Ties That Bind -- Chapter 23
I won’t be able to post next weekend as I’m making a trip to NYC. I promise to be back the 26th. Enjoy the chapter! :) Chapter 23 The ThunderTank rumbled it’s way toward Mumm-Ra’s black pyramid. The desert sands gave way to the massive treads as if they were kids diving on birthday cake. “Man I forgot how loud the Tank was.” Ben-Gali shouted up over the noise. “Yeah me too.” Cheetara shouted back. “I guess we’re just used to the ThunderClaw and the HoverCat.” The white tiger shrugged. The cheetah nodded. “I want you to thank Lion-O for me in case something goes wrong.” Ben-Gali said more seriously. “For what?” Cheetara was a little confused. “For letting Pumyra stay behind. Having another cub…” he didn’t get to finish as she cut him off. “Don’t worry, you’ll be able to thank him in person. Besides Lion-O knows what that’s like.” She winked and then pointed to the dark building in the distance. The ThunderTank quickly closed the gap between the ThunderCats and the pyramid. Tygra cut the engine and all four leapt out of the vehicle. “Remind me to tease Panthro about the Tank and the racket it made.” The orange tiger smirked. “Trust me he’ll be in the shop sooner than he should be. Now should we give Mumm-Ra the old ThunderCats welcome?” Lion-O asked. “Sounds good to me.” Cheetara said as she grabbed her bo-staff from her armband. “Let’s go kick some mummy butt.” Ben-Gali joined in. He had removed his Hammer of Thundera from its holster. Lion-O nodded and the team walked over to the pyramid and opened the secret passageway. “Seems as though Mumm-Ra forgot to upgrade his security system.” The Lord of the ThunderCats smirked. “I guess so. He’ll be sorry for that.” Tygra said. The trip through the twisting and turning halls was quite uneventful and that made the ThunderCats leery. “I don’t like this.” Cheetara murmured as they entered the main chamber. “Me neither. It’s too easy.” Her mate replied. He then signaled for the tigers to go to the left and they would stick to the right. The four made their way around until they had encircled Mumm-Ra’s sarcophagus. All it took was a nod from Lion-O and they quickly forced open the ancient coffin. Much to their surprise it was empty. “Where is he?” Ben-Gali asked. “This makes no sense.” Lion-O shook his head. Suddenly, Cheetara dropped her bo-staff and fell to her knees. Her hands flew to the side of her head as she tried to control the pain. In an instant, the Lord of the ThunderCats was next to her. “What’s wrong?” He asked. The pain did not allow her to answer and the others could see the look on her face. Then as suddenly as the attack happened it was over and she collapsed to the floor. “Tara!” It was obvious how upset her mate was. He quickly sat down and pulled her gently onto his lap. He wrapped his big muscular arms around her. Lion-O could feel the sweat that soaked her uniform and he tried to calm her down. “What’s wrong?” He asked again. The answer he got was one he did not like. “The cubs… they’re… in trouble. Mumm-Ra…” She told him. “We have to get back to the Lair now!” The lion told the tigers. To Be Continued…