"Pop"
On the road with the *NSYNC tourbus...Cue tunes of "Give Me the Love I Need"
Yes, our guys of *NSYNC are now on tour in Europe, on the way to fulfilling their destinies. They are enjoying life on the road, basking in the freedom, the serenity, the beauty of it all...
Justin: AAAAARRRRG!!! Chris, Busta crapped in my bed again!!! Ugh, it's green!
...or not.
Chris: Busta, why is it that you're a talking, driving dog, but you can't figure out how to use our toilets?
Busta: It's not my fault! I can't help laying happy doodoos in people's beds, it's in my genes.
Justin: Put him in the cage! Put him in the cage!
Chris: Pipe down, crunkboy, I'm not putting him in anything.
Lance: I can just imagine him letting off when we're on national television.
Busta: I'm not that depraved!
JC: Busta crapped in Justin's bed? Good for him!
Justin: I'll kill you, JC. It was my favorite baby blue fubu blanket, too!
Joey: Wait, what's wrong with crapping in people's beds?
Everyone turned to stare at Joey for a moment.
Joey: ...Not that I'd ever do it or anything. Or ever have. Or...Oh, nevermind.
Justin: Can we get back to ma fubu!?
Chris: Justin, you and your fubu are going to be just fine!
Justin: But. It's. GREEN!!!
Busta: It's not green. If I were laying green crap I think I would know about it.
Joey: I'm hungry. Anyone want some eggs?
JC: Oh, God.
Lance: Hey look, we're here!
Indeed, the tourbus was just pulling up to a rather nondescript shopping mall.
JC: Our first performance...in a shopping mall. I guess there are some profits to that...
Lance: Business-wise it is a moderately effective way to gain publicity.
At this, Chris eyed Lance suspiciously.
Chris: First you're Poofoo, now you're the business guy?
Lance: That's right. Someday, I'm gonna run my own entertainment corporation, and I'll be known as the most business-minded member of *NSYNC.
Justin: Yeah, right, and while you're at it, why don't you go and have a highly publicized relationship with Topanga from Boy Meets World? Keep your head on your shoulders, Lansten.
Lance: Whatever, just don't call me Lansten.
The bus came to a halt and the guys of *NSYNC proceeded to file out. Johnny Wright was standing at the entrance to the mall, talking with security. Busta decided to stay behind to speak with Central, 'sides there was little he could do in a mall.
Chris: Hey, you guys think that Johnny suspects anything from us? You know, about the whole office scenario with him and the lizards?
Lance: I'm pretty sure he was totally decked out.
Justin: Yeah, but did you see his look when he woke up and saw the whole mess I...we made? I've never seen a blacker man. Wait, I mean...
JC: He might suspect something...but it'd be far from the truth anyway. Let's not fret about it.
Joey: I'm still hungry. You think there's a McDonald's in there?
Chris: How are you always so optimistic, Joey?
Joey: I'm not optimistic. I just always think good thoughts.
Justin: ...
Chris: ...
Lance: ...
JC: ...Anyways, my theory is that we shouldn't worry about Johnny learning the truth anytime soon.
Johnny: What are you guys talking about?
Justin: What yo!? We ain't tawkin' 'bout no lizar's? No, we jes' be chilli' 'ere. An' we 'specially not talkin' 'bawt flippin' int'a superhuman posse.
Johnny/Joey: Huh?
JC: So much for my theory...
Johnny turned to them with one of those suspicious looks.
Johnny: Are you guys sure that what happened that day was only an earthquake?
Chris: Yeah, um an earthquake. See, um, your lamp fell on you and you passed out.
Johnny: I remember talking to two guys dressed in suits...
Justin: You just watched MiB too many times.
Johnny: And then I vaguely remember there were these five guys. I can't remember who they were..."NStink?"
Lance: Hey, we're not...I mean, it was just a figment of your imagination, I'm sure it has nothing to do with us being *NSYNC and all.
Johnny: This part is more clear...Joey fell out of a window, I think.
Joey: Who, me?
Johnny: And I can't remember what happened next.
Justin: You remember Joey falling out of a window, but not me?
Johnny: What?
JC: ER! He's saying that you've probably been working too hard, Johnny.
Johnny: Maybe so, but it was all so real...whatever, we've got a show to do!
JC: That's the spirit!
**************************************************************
Back inside the bus, the large-screen TV was on and Busta was having a totally serious conversation with Central.
