Unknown Enemies

Part Eighteen

The morning rays of the sun slowly rose over the horizon on Thundera, spreading slowly over the snowcapped mountains where many of the snow leopards lived, the jungles, home of the panthers, the desert, where many cheetahs resided, the plains where a large group of Thunderians from different Cat clan resided, before shining over Cat's Lair. The rays found entrance through a window and spread over two sleeping Thunderians. Lion-O awakened first and as he took in his surroundings, he discovered two things.

He wasn't in his room.

Cheetara was snuggled contently in his arms.

The previous night came back to Lion-O: Cheetara's confession, her tears, his anger and his promise to keep her alive. He wasn't going to lose her. He didn't care if he had to relinquish his title and run off to some far away planet with her and the children, he would do it if it meant keeping her alive and safe.

Carefully, he removed Cheetara from his arms and placed a blanket over her and quietly left the room.

Lion-O spotted Panthro working on the Thundertank. Lion-O knew Panthro found this hobby relaxing and could be easily approached. However, if the Thundertank wasn't cooperating, then Panthro would be a foul mood and would take his anger out on anybody even him. It was a chance he was willing to take.

"How it's going?"

"Good," Panthro answered under the hood. "I was able to fix the brakes without any problems."

He was in a good mood. If he could sway Panthro to his side, the other ThunderCats would be easier to convince. "How's the trial?" he asked smoothly.

Panthro pulled himself from under the hood and gave Lion-O and intense stare. "You want to know the verdict, don't you?"

Maybe he wasn't as smooth as he thought. "I...No....I... are you close?"

Panthro looked grim. "We only thing need to question Cheetara on her relationship with you. We should have a verdict by this afternoon or tomorrow."

"That soon?"

"The decision isn't as hard as you may think."

Lion-O couldn't tell if that meant leniency on Cheetara or not. There was too much at stake with the trial so close to an end. He couldn't take that chance. "Panthro, you can't give Cheetara a guilty verdict."

"Lion-O--" Panthro warned.

"I know. I know," Lion-O cut him off. "I'm not to have any decision or influence on this trial, but I can't stand by and do nothing. This is my wife we're talking about. I love her. She's gone through so much horrible things you don't know. If you only listen, you'll understand what she went through."

"She told you these things?" Panthro assumed wisely.

"Yes. I talked to her last night." Panthro looked doubtful. "It was the truth! It wasn't a scheme. She was so broken after learning about her ancestor, she finally confessed the pain she's carried all her life."

"You slept with her didn't you?"

"No!" Lion-O flared angrily. "I would never take advantage of Cheetara like that! Why even think that!"

"You do look like you got out of bed and Snarf mentioned you weren't in your room this morning and he last saw you going in Cheetara's room." Panthro stepped closer and sniffed Lion-O. "Even though you say you didn't sleep with her, I can smell her scent on you."

Lion-O crossed his arms as he stared at Panthro suspiciously. "What's your point?"

Panthro half rolled his eyes. "I won't question what happened but whatever happened influenced you enough to get a not guilty verdict."

"There's a very good reason for this."

"Maybe, but we can't be biased on this. We have to treat her like any other criminal."

Lion-O flinched at the criminal remark. If they only knew Cheetara. If they only knew. "She's not any other criminal. She's--"

"I know, Lion-O. I know how you feel." For the first time since the trial began, Panthro's strong visage softened. "Despite her crimes, she's a good person and if things were different, she could've made an incredible ThunderCat. She's a very decent lady, Lion-O."

Lion-O never expected to hear that from Panthro. He's always been so tough and condescending to Cheetara though respectful in a way since she was Lady of Thundera. "Thanks, Panthro."

"Despite that, I'm going to do my job."

Lion-O conceded as he nodded agreeably. "I understand."

**********

Cheetara looked grim at the ThunderCats as she settled in her seat. Today was the last day of her trial before the ThunderCats deliberate among themselves on her fate. When she awoke that morning, she found herself alone. Cheetara laid in Lion-O's fading warm spot for an hour, taking in his scent. He had such a strong, powering scent just as his presence and it always took her breath away. It took all her will to distanced herself and treat him as she did. How could someone like him love her? Why after her distance and coldness to him could he love her? He never back down to her and wasn't affected about her behavior towards him and it made her care for him all the more.

There were so many times she just wanted to tell him how she truly felt but couldn't. "Life isn't fair," she realized sadly. "It isn't fair."

And so as the last day of trial began, Cheetara was shown how unfair it was when her most intimate and private thoughts of Lion-O were to be invaded.

"Tell us your relationship of Lord Lion-O?" Tygra asked.

That tiger was always so blunt Cheetara noticed. She didn't like it but at least he told what was on his mind. "I didn't know who he was when he saved my life." The surprised expressions on the ThunderCats faces would've made Cheetara laugh if the situation wasn't uncomfortable. She went on to explain their first meeting, the secret trysts they had, their wedding and her feelings. Cheetara tried to keep as much intimate details about her and Lion-O to herself but the ThunderCats wouldn't stop with their questioning and pried as deep as they could.

