Unknown Enemies
Part Seventeen

Slithe ran as fast as his scaly feet could take him to Lord Rataro's throne room on Planet Plundarr. The news he had was so interesting, so intriguing, he was certain he'd be promoted to Captain. For years, he worked hard in the Plundarr army, starting as a cook and moving up in the ranks to a Lieutenant now with skills in leadership, combat and his no mercy attitude for the enemy certainly gave him the advantage.

The doors opened to the vast throne room. Female dancers performed in perfect harmony on the polish green tiles, which blending well with the long, plush red rug that lead up to the golden throne chair where Lord Rataro sat twirling his wine in his glass as he watch his entertainment.

Knowing Rataro hated being interrupted while he was being entertained, Slithe threw himself at Rataro's feet. "Lord Rataro, forgive me for the intrusion but I have wonderful news!"

Lord Rataro looked down at Slithe, groveling at his feet. Even though he was a nuisance at times and a terrible suck up, Slithe was a good soldier and whatever news he had for him had to be important. "You have better, for disrupting my fun. What is it?"

Slithe stood and saluted Rataro. "Sire, I bring news from Thundera. My sources tells me a trial is taking place where Lord Lion-O may lose his title, thus leaving Thundera vulnerable to us."

Rataro rubbed his long thin mustache intrigue by the notion. "Really? Do tell."

******************

Cheetara tossed and turned throughout the night into the early morning. She couldn't sleep, not when the beginning or end of her future was being decided. Her trial began that morning and by Thunderian law, ThunderCats would be judge and jury. Because of his involvement with her, Lion-O wasn't allowed to take part in the trial. Nothing like this hasn't happened in Thundera History for hundreds of years. Not only would the trial consist of her part in the war but her personal relationship with Lion-O. It's no wonder she couldn't sleep. She could hardly eat either.

Just thinking about it brought her mind to two days ago when Lion-O confessed to the planet his relationship with her and the children they created. He was honest about everything leaving Cheetara grateful when he refused the show the children on TV. The scandal shook the planet to its core. The news talked about scandal the rest of the day on what should be done, what questions should be asked at the trial, what the children looked like and opinions of Thunderians. The opinions were mixed; some saying Lion-O should or shouldn't relinquish the throne, the children should or shouldn't be accepted as heirs, the public should or not witness the trial and even their opinions on what should be done with her were mixed, even though majority agreed Cheetara should be in prison for the rest of her life, most felt she shouldn't be killed because she had children.

The sky was growing lighter, signaling dawn was soon approaching. No sense staying in bed she told herself and threw off the covers. She was often up before dawn anyway and always got a run before her children woke up. Running was always refreshing. It relaxed her and freed her mind. What she wouldn't give for a run now. It could help her as she face trial.

Cheetara looked at her bracelets. According to Tygra, it was a tracking device. It looked like a weak tracking device to her. It was bracelets that could be easily taken off. She hadn't since she put it on, but she wanted to run freely and not be reminded of her limitations. She was going to come back anyway, so what harm would it be if she removed the bracelets?

As Cheetara pulled the bracelets over her hand, a surge of electricity shot through her. Cheetara yelp and pulled the bracelets over her wrist and the electric jolt stopped. "Okay, it won't be so easy." Resided to her fate, Cheetara slipped on some running clothes and left the room. She made it down the hall until she heard a voice.

"Where are you going?"

Cheetara looked back and saw Panthro glaring at her with his arms crossed. His eyes easily read distrust of her, but Cheetara didn't care. "I'm going on a run. I won't go further than a mile. Why? You don't trust me?"

"Frankly, milady, no." At least he was honest and then he added. "Why should I when you tried to remove your tracking device?"

Cheetara was surprised. "How did you know?"

Panthro glared at her. "We told you the tracking device tracks your movements and it'll let us know if you try to remove it."

Cheetara noticed he didn't answer her question and from the looks of Panthro, he wasn't going to tell her. "You didn't tell me it'll let you know if I try to remove it."

"Of course. We wanted to see if you could be trusted and you just proven to us, you can't."

"It's not like that," Cheetara quickly said. "I just wanted to run privately."

"You lost your privacy the moment you returned to Thundera, milady."

He was right and Cheetara admitted defeat. "All right, I was wrong to try to remove my tracking device, and I wish you wouldn't call me milady."

