Brünnhilde's Room, Gibichung Palace, Rhineland, Light World, Hyrule, X-iverse.  Stardate 1 066 964.38; June 17, 3012.

The next evening, while dark was falling, Brünnhilde was in her room.  Her sister Waltraute had visited her two evenings ago before Siegfried conquered her in Gunther's form and told her that she should return the Ring to the Rhinemaidens.  She realised now that she should have done that, but it was too late. . . except that, if Hagen succeeded, Brünnhilde was the proper heir to the Ring, since she was Siegfried's true wife.

            The river was not far from the window of her room.  From outside, she heard the Rhinemaidens call, "Brünnhilde!  Hear us!"

            Brünnhilde went to her window.  "You are the Rhinemaidens, are you not?" she asked.

            "Yes," replied Woglinde, the youngest.

            "Hear our plea," said Wellgunde, the second-youngest.

            "We come in distress," said Flosshilde, the oldest of the three.  "We counselled Siegfried to return the Ring to us, and he refused."

            "Return the Ring to us, Brünnhilde," Wellgunde said.  "The world will not be safe from the Nibelungen unless you do that."

            Woglinde said, "We shall carry it far beneath the surface of the Rhine, where none shall bring it back into the world."

            "If I manage to get back the Ring," said Brünnhilde, "I swear that I shall return it to you."

            "We thank you, wise woman!" the Rhinemaidens exclaimed in unison.  "We shall remain in the area and observe."  They left.

            Moments later, two ravens flew into the room and perched on the window.  "Warfather's ravens!" she said.  "Welcome.  What did you observe on the hunt?"  The ravens cawed, and she understood perfectly.  "I see.  Thank you.  Remain and observe."  To herself, she said, "Hagen has killed Siegfried, and now I shall return the Ring to the Rhine and keep others from obtaining its dark powers."

            A few minutes later, Johanna and Johannes burst into the room.  "Sorry we didn't knock, Brünnhilde," Johanna said, "but we have to talk to you.  Hagen concocted a scheme to get the Ring.  He told Gutrune to brew a potion that would make him forget you and cause him to love her instead.  This was all Hagen's idea, and on the hunt, while Siegfried was recounting the events of his youth, Hagen gave him an antidote to the previous potion.  He plunged his spear through Siegfried's back when Siegfried mentioned you and told about his relationship with you."

            "The Rhinemaidens have asked me to return the Ring to them," Brünnhilde said.  "First, I shall arrange Siegfried's funeral."

            "Hey!" exclaimed Johannes, looking out the door.  "Gunther's swordfighting Hagen. . . and losing."  Suddenly, they heard Gutrune's scream.  "Yes, Hagen won."  The three ran outside into the hall.

            Hagen, his sword red with Gunther's blood, exclaimed, "Give the Ring here!"  He grasped at Siegfried's left hand, which rose menacingly.  All stood motionless in horror.

            Brünnhilde came forward, firmly and solemnly, towards everyone.  "Silence the shrill clamour of your grief!" she commanded.  "All of you betrayed his wife, who now comes for vengeance.  I have heard children cry to their mother when sweet milk had been spilled, but I have never heard any lament fitting for this supreme hero."

            "Brünnhilde, black with jealousy!" cried Gutrune.  "You brought this disaster on us.  Your tongue turned the men against him.  Alas that you ever came near this house!"

            "Poor woman, silence.  You were never his true wife but only a paramour to him.  I am his rightful spouse, to whom Siegfried swore eternal vows before he ever set eyes on you."

            Johannes said, "We bore witness to that.  Brünnhilde speaks the truth."

            Gutrune turned angrily to Hagen.  "Curses on you, Hagen, for suggesting to me the potion that snatched away her husband!  Ah, woe is me!  Now, I understand.  Brünnhilde was his true love, and the draught drove her from his mind!"  She turned timidly from Siegfried and bent over Gunther's body and remained this way until later.  Hagen, standing at the south end of the hall, was leaning defiantly on his shield and spear and was brooding darkly.  He watched Brünnhilde's actions with growing alarm and had been since the Ring was refused him.

            Brünnhilde stood alone over Siegfried's body.  After gazing at Siegfried's face, first with deep shock, then almost overcome with grief, she turned to the men and women in solemn exaltation.  "Stack stout logs for me in piles there by the shore of the Rhine!" she commanded.  "High and bright, let a fire blaze to consume the noble body of the mighty hero.  Lead here his horse, that it may follow the warrior with me, for my own body longs to share the hero's holiest honour.  Fulfil Brünnhilde's request!"

            The younger men heaped a huge pile of logs outside the hall, near the river bank, to construct the funeral pyre.  The women then decked the pyre with rugs, on which they scattered herbs and flowers.  During all the action, Johanna and Johannes stood near Brünnhilde.  While the men and women were working, Brünnhilde said, "Like sunlight, his clear radiance shines on me.  He was the purest, he who betrayed me!  Deceiving his wife, loyal to his friend, with his sword he separated himself from his own true love, alone dear to him.  No more honest a man ever took an oath, and none truer made a treaty, and none was more pure in love.  Yet, none so betrayed all oaths, all treaties, his truest love!  Do you know why this was?"

            She looked upwards towards Valhalla.  "O you, heavenly custodian of oaths!  Turn your gaze on my great grief, and see your everlasting guilt!  Hear my lament, mighty god.  Through his most doughty deed, that you rightly desired, you sacrificed him who wrought it to the curse that had fallen on you.  This innocent had to betray me so that I should become a woman of wisdom!  Do I know now what is your will?  Everything, everything I know, all is now clear to me.  Your ravens are present.  With dreaded tidings, I now send them both home.  Rest.  Rest now, O god!"

            She removed the Ring from Siegfried's finger, then signalled to the vassals to lift his body onto the funeral pyre.  She gazed thoughtfully at the Ring as she went out through the door.  "Now, I take up my inheritance.  Accursèd, terrible Ring, I take your gold and now I give it away."  More loudly, she called, "Wise sisters of the watery depths, you swimming daughters of the Rhine, I thank you for good counsel.  I give you what you crave, what was wrongfully stolen from you.  From my ashes, take it for your own again!  The fire that consumes me shall cleanse the Ring from its curse!  You in the water, wash it away, and keep pure the gleaming gold that was disastrously stolen from you."

            She had put on the Ring and now turned to the funeral pyre on which Siegfried's body lay stretched.  From one of the vassals, she took a huge torch, swung it and pointed towards the background.  She called loudly, "Fly home, you ravens!  Recount to your master what you have heard here by the Rhine.  First, though, pass by my rock, and tell Loge, who still blazes there, to go incinerate Valhalla.  Thus do I throw this torch at Valhalla's vaulting towers."

            She hurled the torch into the pile of wood, which quickly burst into flame.  Two ravens flew up from the rock by the shore and disappeared into the background, flying south.  Brünnhilde caught sight of her horse, Grane, whom two young men were leading towards her.  She ran towards it, took hold of it, and quickly unbridled it, then leant towards it confidentially.  "Grane, my steed, greetings!  Do you know, too, my friend, where I shall lead you?  Radiant in the fire, there lies your lord, Siegfried, my blessed hero.  Are you neighing for joy to follow your friend?  Do the laughing flames lure you to him?  Feel my bosom, too, how it burns.  A bright fire fastens on my heart to embrace him, enfolded in his arms, to be one with him in the intensity of love!"  She jumped onto Grane's back.  "Hia-yo-ho!  Grane!  Greet your master!  Siegfried!  Siegfried, see!  Your wife joyfully greets you!"

