Unknown Enemies

Part Three

The next morning, the people of Cesira slept peacefully, unaware of any attacks. It was minutes to sunrise and citizens of the small town wouldn’t be up for another hour to start their day. The timing was perfect for Cheetara as she lined her soldiers around the borders of the city. Chase stood by her as she gave the soldiers a final rundown of the plan and wait for her orders to attack.

“Are you ready?” Chase asked Cheetara.

Cheetara looked at Chase, wondering if what he just said was an insult. “Of course I'm ready! I was trained for this! I will rule Thundera! All the lions will fear my wrath!”

Cheetara was unlike Chase had ever seen. She was cold, ruthless, and tough. He liked it.

“What's gotten into you, Cheetara? You’re so ruthless now. A few days ago you were reluctant to fight, but now you’re ready to take on the planet. Why the sudden change?”

Cheetara thought about Lion-O betraying her. She smirked evilly at Chase. “I'm just now seeing how evil the lions are. They will pay for hurting my people with their lives. A good lion is a dead lion.”

Chase mirrored Cheetara‘s smirk. “Oooh, I like this new you. Keep it up and we'll win.” Chase kissed Cheetara. She kissed him back trying to love him like he loved her, but once again something was missing. Cheetara pushed what was missing aside and kissed Chase more fervently.

When Chase pulled back, he was smiling as well as out of breath. “That was some kiss. We will have to continue it later. Come on, let's win this war.”

While Chase got on his horse, Cheetara signaled for a soldier to load the cannon. The other soldiers were ready with their weapons loaded. After the cannon was loaded, another cheetah ignited the cannon. Cheetara mounted her horse and waited. The fire in cannon went out and a large ball fired on the city and exploded.

“Charge!” Cheetara commanded. She slapped the reigns on her horse and led her people into battle.

****

The blaring alarms in Cat's Lair woke everyone from their sleep. All city and country leaders all over the planet could easily warn the ThunderCats of their danger with the touch of a button from a communication room in their mansions. Panthro was the first to enter the control room. With the computer alerting Panthro that Cesira was being attacked, Panthro reworked the satellites orbiting the planet to pull up a visual of the city.

Lion-O and the other ThunderCats entered the room to see the people of Cesira being viciously attacked by the cheetahs. The cheetahs were merciless as they attacked the men, women and children.

“That’s Cesira,” Lion-O said recognizing the city.

“Why are the cheetahs attacking them?” Tygra asked. “The Cesirians are a small, peaceful group.”

“I don't know, but we are going to find out. Let's go. Thundercats, HO!” Lion-O shouted.

Cheetara was ruthless fighting the lions on her horse. With her telekinetic powers, sword and physical strength, Cheetara disarmed the lion of their weapons, killed many and injured few.

“Fight, my warriors! Fight!” Cheetara encouraged her people.

The cheetah soldiers kept attacking the lions with everything they had. The lions, knocked down when the fighting began, were beginning to hold their own and fight back. Lions were always excellent fighters and didn't rule Thundera for nothing.

Cheetara looked over her shoulder as she heard the sounds of a vehicle approaching. She had never seen it up close but from the pictures of the Thundercats’ vehicles the Cheetah Elders showed her, Cheetara knew it to be the Thundertank. She saw Lion-O jumped out the vehicle with the Sword of Omens in his hand. Cheetara smiled wickedly. She had longed for this moment since she discovered Lion-O’s true identity. Cheetara pulled the reigns on her horse and charged on Lion-O. She came on him so quick that she knocked the Sword of Omens out of his hand.

Lion-O, disoriented from the attack, reached for his sword only to have Cheetara charge on him again. Lion-O decided to take advantage of the situation. When Cheetara was close enough, he grabbed an arm and pulled Cheetara off her horse, knocking her on the ground with him.

Cheetara was dazed for a moment and didn’t come to her senses until Lion-O knocked her off him. She rolled on the ground and quickly jumped to her feet with her sword in hand. Lion-O summoned his Sword of Omens by calling it. The two face each other in a classical stance.

In the battle, Chase was busy fighting a lion. He ruthlessly killed one by cutting his head off. As the lion fell dead, Chase looked over and saw Cheetara getting ready to fight Lion-O. Chase pulled the reigns on the horse and raced over to help her.

