Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Limbo, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 051 284.9; October 12, 2996.

Quicksilver had sent Tally-Hawk to Metroid because most of the Brain-Team had suddenly begun transporting there.  Wilykit and Wilykat, presently leaders of the N-Team, were there with Captain N and Wesley Crusher.  They were watching Quicksilver's screen to see what the villains were planning.  Commander Steelheart was also watching, as were the X-Men, who were visiting from the X-iverse.  (See Acts 135 and 136 for details.)  Tally-Hawk caught MotherBrain's conversation with ProtoMan and Malcolm in the Control Room of Metroid, in addition to the arrival of CutMan and GutsMan there.  His vision could follow them as they went from Tourian down to Brinstar in Metroid.  However, once they entered Brinstar, Tally-Hawk could see them no more; Quicksilver's screen suddenly showed snow.

            "What?" demanded Wilykit.

            "Drat it!" Quicksilver exclaimed.  "Their meeting room is shielded.  We can't spy on their congregation without endangering Tally-Hawk.  If I send him in, he won't be able to call for help."

            Steelheart said, "Then call him back, Quick.  He's in enough danger as it is, since if the Brain-Team finds him there, he's cooked."

            "Got it, Steelheart."  He tapped a few buttons on his wrist-controller.  His screen blanked.

            Kevin asked, "Who knows what that bad brain could be planning?  We should be on guard for her."

            Wilykit sighed.  "Yes.  This is just great.  Link's, your, and my children have their first birthday party tomorrow, and we have to be on guard for that evil MotherBrain and her pals.  It may actually be Luna who'll cause trouble; those rotten Plundarrians are expert party-crashers."

            "We have first-hand experience," Wilykat supplemented.

            "Don't worry," said Steelheart.  "We Hawks will be constantly vigilant."

            "So," asked Kevin jokingly, "when does Melodia get her metal suit?"

            "Don't let Bluegrass hear that tone, Kev.  I'm seriously considering it, if she wants one.  Her piloting skills are hard to come by, and she plays a mean keyboard."

            Wilykit said, "Well, I trust Troi's evaluation.  If Melodia proves she's good now, she can be admitted into the team."

            "Mon*Star or Hardware may attempt to capture or even kill her," Quicksilver said.  "As one of us, she'll probably be safer."

            "Exactly," said Steelheart.  Hotwing, Flashback, Scott 'Cyclops' Summers, and Jean Grey entered from the elevator.  "Ah.  How'd it go, guys?"

            "It went great," said Hotwing.  He indicated the device that Flashback was holding.  "That thing will allow the X-Men's communicators to interface with our communications systems."

            "Excellent.  They've decided to join us, and Wilykit accepted."

            Xavier said, "Now, how are our computer systems going to interface with yours?"

            "Flashback handled that," Cyclops said.  "He prepared a data CD for Cerebro.  Once we put it in and tell Cerebro to set up the programming, we'll be able to interface with all the N-Team's computer systems, including transporters."

            "Very good."

            Quicksilver's console beeped.  "Kid Icarus is calling again," the Silver Hawk said.  He opened a channel.  "Yes, Kid Icarus?  This is Quicksilver."

            "Hello, Quicksilver," Kid Icarus said.  "Where's Kevin-icus?"

            Kevin went over to Quicksilver.  "Here I am, Kid.  What's happening?"

            "I picked up a microscopic trace of transporter activity near Ganon's Tower in the Dark World portion of Hyrule-icus.  I know nothing else definite except that the transport beam was set to maximum gamma modulation, highest bandwidths.  Gamma-modulated transporters, Kevin-icus."

            "But those things are illegal in VideoLand!  Because transport with those types of transporters is nearly undetectable, MotherBrain and Lana banned them.  Only a cut-throat space pirate could manage to bring those things to VideoLand.  Those are excellent for sneak attacks, but their comparative range is small.  Hyrule is well within VideoLand's borders.  Anyone transporting there with that thing would have to have a point of origin within VideoLand's borders.  See if you can track that beam so Samus can have a field day, Kid Icarus.  Call her to help.  This kind of transgression is in her field, and she'd love to bust somebody for committing it."

            "Roger wil-cus, Kevin.  See you later!"  The screen turned off.

            "A gamma-modulation transporter," said Wilykit.  "Terrible range.  Easy, though, for space pirates to beam into nearly impenetrable space freighters and loot like mad."

            "Yes," Kevin said.  "Would any of our enemies have access to such a device?"

            "Not that I know of," said Wilykit.  "Any ideas, Steelheart?"

            Steelheart said, "Let me see.  Of the entire Brain-Team, Mon*Star has the most serious underworld connections, so he can probably get one of those things.  As well, Hardware can usually find out how to work unfamiliar devices."

