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

Lion-O, Cheetara, Wilykit, Michael, and Snarf were having lunch in the dining room of the lair.  There had been enough of Michael's soup left to give everyone a small bowl.  "So," Michael asked, "where are Tygra and Panthro?"

            "They're at the Tower of Omens with Snarfer," Lion-O told him.  "Bengali, Pumyra, and Lynx-O have gone to New Thundera to explore."

            "I see."

            Cheetara said, "I'm sorry, Michael.  I'm just curious, but. . . is there a reason you're hanging around?"

            Michael smiled at Wilykit.  "Yes.  A very good reason."  Wilykit smiled back.

            "I understand.  Wilykit, are the feelings mutual?"

            "They certainly are, Cheetara," Wilykit said.

            Lion-O managed to avoid any facial expression.  He was in love with Wilykit himself, but he had kept it hidden because he didn't think she was ready for it yet.  Apparently, she was.  Too late for him to realise.  He knew now, however, that his feelings themselves had already determined that his position as Lord of the Thunder Cats would pass down to Wilykit.  Though Lion-O was most closely related to Tygra, his long-term feelings for Wilykit that had come when she saved him from a tree made her his heir.  Ironically, she was the first female ever in the line of inheritance that would actually be in a logically correct position to inherit.

            No matter.  Michael was a good man, like his brother.  Despite his sometimes emotional nature, he rarely lost his temper, and he was usually very sensible.  He was a teenager, but he had proven himself more reliable than many adults and quite powerful in battle.

            "Well," said Cheetara, "another good lunch.  Thank you, Snarf, for the sandwiches.  Thank you, Michael, for the soup."

            "Yes, it was great," Lion-O said.

            Wilykit looked at Snarf.  "I really enjoyed the sandwiches."  She turned to Michael, sitting next to her.  "And the soup."

            "Thank you, Wilykit," Michael said.  "I also enjoyed the sandwiches, Snarf."

            "I liked the soup," said Snarf.  "Snarf, snarf.  Mine isn't too hot."

            "Thank you," Michael said.  "Kevin likes it, too."

            "Well, I'd best get to the control room," Lion-O said.  "Never know when something will happen."

            "Sure," said Cheetara.  After wiping his mouth with his napkin, Lion-O got up and went to the control room.  "Snarf, why don't we leave these two alone for a few minutes?"

            "Sure, Cheetara," said Snarf.

            "We'll collect the dishes when we've finished here, Snarf," Wilykit said.

            "Thank you."  Snarf went into the kitchen, Cheetara into the control room.

            Michael was sitting to Wilykit's right.  He put his left arm around her back.  "So," he asked, "how're you doing?"

            "Fine," said Wilykit.  "Is there something you'd like to do, Michael?"

            "What's on your no-no list?" he asked wryly.  "I wouldn't want to cross the line."

            She grinned.  "Are you forgetting I'm crazy about you?"

            "On the contrary.  I want to do my best to keep you crazy about me.  I just don't want to do something that might offend you."

            "It's okay, Michael.  If you do, I won't let myself get upset.  But. . . aren't you considered a minor?"

            "You let me worry about that, okay?"

            "Ah. . . okay, Michael.  What would you get in trouble doing?"

            "If I got in trouble, it would only be with Kevin.  He wouldn't harm me."

            "Oh. . . let's just. . . stop worrying ourselves."

            "Sounds great, Wilykit.  Have you ever played video games?"

            "No, we didn't have those on Thundera."

            "Aw, too bad.  Would you like to?"

            "Gee, I sure would!  But do you have any?"

            "Yeah.  Kevin and I each.  We have devices that let us re-create any video game and video game system.  A perk of being on good terms with the ruler of VideoLand.  Of course, some games are utterly deficient in plot-lines."

            "Hm."

            "The earlier games, especially, were limited technologically.  However, later games were developed with better resources, but some of 'em are utterly screaming for plots!  Adventure games and role-playing games need it the most, as story line is very important to the progression.  Many action games are adventure-oriented enough to require a good plot, also.  Oh, well.  Want me to show you some?"

            "Sure, Michael.  What about Wilykat?"

            "Sounds good!  He can come, too."

            "All right, then."  Michael gathered the plates and Wilykit the glasses, and they took them to Snarf in the kitchen.

            Then, they went to the control room.  "Lion-O," Wilykit asked, "may Wilykat and I go to the Palace of Power with Michael?"

            "Sure, Wilykit," said Lion-O.  "Just call if you're going to stay for dinner."

            Wilykit smiled broadly.  "Thank you!"  She and Michael went to her and Wilykat's room.

            Wilykat was reading when they entered.  "Hey, guys!" greeted Wilykat.

            "Want to go to the Palace of Power with us?" Wilykit asked.  "Michael wants to show us some video games."

            Wilykat grinned as he shut off the terminal and put on his shoes.  "Sounds good.  Is it cleared with Lion-O?"

            "Yup.  I just asked him."

            "Okay," said Wilykat as he went over to them.  "You lead, please, Michael."

            "Sure, Wilykat," Michael said.  "Ah, wait a minute.  What about your dishes?"

            "Oops," said Wilykat.  He put all his dishes on the tray.  "You guys can wait by the warp while I take these to Snarf."  Wilykit and Michael nodded.  They all left the room.

            * * *

            Café, Kakariko Town, Light World, Hyrule, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Kevin downed his last sip of Pepsi.  "Wonderful," he said, smiling at his friend.  "Thanks, Lana."

            "It was my pleasure, Kevin," Lana said.  "It's convenient coming here, especially since we don't have to convert pounds to rupees.  Unlike many other worlds, Hyrule readily accepts pounds.  Now, it's to such a degree that pounds are more common than rupees."

            Kevin nodded, then saw a familiar face.  "Hey, Link!" he called.

            Lana turned as Link came to them.  "Hello, Kevin," said Link.  "Good day, Princess."

            "Good afternoon, Link," Lana said.  "How are things?"

            "Slow," said the hero of Hyrule.  "I don't like it.  Ganon hasn't sent an attack in days."

            "Yeah," Kevin agreed.  "MotherBrain and Ludwig have been rather quiet, too.  It feels like the eye of a hurricane to me."

            "What's a hurricane?" asked Link.

            "You don't really want to find out," Kevin told him.  "A lot of water and a lot of wind.  It swirls around a central eye, which itself is completely stormless.  Of course, if the eye passes through the area, then the winds and rain will return, except they're flowing in the opposite direction.  On Earth, they develop in tropical regions of the ocean in the summer months.  They can cause billions of dollars' worth of damage in hours when they hit land."

            "I see," said Link.  "I gather that you're referring to the central eye, and that you're implying the storm's about to return."

            "Yeah."  He jiggled his glass with ice and looked at his plate, which had formerly contained a cheeseburger and French fries.  All now inside his body.  He shook his head.  "In fact, I'm not very comfortable about what can happen.  What if Wily or Hardware or Aluro finds out how to disrupt our field generators?"

            This disturbed Lana.  "That can't happen," she tried to convince him, actually trying to convince herself.  "I mean, Dr. Light, Steelwill, Gyro, and Tygra were so careful."

            "Lana, despite our friends' scientific know-how, there still remains a chance that the evil mad scientists can find a way to disrupt those fields.  That done, the villains can unite.  Or, even worse, they can figure out how to warp dimensionally."

            Link sat down to Kevin's left.  "He's right, Lana," Link said.  "That logic cannot be argued."

            Lana crossed her arms and sighed.  "Drat," she said.  "I've rarely been one to argue with logic.  I guess I want to be so certain our enemies can't break our dimension-shifting that I'm actually fooling myself."

            Kevin reached across and put his right hand on her left shoulder.  "We'll fight 'em off," he told her valiantly.  "I swear to you, Lana.  They will not conquer us."

            Lana jumped up, went over to him and hugged him affectionately.  He put his arms around her in return.  They looked into each other's eyes.  She knew what he felt for her, and she knew he knew she felt the same way about him.  He had good intentions ever since he first rescued her from MotherBrain.  After talking to Michael alone, she knew Kevin was most definitely a very good person.

            None of this made what she had to say easier for her.  But she had to say it.  He deserved to hear it.  "Kevin," she started, "I. . . I. . ."  She broke eye contact and brooded for a moment, then looked back at him.  She had to tell him, and she had to tell him now.  Softly but very certainly, she told him, "Kevin, I love you."

