Casa di Tygra, New Thundera, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 051 284.9; October 12, 2996.

Zan and Jayna had arrived just in time to watch the newest episodes of Kevin's series with those already at casa di Tygra.  When the shows were over, the recently resurrected composer Ludwig van Beethoven made a whistle indicating that he was quite impressed.  Kevin was right; these episodes were the best ones yet.  This was partly due to the new singers; Kevin himself was such a big improvement over the man who was playing Siegfried before.  Since Kevin's voice was more stable than the other person's, his Siegfried sounded a million times more powerful, just the way Siegfried was meant to sound.

            "Lana had better be proud of him," said Wilykit.  "Singers like him don't come along every day."

            "I never had singers like that," Beethoven said.  "I've known no human with a voice like his. . . except him, of course."

            "Mom," asked Johanna, "at another time, may we see the previous episodes?"

            Wilykit said, "Sure.  I have recordings of them.  Now, though, it's dinnertime."

            "All right!" said Wilykat.  "Let's go."  They all got up and went toward the dining room.  (Wilykit had asked the Wondertwins to stay for dinner, and they gladly agreed.)

            * * *

            Later, after they had finished their meal, Wesley remarked, "Replicator technology sure has come far.  That tasted pretty good."

            "Leave it to Thunderians and Chemistrians to improve replicator technology so it can make good food," Zan said.  "We Exorians are highly sensitive to taste.  While we can stomach most any type of food, it takes something very good to really please us."

            Wilykat said, "I know what you mean.  No one can make packs of dehydrated food that will please me completely."

            "Same here," said Wilykit.  "Even what Rataro is forced to eat is better than that stuff.  And I understand that many times, he was literally forced to eat.  He wanted to starve himself, but I guess Luna and S-s-slithe didn't want that."

            "How can he still be alive?" asked Beethoven.  "I mean, how has he remained living for so long?  I do not approve of capital punishment."

            "S-s-slithe and Luna asked Ludwig to zap the rat with his ray granting eternal existence on the mortal plane," said Wilykit.  "He fulfilled their request.  They want him to suffer, and I can't do anything about it.  He's in prison for life, and in VideoLand the sentence literally means that the prisoner remains incarcerated for the remainder of his life.  The villain is forced to witness the success that Luna and S-s-slithe are presently having with governing the Plundarrian Empire.  He would try to destroy them and us if he ever escaped; that, of course, is not likely at all."

            "Hey, wait a minute!" Wilykat said.  "What if Luna confided whatever filthy scheme she's up to now to that rat?"

            "Then, he might be willing to tell us so we can ruin her party.  Good thinking, bro.  However, I can't grant him any deals; unless we do some real good persuading or he tells us the plot voluntarily - if he does, indeed, know it - we won't get any information out of him."

            "He might be willing to rat on Luna and S-s-slithe just to get revenge on them.  After all, they haven't treated him too well."

            "That's quite true.  It's worth a try, Wilykat.  I have a feeling we'd better take care of that now.  The rest of you stay here until we return.  Wes, I'd like you to take my calls again."

            Wesley said, "With pleasure, 'Kit."

            Wilykit tapped her communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport two to the Diamond Prison in MegaLand."  She and Wilykat were taken there.

            * * *

            Kakariko Village Café, Kakariko Village, Kingdom of Hyrule, Planet Hyrule, VideoLand.  Stardate 1 051 287.67; October 13, 1996.

            By 13.55, most of the N-Team had arrived at the café.  So, Wilykit and Wesley, Kevin and Lana, and Link and Zelda brought their children into the area.  "Wow!" whispered Johanna.

            "Happy birthday, guys!" loudly proclaimed Wilykit and Wesley.  The entire N-Team repeated this cry.

            "We've prepared some music for this occasion," said Beethoven.  He had brought a portable keyboard with him.  He and the other ten of his group of eleven players got together.  The group consisted of Antonio on 'cello; Guillaume on oboe, clarinet, or bassoon; Élisabeth on 'cello; Frédéric on flute; Chatonne on violin; Gatinha on viola; Beethoven on piano; Kevin on guitar, violin, or viola; Simon Belmont on trumpet or French horn; Will Riker on trombone; and Jean-Léonard Picard on violin.  On this occasion, Guillaume had his clarinet, Kevin his guitar, and Simon his French horn.  They played the birthday pieces that they had practised the day before at Wilykit's home.  First was a set of Beethoven's recently composed variations on the music to 'Happy Birthday to You'; these variations were quite superb, and Kevin got to show off quite naturally.  This collection of Terran, Thunderian, and Hyrulian birthday music consisted of joyful, fast works, very slow, deeply romantic pieces (most of these being Hyrulian in origin), and pieces in between these two extremes.  Beethoven's formal alterations and Kevin's superb improvisations made the pieces very effective.  In the end, the eleven-member chamber group received the applause it earned, especially Kevin, the soloist.  Even Wilykit and Wesley's children clapped, and the other four at least attempted.

            "Thank you," Beethoven said.

            Kevin said, "Thank you, guys."

            "Now, what happens?" asked Johannes, excited.

            "Now, for the cake!" said Link.  He made a gesture to one of the cooks working at the café, and the cook rolled out an enormous cake, large enough for the entire N-Team.

            "Wow!" exclaimed Wilykat.  "That's one big baked good!"

            Wilykit said, "Now, brother, you know the children get it first."

            "I know."

            "It's been sliced already," said Zelda.  "Good; just as I ordered it."

            Lana said, "Why don't we serve, Zelda?"

            "Sure, Lana."  The two ladies served the six children first, then the rest of the N-Team.  Kevin and Lana had to help Thomas and Kelly to cut and eat their cake, as Zelda and Link did for Heinrich and Liselotte, but Johanna and Johannes required no assistance.  A choice of milk or other beverage had been offered with the cake.  During the eating, everyone moved around and chatted.  Sam and the Syber-Squad had come, as had the X-Men, and these two groups enjoyed the party as well as the rest of the team.

            "Well," said Wilykit finally, "this party has been great.  There are some announcements to be made.  The first is that we shall hold the meeting later, in case anyone didn't know.  Kevin?"

            Kevin announced, "I henceforth officially take my position as ruler of VideoLand alongside Lana, by her leave."

            "Zelda and I shall soon be formally married," said Link.

            Ganon's tenor voice rang through the heavens:  "And all of you shall fall to the Brain-Team as you did a millennium ago!"  He and Agahnim appeared just outside the café, and Ganon openly held up the Triforce!

            "Just what we need," said Simon Belmont.  "Ugly party crashers."

            "Ha, ha!" said Agahnim.  "You fools are ripe for the plucking!"

            "The Triforce, I'd wager, is mightier than you Q-cubed weaklings!" Ganon gloated.

            MotherBrain and Luna appeared.  Quickly before Ganon knew what happened, MotherBrain grabbed the Triforce from the hog's hands, and easily, for he was only holding it with enough physical power to hold it up.  "And best when held by Q-cubeds!" laughed Luna.  "Great job, Ganon."

            The evil Ganon felt overwhelming fury, but he hid his anger.  "A pleasure," he lied.

            "MotherBrain, hand the Triforce to Zelda, and head back to Metroid," commanded Wilykit.  She had no desire to deal with the villains today.

            MotherBrain gasped.  "Now, you know I can't do that!  I'm just waiting for someone we all know and love to get here."

            Promptly, Ludwig zapped into view.  "Greetings, N-Team!  Holding a party for your brats, I see!"

            "Retract that atrocious insult immediately, and withdraw just as quickly," commanded Kevin, pointing his Zapper at Ludwig.

