Brünnhilde's Rock, Northern Face of Death Mountain, Rhineland, Hyrule, X-iverse.  Stardate 1 066 950.68; June 12, 3012.

Before daybreak the next morning, outside Siegfried and Brünnhilde's cave, in the light of Loge's fire, the Norns, three daughters of the wise primeval mother Erda, were spinning the golden rope of world-knowing, twining together the strands of the past, present, and future of the Rhineland.  The first, the oldest, lay under the spreading branches of the pine tree.  The second reclined on a stone ledge near the cave entrance.  The third, the youngest, sat on one of the boulders ringing the edge of the rocky plateau.  Sombre and quiet, they did not stir.

            The first Norn asked, "What light is that shining there?"

            "Is day dawning already?" the second asked.

            "Loge's legions ring the rock with fire," said the third.  "It's still night.  Why are we not spinning and singing?"

            The second Norn asked the first, "While we spin and sing, what will you wind the rope on?"

            The first Norn began weaving the rope.  "However well or foully things go, I shall twine the rope and sing.  I once wove at the world ash-tree, when a green forest of noble branches thrust from its large, strong trunk.  In its cool shadow bubbled a spring, whispering wisdom as its waters welled.  There, I sang of holy things.  An intrepid god came to drink at the spring.  He paid one of his eyes as forfeit forever.  From the world ash-tree, Wotan then broke off a branch, which he used as a spear-shaft.  In the course of a long time, the wound killed the tree.  Its foliage faded and fell, and the tree decayed and died.  Sadly, the water dwindled in the well, and my song became melancholy of mind.  So, I no longer weave at the world ash-tree, and the fir must suffice me to fasten the rope.  Sing, sister.  I throw it to you.  Do you know what happened?"  She passed the rope to the second Norn.

            The second Norn said, "Wotan carved the runes of honestly concluded treaties in the spear-shaft and carried it as custodian of the world.  A brave hero shattered the spear, and in fragments fell the sacred register of contracts.  Then Wotan bade Valhalla's heroes hack to pieces the withered boughs of the world ash, together with its trunk.  The ash-tree fell, and the spring dried up forever!  Today, I fasten the rope to the jagged rock.  Sing, sister.  I throw it to you.  Do you know what will happen?"  She threw the rope to the third Norn.

            The third Norn said, "The stronghold that the giants built still soars, and Wotan still sits in its hall with his sacred clan of gods and heroes.  A huge pile of hewn logs is heaped up around the hall.  That was once the world ash!  When the wood burns bright and fiercely flames, the fire will scorch and sear the splendid hall, and the end of the eternal gods will then fall forever.  If you would know more, then wind the rope anew.  From the north, I throw it back to you.  Spin, sister, and sing!"  She threw the rope to the first Norn.  During their discourse, the already woven rope had become tangled.

            The first Norn asked, "Does the day dawn, or is it the fire flickering?  My eyes dim and deceive me.  I cannot clearly recall the glorious past, when Loge once flared into fiery flame.  Do you know what happened to him?"

            "By the magic of his spear, Wotan tamed him," the second Norn said.  "Loge gave the god advice.  To gain his freedom, he gnawed and nibbled with his teeth at the notches in the shaft.  Then, with the spear's powerful point, Wotan bade him burn around Brünnhilde's rock.  Do you know what will happen to him?"

            The third Norn said, "One day, Wotan will plunge the shattered spear's sharp splinters deep into the heart of the glow.  Ravaging flame will flare up from it, and this the god will fling at the world ash's piled-up logs.  Do you want to know when that will be?  Pass me the rope, sisters!"

            "Night is fading.  I can discern no more," said the first Norn weakly.  "I can no longer find the strands of the rope.  The weft is tangled.  A confused sight provokes and perplexes my senses.  Alberich once stole the Rhinegold.  Do you know what happened to him?"  The rope was then damaged, cut slightly by the sharp edge of the second Norn's rock.

            "The jagged edge of my rock is cutting into the rope, and the spun strands no longer stretch tight," said the second Norn.  "The texture is tangled.  From need and greed, I see the Nibelung's Ring rise.  An avenging curse gnaws at my braided strands.  Do you know what will come of it?"

            The third Norn said, "The rope is too slack and does not reach me.  If I am to direct its end to the north, it must be stretched tighter!"  As the Norns attempted again to draw the rope tighter, it broke.  "It snapped!"

            The second exclaimed, "It snapped!"

            "It snapped!" exclaimed the first.  They rose in horror and moved together to the centre of the plateau.  They took the pieces of the rope and used them to tie their own bodies together.

            The three exclaimed softly, "Our eternal knowledge is at its end!  The world will know nothing more of our wisdom."

            The third said, "Down!"

            "To the mother!" said the second.

            "Down!" the first said.  They vanished.

            Nearby, an evil one had been watching from hiding.  Now, Mumm-ra, in Ganon's form, emerged from hiding.  "Ha, ha!  The Norns are gone.  This is unfolding just as Wagner had written.  In mere days, the Ring of the Nibelung shall belong to Ludwig, as long as I keep up my good work!  Ha, ha!"  The day began to dawn.  Below, he heard a warp.  "Ah; those will be the latest pair of Thunder Brats."  He hid.

            When morning had come, Siegfried and Brünnhilde emerged from their cave.  Brünnhilde was leading Grane, her horse, by the bridle.  Since her strong armour fit Siegfried, he had repaired it and was wearing it.  Brünnhilde said, "Now that we are married, my dear hero, and that you have made yourself a boat for journeying down the river, you can search for new deeds and the Gibichung palace.  One anxiety makes me hesitate. . . that I was too meagre a reward for you!  I have given you what the gods taught me, a rich hoard of holy runes.  But I was bereft of the strength of my maidenly inheritance by the hero whom I now love.  I am drained of knowledge but full of desire, rich in love but deprived of strength.  Do not despise the poor creature who can grudge you nothing but give no more!"

            "Wondrous woman, you've given me more than I know how to husband," Siegfried said.  "Do not be angry if your teaching has left me still untutored!  Yet I have grasped one thing:  that Brünnhilde lives for me.  I have easily learned one thing:  always to think of Brünnhilde!"

            "If you would reward me with love, think only of yourself, of your deeds, of the ferocious fire through which you fearlessly forced a way when it flamed around the rock."

            "To win Brünnhilde!"

            "Think of the woman beneath the shield whom you found fast asleep and whose tight-fitting helmet you tore off."

            "To waken Brünnhilde!"

            "Think of the vows that unite us, of our mutual trust, of the love in which we live.  Then, Brünnhilde will burn forever like a sacred flame in your heart!"

            "I shall leave you here, my dearest, in the sacred custody of the fire."  He removed the Ring from his finger and gave it to Brünnhilde.  "In return for your tuition, I give you this ring.  Within it resides the virtue of whatever deeds I wrought.  I slew the savage dragon who grimly had long guarded it.  Now, take its power into your keeping as the pledge of my troth!"

            Brünnhilde delightedly put on the Ring.  "I prize this as my sole possession!  Now, for the ring, take Grane, my horse.  With me, he boldly used to run his course through the air, and he lost his mighty power with me.  He will no longer make his valiant way far above the clouds in thunder and lightning, but wherever you lead him - even through the fire - Grane will follow you fearlessly, for, my hero, he will obey you!  Care for him well, and he will heed your words.  Often give Grane Brünnhilde's greeting!"

            "Shall I then perform deeds of valour through your valour alone?  You choose my combat, and my triumphs reflect on you.  Astride your steed, sheltered by your shield, I can no longer count myself Siegfried.  I am but Brünnhilde's arm!"

            "Could I but be your soul!"

            "My spirit is kindled by you."

            "Then, you would be both Siegfried and Brünnhilde."

            "Wherever I am, we shall both be found."

            "Then will my rocky home be uninhabited?"

            "It will hold us both, since we are one."

            "Oh, sacred gods!  Supreme beings!  Feast your eyes on this dedicated pair!  Apart, who shall separate us?  Separated, we shall never part!"

            Johanna and Johannes arrived.  "Here we are, Siegfried, to accompany you on your adventures," Johanna said.

            "We shall now head for the hall of Gibich," announced Siegfried.  He, Johanna, and Johannes mounted Brünnhilde's horse.  "Hail, Brünnhilde, radiant star!  Hail, resplendent love!"

