Sunset…

That single moment in time before light gives up her realm to the shadows of the night. This moment, which seems to last an eternity to those of us caught within the magic of the time. This is the time that wishes can be made and dreams can come true, or so my Father used to say. I once found peace and solace within this moment of the day. It was a time for ending and beginning wrapped into that one second before the sun dipped beneath the horizon. Silence would claim the world in its warm embrace and for a split second; all was right with the world and peace ruled, before the chaos again claimed the throne of the star-filled skies. Tonight asI watch the sun slowly descend, I find no peace in the moment, only fear. Not of the shadows or the nightmares that often hunt me within the night realm, but of a person, of a friend. For tonight we crown our new Lord, and I am left with no choice but totell him of the promise I made.

Tygra. I find my thoughts turning to him often and hope and pray that he can forgive me for this, and perhaps in time I will learn to love Lion-O. But Tygra is now and always will be my love and have a place within my heart for as long as I hold breath within my body. Tygra may even find another to love one day, I only wish for him all the happiness that I myself will be denied for my duty. Strange...I once would have been proud to have performed any duty required of me, but now-now I just don’t know.

I watch now as the sun disappears unto the horizon and for a split second latch onto the moment and pretend that perhaps within me exists a tiny bit of that small cub that, at one point in her life, believed that anything was possible. The moment before her world was destroyed-her innocence lost. Before she stopped believing in the magic of the sunset and the possibility that dreams can come true.

"Cheetara?" Panthro’s voice seemed to echo in the small chamber. "It’s nearly time."

"I know," the cheetah answered, her own voice sounding empty of emotion. She could hear the panther’s feet as he crossed the floor to her perch within the window. Closing her journal, she glanced up at her long-time friend and attempted to plaster a believable smile upon her face. "I am glad he survived the trials."

"Are you?"

"What do you mean by that?" Cheetara demanded, her eyes flashing in anger.

The panther slowly lowered himself beside the cheetah on the windowsill. "Just that it would have been easier for you if he had failed."

"How dare you! You question my loyalty to my duty?" She jumped up in her anger and paced the room. "You have no right, Panthro. Unless you wish the Challenge of Loyalty?"

"No, I do not wish the challenge." He said, quickly trying to calm the enraged cheetah. "Only the knowledge that you will fulfill your promise."

"You have known me most of my life, Panthro, and yet you sit here and question my loyalty, my conviction to my duty." She reached over and retrieved her journal. "When have I ever, in my time as a Thundercat, forsaken my duty for personal reasons?"

"Cheetara, I didn’t mean…"

"No, you did mean to. And I am insulted that you could even think that. Know this, Panthro: I will fulfill my duty, even if it kills me to do it."

"Cheetara wait." He called out trying to stop the cheetah from leaving. Her simple response was that of the door sliding shut as she disappeared into the hall.

They gathered up on the steps of the Lair, the rising sun’s rays beginning to peek over the horizon, as the stars began to disappear in the nighttime sky. Each stood proudly awaiting the arrival of their soon-to-be crowned Lord. The young lion emerged from the Lair, a look of maturity about him that had not existed before the trials. Snarf followed behind, bearing the one thing more precious then the Sword that they had managed to save from the destruction of Thundera: the crown of the Royal Family, the symbol of their leader.

"Who comes before us to claim the Leadership of Thundera?" Tygra asked stepping before his Lord.

"I, Lion-O, Son of Nydia mate to Claudius Clan Symia, wish to claim the right of Leadership."

"Have you passed the Trials of your Protectors?"

"I have." He held out the symbols he had received from each of the others when he had completed his trials.

"Do you swear to lead by the Code of Thundera and honor all that the Thundercats stand for?"

"I do."

"Will the Protectors of Lion-O step forward?" Tygra spoke as he motioned the others to approach. "Have you taught this cub all that he must know?"

"We have," They answered as one.

"Will you follow this Lord and honor him as one should a leader?"

"We will."

"Do you renew your promise to this cub to teach and protect?"

"We do."

