Note: All Bust-A-Groove elements belong to Konami.
Update: 11/21/04—Hey all you peeps out there reading my story! Well, this fanfic is now about three years old...pretty old, I'd say. I've been doing a clean-up of all my older fanfics, and this one's gonna be a massive undertaking! It's my longest fic yet...with over 27,000 words...and it's all about Pander OO Well, I loved him back then, as I do now.
And guess what? A community over at livejournal, ficbitches, reviewed this fanfic about a year ago! Here's the link to their review:
It's hilarious! The way they make the fic sound, oh man...go on and read it!
Anyways, I now present the newly-edited (but unabridged!) edition of Pander Forever!!
Pander Forever
Chapter 1: Pander's Beginning
by ArchFaith (first published under the archaic penname Maiden of Saturn)
Some people say I am a freak.
Do you think so? Have you seen me? Lucky enough to see me?
I live in a place called Pandemania. It is little more than a room, surrounded by television screens, where I watch TV all day. Strange images. I built this place for myself. Do you want to know why? Than I'll tell you.
-
I was born at the Tokyo Zoo, 31 years ago. My parents were respected Chinese pandas, born in Beijing. As a gesture of peace between Japan and China, my parents were presented to the Zoo where I was later born. I am told I was a cute cub. My Chinese name was Li Wei Sang. But everyone called me Dumpling. Dumpling the baby panda.
I was oblivious to the fact that other things besides bamboo and grass, a life beyond the fences of my family's enclosure. I lived there until I was twenty years old, a very old age for a panda. My parents had long since passed away. I spent my days looking cute for the tourists, and getting fat on treats. Until one day...
A man and his son were at the son, looking at me. "Wow! A real panda!" the boy yelled. I gazed at him and started my cute routine.
"Yeah, real cute," the man replied, not buying my act. "The thing's probably spent its whole life in there. Probably die in there. Gettin' fat on bamboo, looking cute as heck. Be glad we're human, son. Animals don't know anything about the value of life."
The man and his son walked away. I was stunned. The value of life? Life had value? Other than eating and sleeping? What was this value? I had to find out.
Having lived in the zoo for several years, I had memorized the zookeepers' patterns. Breakfast, lunch, a snack, dinner...and lots of feedings in between for the visitors. Everytime they came with the food bucket, they forgot to lock the small metal door that separated my enclosure from the control station. I could easily push it open and go through. I decided nightfall would be the best time. No one would be able to see a panda in the dark.
I lay low in the bushes until dinner, when the zookeeper came in. "Here Dumpling!" she called, walking in with the bucket. I saw the door partially opened behind her. I sped as fast as my legs could carry me, through the door, into the control station. I looked behind me. Poor woman, she was still calling for me. Never again would I hear her or any other zookeeper's voice, as long as I live!
I went through the station, little more than a desk and a window, and found an unlocked door. I pawed it open and looked around. The first time I had been out of my enclosure. The ground felt strangely hard as I stepped on it. Later I would find out the substance was known as cement.
It was nightfall. The last visitors were leaving the zoo. I crawled around behind trees and benches, being careful not to let the zookeepers see me. I thought I was safe. I had reached a gate, what appeared to be the exit to the zoo. Freedom!
"Attention! All employees! A panda has escaped from the enclosure! Find him and bring him back!" the loudspeaker screamed. I froze in my tracks.
"Think, Dumpling!" I thought. Should I just give myself up? Was it my destiny to spend my entire life in the zoo, like my parents? Or should I run?
I must've thought a long time. Next thing I knew was that some zookeepers spotted me. "There he is!" they yelled. "Get him!"
It was then I decided that to be free was my plan. I bolted out of the gate, out of the zoo, away from my old life. The zookeepers ran after me, but I was too fast. I ran as fast as I could, my heart thumping. After while, I stopped and turned around. They were gone. Given up. Too bad.
I surveyed my location. Over here the ground was black, painted with white lines. "Like a panda," I mused. "I guess these outside humans must really like pandas." I calmly walked across the ground.
"Hey! Move it!" an angry voice yelled.
I turned to see a strange creature coming at me. Ten times bigger than I was, steam emerging from its back, its eyes glowing!! Inside it were two humans, looking annoyed. I ran to the other side of the black ground and watched as it sped away. "What a horrible monster," I thought.
