Chrono Crossover - The Funhouse, Episode 15 Chapter 3

Author's Note: With a yawn, Chronos stretched and got up. “Ah, what a nice nap. I wonder what time it is... Mid June?! I overslept! Now I'm late uploading the next chapter of Chrono Funhouse! ...If only time-travel worked in this world...”
Oh, and Shadowalker's points rise by 6.

Chrono Crossover: The Funhouse
by Chronos the Cat

Episode 15, Chapter 3

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Serge, Leena, and Korcha stood at the Dare Wheel, waiting for Bekkler to arrive. Marle, Crono, Lucca, and Kid waited with them, either to provide support, or because they were curious as to what dares the three might be asked to perform.

With his usual cackle, Bekkler descended from the ceiling. “Alright. Have each of you decided on who you want to be your rescuers?”

Serge looked at Leena, then said, “We'll both go with Lucca, Robo, and Kid.” (They had discussed it while the others were doing the challenge.)

Korcha said, “I'll go with Lucca, Harle, and Kid.”

Marle commented to Lucca, “Wow, you're popular!”

Lucca laughed and said grandiosely, “That's because everyone knows I'm the best!”

“Well, if you're talking about aim... But even then, that's only because I'm handicapped right now.”

Bekkler said, “Serge, if you'd spin the wheel?”

For Lucca, Serge spun a VI 1 – act like another player. Picking a card, he got “Frog”.

Bekkler told him, “As with most Role-playing dares, this will be for only 24 hours, but the other players will vote on your performance afterward to determine if you succeeded.”

“I guess I can try that...”

For Robo, he spun a VI 6 – wear a cast.

“A cast? Like Marle wore?”

“Yes, but it won't be your entire body, just one part, and you'll need to keep it on for the rest of the game. If you'll pick a card, I can tell you which.”

Picking a card, he picked, “Right short-leg cast”.

“So that would be a cast that covers your lower right leg, from a little below your knee, to just above your toes, immobilizing your ankle.”

“I guess that's not... too bad.”

For Kid, he spun a III 5 – cover palms with messy stuff. Picking a card, he got “Marshmallow Fluff, 24 hours”.

Serge shrugged. “I guess I might as well do it...”

Leena now spun for Lucca. She got VI 2c – talk only in rhymes.

“That could be tough... But it's only for 24 hours?”

Bekkler nodded.

“Well, I suppose...”

For Robo, she spun a IV 4b – wear handcuffs.

“For how long?”

“The rest of the game.”

“Oh, my...” The thought of this actually exited her a little bit, but she tried to make it sound more like dismay. She'd already gotten a bit of teasing for her choice of “cybernetic parts”, no need to provide any more fuel.

For Kid, she spun a VII 8a – lie in a bug pit for 5 minutes.

“Wha-a-at? A ... 'bug pit' ...?”

“Yes, a pit filled with bugs. Nothing harmful, mind you. Nothing that stings, has a poisonous bite, or would suck your blood. Just a few thousand harmless beetles, worms, ants, grubs, and the like.”

Leena's jaw dropped. After a few moments, she said, simply, “No.”

Finally, it was Korcha's turn. For Lucca, he spun X 3a – transformed into a feline demi-human.

“A demi-human?”

“Yes. For the remainder of the game.”

“Well, so long as I'm back cha my normal self afterwards...”

For Harle, he spun an IX, then a King, followed by 9b, 5d, and 8d. 9B was a body part turned to glass. Picking a card, he got Right hand. 5B was a Haze spell (vision blurry), the effects of which would last until he'd had a good rest. 8D was a Forgetfulness Spell (absent minded) for 24 hours.

“That's... just a little too much. I'll pass.”

For Kid, he spun a Joker, then a VI and a b – Slave to all players for 24 hours.

“For 24 hours, you would have to obey any command any of the other players gave you, so long as it didn't involve breaking the law, causing injury, or stopping one of your other dares.”

“Cha...”

Marle cried, “Oh! Do it, Korcha! I know Kid wants you to!” She turned to Kid. “Isn't that right?”

“Er...”

Korcha shook his head and shrugged. “What cha hell. It'll be worth it to stay in cha game.”

. . . And so, not long afterwards . . .

Serge, Leena, Korcha, Lucca, Robo, and Kid entered the Funhouse Lobby. Lucca was back in her Cyber-Cowgirl Mermaid costume; while everyone else was in their normal outfits.

Bekkler soon showed up. “Welcome, to the Round Four Eviction Challenge. For those of you who haven't participated in an Eviction Challenge before, I'll explain the rules. The person in danger of eviction shall be hung by a rope over one of these fake flames. Meanwhile, I'll release three monsters into the room. The rescuers will then throw rocks at the monsters, to chase them off. You'll also need to push that button on the wall occasionally, to prevent the potential-evictee from being lowered into the flames. If they do get lowered into the flames, or the monsters reach the rescuers, you loose, and the person is evicted. But, if you can force the monsters back into their cage, you win, and the person is safe.

“Serge and Leena; as the first two be placed in danger of eviction this round, one of you will go first. Who will it be?”

The two of them looked at each other.

“What do you think?” Leena asked.

“I don't know. Does it matter to you?”

“Well... Not really...”

“I'll go first, then.” He actually would have preferred she go first, as he didn't intend on staying in the game if she left, and this challenge would be rendered pointless; but it just seemed unchivalrous to have her go first into “danger”...

He started to walk towards Bekkler and the flames, when a rope came down from the ceiling, wrapped around him, and carried him to above the left-hand flame. He looked a little surprised, but didn't say anything.