            "Not a chance, Captain N," said Ludwig.  "MotherBrain, let's do it!"  Holding out the complete Triforce, MotherBrain held on to the Triforce of Courage; Ludwig took hold of the Triforce of Power; and Luna took hold of the Triforce of Wisdom.  The three pulled the Triforce apart into its three components.  When this act was complete, Zelda fell to her knees in pain.

            "Ha, ha!" laughed MotherBrain.  "See what you get for not inviting your dearest friends?  Ha, ha, ha!"

            Coming forward, Wilykit said, "You have gone too far now!  Defend yourselves, villains!"  She took the Sword of Omens and held it high.  Then, she aimed it at the villains.  "Ho!"  A beam shot out at the evil ones, but it did them no harm!  Instead, the energy was absorbed into the Triforce of Power, which Ludwig was holding.

            "Ha, ha!  That tickled!" Ludwig said.  Maliciously, he continued, "But wait!  The energy was absorbed by the Triforce of Power."  The Triforce of Power glowed.  It then shot the energy back at the Sword of Omens and thus blasted the blade in two!  "Ha!  It would appear that the Sword's blade cannot withstand its own energy returned to it by the Triforce of Power."

            "Why, you!" said Wilykit, putting the Sword in her belt and picking up the cut-off upper half of the blade.  She gave it to her brother, who put it in his belt.  "Why are you doing this?  After a completely objective trial, you shall be imprisoned forever if found guilty."

            "Oh, you'll soon enough find out," Luna said maliciously.  "You shall know all too soon why we're doing this.  Triforce of Hyrule, hear our command!"

            Ludwig said, "Take Wilykit, Wilykat, Johanna, Johannes, Captain N, Kelly, and Thomas,. . ."

            MotherBrain continued, ". . .destroy their communicators, that they may not call the other N-Team members or be called by them,. . ."

            Luna, Ludwig, and MotherBrain completed in unison, "And send them immediately to the X-iverse Hyrule!"

            The order was quickly carried out.  The seven people's communicators crumbled to dust, and a vortex quickly warped them to X-iverse Hyrule!  "Hey!" cried Lana.  "You can't do that!"

            "That's funny; it seems that we just did!" laughed MotherBrain.  "But this is only a small part of the plan!  Stay and hear with dismay what we plot, for the knowledge will be useless to you!"  She turned to Ganon.  "Ganon, I'd like you to go to that world, take the Triforce there, and incapacitate the older Wilytwins and Kevin.  I want Wilykit's children reared by Mime."  Everyone present was surprised, save Ludwig and Luna.

            "Pardon my ignorance, but isn't the world of Der Ring des Nibelungen a mere legend?" Ganon asked.

            "Not at all, my friend!  It exists on that world to which we sent those good guys.  Furthermore, Mime exists, and Siegfried will exist soon.  I advise you to remember, too, that all legends have some basis in fact."

            Ah! thought Ganon.  If the world of Der Ring des Nibelungen is real, then so may Alberich's ring, fashioned from the Rhinegold!  I must have it if it exists, and before MotherBrain or Ludwig tries for it!  "I shall, and with pleasure, MotherBrain!  But what of Siegfried when he's of age?"

            "We'll deal with him when the time comes," Ludwig said.

            Captain Picard announced, "You will not get that far.  With Wilykit and Captain N gone, I am leader of the N-Team.  I assure you that you will not get away with this."

            "Talk, talk, talk," said MotherBrain as if she were bored to death.

            "Zan, Jayna, and Wesley, show them that we mean business."

            Wesley said, "With pleasure, sir."  He and the Wondertwins came to the front.

            Rogue went over to them.  "I'll help.  You know what I did to Ludwig before."

            "Thanks, Rogue," said Wesley.  The four approached the villains.  "All right, MotherBrain, Ludwig, and Luna.  You'll soon wish you hadn't done what you did."

            "Ha!" laughed Ludwig.  "You dare to threaten us?  The Triforce magnifies MotherBrain's and my Q-cubed powers like an electron microscope!  Alone, the Triforce of Power multiplies even my malevolent Koopa magic enough to deal with you four!  But I'm not all talk.  Witness your defeat, pitiful ones!"  The Triforce of Power shone for a moment.  As if struck by an invisible blow, the Wondertwins, Wesley, and Rogue were thrown onto the ground.  "Two I shall take back with me.  Two shall perish for the acts of their powerful spouses!  Princess Lana and Wesley Crusher, I take you!  Back to Metroid with me you shall come.  I shall hold you forever and assert my mastery over the universe once more!"  Lana and Wesley were magically lifted into the air, brought together, immobilised, and encased back-to-back in a crimson red crystal.  "And if any one of you N-Teamsters attempts to enter Metroid,. . ."

            ". . .in great pain Wesley Crusher and Lana shall languish long!" laughed MotherBrain.

            Aside, Ganon thought, Hm.  Maybe I underestimated my leaders.

            "Be off, Ganon," said Luna.  "Another Triforce awaits you.  Go get it, lest our enemies win it first!"

            Ganon said, "With the greatest pleasure, Luna."  He snapped his fingers and was teleported to the X-iverse Hyrule.

            "Farewell, N-Team," said MotherBrain.  "Guard yourselves!  For once the universe is ours, we shall crush you!  We won't make the mistake of keeping you around this time."

            "MotherBrain, I shall return to Ganon's Tower," said Agahnim.

            "Very well, Agahnim."

            Agahnim popped off.  MotherBrain, Ludwig, and Luna disappeared with Lana and Wesley.  "Great," said Darkwing.  "Those guys are real party-poopers."

            All through this previous scene, Steelheart had been gaining resolve.  "Come!" she said.  "Let us be off to the Palace for our meeting.  We have much to discuss."

            "I completely agree," said Jean-Luc Picard.  "Let's go."

            Since the Wondertwins and Rogue were unconscious, Batman and Robin took up the Wondertwins, and Wolverine picked up Rogue.  Steelheart tapped her communicator.  "N-Team Transporter, transport the entire N-Team to the Palace of Power's conference room."

            The computer politely responded, "Wilykit, Wilykat, Captain N, Wilykit's children, Captain N's children, Princess Lana and Wesley Crusher are out of sensor range.  Transport all others without these nine?"

            Steelheart was slightly irritated.  "Affirmative, computer."  The whole N-Team - minus, of course, the nine people mentioned - was transported to the Palace of Power's conference room.

            * * *

            Woods, southeast of Kakariko Village, Hyrule, X-iverse.

            Wilykit, Wilykit's children, Wilykat, Kevin, and Kevin's children arrived in the forest.  "Hey!" said Kevin.  "Where are we?"

            "Hyrule in the X-iverse," said Wilykit.  She looked at the Sword of Omens.  "It is useless for us to return now to the Q-niverse.  In fact, it's perilous for the Thunder Cats who were infused with some of the Sword's power.  If the Sword is broken, the farther the Sword is from them, the better, for their powers will not diminish so quickly.  We must first wrest the Triforce from Ganon's control."

            "All right.  How do you propose doing that?" asked Kevin.

            "We first get another sword.  The Master Sword, when tempered, will help in our battle against him.  I can sense that Agahnim has only just met Ganon on this world.  We must work quickly."

            "Good idea.  However, that's more easily said than done.  We also require arrows; only Silver Arrows will harm Ganon."

            "All right.  Let's get to work."

            "Wait a minute!" Wilykat said.  "What about these four guys?"

            "What about us, Uncle?" asked Johanna.

