Disclaimer: I'm not creative today. Tales of Symphonia, its characters and the story itself are not of my belonging.
Pre-story: My bad, my bad! After re-listening to the last track I suddenly started listening in kanji (don't ask) and discovered two translation mistakes in last chapter. Also, another bad – Sheena does ask whether Zelos was writing a book, but in this case the word "book" should've been translated as just "something". Them mistakes 'ave been corrected, sorry.
Also, this chapter is so, so Japanese.
Tales of Symphonia; Drama CD Anthology
Rodeo Ride Tour
A fanfiction adaptation by Winged Dancer
Track Eight –
Heroes, Once More
Zelos wasn't used to being up so early in the morning.
Regal wasn't used to being shown a big pile of papers in the morning. Not to say his employees were lazy, but reports usually started coming in at around eleven o'clock or even later.
He hadn't expected the Chosen to be handling him reports, either. Of course, that explained why Zelos had asked for the Altamira Amusement Park's yearly economic projections… Regal had assumed that, like many nobles, Zelos was just interested in seeing how 'Lezareno's burden' was doing in case he ever wanted to buy stocks.
But, he realized, he had forgotten Zelos wasn't like 'many nobles'.
"…and this?"
"Aaah, well! For the moment, why don't 'cha just read it, will ya?" the Chosen let himself fall onto a chair in front of the president's desk, yawning loudly and stretching.
Regal leaned back into his own chair, taking the report with him and quickly skimming through the first pages. "Mmmh… are these… a study of the current issues…?"
"You'll get it if you read it," Zelos answered grinning.
"…no, it is not something like that," the man passed a few more pages, stopping suddenly and lifting an eyebrow at the page he was looking. "Just what is this, anyway?"
"That's why I'm telling you to read it already!" the younger man whined, waving his arms around. "Together, at the count of three, fine? Ok, three and – "
The two exclaimed, at the same time "The President of Justice! The Regal Bryant Show!"
After a few instants processing the information, Regal glared at the paper.
"Yeah, I even got a slogan…" Zelos laughed, " 'Altamira Amusement Park – All good kids, join forces with the President and action!' ye –"
"I refuse," Regal stated, slamming down the report.
"-ah, gh, why?"
"In any case, I refuse."
"C'mon! The 'Symbol of Peace and Prosperity' is in a big pinch, right? That the boss is person should appear to save the public, ain't that logical?"
"I still refuse."
"But you are a famous hero, you know?" the red-headed grinned, "What's more, a celebrity that rid the world from its misfortune! That would attract people…"
"I refuse!"
Zelos didn't pay heed, turning to his side and holding his hands out in front of his face, "Big action! Defeat the villains that want to destroy the park, punch and haaa-"
"I'm telling you I refuse!" Regal yelled now, getting up and slamming his hands down onto the desk. It had the desired effect: instead of talking gibberish, the Chosen was now looking up at him with a rather scared expression. "I'll have you stop joking, too!" he added, sternly.
"Aaah, hahahah…" Zelos attempted to laugh, "It's just that… I really wasn't."
"…uh!"
The cries of many children filled the air the day after Zelos' 'interview' with Regal. They were attracted by a rather flashy and colorful stage that had been set up in a small garden-like grove at the Altamira Amusement Park.
"Come, come! Be welcome now!" a girl clad in the traditional Bunny outfit was calling, waving at passer-bys. Behind her was standing a man wearing sunglasses and an old hat. "Just for today, free tickets, free!"
"Miss Bunny! Miss Bunny, can I have one please?" a small girl ran up to the young woman, reaching up.
"Of course, here you go!"
The girl laughed and ran back to her mother's side, proudly showing her the ticket. Sheena grinned. In spite of having to dress as a Bunny-girl, she was enjoying herself. Poor Zelos, what with having to conceal himself, he couldn't do much to help with the preparations… but she couldn't complain about him, either. He was being civil and so far hadn't made any lewd comments regarding her outfit and was even making an effort not to look at her chest. Or at least pretending he was making an effort.
