Thundercats Fanfiction Project (Ch 1, Episode 1)

In this episode, Thundera’s skies ignite as the Mutant legions descend, and the opening strikes of the purge shatter the peace of a kingdom long protected by covenant.

Attack on Thundera

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

The skies over Thundera darkened without warning. What Pantherus had won in covenant, the Thunderans now faced losing in fire. From the void beyond the stars, vessels descended—rat‑forged hulls bristling with spikes, reptilian ships gleaming with scaled armor, monkian craft heavy with brute plating, jackal skiffs darting like hungry predators, and vulture‑shaped wings trailing plumes of fire. The Mutants of Plun‑Darr, united in their lust for conquest, had come.

Their fleet unleashed volleys of nuclear bombardment, striking the largest Thunderan cities to decimate the planet’s population. Defense towers and military bases shattered under relentless fire. Mutant ships delivered troops to seize Thundrillium mines, establish control zones and operation centers, and plunder towns, villages, and farms. Other vessels pressed toward the palace of King Claudus, attempting to destroy the royal hangars. Yet Thunderan fighter craft rose to the skies in fierce defense, preventing the destruction of the rulers’ ships.

Mutant troops poured from landing craft—each race attacking according to its nature.

Reptilians advanced in disciplined phalanxes, their scale‑armor deflecting blades, their poison‑tipped spears striking with cold precision.

Monkians charged in brute waves, roaring dominance, smashing through barricades with overwhelming strength.

Jackals hunted in packs, circling streets, dragging civilians from hiding with bone‑crushing jaws.

Vultures soared overhead, dropping sonic grenades and mechanical snares, marking targets for bombardment.

Rats, cunning and calculating, tunneled beneath structures, planting explosives and releasing plague‑smoke to sow panic.

Regardless of race, all Mutant infantry carried long swords, axes, and spears for savage hand‑to‑hand combat.

The effects were immediate and devastating. Grenades filled the air with choking smoke, sonic bursts, and blinding flashes. Thunderans stumbled through the chaos, disoriented by concussive blasts and searing light. Some were ensnared in electrified nets, others collapsed in pain from the impact of rubber bullets, and others were burnt to ashes by Mutant flamethrowers.

But the Thunderans were not defenseless. They were a people of proud warriors, knights, and sorcerers—heirs of the Code of Thundera, though many had forgotten its origin. Their troops fought with halberds and spears thrusting through the smoke, axes hacking against armored foes, and hammers beating back invaders with crushing force. Sorcerers unleashed spells of fire and lightning, enchanted blades glowed with sacred runes, and shields shimmered with wards of mystic power. Yet the Mutants’ numbers and brutal technology tore through their ranks.

This was no ordinary raid—it was a coordinated purge. Though each Mutant race had once fought for dominance over Plun‑Darr, a planet strategically located to launch attacks across neighboring star systems, Rats, Monkians, Jackals, Reptilians, and Vultures—united under their Supreme Leader Rittler—had set aside rivalries and turned their eyes toward Thundera, their closest and greatest supplier of Thundrillium. They sought its wealth and its secrets, especially the Eye.

In past raids, while seeking Thundrillium, the Mutants had heard whispers about the Eye. At first, they dismissed it as mere Thunderan legend. But later they saw it in the Sword of Omens, wielded first by King Claudus and then by Jaga, the wisest and most renowned of the ThunderCat knights. With the Eye and the Sword, Jaga had stood against the armies of each Mutant race and defeated both General Grune—the traitor—and Ratilla the Plunderer, who wielded the cursed Sword of Plun‑Darr.

Now, the Mutants returned not as separate savage hordes but as a formidable empire, unified for vengeance and power. They came not as raiders, but as conquerors and executioners.

At the forefront was Rataro, captain of the first wave of invasion—an expert in mystic arts and military strategy—wielding two enchanted sais known as the Rat’s Eyes. Under Rittler’s direction, he led the purge with ruthless precision.

Within the royal docks, the royal flagship awaited—a covenant ark prepared to carry the Thunderan monarchs, the relics, and the ThunderCat knights into exile. It would not travel alone, but would be accompanied by vessels of the ruling nobles and squadrons of fighters to defend them.

The purge raged on. Thunderan knights fell in the streets, sorcerers collapsed under exhaustion, and civilians fled in desperation, seeking refuge in military bases or escape in evacuation vessels. The protections of the covenant had vanished—and fiery judgment rushed upon them like a flood.

Thus began the purge of Thundera—an assault upon its land, people, and relics. For the Eye was given to guide, and those who sought to possess it found themselves judged.

***

“Thus the purge began—fire upon the land, judgment upon the people, and the covenant’s curse awakened. The Eye watched, and history turned.”

Continue the Saga

Click to read saga from the beginning → link to the Prologue

Click to read next episode → link to the immediately following episode

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.