Leap of Faith

A dull rain fell, dampening the spirits with its cloying stickiness and oppressive promise of more yet to come. Flying high over the sodden grasslands, WilyKit and WilyKat had long since given up the search for adventure and thought now only of finding shelter. Far from home, in a little known region to the north of the forest home of the Warrior Maidens, this was mountain country. Blue giants with their caps of snow towered above the bleak plains, shrouded in rain clouds. What signs of life they had encountered so far lived in crevices or dug their homes deep within the earth - little use to two Thunderkittens, with a hankering for the warmth of a fire and a steaming mug of berry juice. Onwards they sped, in a relentless race across soaked earth, while above, the clouds rumbled to themselves and lit the darkened sky with fingers of flame.

With their concentration fixed solely on getting home, neither noticed the approach of heavy black clouds and only vaguely registered the thunder that echoed between them. The lightning that crashed into the ground inches away from WilyKit's spaceboard took her by surprise and sent her reeling. Several feet away, the spaceboard crashed to the floor in a much worse state than its owner.

"Oh, hell," WilyKit grumbled, getting to her feet and rubbing a sore patch on her behind. "That would have to happen now."

Her brother flew back to where she stood and both stood staring dejectedly at her spaceboard.

"It's broken," he said.

"I know it's broken," she said, prodding it with her toe. A large crack had appeared from its tip to halfway down its body. Both rear thrusters were burnt out and the tailfin was gone. It would never fly again. "What we gonna do now?"

WilyKat squinted up at the sky and pulled a face. "Looks like this rain is in for a while. We could call the Lair and the other Thundercats would come and get us."

"No," his sister said firmly.

"Why?"

"Because that's just the sort of thing a cub would do."

"But we are cubs."

"And do you want to be treated like one for the rest of your life?" WilyKit shot back. "I don't. I'm a Thundercat."

"A wet Thundercat," WilyKat retorted, earning himself a thump on the arm from his sister. "Aw, come on, WilyKit," he said. "Let's call the others. I want to get out of this rain."

"So do I," she said. "In that case, you'd better make room for me on your spaceboard."

"But that'll take forever to get home. You know it goes slower with two."

"Then we'd better get started, hadn't we?" WilyKit said, picking up her broken board. "Come on, we've wasted enough time."

Grumbling under his breath, WilyKat dutifully allowed his sister to get on board behind him and together they continued their journey. As he had predicted, their progress was agonisingly slow. With the rain dribbling down his neck and seeking out the last remaining dry patches on his cold body, he was on the verge of insisting that they call the other Thundercats, when a glimmer of light appeared up ahead. From the gloom emerged a barn-like building, standing alone in an otherwise unoccupied valley. As they drew closer, they saw that the light shone through open doors. An interior alive with bustle and the promise of warmth beckoned. Finally pulling up amidst a clutter of dripping wagons and handcarts, they leapt down from the spaceboard, tucked one under each arm and hurried inside.

"Wow," WilyKit murmured as she glanced about her.

Around them were stalls and traders selling wares of every kind. Shells drawn from the emerald oceans, cloths shining with metallic thread, the heady aroma of freshly baked bread fruit - sights and smells both wondrous and welcoming. Despite the steady hammering of the rain on the roof, the sound of voices rose the loudest, whether disputing prices, debating quality or laughing and merry-making. Little attention was paid to the two sodden newcomers in this gathering of Third Earthers and WilyKit and WilyKat moved amongst them unchallenged. Letting their eyes drift across goods to tempt even the most miserly soul, they finally stopped before a table groaning with cakes and pastries. The sweet smell of candy fruit tantalised their noses and made their mouths start to water.

"Hungry?" came a voice from behind a mountain of berry cakes. A friendly-faced Balkin woman appeared and bustled over to where they stood. Her simple tunic strained round her ample form, contained only by the apron that bounded her middle. "My, my," she said, smiling at them. "You are two wet little urchins, aren't you?" Both nodded in hearty agreement. "Well, you've come to the right place to dry off and fill your bellies," she said cheerily. "Perhaps I can interest you in a pea pie, a bargain at only half a shillig."

"We'd love it," said WilyKat. "But we haven't any money."

"Oh, now that's a shame," said the woman. "But that shouldn't stop you. We do a lot of bartering here at Nollyganawally."

"Where?" asked WilyKit.

"This place," said the woman, gesturing around her. "Nollyganawally is a trading place, you see, on neutral territory where all might come and do business."

"But it's in the middle of nowhere," said WilyKat.

The woman beamed. "Exactly. Don't get many border disputes out here. That sort of thing is very disruptive. That's why this place is perfect for us to come and trade."

"We don't have anything to trade," said WilyKit gloomily.

"Everyone has something, and if you can't find a buyer here for your wares, then you won't find one anywhere." Her gaze fell upon their spaceboards. "What about those?"

"We can't sell these," said WilyKit. "Our friends would be angry if we did."

"Even that broken one? Doesn't seem much point in keeping it if it's broken."

"I suppose you're right. But who would want it?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised. Take Mercalid over there," said the woman, pointing to a pinched-looking Wollo with a bored expression on his face. He sat hunched behind a stall heaving with various heaps of scrap metal, while customers sorted through his wares and squabbled over choice items. "He'd buy it, I'm sure."

"What d'you think, WilyKat?"

Her brother considered for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, it looks beyond repair to me. Panthro will have to build you a new one. There seems little point in dragging it home with us and I can't think that they would be angry if we put it to good use."

"Just what I thought," WilyKit said and bounded over the Wollo. "What'll you give me for this?" she said to him.