She shook her head and readied herself to continue working, taking a deep breath, "The time is today, one o'clock! The place is Altamira Amusement Park's special stage! How will the President of Justice, Regal Bryant, stop the evil-doers who threaten the world! Exploding kicks of justice! Drinks of Justice available close by! President's Kick!" she punctuated that kicking at the air.
Zelos yelled, too, behind her, hiding his voice a little, "Once the show is over you can shake hands with the President!"
Sheena sighed, backstage, finally getting out of her costume. "Aaah, its so hot! Didn't think it'd be this hot…"
A few of the park's workers were standing close by. "Say, excuse me…"
"Uh?"
"…did you really get the boss' permission for this?"
"Yeah…"
Zelos peeked inside Regal's makeshift dressing room. "Not much left 'till the real deal…!"
The bulky man turned towards him, a little nervous. "Er… yes, could you sit there a moment?"
"To all the kids, hi!"
"Hi!"
A young woman dressed in a bright green skirt with suspenders, white blouse and an equally bright-green hat smiled all too brightly at the gathered public and waved. She got down from the stage and started walking nonchalantly in front of the crowd.
"I want to thank you all for coming today to the 'President of Justice, the Regal Bryant Show'! Thaaaanks!" again she waved at the audience. She was the perfect balance between amusement park animator and kindergarten nanny, only cuter, thought Sheena from behind the stage.
"I think all of you know, but Mr. Regal is a very great man!" the woman continued.
Behind the ninja, Zelos managed to grin loudly and rubbed his hands together. "Full house, full!"
Sheena sighed, "That lady sounds so… entertained, doesn't she?" enthusiastic, too. She was still explaining the kids how great Regal was: a hero from the world unification journey. At least she was keeping it short.
The Chosen smiled at her, apparently realizing that she was a little bit bored at having to keep backstage. "It's a shame we can't even show our faces, I know."
She had to stifle a giggle. Of course he knew, he had always loved attracting attention… and now he was forced to stay under cover. Served him right, she though, noticing at that moment that he had dropped his 'costume' and was wearing his usual pink vest and white pants – so ragged now they couldn't be called anything besides 'travel clothing'. She guessed this meant they would be leaving as soon as the show was over.
"This time, only a stagehand, or a roustabout!"
"Keeeh…"
"Heeey!" Zelos turned around, calling softly, "Master Magnius and the fight crew! Your turn is coming, I think."
'Master Magnius' and 'his followers', also known as 'the Bad Guys' looked up, smiled and got up. "Ok then!"
Outside, the animator had bunched her fist and was dancing on her tip-toes. "We are so lucky! Alright, how about we try calling Master Regal then! One, two, three-and –"
"Stop there, ya!"
The 'bad guys' appearance was a success, shocking most of the kids and some of the parents. The girl wasn't that bad an actress, either: she jumped back and clutched her hands to her chest. "You – you are the terrible enemy of justice, Magnius!"
Sheena didn't say anything but wondered why had the script crew chosen that name. Well, not that the These'allans knew about the real Magnius…
"I'm Master Magnius!" the actor proclaimed, "Hahaha! This place belongs to us now! Y'all," he turned to his underlings, "Go and kidnap the kids that look useful!"
The men saluted exaggeratedly, stamping their feet on the stage, "Yes, Master!", and then proceeded to advance towards the audience putting as scary faces as possible.
Some kids screamed, others laughed and started playing a game of tag with the evil bad guys; most mothers laughed and exhorted their children to take part in the fun.
"Stop right there!" a new voice called from far away, its owner unseen
"Mmh!" 'Magnius' turned around and his minions stopped their chase.
"The symbol of peace and prosperity…" the voice continued, still hidden, "I shall not permit this to go on in peaceful Altamira, Magnius!"
"…who do y'think ya are!" the evil-doer asked, turning around and looking rather silly. "Show yerself!"
"Aaah! There he is!" yelled suddenly a boy among the crowd.
"Ah? Eh? Where?" the closest bad-guy asked, trying to sound as silly as their boss.
"Up there! At the top of the Jet-Stream Coaster!"
