Thundercats Fanfiction Project (Ch 1, Episode 3)

In this episode, the palace becomes a battlefield. The knights fight through fire and smoke, seeking passage to the ships…

Fighting Through the Palace

Book 1 – Exile and Vigil – Chapter 1, Episode 3

The Council scattered. The palace groaned under the bombardment of Mutant ships hovering above—obliterating defenses, preventing reinforcements from reaching the palace, and repelling Thunderan counterattacks. Still, Thunderan fighter craft protected the hangar, the royal flagship, and the nobles’ vessels—the convoy that awaited the royal family, the ThunderCats, and the relics.

Tygra, Cheetara, and Panthro hurried from the council chamber, guiding nobles toward their ships while pressing toward the royal vessel. Their garments—green with bronze trim, silver‑white with pale gold trim, and deep crimson with black accents—were singed by falling debris, their mystic weapons gleaming in their hands.

But the corridors were no longer safe.

Mutant troops had breached the palace.

Reptilians advanced with axes, poison‑tipped spears, and grenades that burst with gas and blinding light.

Monkians charged with brute force, wielding maces, clubs, and crude rifles that spat choking rounds.

Divided into packs of five or six, they spread through the palace like an infection. The Thunderans—who fought with steel and sorcery, halberds and enchanted blades, wards and spells—now faced enemies who blended brute strength with crude technology and overwhelming numbers.

Panthro roared and charged. His nunchucks—crafted from hardened black wood reinforced with steel—whirled in arcs of deadly precision. He shattered weapons, broke spears, and struck with martial fury, his strength unmatched. A Monkian lunged with a flaming spear, but Panthro disarmed him with a crushing blow, sparks scattering across the marble floor. His arms bore bruises, his skin scorched, his robe torn by grasping claws.

Tygra vanished into shadow, his whip snapping with precision. He struck from invisibility, entangling weapons and dragging foes into walls. His illusions confused the invaders—some hurled grenades at phantoms, others stumbled into their own comrades. His whip cracked like thunder, cutting through the chaos. His robes ripped at the seams, his body marked with cuts and bruises, his striped hair singed by fire.

Cheetara was speed incarnate. Her staff spun in blinding circles, deflecting arrows and bullets. She darted between blasts of fire and sonic grenades, striking with agility and grace. At eighty miles per hour, she was untouchable—her reflexes faster than the Mutants’ crude weapons could track. She struck Monkians down, vaulted over nets, and cleared the path ahead. Her hair was scorched at the edges, her garments torn, and her dainty slippers lost in the chaos.

Together, the three knights fought through collapsing corridors. The palace shook, its walls scorched, its banners torn. Smoke filled the air, mingling with the scent of burning velvet and stone.

At last, they reached the hangar.

The royal convoy’s ships hummed—sleek vessels of gold and white, flanked by nobles’ ships of varied design. Thunderan fighters soared above, intercepting blasts and shielding the convoy from direct strikes. Energy shields flickered under bombardment. The vessels waited for the king, the knights, and the nobles—but time was running short.

Panthro slammed open the final gate.

Tygra scanned the perimeter, whip ready.

Cheetara signaled the others. “We’re clear—for now.”

The nobles dispersed, each to their own vessels.

But the battle was far from over.

The relics were still inside.

The king and his family had not yet arrived.

The convoy would have to wait—though impatiently.

***

“Thus the palace became a battlefield, and the knights bore the burden of passage. Yet the siege pressed on, and the halls of Thundera groaned beneath fire and steel.”

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Disclaimer

This work is a piece of fan fiction inspired by the ThunderCats franchise. All characters, settings, and original concepts from ThunderCats are the property of their respective rights holders. I do not own the rights to ThunderCats, nor do I claim any affiliation with its owners. This story is a transformative retelling created for creative expression and audience engagement, not as a commercial product.

AI Collaboration Statement

In creating this work, I made use of Microsoft Copilot, a tool that helped inscribe my vision into narrative form. I remain the visionary and architect of this saga, shaping its mythic framework, themes, and direction. Copilot served as the writer, giving voice to my design. I then revised and refined its drafts, making further changes to ensure the saga reflects my vision in full. This stands as a creative collaboration in honor of the original ThunderCats universe.