The years 2995 and 2996 showed the Wilytwins' uncanny abilities in everything.  None of their Q-cubed power was used during this period.

            First off, in every subject area (not simply in general), they beat all standing records while at the University of Thundera.  They did exceedingly well in all courses, and their primary areas were math, languages, and music.  The theories in the final math classes had been suggested by Wilykit herself on Old Thundera.  They both understood well the language theories of their cousins, the Astutus-twins, and learned the required languages well.  Their understanding of music theory and history was beyond compare, as was their uncommon ability to take to a new instrument readily.  Within mere months, they had learned several instruments well enough to play orchestrally.  Also, now few could orchestrate better than they or quash an orchestral work easily into a solo string work better than they; the ones whose abilities rivalled theirs were the Cerebra-twins, Kevin, and Beethoven.  The Wilytwins could develop, vary, and improvise a theme in any manner required.  Of course, their superiority was also shown in all other subject areas.

            Politically, the N-Team was far more likely to gain rule of the universe than the Brain-Team.  None of MotherBrain's campaigns won much support.  Wilykit made sure she only said that she would do what she could feasibly do (which was very much nonetheless).

            On 13 October 2995, Wilykit (during a school break), Princess Zelda, and Princess Lana each bore boy-girl twins.  Lana had married Kevin officially, but she had not taken the title of queen, and he had not taken the title of prince nor king.  Also, by Thunderian law, Wesley and Wilykit did not need to undergo an actual wedding ceremony to be legally married; that they knowingly conceived children together was all that was needed for them to be considered married.  Wesley and Kevin often helped to watch over the six children.

            Early in the morning of 2 January 2995, about two hours after midnight, Link fell into the 'dream.'  Quicksilver and Dr. Picard did not understand what had caused it.  He 'slept' and 'dreamt' for far more than five months, but he remained alive, thanks to Dr. Picard and Quicksilver.  They discovered that his consciousness was active, but it was in a different universe on a Hyrule-like world.

            During this period, Antonio's abilities on strings and Guillaume's on woodwinds brought them widespread recognition among the universe's many music appreciators.  They displayed unprecedented mastery of their instruments.  Often, they, the Astucieux-twins (still retaining their own recognition), the Tygra-twins, and Beethoven worked together with assistance from Kevin (whose powers of improvisation were nearly unmatched), Simon, Will Riker, and Jean-Léonard.  In fact, Beethoven composed several 'suites for eleven players' just for them.  Antonio played his part on violoncello; Guillaume on oboe, clarinet, or bassoon; Élisabeth on violoncello; Frédéric on flute; Chatonne on violin; Gatinha on viola; Beethoven on piano; Kevin on violin, viola, or guitar; Simon on French horn or trumpet; Riker on trombone; and Jean-Léonard on violin.  They met fairly regularly.  Sometimes, the Wilytwins would join them.  The multi-movement works gave Beethoven an easy medium in which to try new ideas, and he had sufficient timbre contrasts at his disposal.  Also, he was satisfied personally; the suites became very popular very quickly.  He felt it increasingly easier now to shift between classical, diametrical, balanced music and grand, dramatic, romantic music at will.

            Also, this group of eleven musicians and the Wilytwins collectively studied the 'Anonymous' Composers' works before the Tygra-twins presented them to the masses.  The male 'Anonymous' Composer dismissed atonality (or having no key signature at all) as 'music without gravity,' as so chaotic that it needed a system of composition way too stiff for 'people's music,' as it was quite complicated for many to understand and rarely pleasing to listen to.  He took the techniques that had been used for atonal music but applied them to tonal music (music having a key centre, such as C Major), fashioning attractive thematic expansions.  He praised the techniques that had been developed but did away with atonality; never did he go to it, except in a few chaotic developments, when he justified its use.

            The male 'Anonymous' Composer, an American, then partly followed in a German's footsteps.  He cultivated Wagner's type of opera, the music drama, using the system of leading motives with much more apparent flexibility.  In his hands, the music drama became even more powerful than before.  His sense of linguistic lyricism made him able to shape the sung melody to fit any language. . . Italian, German, French, Spanish, and English especially, and his music was mostly in English.  His music could be exceedingly difficult for the leading roles, but it was worth any difficulty, for his sense of melody that permeated every aspect of his music rewarded well any attempt to learn the melody perfectly.  His lyricism earned him great respect and popularity.  Of course, he could easily establish any kind of superb harmony, but all was subject to the melody in rhythm and pitch, except for the basic harmonies that tonal music required by definition.

            He was fond of creating large cycles. . . multiple music dramas to a cycle, for instance.  In fact, he had two enormous cycles, and many of his music dramas belonged to one cycle or the other.  The ignorant might feel that he was just doing a bunch of musical patchwork; after all, in each of the two cycles were several leading motives that he used in many dramas of the cycle.  However, his superb variations and interweavings made each occurrence of such a motive fresh and important.  He had Wagner's power of using motives as 'musical moments of feeling.'  His dramas, however, were conceived on a far grander scale than were Wagner's, and yet they were more popularly tolerable at the same time because they were not quite so 'heavy' in nature.  He proved to be the greatest composer of his day.  Of course, he knew the fine line between enough spice and too much.  He could create astonishing effects simply because he had an affinity for moderation; when he did something dramatic, it was used sparingly.

            Also, as an aid, he labelled the leading motives in the score when he used them.  He always indicated what he had done in his every work; in sonata cycles, he marked the various sections according to function, making analysis simpler.  He even specified what key a section was in when it was not in the indicated key signature or if it was not immediately apparent whether major or minor was intended.

            Enlightened by the male 'Anonymous' Composer's voice writing and the music drama in general, Beethoven decided to compose his second opera, a music drama based on an old Thunderian legend.  With the help of the other ten of his group and the Wilytwins, he began the text of the music drama.

            Of course, the villains were seeking to find a way to conquer the universe again.  The plot they would fashion would be quite diabolical indeed.

            * * *

            Conference Chamber, S-s-slithe and Luna's Palace, Plundarr, Galaxy of Leos, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 051 284.9; October 12, 2996.

            "Why did you let Captain N talk you into this, anyway, Empress MotherBrain?" ProtoMan asked in front of the whole Extended Brain-Team.

            Grinning wickedly, MotherBrain said, "I want the N-Team to win."