And indeed there was Regal, standing at the top of the roller-coaster, dressed in a costume that looked half like his old convict clothes and half like a super-hero. He was feeling almighty weird but still struck the poses Zelos had arranged for him.
"Heaven calls! The Land calls, the People too! To defeat evil, they call me!" this was the hard part – he pushed a button hidden along his waist-line and prepared to jump, "The President of Justice, Regal Bryant! Coming!"
And he jumped. The two small rocket-like propellers strapped to his back guided him slowly but dynamically towards the stage, where he landed in front of 'Magnius'.
"Grr! Whaddaya think ya are, doing that!" he pointed towards the public, "We have hostages, here! Don'cha care about the kids life? Eh?"
Silence followed. Well, Regal said something like "Eer…", but nobody heard it.
"Regal, you can do it!" cried a boy at the back.
"…do ya, eh?"
Regal looked about to laugh.
"…boss!" 'Magnius' was forced to whisper; it seemed Regal wasn't used to be on a stage.
"The boss is nervous, ain't he?" the bad-guy lieutenant murmured from behind.
"Shut up!"
The blue-haired man, however, seemed to have finally gotten hold of his nerves. "Tch! You attack these defenseless families! I shall not allow you to even touch these kids!"
Magnius sighed in relief, pointing towards Regal immediately enough. "Get him!"
Obediently, the actors among the kids rushed towards the stage and towards Regal, who started to fight them as they approached – "Subsidiaries Middle-Kick! Regal Kick!"
"Aah! It's working, it's working!" Sheena squealed backstage, almost jumping.
"Of course it's working, you! After all, it was me the one who wrote this, y'know!" said Zelos, but he looked just as happy as she. "Whatever you want to do, if you actually involve the public…!"
He stopped. Not far behind them, two men were arguing as heatedly as they could, given they couldn't yell or talk too loudly at all.
"Well what can I do! It's well over the middle already!"
"But if the President got hurt? What then!"
"Hey. What's wrong, you-over-there?" the Chosen asked, turning sharply.
"Er... nothing…"
"Didn't you say something about 'getting hurt'?" Sheena, too, advanced towards the two.
"Er…" the first looked around nervously, "The beams that are being used to support the stage… I think they are a little bit rusted, you see…"
"…rusted?" she exclaimed.
"I – I didn't think they'd get that far in the show…! I'm sorry-"
Sheena would've yelled at him that 'I'm sorry' didn't do any good but she was worried now. "For this to… what can we do, Zelos?"
He almost growled. "There's no way we can stop it now…"
She turned towards the two men again. "Where is it worse?"
The second one answered this time, "The beam that maintains the roof… it's about thirty feet or so of steel."
"Let's stop the show! It could be a complete tragedy!"
Zelos didn't look happy at all. "Ch'! What could we do, anyway! Let's go and try to warn Regal or -"
A sound, almost like a groan, interrupted the Chosen. Both of them though it was a very metallic groan, and not one they liked. One of the men cried out.
"This… this is bad!"
Meanwhile, the show was still going. It was down to Regal vs. Magnius now. The bad guy backed away, clutching at his side.
"Gggh… what a stubborn pig! It's come down to this now, then! Master Magnius greatest secret; Hell's Bomb!" he changed his tone, now, to just a murmur: "Hey, just remember that you are supposed to get a little beaten at first!"
Seeing his boss nod, he re-assumed his role. "Here I go, Regal! Oooaaaah!"
As if on cue, the iron beam started to give in completely.
"…this sound!" Regal managed to cry, looking up. "…this… it'll be a direct hit!"
By now, most of the public had somehow realized that this wasn't part of the act or that it was indeed a very, very realistic show. Too realistic for their taste. Screams filled the air and people were starting to get up from their seats and trying to run away, which wasn't easy given how many people there were.
And the roof kept giving in, threatening to bury actors and kids alive…
"Victory…" a voice was heard amidst the sound of the falling stage, "...Light Spear!" like a bullet, Zelos emerged from the side of the stage, hitting the roof with his sword and pushing it backwards and away from the public, so that it fell onto the stage only.
