#1 JUL 18, 2007 · 18 yr ago
Title: Doorway of the Gods, Chapter 2
Author: Lindacat aka Azmom
Status: Not complete
Summary: Linda meets the other Thundercats and learns the hard way how serious her situation may be.
Rating: Level 4
Genre(s): Drama, Romance, AU
Warnings: Adult Situations, Mild Cursing.
Disclaimer: This is just a story that came out of my head due to my love of Thundercats. All rights to Thundercats belong to WB and associates.
Doorway of the Gods
Chapter 2
Linda found herself being led into a room filled with medical equipment and was asked to wait while fresh clothes were found for her. The human woman nodded, but while the lady was gone, curiosity got the best of her and she began examining the room and items found in there. At first glance, she could see that it was just standard medical devices, but on further inspection, she noticed that some of the equipment was way more advanced than she had ever seen. She still held to the idea that she was on a government site, but she had a nagging feeling that when she got the whole truth, it wouldn’t be what she expected.
She jumped when Pumyra reentered the room and had to chuckle at her own silliness. These people had been nothing but kind to her and she really needed to lose her fear of them. The Thundarian woman seemed to understand her apprehension and said nothing as she lead Linda to a screened off area and handed her the outfit and footwear she had found. Several minutes later, Linda emerged and stood off to the side for inspection.
"So, it this ok?" she asked and Pumyra had to congratulate herself on her choice of clothing. Linda was now dressed in an emerald skirt and matching halter top with long, draping sleeves. White strips of material crossed in front of the human's chest emphasizing her breasts, and a strip of white around the waist gave Linda's torso a slimming look. The matching boots also enhanced the human woman's features, giving her legs a longer apperance.
Pumyra guessed that the woman was around five and a half feet tall, short by Thundarian standards, but still a bit taller then the local Warrior Maidens, who themselves were human. The Thundarian nodded approval and directed Linda to sit at one of the examination tables.
“Now let’s take a look at your hands” she said as she took one of the human's hands in her own, looking it over closely.
“Hmm, looks like you have some dirt and small stones embedded in the flesh.” She picked up a tool from a near by tray and pointed it at Linda’s fingers.
“This might hurt a bit,” she said as a cool blue beam shot from the tool, "But the pain will pass quickly once I'm done."
“Ow!" Linda exclaimed, wincing a little, but true Pumyra's word, the pain subsided almost instantly. "Well, at least you were truthful. Most doctors would have said the opposite.”
Pumyra laughed a little. “I live by the Code of Thundera, even with my patients." The Thundarian woman quickly finished but left Linda wondering what a 'Code of Thundera' was. She could only guess that it was the equivelent of the Hipocratic oath that all doctors had to take.
Pumyra was smoothing a soothing balm on her abrasions when she asked, “I know I said you should wait for all of us to hear your story, but I really can’t wait. How did you hurt your hands this way?”
Linda looked up and saw real concern in the woman’s face. Pumyra, like the others she had met, was also a cat person. Her face was gentle, even with her cheek bones accentuated by light brown streaks, almost like a natural blush. Her hair was also brown, though darker and the ends of her hair was tipped with white. A strip of white ran from the peak of her forehead back, giving her an odd skunk like appearance, but it deffered none of her natural beauty. Linda guessed from her name that she was of puma blood.
“I was trying to keep myself from being dragged into some kind of, um, I guess the best word would be vortex." the human woman explained. "There was a lot of wind and it was very strong. I just dug my fingers into the road for leverage but it didn’t help much. I still ended up here.”
“A vortex?” asked Pumyra. “We have something similar here on this planet, but I can't be sure if it is the same thing. Perhaps if you were to describe it better we could…”
“Pumyra,” said a voice from the door, “It would be better if we allowed the young lady to tell all of the Thundercats about her adventure.”
Linda looked toward the sound of the voice and saw an older gentleman standing there. He was probably in his late forties or early fifties, strongly built, bald but he had a beard of sorts, and he had large, pointed ears. He glided over to the healer and held out his hands to her. Pumyra clasped his hands and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m sorry Lynx-o, you know how my curiosity gets the better of me sometimes.”
The newcomer laughed and said, "Be careful my dear. You know what the ancients of this world said about curiosity and the cat.”
Pumyra laughed. “ Don’t even think of such a thing! If Renee has just half of the curiosity that I had as a child, she’ll turn me grey with worry.”
Ancients? Linda knew the saying they were talking about, but she didn’t think it was that old. Lynx-o turned to her, or at least in her direction and asked if she was ok
“Yes sir, your friend Pumyra has been taking good care of me.”
“That is good to hear. Pumyra takes care of all of us.” he said, hugging the puma. “We don’t know what we would do without her.”