The tiger turned and accepted the crown from Snarf and with a small nod Cheetara stepped forward. "Lion-O, you have completed the trials given by your protectors." The cheetah spoke. "You have sworn to uphold the Code of Thundera. You have received the renewal of the promise from your protectors. If you wish the Leadership of Thundera, step forth now and kneel before me." The young lion proudly knelt before the cheetah as she raised the crown and heldit so the first rays of the morning sun sent the jewels within it sparkling. "Hear me, Thundarians: On this day we crown our new Lord, may he forever find the wisdom to lead us with Truth, Honor, Justice, and Loyalty." She slowly lowered the crown upon his head. "Lion-O, son of Nydia mate to Claudius Clan Symia, stand now and accept your birthright," Cheetara backed away, gracefully bowing as she did so.

Lion-O stood before those that had, for most of his life, been his teachers…his friends, and with a quick motion drew forth the Sword of Omens, and as the light completely claimed the sky, he called forth the symbol of all that they were.

"Thunder…Thunder…Thundercats…HO!"

"He would be proud of you." Cheetara said as she came up to the new Lord who was staring at the last remaining tapestry of his family.

He smiled down at her and felt a familiar feeling claiming his mind. "I often wonder if he would have been. If I was the son he had hoped I would be."

"I have no doubt in my mind, my Lord." She smiled slightly as he blushed at her formal address. "You have had to deal with much, Lion-O, and you survived. You have your Father’s strength and your Mother’s heart. "

"And much to learn," he sighed.

"That is part of life. You never know all you need, no matter how hard you try." She again smiled and with a slight bow turned to leave him alone with his thoughts.

"Cheetara," She turned to face him. "Thank you for all you have done for me."

"I did nothing more then my duty required my Lord."

"No," The lion whispered as the figure retreated, "you did more."

"You need to tell her, Tygra. She will not go unless you talk to her."

The tiger paced in the council room, his anger evident in his step. "She knows her duty, Panthro. She will go when she is ready."

"No," He stepped into the tiger’s path. "She needs to know that you will support her in this."

He pushed the panther out of his path, "She knows I will Panthro."

"Will what?" Both turned as the cheetah’s voice interrupted their conversation.

"Tygra has something to say to you." Panthro gave the cheetah a gentle shove towards where the tiger was standing. "And I’ll just leave you two alone."

The tiger stood silent for a moment his eyes searching the face of the one person that he had vowed he would do anything for. "As council Leader, it is my duty to remind you of your promise to Jaga." He blurted out hoping that he could get through this and still control his emotions. The cheetah stood silent, her expression conveying her feelings. "You must tell Lion-O tonight."

"And if I don’t?"

He stepped forward placing a tender hand upon her cheek and wiping away a tear that had escaped her amber eyes. "I want this no more then you do, my love, but the promise must be fulfilled."

"Very well." She pushed away, "I will tell him, but my hear t will always belong to you."

He watched as she left him alone with in the confines of the room, his breathing the only sound within the chamber. He slowly reached up and removed the golden chain from about his neck, running it through his fingers as his mind replayed the day she had given that to him.

She reached into her bag a pulled out the small box, "I want you to have this."

He took the box from her and carefully pulled to top off. He felt tears forming in his eyes when he saw what was inside. "I can’t take this." Amber eyes meet amber eyes

"I want you to. It kept me safe, now it can keep you safe. My Father would be proud to have you wear it."

He removed the gold chain and placed it around his neck. "I will never take it off." He turned as he heard the announcement for departure. "I better go."

She nodded and quickly wrapped her arms around him "I miss you already."

He gently placed his fingers under her chin and turned her face up to his and tenderly wiped away a tear that had escaped her amber eyes. "I will always be with you, no matter what." He softly kissed her on the cheek.

He stood. He now knew what he had to do. She had her duty and he his, and it was time he accepted that. No matter what the cost.

"Lion-O," a soft voice spoke from his doorway. "May I speak with you?"

He turned from the window at the sound of that voice "Of course," he motioned a seat to her with his hand. "Is something wrong? You seem nervous."

She slowly sat on the corner of his bed, her amber eyes looking everywhere in the room but at her new Lord. "There is something I am supposed to tell you tonight."

