Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.  Stardate 49 758.90; April 3, 1993.

Kevin went down to his brother's room and entered without announcing himself, since he and Michael preferred it like that.  Michael was sleeping comfortably, covered in the sheets.  Kevin checked his watch, then awoke his brother by rubbing his back gently.  That always worked.

            Michael sighed and opened his eyes.  He looked up and saw Kevin.  "Good morning, Michael," Kevin greeted enthusiastically.

            Michael said, "Hi, bro."  Yawning, he turned around and moved the sheet off him.  Standing, he stretched.

            "Michael. . . there's more to what we talked about last night just before I left."

            "What precisely?"

            "I'm not sure whether you know of this, but members of the Wilykat-Race reach sexual maturity between 27 and 28 years of age.  When a female reaches it, she can go through up to three phases.  In each phase, her biological clock tells her it's time to make love.  She can be sedated or held off during each period, but it may seriously impair her receptivity later in life if she doesn't make love before the periods or, if it gets that far, during the last period.  If she does so during an earlier phase, the subsequent ones vanish.  If she does so before any of the phases begin, she won't go through them.  Wilykit is approaching that age."

            "Just what do these phases have her do?" Michael asked.

            "For two hours in each, she is compelled by her body to make love with any male in the area.  First, she would go after her Amoro Eternamente, if she has met him and he's around.  The second choice for a female Wilykat would be her twin male sibling, if she has one.  Next are other closely related males.  Finally, if no one else is around, any other humanoid male would be acceptable to her body.  It is totally involuntary on the female's part.  If you make love with her beforehand, it'll save her a lot of embarrassment.  Females in a phase can't be held responsible for their act, but she would probably find her behaviour very humiliating."

            "Kevin, I'm a minor."

            "But in VideoLand, sixteen is old enough for a person to consent to such activities."

            "I see."

            "You have an acceptable motive to present in case the other Thunder Cats may object, but I doubt they will.  Thunderians are mostly concerned with the well-being of their people."  Michael nodded.

            "I would be sacrificing my own virginity, though."

            "With your Amora Eternamente, you would.  In the eyes of Thunderian law, you and she would be technically married, as the mating of Amoru Eternamente is good enough to be considered as marriage.  However, they are a bit freer.  You don't have to live together, for example.  Twins usually live together."

            "In a way, then," Michael said, "you might be doing similarly if you make love with Lana.  And don't deny that possibility, because I know how you feel."

            Kevin thought.  "I guess," he agreed.  "So, we're going to have a sister."

            "I guess I've kind of wanted a sister," Michael said.

            "Me, too.  Lana will get a kick out of this."

            "Dad didn't tell us we could tell her, Kevin."

            Kevin saw the look in his brother's eyes.  "I mean she'll get a kick out of this when we're told we can tell her."  He understood Michael's point.  If their parents did not want them to reveal this to anyone else, then they should not.

            By now, Michael had brushed his hair and had finished dressing, including the final touch. . . the Power Pad belt.  Kevin had his own Power Pad and Zapper, too.  The door-chimer sounded.  "Enter," said Michael.  The door opened to admit Lana.  "Good morning, Lana."

            "Hello, Michael," Lana said.  Then, she and Kevin kissed.  "Hi, Kevin."

            "Hello," said Kevin.  His heart was pounding.  He had never felt this way about anyone before yesterday!  His feelings for her seemed to be jumping into overdrive.  "I love you," he told her quietly.

            "I love you, too," she replied, smiling sweetly.  This was the first time he had begun the phrase, and she enjoyed hearing it from him.

            Michael asked softly and almost expressionlessly, "This is the first time you two have felt this way, isn't it?"

            Kevin turned to him.  "Yeah," he said.

            "Wilykit and I felt it since we met," said Michael.  He sighed.  He knew what Lana was about to say.  "I know you're going to tell me not to be ashamed, Lana.  I'm not, really.  I guess I'm just having a little trouble trying to keep all my feelings reined in."

            "How much do you love her?" Lana asked.

            "She thinks we're Amore Eternamente," replied Michael.  Lana nodded.  She understood the meaning of the word.  "I think she's having a little trouble, too, frankly.  I love her."

            "Have you told her?"

            "No, but I will."  He looked at his bed.  Luckily, it was still pretty much in order.  He swiftly remade it.

            Kevin said, "At least my bad habit of messiness didn't rub off on you."

            "I'm a little messy," Michael admitted, "but I don't leave my room in disarray."

            Lana inspected his bed.  "Very good," she praised.  "At least Kevin's mind isn't so disorganised as his room at home was.  I saw it when MotherBrain first sent us to the Nightmare World."  She smiled.  "His mess attacked us there."

            Michael laughed, "Ha, ha!  I guess it taught him!"

            Kevin smiled wryly.  "Yeah," he said.  "Well, why don't we round up Michael's and my parents?"  Lana and Michael nodded.  Kevin led out of the room and to their parents.

            * * *

            Wilykit and Wilykat's Room, Cat's Lair, third-Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.

            Wilykat awoke from his very pleasant dream and felt a tightness in his lower body.  Suddenly, he felt the flap that covered his reproductive area open!  He could not speak, though, as a strange, new feeling erupted through his body.  It felt pleasurable, but he could not control it.

            He knew what was happening, though.  He was entering Thunderian adolescence.

            When the strange feeling was over, he turned carefully onto his side and flipped his sheets back.  When his conclusion was confirmed by the fluid he saw lying there, he softly muttered, "Damn."  He called, "Wilykit!"

