Cheetara looked up and gradually parted her golden curls. They immediately draped back down in front of her eyes. She sincerely wished she’d followed young WilyKit’s example and brought a rubber band to bind her shining tresses. It would have been more than welcome in this blinding wind. Speaking of which...

The cheetah looked up and saw the Thunderkitten standing by the river her brother, WilyKat right beside her. The day was bright but the kittens were restrained. Tygra and Pantro had sent them out to do something useful. They were supposed to be gathering fruits for Snarf so that he could fix dinner early. However, wild and crazy teenagers that they were, the two siblings were procrastinating to the very last minute. The adult shook her head and focused on young WilyKit.

She was not really a kitten anymore but by no means an adult either. The youthful seed was growing up too fast, or so it seemed to Cheetara. Besides growing the child’s only male friend her age was her brother. Hmmph, Cheetara mused, unable to hide her smile. The boys are interested in her.. Have to admit though, she’s cleaning up nicely.

Indeed the she-kitten was getting fairly attractive day by day. Actually to be much more accurate she was slowly becoming a drool –over- drop- dead- knockout. At twelve years, her breasts were beginning to develop, and now were becoming full and large. Her eyes were still a deep reddish-orange and now held the knowledge that all the Thundercats had implanted into her young memory over the years. The skin around her eyes and nose and mouth was still very pale. According to her twin brother, WilyKat, it was exactly a shade darker than white. The rest of her skin remained the dim ivory brilliance it had always been. The thin lips that rested in the center of her face were thin but were growing full and were slowly turning blood red. The child had a fairly good sense of style. She was content in the new uniform she had which was really just her old one only with an calf length dress instead of a miniskirt. She was always begging for a new uniform, one made of the thick leather that made up Pantro, Lion-o, Tygra, Cheetara, Pumyra, Bengali, and Lynx-o’s uniforms. Cheetara had told her sternly a few days ago, "Child, -"

WilyKit had interrupted her saying, "I’m NOT a child! By Jaga, I’m twelve! I’m no longer a little kitten! Everyone says I’m the most mature teenager they’ve seen!"

Cheetara had sighed but countered the kitten’s declaration with these words: "The most mature? Maybe but you’re begging, shouting and don’t sound very mature at the present moment."

The twin had not had an argument for that. Instead she lowered her head and tore upstairs. In her room later that night, the cheetah had found her, out like a light with her brother’s arm comforting wrapped around her waist.

Besides that Cheetara had to admit, WilyKit and WilyKat were very mature for their age. The feminine kitten stuck with her brother just as much as before. She had made a habit of challenging her sibling to a wit match every day. For practice they used smaller and weaker ropes and less powerful pellets, so not to hurt one another. When her twin won, which was a lot of the time, the female would turn her back playfully and toss her red and black mane into his face making him sneeze. Then, he would get her in a headlock and refuse to release her until she begged on her knees. It was a part of their younger years that was always there.

Now WilyKat was maturing every bit as his sister if not a little more. His amber eyes shone with the cunning and mischief that had never left either of the pair. The child’s hair was a tad longer but he could not let it get long for two reasons. One: his appearance would be met as sloppy which he was not, and Two: his sister would tease and most likely cut it all off while he slept.

He couldn’t wait to get a new uniform either but unlike his twin sister, the masculine kitten didn’t spend every second, thinking about it. Instead WilyKat concentrated on practicing his pellets and improving his skills with the rope. If his sister would put all of her heart into it she could be a real winch. This was a Thunderian phrase that meant pretty much, a warrior who when angered could make all hell break loose. Pantro more than qualified but no one dared call him a winch because it was basically used for description of females.

Anyhow, the twins were at a distance they appeared to be bickering. As Cheetara got up, she saw that instead they were exercising with their lariats. WilyKit was getting better with hers. It was the practice one but her real one was very powerful. It could force out its length in spurs. Her brother’s could do the same. They had gotten the lariats from Jaga on their journey to Third Earth and he’d called them the Ropes of Goodwill. The twins usually referred to them as the Noble Lariats. It was shorter.

"WilyKit, it’s a really good thing this rope’s fake. Otherwise…" her brother stopped and began to laugh. WilyKit picked herself up and brushed the dirt and mud from her clothes. She fixed an evil eye on her twin brother and stuck out her tongue at him. He crossed his eyes at her and playfully whacked her forearm with the loop of his woven lasso. He didn’t apply much force but WilyKit winced anyway.

"Hey, you two monkeys," a familiar feminine voice called out. It was husky but fairly kind. The sound was similar to WilyKit’s voice when she was cranky. Turning the two blood relations saw that the sound was Cheetara. She was jogging toward them at a good speed but she was no where near her top speed.

"What’s up, Cheetara?" WilyKat asked her with a tad of annoyance in his deep speech. I knew Lion-o sent someone to watch us! He thought with bubbling rage. They don’t trust us enough to take care of ourselves! Great Lords! WE ARE TWELVE!

"Have you two finished picking the fruit?" she asked. I bet

a million dollars the answer’s no. she thought exasperated. Sure enough, the two twins glanced at one another guiltily and turned back to her that we-were-gonna-get-around-to-it look on their faces again. She sighed.

"Kit, Kat. Listen, I let you practice long enough. Now go do what you came to do and we can head back. Snarf will think we’ve fallen into a bottomless obis."

"Yes, Cheetara," WilyKat absolutely hissed. Cheetara looked at him with a strange look present on her face. He snarled, spat and took off toward the forest. WilyKit looked at Cheetara. She shrugged and told Cheetara, "He’s just P. O.ed that Lion-o sent someone to watch us…" she halted her speech and asked casually, "Is that why you’re out here or did we get the wrong impression?"

Groaning, the cheetah responded, "Yes that’s why I’m out here." Immediately, the feminine child’s face turned as angry and hard as her brother’s and just as cold. She pulled her upper lip back over her white teeth in a slight snarl before running to catch up with her brother.

"Where are the kids?" asked Tygra when Cheetara walked in, carrying a basket of fruit under each arm. The architect came over to her and took one of the baskets from her. The two Thundercats walked into the kitchen and set the two containers of fruit on the table. Snarf waddled over, thanked them and then set to work. The two adults exited as Cheetara filled Tygra in.

"Oh, they were really ticked that Lion-o sent me to ‘baby-sit’ so I let them go explore a tad while I brought the fruit back. It’s only six o’ clock and the two rarely stay out past seven-thirty. I figured they needed some time to simmer down."

Tygra nodded in agreement then smirked. He remembered when he was twelve, he wanted so much to be twenty and officially by Thunderian standards be an adult. So he ignored the fact that the two would ordinarily come home; yell their brains out and then storm off.

"WilyKit come on," WilyKat begged her. They were in the woods and already the moon and stars were the only lights in the sky. WilyKit was oblivious to this. Her anger was starting to gradually subside. She just needed the cool comfort of the woods. Their strange shapes held no fear for her.

"Why Bro?" she asked coolly. Her twin sighed and rolled his eyes to the heavens for help. He gently placed a slim but strong hand on his twin’s shoulder. She turned and smiled.

