Harbinger

by TC 2014

ThunderCats 2014 Season One - See profile or author(s) note for details. "A group of cats is drawn together and one of them has a secret, and a blade of sacred power. The heart of the world palpitates. Terror is growing. And the Harbinger, consumer of galaxies, is stirring again."

2. Chapter 2

TC is the property of WB and its affiliates. Any concepts not originating from the TC universe are the property of these creator(s) unless otherwise noted.

Characters will not completely resemble the 1985 rendition, nor the 2011 rendition. This is a reimagining of the Thundercats series as a whole and not entirely based on either series. Nor is it based on any other fan work. The creator(s) of this work reserve the right not to answer any questions or respond to any reviews. This is meant to mimic a professional work and will be conducted as such.

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Episode 2

Stranger on a Mission, Part 2

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"So what exactly is it that you're traveling to do?"

Cheetara leaned forward and felt her shoulders shift up secretively. Whether she quite believed what Lion-O said – Thundera, fall? In a matter of years? – or thought him crazy, it was hard not to ask.

"Yeah…exactly what I was going to ask. And, you know, for evidence. And if you've got any medications you forgot this morning." Tygra glanced at Cheetara, twirling a finger beside his temple, and she ignored his skeptical tone. Granted he might be right and this might be quite mad, but there was the chance he could be wrong.

Lion-O seemed to miss it entirely, although she could have sworn that Panthro's right eye twitched slightly. His irises were a piercing gray, almost silver in this light. Cheetara blinked, wondering if he'd be a little offended if she said they were pretty.

"Evidence?" Lion-O didn't seem upset at all, instead reaching for something at his hip. He brought up the thick, golden gauntlet and drew the sword.

What little there was of it. It had been several feet long before but now it was scarcely longer than two finger lengths. It was silvery, interlaid in the hilt with minute rubies and sapphires, and the etchings of cats and swirling patterns were something glorious. The blade's facets were smooth as glass, and in the place where the blade and hilt joined was a great red stone, cut so finely that it looked round until she peered at it and marveled at the hundreds of perfect facets on its front.

"It's beautiful…but what is it?" she asked. Lion-O blinked as if surprised she didn't know.

"It's the Sword of Omens."

The quiet that fell was so awkward that Cheetara was almost glad for the bawdy round of song from the next table.

"The Sword of Omens? The mystical, powerful, only to be wielded by the king Sword of Omens? The one that's won every war we've entered? That Sword of Omens?" Cheetara looked at the beautiful workmanship and spared Tygra a look, checking for his reaction. His expression was cool, examining. "I've never seen it before."

"Yes, that one. I'm on a mission to…well, in a way, to see to its repair. The king sent me because he's unable to make the journey himself at the moment." Cheetara's head snapped up.

This seemed absurd. First, the sword looked perfect in every way; what could be repaired? She had a basic understanding of blades from what she'd seen around town. And if it did need mending, certainly the king would oversee its care. But there was something stiff in the way Lion-O sat now, a bristle to his fur, and Cheetara decided not to raise these points. Right now he was speaking, and she hung off every word.

"The place I need to get to is beyond Lune from my understanding, at the northern pole of Third Earth. Obviously it's not a matter of just walking in a straight line to get there, which is why I needed a world map. I…wasn't provided with one for certain reasons."

"And the other one?" she asked.

He seemed to turn pink. "Well…the place I need to find…isn't on a realistic map. It's a legendary place, and I felt that it might be good to have an idea of where people believed it was in the past." Lion-O sounded sheepish and Tygra raised a hand.

"You'll do fine as a wandering minstrel. Hope your singing voice is good. But none of what you're saying can be true."

"Why not?" Panthro asked.

Tygra rested on his elbow. "The king sends some servant off to fix a super weapon and he doesn't even tell him where to go? A super weapon that hasn't needed so much as a sharpening in three hundred years? Yeah, no, I'm not buying it."

Lion-O shut his eyes. "It is pretty strange. But the king didn't have any choice. Panthro and I were chosen to look for a place called the King's Door, and he believes it's real. It's faded away on most maps. It's a legend now, only mentioned in our most ancient of books. But the references are there, and they imply a real place rather than a symbolic door."

"What's inside the King's Door then?" Tygra asked, one brow rising.

Cheetara waved her hand dismissively. "It was used by the ancient kings according to the old tales. They had to retrieve ore from the world's core to forge the Sword of Omens or something. The texts aren't too clear." Everyone looked at her. "What? I've dragged you to the temple on the high holy days Tygra, even you ought to remember a little of it."

Lion-O and Panthro blinked together and Tygra looked pained. "Y'know, I was really hoping it wasn't more mumbo-jumbo…wait, the core of the planet?" He straightened up and gave Lion-O an incredulous look. "Uh, the core of the planet is really dense and hot. I'm pretty sure going there is a bad idea."

"Yes…" Lion-O said slowly, still looking at Cheetara, still surprised she'd known. "Although the writings refer to it as the heart of the world, we assume they mean it leads into the center of Third Earth. Our priests and scientists both believe that something is going wrong there for different reasons. And whatever's wrong is connected to what's causing the Sword of Omens to get weaker, or rather, the jewel from which it derives its power." He tapped the stone. "To get there safely we have to take the King's Door and the path that was made there long ago. Because you're right; it's extremely hot and dense inside the planet. But Thundera's core itself has something in its center that isn't just solid stone. And the King's Door is supposed to take us right into the middle without killing us."

That deafening silence returned once more. Cheetara couldn't help but rub the back of her neck. "Maybe you could explain that."

"Yeah, for the heathens among us," Tygra snorted.

Lion-O rested his arms on the table and suddenly looked depressed. "That's about all I know. The Sword of Omens is somehow connected to the heart of our world – whatever that means – because its materials came from there and it's…well, its powers are getting weaker. So if we fix what's wrong there, it should be okay. I think."

This was hardly reassuring. He glanced up furtively and checked for any listeners. A round of song from the corner made him relax; they were getting into their cups. Cheetara frowned, wondering what in the world those men were doing getting drunk so early in the day. "Why are you telling us this?" she asked.

"Because the Sword trusts you." He held the hilt in one hand and supported the flat of the blade in the other. "Since I'm the one that's supposed to repair it, I'm its temporary wielder by the king's order. It tells me things."

"Your sword talks to you?" Tygra asked baldly.

"Not in words. But it trusts you both. It senses something good inside you. The fact that it's active at all around you means a lot because it's been silent so much lately. It's dying but it made a point of leading me here to Dera's Run." Lion-O put it away in the golden gauntlet on his hip. "I know it sounds crazy. But you asked what I was doing here and I told you. We'll be leaving soon and hopefully the Mutation users won't come this way again if your guards up their watch." He downed the last of his drink and set the empty cup on the bar counter. "Thanks for the help. I'm sorry if you were hoping for a better answer. I wish I had one to give."

Cheetara watched him approach Panthro. "Aren't you going to drink yours?"

Panthro took the glass –he'd never looked away for even a second, watching the conversation like a sentinel – and downed its contents in two swallows. He too put his glass on the counter and nodded at the two as if he were about to get up and leave. "Wait, so what happens now?" Cheetara said. "Something's wrong with the planet and you're going to try to wander around and find an ancient door to fix it? And we're just supposed to go on with our daily lives when Third Earth might implode someday?"

"I told you what I could. What else is there to do?" Lion-O pulled up his hood, absently fingering the torn edges.

"You could tell us why King Claudus isn't looking into this kind of issue himself!" Tygra snapped. Lion-O stiffened at his volume and Panthro growled. Lion-O's tail bristled and Cheetara noticed him sitting back down. "He's a brave cat, and there's no way he'd send some kid page boy off to do this kind of work!"

"I'm eighteen, thank you." Lion-O's nose – bunny nose, Cheetara couldn't help but think – flared. "I may be young, but I'm one of a few he can trust with this. Lower your voice please."

"But why send anyone? He's never been one to hide from a battle or danger. He took down a hundred warriors on his own, bare clawed, in the Battle of the Fel Sea to defend his father the king. And you're telling me he's sending you on crazy, dangerous missions?"

Tygra's hostility lowered slightly, as did his voice. "Unless you give me a good reason why King Claudus would do something like that, I might punch you for slandering the king."

Panthro cracked his knuckles and Tygra's fingers ghosted toward his whip.

Lion-O cocked his head, hand at his side, and Cheetara's eyes lowered to the hilt of the "Sword of Omens." She could taste friction in the air, something like the taste of the steam of lightning when it built in her staff.

