Planes, trains, and KIDS FROM HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This chapter sees the team board the train, and take off for Pinjarra.

Special guests included----DRUM ROLL

Yours truly, my son--Minion 363, Goku--a.k.a DSM(Deaths silent mistress), Zell and Chibi Mina!!!!!! TAtatatataAAA!!!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis or The Hotham Valley Railway, and ONLY J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter!!!!!!!

NOTE: In the anime, Kaido often insults Momo' by calling him a monkey. In this story, that insult has been changed for my own reasons, so please don't fuss.

Planes, trains, and KIDS FROM HELL

Part 2

The team could hardly believe their ears when Tezuka calmly announced at breakfast, that they would be boarding the "Wizard Express" steam train in the port town of Fremantle in three days time and that night, eight youths crammed into Inui and Kaido's room to make their plans. Mr Minekura had been most generous in his aid for this venture and the boys eagerly crowed round the two large boxes the principle had provided.

Sitting a large, pointed wizard hat on his head at a jaunty angle, Eiji laughed, "Well? What do you think?" Oishi smiled, swept a matching star spangled cape over his friend's shoulders and stood back to admire his handy work.

Rummaging through the costumes, Momo found a black hat all wreathed in orange and red flames, and tossed it to Takashi, who sheepishly tried it on. "It suits you." Turning to Fuji, the Bristle haired youth said with a laugh, "I can't believe you pulled it off!! But---" he paused to snigger mischievously, "something tells me you didn't quite tell him--everything about this trip!"

Pulling on a black robe with a large golden dragon on the back, Fuji's silent smile spoke volumes.

"I knew it!" cried Momo with a huge grin splitting his face. Tossing a deep blue tunic and pair of black foam demon wings at Ryoma, Momo chuckled, "This is going to be great!"

Sourly eyeing the costume in his hands, Ryoma let them fall unheeding to the floor, then turned his back. "I am not dressing up."

"Nor am I." Agreed Kaido with a hiss. Eiji turned appealing eyes to them, his hands out and fingers outspread. "But--the rest of us are! Come on! Mamushi, O Chibi!" But both boys were adamant, no way they growled, was it going to happen. Inui hummed a moment, the overhead lighting reflecting off his glasses so they flashed menacingly. Both Kaido and Ryoma traded nervous glances, then gulped as the taller teen menacingly advanced on the pair, a large jug brimming with bubbling flouro green fluid held before him like a beacon of doom. Pale eyes almost straining from their sockets at the sight of the jug's malevolent presence, Kaido practically dived into a nearest box, whipped off his normal green and white bandana, and replaced it with a purple and silver moon one, all in one, swift flowing movement. Stooping to pick up discarded wings and tunic, Ryoma very quietly asked the smug juice wielding Inui, "What time did Kikumaru sempai say the train left?"

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Thursday morning dawned bright and clear. Three excited, two embarrassed, one sheepish and two smug looking Seigaku regulars accompanied by their dignified captain and a smiling Kioshi with his ever-present assistants, climbed into the waiting mini bus not long after sunrise. Watching quietly as his team stowed their gear bags, Tezuka couldn't help but wonder why they had insisted on dragging the bulky objects along and his small feeling of foreboding grew when they kept putting their heads together in an almost conspiring manner. Crossing one leg over the other, his arms tightly folded, Tezuka started to wonder if he was going to regret this.

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It was nine fifteen by the big station clock, when the mini bus rolled into Fremantle. Pulling up in the drop off zone, the bus's big side door slid open and everyone happily leapt out, Except for Tezuka, who stepped down with his normal dignity, then froze, his placid, thoughtful eyes taking on a hard, frosty gleam. Following the line of his gaze, the others saw a small group of children decked out in wizard robes rapidly approaching the train station from across the nearby road. Turning his deadly glare onto a now squirming Fuji, the captain said in a menacingly calm voice, "Wizard Express. I see." A stray breeze sprang up to tug at his wind swept looking golden-brown hair. Close by, a seagull let out several raucous calls. Screaming tension built up and broke as Tezuka started to reboard the bus. Instantly intercepting his progress, Kioshi Minekura calmly asked the poker faced captain what he was doing. "Leaving my team to their own devises."

