Notes: Yeah, I know it's been a long time, but it's finally here. I'll be away for a couple of weeks, so the next chapter will come in August. Sad, huh? Don't worry, no matter how long it takes, this fic will be done! Oh yeah, and the Happy Heart in the Sunshine lyrics are courtesy of DJ Enigmaopoeia and BAM Global!
Pander Forever
Chapter 6: Late Nights
by ArchFaith (formerly known as the ArchPrincess of Saturn)
"Good evening folks! It's me, your happenin' cat, James Suneoka! It's the last match of the semi-finals! Who will win? Will it be Shorty and Hiro-kun, the hip-hop diva and the disco daredevil? Or will it be Pander, the cool fan-throwing fanatic? The match will begin in two minutes. Till then, a word from our local sponsor."
The cameras had been set up top of the log raft. Shorty and Hiro already stood on, whispering to each other, possibly to work out a strategy. I was still on the ground, next to Z and Capoeira. Nervous, not as nervous as I had been, but still nervous.
"Watch out for these guys," Capoeira warned. "Sometimes they're a little sneaky. They might have a trap or something."
"Also their attacks," Z added. "They can be hard to dodge."
"Y-yeah, I'll watch out," I answered, getting a little shaky. "Gee, you guys sure know how to make me feel better, don't ya?"
"Oh come on, Pander, it will not be that hard," Z replied, giving me a pat on the back. "Look at them. Hiro and Shorty. An Internet junkie and a candy addict. How hard can they be?"
I managed to smile. "You're right," I answered. "They won't be that hard."
"Pander darling! Please take your place on the raft!" Michael called threw a microphone. "We're starting a little early, since James had to explain the rules and all."
I stepped up to the raft and put my foot on it. It trembled a little, making me a little nervy again..."Heh, the raft always does that. But it never messes upmy dancing," Shorty giggled.
I scowled and tried to board. In the end, I had to crawl onto the raft, for my fear of things moving underneath me (especially in water) prevailed. I felt a little embarrassed when James swung himself into the raft with no trouble. "Alright people, this is how the match works," he said, addressing the audience at home. "Hiro and Shorty will each do their own dance moves, but in sync with each other. If they both complete their respective dance move, they get the points. But if one of them, or both of them, misses, they will gain no points."
Out of the corner of my eye I caught Shorty nudging Hiro in the ribs. He whispered something in her ear. It was louder than they thought, for I was able to hear a bit: "Just remember...move...when I say...win."
"Alright then! Enough of my babbling! Let's get it on! The theme is Happy Heart in the Sunshine." James leaped out of the way and stepped to the side. Michael held the scoring machine ready
"Thank goodness he didn't do a joke," I heard Capoeira whisper to Z.
I was positioned on the left side, while Shorty and Hiro, who had to squeeze in a little, were on the right. The music began to play. It had a medium melody:
Oh I'm missing you and wanna see you every day!
Deep in my heart, I'm longing for your love!
I need to feel the warmth of you
I wanna be in the sunshine! Shine on me with your love!
The song reminded me of Z and I. Not yet, he'd say, after...I was longing for his love, and I know he loved me, but...not yet.
The raft was moving, and I looked at Z from the corner of my eye. He was giving me a thumbs-up sign. Capoeira stood waving at me, while the camera crew was filming every moment of the way.
I was doing my moves perfectly. It was awesome! I never realized the way I moved was so graceful. Since the song reminded me so much of myself, I had no problem dancing to it.
Next to me, Shorty and Hiro were having problems. Whenever one of them were close to getting a Freeze, the other one would always get in the way. Hiro was doing his signature disco gestures when Shorty lost her balance and fell against him, losing the points. It caused a fair amount of cursing for both of them.
"Hey! This is international TV! No bad words!" Michael yelled into his megaphone. Both of them scowled and resumed dancing.
My score must have been high; high enough to win? The Dynamic Duo next to me kept messing up. Surely they wouldn't win...right?
I could feel the song going into its ending throes. I picked up speed and worked up a special route, going into Cool, then Chillin', then-
"Combo!" two voices yelled in unison. My mind was fixed on the BAG Trophy. How I would beat all the competition with my hands tied behind my back. Yeah...I hadn't been paying attention. By the time I noticed the objects-a giant plum cake and a photo of Hiro-coming close, it was too late...
