Café, Tighra, D.F., New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 049 504.1; December 31, 2994.

Thunderians were informal most of the time.  However, Wilykit was going to have to announce publicly that she did not like being called 'Lord Wilykit.'  It had too dominating a ring; she preferred 'Wilykit.'  It seemed that everyone except Wilykat called her 'Lord Wilykit.'  She had to politely tell everyone just to call her 'Wilykit'; she had to remind the human waiter twice.

            She liked that many humans, Betazoids, Klingons, Romulans, and members of other humanoid races fell in love with the Thunderian Kingdom overnight.  One writer described the kingdom as 'the jewel of the universe.'  The hospitality of the people and the beauty of the inhabited planets were what people liked so much about Thunderians, probably as well as the way Thunderians looked.  Even though Thunderians found certain foreign beliefs and ideas atrocious, they never condescended to other humanoid cultures.  Like the truly superior people they were, the Thunderians felt it was not their business to judge the beliefs of other peoples who lived outside Thunderian territory.  However, the evil, Satan-worshipping Plundarrians were another matter; they were a constant source of trouble, and they legally lived within Thunderian territory, much to the dismay both of Thunderians and of Plundarrians.

            "I love this planet," said Wilykit.  "I wish I could have influenced its development."

            Her brother agreed, "So do I.  Nothing much we can do about that now, though."

            The Astutus-twins came up.  "Hi, Wilykit and Wilykat," said Gatito.

            Wilykit said, "Hello, Gatito and Gatita.  Thanks for remembering not to call me 'Lord Wilykit.' "

            "Any time, cousin."

            "And thanks again for finding out how to neutralise these blasted collars."

            "No problem, 'Kit.  Everyone's counting on you to remove our emperor from power."

            "I won't disappoint them.  Gatito, what are your impressions about the Farfâla-twins?"

            "They're excellent, Wilykit.  Pure geniuses.  Their cousins, the Cerebra-twins, are smarter, but that's understandable, considering the age difference.  The girls outmatch our emperor."

            "Good.  We finally have a way of showing up Ludwig."

            Gatita said, "I think they'd make good Thunder Cats, Wilykit."

            "Well.  I'll discuss it with them, in that case."

            Chatonne and Gatinha came along.  "Hello, all," greeted Chatonne.

            "Good evening, Chatonne," Wilykit said.  "And Gatinha."

            Wilykat said, "We were discussing the Farfâla-twins."

            "Yes.  The Cerebra-twins and we came to talk to them," Gatinha said.  "Antonio and Guillaume are trying to find them."

            Wilykit became slightly concerned.  "Do you or they know where the Farfâla-twins are?"

            "They told the Cerebra-twins they'd be here at the café," said Chatonne.

            "Who's at home?"

            "Ludwig van Beethoven.  He'll call us if a pin drops and he doesn't cause it."

            "Good."

            Gatito smiled.  "Got that symphony error-free yet, Chatonne?"

            "Don't use that tone with me, Gatito!" Chatonne said with a grin.  "Yes, we do have it free of errors.  You try to be another Gustav Mahler with a magnificent first symphony.  To top that, we've got to at least match that Ludwig von Koopa's Symphony number Three.  I am tired of working on it, presenting as much variation of sound as possible.  However, I've also dreamt up four new concerti for our opus C-29."

            "All right.  By the way, is there something between you two and our best students ever?"

            "Yes.  I'm attracted to Guillaume, Gatinha to Antonio."

            "Ah!  What about Frédéric, hm?"

            "That was a passing thing, and he was crazy about me!"

            "Uh-huh.  For a whole week when you two and we two were responsible for casa di Tygra here on New Thundera. . ."

            "Drop it, you silly person!  That was a case of physical attraction.  I couldn't help it.  At least he and I did nothing stupid."

            The Astucieux-twins and Jean-Léonard came along.  "Hello, all," said Élisabeth.  "Good evening, Wilykit.  I get the impression you prefer that over Lord Wilykit."

            "You're correct," said Wilykit.  "That seems too stiff.  Plus, you are one of Chatonne's closest friends."

            "Thanks, Wilykit.  How are you, Gatito and Gatita?"

            "We're fine, thank you, Élisabeth," Gatito said.  "And how are you two?"

            Élisabeth said, "We're both well, thanks."

            Jean-Léonard said, "I saved her, Gatito."

            "So I heard, Jean-Léonard," said Gatito.  "Is that why I'm reading what I'm reading between you and her?"

            "It's not fair," said Frédéric.

            "Next time you face the Luna-tacks," said Wilykit, "don't stand still like you did.  You should act with speed."

            "Yes, ma'am.  I'm too cocky.  Chatonne, I'm still sorry."

            Chatonne said, "Don't be, Frédéric.  You'll know when you've met your Amore Eternamente."

            Wilykit said, "It isn't a boom-deal every time, Chatonne.  I know one pair of people in this group with which it didn't happen that way."

            "Me and Élisabeth," said Jean-Léonard.  Wilykit nodded.  "I wonder what Mom'll say; both of her children are in love with Thunderians."  He smiled.  "It's really quite appropriate in my case, though.  In nationality, I'm Thunderian; I was conceived and born on this planet.  I received most of my education here, except I had my violin lessons with Commander Steelheart on Hawkhaven.  I like Earth, of course, but New Thundera is my homeworld."

            Wilykit said, "I'm happy you feel that way, Jean-Léonard."

            The Cerebra-twins came along.  "Hello, all," Antonio said.  "Chatonne, I cannot find them.  We looked all over the café."

            "Drat," Chatonne said.  "Where the heck are they?  In May, they'd better be more punctual."

            Gatito said, "That's what's strange.  Normally, they're quite punctual indeed.  Something must be wrong."

            "Yeah," said Antonio.  "Or my name isn't Antonio Farfâla vân Cerebra."

            Wilykit said, "Wilykat, use your tricorder."

            "Yes, 'Kit," said Wilykat.  Out of the eleven of them, only he had brought a tricorder.  He scanned the entire planet for the Farfâla-twins.  "Ah, I've found them.  They're in the woods."

            "Anyone around them?"

