Kouja no Senshi
Chapter 9: Slumberland Arc
Act 29: The King of Slumberland

(OP: Over Soul by Megumi Hayashibara)

Narrator: Previously on Kouja no Senshi...

Mr. Rude: Why are you hiding like sissies in some disgusting flower festival?

Mr. Bump: Almost 48 hours ago, we did a stupid risk with Hotaru and some of our friends. In an hour after everyone wakes up, we'll be tossed in prison if they find us. And worst yet, Commander Feral was on duty that night, so he saw four of us: Me, Mr. Grumpy, Jack, and Fidgit.

Voice: Hold it right there!

Mr. Grumpy: AHHH! Run!

Quickly, the three ran far from him as Feral, who looked, glared.

Feral: You are under arrest for trespassing in the museum!

Mr. Happy: But why were they trespassing?

Feral: They were seemingly trying to steal not only a priceless item from the Isis exhibit, but they were about to make off with the jewels of Anubis in the glass case.

Lucario: Doesn't sound right, though...

Feral: I saw the four with my own eyes...and I know what they were up to!

Miss Chatterbox: But what if they weren't stealing anything, just going to look at the artifacts that were about to return back to the proper place and they wanted to see this once in a lifetime experience?

Miss Sunshine: She does have a point.

Feral: Mark my words...if I find proof that these people were stealing, I will have them arrested...and not just them, you for trying to cover up their heist!

With that, he was gone as Mr. Rude frowned.

Mr. Rude: That cat is as hard as a stubborn goat.

Sailor Mercury: (notices) Penny, I guess you were curious, too. (notices) Who are you three?

Warrior: The name's Norm. These two are Virgil and Mighty Max.

Mighty Max: Yeah...and somehow we got here for some reason.

Virgil: And we're also curious.

The man cleared his throat as he spoke to them, bowing.

Man: I am a professor. I am a genius. You may call me Professor Genius. (points to the girl) And this is Bon Bon.

Bon Bon: (bows her head) At your service.

Nemo: At my service?

Hotaru: (surprised) All three of us?

Professor Genius: We have been sent here on a mission by King Morphius: King of Slumberland.

Rini: King Morphius? Slumberland?

Professor Genius: The king even sent his own personal ship.

Nemo: Wow, really?

The boy and the gang ran out to the window, then smiled at the flashing lights from the ship. He then noticed the captain waiving to them as of the crew inside.

Professor Genius: And upon the king's royal command, it is waiting for you.

Nemo smiled as he spoke.

Nemo: Okay! I accept.

Hiram: Adelaine? Is that you? It's me, Hiram!

Adelaine: (surprised) Hiram...what are you doing here?

Jack: Shhh! If they discover you guys here, we'll be kicked out.

Quickly, he threw the disguises on the two.

Jack: J-Just act natural okay?

James: Yeah, we're on a rescue mission, which is just as important as keeping evidence from Mr. Phage, Katz, and Mirage.

Mirage: What!?

James: Uh, nothing!

Carl: On the disguises...you really wanna know what I think?

All (but Carl): NO!

Adelaine only looked concerned.

Adelaine: But what's going on? Why are the people acting strange and acting crazy?

Kate: Don't you get it? I bet we're in one of those dreams.

Fidgit: Ya got a point, lady.

Miss Whoops: Frankly, I think they'd be better off not coming, because it would be a disaster if they were to show up and ruin everything, Hotaru.

Just then, a huge bird was clumsily flying through, bumping into people with a familiar figure on his back.

Mr. Bump: Oh, and speaking of which...

Rini: Hey, it's the clown I saw from last night in my dream!

Fearful Ones: AHHH! CLOWNS!

Mr. Persnickety: Why did it have to be clowns!?

Rini: So, who was that?

Professor Genius: (groans) Flip; a frightful fellow.

Some: Flip?

Professor Genius: Please forget you ever heard that name.

The group looked a bit concerned as they began landing.

Digit: Something tells me this clown's not the only one that's gonna mess up this dream.

Mittens: You think!?

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the throne room, the group looked at the throne turned as a guard spoke.

Guard: Nemo to see his highness!

There was no response.

Professor Genius: Your majesty?

Hotaru noticed a few of Team Spicer behind.

Hotaru: Guys, I guess you're guards in my dream-

Meowth: Shh! Keep quiet. We're here to get ya back.

Hotaru: But I haven't met the king or princess yet.

Jessie: Princess?

Phage: Very interesting...

Skarr: Let's see what this "King" looks like.

Kate: By the way, Adelaine, you're a strange human.

