Mumm-ra's Pyramid, Rhineland, Light World, Hyrule, X-iverse.  Stardate 1 051 972.60; June 20, 2997.

The new group cautiously approached Mumm-ra's pyramid.  "It looks even nastier than the one on third-Earth," Moonstriker said.

            "I know what you mean, even though I have this visor," replied Geordi.

            Élisabeth said, "Well, we're not going in there just yet.  We don't know exactly what happened to the others who came."

            Guillaume put his hand to his head.  "I just don't get it.  Something is awry.  I don't feel Mumm-ra's thoughts in this vicinity.  I feel his thoughts, but. . . well, it seems his consciousness is elsewhere.  I'd say Death Mountain in the Dark World.  I sense Ludwig and Larry on this world, but they're not hindering my telepathic efforts, and neither is anyone else."

            "Where would he be other than here?" Élisabeth asked herself.  "Guillaume, do your telepathic powers let you check for residual traces of a person's consciousness, like if they were here some time ago, or is there no such thing as telepathic residue?"

            "Yes, actually, but it's something so slight that few telepaths can detect it, and those telepaths must have thorough training to sense it.  Fortunately, I do.  I'm picking up such residue from Mumm-ra, but not from when our pals were captured yesterday evening.  And yet. . . hm.  I sense powers from Hell. . . it seems to me that the Ancient Spirits of Evil responded to a command by Ma-mutt, who is here now.  He is resting."

            "Can you detect our friends?" LaForge asked.

            "Ah. . . faintly.  They were here, but they were transported elsewhere.  I'd say that they were transported. . . to Mumm-ra's pyramid on Plundarr in the Q-niverse, and I'd say that the Spirits sent them there for Ma-mutt!"

            "Oh, Jaga!" exclaimed Élisabeth.  "What can you figure out about them there?"

            Guillaume closed his eyes and concentrated.  "Uh. . . from this distance, it's very strenuous.  I can't tell a thing."  He put his hand to his head and sighed.  "Oh, no.  Why the heck did I try to do that?  Now I've strained my powers.  I won't be able to use my telepathy to send messages for a few hours, or I may seriously harm someone unintentionally with my telepathy."

            "All right, Guillaume.  Rest your powers.  We'd better go find Wilykit."

            "Since her cave emits a lot of heat," said Geordi LaForge, "I'll easily find her."

            "Very well.  Let's turn back.  When we return to the woods, Geordi, you find her for us."

            "Sure will, Élisabeth."

            * * *

            Wilykit, Wilykat, and Kevin's Cave, Rhineland.

            When the Wilytwins had told him what they knew of what was going on, Kevin said, "-Sigh.-  Just dandy.  I hate that mummy almost as much as I hate MotherBrain."

            "He's just as dangerous," said Wilykit.  "The Ancient Spirits of Evil may be physically trapped down in Hell with Satan, but they sure manage to influence the mortal universes through Mumm-ra.  They can give him as much power as MotherBrain has with her Q-cubed powers.  She'd just better not decide to give him Q-cubed powers, or he could become very difficult to keep under control."

            "I wish we could go there to the Pyramid and stop him," Wilykat said.  "I don't like the idea of four more people going out there.  We don't need to lose Élisabeth, Guillaume, Geordi, or Moonstriker."

            "You're right, bro, but I don't want to give Ganon any impression whatsoever that we've fully recovered.  As it is, we really haven't.  The Sword of Omens remains shattered, and it'll be some time before Siegfried can forge Nothung.  He isn't even born yet.  Waiting can be so darned tedious.  I remember how much I hate it."

            Three knocks hit the door.  Just from them, the three heroes knew who was seeking entry.  When Wilykit opened the door, their suspicions were confirmed. . . Ludwig and Larry entered.  "Good afternoon, Thunder Kittens and Captain N," Ludwig greeted.

            "Come on in, and cut the sweet talk, Ludwig," Wilykit snapped.  "What happened to our friends yesterday?"

            "Oh, Steelheart and the Silver Hawks are quite well," said Larry, smiling.

            Ludwig smiled in the same manner.  The manner indicated that they intended to ruffle the good guys' feathers.  "Now, dear bro," said Ludwig, "I'm not sure she exactly meant those particular friends of hers.  Maybe the N-Team Base."

            "We're not playing your annoying little games, you two snakes," Wilykat said evenly, trying to keep his temper.

            "Come, come, guys!" said Ludwig in a carefree manner.  "Lighten up!  This is not so dire, you know.  You've found a nice little hole to hide in.  I didn't expect you to come through this trial so well."

            Kevin said, "Listen, you evil little turtle, why don't you leave this world alone?  It has its own problems."

            "Oh, I know, Captain N.  I plan to exacerbate them.  A Koopa must have some fun, you know."

            "I'd destroy you right here if it weren't for my nature," Wilykit snapped.  She was not hiding her anger, but she was controlling it.

            Feeling a thought flash through Kevin's mind, Larry smiled dirtily at Wilykit.  The thought Kevin had just thought was akin to one he had felt earlier, but he suppressed it.  Now, Larry was going to bring that thought to the fore and thoroughly torture him.  "Did you know you're cute when you're angry, 'Kit?  I'm surprised it doesn't make Kevin just mad about you.  That fiery spirit of yours should make him just insanely jealous of a certain former Starfleet cadet.  Hee, hee!"

            "SHUT THE HECK UP, LARRY KOOPA!!!" Kevin yelled.  "HOW DARE YOU!!!"  Wilykit and Wilykat thought he was yelling because Larry had lied.  However, Ludwig felt Larry was telling the truth.

            "How dare he what?" asked Ludwig, his carefree-seeming manner now replaced with a sense of intrigue.  He turned to Larry.  "What do you know, Larry?"

            Larry's smile grew devious.  "Oh, Ludwig," he said loudly enough so everyone could hear, "you missed the juiciest info ever!  Ha, ha!  You should have been spying on Captain N on 16 December 1992, the day he first encountered Wilykit."  See Act 41 in Section 4 for details on this.  "You should have been reading those delicious thoughts and emotions that ran through his mind after Wilykit first demonstrated her powerful will and determination on Tygra.  Oh, it was just wonderful!  I would die ever to experience such powerful feelings toward a female."

            "Ooh!" said Ludwig, quite intrigued.  Such matters normally revolted him, but for the moment, it was quite interesting, as it helped serve his purpose in coming here.  He turned his nastiest, most devious smile on Kevin.  "So, your impeccable reputation of fidelity is in jeopardy!  Ha!"

            Kevin's emotions slipped back to adolescence, particularly those concerning guilt.  When he was a teenager, he had the habit of handling guilt in the worst possible way:  he tried to tell lies to get out of it.  (Fortunately, once he learned about this flaw, he generally refrained from activities that made him feel guilt.)  His adult mind desperately tried to rein in his now wild feelings and keep him straight, but. . .  "No!" he cried.  "I couldn't. . . I didn't!"

            "I know exactly what you're going through," Larry said.  "Every time I sneaked out to have sex, I was in trouble when I got back, and I lost control over my teenage emotions and lied like a rat to save my scaly skin.  It's really pathetic, especially because nobody believes you."

            Kevin's voice itself was trying to return to its former shattering height in normal voice. . . surprisingly high, even for his powerful heldentenor voice.  "No!  Why would I be that stupid?"

            "Kevin!" snapped Wilykat firmly, using his strong central tenor voice range.  He would not let Kevin, one of his best friends, make a fool of himself.  "Snap out of it, Kevin.  Calm down."

            Wilykit turned to the Koopas, gave them each a cold look that should make them wither in the face of their despicable lies.  Instead, their smiles became satisfied, eased.  Oh, Jaga, she thought with terror.  Larry was telling the truth!  What am I going to do?  "Get out," she commanded evenly, quietly, slowly, low in her normal soprano register. . . and such that they would know she was not to be fooled with any more.  "Now."

            "Good day, people," said Ludwig.  "Incidentally, you don't need me to tell you about your five missing people.  Four others are coming to tell you about them."

            "See you, guys," Larry said.  He and Ludwig left.

            Kevin collapsed into a chair.  He sighed.  "They can be awfully infuriating, can't they, Kevin?" asked Wilykat sympathetically.  "Those wretched beasts say such mean, dishonest things."