            "-Gulp!-  Yeah; Luna-tacks!"

            "What!?  Oh, Jaga!  Antonio, you and I shall go save them."

            "What about me?" Wilykat demanded.

            "What about the rest of us?" asked Gatinha.

            "I'll call if I need any of you," Wilykit said.  "Come on, Antonio.  Let's go."

            "Yes, ma'am," said Antonio.

            * * *

            The Tygran Woods were a beautiful forest covering most of the area around the city of Tighra, except of course the roads.  Also, many estates (most near a road) existed in the area; Tygra's was the most elaborate, the Cerebra-twins' the second-most.  This was only indicative of the amount of respect the people held for the two families; the undertakings were enormous and entirely voluntary, showing how highly the people thought of Tygra's family, Wilykit's family, and Antonio's family.  The families had, though, paid quite generously in their gratitude.  Tygra's and Wilykit's families were the leaders, while Antonio's was a voluntary and highly devoted servant of the leaders.  His family had always been close to Wilykit's, and it seemed destined for that condition to continue.

            Along their walk through the woods to locate the Plundarrians, Wilykit and Antonio were becoming good friends.  Around each other, they were quickly becoming 'best-friend' material, even if they belonged to different sexes.  Wilykit could talk to Antonio and not have to be on guard for some of Wilykat's insane responses, and Antonio could do the same (the insane responses being, of course, Guillaume's).

            Wilykit asked, "Well, Antonio, what do you think of the chain of leadership inheritance I've outlined?"

            "It's okay, I guess."

            "You want to be higher, don't you?  I can't unless you prove I should."

            "I know, Wilykit.  That's only logical, and I willingly endorse it.  After all, you are my leader."

            "That doesn't mean you have to endorse my tentative list willingly."

            "Going with grace is easier than trying to fight."

            "You don't strike me as someone who simply accepts someone's ruling without contradicting it if you dislike it."

            "Would you argue with God?"

            "I am not God.  I didn't make you, and I can't save you from Hell."

            "You have a point.  However, by inheritance, you're still my leader."

            "If your opinion opposes mine, I'm not going to hurt or kill you.  A ruler needs no-sayers more than yes-sayers."

            "Well, put simply, it's your decision.  You based it on traditional lines of inheritance, excluding the possibility of offspring.  I examined it and found few discrepancies.  You explained the discrepancies.  I agree with your path of logic.  Of course, I do intend to prove my worth for a higher position on the list."

            "I expect nothing less, Antonio.  You have much potential."

            "Thank you."

            "Have you written any music?"

            "No.  I have some tunes jumping around in my head, though, due to a certain young lady.  I love the way I feel about Gatinha."

            "Good.  I have a feeling you're keeping a secret."

            Antonio became a little nervous.  "-Sigh.-  Yeah.  My brother and I each are blessed with super-powerful telepathy; our range spans universal distances.  We can read Ludwig or MotherBrain without their knowing it.  We've told no one of that ability."

            "Very wise.  Have you used it?"

            "Yes.  I suppose you want me to stop it."

            "No!  No, I don't.  I'm glad you have that power.  I don't have it naturally, though I can give it to myself.  We have an edge."

            "Well, Ludwig is a most devious individual.  His closet contains a variety of skeletons."

            "Hm.  Doesn't sound too pleasant."

            "It isn't.  One of the things he did was use his power to wipe the memory of the 'Anonymous' Composers from almost everyone's mind - except his own and MotherBrain's, of course - and from many computer systems.  That was exactly one millennium ago to the hour."

            Wilykit's anger at the turtle was rising.  "I see."

            "Also, the composers wrote not ten symphonies together but fifteen.  The eleventh through fifteenth were beyond his comprehension until two months ago; they contain completely instrumental revelations that shocked him once he understood them.  We're going to succeed; he just won't let himself believe it.  MotherBrain, however, believes it.  Nevertheless, she won't be on the defence unless she convinces Ludwig that the music predicts our success.

            "However, though it depicts our grand victory in displacing them, the Symphony number Fifteen in f minor also predicts a terrible event."

            "What?"

            "Link's death."

            "What!?"

            "Yes.  In sleep.  Hint."

            "Oh, no.  Do you know how it can be avoided?"

            "Yes.  That answer lies in the Concerto for Violoncello number Five in c minor and the Concerto number Six in E-flat Major, the composers' final two instrumental works together.  Though of monumental length and quality, they share the same opus number.  By a long shot, that isn't their greatest connection.  The motive in the tragic climax in the fifth is the same one used in the heroic finale of the sixth.  The two concerti are the only ones I know of that have five movements.  Full performance of both back to back requires four hours at least; the soloist requires great endurance, for it is the soloist's lyrical self-expression that brings meaning to the work.  In the tragic finale of the fifth concerto and the heroic finale of the sixth, the concert master violinist accompanies the solo 'cellist in double-concerto manner; the dialogue is very intimate and tender."

            "I am intrigued," said Wilykit.

            "Would you like a telepathic dump of everything Guillaume and I got from Ludwig and MotherBrain?"

            "Sure!"  Antonio gave her a great deal of information in seconds; it took less time for her to analyse it.  "Why, the putrid, conniving little snake!  He seems to make an art out of withholding information, more so than out of making music."

            "Yes.  How far is it from the Plundarrians, or would you venture a guess?"

            "I'd say a few metres."  They were approaching a clearing.  They hid behind a large, old tree near the clearing.

            They hid because of the voices.

            The Luna-tacks were conversing in the clearing in low volume.  When she looked, Wilykit saw the Farfâla-twins in a net suspended up off the ground!  She suspected the net was laced with lithium super-Thundrainide; otherwise, the two should have escaped.

            Antonio whispered, "Do you have a plan to free the Farfâla-twins?"

            "No," Wilykit responded.  "Let's listen in."

            * * *

            Luna said, "Liquidator shall be here soon for pickup."

            "What about the Thunder Cats?" asked Aluro.  "Surely, they're coming."

            "I've dealt with that problem," said Chilla.  "We'll be prepared, even if I have to freeze more kitties."

            "Our lord shall find us!" Natalia snapped.  "You shall be imprisoned for this unless you make a good plea for mercy!"