Was it glowing? The red stone seemed just a little brighter, and the faint smudge of dim light stained Lion-O's fingers red. Lion-O noticed her looking and examined the Sword. "What?" Tygra asked. He didn't seem alarmed at all and Cheetara realized after a moment that he didn't see the glow. Nor did Panthro, if the darting of his eyes meant anything.

"Why would you fight something for that?" Lion-O asked. Tygra's mouth pursed a little, as if he were confused by the question. "Why would you even care? You don't know the king."

"Well…I…you shouldn't slander someone. Honor's worth something," Tygra muttered. "Especially if they're dedicated to their people."

"'Honor?'" Lion-O said thoughtfully. The glow pulsed and Cheetara felt a warm wave on her face, like the sun on a cold day.

He lowered the Sword of Omens again. "The king is ill." The words were as mild as a knife in the gut and Tygra's tail dropped like a stone.

Panthro took Lion-O's shoulder. "Why did you tell them that?" he hissed.

Lion-O shook his head. "He's made a promise. So has Cheetara. They won't break their words." He said this with absolute surety.

Cheetara couldn't say she felt upset; she didn't know much of the king and to hear that he was unwell was sad in a way, but it didn't affect her much. Of course, it could affect everyone if he couldn't protect the kingdom. But the king was such a foreign, distant figure that she felt a twinge of empathy and the sorrow of someone watching another person cough. Mama's stew would've seen to it he felt better. Of course, he was likely receiving the best of care anyway, being royalty and all. So the idea of him being sick seemed nearly irrelevant.

Not so for the others here. Tygra's fingers paused on the table, claws further out than usual. "King Claudus is ill? With what?"

Lion-O's face fell and Panthro's shoulders seemed tighter than ropes. "We don't know. The priests and doctors treat him with medicine and prayers, and he's stable for now." His eyes were piercing as he looked at Tygra and then Cheetara. "You can see why this mission and his sickness have to be kept secret don't you? People are already getting nervous about strife and our enemies. It's essential that they're kept calm while the issues are dealt with."

"So you don't think the people should know their leader is ill?" Cheetara asked, frowning.

"In any other situation I think they should. But it's the king's word that his condition is kept quiet. It's not because he wants to deceive them, but can you imagine if our enemies found out about the cat they fear most being unable to fight? Coupled with countrywide panic about a leader on his sickbed?"

Cheetara's frown morphed into a considering pout. "Ah. Yeah. I guess I can understand that then."

So then why tell them? Could that really be the Sword of Omens? Could it really be telling him something about them? Cheetara dug down deep and knew she couldn't break her word to secrecy – especially not if this crazy story were true – and Tygra, for all his faults, had never broken a promise, even one carelessly made. If it were a lie it would be stupid and harmful to spread. It would be even worse if it were true.

And besides, nothing about Lion-O indicated a lie. He kept eye contact, he spoke at an even pitch, he didn't seem to search for details. Either he was a great liar, a nut, or an honest cat, and Cheetara didn't believe he was crazy as he told them the tale.

But if this was true, a lot was at stake.

"Why only two?" she asked suddenly. Panthro's tail caught her attention; it was short and dark, and swayed slowly from side to side. Nervous, perhaps. "If this is so important, why only two cats?"

"Secrecy. An armed force couldn't get through the north without attracting a lot of attention." This, Cheetara sensed, was a partial fib. Lion-O only met her eyes for a second. But it was a good reason and Cheetara simply made mental note of it. "I've said more than I should. Now you know about us and we need to move soon."

"What about Slithe? You went out of your way to try to stop him. Aren't you going to deal with him?"

Lion-O nodded. "I get the feeling he'll leave Dera's Run since he's on his own now. If he's involved in the Mutation trade he's going to head to Tropo since that's where it seems to be stemming from for these areas. Panthro and I are doing what we can about it as we travel toward Lune, which is why we brought antimutagen in the first place, and the Imperial City is working on the situation as well. Besides, I think the two of you could take him. You especially," he added sheepishly, looking at Cheetara. Flattered – if still uneasy – she put a hand on her hip.

"You're trying to stop a drug trade and get inside the planet? Why both?"

"They're connected somehow. That is, the people in charge of the Mutation trade seem to have some idea about what's happening. They're exploiting the situation. And if our enemies get the power to destroy Thundera, we might have saved the planet just to see the empire overthrown and enslaved. We've got enough antimutagen to last for a while, and if we happen to break the trade ring it'll be a lot better for everyone. They're interested in the King's Door too, from what we've gathered, but I don't think they know about the Sword of Omens yet." Lion-O still seemed overwhelmed, glancing down. "The situation is grim, but with forces disheartened and spread out trying to quell unrest, we're the best the king has. If the Sword of Omens returns to its former power, things will improve."

Cheetara looked at Tygra, who hadn't spoken for a minute, listening intently. "I think Tygra and I need to discuss something. Would you excuse us for a moment?"

Panthro tapped his black claws on the table. They were filed to perfect, military points, the most refined thing about him. "You're sworn not to speak of this to anyone. Other than your parents," he said unwillingly.

"They're not going to tell anyone Panthro. I'm sure." Lion-O's soft voice seemed unconcerned, completely trusting, and Cheetara tugged at Tygra's shirt collar. He got up and followed her to the corner, sheathed in the shadows and granted a little privacy.

"What do you think?" he asked. "You're usually pretty good about hunches."

Cheetara watched Lion-O out of the corner of her eye. Panthro was muttering in his ear, and it flicked back and forth. "You'll think I'm crazy. But…I can tell they're not lying."

"Yeah. Me too. I've met enough liars to call them out," he replied. "Do you think they're sane though?"

"I do. They don't act crazy. And their story would be a little more complete if they had rehearsed it. Do you think that's really the Sword of Omens?"

Tygra buried his chin in his hand. "That's tough. I've seen a few images of it before, and the thing looks authentic. But I'm sure other weapons have been forged to look like it."

Cheetara ran her fingers through her hair. "I saw the stone glow. You and Panthro didn't, but I think Lion-O did." He narrowed his eyes and her jaw stiffened. "Don't give me that look. I believe there are supernatural things out there but I'm not nuts. I've never hallucinated. Lion-O looked at it at the exact same time. If it's the Sword of Omens, it could really be telling things about people. It's said to have been imbued with wisdom eons ago."

"If you believe the stories. Whether I do or not isn't important though; what is important is that if these guys aren't nuts and they aren't lying, they're telling the truth. And if they're telling the truth, they're two people going on a suicidal mission." Tygra crossed his arms. "Panthro can fight and Lion-O handled that sword pretty well for all of twenty seconds, but I don't think they can get to Lune. Whenever I travel north to see mother I have to travel with a battalion of Imperials that guard the routes. Two cats…no, they'll never make it."

"So…they'd need help to make it." Cheetara frowned at the way his fur bristled.

"No way. We don't even know these guys. And it's not like we're trained to fight." She didn't say anything and he put his hands on both hips, shoulders hard. "Cheetara, there a billion reasons we're not going with them. They won't want us-"

"You don't know that."

"It'll be dangerous-"

"That's why they'll need us."

"You have to prepare for a journey like this-"

"I can pack and be ready in a day."

"Your parents will flip."

Cheetara paused. This much was true. "They trust me," she said at last, watching her mother wipe down the counter and her father teasingly sweeping in to kiss her and tickle her chin. She smacked his hand with a flick and shooed him off to wash dishes. "If I say I have to go, they'll let me."

"Cheetara! This-you-I-"

Tygra sputtered a little more and finally grunted. "I'm giving you many sensible reasons that we shouldn't go. Give me one good reason why we ought to try to convince these Imperials to let us go with them on some dangerous, ludicrous venture."

"Other than the fact that all of Thundera, and even the world, might be at stake?"

He shifted irritably. "Yes. One that pertains to us personally."

She gave him a flat look. "I'd argue our planet blowing up is fairly personal, but…I've got this feeling."

Tygra sighed and shut his eyes. "Look, when I said your hunches are good…"

"Name one time I've been wrong with something big."

He scowled. "How about that time you tried fighting that guy that stole a barrel of ale and you broke your nose last year?"

"I mean a real feeling, one like this." He refused to look at her and she shifted her weight. "I'm going to ask them. At least we could travel with them until they get Slithe. What if he comes back with more soldiers and sacks Dera's Run because we drove him off? He's a general of the Alliance! If they aren't stopped, do you think the king would worry about a place as little as Dera's Run with all that's going on?"

The corners of Tygra's mouth quirked uncomfortably. "I admit you have a point there. But we still don't know if we can trust these guys."

