38--The Ultimate Encounter, Ch.10

December 20.

Cat’s Lair, third‑Earth.

he Thunder Kittens were going down the hall to their room. Wilykat looked at the clock. “Oh, my gosh! It’s one. What if the others know that we were up this late?”

“Then we’ll tell that person to talk to Steelheart,” said Wilykit. They went to their room.

Wilykat felt uneasy as they stopped at the door. “Carefully, Wilykit. Someone might be in there!”

“You worry too much. Don’t you know how secure this place is?” In reality, she was a bit nervous herself. She opened the door and looked in. “Heh, heh! No one’s here, pal.” They went in and closed the door gently.

Soon, both of them had prepared for bed and had lain down. “Now can you tell me what she called Darkwing?” asked Wilykat. “If you keep me in suspense, I’ll die.”

“Heh, heh! Come over here, so I can whisper it into your ear.”

“Okay.” He got out of bed and went over to Wilykit.

“Steelheart called him Half-wit-egotist Dippy-duck,” she whispered into his ear.

Wilykat had a big grin. “Oh, my gosh! Thanks.” He could hardly keep from laughing as he made his way back to his bed. Within a few minutes, the two had dozed off.

* * *

Conference Room, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

Eight hours on 20 December 1992. This was, perhaps, one of the busiest hours ever on Hawkhaven. Every last member of the N‑Team, including the Thunder Kittens, made his or her way to the conference room, where Steelheart was sitting at the head of the table.

Steelheart waited until everyone had gathered and taken their seats. “Okay, everyone should be here. This may sound rather elementary, but I need a roll call. I would like Kevin to do it.”

Kevin went up to her and took a sheet of paper with the names of all the members of the N‑Team typewritten on it. It took but a few moments to call the roll. Everyone was present.

“My friends, one of the rules of the race was written obviously so that no one could leave if any criminal did anything,” said Steelheart. “That was the rule about all members being present during all of all of the races. It seems that Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa has been plotting with Ganon, and they found that was the perfect opportunity for them to grab the Triforce. Do you normally take precautionary measures when you and Link leave Hyrule, Princess Zelda?”

“Certainly,” said Zelda. “The past has proved that some of those measures weren’t always successful. However, this time, I believe that our safety measures won’t fail. Dr. Wright has installed a brand-new, top-of-the-line security system in the throne room.”

“For the sake of the entire Milky Way Galaxy, those measures must not fail,” said Steelheart. “If the Triforce were to fall back into Ganon’s hands, it would probably go into Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa’s hands. Once it was there, every one of us would be subject to his evil power. But don’t worry. I want Quicksilver to go down to the room where we keep the Weapon Hawks and send them to Hyrule to help thwart Ganon’s plots to commandeer the Triforce.”

Quicksilver turned to Steelheart. “How about I go do it now, ma’am?” asked he.

“Please do, Quicksilver. I’ll tell you later what I have to tell the others.” Quicksilver left. “All right, the fifteen who will race. I want to see you following the rules to the last letter and punctuation mark. Otherwise, you’ll be likely to put me in a bad mood. No one has ever seen me truly mad yet.”

“Oh, yeah?” asked Steelwill. “I thought—”

“Well, no one here but my brother has seen me angry. If you ask him, I think he would comply that it is—if you will—a rather unpleasant experience.”

“Now, Steelheart, is there something you love about understatements?”

“Let’s not drift off to that topic, Will. Okay, racers, I want you to do your best out there. The rest of you are to be sitting near me on the west wing of the Bedlama Race Stadium in the seats that have been reserved. A viewscreen will show everyone watching the race what is going on. If someone from the N‑Team crosses the finish line first, then the N‑Team wins the race. If someone from the Brain-Team crosses the finish line first, then the Brain-Team wins. I only wish that I were certain about whether the Brain-Team racers are going to follow the rules or not.” Quicksilver returned. “Have the Weapon Hawks been deployed?”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Good work. Now, those that are not in the race, you can handle your normal duties for now. The racers should follow me when I leave. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you.” Everyone but Steelheart and the fifteen that were to race left. “Follow me, everyone.” She led them out of the conference room down to the hangar. “Okay, guys. I need you to make doubly sure that your vehicles are fully operational. Got that?”

“Yes, Steelheart,” said the racers.

Steelheart went over to Quicksilver, who began preparing the Sprint Hawk. “Hello, Commander,” said Quicksilver.

“I’m going to tell you now what I told the others, Quicksilver. I want you guys to run a good, clean race out there. I want you to go by the rules, even if the evil Ludwig’s team does not. If the first one to cross the finish line is a member of our team, our team wins. If that person is a member of the Brain-Team, the Brain-Team wins.”

Quicksilver nodded. “That’s fair enough, Steelheart. I only hope that the Weapon Hawks can keep Ganon busy.”

“Yes, that pig-face.”

“Well, now I know what you think of that slime-ball. By the way, how did you learn that Ganon will attempt to steal the Triforce?”

“I sent out three to see what the Brain-Team was doing. They were Darkwing Duck and the Thunder Kittens.”

“You mean Doltwaddle Dimwit?”

“Yeah, I mean Half-wit-egotist Dippy-duck.”

Quicksilver used great self-control to keep from laughing, but the smile was unavoidable. “Oh, my gosh. Where did you ever dream up a name like that?”

“It was when I was talking with Wilykit about him. She burst out laughing, and I couldn’t keep from following suit.”

“Commander!” cried Darkwing. He stormed over to Steelheart. “So, you call me nicknames, do you?”

“Well, you do it to everyone else. It was probably you who thought up the name ‘Sparky.’ ”

“Yes, it was I. So sue me if I can’t take it. Well, ah, I mean, don’t sue me literally.”

“Okay. I apologize, Darkwing.”

“Ah, that’s fine. The insult wasn’t really uncalled for after my behavior last night.”

“Thank you. Now, why don’t you get ready, Darkwing?”

“Right. I just have a few things to finish up.” He went to continue preparing his motorcycle, the Rat Catcher.

“He sure takes everything too hard,” said Quicksilver.

“I think that he’s a good sport, basically,” said Steelheart. “He’s just a little rough around the edges. Later, Quick.” She went over to where her brother was inspecting his racing vehicle. “Hi, Will.”

“Hi, Steelheart,” said Steelwill. “How’s it going?”

“Okay with me, brother. How about with you?”

“Oh, I’m great, sis. ’Course, it isn’t every day I get to inspect a race vehicle.”

“Heh, heh! That’s true. Have fun, Will.”

“You too, Steelheart. I’ll see you later.”

She started towards the elevator door. He sounds cheerier now than in the last few days, she thought to herself. I wonder why. Well, at least we didn’t argue. And I wonder what’s keeping the Thunder Kittens. They were going to meet me down here, as I asked them to before the meeting. I’ll find out at Cat’s Lair.

* * *

Cat’s Lair, third‑Earth.

In Cat’s Lair, Steelheart went down the corridor to the Thunder Kittens’ room. She had a map given to her by Lion‑O. She was on guard when she reached the door to their room, as something might have happened to them and might still be in there. In a moment or two, she knocked.

She was greeted by a woman’s voice. “Who’s out there?”

“Steelheart,” said Steelheart. “More importantly, who’s in there?”