            "Shut up," said Luna.  " 'Hey diddle diddle, cat on a fiddle'!  Ha, ha!"  It was intended as an insult.  That was how it was taken.

            "That's it!" said Leonarda.  "Don't expect an invitation to our première concert, you atrocious misuser of Earthling nursery rhymes!"

            "Why would I go anyway?  I can't stand squeaky violins or 'cellos."

            Natalia said, "Your voice is a million times worse, so you'd better not complain about amateurish violin squeaking!"

            "Ooh.  It doesn't do well to insult the empress of Plundarr, young lady, especially in your weakened state.  I give you the chance to retract your insult."

            "Forget it, you whose voice is like claws scraping a chalkboard!"

            "Oh, oh!  You've done it now, Natalia.  Tug-mug, kindly demonstrate to the young lady what your new Gravity Carbine can do."

            Tug-mug said, "Heh, heh!  Yes, Luna!"  He aimed the device at Natalia.  "Prepare for fatal attraction, lady!  Ha, ha!"  He blasted her.  Suddenly, she became so much heavier that the rope holding their net prison in the air snapped; the Farfâla-twins fell to the ground with a crash.

            * * *

            Antonio restrained himself from charging forth.  "Wilykit, we've got to do something!"

            Wilykit handed him the Sword of Omens.  "I'll go.  If they overpower me, call the others; in your history classes, you learned what Lion-O did, right?"

            "Yes."

            "Good.  I'd like you to do that."

            "In case they catch you, can I come and kick their butt after I call?"

            "Suit yourself.  Next time, remember that's, 'May I.' "

            "My mistake.  Pardon me."

            Wilykit ran into the clearing.  "LUNA, LEAVE THE FARFÂLA-TWINS ALONE!!!"

            "Wilykit," said Luna with unbearable sweetness.  "Good day.  I see no reason to scream."

            "You're under arrest, all six of you.  Free the Farfâla-twins at once."

            "Come closer so that you may more closely observe our actions, to assure yourself that we are using no trickery," Chilla said.

            Wilykit approached suspiciously.  "What are you up to?"  She had been out of commission for a millennium, so no immediate response registered when a grassy patch she stepped on sank.  Since no immediate response registered, she had not the time to register that she had fallen into a trap until the trap was sprung.  A net fell on her.  "Uh. . . lithium super-Thundrainide!"

            "Your imprisonment has dulled your quick mind," Luna gloated.  "Except that, yes, that net is laced with Li₂Tu₂He.  Expensive stuff.  Ludwig gave us a major discount, though all we have is in these two nets."

            "Let the Farfâla-twins go, Luna."

            "No.  Liquidator wants them.  He'll be interested to know you somehow managed to get rid of the Li₂Tu₂He that was in your collar."

            Suddenly, a thunderous roar resounded heroically from the sky.  Looking upward, all saw the Cat's-Eye; Wilykit's and the Farfâla-twins' eyes lit up.  The Luna-tacks' widened.  "What!" exclaimed Aluro.  "But Wilykit's here!"

            "The Sword is presently in another Thunder Cat's hands," said Wilykit.

            Luna asked, "Your brother's, I presume?"

            "No, Luna," said Antonio, entering the clearing, the Sword in his hand.  "I am cousin to the Farfâla-twins."

            "Cerebrantonio.  I've read grossly exaggerated reports of your success in the university."

            "Petty insults do not usually faze me, but, unfortunately for you, I'll make an exception this time."  Exactly half as fast as sound, he sped over to Amok and grabbed Luna off his back, holding her securely; he stopped exactly a metre to Amok's left.

            "Ah!  Relinquish me, Thunderian upstart!"

            "Release the three ladies, and I'll consider doing it gently."

            "Never!"

            "Suit yourself."  He dropped her on her butt.

            "Yow!  Get him, idiots!"

            Tug-mug said, "Lighten up, Cerebrantonio!"  He blasted a weightlessness shot at Antonio, who dodged it.  "Wha-. . .!"  Antonio grabbed the Gravity Carbine, restored Natalia's normal weight with it, and ripped out the power packs without turning them off, thereby ruining them.  "Hey!  Do you know how expensive those things are?"  Tug-mug did not seem to mind the amount of money Antonio was saving him by not destroying the Gravity Carbine as well.

            Antonio said, "Why, you seem tense.  Permit me to assist in the alleviation of your tension."  He knocked Tug-mug out with a forceful punch between the eyes.  The villain was sent backwards; he rammed into Aluro, Red-eye, and Chilla, who were also knocked unconscious.

            "WHAT!!!" screamed Luna, amazed.  Antonio possessed great physical power and control.  He could have seriously injured her.  Bracing himself for the effects of the Thundrainium compound, he swiftly lifted the net off Wilykit and removed his cousins successfully from the other net.

            "Good job, Antonio," Wilykit said.

            Antonio asked, "What happened, Natalia?"

            "We decided to travel within the forest," said Natalia.  "We triggered that net."

            Luna said, "Drat it.  There is a Thunderian brighter than Wilykit."

            "No one's perfect, Luna," Wilykit replied.  "And I am out of practice, which will not continue for much longer."

            "As if your reflexes would have saved you from the net anyway."

            "I suggest you shut up," said Antonio to Luna in a tone indicating his loyalty to Wilykit.  "I don't take kindly to anyone insulting my leader."  Wilykit put her hand on his shoulder.

            "That's all right, Antonio.  Well, Luna, what do you want?"

            "I wish for S-s-slithe and me to have our empire back!" Luna said.

            "If I give you your empire back and let you go, will you declare that the War of Leos is over?"

            "Certainly."

            "Officially?"

            Luna did not really want to do this, but it was probably the only way to escape.  She knew she would wind up in jail if she did not agree.  "Yes."

            "Good.  One month after today, the Plundarrian Empire shall gain independence from this kingdom; it will consist of Plundarr and everything within a trillion-kilometre radius of its star.  In return, Plundarr shall announce that the War of Leos is officially ended."

            "But one planet orbits at least two trillion kilometres from the sun at all times!"