BONG!
"Oof," I cried ungracefully, landing on the floor in a heap.
"Hahehahehahe." Shorty and Hiro's laughter intermixed with each other, creating a bizarre racket. "We'll win now," Hiro assured her.
I moaned and sat up. What? Almost over? No, that wasn't fair! I had to win! One, two, three, four...
Please, send me your signal of love!
The sign of loving me, I wanna feel your love!
Yes, my rambling heart's gonna get it!
'Cause I know there should be someone who truly loves me!
I am searching everyday! I am searching everyday! I am searching everyday!
It was over.
Z and Capoeira were staring at me, expressionless. Shorty and Hiro laughed while Michael and James tabulated the score.
Darn, if only I had been more attentive! But no, Pander got a big head all of a sudden, he's cocky now. He thinks he'll win everything, but you never know...
Please, lemme win.
Michael straightened his tie and looked into the camera. "Wasn't that exciting?" he asked the audience. "A real soap opera! Shorty and Hiro attacked at the right time! It seems that our winner is..."
Everyone leaned forward. The audience was probably leaning too, considering the amount of suspense. The finals. The finals! Who would enter the finals?
"Pander! Beating out Hiro and Shorty with just two hundred points!"
I sighed, relieved. I did it. But just barely.
"This warrants a Double Fever Time!" James yelled ecstatically. "Run the music!"
"Are you kidding!" Shorty asked angrily, jumping off the raft. "That was our match!"
"Now, now, Shorty darling, Pander won, fair and square. One little attack wasn't enough to get him down," Michael answered, winking at me.
"I don't believe it! How could he get into the finals! He's unknown in the world of Bust-A-Groove! We'd be much better!" Hiro insisted, standing next to her.
"Please Hiro darling, don't argue. He won. Now, for a Double Fever Time-"
"Forget it!" they screamed at the same time, storming away. Shorty grabbed Hiro's hand and they disappeared behind the maze of booths and rides.
James turned to the camera. "Well, it seems our two ultra losers have refused a Double Fever Time...this means..."
He turned to me, grinning. "Take it away, Pander!"
I smiled. "Oh yeah!" The Fever Time music started playing. I whirled my fan about and did several old style gestures, ending with my foot stretched out and my fan covering my face.
"Well folks, that about wraps it! We now have our three finalists-Robo-Z, Capoeira, and the bodacious Pander! We've already determined who's versing who tomorrow; since there are only three participants, our competitor who has received the highest score, Robo-Z, is automatically a contender for the BAG Championship. Our other competitors-Capoeira and Pander-who scored lower, but respectfully, will be competing tomorrow at 8 PM in Capoeira's spaceship. Stay sharp, and see ya later!"
I'm versing Capoeira? Capoeira! My good friends! How was that possible? I couldn't be versing them, I just couldn't...that wasn't fair...
The camera was switched off, and the crew was putting the equipment back in the boxes. I ran to where James and Michael stood. "Are you sure I'm versing Capoeira?" I asked them. "Can't I verse someone else?"
Michael whistled. "No can do, baby. A match is a match. And that's that."
"But-"
"No buts," James interrupted. "This stuff happens. Friend vs. friend. It's no big deal. If you guys really were friends, that's the way it will stay."
James and Michael turned their backs on me and began walking out of the Jungle Tours area, the camera crew lugging the equipment behind them. I was left there, in the clearing, wondering what to do.
Capoeira and Z had apparently heard my exchange with them. Capoeira went up to me and put their hands on my shoulders. "Don't worry, Pander. This has happened before. Whoever wins, wins. And we will still be friends, do not worry."
"I know," I answered. "I just feel strange battling you, that's all."
"The feeling is mutual," they replied.
"Should we not be heading back by now?" Z asked, looking around. "Everyone has departed."
We nodded and started heading to the highway, where we could get a taxi. As we winded our way out of the carnival maze, I looked back, for no reason except to remember. The shadow of the mansion loomed against the park, and I could now see that a light had been turned on in one of the rooms of the house.
There was a small figure standing in front of the window, looking down at me. I couldn't make out who it was, but they knew me. A larger figure came up behind the small one and gazed at me before gently pulling the small one away from the window and into the background. I could detect a girlish giggle emanating from the room before the light suddenly flickered and turned off.