            His sister was asleep in her bed, but she awoke.  "What is it?" she inquired.

            "Come here."

            Wilykit got up and went over to him.  She followed his finger as he pointed to the fluid he had just expelled.  "What is that?"

            "It's the stuff that contains spermatazoa."  She gave him a shocked look.

            "You have to be kidding!"

            "Don't deny it, Wilykit!" he snapped.  "I'm entering adolescence, and thus you're not very far behind, yourself!"

            Wilykit gulped.  She knew what this meant.  Tygra had given them a book that told all about the Wilykat-Race - a bit more than they cared to know, in fact - and females entering adolescence went through three phases.  It was the only time females had absolutely no control over their physical urges, and thus they could not be held accountable for what happened.  Still, she did not want to be at the mercy of her desires, and it would be very embarrassing to her. . . at least in her own mind.  "I understand," she said.

            "We should tell the others," said Wilykat.  "Do you think Michael would make love with you before you went through the phases?"

            "I don't know how to make love!"

            Wilykat carefully got up.  "That doesn't stop people," he said.  "Especially not humans.  You know the definition of having sexual intercourse?"

            "Yeah."

            "That's basically what you do when you make love."

            "Is making love the only way to completely avoid the phases?"

            "As far as I know, 'Kit.  Mind if I go take another shower?"

            "Go ahead.  I'll take care of your sheets."

            "Thank you.  -Sigh.-  At least a male's entrance into adolescence only messes up the sheets.  A female's costs your virginity."  He stepped into the bathroom and took his shower.  He had done so the night before, but he did not feel completely clean anymore.

            Meanwhile, as she had promised, Wilykit took care of his sheets.  She removed them from his bed and put them in the hamper to be laundered.  Then, she took out a new set of sheets and made his bed for him.  She had finished making the bed by the time Wilykat finished his shower.  He smiled when he emerged from the bathroom.  "Thank you," he said.  "I guess I should get some undershorts and pyjamas until I get this under control."

            "That might be a good idea," said Wilykit.  "Snarf would get a bit tired of washing your sheets every night.  What did it feel like?"

            Wilykat thought back.  He shrugged.  "I can't think of anything to which I can compare it."

            "Well, was it good?  Was it comfortable?  How'd it feel?"

            "It felt pretty good, actually.  But I felt too out of control to really enjoy it."

            "How were your breathing and blood pressure?"

            "Both quite elevated.  I'm pretty sure I woke up in the middle of a nocturnal emission.  The first one is definitely evidence that adolescence is kicking in."

            Wilykit looked at the clock and smiled.  "Not very nocturnal.  It's seven in the morning."

            "Let's be thankful for that small wonder, then.  I feel too excited to go back to sleep."  The two began to put on their clothing.  "Now, though, is the time to tell Lion-O, Cheetara, and Snarf before your body tells you it's ready to reproduce."

            "Yeah," Wilykit agreed.  When they had finished dressing, they left the room.

            * * *

            Kitchen near the Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.

            Ned, Cheryl, Kevin, Michael, and Lana had breakfast together in the kitchen that Kevin and Michael used when they were preparing food.  This morning, the boys prepared eggs, bacon, and toast.  They were pretty good cooks.

            Lana said, "Mm, this is good.  You guys sure cook better than I do.  Cooking wasn't a big part of my education."

            "That's okay," Kevin said.  "And thank you."

            "Yes, thank you," said Michael.

            "So," Ned asked, "do you guys find the education system here to be good?"

            "Yes," said Michael.  "One can progress at one's own pace.  I've learned a lot more taking courses on the computer than I ever learned at school at home."

            "Me, too," Kevin said.

            "Well, that's good," Ned replied.  "But what if you have a question and need to know the answer?"

            "We can just ask the computers.  They have speech recognition, and each program has an extensive help system."

            "Ah, so," said Cheryl.  "I'm glad to hear this.  Guys, there's something I have to tell you, and you too, Lana."  She took in a breath to steady her nerves.  "Ned and I have conceived a girl."

            Michael and Kevin pretended they were surprised.  Lana was surprised.  "That's great!" Lana exclaimed.

            "Yeah," said Kevin.

            Michael asked, "How long have you known?"

            "About one and a half months.  She was conceived about two months ago."

            "How old are you?" Lana asked.

            "Ned and I are both forty-six.  We got married twenty-one years ago."

            "I see.  I suggest you see Quicksilver.  He can determine whether the child will have any harmful genetic abnormalities, and he can repair any such abnormalities without harming you or removing the developing child from you."

            Cheryl nodded.  "Sounds like a good idea."

            Kevin asked, "Do you have any name ideas yet?"

            "We haven't decided on any.  We will, though, before she's born."

            Kevin nodded as he put some more eggs in his mouth.  Michael said, "There's something I'd like to talk about.  Wilykit."

            "Of course, honey," Cheryl said.  "Go on."

            He hoped the direct approach would not be too unsettling.  His parents always claimed to prefer it, but some things did upset them a little.  "Mom, she's nearing the age when members of her race begin adolescence.  When females go through it, they can have up to three phases, each two hours in length.  During each, the female's conscious control is overridden by the desire to make love with a male.  The female's first choice is the Amoro Eternamente, which I believe myself to be in Wilykit's case.  Second choice is the male twin, if the female has one.  Third choice is one of any other closely related males.  If none of those is present, then any humanoid male will satisfy the urges.  A female can be sedated through each of the phases, but it may impair her receptivity when engaging in such behaviour voluntarily after all the phases are over.  If she makes love during one of the prior periods, the subsequent ones will vanish. . . and, if she makes love before any of the periods, she won't undergo them at all."

