Author's Notes: WOW, 10 comments and 11 watches – never knew I would get this much so early on. Thanks a lot, that means so much to me. And with that said, let's gladly continue on with the story.

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The Welcome

Out of nowhere it suddenly appeared – the other side of the circluar blue portal grew outwards into imaginary existence. And out of the shimmering liquidy blue light, stepped Stan and Kyle. Still holding hands and with the portal shrinking and finally disappearing behind them, the two looked around their surroundings in order to get not only a feel but a check on where they actually were now. They now found themselves in an ever-stretching field of knee-high flowers. The wind swayed lightly to the side and blew the mix of pink and lilac flowers back and forth with the rays of sun shining down on the plains. The hills were in an almost rhythm-like pattern of ups and downs on the horizon with the odd large tree here and there to make the surroundings feel that extra bit natural and welcoming.

"Well, we're finally here." Kyle spoke.

"Yes, we are." Stan replied – looking around again to the amazement and almost dream-like quality to this first region. "But...where is 'here'?"

"Ummm..." Kyle laughed – rubbing his head. "Y'know, I have no idea." He laughed again.

"Great...we've ended up in the middle of Imagination-nowhere. What next?"

"Now come on Stan, we've got to be somewhere. Besides...doesn't this place look lovely, already?! At least we've found ourselves somewhere that looks stunning."

"But not as stunning looking as me, I hope." Stan smirked to which Kyle laughed.

"Of course not...nothing could match you, my dear." He smiled gracefully at Stan. "Now come on...let's go find a nearby village and ask for some directions." And upon kissing Stan on the cheek, he took his hand again and the two began walking out of the flower fields and onto a nearby brick path.

As they followed the zig-zagging path up and down the hills across the land, Kyle went back to his thoughts. Of course, he had already planned for what him and Stan were going to do for this anniversary get-away – some of which he were definately keeping a secret for later. But now, it was just a case of planning out their journey across this wonderful and even surreal World. Although they had only been back here a few times in the past years of their present life, Kyle pretty much knew every key area of this World like the back of his hand. It was all just a case of finding them, which of course, they needed directions and better yet, a map for.

"Oh, this weekend is going to be SO wonderful, Kyle. Just you and me together in this World...what could I possibly ask for more than this?" Stan spoke softly – leaning his head on Kyle's shoulder as they continued walking.

"Don't you worry...there'll be plenty of surprises on the way, I assure you." Kyle responded in a just as soft voice – masking his inner sneakiness that he was keeping for later. He saw Stan raise a brighter smile at the response and this caught Kyle in a smile again too.

A few minutes later, the hills came to their highest peak so far and the two were now gazing over at a nearby countryside-like village in the near distance. The brick path was beginning to make its descend down to the village, so Stan and Kyle decided to follow it down – believing that they could get directions from the inhabitants of the visible village.

"HEY..." A voice shouted from nearby. "YOU TWO...over here!" It cried again. Stan and Kyle focused on following the voice and looked to their left. There were no signs of any people or beings in that direction. "Over HERE..." The voice cried again but there was nothing apart from a small wooden sign to the side of the road. "...ME...the sign-post!"

Startled slightly, the two walked over to the wooden sign. "YEH...hey there...the name's Bill – Bill Board."

"A talking sign?" Kyle asked in confusion.

"Yeh...that's new." Stan added – just in as much confusion as Kyle.

"What...I'm not NEW...I've always been here. Jeez, you two really need to get with the Imaginary times. HEY, now that I've got a good look, you two look like you're not from around here..."

"How can you tell?"

"Well you sure don't look like the residents around here, that's for sure. If you're thinking about heading down to that there village, you better prepare yourself..."

"For what?"

"For the residents there – they sure are an odd bunch down there in Manapme Village."

"We're just looking for directions, that's all. Can you help us?"

"What do I look like to you, a charity? I'm a sign-post for Imaginary's sake...I'm sure there are plenty of residents down there that can help you."

"Oh...well, thank you anyway." And with that said, Stan and Kyle began to make a descend down the hill and towards the village.

Ten minutes later, the two found themselves in empty streets. Every cobbled road and paved sidewalk was completely deserted and not s ound was heard. Although the streets looked old and victorian-like, the houses and buildings meanwhile had an old surreal look to them. Whatever they were, they were certainly not buildings that would be seen in the two's hometown that's for sure.

"Hello?" Stan called for the umpteenth time, but nothing replied back. "Anybody here?" But as they went on more, Kyle began to get the feeling that they were being watched from the side-streets and dark shadows of the village.

"Ummm, Stan..." Kyle spoke with unease. "...maybe we should leave."

Stan could feel Kyle's grip on his hand tighten slightly. "Relax...I'm sure there's someone around here."

"No, it's not that. This place...it's starting to give me the creeps a bit."

