When the ship crashed in Darkside, Luna and crew were the first to check it out.

Of course, no one else knew about it. The Thundercats merely watched the outskirts of Darkside while the Mutants wouldn't enter for love or money. Skytomb hovered over the wreckage. "It's one of ours," said Red-Eye, surprised. Even if the overall design didn't give it away, the ship was labelled Lunatac Fringe.

"A Lunatac ship?" asked Luna. "Quick, Alluro, lifesigns!"

The hypnotist hit a few keys. "There are four."

"Let's go!"

* * *

Luna got Amok and Tug-Mug to remove the four stasis pods, while Alluro set about trying to open them. After several minutes of failure and Luna's consistent, "Well, why aren't they open yet?" Alluro had enough.

"You want them open, you do it yourself!" he snapped, whacking the pod with the palm of his hand. Obligingly, it opened ( saving Alluro an Amok-thrashing, but he never knew that. )

Chilla let out a gasp when the pod opened. Inside was a young Lunatac male... well, half Lunatac. His long white hair and the short pale blue fur on his arms was covered in spots, apparently an ice Lunatac/cheetah Thunderan cross. Aside from the spots, fur, and darker patches around his eyes, he appeared to be an ice Lunatac. He opened his eyes, groggily scanning his rescuers.

Suddenly he sat up, sharp blue eyes focusing. "Chilla!" he called happily. "Oh, sister, we found you!"

All of Luna's crew shot sidelong glances at the ice woman, but Tug-Mug voiced the question: "Seester?"

For her part, Chilla broke into an actual smile, and went to help the young man up. "Knave!" she said happily, then turning back to the Lunatacs explained, "He's only my half-brother. Our father had at one point captured a cheetah. When she bore him a child, he was so enraged that he killed her."

"Chilla saved me," said Knave, "Though I was never liked my our father. You can tell from my name what he thought of me."

After various introductions were exchanged, Alluro went about opening the other pods. One was a psi-race Lunatac, thin with pointed features. The other two held ice/psi halfbreeds, one male and one female.

The male halfbreed woke up first, gaze settling on the half-siblings. "Wonderful," he smiled, "We found her. Hello, Chilla." Chilla hissed, then went about ignoring the man.

"If you know everybody on this ship, Chilla," warned Luna, "I'm going to lock you up because coincidences bug me."

"I don't recognize the other two," said the ice woman.

Helping the frozen/psi female up, the man said, "My name is Psychro Myntaello of the Second Moon. This is my twin, Psikaris. She designed the ship that brought us here." Psikaris gave a shy smile to the assembly. Slightly shorter than her brother, and lanky, she had the same colouring as him: dark-blue skin, long white hair, and the bizarre cyan colouring around pale green eyes. They even dressed similar, same black leather vests and boots and white pants, though Psikaris wore a loose blouse and a wide belt, and Psychro had a headband.

The psychic stood on his own. He wasn't as tall as Alluro or Psychro, but he had an aristocratic bearing about him that made him noticed. His hair was medium gray, falling past his waist. His skin was a few shades lighter, with cyan around his yellow eyes. He wore dark blue robes with a lightning-bolt stitched into the fabric near the hem. He bowed slightly and said, "I am Mystan, once the right-hand of... Luna!?" he gasped, noticing the tiny woman for the first time. "Queen Luna, is it really you?"

Luna shook her head. "She was my grandmother, though I am also named Luna."

Mystan bowed slightly, and Luna thought she saw his lips twitch in a crafty smile. "I am honoured to meet the granddaughter of our departed Lord Yerith."

Luna smiled.

* * *

Stories were swapped in the control room of Skytomb. Luna said, "That lousy devil-priest, Mumm-ra, he trapped us in lava for we don't know how long. We were released two years ago, but we have to do as Mumm-ra says, else he'll seal us away again."

"We don't know how long it's been, either," said Psikaris. "We were in stasis."

"We are demons, we are immortal, but space travel would probably have been extremely boring," Psychro added.

Mystan said, "I will tell you our story, though I fear I must start at the beginning...

"Yerith was once known by another name, but when he Fell, he changed his name to the Moon-Monster. He was a powerful demon lord, but did not like living in Hell, so he moved to a system of moons circling a far-off planet. Here, he created his people, his yerin, his Lunatacs. And because he did not want to waste power on creating his creatures, he started them and let evolution run its course, creating the six races.

