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Chapter Text

"Aaand I win again." Nene declared, putting down her controller and smiling in her victory.

"AAH! AGAIN?!" Tsukasa yelled, upset with his losing streak. Though not visible to the average person, his friends could tell he was happy for Nene's victory - Even if she won over ten times today.

"Haha! Nene's amazing at this game!" Emu said, her smile wider than ever. "Teach us your ways!!"

"Congratulations, Nene. I'm surprised you aren't bored of curbstomping us already~" Rui said, his same grin persisting despite his failure.

Nene giggled and picked up her controller once again. "Thanks everybody. How about another round? I'll go easier on you guys this time."

Currently, everyone was over at the Kusanagi household. Unbeknownst to them, a storm had hit around the time the four of them finally united at the Wonder Stage, leaving them in a state of disarray. Since they couldn't stay at the Wonder Stage forever, they all settled to head out for one of the member's houses. Nene's just happened to be the one they visited at the time.

Nene wasn't entirely opposed, but was a bit confused as to what they'd even be able to do there. There wasn't much besides video games, and if they got bored of that.. She didn't know what else could keep them entertained. Thankfully, it seems the games she has at home could be enough.

..Or so she thought.

"Eh. How about we try a different game? Something different rather than racing and having Nene take the lead a million times!" Tsukasa suggested, loud as ever.

"Oh? Is Tsukasa a bit sour after his defeat?" Rui jested, recieving some angry protests from the star. "I'll admit, racing was fun, but don't we need something new every once and a while?"

And now, Nene was in a situation.

"I guess we can do something different if we're all up for it, but-" 

"Oh yeah! I've been wanting to see more of Nene's games!" Emu shouted happily, rocking in her seat on the floor. Nene sighed. "I guess that makes the three of you.. I'll find somethi-"

Nene was interrupted yet again, but this time by something much less worse and unexpected.

"Reminds me - This game was left lying around on Nene's desk! Of course, as a star, I intend to play the games that interest me!" Tsukasa said while waving the game in his hands. Nene felt like he was doing this on purpose, but there was absolutely no way he knew anything about the kind of.. history Nene has with that specific game, out of all of the games that were lying around on her desk.

It had to be that one game. 

'Super Mario: 3D WORLD.'

Now, it might seem ridiculous at first, since almost everybody enjoys a Mario game - Even if it can be a bit trash sometimes.. But this game - or rather - the specific copy of the game was no good.

What exactly was wrong with it? To put simply, it is cursed.

Nene can still remember the years ago that she had gotten this game. It was not too long after her sudden drop from theatre, when she needed more of a kick to her gaming experience..

It was a sunny afternoon, and a special one. For once in her life, she was able to leave the house on her own and was able to buy herself something new.

"I want you to go do something out on your own so you can understand what it's like." She remembers her mother saying. "So go out and buy something of your own, maybe! Just don't come home too late, and please be safe!" 

And she found herself out in the heat, walking to her local gaming store. She was really giddy - She knew exactly what she was going to get that day, and she was excited to have something new in store for her.

And by new, she means a new game to add to her large collection.

She's been moreso interested in a not-so-new game in regards of release. It was a typical Mario game, sure, but it revolved around cats. She had a bit of an allergy, but she couldn't help but find cats a bit cute anyway. And so, seeing a kitty or two onscreen would fulfill both her gaming experience and her longing for a cat companion - Two birds with one stone.

However, when she went around the store and asked for it, she was hit with the news that the game went out of stock.

And in her disappointment, she slowly exited the shop and made way for home. So much for a new experience. 

Or at least, that's what should've happened. Instead, she was stopped by a certain lady and her son. She was moved a bit to the side, where no one could interrupt their conversation. She was a bit panicked, but thankfully, the woman was safe at first.


"Excuse me, ma'am.. You're looking for the release of the super mario game, right? The one about the cats?" She said in a hushed whisper.

"Uh, yes.. How did you know-?"

"Please, take this off of me and my son's hands.. We don't want it anymore..!" She said, shoving the game into Nene's hands. "And whatever you do, don't try to play it.. It gave us too much of a scare.."

