Somewhere in the perimeter forest, the mock-parrots were chattering, giving another indication of the sun's impending arrival. Softly she sighed, opening her eyes to mere slits as she looked toward the window. Outside, a pale golden glow was just beginning to wash into the sky, devouring the last vestiges of night.

Beneath her, the Lord of the Thundercats stirred, his hand coming to a rest upon her back. His shallow breaths deepened, the beat of his heart quickening. Quickly, she snuggled down against his chest, pretending sleep, but it was too late. She could feel his gaze settle on her, their bond telling him she was awake.

Gently his hand moved up beneath her long mane to stroke the back of her neck and his deep resonant voice softly called, "Cheetara?"

She sighed, moving ever so slightly, pressing closer to his firm, muscular body.

"Come on," he cajoled lightly. "You can't fool me."

Reluctantly, she rose up enough to look at him. Lion-O's eyes shone slightly in the not-quite-dawn dimness, and the redness in his mane was just beginning to show.

He smiled. "We've got to get up. We've got a big day ahead of us."

"Hmm--I know." Cheetara stretched a bit, lifting up on her elbows. Through half-closed eyes, she gazed at, him. "But, not just yet."

"Oh?" came his not quite innocent reply, the light, in his crimson eyes shifting ever so slightly.

Cheetara pushed forward, letting her body brush lightly across his, her hands snaking underneath him. Her fingers pushed through his fur, going against the grain of his coat, and she could feel the ripples of his powerful muscles. Gently her mouth covered his, the deep kiss igniting a glow between them. He responded, the tender contact changing to a nuzzle as she moved over to nip at his ear lobe.

His hands moved down her back, his fingers running through her fur and he gave a throaty laugh. "I see... and we haven't even said good morning yet."

"Good morning," she whispered into his ear.

"Good morning," came his husky reply as his embrace tightened and he gently rolled her onto her back.

Below the mega-hoists hanging from the high ceiling, the shiny new Feliner stood in the center of the room. The old design had been streamlined, the engines made more powerful. The aerodynamic spaceship showed the imaginative touch of its designers--Tygra, Panthro and Bengali. They had done an exceptional job in creating this replacement vehicle and it had taken them the better part of eight months to completes

Eight months, he thought. It was eight months ago that Lia had been born. A spark of sadness touched him. It was also eight months ago that Snarf had died.

Quickly, he closed off that painful memory and headed for the computer stations that lined the wall on the opposite side of the hangar. As he rounded the large, paw-like landing gear he saw Cheetara and Panthro studying several screens. He paused a moment, watching his mate's enthusiasm. Today she, along with his friend, would give this new vehicle its shake down flights. Even though he trusted his fellow Thundercats and anything they built, he still- wished she had not volunteered.

"Checklist complete," Panthro said, shutting down the console.

"Looks good," Cheetara replied, reaching up to switch off a monitor. "Looks like our target time of 1150 is on."

Panthro gathered up the recording cartridge and grinned, his excitement resembling that of a little boy with a new toy. "Then I'll, see you down here at 1030." He glanced up as Lion-O approached. "I--um--have to file our flight plans. See you then."

As he left, he gave a smile and nod to Lion-O as if he knew what was on the Lord of the Thundercats' mind. When the large, dark panther had disappeared behind the elevator doors, Lion-O crossed his arms and turned toward Cheetara. Trying to appear at ease, he said, "So, it sounds like everything is on schedule."

"Yes, it is."

"That's good." Try as he would, he couldn't stop the apprehension from radiating through their bond.

Cheetara seemed to suppress a smile as she touched his arm. "Lion-O, I can't help but feel your uneasiness.... "

"I'm sorry," he said, giving her a sheepish half-smile. "I can't help it. I know you'll be fine."

"If it helps any, my sixth sense has been very quiet for the last month."

Silently, he stood there, half-tempted to tell her to stay in the Lair, but he knew how unfair that would be to her and the other Thundercats.

As if reading his thoughts, Cheetara said, "You know how much I've been looking forward to piloting the new Feliner. This is the first real task I've had since Lia was born. And now that she's weaned and Snarfer is assuming the duties of caring for the cubs, I feel my return to the mainstream of things is finally becoming a reality."

"I can't argue with that," he said, taking her hand, "but that, doesn't mean I'm going to stop worrying about you."

"You, too," she answered softly.

The soft ring of children's laughter echoed through the vast hangar. Lion-O and Cheetara turned, both searching the catwalks and rafters high above them. WilyKit and WilyKat were hiding quite effectively somewhere up there.

"Okay, kittens," Lion-O called, "you can come out now."

Silence was their only answer.

"Well, if you two don't want to accompany me--" he said very loudly.

Immediately, two ropes dropped straight down in front of the adults and in seconds a boy and a girl of the Wildcat clan slid down them. Their feet lightly touched the floor with a bounce of excitement.

A single black stripe marked the middle of the girl's bright orange mane. The blue and lavender of her sun-suit styled uniform and stirrup boots made WilyKit quite a colorful kitten.

The boy's muted orange and white mane was tufted, and kittenish side-mane whiskers trailed halfway down his jaw line. WilyKat wore a more subdued tan and brown belted tunic and. soft brown boots. The colors were definitely not a reflection of his nature as his enthusiasm was as great as his sister's.

WilyKit's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she clapped her hands together. "You mean it?"

"We can go along?" WilyKat added.

Lion-O looked from Cheetara to the twins, his smile widening. He remembered when he was 12 years old, eager for any adventure no matter how small. "Sure," he said, "but you've got to pull your weight. Think you two are up to it?"

"You bet!" Kat, said, as he and his sister made a red-tabby streak for the Thundertank.

Cheetara looked at Lion-O, mirth sparkling in her voice. "You sure you don't want to take Garthe and Lia, too?"

"Now that would be a handful," he said and gave her hand a squeeze. "You be careful." Then he followed the kittens to the tank. Outwardly, he maintained an air of acceptance, but it was far from what he felt inside. The day was promising to be a long one, he thought.

Constant volcanic eruptions spewed cinder and ash, blackening the radiation-tainted air, and poisonous chemicals ruined the once fertile earth, saturating nearly all of the water supply here. He turned a dial, focusing the scope on the brighter side of Third Earth. On the screen, the image of Cat's Lair formed, and the sight of the Thundertank racing across the drawbridge came into focus.

"There he goes!" Alluro scowled, wondering what was keeping his comrades.

Opportunity was about to knock and if they were to get a chance to strike at their most hated enemies, the Thundercats, it would have to be soon. But it had to be a team effort. This time, Luna and her dumb pack animal, Amok, would not be able to refuse this plan. He plucked the hooked handle of his psych-club from his wide leather belt and grinned maliciously at his devilishly handsome reflection in the crystalline globe.

He had finally figured out the answer of how to control and use the power of the Sword of Omens. It was foolproof. Even Mumm-Ra would have to bow to him!

The hiss of the door opening sounded and he turned. Tall and shapely, the frosty figure of Chilla entered. Delicate cerulean horns protruded through snowy, soft white hair that hung at shoulder length. Her eyes were a deep sharp blue, and her smooth skin was the color of azure ice. A floor-length cape draped from her shoulder, covering what her scant white dress missed. She was a beautiful creature to behold, but she was as deadly as she was cold.

The garish, pasty-white being called Red-Eye stood next to her. He was short and bulky, and no hair covered his ugly body. A pair of small white horns was the only things adorning his shiny, bald head. A large disk resembling an iris covered the front of his chest. It was a sensor plate that allowed him to see anything, anywhere, in any light. Red goggles covered his small eyes, making them powerful beyond imagining. There was nothing he could not see, no darkness he could not penetrate.

Behind them, the massive hulk of Amok barely fit through the entrance. His thick tail dragging the floor, he walked on all fours, his contribution to the group being merely brute strength--certainly not brains. Two long horns protruded from his thick brow like erect handles. And behind them, crop in hand; a female dwarf sat on the brute's neck. This was Luna, the so-called leader of the unit, whose thick purplish-and-white hair was longer than her tiny body. Alluro tolerated Luna's bossiness, as she did have her moments of usefulness.

Lastly, the cyborg called Tug-Mug rolled in behind the behemoth. Short and round, the gargoyle-like Lunatak had no legs, but rolled along on three powerful caster-like appendages. His deep yellow eyes and thick red lips made him seem more comical than menacing, but that was a great deception. The little man knew how to manipulate magnetic forces, and his gravity carbine made him a foe to be reckoned with.

Alluro replaced the club at his side and crossed his arms as he faced his fellow Lunataks. "So, you all finally decided to show up. I was beginning to wonder if you had any interest in my plan."

"Spare us the sarcasm, Alluro," Luna said in her shrill voice. She waved her crop menacingly. "Get to the point. What is this marvelous plan you've cooked up?"

Alluro's sight narrowed on the doll-sized woman. "For the past two years we've tried to destroy the Thundercats and time and again we've been defeated."

One hand on her hip, Chilla glared at Alluro. "That's nothing new," she said, her voice hoarse and raspy.

"Exactly," Alluro said. "Because we've gone about it the wrong way every time."

"And you've found the right way," Red-Eye hissed. "How so?"

"Think of this. The ThunDERian nobles' power comes from the sword, which their leader, Lion-O, controls--correct?"

"Yes," Tug-Mug answered, crossing his short arms. "So?"

Alluro smiled confidently. "So, if I control him, we gain control over the sword and its power."

A silence settled over the group, their smiles of agreement stating their realization--all except Luna.

"It'll never work." She slapped the crop against her tiny palm. "You tried to control him before, and it didn't last. Lion-O has always managed to break your hold. And the telepathic she-cat would sense the danger long before we could even begin."

"Not this time." He patted the weapon hanging at his side. ''I've amplified the club's power with a Ravage Island crystal chip. I can now project a psych-shield that would block all forms of mental emanations." Slyly, he regarded his skeptical allies. "Which also makes an ambush virtually impossible to detect." He crooked a long finger at the group. "Come closer and I'll show you why this plan is guaranteed success. But I want it understood that each of you must do what is required or we will certainly fail. Is that clear?"

Each Lunatak nodded in agreement and stepped closer. Alluro switched on the screen and a diagram spread out. "This is the power route of Cat's Lair. Our spies have informed me that Lion-O is doing the routine checks on their chain of relay stations which will take him most of the day." He tapped a long, pointed fingernail on the glass. "This is the northern-most point and the perfect place to ambush him." An evil grin came forward as he turned to his comrades. From his leather pouch, he produced two thick, pewter-colored metal bands that gleamed even in the dull light. "And these little trinkets will be our insurance."

Below was a tributary leading to the River of Despair and crowding the banks was a strand of gnarled, moss-draped trees. In the distance the tip of the dark tower of Robber-baron Karnor could be seen, or as Kit liked to call it, the Tower of Traps. Above it, the arc of the late morning sun was just about to touch the tip of the first turret. A thread of worry worked back through his mind as he thought about the time. Back at the Lair, Cheetara and Panthro would be going through their final checks right now.

"All set, Lion-O," WilyKat said, as he and hi-s sister brought a red plastic case out into the open. "Where do you want it?"

"Hmmm. North Point--the transformer should be--" Lion-O started for the nearby line of brush, "right in here." He knelt, and parted the scraggly branches to reveal a small gray metal box. Two green indicator lights burned, showing that the flow of power harnessed from the tributary was strong and steady.

He broke off the dry, slender limbs, tearing away the brown twisting vines that covered the control box. He switched the breaker off and the lights slowly died. "The Wolos will probably wonder what's going on, but this will only take a few minutes." He removed the cover panel, studying the insulators. "Kit, I'll need you to assist me here. Kat, you think you can handle inspecting the water-optic feeds?"

"You bet!" The young cat sprinted away, heading down the hill.

Lion-O could see the changes of adolescence beginning to take place in Kat. He was growing; his shoulders beginning to broaden, and his muscles were starting to develop to fit his youthful frame. He looked up at Kit. Her childlike figure was starting to blossom with the beginnings of a woman's hourglass shape. They were lucky, he thought. He remembered going to sleep as a cub and waking up fully-grown.

