Several days later . . .

"Cheetara?"

The cheetah swiveled in her chair to the communication system. She pushed a button and replied, "Cheetara here. What is it?"

"Um, the cheetah elders are here. They wish to speak to you."

Cheetara paused for a moment to wonder what they wanted with her.

"What would you have us do?" the two ThunderCat guards asked.

"Escort them to the council room. I'll meet them in there in a moment."

"As you wish."

The female ThunderCat looked at Lynx-O and Panthro who were in the control room with her. She shrugged her shoulders at them signaling her lack of knowledge as to the purpose of the cheetahs' visit. "I'll be back," she reported and left the room.

Cheetara entered the council room. She nodded at the two guards who turned and left the room. As she walked around the table, she studied the cheetah elders present. There were three older males standing whom she recognized as the cheetah clan leaders. One older woman was present too, whom Cheetara had never seen. These four appeared to be fifty and older. Lastly, Chase was in attendance with them.

Finally, Cheetara came to a halt at an empty table. All six Thunderians gave the cheetah clan salute, which was a right-handed closed fist across the chest. She motioned for them to sit and sat down herself. She turned to the older males and said, "Che'kar, Carvel, and Chet. This is a nice surprise."

Chet motioned to the woman beside him and introduced her. "This is Candra. And I believe you know Chase."

Cheetara nodded and glanced at the older woman. "Pleased to meet you. To what do I owe this visit?"

"I'm afraid it is unpleasant news," Che'kar answered. "It has come to our knowledge that the lion clan is getting ready to attack us."

"That can't be," she remarked. "Why would you think that?"

"Some of them are very upset that you, a cheetah, will soon become second-in-command permanently."

"Why would that upset them? I mean, Lion-O is the true leader of New Thundera. That should be enough."

Carvel shook his head. "You would think so. But, traditionally, it has been two members of the lion clan who have ruled Thundera. These two have always been a powerful alliance to their clan. I believe they are afraid to trust someone else from a different clan."

"But that's just dumb," Cheetara commented. "I would be equally fair to ALL the clans, not just the cheetahs."

"Perhaps," Candra replied. "But nonetheless, the few of them who believe this are gaining support within the clan. They are just waiting for a chance to attack us."

The four elder cheetahs then glanced at Chase. He stood up and cleared his throat. Chase put a small machine in the center of the table and directed it to a clear wall. With a remote control, he turned it on showing a gruesome picture.

Cheetara covered her mouth with a hand as Chase started his narrative. "Here is an example of what we are talking about. This is a cheetah clan member. His name was Cata. A lion store owner, by the name of Leonel, recently gunned him down."

"Yes, I heard about this," she said. "The cheetah was trying to rob the store. The owner was just trying to protect himself. That is his legal right."

"If the robber had a weapon. However, the only weapon they found on him was a small, wooden stick," Chase retorted.

He flicked through more pictures showing the crime scene. "We believe that the store owner's motive for killing the robber was the mere fact that Cata was a cheetah. It was racism, pure and simple. Also, the cheetah had taken the store's cash reserves. This would have put Leonel out of business, as the store was already in financial trouble."

Chase turned off the machine and turned to her. "We must face reality. The lion clan will attack us sometime."

"What does that have to do with me?" Cheetara inquired softly.

Che'kar turned to her and replied, "We want you to become our leader. You have the fighting knowledge we need to defend ourselves successfully."

Cheetara closed her eyes and leaned on the table deep in thought. She murmured, "I am not qualified to lead."

"You right. You are more than qualified to lead us. But our survival depends on your decision," Chet remarked.

She opened her eyes and sat back up. "You don't know what you are asking. I could help you more by staying here."

"No, Cheetara. We need you to lead us on the battlefield. Perhaps you leaving the Thundercats will be enough to ease the lion clan's tensions. Then we would not have to go to war," Candra said.

Chase asked, "Would you risk the lives of the cheetah clan for your own selfish reasons?"

Selfish reasons? What was selfish about marrying the man she loved? Foolishly, she let Chase's words get the best of her. The female ThunderCat sighed heavily. "Okay, I'll think about it. You will have my answer in twenty-four hours."

"NO!" Chase slammed the table. "We need an answer NOW!"

Cheetara stared at him and remarked, "I said that you will get an answer in twenty-four hours. You can't expect me to make such an answer right this moment." Feeling angry at Chase's response, she said, "The guards outside the door will escort you out."

Che'kar, Chet, Candra, and Carvel all stood up. They glanced at Chase and Carvel commented, "Come on, Chase. We are through here."

