The first chapter of the third fic of the trilogy and this one picks up about a year after "Blessed" ends. The threat from the dragons becomes more and more evident and the rulers begin to make plans to protect those they love from the eventual war that is about to break out between Vulcore, New ThunDera, PlunDarr and the Moons. But the costs of war can be high and can Lion-O and his family push through those once the war ends?

May 4461:

In the year since the arrival of Prince Leonydas, Prince Laeonyx and their cousin Prince Tigonidus, things had stayed busy with preparations still ongoing in the event of a war with the planet Vulcore and its population of dragons. There had been no news on when this was to happen but no one on New ThunDera, PlunDarr or the Moons were taking any chances with it. Lion-O hadn't let up on anything in regards to preparations and Third Earth was ready as was a couple of underground bunkers in the Grimalkin Mountains outside the capital.

Cynthia was doing fine as the queen though she'd had to take some time off after the birth of the twins to rest and recover while establishing a routine on the feedings. Snarf had been a big help with all of it and had found a nursemaid named Ilyssa to help. Lioness-A and Tygra also had a nursemaid by the name of Celia helping them with their son which freed them to get back to their duties although Tygra and Lion-O hadn't had any issues on it but were willing to work with their mates to accommodate their wishes.

Most of Cynthia's duties had been scaled back during the last few weeks of her pregnancy and she was slowly beginning to take them up again. The wives of the elders were willing to work with her but it was going to take some time before she could tackle anything else which was understood. As the year had passed, however, Cynthia was able to steadily resume her duties but some things were passed over to Lioness-A to take over which was understood. Lioness-A had essentially taken up her royal duties and the Thundercat ones were growing less and less though she could still perform those as needed.

.::~*~::.

October 4462:

The attacks started early toward the middle of October 4462 and Lion-O began to receive reports on a regular basis in his daily security updates. So far, none of the major cities were being hit but that would change in time. It had been roughly a year since the war was announced and these battles were the beginning of it. Lion-O sent out a message to the people to be diligent and watch the skies and report any unusual sightings to the Cat's Lair that was in the vicinity. Those reports would in turn be forwarded to the main palace where the Thundercats would go through them and then send out teams on missions to gather more information.

"How much longer before we have to decide on if we're evacuating people for Third Earth?" Tygra asked Lion-O one afternoon.

"It won't be much longer," Lion-O replied. "Ratar-O and Psiarik said they're being targeted in much the same fashion as we are and they're starting to stage people now."

"I'll get to work on that so we can make sure we have enough to protect the convoys leaving," Tygra said.

"Coordinate that with Boktor as they can protect the ships leaving," Lion-O said. "We will need to prepare one ship to send our families there along with that of Bengali's and Sindaris's."

"I'll talk to Panthro on something for that," Tygra said and paused slightly. "Did you want the Thunderkittens to go to Third Earth or stay here?" he asked. "They're only about seventeen now." Lion-O frowned as he considered it.

"Let's wait and see on them," he said. "They might be able to stay here and run errands and help with other tasks or we could send them to Third Earth and they can help Cynthia and Lioness-A."

"The guard is going with our spouses, right?" Tygra asked. Lion-O nodded.

"Just those assigned to guard the Queen and Princess," Lion-O said. "And that's most of the Huntresses. I've got Cilla dealing with it right now." He checked a paper he had. "Right now, we've got two legions of Thunderguard on Third Earth between the Lair and Tower and there's another legion heading there as we speak to help them fortify the village that's sprung up in front of the lair."

"That's good and I hear that Ratar-O and Psiarik fortified the old fortresses that were there for their legions so Third Earth should be protected," Tygra said as Lion-O nodded. Bengali found them then.

"You two are needed in the control room," he said as they left the office and went towards the control room.

"What's wrong?" Lion-O asked and got his answer when he got inside and found that Garion was on the main monitor as Panthro handled the connection.

"Lion-O I just spoke with both Psiarik and Ratar-O on this. You need to get ready to evacuate everyone that you need to starting now. The Vulcorian ships have left Vulcore and are on their way towards your galaxy. I don't have any idea how long it'll take for them to arrive there. Mandora is leading a patrol of Interstellar Space Cops out that way to see if they can find out something," he said as Lion-O growled.

"Will we have ships to escort ours to Third Earth?" Lion-O asked. Garion nodded.

"That's being worked out now and the president of Mars reached me and has offered his league of ships to watch the airspace around Third Earth as well and they'll meet your ships and ours at the outer edge of the galaxy Third Earth and Mars are in to escort you the rest of the way," Garion said.

"Warn Sindaris and talk to Pumyra," Lion-O told Bengali who nodded and ran from the room.

"Send the kittens to Third Earth. They'll be better off there than here," Panthro advised Lion-O. "I don't like the way this is going and it's about to get bad if those ships are inbound."

"I hope you have something we can use for this," Lion-O said.