            "Brother, I stared into the core of their evil minds," Wilykit said quietly.  "I gave them a look so cold they should have shied away, but they did not.  They told the truth."

            "Those rats have impeached me," said Kevin.

            "Kevin, tell me why you had those thoughts about me."

            "I don't know, Wilykit."

            Now, Wilykit was losing control of her anger.  "You're not digging deep enough into your consciousness to find out!  If your reaction to me was as strong as they claimed, and they were telling the truth, you should know something, damn it!!  I demand you tell me!!"

            "Wilykit, don't get upset," Wilykat said with authority.  He was fighting to remain calm himself, which was hard with Kevin's guilt and Wilykit's fury battering him telepathically from either side.  "Kevin can't take much more."

            "Well, Wilykat, I don't see it in you, too, do I?" she asked suspiciously.

            "You need rest, too."

            "Tell me, Wilykat."

            "No, you don't!" he stated firmly.  What was wrong with her?  "Go rest before you do something you may regret."

            "Are you lying to me, li'l bro?"  Wilykat strode over to her.

            "Look deep into my eyes, Wilykit.  You'll find your answer there."  Wilykit looked deep into her brother's eyes, deep into his psyche.  Then she calmed down, looked to the floor, and sighed.  "See?"

            "Yeah.  Sorry, 'Kat.  I'm going to rest for a while."  She went to the room of her and her brother.

            "It's all my fault," said Kevin, his guilt catching up with him.

            "Sh," said Wilykat quietly and gently.  "Rest, Kevin.  We'll talk about this later, all right?"

            "-Sigh.-  Okay, Wilykat."

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Pyramid, Rhineland.

            Mumm-ra, in Ganon's form, arrived in his pyramid to meet Larry and Ludwig, who were awaiting him.  "Ah, my evil commanders," Mumm-ra greeted in his own voice.  "What do you require?"

            "Actually, we've come to provide you with some amusement," Larry said.  He removed an audiotape from his shell.  "We went to visit Kevin and the Wilytwins this afternoon.  We made a master tape of the conversation.  This is a copy of that tape."  He handed the tape to Mumm-ra.

            "Ah, thank you," said Mumm-ra.

            "Every word Larry speaks about Kevin," said Ludwig with devious sincerity, "is true.  Now, don't go gossiping about the info on this tape."

            "That's what we're going to do!" laughed Larry.  The two Koopa brothers laughed evilly.

            "I trust from your sinister laughter that this is some juicy information," said Mumm-ra, interested.

            Larry said, "Listen for yourself, Mumm-ra.  See you later!"

            * * *

            Wilykit, Wilykat, and Kevin's Cave.

            Lying on her bed, resting her bones and her nerves, and relaxing her mind, Wilykit realised that she had had no right to talk to Kevin as she had.  He had not let this interfere with his relationship with Lana.  She realised that Larry's only intention was to get everyone going at each other, and he would have succeeded if Wilykat had not kept his head level.  He really hated the epithet 'li'l bro,' but he did not let it anger him this time.  He was every bit as firm with her as he had to be, and she was grateful to him for that.  He was truly saner than he normally seemed.  That was a very good thing.

            She decided after a while that she had rested enough.  She got up off her bed and left to the living room, where Kevin was still sitting in the chair, sleeping peacefully.  No thanks to me is he sleeping so peacefully, mused Wilykit.  My brother can be so kind.  She took another chair and sat next to Kevin.  About time she was situated, Kevin awoke from his sweet dream.  He then saw Wilykit, and his peaceful expression disappeared.  For some reason, it almost brought tears to her eyes.

            "Oh, no," he whispered to himself.

            "What's wrong, Kevin?" she asked kindly.

            "You're not still angry at me?"

            "I'm terribly sorry, Kevin.  I let that bratty Koopaling get my goat.  I was totally out of line.  Yet, just out of curiosity, why haven't you told anyone about these feelings before?"

            "Because I thought Lana would lynch me if she ever found out."

            "She would not have."

            "I didn't know that then.  She'd probably lynch me now, though, if she gained knowledge of this from someone."

            "Oh, Kevin, no, she wouldn't.  She really loves you, and I know you love her."

            "Yes, but nothing at all has negated what I felt for you.  I'll never lose my love for Lana, but I'll never lose what drives me crazy about you, either."

            "Well, just control it."

            "Oh, don't worry about that.  It's effortless."

            "Don't lie to me, Kevin."

            He sighed.  "Okay.  It was effortless until about a month ago.  No Lana, and you around all the time. . . -sigh.-  It's growing harder to control, Wilykit."

            Wilykit suddenly realised something.  "Oh, God.  I feel the same way about you, Kevin.  I saw your determination the instant I first looked at your face, before you saw how I acted in front of Tygra, demanding he tell me what was going on.  I've been feeling something since I've known you, but I never knew until now that it was this!  Wesley would feel like skinning me alive for the briefest of instants if he knew of this.  You and I parallel each other more closely than I parallel Wes or than you parallel Lana."

            "Gee, and I thought it was all one-way," said Kevin.  He felt just a little bit better.

            "I can't get involved with you in this manner, Kevin.  I have to believe that Wesley is still alive."

            "I said nothing."

            "You don't have to say it, my friend!  I can see in your eyes what you want.  I want it, too, but we can't."

            "You're right, we shouldn't do it."

            "Oh, God, we're probably going to regret this."  The two stared into each other's eyes.  Then, their mouths slowly neared, they closed their eyes, and. . .

            Four knocks sounded on the door.  Wilykit quickly got up and went to answer it.  Wilykat entered the room as she opened the door.  Outside were Élisabeth, Guillaume, Geordi, and Moonstriker.  "Good afternoon, guys," said Wilykit.  She opened the door wide.  "Enter."

            "Thanks, Wilykit," said Élisabeth.  The four travellers entered the cave.  "Hey, nice place you've got here!"

            "Thanks," said Wilykit.  "By the way, Ludwig was here earlier, and he knew you were at the pyramid."

            "-Sigh.-  Blast that dirty mummy," said Guillaume, tired.  "May I sit down somewhere?  I'm drained."

            "Sure, Guillaume," said Wilykit, indicating the chair next to Kevin.

            "Thank you."  He went to sit down in the chair.

            "So," Wilykat asked, "what exactly brings you to this neck of the woods?"

            "That wicked mummy was not in his pyramid at the time of the abduction of the Wondertwins, Steelwill, Data, and Jean-Léonard," said Moonstriker.

            "Nor was he there when we investigated," LaForge added.

            "Thus was poor Guillaume helpful to us," Élisabeth, crossing her arms.  "Wilykit, our pals are on Plundarr."

            "Plundarr?" gasped the Wilytwins.

            "Where?" demanded Wilykit.

            "Mumm-ra's pyramid there," Guillaume reported.  "I strained my telepathy when I tried for more specifics; it's just too far for me."

            "Well," asked Wilykit, "where was Mumm-ra?"

            "I don't know.  Maybe, possibly on Death Mountain in the Dark World of this Hyrule."

            "Oh, oh," said Kevin.  "That could be a problem.  It could mean that Mumm-ra has discovered Ganon's treachery and has replaced him."

            "A problem, indeed," Wilykit said.  "If Mumm-ra wasn't there to catch our friends, then who was?"

            "His rotten mutt," said Élisabeth.  "Guillaume says the Ancient Spirits of Evil responded to a command from Ma-mutt to catch our friends."

            "What else has the N-Team planned, other than your excursion here?" Kevin asked.

            "Well," Élisabeth said, "Samus, Tragg, MegaMan, MegaMan X, and Rogue were going to discuss today a trip to visit Metroid and find out about Wesley and Princess Lana."

            "As long as they go of their own free will," Wilykit said, "they can go, as long as they come back in one piece.  Tell them I want MegaMan in command.  I don't want Samus and Tragg to tear each other apart."

            "Yes, Wilykit," said Élisabeth.

            Wilykat asked, "Do you guys want to rest here tonight?"

            "I wish we could," Élisabeth said, "but we haven't called Steelheart, and I wouldn't ask Guillaume to call her now, so I think we should hurry back and report to Steelheart."

            "Is that all?" asked Wilykit.  "I'll serve as a telepathic relay for Guillaume so he doesn't have to strain himself, so you guys won't have to hurry back."

