Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand.

Midnight at Metroid (just after Lana and the rest of the N-Team had gone to bed but immediately before Steelheart would have begun work on her traps):  usually, the planet Metroid was gloomy, but, this time, it was invisible, as the cloaking device was engaged.  Within the control room of the planet, Ludwig paced and paced, thoughtful.  "Let's see," said Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa.  "If my guess is right, a member of the N-Team will prepare ingenious traps for us at the Palace.  My precognitive abilities tell me that a lot of them are to be placed geometrically and cleverly.  Well, isn't that just nice!  It seems like I'll have to burst the N-Team's toys for them.  Hee, hee, hee!"

            "Excellent!" remarked MotherBrain.  "We'll be on the look-out for any traps!"

            "Better yet," said Ludwig, "let's warp into the throne room!  That way, we'll avoid their traps!  Also, have Mumm-ra and the entire Mob Division, Plundarrian Division, Fearsome Ten, Brain-Team Base Division, and all of our other wicked pals come along.  If we're still lured into a trap, we'll be well-prepared to fend off those N-Team Nuisances!"

            "Combined, they outnumber us," pointed out Bowser Koopa.

            "Oh, what the devil?" said Ludwig.  "I don't give a darn, just as long as they're outgunned."

            "I still do not like this," said Larry.  "Just what the heck are they going to do when we don't give them Captain N?"

            "Oh, don't worry about that," said Ludwig.  "I'll have them well-in-line.  They've already signed their own death sentence, the fools.  Once we get over there, we're going to forcefully gain control of the kingdom and destroy the N-Team."

            Eggplant Wizard ran in frantically.  "MotherBrain!" yelled Eggplant Wizard.  "MotherBrain!"

            "What is it, you sorry excuse for an idiot?" demanded MotherBrain.

            "I just saw," announced Eggplant Wizard, "on the monitor in my room that Steelheart was telling Lana that she was going to set up traps!  If you come with me. . ."

            As a smile formed across Ludwig's face, he interrupted by saying, "You needn't show me!  You're awfully darn smart. . . for an idiot."

            "Thanks. . ." began Eggplant Wizard, who then concluded, "I think."

            "Let's prepare," announced Ludwig, "a little surprise visit for them!  Hee, hee, hee!"

            "What does Steelheart plan to plant as traps?" asked MotherBrain.

            "I set up my VCR to record her actions," said Eggplant Wizard.

            "All right!" said MotherBrain.  "I'll just turn on the monitor, and we can watch a great movie!  Eggie, go fix the popcorn!"

            "Yeah!" said Ludwig.  "We'll see just where Steelheart's putting those traps of hers."  MotherBrain turned on the monitor.