Café, Kakariko Town, Hyrule, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 066 967.12; June 18, 3012.

Later, at the bar in the café, all four pairs of twins rose their glasses of Pepsi Cola.  "Here's a toast to us and to those who trained us so well," Heinrich said.  "We completely trounced those Brain-Team jerks."

            "Here, here!" the other seven said.  They clanked the glasses together as best they could and drank.

            Ludwig and Larry came up to them, still disguised.  "You think you're so powerful," Ludwig snapped.  "Guess who we really are."

            "Well, hello, Ludwig and Larry," said Thomas.  "I figured you'd reveal yourselves about now."  He and the others turned around.

            Ludwig snapped his fingers, transforming himself and Larry back to normal.  "You are very astute, Thomas," Ludwig said.

            Heinrich drew his sword.  "Leave, little snake."

            "Calm down, my friend," said Thomas.  "He's not here to attack."

            "You are very perceptive.  Heinrich wishes to gut me.  Johanna wishes to gut me.  What about you?"

            "As for me, I wish to utterly annihilate you," Thomas answered very calmly.

            "Ha, ha!  I am utterly impressed!  Your father has taught you emotional control well!  Being able to say that in such a matter-of-fact manner is a great asset."

            "Well, I advise you not to remain, Ludwig.  I may decide it's time to loosen my control."

            "The mistake would be yours, Thomas.  I cannot be destroyed by the likes of you."

            "One day, we shall see about that.  Now, leave."

            "Very well.  Until we meet again.  By the by, I overheard my allies discussing their plot.  They let you have that fight."

            "Like Thomas said," said Johanna very matter-of-factly, "if you don't leave now, we'll bash your brains in."

            "I sincerely doubt that," Ludwig said.  "See you later, guys.  I'm sure you'll make the best final additions to the N-Team."  He and Larry left.

            "I hate him already!" Johannes exclaimed.  "Ugh!"  He downed the remaining half-litre of Pepsi in his cup in one gulp.

            "I know what you mean," said Kelly.  "Well, Thomas, who won the little wit-battle?"

            "It was a stalemate," Thomas said.  "I almost won.  That surprises me."  He drank a small gulp of his Pepsi.  "He was veracious when he said they let us have that fight.  I was very suspicious."  He smiled.  "Except it was utterly unplanned when I tossed Amok like that."

            "You could have been seriously injured," Heinrich said.

            "I knew what I was doing," said Thomas.  "It was a calculated manoeuvre on my part.  Certainly, my enemy didn't expect it."

            Johanna smiled.  "Thomas, I love you."  She kissed his cheek.

            "I love you, too, Johanna," Thomas said.  He kissed her on her cheek.

            "Ooh!" said Kelly, smiling.  "Is that all?"

            "Nope," said Thomas, smiling devilishly.  He and Johanna looked in each other's eyes for only a second before they kissed each other.

            The others smiled.  Then, Jayna's expression turned a little melancholy.  "Oh, darn," she said.  "I'm sorry.  I just spoiled the moment."

            "What's wrong?" asked Zan compassionately.

            "Wilykat.  I haven't been with him in. . . grr!  I won't cry!"

            Wilykit and Wilykat entered the café that moment.  "Hi, guys," said Wilykit.  "How are things?"

            "Things are most peculiar, Wilykit," Thomas said.

            "-Sigh.-  As always."

            Wilykat went over to Jayna.  "Hello, beautiful," he said sweetly.

            Slowly, Jayna grew a big smile on her face.  "Hi.  I've missed you, Wilykat."

            "I've missed you, too."  He hugged her compassionately.

            "Wilykat, you know what I need."

            "Yes, I do."  They looked in each other's eyes deeply.  "I love you."

            "I love you, Wilykat."  They kissed each other.

            Zan had to turn away, but no one else did.  The others all knew what this feeling was.  He had never opened himself to anyone in this manner.  Heck, he had trouble opening up to his own sister at times.

            Wilykit loved the sight.  At last her brother was reunited with his Amora Eternamente. . . which was more than she could say for herself.  She did not allow her own dark feelings interfere, though.  She could not do that to her brother.

            Wilykat and Jayna kept their lips together for fewer than ten seconds.  Jayna felt very happy.  "Oh, Wilykat, I hope we aren't parted again."

            "Me, too."  He looked all around.  "I'm sorry.  Were we the centre of attention?"

            "That's okay, brother," Wilykit said.  "I'm sure these six young people know what it feels like.  Well, then.  What's been happening, Thomas?"

            "We had lunch," reported Thomas.  "During that, Zan and Jayna joined us.  We noticed twelve people up here mainly because Heinrich saw someone who looked like Dr. Wily, only younger.  With his tricorder, Heinrich determined that all twelve of these people were villains in disguise.  We felt it unwise for them to engage us here, so we left.  They followed us to where we went, into the woods to the south.  There, Heinrich angered Ganon, who turned himself and his eleven companions to normal.  All twelve were Ganon, Hardware, Windhammer, Luna, Aluro, Mumm-ra, Dr. Wily, Ridley, Nuclesís, Liquidator, Mega Volt, and Bushroot. . . actually, thirteen if you count Amok.  We won the battle and came back here.  After we ordered our drinks, Ludwig and Larry, who had been following us around in disguise, appeared and dropped their disguises.  I believe him when he said his allies planned to let us have that fight."

