May 25.

            "Well, Mr. Burger wants to call you at the trial tomorrow.  He doesn't want to run the risk of your not being there when he calls you to the witness stand, so he sent me here with this subpoena.  Be there, or I'll be here."  Ludwig's eyes narrowed.

            "You have no earthly idea," said Ludwig, "how powerful I am."

            "Obviously," said Tragg tauntingly, "not powerful enough to stop the Thunder Kittens from greatly wrecking your warship."

            "I knew I should have told Larry to engage the cloaking device," said Ludwig.

            "That would have done no good," said Tragg.  "They told the N-Team Transporter to trace the transporter beam that sent you and Melodia down to the New Thunderian Pyramid.  They told it to take them to the place where that beam originated."

            "Those bloody Thunder Kittens," said Ludwig, "are too brave and too intelligent for their own good!  Since they show themselves to be smart enough to successfully render such damage to my ship, tell them this:  'curiosity killed the cat.'  In their case, it may become all too literal.  Now, beat it before I decide to let Mega Volt get too violent."

            "I was ready to leave, anyway," said Tragg.  "Good day, Prince."  Liquidator, in the room the whole time, safely escorted the lieutenant to the warping halls.  Ludwig regarded the subpoena.

            "Perfect," he said.  "Those two have only just begun to aggravate the hell out of me, I suppose.  ProtoMan, get in here!"  ProtoMan entered.

            "What is your desire, O lord of my creator?" asked ProtoMan.

            "Tell the others to increase work on the damaged systems."  ProtoMan nodded and proceeded to do so.  Ludwig left to his office.  "Q, blast thee.  Why dost thou insist on keeping the Federation and the Romulans out of my reach?"  A blinding white light appeared in the room.  When it collapsed, the form of Q from Star Trek:  The Next Generation was seen.  Q was in a casual blue robe.  "Drat it, I hate when thou dost that!"

            Q roared, "Thou art not in the position to contradict my entrances, Prince von(Bowser)Koopa!  The Cardassians would be only too pleased to help thee, and the Romulans and Federation would try to fight against thee.  I know that thou wouldst eventually win out in the end, so I stuck my gate between your space and their space.  Thou canst not get through that grid unless I open it, and I never will. . . not for thee and thy followers, anyway."

            "Oh, I do hate thee, alphabet-name!" said Ludwig, obviously extremely irate.  "Thou and thy friends get under my foot like a pesky little kitten."  Q smiled.

            "The Thunder Kittens do that job admirably.  I've seen what they've done," said Q.  "If they were omnipotent, thou wouldst be nothing.  And I would take great pleasure in the thought."  Ludwig blasted Q into the wall.  "Ow!  Hey!"  Q had once more underestimated the evil one.  Ludwig was powerful enough to harm any member of the Q Continuum, and Q had yet to understand why.

            "Keep out of my hair, Q!" screamed Ludwig.  "Thou tormentest the Federation, the Calamarain, a great number of races in the Romulo-Federation Zone!  Why in the universe canst thou not torment the Thunder Cats, the Silver Hawks, the Justice Ducks, and the N-Team also?  I feel that it's dreadfully unfair."

            "Oh, thou wouldst," said Q.  "At least they're fighting against thee, trying to keep thee from conquering the galaxy."

            "No," said Ludwig.  "Thou art really tormenting me."

            "Call it what thou wilt," said Q.  "Farewell."  Another blinding flash, and he was gone.

            Ludwig slapped the subpoena down onto his desk.  "Damn that bloody Q!  When's he going to let me conquer the Federation, the Romulans, and the others?"  Suddenly, he thought up something.  "Wait.  Maybe the Federation will be sending a ship this way soon.  That'll mean that Q will weaken the gate by opening it for them.  Heh!  I shall capitalise on that!"

            * * *

            Office, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

            On Hawkhaven, Steelheart, supervised by her brother, returned to her office, as healthy as before the Mega Volt incident.  "Good thing you were there when you were, 'Kat," said Steelheart to Wilykat.  "If you hadn't gotten me to the hospital sooner, according to Quicksilver, I would have died."

            " 'Twas nothing," replied Wilykat.

            "According to him and Will," continued Steelheart, "you two disabled Ludwig's Warbird."

            Wilykat said, "It was nearly massive enough to have a gravitational effect on the entire planet."  This made Steelheart nervous.

            "With a ship that size," said Steelheart, "Ludwig can wipe out whole solar systems.  We can dish it out, and they can take it."

            "We managed to record some schematics to this," said Wilykit.  She removed a diskette from a compartment in her pellet-belt.  "It involves the most advanced parts of the technology used to build their ships."

            "Hm!" said Steelheart, taking it when Wilykit handed it to her.  "This might prove to be very useful.  Excellent, Kittens."  Steelwill sat in the chair opposite Steelheart's desk.  The Kittens sat on the couch.  Steelheart flipped a switch on her desk, and the bookcases slid by to reveal a viewscreen.  She inserted the disk into a disk-drive and started it.  They were almost dazzled by the cunning simplicity of how Ludwig created his monster ship.

            * * *

            May 26.

            Palace Courtroom, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            The next morning, the courtroom was filled to bursting with people.  Burger and Malanski were sitting at the prosecution table.  Sitting in the chairs right behind them but still in the officers' section were the Thunder Kittens and Lt. Tragg.  The bailiff, Kevin, brought in Rataro and put him behind the defendant's desk.  Mason sat in the spectators' section just behind Malanski and Burger.  A barrister - an appointee - went to the defendant's desk and conferred with Rataro.  Then, he stood right in front of the defence barrister's seat.  Kevin banged a gavel for attention.  "All shall stand for the honourable Judge Lana."  Princess Lana, the judge of all trials in the court at the Palace of Power, appeared in her judge's robes, which she had simply slipped on over her normal outfit.  She sat at her place behind the bench and pounded her gavel once.

            "This court is now in session," said Lana.  "Jury will be admitted."  Ten people, comprising the jury, entered the jury box from a room off the side.  When they were ready, they sat.  "Prosecution will now present the charges being made against the defendant."

            Burger and Malanski stood.  Burger said, "The people of VideoLand and the remaining people of Thundera charge Rataro with genocide of the Jaguar Race, for attempted genocide of the Wilykat Race, and for attempted murder of Wilykit of the Thunder Cats."

            "How does defence plead?" asked Lana.  The appointed barrister stood, as did Rataro.

            "We plead not guilty, Thine Honour," said the barrister.  "We also request that a preliminary hearing be held."

            "Does prosecution wish to object?" asked Lana.

            Burger sighed.  "No, Thine Honour, we do not."

            "Very well," said Lana.  "The preliminary hearing of this case will take place at 9.45.  Jury will not return."  She banged her gavel, and everyone stood respectfully.  Lana got up and left in a gracious manner.  I knew this would happen, she said.  I just knew it.

            Going to the prosecution table, Kevin thought, I knew this would happen!  I just knew it.  "I knew he was going to do that," said Kevin to Malanski.

