Yet again I delve into literature’s greatest works to find my source of inspiration. All apologies are due to William Shakespeare for this lighter take on Romeo and Juliet.

Tygra and Panthro strode through the Berbil village. "Ah those pesky Lunataks are surely lower than the fleas upon a dog’s behind," Tygra said.

"A dog’s behind? Nay, Tygra, you honor the Lunataks by giving them such distinction," Panthro said.

"Perhaps you are right. Then they are molecules upon a fly’s behind as it rests on the droppings of Ma-Mutt," Tygra laughed.

"Would that there were a Lunatak here, that we might show our skill in weaponry," Panthro said, brandishing his nunchuks.

"Not so loudly, my good friend. Thou knowest that a great entity hath demanded no violence, through its mortal servants the mutants," Tygra said, clamping his hand over Panthro’s mouth.

Just then Red Eye and Chilla appeared in the village. They too seemed to be wandering around, looking to purchase candy fruit for once, instead of stealing it. Panthro clamped his mouth around his thumb to prevent hostile words from being spoken.

"Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?" Chilla asked.

"I do bite my thumb, sir," Panthro replied.

"But do you bite your thumb at us, sir?" Red Eye asked.

"Is the law of our side, if I say aye?" Panthro hissed to Tygra.

"No," Tygra replied.

"No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, but I do bite my thumb," Panthro said.

"Do you consider yourselves to be good fighters?" Red Eye asked.

"We consider ourselves to be adequate," Tygra said.

"You lie. Have at thee!" Chilla said.

"Draw, if you be men. Panthro, remember thy swashing blow!" Tygra shouted.

Suddenly Tug Mug ran in. "Hold friends, put up your weapons. You know not what you do," he said.

"What, art thou drawn amongst these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Tug Mug, look upon thy death!" cried Bengali.

"I do but keep the peace. Put up thy gravity carbine or manage it to part these men with me," Tug Mug said. But Bengali wouldn’t listen. Soon the three Thundercats and three Lunataks were fighting in earnest. It wasn’t long before Lion-O and Luna arrived, cheering on their respective allies.

"Halt, yesss?" Slythe said.

"Oh no. Slythe!" Luna gasped.

"That’sss correct. I command thee to hold thy weaponsss. If thou ssshouldssst ever disssturb the peace again, thou ssshalt pay with thy lives," Slythe said.

Neither the Lunataks nor the Thundercats needed any further warning and they ran off to their respective bases.

As they walked home Luna turned to Tug Mug. "Some trouble hath been ailing Alluro of late. Dost thou knowest what it is?" she asked.

"Nay, milady. I fear that only Alluro himself knows the cause of his melancholy," Tug Mug replied.

"See if thou can not get such information from him. Console him and press upon him the need for contentment," Luna said.

"I shall endeavor to do so," Tug Mug replied.

"But there he is. Go now, post haste," Luna said, motioning to a shaded part of Skytomb.

"Good morrow Alluro," Tug Mug said.

"Is it so early as that?" Alluro asked.

"Aye, tis indeed. What sadness lengthens Alluro’s hours?" Tug Mug asked.

"Love," Alluro said.

"In love?" Tug Mug asked.

"Out of love," Alluro replied.

"Out of love?" Tug Mug asked, bewildered.

"Out of her favor, where I am in love," Alluro said.

"Tell me, who is she that has thee out of love?" Tug Mug asked.

"It is Chilla, the most beautiful maiden there is," Alluro sighed.

"Come. The Thundercats are having a ball tonight. We shall go in disguise. Mayhaps there you shall meet someone else," Tug Mug said.

"Mine eyes shall see none but Chilla," Alluro said.

Lion-O walked down the street with Jackalman beside him. "So, thou desirest the hand of Cheetara in marriage. While tis no decision of mine to make I shall arrange for thee to come to the ball we hold tonight. There you may capture her heart and if she says thee yes you shall be wed before the next full moon," Lion-O said.