Kioshi's ever-present smile temporarily faulted, then returned, showing a broad expanse of very white teeth as he grinned. "But Tezuka-san, all the tickets have been paid for!! I insist you accompany your team mates!!"

Standing perfectly still, his arms folded across his chest, the irritated youth did a remarkable impression of an immovable boulder. Sidling up to his captain, Fuji spoke gently. "Please join us Tezuka."

Looking sternly down his nose, Tezuka found himself seemingly trapped by Fuji's open-eyed cerulean gaze. Although he would rather die than show it, he found the effect---unnerving. Yet, he bent at the hips until he was staring directly into those unearthly glittering orbs.

"And if I refuse?" he almost whispered into the youth's face.

"I would be sad." Came the equally soft reply. Bowing his head, eyes closing, Tezuka's only answer was, "Hmm." A distant shrill whistle suddenly broke the silence that followed this quiet conversation.

Drawing himself up, Momo stepped up to Fuji and Tezuka, as they still stood practically nose-to-nose. "Oi! If you two have finished kissing, the rest of us would like to watch the train come in!"

"Yeah!" cried Eiji pulling on Oishi and Ryoma's arms. "Come on! Lets see the steam engine!" Towing a smiling Oishi and grumbling Ryoma in his wake, the fire haired, springy youth raced into the train station, with most of the team trotting at his heels. Closing his eyes once more, Fuji nodded to Tezuka, who stiffly returned the gesture. With the air of a man about to face a dentist's drill, he followed Fuji and his disappearing team into the station.

With a lot of drawn out hissing, a large PM 706 red steam engine chuffed its way noisily past the platform, much to the delight of several photographers, a handful of kids and a group of wide eyed youths from Seigaku. Behind the steamer was a green XA diesel, with the train of green and tan carriages flowing behind it. Slowing almost to a stand still, one of the steamer's crew tugged down on a dangling cord. An ear splitting drawn out whistle and bellowing clouds of smoke filled the air and the train shuddered to a halt.

"Awesome!!" cried Eiji, his deep, blue eyes round in his excitement. Moments later. An electric train from Perth, purred its way onto the opposite track, parking to disgorge a load of passengers. Sitting silently, the modern train looked like a toy against the hulking presence of its elderly steaming counterpart.

Studying the great distance between steamer and platform, Ryoma shoved his hands into his pocket, then grumbled, "Mada mada dane. So how do we get to the train?"

Kaido let out an irritated hiss. "Cross the tracks?"

Just then, a teenage boy wearing blue wizard robes and a battered looking, red pointy hat, set up a large banner that read: "Wizard Express---Platform nine and three quarters."

Striding forward, Inui said, "We'll ask him."

Smiling broadly at the groups approach, the youth airily waved one hand and gestured to the steam train with the other, a long wooden staff held firmly in his grip.

"Welcome folks to the Wizard Express!!" he practically yelled in his enthusiasm making Ryoma wince. Chuckling, Eiji looked down at the scowling boy and asked, "What's he saying?"

"He is saying--welcome." cut in Fuji smoothly. Turning his smiling gaze on the young wizard, he calmly inquired as to how they would board the train, in his well-practiced English.

"This is what happens. At nine forty-five, the train will back up, change tracks and then pull in to the platform. See that? They're running the engines around now."

As one, the group turned to watch as first the XA, then the red PM 706 trundled past with a drawn out blast of its whistle. Thanking the wizard, Fuji wandered down the platform to take photo's of the engines as they backed into position at the head of the train, and the others watched as a crowd slowly gathered. Nearby, train staff in their black and white uniforms gathered around two men wearing red shirts and red badges that marked them as tour managers. Tezuka eyed the group and was mildly surprised when one of the staff, a tall, dark haired girl with a long pink, black and white scarf draped loosely around her neck, returned his stare with equal intensity.