            "How do you know?" Ned asked curiously.

            "Ask Kevin.  He told me."

            Kevin said, "It's in the information the Thunder Cats gave us when the team formed."

            "I see," said Cheryl.  "Michael, what are you thinking of doing?"

            "Saving her embarrassment," Michael said frankly.  "She likes being in control of her body."

            Cheryl was concerned.  "Is making love necessary to avert these phases?" she asked.

            "Yes, it is," Kevin said.

            She asked Michael, "Do you want to do it, son?"

            Michael honestly replied, "I'd rather not sacrifice my virginity.  However, I love her, and I believe she's my Amora Eternamente.  If I don't make love with her, her brother will have to, and if I know him as well as I believe I do, he is less prepared for it than I am."

            "All right, Michael.  Obviously, you haven't done it yet."

            "No."

            Ned asked, "Do you want some advice?"

            "Sure," Michael said.  He really needed some, and he would take what he could get.  Besides, he would probably get it whether he wanted it or not, and he preferred to avoid trouble with his parents.  They had always tried to be reasonable with him, especially in letting him move to VideoLand, so they deserved him being reasonable with them.

            "You and she should spend two days alone together, or at least just one, without being interrupted by anyone.  You shouldn't eat too heavily, because that makes you sleepy, and for your first time, you want to be alert to learn anything."  He gave further tips to Michael.  The teenager listened very alertly to his father's advice, which seemed sensible to him.

            * * *

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

            Wilykat felt they had put this off way too long.  He and his sister strode into the control room right after breakfast, and they saw Lion-O and Cheetara there.  Wilykat would say it, and he would say it now.  "Guys," he said importantly, "we have something to tell you."  Lion-O and Cheetara turned and paid attention.  "Wilykit and I are beginning adolescence."

            This seemed to startle Lion-O, but Cheetara was not surprised.  "When did you discover it?" Cheetara asked.

            "This morning.  My first nocturnal emission.  You know what this means for Wilykit, don't you?"

            Cheetara knew all to well.  Her race also underwent the phases, and her mating to Tygra had occurred during a phase.  That was the only time she had ever made love, but luckily Tygra had made it very special for her.  They had both been virgins, and that incident was the only one that kept either from retaining virginity.  "I see," she said darkly.  "I'm afraid, Wilykat, that you'll have to. . . -sigh.-"

            "But what about Michael?" Wilykit asked.  "I think he's my Amoro Eternamente, and he agrees."

            "I'll have to gauge his feelings when he comes, then.  That's the only way to be sure."

            "What are you talking about?" asked Lion-O innocently.  Cheetara explained the phases to him.  As she did, he realised she was right.

            Cheetara finished, "To avoid the phases, she has to make love prior to the phases."

            "Is Michael mature enough to realise this?" Lion-O asked.

            "He is," said Wilykat.  "I know him."

            The warp monitor beeped and showed that Michael and Kevin were coming through the warp from the Palace of Power.  "There he is now," Lion-O said.  "Let's go."  The four exited the room and went down to the ground level of the entryhall, where Kevin and Michael were.  "Hello, Kevin and Michael."

            "Good morning," Kevin said.

            Michael said, "Please, don't be offended by this, anyone, but. . . Wilykit, are you entering adolescence yet?"

            "Most likely," Wilykit said.  "Wilykat just. . . hey, why are you asking?"

            "Because I know about the phases."  He moved closer to her.  "I also know I can help you prevent them."

            Cheetara was overwhelmed when she gauged his feelings.  "Yes, Wilykit!" she exclaimed.  "You're right.  You and he are Amore Eternamente."

            This made both Wilykit and Michael happy.  Michael kissed her cheek.  "I wouldn't want you suffering embarrassment."

            Wilykit said, "To do this, you'd be sacrificing your virginity."

            "I have to.  I love you, Wilykit."

            "I love you, too, Michael."

            "My father suggested we spend at least a day alone together, preferably two days, because this is our first time."

            "Wilykat?"

            "Sorry.  He can't do much good with our immediate problem."

            "Where'll we go?"

            "My room.  If there's an emergency that absolutely requires our attention, we'll be able to take care of it.  Do you agree to do it?"

            "Yes, Michael.  You certain you want to do this now?"

            "Believe me, if I knew of a better way, I'd suggest it.  But this is the best course of action.  And I am attracted to you, Wilykit.  Almost insanely."

            "I haven't even played the simulations on how making love is done."

            "It's okay.  We can learn from this experience."

            "Okay."  She turned to Lion-O.  "Is this all right?"

            Lion-O nodded.  "I trust him," Lion-O said.  "Tygra will probably lose his stripes when he learns about this, though."

            "No.  He'll understand," said Cheetara.  "After all, the only time he made love was when I was in a phase."

            Michael asked Wilykit, "You want to bring something special or comforting?  A pillow or something?"

            Wilykit thought.  "I have no real symbols, past or present, of comfort.  However, maybe I will get my pillow."

            "I'll come with you."  He wanted to be the first one she saw in case the first phase kicked in.

            Wilykit nodded.  She and Michael went to her room.  Wilykat moved to follow, but Cheetara stopped him.  "What is it?" Wilykat asked innocently.

            "He has a reason for staying with her," said Cheetara.  "If he's alone with her and the phase starts, he'll be the only male she can perceive, and thus he'll be her sole target, so to speak."  She turned to Kevin.  "How did this come about?"