            "Good point, brother," Wilykit said.  "Let's build a shelter or find a safe cave near a clean water source."

            "Ah!" said Kevin.  "I believe I know just the place."

            * * *

            Prison Room, Tourian, Metroid, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            Back to back, Lana and Wesley were unconscious, hanging suspended in the air by sinister magic and rotating very slowly.  "Ha, ha!" laughed Ludwig.  "Those two will eventually know my wrath."

            MotherBrain said, "With the power of the Triforce, we shall conquer this universe.  Our evil servant Ganon will steal the X-iverse Triforce and stop the Wilytwins and Kevin.  Wilykit will be forced to give her children to the loathsome Mime to be reared.  Eventually, the Nibelung's Ring shall be yours, as well as the X-iverse Triforce!"

            "It will be a simple matter to remove Ganon from the picture," Mumm-ra said.  "Hee, hee!  The fool thinks he can get away with treachery.  The instant he reveals himself as treacherous, I shall take his place and send him back here, that you may teach him his well-deserved lesson."

            "And," said Luna, "once the Ring and the two Triforces are under Ludwig's control, the X-iverse and the Q-niverse shall be Ludwig's!"

            "All that Wesley Crusher created shall fall under my control," Ludwig said.  "With my own power combined with that of the Rhinegold and the two Triforces, I shall destroy the N-Team!  None shall stand in my way!"

            Mumm-ra asked, "But what about Alberich's curse?"

            "The curse will not affect me.  Those whiny Rhinemaidens shall never get their precious gold back.  Nor will Alberich ever get the ring again!  Once Siegfried falls to Hagen, Mumm-ra shall pop onto the scene and take the gold!"

            "Yes," Mumm-ra said.  "In the guise of Ganon, of course.  According to plan, I shall give you, Ludwig, the golden ring and the Triforce from that Hyrule."

            "I shall visit that Hyrule and make myself known to Rhineland, as it is called.  Fafner, Wotan, and Alberich shall know of me, but only Wotan will take me seriously.  Upon Sieglinde, Siegfried, Mime, Alberich, Hagen, Brünnhilde and the gods I shall secretly place a special spell.  That spell will let any Q-cubed - be it MotherBrain, Wilykit, or me - reawaken them after their death and regenerate their bodies without any of the energy drain that we experience by resurrecting someone like I resurrected Beethoven."

            "You've already placed that magic on others," said MotherBrain.  "Have you determined that it's effective?"

            "I shall allow you to judge that for yourself, MotherBrain."  He snapped his fingers.  Unconscious against the wall they were facing, the bodies of Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Commissioner Jim Gordon, Batgirl, and Catwoman formed instantaneously!  "Ha, ha!"

            MotherBrain's eyes widened in amazement.  "Lovely!" she laughed.

            "There are more."  Next to the people who had formed, Dr. Wright, Dr. Cossack, Magica DeSpell, Don Karnage and some of his air pirates, Flintheart Glomgold, Ma Beagle and her Beagle Boys, and even Duke, Kevin's dog, popped into existence.  "They are now all in suspended animation.  They'll be brought back to life if they're needed, either to provide services or to be used as bait."

            "Wow!" said MotherBrain.  "Excellent, Ludwig."

            "Once Brünnhilde has ordered the incineration of the Gibichung palace and Valhalla, and once she has destroyed herself and her horse, and after the Rhinemaidens Woglinde {vó-glihn-duh} and Wellgunde {vehl-gun-duh} have drowned Hagen, Mumm-ra as Ganon shall take the ring from the Rhinemaiden Flosshilde {flós-sihl-duh}'s hands.  Afterwards, I shall resurrect the gods, Brünnhilde, the Volsungs, the Nibelung Mime, and the half-Nibelung Hagen.  The half-god Loge and the Nibelung Alberich should still be alive.  However, if either or both are dead, I can easily bring back to life the one or ones who have perished.  Erda and her Norns, too, shall live.  I shall similarly resurrect the Giants Fasolt and Fafner, as well as the Volsung Siegmund, Siegfried's father.  As with these people, I'll keep them in suspended animation in case I need them."

            "I see," said MotherBrain.

            "While I am gone, make sure everyone here remains in stasis slumber."

            "With pleasure, Ludwig."

            "Mumm-ra and I shall go to Rhineland.  Toodeloo!"

            "Toodles!  I'll keep that nasty N-Team busy while you're gone."

            Larry was also there.  "May I come, O evil brother?"

            "Why, sure!  The more, the merrier."  Ludwig snapped his fingers; he, Larry, and Mumm-ra disappeared.

            "Hee, hee!" laughed Luna.  "I have some marvellous ideas for N-Team diversions!"

            "As do I," MotherBrain said.  "Let's employ them."

            * * *

            Ganon's Hall, Ganon's Tower, Death Mountain, Dark World, Hyrule, X-iverse.  Stardate 1 051 295.89; October 16, 2996.

            As he entered the tower, the Q-niverse Ganon recalled quite vividly the grand entryhall to his Q-niverse tower; this X-iverse tower was identical to his own as it had been 3040 years ago.  Not surprising, since the events that were transpiring within this tower had occurred in 44 B.C. in the tower on the Q-niverse Hyrule.  However, he would soon greatly alter the course of events.  He would get the Triforce now and the Nibelung's ring later.  If he had recorded it correctly in his diary, at 13.00 precisely on 16 October 44 B.C., in the Q-niverse, he had come downstairs to the entryhall with the Triforce to go downstairs and review a plot with Agahnim.  It was now 12.59; he would ambush his X-iverse self coming sedately down the stairs, snatch the Triforce, and destroy his less clever counterpart; for had he himself not been dumb and smug at that time?  His counterpart would pay for that mistake, and dearly.

            Everything went perfectly.  His counterpart came carelessly down; the Q-niverse Ganon, with lightning speed, mercilessly snatched the Triforce.  "Hey!" snapped the X-iverse Ganon.  "Who are you, impostor?"

            "I am Ganon from another universe," said the Q-niverse Ganon.  "You are exactly like I was three thousand years ago, except that I didn't have to pay for my idiotic smugness with my life like you are about to!"  With lethal magic that he had ready, he killed his X-iverse counterpart.  "Ha, ha, ha!  Triforce, art thou mine?"

            "I am thine," said the Triforce.

            "Ha, ha!  And my wisdom gained in three thousand years will allow me to keep you.  Now tell me, does the Ring of the Nibelung exist?"

            "In the Light World, a river flows beneath Death Mountain from Lake Hylia in a vast underground cavern.  This river becomes the Rhine river, flowing through the diverse Rhineland on the other side of Death Mountain.  In the Rhineland, you will find Alberich's ring in Neidhöhle {nahyd-heuh-luh}, the cave of Fafner the Giant, who is currently in the form of a dragon.  With the Ring and the Triforce, the universe could be yours."

            "Oh, yes!  Endless power shall be mine.  I have mastered escaping to the Light World without having to capture the seven maidens."

            "You can travel freely between the two worlds," the Triforce affirmed.

            After destroying his X-iverse counterpart's body, Ganon went downstairs and found Agahnim waiting.  "Ah!" said Agahnim.  "Ganon.  Any news?"

            "Yes," said Ganon cheerfully.  "I have discovered a way to go to the Light World without capturing those accursed maidens."

            "Oh, really?  Do you require my services, then?"

            "Most certainly.  Although the way I found will work, it drains my magical energy to go from one world to the other regularly.  You must still get me the seven maidens."

            "As you wish."

            "But there are intruders coming.  I shall personally deal with them, though you are perfectly welcome to watch."