“Can you not tell by my beautiful Italian accent and wonderfully gravelly alto voice, darling? I am the great Magica DeSpell.” She laughed.

“DeSpell. Are you in cahoots with the Fiendish Organization for World Larceny?”

“I’ll never be in cahoots with that organization! I am an independent villain. However, at times like this, I do perform services. For a price.”

Steelheart burst open the door. She saw Magica on the other side, but no sign of Wilykat or Wilykit. “What have you done with the Thunder Kittens?”

“That is for me to know and for you to find out. One thing is for certain: they won’t be able to help you, darling. Ha, ha, ha! If you really want them back, the ransom price is McDuck’s first dime.”

“We can’t give it to you. It was stolen by Liquidator, along with the rest of the fortune.”

“Well, old Waterhead is not my problem at the moment. See you around, darling.” Laughing, Magica magically transported away.

“That evil witch has the Thunder Kittens,” said Steelheart. “The rules state clearly that every member of both teams must be present, and those two are officially members. But where is her hiding place? I’ll go find Scrooge. Maybe he can shed some light on the situation. First, I should tell the Thunder Cats.” She made tracks in going back to the hangar of Hawkhaven. When she was there, she addressed the Thunder Cat racers. “Lion‑O, Tygra, Cheetara, and Panthro, please come over here.” Lion‑O, Tygra, Cheetara, and Panthro joined her.

“You look worried, Steelheart,” said Tygra. “Is something wrong?”

“Yes, terribly wrong. The Thunder Kittens have just been kidnapped by Magica DeSpell, one of Scrooge McDuck’s arch-enemies.”

Tygra laughed nervously. “Well, that accounts for your being worried.”

“I’m more worried about them than about the race,” said Panthro.

“So am I,” said Steelheart. “I don’t know what that witch will do to them. She simply asked for Scrooge McDuck’s first dime in exchange for them.”

“Scrooge would not part with it easily,” said Lion‑O. “Besides, it is in Liquidator’s clutches along with the rest of McDuck’s fortune.”

“This would make perfect sense if she were affiliated with the Brain-Team in any way, but she’s not,” said Steelheart. “I’ll talk to Scrooge. I’m going to ask Darkwing where Scrooge is.” Steelheart went over to Darkwing.

“Hello, Steelheart,” said Darkwing. “What is it?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, Darkwing, but do you know where Scrooge McDuck is?”

“He’s in the guest quarters at the Palace, Steelheart.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Not that it’s any of my business, but why did you ask?”

“I asked because he’s likely to know the whereabouts of a certain witch named Magica DeSpell. She’s captured the Thunder Kittens.”

“Don’t worry, Steelheart. When she gets a load of Wilykat, she’ll be sorry that she ever kidnapped them.”

“Even so, we must save the Thunder Kittens before the race begins. They are, after all, official members of the N‑Team, and they are Thunder Cats. And they are my friends.”

“Well, you’d better hurry, my dear Steelheart. I’d come along, but changing the oil on this blasted thing takes a while. I can’t trust Launchpad to do it since you modified it. It’s about 8.45 right now. And the race begins at noon.”

“I know that very well, thank you, DW. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Steelheart.”

Steelheart went back over to the four Thunder Cats. “Well, guys, I have an idea where Scrooge is.”

“Just how general?” asked Lion‑O.

“General enough to know that he is staying in the guest quarters area of the Palace of Power. I’ll see if Kevin knows anything further.” She went over to Kevin, who was checking the controls of his car.

“Ah, good day, Steelheart,” said Kevin cheerily.

“I wish it were one, Kevin,” said Steelheart, sorry that she was going to have to spoil his mood. “Something has happened.”

“Something is always happening.”

“It isn’t every day that Magica DeSpell abducts the Thunder Kittens.”

“That witch with a B instead of a W did what?” Kevin cried. After it was out, he regretted having said it in that manner. He wished he had actually said the word.

“I said that she abducted the Thunder Kittens.”

“Yeah. According to Tygra, they’re barely teenagers.” He dared not admit his feelings for Wilykit. If word of those feelings ever reached Lana and he were not the one to tell her, he would be dead meat with her. That could not happen now, now that she was seriously attracted to him.

“I was trying to find out where Scrooge McDuck is.”

“He is in the Palace of Power. He is on floor 105, room 19.”

“Thanks.”

When she turned to leave, Kevin followed her. “Oh, no. I’m coming with you. I’ll teach that witch to pick on the Wilytwins.”

“Well, you seem to be angry.”

“I can’t help it, Steelheart. She probably knew that Liquidator had made off with McDuck’s fortune and abducted them for a member of the Brain-Team in exchange for—”

* * *

Scrooge’s Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

“My first dime?” cried Scrooge.

“Yes,” said Steelheart. Kevin and Lion‑O were also in the room. The other three Thunder Cats were directly outside the room. “She said to me that she wanted it in exchange for the Thunder Kittens, but I suspect that someone on the Brain-Team is offering the dime for them.”

“Well, I don’t plan on letting that witch get away with kidnapping. I don’t care if it does involve my dime.”

“Well, now we know Mr. McDuck’s opinion on the issue,” said Kevin.

“True, it is hard for me to part with that dime. But it’s impossible for me to part with my nephews. I imagine that it would be hard to part with the Thunder Kittens, Lion‑O.”

“Yes,” said Lion‑O. “Tygra would agree, even if they do get into trouble half the time.”

“Aye, I know what that can be like.” Scrooge got his cane. “Well, I know where the witch has her hideout. It’s on my world, in a place just off the coast of Italy. A volcanic mountain in the shape of her face. She calls it Mount Vesuvius.”

* * *

Mt. Vesuvius, Italy, Darkwing’s Earth.

In Magica DeSpell’s main chamber in Mt. Vesuvius, Magica was conferring with Liquidator. “Liquidator, have you the dime?” she asked.

Liquidator showed the dime to her. “I have it. Have you those Thunder Kittens?”

Magica fired a magic ray at the wall. It turned around and showed the Thunder Kittens, dormant, tied to it. “There they are,” she said.

The Kittens awakened. “Liquidator!” said Wilykat. “We might have known that the Brain-Team had something to do with this.”

“Ah, yes, Thunder Kitten,” laughed Liquidator. “But I doubt if the others on your team know that.”

“It was an easy matter to capture these kits,” said Magica. “My sleeping spell was ready.”

“Yes. The Mutants tell me that these guys get into so much trouble, it’s a wonder they don’t get grounded for a year.”

“Shut up, you liquidy little—” began Wilykat.

“Can it before you get us into trouble, Wilykat,” Wilykit interrupted him.

“Well, Liquie, the deal still stands,” said Magica: “two Thunder Kittens for one McDuck first dime.”

Liquidator took the dime out of the glass case that McDuck had put it in. “Here you go, Magica.” Before he placed it into Magica’s hand, a laser knocked it out of his. “What the—Steelheart!”

“You were expecting, maybe, the gulping gourmet?” asked Steelheart.

“I knew the Brain-Team had something to do with this,” said Kevin.

“We thought you had too much respect for the rules of the race to abduct the Thunder Kittens, Liquidator,” said Lion‑O.

Liquidator smiled. “If you closely examine the rules, Lion‑O, you will find out that the race is off only when something is done to the racers. The Thunder Kittens are not racers. However, I seem to recall a rule requiring all members of both teams to be present. Can you spell the term leverage?”