            "I informed him this morning, luckily," Kevin said.  "We talked with our parents about this over breakfast.  Mom and Dad gave their okay for Michael to do this.  They weren't too thrilled about it, but they agreed to its necessity."

            Wilykat smiled.  "Thanks for helping save her from embarrassment, Kev."

            "Thank Michael.  He volunteered when he knew what was at stake.  Luckily, humans don't go through these stages.  Though you'd never know it from the way some of them behave."

            "I see.  Michael is a virgin, right?"

            "Yeah."

            Cheetara said, "Kevin, I should warn you that a female Wilykat's first mating activates her telepathy, and it sends shock waves to siblings and parents of both partners.  You and your parents and maybe even Lana will feel something when Michael and Wilykit first make love.  Wilykat will, too.  It's not harmful, but it can be quite distracting.  I advise you not to put yourselves in a risky situation until after you've felt this."

            Kevin nodded.  "Understood," he said.

            "How will they know what to do?" asked Lion-O.

            "That's what makes it a learning experience," Kevin said.  "My dad gave Michael some pretty good advice.  That guy certainly knows when not to be silly."

            "Kevin," Wilykat asked, "do you have a sperm-blocker on file on your replicator?"

            "Sure."

            "I could use one and a pair of pyjamas.  I wouldn't want to annoy Snarf by bringing my sheets to be laundered every time I have a nocturnal emission."

            "Okay, Wilykat."

            Cheetara smiled.  "Thunderians rarely use pyjamas, Wilykat."

            "I feel like it," Wilykat replied.  That was all that was necessary.  "Still taking your parents to MegaLand today?"

            "Yeah," Kevin said.  "I'd be very pleased if they moved to VideoLand, and I want them to have a place to live.  They're used to having a house.  I'm not sure that the apartment-style life in the Palace would please them, although the walls are soundproof."

            Wilykit and Michael came back, Wilykit with her pillow.  "Well," said Wilykit, "I'll see you guys later."

            "Don't answer the signal if you see it, Wilykit, unless the black head is flashing white," Lion-O said.  Wilykit nodded.

            Wilykat said, "Well, I guess this is the last time I'll see you as a virgin, Wilykit."  He and she hugged each other.

            "I'll still be me," Wilykit promised.  "See you, Wilykat."

            "See you, 'Kit."  Wilykit released him and turned to Michael.

            "Ready?" Kevin asked Michael and Wilykit.  The two nodded.  "All right.  See you later, Thunder Cats.  Wilykat, come by this evening, and I'll help you."  He led through the warp to the Palace of Power.

            * * *

            Michael's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy.

            Wilykit set her pillow next to Michael's on his bed.  They were now in complete privacy.  "What do we do?" she asked curiously.

            Michael sighed as he removed his jacket and put it in his closet.  "I honestly don't know."  They sat down next to each other on his bed.  "You nervous?"

            "Yeah," she admitted.

            "It will all be okay."  They kissed each other and closed their eyes.

            * * *

            MegaLand, VideoLand.

            Kevin drove Lana and his parents down the road from Dr. Light's laboratory.  Ned sat in the front passenger seat to his son's left.  Cheryl sat behind Kevin, and Lana next to Cheryl.  Ned started out keeping a close eye on his son's driving, but he soon discovered that was unnecessary.  Kevin was a good driver.

            Kevin had to drive carefully.  He did not know what would happen when his brother made love, but it must be disruptive if he had to be warned about it.

            "Speed limit ninety?" Ned asked with surprise.

            "Oh, VideoLand uses the metric system," Kevin said.  "The speed limit is ninety kilometres per hour rather than miles per hour."

            "Oh, I see.  That's about fifty-five miles per hour, isn't it?"

            "Right."  He sighed.

            "What's wrong?"

            "Oh, I'm just concerned.  He's my little bro."

            "That's understandable.  This is one problem humans don't usually have to deal with.  Do you know whether humans and Thunderians are compatible?"

            "Yes, I do, and yes, we are."

            Since it was a nice morning, they were riding with the windows partly down.  The wind resistance was not hindering the car's power consumption.  Cheryl said, "Well, it's certainly a pleasant day."

            "Yeah," Kevin said.  "It's not supposed to rain here today, according to the weather control schedule."  He kept himself completely alert.

            This stretch of the road was fairly empty of traffic.  Dr. Light's lab was a bit outside the suburbs themselves, and it was fairly well hidden from the prying eyes of normal drivers.  However, people such as Kevin who knew where the lab was could easily get to it from the highway.

            Ned noted that Kevin was comfortable with driving on the left side of the road.  He wondered if he would get used to it if he and Cheryl moved out here.  "So," he asked, "what's the economic situation here?"

            Lana said, "MegaLand is one of the most economically prosperous worlds in VideoLand.  Most people here are engaged in high-paying jobs, so everyone's income is roughly the same, within about a hundred pounds.  However, everything is rather inexpensive around here."

            "I see."

            Cheryl asked, "Is MegaLand just the planet?"

            "No," Kevin said.  "The land consists of four solar systems.  This planet is in the central one.  Other planets contain important substances that the people here mine and use for equipment, and there are also several human colonies.  Mining is usually left to robots."

            "Hm."

            "You mind if I play some music?"

            "No," Ned said, "especially not if it's what you normally listen to."

            "Lana, could you hand me the CD that I marked with a number one?"

