By Macrossgrn

Videoland had undergone a massive change since the last time the N Team defeated Mother Brain's evil schemes to take it over. For once, Mega Man was no longer the original green tinted robot. Instead, he was now mostly blue, with the inside of his helmet the only part that remained green. The N Team had been dismissed for a small vacation, after both sides had called a truce. Amazingly, Mother Brain was keeping her word, but was presumed to be building her forces. Each member of the N Team went back to his or her respective lands- Mega Man to Megaland, Kid Icarus to Mt. Olympus, Simon Belmont to Castlevania, and so on. Mother Brain's minions did the same- Eggplant wizard, King Hippo, and Dr. Wily all went back to their homelands.

That was the eye of the storm- but a new, much more powerful storm was fast approaching Videoland, and very few could even see it coming.

"Hey Duke! We're going to California Dreams! Let's go!" the Game Master yelled out from the Warp room inside the palace. Game Boy would be left behind, to guard the palace, especially since Game Boy wasn't waterproof like Mega Man was. Lana stood beside Kevin, with a small array of things with her- tanning lotion, extra clothes, a bikini. However, Keene was made to carry just about everything else. Rounding a corner, the blur that was a tanned dog with a bandana on named Duke scrambled toward the warp, and then through it. "I've got to get a leash." he said, shaking his head, before smiling to Lana. "Ladies first, Lana."

Lana smiled. "Why, thank you Kevin. See you in a minute." And with that, she too disappeared into the warp, followed a few seconds later by Kevin. Transporting between realms in this manner was almost instantaneous, and a few seconds later all three arrived in the beach world of California Dreams. As always, it was a beautiful day out here, though on the horizon above the ocean, a small but fierce storm could barely be seen. However, Duke, Lana, and Kevin were already setting up their little camp, unaware of the storm that approached. Finally, after a few minutes, a Frisbee was produced, which got Duke all crazy. "Go long boy!" Kevin exclaimed, and his dog took off running, looking back every few seconds to check on the new play toy. "You better throw that thing before Duke comes back to get it, Kevin." Lana said, giggling a little bit as she lay down on her back to keep up the tan she always had.

"Good idea, Lana. Get it Duke!" Kevin exclaimed, as he tossed the frisbee into the air, watching as it hurtles toward Duke. Duke, who was intent on catching the Frisbee, jumped into the air, and with a snapping motion, clenched onto it with his teeth. "Way to go, boy!" Kevin exclaimed, even as Duke ran toward him at full speed. "Uh-oh..." he muttered, and as Duke got close, within a few feet, the dog jumped. Duke's forward momentum brought him straight into his human pal and both crashed into the sand, the frisbee forgotten as Duke began to lick at Kevin's face. "Cut it out, boy!" he laughed, as he sat up, scratching Duke all along his back. Lana just giggled at the display, before closing her eyes to soak up the sun.

"Ah, isn't this great?" Kevin asks Lana, a few hours later. "Yes, it is, Kevin, but... hey, what is that?" Lana exclaimed, just as, for the first time ever, the sun on the world of California Dreams was blocked by clouds. "This world never has a cloudy day! What's going on here?" she said, standing up and gathering their things. Kevin got up to do the same, before taking a good look at the storm. "Hey, those clouds aren't as dark as they should be, if they're rain clouds. There's something really bad about this." he commented, and looked to Duke as he got everything together. Including the power pad and zapper around his waist. "Let's get back to the Palace of Power, and see what's going on here."

A few moments later, the three were back in the Palace of Power. Gameboy raced to greet them. "Danger, danger, danger. Videoland in danger." Gameboy droned on and on, adding in a few beeps and whistles here and there. After Lana and Captain N got their normal gear on, they raced to the control room to see the situation. Lana gasped, reaching the control room first, and stepped out of the doorway as Kevin came in. "This is awful! Look! 10% of Videoland is gone! Including Kongoland!" she exclaimed, and Kevin's jaw dropped as he saw the monitor. "You're right! And, see what remains in those places? Clouds! In fact, they look exactly like the clouds that blocked out the sun on... What the?"

