19. Chapter 19

While they had journeyed high up the mountain for skiing the

day before, they had not entirely reached its summit. Tygra had been informed

earlier that day by the owner of the lodge that sunsets were particularly

breathtaking when viewed from the mountain top. He figured he needed something

rather spectacular to impress the Sh’iar queen and to brighten her mood. What

could be better than a magnificent panoramic view of fading light at day’s end?

He had actually been planning to bring Rangerkitty up here alone with him to

watch the sunset, but he figured that once Crystalandra took in the beautiful

scenery, she’d want to be with Argo and he could have the private time he

desired with his own woman as well.

The ThunderCats took three snowmobiles with them today so

they could more easily take turns shuttling the others back up the hill with

their toboggans and sleds to minimize interruptions. Tygra steered the first snowmobile with

Crystalandra seated behind him. On the snowmobile to his right were Bengali and

Rangerkitty, and on the one to his left were Galina and Argo, who was holding

on for dear life for Galina had decided to make it her mission to try and just

nearly miss every tree and bush in their path.

They flew through the forest of white birch trees and over a

barren snow covered area past evergreens on either side of them. Rangerkitty

held on to Bengali’s waist admiring the slopes and the fresh snow that lay upon

them. It would have been perfect for some freestyle skiing. She held on tightly

as Ben turned sharply to the left, following Tygra’s lead.

“Are we almost there?” she shouted to the white tiger over

the sound of the engine.

“Well, look ahead! When the mountain ends and the sky begin,

then you’ll know we’re there!” he called back.

She nodded and looked over to watch the way Galina was

taking Argo on the ride of his life. Wondering if he would dare try getting

into a sled with the wacky tigress, she grinned and thought about the presents

she had prepared for her friends. RK had not yet wrapped them, and hoped she

could either purchase or get her hands on some pretty paper and ribbon to make

them more attractive and appealing to open. Her friends were all very

un-materialistic, which made them difficult to figure out when it came to gift

giving. Argo and Crystalandra had been the easiest to figure out, but it had

taken great thought and creativity to choose for Bengali, Galina, and

especially Tygra.

The ThunderCats back at the lair on had agreed not to go

overboard with presents, and had even decided to limit gifts to those who would

be present on the night of the solstice. In a way, Rangerkitty was glad she

didn’t have to worry about the others this year, but felt guilty at the same

time. How could she not give something to Lion-O? Or to many of the others who

surely were going to ignore the rules and leave her things anyway?

While she vexed over this, Ranger noticed that there was not

much mountain still ahead and that the rocky formations of the peaks could

easily be seen now. To her surprise, Tygra and Bengali slowed their snowmobiles

and set them in neutral; they looked over the terrain.

“That looks like a good run over yonder.” Tygra said

pointing out the route. “It’s not too steep, and it levels out down there

without too many trees as obstacles.”

“I agree.” Bengali nodded and Rangerkitty stood on the

runners of the snowmobile to get a better view over her friend’s shoulder. “Otherwise it’d be too far and would take

forever to keep climbing back up.”

“We have to CLIMB back up?” Crystalandra interjected from

behind Tygra. “I thought that was why we brought snowmobiles!”

Tygra turned to her. “Crys, these are in case we get very

tired, or if someone gets hurt. Tobogganing isn’t like skiing where you go down

the entire mountain. You simply sleigh down the hill and pull your sled back up

behind you! You’ll see it will be fun.”

She mumbled something under her breath that he could not

clearly hear, but it sounded like, “Everyone keeps saying that--it’ll be fun. Sure it will... “

He leaned down and around her and touched her cheek forcing

her lavender eyes to meet his amber ones. “Have I yet steered you wrong? Try

and trust me.”

Crys did her best to maintain her grumpy face, but couldn’t

help but smile at the innocent look he was giving her that he seemed to be

getting much better at. “Oh all right! Let’s go before I change my mind!”

Hopping off the snowmobile, the she-cat straightened her fur-lined parka, and

then wrapped her scarf more snugly around her neck.