            With one bound, the horse leapt up into the burning pyre.  The flames immediately crackled and flared up high, so that the fire filled the whole space in front of the hall and seized on this, too.  Terrified, the men and women pressed as far from the fire as possible.  When the area seemed to be completely covered with flame, the glare suddenly died down, soon leaving only a cloud of smoke that drifted towards the background and lay on the horizon in a thick layer of cloud.  At the same time, the Rhine greatly overflowed its banks, and its waters poured over the area of the fire.  The Rhinemaidens swam in on the flood and were seen above the site of the pyre.  Hagen's alarm at its peak, he was overcome with panic when he saw the Rhinemaidens.  Hastily casting his spear, shield, and helmet aside and plunging into the water like a madman, he shouted, "Away from the Ring!"  Woglinde and Wellgunde threw their arms around his neck and dragged him into the depths, drowning him.

            Through the layer of dark cloud on the horizon broke an ever-increasing glow.  The fire stretched to the hall and utterly destroyed it.  From the ruins, the men and women all stared in intense wonder at the fire spreading across the heavens to the south.  As the light reached its utmost brightness, Valhalla could be seen far away, and all the gods and heroes could be seen, even from this great distance.  Loge's bright flames invaded the hall, and soon the gods were completely engulfed in the fire.

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Pyramid, Rhineland.

            Mumm-ra (in Ganon's form), Liquidator, and Luna watched the actions at Gunther's hall via the cauldron with great delight.  "Now," said Mumm-ra in Ganon's voice, "it is showtime!  Do you wish to come?"

            "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Luna.  "I wouldn't miss this for the world!"

            "Nor would the Liquidator!" Liquidator said.  Mumm-ra snapped his fingers, and they all disappeared.

            * * *

            Ruins of Gunther's Hall, Rhineland.

            Johanna and Johannes went to the edge of the Rhine and saw the Rhinemaidens emerge, playing with the Ring.  Johanna drew the Sword of Omens.  "It's showtime," she said.  "If our adversaries show, it'll be very soon."

            Luna and Liquidator popped onto the scene.  "Greetings, hello, and hi!" Liquidator said.  "I am the Liquidator, and this is Luna.  We are two very important members of the Brain-Team!"

            "Don't worry, kids," said Luna.  "We're only here for the show.  After all, it'd be a pity to miss your first failure!  Ha, ha!"

            "What first failure?" demanded Johanna.

            Ganon's voice was heard.  "Ha, ha, ha, ha!  Right here, Thunder Brats!"  He popped into view floating above the Rhinemaidens.  "I am Ganon, the Prince of Darkness!  Watch with worry!"  He held his right hand open over the Rhinemaidens, and they were lifted out of the water.

            "What is happening?" the maidens demanded.

            "The Ring shall never be yours again, whining ones!"  The maidens were raised to his height, and he snatched the Ring from Flosshilde.  He snapped his fingers, and they fell into the water.  "Ha, ha!"

            "You shall pay for that, evil hog!" shouted Johanna.  She aimed the Sword's point at him.  "Ho!"  The Sword shot a ray, but he avoided it.

            "Ha!  You missed, Dunder Twits!"

            "But I won't!" shouted Thomas's voice.  He and Kelly removed their Magic Capes, and he blasted 'Ganon' with his Zapper.

            "Ha!" laughed 'Ganon.'  He transformed into Mumm-ra, transformed (as opposed to mummy-form).  "In fact, I am not Ganon but Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living Source of Evil!  You think to stop me, Prince?  Ha!  Once Ludwig has the Ring of the Nibelung in his grasp, all creation shall be his!"  He disappeared, as did Luna and Liquidator.

            "Curses!" Johanna shouted.  "They got away!"

            Thomas holstered his Zapper.  "Yes, but Mumm-ra's Pyramid isn't far from here.  We can run it."

            "Wait, Thomas," said Kelly.  "This isn't exactly what we got permission to do.  Shouldn't we call Wilykit and Wilykat?"

            "You're exactly right, sister," Thomas said.  He tapped his communicator.  "This is Thomas calling Wilykit and Wilykat.  Come in, please."

            "Wilykit here," replied Wilykit.  "What is it, Thomas?"

            "Mumm-ra, in Ganon's form, swiped the Ring from the Rhinemaidens," said Thomas.  "He escaped.  I thought there was the possibility he'd be at his pyramid."

            "All right," Wilykit said.  "Go there, but do not enter.  Ask my daughter to make the Thunder Cat Signal when you get there, and wait for Wilykat and me."

            "Certainly, Wilykit.  See you there."  He tapped his communicator.  "Let's get moving."  The two pairs of twins ran south to Mumm-ra's Pyramid.

            * * *

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

            Wilykat brought the last box outside the cave.  "This is the last of it, Wilykit," he said.

            "Thomas called," said Wilykit.  "He said Mumm-ra, as Ganon, took the Ring from the Rhinemaidens and escaped.  He also said Mumm-ra might be at his Pyramid.  I told him that they all could go but that they weren't to enter.  Johanna will make the Thunder Cat Signal when they arrive."

            "All right," Wilykat said.  "That blasted Mumm-ra.  He's gone too far this time."

            "No fooling."  After a few moments, the Thunder Cat Signal appeared in the sky, and Wilykat and Wilykit heard the Thunder Cat Roar.  "There it is."

            Wilykat whipped out his tricorder.  "I've found the source co-ordinates."

            "Then, let's move."  The two ran very, very swiftly to Mumm-ra's Pyramid.

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Pyramid, Rhineland.

            About one and a half minutes after Johanna made the Thunder Cat Signal, Wilykit and Wilykat arrived.  "Wow!" Johannes exclaimed.  "How fast did you run?"

            "I'll tell you later," said Wilykit.  "Thomas, I shall expect a full report from you later."

            "You shall have it," Thomas promised.

            "Thank you.  Johanna, I know how to use the Sword of Omens better than you do."

            "I'm sure," said Johanna, handing the Sword to Wilykit.  "I missed that miserable flying corpse."

            "Don't worry.  None of you four has any real battle experience with these guys, but that will soon change.  Come on."  She led them into the pyramid.

            Within, Mumm-ra and the others were speaking with MotherBrain and Ludwig through the cauldron.  "Here is the Ring, Ludwig," said Mumm-ra, holding the Ring so that his leaders could see it.

            "Excellent work, Mumm-ra," Ludwig said.

            "It was actually easy to appropriate this.  Only sixteen-year-olds were around to attempt to stop me. . . sixteen-year-olds, that is, who were quite inexperienced."

            "I am most happy that you rectified that, Mumm-ra," said MotherBrain.  "The real Ganon informs us that Link's brats are a real pain, particularly the heir to the throne of Hyrule, Prince Heinrich."

            "Well, they were unable to stop me."

            Wilykit, Wilykat, Johanna, Johannes, Thomas, and Kelly ran into the room.  "Maybe, but I am perfectly capable of stopping you, Mumm-ra," said Wilykit.  "Would you like to reflect?"

            "Oh, bother!"  Suddenly, he, Luna, Amok, and Liquidator popped out of the room, Q-cubed-style.

            "Ha!" laughed MotherBrain.  "Valiant attempt, Wilykit!"

