Kitchen, casa di Tygra, Tíghrasobórgho {té-grah-só-bór-gó}, Old Thundera, Galaxy of Leos, Original Universe and Q-niverse.  January 1, 1785.

In the kitchen, the nine-year-old Wilytwins were eating breakfast quickly that morning, though not too quickly.  They were excited to return to school and assimilate more knowledge.

            Tygra entered the room.  He had adopted the Wilytwins when he found them nine years ago a couple of kilometres away.  "Good morning, guys," he greeted.

            "Hi, Tygra!" greeted Wilykit.  She was really keyed up this morning, more so than usual.

            So was Wilykat.  "Hello, Tygra," Wilykat said.  "When do we get to wear our Thunder Cat insigniae?  We are Thunder Cats now."

            "I see no problem with that," said Tygra, holding his left hand up.  He was holding Wilykit and Wilykat's Thunder Cats insigniae.  He gave them to their owners.  "Here, you go, guys."

            "Gee, thanks!" exclaimed Wilykit.  Though Thunderians did not normally wear clothes (they had controllable flaps to cover their more private regions) except in combat or in government buildings, children usually wore clothes to school.  Wilykit put her insignia on the chest area of her shirt.  Wilykat put his on the front of his belt.

            "Thank you, Tygra," Wilykat said.

            Tygra sat down at the head of the table.  "Being Thunder Cats means that you deserve respect," he told them.  "Other Thunderians - your friends and your teachers - will respect you for being Thunder Cats.  Just remember, don't force it if they forget their manners."

            "We remember," Wilykat said.  The Kittens finished their breakfast.

            "I'll be home at lunchtime," Tygra told them.  "Group hug?"  The three hugged each other.  "I'm proud of you two."

            He rarely expressed that.  "Thank you, Tygra," Wilykit said.  She looked up at the clock.  "It's half past seven."

            They released each other.  "Okay," said Tygra.  "See you later."

            "See you later," Wilykat and Wilykit returned together.  They grabbed their laptop terminals and left.

            They lived not far from the school, so they walked like every normal Thunderian in walking range.  "So," said Wilykit, "looking forward to learning the Thunderian language?"

            "Sure," Wilykat replied.  He smiled.  "You think the others'll be even crazier about us than before?"

            "I don't doubt that.  I wonder how Tygrans can be so crazy about Wilykats."

            "-Sigh.-  Beats me, sis.  They're usually logical.  Maybe it's a weakness."

            "Could be."  She smiled.  "Or maybe we're unusually attractive."

            He grinned.  "Who knows?"

            They carefully crossed the street and walked to the large school building.  Despite the small size of the actual town Tíghrasobórgho, there was much farmland in the area that was within the town's corporate limits, and the kids from the farms usually came here to go to school.  Those not in walking range were brought on school buses.  The Wilytwins stopped in front of the steps.  It was only seven thirty-five, according to the clock above the door.  "Our walk was five minutes long," said Wilykit in approval.

            "Pretty good," Wilykat agreed.  "Shouldn't be long before others start arriving."  Wilykit nodded.

            This section of the Tiger-Race-Country was bordered on the southwest by the Wilykat-Race-Country and the northeast by the Cheetah-Race-Country.  Citizenship was not limited to the country of one's race.  Rather, the divisions were purely administrative (and, admittedly, a bit political), and the names indicated the race that was at a majority there.  Of course, now, the Wilytwins' home territory, which had been the largest, was uninhabitable.  Rataro had poisoned it so that anyone over five years of age would perish.

            That's why only Wilykit and Wilykat had escaped unharmed.  Tygra found them as infants just over the border as he was playing a game with his brother, Bengali.  He adopted them and raised them to be Thunder Cats.  He decided they should be Thunder Cats especially since they were survivors of the most mentally, physically, and politically powerful family of their race.  Their race had had the well-deserved honour of accompanying Jaga to Plundarr as he forced Rataro to surrender.

            Rataro, however, had exacted revenge.  He destroyed the entire Jaguar-Race and the entire Wilykat-Race, except for Jaga and the Wilytwins, respectively the most powerful members of their races.  Jaga was probably the most powerful Thunderian who ever lived, and he was certainly the wisest.

            The Wilytwins, however, knew nothing of how their race had been destroyed, at least not yet.  They knew they were orphans, though, that they had been abandoned for their own safety, and that Tygra had adopted and raised them as best he could.  He had frequent assistance from Cheetara, who was very special to him, and Bengali.  He did not doubt that they had the capability to take Jaga's place at some point in the future.  Of course, that lofty goal was certainly not one of their priorities at this point.

            Wilykit said, "So, Wilykat, what'll we do this afternoon?"

            Wilykat shrugged.  "I don't know," he said.  "Just hang out, I guess, as long as we don't get any brain-busting homework for a change."

            "We never get that," sighed Wilykit.

            "Right.  -Sigh.-  I like school, but I'd prefer more challenge."

            "Me, too."

            A Tygran gentleman - probably between fifty and sixty years old - came along.  "Good morning," he greeted.  Wilykit and Wilykat stood respectfully.

            "Good morning, sir," said Wilykit.  "I am Wilykit, and this is my twin brother, Wilykat."

            "I am Gusêpe vân Tygrov {jú-seh-páy van tahy-grahf}," he said.  He shook hands with the two.  "Congratulations.  I have read and heard of your scholastic success, as well as of your becoming Thunder Cats."

            "Thank you, sir.  We are taking Ancient Thunderian this year."

            "This is your fifth school year, then?"

            "Yes, it is."

            "Very well, then.  It has been good to meet you.  I shall see you in class."

            "We'll see you there, sir."  Tygrov entered the building.

            "I wonder," Wilykat said.  "Do you think they're ready to distribute schedules, Wilykit?"

            "They may be," said Wilykit.  "Let's go in."

            They entered the building and went to the front desk of the main office, which was in the middle of a large octagonal hallway and whose doors faced the school's door.  "Good morning," the secretary, a female Cheetan, said.

            "Good morning," said Wilykit.  "Might we obtain our schedules?"

            "Yes.  You are Wilykit and Wilykat, correct?"

            "That's correct, ma'am."

            "Very well."  The secretary keyed in some commands on her computer as Wilykit and Wilykat each extracted a module from their laptop terminals.  "Ah, good.  You have your modules."  Wilykit and Wilykat handed the modules to her.  After calling up the Wilytwins' schedule, she plugged one module into her computer and transferred the schedule onto that.  Next, she did the same with the other module.  She then handed the modules back to their owners.  "There you are."

            "Thank you very much," said Wilykat.  He and his sister plugged the modules back into the laptops.

            Wilykit and Wilykat left the office and went to a bench just inside the school doors.  Wilykit activated her laptop and called up the schedule.  "This semester, first period is Ancient Thunderian, in room 202," she said.  "Second is English V, in room 204.  Third is advanced algebra in room 111.  Fourth is our last semester of åskast svenska {ós-kahst sváyⁿh-skah}, that bloody Thunderian Swedish."

            "I'm glad," Wilykat sighed.  He quietly commented, "Leave it to the Panther-Race to develop the most grating language on Thundera."

            Wilykit smiled.  "Only three more months, brother.  Everyone I've talked to says Ancient Thunderian is pretty."

            "I know."

