"No!  Absolutely not in a million years!"  Kara told Cougari.

"Aw, come on, Kara."  Cougari pleaded.  "Just one little spin?"

"Forget it!"

"Look, it's just a recon mission, nothing else."

"Cougari, how many times do I have to tell you?  That area is forbidden."

"But we need some knowledge on the territory!  Besides, it's been abandoned for years."

"I don't care; you're not going!"

"Who died and put you in charge?  Last time I checked, Lyna was leading us."

"Well, she's on patrol and until she gets back, we wait for her so we can settle this."

"Wait, wait, wait!"  Cougari cried.  "That's all we ever do around here! If there was less waiting and more action, we'd free New Thundera by now!"

"Or be destroyed."  Kara commented.  "You know the minute we attempt to get back home, there's a risk Gen-Ta will attack.  We're no good to anyone dead."

"What's wrong, Kara?  It's not like you to be afraid!"

Kara turned to face him, her eyes mixed with hurt and anger.  "What did you say?"  she growled.

"You heard me,"  Cougari snapped.  "or is your super-thick skull causing interference?"

"Why do I even bother trying to reason with you?!?"  she cried.  "You're never patient, you never listen to anyone, you act before you think and when you do think it's always about yourself!"  She turned back to the control console and continued her work.  "That was way harsh, Kara." Cougari said.  "Even for you."  With that, he stormed out of the control
center, almost ramming into Tygris in the middle of the corridor.  "Hey, Cougari."  he said.

"What--"  Cougari asked and looked at Tygris.  "Oh, hey."

"What in the name of Jaga was going on in there?"  Tygris asked.  "It sounded like a battle from the Thunderian war."

"Why don't you ask Kara what started it."  he replied as he left the corridor.  "Always thinking of myself, she says.  I'll show her."  Tygris looked on; Cougari wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with. He entered the control room in hopes of finding out what went wrong. "Kara?"  he asked.  "I couldn't help but notice the racket in here."

"Ask Cougari what happened, if he has time to talk."  she replied.

"I did, and now I'm asking you."

"That boy is beginning to try even my patience these days.  Who does he think he is calling me a coward?"

"Whoa, Kara, I'm sure he didn't mean it.  You know Cougari; his mouth acts before his brain does."

"So do his actions, and that can be dangerous."

"What were you two arguing about this time?"

"He wanted to use the ThunderCycle to perform a recon mission, I said no."

"Look, Kara, I know you don't trust him with the vehicles and everything, but you could've given him a chance."

"Yeah, right!  Not where he was planning to go!"

"Where was he going?"

"To Castle Plunn-Dar."
"
Castle Plunn-Dar?  But that's a restricted area!"

"That's what I told him!  But he insisted we needed knowledge on the territory."

"What did you say?"

"I told him to wait for Lyna to get back so we could make a decision, but he refused to wait and had the nerve to accuse me of being afraid to try going home."

"Kara, I know you're upset, but maybe it's best that you try and talk to him."

"I've been trying to talk with him ever since we got here, but he never listens."  Suddenly a realization struck her.  "He never listens.  You don't think--"

"He wouldn't!"

"Knowing Cougari he probably would!"  The two ThunderCats immediately rushed down to the cargo bay; the ThunderCycle was still there.  "OH, thank Jaga it's still there."  Tygris sighed.  "It looks like Cougari changed his mind about Plunn-Dar."

"I don't know, Tygris."  Kara said.  "What are the chances of Cougari changing his mind?"

"Slim to none, but there's always a chance, right?"  They then went back up to the control room.

Meanwhile, Cougari was racing at top speed.  ThunderCycle or not, he was exploring Plunn-Dar.  He went on until he could see a grotesque castle from the distance.  Its beast-like towers loomed over the valley.  "So, that's Castle Plunn-Dar."  he said to himself.  "Not too shabby for something that's over two and a half decades old."  He began to get closer to the castle.  He soon saw that the castle looked more modern than expected.  The structure had a stronger form than usual.  Cougari examined the metal on the tower.  "I know this alloy."  he said to himself.  "Either some mutant scientist discovered it before it became public or someone's living here."  He then looked around and saw a large moon-like structure on top of the main tower.  "That piece looks like something from Sky Tomb, the hideout of the Lunataks!"  He then looked on and smiled.  "Real cute,"  he laughed.  "The instructors must've fixed up the old place to make it look non-vacant and discourage trespassers. Clever, but not good enough."  Before he could get any closer, Cougari fell unconscious.

When he awoke, Cougari noticed he was inside a room with laser bars at the opening.  "This looks like the castle's dungeons."  he said as he examined his surroundings.  "But how did I get in here?"

"We'd be happy to provide you with an explanation."  said a gruff voice.

Cougari turned around to see Ursor and the Cyber-Mutants looking at him through the bars.  "Okay, so much for how I got here."  he said.  "Next question, what are you creeps doing here?"

"None of your business, you puny ThunderCat."  Mammoth answered.

"Rakuna, what are we doing here, anyway?"

"We live here, you dolt!"  Rakuna snapped.

"Oh."

"That's right,"  Pterra said.  "And this ThunderCat was trespassing."

