Inside a huge office building in New York, a group of people were surveying the night sky. It was coated in purple waves.
Submitted for your approval, for the first time ever, two giants… of fanfiction. Crossing paths in perhaps its greatest adventure ever.
Meet The Gang, comedy, music, adventure, and witty dialogue. And right now…
"INCOMING!" The Gang was bracing themselves, as a purple wave caused a seismic rumble.
They are fighting for their lives.
Asahi cried, "Mizuki, do something!"
Mizuki said, "I'm trying, but these waves are powerful, spiraling all around New York City!"
Asahi stated, "I don't know how much more of this we can take. At this rate, it'll tear apart New York in a Chaos 8 magnitude."
Mizuki replied, "Actually, Asa, if we cannot tame these waves within 7.3 minutes, it'll tear a fabric in the Planet… and the universe, as we know it."
They all gasped, as Asahi cried, "SEVEN-POINT-THREE MINUTES?! Why couldn't you say anything?"
Mizuki said, "Because if I did, you'd panic."
Asahi growled, "Steven's not here to assist us. I knew I shouldn't have accepted the boys' offer for a break!"
It was just the Gang Girls in charge, led by leader of World Agency, Asahi Sakurai, a retired pop idol-turned-detective in charge of a Multiverse Investigational Agency, founded by the World Government.
Asahi said, "While the boys are away, it's our job to make sure that no one gets hurt here. And it's your job to warn me of any incoming threats. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal clear, Asa."
Asahi said, "I want to make sure that we'd do an excellent job here."
Kim collapsed, as she moaned, "Miss Sakurai…"
Farra cried, "HANG ON!"
She helped Kim up and said, "Here…" She injected a small dose of adrenaline, and she said, "This will wake you up." Kim moaned, as she said, "Thanks."
Asahi said, "Good call. Cassie gave you adrenaline?"
"No… It's CondraCodyCopazine."
"Contra-Cody Rhodes?"
"It's twice as strong as Space Adrenaline. Luckily, I kept a dozen of these in my pack, for an emergency."
The girls prepared, as Cassandra called, "Steady! The last wave is coming! It's a big one!"
Asahi cried, "Girls! We have to beat this! We must stop these waves, and make sure that they don't destroy the Earth in 7 minutes!"
"Five minutes."
"Oh, five."
Farra called, "Well… I might have a plan…" She pulled the level to the control panel, and the waves were swatted away, sending back to the skies. They saved the World, but…
Cassandra said, "The waves have dispersed."
"Won't be seeing them again. But there'll be others." Mizuki replied.
Kim tripped over, and stumbled onto Farra.
PING!
"OUCH!"
Farra was stabbed by the drug, as she started to bug out her brown eyes. Asahi asked, "Farra, you alright–?"
"MURDERERS! ASSASSINS!" Farra hollered, "MURDERERS! MONSTERS! FIENDS! KILLERS!"
Asahi cried, "RESTRAIN HER!" They tried to snap her out of it, but Farra broke free and dashed off. She kept hollering, as Asahi yelled, "Quick! To the BattleVan!"
Asahi, Cassandra, Mizuki, & Kim raced out, chasing after Farra, who's lost her mind, after an overdose of adrenaline.
Heather appeared, as she was sitting in the main chair.
"The Gang saved the day… but their greatest adventure is just getting started. One person in particular is Asahi Sakurai, leader of World Agency. In just a moment, Asahi will enter a brave new world… To seek out new answers, and past discoveries. For Miss Asahi Sakurai… She's entered the world of… the "Tales of the Bizarre"."
She relaxed, as she smirked, "Ohhhh, my."
A view of the planet Earth is shown.
(Asahi): Space – Lots of it.
These are the adventures and missions of "World Agency".
Its continuing (and ongoing) mission – to explore deep within the universe, multiverse, and beyond.
Saving the world from evil and boredom.
To boldly go where no man has gone before! … … … If any.
The Gang: World Agency
X
Tales of the Bizarre
(Miz-K Productions Crossover Special)
Starring:
Asahi Sakurai as herself
Featuring:
Mizuki Takase as Cyborg Mizuki
And guest starring:
Timmy McMuzzlegrath as Lyra the Dancing Woman
Tales of the Bizarre #80:
"The City on the Edge of… … …Whatever"
SOMEWHERE… in a remote and barren land, full of stone…
The BattleVan arrived at their destination, as Mizuki was driving. Asahi was worried.
"World Agency Log – One of THOSE Days… File #C7055-0V38:
The girls and I arrived at a remote and barren stone area, full of statues and ruins… It is the last location of Farra Stevens, A-Squad Agent, who was overdosed on Space Juice. We have to find her, before she does anything foolish.
Two drops of Condracodycopazine can save a man's life… but taking a full one hundred, or a full canister, may be fatal. In a wild frenzy, she bolted out of World Agency, and ran like crazy. B-Squad Agent Mizuki Takase confirmed that it's only temporary, but her madness may be permanent, knowing her past life. We were able to locate her, in a far off world, away from ours."
They looked around, as Mizuki Takase said, "Fascinating… This is a world, far from New York." She scanned and said, "I… uh… don't think we're in New York, anymore."
Kim Cheonsa huffed, "Thank you, Dorothy."
Asahi said, "We need to find her… She could be lost in this land… full of exotic statues. Is this where girls go to be stone mannequins?"
Cassandra said, "No. This place is old… and they were sculpted perfectly… only age didn't last. Some of these have their arms and legs broke off."
