Forest near Cat's Lair, third-Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.  Stardate 49 756.16; April 2, 1993.

One sunny spring morning on third-Earth in the Original Universe, Wilykit and her brother were leaping through the trees of the forest near Cat's Lair.  As usual, Wilykit was in the lead.  The activity provided some exercise and some healthy competition for the Thunder Kittens.  "Hey, Wilykat!" called Wilykit good-naturedly.  "See if you can follow me!"

            "Are you kidding?" Wilykat laughed.  "I'll get you today!"  They continued leaping through the trees.  When Wilykat tried a tactic to jump ahead of his sister, however, his left foot hit a wet leaf in just the wrong way.  The foot went out from under him, and he fell.  "Yaah!  Wilykit!" he cried.

            Watching, Wilykit gasped.  "Wilykat!" she screamed.

            Wilykat began, "Hel-. . .!"  However, before he could enunciate the 'P,' he crashed on the ground.

            "Oh, no!" Wilykit shouted, scared to death.  She grabbed her tree as hard as possible and called as loudly as she could, "Help!!"

            * * *

            Meanwhile, Michael Keene, Captain N's brother and best friend, was walking through the forest alone.  He loved technology, but he also loved nature.  This nature appeared unspoiled.  This was an early spring morning.  The plants were returning to life, and the small animals were gathering food and materials for their nests.  It was not raining, though rain was common in April, and he did see clouds to the west.  He estimated that they were close enough to bring a shower in the afternoon or maybe even in the late morning.

            He enjoyed the environment, that of life in rejuvenation.  He had rarely had the opportunity, in the past, to be in this sort of environment, since he was usually studying for classes in a suburb of one of the largest cities in the United States.  He took his studies very seriously and had done so since he first entered school.  Yet, he was also a very social person, very comfortable with people of any age.  He also enjoyed video games.  He was just about in heaven in VideoLand, tackling video game villains with his brother.

            The one person he loved the most was his brother, Kevin.  Kevin was always very good to him.  The brothers, though three years apart, were closer than most human siblings, even twins.  They looked out for each other, and one comforted the other whenever the other was harmed in any way, even slightly.  During the three years that Kevin had been in VideoLand, the two brothers missed each other, but they were overjoyed to be reunited when Mario and Luigi took Mason and Burger to try the Case of VideoLand versus Kevin Keene for the theft of the Sacred Square of Tetris.  Michael had been as grateful as Kevin - perhaps even more grateful - to Kid Icarus for confiscating the video that proved Kevin's lack of guilt.

            In battle against their adversaries, the brothers proved to be ten times as powerful together as either one was separately.  They had successfully helped the rest of the N-Team to keep the Plundarrian-Team, the Mob, the Fearsome Ten, and the Brain-Team Base from uniting.

            Michael was thinking about all of this as he was walking through the forest.  He heard cries that sounded as though they were coming from the Thunder Kittens.  Smiling, he thought, They must be playing.  His smile disappeared when he heard a thud hit the ground.

            He felt terrified when he heard Wilykit scream, "Help!!"  The instant he heard it, he ran as quickly as his strong, young legs could carry him.  Fortunately, he was in great shape, so he could sprint very quickly.

            In seconds, he reached the scene of the accident.  Immediately, he whipped out his tricorder and scanned Wilykat.  Wilykit slid down from a tree.  He took only an instant to glance at her.  "What happened?" he had to ask, though he pretty much knew the answer.

            "He slipped," said Wilykit, not concealing an ounce of her terror.  She bent down.

            Before she could jiggle Wilykat, though, Michael gently said, "Don't touch him, 'Kit.  You might harm him if something's broken."

            "Ooh.  Sorry."

            Michael examined the male Wilytwin.  "He's injured.  Two ribs are broken, one leg broken."  Wilykit gulped.  "He should only be moved by a doctor."

            "Then let's call Quicksilver," said Wilykit.

            Michael stood and faced her.  "Be strong, Wilykit.  He should be fine if Quicksilver gets to him."

            "Yeah."

            He took out his communicator and turned it on.  "Michael to Dr. Quicksilver," he said.  "Doctor, I'm on third-Earth, in the forest south of Cat's Lair.  Wilykat requires immediate medical assistance."

            "All right, Michael," said Quicksilver.  "How will I find you?"

            "I'll set up my tricorder as a beacon," Michael said.

            "Very well.  What am I dealing with?"

            "Two rib fractures and a fracture in the lower left leg."

            "Any punctured lung?"

            "Not that I could see, but I did scan for that."

            "All right.  I'll be out in minutes."

            "Okay, Quicksilver.  See you."  He switched off the communicator and put it away.  Then, he set up his tricorder to emit a homing beam for Quicksilver.

            Wilykit looked at Michael.  "Oh, I'm scared, Michael."

            Michael hugged her warmly.  "It's okay," he said quietly.  "Quicksilver deals with broken bones a lot."

            Wilykit found it surprising that his soothing actually calmed her.  When she was this excited, it almost never wore off so quickly.  It was an indication to her that Michael was very special.  But that was something she knew already.  "-Sigh.-  You're right.  You wouldn't believe how fond I am of that brother of mine."

            "Actually, I've a pretty good idea.  I'd probably be as terrified as you if this happened to Kevin."

            "Yeah."  She looked into his eyes.  "Michael. . ."

            "Don't start again," he quietly begged.

            "Michael, I love you.  You're so sweet."

            Michael stared into her eyes.  "I love you, too, Wilykit."  They hugged each other very compassionately.

            "Do you know how much I've wanted you to say that to me like that, Michael?"

            "I've been waiting until I was sure you sincerely felt this way about me, 'Kit."

            Wilykit kissed him on the right cheek.  "I sure do, kid."  Then, they released each other.

            "Where was your brother when he fell?"

            "I'll show you."  Wilykit leapt back up into the trees.  As she was going, she called in her resonant yet high voice, "I saw him just as he slipped.  It rained last night."

            "It rained last night, and you came out here on the trees anyway?" Michael asked curiously.

            "Yeah.  I guess it was pretty dumb of us."  She stopped on the limb from which her brother had fallen.  "He fell from right here!  Can you see me?"

            "Yeah!  That's pretty high up!"  He used his tricorder.  He gave a quiet, very high whistle.  "That's almost ten metres up!  It's a wonder he isn't more seriously hurt.  Come down, Wilykit!"

            "What if I like it up here?" she asked snidely.

            "Come down, please!  I'll get a sore throat if I have to shout to talk to you!"

            "Okay!"  Wilykit carefully descended to the forest floor.

