"Her brain wave patterns have finally stabilized, but she is still comatose." Seyan reported, "I truthfully can’t explain what has happened to her. According to her brain scan she is experiencing a chemical imbalance, but I can’t find anything in her system that explains it. All her blood work is normal, metabolism normal, everything normal. " The healer tossed her file on the table and ran a hand through her red mane in frustration.

"Healer," Claudius spoke in a soft voice, "How long has it been since you’ve slept?"

Seyan’s face took on a thoughtful look for a moment, "I don’t remember," Her voice full of fatigue.

The Thundercat lord rose and with a gentle hand guided the tigress to the door of the chamber. "Then perhaps it is time that you reintroduced yourself to it."

"But I can’t. I have to…"

"I am sure you have other Healers that can take over for a few cycles while you rest. You will do young Cheetara little good if you collapse from exhaustion."

Seyan gave her Lord a grateful look and allowed her fatigue to show upon her face. "I’ll just stop at the med center first and tell them."

"No, you will go straight to your home. I will see that they are contacted and told that you will be unavailable for the next eight cycles." He motioned to one of the guards. "Falken will see you safely home and then deliver the message."

She bowed "Thank you Lord Claudius."

The lion turned to the communication unit and flipped a switch, "Siler, send them in now." The remaining nobles turned and watched as two elders of the cheetah clans filed into the room. "I felt it best the Seyan not be here for this." Claudius whispered to Tyben, "I fear that what they have to say will not hold well for a certain young cheetah." The tiger gave his lord a smile of appreciation and an agreeing nod.

"Lord Claudius," Metah greeted after a graceful bow, "We wish to thank you for allowing us to speak before the council."

"You are welcome Metah Clan Chee’Var and Tenash Clan Che’Dar. What brings you to Thundera City?" The lion asked as he motioned them to sit.

"We have come in regard to the young cheetah cub, Cheetara Clan Duma. As the Gather council promised. It is her tenth season and she is to come before us for the decision."

"And what decision is this?" Tyben asked his voice thick with suspicion, "I thought the clans had renounced her."

"That is true Noble Tyben." Metah spoke attempting to hold onto his anger. "Her father came to us at the last gather council and bid us reinstate the Clan Duma noble rights upon his cub’s tenth season if she showed no signs of the ‘curse’. It is her tenth season and we have come to honor the promise."

"And if she does show signs?" The tiger asked.

"She will be an outcast as all the Larden have become. The clans have no use for them or their ‘curse’." Tanash stated simply, his eyes flashing at the tiger in anger.

Tyben glared back at the cheetah, "Why bother? She is already an outcast. She has had no contact with her clan family since she was six seasons old. Do they even know or care that she survived the raid? I don’t think the cheetah clans are capable of honor." he growled.

"How dare you," Tanash jumped to his feet at the insult.

"Enough!" Claudius’s voice resounded throughout the large chamber. He turned and locked Tyben in his gaze till the tiger slowly sank to his seat. "Be seated Elder Tanash. " He waited till the cheetah had retaken his seat. "I fear that you have made your journey for nothing elders. Young Cheetara has fallen ill and will be unable to do anything for sometime."

Metah’s eyes widened at the lions statement, "Ill? How?"

"Our Healer is unsure how. But the cub is comatose."

"Has your healer run scans?" Claudius nodded. "Did they show a chemical imbalance?" He nodded again. Metah turned and whispered to Tanash. "You are wrong Lord Claudius; our journey was not for nothing. It is necessary for we mustdo this correctly." Both Elders stood, "Claudius son of Lyonna Mate to DeClan Clan Symia, I Metah son of Cheefay mate of Hachee Clan Chee’Var and Tanash son of Naka mate to Seefan clan Che’Dar have come forth to address the status of Cheetara daughter of Cheeyana mate to Kenydar Clan Duma." Metah spoke out in the traditional address

Claudius was silent for a moment as he guessed what the elders were about to do. He slowly stood and answered in the traditional way, "I Claudius son of Lyonna Mate to DeClan Clan Symia await your decision."