            He smiled kindly at her.  "I love you, too, Lana," he told her.  They kissed compassionately.

            About two seconds later, MotherBrain's hologram appeared near them.  "How sweet!" she laughed.

            Lana tried to jump back, but Kevin kept her from doing that because she could have hit the table.  They gently released one another.  Then, they and Link stood.  "Well, MotherBrain," said Kevin sarcastically, "I might consider thanking you for helping Lana and me come together, but you'd have to go to prison first."

            "Ha, ha!" MotherBrain laughed.  "You're a comedian, Captain N!"

            "Not by profession.  For what purpose do you communicate with us at this time, MotherBrain?"

            "Well, you know, your dimension-shifter is not infallible.  I advise you to be cautious."

            "If you're going to be cryptic," Lana shouted, "then leave us alone!"  Kevin, to her right, put the knuckles of his left fist gently on her back and rubbed her the right way.  This act of his was not visible to MotherBrain.

            "Very well," said MotherBrain.  "There's nothing worse than a ticked-off teenage princess, anyway.  Good-bye, friends!"  She disappeared.

            Instantly afterwards, Lana, on the verge of tears, hugged Kevin.  "Oh, Kevin!  Please, take me home."

            "Sure," said Kevin softly.

            Link asked, "Would you like me to join you two?"

            Kevin looked in Lana's eyes.  "Thank you, but no, Link," Kevin told him.

            Link nodded.  "I understand.  Just let me show you something."  He pulled out his map of the area and indicated a route.  "If you leave town to the north, turn east, and then go south through these woods here, you'll reach the castle quickly.  Also, it's a little less public that way."

            Kevin memorised the route.  "Thank you, Link.  See you later."

            "See you two later."

            Kevin and Lana left town through the north, along the only cement-paved road in Kakariko, which ran north-south through town and turned to go east-west through the country between Hyrule Castle and the mountains.  As they walked south through the woods towards the castle, they had complete privacy.  "Kevin, you're so good to me," said Lana, still to Kevin's left.  "Even when I lose my head."

            Kevin's left arm was around her back, and he now squeezed her left shoulder gently with his left hand.  "It's okay," he told her kindly.  "But I am very concerned about what she was hinting.  Suppose her goons have found a way to neutralise that field."

            "Whatever happens," said Lana, stopping and looking in his eyes, "I'll love you, Kevin."

            "I'll always love you, too, Lana," he told her.  They hugged each other with great compassion.

            After about thirty seconds, Lana suggested, "Well, Kev, shall we move on?"

            "Sure, Lana," he said.  Lana smiled.  "What?"

            "Oh, nothing," she said.  "Shall we?"

            "Sure."  They continued on their way.

            * * *

            Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            Michael showed the Thunder Kittens into his neat room.  "Well, here's my room," he said.

            "Very nice," said Wilykit, looking around.  As she looked she saw a picture on his dresser.  "What's this picture?"

            "Take a look."

            Wilykit did.  She smiled.  "Brother, look at this," she said softly.

            Wilykat looked.  "Wow," he whispered.  "You, Kevin, and Duke."

            "Not long before Kevin and Duke were pulled into VideoLand," Michael said.

            Wilykit said, "This picture of Kevin looks exactly like you, Michael."

            "He was fifteen in that," said Michael, "and I'm sixteen now."

            "It's beautiful," Wilykat said.  "This photographer was one excellent artist."  He and his sister joined hands.

            "Our parents agreed that it was moving."

            "You two are obviously very close," said Wilykit.

            "Yeah, we are," Michael said.  He sat down on his bed.  "Do you guys want to hear a real tear-jerker?  Kevin and I almost bawled our eyes out when I told him."

            Wilykat said uncertainly, "Ah, well, I'm not really. . . partial to sad tales, if you know what I mean.  If you'd like to tell us, though, go ahead."

            "Hang on a minute."  He went over to the replicator and said, "One box of sixty soft facial tissues, please."  The box appeared in the slot.  He took it over with him as he returned to his bed.  "Sit down, please."  Wilykit sat down to his right, Wilykat to his left.  "This happened the night Kevin disappeared, Monday, September 11, 1989."  He turned to Wilykat.  "I told Wilykit earlier that I'm a French horn player.  So, that night, I was practising with my school's junior orchestra.  I got home at around seven thirty that evening."

            * * *

            The Keene Household, Northridge, California, 20th-Century Earth, VideoLand Quadrant.  September 11, 1989.

            At seven twenty-seven in the evening, Michael stepped through the front door.  He saw two trash bags sitting by the door and sighed.  Oh, brother, he thought, annoyed.  Honestly, couldn't that brother of his hit the pause button between battles with digital monsters just long enough to take a few garbage bags out to the street?  He's supposed to be my model, doggone him, Michael thought wryly.  After all, he is my older brother.

            He entered, his French horn case in his right hand and his bookbag on his back.  He paused by the kitchen, where their mother was preparing supper.  "Hi, Mom!" he greeted cheerfully.

            "Hey, Michael," she sighed.  "I'm sorry, but. . . well, I really had a bad day at work, sweetie.  Temperamental computers and lazy systems programmers make a bad mix, especially for an applications programmer who needs their work to be done in order to do her work."

            "Okay, Mom.  I'll try to get Kevin down here to get the garbage.  If he doesn't come, I'll get it myself."

            "Thank you, Michael."

            Michael went up the stairs to his clean room.  Unlike his brother's, his room was very organised.  He put his bookbag on the floor in an unoccupied corner with the horn, then he went across the hall.

            That's odd, he thought before entering Kevin's room.  Kevin's usually in there playing games with the volume at medium, and I'm hearing nothing.  He stepped in and called, "Kevin!"  He looked around the disorganised room.  His eyes widened when he saw the controller and Zapper on the floor, so he ran over to the TV.  The game Punchout!! was in the Nintendo machine, and the end-of-round screen was showing.  "Hey, Kevin!" he called worriedly.  "The joke's over, okay?  Kevin!  It's Michael!"  He knew better than to look in the closet.  Kevin had just stuffed a bunch of junk in there, and it would crush him if he so much as tapped the door.

            However, Michael was on the verge of freaking out.  "Kevin, where are you?" he called.  He saw the window was closed.  It made sense, since the air conditioning was on.  "Kevin!  Where are you?"  He looked around, backing out.  "No!!" he screamed louder than his horn ever could.  "Kevin!!"

            His mother came upstairs.  "Michael, why are you yelling?" she asked.

            He left the room.  "Kevin's not here!" he cried.

            "What?  But I saw him!  He came up here at six forty-five."

            Michael was terrified.  "But he isn't here!  He's not here, Mom!"  He ran into her arms.  "What could've happened?" he bawled.

            His mother looked all through the room and couldn't find Kevin.  "Kevin," she called sternly.  "Come out here."

            "Duke's gone, too!"  He looked at the TV screen.  "And my bro usually does pretty well against this guy, too."  He started crying loudly.  "Mom!  What are we going to do?"

            His mother hugged him.  She herself was about to cry.  "I don't know, Michael," she said as she rubbed his back.  "I don't think he'd run away.  I'll call Paul Drake, okay?"

            Michael knew Paul Drake.  He and Perry Mason had helped his brother out of a jam before.  "Okay, Mom."  He suddenly recalled something.  "Mom, I'm going to my room, okay?"

            "I know it's not your task, Michael, but could you take out the trash for me?  I'd appreciate it."

            "Sure, Mom."  He went to do as his mother just asked.  After that, he lay on his own bed and cried some more until dinner.

            * * *

            Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.  Stardate 49 756.16; April 2, 1993.

            Michael had succeeded in making himself and his guests cry.  "That's so sad!" Wilykit managed.

            "The worst part is, it's true," said Michael.  "Every bit of it."  They each took a tissue.

            Wilykat gently patted his eyes.  "You must've been so happy when you saw Kevin and Duke again."

            "I was, and they were happy to see me," Michael said.  He rubbed Wilykit's back.  She was still crying.  "You okay?"

            "Yeah," she said.  She looked up at him.  "How'd you stand it?"

            "I have no idea," he said honestly.  "I must be more like him than I think.  I don't let grief pin me down."

            She hugged him.  "You're so strong, Michael."

            "I do my best, kid."  They looked in each other's eyes.

