Prologue - Kzinti SpaceThe small but powerful ship had been surrounded by a 'Pride' of illegal ships from the Kzinti Preeminence. Pridor Maald boarded it himself, to seize its Captain or Ambassador. Waiting for him was the captured ship's pilot, an old Sn'r'f named Forad. Looking much like idealized Terran wildcats, the tiny Sn'r'fs were puny, but loyal. The Pridor respected loyalty, so issued no insult as he made his simple demands.
"Show me the master of this ship. If they are important enough, they will be ransomed instead of sold to Orion."
The creature raised itself up on his tail, and looked the Pridor straight in the eye.
"He's in the forward room. He awaits you, Great Pridor."
"Good. Defiance of we Kzinti Lions has been known to have painful side effects."
Master of all he looked over, Maald headed into the room, to greet a captive he now knew would be important. The pilot's common sense in surrendering showed definite signs of good breeding.
A minute later, his fur on end, the Pridor withdrew, bowing out the door as he went. He looked at Forad, and shook as the door to the front room closed.
"You--you could have told me it was---HIM!!!!"
"Sn'rf! You didn't ask, kitten!!"
"Do not mock me, Forad! I could still gut you in moments."
Whirling unto himself like a circular blade, Forad jumped up onto Maald, pushing him down and holding a blaster at his nose.
"I've faced down The Ever-Living himself, boy! I am Forad, nephew of Buforad, servants to the Royal House. You Kzinti remember the Lion to whom even you nomads swear fealty. S'nr'f!"
Maald was appropriately chastised.
"Yes, sir! Anything else?"
"Hmmm. Yes. Tell me the last known location of a ship called....Enterprise."
=============================
M'ress smashed another mirror. Her friend and first-shift counterpart, Pavel Chekov, heard this and came running.
"Lieutanant, are you all right?"
"Feh. I'm fine, Pavel. Just my ugly mug smashed another looking-glass, is all."
"Looks rather to me like it had help from your fists. M'ress---your family still loves you. Your appearance matters not at all to your friends aboard the Enterprise."
The still-lithe Caitian just shook her head.
"My family declared that I am OutLitter---Adopted!! Worse, the medicine I've taken for-ev-er wasn't for a nervous twitch---it was to keep my appearance more Caitian. Now I've built up a resistance to it. I've never minded how you people look, Pavel--when it was you looking like that. It just doesn't suit me."
Pavel Chekov let her calm down rather than say he liked her new, more humanoid look. She was still definitely felinoid. But her tail had atrophied and fallen away, and her body had picked up definite mass. She joked that, good-looking as she was, everything had of course settled properly. Lieutenant Chekov wondered how well he would handle such a change, and found he didn't like the answer much.
"On the good side, your speed, strength, psi---everything has gone way up. It may be a bad turn, but at least there are the odd side benefits."
For his efforts at trying to cheer her up, M'ress gave Chekov a light peck on the cheek.
"Thank You, My Friend. You make a freak feel almost womanly again."
Before Chekov could protest, the intercom came on.
"Senior Staff, this is the Captain. All main shifts' bridge crew—including Lieutenant M'ress---report in dress uniform to The Diplomatic Reception Transporter Room."
"Captain--This Is M'ress. My---dress uniform doesn't exactly fit anymore. Should I show up in fur?"
Kirk sighed on his end.
"Not really an option now, Lieutenant. Go into storage. There you'll find Janice Rand's dress uniform. Kirk out."
Now, M'ress sighed. Once, her uniform had been more affectation than necessity. But the majority of humanoid females did not go out just 'in fur', and certainly never on duty. Pavel chuckled.
"And what's so funny?"
"Heh. 'In Fur'. The Keptin still doesn't know."
Despite her feelings of alienation, M'ress too chuckled at the time she had won a bet by fighting an entire Romulan battle 'in fur' only, and Captain Kirk had never noticed. But soon she was depressed again. This new body seemed the end of all such tricks.
At the special transporter room used only for the arrival of the galaxy's utmost elite, all waited. It was decorated and comfortable, and allowed even the haughtiest of dignitaries to calm down a bit. The Sn'r'f pilot Forad beamed up first. Kirk extended a hand, which Forad shook with his paw.
"Greetings, General Forad. I'm Captain James T. Kirk. This is my First Officer Mister Spock, My Chief Medical Officer Doctor Leonard McCoy, My Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott, Helmsman Hikaru Sulu, Console Officer Nyota Uhura, and our Main Navigator, Pavel Chekov. Finally--this is the young lady you asked to see--Lieutenant M'ress."
"Sn'rf! A pleasure, Captain. I am so very glad you met us on such short notice. My Lord will be very pleased."
M'ress nervously raised a hand.
"Yes, Lieutanant?"
"Captain---General Forad? With all respect, why am I here? And General--you look--you smell--so familiar."
Forad smiled a sad smile.
"Oh, Siameressa! Last time I saw you, your eyes weren't even open. To have found you at last--means so much--especially now. Captain, would you beam up My Lord?"
Kirk nodded, and bade the transport begin, while M'ress wondered why 'Siameressa' felt like her real name. She didn't need to wonder long.
Though an old man, the maned felinid humanoid that appeared next virtually defined the word regal. His was still a simple uniform of office, denoting a warrior who would never willingly lay down his sword. And what a sword it was---long enough, it was capable of lengthening further still. It had a mind-blowing lustre, rivaling that of fabled Excalibur. At its hilt was a sacred symbol of office which said that this was no mere blade--this was The Sword Of Omens. Kirk bade this great man a uniform greeting.
"On behalf of The United Federation Of Planets, I, Captain James Kirk, wish to welcome aboard The USS Enterprise the august personage of Lion-O, Hereditary, Anointed, Appointed and Elected Ruler Of Fourth Thundera. Leader By Right Of The Nobility--truly The Lord Of The ThunderCats!"
Lion-O smiled.
"Captain Kirk, you better be careful. You'll give an old warrior a swelled head. Not that I ever minded having one. I would like to thank you all for attending my call. I know that starship life means you have little time for impromptu visits. But I am here for two very important reasons."
"Its all right, Lord Lion-O. Myself, I can't remember a time when a ruler felt the need to explain himself to me. Your Highness--why are you here?"
Lion-O straightened up and suddenly looked every inch a King sung of in galactic legends. He looked straight at M'ress.
"I am here for my daughter--The Princess Royal Of Thundera. The Princess Siameressa, sent away as an infant to protect her from an Ever-Living Source Of Evil. I am here for you, M'ress. I am your father, and you are to inherit my throne."
M'ress was ready to faint, and Captain Kirk said the obvious.
"Lieutanant M'ress----You Are A ThunderCat!"
=============================
Chapter One - There's Something About M'RessM'ress stared in heartbreak at the screen. The man on it had once been a giant in her eyes. Now she couldn't stand him.
"Father, please don't turn me away! I need to know if what Lord Lion-O said was true. Is he my real father?"
The Caitian male almost seemed to be forcing himself to hate the girl he once declared his little heart.
"You--are outlitter. You're not even Caitian. You look almost half-human. M'ress--if you care for this family, you will not call here again. The scandal is too great. I wish the Heir Of Omens well."
M'ress, or Siameressa, knew what was happening back on Caitia. To end the 'scandal', an empty coffin was being lowered into an open grave. The family she had scratched, sniffed, and hunted with was burying her in absentia. The younger ones would be told how she had died aboard The Enterprise. The Caitian M'ress was dead.
"Long live the future Lord Of The ThunderCats---yeah, right!"
She exited into the corridor, her soul in tatters. As she had scented, Lion-O's General, the Sn'rf named Forad waited for her. It was all too easy to underestimate the little creature. He was either the hero of The Last Mutant War or The Butcher Of Plundarr. In any case, he was in every way the equal of the Thunderan Nobility, or ThunderCats, as they were called.
"Sn'rf! Greetings, Princess! I'm so very pleased to see you. Your father, Lion-O, is hoping to have a meal with you and your Captain."
On Caitia--and even on Kzin, Lion-O was an Arthur figure, someone children were told of in fabulous stories. Except all those stories were now revealed as gospel truth--and she was Arthur's daughter, the heir to his throne. But if Lion-O was Arthur -- who was Guenevere?
"General Forad, may I ask you a couple of questions?"
The Sn'rf had to remind himself that The Princess Royal had been raised a commoner, and been trained for duty by Starfleet.
"Um, sure, Siameressa. You can ask me anything----"
"Who is my Mother?"
"-----Except that."
"Please, Forad. Don't I have a right to know? Is it that big a secret?"
The Sn'rf shook his head.
"Less of a secret, and more of a sore point. Let your father explain—probably at that dinner I mentioned. Sn'rf!"
"All right, I'll attend. But just a few more questions?"
"If I can answer them, of course."
M'ress took a gamble.
"Was the Lady Cheetarah my mother?"
"Nice try, Princess. But no--Cheetarah was not, and could not have been your mother. Phew-Boy! Talk about a scandal."
M'ress felt embarrassed without remotely knowing why.
"What would have been scandalous about it, Forad?"
"Plenty. In most cultures I know of, marrying one's aunt is illegal -- not to mention kind of gross."
"Cheetarah---is Lion-O's aunt?"
"Sn'rffff! Well, sure. She and Panthro and Tygra were the younger—much younger--siblings of Lion-O's father Claw-Das, just as Lord Jaga was the younger brother of Claw-Das' father, born about the same time as the young King. In fact, Tygra was heir presumptive as oldest of the three younger siblings---mind you, he never wanted the burden of the throne. Said it would interfere with his spiritual quests."
M'ress raised a corollary question.
"Why don't the legends mention their direct relation to one another?"
Forad shrugged.
"That's an old tactic. Except for parents, no one is called by family title. This way, no one is slighted, no one is specifically targeted--and a potential enemy or ally knows only that they're dealing with a ThunderCat--and that is enough."
"Ok--one more question--about you."
"Heh. About Me? Sn'rf! Ask away."
"You said you saw me as an infant. Are you also the Sn'rf who was 'nanny' to my Father, when he was an infant?"
Forad hung his head.
"No. That was my Uncle, Osbin Buforad. He hated being called Osbin, though, and just liked to be called 'Snarf'. As a younger man, I often went by the nickname, 'Snarford', in his honor. He's gone now. The Ever-Liv-----he died. That's all."
Despite her confusion, M'ress let General Forad off without answering any more questions. But she still had plenty of those, all ready for Lion-O.
At dinner later, she waited for the right time to approach her father. She was actually grateful that the Great Warrior seemed equally nervous around her. Arex asked a question which put Lion-O into storyteller mode. For now, M'ress would reason what she could from the narrative that followed.
"Looord Lion-oooo, I have heard what you call Fourth Thundera also called Third Earth. But I have found nothing of it in Earth's history texts. How can this be?"
Kirk answered partway.