            "Yes," said Ludwig.  "My friends, we are going to conquer that unknown galaxy and then Wesley Crusher's home universe!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "Whoa!" Mega Volt said.  "Sounds great, but only one of us is Q-cubed now, because of that rotten kitten."

            "I shall give Ludwig power to replace what Wilykit took," said MotherBrain.  "Then, I'll give some other Brain-Teamsters the power."

            "Oh, goody!" said Eggplant Wizard.

            "NOT YOU, PRUNE-BRAIN!!!"  She telekinetically thrust him so his rear flew into a statue's sword-tip.  He screamed and leapt (for his legs could reach the statue's arm), smashing himself into the ceiling.  He fell and crashed on King Hippo.

            "Hey!" King Hippo said.

            Ludwig said, "Silence, ye buffoons!  Malcolm, have you and Sandra infiltrated the universal computer net?"

            "We have, Emperor," Malcolm Frink responded.  "Except the for Thunderian sector; we've tried that for weeks."

            "Don't worry.  Tygra and Wilykat designed it.  Some of Wilykat's puzzles are darn near impossible to crack."

            Larry said, "You can say that again.  He could design an unbeatable labyrinth.  I'm sure it comes off of Tygra.  That's probably the one thing he's better at than his sister."

            "You underestimate his abilities," said MotherBrain.  "He's very clever.  He masks his capabilities well behind those of his older sister.  However, underestimate him, and you pay for it severely."

            "He ain't too tough," Roy said.

            "There you go, Roy, underestimatin' him!  That Wilykat can look weak because of his Thunderian muscles but actually be able to stop Ludwig's Warbird at top speed."

            "Anyway," said Ludwig, "in Wesley's native universe, we'll block all do-gooders' entrance there.  We'll be unstoppable."

            "Unstoppable," said Mon*Star.  "I like the sound of that.  But what about the Moon*Star's energy?"

            "We'll take care of that.  Our invasion of the Original Universe will begin in the Delta Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy.  We're going to start with the Kazon {kehy-zahn}."

            Bowser, the father of Ludwig, asked, "Ludwig, does that universe have Thunderians?"

            "What?  Oh, drat me!  If there are any, though, they won't have the powers of those here."

            MotherBrain said, "We should scout before conquering, Ludwig."

            "I agree.  Good point, Dad."

            * * *

            Wilytwins' Room, casa di Tygra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            The Wilytwins were studying.  To them, 32 hours a semester had been a picnic.  Tomorrow, Saturday (at some point in the past millennium, the days of the week had been shifted), would be the birthday of Wilykit's offspring, Crusher-johanna {yó-hahn-nah} and Crusher-johannes {yó-hahn-nehs}.  Wesley continually insisted that they should take their mother's father's name rather than his, making them Wily-johanna and Wily-johannes.  Wilykit was 'thinking about it.'  Wilykit and her brother had tomorrow and today off, since this semester they were only taking two classes, each of which was on Tuesday and Thursday.  They did not even need these two classes to graduate with doctorates.  They merely wished to take them.  They had blown away the placement tests.  In the second and third semesters of 2995 and in the first and second semester of 2996, they took 128 hours of the most difficult courses offered at the Thunderian University, the universe's foremost institution.  They studied mainly math, music, science, literature, and language.  Now, they were just studying math and music.  What they knew and learned could never be attributed to the Q-cubed powers.  Their unique intellectual capacity proved that they were truly Lords of the Thunder Cats.

            Wilykit's children were advancing at a good Thunderian rate.  They were already able to stand and walk and say a few sentences in a few languages; their English, French, and German were advanced, even for their age.  Their primary teeth were all in.  They already had sharp senses and a deep compassion for each other, for their parents, for Wilykat, and for the others who dwelt around them, which Thunderians considered the most important development of all.  Day by day, their awareness of the universe around them was rapidly increasing.  They understood to a great extent the Code of Thundera already; this was definitely encouraged.

            Zelda and Link's children and Lana and Kevin's children, though not quite as advanced as Wilykit and Wesley's, were nonetheless developing quite rapidly.  Zelda and Lana had used the same Thunderian chemical to ensure that Link and Kevin would send out sperm.  However, they did not know the chemical would produce identical boy-girl twins in the Wilykat manner.  The chemical, used on humans, Hyrulians, and other humanoids, would also cause a quicker maturity rate from birth to six years old and then increase the person's life span from nine years old upward.  Reacting with Kevin's cell structure, which was unknowingly advanced beyond that of most humans, it doubled the rate of development from conception to birth, giving Lana a pregnancy of only five short months instead of nine long ones.  Also, the chemical took the birth pain away from Lana when she bore her and Kevin's children.

            Wilykit sighed.  "Let's take a break, bro."

            "Great idea," said Wilykat.  "How 'bout we walk in the woods, where I can push you into the mud hole?"

            "Please.  I wouldn't want to set a bad example."

            "Your kids are going to horse around, Wilykit.  Besides, we're Thunderians.  Thunderians horse around at every opportunity.  I even saw Lynx-O and Pumyra do that quite recently."

            "I'm sorry, brother.  I don't feel like it today."

            "That's all right, sister."

            She searched for a topic quickly.  "You used to hate German, you know."

            "Yeah, until I took your advice and listen to Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung.  Of course, the male 'Anonymous' Composer did better at revealing the lyrical potentialities of German, even though his language was American English."

            "Yeah, but see what Kevin can do.  He can take to languages like a fish to water."

            "I hope Wes didn't hear that."

            "Knock it off!  Wesley's my Amoro Eternamente.  He and Kevin are intellectually comparable.  Kevin's just more heroic than my dear Wesley, and he is physically stronger.  I admire my first officer, and I admit that he is rather attractive, but no one will catch me being in love with him while I have Wesley and while Kevin has Princess Lana."

            "I know, 'Kit."

            An intercom signal buzzed.  Wilykit tapped her communicator.  " 'Kit here."

            "Wilykit, this is Kevin at the front door," said Kevin, clearly angry.  "Tally-Hawk sent a message to Steelheart that you should see.

            "Okay, Kevin.  We'll be down in a moment."  She tapped her communicator.  "Let's go, bro.

            * * *

            In the living room, the Wilytwins greeted their guest.  Kevin handed Wilykit an isolinear chip.  "Here's Tally-Hawk's message," he said, restraining his fury well but not quite well enough to keep all of it out of his voice.

