"Drat. Drat, drat, drat," Snarf muttered, pacing back and forth across the Control Room floor. He paused in his pacing and leaped back up into the main consul’s chair, peering at the main screen again. There was still no sign of him. Snarf leaped down again and resumed his pacing, muttering under his whiskers.

"What’s wrong, Snarf?"

Snarf turned to gaze anxiously at the speaker. "It’s Lion-O, Tygra," he said worriedly. "He should’ve been back an hour ago!"

"I wouldn’t fret, Snarf. I’m sure he’s fine," Tygra said calmly.

"Yeah," came Panthro’s voice from just outside the hallway. Then the dark Cat entered the control room, carrying a large piece of some sort of equipment on his broad shoulder. "If anything bad had happened, we’d have seen the signal," Panthro finished.

"Well...but he hasn’t responded any of the times I’ve tried to contact him," Snarf said plaintively.

Tygra smiled tolerantly. "Perhaps he accidentally turned off his communicator."

Snarf scowled. "Maybe..." Then he gave the two ThunderCats a curious look. "What are you doing?"

"Those blasted Mutants have found our espionage devices and wrecked them. We’ve got to go put up new ones. Better hidden ones," Panthro replied.

Snarf’s tail and ears drooped at the news and he moaned very softly. He knew how important it was to monitor the Mutants comings and goings. He also knew that Panthro and Tygra were fine fighters. But the installation would take a while, and required concentration. "Prrr, why don’t you take the kittens? They can keep a lookout on their spaceboards," he suggested.

"That’s probably a good idea, Snarf," Tygra said thoughtfully. He glanced at Panthro, who nodded agreement.

"I’ll go put this in the ‘tank; you go find the kittens."

"Right."

Snarf watched morosely as the ThunderCats left the Control room again. Everything would probably go just fine, but he couldn’t help worrying. Then, too, with all the Cats except him and Cheetara away from the Lair...well...he’d have to be very alert. Snarf hopped back into the chair and settled himself to keep an eye on things. He watched the ‘tank, carrying Panthro and Tygra, drive away; he watched Wilykit and Wilykat zoom off on their spaceboards. A quick push of a button showed that Cheetara was still in her garden, watering a recently planted herb. Snarf smiled briefly as he recognized it; a spice he often used to season one of his tastiest stews. Then a frown crossed his fuzzy face again as he scowled down at the silent communicator.
 
 

******************

"There!" Panthro murmured in satisfaction. "I’d like to see those wretches find this one."

"Well hidden, indeed," Tygra complimented him. They were both being as silent as possible, for they were dangerously close to the Mutants’ ugly Castle. But despite Snarf’s worries, nothing even remotely unusual had happened. The twins were still dutifully patrolling the area, but they had gone from hyper-alert and excited to semi-bored.

"Let’s head back," Panthro suggested. "We can bring it up by remote. Don’t want to hang around here too long, even if it is quiet."

Tygra nodded. Being this close to Castle Plundarr stirred some unpleasant memories, and the surroundings themselves were most disagreeable. They both stood and moved quietly through the underbrush.

It had been decided that the safest thing to do was leave the Thundertank well outside of scanning range; Panthro had grumbled a bit at having to carry the equipment so far, but had had to admit that it was much safer that way. Now the kittens spotted their friends moving away from the Castle and swooped down to join them at the ‘tank.

"Anything?" Tygra asked them.

"Nope, nothing," Kit said cheerfully.

"Good. Let’s get home," Panthro directed. The twins grinned and rose back up to treetop level.

"Race you back," Kat offered his sister.

"You’re on! GO!"

"KIT-!!"

****************
 
 

The ThunderCats had been gone for over an hour and a half now, and Snarf’s nerves were starting to fray. Cheetara had long since come inside and gone off to do something else, apparently unconcerned at the long absences.

"Something’s wrong," the furry creature moaned for the fiftieth time. "I just know it!" But what could he do? It wouldn’t be safe to just leave the Lair; not after the last two Mutant attacks. Not on the Lair; the last time the Mutants had attacked the Lair, they’d been thoroughly defeated. But Slithe was getting his revenge by having his lackeys attack the helpless villagers instead. Fortunately, the warning systems installed in the villages had alerted the ThunderCats, who had arrived to help their friends. There had been few injuries, but much land and several buildings had been destroyed. Snarf knew his duty was clear; stay at the Lair and be ready for trouble. But how could he ignore the prickling of his fears?