            "What's wrong with their calling for a preliminary hearing?" asked Wilykit.  "That book will only make it look worse."

            "If they call for a preliminary hearing," said Kevin, "there must be a jury trial afterwards.  We don't know when Lana would schedule it."

            Wilykat asked, "Why shouldn't she put a genocide case as top priority?"

            "That's just the point," said Kevin.  "The courts of VideoLand haven't really had to deal with a genocide case before.  However, that book should provide good proof for a trial jury."

            "I hope so," said Wilykat.

            Malanski said, "With your permission, Mr. Burger, I would like to do a little dramatisation."

            "Oh?" asked Burger.  "What kind?"

            "If we could get Cheetara to find out what happened to the Thunder Kittens' mother after she left them in Tygra's race's territory, it might appeal to the jury's collective sense of justice."  Burger nodded.

            "Good," said Burger.  "But Rataro can claim that the book is false."

            "Not easily," said Malanski.  "Remember the Thunderians' code, which says that they are to remain honourable, truthful, just, and loyal."

            "Ken, I probably can't even imagine the number of people that went against their codes."

            "Would you even suggest that Thunderians would do such a thing?" demanded Wilykit angrily.  "If so, you must be so blasted near-sighted that you couldn't see beyond the tip of your nose!  C'mon, Wilykat."  The Thunder Kittens left the section for court officers and went to their fellow Thunder Cats.

            "I think you got on their nerves," said Malanski.

            "Well, it's true!" said Burger.  "If you had watched 'Rightful Heir' on Star Trek:  The Next Generation, you would have known that the Klingon Empire was falling out of honour.  In. . ."

            "If you would consult Thunderian history," Malanski interrupted, "you'd find out that only one millionth of all of the Thunderian people that had ever lived since that code began had gone against it."  Burger sighed.

            In the back of the courtroom, the Thunder Cats talked.  "Eventually," said Lion-O, "the defence may question us as to how well we follow the Code of Thundera.  Whoever is asked about that should not lose his or her temper.  It would make it look worse for the prosecution, especially in front of a jury."  All of the Thunder Cats nodded.  "None of what you just did, 'Kit."

            "I'm sorry.  I really am," said Wilykit.  "I just hated that Hamilton Burger questioned our loyalty to our code.  And I know that that won't cut it in front of a jury."

            Later, at 9.45, the preliminary hearing started right on schedule.  Lana was still judge.  Malanski was still with Burger.  Rataro was still belligerent.  "Commence with the prosecution's case, Mr. Burger and Mr. Malanski," ordered Lana.  Burger stood.

            "First," said Burger, "we would like to call Wilykit of the Thunder Cats."  Wilykit gulped.

            This is it, she thought.  Retain your composure, young lady.  Do not lose it.  She stepped up to Kevin, who was in front of the witness stand.

            Kevin ordered, "Raise thy right hand."  Both Wilykit and Kevin did so.  "Dost thou swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in the case now being heard in this court?"

            "Yes, I do," said Wilykit.

            "Thou mayest be seated," said Kevin.  He stepped to another area, and Wilykit took her seat on the witness stand.

            Hamilton Burger stepped between the prosecution's and the defence's tables.  He asked, "Is 'Wilykit' thine entire name?"

            "No," she answered.  "That is what I am called.  My full name is Kit Astutus van Wily."

            "Okay.  Wilykit, of what is Rataro accused?"

            "He is accused of genocide of the Jaguar Race and attempted genocide of the Wilykat race.  He is also accused of attempted murder of me."  Her mind wanted her to show something, but she did not.

            "And how can the genocides be proved?" asked Burger.

            "By this book."  She searched herself.  "Uh, I don't have it on me.  My brother, Wilykat, probably has it."  Wilykat, sitting behind Ken Malanski, nodded.  He handed the book to Ken, who handed it to Hamilton Burger.  "That's it."  Hamilton Burger gave her the book.

            "Now," said Burger, "on which page does it say that Rataro committed this crime?"  Wilykit flipped to the appropriate chapter, then to the appropriate page.  She pointed to the specified areas.

            "It says so in these areas," said Wilykit.

            "Canst thou read to the court those areas?"

            "Certainly."  She propped the book so she could read the proper areas easily.  " 'And, after being defeated in the War of Leos, Emperor Rataro of the now-crumbled Plundarrian Empire vowed revenge.  He did this by first bombarding the Jaguar Race's area with a toxic gas that had the ability to destroy the life any Thunderianoid life-form over five years old by forcing the blood vessels to constrict until their walls touched, thus cutting off all blood flow.  The message reached all areas of Thundera.  However, it was only after Rataro had already bombarded the area of us, the Wilykat Race, that the rest of Thundera realised what Rataro was doing, and it was too late then for us.'  That's the summary before it lists all the last people of our race.  The reason it is attempted genocide of the Wilykat Race is that my brother and I are alive."

            "Thank you," said Burger, getting a bookmark out of his pocket.  He put the bookmark at the page and closed the book.  "That is all.  No more questions."  He turned to the defence barrister.  "Thy witness."  The defence barrister arose as Burger sat down.

            "Wilykit," asked the defence barrister, "how highly is the Code of Thundera regarded among thy people?"

            "Extremely highly," said Wilykit.

            "Wouldst thou ever go against it willingly under ordinary circumstances?"

            "Never," said Wilykit objectively.  "Not unless following it would in some way allow something awful to happen to my brother, and then other Thunderian laws would protect me."

            "What about thou?"

            "I object," said Burger, getting up.  "This question is irrelevant."

            "I believe," said Lana, "that thou didst leave a barely-open doorway for this question.  Since the defence barrister is merely opening it more than thou didst, I shall overrule thine objection."  Burger landed in his seat.  "Wilykit, thou wilt answer the question, please."

            "Certainly," said Wilykit.  "Maybe, if the threat was extremely large."

            "Now," continued the defence barrister, "may I ask thee the nature of thy relationship with thy brother?"

            Before anyone could spit out another word, Burger jumped up and shouted, "Objection, Thine Honour!  This is by all means irrelevant!"

            "Not so strongly next time!" said Lana.  "Thou'lt take the Palace off its foundation."  The spectators found this lightly amusing.  "The objection is sustained."  Satisfied, Burger sat down.  "And, spectators, please do not laugh more loudly than that.  Continue."

            Himself amused by the judge's remark, the defence barrister turned back to Wilykit.  "What are the chances of a Thunderian going against the Code of Thundera, Wilykit?"

            "Extremely, extremely slim," answered Wilykit.  "An extremely small percentage of the overall population has done it since the foundation of the Thunderian Empire and the creation of the Code of Thundera.  That percentage is in the thousandths or the ten-thousandths at most.  And that almost ended about 200 years before Thundera's destruction."  The defence barrister began to get a little uncomfortable.

            "What have been the general circumstances of the people who have gone against the code?"