"Lion-O?" Kit asked. "Are you all right?"

He snapped from his reverie. "Uh--yeah. I was just thinking." Turning to the contents of the transformer, he started to remove an insulator. "Kit, would you get me the number 10 replacement unit, please?"

"Sure." She turned, hurrying back to the Thundertank.

The seconds turned into a minute, which expanded into several minutes. Lion-O frowned, wondering what was taking the Thunderkitten so long in retrieving a simple pack. He stood up, turning toward the vehicle. "Kit? What's the matter? Can't you find it?" There was no answer. "WilyKit?"

He frowned, a peculiar sensation touching his inner cat senses. It wasn't quite a warning and the Sword of Omens remained quiet within the claw shield at his side. There was a weird stuffy feeling in the air, almost like a dampening effect. Cautious, he started toward the tank. "WilyKit, are you all right?"

"She's under some heavy pressure right now, Thundercat!" a low nasal sounding voice grated from behind him.

Startled, Lion-O pulled the sword as he spun around. Tug-Mug's maniacal laugh filled the surroundings as the Lunatak leveled the gravity carbine and fired.

Fast reflexes barely got Lion-O out of the way. He landed, gripping the sword with both hands as he aimed the blade. Anger flared as swift and bright as the sword's energy beam. "Ho-ooo!" he shouted, unleashing a fiery blast at the Lunatak.

With amazing speed, the little round alien sprang into the air. A snarl and a cold, rasping laugh came from either side of Lion-O. Chilla was to his left and Red-Eye to his right, and both struck as swift as pit vipers. Lion-O pivoted as ice and fire slammed into him. A snarl choked in his throat as he twisted, fighting the paralyzing dual assault. The Sword fell from his numb frosted fingers, as sunburning light dazzled him. Heat and cold seared through his nerves, and he fell on his knees stunned by the double blast.

The sheer strength of will kept his shivering body going as he reached for the ice-covered sword. A sudden sparkling beam, blue as starlight, washed over him, locking his gaze deep into the center of a swinging globe. Too late for defense, Lion-O's attention was captured by Alluro's blinding influence.

The Lunatak's silk-smooth voice pierced the numbness. "Lion-O, old friend, you don't want to fight us. You don't even want to resist us."

Eyes wide and mouth agape, Lion-O could not break away from the irresistible spell of the psych-club's overpowering light. He shook his head, fighting the tendrils of control boring into his brain. But Alluro's grip tightened, bending his will, clouding his thoughts.

"You don't want to fight us," Alluro crooned.

His body trembling, hi-s resistance began to falter. Dully, Lion-O repeated, "Don't want--to fight." The quivering of his tensed muscles eased, his body growing completely relaxed. Vacantly, he recited, "I--will not--resist."

"That's a good boy," Alluro stepped closer, shining the psych-club's light directly in Lion-O's face. "You trust us. We're your friends. You're at, ease with us. Nothing has happened here. There is no danger. Do you understand? There is no danger to you."

"Friends--there is--no danger."

Alluro lowered the club and nodded to his cohorts.

Chilla and Red-Eye took Lion-O by the arms, clamping the cold metal bracelets on his wrists as they hauled him to his feet. He blinked once, brief confusion invading the Lunatak's forced influence and then he felt his Thundercat power swiftly drain away. What control he had left melted and he sagged like a sack of wet sand back into the Lunataks, hands. Somewhere in the back of his mind he sensed the hot touch of radiation--Thundrainium--and then Alluro's light completely eclipsed any other thoughts.

She turned just in time to see Panthro step off the elevator car. The big gray panther grinned as he approached. "So, you did get permission," he teased, his deep laugh filling the hangar. "I saw that look in his eyes and knew exactly what was on his mind. How did you convince him?"

"Oh, I have my ways," she said, a touch of smugness in her tone as she countered the panther's kidding. "Actually, there was no convincing needed. Lion-O realizes we must all share the responsibilities, no matter how big or how small--or who."

"Yeah," Panthro said. "Still, it couldn't have been easy."

"You'd better believe it." Cheetara picked up a recorder from the computer workstation. She punched a code into the console and the Feliner's gangway lowered from the undercarriage. "Come on. We'd better get going or we'll miss our orbital targets."

"Aye, aye, cap'n," Panthro said, giving a sharp salute. He picked up his recorder and fell into step behind her.

Cheetara smiled as she started up the steps. Judging from Panthro's fierce warrior's exterior, it was hard to believe he possessed such a boyish sense of humor. Of course, when he got mad, though, you got out of the way.

Suddenly a strange humid feeling hit her. She stopped in her tracks, gripping the chain-link guardrail as her senses swayed like a pendulum. The smothering feeling grew worse then abruptly vanished, draining her sixth sense as it ebbed. It was several seconds before she realized two powerful arms were holding her up. She blinked, Panthro's concerned face coming into focus.
"Cheetara?"

"Dear Jaga," she breathed, placing a hand on her forehead. She held onto Panthro a moment longer to be sure her equilibrium was back to normal. "I--I don't know what happened. It was like my senses phased out for a moment."

"You're not pregnant again, are you?"

She looked at her friend as if she'd been shot. "No! On that, I'm sure. No... it's something else--something that doesn't feel quite right."

"Your sixth sense?"

"That's just it. It feels like an image is there, but I don't see anything." She paused, mentally touching the bond to her mate, feeling Lion-O's presence, the bond strangely serene and undisturbed. Even his previous anxiety over her taking this mission was gone. "I don't understand it. Nothing seems out the ordinary, yet I can't shake these vibrations that something evil is happening."

"That's not good," Panthro said, a grimness edging his words. "Maybe we should postpone the test flight."

The intercom at the computer station sounded and in three strides Panthro reached the panel, hitting the annoying signal's switch. "Hangar."

"Panthro," Snarfer's high voice came over the speaker. The sound of a wailing cub could definitely be heard in the background. Desperation edged the snarf's tone as he shouted, "Is Cheetara close by?"

"I'm right here, Snarfer," she answered. "What's going on up there?"

"It's Lia--all of the sudden she started crying and she won't stop. I've tried formula. I've tried toys. I've tried changing her. I've tried walking her, talking to her.... I've tried everything and nothing will quiet her."

She glanced at her friend, and said. "All right. I'll be right up. Hangar out."

"I don't like this," Panthro said, crossing his arms and meeting her gaze. "I got a bad feeling starting to gnaw at my gut."

"All this could be nothing more than pre-flight jitters. This is too important to postpone. You go ahead and start the systems warm-up and I'll see what Lia and Snarfer's problem is. I'm sure it's something simple. I'll be back in a couple of minutes." And she headed for the elevator, the mysterious whispers of apprehension inside her slowly fading to nothing by the time she reached the lift.

Her hands clasped, fingers interlocking to form one tight fist. Pre-flight jitters, she repeated mentally as the elevator doors close. That had to be it; she thought and forced herself to relax.

He lifted his head, trying to muster the will to pierce the painless haze that insulated him. Cheetara's life-light was muted, and the feel of the Sword of Omens was blocked. Weakness was all that greeted his efforts and his head dropped down again. It was no use.

"Ah, Lion-O," Alluro's soft, soothing voice seemed to echo in the dismal room. "I'm so glad you're awake. We have a lot to talk about."
Long, sharp nails dug into Lion-O's jaw, lifting his chin. His eyes half opened, his blurred vision making out the unmistakable shape of Chilla and Red Eye in the background. Slowly, his sight shifted to the grinning devil before him.

Long, gray hair fringed a balding head. Two long, gray sideburn locks hung down like tails from in front of Alluro's pointed ears. From his sharp chin to the small horns protruding from his high forehead, Alluro looked like a demon from the ancient tales of the ThunDERian fisher-cats. Lion-O growled feebly, sparks of anger breaking through the alien's mind-bending grip.

"Amazing," Alluro said. "You still resist me." He stared hard into Lion-O's eyes. "That's not right." A reddish-blue light seemed to flare from Alluro's eyes and once again the blue-gray Lunatak asserted control. "Remember what I told you, Lion-O," he said, his tone like silk. "I'm your friend. You trust me, completely."

The embers of hate and anger died like water on a flame. Lion-O trembled with effort, trying to fend off the alien's hot mental touch.

Alluro's influence bored deeper. "You trust me implicitly, Lion-O. Do you understand? Say that you trust me, Lion-O." His grip tightened. "Say that you trust me."

"I ... trust...you."

"Good boy." The towering Lunatak grinned maliciously. He let go, stepping back a pace. "Now, do as I tell you and you'll feel no pain. Look deep into the psych-crystal." Alluro raised the club, holding the clear globe close to Lion-O's face.

Suddenly, silver energy burst from it, bathing the Thundercat in its powerful mesmerizing glow. Lion-O winced, sucking in a sharp, deep breath as the rays of red and blue light started to weave a web around his mind. Lion-O's fear clamped down as the Plundarian's will invaded his remaining resolve.

"You cannot resist me, Lion-O. I am your master," Alluro said, his voice reverberating with a hollow echo. "Whatever I command, you wi.11 obey without question."

Words not of his choice formed in Lion-O's mind, his efforts at resistance crumbling like dry sandstone. "I--will--obey."

The Lunatak held out the inactive Sword in his large palm. The dazzling lights of the club glinted off the sharp silver blade. The small stars of brilliance intensified, burning hotter until hey penetrated Lion-O's paralyzed mind. All he could see was the sword. All he could hear was Alluro's disembodied voice building behind the blinding nova. "You cannot refuse my wishes. I command you and you will command the Sword of Omens."

"Command the Sword--" Lion-O repeated, latching onto the words in a desperate mental reach for the enchanted weapon. "Sword of Omens...help me..." he croaked, closing his eyes in a final effort of concentration.

Delicate threads of contact pierced the numbing haze and the Eye of ThunDERa flared open, its blood-red beacon slashing through Alluro's psychic cage. A harsh growl drowned out the Lunatak's cry of astonishment as the weapon yanked free of his grip, levitating high into the air.

Scarlet light blossomed in the dingy cell, striking Lion-O with full force, but the Sword stopped in mid-air. There was no surge of super strength, no thrill of energy charging through his nerves. Because of the Thundrainium, the Sword could do nothing, its powerful influence nullified by the irradiant ore of the manacles.

Desperation fueled Lion-O's efforts as he mentally embraced the magical touch of the Eye. "Ho!" he rasped, opening his soul to that vital connection with the mystic weapon. A resounding growl rang through the cell, the black cougar head silhouette covering his body.

Acute pain ripped through him like a tidal wave and he thrashed as invisible claws sank into the core of his consciousness. He screamed as the bonds holding him to the physical plane snapped and he was helplessly sucked into the depths of a sparkling crimson tornado.

Behind him, Chill-a sat up straight, her icy gaze going to where their captive hung. "What--happened? Is he--?"

"He can't be!" Alluro pushed up off the floor, anger boiling up inside him as he went over to his prisoner. Below Lion-O's feet, curls of steam rose from the gleaming inactive Sword of Omens. "If he is, this ruins everything."

Red-Eye got up off the floor, his thick fingers going to his chest plate controls to adjust the visor light of his goggles. "He's alive. His biothermal patterns are as strong as ever."

Though Alluro knew Red-Eye could see just about anything, he couldn't help but doubt the statement, judging by the looks of things. He placed a hand on Lion-O's chest, feeling the slight rise and fall of the cat's respirations and his heartbeat was slow and steady. Indeed, the lion was still alive. Again he lifted the chin and looked into the vacant, unblinking crimson eves. There was no spark, no flicker of mental activity in the Thundercat's mind.

His gaze narrowed, a thread of fear snaking through him as he looked down at the dormant Eye of ThunDERa. What had it done to its master, he wondered, and let Lion-O's chin drop. This ThunDERian relic was more powerful than he imagined. There had to be another way to tap that cosmic energy, other than through the Lord of the Thundercats.

He grimaced, trying to think of a wav to salvage his lf2awless' plan. "We still have an advantage. With their leader as our hostage, the Thundercats will have to give in to us."