"It is the decision of the cheetah clans that Cheetara daughter of Cheeyana mate to Kenydar is hereby striped of all noble status and rights allowed to all cheetah. She is hereby forbidden to take mate within the clans or breed within the clan. She is hereby renounced by her clan family and as thus renounced from this council. She is hereby removed from the lineage of Clan Duma and will from this moment on be an outcast to all cheetah clans. I elder Metah son of Cheefay mate to Hachee clan Chee’Var decree this and ask all those with in witness speak now."

"I Tanash son of Naka mate to Seefan Clan Che’Dar stand witness to this."

"I Jaga, son of Jantla mate to Vanter Clan Xan’for stand witness to this."

"I Barlo, son of Phona mate to Petron Clan Begh’ria stand witness to this."

Claudius looked over at Tyben and raised an eyebrow at the tiger. With a growl, Tyben drew himself to his feet and answered the decree.

"I Tyben son of Tygrana mate to Kahn Clan Asia’tal stand witness to this."

"I Claudius son of Lyonna mate to DeClan Clan Symia stand witness to this and declare it so." He spoke in answer to the decree, his normally soft voice tinged in anger.

"It is done." Metah said, "Do with the cub as you see fit. She is of no value to the clan now." Everyone turned as shouts could be heard outside. The chamber doors suddenly burst open and a lone female cheetah barged in.

"You!" Tanash hissed at her. "You have no rights here outcast."

She glared at the elder "I have more right then you." She growled back, "She is of my clan."

"You are too late. The cub has already been removed. You may return…"

"Removed," She spat the word out, "She was removed before she was born." She turned and saw the guards approaching. "Forgive me Lord Claudius," She bowed to him. "I ask to be allowed to speak." She fought the grip the guards placed upon her.

"You can not allow this Lord. She is an outcast, a nothing." Tanash growled.

"I suggest that you remain silent Elder Tanash." He motioned the guards to release her. "You have already tried my patience enough for one day. Tyben, Barlo, will you show our guests the way out?" He waited until the room returned to silence before speaking again. "Now, whatis it you wish to say?"

"First, I apologize for the rudeness of my entrance, but I would not have been allowed to see you otherwise. I am Aisling daughter of Eefa of the Clan Larden."

"Clan Larden?"

"Yes Lord. The outcasts. I have come at my Clan elders wishes to offer help for young Cheetara." She bowed again

"I fear any help you can offer may be to late." Claudius said gently as he motioned for her to stand

"The cub is ill?" he nodded. "Can you take me to her?"

"This way."

Tygra glanced into the dark room. He saw her laying there, her pale face bathed in the soft lighting above the bed. He could hear the beeping of the machines that monitored her vital signs and the soft sound of her breathing. "Tygra?" He jumped at the sound of his name.

"I’m sorry Healer Kala. I’ll go now." He turned to leave.

"I was going to suggest that you go in and talk to her." The panther said, "Go on, it will do you both some good." She encouraged when he still didn’t enter the room. "It helps for her to hear a familiar voice."

"The last time I talked to her I told her that I wanted her to leave." The tiger confessed softly, "I yelled at her. I was going to apologize in the morning but she got sick." He quickly wiped away some tears,

Kala took the young tiger by the shoulders and led him into the room and over to the bed. "Tell her. She needs to hear it as much as you do." She turned and left him alone.

He stood there and, glancing back at the direction the healer had gone, felt as if he should follow her. He turned back to his friend and climbed up into the chair that sat next too the bed. "Hi," he held his breath hoping that perhaps she would sit up and tell him to go away. "Panthro was going to come by too, but he had to go help his Dad out. I’m keeping a list of the lessons we’re doing so I can help ya get caught up later. Jaga asked me if I wanted to join the advanced class and study diplomacy and stuff like that. It sounded neat so I said yes." He paused realizing that he was rambling. "I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t really want ya to leave." He chuckled, "If you left who would help me beat Panthro in wrestling?" He reached down into his school bag. "Here, I brought you these." He pulled out the lantern and the stuffed saber tooth, and placed the lantern on the table and the animal beside her on the pillow. "I miss you 'Tara and I’m sorry." He turned when he heard someone clear there throat behind him. "Lord Claudius." He quickly jumped off the chair and bowed. "I’ll leave now."

