To Save the Future

Part One

New Thundera looked far more advanced than it was thirty years ago. The buildings and homes had sophisticated, scientific designs. The cars and other hover vehicles were faster and far more upgraded. Even Cat's Lair had a face lift. The blue eyes that were once on the lion head were dark red and the whole lair, which was once marbled in white, was now black. Surrounding the lair were electrifying barricades and missiles.

Far from Cat's Lair was another lair. The lair was in its usual position of an animal sitting down, but the head and body of the animal was that of a panther. The lair had all the advances of Cat's Lair but the Thundercat symbol was nowhere in site. Deep in the hangar of the vast lair, were two people. One was a young male panther working on a large screen that seemed to be a portal. A red handle pointing upward was on the right side. Various scientific instruments lied on the worktables in the room. The other person was a young woman in a silver cloak looking at the instruments. She took her eyes off the instruments and focused on the panther working.

"Are you sure it will work?" the woman asked.

"Of course it will work. Nothing I fix would dare break down, Tamar," he said confidently.

Tamar laughed. "You're just like your father, Panthero."

Panthero seemed to frown on that as he kept working. "Yeah, well that's one of only a few things my father and I have in common."

"I know what you mean," Tamar sighed thinking about her own father. "If only mother....well, there's no use wishing for the impossible," she said gloomily. She looked back at the portal, face full of determination.

"Your time portal must work, Panthero. It's the only way our planet will survive now and in the future. It can't go on any longer the way it's in now, especially with the rise of the Great Evil," she sighed thinking about the Great Evil and the past Thundercats. "I think it's best that Lynx-O, Snarf and Snarfer aren't alive. They wouldn't want to see this future."

"You're right," Panthero agreed. "Did you have trouble getting here?"

"A few close calls here and there with the guards but I was able to get pass them. How much longer will you be working on it?"

“Not any longer. I’m finished." The panther turned to her victorious and frowned noticing her cloak. "Do you think the disguise under the cloak is really necessary?"

"Yes, it is. My parents must not know that I am their daughter," she pulls off her hood. Tamar’s hair was silky, sable black. Her uniform was a black leotard outfit that covered her whole body; silver boots, a black sheath, holding a silver sword on her left side, and a silver locket around her neck. "Besides, I don't plan on seeing them. I'm just going to get the Sword of Omens and come back, and if I am confronted by them, they wouldn't think I'm their daughter."

Panthero noticed Tamar was either wearing a wig or dyed her hair because it wasn't naturally black. He also took notice of the silver locket. "You're wearing your mother's locket."

“Yes.” Tamar said simply. By her tone of voice, Panthero can tell Tamar didn’t want to delve into the conversation any further.

"I don’t know, Tamar. I still think someone will notice you, especially your mother. It may be best not to get in contact with them at all."

"You’re right, but I don’t think they will recognize me. I have each of the ThunderCats strong characteristics: swordsmanship, speed, intelligence, fighting skills and cunning. No one will know whose child I am."

"Be careful not to use your special powers, otherwise the others will know who your parents are." Panthero warned.

"Which special power?" Tamar asked.

Panthero shrugged his shoulders. "Well, all of them."

"They would figure out one of my parents, but they won't know. I won't use it," Tamar promised.

"Are you nervous? Scared?" Panthero asked.

Tamar nods. "A little. I wish my brother could do this but he has to keep Lion-O, that evil monster, distracted."

Panthero frowns at Tamar. He walks back to his invention and pulls down the handle. A blue screen appears in the square-like portal. He pulls out a bracelet from his pocket and hands it to Tamar.

“You’re going to need this.”

Tamar put the bracelet on her wrist. She saw it had a red and green button on it. “What does it do?”

“Always wear this bracelet, Tamar. I may have to contact you in case of emergency. Press the red button and a visual of me will appear. Press the green button and the portal will open. Are you ready?”

"As ready as I'll ever be," Tamar said putting her hood back over her head and walked to the portal. "Hopefully, when I return with the Sword of Omens, Thundera will be saved."

"Good luck, Tamar."