Lion-O and Cheetara’s sword clashed. “Who are you?” He asked.

Cheetara kicked Lion-O in the stomach, pushing him back. “I am the leader of the cheetahs! We will rule Thundera!” Cheetara swung her sword again, attempting to slice Lion-O’s head. Lion-O moved just in time to only have a few hairs cut.

“Why?” Lion-O asked. His sword clashed with Cheetara’s and he quickly used his leg to trip Cheetara. She fell but quickly got back up.

Chase charged of his horse towards Lion-O with his sword stained with the blood of the lion he killed. Lion-O‘s head was next. Cheetara saw him Chase coming behind Lion-O. Her eyes widen in horror.

“No!” She yelled and knocked Lion-O on the ground. Chase just missed Cheetara's head by a hair.

Chase pulled his horse to stop and glared at Cheetara. Why did she do that? Cheetara returned the angry glare. “What do you think you're doing?!”

“I'm killing the Lord of the Thundercats! What else does it looks like?!” He saw Cheetara was on top of Lion-O and Chase’s eyes was filled with jealousy. “By the way, you're still on top of him.”

Cheetara looked down and saw a confused Lion-O looking up at her. She could feel her face heating up and a blush on her cheeks. Thankfully, the helmet hid her expression. Cheetara got off Lion-O and angrily pulled Chase off his horse. Chase hit the ground with a loud thud.

“Who do you think you are trying to kill Lord Lion-O?!” Cheetara argued.

“I have every right to!” Chase shouted.

“No, you don't!” Cheetara argued back.

“He is the enemy!” Chase argued.

“That may be but it's up to me to decide what to do with his life! I am the chosen one!”

Lion-O on his feet, watched Cheetara and Chase argue as well as taking the information in. Chosen one? What were they talking about he wondered. The warrior woman continued to shout at him.

“If you think you are a better leader than I, then you fight this war!” Cheetara mounted her horse and rode away.

Cheetara's soldiers saw their leader leave. They wondered what had happened. Were they supposed to follow or continue fighting? Chase got back on his horse.

“Fall back, warriors! Fall back!” Chase ordered. He slapped a riding crop on the horse‘s end and rode off.

The other cheetah soldiers followed and retreated. The damage was done. Cesira was destroyed. There were dead bodies of men, women and children in the streets. Some of the bodies were mangled, burnt so distorted that it would take dental records to identify them. Houses and places of business were on fire as well. The lions weren’t the only casualties. There were dead cheetah warriors as well.

Panthro parked the Thundertank ran to Lion-O. “Are you all right?”

“I'm fine… just confused on what's going on,” Lion-O answered.

“No one seems to know,” Tygra said joining them.

“I can tell you,” an injured lion said walking to the male Thundercats. “The cheetahs attacked us. Their leader is that woman you were fighting, Lord Lion-O. I saw her giving out the orders.”

“The same woman who saved my life? Strange,” Lion-O thought rubbing his chin.

“She saved your life? That is strange since you are a lion,” Panthro commented.

“What makes things even stranger is that she said she was to kill me. The female told me that the cheetahs would rule. She said she was the chosen one, whatever that may mean.” He looked over the scene. WilyKit and WilyKat were helping out the injured people. “Tygra, you and the kittens stay here and help the people. Get as much information as you can about what happened. Panthro, come with me. We're going to see the Cheetah Elders and find out what's going on.”

*****

Once at the Cheetah Headquarters, Cheetara entered the war room, pulled off her helmet and threw it at the wall angrily. Chase and the elders came in soon afterwards. Cheetara grabbed Chase and slammed him into a wall.

“Just who do you think you are, Chase?! Have you forgotten that I am the leader of the cheetahs! That I am suppose to kill Lord Lion-O and not you!”

“He's supposed to be kill in order for us to rule! It doesn't matter who does it!” Chase argued back.

“Wrong! It does matter! I am the chosen one! It is my duty to kill Lord Lion-O! Don't you dare try to take that privilege from me or you will seriously regret it!” Cheetara threatened.

Chase never seen Cheetara this angry before and at him. He knew she was to kill Lion-O, but secretly, Chase wanted the glory for himself and he didn't think she would mind, but it was obvious that she did.

Carvel placed a hand on Cheetara‘s shoulder. “Calm down, Cheetara and release Chase. We’ll get Lord Lion-O next time.”