Busta: ...so there we were, on the road, and everyone looked like they were really busy, you know? And so I didn't want ot just stop the bus and interrupt anyone, right? And then there was Justin's blanky, all blue and stuff, so I thought, what the heck, he can get another one, and I put the bus on auto and then...
Central: Stop. Please.
Busta: I mean, I'm not a bad doggie, am I? I just went and did my thing. It wasn't my fault.
Central: Let's get down to business, shall we?
Busta: Right. What're the readings for this mall?
Central: I am sensing a vergence in the Force...I mean, there's something in this particular sect that is confusing the readings. I can't tell if it's beneficial or malignant.
Busta: Something? Not someone?
Central: As far as I can tell the immense star crystal energy is coming from a medium-sized object located somewhere in the mall. It might well be stored star energy someone, for some reason, placed in this mall. I can't tell where it is coming from specifically, there are too many people and objects in the mall to sort out.
Busta: It might also be a trap...
Central: True. This star energy is so strong that it can't be coincidence. But it also can't be left alone. The question is, do do we trust the guys enough to let them in on this danger?
Busta: I trust them. Chris most of all, but really I trust all of them. They can take on anything, whether or not it's a trap.
Central: Agreed. I'll leave the rest to you, Busta. Central, out.
**************************************************************
In a section of the mall, where the stage is being set. Cue tunes of "Sailing"
Lance: Look at this. All these people already lined up. Are you guys scared?
JC: Well...
Lance: I'm not. Am I? Should I? Are you? They're gonna make fun of my dancing, aren't they?
Chris: I don't...
Lance: What if they make fun of my dancing!? Omigod, what if they think I look like a girl!?
Joey: Lance, you really...
Lance: This is just great. This is perfect. Where's Poofoo, da***t, get yourselves out here and play!
Justin: Lansten, my foot is about to make a rapid and forceful impact with your butt in about two seconds.
Lance: Alright, alright, alright. I'm cool. Ah am. Don't you say I'm not!
Chris: ...He's right, you know, we're too tense. We need to find some way to calm ourselves. Release our negative chi. How about some hackeysack?
At this moment, Johnny came up with a clipboard in his arms.
Johnny: Guys, there's been a slight delay...some electricity malfunctioning. Apparently there was a power shortage at McDonalds and a big panic...Big Macs flying everywhere...not pretty. Anyway, we'll get back on in about thirty minutes.
JC: Hey, where's Lou? I thought he'd be here for sure.
Johnny: I haven't seen him. Don't worry about it, the show can go one without him.
Justin: We only wish.
Johnny: Agreed. Anything else you guys need?
Justin: Now that you've mentioned it, I've always wanted one of those chairs that big stars get to sit on with their names on it.
Chris: Herbal tea. Lots of it.
Joey: I actually wouldn't mind some pizza right about now.
Lance: Do you have some spare change? I need to make a call to Mississippi to see if I left my poofoo back there.
JC: Can I get one of those chairs, too? One that's bigger than Justin's?
Johnny: Oookay, you have no idea how very, very sorry I am that I asked. See you all in half an hour.
As Johnny left, Busta came scampering up.
Busta: Hey guys, I heard that you've got some free time. I think there may a task for you guys.
Chris: As long as it doesn't involve shoveling cow dung, I'm all for it.
Everyone turned to stare at Chris for a moment.
Chris: Don't ask.
Busta: There is an object in this mall that is radiating immense star energy. Central and I are not sure what it is or where it is or even if it's just a trap by the Corpulence, but we know we can't just leave it alone. For all we know it might be something of great value.
Joey: If Central can't find it, how do we get around to finding it?
Busta: Take these earphone receivers; They basically are the same ones you acquire after you transform{Refer to image gallery}. With them on, you'll be able to communicate with each other and Central, and he will be able to get in synch with your energy patterns and in turn be able to more closely pick up on other patterns around you. Just walk around the mall, and Central will be able to tell if you're getting close to the right energy pattern.
Lance: So it's like that getting warm, getting cold game.
Busta: Right. But be wary, you aren't the only ones playing.
**************************************************************
"This energy pattern...I feel it! So rich! So uncharted! Tell me, what is the source!?"
"The source of this wave of star energy is located in a certain British mall. I have made some calculations, and it seems that it is emanating from a rather small object, not at all demanding attention to itself. From our radius it is near impossible to detect the origin of this object, yet with some minor effort it could be learned."