Rangerkitty stepped off her snowmobile along with Bengali

and joined Tygra and Crystalandra on the top of their chosen hill. She looked

up at the summit, then at her mate. “Tygra, why aren’t we going up to the top?”

“This is the safer area for sledding, and up top is for

later, my dear.” He gave her a squeeze on both arms. “Trust me--the wait will

be worth it.” RK nodded and he released her to unhook the sleds from the rear

of the snowmobiles. They had brought an old style toboggan that had the ability

to be steered and slowed down with a brake. Strapped on top of that, they had

also brought along one plastic toboggan, a large plastic saucer sled, and two

inflatable tubes; one of them being a double, so two people could go down the

hill together.

“Hold on to your mittens!” Galina called over her shoulder

to the Tiglon who was busy promising the Phoenix deity that he would worship

her at least twice a day—scratch that, every day if he survived this snowmobile

ride from Hell. Galina was aiming for cliffs and jumps wherever she could, and

had a few times, powered it unnervingly close to the side of the mountain where

there was nothing below but a steep drop into jagged rocks. His eyes were

closed as she pulled up to the others and stopped the vehicle. Feeling the

cessation of motion, he looked around and sighed in relief, then climbed off

and hurried over to his mate, grabbing her close for a hug.

This took Crystalandra by surprise, and when he released her

he held her at arm’s length. “Marozi, this is the great difference between you

and Galina: You terrify and excite me

while she just plain terrifies me!”

Crystalandra laughed aloud and pushed him away with one

hand. “Oh don’t be so melodramatic. She had everything well in hand--yourself

included. No reason to be nervous.”

“Yeah, well… Next time,

I’m driving!” he called after the

lavender haired hybrid; she selected the older style toboggan and placed it in

the snow, looking it over. Crys tested it pushing it back and forth, seeing how

easily it glided over the snow. She liked this one and figured, comparing it to

the others. It could be steered and slowed down if need be.

“I am going on this sled!” Crystalandra announced. “Who is

with me?”

Everyone stepped forward, surprising the Sh’iar queen.

Rangerkitty smiled at her, and looked down at the sled. “I can teach you how to

steer this if you like, Crys.”

“Er, no… thank you.” Crystalandra said hurriedly,

remembering how her lesson on the skis had not gone very well. “Perhaps Tygra

can show me.”

Feeling daunted, Rangerkitty stepped back and looked down at

the snow. She realized that Crystalandra must not trust her due to the fact

she’d ended up upside down in a tree the last time she’d tried to help her.

Tygra nodded and stepped forward, pushing gently past Bengali. He did this

purposefully as he knew that Ben would get a fist in the face from the huge

tiglon if he drooled on Crys’ nice fur coat, and he certainly did not mean the

stylish one she was wearing over her sweater.

Argo regarded his mate with a puzzled expression on his

face. “Marozi, I thought perhaps we both

would have enjoyed the sledding experience together.”

“No Lee, I would rather Tygra teach me. Besides, he

promised.” Crys looped her arm around

the tiger’s and pulled him over towards her toboggan.

“I promise I’ll take very good care of her.” The orange tiger assured his cousin with a

nod. Although the tiglon was pleased to

see Crys and Tygra getting along so fabulously, he couldn’t help but feel a

twinge of jealousy. She should be with me…

Seeing an opportunity to hijack the Tiglon for herself,

Galina quickly sidled up to him before Rangerkitty could jump to his

rescue. “Well mister tall, dark, and

seriously handsome... I guess that means you’re with me!”

Before Argo could decline her offer he found himself being

propelled over to the plastic toboggan.

“We’re going to use that?” He

inquired. “I’m fairly heavy and I doubt

it will support my weight.”

“Oh pushaw! I’ll steer!” She happily squealed.

Remembering the fear he experienced with the white tigress

piloting the snowmobile he bolted towards the sled. “Galina--No!

I’ll do it!”

But it was too late; Galina plopped down before the controls

and playfully stuck her tongue out at Rangerkitty who was standing on the

sidelines watching. She couldn’t help

but feel some pity for the huge Tiglon who was overwhelmed by her friend’s

flamboyant nature.

Hold on, Argo. Hold on

really, really tight!