Asahi stated, "Well, let's not worry about that. We better start the search party. Gang Girls, fan out."
They separated, as Kim took a selfie of one of the stone statues. Asahi roared, "CHEONSA! NO SELFIES!"
Kim sighed, "Sorry…"
Mizuki said, "I don't think any of these statues are alive…"
Asahi said, "Well, of course not. Maybe Farra smashed these dolls, and became a mannequin, too?"
"Or maybe she traveled far into that City on the Edge of–."
"SHH! Do you wanna get sued?!" Asahi yelled at her, "We cannot worry about the decor and the mannequins here, and we're not rushing through this place! Now…" She viewed a giant stone donut, and she asked, "What do you make of this?"
Mizuki looked up, as it was about 12 feet tall. "Fascinating. This was the source of the time wave attack in New York!"
"Explain."
"I can't. For this to do what it does is impossible, by any scientific theory that I understand."
Asahi examined the donut, "Putting out waves and waves of time paradoxes, which we pick up millions of miles away. It's amazing."
Cassandra contacted, "Agent Martinez to Team Leader, no sign of Agent Stevens. Cheonsa and I are on the lookout."
She and Kim walked past a column. Farra emerged, and snuck off, worried and paranoid.
Mizuki examined the donut, "Incredible this thing is. It's neither man nor machine."
"Then what is it?"
"A question." It spoke.
Asahi barked, "I asked a question, of course… What do you think I was going to say? Now, answer me? WHAT IS IT?" Mizuki pointed at the rock and the donut called, "Another question."
"It can talk?" Asahi gasped.
"Yes. I can talk… For many eons, I can speak your primitive language, even now. Since before your sun burned hot in space, before your humanity was born, and before the Chicago Cubs were able to win the World Series after over a century, I have waited for the moment."
"What are you?" Asahi asked.
"I am all things… For this, you can simply call me Whatever. I am Whatever… the Guardian of Forever."
"Are you robot, or being?"
"I am both… and neither. I am my own beginning… and my own ending."
Mizuki responded, "I'm not asking it a question, only for it to speak riddles."
"I answer as simply as your level of understanding makes possible." Whatever said, "And I know everything, as did my predecessors… including when."
Asahi gasped, "A time machine…" Mizuki stated, "No. A portal."
"That is correct. As correct as possible for you. You, young big-breasted robot, your intelligence is far primitive."
Mizuki glared, "EXCUSE ME?"
Asahi said, "Are you annoyed?"
Whatever opened the portal, showing various times in history, "Behold!" It showed various timelines, from the Stone Age, to the Egyptian Times, to Ancient Rome. Mizuki & Asahi were fascinated. "I am a gateway to your own past, if you wish. Through me, you can experience all there is, all there was, and all there ever will become."
Farra appeared, as she was sneaking off, behind the rest of the girls. Asahi said, "I'm flabbergasted!"
Mizuki said, "I know. One cannot be amazed by seeing live history, in our current presence."
Asahi corrected, "NO! I mean Crunchyroll Dubs had the audacity to air these things in black and white. That's why I'm flabbergasted. We're the living color story."
Mizuki said, "Also, if Steven Cooke were here, he'd say…"
She and Asahi pointed at Whatever, "Portal." Asahi said, "That's obvious."
Farra emerged, as she called, "MURDERERS! ASSASSINS!"
Cassandra and Kim tackled her down, as Asahi cried, "GRAB HER!"
Farra yelled, "NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Killers! Killers! I won't let you get me! I'll kill you first! I won't let you get me! Assassins! Murderers! Killers!"
Cassandra whispered, "Sorry, Farra."
STAB!
Cassandra stabbed her hand onto her back, right near her spine, and Farra collapsed in pain. Asahi nodded, "Good work."
Cassandra said, "I know she hates this, but I had no choice." Farra was unconscious, as Asahi replied, "That's a close call. Keep her safe. Mizuki and I need to examine this Guardian, before we depart."
Mizuki said, "I have an idea. I can have Farra confiscate these drugs–."
"A little late for that."
"NO! I mean, go back to the portal, and stop Cassandra from giving Farra the space junk. Relive the accident. This time, be certain that the hypo accident is avoided. Look at the speed with which the centuries are passing, Asahi. To step through on precisely the day we wish."
Cassandra stated, "For the record, I didn't mean to give Farra the drug… if something like this would happen." Kim added, "Plus, it was my fault. I landed on Farra, and she got injected."
Asahi requested to Whatever, "Guardian. Can you change the speed at which yesterday passes?"
Whatever said, "I was made to offer the past in this manner. I cannot change."
Asahi remarked, "Well, darn. Strangely compelling, isn't it? To step through there and lose oneself in another world."
Farra suddenly woke up, and saw a portal. She whispered, "NO!"
She ran to the portal, as Asahi screamed, "FARRA!"
She was too late. Farra vanished into vapor, and disappeared into the portal. Mizuki whispered in shock, "That can't be good."
"It is done. She who passes into what was."
Asahi said, "We need to contact the others." Cassandra replied, "Others? I, uh… I can't pick up a signal."
Asahi gasped, as she contacted for help, "HELLO? Pickup! World Agency leader Asahi Sakurai! Pick-up for five! HELLO? HELLO?" No signal. Asahi's contact was gone. Mizuki responded, "Your communicator's fine. It's just… No contact." She looked at her hand and gasped. Her wedding band was gone. Asahi gasped, as Mizuki sobbed, "No… What happened?"
Asahi stated, "To the BattleVan, and hurry! Before it–!"
