<strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">Lynx<br/>Foyer</span></span></strong><br/><br/>There was a loud clatter of pots and pans before a cat shouted:<br/><br/><em>Get out of my kitchen and don’t come back until you have everything on that list!</em><br/><br/>“With the mess you’re making, it won’t be a kitchen any longer. By the way, you put a tad too much salt in the soup.”<br/><br/><em>GET OUT!</em><br/><br/>Sliding out of the kitchen and ducking a flying pan was a white-haired cat. His teeth were clenched in a playful grin as he then darted away from the Hell that was coming from Hell’s Kitchen. The list Lynx had received from Chef House trailed behind him like a banner. His white, kitchen lad clothes ruffled in the breeze of his sprint as he raced through the corridor and emerged in the foyer.<br/><br/>Once in the clear, he stopped in the center of the room and brought the list before his sapphire-blue eyes. His black slits traced the text that was actually quite impressive in its neatness. He had expected a fat and grumpy old cat to write large and ugly.<br/><br/>“Heh, what is he making? A meal for a king or a meal for soldiers?”<br/><br/>Lynx reached a paw into his trouser pocket and removed a pen. Settling upon his knees, he spread the list flat across the floor and began adding and erasing certain ingredients.<br/><br/>“This is going to taste much better.”<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">King Leomedes<br/>Throne Room</span></span></strong><br/><br/>The colossal lion was seated upon his granite throne. The symbol of the Thundercats was just above his head. There were several servants sitting on their knees before him. The ceremony was in two days and the management seemed to go all night. The servants kept coming to him with questions, needs of approval, and permits. The king could barely keep his eyes open as he parted his maw to exhale a rumbling yawn.<br/><br/>His blue eyes then widened, when he noticed General Oceloto approaching the belt of servants that was about his throne. Instantly, he stood and exclaimed, “General!”<br/><br/>General Oceloto froze in mid-stride and his tail stiffened in surprise. The king’s voice had ringed so loud and clear, he could have jumped out of his fur to promptly obey whatever order followed after.<br/><br/>The king gave no order. Instead, he bolted from his throne and danced his way through the servants.<br/><br/>“Sorry, sorry, excuse me, pardon me!” the king piped.<br/><br/>Oceloto’s fur settled and he held back an embarrassed frown when he watched the king nearly stumble in his hurry to see him. The lion snagged his bicep and led him back toward the doors.<br/><br/>“There is much to be discussed,” the king began, making sure his voice was loud and clear enough for his servants to hear. Once they had made it past the doors, he pushed them closed and sighed in relief.<br/><br/>The general offered a toothy grin of amusement. “Your Majesty, is using me as an escape goat from your duties going to be a common occurrence?”<br/><br/>The king had the doors cracked as he gazed back into the room. The servants hadn’t even bothered to get up. They were still there waiting! If he had left on a monthly vacation, they might have died from obedience and neglect.<br/><br/>“Darn! I thought they’d leave. I understand that the Ceremony of the Sword is a very important event, but it’s too much work for an old cat like me.”<br/><br/>Oceloto’s yellow eyes twinkled with mirth. “Pardon, but how old are you again, Sire? I forget that you’re a father of two.”<br/><br/>The king grinned back at the general, and then straightened from his hunched over position. His amusement softened into nostalgia. “They’ve grown so fast. I can’t believe the ceremony is here already. I feel like I’ve barely had a chance as king.”<br/><br/>Oceloto then cleared his throat. “That’s because Lionessa did all the work while you fled from your duties.”<br/><br/>The king frowned at the general.<br/><br/>Oceloto stiffened. “I apologize my king. I was out of line.”<br/><br/>Leomedes cast his eyes to the floor. “No, you’re right my friend. She was the true wielder of the sword. I still feel like an apprentice when I hold it. Lionessa was the only one who could unlock its true potential.”<br/><br/>“It seems Leona is the spitting image of her mother.”<br/><br/>The king made a pained face at the comment. “I know. She also carries her spirit. Why, if she saw me now, she’d be chiding me as though she were the parent. It’s crazy!”