"Because," WilyKat said, "It’s dark and I’m cold and hungry."

Giggling, WilyKit said, "You’re always hungry." Her brother smirked but took a gentle dig in his sister’s belly. He smiled and laughed as his sister’s stomach rumbled and she felt her face flush a deep red.

"Oh all right, WilyKat." She finally agreed. "You win." She grinned slyly. "Race you back!"

"You’re on!" The two twins giggled and slowly headed back. They were so caught up in their own thoughts that they didn’t notice the dark shape that slowly pursued them.

"There you two are!" Lion-o exclaimed as the two kittens entered. He gestured to the now almost abandoned table. Two plates were still there. "We saved dinner for you."

WilyKit said coldly, "Thanks." She tossed her mane slightly and sat down. She didn’t speak to Lion-o again. He shrugged and left the two alone. His eyes caught sight of something outside the windows. Peering closer, whatever it was had vanished.

Shrugging the feeling off, he turned back to the Thunderkittens. Kit completely ignored him as he pulled up a chair in-between the two siblings. Kit concentrated on her meal. She was absentmindedly shoving potatoes, chicken, and green beans into her mouth. Lion-o looked particularly at the feminine child that was oblivious to him. She was angry and when the female got angry she was an expect with the silent treatment.

"WilyKit, please talk to me." He begged. "At least tell me why you’re angry with me!" Lion-o felt a tug on his arm. WilyKat motioned his lord nearer and whispered something in his ear.

"Oh," he whispered as the male kitten pulled back and began eating again. Lion-o returned his gaze to the sibling’s sister. Putting a hand on her hair, still in it’s up style, he asked, "WilyKit, are you upset that I sent Cheetara to watch you?"

She nodded and said acidly, "Yes! You sent her to baby sit us! We can take care of ourselves!"

Lion-o sighed but then smiled, "WilyKit, WilyKat, all right, I admit it. I did send Cheetara to ‘baby sit’ you but there was a reason behind it."

WilyKat looked at his young lord. His sister followed his actions. They stopped eating and looked at their lord expectantly. Lion-o had to smile. Reaching out a hand, he ruffled young WilyKit’s bright hair. Normally, the female would have thrown off her lord's hand but suddenly she could see nothing. Her eyes glassed over and the pupils of her eyes glowed bright yellow as did Cheetara's when her sixth sense kicked in. In front of her vision WilyKit was struck dumb by the sight that filled her consciousness. She saw twelve graves. Each one held a dead Thunderian sorcerer. She saw a dark feminine figure in front the graves. She lifted a hand and dark waves of power shot into the atmosphere as her evil laughter cackled and the kitten felt a chill run down her spine. Then the child saw no more and fell unconscious.

"Augg," WilyKit moaned slightly and fought to sit up. She was forced back down when she realized where she was and whom was by her side. The kitten grimaced when she understood that she was in sickbay of Cats Lair. The bed had straps and she was locked onto the mattress by several series of belts. They were buckled fast and tight around her. She groaned again. Then she flushed from her head down as red as a pomegranate when she realized she was naked. A tender hand stroked her mane. Using her eyes the feminine twin diverted her gaze up and found herself staring deep into her brother’s eyes.

"Oh, WilyKit!" he cried. The male twin flung his arms around her and hugged her as best he could while she was buckled down. "Thank Jaga! You’re awake! How do you feel?"

"Well, confused, upset and severely embarrassed considering I have no clothes on." The female flushed again. Her twin laughed. Then, he gradually got to his feet and walked over to the intercom. Pressing a button, he reported that his sister was now awake. Tygra said to keep her still and do NOT clothe her yet. He wanted to check her again.

"What happened?" The twins said in unison to the other. The two were still laughing when Tygra entered the room. Kat stayed by his sister as Tygra took another chair by her side.

"How are you WilyKit?" he asked kindly. He smiled at her tender features. The stripped cat smoothed her hair from her slender brow. He put one hand to her forehead and found it still a little sweaty. He was about to get up for some water when he caught sight of the male kitten. WilyKat soaked a washcloth, rung out the access water before handing it to Tygra. The architect placed it on her forehead and waited for the youth’s answer.

"Well, I’m dazed and mortified."

Tygra laughed. "Well, I thought you were never gonna wake up. By Jaga, it’s been two days!"

"Two days!" The child fought to sit up but the straps held her firm. On top of that, Tygra pushed her back down.

"No, Thunderkitten. Stay down. That’s an order."

Collapsing, Kat asked her tenderly, "What happened? We just saw you collapse. Did-"

Tygra pressed his finger against the boy’s lips and scolded. "WilyKat, you don’t think. Your sister just regained consciousness and here you are pelting her with questions. Have patience!"

Kit came to her sibling’s defense. "No, Tygra it’s alright. In fact, I’d like to talk to my brother, alone." The designer smiled and left the two in isolation. WilyKat moved until he was sitting on the side of his sister's bed. Struck by a wave of pity, the young boy slowly unbuckled his sibling’s straps. He helped her sit up and reached under the bed. He helped her into some spare clothes he’d brought when she gave her consent.

"WilyKat?" WilyKit asked slowly as he held her steady. He looked at his sister and waited patiently for her to continue. She trembled slightly.

"Yeah, Kit?"

"I…when I passed out…I got a vision."

"A vision?"

"Yeah, like Cheetara’s sixth sense visions. It wasn’t random. It’s what made me pass out. It seemed just so REAL!"

WilyKat’s face took on a blank look that his sister couldn’t quite place but then he quickly answered his sister with his own opinion. "Are you kidding me, Kit?"

"No, I swear it. On my honor as a THUNDERCAT. It was a vision WilyKat. I know it was. It was just too real to be a random daydream."

Her brother stalled and bit his lip. He was concerned. His sister was screaming. She never yelled. Even when she was mad, she spoke with a soft and icy voice but she never yelled!

"Well, gee WilyKit. I don’t…I don’t know what to think!"

"It’s okay, WilyKat. I don’t know either."

"Well, I guess I could call Cheetara in here. Maybe she can help us figure this out."

"Help figure what out?" a voice called. The two twins turned their heads. Cheetara came walking through the doorframe. She pulled up a chair and sat down beside the young kittens.

WilyKit turned and nodded at her brother. The male kitten put his hands on his sister’s shoulders and spoke for her. "Cheetara, WilyKit told me that she had a vision when she passed out. Like I don’t know…"

Cheetara turned her gaze to the feminine juvenile. She had her face buried in her palms and Cheetara saw her scoop the majority of her red mane from the cape of her neck and let it drape down in front of her face. The cheetah felt a surge of excitement and wonder but kept this to herself as she moved until she was seated beside her. The spotted Thundercat parted the young girl’s mane like a drapery and pushed it back up. She stared at the young Thundercat with compassion and caring. She smoothed the female's hair back into place and spoke in her tender voice.

"What was it like WilyKit? What happened? Tell me everything! DO NOT LEAVE ONE THING OUT!"

