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.

Episode 7

Tiny Courage

Gyp circled the base with slow, easy beats and curved one wing to bear him down toward it, talons bared. He slammed against the wall and heard more metal bending under his weight. He opened his beak and cawed; two more rooms had just collapsed. Next he went for a downed tree on the bank, wrenching it from the mud and severing its splintered attachment to its stump. This was hurled over the base and crashed down deep into the center. Water burbled around it and he smiled.

He didn't like working with the Luna, and Red-Eye was annoying at best. He'd been running this too long already, and he did it so poorly. Gyp would never have had the courage to do this before, but with Mutation flowing in his blood he was ecstatic, powerful, unstoppable. He rode its high and continued attacking.

If he got rid of those cats he'd be a hero to the entire trade. This Luna woman that Red-Eye and Tug-Mug heeded and even Slithe gave pause for would surely consider the loss of an old, haggard witch worth the safety of the trade.

And besides, this was deliriously fun. The crashing, the destruction. Even the ivory-tower intellect liked to destroy things every now and then. He imagined the base being smashed to pieces, condensing under the water pressure and washing the felines out and crushing them against the walls.

He dove again, beak opening as he screeched again. This time he would destroy the road and use pieces of it to crush more of the base.

"Hey, big-beak! Shut up! You're just a big ole hen, aren't you?"

Gyp's cry was swallowed in surprise – it sounded rather like a cluck – and he flew up higher, scanning the banks. A high girl's voice had been calling out, and he hunted with his sharp eyes for a cat to rip apart. There had been a girl and boy, hadn't there?

There. The girl kit in her filthy rags – cats never washed their clothes enough – and she waved at him merrily. He slowly folded his wings and dipped toward her, but she whirled around and took off into the forest. He snarled and pursued her, delving into the branches. Gyp was not so large that he couldn't navigate the branches, and with his brain he would surely outsmart the girl-

A branch flew into his face, smacking him and knocking him back a few feet in a surprised flap. The boy kitten was smirking at him from the tree and Gyp screeched at him. Another branch struck him like a sting in the tail and he turned his bald, scabby head to see the girl winking at him. He turned again to get the boy first but his claws scrabbled at nothing; the branch was empty. Enraged, he whirled to attack the girl instead. She too had vanished, and another branch stung him on the side. This time the blur of red fur made him gnash his beak – a Snarf was growling at him and darted away before he could swipe at it.

Bits of bark and sticks started flying from everywhere and the glint of about a dozen Snarfs' coats caused him to snap and twist and claw in every direction. But every time his beak closed they disappeared and reappeared elsewhere, darting up and down through the branches. Sometimes he lunged after them but got caught in the boughs and had to free himself.

Kat and Kit huddled on a quiet, dark branch hidden by vines, observing this. "Twelve Snarfs aren't enough to stop him. Do you think the others will be able to get out?" Kit whispered.

Kat looked at the base and his tail was positively fluffy with stress. "I don't know! I thought he was with that Luna guy. I didn't think he'd attack the base, I just thought the others were bringing the other Snarfs out."

"Well if the lake starts filling the base everyone will drown! We've gotta buy them time!" Kit looked down and her eyes traced the direction they'd come. "Do you think the tribe will be too scared to help?"

Kat crawled further out. "Go tell them we need help. If they want to see their people again they have to help us stop Gyp. Otherwise the captives will drown, and so will the Berbils and the others!" With that he flung himself into distracting Gyp, yanking feathers and jeering from behind him. Kit turned around and began sprinting through the trees from limb to limb.

Lion-O couldn't say it surprised him that someone or something was attacking the base, but when the banging from overhead stopped he did look up in wonder. "It stopped."

"For now!" Panthro felt the nearest wall and mumbled something. "I can hear some of the tunnels beginning to break. We need to get up to the other Snarfs before the entrance gets washed out. Can either of you find the way?" he asked Snarf and Sarfina. Both immediately began sniffing and Snarf pointed.

"Left here, and then right I think. Just keep heading upwards." Cheetara still carried each of them and ran ahead so Snarf could have a moment to sniff. Bill trundled after her and Lion-O brought up the rear with Tygra. The Luna was quite still, slung across Panthro's shoulders, but Lion-O supposed that he didn't want to drown any more than they did.

Drowning. The thought made him stumble but he forced it back behind mental walls and locked it down. Now wasn't the time.

Whatever had been attacking the upper base had stopped, and now that the clanging had stopped he could really hear the foaming sound of water. It was probably breaking in through weaker points down below because of the lake's weight on it, but it hadn't burst anywhere larger because if it had, it would have been at least up around their ankles because of the pressure. Tygra kept glancing back to check.

"Okay, we're nearly there," Snarf called. "The others are just ahead."

There was more clanging now, but this sounded like marbles hitting a steel sheet. Turning the last corner was a relief when the sight of a few hundred eyes and metal bears met them. Lion-O watched Bill sprint the last few steps and slide to a halt in front of the Snarfs. "The door isn't opening?"

Three Berbils had been clamoring against it, rolling and bouncing off the great door. "We didn't know the code," Belle said softly. "And the smashing started. We didn't want to move to higher ground without you."

Looking at the little faces, fearful yet staying, Lion-O was touched by this bravery. "Thank you for waiting. Red-Eye, your life depends on everyone getting out of here." He looked at the number pad on the wall, nearly invisible in the dark save for the glow of the sword. "What's the code?"

The Luna did not touch the pad. He smiled a cold, mocking smile instead. Tygra hit him between the shoulder blades firmly and he coughed. "Seriously, unless you want to die, open it."

"Nho. Myyy Ady ish scrong an' you wiw faw." Lion-O scratched his head and gave the Snarfs a helpless look.

"He says, 'No. My Lady is strong and you will fall,'" Sarfina translated gently. "I think what he means is that he'd rather all of us die here so you can't stop her."

Some of the baby Snarfs mewled in terror and Lion-O's jaw dropped. "You'd sacrifice all these innocent lives because it might give your 'Lady' an edge?" His fur lifted and he bared his teeth. "If that's how your lady works, I'm glad she's not on our side. I can't let innocent people die if there's any way to save them. The Sword of Omens would never suffer that even if I would." He glanced down at the blade and Red-Eye let out a surprised grunt.

"Ich heyer?"

Sarfina shifted. "'It's here?'"

Lion-O scowled. "Of course it is! And unless I'm mistaken, even the Harbinger himself gives pause before it! Now, if your Lady wants you to sink one of the most powerful artifacts in the world, then so be it. But it seems she'd rather have it around so she can fight this beast. Unless she thinks all the innocent people she's been shooting up with drugs are going to be enough to fight the demon of all demons!"

He stopped, panting. Tygra patted his back. "Feel better?"

"Not really! I've never heard something so stupid. I mean, we're running around trying to save all these people because some crazy woman is injecting people with incredibly damaging substances that destroys their minds. There may well be a demon doing something. But to try to use drugged animals that are turning into beasts to fight him is just crazy! All of these people are absolutely crazy!" Lion-O squeezed the hilt of the blade and it flared red hot. Red-Eye jolted at the sensation of heat and Lion-O's fingers loosened. The fire died but the Luna turned his head toward where it had come from, thin nostrils working as he thought.

Then he nodded and fumbled for the number switch, entering in a five-digit code. The sound of a great gate slowly clicking open made Lion-O exhale in a long, deep breath. "Thank you. Maybe there's some sense left in the world yet."

Red-Eye mumbled something incoherent and Sarfina gathered up the Snarf kits as she translated. "He says that his lady may have use for you and the sword, she may not. But he'd rather err on the side of caution." All the Snarfs were watching their tormentor soberly, as if rather shocked that their great foe had been brought down so easily.

"We didn't have to suffer this," Fernald said suddenly. "What a few cats and Berbils did so easily, couldn't hundreds of Snarfs do?" There was a murmur of agreement. "We have become a very cowardly tribe."

There was a general sound of shame and hundreds of ears dipped and flicked. Lion-O waited until the door had opened before saying, "It's hard to stand up against a frightening enemy. What matters right now is that we all get out of here and you return to your families. You'll be able to defend yourselves in the future." He scooped up three old, tottering Snarfs to carry them but his eyes widened.

"Oh…dear."

A great bird swooped in, wingspan twice the length of Panthro's height and its body taut and baring talons. Lion-O drew the Sword of Omens – rather impressive when he had three old Snarfs clutching his arms – but it careened over them into the door, smashing the gates. Everyone hastily rushed from under the collapsing structure, Panthro plucking Red-Eye from the ground once more. The Snarfs had packed what little of the road they had access to, and Cheetara stamped her foot. "Go, go! Keep moving, the lasers turned off when we opened the door!" She then lengthened her staff, whirling it in one hand. "Come down here, Gyp! Come here and get a staff where the sun don't shine!"

