Unknown Enemies

Part Four

The night came for when Cheetara was to meet Lion-O again. She wore a short black dress, perfume and makeup to give herself a more attractive look. Under her short dress, Cheetara hid a knife in the garter of her stockings. Cheetara was certain she would seduce and murder the Lord of the Thundercats tonight. She easily left the Cheetah Base and went to meet Lion-O at the rendezvous.

Tonight, Lion-O dies. With him dead, I will rule the cheetahs as I was born to do. I was foolish to let his pretty face fool me. I won’t make that mistake again.

Cheetara heard Lion-O’s footsteps. She turned, waiting for him to fall at her knees and drool over her, but he wasn‘t. He looked depressed. She frowned at that.

“Lion-O?”

“Cheetara,” he breathed as he looked her over. “I wish I was feeling as good as you look.”

Her mission to kill Lion-O was forgotten as she wondered what was wrong with him. “What’s wrong, Lion-O?”

Lion-O sat on the grass and Cheetara sat beside him. “As you know, the cheetahs are attacking the lions.”

Cheetara nodded. “Yes, I know.”

“I don’t understand why. Why fight the lions? They haven’t done anything to the cheetahs. Their leader behind the attacks wants to rule.” He looked at Cheetara as if searching for the truth through her. “I was wondering if you knew why.”

“Lion-O, why are you worrying about it?” Cheetara asked before realizing how wrong that sounded. “I mean, did someone you know get hurt or killed?”

“Not personally. We have been living in peace for years and I don’t understand why we can’t continue to live in harmony,” Lion-O explained and felt Cheetara hiding something. “You know why the cheetahs are attacking the lions and you won’t tell me.”

There was no denying the anger in his voice. “No,” she lied. “I don’t want to think about the fighting. I came to see you and I didn’t wear this dress to talk about the lions and cheetahs.” Cheetara locked a hand with his and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Lion-O apologized. “I was wrong to accuse you of anything.”

Sucker, Cheetara thought smugly.

“You’re different from when we last spoke.”

“I am?” Cheetara mentally cursed herself for sounding so nervous.

“Yes. You were so sheltered. You didn’t want to speak to me and not get close to me.”

Cheetara placed a hand on Lion-O’s thigh and smiled flirtatiously at him. “After thinking about it, I knew I wanted to see you again. You’re very attractive.”

Lion-O could feel the heat on his face. “Um, thank you.”

Cheetara threw her arms around Lion-O and kissed him suddenly. Cheetara concentrated on not letting the kiss affect her, but it was. How could Lion-O make her feel so confused and relaxed when Chase, her betrothed never did? Lion-O felt tranquil with the kiss. He needed this. He needed her. Lion-O pulled Cheetara closer to feel her as close to him as possible at this point. Guilt slowly crept into Lion-O. Leela. It wasn’t right to kiss Cheetara when he was with Leela. His honor side took control and he parted from Cheetara.

“Whenever, I’m with you, I feel different. I feel can I let my guard down and be open with you.” He sounded happy when he should be feeling guilty.

Cheetara cupped the side of his face, stroking it gently. “Then do. Open up to me.” And once you do open up to me, you die. “Who are you?”

Lion-O was worried by the question. Was Cheetara suspecting he was the Lord of the Thundercats? He rubbed the back of his head nervously. “Why do you ask that?”

The idiot just gave himself away that he was hiding something. How did someone like him become Lord of the ThunderCats? Cheetara smiled sweetly at Lion-O, pretending she didn‘t notice anything. “I don’t know anything about you, and I want to know. Who are you, Lion-O?”

Lion-O took Cheetara’s hand and rubbed it softly. “I can say the same about you, Cheetara. Who are you?”

Cheetara giggled girlishly. “I’ll tell you about me if you tell me about yourself first.”

Lion-O laughed. “You‘re a sneaky little one, aren‘t you? All right. You will. I’m a very important person in my land. There will be trouble if anyone knew I was with you, which is why I want to see you alone and at night. Out here, no one will see us. I have so many responsibilities for someone my age. I have to do this. I have to do that. I don’t get to enjoy life like I want to, at least not as much as when I was a kid. There are times I want to runaway from my responsibilities for a little while, but if I do that, many people will get hurt and I can’t let that happen. I’m not making any sense at all, am I?”