The grumbling roar of the Thundertank interrupted Snarf’s worried thoughts. He turned quickly towards the screen, suddenly hopeful. He saw the ‘tank, with the kittens soaring along above it, and felt relief for a moment. Everyone seemed to be all right. But then Snarf’s spirits sank again, for Lion-O was not among the returning ThunderCats. Not that Snarf should’ve expected his charge to be there, but he hadn’t been able to help hoping.

"Ah," Cheetara’s low voice came from behind Snarf, startling him. He hadn’t heard her enter. "They’re back, and successfully, it seems."

"Yes," Snarf answered hesitantly. "Er, Cheetara, now that they’re back, you don’t really need me here..."

Cheetara looked a little amused. "And you want to see if you can find Lion-O, don’t you?"

"I’m worried..."

The she-cat smiled. "Well, I’m sure Lion-O’s fine, Snarf, but if you really want to go look for him, I guess it’d be okay."

"I think I will," Snarf said gravely. "Tell the others, would you?"

"Sure, Snarf." Cheetara watched indulgently as the fuzzy snarf trotted out of the room. Snarf had always been a worrier, but most especially about the young leader whom he’d cared for since infancy. Cheetara wondered if Snarf would ever admit to himself that Lion-O had become an adult, with the strength and skills of a natural leader. True, there was that impetuous streak... but Lion-O was learning to control that. No, Cheetara decided as the other ThunderCats entered the room; Snarf probably wouldn’t ever stop thinking of the leader as a child.

"Where’s Snarf going, Cheetara?" Tygra asked.

"He’s still worrying about Lion-O," Cheetara explained, and smiled as the twins giggled.

"Snarf’s going to have a hard time finding him," Panthro remarked. "You know how Lion-O is when he gets to wandering."

Cheetara nodded, then asked, "How’d the installation go?"

"Smooth as we could’ve wished," Tygra replied. "Not a hint of trouble. Now all we need to do is bring it up, using the remote function, and we’re in business."

For some reason, the statement made Cheetara shiver.

Not a hint of trouble...
 
 

***********************
 
 

Snarf had no difficulty in picking up Lion-O’s trail. The leader walked lightly and left very little in the way of footprints, as did all the ThunderCats, but there was no disguising his scent.

The trail led Snarf towards the River of Despair for a while, then veered off. Snarf frowned to himself and continued to follow, wondering why Lion-O had chosen to head towards the Dismal Swamp.
 
 

***********************

"Help..!"

Lion-O stopped in his tracks and turned towards the faint sound.

"Help...please!"

It seemed to be coming from his left. Frowning, Lion-O left the path and hurried through the forest.

"Who’s calling? Where are you?" he shouted.

There was no reply.

"What’s wrong? Hello?" Lion-O slowed to a stop, only to hear the cry again. It seemed a bit closer. ‘Seems to be coming from near the Swamp,’ he thought to himself, and hurried on.

After a few minutes of pushing through the underbrush, the trees began to thin out. The ground became soft underfoot, then mucky; Lion-O skidded a few times as he ran, but it didn’t hinder him much. He could smell the foul odor of stagnant water and slimy mud.

"Hello? Who are you? Where are you?" he called out, panting a little.

"Lion-O! Help!"

"SNARF?!" Horrified, Lion-O charged towards the sound of his caretaker’s feeble voice.

"I’m over here, Lion-O. Here! Hurry!"

Lion-O stumbled to a halt in the sticky mud and stared. There on a small rise in the midst of the swamp lay Snarf, bound hand and foot. There was a cloth of some kind around his neck; it seemed that he’d been gagged, but had managed to work it off.

The question of why Snarf hadn’t chewed through his bonds never occurred to the young leader.

"Are you hurt?" Lion-O panted, trying not to breathe too much of the stench that surrounded him.

"I...I dunno," Snarf whimpered. "But I think one of my ribs is broken."

"I’ll be right there," Lion-O tried to soothe him.

It didn’t dawn on him to ask how Snarf had gotten there. It was obvious: the Mutants.

"Better take off the Sword," Snarf said weakly; "it’ll weigh you down in the mud."

"Good idea...I’ve got my knife." Lion-O quickly pulled off the Claw-shield and the Sword of Omens, then braced himself and stepped into the stinking muck. He was immediately up to his ankles in the stuff. By the third step, he was up to his knees.

"Hurry...it’s not far, now, Lion-O."

But the small isle seemed just as far from him as ever.

