Cheetara’s Greatest Battle

Chapter Eight: Mumm-Rana’s Prodigy

Third Earth: Cat’s Lair

Sunday Morning

The ThunderCats sat around the council room talking among themselves. Even WilyKit and WilyKat had made the journey to Cat’s Lair to be there. Ben-gali and Lynx-o were also on the communication monitor from New Thundera ready to participate in the emergency meeting. The engaged couple was shooting playful glances at each other.

Finally, Lion-O walked into the room. Everyone stopped talking and watched him go to his chair and sit down. There were circles under his eyes and deep stress lines on his face.

He turned toward Tygra and remarked, “You called this meeting. Let’s get it started.”

Tygra nodded and cleared his throat. “Panthro and I finished clearing the crash site. We found this . . .” he reached to his back and pulled out Cheetara’s staff. “. . . among the debris. Everything else burned up.”

Lion-O got sick to his stomach after hearing Tygra’s statement. He covered his mouth and closed his eyes.

Talia gave Tygra a stern look. He put the staff on the table and continued. “I think we should have some kind of memorial service. It will help us all get deal with Cheetara’s death.”

“That’s a good idea,” Lynx-o commented.

“First though, we have to deal with a new threat to Third Earth.”

The tiger, with Panthro’s help, told them the Berbil’s account of the raid on the village. He explained what he and Panthro saw. “This is apparently the same person who got into Cat’s Lair last night. We still haven’t figured out who she is and what she wanted.”

“Tatiana.”

Snarf glanced at Lion-O and inquired, “What did you say?”

Lion-O looked up at everyone and replied, “She told me her name was Tatiana. She had Rataro’s weapon with her.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this last night?” Tygra asked.

He shrugged and remarked, “You didn’t ask.”

Tygra sighed inwardly and kept himself from rolling his eyes. “Now at least we have a name.”

He glanced over at Pumyra and Talia. “I would like you two to do some research on this . . . Tatiana. Ask everyone if necessary. We’ve got to know more about her in case we need to fight her.”

“What don’t you ask Mumm-Rana? She has been around for a long time. She ought to know something about Tatiana, snarfer, snarfer.” Snarfer suggested.

“That’s a good idea, Snarfer. We’ll ask her first,” Pumyra replied.

“The rest of us should stay at the monitors and watch for the Rat Star. I imagine Rataro will be back to retrieve his weapon. We‘ll meet again the evening.”

The alarms in the lair went off just then.

“What now!” Panthro yelled out. He was the first one out of the council room and into the control room. As the others gathered, the panther turned off the alarm and switched to the communicator.

Surprisingly, Mandora appeared on the monitor. “Evil Chaser One to Cat’s Lair. Do you copy?”

“We’re here, Mandora. What’s up?” Panthro asked.

“I’ve just received a report from Wayoutback. The mutants have escaped in some sort of space ship. They are headed toward Third Earth.”

“It must be the Rat Star,” Talia noted.

Tygra nodded in agreement. “We’ll be watching for them,” he told the female officer.

“Okay. I’ll be there shortly and put them in my custody. Mandora out.”

The screen went black as she cut off communication. Panthro turned to the others. “That’s all we need now. Blasted mutants!”

*****

Third Earth: Mumm-Rana’s White Pyramid

Early Sunday Afternoon

Talia landed the ThunderClaw in front of the White Pyramid. She and Pumyra got off the aircraft and stood in front of the great structure. “I hope she’ll help us,” she remarked.

“I think she will,” Pumyra responded.

As the two female ThunderCats walked to the pyramid, an entrance appeared. A voice from the inside said, “Enter.”

“This looks promising,” Talia responded. She had never met Mumm-Rana, although she had heard about the woman. For some reason, the tiger was leery about her. It took a long time for someone to earn Talia’s trust, including an ever-living good mummy.

Mumm-Rana met Pumyra and Talia in the throne room. “Greetings, Pumyra. It is nice to have you here.”

“Thank you, Mumm-Rana. This is Talia, a new addition to the ThunderCats,” and motioned to the tiger.

Mumm-Rana nodded at Talia. “Hello, Talia. Any ThunderCat is a friend of Mumm-Rana’s. My regards go to you and the other ThunderCats on the loss of your comrade.”

“Thank you, Mumm-Rana. We really miss her,” Pumyra softly replied.

“What brings you two to my white pyramid?”

“We came hoping you could give us some information, Mumm-Rana,” Pumyra explained.