The feminine child sighed but did as she was told.

"Okay, here’s the deal. I’m eating okay? Lion-o starts talking to me and Kat-"

"Kat and me," Cheetara corrected her.

"Whatever. Anyhow, he’s talking to us and suddenly I just go blind. I can’t see anything! Then, I know my eyes glowed some color."

"Yellow," her twin supplied.

"Right, yellow," she continued nodding at her brother. "Then I couldn’t see the room anymore. I couldn’t see Lion-o, Kat or even my own body. I just saw this woman. She was dressed in black had black hair, eyes, even lips. She was in front of graves. Twelve. All the bodies were Thunderians, sorcerers and sorceresses. Two were open but empty. Anyhow, she like fired a stream of magic or something into the air and gave this really, really, REALLY evil laugh. Then, I passed out."

Cheetara stared at the youth like she was the first child she’d ever seen. The cheetah took a shuddery breath and swallowed slowly. Counting to ten, she closed her eyes. She opened them when she heard WilyKit scream in pain.

"AHHHHH!"

"WilyKit!" both Cheetara and WilyKat cried together. WilyKat threw his arms around his twin who sat still clutching her temples in agony. Cheetara stared at her.

"WilyKat! Cheetara! Anyone! Stop this! It hurts! Jaga! It hurts! Stop it ‘dang it’!"

Cheetara threw her arms on the little one’s shoulders and spoke in a calm voice. "WilyKit, calm yourself! We can do nothing! Stick the pain out, kitten. It should pass fairly quickly."

WilyKit was not hearing. Not even her brother’s cries for help reached her ears. When the other Thundercats tore into the room, she saw nothing, heard nothing. She wasn’t in pain. She was beyond pain.

The black women stepped forward, her black silky hair spiraling to her waist. Her eyes were deep and dark but a single spiral of red existed in the center. It was enough to give me the chills. She spoke and I trembled, "Luther!" she commanded. Her voice sounded like cracking logs. "Two more Thunderian sorcerers are alive! They are the last. Go find and destroy them. I Celaneo, the Dark One, command it!"

Suddenly, the pain subsided. The Thunderkitten took a shaky breath. Opening her eyes, the kitten was dizzy, nauseated, and faltering but she clung to consciousness, barely.

"WilyKit!" Pantro cried and rushed to her side. Tygra was right behind with Lion-o in-between the two. The blue panther knelt to bring himself to the child’s level. The kitten looked at him with large eyes and her lashes suddenly seemed fuller, longer, and darker. They framed the organs of sight perfectly and made her seem even more innocent than she already looked. Her hair was sweaty and she was still trembling slightly.

"WilyKit!" Pantro shouted again. "Great Jaga! Don’t you EVER do that again! Great Lords of Thundera, you sounded like you were being-"

"Murdered or something!" Tygra finished. Lion-o looked down at the youth. Her eyes were still large like a small little kitten’s not a girl who was becoming a woman. Her lord stooped to be level with WilyKit and her brother and tenderly stroked her mane. She did the very last thing they expected her to do. She took Lion-o’s hand and clutched it tightly. She was still shuddering.

"WilyKit?" Lion-o said forcefully. "What in Jaga’s name happened?"

Cheetara answered, fully aware the female herself was far to shaken up to do so. "Guys? WilyKit seems to have a special power."

"What are you saying Cheetara?" Pantro asked firmly but not unkindly as he good-naturedly smoothed the young girl’s hair. The kitten trembled and clutched Lion-o tightly for comfort.

"She seems to have a kind of sixth sense of her own. Unfortunately, she gets weak and sick from it."

"Are you kidding us Cheetara?" Lion-o asked, locked in a shock. He looked down at the little child who lay trembling with fear and illness in his strong arms. Is that really WilyKit? She just seems so young! Great Jaga, only a five-year old is this weak and scared!

"I’m positive she has this power Lion-o. There is just no other excuse."

Tygra knelt to be beside WilyKit. "WilyKit? How do you feel?"

"Dead,"

"Excuse me?"

"I feel really weak and…tired."

"That’s it!" Pantro declared climbing to his feet. He opened his hand to WilyKit and she took it. "I’m taking you back to bed, now." WilyKit merely nodded and struggled to stand up. As soon as she did, her knees buckled unable to bear the light burden that was her weight, and she collapsed. Pantro knelt again and scooped her up in his powerful arms.

By the time Pantro was halfway down the hall, WilyKit was in deep dreams.

"Luther! Luther! Come here!" a dark feminine figure cried. She stepped from the darkness and let her fine black down tumble to her knees. It was as dark as the night and shimmered like diamonds in the pale moonlight. She glared at her servant with dark evil eyes. The pupils glimmered a blood red and she laughed. Her servant hurried to her side and dropped to his knees.

He had shimmering dark hair that was swept up on one side of his head. The skin was mud-brown and his eyes shone a deep dark black like drops of ink. He bowed before his mistress.

"Rise, Luther."

"What does your Mistress wish of me?"

"My sources and senses tell me that when Thundera exploded not all the Thunderian sorcerers and enchantresses were killed. I know for a fact that two survived. They are the most powerful being the children of the sly one: Enchantress Kitra. Her children survived. They have magic in them but do not know it yet. We must use this to our advantage. I want you to seek the two kids of hers out and learn their weaknesses. Then move in for the kill."

"But Mistress-"

"Did you just question my order?"

"NO! No, I am going Mistress."

As Celeano watched, she sneered. "Beware me. Beware me children. Children of Kitra fear me. It makes it much more interesting to have my victims scream in pain and terror as I suck all life from them…

"Did you summon us, Lion-o?" Pantro asked as he entered the council room with Pumyra, and the Thunderkittens. Each one took their assigned seats.

"Yes, I did." Lion-o answered. He looked precisely at the female Thunderkitten who still looked a tad tired. She was still alert though just a little worn looking. The Lord of the Thundercats diverted his gaze to Lynx-o who was sitting by the child.

"Lynx-o, have you developed anything new?"

"No, the path into the forest appears to be blocked by something. What Lion-o and I have discovered Thundercats, is that there are several disturbances in the center of the Unicorn Forest. It tends to be very strong. Not even the Sword of Omens second sight can penetrate it."

WilyKat and WilyKit whistled through their teeth. "Wow,"

Tygra cut in, saying, "I think we’re all in agreement that this is very abnormal," he rose an eyebrow at the Thunderkittens who looked at one another and rolled their eyes. The twins turned back to Tygra looking ashamed. "As I was saying, we don’t know what it is. None of our sensors can penetrate it. It’s very strange. More than an acre of forest turned invisible."

The two kittens looked at one another, shrugged, but turned to their lord. Lion-o looked at them then to the rest of the Thundercats. Everyone shrugged. WilyKat turned to his sister. She looked at her brother.

"What?"

"You got anything with that weird sense of yours?"

"No. Zilch, nothing, zero, nada."

"Then why are you staring at me like I’m a legend or something?"