"What exactly is so bad about this game? Isn't it for all ages or something?" Nene asked, unaware of the truth.

"It's a long story, child.. But that game has too much power. We barely made it out of that alive.." She said, and Nene started to analyze her, noticing the tiny bruises and cuts all over her skin. "I would've forked this over to the police, but there's no way they'd believe me..!"

"So then why give it to me? You understand I'm still in junior high, right?" Nene believed this girl to be out of her mind, but also.. oddly believed her. Something about this seemed to be the truth. Nene wouldn't have known.

"Because I find you to be worthy of holding this knowledge. Hopefully you live up to that.." The woman said, though her tone began to darken. "However.."

"There's a specific curse within that game, and a specific story. If you do open that game, it appears the only true way out is to fulfill the story.. And it's the only way the curse on this world is lifted. Whenever you are prepared and the time is right, just open the game and.. by doing that.. complete the story to save the world."

Nene felt disturbed.

"Please.." The little boy spoke. "It might be too late for us, since we didn't fully complete the story, but.. You look like you can take on anything!" He said, and Nene could see his eyes: Dead and devoid of all light. Like someone or something had shattered his spirit.

And then Nene looks at the woman to see her eyes holding that same emptiness. That same pain. She fiddled a bit with the game in her hands.

"..I'll accept this, then. I don't know if I'll be 'ready' anytime soon, but maybe."

The woman smiled and this, her eyes watering. "Then go, dear child.."

Nene nodded, not turning back once as she stepped away from the dark alley to the open light. She didn't look back at all to see the expressions of the woman or the boy. She didn't need to.


And she got home safely, her mother unaware of what transaction she had just made. And Nene was left unaware of what had happened to the woman or the boy until the living room TV displayed them - Their lifeless corpses in an alleyway, still holding those lifeless eyes and smiles. 

The police suspected suicide, but at that point .. Nene knew what had happened.

She knew the truth. And she knew she wouldn't be touching that game ever again.

So then, if that was the truth, why was the game lying on her desk? Simple - She was willing to sell it off, and left it on her desk to put on the online market later.

But since she hadn't expected the arrival of her friends, let alone Tsukasa Tenma, who is always so persistant...

It was around now that Nene had experienced true fear.

"Ooh! What game is that, Nene?! It looks soo cute and fun!" Emu said, waltzing over to Tsukasa and staring at the cover of the game intently.

"Aha! Isn't this a nintendo game? I remember playing Mario Brothers games quite alot as a kid!" Tsukasa declared with happiness, oblivious to what he was about to cause if things continued in this direction. "I haven't played this game before, though! We should boot it up and-"

"No." Nene stood her ground. "Please, let's play something else. I have similar story games inside the cabinet that are much more interesting--"

"Ah, but Nene.." Rui was next. "We all seem really interested in this game you have here! I always knew you had a bit of a soft spot for kittens, so you don't have to worry~"

Nene shivered at the mere comment about the game. The cat references on that game were hard to ignore - It was one of the games defining features after all, and it made it seem so innocent. It made Nene want to puke. 

"Kitties?!" Emu squealed. "I wanna play the cute cat game, Tsukasa! Come on, Nene - Let's play the cat game!!"

Nene gulped. She knew she couldn't stand up to all three of them. But then again..

She couldn't bear the thought of her and her dearest friends and troupe mates lying dead in an nearby alley like they were.

"Guys, c'mon.." Nene said, trying to hide her fear. "We can pick a better game than this old garbage-"

She heard a click, and she immediately whipped her head around.

Somehow, Tsukasa had snuck around her and was so close to getting that game into the disc slot. 

Nene had never ran faster in her whole life to stop him.

"Ack- Nene!" Tsukasa yelped, and he found himself wrestling with Nene, who seemed stronger than usual. Nene didn't know what exactly was happening, running off of the pure adrenaline from the fear that her nightmare may become her reality. She didn't want to die - She couldn't die here.

He shouted and tried to push her off, but she was rather strong and aware at the moment. There was nothing that could've possibly -

...