            When she arrived, Michael said, "It's a wonder he's not really seriously injured."

            "Well, we Thunderians are stronger than humans," replied Wilykit.  "Still, it was a good distance."  She knelt next to her brother.  "Is his brain all right?"

            "Yeah, his brain and his whole head are intact.  Just don't wake him.  His reaction might aggravate his injuries."

            "You're right."  She gently stroked her brother's head.  "I'm very sorry, Wilykat," she said softly.

            Michael sat down next to her and put his left arm around her.  "Come here," he said gently.  That moment, she hugged him and began crying.  Stroking her back he softly said, "It's okay, Wilykit.  He'll be well."

            "It's my fault," she said.  "He tried to jump ahead of me.  If I just let him get in front, he might not have tried this!"

            Soothingly, he said, "Sh.  Don't blame yourself, pretty one."  Using his right hand, he gently brought her chin up so he could look in her eyes.  "Where's the confident young lady who helped break my brother out of Nuclesís's basement?"

            "I get scared to death whenever my brother's harmed or in danger."

            "He'll be fine, Wilykit.  Getting depressed won't help him."  He kissed her gently on the lips.  She returned the kiss.  They stretched out on the ground and kept their arms wrapped around each other.  However, they didn't get carried away.

            * * *

            Quicksilver warped into the front hallway of Cat's Lair with the equipment he needed to bond broken bones together.  He went upstairs to the control room and stepped in.  Within were Lion-O and Cheetara.  "Good morning, Quicksilver," said Lion-O.

            "Hello, Lion-O," Quicksilver said.  "Michael just called me.  He told me Wilykat's been injured in the forest.  Nothing more serious than a few broken bones, though.  Do you have a gentle vehicle that we can use?"

            "Sure," said Lion-O.  "Cheetara, please keep an eye on the monitors here."

            "Yes, Lion-O," Cheetara said.

            Lion-O led Quicksilver to the ThunderClaw.  "This thing is not a jarring vehicle when piloted properly."  He jumped into the cockpit, Quicksilver into one of the side pods.  "There is an area where we can lay Wilykat if need be."

            "Very well," said Quicksilver.  "Michael left his tricorder on as a homing beacon."

            "Got it."  Lion-O activated the engines and piloted the ThunderClaw out towards Michael's tricorder.

            * * *

            When Wilykit and Michael had finished kissing, they sat up.  Michael took his tricorder and looked at it.  "Ah.  The ThunderClaw has locked on to my signal."

            "All right," said Wilykit.

            The human teenager frowned.  "And so has someone else.  Do you recognise this sort of signal?"  He handed the tricorder to Wilykit.

            "Oh, great," she snapped.  "This code belongs to two sky-cutters and a nose-diver. . . who will arrive before the ThunderClaw!"

            Instantly, Michael stood and drew his Zapper with his left hand.  "Where are they coming from?"

            Wilykit stood and pointed westward.  "From that way."

            Michael took his tricorder from her and analysed the data.  Then, he aimed his Zapper carefully, with geometric precision, and fired a powerful shot into the sky.

            They heard the shot hit something.  They then heard Jackalman scream as his sky-cutter fell out of the sky and crashed in a clearing nearby to the west!  Wilykit stifled laughter.  As Wilykit and Michael watched, the other sky-cutter and the nose-diver - respectively carrying Monkian and S-s-slithe - landed in the clearing.  Michael handed his tricorder to Wilykit.  "Stay here," he instructed logically.  "I'll take care of these uglies."

            Wilykit nodded.  "Okay, Michael," she said.  "Be careful."  Zapper in left hand, Michael inched out to the clearing, keeping himself hidden from the Mutants.

            S-s-slithe demanded, "What happened, Jackalman?"

            The jackalian humanoid rubbed his head.  "Ooh, some laser hit my engine," he said.  "It flashed out from under the growth."

            "Well, then, shall we help whoever's in trouble?"

            "Hoo, hoo!" laughed Monkian, checking his computer.  "It's immediately east of us.  Hoo!"

            "Good," said S-s-slithe, removing his axe.  Monkian took his spiked mace, and Jackalman took his wooden club.  "It's about time we showed what kind of assistance we give!  Yes!"

            Michael could barely stand the scaly villain's sarcasm.  He leapt out.  "Your assistance is not desired, you villainous reptile."

            "Well, if it isn't the Game Master's little brother!  Ha, ha!  Jus-s-st in case you haven't noticed, you're not in California anymore, dude!  Yes-s-s!"

            "That's just fine, S-s-slithe.  How'd you like my aim, Jackalman?"

            Instantly, Jackalman was infuriated.  "Why, you!"  Screaming, he raced for Michael.

            The human, however, was expecting the attack.  He pressed 'right' on the crosspad on the Power Pad with his right index finger and zipped to his right, moments before Jackalman could reach him.  He zipped out of the way, and Jackalman crashed into a tree.  "Faster than a speeding cheetah!" Michael laughed.

            "You'll be wearing that s-s-smile on the other s-s-side of your head, human, when we've finished with you!" S-s-slithe snapped.  "Monkian!  Smash his face!"

            "Hoo, hoo!  With pleasure!" the monkey-like humanoid said.  Swinging his mace by the handle to which it was attached by a chain, Monkian ran towards Michael.  Michael fired his Zapper at the chain and snapped it; the trajectory of the ball caused it to fly in the air and fall onto Monkian's helmet.  Though it caused no damage, it did knock the Mutant out with a groan.

            "S-s-so!" snapped S-s-slithe, infuriated.  "If you want a fight, little human, I'll give you one!"

            Michael twirled his Zapper.  "Are you challenging me to a fair fight, S-s-slithe?" he asked.

            S-s-slithe tossed his axe away.  "Dare you face me in barehanded combat, teenager?"

            Michael put his Zapper in his belt and turned off the Power Pad.  "I prefer to, reptile.  You're looking at the wrestling champion of Northridge High School."

            "Your puny childish games don't bother me, human."  He lunged with strength that would knock even Panthro down, but Michael expertly used the reptile's force against him and tossed him in the air, flying to the ground with a loud crash.  "Yah!"

            "Did I mention I also do extraordinarily in the fighting arts?" the human asked his adversary.  "Now, do you still think I'm puny, corpulent reptile?"