Tamar steps in the portal. Inside, she saw she was in a blue tunnel. A small light was at the end. As she walked further in the tunnel, the light got bigger, brighter and closer. The female had an eerie feeling about the whole thing. Putting her fear aside, Tamar knew she had to do this. She had to save Thundera. Countless lives were depending on her. As she reached the end of the tunnel, the light was blinding. She closed her eyes and stepped out of the tunnel.

Her eyes slowly open and she was in an alley thirty years in the past. She walked out and saw buildings that will stand high and mighty thirty years from now were mere foundations. Tamar looked around at the civilians in awe as they walked peacefully and happily in the streets. Children laugh chasing each other, playing games. This was definitely different in the future. There, most of the people hid in their homes. They were scared of everything, of everyone, especially if they wore or once wore the Thundercat insignia.

I’m not here to stare at things that will be a mere memory thirty years from now. I have a job to do.

Tamar walked among the people, getting a few looks in the process both good and bad. The mystery woman saw the Thundertank roar by. This was her chance. She ran in the direction of the Thundertank. Lucky for her, the Thundertank stopped at a shop nearby. From a distant, Tamar saw Tygra and Cheetara jumping out. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be carrying the Sword of Omens, but it was nice to see them together. Why couldn’t it be? She thought to herself. Why?

Mommy! Daddy!

Tamar clutched her head at the painful memory. “No, I won’t let what happened then affect my mission.” She mentally shook the horrible memory away. She saw the Thundertank unoccupied. Tamar ran to the Thundertank and opened the trunk. “I’ll get to the lair faster this way. I’m not sure where exactly I am.” She got inside and closed the trunk.

Cheetara and Tygra returned from the shop with bags in their hands. They put it in the backseat of the Thundertank. Cheetara paused for a moment. She had a sudden feeling she wasn’t alone.

“Cheetara, are you all right?”

The cheetah looked at Tygra. “Not really. I have a strange feeling that we’re not alone here. Someone is nearby.”

“We are in public.” Tygra reminded her.

“Yes, but I feel this person is in hiding.” Cheetara said getting in the tank.

Tygra jumped in and turned the engine on. “I think it’s that post-Mumm-Ra feeling. Even though he is gone, you still feel he’s around.”

Cheetara shook her head. “No, this feeling isn’t bad. It’s…I don’t know how to describe it really. It’s probably nothing anyway. Let’s just go home.”

In the trunk, Tamar heard the conversation. She breathes a sigh of relief when Cheetara dropped the topic. “This may be harder than I thought. I don’t know, Dante. Maybe this should have been your mission after all.”

*****

It turned into a normal night for the Thundercats. For the past two years, everything has been quiet and peaceful for the Thundercats. Yes, they were still building their great capital as well as the other cities. Lynx-O, Snarf and Snarfer were on Third Earth and the others were on Thundera. In the Thundertank, Tamar emerges from the trunk. She stretched her cramp cat body. She was stuck in the tank for hours. It was nighttime now. The ThunderCats were asleep she knew. She stealthily walks inside the lair going to the Sword Room. She typed in the code and the door opened. It amazed her that after all these years; the code was still the same. As always, the Sword of Omens lied in the center of the room on its stand just above the claw shield. She walked in the room and stared at the sword that promises her and her brother victory in the future.

"I'll get the Sword of Omens and return it without them knowing," Tamar told herself.

"You'll get nothing as long as I'm here," a voice said behind her.

Tamar turned around to meet Panthro's stern face. "Hello, Panthro."

"You know my name. Mind telling me yours and the reason you want to steal the Sword of Omens?" Panthro asked twirling his nunchuks defensively.

"I don't want to hurt you, Panthro."

Panthro scoffed. "Like you could.”

Tamar pulls out her sword. Panthro shot a blast of energy from his nunchuks. She blocks the energy with her sword. She smiles and sheaths her sword. Panthro eyes Tamar suspiciously. Tamar closed her eyes and placed her hands on her temples. A golden aura surrounded her body.