            "Hail, Siegfried, victorious light!" exclaimed Brünnhilde.  "Hail, resplendent life!"

            Both exclaimed, "Hail!  Hail!  Hail!  Hail!"  Siegfried had led the horse to the path that went downward.  He now began the descent and vanished from her sight as the path became obstructed by a mountain cliff.  Brünnhilde looked down into the chasm after him.  As Siegfried's horn was heard from below, she listened and moved close to the edge of the precipice.  Far below, she saw him again and waved delightedly.

            Farther down the mountain, Wilykit and Wilykat saw Grane race down.  "Well, there he goes," said Wilykit.  "I hope Johanna and Johannes can keep our enemies from gaining the Ring."

            "Me, too," Wilykat said.

            Mumm-ra popped into existence in front of them in his untransformed, decaying mummy form.  "Well, greetings, Thunder Kittens."

            "Well, if it isn't Mumm-ra, the Ever-Decaying!  You need either a new brand of embalming fluid or a really strong deodorant, pal," Wilykat wisecracked.

            "You will pay for your comments with a thousand years' interest, Wilykat, once we have Alberich's Ring," Mumm-ra promised.  "The Norns broke their rope as they were supposed to.  Now, in the form of a forest bird, my dear doggie is fluttering after Siegfried and your whelps, Wilykit, to spy on them."

            "Hasn't that awful creature of yours been neutered yet?"

            "Or," said Wilykit, "better yet, muzzled?"

            "Joke while you can, Lord of the Thunder Kittens!  While you stubbornly insist on staying here, Ludwig and Larry are in the Q-niverse to assist in demolishing the N-Team!  If no Q-cubed goes there, I promise you that every N-Team member not in the X-iverse will be imprisoned.  And once the Ring is in Ludwig's grasp, you fools will be sorry you ever decided to stick your noses into our affairs!"

            "I have a shining sword, Mumm-ra," Wilykit said.  "The Master Sword of Hyrule.  Dally much longer, and you will be forced to reflect on your situation."

            "Very well.  But my next appearance will shock you!  Ha, ha!"  He flew off.

            Once Mumm-ra had departed, Wilykat showed great concern.  "Ludwig and Larry?  That means the whole Brain-Team, save Mumm-ra, will be assaulting the N-Team!"

            "Calm down, Wilykat," Wilykit said, putting her right hand on his left shoulder.  "I shall find an appropriate way to deal with this."

            * * *

            Congregation Hall, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            Late that morning, almost every single uncaptured N-Team member was attending a full meeting in the Palace of Power's royal meeting room, save the Wilytwins, the Wondertwins, and Kevin.  "We have quite a problem," began Steelheart once the roll had been called.  "To see just what it is, view this recording made by Tally-Hawk at Brim*Star."  She tapped a button and showed the conversation between Mon*Star, MotherBrain, S-s-slithe, and Luna.

            When the recording had finished, Darkwing snapped, "We can deal with those creeps, Commander!  Why are you worried?"

            "Darkwing, MotherBrain has powers that none of us has," Steelheart said.  "We have evidence that the Sword of Omens has been repaired:  the increase of liveliness in those Thunder Cats whose powers are not dependent upon the Sword.  Now, is there a telepath who never got an odd feeling yesterday that something was wrong?"  No one spoke.  "I'm glad.  Antonio, were you able to find out something in your analysis?"

            "Yes," Antonio said.  "I am entirely certain that it was not an ordinary psychic sensation that something was wrong - like a premonition - but rather a direct arousal of telepaths' suspicions by another powerful telepath.  I strongly believe that Wilykit sent that message to alert us.  Hm.  Lion-O, has Jaga contacted you?"

            "No, he hasn't," Lion-O said.  "However, I get your meaning.  Wilykit and Wilykat can see him, so they might have told him to contact me, but only if we dismissed the telepathic feelings, since his powers to communicate with us have lessened a great deal."

            "Precisely what I was thinking.  It makes logical sense to me."

            "As it stands," Steelheart said, "we can fight off all the other Brain-Teamsters, but we will be unable to fight MotherBrain if she decides to get involved directly."

            "There must be some weakness in her defences of which we can take advantage," said Jean-Luc Picard.

            "A Q-cubed could tell us, but unless we luckily find it by accident, there would be no point," Steelheart said.  "Of course, if Wesley could wake up, we'd have it made, but I don't deem that likely."

            Quicksilver's bracelet beeped.  "Excuse me, Commander," he said, "but I believe Tally-Hawk is transmitting something."

            Quickly, Steelheart activated the screen and keyed in connection commands.  They saw the throne room of Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa's castle on the Mushroom World. . . where MotherBrain, S-s-slithe, and Luna were conferring with Bowser. . . and Ludwig and Larry!  "What the heck!"

            "No, God!" exclaimed Riker, jumping up.  "Not Ludwig and Larry!"

            Link and Zelda's children, Heinrich and Liselotte, were at the meeting as well.  Heinrich said, "But I thought those two were in the X-iverse."

            "Not anymore, obviously," Steelheart said.  She turned up the volume.

            "It is a brilliant plan, guys," Ludwig told MotherBrain, Luna, and S-s-slithe.  "I have returned to guarantee our success.  Once Mumm-ra, as Ganon, nabs the Ring and dupes Wilykit's twin brats, we'll have it made!  Ha, ha!"

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Bowser.  "It will be pretty interesting to see what two Triforces and Alberich's Ring will do for us."

            "Does the term 'utter invincibility' sound good enough for you all?" Larry asked.  The villains all laughed despicably.

            "But what has transpired in the X-iverse?" MotherBrain asked.

            Larry said, "Mime and Fafner are dead.  Siegfried has won Brünnhilde, and Wily-johanna and Johannes have reforged the Sword of Omens and met Wilykit and the others.  Those two will be accompanying Siegfried to Gunther's summer palace on Rio de Rhine-o and fail miserably in an attempt to keep Mumm-ra from nabbing that Ring when Brünnhilde tosses it out to the maidens.  What, my dear brother, do you predict to be outcome of our venture?"

            Ludwig said, "Let me look into my crystal ball."  Larry handed Ludwig a goldfish bowl (complete with water and goldfish) that was on a shelf.  After regarding it for a second, Ludwig merely tossed onto the hard floor, and thus it shattered to pieces.  "Prediction:  utter, unqualified success!"  All the villains laughed madly.

            Steelheart promptly shut off the screen.  "Oh, this is not good," Steelheart said.  "If only Ludwig and MotherBrain were out of the picture, we could slug it out.  But if those two really want to destroy us, I don't see how we can stop them."

            "Commander," said Antonio, "there may yet be a way.  Guillaume and I have powerful telepathy, but that power is easily controlled.  We may be able to sneak into their minds and swipe out their powers."

            "Yes, I agree," Guillaume said.

            "Forget it, Antonio!" Chatonne snapped with uncharacteristic emotion.  "I don't want you two risking yourselves for this."

            "With all due respect, Chatonne," said Antonio very logically, "we're in excessive danger already.  This may be the best way to succeed."

            "And if you fail, we could all be dead!" she retorted.  "No!"

            "Since you are emotionally biased, I appeal to Captain Picard."

            "What!?"

            "I do not like the risks involved," Picard said.  "However, since it gives us the mere possibility of defeating MotherBrain and Ludwig, I shall persuade your Lord per tempo to let you do it."

            "Captain, allow me," Gatinha said.  "Chatonne, please don't be like I normally am.  Please be logical and reasonable and think through this."  She put her hand on her twin's and bored into her mind with a penetrating gaze.  "Please, sister.  For all of us.  It's our best chance.  If anyone can do it, it's Antonio and Guillaume."

            Chatonne closed her eyes and sighed deeply.  "I am very sorry for allowing my emotional reaction to cloud my logical judgement."  She looked at Antonio.  "I apologise deeply, Antonio.  Yes, you have my permission to proceed with this quite dangerous course of action.  I permit you, knowing that you will proceed as cautiously as possible.  But if this fails. . . well, we will probably not live to argue about it in this life."

            "Understood, Chatonne," said Antonio.

            Someone entered the room Q-style.  Hastily, assuming it to be a villain, Steelheart began, "And what do you. . . -gasp!-"

            "Hi, everybody!" greeted Kevin.  Everyone was quite surprised.

            "Kevin!  But. . . but I thought you weren't coming back until the Ring crisis was over!"