Reminded of Fuji, he folded his arms and then turned his head to seek out the youth. The girl smirked at the obvious dismissal, then turned her gaze onto Eiji who blinked in mild surprise to find himself under close scrutiny. For a long moment, he stared back before turning to Momo, the girl's superior sounding chuckle ringing softly against his ears.

"So when do we--" he trailed off to meaningfully jiggle the gear bag slung over his right shoulder. Grinning wickedly, Momo looked at Tezuka's back then signalled the others. Fuji strolled up and as one, the group made for the toilet block. Watching them giggle amongst themselves, Tezuka's small feeling of doom grew a little more.

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He was watching the train back up to begin it's entry run, when a cheeky giggle at his back made him silently brace himself, then turn to look. His entire team stood there, decked out in magical outfits that almost made him want to shudder. Momo and Eiji were decked out in star spangled robes of red and purple, their grinning faces hidden by cat and mongoose masks, while Ryoma stood scowling in a deep blue tunic, with large black and gold demon wings standing out from his shoulders. Takashi was dressed as a red dragon and Oishi looked like some kind of hellhound in his furry black tunic. Inui and Kaido both wore matching black robes held closed with wide belts of imitation snakeskin. The captain was about to walk off and silently curse the universe, when Fuji belatedly joined them, and Tezuka couldn't help but stare, his cold eyes widening a little. The youth looked striking in a flowing robe of deep black, it's loose sleeves trimmed in shimmering gold. A foam hat carved into the shape of crouching gold dragon adorned his head and for the groups benefit, he executed a graceful catwalk twirl, to display a magnificent golden dragon on his back.

"So what do you think?" he asked quietly. A loud chorus of approval greeted his question, and Tezuka nodded in silent agreement as a pleasant expression stole into his eyes.

With a long, sad moan, the train pulled into the platform squealing to a hissing halt. A door opened and three figures emerged to circulate among the milling crowds. A tall, grey bearded wizard waved his magic wand and called greetings, while his shorter companion strode up the trains length also calling a welcome. Behind them, a Hippogriff moved slowly as she shook hands and posed for photos.

"Hey Fuji sempai!! Take a photo!!" Laughed Eiji as he rushed up to the mythical creature. Throwing an arm around her neck, he called out, "Hurry up everyone!!" amidst a chorus of giggles and groans, the team gathered round the bemused hippogriff, then had their photo taken, courtesy of the young wizard as he past by.

Train doors opened, and people began to stream aboard. Just before they reached their carriage, Eiji suddenly whipped out a hat from under his robes and pounced on his captain. "Here Tezuka, wear this!!" Carefully, the youth balanced a hat similar to Fuji's on the young mans head, then stepped back with a cheesy grin. For a long moment, Tezuka's impassive face spoke volumes, as he stood carved from stone, while crowds of noisy kids passed by at close range to excitedly board the train. Tilting his head just enough so the hat fell to the platform with a sad plop, Tezuka then stalked on board, found his seat at the end of the carriage, then sat firmly. With his arms tightly folded and eyes turning hard, he fell into an ominous silence. A vein on his brow throbbed ever so slightly, and Eiji could have sworn there was steam pouring from his nose.

Pulling out the large envelope containing their tickets, Eiji read the accompanying letter, then passed it to Fuji with a grin.

Scanning the paper, he announced, "It says here there are many activities on board and face painting."

Sitting bolt upright in his chair, the red head whipped off his mask, then cried, "Oishi! Lets go get painted!" Without waiting for a reply, the youth scampered off up the carriage, a smiling Oishi following slowly. Momo stood up to join them and Fuji also decided to explore. Passing their coach captain who smiled warmly through his beard, blue eyes twinkling, they entered the next carriage, completely packed out with lively families and a lot of kids. "Better keep Tezuka out of here." joked Momo as Fuji asked a different staff member about face painting.

Turning his head so Fuji got a good view of the black spider painted on one cheek, the coach captain said in slow, steady speech, "Yeah mate, just keep walking up the train and you'll find the painting car." Thanking him, the group proceeded through a third, equally packed out carriage, then entered a large open floored car boasting three small, paint bearing tables.