"And without this," Chilla said and bent to pick up the Sword, "they're powerless." She laughed maliciously as she grasped the ornate handle. Suddenly her coarse laugh changed to a terrible shriek as sizzling steam rose from her burning hand. The mystic weapon clattered on the floor as she cringed, cursing as she gripped her fried fingers. The sword vibrated, blue fire engulfing the silver metal. Unearthly golden rays burst forth from the Eye of ThunDERa, growing as bright as the sun. She snarled, turning her frigid breath on the blade, the frost turning to vapor before it even struck the fiery steel.

Astounded, Alluro and Red-Eye stepped back as it levitated high above their heads, the blade growing longer and longer as it activated to full battle status.

"Stop it!" Chilla screamed in rage.

"How?" Red-Eye shouted back.

Its sharp tip pointed at the wall and it took off like a rocket, punching through the thick reinforced metal as if it were paper.

"Damn!" Alluro said, as he stared at the jagged hole, "it's going for the others." His attention went from the torn armored plating back to Lion-O's inert body. After a moment's thought, he smiled his most evil smile. "This may work out yet. When they come for him, we must be ready."

From behind, the soft clicking of a keyboard came from the defense console where his fellow Thundercat, Bengali, was monitoring the video systems. The white tiger quietly kept his post, his intense blue eyes studying the various screens on his board.

Tygra's eyes shifted back to the main viewer, then to the laser scan patterns on the master scope. Everything from the long-range detectors to the immediate area surveillance showed normal, but deep inside his heart, a feeling of wrongness persisted, and he considered asking Panthro to cancel the mission. He switched to the hangar cameras and keyed into the intercom. "Control room to Feliner. Panthro, is everything okay down there?"

The maneless cat's rugged features coalesced on the small video screen in the right bottom corner of the console, his deep voice coming across the speaker loud and clear. "Yeah, everything's on go once Cheetara gets back."

"Gets back?" Tygra frowned, seeing Bengali look up from his console as well. "Where'd she go?"

"The nursery. Snarfer was having a problem. Said Lia wouldn't settle down."

"That's odd. Lia's usually so quiet. If you'd said Garthe was acting up, I'd be more inclined to believe it." He bit his lower lip, considering telling his long-time friend he was having an intuition attack blacker than anything held ever felt, but all he did was sit back in his chair.

Bengali got up from his console, going over to where Tygra was and looked down.

Panthro frowned and said, "There's something wrong, and you feel it, too!"

"Yes."

"I thought it was just me," Bengali said. The white tiger placed his hand on the back of the chair. "I can't find anything wrong in the scans.

Everything, even Mumm-Ra, is quiet, yet I can't shake this awful feeling."

Suddenly, the pneumatic doors slid open and a breathless Aja came half way into the room. "Tygra! Come quick! It's Cheetara. She's collapsed." The tigress spun and was out the door as fast as she'd come in.

Tygra was out of the chair even faster. "Bengali, keep watch."

"But--"

He didn't wait. He shot out the door, heading up the stairs that led to the third level. At the landing, he caught up with his young mate. "Tell me what happened."

Aja spoke as they hurried down a corridor. "She had just calmed Lia and given her back to me when suddenly she screamed. It was as if--her heart had been torn out," Aja said, her fear very apparent. "Tygra, I've heard a scream like that before--felt that same pain, a long time ago on Aviir--when the Orions killed our warriors. Their mates--did the same thing."

"Dear Jaga," Tygra said in realization, his dread growing deeper. Ghostly images of the mutant ambush during the exodus flashed in his mind. The painful memories of loss sent a prickling chill down his arms, especially his memory of Cheetara.

The pair reached the nursery and the doors automatically parted. Pumyra and Lynx-O were bent over Cheetara's supine form as Snarfer held onto the still wailing girl-cub. In the room, the scent of fear was thick as an early morning fog.

Tygra halted, Aja stopping right behind him. He looked down at the cheetah, his heart and mind hoping it wasn't what he suspected, but Aja's description rang in his mind. He knew, but didn't want to acknowledge, what his young mate had described. Cheetara's eyes were closed, her breaths shallow and fast. The shock of her pain still sent out throbbing sympathetic vibrations that he did not want to recognize. He knelt, looking on and feeling so helpless. 'Can you tell what it is?"

"It seems to be some kind of psychic shock,' Lynx-O said. The blind lynx slid a hand under the she-cat's back, giving support as she struggled to sit up. "It's like nothing I've ever sensed--such a strange, empty feeling," he said.

Pumyra gripped Cheetara's wrists, her eyes not straying from her friend. "Shush. She's coming around," she softly said.

"Noo..." Cheetara moaned. "Red--blinding pain."

"Tygra?" Panthro rushed into the room. The big cat's broad chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. "What's going on?"

Suddenly Cheetara stiffened, her eyes opening wide, glassy tears welling up in the corners. "No," she choked. Her voice trembled. "It's gone. I can't feel him. I can't feel Lion-O's presence."

A harsh resounding roar shook the Lair, an intense white light burning through the nursery window. Shattering glass sprayed out as the Sword of Omens smashed through the pane, bursting into the room to land like a falling, burning arrow. The blade plunged into the marble floor, driving deep into the melting stone.

Lia stopped crying and a terrible silence filled the room as all eyes settled on the quivering sword. The Eye of ThunDERa flashed the red and black cougar head symbol in its center, then quietly closed, the light slowly fading to nothing.

"No," Cheetara rasped as she stared at the silent sword, her pain tangible in the air. Her hands covered her face. "Please ... not again. Not him."

"Dear Jaga, the kittens!" Panthro said and hurriedly left the nursery.

Silently, Tygra went to the sword and grasped the hilt, pulling it free. Warm, tingling sensations spread from the weapon down his arm and through his body as an odd, but familiar feeling invaded his mind. He stared at the jewel in the hilt. It was as if Lion-O were standing there in front of him, but reality said otherwise.

"Faa," little Lia said, her small fingers spreading as she reached toward the mystic weapon.

Sadly, Tygra looked at the girl-cub in Snarfer's arms, her soft-spoken name for her father breaking the shock. He gazed at the sword, then eventually at the floor. His spirit sank as the horrible meaning of all this could no longer be denied. The Sword had come home without its master, and that could only mean that Lion-O was dead.

Gradually, the twisting currents eased, decreasing until they became like gentle waves washing upon an ocean's shore. Dizzy and scared, through distorted perception, Lion-O became aware of his surroundings. Fear hammered at him as he tried to find his hands, his feet. There were no sensations of breath rushing into his lungs, no feeling of a heart beating within his chest. He could not curse for he had no voice to speak with. He was nothing but a sphere of golden shapeless, non-corporeal energy surrounded by some type of transparent bubble.

As quickly as his thoughts occurred, hands, arms, legs and feet started to form, his shape transforming into what he perceived as his physical self. Familiarity banished some of the fear.

Crimson light expanded around his bubble, streams of golden and platinum color spiraling up and around into shifting gossamer clouds. Diamond and emerald stars magically glittered against a canopy of universal beauty.

Through his glassy cocoon, he watched, trying to make sense out of all of this. What had the Sword of Omens done to him? Emptiness ached inside his soul as he searched for the emotional tie he shared with Cheetara.

Coldness crept into his tiny world of consciousness, his hand going to his chest. "No," he whispered in pain. "Dear Jaga, she's gone."

In his absolute aloneness, he floated in the midst of his universe, realization numbing his mind. Everything added up to only one possibility, he thought. He had to be dead, but this certainly wasn't the astral plane. As far as he could tell, he was the only one in this strange realm.

Odd trilling vibrations rippled through the protective bubble like the sweet sounds of a pan-flute. Startled, Lion-O looked around, for the notes he heard weren't just music. They were words that he heard within his heart.

Even more perplexed than before, he listened. He had no other choice. "I'm not dead? But--" All around he scanned, trying to find the source. "Yes, I understand you, but I can't see you. Who are you? Where are you?"

The soft lilting sounds were beautiful and feminine and he marveled at the magic they inspired as he listened.

"I'm--in the Eye of ThunDERa?" More confusion heaped upon the confusion he already possessed. "No, I am not afraid for myself anymore. But, I fear for my friends. WilyKit and WilyKat are in danger and the Sword of Omens is still in enemy hands."

In answer, a bright white vertical slit appeared before his protective globe, opening like a cat's pupil. The opaqueness cleared, letting images of another dimension shine though. He gasped, his hands pressing into the clear pliable wall of the bubble.

Tygra's grim expression appeared as he looked down at something he held in his hand. The direction changed as whatever it was swung downward with his fist and a new view moved into sight. Pumyra and Bengali helped support a limp Cheetara as they helped her up from the floor.

"Cheetara," he murmured, the ache in his soul magnifying as he watched.

Out of the nursery they went, followed by Lynx-O who carried little Lia and Snarfer who carried Garthe. All of them moved as if they were in deep shock. Again, Tygra's face came into view as he stared at the jewel in the hilt of the Sword of Omens.

"By the 12 seas," Lion-O whispered in disbelief. "I'm in the Eye of the Sword." His translucent fists tried to pound on the bubble's soft clear wall. "Tygra! I'm alive! I'm in here--inside the Eye. Dear Jaga, please use the sight beyond sight!" It was no use, as Tygra couldn't hear him. Instead, the portal closed, once more shutting out the other world--his world. His arms dropped, and he sat there trying to figure out his options. He was trapped here until the Thundercats could find his body and....

"Great Jaga! The Thundrainium--that's why you did this!"

The woodwind sounds drifted up and around him and as he listened, he understood more and more of his plight. "Weakened, I would have given away the secrets of the Thundercats--revealed the knowledge in the Book of Omens." He nodded. "I know. Alluro is a strong enemy."

The melody increased, urgency and Badness echoing in its multiple shimmering tones. Finally, it stopped, complete silence filling the bubble.

Lion-O paused, considering what the entity of the Eye had told him. "I understand," he said evenly, "And I trust you completely. Let whatever will be--be."

In his wraith-like state, he stood and stretched out his arms. The protective, transparent cocoon dissipated like smoke, spiraling around and out. In the openness, the beauty of the universe embraced him.

Warmth washed over his soul-self, softly caressing him as it lifted him upward, the sensations reminding him of his beloved Cheetara. His shape grew distorted, spreading thinner and thinner, the cosmic energy of the Star of ThunDERa taking him deeper and deeper into its heart. Like the rippling rings across a mirror-smooth pond his consciousness expanded. He saw the past, knew the present and caught only glimpses of the future and what it could be.

The Star revealed the raw-power of the Sword of Omens and how terrible a weapon it could be if used for evil. What was going to happen to him, the Star kept cloaked. With a touch of sorrow, he looked one last time at his friends, wishing he could touch them, speak to them one last time.

His vision lingered on his daughter. Lia, he thought, and suddenly the girl-cub reached toward the opening of the Eye, and he heard her call to him. His soul ached, for he could not reach back.

He knew time was not on his side. If the Thundercats did not find him soon, the Thundrainium would kill his physical-self. And as his body would grow weaker, his soul-self would blend more and more until he faded into the power of the Eye of ThunDERa.

Her thoughts were awhirl. Lion-O and her brother, WilyKat, were nowhere in sight. Too late, she'd seen the Lunataks--too late to shout a warning. Tug Mug's gravity beam had struck her and she must've passed out, for she had no idea how much time had passed since the attack.

She gasped, the heaviness making it hard to breathe. Her strength waned, fatigue eating at her resolve. She stopped fighting, laying her head down, letting the crushing weight bear down on her even more.

"Cat's Lair to Thundertank!" Panthro's worried voice came loud over the comm unit. "Lion-O! Kit! Kat! Please, answer me. Thundertank, please come in!"

"Panthro," she whispered. Her resolve renewed, she struggled onward, narrowing the gap to inches. Sweat glistened, dampening her tan fur, matting strands of her short orange mane to her forehead and the back of her neck. All she had to do was touch the thundrillium unit. Its positive charge would counteract the magnetic density field created by the ugly round Lunatak. A snarl of anger and determination came from her throat as she strained, reaching up, her slender fingers barely grazing the now-cold unit's plating.