"You are married to Lord of the ThunderCats. Thus your title is Lady," Panthro admitted and Cheetara could tell by the sound of his voice he didn't want to call her that. He probably didn't like her at all. "Although you haven't prove yourself to be one. You're only one because you married the Lord of the ThunderCats."

"I didn't know he was Lord when we married," Cheetara spitefully said, "and since calling me by my title disgust you, then don't address me as Lady."

"Unlike some people, I follow the Code of Thundera and laws of the ThunderCats."

It was then Cheetara realized all of Panthro's anger wasn't directed at her. "You're angry at Lion-O."

"I'm never subtle about my feelings," Panthro said and Cheetara had no doubt about that. Panthers never were. They were always quick-tempered cats. He sighed as he turned and continued down the hall. "Let's go."

"W-where are we going?" Cheetara asked confused as Panthro walked away from her.

"You said you wanted to run so I'm going to escort you."

"As in being my bodyguard?" Cheetara was stunned. "Why are you doing this?" Cheetara asked as she caught up with him.

"You are Lady of the Thundera and per our agreement we promised to protect you during the duration of your trial."

"And anyone threatening me will back down seeing you?" Cheetara wasn't impressed.

Panthro stared at her with a 'nobody-messes-with-me' look. "No one would dare cross my path."

"Okay," Cheetara smiled. Suddenly, the thought of Panthro protecting her from anyone was amusing. As Panthro opened the doors leading outside and waited Cheetara to step out first, she said. "I think I'm a faster runner than you."

"So? As long as you don't shoot to your super speed, I can keep up with you and even if I couldn't, there's the tracking device."

Cheetara laughed, a genuine laugh for the first time since returning to Thundera. Panthro was rough around the edges but Cheetara sense a strong feeling of loyalty and honor about him. It was something to be respected. "If you say so."

*******

Cheetara felt uneasy entering the trial room later that morning. It was here her fate would be decided by the ThunderCats. The room was shaped like a courtroom with a table and chair for her to sit in where a pitcher of water and a single glass as refreshments rested a notepad and pen for Cheetara to write down her notes or thoughts. Besides the table was the truth detector Cheetara would be hook to.

In front of her was a high bench where the ThunderCats were seated. The bench was five feet higher than she was and the way the ThunderCats sat, it appeared they were looking down on her. Whether it was psychological or not, it was working on her mind. All ThunderCats were in attendance except Lion-O who couldn't participate because of his involvement with her.

After Cheetara took her seat, WilyKit rose from hers and hooked Cheetara to the truth detector and returned to her seat. It was degrading to Cheetara to be hooked up to machines to determine if she was truthful but on the other hand, Cheetara understood their behavior towards her. She was responsible for deaths of many Thunderians and tried to usurp the throne from the Lord of the ThunderCats. If she were in their position, she wouldn't trust herself either.

The trial began with Tygra listing all the charges and her crimes against Thundera Cheetara committed. She knew the charges against her and didn't bother listening to Tygra reiterate it. Did he think she was so dumb to not know the charges against her? During Tygra's monologue, Cheetara's mind drifted to her children. Lion-O told her they wouldn't know about the trials and said he would be watching them. The thought disgusted and warmed Cheetara's heart at the same time.

"Do you understand the charges against you, Lady Cheetara?"

Cheetara looked up at Tygra returning to the matter at hand. "Yes."

"Good. We shall began."

Tygra began by asking Cheetara why she was chosen to be a Cheetah Leader and all the training she endured and who trained her. Cheetara easily answered the question, diligently telling her training from childhood to adult, her education from the now deceased Cheetah Elders and Chase, leaving out the abuse she received from him. Confessing all this was enough as it was. She didn't want them to know the physical abuse she receive. It was too embarrassing.

"On the chance you defeated the ThunderCats and Lions, what were you planning to do next?" Tygra asked.

"We were going to rule Thundera in peace."

"And you couldn't do this without taking over and killing innocent Thunderians?" Panthro asked.

"Through peaceful means....is that what you're suggesting?" Cheetara asked but was answered with silence. It must mean yes. "No, we could not because I was told the lions oppressed Cheetahs and everyone was under their rule, to afraid to challenge them and had to be eliminated. Since the ThunderCats is ruled by a Lion, my thinking was the same."

"Why couldn't you investigate and see this proof for yourself instead of listening to what the Elders told you?" WilyKit asked.

"I was raised only by the Elders and I thought their words were true."

"So, you took the Elders word for it? You didn't think for yourself?" WilyKat questioned condescendingly.