Kim cried, "Who has the keys?" The girls looked, as Mizuki said, "I was driving last. They're gone."
Cassandra sobbed, "We lost the BattleVan?! And I was right in the middle of the upgrades to the exhaust pipes… and also binge-watching Dungeons and Dragons."
"You are too late. The vessel you come in, your beginning, all that you knew is gone."
Asahi gasped, "WHAT?" Kim said, "No… Did that talking donut say what I think it said?"
"That is correct. I am not a good guy… or a bad guy… I am only observing your past lives, until it was tampered from within. In short, she messed up the timeline."
Kim whispered, "No…"
Mizuki said, "Of course… No BattleVan, No Gang, No World Agency… Farra Stevens somehow changed the future…"
Asahi gasped, "We're all… aloooooooooone!" She echoed, as the van they drove in disappeared from existence. Farra Stevens changed history, and with it, The Gang's future is erased.
Cassandra sobbed, "I'm scared."
Asahi asked, "Where did Farra go, to erase history?" Mizuki replied, "Just as Farra left, I saw something odd. A rather barbaric period in her American history. I believe I can approximate just when to jump. Perhaps within a month of the correct time. A week, if we're fortunate."
Kim asked, "So… we're stranded here?"
Mizuki said, "No past, no future. We know each other… except we're different. We never were in The Gang… or World Agency. It never existed."
Asahi stated, "Meaning… we're from another world now… all aloooooooooone…" The camera panned up, showing a starry sky. Cut to Mizuki, who complained, "Asa, stop. That special effect is too expensive."
"Oh." Asahi replied, "Anyways… Make sure that we arrive at the spot where Farra landed. Just before she arrived. It's vital we stop her, before she does whatever it was that changed all history." She called to Whatever, "Guardian, if we are successful…"
"If you succeed, then your vessel and future will return. It will be as if nothing ever happened, making this entire fanfic tale a complete waste of time."
Cassandra said, "It's tricky, but I don't think you can make it, at the correct time."
Kim sobbed, "Yeah, we don't know when Farra landed."
Mizuki replied, "We'll take the chance. There's no alternative."
Asahi said, "Mizuki and I will travel there. You stay here. But if for some reason we fail, just know, you'll still be alive, only in a different land and time. If Mizuki & I fail, it'll be your turn."
Cassandra nodded, "Good luck, Boss." Kim nodded, "We're all counting on you."
Mizuki & Asahi waited, as Whatever replayed the images. They arrived at after the Second World War, and then…
"NOW!"
They jumped into the portal.
Somewhere… in the 1960s…
The girls landed in the middle of the street, as Asahi groaned, "Ungh… my head." She asked Mizuki, "Where are we now?"
Mizuki said, "New York… 1960s. The place is all moody and peaceful, long before hippies were born."
"Must be in the pre-60s. Neither of us were born… but this feels like we're in the 30s."
"Perhaps we need to blend in with the others here… I don't think…" She held her breasts with her arms, covering it, but also trying to cover her metallic arms. "On the plus side, we're still clothed."
"This isn't what we think. But we're dressed… I don't think they'd go this 21st Century style."
"Then we better find some clothing, before we find Farra."
Asahi replied, "I think I see something." She spotted some old clothing on the fire escape, hanging up to dry. "I would buy us clothes, but… I don't think our currency is good enough for them."
Mizuki said, "Plus, we're broke. The dollars and cents we have aren't payable yet."
"Can you examine what year it is?"
"Find me a newspaper, and I'll confirm it."
"Never mind."
Asahi climbed up the fire escape and grabbed some women's clothing. She said, "Here. I got you a long-sleeved shirt, to cover your arms."
Mizuki glared, "Must you be that facetious?"
"Look, we need to cover your cyber arms up. In this time, your advanced machinery hasn't been invented yet."
"Moot point. Only how are we going to explain–?"
A policeman called, "HOLD IT, YOU TWO!" They gasped, as the officer asked, "Well?"
Asahi said, "I can explain, officer… You see, my friend here… She needed clothes for her arms. She, uh, lost them in the war and–."
"OH, no! NO! It was an accident with a woodchipper… or a chainsaw, while… uhhh…"
"Well? How did you lose your arms?"
"YOU TELL ME!"
The officer said, "All right, all right. Drop those bundles and put your hands on that wall there! Come on!" Mizuki and Asahi were at the wall, hands on it, and the officer was about to arrest them. But Asahi said, "OH, how careless! Can you pick that up for me? I dropped my contacts."
The officer bowed down, "Oh, what? Where?"
CHOP!
Mizuki knocked the officer out. Asahi gasped, as she cried, "MIZUKI!"
She said, "I know it's punishable by law, but…" They paused, as a few people watched. The girls stepped back, and they ran off, picking up the stolen clothes. "RUN!"
They ran off, as the police went after them. The officer cried, "HALT!" He chased after them, and the Gang Girls retreated into an alley. Mizuki called, "IN THERE!"
They dashed into the cellar, and then shut the doors behind. The officer ran past the alley, and Mizuki and Asahi sighed in relief. Asahi said, "Well… Here's another nice mess you've gotten me into."
Mizuki said, "I apologize, but we didn't even plan out how we are here…"
"Never mind." She threw clothes at her, and she said, "Get changed."
Mizuki was in a blue blouse and jeans, and Asahi was in red flannel and dark black slacks. She said, "There, we look very rugged and manly… or tomboyish, since we're–."
Mizuki held up a small bra and said, "Well, explain why you didn't get my cup size?"