He stood watching the cheetah as she picked at the blanket, feeling quite unsure of how to handle the situation since he had never seen Cheetara act in this manner before. Finally after she did not speak for several minutes, he slowly sat beside her and tookone of her hands in his. "What is it you need to say?"

She glanced at him for the first time since entering the room, and he noticed that her eyes were rimmed with tears. When she finally did speak, her voice cracked slightly. "When it was discovered that Thundera was doomed and that we would be forced to leave our home, Jaga made an arrangement to ensure the future of our people." She paused and glanced away, taking a deep breath as if getting a hold of her emotions.

"What kind of arrangement?" The lion asked during the silence.

"There was more then one reason I was selected to join you on the flag ship." Lion-O gave her a confused look, "Aside from being a protector and teacher to you." She paused again, "I am honor bound to produce an heir with you, if you have not taken another as mate by your 25th season." The last part came out in a rush, as if the faster she said it the less it would hurt.

He sat in shock, unsure of what to say. He could see the sadness in her eyes, and the sight of that tore at his own heart. "Cheetara, I will not lie to you. I do have feeling towards you. I always have." He kept looking into her face, trying to read her emotions, "But do you have feeling towards me?" She was silent, her amber eyes now allowing the tears to slowly flow down her pale face. He tenderly reached a hand and wiped them away, trembling slightly at the feel of her soft skin upon his hand.

Cheetara slowly reached up with her free hand and pulled his away from her face and sat it in his lap, "Lion-O, you are special to me and you do hold a place in my heart. I do love you, as a friend, as a sister loves a younger brother." She gently laid her hand upon his cheek. " But I do not love you as someone would love a life mate."

He placed his hand over hers on his cheek, "Could you ever?"

She slowly shook her head, "No, my heart has belong to another for a long time now."

"Who?" he asked simply

"It is not important who it is. Only that I will do my duty to my people despite my feelings for another."

"No, I can not ask you to do this. It’s not right." He stood from the bed and walked to the window watching the sun slowly begin to set behind the mountains. "I will not do this to you. I can not take away your right to choose your own mate."

"I have no choice," She came up behind him and placed a hand upon his shoulder. "You must have an heir, and I am the only one here able to perform that task. And I will keep my promise to Jaga and complete my duty."

He turned and with a tender finger upon her chin lifted her face up to his. "Please tell me. Who?"

"Lion-O, I…" she whispered.

"Please," His eyes pleading with her for the answer.

She slowly backed away from him and in a final whisper gave him his answer. "Tygra."

He stood, his eyes watching the sun slowly lower itself in the darkening sky. He knew what she would be doing now and a part of him wanted to run back and tell her not to do it. Not to tell Lion-O of her duty to him. The tiger had been dreading this day since she had told him that last night on Thundera. He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to relive that night, their night, the night they had given themselves to each other for the first time. The feel of her body next to his, the taste of hersweet lips, the thrill of running his fingers through her silky mane, he drank in these memories holding on to them, as if they were the only things keeping him alive. He glanced down at the golden chain he held in his grip, remembering the words that had been said that day so many seasons ago.

"Tygra," a voice spoke from behind him. "I wish to speak with you."

The tiger fought the feeling of rage that assaulted him at the sound of the voice. "I was just heading out on patrol, Lion-O. Can it wait until I return?" He tried to make his way to the woods only to find his path blocked by the lion.

"No, Tygra, it can’t." he placed a hand upon the tiger’s shoulder only to have it shrugged off. "Did you know? Did you know what Jaga had asked her to do?"

Tygra slowly nodded, "Yes. She told me about it our last night on Thundera."

"And do you agree with it?"

He turned to face his Lord his amber eyes flashing in the moonlight. "What choice did she have?" the tiger snapped in anger. "Jaga knew there was a chance that we would be the only survivors or we may become separated from the others. He had to make arrangements to see that the royal bloodline would survive. And he did so through Cheetara."

Lion-O remained silent after the tiger’s outburst. While he had seen him loose his temper before, it was normally not directed at the lion himself but at the enemy or the situation. The lion studied the tiger for a moment longer and then suddenly it clicked in his mind. "You care for her don’t you?"