"Yes, but---"

"Did all Cheetahs feel this way?" WilyKat asked before Cheetara could fully answer her question.

"No, there was one Cheetah I knew personally who didn't care for the war. She didn't say the Lions were oppressing Cheetahs, and it was after the war began I found out their were Cheetahs romantically involved with Lions."

Cheetara looked on cautiously as the ThunderCats confer together quietly. She wondered what they were talking about. It gave her a moment to think over what she said and the questions the ThunderCats raised in her. 'I should've investigated on my own. I shouldn't have trusted the Elders fully. I should've listened to my instincts more.'

After the brief conversation, the ThunderCats resume their questioning. Cheetara was surprised the ThunderCats suddenly skipped to the battles fought in the war and didn't continue their initial questions where Cheetara was certain would lead to her relationship with Lion-O. Her instincts were telling her something was amiss and her instincts were never wrong.

******

Thanks to the trial Lion-O had plenty of time to spend with his children. It was the perfect opportunity to bond with them and get to know them better and allow the children to get to know him. Since they have been cooped in the lair for several days, Lion-O thought it was best to take them out and let the children get to see their home planet, a planet he hoped they will be ruling one day.

Snarf, ever the nursemaid, insisted on going. Snarf was still disappointed in Lion-O and appeared more determined than ever to not let the children make the same mistakes as the father. He also assumed Lion-O wouldn't be able to handle twins on his own, especially since they were Lion-O's kids. Lyle and Christina didn't mind. They were excited to be flying in their father's Thunderstrike and looking in awe of all the amazing views before them.

Wow," Christina said in awe at the snowcapped mountains below her. Snow rarely fallen on Athena and when it did, she and her brother would play in it as often as they could. She wasn't aware how often snow fell in this area on Thundera and wanted to take the opportunity to play in it. "Can we play in the snow, Daddy?"

"It's too cold to play in the snow and you don't have any snow gear on," Snarf said as he attempted to pull the children to their seats. "You two need to stop getting out of your seat. It's dangerous."

"Lighten up, Snarf. I know how to fly," Lion-O told Snarf and Lyle and Christina stuck their tongues out at Snarf and got out of their seats again.

Snarf crossed his arms disapprovingly. "Just like your father."

"Daddy," Christina pointed to her window. "Look at that light."

Lion-O looked towards Christina's direction. What his daughter was looking at wasn't a light. It was fire coming from the village on the far right. "That's not light. It's fire. Kids, get in your seats now! Snarf, make sure they are strapped in and keep an eye on them because if they are like me, they'll get out of it."

"You heard your father," Snarf said rushing the kids to their seats and strapping them in their belts.

Lion-O turned the ThunderStrike in the direction of the village. It was a small village of forty homes where half of them were on fire. He shot hoses out of the ThunderStrike and water poured onto the burning homes. Once the fire was out, Lion-O landed the ThunderStrike and looked to the kids.

"Lyle, Christina, stay here until I get back." Lion-O looked to Snarf speaking sternly. "Snarf, I'm counting on you."

"You can count on me, Lion-O. I'll watch them. Snarf. Snarf."

"Why'd you do that?" Lyle asked Snarf.

"Do what?"

"Say. Snarf. Snarf," Christina said.

Lion-O shook his head. He remembered asking Snarf that question when he was kid. They really were like him. He jumped out of the ThunderStrike and the hood closed after him. As he approached the village, the last of the smoke was fading into the clearing skies above them. "Is everyone all right?"

An elderly lioness approached Lion-O and bowed before him. Her face had patches of soot on it and dark patches of smoke on her shawl. "My Lord, thank you for aiding us. Yes, we are all right. Everyone was able to escape with minor injuries before the fire consume most of the homes."

Lion-O looked over the damages. Half of the homes were gone and the homeless would need temporary shelter and supplies before the rebuilding could begin. Some of the villagers were salvaging what was left of their homes. Some where children trying to retrieve toys while the adults looked for warmer clothes. The Snow Leopard Elders headquarters were nearby and along with the Thunderian Guards, all the homeless would be in the shelter in a matter of hours.

"Daddy!"

Lion-O immediately turned around and saw Lyle and Christina standing outside the ThunderStrike and coming to him. Snarf was trailing behind them yelling for them to come back. Since the snow was up to the twins' knees, they had trouble walking and both fell over in the white snow.