            "I wouldn't miss it."

            * * *

            Wilykit, Wilykat, and Kevin were nearing Ganon's Tower.  The Master Sword was within the sheath on Wilykit's back.  "I'm glad you found the path to Rhineland, brother," said Wilykit to Wilykat.  "It will help us in foiling Luna's plot."

            "Why go along with it?" asked Kevin.  "With our power. . ."

            "Kevin, think.  Since Ludwig has conquered this universe and the X-Men are our allies, it too is our responsibility to protect.  Furthermore, without the Sword of Omens, the non-Wilykat Thunder Cats, except for the Tygra-twins, lack their powers.  If I kept the broken sword near them, they would suffer.  I know how my daughter will respond to Mime - the same way Siegfried will, which is wilfully and angrily.  And she will have my strength, which is greater than Siegfried's can ever be; she'll forge the Sword of Omens anew, indestructible, more powerful than even Jaga or Bengali could make it.  I'd do it myself, but I haven't forged a sword, and I know Mime has a very powerful oven, capable of the heat needed to forge the Thunder Cats' sword back together, but only when a Thunderian operates the bellows."

            "I see," said Kevin.  "And what when Ganon destroys the Master Sword?"

            "I shall reforge it.  I can forge this Hyrulian steel more easily than the Thunderian steel of the Sword of Omens.  I have been able to learn of the magic that strengthens this sword, and since I have some knowledge of Hyrulian green magic, I can invoke it myself during the reforging.  Wilykat told me of a vacant cave in the Rhineland with a natural furnace; it is between Mime's cave and Neidhöhle.  We can take up residence there after we turn my children over to Mime.  For 24 hours, we shall be weakened due to a spell that Ganon will use against us."

            "Well," said Wilykat, "I know I won't like this, so let's get it over with."  Wilykit led her brother and Kevin up into the tower.  They entered the opulent entryhall.

            Moments after the three arrived, Ganon and Agahnim popped in.  Ganon held the Triforce.  "Greetings, Wilytwins and Captain N," said Ganon.  "You are intruding."

            "Well, good day to you, too," Wilykit said.  "Do you intend to betray Ludwig?"

            Ganon acted as if he were aghast.  "My beloved leader?  How can you ask such a thing?"  He laughed cruelly.  "Of course I do, Thunder Kitten!  You three are troublesome little pests.  See how you jabbermouths like these apples!  Triforce!  Triforce!  Radiant triangle, deplete the energy of the senior Wilytwins and Captain N as I planned!"  He snapped his fingers.  Weakened, the three heroes fell to their knees.  "Ha!  Think twice before messing with Ganon again, fools!"

            Wilykit managed to return to her feet and draw the Master Sword.  "Why, you!" she managed.  She attempted to charge him.

            "Ha!  Want a charge?  Take this!"  He hit her with an electric blast that knocked her on her back and shattered the Master Sword into two pieces.  "Oh, I broke your toy sword!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "You villain!" managed Kevin.

            "You are now incapable of rearing the younger Wilytwins!" laughed Ganon.  "I shall zap you three back to your cave at Lake Hylia and transport all seven in your party to Rhineland!  I'll put you where you can easily reach the home of Mime, soon to be the adopted father of Wily-johanna and Wily-johannes!"

            "You haven't heard the last of us!" snapped Wilykat.  "We cry boo to your rotten adoption agency!"

            "Ha, ha!  How amusing.  See you do-gooding buffoons later when I'm ready to finish you!"  He sent them on the travel plan he had outlined.

            "What were they talking about, Ganon?" asked Agahnim.

            "I shall explain later," Ganon said.

            * * *

            Near Mime's Cave, Rhineland, Light World, Hyrule, X-iverse.

            "You will remember all that you have learned this year during the time that you are in Mime's care," Wilykit told her children.  "You must treat the boy Siegfried as your brother, since the cold Nibelung will only use him to get Alberich's golden ring.  However, you must not warn Siegfried of this because Siegfried must get the ring from Fafner.  He must drink the dragon's blood so he can understand the Wood-Bird.  He must cut away the sleeping Brünnhilde's breastplate to see that she's a female.  You must not interfere with Hagen's plot to destroy Siegfried.  The only way to right the wrongs is to let this play through to the end, and that means you have to let Hagen plunge his spear through Siegfried's back.  You cannot interfere until the very end, after Brünnhilde has incinerated herself.  You must make sure the Rhinemaidens keep the ring.  Watch Siegfried forge Nothung because that is how you, Johanna, must reforge the Sword of Omens."

            Johanna said, "I'll remember, Mom.  Will we ever see you again?"

            "When you've reforged the Sword of Omens, the Eye of Thundera will come back to life.  Simply put the hilt to your eyes, and the crossbars will curl into eyeholes.  Then, order the Eye to give you sight beyond sight, and the Eye will show you how to call me."

            "What if Mime himself manages to reforge Nothung or the Sword of Omens?" Johannes asked.

            "He cannot.  He won't know how to forge either sword anew.  Well, we might as well get this over with."  She and Wilykat led Johanna and Johannes to Mime's cave.

            * * *

            Mime's Cave.

            The Nibelung Mime sat near his fireplace.  He was about three fifths the height of a normal human, and he was uglier, with hanging ears and a prunish face.  "How," he asked himself, "shall I get my brother's ring?  Alberich took it from the Rhinemaidens in the river's depths.  He renounced love and shaped the gold into a ring; he then had me make him the Tarnhelm with his instructions.  Ah, fool that I am!  I expected to keep the Tarnhelm, to learn the effect that the magic instilled in it would have, to steal the ring from my brother and make him my slave, thus turning the tables.  But no!  I learned too late what magic lay in the helmet as Alberich lashed me, invisible to my sight!  Wotan and Loge then came and freed us Nibelungen from servitude to Alberich, but they took my brother's ring and my Tarnhelm so Alberich could be free, not to mention the hoard of gold we Nibelungen heaped up for Alberich.  They then had to give ring, helmet, and hoard to those foolish giants, who demanded the Nibelung hoard of gold as ransom for Freia, she who grants the gods their immortality.  Fafner slew his brother Fasolt for the ring and used the Tarnhelm to transform permanently into an enormous dragon.  I must gain either the ring or the Tarnhelm from Fafner, for gaining the one surely means gaining the other!  If I had the Tarnhelm, even the holder of the ring could not enslave me, since as I know the form-changing power of that headpiece, I can slyly steal the ring even from Alberich, my brother, or his son, Hagen.  Cursèd Alberich!  He bought Grimhilde, the mother of the Gibichungen Gunther and Gutrune, and lovelessly fathered Hagen.  At the right age, Hagen will help Alberich get the ring, and the two will share the power.  If they gain it, they would not share with me, Alberich's own brother!  How do I get me the ring?  How do I avoid slavery to my brother and his son?"

            One of the two doors to the outside opened, and the two pairs of Wilytwins came in.  "Wise dwarf Mime, we come to you in dire need," said Wilykit.

            "I have my own troubles, so go ask others for help!" Mime snapped.

            Wilykat said, "You don't understand, wily smith.  By helping us, you may solve some of your own problems as well."

            Mime was suspicious.  "Who are you, guests?  Are you from the other side of the mountain to the south?"

            "Indeed we came from there," Wilykat said.  "The Rhine flows in a deep cavern beneath the mountain from a lake on the other side of the mountain.  Lake Hylia, in southern Hyrule, sends its powerful waters north.  In the depths of the Rhine on this side of the mountain is the bed where the Rhinegold was kept.  We know your wicked brother Alberich stole the gold and made a ring that would win him the world, and he forced you, poor smith, and the other Nibelungen to drudgery.  The gods came and defeated Alberich, but they did not stay long enough to find out how much more benevolent an emperor you would be than your brother, so they did not give you the ring."