"Guardian Seal!" a dome appeared surrounding all of the actors, Sheena in the middle of it. The rubble fell all over them but wasn't able to penetrate the ninja's barrier.
It all happened in less than thirty seconds. Sheena released the barrier, almost falling down because of the strain and Zelos landed near.
"That was close…!" she breathed, struggling to keep her balance.
"…ah… sa-saved…!" one of the secondary actors squeaked.
"Are you alright, Regal?" 'Magnius' asked from the floor, figuring that being the bad-guy, he'd better play along and pretend he was defeated. By falling debris. Or something. Well, he didn't think they could keep the show going though…
"Yes," the blue-haired man got to his feet, "We can say good-bye to the show, however."
"…yeah..."
"Not much to do…" Sheena sighed, glancing at Zelos. He had looked so happy about this, too… but many kids were crying, most parents looked either pale or irate and the stage was ruined…
And then, flashes of recognition started to appear in most people's faces.
"Say… over there…"
"Yes…"
"…the Chosen…?"
"Mommy, is that man…?"
"The Chosen!"
"He was so cool mom!"
"Kyaaa, Chosen!"
"It's the Chosen!"
The ninja couldn't believe it. There had been like a ton of iron falling on their heads and now they were squealing over…!
"Say…" she leaned towards Regal, "Don't ya think this could…?"
"…indeed," the older man smiled, taking one of the microphones that lay on the floor and shoving it into the red-headed man's arms.
"Eh… ar, eh…eew…" Zelos struggled for a second, and then poised one arm forward, silencing the crowd, "Brothers of Altamira!" he pointed at the kids, his eyes traveling all over the crowd, "This, only... I'll have you remember this!" and his arm was raised in the most dramatic pose Sheena had seen in a while, "Justice… WINS!"
And everybody cheered and clapped. A lot. And Zelos grinned and waved. A lot.
"My, my…" regal shook his head, "Somehow we transformed this emergency to our own benefit."
"We should erase ourselves about now!" Sheena grabbed the Chosen's vest, pulling a little, "We'll be found by the real terrorists!"
No answer.
"Zelos!"
"Hm…" he turned his head, smiling like a six-year old, "Just a little more… yes?"
"No!"
"Good grief, I though I was going to die…"
"Thankfully none of the clients were hurt, eh?"
Evil Minion #2 and Evil Minion #5 were talking as they walked towards the Lezareno Meeting Hall. They hadn't been working at Lezareno Company for long – they were almost newbies, fresh out of the Sybak Academic for Administrative Sciences. In other words, they were pretty young; so maybe that's why they had been chosen to play the part of Evil Minions, even though their forte was economics.
"But say, wasn't it actually fun?" #5 continued, opening the hall's door.
"Ah, well…" #2 took his seat next to #6. #4 and #1 were at the other side of the table but he didn't see #3 yet. Magnius was there, too. "But I wonder what will the President say about this, mmh…"
"Yeah, that kind of thing doesn't suit Master Regal, does it?"
"Ssh! He's coming now,"
Regal entered the room, dressed in his usual business suit. "I've made you wait," he said, formally.
All of the employees (evil minions included) got up and bowed, "Good morning, President!"
"Well, shall we start?" Regal walked to his chair, sitting down.
"Very well," ah, there was #3, standing next to a white-board, "First, we have the figures report for Lezareno Company's past term…"
"No, wait a minute," the boss interrupted,
"…ah?"
"I have a proposition of my own."
"A proposition? Indeed!"
"What would you say of opening a permanent hero show at the amusement park?"
"Aaah, so that's your wish, sir!" collective surprise took the room but no one looked about to complain. "I shall start a cast-search immediate-"
"That shall not be necessary," Regal interrupted.
"…ah?"
"And the unexpected, half-way ending…I'd like to keep it like that, too."
"So that means…"
"I'll do it once more!"
With a gulp, #3 realized that he would have to be #3 once more. From the look on their faces, #4 and #6 had realized this too.
…did this mean they would have to find someone to play the Chosen, too…?
"A-hahah…"
"Is there a problem?"