And Stan could easily tell, by the grip that was feeling ever so tighter on his hand. Finally, the two found themselves in a circular park-like area. The many streets and roads of the village finally led into this central area and there was only them and the centre fountain that was between them in fornt of them now. Around them, a few of the park trees and bushes began to shake – gradually building up as they continued walking down the cobbled path.

"Stan..." Kyle spoke again – feeling even more unsure about the surroundings.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Stan replied – feeling Kyle leaning into him on his right side.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a small green pixie-like creature appeared – falling out of a large green bush. Staring in both shock and confusion, they looked at the creature.

"Errr...arghhh...please, don't hurt me, don't hurt ME." The creature spoke in its sweet little voice.

Stan moved close to the creature which at the same time, began to move back even more. "Hey, we're not going to hurt you."

"Y-you're not?" The creature spoke – startled slightly. "Then...who are you two?"

Stan looked at Kyle who gave him a soft nod. "Well...we're from the real World. We just need someone to navigate us in the right direction – we're kinda lost."

Suddenly, the green creature began to fly up in the air with its fairy-like wings. Gazing closely at the two faces, a thought began to run through its head. "Hey...you...you can't be, surely. But...you look so...familar."

"What are you talking about?" Kyle asked.

"You two...do the names Stan and Kyle bear any sort of signifance for either of you?"

"Ummmmm...yes, they're OUR names."

And as soon as it heard that response, the creature's large shining blue eyes widened and a huge smile appeared on its face. "IT'S YOU – THE HEROES of our World." The word 'heroes' somehow rung a bell with Kyle's mind. "Hey...EVERYONE..." The creature shouted. "...it's OK...they're not enemies! They're THE HEROES!"

What Stan and Kyle saw happen next was both remarkable and at the same time, slightly odd. The once empty and silent streets and surrouding areas began to fill up with some of the most unique, most recogniseable, and at times, the most wierdest creatures in all of Imaginationland. The more seconds passed, the more the streets got full and crowded and as they soon saw, the crowds were gradually moving towards them – forming a circle around them. It wasn't long before Kyle soon realised where exactly they were. He knew that the name 'Manapme Village' was familar to him in one way or another. The village was home to some of the most well-known manga, anime and japanese characters that had been created and imagined in the real World. All shapes, all sizes, all genders, all types and even all ranges of wierdness – this was the main residence for where these characters lived.

As soon as the park area was full of characters surrounding the two, the village mayor – a flying blue fairy with white wings, moved forward out of the leading group of fairy creatures, and began. "Greetings fellow heroes. I am the mayor of this village. It is an honor to have your presence here."

"Ummmm...you're welcome." Stan replied in still slight shock. "You people sure do like us around here, huh?"

"Like?!" The mayor fairy laughed. "How could we NOT like the two individuals who saved our World all those years ago. Thanks to your heroic deeds and absolute pure goodness in our great land of Imaginationland, you have made yourself two honory guests in this World. Now please...make yourself comfortable here – our village certainly welcomes you two." To which, the crowds around them called their voices of agreeance.

Stan and Kyle simply looked at one another and smiled.

"Shall we make this our first stop for the weekend?" Stan spoke in a soft smiling voice.

"Yeh...let's." Kyle replied with cheerful eyes.

Thirty minutes later, the village was back to its regular busy and noisy self. The imaginary characters and creatures resumed their daily business throughout the village and Stan and Kyle had found a nice spot to stop and relax. Although it was called 'Manapme Village', that certainly didn't reflect on its actual size. The area was nowhere near as small as a normal village was. In fact, the area was a bussling relaxing countryside-like town full of cottage-like buildings and bizarre structures and cobbled streets. Not only that, but it had its fair share of parks and rivers and right at the far east boder of the area, a giant gorgeous-looking lake. The clear-blue water sparkled wonderfully from all angles and stretched across like a beach view. The sky was of a romantic shade of pinks and oranges which mixed in with the clearness of its blue essence. Apart from the cobbled path that linked the lake and the east entrance to the village, the lake was surrounded by forests of incredible height and slick short-cut grass. There was the odd large tree here and there scattered around the edge of the lake on the grass that gently let go of the floating pink and white leaves onto the ground. And it was underneath one of them that Stan and Kyle found themselves now.

After getting greeted and pulled everywhere by the hordes of imaginary characters that were delighted to see them, a few hours later, the two had finally been worn out enough to take a rest. With his back resting against the smooth body of the oak tree behind them, Stan lay leaning on his own body across. With lazy eyes and soft smiles on both their faces, Kyle rubbed his arms across Stan's chest and hugged him closely. With his body arched to the side, Stan looked up at his boyfriend with the sun shining through the openings in the above branches, and smiled.

"You sure do know a lot about these people, don't yer'?" Stan spoke having heard what Kyle had to say about this place a little while ago. Looking around at the many other creatures and characters who were enjoying the day beside or actually in the lake, he looked up again to see Kyle with a smirk on his face.

"Oh...you have no idea Stan."

"Should I have an idea?"

