Tribulation by Elizabeth B. "the warrior"

Disclaimer: Thundercats and anything related to them are not my property! Chapter 1: Innocence Shattered A day spent on Third Earth most often was one filled with uncertainty --the chance of being ambushed and attacked-- for the Thundercats. One had to be wary of their surroundings, looking for subtle changes in the normal makeup of the sounds, visuals and scents that were all about. There were rare exceptions though. Like today. Today. Still...was that ever entirely true? The loose laughter and festive music that took over the Unicorn forest --from the annual Berbil village harvest celebration-- was in favor of the latter. And a food festival it was! You couldn't escape the aromas --from plump breadfruit and candyfruit stuffed pies to mouthwatering roasts and hundreds of sweet to salty desserts and snacks-- that waifed in every direction possible. They chased after the Thundercats Lion-O, Wiley-Kit, Wiley-Kat, and a now slightly heavier Snarf. It disappointed them to depart so early --the atmosphere and hosts could not have been more wonderful-- but..they had obligations and serious responsibilities that the others were already attending to. But the distance back to the Cat's Lair was somewhat far off, and so they took the time, enjoying each other's company --wiping out the voids of disappointment rather quickly. Lion-O, their stunning leader, brought with him a little of what they had left behind. They laughed, they teased...and unintentionally rattled tempers. * * * * The rays of the afternoon sun refused to enter the Black Pyramid.. The ceiling doorway leading down into the mass chamber of the ancient demon-priest Mum-Ra was unobstructed as always. The sunlight beat down everywhere on the pyramid's stone exterior yet it seemed to flee from that doorway as if in terror. Nothing could ever shed enough light into Mum-Ra's chamber to erase what took place there overnight. And to erase what and who still remained in the pyramid. A wind moaned painfully along the cold corrider that led into the resting place of the mummy. There was good reason to fear this place --thousands of unholy things had taken place here. All things of the devil slept within this massive moseleum. It was a safe haven no more. Mum-Ra's coffin had been flung to the ground face forward and split in two. The four gargantuan statue-idols of the Ancient Spirits of Evil had been bludgened into thousands of pieces of useless rubble. This was the work of one who wielded great power. The only thing that was spared from the slaughter was the huge, flat cauldron in which Mum-Ra had so often weaved his magic spells. And it was here that Mum-Ra lay on top the rough, stony edge of the cauldron, exhausted...yet he appeared more vicious than ever. Snarls ripped between his heavy breaths. Before him, above him, hovered the one who was even greater than the Ancient Spirits themselves. The one who, with his simple gaze, had wiped away any trace of the Spirits' existence. [This was the work of one who wielded great power.] Lucifer --Prince of Darkness. The devil. A simple black robe with hood over head draped the devil like a second skin. The hood hung heavily over his face, concealing it --except for the coal-hot, red eyes. "Mum-Ra, did you not call for me? Why are you lying there? You begged and pleaded me to help you rid yourself of the mortal called Lion-O. I have found enough just cause for my services that I have destroyed my favored Ancient Spirits out of aid for you! RISE!" "Who is your master?" Lucifer demanded. Mum-Ra lifted his horrid face to him who had freed him from the hold of the Ancient Spirits of Evil forever. His savior. His... "Master.." Mum-Ra answered. Mum-Ra looked upon his master with a face fit for an inhabitant of hell. His flesh was grey as before but was stretched so tight the facial bones threatened to tear through it. It was beginning to rot and fall away in places. He was in the form of Mum-Ra the Everliving. Permantly. This new body of his would never need to be revived inside his now demolished crypt. He was truely the living dead now. What dark forces now fed him now fed off of him. "You do as you please with the thundercat's body but his soul is mine." Lucifer informed Mum-Ra. A cackle escaped Lucifer. "My daughters have expressed their desires, their intentions, for the thundercat lord once he enters my kingdom. He laughed deeply. "Oh what pleasures await him!" Lucifer grew serious. "The heart, you must impale..kill him..in