Asahi said, "Sorry. But it's time we faced the unpleasant facts. Farra disappeared… somewhere in New York… or anywhere. But where? Honolulu, Boise, San Diego? Why not the Czech Republic for that matter?"
Mizuki beeped, "There is a theory. There could be some logic to the belief that time is fluid, like a river, with currents, eddies, backwash."
"Same rivers as how Farra was swiped in."
"I'm gonna need some tech. I'm aware that computers are made here, but I prefer the 21st Century Hi-Tech Power. MZK-09 will be powered in 2023. Not the 60s."
"Do you have anything to make a computer in this timeline?"
"I can try… The Personal Computer was not invented until a decade later, but I may need to examine the area–."
"HELLO?" A boy's voice called, "Who's there?"
They gasped, as Mizuki rolled her sleeves down, wearing white gloves. She blushed, as a boy in a green shirt and jeans appeared, walking down the stairs. "Girls?!"
Asahi was stunned, as she was blushing, seeing him. She cleared her throat, as she said, "Sir, permit me, but… We were lost, and we didn't want to get cold. Yeah…"
"Well, I didn't expect you here, but you didn't have to lie to me. It's pretty nice out."
"Oh. Sorry, we were chased by a policeman… and–."
Mizuki stated, "We stole these clothes, because… someone filched our money."
Asahi nodded, "Yeah. Is there anything for us to do? I mean, we'll work it off."
"Sure." he said, "I could do with some help in the place. Dish cleaning, sweeping, and all the chores."
Mizuki said, "What is your payment? I need tools… like radio tubes… or…"
"$2 an hour, 10 hours a day. What are your names?"
Asahi introduced herself, "I'm Asahi Sakurai… and this Mizuki."
He said, "I'm Eddie Keester. And you're hired." He gave them brooms, "You can start by cleaning the basement. It's filthy down here."
Asahi chuckled, "Uhhh, yeah, sure…" She asked, "Wait, where are we? I never knew this place."
"This is the 21st Street Mission. I had to run the shop, since my aunt died, long ago."
"You run the place?"
"Yes." He nervously left the basement, as the girls went to work. Mizuki said, "Typical." She said to Asahi, "Radio tubes, some steel, maybe some fabric. I can make a PC, before they find out. We're years before Social Media is invented, too."
Mizuki & Asahi went to work in the basement, cleaning the place.
XXXXX
Hours later, the girls were having food in the cafeteria. They had a bowl of soup with some nuts, and slices of bread.
Asahi sighed, "How does anyone in this timeline eat this slop?" A man in brown said to her, "Aw, shut up and pass the salt." Mizuki grabbed his wrist and said, "Say please."
The man said, "Please…" She gave her the salt and said, "Here. Thank you."
Eddie appeared on a small stage, as the man said, "Hey… This guy here, he's a saint. Takes after his own aunt. Goes by the name–."
Asahi shushed him, "Wait, shut up. I wanna hear him."
Eddie explained, "I'll have you know that I'm not a nice guy. If you're a bum, if you can't break off of the booze or whatever it is that makes you a bad risk, then get out. Now I don't pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is just a struggle to survive, but I do insist that you do survive because the days and the years ahead are worth living for. One day soon, man is going to be able to harness incredible energies, maybe even the atom. Energies that could ultimately hurl us to other worlds in some sort of spaceship. And the men that reach out into space will be able to find ways to feed the hungry millions of the world and to cure their diseases. They will be able to find a way to give each man hope and a common future, and those are the days worth living for. Our deserts will bloom…"
Asahi whispered, as he continued on, "What… He's talking about atomic whatsits?"
"Atomic power…" Mizuki said, "That development was made in the 1940s. Space Flight did not happen until 1961. That's a year later. How did he have that knowledge from long ago? He looks young, even if he's an adult."
"No clue. He's a saint."
"Analysis: He's a kook. Gifted insight."
Eddie finished, as he summoned Asahi. He called her to the basement. He said, "We need to talk."
The basement was clean and tidy, as Asahi said, "Uhhh…"
"You're so uncommon. That basement is all clean and polished."
"Then… What does that mean?"
"It means… Report back at 7 in the morning. You have a flop for the night?"
"Flop? Uhhh. What do you mean?"
"A place to sleep."
Asahi said, "Oh, no… We're… We have no place to sleep." Asahi groaned, "SHOOT! We just came here, and we have no place to spend the night!"
Eddie smiled, "Then how about you and your friend stay in a vacant room? Five bucks a week."
"Not a month?"
"No. Five a week."
"I'll take it!"
"Then I'll take you there."
"I'll tell Mizuki."
She went to Mizuki, as Eddie watched on, seeing them both. "Strange women… It's almost like they're too new for here…"
Mizuki stated, when Asahi told her what a flop is. "Ohhhhh… Flop, as in–. Well, you should've said so, in the first place." Asahi was annoyed by that reply.
Days later…
Mizuki was repairing a makeshift computer, using a TV monitor, wires, vacuum tubes, and other tools. She started running the machine, as Asahi returned with some groceries.
"Mizuki!" Asahi said, "I'm back! I got your list… but… I couldn't find your favorite bath soap."
"Never mind that. I must have some platinum. A small block would be sufficient, five or six pounds. By passing certain circuits through there to be used as a duodynetic field core…"
"Okay… Anyways, I bought some assorted vegetables, bologna in a hard roll for me, and I used most of my savings to gather knives and bearskins. It's not much, but…"
Mizuki said, taking the supplies. "It'll do. Besides, it's not like we may get platinum, silver, or gold in the near future."
