Tygra sat alone in the conference hall, staring out the window. He replayed his recent actions. Snapping at Snarf, attacking Aqualor, burning Wily Kat, jeopardizing his teammates' safety. All of these actions had occurred after he had been named Lord of the Thundercats, after Lion-O's death. The door behind him hissed open. It was Cheetara. "Is everything all right?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"No. That's why I called this meeting," Tygra said, "I just wish people would obey my orders this time and hurry up."

"We're coming as fast as we can. You only called us ten minutes ago," Cheetara said.

"What about your vaunted speed? Surely you could have made it up here sooner," Tygra said, pacing to the unfamiliar spot that Lion-O had assumed.

"Tygra! I was in the middle of my workout. I had to finish off the training droid before I could come," Cheetara said. "What's the matter with you? You seem so stressed out, so out of control."

"Snarf's manning the control room. I hope that's okay," Panthro announced.

"That's fine. Someone can pass the news onto him," Tygra sighed, putting his head on the table.
 

Soon, the Thunderkittens and Black Claw had arrived. Last to enter was Aqualor. "Can't even follow a simple order to come promptly to a meeting," Tygra muttered.

"What was that?" Aqualor asked, despite Cheetara's harsh glare.

"I'm calling this meeting to order. Ordinarily a Lord of the Thundercats must endure five anointment trials. I, however, will not be taking them," Tygra said.

"You would break several centuries of tradition?" Panthro exclaimed, thumping the table.

"No, I will not. The anointment trials are designed to discover whether a Lord is worthy of that title, whether he or she is able to take on all the responsibilities that title possesses. However, my worth has already been decided, both by me and, no doubt, you. Therefore, I will only be Lord until the rest of you vote on a new one. The voting will take place today via the computer. Each Thundercat will, in turn, inform the computer of their vote. When all votes are in, it shall inform us who the Lord is. Remember, in order to keep unity all votes must be kept secret, even after they are all cast," Tygra said.

"You're resigning?" Wily Kit asked.

"Come to his senses more likely," Aqualor snickered.

"Please, be quiet Aqualor. This is serious business. Are you certain Tygra? Once you resign you'll have no way to be Lord again," Cheetara said.

"I am quite sure," Tygra said, turning away.

"Well, I guess this meeting is adjourned then," Panthro sighed.
 

* * *
 

The Skytomb hummed with energy as Tug Mug stood in the control room, exhausted. "Loona! I have a plan to deestroy thee Thundercats!" he announced over the intercom to the furnace room, where Luna was working.

"What is it Tug Mug?" Luna asked, equally exhausted.
 

She was a bit put out at the rest of her crew. Psychro, Psikaris and Tycho had all wandered off a few days ago, meaning the work of five was now being done by two. Both Lunataks were, as a result, running on very little sleep.
 

"Thee Thundercats are going to have an electronic eelection. Eef we tampered weeth their computer, wee could choose our own Lord of thee Thundercats!" Tug Mug said.

"But to do that we would need more people!" Luna snapped.

"Have you thought of workeeng for Meestan?" Tug Mug asked.

"Never!" Luna barked. "That turncoat abandoned me and stole half my people."

"Well, eef you don't work for heem, then you're going to bee lonely," Tug Mug said.

"You're leaving too?" she asked.

"Preeciselee," Tug Mug said, turning off the intercom.
 

* * *
 

Alluro chuckled at the monitor. He had never seen a more pathetic sight. Luna, Amok and Tug Mug were walking toward them. Shambling was probably the better word. He'd seen zombies which had had more life in them. Luna especially. Her hair was never great to begin with, but it now was even more frazzled and all over the place. Her chin drooped and her arms dangled limply at her sides. He turned in his chair and, for just a moment, he caught a hint of a smile on Mystan's face. The two went down to greet Luna.
 

* * *
 

"You may stop your gloating Mystan. We have to surrender to you," Luna said.