"As was prophesied on Third Earth for years, there was the final war between the Pure and the Fallen. The forces of Light won, but at the loss of most life on this planet. One of the Fallen killed was our lord Yerith.

"And when a demon lord dies without an heir, his subordinates fight for power. His consort, Queen Luna, had long ago vanished. It seems she fled to this planet. Apparently she was pregnant at the time, later to give birth to" - Mystan nodded at Luna - "your mother.

"After Queen Luna left, lord Yerith had no second. I was chosen to be his right-hand. However, during the confusion that followed his death, I was not acknowledged as the new demon lord, for I had not his power.

"The Moons were in confusion, and I feared for my life. Lord Yerith didn't see fit to give his creatures magic, so with him gone, we could no longer teleport across the worlds. Trapped on the Frozen Moon, I commissioned Psikaris to build me a ship. She agreed, if she and her brother could come too. Knave helped Psikaris with the ship. It was his idea to come here. We had no destination planned, and Knave wanted to find out what happened to his sister."

"We are the descendants of Queen Luna's entourage," said Alluro, "caught in a war we had nothing to do with."

"We fought by the Fallen out of family loyalty, and were then captured by Mumm-ra," said Red-Eye.

"Do we have any way of calculating how long its been?" asked Luna.

"I'll check the sensor logs first thing tomorrow," said Psikaris.

"And I wish to inspect the ship," added Alluro. "If it can be fixed and modified, perhaps we can return to the Moons, see what condition they're in, or at least get off this miserable planet."

"Luna is blood relation to lord Yerith," said Mystan thoughtfully. "Maybe our people will acknowledge her where they rejected me."

Changing the subject, Tug-Mug said, "'Lunatac Freenge'? What kind of a name ees that?"

Mystan looked down at the rotund Lunatac. "We expected that we may be the only survivors of the Moons, plus, Third Earth is on the rim of explored space."

"Actually, it's a song from Third Earth. We'd been picking up their signals for years and liked the music. Lunatac fringe, I know you're out there..." Psychro explained. Mystan just glared.

Red-Eye spoke up. "I know the psi-race use different symbols to show their powers. Alluro's got that eye medallion on his belt, and so does Psychro, so he must be a hypnotist. I know Mystan's lightning bolt means he's a telekinetic. I've never seen a triangle before," he said, indicating Psikaris' belt.

"Tryeeng to cover thee fact you weer stareeng at her," chuckled Tug-Mug. Red-Eye glared, which looks quite impressive when done by a Dark Lunatac.

Psikaris blushed at all the attention being paid to her, then explained, "It's specialized telekinesis. It's very rare, so I'm not surprised you've never heard of it."

"What does that mean, 'specialized telekinesis'?" asked Chilla.

"Telekinesis at the cellular level," said Psychro. "Things like pyrokinesis or the ability to shape water."

"Though I can't do either of those things," said Psikaris. "I'm not very powerful."

Luna yawned then, covering it with, "We've all had a long day. Tug-Mug, you're on first shift night watch, Red-Eye, you're on second. Alluro and Chilla, go find quarters for the others." With that, she steered Amok out and down the hall.

"Skytomb is large. I'm certain we can find something if you'll just come along," said Alluro, gesturing to the door.

Mystan, Psikaris, and Knave got up, but Psychro dismissed him with a wave. "I've already been sleeping Yerith knows how long. I'd rather familiarize myself with the fortress. Besides, I can keep Tug-Mug from falling asleep on watch."

There was general snickering at that, and the others left.

* * *

Alluro walked with Chilla down the hall after settling the others in. "Forgive my curiosity," he started, "but how did you know this Psychro fellow?"

Chilla glared at nothing in particular. "As you know, I was the last to join Luna's merry little band. I met you all during the war, and my team having been destroyed, joined yours. I knew Psychro back on the Second Moon. He spent most of his time trying to get me in bed with him."

"If you require any assistance in fending him off..."

"I can take care of myself, thanks." She stopped at the door to the quarters assigned to Knave. "I've got some catching up to do. See you in the morning."