Pumyra blushed and held her hand up to her face to hide her embarrassment. It seemed obvious that Pumyra was either not used to compliments or felt she wasn't worthy of them. The human woman smiled and nodded at the older man. "I completely understand."
Again the older gentleman smiled in her direction and it made the newcomer a bit curious. There was something a bit odd about this gentleman that Linda couldn’t quite put her finger on. Then it hit her, this man might be looking at her, but he wasn’t looking directly at her, just in the general direction of her, or more to the point, in the direction of her voice. It took less then a moment for Linda to realize that this Lynx-o was blind. At that moment, the lynx’s ears twitched.
“I believe it’s time that we join the others. Oro has contacted Cats Lair. He thought it wise for the other Thundercats to hear your story, young lady, if that is alright?”
“Oh, no, sure." she said, nodding her head then mentally smacking herself remembering that he couldn't see her.
"Two heads are better than one right? Or three or four.” Linda said, trying to cover up her embarrassment.
Lynx-o held his arm out to her and she accepted gratefully. As he led her with ease up the hallway and stairs, he whispered to her, "Don't worry my dear, we don't bite."
Strangely enough, this made her feel better.
The trio made their way to the “Control Room”, the heart and brains of the Tower of Omens. The chamber she entered was huge, giving her the impression that if all the machinery in the room were removed, a mere whisper might echo off the walls. All around the room were computer terminals, weapon stations, blinking lights, and monitor screens of just about every size and shape. The largest screen was just across from the door and there she could see other cat like people in a room similar if not yet bigger and grander then the one she was in now.
On one side of the screen she saw a slender woman who had a dazzling head of yellow blond hair with black spots on it and golden skin with more black spots to accentuate her breath taking beauty. Next to her was a tall, well built man who, with orange tinged fur with black stripes, could only have come from tiger blood. He had his arm around the waist of the cheetah like woman and seemed to be protective of her.
On the other side she saw a bald, very muscular man with blue skin. His costume was rather peculiar for it had spikes sticking out of them. “Probably to keep the ladies away.” she joked to herself.
Next to him stood two children, a boy and girl. Both of them had light brown skin with white markings around their faces and reddish hair. The boy’s hair was white around his face with two black streaks going from his forehead back. The girl’s hair was completely red with a single streak, much like her brother’s. She guessed their ages to be around 10 or 12.
In the middle of the screen stood a man who looked to be about 7 feet tall. He had tawny skin and bright red hair in a sort of afro style. Back home that kind of hair do would have gotten people talking, but on him, it seemed to fit. He was very well built, muscles on top of muscles. He could probably take on the The Rock, one of her favorite wrestlers, without breaking a sweat. She noticed that all of these people had red eyes and black slits for pupils.
Lynx-o walked up to the screen and addressed the red haired man. “Lord Lion-o, thank you for responding so quickly.”
“It’s no problem my friend. We Thundercats are always willing to help out those in need.”
Linda bit her lip to keep from smiling. This guy sounds a bit like a politician, but something told her though that if this guy made a promise, he’d keep it.
Lion-o continued,” I believe introductions are in order. This is Cheetara and Tygra,” he said as he gestured to the golden woman and the tiger. They both nodded to Linda.
“Over here is Panthro, WilyKat and WilyKit. And I am Lord Lion-o.”
“A pleasure to meet you all.” she said, bowing towards them, hoping that was the correct response. “My name is Linda Hurst and I want to thank you for helping me.” From the screen, the woman known as Cheetara gave her a warm and motherly smile.
Oro spoke to Lion-o, “As soon as Bengali arrives, we can get started.”
It was then that Linda noticed that the white tiger was not in the room and she began to panic. As if on cue, the door opened and Bengali entered the room panting.
“I apologize for being late. It took me a while to hunt down Snarfer to ask him to watch Renee.”
Linda sighed in relief. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt better with the tiger man around.
“Now that everyone is assembled, we can let Ms. Hurst begin.”
Slowly, so that she could remember as much as she could, Linda told of her adventures,beginning with her stroll down her street, the whirl wind that had brought her here to this strange place, the encounter with the ape thing, meeting Bengali, and coming here. When Bengali heard of the Mutant Monkian attacking her, he felt a rage build in him. How dare that vile despicable beast even try to lay a hand on this gentle woman?! The Mutant had better hope he never finds him alone. The Code be Damned!
He then had to stop and wonder why Monkian's attack on her had made him feel so? It wasn't like the mutants attacking an innocent didn't happen almost everyday, but as he looked upon the gentle human woman, he had to admit that it did bother him more then it should have.
After Linda had finished her story, the cat lord nodded his head and decided to ask a few questions which could clarify a few things that were troubling him.
“You said that you are from a place called Iowa. Where is that exactly?”