Suddenly, on the list of lands now gone on the screen beside the map screen, was California Dreams. "I can't believe it! My people are dying, and there's nothing I can do about it!" Lana said softly, shaking her head as tears began to form in her eyes. "Lana, we need to get the N-Team together. Before it's too late. Look! Mt. Olympus and Castlevania is already starting to be overrun by those clouds!" Kevin said. Lana was frozen in shock over the happenings, so Kevin walked over to the computers to dial up warps for the N-Team members from Mt. Olympus, Megaland, and Castlevania. Soon, all of the N-Team was assembled. "What did you call us back here for? I was having such a nice dream." Simon began, before seeing the princess in shock. "Your highness, what is the matter? Come here, I'll give you a kiss and make it all better." and then he sighed, seeing that even his lecherous comment made no impact on the prone princess.

"Guys- you better look at this." Kevin said, pointing to the map monitor. Simon, Mega Man, and Kid Icarus turned, to the screen, only to gasp in surprise. "No-icus!" Kid Icarus cried out, as he watched his home of Mt. Olympus get enveloped by the clouds. The only place that didn't seem to be affected yet was Megaland. "About 17% now of Videoland is gone," Captain N said. "Most of the sports-oriented worlds, as well as the adventure worlds are gone. Look, even Metroid is having problems." Even as he said that, the world of Metroid was partially taken over by the clouds. "Who cares about Metroid! Look at my home!" Simon said, seeing that even his home was beginning to be completely taken over... in fact, only a little of it remained.

"We need help!" Kevin said, and he quickly flipped the communications screen and channel to the one person he thought could help. "Palace of Power calling Dr. Wright! Emergency! Dr. Wright, are you there?" he said, and suddenly the white haired scientist was on the screen. "Yes, Princ... Oh, Captain N! I am sorry, I didn't know it was you. What can I do for you?"

"Dr. Wright, there is a strange cloud that has enveloped nearly 20% of Videoland! Megaland doesn't seem to have been affected by it, however. In fact, it's the only land that hasn't been run over at all by this mysterious cloud! We've already lost California Dreams, Mt. Olympus, and Castlevania is nearly gone! If we lose much more, we'll have to abandon the palace!" Kevin said. 'He doesn't know the half of it,' Lana thought. The Palace of Power received its name for drawing support power from every world, including Metroid. Already, the Ultimate Warp Zone may not be stable enough to send Kevin home.

"Calm down, Captain N. We can transport almost everything at the palace to Megaland... except, I'm afraid, for the three most important things that are stored there." The good doctor said, and Kevin looked surprised. "What do you mean, Dr. Wright? The people here are important. Are you saying we can't transport people through the warps?" he asked, unaware that Lana had suddenly snapped out of the little trance she was in. "No, Kevin, what Dr. Wright is talking about are the three Power Gloves. They are the only completely stable things in this universe. They power the Warp zones, the Ultimate warp zone, and even other lands. This entire palace, is being fed back to here from the other worlds a little at a time, uses that same power. The Power Gloves are what Mother Brain has been after all along." Lana said, and Dr. Wright nodded on the screen.

"The Power Gloves have three different uses, much like the Triforce within Hyrule. The first is the Power Glove of Strength. That one is the one that is used to power the other worlds. The second is the Power Glove of Wisdom. That one powers all of the Warp zones that link the worlds. The last is called the Power Glove of Courage. It has never been used. These Power Gloves are like the Triforce in yet another way as well, in that they are all inter-linked. They are merged into a single physical form, yet they could theoretically be separated... but it might destroy Videoland in the process." Dr. Wright said quietly, informing the N-Team of the usage of the dangerous Power Gloves. "However... the Power Gloves may also be the only way to save Videoland. In essence, it would be like... re-formatting the entire Videoland network at once. There is, however, a problem. Reformatting the whole Videoland would not only take time, but... it would also destroy anyone not wearing a Power Glove." This last comment left them all stunned.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed, as Kid Icarus began to fade away. "I'm leaving this world-icus." He said sadly, as he floated in the air, his wings no longer flapping softly. "Now that Mt. Olympus is gone-icus, I cannot survive-icus. Goodbye, everyone!" and so, the hero of Mt. Olympus, one time member of the N-Team: dematerialized and was gone. Lana began to cry, and Simon went to comfort her. Mega Man looked troubled, but he couldn't cry. He wasn't programmed to do so, as he had no tear ducts. Kid Icarus had been his best friend, after all. Kevin simply looked pained, but knew that something had to be done, or else all of Videoland would be destroyed. "Dr. Wright, you have got to tell us what to do! Megaland and Hyrule are soon going to be the last lands left!" he exclaimed, and Dr. Wright sighed noticeably.