            "Hm," said Wilykit.

            "But you should have seen what Thomas did to Amok and Luna!" Johannes laughed.  "Took the creeps entirely by surprise."

            Wilykit smiled at Thomas.  "Now, Thomas, I thought your father didn't want any flashy heroics."

            "It was a calculated manoeuvre, Wilykit," said Thomas.  "I considered the risks and successfully minimised them while surprising Luna with something she did not expect at all."

            Heinrich smiled.  "Thomas will probably become General N, at this rate!"

            "That is not an official rank in the VideoLand Defence Corps, my friend," said Thomas, grinning.  "The title 'Commander,' however, is."

            "What did you do, Thomas?" Wilykit asked.

            "Amok was charging me.  I figured dodging would do little good, and he'd simply wait to clobber me until after I landed if I shot up into the air, so I just stood there until he was centimetres from me.  Then, I made myself fall back.  I pressed the B button on my Power Pad because it can triple my strength for a few seconds.  Then, once Amok was above me, I thrust him high into the air and quickly moved away.  When he landed, he was knocked unconscious, and the ruler of the Luna-tacks fell on her head.  She's one of the most irate people I've ever seen."

            "She's like that more often than not," Wilykit said.  "You say you planned it?"

            "Yes.  Quickly, but I did think it out.  I knew I was at danger, and I credit my success to my training.  You two and my father trained my reflexes and my mind well."

            "He certainly helped the Wondertwins and me out of a jam in that fight," Liselotte said.

            "Well, I won't ask for a thorough explanation right now," Wilykit said.  "Just have one in the computer before tomorrow is over, okay?"

            "We all shall," said Thomas.  Everyone else nodded.

            "Thank you."  She smiled.  "I know what you want to do, bright guy.  Go ahead."

            Thomas looked into Johanna's eyes.  Slowly, they put their arms around each other and kissed one another for about ten seconds.  "It seems strange," said Thomas rationally.  "I control my feelings more than my father does, but I am not waiting nearly as long as he did."

            "Perhaps," said Johanna, "it's because I already feel mad about you, Thomas."

            "That could very well be."  The group chatted as they finished their drinks.

            "Well," said Kelly, "are there any interesting places to visit other than this café, Heinrich?"

            "Certainly," Heinrich said.  "There are a couple of souvenir shops around, if you'd like to visit them."

            "Oh, sure!  -Sigh.-  Great.  I think the desire to shop is a quality shared by many women."

            "I know what you mean," said Liselotte.  "Fortunately, both here and in Thunderian territory, things are not terribly expensive."

            Thomas got out a ten pound note.  "Thank you for helping us, sir," he told the bartender.  "Here.  Keep the change."  He lay the note on the bar.

            "Thank you, sir," the bartender said as he took the note.  The group left the café.

            "Well, I think Jayna and I should return to Exor to prepare for Kevin's coronation," Zan said.  "After all, we're the heads of state."

            "Sure, guys," Thomas said.  The Wondertwins left.

            "Mind if Wilykat and I come along with you?" asked Wilykit.  "We really haven't much to do at the moment."

            "Sure."

            Heinrich said, "I'll take you to what I think is the better shop first."  He led south on the same road they had taken to leave town, but before they reached the gates, they turned left onto a road going west.  They passed the in-town motel and found the shop in the lot to the west of the motel.  They entered the shop, labelled the Kakariko Village Gift Shop.

            The place was spacious, with all sorts of memorabilia. . . the usual T-shirts, sweatshirts, guide books, and so on.  Also in the shop were software packages that included historical and mythological data both about Hyrule and about all VideoLand.  Basically, most of the software, despite its wonderful low price, though it was a reliable resource, was still basically a rip-off because most of the data could be found on the public computer networks for free.  Heinrich explained this on the way over.  He would be able to tell what software was worth buying and what wasn't. . . even though each package cost only fifty measly pence!

            Kelly and Liselotte basically looked around together.  The merchandise was very inexpensive, but it was of good quality.  The ladies noticed a flyer posted on one of the several computer terminals in the place.  Kelly said, "Hm.  'Hear the initial chamber works of the Tygra-twins to be recorded in the Entryhall of the Castle of Hyrule.' "

            "Ah, yes," Liselotte said.  "They each composed around fifty chamber works before they began collaborating.  I hear that the pieces are very difficult, especially for string players.  Some of the glissandi seem to require absolutely perfect hearing.  Now, that stuff is worth spending your money on."

            "Just let Thomas at it," said Kelly.  "He can handle any 'cello music."