“I thought that I could disrupt your little race by making an agreement with Liquidator,” said Magica. “He suggested that I capture these two Thunder Brats instead of taking on someone else. Since he offered me McDuck’s First Dime, I was happy to assist him. But to make it more equitable, I only agreed that the party who gave me the dime would get the Thunder Kittens.”

“Why you conniving serpents,” Steelheart said.

Liquidator laughed. “Now, I’ll see you later, guys.” He washed away Steelheart, Kevin, Lion‑O, Tygra, Cheetara, and Panthro. Afterwards, he calmly picked up Scrooge’s dime. “I believe that the one who gives you the dime gets the brats. True?”

“We aren’t brats,” cried the Thunder Kittens in unison.

“True, Liquidator,” said Magica. Scrooge stepped into the room. “Scrooge!”

“Aye, it’s Scrooge McDuck,” said Scrooge. “Give me that dime, liquid-head, so I can give it to the witch and save the Thunder Kittens.”

“Dry up, Scroogie,” said Liquidator. He did unto Scrooge as he had done unto the other N‑Team members that had been there. A red smoke appeared in another corner of the room. “Well, if it isn’t—it isn’t! It can’t be Darkwing Duck. His smoke is a trademark purplish blue.”

The voice of Gosalyn Mallard, Darkwing’s adoptive daughter, issued from the smoke. “I am the point on the arrow of justice. I am the wand that ceases to function one day after the warranty expires.” She appeared in her Quiverwing Quack outfit, not very different from Darkwing’s outfit. “I am Quiverwing Quack, the heroine that gives criminals the shaft.”

“Say, isn’t that Gosalyn?” Wilykat asked his sister in a whisper.

“Yes, you’re right,” Wilykit whispered back.

“Well, if it isn’t a girl,” said Liquidator. “I’ll take care of this baby doll, Magica.”

“Not after I turn you into pudding, Waterhead,” said Quiverwing.

“Waterhead, is it?” said Liquidator. Before he could react, Quiverwing shot him with an arrow filled with pudding mix. “Ew! I’m pudding.”

Quiverwing grabbed Scrooge’s dime. “And, since I’m not a member of the N‑Team officially, this has no bearing on their race rules.” She looked at the dime. “Are you trying to cheat Magica DeSpell, Liquidator? This coin has the wrong year on it.” She showed the coin to Magica.

“Let me see that.” Magica took and examined the coin. She gasped. “You are right. You tried to cheat me, you crook! Thank you, Quiverwing.”

“I didn’t come here just to point out Waterhead’s trying to cheat you. I came to rescue the Thunder Kittens.”

“We’ll see about that, little girl.” Before she acted, purple-blue smoke appeared in the room. “Oh, no. It’s that dumb duck again.”

Darkwing’s voice came from the blue smoke. “I am the terror that flaps in the night. I am the nonrefundable and nonworking wand that you buy at the five and dime. I am Darkwing Duck, and you are finished, DeSpell.” He saw Gosalyn. “Why, Quiverwing Quack. A pleasure to see you here.”

“The dime Liquidator tried to give her was a fake, Darkwing,” said Quiverwing.

“Thanks, Quiverwing. I’ll take it from here.” Darkwing pointed his Gas Gun at Magica. “Suck Silence Gas, DeSpell.” Darkwing fired the gas at Magica and silenced her magic.

“Yah! You rotten do‑gooder,” cried DeSpell.

“I see you’ve taken care of Liquidator, QW,” said Darkwing.

“Just so you wouldn’t have to, DW. Since I’m not officially an N‑Team member, it won’t hurt your race. And because you did something to someone who isn’t an official Brain-Team member, that won’t hurt it, either.”

“Do you mind getting us down now, Darkwing?” asked Wilykat.

“Yes, but I’ll do it anyway.” Darkwing freed the Thunder Kittens from the wall by crumbling it with a heavy gas. “Now, let’s beat it before Magica gets back her magic and before Waterhead gets out of Quiverwing’s pudding.”

“The Liquidator will get you for this,” said Liquidator.

Darkwing, Quiverwing, and the Thunder Kittens ran out of the room. “What did they do with the others, Wilykit?” asked Darkwing.

“Liquie washed them out of the room,” said Wilykit.

“Then they’ll probably be at the bottom of the mountain. I hope it didn’t hurt.”

“Don’t you know that Quiverwing is really—” began Wilykat. Wilykit shushed him.

“She’s really my daughter,” said Darkwing. “I know, Wilykat, but I won’t complain any more. It doesn’t do any good.”

“Thanks, Darkwing,” said Quiverwing.

In a few minutes, they were at the mountain’s bottom. Everyone had just climbed out of the water. “Oh, that Liquidator,” said Kevin, climbing out of the water. “He sure knows how to get someone waterlogged.” He took his Zapper and pulled the trigger. Water shot out. “When I get my hands on that wet mutt after this race, I’ll whomp his tail.”

“Well, fear for the Thunder Kittens’ safety no more, my friends, because they are here,” said Darkwing.

“Darkwing,” said Steelheart. “I should have known that you would come and screw things up.”

“Just one second, my dear Steelheart,” said Darkwing. “Everyone here knows my secret identity, right?” Everyone nodded. “Well, you owe part of the Thunder Kittens’ safety to Quiverwing Quack, who is really—”

“Gosalyn?” said Kevin.

“How did you know?” asked Darkwing.

“I’ve seen your show,” said Kevin.

“Oh. I’ve got a show? Well, since Quiverwing Quack under that name is not part of the N‑Team, it has no bearing on the rules of the race. Quiverwing shot Liquidator with a pudding arrow, turning him into a blob of pudding. Then, she saw that Liquidator was trying to cheat DeSpell with a fake dime.”

“That’s where DW comes in,” said Quiverwing. “He came in and blasted DeSpell with a gas that silences magic temporarily. Since DeSpell is no Brain-Team member, that has no bearing on the rules, either. DW blasted the Thunder Kittens free, and we came down to see if you were all right.”

“Well, we all are,” said Lion‑O. “We thank the two of you for saving them.”

“No thanks are necessary, Lion‑O,” said Darkwing. “All in a day’s work for Darkwing Duck and his co-heroine, Quiverwing Quack.” DW and QW disappeared in a burst of smoke.

“Are you two okay?” asked Tygra.

“Yes, we are,” said Wilykit.

“What happened?” asked Lion‑O.

“Magica suddenly appeared and blasted us with a spell that put us to sleep,” said Wilykat.

“After that, she warped us to this crazy place,” said Wilykit. “We were surprised when we woke up and saw Liquidator standing there with what appeared to be Mr. McDuck’s first dime. Then you showed up, and Liquidator washed you away. Then came Mr. McDuck.”

Scrooge sat up. “Ach, yes. I came to save you.”

“Well, anyway, Liquidator washed you away, too. Then, Quiverwing showed up. She shot Liquidator with a pudding arrow, grabbed the dime, and saw that it wasn’t Mr. McDuck’s first one.”

“Oh, really?” asked Scrooge.

“Magica was rather angry at Liquidator,” said Wilykit. “She got even angrier, this time with Quiverwing, when Quiverwing told her that she was there not to point out Liquidator’s fraud but to free us. DW appeared after chanting his nonsense, blasted Magica with a magic-silencing gas, and freed us. We came down here.”