            "Well, right now, the problem here is much larger.  In case you didn't know, MotherBrain, Luna, and S-s-slithe have concocted a plot."

            "We saw."

            "Wilykit's daughter, Johanna, has repaired the Sword of Omens.  Yesterday, the five of us met Johanna and Johannes outside Fafner's cave.  While we were there, the Sword flashed and showed Wilykit that MotherBrain, Luna, and S-s-slithe began discussing the plot on Plundarr.  Later, Wilykit decided to send you weird feelings.  When, earlier this morning, she was told by an annoyed mummy that Ludwig and Larry had come to help MotherBrain and the Brain-Team, she decided that I should come and help clean their clocks."

            "Can you handle two Q-cubeds?" Steelheart asked.

            "Frankly, I don't know.  I can surely try, though."

            Antonio said, "Kevin, Chatonne and Captain Picard just granted Guillaume and me permission to implement a plan that I just devised.  We may be able, with our telepathic control, to remove MotherBrain's and Ludwig's powers."

            "There you go," joked Kevin, "making decisions before I get back."  Seriously, he continued, "Of course, we know who the leader is, now that I'm back.  Did you know Ludwig and Larry are back?"

            "Yes," Steelheart said.  "Tally-Hawk, who is being held aboard S-s-slithe's ship, has sent a recording of a conversation between MotherBrain, S-s-slithe, Luna, Bowser, Ludwig, and Larry."

            "I see.  Antonio, we'll discuss your plan."

            "Sure, Kevin," Antonio said.

            "What's happened to your kids, Kevin?" asked Steelwill.

            "Right now, they're safer with Wilykat and Wilykit on the X-iverse Hyrule than here, and they have no fighting experience whatsoever yet.  After this meeting, I'd like all of you to get to your bases and prepare for this assault."

            "We can let Kevin and the Cerebra-twins handle MotherBrain and Ludwig's powers," Picard said.  "I suggest we prepare for a big fight on our home turf."

            "Exactly," said Kevin.

            "Has anyone anything further?" Steelheart asked.  None.  "Then the meeting is adjourned."  Everyone got up and left except the Tygra-twins, the Cerebra-twins, Kevin, Picard, and Steelheart.

            "This idea could be very dangerous, guys," Kevin said.

            "Don't worry, Kevin," Antonio said very logically.  "We shall be very careful about this."

            "I know, Antonio.  That's the only reason I'm letting you do it.  I suggest you begin with Ludwig before trying with MotherBrain."

            "Sure."

            Still agitated, Chatonne said, "I still don't like this.  You guys could get hurt."

            "Brother, kindly cool her off," Antonio told Guillaume.

            "With pleasure," Guillaume said.  He gently seized Chatonne in his arms and kissed her.  She fought back for a moment before submitting.

            "I want you two to continue leading the N-Team," Kevin told Picard and Steelheart.  "I don't want our evil pals to find out I'm back until it's too late for their plot."

            "Certainly, Kevin," Picard said.

            Steelheart smiled slyly.  "I know, you just want to give MotherBrain hell, don't you?"

            "Well, that's part of why I came back," Kevin said, with a smile.  "See you guys later.  I have to talk to someone."  He got up and went to the throne room, where Link was waiting as Zelda and Toadstool were talking.  "Hey, Link!"

            "Welcome back, Kevin," Link greeted.  "You know, the position of leader of the N-Team Base isn't as easy as you made it look."

            "It's not easy at all.  Tell me, did Guillaume get that nearly overloaded data chip to you?"

            "Oh, yes.  It must have taken my computer a week to decompress all that musical data!  What did you do, put ten data chips in a compactor and smash them into one?"

            Kevin grinned.  "Oh, not quite.  Still some episodes left, right?"

            "About half a year, Kevin.  Boy, are you a heck of a genius.  Some things look, on the score, as if they should sound just terrible, but every measure comes out beautiful.  You orchestrate so well.  I find no holes in your technique, either in examination of the music or in hearing it.  Some of the tenor passages look intimidating, but they're so well written that I can even hit every note on my own even without accompaniment.  And, practically everyone enjoys it."

            "Thank you, Link."  Heinrich and Liselotte came over to them.

            "Kevin, these are Zelda and my young ones, Heinrich and Liselotte.  Guys, this is my friend Kevin, also known as Captain N."

            Kevin shook hands with Heinrich, then with Liselotte.  Heinrich bore a great resemblance to Link, and Liselotte to Zelda.  Both had short blonde hair.  The shortness was like Link's, and the blondness was due to Zelda.  The two, however, wore the same style clothing that Kevin and his kids wore, to include blue jeans.  "I'm pleased to meet you," Kevin said.

            "And we're pleased to meet you, Kevin," Heinrich said.  "Father has told us quite a bit about you, and I always love to hear him singing your music."

            "Same here," said Liselotte.  "You write the music and the story so well, and they fit so well together."

            "Well, I'm glad you like it," Kevin said.  "Of course, I hope he's exposing you two to other composers, as well."

            "Yes, I sure am," Link said.

            "Hey, Kevin-icus!" called Kid Icarus.  He came over to Kevin.  "Boy, am I glad you came back."

            "I couldn't desert you guys," Kevin said.  "How are things, Kid Icarus?"

            "Oh, all right, basically.  I miss MegaMan, of course."

            "Don't worry, pal.  We'll fix that as soon as the present mess is done with."

            "Hello, Kevin," greeted Beethoven.

            "Ah, Herr Beethoven.  How are things with you?"

            "They're going quite well, actually.  My music drama cycle nears completion, and I have written more of other types of music.  Chatonne, Gatinha, Antonio, and Guillaume are really quite superb, and you!  If I tried to write as much music in half a year as you did, I'd probably rip up my notebook in frustration!  And the quality of your music is very high, even not considering the speed with which you wrote it."

            "Well, it also helps that Wilykat's tricorder provided me with a user-friendly music computer."

            "Ah, but that doesn't explain the quality, merely the quantity.  A music computer can orchestrate music as you wish, but if the music is very bad, orchestration only makes it sound worse, no matter how good the orchestration is.  On the other hand, music that is very good is enhanced by orchestration, especially when it is intended for an orchestra.  Also, your music has quite expressive power.  The way in which the music itself is written is quite an excellent indication of the type of expression it is to have.  As conductor, I need only hint at items, and even the instruments that are naturally the most inexpressive are quite expressive, which says absolutely nothing of the strings!  Your use of the strings provokes feelings that are beyond the power of language to express."

            "Thank you, Beethoven.  I'll keep up the quality, then.  With the computer, I only have to glance to make sure the detail is followed."

            Zan and Jayna ran in.  "Golly, sorry we're late," Zan said.

            "Kevin!" exclaimed Jayna.

            "What?  Hoo, boy!" Kevin said.  "Zan and Jayna, we need to talk.  Come with me."  He led them into the congregation hall.

            "Oh, curse me!" shouted Steelheart when they stepped in.  "We absolutely forgot!"

            "You sure did," said Kevin.

            "Excuse my language, but what the hell's going on?" Zan demanded.  "Everyone seems surprised today."

            Picard asked, "Where've you two been?"

            "Exor, of course," Jayna reported.  "We received the order to report here just now."

            "Hm," said Antonio.  "That was sent out yesterday afternoon.  If I were the type to do it, I would bet quite a large sum of money that MotherBrain tried to keep you from finding out."

            Kevin said, "In a nutshell, MotherBrain and the Plundarrians concocted a scheme to smash the bulk of the N-Team before Wilykit, her children, Wilykat, my children, and I returned to the Q-niverse.  However, Wilykit discovered it beforehand, since her daughter had reforged the Sword of Omens and we had met her children.  She sent a telepathic signal to make the telepaths feel something was wrong so they would investigate."

            "Zan!" snapped Jayna.

            "Oops," Zan said, embarrassed.  "I thoroughly dismissed it."  Under his sister's glare, his cheeks grew quite red indeed.  He was way beyond embarrassed.  He knew he was going to get it the second they returned home.

            "Anyway," Kevin continued, "Quicksilver sent Tally-Hawk to Brim*Star.  There, Tally-Hawk saw that MotherBrain and the Plundarrians were discussing the plot with Mon*Star.  This morning, after the Norns broke their rope and after Siegfried had left for the Gibichung palace, Mumm-ra, the Ever-Atrophying, informed Wilykit and 'Kat that Ludwig and Larry had left to assist MotherBrain.  During the scheduled meeting here, Tally-Hawk showed the N-Team that MotherBrain and the Plundarrians were in Ludwig's castle discussing the plot with Bowser, and Larry and Ludwig were there."