"I’m not. I just-"

WilyKit stopped suddenly. Her young eyes glassed over and the pupils of her eyes burned as yellow as egg yolks. Her palms instinctively flew to her temples and she inhaled deeply.

WilyKat said nothing but put his hands to his twin’s shoulders. She shook like a leaf and let out her breath slowly. Fighting the agonizing pain, she amended, "Ah, strike that."

"Right," Pantro butted in. All the Thundercats waited calmly as the pain the kitten felt in her mind diminished and then ceased. Slowly she opened her eyes and for a brief second her eyelashes seemed blacker than embers, her lips brighter and redder than blood, and the delicate innocence that surrounded her and her sibling seemed to reach out and completely flood the room with guiltlessness.

"Are you all right, Kit?" Kat asked gently smiling at his sister, slowly. She sluggishly removed her hands from her face and her twin took her hands in his. She looked at her brother. His smile had faded and he was looking at her intently, concern and apprehension gleaming from his eyes.

"Yes," the kitten whispered. The pain slowly dimmed. "I think so. But by Jaga! I really hate that!"

Her twin sibling smiled again and asked sensitively, "What did you see?"

She looked at her lord. Lion-o nodded, giving the child consent to speak. The other Thundercats leaned still closer to the Thunderkitten. She swallowed. By Jaga, she wasn’t used to this! Lynx-o got to his feet and walked over to the young girl. Smoothing her fluffy red hair he said tenderly, "Speak, we will hear you out. We have not paid attention to your opinions and concerns before as much as we should have. We beg you forget that now. Speak, little one, we will listen."

WilyKit nodded. Then taking a deep breath she began to speak, "Okay here’s what I saw: there’s this ring of boulders. The acre of forest is the home of this woman. She has this servant as far as I can see. She keeps saying that she murdered almost all of the Thunderian wa..r…loc..ks, I think."

The older Thundercats looked at one another. They gasped. The two twins looked at one another. They remembered hearing something like that a long time ago, when they were very young, scarcely out of diapers. They turned to the older cats. They were locked in a shock.

"Guys," WilyKat asked. His sister would occasionally cut in.

"Would you mind telling us what-"

"A wa..r..lo..o..k? is?"

Cheetara smiled, "It’s warlock, Thunderkittens."

"Whatever," they said in coincidence, "What on Third Earth is that?"

The older Thundercats looked at one another. Sighing, they turned to Tygra for advice. He managed to grin. Turning to the kittens he got up. The Thundercats followed his suit. He smirked again. "To the living room. Story time."

The twins giggled but followed the adults. Tygra sat down in a chair and gestured for the young cats to sit by his feet. Curious they did.

"All right," the tiger said in his this-is-an-important-but-long-story-tone, "This started a long time ago. Long before you two came into existence, before myself, or even Jaga was born."

"A long time ago," WilyKit concluded. Tygra smiled at her.

"Yes, WilyKit. As the Thunderian race began to develop into different breeds to be exact. Tiger, puma, panther, lion, cheetah, Bengal tiger, lynx, and tabby breeds began to develop. Somehow a strange breed developed inside breeds."

"Huh?"

"Certain breeds began to develop special characteristics. Mostly females but some males did develop the traits. The traits of sorcery. Pure magic began to develop inside of certain cats."

"They became known as chosen ones." Cheetara cut in gently. Tygra nodded at the female.

"Some began to practice the magic. Very few got very far but one, became the greatest sorceress that has ever graced the universe since time’s beginning. Her name was Kitra."

The kittens listened. This was getting interesting.

"She was full of power. Her talents were scarce. She could bring inanimate objects to life, control animals, use her power as a weapon, and even stop-"

"TIME-"

"ITSELF."

Tygra nodded as Bengali and Lion-o cut into the conversation. The kittens whistled through their teeth. "Wow." WilyKat said, awestruck.

"What happened to her, Tygra?" WilyKit asked gently. The architect looked upon the child’s innocence tenderly. He shrugged.

"That, Thunderkitten, is a mystery. She swore when she was young, a young Thundercat by the way, that somehow she would pass her powers on. Then one day she went out. She never came back. We didn’t really have time to look for her because you two came then so we were busy keeping up with you two. According to you, Kit, she was murdered by?"

"Celeano, the…the…Dark One."

Tygra looked at Lion-o. He nodded.

"Looks to me, Thundercats, that we need a plan of action. Cheetara, you and Pumyra head out to the Berbil village. Find out all you can about the forest. Bengali, you and Lynx-o head to the Bulkans. Pantro, Tygra? Check in on the Tuskas. Snarf, Snarfer, you’re with me. We’ll check in with Snowman."

The Thundercats got to their feet. The two twins tugged on Lion-o’s sleeve. "What about us, Lion-o?"

The Lord of the Thundercats looked at the young kittens. They were young, innocent but vulnerable. "You two stay here. It’s better to have someone on guard duty."

"But-"

"No, it’s settled. That’s an order, Thunderkittens."

As the adults left, the two children stood for a few minutes before falling into sorrow, alone and lost in a world where courage and strength meant survival and they were nowhere near grasping clues to their own strengths.

"The forest is a curious place, Thundercats." Robear Bill said to Pumyra. The female puma looked toward the female cheetah. The two feminine cats shrugged. They turned back to the berbil.

"There have been many legends about that particular area." He went on, "We have all heard of this Celeano as well. She is an evil enchantress. Long ago she terrorized Third Earth. Eventually, she fled but we all knew she would return. She longs to have the universe alone to rule as the head witch. She knew that this Kitra of yours had enough power to destroy her so she got rid of her. Perhaps, these returns of hers are because some Thunderian sorceress or sorcerer still lives and possesses the knowledge of sorcery to do her in."

"You mean maybe not all of the Thunderian sorcerers died?" Cheetara wondered aloud. The Berbil nodded. Pumyra and Cheetara exchanged glances. Sighing, the two females thanked their ally before going to head back to Cats’ Lair.

"So Bulkans do you think you know anything about Kitra?" Lynx-o asked kindly. The natives looked up at him and nodded. Bengali stood off to the side a tad. He was obviously nervous, worried, and above all else discouraged. Not only was this taking forever but also he just didn’t like the thought of the two Thunderkittens all alone in the Lair. A storm was brewing and he knew that when he was a kitten storms scared the living daylights out of him especially if he was alone in a large building. He pushed these thoughts aside and listened to the Bulkans response to Lynx-o.

"We have known about this planet for years Thundercats and the most troubling but fascinating truth we’ve come across is the origin of the Cave of Time."

The two Thundercats exchanged looks even though one was blind. Lynx-o knew a look of surprise and shock had built up on Bengali’s face. The older one nodded at their friend.

"A long time ago it was just a regular cave. Then, one day, so says the legend, a female cat very small, scarcely taller than the tallest Bulkan here, arrived here. Not by aid of a spaceship either. There was a bright flash and she simply appeared. She was pregnant, that was obvious. She told us she feared for her children’s’ lives and requested the way to a small cave. We told her the way to the Cave of Time."