A glimmer of excitement came into his dull eyes, which he quickly stifled. "What is it?" he said, trying to feign disinterest.

"It used to be a spaceboard," she said. "Now it's scrap. How much?"

"Ten," he said. "Take it or leave it."

WilyKit hesitated and glanced over at her brother. "Is that good?" she whispered to him.

"No, it's an insult," said one of the customers. Tall, thin and stooping, he had the appearance of the peoples who had made their homes around the coast. From the little the Thundercats had learnt of them, a sense of fairness and honesty were highly valued amongst their people. "Don't take a shillig less than fifty," the man now advised.

"Thank you," said WilyKit. "Fifty it is."

"I'll not pay fifty for a piece of junk," said Mercalid. "What use is it?"

"You'll make double that when you split it and sell it to us," said the man. "If you won't buy it, I will."

"Wait," said Mercalid, jumping down from his stool. "Okay, fifty."

"Fifty-five," said WilyKit. "This man has already offered me fifty."

The Wollo scowled. "You drive a hard bargain, young missy." He scrabbled about in the pockets of his grimy coat and produced a handful of coins, which he held out to WilyKit.

"Count it," she said, keeping a firm hold on her spaceboard. "I want to make sure it's all there."

Again the scowl as Mercalid dutifully dropped fifty-five coins into her hand. "Happy now?" he said. WilyKit nodded and passed the board over to him. He patted its tarnished surface and smiled. "A fair trade," he said. "You've a good eye for business, young missy. If ever you want training in the fine art of trading, you come to old Mercalid. I'd be glad to take you on as an apprentice."

"Thanks," she said, "but I'm a Thundercat." Leaving the bemused Wollo in her wake, she carried her earnings back to the food stall and proceeded to treat herself and her brother to a slap-up meal of pies, pasties and cakes for the princely sum of five shilligs.

"So what are we gonna spend the rest on?" asked WilyKat when all the food had been devoured.

WilyKit had carefully stacked her coins into five equal heaps and considered her hoard with pleasure. "We could save it," she said. "Or we could spend it all on ourselves! What a great idea!"

"Or we could buy our friends some gifts. That would be a nicer idea."

"Well, there's lots of nice things they would like. Lots of nice things I like too," she added a touch sadly to make her well-meaning brother feel guilty.

"It wouldn't hurt if we spent a little on ourselves," he said.

With that, WilyKit gathered up the coins and leapt to her feet. "Right, let's go!" she said, bounding away to join the throng of shoppers. Together, they meandered around the market, taking careful note of possible presents, but not parting with their money until they were sure. After the final stall, they stopped and took a moment to recap.

"I think the precision tool kit for Panthro," said WilyKit, counting the items off on her fingers. "That cookery book for Snarf - he'll love it. Pretty soaps for Cheetara and for Tygra -"

"Hey, what's that?" WilyKat interrupted her.

She followed his gaze to where an ill-dressed Tabbot was yelling at the top of his voice at his mule.

"Lazy beast!" he was hollering as they wandered over. "What use are you but for dog food!" He punctuated his remark with a slap on the creature's thin side with his whip. It cringed and bowed its head, which further raised the Tabbot's contempt. He took one of its ears in his hand and twisted it until the creature was forced to squirm away.

"Hey, don't do that!" said WilyKat. "You're hurting him. That's not nice."

"What's it to you?" growled the Tabbot, casting an unfriendly eye over them. "Who are you anyway?"

"We're Thundercats."

The Tabbot snorted. "Oh yes, I've heard of you. Do-gooders, they say, come to set Third Earth to rights. Well, you can stay out of my business for a start."

"Not when you're treating your mule so cruelly," said WilyKit.

"My what?" said the Tabbot. He stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. "This thing, a mule?" he guffawed. "Huh, would that it were! Mules are hardworking, willing beasts, but this is a lazy cretin. Trust me to get stuck with an orse."

"A what?" asked WilyKat.

"Orse," repeated the Tabbot. "You got cloth in your ears or something, kid? And not only is it an inferior beast, but it's the most stupidest looking critter I've seen for many a year."

Now that WilyKit and WilyKat came to look at it, they saw that they had indeed been mistaken. Larger than a mule and shorter in the ears, this creature was altogether slimmer in build. A straggly mane fell limply down its scrawny neck, matched at the rear by an equally unimpressive tail. And then there was the white coat, peppered with brown spots, a far cry from the rich chocolate brown of the average mule.

"Ah, me," sighed the Tabbot. "If only I had the money, I could buy me a proper mule. As it is, this beast can hardly bear the burdens I put on its back and so I cannot trade as much as I would like and so my fellow Tabbots do mock me. And all because I have an orse, not a mule." He took his frustration out on the creature by viciously jerking on its reins. Again, it visibly winced and its head drooped even lower.

"What if we were to buy him from you?" WilyKit said suddenly. "How much does a mule cost?"

"WilyKit, what are you doing?" her brother started to protest, but she elbowed him in the ribs and silenced him.

The Tabbot gave them a sideways glance, his greedy eyes lighting upon the coins she clutched in her hands. "A fair mule costs about fifty shilligs," he said.

"Fifty?" said WilyKit. "But that's all my money."

"Do you want him or not? They'll give me sixty for him at the meat counter."

"Yes, I'll have him," she said quickly, holding out the coins.

He snatched them from her and tossed her the reins. "Nice doing business with you," said the Tabbot, pocketing the money and striding away.

"Crook," WilyKat muttered, watching him depart. "I bet he knew how much you had, WilyKit."

"Who cares? We've saved this orse and that's all that matters."

"Yes, about him..."

