Episode 2 "To Eldara (part 1 of 2)
part 4
"You're alive?" Lynx-O took a step forward.
Panthro could see the look of shock and relief on his face. "And Thundercats are with me."
Lynx-O's ear twitched to Spidera's fierce hissing. "I am so sorry." He leapt off the ledge landing between Cheetara and the outraged Spidera.
Spidera backed away, bucking her front legs at Lynx-O. He stood tall, stern expression unwavering. "No girl; they're friends. It's okay…" He stepped forward and put out his hand.
The other Thundercats watched in awe (with the exception of Tygra who watched shaking with one eye open) as Spidera lowered her head, allowing him to pet her gently above her fangs.
"Good girl. Gooood girl. Stay put." Spidera did as ordered while Lynx-O walked over to Lion-O and Tygra to cut them free with one of his kunai.
Realizing she and the others were no longer in danger, Cheetara put away her staff to help the new cat.
"Much better. Thank you." Lion-O breathed a deep sigh of relief as Lynx-O cut open his web restraints and pulled him to his feet.
Cheetara did the same for Tygra, who immediately upon standing doubled over and vomited.
"Has he been bitten?" Lynx-O asked, alarmed.
"No; my brother just really hates spiders. Lion-O assured him.
"I'm over it." After a moment spent regaining his composure Tygra pulled himself upright, waving one hand. "That was very intense."
Cheetara rubbed his back. "Are you general Lynx-O?"
"Just Lynx-O; I was a general when Thundera was still a kingdom." Lynx-O hung his head in mourning.
"We're working on that, old friend." Panthro cautiously made his way down to Spidera's nest. "We came looking for you and any other able cats."
"I didn't think anyone else was left. The Lizard forces sabotaged our city from the inside somehow- my cats and I were fighting on both sides of the wall. It was chaos then Claudis fell…" Lynx-O turned to face Lion-O. "Your father was a great king and dear friend to my family and clan. I'm sorry I failed him."
Lion-O put a hand on his shoulder. "We all failed that day. He was proud to know his people went down fighting."
"Then I should hope word never reaches his spirit how I hid away in these caves like a coward."
"You've been here with her this whole time?" Tygra pointed to Spidera.
Spidera nudged up against Lynx-O encouraging him to pet her. He complied; his gentile scratching against her exoskeleton. The sensation caused her to make an unsettling scratchy gargling sound that could be purring. "No. The remainder of the Thunderguard and myself were dragged to a god-awful lizard internment camp. Most of the civilians and some of my younger soldiers were sold to the rodent empire from what I was told. Slithe sent the rest of us to the Onyx pyramid to be executed in front of Mumm-Ra as a victory show…"
Spidera lowered herself a little, sensing Lynx-O's distress.
"I see you managed to give the scalebags the slip." Panthro smirked.
"My chain gang had one opportunity. I took care of the slave drivers, took back some of our weapons; then we ran as far and as fast as we could. The lizards went after us at first, but they stopped when they saw us heading for the caves. I should have known not to press onward, but no one knew exactly where we were only that we had lost the damned lizards. It was the blind leading the blind if you'll pardon the expression." He chuckled weakly. "For days we ventured deeper into these tunnels. It seemed safe to break the chains and search for food. We tried looking for a safe passage to the surface, but one by one the others went missing."
"Did she catch them?" Lion-o asked, slowly reaching to pet Spidera's leg only to skittishly pull back when Spidera shifting weight.
"Go on." Lynx-O encouraged him.
Lion-O stroked Spidera's leg. Cheetara gave it a try herself. She smiled. "It's like she's made out of whiskers. Tygra, feel."
"No thank you." Tygra tried to back away, but Spidera reached out to him and ruffled his fur. A small scream escaped his throat and he hid behind Panthro.
Lynx-O laughed. "Too bad, son. She likes you. To answer your question young lord, Spidera's children got to them before she did. I cursed these spiders once, but in essence they're just feral animals trying to survive. They only ate my cats because they were in her territory and they were hungry." Lynx-O explained in her defense. "I managed to avoid her and her offspring for a while in the tunnels. Having been blind for so long I've learned to find my way in darkness or so I thought until I found myself in her web. She was half dead from an infection when I found her."
Panthro raised a brow at him. "Infection?" Upon a closer look he realized there was a scabbed over lump in the eye socket Grune had gouged her.