            "It came as quite a shock to all of us," Steelheart said.

            "Anyway, Wilykit decided that I could come back in order to keep MotherBrain and Ludwig from winning with their Q-cubed powers."

            "We'd have stopped her," Zan assured him.

            "Quite honestly, none of us accounted for you," Kevin said.

            Antonio said, "Guillaume and I are permitted to attempt to wrest the Q-cubed powers from the felons."

            "All right," said Zan.

            "It'll be better for us now," Kevin said.  "The odds are more favourable with three against two.  The rest of the N-Team can handle the lackeys, and the five of us can concern ourselves with Ludwig and MotherBrain."

            "Kevin," asked Jayna, "how's Wilykat?"

            "He's quite well.  He thinks about you a lot, Jayna.  I'm certain he'll be happy to see you again."

            "Thank you, Kevin."

            Zan asked, "And your children, Thomas and Kelly?"

            "They're also well," Kevin replied.  "If you know what happened when I first saw Lana, then you can figure what happened when Thomas saw Johanna in person yesterday."

            "How did he react?" Antonio asked.

            "Probably like you would and I would. . . in a very rational manner.  He did not gawk or anything but remained very calm."

            "Good.  Do Kelly and Johannes share the feelings, as well?"

            "No.  Clearly not, though I think they'll be good friends."

            Steelheart asked, "What do your kids know, Kevin?"

            "I've taught them quite a lot of what I know.  They're quite interested in college."

            Chatonne asked, "Do they share your musical interests and abilities?"

            "Gosh, yes!  They both inherited my enormous pitch range, and Thomas might decide to show up Antonio on 'cello."

            "Hm," Antonio said.  "Technically or expressively?"

            "You name it.  He's always hit the pitch on the head, and performing music gives him quite a powerful expressive output.  He enjoys it quite a lot."

            Picard asked, "What about your daughter?"

            "I think she's taken a liking to the violin.  When she began, she made some mistakes, especially bow-tracking, but she caught most of them herself, and she's doing well now.  Like me, they have long, thin fingers that shoot down on the correct point on the string in any position, half-position or twelfth.  I don't think either of them wanted to just stay behind, and I like that.  They both have a strong sense of justice."

            "Are they strong physically?" asked Steelheart.

            "Yes, they are.  That tendency tends to run in my mother's side of the family.  One of my father's genes dampened that a bit in me, but the tendency was passed on to my kids without being weakened."

            "Did you rear them yourself," Picard asked, "or did Wilykit and Wilykat assist?"

            "They've helped a bit, but I did most of the parenting.  Wilykit made sure they would not mistake her as their mother.  I'm sure they'll be happy when everyone who's supposed to be here is here.  I know I will."

            "To include Lana, of course," said Steelheart.

            "Yes, Steelheart.  In fact, I intended her, Wesley, and the six who went to save them to be included.  How have things been?"

            "Not unbearable," Steelheart said, "but some could be better.  Some days, the Brain-Team can be immeasurably annoying."

            "I know that very well, Steelheart.  Well, shall we proceed to kick Brain-Team butt?"

            "Yes!" the others agreed enthusiastically.

            * * *

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

            Kelly was sitting outside, looking at the flowers of the nearby wood.  A muffled sigh came from behind.  She turned to her brother.  He appeared calm - heck, he always appeared calm - but he was obviously lovesick.  Kelly could see through him sometimes, just as well as he could see through her.  It was her turn to comfort him, but would he let her?

            "Hi, Tommy," she said in that annoying tone.  It never worked.  Under ordinary circumstances.

            "Hey!" he snapped in a manner that seemed quite foreign to him.  "Call me 'Thomas'!"  He gulped.  In a second, he had restored his calm.  "I'm sorry, Kelly."

            "It's okay, Thomas.  You haven't been quite yourself since you met Johanna."

            "Of course I have.  I merely developed these super-powerful feelings almost in a second when I looked at her.  Obviously, my now heated emotions cannot stand for her to be away from me."

            "Thomas, drop the logic for a moment because it won't win this time.  If it hasn't dampened the overpowering feelings you have, then it won't now."

            "I'm quite all right."

            "Come on, brother.  Pride is illogical.  It causes lightheadedness and stupid mistakes."

            The way he looked at her let her know that she was incorrect.  "I said I am all right, Kelly.  Please do not interpret that statement to mean more than it does.  I simply have to think."  He said this purely logically, without the slightest hint of annoyance.

            "Why not talk about it, brother?"

            "Well. . . I don't know how to describe the feeling.  I feel very strongly attracted to her, Kelly.  It feels like I want to hold her forever.  It's really weird.  It seems to have gotten much stronger, even over the time span of a day."

            "Are you afraid you can't control it?"

            "No.  I can control it, but it's just. . . strange, I guess.  It's such an impetuous feeling.  I don't know how women stand it from men.  I also don't know how many men manage to control it.  I also feel a certain member of my reproductive system. . . well, you know what I'm talking about."

            "Yes, thanks to Father."

            "It feels really weird.  That reaction has never occurred for me before.  I'm almost positive she has the same feelings for me, because she says it's hard for her to control them."

            "I confess that I don't know the feeling at all.  I love you and care for you quite a lot, but the feelings you have described, for the time being, are foreign to me.  Since all the guys I've lived with are handsome, looks probably don't have much of an effect on me."

            "You may be surprised.  You and Wilykit are very pretty, but something in me felt overcome by Johanna's beauty.  When I first felt these feelings, my control was nearly overwhelmed for an instant.  However, even though my feelings have grown stronger, my control has grown stronger far more quickly.  I'm glad for my gender's sake that she wouldn't capitalise on my gender's weakness for sex like people such as Poison Ivy.  Poison Ivy wouldn't snare me, but she would snare any human male who possesses my strong emotions but lacks my control."

            "Does the control counteract the effects of natural and synthetic scents?"

            "That is one of its primary purposes.  Since we have powerful emotions, pheromones are likely to affect us quite powerfully.  However, since we also have powerful rational control, our logic can destroy the effects of pheromones easily, if we have this logic-control training.  All sexual urges can be controlled.  Men just have to be taught to control them."

            "Do you think those feelings are bad?"

            "Not of themselves.  The goodness and badness of feelings depend on the circumstances.  It is bad, I say, that many men seem to find it so difficult to restrain those feelings.  We all have them, so we should all be able to control them easily. . . even when they strike the most powerfully, and even with the influence of scents."

            "Would you ever give in to those feelings, Thomas?"

            "Of course, given the appropriate circumstances.  I agree with the morals of sexual relations."

            "So do I, but you seem to be trying to take all the risk out of it."

            "Only that which may potentially cause great trouble."  For the first time, he smiled quite mischievously.  "I may actually enjoy the physical risks.  As you know, Thunderians are stronger than humans."

            Kelly assumed a worried look.  "Now, Thomas, since I'm technically the older, I must express concern for your welfare at this point."

            "Don't worry.  Thanks to your father, your brother can look after himself, even in the darnedest of situations."

            "I know.  I have little real fear of that."

            Wilykat came up to them.  "Hi, guys," he said.

            "Hello, Wilykat," Thomas said.  "Have you and Wilykit heard from our father?"

            "Yes, we have.  Do you realise we forgot to account for Zan and Jayna?"

            "Great," Kelly said.  "Well, at least someone will be able to take down MotherBrain before she takes down the N-Team."

            "Is Father staying there?" asked Thomas.

            "Yes, he is," Wilykat said.  "While the others focus on the rest of the Brain-Team, Kevin, Zan, Jayna, Cerebraguillaume, and Cerebrantonio will take care of MotherBrain and Ludwig."

            Kelly asked, "Have MotherBrain or Ludwig or both given a copy of their powers away to another Brain-Team member or to other Brain-Team members?"

            "A valid question that we haven't thought about," Wilykat remarked.  "We don't know."

            "Wilykat," Thomas said, "since we don't really have a lot to do around here, do you suppose we might follow Siegfried and the younger Wilytwins to see that the latter don't do what they shouldn't?"

            Kelly smiled.  "I know why you want to go."

            "That is not the primary reason, Kelly," said Thomas with great rationality.  "Granted, I have feelings for Johanna that would reduce many other men to mush, but my primary concern is to make sure things go as they should."