"What did she do?" Bengali asked. The Bulkan smiled and continued.

"She was a fine sorceress. Casting a spell by merely thinking it she created a cave that once inside anyone not of her blood, would have their lifeline extended in length faster than normal, henceforth aging them far faster than normal."

"Bulkan," Lynx-o asked kindly. "Did this sorceress tell you her name?"

"Yes."

"What was it?"

"Kitra."

"What can we do for you?" Turmagar asked kindly upon Pantro and Tygra’s arrival. The Tuska noted the looks of urgency on their faces and quickly ushered the rest of his friends from the room, leaving the three supporters alone.

"We’re hoping you can help us, Turmagar." Tygra said calmly. Pantro was amazed at how calm the tiger was staying. Still Tygra had never really had a hot temper.

"Of course," the Tuska replied. His eyes shimmered with kindness and worry. "Anyway we can, anything we can do, we will."

Pantro started talking, "Well, WilyKit has gotten strange and important premonitions lately. They’ve told us a little but we need more information. So, do you know anything about the center of the Unicorn Forest?"

Turmagar trembled. "You mean the Dark Trick."

Tygra and Pantro shot looks at one another and shrugged. Dreading, they returned their faces to the ally’s. He sighed, shook off a tremor of horror, and finished talking.

"Spirits are said to thrive and prosper in that section of the woods. They used to be good or so the legends say. Then, they saw good conquered by evil and decided that they would have ‘better luck’ with evil. Now supposable they lurk at night. They are said to pursue the future heroes. Their spells work best on the young and innocent."

Tygra felt a cold fear spread over his skin. His skin felt furrowed. His body became covered with Goosebumps. This was terrible! Jaga, only knew what they were coming up against. And…they preyed on…on THE YOUNG AND INNOCENT!

Pantro felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. His hands grew clammy and hot. The panther tried to hold the concern from appearing on his face. He felt the phobia spread over his whole body eating away at him. Then all at once the two Thundercats took off running for the Thundertank calling over their shoulder, "Thanks Turmagar!" Then the two adults fought down tears of worry as they both cried aloud, "The Thunderkittens!"

"Are you sure you will not have something to drink? It is very blustery and I know you must be chilled."

"Thank you Snowman but no," Lion-o answered. "We came to talk. It’s serious."

The Arctic Warrior nodded perilously. Gesturing with one hand he called Snow Meow to his side. He loaned on his side by the master’s feet. Lion-o smiled and seated as the friend bid him. Snarf and Snarfer curled by his feet.

"Snowman?" The Lord of the Thundercats asked seriously. "Have you heard of Celeano?"

The warrior turned rigid. He seemed to vibrate. Then, slowly he answered. "The Dark One."

Snow Meow let out an anxious sound like a small kitten’s purr of fear. Lion-o recalled the sound. Lately, he heard it more often than usual from young WilyKit. He turned to the Warrior again. Snowman went on.

"There’s not a being on this planet who hasn’t heard of her. Why do you ask? There must be a reason."

"There is." Snarf spoke out, releasing an anxious purr. He winced. He then quickly tried to relax and conceal his fear as his young nephew shuddered slightly. The older Snarf put an arm around his younger relative. Lion-o continued.

"WilyKit insists that this Celeano is still alive. We need to find out all we can about her."

"Well, I don’t lack on that knowledge, unfortunately. She is a dark sorceress. Unlike others who feed on evil, itself, she feeds on the source of evil, guilt."

"Guilt?" Snarfer asked gently. The three Thundercats looked upon one another and shrugged. Lion-o nervously ran his fingers through his mane. He knew he needed to ask this question but was afraid of the answer. Finally, his curiosity won out.

"Snowman? Do you know of any way to defeat her? Will the power of the Sword of Omens do it?"

The Warrior shook his head. "No, you’d need fifty of those swords. They say Kitra, the sorceress, had the power to do her in but was taken by surprise so she could not defeat her. I say, if this is true, you can only pray that some of Kitra’s kin find you before Celeano does."

"WilyKat! Watch it!" Kit called to her brother as he slowly stumbled over her in the messy clutter of their room’s closet. It was not walk in but being smaller than most twelve-year-old Thunderians the small space was more than enough for the two small twins. Or would be if there wasn’t so much junk around.

"Me? You’re the one stepping all over me!"

"Ha! You are! You’re the one with the big feet!"

"You’re the one with the even bigger smart alect mouth. If your head had to hold all you’re ego, it wouldn’t fit in the planet’s core."

WilyKit stuck her tongue out at her brother. He crossed his eyes at her and playfully slugged her shoulder. She grimaced in exaggerated pain.

"Hey Kit!"

"What?"

"Look at this!"

Her twin lifted a small album into the light. It was a red and faded leather. The small golden letters spelled out My Angels. Curious the two kittens took the old album and moved out of the crowded closet. Sitting on WilyKat’s bed, Kit blew some dust off the top and looked at the dates: 1986-1990, in Earth years. In Thunderian years: 6006-6010.

The two kittens looked at one another and shrugged. While their exact birthday wasn’t known, Tygra did know that in 6006 they’d been born. He estimated in the month of Lupe Nelna. In English, that meant The Days of Wizardry. It was the shortest month, only a week in length. They were granted curiosity and cunning because of this and their clan. They turned to the other Thundercats’ birthdays. They knew for certain.

Cheetara, the fastest had been born the Twelfth Day of Julla Marcus. In English, this meant, Days of Velocity. Because of this, and also her cheetah clan, gave her, her fine speed. Also, the Twelfth Day also combined with her clan gave her small psychic abilities.

Lion-o had been born a year or two before the kittens. Amazingly, the young lord had followed his family’s tradition. He entered the universe on the Twentieth Day of Bollas Neather. In English, this meant Days of Supremacy. Because of this and Lion-o’s character and clan locked him as future Lord of the Thundercats.

Pumyra, one of the newer Thundercats, had always been blessed with gymnastic skills. On the Second Day of Gay Jumnastic, Pumyra was born. In English this meant, Days of the Aerobics. This gave her, her fine aerobic abilities.

Lynx-o, one of the wiser Thundercats, was born on the fifteenth day of Silintic Sense. In English, this meant Days of Keen Impression. True to his fate, Lynx-o had senses that weren’t even rivaled by Cheetara’s.

The strongest of them, Pantro, had been fated sense birth. On the Thirty-Second Day of Relinac Pollinas. In English, this means Days of Force. So this plus Pantro’s training gave him the added strength. Also, over the years, he’d become somehow a mechanical genius. Furthermore, he’d also become something of a fatherly figure to the kittens. He would never ever admit this though.

Bengali, a young tiger, was of the Bengal clan. He’d been born in the Days of Amalgamation. In the Thunderian sense, on the Seventh Day of Livinth Semelt. He was indeed the famous blacksmith, he was meant to be.