************************
 
 

Mumm-Ra watched the image in his cauldron, grinning as his enemy floundered toward the center of the Dismal Swamp. It wouldn’t be long now. The illusion of his nursemaid being in danger had forced the protective ThunderCat leader to take steps. Literally. Mumm-Ra chuckled to himself. Getting the ThunderCat to leave his Sword and Claw-shield behind on the firm ground had been a stroke of genius. Now, if he could only keep the wretched Cat from calling the Sword to him... Mumm-Ra intensified the illusion. To him, it was a shadowed, blurred image; to the ThunderCat, it was as real as the rotting trees and murky water. Only the Sword could break the illusion now.

Even as Mumm-Ra frowned at the thought of the Sword’s possible interference, the Eye of Thundera opened and growled warning. Mumm-Ra muttered an ancient curse, then quickly turned his thoughts to the illusory Snarf.

*************************

The Sword growled. Lion-O stopped, turning back to look at the now-open Eye.

"Oh, no...it must be the Mutants coming back!" Snarf wailed. "Lion-O, hurry!"

*************************

Mumm-Ra’s smile returned as the young ThunderCats leader turned back towards Snarf and began fighting his way towards the isle with renewed vigor.

"Your feeble-mindedness will be your undoing, fool," he hissed maliciously.

************************

Cheetara gasped, reeling back suddenly from the council table.

"What?"

"Cheetara, what’s wrong?"

"It...it’s Lion-O! He’s in great danger in the Dismal Swamp! We must get to him, quickly!"

"Let’s go!" Panthro shouted.

"Stay here," Tygra ordered the kittens as he turned and raced for the door.

Wilykit and Wilykat watched soberly as the adults departed. "I hope they get there in time," Kit murmured. She and her brother were both very fond of their fun-loving leader.

"Yeah..." Kat agreed, and bit nervously at his lip.

*********************

Lion-O was starting to tire. It was very difficult moving through all the muck, and he was already a little weary from his long jaunt earlier in the day. But he couldn’t stop. Snarf needed his help; they had to get back to the shore quickly. And so he struggled on towards the island that never got any closer, Snarf’s shrill pleas ringing in his ears.

Suddenly, a new sound made itself heard. It was the sound of an engine. Lion-O paused and turned again, and sighed in relief as the Thundertank pulled up behind him. The Cats were here; they’d help him get Snarf out. He smiled a little as they all leapt out of the ‘tank and raced towards him.

"Lion-O, don’t move! We’ll get you out!" Panthro called.

"Where’s the Sword, Lion-O?" Tygra had noticed the Claw missing from it’s usual place on the leader’s belt.

"Over there. I took it off, because it would’ve been too heavy," was the leader’s puzzling response.

"What are you doing?" Cheetara tried to keep her voice steady, but still heard the tremor. Lion-O gave her an impatient look.

"Snarf! He’s there, on the island! I’ve got to get to him before the Mutants show up again!"

The ThunderCats gazed at each other in puzzled dismay. Their leader was mired in sinking sand and needed to be rescued at once, yet he stood there speaking of an island and Snarf. There was no island; as far as the eye could see, there was only muck and rotting trees. Certainly Snarf was nowhere around.

"We have to get him out of there, fast," Panthro muttered. "He’s sinking."

"Yes, but how can we if he’s delusional?" Tygra answered softly. Then he raised his voice. "Lion-O, there is no island! Snarf is not there. Turn back and let us help you get out of there!"

Lion-O stared at his friends, shock and anger passing over his face. "Snarf needs me, and by the Eye, I’m not going to let him down!"

*************************
 
 

Snarf was almost to the Dismal Swamp when he heard the Thundertank in the distance. Then the engine stopped.

"Oooo, shnarf, they must’ve found him! Oh, I hope he’s okay..." Snarf redoubled his speed, though he was already panting from his hurried pace. The stink was growing worse to his sensitive nose, but he didn’t let that slow him.

The ground grew sodden under the snarf’s paws, and then muddy. He paused frequently to listen and at last heard voices nearby. The ThunderCats! He hoped...yes! That was Tygra’s voice, calling out. And then Lion-O’s voice, sharp and angry. He hurried up to where the Thundercats stood, and gazed out at the figure of his charge with horror. Lion-O was past his waist in the gooey muck.

"What’s happening?" Snarf cried out, terrified. "Get him out of there!"

"There’s something wrong, Snarf; he thinks you’re out there, trapped. He’s trying to save you," Tygra explained quickly.