And there she was in her horror. 

She was so focused on wrestling Tsukasa to stop him, she was completely unaware of Rui sneakily taking the disk and loading it into the system. And she was even more unaware of him opening the game until it was too late.

And she let out a blood-filled scream. A scream so curdling, any stranger could've assumed that someone was getting murdered in that house.

"Woah- Nene?! What's wrong?!" Emu immediately jumped to give Nene a hug, which she was immediately pushed back. She got off of Tsukasa, who was just as confused and alarmed as everyone else in the room.

"Nene..?" Rui said, backing up a bit. It was too late.

She couldn't help herself, she started mumbling underneath her breath in panic. This was it - Everyone in this room is doomed to die a painful death. 


"Wah! She's shivering like crazy! We have to see her to a- hm?" 

Tsukasa was stopped in his sentence by an unfamiliar glow coming from the TV screen, and a sensation growing throughout his body. "W-What is this? What's happening?!"

"This is why I didn't want to play this game.. I tried to stop all of you the best I could.." Nene spoke, her final words leaving her. "But now, there is no escape for any of us.. It's too late now."


And that was the last voice any of the four in the room heard before they lost consciousness, disappearing from the world they've once known.

Chapter Text

Nene's eyes snap open when she feels her body start to move on it's own.

"Woah!! This place is different! And Amazing!" She could hear Emu, which might be a good sign.

"Agh.. whatever happened?" That was Tsukasa. He's still obnoxious, but a bit quieter. Good.

"Fufu.. A strange new place to explore.." And Rui. All of her friends from earlier are here. 

She's outside, for some reason. Everyone is walking in a line, taking in the strange new scenery and the beatiful view of fireworks exploding in the skies. There's hardly any rain - the grass is green and slightly swaying within the nighttime breeze. 

They shouldn't be here, yet somehow they've ended up in an entirely new place.

..With an entirely new wardrobe.

"Ehh.. This isn't really my type of clothing.." Tsukasa complained, rolling up his pant legs slightly. "But a star has to be able to pull off any sort of style!" He was wearing quite the strange outfit - A red shirt with blue overalls atop of it, followed by white gloves and brown boots. He had a red hat on as well, with the inital 'M' printed on it. It looks rather familiar, with a hint of nostalgia.

Tsukasa turned towards Nene. "Oh- Nene, we're matching! Haha!"

"We are..?" She said, before actually checking herself out - or at least trying to. She was wearing something similar to Tsukasa - A green shirt with the same blue overalls atop of it, followed by similar white gloves and brown boots. She also wore a green hat, one with the inital 'L' printed on it instead.

"Hehe, Nene and Tsukasa look kind of funny!" Emu giggled. "Says you! You're wearing a weird mushroom cap on your head?!" Tsukasa interjected.

And he wasn't wrong. Emu had a weird mushroom-like hat on her head, followed by a navy blue vest and white pants. She also wore boots, but they were a bit darker than Tsukasa and Nene's boots. She kind of looked like she enjoyed the weird hat on her head, however. "It's very spacious in there!" She exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Rui was a bit behind the rest of the group. He did a bit of a spin as he looked at his own flowy outfit, letting out a giggle. 

"Okay, no need to show off your fancy outfit, Rui." Nene teased at him, which brought Rui closer and into the conversation.

Rui's outfit was a pink dress adorned with hot pink ribbon and a blue gem. He wore blue pearl earrings, and wore a small crown with similar gems decorating it. He continued to laugh. "It's not everyday you get to wear such a unique outfit!~"

"Right! I think it looks good on you, Rui!" Tsukasa declared. Nene could notice a bit of a blush on Rui, but decided to ignore it. "Well then, it must be quite amazing if the star himself thinks so!"

"Mhm!! I wish I had something like that in my closet as well!! I'd wear it eeevery single day!" Emu said, and Nene now knew what she was going to do once she returned home. Hopefully they sell these constumes somewhere on the internet.

Wait.

Right, they had a home they need to return to.

Right, they were just transported to a strange world.