The opaque energy surrounding her dissolved, evaporating like a misty fog under a hot sun. Eyes closed, she lay still for a moment, sides heaving as she tried to catch her breath and let the feel of normal gravity return to her limbs. Exhaustion threatened to claim her, and she made herself move. She got up, staggering to the cockpit. Another hiss escaped through her teeth, her fists clenching in frustrated anger when she looked inside.

The bloody beasts had smashed the controls of the vehicle. The radio was a burned mass of melted electronics. The emergency receiver was still intact, for all the good it would do her.

A wave of panic threatened to overtake Kit as she frantically looked around. Nothing but the serenity of the green countryside could be seen, but still an insidious feeling blacker than the skies of Darkside filled her soul.

"Lion-O? WilyKat?" she called, but only heard the rush of the breeze through bare, twisted tree branches. She decided to check the relay box where she'd last seen Lion-O. Near it, scorch marks, melting chunks of ice and the signs of a struggle were evident in the dirt and brush. With a hand to her mouth, she gazed at the blackened, muddy mess, horrid feelings of disaster closing around her as she thought of Lion-O. Something terrible was happening, but she didn't know why or how she knew it.

Her heart beat faster. "WilyKat?" she called, and went to the ridge where held descended to the river.

"Oh, WilyKat!" Relief and fear mixed as she half-ran, half-slid down the embankment to where her brother stood motionless like an ice sculpture. Sun glinted off the frosty prison causing it to drip, but it would take hours before he was free. "WilyKat, I hope you can understand me. I'm going to use a magnisite/sulfur pellet. When it ignites, hold your breath."

She took a capsule from her belt and stepped back. Sighting an imaginary target at the base of his icy prison, she threw the pellet quick and hard, covering her face as it exploded upon impact. The ice shattered from the fast heat and WilyKat collapsed on his hands and knees, coughing as the noxious fumes rapidly dissipated.

In an instant, she was beside him, holding onto his shivering body. "I told you to hold your breath."

"I couldn't--help it," he choked, wiping a hand across his wet face. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah." His orange-and-white mane was sopping wet, his jaw line tufts of fur hanging in scraggly strands. He wiped watery tears from his eyes, sniffling as he regained his composure. "By ThunDERa, I didn't even see them. Chilla had me before I even knew it."

"WilyKat," Kit said, deadly serious, "I can't find Lion-O."

The young wildcat looked up, his eyes suddenly mirroring the fear she felt. "What do you mean you can't find him?"

"He's gone--as well as the Sword. And the Lunataks smashed the tank controls. The radio is slag." An alien feeling of grimness came unbidden from within her. "I don't think we can wait for the others to find us. We've got to go after Lion-O. I can just feel that he's in big trouble."

"I agree."

Kit helped her brother stand, holding onto to him until he stopped swaying.

"But we gotta tell the others where we've gone." He reached into the pouch hanging from his leather belt. "I hope this still works. For once I used my head and brought my communicator."

He shook off the condensation, pulled out the antenna and pressed the power button. "Cat's Lair! Can you read me? This is WilyKat. Anybody! Can you hear me?"

Kit's hopes fell when a burst of static was their only answer. "Try again."

Kat boosted the power to the highest cell. "Cat's Lair! Please say that you hear us." A note of panic crept into his plea. "Anybody, please answer."

"WilyKat!" Panthro's voice came across the spluttering speaker. The weak signal wavered in and out. "Thank Jaga! We b... ly read-y.... Have loc .... your posit.... Stay put, we're get........ derstrike underway."

"Panthro!" Kat shouted into the device. "If you can hear me, the Lunataks ambushed us. They have Lion-O. We're going after Skytomb!"

"No! Stay put!"

Kat looked at his sister, a glint of determination replacing the hesitation in his crimson eyes.

Kit knew what he was thinking, and she nodded. The order had come in loud and clear. Lion-O was the Lord of the Thundercats, but he was also a special friend. On ThunDERa they had been children together, and even though he had suddenly become an adult during the exodus from ThunDERa years ago, and he had matured, they had somehow retained that special understanding cubs share. There was no way on Third Earth they would sit idly by when he needed help.

Suddenly, Kat pressed the power switch, repeatedly turning the device on and off as he spoke. "Panthro! Your signal is breaking up. I can't understand. Please repeat. Please...." He cut the power completely, throwing the small device back into his pouch. "Come on, let's get the spaceboards out of the back."

They scurried up the incline and ran for the tank. In moments Kit and Kat had one side of the back canopy open wide enough to slide out one of the boards.

"We can't waste time with the other," WilyKit said. "Let's go double."

"No argument there. Even if Panthro said not to." He hopped onto the surfboard-shaped air skimmer, activating the foot controls. "Let's go!"

"Just a minute." Kit went to the cockpit and grabbed a button-sized disk out of the console compartment and pressed it onto her belt. Then she ran back to her brother and jumped up on the board, making it sink until it adjusted to her added weight. Kat pushed the control sensor with the toe of his boot and they took off like a shot.

The rush of air whipped WilyKat's mane against her face as she looked back at the diminishing sight of the Thundertank. The little disk on her belt burned red like a small ruby. She hoped the homing beacon was enough to tell the others how to follow them to Skytomb.

Damn it all! He knew the kittens had heard him, and had pointedly disobeyed his instructions. Blast it! Now, they were bound to wind up in trouble too--as if the Thundercats didn't have enough to worry about already.

His hands played across the amazing board, fingers, eyes and ears picking up vast amounts of information the sensor network fed to him. He thrilled at the feeling, knowing held mastered flying the jet using all his senses. Yet he found himself wishing Lynx-O were here instead, especially under these circumstances.

Concentration was crucial and he was having a hard enough time keeping up with rapid flow of information. His martial arts discipline and cat senses helped, but he couldn't decipher the more subtle information. He would never even begin to pretend to be the super sensitive the blind lynx had become.

"Aja, Cheetara ... any sign of Skytomb or the kittens?" he asked.

"The kittens came this way," Aja said, leaning to look out the starboard window, her topaz eyes riveting on something only she could see. "Their kinetic aura trail is strong and it's heading straight toward the caverns."

"Cheetara?" Panthro asked. "Do you feel or see anything?"

"No," she said, her tone impassive. "My sixth sense is silent."

Panthro kept himself from looking back at his friend. He could feel the ice in her voice, the cold aloofness that now insulated her from everything, including her fellow Thundercats. It was just like during the exodus, when the Mutants had attacked and destroyed her clan's carrier, killing all aboard it including her then mate, Arexus. She had withdrawn then as she was doing now, not letting anyone share her thoughts--or feelings.

He was worried about her, had argued that she should stay with Snarfer and the cubs. At the Lair, her calm was frightening, her tone of voice sharp and cold, but the flash of anger had darkened her eyes. Then Lynx-O stepped in, volunteering to stay on guard at the Lair. Maybe the old cat sensed more from her than he let on.

The craggy entrance to the cavern passage loomed on the horizon, and Panthro mentally prepared himself for the task ahead. He opened communications to the pods. "Get ready gang. We're on approach."

"Right pod ready," Tygra's voice came over the speaker.

"Left pod, acknowledged," Bengali's answer followed. "Pumyra and I are set."

"Cheetara, get to the right pod and back up Tygra," Panthro told his friend. Silently the cheetah nodded and left the cabin for the connector tube.

When she was gone, Aja said, "Her pain runs very deep. I see it in her kinetic aura. She has helped me so much--how I wish I could help her."

"You are, Aja, more than you know." A stab of grief rushed through the great panther and he fought it down. Unbidden, a wave of anger rose and he suppressed it, too, saving it for when they met up with the Lunataks. When that time came....

He cut off the distracting thoughts, taking a deep breath. First, they had to get through the caverns. He eased back the throttle a little, setting the Braille board on tight-beam scan. The jagged slit in the Mountainside came into view. "Hang on, everyone, because here we go."

Panthro closed his eyes and turned the craft vertical, letting his intuitive senses take control. Through the Braille-board, he could 'see' the path clearly, the impression strong.

The Thunderstrike moved, dodging stalagmites and stalactites, avoiding columns and executing precision turns. Exhilaration tingled through Panthro's nerves as his mind let his instincts govern the flight of the Thunderstrike. In minutes, the craft exited into Darkside and he opened his eyes.

"That--that was amazing!" Aja said in awe.

"You should see Lynx-O do it," Panthro said.

Aja moved from one side of the cabin to the other. "I don't see the kittens' trail anymore. They must still be in the Forest of Mists."

"Good, at least they'll be out of harm's way. They never should've taken off in the first place."

He gave the Thunderstrike some altitude in order to spot the flying fortress of Skytomb. Far below, the barren brown landscape revealed nothing but bleakness.

"Panthro," Cheetara's voice came over the intercom. "Skytomb is beyond the three peaks."

"That's dangerously close to Fire Rock Mountain," Panthro said, suspicion nagging at him.

"They'll be expecting us," Bengali said.

"And they won't exactly have put out the welcome mat," Pumyra added.

"Unless it's coated with Thundrainium," Panthro said. An idea formed and he put the Thunderstrike into a tight bank, climbing higher into the murky atmosphere of Darkside. "Maybe we can get the Lunataks to come after us."

"Come after us?" Aja exclaimed, probably asking the question everybody else had thought. "Don't we want it the other way around?"

"You're an accomplished tracker and an excellent hunter, too. Think about it. What's the best way to draw your prey out into the open?"

"That depends. With an enemy like the Lunataks--to draw them out--I'd probably pretend weakness or injury and then attack," she answered.

"Exactly." Panthro worked the controls, the Braille board revealing Skytomb just below. "Pods, prepare for separation. When I give the signal, hit your smoke screen, go down, and hide.' He sighted the enemy and snarled, the fire of anticipated battle gathering in his heart. "Well, Thundercats, if we're gonna do it, let's do it!"

All but one voice answered in their unified cry of "HO!"

Panthro threw the Thunderstrike into a sharp dive, the image of the mountain-like fort growing larger on the screen. "Ready lasers," he ordered, counting the seconds. "And--fire!"

The Thunderstrike swooped down, twin beams of red energy cutting across Skytomb's craggy front as it pulled up to shoot past the Lunataks' headquarters. Explosions rained off the huge craft's hide, smoke and metal chunks flying into the air. Behind them the Lunataks' massive vessel rumbled, lifting off the ground to give pursuit.

Good, the bait has been taken, Panthro thought, as he brought the craft around again to buzz them like a pesky fly. With a wicked smile, he set the gun sights on the enemy ship once more. He could just hear Luna screaming and ranting even now. He focused the Braille board, setting the Thunderstrike's course. "Ready lasers." They came around again and, he brought the jetcraft even lower. "Fire!"

The deadly beams ripped across the front of Skytomb, fire and smoke bursting against the black thick hull. The Lunataks fired in retaliation, the dark red beams shaking the craft as they barely missed the Thunderstrike.

"Pods separate! Now!" Panthro ordered, pulling the release levers. The units peeled away, smoke spiraling from them as they went down.

"Hang on, Aja, we're following suit!" In seconds, he had the main body of the craft acting like an injured bird, smoke billowing out from the rear as he nosed it down toward the earth. The craft skidded across a sandy flat, coming to a halt by an old rockslide. The canopy opened automatically and he and Aja looked toward the gray-black sky. The thrum of Skytomb's massive engines filled the air and he saw the towering structure's base loom larger than life above them. He and Aja scrambled from the cockpit, taking cover in the nearby rocks.

"Come closer, you scurvy Plundarians," Panthro growled softly, retrieving his num-chucks from his wide leather belt. He yanked the chain tight, anticipation fueling the rage held in check ever since this morning. "Whatever you've done to Lion-O, you'll regret it for the rest of your lives."

His lip curled in a silent growl, contempt rippling through his sphere of forced composure. He stared at the huge ship that now balanced on its landing gear. How had these wartworms gotten hold of Lion-O? What had they done to him?

He briefly glanced at Cheetara. Her face was completely devoid of emotion, and her eyes were riveted on the sky-ship. A feeling colder than snows of Hook Mountain emanated from the woman. A small undercurrent of worry invaded his thoughts and he wished he could somehow help his long-time friend face what was yet to come.