            Two young female Tygrans - twin sisters - came through the main door.  They had white fur with black stripes.  They noticed the Wilytwins.  "Well, hello, Wilykit, Wilykat," the older greeted.

            "Good morning, Emelia and Alexandra," Wilykit said.  Emelia and Alexandra were good friends of Wilykit and Wilykat.  "How are you two?"

            "We're good," said Emelia, the older.  "And you two?"

            "Excited," Wilykit said, smiling.

            "Ooh!" Alexandra exclaimed.  "You're wearing your insigniae!"

            "Yeah.  We're still friends, right?"

            "Of course," Emelia said solemnly.  "We're not discriminatory, remember?"

            "We're just impressed," said Alexandra.  "I mean, we're good friends with Thunder Cats!"

            "Have you gotten your schedule?"

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "The secretary gave us ours."

            The two Tygrans nodded.  "You're going into Ancient Thunderian this semester?" asked Emelia.

            "Yes."

            "So're we.  Our mom knows some, and she's taught us a bit already."

            "Tygra knows a bit, too," said Wilykat.  "So, we also know some."

            Alexandra smiled a bit too nicely at him.  "So, Wilykat, you're looking pretty good."

            Wilykat knew by now that it was no use to be nervous, so he stopped himself.  "Well, a good diet and plenty of exercise go a long way," he said, smiling, wryly.  He sighed, and his expression became sober, especially for a nine-year-old.  "I will be your friend, because I like you both as friends, but. . . I'm sorry.  I don't share your feelings, Alexandra."

            Alexandra nodded.  "Okay," she said.  She put her right hand on his.  "Of course, if you change your mind, tell me."

            Wilykat sighed.  "I sure will, but. . . please don't expect it."  They shook hands.

            "All right, Wilykat," Alexandra said.

            Emelia said, "That was very understanding of you, sister."

            "Yeah, well, I figure enough people have been giving him a hard time," said Alexandra.  "He doesn't need it.  We cannot force Amore Eternamente, after all, nor can we force other feelings."  She smiled at him sweetly.  "But I still think he's cute."

            "To tell the truth, I do, too," said Emelia.  "However, if he liked me in that manner, he'd probably have told me already."

            "I would," Wilykat agreed.  "I don't, though."

            "That's okay.  Well, we'll pick up our schedules.  We'll probably see you guys in Ancient Thunderian and some other courses."

            "All right," Wilykit said.  "See you later."  Emelia and Alexandra moved to the office.  "Well, one less pest for you, Wilykat."

            Wilykat sighed.  "A relief, I assure you."  He turned to the door and smiled.  Through the glass, he saw two nine-year-old Tygran males coming.  These two had orange fur with black stripes.  "Here come Jake and Ben."

            Wilykit sighed.  "Not Ben," she whispered.  They were also friends of the Wilytwins, but Ben was quite attracted, even at this early age, to Wilykit.

            "Come on, he's harmless."

            "Maybe, but he's annoying!  I hope he comes to his senses."

            The doors slid open to admit Jake and Ben.  The older, Jake, said cheerfully, "Good morning, Wilykit and Wilykat."

            "Hey, Jake and Ben," greeted Wilykat.  "How are you doing?"

            "Good," Jake replied, "and you?"

            "We're quite well, thank you.  You're in first-level Ancient Thunderian this semester, aren't you?"

            "Yes, we are," Ben said.  "So are you, I gather."

            "Yeah."

            Jake said, "We were thrilled to hear you guys became Thunder Cats."

            "Thank you.  We're pretty excited about it, ourselves."

            Ben smiled at Wilykit.  "No, Ben," she said before he said a word.

            Ben's expression turned sober.  "Oh, I'm really sorry," he said sincerely.  "Did I upset you?"

            "No, but. . . Ben, I cannot reciprocate your feelings for me.  Sure, I want to be your friend, and I sincerely enjoy your company, but I feel nothing more."

            Ben sighed.  "That's okay," he said.  "I won't bug you anymore about this."

            Jake put his left hand on his twin's right shoulder.  "Good for you, bro," he said.

            "Well, I guess I'm just pestering her and wasting time if I'm trying to get her when she doesn't want to be gotten.  Much as I find her quite attractive, especially now, I think I shouldn't continue being a pest.  It's too bad it's taken me so long to realise it."

            Wilykit sighed.  "Thank you, Ben."

            "I find her quite pretty myself, though I don't allow it to overcome me," Jake said.  "She'd tell either of us whether she had these feelings for us.  Well. . . have you two gotten your schedule?"

            "Yeah," said Wilykit.  "The secretary gave us ours.  Emelia and Alexandra just came in."

            Ben smiled.  "Did Alexandra give Wilykat a hard time?"

            "Believe it or not, Alexandra came to the realisation that you did," Wilykat said.  He closed his eyes and sighed.  "And I am relieved!"

            Emelia and Alexandra came back over.  "Hey, guys," Emelia said to Jake and Ben.

            "Hello," Jake said.  Something happened as Jake and Emelia looked at each other.  "Ooh.  I'm sorry."

            "Don't worry," said Emelia.  "I think I felt it, too."  She shook her head.  "You guys just get here?"

            "Yeah.  Why don't Ben and I go get our schedules?  The six of us can go to the room together, if we start in the same class."  Everyone nodded.  Jake and Ben went to the office.

            "Well, did Ben just drive you crazy, Wilykit?" asked Emelia.

            "No, in fact," Wilykit said, standing with her brother.  "He had the same realisation as Alexandra."

            "Good."  Emelia closed her eyes and shook her head.  "Now, I think I'm starting to have feelings for Jake. . . and he's starting to have feelings for me!"

            "Come to think of it," Alexandra said, "Ben's pretty cute, too."

            "We aren't complaining," said Wilykat.

            "Certainly not," Wilykit agreed.

            Moments later, Jake and Ben returned.  Jake was checking their schedule on his laptop terminal.  He read, "Period one:  Ancient Thunderian, room 202.  Period two:  English V, room 204.  Period three:  advanced algebra, room 111.  Period four:  Thunderian Swedish, room 208."

            "That's the same as ours," Wilykit confirmed.

            Emelia activated her laptop to check.  "Precisely the same," she said, smiling.  Everyone shut off their terminals and held them at their side.  "Looks like the six of us can pal around everywhere again this semester."

            "Well, then," said Wilykit, "let's go up to 202."  The others nodded, and they went upstairs to the room.  The door was closed and locked, so they decided to wait patiently.

            "So," Jake asked, "what was the initiation like?"

            "Nice and short," said Wilykit.  "It was done by Panthro, one of the leaders of his people and a top Thunder Cat."  She smiled.  "Also knows how to shorten the initiation ceremony to a tolerable level."

            "Good for you," said Alexandra.  "I remember seeing an initiation ceremony that felt to me as though it were a week long."

            "I remember going to it, too," Wilykit said.  "Tygra wanted us to go, you know, to familiarise us somewhat.  At least you can request who does the ceremony.  Tygra suggested Panthro, and I'm happy he did."

            "Was Jaga there?" asked Emelia.

            "No," Wilykat said, smiling.  "However, Tygra has invited him to come to our place this evening."

            "Gee, that sounds great," said Ben.  "Have you personally met him before?"

            "No, we haven't," Wilykit said.  "This'll be the first time.  Tygra is a senior Thunder Cat and is not in the habit of requesting favours, so Jaga gives great consideration to Tygra's requests.  In particular, this time, Tygra said Jaga was most willing to accept an invitation."