            Wilykit said, "Thank you, Kevin.  Have a seat."  Kevin did so as Wilykit sat on the couch, took the laptop computer, put it on the table in front of her, and plugged in the chip.  Wilykat sat to her right.  When she turned on the computer, she and Wilykat saw the Brain-Team's discussion in S-s-slithe and Luna's Palace.

            When the screen turned off, Wilykat smacked the table.  "Why, those Brain-Team leeches!" exclaimed Wilykat.

            "Exhibit more self-control, brother," Wilykit said.

            Kevin said, "What are you going to do about that intolerable scheme of theirs, 'Kit?  Surely, you won't let them get away with it."

            "Patience, Kevin.  I want to be the first to tell Wes about this.  I want every N-Team member who knows anything about the Brain-Team's conference to say nothing about it in public, especially not near a Brain-Team member.  Got it?"

            "Sure, Wilykit.  But what're you going to do about this?"

            "Yeah!" said Wilykat.  "You can't let 'em do this!"

            Wilykit sighed.  "Look, guys.  I asked you to be patient.  I'm not doing a thing until they make their move."

            "What!" Kevin and Wilykat snapped simultaneously.

            "But then we might not be able to stop them!" said Wilykat.

            "Come on, Wilykit!" begged Kevin.  "You have to do something!  Think about Wesley."

            Wilykit said, "I know what I'm doing.  To justify my actions, I must catch them in the act.  However, I said that I wasn't doing anything.  Kevin, once Wesley gets here, you and he get your top-secret mission orders."

            This definitely made Kevin happy.  "All right!" he said.

            However, Wilykat remained unsatisfied.  "What about me, Wilykit?" he demanded.  "Don't I get to participate?"

            Wilykit said, "No.  You have course-work, bro.  I may let you join if this matter extends past graduation, but as long as you have 'Beyond the Complex Numbers' and Music Drama Theory to do, I cannot let you."

            "All right."

            Kevin said, "You guys impress me.  I didn't get that most advanced of math courses simply because of time.  I loved Music Drama Theory.  I guess the course is clearer now that the 'Anonymous' Composers' operas are accessible."

            "Yes," said Wilykit, "so Chatonne and Gatinha say."

            "The guy made analysis as easy as flipping through the score.  Very good about telling what he had done to a motive."

            "That's certainly true," said Wilykat.

            Wilykit tapped her communicator.  "Wesley, this is 'Kit.  Please come to my location as quickly as possible."

            "Sure thing, 'Kit," said Wesley.  He popped into the living room in Q style.

            "Wes, Kevin brings disturbing news.  According to a recording by Tally-Hawk, Ludwig and MotherBrain want the N-Team to be elected.  They also plan to invade and conquer your home universe."

            "WHAT?!?" demanded Wesley.  "I'll take care of them immediately, Wilykit!"

            Wilykit stood.  "You won't stop them that way, Wesley.  However, you and Kevin will carry out a plan to stop the evil fools.  My plan.  No deviation.  Am I clear?"

            "Yes, Wilykit," said Wesley seriously.

            "Yes, Wilykit," Kevin said.

            "If this matter extends past Wilykat's and my graduation, then Wilykat will join you.  Now, listen carefully."

            * * *

            Café, Tighra, D.F., New Thundera.

            The Tygra- and Cerebra-twins had decided to stop at the café before returning home.  Antonio was carrying a large musical manuscript with him.  The four got two tables so they could look over the work.

            The composition was their first major undertaking together.  Antonio had the power to economically combine their ideas.  The symphony was almost complete.  A five-movement work, each of whose movements was in sonata-allegro form.  The work would have a definite program, a definite story.

            Scored for a massive orchestra, this was the first composition showing Antonio's great orchestral skill.  His ability to handle instruments and give the strings unparalleled superiority was unique; only his brother, Kevin, Beethoven, evil Ludwig, or now Wilykit or Wilykat could match him.  Not even the male 'Anonymous' Composer, now proclaimed as the greatest composer between the times of Beethoven and Ludwig von Koopa, could match his moderation to make special effects as special as possible, though Kevin, Wilykit, and Beethoven were each coming very close to doing so.

            They were discussing the coda and finale of the symphony.  It would be dynamic, with a heroically dramatic ending in C Major, the key of the symphony.  The program would be applied once the finale was complete.  The four used leading motives in the manner of a music drama to give the symphony something of the sound of the music drama.

            "There," said Guillaume.  "The music's finished."

            Chatonne said, "Yes, it is.  Now, Gatinha, you and Antonio get to weave your story into the symphony."

            "You guys make it easy," Gatinha said.  "I made many mental notes while we were writing the music; I've even created some 'labels' for the leading motives."

            "All right.  Hey, Guillaume, want to see if Beethoven needs help on his music drama?"

            "Sure," said Guillaume.  "You two behave yourselves."

            Antonio smiled back.  "You also.  We'll be at casa di Tygra soon after you."

            "Ooo-kay."  He patted Antonio on the shoulder while getting up.  Chatonne kissed Gatinha on the cheek and got up.

            "See you after a while," Chatonne said.  "Let's go, Guillaume."  She and Guillaume left.

            Gatinha got up and moved to Antonio's right.  Once Chatonne and Guillaume were out of hearing range, she said, "I have a great story, Antonio.  I just don't want my sister to go gushy all over me yet."

            "All right," said Antonio.  "You dictate, and I'll write it down."

            "In a moment.  Amoro Eternamente."

            "Right.  Amora Eternamente."  They kissed for a few seconds.  "Now?"

            "Now, Antonio."  Antonio got a new sheet of paper.  He readied his pen.

            * * *

            Beethoven's Work Room, casa di Tygra, New Thundera.

            The Thunderian Legend of Amore Eternamente was a superb story.  Beethoven's imagination made it even greater.  The libretto was near completion.  Yet, Beethoven felt that some things definitely were not clear.  He had delved into literature so old that many Thunderians might not have heard of it; he only knew about it because the Astutus-twins, teaching him Ancient Thunderian, had told him about it.  His sudden interest brought him to read the whole thing; he understood it.  Unlike many Terran legends, no Thunderian legends suggested multiple gods; all accepted the God.  Instead of the 'multiple gods' in many Terran myths, Thunderian myths used 'powerful nature-controllers under God's command.'  Beethoven was telling the most impressive part, the finale of the legend.  For lack of some details that no one knew, he tossed in impressive details brewed by his increasingly productive imagination; he always sought Wilykat's approval, for Wilykat was considered an 'expert' on Thunderian literature.