            Wilykat asked, "Michael, what was it you remembered?"

            "Wily," said Michael.  "That mad scientist is the creep that framed Kevin.  At the time, I wondered whether he had something to do with this."

            "Hm," Wilykat said.  "Too bad the warp zone had been closed."

            "Yeah, and too bad I had orchestra practice," added Michael.  "Oh!  I brought my French horn out here."  He got up and went to his closet.  He withdrew the horn case from the bottom, opened the case, and extracted the instrument.

            "Ooh, it's nice and shiny!" Wilykat commented.

            "I keep it polished," said Michael.  He jiggled the three rotary valves and the trigger.  "These kids are okay."

            "I thought you told me you didn't need 'em," Wilykit said.

            "I don't," said Michael.  "However, it's hard to find natural horns in music stores in suburban Los Angeles these days."  He gently laid the instrument on his bed, extracted the mouthpiece, and closed the case, which he put back in the closet.  Then, he opened a drawer in his desk and extracted some music.  "I once did the trombone solo from the first movement of Mahler's Third Symphony on the French horn.  I did it in the proper pitches."  He extracted the part from his music.

            "How's. . . oh, I forgot," Wilykat said.  "A French horn is longer than a trombone.  It's confusing, because the horn is used as the alto instrument, while the trombone is the tenor instrument."

            "Yeah.  A good hornist can surround the bassoon's range."  He had been holding the mouthpiece in his right hand to get it warm.  He now laid a piece of music on his bed, took the horn off the bed, put the mouthpiece carefully in its place, and held the horn.  "These things get heavy after a while."  He put his right hand in the bell and raised the mouthpiece to his lips.

            Then, he played a familiar chord. . . the E-flat Major arpeggio played by the horns at the very beginning of Wagner's Das Rheingold.  For Michael's horn, it was a B-flat Major chord, but he did not use the valves or the trigger.  He performed the whole chord with all valves closed, and he hit every pitch right on the head.

            "Pretty good," Wilykit said.

            "Thank you," said Michael.  The door-chime sounded.  "Come in."

            The door opened.  Kevin and Lana came in.  "Hello, everyone," Kevin said.

            "Hello," said Michael, stepping over to his brother.

            Lana said, "Kevin, if you don't mind, I'd like to go to my room and be alone for a while."

            "Sure, okay," Kevin told her, his left arm on her right shoulder.  He kissed her cheek.  "I'll come by later, okay?"

            "Certainly, Kevin."  Lana left.

            "What's with Lana?" asked Michael softly.

            "MotherBrain just upset her," Kevin said.  He shook his head.  "Poor Lana.  I'm worried about her.  I might have had a hand in upsetting her, too, unfortunately.  She wanted so much to believe that our system of field generators could not be broken that she probably convinced herself of it, and I. . . well, I kind of burst that illusion.  After that, MotherBrain appeared and also said our system was fallible."  He closed his eyes and shook his head.

            Michael put his horn on his bed so that the mouthpiece would not be lying on the bed but off the end.  "Hey, Kev, it's okay," he said.  He put his hands supportively on his brother's shoulders.  "We both know she's a strong person."

            "Yeah, but she's so upset right now," said Kevin.

            "Don't blame yourself, Kevin."

            Kevin sighed.  "I guess I am trying to do that," he said softly.  "Who taught you to be this way, anyway?"

            Michael smiled.  "You did."

            "Well, I guess I was a pretty good teacher, then."  Michael released him.  "So, what are these guys doing here?"

            "He was going to show us video games," Wilykit said.

            "Good for him.  Hey.  Wilykat, aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

            "I was," said Wilykat.  "That was until we discovered that Wilykit and I have healing powers."

            "Well, I haven't heard about that yet," said Kevin.  "Let's just all sit on the floor, okay?"

            The four sat in a diamond shape on the floor.  Wilykit was sitting in front of Michael's bed.  Counterclockwise, it was she, Wilykat, Kevin, and Michael.  "Want to get your coat off, Kev?" Michael asked, removing his red Northridge High coat with the black N.  "I set the temperature to be comfortable."

            "Sure," said Kevin.  He wore a yellow short sleeved shirt underneath, Michael a red one.  He removed his coat, which he handed to Michael.  Michael got up and put his own coat in his closet, Kevin's on the back of a chair.  He then returned to his spot in the diamond.  "So," Kevin asked, "what happened today?"

            Wilykit said, "Wilykat and I were jumping through the trees this morning.  I was ahead of him, so he tried to jump ahead of me.  However, since it'd rained last night, the trees and leaves were wet."

            "When I tried to jump," continued Wilykat, "my feet slipped, and I fell."

            "I was sure scared," Wilykit said.  "Loudly, I called out, 'Help!' "

            "I was walking through the forest about then," Michael said.  "I was thinking about several things.  As I neared where these guys were leaping, I heard their voices, and I just assumed things were normal.  That was until I heard something hit the ground, and I was utterly terrified when I heard Wilykit's loud call.  I ran towards her as fast as I could until I saw Wilykat lying on the ground.  I instantly scanned him.  When Wilykit arrived, I asked what had happened, and she told me he'd slipped."

            "He kept me from touching Wilykat and possibly causing more harm to him," Wilykit said.  "I was so terrified that I wasn't thinking."

            "Terrified over little me?" asked Wilykat, smiling.  "I'm touched."

            "Wilykat, I love you.  I worry about you when you get hurt, bro."

            Wilykat touched her left hand with his right.  "Yeah.  I'd probably be scared sick if it happened to you."  The Thunder Kittens smiled at each other.

            Kevin inquired, "What injuries did he have, if I may ask?"

            "He broke two right ribs and his lower left leg," Michael said.  "Fortunately, it wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been.  I called Quicksilver, who came out to us.  I set my tricorder as a beacon so he could find us."

            "Michael really calmed me when he hugged me then," said Wilykit.  "I was scared and excited, and he calmed me."  She looked in his eyes.  "Then,. . ."

            "Then, we each said, 'I love you,' " Michael said for her.  "Then, she went up to where Wilykat had fallen from to show me.  That guy fell almost ten metres."

            "Ten metres!" Wilykat softly exclaimed.

            "When I got back down, I tried to blame myself for the fiasco," said Wilykit.  "Then, Michael showed his kindness to me again."

            Michael softly said, "We kissed each other."

            "Ooh!" said Wilykat, turning to Wilykit.  He winked.  "Maybe I ought to lock you in a room with him!"

            "It's not a joking matter, Wilykat," Wilykit sternly told him.  "I'm in love with Michael Keene.  If you don't like it. . ."

            "Hey!  I like it!" said Wilykat defensively.  "He's a nice guy."

            "I'm glad you realise that."

            "I hope you know that I've no intention of causing harm to your sister, Wilykat," Michael said.  "Nor to you."

            "Yeah, I know," said Wilykat.  "I'm just funnin'."

            Kevin said, "Well, Michael, I was kind of wondering when you'd get this far."  He smiled.  "I think you two look kind of cute together!"

            Michael smiled back.  Wilykit moved over to him.  "See?  I told ya!" she said.  They kissed more passionately than before.

            "Oh, yeah!" Kevin said.  "That's a good one, bro!"

            Smiling, Michael shook his head.  Wilykit returned to her spot.  Michael continued, "When we finished kissing there, I took my tricorder and noted that the ThunderClaw had locked onto my signal.  I noted that others had also locked onto it, though, so I asked Wilykit if she could recognise who had.  She said that the other lockers were two sky-cutters and a nose-diver, approaching from the southwest."

            Wilykit said, "Using the data, Michael shot Jackalman's sky-cutter and caused it to crash!"

            "It was still intact, though," added Michael.  "I decided I should greet the Mutants.  I overheard them as they landed in the clearing to the west, where Jackalman had crashed.  That S-s-slithe was mentioning rendering assistance.  They had their crude weaponry, and I just assumed, you know, that their idea of assistance wasn't exactly what I had in mind."

            Kevin smiled.  "Gotta stop assuming," he joked.

            "Of course.  Well, I enraged Jackalman and knocked him out when I asked him how he liked my accurate shot.  I knocked out Monkian, and I threw S-s-slithe a couple of metres."

            "How'd you manage that?"

            "He charged at me, and I used his speed and massive weight against him."

            "Ah!"