-
"Welcome to the Match That Will Determine Who Goes to the very Final Round!" James cried, his eyes shining in the spaceship autopsy light. "It's Capoeira vs. Pander! Oh yeah baby!"
I stood uncomfortably next to Capoeira aboard their spaceship, which had been relocated to the top of the hotel. Everything by now was standard for me: the crew, James's stupid intro, Z standing off to the side...Z and Capoeira standing off to the side...but no, this time Capoeira stood next to me, stretching themselves out for battle.
"This match will determine who goes on to the Final Round!" James added ecstatically. "Now, are you ready?" He turned to face us. I realized that he actually wanted an answer.
I simply nodded.
"Yeah!" Capoeira shouted, doing one of their signature headstands.
James smiled. "Alright! The theme is Allegretto Break!"
He jumped off to the side while the intro started up. Capoeira's theme...I had heard a snippet of it a few weeks ago, but not all of it. It had no words, like Bi-O's theme...was that a good or a bad thing?
The theme started and I began to dance.
The music was mildly relaxing, and I danced easily to it. Capoeira knew their music and were dancing rather aggressively. Or at least it looked like it.
"Beginning...Beginning..."
The Beginning of what? Why had Capoeira picked this song? I would ask them later.
Still, it was a bit tough. The beat caused me to miss a few beats, while Capoeira missed none. I thought I was doing well, though. I managed to perform two Freezes before the second solo. But I had to shape up, or...
"Hehehehe..." Uh oh. Determined not to lose, I quickly reflected the attack, bouncing it back on the unsuspecting Capoeira. "Ah!" they screamed, falling to the ground.
"Oh...sorry," I whispered, knowing I shouldn't apologize, but feeling a bit uncomfortable attacking them. They quickly stood up and resumed their dancing, ignoring me.
I held up well, I suppose. My dancing was alright. Throughout all these weeks, my Japanese fan dancing skills had improved. Anyone who saw me dance for the first time would've thought I'd been dancing forever. And that was no exaggeration and no lie...
The rest of the match went smoothly. Capoeira didn't try any more attacks and I didn't have the guts to use mine. Soon, a hologram of Earth with a huge "Welcome to Earth" sign nailed to it appeared on the UFO window. It was done.
"My, that went rather smoothly, didn't it?" James asked, looking slightly annoyed. Everyone had probably expected it to a be an dramatic battle between friends, but it had been kept simple.
James quickly knelt next to Michael as they looked at the score tabulator. I turned to face Capoeira as the results were decided. "Kiki, Lala, I hope this won't affect our friendship."
Capoeira looked back at me. "Don't worry, Pander! Why would it? Friends are happy when other friends get breaks, right?"
I nodded, realizing it was true. I would be happy if Capoeira won. I should be happy if Capoeira won. But what if I wasn't...?
James stood and strode to stand between us. "Ahem," he began. "The results are in. And the winner, with 29,650 points...Pander!"
Wow. I won. It had somehow lost its magical feel when you were battling against a friend. Still, I faked a smile. Capoeira also faked it, but I could see they were upset.
"Now for a Fever Time! Pander, if you will...?"
"I don't feel like it, James. Too tired. Maybe next time."
"If there is a next time," I heard James mutter under his breath. He quickly covered up my reluctance to the audience. "Well, our champion, Pander, is feeling a bit tired right now. But expect a fantastic Fever Time tomorrow, when the WINNER of the Bust-A-Groove 2 Competition will be announced! That's right, Robo-Z vs. Pander! Can you taste the drama? Feel the excitement? Well I can! OH YEAH! See ya tomorrow at 9 pm sharp!"
James ended the transmission. Michael quickly stepped up to me. "Kanagawa Bridge, 8 pm sharp darling," he repeated. "It's an hour before the match starts, but we're having a pre-show, just like the Oscars!" He smiled and exited the spaceship via a steel ramp, pulling James with him, the crew tagging along.
"That was a good match," I told Capoeira, who had retreated to a corner of the room, their fists clenched.
"Yeah," was all they could say. "Listen, we would like to be alone for a while."
"Uh, of course," I answered. I turned and walked down the ramp, past all the alien control panels, past the Transforming Machine, down the ramp, heading for the rooftop door...
"Pander," Z said softly, putting his hand on my shoulder. Z had been watching the match intently, not saying a word throughout. I had completely forgotten he was there.
