The rocky terrain of Third Earth, a perfect location for species that would like to keep to themselves are filled with some of the most dangerous and most deadliest creatures that ever lived on the planet. Among them are the Giantors, the Molemen and the deadly Sandcrab People. But besides these creatures it is also the present location of the Bulkins, a small group of Third Earthers who are almost like the gypsies of Earth. These Bulkins sometimes would have to move from one place to another if the previous location would not be able to sustain them or if their supplies started to get very low. Right now their location is fine and their supply of food is enough to help them for many days to come.
In the skies above the rocky terrain, the Thunderstrike being piloted my Ma-Ti, with Tygra in the Co-Pilot seat right behind him as well as Lion-O and Panthro inside the Thunderstrike's detachable modules were heading to the present location of the Bulkins at their fastest speed. The Thundercats knew that helping Linka get back on her feet as well as getting her to wake up is top priority, but they also know that they have to find a way to get their new friends all back home.
Inside the Thunderstrike, Ma-Ti was still struggling with punching the controls on the Brail board that Lynx-O uses when ever he pilots the craft, but with Tygra right behind him making sure that everything goes correctly, Ma-Ti knows that he will get the hang of it yet.
"Oh-no not again." Ma-Ti started to say while still trying to fly the Thunderstrike. "I just can't figure out how your friend Lynx-O does it Tygra. All of these buttons in brail and I still can't make any heads or tails of it."
"First of all Ma-Ti, you just need to calm down and try to just use the basics of flying." Tygra started to say while helping Ma-Ti anyway he can. "After you know the basics, then you will understand the rest."
"Don't worry about a thing Ma-Ti." Lion-O started to say. "Lynx-O was teaching us how to pilot the Thunderstrike with the brail board for weeks after Panthro and Tygra finished building it."
"And that was no easy task." Panthro started to say. "I had no idea how quickly Lynx-O took to the controls of the Brail Board and started to make the Thunderstrike fly better then anyone else could do."
"I understand my friends, and I am also starting to understand how some people back home are feeling." Ma-Ti stated.
"What do you mean by that Ma-Ti?" Lion-O asked with some wonder in his tone.
"Back home on our planet, many people have lost their sight do to war injuries, or fires that burned the eyes to the point where they could not be opened anymore. I have always felt sad that the Planeteers could do nothing to help them."
"Maybe once we find a way for you to get back home, I could build you a Brail board and your scientists could replicate it." Panthro started to say.
"I don't know it they could Panthro. Your design for the Brail board is of Thundercat design, and the people back home would spend mostly years trying to figure out how it worked before they would even make more."
"I believe that I see your point. Doesn't anyone on your planet use Brail as a second language?"
"Most people do when they get specially made books and maps to help them see and read. Also most of them back home has developed their other senses just like Lynx-O did here."
"Ma-Ti is there something else that is keeping you distracted?" Your mind seems to be elsewhere right now." Tygra stated seeing how much trouble Ma-Ti is having right now.
"It is my friends back at the lair. I just can stop seeing Wheeler's face in my mind and knowing how much he is hurting right now cause he can't do anything to help Linka."
"We know how close you all are." Panthro stated trying to help Ma-Ti in his own way.
"It is different with Wheeler." Ma-Ti started to say. "He is like an older brother to me since I never had one growing up in South America."
"Didn't you tell us that you were raised by someone close to you." Lion-O asked while trying to help as well.
"Yes, the Shaman. He is the elder of my tribe and also the person who raised me after both my parents died."
"So you probality hold Wheeler up in that same title as the Shaman." Panthro added.
"What do you mean by that Panthro?"
"Yes I'm a little curious about it myself Panthro." Tygra stated.
"I just mean that it seems that Ma-Ti's feelings for Wheeler are almost the same feelings that he has for this Shaman of his tribe." Panthro stated while not trying to be rude.
"It does sound a little like that to me as well Ma-Ti." Lion-O added.
"Maybe you are all right about that. My feelings for the Planeteers are that of family, but for Wheeler and Linka, my thoughts go much deeper." Ma-Ti stated.
"How so Ma-Ti?"
"I've been with Wheeler and Linka through most of their rough patches. Most of the time they would argue about little things and when ever each other was looking at another person. But Wheeler's true feelings emerged when he was willing to risk his life in saving Linka from Skumm's Bliss drug and when he secretly stayed behind in Russia to keep an eye on Linka in her home town. I have never know Wheeler to be that brave or determined in anything."
"From what we saw of Wheeler's actions in bypassing our security system and stealing the Hovercat I am starting to understand how he feels about Linka." Panthro started to say. "It didn't take long to repair everything, but that was very interesting to find out."
"I am so sorry for Wheeler's actions. Sometimes when it comes to Linka, he thinks more with his heart and less with his head." Ma-Ti stated.
"It would seem to me that your friend acted with both his head and heart." Tygra stated.
"That's one of the reasons that I look up to him. So that I may learn to be as strong as him and maybe let my feelings show for a certain someone back home. That is if we ever get back home."
"We'll get you all home. That I promise you." Lion-O stated in a proud tone.
"Thank you Lion-O and both of you also Panthro and Tygra."
"Don't mention it Ma-Ti. Having you Planeteers here has made life on Third Earth a little more interesting then when we first arrived here." Panthro stated in his usual honest tone.
"Remember all of the trouble we had when we first got here. All of the battles and trying to make friends while trying to keep the Mutants and Mumm-Ra at bay." Lion-O stated.
"After all that we had been through back then, what happened now seems a little easier." Panthro added.
"If that is what you call easy, I hate to see what happens when something difficult starts to happen." Ma-Ti stated.
After the statement made by Ma-Ti, everyone within the Thunderstrike started to laugh. They needed a break from everything that was happening, even though their mission takes high priority.
"Tygra, how long before we reach the Bulkins?" Lion-O asked with some wonder.
"At the way Ma-Ti is now flying the Thunderstrike, I'd say about 10 to 15 minutes."
"You see Ma-Ti, we knew that you can handle flying the Thunderstrike." Panthro stated.
"Yes, once I just cleared my head of all distractions, it started to become much easier for me." Ma-Ti responded.
"Lets just hope that we can find a match for your friend there." Lion-O stated.
"With all the info the Bengali gave us, I don't think that we should have any problem with that Lion-O." Tygra replied.
"I just hope that you are right about that Tygra. I have a strange feeling that it might not be as easy as that." Ma-Ti stated.
"Let's just hope that your feeling is wrong. Now get ready everyone, we're approaching the Bulkins homes." Tygra stated as the Thunderstrike strated to make it's final approach towards the Bulkins.
The Bulkins, not much is know about this particular group of people who lives on Third Earth. They mostly resemble the gypsies, moving from place to place but their outward appearance is more that of monks in a community. The Bulkins try not to interact with other people, cause they would most likely like to keep to themselves, but on occasion, they would go and meet other people if not for help and maybe some supplies for their group. The Thundercats met a Bulkin and a Wollo once after they came to the lair to confess that they accidentally released the spirit of Groon the Destroyer from his eternal resting place. The duo didn't know that it was the monster's resting place, cause they were looking for buried treasure in order to help their friends and family. After the Thundercats were able to defeat the evil spirit mostly thanks to Jaga the Wise, the Sword of Omens, and the strength of the Lord of the Thundercats, the duo came to the lair to explain what they had done. Panthro didn't respond in the way that the duo had hoped, but Lion-O saw the bravery that they both had to confront the Thundercats and admit their crime. The lord of the Thundercats forgave them and the duo left the lair to return home to their villages. Now the Thundercats along with Ma-Ti hope that maybe the Bulkins would help them in their time of need.