            "The ThunderClaw arrived just then, and the Mutants boarded their overgrown go-carts and high-tailed it back to their castle.  When the ThunderClaw landed, I led Lion-O and Quicksilver to Wilykat and Wilykit.  Quicksilver repaired the damage to Wilykat's body.  He could only bond the bone in the leg, though, rather than completely heal it, so Wilykat would have to take it easy.  He did, however, completely heal the ribs.  I loaded Wilykat onto the ThunderClaw, and we all rode it to Cat's Lair."

            "Gee, you might've saved my life with what you did this morning," Wilykat said.  "Thanks, Michael."

            "No problem, 'Kat.  When we got to the Lair, I took Wilykat to his and Wilykit's room, where Quicksilver gave Wilykit certain instructions."

            "I was to keep him comfortable," Wilykit said, "and I was to make sure he didn't abuse his leg.  He could safely walk to the restroom, but he should do nothing more strenuous than that to his leg."  She smiled wryly.  "That was all right.  His mouth was still perfectly healthy, and that could get a workout!"

            "Oh, very funny," Wilykat said.

            "Anyway, since Quicksilver suggested chicken noodle soup," said Michael, "I decided to try our recipe on 'im."  Kevin smiled.  "Quicksilver also suggested we let him sleep until lunch time."

            "I needed the nap," Wilykat commented.

            "Wilykit and I talked about some various subjects, including musical instruments."

            "Kevin, your brother needs a lesson or two in modesty," Wilykit said, smiling.  "He said wind instruments come easily to him."

            "Well," said Kevin, "he's like me.  If he says it, chances are it's true.  He's never lied to me."

            "Once," Michael said, almost embarrassed.

            "But that wasn't a straight lie, Michael.  That was just deception.  And the intention behind it was good."

            "If you say so, Kev."

            "Michael?" asked Wilykit.  She had an inquiring expression on her face.

            Michael nodded.  "Sure."

            "I felt we might be Amore Eternamente," Wilykit said, "but I wanted to keep it between us, so I didn't tell Michael there in our room.  Instead, we went to the Forest of Silence and used his tricorder to communicate.  I explained to him about it.  Do you know about it, Kevin?"

            "Yeah," Kevin said.  "It was in material Lion-O gave us to read."

            "Any kissing?" asked Wilykat, smiling.

            "No," Wilykit said, unperturbed.  "We just hugged and looked in each other's eyes.  Then, we raced to the lair.  Michael won, too."

            "Michael won a race against you?" asked Kevin.  "Good going, brother!"

            "Then," Michael said, "I taught her this!"  He and Wilykit gave each other a high-five.

            "Hey, that looks like fun," said Wilykat.  "How do you do it?"

            Wilykit said, "Hold your right hand like this."  She held up her right hand as if preparatory for a high-five.  Wilykat imitated.  "Then, we just clap our hands together!"  She and Wilykat did a model high-five.

            "Wow," said Wilykat, smiling.

            "Anyway, we stepped in just afterwards," Michael said.  "It had just begun raining in small droplets.  Lion-O greeted us and wondered if we'd been in the rain.  I said I just felt a couple of drips, which was the truth.  Then,. . . hm.  Then a thunderclap sounded, and Wilykit raised the point that Tygra had said that the storm wasn't electrically charged."  Wilykat's and Kevin's eyes widened.  "Lion-O went to check."

            "We can ask later what he discovered," Wilykit added.  "Anyway, when we returned to Wilykat's and my room, Wilykat was still asleep.  Michael told me about how far Wilykat should trust that leg.  I woke Wilykat to tell him about his leg."

            "The moment I returned to consciousness," Wilykat said, "I hurt so badly.  I deduced from what I last remembered that I had broken my leg.  Wilykit told me about my injuries.  She told me not to torture my leg until it got better."

            "After he went to the restroom," said Michael, "I told him he'd fallen enough of a distance to break every bone in a human's body, and he replied that three bones were enough."  They all laughed quietly for a few seconds.  "That was about the time I offered to make him chicken noodle soup for lunch."

            "Did Snarf let you in the kitchen?" Kevin asked.

            "Not only that, he liked his taste test," said Michael.

            "Ooh!  Thank you, Mother!"

            "Yeah.  Anyway, I poured two large bowls just for Wilykat and left the second on a burner.  Snarf said it was okay, so I did it.  I got the other things I usually give with soup. . . bread, butter, milk."

            Wilykat said, "Wilykit was helping Michael in the kitchen, so I used my computer terminal to read about Amore Eternamente.  I wasn't sure, but I suspected that might be what was happening between those two.  I switched off the screen when they returned.  Michael felt it would be safe if I ate at the table, as long as I kept pressure off that leg."  He smiled.  "I loved that soup since the first taste.  I don't know how he did it, but he did it.  Snarf does pretty good with other things, but chicken noodle soup isn't really one of them.  It's not terrible, but. . . well, you get the idea."

            "I deduced correctly that Snarf would be giving the rest of the soup to us for lunch," Wilykit said.  "There was enough for five small bowls.  While Wilykat was preparing his milk and bread, I sneaked to his nightstand to see what he'd been reading about."

            Wilykat smiled.  "I knew what she had been thinking the instant I saw the look on her face.  I'd have photographed her if I could.  I told her I'd been wondering about it since they kissed in the Hawkhaven hangar last December."

            "Yeah," Kevin said.  "Michael told me he and she kissed there."

            "I sat down to my brother's left as he buttered his bread," said Wilykit.

            "My right hand slipped, and I accidentally cut my finger," Wilykat said.  "It was just a small injury, but Wilykit took my bread and knife before I dropped them.  Sympathetically, she covered my left hand in her right hand.  As she did, the pain went, and I felt something from her hand.  When she let go of me, my cut was gone!  Now, Thunderians don't heal that quickly."

            Michael said, "For a moment, I didn't know what had happened.  Then, I felt I might, so I inflicted a very small injury on my right hand and told Wilykit to touch it.  I felt something, too, from her hand as my skin quickly healed.  I was correct to think she had a healing power.  I went to get Quicksilver.  When I got back with him, Wilykat had finished his first bowl.  So, Wilykat lay down on his bed, Wilykit crawled up the end of his bed to his feet, and Quicksilver examined Wilykat and Wilykit as Wilykit touched his leg where the injury was.  Nothing happened, until Wilykit did something differently.  Then, pink-coloured energy appeared where her hand touched his leg, and Quicksilver noted that the bonded fracture was completely healed."

            Wilykit said, "With Wilykat's cut and Michael's self-inflicted injury, I almost willed each to get better.  With Wilykat's leg, I just touched without consciously wishing.  When Quicksilver said nothing was happening, I did wish it."

            "I see," Kevin said.

            "Quicksilver said she seemed to have enough power to cure much worse physical injuries easily," said Michael.  "He said her power gives enough energy to stimulate super-fast healing."

            "I accidentally scraped my leg on a bedpost as I descended from the bed," Wilykit said.  "I was about to heal it, but Wilykat called me before I did.  I knew he was thinking he might have the ability, too, so I sat down on his bed.  He got up and cured the injury instantly."

            Michael said, "Quicksilver was amazed that their healing abilities, though powerful, didn't drain their energy."

            "I'm amazed, too," Kevin said.  "Did Quicksilver say just what the power does?"

            "No, he didn't.  He asked them to go to the hospital tomorrow.  I imagine he wants to test them."

            Wilykit said, "Well, we'll do whatever we can to help."

            "Of course," Wilykat said, "Quicksilver told me not to abuse my leg yet.  Then, Cheetara came.  Quicksilver told her I was fine.  I can walk and run slowly, but for two days, I should do nothing that may require a hard landing on my feet."

            Michael said, "Quicksilver left to return to the hospital.  Cheetara announced it was lunchtime, and I suggested Wilykat stay behind so we wouldn't startle anyone.  Wilykit and I left to go to lunch, except that I delivered Wilykat's second bowl to him just before I went to eat."

            "Lion-O, Cheetara, Michael, Snarf, and I ate in the dining room," said Wilykit.  "We had sandwiches, milk, and Michael's soup.  I reported Wilykat's and my powers to the others.  They were amazed but not really sceptical.  Michael then asked where the others were.  Lion-O told him Tygra and Panthro were at the Tower of Omens with Snarfer and that Bengali, Pumyra, and Lynx-O had gone to New Thundera to explore.  Cheetara wondered why Michael was hanging around, and it wasn't difficult to see."