The lion regarded the young tiger. Though only 12 seasons, he seemed to carry himself as one twice his age would, yet underneath all the intelligence, compassion, and valor there lay a part that was unsure, a part that required encouragement. And the one that had provided that support lay unconscious in the room. For the first time in the seasons that Claudius had watched the cub grow, he saw a look of confusion and loss within his amber eyes. "Have you seen Healer Kala?"

"She went to her office. She said I could stay and talk to Cheetara."

"I see no reason for you to leave now." The lion spoke gently. "Go, continue your talk. Perhaps you can read to her. Didn’t you start a new book in lecture today?"

"Yes Lord, I can do that." Tygra pulled the book from his bag. "Thank you." He bowed once again to his Lord and went to settle himself in the chair.

"Come Lady Aisling, I will show you to the Healer." He motioned for the cheetah to proceed him. "I am interested in hearing what help you can offer her."

"Lord Claudius," Kala bowed as she noted the lion enter her office. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

"I have someone who claims to be able to help young Cheetara." He motioned to the cheetah standing behind him. "This is Lady Aisling from Clan Larden."

The panther bowed her head slightly to the cheetah and with a hand offered them a seat. "Should I contact Seyan for this?" She glanced at Claudius.

"Let us hear what Lady Aisling has to say first. Seyan is more in need of rest now." He turned to the cheetah, "Now Lady, how can you help this cub?"

"Are you able to answer medical questions concerning this cub?" She asked the panther

"For the most part yes. Anything I cannot answer I can access from her records."

"Some of the questions I will ask may seem odd but they are important so please answer as best you can." The panther nodded. "Has the cub come into her tenth season yet and how long has she been comatose?"

"Yes, three days ago and five days now." Kala answered

"Has she had her first false cycle? Did she complain of headache or fatigue before she feel ill?"

The healer turned to her computer and pulled up the correct records. "According to her last physical that was done three weeks ago, she has had a false cycle. I can’t tell you if it was her first one or not. Her metabolism was running slightly high. She also was showing elevated levels of neurotransmitters and hyper activity in the hypothalamus. No reports of headache or seizers;however, she did report feeling overly tired."

The cheetah nodded as she absorbed the information, "What about dreams? Has she had an increase in them? Or mood swings?"

"I know that Seyan has had to start sedating her again at night and her moods have been hard to judge. She’s been withdrawn, depressed, unable to concentrate and quick to loose her temper."

"Can you tell me anything about the night she fell ill?"

"One moment, Seyan made some notes on that in the file." She typed away at the keys for several moments, "Patient presented with massive head pain, high heart rate, low blood sugar levels, slightly elevated body temperature. Uneven dilation of pulps but reactive to light. No virus, bacteria, or toxic substance found in blood stream.Brain scan reviled hyperactivity in the hypothalamus and extremely high levels of neurotransmitters. Attempted all know stimulation techniques to bring patient out of coma none were successful. Diagnoses: Unknown, Current treatment: keep all vital organs functional and provided nutrition for body functions. DNR."

"You said she has been comatose five days now?" The panther nodded, "In that time have you done an EEG and do you have one from before this?"

"Let me see." She turned back to her computer, "Yes, on the first day and again on the forth. Findings were not conclusive."

"May I see them?" Kala turned the screen so the cheetah could view the scans. "Yes, there it is." She said to herself. "See this peek here." She pointed to one of the high peeks on the 1st graph. "In most cases this would be normal, but see the difference in the two? On the second scan, after the coma, the peeks are gradually increasing in strength and not relaxing as much when they reach the valley. You have an emerging Larden here and a strong one at that."

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" Claudius asked.

"Nothing you can do, but I can. I have to help her find her way out."

"Find here way out? From where?"

"Healer Kala, do you have any experience with mind abilities?"

"No, but Healer Seyan does. She had some training before she came to live in the lair."

"The easiest way to explain this is to picture yourself in a small room. You’re being assaulted by hundreds of voices and visions, and there’s no way to stop them. You also cannot get out of the room; you’re trapped and all of your senses are running on high speed trying to keep up with the information that they receive from the environment. Nothing brings you relief, not sleep, not wakefulness, nothing. No matter where you turn or what you do you are constantly assaulted by these things." She paused for a moment to consider her next words. "It is much like this in Cheetara’s mind right now. She is unable to block out the thoughts or the visions that her gifts are picking up. Most react in one of two ways: they either go insane or they simply close in upon themselves and retreat to a place in their mind where they feel safe."