"Alright then everyone, pull yourselves together. According to my instruments, the cloud now covers about 46% of all the worlds of Videoland. However, for some reason, Castlevania still exists. A small portion has been left uncovered, and is still there. According to my sensors, perhaps, just maybe, the cloud is reformatting the worlds it comes in contact with. If we use the Power Gloves now, we may still survive! Captain N, send Mega Man, Gameboy, and Duke to Megaland. You, Simon, and Princess Lana should take the Power Gloves, and begin the reformatting process. It will only reformat that which does not belong... so, hopefully, we in Mega Land will still be around to tell you if it worked or not." Dr. Wright said, and Mega Man nodded.

"Gameboy, Duke, go with Mega Man to Megaland. We'll see you in a little while, okay?" Kevin said, smiling softly to his three good friends. "We'll mega-see you soon, Captain N." Mega Man said, smiling as best he could and giving Kevin a thumbs-up as he walked to the warp, with Gameboy and Duke in tow. Soon, they were gone, as was the screen with Dr. Wright on it. Standing up slowly, Kevin turned to see Simon and Lana, and he smiled to them both weakly. "I guess that means that no matter what, we survive, guys. Now, let's save what is left of the kingdom." He said, after one last glance to the map. Metroid was gone, as was the world of Punch Out. Kevin sighed softly, and began to walk toward the Power room. Simon and Lana followed silently behind him.

After about 10 minutes, the three reached the Power room. After Lana input the code and retina scan, they all proceeded into the room. The doors shut behind them, and waiting before them were three physical representations of the Power Gloves. The glove on the right glowed a red color, the one in the middle, a blue color, and the one on the left glowed a yellow color. A voice from the blue glove spoke up, filling the air in the room ominously. "We are the three that are one. Like the Triforce, we Gloves create the ultimate power of this universe. Simply put our embodiments upon your hands. Princess Lana, step forth. You will claim the Power Glove of Wisdom."

Lana did as she was told, and drew the blue highlighted Power Glove from the small altar and into her hands solemnly, but not putting it on yet. The voice spoke once again. "You, of the kingdom of Castlevania and of the bloodline of Belmont, come forward, and claim the Power Glove of Strength." Simon did as was told as well, after a moment of wondering how much it would clash with his clothes and hair, and took the red highlighted Glove into his possession. "And now you, from another world, Kevin Keene, also known as Captain N and the Game Master. You will take possession of the Glove of Courage."

"Alright. Here goes!" Keene exclaims as he walks forward. The yellow highlighted glove, which he took from the altar, he put directly onto his hand, as he remembered how to from back home, several years ago. Lana and Simon, after watching what Kevin did, slid their gloves on as well, and the light given off by the gloves consumed all three of them. "Now, arrange yourselves in a position in which all three gloves point toward the altar. When you do this, all three of you must simply say this phrase at the same time: Reformat and Reconfigure! This will begin the process of saving your kingdom. Good luck." And then the voice left, leaving the three all alone in the room with the still golden glowing altar before them. Slowly, Kevin raised his arm up and toward the pedestal.

"Come on guys, this is our only chance now, to save Videoland." Kevin said, looking to the other two. Simon sighed lightly, and nodded. "I suppose you're right..." he drawled, and slowly pointed his own red hued glove at the pedestal. "For the inhabitants of Videoland, for our lost friend... for all who have been lost. Yes, we must do this." Lana said to herself quietly, and then she too raised glove to point at the altar. "Are we ready?" Kevin asked the two others, and he smiled lightly, seeing their responses as they both nodded confidently. Then, as one, all three chanted the three words that would save or destroy Videoland- "Reformat, and Reconfigure!"