            "When Wilykit and I looked at each other," Michael said.  They smiled at each other again.

            "I can see that it wouldn't be," said Kevin.  "So, what happened next?"

            "We all thanked Snarf for the sandwiches and Michael for the soup," Wilykit said.  "Then, Lion-O returned to the control room.  Cheetara and Snarf then left Michael and me after I told Snarf we'd bring him the dishes when we were through.  Michael suggested bringing me to try some video games, and I suggested Wilykat come along.  After we took the dishes to the kitchen, I asked Lion-O's permission, which he gave.  We then went to Wilykat's and my room, and I asked Wilykat if he wanted to come with Michael and me."

            "I readily agreed," Wilykat said.  "At Michael's reminder, I took my dishes to Snarf as Wilykit and Michael went to wait at the warp to the Palace."

            Michael stood and stretched.  "Would any of you like a Pepsi while I'm up?"

            "Sure," said Kevin.

            "Yeah," Wilykat agreed.

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  Michael went to his closet, opened a powered cooler, and removed four plastic bottles of Pepsi.  He delivered one to each of his guests.  "That's a plug-in cooler," he said as he sat down.  "You can use it as a refrigerator where you can plug it in."

            "All right!" said Kevin as he opened his bottle.  He took a sip.  "Nice and cold, just the way soda should be.  What happened next?"

            "We came here," Michael said.  "I showed them the picture."

            "Which?"

            "The picture."

            "Ah, yes."

            "It's very powerful," said Wilykit.

            Michael sighed sadly.  "I also told them what happened when I got home on September 11, 1989."

            "Oh," said Kevin.  The story had caused him to cry like a baby when Michael had told him.  To lighten the mood, he asked, "Did you really think about my laziness when you saw the trash sitting there?"

            Michael smiled wryly.  "I did.  If you must know, I took out the trash every Monday night thereafter without being asked."

            "Well, good for you, kid.  I'm glad you did what I recommended, not what I did.  I'm also glad you have the intelligence and the discretion to tell which is which."

            "Thanks, brother."

            Wilykat asked, "Do you guys have a happy story you can tell us?"

            Michael took a sip from his Pepsi.  "Sure, Wilykat," he said after he had swallowed.  "The date:  July 19, 1992."  Smiling, Kevin held up his right thumb.  "That was the day Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach came to Earth to bring Mason and Burger there."  He told about the encounter in Mason's office, recorded in Act 160, or Chapter 8 of this part.  Then, he continued.

            * * *

            Brent Building (where Mason's office was located), Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., 20th-Century Earth, VideoLand Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Perry Mason, Hamilton Burger, Della Street, Lieutenant Arthur Tragg, Michael Keene, the Marios, and Princess Peach exited the building.  Paul Drake, Sr., was waiting for them in his car.  "Ah, hello, everyone," Drake greeted.

            "Hello, Paul," Mason said.  "Paul Drake, these are Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach Toadstool."

            Drake said, "Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, what an honour it is to meet you.  Tragg has told me a lot about you."

            "I know that some people may think that I am a real drag!" Tragg joked.

            "Tragg. . . drag. . . I get it!" laughed Luigi.

            "So," asked Michael, "how'd you guys get here?"

            "The Ultimate Warp Zone, which brought Kevin to VideoLand, has opened at the Hollywood sign," Peach said.  "It'll take us to a room adjacent to the throne room."

            "And prepare yourself, Michael," Luigi said.  "That Princess Lana is really pretty, and I think she's interested in your brother."

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Peach.  "Everyone will probably freak out when they see you, Michael!  Are you and Kevin twins?"

            "Nope," Michael said.  "We're three years apart.  However, we are very close, genetically and emotionally.  We have slightly different temperaments, of course, and I'm left-handed."

            Mario laughed.  "Simon Belmont'll probably say, 'Oh, no, there's two of them!' "

            "Ha, ha!" laughed Luigi.  "You're probably right!"

            "Well," Tragg said, "I must get to police headquarters.  Where shall I go to get to the Palace of Power?"

            "Behind the Hollywood sign is the warp zone," Mario said.  "That will take you directly to the Palace, near the throne room of Her Highness, Princess Lana."

            "Okay," Tragg said.  "I shall see you all later."  He departed.

            "Hm," Mason said.  "I may have to get my car.  And no, Michael, you may not drive."

            "I didn't ask," said Michael.  "I know my learner's permit doesn't extend to having non-family members in the passenger seat when I drive."

            Mason smiled.  "Bright boy."

            "It sucks, though."

            Ludwig, Larry, Roy, and Morton Koopa popped out from behind a corner.  "Greetings once more, good guy saps!"

            "What?  Oh, great!" Mario said.  "It's Ludwig and his fellow Koopalings again!"

            When he saw Michael, Roy's eyes widened, and he removed his shades.  "It can't be!"

            "That's impossible!  Not doable!" Morton exclaimed.

            "Think, brothers," said Larry.  "No, it ain't Captain N.  However,. . ."

            ". . .it happens to be his little brother, Michael Keene, not to be confused with Mike Vincent," Ludwig finished.

            The Mario Brothers gasped.  "How did you know?" Michael demanded.

            "About you?" asked Larry.  "Ha!  Do you remember Dr. Wily framing Kevin for that murder a few years ago?"

            "Ah, yes.  I gather that the insane scientist told you."

            "More specifically," Ludwig said, "we were told this by the bride of Koopa, the lovely MotherBrain, with whom Wily is in league."

            "Your father married MotherBrain?" demanded Michael.

            "He sure did, not long ago."

            "Boy, talk about Addams family!  Yet, it makes sense, in a very sick way."

            "Must be the only thing King Koopa and MotherBrain have ever done legally in their lives," Mario commented.

            Mason asked, "What are you four Koopalings doing here?"

            "What does it look like we're doing?" Roy asked.  "We're attacking, Mr. Mason!"

            "Oh, Princess Toadstooge, it is time for your daily nap!" said Larry.  He fired sleeping powder in Princess Peach's face.

            Luigi said, "Princess!  What have you done to her, you freak?"

            "Why, Luigi!" said Ludwig.  "What does it look like?  We are committing a kidnapping!  Get it?  Kidnapping?  Ha, ha, ha!"

            Mario said, "Keep your hands off her, vile Koopas, or. . ."

            "Or what?" the loudmouthed Morton demanded.  "I do not see any Fire Flowers, Hammer Suits, Super Leaves, Super Mushrooms, Frog Suits, Tanooki Suits, Cape Feathers, or Kuribo's Shoes around here!  You don't even have a. . ."  Roy put his hand over Morton's mouth.

            "Shaddup!" Roy shouted.

            "Oh, yeah?" asked Luigi.  "Look what I have in my pocket. . . a treasure chest full of Starmen!"

            Larry commanded, "Roy!  Get Princess Toadstoop out of here and back to Metroid!  We shall hold these goody-goods back!"

            "Speak for yourself, Larry!" said Morton.  "I'm getting while the getting's good, and no later!"

            "Hey, 'Big Mouth'!" called Roy.  "As long as you're Kooping out too, at least help me with the princess."

            Morton and Roy lifted Princess Peach and carried her to the warp to Metroid.  Morton said, "Peach, you've been putting on weight!  No more midnight mushroom pizzas for you!"  Morton and Roy got Peach into the warp to Metroid and took their exit.

            Mario tried to bombard Larry with his firepower.  "Princess!" he called.

            "Too late, plumb-scum!" laughed Larry.

            Ludwig said, "Correct!  Now, you'll have to get past us."

            Burger announced, "You two are doing this right in front of legal officers."

            "Ludwig and I do not give a darn!" Larry said.

            Ludwig began, "Our purpose for coming up here is to. . ."

            Behind Ludwig, Tragg sarcastically interrupted, "Your purpose for coming up here is to get booked for disturbing the peace!  Am I right?"

            Larry said, "Look, my dear Lieutenant Arthur Tragg, you do not know the half of what we are doing up here."

            "Let's see," said Ludwig.  "Tragg, where is the San Andreas Fault precisely?"

            Tragg asked, "Are you mocking justice?"

            "Who cares?" retorted Larry.

            "I do.  I am booking you two for disturbing the peace, and I'm booking your two brothers for kidnapping."

            "Do it in VideoLand!" said Ludwig.