He made perfect sense to her. Cheetara felt the same things he was feeling. The cheetahs depended on her to be their savior and the job was so pressuring. Cheetara never thought she would meet someone who could relate to her. She thought she was alone in this world with no one to understand her, but she did, and it was in her enemy--Lion-O.

“No, I understand perfectly. I go through the same thing. My wanting to run away is what caused us to meet.”

Lion-O chuckled. “I knew there was something special about you.”

This wasn’t going as planned. Cheetara was supposed to kill Lion-O not relate to him. Now she was having doubts about killing Lion-O. She was intrigued of his brief story of his life. She wanted to know all there was about the Lord of the Thundercats.

“I was born with the responsibility given to me,” Cheetara continued. “I didn’t want it. I was forced into it.” She looked at Lion-O wondering how he felt. “What about you?”

“I was born with it too. I’m comfortable and proud of it, but sometimes I just want to get away from it all.”

Cheetara smiled realizing how alike they were. “I know, but you can’t. You have to accept it, like I have to. It’s life.”

Lion-O wondered how this woman knew him so well. She understood him better than Leela and she was his fiancée. “I know.” He pulled her close again where their foreheads touched. “I want to keep seeing you.”

Cheetara stroked a side of his face. “I want to keep seeing you, too.”

And before they knew what was happening, they were kissing once more. Lion-O pulled Cheetara close to him again. The kiss grew heavier and greedier. The two couldn’t get enough of each other. They tumbled to the ground, never breaking apart. Lion-O’s hands were moving all over Cheetara. She felt Lion-O’s hands run up the sides of her dress. Worried that he would find her knife, Cheetara grabbed the hand and put it around her waist. Cheetara was losing herself in him again. That was until her inner voice brought her back.

He’s at his weakest point, Cheetara. Kill him now.

But Cheetara wouldn’t listen to her inner voice. She was enjoying herself and the feel of Lion-O’s arms around her body. She laughed when he began kissing her neck.

Now is the perfect chance to do it. Kill him! Kill him!

Cheetara obeyed and slid her hand to where the knife was in her garter. She kissed Lion-O hungrily on the lips and removed the knife. Cheetara aimed the pointy end at his neck. The opportunity was perfect. He was at his weakest moment. She could kill him right now, but then she couldn’t. Something was stopping her. Cheetara moved the knife closer to Lion-O’s neck. All she had to do was stabbed him and he would die, but she couldn’t do it.

“No, I can’t. I just can’t,” she said aloud as she pulled away from Lion-O. She slipped the knife under her.

Lion-O sat up with an apologetic look on his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go too far. I’ll take you home if you like.” It was a relief to him that she stopped them. Otherwise, it was uncertain at how far they would’ve gone.

“No!” Cheetara hadn’t intended on shouting. “I’m sorry to shout,” she said softly. “I don’t want to go home. I want to stay with you a little longer.” Cheetara ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “I don’t know what’s wrong me. My emotions are going crazy.”

Lion-O smiled. “I know the feeling.” He took the moment to look Cheetara over. When his hands roam over her body, he could tell that she was very built and fit in a feminine way. He wondered how good a fighter she is. She did after all threw him--something that’s not easily done to the Lord of the Thundercats. He wondered if he made her a Thundercat if things would turn out right for the lions and cheetahs.

“Cheetara, how good of a fighter are you?”

The question came out of nowhere that Cheetara wondered if Lion-O suspected her as being the cheetah leader. She kept her cool and with a pounding heart, her voice came out calmly as she responded. “Why do you asked?”

“I’ve been thinking that a possible way to end the war would be if the Lord of the Thundercats made a cheetah a Thundercat.”

Cheetara’s eyes widen at the suggestion. “A Thundercat? A cheetah? Lion-O, were you considering making me a Thundercat?”

“I can’t do that since I’m not a Thundercat,” he lied, “But maybe if it were brought to the Thundercats, the cheetahs might consider the idea and the war will be over.”

Cheetara took in this piece of information. If she was able to sneak in the Thundercat organization, she would have a good chance of killing Lion-O. But no, that plan wouldn’t work. All suspicions of Lion-O’s death would turn to her. A cheetah couldn’t be made a Thundercat now. There would be numerous questions from both the lions, cheetahs and not to mention the other cats not involved in this war.

Besides, Lion-O would only be doing it to end the war. He would still continue to suppress the cheetahs.