            "Well, I don't know.  He might cringe at some of the stuff Chatonne has written.  Cerebrantonio is not given to exaggeration.  He calls it difficult, and he's one of the greatest 'cellists around.  He's also as rational as Thomas."

            "I understand."

            "Antonio is also the greatest orchestrator I've heard of from Thundera and one of the greatest in the universe.  Only your father and Beethoven share Antonio's orchestration abilities.  Kelly, this is off the topic, but tell me, do you really like my brother?"

            "Yeah.  He seems like a nice guy."

            "He is, Kelly.  He has our father's battle-spirit, but he's also openly kind to good people.  I happen to know that he sincerely likes you, too."

            "Thank you, Liselotte."

            Heinrich came over to them.  "Hello, ladies," he said.  "I happened to hear what you were saying about me."

            Kelly smiled.  "Really?  Your sister speaks very kindly of you."

            "I try my best to do good things.  You know, Kelly," he continued, looking straight into her eyes, "you're quite a pretty lady."

            "Did I mention he also flatters people he likes?" asked Liselotte.  "Get used to it."

            "So do you," Heinrich retorted in a good-natured manner.  "Why don't you go talk to Johannes?"

            "Sure, big bro."  Liselotte went over to Johannes.  "Hi, Johannes."

            "Hey, Liselotte," Johannes said.  He was looking over the software packages.  "Which of this would be the least likely to be on the open network?" he quietly asked.

            "Oh, usually the more scientific items and the more musical items.  Do you like music?"

            "I can remember liking it."

            Smiling, she picked up one package.  "All right.  This one has my brother and me performing several classical pieces.  We're both pianists.  We're both quite good at accompanying, though he's definitely the better soloist.  Like my mother, I am a singer with the upper range of a soprano, the middle range of a mezzo-soprano, and the lower range of an alto.  My brother, who wouldn't admit to having a beautiful tenor voice, is quite a good woodwind player.  On this collection, he shows his abilities with the bassoon, and I have heard few play that instrument with such a great degree of expression.  In some selections, a string orchestra joins us as I sing and he plays various woodwinds.  I don't mean to be immodest, but I think you might enjoy it."

            "Okay," Johannes said.  She handed him the package.  "Fifty pence.  I get the impression that's very cheap.  I don't understand.  Why do they use a small letter 'c' with a diagonal slash through it to stand for 'pence'?"

            "It's from way back when the money was based on MegaLand's economy," said Liselotte.  "They used dollars and cents, and that symbol is the symbol for 'cents.'  When their economy crashed like a lead balloon a thousand years before my mother was born, the monetary system of the Palace of Power superseded MegaLand's as the predominant royal currency.  The Palace used pounds and pence, but the C-slash character remained for pence.  However, the dollar-sign disappeared, and the fancy L character superseded the dollar sign to stand for pounds."

            "All right.  I understand.  Will the computer explain how to use this?"

            "Yes."  She sighed.  "Johannes. . . if I may ask, what was it like?  Having to watch him be killed?"

            Johannes sighed but did not break eye contact.  "It was terrible, Liselotte.  I didn't want to let it happen, but I couldn't change it.  -Sniff.-"  He closed his eyes.  "Oh, please, no.  I don't want to cry."

            "Don't worry, Johannes."  To his left, Liselotte put her right arm around his back and her left hand on his right shoulder near his collar-bone.  "It'll be okay."

            "Liselotte, you're very kind," Johannes said as he put his right hand on her shoulder.

            "Thanks."  They stared into each other's eyes for several seconds.  "Later," she said softly.

            "After we leave," Johannes quietly agreed.  They released each other.  "Ooh.  That was. . . interesting."

            "I never felt like that before," said Liselotte.

            Thomas and Johanna came over.  "Hello," Thomas said.  "Finding anything?"

            "You wouldn't believe," said Johannes quietly.  He showed the package Liselotte had shown him.  "Liselotte recommended this."

            "May I see it?" Thomas asked.  Johannes handed it to him.  He looked at the list on the back.  "Three Beethoven piano sonatas.  Leonore's recitative and aria from Beethoven's Fidelio, with piano accompaniment.  Sonata for bassoon and piano by Tygrachatonne.  A bit of other stuff, also.  It looks interesting."  He handed it back to Johannes.  "It appears, Liselotte, that you and Heinrich have done some performing."

            "We have," Liselotte said.  "All string-orchestra accompaniments are done by the National Hyrulian String Orchestra, one of the largest string ensembles in the galaxy."

            "I see," said Thomas.  "Any non-Hyrulians permitted?"

            "All citizens of the Milky Way Galaxy and of the Thunderian Kingdom are eligible to join, especially violists, 'cellists, and double-bass players.  Our orchestra actually works in co-operation with the Thunderian Philharmonic.  String-players can safely play in both because the managements of the two orchestras work together so that both orchestras aren't playing in the same time frame.  Actually, our string ensemble has the potential to be much larger than the symphony orchestra's string section, since we don't have to worry about balancing with any wind sections."

