Third Earth was quiet that morning. The head of Cat's Lair slowly pivoted back and forth, scanning for any possible signs of intrusion. Lion-O, the Lord of the Thundercats, paced behind Panthro's chair. "Still nothing?" he asked.

"Not even a squirrel," Panthro replied.

"What could possibly be going on? We haven't heard a peep from Mumm-Ra, the Mutants or the Lunataks in days. Surely one of them must have some diabolical plan," Lion-O said.

"Relax. Their inaction gives us a chance to rest and recover from our injuries," Panthro said.

"I still don't like it. Inform the others that I'm going to riding the Thunderclaw explore a little. Anyone else who wants to join is welcome," Lion-O said.

As it turned out only the Thunderkittens were willing to accompany Lion-O, and this was mostly to get out of doing work around the Lair. Their hover boards rode easily beside the Thunderclaw and soon the trio were away, making for a set of mountains in the distance.

"What's that?" Wily Kit asked, indicating a cave they'd never seen before.

"It must have been uncovered by that avalanche recently," Lion-O replied, moving in for a closer look.

"Could it be dangerous? Shouldn't we call for the others?" Wily Kat asked.

"It won't be dangerous. Don't you worry about a thing. Anything that was in there has been in there for many years. It's perfectly safe," Lion-O said, landing his vehicle a short distance from the cave. He'd have to climb, but there was no other choice in the matter.

The Thunderkittens waited patiently at the mouth of the cave until Lion-O arrived. "There's some kind of inscription here, but we can't read it," Wily Kit said.

"Maybe the Sword of Omens can," Lion-O said, "Sword of Omens. Give me sight beyond sight." Instantly the strange glyphs transformed into words that Lion-O could read.

"Whosoever crosses this barrier shall awaken the Lightning Dogs and face their fury," he read aloud.

"Face their fury, I don't like the sound of that," Wily Kat said.

"As long as we have the Sword of Omens we can't possibly lose, right Lion-O?" Wily Kit asked.

"That's right. Evil can never triumph so long as there is good around," Lion-O said.

The cave was dark. "Sword of Omens, give me light beyond light," Lion-O said, causing the Sword to glow. The new found light source did little to brighten the place up. It only showed how deep the cave really was. The three walked a good distance, with Wily Kit and Wily Kat staying as close as they could to Lion-O, before they came to a pair of large doors. On the door was the red outline of a dog's head on a black background. Slowly Lion-O pushed the doors open.

"Stasis pods!" exclaimed Wily Kat.

"And there are seven of them!" Wily Kit said, quickly counting them.

"But who do they belong to?" Lion-O asked.

"They belong to us, the Lightning Dogs!" came a strange voice. Instantly the seven pods opened and seven canine warriors emerged. The leader, a tall German Shepherd, brandished a massive axe. "Declare your identities or taste the Axe of Prophesy!" he growled.

"I am Lion-O, Lord of the Thundercats. These are Wily Kit and Wily Kat," Lion-O said.

"Cats? I am shep-o. These are my companions: Colla, Houndra, Dobero, Lil Beagle, Lil Terrier, and Calvin our trusted servant. Now that introductions are aside, prepare to meet your destiny. Ho!" Shep-O shouted, aiming the axe at Lion-O. A blast of energy knocked the Lord of the Thundercats back. "We're outnumbered Lion-O," Wily Kit said.

"Let's get out of here!" Wily Kat said.

The Lightning Dogs watched the three intruders leave. "Who would have thought that our new home of Fourth Earth would have cats on it," Colla said.

"Ooh, I hate cats, calvin, calvin," Calvin said.

"So do I, but there may be more. Dobero, fire up the Lightningtank and pursue them," Shep-O said.

"Dogs?" inquired Tygra. "Legend only spoke of a planet opposite Thundera. It was called Lightningo I believe. It was said to be the home of dogs. Maybe the same fate that befell Thundera happened to Lightningo."

"And these Lightning Dogs, have you ever heard of them?" Wily Kit asked.

"None that I've heard. How about you Black Claw. You lived on Thundera longer than any of us. Did you hear anything about them?" Tygra asked.

"No, but we're going to get a chance to meet them again," Black Claw said, indicating the monitor. Indeed the Lightningtank was fast approaching the Lair.

"How hideous. A base shaped like a giant cat. It's just like those Thundercats to build such a monstrosity," Colla said.

"Thank Bernard the Axe of Prophesy showed us the way. We never would have been able to follow them at the speed they fled," Shep-O said.

"They're coming out. Brace for attack!" Shouted Houndra.

"Then it's time for my quick fade. Now you see me, now you don't," Colla said, wrapping his lasso around his body and vanishing from sight.

"Lightning Dogs, ho!" They all shouted.

"Everyone take one target!" Lion-O shouted. "I've got their leader." The Thundercats nodded.

"Better do our quick fade Black Claw. Now you see us, now you don't," Tygra said, wrapping his bola around his body. Black Claw needed no such item to enhance his natural abilities and became invisible without conscious thought.

"Why don't you surrender now and have done with it? Everyone knows that dogs are superior to cats," Dobero said, locking hands with Panthro in a test of strength.

"You may be bigger, but it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the cat, the Thundercat that is!" Panthro said, exerting more strength. Soon the Doberman was on his knees.

"Then, if I can't beat you by strength, I'll have to resort to my weapon. Taste my cat o' nine tails," Dobero said, rolling away and producing his weapon.

"I think you'll find my nunchuks more than a match for your cat o nine tails," Panthro said.

"Come on Wily Kit, let's take out those two little ones. They don't look too hard," Wily Kat said.

