Souls unite chapter 3, pg 16 ML
Souls unite 3 By Leanna. “And here I thought it stunk back in the cells,” Schwenk said holding his nose as they appeared back in Mumm-Ra’s home, “you really should open a window or get some air fresheners”. “Enough,” Mumm-ra grumbled, “you have a job to do”. “Alright don’t get your bandages in a knot,” Schwenk scoffed. “Ma-Mutt… bring our guest a bag of gold,” the mummy bellowed. Schwenk looked down, “what the hell is that,” he said jumping back as the mummified hound appeared. “This is my beloved hound, Ma-mutt,” Mumm-ra nodded as the dog dropped a sack of gold at Schwenk’s feet. “God…. he’s an ugly one,” Schwenk said making a face. “Thank-you,” Mumm-ra smiled, “now you have the money you need…. go and destroy those retched creatures”. “Fine,” Schwenk said bending down and picking up the gold, “anything to get away from this circus freak show”. “Don’t disappoint me Schwenk or the Thundercats will be the least of your problems,” Mumm-ra warned. “Yeah, yeah…what ever bandage boy,” Schwenk said with a wave of his hand. ############################ Cheetara, Myra and Leanna headed down to the hanger, where a very frustrated Panthro struggled with getting the cages in the back of the tank. “Damn it,” He growled as he tried once again to lift the heavy steal bars up over the back of the tank. The cheetah gave the lioness a ‘oh boy someone isn’t happy look’. “We’ll help,” Leanna said grabbing one side of the cage as Myra grabbed another end, once all the cages were loaded Panthro spoke, “I can’t even lift a blasted cage,” he grumbled. “Don’t worry about it…it’s ok,” the lioness said. “No it’s not ok,” Panthro barked, “look at me I’m useless”. Leanna looked over at Myra and Cheetara and nodded slightly, the two women took the hint and left for a moment. Once the two were gone, Leanna ‘s head whipped around, she looked at Panthro and growled and in one swift movement grabbed him and had him pinned against the tank, “Damn it…what do I have to do to convince you to stop feeling sorry for yourself, your not the only one going through this,” she growled, “so you’ve lost some of your strength…. Lion-O, Tygra, Bengali and the other have lost their abilities too…now stop being so god damn pig headed and let us get on with this…. the quicker we can catch your cat forms the quicker we can figure out what to do”. “But Lea,” he started to protest. “So help me panther…if I hear you put yourself down one more time …I’ll kick your ass all over this damn hanger”. “What if this can’t be fixed…what if were stuck like this forever,” Panthro asked. “Then that’s something we’ll live with…I know what your thinking and you are wrong…I am your mate and I will be until the day I die…no matter what life throws at us I still and always will love you…. no matter what,” she nodded and let him go. “Lea…I just wish you didn’t have to go out there and catch them………..and you know why,” he said. “Umm everything ok,” Tygra asked carefully coming in. “Everything’s fine,” Leanna nodded, “come on ladies we got some very big cat’s to catch”. “Here’s the tranquilizer darts,” Tygra said handing over he darts and gun,” be careful ladies”. “We will,” Myra smiled and planted a soft kiss on Tygra’s cheek. The three women jumped into the tank, “You want to drive,” Cheetara asked looking over at the lioness who suddenly became very quiet. “You know how I feel about driving this over sized kitty car,” Leanna snorted. “Just checking,” the cheetah smirked and took off out of the hanger and across the drawbridge. Schwenk watched as the thundertank drove off, “thought that old smelly bone bag said they were human… So help me if he’s tricked me. I’ll burn the bandages right off his rotting corpse,” he grumbled then spotted two human males talking in the still open hanger, “hello…what’s this now,” he said moving closer then seen the Thundercats insignia on their clothing, “Well I’ll be damned,” he chuckled, “old bone bag was right…oh this will be fun,” he grinned evilly. ##################################### The thundertank roared across the country side, “let me know when you pick-up something,” Cheetara said looking back at the lioness who now stood in the open hatch looking around, she would close her eyes for a moment searching with her mind for a familiar presents. “Tara…half a mile east,” Leanna said pointing to the direction she wanted to go, she picked up the thoughts and feelings of a very confused Lion. The directions lead them to a clearing, nothing but waist deep golden grass could be seen. “You sure this is the spot,” Myra asked seeing nothing. “Yes,” The lioness said jumping down from the tank, “Tara, Myra grabbed the tranq guns just in case”. The two women just shrugged, “I hope she knows what she’s doing,” Myra whispered to the cheetah. “I’m sure she does,” Cheetara smiled and followed close behind the lioness. The three women walked quietly through the waist deep grass. Leanna stopped and put up her hand, the other two