Pleasantly surprised to hear Japanese anime music blaring on the cars large CD player, the four youths from Seigaku approached a solidly built woman who sang along to the music, while cheerfully painting a dragon on her hand. Glancing up, she did a surprised double take, drew aside her apron, looking at the air brushed picture painted on her T-shirt and then at Eiji with enormous eyes. Scratching his chin, Eiji thoughtfully remarked to Fuji how much the painting seemed to resemble himself, then flopped into the chair opposite, a huge grin splitting his face.

"Can you give me---" he paused a moment to study the overhead art board, "---a cat?"

"Ah-- sure." answered the woman after a long incredulous stare at the Seigaku quartet. Asking Eiji to lean close, she swiftly painted a black cat on his cheek and Fuji then took his place.

Fixing her with a serene smile, he gently laid a hand on the table and quietly said, "Surprise me." Swallowing hard, she proceeded to paint a cactus on him, with slightly shaking hands. Pleased with the painting, he thanked her. Next it was Momo's turn. Purple eyes twinkling, the bristle haired youth looked at the art board, then asked for a snake. In the background, the CD belted out a lively electric guitar tune, filled with a strong drumbeat and interjected with a few sharp cries and what sounded like gunshots. Muttering something under his breath about suddenly craving donuts, Momo admired the woman's handy work, then stood up so Oishi could have a painting too. Half way through, Ryoma marched into the carriage to stand behind Momo, head down and hands thrust deeply into his pockets. After Oishi received a lovely tropical fish on his face and Ryoma declining the offer of his own painting, the five departed, the sounds of Kimeru's 'Chain of Mind' floating on the air behind them.

The next car along was obviously set up as a kiosk. It boasted a long red bench, two large fridges and a long shelf filled to almost overflowing with a large variety of chip packets. In the background, a gleaming silver urn hissed and steamed quietly. Momo found his attention draw by several boxes of chocolate on display, then turned to catch the eye of one of the six people gathered round the far end of the bench, as they made slabs of fairy bread at a somewhat frantic pace. Among them, was the tall, dark-haired girl from the platform who stabbed at the tub of butter before her as though trying to kill it and spreading it across the bread with what the bristled haired youth felt, was unnecessary vigour. A constant stream of non-stop muttering flowed from her, making Momo dig Ryoma playfully in the ribs and whisper, "Remind you of someone Echizen?"

Sourly, he listened a moment while she quietly ranted, her blond haired companion freezing to stare at the group in fascination, butter knife poised unheeding. Blinking, she seemed to jerk herself out of her trance and get back to business, while her friend mumbled on. "Stupid damn fairy bread train from hell, how did I get talked into this. Stupid, damn Kabaji and her death by hundreds and thousands. Death by sugar overload, stupid leg! Death by sore knee, death by kids, death by muttering..."

Surreptitiously poking Oishi's arm, Eiji leaned his head over to say "Kabaji? That's just too weird..."

Shrugging, the dark haired youth replied it would have to be a different Kabaji, then turned to Momo as he purchased chocolate from a pleasant faced elderly woman with a lot of colourful badges adorning her shirt collar.

"Let's go see the rest of the train."

Happily unwrapping his prize, Momo followed the others. Floating in his ears as the group left, was more sullen ranting.

"Death by pie explosion, death by open windows so you freeze, death by too much anime..."

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The narrow walkway connecting the carriages opened out into a second spacious car, much like the painting car had been. But this one was nearly bursting at the seams from a river of wall to wall balloons covering the floor, almost fully concealing two large twister mats at each end, in their drifting riot of colour. Several large wizard pictures hung from the walls and two of them were hidden beneath great sheets of white paper that had the words 'Art Sheet' written at the top. Someone had already played here, and Fuji cocked his head to one side as he smilingly studied a drawing of a dragon that looked remarkably like Tezuka...