Tygra, the only adult besides Pumyra with medical experience, was the closest to a father that the kittens never had. He knew their shyness and troubles. He also knew how to approach delicate issues with them without offending them. He knew when the time came it would help to have both a male and female to explain certain…changes to the twins. He had been born the twenty-fifth Day of Placid Length. This meant The Days of Patience. He had sense acquired a strange tolerance that lasted longer than all the other Thundercats combined together.

"What is it WilyKit?" Kat asked his sister. She shrugged. Then, she sneezed. The dust was bothering her intensely. She swore there was something weird about this. It was as if the book had practically flown to their hands. She never noticed it before.

"I don’t know, WilyKat." She admitted to her sibling. He smiled at her with loving eyes. She blushed slightly. He playfully socked her right cheek. The two kittens looked at one another. For some reason they were nervous. They felt like they were about to engage in a test where losing meant death. Slowly WilyKit and WilyKat took a deep breath. Then the male kitten turned the book so it lay open.

The pages were very old. Older than the two kittens, even. The pages were a faded yellow color. Even though the two twins turned as carefully as possible, the old paper did crack and tear a little among the folds. The first pages were boring. Just plain facts on someone’s children. As the twins wondered how this got here, Kit grabbed her brother’s hand, tightly.

"Yeeow! Kit stop! That HURTS!" He threw off her hand. She looked at her twin brother with large wondered eyes. He was struck-dumb by her face and look so waited for her reason.

"Look WilyKat." She ordered pointing to a particular paragraph. "Read this."

He looked:

Date: Lupe Nelna, Day Five

Today is my son and daughter’s private annointment into the Royal Clan, Thundercats. My best friend, Cheetara will be delighted by my two little surprises. They are growing faster than I can keep up with! Today my little WilyKit gave me a huge grin. Her brother, my tiny WilyKat wasn’t far behind her. They are so close. It’s a comfort. Knowing that they will have each other if this Celeano does do me in…

The two twins looked at one another. Their mother had written this words. They knew. The children didn’t remember her, but could recall her penmanship. Lost in shock, they closed the book. Two photos fell out. Kit took one her brother the other. The two twins shrugged and peered deep into the center of the photos. Forgetting that the automatic defenses only lasted so long, the twins felt a sudden wave of dizziness and then collapsed backward onto WilyKat’s pillow, dead to the world.

"WilyKit! WilyKat! We’re back!" Tygra called as he entered. Pantro looked bewildered because normally especially on a haunting night such as this, the kittens would run down the stairs and practically fly to the adults. The total silence was eerie.

Cheetara entered not far behind the two males. The pounding rain had soaked her hair and fur so she looked thrashed. As soon as she entered however the dead silence cut deep into her heart. She immediately headed to the control room to see what was up with the kittens.

To the cheetah’s complete shock, the control room was empty. Furthermore, not even the automatic defenses were on. They had been but had long since turned off. She looked around. She then heard a sound of the door behind her open. The three males and a snarf came through the portal. She sighed.

"Well? What is it?"

"Well, the defenses are definitely off. In fact, I’d say they’ve been off for at least two hours, Lion-o."

"What!?"

"Are you sure Cheetara?"

"Positive Tygra."

Pantro gritted his teeth. "Those two should get a prize for all the trouble they cause!"

"Calm Pantro." The spotted female said tenderly. She smiled and sighed kindly. "Let’s find them first. I haven’t seen them since we got home."

Lion-o nodded. The group divided to search for the two kittens. Lion-o and Cheetara took the downstairs while the others searched upstairs by the bedchambers.

"Anything?" Cheetara asked her lord almost begging. Lion-o shook his head as he let the kitchen’s door close behind him. The feminine Thundercat moaned. Then, she brightened.

"Hopefully, Pantro and Tygra will have better luck finding them."

Lion-o sneered. "I don’t worry about Pantro finding them. It’s what he’ll do after he finds them that scares me."

"Any luck, Tygra?" Pantro asked softly as the tiger came from the control room. He shook his head. The two waited for Snarf to catch up before attempting to go and search the upper section of the second story. As the trio passed the last bedroom on their way to the stairs a small sigh, little more than a whimper rang out. Tygra immediately stopped and triggered the commands of the door. The kittens’ door slid open and Tygra and his two comrades saw two young and still clothed kittens lying upon WilyKat’s bed. Their eyes were plastered shut. Pantro was close to exploding when a stronger hand fell on his shoulder. Tygra spoke with great patience.

"Don’t Pantro." He said firmly. The tiger gestured gently toward them. "Look at them, young, vulnerable, innocent. Let the poor things sleep."

The blue panther nodded slowly. He gradually went over to the bed and lifted the female. Gentle as he could be, Pantro took off her shirt and skirt before slipping her into her lavender silk gown.

Tygra took WilyKat’s belt and shirt off, leaving him in just his breeches. Gradually, the architect pulled the sheets up and over the male kitten as Pantro did with the female. Then smiling the adults left quietly.

"What do you want with usss?" Slithe demanded. Monkian, Jackalman, and Vultureman were standing awkwardly behind them. The dark figure slowly stepped from the shadows. Laughter rang out and a small but deadly feminine feature stepped from the shadows. Her hair was midnight black and shone in the faint light like silk. Her dark eyes were coal black but held the faint red of evil in them. Her face was a pearly white but her lips were an eerie black. The silk black dress she wore fell in ruffles to her ankles. She laughed again.

"What do I want with you?" she chuckled. Her delicate fingers traveled to her fine silky hair. She gave it a rumple and let the elegant curls tumble in a black cascade back to her hips. Then she sneered.

Flinging her hand to the east, she pointed. The sun was just beginning to rise. It’s golden fingers crept over the land, spilling an ocean of love and innocence over the landscape. As always, no clouds blocked it, so it spread the full power of it’s purity over the terra firma. Flowers opened their buds and spread their leaves as if stretching. Small animals lifted their heads to the sunrise. A small lamb, no more than a few days old, crept from the safety of the mossy woods and let the warm waves of light spill like water over her cotton wool. The corrupted sorceress snorted, gave a look of disgust and waved her hand dismissively. A huge clap of thunder rang out, but there was no storm, no wind, not even a cloud was in the heavens. The young calf gave a last baaa and then disintegrated. The enchantress rubbed her hands together as if she’d been handling a grimy, muddy child. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she returned her gaze to the Mutants.

"Look," she commanded, pointing to the East. "Look at the sun. It is bright and filled with power. Its symbol is innocence. Mine is guilt. Innocence is all that is keeping me from absolute power. Long ago, there was no innocence. Clouds blocked out the sun. People did not marry or unite sexually for the so-called joy and happiness of love. Women were raped, men murdered, and children massacred. Evil reigned supreme. It would have lasted until she came. Kitanana. She was one of the first Thunderians born. With her birth, innocence entered the universe. Beings acquired consciences. Love and good will overcame evil. She was a sorceress. Not the best but by a means the worst. Clouds left the sun. Her spell caused them to never return at sunrise or sunset so long as a being of innocence, of her kin, lived. She gave birth to Kitnala. Kitnala gave birth to Kitta. Kitta gave birth to a son, Katrenint. Katrenint had a daughter, Kittinina. Kittinina had a son, Peace. Peace had a daughter Kinitia. Kinitia had a daughter, Kitrinina. Kitrinina had a daughter, Kitra. I killed Kitra at nineteen. She told me, her kin and powers lived on. Her powers rivaled even mine. I know this: her children have her power in them. That’s why the sun still rises and sets as it does. I want you to kill her children. Destroy them. So, now head for Cats Lair. Destroy them!"