"Oh, no, no…"
Track Nine – Secret Track
Free Talk
Onosaka Masaya (OM-Z): Yes, Zelos Wilder's voice, Onosaka Masaya here.
Okamura Kimi (OK-S): Sheena Fujibayashi's voice, Okamura Kimi.
OM-Z: Thanks for your work!
OK-S: Thanks, too!
OM-Z: Yeah, this time…
OK-S: Yes?
OM-Z: Yeah… we had some… nice scenes, didn't we?
OK-S: Ah, we did!
OM-Z: Sheena and Zelos… are they that?
OK-S: That?
OM-Z: You think they'll end up together?
(Silence)
OK-S: Oooh, don't you wonder!
(Laughs)
OK-S: Yeah, I mean, even during the game they kind of – always "fighting"…
OM-Z: Yeah, yeah, they got along real went, didn't they?
OK-S: Yeah, yeah…!
OM-Z: But actually, she likes Lloyd, right?
OK-S: Ah – but do you think you can say that?
OM-Z: Well, that's kind of the impression in the game…
OK-S: Well, that's kind of a rule, anyway! (laughs) He… opens his heart…
OM-Z: Yeah… and…!
OK-S: And…!
OM-Z: Lloyd has that girl with wings, right?
OK-S: Yeah, he's got that one… say, isn't Zelos so cool?
(WDR: Yeah he is.)
OM-Z: Today, how was today's I?
OK-S: Oh so great! Great, great! The one I got was… a little…!
OM-Z: She really had it, didn't she!
OK-S: She did, she did!
OM-Z: Yeah...
OK-S: Yeah, er… I dunno what Sheena'd say, but I –
(Lotsa laughs)
OK-S: Yeah, I think I delivered.
OM-Z: In the end, when Sheena has her weak moments…
OK-S: I know…!
OM-Z: He's always acting and saying dumb things and stuff, but when she's hurt he becomes a really kind man…
OK-S: Yes, yes… it fits him so well, doesn't it?
OM-Z: Doesn't it?
OK-S: Yeah, with girls he…
OM-Z: He's really a nice boy, but… Zelos, really… it's just that he hadn't been the main character yet!
(Laughs)
(WDR: About time, too!)
OK-S: So it was because of that!
OM-Z: Well, but he had his flukies, right?
OK-S: Well yeah, but one of those girls wouldn't become his partner, right…? Of Zelos, I mean…
OM-Z: Mmh, yeah, I think so… I mean, they do when he's lonely…
OK-S: Lift his spirits, mmh…
OM-Z: As when he feels he's to blame… y'know, as a Chosen…
OK-S: (Variety of assenting noises)
OM-Z: Well, that's all fine, ain't it!
(Laughs)
OK-S: Perfectly, perfectly!
OM-Z: Well then! So the sequel!
OK-S: The sequel is!
OM-Z: Unbelievable!
OK-S: Unbelievable!
OM-Z: A great incident!
OK-S: Will happen!
OM-Z: …it may!
OK-S: …that's great!
OM-Z: Yeah, I thought we'd close it this time, but only Regal was closed, ne?
The Two: Neeeeeeee!
OM-Z: sing along Who would –
OK-S: -have though/sing along
OM-Z: Yeah, anyway, the sequel…
OK-K: Yes?
OM-Z: Again, the cast of characters will grow!
OK-S: Yeah!
OM-Z: Some things will happen!
OK-S: Will they!
OM-Z: …….and there I'll be so cool again!
OK-S: …so cool?
OM-Z: If I don't… I think I'll be beaten!
OK-S: (Laughs) All of you too, at all costs!
OM-Z: Yeah.
OK-S: The sequel, too…
OM-Z: Yeah.
OK-S: Please look forward to it.
OM-Z: Then say something for the fans…
OK-S: Yes! Er… the sequel will be something really amazing… I think!
OM-Z: (Laughs)
OK-S: Well, I hope so, then! So yes, all of you who heard this please wait for the sequel, too!
OM-Z: Yes, yes! Yeah, yeah, the sequel… so-cool Zelos will have lots of action.