Adelaine: (frowns) I'm a mouse, thank you.

She gasped, looking inside before noticing her mouse face and ears inside.

Kate: But you're a Toon I haven't seen before. Not like that awesome Professor Ratigan.

Hiram: Ick, anyone falling for Ratigan is officially on my death wish list.

Ratigan: (annoyed) Don't push it.

The staff was tapped as the throne turned. To everyone's shock, only a cape hung on the hook.

Professor Genius: (sighs) Not again.

Gaz: This is stupid.

Angelica: Does this happen a lot?

Professor Genius: Afraid so. I'm so sorry. Please, wait here. (to the guards) Search the garden and I'll search the palace! The rest of you guards, stay with the guests.

The ones in disguise saluted.

Jack: (disguise voice) Uh, you can count on us.

With that, the real guards were off while the professor went off in another direction, leaving Nemo and the others.

Fuzzy: What just happened?

Grievous: What do you think!?

Nemo: Well, while we're waiting, who were you talking to, Hotaru?

Hotaru: Well-

Meowth: (disguise voice) She was asking suspicious questions, young man. So I doubt thou would know of this "Meowth".

Miss Chatterbox: Oh, I get it. Maybe a few of Team Spicer are in their dream personas like with the Homestar Runner crew, who are ironically still back in Tokyo. I bet they're really gonna miss alot of this. Hey, I wonder why they were doing the whole Dangereque thing?

Mr. Messy: Not sure, but I can say one thing: where the heck is the king anyway?

Mr. Stubborn: Probably too busy to come.

Miss Helpful: I don't know. A king having a meeting this important shouldn't have to let his kingly work keep him away.

Mr. Bump: (pauses) I have no way of knowing either, guys.

Just then, they heard laughter. The group looked up at a statue resting on a pedestal. Sitting on the edge was a familiar clown.

Flip: So, you were invited and ow she stood ya up. What luck you have, kids.

Billy & Freakazoid: AHHHH! IT'S THE FREAKY CLOWN!

Rini: You're that clown I saw in that forest with the mushrooms!

Flip: The Mushroom Forest, of course. That's correct, lady.

Nemo: You're a frightful fella, aren't you?

Flip: Correct, kiddo, I’m frightfully funny, frightfully friendly, and I can make your dreams come true.

He jumped over them, then slid next to Nemo, placing his arm around him.

Flip: So, you wanna meet the king, huh?

Julie: That is the case, yes.

Flip: Then leave everything to me.

Rini: Strange...you mentioned keys for some reason...and I think candy.

Flip: Which reminds me, boy. Many of the creatures here will give you a ride if you feed them candy. You can ride for as long as you like. Also, many doors are locked. You will need to collect a different key for each lock in order to get through.

Hotaru: You mean the candy and cookies Bon Bon gave us?

Flip: Of course!

Smoke was blown to a few as some of them coughed. Icarus chirped in concern.

Nemo: So, you really know where the king is, huh?

Flip: (nods) Of course, I know everything around here.

Bowser: (to himself) At least Gannon dork, Jafar, Father, and that dragon the Phage offered an alliance to aren't here.

Iago: Tell me about it.

Flip then took out something from his coat.

Flip: I am the exclusive, the one and the only holder of the official map of-

Then, he got out a map with a dark place on it.

Group: Nightmareland?

Flip then gasped as he looked at the map of Nightmareland.

Flip: Oops, wrong one.

He then switched the map and pulled out a different map.

Nemo: Oh, Slumberland!

Flip: Ya betcha, kid.

He rolled the map back up, placing it back in his coat.

Flip: Now, let's find the king.

He began leading the way with the others following.

Miss Sunshine: I think he can be trusted.

Mr. Happy: I bet we'll find the king before Professor Genius does.

Freakazoid: I don't like following the freaky clown!

Billy: Me either. They'll destroy us all. (shouts) DESTROY US ALL! DESTROY US ALL! DESTROY US ALL! DESTROY US ALL!

Mandy only hit him by the nose.

Mandy: Cut that out!

However, before Team Rocket and Jack could follow, the Phage stopped them and the ones in disguise.

Phage: Hold on a second. I sense a darkness somewhere...

Puppetmon: Huh? Where?

Phage: It's fainted, but here somewhere...half of you keep an eye on the girl you're tending. The other half, follow me. I believe we may find what we're searching for...

With that, the two split from one another.

Ghastly: I wonder what he meant by that...

As Ghastly's half followed, the clown went to the curtain as he spoke.

Flip: Here's where we'll make the stop.

