Punky Brewster/ThunderCats: Punks of Thunder

CHAPTER NINE, PART ONE

Today was a great day for Punky and her friends. Having been newly cleansed and now wearing their new clothes, especially Brandon - who was already enjoying his new shirt - they were ready to become more familiar with Third Earth. With the ThunderCats' help they would. Lion-O and his crew called on the Berbils once again for fixing up Cat's Lair and reminded them that they would help Team Punky know their way around the planet. The Berbils agreed and would keep at the repairs, while Lion-O, Panthro, and Team Punky took the ThunderTank to the Mines of the Molemen, which were located in a series of holes. Panthro fired a claw grapple from the tank's grapple gun into one of the holes, and he and everyone else slid down into the mines. Punky and her compatriots looked across the tunnel before them.

"So are there really lotsa mines down here?" Allen asked the two ThunderCats.

Cherie added, "And what do these Molemen look like?"

As if to answer Cherie's question, five Molemen dug themselves up from the ground and took notice of the ThunderCats and Team Punky. They were aware of Panthro and Lion-O of the ThunderCats, but they had never seen Team Punky before. They came up to the kids and Brandon and smelled them, just to get a better sense of who they were seeing. To their surprise, they smelled great. They gathered around and chatted among themselves about the newcomers. Team Punky was rightfully confused by these creatures (Brandon giving a notable "Hmmm?"), whose uniforms were black-hooded, short-sleeved shirts, grey pants held on by tan ropes, and tan boots. Their hoods left only their eyes, their pointy, whiskered noses, and their mouths.

"Looks like you got your wish, Cherie," whispered Punky.

"I sure hope they don't do anything bad to us," Margaux said cautiously. Fortunately for her, they did no such thing. When they got done whispering, they turned around and went about the caves and tunnels, seemingly going about their business and saying "Gotta dig" or "Gotta burrow," as if they'd never heard of Team Punky at all.

Allen stroked his chin and said, "I wonder what they're so worried about?"

Lion-O explained, "The Molemen aren't very trustworthy of outsiders. They prefer to keep to themselves. Their vocabulary is limited, but they're protective of their home."

"I suppose that makes sense," Punky conceded.

"Once, Tygra found these mines by accident," included Panthro. "He was fighting a giant worm that caused small earthquakes across the planet, and it pulled him down here. The other ThunderCats and I discovered the mines right after he did." He intentionally left out the part where Tygra'd been seduced by Silky, actually Mumm-Ra, and had been ordered to steal the Sword of Omens in an effort to spare the ThunderCat architect any embarrassment. Tygra had no interest in reliving that horrid memory - especially not to Punky's crew. None of the ThunderCats were aware the giant worm was also Mumm-Ra in disguise.

"A giant worm?" Cherie said disbelievingly.

"That's right, Cherie," Lion-O said with a nod. "It was an actual giant worm, and it left a trail of glowing slime as well."

"Wherever that beast is now," concluded Panthro, "it won't cause any more trouble."

"Getting back on track, we've got to explore every inch of these mines so you kids will be aware," said Lion-O to Team Punky.

"You're right, Lion-O," agreed Margaux. "We should get started. Right, guys?" She said the last bit to the rest of Team Punky, who nodded.

The tour underneath Moleman territory began, as Lion-O made sure everyone remained together. As long as there was light above the surface, they would be just fine.

At Cat's Lair, the other ThunderCats assisted the Berbils in getting the fortress back up and running. It was still vulnerable as long as it was still in repairs, and neither side took any chance of it possibly being demolished for good. Even with its claws now red, there was still much to do. Yesterday Tygra, Panthro, Ro-Ber-Bill, and Ro-Ber-Belle discussed what to do with the lair's ion cannon piece that now resided in Tygra's laboratory till further notice. There were many possibilities, and it was agreed eventually that the cannon would be repurposed as a highly-maneuverable scooter. First things first - get the lair up and running. Tygra, Snarf, Ro-Ber-Belle, and three Berbils were on both the lair's shoulders refurbishing its single spikes, while Cheetara, the ThunderKittens, Ro-Ber-Bill, and a few more Berbils had out a door of a metallic-brown color that they found from an abandoned fortress one day while they were searching for Thundrillium; they were revamping it to be exactly like the old door, albeit it would open differently once they installed it.

