Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi copyright Renagade Animation/Cartoon Network
"Numb" and "New Divide" by Linkin Park
Darkness And Shadows
Chapter 01: More That What He Seems
It was Noontime at the imfamous "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" Tour Bus.
Inside the japanese pop stars were practicing with their instruments.
just as they starting getting into their little song...a door slammed open
"GIRLS!"
"GAH!"
"YAHH!"
Ami and Yumi fell down in shock.
they looked to see a short balding man standing there.
It was their Manager.
Yumi groaned.
"ugh, what is it, KAZ?
we're kinda Busy, here." grumbled the purple haired girl
Kaz smiled innocently.
"oh, don't mind ME girls.
i just wanted to make an wonderful announcment."
Ami smiled.
"What is it, Kaz?" asked the Pink Haired girl
"Well, as you know: keeping this place in order can be a real challenge.
and, despite my Best Efforts, i can't really do it alone.
so, reguardless of how much i HATE to spend money...
i took the time to scout around and hire us new "Roadie."
"Roadie?" questioned Yumi
"YEAH!, someone who'll keep the Tour Bus clean
drive us to where we need to go, and help us with any of our problems."
Yumi smirked.
"sounds more like you hired us a Butler."
Kaz scowled as her.
"So, when we our new Roadie arrive?" asked Ami
Kaz looked at his wrist watch.
"Actually, he should arrive any minut-"
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Kaz, Ami and Yumi looked towards the Bus's sidedoor.
Kaz finally walked over and opened it.
Ami and Yumi saw an american boy around their age.
with shaggy dark brown hair, light blue eyes and plain looking clothes.
"Oh, JACKIE!
so good of you to-"
"WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA LEAVING ME BEHIND YOU LITTLE KNOME!" shouted Jackie, angrily
Kaz gulped.
"well, i-"
Jackie walked in, and glared at Kaz poking at japanese man's chest as he spoke.
"Your lucky i even accepted your job! (with the kind of pay YOU offered.)"
"What's wrong with Five Dollars a da-"
"But, THEN, you had the nerve to take off an leave me.
I had to pay twenty dollars in taxi cabs JUST TO FIND THIS BUS!"
"Well, i-"
Yumi chuckled silently, enjoying every moment of this.
"I have the right mind to just QUIT and be done with thi-!"
"NOOOO!"
Kaz drops down and clings to Jackie's feet and ankles.
"Oh, PLEEEEEASE don't quit!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THESE GIRLS PUT ME THROUGH!"
Jackie rolled his eyes.
feeling a bit uneasy as an elderly man bawling like a baby.
"Yumi keeps stinking up the bus with her sweaty socks!
and, I can't even walk without tripping over Ami's plush toy collection!
and, don't even get me started on their pet cats!, those little monsters ar-"
"ALRIGHT!, I GET IT!" snapped Jackie, knocking Kaz off of him
"but, if you want me to stay so badly then, i expect to be paid ALOT better than Five Bucks!"
Kaz gulped hard.
"Uhh...how about TEN Bucks?"
"an hour."
"WHAT!"
"It's either Ten-an-Hour...or, "The Door."
Kaz's eyes grew moist and his lips quivered.
"Alright...DEAL!" said Kaz, crying
Jackie groaned in disgust.
"oh, get over yourself."
Jackie grabbed a LARGE knapsack and walked over the bawling man.
he then approached Ami and Yumi (who both smiled at him.)
"GREETINGS, Jackie-San!" exclaimed Ami, smiling wide
"I am Ami Onuki!"
Ami then grabbed Yumi, pulling her closer.
"and, this is Yumi Yoshimura!"
Yumi waved, smiling sheepishly.
"Well, I'M Jackie Lincoln." said Jackie with a smile
"SO, you two are "Puffy AmiYumi", eh?"
"YEP!, you a fan?" asked Ami
"no." said Jackie, bluntly
Yumi grinned.
"Just wait til' you hear us play, then.
I guarentee you'll Change-Your-Mind!"
"Maybe later.
right now, i just want to get unpacked in my room."
Ami then spoke and pointed.
"There's a spare room in the back over ther-"
"Thanks."
Jackie walked off with his knapsack.
the two girls heard a door open, then slam shut."