            Wilykat quietly said, "Don't spread this around, but Tygra also said Jaga was bringing Lord Claudus's son, Lion-O."

            "Wow!" whispered Alexandra.  "Jaga must trust Tygra a lot."

            "He does," Wilykit said.  She turned to Jake and Ben.  "So, how much do you guys know about Ancient Thunderian?"

            "Oh, a bit," said Jake.  "Our dad's taught us some."

            "That means we all know some."

            Tygrov came up the steps.  "Good morning."

            "Good morning, again, sir," said Wilykit.

            The teacher pressed his right forefinger on a pad next to the door, and the door unlocked.  He opened it and enter.  "Come in," he invited.  The six children entered the room.

            "Where may we sit?" asked Wilykat.

            "Anywhere you wish," Tygrov said.  "I have a pretty good memory for faces and names."  He set his laptop terminal on his desk as the three pairs of twins took up positions at desks near the front.  "Speaking of that, what are your names?"

            Emelia said, "I am Emelia vân Anitra {áy-máy-lyah van ah-né-trah} and this is my twin, Alexandra {ah-láyk-sahⁿh-drah}."  She pronounced her name and her sister's perfectly, according to the rules of Ancient Thunderian.

            Jake said, "I'm Jacob vân Brian and this is my twin brother, Benjamin.  We go by the nicknames Jake and Ben."

            "And I'm Gusêpe vân Tygrov," said Tygrov.  "Do any of you know any Tuoniáñ {twó-nyahⁿh} yet?"

            "We each know some," said Wilykit, indicating everyone with a sweep of her hand.

            "I'm glad."  He turned on his terminal to check the roll.  "Twenty people are in here this time.  Would there happen to be any relationships that I should know about beforehand?"  He was wondering about Amore Eternamente, and the kids knew it.  Such a relationship was encouraged, but sometimes, it might get in the way at the wrong time.  He knew from much experience.  Not only did he have to deal with it among students, he and his wife were Amore Eternamente, and they had raised three children.  The middle one had been especially carried away by his feelings.

            "To tell the truth," Emelia said, "I'm not really that sure yet."

            "Well, that's all right."

            "A lot of kids seem to be irrationally attracted to Wilykit and me," Wilykat said, "but as yet, there's nothing we know of."

            "I see," Tygrov said.  "We will be joined by one who took this class last year, in her fourth year.  She did excellently and asked to help me in this class this year, so I let her."

            "Would that be Tygrana?" asked Emelia.

            "Yes, it would.  Do you know her?"

            "I've seen her once or twice, but I don't think any of us has had classes with her.  However, I saw the news article about her last November."

            "Ah, yes."

            "I recall Tygra mentioning her," Wilykit said.

            "Yes, she's a cousin of his.  How would you. . . of course.  He's your legal guardian."

            "Yes, he is.  We don't really know a lot about his family except for his brother, Bengali, and their parents."  She did not mention that Bengali was currently excessively rebellious.  Such information should stay within the family.

            They all continued to talk as more students began to filter in.  All twenty of the regular students were in their fifth year.  Finally, a couple of minutes before 8.10, when class was to start, another fifth-year Tygran stepped in.  Wilykat looked at the door, just intending to glance.  Thanks to Wilykit getting his attention at just the right time, he avoided gawking.  "What?" he snapped quietly.

            Wilykit said quietly, "She bears some resemblance to Tygra's mother."

            "Huh?  Oh, yeah."

            Tygrov and Tygrana spoke confidentially for a few moments, then, at 8.10 exactly, Tygrov politely said, "May I have your attention, please?"  Like adults, the twenty students became quiet and paid attention to him.  Tygran schools were notoriously stringent about students' attentiveness, but by the fifth year, the students were fully into it.  "Thank you.  This is Tygrana, a young lady who excelled in this course last year.  She will be assisting me during this period through the semester, and she can answer any questions on the subject matter."  He politely told her, "You may now take a seat."  She nodded and sat down on the end of the first row.

            Wilykat could see her much too easily for his comfort.  He sensed that there was something special about her.

            "Now," continued Tygrov, "before we begin, I'd like to call roll."  He called the roll.

            Wilykat managed to avoid embarrassing himself, for he paid attention and spoke just the right interval after Tygrov had called his name.  Wilykit was the last one on the roll.  Tygrov said, "Tuoniáñ is our most common language, with English coming in second.  I, myself, am a native speaker.  It is really not difficult to learn, but it can be logically demanding, definitely more so than åskast svenska, which most of you have most likely studied already.  But it also has the most adaptive of the vocabularies among our languages, since the spelling is completely phonetic and each letter stands for just one sound.  Also, you can tell from the sound of the word exactly how it is spelled.  The language has letters for every vocal sound that Thunderians use to communicate, so we can easily adapt external words.  You all are most likely familiar with many common words because they are used practically everywhere, especially in this region of the world."

            He went on to introduce the pronunciation of each letter.  Memorisation was easy for Thunderians, especially Tygrans and Wilykats, so this was passed without difficulty.  Besides Wilykit and Wilykat, everyone else in the room was Tygran, and Tygrans and Wilykats had particularly good memories, almost computer-like in efficiency where facts are concerned, though they did not have to worry about bad disk sectors or other such problems, obviously.

            Tygrov introduced basic vocabulary and effortlessly explained how to make a noun or adjective plural.  If it ended in O, change that final O to I; in A, change that A to E; in Y or E, change that Y or E to U.  As a singular ending, for sound, E was preferred for the sound quality, but logic preferred Y in order to prevent confusion.  Normally, the aesthetic preference for E prevailed, though in writing Y was normally used.  There was rarely confusion, anyway, since context told whether E indicated singular or plural.

            They ended the period with various phrases that they mostly knew already. . . such as A rivedér-ni {ah ré-váy-dáyr-né}, a very common see-you-later phrase.

            When class ended, everyone closed their laptops.  "Tomorrow, I'll give out the text chips.  See you then," Tygrov announced before it was too late.  Tygrans were logical, but they were also very social, especially kids.  They were quite orderly and task-oriented during class, but they knew the instant it was over.  He watched as they left the room.

            Tygrana stayed behind for a moment.  "Thank you for letting me do this, sir," she said.

            "Certainly," said Tygrov.  "What have you next?"

            "English V, room 204," she told him.  "I enjoy that almost as much as I do this!" she added with a grin.

            "I'm glad.  See you later."

            "Yes, sir."  ��A rivedér-ni!  {Ah ré-váy-dáyr-né!}�  She left the room.

            Outside the room, she took one glance to the right. . . and jerked back her head before she saw him again.  Something had happened when she looked at Wilykat, and she did not know what.  Wilykit saw her and greeted, "Hello."

            Tygrana turned to her.  "Hello.  I've heard much about you, Wilytwins."

            "I'm sorry to say we don't know much about you, Tygrana," said Wilykit.  "Tygra's our legal guardian."

            "So I've heard."  She and Wilykit shook hands.  "Wow. . . you're real Thunder Cats."

            "Yes, and proud of it.  Tygra's been teaching us about being Thunder Cats since we were really little."

            "I imagine.  Well, I'll talk to you later.  Gotta get to my next class."

            "Okay.  See you later."  Tygrana left.  "Now, she seems nice."

