Heroes and Mutants

The Children of Millennia made it a regular routine where they would spend a few days in Thundera, then return home to Egypt and spend a few days back there resuming their normal lives and responsibilities as royal children. Even Lion-O would eagerly visit the children in their world and see more of the Egyptian kingdom. One could say that they certainly had the best of both worlds. Whatever new adventures the children would have in Egypt, or if they learned anything new in school, they would share it with their ThunderCat friends. And whenever the children would go to Thundera, not only would they get to spend time with their friends, but in turn, the ThunderCats would teach them more about their own world.

Tygra had noticed that Seto had taken an interest in Thunderian technology and began teaching the brunette about the machines and contraptions called computers. The tiger thought that the technology would be too advanced for Seto to comprehend, but the brunette was a fast learner and took to it naturally, astounding the both of them. Even Mahad had taken an interest and was learning alongside Seto. Tygra was impressed. Of course, he always knew Seto and Mahad were intelligent, discerning young boys. Now the tiger figured he had found himself a couple of new students.

Even Joseph was starting to get the hang of working with Thunderian vehicles as he continued to help Panthro to make any modifications. His fighting skills were also improving. The blonde learned a few new moves like how to jab, deal an uppercut, block attacks, and even sweep legs. Sometimes, at the end of each lesson, Joseph would even join Mana in playing a few games with Wilykit and Wilykat.

Kisara and Freya liked all of the ThunderCats, but they spent more time with Cheetara than they did with the others. They seemed to feel more relaxed around her because she was a woman. They also found her to be more understanding of their thoughts and feelings. And much like the cousins, even Cheetara needed to get out once in a while. She didn't mind the cousins' company either. To her, it felt nice being around girls for a change, given Cheetara was always around men.

As for Atem and Mystery, of course, they would spend most of their time with Lion-O, but they made sure the other ThunderCats would get a fair share of their company too.

Of course, the Children of Millennia wouldn't spend all of their time in the palace. Once in a while, they would get out and explore the city, meeting new faces and looking for opportunities to help anyone in need. Thundera was truly a fascinating place. The clothes the people wore were simple, yet colorful. The food was different, yet delicious. The structures of the buildings were also just as nice as the ones back in Egypt. There were also many different kinds of people and creatures.

One day, as the children were walking through the streets, a voice called them. "Ho, children," a male voice greeted. They looked and saw a white tiger waving at them.

"Hello there," Atem returned.

The white tiger noticed the sword at the prince's waist. "That's a nice blade you've got there. Would it be all right if I looked at it?"

Atem looks at his sword, then back at the tiger, thinking there would be no harm in it. He also noticed that the area behind him looked like a workshop. The white tiger introduced himself as Bengali and said he was a blacksmith and specialized in forging weapons. Hearing that, Atem gladly handed over his sword.

Bengali inspected the blade. It had a nice form, but it was also cold to the touch.

"My sword has ice magic," Atem explained. "It was created by the Great Goddess Millennia and given to me."

"All of our weapons came from the Great Goddess," said Joseph.

"Fascinating," said Bengali. "That's right, you kids are the Children of Millennia I've been hearing about."

Bengali was interrupted by a female voice calling him. "Hello, Bengali." The voice came from a puma woman and next to her was an old male lynx. "Oh, we didn't realize you had guests."

"It's all right," he replied. "Kids, these are my friends Pumyra and Lynx-O," he introduced. "Guys, these are the Children of Millennia; the ones we've been hearing about."

"Hello, Pumyra," the children said politely. "Hello, Lynx-O."

"Hello, children," Lynx-O returned. "We've heard many things about you."

"It's so good to finally meet you," said Pumyra.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Mystery returned. "We were just exploring until Bengali invited us over to his workshop."

The white tiger handed Atem his sword back. "I just wanted to take a look. I wasn't going to do anything."

"Well, Lynx-O and I were about to invite you over for lunch," said the puma woman. "Would you children like to join us?"

"We wouldn't mind your company," Lynx-O insisted.