            "I know, Luna.  Its orbital ellipse will be part of the Thunderian Kingdom.  Of course, if you're dissatisfied, I'll just keep the whole solar system."

            "Oh, very well.  I accept."

            "Good.  Now, return to Plundarr."

            Luna smacked her communicator.  "Larry, transport us back to my palace."

            Larry replied, "To whom are you referring with 'us'?"

            "ME AND MY FIVE IDIOTS, YOU MORON!!!"  Too late, she realised her error.  "Oops."

            "Your five idiots are on their way, but you are making a long detour to the Palace of Power, Luna."  Luna and her five assistants were transported away.

            Just after that, all the Thunder Cats, the Astucieux-twins, Jean-Léonard, and Kevin ran into the scene.  Wilykat asked, "What's going on?"

            "Nothing now," said Wilykit.  "When we. . ."  Beethoven materialised just outside the clearing, a phaser in his hand.  "Beethoven?"

            "The signal alert sounded," Beethoven said.  "I should have been here sooner, but I was working on a new idea."

            "I see.  Anyway, when we arrived, the Luna-tacks had the Farfâla-twins in that Li₂Tu₂He-laced net over there.  Kevin, you're standing next to it."

            Kevin picked up some of the net.  He said, "This is sturdy stuff.  I see the lithium super-Thundrainide laced into it."

            "Well, I gave Antonio the Sword, told 'im to call you Thunder Cats if the Luna-tacks caught me.  They did, with another net.  However, Antonio did his duty.  Then, he proceeded to humiliate the Luna-tacks brilliantly and free me and the Farfâla-twins.  Deciding against a confrontation with Ludwig, I struck a deal with Luna; I'll report the details later.  I let her go.  However, when she called evil Larry, she called him something she should not have; most of the Luna-tacks were beamed to Plundarr, Luna to the Palace of Power."

            Tygra asked, "What sort of bargain?"

            "On 31 January, they gain sovereignty over most of their solar system except the outermost planet, where we can put a spy system to make sure they don't try to expand outside the solar system.  In return, they will officially declare that the War of Leos is over."

            "At least they won't complain about our laws anymore.  I felt like kicking Ludwig for giving me those unholy lunatics to govern with our laws.  As it is, he'll give you heck."

            "I'm not concerned.  I refuse to govern the Plundarrians as part of this kingdom any longer."

            Cheetara said, "Well, I'm happy we won't have to deal with them as part of this kingdom."

            "A lot of us will be," said Panthro.

            "I still don't get why Ludwig made them part of this kingdom," Lion-O said.  "I see the political reasons and circumstances, but why hand an ally over to an enemy like us?"

            "Wish I knew," said Wilykit.  "Let's go.  We need to talk over dinner."

            "Me, too?" Kevin asked.

            "Sure.  Just get Lana if you want."

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Larry and Liquidator did not like what Luna was saying.  "You let an underling humiliate you?" Larry asked.  "Where've I heard 'Cerebra' before?  Hm!  The Thunderian who was taken this morning was that guy's brother!  I remember him now."

            Luna said, "Cerebrantonio subdued my servants merely by smacking Tug-mug into Aluro, Red-eye, and Chilla.  The situation probably didn't register in Amok's confused mind."

            "Hm," said Liquidator, calmly pondering the situation.  "In situations like this, it sometimes helps just to go with the flow.  Let's await their next move for now."

            "Good idea," said Larry.  "Luna, return to your palace."

            Luna said, "Certainly, Larry."  She left.

            MotherBrain came in.  "Is all well?"

            Liquidator said, "It could be better."

            "Luna failed?"

            "To Cerebrantonio."

            "Hmph.  I hate kitties.  At least Nuclesís's fools got Malcolm here."

            As if on cue, Nuclesís came in.  His servants - Electron Charge, Proton Brain, and Neutron Head - trailed behind him.  Some time during the past millennium, he started using a cane of light metal.  "Prince Larry," said Nuclesís, "am I to understand that Electron Charge and Proton Brain were late?"

            Larry said, "Yes, Charles."

            "Thank you."  With his cane he smacked Electron Charge and Proton Brain each in the head.  "Idiots!  You couldn't find your way out of a paper bag with a map!  Why I let you travel around hyperspace is beyond me."

            "What about me, Mr. Nuclesís?" Neutron Head asked.

            Nuclesís smacked him, too.  "You, too.  Now, MotherBrain, how went the plan to get the Farfâla-twins?"

            "It almost worked," said MotherBrain.

            Larry said, "However, Cerebrantonio really socked it to the Luna-tacks."

            "The Luna-tacks got Wilykit," said Liquidator, "but she had given Antonio the Sword.  Antonio's family has always been loyal and faithful to Wilykit's."

            MotherBrain said, "Ludwig's going to fix the Thunderians; he's sending away all the elder members of twin relationships. . . Wilykit, Gatito, Chatonne, and so forth.  The destination?  The warp in the unexplored galaxy!  Ha, ha!"

            "What a scheme!" said Larry.  The door from the elevator opened; Kevin stepped out.  "Ah, Captain N!"

            "Hello, villainous usurpers," Kevin said humourlessly.  He really wished he had the power to stop them; he would do the universe a favour.

            "You know what they say about flattery, Kevin.  Now, I understand that Wilykit's new pal, Cerebrantonio, socked it to Luna's - ahem - forces, as it were."

            "Indeed he did, Prince Larry.  Where's Princess Lana?"

            "In her room."

            "Where're you takin' her now, Captain N?" asked MotherBrain.  "The Crystal Falls of Exor?  The Grand Canyon of Earth?"

            Kevin said, "No.  New Thundera.  The capital city, another failure on Luna's part."

            "Excellent.  If you see Wilykit, I'd like you to warn her that Ludwig has a nasty surprise in store for her and her people tomorrow."

            "With pleasure.  I think she may surprise you."

