Thicker Than Water

by Mirwalker

Chapter 10

"No chance, Mumm-Ra!," the motley Mutants shouted with one voice. Monkian actually fled from the room.

The wizard also stopped listening, and faded from their midst as their unanimity collapsed into a chorus of complaints. He didn't need to hear the details to know that they were more frightened of her than appreciative of the patient genius she represented.

"Fools," he mumbled to himself, as he turned from the cauldron. "Ingrates." They cannot understand what success we've already had in integrating our pawn into the family, he thought to himself. Today's 'defeat' was simply needed to complete the trap.

"A shame the Plundarrians lack the foresight to participate in springing it. I will enjoy that pleasure, and this victory, alone," he cackled. Such solitude was often the fate of one who lived forever. But this celebration would also be eternal; and that was what mattered most.

Having seen to her chores, and checking in on the fast-recovering Lion-O, Calica called back to Panthro as she jogged across the drawbridge several days later. "I promise I'm just going to the cloth shop; and I have my communicator if anything happens..."

He waved after her, before turning back to the near rebuild of the Thundertank he was still only just beginning. Like the others, he was glad that Pumyra had insisted that she and Cheetara follow behind Lion-O and Calica on the day of the attack that left the Tank in this state. Seems their sprinter wasn't the only 'Cat with good intuition for trouble. The Tank was reparable, if badly damaged; but, if they'd been a few hours later in reaching the wreck, and calling in the Feliner to carefully lift it off Lion-O, only the treaded occupant of the Lair might have been saved.

Despite the damage to their vehicle and leader, the young Lord and their multi-colored mystery had clearly mended the tension between them, that had led Pumyra to send them out together. While still awkward enough for the older 'Cats to notice, it was clear they had moved from cold distance back to awkward attraction. If sometimes painful, it was still reassuring, and amusing, to watch the eternal infatuation dynamics play out on this new planet too.

Their other, less enjoyable throwback to Thundera, the Mutants, had apparently given up on breaking up the pride as well. They'd turned tail quickly the only time their paths had crossed with the tiger cousins' several days before. Hopefully, they'd learned a lesson and would leave Calica, and everyone else, alone. At least for a little while.

All this had combined to make their newest member freer, and thereby everyone happier. Despite his initial concerns, Panthro had to admit Calica was OK. She was ready to help anyone, including him with the dirtiest repair tasks. Snarf complained less with his household load lightened through her assistance. And, she was apparently not too shabby at running off reptilians. And, Lion-O did seem to glow around her, in a way that couldn't help but warm the hearts of those who hadn't known love in a while, but could now hope for themselves again.

While there were still many questions to be answered about Calica, to be sure, Panthro felt that she was definitely becoming an important part of the family.

Smiling herself for many of the same reasons, Calica headed cheerfully and directly to the weaver's at the far side of the Wollo market. She was surprised to be greeted by an unfamiliar face approaching through the piles of cloth and clothing.

"Where is the weaver?" she asked with some concern, though still entranced by the wealth of bolts and bundles stacked and standing about the stall.

"She is tied up at the moment, my dear," croaked the wrinkled woman. "Working cloth is an engrossing craft, as you know. It is my pleasure to help you today. You're one of the ThunderCats, I believe?"

"Oh no," Calica blushed, at the apparent compliment. "We share a common origin, I'm told; and I am their guest. But I am not a ThunderCat."

"But they say you reside at their Lair; and you look so much like them…," noted the woman, running her cold and callused fingers across Calica's hands.

"They have been kind enough to take me in, but—"

"Of course; they are so generous, like that," interrupted the Wollo, apparently eager to connect the feeling with a possible trade. "Perhaps you could show them your gratitude with a gift?"

"Exactly!" Calica exclaimed, thrilled that her idea was confirmed by this stranger. "Do you think they would like something?"

"More surely and permanently than just the words alone," assured the craftswoman, gesturing to the assortment of finished goods around them. "And everything here has been made with care; it's simply a matter of finding just the items that they deserve."

"And it is all beautiful," exclaimed Calica. "But if I'm to truly express my thanks, the gifts much be very special…"

"I understand you have a gift with clothwork; perhaps you could make them something. Unique and by your own hand…"

"They do seem to like my skill with needle and thread," admitted the potential client. "Do you think they would like me to make them something?"