            "Oh!  Okay," said Élisabeth.  "I guess we'll stay, then."

            "There's more than enough room in this cave," said Wilykit.  "It could even be N-Team outpost on this world once this mess is over.  Ready, Guillaume?"

            "Yes.  Still," Guillaume said, "I think it'd be easiest to try contacting Antonio rather than Steelheart, for he's a stronger telepath.  Also, I know his signal so well."

            "All right.  I'm ready.  Begin your message."

            "Antonio, this is Guillaume in the X-iverse.  Can you hear me?"

            * * *

            Command Centre, Hawkhaven, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 051 972.60; June 20, 2997.

            Antonio came out from under a circuit board, stood, and rubbed his hands.  "All right, Kidd.  My modifications are in.  Now, let's see if they work."

            "Yes, Antonio!" Copper-Kidd said, excited.  Every Silver Hawk had reason to be excited.  If Antonio's modifications worked, the Silver Hawks could finally leave Hawkhaven without worrying about the dispute between the power systems and the propulsion systems.  Antonio's modifications would solve that problem as long as they kept those same power and propulsion systems.

            Kidd flipped a switch.  The data that appeared on his screen made him happy.  "Great!" Kidd exclaimed.  "It worked, Antonio!"

            "I'm glad," said Antonio.

            Steelheart said, "Thank you, Antonio.  You've saved us a great deal of trouble."

            "Happy to be of assistance, Steelheart," Antonio replied.  "If you need more systems assistance, let me know."

            "I will, thank you.  And if you need our help, you tell us.  We owe you big-time for this."

            Suddenly, his brother's voice sounded in Antonio's mind:  Antonio, this is Guillaume in the X-iverse.  Can you hear me?

            "Guillaume?" replied Antonio.  "I thought you were going to call Steelheart, brother."

            With her mind, Steelheart opened a telepathic channel so that everyone in the Command Centre could communicate with Guillaume if they wished.  "Guillaume, this is Steelheart.  What's up?" asked Steelheart.

            Problems concerning that blasted Mumm-ra, Guillaume replied.  He is really a nasty fellow.

            "Please justify that assertion, which coincidentally I know to be true," said Steelheart.  "What did you guys find out?"

            For one thing, he was nowhere near the pyramid when our friends were captured.  It was Ma-mutt, probably operating under Mumm-ra's orders, who caused what happened.  With the help of the Ancient Spirits of Evil, that nasty cur sent our friends to his pyramid on Plundarr.

            "You've fully justified your assertion, brother," replied Antonio.  "What else do you know?"

            Well, I strained my telepathy trying to determine exactly what situation our pals were in, so Wilykit is sending my telepathic signal to you.

            "Ah," said Steelheart.  "So you've found her?"

            Yes, he has indeed, Wilykit said.

            Guillaume said, Geordi LaForge found this place with the infrared portion of his vision.

            Wilykit said, We offered that they stay here for the night instead of having to run back to Hyrule to transport back.

            "That's good, as long as you can accommodate them, Wilykit," Steelheart said.

            We can.

            "Excellent."

            They've told us about another group planning an excursion to Metroid.  Tell them I'd like MegaMan in charge so Samus and Tragg don't demolish each other.

            "I'd been thinking along those lines, 'Kit.  Well, I'll speak to you later.  Good night."

            Good night, Steelheart, Silver Hawks, and Antonio.

            Good night, bro, Guillaume told Antonio.

            "Good night, my brother," replied Antonio.  The telepathic connection was cut.

            Steelheart said.  "Antonio, shall we go to my office and check Plundarrian space?"

            "With pleasure, Steelheart," Antonio said.  They went into her office.  Steelheart went to her desk and operated the switch that activated the viewscreen.

            "We'll see how far this gets us," Steelheart said.  She switched the screen to the Galaxy of Leos. . . once one of the bloodiest battlefields in history, now peaceful and good, except for the Plundarrian solar system.  Steelheart focused in on this system, and then onto the ominous planet Plundarr.  "Thanks to the security devices that the Thunderians installed on the outermost planet of that solar system, we can even reach part of the surface."  They zeroed in on Mumm-ra's Plundarrian Pyramid."

            "Not an altogether pleasant place," Antonio remarked.

            "Heh.  Just wait until you've been inside one of those pyramids.  Lion-O has assured me it's not nice in there, and Captain N has doubled the sentiment.  Wilykit's vivid description can really make an unwary human sick."

            "I see.  So, is someone going in there to get our pals out?"

            "Yes, but I don't know who or when."

            "We have to extract them before they become permanently attached to that place, if you know what I mean, Steelheart."

            "Agreed.  Lion-O might be willing to help out."  She hit a communications key on her desk.  "Steelheart to Lion-O."

            "Lion-O here," replied Lion-O.  "What's up, Steelheart?"

            "Feel like visiting a Mumm-ra Pyramid?"

            "Okay!  I'll be in your office in minutes."

            * * *

            Later, several people were gathered in the meeting hall of Hawkhaven again.  "So," said Steelheart, "Lion-O and Antonio wish to go.  Anyone else?"

            "Jean-Léonard is my captain's son," said Worf.  "I shall go to save him."

            "Very well.  Who else?"

            MegaMan said, "I'll go.  I consider Data a good friend."

            "Certainly, MegaMan.  Anyone else?"

            "May I go, Steelheart?" asked Melodia.

            "Sure, Melodia.  I hope you demonstrate to me that you can be trusted."

            Melodia smiled an earnest, clean, healthy, and honest smile.  "So do I, Steelheart."

            "Very well.  All five of you know that any pyramid of Mumm-ra's would be dangerous.  This one is smack in the middle of Plundarrian territory.  We don't know what sorts of dangers you'll face.  Your leader will be Lion-O, and Antonio will be second-in-command.  Your mission is to get into the pyramid, get the five prisoners, and get out.  At least none of you is known for flashy heroics, not even Worf.  We need no flashy heroics, unless some nasty Plundarrian guards show up and make them absolutely necessary.  Does everyone have one's weapons?"

            "I have my claw-shield, a laser sabre, and a phaser," Lion-O said.

            "I have my own laser-violin and a laser sabre," said Antonio.

            "I have my bat'telh and a phaser," Worf said.

            "I have my plasma-blasters," said MegaMan.

            Melodia said, "I have my new Sound Smasher and a phaser."

            "Good," said Steelheart.  "I'll open a warp to the pyramid.  I won't close it until every one of you is back here, unless something unforeseen happens."

            "All right," said Lion-O.  "Let's go, guys."

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Pyramid, Plundarr, Galaxy of Leos, Q-niverse.

            The five stepped out of the warp.  "All right, now," said Lion-O.  "Ready arms.  Plundarrians have this nasty habit of being sneaky.  Do not attack at the slightest provocation, but defend yourselves."  By the time he had finished, everyone's principal weapon was ready.  He had his Claw Shield on and his deactivated sabre ready.  "Let's go."  He quickly led them to an entrance.  They proceeded through a dark passageway that led to the great, dark tomb chamber.  There, they saw five figures bound in mummy-bandages at one wall.

            "These are the people," Antonio quietly said with confidence.  Like all Wilykats, he could see the whole electromagnetic spectrum, and he was using infrared sight to determine what he said.

            "Then let's free them and get the heck out of here," said Lion-O.  "Something about this particular pyramid gives me the creeps."  Staying in the shadows, they moved quietly over to the prisoners.

            "I've an idea," said Antonio.  "Melodia, let's turn on the lasers of our instruments and play a bright G Major chord at our five friends.  Just turn down the acoustical volume."

            "I see what you're thinking, Antonio," Melodia said while hooking up her Sound Smasher.  She pointed the head at the five prisoners and poised her left-hand fingers over G, B, and D.  At the same time, Antonio turned on his laser violin, positioned it properly on his shoulder, aimed at the prisoners, and positioned his left-hand fingers so that he could play the chord. . . open G-string; open D-string; first finger on the A-string for B; and second finger on the E-string for G.  He prepared the bow on the low G-string.

            "Ready?" Antonio asked.

            "Ready," replied Melodia.

            Antonio counted in rhythm, "One, two, three, one, ready, go!"  The two played their musical instruments.  Melodia played 'block' G Major chords, while Antonio continuously played a four-string broken G Major chord.  Their music lasers united on the five captives and destroyed their bandage bonds.  They were unconscious when they were released.  The two musicians stopped playing.