"Hey Echizen," He said quietly as he half turned toward the smaller boy, one finger flicking out to point at the paper. Ryoma raised his head and looked where his friend was indicating before turning away with a noncommittal shrug. Eiji and Momo however leaned in to look, their faces splitting into identical delighted grins as their eyes drank in the drawing of a sullen faced boy they could have sworn was their very own chibi. Throwing an arm around his neck, Momo playfully twisted a length of Ryoma's jet-black hair between his fingers with a cry of, "This really is a magic train!"

"Ah Momo Sempai... That hurts." Growled Ryoma in a low voice as he struggled to free himself. Laughing, the tall senior stepped back to place both hands on his hips, then tilted his head to one side, his right hand raised, index finger extended as he cheerfully declared that this was going to be an interesting day indeed.

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With a loud hiss and sudden jerk, the train rolled into motion. Arms tightly folded, legs crossed, Tezuka glared sternly into space while his mind played out several scene's of Eiji's slow and gruesome demise over the charmingly happy little situation his aerobatic doubles player had dropped him into. Kids. Although only half full, the carriage held enough of them to make his life a little less than peaceful and his only mercy was the fact that his seat was right at the very end, so none of them came near. However, his seat was also closest to the steamer and whenever the huge old engine moaned out it's long, sad song, he would wince minutely at the bone jarring sound. Fighting down the very unnatural urge to scream, he attempted to ignore the cars chaotic interior by studying the passing scenery. The train was rolling smoothly past the glittering ocean, and many people out and about on this fine winter's morning waved wildly as the train chuffed past. Already bored and restless, many of the kids abruptly departed, bringing about an element of peace that allowed Tezuka's iron tensed shoulders to relax somewhat. Just then, his five exploring teammates returned to happily flop down in their seats, chattering in lively voices. Throwing a sullen glare their direction, he grumbled about them being too loud.

"OOPS! Sorry captain!" Laughed Momo, then excitedly told Takashi about the train in the same loud tone he had started with.

"...And there are going to be games as well!" He cried after he had got through telling the curious youth about the painting car and the kiosk. Swivelling about so he faced Kaido, Momo pointed to the snake on his cheek and grinned, "Like your portrait Mamushi?"

Pale eyes glaring from under his moon dotted bandana, Kaido hissed with annoyance.

"Who you calling Viper, you weasel?"

Barring his teeth, Momo grabbed his teammate's tunic collar, only to have Kaido seize his in return. "Oi! You want to fight?"

"HISSSSSSS"

Smiling serenely, Fuji laid an index finger along his jaw line to quietly say, "Ah, the snake and the mongoose...eternal rivals." while Eiji frantically waved his hands about as he attempted to break them up.

"Now, now, now! There's NO need for this! Calm down, calm DOWN!"

Completely ignoring their friend's peace making efforts, the pair continued to snarl at each other, until Tezuka coldly announced he would personally make them jog back from where ever it was the train was going to, after drinking Inui's latest juice first! Advancing on the warring pair, face covered in a decidedly evil grin that sent cold shafts of icy terror lancing through them, they froze to watch his sinister approach. The spiky haired juice maker uncorked a large plastic flask, releasing billowing clouds of purple smoke. Instantly, the pair broke apart in an effort to pretend each other didn't exist. Tezuka grunted in satisfaction as silence reigned once more, and the rest of the team sighed with relief while Inui looked disappointed.

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Leaving the coast behind them, the train started to travel through picturesque suburbs, whose many trees gave the countryside a distinctively wild feel to it. Tired of gazing out the window and feeling his habitable restlessness coming on, Eiji stood up, stretched, then told his team mates he was going for a walk. After trading quick glances between them, the rest decided to join him, leaving their silent captain to brood alone.

They had almost reached the end of the carriage, when the tall wizard from the platform strode in, his younger assistant just behind him holding a red, star spangled bucket. Meeting the groups eye's, he asked in a deep voice, "And would you young men like some 'magic' bean's?'

Grinning broadly, Eiji instantly held out his hands. The grey bearded wizard dipped a cup into the bucket and poured a generous amount into the cupped limbs.

