THE GATHERER

 

                Aker stood atop a windswept plain.  His green eyes searched the horizon for something, anything.  He'd been having a nagging feeling that something important was about to happen, and his natural instincts had led him here.  "Aker?" a voice asked.

"Who's there?" Aker demanded.

"You don't recognise me?  I'm hurt!" the voice replied.  Aker turned and came eye to eye with a strange man with a long flowing scarlet robe.  The man had short brown hair and piercing blue eyes.  He was familiar, truth be told, though Aker couldn't for the life of him recall seeing the face.

"I am your master," the stranger said, his deep voice capturing the Feline's attention, "my name is Jonathan the all-seeing."

"That name.  It sounds familiar.  Why?" Aker asked.

"You know me, just as all gatherers know me," Jonathan said.  "I can see that you are confused.  Let me explain."

 

                "When the universe was young there were two races: the Eliar and the Transok.  These two races battled fiercely against each other, desperately trying to eradicate the other.  Things were pretty much a stalemate.  Neither race was able to gain a leg up on the other.  Then a great Eliarian smith named Lanral forged a mighty weapon from a rare mineral.  This weapon was infused with great power.  Power enough to destroy a planet with a single stroke.  This weapon was appropriately called 'The World Cleaver.'  With this mighty weapon the Eliar eradicated many planets, killing tens of millions.  The Transok had to act quickly.  They prayed to the gods and were given an answer.  Three weapons, forged from the same mineral, would defeat the axe.

 

                Three brave heroes ventured forth with their squire.  They fought valiantly on the world you know as Plundarr.  Ultimately they succeeded, the axe was sent hurling through the cosmos, thought lost forever.  The three heroes knew that someday they would be needed.  Through special rites they infused themselves, their swords, and their squire with magic.  When one of the heroes or the squire died his mantle was passed on to a worthy successor.  When the day came that they were needed, the swords would find their masters.  As for the squire, his role was to gather the chosen ones and aid the heroes in battle.

 

                The last gatherer was Jaga.  When he died, he ensured that one of the swords landed in its rightful owner's hands.  Lion-O.  He is the creature of light.  Mumm-Ra is the creature of evil, and thus the Sword of Plundarr has found its way into his hands.  The third sword belongs to 'the one who shall lead.'  Only recently has this sword returned.  Tycho Lunar holds the Lunar blade."

 

                "Tycho is supposed to lead?" Aker asked, stunned.

"Yes.  He, Lion-O and Mumm-Ra are the current 'heroes.'  When Jaga died his mantle of 'gatherer' was passed on to you.  Throughout your life, since his death, I have done my best to guide you closer to the heroes," Jonathan said.

"You've guided me?  But this is the first time I've ever seen or heard from you," Aker said.

"Is it?  Why did you and Ghost patrol in the area where you encountered Bengali, Pumyra and Snarfer?" Jonathan asked.

"It's on our patrol route."

"That may be, but you chose that spot to sit and rest.  Anywhere else and you would have missed them."

"Coincidence."

"Is it?  What about the night you decided to join Bengali, Pumyra and Snarfer?  You were sleeping and I came to you then."

"I remember now.  I had a dream where I was told to go with them.  That I had a higher purpose in life."

"Precisely.  And now you must fulfil it.  Bring Mumm-Ra, Lion-O and Tycho to me and I will explain to you what must be done."

 

                Aker moved off a pace.  "Are you crazy?  Mumm-Ra and Tycho are my sworn enemies.  They're more likely to try and kill me than let me talk to them," Aker said.

"I am the all knowing and all seeing.  I know full well of your feelings and attitudes towards Mumm-Ra and Tycho, and vice versa.  I also know that if the World Cleaver is to be yet again defeated that the four of you will be needed and that you must be the one to bring them.  Trust me.  Instinctively they know their purpose.  They cannot resist it," Jonathan said.

 

**********

 

                Luna glowered at Tug Mug.  Somehow one of her soldiers had been taken from Skytomb without the rotund Lunatak, who had been on surveillance duty, noticing.  "Lucky for you he's reported in.  He's on his way up here now.  For the next two straight days you'll be feeding the Brute Men.  Every meal, every snack, every one of them!" Luna said, before Amok pushed him through the door.

"I am truly amazed at how devious you can be Luna," Tycho said, casually entering through another door.

"I amaze even myself sometimes," Luna conceded.