            "Good work, people," said Lion-O.  "Now, everyone grab someone, and let's get these guys out of here."  He took Zan, Antonio took Data, MegaMan took Steelwill, Melodia took Jayna, and Worf took Jean-Léonard.  They then went as quickly and quietly as possible through the passageway back outside.

            Outside, S-s-slithe was waiting with an army of Plundarrians.  "Ha, ha, ha!" he laughed.  "S-s-so, you thought to rescue your pals, eh?  Ha!"

            Luna and Amok materialised next to him.  "You fell into my trap, do-gooders," Luna informed them.

            "Luna," said Lion-O as if the word had a bad taste.  "This was your idea?"

            "Oh, yes, Lion-O.  You see, we're trying to find out when your leaders will have the sense to stop sending people after people.  Well, actually, Mumm-ra and I plotted to send those five here as soon as we knew they had gone to X-iverse Hyrule.  You five are merely icing on the cake!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "And," said Aluro, "what can you, Lion-O, do to defend yourself without that Sword of Omens?"

            "Ooh," moaned Jayna, regaining consciousness.  "Shush, Zan, I'm trying to. . ."  She regained consciousness.  "Whoa!  Plundarr!  I thought it was a nightmare!"  Melodia released her.

            S-s-slithe greeted, "Welcome to Paradise, Jayna!  Ha, ha!"

            "Quit the sick jokes, S-s-slithe," Lion-O said.  Antonio handed Data over to Melodia.

            "Well, Plundarrians, I have a surprise for you," said Antonio, preparing his laser violin.  He turned off the beam and extracted the bow from the bow holder hanging from his belt.  "Do you let us go?"

            "Ha!  When we have the clear advantage?" laughed Jackalman.  "Ha, ha, ha!  Surely, you jest!"

            "All right, you fools," Antonio said.  "I gave you your chance.  I regret that you feel that way."  After preparing his violin and bow, he loudly played a super-high C-sharp on his small instrument.  Every Plundarrian around fell to the ground in pain.

            "Yaah!  A bloody super-high C-sharp!" Luna screamed loudly, trying to block out that sound with hands on ears.  "Stop it!"

            "Every Plundarrian is susceptible to this particular C-sharp," Antonio explained.  "Now, get out of here, guys!  I won't be far behind."  Lion-O, carrying Zan; Melodia, carrying Data; Worf, carrying Jean-Léonard; MegaMan, carrying Steelwill; and Jayna ran through the warp back to Hawkhaven.  "Good-bye, 'friends!' "  He stopped playing, slipped the bow quickly back into the case hanging from his belt, held the violin firmly by the neck in his left hand, and sprinted through the warp.  Back in the Hawkhaven hangar, he took his phaser with his right hand and quickly shot the warp, closing it.

            "What did I say earlier about flashy heroics?" asked Steelheart, feigning sternness.

            "Well, Steelheart," said Antonio, "there were about five hundred Plundarrians on the other side, including the ten we know and hate. . . and no, I'm not exaggerating.  It would be unwise to let them come here.  But then, I'm sure you were just kidding."

            "True."  She turned to Lion-O, Worf, MegaMan, and Melodia, who had set Zan, Jean-Léonard Picard, Steelwill, and Data on a bench in the hangar.  Jayna was with the former four.  "So, what happened, Jayna?"

            Jayna said, "When we all entered the Pyramid, Ma-mutt yapped, and we were paralysed, probably by the Ancient Spirits of Evil.  Then, we were warped to the pyramid on Plundarr and imprisoned in bandages.  The next thing I remember is waking up outside the pyramid.  Melodia had me, as the others had Zan, Steelwill, Data, and Jean-Léonard.  When I was conscious, Antonio handed Data over to Melodia and nastily surprised the Plundarrian fiends outside the pyramid with a rather high C-sharp on his violin.  They collapsed in agony, and he instructed us to run to the warp.  Once we were here, he emerged and, as you saw, shut the warp."

            "It was a trap," said Worf.  "That Luna has no honour."

            "Plundarrians are not known for being honourable, Worf," Lion-O informed him.

            Steelheart said, "Well, let's wake these guys."  She jiggled Steelwill slightly.  "Coach!  We need this touchdown, or the game is lost!"

            Steelwill's eyes popped open.  "Offence, get. . ."  He smiled.  "You know it's not nice to fool your coach, you sly little linebacker!"

            Steelheart returned the smile.  "Well, at least you're here, not there."

            "Yeah, I remember."  Steelwill got up.  "That disgusting mutt.  I'd love to blitz him for this."

            Jayna touched her brother's hand.  "Wondertwin powers, activate!" she said.  The burst of energy roused Zan.

            "Whoa!" cried Zan.  He looked around.  "Hey!  This is not Mumm-ra's Pyramid on Plundarr!"

            "We're in Hawkhaven, bro," Jayna told him.

            Zan got up.  "Well, I'd rather be here than there, I can tell you.  What has happened?"

            "We'll explain in a moment."

            MegaMan went over to Data and jiggled with the shut-off switch.  Data came around.  "Oh!  I seem to have been deactivated," said Data.  He got up.  "This is not Mumm-ra's Pyramid on Plundarr; this is Hawkhaven."

            Count on an android to make a blinding flash of the obvious, Antonio mentally noted.

            "You've been rescued, Data," MegaMan explained.

            "How did you know to look for us on Plundarr?" Data asked.

            Steelheart said, "We will explain that in a moment.  Picard?"

            "Yes," Jean-Luc Picard said.  He turned to his son and cleared his throat.  As if on the ship's intercom, he commanded, "Jean-Léonard Picard, to the bridge on the double."

            Jean-Léonard sprang to consciousness as Steelwill had.  "Aye, Cap-. . ."  He smiled.  "Now, Father.  There is technically no bridge on this vessel."  He stood.  "How did we get here, anyway?"

            "Another team volunteered to find out what had happened to you after you disappeared at Mumm-ra's Pyramid in the X-iverse," Jean-Luc Picard explained.  "This team included Cerebraguillaume, who determined with his telepathy that you had been sent to Plundarr.  When the team reported to us, Lion-O, Antonio, Worf, Melodia, and MegaMan volunteered to go get you.  It was a trap for them by Luna, but Antonio's exactitude of pitch on the violin got you out of it."

            "I could even have reached it on the 'cello," Antonio said, "but on the violin, it was better.  For us, I mean, not for Luna and company."

            "Who went to the X-iverse Hyrule?" asked Zan.

            "Cerebrantonio, Astucieux-élisabeth, Geordi LaForge, and Moonstriker," replied Steelheart.  "I believe they'll be back tomorrow."

            Jean-Léonard assumed an unperturbed straight face that might typify an Englishman or a Vulcan.  "Did that girl go off illogically bent on hurting Mumm-ra?" he asked, referring to Élisabeth.

            "I believe she had that feeling," Tygrachatonne told him.  "I told her to keep it reined in."

            Frédéric said, "You have little need to worry about her.  She seldom loses her head, Jean-Léonard."

            "I know," Jean-Léonard said.  "It's one of the many things I like about her.  How about the Wilytwins and Captain N?"

            "The team that went to the X-iverse Hyrule is staying with them tonight," said Steelheart.

            "What about the people on Metroid?" asked Jayna.

            MegaMan said, "Tragg, Samus, X, Rogue, and I are going over there to see what we can do.  We've discussed it, Steelheart.  We want to go as soon as we can.  Also, Tragg and Samus definitely want to know who is to be in command."

            "You are, MegaMan," Steelheart said.  "Wilykit and I each felt it was best."

            "Got it, Commander."

            Jean-Luc Picard said, "Let us know when your group is ready to go, MegaMan.  I have a feeling that we'd best find out what's happened to Wesley Crusher and Princess Lana and get them out of Metroid before it's too late."

            "Agreed, Captain," said MegaMan.

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Luna was reporting to MotherBrain what had transpired on Plundarr.  The evil brain was most displeased.  "That cursèd Thunder Cat has ruined subplan C of the major plan," Luna finished.

            "He is acquiring the Wilytwins' reputation of being annoying to us villains," said MotherBrain.  "He must be taught not to do that."