Kyle smiled. "Only if you're interested."

Stan found it slightly odd that Kyle knew so much about anime and anything that related to it. Over the past few years, Stan learned that he had turned from a fan into a fanatic about it. It had seemed so far that Kyle had the right knowledge in hand about this place and what was going on. As Stan moved his body uo slightly and turned around, Kyle blushed a little and moved his eyes away slightly.

"What's wrong?" Stan asked softly.

"Oh...nothing..." Kyle smiled with his eyes slightly closed. He then looked back at Stan and put his hand on Stan's cheek. "...it's just...you look so amazing in the sunlight."

"You always say that, Kyle." Stan smiled back.

"But I mean it – you look SO right and perfect in the sun. Like some kind of...angel or something..."

"Angel...well, OK, this is getting to be a little silly now."

Kyle smiled and giggled a little. "Well that's what I think. My perfect, bright, shining angel Stanny..." And without warning, Kyle moved his head forward and gave Stan a long kiss on the lips – the first of its kind so far in Imaginationland. The kiss felt warm – the sun must have warmed his face a little, Kyle thought, as he pressed his lips up close onto Stan's.

"HEY...WAKE UP...HEY!" A girl-sounding voice called from behind Stan. Breaking away from their kiss, Stan turned around and looked just as Kyle focused his attention on the little blue-light fairy that was floating just above the grass now. "HELLO..." The fairy spoke again. It didn't take long for the two to spot that behind the blue fairy were more light-based flying fairies. "HEY...LISTEN..." The blue fairy spoke to which the other fairies began.

"Awwwww...so cute...yes!"

"I've always wanted to meet the two heroes..."

"How long have you known each other?"

"AWWWWW..."

"Well?!"

"Is it nice to kiss and hug?"

Stan and Kyle simply looked at one another in slight confusion. "Looks like we won't be getting any 'US' time at the moment." Stan spoke quietly to Kyle.

"Yes...unfortunately. Looks like we may have to get a move on to our next destination and..."

"HEY...LISTEN..." The blue fairy rudely interrupted. "LISTEN...LISTEN...HELLO...WAKE UP...HEY..." Now they were both starting to get slightly annoyed by the blue fairy and its repeating words. "WAKE UP...LISTEN...HEY...LISTEN..."

"Ah...I know who this fairy character is." Stan spoke.

"You do?"

"Yeh...and I have to say...THIS character should really be on the other side of the barrier wall." And it was easy to see why Stan thought that. Having witnessed this character's annoyance in the past before, Stan knew all about this specific fairy all too well.

Later that afternoon, after breaking away from the group of surrounding fairies and making their way back to the other side of the village, Stan and Kyle were ready to get back on their journey across Imaginationland. The mayor had once again rounded up as many characters as he could to give the two a pleasant 'goodbye' sending off. Placing the bagpack back on his shoulders and taking hold of Stan's hand, Kyle gave his final words to the residents of the village.

"Thanks a lot for making us feel welcome...and thank you again for the map." He smiled – looking down at the map in his other hand. The map contained a huge detailed visual on the entire stretch of area of Imaginationland that they had found themselves in, upon their arrival. To the south was their current location and for the rest of the area, the map was filled with curious, interesting and at times, surreal names and locations that caught Kyle's attention in more than one way.

"I'm so happy that you two enjoyed yourselves here in our village and we hope to see you two sometime soon in the near future." The mayor spoke in a just-as-delighted voice as he flew up into the air again.

"Well...shall we get going Kyle?" Stan smiled.

"Yes, let's..." And with that said, the two began to walk off down the cobbled path away from the village to their next destination – holding hands and with smiles on their faces.

"Goodbye heroes...and enjoy the rest of your journey..." The mayor finished which was followed quickly by hundreds more 'Goodbye's and 'Farewell's from all the other characters.

Within a few minutes, the sounds of the village disappeared into silence and the countryside-like fields of purple and lilac flowers opened up in view once more.

"So, Kyle...where will our journey take us next?" Stan smiled to Kyle.

"Oh you'll see Stan, you'll see."

"Does that mean you have something planned, hmmm?" Stan smirked with an eyebrow raised.

"Maybe...like I said...you'll SEE."

"Well then...I can't wait."

And as Stan looked forward again, Kyle took a quick glance at Stan and smirked secretly to himself – his inner-giggles filling his mind as he went over what he had planned at their next destination, over and over again. If Kyle was to follow the pattern he had set for their stay here in Imaginationland, he would need to make sure he didn't go over-board with what he had planned. But at the same time, that didn't mean that Stan was going to get it easy, Kyle thought – no matter what future surprises and treats Kyle had planned after this one, he was still letting go of some of his sneaky and flirty side, one way or another.

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Author's Comments: The story is going to get a lot more romantic and smutty as the story progresses as that last paragraph suggests, so we've already had the beginning stage of that progression. Extra points for anybody who knows what character I was referencing there in that chapter.