The Bulkins have set their homes near the border of the Sandcrab people, making sure not to enter their terriority unless they have gotten permission to do so. The location however was full of rich supplies for the small band of people. There was clean running water, fields for growing crops and plenty of trees growing delicious fruit. There was also a chance to do some hunting, but the Bulkins made sure to only get what they needed to survive. As the day continued to get sunny, two Bulkins were tending the fields while other Bulkins were picking down some food from the nearby trees.
"How much longer before these crops are ready for harvest?" One of the Bulkins stated while tending the fields.
"I really couldn't say, maybe another few hours or maybe a day." The other Bulkin started to reply. "Why are you so concerned about the crops today?"
"After what happened at the Cat's Lair, I thought that maybe we should do something for the Thundercats to show our support for their new friends." The 1st Bulkin stated.
"That is a good idea my friend, but you know that we can't rush things like this. We have to have patience."
"I know Conner, but I still feel like we should do something."
"I know how you feel Martin, but you have to realize that we don't have much to offer our friends. We are just peaceful people who try to avoid all types of conflict."
"I know, I know but still , there must be something we can do." Martin replied as he and Conner went back to tending the fields.
"Well unless someone can invent a fast growing solution, we will just have to wait for the crops to be ready." Conner replied as they both went to work in the fields.
As the Bulkins were working the fields, the shadow of the Thunderstrike started to arrive, completely distracting the Bulkins from their work in the fields.
"Look there." Martin started to say as he pointed up towards the sky." It looks like we have some company right now."
"I agree with you, it's the Thundercats." Conner started to reply. "I wondering what they are doing here."
"Conner, I will go and figure out why our friends are here. I need you to continue tending the fields."
"Are you kidding me? I would like to see the Thundercats as well but you would rather keep me here to tend these stupid fields rather then to meet our friends."
"Conner, I know how you feel, but you have to remember that our people depends on these crops. So lets stop this little squabble and try to remember what is important."
"I understand." Conner replied with a sad and disappointed tone in his voice.
"I promise that I will let you know what is going on here as soon as I find out as well." Martin replied as he and the other Bulkins started to head back towards the small village to great their Thundercat allies.
"This is just not fair." Conner started to think "I should be with the others greeting the Thundercats but instead I am stuck doing this boring work. There has to be a way to get this done faster, there just has to be."
As the other Bulkins were greeting the Thundercats and their Planeteer friend, a strange looking woman started to walk towards the Bulkin still tending the fields with a much more saddened look on his face.
"Excuse me." The woman started to say. "I seem to be a little lost here, do you happen to know where I am?"
After the question made by the woman, the Bulkin stopped working on the fields and started to shift his attention towards the woman.
"Why of course, you are near the entrance to the Bulkin village. My name is Conner, and if I may ask, what is your name?" Conner asked with some wonder in his tone.
"My name is Doctor Barbara Blight and I am somewhat of an expert on plants and farming." Blight responded with a kind but sinister tone in her voice.
"A doctor with an expertise on plants? I think that this just might be my lucky day."
"More then you think my little fool." Blight started to think. "I was hoping to beat those Thundercats to this location and prepare a few surprises for them but for now I will have to put my sweetie pie MEL's backup plan into action. I sure hope they like what I have planned for them."
"Tell me Conner, what seems to be the problem?"
"It's these crops that my people are tending to. I mean don't get me wrong but sometimes I wish that they would just finish growing already so that it would be easier to pick them and have more time for other things."
"I think that I have a feeling about what you mean my friend. Back where I come from, all of my research takes up most of my time so that there is not much time left for fun. But maybe there is something that I can do to help you."
"YOU CAN, THAT WOULD BE GREAT!" Conner stated while trying not to shout with happiness in his voice. "By the way, I hope that you don't think that this is rude, but what happened to the part of your face that is covered with your white hair?" Conner asked while noticing the white hair almost covering Blight's left side of her face and eye.
"It is alright my friend." Blight started to say. "I was working on an experiment when it exploded and burned my face a little. "
"I'm sorry to hear about your experiment. Were you able to salvage it?
"I'm afraid not, but I was able to create these in my lab before the accident." Blight stated as she started to take out three vials from her purple jumpsuit left leg pocket. "These are my super growth formula that I was developing for people with little crops. It is designed to make them grow faster, with enough food for the entire village."
"That is exactly what I need right now. I want to get these crops done right away. I'll pay you for them, name your price."
"These are not for sale, instead I am going to give them to use for nothing in return."
"Nothing in return, this is a very good deal." Conner stated as he receives the vials from Blight. "So, what do I do with these?"
"All you have to do is sprinkle a little of the vial on the crops you want to grow and wait just a minute for them to grow. It's just that easy."
"If you say so, I can't wait to get started. Boy wait till the others hear about this. They won't believe it at all."
"If you don't mind, I want you to keep this little deal just between the two of us. If the others found then they would want some and those are the only vials left."
"I understand, I promise I wont tell a soul about this. Boy this is just what we need to help get our people going again."
"Yes my hairy little fool." Blight started to think. "Once you start to use them, my vials will destroy every inch of the ground while taking all of the nutrients from the ground and poison the food. Once they all start to eat them, the Bulkins will be to sick to be of help to the Thundercats and Blondie will never wake up again." She continued to think as she chuckled a little.
As Blight was chuckling, Conner not knowing of the evil plan set in motion by Blight, started to use the vials on all of the crops that were planted only a few weeks ago. A moment later, all of the crops started to grow much faster then the Bulkin would expect. He saw their carrots come to full bloom in only a matter of seconds, the same thing was happening to all of their foods within the crops themselves. Unbeknownst to the young Bulkin, the poison also started to emerge within all of the foods, but being careful not to be shown until the very last second when they would be eaten by the rest of the community.
As the Bulkin started to bring his food cart towards the fields to start to load it up with all of the poisoned foods, Dr. Blight couldn't help but cast a happy smile on her face. She couldn't believe that her plan was working this good and this fast on an alien species. She also knew that some species are just as gullible and stupid as the rest, but she also knew to follow her dear MEL's plans to a tee just in case something went wrong. With that in mind she started to leave the young Bulkin and started to head back towards the Sky Cutter which was hidden behind a rock formation that she spotted as she was hoping not to be seen by the Thundercats.
As the Thunderstrike was making its final approach towards the Bulkin homes, a small group started to gather outside as the Thundercat vehicle began its final descent.
"Why do you think that our friends are here for?" One of the Bulkins asked with some concern.
"I have no idea, but whatever the case it is good to see our friends. It has been far too long." Another Bulkin replied.
As questions continued to surround the group, Martin and the rest of the Bulkins that were in the fields, started to return to the village, also wondering why their friends have shown up.
"Martin, do you have any idea why the Thundercats are here?" One of the Bulkins asked with concern.