"Arex, remember the 'Onlies' world, not to mention Magna Roma? Third Earth is yet another example of the theory of parallel development."
Spock chimed in, as he often did.
"Indeed. Lord Lion-O, was not this 'Earth' a planet with a similar, almost identical history to Sol 3's at one point?"
Lion-O smiled, and looked at M'Ress.
"Well, M'Ress? Anxious to hear your old man blubber about the past?"
M'Ress felt so like a little kitten in this relative stranger's presence, it wasn't even funny.
"Actually, sir, there's nothing I'd rather hear more."
"Very well, then."
The Lord Of The Thundercats withdrew his awesome weapon.
"Sword Of Omens, Give Me Words Beyond Words, That The Great Story Might Be Told."
To everyone's shock, they found themselves on Earth as it was in the 1990's. Spock, who had been a test subject for the cutting edge of holographic interactive entertainment, was very much impressed with this powerful illusion.
"My compliments, Lord Lion-O. Except for the intangibility factor, we seem to be exactly where we appear to be."
McCoy looked around, nervous.
"Something's about to happen."
Chekov nodded as he speculated.
"Da. War between East and West?"
Uhura shook her head.
"No---a violation of some kind."
It was Sulu who took note of the light building in the sky.
"A meteor strike-like the one that killed the dinosaurs."
Scotty had his own call.
"Trajectory's all wrong. It'll nae impact -- but that rogue will cut it close – far too close, for my liking."
"Mister Scott is correct, Captain. Through The Sword, now witness what followed. Mankind's civilization was cast into ruins."
The planetary devastation was at once familiar and sickening, all the more for how very closely this world mirrored one they all knew. Familiar-looking monuments were shredded, as though they were made of balsa-wood. Lion-O continued.
"As what was called Wormwood by some came and went, pure anarchy ruled--for two thousand years. Then, slowly, bare pockets of new and shredded remnants of the old civilization began to build feudal kingdoms. Sorcery was reborn, and mixed willy-nilly with science that was like magic to raise up demon wizards and Hades' vilest spawn. Sadly, chattel slavery was also reborn."
Again, the images shifted and showed wizards and their hideous servants wielding awesome power over normal humans. Spock looked at the night sky.
"Jim, the stars position tells it all. These events, despite the parallel development, began almost 5000 years ago!"
Kirk was surprised, but parallels are, after all, tricky things, subject at times to no regulation. A son could be a nephew, a daughter a wife, and a man who took a fatal tumble here could be the survivor there. He continued listening to Lion-O.
"But the day of slavery began its final chapter on Second Earth when one man burst his bonds. His name was Thundarr."
Chapter Two - Sunrise, Sunset
The Sword Of Omens continued to show its incredible story, with Lord Lion-O as narrator.
"Thundarr, called a barbarian by some, joined with his allies, The Princess Ariel and a Mok, Oocla, to oppose and destroy the corrupt sorcerers. By and large, they were successful."
Captain Kirk and the others watched with fascination as one determined man, armed only with his wits and a fabulous sun-sword opposed evils that seemed to shout out how much danger they posed. With a sorceress and a loving brute always at his back, victory began to seem pre-ordained. That, Jim knew, was a sure sign that things were about to get worse.
"But one wizard lay in hiding. He drew power away from the others as Thundarr destroyed them. Just as Ariel cast a spell driving dark magics out of second Earth, the hidden one emerged. Once called Ra, he had been slain by Thundarr. He emerged as one living dead."
Spock too, was taken by the tableau.
"The old question, then. How do you kill that which is already dead?"
Lion-O was ready for this inevitable query.
"It cannot be killed, Mister Spock. But ultimately, it can be destroyed. Unfortunately, it was not Thundarr's destiny to do so, any more than it was mine. That---will be brought about by another."
Princess Siamerressa, or M'ress, felt the eyes of her newfound father upon her when he said, 'another'. While this made her uneasy, it also stirred something deep inside her, something only the First Places on Caitia had ever done. Lion-O went on.
"In a fierce and awesome battle, the evil mummified zombie and the heroic Barbarian King faced each other for the last time."
----------------------------------------------
SECOND EARTH
"I have returned, Thun-darr! I am now quite beyond your power to destroy. I shall infest the soul of your precious daughter and live again in her body. Then, you will not dare raise your hand against me."
King Thundarr had lost his wife, Ariel, and his best friend to this fiend's depredations. He would not lose his little heart as well.
"Ancient Lords Of Light, help me to make a pile of dust from this decayed thing that faces me with such arrogance!"
The Sun-Sword then fired brilliant, focused, mountain-leveling rays at the necromotive monster. They tore pieces from it, but still it moved. It smiled and spoke hideously familiar words for the first time.
"Ancient Spirits Of Evil, Transform this decayed form to that of -- MUMM-RA, THE EVER LIVING!!!!!!!!!"
Laughing with a maniacal majesty, the zombie changed, gaining, size, mass, and power as it did. It was like a corrupt deflated balloon had been filled back up with bad air--the very worst air. Thundarr remained defiant. His capital city was in ruins, as was much of Second Earth. This only increased his resolve.
"Be you eight feet tall or a thousand, Mumm-Ra---it matters not! Evil is evil, and it must be put paid to. By my family, and by my Sun-Sword, I strike.... aaaggghhh"
Mumm-Ra had deactivated the Sun-Sword, and was flooding its hilt with his evil energies, cackling as he went.
"I shall extinguish, first your light, then all light everywhere!"
But Thundarr had prepared a costly trap for the evil one. He called out to his daughter, The Princess Thundera.
"Daughter, let it be as we have spoken of. Take my spirit and those of your fallen mother and guardian, and weave an invincible coating around the Sun-Sword."
"But Father, you will die."
"Is the child of Thundarr a coward? Do as you are told, and know my love for you is unrestrained."
Thundera cried, and yet still began to weave the spell.
"Ancient Lords Of Light, transform these three pure spirits into Thundarrium, that the light within may glow forever. It is done."
As the coating came over the sword, it took on a lustre. As Thundera picked it up, she felt her birthright awaken. When the crystal appeared at the sword's new hilt, she felt her senses expand.
"It is as though I have sight beyond sight. Evil Mumm-Ra! I know what it is you fear--Behold----Yourself!!!"
Unable to turn away from the horror of his own image, Mumm-Ra shrieked as he was weakened. Thundera cried out as she channeled her sorcerous energies through the sword.
"HOOOoooooooo!!!!!!!"
Mumm-Ra fled back into his obsidian pyramid, and was held there for a millennium by the evil spirits he had failed. His screams were like those of a feral child. Thundera turned to her cheering subjects, wielding the Sword Of Good Omens, that had banished the last of the twisted wizards.
"My people, we must do as the peoples of First Earth intended, and make for the distant stars. Some may stay, if they choose, but it is time we found a new place to call home, lest we stagnate and die. We shall call it Thundarr, after my beloved father. Who is with me?"
The crowd cheered as one.
"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Thundera stiffened.
"A fine thing to call your queen."
There was silence.
"Mother was right. Warriors have no sense of humor."
---------------------------------------------
"So, they rebuilt the old technology, and left their home in massive space arks. Now, these were mighty warriors themselves. Their pets and steeds were the great cats. Sadly, those proud beasts did not survive the journey."
Kirk nodded.
"A genetic merger, courtesy of Thundera's sorcery?"
"Correct, Captain. So well-loved were the pets, they became a part of us. It was Queen Thundera's last act, just as we sighted the world we named for she who had given us new life."
The images ended, but for M'ress they continued to resonate. More, she still had questions to ask Lion-O. Those questions, though, would wait. The ship's shields rocked.
"Bridge To Captain Kirk!"
"Kirk here."
"Riley here, sir. We are under attack by a vessel with Plundarian markings. They're armed to the teeth, Jimmy!"
Kirk smiled, remembering the younger, terrified Kevin Riley on Tarsus Four, saying exactly the same thing about Kodos' guards. That boy was a far cry from the man he left at the Conn of his ship.
"We're on our way, Ensign."
"Its Lieutenant, sir."
"Only so long as you don't call me Jimmy again, Kevin. Otherwise, all bets are off."
The Sn'rf, Forad, was livid.
"SN"rFFA! Plundarian? I wiped every last miserable Mutant out of existence."
Lion-O shifted.
"No, Forad. One remained. Their leader."
On the other ship was a reptiloid mutate, skin now brown and blotched with age, scales mostly gone. He smelled like death.
"Sssssllyyythe says its time for final payback, Thundercats!
YEaSSSSSSS?!"Chapter Three - This Evil Undying...
"Enterprise! This is Slyyythe of Plundarr! Surrender or be destroyed! No furrrther warnings will be given."
Spock checked the sensors' readings, and shook his head.
"Captain, he means to destroy us either way. His attack pattern is not
an incapacitating one."Sulu couldn't believe what his board told him.
"Sir--that last hit? It took forty percent of ours shields, but we compensated back to full power almost immediately."
Chekov was no less confused.
"It ees like he wishes to jab our shields, but not waste power breaking
them .....Sir....we have been boarded!"And in Engineer Scott's Area, possessed of arrogance to spare, were tens of Slythes, lookin to wreak havoc on the warp drive--and deadly vengeance on The ThunderCats.
Lion-O spoke to Kirk.
"Captain, tell your men to fire without hesitation. Those other Slythes are merely temporary clones, designed to fade away after an hour. I don't know how Slythe recovered the technology, though. He and the others lost it when we all first crashed on Third Earth."
M'ress corrected her Father.
"Sir, we can't fire at will in The Engineering Section. One wrong burst could give us a warp core breach."
Lion-O unsheathed The Sword Of Omens.
"Then its hand-to-hand! Who's with me?"
M'ress saw her sire duck out the back accessway, moving like a demon down the ladders, bypassing the theoretically vulnerable turbolift. Kirk urged her on.
"M'ress--protect him. As a sovereign ruler of a planet, he shouldn't be traipsing around, looking to get slaughtered."
M'ress was slightly offended by this thought.
"That will never happen, Captain. He is Lion-O, Lord Of The Thundercats-and my only remaining family."
To her shock, M'ress started moving down the ladders as quickly as Lion-O did. She wondered then if her special gift was speed, like her great-aunt Cheetarah.
Back on the Bridge, Kirk grabbed a party together.
"Spock--you have the Conn. Uhura --Combine the consoles into yours, and isolate the ones in Engineering and Auxilary. Chekov, Sulu--you're with me."
Leaving his Bridge in the hands of two command-capable officers, Kirk opened the turbolift door--and was shoved back. Inside was an unconscious crewman--and a Slythe.
"Slyythe thinks you're going nowhere, Yesssss?"
Chekov pulled his cuff over his hand, brought back his fist, and sent the Slythe into the Lift Wall, where his head then hit the controls.
"Yessss? More like, Nyet!"
Kirk threw the clone out of the lift.
"Spock--analyze this."