the heart, the source of all life. By your hand with my power when you extinguish Lion-O's life, Lion-O will belong to me." Tortured voices began howling and wailing from out of nowhere as the Devil reinerated his dominion since time began. "I am he... ..who fills feeble hearts with murderous thoughts. I am he who causes lust of brother for sister. I am the quarreling tounges of rulers which draw nations into war. I am the merciless wind that burns into a land already in drought. Seen I am not but all who ever lived have known me." "I am he." he boasted. He was not finished. "My services I do not give." "The price." "Will you pay the price?" "ANYTHINNNNG!!!!" Mum-Ra bellowed. "The price is high my eager one." Lucifer's eyes flattened to slits. "And you are already paying it." he gleefully whispered watching his slave rot away beneath him. * * * * Lion-O clutched a small paper sack, munching on the leftover picnic fare --buttered, cinnamon jumbo popcorn. This stuff is awesome! He greedily licked some excess butter off his upper lip. "Snarrff.....wow Lion-O, you really had a hearty appetite at the picnic. I never saw you eat so fast or so much at one time! My boy has such a healthy disposition snarf, snarf!" Lion-O stopped chewing and gave Snarf a dirty look. Time? He took a peek at a small watch attached to the side of his belt. 5:00! Cheetara wanted to see me at 4:30 at Cat's Lair. I'm late..BLAST IT! "I was hungry, okay!" he retorted at Snarf nervously. He crumpled the bag, tossing it playfully at Snarf. Snarf ducked and Wiley-Kat caught it. "Hey, it's not empty. Thanks Lion-O!" He and his sister began digging in. Without a word, Lion-O broke away from them and began walking with a fast pace towards Cat's Lair. It was a good few seconds before his absence was noticed by the others. Snarf looked around suddenly. "Hey, where's Lion-O?" "Oh I don't know. Quit smothering him!" Wiley-Kit mumbled in between bites. She glanced to her right and saw a flash of ruby-red hair in the distance. "Look,there he goes!" she exclaimed. She and Kat resumed eating. Snarf smacked the bag out of the kids' hands. "Stop acting so matter-of-factly. You know it isn't safe for any of us to be seperated from each other, snarf, snarf!" The kids looked annoyed and hurt. The awkward moment left, they nodded their heads in understanding. Snarf began bounding after Lion-O, the kids not far behind. "Lion-O, wait up, where's the fire?" Snarf called after him, still trying to catch up. Lion-O snapped out of his daze at the sound of Snarf's voice in the distance. He stopped dead in his tracks. Closing his eyes he bowed his head slightly, his soft mane cascading over his right shoulder. "What am I thinking? he scolded himself harshly. "It was foolish of me to leave them behind like that without letting them know I was going!" As shame filled him, he sat down on the warm grass, folding his legs beneath him, resting his hands comfortably on his hips; waiting. He smiled at the approach of the others. Snarf rushed up to him and all hell broke loose. "Lion-O, what's the matter with you, snarf, snarf! You know better than to run off alone. Brrr....who knows what can happen if any of us are left alone snarf, snarf and.... Oh great! Snarf's at it again. I don't think I can take this kind of abuse for too much longer. I care for him alot but this is getting on my nerves bigtime. I... Lion-O looked over at the kids and saw them covering their mouths to stifle their giggling. He could feel his cheeks begin to flush as anger started to swell within him. And Cheetara is being kept waiting because of Snarf's unwarrented babbling! "And another thing Lion-O you..." Lion-O suddenly lept to his feet, tears of frustration threatening to fall. "SNARF! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD!" he roared loudly. "Rweorrr!" Snarf jumped back surprised by Lion-O's sudden outburst. Wiley-Kit and Kat stopped laughing, staring at Lion-O like he'd lost it completely. "Snarf, look at me," Lion-O began gently. His voice was more calmer but nonetheless as stern. Snarf looked at him with a confused and hurt look on his furry face. "You're all the time treating me like a child..not the adult that I am. It's beginning to drive me crazy. I didn't commit any crime. From now on, DON'T EVER treat me like a child.........I won't stand for it. Understood Snarf?" Snarf bowed his head slightly and murmured, "Yeah...sure snarf,snarf; but you'll always be little to me." Lion-O shook his head side to side --expecting Snarf's