The ship fell from the sky like a snowflake tossed by the winds of Hook Mountain. Those inhabitants of Third Earth who were up when the chill of dawn still hung in the air first saw a tiny glint in the brightening sky. As it plunged through the upper atmosphere, consternation had started to spread, even to the doors of Cat's Lair, where the Thundercats were tracking the ship's progress, mindful that the approach of unexpected guests usually meant trouble. In fact, it always seemed to mean trouble, and there was little expectation that today should be any different.

They had watched as the ship, clearly out of control, continued its headlong plummet. The computers had reported that its trajectory would see it crash in the Desert of Despair, a place that gave new meaning to the term 'warm welcome'. With temperatures reaching boiling point even in the early morning, the desert was not a pleasant place to be at the best of times. Accordingly, the decision had been taken to launch a search and rescue mission. Fortunately, the downed craft was not too difficult to find. Grey plumes of smoke had led them to the wrecked hull of a bullet-shaped ship, now fractured down its once gleaming sides.

"Everyone be on your guard," Lion-O had advised. "We don't know who or what is in there, or if they'll be remotely pleased to see us, so be careful. And that goes especially for you two," he had said with a pointed look at the Thunderkittens.

Brother and sister had rolled their eyes and promptly raced each other to the wreck, regardless of his warning. The other Thundercats had adopted a more prudent approach and started their investigation with a good deal more caution. For this reason, Pumyra now found herself navigating a difficult path through a cheerless interior, carefully trying to avoid the jagged sections of hull-lining that had broken through the floors of the living quarters. A sense of despondency hung over the craft that had nothing to do with the outside world. It was nothing definite, but it was a feeling she could not shake. The place was soulless, the rooms boring in their repetitive monotone colours. Whoever had slept here had either lacked the time or inclination to make their living space homely, she decided.

"What d'you think they used these for?"

At the sound of his voice, she turned to her companion and found Tygra holding up a length of chain with metal bracelets on either end. "Manacles?" she said with a shudder. This place was getting creepier by the minute.

He nodded. "I think we can guess their trade," he said, tossing the chain onto one of the beds. "I wonder what happened to their prisoners."

Leaving him to sort through a trunk beside the bed, Pumyra made her way into the next room. In the dim light, she almost stumbled over the bloated corpse of a porcine Mutant, which lay stretched out across the floor. Out of force of habit, she felt for a pulse in his neck. A futile gesture she knew, as it was clear he had been dead for some time.

A moment later, the crunch of metal against metal and a sharp intake of breath heralded Tygra's arrival. "Porkers," he said. "I suspected as much."

Feared and hated across the galaxy, pigs were notoriously unfussy about the goods they traded. If a cargo carried a hefty price, then scruples mattered little. A good deal of their trade was on the shady side and piracy was not beyond them either. They had been a thorn in Thundera's side for many years, preying on trading vessels and holding their crews to ransom. Pumyra guessed that Tygra's reaction had been as much out of alarm as horror at the decayed stated of the corpse.

"But this isn't a usual Porker ship," Pumyra said.

"They probably stole it from some unsuspecting trader," Tygra said. "All the same, I wouldn't have expected to find them this far out."

"And that's bad news?"

"For us, very." His brow furrowed as he gazed down at the corpse. "Did he die in the crash?"

Pumyra shook her head. "No, he was dead at least twenty hours before." A patch of congealed blood on the pig's purpling forehead drew her attention and she examined it a little closer. Similar staining could be seen on the edge of a small basin on the other side of the room. "Looks like he tripped and hit his head," she said.

"An accident?" Tygra said. "I wonder why no one bothered to treat him?"

"Perhaps he was beyond help."

"Then why leave the body here?"

She had no answer to his question. Neither did he apparently, for he fell silent and thoughtfully rubbed his finger over his chin.

"Porkers don't usually carry their dead for long," he said after a moment. "Unless--"

Whatever he was about to say was lost as Panthro looked in and let out a snort of disgust. "I see you've found what's left of the crew," he said, pinching his nose.

"He's the only one?" Tygra asked him.

Panthro nodded. "Flight log says that twelve of them took this ship from Pixan traders. Seems a couple died in freak accidents. It gets a bit garbled after the seventh was incinerated down in the engine room by a backdraft from the main generators. What happened to laughing boy here?"

"Another accident, apparently," said Pumyra. "He was unlucky."

"Not as unlucky as number three," said Panthro. "He sat on a spike."

From outside the room came the noise of someone in a hurry. WilyKit appeared at Panthro's side and tugged at his arm.

"Hey, slow down, kitten," Panthro said. "What's the matter?"

"Found someone," she said breathlessly. "She's alive. Come on!"

Following the kitten down a gloomy corridor, Pumyra caught the stench of excrement and sweat. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and her feeling of earlier reasserted itself with even greater force. They were heading towards the holding cells for prisoners and she could almost taste the fear of the unfortunates once housed there still in the air, an odour more powerful than the current smell of acrid smoke and the distinctively fishy smell of burning wires.

The corridor opened out into a vast room lined with cages. The stench was overwhelming and she had to clamp her hand over her nose to stop herself being sick. WilyKit pressed on undeterred and led the way to the far side of the room and a tiny cage, the bars of which had buckled under the force of the crash.

"She's in there," said WilyKit. "You have to help her."

Pumyra peered into the darkness and saw a dirty shape up against the far wall. To her horror, she realised she was looking at a person, so filthy and emaciated that she had trouble telling whether this unfortunate was male or female.

"Stand back," said Panthro. He gripped the cage door and yanked it free of its hinges. "You can come out now," he said, dusting off his hands. The figure stayed in the shadows. "I said you can come out. You're free." Still no response. "What now?" he said to the others.

Pumyra knelt down and smiled at the frightened face she could just about make out within the cell. "Are you injured?" she asked. "Would you like us to help you out?"

"G-go away," came a small voice.

"If that's what you want, we will, but you can't stay here," said Pumyra. "This ship crashed and your captors are dead. You are a prisoner no longer."

"Dead, all dead," came the voice, its timbre breaking as its owner started to sob. "Everyone's dead."

"Yes, we know. But you've had a lucky escape. Come with us now."

"Why do you care about me? Why do you want to help me?"

"Because we're Thundercats and I can't turn my back on someone in need."

There was a momentary pause. "Thundercats? From Thundera?" The figure crept forward out of the gloom and blinked up her. Her next words were in a language immediately familiar to Pumyra, but baffling to the others. Now she looked a little closer, she could make out the markings of a member of her clan beneath the grime. Her mane had been lopped short, although tell-tale patches of brown and white were still discernible. The thin face revealed a fine bone structure that a little extra flesh would have made pretty. Her wide orange eyes held a mixture of fear and wonderment and Pumyra felt her heart go out to this pitiful girl.