"Nothing made by others would speak so clearly of the gratitude and affection in your heart, yes?" posed the woman, to the agreeable cat. "And I do have one particular bolt; but I have been saving it for only the truly special occasion."

"Oh, but this is special!" insisted Calica, worried that she was still not expressing the magnitude of her feelings sufficiently. "They have saved me several times, given me a home, a family. I owe them everything; surely that's as special as occasions can be!"

"Indeed." With a knowing smile, the old Wollo waved Calica to follow her toward the backmost corner of the workshop. Reaching under the bench, behind spools of thread and bottles of dye, she pulled out an ornate metal box. Motioning her customer closer, she lifted the lid, and exposed rich folds of a rather dull-looking cloth.

Calica tried unsuccessfully to hide her disappointment at the drab color and texture after the considerable buildup.

Chuckling, the crone chided her, "Don't be deceived by plain appearances, my dear. This is a shifting satin, an amazing cloth that can change color to match the look, mood and needs of its wearer."

"How…?"

"I shouldn't say," demurred the old woman.

"I promise not to tell," swore Calica. "Seamstress to seamstress."

Glancing about again, the woman leaned closer, dropped her voice and confided, "It's made from a very rare thread—fibers spun on Third Earth by only a very… small community of artisans. Another of its qualities is that a little goes a long way; so this should be more than enough to cover them effectively. And I have a few more of the little gift boxes, if you'd like to surprise them all at once; how many friends did you say there were?"

As the woman counted out exactly the correct number, Calica was already imagining the possibilities both in designs and in improved relations. "I'm so glad that I'll be able to share something with them. They've already given me so much."

"You are a very thoughtful girl; and I promise you they will be very much surprised!"

It was a glorious day. And the entire Cat's Lair clan was enjoying a picnic feast on the fields stretching out before the feline stronghold. Laughter, smiles and the occasional piece of food flew, as they enjoyed a well-deserved, relaxing afternoon after weeks of busy, dangerous and costly battles with the Mutants.

"Well, I don't know if it has quite as much cinnamon as I put in mine," said Snarf, as he gave himself two extra scoops of applesauce, after refilling Lion-O's plate. "But it's not bad..."

Accepting this third helping of his favorite dish,(1) the still bruised leader cast another wide smile at the cook, who was fussing over keeping other platters filled. His leg still bound from injuries, but insistent on being part of this affair, he hadn't seemed this happy since before the recent attack in the Ironstone Mountains.

Pumyra chuckled to herself, remembering the old adage that "The way to a cat's heart…"

At that moment, a napkin fluttered in front of each person scattered around the blankets. And suddenly, Cheetara was seated and calmly eating from her own plate, before everyone had recognized the breeze and grabbed theirs.

"Thank you, Cheetara," Calica grimaced to her. "I can't believe I forgot something as simple as that."

"It's my pleasure," smiled the sprinter, "especially after you went through the trouble to prepare all this. It's beautiful, and so tasty."

"Oh, but I had to," the soiree's coordinator reminded. "You've all done so much for me…"

Tygra interrupted gently, lest the appreciation outpace appetites; she didn't need to explain her thankfulness again. "While not necessary, Calica, today's party is certainly appreciated."

"Yeah, you can be this kind of grateful anytime you want to," mumbled Wily Kat as he reached across his sister for another sweet roll to go with the two already on his plate.

Refilling Panthro's cup, Calica leaned down beside Snarf, gave his neck a quick scratch and whispered, "Thank you, Snarf. Among many other topics, you're a great teacher on food and festivities."

He purred slightly, raising a smile on Lynx-O's face, as everyone continued to enjoy the good cuisine and company.

When even the kittens had slowed in their dining, and the tops had been returned to several of the serving dishes, Calica opened up the last of the supply cases they'd brought from the Lair. Pulling out an armful of small boxes, she caught everyone's attention and explained, "I won't start again on how grateful I am," she winked at Tygra. "But I do have one last, small token of thanks..." As she spoke, she walked around the circle, handing each ThunderCat in turn a metal cube.

When everyone had one, she clasped her hands excitedly, and invited them to, "Open them!"

Each 'Cat pulled out a simple, but superbly crafted cowl, each in a color matching their respective colorings and typical outfit.

