And here is your Chapter 4! Now that I'm on summer break and I have no exams, I have way more freedom to do this fic. Though I am going on holiday soon, which will kinda halt things. Sadface.
This chapter basically introduces Space Channel 5, not just to Lucas, but to any of you who might not have heard of SC5 before this fic as well. It was also a fantastic chance to give some of SC5's characters, even the minor ones, some personality! And I'm tickled pink to say I did some of them real justice...least, I hope so, anyway~
Apologizes for the long wait, and I won't delay you any longer! Enjoy Chapter 4!
~Chapter 4: Welcome to Space Channel 5~
"Welcome to Space Channel 5!" Ulala announced dramatically, swinging her arms out.
The group behind the space reporter could only stare in awe. There was a strong mix of blue and white colours all around them. They were in a circular sort of lobby with a large '5' on the floor, with the same blue square-ish shape Ulala wore on her tank top circling it. Monitors all around them; on the walls or even hanging from the ceiling in some cases showed a series of images; people talking at a desk, or at other locations speaking into a microphone. Lucas and his group found this somewhat disturbing, because the shape and style of the monitors reminded them somewhat of one of those fiendish 'Happy Boxes' that the Pigmasks had given to Tazmily Village's residents.
"Well, don't just stand there!" Ulala gave a wink and motioned for everyone to follow her, swinging her hand back and forth like she did during her reports, even holding her hand up to her face despite the lack of a microphone.
As they walked forward, Lucas could see several people in strange get-ups just like Ulala walking around; one man walking past them with a clipboard in hand wore an odd yellow and beige outfit, along with very out-of-place glasses. Another was a woman in a silver skirt and greyish blue gloves with red hair tied into a small ponytail. She walked directly in front of the group, and Lucas heard the woman speaking quickly into her headset. He also noted she had a futuristic looking can of what looked like cola in her hand.
"And make sure our last story focuses on the downfall of Glenda Glarotti..."
But her voice faded away with her steps, and Lucas could see they were approaching a blue desk which floated in mid-air, where a girl with pink pigtails (but much less smaller and forgettable then Ulala's own) and wearing a blue beanie was tapping onto a small monitor. She looked up with a smile.
"Oh, Ulala! I saw your performance during my break! It was groovy as always!"
"Thanks, Lucy! I'm going to head to my room, but I first wanted to introduce these people to you." Ulala outstretched her hand and stepped to the side, spotlighting Lucas and his friends.
"Hm, so these are the people you met..." She was still smiling, which unnerved Lucas, but not nearly as much as the strong stare she was fixing him with. He was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable. He could tell Boney felt similar because the dog was shaking next to him. Kumatora merely raised a hand, not put off, and Duster nodded somewhat reluctantly. It seemed Kumatora was the only person in the group that wasn't thrown by the girl's powerful stare.
"I'm Lucy LeBeaux, part of Channel 5 information! If you ever need help or have a query..." She gave an even bigger smile as she tilted her head. "I'll be here to assist you!"
"Uh...thanks." Kumatora muttered.
It was only out of kindness that Lucas didn't beg Ulala to move on, because he was now downright unnerved due to this girl. Thankfully, Ulala waved a hand and spoke "See ya, Lucy!" and the group moved on.
They walked some ways before reaching an elevator, where the entire lot of them were nearly squashed together. Ulala tapped a floor number on a monitor placed on the wall.
"So, what exactly is Spa-" But Ulala held up a hand, shaking her head to show there was a time to discuss the questions on each other's mind, but this was not yet it. Exiting out from the elevator, the group stepped out into a blue and white corridor.
"These are the living quarters for Channel 5 staff. My room is just up ahead." Ulala began strutting forward again, and Kumatora crossed her arms in irritation.
"Seriously...who does this candy-floss chick think she is?" She whispered. Duster could only shrug.
Entering Ulala's room, the group took in the shocking sight that was a distorted, yet colourful blend of orange and pink. The walls looked as if they had been splattered continuously with the two different colours until they blended well enough. The floor was a kind of turquoise shade and lacked a carpet. There was a tall mirror that met the floor with a white frame around it, and a bed in one corner of the room. It was covered by a sheet with many patterns of circles on it; each a different colour. The small purple table next to it had a bizarre shaped clock that made Lucas think of a creature that was out of this world, with it's two long antenna like things sprouting out of it's head...and with a tv monitor for a face? There was a small elegant flower that smelled of lilac with a note next to it.