            The six heroes all stepped to the cauldron.  "Oh, yuck!" Johanna exclaimed, revolted.  "You are ugly!"

            "I see you have yet to instruct your daughter that I prefer not to be called ugly, Wilykit," said MotherBrain.

            "What do you think having the Ring will gain you?" Wilykat asked.

            "It contains far greater power than even those idiotic Rhinemaidens know about," said Ludwig.  "With the Ring and two Triforces under my control, I shall be able to conquer all creation."

            "Not with us around, you won't," Wilykit said.  "Come on, guys.  We're going home."  She smiled.  "And I mean our real home."

            * * *

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

            Kevin was sitting on the throne, reading something on his portable computer terminal, and Kid Icarus was sitting at the communications terminal.  "Still nothing from Wilykit, Kevin-icus," said Kid Icarus.

            "Thanks, Kid Icarus," Kevin said.  He rubbed his eyes.  "Ooh, I've got to get some sleep."

            "Hey!  One moment!  I've got something!"

            Over the speakers came Wilykit's voice.  "Wilykit to the Palace of Power.  Come in."

            Kevin jumped up and went over to the terminal while Kid Icarus hit the button to respond and said, "Palace here, Wilykit."

            Wilykit's face appeared on the screen.  "Hello, all.  We're ready to come home."

            "Great," said Kevin.  "Will you just pop over here?"

            "Yes, in a moment.  Should I just have the stuff we packed transported to the throne room, or what?"

            "That'll be fine.  We'll just have some exercise tomorrow morning moving it, that's all."

            "All right.  We'll be there in seconds."  The communication was cut.

            Seconds later, Wilykit, Wilykat, Johanna, Johannes, Thomas, and Kelly appeared in the throne room.  "Welcome home, everyone," Kevin said.

            "Thank you, Kevin," said Wilykit.

            "Wow," Kelly said.  "This place is more beautiful than I imagined or remembered."

            "Everyone," said Kevin, "this is Kid Icarus.  Kid Icarus, this is my son, Thomas, and my daughter, Kelly.  These are Johanna and Johannes, Wilykit's daughter and son."

            "Hello, everybody," Kid Icarus said.

            "Father has spoken very highly of you, Kid Icarus," said Thomas.

            "I have memories of everything I see," Johanna said.

            "Me, too," said Johannes.  "I was still unprepared for how beautiful this place is."

            "We also remember you, Kid Icarus, though not much."

            "We shall have a meeting tomorrow morning," Kevin said.  "So, how did it all go?"

            "Not excellently," said Kelly.  "Mumm-ra, in Ganon's form, appeared after the Immolation.  He swiped the Ring from the Rhinemaidens.  Johanna and Thomas each attempted to stop him.  Johanna missed completely, while Thomas caused the mummy to have to drop his piggish cover.  Mumm-ra made off with the Ring."

            "They went to the Pyramid and summoned Wilykat and me with the Sword," Wilykit said.  "The six of us entered, but Ludwig yanked Mumm-ra out before I could attempt to confiscate the Ring."

            "Well, I'll refrain from comments," said Kid Icarus.  "All I know is that if you say something can't get worse, it'll find a way to get worse-icus."

            "This isn't nearly as bad as it can get, Kid Icarus," Kevin said.  "If we have anything to do with it, Ludwig won't succeed."

            "How do things stand with Mr. Frink?" asked Wilykit.

            "He has been indicted.  He will be standing trial for breaking into the Silver Hawks' computers, quite a serious offence in Limbo.  If he's convicted, he'll have quite a stay on the Penal Planet. . . if, of course, MotherBrain doesn't send someone to get him out."

            "Her charge sheet must be a light-year long by now," remarked Wilykat.

            Kevin said, "Well, not very far from it."

            Link beamed into the room, "Well, Kevin. . . oh, hello, everyone!"

            "Hello, Link," said Wilykit.  "Everyone, this is Link.  Link, these are my son and daughter, Johannes and Johanna, and Kevin's son and daughter, Thomas and Kelly."

            Thomas shook hands with Link.  "Hello, Link," Thomas said.  "Our father has told us many times that you are a good friend to him."

            "I am happy to be his friend, and it is a great honour."  He shook hands with Kelly, then Johanna, then Johannes.  "Well, this is good.  Kevin, I came to ask if you wanted to bring these guys to Hyrule Castle for dinner with Zelda, our kids, and me when these guys arrived."

            "Okay," said Kevin.  "How do you guys feel about it?"

            "Sure," Thomas said.  Kelly nodded.

            "We'll go," said Johanna.

            "As shall we," Wilykit said.  "Now, you may have to excuse Johanna and Johannes.  They haven't been in a proper dining environment for years, with the exception of one evening recently."

            "That's okay," said Link.

            Kevin said, "You can, however, expect proper manners from Kelly and Thomas.  I am satisfied that they learned them thoroughly."

            "Well, then, shall we all go?"

            Kelly asked, "Shouldn't we clean up first?"

            "You two look quite presentable to me," said Kevin.  "You take quite good care of yourselves.  For the past few days, Link, they followed the younger Wilytwins as they journeyed down the Rhine with Siegfried.  Come to think of it, they, too, look pretty clean."

            "In this instance," Wilykit said, "it's all right.  Of course, handwashing is in order for all six of us, but we're fine otherwise."

            "You can take care of that at the Castle," said Link.

            Wilykit removed the X-iverse Master Sword from the right side of her belt.  "I'll leave this here," she said.  "It's the Master Sword from the X-iverse Hyrule.  I intend to return it and the three Pendants of Virtue to where I got them."

            "You can bring them over here," said Kevin, going to a chest next to the throne.  Wilykit went over to him.  He opened the chest, and she placed the Master Sword and the Pendants within.  Kevin then closed the chest.

            "Thank you, Kevin."

            "Kid Icarus, if you find out MotherBrain or someone else is doing something really bad, go ahead and call me."

            "Yes, Kevin-icus," Kid Icarus said.

            Link tapped his communicator.  "Transporter, transport eight to the entrance hall of the Castle of Hyrule."  He, Kevin, Wilykit, Wilykat, Thomas, Kelly, Johanna, and Johannes were transported there.

            * * *

            Control Room, Tourian, Metroid, VideoLand.

            Ludwig held the Ring in his hand.  "Finally," he said.  "Luna, your plan has come to fruition, and you shall be handsomely rewarded in due time.  For the time being, we shall lie low and plan."

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Luna.  "Now, those goody-goods will discover the definition of the term 'hostile take-over'!"

            "Indeed, they shall," Mumm-ra said.

            Liquidator was at a station.  "I was watching the people in the Palace of Power's Throne Room," said the watery dog.  "Link has invited Kevin, Wilykit, Wilykat, and the four brats to dine at Hyrule Castle with him, Zelda, and their two brats."

            "I have been in the presence of Kevin's children," said Ludwig.  "Thomas Keene does not fit the descriptive term 'brat.'  He thinks as logically as a Chemistrian or even a Vulcan. . . in fact, probably more so.  His twin sister, though, has very powerful emotions, and it is she who is the heir to the throne of VideoLand, after Kevin."

            "If she is anything like Lana," MotherBrain said, "she's still pretty smart, especially considering the intelligence of her father.  Captain N would wish to teach as much of his knowledge as possible to his children."