"So, you admit at one point you did love him?" Tygra questioned.

"I still do."

"Even when you were fighting and killing his people?" WilyKat asked.

"I didn't know!" Cheetara yelled in frustration and anger at their accusations. She paused to get control of her feelings. "I know it was wrong now but I was confused and deceived. I thought what I was doing was right. As Lion-O and I grew closer, I hated fighting. I wanted to be with Lion-O, but I knew telling him the truth would mean risking losing him and I couldn't do it. Have you ever been afraid of losing the one right thing in your life?" she asked the ThunderCats desperately. When they didn't answer, Cheetara bit her trembling lips, holding back her tears. She was fighting a losing battle. It wasn't fair.

"You really love him, don't you?" WilyKit commented gently.

Cheetara looked at the only female ThunderCat. She could see sympathy in the young woman's eyes. WilyKit was the most open and friendly of the ThunderCats to Cheetara since her arrival. She was always good with her kids and never showed any distrust of her. Cheetara knew WilyKit could be trusted. "Yes, I do."

"We have enough evidence in our trial to discuss among ourselves a decision," Panthro said suddenly and Cheetara wasn't sure if that was good or bad. "We will alert Lord Lion-O when a verdict has been made. This trial is over."

An odd sense of relief flooded Cheetara at that announcement. The trial was over. No more questions. No more prying into her thoughts, feelings or her life anymore. However, tension of the upcoming verdict resided in her and it wouldn't be release until a verdict was read. Until then, she would have to live her life as normal as she could and the first step towards that would be reconciling with Lion-O. After confessing to him last night, Cheetara never felt so close to him, so loved. Whatever happened, she had to reconcile with him.

When Cheetara left the room, she saw Lion-O leaning against a wall, waiting for her. "Lion-O?" What are you--" she never finished the rest as she was suddenly gathered into Lion-O's arms and was met with a searing kiss. Cheetara melted into his arms and instantly kissed back.

When Lion-O broke the kiss, he looked at her sheepishly. "Sorry. I couldn't help myself."

Cheetara smiled. "I see that. Why did you do it?"

Lion-O grinned at her slyly. "I think you know why."

Cheetara looked puzzled. Then it dawned on her. "You mean last night? Lion-O we only kissed."

"I know but it's more than that. We connected again. I'm telling you things will work out."

Why was he so optimistic? "You shouldn't sound so positive about things you don't know about."

"I can't help it," he smiled cockily. "Things just seem to go my way."

Cheetara laughed and shook her head. Only he could make her laugh at a time like this. "You're incorrigible."

"Ah, a compliment." Cheetara laughed again; his optimism was affecting her. Maybe Lion-O was right. Maybe things were going to work out after all.

********

The next two days were incredibly blissful for Cheetara. She hadn't a moment to think about the trial with Lion-O keeping her spirits up and focused on the children by playing games together, telling stories of the children's lives and Lion-O's stories of his own childhood. Even Christina noticed the mood change of her parents and liked seeing them act as a close loving couple. During a picnic one afternoon, Lion-O and Cheetara rest on a soft blanket and watched their children played together at a safe distance.

"Lyle really looks like you."

"Really?" Lion-O said surprised. "That's the first time you commented my children relations to me."

Cheetara was stunned by that remark. Had she really been that cruel and cold to him? She had to change that. "Yes. He even acts like you. He's so outgoing, defiant at times and stubborn when he wants things to go his way." She looked at him with a knowing smile. "Just like his father."

"Christina takes after you a lot," Lion-O commented looking at his daughter, laughing as she was outracing her brother. "She's very wise for her age, very intuitive. She even asked me if I made you mad and if that's why you don't talk to me."

Cheetara eyes widen in shock at the words. "She asked you that?" At Lion-O's, she went on, "She asked me that, too. I wasn't aware my anger was so obvious to her."

"Well, we have a very observant daughter and if you're not honest with her, she's going to suspect the truth," Lion-O rationally said. "What did you tell her?"

"What?"

"What did you tell her about me? Did you tell her you hate me?"

"No!" Cheetara immediately said. "No, of course I didn't! She knows I don't hate you."

"But she doesn't know you love me," he admitted and Cheetara could tell he was hurt the thought of it.

"I...I didn't--"

"It's okay," Lion-O smiled, a wonderful smile that made Cheetara's heart jumped. "I think she'll know your true feelings soon enough." He laid on his side and stared up at Cheetara, still smiling. "After we get remarried."

"Remarried?!"

"Why not?" Lion-O suggested. "We never had a public ceremony."

"I really hate it when you do this," Cheetara bitterly said. One moment she loves him and in the next he does things like this to upset her.

"Do what?" Lion-O innocently asked.

"Make decisions that concern us without discussing it with me."

"What are you going to do? Stop me from making love to you? You're already doing that."