He turned to Cheetara and said, "We will be waiting for your answer. I hope you will do the right thing."

They left Cheetara alone in the council room with mixed emotions.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a bluish image appear. She stood up and turned to see Katherine.

"You should discuss this with Lion-O."

Cheetara shook her head in disagreement. "I don't know, Katherine. I think this is a decision I should make on my own."

"Cheetara, one of the few things you should learn is to share your problems with Lion-O, and he should do the same. How else do you expect to work together if there are secrets between you two?"

"But he's already got so much to worry about. . ."

"Tell him. I'm confident that the two of you can work on a solution together."

Katherine disappeared from sight.

Cheetara folded her arms and thought about what Lion-O's mother had told her.

Later in the council room

"There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

Lion-O walked up behind Cheetara and wrapped his arms around her. She was sitting on the window ledge in the council room, a favorite place of hers to sit and think. She leaned against him and covered his hands with hers. "How did the meeting go?"

"Not very well. All the different Lunatac groups have become allies now. That could be dangerous for us if they ever decide to attack. I think I've convinced them that going after the Sword of Omens would be a waste of time."

"You don't sound very convinced."

He chuckled and kissed her. "Am I that obvious?"

"Just to me," she whispered.

Cheetara cast her eyes down and commented, "There's something else we need to discuss. Let's go sit at the table where we'll be more comfortable."

"Oh, no. It's bad news, isn't it?"

She nodded quietly. He helped her to her feet and followed her to the council table. After taking a deep breath, Cheetara told Lion-O all about her meeting with the cheetah clan elders. When she was through, she looked up at his face to wait for his reaction.

"There's got to be something else we can do. We can go talk to the lion clan. I'll convince them that I have just as much right to marry you as anyone else." Lion-O put his hand on her face and ran it through her hair.

"We can try, but I don't think they will change their minds so easily."

"Listen to me, Cheetara. I don't care what happens. I am marrying you."

The cheetah pushed her chair back and stood up. She turned to face him and replied, "Even if it means that people will be killed! I'm not just talking about the cheetahs either. Thunderians in the lion clan will certainly die as well. I can't bear the thought of that. Those are your people, Lion-O."

He stood up and glared at her. "All the Thunderians are my people."

"That should even be more of a reason . . ."

"More of a reason to what, Cheetara? That we shouldn't get married? Why did you even bother to talk to me? It sounds like you've already made up your mind." He stormed past her and exited the council room.

Cheetara fell into her chair and started sobbing. In just two hours out of what she thought would be a good day, she felt her world crashing around her.

The Next Afternoon

Cheetara found herself standing outside the cheetah clan building on the outskirts of Thundera City. The new building had the same design as the previous one that was destroyed with Thundera. It was plain and simple, but it served its purposed well. It had been the home of the cheetah elders for many generations.

When she first woke up that morning, the cheetah went looking for Lion-O. She found out too late that he had already left, but no one had a clue to where he went. Cheetara had waited for him the rest of the day until an hour before her deadline to give her answer. So now, she found herself here at a momentous crossroads in her life. She still had no idea what she was going to do.

The cheetah put her hand on the doorknob and gently opened the door. She saw many cheetahs around a rectangular table. They all looked up at her as she walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Ah, Cheetara," Che'kar announced and strode towards her. "You couldn't have come at a better time."

He led her to a free chair and sat down beside her. "We've heard from Chase that the lion clan is going to attack us at sunset today. We are coming up with a strategy."

She nodded at him and the others warily. "I see. What else do you know?"

Candra eyed her and motioned to the immense map laid out on the table. It showed all the area in Thundera City and beyond. She pointed to a spot and remarked, "Here is a place where many cheetahs live. We believe they are going to attack them first by coming over this hill."

"We are gathering all of our best fighters," Carvel proclaimed. "We want to take them out in one round before they can attack us. Will you lead us?"

Cheetara sighed and put her head into her hands. "I cannot lead you. I will not participate in a blood-shed."

"We are merely trying to defend ourselves," Chase replied calmly.

She stood up and stared at the cheetah. "Call it what you want, but people will be killed. I cannot involve myself in this dispute."

"We cannot help it if people are killed. And Cheetara," Chase continued, "you are already involved. You are the reason why this war is happening in the first place."

Chet remarked, "Then you concede to committing treason against the cheetah clan?"

"Yes," she shot back. "If you think my loyalty is only to you." She stood up and looked at everyone at the table. "But my loyalty is to all Thunderians and to the Thundercats. Especially to Lion-O. . ." she finished softly.

"But Cheetara you must fight. We helped you when you were younger, when you lost your parents. You must help us in our hour of need," Che'kar said.