Before the children can answer, their attention is directed to the sky. They look up and see strange ships making their way to the palace. "Whoa, what's all that?" Joseph asked.

"Mutant spaceships," Bengali snarled. "Those wretched mutants are always coming here to cause trouble."

"They come from the planet Plun-Darr," Pumyra added.

Upon hearing those words, Atem suddenly remembered. "We were told of this when we first arrived here," Atem informed his friends. He reminded them of how the guards mistook him and his friends for mutants when they first arrived here. Lord Claudus also clarified the situation during the feast on the same night. "We must get back to the palace," Atem declared. "Our friends may need help."

"Be careful, young ones," the old lynx warned. "Mutants are treacherous and nefarious."

"I doubt they're like anything you kids may have seen," said Bengali.

"We've battled monsters and fought criminals," said Seto. "These mutants may be new to us, but they've never met the Children of Millennia before, so I'd say it's a fair game."

"We won't know until we get in the action," said Joseph. "Let's hurry while we still have time."

Rather than run back to the palace, Mystery, Mahad, and Mana all command their partners to use Teleport and transport everyone back to the palace, leaving Bengali, Pumyra, and Lynx-O amazed.

They arrived in the middle of the throne room and saw royal soldiers fighting what they assumed were mutants. The mutants consisted of giant reptilian creatures, ape-like creatures, and canine-like creatures.

"We gotta help!" Joseph cried, drawing his bow. He takes an arrow from his quiver and shoots it, striking one of the reptiles and shocking it.

"Thanks, son," a guard said.

"Don't thank us yet," the blonde replied, taking another arrow and shooting another mutant. Seto points his staff towards another reptile and scorches it with fire. Kisara points her staff towards another mutant and shocks it with white lightning.

More mutants appeared. There was a large reptile named Slithe, a white-furred ape mutant named Monkian, and a human-like jackal named Jackalman. "What's going on here?" Slithe demanded to know.

Atem steps forward and draws his sword. "Are you the ones commanding these mutants?"

The three mutants laughed at him. "Look at this," the jackal cackled. "A boy and his toy sword." Clearly these mutants didn't take the prince or any of the others seriously.

"We have heard that you mutants come to Thundera to raid the people of their treasures," said Mahad.

The ape-like mutant hooted and said, "Not that it's any of your business, boy, but we seek the Eye of Thundera."

"The Eye of Thundera?" Kisara asked. "What's that?"

"You don't know?" Jackalman asked in mild surprise. He looked at the children closely and said, "You children obviously aren't Thunderians."

"No, we are Egyptians," Mahad clarified. "We are friends with the Thunderians, however."

"Enough with the pleasantries," Seto snapped. "Take your pack of mutants and return home to Plun-Darr, where you belong."

The jackal cackled once more. "The children threaten us," he laughed.

"Don't underestimate us," Joseph warned, aiming his arrow.

Slithe chuckled in amusement. "Your primitive weapons don't stand a chance against our mutant technology, yes," he hissed. He fired his gun, but Kisara used her staff to create a barrier to shield herself and her friends.

Suddenly, a light flashed, striking the mutants. The children looked and saw Jaga standing in front of them with the Sword of Omens in his hands. "Jaga?" Atem asked.

"Run away, Children of Millennia," he ordered. "Leave these mutants to me."

"Let us help you," Mystery pleaded.

"Do as I say," Jaga ordered once more. "There are still many more mutants and your friends need you more than I do.

Atem knew that Jaga was right. "There's no use arguing. We have to help our friends." There was still so much that he and the others had questions about. What was the Eye of Thundera? Why were the mutants after it? There was no time to think about any of that right now. Just as the children were about to seek out their friends, more mutants blocked their path. Jirachi uses Psychic to render them immobile and Mahad traps them in magic rings. As the mutants fell, the children saw Tygra up ahead.

"Follow me, kids," he shouted. The children and their partners obey and run after him. As expected, more mutants were in the way. Atem got an idea. First he ordered Riolu to attack with Force Palm. Riolu obeys and roughly smacks the mutants with his palms, knocking them down. Riolu then jumps back to Atem and the Egyptian prince points his sword at the mutants and releases a beam of ice, freezing them.