Tygra froze at the lion’s words, "Of course I do. She is a friend. An ally." He answered in an unemotional voice turning his face away.

"No. There’s something more to it, Tygra." He walked in front of the tiger so he could see his eyes. "Do you know she loves you?" He watched the cascade of emotion erupt through the tiger’s eyes. "You knew didn’t you?"

Tygra tried to move away from Lion-O but the young lord’s persistence won in the end, and the tiger slowly lowered himself to a small log that lay in the clearing. "There are some things in life that you can not have no matter how much you want them, Lion-O." he felt the lion sit next to him as he continued, "Yes. I know her feelings for me. But there is nothing I can do. She is honor bound to you through her promise to Jaga."

"Do you have feeling for her, Tygra? Do you love her?"

The tiger looked up to the now starlit sky and closed his eyes his mind grabbing to that memory of the last night on Thundera. "Do I love her?" he asked himself. "More then my own life. I would die for her if I had to. I would do what ever is necessary to make sure she is happy." He reached out and placed something in the lion’s hand. "Please give this back to her for me."

Lion-O glanced down at the golden chain within his hand and then back at the tiger. "This is wrong." He whispered, "Cheetara said I have until my 25th season before she is required to do this duty." The tiger nodded an affirmative to this. "What if I refuse her?"

"You can’t refuse. You have to have an heir so the line can survive. Without that the Thundercats will fade away."

"Can she just give me an heir and then maybe…" he was grasping at anything that would spare his friends.

The tiger shook his head. "No. The heir has to be legitimate. she will have to take the promising with you first." Lion-O watched as the tiger fought to remain in control of his emotions. "She will become your life mate."

The lion stood up from the log and locked the tiger in his gaze. "This is never going to happen, Tygra. One way or another I will make sure it never does. There has to be a way out of this."

"There are only two ways out Lion-O." The tiger’s voice was empty of emotion. "You either choose another by your 25th season or Cheetara or you die before that time. Since there are no other Thunderians on 3rd Earth the first option is void. And if either you or Cheetara are dead, more than likely the rest of us died before you." The tiger pulled himself from the log and began walking towards the forest. "There is nothing you can do Lion-O except accept the fact."

"But do you accept it, Tygra?" he called out

The tiger turned his face hidden in the shadows, "I accept that Cheetara is performing her duty to the code and that I can not stop that."

"No, Tygra. Do you accept it?"

"Yes," he answered simply as he disappeared into the shadows, leaving the lion standing in the clearing alone. "And perhaps one day even I will believe that." He whispered to himself.

She ran. She hadto find him, had to talk to him. She could feel the chain clutched in her hand as she pushed herself to greater speed. Lion-O had come to her that morning and placed the chain there, saying that Tygra had wanted her to have it. She had stood there after the lion had left her, her mind attempting to come to grips with what that simple act had meant. "I will never take it off." She could still hear his words from that day when he made the promise to her. "I will always be with you, no matter what." She felt the tears stinging her eyes and her vision began to blur. She knew where he would go to think, to come to terms with his feelings. She slowed as she neared the small lake where she and the others would often come to swim or enjoy a relaxing day. "Tygra?" She called out waiting for an answer. "Tygra? Please." There to her right, her eyes caught the sight of red-striped mane in the grasses. She quietly made her way to him and slowly lowered herself to the dusty ground next to him.

He felt his heart skip a beat when she sat beside him and he could take in the sweet smell of her. He could tell she was worried for him, and really couldn’t blame her for that. He felt her hand touch his and place something within the palm of it. Glancing down he saw that glitter of the golden chain there. "Cheetara…"

She placed a finger on his lips "As I told you before, I want you to have this."

He looked up his eyes drinking in everything about her. "I can’t." He tried to give the chain back only to have her hand force his into a fist.

"Yes, you can."

"Cheetara, please understand. I can’t keep this."

"Understand?" her eyes flashed with anger. "Understand what? That I am honor bound to become life mate our Lord? That it’s killing me inside to see how much pain you are in?" She stood and walked a short distance away. "That I have to deny everything in my heart for duty?" She heard the soft rustling of the grass as the tiger stood and felt him come up behind her. "I don’t know if I am strong enough to do this." She turned and was quickly wrapped in the tiger’s warm embrace, allowing the tears that had been building to flow.

