At long last another year and a half past, thankfully without incident.  Ardua's fellow evil chasers gave her a small party the day before she was to leave, and she had a good time, rather surprised at how raucous the bastions of law and order could behave.  The next day Ardua turned in all of her equipment to Mandora.  As Ardua turned to leave, Mandora shook her hand and said with a slight smile, "Ardua, serving with you has been a pleasure. You were a credit to Control. I'll miss you Officer Mandora, if you are ever on New Thundera look me up."
       Ardua went to the hangar, and mounted her bike, Xya Tyldic stood and waved to her friend from inside the observation tower, Ardua waved back.  Ardua hated to part with her evil chasing buddies, but she was glad that she was going home to Panthro, Tyger, and the others, from Panthro's response when she called him a week before to tell him to be looking for her, she couldn't get home fast enough to suit him, or anyone else.
     Everyone in Cat's Lair were excited that Ardua was coming home.  Pumyra and Bengali in particular couldn't wait for Ardua to get home either, they both loved her very much, but were more concerned with Tyger.  Tyger could barely keep his mind on his work, was given to daydreaming when he should have been watching the fire, and had burnt himself twice that week alone.  Bengali and Pumyra feared that if Ardua didn't come home soon Tyger would suffer complete conflagration.

      The day for Ardua's return to New Thundera had come.  Lion-O had declared an unofficial holiday around the lair.  Panthro went into Ardua's old room and put clean sheets on the bed, then put a shiny new blue toolbox with a red ribbon on it, in the middle of the bed.  Cheetara walked into the room and asked,"What are you up to so early in the morning?  Oh, i'm just getting 'Dua's bed ready, she's going to be too tired to put sheets on when she gets back."  Panthro smiled.  "I'm so glad she's coming home. We all are, Panthro." Cheetara patted Panthro on the shoulder. "I don't think she'll be here long though," Panthro sighed. "Tyger will take her away from here soon enough.  Either that or she will want a place of her own."  Panthro and Cheetara sat down on the bed.  "I like Tyger, Cheetara and I know it's selfish, but part of me wishes Ardua had stayed a little girl."  Cheetara nodded knowingly and put her arm around Panthro. "All parents wish that, but we have to let them go sometime.  At least Ardua is capable of looking after herself, isn't that what parents prepare their children for?"  Panthro looked into Cheetara's eyes. "Besides," Cheetara said with a lilt in her voice, "if Tyger and Ardua get married, then surely you will have some grandchildren to dote on and teach all over again." Panthro sat up and his mood took a complete turn. "Hey you're right, 'Tara!" Panthro slapped Cheetara on the back roughly, and cheerfully walked out of the room.
       Cheetara shook her head and felt rather pleased with herself, she hated to admit it, but she enjoyed being everyone's advisor, she could see why it brought Snarf so much enjoyment, although she did try to not take it as far as Snarf sometimes did.  It made her feel useful, since she was no longer a capable warrior.  Cheetara stood and smoothed the ridges that had been made by her's and Panthro's posteriors.  As Cheetara turned to exit the room, she looked at the  toolbox, sighed, and closed the door.