"We did a good thing for Punky's group," Cheetara began. "They're already getting a kick outta their new outfits."

"I'll say," WilyKit agreed. "I feel like we're making them proud of themselves."

"But what happens if they run into any more danger?" interjected WilyKat.

"We'll all have to train them then," offered Cheetara. "Panthro's had an idea for them ever since they fended off Slithe and his boys."

"An idea?" the twins wondered together.

"Of course. He sees potential within them that they've yet to tap into. Whatever it is, they've got to fully release it on the battlefield."

"Do you believe that's wise, Cheetara?" put in Ro-Ber-Bill. "Would Punky and her friends really want to be warriors?"

"In my eyes, Ro-Ber-Bill," Cheetara replied with a resigned expression, "they're already warriors."

"I'd be interested in hearing Panthro's idea for Punky's crew," Kat said eagerly.

"As would I," agreed Kit.

"Panthro's idea involves both the ThunderCats and Punky's friends. He'll explain it to us all when the time's right," said Cheetara. "Lion-O, Snarf, and Tygra are already on board with it."

"Sounds good to us!" the twins said cheerfully.

"Very well then, Cheetara," Ro-Ber-Bill said. "I trust the ThunderCats and Punky's crew will work something out."

"I sure hope so," agreed Cheetara, thinking about what her sixth sense showed her. She felt bad for withholding that piece of information from Team Punky, but if she revealed it to them, it would wreck the relationship between Team Punky and the ThunderCats. She absolutely refused to put both groups through that.

Glomer was up and about in his home, flexing his entire body to make sure he and his magic remained in sync. He was ready for more training. He just had to wait on the Great Glomley Elder's signal to begin.

Attention, Glomer, commanded the Elder's voice, bringing Glomer to attention. The Elder's image appeared before the younger Glomley in an instant.

"Present and accounting for, Great Glomley Elder," Glomer boldly said, his face full of determination.

Good, the Elder said, smiling and nodding. He held out his left paw, and a small telescopic beam launched from it and enlarged, showing Glomer his next locations for his training. The first image showed a forest with a crimson glow to it. The Elder instructed, You go to Firetree Forest and suck all heat out of it to add to your power. It having magical properties itself.

Glomer's gaze was fixated on the Firetree Forest. He observed it like a hawk, for if what the Elder said was true, then the forest's heat would indeed add to Glomer's already-awesome power. He smirked at the thought. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea. "I do just that, Elder," he said self-assuringly.

Very, very good, my pupil, agreed the Elder, nodding. Next, his telescopic beam showcased an image of a rocky mountain pass. The Elder continued for Glomer, This is Pass of Rockmen. It seemingly pleasant, but it dangerous when others venture into it. Rockmen are highly territorial bunch. Use your power to destroy them, Glomer, and you not go far wrong.

"Where are Rockmen now?" inquired Glomer.

They in hiding, answered the Elder. Once you venture into their home, they strike immediately. That be your cue to strike back at them.

Glomer nodded, understanding why the Pass of the Rockmen was a dangerous place. It was all the more reason for him to get stronger.

The Elder's telescopic beam's next image showcased a section of jagged peaks that resonated with swirling, multi-colored energy that was so great, that even those who disbelieved would be instantly blown away by the peaks after seeing them in action.

"What those, Elder?" asked Glomer.

These are Korath Mountains, explained the Elder. It used to be paradise for locals until warfare broke out, causing locals' downfall and mountains to be what they are now. When you go there, become one with their energy. Let it move you as you move it. The Elder's face turned smug as he added sinisterly, And once you get that done, destroy mountains with everything you got.