Lion-O ran to them and helped the children up. Snarf finally reached Lion-O as he was helping the twins stood up. "They got away from me," Snarf said breathlessly.

"Yeah," was all Lion-O said and judging the look on Lion-O's face, Snarf could tell Lion-O was upset with him. "Are you two all right?"

"Yes," the twins said together.

"I told you to stay in the ship."

"We wanna play in the snow," Lyle explained.

"Lyle, I told you and your sister--"

"Oh, my," a soft voice spoke behind them. "Is...are they the children?"

Lion-O looked back and saw the same woman he talked to earlier staring at the children. He could only pray she didn't say anything to offend the children or let them know about the things their mother did. Lion-O rose and stood in front of the children protectively. Lyle and Christina looked up at the old woman while clinging onto their father's long legs. "Yes, they are."

"They're adorable."

Lion-O looked to this children. "Go and wait for me in the ship."

The children silently looked at their as if pleading to stay and play in the snow but Lion-O refused to change his decision and so the children slowly trotted back to the ship with Snarf's help.

The lioness waited until the children were out of hearing distance before speaking. "My Lord, we all heard your speech to the people about the Cheetah Leader and the children. We forgive you. You made a mistake and you're doing the right thing. Perhaps it was best you never gave Leela children. She was so inelegant, loud and tasteless in many ways. She's nothing like your mother. She was truly a queen with regality and class."

"Thank you," Lion-O said. He was relieved. He thought he was going to be chastised by the woman.

"However," she began and Lion-O got a sinking feeling in his stomach. "I know it's not my place to judge but either the Cheetah Leader Cheetara is a manipulative witch seducing you, you were a complete idiot falling for a pretty face or you saw something special in her that we do not know that will benefit Thundera."

Lion-O stood silent, unsure of what to say. "Uh, thank you. I’ll have help from the Snow Leopards and the Thunderian Guards here in an hour." The lioness bowed before him and walked back to her village. Lion-O's smile faded as he walked to the Thunderstrike and muttered. "Cheetara's going to kill me."

When they returned home, the trial with Cheetara and the ThunderCats was ending. Lion-O had lunch with the twins and afterwards going to take a nap at Lion-O's insistent. He had extra work to do now with the fire in the small mountain village, and as a father he was beginning to see some of the difficulties of being one--making children take a much needed nap.

"But we don't want to nap, Daddy," Christina said and fought back her own yawn.

Lyle was already asleep in his father's arm as he was being carried to his room. Lion-O laughed at his daughter who stubbornly refused to take her nap. "That yawning proves you need your rest."

Just as they were passing the trial room, Cheetara stepped out and Christina's eyes lit up. "Momma." The little girl threw her hands around her mother's leg.

Cheetara, startled by her daughter, ignored Lion-O and focused her attention on Christina. After that trial, she needed to see her children. It brought a sense of normalcy to her life now. "Did you have a good time with Daddy?"

"Yeah! We flew over som' water, snow and Daddy stopped a fire!"

Lion-O shot a look at his daughter and then Cheetara nervously. If Cheetara knew the children were spotted, there was no telling how she would react.

Cheetara raised a suspicious eyebrow at Lion-O. "Stopped a fire?"

"A village was on fire," Lion-O confirmed.

Christina kept talking and distracted her mother from the topic. "We also saw flo'ers, and birds and animals and Snarf gave us ice cream with lunch."

Cheetara laughed as she stroke her daughter's hair. "Sounds like you had a good time." She noticed her daughter yawning. "And it's time for you nap."

"Tuck me in, Mommy," Christina asked.

Cheetara glanced at Lion-O who looked at her pleadingly to come along and tuck their children in bed. She smiled despite of her true feelings. "Another time perhaps." She saw the disappointment on her daughter's face and it tore at Cheetara's heart. "Go with your father. I'll see you later."

Christina looked longingly at her mother hurt her mother didn't want to tuck her in for her nap. She didn't move until she felt the tug of her father's hand willed her to come with him.

*****

That evening, Cheetara sat alone in her room, thinking of her trial that day. She was glad it was over and wondered how many more days she would have to endure. It occupied most of her thoughts, more than her children. Just what were the ThunderCats thinking? Why hadn't they question her about her relationship with Lion-O?

A knock at the door took Cheetara from her thoughts. Cheetara opened it fully expecting Lion-O to annoy her but saw her daughter. She lead her daughter into her room and helped her sit on her bed.