"It's beautiful," exclaimed Pumyra, holding up her shawl.

"It is beautiful," acknowledged Panthro, as he turned his around and over in his hands. "What exactly is it?"

"Put them on!" she invited, with a gleeful clap. "I hope they turned out OK..."

Encouraged by her excitement, and following her lead as she draped Lion-O's shoulders, all the ThunderCats donned their gifts.

"Snarf mentioned how you always head off into bad weather without any more covering than singlets and shoulder straps. So I made you these short cloaks so you can at least cover your shoulders and your heads in cold or rain."

Wiley Kit spun in place, twirling hers fan-like around her, as Kat practiced tip-toeing furtively with his pulled up over his head like a hood.

With another grin on his face, Lion-O looked back and forth from the fabric to Calica as she smoothed it around the neckline. "Beautiful," he concluded.

She stepped back to let him feel how it hung—long enough to provide good weather coverage for his shoulders, but not so low to interfere with his movement as he swung his arms. Murmurs of approval echoed all around, as they realized the fit and function, and noticed the depth of colors, patterns and even the twinkling threads spread throughout. Calica felt she might have just repaid some of her debt, have truly earned their respect as a contributor to the community, not just obligatory kin…

Until, Lion-O's smile dropped suddenly, at the same time that the Kittens groaned, and Cheetara cried out. Lynx-O dropped to his knees, and Bengali stumbled as he tried to reach him.

Lion-O and Calica turned to see each of the ThunderCats wilt in place, sinking or dropping to the ground.

"What?"

"So weak…"

"Snarf!"

"Thundranium?!"

"Calica, what have you done?"

Tygra fumbled with the clasp on his capelet, but couldn't quite get it undone, as the edging caught the sunlight and sparkled fiercely.

Confused and horrified, Calica turned back to Lion-O as he reached out to steady himself; she grabbed his arm, but could not keep him up or upright. "Lion-O!" He sank to the ground, his grip weak and his eyes fearful, as the Eye of Thundera at his side growled a warning too late. And, she knelt over him, among the collection of collapsed 'Cats, as a much larger shadow passed across him, and a blood-curdling cackle descended upon the meadow.

Across the field of friends, a giant blue-skinned and red-winged creature settled to the ground, grinning as he surveyed the stricken scene around him.

Calica recognized him from the descriptions she'd heard, and the video files she'd seen. But Mumm-Ra was certainly more terrifying in person, especially when her companions were all suddenly and inexplicably incapacitated.

The others had noticed their foe's arrival; but were unable to do more than call out in warning, or feebly attempt to stand. "Calica," the now doubly afflicted Lion-O gasped, waving her to move behind him.

"How are your friends enjoying your gifts, my dear? They seem speechless!" Mumm-Ra laughed to her. "The Micrits do make such exquisite string(2); and you dutifully did make such beautiful bindings." Cackling at the near lack of reaction from his adversaries, the mummy strode in among them, toward their leader, and kicked the white tiger as he passed him.

Finding herself implicated in their harm—her gifts had become threats, Calica stood instinctively, frightened for herself and her family. "Leave them alone, you—you- monster!" she shouted, as she frantically looked around for any resistance a ThunderCat might put up, or for any idea of what she could do, alone against this fabled and already victorious threat.

"You! What can you do, my little vixen?" he taunted with added glee. "You're not even a ThunderCat; and look where I have them now? I made you from clay and fur clippings, foolish girl; and arranged for them to rescue and take you in. Oh yes," he confirmed as she and the ThunderCats processed that revelation. "And as my creation, you owe your very existence to me. Mind your place, brat, or share their fate…"

As he neared Calica and the prone Lion-O, Mumm-Ra passed by Panthro whose face was contorted in pain and anger. Weakly but determinedly, he rolled into the mummy's path, as if to challenge his advance.

