THE END OF A GENERATION

 

                Cheetalia, daughter of Amber Goldenrod, sped away from the hideous black pyramid, the home of Mumm-Ra.  She had come to Third Earth of her own free will to complete a bargain that her half brother, Knave Iespyk, had made with the Ancient Spirits of Evil.  When he had been given the information he needed, she had fled, with Mumm-Ra hot on her proverbial tail.  Third Earth was a much different planet than her home of Plundarr, but she didn’t have time to stop and take in all these little nuances, there was, after all, an angry demon priest after her.

 

                Aker stood on the Thunderclaw, waving to the warrior maidens.  “Farewell,” he called.  His companion, Cheetara, was at the controls.  “Hurry up or we’ll be late for dinner,” she said.

“For dinner, I’ll do anything,” Aker smiled.

“Ah yes, the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” Cheetara said.

“Actually it’s through the ribs but who’s . . . ” Aker began, the smile fading from his face as Cheetara clutched her head.  “What’s the matter?”

“I see a woman, Thunderian.  She’s running away from . . .  Mumm-Ra!” Cheetara gasped.

“Can you nail down her location?” the young Lion asked.

“Yes.  You fly, I’ll guide,” Cheetara announced at last.

 

                Cheetalia could feel the last of her strength giving out.  She couldn’t run any farther.  Suddenly a pair of strong hands grabbed her by the forearms and lifted her up.  She turned around, wanting to look one more time into the face of Mumm-Ra before her death, and was startled to see another Cheetah looking down.  “It’s all right, you’re with friends now,” the woman said, “Mumm-Ra’s not going to get you.”  Cheetalia looked and saw that the strange vehicle they were on was outdistancing Mumm-Ra.  She struggled up onto the seat and started her trip toward Cat’s Lair.

 

                When they got there, introductions were hastily made and Cheetalia’s story told.  Panthro had confirmed that Mumm-Ra had turned back, for the time being.  “Mumm-Ra’s bound to try attacking again, you can bet on it,” Lion-O said.

“You are most kind to take me in and protect me,” Cheetalia said.

“For another Thunderian, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do,” Wily Kit assured her.

“But, I’m not Thunderian.  What are Thunderians?” Cheetalia asked.  Aker stepped forward.

“Long ago, how long no one is sure, many Felines from the planet Plundarr left that place and travelled to another planet, this one called Thundera.  The cats from that planet are known as Thunderians.  The ones from Plundarr, like myself and Cheetalia, are known only as Felines,” he explained.

 

                Two Skycutters, Vultureman’s plane, a solitary man and the Nose Diver soared swiftly across the terrain of Third Earth.  These were the Mutants, allies of the dreaded Mumm-Ra the ever living.  They had been summoned by the aforementioned master of evil to combat the Thundercats.

 

                Deep in the bowels of Cat’s Lair a figure, entombed in ice, was dimly aware of his immediate surroundings.  His son, Knave, had breathed a deadly sheet of cold over him.  This cold could cause metal to crumble to dust if touched.  The Thundercats had taken extreme care in transporting him, knowing that a single disruption would cause his body to act like that piece of metal.  Since he was immortal, having been granted powers by the great Ice Lunatak god Igal, his body would reform itself after the destruction.  Thus, the slightest disruption would spell the doom of the Thundercats.

 

                “The Mutants!” shouted Panthro, sitting at a control station, “and Mumm-Ra’s with them!”

“It looks like he got some help before coming here.  No matter, they shall all perish before the might of the Thundercats, right?” Cheetalia said.

“They will lose to us you mean, and be sent back to Castle Plundarr with their tails between their legs,” Lion-O said.

“What’s the point in letting them live?  They’re only Mutants,” Cheetalia scoffed.

“There’s no time for arguing.  Let’s go out there and show them a thing or two,” Tygra said.

 

                Mystan’s Lunataks, and Tycho from Luna’s group, stood in the hangar of the Skycruiser.  They had been told by the goddess above all the other Lunar gods, Selene, that there was only one way to end Nitro Iespyk’s reign of terror.  The Lunar Blade, a sword that would only respond to the commands of a member of the royal family.  “We’ve got four of my newly designed Crescent Fighters.  Tycho’s obviously going.  Knave and Chilla should go, as it is their father that they are trying to kill.  Do you want the other seat Mystan?” Alluro offered.