            "How so?" Luna asked.

            "Let's think up some ideas, Luna."

            Eggplant Wizard noted something on his monitor.  "Yipe!  Ah, MotherBrain?"

            MotherBrain turned to him.  "What is it, you worm-eaten vegetable?"

            "The N-Team has opened a warp to Crateria!  What do you want done about it, Your Cerebral Magnificence?"

            "You and King Hippo go there and keep an eye on any N-Teamsters who come out," said MotherBrain.  "Keep me advised."

            "Yes, Empress," Eggplant Wizard said.

            "Right, Empress MotherBrain," said King Hippo.  He and Eggplant Wizard left to Crateria.

            "Ridley," said MotherBrain, "go get some Borg and put them in the prison room, please."

            "With pleasure, MotherBrain," Ridley replied.  He left to do that.

            MotherBrain told Luna, "If you wish to be part of the action or to observe, my dear Luna, you may stick around."

            "Thank you, MotherBrain," Luna said.  "I wouldn't miss this for anything!"

            Ludwig and Larry popped into the room.  "Greetings, MotherBrain and Luna!" Ludwig said cheerfully.

            "Good day, Ludwig and Larry," said MotherBrain.  "Do I detect elation?"

            "Hee, hee!  You sure do!" laughed Larry.  "Today, we paid a visit on Wilykit, Wilykat, and Captain N, and I apparently found something that made Kevin - how shall I put it? - a bit perturbed."

            MotherBrain smiled devilishly.  "Is that so?"

            Ludwig said, "Apparently.  After we had annoyed her some, Wilykit ardently expressed that she would kill us if her nature permitted it.  Larry sensed a thought that ran through Kevin's mind."

            "Kevin had that thought many times before," Larry said.  "The first time was when, on the day he met the Thunder Cats, he saw Wilykit demand that Tygra tell her and Wilykat what was happening.  I know this because, as you may remember, I was spying on Cat's Lair that day.  I have never felt such a thought from anyone, other than from Kevin about Wilykit and from Wilykit about Kevin!"

            Ludwig was purely surprised.  "What!?  You didn't mention she felt that way about him!"

            "If I had, Ludwig, she may literally have torn me apart.  I know how far is too far!"

            "But what was this feeling?" Luna demanded.

            "Yes!" exclaimed MotherBrain.  "What?"

            Larry proclaimed, "It was a perfect one-to-one mixture of love and lust, based thoroughly on the love portion!  Yet, it's more, but you get my drift.  They've had these feelings for each other ever since they met.  It's more wonderful than even the love that bonds Amore Eternamente, and what's wonderful is that those two don't yet realise it's higher than that sort of relationship."

            "But I don't get it," said Luna.  "What is this for them?  Lana and Crusher are still alive, and Wilykit and Kevin are both of societies that, for some silly reason, hold a negative view of extramarital affairs."

            "You're moving into a subject for which I have no answer," Larry said.  "When I raised the subject, Kevin got very upset, much to our delight.  The Wilytwins thought I was lying until Ludwig and I did not wither under Wilykit's gaze.  And I definitely would have withered if I'd been lying."

            Ludwig said, "Yes.  This poses a most interesting problem for them.  They have these strong urges for each other, yet they are each bound to someone else, Wilykit to Wesley Crusher and Kevin to Lana.  And each of them wishes to be as perfect a spouse as possible."

            "That bond is no burden, either," Larry said.  "Kevin and Wilykit have feelings of love toward Lana and Wesley respectively that I would envy, anyway, but at least the level of those feelings is only slightly above precedented levels.  What I felt between Kevin and Wilykit is, so to speak, off the charts.  They don't want to hurt Lana and Wesley, but it's hard for them to deny their feelings for each other."

            "What do we do?" asked MotherBrain, interested.

            "We take advantage of this!" said Larry.  "Used properly, this information just might destroy them."

            "Their people will remain loyal to them despite this," Ludwig said.  "They might question it, but in the end, they'll remain loyal.  I know it from their thoughts."

            "That is not the manner in which I'd like to use the info.  Everyone listen carefully."

            * * *

            Near Wilykit, Wilykat, and Kevin's Cave, Rhineland, Light World, Hyrule, X-iverse.

            Outside, about a hundred metres from the cave, Wilykit was sitting under a tree, thinking.  She and Kevin had to be going completely insane, she felt.  How else could they be acting this way?  To imagine they had almost kissed this afternoon.  What other reason was there than utter insanity?  And she felt she had to be even crazier, for she still felt like doing that!

            "Hey, Wilykit!" called Wilykat's voice.  She turned to it.  "Ah, there you are!"  He came over to her and sat down next to her.  "What's up?"

            "Oh, nothing," she replied quietly.

            His voice was so expressive, always capable of the appropriate tone.  With kindness and tenderness, he quietly said, "Something's wrong."

            She closed her eyes, aimed her head upward, and sighed.  "Nothing's wrong."

            "Please don't lie to me, Wilykit.  I know you too well for you to be able to lie to me.  You'll only hurt yourself."

            "Darn.  I don't want to talk about it, brother."

            "Tough.  I'm going to continue asking you until you do talk to me about it."

            "Oh, leave me alone."

            With much too much slyness in his voice, Wilykat said, "Wilykit, if I didn't know you better, I'd say there's more to this business than what Larry was talking about."

            Wilykit, shouted, "Wilykat, I told you to leave me alone!  Go home!"

            "Yelling won't work on me any more, Wilykit," Wilykat informed her.  "You may not want to talk with me about it, but maybe Kevin will."  He got up and walked towards the cave.

            Suddenly, Wilykit sprang up.  "Wilykat!  You wouldn't!"

            He turned back to her.  "Try me!  We don't keep secrets from each other, Wilykit!  I could just read your mind right now and find out what I need to know, but I don't want to do that!"

            "All right!  All right.  Come here, you exasperating brother of mine."  Wilykat went over to her and stood in front of her.  They were exactly the same height, so they could easily stand only a millimetre apart and easily see into each other's eyes.  Hers softened greatly.  "You want to know what's going on?  Well, I'll tell you."  She crossed her arms and closed her eyes.  "Kevin. . ."  She began to cry.  "Kevin's in love with me, Wilykat!"

            "What's wrong with that, Wilykit?" Wilykat asked sweetly.  He softly put his left hand on her right shoulder.  "I don't blame him.  You're very attractive.  I'd fall in love with you if I weren't your brother."

            She opened her eyes.  "Wilykat, don't you get it?"

            "What am I. . . oh!"  He smiled devilishly.  "You're in love with him, too, aren't you?"

            "Why are you smiling like that?"

            "Well, Wilykit, I don't really find it that surprising.  You're not the only lady other than Lana to find him attractive."

            "But Wilykat!" exclaimed Wilykit.  "I wouldn't be worried if that were all there is to it!  But it isn't!!"

            "What are you talking about, 'Kit?"

            "Oh, you can be so naïve.  I envy you for that, Wilykat.  I don't know how I can have the strong feelings I'm having for Kevin, and he shares them for me."

            "Strong feelings?"

            "Wilykat, he and I almost kissed each other this afternoon!  The only thing that stopped us was four knocks on the door signalling the arrival of Élisabeth, Guillaume, LaForge, and Moonstriker!  If you don't believe me, go ahead and talk to Kevin about it!"

            "That's all right, Wilykit, really.  You see, I've sensed these feelings from the two of you about each other since you met."

            Wilykit's eyes widened.  "You have?  And you never told us about them?"

            "I didn't have to."

            "But you could have stopped me from committing to Wesley and him from committing to Lana!"

            "It would have been wrong of me, Wilykit.  The next time you're with Kevin, you gauge the level of feelings you have for him and the level he has for you."

            "But what you've allowed us to do!"

            "I'm sorry, but you allowed it.  You've known about these feelings."

            "-Sigh.-  I guess you're right.  What do I do?"

            "Quite honestly, that's up to you, Wilykit."

            "Brother, I don't know what to do!  I love him, but I also love Wesley."

            "That's why I couldn't stop you.  I haven't felt feelings of this level from anyone but from you and Kevin toward each other."

            "Golly.  It's not easy being in my position.  I have to act as a role model, but I have all these feelings trying to drag me to do what's wrong."

