The Slayers go to Disneyland
Entering the Gates
"I can't believe we get to go to Disneyland! Isn't this exciting Miss Lina," Amelia nearly squeals. The princess is wearing jean shorts with a pink Minnie mouse shirt and matching sun visor. She is rearing and ready to go.
"Yeah, as long as it's nothing like the last amusement park I went to," Lina mumbles. She obviously still remembers the dancing pig and penguin puppets well enough to never return to such a place, but Amelia is paying for this trip so how could Lina say no. Lina is wearing maroon jeans with pockets and a tight "Runaway Brain" Mickey T-shirt. She also has a jacket wrapped around her waist and stylish shades. She looks like a typical modern day teen, although her bright hair does stand out a bit.
The four Slayers, Amelia, Lina, Gourry and Zelgadis are waiting in a small line outside one of the many lanes that leads into Disneyland. The dark green gates stand open where cast members are taking their guests tickets and sliding them under a scanner. When most of the cards are swiped a magical sound, which can only be compared to sparkles, is heard on a small speaker above.
"What is this place Lina?" Gourry asks wearing shorts and a 'Hawaii' style shirt. "Is it magic?" Gourry continues as he watches the magical process of the cast members taking guests tickets.
"No Gourry its called technology and robbery," Lina says with slight agitation, adjusting her sunglasses.
"Miss Lina, this isn't robbery! We are merely paying for the delightful services they provide, which includes . . ." Amelia takes out a park map from her pocket and begins to rattle off what the park provides. ". . . parades, shops, rides, shows, eateries, and character experiences."
"Wow that's a lot of stuff," Gourry says.
"I don't need to come to an amusement park to experience those things," Lina says placing her hands on her hips.
"And if you continue on with that kind of attitude today you aren't going to have any fun, Miss Lina" Amelia points out.
"She's right you know," Gourry agrees.
"Yeah, yeah," Lina actually cracks a smile. "I just don't like waiting in lines is all, I'm holding back you know."
"I hate to think what you might consider 'character experiences' in your everyday life," Zelgadis muses. "Well your wait is over," Zelgadis nods ahead of them. The man is covered head to foot wearing beige cargo pants, an oversized 'Nightmare Before Christmas' sweatshirt and a backpack packed with goodies.
"He finally speaks," Lina laughs. "Alright let's have fun guys."
"Welcome to Disneyland," the gate keeper says as they walk through. Lina is surprised to see no hint of sarcasm in the woman's voice or demeanor. It is as if the woman is genuinely happy to be there. "Well that's nice," Lina says.
"Come on Lina let's get a picture in front of the flower bed," Amelia shouts and waves. "It's beautiful isn't it!"
"It's a mouse's head you know?" Lina giggles.
A train's whistle blows behind them as the E. P. Ripple comes to rest at its daily Main Street stop. The four friends pose in their common fashion for a picture, Lina and Amelia display proud 'V' for Victory signs, while Gourry looks blankly to his left and Zelgadis hides behind them all with his hood pulled down low, refusing to look at the camera.
"You're going to need to get over that Zel," Lina comments as she takes back their camera and puts it in the backpack. "We're trying to create 'memories' here remember."
"Lina what is that?" Gourry points at the train as it pulls out of the station.
"Gosh is this going to be you all day?" Lina gripes. "What's this? What's this? There's color everywhere!"
Zelgadis coughs as he holds back his laughter.
Patiently Amelia answers Gourry. "It's called a train Gourry, it's kind of like the transportation we took while in the outerworld with Filia."
"You should have paid closer attention to 'Swish42's' explanation of all things modern and reality before we got here Gourry." Lina rolls her eyes.
"But she was hard to follow," Gourry nearly whines. "She kept going off on long tangents about where Walt Disney's apartment is, the 'real' Casey Jr. train, and how a 'Small World' was a prime attraction at the World's Fair . . ."
No one responds.
"Well isn't that convenient," Lina wonders.
The three pass under a sign that reads the following in bright bronze letters,
"HERE YOU LEAVE TODAY
AND ENTER THE WORLD OF
YESTERDAY, TOMORROW
AND FANTASY"
"So when did 'The Matterhorn Bobsleds' open?" Zelgadis asks as he looks at one of the vintage looking posters under the bridge leading to Main Street.
"It opened in 1959 as the first steel tubular coaster in the country," Gourry says accurately. "It used to be a part of Tomorrow Land, but now it is considered a part of Fantasy Land."
"Interesting," Zelgadis says with a smile on his face.
"Oh look, it's a horseless carriage (aka trolley car), I always wanted to ride one of those," Amelia says racing towards it.
"I want to ride the omnibus," Lina glides on towards the bus which is about to break away from the curb.
"Hey, Zel what's that!" Gourry points to the large fake mountain located to the left of the castle. 'Sleeping Beauty's' castle is dwarfed in comparison to the structure of the mountain beside it.
Zelgadis's sighs. "That's the 'Matterhorn Bobsleds.'" He is very patient with his friend, there are far worse things that could take place at any minute and Gourry's forgetful nature is not a part of it.
"Strange to have a mountain there don't you think," Gourry says squinting his eyes and scrunching his nose slightly.
With a small smile Zelgadis agrees.
End
Authors Note: Well . . . I don't think anyone has done this before . . . and I think I know why. If I continue this story my goal is to, somehow, not end this story with a Dragon Slave.