Bringing Fun to Thundera

Mana knew her way around the palace a little bit better now, even though she had been away for a few days. With her lyre in her hands, she began looking for her new friends. "Wliykat, Wilykit," she called out. She went to the garden with Ralts, hoping to find them there. When Mana saw that it was empty, she seated herself and began strumming the strings on her lyre.

Suddenly, two hands covered her eyes and she heard a familiar voice cry out, "Guess who!"

Mana yelped in surprise, but she recognized the voice. "Wilykat!" she laughed.

"Not quite," he said. Though it was his voice that cried out, it was really Wilykit's hands covering Mana's eyes.

"Fooled you, didn't we," she asked, letting Mana go.

"You sure did," the younger girl replied. "It was fun, though. And I sure am glad to see you guys." Ralts cooed in agreement. "I have something I want to show you." She shows the two siblings her lyre.

"A lyre," Wilykit said. "It's beautiful."

Her brother agreed. "Can you play it, Mana?"

"Sure," she answered. Once again, she seated herself and began strumming the strings. The two siblings were enchanted by the sound of its music.

When Mana finished playing her melody on her lyre, Wilykit and Wilykat applauded her. "That was pretty good," the brother complimented her.

Wilykit agreed. "You play wonderfully."

"Thanks," the younger girl replied. "Playing music is one of the many things my friends and I all like to do together for fun."

"That does sound fun," said Wilykat. "I sure would like to see that."

Before Mana can say anything, she hears Mahad's voice, saying, "There you are. When you went off on your own like that, I got worried."

Mana smiles gleefully and walks up to him. "Mahad, I want you to come and meet my new friends!" She grabs him by his hand and pulls him over to the two siblings.

He looks at them and says, "Hello, you must be Wilykat and Wilykit. Mana has been talking about you nonstop."

"And you must be Mahad," the brother returned. "Mana's told us about you as well."

"She was just telling us about how you guys like to play music together with all the rest of your friends," said Wilykit.

Mana looks up at Mahad. "Show them your flute, Mahad. Please?"

The older boy chuckled. "If you insist." He reaches back and shows his wooden flute to the siblings. They look at it and ask him to play a melody. Even Mana nods at him, encouraging him to do so. Seeing that they're being insistent about it, Mahad decides to grant their request. He seats himself and places his flute close to his lips and begins playing. His fingers move to the different holes, making the melody cheerful and pleasant.

The sound of Mahad's flute caught Cheetara's attention as she was walking by. She wondered who could be playing such beautiful music.

Tygra was heading in the same direction with Seto. They were both looking for Mahad and figured he was looking for Mana again. When they met up with Cheetara, they began talking about each other.

Seto heard the music too and recognized it. "That's the sound of Mahad's flute."

"It's coming from the garden," said Tygra. "That's where we'll find him." He was amazed that Mahad could play a flute so wonderfully. He had to admit, the Children of Millennia were certainly full of surprises.

The older brunette stopped as he heard another voice and recognized it. "That's the sound of Mana's lyre. Mahad must have found her." Neither Tygra nor Cheetara had a chance to interact with Mana yet, but they had heard so much about her from the other children and even the Thunderian siblings. This seemed like a grand opportunity to finally meet her.

They had all just stepped outside when Mana and Mahda finished playing music on their instruments. Once more, Wilykit and Wilykat cheered.

"That was spectacular," said Tygra.

Mahad gasped and turned around as he heard the tiger's voice. "Tygra," he said. He noticed Cheetara and asked, "And, Cheetara, isn't it?"

The cheetah woman nods. "You must be Mahad. Tygra and Seto were just telling me about you when we heard your music coming from here. You and Mana both play beautifully."

Mahad lightly blushed. "Oh, why, thank you."

"They're really good," said Wilykat.

"I'll say," Tygra agreed. "Maybe you kids could entertain us sometime."

An idea clicked in Mana's mind. "I know, I know," she said enthusiastically. "We could do a performance tonight at dinner!"

Wilykat agreed. "You could give us a concert," he said. "Play music and sing us a few songs."

"Yeah!" Mana cheered excitedly. She faces Seto and Mahad and says, "Come on, you guys, it'll be fun!"

