It all began long ago, farther back than anyone can possibly imagine. The planet Plundarr, with its moons, spun slowly through space. On this planet there were many different species, each vying for control and domination over the others. But there were really only two species with any sort of power. The reptilians, with their fighting prowess, and the felines, with their intellectual abilities. The cats desired peace for the planet. A united planet under a democratic rule. The reptiles, and most of the other races, agreed in part. One planet united under one species. The one area where all the mutants, save the felines, could come to some sort of consensus was that the cats posed a threat. They were not inclined to war, but possessed incredible technology, that would likely win them any such conflict. The decision was made to erect a king, one from the reptilian ranks, who would lead the mutants against the cats, and crush them completely. So it was that the first king was named. King Dragon.

The new king’s first proclamation was that all technology belonged to the state. Anyone refusing to share their knowledge would be put to death. Many feline scientists died in the early days of that declaration. Finally the cats moved all their knowledge, secretly, into one location and began the construction of a giant space ship that would take them far away from their oppressors. With the ship nearly ready a plan had to be made to rescue as many cats as possible to take with them. The Lord of the Cats, a mighty Lion named Lion-O the first assembled his greatest advisers around him. Tigris and Yufrates, of the Tiger family, Cougrar of the Cougar family, and Leopol of the Leopard family.

"I recommend that the Cheetahs and Pumas go through the city and urge everyone to come," Tigris said, but his sister calmly placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I hate to sound callous, but our food supplies simply cannot feed every feline on Plundarr. We must limit the number we rescue. Select the most important ones," she said.

"There is a planet relatively nearby. The most brilliant minds we have to offer say that it looks like a fertile planet, all lush and green. It shouldn’t take us more than a day or so to get there," Cougrar said.

"We can’t afford to leave anyone behind. I can’t believe I’m hearing this," said Leopol, "If we leave anyone behind, they’ll be treated even harsher out of vengeance for our betrayal."

"I agree that we have to get everyone we can. The Mutants have already segregated most of us as it is. I want the four of you to make an attempt at freeing anyone locked in the prisons. You know the location of our ship. If you’re not back in twenty-four hours, we’ll leave without you," Lion-O said. The five put their hands together and shouted "Ho!" before going off in separate directions.

Tigris slipped his axe into its sheath on his back and looked once more over his gear. There would be no time to grab anything else when the mission was over. They’d probably have to take off once the last feline was onboard. "May I come in?" came a tiny voice.

"Sure thing, buttercup, what is it?" Tigris asked.

"Mommy says you’re going away," the little cub said.

"There, there Tygrina. I’ll be back in time for the launch," Tigris said.

"Are you sure?" the child asked.

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world," Tigris said, hugging his daughter for what was possibly the last time.

Yufrates was waiting outside for him. He nodded and she led the way to the rendezvous point. Cougrar was, as usual, late. Leopol had been waiting for a short time before the siblings arrived. "For the sake of all, let’s hope we succeed," Tigris said.

The prison was undefended, save for a pair of Lobsters. "We’ll go first," Tigris said, indicating himself and Yufrates. They quickly used their innate abilities to become invisible. Once they were near enough to the guards, they clobbered them and bound them tightly. "Come on, we won’t have much time from here on in," Yufrates hissed to the others.

The going was easy as the foursome traveled down the corridors of King Dragon’s citadel. There were, strangely enough, few guards posted. Those that were there were dispatched of easily by one of the companions.

When they finally came to the prison block, they saw ten chained felines lined against the wall. Each bore expressions of pain and horror. "My god, what’s happened to them?" Cougrar asked.

"Are they dead or alive?" asked Leopol.

"It’s quite simple, really. They’re all alive, but won’t be for long," came a feral voice.

"Who?" Tigris gasped, turning to a dimly lit area of the block. A tall Wolf stepped forward, flanked by a Bear and an Eagle. "I would surrender now. It might be easier for you," the Wolf said.