            "Yeah," Wilykat whispered, nearly breathless.  "Very nice."

            Wilykit smiled at him.  "Come on, bro," she said.  "We'd better get to English class."  Wilykat nodded.

            They entered the room and chose seats near the front.  They found that Tygrana was here, as well as their four other friends.  The teacher here called the roll, too.  He said the course would mostly be reading some basic Tygran and Cheetan literature.  There would be some grammar covered, but by now Thunderians were expected to understand most grammatical concepts of English.

            Wilykit knew Wilykat would not complain, seeing that he really liked to read, as she did.

            Luckily, she also noticed that he seemed drawn to Tygrana.  She gave him one good, firm look that told him he'd best behave himself.  He got the message, and though he seemed to strain a little, he apparently managed to keep the rest of his attention to the teacher.

            This teacher distributed the text chips today, for the course was mostly one in reading.  Before class ended, they took a look at a couple of short stories.

            When class ended, it was the lunch hour.  The Wilytwins had already planned to go home for lunch, so they did.  Wilykat was very silent during the walk home, and that disturbed Wilykit.  He was very talkative, usually.  She could not tell whether this was a result of his feelings for Tygrana or not.  When they reached the door, she asked without accusation, "What were you thinking?  You're supposed to pay attention in class."

            "It's Tygrana," he said.  "I can't stop thinking about her, Wilykit."

            Wilykit suspected as much.  "You can't let it interfere with your studies, brother," she said supportively.

            "I know.  -Sigh.-  I'm sorry."

            "Hey, it's okay.  Would you like to meet her?"

            "You saw her reaction when she noticed me in the hallway!"

            "Yeah, but maybe she didn't do it for the reason you may think.  If she felt embarrassed about her feelings, she might try to avoid looking at you."

            "-Sigh.-  Yeah, maybe."

            "I think I can get her to look," she continued, smiling cunningly.

            "Uh, oh.  You have that scheming look."

            "Ha, ha!  Don't worry, 'Kat.  Let's just have lunch."  They stepped in the house and found Tygra in the kitchen.  "Hi, Tygra!"

            "Hello, guys," Tygra said.  He immediately noted something out of the ordinary.  "Wilykat?"

            "It's all right, Tygra," said Wilykat calmly.  "I can deal with it.  Especially since Wilykit wants to help."

            "Anything to do with school?"

            "Not directly with courses, no."

            "All right, then.  I'll let you try to resolve it yourself.  If you need help, though, I'll be glad to help."

            "Thank you, Tygra."

            "So, how were your first two classes?"

            "Oh, they were great!" said Wilykit, excited.  "First is Tuoniáñ, second is English V.  Then, after lunch, we have advanced algebra, and finally comes åskast svenska."  During lunch, Wilykit excitedly told Tygra about their first two classes.  Wilykat was surprised.  He had missed a lot!  He determined that he would not permit his feelings ever to hinder him again.  He would need her to help him get back up to speed, anyway.

            He just could not stop thinking about Tygrana, though.

            Wilykit asked, "After school, can we hang around downtown for a while?"

            "Certainly," Tygra said.  It was usually very safe there.  "Jaga and Lion-O will be here around eighteen thirty, so please be back by eighteen hours."

            "We will," promised Wilykit.

            At the end of lunch, Wilykit and Wilykat walked back over to school for their remaining two classes.  As they stepped in the classroom, they saw their four friends already there.  "Hi, guys," Wilykit greeted.

            "Hey, Wilykit, Wilykat," Emelia said.

            Wilykat also noticed Tygrana.  Before she knew what she was doing, she noticed him.  Their gazes remained locked on each other for five seconds, until Wilykat managed to blink.  "I'm sorry," he apologised.

            "Don't be," said Tygrana.  She was seated on the end of the first row.  "You know, Wilykat, I don't think we'd best sit together."

            "I agree," Wilykit said, a slightly stern tone in her voice.

            "Me, too," said Wilykat.  "How about we talk after school?"

            "Sure," Tygrana replied.

            Wilykat followed his sister across the room.  They were still near the front, but they were also on the other side, where it would be less likely for Wilykat to think about Tygrana.

            Advanced algebra was a math course to be taken after introductory calculus.  It was very challenging, which kept Wilykit and Wilykat utterly riveted.  They loved real challenges.  Though they had no real trouble, they had to think, and they loved to think.  Wilykat was so busy paying attention since the very beginning of the class that he completely avoided his thoughts about Tygrana.

            At the end of class, they closed their terminals and left.  "Finally, a challenge!" said Wilykit happily.

            Wilykat shared her enthusiasm.  "Yeah," he agreed.  "Let's go, okay?"

            "Sure."  They went upstairs to room 208.  They entered and chose their seats.

            Moments later came Jake, Ben, Emelia, and Alexandra.  Soon after. . .  "Oh, great," Wilykat moaned softly.

            Wilykit looked and smiled.  "Hello, again, Tygrana."

            "Hello," Tygrana said.  "Ah, I'll park over there."  She indicated a chair across the room.

            "Good idea."  Tygrana moved to that chair.

            Wilykat sighed.  "What chance is there that she is in every class we have?" he asked quietly.

            "Don't worry," said Wilykit.  "Don't think about her, okay?"

            "I won't," Wilykat promised.

            This course in åskast svenska was a continuation from last semester.  The teacher began with a brief history of the language, beginning with the Panthrans and going on to the manner in which the language spread to other areas of Thundera.  She then reviewed some difficult verb concepts.

            Wilykat kept his thoughts on paying attention to the teacher.  He had to admit, it really was not that difficult.  He just had to be mentally persistent and keep himself focused.

            At the end of class, everyone again shut down their laptop terminals.  Wilykit and Wilykat left the room and waited for Tygrana to come out.  She saw them.  "Hello," she said.

            "Hello," said Wilykat.  He was pleased.  He had not needed his sister's help at all in getting her attention.  In fact, it had been quite accidental.

            "Well," Wilykit said, "why don't we go to the café and talk?"

            "Sure," her brother agreed.

            "All right," agreed Tygrana.

            Emelia, Alexandra, Jake, and Ben came out.  "Hello, guys," said Emelia.

            "Hi," Wilykit said.  "I think we've found somebody whom he likes."

            "What's that mean?" asked Tygrana.

            "You're not the only one attracted to him, but you are the only one for whom he seems to share the feelings."

            "I see.  I believe I recall your friends."

            Wilykit nodded.  "These are Emelia and Alexandra, and these are Jake and Ben.  We've been friends since we met during our first year of school.  Guys, this is Tygrana."

            Jake frowned thoughtfully.  "Isn't she Tygra's cousin?"

            "Yeah, but she's not related to us that closely," said Wilykit.  "Well, why don't we go to the café and talk?  We must have wasted a whole half a minute!"  This caused them all to laugh, and the seven of them left the building.

            * * *

            Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.  Stardate 49 756.16; April 2, 1993.

            "And that's how they met," Wilykit said.

            "Gee, what happened to her?" asked Michael.

            Wilykat sighed.  "We knew each other about a year.  In December, she contracted a fatal disease to which only certain Tygrans with a certain genetic flaw were susceptible.  The virus was called the KCN virus, and it settled in the heart and. . ."  He could not continue.  He immediately burst into tears.