women stopped in there tracks. The lioness lifted her head a fraction of an inch and sniffed the air and let out a low rumbling growl, which was answered by a loud deafening roar of a male lion. The lioness’s eyes glowed for a second as she made contact with the lion’s mind; she knelt down on one knee and gestured to the other two women to do the same. Myra and the cheetah did as they were told and watched as the lioness bowed her head slightly, a few seconds later out of the tall grass came a magnificent 500-pound male lion, his dark brown and reddish colour mane blowing in the slight breeze. “Now I know where that hair comes from,” Myra smirked the cheetah stifled a giggle. The large cat stocked over to where Leanna knelt and sniffed her hair and growled lowly. The lioness raised her head and looked the cat directly in the eyes, she reached up slowly and placed her hand on the lions forehead and gently patted him. The big cat purred and rubbed his face against her shoulder knocking her backwards. “We missed you too,” she laughed then turned to the two women, “ladies…our king,” she smiled. “Lion-O,” Cheetara smiled as the big cat walked over and licked her cheek. “Yes…well his cat form anyway,” Leanna nodded standing up. “Wow he’s bloody huge,” Myra said standing up; the lion’s head nearly came to her shoulders. “Ok come on big fella,” Leanna said walking back to the thundertank. Once they got the lion safely secured in the cage they took off again. “Ok this is going smooth enough,” Myra nodded. “For now any way,” Leanna said, “we may have problems once we get the others on board”. “Why,” Myra asked. “Natural cat instincts,” the lioness nodded, “territorial males in closed cages along side each other...we may have a fight or two on our hands”. “Well you can control them…. right,” the tigress asked. “I don’t know I’ve never tried more then one,” Leanna answered. “I think that’s why Tygra gave us the tranq darts,” Cheetara nodded, “just in case”. “You know this could take a day or so,” Leanna nodded, “they will be spread out all over this place, from the jungle to the mountains…we just got lucky with him,” she nodded to the lion in the cage, “we’re close to the hunting plains…a natural savannah…the others will be hard to find”. “Well were near the unicorn forest now…. you think one of them might be hiding in here,” Cheetara asked. “Hmm…maybe…. we’ll drive slowly through,” Leanna said hopping up on the hood of the tank as the Cheetah slowed down. They crept through the unicorn forest for nearly half an hour before the lioness picked up something, “there you are,” she smiled slightly. “Trying to hide huh”. “Who is it,” Myra asked. Leanna turned and smiled, “One very shy tiger,” She winked, “Cheetara stop over there and get the cage ready…. Myra you come with me”. “You sure you don’t need me,” Cheetara asked. “I need you to stay with him,” she nodded to the lion, “He needs to know your close by,” she smiled, “He does know who you are”. A smiled lit the cheetah’s face, “alright…I’ll get the other cage ready”. “Come on Myra let’s go get your tiger,” Leanna winked, the two women walked deep into the brush,” do you feel that,” Leanna asked stopping. “Yes…. we are being watched,” Myra said getting a slight chill down her spine, she didn’t need the lioness’s gift to feel a pair of eyes watching them. “Don’t show fear,” Leanna said slowly turning around, “I’m going to try and make contact”. Myra nodded and stood stalk still only her eyes scanned their surroundings while the lioness once again lifted her head, her eyes glowed as she made contact. “Myra,” She said quietly, “Call to him…. he doesn’t believe me”. “Umm…. call to him,” The tigress gulped. “Yes…or he’s going to attack,” Leanna whispered not moving an inch. A low grumble started deep in the tigress’s throat. Myra tilted her head back and emitted a loud roar, the tiger that was hiding in the dense brush a few yards away answered with his own call. “Good work,” Leanna smiled as the tiger appeared; “Now he believes us”. The two women watched as the nearly 800 pound cat came into full view, “whoa and I though that lion was big…he’s freaking enormous,” Myra said. “He’s a beauty… that for sure,” the lioness said looking the big cat over. His fur was a mix of gold and orange, under the black stripes…it was darker on his back and lighter towards his massive chest, from head to tail he was nearly ten feet long “I have to say Myra your ancestors were truly magnificent,” she said admiring the big cat, the black striped markings on his face made his eye stand out, they seemed to burn into ones soul. The big cat walked over to Myra, the tigress held out her hand palm down, the tiger sniffed her hand and purred as he ducked his head so her hand was resting on top of his head. Leanna smiled, “he’s happy now,” she winked. The tigress smiled and lovingly petting the tiger’s massive head, when they walked back to the tank the tiger obediently followed. “Well that’s two down,” Cheetara