“I wouldn’t make a good Thundercat. Besides, I doubt the cheetahs would buy that and not think the Lord of the Thundercats is doing this as a publicity stunt.”

Lion-O nodded. “You’re right, but the Lord of the Thundercats wouldn’t do that for publicity. Maybe there is another way.”

From talking with him, Cheetara saw a man who wanted peace and not war. A part of her was wondering if he was oppressive as the Cheetah Elders told her. “You really don’t want to fight the cheetahs.”

“No, I don’t. I firmly believe the lions and cheetahs can work this out without anymore bloodshed. There has been enough death. I‘ve seen the bodies of the lions and cheetahs. It’s horrible. They are all dying over something that doesn‘t have to be.”

Cheetara studied Lion-O’s features. This man didn’t want to fight and really believed in peace. Doubts began to fill Cheetara’s mind. Doubts about continuing the war. Doubts about why she was chosen to kill him. Cheetara was never told that. Chase and the elders knew, but they never told her. They were going to now and when they do, she herself could possibly think of a way to end the war.

*****

As soon as Cheetara dressed for the day the following morning, she went looking for Chase. She found him talking with one of the best soldiers of the cheetahs.

“Chase, I need to speak to you.”

“Cheetara,” Chase began irritated. “I’m busy now. I’m talking with a soldier about our next plan of attack.”

“Again doing things behind my back,” Cheetara said angrily folding her arms. This has been a constant ever since the war began. He would be talking to the best soldiers about strategies without discussing it with her. It was getting on her last nerves. She was the leader. They were to follow her orders not Chase’s.

“Cheetara, it’s just that....”

“Forget it,” Cheetara huffed angrily and walked off. “All he wants is to rule. He doesn’t care about me at all. He just wants the title as king.” She stopped walking once she reached the end of the hall and looked back. Chase was talking to the commander again and not coming to her. Hurt, continued to walk away. Cheetara went to her room, put on her dark cloak and left the elders home to the home of her only friend, Talia.

*****

“I’m sorry to come here unannounced, but I knew no other person to go to that I trust,” Cheetara said sitting at a table across from Talia drinking a glass of water.

“You don’t have to be sorry about anything,” Talia assured her friend. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’ve been wondering why I was I picked to kill Lord Lion-O.”

Talia set her glass down, staring at her friend very confused. “Don’t you know?”

“No,” Cheetara shook her head honestly.

“They didn’t tell you? I thought you of all people would know.”

The fact that everyone seems to know except Cheetara was very puzzling to her. How come they knew and she didn‘t. “They didn’t tell me. Would you, please? What‘s the big secret?”

Talia thought back to her childhood when she learned from parents the story. “For years, there was a prophecy going around saying that a cheetah will be born at the same time as the next Lord of the Thundercats. That cheetah will be the savior of all cheetahs and lead them to freedom, acceptance, and power. You were born to be the leader of Thundera because you were born at the same time as Lord Lion-O. They didn’t expect the savior to be a girl, but you were and so history was written.”

Cheetara shook her head in frustration. “I don’t understand. There must have been another child born the same time as I. Babies are born everyday.”

“That’s true, Cheetara, but none other were at that time Lord Lion-O was, except you.” Talia looked at her friend closely. Something was troubling Cheetara. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t think I am fit to be the savior,” Cheetara spoke with regret, feeling she was letting down her people. “I don’t think I am the person.”

“Why?”

“I don’t have the desire to kill Lion-O.”

Talia smiled and placed a comforting hand on Cheetara‘s. “That’s because you have a good heart.”

“Thanks,” Cheetara mumbled dryly.

Talia knew Cheetara all her life and she could read her best friend very well.

“Cheetara, is there something else? I get the feeling that you are hiding something from me.”

Cheetara knew Talia would see through any like she tried to make. “There is, but I can’t tell you now. I promise to tell you when the time is right.”

Talia preferred to know now but she respected her friend‘s offer. “All right.”

“Thanks, I’m appreciate that.”

“So,” Talia began as she sat back in her seat. “What‘s that lousy fiancé of yours been doing?”

“He’s doing things behind my back--talking to one of my best soldiers, making battle strategies without my permission. That’s my job. Why do I have to marry a jerk like that anyway?”