            "I'm in front of your little warp.  I'm afraid you're stuck here, Ludwig."

            Ludwig smiled deviously.  "Oh, are we, Tragg?  Thou shalt soon see how stuck we are.  Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed. . . oops!  Wrong chant.  Forces of evil, transport Larry and me back to MotherBrain's control room!"  Magic forces cackled on Ludwig's fingers for half a second, then Ludwig and Larry vanished.  So did the warp.

            "How did they do that?" asked Tragg.

            Mario said, "I don't know.  The Koopas are sneaky devils, especially those two.  They also wait until the last moment to make a grand exit."

            MotherBrain's hologram appeared.  "Hello, everyone.  You should know who I am.  I am the extremely brilliant MotherBrain.  As soon as you get that goody-good Captain N where I want him, I shall give your dopey little planet to my wonderful daughter, Wendy O. 'Kootsie Pie' Koopa."  Michael refrained from any outbursts.  He could not stand anyone threatening his brother, but he knew when to keep his active mouth shut.

            "If you have called to threaten us," Mario snapped, "it will not work, you deranged brain!"

            "Oh, I think that it will.  Wendy, my dear, tell them your little plan."  Wendy's hologram appeared beside MotherBrain's.

            "As soon as my brother Ludwig gets through with his little brain-swapper machine," said Wendy, "I shall implant my superior brain into Peach's inferior body.  Then, all will think that yours truly is Princess P.T.!"

            "Your brain?  Superior?  Ha, ha, ha!  That's a laugh," Mario said.  "About the only thing it's good for is directing your hands in applying makeup!"

            Burger said, "I have already dreamt up subpoenas for people to attend court, and you two are on my mental list.  Next thing you'll be telling us is that you will tell the truth on the witness stand."

            MotherBrain said, "We shall."

            "We will, ditz-face!" said Wendy.

            "Talk about mockeries!" Mario commented.

            "When we take over the galaxy," MotherBrain said, "you fools had better stay out of my dear Wendy's way, or else you'll be hearing from me!"

            Wendy surveyed all.  "What in the. . . MotherBrain!  Captain N!  He's escaped!"

            MotherBrain smiled deviously.  "No, he most certainly has not.  This is his little brother, Michael Keene."

            Michael frowned and crossed his arms.  "So, you're MotherBrain," Michael said.  "How dare you have Dr. Wily frame my brother."

            "I had no hand in that, kid," said MotherBrain.  "Wily can act on his own authority."  She scowled. . . a very terrible expression on her face.  It took him aback, and it took all his control to keep from showing he was affected.  Fortunately, he did, suddenly realising that MotherBrain was not to be toyed with.  "However, I wish he had succeeded.  It would have saved me brain-aches.  Blast that stupid dog of yours!"

            "Are you kidding?" Burger said.  "Perry Mason introduced reasonable doubt with Kevin and Michael themselves.  Michael himself testified most convincingly - and accurately - that Kevin had no motive for the crime."

            "Then, Wily should've put more thought into the job," said MotherBrain.  "But since he acted independently, it's not my place to punish him for failing.  However, it was quite interesting to see how much pain his implements can cause to Eggplant Wizard without causing permanent damage to the veggie.  See you in VideoLand, suckers!"  Her and Wendy's holograms disappeared as MotherBrain's diabolical laugh faded away.

            Tragg said, "I only called in to the police department.  I thought that those evil Koopa brats would try something else."

            "Thank you, Tragg," said Mario.

            "Let's go.  I have a feeling that this will be a most interesting case.  Would you not agree, Perry?"

            "I do agree, Tragg," Mason said.  "Mario and Luigi, could you ride with Paul?"

            "Sure," said Mario.  Luigi nodded.

            "Very well.  Michael, Della, and Hamilton, you can ride with me.  Got your car, Lieutenant?"

            "Yes, it's parked in the parking lot," said Tragg.  "Next to a car with a licence plate marked, 'MASON.' "  He smiled.  "Vanity, counsellor?"

            Mason smiled.  "I am entitled to some vanity, as long as I don't let it interfere with my job."

            "That you are."

            "Let's go.  Paul, we'll follow you since your passengers know where we're going."

            "Sure," Paul said.  Mario got into the front passenger side, Luigi into the back seat behind him.

            Mason led the others to the parking lot.  He unlocked his car.  Michael asked, "Might I sit in the front passenger side, please?"

            "Certainly," said Mason.  Della nodded.  Mason got in the driver's side, Michael in the front passenger side.  Della sat behind Mason, and Burger sat behind Michael.  Mason started his car as Tragg started his.  Mason led the way out of the lot with Tragg behind him, and the two drivers followed Drake to Hollywood.

            Mason was a very good driver except for his tendency to speed five miles per hour over the speed limit - which was not a serious transgression and never caused him any trouble with the authorities - and Michael paid attention to the lawyer's actions.  "So tell me," said Mason, "how well do your parents think you're doing with driving, Michael?"

            "Fine," Michael said truthfully.  "I only scared Mom once, but that was months ago."

            "How often do you drive?"

            "Depends on how often Mom or Dad lets me behind the wheel.  Both cars are stick-shifts, so I've learned to handle those."

            "That's good."

            Burger asked, "How was it that you scared your mom, Michael?"

            "I nearly backed into the fence," Michael said.  "However, I hit absolutely nothing.  And I swear, that's the only time I scared either of my parents.  And that was quite early on, probably the first time I was seriously backing up in the car."

            "That's pretty good," said Della.

            Mason smiled.  "Hopefully, you won't get into the habit of speeding.  Tragg speeds, and I speed.  However, Paul doesn't."

            "Well, I don't have great models there," Michael said.  "They're good drivers otherwise, but my parents both tend to go three to six miles per hour too fast, at least as far as the speed limit signs are concerned."

            "Oh, well.  Nobody's perfect.  However, the police tend not to care about people going five miles per hour over the speed limit."

            * * *

            They all parked in a parking lot near the Hollywood sign and hiked up the hill to the warp.  "Here is the warp," Luigi said.

            "All right," said Mason.  "Why don't you go in and announce us?  It might also present less of a shock if you forewarn Princess Lana about Michael somehow."

            "I doubt it," said Luigi.  "However, we'll do it."  Mario and Luigi stepped through the warp.

            A minute or two later, they came back out.  "Lana's been warned," Mario said.  "I simply told her not to be startled by whom she saw."

            "All right," said Mason.  "Let's go."  They all stepped through the warp.

            On the other side, they arrived in the room with the Power Glove.  "This way," said Mario, leading the group through a door to the throne room.

            Lana was standing there.  "Hello," greeted Lana.  "I am Princess Lana Deschain, ruler of VideoLand."

            Mason said, "It's a pleasure and an honour, Your Highness.  I am Perry Mason.  This gentleman is Paul Drake, Sr., a detective who works with me.  This is my confidential secretary, Della Street.  This gentleman is Hamilton Burger, district attorney of Los Angeles.  This is Lieutenant Arthur Tragg, a homicide detective and police officer.  And this. . ."  Lana gasped.  "Don't worry.  This is Michael Andrew Keene, Kevin Keene's brother."

            Lana stepped over to examine Michael.  "You. . . you look exactly like Kevin!  Or, to be more precise, you look exactly like Kevin did when he was brought here, though the difference is negligible."

            "Thank you, Your Highness," said Michael.

            Lana shook her head.  "I'm sorry.  I was very startled when I saw you.  Kevin's in. . . I'm sorry to say he's in jail right now, and. . . well, I was wrong.  I assume that the Mario Brothers have told you all about our predicament?"

            "Yes, they have," Della Street said, "and we were convinced when we saw four Koopalings sitting in the middle of Hamilton Burger's office, telling of the very predicament."

            Burger said, "According to the Mario Brothers, those four freaks actually told me the truth."

            Lana shook her head.  "There's no predictability to those wretched Tortoisians."

            "I'm afraid there might be," Michael said.  "You see, Dr. Wily tried to frame my brother for a murder about a year before he was taken to VideoLand.  I'd suppose it would be to keep him from being brought here."  He smiled.  "Of course, then I would probably have been brought here in his place.  I'm almost as good as Kevin, you see."

            "Well, then, you can help defend VideoLand while he's in jail, if you wish."  She shook her head.  "And I have to judge Kevin's case.  Unfortunately, there's no other superior judge willing to handle it.  They have all deferred to my judicial authority, which is their polite way of dumping the case into my lap."