"Interesting. Who could have placed this object so conveniently for us to take? And radiating such a strong aura with no apparent owner...I wonder...if it could possibly be...The Bottle?"
"The Bottle of Reflections. The forbidden relic, so powerful that if used correctly, it can unleash the spirit that will send the world into Paradise...or Hell?"
"The same. If this is indeed the Bottle of Reflections there is no time to waste. Go. Send your minions. Find this Bottle and bring it to me!"
**************************************************************
Back at the mall...
Under the guise of random shopping, the guys of *NSYNC are actually scoping out each and every shop for distinctive energy patterns.
Chris: What about this one?
Joey: "Babbages?" Chris, you just want to go and check out the games.
Chris: And you don't?
Joey: For the time being, no.
JC: Yeah, Joey's right, we have a job to do!
Joey: What? No, I mean that the Superman side-scroller isn't out yet, so I'm not interested.
Busta: How about it, Central?
Central{Over their earphones}: No, the readings don't show up there...odd. I had thought that it would be very conspicuous. This might be harder than I thought.
Justin: Oooh, look they've got Resident Evil! That Jill Valentine is sooooo fine...Lara Croft is nothing compared to her!
Chris: Are you kidding? None of those can compare with Rinoa Heartilly!
Joey: I've always preferred Chun-Li myself...
JC: ...Is it just me, or did we suddenly drift off into a discussion about the voluptuousness of video game characters!?
Justin: Right. Sorry.
JC: You should be! After all, none of you even mentioned Aeris!
Chris: What!? Aeris was a polygon!
Lance: ...Guys, you know that if we do make it big, this might be the last time we're ever going to be able to walk around in a mall like this.
Justin: Yeah. I can just imagine...getting forcefully mobbed by a crowd of fanatic preteens...insane stalkers that spread rumors about me...that's gonna suck.
JC: At least we'll be able to do our music. Let's just hope that our "fans" will be mature enough to allow us some privacy.
Busta: Hey guys, speaking of stalkers...don't look now, but my superior doggie senses tell me that you're being followed again!
Chris: What, again!? Alright, someone tell the author that there'd better be an actual point to all these sidetracking storylines, 'else I'm gonna renegotiate my contract.
Oh, relax, trust me on this one.
Lance: I'm tired of having to be sneaky. Let's just turn around and confront him.
Busta: Alright. It's that guy, he's been trailin' us for about six minutes now.
The guys of *NSYNC followed Busta's line of site to a man who was just standing there, sure enough staring intently at them. He was around their age, medium height, solidly built, with dirty blonde hair that fell across his forehead.
Chris: Let's go see what he's about.
Central: Wait, *NSYNC! That person...!
Unheeding Central's warning, the guys of *NSYNC marched straight up to the stranger. Instead of being alarmed or afraid, the man just put on a warm, respectful smile, which surprised the guys for a sec.
JC: Um...hi.
Man: Hello.
The man had a soft, welcoming voice. This turn of events was not at all what *NSYNC had expected, which put them off guard even more.
Joey: Um...are you following us?
The smiling continued. Geez, thought Joey, does this guy have huge cheekbones or what?
Man: Following? No. Interested in? Definitely.
Joey: Interested in? Er, I guess we should be flattered, huh. But sorry, we don't lean that way.
Justin: Actually, we're not quite sure about Lance, why don't you ask him?
Lance: Hey!
Man: We've been interested in you for a while, now.
This put the guys of *NSYNC back in security-mode.
Chris: "We"? What do you mean? Who are you!?
Man: No need to be alarmed. We bear you no animosity. Yet. I've only come to deliver a message to you five.
JC: And that is?
The next words spoken by the stranger held no warmth at all, only threat. Indeed, his entire face seemed to twist into an expression of anger.
Man: Don't get in our way.
With that, he turned to leave.
Justin: Hey! Stop right there!
To their surprise, the man actually did stop.
Justin: Do you think you scare us!? Who do you think you are!
When the man turned around, the benign, kindly expression was back on his face.
Man: Of course. I had not introduced myself yet, had I? How rude of me. My name is Brian. And...I honestly hope for your sakes that we do not meet again.
A second later, Brian disappeared into the throng of shoppers.
Lance: Whoa. What was that about?
Central: I tried to warn you. There was intense star crystal energy radiating from that man, similar in potential to your own.
JC: What!? How come we didn't know this!