            Lana looked where he kept his CDs and found the appropriate one.  She passed it up to Ned, who took it and examined it.

            "Beethoven's fourth piano concerto," he said approvingly, extracting the disc.

            Kevin said, "There's the player.  Just turn it on and push the disc into the slot, label-up.  It begins playing automatically."

            The beautiful concerto played clearly through the car's speakers as Kevin drove on.

            * * *

            Kevin's Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Q-niverse.  Stardate 1 068 060.27; July 22, 3013.

            In the Q-niverse, Kevin woke up first when the next morning arrived.  He found Lana still lying asleep next to him.  He was on his chest, and she was on her back.  He gently shifted so he was looking at her face.  He checked the clock on his dresser.  It was now seven.  He cautiously lowered his lips to hers and kissed her.

            She woke up.  When he had finished, she asked wryly, "Are you Kevin?"

            "Yeah."

            Then, she rolled onto her left side, rolling him on his right.  They hugged and kissed each other.  Before Kevin said anything, Lana started moving her hands all over his back and chest.  When she removed her lips, he cried, "Wait!"

            She instantly stopped.  "What is it?" she asked innocently.

            "You don't want more kids at the moment, do you?"

            "Oh, God, I wasn't even thinking!"

            Kevin chuckled.  "That's okay.  Look in the drawer in my nightstand there."  Lana turned over and opened the drawer, pulling out the device and handing it to him.  He checked its charge.  "Still good," he sighed.  He pulled his pyjama shirt out of the shorts, then pressed the device against his belly and activated it.  He felt the telltale tingle that indicated it was working.  "Thank you."  He handed it back to her, and she put it back in the drawer and closed the drawer.  He gently drew her to him and kissed her again.

            * * *

            A bit later, the Keene-twins found their parents in the throne room.  "Good morning, guys," said Kevin.

            "Hey, Dad," Thomas greeted.

            "Had breakfast?"

            "Yes."

            "Good.  So have we."

            Kelly asked, "Could we four talk in private?"

            "Sure," Kevin said.  "Come on."  He led into the large conference room.  "Doors, lock," he commanded.  "What's up, Kelly?"

            Kelly appeared uncertain at the moment.  "It's that I feel quite attracted to Heinrich," she said hesitantly.

            Kevin smiled kindly.  "I noticed," he said.

            "You just saw the kiss.  You didn't see what we did after that.  We didn't go overboard, but we. . . we did practically have our hands all over each other.  I just don't know when and if we'll make love, Daddy."

            Kevin sighed.  Kids did not normally bring this up with their parents. . . and he took it as significant that she was addressing him.  She was not used to talking to her mother about these things.  He glanced at Lana to gauge her reaction, but he could not quite make out her expression.  "Kelly, how long do you feel that you can abstain without becoming terribly uncomfortable?" he asked gently.

            She shook her head.  "I don't know, Daddy.  What should I do?"

            "Do you want to do it?"

            "I really don't know.  I'm being so overwhelmed by my feelings that I can't think straight."

            "How does he feel about you?  Does he love you like this?"

            "I think so.  Oh, Father, I love him!  He's a very nice guy, and he's very attractive.  My control held very firmly until this morning!"  She took a chair and sat down.  "I don't understand this!"

            Lana sighed.  "I'm afraid I do.  Your physical contact may have initiated a Hyrulian mating bond.  Zelda's told me about it.  If one is capable of making love and something deep in one's mind knows that the person of the opposite gender whom one sees is the one who'll be one's spouse, then if they touch in certain ways, the one's mind may bond with the other's.  Within at most thirty-six hours, the telepathic bond activates and causes a chemical imbalance in the minds of both, and it cannot be deactivated with any known medicines until the two have made love."

            Kelly gulped.  "Does this mean I have to make love with him?"

            "We first have to determine whether you have the imbalance.  Let's go down to the hospital, Kelly."  She offered her hand to support her daughter.  Her daughter took it and let her pull her to her feet.  "You guys come along if you want."

            Kevin and Thomas followed Lana and Kelly as they went to the elevator.

            * * *

            The nurse examined Kelly's head.  "There's a chemical imbalance, all right," the nurse said.  "I've never seen this pattern myself."

            "Check MegaLandian diagnoses of Hyrulian patients," Lana said.  The nurse nodded and went to a terminal.

            Kelly's breathing was heavier now.  Thomas put his hand on her shoulder as support, and she gratefully put hers on his.  Thomas asked, "Mother, can female Hyrulians transfer a bond to males?"

            "Yes," Lana said.  "Why?"

            "Johannes.  He must be warned about this before he goes through this sort of foreplay with Liselotte."

            Lana sighed.  "You're right," she said.

            The nurse returned.  "This is the same sort of imbalance found in Hyrulians in the mating bond," she said.  "Does the princess have a Hyrulian boyfriend?"

            "Yes, and he's the prince of Hyrule," Kelly said.  "Please, not one word to anyone, just log it."

            "Certainly, Your Highness," said the nurse.  "Can you take care of this?"

            "I think so."

            Kevin asked, "Nurse, do you know how Jean-Léonard is?"

            The nurse knew all four of them were members of the N-Team, and she also knew that Kevin was a leader.  "For what happened, he's remarkably well by now.  The synthetic nerves are adapting with his system, and Dr. Quicksilver, Dr. Crusher, and Lt. Steelwill are busy examining him for becoming a Silver Hawk.  They're also working on the suit and electronics he'll need."

            "Thank you.  Will you ask them to call me once they've finished?"