"Christina, what are you doing up? You should be in bed."

Christina looked at her mother with wide, searching eyes. It almost haunted Cheetara and how Christina looked so much like her father; so young and yet so mature. "Do you hate Daddy?"

Cheetara was taken aback by her daughter's question. "Why do you say that?"

"You ne'er with us when we go places. You don't talk to Daddy. Why? I like Daddy. Is Daddy mean to you?"

Cheetara wasn't aware her daughter noticed her attitude with Lion-O. She was too young to be that intuitive. Then again, she was intuitive as a young child and whenever she asked questions, the Elders always told her the half-truth.

"I just want you to spend some time alone with your father. That's all," Cheetara explained sweetly to her daughter. "Your Daddy isn't mean to me."

"But you don't talk to him," Christina pointed out.

"Your father and I don't have much to say each other."

"Why?" Christina said clearly confused.

"Sweetie, it's a difficult situation. You don't have to worry about it."

Christina looked Cheetara in the eye as if searching for something. Cheetara could remember Lion-O looking at her that way once whenever he talked about his feelings for her. She hated that look. She could see so much in his eyes when he did that and now she could see it in her daughter’s--confusion and pain. "Do you hate Daddy?" Christina asked quietly.

And as always, she would cave whenever she got that look from Lion-O and now her daughter. “No, I don’t hate your Daddy…and I never will.“ She looked away trying to control her feelings on the matter. The less her daughter knew the better. Cheetara helped Christina off the bed and walked her back to her own room. "It's time for bed, young lady."

Christina didn’t press anymore and went with her mother to bed as she was tucked in and kissed goodnight.

*************

"So far we haven't a single shred of evidence that argues the Lions had it out for the Cheetahs. Can you give us an example of this so-call oppression the Cheetahs felt from the Lions?" Tygra asked.

It was nearing the end her trial and mostly everything was covered. Still, the ThunderCats had yet to question Cheetara her relationship with Lion-O. However with Tygra’s question, Cheetara forgotten about her relationship and smiled, feeling confident for once. The ThunderCats shot her down and made her look like a fool during their questions but this time she had them. They will feel like idiots after her defense. No matter what lies she might've been told by the Elders and Chase this one fact was true. "Cheetahs aren't allowed to be ThunderCats. How can Cheetahs not feel oppressed when every clan on Thundera is allowed to participate in becoming ThunderCats, when Cheetahs aren‘t. It‘s unfair and unjust."

Her smugness was quickly shortened with Panthro's snappy retort. "After Charos can you blame us?"

Cheetara looked at them puzzled. "Charos? Who is that?"

There were mild surprises among the ThunderCats but Tygra was quick to respond. "You of all people should know who Charos is. You're his descendent!"

Cheetara was dumbfounded. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't know who Charos is?" WilyKat asked.

If I knew, I wouldn't be asking you Cheetara wanted to say but held her tongue. “No. Who is Charos?"

"He was the last Cheetah to be a ThunderCat."

Cheetara gasped realizing who they were talking about. The Elders had told her about the last Cheetah to be a ThunderCat. "Yes. Yes, I know who you were talking about, but his name wasn't Charos. It was Kelos. The elders told me about him. He was banished from the ThunderCats because the Lord of the Thundera feared his power."

"You were deceived," Tygra informed Cheetara, shrinking her confident smile. "Kelos was the name Charos taken after he left the ThunderCats." Cheetara looked in disbelief but Tygra continued. "Apparently you weren't aware of Charos voluntary leaving the ThunderCats. Charos formed supporters, pillaged and conquered lands and forcing the people to fight for him. Anyone who refused to fight were killed instantly. He even killed, decapitated or cut out the limbs of children who's parents refused to follow him. He even raped women of husbands who refused to support him. When Charos ignored the ThunderCats warning to cease his actions, the ThunderCats acted and in the battle. The current Lord of the ThunderCats died but not before delivering a fatal blow to Charos. Charos last words were his descendent would succeed where he failed. The ThunderCats tried to prevent another disaster such as this but they obviously failed since you are here."

Cheetara looked aghast for a moment but quickly recovered. "Even if we have the same powers, that doesn't mean I'm his descendent."

"The blood tests we took on you after your surrender were 100% positive."

The blood tests. That explains why the ThunderCats insisted on it as part of her surrender. She never understood why it was needed until now. Then another sick feeling filled Cheetara’s stomach as it dawned on her what Tygra had said moments ago. "What do you mean the ThunderCats failed since I'm here?"