"What makes you think I want you working for me? You've always been something of a demanding person. Not really a team player," Mystan said, his face the picture of seriousness.

"What? You have to have me! Get him Amok!" Luna barked. Amok lunged forward but suddenly stopped moving.

"See what I mean. We have one little disagreement and you blow a fuse, trying to kill me," Mystan paused for effect, "You know. I can throw the Thundertank a good couple of metres. I wonder how far I could throw you."

"All right. You win. Name your price, I'll pay it," Luna sighed.

"Excellent. You will be last ranked in the Lunataks. Even the lowly Lunar Droids will have more power than you. On that one condition only will I relent," Mystan said.
 

* * *
 

Red Eye reviewed the audio tape Tug Mug had given him. Alluro too was in the room. Tapping into the Thundercats computer was tricky work, and both men had spent the last half hour working on the problem. The network was secured by a single password. So far they had tried every conceivable word of six letters or less using a thrown together machine designed to enter the words. "There goes Lunatak. How odd, that isn't their password," Alluro yawned, watching the monitors. Red Eye snapped his fingers and ran over to a second terminal.
 

"They wouldn't be that stupid, would they?" he mused aloud. "T-H-U-N-D-E-R-C-A-T. Eureka! I've done it! I'm in." Red Eye began cackling maniacally.
 

* * *
 

The Thundercats living in the Tower of Omens were the last to enter the voting station. Theoretically any Thundercat could be chosen. The Snarfs were, of course excluded from this. The first to approach the monitor was Tygra. He placed his hand upon a hand scanning device and inputted his vote. Aqualor came next, and then everyone else took their turn.
 

* * *
 

Alluro's hands flew across the keyboard as he began altering the Thundercat votes as they were entered. Tygra's vote went from Black Claw, his one-time mentor, to Wily Kat. Aqualor's from Panthro to Wily Kat.
 

* * *
 

"Good. Everyone has voted. Computer, tell us who the new Lord of the Thundercats is," Tygra said, his last official duty as Lord.

"The new Lord of the Thundercats is; Wily Kat," the computer said.

"Me? Gosh, I don't know what to say. I thought you guys might not vote for me because of my age," Wily Kat said.

"Well, I didn't vote for . . . AUGH!!!" Aqualor shouted, as the Sword of Omens sent a beam of energy at his throat.

"The Sword of Omens is correct. We are all sworn not to reveal our votes. It is the way things have always been," Cheetara said.
 

* * *
 

Tygra stood in his room, looking over his belongings. Beside him, on the bed, was a duffel bag. He had informed Lord Kat that he would be taking an extended leave of absence, but would return someday. A few pictures went in a tightly sealed box, and were placed on top of several books. Clothes were the last things placed in his bag, as he strapped his whip to his hip. "Any idea where you'll go?" Panthro asked from the doorway.

"I'm thinking of striking north west a little, see where my journey takes me," Tygra replied.

"Good luck. We'll miss you," Panthro said, clasping the hand of his long time friend.
 

Soon, Tygra and the Hovercat, had faded out of sight, leaving Panthro standing alone in the hangar.
 

* * *
 

Cheetara slid underneath the workstation. There was some sort of glitch in the sensors that needed repairing. She heard the doors open and saw Lord Kat enter. "Hey Cheetara. As Lord of the Thundercats, you have to do pretty much whatever I say, right?" he asked.

"Within reason. If you were to ask me to sleep with you, I would have the right to turn you down," Cheetara replied, yelping as a small shock went through her fingers.

"Oh, don't worry. I'd never ask you to do that, no offence. I'm just looking for someone to play Snarfball with, and I thought you'd be the perfect person to have on my team. Wily Kit's getting Panthro," Lord Kat said.

"I'd love to, but I have to fix these sensors," Cheetara replied, reaching for the tool box, which Lord Kat was moving aside.

"Well then, as Lord of the Thundercats, I order you to have fun. Play Snarfball," Lord Kat said.
 