“What the….” Was all Panthro murmured before a bright flash of yellow energy hurls at him. Panthro closed his eyes to save his eyes from the blinding light. When he opened them, he was on the floor with his nunchuks wrapped tightly around him.

“What? How did you…”

Tamar sheaths the sword and picks up the Sword of Omens. "I'm not a bad person, Panthro. I'm doing this for Thundera," she told him and left. She ran down the hall to escape the lair. Tamar was going to hit her top speed when a certain voice caused her to freeze.

"That's as far as you go, thief."

Tamar turned to see Lion-O. "Lion-O," she snarled.

Lion-O stared at the women in puzzlement. She looked like a warrior in her outfit and the fact that she took out Panthro was a definite sign that this mysterious woman meant business. "Who are you?" he asked.

"That's not important," she turned and ran down the hallway.

"Sword of Omens, come to my hand," Lion-O commanded.

The sword glowed and left Tamar's hand, flying towards its masters. Angry, Tamar turned around and was about to use one of her powers to get the sword back, but then remembered Panthero’s words.

"I need that sword. Give it to me!" Tamar ordered.

"Why do you need the sword?" Pumyra asked as she and Cheetara surround Tamar from behind.

Tamar turned around. "Because I--" Tamar gasp seeing her mother so close. It was like seeing a ghost. Tamar got control of her feelings. She couldn’t lose it now that she was so close getting the Sword of Omens. Behind her was Lion-O and in front of her were Cheetara and Pumyra. She was surrounded.

"I don't want to hurt any of you," Tamar said.

"Then explain why you are here. If you don't want to hurt us, then tell us why you are here," Cheetara said in a friendly tone.

Tamar noticed the sincerity in Cheetara's voice and felt that she could be trusted. Her brother warned her that if she is cornered, she could trust Cheetara. "I'm on a mission from the future."

"The future? What happens in the future?" Pumyra asked.

"I cannot say. No one must know too much about their future. I must go. Excuse me," she said pushing Pumyra aside.

"No, wait. If something's wrong in the future, then it's our concern too as Thundercats," Cheetara said. "Are you a Thundercat?"

"After you, there are no other Thundercats. The Sword of Omens is the key to having the future saved," she looked at Lion-O, her anger rising again. "Now give it to me!" she demanded Lion-O.

"Never," Lion-O said defiantly.

"Then you leave me no choice," Tamar charged at Lion-O, and jumps on him, knocking him to the ground. She reached for the Sword of Omens and struggles with Lion-O for it. Cheetara and Pumyra pulled Tamar from Lion-O. "Give me the sword! I need it!"

"Only the Lord of the Thundercats wields the Sword of Omens," Lion-O said getting up.

"You haven't changed a bit. I thought you were different now in the past, but you're the same," Tamar growled.

"What do you mean by that?" Lion-O asked.

Darkly, Tamar said, "You'll soon find out."

"Stop it! Both of you!" Cheetara shouted getting between the two. "Now maybe we can talk this out peacefully without resorting to violence."

"I've said what I had to say. I will be back, Lion-O, and I will get the Sword of Omens," she warned and walked away.

“Are you all right?” Pumyra asked Lion-O.

“Yes, I’m fine. That woman must be stopped.” Lion-O said.

“She doesn’t seem evil. I’m going after her.” Cheetara said and left.

Cheetara ran after Tamar. The cheetah was amazed how the stranger knew her way around the lair. Whenever guests visit Cat’s Lair, they always got lost. It was a maze to them, but to this strange woman, it was like home and she was swift in moving around the lair. Tamar was already at the doors. No other ThunderCat would’ve have been able to catch with the swift woman unless she was… "Tamar, wait!"

Tamar stopped suddenly and looked back at Cheetara. "How did you know my name? I never mentioned it."

Cheetara paused unsure herself how she knew. "I don't know. I just sensed it. I guess you look like a Tamar.” Cheetara stepped forward. “Why don't you stay with us? We can work everything out in the morning.” Cheetara suggested.

"I've said what I had to say," Tamar said and was about to leave when Cheetara grabbed her arm gently, preventing Tamar from moving.