"Looks can be deceiving, kitten. Just wait until you've met the fury of the Lightningpuppies," Lil Terrier said, charging at Wily Kat. His sister, Lil Beagle, was aiming at Wily Kit. Their hover skates were truly a work of art. Wily Kit tossed a handful of tiny explosive marbles into the path of her oncoming opponent. "That hurt. But two can play at that game," Lil Beagle said, producing tiny explosive boxes. These she threw at the Thundercat, knocking her clear of her board.

Wily Kat, looked over to where his sister lay fallen. He cried out her name, once, before Lil Terrier had tackled him and sent both of them rolling across the ground.

"So, you appear to be the speedster of the team. It will be my pleasure to defeat you and prove that Grey Hounds are better than Cheetahs," Houndra said, allowing her spear to slip from its wrist sheath.

"Cheetahs have always had the advantage of strength and speed. You cannot hope to prevail against us," Cheetara said.

"I intend to prove you wrong," Houndra said, swinging her spear down at the seemingly helpless Thundercat. Cheetara's staff was out quickly, blocking the shot. She then brought her weapon in an arc, clipping Houndra's legs. "Yield?" Cheetara asked, placing the butt of her staff at Houndra's throat.

"Very well. By the code of Lightningo I swear not to take part further in this fight unless lives are at stake," Houndra said.

"Regretfully, that will have to do. My friends need me," Cheetara said.

Calvin and Snarf slowly circled one another. "You're going to get it now, snarf, snarf," Snarf said.

"I don't think so, calvin, calvin," came the reply. The pair lunged at each other, crashing together in a heap. Fur began to fly as they clawed and scratched at their opponent.

"Why do you insist on fighting us?" Lion-O asked, clashing his sword against Shep-O's.

"Because you are cats and we are dogs. Surely you must see that we are mortal enemies. As such you must be destroyed," Shep-O replied.

"But we should be putting our differences aside. It's obvious that you work for the forces of good. Surely our combined might would be unparalleled in all of Third Earth. Mumm-Ra and the Mutants wouldn't stand a chance. The Lunataks would give up almost immediately if only they knew," Lion-O said.

"I don't pretend to know who these people are, or why you feel the need to invent them, but I do intend to send you back to the hell hole from whence you came," Shep-O said. The weapons clanged against each other. This time Lion-O twisted his sword sharply, sending the other weapon flying. "Fortunately I still have my pawshield," Shep-O said, indicating the paw on his hand. It blocked the Sword of Omens' next slash. Shep-O was then able to back away to regroup. "Axe of Prophesy, come to my hand!" he shouted, bringing his legendary weapon back to him. "Now, we may continue this fight."

Tygra and Black Claw lunged past what they thought was Colla, but the Collie had moved out of the way before they could connect. "What do you say we abandon our invisibility and fight this in the open?" Tygra said.

"Fine by me, except you seem to outnumber me two to one," Colla replied.

"Very well. I will remain out of this until you are properly ready to face me," Black Claw said, shifting to become visible. Tygra and Colla did likewise moments later. The pair grappled for some time, neither making a solid attack on the other. Eventually they parted.

"You fight remarkably well. I didn't think anyone other than a dog could fight like that," Colla said, trying to regain his breath.

"I would be remiss if I didn't say the same about your finely honed skills," Tygra replied.

"Indeed. You are both fine fighters. It is a great tragedy that such prowess cannot be used to combat evil rather than good," Black Claw said.

"I couldn't agree more. Shep-O, end this nonsense. These are obviously good people. They fight by an honour system no different from ours. The only difference between them and us is our species," Colla said.

Shep-O growled. He hated to admit it, but Colla was right. He usually was. He told his companions to call off their attack. "My apologies Lion-O, Lord of the Thundercats. My friend has proven me wrong and you right. The hatred brewing between our two peoples has gone on far too long," he said.

"But until today most of us had never heard of you," Lion-O said.

"Then your people are wiser than ours. At one time there was much communication between our peoples. Then one day a great tragedy occurred. A Lightningo ship was shot down by an unknown ship over Thundera. Accusations were made and the Lightningians blamed the Thunderians for the disaster. Your people withdrew from our planet and, it would seem, left the information of our people to only your highest ranking citizens. We, on the other hand, had numerous spies filtering through your cities. Every day we were bombarded by horror stories. We were led to believe that you were soulless creatures that lived off the blood of infants and women. I see now how wrong those beliefs were. I trust that you and I may follow the example of our two friends over there?" Shep-O asked, extending his hand.

"It would be my honour to prove to you that Thunderians and Lightningians can live side by side on the same planet without blood being spilled, and that those stories which were told are untrue," Lion-O said, sheathing the Sword of Omens, "From this day forward let the world know that the Thundercats and Lightning Dogs are allies, forever!"

Months passed and soon the Mutants, Lunataks and Mumm-Ra learned to fear the Dog House as much as they feared Cat's Lair. But it wasn't long before those people were beaten soundly and forced to become allies, living in peace with their Third Earth neighbours.

THE END

Shep-O, German Shepherd leader of the Lightning Dogs who carries the Axe of Prophesy.

Colla, a Collie with the powers of invisibility. He possesses great wisdom. He carries a lasso.

Houndra is a Grey Hound whose powers of speed and whose spear has helped her pave a path of destruction through many a foe.

Dobero, a muscle-bound Doberman who possesses more strength than wits. He often finds his temper getting the better of him.

Lil Beagle and Lil Terrier. The Lightningpuppies are crafty as they soar through the skies on their hover skates. They possess miniature exploding boxes which they use with great proficiency.

Calvin is a Golden Retriever who faithfully serves as the butler of the group. He worries constantly about the team.

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