"How have you come to be here?" she asked in their common tongue.

"My family is dead," came the whispered reply. "I am afraid."

"Whoa, whoa," said Panthro. "What's she saying?"

"She says she's afraid," said Pumyra.

"With good reason," he said, casting a glance up at the buckled ceiling. The creak of collapsing metal sounded somewhere in the ship. "She's loosing structural integrity. We should go now."

Pumyra held her hand out to the girl. "Please, come with us."

"You won't hurt me?"

"Of course not."

"Promise?"

"On my honour as a Thundercat."

The magic words worked. The girl shuffled timidly towards her outstretched hand, took it and then clung to Pumyra as if her life depended on it. Not a second before time either, for the upper bars of her cells violently snapped as the ceiling started to descend. Holding the girl to her, Pumyra followed Panthro's lead back the way they had come and out through a fracture into the burning heat of the day. The other Thundercats were waiting and their concern turned to relief when the four of them appeared. Barely had they emerged than the ship gave one final groan and broke into five pieces, scattering its innards over the golden sand.

"That was too close," said Panthro, mopping the sweat from his brow. "Another minute and we would have been crushed."

"At least you made it out in one piece," said Lion-O. "And who's this?"

The girl shied away from his inquiring gaze and pressed her head into Pumyra's shoulder. "This is a friend of mine who'll be coming back to the Lair with us," Pumyra said. "Any objections?"

Her directness surprised her as much as Lion-O. Not that she expected him to object, but the girl needed reassurance and security. More than that, Pumyra knew she needed to get her home as quickly as possible, away from this place and its unhappy memories. Any questions they had could be answered later.

Installing her in the back of the Thundertank, Pumyra wrapped an emergency blanket around her shoulders. The girl pulled it tightly around her and in its embrace fell into a fitful sleep as the journey back to the Lair progressed. There was an air of anticipation and Pumyra was aware that the Thunderkittens were burning with curiosity. Every time they tried to ask her something, she put a finger to her lips and silenced them, telling them their new friend needed rest. It was a relief when the Thundertank finally pulled into the hangar at Cat's Lair, where Cheetara was waiting for them. The girl was still asleep and, rather than wake her, Pumyra gently lifted her up and passed her down to Panthro. She seemed incredibly small in his massive arms, swamped even by the generous folds of the blanket.

"What's happened?" Cheetara said with concern. "I prepared the infirmary as you asked. Pumyra, who's injured?"

"None of us," she said. "Don't worry."

Her reassurances did not help. Cheetara still seemed anxious. As she watched Panthro disappearing through the hangar doors her face took on a troubled expression.

"Who is she?" she asked.

"I don't know," said Pumyra. "Cheetara, are you all right?"

She continued to stare at the doors for a moment, then shook herself out of her reverie. "It's nothing," she said, trying a half-hearted attempt at a smile. "Just a slight headache, that's all."

"I've got some powders that might help."

"Yes, thanks," said Cheetara. "I'll come down to the infirmary later. Now, go, you're needed."

She was insistent, but still Pumyra felt a little guilty leaving her when clearly she was in distress. Reassuring herself that Cheetara was sensible enough to come to her before matters took a turn for the worse, she hurried after Panthro, her mind already far ahead of her feet and the patient who awaited her in the infirmary.

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

"Are you ready yet?"

The answer that came from the bathroom was a negative, so Pumyra sat down on the bed and waited. An exhausting two weeks had passed since the new arrival had joined them and in that time she had made considerable progress. No longer the half-starved scrawny wretch they had rescued from the ship, she was already putting on weight and her mane had grown enough to be fashioned into a comely bob. Pumyra was pleased and more than she knew she should be.

Truth was, she had grown attached to her, protective almost. As her health had improved, Pumyra had sent increasingly long hours in her company, talking in their own private language. It felt good not to feel so isolated, to have someone close who was starting to feel like family, who knew her world and shared something in common. When she had told her that she had been passed around between uncaring relatives when her parents had died, Pumyra had immediately felt a connection. Having grown up in a children's home, that loss and loneliness was something she knew very well.

"Well, how do I look?"

At the sound of her voice, Pumyra looked up. The transformation took her breath away. With Snarf's help, they had made her a tunic of the softest white fabric, trimmed around the neck and hem with a wide braid of silver and blue and loosely belted at the waist. Snarf had protested at the somewhat eccentric design of having one sleeve fastening at the wrist while the other finished at the elbow, but on that point Pumyra had been insistent. During her initial examination, she had discovered a mark burned into Pumaya's left upper arm. A grinning skull with two bones crossed underneath, she had thought it a morbid choice of brand. She was also painfully aware that Pumaya was especially sensitive about it. She kept it covered whenever she could, either by a ribbon or by her hand. The longer sleeve of her new outfit solved the problem perfectly.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Pumaya," she said, reflecting on how apt that name was. Meaning 'beloved one', she should surely win the hearts of everyone who beheld her, Pumyra thought. For a girl of seventeen she was woefully underdeveloped, but nothing that a proper diet would not cure in time. Her mane too was sleek and she had brushed it back behind her ears, giving her a slightly elfin look. Petite and pretty, her appearance was a million miles away from the dirty, piteous wretch of two weeks earlier.

"You think so?" Pumaya said uncertainly. "I've never had anything as lovely as this before. Thank you."

"It's Snarf you should thank," said Pumyra. "He was up all night making that dress. Now, are you up to this?"

While her mental and physical health had been delicate, Pumyra had managed to keep the other Thundercats away to avoid giving her too much stress. With Pumaya's recovery well under way, however, she had decided it was time for her to meet the others. Accordingly, a party had been arranged, which, if the smells that had been wafting out of the kitchen were anything to go by, promised a great time for all. There would also be a little surprise for Pumaya, she hoped, for she had happened to overhear Lion-O discussing with Tygra the possibility of making her a Thundercat. Even so, she knew that the gathering was likely to be intimidating for Pumaya and so had resolved to be there for her every step of the way.

As she had expected, Pumaya looked a little nervous. "I would like to meet everyone," she said. "I've heard so much about them. D'you think they'll like me, Pumyra?"

"Of course they will," she said, giving her a reassuring smile. "What's there not to like?"

Pumaya lowered her gaze. "People don't always like me," she said. "Sometimes they send me away."

