Song of the Tigers I
Introduction
Through the cold vacuum of space, endless numbers of galaxies stretch their starry arms. And through these glittering spirals wander the various entities and denizens of space--the fiery comets and the asteroids that sometimes move like dancers to a song or remain fixed like guardians of the stars. Then, too, there are the planets which stand as refuge to those patient beings who dare traverse the dark corridors of the universe. It was toward one such planet, pearl and blue in color, that a tiny craft sped erratically.
Its running lights flashed intermittently, marking it's passage in eerie silence. The once-white craft now appeared gray, a victim of time and use, but more recently, a victim of its tortuous journey through the outer edges of this solar system. An asteroid belt had pummeled the tiny wanderer, leaving it basically intact but not unscathed. A portion of the circuitry and the stabilizers had suffered damage, lending to its wobbly course.
Those computers that still functioned, calculated and corrected the programmed course, following a thin particle trail left by the passing of ships years before, a beacon to any who cared to chart its path. Tucked within the inner hold of the ship were its two inhabitants, peacefully unaware of the ship's rugged passage, asleep in suspension capsules. They, too, were unaware that their fragile home was heading into the stormy atmosphere surrounding their destined refuge.
CHAPTER I
CATS' LAIR rose majestically into the blackened night, carved into the side of a rock cliff, it's sphinx-like appearance awesome in its beauty and architecture. The huge cat-head scanned back and forth like a silent sentinel, ever watchful over the land it occupied as well as its seven inhabitants, the ThunderCats. The cat's red eyes peered out into the distance, past the great chasm that lay directly at it's base, to focus attention on the wind-tossed, lightning-streaked, mountains and forests. It also monitored the torrential rainfall and hailstones that came with the present season.
Within the control room of this huge structure, one individual sat studying the intensity readings on his viewscreen. He tapped several buttons on the console in front of him, periodically changing the pictured topography within range of the LAIR'S eyes. He fed the readouts into the computer bank for later reference, frowning at the computations and muttered to no one in particular.
"Blasted storm!" he growled. "Can't get much data-scans with this lightning raising havoc with the sensors." He leaned back into his chair and stretched his arms backwards to loosen the tightness in his shoulders. Powerful muscles rippled with his movements, broad and thick from years of disciplined training and maintaining fighter's body. Man-like anatomically, his powerful contours belied the cat-like grace with which he could move when confronted by an opponent. Unlike his human counterpart, he could run on both his hands and feet. Each hand and foot also contained five digits but tapered to tough, sharp claws. Smooth, short fur covered his body, charcoal in color, highlighted by a lighter gray on his chest, palms and around his lower face and eyes. The eyes, too, were quite remarkable. Shaped like almonds, they were trimmed in black with the irises a deep amber shade. The black pupils were slit in feline fashion, making day- and night-vision equally sharp. Thick black brows arched up over deep-set, intense eyes. The inner edges of the brows nearly touched the broad, flat nose bridge. His mouth was wide, with a full lower lip, which tilted down on each corner. Framing these features, high cheek bones stood out prominently, accented by a squared jaw set upon a thick neck. Large pointed ears tapered upward on either side of his rounded head. When he spoke, it was with a faintly accented voice, deep and rich in quality.
Overall, his appearance resembled the great cat for which he was named: Panthro. He was skilled in the Thunderian martial arts and was proficient with the Thunderian fighting sticks called nunchucks. So too was he a technological genius, able to turn any scrap piece of metal into a useful utensil or a credible fighting vehicle.
Behind him, the door to the control room slid open and shut. Panthro turned to see who had entered.
"I thought you might like something hot to drink, Panthro. Bit of a chill out tonight," said the newcomer, balancing two steaming cups in his hands. He walked over to his friend and handed Panthro one of them, then took a seat by the console. Panthro accepted the cup gratefully.
"Reading my mind again, are ya, Tygra?" Tygra smiled good-naturedly, then studied the viewscreen.
"One doesn't need to do that on a night like this, my friend. Anything out there unusual we should know about?" he replied. Panthro shook his head.
"Only those blasted hailstones, rapping on the sensor plates. Broke two of them the last storm we had," he said making a face. "If these storms keep increasing in intensity, I may have to devise some kind of shield cover for them." Tygra nodded thoughtfully.
"Might not be bad idea as a precautionary measure. I'll check the blueprints for the LAIR and get the proper measurements for you." Panthro nodded and sipped his drink. He admired Tygra's architectural abilities with something like awe. The other Thunder Cat had designed the CATS' LAIR and together with Panthro and their friends, constructed the towering edifice.
Tygra was younger than Panthro by several years, but exhibited an intelligence and wisdom far beyond those years. When their home planet, Thundera, disintegrated and they escaped the massacre of the rest of the refugees, Tygra was selected by their long-dead mentor, Jaga, to be guardian and advisor to Lion-O, the young Lord of the ThunderCats. Appearancewise, he differed from Panthro. He stood slightly taller, but slimmer than Panthro. He also had broad shoulders and a finely toned, muscular frame, which he carried with a stately grace. His fur was a deep, tawny-orange with black stripes. Pale yellow highlighted his hands and feet, his chest and around the eyes and lower face. Like Panthro and the rest of the ThunderCats, Tygra's eyes were amber. The tawny-orange marked his cheeks and nose and was centered between his eyes, on his neck and the top of his, short, thick mane. Black, jagged stripes shot through his mane in a symmetric pattern. His head fur swept back from his forehead in a vee and where it covered his ears and the nape of his neck, it was white. His jawline was square and a firm mouth completed the face.
Tygra was also a skilled scientist, but possessed a talent found most frequently among his clan. His ability to use special mind powers impressed his friends, but it was a gift he neither abused nor took lightly. To use it, he required a great deal of mental concentration and it would exhaust him quicker than a full day's work. Given any situation, Tygra usually tackled it with a dedication borne of patience and practicality.
As the two discussed their future project, a warning beep sounded from the console. Instantly alert, they studied the readouts and viewscreen for any sign of the source of the intrusion.
"In the western quadrant, Panthro, near sector six. Try the enlarger," Tygra pointed out. Panthro pressed several buttons, trying to isolate and bring into closer view the tiny light that had appeared.
"Can't get it into close enough view. This lightning is interfering with the reception. What do you suppose it was?" he asked. Tygra shook his head.
"I don't know, but it looks like it went down far to the west. Maybe a large meteor or perhaps a ship. I've got to give them credit for trying a landing attempt in this, if it is a ship," he responded in his slightly clipped, baritone voice.
"Foolish, if you ask me!" grumbled Panthro. "Say, why don't we go check it out first thing in the morning. If it is a ship as you say, someone may need help. Of course, if it's Mutants, then they probably deserve whatever they get." Tygra clapped him on the shoulder and nodded, thinking also of their old enemies.
"Sounds okay to me, Panthro. We have to go check on that new thundrillium mine anyway." Panthro nodded in return and they both resumed the watch, but no more intrusions disturbed their vigil.
CHAPTER II
To the south of the mighty CATS' LAIR rose another structure, its hideous, spiral contours, a sickly color in the glare of the flashing lightning. The stone gargoyle sentinel jutted out from above the drawbridge at its front. Slime covered those portions that stood out in relief. The whole structure reeked of evil and the darkness further emphasized its fearfullness. Except for one tiny, garish light on top, the rest of CASTLE PLUNDARR was in complete darkness, the home of the dreaded Mutants.
A solitary figure cawed with rawkish triumph within the lighted room. He picked up the beaker of greenish liquid he was boiling and peered into it with satisfied glee. His ochre-colored eyes studied the contents, then swirled it around, checking the color and mixture. Assured that everything was in order, he gently poured the liquid into several oval canisters, large enough to fit within one's hand. He sealed each one with tiny detonation primers and placed the lot of them in a large, steel box. He chuckled menacingly.
"Aaughk! Prepare yourselves this time, ThunderCat! My new warp gas invention cannot be so easily fought against. And with it, I'll destroy all of you! S-S-Slithe and the others will surely see that Vultureman's inventions are no mere tinkerings."
He slipped out of the room and descended the stairway from his lab. As his name implied, Vultureman looked and acted like the great bird of prey he represented. His beaked sneered contemptuously, matching the look in his eyes. His brown and white feathers fluttered and bristled as he made his way to his companions' war room. His only clothing was a short gladiator-type skirt and bracers around his ankles and wrists.
He entered the door to the war room and strode over to where the other three Mutant leaders ringed. They were arguing over a map that was spread out on the table.
The Monkian stood up angrily and shouted, "It won't work, S-S-Slithe, the ThunderCats have that area too well secured. Even with the skycutters, we'd still be within range of the Cats' laser guns. We're not so eager to have our tails fried, so go ahead and try it yourself." Jackalman nodded agreement.
"You're both a couple of puny cowards and you dare call yourselves Mutants! What do you want, Vultureman? Are you so quick to back out too?!" S-S-Slithe hissed threateningly, as he became aware of the other Mutant's presence.
"Not me, S-S-Slithe," Vultureman replied soothingly. "I've got something I think will be more useful against the ThunderCats."
He held out one of the containers. S-S-Slithe took it from him and turned it slowly in his hands. Then he thrust it back at Vultureman.
"It's only warp gas, you miserable bird-brain," he snapped back. We've already tried that against them, yes-s-s?"
Vultureman frowned darkly. "It's not just plain warp gas, S-S-Slithe. It's more potent and lasts longer." Vultureman crossed his arms, insulted. "If you're not interested, I'll just go see if Mumm-Ra would appreciate it more!"
At the mention of the sorcerer's name, S-S-Slithe held back the response that was forming on his broad, sharp-toothed, reptilian mouth. Yellow eyes stared back with contempt, but he examined the canister more closely. He had no desire to include Mumm-Ra if he could help it. The Mutants and Mumm-Ra had formed an uneasy alliance by their mutual evil natures and desire to possess the Eye of Thundera, imbedded in the hilt of the Sword of Omens. But neither trusted the other anymore than they trusted the ThunderCats.
S-S-Slithe hissed condescendingly at Vultureman. He leaned forward over the table. "Humor me, bird, and tell me what's so special about this warp gas. It better be good!"
"It has a stronger mind-altering ingredient than the usual gas. I've doubled the potency level and it could last for days. Imagine the ThunderCats so confused that we could convince them to give up CATS' LAIR to us. Or better yet, the Eye of Thundera, aaughk!" said Vultureman.
The Reptilian leader pondered this concept awhile, then smiled. "Yes-s-s, that would he interesting, Vultureman. But how do you know it even works?" he demanded in his gravelly voice.
"Why not try it tomorrow, S-S-Slithe? The ThunderCats are always prowling about. We'll take the skycutters and drop it on them, hnay,hnay!" laughed Jackalman. Monkian chittered in agreement.
"Very well, then Vultureman, we'll try your new gas. If we're lucky, we may even get Lion-O, and then the Sword will be ours!"
***** "So, the Mutants have invented a mind-altering gas. Very interesting indeed, ha ha," the creature leered as he studied the Mutants' reflections in his giant cauldron. With a wave of his clawed hand, the images faded from the surface of the water.
"So you plan to exclude me from your game, S-S-Slithe? Well, then, I'll invite myself! Besides, I, too, am interested in how your new toy works." The hooded figure drew his red cloak tightly around his mummy form. Sunken eyes peered out from under the cowl, glowing eerily reddish. His corpse-like skin was a sickly blue-gray where it showed between the decayed wrappings on his body. Chuckling haughtily to himself, Mumm-Ra turned slowly away from the cauldron and made his laborious way up a short set of steps to an upright crypt standing beneath a huge, stone, beastlike head. He slipped into the tomb silently and muttered as the stone cover slid closed.
"Until tomorrow, then, ThunderCats. We'll see who truly rules Third Earth. Heh, heh, heh," echoed the voice hollowly and then it was no more.
CHAPTER III
The following day dawned clear and fresh, washed clean by the previous night's storm. The sun shone golden on the colorful trees and flowers that spread across Third Earth. Cheetara glanced out one of the many windows of CATS' LAIR and smiled. She turned back to the table she was setting and thought about how a visit to the Berbil village for candy fruit might brighten up the Thunderkittens' restless temperaments. They had all been cooped up in the LAIR for three days because of the storm, but Panthro's prediction for a clear day this day was accurate. She finished her chore and went in search of Wilykit and Wilykat. She strode down the corridors her lithe, long-legged figure padding silently in her brown and yellow calf length boots. She stood nearly as tall as Panthro and was noted for her exceptional ability to run at great speeds. Golden hair hung to her shoulders and spotted with black throughout. Her delicate, oval face was white with dark tan, triangular markings surrounding her sensual eyes. Much of her body markings were tawny with black spots and changed to white on her hands and feet. She wore a red, sleeveless body suit that came to a vee at the top of her rounded breasts.
Her delicate appearance was deceptive, however. Cheetara was a fierce fighter when she was threatened and matched her male companions with accuracy and cunning. On her left arm she carried a fighting baton strapped to a cuff, which could lengthen at will to her needs. She also possessed a keen sixth sense which warned her of trouble beyond her natural instincts.
As she rounded a corner near the kittens' room, she almost bumped into yet another ThunderCat, a tall, young man striding in her direction. Lion-O towered over her and apologized for their near collision. Cheetara laughed and apologized in return, stepping back. The youthful Lord of the ThunderCats was by far, even taller than Tygra. He was powerfully built like Panthro, with strong forearms and large hands. Tawny and white in coloring, Lion-O's features were inquisitive and proud. His brows tapered up to arch over his eyes and matched the deep red-orange of his long, thick mane. He wore a light blue-sleeveless vest and short trucks, secured by a wide, darker blue belt. The buckle was round with the red and black roaring cat's head insignia of the ThunderCats. He too wore calf-length soft boots which matched his belt.
Lion-O was younger than Panthro, Tygra and Cheetara and had only recently been anointed his formal title as Lord. The other three had instructed him in the ways of a ruler of the ThunderCats and with their skills, aided him when he was in need. They became his protectors when Thundera was lost, all born of nobility and hand-picked by Jaga the Wise to be his trusted friends. As he grew to learn the ways of his heritage, so, too, did he learn to love and cherish their company. Though their number was small, they were as close as any family. On his anointment day, Lion-O declared to serve and protect them as written in the Code of Thundera.
Now he smiled and asked, "Have you seen Tygra or Panthro, Cheetara? I've checked around the LAIR and I just can't seem to locate them. I need to ask one of them how this condenser is supposed to be hooked up." Cheetara shrugged her shoulders.
"They went out earlier, Lion-O, to check on the thundrillium mine Tygra found. I'm sure they'll be back soon. Neither one of them had breakfast, according to Snarf." Lion-O groaned.
"I really wanted to get this together and surprise Panthro. I guess I'm not as mechanically inclined as he is. Oh, well." He sighed, then brightened.
"What is for breakfast anyway?"
Cheetara chuckled lightly. "I'm not sure, Lion-O, one of Snarf's concoctions, I imagine. I was just on my way to get the kittens."
"Well, I might as well join you. Maybe after a good breakfast, I can concentrate on how this thing works," he stated.
***** The ThunderTank rolled along easily, its engine purring with fine-tuned precision, kicking up little dust from the huge treads in the rear. Not only a means of conveyance, the Tank was built for defense as well. Concealed beneath the claw-like fenders in front were small cannons that could be maneuvered when the claws were raised. A larger cannon rested in the rear hold that could seat four, with the top hatch up or down. Made of durable thundrillium metal, the Tank was almost impenetrable and one of Panthro's ingenious creations.
Seated in the front were Panthro and Tygra, searching for the markers they left to seek the course back to Tygra's discovery. As Panthro drove, Tygra checked the map. Both were dressed in special lightweight clothing given to them by Jaga aboard their spaceship. Tygra's was light blue with elbow length sleeves and hose that were tucked into blue-gray boots with dark blue cuffs, open at both heel and toe. The upper portion of his body suit was also blue-gray in a vest-like design. He wore an elbow shield on his right arm and a cap sleeve trimmed in gold covered the left shoulder. The shield was dark blue and the same blue edged his left sleeve. A light blue strip of cloth crossed over his left shoulder to meet at his chest near his ThunderCat insignia. He carried an energized bolo whip as a weapon, but its magical powers enabled him to swim while he was invisible.
Panthro wore dark blue short trunks with a thick belt similar to Lion-O's, the round insignia on the buckle. He wore no shirt, only sturdy leather bandolier-type straps over his shoulders, joined front and back by a strip of leather under each arm. The straps had several spikes protruding out, silver against the dark aqua color of the straps. His aqua boots were knee-high and were secured at the ankles and below the knee with dark blue leather strips. He carried his fighting sticks with him as well.
Tygra pointed to one of the markers and motioned for Panthro to stop. Both of them hopped out of the Tank and walked over to the marker. It was green.
"The green means we turn south, here along the river," Tygra indicated on his map. He pointed to the color-coded symbols, representing each direction.
"I've made up a legend on the map so any one of us could find the location easily enough," he said.