Right, they were definitely  going to die.


"Mother of fuck.." Nene uttered under her breath, recieving a look from Rui. "We're in a completely alternate world - just like they said.."

"They? Nene, whatever do you mean by that?!" Tsukasa asked with a hand to his chest. Emu followed with a curious look.

"We're actually going to fucking die." And Nene is now crying. Perhaps she shouldn't have made that realization, but when you fail to protect your troupe from causing their strange teleportation to the same universe that could have potentially killed many innocent people, it's not hard to connect the dots.

And maybe she was some sort of chosen one according to whoever told her that years ago, but should you really trust everything people say?

..Probably, since their words were actually true - that there was actually a completely different world inside of a video game. And that world kills people.


"Nene, calm down. We'll figure something out, won't we now?" Rui comforted, looking to the others for support.

"Yeah!! We're going to be here the whole way, Nene! And with funny new outfits!" Emu said, smiling and waving her arms.

"Of course we'll be here! What kind of friends would we be if we ditched you in the middle of a strange world?!" Tsukasa declared, striking a pose.

..Maybe they had less of a chance of dying if they were all together. A slightly lesser chance, but it's better than nothing. 


"Thanks, everybody.." Nene said again, wiping her tears. "I think I'm ready to continue going..!" 

"Haha!! That's truly the adventurous spirit!" Tsukasa announced. "Let's go onward!"

And with that, they were supposed to continue walking. Supposed.


Or at least, until a strange phenomenom happened yet again.

A clear pipe had risen from the ground.

"Oh? What's this now?" Rui questioned, analyzing the pipe from a distance.

"That pipe is huge!!" Emu shouted, her arms wide open - most likely to resemble the size of the pipe. "All of us could probably fit inside of it!!"

And that wasn't too far off, actually. It was very big compared to your average household pipe - And it didn't look like it had any use regarding plumbing. But then why is it here? What is happening?

Nene could feel the ground shake underneath her feet, and she immediately jumped and hid behind Tsukasa, who was also caught off-guard by the rumbling, yet willing to stand his ground for his troupemates.

"Wah!! The ground is shaking!!" Emu shouted, vibrating a bit with the rumbling until she was picked up and off the ground by Rui. "Careful, now.." He said.


And then, the group stood before this pipe, watching as a beam of light and a variety of objects flew out. Somehow, none of the objects hit them. Not to say that it wasn't a surprise - As Tsukasa shrieked quite loudly the moment it occured.

Finally, when the pipe was near empty, a weird fairy flew out. A green fairy.

It looked around in what seems to be panic and confusion before locking eyes with the group. It then flew towards them and was making a bunch of noise. It sounded like they were explaining something, but unfortunately, Nene - nor the rest of the troupe - speak the language of the weird alien fairies.

"Fairies are real?!" Emu squealed, meanwhile Tsukasa sighed. 

Suddenly, something else came out of the pipe with a fierce red glow.

It was what seems to be a turtle, riding a strange helicopter of the sort - adorned with spikes all over, including spiked bands and a spiked collar. "That must be a cool pet turtle." Nene thought. Do people even own turtles that size?

It let out a breath of fire before showing off a jar filled to the brim with fairies just like the one presented before them, before stuffing the green fairy in the jar without hesitation. The group looked at the turtle in shock.

"Ah, those poor fairies.. We have to help them." Rui said, meanwhile Emu approached the strange turtle.

"Hey, big guy!!" Emu yelled, wanting to go through with whatever she was planning to do - but the turtle had already fled inside the pipe before she could act. "Come back!!" 


"Fairies, giant turtles.." Tsukasa pondered, looking just as distraught and confused as anyone would be in this situation. "What does an oversized turtle even need fairies for?!" That was a great question from him, and Nene didn't even know the answer to that, either. But she had a feeling that wouldn't be the last we see of that spiked beast.

"Well, what do we do now?" Nene asked, and her eyes managed to catch Rui, who was standing atop of the pipe's rim. "Rui, get down from there."

However, her command didn't work with Rui. In fact, Nene could suddenly feel a certain determination coming from him. "I have a brilliant plan."