            The Mutant got up.  "I underestimated you, human," he admitted, "but I'll take you!"  At that moment, the ThunderClaw appeared above.  "Drat!  Thunder Cats-s-s!  We'll deal with you later!  Monkian!  Jackalman!"  His two companions awoke, groggy.  "Scramble immediately!"  The Mutants boarded their flying contraptions.  Jackalman tied two wires together and managed to get his sky-cutter operational.  Then, the Mutants flew southwest to Castle Plundarr.

            Michael turned on his Power Pad once the ThunderClaw had landed.  Quicksilver and Lion-O emerged.  "This way, guys," Michael said.  He led into the forest to the Wilytwins.  Immediately, Quicksilver went over to Wilykat.

            "Has he been moved?" asked Quicksilver.

            "No, sir," Wilykit said.  "Michael specifically instructed me not to move him."

            "Good."  Quicksilver examined the male Thunder Kitten with a tricorder.  "You were exactly right, Michael."  He ran a device from the tricorder over Wilykat's left leg.  "The leg's broken, but it's a simple fracture, and it's in a good position.  I'm bonding the broken bone strong enough for it to hold together while we get him to the lair.  There, he'll have to lie down until the leg heals itself.  Lion-O, Michael, take him by the arms and gently place him on his back so I can repair his ribs."  Lion-O firmly but gently took Wilykat's right arm, Michael his left, and the two picked up Wilykat and gently laid him on his back.  Quicksilver supervised this, though the two were sufficiently careful.  Quicksilver knelt next to Wilykat's right side and examined the rib cage.

            "Thank you," the Silver Hawk said sincerely.  "You caused no wounds to anything.  Two broken ribs on his right side, but they're in a good position.  I can repair them without fear of improper positioning."  He ran his tricorder over the young Thunderian's right side for a few seconds.  "Yes.  His ribs are repaired now.  He doesn't need any roughhousing until he's all healed, Wilykit."

            "Understood, sir," Wilykit said.

            "Don't worry," said Michael.  "Until he's healed, I'll play with you."

            "I don't know," she said, smiling.  "You're not as strong as he is."

            "I can take it."

            "You'd better be careful," said Quicksilver.  "Both of you.  Lion-O and I saw what Michael did to S-s-slithe.  He tossed that reptile about three metres."

            "I used his own force against him," Michael said.  "He charged me like a raging bull."

            "He also apparently knocked out Monkian and Jackalman," said Lion-O.  "Why were the Mutants here?"

            "S-s-slithe mentioned they were here to render assistance," Michael said.  "Somehow, I doubt they were about to render any real assistance."

            Wilykit hugged him.  "You may have saved my brother's life, Michael.  Thank you."  She kissed him on the left cheek.

            Quicksilver smiled.  "Now I see why you want to spend time with her!"

            "Be careful," Lion-O said.  "She can be a real tiger."

            "Well, just look at my adoptive father!" laughed Wilykit.  Lion-O laughed, too.

            Quicksilver suggested, "Well, let's get him into his bed.  Can you carry him, Michael?"

            Michael bent down, put his left arm under Wilykat's back and his right arm under his legs at the knees, and gently picked him up.  "Yeah."

            Quicksilver said, "Good.  Keep him in that position, and don't get startled."

            "Right."

            They all went to the ThunderClaw.  Lion-O showed Michael where to put Wilykat.  The Lord of the Thunder Cats piloted the vehicle home to Cat's Lair.

            * * *

            Once at Cat's Lair, Michael carried Wilykat to the Thunder Kittens' room and laid him in his bed, which was on the left when one was looking from the head to the foot of the beds.  Quicksilver instructed Wilykit that her brother was to be kept as comfortable as possible.  He recommended chicken noodle soup.  It was liquid nourishment that contained the Thunderians' dietary requirement for meat.  Though Wilykat could not engage in anything rougher than a sharp conversation (which was no trouble, as his mouth was always in great shape), he could carefully walk to the bathroom without causing harm to himself.

            Though they were omnivorous, Thunderians generally grew weak if they went for a week without ingesting any meat at all from vertebrates.  Like humans, Thunderians preferred cooked meat.  Also, unless desperately starving, they would never consider consuming raw meat, nor would they give any thought to ingesting pets. . . especially not cats or dogs.  They felt too much kinship to felines, and most canines never tasted good.  Besides, cats and dogs were among the most charming pets.  They preferred domesticated mammals and fowl as well as wild fish, like humans, though they were not above hunting for food.  The Berbils' meat-fruit was also satisfactory.  It had just enough meat content to meet Thunderian requirements.

            Wilykit positioned Wilykat comfortably.  Under Quicksilver's suggestion, she would let him sleep until he happened to awaken or until it was lunchtime.  Michael looked around the room.  It wasn't greatly decorated, despite its inhabitants' colourful personalities.  However, there were several items in here, kept in a very orderly manner.  What Mom would've given if Kevin had kept his room this neat back home, he mused.  He'd always kept his own room fairly neat, himself, despite the sometimes chaotic nature of his thoughts.  He could be a very emotional person at times, but at least no one could ever accuse him of being disorderly.

            "Nice place," he said to Wilykit.

            "Thank you," said Wilykit.  "Tygra provides a wonderful example.  Some kids have chaotic bedrooms, I understand."

            "Yeah.  You should've seen Kevin's room on his and my homeworld."

            "His?  I wouldn't believe it."

            "No, and I didn't, either.  I'd have believed you guys to be at least a little messy."

            "Well, sometimes just a little, but we're never terribly messy.  We like to stay organised."

            "That's good.  Sometimes, I can be a little messy, too, but I always clean up after myself.  I don't expect anyone to do it for me."  He turned to the mirror that was in the room.

            "Well, you sure kept yourself looking neat after that fight with the Mutants," Wilykit said.

            "Thank you, 'Kit."  The young Thunder Cat smiled as they looked in the mirror together.  It caused the young human to smile.  "What?"

            "I think we look cute together," she said alluringly.

            "Yeah, but either I'm overdressed, or you are underdressed."  They looked at each other.  "And our natural hair-colours clash."

            Wilykit laughed.  "Yeah.  I don't mean to sound discriminatory, but most human heroes seem to have blond hair."

            "Almost no one in my father's line does."

            "How genetically similar are you to Kevin?"

            "Ninety-nine point nine percent, I believe."

            "How is that possible?"

            "The chances against such a degree of similarity are very strong, but it is possible.  Of course, there is one obvious difference between us."  He grasped his Zapper handle with his left hand.  "I'm left-handed, he's right-handed."

            "Most Thunderians are ambidextrous," said Wilykit.

            "Actually, so are Kevin and I.  We can each write just as well with our weak hands as with our strong ones.  Just to blend in, I've trained myself to write with my right hand, since many humans seem prejudiced against left-handed people."