"Lupis," Yufrates growled.

"Captain Lupis now. I believe you also know Ursula and Talon?" the Wolf, Lupis, said.

"Us? Surrender? I don’t think so. We still out number you," Tigris said.

"Do you? It seems to me, though, that we’re bigger and stronger than you. That should easily negate your numbers," Lupis said. The three Mutants charged forward to attack.

Leopol grappled with Ursula, testing his strength against the larger bear’s. While Leopards prided themselves on their strength few could challenge successfully against a weakened Bear, let alone a full-grown warrior Bear. But Leopol was no ordinary Leopard. He had trained long and hard, fought in many wars (unlike many of his fellow Cats) and was stronger by far than the Bear. He slowly forced Ursula down onto her knees before bringing his own knee up to shatter her jaw. "My ancestors were capable of carrying a giraffe up a tree. Did you truly think you could beat me? One who fought in the great Mammal/Avian war?" he said, spitting in contempt on the writhing body.

Talon’s claws were extended as he met Cougrar. He figured that the cat would prove no great threat to him. "After all, he’s only a cat," he thought. But Cougrar, like many of his species, possessed great cunning. As soon as the large Avian was beyond the point of no return the slim Cat jumped out of the way, allowing Talon’s claws to sink firmly into the wooden wall before him. "Oldest trick in the books," Cougrar muttered.

Tigris and Yufrates were having a more difficult time with Lupis, despite their invisibility. Tigris had taken a massive scratch from his right shoulder down to his left leg and was bleeding profusely. Yufrates was spending too much time dodging attacks to make a counterattack of her own. Luckily Cougrar and Leopol were heading toward them. "Take the prisoners then, and leave. It won’t make a difference. Come sunrise your species will be annihilated from the face of Plundarr. King Dragon has a master plan to dispose of you," Lupis said, turning and fleeing down a side corridor.

"Tigris, are you all right?" Yufrates asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I’ll manage. We have to get these prisoners out of here, and we don’t have much time. We must warn Lion-O about this. I’ll go on ahead, invisible, and do that. The rest of you get these people out!" Tigris ordered, struggling to his feet. Yufrates looked like she was about to protest, but then thought better of it.

The evacuation took a long time. Ten prisoners needed to be carried by only three people. Despite their strength it took three hours to get them to the surface. Once there they highjacked a transport vehicle, tossing its Racoon driver out the side, and made for the Feline quarter of town.

"Lion-O," came a strong masculine voice, "sensors are indicating Tigris on his way to the ship, alone and badly injured." The Lord of the Thundercats turned to the Ocelot who had delivered the news.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Positive. He’s asking for you," the Ocelot replied.

"Tell him I’ll meet him in the infirmary," Lion-O said.

Even as Lion-O entered the room he could see a young Puma easing Tigris onto a long thin bed. "What is it Tigris? Where are the others?" he asked.

"We were attacked. They rescued all ten. The prisoners look in worse shape than I am. Our friends may need backup," Tigris replied. Lion-O turned to go. "There’s more. Lupis claims that King Dragon is planning an offensive tomorrow morning to eradicate all Felines."

Lion-O gasped. "All of them?" he asked.

"Every last one of us. We may have to step up the launch sequence, or else be ready for a long fight," Tigris said.

"If you don’t mind sir, he needs his rest, especially if there is to be a battle in the morning," the doctor said.

"Of course. I’ll see you before we launch," Lion-O promised, holding his friend’s hand briefly before leaving.

"I don’t like this. It’s too easy," remarked Yufrates.

"You may be right. It’s almost as if they’re letting us get away," Leopol said, "How are the escapees doing?"

"They’ve seen better days, but they’ll survive. They’re Felines after all," Cougrar said.

"We all will, especially once we’re off this heap of rock," Yufrates said.

"Look, up ahead!" Leopol shouted.

"A massive army of Mammals, Avians, Reptiles and Sea Folk? But how?" asked Yufrates, equally shocked.