Glomer formed a mischievous expression and grin on his face and rubbed his paws, impressed so far with what the Elder was showing him.

The final vision of the day that the Elder showcased was a type of horned monster comprised of tiny insects, one the ThunderCats had faced before. It was resting somewhere between the Kingdom of Webs and the Midnight Woods.

This, Glomer, is Miggit Swarm Monster, informed the Elder. It comprised of insect tribe known as Miggits. Exact location of monster is near River of Despair, but it does move around whole lot. Your mission to antagonize him into attacking you, and to annihilate him. Simply put, crush him like bug he really is.

Looking at the creature in the Elder's vision, Glomer knew that squashing the Miggit Swarm Monster would not be so easy. It was almost impossible to destroy, even for a Third Earther or a ThunderCat. It didn't matter to Glomer, of course, for he lowered his eyes a little bit and smiled. He still had to be prepared for his upcoming war with Lion-O and the ThunderCats to ensure that both Third Earth and Chaundoon remain safe from destruction. After thinking it over a little, Glomer nodded, saying, "Of course, Elder. I do what you say."

The image of the Miggit Swarm Monster faded to white, and the Great Glomley Elder dissolved his telescopic beam and put his arm down. That all I show you for today, he concluded. Time will come, young Glomer, when you will be facing Lion-O and ThunderCats. No taking them lightly.

"Understood," said Glomer firmly, nodding.

The Elder raised his cane up, and it glowed a faint magenta. He gripped it with both paws and opened a tear that revealed the outside of Third Earth. Go now, young one! he exclaimed to Glomer with pride, pointing his cane at the younger Glomley. Show everyone what you made of!

Glomer floated upwards and straight into the tear. The Elder turned and watched this display with pure glee. The tear disappeared following Glomer's departure. The Elder's eyes glowed red. He laughed not in his own voice suddenly, but in Mumm-Ra's. His ghostly image faded to the familiar transparent image of Mumm-Ra himself, his eyes glowing. The four giant Glomley statues' eyes also glowed red, indicating that Mumm-Ra had control over Glomer's domain. Nothing would stop the demon priest from reclaiming what was rightfully his.

"Wow. That is one freaky place," Allen said fretfully.

"You can say that again, Allen," agreed Punky.

The ThunderTank had arrived at Castle Plun-Darr, and though Lion-O and Panthro were used to it as much as the other ThunderCats were, it gave Team Punky the creeps. Even Brandon seemed frightened of the place, whimpering at the mere sight of it. The design of the castle was the shape of a red-eyed, olive-green bat creature.

Lion-O stood up and pointed at the Mutants' stronghold, looking at Team Punky and addressing them, "This is Castle Plun-Darr. Slithe and his band of Mutants live there. We ThunderCats have invaded it several times to battle them. They built it with the help of a group of Third Earthers called Brutemen."

Margaux raised an eyebrow and questioned, "Brutemen?"

"What are those?" Cherie equally questioned.

Lion-O put down his right arm and immediately turned to the kids, and he explained, "They're a rather peaceful but closed-off race of beings. My friends and I have seen them for ourselves. Tygra told me that WilyKit described them as being made from leftover parts." That earned him a "yuck" from Allen, Cherie, and Margaux, a "Grosseroo" from Punky, and a shudder/soft growl from Brandon. Lion-O merely chuckled, assuring, "Don't worry, guys. The Brutemen aren't anything at all like Kit described them."

"He's right," added Panthro, turning to face Punky's crew as well. "The Brutemen may be strong, but they never get involved with others."

Lion-O half-turned to face Plun-Darr again and mentioned, "This place is where the Mutants plot to eliminate the ThunderCats in any way possible and claim Third Earth for themselves. Sometimes an invention by Vultureman would give them the edge over us, but it would backfire on him." He added with a grim expression, "In the end, though, the Mutants will never stop until they've vanquished the last survivors of Thundera."