            It just was not clear enough!

            To find some way to fill in the gaps, he searched through all the files on Thunderian folktales, myths, legends.  Maybe. . .

            Maybe he could follow Wagner's path. . . add prequels until the story was clear.  It would take some time, true, but this venture was not his alone.  The Wily-, Tygra-, and Cerebra-twins could help him continue his work, as could several others.  But then, he himself was only about 31, for all physical intents and purposes.

            The door-ringer chimed.  "Come," he said.  Chatonne and Guillaume entered when the door was open; it stayed open.  "Ah, Chatonne and Guillaume.  How are you?"

            Chatonne said, "We're fine, thank you, Beethoven.  How are you?"

            "I'm fine, thanks.  How comes the symphony?"

            "We've finished the music," Guillaume said.  "Antonio and Gatinha are adding the program to it."

            Beethoven smiled.  "You left them alone together?"

            Chatonne said, "Yes.  They don't require constant supervision.  Besides, like Guillaume and me, they're Amore Eternamente.  An integral part of the legend you're using, I understand."

            "Yes," said Beethoven.  "Speaking of that, I've decided that one music drama alone won't cut it.  One drama alone can't provide the clarity I require, since many are not familiar with The Thunderian Legend of Amore Eternamente.  Therefore, I have decided to compose a couple of prequels and do what Wagner did in The Ring of the Nibelung."

            "Oh!  So you're going deeper into the legend?"

            "That, and I think I may use related folk-tales, legends, and mythology.  Your ancestors passed along some great stories.  I'm glad the Astutus-twins introduced me to it."

            "You're in for five dramas at least," said Guillaume.  "I'm just as fascinated with our mythology as you are, as Wilykat is.  Of course, he learned a great deal about Old Thundera's literature, oral and written, since he studied it on Old Thundera.  You know, he played a major role in revitalising it."

            "Of course."  Knocks sounded at the still-open door.  "Come in."

            "Hello, guys," said Will Riker, entering with Simon Belmont.

            "Hello, Will, Simon," Beethoven said.  "How are you today?"

            Simon said, "We're quite well, thank you.  And how are you?"

            "We're fine, thank you."

            Will, with his trombone, went over to the piano and tuned the trombone.  "So," Simon said, "how's the music drama libretto coming, Beethoven?"

            "To clarify the story, I'm making prequels with more of the legend," said Beethoven.  "I've almost finished what will be the final part of the set.  The final product should be a tetralogy or a pentalogy of music dramas centred around faith to the state of Amore Eternamente and to the one with whom one shares the state."

            "And the utter tragedy by one who betrayed that faith," Chatonne added.  "That part is told in our popular moral stories."

            "Ah, yes.  The music drama is a good medium for such a story, I feel.  The interweaving leading motives."

            Knocks sounded at the door.  Wilykit, Wilykat, Kevin, and Wesley came in.  "Hello, all," said Wilykit.  "How goes everything?"

            "All right," said Chatonne.  "Guillaume, Gatinha, Antonio, and I completed the music to our symphony; Antonio and my sister stayed at the café in town to work on the story."

            "Bet they do more than work on the story," commented Wilykat.

            "That's enough, Wilykat," Wilykit said.

            Just then, Antonio (carrying the score) and Gatinha ran in.  "Chatonne!  Guillaume!" cried Gatinha, excited.  "We've finished the story and added it perfectly to the music.  More importantly, I think we can expand this into a music drama!"

            "Oh?" asked Guillaume.

            Chatonne was intrigued.  "How?"

            "Well, what we've got is the source of our leitmotifs," Antonio said calmly.  He was excited, but he controlled it more than his Amora Eternamente.  "Our story can be the backbone of the libretto."

            "All right," said Chatonne.  "Let's see the story first."  The four went to a table to analyse the story, the program of the symphony.

            "So," asked Beethoven, "are we still invited to the six kids' first birthday party to give a mini-concert?"

            Wilykit said, "Sure are.  I think Johanna and Johannes are beginning to appreciate music."

            "Are they?" asked Beethoven.

            "I believe so," Wilykat said.  "Last night, I was practising violin, and you know I walk around the house when I do it.  I walked past their room.  They heard me and called, 'Uncle Wilykat!'  I went in.  They were full of questions about the violin, the melody, and so forth."  He smiled.  "I think that most of the information I gave them stuck."

            Wesley said, "Those two are real information sponges, like the rest of their great race."

            "So're mine!" said Kevin.  "And Zelda's.  They never get enough information.  Once they learned to talk about three months ago, they learned to form phrases, then clauses.  Then they became able to ask an infinite number of questions.  My Kelly and Thomas are so curious, as are Zelda's Heinrich and Liselotte.  That formula Zelda and Lana used on Link and me sure did wonders on the kids' language skills!  Speaking of Zelda's kids, do you know their German is nearly perfect?"

            Beethoven said, "Incredible.  Princess Zelda is one native speaker of German who really learned the language."

            "I enjoy it," said Wesley.  "I found it easier than Latin, especially the way it can be taught.  At Starfleet Academy, Latin wasn't taught as a spoken language like German was."

            "Our worlds have always treated Latin way too academically," Kevin said.  Wesley nodded in agreement.  "According to Kid Icarus, spoken Latin on Mount Icarus was governed more by word order than inflection.  That led to the development of Modern Latin in VideoLand."

            "Yes.  I'm telling you, Wilykit, our children should have your paternal name!"

            Wilykit said, "I'm still considering it, Wes.  Why?"

            "I've told you that they reflect you more than me.  Only their ears show their human background, and they only a little."

            "Very well, if you insist.  I'll announce it tomorrow.  Wily-johanna and Wily-johannes."

            Curiously, Wilykat asked, "How'll Wesley's name be put in?"

            "I guess it'll go in the slot for what's usually the maternal name," said Wesley.

            "That'll upset our system of naming.  Johanna and Johannes Wily vân Crusher is what's appropriate; it's the formal mode.  However, instead of Crusher-johanna Wily, I would say Wily-johanna vân Crusher.  It satisfies your wishes, I believe, and it fits our system more than simply Wily-johanna Crusher, which implies Johanna Crusher vân Wily, which is wrong."

            "All right, Wilykat.  So, you're saying that using Wily-johanna is okay, as long as we make it Wily-johanna vân Crusher?"