            "I seriously hope not."  She knew the 'Anonymous' Composers' works; their Fifteenth Symphony predicted Ludwig's fall at Wilykit's hands with brilliant music that achieves a perfect balance between drama and lyricism, between romanticism and classicism.  She understood all their symphonies, concerti, and operas; the composers thought it was a mere story.  Every event in the operas had happened, though, and the operas' events were elaborated in the symphonies and concerti - seemingly abstract but with hidden programmatic meaning.  The final orchestral works with both composers' names stamped on them, the Fifth and Sixth Violoncello Concerti, the most outstanding works in concerto repertoire, in orchestra repertoire, and especially in violoncello repertoire, were by far their greatest achievement.  The two concerti had to be treated as a whole for full comprehension.

            Kevin said, "Well, I'll see you later."  He re-entered the elevator.  "Floor 96."  The elevator took him down to that floor.  He got off and headed to the end of the corridor to Lana's room.  He pressed the beeper.

            Lana asked, "Who is it?"  She sounded most irritated, and Kevin did not want her to vent her anger onto him.  Nevertheless. . .

            "It's Kevin."

            She was obviously quite happy about this, for her response was very enthusiastic.  "Kevin!  Come in, please!"

            Kevin opened the door and entered Lana's elaborate room.  Lana was sitting at a table with a computer.  "Hi, Lana."

            "Hello, Kevin.  I'm happy to see you."  She jumped up, threw her arms around him and kissed him.  "Your arrival relieves me.  Are you going to take me to dinner?"

            Kevin smiled.  "I sure am; that's why I came.  Mind going to Thundera?"

            "Oh, Kevin, I love that place!"  She relinquished him.  "I'm ready.  I just felt you were going to ask me to dinner."

            "Yeah.  It will be partly business; every Thunder Cat will be at the café where we're going, and I'm meeting them there."

            "All right.  Taking your instruments?"

            "If you'll carry my violin."

            "All right."  They left Lana's room and went down the hall to Kevin's room.  Though less elaborate than Lana's, it was spacious and well furnished.  "Hm.  I never really noticed how my room's grander than yours."

            "Oh, I find it plenty comfortable."  He went over to two instrument cases.  He picked up the smaller.  "Here's the violin."  He handed it to her.  Then he took the larger.  "The guitar."

            "Shall we go?"

            "After you, my dear."  Smiling, Lana led the way out and back to the elevator.

            Once they were in the elevator, Lana said, "Warp Hall."  The Warp Hall was only accessible to few.  The elevator started up.  "So, how are you feeling?"

            "All right.  And you?"

            "Okay, I guess.  I'm tired of MotherBrain, Ludwig, and Larry.  I hope the plan succeeds."

            "So do I.  Wilykit's got us out of some jams before, she and her brother."

            "Yes."  She hoped her next comment would not put him off; it was merely an observation.  "I haven't noticed you doing much of that lately."

            "What do you mean?"  Kevin was merely curious.  Lana shrugged; Kevin knew she felt she should not have asked.  "Hey.  It's okay, Lana.  I have done a heroic deed; I helped the Thunderians when the Plundarrian-Team attacked with Li₂Tu₂He.  It was just after the initiation of the Tygra-twins and the Cerebra-twins into Thunder-Cat-dom."

            "I'm sorry, Kevin.  I love you. . . far more than I did a thousand years ago.  I just miss the past heroics a little.  It isn't your fault; there've been few opportunities."

            "That really is too bad.  I wish I could stop MotherBrain and Ludwig, but that's life."

            "Still, heroics or none, I'll always love you, Kevin."

            "Same here.  What do you want to do after dinner?"

            "I don't know.  Let's deal with that at the proper time."  The doors opened.

            "You first, Lana."

            "Thank you."  They went down the expansive Warp Hall; they opened and then entered the warp to Tighra, D.F., New Thundera.  "Well, Kevin, here we are."

            "Yes.  I love this place."

            "Where's the café?"

            "This way, up the street."  They went up the street to the café.  It was the social centre of the town.  Everyone in town came here at some time or other; no particular reason was necessary.  No one person owned it; it belonged to the people of the city.  "They're not here yet.  Wait a minute!  I see them coming."  The two waited.  The Thunder Cats came into the café and went over to Kevin and Lana.

            Wilykit said, "Welcome to Thundera, Princess Lana."

            "Thank you," said Lana.  "I actually feel safer here than in the Palace of Power."

            "A true shame.  Our enemy rules from what is most likely the Milky Way Galaxy's grandest and most benevolent empire."

            "What about the Thunderian Kingdom?"

            "Our roots and most of our people are in the Galaxy of Leos.  This sixth of the Milky Way just happens to be an extension, though the Royal Congress is here rather than there.  Anyway, we have much to talk about, so let's find some seats."

            They located a few long tables and put their short ends together to form a long table.  Twins sat next to each other, those in love across from one another.  Wilykit and Wilykat sat at the head automatically; no one felt offence in any way.  "So," asked Wilykit, "is everyone here who should be here?"

            Antonio asked, "What about Link and Princess Zelda?  This concerns them, correct?"

            "Sure, Antonio.  You may get them.  I'll tell everyone what this is about, what you revealed to me."

            Gatinha stood as Antonio did.  "May I come with you, Antonio?" she asked.

            Antonio replied, "Certainly."  He and she left the café.  "You want to know something, don't you?"

            "You're most perceptive, my friend.  What's going on?"

            "Mind if I give you a telepathic dump of it?  It is much information."

            "I prefer it that way.  Please do."  Antonio placed an enormous amount of knowledge into her permanent memory.  She was enraged at Ludwig, but she managed to regain her emotional control after the following statement.  "Darn that blasted rattlesnake and his step-brain!"

            "I perfectly understand your angry feelings toward the devils.  That's the knowledge that I gave Wilykit.  She was also angry.  Now, you know why I'm getting Link and Princess Zelda."

            "Yes.  Antonio!  You know all the music of the 'Anonymous' Composers!"