            "We're not invading Brim*Star or Metroid unless we have just cause and evidence," Wilykit said.  "We have no evidence thus far that it's a Brain-Team member who did this; all we know for sure is that it was a gamma-modulation transporter, illegal in VideoLand space and, for that matter, in Thunderian space."

            "Limbo space as well," Steelheart said.

            "Illegal in the Romulo-Klingo-Federation Alliance, too," said Wesley.

            "Illegal from Exor and Exorius to the farthest reaches of the Mushroomian Empire," Kevin added.

            Wilykat said, "Wait a minute!  Wilykit, don't Antonio and Guillaume know a bit about transporter technology?"

            "You're right.  Their university credits include enough transporter physics to get a master's in that subject.  All they need is to ask for the degree, show the credits, and present a thesis.  Also, they took the two courses that deal with gamma-modulation transporters."

            Wesley Crusher said, "They're presently working with Chatonne and Gatinha.  Oh, I get it!  They may be able to help us trace the transport beam."

            "Exactly."  She tapped her communicator.  "Wilykit to Antonio."

            "Antonio here, 'Kit.  What would you like?"

            "I understand that you and your bro know a bit about gamma-modulation transporters."

            "Yes, we do.  Why?"

            "Could you two come up here to Hawkhaven?  I'd rather explain this to you face-to-face."

            "Sure, 'Kit.  We'll be right up."

            * * *

            Ganon's Tower, Death Mountain, Dark World, Hyrule, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Luna and Amok arrived with S-s-slithe at the entrance to Ganon's evil tower.  "I'm sure glad Hardware got that illegal transporter; thos-s-se do-gooders won't know we're here!  Yes-s-s, Luna?"

            "My evil husband, I don't care about that!" Luna said.  "I just want them in a tizzy.  Now, we inform Ganon of my plan."

            "I trus-s-st not that evil pig."

            "I have faith in his faithlessness, not in his fidelity!" Luna said.  "This, my dear S-s-slithe, is part of a larger master-plan.  And I mean large.  If it comes to fruition in sixteen years, then Ludwig will be able to control all of creation!  Ludwig and Mumm-ra already know my plan; being the immortal beings they are, they approved.  They don't even care if it takes a million years!  I plan on telling MotherBrain about it, too.  I would tell you, but I hesitate because you tend to get impatient when things don't go down quickly."

            "You're right about that, Luna.  Shall we see Ganon now?"

            "Yes."  They entered the Tower.  "Ganon!  Where are you?  Luna and S-s-slithe are here to see you!"

            A hologram of Ganon appeared above them.  "Greetings, evil comrades," said Ganon.  "Just go in the left door, go downstairs, and go straight through the south door.  Agahnim and I are in there."

            "Thanks, Ganon."  They followed his directions and soon arrived where Ganon and Agahnim were.  "Hello, Ganon."

            "Welcome, Luna, S-s-slithe, and Amok.  How can I help you?"

            "Tomorrow," Luna said, "Wilykit's, Kevin's, and Link's children have their first birthday party."

            "I know that well.  Have you a plan?"

            "Ha, ha, ha!  Yes, I have one!  It is quite villainous and ingenious, if I may say so myself.  Your evil monsters have long been inactive.  So, Zelda's Triforce guards will not be ready for an attack by your icky monsters!"

            "Ha, ha!  You are right, Luna!  And those N-Team members will be too busy with the children to stop me, Agahnim, and my evil monsters when I go to 'borrow' the Triforce!  When I hold it, I shall destroy the N-Team for our leaders!"

            "Exactly my plan," said Luna.  "MotherBrain has approved of it."

            "Thank you, Luna," Ganon said.  "When is the party?"

            "It's two hours after noon."

            "Where?"

            "The new Kakariko Village Café."

            "Ah!  I might crash the party."

            "Oh, I hope so."  She smiled deviously on the other side of her face.  Yes, crash the party.  So Ludwig, MotherBrain, and I can show up and fulfil the next part of my plan!  Ludwig will yet hold the Nibelung's Ring.

            "Why don't you show up and witness the carnage?" asked Ganon.

            "Most certainly, Ganon.  You have a good day."

            "You, too, evil Luna."  Luna, Amok, and S-s-slithe departed.  "Ah, Agahnim, the Triforce shall be mine!"

            "Yes!" said Agahnim.

            "When I destroy the N-Team, Ludwig won't be far behind!  With the Triforce's power, we shall command the Brain-Team and rule the universes!  That fate only befits our evil leader.  He couldn't defeat Wilykit if she were powerless and all tied up!"