            "Gee, that's awful."

            "Yeah, well, that's the way it goes.  I aim pretty well with both hands, but it's easier to use my left hand because it feels natural to me."

            "I see.  Well, why don't we sit?"  She indicated the table, which had two chairs.

            "Sure."  They sat down across from each other.

            "So, Michael, how do you feel about VideoLand?"

            Michael grinned.  "I really like it.  I've always enjoyed video games.  I enjoy them most when Kevin's around to play them with me, of course.  Saturday mornings, we used to sock it to MotherBrain."  His smile slowly vanished as he continued, "That was before he got sucked into VideoLand.  How inconvenient.  You know, they could've waited half an hour."

            Wilykit cocked her eyebrow.  "Twenty minutes after Kevin was sucked in, I understand, Lana was kidnapped by Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo."

            "Oh.  Drat.  And that had to be orchestra practice night for me.  Golly."

            "Orchestra practice?"

            "Yeah.  I played first French horn in my school's orchestra that year. . . or so-called orchestra.  An ensemble with seven violins as the entirety of the string section is no orchestra in my book.  Of course, most of the string-playing kids went to high school in urban Los Angeles."

            Wilykit smiled.  "Do you play horn because you want to?"

            "Yeah.  I enjoy the instrument's sound.  You know which one I'm talking about, don't you?"

            "The long brass instrument that goes around several times, whose bell sits on the player's leg, and whose pitch range goes around the bassoon's."

            "Gee, you're good."

            "Well, we've been associated with the Silver Hawks for about a year.  We've given each other cultural archives.  I must tell you, we really like your world's so-called 'serious' music from the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, save for the atonal stuff.  I can identify the orchestral instruments used in a symphonic composition."

            "Good!  Do you know what I mean when I tell a hornist to play stopped notes?"

            "Yes.  The player plugs the bell with the hand that normally rests in the bell, altering the pitch, changing the tone-quality, and lowering the volume.  I also know that the timbre produced by stopping a French horn is different from the timbre produced by muting it."

            "Very good.  I've been learning all the standard brass instruments and woodwinds in methods classes during summers."

            "I see."

            "They all seem to be relatively easy to me, somehow.  I have no trouble with fingerings on the woodwinds.  I have absolutely no pitch-range difficulties on any brass instrument, nor have I any difficulty controlling volume.  I also have no problems with mobility on the French horn, which is the most difficult brass instrument to master.  I don't even need valves.  I can play a natural horn like an expert can play a valved horn without stopping it.  My lips can alter the harmonic series even in the lowest parts of a brass instrument's range.  It's supposed to be impossible, but I can do it."

            "How about breathing?"

            "I've no problems breathing, either.  I know when to do it.  I've also taken voice, so I know how to control my breathing apparati."

            "I see.  I guess wind instruments are little trouble for you anymore, right?"

            "Well, they didn't present enough of a challenge to be really satisfying.  Just the French horn, really, though I do like the bassoon.  I never got the chance before, but what I'd really like to take are the bowed, non-fretted stringed instruments. . . the bottom of the orchestral page, so to speak."

            "Ah!  Yes.  To me, they're really the best of the group, after all."

            "Absolutely.  Breathing doesn't hinder them a bit because compressed air isn't required to play them.  They are also a great choice for very subjective music.  The bow itself can be used in a variety of ways, and the strings can be plucked rather than bowed.  The position of the bow on the string affects tonal resonance, and I also understand that simply bowing up or down also does."

            "Yeah."  She put her right hand on his right hand.  He smiled, but then he tensed.  "What's wrong?"

            "I. . . I don't know."  He withdrew his hand.  "Maybe I shouldn't be with you, Wilykit."

            "What?  Why, Michael?"

            "Well, I just. . . -sigh.-  I just don't feel completely comfortable with this."

            "You don't have to.  I suggest we take this slowly, Michael."  She got up and knelt down to his right.  "Okay?"

            "All right," he said.  "I'm not used to what I'm feeling."

            "What are you feeling?"

            Quietly, he told her, "I feel like I want to. . ."  He gulped very guiltily and looked away.  "I'm sorry."

            "It's okay," she told him softly.  "I feel like I want to make love to you, as well."

            "-Sigh.-  At least you share my feelings."  He looked with longing in her eyes.  "I don't understand."

            "What don't you understand?"

            "I don't understand why."

            "Maybe we're. . ."  She shut her eyes and stood.

            Michael stood.  "Maybe we're what?" he demanded quietly, though with an urgent tone.

            "Forget it."

            "I can't.  My grades prove it.  What's wrong?"

            Wilykit quietly growled to herself.  "If I tell you, we're probably going to regret it."

            "I don't care.  I don't want to seem intrusive, but if it concerns me, I must know.  What is it, Wilykit?"

            Wilykit turned to face him.  "Promise me, Michael.  Promise you won't tell anyone, not Kevin, not Duke, not Wilykat, not anyone.  This'll be just between God, Jaga, you, and me.  Okay?"

            "All right."

            "All right.  -Sigh.-  Do you. . ."

            "Just a second.  Shouldn't we talk elsewhere, if you've sworn me not to tell Wilykat?"

            "You're right.  I don't generally keep things from him, but if I'm wrong about this, I may never hear the end of it from him.  Shall we visit the Forest of Silence?"

            "Okay, I guess.  What if we're attacked?"

            "We can protect ourselves and each other, can't we?"

            "Yeah.  But there's a storm coming up."

            "Hopefully, what I have to tell you won't take long."  She put her right hand on his right shoulder.  "We'll use your tricorder to communicate."

            "Sure."  Smiling, he put his left hand on her right hand.  "I'm sorry."

            "It's okay, Michael.  Shall we?"

            "Yeah."  They left.

            * * *

            Michael never knew a place could be so utterly devoid of sound.

            The Forest of Silence lived up to its name.  The forest was very beautiful for the eyes, but the loudest thunderstorm could never be heard within the area, nor the slightest drop of a pin.  The lack of sound was rather unsettling.

            Michael and his Thunderian companion were not far in the forest, just far enough to prevent the transmission of sounds.  This meant they were completely dependent on their visual, nasal, and tactile senses to determine the presence of danger.  Wilykit motioned to him to sit under a tree with her.  He sat down to her right.

            Without thinking, he moved his mouth so as to say, "So, what is it?"

            Wilykit smiled as she confiscated his tricorder and activated it.  She switched to the text mode and held it so they both could see the screen.  She typed, "There's no sound at all in this forest.  It stops centimetres from our mouths."