"Oh? That wasn't here when I left..." Ulala murmured, picking the note up off the table and reading it aloud.
"To Ms. Ulala, thank you ever so much for saving us during our Space Park trip. We grew this plant as a present for you! Sincerely, Oakwell Space Primary School." Ulala gave a coo as she clutched the note to her chest, and gazed at the plant in wonder.
"How thoughtful of them! I mean, I rarely get presents at sweet as that from fans..."
"Hey, lady!" Kumatora's patience had finally worn thin, and she was about to let everyone know, her arms crossed and a glare that would strike fear into the heart of a Drago. "Look, mind telling us what the heck is up with this...place?"
Ulala looked at Kumatora with a plain expression before shrugging.
"Oh, of course! Just take a seat and we can get on with sorting this mess out."
"What seats-" But Kumatora soon found out as the female reporter pressed a nearby button amongst many others on her wall, and a chair suddenly sprang up from the floor and seated Kumatora in it.
"H-Hey!"
Two more rose up, which Duster and Lucas took, and Boney merely curled up on the floor, giving a silent yawn. Ulala settled on her bed, taking it each person with keen interest.
"Sorry they're not too comfortable. Now, why don't we make introductions first of all? My name is Ulala."
Normally, any sane person would have done a double-take at the name, and especially how the 'U' was pronounced as 'Ooh', thus giving her name the honour of being said as 'Ooh-lah-lah'. However, Lucas and his group weren't exactly normal, so merely accepted this. On the contrary, Lucas thought it was a nice name, if somewhat interesting.
"Nice to meet you, Ulala. I'm called Lucas," He smiled a bit shyly, before leaning down to stroke Boney's head. "and this is Boney."
"Pleasure's all yours."
"I'm Duster." And as usual, Duster's short sentences summed up what he wanted to say.
"Kumatora." The girl was fuming from the surprise of her chair springing up out of the floor, but decided against venting about it.
"Alright then, it's a pleasure to meet you all! They're all really adorable names." Ulala added with a smile. The group turned pink at this, and she gave a small giggle.
"But anyway. I'm Ulala, like I said, and you're currently at Space Channel 5, a station with it's own channel and features a variety of shows and reports from around the galaxy. I'm a space reporter for the station."
"A reporter?" Lucas questioned; he had never heard the term before, and neither had Kumatora from the look on her face.
"Hm...I think I re-call a vague memory of it..." Duster spoke. "Isn't it someone who reports...news?"
"That's right! But a space reporter is a little bit different from a usual one." Ulala smirked.
"In what way?" Lucas asked.
"Well..." Ulala paused for a moment, as if struggling to find a right way to describe the rather large amount of things she was about to tell the group, and also wondering if they'd believe her. But based on what they'd seen at the Spaceport, that seemed very unlikely.
"I don't know where you guys are from, but this time period is 2499. And...well, based on your clothes and your lack of knowledge, I'm willing to bet you guys come from a very different time period."
"Well...some things here reminds me of that time period..." Kumatora began.
"Not everything can change in the space of several hundred years," Ulala commented. "but basically, five hundred years ago, there was an alien race that invaded Earth. This alien invasion was only prevented from destroying the Earth when a superstar used his dance moves to fight back, and defeat the aliens. Ever since then, it has been the rule throughout the universe that all conflict should be resolved through dance."
Silence.
"...All conflict should be resolved through dance." Duster repeated, as if he hadn't heard her right.
"I know it must sound weird, but you all found out for yourselves that dancing was the only way to combat those robots, right?" Ulala asked.
"Well...that's true." Lucas spoke looking at the ground deep in thought.
"But how does a space reporter fit in with that?" He added.
"Oh, that's simple! When an invasion like that happens, news stations get to move in and report on it, and even meddle in their affairs!"
Silence again.
"...That almost sounds like an invasion of privacy." Kumatora said in disbelief.
"Well, we have to get ratings somehow. And since space reporters tend to end up saving a lot of hostages like I did with you guys, it was just generally accepted to let us do as we please. But there are still exceptions."
As Ulala finished, a small tv monitor fell from the ceiling by the side of her. An image of a pink spiky haired boy came into view. He looked as if he was still in his pre-teens; around the same age as Lucas.
"Hey Ulala! Great show today! Sorry I couldn't help you out, but it looks as if you didn't really need it." he grinned.
"That's all right, Noize! I was just chatting with the people I picked up from the Spaceport."