      Snarfer and Tygro were on scanner duty that day, and they were also looking for any sign of Ardua's arrival, by late afternoon they were expecting to be picking her up on the space scanners but there was no sign of her.  Sunset and dusk had fallen and still no sign of Ardua had been seen, Panthro and the others began to become concerned.  Tygra suggested that Lion-O call Interplanetary Control to see if she was still there, Tygra rationalized that an intergalactic storm could have made her delay, and interfered with communications, making it impossible for her to contact them, a rather common occurrence.  "Perhaps she got a later start than anticipated." Said Tygra.  Lion-O raised the penal planet. "Officer Xya Tyldic here, hello, Lord Lion-O what may we do for the Thundercats today? I feel like I know all of you, Ardua spent a lot of time talking about you guys.  Ardua is the reason why I called. Yeah," Said Tyldic, "she left this part here," Tyldic held up a part with wires hanging out of it. "none of us even knows what it's to OR what it does. Does she want us to send it to her? So Ardua has left? Yes, Lord Lion-O.  Ardua is not here, officer. What?" Tyldic sat up in her chair. "'Dua left here three days ago for good, she's got intergalactic drive on her bike. She should be there by now." Lion-O stroked his chin. "Do you think Ardua could have gotten caught in an intergalactic storm? No, space is clear from here to New Thundera.  Do you think Ardua stopped somewhere and stayed awhile. That's definitely a negative,  I know Ardua, she wouldn't stop anywhere without notifying you first, besides I asked her what her travel plans were and she said she was going straight home, and making as few stops as she could get away with." Lion-O's brow fell, he knew that Tyldic was right about Ardua stopping, but decided to make a more wise proposal.  "Officer, I think that we should wait until tomorrow, say nine o' clock until we begin a search, just to be sure, Ardua may just be running late. I would hate for Control to exert funds and manpower on a search for someone that is just a little late, by then twenty four hours will have past and the search will be official. Then we can pool our resources and launch a larger search.  What do you think Officer? You have a point Lord Lion-O, but I will call you myself nine o' clock your time tomorrow, okay? That's fine. I'm sure Ardua is fine, Lord Lion-O, when she shows will you contact me? Will do, Officer. Cat's Lair New Thundera out."  Tyger could contain himself no longer.  "Lion-O, we have to do something! We are Tyger, we are. Everything will be okay."  Kera, Tyger, and Tygro said nothing, but walked out of the room disgusted, they all knew something was wrong. Really wrong.
      Ardua awoke in a lavishly furnished room, she quickly gave herself a going over, and found to her relief that she was,  unharmed.  Ardua unsteadily sat up feeling groggy, and looked around a little better, mainly for a weapon or anything she could use to defend herself.  Ardua as she looked around, tried to remember the events that brought her there, the last thing Ardua remembered was struggling with someone from behind, then nothing.  Ardua looked at her arms, they were bruised slightly and then her hands, there was skin underneath her claws.
      Ardua stood unsteadily and shook her head she wiped her face and smelled the strong, unmistakable odor of Daloflorin, which was an anesthetic used in surgery, also in a murder case she had investigated with Tyldic.  Ardua then began to wonder how long she had been out, and with the concentration she smelled, why it didn't kill her.  Feeling better but still unsteady, Ardua walked over to the door and listened, then tried to open it. The door was locked.  Ardua didn't know what to do, should she knock the door down and try to escape, or wait and see what her captor or captors had in store for her.  Ardua stepped away from the door when she saw shadows fall underneath the crack of the door to her room.  Ardua sat on the bed, head swimming not knowing what to do, or think.  Still suffering from the effects from the Daloflorin, Ardua fell asleep. A few minutes later an old woman, a Monkian entered the room with soldiers. Ardua snapped awake and got into the best defensive stance she could muster while she was tottering around.
      Ardua looked through a dizzy haze at her opponents, she was surrounded by eight guards, and two young women were by either side of the old woman. Ardua tried to keep track of everyone's movements but because of the drug in her system she couldn't. The old woman approached her, Ardua started a low growl, but knew that she couldn't hurt an old woman. "My Queen, move away from her, she is dangerous. Be quiet!" The Jackalian centurion stood at the ready as the old woman moved slowly towards Ardua, then gently took her hands.  When Ardua didn't resist the old woman put her arm around Ardua's shoulders and sat her down on the bed. "No one is going to hurt you, child."  Ardua still dizzy reclined on the bed.  The old woman gently stroked Ardua's hair with her withered hand as she wiped her face with a warm damp rag, "You have been through so much, my dear."  The old woman looked at Ardua with tears in her eyes, she then smiled at her and Ardua fell asleep again.
      Ardua awoke and the room was empty.  "Did I dream that?" She looked around and her vision was clear, she was no longer disoriented or unsteady.  An armored guard scrambled and exited the door, then closed and locked it before she had a chance to get to him, a few minutes later the door opened, Ardua watched with apprehension as the scene unfolded.
