The Last Goodbye
By: Thundercatroar

"Sleep, those little slices of death. How I loathe them."
-Edgar Allan Poe
 

      It was another regular workday for Bengali, Pumyra, and Lynx-O on New Thundera.   Pumyra was busy finishing up with a special client.
     "Okay, Wilykit," Said Pumyra as she lovingly stroked Wilykit's face.  "you are going to be due sooner that you think, are you sure that you won't stay in Cat's Lair and let me and Snarf look after you?" Wilykit looked at Brod as he held her close, and rubbed her broad stomach. "No, I will be more comfortable at home, and you are busy. Besides," Added Wilykit with a smile.  "I don't think that Snarf can watch after Lion-O, all the rest of the Thundercats, and take care of me too." Wilykit laughed as she put her hand on her lower back and reached out for her mate's hand.  Wilykit looked up at him and smiled. "Besides, I have my big bad wolf here to look after me." Brod stood a little taller, and puffed out his chest in pride. Pumyra thought it was kind of funny but she didn't laugh at him.  "Alright, 'Kit. When you go into labor, just call, and i'll be out as soon as possible. Will do, Pumyra."  Brod put the money they owed for services rendered in Pumyra's hand and said, "Thank you, healer."  Pumyra hugged Wilykit, and Brod goodbye. Pumyra felt odd at hugging the hairy Jackalman, but if Wilykit loved him as much as it looked, he must not be too bad she silently mused.  Pumyra watched the large man help Wilykit into their vehicle and depart, surprised at how gentle he was.  Wilykit was Pumyra's last client for the day, and she was tired. Pumyra hoped that Wilykit's labor would not occur at night, but that was usually the way things like that happened.
     Pumyra's revelry was broken by the sound of Bengali's worried voice. "Lynx-O! 'Myra, come here!"  Pumyra ran into the forge to see Lynx-O on the floor, struggling to get up, and Bengali holding a piece of iron, unable to put it down. Bengali held the piece of red hot steel away while Pumyra helped Lynx-O get up. Lynx-O shook his head. "Ah, I don't know why I felt so dizzy there, Pumyra, I guess i'm getting old." Lynx-O and Bengali laughed. Pumyra helped Lynx-O get on his feet again along with Bengali. Pumyra looked at the old cat. "Lynx-O, why don't you go upstairs and rest awhile? I'll bring you something to eat in a little bit. I can help Bengali until Tyger gets home from school, then he can help him." Lynx-O turned in Pumyra's direction. "I need to earn my keep, Pumyra." The lynx said half joking. Bengali laughed. "Rowrr, Lynx-O, don't be silly, you have taken care of me for a long time, now it's my turn to look after you!  Well," said Lynx-O thoughtfully. "I think I will go take a short nap then, i'm not hungry, Pumyra, but I would like to see the boy when he is through helping his father. I want to know how his project went." Pumyra was glad that Lynx-O had agreed. "I certainly will, would you like some help upstairs? No, Pumyra, I will be fine on my own." Pumyra watched her friend walk up the steps, worried.
      Pumyra after making sure Lynx-O was upstairs,  put on a pair of goggles and held the red steel for her husband.  Pumyra didn't have her mind on the task however, her mind was on her friend. Lynx-O had changed, and not for the better. Lynx-O was weak, had lost weight, and his appetite was also waning. Pumyra had also noticed he was getting more feeble by the day, she had tried to get Lynx-O to allow her to give him a physical, but he refused to allow her to do it.  Lynx-O had been acting strangely, as if he were hiding something.
      Bengali put the steel in the water at his side and the water boiled with a muffled sound.  Bengali looked up at Pumyra with his boyish grin she loved. "What's for dinner, 'Myra? I'm starving!" Pumyra smiled. Her mother said someday she would have several children to look after, the ones she bore, and the ready made one she married. Pumyra smiled, she would not have it any other way. "I don't know, maybe if you are good, i'll make you some meat fruit loaf." Bengali tried not to make a face. Pumyra grinned.