Pumyra took her by the shoulders and made her look at her. "We would never do that to you," she said. "You're one of us now, more than you know. So, let's go and wow them, yes?"

Taking Pumaya by the arm, she led her down to the Council Room where the others were gathered. She paused outside, let Pumaya compose herself, then opened the door. The other Thundercats looked up expectantly as she walked in and jaws started to drop when Pumaya followed her in.

"Everyone," she said, "I'd like you to meet Pumaya."

"Wel-welcome to er" Lion-O began, his face flushing as crimson as his mane.

"Cat's Lair?" Pumyra suggested.

"That's it," he said, shaking himself out of his stupor. He advanced and held out his hand. "Hi, Pumaya, you are most welcome. My name is Lion-O and I'm Lord of the Thundercats. "

"I know, Pumyra told me," she said, shaking his hand and giving him a shy smile. "This place is really wonderful."

"It is?" he said. "Well, that's Tygra's doing. He designed it."

"Who?"

"Oh, he's over there. Come on, I'll introduce you."

He led her over to where the others stood and made the introductions. Pumyra allowed herself a brief moment to bask in her success and sighed with satisfaction at a job well done.

"Someone's happy," came a voice in her ear.

"I am for Pumaya," she said, turning into his arms. "Well, what do you think of her?"

Bengali let his eyes drift over to where Pumaya was talking to the Thunderkittens. "I think she's perfect," he murmured. "But not as perfect as you."

"You old smoothie, you," she teased him. "Just don't forget who was here first."

"I'm not likely to do that," he said, stooping slightly to kiss her on the lips. "Would you like a drink? Snarfer made something deadly involving fermented candyfruit. Panthro was talking about using the leftovers as fuel for the Thundertank."

"Yes, thanks, I'll try some of that."

Bengali left her side and his place was taken by Lynx-O. "Well done, Pumyra," he said. "You have worked wonders, as usual."

"Nothing to do with me," she said. "Pumaya did all the hard work."

"Indeed. But it is only by your care that she has so flourished."

"And she certainly has. She'll make a fine Thundercat." It was nothing definite, but she was sure that she detected a slight change in Lynx-O's demeanour. "What is it?"

He took a deep breath. "All is not well in Cat's Lair," he said, lowering his voice. "There are those who have reservations about our new friend."

"Reservations?" she said in disbelief. "How could they? She might not be Thundercat material yet, but in time--"

"Pumyra, calm yourself," he said gently. "An adjustment must be made to this new situation and it will, just as it did when we arrived."

"Who is it?" she demanded, feeling her anger growing.

Lynx-O shook his head. "Give it time. All will be well."

"So much for not thinking the worst of everyone," she muttered. She left him and went over to join Pumaya, who was talking to several of the others. Lion-O had recovered enough to hold a sensible conservation, although Pumyra noticed that at his side Cheetara seemed a little strained.

"But what is this 'Sword of Omens'?" Pumaya was asking. "I've never heard of anything like it."

"What, this?" Lion-O said, taking the Sword from the Claw Shield and holding it out to her.

"I can't," she said, drawing away. "I might drop it."

"You won't do it any harm," he said, smiling at her. "Here, take it."

Warily, she reached out and grasped the hilt. Her confidence grew and she took it from Lion-O's hand, holding it up and inspecting the red jewel of the Eye of Thundera. Suddenly it glowed and she screamed, more out of surprise than alarm. The Sword fell from her hands and clattered to the ground.

"Hey, it's all right," said Lion-O, retrieving the weapon. "See, it's not damaged."

"What was that?" Pumaya said, casting a nervous glance at the Eye.

"Just its way of saying hello."

"And I dropped it. Sorry, I'm clumsy."

"So am I," said Lion-O, grinning. "The number of times I've dropped itwell, let's just say it's forgiven me so far."

He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. As his hand touched her, Cheetara let out a gasp of what sounded like pain. Her glass fell from her hand and shattered on the floor.

"I'm all right," she said unconvincingly as Pumyra tried to help. "It's stuffy in here. I just need a breath of fresh air, that's all." She excused herself and hurried from the room. As she left, Pumyra noticed Tygra slip out after her.

"What's wrong with Cheetara?" she asked Lion-O, silently berating herself for not remembering to check on the cheetah's condition sooner. She never had been down to the infirmary after complaining of the headache and with other things to do it had slipped Pumyra's mind.

"She has been a bit jumpy over the last week or so," he said. "Why, is it serious?"

"I don't know, I'd better go and check."

Excusing herself, she left the Council Room and went in search of her two friends. The sound of voices drifted to her ears and she followed it to the kitchen. Cheetara and Tygra were there, deep in conversation. Whatever it was they were talking about was making Cheetara more agitated by the second. They stopped abruptly when they saw her, making her feel acutely awkward about intruding.

"Is everything all right?" Pumyra asked.

Cheetara nodded too quickly for her answer to be convincing. "Yes, I'm fine now."

"No, you aren't," Tygra said. "Why don't you ask Pumyra now she's here? Put your mind at rest."

"I said, I'm fine."

"Then I'll ask her," he said. "Pumyra, Cheetara has concerns about our new friend. Is she all right?"

"Pumaya is well enough, yes. What sort of concerns did you have?" Her earlier conversation with Lynx-O leapt to mind. "You!" she said accusingly to Cheetara. "You're the one who's been saying things about her, aren't you?"

Cheetara folded her arms and looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, I can't help how I feel. Ever since she came here, I've had a bad feeling about her." Her hand went gingerly to her forehead. "I don't know what it means, but it's there. When I first saw her, my sixth sense went crazy, and it happened again just now when Lion-O touched her"

"So what are you saying?" Pumyra retorted. "That she's evil or something? She's a poor girl, who's been abused and ill-treated her whole life. The only evil thing in the Lair is your thoughts, Cheetara. What do you say about this, Tygra?"

He sighed. "I don't know. I hear what you're saying, Pumyra, but I have to respect Cheetara's opinion."

"Based on a 'feeling'?"

"Which isn't often wrong. Until we can establish why Cheetara's sixth sense is acting in this way, I suggest a certain amount of caution."

"But it could be due to anything," Pumyra protested. "You don't seriously believe that Pumaya is evil, do you?"

"No," he admitted, "but something strange did happen on that ship."

"Panthro told you. Accidents."

"Perhaps," Tygra said.

"Then what?" said Pumyra. "You think Pumaya was to blame? She was locked up in that cell, for Jaga's sake!"

"I was wondering," he said, "if there could be a medical reason. I suppose you did run a full spectrum exam?"