            "I see," said Thomas.  "You say 'we.'  Are you involved?"

            "Yes.  I am an assistant conductor, in fact."

            "Ah!"

            Heinrich and Kelly came over.  "I see you are investigating the software section," Heinrich said.  "What have you found, Johannes?"

            "Liselotte indicated this," responded the young Thunderian, showing the package to Heinrich.

            "Ah, yes.  An excellent example of her singing skills."

            Liselotte added, "And of my brother's woodwind skills and piano skills.  It's also a good example of the skills of some of the galaxy's best string-players."

            Wilykit and Wilykat came over to them.  "There are several items of interest in here, Heinrich," Wilykit said.

            "I thought you'd agree.  Well," asked Heinrich, "has everyone looked all around?"  Everyone nodded.  "Does anyone want to see anything else right now?"  Everyone shook their heads.  "All right.  Now, you probably don't have any change, Johannes."

            "No, I don't," Johannes said.

            Liselotte pulled a one-pound coin out of her pocket.  "Then use this," she said.  "You don't have to pay me back.  To pay just walk up to the counter, say hello, and hand the cashier the item.  When he asks for the money, you just hand it to him; he'll give you the change back."

            "Well. . . gee, thanks, Liselotte."  He went to the cashier.

            "Good afternoon," the cashier said.

            "Good afternoon, sir," said Johannes, handing the software package to the cashier.

            "Ah, good selection," the cashier commented.  "Our young prince and princess are quite good musicians."  He held it over a scanner, and the item name appeared in the screen on the cash register that faced Johannes.  "That will be fifty-two and a half pence."

            Johannes had a question in his mind but would save it for later.  He handed the one-pound note to the cashier, who then keyed in the amount.  His cash drawer opened, and he withdrew forty-seven and a half pence (two twenty-pieces, one five-piece, two one-pieces, and one half-piece), the amount that had now appeared on the screen, and handed it to Johannes.  "Your change is forty-seven and a half pence.  Would you like a bag to carry this?"

            "Yes, please," said Johannes politely.  The cashier took a bag and placed the package in it.  A piece of paper came out of the register.  The cashier tore it loose and put it in the bag, along with a map.

            "Your receipt is in the bag, along with a complimentary map of the Kingdom of Hyrule," the cashier said.  "Thank you, and have a nice day, sir."

            "Thank you very much."  The cashier handed him the bag, which he took.  He rejoined his friends, and they went outside.

            Once there, Johannes said, "I thought that the package only cost fifty pence.  Why was I charged fifty-two and a half?"

            "There is a five-percent sales tax on all non-food items on Hyrule," said Heinrich.  "It applies to everyone.  All shop owners must send five percent of the natural cost to the government."

            "I see.  Who determined that the tax should exist?"

            "The elected representatives," Liselotte said.  "Each district in the Empire of Hyrule elects representatives and senators to help create laws.  That is provided for by the current constitution, initiated by Mother's father.  Taxes are mostly imposed by the representatives."

            "Ah.  Do you want this change?"

            "No, thank you.  Keep it.  I already have too much floating around in my pocket."

            "Thank you."  He put the coins in his pocket.

            "Thomas," Wilykit said, "since it's not likely that I'll see Kevin before the ceremony, I'd like you to give this to him."  She handed him two twenty-pound notes.  "This is for the money that he lent Johanna and Johannes."

            "All right," said Thomas.  He put the money in his left pocket.

            Johannes and Liselotte stared into each other's eyes again.  "What have we even done for each other?" Liselotte asked.

            "Who knows?" responded Johannes.  He and she hugged each other and kissed for a few seconds.  "I guess we just like each other."

            "Could be."  They hugged more compassionately.  "And there's something I really like about you."

            "Same here."  He kissed her on the cheek and smiled kindly at her.  She returned the smile as they released each other.

            Thomas glanced at his watch.  "I'm sorry, but I think it's about time to go," he said.  "It's about an hour and a half until Father's coronation."

            "All right," said Heinrich.  "Shall we walk back to the Castle?"

            "Of course," Wilykit said.  "Lead on, Heinrich."  The eight went back to the Castle of Hyrule.

            * * *

            Princess Lana's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            In the room normally occupied by Princess Lana, Queen Peach Toadstool and Prince Luis were assisting Kevin in dressing.  At the time of his coronation, Charles, Lana's father, was fortunately in his twenties and was within centimetres of Kevin's size.  What he wore during his own coronation was not terribly elaborate, though it was elaborate enough for coronation, and it was perfectly suited to the hot summer months, during which his own coronation had taken place.

            "Ah, yes!" said King Spike.  "Lookin' good, Captain N!"

            "Thank you, Spike," Kevin said.

            "Of course," he added, "while your good looks come quite naturally, my dear Peach can make virtually anyone look good."

            Peach smiled.  "Thank you, Spike."

            Kevin looked in the mirror.  "Thank you, guys.  If you will permit me a brief moment of vanity, I think I do look pretty good."