      An hour past and Pumyra's ears moved slightly at the direction of the noise that usually announced the arrival of her son.  "Hello, Tyger, how was school?" Tygra looked away. "It was okay." Pumyra could see that was not entirely the truth, she decided not to pry, he was fourteen, and entitled to keep some secrets if he wished.  "Tyger, your father will need some help shortly, and when you are done, Lynx-O wants to see you." Tyger smiled slightly at his mother. "Okay."
       Bengali put his hand on his son's shoulder, put on his goggles, made a ray gun with his hand, and grinned at Tyger as he lowered his goggles. "Crimson Avenger..." Bengali said with glee. Tyger sighed. "Dad, that was fun when I was like NINE?" Bengali sighed. "Come on, son, let's get this work done, your mother's making dinner, it'll be ready soon." Pumyra heard the tone change in Bengali's voice, she wasn't used to hearing it sound so sad.  Pumyra sighed. All kids give their parents a terrible time when they are growing up, Bengali and Tyger were so close when he was small. Pumyra knew it broke Bengali's heart to not have his "little buddy" anymore.  Bengali tried so hard to give him what he was lucky to have through Lynx-O.  Bengali was looking forward to taking him hunting and giving him "the talk" and a knife Lynx-O had given him at his age, only to find that school had kindly taken the trouble of doing so.  Bengali took Tyger on the trip anyway, wanting to enjoy some quality time with his boy.  Bengali thoughtfully added his own take on the facts of life, passed on the knife,  Tyger was basically bored senseless the whole time, and that was that.  Pumyra feared that this was but the beginning of the problems adolescence brings, and the rift between father and son that was a mere crack now, would grow into a chasm.
      Soon, father and son were finished and The boy carried out the earlier request of him going upstairs to see Lynx-O.
      Tyger quietly crept up the stairs, he didn't feel like talking to anyone, maybe if he was quiet, Lynx-O would be asleep, and he wouldn't have to recount the events of the day, although he really was grateful that the old man cared.
      Pumyra put her comforting arms around Bengali and sighed, Bengali's mood had done a complete turn around since his son had returned home. "Stripes, he's just going through that phase where kids aren't all that fond of their parents." Bengali growled. "I didn't go through it 'Myra." Bengali said with annoyance. "I worshipped the ground Lynx-O walked on when I was his age!"  Pumyra sighed. "You were an exceptional boy then, Bengali." Pumyra kissed Bengali and went back into the kitchen to look after supper.  Bengali followed her and stuck his head in the doorway. "'Myra, you were, um, just kidding about the meat fruit loaf weren't you?" Pumyra was going to string him along, but she decided not to. "Yes, we're having your favorite tonight." Bengali grinned. "You always look after me so good." Bengali kissed her cheek and went back to work.
      Tyger looked through the door, he was going to leave when he heard, "Tyger, my boy, come in." Lynx-O's voice was warm and kind, Tyger walked in. Lynx-O rose into a sitting position and looked in his direction. Tyger sat down next to him. "Well, son, how did your project go? Okay. Claud-Us got the blue ribbon, Tygro got the red, I got honorable mention, Kera got the gold, and Ardua will have to do a make up project, some boys and a girl tore her project up. Why did they do that? I don't know, I guess because they're jerks." Tyger said with irritation.  Lynx-O pat Tyger's hand, Tyger drew it away. Lynx-O forgetting about things like that, continued talking. "You will find that everywhere son, there is always going to be someone whose sole purpose in life is to cause other's grief." Tyger looked at the old man. "Son, people like that, however, are necessary in life." Tyger looked at the lynx in surprise. "Why?" Lynx-O smiled. "Because, son,  they teach us how not act towards others, and in general." Lynx-O cleared his throat. In fact, Tyger, everyone you come across in life will have a valuable lesson to teach you if you will just watch, listen, and learn." Tyger sat and listened in deference of the old man, but knew that he would have to do his homework soon.
      Lynx-O put his fingers on Tyger's face and felt it. "Hmmm, you look a whole lot like your father." Tyger wondered how he could tell, but wouldn't ask. "I bet the girls like you." Tyger blushed. "No, not really. Do you like any girls in your classes?" Tyger looked around, and out the door, making sure no one else was around. "Yeah, a couple, kinda. Well, that's nice." Lynx-O said. "Tyger, I want you always to remember this if nothing else. To get in good with the girl, first you must get in good with the parents." Tyger nodded.
