Andrea and Brian's Crazy Cross Over Anime

CH. 10 : THAT’S A WRAP!

           The characters all awoke very tired, but no one could remember why.  (And aren’t they glad too – ‘cuz I think this would be just a little embarrassing! No, scratch that, a lot embarrassing!)

           And, of course, having exacted her revenge on them for being slow (hee, hee ^__^ ) the authoress decided to give them an easier time of it today! (Don’t you just love me?)  

           Which, in short, simply meant no electric potatoes today.  (Fan sobs and I consol them.  ‘B-But, I li-liked the- the potatoes-oes!’ 'There there crazy fan, it’s okay’)

           They were just coming over the crest of a small hill when something very nearly ran them over.  It was a go kart.

           A very weird go kart, being driven by a gorilla wearing a … (they all rubbed their eyes) a neck tie?

           Close on his heels came more go karts.  A short round man in red overalls, a girl in pink with a crown, and a green um… animal of some sort.  The girl shot a red shell out of her car and the man in red flipped into the air.

 O.O

           The animal/dinosaur thing ran off the side of the road and these rocks started pelting him.

 (O)_(O)

           Then a fat man in purple and yellow laughed maniacally and suddenly all the other cars shrunk and the fat man ran them over.  They flattened, became normal size, and then floated in the air a few moments like an autumn leaf before re-inflating.

 ((((((O))))))__((((((O))))))

           “That was umm… yeah.” Everyone agreed with Takuya’s brilliant assessment of the situation.

          “Hello and welcome to the third annual Mario Kart 26 K race!  Don’t ask us where we found 26 K’s on this mountain, but we did!” It was the annoying tour guide again.

           “Hey, didn’t we get rid of you?”

           The guide nodded, “I quite my job as a freaky forest tour guide and was hired as an announcer.”

           “So was the freaky part the forest, or her?” Yusuke asked quietly.

           “Well, enjoy!” the guide, err… ex-guide turned announcer, waved cheerfully before disappearing.

           “WAIT!” Megaman cried.  She was already gone.  “We should have asked her where Toad’s house was.”

           “Did you just say Toad? With a capital ‘T’?” Lan asked.  Megaman nodded.  “How do you know it isn’t a toad house, lower case ‘t’?”

           “I just do.” Megaman said smartly.

           “Whatever it is, could we find it soon?” Hiei didn’t know why, but he felt very self conscious, like he had done something really… stupid, and they had all seen it.

           “Let’s just keep moving, it’s got to be up here somewhere.” Ash said.

           “That’s right buddy, the sign said, right up this path.” Takuya threw an arm around Lan’s shoulder, pulling him forward.

           “We just need to keep following the path.” Botan said brightly.

           Then they all stopped again. 

           “Um, guys, the path seems to be… missing.” Yugi said.

           “Oh, dear.” Bakura sighed.

           “Got that right.” Li crossed his arms, clearly unhappy.  He wanted to go home.

           “Well, we could just keep going straight.” Sakura suggested.

           Keiko shook her head, “the sign said follow the path, it never said the path would be straight.”

           “Perhaps if we follow the race track…” Yue mused.

           “You can’t be serious!” Yusuke stared at him in disbelief.  “We’ll be run over.  And trust me, that is not a fun experience.”

           “Happened to him once before.” Kurama murmured to Kenshin and Yami.

           “Well then, we’ll just have to find the path.” Yue said serenely.

           “Don’t worry guys!” Kuwabara grinned goofily, “I’ll find the path.  I’m spiritually aware!” he shifted Julian, holding him on a shoulder with one hand, raised a finger (on the other hand), and began walking, having no real choice the others followed.  After a few moments he stopped, “And I… have no clue where I’m going!” they all face faulted.  “Eh he he, sorry guys.” Kuwabara had the decency (or intelligence – either one works) to blush.

           “Oh, brother.” Shizeru rolled her eyes.  There her little brother went, getting ahead of himself again.  He was so embarrassing.

           “It’s alright Kazuma,” Yukina reassured him, “at least you tried.”

           “Li,” Sakura suggested, “why don’t you try the lasin board?”

           Li nodded and withdrew a strange board from his clothing. He held it out in front of him.

           “What’s that?” Lan asked, curious, “a board game?”

           -_-u “Um, I don’t think so Lan.” Megaman put a hand on his operator’s shoulder, to keep him from moving closer.

           “It’s ancient Chinese magic, it gives guidance.” Yue explained.

            “Oh,” Lan nodded.

           Li was ready now, “Force know my plight.  Release the light!” A beam of light shot from the board, then it flickered, and faded.