"Of course I did. You insult me, Tygra. What sort of healer d'you think I am, that I wouldn't do a check like that?"

"Sorry," he said. "I just thought--"

"No," she snapped. "You didn't think. You sided with Cheetara, because that's what you always do. We'll always be the outsiders in Cat's Lair, because we're commoners. Well, there's more to being a Thundercat than having trained under Jaga!"

"I agree," he said calmly. "All the same, we have to be careful. Not everyone is suited to life as a Thundercat. Which is why, given the present situation, I've recommended to Lion-O that he waits a while before giving Pumaya her insignia."

Pumyra felt her cheeks flush hotly. "I don't believe I'm hearing this. I notice you weren't this cautious about taking us three on. Or were we too useful to lose? Is that it, Tygra? Is Pumaya not useful enough to the Thundercats that you deny her this?"

"Pumyra--"

But she was too angry to hear him out. "Oh, spare me your logical explanations! She's done nothing to you and yet you resent her being here. Why don't you think about why that is?"

With that, she turned and left, banging her hand against the door frame as she went. She was so enraged she felt like hitting someone. How dare they say such things about Pumaya! They hardly knew her and yet had already decided she was unworthy. Too angry to return to the party, she sought refuge in the infirmary and locked the door on the rest of the Lair.

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

She knew why he was there, but she was starting to find his presence irritating, especially when he began to pick at the sandwich he had brought in with him. First a pickle was popped into his mouth and thoroughly crunched, then a piece of apple. The noise was starting to grate on Pumyra's already frayed nerves and out of sheer exasperation she suggested he take his meal elsewhere.

"Why don't you get something to eat in the kitchen?" she said tersely. "The lab is no place for food."

Bengali dropped the slice of breadfruit he had been about to eat back on the plate. "Sorry," he said. "I just thought you might have been in need of company."

There was enough hurt in his voice to make her feel pretty low for snapping at him. He had meant well, coming to be with her, when she knew there were tasks aplenty waiting for him up in the Tower's control room. She did appreciate it. But on some level, the implied suggestion that there was something wrong with her to need such attention made her ire rise.

"Why?" she retorted. "Because I've seen though this sham we've all been living?"

Bengali looked a little uneasy at her outburst. "Don't you think you're being a bit hard on them?"

Pumyra slammed down the spatula she was using and glared him. "You weren't there, Ben. They hate Pumaya for no better reason than she's something new and not hidebound by their stuffy ways. And that's probably the same way they feel about us."

"I'm sure that's not true," he replied. "And you can't blame them for being cautious about Pumaya. We don't really know much about her."

"I do," Pumyra said. "She's an orphan, alone in the world, and right now she needs security and someone to rely on."

"I see. Are we talking about her or you?"

She glanced over at where he sat, perched on a stool, the question still in his eyes. He knew he had touched a sore point, damn him. Before she could reply to the challenge, however, the intercom started to bleep.

"Yes, what is it?" she said into it.

"There has been trouble at the Lair," came Lynx-O's voice. "WilyKat has fallen down the stairs. Your presence is requested."

"Tell them I'm on my way," she said. Closing the channel, she turned back to Bengali. "We'll finish this conversation later. In the meantime, will you drop me off at Cat's Lair?"

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

The infirmary was noisy and full of concerned onlookers. Not that the bustle was worrying WilyKat, who lay silent and unmoving on the medical bed. To Pumyra, however, it was a hindrance. Having finally managed to chivvy all but Tygra and WilyKit out of the room, she turned her attention back to the still kitten and the scan run by the diagnostic equipment.

"It doesn't seem to be too bad," she said thoughtfully. "A twisted ankle and a sprained wrist seems to be the extent of his injuries."

"But why doesn't he wake up?" WilyKit wanted to know.

Pumyra consulted the scan again and frowned. WilyKat had been out too long to be simply knocked unconscious. Yet to her relief there seemed to be no sinister reason for his condition. Brain functions showed as normal and she could detect no injuries to his head. If she had not known better, she would have guessed that WilyKat was asleep.

"What did happen?" she asked his sister.

WilyKit squirmed under her gaze and looked as though she was about to burst into tears. "We were coming down the stairs and he just fell. I don't know why. I couldn't catch him." She gave way to sobbing. Pumyra put her arm around her shoulders and tried to reassure her. Then, sending her on her way to find Snarf and some of his soothing lemonade, she put the question she really wanted to know to Tygra.

"I have no idea," he said. "WilyKit says he fell. She swears they weren't fooling about or racing or anything, and I believe her. She wouldn't lie about something as serious as this."

"But why would he just have fallen?" Pumyra said. "Did he trip or was it some sort of fit?"

Tygra moved to the bed and ran his eye over the scan. "Nothing here to indicate what it was. I guess we'll have to wait and see when he wakes up."

"If he does." She placed her hand on WilyKat's brow, feeling the coolness of his skin. No fever then, that was something. Perhaps it was an accident after all. As the Thunderkitten was growing, he was tending towards clumsiness. Perhaps he had simply tripped over his own feet. Then again, if her time on Third Earth had taught her anything, it was that simple explanations were rare. Chances were that something nasty was brewing and Mumm-ra was probably behind it. If so, the Thundercats could not afford to be at loggerheads. She took a deep breath and swallowed her pride.

"Tygra, about yesterday," she began.

"Forget it," he said.

"No, I said a few things I regret."

"A few?" He glanced over at her, a smile in his eyes. "You were right though. I was wrong to question your abilities."

"And I shouldn't have been so touchy," she said with a sigh. "I should be able to take criticism."

"It was a suggestion, rather than a criticism," Tygra said. "Cheetara was very insistent."

"About what? I've spent enough time with Pumaya to know that she's exactly who and what she says she is. There's nothing evil about her."

"I know," he said. "I was talking with her yesterday. She's a very bright young girl. But"

"What?"

He rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. "I'm sorry, Pumyra, but I can't get it out of my head that we're missing something here. Twelve porkers died as a result of accidents on that ship and now" His gaze lowered to the bed and WilyKat. "Coincidence?"

The implication made her bristle. "I didn't think accidents were a disease you could catch."

The intercom sounded and Tygra answered it. On the other end, Panthro sounded worried.

"It's Cheetara," he was saying. "She just passed out."

"Was it her sixth sense?" Tygra asked.

"No, I don't think so. We were in the Thundertank and she was driving. One minute she was talking, the next she had fainted. Darn near put us both over a cliff. It was a close thing, I can tell you."

"How is she now?"

"Still out cold. I'm bringing her in."