Both turned to look at their purchase and found that the orse was staring at them with interest. A little of the dullness had left his eyes and his ears had perked up.

"What are we going to do with him?" said WilyKat.

"Take him home of course."

"Yeah, right. You know what Tygra said about pets. It's a major no-no, WilyKit."

"Then we'll keep him a secret. He can stay in one of the spare rooms. No one ever uses them." Seeing her brother's frown of disapproval, she turned on her best winning smile. "Aw, come on, WilyKat. It'll be fun."

"It won't be so much fun when the others find out what we've done," he said. "I don't think this is a good idea." He had barely finished speaking when the orse lifted his head and licked his cheek with his big slobbery tongue. "Ugh!" WilyKat grimaced, scrubbing the drool from his face. "Why'd he do that?"

"Because he likes you, silly," said WilyKit.

"Oh, does he? Well, in that case, I suppose we could make it work."

"Course we could."

"But how are we gonna get him home?"

"I'll ride him, you go on your spaceboard."

"Ride him?" WilyKat said uncertainly. "Do you know how?"

WilyKit sniffed and folded her arms. "Lion-O managed to ride a unicorn. How hard can it be?"

They made their way back to the open doors and found that the rain had stopped. Sunlight once more flooded the plains and beamed down on them with its newly washed face.

"Well, go on then," said WilyKat.

WilyKit hesitated. "I'm not sure how I get on him," she said.

"Jump."

"That high?" she said. "What if I fall off the other side?"

As if in answer, the orse dropped down on his knees and waited for her to mount him.

"Wow," said WilyKit. "D'you think he can understand me?"

"If he does, it'll be a first," said WilyKat. "I don't understand you and I'm your brother."

She gave him a cheeky smile and hopped up onto the orse's back. Once she was safely aboard, it got back to its feet and started to walk slowly. WilyKat watched them draw away from him, waiting for the seemingly inevitable topple, yet when it did not come, he had to race after them to catch up.

"Piece of cake," his sister grinned down at him, secure in her position on the orse's back. "This is gonna be sooo much fun!"

***************

"So is there any other business?"

Lion-O looked expectantly round the Council table and was met with uniform shakes of the head.

"Fine. Then I declare this meeting over."

The other Thundercats got to their feet and went about their various duties, but the kittens seemed inclined to linger. He noticed the nudge that WilyKit gave her brother and the annoyed look he gave her back, and he started to wonder. There had been something about them lately. Over the past week, they had been noticeable by their absence, and when they did appear they were usually red-faced and out of breath. Something was afoot, he knew that. Either that or they were sickening for something. What else could account for WilyKit being content to wait for a new spaceboard without constantly chivvying Panthro along?

"Is everything all right?" he asked, seeing the looks that were passing between brother and sister. Both turned to meet his questioning gaze with guilty expressions on their faces. Definitely up to something, Lion-O thought. "Okay, what's going on?" he said.

"Um, well, we - er - wanted to ask you something," said WilyKit hesitantly.

It was the way she said it that made his guard go up. "Yes?" he said cautiously. He wasn't going to commit himself to anything before he knew exactly what it was.

WilyKit looked to her brother for support, found it and continued. "We were wondering if we could have a pet."

"I see. We had this discussion."

"Yes, I know, but we were wondering if we could change your mind. I mean, we would look after it and everything and -"

"We said no, WilyKit."

"Yes, but -"

"Because we don't have the space or the time to look after a pet."

"But -"

"No. And that's an end of the matter." Both kittens fell into a huff. "I'm sorry, but that's how it is."

"It's not fair," WilyKat grumbled. "You had Kano back on Thundera."

The remark touched a nerve within him that he thought was long dead. He had shared many a happy time with Kano. How much poorer would his memories have been without him. Perhaps a pet for the Thunderkittens wouldn't be so bad. "All right, let me think about it," he said.

"Does that mean yes?" asked WilyKit excitedly.

"That means I'm thinking about it. Now, don't you have things you should be doing?"

"Oh, yes!" said WilyKit, leaping from her chair and racing towards the door.

"Thanks, Lion-O," said her brother, barely half a beat behind her. "You won't regret it, really!"

"Famous last words," he murmured as they bolted from the room.

***************

"A pet indeed," grumbled Snarf. "Whatever next!"

Even if the little creature hadn't said anything, Lion-O could have made a good stab at guessing his thoughts on the subject. Wiping the plate he held so roughly that the pattern was starting to fade, Snarf had a disgruntled expression on his face and was tapping his foot in a way that usually meant he was annoyed about something.

"Why, Snarf? What's wrong with them having a pet?"

"What's wrong?" he spluttered. "Who'll be cleaning up after this pet, that's what I'd like to know. Chances are it'll be me, snarf, snarf. Brrr, I still remember Kano and the little puddles he used to leave about the place. Drove me to distraction he did, keep running about after him, clearing up the mess before your father stepped in it." He tossed his tea cloth over his shoulder with some impatience. "And what will this pet be? If I know the twins, it'll be something big and big somethings leave big messes, snarf, snarf." With that, he stalked away into the kitchen.

Lion-O stared after him, wondering, not for the first time, whether it really was a good idea. The other Thundercats had been unequally hesitant on the subject when he had put it to them.

"I thought we said no," Tygra had said.

"But they are older now and have proved that they can be responsible," Lion-O had said in their defence. "Having a pet would be a good learning experience for them."

"I still don't think it's a good idea."

"Why?"

Tygra had rubbed his brow and sighed. "Well..." he had begun.

"Don't tell me you're allergic to fur?" Cheetara had teased him.