The remark could've been scornful but seeing the pleasant look on Lion-O's face, Cheetara knew that to be not true. He actually thought the situation between them was funny. Married and in their four years of marriage slept together less than the ten fingers on her hands. She couldn't help but smile back. In fact she started laughing. She laughed so loud and hard, tears sprang from her eyes and she was clutching her side to try to control herself.

"Oh, you find it funny?" he teased.

Cheetara wiped a tear from her eye but couldn't control her laughter. "Yes. That and well we've only been married four years and we've been intimate less than five times. Isn't that funny?" Cheetara nearly doubled over in laughter and thought Lion-O would join her in a good laugh but when she only heard her laughter she quickly sobered up. Maybe it wasn't funny to him as she thought it would be. She was afraid to look at him feeling she would see hurt and pain. She knew how he felt for her and the constant rejections and coldness she'd given had hurt him. That last remark probably pushed it further.

Cheetara opened her mouth to apologize but edged back seeing the feral look on his face. Cheetara knew that look very well with Lion-O. Even though their lovemaking have been few, she remembered that look every time they were together. As she edged back slowly, Lion-O's feral grin widen. He couldn't be thinking of that now she thought. The children weren't that far away. Still not taking a chance, Cheetara started to get up when she felt herself being pulled towards Lion-O in a quick motion.

"You are very lucky the children are nearby," Lion-O warned gently, "otherwise I would quickly change our lack on intimacy."

So caught in the moment she found herself saying, "A-am I safe tonight?"

The feral grin darkened and Cheetara's heart raced faster. "If you don't want me to come, I advise you to lock your door."

"B-but you can e-easily override the lock I'm sure."

"I don't go anywhere I'm not wanted." As leaned forward to kiss her, Cheetara expected a kiss similar to the one she received after the trial and not the quick peck on her cheek Lion-O gave her. He winked at her clearly amused by her shock and disappointment, pulled away and left to play with the children, leaving Cheetara confused and frustrated.

Cheetara received suggestive looks from Lion-O the rest of the evening leaving Cheetara's emotions mixed with nervousness, confusion and excitement. One question resided in her. Should she or should not leave the door unlock? It was clear Lion-O felt she would be free and was more than ready to be husband and wife and not just in name only. As Cheetara paced working out her decision, she realized she wanted that, too. It would be tough in the public eyes but if they could be together, she wanted that.

Cheetara took a bath, soaking herself in soothing sensual smells she hoped Lion-O would liked. Afterwards, she fixed her hair nicely and halfway wondered what was the point considering what would happen. Cheetara frowned when thinking about her wardrobe or correctly her lack on sensual wardrobe. She never had a desire to feel desirable for years and wished she listened to Talia's suggestion on getting one sensual nightgown. Then again she realized as she shut her closet door, what was the point considering what would happen. She smiled to her as a simple idea came to mind. Her in a simple, frumpy robe would do.

Lying on her bed, she tried to think of the right way to greet Lion-O. Should she sit properly on the bed waiting for him or should she lay down and try her best at a 'come hither look'? Being trained to be a warrior all her life, Cheetara was very unaware of what it took to be desirable to man. She was very innocent in this matter and it embarrassed her even more having been with intimate with Lion-O and having his children.

Giving up, she decided to lay on her side and wait. Half an hour passed and Cheetara checked her door to see if it was locked which it wasn't. Maybe he was running late she thought. Lion-O did mention he had work to do before going to bed and Cheetara knew everyone was in bed no later than eleven and it was running onto one in the morning. Cheetara thought about checking in Lion-O's room but decided against it. Besides he said he was coming if she left the door unlocked so where was he?

By three Cheetara had given up and was steaming with anger as she went to sleep and was ready to let Lion-O have it when she saw him in the morning.

*******

Cheetara awakened early that morning furious with Lion-O. How dare he make a fool of her that way. Cheetara was also angry at herself, preparing herself for Lion-O, giving him the hints that she wanted to be with him and it turned out to be an embarrassing blow to her pride. He was going to pay! Not caring at all by her appearance, Cheetara stormed into Lion-O's room.

He was still in bed sleeping and with a smile! Cheetara was soon going to put an end to that! She marched to his bed and threw off his covers. She grabbed his pillow and slapped him across his chest with it. Lion-O opened his eyes to see Cheetara glaring down at him angrily. Lion-O returned with a smile and in that instant, Cheetara knew Lion-O knew why she there. That made her even more furious.

"Good morning. Sleep well?"

Sleep well? His arrogance knew no end. "What do you think?" She slapped him again with the pillow.

Lion-O sat up and yawned. "Judging by you pulling off my covers and slapping me with my pillow, I'm guessing you didn't sleep well."

Cheetara threw the pillow at Lion-O, glaring at him. "Gee, I wonder why." She sat on the bed and shot him a piercing look. "What happened last night?"

Lion-O laid back on his head board with his hands behind his head. "Honestly.... I was testing you and seeing you storming in here all upset proves you want me as much as I want you." He laughed. "You're frustrated."

Cheetara felt the heat rise on her cheeks at his suggestion. "I am not!"