     Pumyra walked to the foot of the stairs. "TYGER, SUPPER'S READY."  Tyger sighed at his mother's abrasive yell.  "You gonna to come down to eat, Lynx-O? No, son. I'm not hungry now." Tyger looked at the lynx. "I could bring you something up to you, i'd be happy to. Thank you, son, you are a good boy." Tyger felt warm at the praise. Lynx-O continued. "But no. I think i'll take another nap." Tyger nodded. "If you want anything, just let me know." Lynx-O smiled. "If there's anything you want to talk about, let me know." Tyger stopped at the comment, then went downstairs.
 

      Time past, and Lynx-O became more sick.  Pumyra had also become  more insistent that Lynx-O go to a healer, any healer, but Lynx-O was adamant. Finally the day that Lynx-O had dreaded for weeks had come.

      Early one morning, Pumyra and Bengali awoke to the sounds of retching. Pumyra ran to Tyger's bedroom, but then realized that it was coming out of Lynx-O's room, Pumyra flung the door open to find Lynx-O violently heaving at the side of his bed, she looked on the floor and saw that his vomit was green. "Oh, Gods, Lynx-O!" Pumyra got a trash can and held it under his head while he continued throwing up. Pumyra gave Lynx-O a shot and the convulsing of his stomach eventually stopped. Pumyra stroked Lynx-O's head as she and Bengali gently lowered him back into bed. Pumyra wiped his mouth with a damp rag while Bengali began the arduous task of cleaning the floor. Pumyra looked at Lynx-O knowing what he was going to say before she even asked the question. Pumyra closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Lynx-O? Yes?" Lynx-O said quietly. "What have you been hiding from us?"
      Lynx-O took Pumyra's hand. Bengali stood up and looked at the man he called father.
       "I went to another healer three months ago. I have cancer, it started in my stomach, but it has spread to my pancreas." Pumyra felt weak. Bengali looked at Lynx-O as if he didn't believe. Tyger was outside the door, he ran to his room and slammed the door. Pumyra looked at her friend in shock. "Why didn't you tell us, did you get a second opinion? Two other's, Pumyra." Bengali ran his hands through his hair. "Why, Lynx-O? Why didn't you tell us?" Bengali's voice was full of worry and hurt. "I was reticent to do so, because I didn't want to trouble you until I had to, I am already such a burden to you both." Bengali's eyes welled. "You could never be that, but you should told us, we could have done...something, anything." Lynx-O shook his head. "No, there is nothing either of you could do. It is terminal, I did do the right thing in not telling you until now."  Bengali and Pumyra sat down on the bed with their friend and pondered in shock.
      The next morning, Bengali readied the forge for another day of work, but he wasn't there.  Pumyra scrambled around the kitchen trying to keep busy, she cooked food enough for four people, just to be thrown away uneaten, but she didn't realize. Tyger walked down the steps ready for school, he stopped and looked at his father.  Tyger was going to say something when his father raised his eyes to him, but Tyger looked away and left the forge.  Bengali wrapped himself up in the labors of the day and tried to forget the future that was looming ahead.
      From that day forward life for the four was difficult.  Pumyra scarcely left Lynx-O's side, she had cleared most of her schedule so that she could look after him, the only clients she looked after regularly were the ones that required her midwifery skills.  Pumyra had been educating Bengali on how to find veins on Lynx-O so that while she was away, he could administer the medication that made his pain tolerable. Pumyra's heart was broken that she could not give Lynx-O enough to ease his pain completely, but a dose that high would kill him.  Pumyra knew that Wilykit was the next patient that she would have to give birthing aid to, she didn't know if Lynx-O would live to see even that.
      Bengali sat by Lynx-O's side holding his hand in silence.  The strong blacksmith who at one time could hoist him up on his shoulders and swing him around was now weak, and pale.  Lynx-O's body was missing patches of fur in places, the underlying skin was a yellowish tinge, although he had gotten used to it by sitting with him, when Bengali walked into the room, the smell of sickness was heavily present.