"Tell us!" Emu said, ears wide open listening for Rui's idea. Tsukasa didn't seem to like where this was heading, but he listened close anyway. 

"How about we go down and save the fairies from the turtle's capture?" Rui suggested. "If we free them, they might find us a way back home. Who knows what kind of magic they possess, after all!"

"Sounds cool to me!!" Emu said, rushing towards the pipe once more. 

"Rui, are you sure we should-" Tsukasa tried to intercept, but before they knew it, Rui had immediately jumped down the pipe the minute he got the approval of Emu. 

"Rui!! Wait!!" Tsukasa shouted, quickly hopping in the pipe after him.


"C'mon, Nene!" Emu said, taking Nene's hand and jumping into the pipe with her before she could even act against it. "Huh?!" was all she could get out before she felt the pipe sucking her through it.

And from there, the group of four traveled through the pipe - able to catch glimpses of oddities, wonders, and other things they weren't meant to see if they stayed home. 

From there, it seems their adventure is about to truly begin!

Chapter Text

Nene could hardly breathe properly after being sucked through that pipe. The minute she rolled out, she was gasping for air against the soft grass of a completely new area.

"Woah!!" She could hear in the distance, most likely Emu. "This place is-!" 

"Fantastic!" Another person finished, probably Tsukasa. She lifted her head to get a better look, seeing the two actors standing not too far away and admiring the scenery. "It's very green and full of life!" He added, which was rather true. Flowers and other plants were thriving and growing, and the water surrounding the island was extending as far as the eye can see. It was beautiful, at least for as long as Nene remained oblivious to the reality of the situation.

"Nene, are you alright?" Rui asked, and that was when Nene saw Rui sitting down beside her, staring at her with concern. "Apologies for acting so impulsively, but this new experience is quite something..!" 

"Yeah.. I guess I can understand. It's kind of how it is with you." Nene said. "You see something that piques your interest, you stop at nothing to observe it closer."

Rui chucked at that, before pulling Nene to her feet once more and standing up with her. "Now, shall we continue our adventure?" He asked, before looking over towards Emu and Tsukasa. 

Emu was jumping with excitement when Rui and Nene approached, chanting something about a new adventure.. Tsukasa seemed just as energetic, but also a bit confused. "I'm not exactly sure what kind of situation we threw ourselves into, but if everyone else is excited, then I'm ready to do just about anything!"

Nene couldn't help but stare at him. His confusion, how oblivious he is to the situation at hand.. No, how everyone except her is unaware of their fate is making her internal panic all the more intense. In a way, she can't help but be reminded of those few years ago.

And he returned her stare. He looked at her with a bit of worry - She was probably making some stupid worried face, wasn't she?

She looked away, before walking forward torwards what appears to be the only piece of path on this island. "Let's just head for the first level.." 

Apparently saying that attracted a bit more confusion than she had thought there would be. "Level?" Rui asked curiously.

"Are you really comparing this to a video game, Nene?!" Tsukasa asked with slight annoyance. 

"Oh. I thought you guys would've guessed by now," Nene stated. "But we're inside the game. How else do you believe we got here?"

"Hm.. Now that I think about it.." Rui thought aloud. "That does make quite a bit of sense. After all, we were just in Nene's room mere moments ago. And now, we've been transported here magically."

"Right. And it explains how things like these are here." Nene added, pointing to a pop-up model. It's standing on it's own with no particular trouble - In fact, it's hovering above the ground with no support needed. "..What even is this, anyway?" She questioned it, and with an accidental step forward and an outstretched hand--

A weird noise was heard, along with a strange effect before Nene had disappeared. 

"No!! We killed Nene?!" Emu shrieked.    "No, she can't be dead! Maybe she just.. teleported somewhere else?" Tsukasa was quick to reassure, but it seemed that did little to help.

"She fell in?! That means I have to go save her!!" Emu said, and was quick to dive straight into the pop-up that Nene fell into. And just as quickly, she had disappeared in a similar manner.