            "How do you know it's wrong?"

            "Our customs say it's wrong!"

            "Customs are not always right.  I tend to agree with our customs, but you, as lord, have to interpret them and determine whether you think they're just and right."

            "I think they're right, darn it!  I just have these wild feelings that I can barely control."

            "Are you absolutely sure?  Because many rules have various interpretations."

            "Oh, Wilykat, I don't know how to justify myself if I lose control.  I've never faced something like this before.  I hate to say this, but if I knew for sure that Wesley and Lana were dead, this would be easier.  I actually believe they're still alive.  I just know it.  And that makes it much more difficult."

            "I wish I could tell you what to do, Wilykit, but I just don't have an answer."

            "Oh, well.  What will pass will pass."  She drew in a calming breath, then smiled.  "C'mon, 'Kat!  I'll race you back to the cave."

            Wilykat smiled back.  "Now you're talking!"  They started running.

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            Tragg, Samus, MegaMan, MegaMan X, and Rogue were in the throne room of the Palace of Power, where Kid Icarus had just opened the warp to Metroid.  "There's your warp-icus!" Kid Icarus stated.

            "Thank you, Kid Icarus," said MegaMan.  "Now, remember, Chief Aran and Lieutenant Tragg:  no fighting each other!"

            "Understood," Samus replied.

            "Likewise," said Tragg.

            "Good.  Now, let's go."

            Jean-Léonard came in, carrying his laser-violin and with his bow in a case hanging from his belt like Antonio had on.  "Hang on a moment," he said.  "Wesley is my brother - my half-brother, technically, but I see him as a full brother.  Might I be able to join you?"

            Steelheart said, "Now, Jean-Léonard, your father let you go to the X-iverse Hyrule probably because it wasn't as dangerous as Metroid is.  I'm not sure how to respond to this."

            "Steelheart, I can take care of myself," said Jean-Léonard.  "I'm pretty good with a phaser, which I have, and my laser-violin packs a wallop.  I can defend myself."

            "Well, it's against my better judgement, but all right.  That is, it's all right with me if it's all right with MegaMan.  I'll probably catch hell from your father about this, of course."

            "Sure," MegaMan said.  "We can use your help, Jean-Léonard."

            "Thanks, MegaMan," replied Jean-Léonard.  "I promise I won't do anything foolish, other than deciding to come along.  It is not in my nature to jump into things too big for me to handle."

            Steelheart said, "Good.  Now, MegaMan, if you're ready?"

            "Yes," said MegaMan.  "Let's go, guys."  He led MegaMan X, Rogue, Samus, Tragg, and Jean-Léonard through the warp.

            * * *

            Crateria, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            The group of six arrived on the surface of Metroid, with its metallic, cratered ground.  "Here we are," said MegaMan.  "Do as little as possible to attract attention."

            "Right," said Samus.  "We need as little trouble as we can possibly get.  This planet is full of dangers."

            "Of course, you probably can cinch your way through them with all that fancy armour you've got," Tragg remarked snidely.

            "It is not easy, even in this, Lieutenant," Samus replied calmly.  "Let's try not to argue, Tragg.  It'll draw unwanted attention from MotherBrain's monsters."

            "Sound advice," said MegaMan.  "X, keep an eye on Tragg and Samus for me.  We don't need them to start arguing."

            "Sure thing, MegaMan," X replied.

            From a distance, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo saw the group arrive.  "There they are!" Eggplant Wizard quietly told his fat friend.

            King Hippo said, "Ah!"  He pulled a radio out of his pocket.  "King Hippo to Big MamaBrain.  MegaMan, MegaMan X, Rogue, Samus, Tragg, and Jean-Léonard Picard of the N-Team have arrived."

            "Ah!" said MotherBrain.  "Good.  Follow them and watch them, but don't interfere.  Keep me updated as to their progress."

            "Aye, aye, MotherBrain.  King Hippo out."  He put the radio away.

            "So, we just follow and watch," Eggplant Wizard said.  "That sounds safer than engaging them."

            "Sure does.  Now, pipe down, and let's keep up with them!"  They followed the six N-Team members.

            * * *

            In the control room, MotherBrain and Luna watched the six N-Team members on the viewscreen.  "MegaMan, MegaMan X, Tragg, Samus, Rogue, and Jean-Léonard," said Luna.  "They shouldn't be too hard for the Borg and you, MotherBrain."

            MotherBrain smiled.  "That is, if they get to the Borg.  They are headed right where I want them. . . to a threeway fork in the path.  I plan to split them thusly:  MegaMan and Rogue, MegaMan X and Jean-Léonard, and Samus and Tragg.  Each pair will have a difficult path, especially Samus and Tragg. . ."

            ". . .who absolutely hate each other and would never get along together!" finished Luna.  "Oh, brilliant scheme for those two!  But what of the others?"

            "They'll have a hell of a time getting through, though they won't explode at each other like the chief and the lieutenant probably will."

            "Sounds great!"

            Ludwig and Larry entered the room.  "Ah!  You guys are just in time for some entertainment," MotherBrain said.

            "Of what sort?" asked Ludwig.

            "Check the monitor.  Six N-Teamsters are snooping for Wesley Crusher and Princess Lana.  They're heading for a threeway fork, where they will be separated into three pairs.  Samus and Tragg will tear each other apart while the others will merely have a hell of a time trying to get through.  And if they do reach their pals, I have a bunch of Borg waiting down there for them."

            "Excellent, MotherBrain," Ludwig said.  "But what about Rogue?"

            "She is not experienced enough with her Q-cubed powers to handle me."

            "Ah!  Then, it seems that those six will be having a hot time in the old town tonight!"

            * * *

            Later, after entering the underground portion of Crateria, the six N-Team members, tailed by Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo, arrived at a threeway fork in the road.  "Which way should we head, Samus?" MegaMan asked.

            "I don't know," said Samus.  "I don't recall this fork.  I haven't been through this maze before."

            "So, what now?" asked Rogue.

            "I have an idea," MegaMan X said.  "MegaMan and Rogue, you two go that way.  Chief Aran and Lieutenant Tragg, with Chief Aran leading, you go that way.  Jean-Léonard, you and I will go this way.  We'll meet back here in two hours and report our findings."

            "All right, X," said MegaMan.  "Let's do it.  Remember, Samus and Tragg, don't fight each other."

            Samus said, "We'll remember, won't we, Lieutenant?"

            Trying his best to attempt geniality but failing just the slightest bit, Tragg said, "Since we'll be working together for two hours, Chief, you can call me Arthur.  And I'm sure we'll remember not to fight one another."

            "Then, you can simply call me Samus," said Samus, not failing at all in her attempt at geniality.

            "Good," said MegaMan.  "Everyone watch out for your team-mate.  We'll attempt radio contact with each other in an hour, and then we'll meet back here in two hours.  Now, let's do it."  He and Rogue took one path, MegaMan X and Jean-Léonard took another, and Samus and Tragg took the remaining.

            King Hippo took out his radio.  "King Hippo calling MotherBrain.  Please come in, Your Cerebral Magnificence."

            "MotherBrain here," said MotherBrain.  "Good work, guys.  Now, I want you two to follow Samus and Tragg.  I would be very interested in seeing how those two react to being alone together."

            "With pleasure, MotherBrain."

            "And in case you forgot, they went through the path to your right."

            "Sure, we remember!  We don't have Swiss-cheese memories."

            "Good.  Now, hurry up!"

            "Right, MotherBrain.  Talk to you later."  He turned off the radio.  "C'mon, rutabaga-brain."

            "Coming, King Fatso!" said Eggplant Wizard.  King Hippo punched him into the passage.  Upon landing on his chest, Eggplant Wizard involuntarily ejaculated a bunch of vegetables.

            "AND DON'T FIGHT, YOU IDIOTS!!!" cried MotherBrain's voice from King Hippo's radio.

            King Hippo gulped.  After he had helped Eggplant Wizard up, he and Eggplant Wizard tailed Samus and Tragg.

            * * *

            Samus and Tragg thoroughly searched their passage.  "I have a funny feeling about this passage," said Samus.

            "Hmph," Tragg said.  "I think you'd have a funny feeling about a cat going after a mouse, Samus."

            "You watch it, Arthur.  We've been instructed not to spar with each other."