            "Yep."

            "All right, then."

            "Very well," Wilykit said.  "Kevin, your two weekly series amaze me.  It took Wagner about twenty-eight years, I believe, to complete The Ring of the Nibelung, which is about fifteen hours long."

            "I merely got the idea from listening to that opera cycle," said Kevin.  "At first, Link helped me with the text, even helped me lay the story's foundation.  I easily get the melody for the text.  Since my series are based on the Ring Tetralogy, I borrowed a few of Wagner's own leading motives, with ample credit of course.  Of course, unlike Wagner's work, mine is in English. . . albeit VideoLand Standard, with the distinctions between thou and you."

            Wilykat asked, "How'd you get Liquidator to play Loge {ló-guh}?"

            "He wanted to.  For a normal episode in each series, it doesn't take long to write the libretto and put it to orchestral music.  The series each being weekly, I can easily finish an episode about half a year before it's shown.  The episode is filmed on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, shown on Friday or Saturday.  Sometimes, a more technically difficult episode involves Tuesday as well."

            Wilykit said, "Two series, both based on The Ring of the Nibelung.  One concerned with Wotan {vó-tahn}'s relations with the Nibelung Alberich {ahl-beh-rihsh}, another showing Siegfried {zég-fréd}'s heroism and freedom and his relations with Mime {mé-muh}.  They seem complexly intertwined, the two series."

            "Ah, yes.  I make two hours a week instead of just one."

            "I want to know how you began and stayed so good," Wesley said.  "On 4 and 5 February, 2995, you astounded the universe with the première of the two series; each had a two-hour première."

            "Well, a couple of years earlier, I wanted to write a music drama based on Wagner's Ring Tetralogy.  I wrote part of my libretto.  In '94, I realised that no mere music drama would cut it.  A series, though, would do it.  Then, I found myself writing two parts so major that I should have two series.  They're intertwined, but they're still separate.  Liquidator makes Loge a perfect sidekick to Wotan in his dealings with that rotten Alberich."

            "You go perfectly into what Wagner didn't do," said Beethoven.  "You've included many parts to fill in some of the gaps he left, such as the action of Wotan cutting his spear from the World Ash Tree in the second episode of Wotan's Misadventures with the Nibelung Alberich."

            "I'm increasing his terrible burden," said Kevin.  "That one is really a tragedy.  He commits terrible errors whose consequences he cannot escape.  Meanwhile, in Siegfried's Adventures, I go deeper into Siegfried's free spirit.  He doesn't know any laws, so he can't be held responsible for disobeying them.  Meanwhile, Mime is distraught because he can't find a way to get the Ring of the Nibelung from Fafner and, with the Ring, gain control of the world."

            Beethoven said, "Well, you're one of the only people I've ever known who can do something like that.  I've already made a few leading motives for my music drama cycle.  Before I can do all the music, though, I have to finish all the text."

            "Brilliant story!" cried Chatonne.  "I love it, Gatinha and Antonio.  I quite agree with your idea to turn it into a music drama."

            "My sentiments exactly," Guillaume said.

            Gatinha said, "We thank you.  Actually, it was Antonio's idea to make it a music drama."

            "When I heard the story," said Antonio, "I knew it would make a great drama with the appropriate leitmotifs from the symphony."

            Kevin asked, "What's the story to the symphony, guys?"

            Gatinha said, "Symphony in C Major, 'The Hero's Return,' by the Cerebra- and Tygra-twins.  Movement I:  Slow and sustained, then quick with brilliance.  The hero, having learned well his skills in foreign lands, returns home.  At the boundaries to his homeland, however, he encounters evil monsters.  Movement II:  Walking speed with motion.  The hero surveys his homeland, seeing that it is still very beautiful.  The evil has not yet destroyed the beauty of the large kingdom.  Movement III:  Quick and furious.  Definitely not a scherzo, neither in form nor in spirit.  Upon reaching the great castle, he encounters his old enemy, who has taken 'residence.'  He battles the enemy, but the enemy escapes to another area of the land.  Movement IV:  Slow, sweet, and songlike.  Before chasing his enemy, the hero checks on the princess to make sure the evil one has not harmed her.  Movement V:  Super-quick and furious; finale:  quick with brilliance.  The hero finds his enemy and wins in a terrible fight to the death.  An enormous celebration occurs at the palace."

            "The music and the plot seem to go together very well, especially for program music," said Chatonne.  "Putting every movement in sonata-allegro form did not hinder the story, not a bit.  It's just like a mini-music-drama with our use of leading motives."

            Wilykit said, "I see."

            "What kind of trombone part did you put in?" asked Riker, curious.

            "I decided to give you a workout," said Antonio, smiling.  "Come take a look."  Riker went over to the four and the score.  Antonio flipped slowly through a section of the score as Riker looked at the pages.

            Riker whistled.  "Indeed.  No one's ever deliberately given me that important a role before.  May I have a copy so I can practise it?"

            "Sure," said Chatonne.  "Just let me copy this into the computer databanks."  She took the score and went to do so.

            Antonio said, "Simon, do you feel like doing the primary French horn instead of the primary trumpet?"

            "Why, of course," said Simon.  He took his French horn out of his backpack.  "I'll do it."

            "Because the primary French horn player receives a major role as well."

            Wilykat asked, "Gatinha, how did you get the idea for this story?"

            "I got it from a Hyrulian story Link told me," Gatinha said.  "Upon returning to the Kingdom of Hyrule, an ancestor of his had to deal with an old enemy.  It was during the most recent 'history blackout' period about one and three quarters millennia ago.  Even though no history survives from those periods, we do have some legends from them."

            "Speaking of Link," said Wilykit, "did you check on him today, Kev?"

            "Yes," Kevin said.  "He's still trapped in sleep."

            "Maybe I can help," offered Antonio.  "With my telepathy, I might be able to see what's happening within that so-called dream."

            Wilykit said, "Hey, there's an idea.  What about it, Kevin?"

            "Yeah," said Kevin.

            Beethoven said, "You go ahead.  If everyone gets here while you're gone, we won't begin practising until you're back."

            "Okay," said Kevin.

            "Guillaume and Wilykat, you stay here," said Wilykit.  "We may need to contact you to tell you what's happening."

            "All right," said Wilykat.  "Why don't you take the Sword?  It might help you, as well."

            "Great idea.  Kevin, Antonio, let's go."