"They put themselves in danger to save those guards. And does Lion-O seem like he'd hurt anyone if he could do otherwise?" She gestured to the cat and observed as he absently smoothed the tuft of red fur on the tip of his tail, harmless with his round blue eyes and youthful face.

"I guess not. If he handled being drooled on by a mutt he must have a soft heart." Cheetara nudged him.

"I'm going to see if they'd be open to me coming along anyway. You have to make your own decision." She didn't look at her parents as she passed the bar and her heart pounded thickly as she sat down again. Cheetara did not make a habit of stupid, dangerous decisions by choice, and some part of her didn't believe what she was about to say. Perhaps that was why she said it fast; she knew she'd change her mind if she didn't hurry. "Would you be open to having another cat join you and help you make your way north?"

Panthro stared and Lion-O's eyes grew very round. The result was so bunny-ish that Cheetara didn't dare take her paw away from her chin for fear of laughing. "Um. I'm sorry, what?"

Cheetara swept her hair over her shoulder, feeling a little unkempt. "Two people will have a really hard time making it all the way to Lune with enemies along the way. And I'm afraid that Slithe will attack Dera's Run if you don't deal with him. If everything you've told us is true, I think it's my duty to try to help you."

Panthro turned his head and muttered in Lion-O's ear again. The lion listened before speaking. "Your offer is very kind, but I think it'd be best if you don't accompany us. It'll be dangerous, and you have family here." Lion-O shook his head. "I'm sorry, but have to decline."

Cheetara had half-expected this. Tygra sat down beside her in silence and made no similar offer. "So it's a no?"

She watched Lion-O and Panthro get up. Something in her did not feel disappointed but rather as if it were still waiting for an answer. As if that "no" had only been a "maybe." Seeing them to the door, Cheetara waited until Lion-O was nearly out before she said, "I saw it glow too. The sword."

He stopped and glanced back at her curiously. The side of his hood brushed his cheek and he looked terribly young for a big venture. Was he younger or older than her? Cheetara tilted her head. "The king doesn't want his people to know about what's going on. I understand that. But I'm a Thunderan citizen, and more than that, I'm part of this world. If what you're saying is true, billions of lives are riding on your success. I'd like your chances to be as good as possible. Ask that sword of yours if it thinks you ought to bring me. If it tells you something, come by before you leave again. If not…I guess this is goodbye."

Lion-O's lips parted as if he were trying to think of something to say. When he didn't Cheetara reached out and tweaked the edge of his nose once more, very gently. "Look out for yourself. And that bunny nose."

He closed the door before she could see his expression and she gazed at the wooden surface for a few seconds before she left. She had errands to run and flour to pick up.

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"What were you thinking, offering to go running around the countryside? Cheetara, I've never seen the like!"

Her mother's hand was firm but the pulls were gentle on her hair. "I don't know Mama. I just felt like I was supposed to do something." She pouted and pulled her knees up to her chin. "Do you think they were lying?"

"I'm sure I don't know what I think Cheetara. I don't know either of them well enough to think that. But that you interfered with the guards' business…Cheetara, you're so sensible most of the time. These feelings you get surely aren't worth getting hurt over are they?" Sai kissed the top of her head angrily.

Yamese was writing on a pad of paper but he peered over it at his wife. "I don't know dear. Cheetara's never been wrong about this sort of thing before."

She looked at her dad and shot him a smile but Sai tutted. "You're recommending our daughter run off with strange cats?"

"Oh, don't be silly. But when have you known our golden girl to make up one of her feelings? There's a ring of something important about all this." Yamese put his pages aside and stroked his whiskers in thought. "You say this boy had the Sword of Omens, or that he claimed to. I'll admit that there hasn't been any news of the Imperial City lately, and the king hasn't made any appearances for some time." He took a moment to continue, as if unsure of what to say. "I wish we knew more of what was happening."

"I don't. I'm content to let the king's men work on it." Tucking the stray bits of blond hair back, Sai tied off the braid and nudged Cheetara's shoulders. She stood up, towering over her mother as the Siamese cat rose and brushed the wrinkles out of her nightdress. "It's frightening and mad, all of it. King Claudus wouldn't send just anyone on this venture if it's true. My daughter doesn't need to be running around the countryside. It's a dangerous world for man or woman, but a woman is in greater danger of the two."

Cheetara didn't reply, looking out the window. Just last night she'd been enjoying the dingy view but now she saw it for what it was; a little town in a little place in a really big world. It might disappear one day because of something nobody knew anything about. The whole world seemed less certain now, less stable. She believed in the Creator and his power, and this eased her worry a little, but what if this feeling were his way of telling her to go? What if she was meant to do something to help these strangers?

A practical part of her mind stirred. Assuming the planet was saved, trade routes could open back up if stability returned to the kingdom. Mi-Ao's shipments could come through more cheaply. The Fancy Feline would struggle less and the stress lines on her parents' faces would lighten. Prices would go down and getting new goods could bring real prosperity back to Dera's Run. They could shift away from a plain old bar and toward their real dream, a full on restaurant and inn. Cheetara said nothing of this but held it somewhere south of her heart and north of her stomach in a hard knot.

"It just seems like something's going to happen." She knew it was Yamese behind her because he smelled like biscuits. He ate them in place of dessert. He was trying to lose a little paunch.

"I know. Feels restless tonight. Don't worry about your mother. I know you'd only offer to go if you thought it was right. She just frets about her baby." He kissed the top of her head. "The Creator will guide you. He always leads those willing to follow."

"Yeah. I know." She turned around and bent to kiss his whiskery cheek. "'Night Daddy. Love you." Her tail coiled as she considered what to say next. "If Lion-O does come back tomorrow…if he does need my help…would you let me go?"

He looked up at her with something like wonder. "I wouldn't like my kitten running around in such a dangerous world, but yes. I still think you're meant for something much bigger than I am. You have to do what you believe is right. And I love you too, sweetheart."

Cheetara hugged him, long and secure. Then she went to bed and chewed on what she'd learned, thinking about molten planet insides and broken swords. But it hadn't seemed broken, and for the first time she began to wonder if maybe Lion-O was wrong. Or King Claudus, rather.

Cheetara curled up under her blankets. Her tight stomach loosened a little; maybe the Sword of Omens was just tired after a long period of inactivity. Yes, like her staff when she first started using it. It hadn't been used in years, and it took a few tries to warm it up. It had been careless to offer to go with strangers, even though she did know they were good. And she did know, really. Or she thought she did. The doubtful voice sounded like her mother and chided her.

Maybe they were right. Maybe two people were enough. She'd never traveled on the open road much, and Cheetara would miss her parents terribly if she went. Her hunches were never wrong, but there was a first time for everything, wasn't there? She wasn't the most refined lady around but she liked to be able to take a bath and eat dinner with her family. If she traveled she'd have to get used to being grungy and dirty.

But it would be amazing to see the world. Meet so many people, beyond the borders of tiny Dera's Run. Try all the foods, look at the sights. See how others lived, what they thought. What kinds of ale sold well and whether or not Trollogs could actually talk…

Her feet hit the floor in her dream so hard that it nearly woke her. Cheetara gasped, holding her knees and feeling her feet beat hard with the pain and her heart. She might have bitten her tongue too, as there was blood in her mouth.

Cheetara was neither hot nor cold but she rubbed her arms anyway; the air felt stale and heavy, and it was almost tiresome to breathe in the air. The tip of her tongue was hurting now.

"Thundercat."

The word wasn't spoken. It was commanded, pushed out in a wave of gravity. It nearly made her knees buckle again and Cheetara held her head with the glory of it. It wasn't a sound but it reverberated inside her, making her ribs and skull rattle. "Wh-What…?"

"He is growing stronger."

It wasn't a voice but it was so clear, hard and fierce as a bell.

"Who are you?" She felt ashamed to ask; perhaps the thing would think her foolish for not knowing. Why did it call her a Thundercat? Or was it talking to someone else? "And who is getting stronger?"

"Go. Lion-O will return tomorrow and you will go with him. Others will attempt to dissuade you, but if you value their lives you will go. Go and let no one stop you."

And Cheetara stood in a darkness that was suddenly oppressive, thicker than black liquor, and she knew the being would tell her no more. She looked around, wishing she would wake up. There was nothing but the sound of wind here, blowing hot and soft against her back. It blew and pulled, blew and pulled, drawing her hair and then sending it fluttering past her face.

She stiffened and her fur stood on end. That wasn't wind. It was breath. Like a sleepy drunk's breathing before he started yelling about the bill.

Almost as if it knew she'd sensed it, the breathing stopped. Cheetara's heart was moving fast and she willed herself not to scream, cupping a hand over her mouth.

Then, before she could convince herself otherwise, she spun around.