The bird – of course it was Gyp – let out a low, rumbling call of derision and soared higher. He looked battered and bruised, but Lion-O didn't have time to consider that. He put down the old Snarfs so Fernald and four others could help them across the lake and he watched the bird circle. "We need to get him on the ground before we can stop him. The best way to do that is to break a wing."

"Got any antimutagen on you?" Tygra asked in undertone, eyes following the hungry shape.

"Two canisters. I don't dare throw them." Lion-O shook his head. "Why is he attacking? We have Red-Eye!"

The Luna snorted. Cheetara growled. "Seems the only thing they dislike more than us is each other. Think Tug-Mug will have gotten out?"

"Count on it." The Luna's voice twisted with a cold laugh as a plume of icy mist rushed over them and everyone started hacking. Lion-O had felt this before so he held his breath as best he could, only taking in a couple of breaths of it, and he angled the sword into a defensive stance, ears perked. "Surrender and we'll kill you quickly."

Panthro cursed and put Red-Eye down. He sat peaceably enough. Tug-Mug was scuttling across the road on a new, shiny set of legs, armored and set with what looked like crystals. They moved faster than ever, and Lion-O wondered if they were a power source. "These aren't so easily broken, cats."

"We should've killed them," Tygra coughed. Tug-Mug raised his cannon, and Lion-O dashed at him to deflect whatever was about to come out of the newly mended weapon.

It was a few sharp chunks of ice, and Lion-O cut through most of them. The sensation of wind started up and Lion-O saw Cheetara spinning her staff swiftly, hair blowing as it swept away the ice mist, her eyes streaming. "Bill?" she called. "Get the Snarfs out of here!"

Bill's fellow Berbils exchanged glances, squinting around tears. Lion-O's eyes fell to Belle's arm, and his brow furrowed. "Wait a minute!"

Tug-Mug attacked but two male Berbils bowled into him, so Lion-O gestured for everyone to come close. "Okay, I've got an idea. Tygra, lady Berbils, focus on Gyp. Use the whip and your Ber-Berang like you showed me in the village. Panthro, you're on him to break wings when he comes down. Cheetara, you're with me and the guy Berbils against Tug-Mug. Snarf, Sarfina?"

The two instantly straightened. "You guys lead the Snarfs. Keep them out of harm's way as best you can." Lion-O heard the clang of Tug-Mug's metal cannon beating dents in the Berbils. "If they can help, let them. But we understand they're scared."

He scanned the group of determined, cunning eyes. "Let's go!"

Kit had to stop to breathe in the shade, clutching a stitch in her side. Then she pressed on, thinking of her brother and the others. They might be drowning this very second, but twelve Snarfs and two kittens couldn't do anything. They needed help.

So Kit's plan had better work. Her heart was pounding for it.

At last she straightened. "Snarfs! Snarfs, please come out! We need your help!"

This had to be the place. She knew it was. Panthro had been showing them how to track, and she remembered broken branches, and the one mossy tree. She stooped and pounded one fist on the ground. "Snarfs!"

"What is it? What's happening?" One had popped out of the burrow entrance, a mere hole. Three others were in a tree, probably sentries. It was hard to see in the murky, soft shadows of the leaves and brush. "We heard the noise from underground, and most of the tribe is hiding."

"It's Gyp. He got loose and used Mutation, and now he's attacking the lake base! The others are still inside with the Snarfs and Berbils!"

A scuffling sound from the burrow made her look down as Chief Os-Wald-O exited, still favoring a leg. "He attacks his own superior? They are madmen!"

"Totally. We distracted him for a little while with the help of the Snarfs from the forest base, but it's not enough. He went back to base when we came to get you guys, and I think that means the others tried to get out!" Kit shifted to her knees. "Chief, we need more Snarfs. We have a plan but a few won't cut it."

Several others had come to the entryway and squealed in fear at this. "Us, go out there? To do what?"

"Fight Gyp. And maybe Tug-Mug." Kit gave them a reserved look as if to say, "Duh."

"No! We'll all be killed like always! That's why we asked your help in the first place!" The Snarf's voice was very shrill and the Chief shot her a look. Her ears flopped back, chastened, but she continued, "We're just little Snarfs! You've seen those monsters? What can we do against them?"

Kit bristled. "With the help of the Berbils and us, a whole bunch! That's like saying what can a bunch of ants do to a stick, or a bunch of bees can do to a bear! If they've got to protect themselves, they can move big things and defend their homes! I've seen bees drive off a full grown bear when they all worked together." Daddy had shown her how to get just a little honeycomb without angering the bees afterward. A lump formed in her throat. "The Berbils are only a little bigger than you and they're fighting to save themselves and you!"

The female Snarf seemed confused and embarrassed. A younger boy piped up, yelling over the distant crashing noise. "But…we're scared. We might all get killed. All our Mamas and Papas too."

Kit shook her head. "If you wait around here, all of them are definitely gonna die. And you can bet they're really scared if Gyp is going to get them. One Snarf came along with us to help us sneak into the bases and get the help of the Berbils, and you can't tell me he wasn't afraid! Sometimes you have to do stuff that's scary." Kit turned her head, listening for more banging. "You won't be alone. We're going to help you. You can protect yourselves! All you need's a good team to help you!"

The chief gave her a piercing look. "…You have shamed me with such brave words. Are we not Snarfs?" He turned and looked back into the entryway. "Baby Snarfs remain behind, along with those who cannot run. All others, follow me. We move to defend our fellows and friends, or fall trying!"

He climbed out of the hole and his tail whipped with new energy. "Tell us your plan."

Kit grinned at one of the Snarfs. He managed to give her a slightly queasy smile back. "We've gotta move fast and take to the trees. Leave luring Gyp over to us. But here's how we'll attack him…"

Lion-O's plan was a fair one, but a plan would have to be better than fair to bring down Gyp and Tug-Mug. He didn't really have much to go on though, so nobody was inclined to judge too harshly as they had bigger problems to worry about.

Gyp had left off smashing the base and instead dove at the road, sweeping Snarfs off the side when they couldn't hold on with fat, gusty rushes from his wings. These were swiftly recovered due to their brethren and, occasionally, Tygra's whip being used to draw them back to the pathway. Otherwise he was cracking the whip as Gyp flew by, trying to sting and goad him. The lady Berbils formed a line and waited for the bird to draw close before letting their arms fly as weapons. It did about as much good as lobbing small rocks at a person. It hurt enough to annoy, but Gyp merely flew out and beat them with the gusts from his wings. He took care to stay away, dancing out of reach and raining down debris he could scrape from the bank. Even so, there was steel glittering in those gentle bear eyes and the Berbil ladies hurled with precision and grace. Their arms returned every time, guided by either a perfect toss or perhaps some magnetic force.

Tug-Mug was no easier to deal with. Panthro sought to keep the Snarfs from being buffeted or crushed, which left Lion-O and Cheetara to attack Tug-Mug. But he was ready for a swift foe and slung ice across the ground instead of the air, and Cheetara could not keep her balance on the substance while sprinting. Using their claws the two cats delved into battle, but without Cheetara's speed she was much less damaging. The male Berbils sought to bowl him over, but his mechanical lower body made him spry, and avoiding them was much easier.

Lion-O didn't know what these new legs were made of, but they were much stronger than Tug-Mug's last pair. The Sword of Omens bounced off of each one he struck, leaving Tug-Mug time to pepper him with ice and hard, knuckled blows from his fist. Cheetara's quick punches were too light to deal any damage and she resorted to using her staff instead. She couldn't charge it, but the ends were sharp and it took Tug-Mug's focus to use his cannon arm to fend off the blades.

Things got worse when Tug-Mug switched his legs into tripod mode. He jetted up, spraying more ice, and by now everyone knew to hold their breath. But it made their eyes water, and Tug-Mug used his arm cannon to send larger projectiles at each of them.

Panthro was hit in the arm and Cheetara in the side. Panthro shrugged this off, ignoring the massive bruise. Cheetara was not so lucky, falling to the ground and curling up, stunned. Lion-O snarled and dashed for her, picking his way over the ice and lifting her. "Cheetara!"

"I'm…I'm okay. It just…agh," she whispered, holding her waist. Tugging at the hem of her shirt revealed raw pink skin and Lion-o knew it would end up black and blue before the day was out. "Now what? As long as they're in the air we're useless."

"Hey!" Tygra cracked his whip in Tug-Mug's direction but too late; he hadn't seen him descending toward Red-Eye through the mist until he was halfway up again, toting the injured Luna. "Ghen, what do we do now?" He looked at Lion-O who shook his head.