The channel clicked into silence and Tygra glanced over at Pumyra. "Another coincidence?"

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

A full ten hours after pitching down the stairs, WilyKat woke up, much to general relief, and knowing as much about what had happened as anyone else. He had been on the landing, he had told them, and the next thing he knew he had woken up in the infirmary. Like Cheetara, he had passed out. The fact he had been relaxed when he had taken his tumble had probably saved him from more serious injuries. Not that his wrist and ankle were slowing him down and Pumyra's insistence that he stay in the Lair was proving tiresome for both of them. Only when his sister came to the rescue carrying his favourite board game did his gloomy mood lift. With both kittens suitably occupied, Pumyra had returned to the infirmary and the other patients awaiting her attention.

Since Cheetara had been brought in, Lion-O had also fallen victim to the mysterious condition. He had taken Pumaya on a tour of Third Earth and had stopped to let her meet the Tuskas, only to pass out while they were being shown the new dam built to hold back the excesses of the spring floods. Had it not been for a quick-thinking young Tuska called Tervamor, Lion-O would have been swept away in the swells of the mighty river.

With one accident too many, even Pumyra was starting to admit to some doubts. The best she could guess was that it was some bizarre form of narcolepsy, passed to sufferers in viral form. Except she could find no trace in WilyKat's blood tests of viral markers or any firm indication he had been infected by anything at all. The only common factor they shared was Pumaya. Others would soon reach the same conclusion and she was determined to stop the rumours before they started.

"Just a check-up," Pumyra reassured the nervous girl who sat on the spare medical bed. "Nothing to worry about."

"But I thought you gave me the all-clear," Pumaya said. "You said I was all right."

"I did and you are. I just want to make sure."

Pumaya bowed her head. "You think there's something wrong with me, don't you?"

"Not at all," said Pumyra. "I'm checking everyone."

"But me first, because I'm new and you think I'm wicked."

She gave vent to her grief and the tears flowed down her cheeks. Moved, Pumyra gave her a hug.

"No one thinks that," she said gently.

"Others have," Pumaya said, sniffing back her tears. "They sent me away from our village because they said I was wicked. But I'm not, I swear it."

"Of course you aren't. But I do have to make sure that there isn't some nasty disease stalking the Lair. Too many accidents start to make people nervous."

Pumaya nodded her understanding. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to any of you. If it's my fault"

"Illnesses aren't anyone's fault," Pumyra reassured her. "Now, remove your tunic and lay down on the bed for me."

She did as she was told and Pumyra positioned the scanner above her body, covering her from chest to thighs. The machine started its work with a contented hum and soon results were appearing on its green central screen. So far, so good, Pumyra thought, breathing a sigh of relief as she saw negative after negative flash up. A soft knocking at the door made her start and, at her call, Panthro entered.

"Got what you wanted," he said, handing Pumyra a lengthy readout. "Seems we aren't the only ones affected."

So far, there had been five reported cases at the Berbil village, eleven Wollos and six Tabbots, including one fatality, where a portly fellow had fallen from his mount onto stony ground and hit his head. The news was a blessing, if not for the unfortunate Tabbot. At least it meant that this strange ailment was not confined to the Lair, which meant it could have come from anywhere and took the spotlight off Pumaya. It could be nothing more than coincidence that this illness took hold at the same time as she had arrived. But coincidences were being treated with a good deal of scepticism lately and Panthro's next words dashed any fragment of hope she clung to.

"Asked around while I was at it," he went on. "No one's heard of this condition before. They've never seen anything like it. No mention of it in anyone's records either." He sighed deeply and the next time he spoke it was in a hushed voice. "I guess that leaves us with two suspects and one's in this room." He cast a swift glance over at the scanner. "Find anything?"

Pumyra shook her head. "She's clean, Panthro. That leaves us one suspect. Mumm-ra."

"And no way of knowing how he's doing it. Blast it all!" He rubbed his hand across his smooth scalp in an agitated manner and growled to himself. "How are our friends doing?" he asked at last.

"Asleep, just like WilyKat. And just like him I expect them to wake up in the next few hours."

"That's the problem," Panthro muttered. "If Mumm-ra is behind this, I'd expect them never to wake up again. It doesn't make sense, Pumyra."

"What does?" she said with a soft snort. "I'm starting to think I'm not up to this."

He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't you start doubting yourself. You're doing fine, kid, don't forget that."

She gave him a faint smile, grateful for the trust he placed in her and wishing she could feel half as confident. "You know I didn't complete my training as a healer, Panthro. What if my inexperience is making me blind to some simple explanation?"

"If you are, then we all are," he said. "We're all pulling together, Pumyra. Remember, Thundercats stand together, through thick or thin. I'm putting the Lair's scanners through their paces trying to see if there's some ecological explanation and Tygra's doing something with a database Mandora gave him access to a while back. If we're going to come out of this, we'll do it as a team."

"Thanks," she said. "I needed to hear that."

The touch turned into a reassuring pat and he left her side to wander over to the bed where Pumaya still lay under the medical scanner. "And how you doing, kid? Kinda scary, huh?"

"I'm all right," she said.

"Yeah, well, just you hang in there and we'll--" He broke off abruptly and a curse escaped his lips. "Jaga save us! The mark of King Death!" He grabbed Pumaya's bare left arm and pointed to the skull and crossbones branded on her skin. "You knew about this?" he demanded, looking to Pumyra.

"Yes," she said. "Panthro, what's the matter?"

He released his grip and backed away from the bed. "Cheetara was right about her. She is evil."

"Panthro, stop this!" Pumyra said. "What's got into you?"

"To think we harboured this harbinger," he spat, glaring at the sobbing girl. "She'll kill us all!"

His venom was frightening even at a distance. Pumyra freed the sobbing girl from the scanner and wrapped her arms protectively about her. Pumaya clung to her as though her life depended on it. "I never meant to hurt anyone," she cried.

"See?" Panthro said accusingly. "Even she knows what she is!"

"And what's that?" Pumyra said.

"You don't know? She's the spawn of the damned, Pumyra. She's Death's Child!"

"Nonsense! What are you talking about?"

He advanced on them, his eyes ablaze, and punctuated his remarks by stabbing a finger in Pumaya's direction. "She's the reason WilyKat fell down the stairs and why Cheetara almost put us both over that cliff. Lion-O nearly drowned because of her!"

"Panthro, those were just accidents."

"Oh, they always look like it. Stops people becoming too suspicious. But Cheetara knew and that's why she had to go, wasn't it? Wasn't it!"