Concentration diverted his attention back to the task at hand and again he closed off his feelings. Logic and definitive action was what was needed to get through the nasty business at hand. Emotion at this time was a luxury and a waste of precious energy. The time to mourn will come after the Lunataks were caught and justice was meted out. And it would be done swiftly, he silently added.

Abruptly, a pneumatic hiss gusted across the flat brown expanse.

Tygra's eyes narrowed as the elevator tube of the Lunatak fortress descended and the dragon-like Lunatakker rolled out. Predictably, the garish vehicle went straight for the main unit of the Thunderstrike. It came to a stop and the top opened, revealing Luna and Amok in the back, and Red-Eye at the controls.

Cautiously, the pasty-skinned Lunatak stood up at the driver's position and, adjusting his reflective goggles, surveyed the area. Suddenly he pointed, yelling, "Chilla, Tug-Mug! Two at the quarter and one at the mid-point!"

The aerial shrill of the ice-sled and the shriek of mobile casters cut through the air like sharp claws on a chalkboard. Tygra's hackles rose on his neck, his cat-sense shouting as he spun around. Chilla at the controls, the ice-sled barreled down straight at them. In a golden blur of speed, Cheetara was already gone as he snapped his bolo-whip out, coiling it around himself, disappearing as Chilla's ice blasts shattered the rocks.

He leapt high, becoming visible as he dropped down, landing on the left wing-runner right beside the frosty Plundarian female, and reached for the handle grips. Chilla bellowed, half-twisting in her seat, fighting to keep control. The vehicle swerved wildly, the engine sputtering when he thumbed the kill switch.

She hissed, her stinging icy breath frosting the striped fur of his arms. He yelped, the painful cold stinging through his skin and he let go. Too late, she gripped the control handles. The sled's nose plowed into the sand, throwing them both high over the bars.

Tygra went with the roll, coming up into a stand and pivoting on his opponent. Grim determination filled the emotionless void inside him. He lashed the whip forward, fire crackling from the tri-head as it struck at its target. The woman crouched, quickly throwing a shield of ice to block the blow, the steaming heat exploding off it on contact.

Cold blood pumped through Tygra's veins, a cry for revenge threatening to pierce his barrier of reason. Sweat soaked through his fur to his tunic. He roared, adrenalin magnifying his strength as he charged at his hated enemy.

This creature had killed Lion-O and by ThunDERa, held make sure she'd never kill again. She and her miserable lot would meet their punishment--here--now! Like an executioner, he raised his bolo-whip high over Chilla's head.

Her ice barrier shattered, a high-pitched scream of energy piercing the air. Acute pain split through Tygra and he fell, the stinging weakness of Thundrainium washing through him. His vision doubled as he struggled to get on his hands and knees, barely able to face his attacker. From beneath her snowy cloak, Chilla held a small tube-like rod, the tip still glowing from the intense heat.

She pointed it at straight at him and sneered. "Say goodnight, Thundercat!"

A high-pitched whistle sliced the air as a razor-sided boomerang whisked dangerously close, cutting the rod in two. Before the Lunatak could realize what had happened, Tygra lashed out. Chilla screamed as the tri-head cracked at her feet, the ground erupting with white fire. The flames licked up to encase her body in an impenetrable cage of intense energy. Fists shaking, she screeched, her icy breath melting against the red-orange heat.

Tygra looked the direction from where the boomerang had traveled. On the crest of a dune, Aja caught the returning weapon then quickly disappeared down the slope of a sand dune.

Tygra turned back to his captive, going to within inches of Chilla's prison. She spat Plundarian curses at him, her malevolence shining in her icy blue eyes. Sides heaving, he glared at the frosty female, his thoughts flashing with each pounding heartbeat.

This thing had taken more than his leader away. She and her kind had taken one closer to him than a friend. They killed more than a Thundercat. They had killed one of his family. They had robbed his kith-child of her father and his kith-sister, Cheetara, of her life-mate.

He stared at the sub-felinoid creature, his hackles bristling down his neck. Hatred burned dark in his heart and the urge to take revenge begged to be satisfied. A nagging cry echoed in his mind, and he closed his eyes, slowly bringing his emotions back under control. Revenge would not right the great wrong these pitiful people had committed. Truth, Honor, Loyalty, and most of all, Justice was for him to uphold, not take into his hands.

He hissed long and low. "You'd better be thankful there is a Code of ThunDERa, Plundarian," he said, his voice flat. "Or you wouldn't be breathing right now."

She hissed hatefully back at him.

He took a deep breath, realizing how close held come to losing control. The temptation to punish was strong, and if it hadn't been for Chilla's secret weapon, he knew her bluish blood would have colored this dry brown sand today.

Disgusted, he scowled at the Lunatak, then steeling himself, turned to head for Skytomb and confront whatever awaited him there.

Amok's heavy footfalls shook the ground as he approached on all fours, his long, thick tail scraping through the loose, coarse sand. And there was the ever-present Luna sitting like a wart on the brute's neck. The giant's beady little eyes glittered like ebony ice against the white skin of his paunchy face.

Static energy prickled Panthro's skin, bristling the fur down his brawny arms. The need to take action ate away at his insides like brown acid. These bloody bastards had killed Lion-O--his leader and his friend. Damn it, this time the Lunataks wouldn't get away with their crimes! Justice would be served and by the Code of ThunDERa, he would make sure it happened.

Heat flowed through his nerves and he channeled it, waiting for the two aliens to make the first move. His eyes did not leave the pair of Lunataks that stood only a handful of yards away from him. He caught the spinning sticks, extending his left hand, the red num-chuck held between his body and arm, his right hand gripping the blue one. Slowly, he moved into a semi-crouch.

He growled, "What'sa matter, coward? Afraid of a fair fight?"

"Damn it, Amok," Luna shrieked, slapping the crop on his bullish head. "Don't just stand there! Get him!" Amok roared like a maddened wildebeest, his huge fists pounding the ground in a full-blown charge.
Adrenalin surged as Panthro leapt high, his num-chucks spinning furiously as the Lunatak monster sailed underneath him. The powerful beast hissed, sliding to a halt, nearly throwing the dwarf-woman off his back.

Panthro landed, catching his weapon to point the claw-end straight at the hulking thing. "Come on, you gods-be-damned creature!" he spat. "Let me give you a taste of your own medicine."

"Attack! Attack him!' Luna shrieked, waving her crop in the air. "Do it! Do it now!" The great beast growled, rearing up on his hind legs.

"Two against two," Bengali shouted, coming up on the other side of the Lunataks from behind an embankment of pitted rock. With his arm outstretched, he aimed his glowing power hammer straight at the pair. "Now the odds are even," he hissed.

Startled, Amok looked from one cat to the other, apparently confused as to which target to choose.

Quickly the white tiger's left hand came up, his fingers closing into a tight fist.

Panthro smiled a nasty, satisfied smile, acknowledging the signal with the slightest nod of his head. He took one step, then another, and as he did, so did Bengali. Together, they closed in on their prey in a squeeze-play maneuver.

Amok swayed, turning toward one cat, then changing toward the other.

Luna's spiked heels clearly dug into the behemoth's thick shoulders. "Move! You stupid lummox! I don't care which one you take down!"

Amok roared, pivoting in a blind rage and charged at Panthro. The seconds blurred in perfect timing as the big cat leapt straight at them, swiftly delivering a right-foot kick to the dwarf on the monster's neck. Luna screamed as she went flying through the air. Amok screeched to a halt, snarling as he turned to charge again.

Bengali swung his hammer and slammed a white pellet straight at the behemoth. It whistled through the air, exploding in the giant's face. The Plundarian teetered like a mighty oak tree, then fell, raising a huge cloud of ash-like dust from the powdery ground.

The white tiger roared, the light of victory shining in his blue eyes as he chained the giant's rear legs. Panthro aimed the red claw of his fighting sticks, releasing a small dose of sleeping gas into Amok's face to make sure the huge creature wouldn't get up for quite a while.

"Now for your boss-lady," he said. As he and Bengali turned, Luna cut loose with a blood-curdling shriek. The little woman tried to crawl away, but Aja bore down, grabbing her by her long purple hair. The tiny Lunatak spat oaths as she swung her crop at the tigress, but could not reach her. Deftly, Aja produced a sack from her utility pouch and dropped the small alien into it, tying it securely closed.

"Haaaaah! Thundercats!" a grating voice called.

All spun around as Red-Eye emerged from behind the Thunderstrike. Panthro gasped, seeing the Lunatak's arms come up, the aperture on his chest plate opening. He cursed, bracing himself, but the stunning burst of red light never came.

Two miniature explosions erupted at Red-Eye's feet, sending clouds of gray powder curling up and around him. The smoky dust engulfed the startled Plundarian and immediately the lumpish alien started sneezing violently, unable to stop.

WilyKit and WilyKat grinned and waved as they zipped overhead on a spaceboard. Relief washed through Panthro and he smiled, giving them the thumbs-up sign. Thank Jaga, the kittens had made it! Bengali raised his claw hammer, unleashing a powerful blast from its head to put Red-Eye out of his sinus-misery.

"That's three down," said Bengali as he securely chained Red-Eye to the Thunderstrike.

"Three more to go." Panthro scowled at the incapacitated Plundarians, wishing he could have given them what they actually deserved. His claws dug into the shafts of his num-chucks, temptation whispering in his mind, but quickly he shut it off. Revenge wasn't what the Code of ThunDERa taught, he reminded himself, and his grip loosened. Although, in some cases, he thought, it should have been included.

"Come on," he said, with a wave of his hand. "Let's go help the others." And he took off at a run, Bengali following him as he headed toward Skytomb. He wanted to get this over with fast as the worst part was yet to come, he thought, and a cold dread wrapped around his heart. They had yet to find Lion-O.

"We almost didn't make it," Kit shouted.

"But we did," Kat answered, "and that's what counts. We'll still hear about it, but at this point, I don't care. We made a decision and we stuck to it."

"For all the good it did," Kit said, a tremble in her voice. Her claws dug into his waist. "It's Lion-O. Kat, I have this awful feeling. I--don't think he's...."

"I know, Kit," he said solemnly, when she didn't finish. He squelched the mounting emotion threatening to erupt from inside. Completely impassive, he said, "I feel it, too. Lion-O's dead."

A kitten's memory of a different day, a different time, rose up like a ghost--the day Jaga had taken him and his sister to Lord Claudus at Cat's Lair. Through the tears and confusion, he hadn't truly understood what had happened to his mother and father. All held been told was that they wouldn't be coming back--that they had gone into the astral plane.

A horrible aching emptiness echoed inside him now as it had then, and he knew what that black feeling meant. His teeth gritted, fists clenching so tight his sharp claws cut into his palms. "As far as I'm concerned," he said evenly, "the Lunataks are fair game."

The mountain-shaped Skytomb loomed not far away. The shiny silver crescent moon symbol gleamed on its apex like a wicked omen.

Suddenly Kit pointed down, shouting, "Look!"

Pumyra vaulted high into the air, dodging a wide beam blast from Tug-Mug's gravity carbine. Tug-Mug spun on his casters as she landed behind him. Her sling snapped forward, sending a pellet zipping into the mouth of the weapon. Energy crackled as the cannon-shaped gun overloaded, the electrical discharge knocking its owner backward. The round cyborg plowed up several yards of ground before he stopped. Like an enraged Lizathon, he rose up. Yellow eyes blazing, teeth gritted, he poised himself preparing to jump.

"Quick, head down," Kit commanded, still pointing downward.

"But we're too far away!"

"Trust me! Head straight at Tug-Mug--now!" Kit ordered and slipped a pellet off her belt.

With a snarl, Tug-Mug vaulted into the sky, his intentions to crush the puma undeniably obvious. Facing skyward, Pumyra backed up, readying her slingshot once more.

Expertly, WilyKat guided the spaceboard into a power dive at the Lunatak, at the last minute veering out of his way.

"What the--?" the startled Lunatak shouted as Kit's pellet went off in his face. A brilliant yellow explosion ripped through the air.