Lion-O half rolled his eyes. "Sure."

Cheetara huffed and looked away from him. "So what if I wanted to be intimated with you? It's no big deal. We are married and married couples have desires....even couples as estranged as us." She rose to Lion-O's surprise. She was going to leave with some shred of pride and dignity left. "But that's over and I don't have such feelings right now. What happened last night was a weak moment. I'm still reeling from the trial and was feeling very vulnerable. You were wrong to take advantage of me."

"If that were true, you wouldn't have come in at all. You would've gotten up and pretended last night didn't happen but the truth is you wanted it to happen whether it was last night or this morning. Why else would you come here dressed as you are?"

Cheetara looked down and saw how open and exposed she was. She was too angry with Lion-O to noticed her robe had come unloose. "Oh, no," she said and quickly covered herself up.

"What's the point of doing that?" Lion-O joked. "I've already seen it."

"Oh, shut up!" Cheetara shot back.

Lion-O laughed as he rose and embraced Cheetara. "It's all right. We can wait until we're remarried."

Cheetara pushed him away and glared at him. "Knowing you, you'll rush the wedding so you don't have to wait that long. I know you."

Lion-O laughed and kissed Cheetara's forehead. "Shame on you, love. Carnal thoughts again? Tempting as I am, you must learn to resist me."

Cheetara opened her mouth to argue with him but didn't. She knew Lion-O would throw it against her again somehow. She let out a breath of air and rolled her eyes. "I don't know what to do with you."

"Sure you do but you have to wait until after the wedding."

Cheetara groaned and stormed out the room.

********

All humor that morning came to a halt when Lion-O was alerted by Panthro a decision has been made in Cheetara's trial. Afterwards, Panthro alerted the press of the news. Though they weren't part of viewing the trial which lessen the media chances of tainting the public opinion with their theories, they would be allowed to listen to the verdict outside. Lion-O requested the press not to be allowed inside, lessening the risk of the children being spotted and the unwanted question by the press towards himself and Cheetara. A guilty verdict meant either expulsion from the planet, death or eternal prison. Before meeting with the ThunderCats on her verdict, Cheetara looked outside Cat's Lair and noticed all the media and their vehicles outside, prepping themselves for a historic moment. Without looking back, Cheetara felt Lion-O's presence as he entered her room.

"Lion-O, we have to discuss what we will do if there's a guilty verdict."

"There won't be one."

"You don't know that," Cheetara reminded him as she turned around. "I want to be prepared just in case. Let the children know I did a bad thing and I had to go away and be punished for it. Tell them I will always love them. I know you will raise them well."

"Cheetara, I can't do that."

"You must." She looked at him desperately begging him with her eyes to agree to this. "Promise me you'll do this for our children."

He hated that look in Cheetara's eyes. The fear. The desperation. It always weakened him when she did that. "All right," Lion-O agreed regretfully. "I promise."

Despite Lion-O's request, Cheetara decided against seeing her children before the verdict was read. 'I don't want to give off any suspicions of my behavior to the children," Cheetara had said. They walked into the courtroom together, holding hands and for the first time showing their commitment to one another. Cheetara noticed the microphones in the room, knowing it was for the press outside to hear the verdict being read. After sitting in her seat, she squeezed Lion-O's hand for assurance under the table, and not only did he squeezed back, he whispered words of confidence in her ear.

The ThunderCats waited for their moment to pass before speaking. Their visages were clear. Lion-O tried to read pass that but knew ThunderCats were trained to hide any emotions.

"Lady Cheetara, we have carefully reviewed our investigation of the trial and came to a fair verdict. Would you please rise?" Tygra requested.

Cheetara rose and Lion-O stood by Cheetara's side. Whatever it was Lion-O had said, they would face it together. Tygra stared at the two his _expression unreadable.

Outside, camera crews listened intently as Tygra's voice boomed outside. His voice being heard on all the cameras outside the lair was also being heard on every radio and monitor system on Thundera allowing everyone on the planet to hear a very historic verdict.

A cameraman who focused his camera on the reporter listening to the verdict noticed something behind the reporter. He zoomed on it and noticed a ship coming in their direction. It was too far to identify the ship's origin but it was odd for one to be coming to Cat's Lair on this day. Despite his instincts to focus on the ship, the cameraman focused on the reporter and listened to the verdict.

Inside the lair, Tygra continued as he read the verdict. "Lady Cheetara, for your crimes and involvement in the war, we find you guilty with life in prison."

Cheetara's knees buckled slightly and she used the table in front of her to balance herself. Guilty. Shocked rendered through her body. She knew it was a chance she would be found guilty but hearing it was unbelievable.

Lion-O was furious. How could they do this? he asked himself angrily. They were his friends and comrades. There was no honor in this verdict. "How could you vote that way?!"

"We're sorry, Lion-O," Panthro said sympathetically. "But we have to vote on the crimes she has committed, not the person she is now."

"No!" Lion-O argued. "This is an outrage!"