            "Thomas Keene had a Power Pad, Zapper, and laser sabre," said Mumm-ra.  "Captain N must be teaching him to use them, and the kid succeeded in hitting 'Ganon.'  Of course, he was unable to stop me.  Thanks to you, so was Wilykit."

            Ludwig asked, "Do you think Ganon might like to drop in on them at Hyrule Castle?  You know, just for a quick visit."

            "And crash their dinner?" MotherBrain asked, pretending to be aghast.  "That would be quite rude.  Hence, it fits his M.O.!  Ha, ha!  Let's call 'im!"

            * * *

            Entryhall, Castle of Hyrule, Light World, Hyrule, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.

            The eight who had just left the Palace now arrived in the Entryhall at the Castle of Hyrule.  "This place is beautiful as well," Johanna remarked.

            "It certainly is," said Kelly.  "Oh, that's a nice piano."

            "I know," Link said.  "My son and I play this one quite a lot."

            Thomas examined the hallway.  "It's no wonder Dad says a lot of chamber music is played here," he said.  "The room appears well-built for it."

            Flanked by Heinrich and Liselotte, Zelda came into the room.  "I see you've decided to come," she said.

            "Hello, Zelda," said Wilykit.  "Queen now?"

            "Yes, Wilykit.  Officially, I'm Queen Zelda."

            "These are my two young ones, Johanna and Johannes."

            Kevin said, "These are mine, Thomas and Kelly.  Guys, this is Queen Zelda, ruler of the Kingdom of Hyrule, and Link's and her children, Prince Heinrich and Princess Liselotte.  Unlike with you four, Heinrich is the older twin."

            "It's an honour to meet you all," said Heinrich.

            To Heinrich and Liselotte, Wilykit said, "I am Wilykit, and this is my twin, Wilykat."

            "We recognised you two readily," said Liselotte.  "We've seen and heard quite a bit about you."

            "Now," Zelda said, "shall we go to the dining room?  We can talk there while we wait for the food to come out."

            "Certainly," said Wilykit.  Zelda led the way to the dining room. . . into the hall to the east, then north.  They went upstairs onto the upper path and north through the door to the dining room.

            "All this is new to me," Kelly said.

            "Gee.  And I felt wonder at where Mom and the others were staying," said Johanna.  "That place pales considerably in comparison with here, yet it was striking in comparison with Mime's cave.  This place is beautiful."

            "Thank you," Zelda said.  She felt a strain.  "Ooh!  I hate it when this happens."

            Suddenly, Liselotte cried, "Ow!"  She put her left hand to her head and nearly collapsed, but Heinrich helped her.  "Ugh.  Thanks, brother."

            "What's wrong?" asked Thomas, concerned.

            "The absence and separation of the Triforces negatively affect Zelda," Link explained.  "It's never happened to Liselotte before, though."

            "Can you stand, sister?" asked Heinrich, returning her to a standing position.

            "Yes," Liselotte answered.  Her brother released her.  "Thank you, Heinrich.  I guess I inherited Mother's psychic connection to the Triforce."

            Johannes felt an enormous amount of pity for her and. . . something else.  He felt utterly enamoured.  He tried to control himself and tried to imagine he was Thomas, with all the logical control his new friend seemed to have.  It worked. . . for now, at least.

            Kelly saw compassion much like Thomas's for her in Heinrich's eyes when he supported Liselotte.  She felt quite attracted to him, but she managed to control her feelings.  She would talk to him later.

            "We'll get the Triforce back some day," said Wilykit.  "Anyway, where may we wash our hands?"

            Zelda indicated a door in the west wall of the room.  "Through there," she said.

            "All right.  Are there enough sinks for the six of us new arrivals?"

            "Yes."

            "Thank you."  She, Wilykat, Johanna, Johannes, Kelly, and Thomas went through.

            Link said, "Kevin, I hope you don't mind that on Hyrule, we don't have separate restrooms for boys and girls."

            "It doesn't bother me or my kids," said Kevin.  "I've taught them about these things."

            "All right."

            Heinrich said, "Kelly's really a pretty girl, Kevin."

            Kevin smiled.  "Uh, oh.  I know that little glint that I see behind your eyes, Heinrich.  But as far as I'm concerned, you may see her as much as you like.  Just don't annoy her utterly like someone else did to someone he liked."

            "Don't worry.  I won't be to her like my father was to my mother."

            "Good," Link said.  "I know from experience that it doesn't work."

            Zelda said, "Hopefully, she won't be to you like I was to Link, either."

            "Johannes looks pretty good," said Liselotte.  "Do you think he'll like me?"

            "Well, anyone would be a fool not to like you," Heinrich said.  "You're a nice young lady.  And I think he just might be attracted to you.  You're certainly pretty enough."

            Liselotte smiled.  "Flatterer."

            "I am merely relating something I believe in my heart to be true."

            Thomas came out first.  "Is there water like this at home, Father?"

            "Yes," Kevin replied.  "Why?"

            "I like it.  It's nice and pure.  I like it more than what we had."  He turned to Heinrich.  "Hello, Heinrich."

            "Hello, Thomas," said Heinrich.  The two young men shook hands.  "If the strength of your hand is any indication, you must be a pretty strong person."

            "Thank you, Heinrich.  You're rather strong, yourself."

            "Thank you."

            Liselotte came over.  "Hello, Thomas," she greeted.

            "Hello, Liselotte," said Thomas.  They shook hands.  He then went to Zelda.  "I'm honoured to meet you, Your Majesty."

            Zelda extended her hand, and they shook.  "As am I, Thomas.  Your father speaks very highly of you."

            "So, Thomas," asked Heinrich, "what was life like out in the wild woods of the Rhineland?"

            "It was tolerable," said Thomas.  "It will certainly be better here.  For instance, it will be nice to have access to a computer network."

            "I know what you mean.  I can sure find a lot on the network.  There's a lot you can learn."

            "Exactly what I want to do."

            Wilykit and Johanna came out.  "Wow," said Johanna.  "You don't know how good clean water feels to one who has lived. . . the type of life Johannes and I have lived."

            "You'll all feel better after a nice bath," Kevin said.  "I swear, it felt great to me a few days ago."

            "Hello, Johanna," said Zelda.

            "Hello, Your Majesty," said Johanna, shaking hands with Zelda.  She went to Heinrich.  "Hello, Prince."

            "Hello, Johanna," Heinrich said.  "Please, just call me Heinrich."  He and she shook hands.

            "Very well, Heinrich."  She turned to Liselotte.  "Hello, Liselotte."

            "Hello, Johanna," said Liselotte.  They shook hands.

            Wilykit went over to Heinrich.  "Hello, Heinrich," she said.

            "Hello, Wilykit," said Heinrich.  They shook hands.  "I heard that you dislike being called 'Lord.' "

            "Yes, I do.  Thank you for remembering."  She turned to Liselotte.  "Hello, Liselotte."

            "Hello, Wilykit," Liselotte said.  She shook hands with Wilykit.

            Thomas said, "Johanna, I hope you aren't too upset about what we had to let happen today."

            "I'm not, Thomas.  I understand, thanks to you.  -Sigh.-  I have the same feeling I had when I first saw you.  It feels so uncontrollable."

            "Don't worry.  I love you, Johanna."

            She hugged him gently.  "Oh, I love you, too, Thomas."

            "However, shouldn't we eat before we do anything of this nature?  We can use the time to talk and learn more about each other."