Cheetara sighed and looked at the cub. He was only a boy. Maybe all this power was going to his head. If only her choice, Lynx-O, had won. He had more experience. Still, she couldn't disobey an order, no matter how foolish it was. Reluctantly she stood and followed her Lord down the hall.
 

* * *
 

Seven Crescent Fighters flew hard and fast over Third Earth's terrain. Behind them, the massive Skycruiser followed. Observing it all from the bridge was Mystan Benekasbeel, hands firmly clasped behind his back. "This is Lunar 1, reporting in. We're within firing range of the Lair, but no one's attacking," crackled Alluro's voice over the radio.

"Maintain attack formation. The Skycruiser is right behind you to provide that added punch when you need it," Mystan replied, calmly.
 

"Who cares what order your wrenches go in? They're all the same!" snapped Luna, down the hall.

"We outrank you. We insist that our tools be kept in order from smallest to largest. Do it again," a Lunar Droid chirped.
 

Mystan glanced over. He was most satisfied with the results of his punishment to Luna. Of course, if she ever regained her power, he was screwed. Royally.
 

* * *
 

Lord Kat smiled. Cheetara had been the right choice. She deftly manoeuvred around the fallen crates and assorted boxes that they had lying around. He was quite certain that their only purpose was for when there was a game of Snarfball to play. Suddenly she passed the ball to him and he slammed it into a small bucket. "Another point for Lord Kat, Lord of the Thundercats!" he cheered, leaping into Cheetara's arms.
 

* * *
 

"This is Lunar 1 to all wings. Fire on my signal!" Alluro intoned.

"Aye sir," came the general reply.

"Fire!"
 

* * *
 

The explosion that rocked the Lair was startling to those playing Snarfball. Each competitor was thrown to the ground. "Quick! Cheetara and I will go up to the control room! We must regain our superior fire power advantage! The rest of you, keep ready," Lord Kat shouted, as he and the others split up.
 

* * *
 

"Lunar 3, 5, and 7. You know what to do!" Mystan said, calmly and evenly from the bridge.

"Aye sir, that we do," Knave sneered, as he landed his ship.
 

Beside him, Tug Mug and Chilla emerged from their Crescent Fighters. Tug Mug giggled slightly and plowed into the main doors of the Lair, which were already damaged during the strafing attack. Finally they fell inwards with a satisfying thump.

"Hold it right there, Lunar scum," Aqualor shouted, pointing the Sword of Omens at the trio.

"Yummy, dinner has come to us. And me without my tartar sauce," Knave snickered.

"Ho!" Aqualor said, firing a beam of energy between the Iespyk siblings.
 

Twin jets of flame rocketed from Chilla's hands, heating the amphibious creature. Slowly Knave walked up to him and plucked the Sword of Omens from his hands. "As much as I'd love to stay and eat you now, I'm afraid we'll have to have you 'to go'," he said, binding him firmly in rope.
 

* * *
 

The three Lunataks had split up, while the Crescent fighters outside continued their assault. Predictably Snarf was found in the kitchen, worrying. Wily Kit was with him. They both turned to the door as it was filled by Tug Mug's ample girth. "Surrender Thundercats," he said, pointing his gravity carbine at the pair.

"Only if you drop three hundred pounds!" Wily Kit replied, tossing a few pellets, which Tug Mug batted aside.

"Make you three hundred pounds? Okay!" Tug Mug said, firing.
 

Wily Kit gasped, unable to move, as body felt like it did weigh three hundred pounds. Soon Snarf was dealt with in the same way. Frantically Wily Kit fought against being bound hand and foot, to be carried into the front foyer.
 

* * *
 

Panthro looked over the Thundertank. Not bad, not a scratch on her. She might be needed in a minute. All he was waiting for was word from Lord Kat. The only thing that saved Panthro from being skewered was that he had polished the Thundertank until he could see his, or more accurately Knave's, face in it. The Lunatak hybrid's icepick went a foot into the solid steel. "You'll pay for that!" Panthro snarled, planting a kick in Knave's kisser.