            "Yes!!  Ganon, you're the vilest of the vile!"

            "Thanks, Agahnim.  Now, let's get ready to steal a Triforce tomorrow afternoon."

            "With pleasure."

            * * *

            Outside, Luna said, "If only that treacherous hog-brain knew I had a super-hearing module in my ear!"

            "What said he?" asked S-s-slithe.

            "He thinks to destroy Ludwig.  In time, the fool will learn the price of treachery all too well.  MotherBrain, Ludwig, and I shall show up, and each of us will take a piece of the Triforce.  Ludwig shall blast the Sword of Omens in two and send the Wilytwins, Wilykit's children, Kevin, and his children to Hyrule in the X-iverse.  Ha, ha!  There lie both the Kingdom of Hyrule just as Agahnim meets Ganon over three thousand years ago and, beyond Death Mountain, the world of the Nibelungenlied and Der Ring des Nibelungen.  Probably, Wotan is presently arguing with Fricka about Siegmund, Sieglinde, and Hunding."

            "I s-s-see.  What's your point?"

            "In seventeen years, Ludwig will be holding the Nibelung's golden ring and two Triforces!  His power will be limitless!!"  The two laughed evilly.

            "Oh, what a des-s-spicable plot!"

            "That's not all, my evil husband.  In the process, we shall expose Ganon's treachery.  He will take the Triforce from the Ganon of the X-iverse and attempt treachery upon Ludwig; then Mumm-ra shall 'replace' Ganon and take charge of the Triforces.  I can't recall all the details; however, I've written them down.  You shall discover them when I describe the whole plan at an effectively slow speed to MotherBrain.  However, Mumm-ra shall gain from Siegfried himself the Nibelung's powerful ring and render the two powerful objects unto Ludwig!"

            "Great plan, Luna!  Now, let's scram.  I'm no fan of Ganonian architecture."

            "Agreed, S-s-slithe."  She took a device from her saddle and activated it.  She, S-s-slithe, and Amok were transported to Metroid.

            * * *

            Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            "I picked up that transporter again, Antonio!" cried Kid Icarus as he continued monitoring with the main computer terminal in the throne room.  Antonio and Guillaume came over.

            Antonio said, "Let me take over, Kid Icarus."  Kid Icarus moved aside, and Antonio operated the controls.  "Ah!  I may have something!  Please help me, Guillaume."  He and Guillaume worked to figure out where the transporter was.  "The transporter's on Metroid!  The transportees were S-s-slithe, Luna, and Amok."

            "I wonder what those three were doing at Ganon's home," Lana said.

            "I'm sure it was nothing good," said Kevin.  "MotherBrain herself banned that blasted transporter, along with you of course, Lana.  Why would she let a Brain-Team member use it?"

            Wilykit said, "Well, Kevin, I'd like you to find out.  Please take Link and the Cerebra-twins and pay Ganon a little visit."

            "All right!  How may we question them?"

            Wilykit smiled deviously.  "However you want, Kevin.  After all, you are one of VideoLand's rulers.  Right, Lana?"

            "Sure is," said Lana.  "I made him second only to me, and even he will precede our daughter on being heir to the throne.  Ordinarily, that would not be so, but he has had more than enough time to learn how to be a ruler.  You interrogate however you wish, Kevin.  Of course, let Link have some of the 'fun,' as it were."

            "Sure will," Kevin said.  "Thank you, ladies."  He smiled lovingly at Lana.  "See you in time for dinner."

            "I know, Kev."

            Antonio and Guillaume went over to Kevin, who tapped his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport three to Hyrule Castle."  Kevin, Antonio, and Guillaume were transported there.

            * * *

            Hyrule Castle, Kingdom of Hyrule, Planet Hyrule, VideoLand.

            Kevin and the Cerebra-twins arrived in the entry-hall to Hyrule Castle.  Zelda and Link came in.  "Welcome to Hyrule, guys," greeted Zelda.

            "Thanks, Zelda," said Kevin.  "However, I'm afraid this is no social call."

            "That's right," Antonio said.  "Luna, Amok, and S-s-slithe beamed to Ganon's Tower from Metroid and then, some time later, back to Metroid using a gamma-modulation transporter."  Zelda's eyes widened in surprise, while Link's narrowed in anger.

            "MotherBrain herself and Lana declared those devices illegal in VideoLand from Exor to the farthest reaches of Luis's empire," said Zelda.  The two points she mentioned were often stated as the boundaries of VideoLand.

            Guillaume said, "Wilykit told Kevin to go to Ganon's Tower and interrogate the pig as he wished.  She told him to take Link, my brother, and me."

            "I'll enjoy it," said Link, patting the handle of the Master Sword.