           “What!?” Li looked down at the board.  “I don’t understand, it should have worked.”

           Sakura rested a hand on his arm, “It was worth a try Li, but I guess being in another universe has it all messed up.”

           “Enough of this.” Yami Bakura stepped forward, “My ring works both in our universe, and in the shadow realm.  It will work here!”

           “Oh, that’s right!” Bakura exclaimed, “The ring acts as a compass, doesn’t it.”

           “Oh, I remember!” Yugi looked at Yami, he nodded.  He remembered as well.

           Yami Bakura held out his ring and it began to glow.  He closed his eyes and focused, issuing a command – this would not be as simple as locating Pegasus’ castle, here there was no millennium item to focus on, and he knew nothing of the place he sought.  Slowly one of the conical baubles at the base of the ring lifted.

           “This way.” Yami Bakura turned to follow, and the others were close behind.

 ***

            They had been walking way too long. 

           “Maybe we should-” Misty began.

           “It’s raining pickles! Run for your lives!” A man ran in front of them, arms in the air.  Running as though the dogs of, well – you know where- were on his heels.

           …O.o

           “Did he just say… pickles?” Bakura asked.

           The others nodded.

           “I don’t get it. Even if it was raining pickles, which it isn’t, why would that cause us to run for our lives?” Lan asked.

           They all shrugged.

           “The chocolate bars are exploding! Run for your lives!”

           Another person ran through, shouting for the world to hear.

           “Chocolate bars?” Yugi asked.

           “That sounds good.” Takuya licked his lips.

           “You know,” Kurama chuckled, “It actually does.  Perhaps we should stop for lunch.” He looked around the strange forest, “Though perhaps not here.”

           “Yeah, I think we should wait until we get to the Toad house.” Botan agreed.

           @_@ “Chocolate…” Megaman nudged the dazed Lan forward.

 ***

           “The pudding pool is flooding! Run for your lives!”

           This was the seventh person who had run by them yelling something along these lines since they had entered this part of the forest.  They had long since ceased to be surprised by these random interruptions.  Kurama was starting to wonder if, maybe, there was a reason for these people running across their path.

           “Small, fuzzy bunny slippers are attacking! Run for your lives!”

           Another person ran by, waving her arms insanely.  Kurama looked to Yami, who shrugged, it was worth a try.

            “Excuse me.” Kurama smoothly stepped in front of the running girl.  She came to an abrupt halt.

           “The slippers… they are coming.” She cast a furtive glance behind her.

           “Yes, I know.” Kurama said, “But I was wondering if you could answer a question for me.”

           She stopped fidgeting and looked up at him, curious.  He took a deep breath <here goes nothing>

           “Do you know the way to Toad’s house?”

           The girl smiled brightly, “Oh, sure, it’s up that way about three hundred yards.” She pointed behind her.  Kurama was a bit taken aback, if he hadn’t seen her a moment before running hysterically he would have thought her a normal teenage girl.

           “Umm, thank you.” He managed.

           She tilted her head to one side and gave an adorable grin, “No problem, now could you please move out of my way?”

           “Oh!” He sidestepped quickly.

           “Thank you.” She threw him one last smile and then took a deep breath and… “Vicious! Terrible! Pink, fuzzy, bunny slippers are attacking! Run for your lives!” and with that she took off again.

          Kenshin shook his head, “This is a strange place, that-” he caught Yusuke looking at him and stopped, “Err, that’s is to say, I find this place curious.” And he left it at that.

           “Well,” Misty said, “if we can believe her, we’re really close.”

           “I think we can believe her.” Yami said.

           “It’s better than following him.” Takuya pointed toward Yami Bakura.  Everyone else silently agreed.

 ***

            “We’re here!” Ash exclaimed.

           Misty rubbed her sore feet. “Finally.”

           “Yipee!” Lan was finally coherent again.

           “Don’t forget though, this was only the first part of our instructions.  We still have to go to the left.” Bakura pointed out.

           “Way to spoil the mood, Bakura.” Yusuke said, he was having an easier time remembering everyone’s name, and that scared him.

           “He’s right though.” Kurama pointed out, “What do you think Hiei?” he turned to the black haired apparition.

           “Hn.” Hiei crossed his arms and looked away.  He had been surprisingly civil for this part of the trip.

           Kurama chuckled, “Insightful as always Hiei.”  Hiei just growled at him, but Kurama didn’t take it to heart.  These last few days had been trying for Hiei.  Being forced to interact with the Urameshi team's humans was hard enough, but twenty of them? Well, he looked at the group in amusement, probably less that twenty.