"The hours will seem like years until I may once again bask in your lovely presence."

Chilla rolled her eyes, and stepped into her brother's room. Knave gave her an incredulous look; apparently he had heard the conversation. "Is that cornball for real?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

* * *

"Oh, my..."

"What is it, Psikaris?"

"I've found our travel log, Alluro. Given the distance from here to Plundarr and the speed we travelled at... My FTL drive didn't work..."

"'FTL'?"

"'Faster-than-light'. I never got around to naming it. By my estimate..."

"Yes?"

"It's been one thousand five hundred years."

* * *

"One thousand four hundred and seventy-three years!?" screeched Luna. "That means that my crew was stuck in lava for that long! Tug-Mug, set a course for the Black Pyramid!"

"Are you sure that's wise, Loona?.." Tug-Mug started, but was cut off by the princess' glare.

"It's my orders and you will follow them!"

"Yes, Loona."

* * *

"I've been expecting you, Luna."

"Save it. Maybe that precognitive stuff scares the Mutants, but I am a Lunatac." Luna tapped her riding crop against her hand. "My crew thinks I'm here to harangue you out for sealing us in lava for over a thousand years."

"Why are you really here, then?" If Mumm-ra still had eyebrows, one would have raised. Even without, he still managed the expression.

"You've been expecting me, sorcerer. You tell me."

"As you wish...

"Seven thousand years ago, there were two sorcerers-in-training, one serving the powers of good, and the other serving the powers of evil. As their last test, they were assigned to defeat a specific enemy.

"Ra, servant of evil, was to defeat a sorcerer of good who called himself Wiz-Ra. Ra succeeded, sealing the other away in another dimension.

"Rana, servant of good, was set against a demon queen. The demoness' name was Luna. But since Rana was good, she could not kill her foe, no matter how evil they were. So instead, Rana took the demoness' power, sucking out her magic and strength, twisting her form until it was tiny and useless. The power of the demon queen was too much for Rana to take into herself, so she made it physical, fashioning it into a belt."

"I never knew what exactly happened to my grandmother," Luna said thoughtfully. "Can that cauldron of yours tell us what's happening on the Moons?"

"My power doesn't stretch that far."

"Unfortunate. Come on, Amok."

* * *

Alluro looked over when Luna and Amok entered the control room. The only other one in the control room was Mystan, the others all off elsewhere. "What did Mumm-ra say?" asked the hypnotist.

"Nothing useful," Luna replied. "Set a course back for the Darkside. And get out of my chair, Mystan."

The telekinetic snorted. "As if you use it."

"It's symbolic. Haul it."

Mystan stood and glared at Luna, and since she sat on Amok, they were about even. "Lord Yerith chose me as his second," hissed Mystan. "I should lead."

Amok growled, but Luna held him back. "And I lead by right of blood," she countered.

"Perhaps a contest of some kind is in order," said Alluro.

"That makes sense," said Mystan thoughtfully, "But a contest of what sort?.."

* * *

Alluro and Amok found the others in the rec room, engaged in miscellaneous tasks. The Lunatacs listened to the hypnotist's report with varying degrees of scepticism and disgust.

"A staring contest?" sneered Knave. "Luna and Mystan are fighting over who gets to lead us with a staring contest?"

"It was the only fair contest they could think of," said Alluro with a shrug. Amok grunted in agreement, though it was obvious he wasn't happy.

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" snapped Psychro. "Of course, it means that the rest of us are utter morons for allowing this to happen."

"We tend to let Luna do as she pleases. She has Amok," Red-Eye pointed out.

"Seence when does Loona care about 'fair'?" asked Tug-Mug.

"Though I see the point," said Chilla. "If Luna has to fight alone, Mystan has the advantage. If Luna gets to use Amok, then she's got the advantage. This way it's a battle of wills."

"Sister, you cannot approve of this nonsense," said Knave incredulously.

"No," said Chilla, "I simply understand it."

"Why not we just choose who we'd prefer?" asked Psikaris.

"As if either Luna or Mystan would listen," replied Psychro with a snort.

"A curiosity vote, then," said Red-Eye, warming to the idea.

"Luna win," growled Amok.

"Of course she would," said Alluro placatingly, "This is merely a game."

