"Applesauce? Well, this is a treat, Snarf!"

The furry creature gave a low yowl of contentment as he wheeled the large bowl to the dining table. WilyKit collected bowls and spoons as WilyKat began to divvy up generous helpings.

Lion-o accepted the first bowl, passing it down the line to Lynx-o. Then the second bowl went to Tygra. Then Cheetara and so on until only the three servers had yet to be seated.

"You can thank the Thunderkittens." Snarf took his seat after his two helpers made their way to their own chairs, bowls clutched tightly. "They brought home the apples. And helped me cut and peel them."

"That was kind of you two," Lion-o remarked. "We're all grateful, I'm sure!"

"A most generous offering," Lynx-o said after a taste. "It would seem Snarfer's reports on this dish were not exaggerated."

"Nope, no sir!" The younger snarf giggled. "No beatin' Uncle Snarf's cooking!"

As the group fell into a rhythm of eating, Lion-o spoke out. "So, are we all clear on our duties tomorrow?"

"Tygra, Bengali and I are heading to the Tower of Omens' worksite." Panthro shook his head. "It's mostly junk but another week or so and it'll be operational again."

"The foundation was saved," Tygra added, putting down his spoon, "That saves us a lot of time."

Frowning, WilyKat asked. "But, we're going to go back to New Thundera. Why are we rebuilding it at all?"

"Yeah," WilyKit swallowed and added. "Why not just salvage what we can and clear the rest?"

"We still need the Tower for surveillance," Lynx-o answered, in his usual calm manner.

"Lynx-o's right." Lion-o addressed the inquiry. "We may be preparing to go to New Thundera but we can't just abandon Third Earth without a plan."

"A plan?" Kit frowned. "What kind of plan?"

"A transition plan." Panthro took some empty plates, stacking them as he talked. "We'll need to help Third Earth learn to monitor and take care of themselves without us."

Kat scratched his head. "But they took care of themselves before we got here. Can't they just do that again?"

"Eventually," Bengali answered. "But our presence here has created change. Good and bad."

Pumyra took a sip of water then said, "And the Mutants and Lunatacs have already escaped once. They'll definitely try it again."

"So," Cheetara smiled gently. "We have to help our friends here be ready when that time comes."

"You mean, we aren't all going to Nee Thundera?" There was genuine shock and panic in both kittens' voices, far more than they liked to admit.

"Not at first." Tygra stood, placed a hand on Pumyra's shoulder. "Both Pumyra and I have volunteered to stay here for the first year and help monitor things."

"We'll also be helping our friends learn to use our technology themselves." Pumyra gave a soft gaze at the twins. "It'll go quickly."

"And if we need longer," Panthro added. "We'll start taking turns."

The Thunderkittens exchanged glances, silent conversations spoken in blinks.

Why was this bothering them? It shouldn't have been. It had sense. They should have figured on such a thing, given the track record of dangers. It made perfect, logical sense.

But Kit's stomach turned and her brother's nerves fired.

In nearly one motion, they deposited their plates and bowls on the nearby tray and without another word, walked out of the room.

Snarf called after them but it fell unanswered.

OOO

"Why did we do that?"

WilyKat looked over at his sister, flipping through the notes they'd made that day. It was a failing attempt at distraction and he knew it. Didn't stop him trying though.

"I mean…since when do we just do that?"Kit continued to vent. "It shouldn't bother us this much! It's stupid!"

Rolling onto her belly, she faced her brother. "You felt the same thing, right? That twist in your gut?"

He nodded. "I did. Like…almost like you were going to throw up but couldn't?" He stood and flopped down next to her on the bed. "Made it hard to think. Kinda…well, felt kinda like we were being told about Thundera exploding again. But we weren't." He traced the threads of the comforter with a finger.

Sighing, WilyKit flopped face down. "Right. But now we look like a bunch of rude kids. Great."

WilyKat didn't answer. He couldn't. She was right. But he didn't know what else they could have done in the moment.

Or even now, really.

"Why though?" He finally found his voice. "Why did that bug us so much?"

Kit exhaled sharply, blowing her hair up a bit. "I don't know! It's not like it's anything new. Guard duty has always been a thing."

"And it does make sense." Her brother mused quietly. "All these people are our friends. It wouldn't be right to just…leave."

That left them just as confused as before. Only now, irritation followed, as it often does when one hits a dead end.

They were almost glad for the chime at the door, requesting entry.

"Come in." WilyKat answered. Not surprising, given how he and Kit left. Only surprising it took someone this long to—

Snarf waddled his way inside. He was alone.

"Mrr, are you two okay, snarf snarf?"

Kit sat up. "We're fine, Snarf. Sorry we just…"

Kat added, "We weren't trying to be rude…"

The old nursemaid shook his head. "That's alright. But what got you two so upset? Is it Tygra and Pumyra staying here for the first year?" He reached out, patting each of their hands.

There it was again, that twist of the stomach. The churning nerves.

WilyKat decided to be honest. "We don't know, Snarf. We just know the more they were talking about it—"

"The worse we felt," Kit finished for him. "But we don't know why."

Nodding, the snarf said. "Our feelings can be really confusing sometimes. The others were worried about you but I think they didn't want to make it worse." He laughed a bit. "But ol' Snarf wanted to check."

WilyKit squeezed Snarf's hand. "We wouldn't have had an answer for them either. But we appreciate you asking."

"Maybe…" WilyKat considered his words. "Maybe we just need tonight to sort through it. Could you tell the others we'll talk in the morning, Snarf?"

Kit nodded. "It's just so much right now…"

"I think that's a good idea." The snarf slunk back to the ground. "I'll let them know. You two get some rest. But you know where ol' Snarf is if you need me."

"We do." The twins answered together. "Thanks, Snarf."

With sone reluctance, the furry creature made his way out of the room.

The Thunderkittens flopped back down again. "Alright, so…what went through YOUR head?"

OOO

The sinking sands howled.

The cauldron bubbled.

With each word Mumm-Ra spoke, he felt the energy seep from him. Bit by bit. Hour by hour. Linking spells took time.

But this one…this one he intended to be his final victory.

And casting a spell without a countermeasure took three times as long. He might well be here for days.

He fell to his knees, weary and spent, but kept chanting.