"No, I'm not," he had retorted. "But pets have this habit of needing care and attention. Let's face it, we aren't exactly the best household for that on Third Earth."

"Other people manage," Panthro had said.

"Don't you start."

"I happen to think it's a good idea. I'm with Lion-O on this one."

"I say let's put it to the vote," Lion-O had said. "All against?" Only Tygra had raised his hand. "For?" Panthro added his hand to the one Lion-O raised. "Cheetara?"

"I'm not sure," she had replied. "Part of me agrees with Tygra, but another part says that you've got a point. I guess at the moment I'm a 'don't know'."

"This isn't a 'don't know' sort of decision," Tygra had said testily. "You can't have trial periods with pets, Cheetara."

"I know. Perhaps if I knew what sort of pet they had in mind, I might be happier."

"Well?" Panthro had asked, looking to Lion-O.

"They didn't say," he had said, shaking his head.

"In that case, best make it something small. Big things have a habit of causing chaos."

"Okay, I'll look into the small pet options," Lion-O had said. And that was the point he had reached now. Advice had been sought from allies around Third Earth, who had offered various suggestions. Berbils favoured bees, necessary for pollination, but not the best pet to cuddle up to. The Balkins had advised birds that made amusing noises or said funny things. Lion-O could see the novelty of that soon fading as nerves became frayed about the Lair. The Tuskas had of course suggested the noble gomplin as a beast both friendly and practical. Panthro's warning had loomed large in his mind and he had graciously declined the offer of a baby gomplin to take home with him. More interestingly, the Warrior Maidens had told him of the hounds they took with them when hunting. Loyal and brave beasts, Lion-O had immediately thought of Kano and that had pretty much decided the matter. He would put it before tomorrow's council meeting and felt confident of a favourable reception.

Lost in such musings, he found himself rudely awakened by an approaching howl. Leaping to his feet, he was halfway across the room when Snarf came careering out of the kitchen and barrelled into him.

"Help!" he yelled. "Monsters! Weeow, Lion-O, there's monsters in the larder!"

"What sort of monsters?" he demanded.

"Big ones," Snarf wailed. "Big all over. Big teeth and big legs. Just..."

"Big?" Lion-O said. "Okay, let me deal with this."

With Snarf keeping safely behind him, he led the way into the kitchen, first peering round the door to check that all was clear. It seemed quiet enough, but then he caught the sound of munching teeth. Taking a few cautious steps into the room, he saw that the larder door was slightly ajar. Moving towards it, the sound of something enjoying a hearty meal grew ever louder. Steeling himself, he took a deep breath, flung back the door and aimed the Sword of Omens at the intruder.

It wasn't quite what he expected. A broad rump stared back at him, white, with flecks of brown. A tail hung down, swaying slightly as its owner shifted his weight back and forth. Long legs there were, ending in neat brown hooves, one of which had been lifted from the ground in the attitude of rest.

"See, I told you," Snarf whimpered. "It's a monster."

"It's nothing of the sort," Lion-O said. "It's - it's ... well, I'm not sure what it is."

"Weeow, what's it doing in my kitchen?"

"Oh, Orsey!" came a cry from behind them. WilyKat dashed between them and squeezed past the creature to get into the larder. After some cajoling, the rump backed up and turned so that its head could now be seen. A candy fruit was rapidly disappearing into a pinkish muzzle already stained with the juice of many others gone before.

"Are you responsible for this, WilyKat?" Lion-O asked. The cub bit his lip and looked down. "Well? I'm waiting for an explanation."

"He's our pet."

Lion-O turned to find that WilyKit had come in behind them and was stood in the doorway looking thoroughly abashed.

"Pet?" he echoed. "Twins, this isn't a pet, it's - it's -"

"A monster," Snarf finished for him.

"He's not!" WilyKat protested. "He's an orse."

"Looks more like a unicorn who's lost his horn," Snarf said, peering at the creature.

"I seem to remember Mumm-ra riding something like this when he pulled that stunt with Excalibur," Lion-O said.

"Orsey isn't evil," said WilyKit, rushing the beast's side. "He's really gentle. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

"I'm not saying he would," Lion-O said wearily. "What I want to know is what he's doing here."

The twins exchanged nervous glances. "You know when I said that my spaceboard was destroyed," WilyKit began. "Well, it wasn't. Not exactly. I mean, it was useless, it was never going to work again. So I sold it and with the money ... I bought Orsey."

Snarf gave a loud purr of disapproval, matched by Lion-O's exasperated sigh. "Really, WilyKit, I would have thought you knew better."

"The kitten did it with the best of intentions."

"I dare say she did, but all the same I - I..." Lion-O faltered, suddenly realising that he didn't recognise the last voice that had spoken. "Who said that?"

"Me."

His eyes fell on the orse. Surely not, surely his ears deceived him. "You - you spoke?"

The orse nodded. "Sure thing, guv," he said in a gruff, whinnying sort of voice.

"Wow!" WilyKit said. "We didn't know you could speak."

"The sensible bod keeps his counsel and speaks only when necessary. It freaks people out, you see. Look at him." He gestured with a jerk of his head to where Snarf stood frozen to the spot, his eyes wide and mouth open. "The name's Hengist, by the way. Hengist the Wanderer. Pleased to meet you all."

Lion-O found that he had to physically shake himself out of the stupor in which this revelation had plunged him. In the past, he had found Snarf's turn of phrase that such and such could have knocked him down with a feather to be silly, but suddenly he knew exactly what he meant.

"You're an orse and you talk," he said slowly, trying to make sense of it. "How?"