            "But how would you remain undiscovered at Gunther's palace?" Wilykat asked.  "Sorry, Thomas.  I don't think Wilykit would go for it.  I don't think I should, either."

            Within, Thomas was disappointed, but he showed absolutely no sign of it.  "That's okay.  It was just a thought."

            "Hey, hang on a second," Wilykat said, suddenly considering the idea.  "Maybe that idea will work, with some modification.  You see, from this world's Kingdom of Hyrule, we have the Magic Cape, which makes one invisible and which moves one out of phase with normal matter.  It uses magic, but we may be able to make it work without magic."

            "All right," said Thomas.  "Shall we ask Wilykit to consider it?"

            "Certainly."  They returned to the cave.

            * * *

            In the cave's living room, Wilykit was reading a report that the N-Team had just sent her.  Ludwig had proceeded to annoy her utterly, but she would not lose her head.  The years had increased her logical control, though they had done little else for or against her.  She was as youthful and strong and beautiful as she had been the day she met Wesley.  The same was true of Wilykat, though sometimes he seemed to enjoy acting like a pain in the rear.

            That still did not explain what had happened yesterday.

            Sighing, Wilykit got up.  She thought about what she and Wilykat had done after she had forged the Master Sword.  They did not have those feelings that same night when they had gone to bed.  It seemed a very odd occurrence.  Suddenly, they had the feelings, but then they did not later.

            "Really weird," she said aloud.  The door opened and Wilykat, Thomas, and Kelly entered.  "Hello, everyone."

            "Hello, 'Kit," said Wilykat.  "Thomas would like to go with Kelly to help keep an eye on Johanna and Johannes.  It might help, since Thomas and Kelly know more about the proper sequence of events and the potential consequences than Johanna and Johannes.  I also know how these two could keep hidden."

            "All right," Wilykit said.  "That sounds acceptable.  Explain how they might keep hidden."

            "We might be able to modify the Magic Cape to work without magic so one of them could use it, and then we could make a copy of it and make it so that, although no one can see them, they can see each other perfectly."

            "Sounds like a plan, brother."  She took the terminal off the table, pressed the page-up key a few times, and handed the terminal to Wilykat.  "Now, read this."

            Wilykat read.  "Why, that dirty MotherBrain!" he exclaimed angrily at the top of his heldentenor register.  "I don't like her a bit!"

            Thomas read over his shoulder.  "I agree," he said, allowing only enough of his anger to come through to get his point across. . . and staying in the middle of his heldentenor register.  "Not a very nice thing to do at all.  Thus, it conforms to her personality."

            Kelly then read.  "At least she failed, but. . . golly, I sure dislike her.  If I were there to mouth off at her, I sure would have done it."

            Wilykit smiled.  "When you think like this, you are quite like Lana."

            "Now I know how someone can hold such anger towards someone else," Kelly said.  "MotherBrain can be so cruel."

            To calm her, Thomas hugged her.  "It's all right, Kelly," he said kindly.

            Gently, Kelly took his arms from around her.  "Have you any idea what kind of feelings I have?"

            "If they're anything like mine, you probably wish to do something that you should not do."

            Kelly hugged him strongly.  "Oh, brother," she said.  Thomas gently hugged her and kissed her cheek.

            "You shouldn't underestimate the depth of my feelings, sister," said Thomas quietly but with powerful tone.

            "I know, brother."  Now, she kissed him on his left cheek.  They released each other.

            Wilykit softly asked, "Do you two need more time?"

            "No," Thomas and Kelly said together.

            "We're ready," said Thomas.

            "All right.  Let's get working on that Magic Cape."

            * * *

            Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            MotherBrain, Ludwig, and Larry entered the control room.  "Those little Thunder-Brats will not be able to stop Mumm-ra!" laughed MotherBrain.  "That Ring is as good as ours."

            "And," Ludwig added, "we will be rid of the weaklings that form the majority of the N-Team by the time Mumm-ra takes the Ring."

            "Yes," said Larry.  "We'll be able to stop even the pesky Wilykat and Wilykit."

            MotherBrain smiled wickedly.  "I have a disgusting fate planned for them.  Let's lock them in separate empty universes.  They'll go crazy a second after they've been separated, and they'll probably literally destroy themselves in agony."

            "Yes, it might be good for them to be apart for a few eternities," Ludwig said.  "For us, it'll only be beneficial."

            "And their brats?" asked Larry.

            "Their telepathic powers have not been trained," MotherBrain said.  "Using our powers, we could probably exploit their weaknesses to turn them into our slaves!"

            "Ha, ha!  I love you, Mother!" laughed Ludwig.  "The children of Wilykit lead their people to certain doom!  No more Mister Nice Guy for us!"

            "It sounds kind of fun," Larry said.  "Who'll bring the popcorn and sodas?"  The three laughed wickedly.

            During this, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo came in.  Curiously, they looked at each other, then began laughing their heads off.  MotherBrain ceased laughing and shocked them with a bolt.  "Leave the laughing to us, for the septillionth time, bozos!" she shouted.

            "Ah, yes, MotherBrain!" said King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard.

            "Why did you idiots disturb our joyous laughter?" Ludwig demanded.

            "S-s-slithe asked us to come give you this message," said King Hippo, handing a data padd to Ludwig.

            "What the heck's this?  'Candy bars, soda pop, popcorn'?"

            "Oops!  Wrong padd!"  King Hippo swiped the padd from Ludwig and handed him another.  "This one's my shopping list.  Heh, heh!"

            "Cut back," Ludwig said.  "You'll be wider than a blimp before you've finished eating all that.  All right."  He read the padd.  "Oh, curses!  That insufferable silver bird was detected sending a message to Hawkhaven!  Apparently, S-s-slithe's ship isn't thick enough to prevent Tally-Hawk's message from getting through. . . or to prevent the tin wren from seeing a certain brain conversing with a certain husband of hers."

            "Blast it!" exclaimed MotherBrain.

            "Relax!" Larry said.  "They still can't handle us, can they?"

            "You're right, they can't," Ludwig said.  "I wanted to make our presence here secret until the last moment.  However, now that our plan has been discovered, I think it'd be prudent to proceed immediately. . . as in yesterday, if you get my drift."

            "Hang on," Larry said quite pessimistically.  "What if a certain mummy let it slip to the older Wilytwins about our coming here?"

            "Wilykit's too worried about things to send a Q-cubed out here."

            "She likes to be unpredictable," MotherBrain said.  "I think we should take that into consideration."

            "Very well.  Shoot.  This vocation certainly has its drawbacks."

            "Yet," said MotherBrain, "I prefer it over the vocation of fighting against evil."

            "Oh, I know it.  They must get pretty mad when we do something like this.  I suggest you call the division leaders for our team and tell them to get ready as soon as possible."

            "Good idea."

            "Meanwhile," Ludwig said, "I'll go place a certain tin birdy in solitary confinement."  He left the room.

            * * *

            Steelheart's Office, Hawkhaven, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Quicksilver entered Steelheart's office and saluted.  "Colonel Quicksilver reporting, Commander."

            Steelheart stood and returned the salute.  "This is an informal meeting, off the record, Quicksilver.  I don't know what will happen to Tally-Hawk."

            "I have the feeling we won't be losing him, Steelheart."

            "Well, if we do lose him and you feel awful, I will try to help, Quick."

            "Thank you.  When this mess is over, Steelheart, why don't we go off-duty for a few days and spend some time together?"

            "That sounds good to me.  It's been quite a while since either of us took a vacation.  Besides, you and I have yet to spend any serious time together."

            "I know.  I'd love to just stay and see what we end up doing, but I have to get the hospital ready for this battle.  There could be many casualties on both sides."

            "All right, Quicksilver.  I think I'd better see how the other Hawks are doing with getting ready for this thing."  She smiled.  "Maybe if we're lucky, we can get most of the villains behind bars."

            "Well, good luck, Steelheart.  I'll be over at the hospital if you need me.  See you later."

            "See you later, Quick."  Quicksilver left the office.

            Steelheart then left to the Command Centre.  There, she went over to Steelwill, who was at his computer.  "Anything to report, little bro?" she asked.

            "Nothing significant, Steelheart," replied Steelwill.  "Right now, the Mob is simply waiting.  They could be having a meeting, but I can't see it.  The other Hawks are down in the hangar, getting us ready."