            "The main thing that caused the going against the Code of Thundera was in laws concerning gender differences.  That reason stopped when, 250 years before Thundera's destruction, all laws concerning different treatment because of different gender had been abolished.  Males and females were considered equal.  After 50 years, the men regarded the women with the respect that would be given to a man.  That one thing kept the whopping majority of people from going against the code any longer.  Other reasons weren't significant in number."  The defence barrister nodded.

            "So," said the defence barrister, "when this book was published, it was likely that persons loyal to the Code of Thundera wrote it, and, therefore, it contains only 100% fact?"

            "That is a 99.9999% possibility," answered Wilykit.  The defence barrister's one base for defence had just been shattered.

            "No more questions," mumbled the defence barrister on the way to his seat.

            Burger announced, "No more questions on re-direct, Thine Honour."

            "Thou mayest step down," said Lana to Wilykit.  Wilykit nodded and went over to where her brother was sitting.  On the way, she handed the book to Burger.

            "Thine Honour," said Burger, "I should like that this book be entered into evidence as People's Exhibit A."

            "No objection," said the defence barrister.  Burger handed the book to Lana, who examined it.

            "Very good," said Lana.  "It shall be so marked."  Iggy (Spike)Koopa (whose brother, Lemmy (Spike)Koopa, recorded what was said in court) went up to the bench and got the book.  He marked the book with a peel-off adhesive label.  "Proceed with your next witness, prosecution."

            This time, Malanski stood.  "Thine Honour," he said, "we should like to call Lt. Tragg to the stand."  Tragg got up, was sworn, and took his seat on the witness stand.  "Lt. Tragg, thou didst arrest Rataro, didst thou not?"

            "That I did," said Tragg.

            "Did he struggle?"

            "Not against me when I arrested him.  However, I got from the Thunder Kittens, who actually captured him and brought him to me for arrest, the idea that he had attacked Wilykit and tried to murder her when Wilykat showed up in time to save her."

            "Do you believe the Thunder Kittens?"

            "Yes.  I believe that they would never lie about something so serious."

            "Really.  Where was Emperor Rataro when thou didst capture him?"

            "He was in a cave northeast of Lake Hylia on the Kingdom of Hyrule."

            "Go on.  How didst thou know that he was there?"

            Tragg explained, "In my office, Wilykit came to my office and told me about the War of Leos and Rataro and told me that, in the Thunder Cats' last encounter with Rataro, Rataro had said that he was going to go to a cave northeast of Lake Hylia.  With my map of the Kingdom of Hyrule, we found the proper cave.  With Link and Kid Icarus, she and I went to that cave.  She went in alone, and she came back with her brother and Rataro."

            "Thank you, Lieutenant," said Malanski.  "Thy witness, defence."  Malanski went to sit in his chair.

            The defence barrister growled, "No questions."

            "Thou mayest step down," said Lana.  Tragg did so and returned to his seat.  "Your next witness, prosecution?"

            "That," announced Burger, getting up, "will be Wilykat."  Wilykat gulped and got up.  He went over to Kevin, where he was sworn, and took the witness stand.  "Wilykat, what made thee aware of the fact that thy sister was in grave danger from Rataro?"

            Wilykat answered, "The Sword of Omens showed it to Lion-O and me."  Burger nodded.

            "When thou didst go to the cave where thy sister was about to be killed by Emperor Rataro, what happened?"

            "First," said Wilykat, "I got there by using the molecular transporter.  When I got there, I sneaked up behind Rataro and thrust him aside.  He was holding one of his swords over Wilykit so as to stab her. . . ugh!  I don't even like thinking about it."

            "Didst thou place any restraint on her after thou and she defeated Rataro?"

            Wilykat's eyes grew narrower.  "That is crossing the fine line of privacy, Mr. Hamilton Burger.  However, before thou dost ask Her Honour to instruct me to answer, I'll answer.  Yes, I did.  I told her that I would keep an eye on her at all times."

            "And why is that?" asked Burger.

            "Because, Mr. Burger, her going in alone almost cost her her life, which was about to be taken by Rataro.  I do not want that to happen again."

            "So, in short, thou just wantest to be overprotective of her.  Is that it?"

            The defence barrister got up and said, "Thine Honour, with all due respect, I object.  I think that this totally irrelevant line should end here."

            "Question withdrawn," said Burger.  "No more questions."

            "No questions," said the defence barrister.

            Wilykit could almost see Wilykat's communicator jumping under his heart.  She sighed as Lana said, "Thou'rt excused, Wilykat."  Wilykat responded by going over to sit next to his sister.  Malanski called Kid Icarus.

            "Sorry, 'Kit," whispered Wilykat to Wilykit.  "I shouldn't have told you that in the cave.  I just wanted you to realise. . ."

            "It's okay," said Wilykit softly.  She put her arm around Wilykat's back.  "I shouldn't have made you have to say it."  Wilykat sighed.

            "Let's just forget about the whole thing," suggested Wilykat.  Wilykit smiled.

            "Good idea.  Let's get back to paying attention to this preliminary hearing."

            When they turned back, Kid Icarus was on the stand, ready to testify, and Ken Malanski was standing in front of his own chair.  "Kid Icarus," said Malanski, "couldst thou please give us a general outline of what happened since thou didst arrive at Tragg's office?"

            "Sure.  First," said Kid Icarus, trying to control his -icus problem, "Lt. Tragg and Wilykit told me about the War of Leos; then, they told me about what Rataro had done to Thundera in revenge.  When Wilykit told us where she believed Rataro was hiding, I fainted.  When I woke up-icus, Link was also there, and all three of them were ready to leave.  So, I left to the Kingdom of Hyrule with them.  Wilykit went in.  Next thing, Wilykat and Wilykit dragged out Rataro, and Tragg arrested him."

            "Thank you.  No more questions."

            "No questions," growled the defence barrister.

            "Thou mayest step down," said Lana.  Kid Icarus sort of did this; he flew off the witness stand and went to his seat.  "Next witness, prosecution?"

            "Link?" called Burger.  Link got up, went to Kevin, was sworn, and settled himself on the witness stand.  "Link, what wast thou doing when Lieutenant Tragg didst call you?"

            "I was fighting off Goriyas {hó-rah-yahz} from a new town on Death Mountain in the Kingdom of Hyrule.  I finished them before I went to Lt. Tragg's office."  Burger nodded.

            "When you arrived there," said Burger, "what happened?"

            "Well, first, after I had stepped in, I saw Kid Icarus lying on the couch.  Wilykit and Tragg told me the same thing they had told him and why Kid Icarus had fainted.  When Kid Icarus got up, we left for the cave northeast of Lake Hylia on the Kingdom of Hyrule, where Rataro was supposedly hiding out.  Wilykit went in.  Several minutes later, she and her brother came out, dragging Rataro behind.  As I had felt, she was attacked.  I think that it was pure luck that saved her."

            "Well," said Burger, "I have no more questions for thee."  He turned to the defence barrister.  "Thy witness."  Burger went to sit down.

            "No questions," said the defence barrister.