The lift doors closed. Uhura smiled at Spock.
"I'm not cleaning it up."
In Engineering, Scotty defended his turf as one might expect, swinging a piece of pipe for all it was worth.
"Come at me, ya beasties! Longshanks could never break Scotland, and he smelled worse'n you!"
One of the attackers grabbed Scotty's weapon.
"No pipe, Ehhhh?"
But General Forad, the Sn'rf, blasted the Slythe to atoms from behind, and grabbed Scotty's pipe as it fell.
"No Brains, Ehhh?"
Scotty smiled.
"And who says the Sons of Eire are the only ones as can count on The Little People?"
"Sn'rf! Mister Scott, may I suggest less chatter and more focus on the Enemy?!"
Scotty nodded, and couldn't help but note that Forad was a far cry from the slapstick Snarford of the old stories.
"But then, had my own people been wiped away by such slime as this, I'd be a dram grimmer myself."
The Slythes had a different point of view.
"Look! Itsss Forad, The Butcher! All Fire!"
Lion-O and M'ress arrived just in time to see their little friend slammed against the far wall by bolt after bolt.
"Forad--NOOOO!!!"
At Lion-O's will, the Sword Of Omens shot out bolts of its own, destroying fully a third of the attackers. As Scotty's people were joined by his Captain and fellow crewmen, Lion-O knelt beside his dying friend. The Sn'rf looked up.
"No tears, Lion-O. I was never proud of what I had to do to Plundarr. But since I did--please finish the job. My Princess, I'm so glad I got to see you again....by the side of your Fath......"
She had not known Forad terribly long, except through Caitian legend. Now M'ress never really would know him fully. She turned, and cried out.
"s-l-YY-TTT-HHHH-EEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!"
Kirk and his people had only been able to fight a suppressive fight. Every so often, Slythe-Prime would jab at the shields and send in more of his duplicates. But Princess Siameressa of Fourth Thundera decided, in her rage, that this battle was done.
In an instant, she was everywhere at once, pummeling each and every last Slythe without mercy. How she was doing this, she had no idea. But when the last one was done, the images all re-coalesced back into one M'ress--who had as her prisoner the original Slythe. She tossed him at the feet of her Captain and her Father. Lion-O held up the sword. But when the time came to strike, he sheathed it. He seemed in agony.
"Be thankful, Mutant, that the Code Of Thundera forbids me from doing what I should to a criminal like you."
Slythe laughed.
"You are weak, ThunderCat! And I cannot die--I am under HISSS protection, Yes!!"
Kirk got in.
"In other words, no matter what we do to you, you can't be killed."
"That's right, hu-man! Even if placed into the heart of a nova!"
Kirk went on the intercom.
"Mister Kyle--can you get a transporter lock on our Plundarian prisoner?"
"Sure can, Captain. But how'd M'ress get him over here?"
Kirk smiled at M'ress, as did Lion-O.
"Our..Princess Crewman has many a hidden talent, it would seem. Have you got the lock?"
"Aye, Sir? Back to his ship?"
"No. Lion-O? Can he live through anything?"
"I'm afraid so, Captain. His--sponsor always could."
"Very good. Mister Kyle--set beam to-- widest possible dispersion."
Kirk turned to the prisoner.
"Say hello to Redjac for me."
Slythe screamed as he was sent to a place he could live--as hundreds of trillions of floating cells, helpless and aware--for eternity.
Lion-O nodded.
"A pity, Captain that we can't do the same to the being who doubtless sent him."
M'ress gasped.
"But Father, surely he's destroyed!"
"My darling daughter--evil never dies."
Kirk added his two cents.
"Not in my experience."
M'ress took yet another lesson in. Then she remembered something.
"Lord Lion-O-Father--please tell me--about me."
Lion-O again smiled as they walked out of Engineering, happy to tell this story, despite its sad parts. He would call ahead to Fourth Thundera later, and arrange for Forad's state funeral.
"What would you like to know first?"
"Who--was my Mother?"
"She--was a gentle creature with fire at her core. A Warrior True. A better fighter than me. Her name--was Willa...."
As they talked, Kirk called The Bridge.
"Mister Spock, under my authority, destroy Slythe's vessel after scanning for life forms. Then, when we're back underway, raise shields and keep them up."
"Jim--some may see that as a provocative movement. If approached by Klingons or Romulans, what should we say?"
Kirk breathed in.
"Tell them we face The Avatar Of The Chaos Pyramid."
Spock was silent for a second.
"Indeed."
--------------------------------------------
THE CHAOS PYRAMID, SECRET LOCATION ON FOURTH THUNDERA
An obscenity climbed again out from his own coffin. The dingy interior of the pyramid was but a meager reflection of the dark, twisted soul that called it home.
"Lion-O and his whelp and their allies have defeated m pawn. But I have many others. You and your daughter will die, ThunderCat! So proclaims----"
The creature transformed.
"MUMM-RA, THE EVER-LIVING! AGHHHHAAAAAHHHAAAHAHAHA!"
Ominously, seven glass coffins were set up behind The Evil One. What truly lay in them--only he and Lion-O knew for sure.
-------------------------------------
Chapter Four - The Heroes Fall
------------------------------------------------------"I require no evidence from you, Kirk. The word of Lord Lion-O is good enough for any Klingon."
Kirk nodded at Kor.
"If I recall my history, Lion-O was once a mentor to a space-faring young warrior pursued by an evil tyrant."
------------------------------------------------------
1500 YEARS PRIOR........
"Understand, Thundercats! That Boy Is My Prisoner. Defy me and risk war between our worlds."
Sword in hand, Lion-O shook his head and stood his ground.
"If war comes, so be it. But Thundercats stand for honor, truth, commitment, and loyalty. Things a tyrant like you knows little of."
Panthro grinned.
"In other words...You Are Not Welcome Here, Pal. So get lost. Way lost."
Tygra concurred.
"Even the fleet you have assembled is as nothing compared to the Sword of Omens."
The dictator gestured to his men.
"Fire On These Fools!"
But Cheetarah was already holding all their weaponry.
"With what, exactly?"
"With----This!"
But the young man who was so hunted and feared by this tyrant merely grabbed the knife right out of the air.
"Go from here, Evil One! One day, I shall return to our world and defeat you in front of all our people. For now, though, I choose to learn from these mighty warriors. They will show me the path."
"Your family will die, boy."
The boy maintained his composure. Lion-O spoke once more.
"If they must die, then I am sorry. But if they die opposing evil like yours, then it can be said they died well."
Frustrated at the standoff, the tyrant left. WilyKat gave his ship a 'raspberry' as it went.
"Boy, that Moloch is one big jerk."
Young Kahless nodded.
"Indeed he is, my friend. Indeed he is."
----------------------------------------------------
"Yes, Kirk. We owe the Thundercats much. But mark me--raise both weapons and shields. For the legends account only one foe more ruthless and destructive than Mumm-Ra."
"Why, Kor. Do you believe in Dragons?"
"Just watch your back, Kirk. I want to finish you in battle--not avenge you."
"I'll do my best."
"Then Mumm-Ra shall know aggravation, at the very least. Kor out."
Kirk thought hard about an opponent so dangerous that the Klingons were honestly wishing him luck.
------------------------------------------------------
Lion-O began his tale of the many missing years of The Thundercats.
"While reading through The Book Of Omens, we made a startling discovery which led to many things, daughter--not the least of which was your birth......."
M'Ress interrupted her father.
"Sir, the legends say you crashed onto Third Earth by accident, and that everything there was new to you. But you said to me that you all came from that Earth, way back when. Which is it?"
Lion-O shrugged.
"Its both. Remember, much of Thundera's lore was lost when it was destroyed. Third Earth was not our intended target. But it was our fated one. The Book Of Omens, when it was found, gave us back so very much. It was from that we found out about Thundarr and Ariel."
"Why wasn't Lady Pumyra chosen as my Mother?"
To her shock, M'Ress was thrown into the air, and then caught suddenly.
"Hey, what was that for?"
Lion-O grinned.
"I've always wanted to do that to you. But I never got the chance. Also, that was a warning---stop interrupting me!"
"Sorry, Father. But--Pumyra--"
"Was my first cousin. I could no more marry her than I could Cheetarah."
"Cousin? But the legends say you raised her, Bengali, and Lynx-O up from commoners' status to be Thundercats."
"No, they were raised up to Full Nobility. There were about three or four grades below Thundercat. Pumyra was my Mother's Sister's Daughter. Bengali and Lynx-O were relatives of Clau-dus' Mother."
Lion-O folded his arms.
"Now, if a certain young lady is through interrupting me, I can tell her all about her mother--Willa."
As part of her Caitian litter, M'Ress had always felt unsafe, somehow. Not that her parents would ever harm or stop loving her--as long as she remained Caitian. But an OutLitter always knows unconsciously who the parents would save, in case of disaster. A Choice would be made, and not in their favor. This, of course, was mainly just a feeling, though it was deeply felt. But not with Lion-O. He had come back for her. Every last gesture, even to the juvenile throw in the air, told her that at long last, she had nothing to fear.
"Tell me about my Mother."
------------------------------------------------------
In his quarters, Captain Kirk kissed the portrait of a young girl. She looked almost like a little elf, except that she would say that since elves do not exist, this was not logical. But then a heartbeat later, she would confide in him that she wished they did--they could be the friends she did not have on Vulcan.
Lovingly, he then removed from his drawer a picture that was almost too painful to look at. The boy in the picture was the young girl's brother, though she did not know this. He kissed this, too, but put it away quickly. The tears that he would feel rising while he gazed at the dead boy's face were too powerful to allow him more than a quick glance. No one--not even his unspoken girlfriend Uhura--could comfort him then.
Captain Kirk well understood Lord Lion-O's pain. He briefly had considered sending the boy not to his grandmother's, but to live under another name. For it was obvious, as he had once put it, that someone had declared open season on Kirks. But he had not. The unknown foe had struck, and erased a boy who only knew him as an uncle. Kirk's mother had fallen then, too, but his feelings toward her were far too mixed for clarity.
"Lion-O, how could you send her away? The baby you held in your arms. Yet, M'Ress is alive and my boy is not. You are the hero of legend, my friend."
Again, the suspects ran through his mind. It wasn't the Klingons. As one of his old opponents had said, slaying a Kirk would be bragged upon in some quarters so mightily, word would reach the Federation somehow--especially after two years.
Given the Orions sick Capital fetish, Kirk would have been mailed a body part within days, plus a picture of a young severed head. The economic pirates did not cover up their assassinations.
The Romulans were trickier, as always. The murders could have been part of a long-term plan, utilizing their cloaking technology. There were other reasons to kill the boy, owing to his heritage. But the boy's grandfather was still alive, and had been on Earth when it all happened. Plus, when they liberated Hellguard, the local Tal Shiar agent sang like a canary. His information compromised major Romulan undertakings. But he knew nothing of the murders. Which did not prove anything, but made it far less likely that Romulus was involved.
