The Skycruiser was abuzz with news. It appeared that Knave and Shade were not only getting married, but also having a child. Strangely, the one taking it the most calmly was Knave. He seemed to be going about his daily routine as if nothing was happening. This was hardly the case. He was planning something big. A surprise for Shade. But he had to bide his time. It would hardly do to spoil the surprise. Now, all he needed was a viable excuse to fetch himself one Bengali.
 

"So Knave, you're not shooting blanks," Alluro announced, coming around the corner.

"I'm not in the mood, Alluro." Knave growled, he hated Mystan's new rule, no killing Alluro.

Alluro smiled. "I can understand," He said then his voice became hypnotic. "You're not in the mood for this, it'd be best if you took my patrol and got fresh air."

"I'm not in the mood for this. I think I'll take your patrol and get some fresh air," Knave intoned.

"You will? Oh good. I'll go back to bed now," Alluro said as Knave walked away.
 

* * *
 

Shade took off her flight helmet as she exited the Crescent Fighter she'd been flying, when Knave entered. "Is that safe? Flying while carrying our child?" Knave asked.

"Of course it is. Nightshade assures me that the only thing that could harm the child is if I were stabbed through the stomach, and even then she thinks she knows a way to save our baby," Shade replied, giving him a big hug.

"From everything but her," he thought mentally, as he walked to another fighter. "I'm going on patrol. I'll be back soon."

Shade waved then paused, it wasn't Knave's turn to patrol. "Damn it. Alluro!" She snapped, and stalked off to find him.
 

* * *
 

Mystan paced down the halls of the ship. He was wondering himself why Knave was out on patrol. There was a duty roster for a reason. Alluro's room was a large one, and couldn't really be missed. But it seemed that there was a bigger problem approaching. Shade. He sighed slightly, being stuck with Knave AND Alluro didn't seem fair and the fact that Shade was looking blood thirsty didn't seem good.

"Hold it!" He called before she could turn the knob on the door. "What are you doing?"

"I'm gonna kill Alluro," She snapped trying the door which he was holding shut with his powers.

He sighed again, who needed to die to be damned. "Isn't that Knave's line?" He asked tiredly.

"Don't tempt me. I'm out for blood and, quite frankly, yours would do instead of his," Shade spat.

"You aren't going in there and you won't touch me. I could crush your as yet unborn child with but a mere telekinetic gesture, and then, while you're trying to recover, I could crush your brain. Do I make myself clear?" Mystan asked.

"Crystal," Nightshade snapped before stalking off.
 

Mystan knew he was gonna hear about this later. With a gesture he flung the door open. "Alluro! Get out here now."

Alluro, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts, soon emerged. "Can I help you Mystan?"

"Yes. I want to know what the hell you think you were doing. We have a schedule for a reason. By tricking Knave into taking your spot you jeopardize our lives. He's now got a six-hour patrol, followed by six hours of guard duty. What if he falls asleep on the job?" Mystan asked.

"Then you'd have to discipline him for not being an effective worker," Alluro snickered.

"Careful. Shade was just here looking to have your head on her wall. I might just call her back," Mystan warned.

Alluro looked pained. "You wouldn't do that, Mystan, you'd have to clean up. Besides, I did the boy a favour."

"How so?" Mystan asked suspiciously.

"He said he wanted some air. I told him he could take my patrol."

"Well see about that when he gets back," Mystan said sternly. "If not you'll be working both of his shifts."
 

* * *
 

The Tower of Omens. A beacon of light in an unending wilderness. And watching from it were the Thundercats' Bengali and Snarfer.

"All seems clear today," Bengali remarked.

"A little too clear, snarfer, snarfer," the youngster piped.

"I don't like this, it's too quiet," Bengali told Snarfer, "I'm gonna scout around."

"Sure thing Bengali, I'll just stay here and guard the Tower of Omens. Yup, the only thing stopping the Lunataks from just coming down here whenever they want. Sure thing, you can go away and feel perfectly safe with me watching your back," Snarfer said.

Suddenly Bengali had serious misgivings about leaving. But to change his mind might insult the young snarf. "All right then, Snarfer. If you don't mind," he said, and then left.
 

* * *
 

Although standard patrol routes were strictly confined to Dark Side, Knave decided not to follow them. He had just exited from the Forest of Mists when he decided to report in. "I'm patrolling sector five one niner. Everything is all clear. Just the usual night life on Dark Side," he said.

"Confirmed," Cheetalia, Knave's half sister, replied.
 