            "Thou mayest step down," said Lana.  Link got up and went to his seat.

            "Thine Honour," said Malanski, standing up, "the prosecution rests its case.  It asks that the defendant be bound over for jury trial in superior court on the charge of genocide of the Jaguar Race, on the charge of attempted genocide of the Wilykat Race, and also on the charge of attempted murder of Wilykit."

            Lana asked, "Has the defence any objection?"

            "No," said the defence barrister with his teeth clamped together.  "Defence has no objection."

            "In that case," said Lana, "the jury will be drafted as soon as possible, and the jury trial will commence tomorrow at 8.30 in the morning if possible."  She banged her gavel.  "Court is adjourned."  Everyone stood respectfully as she withdrew to Chambers.  The Kittens stepped out between the prosecution and the defence tables.

            "Personally, Wilykit and I think that lawyers are too curious!" said Wilykat.

            "He is right. . . especially in the courtroom," Wilykit said.  "Let's go, Wilykat."  The two went to the other Thunder Cats.

            "Strong-minded guys," admitted the defence barrister.

            "Damn it!" said Rataro.  "Those two have ruined any chance the Plundarrian Empire has of regaining its rightful pre-eminence in the Galaxy of Leos.  S-s-slithe and Luna, the heirs to my position, can't do anything!"

            "That's good!" said Burger.  "C'mon, Ken Malanski.  Let's go to my office."  Malanski nodded.  Kevin came up.

            "All right, whisker-face," said Kevin.  "Will you come peacefully, or will I have to plant a trail of cheese?"  Rataro was definitely the opposite of amused.

            "Watch it, human!" warned Rataro.  "Only Thunderians have managed to insult me and get away with it without losing any fingers."

            "Ooh!" said Kevin.  "Vicious, aren't we?"  Steelheart came up.  "Hi, Commander."

            "Hello," said Steelheart.  She turned to Rataro.  "What's the matter?  Did someone rat on you?  Heh, heh!"

            "That is not funny, you rotten Thunder Cat ally!" said Rataro.

            "Do we need cheese to lure you back to your cell?" asked Steelheart.  Kevin glanced at her startledly.

            Rataro said, "No, you don't.  Take me there so I won't have to hear your snide comments."  Kevin and Steelheart did so.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.

            On Metroid, Ludwig and MotherBrain returned.  "They did not call me," Ludwig said to ProtoMan.  "How's the ship?"

            "Oh, a little more work, and she'll be as good as new," replied MegaMan's evil brother.  Ludwig sat at his computer.

            "Excellent," said Ludwig.  He muttered, "I hate those Thunder Kittens.  They are very annoying.  They and the prosecution are winning the trial.  I hate them very, very much."  He shook his head.  "What am I doing wrong?"

            * * *

            May 27.

            Palace Courtroom, Palace of Power.

            The jury was selected early that night, so the serious trial started at 8.30 the next morning.  Everything presented in the preliminary hearing was presented here.  The witnesses were a little more careful because they were in front of a jury, and the Thunder Kittens refrained as much as possible from communicating in normally detectable methods.  When all the witnesses previously called in the preliminary hearing had been called, Malanski called Cheetara.  When she was sworn and on the stand, Malanski asked, "Cheetara, when did thy race first encounter Rataro?"

            "My race's first encounter with Rataro was in the War of Leos," she said.  Something about her indicated that she wanted to shudder at the very words, 'War of Leos.'

            "Did thy race encounter him after that?"

            Cheetara answered, "Yes.  After bombarding the Jaguar Race's area and the Wilykat Race's area and after a failed attack on the Tiger Race's area, he came in his Rat*Star to my race's area.  I engaged Rataro personally.  I wanted to provide him with a laser-target, and that's what he treated me like.  It seemed he resolved to hit me before he dropped a single bomb.  That was his undoing, as I managed to dodge all of his blasts.  I quickly used my staff to blast the Rat*Star so badly that it caused substantial damage."

            "And it did, you blasted Thunder Cat!" screamed Rataro.  "I knew it had to be you!  When I get my hands on you, I'll. . ."

            "Enough!" said Lana, banging her gavel.  "No more, or I'll have thee held in contempt.  Please continue, Cheetara."

            "That was it," said Cheetara.  "Not much left except that the Rat*Star retreated before it could do much damage."

            "Okay," said Malanski.  He considered what he had to do next.  He let out a sigh.  "Cheetara, is it true that thou hast ESP?"

            "Yes," said Cheetara.  "That is true. . . that I have telepathy and precognition, at least."  Malanski sighed.

            Malanski asked, "Art thou able to find out what happened to the Thunder Kittens' mother after she 'deposited' them where Tygra found them?"

            "I believe so," said Cheetara.  "But there is something you must understand.  Sometimes, visions just come to me.  At others, I must bring myself to nearly entering oblivion to find out."  Malanski's eyebrows went up.

            "Then," he said, "I can't make you do it."

            "I will," said Cheetara.  "I will do it.  One thing, though; you should save this for after your last witness for the day."  Malanski nodded.

            "No further questions right now, but I reserve the right to recall this witness," said Malanski.  Lana nodded.  Malanski turned to the defence barrister.  "Thy witness."  Malanski took his seat.

            "No questions," said the defence barrister.

            Lana said, "Thou mayest be excused."  Cheetara nodded and went back to her seat. . . at normal walking velocity.  "Your next witness, prosecution?"

            "That will be Tygra," said Burger, standing up.  Tygra went up to Kevin, was sworn, and took the witness stand.  "Tygra, when was thy race's first encounter with Rataro?"

            "The same time as Cheetara's," said Tygra.  "That blasted War of Leos."

            Burger took a folder and took out a sheet of paper from inside.  Burger said, "30 November 1759.  Does that date ring a bell?"

            "Well, yes, it does," said Tygra.  "Because it's my birthdate."  Burger removed another sheet of paper.

            "How about the date of 5 November 1775?  Dost thou remember that one?"

            "I do.  It's the Thunder Kittens' birthdate.  Not that I mind, but wouldst thou mind telling me the significance of this?"

            "I will," said Burger.  "Just bear with me for a moment, please.  What would the Thunder Kittens' birthdate mean if they had been in that territory in 5 December 1775?"

            "That means that they would not perish from the poison with which Rataro bombed their part of Thundera."

            "Hm!  I wonder why Rataro made a poison which could not kill anyone under 5 years old."

            "The available technology limited the victim's age to anywhere above 5 years old."

            "Ah, so!  What if thou wast in that territory at that time?"

            "I would have died."

            "So, that gives a clue as to why the Thunder Kittens' mother placed them in thy territory instead of leaving them in their own."

            "Yes; so that they could be found without danger to the person who found them."  Burger nodded.

            "I noticed some reaction from thee when my colleague, Mr. Malanski, asked Cheetara if she could use her mind powers to find out what happened to the Thunder Kittens' mother after she delivered them to thy territory.  For what was this reaction?"