"All orses talk," said Hengist. "Well, at least my people do. And I'll have you know that we're not unicorns. We're nothing to do with them whatsoever, stuck up little so-and-sos. Just because they've got horns, they think they're the bee's knees. Well, we've got proper hooves, so there!"

"Your people? There's more of you?" asked WilyKat.

"Certainly are. We live up in the Mountains of the Moon, far away where no one can find us. Bipeds, you see, think we're just beasts of burden. Shows what they know."

"So what are you doing away from your home?" WilyKit said.

"Ah, well, once every hundred years, one of us is selected to go down the mountain and wander this world, learning about the people, seeing if the time is right for us to return." Hengist sighed. "Frankly, from what I've seen, I reckon not."

"We're not all bad," said WilyKat.

Hengist gave a friendly nicker and smiled. "Yes, thank you, my friends. I owe you my life. For that, my life is yours until the debt is paid."

"Wait just one minute," said Lion-O, holding up his hands. "What's all this about debts and lives?"

"We saved him from a really nasty Tabbot who was going to sell him for dog meat and we brought him home and looked after him," WilyKit explained. "Please can Hengist stay?"

"Thunderkittens, I want a word with you," Lion-O said, indicating that they should leave. "And Snarf, could you fix our guest something to eat? I believe he's hungry."

"Yes, I'm sorry about raiding your stores," said Hengist. "I was fiddling with the door control in my room and the next thing I knew it was open. I thought I might just have a wander downstairs and I'm afraid hunger got the better of me when I saw those candy fruits. They're mighty tasty I can tell you."

"We know," said Lion-O. "Don't worry. There's plenty to go round." He glanced over at Snarf, who still stood frozen to the spot. A gentle nudge brought him back to his senses. "Food for our guest?"

Snarf nodded, although clearly he was still in a daze. Lion-O ushered the twins out, just catching something Snarf was murmuring under his breath about big messes.

***************

"I don't see what the problem is," said WilyKit defiantly. "You're always going on about helping people less fortunate than ourselves. Well, Hengist was less fortunate and we helped him."

"It's not what you did," Lion-O returned. "It's how you went about it. You've kept this a secret for a week. What about Truth, Thunderkittens?" Both lowered their heads under the weight of his angry glare and stared at their hands. "Well, am I right?" he said looking to the others. A hasty council meeting had been called and the other Thundercats had so far listened to the tale in quiet amazement.

"Of course you're right about the concealment," said Tygra. "The question is what to do now?"

"He can't stay here," Lion-O said firmly.

"Why not?" said Cheetara. "He is in need of our help. The kittens were right about that."

"But he's not a pet. He's a living, sentient being."

"So is every other creature on Third Earth."

Lion-O scowled at her. "You know what I'm saying. If he stays, the twins will view him as some sort of pet and he isn't that."

"Didn't he say he had to stay to pay off his debt of gratitude?" said Panthro.

"And what's all that about?" said Lion-O. "We can't accept that. It's - it's, well, it's not right."

"Why?" asked Tygra. "That is what he believes. If he is happy doing so, then what we think of it is not relevant."

"But it's not right, putting himself into some kind of servitude just because he's grateful."

"I've known many a Thundercat talk of debts of honour," said Panthro.

"That's different."

"How so?"

"It just is. I'll tell him so."

"And how would you feel if someone tried to tell you that the Code of Thundera was wrong?" said Cheetara.

Lion-O sighed. "You're telling me that he's going to stay, aren't you? Okay, fine, but as our guest, not, and I repeat, not as a pet. I will be very annoyed if I find out otherwise." The twins nodded, although there was a gleam in their eyes that wasn't entirely convincing. "I mean it."

"Yes, Lion-O," they chorused. "We'll be good from now on, promise."

Where have I heard that before, he thought with some annoyance.

***************

They were, however, good to their word and, over the next few weeks, Lion-O found no cause to take them to task. They carried out their allotted duties without complaint, kept their rooms impeccably tidy and there was no more talk of pets. All the same, for some reason Lion-O felt he could not shake the sense of annoyance that dodged his waking hours, mostly directed at their guest. While he was pleased at Hengist's visible improvement in health, he noted that the better he felt, the more active he became about the Lair. At first, it was small things, like finding him in the Control Room, whiling away the small hours in chat with Panthro, or following Tygra when on his rounds of inspection about the Lair. As his coat grew sleeker and his mane and tail long and glossy, he ventured outside the Lair, and on several occasions Lion-O had seen him return from the Berbil village with Snarf on his back, laden down with assorted parcels. He had said nothing at the time, but inwardly he was seething. His patience finally snapped on the morning when he saw Cheetara return from her morning run with Hengist trotting along beside her.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded as she came up the steps into the Lair.

She seemed confused by the question. "I've just been for my run. You know that."

"With Hengist?"

"Yes, Hengist came with me," she said, glancing over her shoulder to where the orse was contentedly nibbling at the grass some distance away. "He managed to keep up too."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you taking him with you on your runs? He's not a pace setter, you know."

Her mouth flapped open and she looked at him with surprise. "Lion-O, what's got into you?"

"If you want someone to run with, you only have to ask. There was a time I used to join you."

"And every time I've asked you lately, you've been busy." She sighed and folded her arms. "What's this about, Lion-O? It's not about my jogging partners. You've been walking around like a bear with a sore head for the past couple of weeks."

"I'm all right," Lion-O said stubbornly.

"Are you really?"

There was that about her tone that made him bristle. "Since you ask, no," he shot back. "I said I didn't want Hengist treated like some sort of pet and yet I find that's exactly what's happening. Snarf seems to think he's there to fetch and carry, and now you get him to run after you like some lap dog."