“We’ll be more careful if we hear that witch zip up behind us again,” said Wilykat.

“Well, it’s not your fault,” said Lion‑O. In fact, he would have crushed Magica’s skull if she had harmed either of the Wilytwins. “From our conclusion, she would do anything to get Scrooge’s first dime.”

“That Liquidator must still have it, along with the rest of my fortune,” said Scrooge. “When we’ve won this race, I’ll deal with him.”

Kevin looked at his watch and saw that the time was almost 9.30. “Well, time flies when one’s trying to rescue two kittens from a despicable witch. It’s already thirty minutes after nine. We should be getting back to Hawkhaven now.” He pulled a warp potion out of his pocket and poured it onto the ground, forming a warp to Hawkhaven. The group entered the warp.

* * *

Hangar, Hawkhaven, Limbo.

Back at Hawkhaven, the group warped into the hangar in front of the elevator. “Hey, guys,” called Darkwing at the Rat Catcher. “What took you so long? I was back here in seconds.” Everyone in the hangar made a short, angry glance at Darkwing. “Okay! I’m sorry I disturbed you. Sheesh. It was just a joke.” Everyone returned to work.

Quiverwing Quack was standing next to the wall near the elevator door where the group had warped in. “That’s Darkwing for you,” she said. “He doesn’t usually spend a long time recognizing defeat. He just shrugs it off and goes on. He may or may not get very angry about it.”

“Well, he sure got very angry at me when he contradicted my suggestion last night,” said Wilykat.

“He always wants to have it his way,” said Quiverwing. “Of course, so do I, and he just crumbles when I give him a pouty look.”

“Hmm,” said Wilykat. “I wonder if it’ll work on Tygra.”

“Don’t bet on it, Wilykat,” said Tygra, smiling from his vehicle. “I don’t give in as easily as Darkwing.”

“Well, I guess that that won’t work,” said Wilykat. Wilykit giggled. “And what is that about, my dear sister?”

“Oh, nothing, Wilykat,” said Wilykit, ceasing her laughter. “It was just a little on the funny side.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, you wouldn’t think that it was so funny if you were on the receiving end, Wilykit.”

“I never knew that you two argue,” said Quiverwing, pretending to be shocked.

“Well, of course we do,” said Wilykat. “Not to argue would be nearly impossible.”

Steelheart approached the Thunder Kittens and Quiverwing. “Thunder Kittens, Quiverwing, I need you three to keep an eagle eye on the race.”

“What about the Triforce?” asked Quiverwing.

“That, too,” said Steelheart. “Here’s how.” She got out an electronic notepad and activated it. She showed the Thunder Kittens and Quiverwing the screen of this device. It showed the Triforce Chamber in Hyrule Castle. “This is the Triforce.” Steelheart pointed out the Triforce to the Thunder Kittens and Quiverwing.

“Ooh, pretty,” said Quiverwing.

“As you know, Thunder Kittens, Ganon is itching to get his paws on the Triforce because of its massive power,” Steelheart said. “Supposedly, it can do anything its holder wants it to do. Well, almost anything. Zelda has specially trained guards on duty, she has an alarm and force field operated by her throne right under the Triforce, and Quicksilver’s just sent Tally-Hawk and the other Weapon Hawks out to Hyrule Castle in order to guard it. I want you to watch this. In case something goes wrong, I want you to come to me immediately. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Wilykat, Wilykit, and Quiverwing in unison.

“Good. In our seating area, I want you three to sit together near me, as close to me as possible. Next to me, if you can. Tell me if Ganon comes and vanquishes the security measures we took. Okay?”

“Yes, Steelheart,” said the three together.

“Very good. I’ll see you later.” She went off after handing the device to Wilykit.

“Keeping you two out of trouble and keeping an eye on the Triforce ought to be interesting,” said Quiverwing.

“I get the impression that you, too, require supervision,” said Wilykit evenly.

“Oh, ha, ha, ha, Wilykit,” said Quiverwing.

“Our task at hand, ladies, is to keep an eye on the Triforce, not to argue,” said Wilykat. “Not arguing will make the task easier.”

“Oh, yeah? Who put you in charge?” Quiverwing asked.

Steelheart returned. “I almost forgot. Your leader will be Wilykit. I hope none of you has any objections, because they’ll make no difference.”

“None here,” said Wilykat.

“None here, either,” Quiverwing said.

“Thank you,” said Steelheart. “Don’t take any flak from them, Wilykit.”

“You’ve got it, Commander,” said Wilykit.

* * *

Racetrack, Bedlama.

At the racetrack on Bedlama, many had gathered to watch. It was noon, and the race was beginning. In the N‑Team’s seating area, the Thunder Kittens, with Wilykat on the left, had sat down between Steelheart to their left and Quiverwing to their right. As the race began, Kevin and Copper-Kidd took a swift lead over Liquidator and Melodia, who were steaming mad about it. DW soon passed the villains and got right behind Kidd.

Kevin laughed. “Good flying, you two.”

“Thanks,” said Kidd.

“You’re not bad yourself, Kevin,” said Darkwing.

Infuriated, Melodia growled. “Let’s get ’em, Liquie.”

Liquidator was near the boiling point. “You have it, Melodia. Everyone, make way for Melodia and the Liquidator!” Liquidator and Melodia accelerated hard and sped past Darkwing and Kidd. Angered slightly, Kidd slammed on the gas even harder and blew past Liquidator and Melodia.

“What?” screamed Melodia. “Ooh, we’ll get you, Copper-Kidd.”

In the back, places seven through thirty remained rather constant. Generally, the N‑Team members were in the odd-numbered places, the Brain-Team in the even-numbered. The main conflict was between the group of Kevin, Kidd, and Darkwing and the group of Liquidator, Melodia, and MotherBrain.

At the end of five laps, the winner was Kevin, with Liquidator, half-steaming, in second place and Kidd in third.

As everyone went to leave, Steelheart turned to the Thunder Kittens and Quiverwing. “Well, my three young lookouts?”

“Ganon went to Hyrule Castle,” said Wilykit. “Unfortunately for him, Stronghold and Razor stopped him from stealing the Triforce. Almost pecked his piggy nose off.”

“Good. Serves that rat right. Now, let’s get down there.” They went down to the track and approached Kevin and Kidd. “Very well done, Kevin and Kidd.”

“Thank you, Steelheart,” said Kevin.

“Thank you,” said Kidd.

“And to you all, my friends,” said Steelheart.

Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa approached them. “Congratulations to you, Captain N and the N‑Team,” he said with good grace.

“Thanks,” said Kevin. “You should know that Liquidator and Melodia made it a good challenge.”

“Well, thank you. Our deal holds that the next race, the two-lap race around the Silver Hawks’ home solar system, is to begin in three-quarters of an hour. Tah tah.” Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa went over to his comrades.

“Just talking to the snake feels repulsive,” said Kevin softly.

Ludwig approached Liquidator. “Well, Liquie?”

“He said that two metal hawks tossed him out before he could get the Triforce,” said Liquidator. “He said one of them almost pecked his nose off.”