Panthro examined the colored dots and stored them in his memory for later use. He put a hand on Tygra's shoulder and winked.
"So, what are we waiting for?"
They started walking back to the Tank when Tygra suddenly lifted his head skyward. He recognized the telltale whir of engines approaching swiftly towards them.
"Mutants, Panthro!" he called out and started running for the ThunderTank. Panthro had heard them, also, and was sprinting right behind Tygra. He leaped behind the wheel of the Tank as Tygra sprang for the rear cannon.
"Ready, go!" Tygra shouted as the engine roared to life. Panthro jammed down on the accelerator and the vehicle leapt forward. The two skycutters and Vultureman's bird-like flying machine whizzed by overhead, firing laser cannons. Panthro yanked the wheel to the left in an evasive maneuver and roared off again. The enemy craft circled and dove for the Tank again, strafing it with laser fire. Tygra aimed the muzzle of the cannon at the belly of one of the skycutters and squeezed off a round, hitting the tail stabilizer. The ship burst into flame, trailing smoke as it veered off into the trees. Monkian could be heard shouting in frustration.
"One down, two to go!" Tygra muttered as the second skycutter loomed into his sights. This one was already firing and as Tygra was setting to fire again, a laser bolt struck the base of his cannon, exploding. Tygra cried out as the searing blast caught him in the leg, throwing him backwards off the Tank. Panthro swivelled his head back when he heard Tygra's cry and, not seeing his friend, spun the Tank around to shield him from another attack. He raced back in the direction he had come, spotting Tygra limping for the cover of several rock outcroppings.
"Miserable, flea-bitten maggots!" he shouted with fury. You'll pay for that!" He let loose with the front cannons at the second skycutter, the bolts disintegrating the right wing. He heard Jackalman shriek with dismay as the craft spun out of control. It went down beyond the rocks.
"Good-riddance to you, too!" Panthro growled with gritted teeth.
He searched the ground for Tygra and failed to notice the bird-plane swooping low behind him. Tygra pointed frantically at Panthro's rear. Vultureman, with S-S-Slithe in the rear seat, took aim at the ThunderTank, sighting the crosshairs on Panthro's exposed back. He fired several bursts but Panthro had chosen that moment to veer sideways to his right. The blasts struck the seat beside him, throwing him forward into the controls. The Tank skidded out of control and rammed one of the rock outcroppings, flipping completely over, pinning Panthro's unconscious body beneath it. The Mutants cackled with glee as the plane swept over the wreckage.
Completely disregarding his own safety, Tygra stumbled towards the smoking ThunderTank, Panthro's condition dominating his thoughts. The bird-plane circled and headed in his direction. Tygra was caught out in the open, halfway between the Tank and the rocks. He braced himself for the attack, cocking his arm back with the whip at ready.
The plane loomed over him and he heard Vultureman's harsh voice. "Have a dose of warp gas, ThunderCat!" The Mutant dropped several canisters at Tygra's feet, each one exploding on impact.
Tygra's mind registered the danger too late and his injured leg would not allow him to move out of range quickly enough. Already breathing hard from his labors, Tygra inhaled the gas that emanated from the shattered devices. He dropped his whip as his hands grasped for his throat and eyes, the gas stinging like flames in his lungs. His vision swam dizzily and he suddenly felt lightheaded and sick. No longer able to stand, he slumped to his knees, coughing violently. As the gas took affect, Tygra found that he could not focus his mind clearly.
Sounds came to him distantly and cacophonously, no one sound distinct. The Mutants' laughter mingled distortedly with the roaring in his head.
Vultureman landed his flying machine just beyond Tygra, and he and S-S-Slithe watched, fascinated by Tygra's helpless gestures. The ThunderCat snarled in frustration and pain and tried to regain his footing.
"S-S-So!" hissed S-S-Slythe, amused. "It does work, Vultureman, but what do you propose we do now?"
Before the other could answer, a new voice boomed out from behind them. Both Mutants started and turned to see Mumm-Ra, in his powerful giant form, hovering beside the plane. The sorcerer laughed mockingly.
"I'll decide what to do, S-S-Slythe, with that wretched creature. Though you chose to horde your secrets from me, I'll share with you his fate. Observe!"
Mumm-Ra approached Tygra boldly and ordered the ThunderCat to look at him. Unable to fight off Mumm-Ra's compelling voice, Tygra slowly lifted his head. His eyes were dull and unfocussed, his ordeal plainly written on his face. As an after thought, the dark one reached out and removed Tygra's insignia from his chest. Then the sorcerer pointed a finger at Panthro's still form. In Tygra's drugged vision, he saw his friend burning with a horrible clarity. Tygra sobbed helplessly, clawing his way to his dying countrymen, knowing his efforts could not save him. Mumm-Ra projected the images of the other ThunderCats dying in different, painful ways and Tygra staggered to his feet, desperately groping towards what he thought were his helpless friends. He saw young Lion-O struck down by the very Sword that was supposed to protect him. To his horror, Tygra saw the blade in his own hand, dripping with Lion-O's life-blood. He screamed and tried to erase the vision from his sight. The Sword, he tried to reason, was not supposed to harm a ThunderCat. His mind reeled at this contradiction.
Mumm-Ra tormented him mercilessly as the Mutants looked on in fear. They couldn't see what Tygra observed but they knew it was not pleasant. The ThunderCat swayed on his feet, then staggered backwards in the direction of the river. Blind to everything around him, Tygra only saw the carnage in his mind and failed to see the real danger in front of him. His injured leg gave out beneath him and he toppled into the raging river. Unable to swim, he was pulled beneath the churning waters and was swept downstream, out of sight.
"Do you doubt my powers now, Mutants?" Mumm-Ra leered, hefting the insignia disk in his hand. The two Mutants shook their heads.
"Good!" Mumm-Ra mocked. "Collect your friends, S-S-Slithe, and we'll discuss this new warp gas in more detail."
He rose into the sky, chuckling his evil laughter, then winged back towards his dark pyramid in the desert. The Mutants climbed aboard their flying machine and took off to find Monkian and Jackalman.
CHAPTER IV
At CATS' LAIR, the other ThunderCats were finishing up breakfast. Wilykit and Wilykat were helping Snarf clean up the dishes.
"Snarf, that wasn't bad. I've certainly had enough." Lion-O stated, sitting back in his chair.
The furry companion of Lion-O's acknowledged the complement and added, "I've planned to make a candy-fruit pie tonight as soon as the kittens collect it." Snarf's thick fur was red and yellow in coloring with long pointed ears. His face was a mass of white whiskers and his eyes, too, were amber. He possessed a long, tapered tail which he sometimes balanced himself on when he was amused. Since Lion-O had been a child, Snarf was his self-sworn guardian and companion. Even as Lion-O grew to be a man, Snarf never quite relinquished his nursemaid tendencies towards him. He oft times was the butt of some joke of the kittens, but was loved with deep affection by all of them. And being the smallest in size didn't always help either.
Wilykit and Wilykat, twin brother and sister, were the only ones of the ThunderCats who were directly related. Both had red-orange head fur. Kit's swept up to a single tuft with a black stripe and Kat's, into two tufts with twin stripes. Kit's hairline was edged in white and trailed down along his jawline in short whiskers. Both kittens had tawny and pale yellow or white fur. Wilykat wore a short brown and orange tunic with red piping and Wilykit wore a short dress of dark blue and lavender. Each also wore a smaller insignia on their clothing and boots that matched their attire. Both carried lariats and pellet belts for defense. They giggled now at Snarf and Wilykit remarked, "We're going out for some fruit today, Snarf, as soon as we're finished here, okay?" The Snarf brightened up at this and nodded.
Cheetara came into the room to see how the twins were doing. Still seated on the table, Lion-O wore his claw shield, shaped like a cat's paw. The device also served as a grappling hook and a scabbard for the precious Sword of Omens. The ornately carved hilt was silver in color and curled gracefully outward at the crosspiece. Imbedded within the crosspiece, just below the base of the blade, was the magnificent Eye of Thundera. The red jewel looked like a great cat's eye with the slit pupil. When open it glowed bright red, revealing the roaring Cat's head identical to the ThunderCats' insignias. The mysterious powers within it were linked to each of them and through the insignias, lent paranormal strength and agility when needed. Besides this quality, the Eye also warned them of danger or knew when a ThunderCat was in trouble. A deep, warming purr alerted Lion-O to such dangers. As Lord of the ThunderCats, he was responsible for its safekeeping.
And it was at this moment the Sword spoke to him. All conversation stopped. Lion-O slipped the weapon from the sheath. Holding it upright at eye level, the crosspiece curled magically into eyeholes. Through these apertures, Lion-O peered and commanded the Sword, "Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight."
His eyes began to glow with golden light and the Sword responded. Within the space he viewed, images of battle were revealed. He could see the Mutants firing on the ThunderTank, Panthro and Tygra struggling to cope. Then the image changed as he saw Panthro pinned beneath the Tank and Tygra facing the approaching enemy.
"Tygra and Panthro are in danger. The Mutants have launched an attack!" he said hurriedly. He slid the Sword back into the scabbard. Lion-O turned to the kittens.
"Lend us your spaceboards, Kittens. Come on, Cheetara, we've got to hurry! No time to fire up the Feliner!"
He had already bolted down the corridor towards the hanger that housed the ThunderTank, Cheetara and the others close on his heels. When they reached the bay, the kittens handed the spaceboards over to Lion-O and Cheetara. Lion-O called over his shoulder at them, "Monitor the viewscreen and be sure the infirmary is set up!"
The kittens waved acknowledgment and dashed back to complete those tasks. Snarf watched anxiously as the two older ThunderCats disappeared from view. "Be careful, Lion-O, snarf, snarf!" Then he went to help the others.
Side by side, Lion-O and Cheetara skimmed along the changing terrain. Their keen eyes searched frantically for signs of their endangered friends. It wasn't long before they noticed a curl of smoke in the distance. Cheetara called to Lion-O and pointed in that direction. He nodded and they veered the spaceboards accordingly.
"Lion-O, what did you see in the Sword? You told the kittens to set up the infirmary. How bad is it?" Cheetara queried as the wind whistled past her ears.
Lion-O's face was grim. "It didn't look good, Cheetara," he called back to her. "Panthro was down and it looked like Tygra was trying to take the Mutants on alone!"
Cheetara frowned. A knot of fear gripped her stomach. She was quite fond of the two older ThunderCats and admired their skills and the generous way they treated Lion-O, the kittens and herself. They often lauded her with equal praise and admiration, sharing the responsibilities of house and home. She knew their lives were wrought with dangers such as this, and silently feared the time when one of them might never return. Yet she also knew that they were capable of taking care of themselves and that their closeness was an advantage in their favor.
She and Lion-O jumped off the spaceboards as they arrived at the scene. Quickly checking for signs of the Mutants, the two approached the ThunderTank, satisfied at least that the Mutants were nowhere in sight. They peered under the overturned Tank and saw Panthro pinned, weakly trying to disengage himself.
"Panthro, don't try to move. We'll try to push the Tank back over," Lion-O said gently. Panthro said nothing but ceased his struggling.
"Okay, Cheetara, we'll have to lift it. I'll try to hold it up, you pull him free."
Cheetara nodded and together they braced their shoulders against the Tank's side. Cheetara utilized the strength of her baton and they felt the vehicle move. Grunting, they finally forced it partially over and Panthro watched from beneath. When he felt the weight lift, he summoned his remaining strength and dragged himself free. The Tank went over the rest of the way and landed with a heavy thud. Cheetara squatted down beside Panthro and was examining a large gash across his brow. Panthro winced at her touch and leaned his head back against the rocks.
"Where else are you hurt, Panthro?" she asked, concerned.
"My entire body feels like it was run over by a tank," he managed.
"I think it was, old friend!" Lion-O said, a small smile of relief playing on his lips.
Panthro returned the smile weakly and asked softly, "Where's Tygra, is he okay?" Cheetara and Lion-O exchanged worried glances. Lion-O stood up quickly.
"I'll look around. He's probably somewhere nearby."
"He couldn't have gone too far, Lion-O. He took a hit in the leg," Panthro replied in a hoarse voice.
Lion-0 searched around the rocks. Tygra was nowhere in sight. He traced his steps back towards the Tank and kicked something beneath a scraggly bush. Bending to see what it was, Lion-O discovered that it was Tygra's bolo whip. The fact that it was here and Tygra was not, began to gnaw at him. He examined the ground closer, eyeing several broken pieces of metal, scorched and blackened. His sharp eyes fell on scattered footprints. The soft earth clearly revealed prints erratically leading away towards the river. Some looked as if they were dragged. Slow panic started deep in the pit of his stomach. He hurriedly followed the trail as it wound towards the riverbank. Lion-O stopped at the edge and peered into the turbulent water. Without knowing why, he felt certain that Tygra had fallen in. He bit his lower lip, a lump forming in his throat. Tygra could not swim, he knew, without the magical aid of the whip. Tears welled up in the young Lord's eyes. He struggled to stay the urge to cry, hoping that he was wrong. He lifted the Sword to his eyes, but no vision came. Slowly he turned back to the others and walked over to the Tank. Panthro and Cheetara looked up expectantly. Lion-O's expression told them more than any spoken words. Cheetara stood up and gripped his arm. Lion-O placed his hand over hers and gently squeezed it to comfort her.
"Could the Mutants have taken him?" she begged him. Lion-O shook his head from side to side. Panthro buried his face in his hands and Lion-O gripped his shoulder with his other hand.
After a few moments, Lion-O spoke softly. "Let's get you back to the LAIR, Panthro. I'll come back to look for him, wherever he might be."
Cheetara and Lion-O helped Panthro into the ThunderTank. Despite a few dents and scratches the vehicle had remained intact. Lion-O climbed behind the wheel, looked back one more time in the direction of the river, then drove them back in silence to their home.
CHAPTER V Other eyes had observed the battle from across the river. Primal instincts cautioned their owner to remain at a safe distance. When no more explosions could be heard or observed, the huge silver white cat rose up from his crouch and loped down toward the river's edge. He gingerly lapped some of the clear water before continuing his interrupted foray. Satisfied, he trotted more slowly along the bank, nosing playfully at anything that moved.
Suddenly, he stiffened as a bright, colorful object bobbed and bounced through the myriad boulders imbedded deep beneath the water's surface. Curiosity piqued, the beast plunged into the rushing river to intercept it. Just above him, the figure became wedged between two smooth boulders. The force of the current, however, dislodged it and it tumbled past the great cat. With a splashing lunge, he caught one flailing arm in his powerful jaws. He let the icy current take them both further down the river, his strong hind legs paddling closer to the shore. The river leveled off and when he reached this spot, the cat dragged himself and his prize out of the water.
He lay there panting, his sides heaving from his efforts. The golden eyes were half closed as they examined the figure at his feet. A deeper memory recognized the familiar scent. Snow-Meow reached out his huge paw and tentatively prodded the limp body. When this elicited no response, he began licking the man's upturned face urgently.
This action caused the other to stir, a soft moan emanating from his throat. A small trickle of red coursed its way down through the thick orange and white head fur, mixing with the pooled water.
Cat-friend, hurt, thought Snow-Meow. Tygra-friend. Tygra began to choke violently, and when the spate passed, he lay exhausted on his back, completely unaware of his rescuer's presence. His fevered mind swam with his nightmare vision and his incoherent ramblings only served to confuse the snow cat. Snow-Meow licked his face again and paced uncertainly. Instinctively, he realized that Tygra was unable to fend for himself in his injured state. Yet the big cat understood that he should find the other Cat-friends. He growled his frustration deep in his throat.
Tygra began to shiver from shock and exposure. His head lolled from side to side. Snow-Meow mewed comfortingly, then lay down beside his sick friend. After a few moments, he covered the ThunderCat's body with his own for warmth and protection. And it was this way he remained throughout the rest of the day and night, dozing fitfully.
*****
Back at CATS' LAIR, Cheetara quietly closed the door to Panthro's room and strode back to the control room where Lion-O was seated at the console, running scans. He turned when she approached him.
"How's Panthro feeling?" he asked with concern. Cheetara took a seat next to him. She brushed back a strand of hair from her forehead and sighed.
"He's resting, Lion-O, but he's quite sore. I ran a bio-scan and he hasn't any broken bones, but he did suffer a concussion. Thank Jaga for that." Her eyes shifted slightly to study the viewscreen, then she looked at him sadly.
"Lion-O, he blames himself for Tygra's disappearance. Says he shouldn't have let the Mutants get the drop on him like they did."
"He was knocked unconscious, so he couldn't have helped Tygra from what I was able to observe in the Sword. What puzzles me is what happened between the time the fighting started and we got there?" Lion-O said. He pulled some of the blackened metal fragments from his belt, and held them out to Cheetara.
"Also, I haven't been able to figure out what these are. I found them scattered around where I picked up Tygra's whip. Maybe Panthro knows. I'll ask him when he's had time to rest." Cheetara examined the fragments and shrugged doubtfully.