"How long can you fix it? Farra will be here in a few days, perhaps sooner."
Mizuki said, "Three weeks, at this rate, maybe a month, I might reach the first mnemonic memory circuits."
"There's no guarantee that these currents in time will bring us together. This has to work."
She started to work, as Mizuki heard a knock on the door. "Answer it."
Asahi said, "AHEM!" She pointed at her arms, and Mizuki gasped, rolling them down. Eddie returned, as he said, " Hey. If you can leave immediately, I can get you five hours of work at eight dollars an hour."
"Okay."
He gasped, seeing the makeshift machine, "What? What on Earth is that?" Mizuki said, "Oh, hello. I was just endeavoring to construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bearskins."
He was confused, as he asked, "Well… Can you two stop what you're doing, and come over?" Asahi said, "Absolutely."
Mizuki deactivated her machine, and she and Asahi left to go work with Eddie.
XXXXX
Inside the cafeteria, Mizuki & Asahi were cleaning the floors. Two men were stacking the chairs. She found a toolkit and said, "Maybe…"
Two men were working on their watches, as Mizuki said, "I need those… Fine detailed tools…"
XXXXX
Minutes later, she went to the toolkit and analyzed the lock. She beeped robotically, "Toolbox has combination. Analyzing tumbler… Combination recorded…" She silently unlocked the lock to the toolbox, as one man whispered, "Oi! Your friend is creepy…"
Asahi asked, "Miz? What are you doing?"
Mizuki responded, "I need tools for my project. Please forgive me to Mr. Keester, Asahi."
She opened it and said, "Ah! Good."
XXXXX
Minutes later, she was stoking the boiler. Eddie called to her, "Miss Takase!"
"Yes?"
"One of the workers saw you open that toolbox. Like a pro."
"My apologies. I was needing tools for my hobby work. I was gonna give them back."
"But you didn't have to steal them–."
Asahi said, "She's right. Please, let her borrow them for one night? Mizuki would never steal from you… especially from her hobby."
Eddie said, "Okay… I can't, but… If you want to borrow them, you are free to do so, for one night. But on one condition."
Mizuki said, "Name it."
"One of you will walk me home."
They blushed, as Mizuki said, "Deal. Asahi will walk you home."
"ME?!" Asahi cried.
"Sure. I'll finish the furnace."
Eddie said, "Actually, I still have a few questions I'd like to ask about you two. Oh, and don't give me those questions about little old us. You know as well as I do how out of place you two are around here."
He stated to the both of them, "You? At her side, as if you've always been there and always will. And you? You belong in another place. I don't know where or how. I'll figure it out eventually."
Mizuki said, "Then… Okay?"
Asahi said, "I'll walk you home."
They walked together, as Mizuki huffed, "Typical." And went back to work on the furnace.
XXXXX
Walking down the street, they were walking hand-to-hand. Eddie asked Asahi, "Say, I noticed Mizuki has metal arms. Why is that?"
"Oh, she has prosthetics. She recently lost her arms, and they somehow gave her arms."
"Then, why are you ordering her around?"
"Well, I'm more of a captain to my first officer. See…"
"And you don't want to talk about it? Why? Did you do something wrong? Are you afraid of something? Whatever it is, let me help."
"N-No! It's fine. That tune you hear, Goodnight Sweetheart? It'll be made into a sitcom, one day."
NOTE: From 1990.
"Amazing… Would they do that?"
"We're in the sitcom era. You ever heard of Star Trek?"
"No… Well, someday they're going to make a sci-fi sitcom, and it'll be a classic for fans."
"Like Laugh-In?"
"Well…" She chuckled, "Sort of."
They continued to walk, as they were viewing the stars (though they were invisible because of the night sky and lights.)
XXXXX
Asahi saw Mizuki finish up her machine, as she asked, "Hey, Mizuki. How're the bearskins?"
"So far, so good." Mizuki explained, "But while you were away, I may have found who's at fault for this change in time…" She saw some of the wires burning a bit, as she added, "I'm also overloading the wires. But I have printed it onto my iPhone. It still works, but this was before Wi-Fi was introduced."
Asahi said, "That would explain the connection burning literally."
"I believe we'll have our answers… and you may find this a bit distressing."
"Okay, I'm game. Who's the focal point in time?"
They saw an article about Eddie Keester's death. But then they see Eddie win a Nobel Peace Prize in a new article. They gasped, as Mizuki said, "Something's amiss. Eddie Keester's alive… yet in a previous paper, he dies."
"When is it?"
"February 16th, 1966. Six years from now. He met US President Lyndon B. Johnson. And that's all I know."
She turned off the computer, before it went to flames. Asahi asked, "1966? So, we're at the start of 1960."
"Correct. Farra may have arrived within that time, from 1960 to 1966."
"Then… Eddie Keester may be famous, before he dies. Maybe 1960 will be the start of a young career."
"Or… Eddie Keester dies… this year. According to his obituary, it was a street accident. Before you arrive, I saw it."
Asahi was stunned, as she pleaded, "It can't be true…"
Mizuki explained, "He's the focal point we're looking for. It's because he and Farra met, somewhere in the timeline; the point where all of us are in."
"He has two possible futures then… and depending on whether he lives or dies, all of history will be changed. And Farra?"
"She's the random element."
"Farra? In her condition, did she kill him?!"
"Or perhaps she prevented him from his death. We don't know which."