said as the tiger was put into the cage. “Four more to go,” Myra nodded. “We’ll find the others before night fall,” Cheetara said then looked at the tigress, “so will Bengali’s cat form be as big as Tygra’s”. “Probably a bit smaller,” Myra nodded,” he’ll most likely be found not to far from here”. As the two talked the lioness froze, “what is it Lea,” Cheetara asked. The lioness didn’t say anything as her head whipped around; suddenly she bolted for the jungle as fast as her legs could go. “What’s going on,” Myra asked as they took chase. “Don’t know…. but she’s in a hurry that’s for sure,” the cheetah said as they seen Leanna take to the trees, “There’s only one thing that would make that lioness move that fast”. “Oh no…. Panthro’s cat form is in danger,” Myra said as they followed close behind. Within a few minutes the sound of loud growling and snarling could be heard over the shout of the warrior women, “Release him,” Leanna growled as she jumped down from the trees and landed in behind a group of warrior maidens who had trapped a large black cat in a net. Willa turned as the lioness withdrew her Kama’s, “I’m sorry Thundercat…but this animal is too dangerous,” she nodded. “Queen Willa,” Cheetara said as her and the tigress came out of the brush, “you don’t understand…. that is no ordinary cat”. “He’s taken over our hunting grounds and must be moved or destroyed before one of my warrior maidens get hurt,” willa said nodding to the black cat that struggled to get free of the net. “Let him go…your hurting him,” The lioness snarled angrily. “Leanna…calm down,” Cheetara said quietly putting her hand on the lioness’s shoulder,” Well,” the cheetah said, “we can take him off your hands…I can promise you he won’t bother you and your maidens ever again”. “You sure you want too. He is very temperamental,” the warrior queen said. “That don’t surprise me,” Myra smirked. “Yes…we want too,” Cheetara said keeping an eye on the irritated lioness. “If that’s what you want,” willa shrugged,” but if he’s caught in my kingdom again his pelt will be made into a rug,” she warned. “I’ll show you a rug,” Leanna growled under her breath as the tigress caught a hold of her arm to keep her from going after the warrior woman. “Come maiden’s… let these Thundercats take care of this animal,” willa nodded. Once the warrior women left Myra released her grip on Leanna’s arm, “by Jaga…she always this temperamental,” Myra asked looking at the cheetah. “She’s a lion,” Cheetara smirked, “She’s very protective especially when it comes to Panthro and vice versa”. Myra just smiled and shook her head, “Perfect pair those two”. “Oh yes,” Cheetara chuckled and walked over as the lioness lowered the net with the trapped panther inside. “Is he ok,” Cheetara asked concerned knowing Panthro was the oldest of them and that his cat form would probably be too. “No,” she spat, “he’s in pain…his shoulder had been dislocated,” she said taking her weapon and quickly cutting away the mesh. Cheetara finally got a good look at the 300-pound cat, his body was short and stocky his shoulders, chest and legs were nothing but pure muscle. This cat was made for power and strength. The panther snarled and growled in pain. “Easy now my big handsome cat,” the lioness said softly, she reached out and gently brushed the side of his head. His black fur felt soft under her hand. “Myra go get the tranquilizer dart,” Cheetara nodded then turned to the lioness, “We’ll put him out so we can fix his shoulder ok”. “Damn warrior maidens…. I should rip them apart,” Leanna growled stroking the panther thick neck. “Lea they don’t know what happened to them…it’s not their fault…they were only protecting themselves,” Cheetara nodded. “You heard them…they referred to him as an animal…is that what we are to them. …Just animals,” The lioness hissed. Cheetara just blinked, she had never seem the lioness this agitated before, “Lea…please…. tell me what’s wrong,” the cheetah asked knowing their was something that the woman wasn’t telling her. “What do you think is wrong…look what’s happened to our mates,” The lioness snapped. “I know…but there’s something else,” Cheetara said eyeing the woman curiously. Before Leanna could answer Myra returned, “I got the darts and I brought along the emergency stretcher too,” the tigress said tossing one of Pumyra’s pellets to the ground, the moment it made contact with the ground an inflatable stretcher appeared. Once the sedative was injected and the panther was out Cheetara and the lioness put his shoulder back in place, “there… he’ll feel much better when he wakes up,” Cheetara smiled. The three women carefully lifted the unconscious cat and placed him on the stretcher and carried him back to the tank. “We better head home…it will be dark soon,” Myra nodded at the fading sunlight. “We’ll start looking for the others at first light,” Cheetara nodded as they finished loading the panther in the back of the thundertank. Once all the cats were secure they