A New Beginning? -- Chapters 16, 17, 18, and Epilogue
Chapter 16 Ben-Gali and Tygra raced up to the Tower of Omens’ control room to find Pumyra sitting in the command chair. “How did you get up here?” They both asked at the same time. “We’ll talk about that later. I’ve been trying to raise New Thundera and they aren’t responding.” The puma told them. “They couldn’t have lost power again. Something bad is going on.” Ben-Gali said. “Well we’re six to seven hours away, what are we going to do?” Pumyra wondered. “We’re not doing anything. Ben-Gali and I are going to get to the Feliner and fly to New Thundera.” Tygra said. “I think we should stay here. We have no idea if the meteors that brought the Lockti’s ships are still out there. It would be committing suicide to try to weave the Feliner through that mess.” Ben-Gali told them. “You’re right. We won’t be any good to the others if we’re dead. Contact the settlement on New Thundera and see if they know what’s going on.” His orange brother nodded. Pumyra punched a sequence of buttons and spoke into the comm. “Third Earth calling New Thundera. Come in New Thundera.” “New Thundera here. How may I assist you Third Earth?” A familiar voice came over the line. “Theo is that you?” The puma asked. “I thought you sounded familiar Pumyra. What’s up?” He asked. “We can’t reach Cat’s Lair. What’s going on?” Pumyra wondered. “All I know is that a bunch of recruits were heading up there. Lion-O said something about a Mumm-Ra, whatever that is.” Theo said. “Mumm-Ra?!” The puma practically shouted into the comm. “Yowch! Careful, I have to use these later.” He said referring to his ears. “Call me as soon as you know more.” Pumyra quickly ended the conversation and turned to the tigers. “Well any ideas?” ******************************** On New Thundera, Lion-O grappled with Mumm-Ra. The mummy had come back to finish the job but the ThunderCats weren’t about to let that happen. “Why don’t you go back to the rock you crawled out from underneath?” The Lord of the ThunderCats wondered as he ducked the latest energy blast from Mumm-Ra. “Look who’s talking.” The mummy said. “Is that the best you can do?” Lion-O laughed as he raised the Sword of Omens and shouted, “HOOOOOO!” A large blue energy blast shot forth from the mighty sword and it struck Mumm-Ra in the chest. The mummy howled in pain and then shot back. His blast caught Lion-O in the arm and he growled. “Lion-O!” Cheetara called out as she raced over to him. She quickly extended her bo-staff and jumped in between Lion-O and his foe. “How cute. The female wants to protect the cub. That’ll be the death of you.” Mumm-Ra stuck his hands out in front of him and began to chant in an ancient language. Cheetara didn’t wait for him to finish as she used her staff to smack him upside the head. This gave Lion-O enough time to stand up straight. “HOOOOOO!” He shouted again. The energy blast missed the mummy and he laughed. That’s when they heard, “CHARGE!” Panthro, the rest of the ThunderCats, and sixty recruits raced up the steps of Cat’s Lair. From the entrance to the stronghold burst the remaining Lockti. “Seems you are surrounded, Mumm-Ra. Give up while you still can.” Lion-O smirked. “Ah but you seem to be forgetting who you are dealing with.” The mummy scowled and raised his hands into the sky and shouted, “Spirits of Darkness, aid your humble servant by bringing forth another champion. Bring forth Grune the Destroyer!” Lightening split the sky and the charging beings stopped as they watched the ThunderCat traitor land in front of Lion-O. “So we meet again, Lord of the ThunderCats.” Grune used his usual snide tone and raised his battle club. “Give it your best shot.” Lion-O said as he swung the Sword of Omens at his new opponent. “Get Mumm-Ra!” Panthro shouted to the troops. The recruits stormed at the mummy and the Lockti listened to Cheetara. Mumm-Ra realized that he could not defeat almost a hundred people by himself. Without the Mutants there were too many to handle and Grune would be fighting with Lion-O. Then an idea popped into the mummy’s head. This was the perfect opportunity. Chapter 17 Mumm-Ra jumped into the air to escape the swarm of people attacking him and flew towards the Lord of the ThunderCats. “Lion-O! Look out!” Cheetara shouted. The lion saw Mumm-Ra and realized what a pickle he was in. If he attacked one, the other would strike at him. Lion-O summoned all his inner strength and made his decision. Quickly