            "We'll help," Burger said.  "I'll prosecute."

            "And I'll defend," said Mason.  "Just like old times."

            "Thank you," Lana said.

            "Well, Perry," said Burger, "Tragg and I'll see you in court.  I have to gather up evidence for the prosecution's case."

            "Oh, just a minute," Lana said.  "Here are books of the laws that govern everything in VideoLand."  She handed one each to Mason, Burger, and Tragg.

            "Thank you, Your Highness," Mason said.  "I think I have plenty of evidence to gather for the defence case."

            Duke trotted into the room.  "Duke!" exclaimed Michael.  The dog barked and ran over to him, and knocked him down!  The dog affectionately licked Michael's face.  "Ha, ha!  Yes, boy, it's me!" said Michael, rubbing the dog's back.

            Lana smiled.  "Well, I can see Duke knows you well."

            "Mom and Dad gave him to Kevin and me for Christmas a few years ago," Michael said as he got up.

            Lana's smile disappeared.  "Hey!  Where's Peach?"

            "I'm sorry, Princess," Mario said.  "Outside the building, the Koopalings attacked and abducted her."

            "Great," said Lana.  She tapped an intercom button.  "Kid Icarus!  MegaMan!  Please report to the throne room.  It's urgent!"

            Seconds later, MegaMan and Kid Icarus emerged from the elevator.  "What's the problem, Your High-nicus?" asked Kid Icarus, concerned.

            "Princess Peach has been abducted," Lana said.  "Please try to locate her."

            "Yes, Your High-. . . yipe!"

            "Wait!" MegaMan exclaimed.  "Now I'm even more mega-confused!  Who are you?"

            "My name is Michael Keene," said Michael.  "I'm Kevin's brother."

            "Kevin never told us he had a brother," Kid Icarus said.

            "Well, knowing him and knowing me," said Michael, "it was probably an attempt to keep MotherBrain from finding out about me.  If ever he were incapacitated somehow, I would probably be brought here in his place."

            "Just how good are you?" Lana asked.

            Mason said, "He's won every video game contest he's ever been in, except that he's lost all but three times to Kevin."

            "One of those three times was the very last game I ever played with him," Michael said.

            "Then, we could use you," said Lana.  "That is, if Kevin allows it."

            "Oh, he'll allow it," said Michael, smiling.  "No one knows him better than I do.  I'm his best friend."

            Kid Icarus and MegaMan got to a station and began scanning.  Mario said, "Those guys were talking about putting Princess Peach's brain into Wendy's body."

            Lana sighed.  "Not another brain-switch attempt.  Last time they tried this, MotherBrain's brain got put into Donkey Kong's body!"

            "Donkey Kong?" demanded Michael.  "Just wonderful."

            "Why?" asked Lana.

            "Do you know how Kevin is about the game Bayou Billy?"

            "Yeah, or rather how he used to be."

            "Well, that's me about Donkey Kong.  For some reason, I could never win a whole round in that game!"

            "Oh, boy.  Oh, wait!  Are you right-handed?"

            "Not naturally, but I can be.  Why?"

            Lana went behind her throne and returned with a Power Pad and Zapper.  "Kevin has one of these," she said.  "Unfortunately, we haven't made one of them left-handed yet, so you'll have to make do."  She handed the belt to him.

            "Oh, cool!" exclaimed Michael, putting it on.  "Do these things work?"

            "Kevin found out the hard way.  He broke a shell in this room because he didn't think the Zapper worked.  It took me six months to get it replaced."

            "I see.  I'll be a little more gullible, then."  He took the Zapper with his right hand and twirled it, easily transferring it to his left hand.  "Yeah, this'll do," he said as he returned it to his right hand and put it in its holster.  He looked down at his Power Pad.  "Looks just like an NES control pad," he commented.  "What do the A and B buttons do?"

            "Normally, A is jump, and B is power run, but you can tell them to do different things," Lana said.  "Kevin does.  Also, Select usually pauses."

            "I see.  How do the directional buttons function?"

            "Press the button pointing to your right to zip to your right," said Lana.  "The up button zips you up like the A button, but more forcefully."

            "Okay, thank you."

            GameBoy and Simon entered the room.  "Good news," Simon said.  "GameBoy has been charged up, and. . . yipe!"

            "Simon," said Lana, smiling, "meet Kevin's younger brother, Michael."

            "Oh, my God!" Simon exclaimed.  "There's two of him!"  Everyone else laughed.

            Michael could tell instantly that the way to Simon's heart was through his ego.  "Well, if it isn't Simon Belmont, the world-famous Vampire-hunter," he greeted genially.  "Glad to meet you."  He extended his hand.

            "Ah!  Well, glad to meet you, too," said Simon, a bit surprised.  He shook hands with Michael.

            "You're the protagonist in several video games, which is great," Michael said.  He intentionally neglected to tell just how many games Simon was in, because MegaMan currently starred in more than Simon did.

            "Ooh!  Well, thank you!"

            "And, you must be a hit with the ladies, too."

            "Well, I am kind of a legend in my own time."

            Well, guys like you are ancient history where I come from, or should be, Michael thought wryly.  "And you wouldn't mind if I assisted here, would you?"

            "Certainly not, Michael Keene."  The vain vampire-hunter strode proudly into the elevator.

            "Gee, you sure hit it off well with Simon," Lana said, surprised.

            "The way to Simon's heart is through his ego," said Michael intuitively.  "Get there, and you're home free."

            Lana smiled.  "Poor Kevin.  He learned that far too late, though he and Simon do get along better now.  I think Simon's finally gotten it into his thick skull that I'm attracted to Kevin and not to him."

            "What's your relationship with Kevin?"

            "I'm a close friend of his, Michael.  It's not really hard for a guy like Kevin to make friends with nice people.  Or you, if you're like him."

            "He's more like Kevin than even he is willing to admit," Mason said.  "He likes that he's somewhat like his brother, but even he needs his individuality.  They're both attractive in the sense of their personalities.  I know where they got it, too, because their parents are both easy to get along with, especially if you're a good person."

            * * *

            Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.  Stardate 49 756.16; April 2, 1993.

            "After that," Michael said, "Princess Peach arrived and brought the team to KongoLand.  I went along, especially since our best tracker had four legs and a tail.  That isn't really an important part to this story.  It ended all right.  After that little fiasco, Lana took Mr. Mason, Miss Street, Mr. Drake, and me down to meet Kevin.  That, I believe, is the climax to the story."

            * * *

            Palace Jail, Palace of Power, VideoLand.  July 19, 1992.

            Princess Lana led Michael, Perry Mason, Della Street, and Paul Drake into the jail room.  "The defendant is in here, Mr. Mason," she said.

            "Thank you, Your Highness," said Mason.

            "It helps that you know him."

            "It certainly does.  I would never believe that he would ever steal the Sacred Square of Tetris.  When I defended him in the murder trial, part of what saved him was Duke's 'testimony.' "

            "Yeah," said Michael.  "Dukie saw everything.  Well, not everything, but enough."

            "I see," Lana said.  "After English, is there a secondary language in California?"

            "It's Spanish," Mason said, "but I'm afraid that I don't know much.  I learned French and Latin."

            "I know Spanish, though," said Michael.

            "Interesting," Lana said.  "Please be quiet from here on.  I'd like to surprise him."  They proceeded to cell number 023.  "Oh, Kevin!"

            Captain N responded from within, "Hello, Princess!"

            "I was able to acquire you the assistance of a certain defence attorney.  I believe you know him."  She stepped away from the door, and Mason stepped in front of the door.

            "Hello, Kevin," Perry greeted.

            Kevin exclaimed, "Mr. Mason!  Hello!  Boy, am I glad to see you!"

            "Then, you'll be glad to see someone else," said Mason, smiling.  He nodded to Michael, who stepped in front of the door.

            "Hi, big bro!" Michael said.  "In the joint again, eh?"

            "Michael!" exclaimed Kevin happily.  "Boy, am I happy to see you again!"  He restrained himself from leaping out to hug his brother.  There appeared to be nothing between them, but the door was shut with a force field.

            "What happened to you, Kevin?"

            "Someone tried to frame me, probably the Brain-Team.  Here's all that I know:  when I got to my room today, the Sacred Square of Tetris was sitting on my dresser."