Cheetara reluctantly released Chase and pulled the Cheetah Elders’s hand off her shoulder. “No, we won’t, Carvel. Lion-O heard us. He knows I’m to kill him so he’ll be extra cautious next time.”

“So, it’s Lion-O now,” Chase said jealous.

Cheetara glared at Chase angrily. “I’ll call him anything I want! His name is Lion-O after all!”

A cheetah servant rushed in the room. “Excuse me, everyone, but Lord Lion-O is here.”

Cheetara’s heart pounded in fear and excitement. Lion-O was here. Why? Now she could kill him. No, that wouldn’t work. He didn’t know she was the leader. He might be here to question the Cheetah Elders about the attack on Cesira this morning. Her best action was to hide.

“Where is he?” Cheetara asked.

“At the entrance and he’s not too happy that we’re stalling to let him in.”

“He cannot know I’m here,” Cheetara said picking up her helmet off the floor. She walked to a tapestry of a cheetah on a wall. She raised it and typed a few buttons. The wall opened up to a secret room. “I’ll go in here and watch on the monitor. Let’s go, Chase. Carvel, you know what you have to do.” She quickly left with Chase right behind her. Once they were gone, the wall closed and tapestry covered it.

Once inside the secret room, Chase grabbed Cheetara and slammed her into a wall. “Just what do you think you’re doing?” He asked icy.

Her back racked with pain as she was slammed. However, Cheetara refused to let Chase see that. “I’m ruling the cheetahs. That’s what I’m doing and I don’t care if you are my betrothed. You are going to follow my orders. Only I kill Lion-O and you if you cross me. Remember I am stronger than you.”

Chase released Cheetara, a little afraid of her himself. “You’re right. You’re right. Maybe I was wrong.”

“You were wrong. You try that again and you can forget about marrying me!”

Chase grabbed Cheetara abruptly. His sharp claws poking into her flesh, causing her to bleed. “You can do whatever you want to the lions. You can kill Lord Lion-O for all I care, but you cannot stop me from marrying you. You try to get rid of me and I’ll make you regret.”

“Your threats don’t scare me. Release me now!” She ordered.

“My threats don’t scare you because you can handle yourself against me, but can Talia?”

“You wouldn’t.”

“She may have the mouth, but I doubt Talia can back it up with her fist. What a terrible tragedy it would be if she should befall an accident.” Chase threw Cheetara to the floor and kicked her in the stomach. “You break off our engagement and I can’t say Talia will live long after that.”

Cheetara felt the hate for Chase rise in her. “How dare you threaten me like that?”

“How dare you try to take away what is rightfully mine? Don't blow the best thing you got, Cheetara.”

Cheetara started to say something but the monitor linked with a camera from the council room showed Lion-O and Panthro entering the room. Cheetara and Chase forgot about their argument and watched was happening in the next room.

“Lord Lion-O, what brings you here?” Carvel greeted the Lord of the ThunderCats with a smile.

“A group of cheetahs attacked a small city populated with lions. You wouldn’t happen to know about it, would you?”

“Cheetahs attacked the lions?” Carvel feigned surprise. “No, I didn’t. You think we had something to do with it?”

“I wouldn’t be surprise if you were,” Lion-O said bluntly. “You all are leaders of the cheetahs so you would know what’s going on among your people including an attack on innocent people.”

“And you were stalling to let us in,” Panthro added.

“My Lord, we know nothing about the cheetahs attack,” Candra spoke. “However, we will get to the bottom of this.”

“Whatever you find, you will alert me or the other ThunderCats. I will hold you all responsible if another city is attack. The leader of the attack is a woman. She claims she’s suppose to kill me, that she is the chosen one and says cheetahs will rule the planet.”

“Do you have a physical description of the woman?” Cheelon asked.

Lion-O shook his head, “No, she wore a helmet. She is very strong and agile, probably your best cheetah fighter. Do you know who this person may be?” Lion-O asked.

“We have many strong female cheetahs, Lord Lion-O. It could be any number of them.” Che’kar stated.

“Well, it is your duty now to find this woman and report to me about her as soon as possible. She could be a major threat to the people of Thundera.”

“We’ll do our best to find her, my Lord.” Carvel said.