"I'm working on something now," Panthro promised. "Go and get your wives ready to go. I've got to make sure the ship's ready to go." He left as a Thunderguard took over his post. Lion-O checked and found that Cynthia was in their suite with the twins so he headed there as Tygra went to find Lioness-A and their son. Neither of them were looking forward to this but they knew they had to keep their families safe and out of danger.

.::~*~::.

Cynthia was in the suite watching the twins playing on the floor when she sensed the approach of her mate through their bond. Something about his stance seemed off and that had her worried as she rose to her feet. Lion-O came into the room a moment later.

"Papa!" Leonydas called as he toddled to his father followed by his brother. Lion-O knelt to hug them before he released them to go play as their nursemaid, a lioness by the name of Ilyssa, came to watch them so he could guide Cynthia to his study.

"What's wrong?" Cynthia asked him quietly once they were in the study with the door shut.

"How close are you and the twins to being packed?" he asked.

"They're done and I'm almost finished with what I need as I know I can restock while I'm on Third Earth," Cynthia said as she watched him. "Why?"

"The Vulcorians have left their world and are heading here now," Lion-O said as she gasped. "Garion doesn't have any idea of how long it'll take before they arrive within our galaxy." He pulled her close for a hug then, sensing her worry and fear.

"When do we leave?" Cynthia asked quietly.

"In the next day or so," Lion-O answered. "Panthro's getting the ship ready now and I've been told to send Wilykit and Wilykat with you. They won't like it, but it'll be safer for them in the long run."

"I think that might be best," Cynthia said softly. "War is no place for anyone that young, regardless of their experience in some areas."

"The Elders are leaving as well so you'll have to handle things with them while you're there," Lion-O said as she nodded softly.

"Is Lynx-O remaining here during this?" she asked.

"He said he was going to stay for as long as we need him and if you and Lioness-A needed help, we could send him to Third Earth then," Lion-O replied as she nodded. She sighed.

"Just be careful Lion-O," she said as he nodded.

"I will babe," he whispered in her ear softly. "This will be your first time to see Third Earth in person and you might be able to see the changes and if there's anything of your timeline around."

"That would be interesting," Cynthia said with a smile. "And I could meet the allies you have there along with Lioness-A since none of them have met us."

"True and I think you'll do fine," Lion-O said. "The commander of the legion at the Lair is named Blaine and he's a Thundercat so he knows what has to be done. He's making room for you, Lioness-A, Pumyra and Cheetara and our families now inside the lair." Cynthia nodded as she rested her head against his chest.

.::~*~::.

Lion-O spent most of the next day with Cynthia and their sons and he also instructed her and Lioness-A on what had to be done once they got to Third Earth and how to set things up. It wasn't that new for the two Thunderkittens but for Lioness-A, this was an entirely new experience and she didn't like the implications of being away from both her twin and her mate. Cynthia felt the same way but for entirely different reasons. She knew there was going to be a lot riding on her shoulders as queen while Lion-O was handling the war and that was causing her some worry but she knew she had to do what she could to help the people that would be sheltered on Third Earth for the duration of the war. The only good news was that both Cheetara and Pumyra were coming along and they knew the people of Third Earth which would make the transitions a bit smoother in introducing Cynthia to the peoples there. The Berbils, Warrior Maidens, Turmagar and Snowman had all expressed an interest in meeting Lion-O's wife and this was probably the first chance they would have at meeting her.

"We've got them to help us with a few things and the Warrior Maidens can help you with things while we're there so that's probably the easiest thing we can do on this," Cheetara said as Cynthia nodded.

"What of the Mutants and Lunatacs?" she asked.

"They are in their own areas but will be checking in daily to coordinate patrols and other details," Panthro explained then. "We worked it all out with them beforehand and they know you're going to be there for the duration of this and they are willing to help where they can."

"Who's in charge of them there?" Pumyra asked.

"Monkian is heading the Mutant division and I heard that Red Eye had the Lunatac division since they're more familiar with Third Earth than some of the others," Tygra told her. "Queen Selene and Lady Evania will be there as well so it's possible that some things can be worked out. Garion was working on a new communications relay that should be done within a few days."

"And all of this is to help us remain in contact while this is going on?" Cynthia asked.

"Yes," Lion-O replied. He looked at his wife and sister. "You can talk with them and work together on how you want to handle things, but the safety of Third Earth is fairly assured for the moment. Boktor has an agreement with Mars to provide some patrols and then there will be our patrols joining those."

"Trying to keep things in some semblance of normal won't be easy no matter how well things are set up," Cynthia said as everyone nodded. "It may take weeks or months to get settled but that's something that we have to consider during this."

"Agreed," Lioness-A said. "We could pick a neutral location for the meetings with the other spouses and hold them once every two weeks until we know which way this is heading."

"That should work as there are a few places that can be suggested for that," Lynx-O said. "I'll notify Blaine of those locations and he can work on preparing them and bringing Monkian and Red Eye into the loop with it."

"Do that and I think that's everything for now," Lion-O said and closed the folder in front of him. "That's all that we can do for right now and for those of us that are leaving out in the morning, I would suggest that we go ahead and get things ready to go and have the baggage sent to the hangar to be loaded onto the ship."