“Two of the Silver Hawks’ Weapon Hawks, I should imagine,” said Ludwig. “I’m beginning to despise those metal-plated cops. I’m also beginning to hate those Thunder Cats and those Justice Ducks. Six more races. You get everyone ready, Liquidator. I must visit Ganon. I’ll meet you on second‑Earth, the Silver Hawks’ home world, in twenty minutes.”

“Right, Prince Ludwig,” said Liquidator. Ludwig warped to Ganon’s Tower. Liquidator warped the whole Brain-Team to second‑Earth, where the second race would begin.

Steelheart had a scanner out to examine the warp that Ludwig took. When she saw where it led, she frowned. “Kevin, I’m going to Hyrule to see what he’s up to. Since I’ve told them to keep an eye on the Triforce, the Thunder Kittens and Quiverwing are coming with me.” She turned toward the older Thunder Cats. “And we have no time to argue about that.”

“Right. I’ll get the N‑Team to second‑Earth, then,” said Kevin. “I should expect you in about twenty minutes?”

“Yes. See you then.” Steelheart poured a warp formula on the ground to open a warp to Hyrule. She, Wilykat, Wilykit, and Quiverwing entered this warp. Kevin opened another warp zone, and he and the rest of the N‑Team took it to second‑Earth.

* * *

Ganon’s Tower, Death Mountain, Golden Land, Hyrule.

Steelheart, the Thunder Kittens, and Quiverwing warped into the entrance chamber of Ganon’s Tower. “Okay, my young friends, be extremely quiet,” said Steelheart. “Follow me with great caution.” They quietly descended the stairs. They arrived in a room where a shutter-door to the south was open. They moved quietly to the door. “Kittens, on the west side of the door.” Wilykit moved to the west side of the doorframe, Steelheart to the east. Wilykat went behind Wilykit, Quiverwing behind Steelheart. “The two are in there, all right,” Steelheart silently whispered after glancing in. “Let’s listen.”

“Well, Ganon, those twin buzzards you encountered were two of the Silver Hawks’ Weapon Hawks,” said Ludwig. “They were obviously put there to stop you or anyone else from grabbing the Triforce.”

“Obviously,” snapped Ganon. “However, I’ll keep trying until I get it.”

“I expect no less. Your next opportunity will be in about thirty-five minutes when the next race begins.”

“Excellent, Your Evilness.”

“Good luck, Ganon. Farewell.”

“Farewell, Prince Ludwig, and good luck.”

“Thank you.” Ludwig turned to leave.

“Let’s hide,” whispered Wilykit. When Ludwig came through the door, he would spot the four.

Steelheart nodded. “Kittens, west door. QW and I, east.” Wilykit and ’Kat ran through the west door while Steelheart and Quiverwing ran through the door to the east. As soon as they got through the doors, Ludwig had turned and left through the stairway in the north wall of this room to the entrance chamber. When he got to the entrance chamber, he warped to second‑Earth.

“Has Ludwig left?” asked Quiverwing softly.

“Yes, he’s left, but Ganon hasn’t,” said Steelheart. “Let’s go to the Kittens.”

“I hate to say this, but I’m scared.”

“So am I, but we have no choice. Let’s go.”

The pair could have picked no worse time. Ganon saw them as he began to leave the chamber to the south. “Hmm! I’ll see if I can score a few birdie-points with Prince L.” He laughed softly. When the two ladies reached the centre of the room, Ganon stopped them with noisy immobilize magic. “Well, well. What are a couple of nasty ladies like you doing in a nice place like this? Ha, ha, ha!”

“Skip the pleasantries, pig-face,” said Quiverwing.

“Flattery will get you nowhere, young lady. Well, Steelheart, you’re to answer to the future emperor of the galaxy, Prince L., since you so unwisely decided to eavesdrop on us.”

The Kittens leapt out of the adjoining chamber. “Not if we have anything to do with it,” cried Wilykit.

“Another couple of kids? Ha!” laughed Ganon. He noticed their Thunder Cat insignias. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me that you’re the Thunder Kittens.”

“Would you want us to lie?” asked Wilykat. Wilykit tossed a laughing gas pellet at Ganon. As Ganon laughed uncontrollably, his spell on Steelheart and Quiverwing wore off, letting Steelheart and Quiverwing go. “Let’s beat it before Wilykit’s laughing gas wears off.”

“Great idea,” said Steelheart. They ran up to the entrance chamber and warped to second‑Earth.

* * *

Racetrack, second‑Earth, Silver Hawks’ Home System.

When Steelheart and the three youngsters arrived, Kevin sighed with relief. “Whew. You’re all right. When Ludwig had gotten here and you didn’t arrive soon after, I got worried. What happened?”

“We arrived at Ganon’s Tower and overheard Ludwig’s conversation with Ganon,” said Steelheart. “When he was ready to leave, Quiverwing and I darted into one room while Wilykat and ’Kit darted into another. When Ludwig had left, Quiverwing and I decided to dart across to the room in which the Thunder Kittens had darted.

“No sooner had I reached the room’s centre than Ganon froze us two with his noisy immobilize spell. He said that the two of us were to answer to a certain Prince L. because we’d eavesdropped. When ’Kat and ’Kit leapt into the room, he laughed because they were another couple of kids. His laughter terminated abruptly and turned into fear when he noticed the Kittens’ Thunder Cat insignias and correctly concluded that they were the Thunder Kittens. Wilykit blasted Ganon with her laughing gas, allowing the four of us to escape. If it weren’t for her, we might not be here talking to you right now.”

“It was Wilykat’s idea to use the laughing gas, Steelheart,” said Wilykit. “He deserves most of the credit.” She put her right hand on Wilykat’s left shoulder. “The only reason he let me use mine was because he had forgotten his.”

Wilykat smiled. “Why, thank you, Wilykit. That’s very kind.” Eyes turned toward him—the eyes of Steelheart, Quiverwing, and the N‑Team racers. He saw special pride in the eyes of Lion‑O, Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, and, most especially, his own sister, Wilykit. “Well, I had to do something, even if it was making a plan. Two of my friends were in trouble, and I had to do everything in my power to save them. Now, fifteen of you have a race to win. I want to be as proud of you at the end as I feel that you are of me.”

* * *

The next race commenced at the proper time. Steelheart, the Thunder Kittens, and Quiverwing Quack sat in the same position relative to each other. Quiverwing kept a constant watch on the Triforce by using the electronic notepad that Steelheart had given them. Wilykit, speaking with Wilykat and keeping an eye on the race, made occasional glances at the screen of the notepad. Wilykat kept an eye on the race and talked with Wilykit. Steelheart kept her attention toward the race.

At the end, Kevin again won, Liquidator was in second, and Kidd was in third once more. Steelheart, the Thunder Kittens, and Quiverwing went down to congratulate their teammates. “You do good work, guys,” said Steelheart.

“Thank you, Steelheart,” said Kevin.

Wilykit, who had the device now, looked at its screen. She gasped. “Ah, pardon me, Commander.”

“After I’ve congratulated our friends, please, Wilykit,” said Steelheart.

Wilykat glanced at the screen of the device and gasped, too.

“Now, as I was saying—”

“Ganon’s about to steal the Triforce, Steelheart,” interrupted both Thunder Kittens.

“He is?” asked Steelheart. She glanced at the screen. “He is!”