Tears appeared in the cheetahs eyes. Yes, they were there for her when she lost her parents, but how could they bring that up? They were there for her in her the darkest moment of her life, but could she actually leave the Thundercats, especially Lion-O, for them.

"I'm sorry. I can't. I have to go."

Cheetara glanced at them one last time and walked towards the door. When she opened it to leave, Chase grabbed her arm causing the female cheetah to stop. "You can't leave us, Cheetara. You must fight with us."

"I told you, Chase. I can't." She looked away.

Chase put his hands on her shoulders, making Cheetara look at him. "You owe the clan leaders, Cheetara. They took you in when they could have left you out in the streets, where you could have picked up bad habits and even been an enemy to Thundera. When they took you in, they helped you understand your special powers better. They helped train you to be the fastest cheetah on Thundera. The elders didn't have to help you, but they did. They knew you were special even before you did.

When you became old enough to leave, what did you do? You left the cheetah elders to become a Thundercat. You left them when they needed cheetahs like you to train younger cheetahs and help them understand their special gifts. Now, after learning what they did for you and what you did to them, can you honestly tell me that you won't help them? If you do, then you are dishonorable and a traitor not only to the cheetahs, but to the Thundercats, especially Lion-O and the Code of Thundera."

Why was he doing this? She wondered. Why must he pressure her and make her feel so guilty for leaving. She always thought it was best that she leave the cheetah elders. As a Thundercat she could help the cheetah clan more, but now after hearing Chase's remarks, she felt that she was wrong. Maybe she hadn't helped the cheetahs by joining the Thundercats but had hurt them.

The cheetah Thundercat shook her head. No, she was helping them. As a Thundercat, she gave the cheetahs hope, encourage them to be stronger, be the best they could be. Or was she? Filling with so much doubt in herself, Cheetara wasn't sure of herself anymore or her purpose as a Thundercat. Was being a Thundercat actually helping her or hurting her?

"We cannot fight, Chase. It would be wrong. I do not want someone's blood on my hands," she looked into his pressuring eyes and sighed. "Don't do anything until I say so?"

"Does this mean you will fight?" Chase asked.

"No, we must stop it." Cheetara said and stepped out the door.

No, Cheetara you are wrong. We must fight--starting tonight. Soon you will come around and know that fighting is the only way. Chase thought.

She left the building, running through the streets of Thundera City relieved that the moment was over. Now she had to find a way to stop them from fighting.

"Hey, Cheetara!"

Cheetara stopped and turned around to the face of the voice that called her. It was a little cheetah girl running to her. "Kayla. Hey, how are you?" Cheetara first met the young girl a few months after the Thundercats started rebuilding their planet. Like Cheetara, Kayla was an orphan, too and were living with the elders. Since learning that, Cheetara has spent some time with Kayla. She felt like a big sister for the little girl.

"I'm fine, Cheetara. Are you going to fight in the war?"

Cheetara knelt to young girl's height. "How do you know about the war?"

"Oh, all the cheetahs know. I wish I was old enough to fight. I'd show the lions that they can't mess with a cheetah."

"No, Kayla." Cheetara rested her hands on the girl's shoulders. "You mustn't think that way. The lions aren't our enemies. There must be some misunderstanding that they want war."

"Chase said that his cousin, Cata, was killed by a lion shopkeeper. He said the lion did it because Cata was a cheetah. All lions are bad people," the girl said hatefully.

Learning this new information, Cheetara began putting some of the pieces together. So, that's why Chase wants to fight. "Uh, listen Kayla, what that lion shopkeeper did was in self-defense. Cata was being the bad person by taking money that wasn't his from the shopkeeper and threatening to kill him." The girl looked down and Cheetara turned her face so the little girl met Cheetara's face. "Now you can't think all lions are bad. I'm engage to one. In fact, he's the Lord of the Thundercats. You don't think Lion-O is bad, do you?"

"Well, no, but--"

"Listen to me, Kayla. This war is bad. No good can come from it. That's why I'm not going to fight. I'm going to try stopping it, with the help of Lord Lion-O and the rest of the Thundercats." She glanced at her watch and knew that she had to get back to the lair. "I have to go now, but promise me that if war breaks out, you will stay away from it."

"I will, Cheetara," Kayla said.

"Good girl," Cheetara said and hugged Kayla.

"I want to be a Thundercat just like you when I grow up."

"I'm sure you'll be a great Thundercat, and my child in the future will be honored to have someone like you working with him." Cheetara broke free of the child. She stood up and ran away back to Cat's Lair.