            "Certainly, sir."

            "Okay.  Thank you for helping us."  The nurse nodded.  Kevin, Lana, and their teenagers left the hospital and entered the elevator.  "Throne room," commanded Kevin.  The elevator moved up.  "What more do you know about this condition, Lana?"

            "Not much more than what I've told already," Lana said.  "The imbalance won't leave until she makes love with him, and she cannot be sedated while in this state."  She paused, not relishing what she had to say next.  "Nor can either the female or the male use any contraceptive protection of any kind during the encounter.  The sexual encounter has to be purely unprotected, or the imbalance will only get worse."

            "Great!" Kelly cried.  "How the hell did I let this happen to me?"  She started crying.

            Lana hugged her.  "It's okay," she said kindly.  She was determined to be as good a mother as she could.  "It'll be okay, Kelly.  After this we'll scan to see if any reproduction has occurred.  If it has, then we can abort what was conceived before it receives its soul."

            After a moment, Kelly stopped.  "Mommy, thank you," she said, hugging her mother.

            Kevin and Thomas were very worried about Kelly's well-being.  Thomas asked, "What happens if they don't do this?"

            Lana said, "Then, the chemical imbalance will kill both Kelly and Heinrich."

            Despite his logical training, Thomas shuddered.  He could not stand the thought of his sister dying!  Suddenly, he was very afraid.  He tried to be calm, but it was difficult.  "Then, they have to do this."

            "Yes, Thomas, they do."

            Kevin said, "I don't like the idea of this being unprotected, but if that's what it takes, then that's what it takes.  How long does she have?"

            "I don't know that," Lana said.  The elevator stopped, and the doors opened.  The four entered the throne room.

            Thomas said, "Dad, let's go get Link, Zelda, and the others."

            "Wait," Lana said.  "Thomas, I'd. . . really rather it be you to stay with Kelly.  She seems most comfortable with you."

            Thomas addressed Lana confidentially.  "I can do nothing to reassure her, Mom.  I'm thoroughly scared out of my wits, and it's taking all I have to stay outwardly calm."

            "Okay.  Kevin?"

            Kevin nodded.  "I'll stay with her," Kevin said softly and gently.  He hugged his daughter.

            Lana said, "Thomas, let's go."  Thomas nodded.  He and Lana proceeded through the warp to Hyrule Castle.

            * * *

            Hyrule Castle, VideoLand.

            Heinrich was in such agony trying to control himself that he screamed and fell to his knees as he and his family were leaving the kitchen after breakfast.  "Brother!" Liselotte cried.  She knelt next to him.

            "I can't control it!!" he screamed.

            "What's wrong?" asked Zelda.  She, Link, and Liselotte were very concerned.

            "This morning, I felt madly compelled to go see Kelly.  I thought it would go away, but it's stronger!"

            Zelda asked, "What have you done with her?"

            "Night before last, we touched.  A lot.  I think we were. . . necking."  He touched his head and growled.  "Get outta my head!!" he screamed uselessly.

            Link took his son by the shoulders.  "Heinrich, cool it," he said softly.  "You'll only make it worse."

            Heinrich took deep, slow breaths, but only by sheer willpower.  He calmed himself.  "What the heck has happened to me?" he asked himself.

            Zelda said, "My guess is your necking initiated a telepathic mating bond.  May I read you empathically?"  Heinrich nodded.  Zelda put her right index finger to his head and thought.  "Yes.  It's the mating bond, all right.  Have you taken any sperm-blocking devices?"

            Heinrich shook his head.  "No, but I guess I should, eh?"

            "No.  Now, you can't, not until the bond is fulfilled.  The mating bond means that you and Kelly are intended to be together.  A Hyrulian can only experience this once.  If you're feeling this, then Kelly must be, too.  Now, you have to make love to her.  Unlike female Thunderians in a mating phase, we cannot be sedated through the duration of a mating bond.  If you do not make love with Kelly within forty-eight hours, you will both die."

            "Die!?" demanded Liselotte.  She did not like the thought of her brother dying.

            "It's all right," Link told his daughter reassuringly.  "A mating bond is usually initiated when the body perceives that lovemaking will be coming soon.  In other words, necking or petting or even passionate kissing can trigger it."

            Heinrich stood with his mother's help.  "But I'm not making love without protection," he insisted.

            Zelda smiled weakly.  "I'm afraid you have no choice if you wish to survive.  The bond causes a severe chemical imbalance that can only be treated by making love totally unprotectedly with the person who shares your mating bond.  Afterwards, if you do conceive, the cells can be aborted before a new organism is formed."

            Heinrich did not like this.  "Blast it," he snapped.  His mother told him more information, and he hated his plight even more.  In the next forty-eight hours, he had to make love with Kelly, or he would die.  He closed his eyes tightly and clenched his fists.  "I don't feel ready," he said.  "Oh, why did I have to get myself and her into this?"

            Liselotte said, "Heinrich, please.  Don't blame yourself right now.  Just go, and. . ."

            A guard came up.  "Queen Lana and Prince Thomas to see you, Your Highnesses.  They said it was most urgent.  I showed them to the castle entryhall."

            Zelda commanded, "Watch the warp hall, Sergeant.  We'll see Lana and Thomas personally.  Thank you."

            "Yes, Your Majesty."  The guard moved off, and the four moved swiftly to the entryhall.

            "So, they must know," Link said.

            Zelda nodded.  "Lana knows about certain peculiar aspects of Hyrulian mind chemistry."