"Excuse me," Cheetara said. "Hengist asked me if I would like some company and I said yes. No one's taking advantage of him, Lion-O. I think he's only too pleased to help out."

"Is he."

"If you're so worried, why don't you ask him? Seems to me that you're treating him with a lack of respect in thinking he can't make his own decisions."

He glared at her, but she returned his look with defiance. Before he had a chance to respond, Hengist bounded up the stairs into the Lair and greeted them cheerily.

"Morning all," he said. "Any breakfast about? I'm starving after that gallop."

"Snarf's cooking," Lion-O said tersely.

"Oh, good," said Hengist, smacking his lips. "Which reminds me, Snarf said he was going to the Wollo village today to pick up some supplies. I think I'll go with him, give him a hand."

"You don't have to do that."

"It's all right. My pleasure." With that, he headed for the kitchen, leaving Lion-O glowering after him.

"Happy now?" Cheetara said.

"No," he muttered. "I should be, but I'm not. And I don't know why."

***************

A week later found Lion-O sitting on the steps of the Lair, watching as Hengist cantered round in pretty circles with WilyKat and WilyKit taking turns to ride on his back. After relentless pleading, he had finally given in. After all, it had been Hengist's suggestion and, as he had been constantly reminded, there couldn't possibly be any harm in it. He could think of a long line of objections, but right now, seeing the happy threesome lost to fits of giggles, he had to wonder why it should bother him so much.

"Anyone fallen off yet?"

Lion-O glanced up and found that Tygra had wandered out of the Lair and now stood beside him. "Not yet," he replied.

"Oh, well, only a matter of time." He sat down on the step beside him and for a moment watched the twins and Hengist with a smile on his face. "Want to talk about it?" he said at last.

"No."

"Fine. How's the ankle?"

A minor skirmish with the Mutants the day before had left Lion-O nursing a sprain. He couldn't even blame it on Slithe's lacklustre efforts. He had simply fallen over his own feet when chasing the retreating Mutants. It would heal, a lot quicker than his pride, however.

"Sore, but it'll be all right," he said. "Thanks for asking."

Tygra nodded. "Actually, I was wondering how you were going to get back home tonight."

Lion-O groaned. "The harvest festival at the Balkin village, I had forgotten."

"I thought you had. Well, we can drop you off, but we need the Thundertank."

"Can't I come with you and hunt for Thundrillium?"

"And shirk your duty as their honoured guest? Most certainly not." Tygra grinned at him. "It won't be that bad."

"Then why aren't you coming?"

"Ah, I wasn't invited."

"They said, 'our friends, the Thundercats'."

"But the invite was addressed to you."

"I could pull rank and insist you attend."

Tygra assumed a look of mock-horror. "You wouldn't be that cruel, surely, my lord?" Both laughed, until silence once more fell between them. "About your getting home," Tygra ventured. "You could ask Hengist if -"

"No."

"Why?"

Lion-O sighed and looked away from his friend's questioning gaze. "Because it's not dignified."

"For him or you?"

"And it's not right, turning him into some sort of vehicle. He should have some pride, not lower himself like this, becoming a plaything to keep children amused. And -"

"What's really bothering you?" Tygra cut in.

When Lion-O finally managed to look him in the eye, he saw something like understanding in his expression. "How did you guess?" he asked.

A rueful smile crossed his lips. "Years of experience, Lion-O. And knowing you helps too."

"Is it wrong to feel cheated, Tygra?"

"No. It is however wrong to take out your frustration on the perceived cause."

"You noticed that as well, did you?" Again, Lion-O sighed. "I know it sounds silly, but I think I had my heart set on this pet thing. I guess I thought it was going to be like it was back on Thundera when I had Kano. Then Hengist came along and the idea was dropped. I know he's not a pet, but he seems to have taken the place of one."

"And you dislike him for that? Or do you begrudge the kittens their happiness with their new found friend?"

"Of course not," he said quickly. "Well, okay, maybe a little. I can't help it. I miss him, Tygra, I miss Kano. I guess I wanted to get those happy times back again. I must be very selfish."

Tygra gave him a kindly smile. "We all lost people and things we loved, Lion-O. They exist now only in our memories, and there they should stay. Better to accept change than live with the disappointment of being unable to recreate something that has passed."

Lion-O considered for a minute, mulling over his fellow Thundercat's words. "You're saying we have to move on."

"Move on, but not forget. Although I grant you that it's easier said than done."

"Are you always this cynical?"

"I prefer realistic." With that, Tygra got to his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes. "That being the case, I'm afraid I'll have to spoil their fun. Time for Thundrillium hunting."

The twins complained bitterly when Tygra called to them and continued to grumble all the way up to their rooms and back down to join the others in the Thundertank. As planned, Lion-O left them at the Balkin village and, while they went in search of the precious ore, he put on a happy face and tried to enjoy the celebrations. Failing miserably, relief finally came with a call from Snarf at the Lair telling him that there was an unspecified problem over at the Cave of Time. Grateful for the excuse to leave, he made his apologies and hobbled on his way as fast as his ankle would permit. With the others too far away to get to help him in time, he would have to tackle this one, whatever it was, on his own.

With Snarf proving strangely elusive when he tried again to contact the Lair, he pressed on, hoping that he would learn a little more about what was happening before it took him by surprise. Life on Third Earth had taught him to expect the unexpected, usually the very unexpected. So, pausing for breath, he pulled the Sword of Omens from the Claw Shield at his side and held it before his eyes, calling on its power of 'Sight-Beyond-Sight'. An image appeared, showing an oily black ooze spewing from the mouth of the Cave of Time. Masses of the stuff had already escaped and a great river was devouring all in its path. Lion-O watched with growing horror as a lone tree was engulfed. It rapidly withered and crumbled to dust.