Bekkler instructed, “All right. Kid, Robo, Lucca. Assume your positions. Leena and Korcha, please stand to the side.”

They did so, and Bekkler released the Poyozos.

Kid, not being a perfect shot, took the left-most position, and the responsibility of pressing the button when necessary. Robo took the middle, as so he could step over to Kid's spot occasionally, if her Poyozo got to close. Meanwhile, unable to walk in her mermaid costume, Lucca took the far right, and focused on the right-most Poyozo.

Before long, Lucca had driven her Poyozo off. It took a bit longer, but without much trouble, Robo and Kid drove the other two off, as well.

“Guess it's hard to loose this game when there's three of us working together,” Kid commented.

“Serge stays in the game!” Bekkler announced. He was lowered to the floor, and the rope unwound from him. “Leena, are you ready to take your turn?”

“Of course,” she said with a nod. She walked over to the rope, and stood there patiently while it wrapped itself around her.

While the rope carried Leena over to the flame, Bekkler said, “Kid, since Leena chose not to do the dare to recruit you, would you stand over with Serge and Korcha?”

She nodded, and walked over to join them.

Bekkler released the Poyozos again. Robo and Lucca had a tougher time without Kid – Robo had to handle two Poyozos and the button. (Or one and a half, anyway – Lucca was a good enough aim that she could throw rocks at the middle Poyozo from the right hand position, but not as fast as she could with the right hand one.) Still, they managed it.

Serge was released, and Korcha was lifted over the flame.

“Now, for the round's final Eviction Challenge. Kid and Lucca must try to rescue Korcha!”

Once again, Lucca took the right hand position, and helped with the middle Poyozo. Kid, however, had a hard time handling the one “and a half” Poyozo, and the button. Once or twice, Korcha had to call out for help, to remind her to push the button; and the left and middle Poyozo were slowly getting closer...

“Cha, I'm getting cha little hot, here!” Korcha pointed out, yet again.

Kid ran over to the button, tossing stones at the Poyozos along the way. (She hit the middle one, but missed the left hand one.) While Kid hit the button, Lucca (the right hand Poyozo being a good distance away) tossed stones at the middle and even left Poyozos. Both backed off a bit, giving Kid the time to run back over and pick up a couple more stones.

“Kid, hurry!” Lucca said. Kid looked up to see that the left hand Poyozo was almost upon her. She tossed both stones at it.. But it didn't back off. With a roar, it pounced on her. The other two charged forward as well, heedless of Lucca's stones, pouncing on her as well.

Bekkler said, “Sorry... Once one of them closes in on its prey, stones don't scare any of them anymore. Luckily, they're trained not to injure.”

Meanwhile, with Kid unable to hit the button, Korcha was lowered into the flame. There was a puff of smoke, then he was released onto the floor.

Bekkler snapped his fingers, and the Poyozos let Kid and Lucca go. “It looks like we have our second evictee. Korcha, if you'll bring me your torch – er, I mean, grab your luggage – it's time for you to go.”

Kid walked up to Korcha, who was finishing dusting himself off.

“I'm sorry... I tried ta save ya, but...”

“Cha...” He waved his hand dismissively. “It's okay. I would have liked to stay, but I already got to see a couple of girls naked, so I'm happy.”

“What?!” She punched him hard in the chest, sending him to the floor. “Ya pervert!”

Before he had gotten his wind back, let alone gotten back up, she knelt down next to him. “Oh, one other thing. You don't deserve this, but...” She leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

She lingered a few moments, then broke it off, stood up, and without a word, walked back into the Funhouse.

Leena commented, “What a strange pair...”

Lucca crawled over to Korcha, and saw that he was breathing steadily now – he still seemed in shock, though.

Bekkler said, “Well, since we had an eviction this round, the number of potential evictees will be at three again next time, instead of increasing to four. But first, of course, we have a couple more challenges, and the Bonus Dare. ...So, I'll see you all tomorrow!” And with a cackle, he disappeared into the shadows of the ceiling.

After Korcha had recovered and gotten up, Serge, Leena, and Lucca said goodbye to him. Then, he headed out, and they headed back to the Red and Gray rooms...

. . . Some time later . . .

Korcha sighed happily as his boat reached Guldove. He still wished he'd been able to stay longer, but it had been fun. Like he'd told Kid, seeing the girls... But even more so, the time he'd spent with Kid. Sure, most of the time she'd acted like she hated him, but there were hints every now and then that she was at least a little interested. And of course, there was that kiss... He knew better than to take this as a sign; but it definitely left open the possibility that she liked him. A more definite answer would have been nice, but for now, this was good enough.

When his boat reached the dock, he found Mel waiting for him. “I'm surprised cha came back! You're in for it now!”

Korcha gulped.

After tying the boat up, he rushed to his house. His mother was overjoyed to see him. However, after she'd released him from her bear-hug, the questions began.

“Alright, boy, where were cha?!” She slapped her large wooden spoon in her palm for emphasis.

“Cha...” He handed her a copy of the ad for the Funhouse.

She read it silently. “Cha joined this game?”

He nodded.

“For this, cha snuck out without telling anyone?! I'm afraid I have no choice but cha ground cha!”

As she herded him into his room, she said, “Really, cha could have told me. I would'cha let cha go – Cha, I'd have gone with you! Sounds like a fun game!”

That's just why I didn't tell cha, Korcha thought to himself...

* * *


Next Time on the Funhouse: Serge in a cast! Leena in handcuffs! And both must roleplay successfully, on top of that, or they could still be evicted! ...And later, the players finally learn why the Funhouse has a dungeon! All in the next exiting episode of The Funhouse!! Coming this summer to a website near you...