“It’s a state up in the north central area of the United States." at his confused look, she surmised that he had never heard of the USA and wondered if this place they were in was more secret then she originally suspected.
"If you have a map," she offered, "I could show you.”
Lion-o nodded to Oro and waited as the puma man typed a few things on one of the terminals, bringing up a map of the world on one of the smaller screens. Linda studied the map for a few minutes, then she turned to Oro.
“Sir, I've never been that good in geography, but I think there’s something wrong with your computer. This map is incorrect. All of the countries are out of alignment and there’s one too many islands for Hawaii.”
Again she looked and tapped on the screen,” This is where Iowa is, but where California and Florida are supposed to be,” she pointed again, “there’s nothing there.”
The one known as Tygra stepped forward. “These maps were made just last month using our newest satellite technology. I assure you, they are accurate.”
“No, that can’t be,” she said, shaking her head as she felt the panic rising again, “I mean, even the North Pole is different. The ice shelf connected to Greenland…is missing.”
Linda said the last part quietly as things began to make a maddening sense to her.Without even knowing what she was doing, she looked over at Bengali, needing an anchor as things began to swirl dizzily in her mind. The white tiger could see the fear returning to her eyes and he walked over to her, making sure he was close enough to give physical and some what emotional support, but without touching her.
Linda turned to Oro and asked, “What year is it?”
Oro looked confused. “I’m not sure what you mean?” he said.
“What year is it?” she screamed, her panic now gripping her, wanting this all to be just a bad dream. “I mean, what I remember is that it’s the year 2006. We're at war with Iraq, we now have hybrid cars, they're getting ready to build new buildings on Ground Zero!" She knew she was babbling, but the confusion on the Thundercats faces frightened her more then they could ever know. The panic was so bad that she started to hyperventilate.
Seeing her in physical danger of herself, Bengali reached out and gripped her shoulder gently. Linda looked over her shoulder into his warm grey eyes and gathered strength from that. Feeling calmer, but still shaking, she returned to Oro and asked again, "What year is it?”
Oro shook his head, still not understanding what she meant, but apparently someone else in the room did.
“I believe I understand what you are asking, my dear.” said Lynx-o sadly, “I have been studying ancient earth cultures and how they tracked time for a while now. Based on this information and what you have told us I think I may have your answer. According to your timing frame, it is the year 21,713 AD. You have been displaced in time by nearly 20,000 years.”
Linda stared at him for a few moments, then her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed. Bengali was able to catch her before her head hit the floor. At once the Thundercats surrounded her, their concern for her evident.
"Oh my, that didn't go well at all, did it?" asked Lynx-o.
She woke up screaming in the medical bay and Pumyra hurried over to her patient to see if there was anything she could do.
“It’s ok, you’re safe here.” said Pumyra, reaching out to hold the young woman.
“DON’T TOUCH ME!!!” screamed the distraught human. Pumyra backed off, feeling hurt but understanding the woman’s reaction.
Linda wrapped her arms around herself and just cried. She had lost everything; her home, her way of life, her love. She was now in a strange place and she had no idea what she was going to do. It had been just too much for her.
“God help me.” she sobbed. After a while she calmed down, feeling better.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you.” she said, not looking up. “I just needed some time to deal with this.”
Pumyra nodded, understanding the shock that the other woman had just gone though. “Some times a good cry is the best medicine for a troubled heart.” She placed a hand on Linda’s shoulder and when the young woman didn’t refuse the gesture, she pulled her in closer.
Linda moved toward the healer and whispered, “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” She said quietly. They stayed that way for a minute or two then Linda pulled back.
“I’m all alone now.”
“You’re not alone.” answered Pumyra. “We’re here for you. We are going to help you through this.”
“I know you think you understand what I’m going through, but you don’t. You have no idea. Everything I’ve ever known is gone, turned to dust centuries ago.”
Pumyra just stared at the young woman, disbelief on her face. “As a matter of fact, I DO know what you’re going through.” said the healer sternly. "It was not too long ago that I and the other Thundercats lost our homes when our world blew up. We also lost everything that was familiar to us, but we learned how to cope and rebuild our lives. You will have to do the same.”
"Blew up?" Linda asked.
"Yes. We onced lived on Thundera, a planet that was far from here, until it became unstable and we had to evacuate. That was many years ago, since then we have lived here on Third Earth and have thrived."
The human looked up at her then hung her head. The Thundarian was right. In a sense she had lost her world too. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Linda sighed, then added, “You know, this is the second time today that I have accidentally insulted one of you? I definitely need to watch out for that insert foot syndrome.” She tried to laugh it off, but gave up, knowing it was stupid of her.
Pumyra smiled. “It’s alright, we all make mistakes. It’s how we learn.”