The Eye of Thundera woke up and growled before closing, echoing Lion-O's feelings. Punky and her comrades took notice, having been briefed on the eye's sentience during the tour of the Cat's Lair.

"What is it, Lion-O?" asked Punky, looking up to the young lord. "Are we in danger?"

"No, Punky. Not right now," he responded. He looked at his scabbarded weapon briefly and said, "The Sword of Omens and I are just in agreement about the Mutants." Looking once more at Plun-Darr, he added with a smile, "They're probably still sulking over their latest defeat."

"We won't be seeing the Mutants for awhile thanks to you kids, and especially Brandon and Glomer," praised Panthro.

"Well, it was a team effort, after all," Margaux chuckled, rubbing her nose gently. "We couldn't let you ThunderCats have all the fun now, could we?"

"No, you couldn't," agreed Lion-O, once more facing Team Punky with a peaceful expression. "My people and I are in your debt. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Lion-O," said Cherie.

"So, are thanks neccessary to a ThunderCat?" asked Allen.

"No, Allen," Panthro replied. "A ThunderCat doesn't do anything for thanks - it's all a part o' the service."

"I think that makes you guys even more amazing to be around," Punky praised, Brandon barking in agreement. Lion-O and Panthro smiled at Punky's compliment.

Cherie gestured with her left thumb and said quickly, "We should beat it before the Mutants catch wind of us."

"Yes, you're right, Cherie," Lion-O agreed, and he sat back down. He turned to Panthro and said, "Let her rip, Panthro."

"You got it, Lion-O," said the panther happily as he activated the ThunderTank and drove it away from Plun-Darr.

The Unicorn Forest was peaceful for the time being. Every unicorn (male, female, and child) was minding their business. Nothing appeared to disturb them. The Unicorn Keepers, whom Lion-O first encountered for directions to save Snarf and a baby unicorn from the Berserkers, kept guard over the herd and every other animal. They treated them all like family, always making sure no evil force would threaten them. As long as the keepers existed, no unicorn or other animal that lived in the forest would come under attack. As magicians, the elderly husband-wife duo taught themselves to feel whatever was happening with every living being on Third Earth, and what was happening with the planet in general. The expression on their faces as they held their crescent-tipped staffs like professionals indicated that something sinister was headed its way.

"It is coming, my love," said the female keeper gravely. "It is something that will change everyone's lives forever."

"You are quite right," replied the male keeper. "We may have no choice but to face it head on."

The female took on a wistful smile. "The ThunderCats have done so much for the innocent people of Third Earth, including us." Then she frowned and looked to her husband. "Alas, I fear that this new menace could topple even them."

The husband looked back to his beloved and declared, "If it comes to that, then perhaps it is time we both step up to the plate, give everything we have got." He took his hand in hers, and the loving, respectful looks they gave each other were all the reassurance they needed.

"Yes," the female said. "We shall."

Suddenly, a male unicorn with a goatee galloped and stopped in front of the couple. He whinnied, his face troubled by something.

"What is it?" the male keeper asked the unicorn.

"Did something happen?" wondered the female keeper, believing that a member of the unicorn family was in danger.

The unicorn had something else on his mind other than his own kin. He motioned the keepers to follow him.

"Very well then," said the male keeper resolvingly. "We will go with you."

The three nobles were on their way to see what troubled the unicorn. When they got to the River of Despair, the unicorn pointed his left hoof at the charred piece of ground that the now-vanquished Tongue-a-Saurus made his stand in. The keepers looked at that same ground. Their senses told them a battle had taken place here in the river, and someone didn't survive it. The keepers closed their eyes and smelled a reptilian scent. For further analysis, they placed the crescent tips of their staves onto the charred ground, and they glowed to confirm of a creature that was part of the battle here. It was clear to the keepers that the creature had met its untimely end. They now realized who that creature was after smelling its scent.