"Oh, that group? Fuse wants to talk to you about them; he's on line two."
"Roger." Ulala tapped a button underneath the monitor, and the image of the boy vanished; replaced by a pitch-black screen.
"Aw'right, what was 'dat all 'bout? What's up with 'dis group?" A male voice asked, sounding urgent. Lucas noted he had a strong sort of accent to him.
"Sorry about that, he can be quite impatient." Ulala mouthed at the group, covering her face with one hand.
"I heard 'dat!" Ulala gave a tiny sigh.
"Look, Fuse, things are more complicated then I thought they were!"
"I got time! Explain it ta' me!"
"Well, for starters, these people aren't of this time period. I was just talking to them about it when you butted in as you did."
"Butted in? I am 'dah producer of Space Channel 5 girl, I have a right to know what's goin' on and who you bring back wit'choo!" These was a brief silence as Lucas and his friends looked between Ulala and the monitor, before the male voice spoke again.
"Not of 'dis time period you say. Great. 'Dat's all I need right now-"
"We're not exactly thrilled with being hurled years on into the future ourselves, pal!" Kumatora yelled, standing up with both hands on her hips.
"Well why don't ya go on back?"
"They can't," Ulala interrupting before Kumatora could respond. "because they were brought here by Purge's robots."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?" Lucas covered his ears for the second time today; that guy had quite a yell to him!
"Purge brought 'em here? Why would he do 'dat? I mean, first he attacks Spaceport 9 and now he's bringin' people from different time periods! What's goin' on?"
"I've no idea." Ulala lamented, before turning back to Lucas and his friends.
"Um...who is Purge?" Lucas asked politely bewildered. Then he regretted it. For some reason, Ulala suddenly seemed less friendly, but perhaps she was just being more serious then she already was? Then again, it was astonishing to see some form of seriousness in a place like this...
"Purge is...an insane space psycho." Ulala said quietly. Despite the sound of her voice, the less-than-friendly tone was still present, and made Lucas recoil.
"He's a villain who tried ta' force 'dah whole galaxy ta' dance; for his own entertainment!" Kumatora scoffed.
"He tried to force the whole galaxy to dance? What a lame dude. Obviously didn't get much love as a child." Kumatora commented.
"This coming from an expert who got an overdose of love as a child from drag queens, I see." Boney stated. He was re-paid by a deep frown.
"I managed to defeat him, but barely. The last we heard, he was still hurtling throughout the cosmos, so why he's suddenly back like he is...unnerves me." Ulala spoke.
"He musta been hidin' and waitin' for 'dis. Probably workin' on 'dhose robots like he always is!"
"But...why would Purge bring us here?" Lucas questioned, unable to make any sort of link with the white-haired villain.
"We've never seen him before in our lives. And we've seen some messed up people in our time." Duster added.
"Well, when we get him in space police custody, you guys can find out for yourselves." Ulala allowed a small smile to emerge on her face.
"Whoawhoawhoawhoawhoa. Who says we're staying? As far as I'm concerned, I want to get back to our time ASAP! We have friends and family there, you know!"
Ulala gave Kumatora a grim look.
"Unfortunately, that isn't going to be happening anytime soon."
"Why not?" Kumatora said angrily. Ulala exchanged a glance with the monitor before continuing.
"Let me explain something. Do you know how strange it would be to hear of time travellers coming from other time periods to this one? It would spark a national space crisis of which the galaxy has never seen before!"
"There are lots of things about this time period I find strange..." Kumatora grumbled. Ulala chose to ignore her as she continued.
"The use of time travel is strictly prohibited because it gets insanely out of control, and can have devastating effects on the traveller themselves. Even the mention of it is enough to spread panic."
A brief image of an old, fat grey man flashed in Lucas. His hands curled silently into fists, and he bit down upon his lip, but said nothing. Boney stood up and nuzzled his leg affectionately, sensing his anger.
"We actually had ta' cut out 'dah moments when you all spoke about comin' from a different place. And 'dat cost us some fine ratins', ya know!" Fuse cackled through the monitor.
"Now, we know Purge most definitely has something to do with you guys being captured and brought here, so I propose this." Ulala beamed a huge grin, leaving everyone hesitant to know what the space reporter had in mind.
"That you all stay with us, and help me out on reports! That way, you can get a chance to catch Purge with me, and we can interrogate him on all of this without it getting leaked out. Hopefully, we should be able to return you all quietly to your own time period. Last thing we need is Pudding getting her mitts on this scoop..."