He was yelling at the top of his voice, making Pumaya cower away. Pumyra put herself between them and faced Panthro's anger. "I don't know what you're talking about, but you're wrong," she said.

"Am I?" he said. "You do know the legend of the Death's Child?"

She shook her head. "Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with Pumaya. You've seen the scans, there's nothing wrong with her."

"This is nothing to do with disease. It's a curse upon all that come into contact with her. Her presence alone is enough to kill. Look at the porkers on that ship if you need proof!"

"Proof of what?"

"That King Death walks among us! Look at her, Pumyra. She's his emissary." His angry glare moved to Pumaya. "How many died because of you? How many deaths are on your hands!"

Pumaya suddenly broke away and darted towards the door. It opened as she reached it and she ran straight into Tygra. He caught her and held her up as her legs threatened to buckle beneath her.

"Everything all right here?" he asked cautiously, looking from Panthro's stony face to Pumyra.

"No, it's damn well not!" Panthro raged. "She's Death's Child, Tygra. She's cursed and so are we while she stays. Let her go, let her run as far away from us as possible. There's no place for her here!"

"I see," Tygra said, helping Pumaya to a chair and noting the mark on her arm as he did so. "Who did this to you?"

Pumaya blinked up at him, surprised at the kindly tone of his voice. "M-my village," she said. "They said I was evil and made me leave."

"Can you blame them?" said Panthro.

"What happened?" Tygra asked, offering her a tissue.

She wiped her eyes and swallowed heavily. "My family were farmers," she said, twisting the wet tissue around her fingers. "My father worked the western steppes on Thundera."

"A hard life," said Tygra. "And a meagre living."

Pumaya nodded. "When Thundera was destroyed, our ark ship made it to a planet called Exbar. There weren't many of us, so the people who lived there let us stay and work the land. One day, my father didn't come home from the fields. They found him dead in the morning and said that wild animals had got him. Then things started happening to the other Thunderians."

"Accidents?"

"Horrible things," Pumaya said softly. "My mother fell asleep by the fire and her clothing caught alight. She died. My uncle took me in, but he died, and my aunt and cousins too. The others began to say that I was a jinx, that I was evil. They said I was cursed by King Death. So they burned me with this mark as a warning to others and sent me away from our settlement." She dabbed at her eyes with the now mangled tissue. "I never killed anyone," she sobbed. "It wasn't my fault. Why did they send me away?"

Pumyra went to her side and knelt down beside her. "You weren't to blame," she said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It was ignorance and silly superstition."

"Not quite," said Tygra. "Behind most legends there is usually a grain of truth."

"You don't believe that she's the child of this King Death character?" Pumyra said to him.

He shook his head. "That would be a little hard to swallow," he said. "The legend goes that the first Thunderians were beloved of the gods, who granted them everything, including the gift of eternal life. King Death became jealous, naturally, because if the people lived forever, he would be out of a job. In his rage, it is said he stalked Thundera, killing at random. His power equalled that of the other gods and so they were forced to make a deal with him. The Thunderians lost their immortality on condition that King Death remain in the Black Mountains, away from the people, where, they do say, he still dwells to this day, sending out his servants to do his work."

"A story to scare naughty kittens," Pumyra said. "What does it have to do with Pumaya?"

"He never forgave the other gods for insisting on his banishment," said Panthro. "Once every ten generations, he descends from the mountains and gives a child the power to spread death amongst the people. Hard to know who it is, but when they are discovered, they are branded and sent back to their evil master. Just like Pumaya." He gave her a look of disdain. "I'll bet he's very pleased with you."

She crumpled under his glare. "I never meant to hurt anyone," she wailed. "Please, believe me."

"I do," said Tygra. "It's a story, nothing more. How did you end up as a prisoner on that ship?"

"Exbar is a trading world," she said. "When my village sent me away, I went to the space port. One day, a trader caught me stealing. He took me on his ship and made me his slave. But he died"

"Let me guess," said Panthro. "Another accident?"

"No," she said. "Mutants attacked his ship. But they died and other Mutants took over. Eventually, the porkers captured the ship and then they died too and I ended up here."

"And you said nothing," Panthro said accusingly. "You knew what could happen."

"I thought you would be all right. My father told me that Thundercats have magic powers."

Tygra gave a soft laugh. "Would that were true. Life would be a whole lot easier."

"Well, what are we gonna do with her?" said Panthro. "I say send her packing."

"We'll do nothing of the sort," said Pumyra, getting up to face him.

"For the time being at least," said Tygra, "I think she should stay here."

"Are you crazy?" Panthro fairly spluttered. "Didn't you just hear what she said? How long before the curse strikes and one of us gets killed?"

"Then we'll just have to be careful, won't we?" he said. "In the meantime, Pumaya, stay in the Lair. You'll be safe enough here. Now, I need a word with Pumyra." He looked expectantly at Panthro, waiting for him to catch his meaning.

"You want me to go? Fine. I've got no reason to stay, not here with her," said Panthro, jabbing his finger at Pumaya. "But I tell you this, Tygra, if we all get killed because of her--"

"I won't hear the last of it, yes, I know."

He waited until Panthro had left the room, then gestured for Pumyra to join him over at the remote projector. "Something I have to show you," he said, adjusting the brightness of the screen.

"Thanks," said Pumyra. "For sticking up for Pumaya like that."

Tygra gave a soft grunt. "Yes, well, I don't hold with barbarism, however well meant. Just when you think we've emerged from the Dark Ages, something like this makes you realise we aren't too far removed from our quadruped ancestors." He finished fiddling with the control knob and let her see the image on the screen. Against a blue background, spiky cylindrical objects jostled each other for space.

"What is it?" Pumyra asked.

"The colloquial name is the 'Breath of Morpheus', which I understand is an ancient term ascribed to the god of sleep. Apt in this case because that is exactly what happens."

"It sends people to sleep?"

"Not exactly. What you're looking at is actually a protein that causes a very particular allergy, not one, I should stress, with any visible external symptoms. It's the response of the immune system that causes the sleep. Like animals sleep when injured or unwell, so the body goes into immediate shut down to deal with the invader. Unfortunately, that can happen at any time."

"Hence the unexplained accidents."

Tygra nodded. "You can be walking down the stairs or driving the Thundertank and bang! The next thing you know you've broken your neck or driven over a cliff."

"And Pumaya has this disease, I mean, protein?"

"No," said Tygra. "According to Control's medical database, infected people do not pass it on to each other. In fact, no one knows who's infected until they suddenly fall asleep. By the time they wake up, the protein has been cleared from their systems without trace."