"Can we choose other people?" asked Psikaris.

"Within reason," said Alluro. "Votes for Robear Bill or Pumyra will not count."

"What about Captain Cracker?"

"Shut up, Tug-Mug."

Within minutes, Red-Eye had produced paper and pencils and the Lunatacs got to work. Psikaris collected up the papers, shuffled them, then tallied up the results:

Luna - 3

Mystan - 2

Alluro - 2

Chilla - 1

Amok growled when he realized that more than Luna's name on the board meant people had chosen other than Luna, but not knowing who did it, he just grumbled and walked out. Chilla snorted when she saw the numbers. "Hnh! Alluro voted twice, did he?"

"I did not pick me," countered the psychic.

"Do we get to guess who chose who?" asked Tug-Mug.

"That wouldn't be right..." said Psikaris, but her brother had already snatched the papers.

"We're demons. What has 'right' to do with us?" asked Psychro. "Whose handwriting is this?" He flourished a page with tiny, though perfectly legible printing.

"That's Alluro's," said Chilla, then, "You voted for Luna?"

He shrugged. "She hasn't killed us yet."

The next one was labelled 'Mystan'. Psikaris identified it as Psychro's before questioning his choice. "Call me biased," he said, "but I just can't respect that screechy midget."

Tug-Mug's paper was one that voted for Alluro. "I theenk he'd do better than Loona," the rotund Lunatac explained, "Plus, he'd probably be more fun."

"Right. I declare today to be Casual Friday. Later we will go Berbil-tipping," said Alluro, rolling his eyes.

"And his voice is better," snickered Psikaris, though she stopped when hers was read off as the other person who chose Alluro. "He's smart; I think he'd do a good job," she justified.

Chilla had voted Mystan. "I hate Luna," she said before anyone could ask.

Psychro shrugged and picked up the next page. In large, tottering letters it said 'LOONA'. "I don't think we have to guess about this one," he said, holding it up for inspection. The second-last paper said 'Chilla'. "Or this one," he said, looking square at Knave. The hybrid made a face, but didn't answer. "And by logical deduction," Psychro said with a flourish, "This one is Red-Eye's, and he chose Luna."

"I've gotten used to her."

"Fair enough."

Psychro crumpled up the pages and stuffed them in a pocket in his vest when the door opened, admitting Luna ( back on Amok ) and Mystan. Mystan wore his usual impassive expression, but Amok looked smug and Luna almost glowed. "It seems blood-right wins out," she said happily.

"Congratulations, Luna," said Psychro, quite aware of Amok standing in front of him. While he held Luna in no high esteem, he did respect Amok. At least, he respected the fact that Amok could beat the stuffing out of him.

* * *

"I am in perfect health. This is not necessary." Mystan stood, hands in front of his body and hidden by his loose sleeves. The psychic showed the faintest bit of emotion, a slight glare in his yellow eyes.

"Luna says we have to have everyone's physiology on file, given that we are all so different," said Alluro, "And Luna has Amok."

"The only difference between you and I is how our powers work. We are both of the same race."

"I know that and you know that, but I am merely following orders," Alluro said, arranging the equipment. "Now hold out your arm. All I require for now is a blood sample." Alluro took a step towards the telekinetic.

Mystan took a step back. "If you come any closer, I'm warning you..."

Alluro made an exasperated noise. "Are you lying about your condition? Why are you refusing this simple test?"

"That is none of your business."

"It is my business because I must administer it!" Alluro was nearing the end of his patience. Mystan may outrank him, being the unofficial second-in-command of the Lunatacs, but Alluro's orders were from Luna herself. "Mystan," he said, using his power, "You will get over here and stop being ridiculous."

A telekinetic, Mystan had no natural defences against telepathy-based attacks. Moreover, he was not expecting it. Obediently, the psychic stepped forward.

Alluro sighed, "That's more like it," and proceeded to take the blood sample.

The sharp pain snapped Mystan out of the thrall, and when he realized what was happening, fainted.

Mystan awoke on a bed in the medlab. Alluro stood nearby, leaning against the wall, one hand pinching the bridge of his nose. "You could have told me," Alluro said shortly, "that you are afraid of the sight of blood. I could have fully thralled you so you wouldn't notice."