"By Thundera," Tygra cried. "Well done, Prince Atem."

"Jaga inspired me," he said. "He gave me the idea to use my sword the same way he used his."

Freya looked ahead and saw more mutants. It looked like they were giving Cheetara some trouble. "Come on, Sakuya. Let's play ball with these mutants," she said to her Umbreon. Sakuya barked in agreement. She uses Shadow Ball, bombarding the mutants with balls of darkness. Freya then tosses a fireball with her sling, burning the mutants.

Sakuya jumped into Cheetara's arms and gave her a friendly lick on the cheek. "Sakuya," the cheetah woman laughed. She noticed the others. "Thanks, kids. I needed that."

"Don't mention it, Cheetara," Freya said as she recovered her fireball. "But now we have to find Panthro and the siblings."

Suddenly, they all heard voices crying for help. Mana recognized them right away. "That's Wilykat and Wilykit!" Without waiting for her friends, she dashes off with Ralts in her arms. Looking inside a room, she sees another mutant jackal holding the siblings up from the ground. Mana points her wand at the mutant and releases bubbles. As the bubbles touched the mutant's back, he felt like he was being zapped with electricity. He released the siblings and they followed Mana out of the room.

"Mana, you saved us," said Wilykat.

"Wilykit hugged her and said, "You were so brave, Mana."

Under normal circumstances, Mahad would be scolding Mana for recklessly charging in like that, but this wasn't the best time right now. He was just glad that she came out unharmed and that the siblings were safe as well.

When they all found Panthro, it looked like he was having trouble. A reptilian mutant was above him and the panther was trying to wrestle him away. Kirara, now a big cat, pounced on the reptile and forced him off of Panthro. There were still some more mutants, though. Seto took a bag of seeds and filled them in his mouth. Then he added some of the transformation potion and felt the seeds changing and getting warmer. The brunette began spitting the seeds out through a straw and they came out as small lava rocks. The mutants cried out in pain, feeling as though they were being shot with lasers.

Seto and Mahad high-fived each other. "This potion really works wonders, Mahad," the older brunette commented. "You and Mystery are great for making it."

"We'll have to make some more when we get home, seeing how useful it is," said the mage.

Kisara helped Panthro up. "Are you all right, Panthro?"

"I am now, thanks to you kids," he replied. "Just when I thought I was done for, you guys showed up. I owe you one, Kisara, you and all your friends."

"We still have to find Lion-O and Snarf," said Mystery. "I hope they're not wandering around looking for us."

Mahad looks down at his partner. "Kirlia, can you use your psychic powers to locate Lion-O and Snarf?"

He nods and closes his eyes and begins concentrating. Mahad closes his eyes as well and touches Kirlia's horns, connecting with him telekinetically. He sees Lion-O and Snarf running across the halls.

Mahad opens his eyes and gasps. "They're headed for the throne room. We have to hurry." He looks at his partner once more. "You know what to do, Kirlia."

"You as well, Jirachi," said Mystery.

"You too, Ralts," said Mana. The psychic-type monsters concentrate and use Teleport to transport everybody to the throne room.

The ThunderCats were amazed once more. "By Thundera," Tygra said again.

"It really worked," said Cheetara.

Wilykit and Wilykat picked up Ralts and Kirlia, telling them that they were amazing. They gave Jirachi the same words of praise as well.

As if on cue, Lion-O and Snarf showed up as well. Mystery was the first to notice them. "Lion-O, Snarf, you're safe," she cheered, hugging the Thunderian prince.

He chuckled and hugged her back. "I'm glad to see that you're safe too, Mystery. I got worried and went looking for you and the others."

"I told him not to," said Snarf. "Honest, I did."

Mystery picked Snarf up from the floor and hugged him. "I'm just glad you're both safe and we're all together."

"Not for long," said Slithe's voice. Everyone looked and saw him with Jackalman and Monkian.

"You again?" Seto asked. "I was hoping Jaga would have finished you."