"Truly, I bask in your greatness," Tycho chuckled.

"You're not out of the water yet.  You have some explaining to do as to why you disappeared," Luna said, pointing her riding crop at the slightly taller man's chest.

"It's quite simple, really.  Mystan needed me to take him to the see the gods, something about how only royalty can lead anyone into their kingdom, so that they could find a way to kill Nitro.  I agreed that Nitro was a serious threat, got the Lunar Blade, and helped defeat that hideous beast," Tycho said.

"Wait a minute.  What was that about the Lunar Blade?  How did you get it?" Luna snarled.

 

                Tycho had been dreading this moment.  The Lunar Blade was an ancient weapon that could only be used by members of the Lunatak royal family against non-Lunataks.  The goddess Selene, queen of the Lunar gods, had given it to him as the only thing capable of defeating Nitro.  There was always the strong chance that Luna would demand he hand it over to her.  Tycho briefly explained the situation and displayed the sword.

 

                "Hmm.  It can't be used against Lunataks, eh?" Luna asked.

"That's correct," Tycho replied.

"Fascinating.  You might as well hang on to it.  A sword is worthless to me.  Besides, Amok is weapon enough," Luna said.

"Thank you, your majesty.  Someday I hope to repay you," Tycho said.

"Good.  You can start repaying me by cooking all the food Tug Mug's going to need," Luna snickered.

 

*********

 

                Aker walked slowly up to Mumm-Ra's pyramid.  He disliked going up there alone but felt in his heart of hearts that this was the right thing to do.  The pyramid was just like it usually was.  Dark, dank and creepy.  The fact that there was utter silence didn't help things.  It made the sound of Mumm-Ra's sarcophagus scraping open all the more loud.  "Who dares disturb the slumber of Mumm-Ra the ever living?" the booming voice said.

"It is I, oh mighty Mumm-Ra, Aker of the Thundercats, and I come to you seeking aid," Aker replied.

"A Thundercat, seeking the aid of Mumm-Ra?  Has the world gone topsy turvy?  Has the grass grown red, the sun gone out and the oceans turned to yoghurt?" Mumm-Ra cackled.

"The one known as Jonathan the all knowing requires you, me, Lion-O and Tycho for a quest," Aker said.

"Ah, Jonathan is still around, is he?  I remember him from the last time I met him, over a thousand years ago.  I know of this quest and of my part to play in it.  As much as I despise you, I will join you for the fate of the universe is at hand," Mumm-Ra said, summoning the Sword of Plundarr once again to his hand.  "Now the fun part, convincing Tycho to join us," Aker muttered.

 

*********

 

                Tycho sat in the kitchens peeling what felt like his thousandth potato.  He wasn't that far off either.  He and Tug Mug had agreed that the Brute Men could live on potatoes alone.  For the sake of the sanity of both Lunataks they were implementing some variety.  Mashing some, boiling others and baking some more.  "You reeally steeped in eet thees time Tycho," Tug Mug said.

"You wouldn't be in trouble if you'd been awake.  You and I both know that," Tycho retorted.

"That ees a lie!  Loona would steell have complained about eet and yelled at mee," Tug Mug said.

"Would you two please stop bickering?  There are more important things at hand to deal with," Aker said.

"A Thundercat!" Tycho said, wheeling around and drawing his sword.

"And Mumm-Ra?" Tug Mug said, his gravity carbine levelled and powering up.

"That is correct.  Tug Mug, leave us.  Aker, Tycho and I have business to discuss," Mumm-Ra said.

"Not a chance.  Eef I leeve Loona will have my head!" Tug Mug said.

"If you don't leave, I will have your head.  Literally," Mumm-Ra said, advancing forward.

"Good point," Tug Mug conceded.

 

*********

 

                Tycho looked from Mumm-Ra to Aker.  The demon priest often made visits to the various evil doers of Third Earth.  Thundercats didn't.  "What's he doing here?  Some kind of bribe to get me to do your evil bidding?" Tycho sneered.

"I'm here to collect you.  A man named Jonathan wants to see you," Aker said.

 

                That name!  It struck a note deep within Tycho's soul.  All at once he felt a certain bond with the two men standing in the room.  Why?  What was so important about that name?  Struck by a primal instinct Tycho agreed to follow the two men.