           “Do you think we can stop here and eat something before we go?” Yukina asked.  “I’m rather hungry.”

           Everyone agreed, except Yue – he didn’t eat, only Julian did.

           In the end, Bakura was elected to knock on the door and ask for help.  He looked so sweet and helpless (at least, that’s what the girls said).  So here he stood – before a small wooden door, prepared to knock.

           But he never did.

           Because the door opened just then, and a small creature stepped out.  Bakura had to stifle a laugh.  Clearly the house, and it’s owner, where called toad for a reason.  The creature looked for all the world like a toadstool.  The small creature lifted its white and red head (white with red spots that is) and now Bakura could get a good look at it’s blue body.  If he had been American, Bakura would have said the toadstool was very patriotic.

           “Welcome, won’t you come in.  I am Toad.” The creature beamed at him.  “You must be weary, would you like something to eat.”

           “Um…” Bakura had to adjust to this for a moment, a talking toadstool?  Named Toad of all things.  It was too much, “Yes, actually, you’re very kind, but… you see, I have some friends as well and…”

           “Oh, bring them along.” Toad invited warmly, “The more the merrier.”

           “Yes, but you see… there are… there are twenty three of us!” Bakura blurted out.

           Toad just smiled, “Wonderful, come in, come in all!”

           So… they did. 

           They all came in, and Toad fed them, and gave them something to drink, and a place to rest. (And Kuwabara got to put Julian down!) And all the while he entertained them with the oddest story about a kingdom of toadstools ruled by a beautiful woman, and protected by a plumber.  The woman, Princess Peach, who was apparently something close to human, had been kidnapped by a turtle/dinosaur/lizard thing named Bowser.  And the plumber had rescued her.

           It was really very funny.

           And what was funnier was that they all somehow fit in Toad’s tiny house!  And quite comfortably too. (Ah, the wonders of an omnipotent authoress!)  Our cast was quite happy for the first time since all this began.  But all too soon they had to go.  The authoress would not wait forever. (As if I don’t have other things to do!)

 ***

           “BONZAI!”

           “Eep!” Sakura pulled back, grabbing Li.

          “What is it now?” Hiei asked wearily.  He was sooooooooooooooooo looking forward to the end of this. (Not that he would admit that to anyone.  Happiness was not an emotion he wanted people to know he felt).  That stupid authoress person had better send these fools home.  

           The group stopped and turned to look at Sakura.

           “Oh. That’s it.” Kurama said.

           “Bonzai. Bonzai! BONZAI!” a strange little creature was bouncing up and down in front of Sakura.  Li wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to him.

           “Hoe?” Sakura blinked in confusion.  She wasn’t scared anymore.  After all, it was just a little round thing with big ears.  And it looked kind of fluffy (don’t ask me what it is, I’m making this part up as I go along ^__^)

           “It’s so cute!” Keiko gushed.  She would have run to grab it, but she was holding Puu (no he didn’t disappear somewhere in there. Keiko and Botan have had him almost the whole time).

           “Hey,” Takuya peered closer, “He is kinda cute.”

           Yami chuckled, “How do you know it’s a he?”

           Takuya opened his mouth as though to answer, and then closed it.  He didn’t know!

           “Does it matter?” Hiei asked.

           “To the creature it likely matters very much.” Kenshin pointed out.

        Hiei almost rolled his eyes. Where was the authoress!?

           “Bonzai! Bonzai! BONZAI!” the creature sounded a little upset now.

           Yukina came toward it, “Is that your name? Bonzai?” The creature turned to look at her.

           “Bonzai.” They could have sworn it nodded.

          “Hello, Bonzai.” Yukina held out a hand and the creature came to her, snuggling against it. It let out a small, contented sound.  “Aww,” Yukina smiled softly, “You just wanted a friend didn’t you?  Good Bonzai.” For a few minutes they all watched in awe as Yukina played with ‘Bonzai’.  Then she decided it was time to go.  She stood slowly, and the creature stared up at her sadly.

           “Go home now Bonzai.” She said, “Goodbye.” And the creature left!

           “Well I’ll be…” Bakura shook his head in disbelief.

           “Uh huh.” Lan, Takuya, Ash, and Yugi nodded dumbly (awww… all the short, innocent little boys.  Sooo cute!)

           “That’s my Yukina!” Kuwabara gushed.  Shizeru hit him, nearly knocking Julian off his shoulder, and in the commotion they all missed Hiei’s possessive glare. (Yukina is Hiei's sister if you don't know - but he hasn't told her that.)