"Lion-O," she said softly after awhile, "do you believe he's really gone?" Lion-O glanced sharply at her, then his face softened somewhat. He felt that tightening in his throat and he knew she did, too.
He recalled all the times Tygra fought bravely, yet he knew the other ThunderCat preferred to reason out a problem if fighting could be prevented. Always sensitive to the needs of the other ThunderCats or any of their new friends on Third Earth, Tygra rarely complained and never asked anything of them he, himself, would not undertake. Lion-O thought, too, of the times Tygra reprimanded him for some errant action, yet after consideration, Lion-O was able to understand that it was Tygra's way of showing his concern for him.
In answer to Cheetara's query, Lion-O inhaled slowly, then shakily let out his breath. He felt no confidence in himself at this time and wondered if he acted quickly enough to prevent this tragedy. To Cheetara he stated, "I haven't looked yet to say for certain if he is dead. The Sword hasn't shown me anymore. I'll take the ThunderTank and check along the river. If I don't find him there, then I'm going to pay the Mutants a visit!"
Cheetara started to protest, but Lion-O put his hand up. "I need someone here to guard the LAIR if the Mutants decide to stage another attack. Panthro's in no shape right now and you're the only one who's capable of handling all of the defenses. And the kittens would need someone to direct them." He paused for a moment, then continued, "I know how you feel, Cheetara, and having you alongside me in a fight is comforting. We all always worked best as a team. Tygra's emphasized that often enough. But with our force cut down, we'll have to each work independently for the end result."
Cheetara knew Lion-O was right and nodded. Besides, she felt suddenly tired. Without Tygra there and Panthro injured, they would have to assume those added responsibilities. She was not so worried about those details as she was about the Mutants' next move.
To Lion-O, she said, "Then get yourself some rest tonight. Since we've returned, in case you haven't noticed, the weather has turned threatening again. You can get a fresh start in the morning. It's too late to begin any extended search. I'll prepare some portable food and supplies for you to take along." With that, she left the room, leaving Lion-O to his own thoughts.
CHAPTER VI Deep within the Desert of Sinking Sands stood an ebony pyramid, surrounded by four awesome obelisks. Desolate in appearance, the structures rose like needles from the ever-shifting sands. The pyramid reflected no light and stood in constant shadow from the ever-present storm clouds that hovered overhead. Lightning jumped erratically from the clouds to the very tips of the obelisks, which in turn, sent energy bursts of light to the point of the pyramid. On one face of the pyramid, a tiny opening emitted an eerie reddish glow, leading into the very heart of evil Mumm-Ra's home.
Within the faintly lit chamber, stood the four Mutant leaders. Mumm-Ra stared across at them from the other side of the huge cauldron. He had transformed back to his mummy form and gloated, now, from his recent victory. He gestured at the Mutants.
"So, my friends, you've come as I commanded. Our little demonstration today has proven fruitful, indeed! Heh, heh, heh! The ThunderCat, Tygra, was a perfect subject for out test. He is capable of exceptional mind abilities that the others do not possess. But as you can see, the warp gas denied, even him, those abilities."
"Too bad he perished before we could see how long the gas lasted!" Jackalman snickered.
"It matters not, Mutant," Mumm-Ra replied. "It was effective enough for our purposes."
"What did you make him see, Great Mumm-Ra, that reduced him to a blubbering kitten?" asked S-S-Slithe. Mumm-Ra turned his malevolent eyes on the Reptilian. He shifted his cloak about his withered body. He chuckled haughtily.
"Suffice to say that he saw only his destruction and that of his precious friends. A mere trick of illusion, but effective when used in conjunction with your mind-altering drug." He waved his hand over the cauldron and the dying images of the ThunderCats flitted across the water's surface. The Mutants exchanged nervous glances at one another. S-S-Slithe recovered from the shock of the horrifying images first. He clasp his hands together in front of him.
"Good Mumm-Ra, you are most imaginative indeed! What can we do to eliminate the rest of the ThunderCats?"
"Give to Me the formula for your warp gas and you will see what can be done, yes?" said the loathsome creature.
"But we have no more warp gas now, Mumm-Ra," said Vultureman, spreading his hands. "What we had was only a test batch. It will take time to make more."
Mumm-Ra whirled on the Mutant. "Do not lie to me, foolish one! I know you concealed more than you shared with me. We must act now, while the ThunderCats are disconcerted and confused! They do not know what happened to their companion. That is to our advantage. Do not incur my wrath, Mutants, or you will suffer a worse sort of punishment."
Monkian spoke up defensively. "He's not lying, Mumm-Ra. We used only what we had on the ThunderCat. We want to rid ourselves of them as much as you do. We'll need time to make more. We'd have to get Lion-O if we are to acquire the Sword. Whoo, whoo!"
Mumm-Ra cocked his head to one side, then shot out a clawed finger at them. "Very well, then, Mutants, go make the rest of your new gas. But do not take too long. The opportunity to strike is now. Don't spoil it. Leave me now and call me when it is ready. Then I'll show you what the Great Mumm-Ra will do to those wretched ThunderCats, once and for all!"
The Mutants nodded and hurried out the door to the chamber. Mumm-Ra hunched his shoulders and pulled his cloak tighter around his lean frame. From beneath the cloak he pulled out the stolen ThunderCat insignia of Tygra's.
"Yes, fools, we'll soon see!" he rumbled. He retreated to his crypt, then, to restore his powers.
***** The following morning was overcast and gray. The grayness only added to the pall that had settled over CATS' LAIR. Lion-O had risen early, unable to sleep. He had gone to the kitchen to pick up the supplies Cheetara had promised to leave for him. He had made his way to the bay where the ThunderTank was housed and was surprised to find Panthro waiting for him. The older ThunderCat's face looked tired and strained. Lion-O guessed that he hadn't slept well either.
"I want to go with you, Lion-O. I know Tygra wouldn't have just wandered off. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out what did happen, but I can't come up with any answers," Panthro tried to reason. He still moved stiffly and unsteadily, though he tried to hide it. Lion-O's heart went out to him. He knew the grief Panthro felt.
Tygra and he shared a deep friendship long before they assumed the responsibility as his guardian. With their combined resourcefulness, they made CATS' LAIR what it was today. But Lion-O knew that Panthro was not yet strong enough to venture out, though he admired the other's determination. He had placed his hand on Panthro's shoulder and gently denied him from accompanying him. Panthro hung his head sadly, as Lion-O reminded him that one loss was already too many and that he needed Panthro's wisdom and skills at the LAIR. He wanted Panthro healthy, also, should the Mutants try anything. He did not voice this to Panthro but sensed that his friend understood this as well.
Panthro gallantly and painfully accepted Lion-O's decision and was about to leave, when a warning beep from the communicator in the bay sounded. The two ThunderCats exchanged glances and Lion-O answered the intercom. He heard Wilykat's voice urgently telling him to come to the control room. Acknowledging, Lion-O turned to Panthro and said, "Sounds serious. As if we haven't enough to worry about!"
"Just hope those blasted Mutants haven't any more surprises for us. I've still a score to settle with them!" Panthro growled vehemently.
They made their way back to the control room, and as they entered, young Wilykat turned and motioned them to the viewscreen. Cheetara entered just behind them, Wilykit and Snarf in tow. Lion-O studied the screen momentarily, then nearly forgot to breathe. They all saw the great white cat laboriously making his way to the edge of the huge chasm opposite the LAIR. There was no mistaking the burden the cat struggled to carry on his broad back.
"Extend the bridge!" shouted Lion-O, bolting out the door. He heard other footsteps behind him as he made his way to the outer entrance, down the steps and finally to the weary snow cat, who'd all but collapsed, halfway across the bridge.
Snow-Meow's head hung between his forelegs, the golden eyes dull from fatigue. Tygra's limp form slipped off his back unto the ground. Cheetara soothed the tired cat, as Lion-O bent over Tygra's sprawled body. Tygra moaned and tried to rise. His pained eyes looked past Lion-O, at some imaginary point beyond. He tried to speak, but his voice was barely a hoarse whisper. Lion-O's initial relief at seeing him alive changed to anxious concern. Panthro reached him then, not yet aware that Tygra was still alive.
"He lives, Panthro, but he's feverish and delirious. We better get him inside." The big man nodded and Lion-O cradled Tygra in his arms and carried him into the LAIR. Lion-O called over his shoulder to Cheetara, "Bring Snow-Meow inside also, if he'll come. We owe him a lot and he'll need to be fed and rested."
Cheetara encouraged the snow cat to follow her and smoothed his ruffled fur. Wilykit and Wilykat took charge of feeding him and brushing his mud-stained coat. In a short time afterwards, he fell asleep under their gentle caresses.
In the infirmary, Cheetara carefully bathed Tygra's injuries as Panthro and Lion-O assisted. She bandaged the ugly wound on his leg, cleansed the cut on his scalp. Tygra didn't make her task easy. He continued to writhe feverishly, struggling in vain to ward off the horror vision only he could see. Cheetara placed a cool cloth on his brow, but Tygra cried out unawares. Lion-O and Panthro studied their friend's troubled face. Panthro took Tygra's hand in his own.
"What is it that torments him so? I've never seen him so-so distressed!" he questioned, his voice distraught. Lion-0 shook his head slowly, completely at a loss for an explanation.
Cheetara halted her ministrations long enough to comment in her husky voice, "He seems to be obsessed by something, almost as if he's fighting some battle we can't see. He's obviously not aware that we're trying to help him. I'm worried. How in the world did Snow-Meow carry him so far? Surely he couldn't have been very cooperative!" She watched the stricken ThunderCat a few moments, then added, "He looks so pitiful, it hurts. What do we do?"
Lion-O silently agreed to that statement as he, too, felt unnerved by Tygra's helplessness. He ran his hand through his long mane and sighed. Since they had been on Third Earth, they'd been fortunate enough to escape any serious illnesses. But this was not something ordinary, that much he could sense. He was about to comment when a firm but ethereal voice called to him. Lion-O turned and saw a misty figure gesture to him.
"Jaga?!" he spoke reverently, as the spirit of his former mentor floated in front of him.
To Cheetara and Panthro it appeared that Lion-O had gone into a trance. Although they could not see him, they knew that Jaga appeared to Lion-O periodically, whenever the ThunderCats were in desperate need. They waited quietly, for they could only hear Lion-O's end of the conversation.
Jaga spoke again, his voice urgent in Lion-O's mind. "Lion-O, listen carefully to what I tell you! Tygra's illness is not what it appears to be. No medicine can heal his pain!"
Lion-O interrupted then, "But the Sword, Jaga, could that help him?"
"No, Lion-O," Jaga said patiently, "The Sword cannot help him in this matter. Tygra's injury is not only to his body, but to his very existence!"
Lion-O felt his hopes sag. "Then there is no hope for him, is that what you mean, Jaga?" he asked, dejected.
"I did not say he could not be helped, my boy, but you must not delay! Seek the white mystic, Lion-O! The mystic will know what to do!"
"Wait, Jaga, where do we find this mystic?"
Faintly he heard Jaga's reply. "To the west!" Then the figure dissolved.
Lion-O stood where he was for a long moment. A light touch on his shoulder brought him back to awareness and he turned to see Cheetara behind him. She studied his face expectantly. Panthro watched him from Tygra's side. Tygra cried out again and Lion-O walked over to the side of the bed.
"Jaga tells me that Tygra's life depends on finding a white mystic. His injury is not just physical. I don't even know who this mystic is," he stated gravely.
Panthro had been concentrating on Tygra, but suddenly turned his head to face Lion-O.
"A white mystic, you say?" he asked incredulously. Lion-O nodded.
"We don't know of any white mystic here on Third Earth," Cheetara interrupted, a puzzled expression plainly visible on her face.
Panthro raised his hand to silence her, frowning thoughtfully.
"Where have I heard of white mystics before?" he mused to himself. Then he snapped his fingers.
"Tygra once mentioned something about such mystics, in passing. Something about a special clan--" Panthro's voice trailed off as he searched his memory for more information.
Lion-O spoke up. "In any event, Jaga only mentioned that we had to go west to find this mystic. He made no mention of what this mystic looked like."
"White tiger clan!" Panthro nearly yelled, eyes lighting up with hope. "Tygra said they were a breed apart from other Thunderians, that they had more than just the mind gift. He said they had great magical potential and superior healing skills. However, he said that there were only a small number of them. He seemed to hold them in high esteem."
Cheetara's eyes widened. "You mean there are other Thunderians here besides us? Is that possible, Lion-O?" she asked excitedly.
Lion-O looked from one to the other of them, confused. Then he shrugged his shoulders.
"I'd have thought we would have made contact with other Thunderians by now, if any were here," he reasoned.
"What if they came after us?" Panthro replied, meaningfully.
"What do you mean, Panthro?" asked Cheetara.
"Night before last, when Tygra and I were on watch, we picked up something entering the atmosphere during the height of the storm. We couldn't isolate it clearly enough because of the intense lightning activity. We were able to track it westward briefly before we lost it. We were gonna check it out after we staked that mine. Blasted Mutants attacked before we had the chance to do either. I'd forgotten about it until now," he said.
"And you think it might have been a ship, Panthro?" asked Lion-O.
"Could have been, or it might have been a meteor. Tygra said that if it was a ship, they were taking a risk trying to land in the storm."
Lion-O thought about this information briefly. Then he stated purposely, "We don't know what it was or if it may be related to this mystic, but Jaga has never led us astray. And our first priority is to do what we can to help Tygra." He reached out his hand to place it on Tygra's arm, then snatched it back.
"Where's Tygra's insignia?" he asked slowly. Absorbed with caring for the ThunderCat's injuries, neither Panthro nor Cheetara had noticed the disk was missing. They were now startled by this revelation and they gaped, openmouthed. A thought crept into Lion-O's mind and he slipped the Sword from its sheath. Holding it up to his eyes, he concentrated on thoughts of Tygra, but the Sword showed him nothing. He understood the insignias linked each ThunderCat to the Sword's powers and he realized, then, why he was unable to locate Tygra before. A slow rage stirred within him. He began to sense that Tygra's affliction was no accident.
He was about to reveal this new insight, when suddenly, Tygra lunged forward, knocking the Sword from Lion-O's hand. His eyes were wild with terror and his cry of "No!" brought the Thunderkittens running in from the other room. Taken completely by surprise, the others hesitated in taking any action. They watched, shocked as Tygra appeared to ward off an attacker, shaking his head from side to side. He began to sob uncontrollably, slumping unto the bed. His choked voice pleaded remorsefully, "Don't hurt...ThunderCats. Sword...not...can't harm...Lion-O!"
Panthro recovered first and reached over, taking Tygra in his arms. He settled the other back on the pillows and drew the blanket up to his chest. Tygra moaned incoherently, staring blankly at the ceiling. Panthro smoothed back some strands of hair from Tygra's sweat-drenched forehead, then looked questioning at the others.
Cheetara spoke softly. "Why did he react to the Sword like that?"
Lion-O did not answer. He picked up the Sword and put it back in the claw shield. When he found his voice, he said, "I don't have the answers, but I don't think we should wait any longer. Bundle him up as best you can, Cheetara, and I'll see to the Tank. Panthro, I want you to see something." Something needled at the back of Lion-O's mind. He held out the broken metal fragments in his palm for Panthro's view.
"I found them near where you fought the Mutants." Panthro turned them over in his hand. He rubbed off some of the blackened residue and sniffed at it. The pungent odor made him wrinkle his nose.
"Something familiar about this stuff," he pondered, "I smelled the same odor on Tygra's clothing."
"Laser fire doesn't produce an odor like that. Panthro, try to remember everything that happened up until you lost consciousness. How was Tygra when you saw him last? It's important that I know. I couldn't even find him with the Sword when we found you. I think that may be because he lost his insignia. Or worse, someone else may have it."
Panthro was trying to follow Lion-O's train of thought. He replayed the confrontation step by step in his mind.
"Tygra was hurt, but he was able to limp for cover by the rocks. He tried to warn me of the Mutants behind me, but then all I remember was explosions hitting the ThunderTank. The next thing I recall was hearing your voices telling me to take it easy. I'm Sorry, Lion-O. You think something happened to him between that time?"
"Yes, and I think this has something to do with it!" Lion-O tapped the metal pieces in Panthro's palm. "Tygra's injury may have caused him to become feverish after a time, but his mental state now is in total chaos. It's not like Tygra at all."
Cheetara listened intently as she dabbed at Tygra's face with the cloth. "You feel the Mutants hurt him somehow before we got there?" she speculated. Lion-O nodded firmly. "Then maybe they took his insignia!"
Wilykit and Wilykat had been listening quietly to their elders and both exchanged fearful glances. They had witnessed Tygra's out burst and it had frightened them. Tygra was always in control of any situation.
Wilykit took Lion-O's hand in both of her small ones. She voiced all their fears. "Lion-O, is-is Tygra going to die?"