"Z," I whispered. He clutched my hand and we descended the stairs together, talking all the while. "Z, do you think I was wrong to refuse a Fever Time?"
"If you did not want to, it is perfectly fine," Z answered. "You knew Capoeira was upset, did you not?"
"Yeah, that's why. I didn't wanna rub it in their faces. They're my friends..."
"I am more than your friend, Pander."
I look at him in surprise. By this time we had reached my room. I pulled out my key and opened the door. "Come inside," I asked, gesturing. Z came in and set down on the bed, cross legged. I sat across from him, assuming the same position.
"I know you were a little sad because you caused Capoeira to lose, but that could not be helped. You won. And I am glad you did. Because I love you, Pander..."
He embraced me. It must have seemed strange to anyone watching-a human-panda being embraced by a robot. I hugged him back. "I love you too, Z. But tomorrow...I'm not sure about tomorrow..."
"When you verse me?" he asked. "Yes, it will be difficult. But I want you to win."
"But I wantyou to win," I answer, echoing him.
We laughed at the same time. "I can understand, Pander. We both want each other to win, right? Then...tomorrow, it will be every man for himself," Z suggested.
"Sounds good," I agree. "Tomorrow we put all our emotions aside, huh?"
"Yeah, you could think of it like that," he replies.
My eyes dart to the clock on the wall. "It's late," I observe. "I'd better be getting to bed."
"Yeah, so should I." He pauses for a while, then looks up at me. "Pander."
"Yeah?"
"Tonight, let us let all our emotions out."
"You mean...?"
"Yes."
I looked in the eyes. "Z..."
My hand brushes the back of his metal neck as I pull him in for a long kiss.
-
"Ahem, you two. Shouldn't you be up already?"
I open my eyes. Capoeira is hovering over me. I quickly sit up, my eyes still glazed from sleep. "Why so early?"
"Early? It's already 11 o'clock. Michael called an hour ago, but no one picked up."
"Oh? What did he say?"
"Well, we'll tell you if you wake Z up."
I turn to my left and see Z sleeping peacefully next to me. I blush.
Capoeira shake their heads. "You two lovebirds," Kiki commented. "While we pondered the agony of our defeat, all you two could do was go-"
"Don't be so hard on them," Lala interrupted. "Now Pander, wake Z up."
I nod. "Z, wake up," I say roughly, shaking him.
"Ugh...Pander, way too early...come on, come back to be-"
"Ahem, Z, Capoeira has something to tell us."
"Oh!" he exclaimed, bolting up. He pulled the covers over his body before facing the two aliens. "What is it?"
"Michael called an hour ago to remind you guys to be there by 8 pm so they can do interviews and all that. Pander needs to test out the helicopter, and Z, you need to grow."
"Helicopter? Grow?" I demand, not understanding. "I don't get it."
"I need to maximize myself for the match," Z explained. "This size right is relatively microscopic to my real size. And for this match, Pander, you are going to dance in a helicopter."
"Oh."
"Now come on, you guys! Shouldn't you eat breakfast and prepare?" Capoeira asked, tapping their feet on the carpet. "Don't slack off yet! Since we were defeated, we have become more aggressive about our dancing...and you should too! Don't take it lightly! C'mon!"
I quickly stand up and stretch. "(Yawn) Okay. I'm ready."
"Uh, Pander...you forgot to put this on," Z whispers. It turn to him and see him holding my only piece of clothing in his hand.
I look down. Oh man...
TBC
Note: Yes, I know this was a very long time in coming. Sorry for the delay! I was finishing La Rima Tibia and El Ritmo Frio, which hopefully all of you have read and reviewed! Anyways, I dunno if I can get the next chapter up until August, 'cause I got some vacation matters to attend to! But do not fret, Pander fans! This fic will be finished! If not in the next few days, then August! But it'll be done! I promise!
Note: If you're wondering, you know the two figures who are looking at Pander through the window after the Pander vs. Hiro and Shorty match? And the giggle afterward? Well, hehe, uh, I'll leave it up to you to figure out what they did...heeheehee.
And Pander and Z? It's obvious, isn't it? Yeah, they did. Kinda weird, huh? A human-panda and a robot... I can imagine it? Can you? Does it look pretty?
Wow, my notes are long this time. I was wondering...do any of you know where I can get a pic of Pander x Robo-Z?