"Oh, no...! Lion-O! LION-O! Come back!" Snarf screeched at the top of his lungs.

Sudden hope lit Cheetara’s face. "Yes! Snarf, keep yelling! If we can convince him that you’re here, and not out there, maybe we can get him back safely!"

Panthro turned to look at her, then at Snarf. "Yes..." He picked Snarf up and turned back towards Lion-O. Snarf ignored the uncomfortable position and shouted the leader’s name over and over. At last, Lion-O turned, face set in annoyance, but his expression changed when he saw Snarf.

"Snarf?" Lion-O’s voice was troubled. "What?...how?"

"I’m real, Lion-O, I’m here! Come back! Please, come back before you go under!" Snarf wailed. Indecision flickered over Lion-O’s face.

"I think it’s working," Cheetara whispered. Then her eyes fell on the Sword. With one quick move she seized it and held it up. "Lion-O, hear me! The Sword will tell you the truth! You know a ThunderCat cannot lie while touching the Sword. I tell you that Snarf is here, safe, with us. There is no island. You are deceived."

There was silence; Snarf stopped yelling, Lion-O said nothing, Panthro and Tygra held their breath. The Sword remained silent as well; no growl emerged from the Eye to warn the leader of a falsehood.

Lion-O hesitated a long moment, slowly sinking still deeper into the shifting mud.

"He’s... safe."

"Yes. Come back to shore," Cheetara urged.

Lion-O looked down at the muck and sudden fear came over his face. He looked up quickly and said in a strained voice, "I’m gonna need some help!"

"We’ll help you," Tygra assured him, as Panthro set Snarf back on the ground. Tygra hurled the ends of his bola to the young leader. Lion-O caught it and held on grimly as his three friends hauled mightily on the extended rope.

At first there seemed to be no progress, and Snarf paced fearfully along the edge of the mud.

"Rrrr, maybe the Thundertank could pull him out," he suggested after about five minutes of stalemate.

"Good thinking," Panthro agreed, and let go of the life-line. He hurried to the ‘tank, leaped in, and drove it to the very edge of the shore.

"Would extending the paws help?" Cheetara asked urgently. Lion-O had not sunk any deeper, but he hadn’t gained any ground, either.

"No, it’d just topple the ‘tank into the mud. Too much weight, no counterbalance," Panthro told her. He activated the jaws of the Thundertank, then helped Tygra and Cheetara wrap the bola-whip around the steel teeth.

Lion-O, still clinging to the other end of the rope, had not said a word, but his face was very pale.

"All right, let’s go," Panthro muttered as he got back into the Thundertank. A roar of the mighty engine, and the ‘tank began to move backward. Tygra and Cheetara watched anxiously, hoping the whip would hold. Slowly, Lion-O was dragged forward. The great treads of the machine skidded and slipped several times, and the whip grew taut as a wire.

But slowly, and then more rapidly, Lion-O was dragged from the sinking sand. Snarf, Cheetara and Tygra rushed to his side as he released the end of the whip and lay exhausted on the damp shore.

"Are you all right?" Cheetara asked gently, touching the young leader’s arm.

"I think so," Lion-O answered wearily. But as he began to push himself into a sitting position, Snarf caught sight of the wounds on Lion-O’s hands.

"Lion-O...you’re hurt!"

There were deep cuts on the leader’s palms and fingers, and blood was trickling out.

"The whip cut you up pretty badly," Cheetara remarked gently. "Let’s get to the tank and get those cleaned up."
 
 

*****************************

Mumm-Ra stood silently at the side of his bubbling cauldron, watching. His glowing red eyes narrowed into slits as he watched the ThunderCats help their leader to his feet and guide him to the war machine. He observed the careful cleaning and bandaging of Lion-O’s wounded hands. A flicker of sound reached him; Snarf was lecturing, and the words ‘I told you so’ seemed to be getting a great deal of use.

A wave of weakness caught the evil mage, and he stumbled, grasping the nearest pillar at the side of his cauldron. He had used much energy, and needed to rest. Slowly he drew himself upright and let go of the pillar, turning to trudge back to his sarcophagus. But as he went, he cast a baleful glare over his cowled shoulder at the scene in the pool.

"Someday," he whispered as he reached his resting place. "Someday, cat, I will have your head!"

The cover closed over the withered face as the light in Mumm-Ra’s eyes dimmed. Only the faint, dry whisper hung in the air.

"Someday..."