headed for home. ##################################### “Well Cheetara just called in,” Lion-o nodded, “they found three and are on their way back now”. “Good everything is ready down stairs,” Tygra nodded, “We got the cages all set up”. “You know it’s going to be kind of strange seeing…our cat selves,” Lion-o said scratching his chin. “Umm yeah…. I can honestly say it will be the first time for something like this,” Tygra nodded. “Well let’s go down and wait for them,” Lion-O said getting up out of his chair. Schwenk hid in the shadows watching the male with dark skin as he moved around the hanger, “come on…. come on, leave or do something else,” Schwenk whispered waiting for the opportunity to sneak in. when the mans attention was draw to the door on the other side of the room Schwenk bolted inside and hid behind a stack of crates. “Hey Panthro…the girls are on their way back,” Lion-O said as he and Tygra entered the hanger. “Good…how many did they capture,” Panthro asked walking over to greet them. “Three…but they didn’t say which ones…. only that one was injured,” Lion-O answered. “Not to ask a stupid question…but can we treat him,” Panthro asked scratching his head. “Well according to Tara…they fixed the injury and he just needs rest,” Lion-O nodded. “Did they say how the injury happened,” Tygra asked. “Umm apparently the poor cat crossed paths with the warrior maidens…they caught him in their hunting grounds and trapped him in a net…and well he got injured,” Lion-O said. “Oh boy…please tell me it was just Myra and Cheetara who found him,” Panthro said knowing full well what the lioness thought of the warrior maidens. “Ummm, they got there just after Leanna did,” Lion-O nodded. “Aw damn…. have they declared war on us yet,” Panthro cringed shaking his head. “Umm no…. tell me something…what is it about the maidens that Leanna don’t like…they’ve been nothing but kind to us,” Lion-O said. “It’s not all the maidens…just one,” Panthro sighed. “Oh boy…let me guess this one maiden got just a bit too close to you and a certain lioness though she was trying to take what was hers,” Tygra smirked. “Something like that,” Panthro said, “Lea over heard Nayda telling one of her sisters that she liked me”. “Ooooooooh…well that’s enough reason right there,” Lion-O chuckled, “well one thing about it my friend…you have a mate who’s fiercely protective of you,” Lion-O grinned patting Panthro on the shoulder. “Yeah to a point she’s gona cause a war if she’s not careful,” Panthro snorted. “What can I say…she-cats are possessive,” Tygra chuckled. Panthro was about to make a comment when the sound of the thundertank drew his attention. Once the tank drove into the hanger and stopped, Lion-O walked over, “hey Lea…you ever gona learn to drive the Panther’s baby,” he teased. “Not in this life time kitty,” She snorted and hopped into the back. Schwenk seen the lioness and smiled evilly, “hello my pet…you I’ll save for last,” he smirked as he watched them taking the cages out. They lifted the lion out first, “whoa. He’s a big fella,” Panthro nodded. “You think he’s big wait until you see that tiger,” Myra smirked. Once they got the two bigger cat’s out of the back, Tygra, Lion-O, Cheetara and Myra took them down to the lower levels and placed them in the made over cells. Leanna stayed with the injured cat, “So…that’s me huh,” Panthro asked crouching down beside the lioness who sat on the floor of the tank with the injured cat’s head in her lap. “Yes,” Leanna nodded stroking the still unconscious cat’s head. “It seems kinda strange looking at him knowing that it’s part of me,” Panthro said. “Oh he’s definitely you love,” she smirked, “he’s as stubborn as the day is long with one hell of a nasty temper”. Panthro looked at her and grinned, “so…did any of the cat’s know what went on…. were they aware of when happened to them,” he asked. “No… mostly I just picked up total confusion from all of them, they knew who I was…. but they didn’t know or understand how they got there,” Leanna said. “So were no further ahead then when we started,” Panthro sighed. “No…actually with catching these three fella were a lot further ahead, at least we know there safe and sound,” Leanna said, “in the morning, were going back out and catch the others”. “I really wish you didn’t have to,” Panthro said. “Pan…please…. I’m being very careful,” The lioness nodded, “there’s no danger to me’ “It’s just driving me crazy that you go out there and I can’t protect you,” Panthro sighed. “Ok…stop right there mister,” Leanna said placing her fingers over his lips, “for one…I don’t need your protection…I faired just fine before you came along…. I’m not some helpless female…. and you know that yourself, you helped train me for Jaga sake,” she said gently moving the cat’s head from her lap and stood, “now I have a job to do and do it I will,” she nodded and walked off. Panthro’s jaw dropped as he watched her walk off. “Uh oh,” Schwenk smirked, “trouble in paradise”. To be continued........