      Six well armored men, two Monkians, two Reptilians, and two Jackalians wearing highly polished armor, red robes, and armed to the teeth walked into Ardua's room.  The men with great precision knelt in front of one another and bowed.  An old man, another Monkian in a flowing red and green robe walked into the room.  Ardua stood, in amazement, and fear, and was in a quandary as to what to do.  Ardua stood speechless when the old man broke the silence.  "I have heard a great many rumor about a young woman from New Thundera, an evil chaser of all things, who was part Monkian, and part Thunderian.  I have known of your existence for some time, I have waited a long time for an opportunity to bring you here."   Ardua finally found her voice.  "Where am I?  You are on Plundarr, your home. MY home?" Ardua's fear was turning to anger. "My home is Thundera. Not anymore," The old man said curtly. "as to who I am, I am Daro Darkslayer Emperor of all Plundarr.  Ardua sat down on the bed. "Daro was my father's name. Yes," Scowled the old man. " I am your grandfather."  Ardua stared at the man not believing.  "My son the Crown Prince Daro," The Emperor scoffed, "he was a fool, an idealist, he wanted to change things. He dared to defy me.  That fool actually went against my will, rebelled against me during my attack on the refugees of Old Thundera and actually saved some of them.  He also thought that he was going to overthrow me and become Emperor." The Emperor looked Ardua over in a disgusted manner.
       "Daro,I assume by your presence, fell in... love with one of the Thunderian females and spawned you. How do you know all this, Emperor?" Ardua asked sarcastically.  "On a slave trading run, the soldiers that served under your father were found in the Varion galaxy.  They volunteered the entire story while I had them tortured and subsequently disemboweled.  I wouldn't have had them killed at all had they killed someone else, but Daro was my heir, and no one may challenge my absolute rule, I was going to kill your father myself as soon as I found him. The soldiers that killed him took that pleasure from me." Ardua looked at the man in shock.  "Your father was known as Daro the Reaver, do you know why? No." Ardua looked at the Emperor hard. "At one time I had pride in your father. He would reap men's souls on the battlefield as a farmer would grain. Daro was a killing machine, destroying my enemies with a skill not to be easily equaled.  But he grew soft, he developed a conscience, a foolish thing. That is why his men killed him on Signus, for damning them to a demeaning life of subservience to Thunderians and to their pitiful code, that and they saw his weakness, weak people do not deserve to live." Ardua could contain her anger no longer. "Only people like you would consider honor and love weaknesses! Oh, yes that's correct, you were raised by the ruling class of Thundera and also made a slave to their code weren't you? I am no slave to the Code of Thundera I follow it because it is right, and one noble Thundercat in particular raised me," Said Ardua with pride, as she stood taller. "My father is Panthro, the Mighty!" the Emperor chuckled then laughed loudly. "Father? Are you a Thundercat?" Ardua felt great shame as she gave her answer.  "No. Then there is hope for you yet.  You are my heir, you are Princess of all Plundarr, and you will soon take mates to insure the continuance of the Darkslayer line. Mates?" Ardua said in surprise. "I am already bonded to a male. A Thunderian male I suppose? Yes." The Emperor looked at Ardua in disgust.  "You will have Monkian mates to help the remove the Thunderian taint you bring in your blood! TAINT?" Ardua panted and growled. "As far as I am concerned, the Monkian in my blood is the taint!"  The Emperor hit Ardua across the face with his cane, knocking her to the floor. "Well at least you do some of your own dirty work your lowness." Ardua spat blood at the Emperor's robe. As he turned and left Ardua looked up and saw the old woman watching from the doorway, with a look of concern.
       Emperor Darkslayer turned. "I am quite sure that the Thundercats will come looking for you, so when they do, I shall have accomplished two things, your restoration to me, and the destruction of the Thundercats."  The door closed and locked, Ardua sat on the floor and rubbed her face and mouth. Ardua wouldn't have given "Emperor ugly" the satisfaction of knowing he had hurt her, no wonder her father wanted no more part of him, he was insane.
      Tyger was right, Ardua mused as she felt the cut on the inside of her lip with her tongue, she did have a way with people.