"Can we stop jumping into random things and being taken to strange places?!" Tsukasa shouted as Emu had disappeared as well.

Rui had stood beside him. "Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to join in as well? Who knows what we'll see there.." 

"Ah-" Tsukasa pouted a bit. "I'd really only jump in if you went in too, honestly.."

"Oh! That's great then!" Rui's face lit up with glee before jumping straight into the pop-up as well. "Let's go!~"

"Wh- HUH?!" Tsukasa was left flabbergasted, before keeping to his word and jumping straight in after him. "Rui, wait?!" 

The next thing the troupe knew was the ground below. Still green grass, but they had all ended up piled on top of each other in the same spot, Nene being on the bottom of the pile; being crushed by everyone. She groaned in frustration.

"Oh- We're alive!" Emu cheered, rising from her spot in the pile and taking a few steps forward off of Nene, a bit of weight has been lifted from her shoulders. 

"Yeah, thank goodness.." Nene said with relief. "Although I don't think I'll be able to live much longer with these idiots on top of me."

"Whoops- My bad, Nene!" Tsukasa said, stepping off along with Rui. "There you go! Feel any better?"

Nene simply stared at him for a moment. "I mean, yeah, if the weight of you three didn't break my back then I should be fine." 

"Wonderful! Then that means we can explore as decided!" Tsukasa announced, before looking forward.

"C'mon! I see a few floating blocks in the distance!" Emu said excitedly, taking off forwards. 

The group approached two floating blocks in the distance after walking up a few stairs (Or Emu simply jumping over the small wall in the way). They were pressed up against a small hill, and a sign was position nearby, pointing to move to the right. Two trees were also present beside the sign, though they looked a bit different. Their bark was a white colour, and the 'leaves' were yellow and orange stripes. They weren't even shaped like leaves at all, if anything, it simply looked like one huge quilt was draped upon a dead tree.

"These trees are quite.. interesting.." Rui said, observing them carefully. However, his attention was then directed to the two floating blocks that the rest of the troupe were simply staring at.

It was silent, for some strange reason.

There were no thoughts. They simply stared at those two blocks. Perhaps maybe Rui had a bit of curiousity in his eyes, or Tsukasa and Nene had a similar look of confusion, but..

"So.. What are we going to do about this?" Nene asked, a bit of concern showing in their tone. "You all are deathly quiet, and it's making me nervous."

"Hmm.." Emu hummed, looking at the blocks. More specifically, she was looking at the yellow block. It was labeled with a question mark. "Can we blow it up?"

"I'm sorry, what?!" Tsukasa gasped, staring at Emu with a more disapproving and shocked look. "We just got here! And this place could be home to all sorts of things - We're not blowing anything up!" 

"Aww.." Emu whined. "But I wanted to see it go all boom-pow!"

"You can watch that happen another time!"

"Well.. This is a mario game, right?" Rui said, actually using logic for once - Or rather, whatever video game logic he knew. "What do you usually do in this situation? When you're confronted by a floating block?"

"Normally.. You jump." Tsukasa stated, getting closer to the block. He kept his gaze locked on Rui. "Like, you'd jump and hit it with your fist, like this." He then demonstrated by pumping his fist upward to hit the block, his eyes not wandering from Rui.

Apparently, that was all it took to cause the block to force a power-up to come out from it. A bell-like item had fallen out of the block. 

"Oh great, it turns out the items have eyes.." Nene stated dejectedly, looking at the bell item. "But then again, I wouldn't expect less from a Mario game."

"I think it looks really cute and wonderhoy~!" Emu said joyfully, and she poked at the little bell item.

Poof-!

"What the.." Nene stared in shock at the sight before her, before muttering under her breath. "I didn't believe the power-ups would work.."

And here, we have a peculiar sight. Upon contact with the bell item, Emu had been poofed into a completely new outfit. More specifically, she had changed into a pink and white fluffy cat suit. The sudden transformation had the three other members staring silently, flabbergasted.

"Ooh! This feels really warm, actually!" Emu said, hugging herself. "It kind of sucks that it's completely sunny!"