whining-- grinning slightly. "Yes I know Snarfff...." "Well since THAT'S over with," Wiley-Kit smiled sarcastically, "how about racing back to the Lair Lion-O, since you were in such a hurry anyway..." Wiley-Kat wholeheartedly agreed. "Yeah, that sounds like fun!" Lion-O knelt down in front of them, the hot summer sun bathing him in delicate flecks of gold here and there. "If this warm weather doesn't bother you, I'm game," he smiled happily. "Schhhnearfffffffffff OH NO!" Lion-O stood up, looking over at Snarf and laughed lightly. "Okay, whatever Snarf." He arched his back in a huge stretch which glorified his well-built body, especially his abdomen. He crouched on the brittle grass in a runner's position and glared goofily at the kids. Wiley-Kit and Kat had assumed their positions too. Snarf, meanwhile was holding his head and sputtering "Where did I faillllll?" "Ready one...two....three GO!" Lion-O shouted. Lion-O flew forward with little or no effort, his generously sculpted legs carrying him along with ease. The kids were holding their own ground, not too far behind. Snarf was shouting "NOOOOOOO" --while managing his best to keep up. * * * * The sun was blaring down unmercifully and its victim seemed to be Lion-O. Sweat was washing down his face in droves. Racing the Wileykats back to the Lair proved to be a bad idea; the hot weather tending to take the fun out of a race. He glanced back and saw that he had left the kids and Snarf far behind. Poor Snarf, I hope I wasn't too harsh with him. I'll apologize later on if necessary. I'm coming Cheetara. I'll get there as soon as I can. He knelt by a nearby stream, his thoughts wandering to Cheetara, and splashed some cold water on his face. "That feels goood.." he purred softly, almost sensually. What do you want to tell me Cheetara? What could be so personal? Wait a minute! Do you love me.......as I have always longed for you? The Eye of Thundera, adorning his left hip, growled abruptly, fiercely. Still slightly irritated, he scowled at the sword's loud interruption of his thoughts..instantly regretting his childish reaction and.. so.. putting stubborness aside, he reached for the sword to see what it saw. "What, what is it?" It happened too quickly. At that exact moment a huge, menacing shadow covered him. His eyes barely looked back when a gray, clentched fist slammed into the right side of his face. "AHH!" he cried in shock as he fell, gravity crumpling his legs. CRACK! Lion-O's head lay on a small patch of jagged, white stones. His body lay lifeless. Lying on his back his firm, luscious waist was tilted loosely to the left with one muscular thigh gracing over the other one. He was completely still except for the rapid rising and falling of his chest. "Uh..uh..uh..uh..." his resperation growing more louder as his eyes opened lazily. The hot sun was beating down on his face. Straining his neck to the left to find relief, his right cheek accidently pressed crudely against the rocky terrain. A swift reminder of pain ensued. Of a brutally battered cheekbone. He jerked his head violently to the right "ooooooh!.." sun-brushed hair flying about wildly as fresh tears were forced out from him. His teeth clentched together, his body --convulsing once, twice-- welcomed his new trauma. His eyes snapped open. "Uuuuuungh...." he exasperated, cradling his head in the nook of his elbows rolling over onto his side with his legs pulled into his chest. It was unbearable -- electric-like currents started at the base of his skull ripping and stabbing throughout his head. "Mmmmm....mm..mm..." he buried his head deeper, whimpering. With each anguished cry, his heart raced....and so did his mind. Thundercats never surrender. Not ever. Another tidal wave of pain ripped through him and his right hand choked a clump of nearby foilage for comfort so tightly his knuckles threatened to burst the skin. Face saturated in cold sweat, he pulled himself up on his hands and knees, which were were shaking uncontrollably, and began to drag himself away from the scene. The deep red tresses that crown his head, normally thick and carefree, lay limp and matted around his shoulders. Deep red tresses were morphing into wet, black-red tresses.. Why does my hair feel..so..damp.... NO!!!! Much to his horror he realized blood was coating the back of his head and seeping down his neck. This can't be happening! Dear Jaga........HELP ME! * * * * Back at Cat's Lair an anxious Cheetara was pacing the glossy, hardwood floor of her bedroom. Where are