"Get this thing fixed, and maybe find some asbestos, as best as you can!" Asahi ordered, "We have to prevent this, before Farra arrives."
Mizuki said, "Asa, I'm sorry… But if we're supposed to discover the truth in order to fix the future, you cannot let your heart get in the way of your duty. You cannot have fate… and Eddie, too."
Asahi was stunned, as Mizuki went back to work on the computer.
That evening, a figure appeared from the alleyway, and she stumbled around the walls. It was Farra. She finally arrived in the 1960s. She was still hooked on Condracodycopazine.
"ASSASSINS! MURDERERS!" Farra yelled, as a man stole a milk bottle, and snuck away. She leapt after him, and roared, "YOU! DROP IT! DROP THAT BOTTLE! DROP IT!" He dropped it, and it shattered. "Who are you? What city is this? Where am I?" The man stepped back in fright, as she shouted, "No, I won't kill you… THEY are going to kill me!"
He ran off, as he cried, "CRAZY WOMAN!" Farra cried, going after him, "DON'T RUN! I WON'T KILL YOU! THEY'RE THE ONES THAT DO THE KILLING! COME BACK!" She walked off and was still paranoid.
She saw another man, with a switchblade knife and a scowl on his face, "Hey, lady! Gimme your money! Or I'll cut ya!"
Farra grabbed him and said, "Thank god! DON'T RUN!"
"What are you talking about? Gimme your money!"
"They after you, too? Why do you think they want to kill us? You got a blade? That helps you!"
"Look, lady, I just want some bones, for drugs, now give me your clothes!"
"WHERE AM I? WHERE ARE WE?" She looked up, as she said, "We're in Earth… but where? What city am I in? And what county?"
"Hey-hey, l-lady, you need help… Calm down!" The thug tried to stop her, but she couldn't.
Farra remarked, "You're from around here, right… This is New York, or somewhere in America? Explain! Explain!"
Two more thugs appeared, but the first thug cried, "Stay away from her! The broad's crazy!"
"CRAZY? WHERE THE HELL AM I?" She grabbed his shoulders and yelled, "YOU SHOULD KNOW! YOU WERE ARMED TO PROTECT YOURSELF! I'M FROM A LAND WHERE WE'RE FULLY PROTECTED! You tell me…"
The thug cried, "Man, you're nuts! I'm outta here!" He and his gang ran off, as Farra was regaining color. She moaned, "Oh, the pain…" She went to a trash can and puked. She was staggering around, hoping to find answers.
Farra started to slowly recover, as the drug she accidentally injected herself with is starting to wear off. But she was groggy and tired out. She moaned, "I'm not feeling well…"
…and nauseated.
XXXXX
Meanwhile, Asahi returned, as she asked Mizuki, "I'm back. Anything new?"
Mizuki said, "Not that I know of. But I had to garner through burned circuitry." She robotically said, "Information secured."
Asahi said, "Just relax. Rest your circuits, until tomorrow. Tell me then."
"I'm afraid I can't. I'm fine." Mizuki stated, "But you're not going to like this. To put it simply, Eddie Keester has to die."
Asahi said, "Just relax… You wait until tomorrow."
"Fine… I'll save the data."
"I must know if he lives or dies. I don't believe your theory. Farra could be in the city… for all we know, whatever she does, it'll affect hers and his, changing the timeline; it could happen tonight… tomorrow morning…"
"Asahi, my last attempt was 30 hours long, complete with burned circuits."
Asahi was upset, as she said, "Whatever happens, I must know what happens… and how we can remedy it. I must know what to do."
The next morning, Farra was walking down the street, exhausted and tired. Farra stepped into the Mission. Eddie was pouring coffee, as he asked, "Oh, can I help you?"
Farra said, "Yes… I'm sorry." She asked for a coffee, and she said, "Smells good."
"You look terrible! Something wrong? Please sit down."
She was groggy, as she moaned, "I don't know… But I should be going. Someone could be after me."
Eddie offered her, "Listen… Why don't you relax here? We have a cot set up in the back."
"Thanks…" She and Eddie went inside the back room, while Mizuki took care of the coffee. She and Farra didn't not meet each other. Mizuki & Asahi had no idea she was already here.
XXXXX
Moments later, Mizuki was analyzing her findings, as she showed it to Asahi. She explained, "I have confirmed that Farra does save Eddie from his death. Because of this, history has changed, starting in the 1960s. He wrote a book about UFOs and became rich and famous. The Peace movement began, and thus World Peace was achieved for many decades… until 1980. But during all that, the Soviet Union was able to gather information."
"What? As in Russia?" Asahi asked, "I thought maybe Hitler returned from the grave, and dominated the world."
"No. This is 1963, nearly twenty years after World War 2. The change in history did not go into effect until 2000. Everything went on, but Keester's moving speech set off a beautiful world, with no wars or despair. The Twin Towers did not collapse, but the Russians and the Middle East struck down on America. During a party, one of the genius minds accidentally gave the A-Bomb documents to Vladimir Putin instead of Barack Obama."
"No…"
Mizuki said, "That's not all. Look." They viewed America being overrun by the Middle East soldiers of Afghanistan. The Gang Girls were shocked. Asahi said, "Saddam Huessin and Al Qaeda took over the world."
"Because all this… was when they perfected nuclear weaponry, first." Mizuki ended the viewing, as she said, "And this is how humanity ends…"
"Miz… What did Eddie do?"
"Eddie Keester died in 1998, founder of the peace movement."
"Peace was the way."