            * * *

            Link's Bedroom, Hyrule Castle, Hyrule, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Antonio quickly established the link with Link's mind.  He did seem to be in another reality, but Antonio still found it relatively easy to see what was happening.  This was far too realistic to be a dream, indeed.  Link was nearing the Wind Fish Egg, ready to play the Instruments of the Sirens.  In other words, he was almost finished.

            Antonio withdrew from Link's mind enough to tell Wilykit and Kevin what was happening.  "So, it is too realistic to be a dream?" asked Wilykit.

            "Indeed," Antonio said.  "Somehow, I know he had experienced just what the book said his ancestor experienced.  He has six final battles ahead of him."

            Kevin said, "So, it's too realistic for a dream.  Wilykit, can you find out what's going on with Link's mind?"

            "I believe so," said Wilykit.  "Antonio, you continue with what you're doing.  With my powers and your help, I may be able to find out what's happening."

            "Anything special I have to do?" Antonio asked.

            "I'll let you know."

            "Very well."  Antonio returned entirely to Link's mind.  With her powers, Wilykit followed the trail of Antonio's powerful telepathy into a nearby universe whose time passed exactly as in the Q-niverse.  There, in a galaxy like the Milky Way on a world like Hyrule, Link was on Koholint Island, playing the Instruments of the Sirens.  Astonishingly, the music was exactly the same as that in the second movement of 'Anonymous' Composers' Sixth 'Cello Concerto.

            Some unknown force had taken Link's consciousness to this universe temporarily; he would remain here until he completed his adventure or until he was destroyed.  If he were destroyed, he would die.  If he completed his adventure, he would awaken in his proper body in the Q-niverse.  Wilykit concluded that the heroes who had died had failed in the adventure here.

            She returned her mind to where she was.  "Some power has drawn Link's consciousness to a parallel universe," she told Kevin.  "If he succeeds, he'll be returned to his body here.  If he fails, he will die."

            "Do you think he'll fail?" asked Kevin, concerned.

            "I believe that he won't.  However, I can help him if he needs it."

            "Why can't I help?"

            "You don't have my powers, Kevin."

            "He's my friend, Wilykit, and he lives in VideoLand.  As Game Master, I have to help him."  He spun his Zapper.

            "All right.  I'll send you there, but only if he needs help."

            "Thanks, 'Kit."

            "You know, Kevin, I sure miss my former existence.  Wilykat and I could explore the third-Earth forests and not have to worry about that Evil Koopa Family!  Sometimes, we get to jump around Thundera's forests, true, but I always have those Brain-Teamsters on my mind."

            "I know what it's like," said Kevin.  "I love playing video games and computer games, but I always worry about those Brain-Team numskulls."

            "Well, then, are you ready to go help Wesley?"

            "Sure am, 'Kit.  You know, I can't very well help you if you accidentally fall into one of the bad brain's traps."

            "I can take care of myself, Kevin.  Besides, you have extraordinarily strong blood and a very powerful mind."

            "Wilykit, think.  If I don't have that power and MotherBrain finds a way of capturing you, your brother, and the Wondertwins again, how can I save you?"

            "Well, I suppose you have a point.  After all, how can you stop one so powerful without the Q-cubed power?  And I know I can trust you.  All right, Kevin.  I don't want the Brain-Team to know about this, though."

            "You know I can hide very much from them."

            "Yes.  Just be careful."  She touched his hand; he felt a surge of energy build up within him.  "You're now Q-cubed."

            "I shall only use the powers to protect others and myself, to uphold true justice."

            "Don't swear an oath, Kevin.  I know you.  You don't use power unless it's necessary; that's the only reason I gave you the powers."

            "Thank you, Wilykit.  I shall not intentionally disappoint you."

            "I know."

            Antonio said, "Wilykit, he's battling the final foe.  Dethl {deh-thuhl}, a cyclopean being with two tentacles.  Susceptible to a shot in the eye when its eye opens; however, it swings a tentacle over which Link must jump whenever the eye is open.  Oh, oh!  He's been tripped!  He's down, and he's low on energy!"

            "That is all I needed to hear!" said Kevin.  He readied his Zapper.  "Wilykit?"

            "Go!!" Wilykit snapped.

            "All right!"  Kevin transported himself to Link's location in the alternate universe.

            * * *

            Within the Wind Fish Egg, atop Mount Tamaranch, Koholint Island, Planet Hyrule, Milky Way Galaxy, X-iverse.  October 12, 1996.

            Link hit the floor, his sword flying from his hand.  I've had it.  If I could only call for help!  The monster Dethl advanced to begin giving Link the slowest and most painful death possible:  slow depletion of Life Energy until the Life Energy was completely gone.  If only Link had one more bottle of Secret Medicine; once his Life Energy was gone, the bottle could refill his energy, and Dethl would be caught off guard.  However, since he had no more Secret Medicine, there was little hope.

            Before Dethl could inflict any harm on the fallen Link, though, someone arrived in the Q style and blasted the monster in the eye.  Link turned.  "Kevin!" he cried.  He jumped up, grabbed his arrows, and shot the creature in the eye.  Kevin kept the blast from his Zapper going until he and Link had destroyed the monster.  "Thanks, Kevin!"

            "No problem, Link," said Kevin.  "I'll explain everything when you're awake."  He snapped his fingers and returned to the Q-niverse.

            * * *

            Link's Bedroom, Hyrule Castle, Hyrule, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 051 284.9; October 12, 2996.

            Zelda arrived in the room just before Link awoke.  Once he had opened his eyes, she went over to him.  "That was some dream," said Link.  "What date is it, my dear Zelda?"

            "It's Friday, 12 October 2996," said Zelda.  "You've been kept alive by Quicksilver and Beverly's attention.  Wilykit, Kevin, and Antonio have found out what really happened."

            "Yes," Wilykit said.  "It was really no dream.  Your consciousness was transported to a different universe and placed in a body exactly like yours.  The consciousness was routed such that you thought it was a dream; all along, your consciousness was connected to this body."

            "You remember I came to your rescue," said Kevin.

            Link said, "Certainly did.  I'd have been destroyed by that monster if you hadn't shown up.  What happened to the world after I left?"

            "I don't know," Antonio said.