"Please stay with us, Tamar. You're from the future, so here in the past you don’t have a place to stay. You'll be safe here."

"I can handle myself." Tamar said strongly.

"Yes, I see that, but I would like to get to know you better," Cheetara said softly.

Tamar looks at Cheetara suspiciously. "Why?"

"I don't know. I have this strange feeling about you. It's good, I know, and I feel that I should get to know you better. Please stay."

Tamar stared at the cheetah. Softly, she said, "You're just how my brother describes you--so caring, thoughtful. I wish I could have seen that."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Tamar said quickly. "I'll stay...as long as I'm no where near Lion-O."

"Why do you hate Lion-O so much?" Cheetara asked.

"You have no idea what he will become," she said seriously. "I'll take the room across from yours. I know no one is in there," she left Cheetara by the door and walked towards the elevator.

Cheetara watched the elevator doors close on the mysterious woman. Now how does she know that? Could she be living at Cat's Lair in the future?

"Where did she go, Cheetara?" Lion-O asked as he, Panthro and Pumyra ran to her.

"I got Tamar to stay the night." Cheetara explained.

"Good idea. It'll give us a chance to find out more about her," Lion-O said.

"I'm not so sure she will open up to us so quickly," Cheetara stated.

“She opened up to you, Cheetara. You got Tamar to tell you her name," Pumyra said.

"Actually, I guessed it. I don’t know how, but I knew it was her name. It was like I’ve always known it."

"Maybe you can get through her, Cheetara," Panthro commented.

"I agree. You should spend some time with her to get her to talk," Lion-O added to Panthro's words.

"I don't know if it would do anything, but I will try," Cheetara said.

*****

A Thundercat meeting was arranged the next afternoon to discuss the new guest and her purpose. After her morning run and shower, Cheetara went into Tamar's room. Tamar seemed tense to Cheetara as she watches her sleep. Cheetara sat on her bed and smoothed out the wrinkles on Tamar’s forehead with her fingers. There was an indescribable connection with the young woman and Cheetara. What was it? Why did the cheetah feel so bonded with this young woman? Cheetara shook Tamar's shoulder to wake her.

"Tamar. Tamar, wake up." Cheetara said softly.

Tamar stirred. Her eyes slowly open. Her vision was blurry as she awakens. It was almost like a scene from her early childhood--her mother waking her up.

"Wake up, my little angel.”

"Mother?" Tamar said.

"No, I'm not your mother," Cheetara corrected her. "Did you have a dream about her?"

Tamar sat up. "No, it's nothing really."

"Well, I came in here to let you know that we will be having a Thundercat council meeting this afternoon and that you should attend."

"So you can find out why I want the Sword of Omens and my hatred of Lion-O," Tamar guessed.

"Well, not in that order." Cheetara smiled innocently knowing the young woman was right. The cheetah notices Tamar's necklace. "That's a beautiful necklace," Cheetara commented.

"It was my mother's. My father gave it to her when I was born. She wore it ever since. She was always lucky with it until the time she didn't wear it."

Cheetara frown. "Oh, no. Did she die?"

Tamar looks at Cheetara. Tears filled her eyes. Tamar couldn’t control her emotions now. She clutched her necklace and begins crying. She tries to stop the crying but couldn’t. The tears just kept falling. Cheetara hugged her. "Oh, Tamar. I'm so sorry. It’ll be all right. Just cry. Let it out." Cheetara said soothingly and got an idea. "Since you can travel in time, maybe you can save her."

Tamar pulled away from Cheetara. "NO! I cannot do that. I promised myself that I wouldn't use this gift of time traveling for my needs, only Thundera's."

Cheetara wanted to ask what happened in the future but knew that she wouldn't get an answer. Cheetara knew Tamar would tell her when she was more comfortable with the ThunderCats, and that is what Cheetara planned to do. "I can show you around Thundera before the meeting if you like."

"Can Tygra come with us?" Tamar asked.

Cheetara was taken aback by the question. Why would she make that request?

"Um, I don't see why not. Why don't we go ask him?"