“No thanks.  I’d rather not stick my neck out trying to kill Nitro,” Mystan replied.  Their journey to find a means of killing Nitro had led to the afterlife.  There Mystan had learned that his soul was doomed to eternal torment for leading a rebellion, and that there was no way of avoiding it, save for not dying.

“Very well.  Unless anyone has objections, I’ll take the fourth Fighter,” Alluro said.

“I don’t think so,” Mystan said, “you’re staying here with me.  Shade will take your spot.”

“May I ask why?” Alluro asked.

“You mentioned that your Uncle was a priest,” Mystan began.

“My uncle Auralias?  Yes,” Alluro replied.

“And that you still had some of his old religious texts.  I want you to teach me how to become a priest.  If there’s any way of saving my soul, it’ll be through that,” Mystan replied.

“Very well, let’s begin at once,” Alluro said, leading his leader away, as the four fighters soared toward Cat’s Lair.

 

                As soon as the first blast of energy shot from Mumm-Ra’s fingers into the Lair’s body a transformation began occurring in the basement.  Nitro’s frozen form shattered and quickly reformed itself.  Soon a being of pure energy erupted from the ground.

 

                “Before I annihilate the Thundercats I feel it only polite to thank the one who freed me,” Nitro said.

“Who dares interrupt MY extermination of the Thundercats?” Mumm-Ra demanded, turning to face Nitro.

“Such rudeness.  Especially since it was directed at one who could destroy you with the flick of a wrist,” Nitro said.

“Foolish Lunatak.  You will soon regret that you mocked me,” Mumm-Ra said, firing a massive burst of reddish light into the senior Iespyk’s body.

“Interesting.  You actually believe you can win,” marvelled Nitro.  He narrowed his eyes to thin slits fired beams of intense heat.  Two fist sized holes formed in Mumm-Ra’s torso, forcing him to retreat.  “Now, I believe that I had a Lair to destroy.”

 

                The Mutants didn’t know what to make of this change in the situation.  They had come out of fear that Mumm-Ra would punish them for not doing so, but were now left without that threat.  Maybe it would be safer, though, to throw their support behind this strange Ice Lunatak now, before he turned on them.

 

                “Greetings, mighty warrior.  My comrades and I wish to offer you our aid, although you clearly do not need it,” Peregrine said.  Nitro turned his deep blue eyes on the avian.

“Why would I desire the aid of a Mutant?” he asked, batting him down to the ground.

“Let’s get out here!” Jackalman shouted, turning his Skycutter around.

 

                Things looked grim as Lion-O and the others emerged from within.  They had barely beaten Nitro Iespyk the last time they had fought, and even then they had had Knave at their side to perform the final blow.  Still, they had to hope and pray that they could defeat him alone, without the villain’s help.

 

                “Ho!” Lion-O shouted, the Sword of Omens’ blast crashing into Nitro.

“Ah, the kittens have finally come to play,” he chuckled, forcing the Thundercats to scatter by shooting laser blasts at them.  When they were far enough apart, large stone walls with roofs formed over each Cat, keeping them separate, then he allowed one of them to escape, Cheetara.  The speedy Thundercat extended her bo staff and pole vaulted up into the air to attack him.  Then, with the greatest of ease, he lowered himself to the ground, allowing her to miss and land neatly on her feet.  “I’d love to keep this up all day, but I’ve got others to dispose of,” he said.

 

                The ground around Cheetara’s feet split apart, and sealed itself up quickly, catching Cheetara midair.  Nitro Iespyk walked up to her and she was certain that her days were numbered.

 

                “Leave her alone.  You and I both know that she’s not the one that you really want,” a voice from behind them said.

“Knave, is that you?  Have you truly saved me the trouble of having to track you down and then introducing your heart to your face?” Nitro asked, turning slowly.

 

                There, in the fields outside Cat’s Lair, the four Crescent Fighters stood.  Outside each one the pilot looked grim and determined.  Knave turned to Tycho and indicated for him to wait a moment and allow him a chance at glory.  Father and son threw themselves together in fierce combat.

 

                Knave’s icepick clattered against a sword that Nitro had created for himself.  Nitro parried the next blow and countered easily, scratching Knave across the ribs.  “You forget, I was one of the best swordsmen on the moons of Plundarr,” Nitro said.