Bengali blew out his

breath in frustration and ran his hand in an irritated manner through his salt

and pepper mane. His eyes flashed

angrily as Galina made it a point to flauntingly touch Argo at every

opportunity while she explained the concept of sledding.

“What does he have

that I don’t?!” He fumed.

Other than the fact he’s built like a tank with the looks to spare? He sighed.

“I guess you’re stuck with me Ranger. I hope you don’t mind.”

She smiled. “I don’t

mind at all. Don’t feel badly Ben, since it appears that I too have been

abandoned for another by my own mate.”

He grunted his agreement while they walked to the plastic

tubes. “Abandoned and tossed aside.”

Tygra offered to sit in front of the hybrid to steer the

toboggan but she refused. “I won’t hear

of it! I want to be the one in control

so you just sit behind me and let me do the steering.”

He chuckled. “Well,

as you put it that way I am more than interested to see how you will handle

this sled.”

Crys settled herself behind the steering controls testing

the levers. “I am sure I will amaze

you…” She replied with a sly wink and

settled her ankles in the groves in the front of the old sled.

The tiger took his place behind her. “You know Crys I’m curious, why did you

choose this toboggan? What is it about

it that appeals to you?”

“The coefficient of friction…” The she-cat answered while adjusting her

goggles.

“Excuse me?” The

master architect was stunned to hear Crys use this particular physics term and

wanted to hear more.

She turned slightly in her seat to look at the orange

tiger. “In layman’s terms the

coefficient of friction between the wood and the snow is practically ideal

meaning the sled will run smoothly over the icy surface.”

“But can’t it be argued that plastic will move faster over

the ice since the coefficient of friction is much lower than that of wood? He challenged.

Crys smiled. “You are

correct. However, the difference between plastic and our wooden toboggan is

that we will have better steering control.”

“Touché!” Tygra shook

his head in amazement, Crys was truly smart.

“…And why wouldn’t I be?”

She challenged as though reading his mind. “Did you honestly think that Sh’iars were all

brawn and no brain? We are keen

strategists which is the reason for our success in battles.

He chuckled. “I

certainly knew better than that just look at Argo. I know he’s a genius because

it runs in the family.”

“He has a photographic memory—I hardly think that counts as

being a genius.” Crys answered with a

lopsided grin. “Hold on—we’re off!”

She shoved off and they went careening down the hill at

break neck speeds which surprised the tiger knowing how much Crys hated the

snow. But no, she was whooping and

laughing; steering the toboggan as if she had been doing this all of her

life! Argo stood at the top of the

mountain, watching and stunned as he overheard his wife’s joyous voice echoing

through the dells as she went zooming downhill.

“Well I’ll be damned…”

He muttered.

Galina walked over and stood next to Argo, “Looks like she’s

really enjoying herself.”

Bengali and Rangerkitty stepped around the pair with their

rubber double inflatable donut. “Excuse

us you’re in our way…Did you come to sled or stand around yammering?” The white tiger demanded glaring at his mate.

Galina only tossed her mane in response and pulled the Tiglon back towards

their sled.

“See you at the bottom!” Rangerkitty called and both she and Bengali

ran forward and then jumped upon the double-donut. They swirled down the mountain shouting with

glee.

The white tigress watched briefly and did not care for the

way in how Bengali cuddled her best friend when a brilliant idea popped into

her head—an idea so outrageous she wondered why she hadn’t thought of it

before. Galina was certain Argo would

definitely go for it—he had to! She turned

to him, “Hey Argo I just thought of something utterly brilliant that we can do

to show up the others.”

He turned warily, regarding the white tigress. “What did you have in mind?” He so foolishly asked knowing that in some

way he would greatly regret this. Galina

grinned up at the huge Tiglon, her heart pounding heavily in her chest gazing

into his unbelievably pale blue eyes which were lighter in shade than

Bengali’s. She swallowed and had to take

a moment to compose herself feeling overwhelmed by his unwavering stare.

“What did you have in mind?”

Argo repeated growing impatient.

Galina’s lip curled upwards into a mischievous smile. “Why don’t we climb up to the next ridge and

show them what we can really do with

our toboggan?”