"Of course, what better place for a mutant gang than Castle Plunn-Dar, home of the last warrior mutants to battle the ThunderCats?"  Cougari asked himself.  "Listen, I'm sorry for intruding, didn't mean to, I mean, how was I suppose to know someone was living here in this old place?"

"Don't cats ever get tired of being stupid?"  Rakuna mocked.

"Don't Cyber-Mutants ever get tired of being pathetic?"  Cougari mocked.

"At least I'm not trapped in a cage like a little rat."  Ursor said.

"Better a rat in a trap than a bear with a large ego and a larger gut full of hot air."  Cougari replied.

"Oooh."  The other Cyber-Mutants went.  No one has ever insulted Ursor like that, at least, no one alive.  Ursor started to go for Cougari in his usual rage.  "I'm going to make you eat those words!"  he shouted as Pterra pulled him back, barely.  "Ursor, calm down!"  she begged.  "We need this ThunderCat."

"She's right, Ursor."  Rakuna added.  "At least this one didn't wipe the floor with your face."  Ursor began to hesitate.  They could see he was calming down.  "The ThunderCat lives,"  he said as he began to head towards the roof.  "Now."

Pterra started to follow.  "You two guard him."  she said.  "I need to make sure our leader is focused."  Rakuna rolled his eyes as she left.

"I'll never get what she sees in him."  he said.

"See what?"  Mammoth asked.

"I rest my case."

On the roof, Pterra went to Ursor as he gazed at the scenery.  "Shall I prepare a ransom note for the ThunderCats, Ursor?"  she asked.

"Not necessary."  he replied.  "We destroy their leader first and then that little runt.  Afterwards, the rest will fall."

"How do you know if she'll come for him?"

"As I have learned about thunderians, my dear, is that the lord of the ThunderCats always knows when one of his own is in trouble.  Summon Rakuna, I want us to prepare for anymore uninvited guests."

"At once, Ursor."  she replied as she left.

Meanwhile, Lyna was patrolling on the Silver Wings when the sword began to glow.  She raised it to her eye.  "Sword of Omens,"  she said.  "Give me sight beyond sight."  Through the sword, she saw Cougari in the cell. "Oh, no."  she said.  "What has Cougari gotten himself into this time?" The sword then showed the exterior of the whereabouts.  "Castle Plunn-Dar?  What could he be doing there?  I better get to him, and fast."  She sped on the Silver Wings.

In the cell, Cougari began pacing about; being cooped up like this was practically torture for him.  "Man, why did I even try to get near this place?"  he thought to himself.  "I wouldn't be in this mess if Kara had just let me go off.  Why did I bother with Plunn-Dar?  Because Gen-Ta and the Cyber-Mutants always had the upper hand when we faced them and I wanted us to get an advantage on them.  I mean, maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if New Thundera wasn't conquered.  Just once, I wish we had a head start on them."  He then paused, and threw himself against the wall.  "Great, I must be going crazy."  he said.  "I'm actually thinking about my actions, like Kara was always lecturing me to do."  He began to remember all the arguments he had with her, especially their recent one. "Boy, I was pretty mean to her.  I better find a way out so I can apologize."  He watched as Pterra came down, called Rakuna to her, and the two left him alone with Mammoth.  A plan began to form.  "Hey, Mammoth."  he called.

"What do you want, you puny ThunderCat?"  he asked.

"Oh, nothing."  he replied.  "It's just that, well, tell me, who is the strongest of the Cyber-Mutants?"

"Me!!!  No one's stronger than me!"

"Well, Rakuna seems to think so if Pterra asked him to come meet up with Ursor and not you."

"No!!  I'm the strongest!  Me, Mammoth!"

"I guess Ursor doesn't think so, and neither does Rakuna."

"So that little puny rodent thinks he's stronger, does he?"

"Why else would he insult you so?"

"I'll show him who's stronger!"  With that, Mammoth raced up the stairs leaving a small metal card near the bars.  Cougari reached for the card and smiled to himself.

On the roof, Rakuna, Ursor and Pterra were going over the trap they were planning when Mammoth raced up and tackled Rakuna.  "Mammoth, what are you doing?!"  Pterra cried.

"This little rodent thinks he's stronger than me!"  Mammoth replied.

"I'll show him better."

"You believe that Rakuna thinks he's stronger than you?"  Ursor questioned.

"Why else does he insult me?"  Mammoth answered.

"You lunk-head!"  Rakuna cried.  "Get off of me now!"

"See?!"  Mammoth pointed.

"Did that ThunderCat say those things?"  Ursor asked.

"Yeah,"  Mammoth replied.

"Mammoth,"  Rakuna started.  "Where's the key card for the lower levels?"

"What key card?  Oh, you mean that little card thingly I left in the dungeons to clobber you."  The other Cyber-Mutants looked at each other and raced down the dungeons.  By the time they got there, all that was left was an empty cell.  "What?"  Mammoth asked.  "What did I miss?  Did I do something?"  Ursor dragged Mammoth to the empty dungeon cell.

"Mammoth,"  he stared.  "What do you see here?"  Mammoth looked into the cell, deeper and deeper until he could stand it no longer.  "Uh, nothing."  he said.