            "I was concerned.  Using direct-mind-focus to find out anything psychic could kill her."

            "Yet, the others didn't seem as concerned.  Was there something between you a while back?"  The defence barrister stood.

            "I object," said the defence barrister.  "This is irrelevant, immaterial, and incompetent.  It pries needlessly into the personal affairs of someone else.  More than that,. . ."

            "Objection sustained," interrupted Lana.  "Thou dost not have to go rambling on and on and on.  Continue, prosecution."

            "Tygra," said Burger, "dost thou remember the date 6 June 1762?"

            "Yes," said Tygra.  He let out an amused sigh.  "The day my brother, Bengali, was born."

            "Tygra, when did Rataro attack your area of Thundera?"  Lana cleared her throat.  "Excuse me, Thine Honour.  I meant to ask, 'Tygra, when did Rataro attack thine area of Thundera?' "

            "He attacked that in 1780," said Tygra.  "VideoLand years and Thunderian years are the same; I forgot to mention that."

            "Quite all right," said Burger.  "I was going to ask that, in fact, but now I won't need to.  What happened when he arrived?"

            "By the time he arrived," said Tygra, "we had already discovered that he was intending to bombard our area of Thundera.  So, my father, my brother, and I prepared to fight off Rataro's Rat*Star."  Rataro's teeth clenched in anger.  "Which we did pretty well, if I do say so myself."  Burger looked at Rataro.

            "I believe that that is a pretty good assumption," said the prosecutor.  "I'm through.  No further questions, Thine Honour."

            Before the prosecutor returned to his seat, the defence barrister announced, "We have no questions, Thine Honour."

            "Good," said Burger.  "Because, now, I should like to re-call Cheetara, as I have exhausted my witness list."

            "Thou art excused," Lana said to Tygra.  Tygra responded by leaving to his seat.  Cheetara returned to the stand.

            "It should not be necessary that I remind thee that thou art still under oath, Cheetara."

            "No," said Cheetara.  "I remember quite well."

            "Now," said Burger, "couldst thou please try to find out what happened to the Thunder Kittens' mother after she left them in the Tiger Race's area?"

            "I shall try," said Cheetara.  "Via the Wilytwins' minds, I can attempt to read their mother's mind."

            Burger turned to the judge.  "Permission to have this recorded as testimony, Thine Honour."

            The defence barrister was out of his seat in a millisecond.  "I object!" screamed the defence barrister.  "Psychic perceptions. . ."

            ". . .are perfectly admissible as evidence, according to VideoLand law!" snapped Lana.  "Besides, Cheetara's psychic sense is one of the most accurate ones of which we know, though it be quite sensitive as well.  Objection overruled.  Begin, please, Cheetara."

            Cheetara nodded and closed her eyes.  "I must have complete concentration."  Her sixth sense's psychic functions activated, and they strove to discover what happened to the Thunder Kittens' mother.  The result almost appeared to sear her mind as though it were a phaser.  "Aah. . .!"  The result soon subsided.  "I'm all right."  She straightened and opened her eyes, blank with entrancement.  Burger waved a motion to Lemmy (Spike)Koopa.  Lemmy nodded in reply, and got his fingers ready to fly over the recorder buttons.  "I can read her mind.  She was. . . weak.  The poison had almost destroyed her.  She knew that just a few more hours would mean death. . . but she had to do this one heroic deed to save her children, as they were the only ones young enough not to be effected by the poison.  As she crossed the border line into the Tiger Race's territory, her extremities were beginning to numb. . . to lose control for lack of blood.  Just before she discovered that she could not carry the two much further, she saw a two-lane paved road that she knew was the main thoroughfare between the capitol of the Tiger-Race's capital city and their largest city, making it a major road.  She laid the Wilytwins on a cushion she had brought, and she left the book and a note with them.  She thought she had enough strength left to pass back into her homeland.  Just as she crossed the border, her extremities had completely numbed, her control of them completely faded.  She could not balance well, and she barely made it back to her own home alive.  Just as she crawled into a chair on the front porch of her home, the poison had completely shut her arteries, and she died physically painfully but mentally blissfully, knowing that the race would live as long as her children survived.  That's all I got."  Her eyes closed.  When she had left the Wilytwins' mother's mind and returned to her own, she fainted.

            "Should we call Doctor Colonel Quicksilver?" Burger asked in the Thunder Cats' direction.  Lion-O stood.

            "No," Lion-O replied.  "This is natural.  She will recover."

            Burger turned back to Lana.  "Thine Honour," he said, "the people request a fifteen-minute recess."

            Lana said, "Request granted.  This court will recess for fifteen minutes."  She banged her gavel, and, as she left, everyone respectfully stood. . . except, of course, for Cheetara.  Most of the spectators left.  Tygra came to the witness stand and gently carried out Cheetara.  Wilykit felt herself unable to control what was overcoming her, and she wrapped her arms around her brother and began to cry.

            "There, there," said Wilykat softly, gently stroking Wilykit's back.  "It shall be okay."  The two smiled at each other.

            "It does seem silly," said Wilykit.  She turned to Rataro.  Her smile disappeared; she showed the evil one her most powerful anger.  "You. . . you. . . you. . ."

            "Now, now!" said Rataro.  "You must control your temper."

            Wilykat gave Rataro an angry look.  "Listen, Rataro," said the male Thunder Kitten, "the jury will make you pay for destroying our race.  You are going to go to prison for the rest of your life."

            "Your race," said Rataro bluntly, "stopped the Plundarrian Empire's rightful advance!  It was most necessary that we destroy yours and that cursèd Jaga's."

            "Rightful advance, my foot!" said Prince Ludwig von(Spike)Koopa, coming up.  "Speaking of feet. . ."  He showed the Kittens the birthmark on the bottom of his right foot, which distinguished him from his evil cousin.  "As I understand it, the Plundarrian Empire was invading the Thunderian Empire and attempting to conquer its lands with a totalitarian government.  You, my dear rat, have no decency.  Your evil, crude methods are the scourge of the galaxy."

            "It was necessary to spread into the Thunderian Empire and conquer it!" said Rataro.  "Good, as always, overcame those blasted Thunderians!  The various planets of their empire consented to be part of the Thunderian Empire.  They were not forced as necessary."

            "Forced as necessary?" demanded Ludwig.  "That sounds like something my cousin would say.  Force is not necessary, as is proof with the empires loyal to Princess Lana, mine included.  And I guarantee you, Rataro, if my cousin testifies, it will be to the truth and nothing but!  If there is one good thing in which that rat of a relative of mine believes, it is the bloody truth!"  Kevin stepped up to keep an eye on Rataro.  "Plundarr always was one of the most scum-filled planets in the Milky Way Local Group.  The only planet that surpasses it is Metroid. . . and you can guess why."  The Chief-of-State of the Mushroom Empire stepped out.

            Wilykat said, "Rataro, I think you'd better turn around your plea."

            "No way!" said Rataro.

            "But think of it!" said Wilykat.  "It will be so much easier on the trial and on you."