Nothing. Nothing at all. Cheetara felt a little better for a second, bewildered. Dreams did not have to be logical, but these were usually a little more sensible than others. Perhaps if she focused she could change this one's direction? She preferred dreams where she was running through space. Her feet burned on stars in those, and the ice of comets cooled them as she sprinted through the sky.

Red lights suddenly appeared, above her head and Cheetara squinted at them. Those didn't look like stars. Had someone turned on lights for her? "Um…hello? Anyone there?"

The lights moved and Cheetara plugged her fist into her mouth, muffling a shriek. They weren't lights. They were great eyes, looking at her. The hot breath came again. It stank ever so slightly, like meat that had been sitting in the warm sun a little too long.

Her hands dropped to her sides and she felt for her staff, fingers tripping. The eyes had no pupils, only a red sheen that looked down on her like filmy blood. "Who are you?"

Her voice squeaked. Cheetara felt her tail between her legs and cursed her fear; it was a nightmare, that was all.

Wasn't it?

The eyes shifted, suddenly in front of her, and she felt the heat of breath closer and she wrapped her hand around the cold, comforting metal of her weapon. Those eyes were huge, bigger around than her arms could reach. But was there anything else in that dark? She could see no face, no mouth, no skin.

"I am Everliving."

A voice without a mouth spoke, quieter than dead moss. It raked over her like broken, cracked nails and made her throat feel raw, cracking all her edges.

Her staff extended. "That's an adjective. I want your name, which would be a noun." Cheetara put out the blades, ready to pierce the gelatinous eyes. She'd never felt so brave and stupid. "Who are you?"

The eyes never blinked. Instead they shifted a little, and Cheetara heard it whisper. And this time, she saw the flash of pointed, rotten teeth beneath them. Some were yellow and the ones in the back faded to moldy green and gray.

The mouth – she knew it had one now – tore open, unhinged and gaping like a snake's. It could swallow her whole, and the teeth filled it like too many needles. The roar came down and pressed her into a crouch, slamming her onto her knees and blowing her fur back. It went on and on, from one end of eternity to the next.

His breath was a maelstrom, and if he didn't stop roaring she felt like she'd pass out because she wouldn't be able to take in a gasp. And every bent joint felt ready to burst open like a crab's shell under the force of a hammer.

The noise stopped and Cheetara stopped holding her ears, ringing making her eardrums burn. Her body was heavy and she realized she was shivering, muscles weak as jam. Had it disappeared? Her body crumpled and she sprawled there, nearly numb.

She jerked her head up and saw a figure standing over her. It was wrapped in a long blue cloak and she could barely see his face, but the shape and color of it was familiar. He seemed blurry like a few blots of paint on a page, wavering in her line of vision.

He seemed to smile and Cheetara tried to get up, elbows buckling. He knelt and sat beside her, shadow soft as cloth. For some reason she felt a little better, and she realized the darkness around them wasn't so deep, wasn't so poisonous. "He's gone now, so you're safe. I'll be back tomorrow. Tygra will come too. We'll go together. Get ready before evening. You'll hear Thundera's Hymn when you wake up. Let that be a sign."

Cheetara blinked, slow and thick. "I need to go to Lune?"

The smile stayed in place. Somehow the light in his eyes said, "Yes." "Why?"

"Because I'll fail without you."

"You'll fail? What's that mean? What'll happen if I don't go?" she pressed.

The smiled faded and he looked apologetic. A red line ran across his face – like a knife had made a tiny slit in his skin – and then Cheetara screamed as something thick and scarlet exploded over her from the line, clotting in her fur and drowning her lungs. It was too much to be coming from that cut, barrels and barrels gushing out. It was like a waterfall coming from a bucket, and the rest of the world smothered in it.

"You are needed, Cheetara. You are all needed. Go or Thundera's blood will fill all the seas. Do not doubt; listen for the Hymn."

She woke to someone grabbing her shoulders and shaking them. A set of blue eyes bored into her blurry line of sight and she screamed again, thinking it was still the bleeding face of-

No. Her mother. His lips were tight and she was speaking. "Cheetara! Baby, wake up! Wake up!"

"…Mama," she choked, sitting up. She leaned forward, forehead hitting her mother's shoulder with her back slumping. "I had a dream. Oh, no it wasn't. It was so horrible. I couldn't have just dreamed that."

Heavy footsteps on the stairs told her that her dad was coming up. "Sai, Cheetara! What is it?" The door flew open and he came in, kneeling at the edge of the bed. It reminded her faintly of the time she'd tripped while getting dressed and he'd barged in when she started crying and had kissed her bruised knee even though she'd been in her underwear. Neither of them had even noticed until afterward, and then they'd laughed. He was in his nightclothes and a cap and he was limping; he must have stubbed his toe.

Cheetara knew Yamese couldn't fix everything like a kissed bruise, but the presence of "Daddy" made her stir. "Honey, what's wrong?" The warmth of her parents made Cheetara rub her face, trying not to close her eyes. They were too red, the blood in her eyelids too much like the deluge.

"Mama, I have to go with Lion-O. Something terrible will happen if I don't." She practically vomited the words, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. Sai looked at Yamese.

"Look, you've upset her. That talk of important things and restless nights!"

"No! Mama, I swear! In my dream someone told me that if I didn't go, Thundera…'Thundera's blood will fill the seas.' Lion-O's going to come back tomorrow and I have to go help him. Tygra's supposed to come too, it said so…"

Cheetara felt very calm now but her voice shook and she wondered if her mother thought she was going into hysterics. "What said so? Some voice in a dream? Cheetara, this isn't like you-"

Jerking her head up, Cheetara shushed her mother. Her ears perked and she listened. "The sign. There it is."

Yamese and Sai both listened, looking nervous. But all that could be heard was a slightly off-key warbling down below.

"Feel the ma-jick, Hear tha'roarrr…Thunnercats'r loose…"

Yamese opened the window and looked down. A tipsy cat was singing Thundera's Hymn to himself, its ode to its heroes. The man swayed and hiccupped after every couple lines. "Drunk Katty singing? That's a sign, dear?"

"Thundera's Hymn. The voice said I'd hear it when I woke up." Cheetara breathed slowly, burying her face in her hands. "There's no way that was just a dream. I know dreams. That was a vision."

"Cheetara, I want you to forget that young man. He's gotten you all upset and-" Sai began, arms crossing.

"No Mama. I know what I saw. He's going to come back tomorrow and I've got to go with him." Cheetara rubbed her temples and looked at Yamese. "You were right. Something is going to happen. You'll let me go with them, won't you? You said you would."

Sai looked at him, mouth puckering. "You said what?"

Yamese looked somewhat sheepish. Cheetara waited for his reply as he wiped his hair back, tugging at the roots a little. "Cheetara. You have to realize this sounds very strange. You've had a horrible dream, but that doesn't mean it's a vision. And besides, Lion-O turned your offer down."

Cheetara sat there a moment, mulling this over. She knew it had been more than a dream. She felt it in the way her bones ached from the scream and the tang of blood on her tongue. There was a sore place on it that matched the dream, she realized, running it over her teeth. But for just a second, listening to the sensible words of her parents, Cheetara couldn't help but wonder if maybe they were right.

No. Her insides tightened and it felt like she'd breathed in freezing air. Cheetara knew better. She could never in her wildest imagination dreamed up anything like that and have it feel so real.

She sighed. "Okay. If Lion-O shows up tomorrow and he's changed his mind, I have to leave. That's be two signs. And if Tygra will go, that's three signs I was right. Fair enough?"

Sai and Yamese exchanged glances. "Dear, this isn't like you. All of a sudden…"

Cheetara shook her head. "I was told that Tygra and I have to go, and Lion-O is going to come back by tomorrow evening. I'll pack. If he doesn't show up I'll…I guess it is all a dream. But if not…"

Yamese swept some of her free blond hairs back. "I said I'd let you go if you thought that was what you had to do. If this Lion-O fellow comes back…well, you'll have to make your decision. I trust your judgment Cheetara." His whiskers brushed her forehead. "We've not raised a fool for a daughter."

Sai just took Cheetara's hand. "I just don't understand it. You were so happy two days ago and now this? You want to run off into dangerous places?"

"I don't want to Mama. I have to, no matter what anyone says. It's important." Cheetara laid her head down on the pillow and sighed. "You know the ancient tales? The ones where the Creator sent dreams to mortals and they prophesied? I think it must have felt like that. I've never had anything like that come over me." Sai pulled up the blanket and wrapped it around her golden shoulders, stroking her spots. Cheetara peeped at her over the edge of her comforter. "Do you think I'm crazy Mama?"