“What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Argo, this hill is tame! Where

is your sense of adventure and daring?

If we go further up we will come down at a greater speed that will show

them what great athletes we are. I was

even thinking of doing an aerial stunt to impress our friends.”

Logic and common sense were nagging at the tiglon. Not a good

idea at all…Ignore her suggestion and just remain where you are. However, when he took another look down

the mountain slope he saw Tygra chasing Crys around their wooden toboggan with

a snowball and she was squealing happily.

She should be with me! Well that settled things for him. Argo nodded.

“Let’s do it…”

Galina clapped her gloved hands together. “Yes!

Follow me handsome—we are going to have the time of our lives!”

They trekked by foot to the next ridge. Argo pulled the plastic toboggan behind

him. “How much further?” He asked following Galina’s lead.

The white tigress stopped and turned with a triumphant

expression on her face. “This will

do…This incline is perfect don’t you agree?”

The Tiglon glanced behind him, the incline was certainly

steep and looked quite dangerous but he nodded his agreement. “It doesn’t look as though anybody has used

this area in awhile.”

She shrugged. “Well

then we will be the first, won’t we?”

Again, he nodded then noticed several red markers throughout

the area. “What’s that over there?”

“What’s what?” The

white tigress was busily preparing the sled for their voyage. “It’s probably nothing.”

“You’re not looking…”

“Oh Argo, does it really matter? It’s too late for you to chicken out now.”

He bristled. “I am

not... chickening out!” He hotly

retorted insulted by her insinuation; a Sh’iar warrior never chickened out of

anything!

“Good…” She

straightened and walked towards the Tiglon, resting her hands against his ample

chest. “…Because you don’t seem like the

sort…You’re the type of alpha male who goes after and takes what he wants. I find that rather sexy in a he-cat.”

Argo gulped nervously.

“Galina, let’s go…I’m sure the others must be wondering what’s happened

to us.”

“You’re right!” The

white tigress agreed and plopped herself down before the steering levers not

hearing the tiglon breathe an audible sigh of relief and sat down behind

her. There

was no way I am ever going to be alone with this nutty tigress! Crystalandra this is your entire fault.

By this time Crys, Tygra, Bengali, and Rangerkitty had made

several runs up and down the mountain.

Crys was having so much fun that she near enough forgot about her mate

until she picked up a stray thought from him, Crystalandra this is all your fault!

What have I done?

Because of you I am

stuck with a mad tigress!

The she-cat grinned. Not my fault…That’s what you get for

flirting!

<!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Tygra cocked his head to one side watching her. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, it’s Argo--he’s complaining about Galina.”

He grew concerned.

“Where are they by the way? I

haven’t seen them in quite some time.”

Crys pointed up the far side of the mountain. “From what I gather, she took him up to the

next ridge where the hill is steeper.”

The orange tiger shaded his eyes and looked to where the

hybrid had indicated, his eyes grew round and his pupils constricted as his

body felt the rush of adrenaline. “Crys,

warn Argo! That area is not safe according to the proprietor it’s an Avalanche

zone!”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN?”

“Argo and Galina are in danger of being buried by tons of

heavy snow!”

But it was too late.

From where they stood the group could hear AND feel the deep rumblings

of tumbling snow!

“Be a darling and push us off!” Galina excitedly shouted. The tiglon did so

and they took off like a rocket! So fast he had to hold on to her for dear

life!

She gave a loud Herculean yell pumping her fist into the air

as Argo’s head shot upwards hearing what sounded like a loud crack in the

air. “What was that?”

The white tigress giggled.

“Geez, you are awfully paranoid!”

“No—just cautious—it comes from years of being a

ThunderGuard.”

Argo! Crystalandra’s frantic call pierced the

Tiglon’s head like a jagged piece of glass temporarily dazing him. Get out

of there—YOU’RE IN AN AVALANCHE ZONE!

WHAT? He asked and felt his gut sink; his

internal alarm went off. The Tiglon took

a precautionary glance over his shoulder and tapped Galina.