            "This is one thing I really like about you.  You seem able to control any part of yourself at will.  I'd like to be able to control myself like that."

            "I could probably teach you how.  My control is something that I learned."  He put his right hand gently on her left shoulder and looked at her grimly.  "If I had not learned it, I know exactly what I would be doing with you."

            Kelly came out of the restroom.  "Well, well, Thomas," she said smiling.  "If I didn't know better, I'd say you like her."

            "It's not your imagination, Kelly.  I do like her.  Even if I didn't like her in this manner, I'd still want to be a friend to her."

            "Well, brother, I don't think anyone could have a better friend than you.  You've certainly been a very good friend to me."

            Zelda stepped over to Kelly.  "Hello, Kelly."

            "Oh, forgive me.  Hello, Your Majesty."  Zelda and Kelly shook hands.

            "I knew your mother quite well, Kelly.  Lana and I were good friends."

            "So my father tells me."

            "Also, you bear a good resemblance to her."

            "I've also been told that," Kelly said.  She turned to Heinrich.  "Hello, Heinrich."

            "Hello, Kelly," said Heinrich.  When Kelly extended her hand, they shook.  "It is an honour and a pleasure to meet you."

            "Thank you, Heinrich.  Same here."  She turned to Liselotte.  "Hello, Liselotte."

            "Hello, Kelly," Liselotte said.  They shook hands.

            Wilykat and Johannes came out now.  "It's great to be back in civilisation," said Wilykat.  "I would certainly rather be here than in the middle of the woods in the Rhineland, where almost nothing happens."

            Johannes said, "I prefer this over living with that old Nibelung.  He was most unpleasant."  He went over to Zelda.  "Hello, Your Majesty.  It is an honour to meet you."

            "Hello, Johannes," Zelda said.  She extended her hand, and they shook.  "I'm also honoured to meet you.  Now, you four - Thomas, Kelly, Johanna, and Johannes - do not have to address me formally.  You may simply call me 'Zelda.' "

            "Very well, Zelda," said Johannes.  He turned to Heinrich.  "Hello, Heinrich."

            "Hello, Johannes," Heinrich said, shaking hands with Johannes.

            Johannes then turned to Liselotte.  "Hello, Liselotte," he said.

            "Hello, Johannes."  When she extended her hand, they shook hands.

            Wilykat went to Heinrich.  "Hello, Heinrich," he said.

            "Hello, Wilykat," said Heinrich, shaking hands with Wilykat.

            Wilykat turned to Liselotte.  "Hello, Liselotte."

            "Hello, Wilykat," Liselotte said.  She shook hands with Wilykat.

            "Well," said Zelda, "shall we sit down now, if everyone is ready?"  They sat down at the table.  Zelda and Link sat at the head.  On the side to Link's left, Kevin sat nearest Hyrule's rulers.  Across from him, on the side to Zelda's right, sat Wilykit.  To her right was Wilykat.  Johanna sat next to her uncle, and her twin sat across from her next to Kevin.  Next to Johannes sat Thomas, and Kelly across from him.  Liselotte and Heinrich, respectively, sat next to Kelly and Thomas and across from each other.

            A moment later, someone with a tray came out from another door.  "Is everyone here, Your Majesty?" she asked.

            "Yes, Ester," said Zelda.  Ester placed wrapped napkins at everyone's place from the tray.  "Thank you very much."

            "Shall I bring iced tea for everyone?"

            No one spoke up to say otherwise, so Zelda said, "Yes, please."

            "Very well."  Ester stepped back through the door.

            Wilykit asked, "Do you usually eat at home?"

            "Not usually," said Zelda.  "I'm not a great cook, and our cook likes to be told at least a day in advance whether we want him to cook for us.  So, we usually do this only when we want to ask over guests."

            Link said, "We figured you would be pretty hungry.  Anyway, we most normally eat in town so we can help the local economy.  They need the money, and they fix good food."

            "What about Heinrich and Liselotte?" asked Wilykat.

            "We usually go with our parents," Liselotte said.

            Kevin smiled.  "Tagging along with one's parents used to be very uncool in my society.  I'm glad that's different here."

            "Well," said Heinrich, "I don't intend this to sound like I'm bragging, but Liselotte and I are very popular on this world."

            "That isn't all," Liselotte said.  "Practically every girl on this world wants to go out with him, and a lot of guys want to go out with me.  With many of them, the attraction is merely physical.  With several others, it's simply because we inherit rulership of the world.  It seems that all the others are motivated by both of those things!  I'm sure some might really want us for who we really are, but. . . -sigh.-"

            "That can be aggravating," said Wilykat.  "Jayna and her brother know just how aggravating that is."

            "Yes, they've told us about it," Heinrich said.

            Johannes looked Liselotte in the eyes.  "Well, I feel as though I like you, but I'd rather get to know you before I decide."

            Liselotte stared straight into his eyes.  He was telling the truth.  "I'd like to, also, Johannes."

            Kelly asked, "Liselotte, is your brother always kind to you?"

            "Yes, and I like to think there's a good reason," Liselotte said.  "Once, he was hurt seriously by some of Ganon's nasty goons, and I kindly helped him home.  Since I witnessed the whole incident, I persuaded Mother and Father not to be angry with him, because it was not my brother's fault at all.  He's always been kind to me, Kelly."

            "You must be asking because you like kind guys," Heinrich said.

            "I do," said Kelly.  "I saw you help her earlier, Heinrich.  I'd like to get to know you better."

            "I'd like that, Kelly."

            Thomas said, "Since this is turning out as it is, I think it would be nice for the six of us to be friends."

            "Good idea, Thomas," Heinrich said.  "Especially since our parents are good friends."

            At that moment, Ester came back out with a trolley with eleven glasses of tea.  She distributed them to everyone.  "Thank you very much, Ester," said Zelda.

            "With pleasure, Your Majesty," Esther said.  She left again.

            "The tea is unsweetened," said Zelda.  "That jar has sugar, in case anyone wants it."

            Kevin lifted his glass.  "I'd like to propose a toast to our young people's friendship."

            "Here, here," said everyone else.

            Ganon popped into the room.  "How sweet of you, Captain N!" he said snidely.  "Ha, ha!"

            "Ganon!" snapped Link, jumping up, his sword ready.  "What are you doing here?"

            "You seem sore, Link!  After all, I received a bona fide invitation. . . from MotherBrain!  Ha, ha, ha!"

            "Her invitation is invalid," Kevin retorted.  "Tell me something, Ganon.  Why was it not you who attempted to grab the Ring?"

            "Because I foolishly plotted to defy Ludwig.  When I revealed that plot, Mumm-ra took my place, and I fully confessed my transgression to MotherBrain after she rightfully tortured me.  I was most unwise to oppose my wicked lords, so the honour of stealing Alberich's Ring was not mine."

            "Rarely have I ever thought of stealing as being honourable," Heinrich commented.

            "And what is your purpose here?" Zelda demanded.

            "Merely to crash your little party, Zelda.  My boss now has your Triforce, the Triforce from the X-iverse, and Alberich's Ring.  Weep, fools, for your doom is near!  Ha, ha, ha. . .!"  He continued laughing as he disappeared.

            "Well, good riddance to that evil swine," said Wilykat.

            "Is it any wonder that we all dislike him?" Heinrich asked.

            "How did that nasty hog get so ugly?" asked Johanna.

