Thundercats Fanfiction Project (Ch 2, Episode 1)

In this episode, the Hall of Omens becomes a battlefield. Commands are spoken, and destinies are sealed…

Claudus’ Command

Book 1 – Exile and Vigil – Chapter 2, Episode 1

The Hall of Omens shook—not from visions, but from the bombardment of Mutant warships outside. Stone trembled. Lamps shattered. Dust drifted from the carved obsidian ceiling as another blast struck the palace. Thunderan ears across the chamber flattened in instinctive alarm, swiveling toward the source of each impact before the sound fully reached them.

Claudus, blind yet unyielding, steadied himself, his ears angling sharply as he mapped the tremors through the floor. He did not speak of covenants or judgment. He did not know what to believe. He only knew that the relics had to be carried to safety, and that his family must be found.

Guards burst into the chamber, crossbows raised, their sensory fur bristling along their forearms. “The Mutants are coming!” they shouted as bolts flew into the smoke‑filled corridors, their ears pinned back in battle instinct.

Claudus turned toward Jagara. ““Guard the Book of Omens. Take it to the royal ship — the Treasure of Thundera is already secured aboard.” And take WilyKat and WilyKit with you—it is time they board.”

Jagara nodded sharply, her ears snapping into a forward‑facing angle of command. She gathered the twins with a sweep of her arm. “You two—come.” WilyKit and WilyKat pressed close to her instinctively, their pupils wide with fear as they fled into the smoke—“the Treasure already secured aboard the flagship, while WilyKat carried the Book of Omens.”

Claudus then reached for Jaga. “I have a more dangerous mission for you. Bring the Sword of Omens and the Claw Shield. Help me find Leona and Lion‑O. We must get them to safety.”

Jaga moved to obey—but the doors exploded inward.

Mutants stormed the Hall of Omens, wielding axes, flame‑launchers, and grenades that burst in blinding flashes. Guards fell. Priests cried out. The blast tore Claudus from Jaga’s side, throwing the elder jaguar to the floor. His ears rang violently, flattening against his skull as instinct seized him. For a moment he saw nothing but white fire.

As his sight returned, Jaga staggered up, instinctively gripping his sword. His ears angled forward in a warrior’s focus, sensory fur lifting along his arms as he oriented himself through sound and vibration. The Claw — belted at his hip, the Sword of Omens resting in its forearm sheath — gleamed faintly as he steadied himself. He fought toward Claudus, blade flashing through smoke and screams, but the Mutants pressed in too thickly, driving him back.

Claudus’ voice rose above the chaos—raw, desperate.

“Jaga!”

Axes struck him.

“Save Leona…”

Another blow.

“Save Lion‑O…”

His final cry tore through the chamber as Mutant weapons fell. The blind king collapsed upon the obsidian floor, his crown shattered, its gems scattered across the stone. His ears fell slack in the stillness of death as blood pooled beneath him, dark and spreading.

Jaga froze—grief burning like fire in his chest. His ears lowered in a slow, involuntary angle of mourning. He wished he had reached the king. He wished he had been as certain as Claudus, who had entrusted him with his household and the sword.

But duty surged through the grief.

He meant to fulfill the king’s command. He was determined to find Leona and Lion‑O.

More Thunderan guards rushed into the Hall, clashing with the Mutants. Their cries rang out:

“The king has fallen!” “King Claudus is dead!”

The words struck Jaga like a blow.

With the guards holding the line, he turned away, his ears swiveling to track every footfall behind him as instinct warred with duty. He fled into the smoke‑choked corridors.

In his heart, he whispered a swift prayer to the Great Spirit—that he might yet save the queen and the heir. But he wondered if the Spirit still listened, or if silence also followed His judgment.

***

“So fell Claudus, the blind king of Thundera, who at the end of his days beheld its ruin. Yet even in death his voice endured, commissioning Jaga to save the heir of the fallen kingdom.”

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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.