            He took it and typed, "So I noticed.  What's up?"  He handed it back to her.

            She typed, "I think we might be Amore Eternamente."

            "Is that what I think it is?  'Love eternally?' " he typed.

            "That is the literal translation.  I don't really know very much about it.  Two people - that is, one male and one female - are eternally bonded in compassionate love.  In our society, we Thunderians are almost strictly monogamous.  The male is the Amoro Eternamente, the female the Amora.  The two Amoru are monogamous to each other, unless some very terrible circumstances develop to prevent them from reproducing.  The stipulation of monogamy lasts until the physical death of the first one to die."  She handed the tricorder to him.

            "I see," he typed.  "Do you think we share this relationship?"

            "I think so.  Do you believe people should have monogamous relationships?"

            He turned to her and looked in her eyes with such honesty that it was almost overwhelming to her.  He moved his lips to say, "Yes, I do."

            She moved her lips to say, "Good."  They hugged each other strongly.  Michael rubbed her back with his smooth hands.  Her lips very close to his right ear, she asked, "Can you hear me?"

            "Why, yes," he replied, his lips close to her right ear.  "The silence mustn't take effect at this short distance."

            "The state is very special," she said.  "I was a little sceptical because you're not Thunderian."

            "Does that mean anything?"

            "Well, it probably shouldn't.  Michael, have you been in love before?"

            "Never like this.  I've had very controllable crushes on lots of girls, but you're the first one I've really had these feelings for."

            "Do you know what making love is?"

            "Yes, Wilykit.  Why?"

            "Do you know the anatomy involved in both genders?"

            "Yeah.  Kevin's told me a lot about it."

            "Just making sure."

            "Hm.  Amore Eternamente is like the relationship between husband and wife?"

            "Basically, except it's a little more predetermined.  I don't know how to explain it.  Amore Eternamente is so common among us that formal matrimonial proceedings are unnecessary in Thunderian society."

            "I see."  They looked in each other's eyes.

            Wilykit sighed, then smiled.  She spoke into his ear.  "Come on, slowpoke!  I'll race you back to the Lair for lunch!"  She put the tricorder on his belt, jumped up, and raced back to the lair.

            He was dazed for only a nanosecond.  He popped up, made sure his tricorder was secure, and ran after her with the determination that had won him every serious foot-race he had ever run.

            * * *

            Mumm-ra's Pyramid, third-Earth.

            In the desert, the pyramid was now deserted, except of course by lovely creatures such as bats and spiders.  In the tomb chamber, the cauldron waters were undisturbed.  For the moment, the evil Mumm-ra was not around to cause malicious mischief.

            Suddenly, three beings warped into the room. . . the evil Ludwig, Larry, and Mumm-ra from the Q-niverse!  Mumm-ra stepped to the cauldron and spread his arms over it.  "Oh, Ancient Spirits of Evil!" he called.  "I have come from the Q-niverse to spread evil.  Until I have returned to that dimension, you will keep this universe's Mumm-ra out of touch, so to speak."

            The eyes of the four statues lit.  "By what authority do you command this?" the voices of the Spirits demanded.

            "He has the authority of the evil members of the Q Continuum," Ludwig called.  "I am Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa of the Q-niverse, and I am of the powerful Q-cubed."

            "Very well," replied the Spirits.  "We shall obey you."

            "I shall require transformation services," Mumm-ra said.

            "As you command."

            "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form to Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living!"  By the end of the chant, he was in his powerful guise.  "Ha, ha, ha!  Now, my evil commander, what do you wish that I do?"

            Ludwig handed him a data padd.  "Take this to Dr. Wily.  I believe he is presently in his castle in MegaLand.  The padd contains technical information on how to defy this N-Team's system."

            "Ah!  Wonderful."  He examined the data.  "Which quadrant is presently showing?"

            "The VideoLand quadrant," said Larry.  "Hence, it will surprise the doctor when you appear in his lab."

            "It certainly shall.  Later, evil comrades!"  Mumm-ra disappeared.  Ludwig snapped his fingers, transporting himself and Larry to their ship Q-style.

            * * *

            Cat's Lair, third-Earth.

            Michael's hand hit the door to the lair exactly one second before Wilykit had finished climbing the steps.  "Ha!  I won!" he laughed.

            "Good for you," said Wilykit, smiling.

            "Do you know about high-fives?"

            "Not really."

            He held up his right hand.  "Hold up your right hand like this."  She did so.  "Now, we hit our palms together."  They hit their palms together, creating a soft pop.  "That was a bit weak."

            "I was trying not to hurt you."

            "Kevin and I do 'em a lot.  We tend to do them when one of us has won something."

            "Oh, yeah!  I've seen it.  Like. . ."  They did a better high-five.

            "Exactly!  You're getting it."  Wilykit opened the door, and they entered the lair.  "I was just wondering.  Your food isn't. . . alive, is it?"

            "Oh, Jaga, no," she replied.  "Once, of course, much of it was, but not anymore.  Why would you have to ask?"

            "Well, in Star Trek:  The Next Generation, a science fiction TV series that I watched on Earth, a humanoid race called the Klingons ate some food not only raw but still alive."

            "That seems disgusting, but I guess it is possible.  We Thunderians may be omnivores that require meat, but we prefer cooked meat.  The tastes of our societies are compatible, if not the same."

            "-Sigh.-  I'm glad."

            Lion-O emerged from the control room.  "Oh, there you are," he said a bit worriedly.  "The rain just started.  Were you out in it?"

            "I did feel a couple of drips before we entered," said Michael, "but nothing more."  A quiet clap of thunder sounded.

            "Hey, that's odd," Wilykit said suspiciously, her arms crossed.  "Lion-O, didn't Tygra say this cloud wasn't supposed to be electrically charged?"

            "You're right.  I'll check the controls."  Lion-O entered the control room.

            "Michael, let's check on Wilykat," said Wilykit.

            "Sure," Michael said.  They swiftly walked to the Wilytwins' room.  Wilykit pressed the key to open the door, and they stepped in.

            Wilykat was still sleeping peacefully.

            Michael moved over to the resting Thunder Kitten to visually examine the healing leg.  "He looks okay," the young human said.  "However, as the doctor said, he should probably remain in bed as much as possible until that leg heals.  It might get seriously broken if he doesn't use it cautiously."

            "What when he has to go to the restroom?"

            "If he's cautious, he can do that himself.  He just can't expect to land on it after a fall.  It's not fully reliable right now."

