Morning came late.

WilyKat woke first, stretching with a low yawn. For its simplicity, the bed had been surprisingly comfortable and there was a serenity that came with the forest atmosphere.

Glancing ver, he smiled a bit. It was rare he was up before his sister but he took this as a good sign. If she was sleeping soundly enough to let him wake up first, this is a good thing.

Sitting up right, letting his legs dangle over the edge of the bed, WilyKat took the moment to resettle. Felt weird and a bit wrong to be sleeping in. While they got to sleep later than the adults, getting up early was still part of their routine and it was more than apparent that the sun had been up for a while.

Deciding to leave his sister be, WilyKat spied the cloths and water bowls left for them and decided he'd take advantage. Washing up, even a little, worked wonders to wake him up.

By the time he finished, his sister had started to stir. As he pulled the wooden covers over the window open, she sat up.

"What time is it?" Yawning, she moved to do the same as her brother, taking hold of cloth and bowl. He respectfully kept his back turned.

"Dunno. Later though. Sun's been up a while."

As Kit finished, she joined him.

"We better make our way back home then. Don't wanna overstay our welcome."

The two cleaned up the room as best they could, folding the cloths and sheets before making their way outside.

The rain had left a thick coat of water everywhere. But it lacked the usual fresh smell. Not a bad smell but rather no smell at all.

"Good morning!"

The twins grinned I response. "Hi Nayda. Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?" She fell in stride beside them.

"Like rocks." Kat replied. "Thanks again. Sorry if we slept in late."

Nayda laughed. "I forget. You Thundercats are usually up with the sun!"

"Did the others come by yet?" Kit shook her head. "Hope we didn't keep them waiting."

Confusion colored Nayda's face. "We've not seen anyone yet."

Kit and Kat stopped in mid stride. "Nothing?"

"No. Not even a message."

Kit eyed her brother. "Lion-o said they'd be by in the morning."

WilyKat turned back to Nayda, "Nayda, what time is it?"

The Warrior Maiden considered. "By your reckoning? Around ten thirty, I'd imagine."

Kit pulled out her communicator. "They should have been here by now. Or at least called. They've been up for three hours at least!"

The group of three huddled as Kit signaled for Cat's Lair.

Dead quiet.

Swallowing, the girl pressed her own microphone. "WilyKit to Cat's Lair. Come in."

Nothing. Not even static.

"Lion-o? Panthro? Tygra?" Her voice heightened a bit with each name. "Cheetara? Lynx-o? Snarf? Bengali? Snarfer?"

WilyKat leaned over her shoulder and shouted, "Anybody!"

Nothing.

Kit waited another five minutes, calling a name every thirty seconds or so. Nothing, it was as if she were talking to herself.

Shutting down her microphone, she whispered, clutching her brother by the wrist. "No one. No one's answering!"

Nayda bent over lightly, laying a hand on each of their shoulders. "Why don't we try on our communicator? Could it be your communicator?"

Kit took a deep breath. "Might be. I guess…WilyKat—"

"Don't have mine." He confessed. "So, let's try Nayda's idea."

Under most circumstances, Kit wouldn't have missed a chance to taunt her brother over his absentmindedness, especially given it was something he'd been spoken to about before.

But anxiety shut her mouth.

Nayda wasted no time in taking them to their communication room and activating mouthpiece. The woman waited to make sure sufficient time for connection had passed then spoke into the mouthpiece, "Thundercats. It's Nayda from the TreeTop Kingdom. Please respond."

Silence. Just like with WilyKit's attempt.

Nayda tried again. "Please, Thundercats. Answer. It's important."

Nothing.

The twins looked to one another. "Something's wrong."

Looking at Nayda, Kit asked. "Are our boards charges, Nayda?"

Her brother added, "Cause we have to get home."

OOO

The twins went as fast as they dared. Even Kit opted to sit on the board so all the focus could be put on speed, rather than having it a speed she could maintain balance at.

Neither one of them spoke. Nayda had asked them to let them know what was going on and if they could help.

But what could be going on? Panthro always made sure the communication was working. Being able to talk to each other was vital. He'd made them. And as he so often said, nothing he invented dared not to work.

Yet, they weren't.

All the way home, Kit would try to ring the Lair multiple times. She tried indivisible communicators. Still nothing. And no attempt to call her.

"If they've been trying ti call you this whole time…" she let the statement hang the air with a side glance to her brother.

Honestly, she hoped that was the case. Then they could tease and laugh but move on.

But that wouldn't explain why no one answered Nayda.

As they broke through the surrounding trees that led up to the familiar clearing, both twins found themselves slamming on the brakes, careening face first into the ground.

"Great Jaga…"

The place where the Lair should have been was empty. The mountain cliff was still there. And the outline was there. One could see the carved out rock where the Lair had been.

But the Lair—and by extension, everyone inside it—was gone.