            "Hmph!" said Rataro.  "I'd ask for the gas chamber or the electric chair instead of life in prison.  What kind of idiot is King Charles Deschain {dáy-shehn}, anyway, for abolishing capital punishment?"

            Wilykat said, "Better not call him an idiot around Kevin, Rataro.  Charles is the father of his girlfriend."

            "It's the best kind of punishment!" said Rataro.

            "Oh, sure," said Wilykit.  No one noticed that a puddle of water slid inconspicuously into the area.  "It was abolished on Thundera before Jaga was born two thousand years ago!"

            Liquidator came into form.  "Hi, everyone!"

            "Hello yourself, Waterhead," said Kevin.

            "Grr!" said Liquidator.  "Don't call me that anymore, or you will regret it, Captain Nincompoop!"

            "In your dreams, Waterhead!" said Kevin.

            "Blast it, Captain N, don't call me that!"

            "Why not, Waterhead?" asked Kevin tauntingly.  Liquidator growled.

            "And that, my dear Captain N, is all she wrote!" screamed Liquidator in anger.  His arms extended so that his hands can thrust Captain N into the wall back-first.  Captain N fell onto the floor, barely conscious.  "Maybe that will teach you not to call me Waterhead."

            Wilykit said, "Why, I ought to. . .!"  She grabbed a pudding capsule, quickly squeezed it, and tossed it into Liquidator.  Liquidator turned to pudding.

            "Yah!  I'm being turned into pudding!" cried Liquidator.  Kevin got to his feet.  He saw something, and he drew his Zapper and aimed it.

            Kevin said, "Don't even try, Rataro!"  Rataro was trying to escape.  He stopped when he saw Kevin's Zapper aimed right for him.  Rataro decided to sit back in his seat.

            "I hope that you learned a very important lesson," said Liquidator.  "I would have creamed you if these Thunder Brats had not been around."

            "Oh, cool off," said Wilykit.

            Kevin added, "And, while you're at it, tell Sparkie the same thing."  The doors burst open.  Mega Volt, sparking, entered.  "Uh, oh."

            "Ooh," screamed Mega Volt, "don't call me 'Sparkie'!"  Before Mega Volt fired at anything, Wilykat literally tossed a pitcher of water at him.  The pitcher's hole in top hit Mega Volt's chest, and the water splashed all over him.  He shorted out.  "Yaaaaaah!"  Wilykat went to the prosecution's table, opened a drawer, and removed two handles from inside.  He handed one to Wilykit.  Wilykit held the handle in close proximity to the Liquidator with the pointed ends pointed at the watery villain.  She pressed a button, and a force field surrounded Liquidator.  Wilykat did the same with Mega Volt.

            "Not a bad roundup," said Wilykat.

            "I owe you twice, Kits," said Kevin.

            "No," said Wilykit.  "You don't owe us a thing."  Kevin could not think up a good enough excuse for him to say to the contrary.  So, he did not.  Instead, he looked at his watch.

            "Almost time," said Kevin.  He tapped his communicator.  "Steelheart?"

            "Here," replied Steelheart's voice.  "What is it, Kevin?"

            "Well," said Kevin, keeping an eye on Rataro, "Liquidator and Mega Volt arrived and attacked.  They've been caught."

            "Good," said Steelheart.  "How about the Thunder Kittens?  Tygra is wondering why they didn't come out."

            "They're fine," said Kevin.  "In fact, they played a major role in capturing the villains."

            Wilykat tapped his communicator.  "Yeah.  Kevin called Liquidator 'Waterhead' thrice, and, when 'Kit hit Liquidator with a pudding-capsule, Kevin referred to Mega Volt as 'Sparkie.'  That is, in fact, the reason for which the two villains attacked."  Kevin appeared embarrassed.

            "Kevin?" asked Steelheart's voice.

            "It's true," said Kevin, sheepishly.

            More harshly now, Steelheart snapped, "And about Rataro?"

            "He's still here."

            "Good.  I'm coming in.  Steelheart out."  Wilykat's and Kevin's communicators beeped.  Kevin sighed.

            "Thank you," Kevin said sincerely.  "I didn't know if I had the courage to say that."

            "I don't see why you're thanking me for something that may get you into trouble."

            "It's the truth."  The door opened.  Steelheart came in.  She looked at the two villains.

            She whistled in an impressed manner and said, "Nice piece of work."

            "Two villains to go!" said Wilykit.  Steelheart observed the handles.

            "I see," Steelheart said.  She then glared at Kevin, who responded with a sheepish smile.  "Why?"

            "I couldn't resist," answered Kevin.  "At least it got two villains caught."

            Wilykit snapped, "And it got you thrust into that wall by Liquidator!  You could have been hurt!  Lana would not have been too pleased if you had been damaged."

            "Hey!  I'm still all right, 'Kit."

            "Blast you," said Rataro.

            "Shush," said Steelheart.  "How can you control the rival races of Plundarr?"

            Rataro said, "I share traits common to all.  I was accepted as emperor of the Plundarrian Empire.  However, when the Thunderian Empire won the War of Leos, the Mutants, or planetary Plundarrians, fell back into war.  A waste."

            "At least your view of political unity is one of your few good points," said Wilykit.

            * * *

            Several minutes later, the trial reconvened.  The 'trash' (Mega Volt and Liquidator) had been cleaned out.  Cheetara, conscious again, returned to the stand.  "I extend my apologies and sympathy, Cheetara," Burger said when Cheetara was back on the stand.

            "There's no need," said Cheetara.  "I did it of my own volition, and I'm used to the circumstances.  If I were not prepared to die, I would never agree to subjecting myself to it."

            "Well," said Burger, "I have no further questions of thee.  Thy witness."

            The defence barrister asked, "Cheetara, wast thou really in a trance?"

            "Certainly," answered Cheetara.  "If thou didst want absolute proof, why didst thou not have someone in here with a brain-wave pattern recorder?"  This amused most of the courtroom.

            "Do you know that Rataro did this?" asked the defence barrister.  "With your telepathic powers, I mean?"  Cheetara allowed some of Rataro's thoughts to pass into her mind.

            "Certainly," said Cheetara.  "He is full of anger and hatred toward the Thunder Kittens because they survived after he bombarded their race's area."

            "Thank you," said the defence barrister.  "That is all."

            "No re-cross," said Burger.

            Lana said, "Thou mayest step down, Cheetara."  Cheetara nodded and did so.

            "Thine Honour," said Burger, "under the circumstances, I would like to call one more witness."

            "Whom?" asked Lana.

            Burger drew in a long breath, then said, "Prince Baron Ludwig 'Kooky' von(Bowser)Koopa, leader of the Brain-Team and present ruler of the Evil Koopas."  The mentioned being stepped down the hall, went to Kevin, took the oath, and sat on the stand.  "Ludwig, what dost thou know of the War of Leos?"