            "Yeah, I see what you mean.  You think I should wake him, Michael?"

            "Yes, you should.  He's rested a good while.  He'd better know about this before he seriously hurts himself unwittingly."

            "All right."  She moved over to her brother and gently squeezed his left shoulder.  "Wilykat," she called quietly.  "Wake up, brother."

            Wilykat slowly opened his eyes.  "Ooh, I hurt," he complained.  "I hurt everywhere."

            "It's okay, bro," said Wilykit soothingly.  She gently helped him sit up.

            "My leg," he said with displeasure.  "It hurts."

            "You're going to be all right, brother.  What do you remember last?"

            Wilykat closed his eyes.  "I last remember. . . my foot slipped, and I fell from that tree."  He was suddenly alarmed, and his eyes sprang open.  "Hey!  My leg must be broken!"

            "It was, 'Kat, but Quicksilver repaired it.  He also fixed two broken ribs.  Nothing else is broken.  However, you have to treat that leg with care.  It's bonded, but it has to repair itself naturally.  No physical activity until then."

            "-Sigh.-  Understood."  He smiled and laughed softly.  "I am a complete idiot."

            "No, you're not."

            "Yes, I am!  I scared myself half to death by falling after trying that crazy stunt on a wet tree."  He suddenly winced.  "Oh, Jaga!  And I have to get to the restroom."

            Wilykit gently helped him up and supported him as he went into the bathroom.  "You can walk on your own if you don't torture that leg," she said.

            "Yeah."  She helped him into the bathroom and to the toilet, then she went out into the main bedroom.

            "Just because he's injured, though," Michael told her, "you won't have to cater to him all the time."

            "I don't intend to," said Wilykit.

            When he had finished, Wilykat slowly and carefully came out.  "Hi, Michael," he said.

            "Hello, Wilykat," said Michael.  "You're one lucky guy.  Fell enough of a distance to break every bone in a human's body."

            Wilykat grimaced.  "Three bones are enough," he retorted wryly.  "I hurt all over except, now, for one spot.  What time is it?"

            "About lunchtime," Wilykit said.  "Quicksilver says chicken noodle soup would be best for you."

            "-Sigh.-  Yeah.  Lower my meat intake enough to make me weak for years."

            "Does he always wake up in such a cheerful mood?" Michael joked.

            "Watch it, Michael," said Wilykat irately.  "When I'm wounded, my temperament is almost invariably terrible. . . especially when I have to lie around.  I hate it, but I'd best get in bed before I hurt my leg any more."  He carefully walked to the side of his bed and got in.  He lay down comfortably.  "-Sigh.-  After this, I'll probably be lazier than a sloth."  His companions and he couldn't help five seconds of quiet laughter.

            "Don't worry," said Michael.  "My mom taught me her chicken noodle soup recipe.  Kevin always enjoyed it when he was stuck in bed with a common cold virus.  Regardless of whether Mom or I prepared it."  He turned to Wilykit.  "Want to help me prepare it?"

            "Sure," Wilykit said.

            Wilykat took the computer terminal from his nightstand.  "I'll use this time to study," he said.  "Looks like I've got nothing better to do."

            "Good boy.  See you."

            "See you, guys."  Wilykit and Michael stepped out.  "Hey!" Wilykat asked himself suddenly.  "What are those two doing together?"

            * * *

            Snarf showed Michael where everything was in the lair's kitchen.  The human set to his self-appointed task without disrupting Snarf's own food-preparation, much to the small being's appreciation.  Wilykit knew her way around, anyway, so she could help Michael while Snarf was busy.

            Michael prepared the chicken chunks and the noodles himself.  Before very long, the soup was ready.  "Voilà.  Chicken noodle soup. . . just like Mother used to make," Michael said.  He took a small taste that included chicken.  "Wonderful!"

            "Snarf, snarf!  It sure smells great," said Snarf.  "Just let ol' Snarf give it the taste test."  He lifted himself up to the pot with his tail and, with a clean spoon, took a small taste of the soup.  His delight was clear.  "Mm, mm!  Snarfect!  It'll sure please Wilykat.  It pains me to admit that I'm not too great with this stuff, snarf, snarf."

            "Well, before anyone grabs too much of this," Michael said, "I'm scooping out two bowls that are exclusively for Wilykat."  He prepared two bowls and left one on a burner that was on.  "Will these dishes tolerate stove burners, Snarf?"

            "Yes, Michael."

            "All right.  Take all you want from the pot, but please save that extra bowl for Wilykat, okay?"

            "Sure thing."

            Wilykit held out a tray.  "Put it on here, Michael."  Michael put the bowl on the tray.  Then, he got a napkin, fork, knife, and spoon and placed them next to the bowl.  He took a large plate, lifted the bowl, put the plate on the tray, and put the bowl on the plate.

            Michael asked, "Do you have any bread?  I personally prefer to have bread and butter with soup."

            "Check the counter there," said Snarf, pointing.  He was occupied with something else now.

            "Okay."  Michael found the bread in a package.  He found the clean knife nearby and cut four pieces off.  "Maybe I should've poured the soup last.  I'm letting this bowl get cold!"

            "I think he'll just be happy to eat," Wilykit said.  "He eats a lot.  It was wise of you to leave an extra bowl for him."

            Michael put the bread on the plate.  Then, he checked the refrigerator and found butter.  He used a clean knife to slice off a bit and place it on one edge of the plate.  He put the butter away and withdrew a personal-sized bottle of milk.  He removed a glass from a cabinet near the sink.  "Is this milk pasteurised?"

            "Sure, all of it is," Snarf said.  "And homogenised."

            "All right."  He put the glass and bottle on the tray and took the tray from Wilykit.  "Let's go, Wilykit."

            * * *

            Wilykat was reading about Amore Eternamente, thinking that that just might be the reason Michael and Wilykit were spending time together.  He knew they were in love, but he suspected - and hoped, for some reason that he could not fathom - that it was more than just a mutual crush, though he had no evidence of anything more.

            When the door opened, he switched off his screen.  Wilykit entered, followed by Michael, who carried the tray over to him.  "Here you go, Wilykat," said Michael.  "Lunch."

            Wilykat was sitting up.  He put his terminal on his nightstand.  "Gee, that soup smells good," Wilykat said.  "Ah. . . it might be messy if I eat it here.  Would it be safe if I sat at the table to eat?"

            "I think so, as long as you're not applying constant pressure to your left leg," Michael said.  He took the tray over to the table.  Wilykat got up and carefully but smoothly walked over to the table.  Wilykit was holding out the chair for him.  When he sat in it, she gently pushed it in.