"Never that Cheetara." Her mother's face seemed drawn now and Cheetara was comforted by her words if not her expression. "If Lion-O shows up I'll have to talk to him. But you know he said he didn't need your help on this, so I don't know if I'd bother packing tomorrow."

"I'll pack just in case." Cheetara held her mother's fingers. "Mama, I really don't want to. I just have to. I wish I could show you what I saw. It had these red eyes that just…ugh."

"Just go to sleep sweetheart. Don't think about it." Sai kissed her hair again and Cheetara was aware of falling asleep over the next few minutes to her mother's voice and her father's occasional murmur.

No more dreams plagued her that night.

---

"Icla's had thirteen drug sale cases just this season, and though there hasn't been any hard evidence connecting the Mutation to Lune, it's the only place nearby with access to the materials to make so much so quickly, and they've got the connections to import the extra ingredients we've been discovering in the substance. Not to mention the people have been restless up there…they say there are quakes more often now. Of course, it's the Luna. You know how they are."

Tygra had dealt with a few in his life and he nodded. His father gazed at the message screen displaying a portly brown cat and seemed to think hard. "Is that why your prices have been rising? The local merchants are complaining, and I'd like a hard reason to explain it to them."

The cat nodded, looking grim. "I live fair to the south of Icla and we still lose shipments. Food and drink go missing, right into thieving bellies. I have to pay for greater security as we travel and that goes into the price of goods. I have men to pay and a family to feed. Don't let this fool you," he added glumly, patting his stomach. "We've been tightening our belts here as well."

He did seem to slump, Tygra observed. Mi-Ao was a jolly cat, likable, and he had his fingers in many trades and caravans that traveled. He never charged more than was fair either, and Tygra liked him for his tendency to be willing to barter for those that had limited coin. But his whiskers seemed to droop and his bright eyes clouded.

"I understand. The merchants are getting worried is all. I am too for that matter." His father sighed and leaned on his pale hand. "Sometimes I wonder if being like the other nobles and just ignoring matters might not be easier."

"Ah Xiame, you're too nosy to stay out of affairs. And it's just as well; we need someone involved." Mi-Ao paused and his tail wavered uneasily. "Ah, I have a message for Tygra." He opened a small paper and coughed. "His mother says, 'I enjoyed your visit and you make sure to take care of yourself. Keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble. Kisses and love, Mama.'"

Tygra straightened. He didn't have the time to get embarrassed. "Is she all right?"

"Yes. She just misses you." But Mi-Ao crossed his arms, brow furrowed in thought. "Still, I'm worried. She has her servants at home and she's the fiercest tigress I've ever met, but we've had brigands and thieves spotted in Icla as well. She lives so close and sometimes her men admit to seeing the Luna heading south. They haven't had any trouble yet, and you know that the Luna have no reaction to Mutation."

Xiame looked at his son. He had green eyes and the orange of his fur was almost red compared to Tygra's, and his pale face was still handsome even though gray had started on his black stripes. His hair was kept in long white braids, but unlike his son he let them fall down his back. He was a little past the age of running around the different cities and fighting, which was what the bound braids meant. They were a symbol of youth and wild spirit. Tygra leaned on the side of his father's chair. "I wish I'd known all this before I came back. I might've stayed a while longer."

Though he would've hated to admit it, Tygra had been more shaken by the conversation with Lion-O than he'd let on. Sure, Lion-O might be nuts. But with all he said there was an echo of truth, and Tygra had done a little digging.

Criminal records were increasing up north. Cities grew more restless toward Thundera's northern borders. And now Mi-Ao was talking about security and the Mutation trade? It was a little too close to be coincidence.

Tygra didn't know about the rest of it. The core of the planet and the Sword of Omens, and even the king being sick, were just Lion-O's words. But if he was right about all this, it increased his credibility.

Most unfortunately.

"And the Imperial Guard?" Xiame asked.

"This land falls outside their reach. Cheaper tariffs and taxes, so it's why we congregate here, but it's not under Thundera's authority. They can only come in if permitted by the Lunas' political leaders of Lune. I daresay some of the higher ups are involved in the Mutation trade, which has proven most lucrative. Not that we've seen any of them for weeks." Mi-Ao rubbed the bridge of his stout nose. "So Thundera's not a presence here."

Xiame looked at his claws and linked his fingers. "Why she moved all the way out there…" he murmured. Mi-Ao glanced up and coughed uncomfortably and Tygra's tail switched from side to side.

"She's been doing well for herself. And she likes the cold climate, not to mention the Luna. She never really wanted to move to Dera's Run in the first place." Tygra said all this lightly, trying not to make the last words too accusatory.

"Not to mention she's avoided me the past fifteen years like I have the distemper." This was said bluntly and Tygra shrugged. "Does she ever mention me?"

"Not a word. I don't bring it up," Tygra replied. Xiame sighed.

"Maybe it would be a good idea for you to check to check on her. She'll allow your calls through, won't she?"

Mi-Ao shook his head. "That's what I called to tell you about. I won't be able to communicate with the merchants at all after this and I wanted you to pass on my message. Lune is cutting off communication with the south. This is the last call I'm allowed."

Tygra stared. "What gives them the right to do that?"

"It's more a matter of security than a matter of rights. The Luna security forces have been pushing through laws to restrict business communication as they try to cut down on the Mutation trades. They believe there are reptilian receivers for the goods and surmise that keeping them from making contact points will dissuade traders." Mi-Ao raised his hands helplessly. "It's good to know there are some uncorrupt Luna, but everyone has to suffer. Politicians are fighting it, but it's all to naught."

"They're cutting off contact to the south because they know reptiles can't head up north to claim the drug. The Luna will have to head further south than ever and that will look suspicious considering how much they dislike the climate." Xiame wrote this down, pen ticking on the metal surface under his paper. "Of course there are some warm-blooded creatures that could make the trek for a bit of the profit. The traders are probably one step ahead of them as we speak."

"It's a bandage solution. It's not going to work but it feels like they're doing something. Most such laws are. As long as there are bad people in business, bad business will be done. Have you tried communicating with Matrae?"

"No. Let me try to place a call, we'll keep you on the line." Tygra entered the code for his mother's location outside Icla and Mi-Ao's image was compressed slightly and a new square appeared. Inside it were the words, "Servers have been locked down. Please communicate with the security squad of Lune to be permitted to communicate with those inside the borders of our cities."

Tygra grunted and closed the square. "You're right. It won't place the call."

"They're shutting us down soon. I get the feeling they're not telling us everything but there's not much to be done at this point. I might take a ship down to Tropo myself soon, bypass the mountains." Mi-Ao seemed to check something and said, "I've got to go, they're limiting my time. I'll try to place messages when they let us communicate. And I'll do what I can to look out for Matrae."

Xiame nodded. "Thank you. Take care of yourself, Mi-Ao."

"Will do." He nodded and his image faded, replaced by the message about locked servers. Tygra scowled. It made his stomach drop to realize they wouldn't talk to Mi-Ao again for months if not longer.

"They're overstepping their boundaries. This isn't even their home world and they think they can lock down feline communication? It's only because of Thundera leaving them be that they even exist. We could have wiped them out years ago and this is how they respond? Wars have started over less than this."

"Few think very clearly when they're afraid. Those that do should be generals." Xiame stood up, towering over his son. "You're worried."

"It's only my mother after all." Tygra leaned on the metal table. "I should've stayed up there longer. She told me I could stay as long as I wanted."

"Why didn't you?"

"I hate the cold, I missed my friends, and I worry about you too." He sat on the edge of the table, tail drooping moodily. "I don't know how she stays in such a remote place. I got tired of dealing with the Luna."

Xiame crossed the room, pacing. "I can understand that. Still, you can't head out to check on her whenever you want." He gave Tygra a pointed look. "Which is what you were wanting to do, is it not?"

"Obviously."

"I'd go, but you see why that would be a bad idea." Tygra nodded; there was little in the world his mother hated more than his father. "I can see about getting a group of city guards together to patrol trade caravans to the north. You could travel with them, but it'll be a few months before they go."

Tygra got up and mentally calculated how long that would take. "I'd be lucky to be able to check on her in a year. I'd rather get up there sooner and check her surroundings, maybe knock a few heads to let the Luna know to keep away."

"She's plenty capable of that herself," Xiame noted.

"So? She's my Mom. I want to look after her." Unlike someone, Tygra added mentally.

"I know…I know." Xiame broodingly looked up at the blank screen again. "I'm sorry son, but there's not much I can do. It's going to be job enough to keep the merchants calm. I'll see if there are any others heading north but that's the best I have to offer."