Some time later in the women’s change room at Cat’s Lair Pumyra and Wily Kit were busily dressing in long flowing gowns. "Where is Cheetara? Call her forth to me," Pumyra said.

"By my honor I did call her forth. But she has not come. What lamb she must be to have gone astray," Wily Kit replied.

"I am here," Cheetara said, "what is your will?"

"What think you of marriage?" Pumyra asked.

"It is an honor that I dream not of," Cheetara replied.

"Many are they who have reached thy age who themselves have borne children. Thou shouldst think hard on this matter. Mayhaps at the ball tonight you shall find a man who will win thy heart," Pumyra said.

"Indeed, how can either Pumyra or myself contemplate marriage when our role model hath not settled down?" Wily Kit asked.

"I hath heard that Jackalman himself hath his eyes set upon you," Pumyra added.

"I shall think on it, fear not. When the time is ripe I shall bend to the wishes of my peers," Cheetara said.

"These are most gladsome tidings. But come, I hear the sound of music below which suggests that our guests, the Berbils and the warrior maidens hath arrived," Pumyra said.

Even as the three Thunderwomen spoke three shadowy figures approached Cat’s Lair. "Come then good Alluro. We shall enter and see if we can’t find another woman to capture your fancy," Red Eye said.

"And if that not be the case then we shall try elsewhere, for there are plenty of women on Thundera, more than just noble Chilla," Tug Mug said.

"Aye, tis true, but fair Chilla is the only one who hath caught mine eyes," Alluro sighed.

"We shall see indeed, Red Eye," Tug Mug said.

Cat’s Lair was alight with torches and candles. Each guest wore a mask to conceal his or her identity. The Lunataks were no different, they too wore masks to hide themselves. This allowed the love struck Alluro to fade into the crowd away from his companions. Soon he found himself dancing along, in a vain attempt to have a good time.

Cheetara wandered the dance floor, attempting to determine which one was Jackalman, for she did not care for him and wished to avoid him. Then her eyes fell on a particularly tall individual, who seemed quite attractive from what she saw. She approached him and gently touched his shoulder. He turned and politely bowed, offering her his hand for the next dance.

Alluro couldn’t believe it. He seemed to be dancing with an angel. Her form and agile grace caught his fancy even more strongly than that of Chilla. "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, as this lady o’er her fellows shows. Did my heart love til now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty til this night," Alluro thought.

"This, by his stance, should be a Lunatak. Fetch me my hammer of Thundera, boy. What dares the slave come hither, cover’d with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, to strike him dead, I hold it not a sin," Bengali growled, turning to Wily Kat. But Lion-O stayed his hand.

"If what you believe is true then it shall have no meaning. Alluro is, by all accounts, a noble and trustworthy man. I shall not have the blood of one so true spilled upon my floors. I bid thee stay thy hand. Keep watch on him but act not upon thy impulses," he said.

"I will keep my vigil over young Alluro and if should stray from the path of right and honor I shall be there to finish him off," Bengali said.

As Alluro and Cheetara danced Wily Kit approached, though masked. "My lady wishes to speak with thee," Wily Kit said. Cheetara nodded and left.

"And who was it that did dance so divinely?" Alluro asked, watching Cheetara fade into the crowd.

"That was the lady Cheetara," Wily Kit replied.

"Then the one whom I said I loved was a Thundercat? Oh fates, how cruel are you? To show me such beauty which I cannot have. Oh cruel world. But wait, why shouldst fate win the day? Can I not break these barriers that do keep me from my beloved Cheetara. Aye, I will speed to her bedroom window and win her with words that would soften even the hardest of hearts," Alluro thought.

"Where is Alluro?" Tug Mug asked.

"I know not, but if he hath brains enough then he is home already, and so should we two," Red Eye replied.

"But Alluro," began Tug Mug.

"Knows the way. Make haste, make haste, we must away," Red Eye urged. With one final look back the two made their way back to Skytomb.

Alluro stared up at the window that he knew was Cheetara’s. "Soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Cheetara is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she: See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!" he sighed, watching as Cheetara sat by the window.