            "It was a war fought between the Plundarrian Empire and the Thunderian Empire, begun most certainly by the former.  It lasted seven years in practice, though no formal peace treaty was ever signed.  Many worlds on both sides were destroyed."

            "Thank you," said Burger.  "Dost thou know about the destruction of Thundera?"

            "Yes," said Ludwig.  "Even if thou includest terms of cause."

            "Wouldst thou please tell us?"

            The defence barrister stood.  "I object; where is the relevancy, Thine Honour?"

            "Overruled," said Lana.  "Let's hear this.  It isn't often he reveals information like this."

            "Thou art most wise, Thine Honour.  About six centuries ago," began Ludwig, "Ratilla the Terrible broke into the building on Thundera where the Treasure of Thundera was kept.  Ratilla wielded the Sword of Plundarr, a sword with two blades and the handle between these two blades.  The blades magically materialise or dematerialise at the wielder's command.

            "He was about to take the casket with the Treasure of Thundera when Jaga showed up.  The two fought, and Jaga won.  He had Rataro exiled, and he dropped the Sword of Plundarr into the molten core of Thundera.  It was his belief that that sword would be destroyed in the lava.  He was wrong, as the Sword attempted to break free.  That eventually created the seismic activity to destroy the planet in 1787, the very year Ganon began causing the destruction of many historical Hyrulian artefacts.  Not even Jaga could have known that the Sword of Plundarr even had nearly enough power to do that."

            "Thank you," said Burger.  "Dost thou confirm what the book the Thunder Kittens have says about the genocide and attempted genocide?"

            "Yes," said Ludwig.  "Completely."

            "Thank you.  Thy witness."

            "No questions," said the defence barrister.

            "Thou mayest be excused," said Lana to Ludwig.  Ludwig nodded and returned to his seat.

            "Prosecution rests its case, Thine Honour," said Burger.

            Lana said, "Call thy first witness, defence."  The defence barrister stood.

            The defence barrister said, "I call Rataro to the stand."  A little murmured conversation got started, but it terminated quickly.  Rataro took the oath and sat on the witness stand.  "Rataro, what do you say about what the Thunder Kittens' book and Ludwig say?"

            "Not bad," said Rataro.  "Yes, it's all true."

            The trial continued for a few minutes.  The defence gained no ground whatsoever.  The prosecution's arguments came from the testimony of the witnesses and the book.  The defence had no arguments.  Lana sermonised the jury.  The jury left to formulate a verdict at the lunch hour, and Lana adjourned the court until 14.30.  The Thunder Kittens decide to have lunch at Cat's Lair with the other Thunder Cats.

            * * *

            Dining Hall, Cat's Lair, third-Earth.

            ". . .well, I think it will be guilty," said Lion-O.

            "Maybe, maybe not," said Tygra.  "I strongly agree, though, and there is not a shred of evidence on the defence's behalf."

            "None of which we know, anyway," said Cheetara.

            Panthro said, "That blasted Rataro is in way over his head.  As the people of Earth might say, 'He'll be going up the river.' "  Everyone nodded an assent except Wilykit, who appeared preoccupied.

            " 'Kit?" said Wilykat in concern.  Wilykit almost jumped.  She turned her head toward Wilykat.  "What's on your mind, 'Kit?"

            "Nothing important," said Wilykit.

            Wilykat insisted, "I find it important, 'Kit."

            "Like I said," said Wilykit firmly, "it is not important."  Wilykat felt a little uncomfortable.

            "Well," said Wilykat with a little nervousness, "I'm going back to our room.  May I be excused?"

            Tygra appreciated this gesture of politeness.  "Certainly," said Lion-O.

            Wilykat said, "Thank you."  He got up and left.  Wilykit regarded his clean plate.  And he manages to stay thin, she mused.  She looked at hers.  Maybe I don't eat enough.  That may be why I'm so. . . so. . . disagreeable?  Am I that?  She turned a little pale at the thought.  She reverted her attention back to her lunch and continued to eat some more.

            Tygra turned to Lion-O and used an extremely low voice.  "I'm concerned," said Tygra.  "I've never seen her - or them - like this."

            Lion-O whispered, "Maybe the business Cheetara recounted about their mother had some emotional effects on them."

            "That would seem logical."

            Because she was across from Tygra, Cheetara heard this conversation.  She silently suggested, "Maybe I should do something about it."

            "Good," said Lion-O.  "But begin inconspicuously, please."  Cheetara nodded.  She took her napkin from her lap and wiped her mouth in a polite manner.  She laid the napkin to the left of her plate.  More audibly, as Cheetara began to say something, Lion-O said, "Yes, you are excused, Cheetara."

            "Thank you," said Cheetara, getting up.  She left.

            By the time she finished her lunch, Wilykit's mind was much more comfortable, and her overall feeling was one of contentment.  Before the time she finished, Panthro had finished and left.  She tossed an inconspicuous glance at Tygra's and Lion-O's plates and saw that the two had finished.  Tygra took advantage of Wilykit's attention being in another place to whisper to Lion-O, "She seems a lot more comfortable, Lion-O.  I can simply tell."  Politely, Wilykit did the same napkin-sequence as Cheetara.  Wilykit did feel so much better. . . in fact, herself again.

            "May I be excused?" asked Wilykit.

            Lion-O said, "Ahem.  Aren't you forgetting something?"

            "What am I. . .?  Oh, yes, that.  Since I finished last, I have to carry the dirty dishes to the kitchen."

            "Lucky Panthro," said Lion-O.  Wilykit's face did not loose its liveliness, but it tried to change to make her look depressed.

            "Okay," said Wilykit.  Blast it! she thought.  Oh, well; it could be worse.  She got up and gathered the plates.

            * * *

            Later, in the Thunder Kittens' bedroom, Wilykat was sitting on the side of his bed.  He was sad.  "Blast, Wilykat!" said he to himself.  "Snap out of it."  The door opened.  Wilykit came in.  "Hi."

            With a certain enthusiasm in her step, Wilykit went over to him and cheerfully said, "Hello, Wilykat!"

            "Please!" said Wilykat.  "If there's anything a depressed person hates, it's a cheerful person."

            "Aw!" said Wilykit in a pitying voice as she sat next to him.  She softly asked, "What's wrong?"

            "It's what happened to our mother!" said Wilykat.  "They should let me get my hands on Rataro!  Then, I'd show him the punishment he deserves!"

            " 'Kat!" snapped Wilykit harshly.  She returned her voice to its soft tone and said, "After what you said earlier, I would not have expected that from you."

            "Well," said Wilykat, "I feel like doing that.  I feel like wringing that fat neck of his."  Wilykit put her left arm across Wilykat's back.

            "Oh, now, you should calm down, brother," said Wilykit.  "After all, the court will deal with him."

            "He could be let off the hook by a not-guilty verdict," said Wilykat.

            Wilykit said, "I seriously doubt that.  I am not going to let you wring his neck, Wilykat, but I am going to let the court do it. . . if you know what I mean."  Wilykat gave Wilykit a pleasant smile.