"That's right,"  Ursor said.  He began to shake Mammoth.  "Because the key card you left here allowed the ThunderCat to escape!"

"That's bad, isn't it?"  Mammoth said.

"Whatever!"  Ursor shouted.  "Let's find that ThunderCat!"  The Cyber-Mutants began their search.  Cougari came out of his hiding place.

"Whoa,"  he said to himself.  "Patience IS a virute.  Hmm, as long as I'm here, I may as well explore."  He started to get to the lower level, the key card granting him access all the way.  As he went lower, Cougari heard a humming sound.  "I must be near their generator room."  he thought.  He followed the sound; louder and louder it got until he came across a large machine that seemed to be the source of it all.  "All right."  Cougari said.  "Let's blow this thing up!"  As he went closer to the machine, Cougari felt weaker.  He noticed a small rock on the floor beside the generator.  "I don't believe it."  he said.  "I better get out of here."  He noticed a vent which he used to get outside of Castle Plunn-Dar.  He started to race from the castle when Pterra saw him from the roof.  "Now I got you."  she said as she began to swoop towards him.

Cougari looked back and saw her; he managed to dodge her.  She flew into the air and gave out a supersonic screech to stun him.  "Ahh!"  he shouted in pain as Pterra came up from behind him, her lasers powering up.  "Say good-bye, ThunderCat."  she said as she aimed the lasers at Cougari.

"Good-bye!"  cried Lyna as she lunged at Pterra from the Silver Wings.

The two tumbled on the ground as Cougari began to regain his senses. "Oh, no."  he said as he saw Lyna.  "Lyna, get out of here!  They're expecting you!"

Suddenly, a laser shot out of nowhere and barely missed Lyna.  Pterra leaped away towards Ursor and the other Cyber-Mutants.  "I knew you'd come."  Ursor said.  "So glad you'll be staying."

"Yeah, right."  Lyna replied as she and Cougari prepared to attack.

"Let's see, four Cyber-Mutants against two ThunderCats, I like those odds."

"All of you, get the speed brat."  Ursor ordered.  "The hybrid's mine!"

They engaged in fierce combat.  Cougari managed to outrun Rakuna and Mammoth, sending them in a tangle of each other.  Pterra attacked him from the air as Cougari dodged her laser shots.  She eventually stopped and flew from him.  "Alright, Cougari."  he said to himself.  "For once in your life, try and think.  That Cyber-Mutant wouldn't stop attacking unless--"  He then saw Pterra fly close to where Ursor was battling Lyna. She waited until she was right behind the ThunderCat lord.  Realizing what's about to happen, Cougari charged with all his speed and managed to tackle Pterra just as she was about to fire her laser.  Lyna took care of Ursor quickly and the two retreated from Castle Plunn-Dar.

At Cat's Lair, Cougari received a harsh lecture on how Plunn-Dar was a restricted area and how he shouldn't have disobeyed orders.  "You could've gotten yourself and Lyna killed!"  Kit finished.

"I know, I'm sorry."  Cougari said.

"Well, now we know why Castle Plunn-Dar was forbidden in the first place."  Lyna said.  "The Cyber-Mutants made themselves quite comfortable there."

"Actually, we didn't even know that someone was living there."  Kat replied.  "About ten years ago, we had gotten readings of extreme Thundrainium at Plunn-Dar.  That's why it was off-limits."

"Thundrainium?  The generator!"  Cougari remembered.  "The Cyber-Mutants have this generator that uses Thundrainium as fuel."

"If so, then why would it be found around the castle?"  Kara asked.

"There must be some gas pockets filled with Thundrainium fumes to keep us out."  Tygris suggested.

"That would explain why I got caught so easily."  Cougari mentioned.  "I must've stepped on one of those gas pockets and the Cyber-Mutants found me.  Boy, that is really sneaky."

"Tell me I'm hallucinating."  Kara said to Tygris.  "Cougari is actually thinking?"

"I heard that, Kara."  Cougari answered.  "I am thinking before acting. I learned my lesson."

"Well,"  Kit said.  "You can review the lesson while sitting at lair defense for a month."

"A month?!"  Cougari exclaimed.  Then he paused for a minute.  "Okay, serves me right."  Then he smiled.

As soon as the meeting was over, Cougari went to catch up with Kara. "Hey!"  he said.  "Listen, I think we need to talk."

"About what?"  she asked.

"All right, I'm not very good at this, but...."

"But...."

"Kara, I'm sorry I called you a coward this morning.  I should've known that you'd never be afraid to face Gen-Ta, but like you said, we're no good to anyone dead.  It's not that I don't want to wait, but I--"

"Care about New Thundera and worried about your family?"  she finished.Cougari nodded.  "We all are, Cougari."

"You know something, right here and this whole thing?"  he asked.

"What?"

"This talk about New Thundera is the first thing we actually agree about since we got here."

"You mean the first thing we agree about ever!"

"That, too."

"Come on, we better get the lair set for defense."

"You sure you can handle me for a whole month?"

"I've handled you for two years, Cougari, I can handle you a little longer."  They then walked off into the control room.