            Compassionately, Wilykit hugged him.  "It's okay," she told him gently.  "There was nothing anyone could do to save her at that point in time."

            Kevin gently asked, "What did that virus do?"

            "It released KCN into her circulatory system at an agonisingly slow rate," Wilykit said.  "Most Tygrans are immune to KCN.  However, those with the aforementioned genetic deficiency aren't, and it leads to painful death in them."

            "Potassium cyanide?" demanded Michael.  "That's deadly to humans!"

            "Don't worry.  The gene in Thunderians that neutralises the cyanide also destroys the virus.  Humans have the part that destroys the virus, so you'd destroy it before it could harm you.  It's part of humanoid genetic makeup, but unfortunately, some mutation occurred in one of the strongest Tiger families some time before Thundera exploded.  That odd mutation neutralised the two-part gene in them all, and eventually all of them became infected with the virus and perished before the vaccine could be completed."

            Kevin grew suspicious.  "Hm," he said.  "I wonder if that is no mere coincidence.  I know, the weirdest genetic mutations have a chance of happening, but odds are probably against such a radical weakening.  Do Plundarrians have gene-mutating technology?"

            "Not that I know of.  In fact, due to the crudeness of their technology, I sincerely doubt it.  Of course, it might be some other more unworldly cause."

            "Mumm-ra," concluded Michael.  "That mummy seems able to cause any foul disaster.  Too bad we can't conclude anything so far."

            "Yeah," Kevin agreed reluctantly.  "He covers his tracks too well."

            Wilykat sighed.  "Well, that was one of the happiest years of my life," he said.  "Wilykit, Tygrana, and I got along really well.  -Sigh.-  I felt so helpless, watching her die that last month of her life."  He shook his head, refusing to cry again.

            Kevin and Michael looked at each other sadly.  They would react so sadly if either lost someone they loved like that. . . especially if one brother lost the other.

            The very thought caused Michael to start crying loudly.  "I was so terrified that I'd lost you!" he cried, alluding to the evening Kevin had disappeared to VideoLand.  Kevin hugged him warmly.

            "There, there," Kevin said soothingly.  "I'm right here, Michael.  And I'm never leaving you again."

            Wilykit sighed sadly and crossed her arms.  "I'm so sorry, guys," she said quietly.

            Michael soon quieted.  "I'm just so terrified of losing people I love," he said.  "Kevin, do you think we might be able to visit our parents?  I just started missing 'em really bad."

            Kevin smiled.  "Sure, kid.  We'll find a way."

            "I'd be really happy."  He turned to the Wilytwins.  "Maybe you could come with us."

            "Sure!" Wilykit exclaimed.  Her brother was excited, too.  "We'd love to."

            "But first," Michael said, grinning, "I brought you here to show you video games."  He sprang up and went over to his video game cart.  "This is the television set."  He indicated the NES on top.  "Here's the NES. . ."  He indicated the Super NES.  ". . .and here's the Super NES.  They're the system units."  He indicated the cartridge holders under the TV set.  "Here are several NES games, arranged in alphabetical order by title.  Also, there are several Super NES games, also arranged by title.  Look over the titles and pull out something interesting, Wilykit."

            Wilykit knelt down in front of the games.  She searched the NES game holders.  She pulled out a game and smiled.  "MegaMan," she announced cheerfully.  "The very first game."

            "Okay," said Michael taking the cartridge when he handed it to her.  "Watch."  He carefully showed her and Wilykat how to insert the cartridge into the NES unit.  They were very interested.  "Label up.  Push it in as far as it'll go, and press down."  He closed the lid.  He took the NES Advantage joystick controller, turned on the TV, and turned on the game.  The start screen for MegaMan showed.  "A lot of more recent games have fancier start-up screens," he said.  "Here, absolutely nothing happens until you press Start."  He pulled up a chair and sat down.  He invited everyone else to sit, too.  Wilykit and Wilykat were flanking him, while Kevin watched from a short distance.

            Michael pulled over a rolling table and placed the controller on top of it.  "An anchored controller is good," he said.  He pressed Start.  The Robot Master select screen appeared.  "All the other MegaMan games for the NES have eight Robot Masters.  This one has only six.  You can take them out in any order, but you must defeat all six to reach Dr. Wily's hideout.  Even though you can smash the androids in any order you choose, it's definitely best strategically to go after either CutMan or BombMan first.  MegaMan acquires the androids' weapons as he defeats them, and each android is particularly susceptible to a certain weapon. . . and completely resistant to some others.  For instance, CutMan's weapon works very well on ElecMan.  In many instances, it only needs one or two hits to destroy him.  ElecMan's weapon smashes IceMan.  IceMan's weapon works superbly on FireMan.  Fire takes out BombMan, and bombs work well on GutsMan.  GutsMan's power allows MegaMan to carry heavy boulders, and those are very effective on CutMan.  The problem is, though, that it requires two hits to defeat CutMan, there are only two boulders in the room, and it's too easy to miss.

            "These robots were made by Dr. Light as mining and construction overseers for lesser robots, but they were reprogrammed by Dr. Wily to conquer MegaLand.  The goal of the game is to destroy the rampaging robots and capture Dr. Wily.  These androids command an army of lesser robots all over the land, and you have to be careful against them.  You also have to watch where you go.  If you fall down a pit or if you hit spikes, you die instantly.  MegaMan has a life meter with twenty-eight units.  You lose units when hit.  How many units you lose depends on what or whom you hit.  You die when the life meter is all gone, but there are luckily energy capsules throughout each level.

            "The Robot Master weapons have their own energy meters, as does a special magnetic platform beam that MegaMan can get.  How much the meter depletes depends on the weapon.  If the weapon level reaches zero, you can't fire that weapon anymore.  There are also weapon energy capsules on every level.

            "You begin each game with three lives, if I recall correctly.  If you die with lives left, then you get to continue in one of three places in the Robot Master levels or in one of two places in the levels in Wily's fortress.  In both, you come back to life at the beginning of the stage if you died before reaching the middle, or you come back to life at the middle if you have passed the middle.  In the Robot Master stages, there are two gates separating the main stage from the android's lair.  There is a tunnel between the two gates.  In this game, there are traps waiting in that area.  Once past the first gate, if you die during the battle with the Robot Master and have lives left, you come back to life just within the first gate.  In this game, if you are done in by the traps, you also come back within the first gate.  In the Robot Master battles, the enemy android's energy level also appears.  The goal there is to reduce the enemy's level to zero before he manages to reduce yours to zero.  If you ram into him, you're the only one to take damage.  That seems unfair, but that's the way many of these action games are programmed."

            Wilykit said, "You said you either started with CutMan or BombMan.  Why wouldn't you only start with one?"

            "Well, there is a device in ElecMan's stage that is blocked off by boulders.  I like to start with CutMan because he's easier to beat with MegaMan's normal Plasma Cannon, but if you go for BombMan first and then go through the GutsMan stage, you'll have GutsMan's lifting power to reach that device.  Otherwise, you'll have to go through ElecMan's stage twice.  Believe me, that device is definitely good to have, but it hardly seems worth having to go through ElecMan's section of town twice to get to it.  For the record, ElecMan's power also smashes through rocks, but unfortunately, you can't get it and then just turn around to get the beam."

            "-Sigh.-  That seems unfair."