"Yeah. I know." Tygra reflected on how that didn't really seem like enough and went to the door. "I'll try to figure something out too. 'Night Dad."

"Goodnight son. But, before you go, could I ask you something?"

Tygra paused. "Why did you want to be here for my conference with Mi-Ao? You seemed a little more interested than usual in what's been going on up north."

Rapping his claws on the doorframe once, Tygra said, "No real reason. Just some things I've been hearing lately."

He went to bed after that. It was late but his mind was uneasy, and it took him until nearly dawn to get some sleep.

---

Cheetara looked at her bags and scratched her head. "Kind of makes me glad I don't have any frilly clothes. They'd be impossible to pack in these."

Two burlap sacks filled with clothes and a few grooming accoutrements sat on her bed in a cozy lump. She was debating on whether or not she had room for one more thing and she decided she'd make room. Opening one bag Cheetara pressed her stuffed kitty doll Misses Cuddlewhiskers – Yamese had bought the materials and Sai had helped her sew it, cutting a few locks of Cheetara's hair to make its tresses, and she'd been married to a teddy before he'd been tragically lost to an accident with a furnace and some exploding fluff – into the pack and heard the jingle of what money she'd saved in a little pouch as well. She'd left some of it for an emergency fund if something happened and Mama and Daddy needed the extra money for something.

It wouldn't be easy to carry all this. She felt a little dizzy with it all, really; she was waiting on someone she'd met a couple of times to show up and ask her to come with him to a dangerous place because she'd had a weird dream-vision thing. It sounded ridiculous. In fact, it was ridiculous.

But when she thought about staying and closed her eyes, she saw a flare of red eyes and could smell the faintest whiff of rotten teeth. Cheetara shuddered and lifted her bags with difficulty, setting them on the floor and sitting on her now bare bed. She'd packed her blanket to serve as a bedroll. She hoped it would do okay.

Her room had always been tiny and cramped but it was hers, and she had decorated it with little things over the years. Pictures and old toys on her shelf, a little rug on the wooden, creaky floor, and a little rack where her clothes hung, most of them the same tan and brown colors. Color dye was expensive, and she looked good in browns and oranges.

Now the clothes were gone, some of the pictures had been knocked over, and her toys looked abandoned. A couple of books were in her bags too and she double checked to make sure she had her copy of the scriptures and some of her favorite novels. She sighed.

What did it feel like to be gone from home for months and months? Probably horrible. She'd never been away from her parents for more than a week at a time. It made her stomach ache and she looked up at the ceiling. "You're going to have to help me with this. I'm only going because I'm…ninety-five percent sure that's what you want."

There was no answer, naturally. Cheetara got up and slung her bags over her back and started for the stairs.

The afternoon sun fell through the windows, deepening to gold as the minutes ticked by. Cheetara was restless as she helped throughout the day, running to and from the kitchen and washing dishes. If she was going to be gone she needed to help all she could today, or so she felt.

Dishes would still pile up and her mother and father would be left to do all she did, or they'd have to hire someone else. This made Cheetara's hands scrub more restlessly. She moved bigger things early, swept under the tables because it was getting hard for Daddy to do as he got older and his back pained him, she collected tabs so her mother wouldn't have to deal with the irritated grumbles…

Her bags sat in the kitchen and Cheetara felt strange when she looked at them. Her mother ignored them, but every so often Cheetara would see her check the time passing with a satisfied look on her face.

It wasn't her fault. It didn't make Cheetara angry. She just kept cleaning and working and waiting.

"If he does come," she said once, "I think you should rent my room out to someone. They can live with you and work for you. It'd be cheaper than hiring on a new hand."

Sai nodded vaguely. "We'll think about it. If you leave, that is."

There was one other thing bothering Cheetara, and that was convincing Tygra to come with them. He was supposed to go, and she supposed her mother might feel more at ease if he went. They'd been friends a few years after all, and were like nothing so much as siblings that bickered and looked out for each other. But he wouldn't like the idea, even though she got the strange feeling he wasn't as hostile as he'd acted. But she wasn't sure.

Perhaps she should go talk to him. See if Lion-O had gone to see him first. This seemed better than scrubbing a hole in the same spot of a table. She stopped, hand aching, and said aloud, "I think I'm going to go see Tygra. If Lion-O shows up, tell him I'll be back in a minute and not to leave." She looked at Yamese for confirmation. It wasn't as if she thought her mother would shoo Lion-O off, but her father seemed more open to all this. He nodded at her and she hurried to the door, trying to think of the straight paths to Tygra's house. If there wasn't traffic she could make it in a few minutes with her speed-

She pulled the door open and nearly collided with Lion-O, whose hand had been reaching for the knob. They bumped together and she yelped, tail sticking up. He blinked, jumping back as his fur puffed out. It made him look fluffy and Cheetara relaxed after she realized who it was. "Lion-O. Hi."

"Hello. Ah, I need to-" he began.

Cheetara put up a hand. "You changed your mind and want me to go with you?"

His lips halted and he blinked three times in quick succession.

"And Tygra needs to come too, right?"

One more blink. "How did you know that?"

Cheetara felt a peculiar mixture of despair and triumph curdling in her stomach. It rose to her throat and plummeted back down again. "Would you believe me if I said I had a dream that told me?"

"You're telling this to the guy who talks to an inanimate object. I asked the Sword three times because…well, I didn't believe it at first. It finally gave me a vision. I think it got mad at me." He was staring at her like she was an alien. "You're something different, I think."

Strangely Cheetara was pleased by the almost reverent way he said that. "If you say so. I'm all packed."

She turned around to see her mother holding her bags like two babies, resting on her hips. Yamese was standing behind her. Both sets of bright blue eyes were looking at her and Cheetara suddenly felt a little shy, more miserable than before. There was nothing to be said and she felt the silence on her back like a knife. She was aware of Lion-O shifting behind her and glanced at him. He looked rushed, hood up and his face shaded under it. His eyes were darker blue than her parents'. "I can wait outside for a minute," he said at last.

"No. I have a question or two for you young man." Sai stepped forward and squinted at him, eyes narrow and tail switching dangerously. "I don't understand what's going on. I know about what you've said, and that you're heading north. What I want to know is why my daughter's to be involved in it."

Lion-O seemed uncomfortable but he held her gaze. "It's not just her, ma'am. It's Tygra as well. The Sword brought me to this city for them. I thought it was just for the maps and to get rid of Slithe, but I think it wanted me to meet them." When she didn't look away he continued, "The Sword of Omens grants visions. It showed me a new one last night, and I saw myself in the north with six others. Three of them I couldn't make out, but the other three were visible. One of them was Panthro and the other two were your daughter and Tygra."

"A vision from you too?" Sai put down the bags and put her hands on her hips. "I'm tired of visions. First Cheetara is upset because of you and then she says she has a dream, and now you talk about seeing things! Nothing is making sense!"

"Mama, it's not his fault. I'm sorry but I have to go. I know it." Cheetara lowered her head and embraced her mother, breathing in hard to keep the scent.

Sai tightened her grip around her daughter. "I just don't understand. All these problems, all this fighting…why do they have anything to do with you?" she whispered.

"I don't know. I just know that something bad will happen if I stay here." Cheetara kissed her mother's cheek. "It'll be okay. I love you Mama." She turned to her father and he hugged her first. "Love you Daddy."

"I love you too sweetheart." He gave her a kiss in return. "Here, take this with you." Putting a little pouch in her palm, Cheetara heard the jingle of coins and tried to hand it back.

"I can't take-"

"Cheetara." His face was stern. "I am going to lose enough sleep knowing that you're traveling with strange cats in dangerous territory. At least give me the benefit of knowing you'll be able to buy food."

Sai was looking at Lion-O again almost savagely. "My daughter is going to travel with strangers. The least you can do is tell us more about why you've been sent on this mission. Why were you selected? Do you have any credentials?"

He lowered his chin. "I can't say. I serve the king himself, but anyone could claim that I suppose. But, maybe I can do something." He looked up, noting that the bar was sparsely populated, and that no one sat near them. "If you had some proof of her importance to this venture, would that help you?"

Sai paused and nodded. "I suppose it would be helpful to know this is what the Creator wants her to do, and that this is his guidance."

"All right." Lion-O moved his cloak a little so that the hilt of Sword of Omens was visible. "May I?" He held out a hand and she placed her fingers in his palm. He then looked down, eyes soft, and whispered, "Sword of Omens, this is really important. For just a moment, give her sight beyond sight."

Sai stiffened and Cheetara jumped toward her mother. Lion-O was perfectly still, eyes almost sleepy, and the woman let go of his paw almost as quickly as he'd finished speaking. Sai bent slightly, eyes wide, and Lion-O knelt to help her.