A bright, shining light swept through the gloves, and their own bodies, and into the altar. Their bodies drained of all but the very least required to survive, the three remaining members of the N-team slumped to the floor unconscious and unaware of the effects of their combine effort created. A pulse of nearly pure energy (come on, part of the energy came from Simon, after all) swept through the entire universe known as Videoland. The cloud was completely obliterated. However, something wondrous happened when the energy that touched the cloud melded together. Videoland not only was reborn in most places, but was also upgraded. Many times upgraded.

***

In this time, many new worlds sprang to life- and in some cases, back to life. Some worlds, such as Mega Land, sprouted new versions of its lands. Others were brought back to life, such as Mt. Olympus. And a few were incorporated into this dimension from several seperate ones. Videoland had been restored, thanks to the work of new heroes of this day and age. And some of the old, as well. Mario and Luigi, Link and Zelda, Mega Man and his two newer versions- Mega Man X and Trigger. Samus Aran, the famed, but once lost, space hunter who was the heroine of Metroid, was found and continues the fight against Mother Brain. Punch Out returned, as did King Hippo. With the return of Mt. Olympus, Kid Icarus and the Eggplant Wizard, as well as the Medusa, returned as well.

In fact, many new faces, and some old, were created or re-created, as the case may be. Time passed in the real world, too. In fact, over 10 years passed, and the date soon became the year 2001. And then, finally, the remains of the Palace of Power were found by a number of Diggers- Explorers who were dedicated to reclaiming lands and worlds once lost to time by the Bit-Era Upgrades.

***

In the year 2001, the Palace of Power, the last of the ancient relics, was finally discovered. It took very little time once the Blue Bomber, as the original Mega Man had affectionately been nicknamed, managed to help restore power and even time to the ancient citadel. Though Videoland had been reformatted entirely, several times over, the palace had not changed at all. Until now, when Trigger, Mega Man X, Zelda, and Link, along with Kid Icarus managed to do it, with the help of Dr. Wright, who had gained a bit of a speech impediment (making him sound like a german), and Dr. Cain, the man who found Mega Man X in the second plane of MegaLand. Power was restored, and then the palace flashed, convulsed- and changed profoundly.

When the pixels had settled, the palace was restored, inside and out. A chunk of land spread out before it, restoring the world that the palace had sat upon before the reformation. It was a small world, true, but it was also the ancient headquarters of Videoland itself. Finally, the doors activated- no longer the 2-dimensionals that they once were, but fully in 3D. Mega Man and Dr. Wright, each having been here before, led the rest of the group through the rooms. Kid Icarus flew to the Command room and attempted to activate the palace defenses. Unfortunately, they were never designed to work 3-dimensionally, and were rather useless at this point, so he flew quickly back to report to the others as they made their way down the hallway.

After leading them down into the very bowels of the complex, Dr. Wright opened the last door with the appropriate keycode. And then, finally, the bright light that filled the chamber spilled out, revealing the Altar of the Power Gloves. As well as the three bodies, in stasis, that were laying on the floor surrounding it. Each of the three wore a power glove upon his or her right hand, and each glove glowed feebly, as if running out of battery power. There was the sound of only one person breathing- as video characters, neither Lana nor Simon had needed breath, but Captain N, as a person from the real world, did. And so it was that Trigger, along with Mega Man, helped carry Captain N. Zelda and Link both carried Lana, leaving Mega Man X to deal with the weight of the man known as Simon Belmont. The Power Gloves, however, simply would not come off of their hands.

Then, a voice spoke, and Captain N, who had seemed asleep, but was actually quite awake and alert, though paralyzed still from the discharge of energy that the Power Gloves had given him, and the sounds of that voice came to his ears. "Welcome, you three, to the new Video Land. There have been many changes, and we still have need of the N-Team. However, perhaps the V-Team would be more accurate, for you shall see why, very soon." and with that small speech done, the explorers turned back down toward the elevator that would lead them up in the tower and back to the portal from whence they came.

As Kevin was being carried, his eyes opened at the sound of people- many people. They were busy adding new technology to the palace, but all he could tell was that they seemed to be fixing up the place. But then, he noticed that everyone was... more real than ever. Finally, worn out after such a long time, his eyes closed and he finally slept.