"I have no idea my friend, but after what happened at the wedding outside the lair, it might not be good news." Martin replied as the Thunderstrike finally sat down on the ground.
"We better go and see if we can help in any way." Another Bulkin replied as the Thundercats and the Planeteer started to exit the vehicle.
"Alright everyone." Martin started to say. "That's enough guessing on our part, now let's go see what brings our friends here." He finished as the small group started to head towards the Thundercats.
As the small group of Bulkins started to approach the Thunderstrike, Lion-O, Panthro, Tygra and Ma-Ti were starting to climb out in order to greet the group and hopes that they can help save their fallen comrade.
"That was some trip." Ma-Ti stated as they all started to disembark from the vehicle.
"I think that you handled yourself very well there Ma-Ti." Tygra stated as he followed Ma-Ti out of the vehicle.
"That maybe true, but I still need to get the hang of it though."
"Well don't worry about that Ma-Ti, I can help you master the Thunderstrike." Panthro replied as he and Lion-O also started to emerge from the vehicle.
"He's right about that Ma-Ti." Lion-O started to say with some pride in his voice. "Panthro taught me how to drive the
Thundertank."
"Even though you almost wrecked it when I wasn't looking."
"I know and I did apologize for that."
"This is true and besides, you became very good after that first fiasco. I couldn't be more proud of that."
"This is just what we need right now. Panthro getting even more of a big head on his shoulders." After the statement made by Tygra, the entire group started to laugh while the small group of Bulkins started to approach the group.
As the small group of Bulkins started to approach the Thundercats, the laughter that the Thundercats and the Planeteer was making started to die down a little.
"Welcome my Thundercat friends." Martin started to say. "Oh? I see we have a new face with us today."
"Yes we do Martin." Lion-O started to reply. "This is Ma-Ti, a member of the Planeteers. I believe that you already saw him at the anointment ceremony before the wedding." Lion-O finisher as he gestured Ma-Ti to join him.
"It is an honor to meet you… Ma-Ti wasn't it." Martin stated as he extended his right arm and hand out.
'It is my pleasure to meet you and your people. I have heard much about everyone here from the Thundercats." Ma-Ti replied as he accepted the Bulkin's hand with his own right hand.
"Don't believe everything that you have heard about us. We are a peaceful bunch."
"When you don't cause trouble to appear for us to take care of." Panthro stated trying not to be rude.
"It is true that we caused the spirit of Groon the destroyer to be awakened, but remember it was an accident."
"Panthro knows that Martin, that is just his way of making a small joke." Tygra replied as he tried to apologize for Panthro's words.
'If that is Panthro's way of making a joke, I hate to see what happens when he starts to get serious." Martin replied as both groups started to laugh.
"Alright, now that the comedy is out of the way, we need your help my friends." Lion-O stated after both groups stopped laughing.
"Anything that we can do to help. It would be a small payment for all that you have done for all of us here on our home."
"We need to run some blood tests to find a match for our fallen friend." Ma-Ti stated with some concern in his voice.
"I understand, but can you please explain why you need to run these blood tests?" Martin asked with some concern.
"It will take a while, but I will try to explain everything to you."
After the statement made by Ma-Ti, the Bulkins started to listen as the Thundercats started to explain the situation to their Bulkin allies. As the Thundercats explained the situation to their friends, the Bulkins couldn't help but be a little saddened after hearing what they all went through inside Spidera's kingdom of Eight Legs.
"Oh my, I didn't realize how serious this problem is for your friend." Martin stated after hearing everything.
"Then you will be able to help us?" Ma-Ti asked with a little hope in is tone.
"I don't know if we can. I mean I don't even know if we are a match for your friend. I mean we are Bulkins and she is a human just like the Warrior Maidens."
"We understand that." Tygra started to say. "We have already sent out teams to both the Warrior Maidens and the Wollos. Hopefully they should have something for us. But in the case that they don't, may we have your permission to start testing?"
"Is it painful?" Another Bulkin asked with some worry.
"It is completely harmless." Tygra stated with an honest look on his face and in his voice. "We just need to find a match for Ma-Ti's friend."
"You are all welcome to come back to town and talk to the rest of our people, but I don't know if they will help." Martin stated with a little sorrow in his voice.
"We all know how much you want to keep to yourselves and stay away from trouble of any kind." Lion-O started to say. "If we can't find a match or if your people refuse to help us then we will leave without any problems."
"Lion-O, we just can't abandon Linka like that." Ma-Ti started to say almost to the point of shouting.
"Calm down Ma-Ti, Lion-O didn't mean that we were going to quit." Tygra stated hoping to calm down Ma-Ti.
"No Ma-Ti, what I am saying is that we Thundercats always respect the feelings of everyone that we meet and try to act within the code of Thundera." Lion-O replied.
"I'm…I'm sorry Lion-O, everyone. I guess I let my feelings for Wheeler and Linka get to me and I am very sorry for how I acted ."
"Don't apologize Ma-Ti, we Bulkins sometimes let our feelings show much more then we should. Come, let us see if the others will be willing to help you out in saving your friend's life." Martin stated after seeing how much pain Ma-Ti was in.
"Thank you my friend." Ma-Ti replied in kind.
"Yes, thank you very much Martin." Tygra stated.
"It is our pleasure to help. Besides you Thundercats have risked your lives countless times to help us and the other people of Third Earth. If we can help in some small way then I believe that we should." Martin replied with a smile on his Bulkin face.
"Then let's get going and meet the rest of the town." Lion-O stated.
After the statement made by Lion-O, Martin nodded his head and both groups then started to head towards the village with hopes that they will be able to find a match for Linka back at the lair.
As both the Thundercats and the small group of Bulkins started to enter the town, everyone was outside doing mostly choirs as well as seeing some of their dearest friends as well as to catch up on some gossip. As the Thundercats started to walk through, each and every Bulkin started to shift their gaze over to their Thundercat friends with wonder as if trying to figure out what they are doing here. As they were looking at the group, they were all surprised to see a brand new face that they hadn't seen before, so they continued to follow the group so that they could get some answers.
As the group continued to walk through the village, Ma-Ti was starting to feel very uneasy with all of the town's eyes all looking at him.
"Um Martin? Is everyone here in your village here alright?" Ma-Ti started to ask with worry in his tone.
"Is there a problem Ma-Ti?" Martin replied hoping to help his new friend calm down.
"Everyone is looking at me and it is starting to make me feel a little uncomfortable."
"I wouldn't worry about it my friend." Martin started to say. "Everyone here is used to our Thundercat friends, but seeing a new face here is quite a rare sight. Just relax and go with it."
"That's easy for you to say. I'm not quite used to this, especially when I am without my fellow Planeteers."
"I thought you told us that the Planeteers were used to going special events to save the planet." Lion-O stated.
"Yes that is true." Ma-Ti started to say. "But back then I was more comfortable with the other Planeteers. Right now I just feel a little lonely being here by myself."
"Well just remember that you are a part of our family now, and that we always take care of each other." Tygra stated in the hopes of calming Ma-Ti down and to stop him from feeling uneasy.
"Your Thundercat friend is correct." One of the Bulkins started to say. "We are always here for one another and that also goes for the Thundercats as well."