* * *
 

Bengali took a tentative step forward. He had an uneasy feeling. That was the last thing he thought before Knave burst around the bend at him. "Knave," Bengali growled.

"In the flesh," Knave sneered knocking the Hammer of Thundera clean from the Tiger's hands.

"What are you doing here?" Bengali demanded, delaying, hoping that Snarfer would see what was going on.
 

* * *
 

"Hot rocket baby. You're so cool. You're burning me, ooh, ooh. Hot rocket baby, have mercy on this pup, before you burn it up!" Snarfer sang, his back to the monitors.
 

* * *
 

Knave scanned the sky, careful to watch the white tiger. After a few moments he spoke. "Looks like it's just you and me." He held up his ice pick. "Why not just give up, you'll make a better rug that way."

Bengali dove for his hammer, but Knave's cheetah speed was faster.

"Ah, ah kitty," He mocked. "Mine now."

"Rowr! You're going to get a beating, with or without my ham . . . " Bengali began, before being encased in ice.

"Ham? You're going to hurt me with ham? I prefer salami," Knave sneered.
 

* * *
 

Some distance away, in Cat's Lair, Aqualor heard a disturbing noise. "Excuse me a moment Cheetara," he said politely, heading for the room that contained the legendary Sword of Omens. "Give me sight beyond sight!" he commanded it. Instantly the scene shifted to the battle between Knave and Bengali. "No!" he shouted. "We can't lose another Thundercat so soon. Cheetara, Wily Kat! Come with me." Aqualor said, heading for the Hovercat. Cheetara hopped on behind and the Thunderkitten grabbed his space board.
 

* * *
 

Knave cursed as he looked up into the sky. Thundercats! He'd expected some resistance, but not this early. He finished attaching the tow cable to Bengali and climbed into the Crescent Fighter. "You're lucky, cats, I choose not to fight today," Knave said over the radio.

"Surrender Knave," Aqualor's voice replied.

"Gee let me think," Knave said as his fighter lifted off. "Um . . . No. I have Bengali so you can't fire."

"This is you last warning."

"Catch me if you can." The Crescent fighter streaked off for Darkside. The Thundercat's gave chase, but Knave was right, they couldn't fire with Bengali in danger. They waved off as the Crescent fighter flew into Darkside.

"We're gonna need Lynx-o," Aqualor told the others.
 

* * *
 

Lynx-O and Panthro stood in the Berbil village. Panthro had picked up the blind man from the Tower of Omens and driven down. "Sorry Panthro, Lynx-O. Our Berbil Hair Tonic causes hair to grow on metal, and once it's there it is difficult to remove," Robear Bob said.

"Then what in blazes are we to do with a hairy Thundertank?" Panthro demanded, pounding his fist off his pride and joy.

"We're sorry Panthro, but we thought you knew. Maybe you'd like some candy fruit instead," Robear Bert said, walking over.

"Candy fruit? What in blazes am I to do with candy fruit? That won't make the hair go away!" Panthro fumed.

"Calm down Panthro. The Berbils are kind creatures who are only trying to help," Lynx-O said.

"That may be, but I don't need this kind of help!" Panthro snarled.

"We're," began Robear Bob.

"Sorry," ended Robear Bert.

"Aqualor to Lynx-O, come in Lynx-O," Aqualor's voice said over the radio.

"This is Lynx-O. How may I be of service?" Lynx-O asked.

"We need you to guide us through Darkside. We'll meet you at the Forest of Mists," Aqualor said.

"Come on then. Let's get this hairy beast on the road," Panthro sighed.
 

* * *
 

"Knave to Chilla, come in."

"I'm here, Knave."

"I caught Shade's wedding gift but I don't want her to see it. Where is she?"

"Right now she's in her room happily plotting to kill Alluro."

"Ok, meet me in the hanger, Knave out."

A few minutes later Chilla's eyes widened as Knave unhitched Bengali from the fighter.

"Remember what happened the last time you tried to give Bengali as a wedding gift?" Chilla asked, referring to Knave's subsequent power gain and torture at the hands of Mumm-Ra.

"Ah, but this time I was successful," Knave replied.

"If you insist. What do you want done with him?" Chilla asked.

"I was thinking we could leave him in your room. The temperature's low enough that he shouldn't be able to break out, and Shade wouldn't think to look in there," Knave replied.
 

* * *
 

While Chilla and Knave were securing their present, the Thunderstrike was flying through Darkside toward Skytomb, having stopped at the Lair to pick up Tygra.
 

"Not much longer Aqualor," Lynx-O said.