When Kirk had asked Lion-O to use The Sword Of Omens to gain him the answer, all The Lord Of The Thundercats saw was an "Evil Beyond Evil." Something vast that eclipsed Mumm-Ra himself. This comforted Jim not at all.
What happened next in Kirk's cabin both shook his reverie and what little comfort he had left.
An evil vision appeared.
"Kirk---abandon your travels to Fourth Thundera. Turn Lion---O and his whelp over to me! In return---I will restore your son to life!"
Kirk got up.
"Mumm-Ra."
The cackle that followed was both very melodramatic and utterly appropriate. The standing piece of rotting flesh was quite horrible, even as a vision.
"Yess, Kirrk! This quest has no value for you. Don't waste your lives on a foolish venture to restore a lost King. Reclaim your son, Kirk. Both your sons! The woman Marcus can be made---pliable."
Kirk chuckled.
"You can't hurt Carol--demonic courtesy would prevent it. As to my Peter---he's dead. If he found out I dealt with you to restore him--he'd say I should have left him dead. Now get out."
"What, then, of the identities of those who murdered your mother?"
Kirk chose to ignore the implications of Mumm-Ra's selected words. He used his intuition to reason as a demon would.
"I'll get to them myself--no matter how highly placed they are."
The demon recoiled at these words, giving Kirk an important clue—the assassins were someone he wouldn't expect, and who could not be touched. Jim smiled at Mumm-Ra.
"Thank You For Visiting, Mumm-Ra. Your Information Has Proven Most Helpful."
Realizing he had been bluffed, The Ever-Living screamed and vanished.
"You Are Marked, Kirkkkkk!"
Kirk sneered back at him.
"I gotcha Mark right here!"
Then, Kirk considered more of Mumm-Ra's words.
"Restore A Lost King?"
The Captain Of The Enterprise decided he had better speak to The Lord Of The Thundercats.
----------------------------------------
LION-O'S TALE
FOURTH THUNDERA, ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Lynx-O stood before the assembled allies of The Thundercats. He knew his time was near, but this was a sacred task.
"There was once our beloved Thundera, which was lost to us. New Thundera was also lost, after the suicide raids of The Lunataks. Then, we called Third Earth New Thundera, til we found that Old Thundera had survived. Ultimately, it too became uninhabitable, due to the Last Plundarian War. Now Third Earth is Fourth Thundera, and we will preserve it. But this Great Kingdom's Great Lord needs an heir. I hold in my hands The Sword Of Omens. As I incant, a single beam will light the heavens, to show us the way to she who will be--The Bride Of Lion-O!"
WilyKit chuckled.
"Sounds like a bad horror show to me."
WilyKat concurred.
"Lion-O? Changing diapers? Give me Mumm-Ra any day!"
A look from Panthro silenced the Hecklers.
Lynx-O incanted.
"Ancient Lords Of Light, Dwellers In The Star-Temple Never Seen, And Givers Of Prophecy. Use the meager light from my spirit's passage to show the cycle's continuance. Show Us Who Lion-O Will Take Through All His Days, To Be Queen At His Side! HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
Lynx-O breathed his last, and collapsed with a smile.
"It.....Is Done."
The beam sped through the heavens, and arced downward. One woman saw it coming for her, and moved liked wildfire to avoid it. Her queen was livid, for all had agreed to abide by the Sword's choice.
Laughing, darting this way and that, the young woman thought to actually outrun the beam that had now targeted her. Then, she hit something—or someone. It was, of course, Lion-O.
"Willa, why are you running? Is something wrong?"
"Get Out Of My Way, You Fool!"
But it was too late. The beam struck true, and both targets glowed as it did. Their sarcastic response was exactly the same.
"Great....Just Great!"
Panthro laughed, remembering Claudus very similar time of choosing.
"Cheetarah, Do You Believe In The Love At First Sight?"
She laughed, despite herself, at the awkward scene.
"Panthro, Yes. I'm Certain That It Happens All The Time."
Tygra watched Lion-O and Willa argue, and shook his head.
"Those two are going to need.....A Little Help From Their Friends."
----------------------------------------------------USS ENTERPRISE, 2270
Uhura handed copies of the intelligence reports on Fourth Thundera to both Kirk and Spock. Neither liked what they saw.
"Captain--if these reports are correct, then Lord Lion-O has not been Fourth Thundera's ruler for some time. Which begs a certain question."
"Yes--who is running things, in the land of The Thundercats?"
Uhura weighed in.
"Gentlemen---we have a legal, revered Monarch deposed quietly and quickly. There is only scant disruption in The Thunderan sector as a result. Only Lion-O's absence and no announcement of a successor tell us something is amiss. Sounds to me like--a kind of magic. My grandmother once told me that any magic that makes things appear normal when they're not--is to be feared."
None of them said the name. But then, they didn't need to.
------------------------------------------------------
FOURTH THUNDERA, 2193
An overlong life-span can bring about awesome insights into the nature of life and the universe. It can also make a soul very, very stubborn. Such was the case with Lion-O and Willa. Married for over twenty years, it was in name only. In fact, they called each other a lot of names.
"Clod! Do you wear that blasted blue tunic everywhere you go? This Is A Diplomatic Reception!"
"I may be a clod, but at least I don't look like a peacock-in-training."
"How dare you? I'll have you know this Is A Warrior's Traditional Garb for diplomatic endeavors."
"Then I respectfully suggest you find a new tradition--one that doesn't try to draw attention away from the sun!"
Willa threw her headdress down. If she permitted herself tears, she would have cried them then.
"I hate this, Lion-O! We two used to be friends, and fellow warriors! When I saw you, my blood would rush, for I knew a grand adventure was just round the corner. Now---I can barely stand the sight of you."
Lion-O nodded.
"Maybe I should consult the Eye again. If we show it how close we used to be, before this forced marriage--we might gain release. I'd like us to be friends again, Willa. But knowing we've been forced here makes me want to run and hide from it all."
But she shook her head.
"I promised my Mother I would never seek release from this marriage. I cannot break my word to her. Not for anything."
Hand-in-hand, and more than a little confused, The King And Queen Of Fourth Thundera joined the diplomatic reception. Their friends viewed them with interest.
"Still certain, Cheetarah? They do not make a happy couple."
"The Eye Is Never Wrong, Tygra."
"Bengali, why don't they get along?"
"Pumyra, its because they are both spoiled brats who don't like being told what to do."
"Sn'rf! Uncle Osbin---they seem so right for each other."
"Sn'rf! Kid--sometimes things can be so right, they're wrong."
The Envoy nodded to The Royalty.
"Live Long And Prosper, Lords Of The Thundercats."
Willa was thankful that Lion-O returned the Vulcan salute properly.
"Live Long And Prosper, Lady T'Pau Of Vulcan. May our two worlds together be greater simply for knowing the other."
For a time, there was talk of legal niceties and diplomatic maneuvers. Then , Cheetarah came running up.
"Lion-O! Lady T'Pau's grandson has vanished in The Swamp Supreme! None of us can find him."
Willa stood up.
"Lady T'Pau--Lion-O and I are trackers who know that Swamp well. We will go and retrieve your grandson."
"I Thank Thee, Lady Willa, for he is still but a youngster--he is only 28, after all."
Cheetarah shook her head,
"You two are not-----"
Lion-O stood up.
"Cheetarah, we are going. Don't make me use my rank to settle this. We must be prepared to show The Vulcans that our commitment is a total one."
Leaping tens of meters into the air, the two were gone before they could be stopped.
Outside The Swamp Supreme, Lion-O bid them stop.
"Willa, remove your wedding band. I'll do the same."
"Why, Lion-O?"
He smiled, and she remembered why she liked that smile.
"On this hunt, we are two warriors once again, with no other complications. In here, we decide our fates."
As she removed her ring and put it away, the gentle happiness that crept over her face made him regret every insult.
He secured his claw, and she her favorite length of rope. Happy again for now, they began the search for T'Pau's grandson.
Many were the dangers of The Swamp Supreme. But with courage in their hearts, and respect for even the savage lifeforms it contained, Lion-O and his wife-not-by-their-choice Willa braved them all. Willa was pleased at just how deftly Lion-O handled himself, a far cry from the clumsy intruder of so many centuries ago.
"Lion-O! Lets land over there."
The Swamp Supreme was the result of a matrix shift in Third Earth/Fourth Thundera's Biosphere. All the great swamps merged into one unthinkably vast one. The life-forms mutated, and certain groups like Willa's Amazons were forced to relocate. Where they had chosen to land was once a group of the female warriors tree dwellings. Though overgrown and weakened, it still served as a rest stop. Lion-O stretched.
"Phew! I may age slowly, but I felt all my centuries that time. Keeping up in this place is just plain tough."
Willa nodded.
"Still, you acquit yourself much better than you did just after your arrival on Third Earth."
Lion-O smiled, remembering that first encounter.
"Well, I was just a child at the time."
Willa shook her head.
"No. Your behavior was juvenile. Earnest, but like a little boy wearing a man's body. You matured a little, but its only recently that you've acted like a full adult."
Lion-O seemed confused.
"Willa, I only reached true adulthood about a century before the Eye chose you."
"What? Ridiculous. I've studied Thunderan physiology on our peoples' shared database. Your appearance has been that of an adult since we first met."
"My appearance, yes. Willa, most of the Thundercats did not age in cryo-stasis. Only I and Jaga did. Jaga chose, for that reason, to let his life end naturally rather than expire in there. When I awoke---I was as you see me now. But mentally, I was still a child. As you correctly recall, I had a lot to learn."
Willa sat down, flustered.
"Why didn't you tell me this? Why did you keep it from me?"
"Keep It From You? Willa, its common knowledge. Its on that database you spoke of. Your Mother knows. She even joked with me about it at the wedding."
Willa had always liked Lion-O, but had mistakenly assumed that she was dealing with an immature young man. His feats and accomplishments were always colored by that perception. But in fact, she had been ally to a very mature boy who was forced to grow up in a hurry. By that standard, his heroism was almost incomprehensible.
"Its Not Fair!"
"Willa--what's not fair?"
"Your Family Placed The Burdens Of Creation Upon You, While My Family Kept Viewing Me As A Child, Despite My Age. Then, when we both are finally adults in all senses of the word, the greatest choice we can possibly make is taken away from us. My fate is not unbearable, Lion-O. But I would have liked it to be a fate of my own choosing."
"It is."
"How can you say that? You're just as miserable as I am in this marriage."
Lion-O looked down, and gathered his courage for what he had to say next.
"Not miserable. Never Miserable. Overwhelmed, sure. Surprised, definitely. I just never expected The Eye to choose someone so beautiful. I was upset that it knew me so well--as to choose the woman of my dreams."