"wow." began Ami
"not very Social, is he?" said Ami
"yeah...i like him, already." said Yumi with a smile
[The Other Room]
Jackie sighed sharply as he looked at his "new room."
he still wasn't sure WHY he accepted that job offer from that "short bald guy"
but, here he was...working as a Roadie for traveling Japanese Pop Stars.
Jackie dropped his knapsack on the bed.
he unzipped it and dumped the contents onto the bed.
most were just spare clothes for him to wear.
though, there was also a black PDA-like device some random CD's and DVD's, some framed pictures, a Photo Album.
and, finally: a metal suitcase with a padlock on it.
Jackie paused, sighing sharply.
he then reached over and grabbed a picture frame.
he looked at the picture for a moment...then, frowned sadly.
the picture was of himself and a girl with long blonde hair.
Jackie touched the glass of the picture frame gently gliding his finger over the image of the girl.
"jenny..."
a tear formed in Jackie's eye.
he quicly wiped it away, sniffing loudly.
he finally placed the picture frame on a table.
he then sat down, sighing deeply as he grabbed his face and rubbed it.
BEEP-BEEP!
BEEP-BEEP!
BEEP-BEEEEP!
Jackie eyed the black PDA device.
he reached over, grabbed it and turned it on.
Jackie read a text message.
he sighed, then tapped in an reply.
upon getting another message, typed in another response then, turned the PDA off and laid it down on the bed.
he outstreched his arms and yawned loudly.
feeling tired, he laid down on the bed and immediatly took a nap.
[Atlanta City, A Few Weeks Later]
Jackie was in the main room of the tour bus (which was ALOT like an RV, than a Bus)
minding his own business as he swept the trash and clutter off a messy floor.
it had been Two Whole Weeks since he first became the "Puff AmiYumi Roadie"
while it wasn't the "best" job in teh whole world, he really couldn't complain.
Ami was so Sweet and Kind, that she made him feel right at home.
she almost acted like she was his "Little Sister" or something.
Yumi was a little more "different"
while she wasn't as "clingy" as Ami was.
Yumi made it clear that she enjoyed Jackie's company.
Jackie could almost swear that she was "Flirting" with him.
Even Ami and Yumi's cats liked him.
(or, liked him enough to sleep on his bed a couple of times.)
Still, things weren't all "Candy-and-Roses" on the tour bus.
Kaz annoyed Jackie to no end with his Greedy Personality and, Jackie DID have a job to do in keeping the bus tidy.
one that Ami and Yumi (unknowingly) made increasingly difficult
"MAN, how can two girls make such mess!" exclaimed Jackie, annoyed
"it feels like i've swept this floor Eighty-Seven Times just this week!"
Jackie widened his eyes at what got caught his his broom.
he then picked off what looked like "women's underwear"
it was Dark Blue and had skulls on it (indicating that it was Yumi's)
Jackie grimaced as he tossed the article of clothing away.
"I don't even wanna know HOW that got there."
RING-RIIIING!
RING-RIIIING!
RIIIIIIIIIIIING!
Jackie sighed as he reached for a cellphone.
he looked at the Caller ID, which read "KAZ" in bold letters.
"ugh, now what does that munchkin want?"
Jackie flipped it open and held the phone to his ear.
"Hell-"
(("AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"))
Jackie cringed at the sound of screaming and, rapid japanese words.
Jackie just sighed as he spoke calmly into the phone.
"(deep sigh) what is it, Kaz?"
(("JACKIE!, Please come over to the Atlanta City Park RIGHT AWAY!"))
"Why?, is something wron-"
(("JUST DO IT!, or I'LL BE RUINED!"))
Jackie sighed as he closed the phone, narrowing his eyes.
"ugh..."
Jackie dropped his broom and walked to the driver's seat of the bus.
he turned the keys in the ignition and drove the bus towards the park.
[An Hour Later]
Jackie drove to the park...which was CROWDED with people.
they were all gathered at a stage, chanting angrily.
(("WE WANT AMIYUMI!, WE WANT AMIYUMI!"))
Jackie grimaced.
"Yeesh, tough crowd."
Jackie parked the Bus (someplace hidden) and got out.
and, ran to the back of the stage and climbed up it.
there...he saw Kaz, who was a nervous wreck..