           “I hate to interrupt.” Yue spoke above the noise (but still calm - he’s so infuriating sometimes!), “But don’t we have an authoress to find?  We’re almost to the top.” He pointed.

           The others stopped.

           “She had better send us home.” Li muttered.  Hiei silently agreed.

           “Honestly, like my name is Bonzai! And why is that all I said this whole scene?” A small creature with big ears glared at the authoress.

           She cast a quick glance at the retreating cast before admonishing it, “Shhhh, little fuzzy creature, you’ll ruin my story!”

 ***

           They had done it! They had finally reached the top! At last they could all go home!

           Maybe…

           That was, if they ever asked the authoress to send them.  But right now they were too busy taking in the strange sight that met their eyes.

           Before them, on the grass covered mountaintop, was a desk and a single chair.  On that desk was an old fashioned quill pen and ink well.  And next to that lay several sheets of crisp clean paper.

           In the air, several feet away, hung a single window, unsupported by wall or wire.  And peering through the window (it really can’t be said ‘out the window’ because, with no walls, who was to say what was out and what was in.  Sufficed to say the peering figure was between the desk and the window), was the authoress.

          “So you’ve found me.” She said sadly, not even turning to face them.

          “Yes.” Kurama nodded, stepping toward her, “And we’d like you to send everyone home now.”

          The author frowned (I know I’m switching between author and authoress – it really is the same person, and I am female – I’m just not sure I like the word authoress, but at times it fits the sentence flow better.)  There was still so much she could do with these characters.  Maybe she would make them complete some insane task, they could save the toadstool princess, or sing karaoke… wait, no, that opera thing was really scary!  The authoress sighed.  As much as she wanted too she couldn’t.  She had vowed to go easy on them today.  All that would have to wait for another time.

          A sudden thought struck Yugi, “Um, miss author..ress, person?” he asked timidly. (HA! He can’t decide which word to use either!  And yes, I know I made him say that, but … who cares!)

          “Yes, Yugi.”

          “If you’re over there, then who’s writing the story?”  

          The author smiled and turned to face them.   “Like any good story it is writing itself, I am merely an observer, a recorder.”

          “Please,” Kurama held her gaze earnestly, “write the end for us.”

          The authoress struggled within herself.  He was so cute! How could she resist him?  She looked at all the characters.  Bakura, Kenshin, Ash, Lan, Takuya, even Yue and Li were looking at her, adorable pleading faces all around.  And Julian unconscious…  Who could resist so many bishies?

          She walked over to the desk.  “The things I do for my bishies.” She muttered.  Pulling out a pen she began to write on the paper, but stopped when she felt twenty two pairs of  eyes on her (there are still twenty three of them, but poor Julian’s unconscious!)  She looked up - they were all looking at her strangely. 

          “What?” she asked in amusement, “You didn’t honestly think I use that thing did you?” she pointed to the quill pen. 

          They all face faulted.

          The authoress continued to write.  Finally she lay her pen down, and picked up the papers, tapping them against the desk to straighten them, and laying them down lovingly.

          “There.”

          “There what, we’re still-”

          And suddenly, they all vanished.   Every last one of them.

***

           “Sakura! Li!” Sakura blinked, and looked up to find Madison waving a hand before her eyes.

           “Hoe?”

           “Finally.” Madison settled back on her heels, “What was with you two?  You were just starring.”

           Sakura looked at Li uncertainly, he nodded. It had definitely been real.

           “Umm, nothing Madison.  We’re fine.” Sakura smiled at her best friend.

           “Uh, huh.” Madison didn’t look too convinced.  It was a good thing Meilin wasn’t here, because she wouldn’t have dropped it so nicely.

            Reaching inside her bag Sakura brushed Kero’s head.  Good – he was back too! 

           “Sakura?” a long shadow fell over her, and a soft voice addressed her quietly.  She looked up to see Julian.

           “Yes Julian?”

           He looked around uncertainly, “I just wanted to see if you were… alright.” His voice trailed off.

           She nodded, “Hai, I’m fine.

           “Are you… all right.” It sounded funny to Madison how Li stressed ‘all’.

           Julian knew what he meant, “Yeah, I think so.” He smiled and gave a nervous laugh, “All in one piece again!”

           “Again?” Madison looked around in confusion.

           “Ahhahahaha!” Sakura sweat dropped.  “It’s nothing Madison!”

 ***

           “And then there were these flying turtles, and walking bricks. And people yelling ‘the fuzzy bunny slippers are coming, run for your lives!' And the toadstool was alive, and his tiny house was huge inside!  And the window was just hanging there!”

           “Uh huh.  We believe you, Takuya.” Zoe sounded unconvinced.