            "Thank you, 'Kit."

            "No problem, Wilykat," said Wilykit.

            "Got everything you need?" Michael asked.

            "Looks like it," Wilykat said.  He took a test taste of the soup.  "Mm!  This is already the best chicken noodle soup I've ever tasted!"

            "I even saved you an extra bowl," said Michael.

            "I think Snarf intends to feed some of it to the rest of us," Wilykit said.  "He seemed impressed at his test taste."

            Wilykat poured some milk into his glass and began buttering a slice of bread.  "I like it, too," he said.

            Wilykit had been sneaking up to her brother's nightstand.  She knew her brother normally turned off the terminal screen without clearing the data when he planned to continue reading later.  She took his terminal and turned it on.  "Uh, oh," she quietly said as she read the title and some of the content.

            Wilykat turned around.  He smiled deviously when he saw the expression on her face.  "I'd love to photograph you right now," he told her.  "You two believe you're Amore Eternamente, right?"

            "How'd you guess?" asked Wilykit.

            "How couldn't I?  I've wondered since last December."  He began eating the soup.

            "Since you saw Michael and me kissing in the hangar at Hawkhaven?"

            "Mm-hm."

            She turned to Michael.  "Michael. . ."

            "It's okay," said Michael.  "Since he's figured it out, it's all right by me."  Wilykit nodded.

            Wilykat said, "Well, this soup is great, Michael."  He drank a small sip of milk from the glass.

            "Thank you, Wilykat," Michael said.

            Wilykit took the other chair and sat down next to Wilykat to his left.  She resisted a strong urge to kick him playfully.  He deserved it, but it might make things worse for him.  "So, how's that leg feeling?"

            "It still hurts," said Wilykat.  "But not quite as much, I don't think."  He was buttering a piece of bread.  His knife hand slipped, however, and he accidentally hit his left index finger.  "Ow!"

            Wilykit took the piece of bread and put it on the plate, then the knife.  She took his left hand and examined it.  "A small cut, nothing more," she said.  She covered his left hand, including the injury, in her right hand.  "Poor brother; everything has to happen to you," she said with great sympathy.

            "Hey, the pain's gone," said Wilykat, a bit startled.  "I also felt. . . something from your hand!"

            Wilykit released his hand.  "Hey!  Where's your cut?" she asked.

            Michael took a look at Wilykat's hand.  "It's healed," he said.  "More quickly than it should have, too.  I don't. . . wait a minute.  I don't usually do this stuff to myself, but. . ."  He took his Zapper, set it very low, and very slightly burned his right hand. . . not seriously, but enough to cause injury to the flesh.  "Ooch!"

            "Michael!" Wilykit exclaimed.  "What. . .?"

            "Touch it," said Michael.  Wilykit shrugged, stood, and touched the injured skin with the index finger and middle finger of her right hand.  Quickly, the skin healed.

            "What the heck?" she demanded, slowly withdrawing her hand.

            "Wow," said Michael.  "You did that, young lady."

            "I did that?"  She sat back down.  She was very confused.  "How?"

            "I'll call Quicksilver.  Maybe he can analyse what happens, Wilykit, when you touch Wilykat's leg."

            * * *

            Dr. Wily's Lab, Skull Compound, MegaLand, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.

            Wily was examining his data of the N-Team's system. . . or what little data he had.  The do-gooders had successfully thwarted all Brain-Team attempts to analyse how they shift the dimensions.  Until they could figure that, there was no way the Brain-Team could completely unite.  The evil scientist was seriously annoyed.  None of his attempts, so far, could even give him a hint as to how the N-Team's dimension-shifting device functioned.

            He hit his desk with his left fist in agitation as the computer once more returned the phrase:  "Subject is shielded from all analysis."

            "Curses!" shouted Dr. Wily.  "How the heck are we going to conquer these do-gooding saps if we can't sock their warping systems?"

            "Cool down, Doc," IceMan said.

            "Yeah," said HeatMan.  "You'll burn down the whole place with your head alone.  Take a break."

            "Ah, you're right," Wily said.  "After all, we're not exactly on the verge of failure."  He stood and stretched.  "Ooh.  I just hate that I can't find a way to foil those fools on the N-Team!"

            Mumm-ra appeared in the room.  "Greetings, Wily."

            Wily was surprised.  IceMan and HeatMan raised their weapons.  "No, you idiots!" snapped Wily.  "Mumm-ra is an ally."  He turned to Mumm-ra.  "How did you manage to get here?"

            Mumm-ra said, "You may wish to examine these data that I have obtained."  He handed a padd to Dr. Wily.

            Wily grew enraged as he read.  "Why, those N-Twerps!  I'm so stupid for not noticing this!  If I were one of my robots, I'd kill myself for this stupidity!"  He turned to his computer.  "Computer, analyse the dimensional matrix of this section of the galaxy!"  Figures popped onto his terminal. . . essentially the same information that was on the padd Mumm-ra had given him.  "Ha, ha!  This is the jackpot, Mumm-ra!  Thank you."

            "Don't mention it, Doctor," said Mumm-ra.

            Wily analysed the data visually.  "Ah!  So that's how they do it.  Four secret transmitters."

            "I have some secret friends who are going to take care of those," said Mumm-ra.  "That, however, will take time."

            "I see.  Meanwhile, I can create some devices to allow transport," Wily said.

            * * *

            Wilytwins' Room, Cat's Lair, third-Earth, Milky Way Galaxy.

            As Wilykat was finishing his soup, Quicksilver and Michael entered the room.  "Hello, Wilykat," Quicksilver said.  "Taking it easy on your leg?"

            "Yeah," Wilykat said.

            Quicksilver turned to Wilykit.  "Michael says you might have a magic touch, lady."

            "Maybe," Wilykit said uncertainly.  "I don't know what happened."

            "Since I've finished my first bowl," said Wilykat, "I'll go lie down."  Quicksilver nodded.  He approved of the caution Wilykat took in going back to his bed.  The Thunder Kitten lay down comfortably.

            Quicksilver took out his medical tricorder and went over to Wilykat's side.  "Okay, you're on, Wilykit," he said.

            Wilykit went over to the foot of the bed and gently crawled on.  She sat at the end of her brother's feet.  "Just where is the healing fracture?"

            "Near the middle of the lower left leg," Quicksilver said.  Wilykit put her hand a bit above the middle.  "Just a bit higher.  Yeah.  Right there."

            "Wait," said Michael.  "Will you examine the energy drain from her, too?"