            Wilykat was apparently speaking Mime's language.  "Correct.  They did not give me the powerful ring.  With it, I could rule the world, but I would only force Alberich to drudgery, as punishment for his crimes against his own kind!  He went out searching for love and came back having forsaken it."

            "When my children come of age," said Wilykit, indicating Johanna and Johannes, "they will be very strong."  She took the Sword of Omens; one piece of the blade was in the hilt held in her right hand, the other piece Wilykit held in her left hand.  "This is the Sword of Omens.  At the right age, my children can forge this sword anew, if you teach them your craft.  We are weak and unable to care for them."

            Mime was delighted.  Maybe he could pervert these children's minds and use them to steal the ring.  "But what are your names?"

            "My name is Wilykit, my brother's is Wilykat.  The father of my children is no longer with us.  My daughter is Wily-johanna, my son Wily-johannes.  Just call them Johanna and Johannes for short.  My brother and I cannot care for them, as an evil wizard drained our power."

            "I would be all too happy to do so," said Mime.  "I know the resources of this wood.  They shall be safe from all evil here."

            "Thank you, Mime," said Wilykit.  "We cannot appropriately express our gratitude."  She turned to her children.  "You have to stay here, guys."  She handed the Sword of Omens to Mime.  "Farewell, my twin children."

            "Bye, Mom," said Johanna.

            "Farewell, Wilykit and Wilykat," said Mime.

            Wilykat said, "Farewell, Mime."

            * * *

            Neidhöhle, Rhineland.

            The forest where Mime's cave was located ended in the east at Neidhöhle, the cave of Fafner, which was on the other side of the Rhine.  Wotan rarely ventured into this territory in his normal guise as lord of the gods, for Fafner had great power with that ring, though he did not exercise it.  In his guise as the Wanderer, though, Wotan often went through this forest, visiting people.  In this guise he was here now, with his blue cloak and the hat covering his face in a shadow, concealing the socket for the eye he had sacrificed to win Fricka, his wife, the goddess of holy matrimony (not to mention a darned pest).  It also hid for the most part his black beard and his black hair.

            Oh, how the woman constantly smashed his hopes!  He had just sealed the fate of his own son Siegmund and put his daughter Brünnhilde, chief of the Valkyries, to sleep until the one who knew no fear could awaken her.  And all because Fricka made him realise his grievous mistake!  He could not interfere with Siegfried at all until Siegfried ascended the mountain to get to Brünnhilde.  Wotan had to bar Siegfried's way and block him with the powerful spear, because only the one who did not fear the point of Wotan's spear could pass through Loge's fire and awaken the sleeping Brünnhilde.

            As the Wanderer, Wotan arrived by horse at Neidhöhle.  He knew Alberich would be here.  That evil dwarf wanted the ring, the Nibelung hoard, and the Tarnhelm, all of which Fafner now held in the cave at Neidhöhle.  The ring would permit its wearer to conquer the world, while the Tarnhelm permitted its wearer to change into any shape and to transport to another location by mere thought.  Only the fire demigod Loge's cunning had permitted Wotan to win ring, hoard, and helm from the evil Nibelung.

            "What are you doing here?" demanded a dark baritone voice.  Alberich came from behind a bush.  He was about three fourths Wotan's height and was much uglier.  "Accursèd thief!"

            "Greetings, Alberich," replied Wotan in his own baritone voice, appropriately with a strong, commanding quality, though it could be soft and gentle at the right moments.  He really wanted to do everything right and lawfully - which he would do if he had a second chance - but some urge compelled him to do wrong, and he could not resist it.

            Alberich, on the other hand, desired to do things quite evilly.  He would never go back on his rejection of love.  He felt just the slightest bit of guilt at not sharing his power with his brother Mime (who could probably have seen through Loge's trickery, which stole the gold and the helm from Alberich for Wotan), but he covered it well.  "So, cursèd god, you come to watch Fafner's cave?  You wish to steal my gold?"

            "I want no longer your worthless gold!  Erda and Loge warned me well.  I should have tossed that ring back to the Rhinemaidens, as Loge advised, but I was too concerned with my own race's well-being."

            "And now, I can still win the gold!  My son was born by the mother of Gunther and Gutrune, and he'll grow as Gunther's brother.  If I don't get the ring, Hagen will!  And then he and I will control the world!"

            "Wrong!" called a heldentenor voice that sharply contrasted with Wotan and Alberich's baritone voices.  Ludwig and Larry popped onto the scene.  Ludwig said, "Wanderer and Alberich, I am Ludwig, and this is my brother Larry."

            "How do you know us?" demanded Alberich.

            In his own heldentenor voice, Larry responded, "We have heard much concerning each of you.  Alberich stole the gold from the Rhinemaidens and shaped it into a ring, and Wotan took the Ring and gave it to giants to free Freia.  Of the two Nibelungs Alberich and his brother, Mime, each wishes to gain the ring for himself, while Wotan sees the need for the Ring to be returned to the Rhinemaidens.  Only the hero who knows no fear can forge the sword Nothung {nó-túng} anew, gain the Ring and Nibelung treasure from Fafner, and awaken the sleeping Brünnhilde."

            "You know much," Wotan said.

            "Beware!" warned Ludwig.  "I know more about the future of Siegfried than the Light-Spirit Erda and than you, Wotan!  When the Ring is returned to the Rhinemaidens by Brünnhilde herself, one of my powerful assistants will take the Ring right out of the girls' hands and deliver it to me!"

            "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Alberich.  "Absurd!  I shall get the Ring - or my son, Hagen, will - before you have the opportunity to touch it!"

            Larry laughed, "Ha, ha!  You fool!  Siegfried will forge Nothung.  He will destroy Fafner and gain the Ring and the Tarnhelm.  To your pleasure, dwarf, he will kill Mime.  He will break through Loge's fire.  He will awaken Brünnhilde."

            Ludwig continued, "After declaring his union with Brünnhilde, which includes oaths, Siegfried will visit the Gibichungen.  In a drink, Hagen will give Siegfried a potion that makes him forget about Brünnhilde and fall in love with Gutrune.  Siegfried and Gunther will declare blood-brotherhood, and Siegfried will agree to break through the fire in Gunther's form - by using the Tarnhelm - and get Brünnhilde for Gunther.  Before departing for the court of the Gibichungen, Siegfried will have left the Ring with Brünnhilde.  When coming to her as Gunther, he will take back the Ring.  Later, he will return to the Gibichungen hall with the Tarnhelm's powers and announce the imminent arrival of Gunther and Brünnhilde.  When she and Gunther arrive, Brünnhilde will accuse Siegfried, for he will have the Ring, not Gunther.  On Hagen's spear, Siegfried will swear that Brünnhilde is lying, and upon the same spear, Brünnhilde will swear the opposite.  Hagen will plan to do away with Siegfried in the woods during a hunt.  Brünnhilde will inform Hagen and Gunther that they all have deceived her, but she will agree on one death to settle it:  Siegfried's death.  With the greatest reluctance, Gunther will agree to Hagen's murderous plot."