"He was right. His message of peace lived on… but at the worst time. Because of this, with the A-Bomb and Nuclear Warheads to carry them, Russia captured the world. A lot happened when Russia took over. Donald Trump was never President, COVID-19 never happened, and World War 3 finally took place. The world was ruined, beyond repair… with no life… no blue sky… Just a dead rock."
"No Earth, just a big blue ball of nothing."
"And all this because Farra saved Eddie from a traffic accident, as he was meant to. We have to find her and stop her."
Asahi was conflicted, "I… I don't know if I could. When did he die? What day?"
"We can estimate general happenings from these images, but I can't trace down precise actions at exact moments. I'm sorry, Asahi."
Asahi stated, as she gripped her fists, "Eddie… NO! I have to tell him everything! He has to live… and to save humanity, too! I… I love him! I love Eddie Keester!"
Mizuki calmly said, "Have you learned nothing of what I said, Asahi? Eddie Keester must die."
Asahi was conflicted, as she was upset. She has to sacrifice Eddie, to save humanity.
XXXXX
Farra was lying in her cot, as Eddie was placing a damp washcloth on her head. He said, "You seemed tired… How did you get here?"
"I don't remember…" Farra moaned, "I just don't know where I am… Because, I… The only possible answer would conclusively prove that I'm either unconscious or demented. This looks like old Earth around 1920 or 25."
"Try 60."
"1960?" Farra was stunned, as she was confused, "I'm just confused, or demented…"
"I have a friend that knows about where she is. Would you like to meet her?"
"No… I'm Farra Stevens. World Agency A-Squad Agent."
"That's hardly secret service attire."
"It's… civilian clothes." Farra stated, "You don't believe me? Neither do I…"
She got up, but Eddie said, "No, lie down. You act as if you wanted to face the tigers."
Farra groaned, "I'm sorry…"
"Get some rest." He left, as Farra lied down and slept.
XXXXX
That evening, Eddie headed upstairs, as Asahi called, "Eddie!"
"You following me?"
"No… but… I wanted to talk to you–."
He stumbled down the stairs, but Asahi caught him. He said, "Thank goodness… You know I always slip off these stairs… I might've broken my neck."
Asahi smiled, and then they slowly went to each other, and kissed. Mizuki saw the whole thing, and retreated to her room. They stopped kissing, as Eddie left. Asahi blushed and was in awe. Mizuki smirked, "Sorry… Didn't know you have a new boyfriend."
Asahi barked, "MIZUKI!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But I saw how you saved him."
"You said he died in a street accident. If he fell, and I didn't save him… He died soon enough."
"Why did you even save him?"
"It's not time. Farra isn't here." Asahi said. Mizuki added, "We're not that sure of our facts. Who's to say when the exact time will come? Save him, do as your heart tells you to do, and millions will die who did not die before."
Asahi agreed, as they went back inside.
Farra was having coffee, as she heard a knock on the door. She called, "Come in."
Eddie said, "Oh! You're awfully well."
Farra smiled, "Oh yes. I thought it was a hallucination of Condracodycopazine… but I guess it's not." She chuckled, "I guess the joke's on me…"
"That's reassuring. I am a friend, after all. Perhaps you needed one."
"That's cool. Anyways, this is your place?"
"I try to. This was my aunt's."
"Why?"
"It was worth it."
"Well, I guess it was necessary. You may have saved my life."
"I thought you'd be in the wrong bottle, sometimes."
"Not as wrong as the bottle I drank from. Allow me to show my gratitude. Perhaps there's something I can do around here to thank you."
"I can't, sorry. Maybe later? I have a girl waiting for me to see a movie."
"Ohhhhh… You got a girlfriend?" Farra sneered in a smile.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that. You get some rest. I'll make it up to you later."
Farra smiled, as Eddie left, "I'll be waiting!"
She relaxed, having her coffee.
XXXXX
Asahi & Eddie walked down together, as she said, "I see you came."
"Sorry… I had to take care of something."
They crossed the street, as he said, "You know, if we hurry, we'll make the matinee at the Orpheum."
"I see."
"You know, there was the woman I met…"
"WHAT WOMAN?" Asahi stopped, as she was shocked, "What did she look like?"
He said, "Hey, now, she was a blonde, and with a beautiful figure… yet she was terribly ill–."
"What was she?" She grabbed his arms.
"Why are you upset? There's nothing between me and Farra–."
"FARRA STEVENS?! WHERE IS SHE?" Asahi was surprised.
"She's at the Mission, rest–."
"DO ME A FAVOR, STAY RIGHT HERE!" She ran through the street and yelled, "MIZUKI! Stay right there! MIZUKI!"
She arrived, as Mizuki called, "Yeah? What is it?"
"It's Farra! She's–!" Asahi explained, but Farra appeared and cried, "ASA!"
They hugged, as they celebrated, seeing each other again. The girls reunited, as Eddie smiled, crossing the street to them. Suddenly, a truck came about, about to hit Eddie, who wasn't looking. Asahi stopped, as she was shocked.
"ASA, NO!"
"ASAHI!"
"Eddie…" Asahi whimpered.
She was shocked, she couldn't move. Farra rushed in. Asahi grabbed her arm and yelled, "NO!" She grabbed onto her, as Farra cried, "LEMME GO!"
SCREEEEEEEEEEECH! CRASH!
The truck hit Eddie, and he fell to the street. Mizuki was horrified, as Farra was completely frightened. Asahi hugged her tight, shutting her eyes, and sobbing a bit. People gathered around Eddie. They confirmed that he's dead. Eddie Keester has died.