“Yes,” Talia continued. “Can you tell us anything about Tatiana?”

The mummy lowered her head. “I was afraid of this.”

“Then you know her!” Pumyra replied excitedly.

Mumm-Rana nodded her head and looked up. “Tatiana was born in Crete two-hundred and fifty years ago. The people there were called Cretians, a race that no longer exists here on Third Earth. Tatiana was born with telepathic powers. Her parents wanted her to learn to use her special gift for their people. At a very young age, they brought her to me. I was to instruct Tatiana in her gift.”

“Tatiana . . . was an apprentice of yours?” Talia inquired.

“Yes, and a very quick learner she was. When she turned twenty, Tatiana went back to her people and became their leader. She was a very fair and good leader.”

“I don’t understand, Mumm-Rana,” Pumyra admitted. “If she was a good leader, then why is she a servant of the Ancient Spirits of Evil now?”

“Let me finish my story, Pumyra. Then you will begin to understand.”

Pumyra and Talia nodded at the female mummy. Mumm-Rana closed her eyes and continued the tale. “As I said, she was a good and fair leader. However, sometime during her reign, Tatiana became greedy. She had a taste for precious metals and absolute power. It corrupted her. She began a quest to take over all of Third Earth. With her telepathic abilities and skill with the sword, Tatiana easily conquered many people. Many perished because of her quest. However, her undoing was caused by another with the same quest. Tatiana became a threat to Mumm-Ra.”

Mumm-Rana opened her eyes and looked up at them. “He was then the absolute ruler of Third Earth. The Ancient Spirits of Evil gave him the power and resources to rule. Tatiana and Mumm-Ra battled each other many times, but it always ended in a stalemate. At their last confrontation, I met them to try and end the fighting. My presence caught Tatiana off guard. Mumm-Ra took advantage of the moment and killed her.”

“I banished her spirit to the netherworld. I was heart-broken and devastated, but it was all I could do. My loyalty was to the people on Third Earth. It was supposed to keep this planet safe from her presence. Mumm-Ra was weakened by the battle and stayed in his dark sarcophagus. As long as no one threatened his rule over Third Earth, he remained in his pyramid.”

Mumm-Rana sat down on her altar and sighed heavily. “The Ancient Spirits of Goodness have informed me of Tatiana‘s return to Third Earth. I don’t know why, but Tatiana has sold herself to the Ancient Spirits of Evil. They are ultimately responsible for bringing her back. She will do everything in her power to rule all of Third Earth, even if it means killing you and me.”

“We will do everything in our power to stop her, Mumm-Rana,” Pumyra proclaimed.

“Yes,” Talia agreed. “We won’t let Tatiana take over.”

“For all of Third Earth, I hope you are successful,” Mumm-Rana commented.

“Mumm-Rana, won’t you help us fight her?” Pumyra asked.

“I will do what I can.” Mumm-Rana paused and gazed into the distance. She looked back at the two ThunderCats and stated, “Your lord calls for you. You should leave now.”

They quickly thanked Mumm-Rana and raced out of the White Pyramid. Outside, they saw the Cat signal in the sky. “It’s coming from the lair. We better get there quick.”

Pumyra nodded in agreement. They jumped onto the ThunderClaw and flew toward the call for help.

*****

Earlier at Cat’s Lair, Tygra and Panthro were in the control room. They monitored the areas of Third Earth, but most of the time, they concentrated on the strange new castle.

“Things are too quiet, Panthro. I don’t like it.”

“I know, Tygra. Those mutants should have made it to Third Earth by now. I wonder where they are.”

Tygra pointed at the screen. “I think I can answer your question. Look there!”

“The Rat Star,” Panthro breathed menacingly. “And it’s headed our way!”

“It looks like it‘s just you and me.”

Panthro nodded his stout head. “I’ll warn WilyKit, WilyKat, and Snarfer at the Tower of Omens to stand by. You go get Lion-O and Snarf. They can wait here in the control room.”

A few minutes later, Tygra came back into the control room with Lion-O and Snarf following him. “What’s going on?” Lion-O asked.

“The Rat Star is headed towards Cat’s Lair. We’ve got to prepare ourselves.”

Lion-O glared at the screen. “Good. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to avenge Cheetara’s death.”

Tygra turned to his leader. He saw Panthro behind Lion-O shaking his head. “No, Lion-O. You and Snarf stay here. We need you to use the laser cannons on the Rat Star.”

“But, Tygra . . .”