you, you silly boy? She stopped abruptly, lifting her garnet eyes skyward laying her right hand over her pounding heart, smiling. What I have to confess to you my heart has been wanting to do the moment we landed on this planet; the moment I layed eyes on you. I...was...just so afraid of the ferosity and intensity of my feelings.....wondering if you felt the same towards me. Where you afraid too? Your overprotectiveness, kindness, and extremely caring ways that were geared only towards me especially all this time screams out the answer to my question. Time does not stand still. What should of been done a long time ago will be... "OHHH....NOOOO..LION-Ooooo....!" The floor was cradling her sprawled out body as she clutched her head, interpereting the dire message her sixth-sense was pounding into her. "Painnn....you're in such terrible pain...I.I..can't sense where you are...." she winced, tears welling in her eyes. She pulled herself up slowly, weakened physically, and began the agonizing trek towards the control room to find Panthro and Tygra........and hope. * * * * "Got to..to OHHhhhhh.." his head dropping heavily"..get away.." he gasped. Biting down on his lower lip to numb the pain, he shifted his weight onto his unstable legs and rose slowly. An unexpected rush of dizziness and nausea raped him and he hunched forward, sickened, but caught himself --from vomiting. Barely. "This is your day of execution BOYYYYY...you and your feline friends. I have finally spilled your blood but there is much more to spill from you HA HA HA HAAAAAA...." bellowed a gloating voice. No, not really a voice --it was the very essence of death, rot, and unspeakable filth molded to produce what was at best described as a murderous howl. It was MumRa. It was Mum-Ra who struck him so visciously. Ice. Lion-O's heart was crushed harshly by the hand of something colder than ice. It was the hand of Terror. Dare he dare raise his head to face the devil priest, his sworn enemy? There were no logical thoughts racing through his battered brain now; not even thoughts decifering the seriousness of his horrific head trauma --the deep gash and constant pain drilling and pounding inside his skull. There was only what one last choice lay before him. His life or death. Lion-O's disheveled, blood-stained hair fell away gracefully from his face as he lifted his heavy head to lock eyes with the angel of death himself. A nasty, bluish-black bruise mixed with a yellowish tinge was making itself quite apparent on his right cheek. His shattered mind couldn't fathom the unbelivebly grotesque figure before him! "What in the name of all the gods?!"....Lion-O breath-whispered, stepping back, falling to one knee. "No...." MumRa was unrecognizible. The greyish skin was blackened and decaying and falling off in small clumps. The red, tattered cape seemed to dance about and caress him, as if it where alive. And then there was his mouth. His mouth stretched beyond physical possibility into a savage grin and was a host to thick, bloody saliva swimming with fat, feasting --on Mum-Ra-- maggots. With trembling hand, Lion-O slammed his left hip to seize the sword. What the..? The muscles in his arm stiffened noticeably as his hand closed tightly on nothing where the hilt of the sword should of been protruding! It's gone...where... Panic striken, Lion-O began hyperventalating, breathing in sharp, rasping gasps. Straining his neck around his weary, empty eyes wandered toward the stream --that cursed spot. Yesss.. he saw the sword and his heart lept. He saw the Sword of Omens lying....lying..in..blood. There was so much blood. There was then the replusion.and finally, there was his realization -- the sword was lying in blood. My blood. He coughed up a sickened sob. "Cheetara..." Lion-O stiffened, turned back around, spitting hatred from his eyes. "Never.." hot, angry tears flooding down, "never will you seperate me from those I love!" he hissed, voice fading in strength. Now! Now! Now! Lion-O collapsed into the carpet of wild grass, rolling over and over and jumped directly for the sword. His head, chest, and knees took the brunt of his awkward landing as his right hand cupped the silver hilt of the blade. His fingers choked the cold, clammy, sticky hilt. Ahhhh.... his disgusted mind threatened to release the sword. His left hand clasping his right, he raised the mighty weapon and thrust his aching torso upward. "HHhhhhooo...!" he forced out of his lungs as the Sword of Omens fired sizzling, fierce blue fire at the