"Now hang on 'dhere, Ulala! Whaddya mean 'help me out on reports'? I don't need no newbies screwin' up Channel 5's leadin' show! Do you want it to get CANCELLED?"
"It won't get cancelled Fuse, as long as you do as I say." Ulala turned to the group and left the choice to them.
"So. Will you team up with us at Channel 5?"
Lucas and his friends look between themselves.
"I guess it might be worth pointing out we don't have any leads other then finding this wacko, and we also need a place to stay." Boney mentioned.
"Well...yeah, but...gah, this place just really creeps me out." Kumatora grimaced.
"You'll just have to get used to it then, won't you?" Boney received a second frown this time.
"We don't really have any other choice, Kumatora." Duster spoke. Lucas seemed to be the only one smiling at the idea of staying.
"It doesn't have to be a terrible thought! I mean...yes, we're in a bit of a fix, but we can make many wonderful new friends, and this seems like such a cheerful, fun place..."
"That's the spirit, Lucas!" Ulala applauded in a jolly manner. However, there was silence from his older companions.
"Lucas, I really don't agree with your definition of 'cheerful'." Kumatora said bluntly. Then she sighed. The boy did have a point, and his decisions usually led to good outcomes. She shouldn't really expect anything else from him. Besides, she and Duster vowed that they would stick with Lucas no matter what.
"All right, I guess that's okay with us." Kumatora shrugged. Duster nodded his agreement.
"Groovy! Okay Fuse, get the training program set up!" Ulala demanded, jabbing a finger at the monitor.
"Aw'right, aw'right, I'm goin', Ulala!" The monitor blanked out and returned to the ceiling. Ulala herself stood up with a new-found sort of fire in the space reporter's eyes.
"C'mon, lemme show you around! I'm no Space Guide, but I know Channel 5 like the back of my hand!" Ulala gave a wink and motioned for everyone to follow her, swinging her hand back and forth like she did during her reports, even holding her hand up to her face despite the lack of a microphone.
They followed, but without the unnecessary over-the-top walk, although Lucas couldn't help but smile at Ulala.
"And this is our recording studio!"
Ulala proudly showed off a long grey room...which was empty. Everyone looked at her bewildered.
"Little underfurnished, don't ya think?" Kumatora asked. But Ulala waved a smug finger at the other pink-haired girl.
"Oh, sure, it looks like nothing's here. But if you take three steps forward...
Kumatora did so, and then the girl suddenly jumped back, stunned.
"W-Whoa!"
In front of her had suddenly materialized a tv set; out of thin air. There was an audience seated in blue chairs facing a striking red and yellow mixed set, with the host behind a floating table with a bunch of ingredients in different bowls and containers.
"And now, we prepare the space mushrooms!" he was a large man in a red martial arts outfit, which was fitting considering he was of Chinese origin, even with a pair of cute little spectacles and no hair except for a sole ponytail. He also had a rather bushy moustache. He instantly whipped out from under the table a chopping board. "Like so!"
The audience seemed to be anticipating something brilliant; their breath was bated. Taking a green and blue knife, he held it out carefully before pausing. It was hard to tell if his eyes were closed in concentration.
"But then how would ya tell with those glasses?" The Rope Snake asked, stretching out of Duster's pocket. Ulala looked down at him and gave a gasp of surprise.
"Oh, hello! Who are you?" she asked with curiosity.
"Me? Name's Rope Snake, missy," He twirled around Duster, examining Ulala with a keen eye. "and wow, do people in this time all wear that get-up?"
"Ssssh!" Ulala placed a finger to the Rope Snake's lips and nodded towards the martial artist on the set. "We're about to see something incredible!"
Just as Ulala had said that, the man suddenly swiped his hand with lightning speed across the table. Mushrooms appeared at the same speed, almost as if they'd been magicked.
The man slammed his hand down upon the chopping board, and the mushrooms flew into the air. The audience then shouted "UP!", and the martial artists launched himself up, shouting the same word after them. He did a full three-sixty turn, slicing all around him with the mushrooms floating around. As he landed, he picked up the chopping board and caught a pillar of sliced up shrooms in front of him. Then he moved it quickly to the left, catching a second pillar, and then a third to the right. The audience broke into a wave of applause. Ulala herself clapped, as did Lucas and his pals...after they'd stopped being shocked by what they had just witnessed.
"Thank you, thank you!" He bowed three times to each part of the audience. "Tasty Cookin' will be right back after these groovy messages!"