The alarms had gone off only an hour before dawn. An army led by Lupis and King Dragon had arrived on their doorstep. Men and women, Tigers, Panthers and Mountain Lions all scattered into their respective gunnery positions, trying desperately to buy the remaining refugees time to get in. A turtle with a blue bandana screamed in pain as a laser bolt cut through him. A pair of Sparrows collided with each other as they were mown down. Through it all Lion-O and a determined Tigris stood in the control room.

"The walls aren’t going to hold much longer. Another ten minutes, eleven if we’re lucky, until they breach the hull," a Lynx reported.

"Another family of Panthers with a few Pumas mixed in is almost here. I’d say five minutes," a Cheetah said.

"Yufrates!" Tigris gasped, "Behind the enemy ranks. She’s in a light transport with the others."

"There’s nothing we can do, I’m afraid. We’re going to be leaving many people behind as it is. I wish we didn’t have to," Lion-O said.

"There must be something. Let me go out there and save her. Please!" Tigris said, grabbing his leader by the shirt. Lion-O backhanded him hard across the face.

"Get a hold of yourself. They knew the risks. They knew as well as you did that there was a chance we’d have to leave them behind," Lion-O said.

"Oh my god. At least give me a laser turret. Look what they’re doing now!" Tigris said. Lion-O looked, and what he saw would be etched in his memory forever.

The transport had been seized. Each Cat was brought to a spot in the middle of the army, in an open area. The males were stripped and castrated on the spot before having a fire set to them. The women were stripped and promptly raped. Even as Yufrates felt the grimy hands of a Horse on her chest a laser blast cut through the horse and pierced her heart. In her last moments of life she knew that she had her brother to thank.

"All right then. Take off," Lion-O said, seeing in the distance Cats frantically trying to make it on time. One of them, a Cheetah, was pouring all his energy into that run. He jumped and caught the outstretched hand of a fellow Cat and was pulled in. He was the last though. All told more than three hundred Cats made the exodus from Plundarr to the planet they christened Thundera. Each of the myriad of races found its own little niche around the landing site. The Tigers settled around a strange forest that radiated with magic similar to their own. The Mountain Lions and Lynx moved into the small mountains nearby, while the Cheetahs preferred working in the fertile fields around the city they named Feline Prime. As all the Cats stood gathered around the ship Lion-O emerged and he spoke in a loud voice.

"Friends and family, we have left a world of oppression. Many loved ones have been left behind, but we must prosper for their sake, that their sacrifice might not be in vain. We shall learn from the mistakes of our enemies and it shall strengthen us. Each species of Feline, be they House Cat or Lion will get one seat in the council. That council will nominate a Lord of the Thundercats to serve until his or her death. That Lord will run a gauntlet of challenges set forth by various species in order to determine his worthiness. But, should the council so decide, that Lord may be removed or forced to rerun the gauntlet. In this way no one species will have more power than another. We will each contribute to the society as a whole. The council will be known, from this day forward, as the Thundercats!" The crowd erupted and lifted their voices.

As was predicted Lion-O was named the first Lord of the Thundercats. He ruled the people well and soon, with the aid of the Panthers, found the treasures of Thundera. He lived for many years and bore one son, who carried his name. He died peacefully in his sleep of old age.

Tigris was named Lord of the Tigers and led his people well. One day he ventured into the magical forest near his home, and was never seen again. Some wonder if he simply died in there, or if he became one with the forest. The answer will never truly be known. His daughter, Tygrina, founded the first school in which magic was taught to those who showed promise, mostly Tigers.

King Dragon, furious at the escape of the Cats did indeed slaughter many of the people, but a handful did manage to flee into the wilderness, where they may still live today. King Dragon didn’t have a long rein. He was toppled by an ambitious Canine named Calvin who himself ruled for only a week or so. The people of Plundarr never forgot nor forgave the Cats for leaving and, when they too developed space travel, they pursued them.

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