"We need to get off this road. We need the use of the trees."

Just what Gyp and Tug-Mug didn't want. Gyp swooped low across the path, blowing the already soaked Snarfs off again, and Tug-Mug iced the path beyond that. "They say cats hate water. I want to see if it's true…and how long you can hold your breath before your lungs rupture!" Tug-Mug called.

"That's a misrepresentation," Tygra called, offended. "Tigers are great swimmers."

Panthro shot him a look of disbelief. "Seriously? Don't respond to goads!"

But Tug-Mug smirked and signaled for Gyp. The great bird laughed – it was more of a vibrating, "churr" noise – and ducked down just long enough to close his talons around Tygra. Panthro swiped at him and two massive blows connected, and Gyp hollered as he beat his wings.

Neither one was broken. Lion-O could have cursed his tongue black in that second. Tygra hissed and spat, lashing his whip to sting, but Gyp didn't hold on for long; he tossed Tygra into the water and cawed. Tug-Mug then began firing like mad, icing the lake's surface where he'd landed. Lion-O's jaw dropped. "He's trying to drown him by blocking the surface!"

Cheetara looked at him, suddenly scared. "Lion-O, we have to help!"

He placed her on the path and she tried to stand. "Stay with the Snarfs and protect them, I'll get Tygra!" And with that he vaulted over the side of the pathway and used his claws to skid quickly over the frozen water, ducking and sliding away from Tug-Mug's continued barrage.

If he fell through…Lion-O hadn't thought about it, seeing Cheetara's agonized face and unable to bear the image of Tygra drowning in his mind, but now that he did his vision swam. No, no, don't think about that! It's thick ice, just make a hole and get him out of the water. Oh, Ghen, water…

Tygra was visible through the translucent ice, swimming to find a place to come up for air. Every time he came close Tug-Mug fire more ice, spreading it further and further over the lake. Upon seeing Lion-O he returned to the spot and Lion-O took out the Sword of Omens and pierced the cold sheet, cutting through and stamping at the resulting crack. Tug-Mug fired again but a slew of Berbil arms ricocheting off him made him stop, bawling curses at the top of his lungs. Lion-O nearly threw up at the sound of the water – and its deep, black depths – but Tygra came up through the gap, panting for breath and sopping wet. Lion-O braced himself on the ice and offered the tiger his arm, lugging him out. "Thanks for that," Tygra gasped.

"Don't mention it." The slosh of water over his feet was positively intolerable, and Lion-O only managed to hold it together by pretending it was a very cold bath. They both ran back to the pathway and Lion-O had never felt so happy to be standing on metal and stone. Cheetara was on her feet and only held her side every now and then. Tygra's eyes darkened and she shook her head.

"It's fine. Glad you're okay, jerk."

"You too, brat." He saw Tug-Mug and Gyp readying for another attack and scanned their surroundings fruitlessly. "Okay, we should make a break for the bank. I know it's a little ways off, but if everyone runs and swims fast we can make it."

Lion-O took a couple steps back along the path and Panthro appeared at his side with a stony expression. "Not with Tug-Mug freezing the water we can't. And the Berbils can't be blown into the water, they'll sink."

Gyp had perched on the base, cutting a dark shape against the sun as he crouched as surveyed his prey. "I'll tear their heads off," he said lowly.

Lion-O tried to think but with Cheetara injured – and Tygra, though his burn was all right bandaged – and the threat of the Berbils and Snarfs being killed, his mind was drawing a blank. "Okay. I'll distract them while you guys make a break for it."

"What!?" Panthro said. His eyes were hard. "You'll be killed. I'll distract them."

"But I have the Sword of Omens, I can-"

"Get. Going. I can hold them." Panthro didn't give him a chance to reply; the cat took off, charging forward and hurling insults. Gyp grinned and attacked with his talons, too swift and cutting for Panthro to grab. Tug-Mug couldn't get a clear shot at the path and Tygra grabbed Lion-O's shoulder.

"Come on, come on! We'll stand a chance from the bank!"

"But Panthro!" Lion-O wouldn't budge, staring at the large cat as Gyp peppered him with cuts and used his beak to try pecking his eyes. He missed, but Panthro could only be lucky for so long.

"He told you to go, so let's move! We can help when the Snarfs aren't in danger!" Lion-O turned and saw the expanse of half-drowned, dizzy eyes and nodded.

They would return in a moment. They just had to get the Snarfs to safety. The three cats dashed after the horde of Snarfs led by Snarf and Sarfina, Lion-O and Cheetara glancing back every few seconds. When their feet hit the banks and the Snarfs scurried to the forest Lion-O turned around and screamed, "No!"

Tug-Mug had fired his ice again and this time it had struck home; Panthro lay on his side, probably struck in the head if the chunk by him meant anything. Lion-O started back across the path but Gyp simply tucked his talons around the cat and squeezed. Panthro roared in pain and Lion-O was so shocked by the sound he fell on the ice. He scrambled to his feet again, trying to think of how to free Panthro when he was under the wings of such a deadly foe.

And then Cheetara sprinted past him, leaping and clearing the worst of the ice. Her bruise only slowed her by a fraction of a second. "Cheetara!" he yelled.

She didn't reply, a blur of painfully golden light. The air smelled like a storm and Lion-O realized what she was about to do as she slid the last twenty feet on the ice and jumped onto Gyp, so quickly his eyes didn't register her presence until it was far too late.

Her staff jabbed into the feathers and the smell of burnt bird didn't hit Lion-O until a breeze over the lake caught him in the face. Gyp screeched, louder and higher than ever before, and he relinquished his hold and flapped as if berserk, knocking Tug-Mug away from the base as Cheetara jumped down to Panthro, who was struggling to get up. She got under his arm and helped him stand, and Lion-O finally managed to get onto the path, slicing at the ice with the sword to make the trek easier.

The minute it took for the two to run-hobble to the bank seemed to last for a day. When at last Panthro made it across he was cut every few inches, some deep and some the size of paper cuts. He was breathing hard and Lion-O saw deeper wounds where Gyp's talons had dug into his sides. "Panthro…" he started. Then he looked at Cheetara and whispered, "Thank you."

She shrugged. Panthro too managed to look up at her but said nothing, looking almost as if he didn't quite believe she'd gone back for him. Seeing this, Cheetara gave him a steely glare. "We're not like these jerks. We help our own."

Tygra was watching Tug-Mug and Gyp. "Guys, they're coming."

To fight them when three were injured and all were trembling from exertion was going to be suicide. Lion-O glanced at the trees. "Think we can get up there to hide and catch our breath?"

"Panthro can't climb right now," Tygra muttered. "Bleeding." He reached into Lion-O's belt to grab some bandages and hurriedly tied them around the worst places. Panthro tried to get up and succeeded, standing remarkably well.

"We gotta…think of something," he muttered.

But as Gyp flew closer and Tug-Mug jetted after him, all Lion-O could think was how horrible those two were. They hurt Snarfs and Berbils, and for what? A drug that would let them hurt more people because some woman said to do it. If there was a demon about, killing the innocent didn't seem like it would make it weaker.

Lion-O looked at the Sword of Omens, still and small. Would it do anything? Was it just exhausted. Or…was it waiting for something?

"Hey you! Metal-butt and Chicken-brain!"

This howl made Gyp stop and even Tug-Mug sputtered in the air. Lion-O whirled around to look into the trees, dark and ominous with their size and the depth of the forest behind them. There, on a high, dangerous branch, stood Wilykit with her chin jauntily lifted. "You're both big, stupid meanies and you're lily-livered too! All those Snarfs got away from you! I bet there'll be stories about how stupid and slow you are for generations! Ha ha ha!" She lifted her tail and waggled it in their direction, a clear insult.

Gyp's feathers all lifted in a sort of rage. "You kittens have pestered me for the last time." He swept over the cats, toward Kit, who spun around and raced into the forest, jumping from branch to branch. Tug-Mug hesitated, apparently unwilling to split up, and Red-Eye hung on his back like a monkey.

"Come on! After them!" Lion-O brought up the rear in case Tug-Mug fired on them, but he ended up passing over them in pursuit of Gyp. The cats just kept going, Lion-O spotting the Berbils trundling off the path, disappearing into the shadows, still towing their fully robotic fellows.

Gyp was not far. He had come to a stop in a great clearing and was beating his wings in place. "I won't fall for another trap, children! With Tug-Mug here, your tiny Snarf team will be blown to bits, one at a time! So come out and I'll make this quick."

Kat and Kit shifted into view from two high branches. "You've bossed these Snarfs around enough and they're tired of it! They're stronger than you!" Kat yelled.