WilyKat and WilyKit cheered as the Lunatak dropped like a silver-gray bomb from the sky to crash into the earth. When the dust settled, Tug-Mug lay very still in a small crater of his own making. A cautious Pumyra approached the alien, kneeling down to check him. As the twins circled back, Panthro, Bengali, Tygra and Aja were running toward the puma.

Kat set the spaceboard down and he and his sister ran to where the Thundercats had gathered. "We did it!" they shouted.

"You're very lucky," Pumyra said to the twins. "He's still alive."

"What?" WilyKat said in disbelief.

"After what these creatures have done!" WilyKit exclaimed, her slender hands closing into rigid fists. "Why should we care what happens to them?"

"We should always care," Tygra softly said. "Vengeance never rights the wrong that was done."
Kat looked at Kit, feeling his gut twist. All emotion drained from his face, the sweet satisfaction of revenge changing to an iron coldness in the pit of his stomach. In his head, he knew what the adults were saying was true, but his heart cried out for something more.

"We can't help how we feel about this," Kit said, tears welling up in her eyes. "We did it for Lion-O."

"I know, kittens," Panthro said softly, "and I understand your feelings, but we must uphold the Code of ThunDERa in this matter. If we don't, we become no better than the Lunataks."

The dam inside WilyKat broke. "How can you stand there and accept this!" he snarled, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks. "Lion-O's dead! Damn it, it's our fault!" His fists knotted white-knuckle-tight, trembling as he raised them to strike out at something, anything. Sobbing, he swung at Panthro. "We should have stopped them! But we kept letting them go, so they could come back again and again and again. We let them do this! If--if we had...."

Panthro grabbed him, holding him tight. He squirmed, trying to break free from the adult's grip, but like the wind dying against a sail, WilyKat sagged against the big panther, all his strength spent, and he cried.

"Shhh," Panthro whispered, just holding the youngster. "I know--we all probably feel like you do right now."

"But Lion-O is gone," Tygra softly said to Kat as he knelt beside Panthro, "and we must now accept it."

WilyKat stared at him, the shock of reality sinking even deeper into him. A chill ran through the fur down his back as he looked at his crying sister, who now clung to Pumyra. Never again would they hear Lion-O shout 'Thundercats Ho!' nor see him hold up the Sword of Omens. Gone was the sound of his voice, the assurance of his commanding presence as leader. Never would they feel his gentle camaraderie ever again.

WilyKit took hold of his hand. Her voice quivering, she said to her brother, "We'll work through this--like before."

No more words were said as WilyKat hugged his sister, drawing strength from her support.

Her eyes downcast, Pumyra gently patted WilyKit's shoulders. With a sigh of weariness, she said, "Come on, Thundercats. We have one more task to perform."

"This will be especially hard for Cheetara," Tygra said as he stood and looked toward Skytomb. Suddenly, he and everybody else straightened, looking around in alarm. "Hey! Where's Cheetara?"

"And Alluro!" Pumyra said.

"Dang blast it!" Panthro growled. "She's gone after Alluro. She knew it was him all the time!" he said, taking off for Skytomb's open elevator.

WilyKat and WilyKat brought up the rear as the group ran toward the enemy fortress. Still gripping Kit's hand, Kat gave it a squeeze. His sister looked at him and she gave a squeeze back. Somehow, they would face this situation as they had when they lost their parents on ThunDERa and, as always, they would face it together.

The smell of Alluro's fear reeked in the stale air of the fortress, leaving a hot trail that led into the murky depths of the hall. Her lip curled, a new wave of smoldering emotion sweeping through her, and she took off. Anguish tore through her, pushing her harder, faster. Her life-mate was dead, the emptiness of his death burning in her soul. Salty tears stung her eyes, her sixth sense blinded by the screaming cry for revenge that echoed in her heart. Dam it, that bastard's spawn would not escape.

With her staff extending in one hand, she charged down the hall of many doors, her cat's senses focusing on the deep shadows. Abruptly, she screeched to a stop, a feeling darker than any eclipse piercing the rage. Suddenly, she inhaled sharply, eyes going wide as her vision strobed like still pictures through her psychic sense.

The image of a heavy rust-colored door with a small barred grate flashed across her mind. The white steel of a raised dagger glinted in the orangish light of a prison cell, tapered bluish fingers gripping the jeweled brass handle. Eyes open in a vacant stare, Lion-O hung like a lifeless doll against a metallic gray wall.

A choked cry came from Cheetara and, with a hand to her forehead, she staggered against the cold metal plating. "No," she gasped, pushing away from it. Sweat matted her fur, panic pounding in her chest as her eyes focused on the brown-gray door looming in front of her. Through the small barred grate, she heard Alluro speak Lion-O's name.

Adrenalin fire consumed her as she whipped the staff around and blasted the armored barrier, blowing the locks apart. With a screaming snarl, she hit the door full-body force, bursting through to the other side, going down into a roll to come up onto her feet.

Shock paralyzed her for one eternal second as she beheld the horrible sight of reality. Hands manacled to the wall, the body of her life-mate hung like a sack from a hook. Slack-jawed, Alluro stood frozen before Lion-O, the sharp knife in his hand poised over his heart, the wicked blade glinting in the harsh overhead light.

Cheetara exploded with one murderous snarl, lunging at her target. Faster than the eye could see, she struck, the deadly end of her staff cracking up under Alluro's pointed chin. Electricity sizzled as the Lunatak spun backward, the knife flying from his hand.

She shrieked, slamming the rod across the Lunatak's back, again and again. Harder and faster, it came down, pounding against Alluro, her pain and anguish magnifying each blow. Tears coursed down her cheeks, each shriek tearing through her throat. All she could see was the Lunatak, her grief driving her to strike harder and harder.

Arms raised to protect himself, Alluro twisted and turned, trying to back away, his cries and pleas a loathsome noise to her ears. He stumbled and fell, his sweat marking the rusty floor as he attempted to scoot away. Greenish blood oozed from the corner of his mouth as he begged for mercy. He twisted on the floor, scrambling onto his feet, making a break for the open door.
In a blur of motion, she was in front of him before he could take two steps. She slammed the door, sending a red-hot beam from her weapon to melt the handle and what was left of the lock into one solid surface.

Chest heaving and heart pounding, she slowly turned to face her enemy. Wet strands of her mane hung in her face, but she saw past them, her eyes not leaving the battered Lunatak. Ice flowed through her veins, a cold detachment overcoming her as she glared at the one who had murdered her lover. Her teeth bared in a feral hiss as she aimed the power staff.

Terror shone in the alien's yellow eyes and he opened his hands, palms up. The smooth tones of his voice were sickening; the words coming out of his mouth were filthy lies. Suddenly, he grabbed the hooked handle of the psych-club hanging from his belt, swinging it high.

She growled, firing as Alluro activated his shining crystal ball. The glass globe shattered, a blinding explosion of blue hell-fire and flash-smoke filling the cell. He screamed as the blast flung him back against the metal wall where Lion-O hung.

Fire filled Cheetara's soul as she leveled her staff at the pale blue alien. Blood redness blotted out all vision except for Alluro's bruised face. Like a cat stalking its kill, she slowly advanced on him.

More words came from his foul mouth, but she didn't care, didn't listen to them. He scrambled backward, edging away until he was trapped in the corner of the cell. Beaten, bleeding and burned, he cowered as step-by-step, she drew closer--nearer. A wicked satisfaction filled her as she made the coward squirm.

The pounding beat of her heart thumped in her ears and she stopped not three yards away, pointing the staff at the tip of his nose. A smile born from the sweet taste of revenge turned the corners of her mouth, and her eyes narrowed on the pleading son-of-a-bitch. Slowly, her fingers squeezed on the control grip, a crackling halo of energy encircling the live end of the power staff.

For Cheetara, the glittering jewel of vengeance was at her fingertips.

Aja frowned and said, "Her pattern is growing most disturbing. She's down here."

Tygra looked at the doors. "Which one?" he asked.

"I--don't know," she softly answered.

A formidable silence permeated the air like an invisible viral infection. Tygra counted the seconds by the pounding beat of his heart as he tried to figure out which door to take.

Suddenly, a cheetah's angry scream rang through the walls, followed by the sound of exploding glass. Tygra and Panthro ran, following the terrible racket that echoed in the hall.

They came to the last thick metal door at the end of the corridor. Alluro's distinctive voice could be heard through the terrible howls of an angry she-cat.

Desperately, Panthro and Tygra pushed against the heavy-plated barrier.

"It's no use," Tygra said. "She'll kill him before we can cut through."
"Not if I can help it. Watch me!" Panthro snarled and rammed the door with his shoulder. It budged, but not enough. Again, he tried to ram it open, but with no results.

"Just a minute," Bengali said, pushing forward. He hefted his power hammer, aiming the claw side, and struck precisely at the hinges, sheering the bolts free of their casings. Panthro drew back, and with all his might and weight rammed the heavy door again, this time bursting through.

"Dear Jaga!" Tygra exclaimed as he and Panthro froze at the hellish sight in the cell. Aja gasped, quickly turning her face away. The other Thundercats came in, stopping in their tracks, their stunned silence conveying their horror. Righteous anger replaced the paralyzing shock as Tygra gaped at the nightmarish scene.

Shackled by the wrists, Lion-O's limp form hung from the wall. The shattered psych-club lay in the middle of the room as a terrified and bleeding Alluro pressed into the far corner. Cuts and bruises covered his raised arms as he vainly tried to defend himself. His threats and attempts of hypnosis melted into pleas for to the Thundercats to save him--to spare his life.

Cheetara's chest heaved, her teeth bared in a vicious growl. An unholy light burned in her eyes, one of animal fury, that of a cat ready to kill.

Body shaking in absolute terror, Alluro screamed, "Somebody, stop her!"

Cheetara hissed, her muscles rippling in preparation to lunge.

As much as Tygra wanted to see this cretin pay, he stepped forward, moving to where the she-cat could see him. Worry enhanced his caution as he gazed at his friend. He could not help but feel the insane blaze of grief and pain telepathically radiating from her. In this state, any type of illusion wouldn't faze her, hands couldn't touch her, but words might.

He extended his hand in a gesture of reaching out. Softly, he said, "Cheetara, you can't do this. It's wrong."

A savage snarl was his answer, her red-ember gaze never leaving the cornered alien.

"Cheetara, please--listen to me. Lion-O wouldn't want this. The Lunataks will be tried and judgment passed on them by the galactic law-keepers. Truth, honor, justice and loyalty have to be obeyed, no matter how much we wish to punish these bastards."

"He murdered him!" she cried in anguish, "Therefore justice demands equal payment--now!"

"Not by us," Panthro said in a calm tone and moved to stand beside Tygra. "Lower your staff, Cheetara. Please--for Lion-O."

Sweat matted her fur, the wild tangle of her mane straggling down across her face. Her teeth gritted, a harsh growl started low in her throat and her hand clamped tighter around the control grip, sending a crackle of glowing lethal energy to the tip.

"No! Don't!" Alluro tried to press deeper into the corner, his arms covering his face. "He's not dead. I didn't kill him!"

"Liar!" Cheetara spat.

"I swear it! He is alive!"

Tygra and Panthro exchanged glances. Swiftly, Tygra signaled to for Pumyra to go check and see if the Lunatak was telling the truth.

Carefully, Pumyra went to where Lion-O was. Cautiously she reached up and pressed her fingers against the base of his neck. "A pulse," she said, her tone becoming impassive, "but I sense no presence." She faced her fellow Thundercats. "And I feel thundrainium nearby."

"Where is it?' Cheetara asked in a cold, deadly tone.

"His manacles," Alluro replied in a weak voice.

"Remove them," she ordered, then through clenched teeth added, "or I'll put a hole through your black heart."

Alluro stared up at her, afraid to move.

"Do it now!' she commanded, jabbing the hot end of the staff dangerously close.

The Lunatak scrambled to obey. Panthro went over, holding Lion-O as Alluro unlocked the cuffs. The big cat's hands fell free and the great panther groaned as he took the full weight of the lion onto his shoulders. Carefully, with Pumyra's help, they laid him on the floor.