The keepers looked to each other, and the male confirmed, "It appears that the Tongue-a-Saurus is no more."

"Tis not like the ThunderCats to take that creature's life so swiftly," the baffled female said. "Their code will not allow killing."

"Indeed, my love. There is something wrong here. We should inform the Warrior Maidens about this. They may provide us some answers."

"Then we must do so. If something like this were to happen once more, nobody would be safe."

The keepers motioned for the unicorn to return to the Unicorn Forest, and when he galloped back there, the keepers closed their eyes and held up their staves, concentrating on where they wanted to go. They and their staves glowed entirely white, and they teleported to their destination.

Glomer was now at the Firetree Forest per the Great Glomley Elder's instructions. He surveyed its reddish-glowing hue carefully, and his senses told him that the whole forest did have a magical influence over it. Long ago it used to be just like any other forest on Third Earth - normal trees with lush, green leaves. However, by the time the planet evolved from Second Earth, the forest became cursed with dark magic from a battle between Mumm-Ra and Zaxx, a four-armed humanoid bird, over who would dominate the whole world. And it seemed like the Firetree Forest would forever be lit. Until now. It was Glomer's destiny to drain the forest of all its magic, and here he was, standing in front of it.

Glomer stretched out his arms and closed his eyes, then clasped his paws together. The paws glowed a pulsating purple light that hummed with pure darkness. Once the light developed fully, Glomer opened his eyes and held out his paws, whose light turned dark and opened two black holes. Instantly the heat from the forest was being sucked in through a curve-like motion. The forest now was a dull grey. Glomer closed his paws, and their purple light faded. He closed his eyes, was surrounded by a minimum, reflective red glow - possibly from the effects of the Firetree Forest - and levitated into the sky. After he stopped, he growled, forming his arms into an "x" and folding his legs. And then, he opened his eyes, which glowed red once more, and roared, turning himself into a beacon as he shined his powerful crimson energy across the Third Earth. The light show would most definitely attract attention from anybody. Just as suddenly as it appeared, it stopped.

Glomer relaxed somewhat. His eyes and body continued glowing red, his eyes generating sparks. He had done it! The power of the Firetree Forest was now his! And now that both his magic and the forest's magic had merged, he suddenly grew two times as big. His body now seemed less round, but he was still muscular. He smiled the most cruel smile he could manage.

"Must keep training," he muttered. "Must get stronger so Glomer can face ThunderCats in battle." And then his eyes and body stopped glowing. He turned around and went forth, straight into the Rockmen's territory.

ThunderCat and Berbil alike back at Cat's Lair had taken notice of the brief light show that occurred all over the planet. Whatever it was about, it served to increase Cheetara's worries over what she saw in her vision. She gritted her teeth and softly clenched her fists.

"Snarf snarf. What do you suppose that flash meant?" Snarf began.

"It sure didn't seem pleasant," said Tygra coldly, narrowing his eyes.

"Maybe some type of alien life form made its way to this world," guessed WilyKit.

"I'm not so sure it was an alien life form, Kit," chimed in WilyKat. "That flash had to have come from the Firetree Forest."

"The Firetree Forest?" Snarf repeated quickly, standing up on his tail. "Reowr. That's unexplored territory. Its heat can really leave you dehydrated if you stay there for too long."

"Come to think of it," deduced Tygra, looking over his people and the Berbils, "the energy we saw looked like the Firetree Forest's magic. But why would such power implode like that?"

"I'm not sure, Tygra," replied Ro-Ber-Belle. "Perhaps it's best never to go over there."

"It could be a sign that the forest's magic is increasing," Ro-Ber-Bill added, "making it even harder for others to pass through it."

"I think you're both right," Kat agreed. "Hopefully Lion-O and the others won't go near there whenever they come back from their trip."

"Besides, he knows to call for help when his back's against the wall," said Kit.