Lion-O's gaze shifted to her delicate features. Candid fear registered there. Wilykat's expression was no different. Lion-O gathered both of them closer to him. "Not if we can help it, Kit." He tried to reassure her. "We have to try any option available to us and Jaga's told me that there is someone who can help him. You and Wilykit will remain here with Panthro and guard the LAIR. Cheetara and I will try to locate this mystic."
This time Panthro voiced no objections. He placed hand on Lion-O's arm. "Good luck, young Lord. Be careful and guard him well. No one is expendable," he said, his deep voice laced with emotion. Lion-O gripped his hand firmly.
"We will, old friend, and don't you forget to get yourself some rest." Panthro nodded once, touched Cheetara gently on the shoulder, then left the room with the kittens.
Snarf, who had stood by silently, handed Lion-O his cloak and a package of food. "It's cold out that way, Lion-O. Don't want you getting sick, too," he warned.
The youth accepted the items and inwardly smiled at Snarf's concern. "Thanks, Snarf. I promise we'll be careful," he responded in a more serious tone of voice.
Cheetara indicated that she was ready to go, so Lion-O wrapped a blanket around Tygra's shoulders, picked him up in his arms and they both left, wondering if this journey might be their last.
CHAPTER VII That same morning, at CASTLE PLUNDARR, the Mutants mulled over Mumm-Ra's request.
"Don't like him telling us what we should do, S-S-Slithe!" Monkian protested, heatedly. "We'll manage the ThunderCats just fine ourselves!" S-S-Slithe glared back at him, but he inwardly agreed with the Monkian. The frustration he felt at their own, continued failures at obtaining the Sword of Omens, only darkened his mood.
"We don't have a choice, Monkian. Besides, I don't like anticipating what he might do if we fail," said Jackalman.
S-S-Slithe whirled on both of them. "S-S-Silence, you fools! Vultureman, how long will it take before you can make the new batch of the warp gas?"
Vultureman considered thoughtfully. "Could take some time, S-S-Slithe. I have to analyze the components in order to duplicate the formula." S-S-Slithe shook his fist under his nose.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get working on it! Monkian, Jackalman! Get the skycutters and see if you can do any more damage to the ThunderCats. Create a diversion to get them out into the open again. We'll get rid of them once and for all, without Mumm-Ra's help. Then the Sword will be ours to control!"
"But S-S-Slithe, it's pouring rain, too hard for even the skycutters," complained Jackalman.
"I don't care what it's doing, you mangy dog! Get out, now, and don't come back until you have some good news for me!" S-S-Slithe raged, balling his fists at them.
Monkian pulled Jackalman by the arm and motioned him to follow. When they reached the area where the skycutters were stored, Monkian pulled out on oval container and displayed it to Jackalman. Jackalman's eyes closed to slits and he snickered, recognizing the object to be the warp gas. They hurriedly boarded the skycutters and launched out into the gray daylight. Rain pelted them as they soared off in the direction of CATS' LAIR.
Meanwhile, Vultureman returned to his lab. He fumed at the others for their lack of appreciation of his work. He, alone, understood the time it took to create things and make them functional. He went to the cabinet where he left the only remaining canister of the gas. Rummaging in the box, he discovered that, what he sought, had disappeared. Cursing, he dug through other boxes and cases, but came up with nothing.
Vultureman stomped out of the room and back down to where S-S-Slithe sat in the war room. The Reptilian eyed him critically, as Vultureman squawked his rage.
"Those fools took the last bit of warp gas I had to work with! What are you going to tell Mumm-Ra now, S-S-Slithe?!" he shouted sarcastically.
"What?!" roared S-S-Slithe." Don't you have the formula written down somewhere, bird-brain?" He took a threatening step forward. Vultureman ignored S-S-Slithe's intimidation.
"Only some of it, S-S-Slithe. That's why I saved that last one, to finish it."
S-S-Slithe raced to the control room and shouted over the communicator for the others. When he received no response, he pounded down to the bay, but the two Mutants were already gone. Vultureman was right on his heels.
"Let's hope they don't spoil our chance this time to get the Cats, or I'll tear them both limb from limb!" S-S-Slithe spat. He climbed aboard his nosediver, calling over his shoulder, "Keep working on what you've got, Vultureman. I'll take care of those two idiots!" Then he blasted out of the hold into the rain.
***** The gray, thickening clouds opened up soon after Lion-O and Cheetara left the LAIR. The torrential rain made visibility poor and Lion-O drove the ThunderTank with great care. In the rear, the hatch now closed, Cheetara tended the stricken Tygra. She tried to coax him into taking some water, but he resisted her efforts, lost in his delirium. After a time she gave up, instead dabbing his damp face with the cool cloth. She listened to his utterings with an objective ear, hoping to make some sense of what troubled him. Occasionally, she would speak soothingly to him, mostly to break up the monotony of the journey. She didn't know if he heard anything she said, anyway. Cheetara was becoming more and more convinced, as Lion-O was, that the Mutants had done something terrible to him. Tygra was usually level-headed, even under stress, but his traumatic reaction to the sight of the Sword of Omens deeply troubled her.
She studied his face sympathetically. Various emotions flitted across his countenance, even as she watched. His serious, expressive eyes, though distant, registered his anguish. One moment he would lash out wildly, then suddenly whimper, pitifully, shivering like a frightened kitten. Cheetara stroked his cheek lightly and sighed. She guessed that Tygra hadn't slept in nearly two days and absently wondered where he found the energy he restlessly exhibited.
Up front, Lion-O's thoughts followed pretty much the same as Cheetara's, although most of his attention was directed at maneuvering the Tank through a rather mucky area of the terrain. He didn't dare stop the vehicle, for fear of getting bogged down. He pushed the Tank on until he felt the firmer traction beneath the rear treads. When he was certain he cleared the worst of it, he stopped to rest.
He glanced out the plexiglass dome over the front compartment, at the rain splattering like stars. He noticed that the rain was letting up, but the gray of the sky didn't pale. Cheetara inquired as to why they stopped.
"Can't see much until the rain eases," Lion-o commented. "Besides, I've been pushing the Tank too hard as it is. I better give it a rest. How's Tygra?"
Cheetara shrugged. "He just keeps on raving about someone not hurting the ThunderCats and something concerning the Sword. He's got to be exhausted, yet he can't seem to sleep. Won't even drink any water. I'm afraid he's going to get seriously ill. How much farther do you suppose we have to go?"
Lion-O pointed to a map. "I've been trying to follow this map Panthro plotted from his calculations he took the night he spotted the intruder on the scanner. We've only gone about a third of the distance, as best as I can judge. We'll wait here a bit and get our bearings." Cheetara nodded and they sat watching the rain until it let up further, occasionally studying the map. Tygra's constant stirrings also kept them busy. When they resumed travel, Cheetara took over the driving and Lion-O tended to Tygra.
They had travelled for about another hour when they heard sounds of engines in the distance. With the dome and hatch now open, they made out the all to familiar shape of the Mutant skycutters.
"Lion-O!" Cheetara called out.
"I see them!" Lion-O snarled defensively. He manned the rear cannon as the enemy craft loomed into view.
Monkian and Jackalman cruised high above the terrain. Monkian pointed down towards the speeding ThunderTank and banked his skycutter to approach it from the rear. Jackalman followed his example and veered off in the opposite direction.
"Monkian, look! It's Lion-O!" he sneered and cocked his head to one side. "Let's use that last canister of warp gas. That will surprise him, heh, heh!"
Monkian acknowledged and both skycutters leveled off and roared in over the Tank, firing lasers. Cheetara spun the Tank around, narrowly avoiding being hit. The two Mutants relentlessly pursued them, but each time she managed to evade their weapons. Lion-O fired the cannon again and again, once or twice scoring minor hits.
Concentrating on defending their lives and the Tank, Lion-O failed to notice Tygra's reaction to the blasts. The injured ThunderCat had managed to pull himself upright, clinging desperately to the side hatch cover. He was suddenly flung from the Tank as Cheetara pulled yet another evasive turn. Lion-O glanced behind him as Tygra tumbled out.
"Tygra, no!" he screamed and vainly tried to grab Tygra's arm. Tygra landed hard in the muddy puddles of water. He lay, stunned, where he fell.
"Cheetara cover me, Tygra's fallen out!" Lion-O shouted and dove off the side, rolling to break the force of his fall. He rose to his feet and sprinted after his-friend. Cheetara opened fire with the front cannons.
In the air, Monkian spotted the two ThunderCats on the ground. He chittered to himself and bore down in their direction.
"Jackalman, Tygra's still alive! Look!" the simian cooed in his communicator.
"Then finish them both off. I'll take care of the ThunderTank!" the other Mutant replied. He hung on to the rear of the Tank, but the clever female ThunderCat anticipated his every move. She'd wait long enough for Jackalman to position himself, then she'd swing the Tank around and come directly at him, cannons firing. Her blasts tore into his laser cannon and started a fire. Jackalman cursed as the skycutter nosed towards the earth in a stream of smoke.
Meanwhile, the Monkian strafed Lion-O and Tygra's position but the young Lord shoved Tygra out of the blasts' intended path. He flung himself over Tygra's body protectively, praying a silent thanks the bolts missed. Monkian circled once more, but instead of shooting at them, he flipped the small canister at the ground. The oval case plopped into a large pool of water, near where they sprawled, but it didn't explode. Monkian became enraged when he saw that the canister remained intact. He fired several bursts at the spot he had dropped it. Lion-O yanked Tygra to his feet and dragged him out of range, just as the bolts struck the very spot they vacated. Monkian frowned and zeroed in on the exposed Cats, determined to finish them for good. In his lust to destroy then, Monkian forgot the ThunderTank. Just as he opened fire, he balked, as Cheetara's aim found its mark. The skycutter wobbled crazily from a damaged wing. Not seeing Jackalman to back him up, Monkian gave up the chase and steered his craft away in the direction he had come.
Cheetara chased him for a short distance to make sure he didn't return, then drove back to where Lion-O sat with Tygra. She jumped out of the seat next to them.
"Are you alright?" she asked shakily. Lion-O nodded. Tygra started to crawl towards the ThunderTank, reaching out desperately.
"Panthro...must stop burning...help him...warp gas...burns...Panthro!" Tygra rasped, weeping softly.
Moved by his helpless display of emotion, Cheetara gently wiped his tear- and mud-streaked face with her fingers. Lion-O turned his eyes away briefly, mentally tracing the trail the Mutants had left by. He felt an angry frustration boiling up inside him. Warp gas, he thought fiercely. Is that what they used on Tygra? But, if that was so, it should have worn off by now. Facing his friends again, a thought occurred to him.
"Wait here a moment," he said, then rose and strode over to where he had seen the canister fall. He stooped and felt within the pools of water.
"What are you looking for?" Cheetara asked.
"This," Lion-O answered, and retrieved the oval case. He walked back to her and gingerly handed it to her.
"What is it?" she queried. She studied its egg-shaped contours warily.
"Warp gas, I think." His voice held a grim edge to it. She shot him a surprised look, her mouth dropping open. Then she looked closely at Tygra's haggard expression. Originally believing his glazed look a result of his fever, she now recognized the telltale signs indicating drug intoxication.
"If that's the case, why hasn't it worn off?" she wondered, not taking her eyes off Tygra. He fumbled clumsily to stand. Lion-O put a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"I don't know," he said at last. "Unless this stuff is something different entirely. Monkian threw it at us on that last pass. And you heard Tygra. Why would he even mention it? Fortunately, it didn't explode. We'll save it to test later, but we best get out of here before the Mutants decide to return."
Together they lifted Tygra into the Tank. Cheetara wrapped Lion-O's cloak around Tygra's shoulders. The ailing ThunderCat sat shivering, huddled in the corner, his half-lidded eyes vacant. Cheetara stayed protectively close by. Lion-O manned the wheel again and drove on to a destination he was less certain they would reach.
CHAPTER VIII S-S-Slithe scoured the terrain for his two allies, grateful at least, that the rain eased temporarily. But that didn't change his already darkened mood. He did not wish to even consider, as Jackalman implied, what Mumm-Ra would do, following this caper.
"Stupid fools!" he hissed viciously. He traveled further on until he spotted the two Mutants and their vehicles near a stand of trees. Both turned their heads in his direction as they watched the nosediver approach. Neither looked very comfortable. S-S-Slithe landed the nosediver and dismounted, striding over to them purposely. Monkian and Jackalman stood up from where they were making repairs on the damaged skycutters.
"What happened?!" S-S-Slithe demanded fiercely.
Jackalman glanced sideways at Monkian, then cleared his throat. "We, uh, ran into a little problem, uh, with the ThunderTank, S-S-Slithe," he said weakly.
S-S-Slithe grabbed him by the throat and began to squeeze. Jackalman gasped and choked. "You're going to have a bigger problem, if you don't tell me where the warp gas is you took from Vultureman's lab, idiot!"
Jackalman could only sputter and gag. S-S-Slithe released his hold and flung the other Mutant backwards unto the ground. Jackalman sucked in great gasps of air but didn't answer.
"Well?!" S-S-Slithe roared, his gaze now directed at Monkian. Monkian judiciously took a step backwards.
"We used it on Lion-O and Cheetara, but it didn't work. Vultureman didn't make it explode right."
"So where is it now, you hairy ape?!" S-S-Slithe wanted to know, his tone low and threatening.
"It's, whoo, lost, um, in the mud somewhere. Whoo, whoo," the Monkian admitted with trepidation. He shrugged helplessly. S-S-Slithe slapped his forehead in disgust.
"The ThunderCats have it, you fools. You let them have it!"
"No, S-S-Slithe, they didn't even know what it was. They were too busy running to check and see!" said Monkian defensively. "I know where it dropped. We can go back and get it, yes?" This seemed to calm S-S-Slithe somewhat.
"And besides, S-S-Slithe, they found Tygra. He's still alive, but he's completely out of his mind. The warp gas hasn't worn off yet."
"Is that so?" S-S-Slithe leered. Both Mutants nodded. "Yes-s-s, Vultureman will be happy to know that his little toy has worked so effectively. However, we still have to explain to Mumm-Ra why we don't have any more gas, if we don't find that canister. If those skycutters can fly, then, we better find it or I'll flay the skin off both of you. Let's go!"
The three of them mounted their ships and climbed upward as the rain began to fall again.
***** Panthro sat at the console as the ThunderTank disappeared from view. He tracked its progress for a while until he felt too tired. Wilykit and Wilykat had remained with him, asking him questions about how things worked on the console. Out of curiosity, he asked them why they suddenly took an active interest in the system, but they brushed it off as mere curiosity on their part. He realized, keenly, that they were really trying to divert his mind from the fact that the other ThunderCats had left him behind. They also knew of his worry for their safety. Clever kittens, he thought, they're just as worried themselves. He mulled over how much they'd matured since the loss of Thundera and their arrival here on Third Earth. Yet they were still young enough to get into mischief, as kittens often do. Inwardly he smiled at that observation.
The kittens left the room for a time to pester old Snarf and that gave Panthro a few quiet moments to think. He thought of young Lion-O, as he remembered him on board their spaceship, innocent and untried as Lord. Seeing him grown now, proud and brave, Panthro approved of how Lion-O conducted himself and his willingness to assume the responsibility his title entailed. He pondered how Cheetara, the only adult female of the group, had taken a motherly role towards both the kittens and Lion-O. She was fair and just and most especially, reliable and intuitive. He knew she could hold her own, be it a battle with the Mutants or a battle of wits.
But it was Tygra's wisdom and insight that all the other ThunderCats leaned to and heeded. Often they relied on his exceptional knowledge to solve a problem. Panthro knew Tygra to be a thinker, who weighed each situation in a diplomatic fashion and welcomed his friends' opinions and suggestions with an open mind. Secretly, he felt that Tygra often cheated himself of credit he rightfully deserved. Tygra was proud of his achievements, especially shared ones, which he displayed with an almost shy modesty. And it was Tygra's ingenuity, which lacked any self-righteous overtones, that Panthro admired time and again.
It pained Panthro now, to think of Tygra's disoriented state of mind at the present time. The ThunderCat's loss of life would be a terrible blow, if Lion-O and Cheetara did not succeed in their mission to save him. Panthro pushed that possibility from his mind. They will succeed, he told himself, and rubbed his tired eyes and throbbing head.
His action did not go unnoticed as the twins and Snarf had quietly entered the room. He jumped as Snarf shook his arm and offered him a plate of warm food. Panthro took it gratefully, although he felt little like eating.
"You should get some rest after you eat that, Panthro. I promised the others I'd make sure you did." Snarf chastened. Panthro raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Wilykat added, "Yeah, Panthro, Snarf's right. Besides, Kit and I can man the post for awhile. Cheetara said that for a concussion to get better, sleep is the best remedy."
"And you don't look very good, anyway," Wilykit commented. "We would feel bad if you got sick and Snarf broke his Promise!" She tugged on his arm.