Souls unite 3 By Leanna. “And here I thought it stunk back in the cells,” Schwenk said holding his nose as they appeared back in Mumm-Ra’s home, “you really should open a window or get some air fresheners”. “Enough,” Mumm-ra grumbled, “you have a job to do”. “Alright don’t get your bandages in a knot,” Schwenk scoffed. “Ma-Mutt… bring our guest a bag of gold,” the mummy bellowed. Schwenk looked down, “what the hell is that,” he said jumping back as the mummified hound appeared. “This is my beloved hound, Ma-mutt,” Mumm-ra nodded as the dog dropped a sack of gold at Schwenk’s feet. “God…. he’s an ugly one,” Schwenk said making a face. “Thank-you,” Mumm-ra smiled, “now you have the money you need…. go and destroy those retched creatures”. “Fine,” Schwenk said bending down and picking up the gold, “anything to get away from this circus freak show”. “Don’t disappoint me Schwenk or the Thundercats will be the least of your problems,” Mumm-ra warned. “Yeah, yeah…what ever bandage boy,” Schwenk said with a wave of his hand. ############################ Cheetara, Myra and Leanna headed down to the hanger, where a very frustrated Panthro struggled with getting the cages in the back of the tank. “Damn it,” He growled as he tried once again to lift the heavy steal bars up over the back of the tank. The cheetah gave the lioness a ‘oh boy someone isn’t happy look’. “We’ll help,” Leanna said grabbing one side of the cage as Myra grabbed another end, once all the cages were loaded Panthro spoke, “I can’t even lift a blasted cage,” he grumbled. “Don’t worry about it…it’s ok,” the lioness said. “No it’s not ok,” Panthro barked, “look at me I’m useless”. Leanna looked over at Myra and Cheetara and nodded slightly, the two women took the hint and left for a moment. Once the two were gone, Leanna ‘s head whipped around, she looked at Panthro and growled and in one swift movement grabbed him and had him pinned against the tank, “Damn it…what do I have to do to convince you to stop feeling sorry for yourself, your not the only one going through this,” she growled, “so you’ve lost some of your strength…. Lion-O, Tygra, Bengali and the other have lost their abilities too…now stop being so god damn pig headed and let us get on with this…. the quicker we can catch your cat forms the quicker we can figure out what to do”. “But Lea,” he started to protest. “So help me panther…if I hear you put yourself down one more time …I’ll kick your ass all over this damn hanger”. “What if this can’t be fixed…what if were stuck like this forever,” Panthro asked. “Then that’s something we’ll live with…I know what your thinking and you are wrong…I am your mate and I will be until the day I die…no matter what life throws at us I still and always will love you…. no matter what,” she nodded and let him go. “Lea…I just wish you didn’t have to go out there and catch them………..and you know why,” he said. “Umm everything ok,” Tygra asked carefully coming in. “Everything’s fine,” Leanna nodded, “come on ladies we got some very big cat’s to catch”. “Here’s the tranquilizer darts,” Tygra said handing over he darts and gun,” be careful ladies”. “We will,” Myra smiled and planted a soft kiss on Tygra’s cheek. The three women jumped into the tank, “You want to drive,” Cheetara asked looking over at the lioness who suddenly became very quiet. “You know how I feel about driving this over sized kitty car,” Leanna snorted. “Just checking,” the cheetah smirked and took off out of the hanger and across the drawbridge. Schwenk watched as the thundertank drove off, “thought that old smelly bone bag said they were human… So help me if he’s tricked me. I’ll burn the bandages right off his rotting corpse,” he grumbled then spotted two human males talking in the still open hanger, “hello…what’s this now,” he said moving closer then seen the Thundercats insignia on their clothing, “Well I’ll be damned,” he chuckled, “old bone bag was right…oh this will be fun,” he grinned evilly. ##################################### The thundertank roared across the country side, “let me know when you pick-up something,” Cheetara said looking back at the lioness who now stood in the open hatch looking around, she would close her eyes for a moment searching with her mind for a familiar presents. “Tara…half a mile east,” Leanna said pointing to the direction she wanted to go, she picked up the thoughts and feelings of a very confused Lion. The directions lead them to a clearing, nothing but waist deep golden grass could be seen. “You sure this is the spot,” Myra asked seeing nothing. “Yes,” The lioness said jumping down from the tank, “Tara, Myra grabbed the tranq guns just in case”. The two women just shrugged, “I hope she knows what she’s doing,” Myra whispered to the cheetah. “I’m sure she does,” Cheetara smiled and followed close behind the lioness. The three women walked quietly through the waist deep grass. Leanna stopped and put up her hand, the other two women stopped in