"O Alluro, Alluro! Wherefore art thou Alluro? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Thundercat," she said.

"Then henceforth I shall no longer be a Lunatak," Alluro said, stepping out from the shadows.

"Art thou not Alluro and a Lunatak?" Cheetara asked.

"Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike," Alluro said.

"If thy intents are true then send me word on the morrow as to time and place where we may be wed," Cheetara said.

"I shall see thee at nine with word of my noble quest," Alluro said.

Mumm-Ra was awakened by the sound of someone approaching. "Who hath disturbed the slumber of Mumm-Ra the ever living?" he asked.

"Tis only I, Alluro," came the reply.

"What is it that thou desires?" Mumm-Ra asked.

"I ask that thou marriest me," Alluro said.

"Hath Chilla finally yielded to thy longings or hath some other claimed a hold upon your heart?" Mumm-Ra asked.

"Tis the Thundercat Cheetara. Thou we be of opposing families we do desire to be wed," Alluro said.

"It shall be so, then. Bring her forth and it shall be done," Mumm-Ra said.

"Where the devil should this Alluro be? Came he not home tonight?" Red Eye asked.

"Not to Skytomb; I spoke with Luna," Tug Mug replied.

"Ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Chilla. Torments him so, that he will sure run mad," Red Eye said.

"Bengali, the kinsman of old Lion-O, hath sent a letter to his room," Tug Mug said.

"A challenge, on my life," Red Eye said.

"Alluro will answer it," Tug Mug said.

"Alas, poor Alluro! He is already dead; stabbed with a white wench’s black eye; shot through the ear with a love song; the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy’s butt-shaft: and is he a man to encounter Bengali?" Red Eye asked.

"Why, what is Bengali?" Tug Mug asked.

"More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as you sing prick song, keeps time, distance, and proportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, and the third in your bosom," Red Eye replied, referring to Bengali’s skill with a hammer.

"But hark, here comes Alluro himself," Tug Mug said.

"How now my friends. What hath brought you here?" Alluro asked.

"We were but looking for you," Tug Mug said.

"And now that thou hast found me?" Alluro asked.

"We shall make haste back to Skytomb, for Luna does look for thee," Red Eye said.

"Go forth without me, for I do hear the sound of someone who I do need to speak with," Alluro said. Red Eye and Tug Mug, though disappointed, did turn and head back to Skytomb.

"Art thou Alluro?" a feminine voice asked.

"Aye, I am milady," Alluro replied, turning to see Wily Kit standing before him.

"Then I have come from Cheetara, she does desire to hear thy words," the Thundercub said.

"Bid her come to Mumm-Ra’s pyramid. There we shall be wed in God’s eyes.

Cheetara paced the length of her room. Wondering, as she did, whether Wily Kit would be able to find Alluro. Perhaps she had fallen from her hover board or Alluro was delayed somehow. Oh, how she wished she had gone with him then.

"I have arrived," Wily Kit said, entering the room.

"I am most glad to hear thee say those words. But come, you must tell me what Alluro hath said," Cheetara pressed, drawing the youth further into her room.

"He bids you go to Mumm-Ra’s pyramid. There, in the light of the afternoon sun shall you two be wed.

Cheetara and Alluro were soon gathered at Mumm-Ra’s pyramid, and the demon priest began the rites of marriage. But all was not well for, nearby, trouble was brewing. Tug Mug and Red Eye were searching the streets. "Come, come good Red Eye, let us go home to Skytomb. The day is hot and Thundercats are abroad. We shall not escape without a fight," Tug Mug said. "Then let them come, for my missiles have not tasted Thunderian blood in some time," Red Eye said.

"It would seem that you shall have your wish. By my head, here come the Thundercats," Tug Mug said. As Bengali, Lynx-O and Pumyra approached.

"By my heel, I care not," Red Eye replied.

"Gentlemen, good day: a word with one of you," Bengali said.

"And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something; make it a word and a blow," Red Eye said.

"You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, and you will give me occasion," Bengali said.