"But, CCCeleano," Slithe hissed. "They are too ssstrong! The adultsss are ssuperstrong! It issss impossible."

"Fools!" she screeched. "I said, destroy the beings of innocence! I don’t want the adults! The kittens! You idiots! It lives in the twins! Destroy the children! And do it now!"

WilyKit rolled over in her sleep and slowly reburied her face into her pillow. A hand was placed on her shoulder and gently shook her. She groaned and pulled the pillow over her head.

"Get up, kitten!" a rough voice told her. She knew it was Pantro. His voice alone was that gruff. She cringed because the slight roar of anger was apparent in the sounds. She knew she should answer him. But she was too tired.

"WilyKit," Pantro reproached her. His voice had suddenly gone low and deeper. He was getting angry. She fought the desire to keep on sleeping and rolled over, keeping her eyes glued shut.

"What?"

"Kit, get up. It’s nine o’clock. Get up. Now."

The she-kitten rolled over and begged, "Aww Pantro…do I gotta?"

"Wi-ly-Kit," he said slowly, drawing her name out into three syllables. She slowly opened her eyes. The sun was painfully bright. She clamped a hand over her eyes and slowly but nonetheless assuredly rose from her bed.

Rubbing her eyes, she felt two large grey hands grasp her shoulders. Gulping she turned and looked at Pantro. He was glaring at her. She felt her eyes go wide and slowly sweat gathered on her palms.

"WilyKit," Pantro stated slowly, angrily, evenly, "Do you mind telling me what in the name of Jaga the defenses were doing off when we came in last night?" The female Thunderkitten blushed a fiery red. She put a hand to her neck and gently rubbed it. Pantro crossed his arms. "Well?"

"Uhhh, they were off?" Kit asked, delaying an actual answer. She scooted a tad in her position as Pantro reprimanded her, creatively.

"Yes! They WERE off! Jaga they had been off for TWO HOURS WILYKIT! TWO HOURS! Do YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE INVADED THE LAIR IN THAT TIMESPAN!?"

She trembled and shook her head.

"JAGA’S SAKE, I DON’T EVEN WANNA THINK ABOUT THAT! YOU TWO WERE SUPPOSED TO GUARD THE LAIR! LION-O WAS RELUCTANT TO LET YOU DO IT AT NIGHT! I HELPED TALK HIM INTO IT FOR YOUR SAKES! THIS IS THE THANKS I GET? MAYBE LION-O WAS RIGHT! MAYBE YOU ARE TOO IMMATURE TO HANDLE GUARD DUTY!"

WilyKit’s eyes spread wide and she fought down the tears. Trembling, she climbed to her feet and looked at Pantro for a time. Pantro felt shame build up inside his heart. He was usually the strong one. The fact that this young child was ready to burst into tears from something she hadn’t meant to screw up made pity and forgiveness flow into the panther’s heart.

The adult got up and took Kit’s hand in his own. Her lower lip trembled as she tried to draw from him. He tightened his grip and spoke with all the love that a father would have.

"Oh WilyKit, I’m sorry." The panther cooed. He hugged her gently. "Don’t cry. I didn’t mean to shout. Please don’t cry. You know what that does to me."

She smiled. "I do Pantro. But do you know what your yelling does to me?"

He cocked his head at her. With a worried and warm look in his eyes, the Thundercat knelt to be level with the female twin. She hugged him and let her tears slip out silently.

"WilyKit, do NOT cry!" Pantro ordered her sternly. "You are a Thundercat, though a young one, nevertheless a Thundercat. You must close yourself to pain. You must try not to cry, to feel pain. Either yours or another's. You must be brave."

"I try Pantro," she wailed. "I do, but I’ll never succeed. It’s not brave. Like you say to close away pain. That is never a sign of bravery but of cowardice."

Pantro looked on at this young one with neither anger nor ignorance. His ears were open and he listened to all her words. A strange sight it was, a full grown Thunderian listening to a half-grown girl like she was a wise being when he’d lived twice as long as she had if not longer.

"I know I’ve only lived twelve years and you’ve lived thirty-one, but while I don’t know a lot, I do know this for a fact. It is never brave to close your eyes, ears and heart to another creature’s pain. It’s a symbol of cowardice. You are not letting in their pain so are not able to offer help. It’s braver by far to open your heart and soul to another’s. You allow their own pain to merge with your own. You let them cling to you. You welcome their pain and sorrow into your life. It’s a burden you were willing to take from them and take onto your own shoulders. I have never been afraid or ashamed of tears of pain. I would always be willing to open my heart, WilyKat was too. I’ll save someone pain if I can…"

The female kitten trailed off, embarrassed and scared. She trembled not knowing what Pantro would do to her for stating such a thing. Also it was the noblest speech that she had ever made, especially to an adult. She ducked and shook waiting for the screams and punishments. They never came.

"Maybe you’re right, WilyKit."

The feminine kitten opened her eyes and looked up at the panther. He smiled at her. She shifted uncomfortably as he picked her up onto one hip and gently brushed aside her tears.

"You find it strange that you’re right?" he asked her gently. She looked at him and shook her head. The panther lowered her back down and smiled at her. She giggled. He smiled again, hearing the high-pitched laughter that only a little kitten is capable of expressing.

"I do believe your brother’s waiting for you downstairs in the kitchen."

Kit turned to him and grinned. Then with a small quiet laugh, tore from him and toward the stairs. The adult smirked and slowly followed her.

"Hey, WilyKit!" a voice called out. Kit waved a little at her brother before sitting down at the table. Snarf passed her a plate of blueberry muffins. She took two then passed it on to Lion-o. Her young lord looked at her sternly and she knew he was thinking of the incident late last night. Her face fell.

"WilyKit, WilyKat," Lion-o spoke suddenly. The two kittens turned and looked at him. He sighed. "Thunderkittens, after you’re finished eating, meet me in my chambers. I have a small matter to discuss with you."

Wisely, the twins nodded. Lion-o returned their gesture. The pair continued their breakfast of eggs, muffins, and toast in silence.

"What is it, Lion-o?" Kit asked knowing quite well what it most likely was. Their lord looked at them. His expression was unreadable but his eyes were gentle, caring. Patting the bed section on either side of him, the Thundercat invited the twins to sit beside him. They obeyed.

"You two most likely know what I’m about to say. So just so there’s no delay, I’ll just say it: I’m very displeased in you."

The Thunderkittens let their heads fall. Kat looked at his sister and saw tears in her eyes. He gulped because his sister scarcely even let the tears come. It made her feel vulnerable.