"Thanks Lynx-O. Tygra, when we get there go invisible and look for Bengali. Me and Lynx-O will keep them busy," Aqualor said.

"Listen, Aqualor. I don't know how things went on your home planet, but I am the Lord of the Thundercats!" Tygra snapped. "Besides. You've left Panthro, Cheetara and Wily Kat out of your plan."

Aqualor turned and looked at him. "Look, I have the mighty Sword of Omens, so that makes me in charge," he said.

"Lynx-O. Land the Thunderstrike. We're not going anywhere until we settle this," Cheetara sighed.

"Who put you in charge? Lynx-O, keep flying," Aqualor said.

"Cheetara is right. We cannot have our two most important Thundercats squabbling before we attack the Lunataks," Lynx-O said, landing in a small clearing.

"I see what's happening. You're all ganging up on me. I don't need any of you! Ho!" Aqualor shouted reaching for the Sword of Omens.

"The Sword of Omens cannot be used for evil deeds," Tygra sighed.

"Maybe it can't hurt you, but my acid rifle can!" Aqualor said, drawing the weapon.

"Calm down please," Lynx-o said nervously. "This isn't the time and hardly the place for this."

The Thundertank, which now looked like a giant topee slid to a stop. Cheetara, Panthro and Kat jumped out.

"Come on Tygra," Panthro growled. "You can take him."

"Yea," Wily Kat seconded.

"Stop!" Cheetara yelled. "Lynx-O's right."
 

* * *
 

Inside Skycruiser Red Eye and Mystan were watching on the main screen. "This is pathetic. Why do we continue to lose with all this in fighting amongst the Thundercats?" Mystan asked. The door slid open and Alluro stumbled through, his arm bleeding badly and several darts dangling from his back. Shade entered shortly after, shouting "Get back here coward!" she stopped short when she saw Mystan and Red Eye looking at her. "Uh, sorry Mystan. I think I'm on duty soon. Bye," she said, scurrying away.

"Does that answer your question?" Red Eye asked at last.

"Indeed," Mystan nodded slowly. "Ok, Alluro, spill it."

"Don't blame me Mystan!" Alluro spat. "Blame that schizophrenic bitch!" He returned Red Eye's glare. "She almost killed me, I don't care if she is your daughter."

"Why'd she do it Alluro?" Mystan asked, his voice giving away no emotion.

"I don't know. She ran up demanding to know what Knave was hiding from her. I told her I didn't know and she accused me of hypnotising him. I started to walk by and she grabbed my arm and cut it open, you can see the rest."

"Did you hypnotise Knave?"

"No!"

"Red Eye. She's your daughter. I want you to make it perfectly clear to her that I can tear up her marriage contract at a moment's notice and kill her child with a thought. I don't want to hear of any more incidents between her and Alluro," Mystan said flatly. Red Eye nodded and left.

"What a relief. I don't know why you put up with these people," Alluro said.

"A word from the wise, Alluro. I don't feel like watching over your back, making sure that there aren't knives in it. Sooner or later you're going to be dead and that's going to leave me one man short. I'd try and make peace with your god and avoid angering either Knave or Shade," Mystan said.

"Of course Mystan. I wouldn't have it any other way," Alluro said.

"Good. Then I want you, Chilla, Knave and Cheetalia to go take care of those Thundercats. Red Eye and Shade will be out to join you momentarily," Mystan said, gesturing at the monitors.
 

* * *
 

A quick stop by the med area and the Lunar Droid had Alluro almost like new.
 

"What do you want Alluro?" Cheetalia demanded, walking up with Knave and Chilla. She'd never forgiven him for the dream incident.

"Mystan wants us to go capture the Thundercats fighting outside," he paused and looked at Knave. "He also says we're to work together peacefully. So for both our sakes, keep Shade away from me!" So saying he stormed out.
 

* * *
 

The acid pistol fired once, disintegrating a rock behind Tygra. "Don't make me shoot again!" Aqualor warned.

"You going to take that from him? Lion-O wouldn't!" Wily Kat shouted from his perch on the Thundertank.
 

Lion-O. There was that name again. Tygra's bola lashed out and three fireballs were aimed, not at Aqualor, but at Wily Kat. The cub tried to duck but was enveloped in the flame. He toppled to the ground, hurt.
 

"This has gone on far too long," Lynx-O said.

"Why's that blind man? Lion-O wouldn't have done that? Well I'm sick of hearing his name!" Tygra snarled, cracking his whip in Lynx-O's direction.

