Thundercats Fanfiction Project (Ch 3, Episode 1)

The royal flagship breaks through Thundera’s burning skies. Grief overwhelms the young, duty steadies the knights, and the first breath of space brings no peace—only the beginning of exile.

Beyond Burning Skies

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

The royal ship clawed its way upward through the burning skies of Thundera. Below, the palace smoldered in ruin. Above, the convoy scattered enemy fighters with bursts of cannon fire. Mutant vessels fell in flames—wings torn, hulls collapsing into the atmosphere—but Thunderan ships fell as well, fuselages breaking apart, debris streaking across the heavens.

Explosions rattled the royal vessel. Energy shields flared in blinding strobes as they absorbed beams meant to cut through steel. Bullets struck like hail, breaking through weakened shields and hammering the hull.

The Pilot’s Cradle beneath Cheetara tightened further—its Semi‑Flexible Spine Support locking into segmented flexion, its Hip‑Anchoring Base rising into full Kinetic Posture. The helm’s sensitivity increased, translating every shift of her body into motion. Tactical screens curved inward, forming a focused arc of threat vectors and flight paths.

The Respirator Crest deployed along her jawline, sealing with a soft hiss.

The CPI awakened fully.

Its holographic eye—shaped deliberately like the Eye of Thundera—expanded into a hovering sphere, glowing orange.

“Pilot stress elevated. Atmospheric turbulence severe. Recommend evasive ascent.”

Cheetara’s breath trembled behind the mask. Her golden hair clung to her face, damp with sweat. Her grief still lived in her chest, but the battle forced it aside. Duty steadied her hands.

THE CHILDREN BREAK

In the passenger seats behind the bridge, the children trembled. Their sorrow for their parents lingered, but terror pressed harder.

Lion‑O cried out as the ship jolted, his voice breaking with fear.

WilyKat and WilyKit clutched at each other’s arms—older hands gripping tight, knuckles white—as the vessel shook violently. They tried to steady themselves, but the fear was too much.

The Crew Respirator System activated.

From overhead compartments, flexible respirator tubes descended—each tipped with a mask shaped to fit Thunderan faces. The CPI’s holographic eye duplicated itself, appearing close to each child, glowing softly.

“Place your face here,” it instructed.

The children obeyed instinctively—but panicked the moment the masks sealed.

WilyKit gasped sharply, voice cracking. “It’s too tight—I can’t— I can’t breathe!”

WilyKat pulled at the mask with trembling hands, not flailing but fighting panic with desperate, focused movements. “Get it off! Something’s wrong!”

Lion‑O sobbed uncontrollably, breath ragged and shallow.

Across the bridge, everyone wore respirators—Jaga, Panthro, Tygra, Snarf, and Cheetara—each mask carrying comms so their voices could be heard through the chaos.

Snarf’s tail twitched wildly as he listened to the comms. He shouted over the static, trying to reassure the children—and himself:

“We’ll be safe! We’ll survive this!”

But the ship lurched violently, and Snarf yelped, gripping the console.

THE PANIC‑ASSIST SIGIL

The CPI issued a warning:

“Passenger distress critical. Recommend activation of Calming Seal System.”

The sigils on the children’s seats began to glow softly.

Tygra twisted in his seat, hearing their screams through the respirator microphones.

“Press the button with the light!” he shouted.

The children screamed instead.

“Press it!” Tygra roared. “The glowing one! Press it now!”

WilyKit sobbed, voice shaking. “I don’t know which one!”

WilyKat shouted, “Make it stop—just make it stop!”

The CPI dimmed the other buttons, brightening the correct sigils.

Lion‑O, shaking uncontrollably, pressed his first.

His seat reclined.

The respirator deepened his breathing.

A soft neuro‑calming vapor filled the mask.

The CPI’s voice softened, speaking only to him:

“Breathe slowly. You are safe. You are protected.”

His sobs eased into trembling breaths.

WilyKit pressed hers next, tears streaming but breath beginning to steady.

WilyKat followed, gasping as the panic eased, shoulders slumping as the neuro‑calming vapor took hold.

Snarf slapped his sigil by accident, yelped, and then sighed as a lighter dose steadied him—just enough to keep him functional at the communications station.

The children were still crying—but now they could breathe.

The CPI spoke gently to each of them, blocking external noise and guiding them into slow, controlled breaths.

THE ASCENT TO SPACE

Outside, the battle intensified.

A Thunderan vessel erupted above them, scattering debris across their ascent path.

Another spiraled downward in flames, leaving a burning trail.

Thunderan fighters darted between beams, shielding the flagship as best they could.

Panthro’s cannons thundered in reply, striking enemy ships.

Tygra adjusted the inertial dampeners, reducing the G‑strain on the crew as the ship accelerated.

Snarf relayed transmissions to Jaga—ships reporting damage, others crying out for backup.

Cheetara’s voice cracked behind the respirator:

“We’re almost through the upper atmosphere.”

The ship shook violently as it pierced the thinning air.

The sky darkened.

The stars emerged.

The fires of Thundera burned below.

Then—

silence.

The ship broke free into space.

The battle continued, but the roar of atmosphere was gone.

Only alarms, comms, and the children’s soft sobs remained.

JAGARA’S MESSAGE

Snarf’s console flickered. A transmission broke through the static—Jagara’s voice, strained but alive.

“I have fled undetected. I am bound for a distant region of the galaxy. There lies a habitable planet where we can take refuge. I will await you there.”

Jaga closed his eyes. The Spirit revealed the truth to him.

Third Earth.

A world of exile.

A world of criminals and fugitives.

A world where he had banished Grune the Traitor.

Now it would be their crucible.

“Have mercy,” he prayed softly, “and grant us your covenant again.”

He straightened in his seat, voice steady with resolve.

“I am setting a new course. The Spirit has preserved Jagara’s path—and determined ours. There our loyalty and worth will be tested.”

Tygra checked the coordinates, his voice tightening.

“This planet is too far. It will take us over a year to arrive.”

“We should have enough Thundrillium,” Jaga replied.

Tygra scanned the reserves. “Fortunately, the tanks are full.”

“Not fortune,” Jaga said. “Preparation. Our scientists knew Thundera was dying. They built these ships for long journeys. But none foresaw this assault.”

Panthro growled, “Cursed Mutant fiends. I hope we also have enough ammunition to destroy every last one.”

Jaga commanded Snarf to relay the coordinates to the convoy.

Tygra added, “What about food and water? And the other ships—the nobles’ vessels and the fighter squadrons?”

Jaga’s reply was grim.

“The royal ship and the nobles’ vessels were equipped to the maximum. We will help others as best we can—but first we must survive.”

***

“Thus the royal ship fled through fire, carrying heirs and relics into exile. The battle did not cease, yet the Spirit preserved them to test their loyalty and worthiness. Bound by grief and pressed by fear, they held fast for duty and for life. To exile they went, not knowing whether they would ever return.”

Continue the Saga

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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.