there tracks. The lioness lifted her head a fraction of an inch and sniffed the air and let out a low rumbling growl, which was answered by a loud deafening roar of a male lion. The lioness’s eyes glowed for a second as she made contact with the lion’s mind; she knelt down on one knee and gestured to the other two women to do the same. Myra and the cheetah did as they were told and watched as the lioness bowed her head slightly, a few seconds later out of the tall grass came a magnificent 500-pound male lion, his dark brown and reddish colour mane blowing in the slight breeze. “Now I know where that hair comes from,” Myra smirked the cheetah stifled a giggle. The large cat stocked over to where Leanna knelt and sniffed her hair and growled lowly. The lioness raised her head and looked the cat directly in the eyes, she reached up slowly and placed her hand on the lions forehead and gently patted him. The big cat purred and rubbed his face against her shoulder knocking her backwards. “We missed you too,” she laughed then turned to the two women, “ladies…our king,” she smiled. “Lion-O,” Cheetara smiled as the big cat walked over and licked her cheek. “Yes…well his cat form anyway,” Leanna nodded standing up. “Wow he’s bloody huge,” Myra said standing up; the lion’s head nearly came to her shoulders. “Ok come on big fella,” Leanna said walking back to the thundertank. Once they got the lion safely secured in the cage they took off again. “Ok this is going smooth enough,” Myra nodded. “For now any way,” Leanna said, “we may have problems once we get the others on board”. “Why,” Myra asked. “Natural cat instincts,” the lioness nodded, “territorial males in closed cages along side each other...we may have a fight or two on our hands”. “Well you can control them…. right,” the tigress asked. “I don’t know I’ve never tried more then one,” Leanna answered. “I think that’s why Tygra gave us the tranq darts,” Cheetara nodded, “just in case”. “You know this could take a day or so,” Leanna nodded, “they will be spread out all over this place, from the jungle to the mountains…we just got lucky with him,” she nodded to the lion in the cage, “we’re close to the hunting plains…a natural savannah…the others will be hard to find”. “Well were near the unicorn forest now…. you think one of them might be hiding in here,” Cheetara asked. “Hmm…maybe…. we’ll drive slowly through,” Leanna said hopping up on the hood of the tank as the Cheetah slowed down. They crept through the unicorn forest for nearly half an hour before the lioness picked up something, “there you are,” she smiled slightly. “Trying to hide huh”. “Who is it,” Myra asked. Leanna turned and smiled, “One very shy tiger,” She winked, “Cheetara stop over there and get the cage ready…. Myra you come with me”. “You sure you don’t need me,” Cheetara asked. “I need you to stay with him,” she nodded to the lion, “He needs to know your close by,” she smiled, “He does know who you are”. A smiled lit the cheetah’s face, “alright…I’ll get the other cage ready”. “Come on Myra let’s go get your tiger,” Leanna winked, the two women walked deep into the brush,” do you feel that,” Leanna asked stopping. “Yes…. we are being watched,” Myra said getting a slight chill down her spine, she didn’t need the lioness’s gift to feel a pair of eyes watching them. “Don’t show fear,” Leanna said slowly turning around, “I’m going to try and make contact”. Myra nodded and stood stalk still only her eyes scanned their surroundings while the lioness once again lifted her head, her eyes glowed as she made contact. “Myra,” She said quietly, “Call to him…. he doesn’t believe me”. “Umm…. call to him,” The tigress gulped. “Yes…or he’s going to attack,” Leanna whispered not moving an inch. A low grumble started deep in the tigress’s throat. Myra tilted her head back and emitted a loud roar, the tiger that was hiding in the dense brush a few yards away answered with his own call. “Good work,” Leanna smiled as the tiger appeared; “Now he believes us”. The two women watched as the nearly 800 pound cat came into full view, “whoa and I though that lion was big…he’s freaking enormous,” Myra said. “He’s a beauty… that for sure,” the lioness said looking the big cat over. His fur was a mix of gold and orange, under the black stripes…it was darker on his back and lighter towards his massive chest, from head to tail he was nearly ten feet long “I have to say Myra your ancestors were truly magnificent,” she said admiring the big cat, the black striped markings on his face made his eye stand out, they seemed to burn into ones soul. The big cat walked over to Myra, the tigress held out her hand palm down, the tiger sniffed her hand and purred as he ducked his head so her hand was resting on top of his head. Leanna smiled, “he’s happy now,” she winked. The tigress smiled and lovingly petting the tiger’s massive head, when they walked back to the tank the tiger obediently followed. “Well that’s two down,” Cheetara said as the