            * * *

            Palace Courtroom, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            Later, in the court, the trial reconvened on schedule.  As the trial reconvened, the jury re-entered at the jury box.  "Has the jury a verdict?" asked Lana after re-commencing the trial.

            "Yes, Thine Honour," said the jury foreman.  He handed an envelope to Kevin, who handed the envelope to Lana.  Lana opened the envelope and smiled as she read the verdict.  Then she straightened her mouth and proceeded in a logical manner, despite her happiness at the pronouncement.

            Lana announced, "The defendant will stand."  Rataro stood.  "Rataro is found guilty of the genocide of the Jaguar Race of the Thunderian species, guilty of the attempted genocide of the Wilykat Race of the Thunderian species, and guilty of the attempted murder of Wilykit."  She read the suggested punishments.  "His sentence will be life imprisonment in the Diamond Prison of MegaLand, as well as hard labour for the remainder of his ability to perform hard labour without injury.  This court is adjourned."  She banged her gavel once.  Everyone respectfully stood as she left.  Kevin smugly stepped up to Rataro.

            "Well, well!" said Kevin.  "The Diamond Prison of MegaLand.  The security there is tough.  You can't break out because the prison, as its name suggests, is made out of pure diamond, and the guards are crack-shots.  It is an impregnable stronghold."

            "The end of my illustrious life in a mere prison," said Rataro.  "Why the hell don't you behead or hang me like I deserve?"

            "Executions aren't VideoLand's style," said Kevin.  "If Lana marries me, you know what?  I'm going to continue ruling just like she does, and so will our children."  He motioned to security guards in a corridor.  The guards took away Rataro.  The evil Ludwig took advantage of the crowd in the halls to slip out unnoticed and go toward the jail cells.

            * * *

            Palace Jail, near the Palace Courtroom.

            At the jail, Ludwig found Liquidator and Mega Volt in a cell.  "Drat it, Liquie!" said Mega Volt.  "I hate those Thunder Kittens!"

            "Listen, MV!" said Liquidator.  "Calm down.  You won't get anywhere by getting mad."

            Ludwig said, "Hi, guys!"  The two villains turned to him.

            "It's about time!" said Mega Volt.  "Get us out of here, Prince!"

            "Patience, my dear Mega Volt," said Ludwig.  He keyed in a code on the panel next to the cell door.  The force-field was cut off.  "Let's go."  Smoke appeared.  "Oh, no.  It's. . ."

            "I am the terror that flaps in the night!" said the voice.  Mega Volt, Liquidator, and Ludwig got literally closer.  "I am the winged scourge that pecks at your nightmares."  He stepped out of the smoke.  "I am Darkwing Duck!"  He got out his Gas Gun.  "You'll get a laugh out of this!"  He blasted the trio of villains with a gas capsule.  They were coated in laughing gas and commenced to laugh their evil hearts out.  "Darkwing Duck saves the day again!"  The Thunder Kittens beamed into the area.  "Hi, Kits!"

            "Well, well!" said Wilykat.  "Nice job, Darkwing!"

            "Yeh, yeh, yeh," replied the caped hero.  "All in a day's work for Darkwing Duck."  A warp opened, and Quacker Jack popped out.  "Quacker Jack!"

            "Right-o, ducky!" said Quacker Jack.  He got out a yo-yo.  "It's playtime!"  He put the loop of the yo-yo's string around his right index finger, and held the yo-yo with his right hand.  He swung the yo-yo so that it just missed Darkwing's head by an inch.

            "Ha!" said Darkwing.  "You missed!"

            "Think again, Dorkwing!" said the malicious clown.  Just as the yo-yo flew past Darkwing's head again, it exploded with laughing gas.

            "Ha, ha, ha!  Blast you, Quacker Jack!  Ha, ha, ha!  Hee, hee, hee!"  Before the Kittens could do anything, Quacker Jack looped a rope around Liquidator, Mega Volt, and Ludwig.  He yanked on the rope, and the three lassoed villains were thrust into the warp.  Quacker Jack followed before the gas pellet Wilykit threw at him hit him.  The villains had escaped.

            "Blast!" said Wilykit.  "They got away!"

            "That's. . . ha, ha, ha!  That's life, Wilykit!  Ha, ha, ha, ha!  You. . . you can't always stop the bad guy from escap-. . . ha, ha, ha, ha!" said Darkwing.

            Despite Darkwing's attempted comfort, Wilykit still looked a little dejected.  Wilykat put his left hand on Wilykit's right shoulder.  "It's all right," said Wilykat softly.  "We can stop them if they try anything else."  From those words, Wilykit drew more strength than Wilykat could imagine.  Wilykat was almost knocked over when Wilykit almost jumped on him to grasp him for a hug.  "Aw," he whispered in a loving manner as he wrapped his arms around her.  Audibly, he said, "Come on, 'Kit.  The villain has been convicted.  We now know more than we set out to find out."

            "Certainly," she whispered back.  "We finally have the book possessing information of what used to be our very heritage in our possession."  She almost shuddered as she said heritage.  It felt like such a powerful word to her.

            Wilykat said, "Let's see what it says."  The two left, while Darkwing was still laughing too much to make an attempt for the door.  The Thunder Kittens had won again.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid.  (Now, you knew I couldn't end the story without having the evildoers punish their lackeys, didn't you?  It just would not be proper!)

            "IT AIN'T FAIR!!!" screamed MotherBrain.  "The Thunder Kittens have made fools out of us!  At Nuclesís's home, they freed their leaders and Jane Physicost before we could cause them any harm.  They stopped Mumm-ra's attempt to incapacitate Steelheart.  They stopped our attempt at the Second Koopulan Empire.  They captured our first officer and tried to stop us from getting the materials needed to create Ludwig's Warbird.  They incapacitated the Warbird after outdoing the Fearsome Five, Luna-tacks, and Ludwig.  Finally, they sent Rataro behind bars!  Aren't you tired of it, Ludwig?"

            "Yes," Ludwig said, "and I know who's getting it!"

            "Uh, oh!" said Eggplant Wizard.  "C'mon, King Hippo!"

            Ludwig announced gleefully, "MotherBrain, invite the entire Brain-Team.  We're having a party. . . to blast these two idiots and Mouser's butts off!!"

            "Oh, goody!" said Quacker Jack.  "It's play-time!!"

            Mouser entered.  "Was I summoned?"

            "Why, yes," said Mega Volt.  "You've been invited to a stir-fry."

            "Oh, goody!  What's being cooked?"

            "MOUSE-DOGS, EGGPLANT SALAD, AND HIPPO-BURGERS!!!  HA, HA, HA!!!"  Mega Volt fried the three idiots.

            Quacker Jack got out a slinky.  "Take this, fools!"  He tossed the slinky.  As it bounced, it wrapped around Eggplant Wizard and squeezed the eggplants out of him.  "Ha, ha, ha!"

            The crazy villains continued to torture the three unfortunate lackeys in ways that would do no permanent damage.