            "That is no problem for someone like you," Luis said.  "Someone like Simon, however. . . that's another story."

            Someone knocked on the door.  "Come in," Kevin said.  The door opened, and Simon and Kid Icarus entered, both in royal uniform.  "Ah, my friends.  You look great."

            Simon smiled.  "You look pretty good yourself, Kevin."

            "Why, thank you, Simon."

            Thomas and Kelly entered through the open door.  "Ooh, Father!" said Kelly.  "You look great!"

            "Thank you, Kelly.  I accredit it to Peach and Luis.  They were my greatest help."

            "We want Kelly to look great, too," said Peach.  "Whatever you did, you did it great.  I don't think your mother would mind if I let you wear something of hers."  She looked in Lana's dress closet.  "This. . . ah, yes!"  She pulled out a long, clean white dress.  "This looks about right.  You look about the same size as Lana.  Come over here, please."  Kelly went over to her, and she held the dress in front of Kelly.  "Ah, yes.  Good length.  Your legs are only a couple of centimetres longer."

            "It looks pretty," said Kelly.

            "I'll help you put it on.  Gentlemen?"

            Kevin got the message.  Toadstool wanted all males in the room to depart.  "Come, Thomas," Kevin said.  "I have something you can wear."

            "Okay," said Thomas.  Kevin led him out.

            "We'll be in the throne room, my dear," said Spike.

            "All right, Spike," Peach replied.  Spike and Luis left.

            "Why'd they all leave?" asked Kelly curiously as she began to undress.  "Thomas knows what I have."

            "It's just politeness, Kelly," Toadstool said.  "It's especially impolite for guys to gawk at girls and vice-versa."

            "My brother doesn't gawk."

            "All right.  Well, besides, he needs to get ready, too."

            "Of course."  When Kelly had removed her 'common' clothes, Toadstool assisted her in putting on the dress.

            * * *

            Kevin's Room, Palace of Power.

            While Thomas removed his clothing, Kevin was looking through his closet.  "Ah, I have it!" Kevin said.  He removed a suit of his.  "You'll look good in this, and your Power Pad, Zapper, and laser sabre will be hidden.  I have no place to hide mine on me."

            "What did Queen Peach mean when she said, 'Gentlemen?' " his son asked.

            "She was politely asking us to leave," Kevin explained.  "It is not exactly proper for gentlemen to gawk at ladies."

            "I don't gawk, Father, and neither do you."

            "Nor is it proper for ladies to gawk at gentlemen.  Toadstool and Kelly both can possibly do that, especially as handsome as you are."

            Thomas smiled.  "You think I look great?"

            "You might make a Vulcan woman look twice.  Now, put on the suit, kid.  Just ask me if you have any questions."

            "All right."  Thomas began removing the clean suit's pieces from the hangars.  "Oh, look in my left pocket.  It contains the forty pounds Wilykit promised to pay."

            "Oh," said Kevin.  He took his son's jeans and examined the left pocket with his hand.  The two twenty-pound notes were folded exactly in the middle.  "Ah, yes.  I must thank her.  Ooh!  What's this?"  He examined the left leg of the pants.  In the knee area was a slight bit of dirt.  "Dirt?  On your pants?  You rarely get your clothing even this dirty."

            "Twelve Brain-Team creeps came to attack," said Thomas.  "Actually, technically eleven.  Ganon is no Brain-Team member."

            "Ganon?" Kevin demanded with great concern.  "Why wasn't I called?"

            "Heinrich handled him very quickly.  The pig was utterly annoyed by one of Heinrich's comments, and Heinrich used a sword-blast and sent him clear back to his lair."

            "Ah.  Who else was there?"

            "Well, the Wondertwins had joined the six of us for lunch.  On the Brain-Team side were Hardware, Windhammer, Mumm-ra, Luna with Amok, Aluro, Dr. Wily, Nuclesís, Ridley, Mega Volt, Liquidator, and Bushroot.  I can't help revealing that I proved to be of great assistance to Liselotte and the Wondertwins."

            "Hm.  Was anyone harmed?"

            "Maybe Amok.  I think I'll let someone else tell you about him.  Anyway, all but four Brain-Teamsters transported away after a mild beating.  Wily, Nuclesís, Ridley, and Liquie stayed behind.  Each of them tried to pulverise a particular pair of twins, but all pairs of twins whacked the heck out of 'em.  You may noticed my Power Pad is at one third power."

            "Dodged a lot?"

            "I kept ahead of Ridley, and I kept him from attacking Kelly.  Eventually, those four transported away.  Later, we went back to the café for a drink.  We had already finished our lunch, but we left town on the chance that the villains would follow us.  They were in disguise at the bar, so we left so they might not harm townspeople."

            "All right.  Is any of you hurt?"

            "No.  We're quite all right.  However, when we returned to the café, Ludwig and Larry showed up and told us that the group of do-badders intended to let us have the fight."

            "Hm."

            "I knew they were watching us all along, Father.  I also knew they weren't there to attack."