tiger was put into the cage. “Four more to go,” Myra nodded. “We’ll find the others before night fall,” Cheetara said then looked at the tigress, “so will Bengali’s cat form be as big as Tygra’s”. “Probably a bit smaller,” Myra nodded,” he’ll most likely be found not to far from here”. As the two talked the lioness froze, “what is it Lea,” Cheetara asked. The lioness didn’t say anything as her head whipped around; suddenly she bolted for the jungle as fast as her legs could go. “What’s going on,” Myra asked as they took chase. “Don’t know…. but she’s in a hurry that’s for sure,” the cheetah said as they seen Leanna take to the trees, “There’s only one thing that would make that lioness move that fast”. “Oh no…. Panthro’s cat form is in danger,” Myra said as they followed close behind. Within a few minutes the sound of loud growling and snarling could be heard over the shout of the warrior women, “Release him,” Leanna growled as she jumped down from the trees and landed in behind a group of warrior maidens who had trapped a large black cat in a net. Willa turned as the lioness withdrew her Kama’s, “I’m sorry Thundercat…but this animal is too dangerous,” she nodded. “Queen Willa,” Cheetara said as her and the tigress came out of the brush, “you don’t understand…. that is no ordinary cat”. “He’s taken over our hunting grounds and must be moved or destroyed before one of my warrior maidens get hurt,” willa said nodding to the black cat that struggled to get free of the net. “Let him go…your hurting him,” The lioness snarled angrily. “Leanna…calm down,” Cheetara said quietly putting her hand on the lioness’s shoulder,” Well,” the cheetah said, “we can take him off your hands…I can promise you he won’t bother you and your maidens ever again”. “You sure you want too. He is very temperamental,” the warrior queen said. “That don’t surprise me,” Myra smirked. “Yes…we want too,” Cheetara said keeping an eye on the irritated lioness. “If that’s what you want,” willa shrugged,” but if he’s caught in my kingdom again his pelt will be made into a rug,” she warned. “I’ll show you a rug,” Leanna growled under her breath as the tigress caught a hold of her arm to keep her from going after the warrior woman. “Come maiden’s… let these Thundercats take care of this animal,” willa nodded. Once the warrior women left Myra released her grip on Leanna’s arm, “by Jaga…she always this temperamental,” Myra asked looking at the cheetah. “She’s a lion,” Cheetara smirked, “She’s very protective especially when it comes to Panthro and vice versa”. Myra just smiled and shook her head, “Perfect pair those two”. “Oh yes,” Cheetara chuckled and walked over as the lioness lowered the net with the trapped panther inside. “Is he ok,” Cheetara asked concerned knowing Panthro was the oldest of them and that his cat form would probably be too. “No,” she spat, “he’s in pain…his shoulder had been dislocated,” she said taking her weapon and quickly cutting away the mesh. Cheetara finally got a good look at the 300-pound cat, his body was short and stocky his shoulders, chest and legs were nothing but pure muscle. This cat was made for power and strength. The panther snarled and growled in pain. “Easy now my big handsome cat,” the lioness said softly, she reached out and gently brushed the side of his head. His black fur felt soft under her hand. “Myra go get the tranquilizer dart,” Cheetara nodded then turned to the lioness, “We’ll put him out so we can fix his shoulder ok”. “Damn warrior maidens…. I should rip them apart,” Leanna growled stroking the panther thick neck. “Lea they don’t know what happened to them…it’s not their fault…they were only protecting themselves,” Cheetara nodded. “You heard them…they referred to him as an animal…is that what we are to them. …Just animals,” The lioness hissed. Cheetara just blinked, she had never seem the lioness this agitated before, “Lea…please…. tell me what’s wrong,” the cheetah asked knowing their was something that the woman wasn’t telling her. “What do you think is wrong…look what’s happened to our mates,” The lioness snapped. “I know…but there’s something else,” Cheetara said eyeing the woman curiously. Before Leanna could answer Myra returned, “I got the darts and I brought along the emergency stretcher too,” the tigress said tossing one of Pumyra’s pellets to the ground, the moment it made contact with the ground an inflatable stretcher appeared. Once the sedative was injected and the panther was out Cheetara and the lioness put his shoulder back in place, “there… he’ll feel much better when he wakes up,” Cheetara smiled. The three women carefully lifted the unconscious cat and placed him on the stretcher and carried him back to the tank. “We better head home…it will be dark soon,” Myra nodded at the fading sunlight. “We’ll start looking for the others at first light,” Cheetara nodded as they finished loading the panther in the back of the thundertank. Once all the cats were secure they headed for