They went behind a curtain, which was a dark room on the other side with only a fireplace. Flip stomped the floor with his foot and the fireplace folded down, revealing a staircase.

Buzz: Cool.

Delete: Neat.

Flip: Just follow me, everyone.

The group then headed up the stairs, following Flip. Then, Flip opened the door, but just as he stepped forward, he saw there was no ground, then gasped and balanced himself from falling.

Flip: Whoa!

The others looked at the room that was upside down, yet with the furniture in the floor ceiling.

Mr. Nervous: (panic) AHHHHHHHH! We're upside down! Not good! Not good!

Dil: Look like a gravity took a vacation and lost all its luggage.

Mr. Nervous: (getting sick) That isn't the only thing that's going to be lost here.

James: Me too!

Miss Scary: Don't even think about it, you two!

Nemo: Everything's upside down here!

Flip: So it is, kid, so it is. Just like this.

He then swung off the door and to the side. A few just flew.

Flip: All it takes is a little technique.

He then grabbed onto a table and stood, holding onto the leg while resting underneath it.

Bloo: Come on, show a little backbone.

The ones that couldn't fly then leapt toward it. They grabbed it. Just then, their weight caused the table's legs to snap off, making it hang by the floor ceiling.

Nemo: Whoa!

Rini: Oh no!

Just then, it swung around a bit, making them fall off.

Flip: Oh no!

Hotaru: NO!

The ones that could fly held on, though couldn't pull up.

Wanda: You're too heavy!

Cosmo: You are too.

Wanda: That's not funny!

Then, they also fell. The group kept falling until he landed on the railing of a staircase floating around in the middle of nowhere, sliding down what seemed to be a never-ending slide. The heroes landed on the slide and slid down after him.

Bowser: When this is over, that clown is getting my foot!

Just then, they reached the end and they slid across the ground until they bumped into something. The light flickered on and they looked, noticing a small town made out of toys.

Nemo: Where are we?

Kate opened her eyes, noticing the rat's face. She gasped, not in fear, but in surprise.

Kate: Professor Ratigan!? (blushing) What brings you here?

Ratigan: Shh! Quiet, dear.

He placed back the disguise hat just as they got up, with Sailor Mars noticing, frowning.

Sailor Mars: (groans) Oh no, my troublemaking cousin came. Ugh, why did she had to come?

Sailor Jupiter: You have a cousin?

Sailor Moon: Two...Kate comes from my father's side...that's another reason I don't like her too much.

Sailor Star Lover: And that's a problem, why?

Kate: Raye, come on. I can't believe you'd say that to your cousin.

Sailor Mars: Come on! The last time you came to the shrine, you messed up with the charm sails and made the temple a mess!

Kate: (frowns) Don't blame me for having a cruddy way of doing things, cous.

Puppetmon, meanwhile, noticed a remote on the ground.

Puppetmon: Huh? What's this? (reading) On...Off...Destroy Everyone and Everything Mode...I wonder what that third button does?

He pressed it, though nothing happened.

Puppetmon: Aw man, nothing! (frowns) What a waste!

He tossed the remote away. Unknown to any of them, the toys began to turn on with red eyes while the others looked at the place.

Hiram: Toy room...(to himself) reminds me too much of that nutcracker...

Adelaine: (to herself) Hiram...

Just then, Icarus noticed something as it chirped, pointing to the direction.

All: Huh?

Then, a figure riding the giant-sized toy train was heading to a toy station. When it stopped, he got off. looked at the train, which looked like it was stuttering.

Sailor Star Rocker: Who the heck is that?

Mac: I'm not sure...but is he friendly?

Dora: Only one way to find out.

Man: It sounds like something's loose. (looks at it) Maybe it's the front. (shakes his head) No, no. (points to a part) Maybe it's that. (sighs) Not that either. Oh, what is it?

The group then neared the old man as Nemo spoke.

Sam: Hey, all right if we help?

Man: Of course, please do.

Nemo: Maybe it's the piston gasket.

Man: Perhaps you're right.

He looked at the train as he waited for the wrench.

Man: Wrench.

Nemo then reached for the toolbox near him and picked it up, handing it to him.

Nemo: Wrench.

He fixed it as she continued.

Man: Screwdriver.

Nemo: Screwdriver.

The man then looked at them.

Man: Piston gasket.

Nemo: Piston gasket.

Icarus nodded, then he dug in the box, then took out the gasket, handing it to Nemo.

Nemo: Piston gasket.

Man: (grins) Ah, the piston gasket.

Virgil then looked at Danny, June, Sailor Moon and the rest of the group

Virgil: Should we tell him?

Danny: I say let him figure it out.