            Larry said, "During the hunt, Siegfried will meet the Rhinemaidens.  They will advise him to give them the Ring, but he will refuse.  They'll tell him he'll soon learn the Ring's price.  When the hunting party, including Gunther and Hagen, catches up to Siegfried, it will rest.  Gunther will be in a gloomy mood.  In attempt to cheer him up, Siegfried will tell the party of the story of his youth with Mime, of his killing of Fafner and Mime.  Hagen will give Siegfried another drugged drink, this one to reverse the memory loss and restore his memory of Brünnhilde.  Thus, Siegfried will freely tell that he took vows with Brünnhilde, and Hagen will kill Siegfried then with his spear, saying that he punished the hero for perjury, though Hagen himself will be responsible.  Not that I'd expect Wotan to intervene."

            "Anyway, Gunther, Hagen, and the vassals will take Siegfried's body back to the Gibichung court," said Ludwig.  "Hagen will say that a boar had killed the hero, but Gunther will reveal that Hagen was that boar and will then sword-fight with Hagen.  Unfortunately, he will lose.  Just as Hagen is about to take the Ring from Siegfried, Brünnhilde will enter.  After revealing her true relationship with Siegfried, she will take the Ring, set the hall and Siegfried's funeral pyre ablaze, order Loge to set Valhalla ablaze to put a long-awaited end to the Light-Spirits, and toss the Ring to the Rhine as she follows Siegfried into death.  The Rhine waters will overflow their banks so that the Rhinemaidens can get the Ring.  In futile attempt to stop them, Hagen will run into the water after them, and two will drag him to his death, while the third holds the Ring high as Valhalla burns to dust.  Thus, Brünnhilde will redeem the world in her selfless act."

            "Yet wait!" said Larry suddenly.  "As Flosshilde holds that Ring high, our evil comrade Ganon will be more successful than Hagen.  Ganon will take that Ring and deliver it to Ludwig."

            "Ha, ha!" roared Alberich, amused.  "Thanks for the amusing story.  I must leave now.  Beware, Wotan!  Once I have the Ring, all your heroes won't save you gods from my might!"  Laughing, he departed quickly.

            The Wanderer grimly regarded Ludwig.  "Dark turtle, I believe you.  What is your name?"

            "I am named Emperor Ludwig 'Kooky' von Koopa.  You may call me Ludwig.  This is my brother, the chief justice - the highest judge - of my empire, Prince Larry."

            Larry said, "My brother treats me well, unlike how Alberich treats Mime."

            "Your words ring true in my ears," the Wanderer said.  "Tell me, where do you come from?"

            "Another universe," said Ludwig.  "I conquered that universe and ruled it for a thousand years.  Thanks to the heroic Wilytwins, however, I lost control of the empire!  They command the most powerful item in all known creation. . . the Eye of Thundera, embedded in the hilt of the Sword of Omens.  Jaga, who saved his fellow Thunderians from eliminating themselves in a stupid civil war about three millennia ago, forged out of diamond-hard Thunderian steel the double-edged blade of the Sword of Omens, and he instilled life into the Eye of Thundera.  Nearly omniscient sight and nearly omnipotent power resides in that Eye, but also a sense of right and wrong.  The Eye of Thundera controls the Sword; they are as body and mind.  No evil person can command the Sword, nor can anyone perform evil with it.  With the Triforce, another item with nearly omnipotent power and unable to keep evil people from commanding it, I destroyed the Sword's blade, breaking it much like you broke Nothung.  The Eye now sleeps.  It will not awaken until the blade is reforged.  Johanna, Wilykit's daughter, will forge that sword new. . . in the fires of Mime's forge.  Wilykit could do it herself, but she deems her forging experience too limited."

            "Only Siegfried's ignorance will serve him to reforge Nothung," said the Wanderer.

            "And, after watching the strong Siegfried, the even stronger Johanna will refine his technique and forge the Sword of Omens even stronger than Jaga the Wise could.  So strong that not even the Triforce's power will shatter it again.  But not even the mighty sword will stand a chance against a Ring and two Triforces!  Our universe has a Hyrule, which has a Triforce.  That Triforce is the one with which I destroyed the Sword's blade.  The Kingdom of Hyrule of this world, on the other side of the great mountains, also has a Triforce, which my evil servant Ganon has acquired.  Wilykit and her brother, Wilykat, will be residing in this forest at least until the Sword of Omens is reforged."

            "I see," the Wanderer said.  "Where are they living?"

            "To the west, about halfway between here and Mime's cave," said Larry.  "Ludwig and I will be in this forest from time to time to see how things are going down."

            "I cannot stop you," said the Wanderer.  "I wish I could, but I can no longer do what my wish says.  My own wife and my own spear force me to uphold my laws, and there is no treaty between you and me.  I must ignore the dire threat you pose.  Besides, if your power is as great as you say, I would be unable to stop you anyway."

            "Once you Light-Spirits have all perished," Ludwig stated solemnly, "once your mortal end has come, I shall return you to life in time.  After a hundred years, probably.  Your guilt and shame shall be erased, and you'll be free to start anew.  But be warned!  I advise that you ally afterwards with Wilykit.  Otherwise, my evil army would conquer you with ease.  The mass of Nibelungen will be under my control.  The Volsungen - Siegmund, Sieglinde, and Siegfried - will be freed from their shame and return to life.  If you ally with Wilykit, you won't be responsible for upholding unholy laws, such as the marriage binding Sieglinde and Hunding. . . that is, a loveless marriage, for such things are simply not permitted by modern society.  Now, we must leave."  He smiled as menacingly as he could. . . not a friendly look at all.  "Think of what we've said.  If you don't heed my advice, I warn you, your second life will be unjustly unpleasant and painful, far more so than your current life.  Farewell."  He snapped his fingers, and he and Larry disappeared.  The Wanderer mounted his steed and left.

            * * *

            Nearby, Ganon and Agahnim were hidden behind a bush.  "Hee!" laughed Ganon.  "I know Ludwig won't suspect me of a thing.  I have never done a thing to arouse his suspicions."

            "You seem far wiser than the Ganon I knew," said Agahnim.  "But why kill him?"

            "He would lose the Triforce in 44 years, like I did so long ago," said Ganon.  "Like me, he was stupid and too confident in his own powers. . . when he should have used the Triforce's powers to add to his own.  I shall use this Triforce and the Ring of the Nibelung to gain the Triforce that Ludwig has and to conquer these two universes with the Brain-Team under my command after I destroy Ludwig!"

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Rhine Pyramid, Rhineland.

            In his new pyramid on a high, dark bank of the Rhine, evil Mumm-ra with Ma-mutt, his foul mongrel, was watching Ganon's treacherous activities with his cauldron.  "Why, that evil hog!" said Mumm-ra.  "How dare the insolent fool plot to destroy our leader.  But, then, that's why I'm here. . . to disrupt that activity of his."  Ma-mutt wagged his tail in excitement.  "Yes, my malicious mutt.  None shall ever know what happened to Scooper and Duke, thanks to you, my vile animal!  Ha, ha!  While Wilykit and Wilykat were off in the forest one day with Scooper, the mechanical mutt given them by those cursèd Ro-Bear-Berbils, you captured and dismantled most disgustingly that precious pet of theirs when they let him run off to another area.  I would have scolded you if I hadn't witnessed with horrible delight the Thunder Kittens' guilt and sorrow when they couldn't find the wretched pooch, for you took that miserable creature out of their lives!  And, when Captain N, that blasted dog of his, and Lana visited the Q-niverse Hyrule just after Ludwig had declared the universe his empire and Larry had freed most of the N-Team, when Kevin let Duke run off for a moment to do his business, you again struck, killing that stupid mutt of his for whom he so cared!  Yet this time, you left the canine corpse behind, and when he saw that, that stupid boy was plunged into such a state!  Ha, ha!  I'm proud of you causing such misery to do-gooding pet owners."  Ludwig and Larry popped into the room.