Lynx-O held up Grune's saber tooth. "I always thought you and Grune exaggerated your war stories, but this proved me wrong. Do not ask where the courage came from, but I removed this, cleaned her wound and eventually nursed her back to health. Now she's the best friend a cat could ask for. Were it not for us looking out for each other I might have starved to death by now."
Tygra shook all over. "More power to you, Lynx-O."
Panthro gave him a rough brotherly slap on the back. "Thank the Great Cloud Cat you survived. We could use your help, badly."
Lynx-O frowned. "It seems you could have used my help this whole time, but instead of searching for my fellow cats and engaging the enemy I chose to curl up defeated in the nest."
"For all you knew lizards were waiting for you at both ends of these tunnels. One cat against Third Earth doesn't have good odds. You weren't a coward you were surviving."
Panthro's words didn't appear to give much comfort. "Still, I'm ashamed of myself. Perhaps if Claudis had chosen you to lead Thundera's army and continued to have me command the Prowl Thundera might stand today."
Tygra shrugged. "It could have been worse. Father could have left Grune in charge."
A weak smile formed on the old lynx's face. "Even so; I wasn't worthy to serve lord Claudis and recent events have left me in no condition to serve you, lord Lion-O. They broke my spirit this time. You have to find other cats."
Lion-O's expression sobered. He shook his head. "I won't accept no, general. You, Panthro, Cheetara even Tygra to a much lesser extent- "
Tygra flashed him an insulting hand gesture.
"-Have more experience in battle than me even after all we've been through. This is a war and if we're going to win we need the loyalty of cats who know how to handle their own." He held up the Sword of Omens. "I would be honored if you joined us a Thundercat once again."
Lynx-O could not see the glow of the Eye of Thundera, but he could feel the energy teaming within it. It felt empowering. Lynx-O saluted. "If you will not accept defeat, young Lion-O then neither shall I. Thundercats ho."
"Thundercats HO!" The others cheered. The echoes and the light from the eye startled her a bit.
"Shhhh shhh, it's all right." Lynx-O motioned for her to calm down.
"The water and rations we brought with us are almost gone." Cheetara informed them. "You should come back with us to the Thundertank to wash up and eat a proper meal. We can plan our next move from there."
"We'll fill you in on this whole cluster-cuss on the way." Panthro offered.
"May I have a moment to say goodbye to her first?"
"Of course. Whenever you're ready." Lion-O led the others aside.
Spidera crouched down low so to be eye level with her beloved master. She could sense sadness in him. She knew he was leaving. Lynx-O patted her head one last time, trying to ignore her sad whimpers. "Be strong. You made it who knows how long without me before. You'll be fine. I'll miss you, girl; thank you for everything." Lynx-O gave her one last pat then walked away. "I'm ready." He told the others after exhaling a heavy sigh.
"We can go then?" Tygra asked wearing a hopeful expression.
Lion-O nodded. "Yeah, we can go."
"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthan kyou…."
Spidera watched with dewy red eyes as her friend and master slipped away with the other Thundercats. Soon after they disappeared she continued weaving her web.
Meanwhile; somewhere on the Astral Plane within a forever bag…
Instead of a gentile descent to the ground Kit and Kat were flung into this new world.
"A little rough, don't you think?" Kit asked, rubbing her skidded knees.
"It isn't exactly supposed to be a warm welcome."
She and Kat turned around, surprised to hear a fully grown woman's voice behind them. Instead of the little kitten a regal middle aged woman stood before them, still wearing similar tribal garb and just as much gold jewelry if not more.
Kit noticed her brother staring at Jaguara's figure a little too long and slapped him.
"El-Dara is just beyond the battlefield." The sorceress in a new form told them.
"Look, Kit…" Kat pointed to the horizon were a seemingly endless mass of golden statue cat soldiers stood in the tall, unkempt grass. Their lower bodies were partially obscured by plant growth, but the gold surfaces glistened in the comfortably warm noonday sun. Upon Jaguara's signal to walk the siblings ventured forward for a closer look.
"Wow…" Kat's eyes widened to take in all their intricate detail of the features and poses. Some looked angry; a few excited, but most looked terrified. "How many were sculpted?"
"None." Jaguara answered. "These cats are among the thousand who fought in the last battle for El-Dara." She motioned towards a familiar symbol engraved in one's armor. "Half hailed from the city of Thundera." She then motioned to another cat with slightly different armor. Engraved on him was the four toed claw within an ellipse; a symbol, familiar only to the Thunderkitten's and their family. "The other half hailed from El-Dara."