            "Good for you, son.  They frequently do that.  They seem to enjoy attempting to drive us crazy.  So, how was lunch?"

            "Very enjoyable.  We had really good cheeseburgers with really good French fries."

            "With good soda?"

            "That, too."  He was successfully dressing himself.  He combed his hair perfectly before putting on the shirt.

            "You're doing wonderfully, Thomas," Kevin said.  Within minutes, Thomas was fully attired.  Kevin smiled and gave him the right thumb up.  "Good job, kid."  Kevin plugged Thomas's Power Pad into a device on the table next to the bed.  The pad was fully charged in seconds.

            "Thank you, Father," said Thomas.  He took his Power Pad belt when Kevin handed it to him.  He then put it on in the part of his suit where it was supposed to go. . . hidden so it wouldn't clash.

            "Lookin' good, Thomas," Kevin told his son.  "Come over here."  He led Thomas over to his video game cart.

            "What's this?"

            "It's my video game equipment, Thomas.  I think we have time enough for me to show you. . ."  The door beeper sounded.  "-Sigh.-  I guess not.  Come in."

            The door opened, and Perry Mason came in.  "Hello, Kevin, Thomas," he said.

            "Hello, Perry," said Kevin.

            "My, you guys look sharp.  Are you ready to govern a kingdom, Kevin?"

            "I believe so.  I've sure had enough time to learn."

            "Has Lana taught you about it?"

            "Pretty much, yeah.  Ever since 1993, we just knew we would marry each other, so she made sure I knew plenty about her job in case I had to take it or in case I had to raise the official heir alone."

            "I see.  It's a great responsibility, Kevin."

            "I know."

            "You plan to continue Lana's form of administration?"

            "I do.  I'll exercise my power as absolute ruler only when necessary and let the senate and the representatives create the laws.  The smaller courts can handle misdemeanours and minor felonies.  Like Lana, I'll merely sign bills of which I approve into law and govern very important felony cases.  You've certainly noted the relative lack of civil cases here."

            "Yes," Mason said.  "People are not as explosive in VideoLand as they were in the eighties on Earth.  I tell you, you could get sued and charged a lot of money for simply looking at someone the wrong way.  That matters little to me, as I am primarily a trial lawyer.  Here, wills are rarely contested - mainly because family love is important here, as it should be everywhere - and very few divorces are brought about - again, for the same reason."

            "Well, my father's commented on how much you've helped him," Thomas said.

            "I knew his father," said Mason.  "His father and mother were both computer programmers at the same office.  Your family has an interesting tendency to be smart and strong.  There's also a good love of serious music in your blood."

            "Yeah," Kevin said.  "Like I've told you, legal eagle, this guy plays a mean 'cello."

            Thomas smiled and shook his head.  "Exaggeration also runs in the blood," said Kevin's male offspring.

            "As does excessive modesty."  Kevin went into his closet and pulled out a 'cello case.  He opened the case and withdrew the instrument.  "I always keep the instrument closet set to the temperature that stringed instruments love the most."  He pulled out the bow and handed both to Thomas.  Thomas sat down in a good chair.  He laid the bow carefully on a nearby table, laid the 'cello's backside across his legs, and extended the endpin to exactly the right length.  Since Kevin had an endpin protector on the floor in front of the chair, Thomas put the endpin of the 'cello in this.  The 'cello came up to exactly the right height.

            Then, Thomas took the bow and wound it to the proper tension.  "Where's my A?" he asked.

            Kevin ordered, "Computer, sound an orchestral tuning A."  The computer emitted an A in the timbre of the oboe.  Thomas tuned the highest string.  He then tuned the other three strings in successive fifths below the A.  When that was done, he played the open A again.  It was still in tune.

            "Computer," Thomas said, "cease the A."  The sound turned off.  "How about something you wrote for me to play?"

            "All right.  At your discretion."

            "Thanks, Father."  The piece Thomas would play was a tone poem for solo 'cello, full of subjective allusions and, as well, of some pure logic.  About three fourths of the work was technically difficult.  The piece was about fifteen minutes in length - if the tempo indications were obeyed as correctly as possible - but it was very involved.  Kevin laid nearly every manner of playing on the 'cellist, and some of the juxtapositions of totally different manners of playing could madden many 'cellists.  In addition, the majority of the work was in b-flat minor, a key that many 'cellists detested because the required hand-position bothered them.

            Thomas, however, handled everything with the relative ease that comes from practice.  In performing this work, he obeyed every instruction placed on the pages of the score, which he had memorised perfectly.  The expression he poured into the music was so overwhelming.  He made the intense, nasal upper register, where one of the tenderest passages in this music lay, very beautiful and calming, demonstrating his direct control over the instrument's natural abilities.  It also helped that this was a pretty good instrument.

            He also handled the instrument very well in the final section of the piece.  He had a great deal of bow control, which allowed him to make the fast music very loud.  His hands functioned separately very easily, which was good.  His delivery of the final note was exactly what Kevin wanted.