*****

Cheetara, Tygra and Tamar spent the morning sightseeing around Thundera. Although there wasn't much to see since the planet was in the state of rebuilding, Tamar was fascinated about the new beginnings of Thundera and sad about what it has come to in the future. Afterwards, the three sat together in a cafe drinking coffee.

"So, how do you like the past Thundera, Tamar?" Tygra asked.

"It's very lovely."

"Is the future far more advanced than we are?"

"In some ways, yes," Tamar said quietly.

"Oh?" Cheetara entered the conversation. "What is the future like?"

"I rather not say. I rather enjoy this time with you two," she smiled.

Cheetara took note of Tamar’s smile. She knew it was familiar. It reminded her of someone, but the cheetah couldn’t place it. "Really? Do you know us in the future?" Cheetara asked.

Tamar became nervous. Maybe spending time with Tygra and Cheetara was a bad idea. She looks out the window and at a store across from them. "Could I look in that store across from here? I promise not to be too long."

"Sure. Go ahead," Cheetara told her.

Tamar got up and left the cafe as fast as she could.

Tygra leaned back in his chair. "There's no doubt about it. She does know us in the future, and it's something she doesn't want us to know."

"I agree, Tygra, but what could she be hiding?"

"Yes, and why is she particularly interested in us?" Tygra looks at Cheetara. "You don't think that--"

“No!” Cheetara said quickly. “I’m sorry. It’s just that—“

Tygra laid a hand on Cheetara’s. “There’s no need to explain, Cheetara, I understand, but we shouldn’t throw the whole idea out. Who knows what the future holds.”

Cheetara nods her head. “Right.” She said quietly. Was it possible? Could it actually be true? Cheetara thought.

*****

Tygra, Cheetara and Tamar were the last to enter the council room for the meeting. Lion-O looked angry at Tamar's arrival, but Cheetara shook her head, telling him not to say anything. Tamar sat between Tygra and Cheetara. Tamar wasn’t happy that Cheetara took her normal seat by Lion-O. She despised that lion. Turning away from him, Tamar looks at all the Thundercats sitting around: Lion-O, Cheetara, Tygra, WilyKit, WilyKat, Panthro, Bengali, and Pumyra. Lynx-O, Snarf and Snarfer were on duty on 3rd Earth.

It's hard to believe that thirty years from now you won't be able to get them in the same room. So much is going to change.

"Well, now that everyone is here, we can begin. Tamar, what is your purpose of being here?" Tygra asked.

"I already explained to the others last night. Didn't they inform you this morning?" Tamar said smartly.

Cheetara could tell Lion-O was getting angry. She placed her hand on Lion-O's to calm him down.

"What I meant was why do you need the Sword of Omens so bad? Isn't it around to help you in the future?" Tygra asked.

"It is around, yes, but one isn't powerful enough for the evil we have to face," Tamar answered.

"What evil?" Panthro asked before anyone else.

"A dark, powerful, evil. More powerful than it was before."

"Than it was before?" Lion-O said confused. "Do we know this enemy?"

"You of all people should know," Tamar said angrily.

"What do you mean by that?" Lion-O asked angrily.

“Lion-O, please.” Cheetara started.

“I've explained enough. You know my purpose and why I need the Sword of Omens.” Tamar looks at Lion-O. “Now give it to me!”

“You won't have it as long as I live,” Lion-O said fiercely.

“Don't tempt me.”

“That's enough.” Cheetara interrupted. “Can't you two please keep your hatred of each other in check so we can find out what's going on?” Cheetara asked.

"I've said enough. In fact, I've said too much. I'm sorry if I upset you Cheetara, but as I told you earlier, I can't stand that man."

"Why?" Cheetara asked.

"Yes, why? Why do you hate me so much?" Lion-O asked upset.

"Why?!" Tamar repeated angrily as she rose from her seat. "Because it's your fault! Everything's your fault! You are the cause of the evil that's threatening to take over Thundera! The shape the planet is in…it’s all your fault! Because of you, your recklessness and anger, my father is dead!" Tamar shouted with angry tears streaming down her face. She slams her seat to the table and storms out of the room.

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