            "I hope so," Zelda said.  "You have my permission, certainly.  I want to know what Luna's up to."

            "See you later, Zelda," said Kevin.  He tapped his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport the Cerebra-twins, Link, and me to Ganon's Tower."  The three were transported there.

            "And good luck," said Zelda quietly.

            * * *

            Ganon's Tower, Death Mountain, Dark World, Hyrule.

            On the highest peak of Death Mountain stood Ganon's ominous tower.  A meek person might run; however, courageous people such as Kevin, Link, Antonio, and Guillaume would attempt to enter the tall building and discover what villainous deeds were developing.

            "Well, we're here," said Antonio.  "Someone's got to tell Ganon how tacky this awful place is."

            "He hired an inferior decorator," Link said.

            Kevin said, "Ah.  That would tend to explain it.  Come on, guys."  The four entered the tower.  In great contrast to the decaying exterior, the entrance chamber was grand and magnificent.  Ganon probably used his magic to keep it that way.  Link readied the Master Sword, while Kevin drew his Zapper.  The Cerebra-twins each wielded deadly laser sabres.  "Ganon!" called Kevin.  "Ganon!  Where are you, evil one?"

            Ganon appeared in a hologram above them.  "What do you want, Captain N?"

            "We would question you," Kevin said.  "Three Plundarrians came here from Metroid with an illegal transporter earlier today."

            "Ah, yes," said Ganon.  "You just missed them."

            "Why were they here, old friend?" Link asked.  Kevin gave Antonio an unobtrusive glance; it was an affirmation for the Thunder Cat to use his telepathic abilities on Ganon.  Ganon would not know.

            Ganon said, "They were here to tell me about Ludwig's most recent conquest, the X-iverse.  A wonderful job he did, I might add."

            "Then," asked Kevin, "why did they find it necessary to attempt secrecy?  We know what Ludwig did there."

            "Why, I wouldn't know, Captain N.  Of course, Luna did tell me she might crash some sort of insignificant little festival in Kakariko Village tomorrow."

            "Link's, Wilykit's, and my children's birthday party."

            "Oh, is that it?" asked Ganon as if he had not known at all.  "Well, I'll be!  Then it is even less significant than I thought.  I know you'll be prepared.  Luna also indicated that one or a few of MotherBrain's lesser imbeciles - someone like Eggplant Wizard, King Hippo, or Koopa-Troopa - might attempt to take the Triforce.  I'd advise you to leave it at Hyrule Castle with good defences.  If you took it to your party, Luna could get it."

            Scowling, Link said, "Thanks for your concern, Ganon."

            "Just showing concern for my homeland, Link.  Your dear Zelda would do the same.  Have you any more questions?"

            Kevin glanced at Antonio.  Antonio's look told Kevin he had finished reading Ganon's mind.  "No, Ganon," Kevin said.  "Have a good day."

            "You as well," said Ganon.  "Have fun tomorrow; and give my regards to Zelda, Lana, and the Wilytwins.  Good-bye."

            * * *

            Castle Garden, Hyrule Castle, Kingdom of Hyrule, Planet Hyrule.

            "And those are the sweet lies," said Link to Zelda.  "Though I was sorely tempted to smash him merely for baiting us the way he did.  Antonio, what's the truth?"

            Antonio said, "Well, it is true to some extent that Luna might come.  MotherBrain knew I was there and made my job very difficult, attempting to hide his thoughts from me.  There was some element of truth to what he said, but I have trouble finding where the line between truth and lie exists.  This probably needs not to be said, but I don't think that his kindness was part of the truth."

            "Well, we all knew that," Kevin said.  "Can you figure it out?"

            "Yes, but it'll take time to figure it out.  Probably less if I brainstorm with Guillaume."

            "All right, Antonio.  Well, guys, Lana and I are looking forward to dinner."

            "So are we," said Link.  "I'm interested in seeing how your series are turning out."

            "There are some surprises for continuing viewers.  My old Wotan, Fricka, and Siegfried quit, so I got even better replacements."

            "Your former Siegfried sounded like he was straining himself the last few weeks," Zelda said.

            "He was.  His voice is deepening to baritone, and you just don't use a baritone for Siegfried.  So, I got a more permanent heldentenor whose voice is medically guaranteed to be able to play heldentenor parts forever."

            "You, of course," said Link, smiling.  "I told you to take up the role yourself, but did you listen?"

            "Yeah, when I finally understood why you told me to.  I'd have made you Siegfried if it hadn't been for that cursed dream."

            "Well, show me your story and your musical materials, Kevin.  If anything happens to you, I can continue the story, though it won't be nearly as good."