"Er--Eiji,,," said Oishi as he eyed the multicoloured sugar loaded objects in the youth's hands. "Do you think that's wise after last time..."

Popping one entire handful into his mouth, Eiji waved his hand about then cheerfully mumbled around the burden hampering his tongue, "You worry to much Oishi!"

Behind them, Tezuka bowed his head and slowly raised his left hand, his thumb and forefinger lightly gripping the bridge of his nose as his eyes closed.

Swallowing down the jellybeans, Eiji wolfed down the rest, then rushed up the train with slightly crazed eyes.

Pushing their way past the mobs of milling people in the now crowded painting car, the youths from Seigaku proceeded to the main party car. Passing through the kiosk, they heard more muttering from one corner. "Stupid noisy kids. Death by idiots, death by..." she paused a moment when Fuji stopped to look, then grumbled "... cerulean glare of doom...'

With the shop car behind them, the boys gained entry to the second and main party car.

Large groups of kids thronged the floor space as many played with balloons, played twister, or scrawled on the art sheets.

Whipping the battered looking wizard hat off his head, the young wizard whose yellow badge read Julius Jones, loudly called out to get everyone's attention. "We will now begin the sorting! Everyone line up please!"

Instantly, there was a rush as kids formed up in three untidy and somewhat unruly lines.

Deciding to ignore the noisy chaos, the Seigaku youths snatched up the pens dangling from cords attached to the roof, to add their own masterpieces to the now well-covered art sheets.

His right arm moving rabidly, Eiji finished his drawing then stepped back to indicate his work with a flourish.

Laughing at the red head's grinning self portrait, Momo loudly proclaimed to all within ear shot that his drawing of Echizen was far better than the first one had been.

Tossing aside his pen so it swung wildly on its cord and hit Momo in the eye, Ryoma calmly strolled over to an open window, leaving a very large and well-drawn Karupin for his friends to admire.

Over on the cars far wall, the noisy "sorting" seemed to conclude, then a new announcement rang out. "Time for balloon quidditch everyone!"

Scratching his head, Eiji remarked "Oishi, what's a quidditch?"

Shrugging, the other teen answered thoughtfully "Not sure, but I seem to remember seeing it in a book once..."

At the young wizard's loudly enthusiastic prompting, the party car's occupants split into two teams and now determinedly faced each other as Julius held up a large red balloon.

"Hey! This could be fun!" Laughing, Eiji raced across the car to join in.

The balloon flew up, and instantly kids hands shot out to smack to floating object so it whizzed gracefully about, to be returned by the opposing team. Eyes sparkling, mouth spilt into a huge grin, Eiji leapt about, easily dodging the milling kids to swot the balloon out of the air and even jumped high to take a few ceiling shots that left the kids screaming in awe.

Not wanting to be out done by his doubles partner, Oishi took up defensive position on the other side to slam the balloon around with equal intensity.

Taking out his notebook, Inui started to write, humming quietly to himself as the game progressed.

Purple orbs going big and round, Momo laughed at his teammates, then joined in, loudly daring Kaido to challenge him. Hissing like an enraged snake, Kaido charged headlong into the fray, took the balloon in a running leap and sent it arching back to Momo in a fast curve. Jumping so high his head smacked painfully against the ceiling, Momo roared out "DUNK SMASH!"

However, he quickly learnt that balloons never do what you want them too when it sharply swung sideways, into Eiji's waiting arms.

"Sankyuu nya! Hey Oishi, here it comes!" Crazily wind milling his right arm so several people jumped back in fright, Eiji released the balloon to send it flying straight at a bemused Takashi. Lifting his hand, he easily caught it, then stood looking about in embarrassment.

Picking up some kids discarded plastic wand, Ryoma held it out with a quiet, "Here Takashi sempai."

Absentmindedly taking the offering in hand, Takashi froze for a moment, then with an ear splitting roar of "GREATO! BURNING!" he sent the balloon flying back to Eiji like a missile. Catching in a sudden wind gust from an open window, it served in mid flight, only to connect with Kaido's raised hand.