Both of the brunettes face each other and smile, agreeing to do it. With that being settled, the children decide to look for the rest of their friends.

Joseph, meanwhile, was taking fighting lessons from Panthro. The panther was teaching the blonde how to protect himself by blocking enemy attacks; telling him how to hold out his arms and balance his weight on his feet. Panthro was also being careful not to use his full strength. He didn't want to hurt Joseph.

"When in battle, never take your eyes off of your opponent," Pantrho instructed. "Always keep your concentration."

"Yes, sir," Joseph responded. He swung his leg around, hoping to sweep Panthro, but the panther was quick and evaded the attack by jumping back and back flipping away, landing on his hands.

Seeing Joseph's amazed expression, Panthro tells him once more, "Concentrate, Joseph. Your opponents will always take you by surprise. Don't lose your edge even for a second." He lunges himself up and stands on his feet again.

But Joseph was too amazed to want to continue. "I don't mean to sound like I'm giving up, but, Panthro, you are just too amazing. With your cat-like reflexes, it's impossible for me to keep up with you. And let's face it, I'll never be strong like you either," he admitted.

Panthro ruffled Joseph's hair. "I just have more experience than you do. You're still just young and you have a lot to learn." He sat beside him and added, "Besides, you and I are of different species. But you know what, Joseph? You got a lot of potential and I mean it." He sets his hand on his shoulder and continues, "You've got a lot to give and with your kind of determination, I don't think there's anything you can't do."

"Really?" the blonde asked.

"Really," the panther replied. "And you're a fast learner. You'll get the hang of it before you know it," he promised. "You just need more training."

Just then, Snarf came by. "Hey, guys," he said to Panthro and Joseph. "How are the lessons going?"

"Great," Panthro replied. "Joseph's a fast learner. I think I'm going to like having him as my student."

The blonde chuckled bashfully. "Well, you're a good teacher, Panthro."

"Of course he is," said Snarf. "He's the strongest ThunderCat I know. No one in all of Thundera can match his might. I just hope you're not biting off more than you can chew, Joseph."

The blonde chuckled nervously. Panthro patted his back and said, "Don't listen to him. You're doing just fine. Then he got an amusing idea. "You actually came at a good time, Snarf. Do you think you can help me with this lesson?"

"Sure," Snarf replied. "What would you like me to do, Panthro?"

"Stand there and keep your back towards us," the panther instructed. Snarf does as told and turns around, his back facing both the panther and the blonde. Panthro smirks at Joseph and quietly asks, "Ready to have some fun?" Seeing him nod, he tells him to get down on the floor. "Stay on one knee and keep the palms of your hands against the ground," the panther said quietly, and began whispering the rest of his instructions.

Joseph quietly inhaled as he listened to Panthro's instructions. Concentrate, he thought to himself. Quietly grab Snarf and hold him. I can do this.

Snarf groaned and told himself, "I just know I'm not going to like this. What's going on anyway?"

"Just stay put, Snarf," said Panthro. He gave Joseph the signal and the blonde got up like a sprinter and jumped on Snarf. Snarf screeched as Joseph grabbed him and somersaulted on the floor while holding him in his grip. Panthro laughed at the scene, impressed with how Joseph was able to pull that off so well and because it was funny. Joseph released Snarf and went back to Panthro. "That's very good," he told Joseph and continued laughing.

Snarf got up and dusted himself. "Yeah, well, I didn't think it was so funny."

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Joseph asked him.

"No, you just scared me, is all," Snarf answered.

"I didn't mean any harm," the blonde insisted.

Panthro stopped laughing and figured, "Maybe I did go a bit far with that."

Joseph stopped smiling, seeing that this wasn't funny anymore. He also began to mentally berate himself. He said he wanted to make friends here in Thundera and this is no way to do it. And no matter how funny a prank may be at first, it's really not funny at all to the victim. The blonde began thinking about Snarf's feelings. He walked up to him and apologized, voicing his thoughts on the matter. "I was wrong to pull that trick on you. It was funny to me at first, but now, as I think about how you must be feeling right now, I realize that it was actually really mean of me."

Snarf said nothing. He just pouted and crossed his arms.