            "You underestimate your abilities."

            Zelda asked, "But why, Kevin, did your old Wotan and Fricka quit?"

            "They got married to each other and just conceived children.  They have more domestic duties now.  Tygra is now Wotan, and Cheetara is Fricka.  I was going to ask Zelda to be Brünnhilde, but. . ."

            "All right by me," Link said.

            "But, Link, Siegfried will have to kiss Brünnhilde!  I can't kiss Zelda!  What would Lana think?"

            "Why don't you talk with her about it?" asked Zelda.  "Lana can be very understanding.  Besides, it won't be Kevin kissing Zelda.  It'll be Siegfried kissing Brünnhilde."

            "All right.  Well, I have Siegmund, Sieglinde, and Hunding covered.  Quicksilver as Siegmund, Steelheart as Sieglinde, Steelwill as Hunding.  That is a bit ironic, of course.  In writing, I always go by my own philosophy:  'Who says opera has to be boring?' "

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Link.  "And you make it as exciting as you can, right?"

            "If not through the actions, then through the speech.  Except in certain places, I keep the dialog as dynamic as possible.  Haven't had a boring episode yet."

            "Good!"

            "Even Liquidator has a role.  He plays the fire demigod Loge, and he loves it.  His performance has been absolutely stellar."

            "I see."

            Guillaume asked, "Ought we not to return to the Palace, Kevin, and report to Wilykit?"

            "Good idea, Guillaume," Kevin said.  "Let's go.  See you later, Link and Zelda."

            "See you, Kevin," Link said.  "At about nineteen hours?"

            "Sounds good."  Kevin tapped his communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport the Cerebra-twins and me to the Palace of Power Throne Room."  They were transported there.

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            Wilykit asked Antonio, "Have you figured anything out so far?"

            "No, and that bothers me," said Antonio.  "However, I think that the Brain-Team's meeting had something to do with Luna and S-s-slithe's talk with Ganon.  I'll keep on it."

            "Thank you, Antonio.  Tell me when you figure out something."

            "I will, Wilykit."

            Kevin said, "It wouldn't surprise me if Ganon himself tried something."

            "That'd be just like him," said Wilykat.  "Just like those stupid Mutants trying to steal the Sword."

            Antonio gasped.  "Wilykat, thanks!  That's what I missed!  Luna wants Ganon to take the Triforce!"

            "Oh, great," Wilykit said.  "Now I know how Steelheart felt when she was under pressure.  Kevin, when you and Lana go to visit Link and Zelda tonight, I want you to tell Link to get every single guard he can on the Triforce tomorrow afternoon."

            "Yes, ma'am," said Kevin.

            "Kid Icarus, call Steelheart."

            "Yes, Wilykit," Kid Icarus said.  He tapped several buttons.  "Palace of Power to Hawkhaven."

            Steelheart appeared on his screen.  "Hawkhaven here, Kid Icarus," she said.  "What's the problem?"

            Wilykit went over to the screen.  "Steelheart, we have a big problem.  Luna and S-s-slithe used that illegal transporter to go over to Ganon's Tower and tell him to steal the Triforce.  I'd like you to get all the weapon hawks to guard it tomorrow."

            "Certainly," Steelheart said.  "Will, Kidd, and I just decided to upgrade their offensive and defensive capabilities.  We'll be finished in very short time.  This time, those hawks really will pry off his piggy nose if he tries to steal the Triforce!"

            "Thank you, Steelheart.  See you later."

            "See you later, Wilykit."  Kid Icarus turned off the screen.

            "MegaMan," said Wilykit, "I want you, X, and Data to improve Zelda's defence system for the Triforce.  I don't want Ganon to get any of those three powerful triangles."

            "Sure, Wilykit," MegaMan said.  "Princess?"

            "Go ahead, MegaMan," said Lana.  "See you later."

            "See you."  MegaMan left.

            "If anyone comes up with any more ideas on how to keep the Triforce out of Ganon's paws, I'll listen," said Wilykit.  "Wilykat and I will be on New Thundera, probably at home.  Just one thing."  She tapped her communicator.  "Wesley, this is Wilykit."

            "Yes, 'Kit?" replied Wesley's voice.

            "Wilykat and I are going home.  What about you?"

            "I thought I might stay at Hawkhaven and see how the Steeltwins and Kidd operate, as it were, on the weapon hawks."

            "Sure, Wes, as long as Steelheart says it's all right.  Should we expect you for dinner at our place?"

            "Yup.  I'll probably be staying there tonight."

            Wilykit smiled.  She simply could not resist him, and everyone who knew her well knew that.  "All right.  See you later, Wes."

            "Same to you, 'Kit."