Lion-O and Cheetara exchanged glances. Little Snarfs, stronger than a Mutation-filled bird and a Luna that spread ice and pain wherever he went? Since when? Tug-Mug and Gyp were not so subtle; they burst out laughing. Kat and Kit crossed their arms patiently as this went on. "That's funny. I almost don't want to eat you now." Gyp approached with slow, leisurely beats. "Where are your little friends then? Will they pelt me with sticks again?"

"Nope. They're going to take you down." Kat pointed upward and everyone's eyes rose.

Then Lion-O's jaw dropped.

No fewer than a thousand Snarfs were looking down on them, crouching in the branches with sharp, furious eyes. They filled each of the trees like birds perched and waiting for bread to be thrown, wave after wave of them flicking their tails. Snarf and Sarfina sat at the chief's sides, and the return of his daughter had added new fire to his eyes and claws. The entire tribe was assembled, and their silence was ominous. Occasionally a branch creaked under their feet, and they gazed down like the largest jury that had ever gathered. Gyp looked around uneasily and Tug-Mug lowered his cannon, stunned by the sight.

Kit raised an arm and snapped it in the direction of the enemy. "Now!"

And the horde descended. Springing from their perches the Snarfs bared their claws and teeth and fell like raindrops on Gyp and Tug-Mug. Lion-O's heart stopped when the first ones grabbed their foes and were shaken loose, falling. He caught two and Cheetara caught three. Tygra managed to break the fall of one by throwing himself and letting it land on his back. Each one jumped free of their arms and scrabbled back up the trees, flinging their bodies back onto Gyp and Tug-Mug, never ceasing, rage lending them strength and speed.

Tug-Mug went down first. He managed to fire his cannon once but his jet coughed under the sudden weight of about thirty Snarfs, and he descended in jocky motions. He started yelling, teeth and claws scratching him anywhere they could and Lion-O simply sat with the other cats, watching as several Berbils slipped from the shadows to help the Snarfs restrain the Luna. Bill gave him a sound blow on the head and at last Tug-Mug slumped over.

Gyp took longer to bring down. But under the weight and pressure and vicious bite of hundreds of enraged Snarfs, he too began to sink, wings struggling more and more. Feathers started flying and Lion-O winced as each paw started pulling at the feather shafts and at last Gyp collapsed on the ground. Most of his down was gone, fluttering in the air like confetti, torn free by each of the Snarfs he had harmed or harmed the families of.

Panthro strode up to the downed bird with only a slight inclination of a limp. Seven Snarfs made room for him, seeing that he was headed to Gyp's wing as the bird panted, wriggling like an ocean wave under detritus. With one swift punch the bird screamed; Panthro had broken his wing.

Then he turned around and walked back to the others. No abuse, no insults. He crossed his arms and said, "You told me to break his wing."

Lion-O gazed in wonder at their defeated foes and the little Snarfs that had done the defeating. "…I did. He can't fly away now." He paced slowly over the grass to the chief, who was sitting on top of Gyp's head as easily as he'd sit on a stump. "How did you do this?"

"The kittens. They inspired our courage and told us you needed help. If strangers can be so selfless and children so brave, we had no right to cower when you put yourselves in danger to rescue us." Os-Wald-O climbed off the bird and Lion-O took out a vial of antimutagen. Gyp watched him with one glassy, fuming eye and did nothing as the needle punctured his skin. It only took a minute for him to shrink down, and when he did the Snarfs jumped clear.

Red-Eye just sat there where Tug-Mug had all but dumped him. Tygra tapped his shoulder helpfully. "Okay, since you can't see I'll just tell you. We won."

Red-Eye snorted. And all the Snarfs leaped up and cheered alongside the Berbils, an explosion of noise that buffeted the leaves. And both kittens slid down the trees and dropped into Lion-O and Cheetara's arms. "That was totally cool. Oh no, Panthro!" Both rushed to his side and he simply shook them off with a brisk shrug. "You're hurt!"

"I'm fine. Or I will be, as soon as these three have been locked up somewhere." Lion-O watched Snarf hop toward them all, paws lifting high with delight as he bounded.

"Our three enemies are no more. The forest is free of their tyranny and our loved ones are safe at last." He bowed and then rolled over, exposing his stomach as a pack animal did to its alpha. "Thank you, Thunderans. You helped us when no one else would. We owe this victory to you."

Lion-O knelt, glancing up and noting that Sarfina was watching Snarf with a warm, happy look on her face. "That's not true Snarf. We helped out, but it was your tribe that managed to stop Gyp and Tug-Mug. And without you we'd have been totally outmatched. You're a brave warrior in your own right." Snarf rolled back over, suddenly looking embarrassed as the other Snarfs began murmuring.

"He's a scout, isn't he?"

"Did he really help them so much?"

"I didn't even know where he'd gone! He's always outside the tribe…"

"I think his grandpa set something on fire…it was the incident with the tree sap and the Berbil's chimney."

Lion-O cleared his throat and the chief raised a paw. Everyone grew quiet. "This Snarf," he began, "has been spying on Red-Eye and communicated with the Berbils who have also been suffering because of his actions. He was the one to help us get into the bases to rescue your people and the Berbils. In spite of the fact that he's never been quite at home among you because of his family, he was willing to risk everything to help protect his tribe long before we came here. In my opinion, he's a very brave and noble Snarf, and is one of the real heroes."

There were more cheers to meet this, and Lion-O heard Cheetara clap enthusiastically. He just managed to suppress a grin. Snarf was staring at his feet as if wishing he could dig a hole quickly enough to hide himself in a tunnel. But when Sarfina approached and licked his forehead he looked so thrilled that Lion-O had to cover his mouth in order not to laugh.

"I agree." Chief Os-Wald-O paced to stand before Snarf who seemed to shrink a little before the greater bulk. "Osbert Snarf, your family has long been considered odd and a little…well…we've all heard the story. Your grandfather's temporary banishment for his lapse in judgment was not meant to ostracize you or his other descendants, but it has. I wish to remedy my father's mistake, too late, but better now than never." He slipped out from under his headdress and Snarf's jaw hung slack as the chief placed it on his head. "Osbert, I name you a hero to the Snarfs for your courage. Our people will revere you as they would an advisor to the chief of the tribe, for that is what you are now. Wear this for the week as a badge of honor."

The Berbils all clapped happily and Lion-O finally laughed out loud as the small creature had to sit on his rump in shock, headdress crooked. Sarfina licked his face sweetly. Cheetara applauded and gave Gyp a kick in the rear when he made a rude noise.

Panthro just sighed and shifted his weight. "Can we go now?"

As it turned out, they didn't leave right away. There were still matters to attend to. The Snarfs wanted to hear everything that had happened from beginning to end, the littlest ones listening with open-mouthed wonder when they explained everything. Tygra embellished a little, but he was such a good storyteller that Lion-O didn't mind when Tygra stretched the truth. Cheetara poked him to keep him in line, but the kittens merely egged him on at the most dramatic, frightening moments.

About halfway through the story Lion-O happened to notice that Snarf wasn't with them. He was a little ways off, listening from a branch, embarrassed by all the attention. Sarfina was sitting beside him, occasionally whispering to him. He couldn't help but smile when her tail slyly linked with his like a hand might between two lovers and Snarf's face became quite ecstatic.

Something told him Snarf's affection was quite reciprocated.

After all this the prisoners were handed over to the Berbils, who were larger than the Snarfs and could actually hope to contain the enemies and take them to a city with Thunderan government that could help them in the justice system. "We will have these tried. We are not killers, and we believe in fairness," Bill said softly.

Unfortunately, the next item on the list did not go very well. When all the Berbils were gathered together – controlled and half-metal alike – Lion-O found a flat stone and called for Red-Eye's talisman. "Here," Cheetara said. From her pocket she drew the white crescent and laid it across the rock. All the Berbils seemed to recoil without moving an inch, and Lion-O gave it a long look.

"I guess we can only try our best." He drew the Sword of Omens and it extended, gleaming hot and bright in the sun. A sickly sort of hush fell over the crowd, solemnly watching what might be their only hope. Tygra secretly crossed his fingers and Cheetara folded her fingers and prayed in silence. The kittens saw Tygra's move and crossed their fingers, their other fingers, and even their toes with some difficulty. And then started praying.

Lion-O brought the blade down and when it connected with the sliver of white, sparks flew and a high, whistling noise split the silence. As if it were a glowing molten star the talisman broke in two pieces and the fully robotic Berbils buckled, knees hitting the ground, as if they'd been knocked forward.

The glow faded and the bears slowly looked around. Bill examined his claws and Belle sighed at her arms.