"I'm fine. Give me a minute." He hesitated and Sai stood up, breathing deeply. Her eyes focused again and she looked at Lion-O. Her face was wary now rather than hostile. "That really is the Sword of Omens, isn't it?"

"Yes. It's conserving power, so I'm sorry the vision was short." He held the short blade thoughtfully. "It doesn't show visions to just anyone. You must have a good heart."

Cheetara watched her mother, wondering at the change on her face. It was like dawn breaking over a dark land, crushing the shadows and leaving uneasy, bright shapes. "I see. Cheetara?"

"Yes Mama?"

Her mother stooped to pick up the bags and then handed them over. "Be careful."

This acceptance nearly overwhelmed her. Cheetara had to blink hard. "What did you see?"

"I can't say. It's not to be said. But he's right. This is what you're supposed to do." Sai touched her daughter's hair, fingers resting in the thick gold. "I still don't understand the whole thing, but it's meant to happen."

Cheetara kissed her once more. Sai then whirled and pointed one finger at Lion-O.

"If you even think of hurting my daughter, I'll find you and kill you." This was said so simply that there was no risk of it being a joke. Rather than being perturbed Lion-O inclined his head.

"I understand, ma'am. We're to bring Tygra as well though, if that eases your mind."

Her hard face softened slightly. "I suppose." She shook her head. "I must be careless, letting you leave like this."

Cheetara hefted her bags against her chest. "I'll send you a message as soon as we reach another town. It really is going to be all right Mama. I know it."

She turned to Lion-O. "So. You don't know where Tygra lives, do you?"

His cheeks reddened. "Not really. Oh, here…"

Lion-O took her bags and slung them over one shoulder easily. "We have means of travel. You won't have to carry those everywhere." Relieved, Cheetara stopped one more time to kiss her parents again and then – before she could lose her resolve – she stepped out the door, Lion-O following her as the door clicked shut.

They stood outside for a moment, Cheetara crossing her arms. "I must be crazy," she said at last.

"What, leaving your home and family to travel with strangers for reasons you barely understand?" Lion-O waited beside her, tipping his head to one side. "I think it's brave."

She eyed him. "Even with the whole vision thing?"

"That's not too surprising, actually. There are records of priests and prophetesses in the Imperial City having visions over the ages." This made her lift her head and perk her ears. "Perhaps you have a gift. Have your ancestors shown any signs of seeing visions? It's often passed down through the bloodline." He started walking beside her and Cheetara began to pick her way through the streets and people. She sensed he was trying to distract her and that he seemed to feel guilty for asking her to come. It was sweet.

"I have no idea. My parents have taken care of me since I was an infant, and they never knew who my biological parents were." Cheetara looked back only once at the Fancy Feline with her scarred wood and cozy smells. Her heart felt thick and heavy, and to take another step felt like tearing something in it.

She tore loose as she looked away. "Come on, Tygra lives this way. We need to leave as soon as we can."

---

Tygra watched the sun dip lower toward the horizon. It was like a great biscuit falling into a dark drink, and he wished he had some candy brew tea. Little pleased him so much as a good tea, and candy brew tea was a mix of strong herbs and dried candyfruit husk, boiled together for a sweet, hot drink.

But he had no tea. Only a lot of thoughts and a very twitchy tail.

His quarters were relatively large, neat enough and stacked with books and notes. His interests were many and varied and he had run out of space on his shelves years ago. Now they rested on the smooth floor in perfect stacks. Organized chaos, that was how he liked it.

Tygra had tried twelve times to reach Matrae and each time he met the same screen. He was getting ready to pitch a fit and try to send a message to the Lune security force. Safety his tail fur, if a cat wanted to check on his mother he should be able to.

He actually ended up writing an irate note to the security division, going back and deleting some of the more vitriolic statements before he sent it. It bounced right back to him; they were accepting no messages from the south at all. Speechless, Tygra tried to think of a good reason for this. If even the security forces were refusing to communicate, other cities and powers would be infuriated and cut off. Trade would suffer even more, or at the very least merchants would start taking to underground movements to get their goods in and out illegally. Good and bad alike had to make a living. The black market would explode with growth-

He froze. He'd been tapping a key on the screen's board in irritation and he turned this thought over and over. That was it. To any outsiders it would look like the Luna were trying to cut down on Mutation trade, but knowing them and the way they were, Tygra could easily see their black market getting stronger and richer because of this. Goods would be smuggled everywhere, and it would be ten times as hard to stop the materials for Mutation synthesis from getting in because there would be more trade to track and bust.

Lion-O was right. Something was very, very wrong.

And of course his mother lived in the center of it all. The woman was stubborn, and Tygra sighed as he thought of her. Certainly she could take his father in battle easily, but with all these Luna and the Alliance brewing…

"Sire?" He lifted his head in spite of himself, hoping perhaps one of his mother's servants had received one of his many messages. No such luck; one of the household workers was in the doorway, not on the screen. "Cheetara is here. She's with a lion and says she has to speak to you."

Tygra absorbed this and got up. "'With a 'lion' huh? Why am I not surprised?"

He descended the stairs hazardously, claws skimming the railing until he reached the bottom and crossed the entrance hall. It was hardly a villa but even Dera's Run had a few nobles, and Xiame was one of them. This house had been in his family since long before Tygra's birth, a gift to an ancestor for his tribe's aid to Thundera in an attack. Claudus's great-grandfather if he recalled correctly. The king had given the tigers citizenship for their aid and though they were hardly important in the scheme of Thundera's politics, the tigers were nothing to be sniffed at. The house was clean and refined, the closest thing to a fine house any of Dera's Run had ever seen. Tygra had seen finer, but it was home and he liked it almost as much as his mother's house. It was warmer at any rate.

The flat, glassy floor was pleasant to walk on and his claws tick-ticked as he crossed it. Tygra opened another door and looked out onto the threshold of the front door.

Cheetara was standing there and Lion-O was there with her, head covered by a hood. "Hi. Remember how I offered to go with them and then Lion-O said no?"

Cheetara spoke quickly and Tygra nodded once. "Yeah."

"Well he's changed his mind. I'm going with him and Panthro." His eyebrows rose. "I had a vision," she explained, and Tygra's brows lowered again. "You're supposed to come too, not to sound weird or anything."

Tygra looked at Lion-O, realizing he was carrying Cheetara's bags for her. At least his manners were fairly good. "Anything you want to add at this point?"

"No, she's covering it quite succinctly." Lion-O shifted. "Although I'd like to add that I've had a vision of you traveling with us as well, and that's she's not going crazy. The Sword of Omens told me your help is needed."

Tygra leaned on the doorframe. "Look, whatever you're up to isn't funny. The traders up north are really freaking out and I've got family to worry about. If Cheetara's been convinced about all this I can't help it, although I can advise her not to be so gullible." He shot her a look and she sighed.

"I called it."

Lion-O gave Tygra a long, appraising stare. "The traders are afraid? Because of Mutation?"

"Among other things. Corrupt leaders, black markets, potential economic meltdown. Nothing so mythological as the end of the world." He tapped his fingers restlessly. "I don't have time for this, I've got to figure out a way to get to Icla as soon as possible. Cheetara, do your parents know you're wanting to run around with this guy?"

"I was hoping you'd come. It would put their minds at ease," she said. Then she perked up a little. "Wait, Icla? Where your Mom is?"

"Yeah. Things are getting nasty around there, and going there on one's own is suicide." Tygra paused at the thoughtful looks on Cheetara and Lion-O's faces and scowled. "Hang on-"

"You could travel with us! Tygra, Icla is right by Lune, what are the chances that you'd be wanting to head north the same time we are?" Cheetara looked at Lion-O. "We could stop there to check on a tigress, couldn't we? Her name's Matrae."

Tygra was about to say something a little ruder than usual but Lion-O spoke immediately. "Sure. We can leave immediately and travel faster than a group of guards, if time is your concern." He glanced at Tygra out of the corner of his eye. "We have to go southeast to Tropo and then head straight north to avoid the worst of the mountain ranges, but with our vehicle it shouldn't be more than a few months. According to your own city's captain of the guard. There should be enough time before the winter months bring ice through the passes."

Tygra had to stop and think about this for a moment and found his protests meekly dying. He'd traveled with strangers before to Icla and Lune and it hadn't been very bad. And these people were ready to leave right now, whereas if he missed this chance he wouldn't be able to leave for months. And by that time the ice might be moving through, taking even longer.

Tigers were not inclined to chase a problem in circles any more than prey. They killed it quick.