            "Yes, and so do you.  The lady was an inspiration and a virtuoso violoncellist, while the gentleman was a master melodist, superb harmonist, a superior orchestrator, and, many might argue, the greatest concerto composer whose existence ever graced the universe.  As a symphonist, he was also an excellent composer.  His balance between Classical form and Romantic content is nearly perfect.  When he goes to one extreme, he counters it with the other. . . his symphonic structure being an example.  As good as he was, one might think he'd have many concise works and few long ones, as Gustav Mahler had ten gigantic symphonies but not much other orchestral work.  However, from the sole pen of the male 'Anonymous' Composer - or more likely his computer notation program, for he lived at the advent of such software - flowed over fifty symphonies of great genius and many of Mahlerian length; giant music drama cycles that rival Wagner's dramas in every detail.  He wrote over eighty-five concerti, two of which exceed normal symphonic length.  He also composed uncountable chamber works and many symphonic poems and concert overtures unlike any written before.  Also, he composed superb songs for voice, at least one bowed instrument, and piano.  One thing he despised with a passion was the piano's popularity over the bowed instruments as a solo instrument.  He did like the instrument, but he hated the popularity, thinking it unjust, so he always subordinated the piano to the violin, viola, or violoncello.  The exceptions exist solely in his piano concerti and solo piano sonatas, which could arguably be the greatest pieces ever composed for any keyboard instrument.

            "Many of his purely instrumental works and those few choral symphonies he wrote contain leading motives from his music dramas.  The most superb examples are in the violoncello concerti.  He adored the instrument even more than the violin, which he himself played.  More than any other, that instrument has a voice entirely its own in every single one of his orchestral works.

            "The 'Anonymous' Composers' Fifth and Sixth Concerti for Violoncello are the greatest pieces ever written for violoncello.  They are connected so deeply that one cannot understand one concerto without the other.  They share the same opus number.  The Fifth is in c minor, the Sixth in E-flat Major."

            "And," said Gatinha, anticipating him, "they almost narrate the 'dream-adventure' that would be fatal to Link.  Their motivic structures could help Link to overcome death."

            "Exactly, my dear.  The second movement of the Concerto for Violoncello number Six in E-flat Major incorporates the 'Ballad of the Wind Fish,' using only the violoncelli, the horns, bells with definite pitch, the flutes, one harp, the marimba, the triangles, an organ, and timpani.  The flutes rival the solo violoncello in that movement.  Underneath the movement label, the composers wrote, 'Link had no hope of surviving.  For him to have such a hope, he would have familiarised himself with the dream-adventure of his ancestor who had destroyed Ganon.  He would have had to hear the violoncello's phrases as presented in these two concerti and deduce from the motivic structures what to do in his own dream-adventure.  Also, if Link is forced to enter this dream-adventure, MotherBrain will have done some God-awful thing to the N-Team and to the Thunderians, some wicked surprise that we could not recount.' "

            "Hm.  Well, let's go."

            "Yes."  He tapped his new communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, please transport two to the outside of the Castle of Hyrule."  They were transported to the gate of that castle.  Antonio knocked loudly with the doorknocker.  A guard opened the door.

            "Good evening," the guard said.  "May I help you?"

            "Yes, please, sir.  Thunder Cats Cerebrantonio and Tygragatinha are here to speak with Princess Zelda and Link on behalf our Lord Wilykit."

            "Very well.  Please, follow me."  The guard led the two Thunder Cats through the inner garden and into the castle proper.  In the entrance hall - which, Antonio noted, was perfect for acoustics - the guard said, "Please make yourselves comfortable.  I shall inform Princess Zelda and Link of your arrival."

            Antonio said, "Thank you, guard."  The guard left.  "Great place for chamber music."

            "A coincidence," said Gatinha.  "Jean-Léonard, Chatonne, Astucieux-élisabeth, Link, and I just finished recording all Beethoven's chamber music in here a few weeks ago."

            "I see.  To include the violoncello sonatas?"

            "Yes.  The set's not out yet, but it'll sell like hotcakes for sure."

            "Most certainly."

            "Well, once our symphony is performed, Chatonne and I will be relieved.  The themes and melodies came very easily; we used a leading motive system to produce themes.  For outshining Ludwig, we put in harmonic special effects.  Often, we made a million changes to the harmony.  Our next symphony won't receive a whole century of reworking, I tell you."

            "Of course.  Much of our musical education consisted of compositional techniques and orchestration.  We took Luis de Koopa's class on orchestration; he revealed several techniques of his cousin just to my brother and me.  However, we felt our math skills would rake in more than our compositional."

            "My sister and I never took formal courses on orchestration.  We just studied on our own the techniques of past composers.  If we'd taken real classes, it would be easier for us."

            "Your method seems to have worked rather well.  However, the male 'Anonymous' Composer took orchestration courses.  In many of his works, I see an excellent testing of the instruments' capacities.  In fact, for each definite-pitched instrument of the orchestra, including timpani, he composed at least one concerto testing the performer's abilities to the extreme.  For woodwinds, he included block chords to imply breaking the chords."

            "Hm.  I'll have to study those works he wrote."

            "This is very interesting, Gatinha.  The violoncello concerti are scored for an unusually large orchestra.  One violoncello soloist, of course.  The bowed string division consists of three violin sections, two viola sections, three violoncello sections, and two double-bass sections.  For plucked strings, he has ten guitars, five harps, and two harpsichords.  The woodwind division has two piccoli, five flutes, five oboes, four English horns, five clarinets, two bass clarinets, four bassoons, and two contrabassoons.  He usually used few brass instruments; he could work exceptionally well with merely a horn and a trumpet.  Though he liked them quite well in listening, he hated giving the brass instruments except the horns leading roles, so he usually kept the brass section as small as possible.  However, this time, he really wanted to go all out, so he used a really heavy-artillery brass division replete with ten French horns, ten trumpets, five alto trombones, five tenor trombones, five bass trombones, and ten tubas, and what music he makes with those is absolutely wonderful!  The wind section was supplemented by three electronic organs.  Also unusual for him, the percussion scoring is quite elaborate.  Two pianos, six marimbas, five sets of timpani, and a whole lot of others.  One violoncello against a veritable army of instruments.  In the première, though, the applause and cheering were ten times louder than that enormous orchestra could ever be, and it was because of the skill of the soloist, the female 'Anonymous' Composer.  She performed for four hours, with one intermission each hour."

            "I see."

            Link and Zelda came in.  "Hello, Gatinha and Antonio," Zelda said.  "Welcome back to Hyrule."