approaching mummy. THUD.. THUD.. The shadowy, dark thing that was MumRa lurched forward, unfazed by the sword's defiance. The black fumes emitting from him seemed nonstop, eclipsing the afternoon sun-drenched sky. "Try harder cub," he threatened. "The Ancient Spirits of Evil have OPENED UP THE VERY GATES OF HELL TO EMPOWER ME." Mum-Ra sneered.. "I...CANNOT...BE...DEFEATEDDD!!!!"he screamed insanely. Lion-O took no heed or care of the approaching threat, silently trying to endure his physical torture as his chin rested on the sword's hilt. His lips slightly parted, giving way to his breathing difficulty. "Ungh..ungh..ungh.." his strained gasps came. "Do you like surpises Thundercat?" MumRa toyed. "You will very very soooon.." Lion-O's eyelids parted, and he turned his head to the left, clutching the sword harshly, involuntarily. When will it all end...I can't go on...much...longer. Hurts.... * * * * This was the third time. The third time Cheetara had almost passed out. Turqoise was the color reigning in the stairwell except for her black silluoette figure hunched on the stairs against the wall in the dimly lit hallway. She was drenched in sweat. Don't leave me Lion-O, don't you DARE leave me....my sweet cubby...my heart. The tears started again, deeper and more intense. Pushing herself up, she lent dependantly against the cold stone wall. It was her crutch as she pushed onward...carrying Lion-O's suffering with her. * * * * "Th..thunder," he mustered, eyes peeled on MumRa, "thunder.." twisting the sword skyward..arms trembling, "thundercats.." flinging the sword down "..NOOO!" sheilding his face from MumRa's renewned assault. Another blast struck! And another one hit him, this one so fervent that it caused Lion-O's neck to snap back, knocking him down. The warm earth brought no comfort against his skin as he sat, spirit fading, flesh running cold from renewed blood loss. "I'm tired....so tired," he mumbled, smiling strangely as a gentle, cool breeze brushed him, embraced him, strands of hair falling down to affectionately caress his face like a lover would. It was, for Lion-O, a moment of utter peace...peace..his left hand holding weakly on to the sword as if it was a distant memory. "HEEEEEHEHHEHHEHhhhh..."growled Mum-Ra from behind. * * * * "Snarf, hey Snarf wait up!" Wiley-Kit yelled, her fists clenched in frustration. Snarf stopped abruptly and swung his head around. "Didn't you kids hear that," his beady eyes narrowing, "it's Lion-O...and it sounds like he's in trouble. Shaking his head side to side he lamented, "I just KNEWWW something bad would happen....oh schnearffff." he ran off, bounding toward the dark clearing where the heart of the Unicorn Forest lay. Wiley-Kit let Wiley-Kat catch up. "Whew!" Wiley-Kat breathed. "What's with Snarf? And he tells us not to seperate from each other!" "I don't blame Lion-O for letting Snarf have it earlier," Wiley-Kit blurted out, folding her arms. "Snarf thinks he heard Lion-O and took off......but I didn't hear anything. Poor Lion-O, Snarf following him around all the time," she finished, sympathy thick in her voice. "Well," Wiley-Kat pondered, rubbing his chin slightly, "we can't lose track of Snarf sooooo....let's catch up and humor him. "Besides," he looked skyward, "Lion-O is gonna need someone to defend him against Snarf's WRATH!" he shouted, wrapping his arms defensively around himself. "To the rescue!!!" Wiley-Kit agreed, laughing. "CHARRRRRggeee..." they echoed, vanishing after Snarf. * * * * Everything hurt. The muscles throughout his body twitched and stiffened protesting the punishment they'd been put through. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to hold his head up, which his right shoulder was now supporting. It hurt to think. His mind threw a memory at him --something Tygra mentioned during a routine medical lesson. .....and so you see Lion-O, if the body suffers significant blood loss, its systems compensate by overworking the existing blood platelets producing fatigue to the subject. It's a terrible strain on the body, the heart, and if the blood is not replaced soon, the subject will eventually lapse into a coma-like sleep and most likely die. Die. Am I dying? That very thought raised his head to reveal his face --full of sorrow, regret, and seething anger. His last moments would be spent so helplessly! "My la..la..last..." he paused, giving way to uncontrollable tears now raging down, "mmust warnnn.." His mind began drifting again clouding his focus. A low, gutteral, primal growl