Later I would find out this horrible monster was something called an automobile.
-
Daylight. I opened my sleepy eyes and looked around. I was huddled under a bench, in a place full of large, grey buildings. It was early morning. There were one or two humans out, but no one saw me. I must've fallen asleep after my narrow brush with death the day before. I sighed. I got up, being careful not to let any humans see me. I crept in between the shadows of buildings. Being hungry, I looked into a container. There was some food there. It looked a little old, but still good to eat. I gobbled it down. "Hey you!" a voice called. "That's my garbage can! Beat it!"
I ran away. Maybe humans weren't so friendly. Soon I found another container. There was lots of food in here. It didn't taste that good, though. But since I was hungry, I ate it. Lots of humans, lots of containers with bad food. Still I ate. I must have lived like this, hiding from humans, eating food. I became lonely. Back in the zoo, many visitors would admire me. But here, no one cared about me. It must have been five days. I sat under a bench. I suddenly felt very dizzy. I tried to get up, but I stumbled back to the ground. What is happening to me!?
The last thing I remember is some humans noticing me, for I began to move under the bench. They'll take me back to the zoo, I thought. Nice going, Dumpling.
-
"Greetings, Earthling. Are you awake now?"
A strange voice asked me this. It seemed unhuman. But certainly not like an animal. Something else.
"He is waking up. Do not be afraid."
I opened my eyes. I was in this room. The walls were colored sliver, and so was the ground. Mounted on the ceiling was a bright light. I was strapped to a table. Two beings looked up at me. Were they humans? No...their skin was silver, their heads dome-shaped. Their eyes were yellow slits. They looked identical.
The people bowed. "We are Kiki and Lala, also known as Capoeira. We come from the planet Capoeira, and we specialize in Capoeira dancing."
I blinked.
"We were just cruising around in our spaceship, looking for a few speci--I mean, a few friends," Kiki said quickly. "When we turned our radar towards Tokyo, we spotted a panda."
"You," Lala concluded. "We decided to pick you up. You were suffering from severe food poisoning. A couple of humans were about to get you when we beamed you aboard."
"We treated you. You've been resting for about two hours," Kiki continued.
"And we have also given you the power to speak," Lala finished.
"The power to speak?" I asked. I froze. I had just talked human talk! "I can speak?!" My voice sounded so strange. Deep and low.
"Yes," Kiki answered. "We have implanted a chip in your head so you can now speak fluent human-talk!"
"Wow!" I exclaimed, unable to say anything else. "Thank you!"
Capoeira bowed. "You're welcome."
Just then a hatch opened. A person stepped in. This, too, was not a human or an animal. It had gold skin, with a metal head that contained blue slits. He had red wings on his back.
"Greetings," he said in a machine-like voice, bowing. "My name is Robo-Z Gold. I am traveling with Capoeira. It was I who first suggested that we pick you up and help you."
"Thank you very much," I replied with my new voice. Robo-Z looked into my eyes. He was very handsome. I liked him. I smiled.
"Well, now that we have given you our hospitality, we would like to know more about you," Lala said.
"Of course," I replied. "My name is Li Wei Sang, otherwise known as Dumpling..."
I gave them my life story, ending with when I awoke in the spaceship.
"Interesting," Kiki said. "So you ran away because you wanted more in your life?"
"Yes," I told them. "I want to live."
Robo-Z looked thoughtful. "Dumpling...if you want to have a good life, you cannot remain as you are."
"Then what will I do?" I asked him.
"Well...there is one way I can help you. I have invented a Transforming Machine. It will transform you into any type of creature you wish."
"Do you mean...transform me into a...human?" I questioned.
"You'll stand a better chance of surviving," Kiki told me.
"You'll blend in more with the crowd," Lala added.
"What do you say?" Robo-Z asked.
"I...I guess it's the best thing for me," I slowly replied.
"We'll get you ready," Capoeira said in unison.
Robo-Z nodded. "I shall get the machine ready. He walked out the door. I watched him leave. I could tell we going to be good friends.