home. ##################################### “Well Cheetara just called in,” Lion-o nodded, “they found three and are on their way back now”. “Good everything is ready down stairs,” Tygra nodded, “We got the cages all set up”. “You know it’s going to be kind of strange seeing…our cat selves,” Lion-o said scratching his chin. “Umm yeah…. I can honestly say it will be the first time for something like this,” Tygra nodded. “Well let’s go down and wait for them,” Lion-O said getting up out of his chair. Schwenk hid in the shadows watching the male with dark skin as he moved around the hanger, “come on…. come on, leave or do something else,” Schwenk whispered waiting for the opportunity to sneak in. when the mans attention was draw to the door on the other side of the room Schwenk bolted inside and hid behind a stack of crates. “Hey Panthro…the girls are on their way back,” Lion-O said as he and Tygra entered the hanger. “Good…how many did they capture,” Panthro asked walking over to greet them. “Three…but they didn’t say which ones…. only that one was injured,” Lion-O answered. “Not to ask a stupid question…but can we treat him,” Panthro asked scratching his head. “Well according to Tara…they fixed the injury and he just needs rest,” Lion-O nodded. “Did they say how the injury happened,” Tygra asked. “Umm apparently the poor cat crossed paths with the warrior maidens…they caught him in their hunting grounds and trapped him in a net…and well he got injured,” Lion-O said. “Oh boy…please tell me it was just Myra and Cheetara who found him,” Panthro said knowing full well what the lioness thought of the warrior maidens. “Ummm, they got there just after Leanna did,” Lion-O nodded. “Aw damn…. have they declared war on us yet,” Panthro cringed shaking his head. “Umm no…. tell me something…what is it about the maidens that Leanna don’t like…they’ve been nothing but kind to us,” Lion-O said. “It’s not all the maidens…just one,” Panthro sighed. “Oh boy…let me guess this one maiden got just a bit too close to you and a certain lioness though she was trying to take what was hers,” Tygra smirked. “Something like that,” Panthro said, “Lea over heard Nayda telling one of her sisters that she liked me”. “Ooooooooh…well that’s enough reason right there,” Lion-O chuckled, “well one thing about it my friend…you have a mate who’s fiercely protective of you,” Lion-O grinned patting Panthro on the shoulder. “Yeah to a point she’s gona cause a war if she’s not careful,” Panthro snorted. “What can I say…she-cats are possessive,” Tygra chuckled. Panthro was about to make a comment when the sound of the thundertank drew his attention. Once the tank drove into the hanger and stopped, Lion-O walked over, “hey Lea…you ever gona learn to drive the Panther’s baby,” he teased. “Not in this life time kitty,” She snorted and hopped into the back. Schwenk seen the lioness and smiled evilly, “hello my pet…you I’ll save for last,” he smirked as he watched them taking the cages out. They lifted the lion out first, “whoa. He’s a big fella,” Panthro nodded. “You think he’s big wait until you see that tiger,” Myra smirked. Once they got the two bigger cat’s out of the back, Tygra, Lion-O, Cheetara and Myra took them down to the lower levels and placed them in the made over cells. Leanna stayed with the injured cat, “So…that’s me huh,” Panthro asked crouching down beside the lioness who sat on the floor of the tank with the injured cat’s head in her lap. “Yes,” Leanna nodded stroking the still unconscious cat’s head. “It seems kinda strange looking at him knowing that it’s part of me,” Panthro said. “Oh he’s definitely you love,” she smirked, “he’s as stubborn as the day is long with one hell of a nasty temper”. Panthro looked at her and grinned, “so…did any of the cat’s know what went on…. were they aware of when happened to them,” he asked. “No… mostly I just picked up total confusion from all of them, they knew who I was…. but they didn’t know or understand how they got there,” Leanna said. “So were no further ahead then when we started,” Panthro sighed. “No…actually with catching these three fella were a lot further ahead, at least we know there safe and sound,” Leanna said, “in the morning, were going back out and catch the others”. “I really wish you didn’t have to,” Panthro said. “Pan…please…. I’m being very careful,” The lioness nodded, “there’s no danger to me’ “It’s just driving me crazy that you go out there and I can’t protect you,” Panthro sighed. “Ok…stop right there mister,” Leanna said placing her fingers over his lips, “for one…I don’t need your protection…I faired just fine before you came along…. I’m not some helpless female…. and you know that yourself, you helped train me for Jaga sake,” she said gently moving the cat’s head from her lap and stood, “now I have a job to do and do it I will,” she nodded and walked off. Panthro’s jaw dropped as he watched her walk off. “Uh oh,” Schwenk smirked, “trouble in paradise”. To be continued........