"Which is why the blood tests have been inconclusive. So, are you saying that Pumaya is a carrier?"

"I suspect so," he said thoughtfully. "Control seem to think that exposure to the protein in early childhood causes a particular individual to become a carrier. It probably happened when Pumaya and her family moved to Exbar."

"What a mess." Pumyra sank into a chair and put her head in her hands. "Some healer I am when I can't even spot a hostile protein in a patient's blood work."

"Don't blame yourself," said Tygra. "It disguises itself as an antibody. It's easy to miss."

"You found it though," she said, looking up at him.

Tygra smiled. "Only because Control told me what to look for. I'd heard of the Death's Child of course, but I'd always assumed it meant a psychotic personality or something like that. I wasn't expecting to find a rogue protein as the cause. Funny thing is, everywhere this illness occurs, the response and the tradition is the same. The legend of the Death's Child is a common one apparently."

Pumyra sighed and glanced over at where Pumaya was sitting quietly in the corner, sniffing and wiping the corners of her eyes. "What happens to her now?" she asked in a hushed voice. "I suppose there is cure?"

"Yes, there is cure," said Tygra. "But it involves an intensive course of treatment to flush the protein out of the carrier's system. It's not something we can handle here, I'm afraid. I've already informed Mandora. A medical team from Control is on its way."

"So we're sending her away," said Pumyra, feeling helplessness rise within her and transform into anger. "I made her a promise we wouldn't do that. And yet here we are, handing her over to strangers to live like a lab rat for who knows how long."

"She can't stay, you know that. This protein is too pernicious to be allowed to continue unchecked. The very next day after our welcome party we began to fall ill."

"I didn't and I've been in contact with her a lot longer."

"Perhaps you were infected and the induced sleep occurred at night."

She waved her hand dismissively and turned away from him. There had to be another way, she thought bitterly, but what? "If she stays, is there any chance that what happened to those porkers could happen to us?" she asked.

Tygra gave a non-committal grunt. "Possibly. Immunity is conferred after the initial infection, but it's limited. Even if we confined to her the Lair for the rest of her life, we would all risk being infected time and time again. Sooner or later, someone would have a fatal accident. More worryingly though is what damage has already been done."

It was the tone of his voice that made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Looking round at him, she noted the concerned expression on his face and asked him the cause.

"Everywhere she's been on Third Earth, people have become infected," he said. "And those are only the cases we know about. Jaga forbid that this protein has already created another carrier amongst the children of those villages."

Pumyra clapped a hand over her mouth as the horror of what he was saying hit home. "WilyKat!" she said. "He was infected."

"I'm hoping he is too old to become a carrier, but others might not be so lucky." He gave her arm a comforting squeeze. "I'm sorry, Pumyra. It has to be this way. Do you want me to tell her?"

"No, I'll do it," she said with a resigned sigh. "I owe her that much."

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

A sleek silver ship landed outside Cat's Lair and began to disgorge its crew of white-coated medics, fully suited from head to toe. Clearly, no one was taking any chances. Even Mandora, Control's representative in this matter, wore breathing apparatus.

"Seen too many cases like this before," she was explaining as the medics busied themselves with cases and boxes. "A rival of mine caught a dose of it. Ended up splattered halfway across deep space when her ship hit a meteor shower. Nasty thing, this Breath of Morpheus."

On that point, Pumyra had to agree. Despite limited exposure, casualties on Third Earth were rising. A Tuska had drowned and his would-be rescuer with him. Several Wollos had had near misses, although of the one who was last seen heading into the Forest of Silence, so far only his boots had been found. The presence of a carnivorous flower nearby suggested the worst. Elsewhere, the Tabbots were complaining of losses through pilfering when traders had suddenly fallen asleep, and the Balkins had reported that, at the height of the outbreak, over three-quarters of the village had been happily in the land of nod. Add to that WilyKit passing out while eating breakfast and it was obvious to all that the Breath of Morpheus had Third Earth firmly in its grasp.

"So," said Mandora, "where's this carrier?"

"Her name is Pumaya," Pumyra said tersely. "I'll go get her when you're ready."

Mandora gestured to the waiting medics. "Looks like we're ready now," she said.

Pumyra left Mandora talking to the others and made her way back across the drawbridge and into the Lair. Pumaya was waiting inside the hall with WilyKat and Snarf when she entered. The look of resignation in her eyes seared itself into Pumyra's memory. She knew she would remember that look for as long as she lived. It would haunt every promise she made in the future and always remind her of the one she broke.

"They're waiting for you," she said.

Pumaya nodded and picked up her small case containing a few changes of clothes and packed lunch Snarf had made her. She was not leaving with much, Pumyra thought, but at least it was more than she had arrived with.

"I'm ready," Pumaya said.

There were no tears. They had been shed earlier, when Pumyra had told her of her condition and the course of action that had to be taken for everyone's sake. She had added her own tears to Pumaya's grief and had cried for a lost girl who was being sent away through no fault of her own.

"Have you got everything?" said Snarf. "Clothes, sandwiches"

"Yes, everything," said Pumaya. "Thank you, Snarf. You've been very kind to me."

Snarf purred. "Weeow, you're a nice girl, Pumaya. You get better soon and come back to us."

"I'll try," she said with a half-hearted smile.

"Good, and so you don't forget" He nodded to WilyKat, who produced a neatly wrapped package from behind his back. "A present," Snarf said, indicating for Pumaya to take it.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A history of Thundera," said WilyKat. "It's mine. I wanted to you have it." Colour was rising to his cheeks. "Because you're kinda all right."

"I'll treasure it," Pumaya said, stowing the package away in her case. "Thank you." She stooped slightly and kissed the cub on the cheek, leaving him blushing furiously with embarrassment. "Well, if I have to go," she said, "I suppose I should."

Pumyra led the way out of the door and into the sunshine of another beautiful Third Earth day. Perfect for picnics, swimming and all the sort of fun that would be denied to Pumaya while she languished in Control's Medical Facility. But not for long, Pumyra tried to reassure herself. Soon, she would be better and could return. Soon.

Sensing that she was alone, she glanced back to find Pumaya standing as if turned to stone, staring at the sight of the medical ship and its crew. Her resolve had slipped and her bottom lip was now trembling.

"I'm afraid," she said in a small voice when Pumyra rejoined her.

"There's no need to be," Pumyra said, gently taking her arm. "You won't be there for long. Then you can return to Third Earth and live with us."

The eyes Pumaya turned to her were brimming with tears. "Promise?"