"I don’t understand. Where can she retreat to?" Claudius asked

"To a memory that makes her feel safe or happy. Sometimes it’s a place like a memory of home, or a thing like a special toy. There are those however who get trapped in a memory and cannot find their way out, as I fear Cheetara has. In these cases the emergent comes in contact with a fearful or traumatic memory instead of a happy one. Your young cheetah was lucky she trapped herself inside her mind. Most that have this experience go mad. Before the Larden truly understood who we were and how to train ourabilities, the majority of us went insane. This is why we are now outcasts among our people. One of the Cheetah clans’ greatest massacres was caused by an unstable Larden she killed over 500 cheetah during the Clan wars. One of the stipulations that was brought before the council was that all the Larden be outcast so that no one clan could gain control of them and use them for there benefit. As you have noticed, that is one part of the treaty that the clans honor even today."

"How will you help her?" Kala asked

"By entering the memory she is trapped in and helping her come to terms with the fear. She will not come out until her subconscious is convinced that she is safe. I will also set a block on her abilities that will keep them in check until sheis better able to control them. It can be removed after her training or remain in place the rest of her life."

"This is something that falls to Tyben and Seyan to decide as her guardians. Kala, will you see that they are contacted? I fear that I have other appointments that I must attend to." The lion rose to leave, "I hope that you are not deceiving us Lady Aisling."

"Is there anything you need us to do?" Seyan asked as the Larden made ready.

"Could you perhaps have some food ready? I will need to replenish my system afterwards. Also I will need someone to monitor both the cub’s vital signs and my own. Aside from that there is little you can do except pray." The young cheetah sat on the bed and tenderly placed her hands upon Cheetara’s temples. "You will see a spike in her brain pattern as I begin. No matter what happens, do not interrupt me unless my life signs fail." She closed her eyes.

"Mom," the healer turned and saw Tygra standing at the entrance. "Can she really help Cheetara?"

She motioned the cub over to her, "I don’t know. But I do know that she may be Cheetara’s last hope." As one they both watched the monitors as they softly beeped in the otherwise silent room.

<Cheetara.> Was someone calling to her? <Cheetara.> Why won’t the voices leave her alone? She retreated further

into herself, trying to escape the voice that called out to her. <Cheetara>

<Go away!> She cried out, <Why won’t you leave me alone!?>

The voice persisted <I’ve come to help. I’ve come to take you back.>

<I don’t want to go back. He left me. He promised he wouldn’t leave me.> She pulled farther away.

The voice seemed to stop for a moment as if digesting the information, <Who has left you?> The voice asked finally. <I can not help unless you answer.> Aisling felt herself flung back by a mental shield. She quickly increased her energies and tried to break through it. <Please Cheetara. I am only here to help you.> She begged the cub as she tried to break the shield Cheetara had erected.

<Leave me alone!> The mental shout was deafening for Aisling and she felt her energies quickly fading. Switching tactics she began shifting through the cub’s memories for an answer, hoping her body would hold out long enough. <What are you doing?> She felt Cheetara’s presence near her. <I said leave! ME! ALONE!> She was flung backwards but not before she had her answer.

"Are you alright?" Seyan asked Aisling as she opened her eyes. "Drink this."

The cheetah drank the warm liquid the healer offered and slowly sat up. "I have to try again." She said weakly.

"Again? Are you insane? The last time nearly killed you."

The cheetah moved weakly to Cheetara’s bed, "Have to try again." She glanced up and caught Tygra’s eyes. "You. I need your help." She pulled the young tiger to her and, before Seyan could stop her, dragged them both into the depths of Cheetara’s mind.

He was falling, or at least he thought he was. He tried to shout but no sound came from his mouth. He felt someone’s hand brush against his and suddenly found himself standing in the ruins of Thundera City. <Where am I?>

<This is the psychic plane. This is where your friend now exists.> Aisling spoke from beside him.