"Hey, who's in charge here, anyway?" Panthro said, folding his arms across his chest after loosening Wilykit's grip. The other three stood their ground, determinedly. Panthro realized that this was one round he was going to lose. Besides, they were right, he thought. His head hurt miserably and he could use the sleep. He smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
"Okay, OKAY! You win, this time. But you promise to wake me if you here from the others, is that clear?" The trio nodded with relieved grins on their faces. Panthro finished his meal and rose to leave the room. He paused at the door and turned to the youngsters.
"Hey, you two, thanks," he said quietly and ruffled Snarf's head fur as he departed.
Wilykit sighed. "He's worried about the others, Wilykat. Probably wishes that he could have gone along with them."
Wilykat rested his chin on his hands. "Yeah, wish we could also have gone. I sure hope they find this mystic. Tygra was in a pretty bad way."
"Snar-r-rf!" Snarf piped up confidently. "They'll find the mystic, don't you worry. They won't let Tygra down!" He picked up Panthro's empty plate and exited, leaving the twins to their vigil.
CHAPTER IX It was late afternoon when Lion-O drove the ThunderTank down into a deep depression surrounded by a bleak-looking circle of peaks. The rain had passed and those few strands of clouds remaining were stained orange and purple with the setting sun. At the base of several smaller hills, the small spaceship rested askew. Two of its running lights blinked slowly, marking its location as the sun's light faded within the area. The delta wings were separated from the fuselage and lay several feet away.
Lion-O and Cheetara exchanged puzzled glances, then rode further into the scattered boulders, below the ship's resting spot.
"Doesn't look like anyone survived that crash, Lion-O," Cheetara observed. She absently rested her hand on Tygra's arm without looking at him, as he moaned softly. Lion-O drew his attention from the craft and focused his gaze on them. He climbed into the rear and squatted next to Tygra.
"Any change?" he asked. Cheetara shook her head sadly. Tygra stirred weakly.
"His fever's gone way up, Lion-O. I'm afraid his leg has become infected. I thought I'd cleaned it up well enough back at the LAIR. Rolling around in the mud didn't help either."
"It's not your fault, Cheetara. Remember, he was gone a whole day before Snow-Meow brought him back. It could have gotten infected then," the young Lord reassured her. Not totally convinced, Cheetara eyed Tygra momentarily, then nodded silently.
"Then we better see what we can do for him or he won't make it back to the LAIR. Shall we check what's in our little spaceship?"
Without waiting for her answer, Lion-O draped Tygra's limp body across his shoulders and climbed down from the Tank. Cheetara stayed slightly ahead of him and gave him support stepping over and around loose rocks and pebbles. They made their way to the ship and stopped beside the hatchway. The door was partially separated from its moorings. Lion-O gently lowered Tygra to the ground and leaned him up against the side of the craft. Together, Cheetara and he used their combined strength to try and remove the hatch. When that failed, they tried to pry it open enough for them to squeeze through, but the door refused to budge. Lion-O felt his temper growing short. He drew the Sword and aimed it at the errant door. He motioned Cheetara to stand clear. She shielded Tygra as Lion-O raised the Sword. He shouted, "HO!" and the blade magically lengthened. Bright, blue-white light crackled along the length of the fine weapon. The energy from the Sword concentrated into a stream and shot forth at the door. In a few moments, it began to melt, then exploded clear off its hinges. The Lord of the ThunderCats pulled back the Sword, waved it twice, reducing it to its original Size. He slipped it back into the sheath.
"Everyone okay?" he asked.
"Yes," Cheetara replied after a cursory check of Tygra and herself. Together they supported the injured ThunderCat between them and stepped into the dimly lit craft. Several tiny console and computer lights winked on and off within the immediate compartment. The ThunderCats moved cautiously through the ship's hold, carefully avoiding the scattered debris in their path. They reached the pilot's area but no one occupied the seats.
Cheetara spotted another compartment further along and called softly to Lion-O. He slid his arm around Tygra's waist firmly and guided him towards his companion. She pointed out a flat couch along one edge of the cabin walls and Lion-O laid Tygra down on it.
"He can rest here while we explore the remainder of the ship," she declared. Lion-O nodded and they pressed on. Despite its disheveled appearance outside, the little craft was tidy inside. Only a few things had broken loose or fell from overhead compartments. In Lion-O's estimation, this ship was about a third the size of their own ship and probably carried one or two passengers. Suddenly, he heard Cheetara gasp.
"Cheetara?" he called out.
"Over here, Lion-O!" He followed her voice in the semi-darkness and started slightly as she reached out and took his hand. "This way," she said, pulling him along. She led him into a better lit area and pointed out two familiar, oblong suspension capsules. He peered into the first one and saw a woman's face. Lion-O released the holding latches and opened the capsule. The woman he now studied was older by several years, than Jaga was when Lion-O saw him for the last time. Strange, he thought, no mist in the capsule. He searched for a pulse, but felt only cold flesh. His eyes located the damaged life-support line to the capsule and he withdrew his hand. Cheetara had not missed his reaction and called his attention to the other capsule.
"This one is still alive, Lion-O. Come help me with the cover."
Glad for a chance to help, Lion-O moved to her side and opened the cover. Mist from inside the sealed chamber hissed as it escaped. The young woman inside was beautiful and she slept on as they stared.
Her features were similar to that of the other woman, in that they both had white body fur and ivory head fur. Dark brown stripes marked her arms and head fur, in a similar pattern like Tygra's. White tiger clan, Panthro had said. The ears were pointed and peeked out from beneath her shoulder-length hair. She wore a pale blue, long-sleeved gown and lavender cape. On her feet were sandals. A long staff lay within the capsule next to her body.
"Lion-O, look!" Cheetara said excitedly as she pointed to the brooch which fastened the cloak. The circle contained the roaring cat head insignia the ThunderCats wore, but with one difference. Instead of the red background worn by the nobles, this one was a rich blue. No doubt the color worn by her clan and station.
As they continued to study her, the woman stirred and opened her eyes. Lion-O caught his breath. Her eyes matched the deep blue of her insignia.
The mystic became aware of their presence and spoke. "Who are you and how did you get on board our ship?!"
Her voice was soft and melodic, yet compelling. Lion-O regained his composure and gestured around him. "Your ship crashed here on Third Earth. We came to see if you needed help. I'm Lion-O and this is Cheetara," he indicated.
The mystic recognized their insignias and remarked, somewhat surprised, "You're ThunderCat nobles, aren't you?" They nodded in unison. "I am White and my companion is Servalla. You must speak with her, she is the elder mystic. We were not aware that any Thunderians had managed to escape Thundera's destruction."
As she conversed, she stepped out of the capsule and stood up. She momentarily halted her movements when she noticed the other capsule open.
"Oh. I see you've already met her?" Cheetara and Lion-O exchanged somber glances. White studied them with a puzzled gaze. Cheetara placed both her hands on the young woman's shoulders.
"Your friend did not survive the crash, White. Her suspension capsule was damaged. We're sorry," she stated, almost in a whisper.
White stared at her in disbelief, then backed away, darting to where her mentor lay in the capsule. Tears welled up in her eyes. The older mystic had been like a mother to her, a steadfast friend and confidante. White felt a hollow emptiness closing in on her. She fought to contain her emotions, a part of her training she knew she needed to deal with this loss. She closed her eyes tight end clasped her hands together. Comforting hands guided her to a nearby chair.
After several minutes, she had managed some control and looked at the two ThunderCats. Their faces reflected their compassion, but she also noticed that something else troubled them. They had shifted their gazes to the compartment behind them. It was at that moment she heard the sounds coming from that area. She rose and went into the room. Her questioning eyes looked to them, as they trailed in behind her.
Forgotten for the moment, Tygra stirred restlessly on the couch. He resumed his incessant ravings. The mystic eyed the ailing noble curiously.
"Your companion?" she asked, indicating Tygra.
"Yes," Cheetara replied, "He is the other reason we came here. We were told that he could be helped by you."
White's gaze returned to Tygra. "What's wrong with him?"
"Well, uh, we're not sure, really. He was injured by Mutants, but they did something else to him which left him in his present state," Lion-O explained. "He's not been himself for nearly three days."
The mystic threw him a sharp glance of reproof. "That's a long time, indeed!" she stated with awe. She lightly touched Tygra's damp forehead, then flinched as though shocked. She stood up quickly. Her vision encompassed a11 three ThunderCats more closely. She noticed their weary expressions and mud-stained clothing.
"How far did you come to get here? Do you realize how ill he really is? You don't know what you're asking of me!"
Cheetara chose her words carefully, "We know he should be where he could get better treatment, but we've exhausted all efforts to heal him on our own. There is one who told us that Tygra's life depends on the skills of a white mystic. We trust this friend's advice, so we took the risk. We had no choice. Can you--will you help us?"
White peered from Cheetara to Lion-O and ultimately to Tygra, who continued to babble on incoherently. She shook her head from side to side.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot help you in this!"
CHAPTER X S-S-Slithe, Monkian and Jackalman had returned to the area where they had fought the ThunderCats. Monkian crawled around for some time with Jackalman, trying to locate the missing canister. Thoroughly soaked with mud, the two Mutants finally halted their search.
S-S-Slithe berated them continuously. "The ThunderCats have that canister, I tell you, and it's a11 your fault, fools! Now we'll have to figure out another way to destroy them. Without the warp gas, Vultureman can't complete the formula again. Do you want to crawl back to Mumm-Ra and tell him we failed again?"
The other two shook their heads, wiping off the slick mud disdainfully.
"Then let us-s-s return to CASTLE PLUNDARR end come up with a new plan!" he hissed. They mounted their vehicles and roared off to their dark retreat.
***** Mumm-Ra watched the Mutants in his cauldron as they flew away above the trees.
"Wretched idiots!" he grumbled to himself. "So, S-S-Slithe, you've indeed foiled again. Your bumbling has destroyed a perfect opportunity for conquest over those despicable ThunderCats." The sorcerer began to pace back and forth. "No matter. I have a better plan in store."
He paused and produced the cat-head insignia from somewhere beneath his clock. He examined the surface closely, his evil mind churning.
"Yes, heh, heh. I will obtain the power of the Eye of Thundera through this! When Lion-O uses that blasted Sword, I will be able to know its strength and will be able to steal it for my own use. While you play your silly game of tag with the ThunderCats, Mutants, Mumm-Ra has learned that they seek a mystic to help the architect, Tygra. It appears I will have to handle this pesky problem myself! I will succeed this time! Ah, ha, ha, ha!"
Mumm-Rn flung out his arms and began to chant loudly, "Ancient Spirits of Evil! Transform this decayed form to Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living!" As he spoke the words of the spell, his tattered wrappings ripped apart, revealing a giant creature, powerful and mighty. He laughed again and leaped into the air, winging his way up to and out the tiny window at the top of the pyramid. His evil laughter echoed hollowly in his wake as Mumm-Ra flew off to visit CASTLE PLUNDARR.
***** Lion-O sat beside Tygra, as the other began to thrash about. Cheetara knelt next to them. She felt helpless and sad now. She thought of the mystic's words, dooming Tygra to this torturous existence. Lion-O had not been so easily put off. He had spoken up angrily when White stated that she couldn't help Tygra.
"How can you make such a decision when you haven't even examined him?" he said, his voice flaring. The mystic did not back down.
"It is plain to see, young ThunderCat, that you haven't ever dealt with the ways of mystics. You come here asking me to cure your friend and you don't even know what's wrong with him. Healing sickness and injury is difficult in itself, but I cannot cure a madman. My friend could," and she paused painfully. "Servalla was capable of healing mind sickness or related aliments, but this is beyond my skills. To attempt such a cure would be too risky and I could very well lose him."
Lion-O was about to retort, but checked himself when her words sank in. He certainly didn't want to lose Tygra, yet he didn't understand her protests. The mystic had turned her back and walked to the doorway. Lion-O started after her, but Cheetara called to him sharply,
"No, Lion-O!" He whirled around. The pretty ThunderCat lowered her voice. "Lion-O, you can't force her to help him. I don't understand either, why she can't, but she's only being fair and honest with us."
Lion-O faced the mystic. "How do you know Tygra's affliction?"
White turned and held him with her sapphire eyes. "There are ways to detect such things. When I touched his forehead, I mind-linked with him. I only touched the surface of his thoughts, thinking to ease his physical discomfort. What I encountered was much more than that. Never have I seen nor felt such mental pain! To heal him of both his physical and emotional injuries, I would have to attempt a deeper mind-link. That is the problem. The link would be forced because I'm not sure he would accept my intrusion. He is already in a chaotic state of mental duress. The risk lies in the fact that I'm inexperienced, and to try this type of healing is dangerous for me as well. If only Servalla had survived, she would have known what to do!"
She turned away again and went into the other compartment. White stood over Servalla's suspension capsule. The older woman's face was serene as if she were just asleep. The young mystic bit her lower lip as her sorrow threatened to overcome her again.
"Help me, Servalla! I don't know what to do. They ask the impossible of me! I know it is a mystic's sacred code to preserve even the most insignificant of life. I know so little as compared to you. Who am I to presume to dare so great an undertaking? Yet my heart tells me that to sit back and do nothing would only be a death sentence for the ThunderCat. Oh, guide me dear friend!"
Her tears fell freely now. In her mind she recalled lessons with her mentor. She searched for words that might comfort her but all she remembered was a lesson in self-confidence. Servalla had said that to succeed or fail one must first try. But to not try would only mean one succeeded in failing.
"Yes," White said aloud," I must try!" She thought of the blind faith that prodded the ThunderCats to risk everything to try and save their comrade. She recalled, too, their dejected expressions when she refused. With a silent thanks and farewell to Servalla, she squared her shoulders and glided silently to the doorway. She paused to listen to their conversation.
Cheetara was speaking. "I know Jaga would not deceive us, Lion-O. But maybe he meant the other mystic when he directed us here. Maybe we just got here too late."
Lion-O looked at her with a defensive glare, but said nothing.
Tygra struggled again and mumbled, "Thunderkittens too small...don't hurt...Cats. Sword...be destroyed...can't use against ThunderCat...Lion-O!...can't die!" His voice was only a whispered strain and he started to sob again. Forgetting his own anger, Lion-O pulled Tygra up to a sitting position and rested the injured man against his own shoulder. Tygra's body trembled in his grasp and the youth put a protective arm around him. With his other hand he gently stroked Tygra's sweat-dampened hair. Cheetara looked on, her own frustration barely contained. White felt her throat tighten as she witnessed the closeness that bound them to one another. She wondered what they had encountered in order to reach her. By the looks of them, they probably hadn't rested. She pondered, too, the circumstances she guessed brought them to this strange world and how they coped.
Right now she studied Tygra's writhing figure. Lion-O was attempting to restrain him from hurting himself. She was not certain, still, how she would or could help him, but something she touched during their brief mind-link indicated strong mind powers. Perhaps that would be her first method of approach. Resolving herself to this challenge, White stepped into the room and stood by them. Cheetara looked up at her with pleading eyes. Lion-O glanced at her briefly, but it was enough to tell her he wanted an answer. The mystic knelt down beside Tygra. She murmured hesitantly, "I'll try--to do what I can for him. As I said before, my experience is limited and it will be dangerous. You may be able to help me by telling me what happened to him prior to his present condition."
The two ThunderCats shot a look of hope to one another. With as much detail they could remember, they explained to her the attack by the Mutants and Tygra's subsequent disappearance. Lion-O related how he tried to locate Tygra with the Sword of Omens, only to discover later on Tygra's insignia was missing. He further mentioned that when he was returned by Snow-Meow, Tygra was delirious and incoherent. The young women absorbed this information with a patient ear.
"You mentioned Jaga the Wise. Is it he who sent you to seek us out? I'd have thought for sure that he had passed on by now. Yes, he would know about the healing powers of mystics."
The two nobles prudently kept quiet about Jaga's death. Instead, Cheetara asked what else they could do to assist her. Lion-O still held a squirming Tygra close to him. White took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, then spoke softly. "Hold him like that until I've established a bond with him again. He may resist a second presence in his mind." Lion-O frowned.
"A second presence?" he asked, puzzled. White nodded her head.
"There is some other force within him. I sensed it before. I will need to make him accept me and help him reestablish some sense of direction."
Cheetara spoke up quickly. "We also suspect that he's been drugged somehow."
White pondered this information. "Any idea what it might be?"
Lion-O answered her by saying, "The Mutants have no regard for the laws governing the use of warp gas. They've used it on innocent people before. We think that they may have used it in Tygra's case, but not the same substance we've seen before. Whatever it is, its effects have lasted much longer and Tygra's reaction to it has been traumatic."
The mystic's hand flew up to her face. Her reaction to that statement alarmed the others.
"A mind-altering drug! More potent and dangerous to the victim. I apologize, then, for assuming your friend was simply mad. Tygra has strong paranormal mind abilities, that much I can tell," White said, eyeing them for confirmation. Lion-O nodded.
"Then your friend would not be able to use those powers because such a drug would confuse them and leave him severely vulnerable to suggestion."