            Antonio replied, "Thank you, Princess.  On behalf of Wilykit, we invite you two to come visit Thundera and dine with us Thunder Cats.  Captain N and Princess Lana are also there."

            "Thank you.  Link?"

            "We accept, Antonio," said Link.  "What is the exact location?"

            "The café in Tighra.  If you feel there's more to this than dinner, you're right."

            "You're most perceptive, Antonio."

            "Thank you.  We are going to hold a discussion."

            "What's the subject?"

            "Your survival of the lethal dream."

            Gatinha said, "Get the book My Strange Dream on Koholint Island, Link.  We need it."

            * * *

            Café, Tighra, D.F., New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 049 506.8; January 1, 2995.

            About an hour after midnight, Antonio completed the extensive violoncello solo parts from the 'Anonymous' Composers' Violoncello Concerti numbers Five in c minor and Six in E-flat Major.  Those who listened were in awe.  Any average Thunderian could write a reasonably good concerto, be it Classical or Romantic.  However, not even the brilliant Tygra-twins were prepared for the way the composers had treated the violoncello's parts, the brilliant combination of dramatics, lyricism, and virtuosity that the violoncellist used to outdo the orchestral army.  Antonio possessed the skill necessary to command the solo instrument with the expression demanded.  His violoncello was made of a special wood that rendered a tone of great quality and a volume with range from intensely soft to deafening.  His physical strength and limber bow-arm could make his instrument so loud that the low range would shake the ground, that the high range could possibly shatter glass.

            Everyone around applauded him when he had finished.  "Thank you," said Antonio.

            "I can't do anything like what you can do," said Élisabeth.

            Chatonne said, "Neither can I.  Antonio's violoncello is made of the strongest wood found in the universe; it also miraculously happens to be the most sonorous.  Also, he has great strength and powerful mental control over that strength.  I now see why he prefers the violoncello to the violin.  The former is more powerful and more expressive and can better stand how he has to play it.

            "But that's not the chief reason for this superb performance of this excellent concerto.  Link?"

            "Right," Link said.  "The twin concerti fit the story in the dream.  I don't know exactly how, but they do.  They also include advice encoded in their motives that my mind may decode during my dream, if I have it."

            Zelda turned up her right eyebrow.  "And who exactly is Marin?"

            "My guess is she's the representation of that Link's Zelda in the dream," said Link.

            "I see."

            Wilykit said, "Well, we got good food and good music.  Our 'meeting,' such as it is, is adjourned.  Good night, everyone."

            Everyone got up to leave.  Lynx-O departed to his home on New Thunderius.  The Astutus-twins, Bengali, and Pumyra left for casa di Tygra on Thunderius.  Panthro went over to Lion-O.  "Lion-O, want to sleep at my place tonight?  There's plenty of room, and there're already several people at Tygra's house on this world."

            Lion-O said, "Sure, Panthro.  Tygra. . ."

            "Go ahead, Lion-O," said Tygra.  "I understand and approve.  You're about five times more likely to be disturbed at my home than at his.  You're certainly welcome in my house, of course; I just don't want you to be disturbed by people moving about, and Panthro lives alone anyway."

            "Not quite, Tygra," Panthro said.  "Snarf and Snarfer are visiting."

            "Ah, yes.  I remember.  Well, good night, Lion-O and Panthro."

            Lion-O said, "Good night, Tygra.  See you tomorrow morning."

            "Good night, Tygra," said Panthro.

            "Good night, Lion-O and Panthro," Tygra said.  Panthro and Lion-O went to Panthro's home, which was just outside the city to the north.

            Tygra and Cheetara bade good night to the Wilytwins and Tygra-twins, then returned to casa di Tygra on New Thunderius.  Kevin and Princess Lana returned to the Palace of Power.  Jean-Léonard bade good night to the Astucieux-twins and went home; the Astucieux-twins then returned to their home.  Princess Zelda (who had recorded Antonio's part from the violoncello concerti) and Link returned to the Castle of Hyrule.

            Now, only the Wilytwins, the Tygra-twins, the Cerebra-twins, the Farfâla-twins, and Beethoven remained.  "Well, Antonio and Guillaume," asked Chatonne, "what are you doing now?"

            "We're going home," said Antonio.  "Our cousins are coming with us."

            Gatinha said, "How about Chatonne and I come by when we're ready to leave for Mount Icarus?"

            "Sure!  See you later, then, Tygra- and Wilytwins."

            Wilykit said, "Good night, Cerebra- and Farfâla-twins."  The Cerebra- and Farfâla-twins left for the Cerebra-twins' home.  The Wilytwins, the Tygra-twins, and Beethoven returned to casa di Tygra on this world.

            * * *

            Wilytwins' Room, casa di Tygra, New Thundera.

            Wilykit said, "Now, only one thing's missing."

            "What's that?" asked Wilykat.

            "My boyfriend, you silly guy!"

            "Oh."

            As if on cue, Wesley popped into the room.  "Hello, Wilytwins," he said.

            "Hi, Wes," said Wilykat.  "What've you been up to?"

            "I visited my mother, Captain Picard, Commander Steelheart, and my half-brother, Jean-Léonard.  Jean-Léonard's a really great person; he's a Thunderian in mind and spirit.  Mom brought him up in a great place."

            Wilykit said, "Thank you, Wesley.  What are the mental states of our enemies, if you can tell?"

            "Ludwig's smugger than before, a sure sign you'll blow his plans of interdimensional conquest out of the water.  Larry is mad; this just hasn't been his day, you know, thanks in part to you, 'Kit."  Wilykit smiled.  "MotherBrain has something cooking in her trillions of brain cells, though.  Some evil scheme.  I'd watch it.  In fact, I'm not stepping foot inside the stadium tomorrow until Ludwig's speech."

            "I see, Wes.  What else?"

            Wesley went over to the chair she was sitting in, knelt beside it, and smiled at her.  "Just this."  A pause.  Then, they began kissing.  Wilykat decided not to stick around.

            * * *

            In the Tygra-twins' room, the Tygra-twins were talking.  "You've just simply decided to put b minor on the label of those two concerti, haven't you?" Gatinha asked Chatonne.