Metal. None of them had changed at all. The fully metallic Berbils were still on all fours. Lion-O's shoulders slumped and Snarf's tail drooped. He still wore the headdress and several Snarfs with him exchanged dismal gazes. "Oh no," he murmured.

Robearto – his toe was the giveaway – suddenly lifted his head. "Where am I?" Perking up, Bill hurried to him and spoke in undertone. Robearto gazed at him and slowly took in the image of his own metal belly and feet and arms. "Yes…I remember. And we're still…?"

Lion-O looked at the other fully robotic Berbils and his expression was so despairing that Cheetara couldn't help but put a hand on his back. He turned to her, face pained. "It didn't do anything. They're still like this. We haven't helped them at all."

"That is not true." Robearto could not blink with bulbs for eyes but the lights seemed to flicker. "I remember now, all of it. You helped our people save us and the Snarf tribe is whole again. I may be metal but I have my mind. My friends and family are not slaves. True, I would like to be normal again. But compared to the darkness we were in from only days ago, this is a great blessing." He offered his hand to a cub Berbil, who happily took it. "We are alive. We have our homes. And perhaps, someday, we will have our original forms. I do not think the curse will grow in strength any longer. This is enough for now. You are friends to the Berbils."

He shivered suddenly. "We watched so many bad, dark things. We may be able to help you by telling you what we heard. May we return to the village?"

Lion-O gave the broken moon one more look. Cheetara picked up the pieces and tucked them into her pockets and they obliged the Snarfs by following them past the makeshift camp. Many Berbils were rushing around, scooping up their belongings, chattering and running off through the brush and trees. Bill walked beside him, letting Belle direct the Berbil group. "I'm sorry."

Bill looked at Lion-O. "For what?"

"For this. You're stuck this way." Lion-O was looking at the Sword of Omens as he walked and he just shook his head in disgust, as if he wanted to hurl it away. "What good is it if it can't break a curse on you? Is it really that weak now?"

The Berbil walked alongside him easily, considering this with a paw against his mouth. "…You know, we Berbils are much stronger now than we were before. We learned how to fight and protect ourselves. If the metal grows no more, we are content. This newfound strength may be useful against the coming darkness."

Lion-O looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Bill leveled a long, serious gaze at him with serene eyes. "Red-Eye spoke of the Harbinger. The lady Cheetara saw a vision. That is enough to make me uneasy." He flexed his metallic toes against the ground. "There is something coming in the air. Something dark. The trees do not flower as richly, the children laugh less. It has been growing for a time now, even before these enemies came. I get the feeling that Robearto will only have more evidence."

Lion-O listened to this with growing trepidation. "Maybe you're right." Glancing over his shoulder he smiled. "Excuse me Bill. I have a couple of kittens to talk to." Bill nodded and watched him go, and he dropped back along the trees and shrubs. Kat and Kit were whispering to each other, and both swallowed when he approached. "Hey guys."

"Look, before you say anything, we were just trying to help," Kat began.

Kit nodded vigorously. "You said we were the backup, so we tried to back you up. We thought you guys needed help.'

"You were right. We did." Lion-O put a hand on either head. "Guys, what you did was dangerous and brave. It also saved our lives. I wish it hadn't come to you guys getting into danger but we owe you a lot for saving us."

The kittens blinked and looked at each other by leaning forward. "So we're not in trouble?"

"No. I wanted to tell you that you did a really good job by going to get help instead of just rushing into the situation." Lion-O sighed. "I thought we'd end up protecting you guys, but it looks like you guys had to save our tails first."

Kit grinned and hugged his side. "You guys can save us next time. Or you can just give us extra dumplings at dinner. They're yummy."

Lion-O appeared to consider it. "You drive a hard bargain. But deal."

Kat gave him a skeptical look but peeked back and whispered, "Is Panthro okay? He's walking kind of slow."

Lion-O turned his head and observed the panther for a minute. He had paused to help a Berbil family take down a makeshift wall for a hut. They waited so they didn't draw too far from him as his walk was slower than usual, and Lion-O said, "He needs time to rest and recover, but he'll never admit it."

Kit tugged his arm. "We'll help him, but we'll keep it secret. We'll be secret helpers…like spies or something."

Kat rolled his eyes. "That's not like spies at all Kit."

"Uh huh. Is too."

"Are not. Spies don't help people."

"Yeah they do, they help their team!"

Lion-O shook his head. "I'm going to talk to Panthro while you guys figure that out." The kittens began to bicker and he wove between a couple of Berbils to help Panthro lower the wall. The taller cat scowled when he saw him and looked away. "You okay?"

"Fine. Just a couple sore spots. I don't need to be nannied." Panthro watched four Berbils take a corner each and carry the wall off like a mobile table with a rather bewildered look. "They move like clockwork, don't they?"

"Yeah." Lion-O too watched the Berbils scamper about, several Snarfs helping them. Bill was waiting patiently and Lion-O held up a finger. The bear nodded. "Panthro, I really would like you to take it easy for the next few days. You're hurt." His eyes jumped from wound to wound, and Panthro grunted. "Seriously. I need you on this journey. And I know you don't like to hear it, but you can't do everything on your own anyway." He jerked a thumb toward the kittens. "Our tails were saved by two clever kids. That should tell you that we need to be at our best, and I want you to rest up."

"If you're wanting to hear me say you were right to bring little ones along, it ain't gonna happen." Panthro's gray eyes were hard and Lion-O shook his head.

"No, that's not what I meant. I just mean…"

He glanced around, checking for any nearby ears. "You were chosen to make sure I get to the King's Door. You need to understand that as dangerous as it is – and after all that we've learned so far about our enemies – something big is going on. And you're going to have to let people help you. We won't make it on our own." He hesitantly patted Panthro's shoulder. "And I really want you to make it. You're the only person that knows about…y'know. I can't do this without you."

The scowl softened marginally. "…Yeah, fine. I get it. I'll rein it in. Just until the scratches knit." Lion-O smiled and Panthro turned away. "Have you seen Cheetara? I need to tell the girl something."

"She was with Snar-Fer, Sarfina and Snarf last I saw. They're already at the village." Lion-O started back toward Bill. "Thanks for listening. We're in this together, you know?"

"Yeah. You, me, a flighty tiger, a stubborn girl, and two crazy kids."

The village was not far from the camp. It took about an hour for the Berbils to stop and sigh happily, and Lion-O looked around with something like home settling in his chest. There was nothing else that could describe the sensation.

In spite of being messy and some of the buildings being wrecked, the little houses welcomed them with bright reds and yellows and blues. They seemed to be equal parts metal and wood, and many designs of flowers and plants were engraved in the sides. Some tiny houses were even in the trees, settled like fat fruits in safe boughs. And the trees…many were short and had vibrantly colored barks, and every one seemed to have differently colored fruits with many different shapes. He'd seen candyfruit before but it was quite the experience to see dozens on a branch, fresh and ripe. It was much lovelier than the hurried camp the Berbils had tossed together earlier.

"Ooh! Can we have some, please?" Kit squealed, pointing at a purple, round one. Bill swept an arm graciously toward it. "Thank you!" Lion-O lifted one kitten then the other so they could have their choice, and he cored the pieces with his claws. Both sank their teeth into the firm skins and he wiped the juice off his hands, feeling more amused than he ought to. Again the Berbils so generously shared their food…how could anyone harm such gentle, kind creatures?

Lion-O heard a sigh and looked to see Cheetara shaking her head as she approached. "Between us we're going to spoil these kittens." She said this with an arched eyebrow and Snar-Fer in her arms like a baby. She was feeding him berries, one at a time.

"Ah, they could do with some spoiling, I think." Lion-O gave Snar-Fer a gentle scratch under the chin and the tiny beast purred. "They've all earned it."

She gave him a warm look. "I'm glad we stayed to help them. I know it might put us behind, but…"

"It was the right thing to do. Now they know they can protect themselves, and I think Robearto might have some information for us." Snar-Fer pawed at his finger and Cheetara gave the Snarf a few kisses before lowering him like a prince to the ground. Lion-O laughed when he rubbed against her ankles and then skipped away, pawing then at Tygra's leg. The tiger gave her a look.

"I could have sworn someone said something about spoiling." Even so he let Snar-Fer ride on his shoulder, prodding him when the clever little paws reached for his braids. "Don't you dare."

"How's the arm, Tygra?" Lion-O saw that the bandages had been redone and cleaned and Tygra shifted it.

"Not bad. Aches. The Berbils and Snarfs gave me a few plants that can be crushed for burn relief. Y'know, there's a lot of interesting stuff in this forest." He showed them a dark leaf. "This can apparently cure stomach upset if combined with two kinds of berries. I might bring some along."

Cheetara crossed her arms. "So we'll have you playing mad scientist, eh?"