-
Capoeira
Real Name(s): Kiki and Lala
Ages: a secret
Height: 155 cm
Weight: 80 kg (combined)
Origin: Capoeira
Dance type: Capoeira
Likes: tin signplates, sushi, acrobatics, African drums, money
Dislikes: detectives, summer, paranoid Earthlings
-
Robo-Z Gold
Age: 28
Height:
Weight:
Origin: Sydney, Australia
Dance type: Techno punk
Likes: milkshakes, warehouses, big cities, old '50s sci-fi movies, anything furry
Disliks: winter, water, vending machines
-
Capoeira injected some medicine into my veins, to lessen the strange feeling cause by transformation. A few minutes passed and they led me into an adjoining room. Robo-Z stood by a huge device. It looked like a giant blue metal box, with knobs and dials decorating its surface. "Do not be afraid. Step inside," Robo-Z told me. I went inside the machine. Everything was pitch black.
"Are you sure this is safe?" I asked them.
"Perfectly safe," Kiki replied.
"Hey Kiki, what about that test subject dog that we accidentally-" Lala stopped when Kiki stomped on his foot.
I sighed. "I hope I'll be okay," I said.
"There is nothing to fear while I am here," Robo-Z said soothingly. He was so nice.
Robo-Z stepped up to a control panel and pushed a few buttons. Steam started coming into the chamber where I was.
The steam made my body feel gooey. It felt like my molecules were melting. I seemed to sink into the ground. But slowly, I could feel myself getting taller. My legs were longer. My arms were too. My ears were on the sides of my head. I was not as chubby as I used to be. I felt so strange!
"Done," I heard Capoeira say. I pushed the door open with my new human hands. Everyone outside gasped.
"Dumpling..." Robo-Z began. "It worked...kind of. Um..."
"What do you mean, kind of?!" I demanded. A mirror was attached to the wall on the other side of the room. I ran over to it and looked at myself.
I looked sort of human...but my skin was still black and white! I was bald. I looked...hideous!!!
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!" I screamed. "What happened?! What have you done to me?!"
Robo-Z ran over to me. "Do not worry. It was all a glitch. We shall fix you up so you look like a real human!"
"I don't think that will happening anytime soon," Kiki said. He pointed to the Tranformation Machine. Black smoke sputtered from its circuits. Wires burst out of their sockets.
"It seems to be broken," Lala explained.
I was crazy. "I look like a freak!" I screamed. "No! This can't be! I'd rather have stayed a panda than look like this!"
"Shhhhhh," Robo-Z hushed, putting his hand on my shoulder. "It is alright. We shall fix the machine, then change you into a human. Or a panda, whichever one you choose."
"Robo-Z," I muttered, all I could say.
"Say, maybe we should get something to cover you up," Kiki suggested.
I looked down. "Humans aren't supposed to go naked, are they?"
"Nope. Here," Lala said, holding up a piece of cloth. "This is the only piece of clothing we have on the ship. We got on discount at the department store."
I slipped the clothing on. It felt strange. "This is what male humans wear?" I asked.
"According to our studies, yes, Dumpling," Kiki answered.
"Hmmm...Dumpling," Robo-Z said thoughtfully. "I think we should change your name. Dumpling is not a proper name for a human."
"Should we use my Chinese name?" I asked.
"If you wish...but wouldn't you like to make up a new name for yourself?"
"Yes," I replied. "But what should it be?"
"Well, you are a panda," Lala said.
"And you were wandering around when we found you," Kiki added.
"Panda Wandering," I said thoughtfully, testing it. "No, that won't do. How about—"
"Paning!"
"Wannda!"
"Panwan!"
"PANDER," I said. "Pander. That is my name."
"I like it," Robo-Z told me. "It's so becoming of you."
-
I had to get used to my human form over the next few days. Humans did things so differently! I had to ask Capoeira and Robo-Z to show me how sometimes. But in a while, I grew accustomed to walking on two legs. And wearing the strange piece of clothing below my stomach. It was weird.
About a week after I had transformed, I stepped into Robo-Z's room, meaning to ask him about the human way of going to the bathroom. There was loud music playing in the room. Robo-Z stood there, doing some strange moves. It took me a while to realize he was dancing. It was a fast-paced dance, which he performed well against the electric music. After the dance ended, he turned around and saw me. I stood there in awe of his skill.