            Mason said, "I'm glad to be certain that you wouldn't do this, Kevin.  I shall do the very best that I can do to help, as I should do, anyway.  I looked over this book of law given to me by Princess Lana.  It seems that the form of justice and law in VideoLand is mostly like it is in the United States.  Knowing that the same basic form of justice and law is used here, I'm sure I can use my legal knowledge to get you out of here."

            Paul Drake said, "There is also one of the best prosecuting attorneys on this case. . . Hamilton Burger!"

            "Mr. Burger?  Great!" said Kevin.  As Perry Mason was here, he was not very surprised at Paul Drake's presence.

            "Calm down, bro," Michael said.

            "Let's start from the beginning," said Mason.  "What happened?"

            "Well, let's see.  King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard stole the Sacred Square.  Prince Lyle Deschain, Lana's brother, told us about it.  Ludwig had someone put a fake Sacred Square in its place.  Larry put the key on the ground in front of the Chamber of Tetris, where the Sacred Square is kept.  Lana and I fell for the fake square trick, and, all of a sudden, I walk into my room and see the Sacred Square lying on my dresser, and Lyle calls us and tells us that the 'Sacred Square' that was in the Chamber of Tetris was a fake.  You don't need to tell me that the fake-square-business makes it seem worse for me."

            "I believe you, Kevin," Mason said.  "I should know who the judge is."

            "That would be me, remember?" said Lana.

            "That's right!  You told me yourself.  My memory.  I'd like to draw up some subpoenas for likely defence witnesses."

            "Sure.  Namely?"

            "Simon Belmont, Prince Lyle, MegaMan, Ludwig, MotherBrain. . ."

            "Excuse me for interrupting, but do you think that Ludwig and MotherBrain would tell the truth under oath on the witness stand?"

            "No, but I'll give it my best shot.  Who's the bailiff?"

            "Ordinarily, it would be Kevin, but since he's the one being tried, it'll be Simon Belmont."

            "Very well.  I would also like a search warrant allowing the search of Metroid, Kevin's bedroom, and the Chamber of Tetris."

            "I'm not sure whether Mayor Squaresley would approve of a search warrant for the Chamber of Tetris or if it would be safe to do it on Metroid, but I can let you search Kevin's bedroom without a warrant. . . if he doesn't mind, of course."

            "Certainly," said Kevin.  "I don't mind.  The fact that there are no permanent warp zones in my bedroom may incriminate me, but the fact that temporary and permanent warp zones can be created with the use of special formulae may help me."

            "Of course, Kevin," Perry said.

            "Could I stay in here to keep Kevin company until you may need my help?" Michael asked.

            "Sure," said Lana.  "There are no real criminals in here right now.  It's generally very safe on this world.  Kevin?"

            "Of course!" Kevin said.  "My brother and I can always find something to talk about."

            "Okay.  I can modulate this force field."  She went to the control panel next to the door.  "Michael, press any finger against the pad below this panel."  Michael put his left index finger on the panel.  "Computer, allow this person, Michael Keene to freely pass through the force field at any time."

            "Granted," the computer said.

            Lana said, "There.  Now, you can freely pass through the force field.  To avoid triggering the alarms, though, you must leave the Power Pad and Zapper outside."

            "Sure," said Michael, removing the belt.  "I won't even be needing 'em unless we have to do something."

            "You'd better keep those, Michael.  There's no telling when the Brain-Team might attack."

            "Oh.  All right."

            "Paul and I'll go to Kevin's bedroom now to search for anything that may be used as evidence," Mason said.

            Drake asked, "You're sure we can search your whole bedroom, Kevin?"

            "Go ahead, Mr. Drake," Kevin said.  "Search every square millimetre if you need to."

            "Thank you," said Mason.  "I hope we find something of use.  See you later, Kevin."

            "See you later, Mr. Mason."

            "I'll come with you," Lana said.  Lana, Mason, Drake, and Street left.

            Michael dropped his Power Pad and Zapper belt on the floor in front of the force field and then passed through.  He and Kevin hugged each other strongly.  "Kevin, I've missed you so much," he said.

            "Same here, guy," Kevin said.  They released each other.  "You're lookin' very good, bro."

            "You, too," said Michael.

            Kevin sat on his bed.  "Come here," he said gently.  Michael sat down to his left.  "So, did you surprise the heck out of 'em all?"

            "Yeah."  He shook his head.  "You're silly."

            "Who, me?"

            "Yeah, you!  Your overprotective nature keeps acting up.  I assume that's why you didn't come back for me."

            "-Sigh.-  You're right."

            "I cried my eyes out when I found you were missing!"  They were both silent for a few moments.  Then, Michael sighed.  "I'm sorry, Kev," he said quietly.

            "It's okay," said Kevin.  They gently hugged each other.  "It's okay.  We're together again, brother.  I won't tell you to go back home."

            "Thanks, Kevin," Michael said.

            "However, it is dangerous here in VideoLand.  You'll need someone to help you survive.  It's different fighting on this side of the screen, so to speak, because it's truly first person here."  He touched his brother's face with his right hand.  "I haven't seen this face in so long.  I really missed you, Michael."

            "I've missed you too, Kevin."

            "Well, if Mr. Mason and Lt. Tragg finish examining my room, you have my permission to stay there for now," said Kevin.

            "Okay, Kev.  Thanks."

            "Just don't get shocked when you go in.  It's pretty clean, and the bed's made."

            "Good.  I'll keep it that way.  Actually. . . would you mind if I used your. . . personal effects?  All mine are at home."

            "Go ahead, kid."  He kissed Michael on the forehead.  They had always been openly affectionate to one another, at least within reason.  "Use whatever you need."

            "Thank you, Kevin."  They hugged again.  "I'm really happy to see you again."

            "So am I, Michael.  Hey.  Do you have our parents' permission?"

            "Yeah.  Mr. Mason called and told my dad, who said it was okay."

            "Good."  They looked in each other's eyes.  "You'll have to explain all this when you return home."

            "What if I want to stay here?"

            "You still have to get your stuff, Michael."

            "Yeah."

            "You also have to get our parents' permission.  I'd love it if you could stay, but I'm not going to disobey their judgement where you are concerned.  I'm eighteen, so I wouldn't have to go home with them, but you're only fifteen."

            "Great."

            "I'll do my best to convince them, brother.  VideoLand needs us both.  Now, more than ever, due to MotherBrain and Bowser tying the knot."

            "I can't believe those two got married," Michael said.  "Gross."

            "Believe it.  They invited the N-Team to the ceremony and the proceeding reception."  He smiled in amusement.  "During the reception, they had entertainment. . . King Hippo, Eggplant Wizard, Mouser, and Dr. Wily.  Hippo and Eggplant are stooges for MotherBrain, and Mouser is Bowser's chief stooge.  However, Wily is far too intelligent to be called a stooge.  The four did crazy things.  I understand that's what Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo do really well."

            "I could seriously harm that Wily for trying to frame you," Michael said.

            "Easy, Michael.  How did you get out here, anyway?"

            * * *

            Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.  Stardate 49 756.16; April 2, 1993.

            "I then told him about the events beginning with what happened in Mason's office to when I met Princess Lana," Michael said.  "That was also where I told him the story of what happened when I discovered he'd disappeared."

            "I told Michael about some of my adventures in VideoLand," said Kevin.  He smiled.  "Michael, can you believe what Eggplant Wizard did when Lana called my trial to order the next day?"

            "Ha, ha!" Michael laughed.  "The fool acted as though he were ordering a meal in a fast food place!  Talk about idiocy!"  The Thunder Kittens laughed.

            "What happened to him?" Wilykit asked.

            "Lana sentenced him to jail, finding him in contempt of court," Michael said.  They all had to laugh again.

            "All right," said Kevin.  "Now, one of you tell us a story."

            "Let's see," Wilykit said, smiling.  "I think I know one.  The year:  1785."

            Wilykat's expression changed dramatically.  "Please, Wilykit," he said.  "Be careful."

            "Of course," she said sincerely.  "This was the first of January.  On Old Thundera, the school year lasted from January first to the end of September.  The summer months were October through December.  Let's see. . . we were just nine years old, weren't we?"  Wilykat nodded.  "That morning, as usual for the first of January, we were getting ready to go to school for the first day."