Kit was about to touch one of the statues, but quickly pulled her hand away. "So they were people who were turned into gold?"
Jaguara pointed to Kit's flupe which now hung from her neck. "Would you please play them a Dirge? Their souls have been trapped for centuries. They're in so much pain."
Kit's ears drooped a little. "I only know one song and it's a lullaby."
"That's fitting enough. Please…?"
Kit put her flupe to her lips and softly blew out a melody.
"So beautiful." Jaguara commended her half way through. She cracked a sad smile, wiping away tears.
Kit continued to play as they weaved through the frozen war scene. She glanced in the eyes of surrounding statues. They too cried tears of molten gold.
The tune ended on a sour note as Kit gasped, disturbed by the sight. She and Kat huddled closer together; both convinced the mob was staring at them.
"Don't be afraid." Jagura placed a gentile, but ice cold hand on their shoulders. "Keep going. El-Dara isn't far now.
The sorceress led them past a partially collapsed solid gold wall. Beyond it stood the most incredible sight they had ever seen; a solid gold city filled with marvelous feline architecture encrusted with rare jewels. The golden paved roads and sidewalks lead to lush gardens filled with exotic (and even extinct) flora, bountiful fruit trees, some turned to gold in full bloom and gold fountains also gushing molten gold. The sweet smelling wind blew leaves and petals past their feet. The only thing missing were people to enjoy such splendor.
Kit and Kat despite themselves ran about in a disorganized, child-like fashion eager to soak in the glimmering wonder of it all. Jaguara followed close behind, not bothered by their laughter and frolicking. The sorceress enjoyed the sound of their excitement. It almost made El-Ddara feel less like a ghost city.
"This is it! It's really El-Dara! We made it, sis!" Kat jumped up and down, cheering. Kit joined him, holding his hands."
Jaguara cleared her throat, interrupting the revelry. "The theater is over there." She pointed to rather small, but ritzy looking building with many steps leading to the front doors down the street. "Maybe we can find you two some better-fitting clothes there."
The siblings looked at each other and blushed. "We would appreciate that." Kit replied.
Jaguara waited outside for half hour or better, twirling a lock of her white mane around her finger anxiously. She was beginning to think allowing the Thunderkittens to choose whatever they wanted from wardrobe was a mistake. Just when she decided to look for them Kit and Kat emerged fully dressed. Kit chose a simple, but elegant dancer's dress made from pink and blue silk. Kat chose the black with gold-lining uniform of an El-darian guard.
"Much better. My bits were getting squished." Kat jumped, skipping half the steps.
Kit descended normally, shaking her head. "We didn't want to know that."
Jaguara chuckled, but cut herself short. "Well, what else would you like to see?"
"All of it." Kat insisted.
"Would you tell us what happened? Does anyone else still live here?"
"Sadly no." Jaguara escorted them through the market square; keeping a keen eye on her guests should they take any of the enticing treasures left in the open. "After Mumm-Ra's animals ventured off and staked claims to territories they began to develop their own societies and cultures. Thundera rose and prospered. Itself and Eldara became its two largest and bountiful cities. We cats were noted by the other species for our pride in warfare, but we also flourished in art, music, trade and magic. El-Dara was the epicenter of it all. In its height it became the nation's capital. The fabled clerics of the crown originated here." She looked yonder to an ancient golden temple in the center of peaceful garden. The kittens followed her along the sacred gold plated grounds, listening intently to the history lesson.
"This is the temple of Dara. It was founded by my parents; descendants of the blacksmiths who forged the Sword of Omens. This is originally where the clerics went to train and practice their miracles. My father, Mitis, developed a powerful form of alchemy, among other spells that kept El-Dara's weather perfect and our crops in constant supply. People were fed, fulfilled and happy. Still his ability to turn any metal or stone into solid gold impressed the public the most."
"So what happened to everyone?" Kit's tail twitched behind her in anticipation.
Jaguara held up her hand to the towering duel doors. They swung open with ease. "Enter; I'll show you."
Kit and Kat stepped into a pitch black room. A burst of fire shot off with the flick of Jaguara's wrist, lighting every candle and illuminating the gold interior of the temple. In the center resting on an elaborate alter were two statues, one a male cat the other female (presumably Mitis andhis wife), holding a golden short staff with a razor sharp cat claw for the blunt end. Jaguara turned her nose up in disgusts at it.
