feliner. A few moment later, he took off for 3rd Earth.

Tygra watched from the council room. "Good. With Panthro out of the way, no one will stop me from making Cheetara mine as it was meant to be, and if that baldheaded panther does find a way to stop Cheetara from being mine, I'll blow his secret, and he'll definitely be out of here, leaving me the opportunity to make Cheetara mine."

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