            "Oh, well, then, pray tell, what is funny about this passage?  I see no clowns about."

            "Shut up.  I have a feeling this is a trap.  Just call it feminine intuition."

            "I'll just call it intuition.  It's not exclusively feminine, because I've had feelings before that something strange was going on, like feeling that someone was guilty of a murder or something."

            "Okay, okay.  Sheesh.  One would assume that we would be capable of at least just working together."

            "Sh," said Tragg quietly.  "I think I heard something ahead of us."  He drew his phaser pistol.

            "You may have," Samus replied quietly, her plasma-beam ready.  "You know the drill."

            "Yup."  Cautiously, they proceeded, nearing a ninety-degree turn to the left in the tunnel.  They stood against the left wall, carefully nearing the turn.

            "On my mark," Samus whispered.  She slowly counted, "Three, two, one, mark!"  They quickly jumped into the new section of passage.  They looked around.  No one was present other than them.

            Tragg frowned.  "I thought I heard something."

            "There's a lot of machinery in this place that you might have heard.  Anyway, let's keep our guard up.  There may be an ambush up ahead."  Tragg nodded.  The two officers continued along the passageway.  King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard entered the passage and quickly hid in a concealed hole in the wall.  Suddenly, a door slammed shut to prevent the two officers from backtracking.

            Tragg turned to the door.  "You were saying about the machinery?"

            "Yes.  That blasted MotherBrain.  I'm calling MegaMan."

            "Go ahead, Samus."

            Samus tapped her communicator.  "Samus to MegaMan.  Please come in."  There was no response.  "Rogue, this is Samus.  Please come in."  Still no response.  "MegaMan X, this is Samus Aran.  Please respond."  MegaMan X did not respond.  "Jean-Léonard Picard, Samus Aran here.  Please answer."  There was no answer from Jean-Léonard.  "Damn it."

            "Just like that big brain to cut us off."

            "Yes.  Well, let's continue.  There are always ways out on Metroid."  The two cautiously made their way through the tunnel.  "I have a really bad feeling about this passageway.  We haven't run into any of MotherBrain's goons yet.  That means that when we do run into them, the encounter will not be friendly at all."

            "Gee, don't be so positive about it!"

            "Tragg, I'm serious!  I've never felt this bad about a Metroid tunnel before.  I don't know what causes this physiological reaction, but it's never lied to me.  Whenever I feel bad about something on Metroid, it usually means something's going to attack, because this feeling is almost always followed by an attack.  Please, Arthur, don't ask me to explain it.  Just be careful."

            "All right, Samus.  I don't know why I'd ever do this, but I trust you."

            "What the hell is this with your apparent lack of confidence in me, Lieutenant?"

            "You want the truth?  Samus, whenever you do something against crime, your name ends up in the headlines.  If VideoLand permitted tabloids, I'm pretty sure you'd be all over them.  Since you're so widely publicised. . ."

            "Tragg!" Samus cried in utter, sincere shock.  "Publicity means absolutely nothing to me!  I do what I do for justice.  I have no need for fame, just like you have no need for it.  The publicity is a moot point, anyway.  We each do what we do to bring perpetrators of crimes to justice."

            "Ah.  So, you don't enjoy in any small degree the publicity you receive?"

            "I didn't say that, Arthur.  I do enjoy it, but in my true spirit, it doesn't make any difference.  I enjoy it, but I don't need it to keep doing what I do.  Even if the papers turn around and make me out to be some villainous criminal, I'll still do my job, because ensuring justice is what's important to me.  I ensure justice as best I can, as do you.  I know, you're insanely jealous of my publicity, but you can't deny that we both fight for the same cause."

            "Well, you're right there, Samus.  In fact, you're right about me being jealous of your publicity, because I personally think my branch of the squad is just a bit more important than yours.  Yet, all the branches are important, and each branch is responsible, in its own way, for maintaining justice."

            "That's true, Arthur.  That's what it's all about, not publicity.  If publicity were all that mattered, there wouldn't be an honest cop anywhere in creation."

            "Ha!  Isn't that the truth!  Yet, quite a number more of your cases succeed than mine."

            "Well, in my branch, I require some pretty solid evidence before I even go busting down any doors.  I have some cases where the defendant wins, but I try my darndest to find evidence enough to convince myself that the person I arrest is guilty before I arrest him or her."

            "So do I, but it doesn't always work that way, especially not in homicide.  A lot of evidence comes from witness testimony in the courtroom, and it's the attorneys' job to procure that during the hearing."

            "Yes, Arthur.  I. . ."  She suddenly stopped.  Her visor could show her infrared light in the visible spectrum, and thus she saw several nasty creatures on the other side of a curve they were nearing.  She whispered to Tragg, "Weapons ready, Tragg.  There are several unpleasant creatures around the bend."

            Tragg double-checked his phaser pistol.  "I'm ready," he quietly told her.  "How shall we proceed?"

            "Just follow my lead."  Tragg followed Samus as she slowly, quietly followed the curve along the right wall.  Once she was in visual range of the monsters, she leapt out and began shooting.  Tragg watched to keep out of her line of fire while he fired at the monsters himself.  They quickly downed the small monsters.  However, one particularly large Rio swooped down and shattered the lens of Samus's helmet with its razor-sharp, diamond-hard toe-claws, in the process swiping her face.  Tragg dispatched this beast and the rest quickly with his phaser on the middle setting.  Samus sat down, refusing the horrible urge to scream, which would attract unneeded attention.  She covered her face.

            Tragg realised his duty now.  He kept his eyes and ears alert to any more monsters as he knelt down beside Samus to help her.  "Samus, are you all right?"

            "I'm fine," Samus lied.

            "No, you are not fine."

            "Bug off, Tragg."

            "By regulations, I am to help you.  Also. . . also, Samus, if it means anything, I believe you've made a friend today, and it definitely wasn't that Rio."

            Samus uncovered her face and turned to Tragg, revealing a nasty scar on the left side of her face.  "You've also made a friend today, Arthur.  Now, go save Princess Lana and Wesley Crusher.  I'll be here when you get back."

            "Oh, no.  I'm not leaving you here unprotected, you who know the regulations to the letter."

            To his surprise, she laughed.  "Oh, damn you!"  Tragg helped her to get up.  "Well, seeing as how you need me to get through Metroid and I officially need you to watch me since I've been injured, I guess I'll obey regulations."

            "Are you in any pain, Samus?"

            "Yes, to be absolutely honest.  But it's bearable.  There was little bleeding, and Quicksilver can get rid of this scar.  However, since my visor lens has been destroyed, I won't be able to scan the infrared spectrum and detect more traps."

            "That's why there are tricorders."  Tragg pulled out his tricorder and set it to detect the infrared spectrum and interpret it into the colours of the visible spectrum.  "There."

            "Not bad.  Let's go, and let's keep our eyes open for more traps."

            "Certainly."

            When the two police officers had continued on, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo entered the area.  "Hmph," said King Hippo.  "They ain't destroying each other."

            "MotherBrain will probably blame us for that," Eggplant Wizard said.

            "Oh, quit worrying!  Let's just follow 'em and see what happens."

            * * *

            In another area of Metroid, MegaMan X and Jean-Léonard were exploring.  "The only path we've thus far discovered," said Jean-Léonard, "is the one on which we're travelling."

            "Yes," said X.  "It's been about an hour; I wonder why no one's called."  He tapped his communicator.  "MegaMan X to MegaMan.  Come in, brother."  Static was his only reply.  "Hm.  X to Rogue.  Can you hear me?"  Nothing but more static.  "Lieutenant Tragg?  Samus Aran?  Can either of you hear me?"  More static.  "Hm.  Jean-Léonard, can you hear me?"  More static.  No sound at all came out of Jean-Léonard's communicator, although Jean-Léonard was standing not even a full metre away from X.

            "Not with my communicator, X," Jean-Léonard said.  "It appears our communicators have been jammed."

            X frowned.  "And I bet I know who did it.  Come on, Jean-Léonard.  We're going to catch up to MegaMan and Rogue.  Just grab onto my back."  Jean-Léonard held onto X's back with his arms.  X leant forward, lifting all parts of Jean-Léonard off the ground.  "I have a bad feeling about continuing forward."

            "So do I.  Could you hold me more securely if you're going to run, X?"