"That is the Claw of Dara, my father's magic wand so to speak. He crafted it himself to perform his alchemy. He became obsessed with the spell. He spent all his time perfecting it, turning more and more things into gold. Eventually he found a way to turn flesh into gold. It became a popular trend for rich deceased and punishment for criminals. For years the then Thundercat lord, Leonoth saw Mitis's alchemy as a threat to his rule, but when he discovered the atrocity Mitis had committed with the staff he declared Mitis and his city treasonous and called for arms."
"Oh no…" Kat knew the story was going downhill.
"I was a cub at the time, barely old enough to conceive. The idea of a civil war within Thundera terrified me and I begged my father not to retaliate- to stop using the Claw, but the spell had brained washed him into believing he rightfully should rule. He met Leonoth in battle, ready to strike the killing blow. With the Claw of Dara he cast a spell so powerful it turned Leonoth's soldiers into gold in mid battle, but Mitis's greed and arrogance overpowered the staff. It backfired, turning his troops and three quarters of El-Dara's civilians into gold as well. Those left to mourn the loss eventually abandoned El-Dara for Thundera. Only I remained to clean up."
"But how did you hide El-Dara here?" Kit asked.
Jagara turned her back to the statues for a moment, her expression and thoughts unclear. "After the battle I returned the Sword of Omens to Leonoth's heir as a peace offering, but he couldn't find it in his heart to forgive my father or the people of El-Dara for supporting him. He banished me to the city, executed any living cats born in El-Dara and destroyed any written record of the city. In fear something like this might happen again I stayed here in the temple and practiced my own magic. My mother taught me to hide snarfs in winter caps as a kitten. I used the same principle to create the forever bags and stuffed the entire city in. With nowhere to go, I wandered Third Earth, keeping the forever bag safe on my person until…"
"Until you died and another sorcerer picked it up." Kat finished for her.
"That's why there are three forever bags; in case anyone managed to tap into the first one." Kit guessed.
Jaguara confirmed this with a nod. "Only a hand full of people has made it to the third. No one has ever removed the Claw, thank the good gods."
Kat stared at the Claw of Dara for a long, hard moment. "People have changed. Not much, but cats have enough. We can learn from Mitis's mistakes and bring El-Dara back to our living plain or maybe even build a new El-Dara. Does the Claw still work?"
Jaguara exhaled a sad sigh. "People do not change. Greed is trait in all sentient beings to some extent. It's best the Claw stays here."
Perhaps he was unsatisfied with Jaguara's answer. Perhaps voices whispering from the inside of the gold statues compelled him to do it. Either way, Kat had a bad lapse in judgment and pulled the Claw of Dara out of the grip of the statues. He swung it once, impressed with its even weight and possibility to be quite lethal even without alchemist powers. "I can prove you wrong. Teach me to use this and I swear I'll prove you wrong."
"Kat put it back!" Kit, also not thinking snatched the Claw from Kat, touching the Claw end.
Jaguara heard duel screams of terror for a second then only one. She turned around, not surprised to see a horrified Wiley Kat next to his sister now petrified in gold. Kat dropped the Claw. "It was an accident! I didn't mean to!" Tears rolled down his cheeks. "She's still alive, right? You can change her back?"
"I will no sooner change her to flesh again then return your youth!" Jagurara scowled at him, stomping towards him, growing older and angrier with each step. "Never once did I give you permission to TOUCH the Claw of Dara! I told you to look, but never said touch! You broke my trust, kitten. I believe you've had your fill of my city. Now LEAVE!" She reached into the coin purse and roughly slapped the three, now gold buckles into Kat's hands. "Maybe from now on when someone speaks to you will listen more carefully."
"You can't-!" Before he could say anything else he felt himself being sucked through the small bag then through the rucksack. He was flung with tremendous force against a random pile of junk (treasure seemed an awful lot like junk to Kat at the moment).
Groaning, Kat sat upright, realizing he was back in the first forever bag still an adult. A wave of emotion overcame him. He doubled over, burring his face in his palms. "I screwed up…" He lamented, choking back tears. "I screwed up BAD, Kit. I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry." He punched himself a few times in the head for his foolish act. "I dragged you into this. It's my fault…" He stood, pacing the floor in an effort to think of a solution. "I won't leave you there, Kit!" He yelled despite the fact that she couldn't hear him.
"I won't leave you with that witch! I have to do something. I-I have to tell the other Thundercats…" He reached in his belt for the communication device. He turned it on and heard nothing but static. "SHIT it doesn't work in here! Hold on, Kit, I'll be back real quick. Rankin Bass!"