"I do not like to admit weakness to my subordinates," snapped Mystan. The fact that he snapped showed Alluro that he was still rather shaken. "Now, if you are quite done, I am going back up to the control room." He stormed out before Alluro could reply.

* * *

"So you're the doctor in Skytomb, as well as the general mechanic and inventor?" Psychro chuckled. "Do you do everything around here?"

"I am a scientist," replied Alluro. Something about the ice hybrid annoyed him. Some of it had to do with his complete nonchalance. Mystan he could handle. The telekinetic projected an image of emotionlessness, but he could be riled if one knew how. Psychro took everything in and laughed at it. If he tripped, he was the one person who could actually make it look like he meant to do it.

Another thing Alluro hated was that Psychro was after Chilla. His Chilla. Well, okay, she wouldn't give the hypnotist the time of day, but he felt he had prior claim. And Psychro could actually become a threat to that. Alluro might make his living convincing people of fantasy, but he held no such illusions about himself. His posture was terrible, his hair could no longer be called 'thinning' even by the kindest liar, and most people found him infuriating in the extreme. He knew he was more tolerated than liked in Skytomb, and given any excuse, Luna would cheerfully send him packing.

At least, thought Alluro, he had the better personality. He may be irritatingly smug and arrogant, but at least he knew it was a defence mechanism. Without his carefully developed ego, he would have been past suicidal long ago, what with the way he was treated around here. With Psychro, the self-righteousness seemed to be real, and Alluro hated him for it.

Psychro's voice cut through his musings. "So what's the diagnosis?"

"That your blood is purple," said Alluro. "These tests take a bit longer than a few minutes."

"I can save you some time, then," Psychro said, settling back, hands behind his head. "Me and 'Karis, we're frozen/psi hybrids, psi on our father's side. I lean towards ice and 'Karis leans towards psi. I've got full ice Lunatac abilities, plus a slight hypnotic ability. 'Karis can do the ice, but not the fire. She's stronger than most psychics, but behind the frozen Lunies. Her psi-powers are more developed than mine. Any questions?"

"No. You can hang about and wait for the results, or you can go somewhere else."

"Sure. Later, Al." Psychro hopped off the table and left.

If looks could kill, the door would have melted. "Don't call me that."

* * *

"Tell me about Alluro."

Chilla arched an eyebrow at Psikaris. The ice hybrid was perched on the side of a bed in the medlab, waiting for Chilla to finish running her tests. Normally Alluro himself would be doing this, but Luna hauled him off to fix something, leaving Chilla with the job. As to the hybrid's question, most people would answer with, "Sure. What do you want to know?" Chilla asked, "Why?"

Psikaris shrugged. "Being the two most mechanically-inclined Lunatacs, we'll likely be working together a lot. Figured I should know who I was dealing with. What's he like?"

"He's a pain in the neck. Things he builds tend to explode. He thinks he's Yerith's gift to women."

"Well, he is good-looking. Nice voice, too."

"If you go for slouched, purple, and balding." Considering this, Chilla amended, "Well, he's better than the rest of the lot. And that is so depressing."

"He seems to like you."

"Because the only other Lunatac woman around for the last two years has been Luna, and even he's not that desperate," said Chilla. "Worse, he's convinced himself he's in love with me. Damned annoying is what he is."

* * *

Chilla and Alluro were in the medlab, comparing notes on the various hybrid physiologies, Knave's in particular. "He seems to equally favour both his Lunatac and Thunderan heritages," said Alluro, "At least in appearance."

"He has cheetah speed, though he cannot keep it up for more than very short bursts. He may also have some of the psychic abilities Cheetara has shown, but I don't know," said Chilla, reading a print-out. "As to his Lunatac abilities, he isn't as strong as a full-blood. He can spit ice, but lacks the organ that allows me to absorb and rechannel heat. His tolerance to heat is, therefore, lower than mine..."

There was a sound behind him, but Alluro never had a chance to register it. Chilla grabbed the hypnotist, pulling him down to her level for a rather prolonged kiss. When she released him, he said, "Not that I mind, but why?.."

Chilla snorted. "Don't get the wrong idea. Psychro just walked in, and he still thinks that I'll just throw myself at him. He's gone now. I figured making it look like we're involved might make him give up."