"And now, Alluro," Cheetara said evenly, "It's your turn."

Too late, Tygra turned, the word 'no' dying on his tongue. The staff crackled, a bolt of energy firing hot and fast, striking the screaming Lunatak. The smell of burnt leather and singed skin filled the room and Alluro crumpled into a heap on the floor.

For one solid beat no one spoke, all of them staring at the cheetah. Solemnly, Tygra went to her, his eyes searching her face, his compassion overriding his fears.

"He's not dead," she said dully, staring vacantly at the unconscious Plundarian. The staff dropped from her hand, clattering to the rust-colored floor. Her voice became a tight, hoarse rasp as she added, "Though I sorely wanted to kill him." Her gaze rose, a watery sheen in her crimson eyes. "But-that won't bring Lion-O back."
Gently Tygra placed an arm on her shoulders, and she turned toward him, burying her face against his chest. He embraced her, holding her close, his heart aching for his friend. She sobbed, the tears of grief soaking his tunic. Finally, he thought as he closed his eyes in a brief prayer of thanks to the ancients, she was releasing the pain of the present--and of the past.

Lion-O lay half covered on a flat, level table, his eyes closed as if he were merely sleeping. Pumyra moved to the head of the table and handed a mediscanner to WilyKit. Though the puma's expression was unreadable, Kit's was unmistakable as she turned to put it away.

A numbing chill spread through Cheetara, magnifying the empty ache in her heart where Lion-O had existed. Her head bowed, shoulders slumping. The aching tiredness of her soul seeped into her muscles, saturating her bones. She had no more strength, no more tears to shed.

Pumyra sent WilyKit from the room and turned to jot a few notes on her recorder. Soon the doors parted and Kit entered the foyer. Silently, the young she-cat walked over and took Cheetara's hand. She looked up, tears glistening in her wide eyes. "Pumyra wants you to go in now," she said softly. Unable to hold it back, her pent-up grief spilled over and her voice trembled. "Oh, Cheetara, I'm.... I ... wish--"

"So do I Kit,' Cheetara whispered and squeezed her hand. "So do I." She straightened, mentally composing herself, then stoically pushed through the swinging door.

Pumyra greeted her; her mask of healer's indifference hiding a pain Cheetara knew all of the Thundercats felt.

"I've completed the exam," the healer said, "and it's not good. I can't find any cause for it--but he's in a coma." She snapped the top of the recorder shut and sighed. "His brain scan is flat and his body functions are deteriorating. And--the thundrainium poisoning has severely weakened him." Her frustration finally broke through her professional demeanor. "There's not a damned thing I can do for him." Gently, she placed a hand on Cheetara's shoulder. "It could be a matter of minutes--or hours. I don't know." Her voice a pain-filled whisper, she added, "I'm so sorry, my friend."

Cheetara nodded her understanding and touched her comrade's hand. "Please," she said softly, "leave me with him."

Eyes downcast, Pumyra gave a single nod, and then silently exited the room.

The cheetah slowly turned toward the exam table. A white sheet covered the lower half of Lion-O's muscular body, one bare foot sticking out at the corner. The cream-colored fur covering his broad chest glistened soft and rich in the overhead lamplight. The soft "beep-beep" from the monitors connected to him gave the only indication that he was still alive.

She went to him, looking down at his handsome face. "And you were worried about me...." Her voice broke and she bit her lower lip, feeling the sting of tears again. "Damn it! Why? What happened to you out there?" Tenderly, she caressed his cheeks, moving down to stroke the soft red mane tufts that covered his ears. The painful void inside her grew, her vision blurring as she whispered, "I love you and I want you back."

"Cheetara," a soft gravely voice called from behind her.

She didn't need to look back to know it was Lynx-O.

"We all want him back," the blind one said. "I understand your need for privacy, but--I felt you might want to give him this."

She glanced down to the side, seeing the glinting silver hilt of the Sword of Omens in the lynx's hand. She grasped the ornate handle, feeling the heaviness of the blade, the coldness of its metal. The Eye of ThunDERa slept as peacefully as did its master. "Thank you, Lynx-O. I ... I--" She finally looked up at the old warrior, not knowing what else to say.

He touched her arm, and then softly walked away, turning down the lights as he left the room.

She gazed at the Sword once more, sensing the vibrant force that gave the blade life. Gingerly, she took Lion-O's right hand and placed the weapon in it, gently pressing his swollen fingers around the hilt. She held it a moment, closing her eyes and bowing her head. It was time to let go of him, she thought. She loved this cat with all her heart and soul and she knew she'd never bond again. Her eyes opened to slits, and she gazed down at him. Maybe he was already in the astral plane with Jaga, and Snarf.

Faintly, a sweet melodic sound vibrated in the air surrounding her. Her eyes opened wide and her head snapped up as she looked around. "Who--who said that?"

There was nothing in the quiet shadows of the semi-darkened room. She was alone, but she'd distinctly heard someone speak her name--call her 'Daughter of ThunDERa.' The faint woodwind notes softly sounded again, and a tingling sensation touched her psychic sense. Slowly, her gaze traveled to the sword in Lion-O's hand.

Confused, she stared at the ancient weapon. "Yes," she said, "I am his life-mate." She paused; listening to the questions she felt in her heart and a sudden rush of hope blossomed. "I don't care about the danger. I would do anything. Please, tell me, and I will obey."

Cheetara blinked, then nodded, taking the sword fully in her grasp. She took Lion-O's right hand and pressed the sharp edge against his palm. A twinge of trepidation made her hesitate as she thought about what she was about to do.

A sudden shaft of light from the opening of the door cut through the gloom. Startled, Cheetara glanced back, seeing the shadow of her baby stretch long across the floor as the child crawled toward her.

"Lia!" Snarfer shouted. "No! Don't go in there!" He momentarily froze when he looked up. "Chee--Cheetara!" The petrified snarf stammered, "What are you doing?"

She ignored him, turning back to her task. She could not stop. She must do this, she thought. The voice from the Sword had instructed her to do this. She must have faith.

She steeled herself, and then sharply drew the razor-fine edge down, cutting deep into Lion-O's flesh, his blood staining the mystic blade. Dark redness welled up, slowly pooling in the cup of his hand.

She took a deep breath and then held up her right hand. Placing the clean edge against her palm, she braced herself, and sliced down, gasping as the cutting pain pierced her soul. Droplets of her blood spattered the table and sheet as she placed the cat's eye jewel in Lion-O's bloodied palm, then covered it with her own. Keeping the Eye of ThunDERa tight between their hands, she carefully placed it over his heart.

The warmth of her blood mixed with his, sending an empathic pulse beating through the mystic jewel. A sweet scent carried in a soft woodwind call, the warmth drawing her like a nectar-bird to a night flower's rich fragrance. The cold touch of reality spiraled upward, evaporating as the world around her faded into a nebulous transparency, her soul transcending physical awareness.

Faint white sparkles of ethereal energy began to swirl, mixing in a flowing aquatic blue haze that changed to a fiery scarlet tide. The mists seethed and swirled as if alive, parting to reveal a slit of pure white virgin light.

The song beckoned and the opening dilated wide, a cat's deep growl reverberating throughout the limbo. As if in slow motion, Cheetara drifted toward the opening, the fringes of its luminescence brushing over her, evoking a deep sensuous pleasure that eradicated all fear. She was floating in a strange warmth, the joyous feeling drawing her deeper into the incandescence. Like a ghost, she melted into the light.

Euphoria engulfed her, taking her higher than the sun as she became one with the Eye. Brilliance filled this place of sight-beyond-sight as she saw images of the past and present flash in a timeless succession.

Cosmic energy circled around and through her, instilling awe as she came to understand the vast responsibility she and her fellow Thundercats shared.

A loving feeling, soft as a kitten's fur, enclosed her, and she knew the strong, yet gentle, touch of the Star of ThunDERa, the sacred power the Thundercats served and respected. The beautiful deep bass sounds gently flowed, commanding her to channel her psychic energy outward and open her soul-light to this realm. A pale silver glow shone around her like the magic halo of a full moon. Trust grew and she let that light enter her spirit. She arched, gasping as the sensations flooded through her, reminding her of Lion-O's warm embrace.

At that moment, her heart leapt with joy. It was then she knew that somewhere submerged in this mystic dimension was Lion-O. Just as she knew of her mate's presence, she knew that if she failed to bring him forth, they would both be locked within the Eye, forever a part of the Sword of Omens.

She let go, her emotions intensifying the watery silver glow until it blazed like that of the Sword itself. Her passion, desires, grief, and pain mixed, radiating like a beacon. Arms outstretched, she called to her mate with all her heart. She wanted him back. She would be his guide, his strength, the binding of his spirit to flesh.

Slowly, glittering stars of golden energy rained down, weaving into her silver corona. A sudden magical feeling enveloped her and she basked in its radiance.

The sparkling gold embers rapidly increased until their numbers coalesced and Lion-O's soul hungrily embraced her, their empathic and physical bonds of life reconnecting stronger than ever. They were one again as no joining could ever reach as she shared his happiness, his relief.

A greater happiness surrounded them, both cats sensing the Star's blessing. Slowly the two were pulled upward toward the dilated pupil of the Eye of ThunDERa and together, they passed through it.

Suddenly, the peace shattered into a million shards of fear, a churning energy roaring furiously as the waterfalls pulled them down. She screamed as turbulence yanked Lion-O from her and they fell, rapidly tumbling downward into the vertigo of burning neon barriers of reds, blues and yellows. The abrupt jolt of solidity hit hard, sending echoes of a throbbing pain through her bones.

The flameless heat subsided and she felt sharp claws dig into her shoulders. The fire of pain brought back the weight of reality and she realized she had slumped over Lion-O, the trembling Sword still clutched between their hands.

Roughly, she was yanked away from the table, the steel grip on her arms clamping down tight. Dazedly, she looked up into Tygra's worried face. If not for his support she would have crumpled, for her knees now felt like consistency of jelly. Behind him stood Panthro and Pumyra, their fear and worry very apparent.

"Cheetara!" Tygra said. "What in the name of ThunDERa are you doing?"

"She cut his hand," Snarfer exclaimed, "then started to cut hers." He picked up Lia and held the squirming girl-cub the best he could. "I was afraid she was going to do something bad."

Pumyra grabbed her hands, turning them palms up. There was no mark, no stain, not even a scar where Cheetara had sliced her hand.

With the touch of a finger, the healer tested the semi-dried dark red stains on the table, then carefully removed the Sword from Lion-O's grasp and checked his hand. It was as clean as the white of the sheet. Pumyra touched his neck, feeling for a pulse, when suddenly he took a deep, shuddering breath. Spooked, she jerked back. "I--I don't believe it!"

Lion-O's eyes opened to slits, the third eyelids not quite receding. He groaned, trying to move his head. "Feel--so strange--" he rasped.

"L-Lion-O?" Panthro asked. Wide-eyed and slack-jawed the panther looked down, gingerly touching the lion's shoulder.

Lion-O winced. "Hurt--" he whispered, "all over."

Panthro grinned. "I'll be a son of a--"

"Cheetara!" Tygra's expression of absolute disbelief changed to joy. "What did you do?"

"Don't ask," she said tiredly, "because I don't know if I could explain it." She looked up as a shadowy figure filled the doorway. Lynx-O stood in the entrance, silently regarding Cheetara in his special way. She smiled at him and softly said, "You knew."

"Not quite," he replied. "All I knew was that I had to get the sword to you."

Cheetara sagged, fatigue finally overtaking her. Tygra's grip tightened, and Lynx-O joined in lending his support. Through half-closed eyes she silently looked at Lion-O, savoring the feel of his life force. The pain he felt radiated through their bond, but it didn't matter for the sweet sensation meant that he was alive.

During this last week of his imprisonment, held been cooped up in his room and he felt like he was about to go stir-crazy.

The other Thundercats, Pumyra especially, hovered protectively over him as if he were a cub again. He smiled, knowing he wouldn't trade any of this for all the wonderleaf tea in the Berbills village. He was home with his loved ones, and it felt good.