            "Well, many of these games tend to give you something immediately after the stage when you really need it.  Some sort of test, I guess.  One exception is MegaMan II.  In HeatMan's stage, it's definitely easier to have beaten AirMan first, because then you get an adaptor that allows MegaMan to bypass some deadly lava.  Lava kills instantly, too, by the way."

            "I see.  Sounds difficult."

            "It is when you first start, but after you get the hang of it, it's not really terrible.  In this game, you sure do not want to go see ElecMan first.  His beam can destroy MegaMan with just three shots.  I'll visit BombMan first.  On this selection screen, moving the controller to the right moves the selector clockwise, and moving left moves the selector counterclockwise."  Since both ways required three moves, he moved clockwise to BombMan.  "And you select with the Start button."

            "What happens when you lose all your lives?" Wilykat asked.

            "Then, the game is over.  In all the MegaMan games, you can continue, so you don't have to go back and get all the weapons again if you've already defeated any androids.  You can choose either to return to the stage select screen or to return to the beginning of the stage you were just in.  That, too, can save frustration when you're in Wily's castle.  That means you don't have to start from the very first level of his fortress if you're in a later stage."

            He pressed Start to enter the BombMan stage.  BombMan popped onto the banner, and the point total for defeating him was shown on the screen.  Then, BombMan's territory appeared, the word 'Ready' appeared on the screen, and MegaMan teleported to the ground.  "There he is," said Michael.  He hit the 'A' button, and MegaMan jumped.  He hit the 'B' button, and MegaMan fired a shot from his cannon.  "Press 'A' to leap, 'B' to fire.  With the Plasma Cannon, I usually turn on the turbo to fire several shots at a time.  The cannon doesn't drain any energy, which is really nice."  He pressed the turbo switch above the 'B' button and pressed 'B' again.  MegaMan fired three shots.  "You don't always have to shoot everything in sight, and sometimes it's unwise to shoot something."

            "Words of wisdom," Kevin sighed.  "Yeah.  When I first played this game, I once shot one of the self-propelling killer bullets.  It exploded, of course, and knocked me into a bottomless pit!  One more MegaMan down."

            "You always were a bit trigger-happy," laughed Michael good-naturedly as he began advancing.  With practised skill, he dodged the enemies, including the robot fleas, which he shot down easily, and bombombs that shot out of the pits without taking a hit.  He dodged the screw bomber's fire as he advanced.  There were two small energy capsules and a large weapon capsule, but since MegaMan had lost no energy, he did not grab anything.

            He had MegaMan ascend a ladder and shoot the four beaks that were against a wall.  He took a couple of minor hits but took the large energy capsule that the beaks had been guarding.  He then climbed up to the next level of the stage.

            There, he battled Sniper Joe, managing to avoid its shots and shoot it down.  He soon reached the area Kevin had just been talking about. . . a series of pits over which several killer bullets flew.  He took minor damage from the beaks but refused to shoot the bullets unless they were out of range.  He managed to avoid hits from killer bullets and spines as he advanced, and he climbed up a ladder to another region.

            There was another ladder leading upwards, but it was over a bed of spikes, and killer bullets flew across the room, so Michael waited near the ladder until another bullet came along.  He shot the bullet and jumped onto the ladder and climbed up to the next floor before the next bullet could get him.

            Above were short platforms that a good jumper like MegaMan could use to avoid more spikes.  Unfortunately, a robot soared past and shot pellets in eight directions at once.  This was not so dangerous by itself, but the pellets could knock MegaMan back and, possibly, off a platform onto the spikes.  Michael, however, knew when to shoot the robot.  It stayed in its protective shell when it was flying across, but it stopped and opened its shell to fire, so Michael timed MegaMan's shots so they would hit before the robot fired.  He made it across the spike pit unscathed, except for one stray hit from one of the robots just as he reached the ladder.  He then carefully dropped onto a ledge, which enclosed an area where a valuable extra life was hidden away.  It was guarded by a Sniper Joe, but Michael patiently dealt with the Sniper Joe, shooting it whenever it leapt.  Soon, he had defeated the Joe and obtained the extra life.  He dropped to the ground and advanced to the ledge in front of the gate.  Another Joe was waiting, but Michael dispatched him without any damage to MegaMan.

            Michael took MegaMan through the gate and climbed down the ladder leading to BombMan's lair.  He avoided being hit by the eight octopus batteries that haunted the vertical tunnel and dropped into BombMan's lair with a fairly full energy meter.  Since BombMan usually tossed several bombs at a time, Michael carefully avoided getting hit by the explosive ammunition.  Instead, he shot BombMan, avoiding his bombs and his person.  Seconds later, BombMan exploded from lack of energy, and an orb dropped down.  MegaMan collected the orb, and victory music sounded.  The points were tallied, and the selection screen showed.  Now, BombMan's square had a black background.  It had been yellow.

            "And BombMan's defeated," said Michael.

            "Wow, you're good," Wilykit said.

            "Thank you.  It's mostly practice.  Hey, Kev, you want to smash GutsMan?"

            "Sure," Kevin said.  He and Michael traded places.

            "Do you always trade around?" asked Wilykit.

            "Sure," Michael said.  "It gives us each a chance to rest.  Some levels are downright nasty."

            Kevin moved the selector one unit clockwise from CutMan to GutsMan.  "Get ready," he warned.  "GutsMan's going to fall, and that means the ground will really shake."  He selected GutsMan, and he was soon facing the mine site.  He passed the Hard Hats without any problem, and he handled the three drop platforms with ease.  He ran past the bladers without taking damage, then fought the picket men while dodging their pickets.  He carefully manoeuvred MegaMan downward until he reached the bottom of the chasm.  He ran past Big Eye and ran through the gate to the tunnel leading to GutsMan's lair.  He took out the Hard Hats, doubling back to recover stolen energy by causing the Hard Hats to reappear.

            "They come back, so you can get them for more energy pellets!" Wilykit realised.

            "You catch on fast," commented Kevin.  "Yeah.  The programming in this game doesn't permanently delete enemies from the level when you beat them.  It just removes them from that instance of the screen."  Just before he was about to enter GutsMan's chamber, though, the door buzzer chimed.  He hit Select to pause the game as Michael got up to open the door.

            MegaMan himself was on the other side!  "Hello, guys," MegaMan said.  "I was hoping you were here, Kevin.  I. . . whoa!"  He had noticed the screen.  "Is that me?"

            "Yeah," said Kevin.  "I'm about to smash GutsMan."

            "Go ahead.  This should be interesting."

            Kevin turned off the pause and continued through the gate.  When he entered, GutsMan fell into the room, and the large robot's energy meter filled.  Kevin pressed Start to go to the weapon select screen and chose BombMan's weapon.  He then returned to the battle.  For the most part, he managed to avoid GutsMan's ground-shaking jumps and the boulders GutsMan tossed at him, but he did plenty of damage to the large robot with the bombs.  Soon, GutsMan was no more, and Kevin directed the game's MegaMan to get the orb.  The scores totalled up, and the stage select screen appeared again.

            "You're good, too," Wilykat told Kevin.

            "Yeah," said MegaMan.  "Kevin, we've picked up something in MegaLand where Dr. Wily seems to have a new fortress."

            Kevin sighed.  "I wonder if those things are prefabricated," Michael joked.

            "Yeah," said Kevin.  "We destroy one, and he quickly builds another.  Just like all he has to do is to plant seeds and add water for instant castle.  Of course, he does have an army of robots."