            Kevin and Mason applauded Thomas when he had finished.  "Yes, you're good, son," Kevin said.

            "Believe him, but don't let it go to your head," said Mason.

            "Thank you," Thomas said.  He unwound the bow and retracted the 'cello's endpin, then put bow and instrument back in the case.  He shut the case securely and returned it to the closet.  "That's a good instrument, Dad.  The upper range is more controllable than on the one you replicated for me."

            "Well, I'll get you one of 'em," said Kevin.  "You deserve it.  That was the best playing I've heard yet.  Commander Steelheart's going to like working with you.  She's a very good teacher."

            "Well," Mason said, "I think we'd best prepare to go outside."

            "Right, Perry," Kevin said.  The three left the room.  Kelly and Toadstool came down the hall.  "Well!  You're certainly pretty, Kelly."

            "Absolutely," Thomas agreed.

            "Well, Thomas, you look great, too," said Kelly.  "Do you know what would happen if we weren't related?"

            "I sure do, Kelly.  Come here, sister."  The twins hugged each other.  Everyone remained silent for a moment.  Then, Thomas said, "I can give you this, sister."  He kissed her left cheek.

            Kelly smiled.  "And I can give you this, brother."  She kissed his right cheek.  Then, she smiled deviously.  "Now, let's go see what happens to all the young men and women of VideoLand the instant we step outside."

            Thomas returned the smile.  "Sure thing."

            * * *

            Front Lawn, Palace of Power.

            The ceremony began at 16.00 on the dot, as scheduled.  Many citizens were gathered for this ceremony.  Everyone was very excited.

            The entire N-Team was there to watch from a special area.  All onlookers looked to the podium platform, where a chair representing the throne of VideoLand was sitting empty.  On the podium platform were Kevin, Kelly, Thomas, Toadstool, and the Wilytwins.  At precisely 16.00, Toadstool stepped to the podium itself and addressed the two galaxies and, indeed, the entire Q-niverse.

            "People of VideoLand, of the Milky Way Galaxy, of the Thunderian Kingdom, of the Q-niverse, this day we are gathered in the sight of all to witness the coronation of Captain N, Prince Kevin as the ruler of VideoLand.  He has all rights to this position, as the husband of Princess Lana and as the person whom she has named and trained to be her direct heir.  Here with him today are his and her children, Princess Kelly and Prince Thomas.  Princess Kelly will be his rightful heir.  Since I am not overly fond of long ceremonies myself, I shall make this as short as possible while respecting the tradition of VideoLand.  Kevin, please rise."  Kevin rose from his seat between his children and stepped over to Toadstool.  "Kevin Keene, Captain N, Game Master and leader of the N-Team Base, commander of the royal guard, second in command of the Extended N-Team, please raise your right hand."  She rose hers, and he rose his.  "Please repeat after me.  I, Kevin Keene, do solemnly swear. . ."

            Kevin repeated, "I, Kevin Keene, do solemnly swear. . ."

            ". . .that I shall use my position as absolute monarch of VideoLand. . ."

            ". . .that I shall use my position as absolute monarch of VideoLand. . ." repeated Kevin.

            Toadstool continued, ". . .to defend the interstellar nation from all aggression. . ."

            ". . .to defend the interstellar nation from all aggression. . ."

            ". . .and to maintain peace within the land and without."

            ". . .and to maintain peace within the land and without."

            "Furthermore, I swear. . ."

            "Furthermore, I swear. . ."

            ". . .that I shall attempt to maintain justice. . ."

            ". . .that I shall attempt to maintain justice. . ."

            ". . .while not compromising the rights of the lands comprising VideoLand. . ."

            ". . .while not compromising the rights of the lands comprising VideoLand. . ."

            ". . .nor the rights of any individual who dwells in any land within VideoLand."

            ". . .nor the rights of any individual who dwells in any land within VideoLand."

            "I swear to uphold the honour. . ."

            "I swear to uphold the honour. . ."

            ". . .of the throne of VideoLand to the best of my ability."

            ". . .of the throne of VideoLand to the best of my ability."

            "I swear to remain loyal to the countries comprising VideoLand."

            "I swear to remain loyal to the countries comprising VideoLand."

            "I swear to remain loyal to the countries allied with VideoLand."

            "I swear to remain loyal to the countries allied with VideoLand."

            "As acting ruler of VideoLand, I now ask you to kneel as subject to all whom you govern."  Kevin did so.  Toadstool took the crown from the podium.  "This crown represents the power of your position.  Only wear it in council in the throne room of the palace and when passing your power to your heir. . . in other words, only in ceremonial functions.  By my power as temporary ruler, I place this crown on your head and transfer all permanent power to you."  She placed the crown on Kevin's head.  "Now, arise as King Kevin, the new king of VideoLand.  I now bow to you in loyalty."  Kevin rose, and Princess Toadstool bowed on her knees to him.