            Wilykit tapped her communicator again.  "What about you, Cerebra-twins?"

            "We're going with you," Antonio said.  "We have to see how Chatonne, Gatinha, and Beethoven are doing."

            "All right."  She tapped her communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport the Cerebra-twins, Wilykat, and me a casa di Tygra on New Thundera."  The four were transported there.

            * * *

            Tygra-twins' Work Room, casa di Tygra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Gatinha was busy writing the text to their next work, their first opera.  She, Chatonne, and the Cerebra-twins together had composed a program symphony in C Major, and Gatinha had written the story to go with that symphony.  The other three - Chatonne, Antonio, and Guillaume, of course - liked it.  In fact, they liked it so much that she decided that they might like to make an opera on the same story using the motives of the symphony.  The symphony was written using leading motives, each of which served to give the perception of a person, a place, an object, an idea, or an emotion in the story.  Gatinha had written vocal music before; she was the one of the four who knew the best how to write for voices in a specific range - soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, or bass.  She also knew the best how to write for the voice in general.  Though Thunderians could easily make vocal jumps and leaps, most other humanoids could not, and Gatinha wrote according to the latter manner.  She was writing the text in German, for the story was from Mediaeval Hyrule.  She often studied Kevin's music so she could see how he handled the problems of writing music in German because Beethoven had praised him on his good German and because Kevin was a better vocal writer than she.

            Chatonne was still looking over the music of the symphony.  Her twin had marvellously fit the story into the music, and she was still amazed.  She had a sudden thought.  "Gatinha, have you checked on Wilykit's children?"

            "Not yet, Chatonne."

            Chatonne got up.  "All right.  You keep working, Gatinha.  I'll check on them for you."

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

            Chatonne left the room and walked towards the room given to Wilykit's children.  When she got there, she saw the Wilytwins and the Cerebra-twins coming.  "Oh!  Hi, guys."

            "Hi, Chatonne," said Wilykit.

            "I was about to check on Johanna and Johannes."

            "All right.  I'll take care of it."  She tapped a button.  "Guys, this is your mom."

            "Come in, Mom," replied Johanna's voice, much like her mother's but obviously younger.

            The door opened.  Wilykit and Wilykat stepped in.  Wilykit's children were still very small - they were each only as tall as one of her legs was high - but their eyes showed their brightness, their intelligence, even though they were only 365 days old (but still not a full year old, as it was a leap-year).  Children of the Wilykat race mentally matured very quickly, and they often were walking by the age of nine months, certainly by the age of ten months.  Johanna was almost the spitting image of Wilykit with a little of Wesley showing through.  Johannes had some features of Wesley and some of Wilykat, though he more closely resembled his father.  They were quick to ask questions, for their curiosity easily matched that of their parents and Wilykat.  "Hi, guys," said Wilykit.  "How are you?"

            "We're okay, Mom," Johannes said.  "When do we get to learn the violin like Uncle Wilykat?"  His voice was not the slightest fraction of a semitone below his sister's.  They were not yet old enough to move their voices out of the soprano range, but their voices were even now very powerful.  When Johannes and Johanna got older, when they could just as easily use very deep bass as very high soprano, they would have two of the most powerful voices in the universe.

            "As soon as you get large enough to hold it.  Don't worry; you'll reach that point in a few years."

            "That's not long, is it?" Johanna asked.

            "I think it'll be over before you know it."

            Johannes asked, "Mom, what exactly does it mean that we have our birthday tomorrow?"

            "That means that you're a year old tomorrow.  Tomorrow, you'll have been in existence for a full year."

            Wilykat added, "People often celebrate their birthdays.  Especially Thunderians.  That's why we're going to Hyrule tomorrow, to celebrate yours."

            "How?" asked Johanna.

            Wilykit smiled.  "Now, we can't tell you that.  It has to be a surprise."

            "Have you two found out how to use the computer yet?" asked Wilykat.

            "Yeah!" said Johannes.  "There's a lot of stuff in the data banks to which you gave us access."

            "Yes," Johanna said.  "We found files about just about everything!  I hope we have time to read them.  Mom, is everything all right?  You seem a bit troubled."

            "Unfortunately, not completely," said Wilykit.  "However, that won't interrupt our plans for tomorrow.  We're going to have a good time tomorrow afternoon on Hyrule, and then I'm going to let you sit in at our meeting after the celebration."

            "Really?" asked Johannes with awe.  "Thanks, Mom!"

            "It's no problem, as long as you don't disrupt anything.  When you want to speak, just raise your hand. . ."  She demonstrated by raising her right hand.  ". . .and, when I recognise you, politely ask me if you may say something."

            Johanna said, "Got it."