            "Greetings, Mumm-ra," said Ludwig.  "Did Ganon spy on us?"

            "Yes," Mumm-ra said.  "He and this world's Agahnim were hiding near where you talked to the Wanderer and Alberich.  He does plan great treachery. . . to destroy you, Prince Ludwig!"

            Larry said, "Well, then, he should be dealt with."

            "Yes, my evil lords.  Watch how my plan goes.  Ganon shall never touch the Nibelung's Ring!"  He spread his arms.  "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form to Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living!"  By the end of his incantation, he was in his more powerful form. . . no longer a decaying mummy, but a large human-shaped monster with a cape instead of a cloak and a double-headed snake emblem (head-body-head, instead of head-body-tail) in the middle of his chest.  The top part of this emblem - the heads looking at each other - was mimicked on top of his helmet.  "Now, Spirits, grant me the form of Ganon, the Evil King of Darkness."  He spread out his arms.  His body was transformed to that of the warped form of Ganon.  He next spoke with the evil wizard's voice.  "How's this?"

            "Great," Ludwig said, giving Mumm-ra the thumbs-up.  Larry did so, also.

            "Thanks," said Mumm-ra in his own voice.  "Once he teleports himself and Agahnim back to his tower, I shall replace him.  If this is successful, he will pop in between the two of you.  If not, I will pop back in this position next to my delightful cur."

            Larry said, "Understood, Mumm-ra."

            "We'll take him to MotherBrain for his lesson," said Ludwig.  "We'll then return here and keep an eye on your progress."

            "Understood," said Mumm-ra.  He looked in the cauldron.  "Ah!  Showtime.  He's going to snap his fingers to teleport himself and Agahnim back to the Tower.  I'll change that slightly."  Once Ganon (shown in the cauldron) snapped his fingers, Mumm-ra disappeared, and the already dim light darkened even more.  Ganon appeared between Ludwig and Larry.

            "Hey!" cried Ganon, disoriented.  "What. . . it wasn't this dark in the Tower!"

            "This isn't the Tower, you traitorous imbecile!" snapped Ludwig.  "You are in Mumm-ra's new pyramid on the Rhine, and your treachery has been discovered."

            "Why, Ludwig!  How's it going?"

            Larry said, "Oh, fine.  We found out your traitorous scheme, luckily before you destroyed Ludwig.  Mumm-ra caught you spying on Ludwig's and my conversation with Wotan and Alberich, you nitwit, and he overheard you telling Agahnim that you were going to overthrow Ludwig."

            "What alerted you to my treachery?" Ganon demanded.

            "Luna and Mumm-ra have been keeping a close eye on you for some time," said Ludwig.  "You seem to need a lesson in loyalty."

            "I might be more loyal if you kept control over the N-Team!"

            "I don't see you handling that job, you fool!  Maybe after your loyalty lesson, you'll think twice before crossing me again!"  He and Larry grabbed Ganon by the arms and poofed back to the Q-niverse with him.

            * * *

            Conference Room, Palace of Power, Milky Way, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 051 298.63; October 17, 2996.

            Captain Picard and Commander Steelheart sat at the head of the table.  "So far, we have been unable to locate Wilykit, Wilykat, Johanna, Johannes, Kevin, Thomas, or Kelly," Steelheart said.  "We know, though, where Lana and Wesley are. . . on Metroid in the prison area in Norfair.  Whose task is it to govern VideoLand now?"

            "By the treaty that holds the land together like crazy-glue," said Kid Icarus, "in cases such as this, either the born ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom or that of the Kingdom of Hyrule determines who takes control of the Kingdom of VideoLand, whoever has the larger immediate family."

            "That means me," said Queen Toadstool.  Zelda nodded.  "Luis, you take control until Kevin or Lana returns."

            "Yes, Mother," said Prince Luis de(Spike)Koopa.  The good and just Tortoisian had the same form as his evil cousin, Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa, but he was a far more compassionate ruler.  His father, the equally good King Spike Koopa, was Toadstool's kind husband.

            "Meanwhile," Toadstool added, "Spike and I will govern the Mushroom Empire."

            "I should be there too, just in case Bowser tries to stir up more trouble with his old tricks," said Mario.

            "All right," Picard said.  "Now, Thunder Cats, whom have you decided to take your leadership position in Wilykit's absence?"

            "I'm the one to take it," said Chatonne.  "I choose to share my authority with Gatinha.  Luckily, our parents taught us good skills."

            Lion-O said, "They asked me to take it back, but I felt I couldn't.  Besides, they don't depend on the Eye of Thundera for their powers like several others of us Thunder Cats do, including me."

            "What sort of powers do you have, Chatonne and Gatinha?" asked Picard.

            "We have mental powers like our father's," Chatonne said.

            "Also," said Gatinha, "like our mother, we have super-speed.  We have telepathy as well."

            "Thank you," Steelheart said.  "N-Team Base, who is your leader in Kevin's stead?"

            "It's I," said Link.  "Kevin made me his first officer."

            "All right.  Now, without Wilykit and Kevin around, Captain Picard is in charge, while I'm first officer.  Since I led the N-Team before, he's giving me a little more leeway in command than I would have given Kevin."

            "We would both like to find out just what the heck is going on in the X-iverse," said Picard.  "I fear the only way to find out what's happened to our leaders and their children is to send someone else to the X-iverse Hyrule.  Thanks to Richard Wagner and Kevin, we know a bit about the legend of the Ring and the Nibelung.  We overheard Ludwig talking about Mime, telling Ganon to go to that world and make sure Wilykit's children are reared by Mime.  According to Wagner's version of the legend, Mime is the brother of Alberich, who stole the gold from the Rhine's depths and formed it into a ring after forsaking love.  He later lost it to chief of the gods, Wotan, who in turn had to give the ring to the giants Fasolt and Fafner to pay them for building Valhalla, the great hall for warriors who died honourably in battle.  If Ludwig manages to get his hands on that ring, he may very well become unstoppable.  I recall that in Act Two of Wagner's Die Walküre, Wotan told Brünnhilde that Alberich, with the ring, could easily turn Wotan's army of heroes defending Valhalla against him."

            "Excuse me, Captain," interrupted Antonio.

            "Go ahead, Antonio."

            "With my telepathy, I caught some thoughts from Ganon, Ludwig, MotherBrain, and Luna.  Once Ludwig mentioned that the world of the Ring of the Nibelung existed, Ganon immediately thought of the ring.  I think he had the intention of turning on Ludwig, using the power of the ring and the X-iverse Triforce against him.  More importantly, in Luna's thoughts, I sensed that she completely expects Ganon to turn on Ludwig.  I think that she has hatched a plot that will gain Ludwig the X-iverse Triforce and Alberich's Ring.  Unless, of course, that plan were stopped."

            "It's possible Wilykit knew of that," said Tygra.  "What happened a few days ago would put her in the right place to stop the plan.  She and Wilykat can be very sneaky, sometimes to the point of scaring us to death."

            Steelheart said, "That's possible, but we should still do something about it because it's also possible that they're in a position where they can do nothing about it, at least not now."

            "Therefore," said Picard, "we would like a small group of volunteers to go to the X-iverse Hyrule and find out just what's happening there.  Temporary or permanent, no team leaders or their first officers may go.  Who volunteers to go?"

            Quickly, Zan and Jayna stood.  "We volunteer, Captain," Zan said.