His loud hiss filled the air, his palm hit the air filled object with a resounding slap. Unfortunately, this exceeded the balloon's stress limit and it exploded right in the teenager's astonished face.

Little kids shrieked loudly in dismay at the sudden harsh sound, while older ones accusingly bayed at the reversing Kaido until he became trapped in a corner. Fully surrounding him in a tight semicircle, they kept up a non-stop bad tempered howling until the young wizard rescued him with a new balloon.

With a new game in full swing, Ryoma sighed over the entire ear drilling noise, and joined Fuji in the quiet of the kiosk car. Leaning on the railing, the smiling youth relaxed next to an open window as he enjoyed the feel of the wind rushing through his hair. " Fuji sempai, it's far too noisy in there."

Turning to grin at his younger friend's sour comment, Fuji eyed a small pack of yelling kids as they raced by, then said softly, "It's noisy everywhere."

Slipping his hands up behind his head, Ryoma leaned against the solid wall of the corner, closed his eyes and grumbled, "Remind me again why I agreed to this?"

Fuji chuckled softly. "I think our captain is probably thinking the same thing. Shall we go and see?"

"Mada mada dane"

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Back in the party car, the balloon game ended and ' Wizard Twister ' began.

Holding a thick square of cardboard in his left hand, Julius spun the revolving arrow with a flick of his fingers on the right. "Right hand green!" A giggling swam of kids with the very competitive Seigaku team among them, reached out their hands to claim a grass coloured spot on the mat.

"Left foot red!" Assorted left feet moved and then paused. "Right foot yellow!" Beginning to resemble a rugby scrum, the tight packed mass of people moved, swayed, and awaited instruction. "Right hand yellow!"

Arms reached and began to tangle. Oishi found himself pressed hard against Eiji, who smiled warmly. Rubbing his cheek against his partner's arm, the fire haired youth purred, "This is nice."

Oishi's answer was a soft, tender smile that turned into a smirk when Kaido grumbled from the region near his belly about Momo's hand getting far to close to his rear.

Close by, Inui watched with annoyance as he took data. Noticing how the tall, spiky haired teenager's glasses flashed with un-spoken menace, Momo gave up on his idea of teasingly pinching the Mamushi's backside and grinned at Takashi instead. Close to his left foot, was another forgotten toy wand, 'Now if I can just get to it... he thought mischievously.

"Left foot green!"

'Perfect!' His face cracking into an evil grin, Momo reached over to deftly pluck the wand from its place on the floor.

Noticing the wand drifting towards its goal, Oishi gasped in horror at the potential disaster about to occur and tried to stop his friend but the long piece of brown plastic hit its mark and the damage was done.

Rearing up from somewhere under the pile of players, Takashi erupted like a volcano, his scream of, " GREATO! BURNING!" scaring the life out of the kids as his waving arms scattered them like chaff. Breaking away, the wand gripped in both hands, he raced around the car, swinging it like a tennis racket and feverously yelling at the top of his lungs.

Kids screamed and yelled. Some joining in, while others fled for their lives. Rolling on the floor, his arms tight over his ribs, Momo cried with laughter, great tears streaming down his face as he struggled to breath.

"That wasn't funny!" glared Oishi as he loomed over the shaking, laughing teenager, his arms folded in conscious imitation of Tezuka.

Smirking, Eiji half collapsed against his friend, swallowed down his own laughter, then waggled a serious finger at the youth on the floor. "Oishi is right. That wasn't funny." Face breaking into a great beaming smile, he suddenly cried out " That was totally hysterical!" Throwing up his hands, Eiji gave a great shout of laughter and slid helplessly to the floor where he joined his teammate in wild spasms of mirth.

Frowning, Oishi turned to Inui as he watched craziness unfold and sourly commented; "We'll soon be pulling them off the ceiling at this rate!"

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Finally able to walk again, Eiji and Momo wrestled playfully while following their teammates back down the train. Meeting with a red shirted tour manger, they were informed of the train's imminent arrival at Pinjarra.