He met Lion-O's eye. "I'm not going to Lune. But I'll travel as far as Icla with you and Cheetara. Try anything funny on us and I'll knock the stuffing out of you."

She frowned at this hostility but Lion-O merely smiled. "That was easier than I expected."

"Hey, it's my mother. What else am I going to do?" Tygra grunted. "Wait inside if you want, I'll pack and tell Dad I'm leaving again." He turned around and they entered, Lion-O watched Tygra disappear down the hall.

"He does this sort of thing often?"

"What, run off on his dad? Yeah. They're on good terms but there's a history." Seeing Lion-O's curious look Cheetara muttered, "Don't ask. It's a sensitive topic."

"Something to do with why his mother lives a quarter of the planet north?" Lion-O's ears twitched at a door in the distance. "Very well. I'll keep my questions silent."

"Thanks."

It took half an hour for Tygra to return, dressed in darker clothes and with a solid knapsack. "Pop's not happy but he wished us luck." He shrugged. "So we going or what?"

Outside the walls of Dera's Run was an open place. There were no mountains around for leagues, only flat grasslands and gently sloping hills further off. The sun was nearly gone and the brush looked dark in its dying light, sky staining red and purple as a bruise. Cheetara had been outside the walls many times and Tygra even more so, but leaving them this was made the place seem tinier, weaker.

Cheetara heard an annoyed sound and turned her head. Panthro was standing several feet from the gates of the city, and he'd been talking to the guards posted outside by the looks of things. His expression was a disappointed one. "So they agreed."

"Yeah. They did." The panther fell in beside Lion-O, eying the two newcomers.

"I'm only going as far as Icla, so let's not say I 'agreed' to anything," Tygra said. Panthro didn't acknowledge this, lowering his head and whispering something to Lion-O, who returned with a short reply.

"…Find out…"

"Not now. The Sword…"

Cheetara wanted to eavesdrop but her conscience fought her eardrums. Not to mention they were very quiet whispers.

"Whoa." Tygra stopped and Cheetara glanced back at him and then in the direction he was staring. Just ahead was the vehicle Lion-O had mentioned. And it was unlike anything she'd ever seen before.

It was huge and silver, big enough for someone of Panthro's bulk and several others. She could see the seats – she supposed they could be covered – and realized that this machine was not some carriage. It was built for combat. Out of the front gouged several fangs in the face of a feral cat, and white metal mixed with silver along the sides, covering weaponry. It was made to tear up terrain and bulldoze through the leagues.

"Is that a Thundertank?" Tygra gave Lion-O and Panthro an incredulous look. Lion-O was placing Cheetara's belongings in the back as if approaching a piece of refined destruction was a daily thing. "An Omega-class tank? With the latest weapon-tech design?"

"Yep." Panthro looked almost in the neighborhood of pleased. "With my own personal touches of course."

Tygra no longer seemed suspicious. He let Lion-O take his bag and approached, eying the machine with awe. Lion-O took the sack without complaint and Cheetara rolled her eyes, closing the trunk after he put it in beside hers. "One way to a boy's heart, show him something metal with wheels that can blow stuff up."

Lion-O grinned. "Boys don't grow up Cheetara. We always like things that blow stuff up."

"With these weapons connected to the power source, won't it overheat?" Tygra was asking, poking around on the panels.

"Nah, I've got two Thundrillium cores in there instead of the standard one. They swap off and share the load so if one starts getting hot the other takes the brunt of the work. It allows it to travel longer as well." Panthro was as stalwart as ever, but it seemed that the way to make him talk was asking about this metal thing. Cheetara watched Tygra inspect it and continue firing off questions.

She leaned toward Lion-O. "I think this is the start of a beautiful bromance."

"Maybe. He still won't let me drive, so if Tygra's wanting to get behind the wheel he's going to have to work harder than that." Lion-O looked between the front and the back. "Would you like to sit up front?"

"Huh?" The idea of sitting in the thing hadn't yet crossed her mind. The sharp angles made her shift uncomfortably. "Oh. Um, no. I'll run for a bit. I'm kind of jittery right now."

Panthro heard this as he was getting in and Tygra got in one of the back seats, looking at the different control panels over the panther's shoulder. "You think you can keep up?"

Cheetara arched an eyebrow. "Why don't we see?"

Where this light-hearted act came from she wasn't sure. Her stomach was rolling over and over, but she felt better to know Tygra was coming along. They pestered each other and the familiarity was a comfort. It felt a little less insane knowing he had been persuaded to come.

Even so she was leaving home, going very far away in a very short amount of time.

And yet, behind the terror was something like excitement. Tropo, Lune, the King's Door…there were things to see, and she was ready to go if it meant running out to meet the wild world.

In the back of her mind, attached to her heart by a thread, was the thought, "I'll make things better for Mama and Daddy. Just watch. I'll come back and things will be better."

And besides, she was being challenged to a race. Cheetara never lost a race.

With that her reluctance vanished and she heard the engine start up and roar. Lion-O put on his seatbelt in the passenger seat – he seemed to do so with care, perhaps fearing Panthro's driving – and Cheetara grinned. "Where to?"

Panthro didn't smile but he said, "Rana Pass. It's about ten leagues ahead and then we'll start heading southeast along it. If you need me to slow down just wave and I'll pick you up." He gave Lion-O a look which Lion-O returned, jaw set. As if some battle of wills had been waged, Panthro looked ahead again, exasperated.

Cheetara openly laughed, set herself to the ground, and took off in a whirlwind of dust and dead grass. Panthro coughed in the aftermath and Lion-O put down his goggles to block the debris, eyes following the golden screech as it shrank in the distance.

"…She didn't say go," Panthro said after a minute. Lion-O started laughing and Tygra held on to the side as the tank started up and seared over the ground, roaring like a great animal after Cheetara's heels.

---

"So, they'll be making their way to Lune? They'll come here on the way to Tropo."

Slithe's messenger screen crackled. It was an older model to be worn on the wrist. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I've gotten a good head start; I'll wait on the old paths outside Rana Village and attack when they come by. It's the only road around. They'll be out of the way after that." He reached into his belt with a practiced move, dark claws selecting one of many green canisters and taking it out. "I thought I'd let you know about the antimutagen before I transformed again. It works a little too well." His steps were slow and heavy, but he swiped his tail along behind to wipe out the prints. It would be impossible to know which lizard kind had been on this path if they even bothered to check. The dirt was nearly gray and he gauged the distance he had to travel by the stars. Even a tank couldn't beat him with this head start once he turned. The moon hung low and the sky was black, and his pupils widened when he turned from the moon's brightness.

"I don't want it interfering. We've nearly gotten everything settled and the next shipment from Tropo will give us enough to wage war on your enemies and mine."

"Thundera, yesss?" He hated that lisp.

"Of course." Her voice was smooth. A lie was laced into it like silk. "The Alliance will have its revenge on this oppressor."

"And what of the Heart of the World?"

The screen crackled again. "The Harbinger is still feeding. My spell will weaken it if we hurry."

"You thought that you'd stop it last time, and look what happened to your world. You even had an army then."

She sighed. "I was foolish. Not this time. The army will wear him down and then I'll use my magic. But you need to keep Thunderans busy and make sure to stir Thundera's fears. Our armies won't be ready for a while yet. I had hoped that the experiments you set loose would throw them off the trail."

Slithe took off the lid and eyed the syringe. "Fine. It's all fine to me; if the Harbinger destroys Thundera, well and good. If it destroys everything on Third Earth, it's all the same. But you'd best make good on your promise about the Heart of Plundarr."

"I'm working on it. It'll be a while before I can use resources to find what I need. But news of this servant to the king bothers me. Go and be ready to kill him. Get rid of those cats or the deal is off."

He hissed. "You promised!"

"Oh, and what are you going to do? Brave the colds of Lune to come destroy me?" She snorted. "You'd die in minutes in our ice. Just kill them and we'll be on good terms."

The screen shut off and he tucked the wristband into his belt, which he unbuckled and then placed upon his neck. It was buckled again and hung almost to the ground. He also took off his loincloth, standing naked in the flat air. "We'd better, witch. You underestimate me at your peril."

The syringe broke through his scales and he didn't wince this time. The burning was good, it meant it had penetrated into his bloodstream. He quickly put the vial away.

Twenty seconds later a great, thorny creature rose from the dead grassland. Its green scales were like jade chips and burning in the grooves, and the yellow eyes blazed as it opened its filmy wings. Slithe's belt was around its neck like a black collar and his loincloth hung from its claws. The size of a tank and just as deadly, it exploded into the night air and dove into the dark, throat boiling with the thirst for feline blood.

End of Episode 2