Whether a conscious tactic or simple truth, Lion-O's brave words had shamed his Amazon wife. So she responded not merely in kind---but in spades.
"When the beam was headed towards me, I was secretly thrilled. But I thought my parade of insults, my eternal cajoling about your warrior skills, had certainly poisoned you against me."
"Poisoned Me? More like, they drove me to become a better warrior than I could have dreamed possible."
She smiled, slightly.
"I, too, was upset that the Eye knew my heart better than I myself did. It wasn't always Love, you understand. But it is now."
She stood up, and they kissed, one of the first since their arranged marriage. But it was easily their most heartfelt.
"Yes, Willa. It is Love, now."
A voice from the background interrupted.
"So, as always, Communication is the key. Fascinating. Emotions, left uncontrolled, can cause even the emotions themselves to become clouded and unreadable."
Only a little embarrassed, Willa and Lion-O regarded their pointy-eared companion.
"You, I take it, are Lady T'Pau's grandson?"
"Yes, Lord Lion-O. I am called Sarek. I did not mean to intrude. But I secreted myself after finding this place. When you two arrived, I kept hidden to make certain that some indigenous predator was not using a psychomorphic ability to lure me in."
"Sarek, why did you come here? Its dangers are not what you would call a logical attraction."
"My apologies, Lady Willa. But I am 28, and on the verge of entering a certain Vulcan life-cycle. Without extrapolation, I will merely say that it affects my logic."
Willa smiled, realizing what this search had done for their marriage. She hit a small remote Panthro had given her.
"Sarek, I've called in my personal craft. Now that it has a location, it can take you back with no trouble."
Sarek raised an eyebrow.
"Will you not be returning with me?"
Lion-O stood happily by her side for the first time.
"No, Sarek. We can make our own way back. But deliver this message for us."
When Sarek returned to The Main Square, he actually detected a scant moment of relief on T'Pau's face. Tygra asked the obvious question.
"Sarek, where are Lion-O and Willa?"
"Lord Tygra, Lady Cheetarah. Their Majesties directed me to give you a message. I did not understand it--I had hoped that you would."
Cheetarah looked worried. Were they perhaps running away from their enormous burdens?
"Tell us your message, Sarek."
"I shall. "Tell our families that we'll back in a few weeks--after a long-delayed'---I believe the term was--'Honey Moon'. Is that a special lunar event?"
Panthro grinned.
"Sarek, they don't get much more special that that!"
Pumyra raised up her arm, and led the relieved crowd's cheer.
"Thundercats----HOOOOO!!!!"
Back on board her ship, The Vulcan Envoy asked her grandson a question.
"Have you any insight about this so-called 'HoneyMoon', Grandson?"
"Lady Grandmother, based on the empirical evidence of the sounds I heard as I left their majesties, I must conclude that Pon Farr is not entirely unique to Vulcan."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed."
------------------------------------------------------
USS ENTERPRISE, 2270
Lion-O chuckled.
"You weren't conceived that time, M'Ress. But that wasn't for lack of our trying, believe me."
The Princess nodded.
"When was I born, Father? Was I cast into cryo, like you--and---"
She stopped, and her eyes grew red.
"Daughter, are you all right?"
"Yes, Lord Father. I had--a vision--somewhere, another Prince slumbers in ice. But it is a fitful sleep, and he is held by evil servants of a still-greater evil. An evil greater than Mumm-Ra himself."
"I have seen shades of this approaching evil, M'Ress. But for now, turn your vision from it. That one you saw will be free one day. Beyond that, I can say nothing."
M'Ress nodded.
"Now, tell me of my birth."
Kirk's voice interrupted from behind.
"Lord Lion-O, perhaps you'll also be good enough to tell us just when you were overthrown as ruler of Fourth Thundera. Or were you planning on keeping that a secret until we arrived?"
M'Ress was furious with her Commanding Officer.
"Captain, My Father would never lie to you, or anyone else! Its Against The Code Of Thundera!"
Kirk did not retract his statement.
"At ease, Lieutenant. That's an order. Lion-O, if you would, tell me that I'm wrong."
M'Ress's heart broke as her Father looked downward.
"You're not wrong, Captain. I kept that from you by not informing you otherwise. My apologies--but my people face a desperate circumstance. One that could easily extend past Thundera."
Kirk nodded.
"Admiralty Hall didn't like it, but I went around them and obtained permission to keep Thundera's regional stability and aid its legitimate government--You. But aside from the obvious culprit, could I hear what we are up against, Your Majesty?"
"Thank You, Captain. I will tell everything, now. Both the story of my daughter's birth---and The Fall Of The ThunderCats."
M'Ress was hurt, badly. Her heroic father had been on the verge of lying. Worse, the relatives she dreamed of meeting, legends one and all—might well be dead. Had the Evil One at last beaten them all? Had Mumm-Ra triumphed?
In The Briefing Room, Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, Doctor McCoy and, at M'Ress's request, Lieutenant Pavel Chekov all sat down to hear Lord Lion-O's last and very saddest tale : The Fall Of The Thundercats.
"Willa sprang the news on me in her own unique way......."
-----------------------------------------------------FOURTH THUNDERA, FIFTY YEARS AGO
An exhausted Lion-O returned from The Snow-Lands. His beloved wife awaited him.
"Fighting back that Ymir character was sure a struggle, Willa. We really could have used your help. You know, its not at all like you to turn down an opportunity to do battle."
Rather than react in her usual manner, Willa just smiled at Lion-O. She almost seemed to be glowing.
"Husband--I have decided to sit out a great many battles. I can easily protect my life--but it is the life within me that I worry about."
Smiling ear-to-ear, he pulled out The Sword Of Omens.
"Thundercats---Hoooooo!!!"
In short order, The Royal Family Of Fourth Thundera came running. Cheetarah was first, followed by Pumyra. The younger noble, who had received some of Lynx-O's 'vision' upon his passing, knew right away, and proclaimed it to the others as they came.
"We are to expect a Royal Heir!"
Panthro.
"Heh. Only took them half a century."
Tygra.
"Well, I guess I'm not heir presumptive anymore. What A Relief!"
Cheetarah.
"Its a good thing I know how to run."
Bengali.
"A blacksmith's hard work is as nothing--compared to the work of two parents. Does The Heir Have A Name?"
Willa nodded.
"As a small girl, I had a cat---not a Great Cat, mind you. Just a Cat. She was regal, noble, picky--and inclined to go her own way. If our child is a girl, she will be called a name after that beautiful Siamese."
Lion-O looked at his wife.
"What if its a boy, darling?"
"Then, My Love--You Will Have To Break The News To My Mother. Amazon Queens have a rather pronounced bias in these matters."
All laughed, and knew that the child would be loved, no matter what.
-----------------------------------------------------THREE YEARS LATER
Lion-O paced like---exactly what he was.
"Does everything about our lives have to be hyper-extended? Willa has been irritable, and I don't blame her...How...?"
Tygra calmed his nephew as best he could.
"Lion-O, The Amazons have their birthing methods. It will all be over soon."
"I should be in there with her."
"Wrong. You agreed to live part of your life by their laws. Translation : Men Don't Go In There."
Willa's Mother Came Out.
"Laws can be changed, Tygra. Lion-O--she's calling for you."
As Lion-O rushed in, Tygra smiled at The Amazon Queen.
"More like--she wants to call him names, eh, Lady Queen?"
"You Are Wise, Tygra."
And Yet Lion-O stayed, through it all. The Sword, held by Tygra, suddenly lit up by itself, making the night sky aware--A Future Lord Of The ThunderCats had just been born. Willa held her daughter above her head.
"Welcome To The Universe, Siameressa! In Your Milky Way Eyes, Show Us The Meaning Of The World."
Behind it all, Lion-O saw the spirits of Clau-dus, Jaga, and Lynx-O smiling upon the line's continuation.
The infancy of Siameressa lasted twenty-five years. There was no pressing need for her to grow at a faster pace. Which is how her loving family liked it.There was peace all over The Kingdom Of Fourth Thundera. True Peace. As the saying goes, that alone should have been the tip-off.
The nightmare began when Lion-O received a gift box from his retired former nanny, Snarf. Puzzled at its contents, he had Panthro analyze it.
"Why would Snarf send me a box of ashes, Panthro? It makes no sense. Did an enemy send it? Are the ashes poisoned, or hexed?"
Panthro got a grim look on his face.
"Lion-O. These ashes...are Snarf's."
The Lord Of The ThunderCats did not cry out, nor did he bother asking who was behind it. But he did ask something about his old friend's death.
"Which of Mumm-Ra's many henchbeings did this, Panthro?"
Again, Panthro frowned.
"The Energy-signature is consistent with Mumm-Ra himself."
As the sad news spread, more than mourning occurred. A sense of fear arose. Why, after countless efforts through third-parties, would Mumm-Ra stoop to murder Snarf himself? It was a non sequitur that no one could make fit. It would become no
"Thundercats! This Is Ro-Bear-Belle. We Are....."
A cackling face appeared on-screen.
"They ARE.......SLAGGG!!!HAHAHAHA!!"
So it went. The Thundercats were quick to respond, but for their allies, it was often too late. A Mumm-Ra now seemingly devoid of vulnerabilities was wiping them away, right, left, and center.
Lion-O pounded the conference table.
"The Ancient Spirits Of Evil are dormant, and have granted him no extra gifts, according to Jaga. He's summoned no allies, such as Jaga's ghostly foe. The Mutants are, for all intents and purposes, gone. Also, he has not attempted to awaken any other demons or monsters."
Tygra nodded.
"But with his current level of power, why would he want to? Also, has he always possessed such strength, or is it a new development?"
Cheetarah spoke.
"A new development. Mumm-Ra's never held back an advantage, that I can remember."
Panthro was blunt.
"I have Bengali and Pumyra in cryo-stasis. They'll live in there, but without their souls, they may as well never emerge. Interesting that Mumm-Ra left himself so wide-open in an effort to disable our sword-smith and our seer. He took a pretty-heavy pounding to do it-even by his current standards."
Lion-O asked another question.
"What about Wily-Kit and Wily-Kat?"
"Kept in reserve, just like you said. But Lion-O, I can't help but think that's a mistake. Right now, we need everyone we can get."
"No, Panthro. Right now, Mumm-Ra's taking everyone we can get, and we can't get close enough to The Chaos Pyramid to find out why his power has increased so dramatically. Kit and Kat cannot be harmed, due to their--unique status. In case of disaster, I prefer to keep it that way."
Tygra spoke of other preparations.
"On our behalf, Sarek is spreading the word around the Alpha Quadrant-- Thundera is to be avoided. The Klingon Emperor offered his aid, but I persuaded him to not to give it, in case this system needs to be contained--or destroyed."
A scream emerged from Lion-O's Suite.
"Willa!"
As before, they were too late. Mumm-Ra cackled.
"Your pretty wife protected your whelp, Li-on-O! But not without cost, as you can see. Soon--Thundercat!"
