Claudus sat on his bed as he felt the shining sun beaming into his bedroom. A new day was here and yet he had a sad look on his face. His bed was now less comforting now that his wife was gone. His wife has been dead for nearly four years and he was feeling lonely. He shook his head, erasing his feelings and was now thinking about the important business pertaining the Thundercats future.

When he left his room, he went into Lion-O's room. Although he could not see Lion-O sleep peacefully in his bed, he knew he was and he knew his son was growing up. Times was changing and Lion-o would be Lord of the Thundercats soon. Children grow up so fast. He thought.

Everyone was present when Claudus entered. He sat down and cleared his throat. "You all know what today is."

"Yes. It is six months until Lion-O's 12th birthday, and it means we should prepare for the arrival of the New Thundercats that will train Lion-O for his anointment trails on his 21st birthday." Tygris answered.

"We all knew this day was coming, Claudus. New Thundercats arrived, we train them for a year, and they train Lion-O. The Thundercats before us did that and now it is our turn." Jaga told his friend.

"You are right, Jaga. Announcement of the competitions will began immediately. We must follow the schedule as planned so we will begin competition a month before Lion-O's birthday and have the anointing ceremony on Lion-O's birthday." Claudus commanded.

Announcements of New Thundercats for strength, speed, cunning and intelligence were in newspapers, on television, flyers, and the radio. People all over Thundera were intrigue by the news and anybody qualified signed up. Cheetara and Panthro had already signed up and were training for their trial as well as other who were competing to be the best of Thundera.

Tygra and a female tiger got in the elevator at an institute for the top scientist of Thundera. Tygra was not only the youngest to join, but one of the brightest to join.

The woman looked at the headline of the newspaper he was reading which was about the Thundercat competition. "So, you're thinking about becoming a Thundercat?"

"A little, Caroline." He answered without looking up.

"A little? Why not a lot? You are an excellent young scientist, and you'll be an excellent Thundercat of Intelligence. Every day, you will come in here reading about Thundercats and all the things they do. I think you're shy."

"I wish. My great-grandfather was a Thundercat of Intelligence. He was one of the best Thundercats of Intelligence, and I don't think I can live up to all the great things he has done." Tygra explained.

"Finding a cure to a disease that almost wiped out the planet really did it, huh? It's all in the history books about how your great-grandfather did that. I believe your great-grandfather doesn't want you to live up to his name but to yours. You are your own person. Make a legacy of your own." Caroline advised Tygra.

"I'll do my best." Tygra said with confidence.

"That's all you can do."

A few days later, WilyKat and WilyKit ran into their grandmother house excitedly. They have been orphans since they were three and have been living with their grandmother ever since their parents died in a car accident.

"Grandma, WilyKat and I want to be Thundercats." WilyKit said excitedly.

"Thundercats?! You two are too young." Their grandmother told them.

"No, we're not. Not for the Thundercats of Cunning." WilyKat said.

"Don't they check backgrounds, have strenuous competitions and battle dangerous enemies?"

"Sure, but we have nothing to hide and we can handle it." WilyKit said

"Please." They both pleaded.

Their grandmother signed. "All right. You can try out. Just promise you'll be careful."

The twins gave their grandmother a hug. "We will." They said and ran back outside to practice. Their grandmother watched them as they left and couldn't help but wonder.

Four weeks before Lion-O's birthday the competition began for the new Thundercats. Each Thundercat competition happened each week. The first week was the Trial of Strength. At the end of the week, the two finalist fought: Panthro and a Sabertooth Panther. In a high stand in the stadium, Claudus, Lion-O, Jaga and the rest of the Thundercats watch to see who would win. It really wasn't much competition because Panthro defeated his opponent in 10 minutes. When Panthro won, he followed Thunderian tradition and bowed before the Royal Family.

The second week was the test of the fastest Thundercat. In a final race, Cheetara and a male cheetah raced from sunrise to sunset and Cheetara made it across the finish line first. When she won, she bowed before Claudus and Lion-O, and gave Lion-O an assuring wink before she stood up.

The third week was the Trial of Cunning. WilyKit and WilyKat used all their tricks and cunning to beat their opponents. In the final week, the finalist were Tygra and a Bengal tiger. They were tied in the intelligence skill, but to win Tygra defeated the Bengal tiger in the fighting part of the competition. He, like everyone else, bowed before Claudus and Lion-O.

On Lion-O's birthday, the stadium where most of the Thundercat competitions were held was totally packed. All kinds of publicity from the radio and television were there to see the ceremony of the New Thundercats. The New Thundercats: Panthro, Cheetara, WilyKit and WilyKat and Tygra, stood before Claudus, Lion-O and Jaga. After the Thundercats said their oath and promise to fight by the Code of Thundera, Jaga pulled out the Sword of Omens.

Jaga aimed the Sword of Omens at them. "With the Sword of Omens, you will be given extra strength and power. I anoint you, Thundercat Panthro." He said and a blue light flash over Panthro, giving him extra strength and power. Jaga did the same for the others. "Thundercat Cheetara. Thundercats WilyKit and WilyKat. Thundercat Tygra." When he finish giving them extra power he stepped back.

Panthro bowed before Lion-O. "I am Panthro. The Thundercat of Strength."

Cheetara bowed before Lion-O. "I am Cheetara. The Thundercat of Speed."

WilyKit and WilyKat bowed before Lion-O. "I'm WilyKit."

"I'm WilyKat."

"And we're the Thundercats of Cunning." They said together.

"I am Tygra. The Thundercat of Intelligence."

"I proclaim you all Thundercats." Claudus said and the crowded cheered for the next generation of Thundercats.