"Pander, I did not know you were there," Robo-Z said.
"Uh...sorry, Robo-Z, I just wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Um...what was that dance you were doing? It was fantastic!"
"My dance?" Robo-Z walked over to the recording device. "I dance techno punk. I have been dancing ever since I was created."
"What is your song?"
"It is called Acid Line."
"Acid Line." The name sounded good. "Tell me, Robo-Z...is dancing something that humans do?"
"Yes, humans love dancing. Why, just last year, Capoeira and I attended the Bust-A-Groove Dance Competition in Tokyo. We did not win, but earned high rankings...of it were not for that cat girl..."
"Could you teach me how to dance like that?"
"You? Well...I do not know. Let us see. Try dancing with me right now."
I tried dancing with Robo-Z and imitating some of his moves, but I just couldn't. It was too fast. I kept stumbling and falling.
"No, I do not think techno punk is the right dance for you," Robo-Z told me.
I rose, determined. Dancing. Dancing. DANCING!! I knew now that I had been born to dance!!!
Just then Capoeira came in. "Are you trying to teach Pander how to dance?" Kiki asked.
When we answered, Lala replied, "Well, if techno punk isn't for you, we would suggest capoeira, but another partner is needed to perform that."
"I must learn!" I pressed. "Suggest some other dances."
"Breakdancing?"
"No."
"Rollar-blade dance?"
"No."
"Jungle?"
"No."
"Disco?"
"No."
"Zombie?"
"No."
"House?"
"No."
"Rap?"
"No."
"Ballet-jazz?"
"No."
"Sexy hip-hop?"
"...Do you realize how I would look?"
"Well, those are all the dances we can name," Kiki finished.
"There is one dance you have not named," Robo-Z replied.
"What is it?!" I asked excitedly.
Without warning, Robo-Z whipped out something from behind his left wing, and flung it into the air. I ran to it and caught it right before it hit the ground. It was a long, skinny object. I realized it could be folded open. I unfurled it.
A fan.
A white fan with a red circle in the middle of it.
I stared at it.
"Pander...that fan was given to me by my creator, Dr. Johannes Fitchenstein, when he created me all those years ago. When I left Earth to go to the planet Capoeira, I kept it with me. You see, Dr. F. wanted me to dance Japanese fan dance at first, but I wanted techno punk. He told me to keep and when the time was right, surprise someone with it. I threw it into the air to see if you could catch it. And since you did, the fan is yours."
"Thank you, Robo-Z," was all I could stammer out. I stood up.
"Japanese fan dance, huh?"
-
Pander
Real name: Dumpling Li Wei Sang
Age: 31
Height:
Weight:
Origin: Tokyo, Japan
Dance type: Japanese fan dance
Likes: food, underwear, television, neon lights, robots
Dislikes: zoos, dirty fingerprints, thin hotel walls
-
I bent my left knee and put both hands out in front of me. I then snapped my fingers, and the fan appeared in my hand. I had been practicing.
As it turned out, Capoeira happened to have some old Japanese fan dancing videos. It was an ancient artform, danced mainly by geishas in modern society. I learned to imitate the slow movements and refined gestures, improving every day.
As for my song, Robo-Z had managed to mix together several tapes he had. We had finally come up with a mix that suited me: A very fast-paced melody, with slow rhythms also included. I dubbed it "Enka 1".
I had been practicing to my song for a while. Finally, I was able to go through the whole part without a mistake. I finished and did my Fever Time. I took a deep breath and suddenly heard someone clapping. I turned to see Robo-Z standing in the doorway. "Robo-Z!" I cried. "You were watching me?"
"Yes," Robo-Z answered. "You are very good now, Pander. I was wondering...it is one week to the beginning of the Bust-A-Groove 2 Competition. Would you like to enter as well?"
"I suppose," I answered. "Do you think I'm good enough?"
"You are great," Robo-Z replied, coming closer to me. "How long has it been since we met, Pander?"
"I would say about a month."
"It seems like I have known you for much longer than that."
"Yes, it seems that way to me too," I said. We looked into each other's eyes. In next second, we were both leaning in for a kiss when Capoeira entered.
"Oh! Are we interrupting something? Don't mind us, we'll just stand here until you're done," they both said. Robo-Z and I looked at each other and sighed.