“He was chosen by his father to lead with you,” Talia answered. “The Cheetah Elders don’t think a woman can rule alone so they betrothed you to Chase. My guess is that when this war is over, you and Chase will rule but he will have the most power.”

“So, basically, I’m here to kill Lion-O and rule the cheetahs, but I won’t get full power because I’m a woman?” Cheetara guessed.

Talia nodded.

“That’s not fair!” Cheetara shouted rising from her seat in fury. “I won’t allow it! If they want to rule Thundera, then they will do it without me!”

“They’ll find a way, Cheetara, especially Chase. I don’t like him one bit. I have a feeling he’ll use something you hold dear to make you.”

Cheetara thought about Chase’s warning about what he would to Talia if she ended their engagement. She had no doubt in her mind he would harm Talia. Cheetara’s battle for her rights was lost before it even began. “I see,” she admitted quietly. “It’s just not fair.”

“No, but it doesn’t mean you can accept it. Take control,” Talia encouraged her. “Let Chase know he’s to follow your orders and not to do anything you don’t want him to do.” Talia rose from her seat to place the pitcher of water in the refrigerator. “You know, I really got a bad feeling about this war, Cheetara. I‘ve been having it since the war began.” She closed the refrigerator and faced her best friend. “That’s why I moved away from the cheetah base and any homes near cheetahs since this war began. I have a bad feeling it will backfire on us somehow.”

Cheetara didn’t have any arguments with Talia’s idea. It was a smart move for her. “I understand. It’s not safe for any of us to live here now.”

“I know,” Talia agreed. “You could be attacked at any moment from angry lions. I’m surprised you haven’t already been already. I hate wars.”

“Lion-O may be keeping the lions at bay,” Cheetara figured.

That was the second time Cheetara addressed the Lord of the ThunderCats without his title. Talia shrugged the thought away. It didn’t make any sense to think about something so meaningless. “In any case, I’m out of any danger soon, and it’ll be a good place for you to relocate if a battle does come to the base, but you must not bring the battle to my new home,” Talia warned.

Cheetara nodded understanding, “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

Talia gave Cheetara a friendly hug. “I’ll still be in contact with you, and if you need me to come, I’ll be here in a flash.”

Cheetara returned the hug. “Thanks.”

*****

“All I want to know is where you were last night,” Leela said reasonably. What she was asking wasn’t wrong?

“And all I want to know is why you don’t believe me when I said I was going on night watch?” Lion-O countered back.

“You didn’t tell the others that,” Leela argued. “You went out without telling anyone. I’m just concern, especially now with the cheetahs attacking lions.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about, Leela. I’m fine. If I was in trouble, I’ll call the others,” Lion-O tried to assure his curious fiancée.

“Ha! I doubt that!” Leela snorted.

“Believe what you want, but this discussion is over,” Lion-O said and walked out his bedroom door.

“It’s not a discussion, it’s an argument!” Leela shouted but Lion-O wasn’t hearing it as he slammed the door on her.

“Why can’t she just leave me alone?”

“Because she cares about you, Lion-O. Snarf. Snarf.”

Lion-O felt the presence of his nursemaid walking along with him. “I don’t have the same feelings for her, Snarf.”

“You’ve got to Lion-O. How else are you two going to get along when you are married?”

“I don’t know, Snarf.” He threw two frustrated hands in the air. “Lords of Thundera, I don’t know. She’s not the woman I want,” he admitted truthfully.

“It’s not like there are others for you to choose from,” Snarf commented.

Lion-O refused to mention Cheetara in fear of implicating himself. “There must be a way for me to get out of this arranged marriage.”

Snarf noticed Lion-O’s expression and tone in his voice. He got a strange feeling. “Lion-O, have you been seeing another woman?”

“Like who?” Lion-O asked hoping to sound unfazed by the question.

“I don’t know. You sound so serious in wanting to get out of this arrange marriage with Leela.”

“I’ve always wanted to get out,” Lion-O admitted truthfully. “I just never let anyone know.”

“Well, I know you two don’t share the same feelings on certain things, or always gotten along, but I thought it would be work out. No relationship is perfect.”

“I know relationships aren’t perfect, Snarf, but ours are very far from being perfect,” Lion-O spoke carefully. “Leela’s never been right for me, and now, she’s pressuring me to marry her more than ever and I don’t want to marry.”