Linda nodded but it didn't make her feel any better. “So what happens now?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. The Thundercats at the Lair wants you and some of the others here to join them so that we can all see if there is something that can be done. Are you up for a little trip?”
Linda took a deep cleansing breath. “Sure, why not?”
"What have I got to lose?" she wondered silently.
Down in the Tower’s garage, Oro and Bengali were preparing the Feliner for travel when Renee ran in with Snarfer trailing her.
“Daddy, daddy! I wanna go to the Lair with you! I wannago! I WANNA GO!”
Oro looked at his daughter, then at Snarfer.
“I’m sorry Oro,” panted Snarfer, “She got away from me, snarfer, snarfer. She’s a fast little cub!”
“It’s ok Snarfer.” said Oro then bent down until he was eye level to his child. “I’m sorry honey, but I need you to stay here with Snarfer and your mom.”
“But why can’t I go?” wailed the little girl. “I always have to stay behind! It’s not fair!”
“I need you to stay here so that I know that you and your mom are safe, ok?”
“But daddy, I really, really want to go. I PROMISE to be good. Please, please please?”
From behind him, Oro could hear Bengali stifling a laugh. “You’re not helping me, Ben.” He said with a bit of a snarl then returned to his daughter. “I tell you what. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out on the Whiskers. Would you like that?”
Renee nodded her head. Her father continued, “Good. Now you have to promise me that you will be a good girl for mom. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes daddy.” said the girl solemnly, then turned and skipped out the door, Snarfer in tow.
After they left, Bengali released the laughter he had been holding in. “That little sprite has you wrapped around her finger.”
Oro stood up and gave his friend a knowing smile. “One day you’re going to meet a woman you love and have a few cubs yourself and more than likely, one of them will be just like Renee. You’ll be in the same situation as I was. And you know what? When that happens, I’m going to remind you of what you just said and laugh.”
Bengali just shook his head, smiling. “Come on, let’s finish getting the Feliner ready.” A few minutes later, Lynx-o, Pumyra, and Linda entered the garage.
“Gentlemen, is everything ready?” asked Lynx-o.
“We’re all set Lynx-o. Cats Lair registers our ETA in 20 minutes” said Oro.
“Very well, let’s be on our way. Ms. Hurst, you will be sitting up top with Bengali.”
“Uh, ok.” She said, eyeing the ship skeptically. She walked over, trying to figure how she was to get into the top compartment. There didn’t seem to be any steps and the top comparment was way over her head. She gasped when she saw Bengali just jump up to the top.
“Come on Linda, best seats are up here” she heard him say.
She looked the ship over again and said, “You know, that was a pretty good jump. But, uh, you wouldn’t have a ladder by any chance?”
Bengali looked down at her confused, then it dawned on him that there was no way she could jump that high. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that. Here, let me help you.”
He jumped back down close to her, making Linda take a step back. He grabbed her hand and led her to the side of the Feliner. “Now put your arms around my neck.”
“Excuse me?" she asked, a bit shocked by his suggestion.
Bengali laughed. “Just trust me.”
“Ok” Linda said nervously.
Bengali slid an arm around her waist, sending a shiver up her spine. “Now just hang on.”
“What are you going to DDDOOOOOOO?!!!” She screamed out the last word as he had jumped with her in his arms up to the top of the Feliner.
“Here you go my lady.” Bengali said with a little bow.
“Oh my God,” Linda gasped. “That was fun, a little scary, but fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” he said, winking at her.
As they took their seats, Bengali glanced over and saw Oro and Pumyra talking quietly. He was pretty sure Pumyra was telling her mate to be careful. She always did when he had to leave the Tower and he sighed a bit as he watched them. He envied the love they shared, often wishing he had someone to love and worry about him. Soon Oro hugged his wife and kissed her briefly, before jumpping into the ship.
“Is everyone ready?” said Lynx-o over the intercom.
“All systems go.” reported Oro.
“Things check out up here, Lynx-o.” Bengali answered.
After a moment of silence, Lynx-o asked, “Ms. Hurst, are you ready?”
Linda looked around, a bit dazed by the question. Seeing her confusion, Bengali smiled at her and nodded towards the com system. "You have to let us know if you are ready to take off." he whispered.
The human pressed the button and said, “Oh, yes, yes I am sir.”
Linda heard a chuckle. “I am glad to hear that. Feliner to Tower of Omens, permission to depart for Cats Lair.”
“Tower of Omens to Feliner, permission granted. Take care.”
As the Feliner took off, Lynx-o heard Linda asking Bengali a question.
“Who’s flying this thing?”
“Lynx-o is,” he heard Bengali answer. He could hear the smile in his voice.
“Lynx-o?! Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
The sound of the white tiger’s laughter could be heard over the intercom as the ship flew towards its destination.