“That is what I tried to tell you, Commander Steelheart,” said Wilykit.

“Sorry,” said Steelheart.

“Well, it seems to be time for some more action,” said Kevin.

“You three go, Kevin and Kittens. I’ll deal with Prince L. so you won’t have to, Kevin.”

“Thank you,” said Kevin. “I am most appreciative.” He opened a warp to Hyrule Castle. The three rushed through and went to the throne room of Hyrule Castle, where Ganon still had yet to touch the Triforce. “The game’s up, Ganon.”

“Captain N and the Thunder Kittens?” cried Ganon.

Wilykat plucked a sneeze pellet off of his pellet belt. “Right first time, Ganon. Oh, and I’m not going to say, ‘Gesundheit!’ ” Wilykat tossed the pellet at Ganon. When it exploded, Ganon commenced sneezing uncontrollably.

“I get it, Wilykat,” said Kevin. He poured a warp formula that opened a warp to Ganon’s Tower onto the floor. “You may do the honors, Wilykit.”

“Thank you,” said Wilykit. She took the rope off her pellet belt, lassoed the sneezing Ganon, and pulled him into the warp. She managed to get the rope off of Ganon before the warp closed.

“I’ll get you yet, brats,” screamed Ganon as the warp was closing. “Just you wait!”

When the warp had closed, Kevin warped the Thunder Kittens and himself back to second‑Earth, where the N‑Team racers, Steelheart, and Quiverwing waited anxiously. “How did it go?” asked Steelheart.

“Thanks to Wilykat’s sneeze powder, my warp formula, and Wilykit’s rope, Ganon was expelled easily before he got any or all Triforces,” said Kevin.

“Good,” said Steelheart. “That one felt too close. Ol’ Ludwig came over here and congratulated us in his own disgusting manner. The next race, the wide, five-lap race around the Mushroom World, is to take place in half of an hour.” She then saw Liquidator angrily toss a communicator to the ground so hard that the communicator was completely destroyed. She smiled. “Liquie must be mad about something. He just destroyed a radio transmitter.”

“What is wrong, Liquidator?” Ludwig asked calmly.

“Either the radio transmitter was a defective product, or Captain Nitwit and the Thunder Brats just stopped Ganon,” cried Liquidator. “You know now why I wanted to get the kitties from Magica. If I could right now, I’d just go over there and blast them to smithereens.”

“Cool it, Waterhead,” said Mega Volt.

“Do not call me that, spark-brain.” Liquidator short-circuited Mega Volt.

“Yow! Wow, are you angry,” said Mega Volt.

“Sparky got short-circuited. Sparky got short-circuited. Nyah, nyah!” mocked Quacker Jack. He made a noisy raspberry.

“Boy, do I hate it when people call me ‘Sparky,’ ” screamed Mega Volt. He shocked Quacker Jack.

“Mega Volt, thou art quite mad,” said Quacker Jack.

“I am not as mad as thou, Quackie. Heh!”

“Yeah. One must be mad to call you S - P - A - R - K - Y.”

“You’re right, Quacker Jack.”

“I am going to talk to Captain Nerdnick and those Thunder Twerps,” said Liquidator. “Would anyone like to come with me?”

“Me! Me!” said Bushroot with excitement.

“Okay. Anyone else?” Silence. “Okay. Let’s go, Bushy.” The two went over to Kevin, Steelheart, the Thunder Kittens, and Quiverwing.

“Don’t forget to stay calm, Liquie,” said Bushroot.

“I’ll try to do that, Bushroot,” replied Liquidator.

“It seems that we meet again, Liquie,” said Steelheart.

“It does seem so,” said Liquidator. “How are you?”

“We are fine,” said Steelheart. “And you?”

“Oh, we’re okay,” said Liquidator. “What was Captain N’s purpose in going to Hyrule with the Thunder Kittens? It seems that they wanted to stop Ganon from getting the Triforce.”

Steelheart smiled. “That is precisely why they went there, Liquie.”

Liquidator became more agitated. “Why, I ought to—”

“Cool it, Liquie,” said Bushroot. “My, but you’re a grouch today.”

Liquidator cooled down. “Thanks, Bushy.”

“What would you say if Quiverwing told us that she was going to go to your hotel in Saint Canard and get back every last cent of McDuck’s fortune?” said Steelheart.

“I’d ask you to tell her to be careful, Steelheart,” said Liquidator. “We’d be there and get on her in a matter of seconds with our sophisticated lookout devices. Got it?”

“Got it,” said Steelheart. “You have about twenty-five minutes before the next race begins, Liquidator. I suggest you clean Sparky’s mouth out with soap by then.”

Sparking, Mega Volt stormed over to them. “Don’t call me ‘Sparky,’ silver dimwit,” he screamed. “It’ll take most of my self-control to keep from frying you right now.”

“Just don’t fry her,” said Liquidator. “I’d hate to have to short-circuit you, Sparky.”

“Don’t call me ‘Sparky’!” Mega Volt evaporated Liquidator. “Got it, Waterhead?”

Liquidator reassumed his normal form. “Nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine per million of all dentists recommend that you never call me ‘Waterhead’ again.” Liquidator transformed his hand into a mallet and smacked Mega Volt in the mouth.

Melodia stormed over to them. “Liquidator, Mega Volt! I’m going to harmonize the two of you if you don’t quit arguing.”

“That won’t be necessary, Melodia,” said Liquidator. “Now, let’s get ready for the next race. See you later, N‑Team.”

“Later, Liquidator,” said Steelheart. Liquidator, Mega Volt, Melodia, and Bushroot went back over to where the rest of the Brain-Team racers were.

“Ooh, do those guys strike the wrong chord to my sense of hearing,” said Wilykat.

“I’ll agree that they don’t sound too friendly,” said Steelheart.

“The proper descriptive noun for Melodia is one that I’m not going to say,” said Wilykit.

“Does it begin with—” began Wilykat. Wilykit silenced him by putting her right index finger vertically against her lips. “Right. I get it, Wilykit.”

“I know what you mean,” said Steelheart. “As you know, she has a bad enough temper to fry anyone who calls her a lady.”

“When we were with DW to see what Ludwig and the Brain-Team were up to, Bushroot called Mega Volt the ‘Wattanardo da Vinci of the atom-long temper set,’ ” said Wilykit.

“That name is more than fitting for that spark-tossing lunatic,” said Darkwing.

“What I think you implied about Melodia, Wilykit, was most certainly correct,” said Bluegrass. “Her temper is about as long as a pencil that has been sharpened a thousand times.”

“Now I know how highly you think of her,” said Wilykat.

“Well, I don’t doubt that she’s my worst enemy. I’ve sung her too many rounds of ‘The Jailhouse Rock’ to think that she’s not dangerous.”

“Well, guys, I’d love it if we could converse, but we have no time,” said Steelheart. “It’s about nineteen minutes until the next race begins. Let’s go to the Mushroom World racetrack.” Kevin complied by generating a warp for the N‑Team to the Mushroom World racetrack.

* * *

Racetrack, Mushroom Kingdom, Mushroom World.