"Capoeira, Pander has decided to enter the competition with us," Robo-Z told them.
"Really? That's great!" Kiki said.
"Wow. I think it's the first time anyone has entered the competition using Japanese fan dance," Lala added.
"If it's the first time, I'll show them how to really do it!" I cried excitedly.
Capoeira nodded. "We need to register three days before the competition," Kiki explained.
"But you keep practicing until then. We'll land the ship on the outskirts of Tokyo in four days," Lala finished.
Capoeira stepped out of the room. The mood having been ruined, Robo-Z turned to me. "I shall see you later, Pander," he said awkwardly, before exiting the room.
Robo-Z. I think I'm in love.
-
Robo-Z didn't say much to me during the next few days. We were all practicing for the competition. I invented some new moves and perfected them. Capoeira explained that I would need a second outfit if I wanted to dance. Kiki suggested a different colored cloth to wear below my stomach. Lala suggested I wear something on my head. I promised myself I would get something when I got to Tokyo.
The BAG 2 tournament was to start on a Friday night and end 10 days later. On Wednesday morning, Capoeira landed the UFO in a grassy field just outside of Tokyo. Robo-Z and I helped them cover the ship with leaves. Capoeira and Robo-Z then donned trenchcoats and hats. I had to wear them too.
"If the humans see us as we are, they will become alarmed," Robo-Z explained. "But once we get to the BAG 2 tournament, no one will mind."
We hailed a taxi into the city. I vaguely remembered seeing the buildings, from my escape from the zoo. It seemed so long ago that I had been in the zoo, doing nothing. I had changed much. I wish I could go back and see the zookeepers, to show them what I had become. Pander Dumpling Li Wei Sang. Who knows, maybe they would be watching the competition on TV.
The registration and competition would start at the specially-built BAG Stadium. It would then be broadcast from the opponent's different stages. The taxi swerved onto the street where the entrance was. Capoeira paid the tab and we entered the Stadium. I saw a long line of people waiting to register. Many wore outrageous costumes and carried various accessories. Capoeira and Robo-Z removed their trenchcoats and hats. I did the same. As soon as the people saw my companions, they cleared a pathway. I had heard that Capoeira and Robo-Z had been popular at the first tournament. I was kind of nervous, as I wasn't wearing as much as the other people. Robo-Z looped his arm around mine and led me toward a special table.
The sign of the front of the table read, "Returning Competitors."
A man was standing at the table. I could what he was saying as we approached. He was wearing a white disco outfit, with purple shoes and greased hair.
"Horatio di Carvelli? We don't have you registered as a returning competitor," the woman at the table was saying.
"Oh yes, that's right. Last year everyone called me Hiro-kun."
"Hiro-kun?! W-welcome back, sir! I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you!" the woman stammered.
"That's perfectly fine," Hiro answered, taking a pocket mirror out and checking himself in it.
"Always the same, huh Hiro?" a voice called. A girl ran in front of us. She wore blue overalls and a white shirt which revealed her shoulder. Her hair was done in pigtails and a mouse sat on her head.
Hiro turned. "Shorty. Long time no see. You sure have changed," he said.
Shorty grinned. "You haven't changed at all," she laughed. "Hey, I thought you were afraid of talking to women?"
"You aren't a woman," Hiro commented.
Shorty scowled and walked up to the table. "I'm Sakuya Tomohura, from here in Tokyo. I'm 13."
"Miss Shorty, welcome back to the competition," the woman greeted.
Shorty grabbed the registration papers and smiled. "Well, at least I got a higher score than you did, Hiro."
Hiro frowned. "100 more points isn't that much." He picked up the papers and they walked out. "Well, Shortstuff...to show no hard feelings, how about going out for some ice cream? My treat."
Shorty brightened. "Ice cream? Sounds great, Hiro-Hiro." They walked out of the Stadium.
Robo-Z turned to me. "Ah, Shorty and Hiro-kun, two of the best dancers in last year's competition. They've always had a kind of rivalry going on. Hey, we're next." We stepped up to the woman. Capoeira went first.
"Kiki..."
"and Lala..."
"collectively known..."
"as Capoeira."
"We're from the..."
"planet Capoeira..."
"and we can't..."
