Lion-o paced until he spied Cheetara and Pumyra come over the horizon, the sound of the space boards not far behind.
"Pumyra! Cheetara! Ho!" He called out to them with a raised fist. They responded in kind, rushing forward.
"What happened?" Snarf demanded, rising up on his tail. "Did Mumm-rana help?"
"She did." Cheetara answered. "The twins could see us, as long as we were in her pyramid." Her voice broke a bit. Her arms felt empty. "We could…hug them, for a moment."
Pumyra pushed onward. "We didn't hear everything but it looks like they have a plan." Lifting her head, she looked to the horizon as the two space boards landed. "I have a feeling they'll tell us."
"Can we talk to them now?" Snarf stood up on his tail, frantic.
Cheetara shook her head, "No, Snarf. That was only while we were in the Pyramid. But they know we're here with them."
"So, what now?"
Cheetara looked to her lord at his inquiry. "All we heard was something about a continent. The twins said they would tell us everything."
Pumyra smiled sadly. "We may not be able to answer but they know we're here and can hear them."
"As small as that may seem," Lynx-p remarked, "It is a mighty help."
"Thundercats?" WilyKit's voice cut into their conversation. She stood there, hand wrapped around the dove pendant about her neck. "Mumm-rana said when you all were close, the pendant would grow warm so I know you're here." Her eyes were downtrodden all the same. "I wish we could talk-talk.."
Tygra moved to stand by her, placing a hand to her shoulder as well as he could. "We wish it too, WilyKit."
Lion-o knelt to be at her level. "You May not be able to hear us but we're here. And we're ready to listen."
"So," WilyKat spoke out. "Apparently, this spell is called a linking spell because Mumm-ra is just a cond..conf…" He struggled, searching for the right word. "The magic is passing through him."
"Conduit," Cheetara supplied, out of habit.
"The spell is from the Ancient Spirits of Evil," WilyKit continued. "It's a spell with no counter spell and after today, you all were supposed to slowly starve."
Pumyra paled. As a medic, she knew all too well what death by starvation would do.
"But, the Ancient Spirits of Goodness stepped in. They're locked you all outside of time, like you have been so far. It's why you haven't felt hungry or anything." The male Thunderkitten sighed. "She said that they bought you a year."
"So, we have to find a way to save you within a year." WilyKit paced.
"And we have a plan." WilyKat confirmed.
"Knew it," Panthro smiled. "Knew you two could find a way!"
The others made similar statements of confidence and Lion-o kept his eyes on the twins.
They joined hands, as if for strength.
When Kit spoke, it didn't take him long to realize that they were doing exactly that.
"If we shatter Mumm-ra's Vow Stone, his link to the Ancient Spirits of Evil will be broken and the spell will fade."
"His Vow Stone," WilyKat added, "Is in the Temple where he made his covenant with the Ancient Spirits of Evil-"
"In the Unseen Lands. Nine thousand miles south of here." Kit finished.
Snarf bellowed, "N-nine thousand miles? Snaaarf! How are you going to get there?"
"And the Unseen Lands?" Snarfer shuddered. "Lynx-o, weren't the Wollos talking about that place the other day?"
All attention fell to the older lynx who nodded slowly. "Indeed. How much of it is true is hard to save but it is a place dripping in evil."
"How so, old friend?" Lion-o asked, seriousness buried in each vowel.
Bengali sighed. "The Wollos have all kinds of stories. But from what they told us, it makes Dark Side look like a good place for a picnic."
Tygra closed his eyes, "By Jaga…"
Cheetara could feel her sixth sense screaming at her and the kittens hadn't even left yet. The desire to pull them tight into her arms was overwhelming.
Panthro had gritted his teeth and began to pace, all the while cursing the mummy out under his breath.
Pumyra, Lynx-o and Lion-o stayed as close to the kittens' side as they could.
The twins were talking again, and while their faces were firm, there was no denying the fear in their voice.
"So, that's it." Kit sighed. "We have to find away across the Horizon Sunset Sea and find this Temple." She looked at her brother. "So, first thing's first: a boat and supplies. You know more about boats than I do."
He nodded. "I'll check out the Fishing Villages and also stop in on the Warrior Maidens. They might have more info about this continent. We should ask anyone we can."
She nodded. "I'll stop by the Berbil Village and see what they can get us for supplies. Meet you back here in three hours?"
He nodded.
The twins paused before heading to their boards and lifted their hands to their chest, palm level. "Thundercats…ho!"
The adults, despite the fear, anger and uncertainty the kittens' information sent through their hearts, mirrored the gesture, "Thundercats, forever!"