After the statement made by one of the Bulkins, the entire group arrived at the home of the leader of the Bulkins. His home was just like the rest of the town, made of mostly wood with some flowers for decoration. Outside the home, the elder's clothing was that of the other Bulkins, made mostly of wool. The Bulkins could almost be compared to people who follow religious traditions by wearing a robe over their own clothing to fit in with everyone else.
"What brings our Thundercat friends here today?" The elder started to say. "Oh my, I see we have a new face with our friends."
"You are correct my friend." Lion-O started to say while maintaining a noble posture as he approached the elder. "This is Ma-Ti, he is a Planeteer and a visitor to our world." Lion-O finished as he gestured Ma-Ti to approach the elder and himself.
"It is an honor to meet you sir." The young South American stated as he started to approach.
"My friend, no need to be all tense, please relax yourself." The elder stated.
"Thank you." Ma-Ti replied as he started to relax.
"Now, Lion-O, what brings the Thundercats to our village today."
"It is quite a long story." Lion-O replied.
"I'd be happy to hear it."
After the statement made by the elder, both Lion-O and Ma-Ti started to explain the situation to their Bulkin friend. As both the Thundercat and the Planeteer started to explain the situation to the Bulkin elder, the face on the elder Bulkin started to change to one of sadness and understanding.
"And that is why we have come to your village." Lion-O stated after finishing the story.
"Oh my, I had no idea what you and your friends had to endure." The elder replied.
"Then , will you be able to help us?" Ma-Ti asked with some concern and wonder in his tone.
"I'm not sure if we can help you. What I meant to say is that I don't know if we are compatible with your friend's blood type."
"The equipment that we have brought with us will be able to let us know if there is a match." Tygra started to say as he approached the elder. "May we begin testing?"
"Of course just give me a moment to tell the others." The elder replied as he started to approach the crowd of Bulkins that stood behind the Thundercats.
As the elder started to walk towards the group of Bulkins, he started to think how he would explain the situation to his friends and neighbors. The elder knew that what ever happened to them in the past, he knew that they owed the Thundercats much more then they knew, and if they can help, then it would be well worth it to save their friend's life.
"MY FRIENDS, A GREAT PROBLEM HAS DECENDED UPON OUR HOMES." He started to say "OUR THUNDERCAT FRIENDS ARE HERE TO ASK FOR OUR HELP CAUSE ONE OF THEIR NEW FRIENDS HAS FALLEN ILL. HER NAME IS LINKA AND SHE IS A PLANETEER. FROM WHAT LION-O AND HIS NEW FRIEND HAS TOLD ME, SHE WAS POISONED BY ONE OF SPIDERA'S CHILDREN AND IS NOW IN A ETERNAL SLEEP. THEY NEED OUR HELP TO BRING HER BACK TO US. OUR FRIENDS WILL TEST EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO FIND THEIR FRIEND'S CORRECT BLOOD TYPE. THE PROCEDURE IS QUITE PAINLESS AND IF IT WORKS THEN THEIR FRIEND WILL SOON GET BETTER, BUT THEY NEED ALL OF US TO HELP THEM. WILL YOU ALL VOLUNTEER TO HELP THEIR FRIEND GET BETTER?"
"YES!" The crowd of Bulkins stated at the same time.
"THANK YOU ALL MY FRIENDS." The elder replied as he turned back to his Thundercat allies. "We are ready to begin my friends."
"We really appreciate what you and your people are doing for us." Tygra stated.
"Yes, I also would like to thank you for helping us." Ma-Ti added.
"It is no problem my friends. If we in some small way can help to save the life of your friend, then it is a small payment for everything that the Thundercats have done for us." The elder replied with proudness in his voice.
"We should get started right away." Lion-O replied.
After the statement made by Lion-O, all of the Thundercats started to test each and every Bulkin within the entire village. As they began testing, the results from each Bulkin wasn't very good, although they had almost the same genetic structure as most of the people there on Third Erath, the blood matches were less then what they had expected. As they started to run the last of the tests, the situation started to look very grim.
"Is that everyone?" Panthro asked after finishing up the last blood test.
"I think so." Tygra replied
"Matrin, is there anyone else that we have missed?" Lion-O asked as Martin was finished being tested.
"Conner is still tending the fields. I told him to take care of them and that I would fill him in on the situation later." Martin replied.
"We had better get Conner here, he maybe be Linka's only chance." Tygra stated.
After the statement made by Tygra, all of the Thundercats as well as Ma-Ti and their Bulkin friends started to head towards Conner, who was still tending the fields. As the group started to approach the ends of the town, Conner started to approach them while pushing a cart full of grown crops from the fields.
"CONNER, WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE CROPS?!" Martin started while trying not to yell after seeing the size of the crops.
"Martin, what do you mean? I just did what you told me to do. I kept tending the fields and this just happened." Conner replied while trying to keep Blight and her vials a secret from everyone.
"What I mean is, look at the size of these crops?.. You can't actually tell me that they grew to that size. Do you?"
"That is exactly what has happened to these crops." Conner started to say. "After you left to greet the Thundercats, all of the food in the fields started to grow much faster then before. I was so surprised by it that I had to get everything picked right away to show everyone or you would never believe me."
"He does have a point there." One of the Bulkins stated after seeing the size of the food in the wagon.
"Maybe he does but that still is no excuse for leaving the fields as he did. He should have come to get us and then started to collect the crops."
"In a way, Conner did the right thing." Ma-Ti started to say. "Back home in my native land, food and water were very scarce and most of the time we would have to hunt for our food. In a way by bring the food here, your friend might have done the correct thing."
"You maybe right about that Ma-Ti." Martin stated before taking in a deep breath and walking over to Conner. "You made a smart choice my friend. Maybe you are not so scattered as you pretend to be."
"Now let's not let that get around." Conner stated as the entire group started to laugh.
After a moment of laughing, Martin started to tell Conner the reason for the Thundercats visit. As he started to explain everything, the look on Conner's face was that of someone in deep pain and sorrow.
"I'd had no idea what your friend has been through." Conner started to say. "If I can help in any way then I will be happy to oblige."
"May we test your blood for our friend's correct type?" Lion-O asked in a very calm and sincere tone.
"Of course, anything to help out." Conner started to say. "But first would you like to try some of our food that was just grown and picked?"
"I think that we can delay testing for a little while." Tygra started to reply. "Eating some food won't change the results."
"That is a good idea Tygra, besides I think that you need the distraction Ma-Ti." Lion-O stated after seeing Ma-Ti's face change to that of sadness after explaining the situation to Conner.
"Thank you Lion-O, thank you all." Ma-Ti replied with a new sense of calmness in his tone.
"No thanks are necessary Ma-Ti." Lion-O started to say. "Besides, we all need to keep our strength up for the challenges ahead."
"Did you learn that from Jaga?" Panthro stated after hearing those words from the Thundercat leader.
"No, Panthro. Not from Jaga but from when I had to face all of you in the Anointment Trials. I didn't think that I would survive."
"The point is that you did and we Thundercats are stronger because of it." Tygra replied as he put his right hand on Lion-O's left shoulder.
"Thank you my friend." Lion-O stated after Tygra's show of honesty. "Now lets have something to eat."
