Although she lived in complete misery, Endora was not without friends. Despite the greater freedoms of the servants, most of them were slaves themselves taken long, long ago. One such servant was Alikah, a girl from Third Earth that was in charge of Endora's well-being due to her knowledge of sign. She felt sad for the widow turned whore, now more than ever since she was with child. But at the same time, Alikah feared the wrath of her demon master.

[Have you heard anything about what he plans to do to my child?] Endora asked her one day. The TCat could always rely on Alikah for information of any sort, no matter how limiting it may be.

"I heard that he will allow the pregnancy to be brought to full-term." Alikah answered. "What he plans to do with the child afterward, I do not know."

[Either way, Jaga forbid it becomes a girl.]

"Unless it suffers like you do now."

[Exactly.]

"Well, at least you will be allowed to keep your baby. That is rare for a female captive to keep her child not generated of the master's seed and even rarer for a slave."

[What do you mean?]

"In olden times, the master used impregnation to conquer kingdoms, though it was rather limited."

[I don't understand.]

"The master used that particular strategy based on two characteristics; the kingdom was powerful enough to his liking and had a female heir to the throne."

[And he would get the crown princess heiress pregnant to ensure he had a legal claim to the kingdom!]

"Yes. That's how I came to be in his grip; my mistress was the princess of a powerful kingdom when Gen-Ta took human form and seduced her. By the time the ruse was discovered, my mistress was with child and Gen-Ta conquered the kingdom." Endora found herself stunned in horror; Princess Lyna was still on Third Earth with the others and Gen-Ta coud start attacking them any minute now. Suppose he put the princess through the same hell she was currently going under? Weeks later, her worries neither heightened nor digressed as Gen-Ta had a summons from his masters to begin attacking the ThunderCats on Third Earth. His first confrontation with them had been slightly...unpleasing to the large snake as it left an incredibly large scar on his chest. Endora noticed the scar remained when Gen-Ta shapeshifted into other forms. An advantage clearly taken by the rebels. Yet the only thing that compensated was that he was able to execute the last remaining ThunderCat on Thundera--Cheetara--after eluding his grasp for so long. Alikah told Endora that Cheetara's death was very quick and painless, but the lesser cat probably thought the servant was sugarcoating the fact to avoid any stress.

More months went by before Endora went into labor. Gen-Ta was on Third Earth and rebels were diverting attention of several of the forces left on the planet. Alikah helped Endora through the birthing process alone with only a few guards out in the front of the room. Suddenly, Alikah heard a struggle outside. A fight was heard and Endora fell unconscious as Alikah pulled out a newborn baby girl. "Oh no...." Alikah whispered in horror. A shadow the bathed over her and the servant looked up to see a large catwoman standing over her. The woman was physically lean and wore the simple garments of a Thunderian apprentice sorceress. "Please," Alikah begged. "I am glad you came."

"I want to know why a servant of the demon wants my help." the woman said, her tone revealing ice to it. Alikah told the woman Endora's story, as accurately as she could. The woman simply showed a neutral face, but her hard features softened as Alikah showed her Endora and the child.

"Mia--I mean, Endora did not want this child to be a girl unless she becomes like she." Alikah continued. "Please, take it as far away from here as you can."

"Will your master not be angry with this treachery?" the woman inquired. "I know Gen-Ta is unforgiving of traitors."

"I don't care! This innocent child does not deserve the fate of her father, and she most certainly does not deserve the fate of her mother! Take her; I will tell my master the child was stillborn."

"Tell Endora that as well." Alikah just stared at the woman in shock. "The less who know of the child's existance, the less chance of Gen-Ta finding out. It's the only way."

"He will want proof."

"Hold her." The woman handed the child back to Alikah as she took hold of a round boulder and used sparkles to transform it into a replica of the child. Then she took the child again and told Alikah to use the replica as the child's body. "Does she have a name?"

"Zuberi." Alikah replied. "The child's name, should it be a girl. Her name is Zuberi."

"Zuberi Thornclaw. It is fitting." She then looked towards Endora. "Poor Endora. Months of hell and there is nothing I can do but cause you more pain. Jaga be with you, my friend." The woman then jumped out the window, but when Alikah looked out, nothing was there. No splattered body, no sign of a presence, nothing.

"Alikah!!!!" a harsh voice called out. Alikah turned to see Rako, Gen-Ta's second-in-command and general. He was a hulking male with a crocodile head. "Did you see anyone come in here?"

"No, General Rako." Alikah lied, knowing that Rako will believe her, a 'trusting' servant. "I had heard fighting, but no one came in here."

"What of Mia? Has she given birth?"

"The child is next to you." Rako picked up the 'child' and noticed it did not move. Alikah prayed that Rako did not see through the magic, but fortunately Rako just tossed the 'child' aside.

"Burn it to ash." he commanded. "I will inform the master immediately."

"As you wish, General." Alikah chanced to look upward as Rako left the room. I wish you the blessings of all gods in existance, little Zuberi. she prayed silently.


Linxanna traveled miles before coming to the rebel base with the child in her arms. She risked much coming to the main palace, but when she heard that one of the ThunderCats was alive, she had to see for herself. All she saw was Endora reduced to a concubine and had recently gave birth.

"This child...the daughter of Panthro and Endora Thronclaw, the greatest of us all save for Lord Lion-O." she whispered. "I will protect this child, no matter what it takes. So I swear by Jaga's Honor."

Edited by: Charra Loon at: 3/2/04 4:40 pm