            "Good idea!"  Quicksilver pressed some buttons on his tricorder.  "Yes.  Please proceed, Wilykit."

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  She touched her brother's leg.

            After a few seconds, Quicksilver said, "Nothing's happening."

            "Wait," Wilykit said.  After a few moments, a bit of pinkish energy appeared where her hand touched Wilykat's leg.

            "Yes," said Quicksilver.  "The bonded fracture is completely healed now."  The energy disappeared.  "What'd you do differently?"

            "When I healed my brother's cut and Michael's self-inflicted burn, I almost willed each to get better.  Here, at first, I just touched without consciously wishing.  After you mentioned it, I did wish it."

            "I see," said Quicksilver.  "You appear to have enough power to easily cure much worse physical injuries.  I'd have to check it more to be sure, but your power gives enough energy to stimulate super-fast healing like I've never seen before."

            "I see."  Wilykit descended from the bed; but she scraped her right leg on a bedpost.  "Ow!"

            "Wait!" said Wilykat before she moved to heal herself.  "C'mere."  He sat on the side of his bed as Wilykit went over to him.  As if reading his mind, Wilykit sat down to his left and held out her leg.  He stood and supported her leg with his left hand as he touched the injured skin with his right hand.  When he willed it, the skin cured itself instantly.  "There."

            "So, we both have it," Wilykit said.

            Quicksilver said, "That is logical, since you're twins."  He smiled.  "It'll also be good, due to the scrapes you two can get in."

            "Yeah," agreed Wilykat.

            "Are his ribs all completely repaired, or are those two just bonded?" Wilykit asked.

            "They're completely repaired," said Quicksilver.  "I'm amazed.  Your power is so powerful, but it doesn't drain your energy.  Could you guys come by the VideoLand hospital tomorrow if there's a time when you aren't too busy?  I'd like to study this some more."

            "We'll try to be there," Wilykat said.  He felt his leg and smiled.  "This sure feels better.  Thank you, 'Kit."

            "No problem, bro," said Wilykit.  "Want that second bowl?"

            "I sure do!  Michael's chicken noodle soup is great."

            "Actually, it's a family recipe on my mother's side," said Michael.  "Since she didn't have any daughters, Mom taught Kevin and me how to make it."

            "Well, thank you, guys," Quicksilver said.  "You can move around now, Wilykat.  I just don't want you abusing that leg yet, okay?  Give it time."

            "Got it," said Wilykat.  Three knocks hit the door.  "Come in!"

            The door opened, and Cheetara entered.  "Well, hello, Doctor."

            "Wilykat is perfectly fine now," said Quicksilver.  "I'll let him and Wilykit and Michael explain.  Of course, I still prefer that he not abuse his leg.  Normal walking is acceptable and recommended, as is slow running, but just to be safe, I recommend no tree-jumping for two days, nor anything else that may require a hard landing on his feet."

            "Understood, Quicksilver."

            "I'm needed at the hospital," said Quicksilver.  "See you all later."  He left.

            "Well, it's lunchtime," Cheetara said.  "Snarf was under the assumption that you were staying, Michael."

            "I am, Cheetara," said Michael.  "Just so we won't startle everyone, why don't you stay here, Wilykat?"

            "Sure," said Wilykat.  "Just make sure you remember to bring me that second bowl you promised."

            "I prepared two bowls for you before I let Snarf at the pot."

            "Soup?" Cheetara asked.

            "Quicksilver suggested chicken noodle for Wilykat," said Wilykit.  "Michael prepared a recipe that his mother taught him."

            "And it's great," Wilykat said, sitting at the table.

            "I see," said Cheetara.  "Well, then, I suggest we get to the dining room."

            "We're coming," Wilykit said.

            "I'll be right back with your second bowl, Wilykat," said Michael.

            "Thank you," Wilykat said.

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Kevin entered the throne room, where Lana was sitting on the throne and examining some papers.  "Hi, Princess," he said.

            Lana looked up to him.  "Hello, Kevin.  Where's your brother?"

            "He's with the Thunder Cats," said Kevin.  "I understand he has certain feelings for a certain female Thunder Kitten."

            Lana smiled.  "I see."  She put her papers on her seat after she had stood.  She walked over to him.  "How about lunch?"

            "Sure."  He bent his right arm and offered it.  She looped her left arm through it.  "Where do you suggest?"

            "A café has opened in Kakariko Town on Hyrule.  Would you like to try it?"

            "Certainly!"  They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, then they went to the warp hall.

            * * *

            Control Room, Tourian, Metroid, VideoLand.

            MotherBrain and Ludwig were thinking very hard.  It seemed impossible to take down the N-Team, and it would remain impossible unless they neutralised the N-Team's advantage.  "Drat it," Ludwig said.  "There must be some way to stop those N-Twerps!"

            "I agree," said MotherBrain.

            Suddenly, Dr. Wily ran into the room.  He was excited.  "MotherBrain!  Ludwig!" he exclaimed.  "Mumm-ra just appeared in my lab."

            "What?" Ludwig demanded.

            "How?" asked MotherBrain.

            Wily handed Ludwig a data padd.  "He obtained these data.  I don't know how, but he did."

            Ludwig, himself trained in science, read the data.  His face literally turned purple with rage!  "Oh, God damn me!" he shouted.  "I have been an utter imbecile for not noticing this!"

            "I reacted similarly when I read this," Wily told him.

            "What is it?" asked MotherBrain.

            "This is the secret," Ludwig told her.  "Mumm-ra has shown Dr. Wily the very data we need to outwit the N-Team's dimensional shifting.  Dr. Light, Tygra, Steelwill, and Gyro Gearloose think they're such geniuses for devising this system, but we're about to show them!"

            MotherBrain said, "We'll stand a better chance of taking them completely by surprise if we keep this to ourselves until we're ready to implement it."

            "Yes.  Wily," asked Ludwig, "does your lab have the facilities to create interdimensional warps with this information?"

            "Yes, Ludwig," Wily said.  "Of course, if we work on this together, it'll go much faster."

            "And we'll have the protection of your delightfully malicious Robot Masters, as well.  Very well.  I'll come to help you."

            "Mumm-ra told me he had comrades that could take care of the four transmitters creating the field that causes the dimension-shifting."

            "Wonderful.  Meanwhile, we shall make do.  Shall we adjourn to your lab, Dr. Wily?"

            "Certainly."

            "I'll keep an eye on the N-Team," said MotherBrain.

            "Very well," Ludwig said.  He and Wily left to the latter's Skull Castle.