"Here you all go." Conner stated as he started to pass a piece of fruit to each Thundercat, Martin and then Ma-Ti. "Alright everyone eat and enjoy."
As the whole group was about ready to eat the fruit that they have received, the poison that was slowly infecting the fruit has reached the point where it would start to rot and decay the food and anyone who started to take a bite out of it. As the entire group was about to take a bite out the fruit that was given to each of them., Ma-Ti started to notice something very strange was happening to the fruit he was holding.
"EVERYONE STOP, DON'T EAT THE FRUIT!" Ma-Ti started to yell as he started to hit each fruit out of the hands of his friends.
"Ma-Ti, what has gotten into you?" Panthro stated after seeing the actions of the young South American.
"Panthro wait, take a look at that." Tygra stated while seeing what was happening to the fruit that has hit the ground.
After the statement made by Tygra, both he, Lion-O, Panthro, Ma-Ti and the two Bulkins saw what was happening to the food that had hit the ground. As they all watched, the fruit started to become more rotted and then started to dissolve while expelling a dark cloud of pollution.
"Ma-Ti … I … I am sorry for what I said to you. I had no idea what was happening." Panthro stated as he shifted his gaze from the food on the floor to the Planeteer next to him.
"Yes Ma-Ti, thank you. You may have just saved our lives." Lion-O stated.
"I'm just glad that I was raised to trust my feelings and to notice things that would probability be overlooked by others.
"Did your Shaman teach you that?" Tygra asked with wonder in his tone.
"He did and a few more skills that I later put into effect for the Planeteers. But I am more concerned about how this all started to happen.." He stated as he turned his gaze over to Martin and Conner. "You said that Conner was tending the fields, did something happen out there?"
"That is a good question Conner." Martin started to say as his gaze towards his friend started to become more and more angry." Conner, you better start to explain what exactly happened out there."
"I …I don't know what happened to make the crops become like this." Conner stated as he started to look over at his kart full of rotting food. "NO! NO THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!" Conner started to yell after seeing the last of the crops in his kart dissolve away.
"CONNER, TELL US WHAT HAPPENED AND I MEAN RIGHT NOW!" Martin started to yell at his friend in his most angriest voice yet.
"My friends, please forgive me. That…that woman… she tricked me somehow." Martin started to say while trying not to be upset about what almost happened to his friends." She told me that she was a doctor of plants and gave me some vials to use to speed up the growing process. I…I didn't have any idea that this would happen."
"This woman, what did she look like." Tygra asked while both Lion-O and Ma-Ti started to wonder as well.
"I've never seen her before but she said that she was a Doctor of plants and that her face had been burned by an experiment that she was conducting a few months ago."
"A doctor? Burned face?" Ma-Ti started to say in a curious tone. "Did you remember anything else about her? The clothes she was wearing and the color of her hair?"
"She was wearing a purple jumpsuit and her hair was blonde color, also she had white hair covering her left eye and the left side of her face."
After a moment of getting all of the facts together, Ma-Ti's expression on his face started to turn to that of complete shock and anger.
"I believe I know who you met and if I am right then she is not done yet with your fields."
"Who is it Ma-Ti?" Lion-O asked while the others were wondering the same.
"Conner, this woman, did she tell you her name by any chance?" Ma-Ti asked hoping that he was wrong.
"Her name was Doctor Barbara Blight." Conner replied.
"Thundercats, we have to stop her right away before she does anymore damage here." Ma-Ti stated as he wanted to get moving to stop the good doctor.
"Ma-Ti, what is it? Who is this Doctor Blight?" Panthro asked with some concern.
"Doctor Barbara Blight is the most dangerous Eco-Villain that we have ever faced. She is obsessed with destroying the planet's Eco-system by whatever means necessary. She also conducts experiments on anyone and anything that she can get her hands on. She ever tried some evil experiments on us a few times."
"How awful, we have to stop her." Lion-O stated after hearing Ma-Ti's description of Doctor Blight.
"I just hope that we can stop her before it is too late." Ma-Ti stated as the group started to head out of the village and towards the Bulkin fields.
As the group started to follow the two Bulkins back towards the fields were Conner met Doctor Blight, the doctor herself was up to more mischief hoping to destroy the way of life for the Bulkins and thus destroying the alliance with the Thundercats.
"I wonder if that stupid fool managed to poison the entire village and those blasted Thundercats." Blight started to think as she continued to bathe the entire empty crop ground with liquid from another vial that she had hidden away from the Bulkin earlier. "Just in case he did fail, this new formula should give the Thundercats and the stupid Eco-Geek a monstrous surprise."
As blight continued to pour the vials into the ground, the soil and dirt started to transform on a molecular level, gathering all of the poison that was left over from the other vials as well as draining every last ounce of nutrients that was still available inside the ground below. Without all of the nutrients in the soil nothing that the Bulkins tried to grow would never sprout root and thrive, Dr. Blight's plan was working better then she had expected.
"I better get my ride over here before my surprise for the Thundercats starts to appear, besides I am curious to see what effect my weapon will have on the Thundercat's technology." She started to think again as she pulled out a remote control from her jumpsuit's left leg pocket and started pushing buttons on it.
As she was deep in thought as well as planning her next move, Blight didn't notice the group comprised of Thundercats and Bulkins heading straight towards her as fast as they can.
"LOOK OVER THERE IN THE FIELDS!" Conner started to shout. "THAT'S HER… THAT'S THE WOMAN WHO POISNED OUR FOOD!"
"It's Doctor Blight alright." Ma-Ti started to say while the group continues to run towards the fields. "It looks like she is up to something no good."
"Don't worry Ma-Ti we will stop her." Panthro stated with pride in his voice.
"Don't get to overconfident Panthro, she is more devious than you think."
"What that lady, you must be kidding."
"You should listen to our new friend Panthro, they have dealt with her and we haven't." Lion-O stated as they all approached the fields.
As the group started to get closer to Blight, they also started to see her pouring some strange kind of liquid onto the ground where the Bulkin fields are.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE BLIGHT!" Ma-Ti shouted as the others came within visual range of Blight.
"Well well well, I see my little plan to poison you all has failed." Blight replied with an evil smirk across her face. "Don't you Thundercats like fruit?"
"Not when it is full of poison we don't." Tygra stated as the group held their position, not knowing what Blight is up to.
"And we are gonna stop you from causing any more damage to their Eco-system." Ma-Ti stated in a proud and honest voice.
"Ah my poor diluted friends." Blight started to reply in her sinister tone. "You can't stop my plans. On the contrary my plans are already in effect. That vial that you saw me empty out was the final ingredient needed for my plans to work." She finished as she started to laugh in her own sinister way.
As Blight continued to laugh and continue to enjoy what she has already done, the Sword Of Omens started to make its danger noise as well as started to light up the Eye of Thundera.
"Lion-O, the sword." Panthro stated as they all started to see the sword's reaction begin to change.
"A Thundercat in danger." Lion-O stated as he started to grab the sword from the Claw Shield from his right leg. "Sword Of Omens, give me sight beyond sight."
Lion-O commanded as the sword's curl bars started to transform into viewing scopes for his eyes once again. As he started to look into the sword's eye pieces, he started to see what was happening at the Warrior Maiden's home as well as what was happening at the Wollo village.