<Why did you bring me here?>

<You will see soon. For now, watch.> She pointed

He turned and watched as an adult Cheetara race across the ruined landscape towards a ship. He could hear her shouting, pleading for someone to wait, for someone not to leave her alone. He tried to make out the figure that she was fighting to get to, but the smoke-filled air made it impossible. He watched in horror as the ground quake forced her to fall. He wanted to rush to her, to help her. But a hand on his shoulder prevented him.

<You must wait. What you are seeing is not real. It has not happened yet.> Aislings calm voice spoke.

He turned when he heard the sound of a ship’s engines igniting and heard a heart wrenching scream cut through the night.

"Please! Don't leave me alone!" the adult Cheetara screamed. "Tygra!"

<But, I never left her.> He turned to the Larden standing next to him. <I don’t understand.>

<What you are seeing are glimmers of the future, one possible piece of the future. It is Cheetara’s worst nightmare come true, and she is trapped within it. Reliving every moment from beginning to end in a continuous loop.>

<How can I help?> Tygra asked as he watched the cycle begin to repeat itself.

<By changing the ending.> Aisling replied simply.

<But how do I do that?>

<You have the ability within you and your love for your friend to guide you. Just trust your heart.> The cheetah stepped back and disappeared into the shadows. <Just trust yourself Tygra.>

She was running. The air around her was filled with smoke, ash, and the stench of fear and death. All around her, she could hear the screams of others[ ]as they ran through the inferno that was Thundera City. Ahead of her shecould see the outlines of hundreds of ships through the smoke-filled air. She heard someone calling her name and turned in the direction she thought it came from. She saw a shadow standing at the edge of the field franticallywaving to her. She began running to the shadow, but it seemed that the faster she ran, the farther away the shadow moved. "Wait. Please wait." She cried out. The shadow motioned. "Please don’t leave me." She put more effort intoher dash. The ground quaked. She ran. The shadow moved to a ship, motioning to her. "Please wait!" She screamed. The air grew heavy with heat. She ran. The shadow’s face became clear to her. The ground cracked apart. She ran. "Don’t leave me. You promised you wouldn’t leave me!" She cried. The shadow backed into the ship, still motioning to her. She ran. The ground quaked. She fell. The shadow called her name. She reached out her fingers. "Please youpromised!" Her amber eyes filled with tears of fear. The door closed, the ship started to lift off. "Please! Don't leave me alone!" she screamed. "Tygra!"

A hand reached and took her outstretched hand within it. She glanced up, amber eyes meeting amber eyes. She felt relief, security, affection…. No. Not affection…love. Love washed over her as she was pulled into his embrace, his gentle hands softly wiping the tears from her pale cheeks, her hands running through his thick red-striped mane. "I will never leave you." His deep voice tenderly spoke. "I will be with you, now and forever." His soft lips brushed hers.

"Tygra."

"Seyan?" The tigress quickly swung around from tending her son at the sound of the weak whisper. "Where am I? What happened?"

"Lie still." She pushed the young cheetah back down on the bed. "You’ve been through a lot." Seyan eyes quickly glanced at the monitors over the cub’s bed and gave an approving nod.

Cheetara glanced over at the bed and noticed the pale and pain covered face. "Tygra?" Her voice sounding confused

"Don’t worry he’s just sleeping." She smiled gently at the young cheetah. "How are you feeling?"

"Sleepy,"

"Then rest. I’ll be back later to check on you." Seyan quietly closed the door to the room.

"She’s awake isn’t she?"

The tigress turned to the voice, "I thought I told you to leave." She growled

"I had to make sure that the cub woke up alright first and find out if she has any memories of what happened." Aisling answered ignoring the healer’s tone.

"Her vital signs are stable, but I don’t know how much she remembers." Seyan paused, "What did you do to them?"

"I did nothing but place a block on Cheetara’s abilities and her memories of what happened. Tygra and Cheetara did the rest."

She watched as the door slowly closed. Turning her amber eyes to the other occupant in the room smiled when she saw a pair of amber eyes looking back. "Hi,"

"Hi," he smiled back and reached out. She took the outstretched hand in hers and with a sigh of contentment closed her eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.

<I will always be with you.>