            "I'll check," said Wilykit.  She did so.  "The planet is still there, but. . . Koholint Island has disappeared into the mists of time.  Some force in that universe tests Hyrule's heroes on that Koholint Island.  I see no VideoLand per se in that galaxy in that universe.  However, I do sense a good power there.  That universe exists alongside us, but it's very different.  From what I can tell, we exist in dimensions 1, 2, 3, and 4, for length, width, depth, and time.  That universe exists in dimensions 1, 5, 3, and 4.  If the width dimensions 2 and 5 were merged, this universe would be about twice as large, because that universe is just slightly smaller than ours.  In fact, I think that's why Ludwig's going to conquer the unknown galaxy!  I sense there a warp from width dimension 2 to width dimension 5!"

            "Why, that snake knew all along!" cried Antonio.  "He sent those six Thunderians there to be sucked into that universe!  That gate leads directly to a forest planet.  That's where he'd have sent all the older members of twin pairs if Wilykat hadn't snatched you in time; had he not, you'd have entered that gate, and he couldn't have traced you."

            "That felonious turtle!" Kevin said.

            "That planet has no sentient life forms.  Well, not other than those six Thunderians that are there.  They can survive from the bountiful life in the habitable zone."

            "I think I need someone to investigate that universe, too," said Wilykit.  "To contact the good there and warn it of the visit of our enemies.  But enough of that for now."

            Zelda said, "Link, it's a strange coincidence.  Wilykit, Lana, and I, in that order, each bore identical boy-girl twins on 13 October last year."

            "Really?" asked Link.

            "It was that stuff I used to guarantee that you'd eject sperm.  Unbeknownst to Kevin, Lana, you, and me when we applied it, it also guarantees identical boy-girl twins.  Unnecessary for its Thunderian creators, but unknowingly put in the medicine.  The stuff also helps to accelerate development until about eight; it then lengthens life."

            "I see.  What can they do now?"

            "Ask a bunch of questions," said Kevin.  "Yours, mine, and Wilykit's.  All six of 'em are little information sponges."

            "In fact," Zelda said, "I think our two understood your plight as well as I did.  Of course, I didn't understand it too well, but they understood their father was trapped in a strange dream."

            "What are their names?" Link asked.

            "His name is Heinrich, and hers is Liselotte," said Zelda.

            "And your children, Kevin?"

            "My daughter's name is Kelly, and my son's is Thomas," Kevin said.  "Lana wanted them to have fairly standard Anglo-American names."

            "I see.  And what are your children's names, Wilykit?" Link asked.

            "Wily-johanna and Wily-johannes are my daughter and son's names," said Wilykit.  "Wesley wanted to give them my paternal name."

            "I see.  Now. . ."  Dr. Beverly Picard arrived by molecular transport.  "Hello, Doctor."

            "Hello.  I see you are awake, Link," she said.  Her medical tricorder was out in a second.  "How are you feeling?"

            "Very well, thank you," Link replied as Beverly scanned him.

            "You are well, but you should eat something."

            Zelda said, "I'll have that taken care of."

            "All right."

            Wilykit said, "Kevin, Antonio, and I have an explanation for what happened to Link, Doctor."

            "They've explained it to me," said Link.

            "All right," said Beverly.  "What happened?"

            "We exist in a universe whose dimensions are, from our perspective, length 1, width 2, depth 3, and time 4," said Wilykit.  "His consciousness was drawn into a nearby universe whose dimensions are the same, except it has width 5 instead of width 2.  The force drew his consciousness to a Hyrule-like world in a Milky-Way-like galaxy and to what is called Koholint Island.  I've concluded that the force does that to test Hyrule's heroes.  If the hero succeeds, that is if he awakens the Wind Fish, he wakes up on this world.  If the hero fails, that is if he is destroyed before awakening the Wind Fish, he dies on this world.  Link might have failed the final part of the test if Kevin had not gone to rescue him."

            "Yes," said Link.  "I was down, and Kevin appeared and help me blast my final enemy, the Dethl."

            "In any event," said Wilykit, "the island is enshrouded in a temporal mist when a hero is not being tested.  Every time, a hero dreams he has set sail on a ship and the ship is wrecked in a storm; the hero then wakes up in a village on Koholint Island.  The test then begins.  Waking the Wind Fish is the only way off the island."

            "Then it's really no wonder that your ancestor remembered the adventure's details so vividly to write that account," Beverly said to Link.

            Link said, "No, it's not.  I think he's the only person before me who's survived it.  I'm not sure, but. . ."

            "You are right," said Kevin.  "I've looked it up."

            "Okay."

            "Well, come on, Link," said Zelda.  "Let's get you something to eat."

            "All right, Zelda."  Link got up and stretched.  "Do any of you want to join us?"

            "Sorry, Link," said Wilykit, "but Kevin, Antonio, and I have more urgent matters to attend to.  We'll explain later."

            Beverly said, "And I have to go tell Quicksilver about this."

            "Very well," said Zelda.

            Beverly tapped her communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, one to transport to the Palace of Power Hospital."  She was transported there.

            Wilykit tapped hers.  "N-Team Transporter, transport Kevin, Antonio, and me to casa di Tygra on New Thundera in this galaxy."  The three were transported there.

            With his left hand, Link held Zelda's right hand.  "Come, Link," said Zelda.  "I'll take you to your children first."

            "Thank you," Link said.  "Shouldn't that be, 'our children'?"

            Zelda smiled.  "Of course, Link."

            * * *

            Living Room, casa di Tygra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy.

            "After the six little guys' birthday celebration," said Wilykit to her first officer, "I want a complete N-Team meeting at the Palace of Power."

            "All right, Wilykit," said Kevin.  "One of the Silver Hawks will have to stay at Hawkhaven, though, to monitor their propulsion systems."

            "That's all right.  I want the Silver Hawk that stays to listen in, though.  Since she does it so well, I want Steelheart to make the roll-call."

            Kevin smiled.  "Of course.  What about the Syber-Squad?"

            "I'll contact them."  Suddenly, Sydney Forrester popped out of the computer.  "Well, I was going to contact them.  What's up, Syd?"

            "It's that Malcolm," Syd said.  "He can take over the entire universe's computer net in an instant, except for the Thunderian Kingdom's section.  He and his girlfriend have almost completely infiltrated the net with mega-bacterium monsters.  The mathematical odds were not in his favour, but he did it.  Combined, he, Kilokahn, and Sandra could bring enough monsters to life to accomplish the task."

            "Great," said Kevin.