            "Well, I'll go down and see what they need.  I have a feeling this is going to be one violent fight, especially for us.  The Silver Hawks and the Mob are just about evenly matched."

            "Well, we'll knock 'em out, Steelheart.  Count on it."

            "Thank you for your optimism, Will.  I'm mostly worried about MotherBrain and Ludwig.  At least the Thunder Cats don't have to worry about Mumm-ra."

            An alarm sounded.  "Uh, oh," said Steelwill.  "A vessel is decloaking nearby."  He manipulated some controls.  "Well, I'll be!  It's the Romulan Warbird Kazara."

            "Hail 'em!"

            Before Steelwill could do that, three familiar figures appeared in the room. . . Torreth, Tomalak, and Sela.  "Greetings, Silver Hawks," Torreth said.

            "Hello, Torreth, Tomalak, and Sela," said Steelheart.  "I thought Ludwig impounded your ship."

            "It was the job of some of Dr. Wily's more incompetent androids to watch that shipyard," Tomalak explained.  "With disruptors, we found those androids easy to defeat.  Now, the Romulan Empire has taken back its warships."

            Sela said, "We picked up a transmission from Tally-Hawk.  We came because we thought you might want some help fighting the Brain-Team."

            "Though we are grateful to Ludwig for saving our race from dying and for putting Tomalak, Sela, and me into his super longevity device," said Torreth, "we despise him.  He made the Cardassians the slave-species of the universe, and although we dislike them, we don't think they deserved such cruel treatment.  He enslaved the Borg, as well, but on a far more terrible level.  With them, his wish is literally their command.  It makes me sick to think about it."

            "All right," said Steelheart.  "Very soon, I expect that Mon*Star and his Mob will be riding out to attack us.  I imagine it would surprise them a great deal if you cloaked your ship now and then decloaked it when they arrive."

            "That sounds like a good idea," Torreth said.  She tapped the communicator on her collar.  "Sub-Commander Narak, this is Torreth.  Please cloak the Kazara."

            "Yes, Commander," the subcommander said.  The Kazara disappeared.

            Steelwill said, "Steelheart, Brim*Star is tilting.  Mon*Star's making ready to transform."

            "Then send the signal to the rest of the team, Will," Steelheart said.

            "I'm setting it up now, ma'am."  He hit a button.  "Signal sent!"

            "Good.  Call me the instant we see the Mob's vehicles leave Brim*Star."

            "Yes, sister."

            "Please come with me, Tomalak, Sela, and Torreth."  Steelheart crossed over to the turbo-elevator.  The three Romulans accompanied her.  They went down to the hangar in the elevator.

            Down in the hangar, Bluegrass, Melodia, and Copper-Kidd had finished checking the vehicles.  "Luckily," said Bluegrass, "if it comes to a fight in flight, we now have all the hot pilots."

            "Yes," Melodia said.  The elevator arrived, and Steelheart and the Romulans emerged and came over to them.

            "Hello, Commander," said Copper-Kidd.

            Steelheart said, "Everyone remain at ease.  The Romulans have shown up to help us.  The Kazara is cloaked out there, and we plan to have it decloak to surprise Mon*Star.  By the way, he's transforming.  Is all ready?"

            "The vehicles are all ready, Steel-lady," Bluegrass said.

            "Good."

            Condor said, "All our weapons are ready, Commander."

            "Thank you, Condor.  Steelwill will call when the Mob leaves Brim*Star.  We sent an alert to the rest of the team.  So, are we ready now to sock it to the Mob and toss them back behind bars?"

            "Yes!" exclaimed all the others with enthusiasm.

            "Great.  Now that we're ready, let's not get careless.  I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you to stay alert.  We'll most likely win if we do that.  Now, let's do it!"

            Steelwill's voice called, "Steelheart, Picard has called to say that Captain N ordered teamwide Red Alert.  Also, the Mob is now heading this way."

            "All right, Will.  Now, please come on down here."

            "Yes, Steelheart."

            * * *

            Outside Pariga {pah-ré-jah}, New Thunderius, Galaxy of Leos, Q-niverse.

            Chatonne addressed the other Thunder Cats.  "Antonio and Guillaume are not here because they had to stay at the Palace of Power to perform their task.  Is there anyone who feels unprepared to handle the coming danger?  Four Mutants and six Luna-tacks, maybe more, with no Mumm-ra or Ma-mutt."  No one spoke.  "All right.  Élisabeth and Frédéric, you are not yet Thunder Cats, technically speaking, though you have been accepted into the N-Team as honorary Thunder Cats.  The same applies to you, Natalia and Leonarda.  You need not stay, though your help will be quite appreciated and well noted.  Do you four still wish to help?"

            "We wouldn't be here if we didn't," said Frédéric boldly.

            "Nor would we," Natalia said, but in a more rational tone.

            "Very well.  I feel confident that we shall defeat our foes.  However, do not underestimate them.  Our adversaries are no longer quasi-exiles but are now military leaders on their home planet.  Like us, actually.  We must watch out for new attack procedures and new trickery."

            Steelheart's voice sounded on everyone's communicator.  "This is Hawkhaven to the entire N-Team.  Mon*Star has begun to transform, so I assume the Brain-Team attack is on its way.  Good luck, all."

            "How are we so sure the Plundarrians will find us here, Chatonne?" Leonarda asked.

            "We're assuming they'll be hitting a Thunderian base world, which would mean here, New Thundera, or third-Earth," Chatonne said.  "Since here is the Thunderian base world closest to Plundarr, we're assuming they'd prefer to hit here."

            Lion-O said, "I brought the Thunder-Scope so I could see Pariga.  Shall I look now and see if they've arrived?"

            "Yes, Lion-O."

            Lion-O turned towards the city and put the Thunder-Scope to his left eye.  "I see no Plundarrians there," he said.  He slowly turned in a circle.  When he had finished, he said, "They're not here yet."

            "Very good.  Keep looking, Lion-O."

            After a moment, Picard's voice sounded from everyone's communicator.  "Attention, N-Team.  This is Picard.  The present N-Team leader has declared a teamwide Red Alert, due to Steelheart's message.  Good luck to all.  I have confidence in everyone."  The communicators all beeped at the same time.

            "Wait!" Lion-O said after several seconds.  "The Plundarrians have just arrived at this end of town."

            "Now, let's light the fake signal," Chatonne said.  She turned to a large light and activated it.  The Thunder Cat Signal shone high in the sky.

            "S-s-slithe's speaking with Luna.  He's giving an order to the others.  They're heading this way."  He put away the Thunder-Scope.

            "Good," said Chatonne.  "Everyone, weapons ready."

            * * *

            Field outside Saint Canard, Darkwing's Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            All the Justice Ducks had gathered outside Saint Canard.  "Now," said Darkwing, "I believe we're ready to do major damage to the Fearsome Ten.  Is anyone not ready?"  No one spoke.  "Great.  GizmoDuck, can you see into the city?"

            GizmoDuck turned toward Saint Canard and pressed a button on his suit.  Binoculars came out of his suit and placed themselves so he could see through them and see Saint Canard.  "Yes, Wingie."

            "Are those villainous blighters heading hither?"

            "Not yet."

            Steelheart's voice came through their communicators.  "This is Hawkhaven to the entire N-Team.  Mon*Star has begun to transform, so I assume the Brain-Team attack is on its way.  Good luck, all."

            "Well, then," Darkwing said, "if anyone wishes to go, now's the time."

            "We aren't leaving, Darkwing," Neptunia said.  "None of us will leave until we've captured those scum and tossed 'em in jail."

            "Great!  GizmoDuck?"

            "I don't see them yet."

            "All right."

            After a moment, Picard's voice sounded from everyone's communicator.  "Attention, N-Team.  This is Picard.  The present N-Team leader has declared a teamwide Red Alert, due to Steelheart's message.  Good luck to all.  I have confidence in everyone."  The communicators all beeped at the same time.

            "Hoo, boy, Wingie!" GizmoDuck said after several seconds.  "They're coming."

            "Good.  Everyone, let's get dangerous!"