"Nooo-oooo!"
Lion-O stared numbly at his Queen's soulless body, which Panthro took and placed into cryo. He then looked at his remaining family.
"We're through falling back! The Line Must Be Drawn! No Further Will He Go."
A look shot between the three older Thundercats. A heavily-worded look. Cheetarah spoke.
"Lion-O, Siameressa is far too vulnerable. Take her off-world. We'll delay the final assault until you return."
"All right, Cheetarah. For My Daughter. Though fleeing like this turns my stomach. I'll be back."
When Lion-O and General Forad were out of the system, Tygra made an unsurprising announcement.
"Armies Of Fourth Thundera! We've protected the best of us. Hope will remain alive."
Cheetarah rapidly armed the men with altered weapons. Mumm-Ra was going to know he was in a fight. Panthro spoke as he clambered into a 9th-Gen Thundertank.
"To The Chaos Pyramid, People! Hit him with everything we've got. ThunderCats! HOOOOO!!!"
-------------------------------------------------USS ENTERPRISE, 2270
"I secreted Siameressa on Caitia, and then Forad and I went back. But now a force-field kept us out--when we weren't fired upon, that is. Giving up for the moment, we arrived back on Caitia, but then heard tell of a morphing drug for children with disfigurements."
M'Ress nodded.
"Like Me! Trying to find me then, even with the Eye, must have been like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"But I knew you were alive. A Father knows in his heart when his child is among the living."
Jim Kirk said nothing, but Spock knew such words were tearing him up inside.
"Lord Lion-O? What can The Enterprise do for you that The Sword could not?"
"Mister Spock, it can get me down to the planet. That's all I ask. True teleporters were never developed on Thundera, or Third Earth. It may give us an advantage."
Kirk shook his head.
"We're all going. Evil has to be called out and faced down. All Evil."
The meeting broke up, but M'Ress grabbed Chekov.
"Pavel?"
"Da, M'Ress?"
"If I achieve the Throne of Omens, can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course. Absolutely."
She smiled.
"Pavel Andreivitch Chekov--will you serve as my King Consort?"
Chekov was stunned.
"M'Ress--are you asking me to---"
She nodded.
"To Marry Me."
He looked up at her, unsure of what to say to The Princess Crewman.
--------------------------------------------Chapter Five - Thundera Lost
USS ENTERPRISE, 2270
OVER FOURTH THUNDERACAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG
"Despite Lion-O's protests, we are beaming down with himself and M'Ress. If in fact Mumm-Ra is in charge of this world, now, he presents an obvious threat to this entire sector, as he has never been small in his ambitions. With me will be Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov. Scotty will make for the now-abandoned Castle Of Omens, and attempt to engage some of Panthro's legendary tech to aid in the fight against this ever-living source of evil. Uhura will know how to splice localized tech to our advantage. Chekov has become a crack shot as he angles for Security Chief---I need a good eye for protection, as well as lookout. I will only add this---anyone who has ever claimed that I am cocky and believe firmly in my own invincibility has never seen me at moments such as this. For even in legend, every single battle The Thundercats won against Mumm-Ra was fought out to the last desperate inch. At least if I fall here, I can pick up my boy in Heaven and tell him of how I met Lion-O, Lord Of The Thundercats. The only regret I will leave behind is Saavik. I've left her custody to Spock, and condemned him if he refuses to follow my will. For all that, she will know that her accidental adoptive father loved her unreservedly. Nyota knows that of me, as well, no matter our mutual cowardice."
Finishing his log, Jim stepped out of his quarters, and headed for The Transporter Room. On the way, he saw Lion-O.
"Lord Lion-O---your appearance--you look younger!"
"A precaution, Captain--I was never the elder statesman I appeared to be when I came on board here--most people don't understand Thunderan aging, so I affected an older aspect. Even for that, I took a swig of this. Its from The Amazons' youth stream--heavily diluted, of course. Here."
Smiling, Kirk let the barest drop touch his lips. The five years it took off meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. But five years ago, his mother, brother, sister-in-law and sons were all still alive.
"Thank You, Lion-O. Now lets rescue your world."
"If it can be rescued--Jim."
They met their party in the transporter room, and beamed down. The Enterprise continued to hide itself behind Fourth Thundera's shattered moon.
As they beamed down, they were assaulted by the sound of hideous cackling, and the sight of the 'empty' area filled with glassy-eyed, heavily armed Thunderans. Lion-O's heart sank as he saw Chaos Pyramids all along every horizon. A familiar voice cried out its triumph.
"Welllcome to Fourth Thundera---Domain Of Mumm-Raaa--The Ev-er Livving!!! In one sense, your stay shall not be a long one. But in another—it shall last for all Eternityyyyyyy!!!EGahahahahaaha!!!"
Lion-O whispered to Kirk.
"Don't worry, Captain. I Have A Plan."
Jim nodded, looking at the forces arrayed against them.
"Lion-O, I really hope someone does."
While Mumm-Ra himself was not present, his screeches filled the air.
"Ehhahahahahah!! Yoou were a fool to return, Li-On-O! The only bigger fool is Captain Kirk! Now, you all belong body and soul to Mumm-Ra, Ever-Living Source Of Evil."
Rather than responding to the taunts, Lion-O pointed to a ledge above them.
"Captain--I suggest we move up there."
Fully expecting to be under fire soon, humans and Thundercats jumped up to the ledge. Kirk was now grateful that Uhura had suggested switching to Starfleet's new issue off-white uniforms, which better concealed the miniature anti-gravs they all wore. The glassy-eyed Thunderans, though, never moved against them. Chekov whispered.
"Lord Lion-O--why did you not tell that Baba Yaga reject what to do with his cackling?"
"Because of that, Lieutenant."
The Thunderans continued on their zombie-like way below.
"They never once aimed at us. I fail to understand."
If Chekov did not, Scotty did.
"Y'see, Pavel--back during the last Scottish revolt against British rule, the Redcoats developed a trick. On a far hill, away from their encampments, they would place their country's banner. They would be able to see the banner, but naught else, from their camps."
M'Ress shook her head.
"To what end? Wouldn't Scotsmen against British rule simply tear it down?"
"Ahh, M'Ress, lass--the dumb ones would--if they wanted to signal their position. I'll concede it was an inventive and clever trick--the placement of something you knew your foe would find hateful enough to make them cry out and alert ye. I'm not surprised that such as Mumm-Ra made use of it."
Kirk nodded.
"A kind of mystical pre-recording, with an alert keyed to your expected response. Or mine. Almost diabolical. Or maybe not almost. Lion-O, we're going to need a base of operations to strike from. Any notions?"
"Yes, Jim. Jump over this roof."
Lion-O took note that the Captain relied heavily on his intuition, and on leaps of faith. He and his crew made the jump without hesitation. As they went over, he asked a question of his ally.
"Jim--what Earth-Month were you born in?"
"August. Why ask that?"
"Just curious. What astrological sign does that place you under? M'Ress mentioned the concept to me on the ship."
Jim smiled.
"That makes me a Leo--Sign Of The Lion."
They said no more as they cleared the roof. Waiting for them was a transport. Its two drivers turned and smiled at Lion-O.
"Come With Us."
"If You Want To Live."
It was WilyKit and WilyKat. More, they did not look a day older than their descriptions in the legends of centuries past. Another mystery.
"Oh, Lion-O. We Were...."
"So Worried That You Were Never Coming Back. What happened?"
"No time for that now, Kit, Kat. Get us to The Castle Of Omens underground annex."
WilyKit got them underway, while WilyKat looked over M'Ress.
"Has it been that long? Can this be the baby? Oh, you look almost just like your great-great-great grandmother, Queen Prideala."
"It--is an honor to meet both of you Thunderkittens. As a child on Caitia, I dreamed of being like you two."
Kit looked back.
"Heh. You were more like us--than us!"
Arriving at a pit, the transport dived and went in. After an hour, it found the underground annex.
"Everybody out."
"Is Anybody Hungry?"
Kirk nodded yes.
"We'd best fill up--but don't cut into the ThunderKittens stores too much."
It was then that all but Lion-O learned the secret of the Thunderkittens. Again, they spoke one after the other. "We don't need those stores. For you see..."
"Androids Don't Eat, Captain."
M'Ress turned to her father.
"Sir---WilyKit and WilyKat are just androids?"
"Hey! You may be our Princess, but watch who...."
"You're Calling 'Just' An Android. We have sophisticated...."
"Positronic Brains."
M'Ress apologized.
"I meant no offense. You two are fantastic--I would never have known, had you not told us outright. I guess all those times you got in over your heads were a cover, then."
Lion-O lightly chuckled.
"I don't think so, daughter-of-mine. These two are programmed primarily for mischief - something they're awfully good at, I might add."
"Awfully Good? We're.."
"The Very Best!"
Uhura pointed out the other function.
"Then, their secondary programming must have to do with disasters like this one. Having cybernetic instead of biological sentience must protect them from Mumm-Ra's power, to an extent."
The twins nodded.
"Uhura, you sure are smart..."
"For A Lady With Almost No Fur."
"Errr...Thanks. I Think."
Kirk turned to his crew.
"Scotty, secure yourself here. Get Panthro's weapons on line. We may need to take out those Chaos-Pyramids in a hurry."
"Aye, Cap'n. M'Ress--you're with me."
The Princess Crewman started.
"I am? But Captain...Father...I'm not a child. I'm a trained Starfleet Officer."
Kirk spoke.
"M'Ress, if things go badly, you are the legal pretender to Thundera's Throne. Stay here and help Mr. Scott. That Is A Direct Order From Your Captain."
Now Lion-O.
"That same order is backed by your Father and King. Return to Caitia, should we fall. The government there is bound under treaty to recognize The Throne Of Omens, and they have no love of Mumm-Ra. And one last thing."
The Lord Of The Thundercats hugged his only child.
"Leaving You Behind Was The Hardest Thing I Ever Did. Holding You Again Is A Joy For Which I Have No Measure. No matter your name---I love you, M'Ress."
Doing what she believed her Captain would, Princess Siameressa fought back all her tears.
"I Love You, Father."
Jim watched this. Uhura knew that he prayed such a day would occur with his own children. One of whom she herself had called son of her heart.
"Captain? I Have--The Readings."
Grateful to be pulled away, Kirk looked at Uhura's findings.
"Yes. Good work, Lieutenant. Lion-O--look at this."
Lion-O shook his head.
"Its impossible--and yet it explains everything. Sadly, it also renders the Sword useless. My Daughter, My Heir--I Leave It In Your Hands. But You May Not Wield It--Only A True Leader could hope to accomplish that."
"Father--after so short a reunion--is this Goodbye?"
He smiled.
"If The Eye sees it, we will meet again. Until that time, remember---"
M'Ress nodded firmly.
"Truth. Honor. Commitment. Loyalty. Justice. Thundercats---HO!"