"The Code of Thundera does not permit me to finish them, Seto," said Jaga. It was true. The ThunderCats were not allowed to finish their enemies by means of killing them no matter who they were or what atrocities they committed.

"Unfortunately for Jaga, that kind of sentiment gives us mutants the advantage, yes," Slithe hissed. "We are relentless and we never give up until we get what we want. And what we want is the Eye of Thundera."

"Of course, you little whelps aren't Thunderians and therefore don't understand," said Monkian. "So back off. You've interfered enough."

Atem drew his sword. "It is true that my comrades and I are not Thunderians and it is also true that we don't know anything about this Eye of Thundera, but that does not mean that the Code of Thundera does not apply to us. We will stand and fight to protect our friends." And his amulet starts glowing.

"You meddlesome brats," Jackalman barked. "Who do you think you are?"

Mystery moved away from Lion-O and stood by Atem's side. "We are the Children of Millennia. We strive to protect all that is good and help anyone in need in the name of the Great Goddess Millennia."

The mutants had heard of the Great Goddess, but thought that everything they heard about her was all just a bunch of stories.

"They speak the truth," Jaga told the mutants. "And they have the Millennium Star." Mystery gasped at that and wondered how Jaga could have known that. "These children have incredible powers," continued Jaga. "Some with which they were born; others which have been bestowed upon them by the Great Goddess herself."

Slithe held up his cannon. "In that case, we'll deal with you Children of Millennia as well, yes."

Monkian agreed. "We'll teach you not to meddle in affairs that don't concern you."

"Not if we can help it," Seto said, raising his staff. He used his magic to dismantle their weapons. Kisara uses her dragon staff to send her dragons of light to attack the mutants. Mystery then uses her Lucent Beam, striking the mutants with a laser of light. Mahad uses his own magic and casts the same spell as before, trapping the mutants in magic rings.

Seto steadied himself. "Have you had enough or do you want more?"

"No, Seto," Mystery cried, holding up her hand. "As Jaga and my beloved prince said, we must abide by the Code of Thundera."

"That means we cannot, must not kill these mutants," said Atem.

Slithe hissed, saying, "You're as sentimental as the old fool."

"You may consider it sentiment, but I consider it an act of honor," the Egyptian prince argued.

"And while it may not be our business, as you said," Mahad was saying, "we will not stand by and let our friends suffer at your evil ways."

"We love this world and we love our friends who live here," said Mystery. "And we will protect them." And her amulet starts glowing. "And it is that same love that causes us to act with honor and spare even our enemies. So go, mutants. Leave Thundera peacefully and return to Plun-Darr, where you belong."

Naturally, mutants are treacherous and refuse to cooperate. However, these current circumstances made things different for Slithe, Monkian, and Jackalman. It was clear to the three of them that the Children of Millennia were indeed powerful friends and allies to the ThunderCats. "You win this time, Children of Millennia," Slithe hissed. "But we'll be back. And when we return, you won't be so lucky, yes."

Mahad dispels his magic, setting the mutants free. Slithe commands the rest of the soldiers to retreat and he and Monkian and Jackalman leave the palace and return to their ships.

Jaga was impressed with the Children of Millennia. "That was a valiant display of valor. And the way you respected the Code of Thundera was just as admirable. You truly are noble and honorable young warriors. The Great Goddess made no mistake in choosing every one of you."

Lion-O was in agreement. "I told you guys they were all heroes."

"We know, Lion-O," said Cheetara. "We saw it all."

"Let's hear it for the Children of Millennia!" Lion-O cheered, and the other ThunderCats cheered and applauded, giving words of praise and thanks. Tygra lifted up Atem and placed him on one shoulder, Cheetara picked up Mystery and hugged her, Panthro lifted up Mahad and Seto in each arm, Wilykat and Wilykit hugged Freya and Kisara, Lion-O high-fived Joseph and hugged Mana, and all of the monsters danced and cheered with Snarf. Jaga gave a firm nod and a pleasant smile.

"Children of Millennia, ho!" the children cheered, raising their fists in the air.