Tucking the Sword away, he hurried on, trying to put the pain of his aching ankle to the back of his mind. When he finally emerged from the edge of a forest some miles distant from the cliffs, he was appalled to see that the river of ooze was almost upon him. From what he had seen earlier, he was in no doubt that it would make short work of the trees around him and the creatures and people who sheltered beneath their boughs.

Summoning the power of the Sword, he directed its energies at the ground, causing a hole to open up. The ooze poured into it, gurgling and hissing all the way. Leaving it to drain away, he continued on towards the source of this outpouring. Several painful miles later found him at the foot of the cliffs and near the mouth of the Cave of Time. Using the Sword to bring down boulders from high above, the ooze was stopped in its tracks as the tumbling rocks blocked the cave entrance.

Satisfied, he breathed a sigh of relief and sank down onto a rock to rest his nagging ankle. The late afternoon sun was pleasantly warm on his shoulders and a while just sitting there would have been nice, but with still no word from Snarf, he decided that he had to go and investigate. Wearily, he got to his feet and started to trudge back in the direction from which he had come. Fifteen minutes of solid walking later, he felt the ground shudder beneath his feet. He stopped, staring down and wondering what the earth tremor meant. Then there was another, slightly stronger than the first, rippling beneath him and continuing onwards towards the cliffs. Even as he started to turn to look back, there was a thunderous roar as a great torrent of ooze broke through the rocky barrier and tore towards him.

Standing his ground, Lion-O once again used the powers of the Sword, hoping that a swift blast would be enough to divert the flow away from the forest. Sparkling blue energy pummelled the ooze, but failed to stop it and served only to spread it across a wider area. His only hope now was to get to the hole he had created and make it wider to take the insidious wave that was fast closing on him. Gritting his teeth, he tried to run faster, but his ankle grated and failed. He tumbled to the floor, rolling over and over in the dirt. He groaned, but there was no time to waste. Leaning on the Sword for support, he pushed himself up. Ever closer the ooze came, instantly ageing all that it touched. He knew he couldn't allow it to reach the forest.

"Very well," he muttered. "I'll make my stand here."

Pointing the Sword at the ground, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He wondered briefly what would get him first - the ooze or the massive rock fall that creating a chasm this close to the cliffs would produce. Either way, it had to be done. It was tantamount to suicide, he knew, but, as Lord of the Thundercats and the only person close enough to do anything about it, stopping this devastating torrent was his duty.

"Lion-Ooooooo!"

On the very verge of speaking the words, he checked himself and glanced to his left in the direction of the frenzied call. Running before the wave was Hengist and, on his back, Snarf, waving frantically.

"Wait for us!" cried the little creature.

"I can't," Lion-O called back. "I have to stop this now."

"Are you nuts?" said Hengist as he skidded to a halt beside him. "This close to the cliff? You'll bring the whole lot down. Come on, hop on board. Let's put some distance between us and it, and then you can do your thing."

"No," Lion-O said firmly. "My ankle's given out. I have to do this here."

"Didn't you hear what Hengist said?" Snarf cried. "He'll carry you out of harm's way. Come on!"

"I don't mind, you know," said Hengist. He obviously saw the indecision in Lion-O's eyes for he gave a snort and impatiently pawed the ground. "If it matters that much to you, owe me. But if we're going, let's do it. I've no mind to be next on that gunk's menu."

Lion-O couldn't argue with that. No sooner had he scrambled up on his back than Hengist surged forward into a flat-out gallop. Powerful muscles tensed and moved beneath him, pushing them on, out of the immediate reach of the ooze. Still it followed, hungrily devouring the space between them. In the distance, the forest started to loom and every tree seemed to be quivering before this wave of destruction.

"There's a hole in the ground up ahead," Lion-O said, glancing over his shoulder at the oncoming tide of blackness. "If we can reach it before the ooze, I can make it bigger and hopefully it'll check the flow."

"Hole?" Snarf said. "You mean that great big chasm in front of us?"

"What great big..." The words died on his lips as he looked in the direction Snarf was pointing. Where there had been a hole was now a huge gash in the earth stretching as far as the eye could see. "It wasn't like that when I left it," he said. "The earth tremors must have caused it to widen."

"I guess that takes care of the gunk," said Snarf. "But, brrr, what about us? Lion-O, can you use the Sword to make us a bridge across that gap?"

"No, the ooze is too close behind now. It would just follow us."

"Then what are we going to do, snarf, snarf?" he wailed.

"You've got a better view than me," said Hengist breathlessly. "How wide d'you reckon that is?"

"Ten feet across, possibly more."

"Oh, easy as pie. I'll jump it."

"You'll do what!" Snarf shrieked.

"Can you make it?" Lion-O asked.

"Do bees buzz?" came Hengist's reply.

"Let's hope so," said Snarf, clapping his paws firmly over his eyes. "I don't wanna see this!"

The edge came up just in time, for the ooze was literally lapping at Hengist's heels. Inches from the drop, Lion-O felt the muscles in the orse's hindquarters bunch and propel them into the air. For one glorious second, they were flying, while their pursuer could only gush down into the depths below. Then, they started to descend and the other side seemed a long way off. Before the realisation that they might not actually make it had fully formed in his mind, they were landing. The jolt as hooves hit solid ground threw both passengers forward, causing Hengist to stumble. The unbalanced weight on his back brought him down and all three ended up on the floor.