"We're sorry, Lion-O," WilyKit apologized. "Sadly, she has to pay for her crimes."

Before she could say anymore, the room shook violently. It sounded as if an explosion took place outside the lair. WilyKat fell from his seat. WilyKit jumped from hers when a piece of the ceiling fell in her direction. Panthro and Tygra steadied themselves at the bench. Lion-O caught the already shaken Cheetara to steady her balance. She looked at him worried. "The children."

The room shook again and the two held each other so they wouldn't fall. "What's going on?" Lion-O demanded.

The ThunderCats were already on their way to the Control Room. Lion-O looked after them and then longingly at Cheetara. His first instincts were to check on his children just as Cheetara wanted, but being Lord of the ThunderCats, he had a responsibility to see what was happening and help his planet.

"I know," Cheetara said. "Go. I'll check on the kids."

Lion-O smiled gratefully and ran out the door following his comrades. Another explosion rocked the lair and Cheetara raced to the children's room where Snarf was watching them. As soon as she entered, the children ran to her. "Mommy!" they both cried and Cheetara held them close to her.

"Where's Daddy?" Lyle asked.

"Snarf! What's going on out there?" Snarf asked.

"I don't know," Cheetara answered. "Lion-O and the others are checking it out." Another blast rocked the lair and the children huddled closer to Cheetara.

The bedroom door opened and Lion-O walked in, his face serious. Cheetara noticed the Sword of Omens and Clawshield on Lion-O and knew he was going out to battle. It was clear that someone was attacking and Cheetara hadn't a clue as to who.

"Daddy!" Lyle cried breaking from his mother and going to his father. Lion-O picked up his son and hugged him assuring the little boy he was all right.

"Who's attacking?" Cheetara asked.

"Mutants," Lion-O answered.

"What's a Mutant?" Lyle asked.

"Bad guys," Lion-O answered his son. "But Daddy's gonna fight them and get them off our planet."

Mutants! Cheetara knew very well who they were. She knew they were known enemies of Thunderians and how ruthless they were though she never fought any herself. Whenever they did attack Thundera when she was a child, the attacks never happened near her but she has seen the results of their attack: dead bodies, deformed Thunderians, destroyed homes. She refused to have Lion-O fight them without her.

"Not without me you're not!" Cheetara declared.

Lion-O looked at Cheetara stunned. He didn't expect her to say that. In fact he expected her to stay in the lair until the battle was over. "It's best you stay with the children," he advised.

"Mommy," Christina whimpered and clung tighter to her mother. Lion-O placed Lyle on the floor and the boy went to his mother. Cheetara looked at her children and Lion-O not pleased with the situation she was in.

"I'll be back after the battle," Lion-O said and ran out.

********

He couldn't lose. Rataro was smug as he watched his starships carrying Mutants on SkyCutters and Nosedive attack Cat's lair. He calculated everything from the ships he required to each men he personally assigned for this mission. He had Slithe leading the fight on the ground while he take his from the air safely in one of his starships. He had a large number of ships, perhaps too many but Rataro wasn't taking any chances when it came to the ThunderCats. They've beaten him far too many times for Rataro slip up now.

After the defeat of ThunderCats, Rataro's first plan of action was killing Lion-O and destroying the Sword of Omens. Those two have been a thorn in side too many times. He couldn't wait to bring the young Lord to his knees and have him beg for his life before he end it. He wondered where the young Lord was now. Rataro spotted the Thundertank with Panthro inside shooting lasers, cannons and fighting off as many Nosedives as he could. Tygra was in the HoverCat, taking out as many SkyCutters as possible. The two bratty twins had to be inside controlling Cat's Lair shooting lasers from the Cat's Eyes and missiles from the arm of the lair. Slithe's information about guards also leaving Cat's Lair for the trial was also true, leaving Cat's Lair with less protection. Sooner or later Lion-O would have to show his face and as Rataro patted his Sword of Plundarr, he couldn't wait to end Lion-O's reign.

The wicked gleam in the Rat Mutant's eyes brightened as he saw Lion-O fly out from under the Cat's paw on the ThunderClaw. "Ah, whelp leader reveals himself."

*********

Oh, she just couldn't stand it! Cheetara paced uncomfortably listening to the faint sounds of explosions outside, hearing it rock the lair and knowing Lion-O was out there and she couldn't be there with him. He needed her she knew that. She was as strong and able as the rest of the ThunderCats. Just because she wasn't one, did that meant she couldn't fight? There was her criminal past she thought with her frown but that didn't matter now. Her husband, her children's father was out there fighting and it terrified and angered her that she couldn't be there. All she wanted now was to protect Lion-O and she knew she couldn't do it staying inside.

Cheetara looked at her children. They were with Snarf as he did his best to distract them from the battle outside on a children's game. As soon as Lion-O left, Snarf suggested they go to a secret room, explaining when Mutants attacked when Lion-O was a child, he was put there. The room had no windows and sounds of the battle outside were almost muted due to the steel walls. No one would think to find them since the door leading to the room was camouflage as a wall. Cheetara passed the wall many times in her stay at Cat's Lair and never suspected it was a secret room. They would be safe here, Cheetara knew. The only thing that mattered now was keeping Lion-O safe.