Psycho: Figure out what?

He then placed it in as he continued.

Man: Set in place, turn, tighten.

Nemo: Another 1/4 turn so it won't leak?

Man: Anything else?

Nemo took the oil can before handing it over.

Nemo: Oil it up real good.

He was then given the oil can as he oiled it. Just then, the train worked again.

Man: (grins) By Pete, it's working!

He then looked at the group.

Man: (to Nemo) You're quite the mechanic.

He shook each hand as Nemo spoke.

Nemo: Thanks. I do like trains.

Man: Me too.

Gir: I like to blow them up!

Bobcat: Oh brother.

Just then, the train began to start.

Nemo: Hey, it's leaving.

Man: Hop on.

Then, Icarus got on the caboose of the train, but the others that tried getting on were too late as they hurt themselves.

All: Ow!

Numbuh 2: My butt!

Icarus only chirped "bye-bye" while waving and leaving.

Nemo: You think we can catch it, ma'am?

Man: Sure we can. Follow me.

Brain: Hurry, follow that train!

Nemo followed him as they raced for the stairs, beginning to run. But the others stayed behind as they noticed something.

Kaiba: Wait, something's not right here.

Fuzzy: I'll say, it's 'dat stupid rodent ditchin' us.

Julayla: Not that!

The group then noticed some toys starting to attack them.

Fry: Great, just what we didn't need! How can it get worse?

Puppetmon: Oh yes, I guess that remote I just use has turn it on, huh?

Skarr: (frowns) You have to say it.

With Nemo, he and the man were running more.

Nemo: How much further?

Man: Halfway there!

The two then came to the top where they opened some doors, then rushed to the stairs going down where the tracks were.

Man: Ah, right on time.

Nemo: Here she comes.

The two then saw Icarus at the front of the train as they grinned.

Nemo: All aboard.

The two hopped on as the animal clinged to his master's shoulder.

Man: You be the engineer.

Nemo: Okay. (pulls a switch) Full throttle!

Suddenly, the train began going down the tracks very fast.

Both: Whoa!

It led down the stair wells and many twists, making the squirrel dizzy up until they drove across a bridge set up going across the stairs.

Nemo: Don't look (goes down) doooooowwwwn!

Both: Whoa!

They hung on as they screamed, going down. Just then, Nemo looked shocked as he saw something.

Nemo: We're heading to that mechanical cow.

The wind-up cow was crossing the tracks. The squirrel screamed as well while the chuckling man pulled a lever, switching the tracks. The train headed to what appeared to be a wall, but it opened as it revealed a door.

Man: A tunnel!

They went through the tunnel. Back with the groups, they struggled with the toy that were fighting them.

Brick: This is stupid! We should catch up with Nemo and that old guy!

Boomer: Who, the guy who looks like a bit like Santa?

Brick: Wrong old guy!

Just then, Julayla saw something as she shouted.

Julayla: Duck!

The heroes ducked, but it was too late for the villains as they hit a pole, knocking them down and off the train.

Jack: Ouuuuuuuuuuuuch! My keys!

At another part of the playroom, Professor Genius looked around the train track.

Professor Genius: King Morpheus? Oh, King Morpheus!

Suddenly, he looked into the distance as they saw the train with the passengers heading to them.

Professor Genius: Oh no!

Nemo: (shouts) Get out of the way, Professor!

Kouja no Senshi: Look out!

Chippy makes some train noises.

Professor Genius: Oh my!

The unfortunate professor tried running, but it crashed into him as he rolled backward. The others landed on the ground while the train was destroyed. Some of them groaned while the others laughed.

Man: Ha-ha-ha. Oh, I haven't had so much fun in years.

Nemo: Neither have I.

Hotaru: (giggling) As does Rini and me.

Max: I drive next time!

Sam: Only if we tie you to the tracks!

Virgil then helped Professor Genius up. He then got on his feet as the others helped the three up.

Professor Genius: Ahem. Your majesty, may I present Nemo, and the Kouja no Senshi.

Man: (grins) Oh, yes. We've met.

Some of them, including Nemo, gasped as they realized who she was.

Nemo: (shocked) You-your majesty? You're the King?!

Fuzzy: What!?

Virgil: I knew there was something familiar about you.

Trunks: Eh, I knew it the moment I saw him.

Pan: (confused) You did?

Morpheus: Ha-ha-ha. Oh, please. Let's dispense with the formalities. Just call me Morphy.

Professor Genius: (surprised) Morphy?

Nemo's Group: Morphy?

Icarus cleared its throat.

Nemo: (realizes) Oh yeah. (points to him) This is my best friend, Icarus...