            * * *

            Outside the Mushroom Capital, Mushroom World, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            The Mario-Team and the N-Team Base had gathered in a field near the Mushroom Capital.  They were between Mario and Luigi's home and the capital city (a town, really) of the Mushroom World.  Link was speaking to the combined groups.  "It was important not to get our Bowser Koopas mixed up with our Spike Koopas, so King Spike and his family, except Queen Toadstool, will remain in the castle unless they are needed.  We believe MotherBrain, Ludwig, and Larry will be coming.  Kevin, the Wondertwins, and the Cerebra-twins are also in the castle.  They will work from there to incapacitate MotherBrain and Ludwig's Q-cubed powers.  We honestly have no idea which allies to the Brain-Team may show up.  These allies include Dracula, Medusa, Agahnim, and Ganon, and maybe some others.  I don't think Dracula will show.  Wouldn't you agree, Simon?"

            "I agree, Link," said Simon Belmont.  "He's not too fond of sunlight."

            "Is there anyone who does not wish to endanger themselves?"  No one spoke.  "Thank you, all."

            Captain Picard and the Enterprise-Team appeared.  "Greetings, all," Picard said.  "Link and Mario, we came to help your group against the Brain-Team Base."

            Link, then Mario, shook hands with the captain.  "Thank you, Picard," Mario said.  "Since we're missing Samus and the MegaMen, we appreciate your help."

            "Where are the Spike Koopas?"

            "They're staying in the Mushroom Castle.  We don't want to get confused between them and the Bowsers."

            "Ah, good.  And Kevin and the others?"

            Link said, "Also in the castle.  They're all watching.  Kevin, the Wondertwins, and the Cerebra-twins will wrest the powers from MotherBrain and Ludwig or at least make those powers inoperable."  He turned to Heinrich and Liselotte.  "Guys, I'm proud of your apparent courage.  I just don't want you to feel like you have to do this.  I don't want you hurt."

            "I'll make sure we don't get hurt, Father," Heinrich said, drawing his sword.  "We won't try to pick any fights.  However, we're staying."

            "That's right, Dad," said Liselotte, holding her lance.

            Link smiled.  "All right, you two.  I have a feeling this will turn out all right."

            Steelheart's voice came through their communicators.  "This is Hawkhaven to the entire N-Team.  Mon*Star has begun to transform, so I assume the Brain-Team attack is on its way.  Good luck, all."

            "Hm," said Picard.  "Is it far to the castle?"

            "Not at all, Captain," Peach Toadstool said.  "However, we must run.  Let's go."  She led him running along a shortcut eastward to the castle.  After seconds, they arrived at the door and entered the building.  "Looking for Captain N?"

            "Yes."

            "To the right, in the guest room."  She led him to the guest room, where Kevin was waiting.

            "I saw you run here," Kevin said.  "What do you need, Captain?"

            "Your permission to enact teamwide Red Alert, Kevin," said Picard.

            "I want it, too.  Steelheart's message sounded quite urgent."

            "Thank you."  He tapped his communicator.  "Attention, N-Team.  This is Picard.  The present N-Team leader has declared a teamwide Red Alert, due to Steelheart's message.  Good luck to all.  I have confidence in everyone."  He tapped his communicator again.  "Thank you, Captain N."

            "Thank you, Captain Picard.  I think you'd best get back out there," said Kevin.

            "Quite right.  Shall we, Your Majesty?"  He and Peach Toadstool left the castle.  They saw the Brain-Team Base materialise in the town square.  Immediately, they raced along the shortcut back to the field.  Picard told everyone, "The Brain-Team has just materialised in the town square."

            "All right," Link said.  "Who's with them?"

            "MotherBrain, Ludwig, and Larry are among them," Picard said.

            "I didn't notice Medusa, Dracula, or Ganon, but I did see Agahnim," Toadstool said.

            "Wonderful," said Link.  "Now, everyone is ready to handle them?"

            "Yes!" everyone else exclaimed.

            * * *

            Earlier, back in town, when the Brain-Team arrived, Wendy saw Toadstool and Picard leave.  "Hey, MotherBrain!  There are Picard and Toadstool!  I bet they're running out to the field with a shortcut."

            "We're going the regular way," Ludwig said.  He hit his communicator.  "Attention, Brain-Team.  This is Ludwig.  Now is the time to attack!  Let's smash the N-Team into the ground!  Ha, ha!  Ludwig out."  He hit his communicator.  "Forward!"  They went along the Mushroom Way in the direction of the field.

            * * *

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

            Wilykit finished modifying the Magic Cape.  "There," she said.  "Now, it'll work without magic."

            "Thank you, Wilykit," said Thomas.

            Wilykit handed the cape to Wilykat, who passed his tricorder over it.  Then, he typed in an order, and a second Magic Cape materialised on the table that the first cape was on.  "There you have it," Wilykat said.  "One Magic Cape for each of you."

            "Thank you, Wilykat," Kelly said.

            "Now," said Wilykit, "put them on, and see if you two can see each other."  Kelly and Thomas put on the capes.  A few seconds later, they took them off simultaneously.

            "Yes, we can," Thomas said.  Kelly nodded.

            "Good.  Now. . . -gasp!-"  Wilykat gasped simultaneously with her.  They nearly collapsed.

            Thomas and Kelly, respectively, supported Wilykat and Wilykit.  "What happened?" Thomas asked.

            "I. . . I don't know," said Wilykit.  She and Wilykat slowly took in deep breaths and regained their strength.

            "Thank you, guys," Wilykat said.  He and Wilykit stood again, and Thomas and Kelly released them.

            Thomas said, "No problem.  If this has happened to you, though,. . ."

            ". . .then it could have happened to Johanna and Johannes!" all four said in unison.

            "You two take it easy," Kelly said.  "I think Thomas and I had best go now."

            "Good idea," said Wilykit.  "See you later, you two."

            "See you later, friends," Thomas said.  "Just in case!"  He took a Power Pad and Zapper belt from a chair and put it on.  A laser sabre was attached to the belt.  "Since Father's been teaching me to use these, so I'll take them in case I need them."  He and Kelly left.

            Wilykit sat down in the chair.  Wilykat pulled up a chair and sat next to her.  "Can we figure out what in the world that was?" Wilykit asked.

            "Probably," said Wilykat.  He sighed.  "Wilykit, what the heck happened to us yesterday afternoon?"

            "I don't know," Wilykit said.  "Weird."

            "Double-weird.  It seemed to flicker for that short time and then it went."

            "Yeah.  I hate not being able to understand something."

            "Me, too."

            "You don't feel hurt by what I did, do you?"

            "Oh, no, Wilykit.  In fact, since I hadn't had a good kiss in some time, I really enjoyed it."

            "Actually, me, too, brother.  Oh, God, what's happening?"

            "Maybe we could. . . you know."  He moved a little closer to her.

            "Now, just a minute.  I don't. . . well, I guess I do.  But. . . ooh, blast it!"  She jumped up, furious.  "That tears it!  Maybe I should just. . ."

            Wilykat jumped up in front of her.  "No," he said sternly.  "Do not gratify that Ludwig by letting him get your goat.  I won't let you interrupt the chain of events.  Just cool it."

            "Wilykat, you don't know what it's like.  Just sitting and waiting here is worse than that jail cell."

            "I do know what it's like, 'Kit," Wilykat said.  "I feel the same way.  Why don't we just have a large meal and go to bed?  I think it'll calm you down."

            "-Sigh.-  Thanks anyway, bro.  I'd like to be awake, just in case our friends really need us."

            "All right."  They hugged each other as brother and sister.

            "Thank you for calming me, Wilykat.  You've always been able to do that for me while we've been out here."

            "Sure.  I understand whenever you get mad or agitated, Wilykit.  Also, you always try to help me when I get furious or upset."

            "Of course."  They released each other.  "Now, let's find out what just happened to us and why."

            "Certainly, Wilykit."

            * * *

            On the Rhine, Rhineland.

            The younger Wilytwins collapsed to the ground on the shore where they and Siegfried were resting.  Siegfried was greatly concerned about them.  "What's wrong?" he asked.

            "Ooh. . . I don't know," Johanna said.  She and Johannes slowly took deep breaths for a few seconds.

            "That's better," said Johannes weakly.  He and Johanna got up.

            "Are you well?" Siegfried asked.

            "I think we're all right," said Johanna, holding her head.  "I wish I knew what that was."

            Johannes said, "Me, too.  Ooh.  Actually, I feel awful."

            "So do I."

            "Then let's stay here tonight," said Siegfried.

            "Thank you, Siegfried.  Ah."  She sat down under a tree and Johannes sat next to her.

            "I'll go hunt for food, Johanna and Johannes.  You stay and rest."  He went into the woods.