"I'm going out there," she said suddenly.

Snarf raised himself on his tail, panicking. "You can't! Lion-O told you to stay in here!"

"I don't care! I'm gonna make sure he's safe and I can't do it in here!" Cheetara said defiantly. Cheetara knelt to her children and hugged them. "Don't worry about me. I'm going to be fine. I'm going to help protect Daddy."

"Don't go, Mommy!" Christina cried clutching tightly to her mother.

"I have to, darling," Cheetara said softly. "I'll be back."

"Be careful," Lyle spoke with worried eyes.

Cheetara kissed her children goodbye and left. Cheetara immediately went to the weapons room. She knew if she was going to fight the Mutants she would need some kind of weapon but there were so many. She saw laser guns, canons, explosives pellets but there was something that caught her attention--a golden staff in a wrist guard. She picked up the short stick, amazed it expanded in her hands. There was something about this staff she distinctly liked. She didn't know what but she knew this was the weapon she needed.

*******

"Shoot him down!" Rataro ordered. "Kill that lion!" Lion-O was proving difficult to take down as he dodged several attacks from missiles and lasers as he maneuvered the ThunderClaw smoothly while fighting back with the Sword of Omens. Lion-O aimed his sword at ten Mutants on SkyCutters and damaged each vehicle with a simple cry of his sword. He then flew by one of the large starships and cut along it from the front towards the end. Lion-O flew away just in time as the starship exploded.

"Argh! How hard is it to take down one man?" Rataro cried out in frustration. He knocked a pig Mutant out of his chair. "Get out of the way, you worthless swine!" He typed in the commands launching three heat seeking missiles on Lion-O. "That’s how you take out a ThunderCat!"

Lion-O noticed the missile on him and it didn't take him long to discover what kind of missiles they were. As much as he maneuvered the ThunderClaw, it wasn't enough to get the missiles off him. Even temporary cutting off the ThunderClaw didn't work. His body still generated enough heat to keep the missiles following him. It called for a sacrifice and it was going to leave him vulnerable, but he was going to do some damage to the Mutants among the way. Pulling up, Lion-O flew head on to a Mutant convoy ship.

"What's he doing?" a Mutant asked alarmed at Lion-O coming towards his ship.

"He's trying to kill us with him!" Another shouted. "Shoot him down!"

As best as they could, the Mutants fired on Lion-O but he easily blocked them with the Sword of Omens. Just as Lion-O was about to ram into the ship, he jumped from his ThunderClaw. It and the three missiles hit the Mutant's ship dead on erupting into a powerful explosion that caught another Mutant ship in the explosion in the aftermath.

Rataro watched it all and his temper flared. "Three ships! That ThunderCat took out three of my ships!" He saw Lion-O surround himself in a protective shield using his sword as he fell but Rataro's hopes were raised. "Kill him now! Fire on him everything you got! Break that shield! If we don't get him, the land crew will!"

Multiple lasers shot on the shield but it didn't penetrate nor damage the shield in the least. Lion-O knew of course that once he landed he would have a full battle on his hands. Many Mutants lead by Slithe were gathering around on land waiting for him and Lion-O knew the other ThunderCats had their hands full.

Slithe grinned evilly as Lion-O was coming closer and closer to him. By defeating Lion-O, he would've proven himself as a valuable and capable Mutant and move higher in the ranks. He fought Lion-O on previous occasions before and lost but this time he was going to win.

"Lion-O!" Slithe wickedly called as Lion-O landed. "Today you die by my hands!"

"We've fought and lost to me countless time before," Lion-O aimed his sword at Slithe. "Today won't be any different."

Slithe charged his ax. It sizzled with electricity. He roared as he raised and attempt to strike Lion-O. Lion-O quickly dodged and clashed his sword with Slithe's ax. Lion-O kicked Slithe on his back.

Slithe rolled out of the way just inches from the swinging Sword of Omens. Using his tail, he tripped Lion-O and rose. Taking the opportunity, Slithe attempted to sliced Lion-O with his electrically charged ax but was blocked with the Sword of Omens. Slithe grinned wickedly as he applied more pressure to the ax, pressing it closer and closer to Lion-O's face while sparks of electricity flew from the ax.

"It's over, boy! Once I kill you, your brats and your woman are next!"

Lion-O's temper flared at the thought of Slithe harming his children and wife. Using his strength, he kicked Slithe back and rose quickly. Before Slithe could counterattack, Lion-O swung his sword at Slithe cutting his weapon in half and delivering a fatal blow to Slithe's left side. The wicked Mutant clutched his side as it spilled with blood and crumpled to the ground. Slithe laid on the ground becoming stained with his blood, shocked how he was so easily defeated.