Cheetara and Lion-O considered the implications White's theory posed. Cheetara touched Tygra's face gently, her own anger now fueled. The Mutants never stopped pursuing ways in which to try and harm or destroy her companions. And they've come up with plenty of diabolical schemes, which nearly worked. Whether they knew the potential of their latest plot or not, Cheetara was certain that one other had a hand in its procreation. The concept sent chills down her spine. She linked her gaze to Lion-O's and saw by his startled look that he had come to the same conclusion.
He pleaded urgently. "Cheetara, if Mumm-Ra is involved, then Tygra is in big trouble. Good mystic, you've got to save him! Of all of us, Tygra would understand what you would be trying to accomplish."
"Lion-O is right, White. No doubt Tygra's been attempting to fight it himself. Why else would he continue to struggle, when exhaustion should have claimed him long ago?"
"Who is this Mumm-Ra?" the mystic inquired.
"He is called the Ever-Living, a vile priest-sorcerer whose allied himself with the Mutants. Since we arrived on Third Earth, he's been nothing but a thorn in our side and wants total dominion over everything. He is the complete opposite of everything the Code of Thundera stands for, and he would do anything in his power to gain the Sword of Omens for himself!"
"This Sword, the one you carry, Lion-O, what makes it so important to this Mumm-Ra?"
Lion-O's hand instinctively felt for the silver weapon. "Why, the Eye of Thundera in the hilt. It in the source of the ThunderCats' power. Mumm-Ra and the Mutants want it for themselves, but it will not be commanded by any who are evil."
With his free hand, Lion-O removed the blade from the claw shield and held it before him for the mystic to see. She reached out and touched the Eye. The Eye purred softly in response and White felt the warmth tingle within her fingertips.
"Yes! I see that this power is one to be respected." She was about to comment further, but Tygra made a strangling noise in his throat, wrenching himself free of Lion-O's grasp. His hand encircled the razor sharp blade and flung it to the floor. He screamed, covering his eyes with the backs of his hands, lurching forward onto the floor in a heap. He lay there, too weak to move, his breath coming in short gasps. Lion-O retrieved the Sword and put it away.
"The Sword again, Lion-O! Why is he punishing himself like this? Tygra knows better than to use the Sword that way. It's not supposed to be wielded against a ThunderCat, even to himself!" Cheetara said, her voice full of dread.
Lion-O's tongue wouldn't work. He feared for Tygra as much as Cheetara. Tygra offered no resistence when the Lord lifted him back on the couch. He stared trance-like, anguished eyes almost closed. His fever raged so high that he barely moved. Beads of sweat darkened his fur. He tossed his head from side to side, moaning pitifully.
Finally, White spoke purposefully. "Time is running short for him. We will delay no longer. A few moments only I'll need to prepare myself. Once I've begun, do not interrupt, for both our safety will depend on complete concentration. Do you understand?" They nodded.
"All right, then, let the healing begin!"
CHAPTER XI Vultureman shrieked his rage at the other three mutants and pounded the table with his fists.
"Control yourself, Vultureman, or you'll find yourself without any feathers!" spat S-S-Slithe. The bird-man stabbed a finger at them.
"You never appreciate anything I do, you ungrateful idiots! Now we have to explain all this to Mumm-Ra," he shot back.
Monkian and Jackalman snarled in response to his insult. Jackalman sneered, "Who are you calling an idiot, bird-brain?"
"Shut up!" S-S-Slithe cut in." "All of you. Instead of arguing start thinking of a way we can ambush the ThunderCats. Now I think--"
His words were cut off by an all-to-familiar, hideous voice. "You don't know how to think, S-S-Slithe. Your bumbling has again foiled any chance to defeat the whelp Lion-O and his cohorts. Now you will listen to what I have to say, bungler," Mumm-Ra threatened.
"I have learned that they have found the other ThunderCat, and even now, take him to a Thunderian mystic in the western mountains to cure him." The Mutants whirled to see their loathsome ally standing across from them. They prudently remained silent.
The creature continued, satisfied that he held their attention. "Tomorrow at dawn, you'll attack the CATS' LAIR with your most powerful weapons. By then I'll have confronted Lion-O and taken the secret of the Eye of Thundera right from the device that supplies the other ThunderCats with its power. Ha, ha, ha! Then I will use it to destroy him and his puny friends. And without Lion-O, the others at CATS' LAIR will be helpless against me!"
"What device is that, Mumm-Ra, that you speak of?" Jackalman ventured cautiously. S-S-Slithe shot him a dirty look. Mumm-Ra leveled his glowering red eyes at him and Jackalman shrank back next to Monkian.
"This, foolish one!" he shouted triumphantly, displaying Tygra's insignia to all of them. "When Lion-O calls up the Sword's powers, they will be transmitted to the disk where I can steal them for my own!"
The Mutants exchanged fearful glances. S-S-Slithe braved a response. "And you want us to blast them clear off Third Earth, Yes-s-s?"
"Yes, S-S-Slithe. Go make ready your weapons, Reptilian, and be prepared when I summon you!" With a fling of his wing-like cape, Mumm-Ra soared up and out the window and the Mutants watched his silhouette disappear in the fading light.
"Can he do that, S-S-Slithe?" Jackalman queried nervously.
The Reptilian eyed him sourly. "At least he has a plan. Whether it works or not, we'll finally end it for those meddlesome Cats at last."
***** Cheetara and Lion-O watched with contained amazement as White gently placed her fingers on Tygra's temples. She closed her eyes and reached out tentatively with her mind. The others knew immediately when she linked with him, for Tygra resisted as White predicted he would. He shook his head and tried to pull out of Lion-O's grip. The mystic soothingly pushed with her senses and in a few moments, Tygra calmed somewhat.
Within his troubled mind, Tygra fought to erase the images that tormented him. This new intrusion, what was it? A small, opaque image of white amid, the chaotic horror of darkness. He tried to focus on it, but it seemed to slip from him. No more pain, his mind cried. Must stop the pain. The image reappeared over the carnage, a pale, slender face with shining sapphire eyes.
The ethereal voice spoke encouragingly to him. "Tygra!" it said, "I want to help you. I know your pain and I can heal you. Do you hear me?"
Tygra was caught by White's compelling voice, but did not trust it. She sensed his doubt and tried again.
"You must trust me, ThunderCat, let me try. I'm a mystic, Tygra, not the one who has hurt you. The only way I can relieve the pain is for you to open up completely." She felt his anguish and projected compassion towards it. Tygra floundered, the fevered nightmare dominating his thoughts as his defense barriers went up.
"No, stop it! Go away!" he cried. Outwardly, Lion-O and Cheetara firmly held him by the arms as he raked the air in self-defense. The mystic retained her touch on him and patiently withdrew slightly.
She sought a different approach. Keenly aware of his physical distress, White turned to her healing skills. Still linked with Tygra, she collected her powers, the warmth flowing through her body. Pale blue light gathered at her fingertips and she began to transfer to him the healing strength. Tygra flinched again, but he was too weak to deny that force. His head tilted beck and he moaned softly. At a signal from White, Lion-O released his hold and stepped back. The blue glow traveled along the length of Tygra's frame to the area of his seared leg wound. To his companions, the light seemed to center over the wound, weaving an intricate pattern. Despite the bandage, White could see the damage and infection change from charred flesh to healthy skin and fur. When that task was finished, she returned her thoughts to his mind. The barrier was still there and she was amazed at its strength. She knew he needed that physical relief and was glad to find he had accepted it, though somewhat warily. His fever was still present but she attributed it to his hesitance in allowing himself to fully participate in the healing. She would have to use it as a lever.
"Tygra, I have healed those injuries of your body. I can try to help the other pain, but you must allow me to see what it is. Do you understand?"
She studied his outward expression, his troubled eyes trying to focus on her placid ones. His mouth worked at trying to speak, to concentrate at forming words. However, the images of death confused his efforts. White felt his mind slipping from her. With a firm surge of her power, she clung to him, forcing him to utilize his own powers to sustain the link. By sheer will, he retained the bond, no longer fighting it. Through the blanket of despair, Tygra glimpsed her intentions and desperately sought to hold on to the tiny light in a tunnel of darkness. His sanity depended on that light and he dropped the barrier without warning.
White was not prepared for his sudden breech and his torment hit her full force in the senses. She experienced the guilt he felt, the inability to save these that he loved. She tensed his feelings of betrayal and self-loathing, which stemmed from the deception Mumm-Ra's images had him believe. Mostly she viewed, through his eyes, the heart wrenching pain he suffered, believing himself the executioner of his friend Lion-O, whom he swore to protect and serve. She understood, too, the value the Sword of Omens and its precious Eye held for him, the very heart of his commitment to the Code of Thundera.
Recovering from this initial shock, the mystic delved deeper into the soul of the man, past the evil deception. What she saw was a dedicated and sensitive individual whose life required stability and a sense of purpose. All this she saw reflected in his dealings with family and friends, in his work and his pleasures. Everything from the loss of Thundera to his guardianship of his youthful lord, her senses recorded and she knew that this was the key to his restoration.
For Tygra, too, saw the women's love of life and her fear of failure. She had opened herself fully to him, in an act of faith and trust. He drank of her beauty and deep tenderness, forcing back briefly the sadness he endured. He touched on those minuscule things that tickled her whimsy, her love for animals and nature's colors. He saw the devotion to her craft and the mentor she idolized. A familiar but elusive memory of that mentor touched his thoughts, but the women's face would not materialize.
Lion-O and Cheetara quietly observed from a short distance away, where they had seated themselves. Suddenly, a strong rush of frigid air filled the room and they tensed simultaneously for action, as the Eye growled its warning. Mumm-Ra stood before them, malevolent eyes glowing. Lion-O drew the Sword and held it upward.
"Stay back, Evil One! We have nothing here you need!" he snarled.
Cheetara's baton was already poised for defense. Mumm-Ra only laughed mockingly.
"But you're wrong, whelp! You have the power that controls the Sword and I will have it, boy!" The sorcerer raised his hand and it began to glow as a ball of red flame leapt from it. He flung it at Lion-O, but the Lord of the ThunderCats blocked it with the Sword's blade. Cheetara tried to distract the sorcerer, but he anticipated her intentions. With his other hand, he directed a ball of electrical energy at her. She cried out and collapsed to the floor, stunned.
With a roar, Lion-o charged him. The two battled fiercely, as the magic of the Sword clashed with Mumm-Ra's arcane powers. Confined within the ship's limited interior, neither combatant could gain an upper hand.
Oblivious to the disturbance behind her, White maintained her contact with Tygra. She encouraged him to do the same. Tygra struggled valiantly, but she could feel his weariness.
"Tygra, the images of your friends, they are not real. They are only cruel illusions implanted in your mind to hurt you. Your friends are not dead! You've been drugged, Tygra. It's the drug that won't release you. Try to understand what I tell you!" Tygra's mind swam dizzily, but he managed to concentrate on the mystic's voice.
"Your mind powers are strong, ThunderCat, use them to help yourself."
Tygra tried to think about her words. "Illusions? Drug?" The concepts eluded him. "Must try...to think," he mumb1ed thickly.
White followed his thoughts. Good, she thought, I'm getting through to him. She pressed further, playing on his need to feel adequate and useful again.
"Tygra, you haven't failed your friends. The Mutants and Mumm-Ra tricked you. You know about illusions, my friend. You also know how to perceive them. I alone can't destroy them for you. You have to fight it, Tygra, you have the ability! Look beyond the influence of the drug."
At first she thought he hadn't heard her words. His mind seemed to drift off again. The dark visions flooded back and White sensed his panic.
"No, Tygra!" her mind voice firm, "Do not let it control you. It's only deception. Concentrate on me." There was no response. I've lost him, she thought desperately. She probed his mind with dire concern. A sense of despair swept over her when she couldn't find him. She was afraid he was lost but she hesitated to break the link. Her worst fear materialized. She knew she was too inexperienced and she could not accept this defeat. She had almost believed she could bring him back. Wallowing in her own self-pity, the mystic almost missed the small plea that called to her.
"Tygra?!" White's mind snapped to attention.
He spoke again, his mental voice weak. "Help...fight. No more...pain!"
"Yes!" the mystic reassured him. "I will help you, Tygra. We'll do it together."
With the combined effort of both their minds, Tygra sought to push back the torment that haunted him. White was truly astounded by the shear strength of will the ThunderCat tapped from deep within him. She lent her own will to his and she could empathize with the strain it cost him.
Meanwhile, Mumm-Ra continued to barrage Lion-O with energy bolts. The young Lord fought bravely, calling on the Sword's power to aid him. Mumm-Ra momentarily halted his assault. Lion-O warily stood his ground. He wondered what the sorcerer was planning. Mumm-Ra chuckled evilly.
"Go ahead, upstart, use its meager power. Summon your other puny friends. They will not be able to arrive in time to help you because I will have destroyed you first!" He reached under his cape and displayed the stolen insignia. The youth's eyes widened.
"And this will be my tool!" he boasted, noting Lion-O's reaction.
Lion-O gritted his tenth. He had no idea how Mumm-Ra would use it, but he suddenly felt an urgency to retrieve it. He knew that the insignia linked with the Sword, but did it still transmit that power to its bearer, unworn? He felt helpless. Lion-O realized what the dark one intended and knew he didn't dare utilize the Sword. Mumm-Ra laughed as he saw that Lion-O understood.
"Give me the Sword, ThunderCat, or I'll use this to destroy your friend, the architect." He hefted the disk threateningly. Lion-O chanced a brief glance at where the mystic worked on Tygra. His stomach tightened. They were vulnerable to Mumm-Ra while they remained in mind-link.
"You know the Sword won't respond to your evil, Mumm-Ra!" Lion-O ventured gravely. Mumm-Ra merely chortled.
"Then see your friends die, boy!" As he spoke, Mumm-Ra directed the disk towards White and Tygra. The red insignia flared violently and a fiery beam shot out. As the beam reached its intended victims, it separated in two, each one striking Tygra and the mystic in the forehead. Both screamed in agony and fell backwards to the floor.
"No!!" Lion-O shouted, brandishing the Sword before him.
Still not aware of the others, White had partially succeeded in bringing Tygra back in touch with reality. She began to feel her own weariness creeping up on her, but for Tygra's sake she persevered. Her heart went out to him. He was exhausted and very near collapse, but nevertheless, he persisted. He fought to control his labored breathing and directed his mind on the images. With forced effort, he tried to construct them into a window of glass. The mystic encouraged that design and on a simultaneous surge of their mind powers, the ghastly visions shattered into tiny, glittering pieces. Tygra nearly fainted from the effort, but forced himself to remain conscious.
White supported him with her mind and her hands on his trembling shoulders. She smiled at him and he sensed that they had succeeded.
But their triumph was short-lived. Totally unexpected, Mumm-Ra's attack seared into their minds. The intensity of the assault tore them apart, breaking the fragile link between them. White grabbed at her head, crying out, the explosion within her momentarily rendering her unconscious. Tygra slid to the floor, his hoarse cry trailing off to an agonized moaning. He lay there, clawing feebly at the air. Cheetara stirred and slowly sat up. She took in her surroundings and noticed Lion-O's raging battle with the sorcerer. She shook off the dizziness she suffered from the attack on her and hurriedly retrieved her fighting stick. With its aid she launched herself at Mumm-Ra's back and landed square with her feet planted on his shoulder blades. The force knocked him off balance and he dropped Tygra's insignia. The disk rolled away from him and bumped into one of Tygra's extended hands. Mumm-Ra made a desperate grab for it but the two ThunderCats blocked his way. The devil-priest became infuriated and threw more energy bolts at them again. The Sword of Omens repelled them and Cheetara's baton spun, dissipating the bolts into harmless energy.
The mystic lay stunned near Tygra's feet. The ThunderCat struggled to sit up. He reached out with his telepathic senses for her but he did not hear her. Through bleary vision he located her still form.
"No!...Come back!" his voice sobbed, cracking. He crawled clumsily towards her and turned her face to him. Her eyes remained closed. He pressed his fist to his throbbing head and it was then he heard the sounds of battle behind him. "Mumm-Ra!" he growled in barely a whisper.
Lion-O and Cheetara were trying to maintain control of the fight but it was evident to Tygra that they were tiring. Despite his waning strength, Tygra felt a rage infiltrate his awareness. He drew himself up on his hands and knees and spotted his insignia a short distance away. He reached it and fumbled to pick it up in his hands. His numb fingers could scarcely hold it. He looked around dully at his surroundings, but recognized nothing. Where am I? Am I dreaming? he thought, confused. He tried to gain his feet, but his body felt weighted down.
"Can't pass out!" he mumbled through gritted teeth. A familiar warmth tingled in his hand. The insignia glowed softly when he glanced down at it. He narrowed his eyes as an idea arranged itself in his clouded mind. Whether a trick of the light or whatever, Tygra could not say if the disk pulsed in agreement to his plan or not. He stared past it at the still mystic, then at the combatants. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind.
With deliberate care, he held the insignia at eye level and aimed his inner eye at the heart of the disk. Gathering his remaining power around him, Tygra called on the Eye of Thundera to fortify him.