      Earlier, Bengali and Lynx-O had argued quietly, now the silence was worse.
      The couple heard faint footsteps. Lynx-O's head was the first to turn, then Bengali's, then the two heard a quiet tapping.  "Hello? It's me, Tyger. Can I come in?" Bengali stood and opened the cracked door.
      Bengali put his hand on Tyger's shoulder. "Son, i'm going to leave you two friends alone to talk for awhile, okay?" Tyger nodded and Bengali walked down the steps shaking his head, wondering at how in the world Lynx-O could ask him to do such a thing.
      Tyger pulled up a chair. "Is there anything I can do for you, Lynx-O? No, son." Said Lynx-O weakly. "Would you like a sip of water? No, but thank you."  Tyger sat in silence for a few minutes. Lynx-O wondered what was going through the boy's mind that he was afraid to ask him, he could hear his heart pounding. Lynx-O finally asked gently. "What's troubling you, son?" Tyger looked away. "Come on now, son. Don't be shy, ask me."  Tyger took a deep breath. "Are you scared, Lynx-O?" Lynx-O smiled. "We all are to some extent, Tyger." Tyger wiped his eyes. "It scares me, Lynx-O."  Lynx-O could hear Tyger trying to hold back his tears. Lynx-O raised his withered hand and brushed Tyger's face with it, Tyger took it and held it. "Of course you are, boy. You are young, and you have not yet tasted all that life has to offer." Lynx-O heard Tyger sniff.  "Please do not weep for me, be happy. I have lead a full life. I have been a Thundercat,  fallen in love, had children to look after, as well as other happiness, and pleasures. You have yet to experience these, so naturally you are fearful." Lynx-O sighed.  "When I die I will be reunited with everyone who I have ever loved, and those who have loved me. Death is a cause for celebration, not tears, Tyger."
      Tyger thought for a moment. "What's it like to be in love?" Lynx-O laughed quietly. "It makes you feel like you are on top of the world, and  like ripping out all of your hair,  all at the same time." Lynx-O smiled and pointed at his head. "Why do you think i'm bald?" With that Tyger's mood lifted and the two enjoyed a good laugh.
      Lynx-O patted Tyger's hand. "It's a lovely day. Why don't you go to Cat's Lair and go see your friends, see if you can get them interested in a game of Thunderball or something like that?  Shouldn't I stay here with you? You might need something.  No, son, it's too nice a day to be cooped up in here, go have a good time, son." Tyger got up. "Okay, i'll tell everyone that you said hello? Of course, now get going!" Tyger kissed Lynx-O's forehead and barreled down the steps feeling much better.

      Three days later, in the evening Pumyra rumbled up the steps and burst into Lynx-O's room, he weakly faced her.  "Lynx-O, Wilykit is in labor." Lynx-O smiled and said,  "It seems that you were correct about the nighttime theory, Pumyra." Pumyra half smiled. "Bengali is going to be here with you if you need anything. I will rush home as quickly as possible, okay?" Lynx-O nodded. Bengali entered the room, and kissed Pumyra as she made a hasty exit.  Bengali looked out the window and watched as the tail lights from Pumyra's vehicle faded into the distance. Bengali's attention then turned to his father and friend.
      Bengali had watched him get progressively worse over the past few days, not wanting the end to come, but wishing for his suffering to end too.  He had also thought about Lynx-O's proposal more than he liked to admit.
      Pumyra checked her speed, she didn't want to get ticketed, she was doubtful that she would get preferential treatment although she was a healer.  Pumyra felt guilty about leaving Lynx-O alone, she knew that his time was near and no matter what she did, it was but a mere matter of time before they would be missing a father, grandfather, and friend.  Pumyra tried not to cry as she sped towards the Valley of Snarfs.
      Bengali sat down next to his friend, and the man he loved more than any other.  Bengali took a deep breath and shed tears as he said, "Okay." Lynx-O looked relieved.
      Pumyra arrived outside the farmhouse. Brod was standing outside but ran to her when the car landed. "Where is she? Upstairs, healer, Kitten is in great pain." Pumyra looked at her watch. "How far apart are the contractions? Ten minutes, Pumyra." Pumyra put her hand to her head. "It won't be long now." Pumyra and Brod ran upstairs to tend to Wilykit.