"Five minutes folks! We will be in Pinjarra in five minutes, so could you please return to your seats!"

Nodding, they made their way through the now quiet painting car and fought their way through the packed crowds thronging the narrow walkways to return to their seats. Tezuka was still sitting exactly as they had left him, but his expression was darkly forbidding. Seated next to Ryoma, Fuji spoke to him in hushed tones, then smiled up at his team mates' some what tentative approach.

"So we'll be in town soon?"

Oishi nodded in response to the honey haired boy's quiet question, then gazed curiously at his brooding captain. He appeared to have a lot of small, multi coloured spots trapped in his hair, and a large number of them dotted his shoulders. "Captain, what..."

But the stoic teenager may as well been carved from stone. Leaning forward, Fuji gazed up, his right hand cupped at his mouth as he beckoned with his left. Gathering close around him, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, the boys listened in rapt attention as Fuji whisperingly recalled how two young women had come into the car with the grey bearded wizard. "They were handing out plates of fairy bread for the kids, then they walked up to us and asked if we would like some. Tezuka ignored them, so they started to leave..." For a long moment, he let the excitement his story was creating build, then he slyly said, " The wind coming through the windows caught the paper plates on the tray and…"

Several pairs of eyes widened in a mixture of horror and amusement. Squatting down, Momo said, "You don't mean...." He paused to gape open mouthed at his captain while Fuji nodded. "... And I missed it?"

Tilting his head to one side, Fuji's angelic smirk told him all he needed to know.

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With a deafening shriek of its whistle, the train rolled across a highway, the rumbled its way into the station. On the platform, three people stood dressed in various wizard outfits calling in welcome. Ever so slowly, the engines dragged its long tail of carriages through a vast covered area and emerged into the full sunlight to grind to a screaming, shuddering halt. Excited kids and their families jostled their way up and out of the car, leaving the Seigaku teens alone in the abrupt silence.

A few minutes passed, while the boys nervously watched their captain. At length, the youth stood then strode grimily from the carriage without a word. Trading anxious glances, the others followed quietly.

Once off the train, Eiji stretched, then happily pranced about, his arms joyfully swinging as he called out, "So where to now?"

Ryoma huffed. "I don't care."

"Nor do I" growled Kaido with a hiss. "As long as I can walk a bit."

His gaze following the steady stream of people as they walked toward town, Inui suggested they do the same.

At the end of the platform, a witch waved her arm and called to the last of the crowds, "This way to the Dungeon! This way to the magic school Edenvale!"

"Oh yeah!" cried Eiji as he eagerly rubbed his hands together "Oishi, lets do that!"

Smiling kindly, Oishi strode up to Eiji's side then glanced back over his shoulder. "Anyone else? Captain?"

All eyes turned to Tezuka who was completely ignoring his team to frown at the chattering group rabidly approaching. One of the women resembled a demon in her snow-white sleeveless coat, white trousers and long, flaming red hair. Large pointed ears stood out from the sides of her head and her face was streaked with amber coloured lines. The whole outfit was topped off with a red headband whose trailing ends hung down her back. She was in deep conversation with the young woman all decked out in the pink, black and white colours of Fudomine who had been muttering in the kiosk car. Walking just behind them was the blond haired girl who startled Ryoma with a muttered comment of "Mada mada dane" in answer to something the demon girl had said as they passed by. Next her was the face painter who halted dead in her tracks, stared in slack jawed amazement at Tezuka for a moment, then seemed to blink herself back to reality.

Arms folded, face a stern mask, Tezuka slightly inclined his head in response to her sudden bow, then stared of into the far distance as the women left.

Wondering just what the heck all that had been about, Eiji broke the spell by dragging Oishi off to the dungeon. Having nothing better to do, the rest of the team followed.

To be continued............................................

Well, for better or worse, the boys have hit Pinjarra!! But is the town ready for them???

More madness and high jinks to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chaos reigns as Inui is let loose in the dungeon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!