 

********

 

                Tygra stared at the computer monitor and rubbed his eyes blearily.  "Another four hours of this," he thought grimly.  The alarms went off.  He punched a few buttons and an exterior shot of the Lair was shown.  Mumm-Ra, Tycho and Aker were approaching.  A few more button taps sent a message down to Lion-O.  The other Thundercats were away on other business, so it looked like the two of them would have to deal with the two villains.  They would figure out where Aker fit in all this later.

 

*******

 

                Lion-O and Tygra stood on the ramp to Cat's Lair, watching the three.  "That's far enough!" Lion-O said.

"Lion-O.  We have to talk.  There are things going on in this universe that requires all lines to be erased," Aker said.

"What in Jaga's name could cause the Thundercats, Lunataks and Mumm-Ra to join forces?" Tygra demanded.

"That is only for Lion-O to hear.  We must hurry Jonathan can't be kept waiting," Aker said.

"No Lion-O, don't.  It's a trap!" Tygra shouted.

"You're wrong Tygra.  I feel a need to go with them.  This Jonathan sounds very familiar," Lion-O said.  The Lord of the Thundercats moved away from his long time friend and followed Aker.

 

*******

 

                Jonathan sat in the heart of the windswept plain, maintaining his post.  All about him the knowledge of the universe flowed.  He smiled as Mumm-Ra, Tycho and Lion-O joined with Aker.  He monitored their progress, unknowingly slipping into a strange dimension that Jonathan had made available to them.  “Greetings, friends,” he said calmly and sagely.

“I have brought them as requested.  I’ve done what I could to explain the situation to them, but I still get the feeling they don’t understand.  Hells.  I don’t even understand!” Aker said.

“You have done well, my child.  Now, I will try and explain things in a moment.  But first I shall allay any doubts that you might have,” Jonathan began.

 

                “Lion-O.  You hold in your hands the Sword of Omens.  You are the most recent of many to hold it.  Before you were named the ‘Being of Light’ there was another man, a strange creature from a strange planet.  He died while fighting something akin to a crocodile.  The mantle was passed to you.  Your father could sense the shift and knew that you had to escape.  Jaga, as the ‘Gatherer’ knew instinctively that you should hold the Sword of Omens.  But deep down in your heart there lies a question.  Do other Felines exist?  The answer is yes.  A team of scientists foretold Thundera’s destruction before all others.  They gathered many and took off undetected due to a powerful cloaking device.  I cannot tell you their location, but if you go to the site of Thundera’s ruin, you shall find clues.”

 

                “Mumm-Ra.  When first we met you had just become the ‘Creature of Evil.’  The way was opened for you, as it has for many others, when the Ancient Spirits of Evil selected their most powerful or promising aide.  Yes, there are other servants, but they are far away.  You were chosen after a strong brute, half man, half ox, fell into the sun.  You wish to know if there is a way to destroy the Thundercats.  A sure fire way, no less.  The answer is yes.  You need three things.  Two on Third Earth, one on Thundera.  I cannot tell you more lest it upset the balance.”

 

                “Tycho.  Only recently did one of your kinsmen die, granting you the role of the ‘One Who Shall Lead.’  The Lunar Sword is unlike the other two.  It may only be held by one race.  Lunataks.  Because the race bears nobility and honour, yet also shows the corrupt nature of the universe, your people are perfect.  But you thirst for knowledge about your ‘empire.’  I can tell you that there is a changeling named Darius who is acting on your behalf.  He will relinquish the seat of power to you whenever you return.  There is a way to return.  On Third Earth is a hidden cave.  If you speak the name of your destination in it, you will be taken there.”

 

                “Aker.  My poor, dear, Aker.  To you falls the mantle of ‘Gatherer,’ my chosen servant.  Once Jaga died you became the next.  It falls to you to act as a squire to these brave champions, but also to serve as the lynchpin for the whole adventure.  As I have given your friends the answers to their questions, I will allow you to think on yours.  When you are ready, speak my name and you will arrive here.”

 

                “Now, the quest I require you to go on.  In this universe there is a being of the energy from a black hole.  He has found the legendary World Cleaver, capable of destroying worlds with its touch.  He intends to destroy every planet that does not surrender to him and then bleed them dry.  The three sword bearers must battle him and slay him.  When the time is right, though, you will all give Aker your swords and he will destroy the World Cleaver.”

 

                The four inhabitants of Third Earth were in awe as the world faded around them, and they found themselves on a strange world, unlike any other.

 

To be continued...

 

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