Placing the knife down, and sweeping the shrooms into a pot, the man didn't notice Ulala walk up to him on the set until the audience let out a gasp, and suddenly broke into a mad applause for Ulala. She signalled to them with a wink, causing some men to wolf-whistle at her. The man turned and his face lit up.
"Well, what do you know! Ms. Ulala herself! To what do I owe the space pleasure?"
"Hiya Xiao! I was wondering if I could have a word with you real quick?"
"Anything for you, Ulala!" As the pair headed off, they both waved to a final round of applause from the estatic crowd.
"Xiao, I'd like you to meet some new friends I made today. They'll be joining my report shows for a while!" Ulala pointed at each person, including Boney and the Rope Snake, introducing them to Xiao. They gave a greeting, and he smiled at them as they finished.
"Wonderful to meet you! I am Xiao Xing Lum, the greatest Martial Artist in the galaxy!" He suddenly struck a hi-kick, yelling "Ha!". Ulala gave a giggle.
"He's quite enthusiastic. He's a big hit in action films, famous for creating the 'Shooting Star Kick' which has helped him defeat many opponents. But he also reguarly presents Cooking Shows for us!"
"Oh well, you know Ulala," Xiao fiddled with his moustache with pride. "presenting Cooking Shows reminds me of my mother's space cooking. Truly heart-warming cuisine!"
"It's very nice to meet you, Mr Lum. I hope I get to try some of your cooking sometime." Lucas spoke politely.
"Oho, call me Xiao, m'boy! And I would certainly love to share my style with you, rich and heart-pounding!"
"We'd best go meet everyone else. Good to see you, Xiao!" Ulala said.
"Nice meeting you." Kumatora added. Duster nodded in agreement.
"Hey, ya think you can make a cake for me real quick? Something worthy and tasty?"
Duster responded by stuffing the Rope Snake back into his pocket. The group moved on as Xiao waved them goodbye, and the tv set vanished. Moving down the room, they eventually came to a second tvset. This one was white, and was like a typical news set, a floating desk with two silved-clothed hosts with red hair. The woman, Lucas realized, was someone he'd seen earlier when they'd first arrived. The other was a man with his hair in a sort of quiff style like Lucas's own, and his outfit consisted of a jumper and trousers. Instead of an audience, the set had floating cameras with three identical men in yellow and white onepieces, with white glasses, gloves and boots up to their knees. They also had black hair that curved off to the sides.
"They look like geeks." Was the Rope Snake's comment. Then he was again squashed back into Duster's pocket.
"And lastly, the invasion that took place at Spaceport 9 earlier this evening was halted by the esteemed Ulala of our own channel, space ladies and germs!" the man was saying. He had a very broad voice, like he wanted to be seen as strong and confident, but it came off as a bit more show-offy and...like a loser, to say the least. His co-host was somewhat irked by this, before sighing and continuing.
"Yes. The invaders of Spaceport 9 are said to be Robos, a cute but fiendish creation of the evil mastermind known as Purge. Eastern Venus Space Police Pine said they were currently focusing all their efforts on locating Purge as quickly as possible, before another galaxy invasion like the one three months ago is repeated."
"No doubt there, Valala! I wouldn't want our space station to get blown up again! Ha ha ha!" the woman known as Valala facepalmed at the man's lame joke, complete with ill laugh.
"Neither would I, Brent...in any case, that's all we have time for tonight. Stay groovy, and good night." Behind them, the Channel 5 logo appeared on a monitor, while a very jazzy tune played as they packed their papers away. Walking on set, Ulala approached the pair and they smiled as she approached them. Well, Valala smiled, Brent grinned.
"Ulala! You did so well tonight! Well, as you no doubt heard." Valala smiled.
"Yeah, for real! I would have loved to have backed you up, I'd have shown those robos a thing or two!" The man gave an extra goofy grin.
"The last time you encountered them Brent, they forced you to dance for six!" Valala cut across her colleague, who looked down sadly at his papers. She gave another deep sigh as she suddenly spied the group behind Ulala, and her eyebrows rose.
"Wait a minute Ulala, are they-"
"Yes, yes, we helped her on her little show, we get it!" Kumatora butted in rudely. Lucas grimaced at her before speaking.
"I'm very sorry ma'am, she's just a little...agitated. Anyway, my name's Lucas and this is Kumatora, Duster and Boney." The other three nodded at the news pair.