"I prefer 'slightly psychotic doctor.'" Tygra said this airily and tucked the leaves into a pouch on his belt. "Panthro's coming, one of the Snarfs wanted to put something on his scratches to help him heal." He gestured with a thumb and Lion-O saw that Panthro – who had been very quiet on the trek over – looking very grumpy and sitting on a stump, no fewer than four Snarfs swarming around him with tiny, wooden cups in their paws. "Don't worry, the Berbils vouched for it. It's not goo-no."

Relieved, Lion-O spotted Robearto waddling toward them with Bill. "The village is repairable. This is good. We will make it safe again," he said. His voice was tinny and his mouth did not move, Lion-O noticed. Could he eat? Did the robotic Berbils even need to eat? Robearto noticed his gaze and added, "Do not worry about us. It will be all right. We Berbils are good with machines. I must tell you of the messages Red-Eye received."

Panthro finally got up, shrugging off the Snarfs and heading over. Both kittens paused in their munching to wipe their faces and listen. Robearto looked at Bill and then began, folding his hands neatly. "We Berbils were taken when Red-Eye first cursed us, and because we were closer to the talisman, we felt its effects more swiftly. It took only a few weeks for us to forget ourselves and become Ro-bear Berbils. However, because we were robots, we were allowed everywhere as helpers in the base, even to his office area. Many of us read and filed his notes and heard the messages on his console, and we have been pooling our information with the recordings and notes you brought back. I believe that something very bad is going to happen, and I wish to tell you that the Mutation trade is much darker and deeper than you think."

He paused. Lion-O waited for him to continue, trying not to tap his feet impatiently. Robearto spoke softly and carefully, to make certain he was understood.

"The woman they communicate with is a powerful, influential Luna who lives far to the north. I believe she lives in Lune. She is the one masterminding the Mutation trade, and she created the talisman for Red-Eye. This is frightening to me because he is a powerful witch in his own right…and she is apparently much greater than he." Robearto paused to let them absorb this. "He is very old, so perhaps she is as well."

"He wasn't that tough," Tygra muttered. Bill cocked his head in the direction of the tiger's burn.

"We got very lucky," Cheetara said honestly. "I wouldn't like to run into him again when his eyes heal."

Robearto nodded. "The messages the woman sent him were often about issues in a variety of cities, mostly needing new shipments. She mentioned Tropo a great deal, and I believe that is a hub for their control. She also mentioned one called Slithe, and another they call Red."

"Probably that jackal guy," Kat noted. "So all these guys are working together?"

"It makes sense," Panthro said. "The lizards travel where it's hot, the Luna travel where it's cold, and mammals cover the rest of it. It's no wonder the trade's been exploding across the planet with the help of the Alliance and its members."

"Yes, she mentioned the Alliance too. I do not think she cares much about them. She just wants many people to try Mutation and become Mutants. She wants them tracked, and I believe she wants to gather them to fight the Harbinger when he comes." Robearto lowered his head. "She spoke of the Heart of the World, and the Harbinger being there right now. But…it did not make much sense. She mentioned a failed sealing, and many odd things. Something about him not being able to eat it but only feeding on the energy because he was…in between something."

Lion-O looked at Cheetara. "This ring any bells?" She blinked at him. "I need to brush up on my scriptures, and you seem to know yours well," he explained. She put a hand to her jaw in thought.

"Well, I'm not sure. Some things are hard to interpret. They speak of him as a devourer, but the holy writings were recorded long ago. I have heard of related writings talking about a cataclysm…"

She shook her head. "Most people believe it's just an old legend. But did you ever hear a story about a thousand years ago there being a darkness that was held back?"

Panthro shook his head. Tygra shrugged and Lion-O chewed his lip. "I seem to remember…something about heroes locking a demon away. It's in the lore of the Sword of Omens, but whatever happened was so murky that there's only a little in the archives about it." He looked at the blade with new interest. "You think the Harbinger already tried eating our world and it failed? Because of something to do with the Sword of Omens?"

She shrugged. "It's just an idea. It's a tradition in the temple to pray the darkness does not return, but I never really thought about it."

Robearto tapped Lion-O's arm. "Sorry Robearto, we got off track." Lion-O put the Sword away.

"The woman might know. She spoke of a darkness that she saw with her own eyes. And she spoke of seeing Luna's heart devoured as a young woman."

Kit frowned, tail twitching. "But, that would be…like a bunch of years ago. She'd be super old."

"Three thousand," Robearto said mildly. Kit's jaw dropped, a juice stain making a ring around her mouth.

"That's a lot of birthdays."

Lion-O considered all this and scratched his head. "An army of Mutants to fight a demon? That just doesn't sound like a good idea. Millions would die."

Robearto shrugged helplessly. "I do not know that she cares about the cost. Perhaps she thinks the army will weaken him so she can use her dark magic to stop him. But that is not the only bad part. She has no love for Thundera because of its opposition to her plans and power, and I believe that she wants to destroy it with the armies. If the Sword of Omens stopped the demon before, it may do so again, and she wants to take it. The Alliance is only too willing to help her if it means Thundera will crumble."

Lion-O nodded. "We figured the Alliance would want that as a part of the deal. There are still a lot of holes to ponder, but at least we know two places we'll have to stop on the way to the King's Door." He counted off on his fingers. "Tropo. It's got an Alliance officer and innocent people are being hurt and it's a major control center for our enemies. If we break their hold there it'll be a huge victory. Not to mention it was the last place the kittens' parents were," he added, and both kittens beamed at him. "The other is Lune. It's close to where the King's Door is, along with Icla and Tygra's mother. If we can find this woman we can stop the main force of the Mutation trade, and maybe even figure out what it is we're dealing with in the planet. It sounds like she'd know better than anyone."

Panthro weighed all this and nodded at last. "It's on the way. Besides, it won't be much good to save the world only to have lunatics slaughtering the countries."

Robearto looked at Bill. "I wish we could help them more."

"We wish to aid them as well," said Snarf. Lion-O glanced down at his calf and was surprised to see Snarf without the headdress on and Sarfina standing beside him. "We can show them our shortcuts through the forest, and they'll be that much closer to Tropo." He looked up at the lion and continued, a little more softly, "I wish to speak to your group when you have finished with the Berbils, if that's all right."

Lion-O nodded. Robearto and Bill murmured to each other and said, "We can offer you provisions. Candyfruit can be dried and kept for months, and the juice is good when there is no food or water around. We will prepare some for you."

Belle wiggled in between the Berbils carrying a familiar satchel. "We also have this." She offered this to Tygra shyly.

Tygra looked into the pack. "The book about Mutation! And that microscope I snagged."

Bill nodded. Belle spoke, voice higher and sweeter. "We repaired the microscope. You dropped the bag and one of our Berbils picked it up to return it to you." Tygra winked at her cheerfully and she seemed to giggle.

"We will recover what we can from the bases and use it. If we discover anything useful we will communicate with you. We will help the Snarfs and they will help us. Our forest will not be invaded so easily again." He clenched a little fist and Panthro crossed his arms.

"Do you have communicators?" Bill cocked his head and trundled away. Robearto followed him. After a few moments they returned, fiddling with a worn piece of metal.

"It is old. We used to have them in our houses but they were ruined when Red-Eye attacked. This one can be fixed, and we will repair ours soon." He handed this to Panthro who started looking it over.

"Thank you. We appreciate your help," Lion-O said. Bill offered him a paw and they shook, one hand warm and the other cool and metallic. "Between Panthro and Tygra I'm sure we can install it in the Thundertank. And the provisions are most welcome too."

"We will get them then. Thank you for all your help, friend cats." Bill hurried off into the village and Lion-O watched the Berbils gather to listen and then begin picking fruit. They worked quickly and seemed to know perfectly how to press the juice in small machines that dried the pieces into bright chunks and he watched for a minute, fascinated by their swift motions as they dashed back and forth. The machines were the size of barrels, and Lion-O wished they could remain a little longer to see their homes. They had such a peculiar blend of technology and culture.

Snarf cleared his throat. "I have something to discuss with you."

Lion-O knelt and noticed that Sarfina was sitting very close to Snarf. He wasn't the only one; Cheetara grinned at them. "He's quite a catch, huh?" she asked Sarfina. The female Snarf only smiled and licked Snarf's cheek. This made him puff up in a surprised sort of hiccup, but a dopey smile came onto his face.

Kit giggled and Kat rolled his eyes.

"Ahem…yes, well. That's not what we wanted to talk about." He gave Sarfina a rather sad look and suddenly her gaze dipped, ears sinking.

Cheetara's smile faded to a frown. "What is it? Chief Os-Wald-O is all right with it, isn't he?"