OK-S: (Giggles)
OM-Z: He'll show us all of his moves!
OK-S: That's great!
OM-Z: Yeah… (sings) It'd be really nice if I had those action sceeeeenes…
OK-S: See you next time theeeeen!
OM-Z: Yah, please listen… well then!
The Two: BAI-BAI!
Notes: I love Onosaka Masaya. He's damned funny. Next time I'm in Japan I'll make it a project to stalk him or something. He sounds almost hysterical when saying Bye-bye at the end.
It's funny how Japanese girls seem to love Zelos to the point of thinking him so cool. In another Drama CD, both Okamura Kimi and Colette's voice actress admit that they'd pick Zelos over Lloyd any day, 'cause he's so cool… er, I fangirl, I not blame them, but Zelos (specially with his Japanese voice) can be almost ditzy sometimes, heh.
Aaaaaaaanyway, this wraps up the first part of the Rodeo Ride Tour anthology. I bought it on May 28, the conclusion/sequel was scheduled to ship on June 26, the day I was leaving Tokyo. And these things ain't easy to find! So I got up early, turned in my keys and carried all of my luggage around Akihabara in search of the sequel.
Never before had a material possession made me so happy.
And you, dear readers, won't have to wait a full month to hear, er, read the sequel! College starts this week so I'll be able to post a Track per week at most, but still!
Regarding this chapter… the little show Zelos mounts is so, so Japanese. I actually went to a lot of these with my Japanese family… there was a four year old boy there, so that kind of outings became normal. So Track 8 might not be so good for many of you but it had me rolling on the floor with laugher.
Now, I'd like to answer a few reviews, too… if you, readers, would like to help me, please review or mail me and tell me which track so far have you liked better. Knowing that, I can try and shape the oncoming tracks to fit that. With that said, reviews!
Kanki: I'm glad you are liking this! Sadly, no Colloyd Drama CD has been released so far, and the one in which they actually star is much more action-based… I was surprised that the Zeroshii anthology was released first, given how Lloyd and Colette are the heroes…
StrawberryEggs: Whoa, you mean I actually kind of changed your couple priorities! Man, I feel all special now xD And yeah, I know! We need these things made into OVAs or something so we can scream at the TV set until our younger brother comes and yells about what an embarrassing sister we make… or maybe that's just me. But hey, Tales of Symphonia was released both on the GC and on the PS2 in Japan, it has way more fan-base than the ones before. And given how there's a Tales of Eternia animation and how they are, right now, animating Tales of Phantasia, I'd say we'll get a Tales of Symphonia OVA or TV series sometime soon! Or so I hope- Wish. Desire, and so forth -
Urby: Aaah, you so mean! Could you e-mail me the link to the illustrated version or something? My brain hasn't imploded enough lately! And thanks for including me to your list of worship and I hope that, if you burned something, it wasn't a wall. They aren't easy to put off, I know that at least.
DreamerDust: Don't worry about bothering me with e-mails, I never mind them, heh, specially when they have those nice attachments you sent… er, yeah!
Suzu Fujibayashi: Whee, you have like, reviewed every chapter!- I think that if Zelos had actually gotten any sleep that night he would've woken up with at least six bruises… he must move a lot during his sleep, I mean, and he'd end up touching Sheena at some time… quite innocently, of course. And if you can, could you send me the link to that fanart or something, yes?
Kissybear: Unfortunately, it seems Zelos isn't very romantic at all and decided to write a kid's play instead. Meh, right?
Luigimania: Don't you wonder why the American and the Japanese voices are so different? Regal sounds so much grown-up in Japanese, while Zelos sounds like a complete teen… weird, huh?
The Zelda Master: I finally have time to read your pre-game fic, whee! - I'll review later. And I hadn't really noticed but you are right, Sheena's kind of the dominant one here… er, I don't think Zelos would mind, though… er… yeah. Yeah.
Ok, that's all for right now 'cause I don't have that much free time. Given how this represents a break in between Disks, please review and say what do you think of the whole thing so far!
Cheers,
WDR