      Ardua stewed in anger for a few moments, then in a burst of energy, rose and began to scream threats as well as insults at the door while she pounded it with her fists.  After about thirty minutes Ardua tired, and sat back down on the bed.  The Emperor was right about one thing, as soon as she was discovered missing, the Thundercats would come for her no doubt. Ardua thought about how worried Panthro and Tyger would be, as well as everyone else, and the trap that they would inevitably fall into, and the fact that someone could get hurt or killed....over her made her feel horrid.  Ardua did the only thing a strong, independent, warrior woman could do, she sat and cried, and for the first time in her life, felt completely powerless and at the mercy of fate.  Ardua cleared her throat and meditated as Tygra and Lynx-O had taught her.  Soon Ardua was once again calm and collected, she knew she wouldn't get out of the mess she was in by crying, or throwing fits.
      As Ardua looked around her surroundings more closely, she spied a bookshelf and saw a set of neatly stacked volumes.  Ardua stood and walked over to them surprised that the Plundarians were advanced enough to have books to read, all they seemed interested in was making war with other peoples, and inbreeding.  Ardua selected a book that read, "Noble Rites", "Well if i'm a Princess," She mocked. "then this applies to me." She sat down and began to read.
      The next morning nine o'clock had come and gone and Tyldic discovered the bad news. Mandora immediately sent officers to search and sent an all points bulletin to the other Control outposts along Ardua's travel route, as well as other sectors.  Lion-O went into the sword chamber and asked the Eye of Thundera to give him sight beyond sight, to show him where Ardua was.  It didn't.  Lion-O had a terrible job ahead of him, Panthro was already extremely upset, and soon everyone else was going to be too.
      Lion-O took the sword and walked down the hall,and then outside. He held the Sword of Omens aloft and said the ancient incantation to make the sword spring to life. It had been a little over a decade since the Sword of Omens had been used to summon the Thundercats, and the Eye of Thundera slept all that time peacefully, but as the red and black beacon burned the sky and roared, it was quite clear that the ancient magic was as powerful as ever.  Tygra and Tygro were at a worksite with Kera they dropped what they were doing and sped towards the lair.  Tyger, Pumyra, and Bengali were working in the forge, saw and felt the summons and raced towards Cat's Lair as quickly as they could. Snarfer was in the Valley of Snarfs visiting family.  Wilykit and Brod left Snarf Oswald with Keena and Tark, they reasoned if there was bad enough trouble to use the Sword of Omens to summon everyone, then maybe the Thundercats could use their help as well.  After forty minutes of travel Brod, Wilykit, and Snarfer arrived at Cat's Lair, Panthro was waiting outside, filled them in on the situation and  then filed into the control room where Lion-O was speaking to Officer Mandora.
      "There's no sign of her anywhere, Lion-O. We are trying to use a tracker to make the transponder on her electra charger turn on and give a signal, but we can't find the frequency." Tyldic interrupted, "I just hope she left it on her bike. She did," Tyger chimed in. "Ardua told me about the transponder on her bike, she said that she left it on in case it was stolen, or something.  Well then," Said Mandora. "that's something. Tyldic, keep working on a signal."  Lion-O sighed and stretched then turned to face the others. "Thundercats some of us are going to have to go to the gray penal planet, some will have to stay here to guard the lair and serve as support for the mission." Lion-O looked at his friends. "Tygra, Panthro, Tyger, Kera, Pumyra, you will all go with me to the penal planet, put on your uniforms, get your weapons, and then gather whatever supplies we will need for the mission. Wilykit? Yes, Lion-O? Would you please go along for the mission as well? Of course.  Cheetara? Yes, Lion-O? Establish contact with Cat's Lair Third Earth, and the new Tower of Omens tell them everything that has happened, and to be on alert we may need them before this is all over.  You, Cheetara, and the others will monitor our progress to the penal planet, is everyone agreed?"  Lion-O looked at everyone, there was no sign of disagreement.  "Very well," Said Lion-O "we leave in two hours." All of the Thundercats joined hands, Wilykit stood aside.  The others looked at her and Cheetara took Wilykit's hand and joined it with everyone else's. "HO!"