            "They all slipped by us except for the last two, which we whacked," Syd explained.  "But Malcolm's improved the design of the monsters to keep us from getting at the weakness I discovered in his design.  So, how's everything around here?"

            "Link's awoken," said Wilykit.  "His consciousness was actually sent to a nearby universe with dimensions length 1, width 5, depth 3, time 4; our universe has the same dimensions, except we have width 2.  He was sent to a galaxy like the Milky Way and on a world like Hyrule for some test by some force of that universe.  The force knows of our Hyrule and sends heroes to Koholint Island to test them.  If the hero succeeds and awakens the Wind Fish, he awakens in this universe.  If, on the other hand, the hero fails and is destroyed, he dies in this universe."

            "What being could do that?" asked Syd.

            "I don't know," said Kevin.  "However, he did make one slip-up, but with Wilykit's help I went there and kept him from having to pay for it."

            "Oh.  I think there's just a little more to this than what you've said."

            "Yes," Antonio told her.  "In the supposedly unknown galaxy lies a gate to that universe, and Ludwig knows that.  That's why he sent those six pairs of Thunderians to that galaxy, to be pulled into the gate and onto a life-supportive world without native sentient life.  Wilykat retrieved those that MotherBrain sent to that galaxy just before they were sucked in.

            "Kevin came to show Wilykit a transmission sent by Tally-Hawk.  Ludwig and MotherBrain are planning on us winning the universal election.  They plan to conquer that galaxy and that universe along with it; then, they plan to conquer Wesley Crusher's universe of origin, starting with the Milky Way Galaxy."

            "What?" snapped Syd.  "Will we react?"

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "Kevin and Wesley are going to curtail Ludwig's efforts in Wesley's home universe.  I don't know yet what I'm going to do about the 1-5-3-4 universe, but I must warn the good there about Ludwig's ultimate arrival.  By the way, Koholint Island is constantly kept in a temporal mist when no hero is being tested.  It's always ready for the next hero."

            "Well, first, you have to talk with whoever designed the Thunderian Kingdom's subspace computer network," Syd said.

            "That would be my brother," said Wilykit.  "He did it since Ludwig released us from the Palace Jail.  Why?"

            "Well, if he could write a program with parameters that seem random but are really very controlled, Servo could speed through the network and transform it so that Malcolm's monsters would get confused.  It would save the network from his control."

            "Great idea, Syd!  I'll get him."

            * * *

            Wilykat finished his program.  "There," he said.  "This ought to jumble up Frink the fink's bacteria."  He took a 3.5-inch diskette and put it in the computer.  "Beauty is that this program only takes up a megabyte.  I could get infinitely elaborate, but that would take up more space than the disk can handle.  Plus, it would be unnecessary.  The design of the Thunderian Kingdom's subspace computer network can fit on a low-density 5.25-inch disk, which as you know can't hold very much."

            "Very neat," said Syd.

            "I told you he was smart," said Wilykit, proud of her brother.  "He can make a lot of information fit into little space."

            "I prefer a lot of space, but for raw data, I can work with what's available," Wilykat said.  Once the computer had finished saving his program, he removed the diskette from the computer and handed the diskette to Syd; then he saved the program to an isolinear chip.

            "Thank you," said Syd.  "I'll get back to Sam's basement, and Sam can get in the computer net and mix up the monsters."

            Wilykat said, "Just plug in the disk and execute my program when Sam has entered the computer.  He'll then be able to go and change the subspace network into my maze.  Thanks to the nature of the Servo program, he'll know his way around the maze.  I fixed it so that ordinary computer signals will go where they're supposed to go; however, Malcolm's monsters will get lost."

            "All right," said Syd.  "Thank you."

            "Thank you, Syd," said Wilykit.  "After the birthday celebration for the six children tomorrow, I want to hold a meeting in the Palace, and I'd like the Syber-Squad to attend."

            "Okay.  I'll tell everyone.  Can we attend the birthday celebration?"

            "Of course you can.  In fact, we'd appreciate it."

            "Thanks.  Well, I'll see you later."

            "See you later."

            Syd called up the Servo program.  "Pump up the power!"  She was pulled back into the program; in Borr, she went back to Sam's basement on Earth 20 362.

            "From my telepathy, I conclude she's going to call us back when Servo carries out the instructions of Wilykat's program," said Antonio.

            "All right," Wilykit said.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            "All the monsters are in place," Malcolm reported from Ludwig's super-computer.  "On my command, they'll take the entire network for us, except for the Thunderian Kingdom's section."

            MotherBrain said, "I'm unsure.  Wilykat designed the Thunderian Kingdom's section of the network.  What would keep him from writing a program to alter the entire network to make it a maze like the Thunderian area?"

            "Such instructions would take a gigabyte at least!" laughed Malcolm, grossly underestimating Wilykat's abilities.  "It would take a large hard drive to execute that kind of a program!"

            "That Thunder Cat lives up to his paternal family name quite admirably, Herr Frink," said Ludwig.  "I think he can write instructions so that it would only take a megabyte, which a quadruple density 3.5-inch floppy disk can handle."

            Malcolm said, "That's impossible.  I haven't seen a program yet that can turn a computer network as large as this universe's into a massive maze.  I concede that he could get that far, but he could never execute it.  Even at standard hyperspeed, it would take a half-hour to entirely traverse the network.  Besides, as I've said, such a program would take up a massive amount of storage space.  What agent can carry the program and mutate the network?"

            "Oh, those blasted N-Teamsters always find a way," said MotherBrain.  "Especially those blasted Wilytwins and that meddlin' Captain N.  Malcolm, keep your bacteria standing by."

            "Yes, MotherBrain."

            "Meanwhile," said Ludwig, "Mon*Star, Mumm-ra, the Fearsome Four, Dad, Larry, the other Koopalings, and I must be on our way."

            "Ah, yes," said MotherBrain.  "The Warbird-A is prepared.  Take the idiots along with you, for there is a slight chance that their assistance may be desired."

            "Of course, MB.  With the Q-cubed powers you gave me, I'll be able to snap those stinking X-Men into my power; however, just in case, once I enter their universe, I'll establish a permanent transporter lock on Metroid. . . just in case that certain girl among them figures things out."

            "Ah, yes, and just in case another certain girl does something about it."

            "Right, MB.  See you later, MB and Malcolm!"

            "Until your return, Ludwig!" Malcolm said.

            "See you later, Ludwig," said MotherBrain.