"I look forward to beating some sense into you, Panther," Knave replied, blocking a second kick.
 

Panthro feinted left and reached with his right hand for the half-breed's throat. Knave's reflexes, though, were as fast as he was on foot. He grabbed his right wrist with one hand and jabbed quickly with his right into Panthro's own throat. "Not even the great Panthro is immune to that, eh?" Knave asked, dragging him to the front foyer.
 

* * *
 

"Not bad, sis," Knave remarked, seeing Black Claw's disfigured face. "How'd you do it?"

"Easy. He went invisible, so I filled the room with ice. Once I knew where he was I had to thaw him out. I think I came too close to the face," she snickered.
 

* * *
 

Lord Kat grunted as his laser shot missed the massive Skycruiser. Cheetara was doing little better, trying to take care of the Crescent Fighters. Neither of them heard the doors open, but they both were acutely aware of the invaders after they had been encased in ice. "Lunar 3 to Mystan. Cat's Lair is ours," Knave said.
 

* * *
 

The prisoners were shackled to the walls of the prison facilities. Before each a Lunar Droid stood, ready to shoot if necessary or provide the Thundercats with any of the necessities of life. Mystan slowly marched before them, his robes fluttering around him. "You are all going to die. Slowly and painfully. Your ordeals will be video taped and shown to the people of Third Earth, as an indication of what failure means. Knave! Aqualor is yours. Do with him as you please," Mystan said. Knave bowed low and dragged the helpless Aqualor to another room.
 

* * *
 

A large pot stood in the middle of the room. Aqualor was lifted into this pot, and his arms shackled just beneath the rim. A video camera lowered itself to a foot or two from his face, to capture his expression.
 

A whistling Knave slowly filled the pot with water and set a pile of timber beneath the pot ablaze. Gradually he began slicing some garlic and a few herbs and spices to the water.
 

As the water grew warmer and warmer Aqualor's face began to twist into an expression of pure agony. Vainly he struggled against his bonds. When he tried calling for the Sword of Omens, a large apple was popped into his mouth. His skin began to blister and his tentacles turned a bright red colour. As he ineffectually tried to scream, the veins in his forehead and neck burst, tainting the water red. All too soon, his head drooped and his body went limp. When he was properly cooked, Knave walked over and placed the Thundercat on a large silver platter. Grinning at the camera he rolled a giant jar of tartar sauce out of the fridge. "Dinner time!" He called.
 

* * *
 

Cheetara's head was forced to once again look at the television monitors. Her friend and ally was being eaten by a ravenous horde of Lunataks, as they fought over the choicest bits. "You cruel beasts! Let us go!" she begged, hanging her head. The Lunar Droid sent a mild shock through her chest. "Prisoners will remain silent or they will be punished," it said.

"What could be more punishment than what you've already done . . . Augh!" she cried as the Droid took her wrist in its vice like grip and began squeezing until the fingers turned purple and one of the bones cracked.
 

"There are worse fates, Cheetara," Mystan said, emerging from the shadows. "I think one of your companions deserves to find that out. Pick a friend. Any one of them, except you, and they will be tortured to death."

"What? Never!" Cheetara said.

"Alluro has this new device that can read minds. I advise you, don't think about your friends," Mystan snickered.
 

Cheetara forced her thought away from her friends. She had to think of something that had nothing to do with any of them. She thought of Mumm-Ra and her battles with him, of Lion-O and Tygra, and how brave they were, of Aqualor, slowly dying before her eyes. Valiantly her mind fought off the encroaching images of her friends.
 

Mystan glanced over at the Lunar Droids and gave a subtle nod. Each Droid in turn sent a mild electrical shock into their Thundercat. Each time, the Thundercat attempted to resist the urge to cry out. Wily Kit was not so fortunate.
 