The Eye answered with a hum and began to glow. Lion-O gripped the Sword, puzzled by its sudden luminosity. Its light burned in Tygra's eyes like golden beacons. Measuring his words, Tygra called to Mumm-Ra with his mind, his voice compelling enough to snare the dark one's attention. The creature halted his assault on the other ThunderCats and turned to him, surprise registering on his horrible countenance. He cocked his head slightly, snickering.
"So, the architect still lives?! I was sure that energy blast would destroy you. Perhaps you'd like another charge, ThunderCat?!"
Before he could raise his hand, Tygra instructed the disk to appear to enlarge. The concentration of energy within its face flared to a mirror brightness and Mumm-Ra shrieked as he saw his own image reflected on its surface. His powerful body transformed back to its withered shape. Mumm-Ra covered his eyes in fear and frustration.
"Did you think you could force the ThunderCats to surrender the Sword so easily, Mummy? Your evil tricks are no match for the Eye of Thundera!" Tygra said disdainfully.
Mumm-Ra shrank back, groaning. Tygra was not finished. Sweat trickled down from his forehead as he commanded the sorcerer to look again. The devil-priest peered cautiously at the insignia and saw, to his horror, the image of his ebony pyramid exploding into nothingness.
"Just like you, Mumm-Ra, it is only worthless rubble!"
With a despairing wail, Mumm-Ra dematerialized, his hollow voice echoing in his wake, "One day, ThunderCats, you will regret ever coming to Third Earth!"
When he was gone, Tygra lowered his arms. The glow faded from his eyes. He shifted his gaze toward the mystic. She had awakened and was leaning against Cheetara for support. She was staring at him with amazed respect. Tygra hardly noticed Lion-O squat down beside him and place his arm around Tygra's shoulders. He couldn't comprehend why they were all looking at him with grave concern. He forced a tiny smile, but he felt so tired, and he didn't fight the tempting lassitude that enveloped him like a blanket. He slumped against Lion-O, closed his eyes, and slipped into a deep, welcome sleep.
CHAPTER XII He awoke in a dimly lit area he didn't recognize. Tygra was curious in a detached sort of way, but he was more interested in finding something to relieve his incredible thirst. He tried to rise but something restrained his arms. After careful scrutiny, he realized it was a blanket tucked around him up to his neck. "Huh?" he muttered, squirming to free himself. His stirrings attracted someone's attention, for a cool hand gently pressed his forehead and he lay back down.
A soft voice spoke kindly. "You shouldn't try to get up right away. You're still too weak. At least the fever's gone."
Tygra craned his neck to identify the speaker. He looked into the face of a beautiful, young woman. A Thunderian mystic? How in Jaga did--? Then memory flooded back in a rush. The images of his friends, the fight with the Mutants, her now familiar face. This time he sat bolt upright, confused terror grabbing hold of him.
"No! My friends!" he croaked. The mystic held his shoulders firmly.
"Easy, Tygra!" she spoke soothingly, "Your friends are fine. You are still feeling the effects of the drug the Mutants used on you. Now, look, Lion-O and Cheetara are right over there, asleep." She indicated with a nod of her head. The two ThunderCats were curled up close by, indeed asleep. Tygra turned back to the mystic. She raised her eyebrows at him, reassurance sparkling within her rich, blue eyes.
"They went through a great deal to get help for you. They need to rest and so do you. I'll bet you could do with a bit of something to drink?" she added with a smile. Tygra's throat felt raw and parched and he nodded, relaxing somewhat. He watched her movements as she brought him a cup of water, which she encouraged him to sip slowly. After several moments, he asked where he was.
"My spaceship, er, I mean my friend's and mine. We crash-landed here. When I awoke from suspension, your friends were here with you. But enough talk for now. You need to rest to regain your strength." Tygra started to protest but she placed her fingers over his lips. "Rest some more and I promise we'll sort it all out for you later."
Tygra started to lay back, but hesitated. His uncertainty still shown on his face.
"My other friends where are they? What...What happened to me? You helped me, didn't you?" he asked quietly. White took his hand in hers.
"Tygra you were the victim of a cruel trick of illusion. Unfortunately, the use of a mind-altering drug made it difficult for you to fight it off. with your own innate mind-gift. Besides, you were sick and injured as well. Your friends brought you here, hoping to help you."
Tygra digested this information and glanced back to where the others slept on, then shifted his gaze to hers. He massaged his aching temples. White pressed him back on the couch.
"Go back to sleep now. You'll feel better once you've had a chance to recover. It will be light soon. Things will make more sense then."
She arranged the blanket around his shoulders again. Tygra caught one of her hands in his. "Thank you," he whispered and drifted off to sleep again. White sat beside him for awhile, watching the slow rhythm of his breathing. He was still troubled somewhat by the dreams, she thought, frowning. Yet he had placed his complete trust in her abilities during their mind-link. She felt as though she had short-changed him. What was it that Lion-O had said? 'Tygra would know more than any of us, what you'd be trying to do.' Yes, he had accepted me for all my inexperience. A credible measure of this man's steadfast character.
She turned when she heard soft steps behind her. Lion-o knelt down alongside the couch.
"How's he doing?" he asked in a low voice.
She silenced him with her finger to her lips and motioned him to follow her. They reached the control room and sat in the pilots' chairs.
"He's better, Lord Lion-O, but he's extended himself far beyond his capabilities. He did awaken briefly and accepted a little water. He's dehydrated from the fever and still a bit groggy from the warp gas, but he's a determined fellow." She paused briefly, then went on. "This Mumm-Ra, was he the one you were fighting with?" Lion-O nodded.
"Yes, and he nearly finished off all of us. How are you feeling? You haven't had a chance to rest."
"I'm fine, Lion-O, really. Remember, I recently awakened from suspension and it's easier for me to restore my strength. I thank you for your consideration, nonetheless. Tygra, on the other hand, had very little rest, yet I'm astonished that he managed to pull off what he did. It will take him some time to recover fully."
Lion-O rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well," he said gratefully, "He couldn't have done it without your help. I, uh, know I was a bit harsh in the beginning, but Tygra's done a great deal for me, as have the others. It's my duty as Lord of the ThunderCats to protect them from any harm. And without Jaga's guidance, I wouldn't have known what to do to save him. On behalf of all the ThunderCats, I thank you." White acknowledged his gratitude with an embarrassed smile.
"You are kind, Lion-O, but you give me too much credit. If anyone should be praised, it should go to you and Cheetara for your extraordinary efforts to get here, and to Tygra, who overcame incredible obstacles to free himself."
"Nonetheless, you took the risk and saved him." He paused in his conversation. "I'm truly sorry we couldn't have done something for your friend as well. From what you say of her, I'm sure she was quite a woman. She would have been very proud of what you did for us. We'll see that she gets a proper burial. Then you must return with us to CATS' LAIR where you will be most welcome."
White indicated around her with a sweep of her hand. "Yes, we will take care of Servalla, here. What of my ship, though?"
"Don't worry, if it's salvageable, Panthro will be able to fix it. He's a genius with anything mechanical. Okay?" said Lion-O.
White smiled a little sadly, rubbing her arms nervously. She answered him bravely, though her sorrow returned. "Okay. I would very much like to meet the rest of your friends. And you must tell me how you came to Third Earth."
***** S-S-Slithe and the Mutants waited impatiently for Mumm-Ra's signal to attack the LAIR. When first light came, they still had no word from him.
Vultureman paced restlessly. He cawed at the others, "What's keeping him, S-S-Slithe? He said he could eliminate the cub, Lion-O, with that fool insignia. Something must have gone wrong, I say. We could use all our Mutant technology and go up against CATS' LAIR, with or without Mumm-Ra!"
"He's right, S-S-Slithe," Jackalman piped up.
"Mumm-Ra's failed before. We should have heard from him by now. It's already daylight. Now's our chance while the ThunderCats are split up," Monkian also agreed.
"We don't need Mumm-Ra to destroy the LAIR. We've come close to succeeding before. Vultureman's thundranium bombs can be launched from the skycutters and the nosedivers."
S-S-Slithe listened to their arguments silently. It was true, they didn't need the sorcerer to inflict damage on CATS' LAIR. If Lion-O and Cheetara were off somewhere with the ThunderTank, that meant that only the Thunderkittens, that ridiculous creature Snarf and an injured Panthro defended the LAIR. Tygra was totally disabled, thanks to the warp gas, so he was certainly no threat. The odds were definitely in favor of the Mutants.
"All right, Mutants. We don't wait for Mumm-Ra. Man the skycutters and your flying machine, Vultureman. We may not have any warp gas left, but the thundranium charges will weaken them. When Lion-O returns he won't have a LAIR to rule from, Yes-s-s?!" the reptilian ordered in his gravelly voice. The others chuckled in agreement. Without further delay, the Plundarrians boarded their deadly craft and roared off in the direction of their enemy's stronghold.
***** White, Lion-O and Cheetara dusted off their hands and clothing as the last shovelful of dirt covered the simple grave of Servalla, the mystic. With barely controlled emotion, White paid tribute to the gentle women who loved her as a daughter and saw, with keen perception, White's exceptional potential. The two ThunderCats placed a wreath of mountain blossoms upon the grave. They had offered to take her body back to CATS' LAIR for burial, but White stated that, considering what Tygra had been through, the presence of the body would only be distressing for him. Lion-O exchanged a puzzled look with Cheetara when the younger woman offered no further explanation.
They returned to the ship to find Tygra seated outside by the doorway. He stood up slowly as they approached and leaned heavily against the fuselage of the craft. His perceptive eyes did not hide the knowledge of their recent task, but hinted of his need to know who the victim was. White assured him that it was not one of his friends but another mystic who had died in the crash. Tygra's aggrieved look surveyed the fresh mound briefly, then he bowed his head in silent respect.
After gathering several things from the damaged spaceship, they boarded the ThunderTank. Cheetara rode up front with Lion-O, while Tygra remained in the rear with White. He was still very weak and had required assistance to climb in. This troubled White. She had given him several healing treatments while he slept, which should have given him enough strength to manage on his own. She supposed it was a residual effect from the drug. She studied him thoughtfully. He didn't appear overly concerned by his condition, merely tolerable. He had been lost in thought, but suddenly turned to her, sensing her scrutiny of him. He smiled.
"You had promised to explain about what had happened to me. It seems I've lost a few days a result," he said matter-of-factly.
White nodded. She liked his voice. At least it had lost some of its hoarseness.
"Well, your friends could tell you more of what happened than I, but I'll do my best. From what they told me, you and your other friend Panthro were involved in a confrontation with Mutants. Both of you were injured." She looked to Cheetara, who was listening. Tygra thought about this for a moment.
"Yes, I remember now. Panthro was trapped under the ThunderTank. Is he alright?"
"Yes, Tygra, he's fine," Cheetara answered. "He did suffer a concussion, but he was more concerned about you. You had disappeared and we couldn't even find you with the Sword." Tygra frowned.
"Disappeared? I remember that Vultureman and S-S-Slithe attacked me in that flying thing but--no, wait. Vultureman dropped something he said was warp gas. But that doesn't last very long?"
"No, Tygra, but a mind-altering drug would." White said meaningfully. Tygra whistled softly.
"Indeed! You mentioned that before." He didn't like the idea of the Mutants in possession of something like that. No wonder he felt so disoriented.
Lion-O continued. "When Snow-Meow brought you back to the LAIR, you were delirious and kept raving about someone hurting the ThunderCats. Also your insignia was missing." Tygra fingered the now restored disk.
"The ThunderCats were dying and I couldn't save them! I had even used the Sword to--" he said in a rush, but then his voice seemed to catch in his throat. The memory brought beck a pained look to his face. Cheetara and Lion-O looked at him in surprise. White put a comforting hand on his arm.
"No, Tygra, you didn't kill Lion-O with the sword. That's quite obvious. Nor were the others harmed. Lion-O, stop here for a moment."
Lion-O complied. Tygra looked at her with a confused gaze.
White chose her words carefully. "Tygra, you were very sick with a fever and combined with the drug you were extremely susceptible to suggestion. This Mumm-Ra took advantage of your disability and used illusions to deceive you. He knew how much the others meant to you, so he used that to hurt you. I saw what you saw, ThunderCat, when I mind-linked with you. There was no other way to help you. You were on a self-destructive course not of your making."
Tygra listened quietly to her explanation. When she had finished, he ran his fingers through his thick head fur. "Illusions, you say?" The mystic nodded. Tygra ran his hand across his face. He felt as though his nerves were completely exposed. White gestured to Lion-O.
"Give me the Sword, Lion-O," she said. When he had done so, the mystic held it out to Tygra. He stared at her, uncomprehending.
"Go on, Tygra, take it. The Sword would know your heart if you ever meant to harm Lion-O. You have no reason to fear it."
Tygra glanced at the young lord, who nodded encouragement. He took the Sword, then, the cool metal of the hilt comfortable in his hand. The Eye glowed brightly and purred softly. The familiar strength of its power warmed him reassuringly and was reflected by the golden glow emitting from his insignia and his eyes. In a flash, he knew he could never betray the Sword's trust nor his commitment to serve his Lord. He sighed and smiled. His joy did not go unnoticed by the others.
"Illusions, Tygra. Cruel illusions which you defeated," White said gently. He handed the Sword back to Lion-O and took his seat again.
"I guess I owe all of you my heartfelt thanks for saving my life. I'm especially fortunate that you were there to help me, uh, I'm sorry, I don't even know your name, Mystic." This time he grinned sheepishly. White laughed.
"White the Mystic, at your service, noble Tygra," she stated with a slight bow. Tygra looked embarrassed, not used to the formal title she addressed him by. Cheetara giggled behind her hand. She motioned to Lion-O to proceed. While they rode on, White described to Tygra his defeat of the dark sorcerer.
"After all you'd been through, I don't know where you found the energy to do that. I have never met such an evil entity in all my experience!"
"He is indeed, and dangerous, too. I thought he had destroyed you. Lion-O and Cheetara looked like they needed the help. I got angry, I guess, tired of Mumm-Ra harassing us. Snarf once said that you have to dig deeper if you wish to accomplish something that looks impossible. I guess that's what I did without realizing it," Tygra responded sagely.
He contemplated the passing terrain for a time. White began to understand just what type of creature Mumm-Ra truly was. She felt his evil touch invade her mind when he tried to harm her. It was with great respect that she held for the ThunderCats, that sense of awe, that prompted her tojoin with them in their fight against Mumm-Ra.
They travelled on for several more hours in reflective silence. Tygra dozed on and off. Cheetara suddenly spoke up. "Shouldn't we contact Panthro and let him know we're on our way, Lion-O?"
"Good idea. He's probably worried as it is." Lion-O activated the communicator and spoke into it. "ThunderTank to CATS' LAIR, do you copy?"
There was no response. "Strange, they don't answer. Maybe we're not in range of the LAIR," Lion-O said with a frown.
Cheetara shook her head. "We've been further out than this, Lion-O, and have gotten a good signal. Something must be wrong. I feel it." Her worried look convinced him that perhaps she was right. Cheetara's sixth sense never failed her and the ThunderCats trusted her intuition. He tried once more on the radio but all he got was silence.
"Trouble, Lion-O?" Tygra's voice said next to his shoulder. Lion-O shrugged.
"Don't know, Tygra. They don't answer at CATS' LAIR. I thought you were asleep."
"Just cat-napping, my friend, but I can still hear. Cheetara didn't sound convinced."
"You're right, Tygra, and neither am I, but--" he said, but stopped speaking as the Sword growled its warning. Lion-O drew the Tank to a halt and slid the Sword out. "Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight!" he commanded. White watched, fascinated by this ritual. Cheetara and Tygra understood only too well, what the warning implied.
Lion-O's vision observed the exterior of the LAIR. Plumes of smoke rose from the structure. He saw, too, the Mutant craft circling, firing volleys of laser blasts. The image changed to within the LAIR, showing Panthro and the others battling to defend it.
"The LAIR!" shouted Lion-O. "The Mutants are attacking the LAIR. We've got to get back there, fast!" The Sword snicked back into place in the sheath. Lion-O dropped down into the seat and gunned the engine. Tygra paused long enough to motion the mystic to her seat. He gripped the side as the Tank lunged forward like a pouncing cat.
CHAPTER XIII Panthro awoke with a start as second blast rocked the LAIR. He bolted out of his room and made for the control center. He met Snarf in one of the myriad corridors leading to that area.
"Snarf, snarf, Panthro. You've got to come to the control room right away!"
"What's going on, Snarf? What's all the racket?" Panthro growled.
Snarf fell into step with his larger companion. "It's the Mutants, Panthro, they're bombarding the LAIR! Snarf!"
"The Mutants?!" Panthro snorted. "Blast it! Don't they ever give it up? Come On!" Panthro broke into a run and Snarf padded behind.
The doors parted with a hiss as he reached them and both entered. Smoke hung in the air and sparks flew from some of the equipment. Wilykit and Wilykat struggled to fire off volleys from the computerized laser and to fight the tiny fires on the damaged console. The older ThunderCat slid into the chair Wilykit vacated when she saw him enter.