            "Please come to the throne room," MegaMan requested.  "I'm picking up some energy that I think you should see."

            "All right," said Kevin.

            "Just turn off the TV, Kevin," Michael said.  "We can get back to this later."

            "Sure."  Kevin turned off the TV and left the NES on.  He had done it before.  "You guys go up there.  I'll get Lana."  Everyone nodded.  Wilykit, Wilykat, and Michael followed MegaMan upstairs while Kevin went to get Lana.

            * * *

            When Michael, the Wilytwins, and MegaMan arrived in the throne room, they found Steelheart there.  "Hello, Commander," Michael greeted.

            "Hello, everyone," said Steelheart.  "Is there a reason you two are here, Wilykit and Wilykat?"

            Wilykit said, "Well, you might say it's personal."

            "And please don't use your telepathy," Michael requested.  "We'll tell you when we feel it's appropriate."

            Steelheart sighed and smiled, shaking her head.  "You take all the fun out of it.  Of course, I have no intention of learning anything from you like that."

            "I had to get them and Kevin up here because Wily's up to something," MegaMan said.  "Kevin's coming with the princess."

            At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and Kevin and Princess Lana came out into the throne room.  "Well, hello, Steelheart," Lana greeted.  "What's up?"

            "Well, I came to see if there were any emergencies I might be able to help handle," said Steelheart.  "Things are rather slow in Limbo, and I am a video game player."

            "Maybe," MegaMan chimed in.  "There is something going on in MegaLand, guys.  I picked up this frequency modulation pattern as I was scanning an area of the land.  Take a mega-look, Captain N and Steelheart."  Kevin and Steelheart took a look at his screen.

            Kevin gasped.  "That'll warp through our defence system!"

            "Wow, you're right!" exclaimed Steelheart.

            "We've got to go stop him before he tells the rest of the Brain-Team," Kevin said.  "MegaMan, Michael, and Steelheart, please come with me."

            "Hang on!" snapped Wilykit.  "May we come?"

            "Please?" Wilykat added.

            "Ah. . . maybe you, Wilykit, but not Wilykat," said Michael.  "You saw while Kevin and I were playing that you'd have to make some rather hard jumps and some even harder landings, and Quicksilver told you not to abuse that leg, Wilykat."

            "All right," said Wilykat.

            "I'll go ask Lion-O," Wilykit said.  "I wouldn't want to get in trouble for getting in trouble."

            "Sure.  We'll be in the warp room."

            * * *

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

            Wilykit entered the control room, excited.  "Hey, Lion-O!" she said, walking up to him.  "There's an emergency in MegaLand.  May I go with Kevin, Michael, MegaMan, and Steelheart?  Wilykat's not going, due to his injury."

            Lion-O thought.  "Yes, I guess so.  I'll probably get in trouble with Tygra for this, though."

            "Thanks!"

            "Wait a moment."  He looked at her for several moments.  He said quietly, "I've never told you about how I feel."

            "Uh, oh," she said.  "Lion-O, I like Michael.  You're a good friend, but. . ."

            "I know, and I understand," he assured her.  "But do you know the consequences of my feelings?"

            Wilykit thought, then slowly shook her head.  "No one's told me," she said.

            Lion-O stood.  "Come with me," he said.  They walked out of the control room and went to the sword chamber.  "My feelings have made you my successor," he told her.

            "I thought Tygra was more closely related to you," she said.

            "That may be, but somehow, my feelings for you are important in this matter.  Jaga has told me this."

            "Wow.  Me, Lord of the Thunder Cats?"

            "It's true.  You will be Lord of the Thunder Cats one day.  That's why you and Wilykat will learn swordsmanship."  They reached the door to the sword chamber, and he opened it.  They went in to the sword.  "It is my understanding that direct heirs can also use the sword," he said.  "Take it."

            Wilykit took the sword.  It blasted lightning that harmed no one.  "Hey, what was that?"  The sword grew, but she could handle it.  "Whoa!"

            "You remember seeing me use it, don't you?"

            "Obviously.  Are you going to let me use it?"

            "You may need to call me, and the sword's laser should be able to take care of Dr. Wily's robots."

            She swung the sword as he had in the past to make it small.  "All right," she said.  She hooked it in her belt.  "I guess I'll need to get a scabbard."

            "Probably.  Do you know how to get around in MegaLand?"

            "Well, MegaMan and Kevin have had personal experience, and Kevin, Michael, and Steelheart have played the games."

            "All right."  They went to the front hall, where the warps were.

            "Are you sure you'll be all right without the sword, Lion-O?"

            "I think so.  Just make sure you stay with at least one of the others."

            "Sure.  Oh, I think I ought to get my hard boots.  See you later."

            "All right."  Lion-O returned to the control room as Wilykit went to her room.

            * * *

            Warp Hall, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Wilykit emerged from the Cat's Lair warp with boots similar to Wilykat's on her feet.  "I'm back," she told the others.

            "Ah, good precaution," Michael said, noticing her boots.  "Those floors can be hard."

            Wilykat was there.  "Hey!  How'd you get the sword?"

            Wilykit said seriously, "Lion-O let me use it.  He tells me I'm heir to his position."

            Wilykat's eyes widened.  "But. . . that must mean. . ."

            "Now is not the time," she told him sternly.

            Wilykat sighed.  "Okay," he said, concerned.

            Kevin asked, "Will the sword obey your commands?"

            "It will," Wilykit told him.  "It should protect me, and it may warn us of danger."

            "All right.  Let's go."  MegaMan led the group through the warp to Dr. Light's lab.

            * * *

            Dr. Light's Lab, MegaLand, VideoLand.

            The group emerged in the lab, where Dr. Light was busy with several projects at once, as usual.

            He noticed the team's arrival.  "Hello," he greeted.  "I assume this means you've picked up the bad vibrations from Wily's fortress."

            "Exactly," Steelheart said.

            Dr. Light went over to a box on one of his lab tables.  "Come over, MegaMan," he requested.  MegaMan obeyed.  "Here are the Robot Masters' weapons that you have obtained."

            "Thank you," said MegaMan.  He installed each of the weapon adaptors, as well as all the Rush adaptors.

            Michael said, "Wow.  You have quite a few adaptors there."

            "I don't usually take 'em all, but I don't know what Wily will have waiting for us."  He finished installing the small adaptors.  "All right.  If BreakMan comes by, Doc, could you ask him to come help?"

            "Sure," said Light, bringing up co-ordinates on his computer.  "Set your teleporter for these co-ordinates, and you'll reach the castle.  I wish I could get you in, but you know Wily."

            "That's all right," MegaMan said as he set his teleporter.  He went to the group.  "Thank you, Doc.  Stick close, guys."  Kevin, Michael, Steelheart, and Wilykit stayed close to him.  He hit the key in his left wrist that teleported them away.

            * * *

            Skull Castle, MegaLand.

            In the laboratory, Wily and Ludwig were working on creating devices that would defy the N-Team's system.  They had to calibrate the devices to a certain frequency modulation pattern for them to work.  Ludwig had already tested one by warping to Mumm-ra's Pyramid and back.

            Suddenly, a buzzer sounded.  "What the heck?" demanded Wily.  He hit a key on his monitor.  "Oh, no!  What in VideoLand are they doing here?"