Tygra and the other ThunderCats turned to Cheetara to get her opinion on the brief energy burst, but they noticed that she was staring at the floor with a pained face. This worried them. "Are you alright, Cheetara?" he asked.

"I...I..." she struggled to say before passing out. Tygra caught her in time.

"Cheetara!" exclaimed Snarf and the ThunderKittens.

The Berbil team took notice of Cheetara's distress also, and muttered their worries over the unconscious ThunderCat. The stress over her vision of the future apparently was too much for her to bear.

Tygra lifted Cheetara up in his arms, assuring everyone around him, "I'll take her into her quarters to keep her company." He gazed at his comatose friend sadly, her conversation about her vision resurfacing in his mind. He took her inside the lair as everyone else looked on with worry.

Snarf got back on all fours and muttered, "Poor Cheetara. I've never seen her so worried about her vision."

"Y-you don't suppose it'll come true, do you?" asked Kit.

"Of course not," Kat stated nonchalantly. "The ThunderCats won't let it happen. There's nothing we can't overcome."

"Let's hope you're right, Kat. For our sakes, for Punky and friends' sake, and for Third Earth's sake."

The twins, Snarf, and the Berbils looked ahead, praying that Lion-O, Panthro, and Punky's crew would make it back safely.

In the midst of their Third Earth tour, Lion-O, Panthro, and Punky's crew had also seen the strange crimson light that flashed shortly. They were on their way to the jungle in the ThunderTank when the light show caused them to stop. They were pretty much stumped by that display of power.

"I don't suppose some kind of disco party is happening here?" joked Margaux flatly.

Lion-O and Panthro turned to the blonde girl, confused by what she meant. "Disco?" they both asked.

"It's a form of music people dance to back in our time," Margaux clarified.

"Um, right," Panthro said half-heartedly.

Getting back to business, Lion-O said, "Whatever that energy was, it came from the direction of the Firetree Forest."

"Firetree Forest?" repeated Punky.

"It's a place generated by heat. If you stay there any longer, you dehydrate."

"Then what if the energy we saw came from that forest?" questioned Allen. "Its heat probably must've intensified or something."

"It sorta would make sense," Cherie said to Allen.

Brandon barked in protest over learning about the Firetree Forest. He already didn't feel like going near it.

"I doubt it," Panthro interjected. "That energy could not have come from the forest. It appears that somebody may be using black magic just to show off."

"You don't suppose that Mumm-Ra person has anything to do with it, do you?" asked Punky of the two ThunderCats.

"Even if it were him, Punky," Lion-O answered, "I doubt he'd do something like this."

"In any case," finished Panthro for Lion-O, "We'd better not waste time. We've got a field trip to finish."

Lion-O and Team Punky nodded in agreement. No sense in panicking over a brief light burst. Panthro ignited the tank once again, and everyone was off to their next destination.

The Unicorn Keepers arrived at the Treetop Kingdom, though judging by their expressions, it was possible they'd seen the brief energy flash in the sky, and they could sense that it would alert all other Third Earthers. They dismounted their unicorns and went to two Warrior Maidens who were guarding the wood-made, hatch-shaped elevator that was attached to rope and led to Willa's hut - a sea-green-eyed woman with short black hair wearing yellow rags, and a hazel-eyed woman with red hair in two ponytails wearing dark-blue rags. They both carried spears. The keepers went up to the maidens and gave slight bows in their presence.

"We wish to speak with your queen," said the female keeper frankly.

"It is an urgent matter," the male keeper said.

The two Warrior Maidens looked to each other and nodded, then looked back to the Unicorn Keepers. The black-haired woman replied in an American-sounding voice, "Of course."

The red-haired woman gestured to the elevator in an Australian-like voice, "Please, step inside."

The keepers obliged the maidens and all four of them entered the elevator; through the use of some technology, the ladder took them upward, straight to Willa's hut. The four passengers got out and came face to face with Willa, who was sitting in her throne. The two maidens stood in front of the door while the keepers came up to Willa and bowed to her gracefully.