"Now, if we took that one step further, actually becoming involved..."

"No."

"Sigh. I'll melt that cold heart of yours yet." Alluro dodged a blast of cold and laughing ducked out the door.

"Don't you threaten me," hissed Chilla at the retreating figure.

"I could teach him a lesson, if you like," Knave said, coming in from a side room. "Just say the word."

"No, don't bother." Chilla sighed. "He's been like that for the last year, and no amount of telling him to get lost has worked. Besides, we need him."

"For what? A paperweight?"

Chilla smiled. "No, that's Tug-Mug. Alluro makes a better doorstop."

* * *

Disregarding his half-sister's advice, Knave tracked down Alluro anyway. Blocking the hypnotist's way in a corridor he hissed, "Chilla does not appreciate the... attention you give to her. Kindly leave her alone."

"Chilla is perfectly capable of living her own life without an over-protective younger brother trying to run things for her," replied Alluro. "Now if you'd mind getting out of my way, I have duties to perform." He pushed past Knave and started down the hall.

A blast of cold froze his feet to the floor. "I said, you are to leave Chilla alone," said Knave, walking around to again stand in front of the hypnotist.

"I will do as I please. And so will you," he said, casting his psyche club above the halfbreed. "Knave, you will leave me alone. You cannot resist. Go away. And while you're at it, unfreeze my feet."

A second blast of cold, this time from behind him, knocked the psyche crystal from where it hovered over Knave and into a wall. Alluro turned as well he could to see who the new threat was.

Chilla herself stood, hands on hips, glaring at the hypnotist. "He can't do that, remember? No fire abilities. And don't thrall my brother."

"Of course," Alluro said calmly. "Now, if you could be a dear and melt this ice?.."

"I should leave you here, but Luna would yell at me." With that, she shot flame at the ice, melting it, as well as singing Alluro's sandals. Alluro picked up the broken pieces of the psyche crystal, then stalked off down the hall.

"He's as bad as Psychro was," hissed Knave. "Speaking of which, has that overgrown jerk been bothering you?"

Chilla shook her head. "He hasn't said anything since he got here. And Alluro isn't as bad as him. At least, Alluro has some subtlety."

* * *

Alluro leaned back in his chair, stretching his shoulders and spine. After he finished, he set back to his task, weaving a fine mesh of wires. He could fix his psyche club later; it wasn't as if it did him any good in Skytomb anyway. Amok was immune, and Amok would kill him if he used it on Luna. He wouldn't use it on Chilla no matter what. Tug-Mug and Red-Eye never really bothered him, so he never had to thrall them. This new weapon would be much more useful.

Suddenly, a pair of cool blue hands settled on his shoulders, kneading slightly. He turned a bit, catching a glimpse of a black vest. "Psikaris, I presume?"

The hybrid woman sighed, "No wonder your back is always sore. Your posture is terrible."

"Most of my work is done on tables, thus I must hunch over. Besides, when I stand up straight I loom over everyone."

"It's bad for you. I've been watching you, Alluro. You stretch every ten minutes."

"I'm a big boy, Psikaris, and can take care of mysel... oh-h-h, yes, right there..." he trailed off, leaning into her hands. "Maybe I will consider acting upon your concerns. Otherwise, where am I to find a descent chiropractor on Third Earth?"

Psikaris smiled, but the hypnotist couldn't see it. "Well, if you don't stop slouching so much, I'll just have to do this more often."

"That is supposed to be a threat?" Alluro's normally smooth voice was almost a purr.

"A friend of mine, a TK-psi named Izab, she said the way you know you did a back-rub properly is if the recipient asks you to marry them."

Alluro groaned. "If I do not, will you continue anyway?"

"Maybe."

"Tease."

The hybrid snickered at that. "I'm the best looking girl around here who'd give you a massage. Can you imagine Chilla doing this?"

"No," sighed Alluro, with more regret than Psikaris wanted to hear.

Melissa: Not for you. Nobody chained you to a keyboard and forced you to type up a bunch of rewrites.

Mystan: And look; the next episode is the rewrite of 'Old Flames are Cold Comfort', to be renamed to simply 'Cold Comfort'. Does not that sound like fun?