The Mutants around them saw their fallen leader and quickly swore vengeance on Lion-O's head. Lion-O had no chance to rest and several Mutants attacked him. With a single cry of "Ho!", Lion-O disarmed them but that didn't stop the Mutants from coming and fighting with their hands. Though Lion-O was fighting in strong form, he knew it was only a matter of time before a Mutant got lucky. Lion-O wasn't aware of a Mutant rising from behind to attack him until a blur of yellow energy came out of no where and kicked the Mutant away from Lion-O. Lion-O turned around and saw the fallen Mutant and his attacker--Cheetara.

"What do you think you're doing here?" Lion-O asked and he dodged and kicked a Mutant attempting to attack him.

"What do you think?" Cheetara slammed her staff into a Mutant's chest rendering him unconscious. "I'm fighting with you!"

Lion-O and Cheetara stood back to back as they fought off the Mutants. "You shouldn't be out here!" He said between fighting. "The Mutants are ruthless! They show no mercy!"

"In case you've forgotten, I'm a tough fighter myself and unless you physically take me back to the lair, I'm not leaving!"

"Are we having an argument while fighting our enemies?" Lion-O asked incredulously.

"It would seem so!" Cheetara said.

Lion-O laughed. "We are a married couple."

Cheetara couldn't help but chuckle herself.

******

"Keep rolling! This is incredible!" The reporter said. As soon as the battle started, the reporters and their crew escaped or were caught in the cross fires of battle but one reporter and his crew found a safe spot to record the battle and focused on Lion-O but now recorded Lion-O and Cheetara fighting together against the Mutants. "Add some focus on the Cheetah Leader!"

Cheetara fought hard, kicking, punching, slapping the Mutants with her staff as well as twirling it to block off the lasers being fired on her. She liked this staff. It was becoming better to handle than her sword when she fought Lion-O.

"Your skills have improved!" Lion-O commented fighting off his own group of Mutants.

"I had a lot of time to train myself." She punched a Mutant, knocking him out cold. "What about you?"

"Just working out my frustrations over you."

"Ha. Funny," she dryly commented.

No matter how hard the ThunderCats fought, the Mutants kept coming and in large numbers, keeping the ThunderCats on their toes, but they all knew at one slip it would be all over for them. Tygra was almost knocked off the HoverCat and Panthro barely missed a missile directed for the Thundertank. Cat's Lair was taking in it's own bruises no matter how hard WilyKit and WilyKat fought hard to defend it. In the past, if a battle took place at Cat's Lair, the Thunderian guards would be their to aid the ThunderCats, but without them and this large group of Mutants, the ThunderCats were vulnerable and it was only a matter a time before the scales tip towards the Mutants.

"They keep coming, Lion-O!" Cheetara yelled. "We can't keep fighting like this."

"I know. Usually Rataro would've appeared by now and after I defeated him, he would retreat. He's being clever this time."

"So we have to draw him out?"

"Yes, and I'm certain he's on one of his convoy ships. The flagship is just a diversion."

"I have an idea, but you'll have to cover me."

"Always."

Cheetara shortened her staff and placed it back on her wrist guard. While Lion-O fought to defend both of them, Cheetara closed her eyes in concentration. It was a risk and it would weaken her, but she knew it had to be done. She summoned her telekinetic powers and felt herself flowing. Lion-O hadn't stop to take noticed on what Cheetara was doing until he saw Cheetara floating and her body glowing a bright gold color. When Cheetara opened her eyes, they glowed an intense yellow and suddenly streaks of gold energy flew from her body and hit the remaining convoy ships dead on.

All fighting among the ThunderCats and Mutants came to a halt at the bright streak of power leaving Cheetara and hitting the Mutant ships. Many Skycutters and Nosedive caught in the blast, disintegrated.

The blast shook all the ships as violent earthquakes as engines were damaged, communications destroyed. Rataro fell out of his seat in the attack. "Argh! What was that?" He pulled himself up and stumbled to the cockpit. He saw Cheetara stumble weakly before being caught in Lion-O's arms. He knew it was her who attacked him. "That woman! That must be Lion-O's wife. Fire on her with everything we got!"

"We're already sustained damage from the last attack," a soldier warned Rataro. "We should regroup our forces."

Rataro pulled out his sais and held one to the Mutant's neck. "I'm too close to victory and I won't let some She-Cat Witch stop me! Fire everything!"

What remaining arsenal that was working on the ships focused on Lion-O and Cheetara. Lion-O remained calm as he saw the lasers aiming for them while Cheetara looked worried. She was certain her attack would finish them. "Hold on to me, Cheetara." He felt Cheetara’s tired body around him and focused on the arsenal from the Mutants. He raised his Sword of Omens and aimed it at them.

"Ho!!" The powerful blue energy of the Sword of Omens not only destroyed the missiles it repelled the Mutant's lasers from all the ships back at them, destroying some convoys while severely damaging the remaining starships.

Rataro lost his balance and fell to the floor again. This attack was worse than the attack he got from Cheetara. "Sire, we're taking on too much damage!" a solider yelled as he tried to get control of his ship.