"Well, very nice to meet you! My name's Valala-"
"Ulala?" Duster asked, unsure if he'd heard correctly.
"No! Valala Petrie! Ugh, everyone thinks my name is Ulala...I even get calls to her mixed up with my own because of the similarities! Sometimes I feel like changing my name out of frustration! No offense." Her annoyed expression was changed to concern, but Ulala merely brushed it off.
"It's fine, Valala, it bugs me too, but I just grin and bear it."
"Well Ulala, aren't you going to introduce me?" Brent crossed his arms, as if insulted his introduction had been delayed. Ulala laughed.
"Oh, I could never forget you, Brent!" the space reporter turned to the group behind her. "This is Brent Suzuki. He and Valala are the hosts of 'Channel 5 Newscast'. They're also cousins!"
"Don't remind me." Valala grumbled.
Unbeknowst to the group, a tiny blue sparkling creature suddenly moved a distance away off the set. Boney's senses picked it up, and he sniffed the floor, suddenly growling. He turned, and the creature saw him. He gave a fierce growl, then a bark. Valala suddenly gave a shriek.
"S-S-SPACE MIIIIIICE!"
Perhaps it was the incredible shrill tone, but the mouse suddenly dashed over to set. Valala gave a high-pitched shriek that nearly reduced everyone's eardrums to nothingness, and Lucas and 'co had had enough of that for one day! She hopped into Brent's arms comicallly, who suddenly hopped frantically, seemingly equally scared of the creature and then fell forward in a panic. Chaos erupted as Valala flew into Ulala, knocking her down, but not before the space reporter gave a cry and grabbed Kumatora for support, unfortunately also bringing her down. The three girls were in a tangled heap, and Brent and Duster moved to assist them as Boney yapped at the mouse, which was still running amongst them all.
Boney then dived and almost caught the creature. Taking the que that it wasn't welcome, the creature dashed off the set. Boney gave chase, causing Lucas to yell.
"Boney! Wait!"
Before he knew it, the blond-haired boy was pursuing his canine-companion out of the room, and although he was aware of yells behind him, he didn't let up. Chasing Boney through blue corridors, and avoiding several employees, he finally found Boney had cornered the mouse at the end of a corridor. The little creature was shivering in fear as the dog snarled at it.
"Boney! Stop it this instant!" Lucas took his dog by the leash, and although he wasn't harsh, he gripped it firmly. Although Lucas's friend didn't stop glaring at the tiny creature, he stopped making fearful noises. The creature looked up with a confused look on it's face, and Lucas spoke kindly to it.
"It's okay. You can go on your way now."
The mouse paused for a moment, as if considering Lucas's words, before then scampering off past Boney, and then turning a corner at an intersection. When Lucas felt it safe to, he released Boney's collar, but not before looking down at the animal with a somewhat stern look.
"That was bad of you, Boney. I thought you knew better then to chase creatures?"
"I'm sorry." the dog did sound apologetic despite his usual sarcastic attitude. "I just saw it and I...kind of snapped, I guess."
Lucas looked at Boney before giving him a small smile, and he then pulled the dog into a hug, stroking his brown fur.
"It's okay," he kissed the dog's right ear before standing up and turning around. "now how do we find our way back?"
"Enee Menee Minee Mo?"
Lucas grimaced again at his friend.
"Hey, it was just a thought." the psychic child sighed.
"Well, let's just head on for now..."
They ignored both sides of the intersection and continued straight on. It was a little strange how the corridors were all the same colours, blue and white, and were also styled in the same way, as well as being fairly wide. After some walking, Boney stopped and sniffed the air before giving a bark.
"Do you hear that?" the canine stretched forward, pointing his ear as if to pinpoint the noise. Lucas herself could hear it now...and he wouldn't describe it as noise. It was music. Funky, but also elegent...
They turned a corner, trying to find the source. Eventually, they came to an open doorway with a blue outlight around it. The room past it was very dark, but flashes of blue and red could be made out. The music seemed to be coming from inside.
Lucas made to enter, but Boney quickly and gently tugged his shorts with his teeth.
"Where do you think you're going? It could be dangerous in there!"
But the boy wasn't listening, and instead continued onwards. It was a bit hard to see because of the lack of a light source, but he could tell that there was a second floor to this room due to the lack of a ceiling, and railings around the side with more people working up there...with the same yellow and white one pieces...the same outfit as the camera guys earlier!