"The ThunderCats searched for the woman who was Charos partner. They thought they had her when she was taken into custody."

"And what did the ThunderCats do to her?" Cheetara asked cautiously.

Tygra kept his face expressionless. Cheetara had observed when a ThunderCat contained his emotions, something was wrong. "The ThunderCats had to prevent another disaster from happening. It's against the code but their intent was to kill but she had killed herself before the ThunderCats could do so."

Cheetara shook her head in disbelief. "I don't believe what I'm hearing." This couldn't be true. It couldn't. She couldn't be the descendent of such an evil person. She looked at them accusingly. “You’re lying! This is all a lie!”

"Obviously, this is a lot for you to take in, so we will call it a day," Panthro said. "In the meantime, I suggest you go to the ThunderCats library and read up on your own history."

Tygra slammed the gavel down and all the ThunderCats rose and left the room, leaving Cheetara in silence. As soon as the ThunderCats left, Cheetara raced to the library. The room was large and filled with books, containing the vast history of Thundera and all it's citizens. Holograms of ThunderCats of the past stood on column as if they were busts. When activated, the hologram spoke the history of the famous ThunderCats that stood out among the rest. Cheetara sat at a desk and immediately typed in the computer the name Kelos. When the file opened, the name Kelos was linked to Charos as well.

For the next two hours Cheetara sat at the table in horror reading about the history of Charos from his proud, glory days as a ThunderCat to the dark days as Kelos and his battles with Thunderians and the ThunderCats. What the ThunderCats told her were only a handful of the evil things Charos did. She tried to deny the truth but it was staring before her very eyes. Charos was Kelos and he was evil. His supporters were evil which meant all the Elders wanting to relive Kelos legacy were evil. It sicken her to realized she was raised to be an evil killer. Tears fell from her eyes at the horrible truth. When she saw Charos image, it frightened her how much she resembled him in battle armor. She had his eyes, his tear lines. There was no denying it. She was his descendent.

Not wanting to see anymore, she ran out of the room as fast as she could and collided with a thick wall. If it weren't for the wall she ran into, she would've fallen and collapsed onto the floor. Tears sprang violently from her eyes as she cried into the 'wall'. It felt so warm, comforting and safe for her to let out her emotions. That was until it spoke.

"Cheetara?"

Cheetara looked up horrified at the 'wall' she ran into. It was Lion-O looking down at her with concern and she hate to admit it but love.

"What's wrong?"

His voice was so gently, so comforting. She could confess her pain and feelings to him and knew he would understand but Cheetara couldn't answer. She couldn't tell him. Even if he did knew the truth, she couldn't get the words out of her mouth. Instead she broke from his gentle grasp and ran towards her room.

*****

Hours had passed since that incident and Cheetara hadn't left her room, not even for dinner, not even to see her children. She couldn't not after reading about her ancestor, not after realizing what she had done, bringing back a great threat to Thundera and all the death of everyone because of her.

She didn't bother moving when the door connected to Lion-O's room opened. She didn't want to do anything but sit there and be alone.

Lion-O carrying a tray of food, placed it on her desk. "I brought you something to eat." Silence was his answer as Cheetara continued to sit on the bed and look out the window. "I told the children you weren't feeling well." He took two pieces of paper out of his pocket and put it on the tray next to the food. "They made cards for you to get well."

Cheetara continued to stare out the window in silence.

Lion-O ran a frustrated hand through his hair trying to think of a way to reach her. He knew why she was reacting this way and withdrawing from everyone was not the way to deal with it. He sat on the bed keeping a respective distance from her. "Tygra told me about the trial today. I know what you saw in the library. I'm sorry for how you are feeling but I'm not sorry you know the truth. Whatever you want to say will not leave this room."

The next ten minutes was silence still. Lion-O had hoped Cheetara would say something but it was apparent she was too shocked with the truth to say anything. Lion-O rose and began to leave Cheetara alone when he heard Cheetara mutter something.

"What did you say?" He asked softly as he moved to her side again.

Cheetara's face was emotionless. She appeared to be in a trance, too shock to deal with the reality before her and when she spoke her voice had no life in it. She sounded like someone defeated and with no will left. "I deserve to die."

Lion-O didn’t react at all. He knew why Cheetara was feeling this way. He wanted to speak but knew she had to say what was on her mind first.