            Johanna and her brother leant back against the tree and closed their eyelids.  Johanna sighed.  "I feel too weak to want to figure out what happened," she said.

            "No fooling," agreed Johannes.  "Ooh, Jaga.  I feel utterly drained."

            The Eye of Thundera roared.  "-Sigh.-  I don't feel like hefting you, sword."  The Eye was quite insistent.  "Okay!  Keep your hilt on!"  Johannes giggled.  She took the Sword by the handle. . . and suddenly felt re-energized!  "Whoa!  What the heck!"  She firmly grasped it and pulled it out.  "Hey!  It feels like the Sword re-energized me!"  She held it so Johannes could take it.  When he did, the same happened to him.

            "Hey!  It did, Johanna.  Now, look through the Eye.  It's still shining."

            "I'll let you, bro."

            "Why, thank you!"  He put the hilt to his eyes.  "Sword of Omens, give me Sight-Beyond-Sight."  The hilt-apertures formed, and his eyes glowed.  Through the Eye, he saw the battle between the N-Team and the Brain-Team.  The N-Team was winning.  "It looks like a battle between the N-Team and the Brain-Team.  I think our side's winning."

            "Well, good for us," Johanna said.  Johannes took the Sword from his eyes, and it returned to dormancy.  He handed it back to her.  "Thanks."  She put it back in her belt.  "This must be that fight that MotherBrain, Luna, and S-s-slithe were planning."

            "I have a feeling this had something to do with our energy drain, but I don't know what."

            "I concur, Johannes.  -Sigh.-  Well, right now, our task is to ensure that things progress naturally."

            Kelly and Thomas warped to an area in the distance.  They got where they could see Johanna and Johannes but where the latter could not see them.  "There they are," Thomas said quietly.

            "I think they've suffered from what happened to Wilykit and Wilykat," said Kelly.  "I'm not thoroughly sure how I know, but I know."

            "I share the feeling, Kelly.  I detect some signs of recent distress.  Do you see Siegfried?"

            They looked around.  "Yes, Thomas," Kelly said.  "Through there."  She pointed through a break in the trees.

            "Ah, yes.  He's probably hunting."

            "Johannes is pretty good at description.  He described Siegfried's appearance quite well."

            "Yes.  Hey, he found a deer. . . and he's letting it go!"  He whipped out his tricorder and examined the deer.  "I guess he knows it's a pregnant doe."

            "Well, good," said Kelly.

            "Yes.  I think he's partial to mothers, in a way.  Look, he's found another."  He checked his tricorder.  "A middle-aged male."  They watched as Siegfried swiftly killed the deer in the least painful and quickest manner possible to him with his sword.

            "Ooh.  That had to hurt."

            "Only for a second.  He knows how to capture them without causing much pain."

            "Would you ever kill, Thomas?"

            "If I had no other alternative, I would, Kelly.  Yet, I derive no pleasure from seeing death.  I just appreciate that Siegfried has enough intelligence and compassion to keep his prey from suffering long."

            "Well, I'm happy to hear that, brother.  You're very kind and compassionate."

            "Thank you, sister.  So are you."

            "Thanks, Thomas."  They watched as Siegfried effortlessly carried the deer over to where the younger Wilytwins were resting.  "Gee, he's sure strong."

            "Don't forget, so are you and I."

            "Yeah, but. . . oh, forget it."

            "You want something to eat?"

            "Sure."  Thomas tapped some buttons on his tricorder (which was produced as an exact replica of Wilykat's and, thus, was also a good replicator) and produced a plate with a grilled chicken filet, corn kernels, and baby carrots, along with a napkin, a fork, and a knife.  "Hey, where's the smell?"

            "I told the tricorder not to add in the smell because of our friends over there."

            "All right."  She sat on the ground under the tree, and Thomas handed the plate to her.  She set it in her lap and began eating.  "Mm!"  Once she had swallowed, she said, "This is good."

            "Thank you."

            Johanna and Johannes stood when they saw Siegfried come with the deer.  "Wow!" exclaimed Johanna.  "That's a large deer!  Where did you find him?"

            "He was not far into the woods," Siegfried said as he gently put the dead body on the ground.

            "I imagine he'll be really good after we cook him over a fire," said Johannes.

            "But how did you two get your strength back?" Siegfried asked.

            Johanna said, "The Eye of Thundera did that."

            Siegfried smiled happily.  "Ha, ha!  I feel that your sword will never cease to amaze me.  I noticed a spot where there was a lot of wood that looked like it would burn well."

            "I'll help gather it," said Johanna.

            "And I'll keep watch here," Johannes said.

            "Certainly," said Siegfried.  "Let's go, Johanna."  He and Johanna went to gather the wood.

            Johannes examined the deer and how Siegfried had killed it.  "Swiftly and causing only a very short moment of pain," he noted.  He took out his new tricorder (which Wilykit had just given him) and examined the body with it.  "Yes, this guy ought to taste good."  His look then turned slightly melancholy.  "Poor animal.  You had to die to feed three people for dinner.  Well, at least no one's planning to put your head on. . ."  Suddenly, he hushed.  He had heard something with his very acute hearing, and it was not Siegfried or Johanna.  He turned in the direction of Thomas and Kelly.

            Abruptly, Thomas quietly stood back-straight against a nearby tree.  To Kelly, he put his right index finger perpendicularly across the middle of his mouth.  Luckily, she had just finished chewing the most recent bite and swallowed.  She kept her silverware silent on the plate.

            "Is anyone out there?" called Johannes.  The only humanoid speech that returned was his own, echoed faintly.

            Johanna and Siegfried returned with wood.  "What is it, Johannes?" Johanna asked.

            "I heard something or someone from southward," he responded positively.

            "Don't worry," she said dismissively.  "It's probably just some small animals rustling."

            "I think the appropriate sound was. . . quite a bit like silverware against a plate.  I know I heard it."

            "Hm.  Well, whatever it is, it won't bother us.  The three of us are powerful enough to handle anything."

            "Oh?  I heard it was brains that could help more than brute-force."

            "All right, Johannes, enough arguing.  Don't worry, brother.  Everything will be all right."

            "I'd still feel better if someone checked this out."

            "Then check it.  Satisfy yourself."

            "Thank you, Johanna."  He slowly went southward on the path.

            Blast it! exclaimed Thomas mentally.  I wonder if Father ever gets caught in these situations.  He keyed the following message on his tricorder and put it on the ground:  "Have the tricorder store your plate of food in memory and vaporise the real plate.  Hurry!"  When the device was on the ground, he gently thrust it to Kelly with his foot.

            Kelly took it and followed his directions.  "Shall we put on our Magic Capes?" she typed on the device.  She put it on the ground and thrust it to her brother.

            Thomas picked up the device and read the screen.  He nodded to her.  They donned the capes, then she got up and went to him.

            "I'm sorry," she said very quietly.

            He pulled her close to him.  "Don't be concerned," he replied very quietly.  "We need to stay close.  Johannes heard you, and he's very intent on finding the source of the noise."

            "Why are we hiding from him?  He won't harm us."

            "We don't need him or Johanna to know we're around unless they start preparing to do something dumb."

            "All right."

            "And we must be careful!  His whole family is noted for interminable and powerful curiosity."

            "I know."

            As Johannes neared the immediate area, Kelly and Thomas kept silent.  The young Thunderian seemed very curious about this region in particular and used his eyes and ears to investigate thoroughly.  Thomas could always control his emotions, but whenever Johannes looked in his and Kelly's direction, he felt nervousness attempt to wrench him.  Johannes could swear he saw something whenever he looked the spot where Kelly and Thomas were, but each time he looked, his expression grew less committal.  After investigating completely, he sighed dejectedly.  "I must be hearing things, as Johanna must be thinking," he said weakly.  He looked at where Thomas and Kelly were.  "Probably just my sight playing tricks on me."  He shook his head and returned to the camp.

            "He'll be furious when we tell him about this," Kelly said quietly.

            "Yeah," said Thomas.  "I wish we didn't have to do this to him."

            When Johannes returned to the camp, Johanna asked, "Find anything?"

            "No," he snapped irritably.

            "It's okay, Johannes."

            "I know someone was there!"

            "Don't be concerned about it, brother.  You'll feel better after you've eaten and slept."

            "-Sigh.-  I guess you're right."

            Siegfried had prepared the fire and begun cooking the edible part of the deer.  "This good deer will go down very well," he said.