"Yes. But that's not it." Snarf rested his weight on his haunches and raised his chin. "I tried to protect my people, but it wasn't until you showed up that they were delivered. My people had the strength to fight but I was not enough of a leader or warrior to help them see this. You say that our people saved ourselves, but we know this isn't true."

Sarfina inclined her head respectfully. "We needed your help to find our courage. Osbert did his best, but he doesn't seem to think this is enough. He blames himself for not doing more and for saving us…well, me…sooner." She gave him a clearly irritated look.

Cheetara looked at Lion-O and then back at Snarf. "It wasn't your fault Snarf. You did what you could."

"And that wasn't anywhere near enough. I knew too little and I was too weak. If you hadn't shown up when you did, Sarfina might have been the next one eaten. Or any one of our little ones. Our whole tribe could have been captured, and the Berbils enslaved." Snarf turned around in a circle, a nervous motion. "I have a request. I'd like to go with you to Lune, and to deal with this threat."

Lion-O pursed his lips and before he could speak, Sarfina mewled unhappily. "Osbert, you've proven yourself to the tribe. And I told you, I've liked you for months now. I just wanted a sign from you." Cheetara placed a hand on her chest, touched. "After everything you've done for me and our people, why do you want to leave now?"

Panthro looked up as if checking to see if the sun were setting yet. The kittens sank their teeth into their second piece of fruit apiece. "Sarfina, seeing you safe gave me strength to help get our tribe out of the base. And for this threat the cats' help was enough. It might not be for the next time." He paused and examined his feet. "Keeping you and the tribe safe is the most important thing to me. I want nothing more than to stay here and protect our home."

"But you see, Sarfina," Snarf continued, tail flicking in shyness, "I know a little of fighting and scouting, but I'm hardly a warrior. I'm not nearly brave enough, I can't fight or lead a great tribe. And since your mate would one day be chief, I would need to be able to. Not that we'd necessarily end up mates just because we're courting, you understand!" he added hastily. "But it might happen. You know. If things work out. Not that they wouldn't, but-"

She tilted her head and smiled, soft fur brushing her cheek. Snarf licked her pale pink forehead, flustered. "We have sensed something wrong in the earth. The very air is stained by something, and if it really is the Harbinger returning, I have to know and help stop him. It will make me stronger and make our people safe. And…"

He turned to the cats. Lion-O knelt as Snarf paced toward him. "These cats saved our tribe. They gave us courage. I owe them everything. Until this debt is repaid in some way, I must serve them. It is the Snarf way."

Lion-O shook his head but Snarf's nostrils flared fiercely. "Do not try to dissuade me! The earth shakes and you have had visions of dark things happening. I can help you by spying and foraging. Not to mention I don't take up much space." As if to prove this he clambered into Kit's arms. "See? Even a kitten can hold me."

Panthro held up a hand when Lion-O opened his mouth. "Don't even."

He paused. "What?"

"You were going to say something about the fact that there were seven people in your vision and how one of them was really small, and that you think that Snarf should be able to come with us because he's the last member of our team of destiny or something."

Mouth half open, Lion-O found his tongue and said, "Actually, I was going to ask if anyone has a cloth so we can wipe off the kittens' mouths. They're covered in juice."

Panthro's mouth moved and he shut it into a tight, grim line. Cheetara took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped each kitten's mouth, unabashedly using saliva to get the stickiest part off. Kat grimaced. "Ew!"

"Oh hold still." As she tidied their faces she arched an eyebrow at Panthro. "So…"

"Don't start, girl. I was about to start liking you." Panthro looked Snarf up and down – to be fair, at his height it was more like down and down – and said, "You wanna prove yourself and help save the world, huh? And pay us back for helping you help your people?"

Snarf nodded vigorously and Sarfina's tail lowered slightly. He looked at her and said, "Sarfina…there will be no peace here if the world is at stake. If there are resources here more of these drug makers will come. I wish to take the fight to them. Do you understand?"

She sighed. "Of course I do, you silly Snarf. But you know I can't come with you. Our homes need rebuilding and father…he isn't as young as he used to be. He needs help."

"I know. I wouldn't ask you to leave him. It's not that I want to leave, it's just…something I have to do, dear Sarfina." Snarf gazed at her for a long second. "I'll think of you and send my love every night through the stars."

She smiled and nuzzled him. Cheetara wiped her eyes. Tygra rolled his. "Give me a break here…"

Her head snapped to look at him, eyes flaming. "Shut up, it's beautiful." He raised his hands defensively and she returned her attention to the Snarfs saying goodbye. "Snarf, are you sure about this? We appreciate the help, but I think we'll be all right if you want to stay with your people."

He stood up straight. "No, my mind's made up. I'm going with you. Every good adventure needs a Snarf along to help the heroes stay out of trouble. Haven't you ever heard the fairy tales?" He gave Sarfina another quick lick on the whiskers before approaching Lion-O.

The lion extended his arm and Snarf paused before clambering up it and hopping onto his shoulder. "I think you're right. Having a clever, quick scout along might be just what we need." Noticing Panthro's flat look he added, "Hey, there weren't any others in the vision. This is the last one."

This did seem to perk him up. "Fine. Heck, at least I don't have to teach him how to track." Panthro was about to turn around but instead hesitated and pointed one large, clawed finger in Snarf's face. "But if you mess in my tank, we're going to have words."

Snarf wrinkled his nose. "What do you think I am? I use the tree like everyone else." The kittens giggled and he stomped indignantly on Lion-O's shoulder with a hind foot. "What?"

"Whenever you are ready, we will show you the secret paths through the forest." One of the Berbils said this, sitting on the ground beside three Snarfs. The Thundertank suddenly rolled up and Panthro twitched when it shifted into view from behind the great leaves and trunks. But he saw no scratches or dings, for his face relaxed and Lion-O spotted a Berbil behind the wheel like a toy, waving cheerfully. "Shall we go?"

The provisions were loaded up and goodbyes were said, and Lion-O felt sure it would take days to get rid of the tickle in his hands from all the Snarf whiskers that brushed against them in fond farewell. But at long last they were in the tank and the Berbil and Snarfs began to lead them out of the village, into a darker, shadier part of the forest. Lion-O took out the map and started marking places. Where the ancient glyph of a Snarf was he wrote, "Snarf Tribe, friends." Beside it he scrawled a fair bear face and added, "Berbil Village, friends."

Cheetara watched the Snarfs take to the trees and the Berbil roll along a new, earthy path and bash small branches out of the way to clear their route, leaning into the front from her place in the back seat. Snarf made a place in Lion-O's lap, looking nervous and strangely excited. "Think we'll still be on time?"

"I think so. We'll be well on the way to Tropo as soon as we hit the river and follow it to the sea." Panthro went at a careful pace, about twenty steps behind the Berbil. "Hey, uh, I meant to say…thanks. For…y'know."

Cheetara's ears perked and Lion-O did not look at the pair. If he did he might laugh and that would embarrass Panthro completely. "You're welcome, Panthro. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll bail me out of plenty of trouble too." She patted his arm and the panther grunted.

"Yeah, yeah. And I was also going to say that your technique could use work. Training and such." Her tail bristled and her scowl was something fierce. "Not like that! I'm just saying I've had training and if you wanted to do extra damage, you could be a real terror if you got some basics in combat under your belt. Same for the tiger." There was silence for a minute as this was digested. "Since we're…on the same team and everything."

Cheetara's grin returned so quickly that Lion-O had to cover his mouth. Snarf watched this with curiosity. "Aw, you think of us as teammates! Sure Panthro, we'll train with you." She gave him a merry, chaste peck on the cheek like one might do for a grumpy uncle and he growled, slumping in his seat like an angry child.

"You kids are gonna drive me insane." Lion-O just laughed and held on to Snarf as the leaves blew by and the leagues rolled under the treads.

"I had not anticipated this."

She stood up, the silks of her gown sliding over the floor like water. "Not only have Tug-Mug and Gyp been captured, but Red-Eye has been wounded and the trade in this sector is…"

A great map carved from ice rested on the floor. It was an easy element to manipulate, and it was good for gauging distances and routes. She stepped onto it and crushed a small section beneath her boot. "Ruined. It will take weeks to plant new forces." Disgusted, the Luna stalked away again, sitting on a chair formed out of ice. Everything in the room was clear and pale and frozen, and she sighed into her palm. A delicate, refined goblet appeared from her breath and she idly placed a finger in it, stirring the air. Liquid streamed from the tip of her finger, dark blue and pungently sweet. When it was full she ceased this and sipped it instead.