Nineteen minutes later, the third race, five laps around the Mushroom World, was about to commence. Steelheart, the Thunder Kittens, and Quiverwing sat together again. From left to right, it was Quiverwing, Wilykat, Wilykit, and Steelheart. Quiverwing and Wilykat kept an eye on the Triforce while Wilykit and Steelheart kept an eye on the race. The race went much like the past two, and the competition was centered once more between the group of Kevin, Kidd, and Darkwing and the group of Liquidator, Melodia, and MotherBrain.

“Wilykit, how’s it been going in general since our last encounter?” said Steelheart.

“Okay,” said Wilykit. “We didn’t have too much trouble from the Mutants, the Luna‑tacks, or Mumm‑ra. However, we also found out some bad news.”

“What?” asked Steelheart.

“We found out that there were no other Thunderians on New Thundera. That means that Lion‑O, Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, Wilykat, Bengali, Pumyra, Lynx‑O, and I seem to be the only Thunderians left.” Clearly, she was not happy about this, but she was handling it well.

“Well, that is awful. Have you tried to regather the Treasure of Thundera since Mumm‑ra scattered it again?”

“No, not yet. We were planning on making a run to New Thundera soon for that purpose.”

“Well, I’m very sorry that you are the only Thunderians left. I’m sure that everyone would help you to find the Treasure again if you want help.”

“We would be happy for any help you could give us, Steelheart.” Wilykit turned to Wilykat. “Has there been any trouble yet, Wilykat?”

“No, Wilykit,” said Wilykat. “Quiverwing and I are keeping our eyes peeled.”

“Good,” said Wilykit. “The race is going well.”

* * *

For the third through sixth races, the winning order was the same: Kevin, Liquidator, Copper-Kidd. At the end of the sixth race, two laps around MegaLand’s central solar system, Ludwig turned to Eggplant Wizard. “Has Ganon not got that Triforce yet?”

“No, sir, Ludwig,” said Eggplant Wizard. “Every time he tries, those do-gooding Weapon Hawks stop him.”

“That idiot has just one race left. We’d better get this over with.”

* * *

Racetrack, third‑Earth.

At all the races, the Thunder Kittens, Steelheart, and Quiverwing had sat together. That did not change in the seventh and final race: twice around the solar system of third‑Earth, the Thunder Cats’ present home. This time, Liquidator gave Kevin much more trouble. Ludwig contacted Ganon to tell him to grab the Triforce or else.

Wilykat was the first to notice this, as he saw Ganon via the notepad. “Wilykit, Ganon is trying to grab the Triforce.”

“What?” asked Wilykit. She looked at the spying device and gasped. “Steelheart, Ganon is trying to grab the Triforce.”

“He is, eh?” said Steelheart. “Have Quiverwing go over there and stop him.” Wilykit did so.

“Okay,” said Quiverwing. She fired a smoke arrow at the ground. It covered her in purple smoke.

* * *

At Hyrule Castle, Ganon made his way to the Triforce. “I’ve fixed those blasted birds. Now, the last task is to get the Triforce.” He laughed. Purple smoke suddenly appeared in his path. “What? What’s this?”

Quiverwing’s voice became audible. “I am the point on the arrow of justice. I am the heroine that gives crooks the shaft.”

“Eww! Bad pun,” said Ganon.

The smoke dissipated to reveal Quiverwing. “I am Quiverwing Quack. And I am here to—”

“Out of my way, brat.” Ganon shot her with an immobilizing ray.

“Hey! What have you done?”

Ganon laughed. “I’ve immobilized you, Sliverwimp Quirk. Now, for the Triforce.” He blasted the defense system on the Triforce and grabbed the Triforce. “At last. Now, His Extremist, Most Royal Nastiness, Prince Ludwig, will soon have the Triforce.” He laughed evilly.

* * *

Back on third‑Earth, Wilykat gasped. “Wilykit, I have a little bad news.”

“What, Wilykat?” asked Wilykit.

Wilykat gulped uneasily. “Ganon has the Triforce.”

Wilykit swallowed. “That is bad news.” She turned to Steelheart. “Steelheart, what would you do if I said that Ganon has the Triforce?”

“I don’t know,” said Steelheart. “Let’s find out.”

“Okay. Ganon has the Triforce.”

“He what?”

“For the third time, he has the Triforce.”

“Ahem. You would not happen to be joking, would you?”

“No, ma’am. I wish that I were, but I am not.”

“Well, I’m upset about that, my friend. What happened to Quiverwing Quack?”

“Ganon immobilized her,” said Wilykat.

“Terrific. Ganon has the Triforce. I can’t send you, because you are officially N‑Team members.” Kevin, Liquidator, and Kidd in that order crossed the finish line. “Darn that Ludwig. He just used this race as a diversion. Let’s get down there.”

* * *

“My goodness,” exclaimed Kevin. “You’re certain that you aren’t mistaken, Thunder Kittens?”

“Not unless something’s wrong with this thing,” said Wilykit, indicating the monitor.

The evil Ludwig approached them. “Well, my friends, you won one race, but not the one that counts,” said Ludwig.

Ganon appeared next to Ludwig. “Ganon,” Kevin exclaimed.

“I just came to make a small delivery, Captain N,” said Ganon. He removed the complete Triforce from his coat. “One complete Triforce, free-of-charge, to the exalted Prince Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa.” He handed the Triforce to Ludwig.

“Thank you, my dear Ganon,” said Ludwig. “The Triforce has no effect on our deal.” The Thunder Kittens, hiding from the Brain-Team’s view, readied their ropes. “Here is your prize money, in fifteen easy-to-carry bags, and each bag of money in the proper currency. Ain’t I sweet?” A flash of light from the Triforce delivered fifteen sacks, each of which contained the prize money. The names were marked clearly, and the currency form was appropriate for the recipient. “Now, which area or areas don’t you want us to terrorize, my dear N‑Team?”

As the Thunder Kittens finished the preparation on their ropes, Eggplant Wizard noticed them. “Uh, boss, the Thunder Kittens—”

“Later, Eggy,” ordered Ludwig.

“But, Prince L., they’re—”

“I told you to be quiet, Eggplant Wizard. Got it?”

“Yes,” said Eggplant Wizard.

“Now, I beg forgiveness for my idiot’s impudence,” said Ludwig. “What is your answer?”

“We don’t want you to attack any areas, my dear Ludwig,” said Steelheart.

“Very well. Then we’re agreed.”

“Not quite. It means that we have to do something rather drastic.”

“Such as?” said Ludwig. The Thunder Kittens’ ropes grabbed the Triforce, and the Kittens yanked it out of his hands. “What? Hey! Ganon stole that fairly and squarely.”

“That’s what you—” said Wilykit.

“—think, reptile-face,” said Wilykat.

Ludwig swore. “Thunder Kittens!”

“I am shocked, Ludwig,” said Steelheart. “You directed profanity to a couple of innocent kids.”

“Steelheart!” cried the Thunder Kittens.

“I was kidding, guys.” Steelheart picked up the Triforce. “Go back to Metroid. Now.” The Triforce gave forth a blinding flash of light. In an instant, it transported all the Brain-Team and all the Brain-Team’s vehicles to Metroid and sent Metroid back where it belonged. Also, it eradicated Liquidator’s galactic storm cloud. “There we go. Thanks to the Thunder Kittens, the Triforce is safe, Zelda.”

Link came over, and Steelheart gave him the Triforce. “Thank you, Commander,” said Zelda.