the mob turned on a dime and headed toward the Lord of the ThunderCats to help him but they couldn’t move as fast as a cheetah. She whipped out in front of the group and saw that Lion-O spun to hit Mumm-Ra with the Sword of Omens. Grune aimed his club at the lion’s back and in a split second she made her decision. The Sword of Omens sent an energy blast that caught Mumm-Ra in the face. Lion-O fully expected to feel Grune’s battle club on his back and he braced himself for impact. A few seconds passed before he realized that he didn’t feel anything. Quickly he turned around and saw Cheetara lying on the ground. Panthro was fighting with Grune and the recruits helped to beat the traitor back until he could be subdued. Mumm-Ra screamed in pain and flew off back to his pyramid leaving his evil cohort to suffer. With that the fight was over. Lion-O kneeled down next to the cheetah as she struggled to breathe. She had caught Grune’s club in the chest. Blood seeped out of the wounds left by the spikes of the weapon. “I need help!” He yelled. Bol raced over to see what happened. Upon seeing the cheetah’s wounds he called to his men to get the Extractor. The ThunderKittens, Lynx-O, and Panthro rushed over to see what was going on. “Sweet Jaga.” Panthro’s words were barely audible to the lion as he tried to stop Cheetara’s bleeding. “Hang on, they’re bringing the Extractor. Please hang on.” She opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. “Whatever it is you can tell me later. They’re almost here.” Lion-O tried to contain himself. None of his team members had ever been hurt this badly and he couldn’t let anything happen to her. Especially not her, there had been things he’d wanted to say to her and damn it he was going to get that chance. “Lion-O they’re here. Let go so they can help her.” This time the panther’s words reached his ears and he let go. Bol quickly had his men apply the Extractor to the critically wounded cheetah. The machine whirred and beeped as the ThunderCats held their breath. “She got what she deserved!” Grune shouted from his incapacitated position. These words caught the ThunderCats attention. Lion-O tore his attention away from Cheetara and pulled the Sword of Omens from the Claw Shield. He slammed his feet on the concrete beneath him and the recruits allowed him through until he was right up in Grune’s face. The tip of the Sword of Omens was touching the traitor’s nose. “Do you want to repeat that?” Lion-O growled. “She got what she deserved.” Grune said without hesitation. The Lord of the ThunderCats pressed the tip further into the traitor’s nose and drew blood. “You can’t do it.” He said. “You are a traitor. An offense that is punishable by death. As Lord of the ThunderCats, I can carry out that punishment. I will cut you down, like the dog you are.” Lion-O’s eyes burned with an intensity not seen before. “Don’t do anything you regret.” Panthro was at his side. “There is nothing I would regret.” The lion’s mind was made up. “Lion-O.” His name floated to his ears. The voice was one he would never forget. “You will pay for what you’ve done make no mistake.” He told the captive. The lion then turned on his heels and returned to Cheetara. “Lion-O, Panthro is right.” She whispered to him when he got down on his knees next to her. “Just don’t let him hear you say that.” He smiled and she smiled back. Lion-O stood up and addressed the troops. “Cheetara is going to be ok.” A cheer went up from ThunderCats and Thunderians alike. The Lockti beamed smiles and carefully helped the cheetah off the ground. “Now, I want the prisoner transported to the cells in Cat’s Lair. Then all recruits are dismissed. Your service was greatly appreciated and you should expect a nice surprise in the coming days.” Lion-O told them. “Sir, yes sir!” The recruits answered and quickly went about their task. The ThunderCats turned to the Lockti and the group went inside. Ten minutes later, the ThunderCats were doing the tasks that needed to be done while Lion-O sat with Cheetara in the sick bay. “I’ve been yelled at to take it easy for a couple of days. Bol says that the treatment worked correctly but since I had a near-death experience, bed-rest is best.” She said. “That’s going to be tough considering the fact that we planned on taking the Lockti to Third Earth tomorrow and then letting them return home. Someone has to translate.” He smiled. “I guess things are going to get pushed back.” The cheetah replied. “I