Morpheus: Furry little fellow, isn’t he?

Kouja no Senshi: Hi.

Mr. Stubborn: This is soooooo cheap!

Icarus grinned a bit while the king turned back to the others.

Morpheus: (to Nemo) Now, Nemo: my delightful boy, I've invited you along with Hotaru and Rini here...to become my soul heirs.

All (but the three mentioned): Them?!

Rini: (shocked) Us, sir?

Morpheus: Yes, you. And as my heir prince and princesses, it's my solemn duty to give you...the golden key.

The group then looked at the key connected by a string.

Miss Calamity: It's so lovely.

Mr. Bump: A little dangerous, though.

Morpheus: With this key, you can open any door in Slumberland.

It was placed on her neck as Nemo grinned.

Nemo: Wow, thanks Morphy.

Freakazoid: Cool!

Morpheus: (seriously) But I must warn you this. There is one door you must never open. (points to the key) The door with that symbol on it.

They looked at the symbol with a dragon on the key.

Morpheus: This you must promise, and this promise you must never break.

Hotaru: (nods) Yes, we promise, sir we promise you.

Splinter: And we'll be there to help these three keep that promise.

Morpheus: Well, I'm glad we all understand. (to Professor Genius) Now, professor, escort my heirs and their friends to meet the Princess.

Professor Genius: (nods) Of course, your majesty.

Nemo: (glum) Uh, the princess? Already?

Rini: (notices) Hey, where are the dream personas of the others?

Sailor Mars: And Kate? Wasn't she with us a while ago?

On the ground at the toy room, they groaned as James looked worried.

James: Oh my...Hotaru must probably be tortured.

Meowth: What do you mean?

James: I mean what if it's just a trap to make her a sacrifice?!

MetalSeadramon: Ugh, that is stupid.

Argit: Tell me about it.

Hiram: So what are you doing here anyway, Adelaine?

Adelaine removed her hood as she spoke.

Adelaine: I became worried about you, Hiram. I wanted to be sure nothing harmed you and...the dragon you talked to earlier said that if I wear this, the enemies wouldn't detect me, like the cloak you're wearing now.

Jack: Is it the Heartless?

Adelaine: No...something worse. It's-

Kate: Ugh, Raye! Ya stupid cousin of mine! How dare you ditch me again! (frowns) I can't believe she does this. Every time I try to visit, she always says I'm the black sheep and disaster member of the family.

Fidgit: Uh, what do you mean?

Kate: The last time I went there, I was banned from the Hikawa Shrine!

Drakken: Tough, kid. Tough.

Puppetmon: Hey, why don't you try hanging with us? I bet we're more buddy type with you.

Machinedramon: Ugh, that is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Piedmon: Not to mention the stupidity has gone straight to his head.

James: (teary) But what about poor Hotaru?! She could be dying if we aren't there! Where in the world could she be?!

Fidgit: (sweatdrops) A little exaggeration much?

James: Besides...I know how Hotaru feels. Her alone, with not a real friend in the world, being given lessons without heart, never being truly loved...When I look at her, she reminds me of myself before I finally had the nerve to finally leave my rich life behind. If I wanted to be the rich man, I would have done it with heart, not by force.

Jessie: James...

Metalseadramon: Oh, quit griping about your past. (pointing) She's right over there.

There, they looked as they saw the others being lead to the stairs.

James: She's alive! Hotaru, the girl like the little sister I never had, she's okay!

Some: (to themselves) Idiot...

Hector: On the plus side, they think we're the dream personas.

Ghastly: Lucky for us, too.

She then scanned the king heading off with her goggles.

Ghastly: Because the king here is the dream persona of the ringmaster you guys saw.

Jack: Wow, really?

Skarr: What else is new? I bet the elephant riding freak's the princess.

Kate: (hits him) I don't know how that makes sense, but it is annoying.

Skarr: Ow!

All while Hotaru, looking, stopped and noticed.

Hotaru: There are the others, but-

However, she was taken by Conan.

Conan: Come on, we have to get to the princess.

Nack: Yeah, before she gets pissed off or anything like that.

Hotaru: But...but...

It was too late as they were off. With the Phage, he and his group looked around.

Mirage: Are you sure it's here?

Phage: Of course...besides, I doubt there is anything light around this area.

Then, they noticed a part of the dark aura creeping out slightly from the floor before vanishing.

Katz: Frankly, I think we found out where it might lead us...

Phage: But the question is...how do we get to what we need?

(ED: Ashita ha Atashi no Kaze ga Fuku by Ai Maeda)