They all left to face Mumm-Ra. Scotty attempted to cheer the shaken M'Ress.
"All right, Princess--let's get to work, or I'll bust you down to Baroness so fast, yer pretty head will spin."
She smiled appreciatively.
"Aye, Commander--but no Knighthood for you."
The transport reached Mumm-Ra's original Chaos Pyramid. Despite the loss of a potential challenge, Kirk was glad of not having to face Fourth Thundera's shifting, brutal terrains.
WilyKit and WilyKat turned to the four others.
"Androids Don't Eat."
"But we can be reprogrammed."
Loosing electricity from their hands, the twins immobilized Lion-O, Kirk, Uhura and Chekov. They then called their master.
"Lord Mumm-Ra?"
"We Have Them."
They awoke in the fetid heart of Mumm-Ra's pyramid.
"WELCOME, My Friends! Do you understand now the true depths of the evil you now face? There is nothing of yours that I cannot corrupt, merely by breathing on it."
Chekov, unnerved by this and M'Ress's sudden proposal, shot off a quip.
"With breath like yours, I can believe that."
"SILENCE, OUTSIDER!!!!"
But Kirk shoved his junior officer out of the way of Mumm-Ra's fire-bolts. He looked at their captor.
"You don't frighten us, Mumm-Ra. It is you who have no idea of what you are up against."
Lion-O agreed.
"I've seen their ship, Evil One. It is possibly a match for even your powers."
The monstrosity grinned.
"Perhaps, Thun-der-cat! But without the Sword Of Omens---You Are Not."
Oddly, Lion-O leaped right into Mumm-Ra's line of fire. His soul fled his body, and entered the seventh crystal coffin behind Mumm-Ra. His body disappeared. His passage was felt.
"FATHER! NOOOO!!!"
In the underground lair, Scotty saw a grief-stricken M'Ress take off like a comet.
"I'm coming for you, Mumm-Ra!"
Kirk pointed his finger at the undead ruler.
"That was a mistake, Mumm-Ra! One I intend to see you suffer for."
Outside, the pyramid shook as The Enterprise began its bombardment. Mumm-Ra was surprised, but not thrown off very much by this.
"We shall see, Kirrrrkkk!!!"
------------------------------------------
Chapter 6 - How We Face Death.....
Certain of his supreme victory, Mumm-Ra cackled over Lion-O's soulless body.
"At long last----Li-on-O is no more! No adult Thundercat remains to free him. Mumm-Ra is Victorious!!!"
Kirk cleared his throat.
"Have You Forgotten Me, Demon?"
The obscenity smiled.
"Not at all, Captain. In fact, I have a gift for you."
Kirk hoped that Uhura and Chekov's efforts to find and deactivate Mumm-Ra's new power source would be successful. He could only delay the monster for so long. Mumm-Ra produced his 'gift'.
"Captain--Behold Your Son!"
From Mumm-Ra's cloaks indeed emerged Peter Kirk. The boy smiled.
"Dad---I'm Alive! Mumm-Ra brought me back. I Love You Dad."
"And I Love My Son--But He's Dead."
"Dad! I'm right here!"
The insistence was classic Peter. But Jim wasn't buying.
"Peter--if Mumm-Ra brought you back, can he bring back my brother Sam, as well?"
The boy nodded joyously.
"Of course! I Love Uncle Sam, almost as much as I Love You--now I think I have a hug coming."
Kirk pulled out his phaser."No, you don't."
Mumm-Ra ducked as the beam struck true, killing the boy--who, as Jim expected, turned into one of Mumm-Ra's hench demons before evaporating. The monster shook his undead head.
"Very good, Kirk--but how did you know? My illusion was perfect---drawn from your own memories."
Kirk kept his phaser up.
"I didn't know. But like I said before--I'd kill my boy again rather than let him accept your tainted gifts."
While Mumm-Ra considered this apparently very ruthless foe, Kirk considered the illusion's true error--so far as Kirk knew, the deceased Peter had never found out that Jim was his biological father, and had certainly never called him Dad. 'Dad' was a term that Peter would have used to describe his legal father--his 'Uncle' Sam. Jim took some comfort from this second demonstration that Mumm-Ra was not omniscient. The zombie-wizard gestured.
"WilyKit! WilyKat! Go find and finish Kirk's two little allies. Go--nooow!"
The two androids looked at Captain Kirk.
"Androids don't eat."
"But we can be reprogrammed."
They flew off. Mumm-Ra took note of Kirk's calm.
"You can not be so calm as you appear, Kirk. Both those people are your friends ---I can feel your love for the woman, Uhura!"
Jim shrugged.
"Easy Come, Easy Go."
The Captain knew full well that the only thing keeping Mumm-Ra from firing on him was his enemy's demonic desire to see him beg. Kirk had no intention of begging. In its coldness and casual cruelty, it reminded him of the ruthless Admiralty, tucked away in their Hall, destroying those who opposed them for no other reason than they did.
"What was that?!"
Outside, The Enterprise's bombardment was joined by a second report.
"It seems that Scotty has gotten Panthro's tech back on-line. Your other wretched Chaos-Pyramids are crumbling, 'Great' Mumm-Ra."
Outside Mumm-Ra's Lair, Thunderans, Amazons, and the assorted races of Thundera awoke and began to march on the demon wizard's other pillars of power. Kirk sneered.
"You're Finished."
"Hardly so, Kirk! You are more of a match than I might have thought--but to beat me, you must prove yourself Great and Mighty Mumm-Ra's superior--and that you shall never do!"
The thing incanted.
"Ancient Spirits Of Evil, Transform This Decayed Form To That Of The Supreme Mumm-Ra, Eternal Source Of All Evil!"
Now about 14 feet tall, he seethed with power, and made no bones about the direction he intended to send that power in.
"First You, Kirk--Then Your Precious Ship! By the way, I did not lie--your son is.."
Kirk fired his phaser at the behemoth's eyes, causing him to scream.
"My son...is a dead issue!"
A giant fist came down, seeking to crush him. Not only did Kirk avoid that blow, but actually climbed the huge arm. Setting his phaser to overload, he jammed it in the oversize ear. He then jumped away.
"Nooo....what have you done?"
"On my Earth...we once called it an Excedrin Headache."
The phaser went off. Kirk inspected the now-normal sized pieces of Mumm-Ra.
"Guess he's...."
A severed arm darted up and grasped Kirk's throat. Jim pushed it off, and saw Mumm-Ra reform. Still transformed, he was now no bigger than if he wasn't.
"Youuuu....Except for Lion-O...NEVER have I hated anyone so much as you!"
The Captain held out his hands, palms exposed. He then cupped his fingers into those palms, repeatedly, daring Mumm-Ra to attack him.
"Bring It On!"
Bursting through the lair doors was M'Ress, Sword In Hand.
"My Captain Speaks For Both Of Us. You have killed my family, Mumm-Ra. Now face the wrath of Siameressa--Lord Of The Thundercats!"
The monster sneered.
"Loooord Of NOTHING!!!"
He then began his assault.
Below, Uhura talked with the ship.
"Mister Spock--are you still under attack?"
On the Enterprise, Spock responded.
"No, Lieutenant--as we surmised, by focusing our attacks on Mumm-Ra himself, we enabled Mister Scott to smash the other Chaos-Pyramids. This seemed to free Thunderans all over the planet's surface, and in their fleet."
"Good to hear, Sir. Can ship's sensors help us pinpoint Mumm-Ra's power source? A few of the lesser guardians took pains to destroy my tricorder."
"Miss Uhura--it is approximately ten meters--beneath you."
Chekov shook his head.
"But thees ees a dead end."
"Maybe we can help."
WilyKit and WilyKat both smiled.
"Androids can be reprogrammed."
"And then--we can be reprogrammed again."
Uhura felt a twinge, remembering two tough youngsters who had spent time aboard the Enterprise.
"ThunderKittens--Do The Honors!"
As the pair drilled through the rock below, Chekov grinned, grateful that Lion-O had asked Scotty to check them out, to see if they'd been tampered with. Now, with their pretense of obedience to Mumm-Ra over, they made all the difference.
"Down we go!"
"To End This Show!"
They descended on hoverboards through the rock the 'kids' had blasted. Once in the power-chamber, all were flabergasted by what they saw.
"Kit! Its unbelievable!"
"Kat! Its impossible!"
They stared at the siphon, attached to a piece of metal of noble bearings and markings. Chekov nodded.
"Small wonder that Mumm-Ra was next to invincible, with this as his power source."
"Lieutenant Uhura--this is First Officer Spock, aboard the Enterprise--have you sighted the power source?"
"Indeed we have, Mister Spock---hard as it is to believe, its---Another Sword Of Omens."
On the ship, Spock analyzed the puzzle. He went to the science station.
"It is not so hard to believe, Lieutenant. Based on your own past experiences, it is in fact quite logical."
At the underground lair, Scotty's work was interrupted.
"Look--I told you--I am an ally."
The holo-guard Panthro had fashioned in his image wasn't buying.
"Ally-or no--I don't let just anyone touch my life's work. How do I know you're a true engineer?"
"Ye won't know at all, unless you test me."
"You want a test--alright. Lion-O needs the Thundertank. I know it will take me six hours to get ready. What estimate should I give him?"
Scotty grinned.
"You tell him it'll take twelve hours--but you'll see what can be done about having it ready in six. Then he'll turn around and say you have three."
The holo returned the smile as it faded.
"Enjoy the equipment---Brother."
"Lad--I already have."
In the upper pyramid, Mumm-Ra's assault battered both Captain and Princess.
"Give me the Sword, M---Ress! Perhaps if you do--I shall spare your worthless soul!"
But M'Ress was cut from a defiant mold.
"Never, demon! In fact, I'll use the sword against you--HOOOO!!!!"
But nothing happened. Mumm-Ra cackled yet again.
"You little fool--that may only be wielded by the True Lord Of The
Thundercats."M'Ress was ready to give up, when she realized Mumm-Ra's error.
"Again, you show your limitations, Evil Mumm-Ra. My father never said that it had to be The Lord Of The Thundercats who wielded The Sword Of Omens. Only that it be someone with a good heart--who is a true leader!"
Swallowing her pride and desire to end this threat herself, M'Ress handed her Heritage to the care--of Captain James T. Kirk.
"Sir--If You Would."
Kirk held the Sword, and marveled at both it and the crewman who was so well trained, she knew when it was wisest--to delegate power.
"Thank You, Your Majesty. I'll wield it with honor. Now, I believe that, the phrase goes something like...."
Mumm-Ra stood dumbfounded, too fearful to even fire.
"Nooooo...."
Kirk whipped the sword around, and it grew as he incanted.
"Thunder..Thunder...Thunder...THUNDER CATS.....HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"
Firing not at but behind Mumm-Ra, Captain Kirk shattered the crystal coffins holding the spirits of the fallen comatose Thundercats. Since Lion-O's was nearest to his body, he awoke first.