            "As I understand it from the legends," Link said, "he was once a Gerudo thief.  The Gerudo are a long-extinct Hyrulian race of thieves that was responsible for many thefts throughout Hyrule.  In the age when he existed, the Triforce was hidden in the Golden Pyramid in the Golden Land.  He entered the Golden Land and found the Triforce.  He fought with the thieves who demonstrated their disloyalty and killed them before taking the Triforce.  To fulfil his wish that the whole world be his, it made the Golden Land the Dark World and turned everyone in the Dark World into what was in their hearts.  For instance, some turned into trees, someone turned into a ball, and someone turned into a frog.  My ancestor who finally wrested the Triforce from Ganon originally was turned into a rabbit when he first entered the Dark World!  Of course, he found an orb that let him keep his normal shape in the Dark World."

            "So Ganon's really a Hyrulian?" Johanna asked.

            "I'd wager," said Heinrich, "that he cast a permanent spell on himself to keep himself that way.  Considering him, he probably thinks that's as attractive as MotherBrain believes herself to be."

            "That ugly brain thinks she's attractive!" Kelly laughed.  "Ha, ha!  That figures!  She just wants to. . . ahem.  Excuse me, Father.  I was about to say something unsuitable to the dinner table."

            "I understand," said Kevin.  "It is rather incredible that she finds herself attractive, and I find it even weirder that Bowser thinks she's attractive.  To top that, all the Bowser-Koopalings like the way she looks."

            "Samus must enjoy pumping her clones full of missiles," Wilykit said.

            Johannes asked, "MotherBrain has clones?"

            "Oh, sure," said Wilykat.  "Whenever Samus is heading to blast MotherBrain, MotherBrain sends in a clone of herself to avoid getting hurt."

            "I played Metroid II," said Kevin, "but I've only encountered the mutated Metroids in one or two instances.  I'd think that, as dangerous as those things are, MotherBrain would use 'em."

            "She might have difficulty controlling them," said Wilykit.  "If I did, I probably wouldn't risk using them."

            "If you'll pardon my language, Samus told me those things were damned difficult to defeat when she faced them on Metroid, and I can definitely believe it.  Some of the places she had to fight those things were very difficult in which to manoeuvre, and in some instances, she could get seriously hurt if she slipped at all, not to mention what damage the Metroid could inflict.  The most numerous Metroids, the Gamma Metroids, were particularly bad about resting in such dangerous areas.  The lower part of a certain portion was a really hazardous region.  For us game-players, it was really annoying that Metroid II was a GameBoy game, because it was hard to see things on that small LCD screen.  It's not really well-suited to fast-moving action-adventure games."

            "As I recall," Link said, "Steelheart said that, after she and the other Hawks managed to capture the whole Mob again and after the Mob escaped again, Mon*Star had Hardware create a combination of the games Metroid and Metroid II in Brim*Star's caverns."

            "Yes," said Kevin.  "She said she led the Silver Hawks through that maze without too much difficulty.  Knowing what kind of player she claims to be, I believe her.  Of course, I'll have to test her one of these days."

            After a while, Ester brought out their dinner - spaghetti with a rich meat sauce, with pieces of several vegetables and fruits on the side, and with bread.  It met to everyone's satisfaction, especially Johanna and Johannes, who had never had anything at all like this, and Kelly and Thomas, who had not had good luck with replicating Italian foods.  After the dinner came dessert - real vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and strawberry-like fruits, hylaberries.  Hylaberries tasted and looked exactly like strawberries, except that they lacked a green 'hat' on top.  The fruit was native to Hyrule.

            When they had all finished, Johanna said, "Thank you for inviting us, Link.  This was the best meal I've ever had."

            "I concur fully," said Johannes.  "Ooh.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Thank you."

            "I'm happy you did," Zelda said.  "Our cook always cooks well, but he really did it well tonight.  I think that the best thing in his repertoire is Italian food, especially spaghetti, angel hair, or linguine.  Oh, darn.  We should have invited Mario and Luigi."

            "They'd certainly have enjoyed this," said Kevin.  "I know I did."

            "We also enjoyed it," Kelly said.  "You can't replicate something as good as this.  Thank you very much, Link and Zelda."

            " 'Kit and I also enjoyed it," said Wilykat.  "Thanks for inviting us."

            "Ooh, Mom, give the cook a raise," Liselotte said.  "This is the best meal I remember having."

            "I agree," said Heinrich.  "This was superb."

            Link smiled.  "You heard the prince, Your Majesty.  Everyone enjoyed this meal."

            "Well, I'm inclined to agree," Zelda said.  "After all, this was really good."  Everyone stood up.  "Ooh.  I know I'll go right to sleep tonight."

            "Sounds good to me," said Link.

            Ester came in with her trolley.  "Please tell our cook this was really great, Ester," Zelda said.

            "He'll be glad to hear that, Your Majesty," said Ester.  She began to clean the table.

            "Thank you very much.  Let's go, everyone."  She led everyone out of the dining room south into the hall.  "If you'll excuse us, I think Link and I will be heading to bed.  Heinrich and Liselotte, would you show our guests the front courtyard?"

            "Yes, Mom," said Heinrich.  "Good night.  See you in the morning."

            "See you then, guys.  Sleep well."  She and Link went to their room.

            "Do they usually trust you to go to bed yourselves?" Wilykat asked.

            "Yes, because we do it," Heinrich said.  "We will tonight, certainly.  That's a lot of food.  Well, we'll show you to the garden."  He led them back to the entryhall and through the door to the south into the courtyard.

            "Oh, this is pretty," said Kelly, looking around.  "Who supervises the upkeep?"

            "I do," Liselotte said.  "I like to make sure this place stays attractive."

            "You sure do a great job of it."

            "I, however, am just the planner and the supervisor.  The gardeners do the actual planting and caring.  Of course, I'd do it myself if they didn't."

            "I like well-arranged foliage."

            "My sister certainly does very well at this," Heinrich said.

            "This is a very nice place," said Johanna.

            "It certainly is," Johannes said.  "Do I sense artistic design?"

            "I try," said Liselotte.  "I like most art, especially music."

            "I sure like it.  It shows order as well as subjectivity."  He moved closer to her.

            "Do you. . . want to go to lunch with me tomorrow at one hour after noon, Johannes?"

            "Sure!  Where?"

            "We can go to a café in Kakariko Town.  It's not a long walk from here."

            "If you're going, why don't all six of us go?" asked Heinrich.  "It'll be a good chance for us to get to know each other better."

            "Sounds good," said Thomas.  "Johanna, what do you think?"

            "I agree," Johanna said.

            "Haven't you forgotten something?" asked Kevin politely.

            Thomas said, "Pardon me.  May Kelly and I go, Father?"

            "Certainly, you may."

            "You two may go," Wilykit told Johanna and Johannes.

            "Thank you, Mother," said Johanna.

            "Kevin, were you going to call an N-Team meeting tomorrow?" Heinrich asked.

            "Yes, Heinrich," said Kevin.  "It'll be at eleven o'clock."

            "Then, sister, I recommend we simply go have lunch when the meeting is over."

            "Sure, Heinrich," Liselotte said.

            "We're going to the meeting, then?" asked Thomas.

            "Yes," Kevin said.  "Is something wrong with that?"

            "On the contrary.  I simply was not certain."

            "Well, I do want you to tell what happened."