“That may be, but I’m better,” Knave said, grinding his teeth against the pain.  His icepick darted in swiftly and grazed Nitro’s wrist, but drew no blood.

“I see you’re confused.  When Igal took my soul he took it all away, including my blood,” Nitro snickered.

“You can still be killed.  If not by me, then by another,” Knave said.

“You are so wrong.  I can’t even begin to tell you how wrong you are.  Don’t you get it?  I am immortal, not even the gods themselves can destroy me.  I am invincible!” Nitro shouted, raising his arms to the sky and summoning a bolt of lightning to strike at his wayward son.

 

                Shade instinctively moved forward, her lover was in danger, may well be dead, but she stopped as she felt Chilla’s hand on her shoulder.  Knave was crouched low on the ground, bracing himself with his icepick.  Shade nearly cried for joy at the sight, but didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

 

                “It’s you that’s wrong.  How sad it is that you’ll never fully realize it.  I wish I could have the honour of slaying you myself, but it is not to be.  Farewell father.  I hope you enjoy explaining your defeat to Igal,” Knave said glaring at Nitro with unbridled hatred, then he turned and looked over at Tycho, “Now!” he shouted.

 

                Tycho felt his arm raise of its own volition and felt, rather than saw, a jet of black flame build along the length of the sword and envelope Nitro.  Then, pure white light, ran down Nitro’s body into the ground.  There was a rumbling noise as the ground spat Cheetara back up to the surface and caused the stone prisons of the Thundercats to crumble to the ground.

 

                “Is he dead?” Lion-O asked, running up.

“No,” Tycho replied.  “Selene’s magic stripped Nitro of his powers.  He’s about as powerful as you or I.”

“Then he’s still something of a threat.  So long as he draws breath, he is a threat,” Knave said, “he must be exterminated.”

“No,” Lion-O said.

“What?” Knave and Cheetalia said as one.

“Without his powers he is no longer a major threat to our way of life.  We Thundercats don’t believe in death as a viable option,” Lion-O said.

“But after all the deaths he’s caused.  Hundreds have died at his hands.  We will be condemning countless others to their early graves if we let him go free,” Cheetalia said, “My own mother is dead because of him.”

“Mine too,” Knave remarked, looking down on the body, icepick still clenched in his hands.  “He nearly killed me too when he saw me, a lowly half Cheetah bastard infant.”

“I understand how the two of you feel, but if we kill him then we are no better than he is,” Lion-O said.

 

                Knave spat on the body, it wasn’t moving saving for its beating heart and slowly rising and falling chest.  For once he was grateful for his Cheetah heritage that allowed him to drive the point of his icepick through Nitro’s heart before anyone could stop him.  “You’re wrong, Lion-O, I am better than he is.  I live.  He doesn’t.  In my book that equals better,” he said, rising to his feet.

 

                The four Lunataks turned their backs on the Thundercats and returned to the Crescent Fighters.

 

                “Should we go after them?” Tygra asked.

“No, let them go.  There’s nothing more for us to do here,” Lion-O said.

“Was the Feline blood watered down on Thundera?” Cheetalia asked, “have you all grown soft and fat in the safety of your Code of Thundera and Cat’s Lair?  If you allow your enemies to constantly escape you, one day they’ll come back with bigger and better weapons and kill you.  I guarantee the Lunataks will show you no mercy when they defeat you.”

“Cheetalia, I know you’re distraught.  It’s perfectly understandable,” Aker said.

“And you!  Is it something in the food?  I thought you of all people would understand.  You claim to have lived on Plundarr.  Didn’t you see the mass graves, filled with Feline bodies?  Felines whose only crime was that they were Feline?  The death of a Feline killer is enough for me to sleep a little easier,” Cheetalia said, turning on Aker.

“Please, Cheetalia, if you’ll only listen to reason,” Lion-O said.

“Oh go stick that stupid Sword of Omens somewhere very uncomfortable.  I don’t need you or the Thundercats.  I’m leaving you and finding my own place in the world,” Cheetalia said, stalking away.  Lion-O moved to follow but found Cheetara in his way.

“Don’t.  This is something she needs to work out on her own.  She’ll come back when she’s ready,” she said.

 

                Tycho walked slowly toward Skytomb.  Luna would kill him for being away so long, but the reasons were perfectly justified.  He had even gained a weapon that would ensure that he would be triumphant the next time the Lunataks did battle.

 

 

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