"I am sorry," Joseph said again. "What I did to you was mean." He gets down and holds his hand out. "I want to be friends with everyone here, including you. Will you give me another chance? I really would like to be friends with you, Snarf."

Snarf looks at the boy, then at his hand. He figured that the boy was being sincere about his apology and wanting to be friends. Besides, troublesome behavior is to be expected from boys at Joseph's age. "Well, okay," Snarf replies. "I'll accept your apology. After all, boys will be boys." And he and Joseph shake hands. Joseph's amulet also starts glowing, astonishing Snarf.

Just when Joseph was about to explain, he heard Seto's voice, saying, "Finally, we found you."

The blonde turns around and sees Seto, Mana, and Mahad. "Oh, hey, guys."

Mana was looking up at Panthro in wonder. "You must be Panthro. I've heard great things about you from Joseph. Wow, you're really big," she said in awe.

The panther chuckled, admiring Mana's curious gaze. He picks her up, causing her to laugh. "I may look mean too, but I can be a gentle giant." He looks at the two brunette boys. There was no need for introductions, obviously. "I know you two boys. Your names are Seto and Mahad. I've heard quite a lot about you from Tygra."

"A pleasure, sir," Mahad said politely. "Were we interrupting anything?"

"We were having a lesson, but we're all finished now," the panther answered, knowing these children came here looking for Joseph.

That assumption was confirmed when Seto said, "Well, I don't mean to be rude, but as much as I would like to proceed with the pleasantries, we actually need Joseph right now."

"Oh, all right," the blonde replied. He looks at Panthro and asks him, "Can we have another lesson tomorrow, Panthro?"

"Sure," he answered. "I think I can make time to teach you a few more skills. In fact, I think we can make this a regular thing. How about, say, one hour after lunch?"

The blonde agreed. "Sounds good to me." Thanks, Panthro." With that being settled, the children and their Magical Creatures return to the guest room.

Once all of the Children of Millennia were assembled, they all began talking about putting together a performance for their friends at dinner. Joseph liked the idea, but there was one problem: he left his drum at home. He figured he could make a quick return to Egypt to pick it up, then come back in a few minutes. Seto said he would go with him and pick up his own instrument as well. They left the guest room and just like that, reappeared with their instruments in less than five minutes. Now they could put together a song and practice. It would have to be a short one, though, given what limited time they had.

That evening, everyone began to gather in the dining room. The children would have their performance in the throne room after dinner. For now, they would enjoy their meal while also taking time learning more about their new friends.

After dinner, everyone began to assemble in the throne room, eager to see the children's concert. Atem cleared his throat. "Lord Claudus, Prince Lion-O, noble ThunderCats, to show our appreciation and humblest thanks for your hospitality and for welcoming us in your kingdom, we, the Children of Millennia have put together a performance we hope you will find entertaining."

Seto, Joseph, Mahad, and Mana all begin playing their instruments and Kisara and Freya begin dancing. After getting the right beat, Mystery starts singing.

Our glorious valley was created by our Great Goddess who saw fit to bestow

The gift of a paradise peaceful and harmonious upon her dear children below

And made the Pure Valley, the magnificent and abundant many eons ago

But all this was granted for a limited time. I know my legacy is to fulfill

My promise to all my people who have trusted me. Millennia will approve of and still

Preserve her Pure Valley, the magnificent and abundant, and I believe she will

The mountains so high and waters deep are her disguise

Her secrets are safe from evil hands and eyes forever

She and all of her friends repeat the chorus and the song comes to an end. All of the nobles who were present erupted into cheers and applause. Even Lord Claudus and Jaga found the performance entertaining.

After a few more songs were sung, the children decided to turn in for the night. The ThunderCats continued to compliment the children for their performance. "Boy, you kids are really something special," said Tygra.

"I'm starting to think there's nothing you can't do," said Cheetara.

"I sure would like to see this Pure Valley," said Lion-O. "It sounds like a wonderful place."

"How would you like for us to show you?" Atem offered. He looks at the others and tells them, "You're all welcome to come along too."

All of the ThunderCats beamed at the offer and immediately accepted. So it was decided that they would go with the Children of Millennia and see the Pure Valley tomorrow.