            "You can be certain that I will do so, Father.  Could I talk with you alone for a moment?"

            "Sure.  Please excuse us.  You stay here, too, Kelly."  Kevin and Thomas went away from the group about three metres.  He quietly asked, "Is something wrong, Thomas?"

            "Not right now, but it feels like my control is nearly overwhelmed momentarily whenever I look at Johanna, and it's particularly strong.  It's only started this since we've come back.  How do I prevent what's happening?  I can control it.  It just feels. . . so. . . weird!"

            "There's no way to prevent it, Thomas," Kevin said.  He looked straight into his son's eyes.  "You're certainly in love with her."

            "What?  I'm not keeping it out of my eyes?"

            "We're not capable of keeping such strong feelings out of our eyes completely, no matter how much control we have, because of the nature of our powerful emotions.  You only have to control them, Thomas.  You've done that very well.  Just remember what I've taught you.  First hunt out all unwarranted feelings of guilt and eradicate them."

            Thomas closed his eyes and concentrated.  As he did, he eased considerably.  "Thank you so much, Father," he said when he opened his eyes again.  "I feel more in control."  He looked at Johanna.  "Drat it.  I dislike guilt strongly.  I don't feel an ounce out of control now."

            "Good."  Kevin put his right hand on Thomas's left shoulder and smiled.  "Just tell me whenever you need help."

            Thomas smiled back.  "Sure, Dad.  You do the same, all right?"

            "Don't worry.  I know you're very strong mentally."  He and Thomas returned to the others.

            "You okay, brother?" Kelly asked.

            "Now, I am, Kelly," said Thomas.

            "Oh, I remember something," Kevin said.  "If you all would, please come back to the Palace with me so I can issue some standard N-Team communicators to you.  This wasn't addressed to you, Heinrich and Liselotte, since you have such communicators."

            "All right, Kevin," said Wilykit.  "Well, Heinrich and Liselotte, it was good to meet you.  Thank you for showing us this beautiful garden.  We'll see you two and your parents tomorrow morning at eleven."

            "See you then, everyone," Heinrich said.

            Kevin tapped his communicator.  "Transporter, transport seven to the Palace of Power."  He, Thomas, Kelly, Wilykit, Wilykat, Johanna, and Johannes were transported there.

            "Heinrich, I sure like Johannes," said Liselotte.

            "Good," Heinrich said.  "My feelings for Kelly are similar, as are Thomas and Johanna's for each other.  Also, there's some quality I like about Thomas."

            "Me, too.  Despite his logical exterior, he is quite a friendly, approachable person.  Actually, I feel like being friends with all of 'em."

            "So do I.  I did sense some tension creeping between Johanna and her brother.  As I understand, however, that is normal."

            "They've not had any kind of mother for some time until now.  At least Thomas and Kelly had Wilykit."

            "Yeah.  The younger Wilytwins did use proper manners.  I guess Wilykit taught them before their temporary exile, and they remembered."

            "Yes.  Well, brother, shall we go get ready for bed?"

            "Certainly, Liselotte."  They went back into the castle and went to their room.

            * * *

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

            Gatito, Gatita, Chatonne, and Gatinha, presently the only ones in the New Thundera house, were waiting for the arrival of the two pairs of Wilytwins.  The four were sitting on the wide couch in the room.  All the other inhabitants of la casa di Tygra were in the house on New Thunderius, in the Galaxy of Leos.

            Gatito asked Chatonne and Gatinha, "Do you intend to ever spend whole evenings and nights with Antonio and Guillaume?"

            "Sure, when the time's right," Chatonne answered.  "The time's not right, that's all.  And don't ask, silly cousin, when the time will be right, because I don't know!"

            Gatito smiled in a manner that indicated he was about to say something that was the opposite of the truth.  "The thought never crossed my mind, Chatonne."

            "I'm sure," she said with blatant sarcasm.  She loved Gatito like a brother, but he could be so annoying!

            Gatinha sighed.  "I wonder when those guys will get here."

            "Being impatient does not help, sister."

            "I am not being impatient, Chatonne.  I was merely addressing a question to myself.  I am certain that they will arrive once they've finished what they're doing."

            "Yes."

            "You know, I don't intend to be pessimistic," Gatita said, "but. . . somehow, I don't think they succeeded in keeping the Ring out of our enemies' hands."

            "You know," said Gatito, "I'm inclined to agree.  Some premonition or telepathic tremor.  As they would say in Star Wars, a disturbance in the Force."

            "I feel similarly," Chatonne said.

            Gatinha said, "Me, too.  Ugh.  Maybe we ought to call Antonio and Guillaume about this, Chatonne."

            Just before Chatonne opened her mouth to agree, Wilykit, Wilykat, Johanna, and Johannes arrived by transporter in the room.  "Hello, guys," Wilykit said.

            "Hello, all," said Chatonne, getting up with the other three.

            "These are obviously my children, Wily-johanna and Johannes.  Kids, these are your aunts, Tygra-chatonne and Gatinha.  These are Wilykat's and my cousins, and thus your cousins, Astutus-gatito and Gatita."

            "We remember you four somewhat," Johanna said.  "You were certainly around us during the first year of our life."

            "We sure were," said Chatonne.

            "I've forgotten something," Johannes said.  "How are our mother and uncle related to you two?"

            Gatinha said, "Tygra and Cheetara conceived Chatonne and me the night before Ludwig's first major success in attempting to conquer the Q-niverse a thousand years ago.  Since Tygra was the adoptive father to Wilykit and Wilykat, we are their adoptive sisters."

            "We've always loved Tygra as our father because of what he did for us," said Wilykit.  "Do you remember how Gatito and Gatita are related to us?"

            "I recall that your mother was sister to their father and, in addition, your father was brother to their mother," Johanna said.

            "Exactly."

            Gatito said, "Wilykit, the four of us just had this. . . this feeling that you didn't succeed in getting the Ring."

            "Well, that's true, cousin," said Wilykit.  "We'll be having an N-Team meeting tomorrow morning at 11.00 to discuss this."

            "All right.  Who nabbed it?"

            "Our ol' bandaged pal, Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living Source of Annoyance, did it.  He disguised himself as Ganon.  I'd rather explain this all at once."

            "Sure, Wilykit.  You wouldn't mind giving a time-saving telepathic download, though, would you?"

            "Oh!  No, I wouldn't.  Get ready, you four; I'll send it all to you four at the same time."  She closed her eyes and called up everything about this from her memory far faster than any supercomputer, then sent it telepathically to the other four.

            "Why, that dirty mummy!" snapped Gatinha.

            "Mom, just what did you do?" Johanna asked.

            "I used my telepathy to transfer the information to Gatito, Gatita, Chatonne, and Gatinha," said Wilykit.  "You have telepathic powers, but I have to teach you how to access them and, more importantly, how to use and control them.  Your father also has natural telepathic powers.  Chatonne, are all the other inhabitants of la casa di Tygra on New Thunderius?"

            "Yes, Wilykit," Chatonne said.  "Except that Beethoven is visiting Hyrule.  I think that world has something like the German-Austrian atmosphere that he grew up in."

            "I see.  Where's he staying?"

            "At a small motel outside Kakariko town, to the north.  I'll make sure he gets the message about the meeting."

            "Sure, Chatonne."

            "I see that the Sword has been repaired," said Gatinha.

            "Johanna did that," Wilykit said.  "The Eye of Thundera is no longer in its coma.  Do we have any potential new Thunder Cats, other than Johanna and Johannes?"