      As everyone parted to execute Lion-O's commands, Wilykit looked at Cheetara. "I don't have a uniform. Don't worry 'Kit I saved everything for you. C'mon."  Wilykit followed Cheetara to the upper levels of the storage room. Wilykit watched with sadness as Cheetara limped, she knew she was in pain. "'Tara you can tell me where the box is, i'm sure I can find it. Oh, no you can't! Tygra went through another re-arranging fit a few years ago the only people that can find anything around here is me and him. I swear, 'Kit that man can complicate the simplest thing. I know his system better sometimes than he does,"  Cheetara looked at Wilykit. "I have to admit that scares me." The two old friends giggled. "I told Tygra to leave this box alone, or else. Does "or else" work on him?" Wilykit smiled devilishly. "Sometimes yes, sometimes no, I think it all depends upon what he thinks he can get away with in a given day. Yes," Said Wilykit. "men are a lot like children aren't they?" Cheetara looked at Wilykit with a knowing smile and nodded. "Ah, here we are, 'Kit." Cheetara pointed.
      Wilykit pulled a box down labeled with her name and opened it up.  On the top was a uniform that brought back a flood of memories as she picked it up.  Her first Thundercat uniform, the one given to her by Jaga.  "What happened to the little girl that fit into that? She grew up." Cheetara answered with a grin.  Wilykit put the tunic down and the corresponding odd colored boots. "Cheetara? Yes, Kitten?. Do you think I could take this? For Keena. Of course you may, it does belong to you." Wilykit placed the small uniform down on the floor beside her and then took up the uniform that she wore as a young adult to the time she left Cat's Lair.
      Wilykit stripped off her clothing and put on the royal blue and white shirt, then the corresponding shorts. "I remember the fit that Snarf had when I began wearing this," Wilykit eyed Cheetara. "as best as I can recall you and Pumyra thought it was a little too revealing as well. Well, Wilykit," Said Cheetara. "it was a bare midriff outfit, and you had matured a great deal at the age of sixteen, but by today's standards, that uniform is a granny gown." Cheetara sighed. "It frightened me, some of the things Kera would drag home to wear when she was sixteen." Wilykit pulled on calf length white boots that covered her feet, and then pulled on white leather gauntlets. Wilykit laughed at Cheetara. "Laugh while you may, Wilykit some day sooner than you think you will be arguing with Keena and Tark about their choices in attire, friends, and activities. Enjoy them young while you can. I know," Said Wilykit. "i'm just glad that I have gotten to see them, and they have me to look after them."
      Wilykit's eyes fell and she silently took a white belt and attached a pouch to it. Wilykit then slipped ten throwing knives into their corresponding holes in her belt, as a finishing touch Wilykit reached into the box and gathered her last weapons, a pair of sai and stood. Cheetara watched as Wilykit twirled the sai in her hands, leapt into the air executing a high kick, and landed on her feet in a crouch. Cheetara applauded as Wilykit sheathed the sai in holsters at her back. "You still have it 'Kit!" Wilykit stood in front of a mirror she had taken the protective blanket off of. "This suit is a little tighter than I remember." Cheetara smiled. "Cubs, will do that." Wilykit eyed her backside and said wistfully. "So will candy fruit pie." The two women laughed grateful for the levity.  Wilykit gathered the small lavender and blue uniform and boots in her arms and the two women walked down the steps of the storage area, and out into the hallway, back to the control room.  Cheetara then left to help Tygra prepare.
      "Pumyra, you will be careful, won't you? I'll try," Pumyra put packets of herbs and bandages into a bag on the bed. "quit being a worry wart." Pumyra smiled and put her hand on Bengali's face and he said,  "I just hope Ardua is alright." Pumyra sat down on her's and Bengali's bed." I hope so too, for everyone's sake.  The Gods knows what Panthro will do if something...bad has happened to her.  And Tyger..." Bengali interrupted. "Pumyra we shouldn't assume the worst.  You're right stripes." Pumyra and Bengali held and kissed each other, then there was a knock at the door. "Come in."   Tyger walked into the bedroom wearing Bengali's old uniform. Pumyra looked at Tyger. "You look so dashing, son." Bengali chimed in. "Perfect fit son." Bengali walked over to Tyger and handed him the Hammer of Thundera. "I can't take this, father. It's yours from now on, son. I have a feeling that you will need it." Tyger held the hammer in his hand and looked at his father. Long ago, when Tyger was old enough, Bengali had taught him all of the Hammer's secrets. Tyger spun the hammer in his hand as his father had so many times before and with one fluid movement, holstered the hammer.  Pumyra kissed Bengali and said, "I'm going to the control room, Tyger, meet you there."  Tyger and Bengali watched her leave. "I know you are worried about Ardua, son, we all are, but she's the daughter of Panthro, that's one girl that can take care of herself." Tyger smiled as Bengali put his hand on his shoulder. "Keep your mind on the mission, son, and the others, everything will be alright."  Tyger looked at his father and walked out of the bedroom and towards the control room.