            "When do we learn to swing through the trees like you and Uncle Wilykat, Mom?" asked Johannes.

            "I'm afraid that has to wait, too, Johannes," Wilykit said.  "Wilykat and I were five when we began learning.  You might be able to begin a little earlier, but we have to wait for your skeletons and muscles to get stronger."

            "All right."

            "Mom," asked Johanna, "where's Dad?"

            "He's at Hawkhaven, observing an operation the Steeltwins are performing on the weapon hawks.  He said he'll quite literally be home in time for supper.  So, what have you been reading about with the computer?"

            "Well, we read about the Nibelung legend and the Hyrulian legends you were telling us about," Johannes said.  "Why do we see no references to the Code in either legend?"

            "Well, the Code of Thundera is primarily Thunderian," said Wilykat.  "In contrast, the Nibelung legend is Terran Teutonic, while the Hyrulian legends are from Hyrule.  Few in this galaxy but the Thunderians are regulated by the Code of Thundera.  The N-Team also uses it, but to a bit of a lesser extent.  When those legends originated, the Hyrulians and humans hadn't even heard of Thunderians."

            "I see."

            "Well," said Wilykit, "do you guys want to come with us?  I'll let you watch Kevin's shows about the German Nibelung legends."

            "All right!" exclaimed Johanna and Johannes in unison.

            "You bet we'll come with you, Mom," Johanna said.

            "All right," said Wilykit.  "Then, let's go."  Wilykit and Wilykat led Johanna and Johannes (even now able to walk safely) out.  The Cerebra-twins and Chatonne were waiting outside the room.

            "Hello, guys," Chatonne said to Wilykit's children.

            "Hi, Aunt Chatonne," said Johanna.  "And Cerebra-twins.  How are you?"

            "We're all fine, thank you," Antonio said.  "And you two, Johanna and Johannes?"

            "We're fine, thanks," said Johannes.

            Wilykit said, "Chatonne, could you get your sister and ask her to the living room, please?  That's where I'm heading."

            "What about Beethoven?" Chatonne asked.

            "I'll get him," said Wilykat.

            "Good," Wilykit said.  "Let's go."

            * * *

            Entrance Hall, Hyrule Castle, Kingdom of Hyrule, Planet Hyrule.

            Kevin and Lana beamed into the Entrance Hall.  Zelda and Link were waiting for them.  "Greetings, Lana," greeted Zelda.  "Welcome back, Kevin."

            Lana and Zelda hugged each other.  "Thank you, Zelda," said Lana.  The two ladies released each other.

            "Let's go to the dining hall," Zelda said.  "I know it's usually for formal occasions, but it's a very comfortable place.  Link?"

            "Sure," said Link.  "This way."  He led the way through a door to the east.  In this room to the east, they turned north and headed up a long hall.  Where the path turned west and the stairs led northwards to an upper path, they took the stairs.  They continued through a door in the north wall and entered a fairly large dining hall.

            Kevin gave a low whistle.  "Nice place.  Older video games don't have every detail.  I found that out during my first - ahem - visit to Metroid."

            "I see," Link said.  "So, Kevin, what's it like having kids?"

            Kevin smiled.  "It's just great, Link.  I just wish I could stick around and answer all their questions.  What about you?"

            "It'll take some getting used to, but I already think it'll be great."

            Lana said, "Wilykit's are already able to walk around and use things such as computers by themselves."

            "Well, they're Thunderians, Lana," Kevin said.  "Kelly and Thomas aren't, nor are Heinrich and Liselotte."

            "Yeah."

            "Yet," said Zelda, "ours are pretty smart for humans and Hyrulians."

            Kevin agreed, "Yes.  So, have you a TV in here?"

            "Yes."  Zelda pressed a switch on the wall, and a large panel slid away to reveal a large screen.  "There's the screen, and we have hidden speakers.  Let's sit down."  They went to the table and sat near the screen.  "The cook is preparing the meal.  You'd think after all these years that I'd have learned to cook by now.  I mean really cook.  I can heat up stuff, but I have little knack with serious cooking."

            "Don't worry, Zelda," said Link.  "Your skills in preparing meals have nothing to do with our eventual marriage."

            "I know, Link.  Now, I don't think I'd ever refuse kissing you."

            He smiled with genuine affection.  "I'm glad."

            "Well, Zelda," said Lana, "I hope Link's as good to you as Kevin's been to me during our marriage."

            "I certainly will be," Link said.  "Zelda's the only girl for me.  Of course, I'm going to teach Heinrich not to be as annoying to his girl as I was to Zelda."

            Zelda smiled.  "I'm sure that the one he loves will be happy about that."