"Welcome, Unicorn Keepers," Willa greeted. "What brings you to the Treetop Kingdom this day?"

"We feel a battle has taken place in the River of Despair," said the male keeper first. "One of our unicorns discovered the charred remains of what used to be the Tongue-a-Saurus."

"That vile creature?" Willa questioned. "We Warrior Maidens have heard about him, but we've never ventured into the River of Despair."

"The creature is no more, I am afraid, Queen Willa," the female Unicorn Keeper stated frankly, nodding. "My beloved and I believe that his demise was not the work of the ThunderCats, but some unknown force."

"Was it Mumm-Ra or the Mutants?" inquired Willa.

The male Unicorn Keeper replied, "Neither. Whoever obliterated the Tongue-a-Saurus has a power that could destroy all life on this world."

All of a sudden, Willa's worries over the one called Glomer had increased. Could a creature as small as he truly have the power to destroy Third Earth? Her early conversation with Tessa and Nayda about the young Glomley came to mind. Whatever his friends had thought of him, he was still a magical being. Perhaps she was overthinking his potential need for destruction, but she needed more information before she could make a choice about him.

"Thank you both for bringing this to my attention," she said to the Unicorn Keepers. "Is there anything else you have to report?"

"There is," replied the female keeper. "There was a brief light show that eclipsed the skies. Have you seen it, too?"

"As a matter of fact, my people and I have," stated Willa. "We'd been caught off guard by the sudden energy burst. Where do you suppose it came from?"

"The Firetree Forest," both keepers said at the same time.

"Nobody has ever ventured there in years," said Willa warily. "Perhaps this 'unknown force' you speak is biding his time before he can reign destruction once again."

"If he dares to show himself..." trailed off the male keeper.

"Then you two will be the first to know," Willa said, nodding.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your time," said the female keeper with a smile, her husband smiling also.

Glomer at last made it to the Pass of the Rockmen. He'd already floated to the ground, choosing to conserve his powers for the moment. He look upwards at both sides of seemingly ordinary hills. He remembered the Great Glomley Elder's warning about coming near this pass. Once a passerby entered it, they weren't safe. Glomer smiled and decided to have some fun. He clasped his paws together and formed a glowing green sphere. He looked to the sky and launched the sphere near both hills as if he were playing basketball. The sphere exploded with a crack, which was just enough for the rocks on the hills to suddenly move about. They lifted upwards to reveal the Rockmen themselves carrying them. Glomer floated upwards to face them in person. He gave the them a raspberry, as if daring him to knock him out. This insult angered the two Rockmen closest to Glomer, and they unleashed their rocks on the buffed-up Glomley, who just smiled evilly at what would happen to him. The rocks appeared to have hit their mark, and they crashed into the ground. The same two Rockmen looked on. For a moment, it seemed Glomer had met his match. They couldn't be more wrong.

The rock below them cracked, emitting red energy. It broke in a flash, revealing Glomer himself glowing with the Firetree Forest's power, multiplying his own. He looked upward to all the Rockmen, floated up to them, and gave off a very wicked smirk. "That all you got?" he challenged in a low voice.

The Rockmen were shocked and disgusted by Glomer's power display. Usually an intruder would be crippled or worse by them, but for a being like Glomer to survive being flattened by them was unheard of. But they could not chance him becoming a potential threat to the Third Earth. He floated back down, not taking his eyes off of the Rockmen in an instant. The rest of the Rockmen threw their rocks down to Glomer, intent on taking him out for good. Glomer anticipated this and, with his eyes glowing red, spun around like a tornado, shredding the Rockmen's rocks like paper. Fragments of the rocks shot upwards rapidly, forcing all the Rockmen to shield themselves. What happened next would surely fascinate Glomer to no end. The Rockmen jumped downward to face him in person. They were about to beat him to a pulp! But this didn't phase old Glomer. Not even a little bit.