            "You mean some deadly aspects!" quipped Heinrich.  "I don't mind doing this protected, but I definitely do mind it unprotected."

            "Well, as we said, we can abort any conceived offspring before they're organisms."  They entered the entryhall.  Zelda usually greeted Lana much more warmly, but this was a dire emergency.  "I assume you know Kelly and Heinrich are in a mating bond."

            "Yes," Lana said.  "I know they'll die unless they make love."

            "It isn't quite so simple," said Zelda.  "Entirely unprotected.  No birth control of any sort."

            "I knew that.  Kelly hated that.  In fact, I doubt she'll like any aspect of this bond."

            "I hate it already," said Heinrich.

            Zelda said, "They have to make love within forty-eight hours. . . or maybe even sooner.  Kelly's brain might not be as capable of standing up to the chemical imbalance as Heinrich's."

            "That doesn't seem to be all that's on your mind.  Is something else wrong?"

            "The first time may not do it.  They'll know when they have a simultaneous climax.  It's not always necessary, but it's the only sure sign."

            "Simultaneous climax?  That could take weeks, which they don't have!"

            Thomas was irritated.  "We're wasting time!" he shouted, calculatedly dropping his control for a moment.  "My sister and Heinrich are going to die if they don't get started, and there's nothing our yakking can do to stop it!"

            Liselotte said, "That's right.  There's no guarantee they'll feel comfortable enough to even begin to do this in the next forty-eight hours, but we can't waste any more time fussing!  Either they do it or they don't, and nothing we say or do is going to help them except leaving them alone together."

            "Her and my room is free," Thomas replied.

            Lana and Zelda knew that Thomas and Liselotte were making sense.  "All right," said Zelda.  "Everyone, let's get to the warp hall and to the Palace of Power."  She and Lana led the way.  "I never knew you to be so emotional, Thomas."

            "I apologise for shouting, Zelda," said Thomas.  "Maybe I spoke in great anger, but the thought of Kelly dying terrifies me absolutely.  My control is worth nothing compared to her life."

            Liselotte looked at him.  "I feel the same about Heinrich, Thomas."

            The six went through the warp to the Palace of Power as soon as they reached the warp hall.

            * * *

            Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

            Kevin hugged his daughter to comfort her.  She was very upset about this, and he did not need anyone to tell him that underneath his controlled exterior, Thomas would be in a very horrible mood today.

            "Daddy, I really wish I didn't have to do this," she said sadly.

            "Sh.  Don't think about that.  All I want you to think about is how to make Heinrich feel great.  I've told you everything you need to know."

            Kelly nodded.  "Okay," she agreed.

            The door from the warp hall opened, and Lana, Zelda, Link, Heinrich, Liselotte, and Thomas came out.  Excited and jumping straight to the point, Zelda said, "It's not just making love, Kelly.  In several cases, you have to do it several times until you get a simultaneous climax.  However, you only have forty-eight hours."

            "Forty-eight hours!?" Kelly cried.

            Heinrich had managed to calm himself pretty much.  He came over to her.  "Calm down, Kelly," he said gently.  He put his hands on her shoulders.  "Why don't we just concentrate on what we must do?  After all," he continued with a grin, "there's little else we can do to save ourselves."

            Zelda said, "The mating bond will try to help you two stay focused on each other during this period."  She said it fairly loudly, and with good reason.  The bond was already removing the pair from everyone else, and they would soon be aware only of each other.

            Thomas said, "Come, you two."  He had to prod a little to get Heinrich and Kelly to remove their attention from each other long enough to follow him.

            He took them down to his and Kelly's room.  There, he said, "We will leave you two alone for two days."  Before leaving them, he took a bag and took some of his personal effects so he could go to a temporary room.

            "Yipe!" Heinrich cried before Thomas finally left.  "Wait!  Liselotte. . . I saw her and Johannes not far from us.  I don't know what they were doing, but I know they were there!  What if. . ."

            "Okay, Heinrich," said Thomas in a calming tone.  He was finally getting back his control solidly, and that alone felt good.  "I'll take care of it.  You two just enjoy yourselves.  See you two later."

            Kelly popped up and hugged him.  "See you later, bro," she said.  When she released him, he waved and left with his bag.

            "He's pretty smart," Heinrich said.  He went over to her and hugged her.  "Let's get started, sweetheart."

            She kissed him.  "Yes," she said.  "After all that necking by Hylia, this shouldn't be too hard."

            * * *

            Up in the throne room, Thomas found the others.  "They're starting," he said.

            "Good," said Kevin.

            Thomas turned to Liselotte.  "Liselotte, your brother said he saw you and Johannes nearby."

            "We didn't touch much," she said.  "We mainly just talked and held hands.  No foreplay.  Besides, I haven't felt irresistibly attracted to him yet as though we made a mating bond."

            "Of course," said Zelda, "it doesn't always register completely, though normally it does.  Thomas, scan her head, please."

            Thomas did so with a tricorder.  "Chemicals are perfectly balanced," he said.

            "We usually just talk," said Liselotte.  "We only kiss for a couple of seconds at the time."

            Zelda said, "A mating link can theoretically be initiated by holding hands, but it usually occurs during necking, when the body feels like mating is going to occur, anyway.  Liselotte, I suggest that you wait to do any necking until you're ready to handle a mating bond.  I wish I'd thought to warn Heinrich."

            Liselotte said, "I really doubt we'll be doing much soon.  We tend to just talk."

            "Okay.  Well, tell him about the mating bond.  Do you love him?"