He held her as she vented her emotions, whispering softly to her as the sobs shook her body. "You are strong enough. You always have been. Even when you were younger, you had a spark in you that never dimmed no matter what." He felt her beginning to relax. "You are special, Cheetara, and you will get through this."

"I don’t want to without you." She reached a hand up and caressed his cheek. "I want you to be the one whose arms I fall asleep in at night and the first face I see in the morning." She took her free hand and ran in gently through his thick red-striped mane. "I want to see your face in my cubs. I want to grow old with you."

He closed his eyes and felt himself shudder at her touch and his heartbreak at her words. He knew he should break away now before his emotions went beyond his control, but holding her in his arms felt so right. As if she was meant to be there and he was meant to hold her ‘til the end of time. He opened his eyes and found himself lost in the depth of her honey-amber eyes and the beauty of her pale face. He timidly ran his hand through her silky blonde-spotted mane and watched as she closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Her own hands had come to rest at the nape of his neck and her fingers were casually playing with the locks of his mane. He breathed in the sweet sent that was her and felt almost drunk with the closeness of her body. He took his hand from her mane and placed it on her soft cheek, the warmth of her flesh adding to his own. He pulled her closer to him and slowly lowered his lips to hers.

The kiss was gentle and loving, and the cheetah felt as if her heart would burst at any moment. She felt him draw away and was left breathless at the sight of his face when she opened her eyes. She broke the embrace and tookhis hand, slowly leading him to a spot by the lake and slowly lowered herself to the damp ground pulling him down with her. She took in everything about him, his deep amber eyes, that always held that spark of intelligence andcompassion, his handsome face, so loving and yet so strong, his hands, capable of defending her and yet able to be so tender. She loved everything about him, she always had. Loved him in ever mood, every form he took. Shereached out and ran her fingers through his mane again, sighing in contentment as his own hands and lips began to caress her.

He was loosing the battle to control everything. The site of her lying there in the grass with the sunlight flashing off her golden mane, her eyes, holding a look of love, was enough to break the final hold he had on his feelings. Heallowed his hands to begin caressing her soft skin and his lips to lovingly kiss her neck. He felt her sigh and glanced into her eyes.

"We shouldn’t." He whispered.

"Shhhh," She caressed his cheek, "If nothing else let me have this memory to hold onto." She pulled his lips down to hers and they allowed themselves to become lost in the emotions.

He slowly awoke, a feeling of complete and total fulfillment coming over him. He could feel her next to him and finally allowed himself to open his eyes and look at his love. She was still embraced in the grip of sleep and had asmall contented smile upon her face. Her blonde-mane was aflame with the light of the now setting sun. She curled tighter into his warm embrace as a cool breeze swept up from the small lake. He softly kissed her forehead and pulledher closer to him, holding onto the moment as long as he could. Memorizing everything about her so he could hold this memory for the rest of his life. He turned his gaze up to the still darkened sky and felt her stir against him.

"He looks like he’s dreaming." She thought to herself when she opened her eyes and saw Tygra staring up at the night sky. "But that is all we have now, a dream." She shivered slightly at the cool night air and felt his eyes turn down to her. "Hi," She whispered

"Hi," he whispered back as he allowed his hand to caress her cheek again. "Are you cold?"

"A little." She moved closer to him. "I’m sorry."

"For what?" he asked

"This," she sat up and motioned around with her hand. "I didn’t come out here with seducing you on my mind."

He kissed her softly, "I know, but let’s not talk about it. I want to just hold on to this moment as long as we can." He gathered her back into his arms and pulled her back to the damp ground. "We’ll have time enough for other thoughts later. For now I want to hold you in my arms and watch the sun rise."

"Tygra," he looked over at her face. "I love you with all my heart."

He smiled and lovingly caressed her face, "I love you too." He drew her closer and placed another kiss on her soft lips. As one they turned to the night sky and within the warmth of each other’s arms, watched as the first tender light of the morning sun slowly appeared.