"If we don't pull back now, we'll be captured!" another one yelled.

Even Rataro saw staying would be futile now. He lost not but he swore to come back and fight another day. "Retreat!" He ordered. "Retreat!"

"Sire! The teleporter isn't working. We can't pull our men from the ground," a Monkey Mutant called out.

"Their sacrifices will be honored," Rataro stated coldly and no Mutant dared questioned Rataro no matter how much they wanted to save their comrades.

Slithe watched in horror as the remaining Mutant ships retreated out of the planet. How could Rataro leave him like this. He was one of his best men not some lowly servant. He worked through the ranks to prove himself and he's abandoned like this? No, Slithe couldn't blame Rataro. The plan Lord Rataro executed was flawless. It was that woman--Lion-O's woman fault and Slithe was determined to make her pay for it no matter how close to death he was right now. He looked in front of him and saw a laser gun lying on the group next to a fallen Mutant. Slithe struggled as he stretched for the weapon. If he was going to do this, he'd have to make it count.

********

The remaining Mutants surrendered was easily captured by Tygra and Panthro. WilyKat and WilyKit called in Thunderians guards for assistance to come and transport the Mutants to a prison before leaving the lair and gathering the defeated Mutants as well.

Lion-O held Cheetara to steady her balance. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. My powers took a little out of me."

"It's a good thing we're not enemies otherwise I'd have to worry about that." Cheetara laughed softly despite her loss of energy. "Go back in the lair. I'll take care of the rest," Lion-O advised.

"Yes, I think I do need to rest a bit," Cheetara agreed.

"I'll carry you back," Lion-O offered.

"No," Cheetara said suddenly. "I may feel weak but I'm not an invalid. I can walk a few feet back to the lair."

"All right. I'll check on you as soon as I can."

"Yes, I know you will." She closed her eyes as Lion-O kissed her. Cheetara was aware just as Lion-O they were being watched either by the ThunderCats, Mutants or even the media that foolishly stayed but at that moment she didn't care. She never felt as alive as she did just now, having fought alongside the man she loved against their enemies, saving a planet and their children and now being in the man she loved arms expressing their love for all to see.

She gasped as she felt a sharp excruciating pain enter her back and passed through her chest. She felt limp as her arms slid from Lion-O's. The horror on his face as he cried out her name in pain confirmed she was hit. She felt herself fall but was caught in Lion-O's arm he crumpled to ground as well.

Lion-O looked over Cheetara at Slithe with murderous eyes. The Mutant only gave a triumphant chuckle as he made his last breath and collapsed in death. He was gone and he didn't matter to Lion-O anymore. Only Cheetara mattered now.

"Cheetara, answer me," he desperately called to Cheetara as her eyes rolled back.

Cheetara's eyes weakly opened. "Lion-O."

Lion-O felt the blood on Cheetara's back on his hand but he refused to think the worse. "You're going to be all right."

Cheetara coughed and blood spurted from her mouth onto her chest. "I....no.....won't."

"Don't talk like that," he said emotionally.

"The....chil...dren."

"They’re fine, just as you going to be," he said as brave, fighting off his own emotions.

Cheetara smiled weakly and struggled with her strength to caress Lion-O's face faintly before dropping it. "I....love....you." With a last breath, she closed her eyes.

"Cheetara, no! Cheetara!" Lion-O cried out as he rocked her in his arms. She can't be dead! She couldn't be!

Tygra knelt in front of Lion-O and placed a finger on Cheetara's neck and held it for a long minute. "Her pulse is fading. She's dying, Lion-O."

"No! She's not!" Lion-O roared and gently rocked Cheetara in his arms. "Come on, Cheetara. Say something."

"There's nothing you can do," Tygra advised softly.

Lion-O eyed Tygra determined. "There's one thing I can do."

Tygra's eyes widen, knowing full well what Lion-O meant. "No, it's too dangerous. Not only could she still die from it, but you can die as well."

"As long as Cheetara lives, I don't care."

"Lion-O think rationally!" Tygra pleaded with Lion-O and reach forth to pull Cheetara from his arms and was met with a punch that knocked Tygra down.

"You won't stop me!" Lion-O roared angrily and glared at the rest of the ThunderCats approaching. "And you won't either!"

Lion-O focused his attention on Cheetara and transferred his life energy to her. It was his way to save her now. He felt himself weakening during the process. It wasn't common a ThunderCat did this because it could cost him his life. Sometimes the energy can be so strong that the person the energy's transferring too can be too much and caused death to the victim. Lion-O was certain that wouldn't happen to Cheetara. She was too strong. All she had to do was respond but as he gave more energy to her, he grew weaker and she wasn't responding at all. His breathing came in shallows. He felt his heartbeat weakening. He felt himself on the brink of death and couldn't stop it. He'd given too much energy to stop now. His last thoughts before he lost consciousness and collapsed alongside Cheetara was his children and how he failed them and their mother.

Go to Part Nineteen

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