He turned, the music catching his interest again. On a small black stage, in front of a monitor with the Channel 5 Logo on it, was a young girl. She wore a blue dress with white tights, and she also had blue gloves and boots on. Her blonde hair was tied into two seperate ponytails, but not as extravagant as Ulala's own ponytails. She was playing a floating orange keyboard in front of her; the source of the music. She didn't seem to realize Lucas was there, too absorbed in her own keyboard playing.
The thought of calling out to her crossed Lucas's mind, but he brushed it off almost immediately; the music was too self-indulging and he didn't want to disrupt the girl's wonderful playing. She seemed totally at peace.
Boney, however, didn't seem to care. He walked beside Lucas and began whining for his friend to pay attention to him. The girl ceased playing, and surprise crossed her expression as Lucas bent down to scratch behind Boney's ears. He glanced up.
"Ah, I'm sorry. He didn't mean to interrupt you." the boy spoke apologetically. The girl waved a hand.
"No no, it's fine." she answered with a tone of understanding. "I was just finishing anyhoo." she paused for a moment before asking slightly hesitantly;
"Um...did you...like it?"
"Oh, of course I did! You're a natural!" Lucas replied at once. The girl smiled.
"I'm happy you think that. I've been practising for quite some time since I'm a bit of a child prodigy." she spoke, no sort of bragging visible in her voice, which suggested to Lucas she was a bit modest. He often had a good way of judging people. "I did leave it for a while, but the glockenspiel didn't quite captivate me the way the keyboard did at the end. Your name?"
"Lucas."
"Lucas? Such a cute name!" the remark earned her a blush. "No, I really mean it. As for me, you can call me Ambrosia." Lucas then gave her a grin.
"Ambrosia, huh? I like it! It's really nice."
"Thank you, Lucas. So what are you doing here?"
Her question brought the boy back to earth, and he remembered what he and Boney had originally been trying to do.
"Um...do you know Ulala?" Lucas spoke. The girl's face lit up with delight.
"Ulala's like an older sister to me! She's so cool with her dance moves!" Ambrosia's face changed from delight to curiosity. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I was on a tour of the...station with her and my friends. Only, I lost track of them, and now I don't know where I am." he gave a nervous glance around the dark room; he wasn't a fan of the lack of light now that he had snapped out of the trance the music had had him in.
"Oh, this is Channel 5's control room. I come here sometimes to play for peace and quiet; the technicians up there don't mind," she pointed up to the upper floor. "too engrossed in their work anyway." the girl chuckled.
"Where were you when you lost Ulala?"
"Um...t-the recording studio?" Lucas said, attempting to remember Ulala's exact words. "She said something about training as well..."
"Training? Oh, I bet she'll be there then! I know my way there, so would you like me to lead you?" Ambrosia asked kindly.
"Oh, please! I'd really appreciate it!"
"Alright then, follow me!"
Ambrosia leapt off the stage and as she gestured Lucas to come with her, Boney eyed the pair with a mix of intrigue and suspiciousness. However, he said nothing. As they were led through the corridors, Ambrosia idly played some of the notes on her keyboard.
"So you've been playing keyboard since you were a child?" Lucas said.
"Yup! My mother taught me from a young age. But I don't get to see a lot of her." She added sadly.
"Oh? I'm sorry...why's that?" Lucas questioned. Ambrosia shrugged.
"She's just always so busy with her work nowadays; my father as well. They're both busy space businessmen. They're constantly working to improve the Milky Way, so...I don't mind too much. Besides, Channel 5 were really nice and took me on; they even gave me a room to my mother's delight. She's an friend of the director here, Mr Fuse?"
"Ah, Ulala's boss..." Lucas nodded.
"What about your mother, Lucas?"
The boy froze. Ambrosia didn't realize it at first, but then she turned and saw Lucas wiping a sole tear from his eye. She immediately clapped a hand to her mouth.
"Lucas...I'm sorry, did I-"
"No...it's all right. It's just...my mother died some time ago."
Ambrosia's hand moved from her mouth; her lips curved into a silently 'Oh', before looking down at the floor. The atmosphere between the pair was awkward, and wasn't helped by Boney whining next to Lucas's shoes on the ground.
"Lucas! There you are!"
The pair looked up to see Ulala approaching them, relief awash over her.
"I'm so glad I finally found you; I almost alerted the Channel 5 Policebots-oh! You've met Ambrosia, I see."
"Hi, Ulala." the younger girl's voice sounded like she had a bad cold, and she said apologetically;
"I'm sorry again, Lucas..."