“He’s right, Lion-O,” Panthro stated. “You’re not in any condition to be fighting Rataro. Tygra and I will handle him and those blasted mutants!”

After much more persuasion, Lion-O reluctantly agreed. “Okay. Have you alerted Mandora?”

“No need to. She’s already on her way,” Panthro answered. “Let’s go, Tygra. We’ll meet them in the Thundertank.”

The two of them ran out of the control room toward the Cat’s claw. Lion-O looked down at Snarf. “It’s just you and me now.”

“Meow, we can handle those mutants.” Snarf tried to sound confident.

“I hope . . .” he added under his breath.

Tygra and Panthro waited for the Rat Star on the edge of the forest. They saw it fly over them. As it did, it shot at the tank. “Here we go!” Panthro exclaimed. He turned the Thundertank around and drove toward the aircraft.

Tygra stood at the back of the cannon inside the tank. He aimed it at the Rat Star and fired.

Inside the lair, Lion-O and Snarf shot the lasers at the aircraft. Both blasts proved too much for it. Part of the ship started smoking.

“Caw, they’ve hit us!” Vultureman shrieked. “Most of our power systems are failing!”

Slithe looked at Rataro and pointed at the rat. “I thought you s-s-said this mission wouldn’t fail! Now we’ll have to fight them on the ground.”

“Hoo-hoo, Panthro and Tygra are coming in the Thundertank! Let’s get off this time bomb!” Monkian commented.

As they left the smoking Rat Star, Rataro looked back at his co-horts. “It’s only two of them. Surely we can handle them!”

Panthro and Tygra leaped out of the Thundertank and pulled out their weapons. They stood back to back as the mutants surrounded them.

Tatiana jumped down from the tree where she was hiding. She walked to the group and commanded, “You mutants go to Cat’s Lair. Bring me the sword. I’ll handle these two.”

Rataro and the Mutants were all too happy to obey. They ran off toward the lair.

Tatiana pulled out her sword and swung it in the air in front of her. “Which one of you wants to be destroyed first?” she hissed.

*****

Inside the lair, Lion-O and Snarf watched everything. They saw Tatiana around Tygra and Panthro. The mutants were running at them. Snarf grabbed his leg and begged, “Lion-O, call the others. There’s too many for us to handle!”

The Lord of the ThunderCats nodded in agreement. He pulled out the Sword of Omens and shouted, “Thunder, thunder, thunder, . . . ThunderCats! Ho!” The sword grew to its full extent and blazed out the Cat signal.

He then looked down at the furry creature. “You stay here Snarf. I’m going to meet them out front.”

Snarf shook his head and rubbed his small hands as he watched Lion-O leave the safety of the lair. It did not really surprise him that the lion left though. The snarf sighed and continued watching the action on the monitor.

*****

Panthro swung his Nun-chucks in response. He bent his knees as he took a fighting stance. “Is that supposed to scare us? Why don‘t you take off that mask and give us a good scare!”

Tatiana growled out, “You wretched ThunderCat! I’ll make you wish you had never said that to me!” She lunged at the panther and swung the sword at him.”

He leaped out of the way. Panthro then aimed the blue claw at her and blasted her with an energy shot.

She blocked it with the sword. Fuming, Tatiana raised her left hand and aimed a telekinetic blow at Panthro. The golden blast barely missed him as he leapt out of the way.

Tygra had just been standing by watching. As soon as Tatiana shot at Panthro, she aimed a shot at the tiger. He quickly wrapped his bolo-whip around him and disappeared from sight.

“Show yourself, tiger, or are you too cowardly?”

“Behind you,” he replied.

Tatiana swung around as Tygra flung the ends of the whip at her. She put her left arm across her body to protect it. The ends wrapped themselves around her black sleeve as her arm took the brunt of the blow. Tatiana grinned as the Tygra began to pull on the whip. With all of her strength, she pulled on her side of the whip. The ThunderCat cried out and fell down.

Suddenly, the ThunderCat sign appeared in the air. Under the face shield, Tatiana’s eyes flashed golden. She screamed out and put her head into her hands. “Nooo!”

Tatiana grimaced and pressed her snake insignia. She disappeared into thin air.

“Where did she go?”

Tygra stood up, shook the dust off of him, and gathered his whip. “I don’t know, Panthro. But she’s definitely gone. This is no illusion.”

“I wonder what made her leave in such a hurry. Hm, no matter. We better go help Lion-O. He’s going to have his hands full with those nim-witted mutants!”