"And my talisman has been broken. Slithe was beaten back, my minions are bested and captured…surely the Sword of Omens is at play." She eyed the place she'd crushed and sipped again. "Yes, the Thunderans must realize something is wrong. So they send…someone. A young lion, a servant of the crown? A hoary panther, a guttersnipe tiger, a religious fanatic cheetah and two bratty children aid him as well."

She finished her drink and cast the glass aside. It shattered and the ice splintered into snowflakes. "They'll make for Tropo soon, and I can send no more Luna. Tug-Mug and Red-Eye could barely tolerate the heat as it was, and Tropo's tropical weather would be torture. Nothing would get done. Alluro's already at the glaciers, and Amok is still working in the mountains."

Her old lips curled. "And while these cats play hero, you return once more old foe. First Luna, then Plundarr…will Third Earth be your next meal? Keep gorging. I'll have you dealt with if only I can keep these hairy beasts out of my plans. You will have the army of armies to face, and then when you are weak and they all lay dead from battle…then you will be mine. Vengeance."

Her eyes trailed down the forest area into the river and to the ocean. "They'll have to continue southeast until they reach the coast and then they'll take a ferry to Tropo. The peninsula will be flooded by then and the city will be an island. I suppose I really only need to stall them long enough for the northern glaciers to form."

She drifted off, eyeing where the river split into lakes and ponds and even the Fel Sea. It had flooded to join with the ocean ever since the annual thawing of the northern mountains, but they would have to go around or through it to reach the coast and then the ferry. Little did they know of the crime there that had blossomed. "A few cutthroats to thin their ranks would do nicely."

Fingers searching out a pad of buttons on her chair, she called up a messenger screen and a Luna appeared on it. His skin was pale blue and his hair dark gray. "My Lady, what can I do for you?"

"Fros, find me a few pirates in the Fel Sea area. I want the most black-hearted rogues you can find, ones that have reach and strength. Tell them they'll receive more gold than they know what to do with if they only do a little job."

He nodded. "Of course my Lady. Right away. What shall I tell them is the job description?"

Her smile was faint, proper. "Tell them they'll be cat fishing."

He seemed a little confused but he nodded. "I'm searching our database now. I think I have a group that might be interested. Shall I send them a preliminary message?" He gave her the name and it was familiar, notorious. She nodded.

"Fine. Patch them through to me." Fros' face vanished and she waited. No captain or crew would pass up such an opportunity. Not for as much gold and power as she could offer.

A few minutes later an image appeared on the screen. Rather than Fros' neat face, this one was tawny and ragged, and his hair and beard hung in white hanks around his jaws and face. His clothes were rough and yet of a distinguished make, and she noticed patches of metal on his face, on his shoulders. One eye seemed to be cold and beady, and the other had some kind of mechanical patch. His helmet was horned and a captain's hat rested atop it, and more metal marked his left arm. Some pirates felt the need to look refined to strike fear and inadequacy into their enemies. This one was brutal and did not care to hide it. He was dangerous. "Who are you to commune with my ship?" His voice was soft, cultured. Not what one might expect from such a brute.

"I am an important lady willing to pay handsomely to have some felines taken care of when they reach the Fel Sea." He appeared to be a mixed breed of two cats to her eyes – a tiger and some other breed – for dark stripes seemed to slice his face and bared right arm. Perhaps he would have feline loyalties? "I make it my business to keep tabs on forces that might at some point be useful."

"Why do you want these cats dead?" he asked. It was fascinating to see the eye patch slide up so he could see her better. Both eyes were intact. Perhaps the patch acted as an aiming aid.

"They are getting in the way of a very powerful trade. An illegal one. My men were unprepared to deal with these cats and I feel perhaps it is time to enlist some…expert help." He smiled, showing a few sharp teeth. One was gold and another had a diamond in it.

"We are not for hire, woman. Have you never heard tales of the Berserkers, their wild ways and the destruction they leave in their path? The Fel Sea belongs to Thundera in name but it has been bought with the blood we shed to claim it. It will be ours along with all the ships in its docks. We do not care to do you any favors."

"If you weren't interested at all you would have shut off your messenger's signal so we couldn't communicate," she said. His smile faded a little. "I have heard of Berserkers. Dirty, underhanded rogues that sneak up in the dead of night to ships and slit the throats of those on board. You claim the riches and the ships as your own and set the heads of the dead on spears to terrify merchants into doing what you want. You're bullies and brigands, without honor and gifted in killing and trickery. The blood you've shed is dwarfed only by your greed."

His face was even. Whether he'd expected her to know so much of their tactics was unimportant; she leaned on her hand and continued, "It is to that love of murder and gold that I appeal. Kill these cats and I will give you ten thousand gold-"

His lips shifted imperceptibly. His eyes remained the same. "Ten thousand?"

"Each. That should be plenty enough to buy weapons to blow any of your competitors to smithereens." She smiled when she heard men muttering in shock behind him. So the crew was listening in. Good. Even if this captain were too cowardly, his men would jump at the chance for these riches. But the pure coldness and quietness of his face spoke of something brave, if cutthroat. "I can send you a description of them, and you should expect them to be heading along the coast from the river to reach the ferry to Tropo in the next couple of weeks. Kill as many of them as you can however you wish, but I have a catch; one of the cats may have a sword on him. I want it. Send me that and I will pay you."

He was considering this silently, and gave her a cunning look. "Why the sword?"

"It may prove useful to me. And it's as good a piece of evidence as any. Oh, and, if you attempt to betray me? Expect consequences." He curled her fingers and ice crusted over her nails, forming claws.

"She's a witch. Mad old broad," one muttered. "Working for a woman will bring disaster." But the captain only smiled.

"I accept your terms. I enjoy working with dangerous people." He stepped away from whatever on the ship was used to display images and bowed slightly. "Hammerhand and the Berserkers at your service. We will not send the sword until we're paid twenty percent down. Just a precaution you understand."

She nodded, eyes trailing to his left arm. He was a cyborg all right. Where it came from his shoulder was a robotic limb, and at the elbow instead of a wrist and hand forming, there was simply what looked like a silver sledgehammer. He stood well, only stooping a little on that side, but its weight was evident.

The Luna smiled. "Good luck gentlemen."

Slithe sat for a long while as he pondered what was before him.

He had been bested by children and the ragtag group of cats and driven out of Rana Village. Then he heard their plant in the village had been routed. Instead of being able to go after their agent and kill her, he had been told to go after those cats. It had taken some time to recover, but after a few days he'd made his way to the forest, confidence and cunning returning. He would team up with Tug-Mug, Gyp – the feathery freak – and Red-Eye, and together they would easily crush the cats.

But instead he sat on the ground, looking at what had been Tug-Mug and Gyp's base. Robot teddy bears were deconstructing it and taking the metals away. His fellows were nowhere to be seen.

The cats had been here. And they had won.

It was on a fallen log that bugs were busy claiming for their own that Slithe sat, watching the bears and what looked like furry red animals rush around, often assisting each other. They had not seen him yet, or so he thought for a while. He took a bit of one of the beetles trying to scuttle under the wood and noticed one of the red and yellow creatures watching him from the bough of a tree, high above him. Seeing that he'd been noticed, the creature said, "Are you a friend or foe to the denizens of the forest?"

Slithe crunched on the carapace and stood up. "I had friends here. Did cats come through and fight them?"

The beast's brows lowered. "You are with the Mutation traders. Our friends the cats did help us fight them, several days ago. The Mutation traders will be dealt with legally, and if you leave without causing trouble we will let you go in peace. If you try to attack us or harm our people, you will be forcibly removed."

He couldn't help it; he laughed. "You think a few of your kind can beat me? The cats deal with your foes and you think you're big and powerful now!" He took out a canister of Mutation and swelled to his greater form, breath hissing between his teeth as his wings unfolded. "Do you still think you can bid me leave?"

Unnervingly the beast gave him a cool look. "Like we practiced, friends."

The sound of metal made him turn his sinuous neck to see the bears forming lined ranks, some with spikes on their bodies and others with bent arms as if ready to hurl themselves at him. And when he raised his head he saw many more of the beasts, eyes glittering at him in the trees and looking down at him in severe disapproval, a ring that stretched high through the trees.

It took about four minutes for Slithe to finally give up and blunder out of the trees, back the way he'd come. The bears threw their arms – metal arms, like boomerangs! – one more time and they bounced off his hide and returned to them, leaving bruises at such close range. He panted, covered in scratches and tooth marks, and he decided to try flying around the forest instead.

And so he did, forcing himself not to cower when he spotted more creatures watching him darkly from the depths of the trees, staying several feet away from the edge of the forest in spite of its long route. He'd rather tangle with the cats than the horde of creatures.

And so the Snarfs bought the cats a little more time and drove off a feared Alliance general.

End of Episode 7