Almost stepping over the useless bump, Mumm-Ra instead reached down toward the tired engineer. "As usual, your own compassion has doomed you," Mumm-Ra gloated to them all, then mocked as the ThunderCat clawed helplessly at the hands around his neck. "Conquered by mere cloth! If only you'd listened to poor Panthro: With no hair to share, he had nothing to offer my creation, no connection to her and so no sense of familiarity to be moved by." Mumm-Ra shook him, "Care to share a last 'I told you so' with your soft-hearted friends? Before I stop yours…"

Panthro could barely struggle against the ThunderCat-draining cloth, much less the Ever-Living's grip; but refused to give Mumm-Ra the satisfaction of breaking his gaze. The dark eyes looking back radiated immense satisfaction at the battle of wills the feline was likely to lose this day. The first of many defeats, if Mumm-Ra had his way.

The other ThunderCats could only look on in despair at seeing their most powerful warrior so unable to act, and at their being unable to do anything about it.

Everyone was then startled by the primal snarl that growled through the air, moving swiftly in the direction of the blue combatants.

Wrapping herself around Mumm-Ra's arm, Calica sank her teeth into him, pouring more than rage into what was surely a useless attempt to drive him away.

Brave, if futile, thought several ThunderCats, without much hope that she would be able to do much against an enemy who had long survived against all sort of attacks. Lion-O worried for her, wishing he could reach and lift the Sword or clawshield, to face Mumm-Ra with their proven power and reflective properties.

But, rather than batting away the bug-like hanger-on, Mumm-Ra dropped Panthro instantly and stumbled back. Shrieking with his first, true experience of physical pain in even his long memory, he tried desperately to shake off the misbehaving, if manufactured, Thunderian.

Tears streamed from Calica's eyes, as she struggled to hold her grip and bite, while simultaneously and somehow feeling some of the mummy's pain. Amidst his flailing, she understood that she was connected to him by more than teeth and claws at the moment, that his memories and intentions were the same as her disturbing dreams.

As the searing heat and cold spread up his arm, Mumm-Ra also realized the he'd been wise to hide in his pyramid of late, had been smart to avoid risking himself since creating her. But he'd never considered that she would a threat to him herself. He'd shared a slice of immortal life to animate her, but she was supposed to be a weapon against the accursed ThunderCats. Now, she'd turned his life-energy against him, literally biting the hand that made her.

In that instant of physical connection, beyond their intertwined energies, they both knew that he was endangered by the combination of her unintended venom, and his immortality shared. In giving her a moment of his infinite life, he was no longer entirely ever-living. And he could see in her narrowed eyes, that she intended to invoke that life limit on him this day.

Weakened, hurting and imperiled as he had never been before, he began to revert to his mummy form. Shrinking and shrouding faster than she could adjust, Calica's bite and grip loosened; and Mumm-Ra was able to throw her off as he fell to the ground.

She landed in a crouch, ready to hurl herself on him again.

Mumm-Ra clutched at his undying arm, still amazed and agonized that it could hurt in the way it did. As the Mutants had complained of suffering from their brief bites, he wondered whether her prolonged injection would affect him so much more. The Plundarrians had recovered; but they had been barely scratched in comparison to his own wound, and they had been wounded before. He could not know how his own body, unfamiliar with injury, would respond, whether the sarcophagus alone would be enough to counteract this novel peril. He knew he could not risk it.

And so, as the clasps and seams on his enchanted cloth deteriorated with his weakening powers and physiology, Mumm-Ra screamed and thrust his hand out toward the glowering Calica.

Lion-O called out as his strength began to return, the cloth covering him quickly turning to rags. And Calica closed her eyes against the coming angry blast.

But instead of energy leaping from the mummy to her, Calica was lifted off the ground. With a quick cry from her, a large ball of light leapt from her into Mumm-Ra. As the mummy sighed with some relief but retreated into the direction of his pyramid nonetheless, Calica dropped to the ground, limp and unmoving.

"Calica!" shouted Lion-O, as he scrambled to her, ignoring the lifting weakness and lingering leg pain. As the others dusted off their disintegrating bindings, and watched to make sure Mumm-Ra was not returning, the Lord of the ThunderCats turned her over gently, and took her into his arms.

Pumyra settled beside him and felt for a pulse at Calica's neck, holding out hope against her still face and vacant eyes. She looked up to her tearful leader, who had already felt the conclusion she now confirmed. "Lion-O, I'm so sorry…"

NOTES

1 . Snarf notes applesauce is Lion-O's favorite in Return of the Driller (1.32).

2 . The Micrits used thundranium strands to weaken and immobilize Lion-O (1.41).