<RD Rivero> Aw, what an event.  Even the name is promising.  Greetings, torture fans.  I'm RD Rivero.

<Fianna> And I'm Fianna.  I must admit that the event sounds intriguing, but I don't think I'm as taken with it as RD is.

<RD> Perhaps not, but I'm going to have fun.

<Fianna> Hey RD?  Before we get started, perhaps you'd like to explain why your shoulder is all bandaged up.

<RD> What bandage?

<Fianna> I heard something happened after the archery tournament and the twins had some lucky shots.

<RD> I don't know what you're talking about.

<Fianna> Right.  Sorry I brought it up.  Anyway, we should probably explain the rules for this event. This is a rather obscure game and many of our viewers are probably wondering what Snarf Ball is. Care to do the honors, RD?

<RD> Heh heh heh...does that mean I can make up a few extra rules?

<Fianna> Never mind, I'll take care of this.  Basically, we can equate this event to...well...okay, it doesn't really have any equivelant in our world.  I'll try and explain the rules.  The ball is about the size of a volleyball.  The playing field is a large square box.  All six teams will be on the field at the same time.  Players may leave the box and so may the ball.  The purpose of the game is to keep the ball in your team's possession for at least two minutes.  After two minutes, play stops and your team is awarded a point.  Play then resumes.  Possession of the ball is defined as more or less controlled handling with minimal contact from other teams.  You may go after the ball any way you choose.  Tackling, killing, kicking, biting, punching...they're all perfectly legal, though killing is discouraged.

<RD> What?  That wasn't in the official rule book.

<Fianna> It was just added.

<RD> Okay, Thundera Tiger, where are you?  You're just out to ruin my day, aren't you?!

<Fianna> RD, could you tell us about the teams?

<RD> Yeah, sure.  First of all, we have the Thundercats who are clear favorites in this match.  And thanks to Lady Bast, they have a full team.  For a while, it looked like they would be missing Lion-O, Panthro, and Tygra.

<Fianna> You, of course, had nothing to do with the fact that those three Thundercats were missing.

<RD> Of course not.  Then there's the mutants.  They're playing a man short because Jackalman is still falling down the 4-Day Drop after the Tree Vaulting competition.  But Slithe more than makes up for the dog's absence, so they're still a force.  The Lunatacs are always a force and they're at full strength.

<Fianna> But the Lunatacs do lack physical strength.  With the exception of Amok, none of them are really athletes.

<RD> True.  Continuing down the lineup, Mumm-Ra's team will be interesting to watch.  The Enflamor can't touch the ball, or we'll have to find a new one.  And there are a limited number of balls that survived Thundera's destruction.  The Driller wil have to watch his drills, too.  The Third Earthers will be interesting.  I can't see them as much of a threat. Same with the humans.

<Fianna> Officiating this game will be Mumm-Rana and Mongor.  And here come the teams.

<RD> Oh, and weapons aren't allowed either.   A pity.  It would have been interesting.  But this promises to be fun and exciting, nonetheless.  And there's the whistle!

<Fianna> Mongor throws the ball up in the air and Cheetara makes a grab for it, but TugMug beats her to the ball.  Quick pass to Alluro who tosses it back to Amok who promptly sits on it.

<RD> All the other teams are ganging up to try and move Amok.  Good luck there.  That thing probably has the weight of several fully-loaded semi's.

<Fianna> There's the minute signal.  If Amok can keep sitting there like that, then the Lunatacs have...what was that?

<RD> Amok just leaped off that ball!  Wait a minute, we're getting a replay.

<Fianna> Aww...clever. Vultureman produces a feather and starts tickling the Lunatac.  But play has stopped because the ball is flat.

<RD> Frisbee anyone?

<Fianna> Our snarfs on the sidelines have found another ball.  And play is on again.  Mumm-Rana awards the ball to the mutants because they were the ones to get Amok to move.

<RD> The ball is thrown to the Demolisher.  He backs up and tosses it to Rataro.  Rataro retreats before the combined onslaught of Snow Meow, Panthro, Lion-O, TugMug, Mandora, and Mumm-Ra.  He's about to throw...and there's the Enflamor!

<Fianna> Swooping in from behind, the Enflamor toasts Rataro's back and the rat hurls the ball in a fit of anger.  Captain Shiner's got it now.

<RD> No, Ma-Mutt has the ball now!  And he's making a run for it.  There he goes between Panthro's legs, around Turmagar, plowing through Robear Bob and Belle, over Willa...oh, he was so close.  Stupid Snow Meow.

<Fianna> He wasn't close at all!  He still had 90 seconds left.  Now Snow Meow is getting behind Snow Man who's joined by Turmagar and the two are fending off everyone.

<RD> Fianna, do you mind if I stand behind you for a second?

<Fianna> What?

<RD> Just for a minute?

<Fianna> Uh, sure.  Go ahead.  And look at that!  Tygra crouches down and Cheetara vaults off his shoulders and gets behind Turmagar and Snow Man.  She's fighting Snow Meow for the ball!  And that's it for that ball.  It's flat, too.

<RD> But we only had two balls for this event. Now what?