      Kera dressed in preparation for the journey. Kera couldn't quite shake the feeling of dread that she had. Kera didn't know how, but she knew Ardua was okay for the moment. As Kera began looking for her supply bag to put some charges into, when she spied a pink feather boa she had worn as part of a Hollows Day costume, a holiday transplanted to New Thundera from Third Earth. Kera got an idea that would give her a little diversion from the worry that had gripped her, and her parents.
      "Cheetara I can understand the ray pistol and the extra uniform, sort of," Said Tygra with a half smile. "but why underwear? You never know, Tygra. 'Tara if get in a situation that will require clean underwear, I doubt that I will be concerned if I have it or not." Tygra wrapped his arms around Cheetara from behind and kissed her neck. "Cheetara, you are becoming a very beautiful version of Snarf, you know that? Someone has to look after you!" Tygra and Cheetara embraced for a moment. "Tygra, should I lend Kera the power staff? It will be either your power staff, or more explosives than you can shake a stick at, i'd prefer you lend her the staff."  Cheetara opened a drawer in their bureau and pulled out the armored cuff that held the golden colored power staff she fought with so long ago.  "I'm just afraid she'll get carried away. You know how Kera can get when overwrought. Now, now, 'Tara, Kera is more responsible than we give her credit for. Most of the time." Tygra thoughtfully added.
       Outside there was a knock at the door then a muffled voice, "Mom, Dad? Open up the door, It's me, Kera, your favorite daughter. I'm ready to go!" Tygra opened the door and Kera walked in wearing a uniform that resembled Tygra's but with a feather boa draped on her shoulder. "Oh, Kera," Cheetara giggled. "you're a Thundercat, show some taste! This is very in on Varion." Kera strutted around and tossed the boa over her other shoulder. Cheetara could barely keep a straight face, she knew if she laughed it would only egg Kera on. Tygra chimed in. "Then the Varionites must be colorblind." Kera looked at Cheetara then Tygra. "Et tu, Tygra?" Kera crossed her arms feigning anger, then smiled and handed the boa to Cheetara.  Cheetara handed Kera the cuff. "Now be careful," Cheetara admonished. "this thing is more powerful than you think. I will." Cheetara kissed Kera and Kera left for the control room. Cheetara drew Tygra to her again. "Be careful, tiger. As a cat." Tygra winked, saluted, turned and left.
      Panthro put on his old uniform with the spiked armor, he then began to swing his nun-chucks around his body and across his back. He swore to himself that if anything happened to Ardua the person, or parties responsible were going to pay a heavy toll. One way, or another.
      Lion-O exited the Control room and walked down the corridors of Cat's Lair carrying the Sword of Omens.  Lion-O stood before the sword chamber room and pressed a secret rounded stone that made the doors open.  Lion-O stepped in and the doors automatically closed.  Lion-O looked around the room, he saw the Treasure of Thundera resting on elaborate velvet covered stands.
       Before him was the Book of Omens, and the stand which usually held the Sword of Omens, beneath it the claw shield.  Lion-O took the claw shield and slipped the sword into the hidden scabbard inside, then attached it to his leg, a high pitched trilling noise corresponded. Lion-O exited the room and walked towards the hangar wondering if this mission was going to end in relief or tragedy. Lion-O sincerely hoped the latter did not occur.
      All the Thundercats who were to go on the mission left the control room and went to the hangar, and mounted the Feliner. As the Feliner blasted off everyone on the ground waved.