Author: Lindacat aka Azmom
Status: Not complete
Summary: Linda meets the other Thundercats and learns the hard way how serious her situation may be.
Rating: Level 4
Genre(s): Drama, Romance, AU
Warnings: Adult Situations, Mild Cursing.
Disclaimer: This is just a story that came out of my head due to my love of Thundercats. All rights to Thundercats belong to WB and associates.
Doorway of the Gods
Chapter 2
Linda found herself being led into a room filled with medical equipment and was asked to wait while fresh clothes were found for her. The human woman nodded, but while the lady was gone, curiosity got the best of her and she began examining the room and items found in there. At first glance, she could see that it was just standard medical devices, but on further inspection, she noticed that some of the equipment was way more advanced than she had ever seen. She still held to the idea that she was on a government site, but she had a nagging feeling that when she got the whole truth, it wouldn’t be what she expected.
She jumped when Pumyra reentered the room and had to chuckle at her own silliness. These people had been nothing but kind to her and she really needed to lose her fear of them. The Thundarian woman seemed to understand her apprehension and said nothing as she lead Linda to a screened off area and handed her the outfit and footwear she had found. Several minutes later, Linda emerged and stood off to the side for inspection.
"So, it this ok?" she asked and Pumyra had to congratulate herself on her choice of clothing. Linda was now dressed in an emerald skirt and matching halter top with long, draping sleeves. White strips of material crossed in front of the human's chest emphasizing her breasts, and a strip of white around the waist gave Linda's torso a slimming look. The matching boots also enhanced the human woman's features, giving her legs a longer apperance.
Pumyra guessed that the woman was around five and a half feet tall, short by Thundarian standards, but still a bit taller then the local Warrior Maidens, who themselves were human. The Thundarian nodded approval and directed Linda to sit at one of the examination tables.
“Now let’s take a look at your hands” she said as she took one of the human's hands in her own, looking it over closely.
“Hmm, looks like you have some dirt and small stones embedded in the flesh.” She picked up a tool from a near by tray and pointed it at Linda’s fingers.
“This might hurt a bit,” she said as a cool blue beam shot from the tool, "But the pain will pass quickly once I'm done."
“Ow!" Linda exclaimed, wincing a little, but true Pumyra's word, the pain subsided almost instantly. "Well, at least you were truthful. Most doctors would have said the opposite.”
Pumyra laughed a little. “I live by the Code of Thundera, even with my patients." The Thundarian woman quickly finished but left Linda wondering what a 'Code of Thundera' was. She could only guess that it was the equivelent of the Hipocratic oath that all doctors had to take.
Pumyra was smoothing a soothing balm on her abrasions when she asked, “I know I said you should wait for all of us to hear your story, but I really can’t wait. How did you hurt your hands this way?”
Linda looked up and saw real concern in the woman’s face. Pumyra, like the others she had met, was also a cat person. Her face was gentle, even with her cheek bones accentuated by light brown streaks, almost like a natural blush. Her hair was also brown, though darker and the ends of her hair was tipped with white. A strip of white ran from the peak of her forehead back, giving her an odd skunk like appearance, but it deffered none of her natural beauty. Linda guessed from her name that she was of puma blood.
“I was trying to keep myself from being dragged into some kind of, um, I guess the best word would be vortex." the human woman explained. "There was a lot of wind and it was very strong. I just dug my fingers into the road for leverage but it didn’t help much. I still ended up here.”
“A vortex?” asked Pumyra. “We have something similar here on this planet, but I can't be sure if it is the same thing. Perhaps if you were to describe it better we could…”
“Pumyra,” said a voice from the door, “It would be better if we allowed the young lady to tell all of the Thundercats about her adventure.”
Linda looked toward the sound of the voice and saw an older gentleman standing there. He was probably in his late forties or early fifties, strongly built, bald but he had a beard of sorts, and he had large, pointed ears. He glided over to the healer and held out his hands to her. Pumyra clasped his hands and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m sorry Lynx-o, you know how my curiosity gets the better of me sometimes.”
The newcomer laughed and said, "Be careful my dear. You know what the ancients of this world said about curiosity and the cat.”
Pumyra laughed. “ Don’t even think of such a thing! If Renee has just half of the curiosity that I had as a child, she’ll turn me grey with worry.”
Ancients? Linda knew the saying they were talking about, but she didn’t think it was that old. Lynx-o turned to her, or at least in her direction and asked if she was ok
“Yes sir, your friend Pumyra has been taking good care of me.”
“That is good to hear. Pumyra takes care of all of us.” he said, hugging the puma. “We don’t know what we would do without her.”