<Fianna> Looks like they're discussing it.  Mongor is pointing at something, but Mumm-Rana looks skeptical.  The teams are gathering around and the Thundercats do not look happy about whatever is being discussed.  Lion-O is getting rather adamant about whatever they're aruging about.  And...wait a minute.  The Thundercats are missing two team members.  Where are Kit and Kat?

<RD> See ya!

<Fianna> What?  Where are you--

<RD> Never mind, duck!

<Fianna> WHOA!!!  Where did those arrows come from?

<RD> Two guesses.

<Fianna> Well, tell the Thundercats to come get their Thunderkittens!

<RD> You tell the Thundercats.  I'm not crawling out from under this desk until I have to.

<Fianna> Neither am I!  They'll think I'm you.

<RD> Then who's going to leave?

<Fianna> Uh, well, we can still see the event from down here.  Let's just keep announcing and when we get the interview set up, we'll ask Black Eagle to tell the Thundercats for us.

<RD> Okay, sounds good to me.  Back to the events.  Oh, this just got interesting!  They're using Snarfer as the ball.

<Fianna> So that's what they were arguing about.  You're right.  This is going to be interesting.  The ball now moves, too.

<RD> And look at him go!  He's left the box and everyone is taking off after him.

<Fianna> Can't beat Cheetara.  She just scooped him up and she's racing back to the field.

<RD> There's a handoff to Panthro.  He ducks and rolls under Safari Joe, then throws Snarfer across the field to Lion-O.  Ha!  Lion-O missed!  I can't believe he just dropped Snarfer!

<Fianna> Poor snarf looks dazed.  And the ASOE are making a dive for him now but...Tygra gets to him first and dives out of the way.  There's the minute signal!  The Thundercats need to hang on to him for 60 more seconds!

<RD> Tygra is cornered by Chilla and RedEye.  Ooo, killer frost.  Very nice.  But Tygra managed to throw Snarfer back to Cheetara.  She's racing around again and...nice trip by Slithe.  Good use of the tail.  Snarfer goes bouncing across the field.

<Fianna> And this time, Lion-O has him.  Wait, Lion-O's stopped.  What's he doing?

<RD> Safari Joe has the Sword of Omens!  He must have gotten it back from Captain Cracker.  He's using it as a bargaining peace.  Snarfer for the Sword.

<Fianna> Not much of a decision.  The Sword is far more useful than Snarfer.

<RD> Yes, but there's the Code of Thundera to--I guess the Code isn't much of an issue.

<Fianna> Cheetara just rammed Safari Joe, Panthro grabbed the Sword, and Tygra tossed the hunter on to...oh my.

<RD> Is this a great match or what!  Safari Joe has just been impaled on Grune's tooth.

<Fianna> Grune does not look too happy about that.  And Tygra looks like he's feeling pretty guilty.

<RD> But Joe's still alive.  Maybe they can save him.  And there's the bell signaling the end of two minutes.  The Thundercats have scored the first point!

<Fianna> And the last.  We've run out of time in the match.  They're going to award medals according to time of possession.  That gives the Thundercats first place, the Lunatacs second place, and Mumm-Ra and team third.

<RD> So do we have a connection to Black Eagle yet?  I'm getting clausterphobic.

<Fianna> Oh, right.  Black Eagle?  You there?

<Black Eagle> Right here.  Where are you two?  I can't see you in the announcer booth.

<Fianna> We're under the desk. Could you ask the Thundercats to remove the Thunderkittens from the vicinity?

<Eagle> Ah...I see.  Heh heh.  Still upset with RD, right?

<Fianna> Something like that.

<Eagle> No problem.  In fact, I'm standing next to Lion-O and Snarfer.  So Lion-O...what was going through your head when Safari Joe held out the Sword of Omens?

<Lion-O> Well, I knew we had a chance to win if I held on to Snarfer.  But the Sword of Omens is the key to our power.  I had to get it back.  Fortunately, the other Thundercats are a great team and managed to overcome all odds.  You see, we Thundercats stick together.  We're a big family.  We look out for each other and--

<Eagle> Thank you, Lion-O.  Now, what were you thinking when they started using Snarfer here as a ball.

<Lion-O> I was concerned for his safety, naturally.  And I knew we had to protect him.

<Eagle> Snarfer?  Any comments?

<Snarfer> schnaarrfer...

<Eagle> I see. Oh, and Lion-O?  Fianna and RD are under fire from the Thunderkittens.  Could you do something about that?

<Lion-O> Sure thing.

<Eagle> Great.  Anything else you'd like to say?

<Lion-O> Thundercats HO!

<Eagle> Spoken like a true Lord of the Thundercats.  Back to you, Fianna.

<Fianna> Thanks, Black Eagle.  Now, I guess we just wait for Lion-O to find the kittens.  What are you doing over there, RD?

<RD> My latest story.  A tale of how two arrows turned against their masters and impaled them while a large ax materialized and started--

<Fianna> Sorry I asked.  And with that, we'll send you into the Berbil village for Laser Tag.  Hope you enjoy that event!  We'll join you when it's safe to move.