"Tygra, Panthro, our friends are in trouble. We must get to them right away."
Just then the ground below the Thundercats and the Bulkins started to shake and crack open, as if a giant earthquake was about to appear and cause massive destruction.
"It looks like your troubles has only just begun." Blight stated as she again started to laugh in her most evil tone.
As Blight was continuing to laugh at the Thundercats, a mountain of dirt started to emerge from the crack on the ground. As they all watched, the dirt started to change form into some kind of creature made of poisoned earth as well as the vials poured onto it from Blight herself. As the dirt continued to transform, both Panthro and Tygra took out their weapons and positioned themselves to attack the monster.
"Blight, you know that we will defeat this creature of yours." Lion-O stated as he continued to hold his sword in his right hand.
"My dear Lord of the Thundercats, you and your friends will not be able to defeat this creature." Blight stated as she took out her remote control device from her jumpsuit and started to push some buttons.
"Panthro, Tygra, watch out! Blight is controlling that creature with some kind of remote control." Lion-O started to shout as the creature started to head towards both the Thundercats and Ma-Ti.
"We can't have you get involved in the fun right now." Blight stated as she pushed a few more buttons on her remote.
"And just how do you suppose your gonna stop me?" Lion-O asked as a energy beam started to come towards the group from out of no where.
"LION-O, WATCH OUT FOR THAT BEAM!" Ma-Ti yelled as the beam of energy started to make contact with Lion-O's sword.
As all of the Thundercats were getting ready to attack the monster that Dr. Blight had created, an energy blast that was fired from her invisible Sky Cutter started to impact the Sword Of Omens. As the energy beam hit the sword, the eye within the sword started to react in a very strange way. The Eye of Thundera was some how being drained of all of it's powers and abilities. As the beam continued to strike the sword, the Cat Eye symbol started to get darker and darker but not effecting the other Thundercats in the process. As the energy beam started to subside, everyone started to notice a terrible situation starting to unfold around Lion-O's great and powerful Sword Of Omens.
"Lion-O what happened?" Tygra stated after the energy beam's light started to disappear.
"I' don't know Tygra." Lion-O replied with some confusion in his face and tone.
"Lion-O, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SWORD!" Ma-Ti started to shout as he saw what has happened to the Sword of Omens.
As Lion-O raised the sword, he was almost in a state of shock after seeing what has happened to the Eye Of Thundera that is embedded within the sword. "Great Jaga!" He started to say. "What's happened to the sword?"
"Lion-O quickly, try the sword's powers." Tygra stated hoping the Lion-O would do so.
"THUNDER…THUNDER…THUNDER…THUNDERCATS…HO!" Lion-O yelled but the sword didn't respond.
"What's going on here?' Lion-O stated hoping to get some answers.
"Well it looks like my little surprise did a lot more then I originally had thought." Blight started to say as she started to laugh in her most devious tone. "My energy beam seems to have robbed your sword of all of its powers. This is just too perfect." She continued to say as she faced her creation. "Now my most beautiful creature of destruction….DESTROY ALL OF THEM!" She commanded as she started to run off towards the source of the energy beam.
"GET BACK HERE BLIGHT!" Ma-Ti yelled as he saw Blight disappear from view.
"Forget about her, what are we gonna do about this thing?" Tygra stated as both he and Panthro were trying to keep their distance from the Earth Monster.
Just then the monster started to move and tried to strike both Tygra and Panthro with both of its long earthly arms. As the arms came to strike them, both Tygra and Panthro used their agility to get themselves out of the way and started to aim their weapons at the creature.
"Take this." Panthro stated as he aimed both of his red and blue nun chucks at the creature releasing both red and blue beams at the creature.
As Panthro fired both energy beams from his weapon, the beams hit the monster but went right through it towards the other side with no effect.
"Now what?" Panthro started to say after seeing what happened to his attack.
"Let me try my attack." Tygra replied as he started to attack the creature with his weapon.
As Tyrga started to use his whip, the bolos at the end of his weapon started to ignite into small balls of fire. Tygra was hoping that his weapon way have an effect in stopping or slowing the creature down that Doctor Blight had created from the poisoned earth of the Bulkin's fields. As he watched, the bolos hit their mark by striking the creature dead center in its soft soiled chest, but the result was not what he had expected. Instead of slowing down the creature, the earth monster's soft soiled chest extinguished all of the bolos on Tygra's weapon making it completely useless.
"By Jaga, now what are we gonna do?" Tygra stated after seeing his attack fail as well.
"Thundercats, we have to get back to the Thunderstrike right away. Maybe its' firepower could help." Lion-O stated after seeing what happened to his friend's attacks.
"Right Lion-O. Ma-Ti you and the Bulkins better find a safe place while we try and handle this creature." Tygra stated as the group started to run towards the Thunderstrike parked outside the Bulkin village.
"We will, but you better be careful. Since this creature was created by Blight, there is no telling what it may do to you and the Thunderstrike." Ma-Ti stated as they all continued to head towards the Bulkin Village and the Thunderstrike.
"We'll be careful and I believe that I owe you an apology Ma-Ti. I should have believed you when you said that we shouldn't underestimate those enemies of yours." Panthro stated as the group approached the Thunderstrike.
"We can discuss all of this after we take care of our immediate problem." Tygra broke in stating. "Ma-Ti find some cover and we will try to be careful."
After the statement made by Tygra, the rest of the Thundercats all climbed aboard the Thunderstrike and started to take off while Ma-Ti and the two Bulkins started to find cover and also try to warn the others of the danger that was approaching.
"Do you think that the Thundercats will be able to defeat that monster?" Conner stated while trying no to panic.
"From what I have seen since arriving here with my fellow Planeteers, I believe that the Thundercats can handle anything." Ma-Ti replied while trying to convince himself and calm the others down.
"With that kind of optimism I believe you may be correct." Martin stated as the small group was going into the village.
"I just hope that I'm correct." Ma-Ti started to think" Doctor Blight is very clever and sneaky. I just hope that the Thunderstrike's firepower will do the trick. I just wish that my ring would work, I have never felt so helpless before in my life."
As Ma-Ti and the other two Bulkins were heading into the village to warn everyone of the danger approaching them, the Thunderstrike, piloted by Tygra started to engage the creature with both Lion-O and Panthro inside each of the vehicle's pods.
"Locking in on target and preparing to fire." Tygra stated as the Thunderstrike started to engage Doctor Blight's creature.
"I sure hope that we can stop that thing." Lion-O stated with some concern.
"I'm sure that the Thunderstrike's weapons will cause some major damage to the creature." Panthro replied with pride in his tone.
"Remember what MA-Ti said about that creature Panthro, we don't even know if our weapons will cause it to stop or slow down." Lion-O replied.
"I remember Lion-O, but it doesn't hurt to hope." Panthro replied back with some hope in his tone.
"Alright you two, get ready for separation." Tygra stated as the Thunderstrike started to engage the creature.
"READY!" Both Lion-O and Panthro Shouted together.