A lump rose in Pumyra's throat. The last time she had asked that, she had given her word as a Thundercat. She had promised not to hurt her and yet now she was. Words were ever hollow, she thought miserably. This time, she would answer her without relying on the backing of her status to add sincerity. To do so would be too much like before.

"I promise," she said.

A smile of relief came to Pumaya's strained features. Her courage back in place, she let Pumyra help her down the steps and over to where the other Thundercats and Mandora were waiting. To the Evil Chaser's credit, she did not withdraw when Pumaya approached, although Pumyra did notice her checking to make sure that her respirator was working.

"Is this the patient?" Mandora asked, looking at Pumaya and noticing her downcast expression. "Don't you worry about a thing," she said. "These guys may look a little crazy, but they know what they're doing. They'll have you back on your feet in no time."

"I'm glad," said Pumaya. "It will be nice to be normal."

Mandora gave her a sideways glance, then heartily slapped her on the back. "Of course it will. Right, shall we make a move?"

"Without saying goodbye?" said Lion-O. "Mandora, can we have a minute?"

"Sure," she said, heading over to where the medics stood. "Call me when you're ready."

Well after she had moved out of earshot, the awkward silence persisted. Finally, Lion-O took the plunge.

"I guess this is goodbye," he said. "For a while at least."

Pumaya nodded. "I'm sorry. About what happened to you, I mean."

"Oh, no harm done," he said airily, trying, and failing, to lighten the sombre mood. The last few days had been hard for everyone. Pumaya had confined herself to the infirmary, shunning all company until Lion-O had insisted she join them for a farewell meal. That too had been awkward, as Pumaya had spoken only to apologise profusely and certain individuals, Pumyra had noted, still held a grudge. Despite the medical explanation, Panthro still viewed Pumaya with suspicion. His glowering presence on the other side of the table had served only to make everyone feel very uncomfortable.

"Anyway," Lion-O went on, "Mandora was telling us that your treatment shouldn't take very long. Eighteen months I think she said."

"Long enough," Pumyra said. "A lot can happen in eighteen months."

"True," said Lion-O. "But one thing that won't change is a decision I've made." His hand went to the Claw Shield and he withdrew something that he kept hidden in his hand. "I want you have this," he said, taking Pumaya's hand and placing the object on her palm.

"A Thundercat insignia?" she gasped. "For me?"

Lion-O nodded. "When you return, I would like you to consider joining us permanently in Cat's Lair. Tygra tells me you have potential and well, that's a good enough recommendation for me."

"Really?" she said, turning to the tiger. "You think I could be a Thundercat?"

"Would you like to be?" Tygra asked.

Pumaya nodded heartily. "Very, very much if you would let me." Her gaze travelled to Panthro, seeking his approval. He gruffly cleared his throat and looked away.

"Well, you're a bit raw, but with some training, I suppose"

"Thank you!" she gushed. "Thank you all so much!"

She threw her arms around Lion-O's neck and hugged him, much to his surprise. "Don't thank us just yet," he said, extracting himself from Pumaya's grip. "It's a long and difficult road to becoming a Thundercat. Especially when you have hard taskmasters like these guys."

"I will work hard," Pumaya said, pinning the insignia to her tunic.

"I know you will. But first you have to get better."

"Then I guess it's time to go." She said her goodbyes, hugging and shaking hands. Finally, she came to Pumyra. The smile she gave her showed that her sadness was behind her. "I'll be all right," she said. "I have been before."

"Of course you will," said Pumyra. "I'll keep in touch."

Pumaya paused on the verge of replying. Whatever it was passed unsaid as instead she hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you," she whispered in their shared language.

"I'll miss you too," said Pumyra.

"Thank you for all you've done for me," Pumaya said, finally releasing her hold. "Well, time to go." Panthro picked up her case for her and she followed him to the ship.

Pumyra watched her go, then on impulse called out to her. "Take care, little sister."

In return, Pumaya gave her the most heart-warming smile she had ever seen. "I will," she called back. "I promise."

The medics took her bag and ushered her into the ship. Before disappearing from their view into the ship, she gave one final wave. Then she was gone and the ship was powering up to leave. Mandora returned to where they stood and watched as the ship lifted and ascended into the powder blue sky.

"A terrible pity," she murmured. "She seemed like a nice girl."

"She is a nice girl," said Pumyra, correcting her use of tense.

Mandora gave her an uncertain look. "Well, I should be going too," she said. "Things to do, evil to chase." She retreated to her hoverbike and sped away after the departing ship.

"That went better than I thought," Pumyra said, turning to her friends. "And that was a lovely gesture, Lion-O. Thank you."

He mumbled something and refused to meet her gaze. Then, she realised that the condition was universal. "What is it?" she asked.

"Pumyra, there's something you should know," Tygra said. "Mandora was telling us that Pumaya is dying."

She felt her jaw drop. Her mouth moved to words that could find no voice and hot tears burned her eyes. "W-what are you saying?" she managed to get out.

"Mandora said that carriers can be cured if the condition is caught early enough. Pumaya is old compared to some they have treated. Apparently, the longer the protein remains in the body, the more likely that irreparable brain damage has occurred. From the sample of Pumaya's blood we sent Control, they discovered that her condition is terminal. Within the next few months, she will start to deteriorate rapidly. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," she yelled. "Tell me it isn't true! Tell me I haven't just promised her that she'll be coming back when you all knew she never would! That's why you were all being nice to her, even you, Panthro, because you knew she wouldn't return. Hypocrite!" She broke down and strong arms encircled her. As comforting as his embrace was, it was not enough to drive away her despair. "I've let her down again," she sobbed. "She was so happy. She had so much hope and it was all lies. Jaga forgive me!"

"No, not lies," said Lion-O. "I meant what I said. We would have welcomed her back as a Thundercat."

"Instead of as a corpse?" Pumyra said angrily, pushing Bengali's arms away. "She could have stayed. You should have told me about her condition. We could have made provision. She could have died here, amongst friends."

Barely had she finished speaking when something weighty hit her across the back. She stopped herself from falling just as Panthro managed to catch Bengali, who now hung limp and soundly asleep in his arms.

"Could we?" Panthro said, carefully lowering the unconscious tiger to the floor. "What if Bengali had been flying the Thunderstrike when that happened?"

She knew the truth of what he was saying. She also knew that she never be able to forgive herself for letting Pumaya leave to go her death alone and far from home. In the old battle between compassion and duty, the latter had won out once again. What had been done was right, but not fair. Somehow, some day, she would make it right. And that was a promise she intended to keep.

Back to Fanfic Archive