            "Certainly, Jean-Léonard."  With his arms, X held his human friend securely; he then sprinted with lightning speed out of the passageway and back out into the fork in seconds.  When they were out, X heard a crash in the distance in the path from which they had just escaped.  "I have a feeling that was a trap meant for us," X said.

            Jean-Léonard had almost passed out, due to X's super speed.  He returned to full consciousness with several lungfulls of air.  "Interesting," he said with Vulcan composure.  "I'm glad you weren't a millimetre per second slower, despite that sudden heavy G-force to which you just subjected me."

            "I'm about to subject you to it once more," said X.  "We're going after MegaMan and Rogue."

            "All right.  I may pass out, though."

            "Don't worry.  I won't let you go."  X sprinted as fast as his long legs could take him with all the compression he could muster.

            * * *

            Down the path, MegaMan and Rogue were exploring more slowly than the others.  They had found a few alternate passages, all of which had led nowhere.  "This place gives me the mega-creeps," said MegaMan.

            "Me, too," said Rogue.  "I keep feeling like this is some trap."

            "Well, we'd better call some people before they start to worry."  He tapped his communicator.  "X, this is MegaMan.  Please respond."  Only static responded.  "Uh, oh.  Jean-Léonard, MegaMan here.  Can you hear me?"  Static was his only reply.  "Hm.  Lieutenant Tragg?  Samus Aran?  Can either of you two hear me?"  He heard only static.  "Uh, problem."

            "Let me try," Rogue said.

            Just before Rogue hit her communicator, MegaMan X zipped up with Jean-Léonard.  "It's a trap, brother!" X said quickly.  "Slight crescent-shaped birthmark on Dr. Wright's left thigh; we've got to hoof it back to the fork!"

            MegaMan said, "Grab onto me, Rogue!  We're out of here!"  Without questioning, Rogue quickly grabbed onto MegaMan's back.  He bent so that all parts of her fully clear of the ground.  He held her securely with his arms, and he and X, carrying Rogue and Jean-Léonard respectively, raced out of the passage to the fork an instant before the gate crashed and would have trapped them.

            * * *

            MotherBrain Ludwig, Larry, and Luna were watching this, having switched to MegaMan X and Jean-Léonard after Tragg and Samus had defended themselves.  "Hm," said MotherBrain.  "This is not going exactly as I had expected."

            Ludwig said, "I didn't think so.  Curse that cunning MegaMan X.  I can see that he will be trouble, too."

            "But this isn't the end of it, just a drawback," MotherBrain said.  "They'll be trapped when they go after Samus and Tragg.  MegaMan and X's super speed won't get them out before I close that door again."

            * * *

            MegaMan and MegaMan X slowly and gently released their unconscious passengers when they reached the fork.  They heard the crash of the door that had almost trapped them.  "That MotherBrain is mega-low," said MegaMan.

            MegaMan X said, "Let's let these guys recover before we go after Samus and Tragg."

            "Right."  Jean-Léonard and Rogue quickly recovered.

            "Oh, God," said Rogue.  "I never knew anyone could run that fast.  Knock-out G's. . . ooh."  She stood up, as did Jean-Léonard.

            "This isn't good for our bodies, but you must take us with you again when you go after Lieutenant Tragg and Samus Aran," Jean-Léonard said.

            "The sprinting is not good for us, either," said MegaMan.  "Doing it several times in a row knocks our leg suspension out of whack.  Yet, I still think we should risk it if there's a chance of saving Tragg and Samus.  We shouldn't go quite as fast this time, but we'll still mega-hit MACH 2.  All aboard."  Rogue got onto his back, Jean-Léonard onto X's.  The two androids bent over as before to keep their human passengers from touching the ground, and they held their passengers securely.  Then, they ran down the corridor that Samus and Tragg had taken.

            * * *

            "MotherBrain to Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo," called MotherBrain's voice from King Hippo's radio.  "Respond immediately."

            King Hippo took his radio.  "We're here, MB!"

            "Quickly hide.  MegaMan and X are heading your way, going after Samus and Tragg."

            "Got it."  He put the radio away; then, he and Eggplant Wizard hid in a secret access tunnel.

            Ahead of them, Samus and Tragg were cautiously advancing.  "Ow," said Samus, quietly, still in pain.

            "Are you all right, Samus?" Tragg asked with just a bit too much earnest sympathy in his voice for Samus's taste.

            "Yes, I'm all right!" she snapped.  "I don't need your concern."

            "Oh, no?  You're in pain.  I'm a fellow officer, a comrade, and you're my friend.  I'm supposed to feel concern, as I do."

            "Arthur, somehow, I sense a little more from you than mere concern."

            "Nonsense.  The physical pain may be clouding your judgement."

            "Maybe, but maybe not.  Anyway, we have a job to do, and we have no way out.  Our choice is clear."

            "I'm not disputing that.  But maybe we should rest for a moment.  My tricorder is pretty good at replicating Brazilian coffee."

            Samus stopped and closed her eyes.  "-Sigh.-  You just had to mention my favourite coffee."  She opened her eyes and turned to him.  "I guess it can't hurt to stop for a few minutes, as long as we keep our eyes peeled for danger."

            "I agree."  He flipped a few switches on the tricorder.  It replicated two mugs of hot, freshly brewed Brazilian coffee.  Tragg handed one to Samus and took one for himself.  Samus enjoyed the smell and the taste of the coffee.

            "Mm; oh, God, I swear I've never tasted replicated coffee before that's so identical to my favourite kind," Samus said.

            Tragg carefully sipped his.  "It's pretty good, even for a replicator, and especially for a tricorder replicator."

            "Indeed."

            Suddenly, MegaMan and X zipped up to them.  "Tragg!  Samus!" MegaMan exclaimed.

            "How did you guys get past the door?" asked Samus, puzzled.

            MegaMan and X looked in each other's eyes.  "Oh, no!" they exclaimed.  They turned to Samus and Tragg.  "Let's split. . . now!!"  Suddenly, they heard the door crash shut.  The noise was enough to bring Jean-Léonard and Rogue back to consciousness.

            "Hey, this isn't the fork!" said Jean-Léonard, surprised.  MegaMan and X released their passengers.

            MegaMan said, "That darned MotherBrain has mega-duped us!  We could have left, but she knew we wouldn't with Samus and Tragg trapped here.  Curse that grey-celled horror!"

            "What happened?" asked Samus.

            X explained, "Jean-Léonard and I were exploring our tunnel.  About an hour had passed, and I decided I'd try to call some people.  I tried to call each of you, but I heard only static.  I decided to see if I could reach Jean-Léonard, who was directly in front of me, but I still just got static, and his communicator did nothing.  Then, I had Jean-Léonard grab onto me, and I raced out of there before the closing door would have trapped us.  When we arrived at the fork, we ran down the passageway that MegaMan and Rogue had taken to get them to leave, and we four did just in time.  However, we were not so fortunate in this case."

            "That door shut as soon as Tragg and I had rounded the corner," said Samus.

            "What happened to you, Samus?" Jean-Léonard asked.  "Your visor is shattered, and you have a scar on your face."

            "A Rio with diamond-sharp talons and a very short life span got in a lucky hit," Samus told him.  "It was merely a superficial wound.  Of course, if you can examine me, I'd appreciate it."

            "Well, I don't have a medical degree, but my mom taught me a lot, and I took a lot of medical courses as electives when I was studying music."  He took his tricorder off his belt and activated a program.  "My tricorder has most of the functions of a medical tricorder."  He scanned Samus's face.  "Ah.  As you say, the wound only goes skin-deep.  There was no infection, and the scar is superficial.  The physical pain will subside, and a full-fledged physician will be able to make all physical trace of the scar go away."

            "Thank you, Jean-Léonard.  Now, MegaMan, are we heading after our friends?"

            "Definitely," said MegaMan.  "We've nowhere to go but forward, and saving them was our primary purpose for coming.  So, X, let you and me turn on our X-ray vision and infrared vision and watch for more attacks as we continue."

            Tragg said, "My tricorder's set to infrared, MegaMan."

            "Good.  That means half of us will be watching.  We must all be very alert.  What happened to Samus is only a minor injury.  Some of these creatures here can do much worse than that nasty Rio.  I know that for a fact.  Let's go."  They continued along their way.