Jackie approached him and tapped on his shoulder.
"yo, ka-"
"YAAAAAHHH!"
Kaz jumped up in fright.
he finally saw Jackie...then, got mad.
"JACKIE!
what do you think you are doing, coming here so late!"
"Well, i-"
"FORGET IT!
I'm having a Crisis here!"
Jackie rolled his eyes.
"do tell."
"Okay, I WILL!
Ami and Yumi went to a local mall this morning, AND HAVEN'T COME BACK!
I've left them Thirty or more messages on their Pagers, BUT STILL NOTHING!
the crowd is growing restless!, JUST LOOK AT THEM!: they look like Angry Wild Cats!"
"O...KAY.
so, wadda ya want me to do, go find Ami and Yumi?"
"NO TIME!"
Kaz throws Jackie a Gutar.
"You have to go onstage and fill in until ther girls can get here!"
Jackie widened his eyes.
"WHAT!
y-you expect me to- I CAN'T SING!"
"You'd BETTER...or, "PuffY AmiYumi" is DONE FOR!"
Jackie grumbled to himself.
he REALLY didn't want to do this.
but, what Kaz said was true.
unless these fans got what they wanted...Ami and Yumi's career's would be OVER.
"fine...but, just ONE SONG."
"You'll sing as LONG-as-POSSIBLE!
now, get out there...BEFORE THEY START DEMANDING REFUNDS!"
Kaz forcefully shoved Jackie pass the curtains and onto the front stage.
Jackie looked and saw Dozens upon Dozens of teens and adults staring at him.
"WHOSE THIS LOSER!" exclaimed a man
"THIS ISN'T PUFFY AMIYUMI!" exclaimed a woman
"WHERE'S PUFFY!
(("WE WANT PUFFY AMIYUMI!, WE WANT PUFFY AMIYUMI!"))
Jackie sighed as he tapped on the standing microphone.
"Uhhh...sorry, guys." began Jackie, his voice amplified
"But, Ami and Yumi are running a TINY bit late.
i'm the opening act, so your all gonna have to be patient."
the crowd soon quieted down.
though, the Angry Scowls didn't leave they're faces.
"WELL!, what are you wating for Dipstick!: PLAY SOMETHING!" shouted a man
Jackie closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
he strummed the strings on the gutar...making a Horrible sound.
Kaz began to cry from back stage.
"Is THAT it?" said the man
"YOU SUCK!" shouted a woman
Jackie scowled at the people and growled.
"Keep your shirts on, I'M JUST WARMING UP!" exclaimed Jackie
Jackie kept strumming the gutar's strings.
at first, the music he played sound offkey and horrible.
but, as the seconds went by...he slowly got better.
Jackie finally started strumming a rift, which sounded VERY professional.
it was THEN, that the crowd fell silent and listened to him play.
and, when Jackie opened his mouth to sing...he sounded remarkable.
"I'm tired of being what you want me to be...
feeling so faithless, lost under the surface.
I don't know what you're expecting of me.
Put under the pressure, of walking in your shoes..."
Kaz widened his eyes, amazed at what he was hearing.
"he...he doesn't suck?"
Jackie continued to sing.
"Every step that I take, is another mistake to Yoooooou."
Jackie smiled, as he strummed a powerful rift.
which pretty much drove the crowd WILD.
"I've...become So Numb (I can't feel you there)
Become so tired, so much more AWARE
I'm becoming This (all I want to do)
Is be more like ME, and be Less-like-YOU!"
The crowd was roaring and cheering.
Kaz himself jumped for joy, feeling happy.
"YE-ES!, HE DOESN'T SUCK!"
[Meanwhile, Elsewhere]
Ami and Yumi were riding a taxi cab (which was driving PRETTY SLOW.)
"would you PLEASE hurry up!" snapped Yumi
"We have a concert to get to, AND, IT'S ALREADY STARTED!"
the driver scoffed.
"keep your skirt on, lady.
we'll get there...Eventually."
Yumi clenched her teeth.
"i don't want to get there "eventually", I WANNA GET THERE "NOW!"
Ami grabbed her friend's shoulder.
"Yumi, CALM DOWN."
Yumi exhaled as she sat back in the seat.