After the statement made by both Lion-O and Panthro, Tygra started to push the separation buttons for both capsules of the Thunderstrike causing them both to detach from the main vehicle. As both the capsules completed the separation procedure, the earth creature started to approach Ma-Ti and the rest of the Bulkins on the ground.
"Tygra, we have to stop that creature now." Lion-O stated with a much needed since to protect their friends down on the ground.
"Stand by Lion-O." Tygra started to say into the comm link. "Firing main weapons now."
After the statement made from Tygra, both the main laser cannons from the Thunderstrike fired and started to impact the creature from the back. As the lasers hit the monster, the creature started to let out a big roar before it started to change it's gaze from the Bulkins toward the Thundercats in the air. A moment after turning around, the creature then started to throw what looked like small balls of poisoned earth towards the Thunderstrike and the two pods right next to it.
"INCOMING!" Panthro started to shout "TAKE EVASIVE MANEUVERS!" He continued to shout as the balls of earth came right towards them.
After the warning from Panthro, all of the vehicles of the Thunderstrike started to try and avoid all of the polluted earth balls as they tried to get in closer to stop the creature. As they were continuing to avoid the creature's attacks, no one was noticing a strange disturbance in the skies right above the battlefield.
While the Thundercats were dealing with the monster, Doctor Blight, still on her invisible Skycutter, was hovering above the battlefield watching everything that was happening during the battle with the Thundercats and the Bulkins down below.
"Those blasted Thundercats are more clever then I had originally thought. I had no idea that their flying vehicle could separate into three." She started to think with a devilish tone in her thoughts. "Let's see how they will react once I disable a part of their air strike. Now which one should it be." She continued to think as she started to power up her main prototype cannon. "Now which one should I target." She started to think for just a moment. "Ah, I believe that I have found my target." She thought as she started to move the Sky Cutter into position in order to attack the Thundercats.
As Blight was zeroing in on her target for attack, the Thundercats were continuing to battle the creature while still avoiding being hit by the creature's attacks.
"Tygra, I believe that we've almost got it beat." Panthro stated as they continued to strike the creature with their laser canons from all three directions.
"I believe that you are correct Panthro." Tygra started to say. "It seems that the creature can't handle the firepower from three attacks at the same time. If all goes well then we should be able to rejoin Ma-Ti and the others shortly."
"Let's hope you are correct Tygra." Lion-O started to say. "Something still doesn't feel quite right. I know something is off but with the sword's powers drained, I can't figure out what."
"I'm sure that whatever it is, that we can-" Tygra started to say until his transmission was cut off.
As Tygra was talking to Lion-O, Dr. Blight emerged out of her invisible cover and fired her weapon at directly at the Thundercat from behind.
"TYGRA, LOOK OUT!" Panthro shouted just as the beam from the Doctor's weapon impacted into the Thunderstrike with Tygra at the controls.
As the beam started to impact the Thunderstrike with Tygra at the main controls, Dr. Blight was starting to laugh in her most evilest tone as she started to see the reaction of her latest experiment. As Blight was laughing, both Lion-O and Panthro were watching helplessly as the energy beam started to short out all of the Thunderstrike's energy and power converters leaving it completely helpless and starting to fall towards the ground.
"LION-O, WE HAVE TO HELP!" Panthro shouted as they watched everything happen.
"I agree with you Panthro, but what can we do?" Lion-O replied with some concern.
"If we re-attach our pods back into the Thunderstrike, then we should be able to control the descend and land without any damage."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Not really but I don't think that we have any choice."
"Then let's get started." Lion-O finished as both he and Panthro tried to rejoin the Thunderstrike's main body with their pods.
As both Lion-O and Panthro were trying to link up with the main section of the Thunderstrike, they both started to see inside the main cockpit. As they got a quick look from the insides of their pods, they were both alarmed to see that Tygra was been rendered unconscious from all of the sparks and smoke coming out from the main panel while he was piloting the vehicle.
"Lion-O, it looks like Tygra is out for the count." Panthro started to say into the radio. It looks like this may be a little tougher then I thought."
"We can do it Panthro. Cause if we don't then all of our friend's lives are in danger." Lion-O replied in his most honest tone.
Just then, the Earth monster created by Blight launched another attack and enveloped all three parts of the Thunderstrike in a giant ball created of poisoned earth.
As the air battle continued to unfold, all of the people down on the ground were completely stunned as they all saw a giant ball made of dirt start to cover up all of the Thundercats. While this was happening in the sky, Ma-Ti and the Bulkins were watching in horror knowing full well that there was nothing that they could do to help their friends.
"My friends." Ma-Ti started to say as he collapsed down to his knees on the ground next to a group of Bulkins.
"Ma-Ti, you have to pull yourself together. We need you." One of the Bulkins started to say in the hopes of snapping Ma-Ti out of whatever trance he was in.
"This is no time to give up, We have to do something." Another Bulkin stated.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!" Ma-Ti started to yell. "MY FRIENDS ARE ALL IN DANGER AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO HELP! MY POWER IS HEART, AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN RESTORE IT BACK!"
"MA-TI! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Another Bulkin stated as he slapped the young South American's face. "WE NEED YOU TO PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER! YOU ARE A FRIEND OF THE THUNDERCATS AND A FRIEND TO OUR PEOPLE! ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THIRD EARTH ARE COUNTING ON YOU! YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN US AND ALSO START TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AGAIN!"
After the statement made by the Bulkin and seeing what was happening to his friends in the Thunderstrike, images of his fellow Planeteers started to fill Ma-Ti's mind and heart. As the images continued to flow, Ma-Ti started to realize why Gaia had picked him to be the bearer of the Heart ring. He knew that he could feel all of the emotions of the world and that he would do his best to try and make the world better, even while they are stuck on Third Earth, Ma-Ti knows that the battle against evil will never stop and that he and his friends have to stop it. As he continued to remember everything about his friends and family the Thundercat symbol on his uniform started to glow with such brightness that the group of Bulkins standing right next to him were being pushed back by the brightness.
"BLIGHT, YOU ARE NOT GONNA GET AWAY WITH THIS!" Ma-Ti started to shout as the light from his chest symbol started to glow even brighter. "MY FRIENDS AND I WILL STOP YOU AND THEN FIND A WAY TO GET BACK HOME!" He finished as he was starting to become enveloped in a ball of light.
As the ball of light continued to surround Ma-Ti, all of the Bulkins started to wonder what was happening to their friend and if there was a way to help him. As they continued to watch, the ball of light started to change into an energy ball as well as started to glow bright red. As the energy ball continued to glow, the color scheme of the ball started to change from bright red into bright orange. It was if the energy ball was looking into Ma-Ti's own heart and then changing it's color to help him out. A moment later, the energy ball started to get smaller and smaller as the entire ball itself started to become drawn into Ma-Ti's own Planeteer ring causing a massive transformation from within.
As Ma-Ti's Planeteer ring continued to absorb more and more energy, the darkness left inside the ring from Mumm-Ra's evil magic was starting to slowly disappear leaving only the Heart symbol showing. As the last of the energy ball was fully absorbed into the ring, Ma-Ti started to feel a strange sensation. This sensation that Ma-Ti was feeling was the same one he first felt when he first got his ring back on Hope Island with the other Planeteers. As the last of the energy disappeared from view, the ring started to pulse again with renewed strength and vigor. As Ma-Ti saw what has happened to his ring, he started to raise it up above his head as if ready to issue a command to it.