Lion-O rolled with the momentum and was back up on his feet in an instant. Looking across the chasm, he watched as the dwindling river of ooze steadily streamed into the opening and vanished deep within the earth.

"Thirteen," said Hengist, who had got up and had wandered over to join him.

"Hmm?"

"Thirteen feet across, not ten. That was some stretch, I'll tell you." The orse tossed his head, dislodging a dust haze. "What d'you think that stuff was?" he asked.

"Well, it came from the Cave of Time, so I guess it must have been connected."

"Time Gunk," Hengist mused. "That's not something you see every day."

"Nor want to see ever again," said a disgruntled Snarf, who came over rubbing his tail. "And nor do I ever want to do a jump like that again. The landing is just too painful, snarf, snarf!"

"Is it my fault you don't know how to ride a jump?" said Hengist. "Some work on your part is required, you know."

"Weeow, in that case, I'll keep my feet firmly on the ground in future."

Lion-O found himself smiling, in spite of his earlier misgivings. "Hengist, thank you," he said, turning to him. "For what you did. If it hadn't been for you..."

"Aw, forget it."

"I can't and I won't. You saved our lives back there."

"Call it quits," he said with a casual wave of his hoof. "Now, d'you want a lift home? You're still limping, I see."

"Yes, Hengist," Lion-O said gratefully. "That would be very good indeed."

***************

Evening brought with it the return of the other Thundercats and tales were told of Third Earth's escape from the Time Ooze and the rescue that kept disaster at bay. Amidst the chatter and laughter, Lion-O noticed Hengist slip away. Wondering where he had gone, he went in search, only to find him sitting on his haunches outside the main doors of the Lair, staring out into the distance. The orse's ears swivelled in Lion-O's direction, showing that he was aware of his presence, even if he did not turn around.

"It's been almost ten years," Hengist said. "Since I've been home, that is."

Lion-O moved out to join him and sat down at his side. "You miss it?" he asked.

"Do you?"

"Miss Thundera? Of course. The difference is that my home is gone."

Hengist turned slightly to look at him. "Isn't this your home now?" he asked.

Lion-O nodded. "Home, as Snarf says, is where you hang your hat," he said.

"And what better place than this?" Hengist said heavily. "One could happily spend a lifetime here. But with my debt paid, I should really go back to my home. At least I have a reason now."

"A reason? I don't understand. Why wouldn't you want to go home?"

Hengist gave a long, deep sigh. "Before I met the Thundercats, my entire experience with the people of this world had been a negative one. When the twins found me, I was at my lowest ebb. I had given up. What was the point of going on? I had set out with my head filled with all these noble ideas and I found that the reality was quite different. Believe me, I tried to escape many times. Every time I was caught again and passed on to another master, each more despicable than the last. I rapidly lost my high hopes and became disillusioned. How could I return to my people and tell them that nothing had changed, that the bipeds were exactly the same as they had always been? No, better that they believe me dead and leave them some of their illusions. I reasoned that perhaps in another hundred years, by the time the next wanderer was sent out, things might have improved."

"I would say that's a little optimistic. You obviously haven't met Mumm-ra."

"No, but I have met you. Without the Thundercats, I would be dead by now."

Lion-O stared at him, feeling a well of guilt rise deep within him. "Hengist..." he began.

"I mean it," the orse continued. "For that, I will always be in your debt. A life for a life, that's what my people believe, but how can you repay something as intangible as the restoration of hope? Even if I remained here my whole life, I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. But I can't."

"You could stay, if you wanted," Lion-O said.

Hengist shook his head. "I've already grown too fond of you all, especially the kittens. As cute as you bipeds are, I can't have the responsibility of looking after you. Then, when you all get old and die, well, the grief is too much to bear." He gave Lion-O a sideways glance and grinned. "I'm joking," he said. "Sorry, I can't help teasing. I noticed that you had certain issues with me being here."

"Only in wanting to treat you right."

"I guessed that. You've got a kind heart, Lion-O." Again, the mournful sigh. "I'm really going to miss this place. And all my friends."

"Do you have to go?" Lion-O asked.

"Yes," said Hengist. "I have to go back to tell the others that there is hope. That one day we may descend the mountain together and return to our old pastures. I doubt it will be in my lifetime, but it will happen, I'm sure of that."

And go he did, leaving amidst tears and entreaties from two sad Thunderkittens and good wishes from the other Thundercats. Before he left, Tygra had inserted a bio-communicator under the skin of his foreleg so that he could contact them if he got into trouble. Either way, Hengist promised to let them know he had made it to the Mountains of the Moon and his home safely before too great a distance caused the communicator to fail and automatically disintegrate.

Watching him trot slowly into the distance, Lion-O felt a sadness tearing at his soul that he hadn't expected. He hadn't realised how much he would miss him until they were making their goodbyes. I hope you find what you're looking for, Hengist had said. Perhaps he already had, Lion-O had replied. The orse had smiled knowingly and wished him all the best. In the end, Hengist had neither been a pet nor a guest, but a friend. Now that Lion-O thought about it, that was exactly what Kano had been.

"Good luck, Hengist," he whispered. "Wherever you may wander."

The End

THUNDERCATS, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Ted Wolf. All rights reserved. Stories, characters and incidents mentioned in this work are entirely fictional. Characters, names, etc. are used without permission and the above story has no official endorsement. This is a work of fan fiction, for entertainment purposes only and certainly not for profit. No infringement of rights is intended nor is any harm meant by its creation and existence. If this work brings a little happiness into this dreary old world, then so much the better. May you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Thundercats Forever! Ho!

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