"Could you not take some occasion without giving?" Red Eye asked.

"Red Eye, thou consort with Alluro," Bengali said.

"Thou speakest as if we are but rogues who do but follow Alluro’s directions instead of choosing for ourselves," Red Eye said.

"Come, gentlemen. Either we withdraw to some private place or else we depart in peace. This place is too public for such a show," Tug Mug said.

"Then let the people watch. I will not budge for any man or beast," Red Eye said.

"My quarrel is not with you. Tis with the man who does approach. Alluro, I would speak with you," Bengali said as the Lunatak walked by.

"Bengali, what wouldst thou say to me?" Alluro asked.

"I would see thy brains upon the head of my hammer of Thundera," Bengali replied.

"I will not fight thee, for I have no qualms with thee," Alluro said.

"If you will not fight, then I shall!" Red Eye said preparing to launch one of his missiles. Alluro stepped between the two. "No, my friends. Do not fight," he pleaded. But Bengali used Alluro as a distraction and splattered Red Eye’s brains across the street.

"Thou vile knave, I shall teach thee a lesson!" Alluro shouted, drawing his psyche club. He quickly brought it crashing down on the hapless Thundercat, and drove it through Bengali’s heart.

"Alluro, away, be gone! The citizens are up, and Bengali slain. Stand not amazed: Slythe will doom thee death, if thou art taken: hence, be gone, away," Tug Mug said. Alluro looked one more time at the fallen Thundercat before dashing off.

Slythe rode up to where Tug Mug still stood over the two bodies. "What hath happened here, yesss?" Slythe asked.

"It was a fight, honorable prince. Bengali did kill Red Eye and my kinsman Alluro turned the favor and killed him," Tug Mug said.

"For that offence I do exile him hence. If he ssshould ssset foot once more on Third Earth it ssshall mean hisss death. I give him three daysss to take hisss leave," Slythe said.

Cheetara had just heard the news of Bengali’s death from Wily Kit and she mourned for him. "Oh my poor Alluro. Married but an hour and banished now, what shall we do?" she asked.

"I shall to Mumm-Ra’s pyramid, for that surely is where he will have gone," Wily Kit said.

"Thou must take Cheetara away with you when thou leave Third Earth, tis the only honorable thing to do," Mumm-Ra said.

"Aye, tis true. I shall to Skytomb go to gather my belongings. When thou hast a plan for our escape thou shouldst send word of it to me there," Alluro said, before leaving. Soon, though, Mumm-Ra’s pyramid gained another visitor, Wily Kit. The two began to formulate a plan.

"Since Lion-O will not let her leave knowingly we shall stage her death," Wily Kit said.

"I shall give you a herb that shall cause those nearest to her to believe that indeed Cheetara has passed on. When she is placed in the Thundercat crypt Alluro will take her from there and together they shall go to another world," Mumm-Ra said, pressing a package of herbs into Wily Kit’s hands. "But now I must send word via Ma-Mutt of this plan to Alluro," he added.

Ma-Mutt was happily flying towards Skytomb when he caught sight of a Snarf, wandering merrily down the road. His mission to Skytomb could wait, tormenting a Snarf would prove much more entertaining.

In Skytomb word filtered in that Cheetara had recently passed away. Alluro, having never received the message, quickly went to the crypt where she had been laid. "The news I had heard was true, then. Cheetara, the most beautiful woman on Third Earth hath died," Alluro sobbed, "My heart has been rent asunder. I cannot live while Cheetara lies dead." Alluro said as he checked for a pulse. There was none. There was only one thing left to do. He drew his blood stained psyche club and slit his own throat with the jagged edge.

Hours past and Cheetara slowly woke from her drug induced state. Immediately she felt a heavy object upon her lap. It was Alluro. "Good heavens. What hath happened? Has Alluro claimed his own life or been the victim of some horrendous murder? How am I to live on while my Alluro lies dead? I shall make speed to join him in the great beyond," Cheetara said, using Alluro’s own weapon to cut out her heart.

Back to Fanfic Archive