"Why, that certainly was such a fast but interesting transition!" Rui exclaimed, completely fascinated with the concept. "To think that the items here could have such effects! Perhaps if I could replicate it somehow, then maybe.."

"What would you even use it for?!" Tsukasa asked. "To transform all of us into cats?!"

"Hm, well.." Rui thought for a moment, looking up at the block. "The block seems to still be fine. So I think as long as you hit it.." Rui hit the block with his own fist.

Lo and behold, another power-up appeared. The same power-up as before. 

Rui looked directly at Tsukasa, who was staring between the newly dispensed item and Rui's smug grin. He took a deep breath in.

"Really.."

"Well, what are we waiting for?!" Rui exclaimed shortly after, pushing Tsukasa into contact with the bell. He let out a yelp.

Poof!

And with that, Tsukasa had also experience the same transition and was now in a similar cat suit to Emu. The only real difference was that his was yellow, whereas Emu's was light pink. Tsukasa glared at Rui, who was giggling with delight. 

Meanwhile, Nene was stuck inbetween the two new 'cats', stuck between shock and confusion. She looked towards Rui, who was now beginning to intimidate her slightly with what appeared to be a death glare. Oh no.

"Rui." Nene started nervously, letting out a sigh. "..You're after me too, aren't you?"

After a few seconds of staring, Rui hits the block with his fist once more. The same bell power-up landed not too far away from him. And from there, Rui began to silently approach Nene.

Nene knew that she wasn't exactly able to outrun him, especially since there's not much elsewhere to go. So instead, she just stood there and hoped that Rui might change his mind.

"Rui.." Nene said once more, before she could feel her feet leave the ground unexpectedly. "Rui-!"

And before she could continue to think or process the events unfolding, she was tossed straight into the power-up. 

Poof!

"Welp.." Nene said, admitting defeat and laying on the ground in her new cat costume. It was pretty much the same as Emu and Tsukasa's except green this time. "He got you too, Nene..!" Emu said, but she put on a smile. "At least we look like we're matching! Tsukasa also matches with us as well, so-!"

"Rui!" Tsukasa shouted, sitting on the floor infront of Rui, who was a bit in front of the block. "You know this isn't fair!"

"What is?" Rui asked, staring at him curiously. "You know cats have different abilities that humans don't necessarily have--"

"That's not the point, Rui!" Tsukasa interjected. "The point is that you turned all of us into cats, but you are still normal!"

"Eh?" Rui was a bit wide-eyed at this. 

"..The block is still yellow, Rui." Tsukasa stated with a more serious tone. "You know what to do."

Rui looked between the yellow block, before looking back at Tsukasa. And with a sigh and a smile, he hit the block once more, causing one more bell power-up to fall out. And with that, the yellow block turned a brown colour.

"Fufu.. It seems that this is only fair, then.." Rui said, before resting a hand on the bell.

Poof!!

And just like the three others before himself, Rui had been transitioned into a new outfit - A cat suit. It was coloured purple, and it was also accompanied with the gold tiara from his previous outfit this time around. The others seemed to have taken notice of this. "Ah, you kept that crown!" More specifically, Tsukasa.

"Wahaha!! Now we're all cute cats!" Emu cheered. "We're the cat cruisaders!"

Nene laughed. "Not even a few minutes after we've all been turned into cats and you've already come up with a cute nickname.."

"Yeah! After all, we're cute cats! We need a cute group name!" Emu said enthusiatically.

"Isn't the name Wonderlands x Showtime already cute enough, though?!" Tsukasa objected, with that same yelling voice that hurt Nene's eardrums.

"Sure it is, but when we become cats, we can't perform the same, no?" Rui responded, smiling once more. "We're more of.. Wonderlands x Cat-Time.."

Emu burst into laughter at that. "That's it! We're all both cute cat performers now!!"

Nene was smiling as well - Even in a bit of laughter. The situation was definitely worrying at first, and it's still poking at her from the back of her mind. However, whenever her friends are around, they tend to make even the most scariest situations seem hilarious and bright. It was wonderful.

She could die happy with all three of them by her side.