            "The Farfâla-twins and the Astucieux-twins," said Chatonne.  "I granted them honorary status, and they're official members of the Extended N-Team already."

            "Good, Chatonne.  How are you two and the Cerebra-twins getting along?"

            "Quite well," said Gatinha.  "We're reserving doing certain activities until certain issues are resolved."

            "All right.  Well. . ."  The doorbell rang.

            "I'll get it," Gatito said, moving to the door.  He opened it and found that Antonio and Guillaume were on the other side.  "Well, hello, guys."

            "Hello, Gatito," replied Antonio.

            "Please, enter."  Guillaume and Antonio entered the house, then Gatito closed the door.  He led them into the living room.  "As you see, Wilykit, her kids, and Wilykat are back."

            "Well, it's good to see you again," Guillaume said.

            "Let me guess," said Johannes.  "You're Antonio. . ."  He indicated Antonio.  ". . .and you're Guillaume."  He indicated Guillaume.

            "That's right," Antonio said, "and I presume you're Johanna and Johannes.  Well, guys, did your stay in the Rhineland have a negative outcome to some extent, as Guillaume and I have just felt?"

            "Unfortunately, yes," said Wilykat.  "Disguised as Ganon, Mumm-ra swiped the Ring from the Rhinemaidens.  Johanna and Thomas could not stop him before he went to his pyramid on the Rhine, and 'Kit could not stop him there because Ludwig yanked him out."

            "Wonderful.  Anything good?"

            "Well, the timeline was preserved," Wilykit said.  "However, since my kids had grown attached to Siegfried, it's an understatement to say they deeply regret his death."

            "I'll say," said Johanna.  "I wish we might have changed that, but. . . -sigh.-"

            Johannes said, "This evening, I quite nearly snatched the spear from Hagen, but I would not allow myself."

            "Don't worry," Wilykit said.  "You'll be able to change several things, though you will know better than to charge in blindly.  I feel confident you'll learn these things well."

            "We'll sure try, Mom," said Johanna.

            "So," Antonio asked, "did you come straight from the Rhineland, or did you stop along the way?"

            "When we got to the Palace of Power," Wilykit said, "Link showed and asked us all to have dinner with him, Zelda, and their kids.  By 'us,' I mean Kevin, Thomas, Kelly, Johanna, Johannes, Wilykat, and myself."

            "I see."

            Johanna and Johannes both yawned.  "Excuse us, please," said Johanna.  "We're tired and, I believe, sleepy, as well."

            "All right," Wilykit said.  She turned to Chatonne and Gatinha.  "Is a room available for these two?"

            "Yes," said Chatonne.  "We've prepared the room across from you and Wilykat's room."

            "Thank you, ladies."

            "Mind if I take 'em there, 'Kit?" Wilykat asked.

            "Go ahead, 'Kat."

            "All right.  I'll lead you two to your room, Johanna and Johannes."  He walked with them upstairs.

            "Uncle," Johanna said, "we lived here our first year?"

            "Yes, you did."

            "Because I sure remember this place."

            "Well, your room will be different from the one you had back then."

            "Nearly anything is an improvement over Mime's place," Johannes said.

            Once on the second floor, they turned right.  Wilykat stopped a few metres into the hall.  "This room is Wilykit's and mine," he said, indicating the door on their left.  He turned to the door on the right and pressed a key on the keypad to open it.  Within were two freshly made twin-size beds.  Each side of the room had a dresser and a closet.  "This is your room, guys," said Wilykat, leading them in.

            "Wow," Johanna said.  She went over and sat on the bed to the left.  "Ooh, this feels so comfortable already!"

            Johannes sat on the bed to the right.  "Yeah," he said.  "I'm really going out like a light tonight."

            "Do you know how to shower?" asked Wilykat.

            "Ah, no," Johanna said.

            "Well. . . don't worry about it momentarily.  Feeling tired?"

            "Absolutely," said Johannes.

            "Then just get some shut-eye.  If it's too warm or too cold for your comfort, just talk to the room climate controls and tell them vocally to change the temperature."

            "Thank you, Uncle," Johanna said.  "But. . . just what do we do?"

            "I'll show you.  Do you care in what state of dress you sleep?"

            "No," said Johannes.

            "Especially in this weather, we Thunderians sleep with nothing on."  Johanna and Johannes shed their clothing, which was simple items that Mime had made them.

            "Ugh," said Johanna.  "I don't really like this stuff.  It's a bit too coarse."

            "We can easily take care of this in the morning," Wilykat said.  "If you don't mind what Kevin and his kids are wearing, I can easily replicate it, since my tricorder already has that stuff in memory."

            "It's appropriate to use these flaps now, right?" Johannes asked.  "The flaps covering our reproductive organs?"

            "It's always appropriate and preferable except when you're making love, when you're bathing, and when you're going to the restroom.  Thunderians only have to use the restroom very rarely because our bodies employ far better methods of removing waste, but we sometimes ingest too much for that.  Anyway, to get into bed properly, you pull back the top covers here,. . ."  He pulled back the top covers on Johannes's bed as an example.  ". . .and lie down between the upper and lower sheets.  The lower sheets are tucked in under the mattress on all corners, so it's easy to tell.  We usually always cover ourselves with the upper sheet unless it's really unbearably hot.  It's never like that here.  Hop in, kid."  Johannes got into bed, and Wilykat lay the sheet over him.  Then, Wilykat went over to Johanna's bed and pulled the covers back.  "Now, you, Johanna."  Johanna got in her bed, and Wilykat put the sheet over her.  "Good night, guys."

            "Thank you, Uncle," said Johanna.  Wilykat kissed her on the cheek, then went and did the same to Johannes.

            "Pleasant dreams, Johanna and Johannes," Wilykat said.  "Lights at ten percent."  The lights dimmed to make the room dark.  Wilykat then left, making sure the door closed.

            "Good night, Johannes," said Johanna.

            "Good night, sister," Johannes said.  They were asleep in seconds.

            * * *

            Thomas and Kelly's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Thomas came out of the bathroom with only shorts on and not a speck of dirt to be seen on him anywhere.  "Kelly, that shower definitely felt great," he said to his sister.

            Kelly was lying in her bed.  She said, "I'm glad.  Mine was wonderful.  I'm probably lighter.  I was glad just to make all that gunk flow off my skin."

            "Exactly how I feel."  Thomas sat down on his bed.  "This bed already feels better than my old one."

            "Mine's absolutely perfect."  She sighed and pressed her head against her pillow.  "I'm sure I'll be thoroughly rested in the morning."

            "Believe me, I'm not standing watch!" he laughed jokingly.  He turned back the sheets, lay down in bed, and pulled the top sheet back over him.  Then, he yawned.  "Oh, pardon me."

            "I understand.  We've not had enough sleep in days."

            Thomas lay on his right side with his head against his pillow.  "I know."  Looking forward, he was able to look his sister in the eyes.  "-Sigh.-  I feel great, Kelly."

            Kelly smiled.  "I can see you're comfortable."

            "I imagine it's not too hard to be comfortable in this bed and on this mattress."  He closed his eyes.  "Well, I'm not pushing back sleep.  Good night, Kelly."

            "Good night, Thomas."  She raised her volume.  "Lights at five percent."  The lights dimmed, and Kevin's twins soon were asleep.