from the devil priest snapped the shocked youth back into reality. Dying? MUST! Thrusting his beautiful face high, his grief-striken scream shattered the serenity of the heavens. "SNARF! KIDS! IT'S MUMRRRAAAaa..ahh!" his jaw dropped down and he fell. And the sword fell also. His face was twisted in silent agony. At last the earth cushioned him and he just lay there. Instead of subsiding, his pain intensified forcing Lion-O to release it. "OH GODDS....please.." he cried disparingly, burying his forehead into his right lower arm. * * * * Wiley-Kit stood frozen, her hands pressed to her mouth. Wiley-Kat stood with her, aware of the lump forming in his throat. Even Snarf had stopped, one forepaw raised as if to resume his crusade again. They all had heard Lion-O. They all had heard Lion-O's piercing scream. His normally pleasing voice had been drowned in hellish terror. His voice sounded so abnormally terrified it was enough to make one's blood run cold. Little Snarf was the one who broke the canatonic atmosphere. "Snarf....." his watery eyes gave away his disturbed thoughts, his forepaw dropping down. One foot in front of the other, which turned into a trot, which then turned into a frenzied gallop. "LION-O..SNARF'S COMING!!!!" "Wiley-Kat...did..you..hear?!" the girl's hands grabbing her brother's arm. Her mouth tried to form words and managed one "Lion-O.." her lower jaw quivering. Staring into space, Wiley-Kat swallowed hard. "It sounded..it sounded like he was in pain," his eyes widening, "really bad pain." Hearing that, Wiley-Kit burst into tears, taking off after Snarf. "Wiley-Kit! LION-O WE HEAR YOU..HANG ON!!!!" as brother followed sister into the unknown. It wasn't right. It didn't fit. The warmth of the summer day was obliderated by Wiley-Kat's frantic, fading form. He carried the fridgedness and darkness that had invaded the lives of Wiley-Kit, himself, and Snarf on this day. It was about to get much darker. * * * * Decaying, mold-encrusted wrappings whirled around a smug MumRa as he stood over the lord of the thundercats. One of his bony hands curled together in anticipation, savoring some unknown plan. "Mmm...hmmhmm.." a grotesque gurgling sound was exiting MumRa as his upper lip pulled up into an evil grin. The grin broadened and quickly turned into an expression of hostility. "For too long you have troubled me." He leaned down close to Lion-O..the unbearable stench from the demon causing Lion-O to regain semi-consciousness and pull himself away slightly. "You shall trouble me no more..." Lion-O's eyes fluttered open as he was trying to lift his head weakly. Disorientation was set into his eyes as he narrowed them slightly to clear his vision. He winced --even this action seeming to be a strenuous task-- and lay his ashen face onto his arm again. Moving his lips apart, he directed his remaining strength for a different purpose. Raising his arms in unison MumRa then flung them forward. "SURPRISE THUN..DER..CAT!!!!" as a surge of white-hot electric current exploded from his hands. Lion-O's ears strained to make sense of this sound, this deafening, crackling sound that in one instant had drowned out the life from the Unicorn forest. The sound grew. It grew much louder. Much louder as a ripping sound joined in. It sounded as if the ground was tearing apart....a tearing apart of something that should not be crossed. The very violation of this would shatter the law of the universe, the law of one's sanity and soul. That which was being violated was eternal. The consequences of crossing it would be eternal too. TIME. Sensing urgency, Lion-O opened his mouth, it closed and he coughed dryly. He hesitated and burst out, "sword.....of omens.." struggling "..come..to.. ..my!" ... and was brutally cut off as MumRa seized his throat and buried him onto the ground. Lion-O's right hand shot forward his claws sinking into MumRa's gooey face, drawing black blood. MumRa howled in pain and smacked away Lion-O's arm. He tightened his grip on Lion-O's neck and yanked him up... revealing the blood-caked turf beneath and with superhuman strength hurled him into it. It was a huge hole torn into the very air. It was a tear in the universe. It was a time portal connecting present day Third Earth with the past Earth. Mum-Ra the Everliving followed the lord of the thundercats into the ungodly phenomenon... "You will be nothing more than a memory to Third Earth....". A slight sliver of light spit high into the atmosphere and as quickly as it had appeared, the portal was gone.