"I am responsible for the deaths of so many innocent people. I am the descendent of an evil Thunderian who was rightly killed. He was pure evil. I shouldn't have been born and I am the mother of two children who has this shameful blood in them. They can be save but I cannot."

"I don't see it that way," Lion-O spoke softly. "Yes, your ancestor was a horrible person, but you are not. I see a beautiful woman who's fierce, determine, sensitive and fight for what she believes in. One that would make a great ThunderCat." Cheetara's eyes widen in surprise. Before she could speak, Lion-O continued. "I also see a loving, protective mother."

"That's not me. I'm a monster. I deserve to be guilty and be killed for what I've done."

"No, you're wrong. Cheetara, you were deceived by the Elders."

"It doesn't matter. I still did it. I do have a brain and even though part of me didn't want to fight, I still did it. I'm still responsible and I must pay for my actions."

"It's not your fault. Who knows what you went through under those Elders." Lion-O saw a tear shed from Cheetara's eyes. He placed an arm around her and held her close to him, relieved Cheetara didn‘t pull away. "What did they do to you?"

"It doesn't matter,” she spoke coldly. “The death of innocent people are still on my hands. I don't want sympathy on what I've been through. I don't deserve it."

The pain on her face was tormenting him. Oh, how he wanted to take the pain away from her. "It's killing you not being able to say what happened, isn't it?"

"Talia knows."

"But she's not here now to talk to you about what you've learned about Charos, is she?" Lion-O placed a hand on Cheetara's and gently squeezed it. "I'm here," he said gently. "You can talk to me."

More tears began to fall and Cheetara wiped them away as fast as they appeared. "Why are you being so nice to me? I don't deserve it."

"I think you do." As another tear fell from Cheetara's left eye, Lion-O brush it away with his thumb. Cheetara slowly faced him, eyes still brimmed with tears. "You deserve fairness, love, a second chance. You deserve everything."

"You're only saying this because you stupidly love me. If you didn't, you'd think rationally."

Lion-O smiled. "Perhaps I am stupid for loving you but I don't care." He cupped her face in his strong hands. "I do love you and even I didn't, I'd still think you deserve another chance. You never got a fair shake in life."

Cheetara broke away from Lion-O and walked towards the window, distancing herself from him. "Don't look at me like that. Don't say things like that."

"Why?" Lion-O asked approaching Cheetara. "It's only the truth." Lion-O placed a hand on her back and when Cheetara didn't resist his touch, he stroked her back tenderly. "I know you still have feelings for me."

Cheetara continued to look out at the evening sky. The dark sky was bathed by the bright light of the full moon. She remembered as a little girl how she wished she was somewhere else, living a different life away from the Cheetah Elders. She remembered dreams she had of the future where she was with the man she loved, raising a family. Now that dream was a reality, she couldn't accept it, not after what she was responsible for.

"I can't," she whispered. "I've done too much."

Lion-O turned Cheetara to face him. "You're putting too much on yourself. Just for once let down your guard and do what you want. Picture yourself not as the Cheetah Leader, not one who led the tough life you did, but as a woman who’s able to live freely, do as she please, love as she please. What would you do?"

Cheetara looked at Lion-O fighting all kinds of emotions, love, uncertainty, confusion. What would she do? The answer was simple. Cheetara stepped forward slowly. Eyes slightly closed, she raised herself on her toes and pressed her lips gently against Lion-O's. Her hands were pressed gently on Lion-O's chest and rose to wrap around his neck.

Lion-O allowed Cheetara to take control of the kiss, knowing that she need this. Slowly Lion-O's arms came around Cheetara as he kissed her back but still allowing her the need to be in control and know she wasn't being forced into this. As they continued to kiss, Lion-O felt tears sprang from Cheetara's eyes and fall on his cheeks. Lion-O could only wonder what emotional and possibly physical troubles she suffered in her life. It made him angry that she went through this. When she pulled away, Cheetara leaned against Lion-O for comfort as she continued to cry. Lion-O moved them to the bed where they would be more comfortable and Cheetara spilled her heart out, telling Lion-O all about her childhood, her relationship with Chase.

After her confession, Lion-O held Cheetara in his arms until she fell asleep, thinking of what Cheetara had went through. He was furious. He wanted to personally killed the Elders and Chase him but it didn't matter now. They were all dead. There wasn't a need to focus on the past now but the future and right now Lion-O couldn't imagine it without Cheetara.

Go to Part Eighteen

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