"I trusted you two to guard the Lair," he continued. "You let me down. How can I ever find the feeling to trust you again?"

Kat felt a large lump form in his throat. Kit moved from her place on Lion-o’s side to her brother’s side. He saw she was in more need of comfort than he was, so he put a hand around her shoulders. She nuzzled into his side. Lion-o went on.

"So tell me this: WHAT IN THE NAME OF THUNDERA WERE YOU TWO DOING?!"

Kit could hold them back no longer. She put her face into her hands and burst into tears. Lion-o looked shocked. He’d never seen her cry before. A huge spasm of guilt rippled through him.

"That’s right, Lion-o." Celeano smiled. She looked at the image the stars themselves played out for her to watch. She giggled and watched the familiar look of blame form on her victim’s face. Opening her arms, she felt the guilt and the one thing that allowed evil to be created flow from the young lord. Like a dreadful black snake, it creeped through the sky. Faster than light, the dank and immoral rays sprang from the Lair. She inhaled deeply and shivered with delight. The beams penetrated her flesh and fed her immortal blood. The guilt surged through her coal black line and she felt still more power flow into her life's blood. As the guilt died away she felt the twins’ sorrow and regret but no guilt. They had done no wrong. She knew their secret as no other did. Not even the twins themselves knew what she knew. It had to stay that way. If they found out, perhaps her life would die. She could be destroyed by one thing. As long as the Thundercats did not learn of that one thing, her only weakness, they were prey. It was a game of cat and mouse. Only this time, the Thundercats were not the feline.

"WilyKit," WilyKat begged of his sister as Lion-o handed her a handkerchief, "Kit, please stop it! Don’t cry!"

The feminine twin wiped aside some tears and smiled as her brother brushed aside a few strays with his thumb. She hugged WilyKat briefly. Then, she grew aware of Lion-o’s presence and blushed furiously. Pulling from her sibling, the two turned back to their lord, Kit still swabbing stray tears from her tender cheeks.

"I’m sorry, Kit," Lion-o quickly said. She sniffled. He’d never yelled like that before. "I didn’t mean to shout. I was upset but I still shouldn’t have screamed. But look, I really want to know: what were you two doing?"

The two kittens looked at one another. Finally after a fairly long pause, WilyKat answered.

"We were looking for uh…uh.."

"Our..uh…mother’s roots?" WilyKit finished as a question.

Lion-o looked at her for a time. His gaze was so serious, young WilyKit turned from him and buried her face into her brother’s left shoulder.

WilyKat wrapped his arm around his sister’s shoulder and slowly fingered her wispy red curls. She snickered as her brother’s small fingers tickled her neck. She trembled and waited for Lion-o to completely explode.

"That bothers you doesn’t it Thunderkittens? Not knowing who your parents are."

The Thundertwins nodded and shocked themselves by starting to cry. Lion-o was at a loss. He’d seen WilyKit cry a few minutes ago but still seeing both of them burst into tears was a little shocking. He quickly put his stronger arms around their younger shoulders. They scouted closer to Lion-o. Lion-o took a strand of WilyKat’s mane and played with it, winding it around one finger. Kit ventured up onto Lion-o’s thigh. He held her tightly and smoothed her silky locks. WilyKat made no attempt to join his twin but did snuggle closer into his lord’s side. Lion-o caught a small tear from the male kitten’s face and brushed it aside lovingly.

"Alright, it’s alright." Lion-o cooed gently. He pulled WilyKat off the bed and onto his other knee. The two buried their faces into Lion-o’s neck. Smiling, Lion-o continued, "Don’t cry, you two. It’s all right. I understand now. And I’m not mad."

The masculine twin dared to look up. "You’re not?"

"No, of course not. How could I be angry with two kittens who are crying out their hearts?"

"You couldn’t." Kit giggled from her nest in Lion-o powerful arms. Her lord thumbed her nose and grinned.

"There’s my old WilyKit. Now, you two can go do whatever you want for a few hours. Later, I want to have a council meeting. But don’t you worry about that now. We’ll call you. So Thunderkittens…go be kittens!"

Kit hugged Lion-o then climbed off his lap and hand-in-hand with WilyKat bounded out of the room up to the attic.

"Hey Kit!" Kat called from behind a maze of boxes. She poked her head up over some dust-covered cardboard. Her brother gestured with one hand and his sister leapt over the wall of cartons and landed on the floor. The dust rose in thick clouds and the two twins coughed and sneezed, in unison.

Realizing the relation, the two giggled. Kat lifted a small box off the ground and handed it to his twin sister. She took it and sat down on the ground with it. Her young hands began to paw through it. She was about to put it away when she found a note. No a letter. To her and WilyKat. From the Kitra Sorceress.

"Hey WilyKat!" she called. He dropped the carton he held and came over to her. Sitting on an overturned box he peered over her shoulder to read it himself.

It said this:

Dear WilyKat and WilyKit,

You do not know me most likely but I know you. It is I, the Mighty Kitra as I’m called. The Commander of Time and Space. I do admit, sorcery is my strong point. I am waiting to be executed now. For the crime of witchcraft. The Thundercats believe I did no wrong and have tried to stop this injustice but have failed. I have no fear. My powers live on. My husband was a mighty man. He had immense power. Only God and innocence were more powerful. Ultimately that’s what my magic is. My existence is the seed of innocence. So I had to pass it on. I wanted to. My husband had power over time. He was not a god for there is only one but he was a supernatural being. He was born immortal. He can be killed and was but he could have lived forever. He was my only love. Long ago, I was sixteen when he revealed his immortal form to me. I still loved him. We were husband and wife. I loved him. We engaged. I gave him my virginity and he gave me his. Soon after I learned that my love died in battle. I also learned that my existence was all that was keeping evil from overtaking the world and universe. I was truly the ‘Chosen One.’ But I didn’t care. I was a Thundercat and I loved the feel. The feel of a new life swelling and growing within me. Two new lives, my son and my daughter. They were anointed Thundercats but I didn’t tell Jaga they were my children. They were considered orphans but will grow to be the carriers of goodness. I can only pray that any evil that is after me, leaves my precious angels alone. They must learn to use the sorcery that lives within them first. More magic than a thousand Swords of Omens, and then some. They are half-Thunderian and half-supernatural. WilyKit, WilyKat, they are you. I am the Sorceress Kitra and you WilyKat are my son and you WilyKit are my daughter.

Love,

Kitra, Mother’s love forever

"No way," the twins said in unison. The letter slipped from Kit’s hands and fluttered to the dusty floor. Kit looked at her twin brother.

"Then-"

"We’re-"

Together the two twins found themselves whispering the unbelievable:

"Kitra, the sorceress, is our mother?"

Sorcerer and Sorceress ©1999 C. A. Angley (Thundercub) No one can copy this in whole or in part without permission of Thundercub. However it may be posted on web pages or downloaded for personal use as long as this notice and proper credit is given. Thundercub reserves the right to reprint, write or distribute this piece of work as she desires. This is a work of fan-fiction and Thundercats are property of Trademarks Production. © 1985