Lion-O nodded his head. He and Panthro were about to leave when they stopped at the door. “There was also a man I got a description of. He and the female got into an argument. He is a cheetah about 5’10, has brown eyes and short blonde hair. He wore brown battle attire. I’ll have someone send you a sketch of him later today.”

“You could fax it,” Candra suggested.

“I could but I want to know it person got into your hands,” Lion-O countered. “When you find anyone fitting this description, contact me immediately.” Lion-O ordered and the two ThunderCats left.

Cheetara watched Lion-O on the monitor. I’m more of a threat to Thundera than you think, Lion-O. I’m a bigger threat to you and when you least expect it, I will kill you, and once I do, no one will stop me from ruling Thundera.

“I don’t know, Lion-O,” Panthro began once he and Lion-O were driving back towards the lair, “but I got the feeling the Cheetah Elders were lying.”

“Yes, I know,” Lion-O agreed. “I suspect they knew, but we don’t have proof.”

“Just strong suspicions and that’s good enough for me,” Panthro said.

“We better keep a closer on eye them and find out what’s going on.”

Not long after Lion-O’s return to Cat’s Lair, there was an emergency Thundercat meeting to discuss the attack. Leela was naturally there, hovering over Lion-O as usual.

“I don’t understand. Why would the cheetahs suddenly attack? It doesn’t make sense,” Tygra said.

“I heard that some evil cheetah tried to cut your head off, Lion-O,” Leela said worried rubbing his neck.

Lion-O took Leela’s hand off him. “I’m fine, Leela. Ironically, another cheetah, the leader of the cheetahs, saved my life but I don’t want to get into that. I think we should question the cheetahs and the cats close to them: the lynxes and leopards. They may know why the cheetahs attacked Cesira.”

The others nodded in agreement.

If I get to talk to Cheetara again, maybe she will tell me what’s going on. I hope she’ll meet with me again.

“Lion-O?” Leela interrupted his thoughts. “What are you thinking?”

Lion-O looked at Leela. “Nothing, just trying to figured out the cheetahs’ cause.”

*****

Cheetara launched another attack on an innocent lion village a week later. The Thundercats arrived in time to help even though most of the village was destroyed. Lion-O prepared himself to face the leader, not knowing it was Cheetara. Cheetara watched the battle and gave orders. When she saw the Thundertank rolled up, Cheetara waited until she saw Lion-O jumped out. He had his sword out, ready to fight the leader. He knew she would be here.

While the Thundercats joined in on the fight to help the lions and capture any cheetahs, Lion-O looked for the leader. When he saw her on a hill, Cheetara pulled the reigns on the horse and rode down the hill, charging towards Lion-O. He held his stance, fiercely.

“So, we meet again,” Cheetara held her horse in check as she pulled the reigns to calm him to stop.

“So, it seems. We don’t have to fight. If you could tell me why you want to rule, I could show you where you are wrong.”

“Wrong?!” Cheetara growled. “We cheetahs aren’t wrong! Cheetahs are always right!” She rubbed her horse’s mane gently and smiled at the Lord of the ThunderCats. Don’t worry, Lion-O. I won’t kill you now. It’ll be when you least expect it.”

Cheetara’s body glowed and a force of blinding light appeared in front of Lion-O. He shielded his eyes, protecting them. When the light faded, Cheetara was already riding away on her horse and she was too far for Lion-O to catch her. “We’re through here! Let’s go!” Cheetara ordered her soldiers.

As the cheetahs departed, Panthro grabbed hold of one as he tried to escape. The panther locked the cheetah in a headlock. Lion-O stared at Cheetara as she rode off. Why was she changing strategy like that and how could she possibly get him where he least expected it? His guard is always up when in battle.

“You let her go?” Tygra asked as he and the other Thundercats joined him. “Why?”

“I tried talking to her, but she refused to listen and she created a bright light that blinded me. I think she’s telekinetic. When I could see again, she was already too far for me to reach her.”

“Well, we can get some information out of this guy here,” Panthro said still holding the cheetah prisoner in his arms.

“Good work, Panthro,” Lion-O congratulated his comrade. “Tygra, you, WilyKit and WilyKat, stay here to help the people. Since some of the homes are destroyed, escort them to the nearest shelter. Panthro and I will interrogate our prisoner. Thundercats HO!”

“HO!” The others cheered.