            "Yes, Mother, I do."

            "Tell him that, too.  Psychologically, it's one of the most important things to tell him, anyway."  She shook her head.  "That blasted bond seems to be more trouble than it's worth.  At least it's never turned out to have occurred in error.  So, we leave them alone for forty-eight hours?"

            "Yeah," said Kevin.  "They'll tell us when they're ready."  He smiled devilishly.  "That is, if they don't get utterly carried away!"

            "No one can ever accuse you of having completely grown up, Father," Thomas said wryly.

            Wilykit, Wilykat, Wesley, Johanna, and Johannes came in.  "Good morning," Wilykit greeted cheerfully.

            "Hi, Wilykit," said Kevin.  "Gee, I hope you don't mind if we dampen your spirits a little."

            The recent arrivals became concerned.  "What's wrong?" Wesley asked.

            "Something I forgot to tell my son," Zelda said as if she were ultimately to blame for a Hyrulian's natural biological function.  "See, when one Hyrulian really knows in spirit that he or she is to be another's spouse or lover, if the Hyrulian has certain contact with the other person - whether Hyrulian or not - then the Hyrulian involuntarily and unknowingly initiates a mating bond.  It's simply a neurochemical impulse.  Between twenty-four and thirty-six hours later, the bond takes effect, drawing the two together to make love.  The mating bond shrugs off all the sedatives we know of, and it causes a chemical imbalance that will kill the two people unless they make love.  It's more complicated, though, in that most of the time, the two have to climax simultaneously before the mating bond is fulfilled.  The bond is actually transferred by necking, petting, or passionate kissing, which makes the body feel as though making love is imminent, anyway.

            "You may be wondering what that has to do with anything.  Well, night before last, Kelly and Heinrich necked a bit near Lake Hylia like many lovers feel compelled to do."  She smiled.  "Including yours truly and her husband, which I freely admit.  Anyway, this morning, they discovered Heinrich had transmitted the mating bond, and it had just started."

            "So," Wilykat said, "they have to climax simultaneously?"

            "The first time?" Wilykit asked.

            "Not the first time, no," Zelda said.  "They can attempt as many times as they are physically capable of making love in forty-eight hours.  I didn't tell you that the bond will kill them in forty-eight hours if they don't do it."

            The newcomers did not like the sound of this.  "That's pretty demanding," Wesley said.

            Johannes said, "Gee, then, I'm really glad Liselotte and I haven't gotten into it."

            Wilykit asked, "What if Kelly and Heinrich can't make it simultaneous?"

            "They may not have to," said Zelda.  "Frankly, it's all in their hands now.  They're alone for forty-eight hours."

            "Well," said Wilykat, "I hope they remember to prevent contributing to the population."

            Zelda said, "Another nasty little point.  See, it won't work if they do that.  No contraception at all."

            "Sounds exasperating," Wilykit said.  "However, I know Kelly is pretty strong.  If she has to, she'll be able to withstand the stress of several climaxes before it works."

            Wesley sighed.  "Males can't climax as much as females can, though."

            Thomas said, "Well, I told them not to rush.  If they try to hurry, they'll probably defeat their own purpose.  I think this may really be a test to make them calm down and go slowly so they have time to know what they're doing.  They can both adapt pretty well."  Feeling confident now, he said, "I know they can do this if they don't panic.  Neither of them has been one to do that."

            Johannes asked, "Will Liselotte and I be affected if we do any foreplay?"

            "Maybe," Zelda said.  "However, making love before the mating bond kicks in will prevent it."

            Wilykat asked, "Does this occur often, or just once in life?"

            "Only once, thankfully," Zelda said.

            Kevin inquired, "Well, Thomas, do you still wish to go to the Original Universe?  If you're still upset, you don't have to."

            Thomas shrugged.  "I'd like to," he said.  "However, maybe I'd best stay, in case Kelly needs me."

            Kevin nodded.  "Okay."

            Wesley said, "Well, Wilykat and I are ready."  Wilykat nodded.  "I had looked forward to spending some time with you, Thomas, but I understand why you're going to stay.  Do you know how Jean-Léonard's doing?"

            "They've replaced his nerves, and his system's adapting," said Kevin.  "They're working on his Silver Hawk armour."

            Wesley nodded.  "All right.  Last time I saw her, Élisabeth was pretty upset."

            "I'll ask Chatonne to talk to her," said Wilykit.  "They're pretty good friends."

            "Yeah.  I'm pretty worried, too."

            She hugged him.  "He'll be okay, Wes."

            "I know.  I'm just worried."  The two kissed each other for a few moments.  They would be apart for yet some more time.  It seemed that they were destined to be greatly in love but apart simultaneously.  "Well, 'Kat, I'm ready when you are."

            "All right," Wilykat said.

            MegaMan came from his terminal.  "I have transferred the files that Wilykat copied from Metroid to the shuttle that Wesley and he will be using," the android said.  "The shuttle is now in the hangar of Hawkhaven."

            Wilykit said, "Contact us at least daily, guys, from the moment that you arrive there.  Find Ludwig and Larry's shuttle, and stop them before they destroy that universe's N-Team's phasing system."

            Wesley and Wilykat nodded.  "Yes, ma'am," said Wesley.  After farewells, Wesley and Wilykat warped to Hawkhaven, where they took the shuttle out.  Once it was in space, they turned on the cloaking device.  Then they used their Q powers to transport the ship and themselves to the Original Universe near the location of Ludwig's ship.