One Rockman advanced on Glomer, and he raised his right fist in front of the smaller creature in an effort to punch him. But Glomer blocked the punch with his left paw, seemingly unaffected by the force of the Rockman's fist. The Rockman proceeded to punch Glomer with his right fist, only for the Glomley to block it with his right paw. He held onto both the Rockman's fists effortlessly. The Rockman looked into Glomer's eyes, which were of unyielding malice and joy. The Rockman's own eyes widened in terror. Glomer shoved the bigger creature back with strength unmatched, causing the Rockman to knock down his own kind. Glomer waited for them to get back up and give him what was coming to him. They got up, all right, and they were furious...which was just what Glomer wanted. They were playing right into his trap.

One by one, the Rockmen formed a line and magically turned themselves into boulders. They bowled themselves at Glomer, still adamant on eliminating him. But Glomer remained unfazed. He leaped over the Rockmen like a natural gymnast, even doing a barrel roll while he was at it. He landed neatly back on the ground, and now he and the boulder-disguised Rockmen were in each other's positions. It was still one being against an entire army, but although the Rockmen were one with the earth, Glomer was on a totally different level. Once again they attempted to bowl over him. This time, though, he jumped onto them and quite literally ran on them before returning to the ground to face them. Were they in for a rude awakening.

The Rockmen changed back to humanoid form and turned to face Glomer, but before they could do anything else, Glomer lifted his arms into the sky and, by simply forming his paws into his fists, created a storm cloud that centered around the Rockmen themselves. They looked at the cloud and could tell right away it meant trouble. The cloud rumbled with thunder and lightning, and rained down on Glomer's stony opponents very,very hard. They were seemingly paralyzed by this type of sorcery from Glomer, flinching to the point of getting down on their knees. Glomer snickered at their despair. He looked to the storm cloud again, and he lifted his arms up and down, commanding the lightning to strike the Rockmen. The stony beings suddenly jerked up and screamed in horror as Glomer's magic was taking its toll on them. Glomer made the cloud vanish, the sky returned to normal, and the Rockmen stopped screaming. They were frozen stiff and soaking wet, their mouths still open.

Glomer next fired lasers from his eyes that dried up the Rockmen, then stopped. The Rockmen remained frozen, but in a twist, their red eyes faded to black, and their bodies began breaking under the pressure. One by one, they turned into dust. Glomer smiled darkly at defeating them. He floated to get a better view of their remains, and telepathically formed them into a circle. He pictured the symbol that his soon-to-be enemies, the ThunderCats, wore on their clothes. He kept that image inside his head as he shot a gold laser beam from the main finger of his left paw to recreate that symbol. By the time he was done, he used both paws to shoot spotlight-style green beams onto the symbol and weld it tightly into the ground. He succeeded. He got a good look at his masterpiece, and needless to say, the symbol was interestingly spot on. Glomer smiled, impressed that he managed to get it right. Now if any good non-ThunderCat people came to the Pass of the Rockmen, they would look on the ground at the very thing that became a beacon of hope for their world...and be shocked beyond belief over what became of the Rockmen.

Glomer's body glowed red once more. He clamped up his fists, looked to the sky, and roared, his voice echoing across the valley. His body grew two more times, his roundness dissolving further while his muscles remained intact. His body then stopped glowing, and he relaxed. He was evolving. Soon he would be fully prepared to face the ThunderCats and take them out for good. So he flew to his next destination: the Korath Mountains.

Mumm-Ra watched Glomer through his cauldron in his tomb chamber. He was smirking, pleased with the young Glomley's progress so far. Only two more tasks to go.

Prepare yourselves, ThunderCats, he thought darkly as he smiled fully, showing off his jagged teeth. Your so-called "friend," Glomer, will obliterate all of you, especially you, Lord Lion-O. You will all join your precious Jaga in the astral plane. Hahahahahaha. His eyes glowed to emphasize with his thoughts.