*****

As soon as they returned to Cat’s Lair, Panthro and Lion-O chained the cheetah and sat him down under a bright light. The Lord of the Thundercats and Thundercat techno expert paced back and forth.

“Who is your leader?” Lion-O asked.

“Our leader is a great person who will put an end to the lion’s reign of terror.”

Panthro glared at the cheetah. “We want names, starting with yours.”

“I am Callum.”

“Well, Callum, what’s your leader name.”

“I will not betray my leader,” the cheetah spoke bravely.

“We know it’s a woman, Callum, so tell us,” Lion-O ordered.

“Never,” Callum spat.

“You know, she’s not coming back for you. Cowardly leaders never do,” Panthro said.

“Our leader isn’t a coward. She's the bravest person there is.”

“Since you won’t give us a name, how about telling us why you hate the lions?” Lion-O asked. “We’ve done nothing to you.”

“Except oppress us,” Callum spat bitterly.

“Oppress you?” Lion-O said confused. “We treat you cheetahs like any Thunderian.”

“You never treated us like any Thunderian. You hate us because we are more powerful. We cheetahs are gifted with a sixth sense, telepathic, and telekinetic power. You lions have nothing and the only thing you have, Lord Lion-O,” he sneered, “is the Sword of Omens. Without that, you’re useless.”

Panthro, insulted about the cheetah talking to his leader that way, growled and picked the cheetah up while still in the chair. “You arrogant cheetah! No one talks to the Lord of the Thundercats that way!”

“And you panthers would make even worse leaders. You let your short temper get the best of you!”

“Why you--”

“Panthro!” Lion-O interrupted. “Put him down. Don’t let him get to you.”

Panthro gruffed and dropped the cheetah’s chair.

“He won’t be talking, Panthro, at least not for a while anyway. Put him in the prison and meet me outside,” Lion-O ordered and left.

Lion-O sighed tiredly. It was only two more days before he would see Cheetara again. He so desperately wanted to see her. Just thinking about her calmed him. The possibly of war was getting to Lion-O. Maybe Cheetara would be the key. If he could talk to her--

“Lion-O?”

Lion-O saw Leela approaching him. “Yes, Leela.”

The lioness put her arm around Lion-O’s. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “It’s the war, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I don’t get it, Leela. Why do the cheetahs hate us so? We’ve done nothing to them.”

“You know, Lion-O, some people do things to just do it, without any reason. This could very well be the cheetah’s reason. Maybe they are jealous of us lions and want to rule.”

“You may be right,” Lion-O agreed.

“Of course I’m right. I’m your better half,” Leela chuckled jokingly. She kissed Lion-O on his right cheek. “Thank you.”

Lion-O eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “For what?”

“For talking to me. You have been keeping your distance from me lately and I don’t understand why. I guess you wanted some time to yourself. I’m so happy to know that I have been able to help you.”

“Oh, that’s nothing, Leela. If the cheetahs are jealous or are angry with us, maybe it’s because we don’t have a cheetah as a Thundercat. Maybe I should induct one. That could ease the tension.”

“No, Lion-O!” Leela argued.

“Why not?”

“Because you’ll be giving them what they want--power. That's all they want. They can’t stand it that we lions are ruling and they are jealous of us. If you let a cheetah into our organization, you are setting yourself up for a trap, maybe even your death.”

“But you just said they didn’t have a reason.”

“Maybe I was wrong. Power could be the reason,” Leela suggested.

“You may have a point, but still...if only I could talk to one of them.”

“They would only lie to you, Lion-O. The Cheetah Elders claim they can’t find the man who was arguing with the cheetah leader. You gave them a detailed description. They’re hiding him. They even said they couldn’t find any information of the cheetahs who attacked Cesira! When we capture their leader, we should kill her. That would put an end to the war.”

“That’s not as easy as it sounds, Leela. There are a lot of female cheetahs. Their leader could be in hiding. Besides, I don’t want to kill her. I want to help her see the truth. We’ll just have to take it one step at a time. The elders haven’t been cooperative and after the cheetahs recent attack… there‘s no reason to trust them anymore,” he admitted ruefully. He didn’t want to see betrayal from any clan but there was no sense hiding the truth.

“They could be behind the attacks and planning another one,” Leela told him.

“You could very well be right, Leela.” Lion-O admitted. “And if they are the Cheetah Elders are asking for trouble.

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