“What about my fortune?” asked Scrooge. “I hate to think what villainy Liquidator could perpetuate with it.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Link. The Triforce brightened for a second. “There. Now, it’s back where it belongs.”

“Whew! Thank you,” said Scrooge.

“And now, it is time for us to leave,” said Link. A flash of the Triforce engulfed all of them.

* * *

Conference Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

And the next thing they knew, they were in the Palace of Power’s conference room. “Well, everyone can now have a merry Christmas, now that the Brain-Team is taken care of,” said Kevin.

“Right,” said Steelheart.

Quiverwing appeared. “Whoa! What happened?”

“Ganon froze you and stole the Triforce, which the Thunder Kittens got back from Ludwig,” said Steelheart.

“Don’t take it too bad, Quiverwing,” said Darkwing. “They ruffle my feathers, too.”

“What?” said Quiverwing. “Oh, right, like I didn’t need help anyway.”

“I guess that we can all take it easy, now that that race is over and the Triforce is safe,” said Lion‑O.

* * *

Drake’s Office, Legal Complex, Palace of Power.

Later, Steelwill and Cheetara visited Paul Drake, Sr. “That quickly?” asked Drake.

“Yes, that quickly, Drake,” said Steelwill. “Cheetara got to the root of my problem and yanked it out.”

“I merely made a guess as to your condition, Steelwill,” said Cheetara. “It was just a case of depression, no doubt made worse by Liquidator’s storm.”

“Being empathic doesn’t hurt, either,” said Steelwill.

“No, it doesn’t,” said Cheetara. “The test was a little easy, actually.”

“Easy for you, perhaps.”

“Well, anyway, you passed it,” said Drake. “That’s all that matters. I’ll get your license to practice ready, Cheetara.” He left to do so.

The door signal beeped. “Come in,” said Steelwill. The door glided open silently. Quicksilver entered the room. “Hi, Quick.”

“Lion‑O told me I’d find you here,” said Quicksilver. “Well, guys, I did it. I aced the computerized refresher, and I got my medical license.”

“Ooh! Not bad,” said Steelwill.

“Right. I am now Colonel Quicksilver, M.D.,” said Quicksilver. “I always wanted to get my medical license, and the Palace’s study terminals have made it possible. Lion‑O told me, Cheetara that you are becoming a psychological counselor.”

“Whatever they call it,” said Cheetara with a smile.

Quicksilver chuckled for a second. “Where can I find the Kittens?” asked Quicksilver.

“In room 6 on floor 103. Kevin is trying to teach them French.”

“Ah, mon Dieu. I’d better see how they’re doing.”

* * *

Room 6, Floor 103.

“Very good,” said Kevin. His attempt to teach French to the Thunder Kittens was quite successful. “You two learn very quickly. We’ve only been here for an hour and a half, and you’ve already learned very much.” He wrote something down on a data padd.

“Pardon me, sir,” said Wilykat.

“No need to refer to me so formally,” said Kevin. “Please use my name, Wilykat.”

“Thank you, Kevin. What do you think Ludwig will do now that we defeated him and his cloaking device doesn’t work anymore?”

Kevin thought for a moment. “Probably, he will study his defeat thoroughly, and he will return in order to retry to defeat us. And he will try to repair his cloaking device. That’s what he’s always done in the past.”

“Heh,” said Wilykit. “That sounds very familiar. Unfortunately, he seems to be far more sophisticated than any of the villains the Thunder Cats have dealt with before.”

The door signal sounded. “Enter,” said Kevin. The door opened, admitting Quicksilver. “Ah! Hello, Quicksilver.”

“Hello,” said Quicksilver. “I hope that I’m not intruding.”

“Of course not,” said Kevin.

“Correct. He’s teaching us French,” said Wilykit.

“Cheetara said as much,” said Quicksilver. “How are they doing, Kevin?”

“They are doing extremely well,” said Kevin. “They already know all the forms of the verb. They quickly learned many irregular verbs. Also, they know many forms of nouns, adjectives, and articles. Without problems, they mastered the object pronouns. They have no problems with usage. As for vocabulary, they seem to absorb it like sponges.”

“I see,” said Quicksilver. “Thunder Kittens, please tell me what is wrong with the following statement: ‘s’il y ait du gâteau, je le mangerai’.” (If there be any cake, I will eat it.)

“You used—” said both Thunder Kittens almost immediately.

“Wilykat, you go,” said Wilykit.

“All right. Quicksilver, you used the present subjunctive in the subordinate clause when you used the future in the main clause. The indicative should have been used instead of the subjunctive.”

“Good,” said Wilykit. “That’s what I was going to say.”

“Excellent,” said Quicksilver. “It’s said that great minds often think alike. I’m sorry, but I must leave. I have to keep an eye on Ludwig.”

“All right,” said Kevin. “Goodbye.”

“Au revoir, Kevin and Kittens.” Quicksilver left.

The Thunder Kittens looked at one another. “Great minds?” Wilykit asked.

“Us?” asked Wilykat.

Kevin smiled. He completely agreed with Quicksilver’s idea that the Thunder Kittens had great minds; but the Thunder Kittens had Wilykat modesty that prevented them from completely agreeing with this assessment.

“Kevin, in the map room, we noticed how pretty VideoLand was,” Wilykit said. “Lion‑O or Tygra or both might object if we begged to explore on our own. I believe they both trust you. Would you consider showing us around?”

“Why, sure, Wilykit,” said Kevin. “Just be sure to let them know.”

“Yes, we’ll tell them.”

* * *

Control Room, Metroid, VideoLand.

“That blasted N‑Team really fries my amperes,” said Mega Volt, obviously annoyed. “If I ever get my hands on those Thunder Twerps, they’ll regret grabbing that Triforce out of Prince Ludwig’s hands.”

“I know what you mean, Mega Volt,” said Liquidator.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m in a mood to abuse some idiots,” said Melodia. Liquidator and Mega Volt smiled as she readied her Sound Smasher.

Ludwig held a button on the planetwide intercom system. “Eggplant! Hippo! Report to the control room on the double.” Before he had a chance to release the button, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo had run into the room. “Welcome. Melodia, you may have your fun.”

“Uh, oh,” said Eggplant Wizard. “I think we’re about to get it again, King Hippo.”

Melodia aimed the laser emitter of her Sound Smasher at Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo. “All right, idiots. You are going to pay for letting those Thunder Kittens grab the Triforce out of Ludwig’s hands.” She shot them with her music laser. The two began screaming.

“Just for that ungodly screaming, I’m going to join in the fun,” said Mega Volt. Laughing like a mad scientist, he blasted the two idiots with his wicked wattage as Melodia continued tuning them out.

“I’ll have some fun, too, by conducting Mega Volt’s evil electricity,” said Liquidator. Laughing, he jumped on King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard. Mega Volt’s electricity was distributed evenly and fried the two buffoons even more.

Ludwig got out his scepter. “You two let the Thunder Kittens take the Triforce from my hands. You let the cloaking device fail. You let the N‑Team use the Triforce to restore Scrooge McDuck’s fortune to him. You let the N‑Team win the race. You let the N‑Team get rid of Liquidator’s storm cloud. You are the ones who let the N‑Team beat us at every turn. Now, prepare to be mutilated!” He shot Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo with a ray from his scepter. The two unfortunate idiots continued to scream.