want to thank you again. That seems to be all I’m doing lately. You translate and saved my life. Is there anything you can’t do?” The lion tried to make her laugh. All he succeeded in doing was getting her to roll her eyes. “Didn’t Panthro tell you? I’m a woman of many talents. I can do anything.” They both smiled at this. “What were you trying to say to me before the brought the Extractor?” Lion-O asked. At this Cheetara paused. “I… I…” the words were on the tip of her tongue but she just couldn’t bring herself to say them. “I wanted to tell you not to worry. I was going to be all right.” “Oh. Well I’d better let you get some rest.” Was all Lion-O said as he got up and left the room. Cheetara cursed herself for not coming out and saying the words she so desperately wanted to say. Chapter 18 A few days had passed and now the ThunderCats made their way back to Third Earth with the remaining Lockti. Panthro had managed to fix their navigation system but the coordinates for their home planet turned up nothing resembling a planet. Still the Lockti wanted to travel towards the destination in search of some answers. The group disembarked from the sliver almond shaped ship and found a surprise. Not only were their ThunderCats to greet them but also the Berbils. “What’s going on?” Lion-O asked. “We have volunteered to help rebuild Cat’s Lair.” Ro-Bear Bill stepped forward to greet the Lord of the ThunderCats. “Thank you very much Ro-Bear Bill. I’d like you to meet our new allies the Lockti. This is their leader Bol.” The lion introduced the two. “It is very nice to meet you.” Cheetara translated for the Lockti’s leader. They shook hands. “We’ll get started now, if that is all right.” Ro-Bear Bill said. “By all means and thank you again.” Lion-O shook the head Berbil’s hand and then the furry mechanical teddy bears got to work. “Pumyra, did you get better by yourself?” Cheetara went over to her friend and gave her a hug. “I’m afraid not.” The puma made a face. That’s when Bol spoke up and Cheetara listened carefully. “Bol says he’ll fix that in a jiffy.” The cheetah smiled. Three of the Lockti came forth with the Extractor and quickly got to work. “That may take fifteen to twenty blasknots (roughly eleven and a quarter to fifteen minutes) but she should be fine. My men and I would like to visit the site of the crash.” Bol spoke through Cheetara. “I understand. Panthro, Tygra, and Cheetara will take you out there. Or do you want to wait for your men to finish healing Pumyra?” Lion-O asked. “I think we will wait that way when we have given our final respects we can head for where home should be.” Bol told him. The Lord of the ThunderCats nodded in understanding. Ben-Gali held onto Pumyra’s hand as the Extractor worked it’s magic. She was very grateful that he was there and she couldn’t help but think off all the things they had been through together. They had stayed with Lynx-O despite his insistence for them to leave him, they had protected their friends before the Berserkers attacked, and they had stood tall in the face of danger against the Mutants, Lunatacs, Mumm-Ra, and countless other villains. Somehow the puma didn’t think she could have done it without Ben-Gali despite her own capabilities. A feeling in her legs suddenly shifted her attention. “Ow!” Pumyra cried out as Ben-Gali had poked her legs. “You felt that?” The white tiger asked. “Of course I felt that. I…” she paused and her mind processed the words that had just come out of her mouth. “I felt that!” She shouted as the Lockti removed the Extractor. Without thinking she jumped up and wrapped her arms around Ben-Gali’s neck. Next thing the white tiger knew his lips were being occupied. Just as suddenly as it had happened, he found them empty again. “I… uh…” Pumyra began to stutter but she never got the chance to finish, as it was her turn to find her lips occupied. Everyone was watching what was going on and finally Lion-O cleared his throat and the two separated. “Looks like somebody won’t be lonely tonight.” Panthro smirked and Cheetara laughed at his comment. Again Lion-O cleared his throat but couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “Pumyra and Ben-Gali, I’ll have to talk to you later but for now stay with the Berbils and make sure that if they need any help, that they get it. The rest of us are off to Dark Side.” The Lord of the ThunderCats said. The two nodded and quickly went off to do as they were told. It wasn’t long before