The loose sleeves of his long, jade silk robe belled out as he quickly headed down the hall, his intended target--the kitchen. He wanted more than the bland stuff he had been given the last three days. Couldn't they see he was back to normal?

He stopped at the descending stairwell and grimaced, hand going to his forehead. Quickly, he grabbed hold of the railing post as a momentary weakness washed over him. He took a deep breath, riding out the dizzy spell.

Well, almost back to normal, he thought as the feeling passed. The damned radiation poisoning was the worst part of all this.

He was about to descend when he heard voices coming from the kittens' bedchamber. Panthro's distinct authoritative voice sounded through the thick wall and he was definitely scolding them about something. Funny, he hadn't heard them earlier. If he had, he never would have ventured out this far. Curious, he went closer until he was at their door.

"The point is," Panthro said loud and clear, "you two disobeyed a direct order. Your communicator was damaged, but it was receiving. You heard me tell you two to stay put."

"We couldn't just stand there and do nothing," WilyKit countered. "Lion-O needed us."

"That's not the point," the panther replied. "In a crisis, you've got to act accordingly. You just can't go off on your own. I'm sorry kittens, but I'm gonna have to ground you."

"Ground us?" WilyKat said plaintively. "But Panthro, that's not fair!"
Lion-O couldn't stand it any more. Even though held probably get the latest law read to him, he couldn't stand by and let this happen to the kittens. He pressed the sensor plate and the doors whooshed apart. Startled, the three simultaneously turned toward him.

"I'm sorry," Lion-O said as he stepped inside, "but I couldn't help but hear you." He looked directly at Panthro. "Go easy on them. They acted only out of concern for me. It's true that they disobeyed, but don't you think it took more courage to follow what they felt was right?"

After a moment of thought Panthro nodded, his stern gaze resting on the youngsters. "Well--yes."

"I'd say they demonstrated the ability to make a mature decision. And from what I hear, their disobeying your order helped save the day in the battle against the Lunataks."

Arms crossed over his broad chest, Panthro considered the statement. "Yeah, I would have to agree. All right, you two are pardoned this time." His stern gaze lifted to Lion-O. "But not you! What in the cats-eyed cosmos are you doing out of bed?"

"Ah--I was--bored. Besides, I feel fine."

"And when did you get your healer's degree?" another stern voice came from behind.

Lion-O half-turned. Arms crossed as well, Tygra glared at him.

"Well--" he said, and shrugged, not having any valid argument or smart remark to counter the tiger's question.

Tygra pointed down the hall and softly said, "Back to your room."

"But Tygra-"

"Or Panthro and I will bodily carry you there."

Lion-O glanced from one big cat to the other and sighed. "Okay, Okay! I know when I'm outnumbered." And he turned to leave, intending to take the back route to the kitchen.

"Kit--Kat," Panthro said, a note of amusement creeping into his deep voice, "please escort the Lord of the Thundercats. Make sure he goes directly to his bedchambers and not by way of the kitchen."

"Panthro!" Lion-O said, exasperated.

"You got it!" WilyKit said.

The kittens grinned wickedly, nearly jumping the distance to where Lion-O stood. Each grabbed onto one of his hands and started to pull him along. The two giggled as they led him down the curving hall.

When they were out of earshot of Tygra and Panthro, Lion-O dryly said, "You two weren't exactly helpful back there."

"We're sorry," Kit said, "but they are right. You shouldn't be up."

"Yeah," Kat agreed, as they neared his chambers. "And we don't get many chances to tell you to go to bed."

Lion-O laughed. "You two are enjoying this."

Kit clutched his hand, looking up. "We're just glad you're with us."
"Believe me, Kit, so am I."

"Why did the Eye do that to you?" Kit asked. "Why didn't it just give you the power to escape?"

"The star tried to do that at first, but the Thundrainium negated her power. She saw I was in deep trouble and the only way to protect the Thundercats' secrets and help me was to take my essence so the Lunataks couldn't pervert our power. It was a big risk, but the alternatives were even worse."

"What was it like inside the Eye?" Kat asked.

Lion-O had to think for a minute. How could he describe it? "It was-beautiful, and a little terrifying. I remember feeling warm and secure, surrounded by a strength--and a softness much like--" He paused, stopping himself before he spoke the analogy. How he felt within the Star was a lot like how he felt when he was with Cheetara. "Uh--the words aren't quite adequate. The Star sort of kept me isolated. She didn't want to reveal everything to me."

Kit said, "You keep calling the Eye 'she?"'

"Yes--she." Lion-O stopped in front of his bedchamber doors and for the first time considered the gender of the weapon he wielded. Strange, it should give him the impression it was female. His thoughts were rudely interrupted as small twinges of pain fired through his nerves, signaling the symptomatic onset of yet another Thundrainium poisoning attack. He frowned, his grip tightening on the kittens' hands.

"Hey," Kat said, looking up at him. "Are you okay?'

"Yes," he said, fighting the pain. A fiery sensation started to spread from his legs and arms into his body, draining his strength. Leaning with his back against the wall, he tried to act nonchalant. "I'm just a little tired. That's all." He managed a smile. "Okay, you two have done your duty. Better scoot now."

Kit looked skeptical. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah."

"All right, then," Kat said. "But go straight to bed. We'll see ya later." And the two scurried away.

He closed his eyes, fighting the energy sapping grayness that clouded his mind. He gasped, gripping the doorframe to steady him, inhaling deeply until he could see and think again. Slowly, his strength returned as the effects abated. "Damn this feeling," he breathed. The only thing he dreaded more than these attacks was Pumyra's treatment for them. At least each bout was getting shorter. It meant he was healing.

"Owww?" a soft, small voice called from the floor.

Lion-O blinked, then looked down at his feet and smiled. "Well, green eyes! Where'd you come from?" Carefully, he bent down and picked up his daughter. Lia laughed as he lifted her high above his head, then gently held her in his brawny arms. She giggled, nestling against his chest. In wide-eyed fascination, she reached up, her small fingers touching the fringes of his long mane. "Since you're here, Snarfer can't be far behind." He paused a moment, catching a sweet scent that wafted in from behind him. "Hmmm. It's definitely not Snarfer."

Slowly, he turned.

Cheetara stood, hands on hips trying to glare at him. "It seems I have two errant children instead of one."

"Don't start in on me," he growled. "You'll ruin my mood."

"The way you've been lately, that would be a definite improvement." A smile broke her sternness and she touched his elbow. "I heard your description of the Star and I agree on all but one aspect."

His eyebrows rose. "Oh?"

"The Star is definitely a male."

His free arm encircled her waist, pulling her closer. "I beg your pardon, but I think I know what a feminine touch feels like." He gazed down into her crimson eyes. "And it certainly didn't feel like hugging Panthro."

She reciprocated the embrace, her eyes shining in the low light. "It doesn't matter. What does matter is that you are alive." Her expression sobered as she looked up at him. "When I saw you in Skytomb, I went berserk." She took a deep breath as if trying to compose herself. "I came within centimeters of killing Alluro," she murmured, her eyes downcast.

"But you didn't kill," he said, "and that is what's important." Slowly, her eyes met his. He looked at Cheetara, his love for her swelling within his breast. Gently, he bent to give her a kiss. A small pressure exerted between them, and a tiny voice mewed. Lia pushed against her mother as if telling her to let go.

"Oh--ho!" Cheetara took the protesting little cub into her arms. "Well, young lady, you'll have to get in line. I had him first."

His smile sobered as he looked at the cub in Cheetara's arms. "While inside the Eye, I came to understand how powerful the Sword of Omens actually is. Jaga knew it. My father knew it. All this time I've commanded the sword ignorant of its full capabilities. Well, not anymore." Tenderly, he smoothed the hair from Lia's face, seeing the fringes of black starting in the redness of her mane. "One day Lia will have to know and by ThunDERa, nothing will be kept from her."

"I have a feeling that it'll be hard to keep anything from her." Cheetara glanced up at Lion-O, and she grinned. 'Come on," she said, her light tone easing the somber mood. "Since you've been such a good boy lately, I'll take you downstairs."

"But my orders were to go back to bed."

There was a sparkle of mischief in her eyes and she winked. 'We can do that later. Actually, Mandora is here to take your statement. It seems the Lunataks are going before the galactic tribunal in seven solar days."

"I'd like to give them more than a statement," he said, letting Cheetara lead the way. As they reached the staircase, a sudden unnamable awareness crept over him. Descending the steps, it grew into a nagging suspicion that made him stop halfway down.

Cheetara looked back and frowned. "What's the matter?"

"I have the strangest feeling."

"It's probably called guilt," she said. "But don't worry. If Pumyra scolds you, I'll tell her this was my idea." And she continued on her way, motioning for him to follow.

He shrugged, deciding to trust her instead of his instincts. They reached level two and headed for the kitchen. The Lair was very quiet, well lit, and very deserted. The aroma of sweets cooking could not be ignored as he and Cheetara neared the dining area, and Cheetara's scent was undeniably charged with excitement.

Quietly, the doors slid apart and she let him enter first.

Darkness snapped to a startling sharp brightness as everyone popped out of various hiding places. "Surprise!' they shouted in unison.

The room was decorated with colorful streamers, and wreaths of red and yellow flowers adorned the walls. His shock turned into a grin as all the Thundercats came out laughing. Robeir Bill and Robeir Belle appeared, followed by Willa and Nayda of the Warrior Maiden Tribe. Lastly, the tall uniformed countenance of a human female, Mandora, leaned against the wall near the light switch. Her visored helmet gleamed, but not as much as the half-smile the police officer allowed in his direction.

Everyone gathered around him. Perplexed, he turned to Cheetara, not knowing what to say.

She grinned. "Happy birthday."

"Birthday? Today's not my birthday. The ThunDERian calculations say it's still a week off." After a moment's pause, he frowned, when everyone shook their heads.

"Today is the 23rd of Camunda," Panthro said.

"A week ... but I could've sworn...." A bit embarrassed, he smiled. "I guess I lost track of time."

"You may have, but we didn't," WilyKit said cheerfully.
"Come on!" Kat said, pulling Lion-O toward the food-laden table. "Let's cut the cake! Snarfer outdid himself this time."

"With a little help from Lynx-O," Snarfer added.

"It was a team effort," the lynx answered.

Aja suddenly started looking around. "Where's Garthe?" In answer, the tablecloth started to pull slightly to the side. "Garthe, no! Stop him!"

Tygra grabbed the boy-cub, quickly averting the disaster. Panthro, Bengali and the kittens laughed heartily, much to Aja's disapproving frown.

"So he's a little impatient," Tygra said.

"You'd better hurry," Pumyra said, giving Lion-O a stern look. "The sooner this is done, the sooner you're back where you belong."

"All right. I get the message." His eyes traveled from face to face. He could feel the flow of love and happiness coming from his friends and family. Warmth glowed inside him, feeling much like the touch of the Star of ThunDERa and he smiled. If only Snarf could be here, too, he thought with a touch of sadness.

Before him was a wonderful large white cake with blue icing trim. Though everything looked perfect, something still seemed missing.

"Oh, no," Snarfer lamented. "Wait a minute! I forgot the knife."

"Snarfer, wait," Lion-O said. Everyone fell silent as he briefly closed his eyes, then suddenly straightened. A thought was all he needed as he looked upward, and held his right hand open high above his head.

A tingling sensation filled him and the familiar whispering-touch of power made contact. A distant growl sounded in the Lair and seconds later the Sword of Omens burst through the swinging doors, the hilt landing smack against Lion-O's palm. His fingers curled tight about the handle and with a devilish grin, he turned toward the cake.

"Ah, Lion-O-" Panthro said.

Ignoring the big cat, Lion-O matter-of-factly nodded to the little snarf. "Now, you may get a knife."

Laughter filled the room. Lion-O merely smiled, holding the silvery sword to let the light sparkle off its sharp blade. His cat senses tingled and his gaze lifted. Over to the side of the room a sparkling, grayish shape appeared, taking definite form. It was Jaga--and with him was old Snarf.

Lion-O's spirits lifted even more. Now everyone was present. "Let's celebrate," he said.