"tell you our ages."
"Ah, Mr. Kiki and Mr. Lala. Welcome back. Here are your papers," Capoeira took the papers and stepped back.
"I am Robo-Z Gold, from Sydney, Australia, and I'm 28 years old," Robo-Z said. He got the papers and pushed me to the table. "I know this guy is not a returning competitor, but he is my good friend. Can you fit him in?"
"Of course," the woman replied. "Your name, your hometown and country, and your age."
"Well, I'm Pander Dumpling Li Wei Sang," I answered. "I'm from Tokyo, Japan, and I'm 31 years old."
"Right, sir. Here are your papers." I took the papers and read them. It was a form to fill out. I thanked her and we walked out of the stadium.
-
Hiro(-kun)
Real name: Horatio di Carvelli
Age:21
Height:
Weight:
Origin: Rome, Italy
Dance style: Disco
Likes: gorillas, palm trees, hair gel, cocoa, lasagne
Dislikes: mice, talking to women, Shorty when she teases him
-
Shorty
Real name: Sakuya Tomohura
Age: 13
Height:
Weight:
Origin: Tokyo, Japan
Dance style: Jungle hip-hop
Likes: mice, palm trees, cocoa, lasagne, cute older men
Dislikes: gorillas, hair gel, Hiro when he teases her
-
"We have to be back here in three days," Robo-Z told me as we all walked away.
"Hey, how about we stay here in Tokyo until the tournament?" Capoeira asked.
"That would be a great idea," Robo-Z replied. "What do you think, Pander?"
"Of course, if that's what you want," I replied.
"Yeah! Let's stay at the Tokyo Garden Hotel!" Kiki suggested excitedly.
"We have lots of yen, thanks to our signplate auction we had a few months ago," Lala added.
I walked up the street with them. Capoeira walked in front. Robo-Z and I walked behind them, Robo-Z holding my hand and pulling me along. Many people stopped to stare at us. At first I was embarrased, but I realized it was my friends who were getting all the attention.
"Look! It's that robot!"
"The brothers Kiki and Lala! They must in this year's competition!"
Capoeira and Robo-Z casually walked on. "Only one more block to the hotel," Robo-Z told me.
"Hey you guys! Long time no see!" a voice said. We all turned around. A man and a woman stood behind us. The man was wearing a white shirt and pants, decorated with a flame design. His hair was fiery red and a cowboy hat hung down his back. The woman wore a short dress that looked like a waitress outfit. Rollar blades were strapped to her feet. A blue apron and a hat, decorated with a star completed her revealing costume.
"Heat!" Robo-Z greeted. Heat and the girl came over to us.
"Hey Robo-Z, hey Capoeira!" Heat greeted. "Going to this year's competition, huh?"
"You bet!" Kiki answered.
"We're gonna beat you this time, Fireboy!" Lala added.
Heat laughed. "Maybe," he said slyly. He glanced at me.
"Heat, I'd like you to meet my new friend, Pander," Robo-Z said. "He's also in the competition."
"I'm pleased to meet you," I said shyly.
"Pleased to meet you too," Heat replied, smiling. "Oh, how rude of me. I forgot to introduce you to my new girlfriend. Robo-Z, Capoeira, Pander, I'd like you to meet Comet."
The woman flashed a smile. "Hi!" she greeted. "I'm in the competition too! I'll be filling in for my big sister, Frida."
"Frida's not in this year?" Kiki asked.
"Nah, she decided to travel around the world to improve her art skills," Comet replied. "I decided to go in her place."
"Well, we better get going. On a date, ya know?" Heat said, putting his arm around Comet. Her rollarblades made her look taller than her date.
"Nice meeting you guys," Comet called as they walked away.
"I always thought Heat liked Frida," Lala commented. "But her little sister seems nice. Hey, let's get going!"
We continued walking until we got to a fancy building. It stood many stories tall. Limos and expensive cars gathered around it. We went in.
"Hello. We would like three rooms, please," Robo-Z said to the person at the desk.
"Of course, sir," the man replied.
As we rode in the elevator up to our rooms, I felt myself getting sleepy.
"We have a long day," Robo-Z told me. "You should get some rest." He walked me to my room. To my surprise, he kissed me on the forehead. "Good night."