Lion-O battling Slythe. Tygra against Monkian. Anything other than the other Thundercats. Lynx-O, Bengali and Pumyra standing before the Tower of Omens. The bright and cheerful Snarfer. Wily Kit! In trouble!
 

"Looks like we have ourselves a new winner," Mystan cackled leading the Thundercub and Alluro away.
 

* * *
 

Mystan had only been gone for a minute or two when the Droids seemed to just die. A rumbling noise was heard up the hall. Cheetara looked up amid tear soaked eyes to see Luna, on Amok, arriving. "You are never to repeat what has happened here," Luna instructed Lord Kat. He nodded weakly. One by one Amok tore off the shackles the Thundercats wore. "You are free to go. But before you do, there is something you need to know. Alluro and Red Eye rigged your little election. Wily Kat was not the real winner," Luna said, stalking off.

"I didn't win?" the cub asked.

"Forget about that. We'll deal with it later. Let's go find Wily Kit," Panthro said.
 

* * *
 

"Ha, ha, ha. My missiles have never gotten the chance to hit a real Thundercat, usually thanks to that wretched Sword of Omens," Red Eye chuckled. A missile detonated next to Wily Kit's head, sending shards of wood into her young face.

"Nor will they, Red Eye!" Black Claw growled, pouncing on the Darkness Lunatak.

"You saved me! But how?" Wily Kit asked.

"We'll explain that later. For now, let's just get out of here. Justice will be served when we are at full strength," Cheetara said.
 

* * *
 

Mystan backhanded Red Eye. "What the hells happened?" he demanded.

"It seems that you have failed, Mystan. So much for you being a great leader," Luna sneered.

"At least I managed to kill off a Thundercat. Far better than you ever accomplished," Mystan said.

"Why you! Get him Amok!"
 

* * *
 

"If I am not the true Lord of the Thundercats, then I resign, effective after our new vote," Lord Kat said.

"But how do we prevent the Lunataks from interfering again?" Aker asked, after the Tower of Omens group had arrived.

"Maybe the Eye of Thundera can help," Tygra's voice said over the intercom.

"The Sword of Omens. I'd nearly forgotten about that. It was the only weapon the Lunataks kept. But with Aqualor dead, who now is the Sword bearer?" Panthro said.
 

All eyes turned to Aker. He was one of the four chosen ones. With the passing of one, the mantle was passed to another. Each could sense the other's purpose. Slowly he met the eyes of each comrade. "None of you," he said. "However, I sense that the chosen one is a human, and that Tygra shall meet him or her. The Sword will answer his call when the time is right."

"Then, how are we to vote?" Bengali asked.

"The same way we did last time, except Panthro and I shall monitor the computers, make sure that no one can interfere," Lynx-O provided.
 

* * *
 

Wily Kat emerged from the Lair some time later, flanked by his sister. The assembled Third Earthers had been gathered. Snow Man and Snow Meow, the Berbils, the Warrior Maidens, Tuskas, Mandora, Wollos, Bulkins, and Mumm-Rana all stood waiting to hear who might be the new Lord of the Thundercats.

"Friends of the Thundercats. It is with deepest pride and greatest honour that I present to you the new Lord of the Thundercats," Wily Kat began. "Or should I say, the new Lady of the Thundercats. Lady Cheetara!"
 

There was a great fanfare as Cheetara and the other Thundercats emerged. Slowly Cheetara raised her hands for silence. "Friends. I never believed that I would be here one day, saying these words. It seemed as though Lion-O would live forever. And he does, in our hearts. But his passing does not signal the end of peace. I swear by all that the Thundercats believe, that all who do evil, from the Mutants to Mumm-Ra, and especially the Lunataks, shall be vanquished, once and for all!" she cried, to another chorus of cheers. "With that said, there's only one more thing to do. Thundercats. Ho!"