           “Nice try Taki.” J.P. elbowed him, “you really had me going there for a minute.”

           “Will you ever grow up?” Koji asked in disbelief.

           “But it’s true!” Takuya insisted, “You’ve got to believe me!”

           “Hmm.” Zoe tossed her head and turned away, “Boys!”

           “I believe you.” Tommy said quietly.

 ***

             “Kenshin?  Are you alright? You’ve been really quiet.”  Kenshin looked up from his musings and into Kaoru’s worried eyes.  He smiled gently, taking her hand.

           “I’m fine.”

           “You know, maybe it’s something in the water.” Kaoru went on, “Misao and Yahiko have been acting strange too.”

           Kenshin chuckled.  Yes, they had been acting strange, but fortunately they wouldn’t tell anyone what had happened.  They were both too embarrassed at having been bested by that small swordsman with the fiery temper.  He began to stand, but then turned as one more thought hit him…

           “Miss Kaoru.” She looked up, “Do you know what a movie is?”

 ***

            “Brock! You’re really alright!” Ash was really happy to see his friend again.

           “Umm, yeah.” Brock nodded dumbly.

           “PIKACHU! Pika pi!” the yellow rodent chirped reproachfully at Ash.  Ash was being really weird.  They had all been right here all along.

           “Pikachu!” Ash enveloped his best friend in a hug.  Misty just smiled as she watched them.

           And somewhere not so far away James was babbling to Jesse as if he hadn’t spoken to (or seen) her in days.

           “What is wrong with you James!”

           “I ‘tink dat his hair’s on too tight.”

           “Oh, shut up Meowth.”

            *WHACK*

 ***

            “You okay little guy?”

           TK blinked. “Wh-what?”

           “You’ve been zoning man.” Ty said, removing his hand from TK’s shoulder.  TK looked at Patamon, wide-eyed.

           “Umm, I’m… fine.”  He said slowly.

           “Okay! Then let’s go!”

           <That girl was strange…>

 ***

            “Wow! That was incredible Megaman!”

           Megaman laughed from inside Lan’s PET. “Yeah, I gotta admit, I kinda liked having a real body.”

           “It was awesome! I wish we could do it again!”

           “LAN!” Maylu called from down the street.

           “Maylu?”  What was she doing here.

           “You’re gonna be late for training!” she called, exasperated.

           “Lan, it’s Saturday.  You didn’t forget did you?” Megaman half laughed (I love how he talks in the dub.  He’s always got that half laugh thing going on.  It’s cute!)

           “Well, I have been kind of busy.” Lan said.

           “You have training at Yai’s house today!”

           “Aww, man!”

***

           “Joey! Tea!”  Yugi ran up to his friends and hugged them.

           “Yug, you’re you again right?  I mean… both of you again.”

           Yugi smiled and hugged his puzzle, “Yep,” he beamed, “together again!”

           “What are you two talking about Yugi?” Tea looked puzzled.

           Yugi looked at her in confusion, and then remembered that she had made her, um… less than ceremonious exit before he and Yami had been separated.  “Well, Tea, you see-”

           “There was this weird blue fog and Yug and Yami…” Joey interrupted him, excitedly telling the whole story of their search for the authoress, well, all the parts he was there for anyway.

           Yugi felt someone watching them and turned.  It was Bakura.  He waved.  The white haired boy started, but waved back.  He approached timidly. His time away from his evil yami had been nice, but for the first time he had seen just how insane the spirit of the ring was.  It made him a little uneasy.  Still… Yugi was his friend.

            Tristan, Duke, Mai, and Serenity watched them from a short distance away.

           “Dude,” Tristan shook his head, “What is with them?  It’s like they haven’t seen each other in days.”

 ***

          The spirit detective and his crew suddenly found themselves back in the forest where the madness had all begun.  They looked around and were relieved to find themselves alone…

           No more characters from other universes.  No more crazy authoress. 

           Even Hiei let out a sigh of relief.

           Their mission was over, and it looked like everything was back to normal. 

           Well… almost.

           The authoress snickered.

   

           “Hey, guys?” Kuwabara asked, “are spirit beasts supposed to glow like that?”

 

… O_Ou …

 ~~~~

Edison Xavier (aka Bonzai!): That was ridiculous.  I am not a pokemon! So why did I only say one word over and over?! I have a Harvard degree in language for crying out loud! And my name is NOT Bonzai!

Take it easy fluffy! pats the fuzzy creature's head.

Edison Xavier: Grrrrrrrrrr

Fluffy creatures are stupid.

-.- And he was doing so well too.