Pumyra blushed and held her hand up to her face to hide her embarrassment. It seemed obvious that Pumyra was either not used to compliments or felt she wasn't worthy of them. The human woman smiled and nodded at the older man. "I completely understand."
Again the older gentleman smiled in her direction and it made the newcomer a bit curious. There was something a bit odd about this gentleman that Linda couldn’t quite put her finger on. Then it hit her, this man might be looking at her, but he wasn’t looking directly at her, just in the general direction of her, or more to the point, in the direction of her voice. It took less then a moment for Linda to realize that this Lynx-o was blind. At that moment, the lynx’s ears twitched.
“I believe it’s time that we join the others. Oro has contacted Cats Lair. He thought it wise for the other Thundercats to hear your story, young lady, if that is alright?”
“Oh, no, sure." she said, nodding her head then mentally smacking herself remembering that he couldn't see her.
"Two heads are better than one right? Or three or four.” Linda said, trying to cover up her embarrassment.
Lynx-o held his arm out to her and she accepted gratefully. As he led her with ease up the hallway and stairs, he whispered to her, "Don't worry my dear, we don't bite."
Strangely enough, this made her feel better.
The trio made their way to the “Control Room”, the heart and brains of the Tower of Omens. The chamber she entered was huge, giving her the impression that if all the machinery in the room were removed, a mere whisper might echo off the walls. All around the room were computer terminals, weapon stations, blinking lights, and monitor screens of just about every size and shape. The largest screen was just across from the door and there she could see other cat like people in a room similar if not yet bigger and grander then the one she was in now.
On one side of the screen she saw a slender woman who had a dazzling head of yellow blond hair with black spots on it and golden skin with more black spots to accentuate her breath taking beauty. Next to her was a tall, well built man who, with orange tinged fur with black stripes, could only have come from tiger blood. He had his arm around the waist of the cheetah like woman and seemed to be protective of her.
On the other side she saw a bald, very muscular man with blue skin. His costume was rather peculiar for it had spikes sticking out of them. “Probably to keep the ladies away.” she joked to herself.
Next to him stood two children, a boy and girl. Both of them had light brown skin with white markings around their faces and reddish hair. The boy’s hair was white around his face with two black streaks going from his forehead back. The girl’s hair was completely red with a single streak, much like her brother’s. She guessed their ages to be around 10 or 12.
In the middle of the screen stood a man who looked to be about 7 feet tall. He had tawny skin and bright red hair in a sort of afro style. Back home that kind of hair do would have gotten people talking, but on him, it seemed to fit. He was very well built, muscles on top of muscles. He could probably take on the The Rock, one of her favorite wrestlers, without breaking a sweat. She noticed that all of these people had red eyes and black slits for pupils.
Lynx-o walked up to the screen and addressed the red haired man. “Lord Lion-o, thank you for responding so quickly.”
“It’s no problem my friend. We Thundercats are always willing to help out those in need.”
Linda bit her lip to keep from smiling. This guy sounds a bit like a politician, but something told her though that if this guy made a promise, he’d keep it.
Lion-o continued,” I believe introductions are in order. This is Cheetara and Tygra,” he said as he gestured to the golden woman and the tiger. They both nodded to Linda.
“Over here is Panthro, WilyKat and WilyKit. And I am Lord Lion-o.”
“A pleasure to meet you all.” she said, bowing towards them, hoping that was the correct response. “My name is Linda Hurst and I want to thank you for helping me.” From the screen, the woman known as Cheetara gave her a warm and motherly smile.
Oro spoke to Lion-o, “As soon as Bengali arrives, we can get started.”
It was then that Linda noticed that the white tiger was not in the room and she began to panic. As if on cue, the door opened and Bengali entered the room panting.
“I apologize for being late. It took me a while to hunt down Snarfer to ask him to watch Renee.”
Linda sighed in relief. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt better with the tiger man around.
“Now that everyone is assembled, we can let Ms. Hurst begin.”
Slowly, so that she could remember as much as she could, Linda told of her adventures,beginning with her stroll down her street, the whirl wind that had brought her here to this strange place, the encounter with the ape thing, meeting Bengali, and coming here. When Bengali heard of the Mutant Monkian attacking her, he felt a rage build in him. How dare that vile despicable beast even try to lay a hand on this gentle woman?! The Mutant had better hope he never finds him alone. The Code be Damned!
He then had to stop and wonder why Monkian's attack on her had made him feel so? It wasn't like the mutants attacking an innocent didn't happen almost everyday, but as he looked upon the gentle human woman, he had to admit that it did bother him more then it should have.
After Linda had finished her story, the cat lord nodded his head and decided to ask a few questions which could clarify a few things that were troubling him.
“You said that you are from a place called Iowa. Where is that exactly?”