Farra growled, "Asa… You deliberately stopped me… I could've saved him! Do you have any idea what you just did?" She yelled at her, "ASAHI! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID? DO YOU?"
Asahi sobbed, and she was crying. She cried onto Farra's shoulder, knowing that she lost Eddie. Farra asked Mizuki, "Mizuki… Why? Why did she stop me?"
Mizuki replied, as she was hurt, "She knows, Farra… … … She knows."
Farra held Asahi, who was crying. Farra was emotional, knowing what Asahi did. But she then asked, "Wait… She was dating him?"
"Long story." Mizuki said.
After the drama, Mizuki, Farra, & Asahi left the 1960s, and returned to the present.
Asahi and Mizuki returned, as Cassandra and Kim were waiting for them. Kim gasped, "They made it!"
Asahi was upset, as Mizuki smiled, "We were successful."
Cassandra asked, "What about Farra?"
Farra emerged, as she called, "Here I am!" She sighed, "Phew… That was a trip."
Cassandra hugged her and cried, "SENORA! Forgive me… I'll never give you those medical drugs again…"
"It's alright, Cassie, calm down." Farra hugged her back, "I'm back…"
Mizuki said, "On the way, I told Farra everything. She was hurt, almost as much as Asahi."
Farra nodded, "You didn't have to do it. There would've been another way…"
Asahi said nothing. She was sad. She was only upset that she sacrificed Eddie Keester, to save the future.
Whatever bellowed, "It is done. All as it was before. Again."
Kim asked, "You only left a moment ago."
Mizuki said, "It felt like 60 years…" Asahi was still silent, as she was hurt over Eddie's death.
They all viewed Whatever, as it called, "Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your gateway. Just visit our Guardian Gateways Website for more details. You're welcome to visit, any time."
The Gang Girls looked on, as Cassandra said, "So, what do you say, Asahi? Should we go home?"
Asahi watched on, as she was hurt. But she calmed down. She then remembered Eddie.
(Heather): There's a lesson to be learned about messing with history. Asahi Sakurai knows better than to let history change. Successful in their mission, they unfortunately sacrificed something in her heart. While we may never know Eddie Keester, and what his future would've been, if not for the accident, maybe the future would've been better off… for the best… or for the worst. We may never know.
She turned to the portal, and to the others. She then concluded, "Let's get the hell out of here."
The Gang Girls departed, heading off to the BattleVan, and returning to New York.
(Heather): Exit Asahi Sakurai… leaving behind a journey she won't forget. Deep within the city on the edge… of the "Tales of the Bizarre".
EXTRA (The credits)
A shot of World Agency is shown, outside.
Tales of the Bizarre AND The Gang:
Created by Miz-K Productions
A shot of Mizuki, grabbing onto a machine, trying to download, while Asahi tries to save her. (A parody of The Changeling, and its antagonist NOMAD).
Asahi Sakurai and Mizuki Takase:
From "Comic Party" owned by AQUAPLUS
A still of an evil woman, sitting towards a window, coated in shadows, near a luxury office. (The woman is actually Oka Kazamatsuri)
Written by:
Miz-K Productions
A view of the sunset sky, near New York, outside of New York City.
Story based off of:
"Star Trek" by Gene Roddenberry
A still of Asahi, inside a huge room, drowning in White Yoshi's Story Fuzzies (in parody of Tribbles).
Cast:
Asahi Sakurai
Mizuki Takase
Farra Stevens
Cassandra Martinez
Kim Cheonsa
A still of The Gang is shown, driving off in the BattleVan.
And Introducing:
Heather Dunn (as the Hostess)
Finally, a still of Emmitt Derpy, facing the camera, in an emotionless stare, covered in purple ambient light, parodying Balok from Episode 10 of Star Trek's Original Series.
Thanks for Reading!
From Miz-K Productions
© 2023 – Miz-K Productions
Miz-K NOTE: Today's Tale of the Bizarre parodies this time the classic sci-fi series "Star Trek", and perhaps its greatest episode ever – "The City on the Edge of Forever", from Gene Roddenberry's Original Series. This episode was written by Harlan Ellison, D.C. Fontana, and Gene L. Coon. It also guest starred Joan Collins, who played Edith Keeler. This episode is made famous for many reasons, including the infamous final line by Captain Kirk. As well as numerous awards including Writers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama and a Hugo Award for Dramatic Presentation.
Apologies for the creators, but what can YOU say? Fanfics parody Star Trek, a lot. And it was this or one from its later incarnations.
NOTE: This is the outro, unrelated to this story, but rather the five stories you read.
The curtain closes, and the lights go on, thus ending the Tales of the Bizarre, for now…
The thugs were still in attendance, as most were sleeping, while the boss spoke with his lackey, Switchblade, "You know, Miles Luna, he's a perfect actor…"
Switchblade added, "No, Boss, Ray Chase, way better than Luna. But flawless acting–."
The usher in a red blazer appeared and said to them, "Uh, excuse me, sir. The show's over."
The boss hissed at him, "Who says? Gimme a reason what and why, punk!"
The usher stated, "Uhh, the movie's over? You have to leave."
The boss said, "Oh." He walked away, as his fellow thugs followed, some were disappointed and most were satisfied.
The entire gang of bullies and thugs left the theater, taking popcorn and snacks with them. A few janitors appeared, as they were sweeping the popcorn and debris, preparing for the next movie.
Of course, this is how our series ends, for now…
Good night…