"look, if you want to blame somebody: BLAME ME.
i was the one who took so long trying on those dresses."
Yumi looked at Ami.
"it's my fault, too, Ami.
I was the one who forgot to bring a watch."
Ami smiled.
"Don't worry, Yumi...we'll make it.
and, then we'll "Rock" like no ones ever Rock before!"
Yumi smiled.
"yeah."
just then, the cab stopped at a traffic light.
Yumi then scowled, feeling her blood boil with anger.
"assuming of course...That We EVER GET TO THE CONCERT AT ALL!" shouted Yumi loudly
[Hours Later]
The Taxi Cab drives up near the park.
as Ami and Yumi get out, the driver rolls down his window.
"that'll be Fourty-Two Dollars, dollface."
Yumi growls, then punches the man across the jaw.
as she storms off, Ami laid Two Twenties and a Five on his body.
"keep the change!"
"ohhhhh..." groaned the man.
"Your welcome!"
Ami turned and left with Yumi.
the two girls started running into the park.
"COME ON!" exclaimed Yumi
"our fans have probably torn the stage apart by now!"
"Oh!, Kaz must be So Scared!" said Ami
halfway into the park, the two girls heard the sound of cheering and loud music.
they both stopped in the tracks and paused, feeling a little confused.
"whoa...is it just me, or are we ALREADY playing?" said Yumi
Ami listened.
"That doesn't sound like OUR Music."
Yumi ran ahead, Ami followed.
they soon reached the center of the park.
where they saw crowds of people cheering and screaming.
they looked to the stage...and, widened their eyes like saucers
their mouths gaped wide upon seeing Jackie (their Roadie) strumming a gutar and singing.
he sounded like a Professional.
"I remembered Black Skies, the lightning all around me...
I remembered Each Flash, as time began to Blur.
Like a startling sign, that fate had finally found me
and, your voice was all I heard: That I get what I deserve."
"is...t-that JACKIE!" asked Ami
"i...t-think it IS." replied Yumi
"So give me REASON, to prove me wrong, to wash this memory clean.
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes...
Give me Reason, to fill this hole, connect the space between
Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies: Across this NEW DIVIDE!"
Yumi gulped hard.
"my gosh...he-HE ROCKS!" said Yumi, stunned
"yeah...i know." said Ami, equally stunned
the two girls finally snuck pass the crowd and, headed up onto the backstage.
they approached Kaz (who was looking through the curtain, grinning like a Fool.)
"Kaz?"
"YAAHHH!"
Kaz jumped up, startled.
he looked and saw Ami and Yumi.
"Ah, Girls!, you made it!"
"uhh..Yeah, we can explai-"
"NO TIME!
just get ready, you on after Jackie."
Yumi stared at Jackie from the backstage, still amazed at his talent.
"how...long has he been singing?"
"oh, this has been going on for HOURS.
the crowd is just Eating-It-Up!, ha-hah!, i'm going to make a Fortune!"
Yumi continued to watch and listen still mystified at Jackie's performance.
Finally, Jackie's song came to an end.
the crowds roared loudly as Jackie walked backstage.
he had a scowl on his face as he handed the gutar to Yumi.
"here, your fans are waiting.
I have to finish cleaning the tour bus."
with that, Jackie walked off and left.
"B-But-"
"GET OUT THERE, GIRLS!" exclaimed Kaz
Yumi sighed sharply.
she and Ami got on-stage and began to play.
though, the whole time...Yumi's thoughts were on Jackie.
Author Note: This is the first chapter of a Puff AmiYumi fanfic that I have been ACHING
to get written after spending years going over it in my head since the show was New.
while this is Clearly based on the Cartoon Characters
i'll also try to mix the history of the Real Life Ami/Yumi in as well.
This will become a Crossover later on.
though, i'm keeping the true nature of said crossover to myself for now.
Bottomline, I wanted to get Jackie Lincoln's character and backstory out there.
he's Puff AmiYumi's new Roadie..whose suffered Tragedy and has talent at Music.
and, Yumi already has a "crush" on him (Yes, Yumi IS my favorite.)
I chose to include Linkin Park songs, because those guys rock.
AND, because the songs do well to subtely describe Jackie's character.