            "Then Heinrich could take a few lessons from Kevin," said Lana.  "He didn't get on my nerves by asking me to kiss him all the time.  In fact, he never asked me."

            "I'd never offend you on purpose," said Kevin.  "And, Zelda, there were boys in my culture who could be much more annoying than Link.  Some would even use force."

            "A person like that doesn't sound too much like someone I'd want to meet," Zelda said.

            Lana said, "Well, Kevin, I think your performance of Siegfried will be the best ever."

            Kevin smiled.  "You flatter me, Lana."

            "I'm serious.  I just have one question.  Who's going to be Brünnhilde when you write her in?  I mean, you've got to have somebody."

            "Why can't you do it?"

            "How can you ask that?  My voice is only effective in the middle and upper ranges.  I know you need someone who can sing dramatically in the low range as well as quickly in the high range.  Why not Zelda?"

            "Siegfried has to kiss Brünnhilde.  To do that, I would have to kiss Zelda physically.  My lips would have to touch hers."

            Link said, "I already told him that, if it doesn't bother Zelda, it doesn't bother me."

            "That's all right, Kevin," Lana said.  "I have the utmost trust in your fidelity.  And Zelda is a much better Wagnerian soprano than I."

            "All right," said Kevin.  "The first episode of Wotan next year, I'm planning to introduce Brünnhilde.  It won't be until several months after that that Brünnhilde actually appears on Siegfried."

            "All right," Zelda said.

            "Link, I'll give you a copy of what I've done so far.  You can let Zelda see what she has to be ready for."

            "Right, Kevin," said Link.

            "This year, I've jumped ahead a bit," said Kevin.  "At the start, I was usually six months ahead of schedule.  I just discovered - because I only just checked it out minutes ago - that I am slightly more than a year ahead.  I have the episodes for October 2997 all ready.  Both series."

            "Amazing, Kevin.  What about the past episodes?"

            "I've recorded all of those," Zelda said.

            "Besides," added Kevin, "most of them are available for rental or sale, and all of them can be viewed at any time from the computer network."

            "Well, it's about time," said Link.  Zelda got up and turned on the TV to the appropriate channel.

            * * *

            Control Room, Tourian, Metroid, VideoLand.

            MotherBrain stopped the CD recorder after the two shows were over.  Kevin was a good music writer, a good guitarist and violinist, and a good singer.  She suspected his voice was actually between alto and tenor (two adjacent voice ranges), meaning it might have been just a couple of semitones higher than tenor; but with his resounding bass notes, she knew she had to reconsider that theory.  He truly had an advantage with his wide range; among the known humanoid species, only Thunderians, Mimeans, Hyrulians, Chemistrians, and Exorians had that capability inherently, and they each inherently had an eight-octave range!  Since Kevin had a great falsetto tone and range, he almost shared the others' range.  "You know," said MotherBrain to Luna, "it's almost a pity that we have to send Captain N to the X-iverse Hyrule."

            "Considering his music and vocal range, I agree," Luna said.  "But you agree with my plan?"

            "Agree with it?  I love it!  You say Ludwig knows to be there?"

            "Yes," said Luna.  "You and I will show up just before Ganon tries any treachery.  Ludwig and Mumm-ra will come a short time later, if not at the same time.  When they arrive, then we split the Triforce as follows:  you take the Triforce of Courage, Ludwig takes the Triforce of Power, I take the Triforce of Wisdom.  We shall thus temporarily incapacitate Zelda as well.  We then get rid of Princess Lana and Wesley Crusher, and Ludwig, with the Triforce of Power, shall split the Sword of Omens in two!  Ha, ha!  Then, the three of us, each using the power of the Triforces, together shall send the older Wilytwins, the younger Wilytwins, Captain N, and the Kevin-twins to that world!"

            "A magnificent master-plan!" said MotherBrain.  "But what about Rogue and the Wondertwins?"

            "We can keep them in check.  What about Larry?"

            "Ludwig will tell him the plan," said MotherBrain.  "In fact, Larry might come along.  I'm pretty sure he'll love your wicked scheme, Luna."

            "And Ganon will be quite surprised when Mumm-ra takes his place!"

            "Yes!  When Siegfried is killed, Mumm-ra, in Ganon's form, will take the Ring of the Nibelung!  When your vicious scheme reaches fulfilment, Ludwig will have more than enough power to conquer all the universes in creation!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "Yes!  With two Triforces and the Ring of the Nibelung, nothing can stand in our way!  We only have to deal with Hagen and Alberich, and Ludwig will have dominion over all creation!"

            MotherBrain said, "I guess there's only one thing to do now. . . cackle madly!"  And so the two villainesses laughed evilly.