"How long has this been going on?" he asked in a controlled voice.
Wilykat turned to face him. "Just started, Panthro. Damage to most of the equipment is minimal right now, except for one of the lasers in the Cat's eyes." Panthro frowned. His fingers tapped at various buttons, checking for himself the extent of damage. Several of them failed to respond. He cursed under his breath. On the telescreen, he viewed the Mutant skycutters circling like birds of prey, firing laser bolts upon the main structure. Another round exploded close by and Wilykit yelped painfully. Panthro's head snapped around in her direction. The youngster clutched her arm to her body, whimpering. Panthro gritted his teeth.
"Wilykat, Snarf, help her! And try to control that fire!" he cried.
Wilykat was already moving to help his sister while Snarf aimed an extinguisher at the stubborn flames. Panthro silently raged at the Mutants. Blasted devils have caused enough problems already. He thought of Tygra and sighed. Keeping his eyes on the viewscreen, he inquired, "Any word from Lion-O and Cheetara?"
Wilykit spoke up despite her injury."We haven't heard anything yet," she said.
Panthro glanced at her briefly. Wilykat was wrapping bandage around her forearm. Sensing Panthro's concern, Wilykat assured him that it was only a slight burn. His sister flashed a thumbs up signal.
"I'm okay, Panthro. I can still fight Mutants."
Good girl, he thought, just like a true ThunderCat. He activated the communicator module on the console. Another blast shook the walls.
"CATS' LAIR to Thundertank, do you read me, Lion-O?" He called repeatedly but there was no answer. The two kittens and Snarf watched him with concern. He tried severa1 more times and received nothing but static.
He slammed his hand on the console with frustration.
"Looks like we've got to tough this one out on our own. Man those lasers again!" Snarf piped up hesitantly.
"Do you think they found the mystic? Reo-oww, maybe they ran into trouble with the Mutants, too," he said, turning down his ears.
"I don't know, Snarf, but we've got no communications with them. That last blast burned up the module," Panthro retorted, shaking his hand.
His red-orange eyes burned with determination. Miserable, wretched Mutants must know Lion-O's not here or they wouldn't have dared an attack. He fervently vowed to take out as many of them is possible. He still owed them for what they did to Tygra. And furthermore, he smelled Mumm-Ra's hand in this. He fired several more shots at the dodging skycutters and whispered a silent prayer that the others had succeeded.
Numerous, exceptionally loud explosions rocked the building. Pale yellow fumes permeated the control room. Panthro barely glanced at it as he kept his eyes glued to the telescreen. He suddenly felt dizzy and weak.
"What?!" He looked up. Wilykit and Wilykit were down on their hands and knees, coughing. Panthro recognized the danger and abandoned the console. He grabbed each of the kittens around the waist and yelled at Snarf, "Get out, Snarf! Those are thundranium charges! Hurry!" He staggered to the door, but collapsed with his burden. Snarf tried to crawl over next to him, but he, too, succumbed to the threat.
***** Time seemed to go on forever as the ThunderTank roared on towards its home base. Cheetara periodically tried to raise the LAIR but she got only crackling static. Lion-O drove just under maniacal speed. Tygra, exhausted as he was, remained awake and alert. The young mystic, caught up in the urgency of their mission, sat in tense readiness. She did not approve of violence and her training was to preserve life. Yet she knew of the atrocities committed by the Mutants of Plundarr. She admired the spirit of the ThunderCats to survive, as evinced in their quest to save their friend. More so, she witnessed, through Tygra's memories, the raw courage which brought them through the devastation of Thundera and the loss of the refugees. She grew to understand their dependence upon one another to preserve life, home and their moral values, which comprised their existence. It was these very values that Servalla had tried to instill in her through her teachings. Perhaps she was not so different from the ThunderCats in her beliefs. She turned to Tygra.
"How long before we reach the LAIR?" she asked.
"Shouldn't be too far now, but I'm not sure which direction we're coming in from," he replied uncertainly. "Cheetara?"
The golden-haired ThunderCat looked over her shoulder. "We're heading east, Tygra, and we should be coming up on the LAIR any moment now. I sincerely hope we're not too late." As if to confirm her response, theThunderTank capped a ridge. Beyond the treetops of the Forest of the Unicorns, the hazy outline of the CATS' LAIR could be seen. Even at that distance, its aesthetic contours could be distinguished. But so were the rising tendrils of smoke that marked the areas hit by the Mutant bombs. White gasped as she caught sight of it.
Tygra commented in a soft voice. "It certainly takes one's breath away, doesn't it?" Then in a firmer tone, he added, "Hurry, Lion-O. We've no time to lose!"
The Tank dropped down into a valley, out of sight of the LAIR. Lion-O maneuvered the vehicle through the massive trees, scattering birds and animals in his path, careful not to harm any of them. When they reached the open terrain of the Plains of Fertility, Lion-O slowed to survey the damage to their home. Several parts of the greet cat's body showed gapping holes where smoke and flames were visible. One of its eyes was shattered.
Circling overhead, the huge flying machine of Vultureman's let loose yet another charge upon the head. The skycutters were firing from below.
Without waiting for instructions, Tygra climbed up behind the rear cannon. Cheetara had already raised the Tank's front paws, exposing their hidden cannons. The mystic placed a restraining hand on Tygra's arm.
"Tygra, you're not strong enough yet!"
The ThunderCat responded with contained anger in his voice, "Stay under cover, Mystic. Lion-O, go for it! The others are not firing back!"
White complied as she saw the determined look in Tygra's eyes. Lion-O engaged the reactor and the Tank roared forward. No return fire came from the LAIR as Tygra pointed out. The Lord of the ThunderCats felt his own heartbeat quicken as the surge of adrenaline coursed through him. The Mutants continued to fire their lasers and were caught unawares as the ThunderTank opened fire on them. Tygra raked the flying machine from stem to stern. He took a perverse thrill in seeing the shocked look on Vultureman's face as the huge craft sputtered and shuddered. The Mutants struggled with the controls and veered beck towards Castle Plundarr.
"That's one I owed you, Beak-face!" Tygra muttered to himself.
Cheetara directed her blasts at one of the skycutters, scoring a hit. Just before it hit the ground, Monkian leapt for the undergrowth. Jackalman's took the next shot, though only on the wing. Nonetheless, he, too, gave up the fight and retreated. S-S-Slithe saw his troops fleeing and decided to make an exit himself. As he realized that he was alone, he soared past the ThunderTank and picked up a limping Monkian. Then he disappeared in the distance as well.
When they were certain the Mutants were gone, Lion-O drove the Tank across the remaining terrain to the drawbridge which spanned the huge chasm near the base of the LAIR. Without slowing down, Lion-O started across its expense into the drifting smoke. Suddenly, as they reached the other side, White called to Lion-O to stop. The young Lord slowed and turned to her. Tygra clung to the base of the cannon, as the mystic supported his other arm. Lion-O and Cheetara leapt to the back of the Tank.
"Is he hit?" Cheetara asked quickly.
Tygra shook his head from, side to side. "Feel...weak. No strength, Mutants...used thundranium charges. The others...must be effected. We must help them."
The other two ThunderCats felt vaguely weak. Lion-O stood up. "Come on, we've got to get them out of there, into some fresh air!" Cheetara jumped off the back of the Tank. Tygra struggled to do the same but stumbled. Lion-O held him up by the shoulders. Tygra could barely stand.
"No, Tygra, you stay here. If the thundranium makes you this unsteady out here, inside you'd be completely helpless."
Tygra took a step forward, then stopped. He set down beside the ThunderTank, his anxious concern written all over his face.
"Don't worry, we'll get them out," Lion-O assured him and squeezed his shoulder.
"May I be of some assistance?" asked the mystic.
Cheetara nodded. "An extra pair of hands will be useful now!" she said with a wave.
The three of them charged into the LAIR and raced for the control room. As the door opened, thick smoke poured out. Through the haze, they saw Panthro and the others sprawled near the door. Without delay, Lion-O pulled the big man into the hallway, then hefted him over his shoulder. With his free hand he scooped Snarf up under the other arm. He began to feel his strength waning, but he stayed long enough to ensure that the women had rescued the kittens. They made their way bark outside. As she passed the threshold of the control room, Cheetara hit the ventilation switch.
When they reached the cleaner air, they all breathed deeply. White experienced the slightly dizzying sensation the thundranium produced.
"Does this thundranium effect everyone like this?" she asked.
"Only Thunderians from what we know," replied Lion-O. He handed Snarf to Tygra, then lowered Panthro next to him. Panthro groaned and sat upright. Lion-O squatted beside them.
"That's it, Panthro, take deep breaths," he said patting Panthro's thick biceps. Cheetara and White encouraged the kittens to do the same.
Snarf stirred in Tygra's arms and the ThunderCat gently stroked the snarf's fur. White stood up and silently surveyed the whole of the LAIR.
"Your home, it's been damaged so. What will you do?"
Tygra tilted his head up at her and said plaintively, "We'll fix it up, like we've done so before."
White looked from him to the others. They nodded or shrugged their shoulders. Some even smiled tolerably. Panthro climbed to his feet,
"Yeah. The important thing is that everyone is okey." He aided Tygra to stand. He scrutinized Tygra's weary expression with a critical eye.
"You are okay, aren't you?" he asked seriously.
His friend smiled warmly. "Yes, Panthro. Thanks to all of your efforts, I feel like I've truly come home." Panthro hugged him, then, in a rare show of affection. Tygra gripped his hand in return, his gratitude expressed more deeply this way because Tygra's words caught in his throat. The kittens crowded him then, and he knelt to embrace them tightly. When he released them, he rose and took the mystic's hand in his.
"Let me introduce you to White, the Mystic. White, this is Panthro, Wilykit, Wilykat and Snarf," he said formally, indicating the other ThunderCats. They acknowledged with slight bows. White studied her new friends.
"Are you all who survived Thundera?" she asked softly.
"All that we knew of until we found you," Cheetara stated with a smile.
"And we are once again in your debt," said Lion-O. "Will you stay with us?" White was at a loss for words. Tygra took both her hands in his.
"Please stay, White. You'll like it here. Besides, your skills will be quite useful and we--well, we'd like to learn more about mystics. And we'd be honored to have one of your rank as part of our family." The young woman saw the genuine sincerity in his earnest eyes. The other Cats cheered their approval. White was touched by their generosity.
"With an offer like that, how can I refuse. Thank you, all of you!"
CHAPTER XIV Several days passed peacefully at CATS' LAIR. The Mutants had returned to CASTLE PLUNDARR, beaten. All of their ships had been damaged or grounded, so they were kept busy repairing them and licking their proverbial wounds. Mumm-Ra, too, returned to his dark home, pleased, at least, to find it intact. His attitude regarding Tygra's clever illusion left him with a more grudging respect for the ThunderCat's mind powers. A power to be reckoned with at another time. With that purpose in mind, he slipped into his stone crypt for his restorative sleep.
***** Under Tygra's direction, the other ThunderCats worked steadily to restore and repair the damage inflicted upon the LAIR. On the condition that he do no heavy work for awhile, Cheetara and White allowed him to oversee the operation. They made sure that he rested when he felt tired, even though he showed vast improvement since their return. White's healing treatments contributed greatly to that improvement and Tygra's gratitude was expressed through his eagerness to help everyone, sometimes to their quiet amusement.
During one of those times when Tygra gave in to his weariness and went off to sleep, the others had gathered in the council room to relax and talk. White had commented on Tygra's drive. Panthro chuckled heartily.
"That's just Tygra's way, White. He'll run himself into the ground when he sets his mind to get something done, unless someone puts a leash on him."
"Tygra's very safety conscious and not without good reason," Cheetera added. "He designed the LAIR to withstand attacks like that of the Mutants and you can be assured he's already working on plan to improve it."
Lion-O questioned the mystic in a more serious tone. "What exactly did Mumm-Ra make Tygra see? And you never really explained why you chose to bury the other mystic near your ship."
White turned a surprised look on the young lord. Not having known what took place in the mystics' ship, Panthro and the kittens were hard pressed to hear. White decided that it was only fair to them.
"Well, Mumm-Ra had cleverly convinced Tygra that he had destroyed all of you. With the drug's suggestive effects, Mumm-Ra made Tygra witness each of your deaths in painful and horrifying ways, which Tygra was helpless to prevent. To him, those deaths were real. Tygra's fear of the Sword later on stemmed from the fact that your death, Lion-O was by his own hand with your Sword. In Tygra's nightmare, the Sword did not react as it should have if it was used against another ThunderCat, and that paradox convinced him that he was evil and worthless. This was the main principle of his torment. His greatest fear was that he would be left alone with that guilt. But what I saw of his character, while mind-linked, convinces me that you have a priceless friend and guardian." She paused to let that sink in.
"As for Servalla, I saw a familiarity with her in Tygra's memories and not merely an acquaintance. There's a relationship more intimate then I can reveal. His mental state at the time we buried her, was too fragile to burden him with her death. At a more convenient time, I'll let him know who she was."
"Another mystic?" said Panthro. "There were two of you?"
White lowered her eyes. "Yes. She was a dear friend and mentor to me. She died when our ship crashed." Panthro placed a comforting hand over hers.
"I can understand how you must feel. Had we lost Tygra--well, uh, but you saved him for us. And when we lost Jaga, now, there was a true friend."
White raised her eyes at him. "Then, Jaga did pass on? But you said he told you how to save--" Her gaze shifted to Lion-O.
"Lion-O is the only one of us who can still communicate with Jaga, as well as see his spirit form," said a familiar voice behind them.
Tygra stood in the doorway of the council room. He walked over to where Lion-O sat and placed his hands on the back of his chair.
"As Lord of the ThunderCats, it is a privilege, indeed, for Lion-O. In this way, Jaga is always near to guide us."
White watched Tygra's expression a moment. She wondered how long he had been standing there and what, if any, of her conversation he heard. Then she turned back to Lion-O.
"I see now, many things I didn't understand before," she replied in her pleasant voice. She wondered what other surprises awaited her as she would come to know these nobles better.
"By the way, Tygra, I thought you might like to analyze this," said Lion-O, removing a canister from within a metal box. He handed it over to Tygra.
"What is it, Lion-O?" the other queried, taking it cautiously in his palm.
"Be careful, Tygra, it's warp gas." Tygra inhaled sharply and nearly dropped the thing. A look of pure panic crossed his countenance.
Panthro was on his feet and had moved to Tygra's side, grasping his hands to steady them. Realizing his thoughtlessness, Lion-O also jumped up and hovered protectively close by.
"Lion-O, that's not funny, if it was meant to be a joke!" snarled Panthro angrily. Lion-O's face looked stricken.
"I'm sorry! I--I thought, uh, that Tygra would merely want to find out what the Mutants had used in order to prevent them from using it again. Monkian dropped that on Cheetara and me when we took Tygra to the mystic. It didn't explode. I'm truly sorry, Tygra! I honestly didn't wish to startle you like that!"
Tygra had partially regained his composure, a sma1l, sickly grin on his face. A measure of fear still lingered in his eyes but he was able to find his voice.
"No, it's a11 right, Lion-O," he said shakily. "I don't wish this stuff on anyone. Your point is well taken. For now, however, I would appreciate it if you'd secure that in the box and put it in the lab."
Lion-O gingerly accepted the oval case and returned it to the box. He hastily removed himself from the room, Snarf trailing in his wake. Tygra nervously rubbed his palms on his thighs, then sat down in Lion-O's chair. Panthro still stared after Lion-O.
"Don't be angry with him, Panthro," Tygra said softly, more to calm the older ThunderCat's temper than to ease his own racing heart.
"He meant well. I guess it will take a little longer for me to put all of this behind me. There's no telling what those troublesome Mutants will come up with next. We'll have to keep our guard up, but we can't let it prevent us from enjoying those things we hold precious in life."
Panthro looked over his shoulder at him. "He's right, Panthro, and we have each other to share it with," said Wilykat.
"Yeah!" echoed Wilykit. Cheetara smiled at him and spread her hands in agreement. Panthro rubbed his chin in thought, then grinned broadly.
"I certainly can't argue that!" he said, relaxing. Lion-O returned with Snarf on his heels. The young man's expression was humbled.
"I apologize, Tygra, for my lack of consideration. I guess I just didn't think. I should have realized my timing was bad."
"Apology accepted, Lion-O, though I don't think it is really necessary. I'll be fine. We'll just have to be more careful from now on together." Lion-O glanced at Panthro, who winked and smiled back. The Lord of the ThunderCats joined the others at the table. He stretched out his hand and the others capped his with their own. Tygra motioned the mystic to join them. With one resounding voice they shouted, "ThunderCats, Forever!"
Snarf grinned and asked, "Anyone hungry?" Amidst the shouts of affirmation, Tygra turned to the mystic and took her gently by the arm.
"Welcome to CATS' LAIR, White the mystic," he said, smiling. She returned his smile and together they followed the others to dinner.
THE END