"It was just as we planned, Jim. Using that mental kata Mister Spock showed me, I was able to speak to the others on The Spirit Plane. We concentrated our resistance, adding to your attack. Now, they can all be awakened from Cryo."
The undead evil stated the obvious.
"The ThunderCats---They're Loose!"
In the underground lair, Scotty waited outside as Panthro, Cheetarah, Tygra, Lady Willa, Pumyra and Bengali all came out running, joyful to be alive again, and anxious to finish Mumm-Ra.
"Do any of ye Thundercats need a ride?"
Panthro frowned at the thought of someone touching his Thundertank.
"Listen, friend...."
"It was a three-hour tune-up...but I finished in one."
Panthro now smiled. Tygra turned to Cheetarah.
"He's found a friend."
Below the pyramid, Uhura confirmed Spock's hypothesis.
"This did come from another dimension. Mumm-Ra must have learned of it, and pulled this one through."
Chekov tried firing through its shield.
"Its differing energy-signature may have enabled him to manipulate it, despite his evil. But how do we get through?"
The Thunderkittens nodded.
"You don't, Mister Chekov."
"We do. Please tell Panthro...."
"To Rebuild us as adults this time."
"Cause Eternal Youth stinks."
Before the two humans could react, the brave androids drained the force field off into themselves. Their bodies melted.
"Uhura--the sword!"
"I know, Pavel. Its vanishing. Without that field, its going back where it came from."
------------------------------------------
THE MIRROR UNIVERSE
Once a King, he was now one of countless slaves of the human dominated United Empire Of Planets. His friends and family dispersed, or dead, he didn't even use his real name anymore.
Despair was all.
But one day, while he was being punished for laziness, hope fell from the sky. For it had returned to him. A revolt began, then and there. One the Empire would not crush.
"Follow Me To Freedom! The Liberation Of Thundera Begins Now! So Decrees Lion-O, Lord Of The Thundercats! HOOO!"
For The Sword Of Omens, as prophesied by The Halkans, had returned to its rightful wielder.
----------------------------------------------
Mumm-Ra felt himself shrivel and weaken immediately. Decades of relying on the other sword had caused him to squander even his inborn powers.
"No, this cannot be. I am as weak as..."
M'Ress smiled.
"A Kitten?"
"This is Not OVEEERRRR!!!!, Thundercats!"
M'Ress stopped smiling as the other Thundercats entered the room. She would be glad to know them, especially her mother Willa, who smiled at her from across the way. But her mind raged at all the years lost to the evil in front of her. She knew what she had to do.
"Captain--I need something from The Enterprise."
The returning Uhura held a covered package.
"Could it be this, M'Ress?"
"Thank You, Nyota. Thank All Of You. In Both My Families."
Princess Siameressa uncovered The Mirror.
"Behold What You Fear Most, Evil One--Your Own hideous image, reflected back at you!"
"Fool, I am no longer vuln...."
Then, Mumm-Ra remembered just how weak he was, and realized that his oldest vulnerability--had been restored. He screamed.
"I--Must--Retreat..."
But the vengeful Thundercats were smashing everything in the Pyramid, including his sarcophagus. Then, M'Ress played her Ace.
"Everywhere!"
"AAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHH!!!!!!"
An infinite series of M'Ress's appeared, each wielding a mirror. They covered Mumm-Ra from every possible angle. Evil may be eternal, but its avatar found out to his horror that he was not. When even the last wisp of his smoke was destroyed by the mirrors, Lion-O spoke words that he had waited millennia to speak.
"Mumm-Ra---is destroyed."
He then spoke words that were just as welcome.
"Three cheers for The Princess Royal--Siameressa Of Fourth Thundera--Daddy's Little Girl."
Willa held her child, and though the bond was strong, they would be a while in finding out who each other were. They looked forward to this. They all did.
"She's not so little, anymore."
The cheer went up.
"Three Cheers For Princess Siameressa, Slayer Of Mumm-Ra, The Ever-Living! Hip-Hip--Hooray! Hip-Hip--Hooray! Hip-Hip--Hooray! May she reign wisely, when her time comes."
Lion-O gently quipped.
"Not too soon, I hope."
M'Ress turned to her soon-to-be former crewmates.
"I shall reign wisely. For I have learned at the feet of a true leader--Captain James T. Kirk of The Starship Enterprise."
Tygra asked Chekov a question.
"Excuse me--Pavel, is it. How did that one man manage to hold off Mumm-Ra til we could set up his final defeat?"
Chekov shrugged, pressed too explain something so basic, so Uhura answered.
"He's Captain Kirk."
-----------------------------------------
The Investiture Ceremony was beautiful. M'Ress--now her chosen name, was now Lion-O and Willa's full heir. But some low points were inevitable.
"Pavel, how can you turn me down? You'll be a Prince--age very slowly."
"M'Ress--my place is in Starfleet--aboard the Enterprise. I am flattered by your proposal, but find I cannot accept. I am sorry."
She nodded, trying to understand.
"Pavel--when I first came on board The Enterprise, there was someone there so cool and collected and professional, I made it my goal to be just like him."
"We all feel that way about The Keptin, Princess."
M'Ress sadly smiled, and walked away.
"I wasn't talking about Captain Kirk."
Chekov felt a bit like a heel, but felt that was better than living a lie for a throne. He also kicked himself for not realizing that M'Ress had sported a crush on him.
"As they say in St. Petersburg--Que Sera, Sera."
Now, M'Ress stood before the assembled crowd of allies and kin, and recieved tribute from The Kzinti Pridate--a real kick for someone who had so often fought their illegal fleets. The Caitian Lady was curt, but M'Ress knew better than to expect open arms from her former people. Then, she spotted someone in the crowd.
"Little one--come up here."
The Caitian child was prodded by her nervous parents, and so went.
"Yes, youuuurrr majesty?"
"Your name is Hspsr, is it not?"
"It is, Maam. How did you know?"
"During the final battle with Mumm-Ra, a brave Enterprise crew-member gave her life that I might live. She was a pretty Caitian--named M'Ress. I took her name in honor of all she gave up. She asked nothing in return--except one thing. Did you know M'Ress, Hspsr?"
The little girl nodded, tears on her whiskers.
"She was my older sister--and she was really pretty. I didn't even know how she died until you told me. What did she ask for?"
The Princess smiled. She would honor her old parents--but remind them that outlitters have feelings, too.
"She asked that I take her little sister and treat her like she was my own sister. Would you like that?"
Smiling, the kitten-girl nodded frantically.
"Would I ever? Gee, Princess--you're almost as pretty as her."
After exchanging hugs, the two parted. Despite herself, her once-mother also gave and received a hug, with a promise that her once-father would be 'worked on'.
James Kirk now ascended the podium.
"This day, I have lost a valued crewman. But I can say, without hesitation--my loss is Thundera's gain."
The day's festivities ended, Kirk and Lion-O observed their subordinates and family mingling, Tygra and Spock in one corner, talking philosophy, Scotty and Panthro talking shop, and Cheetarah urging McCoy to stop theorizing on the bio-nature of her speed. M'Ress and Willa
actually argued over how she dressed for the ceremony, which made Pumyra foresee a healthy mother-daughter relationship. Everyone found someone, as did their leaders."Jim--I owe you a debt beyond knowing. You've helped my daughter to become a fine individual--that means everything to a Thundercat."
Kirk smiled.
"What can I say, Lion-O? I can only work with what I'm presented-and in her case, I was presented with a treasure to rival The Eye Of Thundera itself."
The USS Enterprise departed with one less crewmember. But The United Federation Of Planets gained a new and powerful member. All in all, the journey of The Princess Crewman had been an eventful one--and yet it had only just begun.
-------------------------------------------
VULCAN, 2284
"THE END? You chose to end it there?"
"Sure. Why Not There?"
"What of the other Thundercats? What of M'Ress's rebonding with her mother, and father? The many races of Thundera? Your story is incomplete."
"Most are. You have to stop at some point, Darling."
"I suppose so. It was a good story. I was glad you had the Kzinti bow to M'Ress."
"Well, when you consider what they did to her and Arex---actually I don't like to consider that. I have enough death in my memories."
"I wish she had been a Princess. I liked her, and feel she deserved a much happier fate than what she got."
"She was a Princess. She was Lion-O and Willa's daughter. They just never had an opportunity to come back for her."
"Then Mumm-Ra won?"
"Him? He died fighting by their side."
"That is not logical. What threat could possibly be so great as
to-----No.""I'm sorry."
"Why? Your trick worked. That beautiful fairy-tale, actually a joke. The punchline being that those great heroes were just more victims of his endless appetite for death. I am going to the museum."
"I'll come with--"
"I am going alone."
At the museum, she felt her anger abate, but only as regarded him. It was all so unfair. M'Ress, tortured and killed by arrogant Kzinti. The Mighty Thundercats, giving all they had to one last battle – and falling, just as everyone else did in the path of the unspeakable.
"You Were Awfully Hard On Him."
She turned from the Sword Of Omens exhibit, based around the weapon found floating in space, to see who spoke to her. It was a surprise, to say the least.
"Lion-O?"
"In the flesh--or the spirit. You know, life doesn't always work out as we might like."
"I--and my husband--are quite aware of that fact. As children, we were---"
"So was M'Ress, before she was killed."
She shook her head.
"Then I must ask the point of all heroism. Yours--and Ours. Our parents could not protect us--any more than you could protect your daughter. The monster comes, and all is dust."
Tygra appeared, and spoke now.
"The destination ahead is forged by the path we choose."
Cheetarah.
"We fight and strive--so as not to be monsters ourselves, lashing out at everything we see."
Panthro.
"Through the worst adversity comes the greatest strength. Even HE can't destroy that."
Willa.
"We judge ourselves so very harshly--that we can forget all that we have fought for and accomplished. It makes us bitter. So we must never forget who we really are, inside."
The ThunderKittens.
"How We Face Death..."
"Is Just As Important As How We Face Life."
Lion-O.
"So it was that when Death came, we faced it as we had lived."
M'Ress--looking as she might have.
"With Honor, Truth, Loyalty, Commitment, and Justice. Against those eternals, no Evil may stand."
As they faded, she heard a familiar cry from the spirits.
"Thundercats---HO!!!"
On the other side of the room was her beloved husband, whose need to tell this altered story she now understood. He smiled at her, knowing her thoughts as well as his own. She smiled back.
"Lets go home, Saavik."
"Indeed, Peter. Let Us Go Home. For We Have Much To Do, if we are to overcome Ghidorah."
They left, and offered up prayers that, in victory or defeat, they should reflect somehow the heroism of The Thundercats. For that would be a victory no one could take away. Not an Ever-Living Source Of Evil. Not even The Ancient Destroyer. The path lay ahead before them, beckoning.
THE END