“What is it now?” She

sighed loudly. “Aren’t you having fun?”

“Don’t look now, but we have a ton of snow chasing after

us!”

“Huh?” The tigress

glanced around Argo, “Oh great Jaga! Hold on, handsome and lean forward with

me! We are going to outrun this!”

If I survive this I

promise I will change my ways. He

silently vowed. I will not partake in dangerous stunts ever again to impress my wife

It was a neck and neck race of the felines versus the

Avalanche. Crystalandra clutched Tygra’s

arm for all she could do was helplessly watched. Rangerkitty was not pleased

with this despite the current circumstances.

“I’m too young to be made a widow! Isn’t there anything we can do to help

them?” The she-cat wailed.

“We can only pray Galina get them out of there safely…”

“She’s the one that got them into the mess in the first

place!” Crys growled. “So help me when I get my hands on that white

tigress there will be hell to pay!”

Although Galina didn’t deserve it, Ranger nevertheless

rushed to her friend’s defence. “Crys

there won’t be any need for you to revert to violence towards Gali, I think you

will be more grateful than anything else that Argo is alive.”

Galina crazily zigzagged across the path of the avalanche in

a desperate attempt to remain three steps ahead of it. She gritted her teeth in concentration and

smiled to herself feeling the Tiglon’s grip tighten around her waist. Even though their lives were in danger, she

felt a wonderful sense of bliss settle over her having Argo finally all to

herself and not sharing him with Rangerkitty.

“We’re not going to make it, are we?” He commented interrupting the tigress’

private reverie. “We’re done for...”

“Trust me Argo! I’ll get you back safely to

Crystalandra--this I swear to you as a ThunderCat!”

“You had better or else Bengali will have one furious

leoponess to deal with!”

Galina rolled her eyes.

“Don’t you think Crys over dramatizes things a bit too much?”

The Tiglon growled under his breath frustrated with the

tigress’ flippant manner. “Gali, don’t

you think you should be concentrating on getting us out of here instead of

questioning me about my mate’s emotional well being?”

She sighed. “I am

only trying to lighten the mood…Okay then, hold on!”

“Hey! Where are you going?”

He asked, horrified to see that Galina was steering the toboggan over

towards the edge of the cliff!

“I know what I am doing—just trust me!” And with that

said, the white tigress made a daring jump that took them both out of harm’s

way of the avalanche.

The group watched the claw biting action in horror as their

friends became airborne…The landing would have been perfect if it hadn’t been

for the darn tree in the way. As it so

happened, the toboggan crashed into an outcropped branch, Galina shrieked, and

found herself hurtling uncontrollably downward to the ground! She covered her face not wanting to see or

feel the impact when she hit, but it never came! The tigress, daring to open her eyes, found

herself cradled safely in the big Tiglon’s strong arms.

“Are you all right?”

He asked, “Anything broken?”

She shook her head in bafflement. “How did you do that?”

“Let’s just say being a Sh’iar I am quite flexible.” Argo set her down on her feet.

“You saved me!”

Galina hugged him; he patted her shoulder. “One good turn deserves

another…” And he glanced up hearing the

sound of approaching snowmobiles.

Crys disembarked and rushed over to her mate. “Argo, are you all right?”

“I’m fine... but my hands are freezing I had to lose the

gloves in order to use my claws to scale down the tree.”

“Oh my poor tiglon! Come here and let me warm them up for

you.” The she-cat cooed; he went to her,

willingly placing his hands in her coat pocket and drew her closer to him for a

kiss, “Marozi that was a most harrowing experience!”

Galina pouted.

“Excuse me; if anybody is interested I too am fine…Thank you for

asking.”

Bengali scowled at her.

“What on Thundera were you thinking?

You could have been killed up there!”

“Oh please Benny! You are being over dramatic as usual. I

had the situation completely under my control.”

“Is that so?”

Tygra shook his head.

“What you did Galina, was extremely foolhardy…Did you not see the red

flags marking the area as unsafe?”

“Well, now I know.”

She declared nonchalantly and casually walked away.

Rangerkitty regarded her friend, not understanding the white

tigress’ recklessness as she departed.