Then she turned and walked away. Confused, Ulala walked up to Lucas and noted the sadness in the boy's eyes.
"Are you okay, Lucas?" the boy gave a tiny nod, but seemed unable to speak.
"Well, okay...c'mon, Kumatora and Duster were worried sick about you."
It took a few moments before Lucas followed the space reporter down the corridor, his mind swimming in a mix of conflicting emotions.
"I found him!"
The door slid open and Lucas and Boney found themselves entering a blue-coated room with floating chairs and a big monitor. Before Lucas could take anymore of the room in however, he was seized into a hug.
"Thank god you're alright, Lucas." Kumatora murmured. Lucas said nothing but hugged her back, before giving her a tiny smile. Duster walked up to the pair, patting Lucas's head.
"You had us worried there, kiddo."
"I know...I'm sorry I ran off like I did, everyone." the pair broke off their hug.
"N'aw, don't worry about it!" Ulala insisted. "But if I could, would you mind looking over here?
She was pointing towards the monitor, where the blonde boy noted one of the chairs was turned away. Suddenly, it turned around and there was another boy the same sort of age as Lucas seated into it. He had a yellow and blue outfit, with turquoise jetpacks on his back and shocking pink hair. His eyes were covered by goggles.
"So you're Lucas, huh? Nice to finally meet you!" The chair moved forward and Lucas found his hand being shaken. "I'm Noize; Ulala and Fuse's right-hand assistant!"
"Oh...hello! Nice to meet you!" Lucas said, a bit taken aback, but pleased all the same, shaking Noize's hand as well. Their introduction was cut short as a much smaller monitor of the same colour suddenly fell from the ceiling; a pitch-black screen feeding through it.
"So he finally showed up, huh? Man, how do you expect 'dis kid ta' be 'dhere for yo' reports on time, Ulala?"
"I already told you it wasn't his fault, Fuse!" Ulala shot back. The voice didn't respond, as if quelled, though Lucas was sure he could hear minor grumbling issuing from the monitor. Sighing, Ulala held out a hand to the monitor.
"By the way, this is...Fuse, producer of Space Channel 5 and my boss. He prefers to not let his face be seen," Ulala covered her mouth the side of her hand once more. "thinks it adds some mystery to him."
"Hey! Do ya wanna pay cut gurl? You're cuttin' it fine with 'dis whole trainin' anyway! I still got my doubts 'bout 'dis kid!"
"Please lighten up, Mr Fuse! You know as well as I do that Ulala has a keen eye for spotting great dancers; there's no reason to think her wrong!" Noize declared.
The voice didn't answer back to him, and so Lucas took this chance to ask his burning question;
"Um...so...why are we here?" Kumatora sighed.
"Well, it's more 'why are you here', Lucas. I still can't believe this..."
"You'll see soon enough! Now Lucas, would you mind going over to there?"
Noize was indicating a circle that rose slightly higher, glowing all sorts of different colours with a 5 on it. Lucas nodded as he stepped over to it, standing atop it.
"So...um, what happens now?" he asked, slightly uneasy. Ulala took it upon herself to answer him.
"You see Lucas, if you're going to stand a chance on the air, you need some dance training. And our specialized program is perfect for you to try out." she spoke proudly.
"Um...specialized program?" Lucas questioned, unsure if he'd like the answer. However, Ulala waved him off with her hand.
"Oh, it's nothing to fear! It's a little something we like to call...'The 100 Stage Dance Battle'."
Yes, the 100 Stage Dance Battle will be a good focus of the next chapter. ;D It was originally an idea that I wrote up for fun; Lucas dancing to the mode which originates from Space Channel 5 Part 2, but then I thought 'wouldn't it be great if Lucas actually practised dancing this way? Like an awesome montage!'. And thus the idea stuck.
Hope some of you like what I did with Xiao, Brent, Valala and Ambrosia and all that. =) Yes, I know a certain CEO didn't show up in this chapter, but not to worry, you'll get your moonwalk next chapter, I promise!
Admittedly I'm adding this chapter on a whim; I'll probably go over and edit it later. It's 7k, which is by far the longest chapter in the fic; hence why I actually had to cut some characters like the CEO out so you guys wouldn't get bored to death! And the Fuse/Ulala interaction was a favourite part of this chapter for me. xP
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this and please do review! Chapter 5; coming to a Dreamcast/GBA near you soon. Or mebbe a PC. :P
~Blue Toad~