            Continuing the ceremony, Kevin said, "As king, I accept all loyalties placed to Princess Lana, my wife.  All who pledge subordinate loyalty to me, please raise your right hands unless they are occupied."  Everyone on the Mario-Team, N-Team Base, and Mason-Team, as well as Kevin's children, as well as all VideoLandian spectators did this.  However, no one from anywhere outside VideoLand did this, as was proper.  "Please rise, Queen Toadstool."  Toadstool rose.  "Please return to your seat."  Toadstool did so.  "All who pledge external alliance to the Kingdom of VideoLand, please raise your right hands now."  All the other divisions of the N-Team, including the Wilytwins sitting in their chairs on the platform, and all who did not inhabit VideoLand rose their right hands.

            "Thank you.  Lord Wilykit of the Thunder Cats, please stand and speak."

            Wilykit stood.  "As ruler of the Thunderian Kingdom," she said, "I pledge my kingdom's unconditional alliance with the Kingdom of VideoLand.  I offer support to all VideoLand worlds and to all other worlds who require assistance."

            "As ruler of VideoLand, I accept your alliance.  If your worlds require assistance, VideoLand shall aid the Thunderian Kingdom, as well."

            "Thank you, Your Majesty."  She sat down.

            "Please rise, my daughter."  Kelly stood.  "Princess Kelly, heir to the throne of VideoLand, please raise your right hand."  Kelly and Kevin both did so.  "Do you swear to learn to rule the land under the conditions to which I have sworn before you have become the ruler?"

            "I do swear it," Kelly said.

            "Will you assist me in any or all tasks when you have learned to do so?"

            "I shall."

            "Then, as ruler of VideoLand, I proclaim you official heir to the throne of VideoLand.  Now, please be seated once more."  Kelly sat down.  "My son, please rise."  Thomas stood.  "Prince Thomas, please raise your right hand."  Thomas and Kevin did so.  "Do you swear that you will assist your sister, Princess Kelly, in learning to be ruler and that you will, in case she is unable to assume the throne and I am unable to hold it, learn to rule as she has sworn according to the oath that I have just sworn?"

            "Yes, I swear it," Thomas said.

            "Do you swear, further, that you will, if you have not already done so, learn to defend VideoLand from evil?"

            "I swear it."

            "As ruler of VideoLand, I now pronounce you as temporary second heir to the throne of VideoLand.  In my dual capacity as ruler and as Game Master, I pronounce you official heir to my position as Game Master of VideoLand.  Tomorrow, as you both wish, you shall both be made permanent members of the N-Team, and as such, you will learn the lessons you need to learn."

            "Yes, sir," said Thomas and Kelly together.

            "Please be seated, Thomas."  Thomas sat down.  Kevin took the seat representing the throne, symbolising that the ceremonial transfer of power was completed.  "Now. . ."

            Suddenly, MotherBrain, Bowser, Ludwig, Larry, and Luna appeared.  "Greetings, King N!" MotherBrain said.

            Standing, Kevin asked dryly, "Have you come, MotherBrain, to swear subordinate loyalty to me?  If you do, I might just put you in a prison from which you can escape."

            "Ha, ha!" laughed MotherBrain.  "I shall never swear subordinate loyalty to you, Captain N, nor shall any of my friends."

            "Instead," said Ludwig, "we have come to show what we have."  MotherBrain and Bowser showed the two Triforces, while Ludwig showed the Ring.  "With these items, we shall take control once more."

            "I was seriously thinking about removing mandatory kneeling," Kevin said.  "As for you, though. . . kneel."

            "Ha, ha!" Bowser laughed.  "Unlike my goody-good cousin, Spike, I would not be likely to pledge subordinate loyalty to anyone outside my family."

            "I only submit subordinate loyalty to MotherBrain," Luna said.  "She and the evil Koopas are the only ones worth it.  Unlike you, they have conquering spirit."

            "If I expand my kingdom, it's only to those nations that wish to be part of it," said Kevin.  "Now that VideoLand is officially allied with the Thunderian Kingdom, the Thunder Cats will have help watching Plundarr."

            "It was my plan that earned Ludwig the powerful Ring of the Nibelung," Luna said.

            "It certainly was," said Ludwig.  "Luna is quite brilliant.  You watch it, Kevin.  Your kingdom will soon be mine, thanks to brains such as hers.  The Triforces and the Ring render us incomprehensibly powerful."

            Wilykit and Wilykat stood and joined Kevin.  "You will not get away with this," Wilykat said.  "You'll really get what's coming to you. . . a prison sentence of immeasurable length."

            "Says who, Thunder Brat?" demanded Luna.

            "Ooh, I think we're wearing out our welcome, guys," said Larry very sarcastically.

            "You're right," MotherBrain said.  "Tah, tah, N-Twerps.  Have a nice, short reign, Captain N!"  Her evil laugh resonated as she and her comrades disappeared.

            "As ruler of VideoLand and First Officer of the Extended N-Team, I shall bring that brain to justice," Kevin vowed.  "I believe that's all of the ceremony, people.  I'll take any questions from the reporters now."