"I sure hope that this works. We need all the help that we can." He started to think. "Forgive me for what I am about to do my friends."
"HEART!" Ma-Ti shouted as energy waves started to emerge from his ring and out into the distance.
"Creatures of Third Earth, you don't know me, but I need your help. My Thundercat friends are in trouble and we need you to help us." He started to broadcast from his mind. "What ever problems you have had with the Thundercats, please put them aside. They need your help and so does your planet. If they loose, then we all loose." Ma-Ti finished as the thought waves continued to emerge.
A moment later after Ma-Ti shouted his command to his ring, the group of Bulkins started to rejoin their friend in the hopes of finding out what has just happened with their new friend.
"Are you alright Ma-Ti?" One of the Bulkins asked with much concern.
"Yes I am fine. Did anyone respond?" Ma-Ti replied with some worry and concern.
"Respond?… Respond to what?" Another Bulkin asked.
"I guess that no one heard my call for help. I guess that my Heart power doesn't work on Third Earth creatures." Ma-Ti responded with a tone of sadness knowing that his effort to call for help had failed.
After the statement made by Ma-Ti, one of the Bulkins put his left hand on Ma-Ti 's right shoulder in the hopes of trying to help his friend calm down and cheer up.
"It will be OK Ma-Ti." One of the Bulkins stated as they saw what was happening to their Thundercat friends.
The Earth ball that had completely engulfed the Thundercats had hit the ground had causing massive damage to the Thundercat's vehicle while they were still inside it. As the ball hit the ground, the monster started to pound it with it's giant fists, hoping to flatten the Thundercats into nothingness. As Ma-Ti watched in horror, no one was prepared for what was about to happen next.
As Ma-Ti and the other Bulkins continued to watch, the ground around the monster started to crack and strange creatures started to appear out of the ground. These creatures were purple colored while their clothes were dark blue for their shirts as well as light purple for their pants or shorts. These creatures were called the Molemen. The Molemen are able to burrow through solid rock as well as the soft dirt of the Earth itself. Lead by their leader the Mole Master, these creatures started to dig right through the Dr. Blight's creation causing the creature great pain as they continued to tear the creature apart. After the creature was finally put down, Mole Master ordered his fellow Molemen to unearth the Thundercats from their Earthly prison. As the Molemen continued to dig for the Thundercats, Ma-Ti and a few of the Bulkins started to approach Mole Master.
"Are you the one who called us to help?" The man in a dark brown shirt with a purple mask asked.
"Yes… I am the one who called you." Ma-Ti paused a moment before he continued. "Who are you?"
"I am called Mole Master, leader of the Molemen." Mole Master responded.
"I… I didn't think that my power was working." Ma-Ti stated as he started to look at his ring.
"You made quite a compelling point when you called out for help." Mole Master started to say. "Normally my people would have nothing to do with the Thundercats and their battles, but what you said about trying to save our homes made me think that maybe it is time for a change."
"I'm glad to hear that." Ma-Ti replied as the Molemen finally dug out the Thunderstrike from the poisoned ball of Earth. "How are my friends doing?" He asked with some concern.
After a moment of silence, the Molemen were able to get the Thundercats out of the wreckage of the Thunderstrike and bring them towards Ma-Ti, Mole Master and the group of Bulkins who had joined them.
"Lion-O, are you and the others OK?" Ma-Ti asked with some concern.
"I think so Ma-Ti." Lion-O responded.
"Thanks to the Molemen, we should be just fine." Panthro replied as Tygra started to regain consciousness.
"Tygra, are you alright?"
"Yes I am fine. Well I believe that we owe you a dept of thanks Mole Master." Tygra stated as he was able to get his footing.
"You should thank your Friend Ma-Ti here." Mole Master stated while placing his left hand on Ma-Ti's right shoulder. "Your young friend made us see that our battles over the years were a waist of time." Mole Master started to say. "I would like to start an era of peace with you and start to rebuild what has been destroyed."
"Now that is something that we can all get behind. "Lion-O replied as he started to walk towards Mole Master and Ma-Ti.
As Lion-O started to walk towards Mole Master and Ma-Ti, the frown on Mole Master's face started to turn into a slight smile just as the other Thundercats started to join them.
"Mole Master." Lion-O started to say in his most honest tone. "On behave of the Thundercats we all thank you for your help today and accept your offer of peace."
'Your friend Ma-Ti is the real reason for my change of heart. "Mole Master to respond in a much calmer tone then he is used to. "And to show you that I mean what I say, my minions, err I mean my people will help you to repair your vehicle." He finished as he and his fell Mole people started to work on fixing the Thunderstrike.
"I better go and make sure that they don't blow themselves up while trying to repair the vehicle." Panthro stated as he started to walk towards the Molemen.
"I better come along as well. They might not be used to the technology in the craft." Tygra added as he also started to head towards the Molemen.
"Well I believe that you have started a new age of peace here between the Thundercats and the Molemen Ma-Ti. A feat always tried but never succeeded." Lion-O stated as he started to stand next to Ma-Ti.
"I only hope that the others are doing just as well." Ma-Ti stated in a curious tone.
After the statement made by Ma-Ti, the Sword of Omens started to make some strange noises again as the Cat's Eye symbol started to appear once again.
"LION-O, YOUR SWORD!" Ma-Ti almost yelled as he hear the sword.
"It looks like the sword's powers are starting to return, but I don't know if they are strong enough to see how are friends are doing."
"Please allow me." Ma-Ti stated as he once again raised his ring into the air. "HEART!" He commanded again as thought waves once again started to emerge from his ring and go in all directions. A moment after his command, Ma-Ti started to get a response. "Everyone is safe, and a few of them are heading back towards the lair for help. OH NO!" Ma-Ti started to yell in fear. "Lion-O, we must get back to the Lair as fast as possible."
"What is it Ma-Ti?" Lion-O started to say in his curious tone.
"Wheeler is being tricked into doing something very fatal to Linka. He needs us there right away."
"I'm afraid that until we can get the Thunderstrike repaired, that we can't do anything from here."
"Let me see if I can reach his mind and try to stop him." Ma-Ti stated as he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate harder. "Wheeler you must stop this. This is not the way to help Linka, please my friend do not do this." Ma-Ti started to transmit from his mind until his transmission was blocked by a strange force. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
"Ma-Ti what happened?! Did you get through to Wheeler?"
"Some dark force is trying to block my attempts to contact him. I was only able to establish contact with him, but only for a moment before I lost it."
"Dark force, it must be Mumm-Ra again. He must be trying to make sure that your friend doesn't wake up and is using Wheeler to do it."
"We have to get back to the lair."
"We will my friend. We will. Come lets us help our friends and maybe we can get the Thunderstrike working again. Until then keep trying to re-establish contact with Wheeler."
"I'll try."
After the statements made by both Lion-O and Ma-Ti, all of the Thundercats, Bulkins and the Molemen raced against the clock to try and get the Thunderstrike working in time to make it back towards the lair. As they kept working, Ma-Ti's feeling were in such a mess as he was continuing to make contact with Wheeler but still getting no response.