“It’s a state up in the north central area of the United States." at his confused look, she surmised that he had never heard of the USA and wondered if this place they were in was more secret then she originally suspected.
"If you have a map," she offered, "I could show you.”
Lion-o nodded to Oro and waited as the puma man typed a few things on one of the terminals, bringing up a map of the world on one of the smaller screens. Linda studied the map for a few minutes, then she turned to Oro.
“Sir, I've never been that good in geography, but I think there’s something wrong with your computer. This map is incorrect. All of the countries are out of alignment and there’s one too many islands for Hawaii.”
Again she looked and tapped on the screen,” This is where Iowa is, but where California and Florida are supposed to be,” she pointed again, “there’s nothing there.”
The one known as Tygra stepped forward. “These maps were made just last month using our newest satellite technology. I assure you, they are accurate.”
“No, that can’t be,” she said, shaking her head as she felt the panic rising again, “I mean, even the North Pole is different. The ice shelf connected to Greenland…is missing.”
Linda said the last part quietly as things began to make a maddening sense to her.Without even knowing what she was doing, she looked over at Bengali, needing an anchor as things began to swirl dizzily in her mind. The white tiger could see the fear returning to her eyes and he walked over to her, making sure he was close enough to give physical and some what emotional support, but without touching her.
Linda turned to Oro and asked, “What year is it?”
Oro looked confused. “I’m not sure what you mean?” he said.
“What year is it?” she screamed, her panic now gripping her, wanting this all to be just a bad dream. “I mean, what I remember is that it’s the year 2006. We're at war with Iraq, we now have hybrid cars, they're getting ready to build new buildings on Ground Zero!" She knew she was babbling, but the confusion on the Thundercats faces frightened her more then they could ever know. The panic was so bad that she started to hyperventilate.
Seeing her in physical danger of herself, Bengali reached out and gripped her shoulder gently. Linda looked over her shoulder into his warm grey eyes and gathered strength from that. Feeling calmer, but still shaking, she returned to Oro and asked again, "What year is it?”
Oro shook his head, still not understanding what she meant, but apparently someone else in the room did.
“I believe I understand what you are asking, my dear.” said Lynx-o sadly, “I have been studying ancient earth cultures and how they tracked time for a while now. Based on this information and what you have told us I think I may have your answer. According to your timing frame, it is the year 21,713 AD. You have been displaced in time by nearly 20,000 years.”
Linda stared at him for a few moments, then her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed. Bengali was able to catch her before her head hit the floor. At once the Thundercats surrounded her, their concern for her evident.
"Oh my, that didn't go well at all, did it?" asked Lynx-o.
She woke up screaming in the medical bay and Pumyra hurried over to her patient to see if there was anything she could do.
“It’s ok, you’re safe here.” said Pumyra, reaching out to hold the young woman.
“DON’T TOUCH ME!!!” screamed the distraught human. Pumyra backed off, feeling hurt but understanding the woman’s reaction.
Linda wrapped her arms around herself and just cried. She had lost everything; her home, her way of life, her love. She was now in a strange place and she had no idea what she was going to do. It had been just too much for her.
“God help me.” she sobbed. After a while she calmed down, feeling better.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you.” she said, not looking up. “I just needed some time to deal with this.”
Pumyra nodded, understanding the shock that the other woman had just gone though. “Some times a good cry is the best medicine for a troubled heart.” She placed a hand on Linda’s shoulder and when the young woman didn’t refuse the gesture, she pulled her in closer.
Linda moved toward the healer and whispered, “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” She said quietly. They stayed that way for a minute or two then Linda pulled back.
“I’m all alone now.”
“You’re not alone.” answered Pumyra. “We’re here for you. We are going to help you through this.”
“I know you think you understand what I’m going through, but you don’t. You have no idea. Everything I’ve ever known is gone, turned to dust centuries ago.”
Pumyra just stared at the young woman, disbelief on her face. “As a matter of fact, I DO know what you’re going through.” said the healer sternly. "It was not too long ago that I and the other Thundercats lost our homes when our world blew up. We also lost everything that was familiar to us, but we learned how to cope and rebuild our lives. You will have to do the same.”
"Blew up?" Linda asked.
"Yes. We onced lived on Thundera, a planet that was far from here, until it became unstable and we had to evacuate. That was many years ago, since then we have lived here on Third Earth and have thrived."
The human looked up at her then hung her head. The Thundarian was right. In a sense she had lost her world too. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Linda sighed, then added, “You know, this is the second time today that I have accidentally insulted one of you? I definitely need to watch out for that insert foot syndrome.” She tried to laugh it off, but gave up, knowing it was stupid of her.
Pumyra smiled. “It’s alright, we all make mistakes. It’s how we learn.”