            Ludwig turned to the screen.  "Steelheart, Wilykit, Captain N, Michael, and MegaMan," he said.  "Will they ruin our plans?"

            "No."  He pressed a button on his computer.  "In fact, I was kind of hoping the Keene brothers would come here.  I was planning to warp to their homeworld and invite their parents to come out here.  It would be an invitation that they couldn't refuse.  Literally."

            "Good," said Ludwig.  "What was that key you just pressed?"

            "That activated the defences, so I can take GutsMan and HardMan with me to deal with Mr. and Mrs. Keene."

            "Excellent.  I'll work on these warping devices and keep an eye on the defences."

            "Thank you, Ludwig."  He picked up an intercom.  "GutsMan and HardMan, report to the lab on the double."  Moments later, GutsMan and HardMan entered the room.  Physically, they were two of Wily's strongest Robot Masters, and they could both shake the ground upon landing from a jump.  "Let's go do it," he commanded.  He had already told them about this plan.  He turned to Ludwig.  "I won't be gone long."

            "All right," Ludwig said.  "See you in a few minutes."

            Dr. Wily led his two androids to the warp room and opened the warp to the Keenes' home.  "I'd like them to come voluntarily," he told them matter-of-factly.  He knew from experience how androids could be if he did not lay out things specifically.  "Only if they don't do I want you to grab them.  If that happens, I want HardMan to get Mrs. Keene and GutsMan to get Mr. Keene.  Clear?"  The androids nodded.  "Okay, let's go."  He led through the warp.

            * * *

            Keene Home, Northridge, California, U.S.A., 20th-Century Earth, VideoLand Quadrant.

            Kevin and Michael's parents, Ned and Cheryl Keene, were preparing to go get dinner and then see a movie.  They were expecting no company at the moment, so they were surprised to hear the doorbell ring.  When they opened, they were even more surprised.

            "Good evening, folks," Dr. Wily greeted.

            "Dr. Wily," Ned Keene said suspiciously.  He held no love for the man who had attempted to frame his son for murder.  "What are you doing here?"

            "Your kids are about to bust up one of my fortresses.  I need you to convince them not to."

            "And just why should we help you?" demanded Cheryl.  "You're an enemy of the N-Team."

            Wily smiled wickedly.  "All you have to do is come voluntarily," he said sweetly.  "I'll take care of the rest.  And if you don't come voluntarily, I have some robotic muscle.  GutsMan and HardMan are two of my strongest robots, and they can easily overpower you, so think twice if you're thinking of refusing my offer to visit my castle."

            Ned and Cheryl looked hopelessly at each other.  It was obvious to them that they could not fight Wily's robots.  Cheryl sighed, exasperated.  "All right, you don't have to take us by force!" she snapped.  "But if you intend for us to tell Kevin and Michael not to attack your castle, forget it!"

            "You don't have to tell them a word," Wily promised.  "Close and lock your door.  Then, follow me, but don't try any funny stuff.  As I said, GutsMan and HardMan are very strong."  The two left, and Ned closed and locked the door.  Wily led them to the warp.  Ned and Cheryl followed him, and Wily's robots followed the Keenes.  Wily led around to a hidden warp.  "Just follow me in," he directed.  He led the way through the warp.

            * * *

            Skull Castle, MegaLand, VideoLand.

            The N-Team group arrived in sight of the castle.  Wilykit said, "That's Skull Castle?  Looks like Wily could take some decorating lessons from the Mutants!"

            "We must be careful," MegaMan said.  "Knowing that Wily, we'll receive a hostile welcome pretty soon."

            Steelheart activated her visor.  "Leave the welcome wagon to me," she said.  "I'll stay above and take care of any robotic birds or other such nuisances."

            "Wait," MegaMan said.  "I'd like to give you these now, before we're separated."  He handed three devices to each member of the group.  "Dr. Light's finally found a way to mass-produce these energy shields."

            "All right!" said Kevin cheerfully.

            MegaMan put one on his waist and showed them the controls.  "Press blue to turn it on, red to turn it off," he said.  "The shield absorbs blows for you.  It's kind of like an extra life in your video games, I'd say.  It can absorb a fatal blow and send you backwards a short distance to a relatively safe spot.  When that happens, the shield is destroyed, but at least you aren't.  Energy capsules like I use will re-energize the shield.  Additionally, as long as we stay in about ten metres of each other, we need only use one shield at a time."

            "I see," said Steelheart.  "Does that apply if you fall down a pit?"

            "Yes."

            Kevin said, "Michael, keep an eye on Wilykit.  She doesn't know Wily's style very well."

            "Sure," Michael agreed.  "I've played all the games so far."

            "And be careful."

            "I will."

            "Well, then, let's go."

            Steelheart took off, following the group in the air but not too high to be out of the range of MegaMan's shield.  She blasted several flying robots, including several Bladers waiting up ahead.  Her shoulder-lasers were powerful and did not drain energy from her.

            They stopped at a door to the basement.  Steelheart landed there.  "Wily's getting wise to my tricks," MegaMan noted.  "He's sealed the way to the basement with a titanium door."

            "Well, MegaMan," Steelheart said, "let's combine our muscle and open the door, shall we?"  MegaMan nodded.  He knew Steelheart was super-strong even without her Silver Hawk armour.  So, the two grabbed the door's sides and pulled with all their might.  For several seconds, they did not seem to be getting anywhere.  However, moments before they felt they might give up, the metal began to strain with a loud tearing noise.  Kevin, Michael, and Wilykit stood out of the way.  Seconds later, the door pulled loose, and the force flung Steelheart and MegaMan about a half metre, and the two fell to the ground.

            However, the way was now open.

            MegaMan and Steelheart got up.  "Thanks for the mega-help!" MegaMan said cheerfully.

            "Don't mention it," replied Steelheart.  "I'm just glad to break one of Wily's little toys."

            The group carefully continued into the basement.  They were attacked by a few Beaks, but Steelheart's shoulder-laser took them out easily.  They climbed up a series of ladders and reached a landing, where a Hard Hat was waiting.  MegaMan was ready, though, and he blasted the robot before it shot.  He waited for them all to arrive on the landing.

            Kevin said, "I'm getting a strange feeling.  I don't know what's causing it.  Let's be careful, okay?"  Everyone nodded.  This time, Kevin led the way up the ladder.  It was against the east wall of the room.  He climbed up to a second landing, bypassing a first.  Everyone followed suit.  They noticed the ladder in the middle of the room and climbed up it.  At the next floor upstairs, they went to the east wall and jumped up to the ladder to the platform above.  He stopped.  "Wait, something's wrong," he said nervously.

            Suddenly, on the other side of the room, a hologram of Dr. Wily appeared.  "Welcome to my newest castle, N-Team," he said.  "How in the world did you manage to get in the basement?  Even MegaMan doesn't have the strength."

            "No," said Steelheart, "but I'm as strong as he is without this metal suit.  You see, two super-strong people are better than one."

            Wily appeared annoyed for a moment.  "Well, isn't that nice!  I'd like to show you my newest guests.  GutsMan?"  GutsMan rolled a table into the area that the holographic projector could show, and the team saw. . .

            "Mom and Dad!" Michael cried.  He snatched his Zapper and shouted, "Come on, Kevin!"

            Kevin cried, "Michael, no!!"  But it was too late.