The two of them jumped into the Thundertank. Panthro started the vehicle and drove toward the lair.

*****

Lion-O shot out at the mutants with the Sword of Omens. They all dove for cover and shot at the lion when they had an opportunity. The battle ensued like this until the Thundertank drove up.

“Caw! Panthro and Tygra have returned!” Vultureman announced. “Get them!”

Slithe, Monkian, and Jackalmann turned their attention toward the two ThunderCats. The fighting continued.

Lion-O grew weary fighting Rataro and Vultureman. At one point, Rataro caught him off guard and hit him with the Rats’ Eyes. The rat sneered and lifted his cross daggers up. The action caused Lion-O’s body to go up in the air. A blue energy field was all around him.

In the control room, Snarf covered his eyes and groaned. He said a silent prayer for the ThunderCats.

As if someone was listening, Talia and Pumyra showed up on the scene just then. They left the ThunderClaw and came running towards the action. A few seconds later, WilyKit and WilyKat flew by on their space boards. Together, they distracted Rataro so that the mutant released Lion-O.

The Lord of the ThunderCats grew angry. He glared menacingly at the rat. Aiming the sword at Rataro, Lion-O growled, “I’ll make you pay for what you did to Cheetara!”

Tatiana sat up in a tree watching. She shook her head at the mutants’ feeble attempts to destroy the ThunderCats. Sighing, she leaped onto the ground behind Lion-O and laughed sinisterly. “You think that insolent mutant was responsible for the She-cat’s death?”

Lion-O turned around to see Tatiana pull out her sword. She glanced over at Rataro and ordered, “Go help you imbecile companions. I’ll take care of this boy!”

Rataro nodded and took off. Tatiana turned her attention back to the lion. “I was the one who commanded him to kill the ThunderCat. He was only following my orders!”

Lion-O scowled and replied, “Then YOU will pay for that mistake!”

Tatiana swung her sword and pointed it at him. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”

He growled loudly and ran at her. She leaped out of the way only to find him striking a blow at her with his sword. Tatiana blocked it with her sword. The two of them continued exchanging blows with each other almost like a well-choreographed dance. No matter how fast Lion-O struck at her, Tatiana’s reflexes were faster. She always managed to block the blow.

Growing more frustrated and angry, Lion-O jumped back to put some space between them. He aimed the Sword of Omens at her and shouted, “Ho!”

The blast hit Tatiana hard. She fell to her knees trying to break free. Mustering all her strength, she raised her left hand. Tatiana closed her eyes and concentrated. Soon, she was glowing with her own powers. She blocked the sword’s blow and heaved the blast back to Lion-O.

The shot knocked Lion-O onto his back. He yelled out in pain.

Tatiana stood up and strolled over to him. She sheathed her sword triumphantly and smirked, “Don’t mess with a woman. You’ll get burned every time!”

She knelt down and leaned over him to get the Sword of Omens that had landed beside him.

Lion-O’s eyes bolted open. With the claw shield still on, he sat up and swiped the inside of her left arm with the sharp claws. Her skin ripped along with the black sleeve. She screamed out and fell back. She clutched her arm with her right hand as blood spurted out.

Lion-O grabbed the Sword of Omens and lunged up to a standing position. Tatiana saw him approaching her. She sneered out, “I can’t believe you did this to me! I’ll get even with you. You haven’t seen the last of me!”

Tatiana pressed her snake insignia once again and telepathically left the area.

The Lord of the ThunderCats paused only for a moment. He had a peculiar expression on his face. Then, he shook it off knowing the other ThunderCats needed his help.

*****

“That’s the last of them,” Panthro commented as he forced Rataro into the security bin.

“I appreciate your help, ThunderCats,” Mandora replied. “I’ll transport these mutants back to their prison cells on Wayoutback.”

Tygra nodded and stated, “With Rataro in custody, they shouldn’t escape so easily again.”

“I will make sure their are more guards posted at their cells,” Mandora answered. “It’ll give us extra insurance.”

She got onto her space vehicle and turned her head to the ThunderCats standing by her. “I‘ll leave their aircraft and weapons in your custody.”

With that said, Mandora left with the mutants in tow.

Talia heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m glad that’s over.”

Pumyra nodded in agreement. “Now we can tell you what we found out about Tatiana.”

Tygra commented, “Wait until the meeting this evening. It’s only a few hours away. That way everyone can hear what you have to say.”