            "Certainly," said Chatonne.  "I don't want to argue about it, now, Gatinha."

            "I won't.  We'll use it."

            "Wow.  Why the sudden change of attitude?"

            "Well, I just wrote a sonata for solo 'cello for Antonio.  I put it in d minor.  I don't understand it; it's really not sad, violent, or brooding.  It's more akin to the famous introduction to Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in b-flat minor.  I really don't know why I wrote it."

            "What's the title?"

            "It's just Sonata for Solo Violoncello in d minor, to be opus B-47.  Why?"

            "Generic, abstract title.  All right.  Play it an octave higher on viola, please."

            "Sure."  She got up from her chair, got her viola case, opened it, extracted the viola and the older bow, tightened the bow, and tuned the viola with her excellent hearing.

            Someone knocked on the door.  Chatonne said, "Come in."

            Wilykat opened the door and entered.  "Hi, ladies," he said.

            "Anything wrong?"

            "No.  Wesley just dropped by."

            "Ah!  Gatinha was getting ready to play me something she's just written:  Sonata for Solo Violoncello in D, written for Antonio.  She's elevating it an octave for viola."

            "I see."

            Gatinha said, "It's specifically in d minor."

            "I thought you hated to say a work of yours was in the minor mode," Wilykat said.

            "I did, until I wrote this piece," said Gatinha.  "It's in four movements, all connected.  Each movement is in sonata-allegro form, except the third movement, which is in minuet and trio form.  The first movement is quick and impassioned; the second is slow, almost moderate; the third is minuet and trio:  slightly faster than walking pace and joking; the final is finale:  super-fast and enamoured."

            She started playing.  The first movement's main theme was built upon a motive, a fixed idea, upon which every other theme in the work was based.  The fixed idea had two forms; the first was probably meant to stand for Antonio, the next for Gatinha.  Chatonne and Wilykat admired the abstract form, a completely novel yet classical way of developing musical threads on a single instrument like a viola that had not the abilities of a keyboard instrument.  Gatinha used many broken chords to develop pseudopolyphony, or 'fake' polyphony (polyphony being more than one melodic line; all the melodic lines interweave).  The work could, however, be interpreted in a romantic, programmatic sense.  Movement I:  the two lovers meet.  Movement II:  they sit in the fields on a pleasant day, gazing in one another's eyes and talking about nothing in particular.  Movement III:  they dance with moderate speed.  Movement IV:  that night, next to Lake Hylia on Hyrule, they make their permanent commitment to one another.  The music portrayed emotions above all else, especially in the fourth movement.

            When Gatinha had finished the work on an enchanting chord, Chatonne said, "That's great!  Do you have some hidden program?  Two motives appeared in every single theme."

            "I knew you'd both figure out the program.  Actually, it's just one motive.  It has two main forms."

            "I see.  Yeah.  I love the way you so delicately merged classicism and romanticism."

            Wilykat said, "It's a great piece, Gatinha.  I think Antonio will like it."

            "Thank you, Wilykat," Gatinha said.  "You realise, of course, that I'm including no written program with the published work."  An intercom signal beeped.

            Chatonne pressed a key on a computer panel on her chair.  "Casa di Tygra, New Thundera.  Tygrachatonne speaking.  Whom have I the honour of addressing?"

            "It's Cerebrantonio," replied Antonio.  "I just did something totally weird."

            "What?"

            "Speedily wrote a Duo for Viola and Violoncello in d minor.  I'd say it's about eighty minutes long!  I don't know why I wrote it.  Okay, so I do know one probable cause:  my feelings for your younger sister.  Interpreted correctly, the piece is a deeply emotional work.  I can't really describe it."

            "Well, I suggest we talk about this in the morning."

            "Okay, Chatonne.  See you later."

            "See you later, Antonio."  Chatonne thumbed the same key.  "Wilykat, if I may ask, have Wilykit and Wesley consummated their love before?"

            "Twice before today," said Wilykat.  "The second time was on Hyrule."

            "Hm.  Did they use contraceptive devices?"

            "Both times.  Now, though, neither is using any contraceptive device.  And I think they want children."

            Gatinha asked, "What about you and Jayna?"

            "No, she and I haven't made love.  We wanted to so badly, but more importantly we didn't want to bear children in jail."

            "We can imagine.  No access to contraceptives."

            Chatonne said, "Well, darn.  Why aren't you with her now?"

            "She and her brother need time to get settled back in on Exor.  I just felt she'd be better if I didn't ask.  No big deal."

            "Where are they living?"

            "Their old home on Exor, which their people loyally keep in good condition.  Super-twins normally come once every five hundred years along the same hereditary line.  The entire line is treated like royalty; the older super-twin is the most highly respected member of Exorian society, though it's normally the younger that has children.  It's just that it's so difficult for a super-twin to find the right mate.  Why, Zan complains so much about too many women being in love with him!  Super-twins are truly superior to all other Exorians; on Exor, no one is stronger, smarter, or better looking.  If there is one universal constant, it's that good and young Exorians, without exception, unanimously find the super-twins the most attractive individuals in their society.  However, the loyalty is even greater; no young man would dare even give the slightest particle of thought to being jealous of or angry with Zan if his girlfriend were irresistibly attracted to Zan.  Of course, Jayna's taken."  Wilykat smiled.  "And no other Exorian boy would dare be jealous of me."

            "Wilykat," asked Chatonne, "what would you do if your sister were sent to that galaxy?"

            The smile disappeared.  "I don't know."

            Gatinha said, "Oh, no!  Suppose Ludwig and MotherBrain sent all the older members of Thunderian twin relationships there!  The confusion could destroy our society!"

            "That's a horrifying scenario.  We younger siblings are raised to be depended to a major degree on our older twin siblings.  Even me!"

            Chatonne said, "Antonio wasn't.  He was supposed to be born first, but he wasn't; in spite of the actual order of birth, Antonio's parents raised him to be leader of Guillaume because of his already apparent superiority.  In such a dire scenario, Wilykat, if you're too uncomfortable with leading our people, I strongly suggest asking Antonio for help."

            "I agree," said Gatinha.

            Wilykat said, "All right."