"You got it Lion-O," Bengali said as the meeting broke up a moment later. Cynthia remained behind a moment as everyone else walked out of the room and Lion-O saw her.

"What?" he asked. She sighed.

"Everything's packed that I could pack," she said. "The twins aren't liking the idea of this but that's to be expected. I'm just worried on how things are going to go while I'm on Third Earth and when I meet those allies that you've known for so long." Lion-O gently grasped her hand.

"Most of them know about you and the circumstances that brought you here to us but that's about all," he said. "Just take it one day at a time and see how it goes. Most of them will be agreeable to help us out." He frowned slightly as she eyed him. "Be on the watch out for Prince Az'takvis and Prince Likandis. I have a feeling that they might try something while they're there as most of the royal council and the Elders are heading there as well."

"I'll talk to Lioness-A about that and we'll see what we can do," Cynthia promised. She studied him a moment. "You just promise me that you'll be careful once those battles with the dragons start." He chuckled softly as they left the council room.

"I promise Cynthia," he said gently. "Let's go check on our sons and spend some time with them before you three have to leave." Cynthia nodded and lightly grasped his hand and felt him squeeze it.

.::~*~::.

Two days later found the families gathering in the courtyard of the palace to board the ship for Third Earth. It was like the ship that had taken the Thundercats off when the planet had been destroyed originally so it was large enough to hold everyone. Wilykit and Wilykat had not been happy to be told they were going to Third Earth but in time they had come to see the reason for it. They would help both Lioness-A and Cynthia as needed. Most of the Huntresses which included Amnextria, Oona and Kareala were going with the queen and princess and their families, but a few were remaining behind. Cilla was one of those remaining as she'd had some experience in fighting dragons from one of the worlds she'd been to and Lion-O and Panthro were needing her to help train the legions. Panthro was also working on designing new armor for everyone and it would be ready within a few days.

Lion-O stood at the bottom of the ramp at the entrance to the ship with Cynthia and their twins and he saw the other families gathered in little groups across the courtyard saying their goodbyes. Most of the women had tears in their eyes and the cubs were sniffling. Lion-O was holding Leonydas as Cynthia held Laeonyx.

"Be careful Lion-O," Cynthia whispered as he hugged her close.

"I will girl," he murmured softly. He kissed the top of Leonydas's head as the cub fussed slightly. Laeonyx also got a kiss as he whimpered slightly. "You two be good boys for Mama," Lion-O said gently to them. He stroked Cynthia's cheek as Ilyssa came to get Leonydas and Laeonyx from them and take them on board. Esmeralda, a snarf nanny, was with her to help with the twins. Following them was Celia, the lioness nursemaid for Lioness-A and Tygra's son Tigonidus who was also being carried on board. His parents were now locked in a fierce embrace and Lion-O gathered Cynthia to him and hugged her.

"I love you," Cynthia breathed.

"And I love you so much," Lion-O whispered before his lips found hers. The kiss was fierce, deep and passionate, a hint of the last two nights and hopefully a reminder of more to come. Lion-O released Cynthia and she stood to the side as Lioness-A hugged her brother, hating to be separated from him again.

"Be safe Lion-O and I love you," Lioness-A said as he smiled.

"Count on it sis," he said. "Tygra and I will watch out for the other," he added as she smiled. Cynthia and Lioness-A boarded together with Cheetara and Pumyra and once they got to the top they turned and without a word, Cynthia raised her right arm up in the Thunderian salute which was gravely returned by her mate and those gathered around him.

"Thundercats," she started.

"HO!" came the resounding chorus as she and the other women went inside and the door closed as the ramp retracted up.

"Cynthia's learned so much in recent years," Lynx-O said as Lion-O nodded as they watched the ship lift off.

"She'll be alright while she's on Third Earth with the others," Lion-O said as they went inside. "Let's get things ready to go. We don't have much longer before those ships from Vulcore arrive."

.::~*~::.

On board the ship Cynthia had to be lightly sedated due to the space sickness but her two sons were fine and with their nursemaid until she came to the conference room later to find Lioness-A with Cheetara and Pumyra seated at the table with cups of tea.

"Feel better?" Pumyra asked as Cynthia nodded as she sat down and took a glass.

"Thanks for the medication," Cynthia said as she sipped the drink. She saw the passage of stars outside one of the windows then. "Still something I'll never get used to seeing," she mused. "How much longer before we arrive?" she asked.

"We should get there within the next five or so hours," Cheetara said. "This ship has the ability to hit warp drive and we've been traveling at warp five most of the trip already."

"Is the life-bond always this fuzzy or is it the distance?" Cynthia asked after a moment.

"I think it's the distance," Lioness-A replied. "Mine with my brother is fuzzy as is the life-bond with Tygra. It was something that we were aware of happening but the distance won't snap the bonds thankfully."

"It just makes things more complicated due to the distance," Cheetara said as Cynthia sighed. She wasn't sure what she was going to find when they reached Third Earth but she was hoping for the best, not only for her mate and their friends but also their allies and everyone else.