the Lockti’s ship and the ThunderTank arrived Dark Side. The ship had to take the long way around and the ThunderTank went through the Forest of Silence. Everyone disembarked and stood before the remains of the ships. “This is all that is left?” Bol wondered as he looked at the mass of twisted wreckage. “I’m afraid so.” Tygra told them. “Were there any remains?” The Lockti leader asked. “We couldn’t find any. Most of what was in the interior of the ship was destroyed. There are only these pieces of hull.” Tygra said slowly. It was the kind of truth that no one wanted to say but it had to be said. Bol turned to his men and they went back aboard the ship. Lion-O looked to Panthro, Cheetara, and Tygra for an explanation. They shrugged their shoulders and watched as the twenty men came back out of the ship in two lines of ten. They all wore white coats that came to their waists with medals pinned on them. Seven of them carried long weapons that appeared to be some sort of blaster. Cheetara edged closer to Lion-O so she could do any translating that would be required. Bol separated from his men and they flanked him on both sides. “Today we leave behind our friends, comrades, and countrymen. They fought hard to free our allies and protect our homeland. They gave their lives in an effort to help our new friends. We will never forget them as long as we have breath in our bodies. “Qual was a fearless leader and we would have followed him into hell and back. He wasn’t just an officer but a good and loyal friend. We will miss you. It is my hope to carry your legacy home and let everyone know of your selfless deeds.” Bol then let Cae take over. The second in command turned to the men and gave an order. “Ten hut!” The twenty men immediately stood at attention. “Arms at the ready!” Cae commanded. The seven men carrying the guns lifted them to their shoulders, the barrels pointed toward the sky. “Salute!” Twelve arms went up and held their hands titled at an angle almost touching their foreheads in salute. Seven weapons fired their first shot. BLAM! They loud noise surprised the ThunderCats as the weapons were again brought up and fired. BLAM! BLAM! With that last shot, the weapons were held until the command was given. The twelve men finished off the salute and lowered their arms. “Shoulder weapons!” Cae told them. All was quiet until a loud humming noise could be heard. A sad unfamiliar melody came from the Lockti as the ceremony drew to a close. When the song was over, Bol gave Cae a command for everyone to get on the ship and prepare for the long journey back to where their home planet should have been. “Thank you ThunderCats. We hope to find our home and I will make sure that our comrades will be remembered.” Bol said shaking the Lord of the ThunderCats’ hand. “Should you not find what you’re looking for know that there is a home for you on either Third Earth or New Thundera.” Lion-O told him. “I appreciate the offer and will keep it in mind.” Then the Lockti leader backed up and saluted the lion. Lion-O placed his arms across his chest and said, “Farewell.” Cheetara, Panthro, and Tygra followed suit. Bol then turned and boarded his ship. They four ThunderCats watched as it zoomed off into space. “They very well could be the last of their kind.” Tygra said. “Yes, they could be. It is a very lonely existence. We were lucky to find other Thunderians.” Panthro nodded. With that, the ThunderCats piled into the ThunderTank and headed back to Cat’s Lair. Epilogue Mumm-Ra stood before the Ancient Spirits of Evil awaiting his punishment. To his surprise they had pulled Grune out of his cell at Cat’s Lair shortly before the ThunderCats had left for New Thundera. Currently only Lynx-O, the ThunderKittens, and the two Snarves remained at the fortress. “You had your opportunity and you once again failed us.” The Spirits sounded very displeased. “I tried oh Ancient Ones but I was vastly outnumbered.” Mumm-Ra tried any excuse he could think of. “You have always been outnumbered and we find it a pitiful excuse for someone as powerful as you.” They told him. This was the moment the mummy feared. “However we saw the display of Grune and we have come to the conclusion that you are still our best champion. We will give you another chance.” The Ancient Spirits of Evil delivered their sentence. “You won’t be sorry, Ancient Ones, I promise.” The ever-living source of evil said as he entered his sarcophagus. “You won’t be sorry.” The End