"Tygra. We're your friends, and we care about you, dearly," Cheetara said, calmly.

"Friends?" Tygra asked weakly.

"Yes. Friends," Panthro nodded, taking a step closer.

"You wouldn't rather have Lion-O?" Tygra asked, falling to his knees.

"We'd rather have both of you, but Lion-O's gone and you're our leader. You must be strong," Cheetara said.
 

"How touching, Thundercats. I'm moved. Really," Knave said, clapping his hands lightly.

"Lunataks!" Panthro exclaimed.

"My, and these Thundercats seem observant too," Chilla hissed.

"I wonder if they realize they can't win," Cheetalia said.

"Probably not. We'll have to beat them into submission," Alluro said.

"Thundercats never surrender!" Tygra shouted.

"So you say, but I believe you should be saying that on your knees," Alluro said, producing his psyche club. "In fact, I believe you should all be on your knees!"
 

Slowly the six Thundercats crumpled to the ground. "We must resist," Lynx-O said, placing his hands over his ears.

"But we must kneel," Tygra growled.
 

"Not bad, Alluro. Something you did actually worked," Knave remarked.

"Not now Knave. I'm trying to concentrate," Alluro replied, sweat pouring from his brow.

"Say, I couldn't help but notice that the Thundertank has more hair than you," Cheetalia said, walking up.

"That's it!" Alluro said, turning the psyche club on the half siblings. "You will drop to your hands and knees and beg me to forgive you," the hypnotist intoned, forcing Knave and Cheetalia instead of the Thundercats to kneel before him.

"Alluro, you fool. Look out!" Chilla hissed running forward to ice the approaching Thundercats.
 

Alluro turned, realizing his error, and was in time to see Chilla fall back as a glob of mild acid caught her shoulder. Aqualor looked very smug. At the same time Tygra had launched three orbs of fire to take out Knave and Cheetara had sped forward to tackle Cheetalia. Of the remaining Thundercats only Panthro advanced on Alluro. Lynx-O was tenderly placing Wily Kat in the back of the Thundertank.
 

"Uh, Panthro. You don't want to fight me, you want to fall asleep," Alluro began, swinging the psyche club back over the Panther's head.

"Not a bad idea, Lunatak," Panthro replied, dodging the light. With a flick of a switch sleep gas began pouring from his nunchakus.
 

Red Eye and Shade charged out of the Skycruiser, expecting their allies to have things well in hand. Instead they saw five well armed and tensed Thundercats standing over their fallen foes. "Release Bengali to us, or we'll kill them!" Aqualor shouted.

"Are you insane? We don't have Bengali!" Shade shouted.

"Liars! We know you do. Just for that, one of your friends dies. This one," Aqualor said, picking Knave up by the scruff of his neck.

"Knave!" Shade cried.
 

The hybrid's eyes opened and he took in the situation, most notably the gun filled with acid pointed at his heart. He glared angrily into Aqualor's eyes and said "Chilla's room. He's in Chilla's room."
 

Aqualor passed on the details and both sides waited tense minutes as Red Eye went in looking for the missing Thundercat. Ten minutes passed, and then finally the Darkness Lunatak came out carrying a massive block of ice. "Thaw him!" Aqualor demanded, jabbing Knave's chest.

"I can't. Only Chilla can, and look what you've done to her," Knave said weakly.

"The Sword of Omens can do that," Lynx-O said.

"Good. Hold him. If he moves, shoot him," Aqualor said, passing both weapon and Lunatak to Lynx-O.

"But I can't," Lynx-O began.

"Just do it," Aqualor snapped. "Ho!" Energy built up along the mystical sword and erupted from the tip, shattering the ice holding Bengali. Cheetara was at his side to help him into the Thundertank.

"Now the rest of you, back off!" Aqualor warned, moving closer to the Thunderstrike. Once everyone was in, he had Lynx-O push Knave away and take off.

"I'll get you, someday," Knave growled.
 

* * *
 

"Would you mind explaining to me why you did that?" Tygra asked, after they'd landed. The others had thankfully gone into the Lair already.

"Did what?" Aqualor asked.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about. I'm sick and tired of you assuming the mantle of leadership. I'm the Lord of the Thundercats, not you," Tygra barked.

"Some Lord you've been. If we'd followed you, we probably would be prisoners with Bengali right now," Aqualor retorted.

"We're a team, Aqualor. I don't mind taking suggestions, but what you did today crosses the line. Consider yourself confined to the Lair until further notice. We don't need you on any missions," Tygra said, turned on his heel, and left.