“With the war now brewing between the lions and cheetahs, Leela might be worried about your safety and an heir should something happen to you,” Snarf explained Leela’s possible theory. It was a good idea after all. “She thinks of everything, doesn’t she?”

“Yes. When she wants her way, but she won’t get it,” Lion-O said and walked off.

*****

“Cheetara, where did you go? I wanted to talk to you after I talked to the commander.”

“It’s none of your business on where I went, Chase! I can go wherever I want, whenever I want without telling you! And from now on, you will no longer be talking to commanders about battles without my knowledge! How dare you do that?!”

“You haven’t been coming up with any strategies lately,” Chase said. “I thought I would talk to you.”

“I have plans! I have been researching the lands where lions reside and strategize! First, we’re not going to fight and take breaks before we attacking the next city.

We’re going to fight and get this war over with!”

“Oh?” Chase crossed his arms over his chest doubting Cheetara. “What did you have in mind?”

“What I want is for you to gather the best ten fighters, and have them meet with me in the war room in ten minutes with the elders. Now.”

“All right, but what do you have in mind?”

“You’ll find out when you bring them to me. Now go!” Cheetara ordered.

Chase stepped back in surprise of Cheetara yelling at him. He turned and followed her order to round the ten best fighters. What’s gotten into her?

Ten minutes later, the ten soldiers, Chase and the elders met with Cheetara in the war room sitting at the head of the table. They were all wondering what was going on in Cheetara’s mind. She placed her palms on the table and made eye contact with the people looking at her.

“Frankly, everyone, I am tired of this war and I am ready for it to come to an end. I have devised a plan to end the war sooner. It’s going to take some time for the men I had Chase round up be ready but it’s worth it.”

Before Cheetara could speak any further, an earthquake shook the base. Everyone was knocked out of their seats onto the floor during the rumble. Another blast shook the lair and everyone got the feeling this wasn’t a natural disaster.

“What is going on?” Cheetara asked no one in particular.

“It’s an attack!” A cheetah said looking out the window. “The lions are here!”

Chase grabbed Cheetara and helped her up. “We have to escape.” Chase said.

“No!” Cheetara argued vehemently. “If they want to fight, then so be it! I‘ll take them all on!”

“No, Cheetara,” Candra interrupted her. “You must be reasonable. We must get you out of here. You are the leader. If the lions capture you, all will be lost.”

“Candra is right,” Carvel agreed with the female elder. “You must go.”

They were all against her, but they were all right. “I’ll leave, but everyone try to get out of here safely. We don‘t need to lose anymore cheetahs.”

Chase took her arm and led her out. “Let’s go, Cheetara.”

“We must go to my room for my gear. Just in case I have to fight my way out.”

Chase nodded in agreement. Once they went to her room, Cheetara put on her helmet and cloak. After they left, the noises of bombs and cannons grew louder. The walls and ceilings cracked and fell as Chase and Cheetara made their escape.

“I should’ve known they were going to attack! How foolish of us to remain here?!”

Chase shouted.

Another blast shook the lair and the ceiling above them crashed.

“Look out!” Chase yelled, covering Cheetara with his body as they hit the ground.

Most of the ceiling fell in front of them with a large piece of debris Chase’s legs. After the smoke dispersed, Cheetara looked at Chase and saw his eyes were full of the pain.

“Chase!”

“I’m all right,” he said lifting himself off her. He weakly got up. It was then Cheetara

noticed the blood on his legs.

“Chase, we’ve got to get you to a doctor!”

“No!” Chase gritted his teeth in pain as he struggled to stand. “We have to get you

out first. If I don’t make, then you have to…to save us all. The lions are evil and ruthless.”

Cheetara agreed with that. “Yes, I know.” Lion-O may be a kind and an unprejudiced lion, but the other lions aren’t. Cheetara put Chase’s left arm around her shoulders. They walked as fast as they could to get out of the building.

“Leave me, Cheetara,” Chase begged. “I’m slowing you down. You go.”

“No!” Cheetara argued. He was always so stubborn. “I won’t abandon my people.”

“Hold it right there or we’ll shoot, you miserable cheetahs!” A lion soldier commanded. He had a gun aiming at Chase and Cheetara and was ready to shoot them at any moment.

Cheetara and Chase halted their movements. They were trapped.

Go to Part Five

Return to Lady Thundera's Fanfics