     "When?" Asked Bengali sadly. "Soon, son." Lynx-O said with dignity. Lynx-O held Bengali's hand. "I am glad that you and Pumyra finally discovered each other." Bengali laughed. "I am too, old friend." Lynx-O coughed. The suction tube running through his nose and down his throat gagged him. "I am glad that you two were able to have Tyger too." Bengali blushed, after years of frustration, he thought that miracle would never occur.  A few moments of silence followed.  "I love you, Bengali." Lynx-O said as Bengali's lower lip and chin quivered. "I love you as if you are my own flesh and blood." Bengali was finally overcome and began to sob openly. "I love you too, Father." Bengali put his head down on the bed, Lynx-O stroked it gently trying to comfort him, as he always did. A few moments past. "You will tell everyone else that I love then as well?" Bengali nodded, then quietly said, "Yes." Lynx-O smiled. "I'm ready, Bengali."   Bengali looked to his side at the nightstand.
      "Come on 'Kit push! I can't, I can't push anymore!" Pumyra looked between Wilykit's legs, she saw a head crowning. Pumyra looked up and smiled. "'Kit, I see a head, come on, Honey, just one more push." Wilykit grit her teeth and pulled Brod's fur, both were screaming in pain.  Wilykit looked at Brod in anger and pain and said,  "By the Gods, Brod, you are NEVER TOUCHING ME AGAIN!" Pumyra cradled the baby's head in her hand. "That's it 'Kit keep it up!"
      Bengali loaded the syringe with the pain killer, all the while looking at Lynx-O with flooded eyes.  Bengali put the needle down and cried.  "I can't do it, Lynx-O! I can't!" Lynx-O took Bengali's hand. "Please, bengali, i'm suffering. It's time for me to go home."
      Pumyra held the first baby in her hands, she cleaned out it's breathing passages and lightly bathed it as it wailed loudly. "'Kit, it's a boy." Wilykit still in a haze of pain yelled. "GET THE OTHER ONE OUT!"  Pumyra put the baby to Wilykit's breast then ran back to her post and waited.
      "It's alright, Bengali, I , it is too great a burden to place on you, I was wrong to ask you." Bengali looked at him, he truly didn't want to see his father suffer another moment.  Lynx-O felt relieved when Bengali began to feel his arm for veins.
      "Okay, 'Kit, good job, you did good! It's a girl!" Wilykit listened for a second cry as Pumyra slapped it's behind but no cries issued forth from the baby. Wilykit looked around in fear. "What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG?" Brod tried to calm his wife as she tried to raise up and look at her baby.
      Bengali took the syringe in his hand and gently said, "Just a pinch, Lynx-O." Lynx-O smiled as Bengali slipped the needle into his vein.
      Pumyra cleared the air passages of the baby better, and then blew gentle puffs of air into the infant's lungs. Pumyra checked for a pulse, and was grateful to find a faint one.
      Bengali depressed the plunger and sent the liquid inside the syringe streaming into Lynx-O's system.
      Pumyra prayed as Wilykit was in a panic, and she continued to puff.
      For the first time in weeks, Bengali watched as Lynx-O's body truly relaxed, and become pain free.  Lynx-O smiled and took a deep breath.
      Wilykit smiled as tears ran down both her's and Pumyra's cheeks, the baby cried louder than her brother. Pumyra wiped her eyes and put the infant on her mother's chest to suckle.  All three were able to relax, knowing the worst was over. Pumyra began to massage Wilykit's abdomen, as she did, Pumyra smiled as Brod cradled his little family and wept with joy along with his mate.
      Bengali watched a smile creep across Lynx-O's face. Lynx-O turned and said with a smile still gripping his hand, "Goodbye, son." Then fell asleep.
      Bengali sat and listened for a few moments then heard Lynx-O's breathing stop, then a deep rattle. Bengali gently removed the tube from his nose, then kissed his head.  Bengali folded Lynx-O's arms and covered him with a sheet.
      "Goodbye, old friend." And Bengali wept.
The End.