Linda nodded but it didn't make her feel any better. “So what happens now?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. The Thundercats at the Lair wants you and some of the others here to join them so that we can all see if there is something that can be done. Are you up for a little trip?”
Linda took a deep cleansing breath. “Sure, why not?”
"What have I got to lose?" she wondered silently.
Down in the Tower’s garage, Oro and Bengali were preparing the Feliner for travel when Renee ran in with Snarfer trailing her.
“Daddy, daddy! I wanna go to the Lair with you! I wannago! I WANNA GO!”
Oro looked at his daughter, then at Snarfer.
“I’m sorry Oro,” panted Snarfer, “She got away from me, snarfer, snarfer. She’s a fast little cub!”
“It’s ok Snarfer.” said Oro then bent down until he was eye level to his child. “I’m sorry honey, but I need you to stay here with Snarfer and your mom.”
“But why can’t I go?” wailed the little girl. “I always have to stay behind! It’s not fair!”
“I need you to stay here so that I know that you and your mom are safe, ok?”
“But daddy, I really, really want to go. I PROMISE to be good. Please, please please?”
From behind him, Oro could hear Bengali stifling a laugh. “You’re not helping me, Ben.” He said with a bit of a snarl then returned to his daughter. “I tell you what. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out on the Whiskers. Would you like that?”
Renee nodded her head. Her father continued, “Good. Now you have to promise me that you will be a good girl for mom. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes daddy.” said the girl solemnly, then turned and skipped out the door, Snarfer in tow.
After they left, Bengali released the laughter he had been holding in. “That little sprite has you wrapped around her finger.”
Oro stood up and gave his friend a knowing smile. “One day you’re going to meet a woman you love and have a few cubs yourself and more than likely, one of them will be just like Renee. You’ll be in the same situation as I was. And you know what? When that happens, I’m going to remind you of what you just said and laugh.”
Bengali just shook his head, smiling. “Come on, let’s finish getting the Feliner ready.” A few minutes later, Lynx-o, Pumyra, and Linda entered the garage.
“Gentlemen, is everything ready?” asked Lynx-o.
“We’re all set Lynx-o. Cats Lair registers our ETA in 20 minutes” said Oro.
“Very well, let’s be on our way. Ms. Hurst, you will be sitting up top with Bengali.”
“Uh, ok.” She said, eyeing the ship skeptically. She walked over, trying to figure how she was to get into the top compartment. There didn’t seem to be any steps and the top comparment was way over her head. She gasped when she saw Bengali just jump up to the top.
“Come on Linda, best seats are up here” she heard him say.
She looked the ship over again and said, “You know, that was a pretty good jump. But, uh, you wouldn’t have a ladder by any chance?”
Bengali looked down at her confused, then it dawned on him that there was no way she could jump that high. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that. Here, let me help you.”
He jumped back down close to her, making Linda take a step back. He grabbed her hand and led her to the side of the Feliner. “Now put your arms around my neck.”
“Excuse me?" she asked, a bit shocked by his suggestion.
Bengali laughed. “Just trust me.”
“Ok” Linda said nervously.
Bengali slid an arm around her waist, sending a shiver up her spine. “Now just hang on.”
“What are you going to DDDOOOOOOO?!!!” She screamed out the last word as he had jumped with her in his arms up to the top of the Feliner.
“Here you go my lady.” Bengali said with a little bow.
“Oh my God,” Linda gasped. “That was fun, a little scary, but fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” he said, winking at her.
As they took their seats, Bengali glanced over and saw Oro and Pumyra talking quietly. He was pretty sure Pumyra was telling her mate to be careful. She always did when he had to leave the Tower and he sighed a bit as he watched them. He envied the love they shared, often wishing he had someone to love and worry about him. Soon Oro hugged his wife and kissed her briefly, before jumpping into the ship.
“Is everyone ready?” said Lynx-o over the intercom.
“All systems go.” reported Oro.
“Things check out up here, Lynx-o.” Bengali answered.
After a moment of silence, Lynx-o asked, “Ms. Hurst, are you ready?”
Linda looked around, a bit dazed by the question. Seeing her confusion, Bengali smiled at her and nodded towards the com system. "You have to let us know if you are ready to take off." he whispered.
The human pressed the button and said, “Oh, yes, yes I am sir.”
Linda heard a chuckle. “I am glad to hear that. Feliner to Tower of Omens, permission to depart for Cats Lair.”
“Tower of Omens to Feliner, permission granted. Take care.”
As the Feliner took off, Lynx-o heard Linda asking Bengali a question.
“Who’s flying this thing?”
“Lynx-o is,” he heard Bengali answer. He could hear the smile in his voice.
“Lynx-o?! Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
The sound of the white tiger’s laughter could be heard over the intercom as the ship flew towards its destination.
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