            "Very well, Wondertwins.  Since you spoke first, you will lead the group, Zan.  Who else volunteers?"

            "I should like to go, sir," said Data, standing.  "This would be an excellent opportunity to study a world that is much like the world of a myth."

            "Very well, Mr. Data.  Does anyone else volunteer?"

            Standing up, Steelwill said, "I volunteer to go, Captain."

            "Certainly, Steelwill.  I can let one more person go."

            Jean-Léonard stood.  "I volunteer.  I need to get some action."

            "All right, Jean-Léonard, though you aren't technically a member of the N-Team yet.  Now, MotherBrain could present us with great problems, which is why Steelheart and I have spoken with Rogue about learning about the extent of those powers she gained from Ludwig.  Over the past few years, MegaMan has noted that MotherBrain has been expanding Metroid and improving its defences and tunnels, making it harder to get into and even harder to escape from.  Panthro has noticed increased activity on Plundarr, which he says indicates that S-s-slithe is building up the military forces, and that could only mean trouble, especially if MotherBrain has let the Plundarrians use Cardassian technology.  Moonstriker has reported that the Mob is fortifying Brim*Star.  The asteroid now has more defences, their fortress is stronger than ever, and, according to Melodia, the limos have been upgraded to be faster and more powerful.  Neptunia has told me that the Fearsome Ten has been building a powerful base in Audubon Bay and that F.O.W.L. has been supplying the Fearsome Ten with lethal defence systems.  According to Luigi, Bowser Koopa has been building a new castle dangerously near the Mushroom Kingdom's capital.  We shall have to be on guard for our evil adversaries, see what they do.  Just out of curiosity, Thunder Cats, have you seen Mumm-ra since the X-Men joined us?"

            "No, not that I know of," said Chatonne.  "He's definitely not on Plundarr."

            "I have a strange feeling that he's up to something."

            "So do I," said Cheetara.  "Maybe some of us should check his usual hiding places to find some information about what he's doing."

            "Right, Mother," Chatonne said.  "I'll take care of that once the meeting is adjourned."

            Steelheart said, "Thanks to Link's consciousness being trapped on that X-iverse Hyrule and thanks to the help of Wilykit, Antonio, and Kevin, Quicksilver and Dr. Crusher, working with Bluegrass and Steelwill, have found out the co-ordinates of that world.  We can easily use the N-Team Transporter without risk to send Zan, Jayna, Data, Steelwill, and Jean-Léonard Picard to the Kingdom of Hyrule on that world.  We'll be able to communicate, and Steelwill will most likely be able to contact me in an emergency."

            Will Riker said, "Pardon me, but what about the Brain-Team's Warbird?  We no longer know where that enormous ship is.  Also, it has much power."

            Picard said, "I believe that the Thunderians are trying to find a solution to that problem."

            "Yes, indeed," said Tygra.  "Scientists from all over this galaxy and the Galaxy of Leos have been studying the Effugium, the ship used by the Wilykats on their journey to this galaxy a thousand years ago.  Commander LaForge and Commander Data were a great help, I might add.  That ship has the most powerful hyperspace engine of which I've ever heard.  Since the Brain-Team kept themselves from stealing our hyper warp engines, that means we have an advantage in speed.  Without strain, the Effugium can easily outrun the Warbird.  The Romulans and Klingons let us study their disruptors, as the Federation let us study its phaser technology.  If we use weapons such as those on a Warbird-sized ship, we would have 15% greater firepower than the Warbird.  Federation and Romulan shield systems can be combined with Thunderian shield systems to create superlative defences.  Starfleet had some neat tricks, particularly you on the Enterprise-D, that we can add to a ship.  Federation, Thunderian, Romulan, and Klingon sensor technology, combined with the N-Team's sensor net, are far superior to what the Brain-Team has."

            "In fact," said Chatonne, "the plans for constructing an enormous ship are underway."

            "Yeah," Geordi LaForge said, "and I've been chosen to lead the engine design team, due to my experience on the Enterprise."

            "Very good," said Picard.  "Who is leading the ship design team?"

            Tygra said, "I am.  Many of my ship designs and building designs have been widely used, and not only in the Thunderian Kingdom.  I have studied various Federation ship designs and Thunderian ship designs, and I have found many advantages in each such that combination would be no problem yet would increase the integrity of the ship."

            "Very good.  I have seen some of the ships and buildings based on your designs.  The structures are very strong, and they are quite elegant."

            "Thank you, Captain," Tygra said.  "Architecture is a form of art as well as something practical.  I equally enjoy working with both; it satisfies both parts of my brain.  I'm glad that the abilities I was given are being put to good use."

            "Glad to hear that.  Now," said Picard, "I have another concern.  Wesley's original universe.  It has been brought to my attention that Ludwig may have the intention of invading that, as well."

            "Yes," said Antonio.  "Wilykit spoke with me about that.  Ludwig would invade in Federation year 2373 or 2374, beginning with the Delta Quadrant, where the U.S.S. Voyager is trapped far from the Federation.  In that universe, the Federation hypothesises that the Borg Homeworld is in the Delta Quadrant.  In the Beta Quadrant, the Enterprise-E is soon to meet with a Romulan ship in the Neutral Zone.  Here is the background.  On Stardate 48 579.4, the Voyager encountered a decaying wormhole to the Alpha Quadrant.  The wormhole was too small for the Voyager to go through, but the Voyager could send a probe through.  Though the probe got mired in a gravitational eddy, it continued to send telemetry to the Voyager.  In the Alpha Quadrant, Romulan scientist Telek Ramor located the other end of the wormhole and found the probe.  The Voyager knew the probe had been discovered, and they found a way to communicate first by audio then by video with the Romulan.  At first, Ramor thought Voyager was spying on him, but the Voyager crew soon convinced him that they were far from the Alpha Quadrant and missed their families.  The Voyager crew then found a way to transport through the wormhole using the probe's signal, which nearly met transporter protocols.  After several tests - sending things to the Romulan's craft and back - they transported Ramor to Voyager, for the Romulan government would not allow Federation officers on Ramor's ship.  In transporting, Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres had noted an annoying phase variance.  Security Chief Tuvok found the reason when Ramor arrived.  He asked Ramor what year it was, and Ramor replied that it was 2351, indicating that the ancient wormhole was a tear in time as well as space.  He was from twenty years in the past.  However, he promised that he would deliver the Voyager crew's personal messages to the Federation in twenty years.  The Voyager crew sent him back to his ship.  Tuvok then informed the captain that Ramor had died four years prior to the present date, in 2367.  However, Ramor left in his will that his daughter, Torada Ramor, was to deliver the messages to the Federation.  She is a scientist and commander of a Romulan ship, similar to the Warbird but half the size.  Her ship is the one the Enterprise-E is moving to meet, and she intends to give them the messages to return to Federation space.  I don't know what will happen when the Enterprise returns the messages, but I have a feeling they'll send an expedition to the distant Delta Quadrant.  Now, we think Ludwig intends to begin his invasion in the Delta Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy.  Of course, I think that'll be after he gets the Ring of the Nibelung, if he does."

            "How do you know so much, Antonio?" asked Data innocently.

            "My brother and I each have telepathy that allows either of us to easily read MotherBrain's brain or Ludwig's without them knowing it.  Of course, if they suspected us capable of doing that, they could block our telepathy.  MotherBrain and Ludwig know the goings-on in the Milky Way Galaxy in Wesley's universe of origin."

            Picard said, "Well, let's get to it.  If anyone has any sort of encounter with any member of the Brain-Team, please inform Steelheart or me as soon as you can.  This meeting is adjourned."