Central: In time, you will also be able to sense this energy even without transforming.
Chris: Could someone else have learned to utilize their crystal energies too?
Central: That is always a possiblity. But for the life of me, I can't understand what that man...Brian?...was all about!
Busta: Yeah, he was totally confident, totally uncautious...one might even say arrogant.
Joey: It's like he was intentionally trying to pick a bone with us...only not.
Justin: He didn't seem that bad...'cept when he started to threaten our lives.
Suddenly, off in the distance, a dischordant scream is heard.
Busta: Hey, look over there!
Near the other end of the mall, there seems to be a large ruckus going on.
Lance: A sale, maybe?
Central: Extreme dark energy...radiating from that area! Guys, this isn't the doing of natural occurences!
Joey: Huh!? What does that mean!?
Chris: It's the Corpulence! Again! Which means that this chapter is nearing the end!
Ooh, so you've figured out my little pattern have you?
JC: Let's get *NSYNC!
**************************************************************
Inside Sam Goody's...
One soldier and two scouts were just finishing their metamorphosis into their reptilian counterparts, unheeding of the screaming shoppers and the unsueing panic.
Soldier: Don't pay attention to these insignificant creatures and their ramblings...our primary objective is The Bottle inside this shop...discretion is merely an option this time.
Store Attendant: EEEEEEEK!!! Get away from here!
Soldier: Remove her.
The scouts made a sudden rush to the attendant and threw her out of the store. The remaining employees and shoppers ran out, screaming. At this moment two police officers ran in, guns at the ready.
Officer: Freeze!
In less than an eyeblink, the soldier had grabbed their pistols and cracked them using its bare claws. In another eyeblink, the officers were also out of the game.
Soldier: Good. Now, search the premises for the...
"Hold it!"
At the entrance stood five figures, *Justin, *Chris, *Joey, *Lance, and *JC.
"*NSYNC is here!"
*Chris: Now, step away from those music albums. That's very important copyrighted material!
Soldier: You! Well, this will be more fun than I had thought. Take them down!
The two scouts lunged for *NSYNC. *Justin and *Chris went after one of them, and *Joey and *Lance sparred with another, which left *JC to deal with the remaining soldier.
*JC: Yeah, 'cause I barely got any action in the last chapter...nevermind.
Soldier: Don't be so cocky. I know that you...*NSYNC...can do very little by yourselves. Your strength comes from your harmony and togetherness. Taking care of one of you will be easy.
*JC: You speak like you know us very well.
Soldier: Insignificant fool. Do you not know? All of us soldiers have a collective mind. What one of us knows, so does the other. I have learned all about you from the soldiers who have fought with you before. And I will now destroy you!
The soldier went straight for *JC's throat, but he was able to avoid the lethal claws.
*JC: ...Is that all you get from the Corpulence? A "collective mind?" What's the good in that?
Soldier: Idiot. You may pride yourselves in your ability to synchronize with each other and use teamwork, but we! We have the true power! We are truly in synch!
*JC: Oh please. You're the idiot.
Soldier: What!!!
*JC: Do you think that just because you make yourselves to be the same as someone else, by bending to someone else's ideals, that you're stronger? That's not what harmony is about. That's loss of individuality. True harmony is the ability to bring many different forces together and have it somehow become a force all its own. What you're doing...joining your mind, you soul with something else, tuning to its standards...you're just sheep. No, worse, you're just insects.
Soldier: NNNRRAAAAAAAAAAASSSKK!!!
In a mad rage, the soldier grabbed *JC and threw him against a CD shelf, causing loads of albums and other junk to collapse on him.
*JC: Ow, geez, this one is stronger than all the others...what's this?
Out of all the junk that fell on him, this particular one caught *JC's eye. It was a small white bottle, shaped almost like a vase or a lamp, with some minute decorations.
Central: That's it! That's the source of the energy!
By now, the other *NSYNCers had taken care of the scouts and were rushing to help *JC.
*Lance: That aura...!
*Joey: Even we can feel it now...
*Justin: It's so...familiar?
Soldier: That bottle...! Give it to me!
Before anyone could react, the soldier dashed forward and grabbed the bottle from *JC's hands.
Soldier: Yes! The Bottle of Reflections! It is mine!
Busta: What, that's the Bottle of Reflections!? Guys, you can't let him...
Soldier: Too late! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Before the guys of *NSYNC could stop it, the soldier began to rub at the bottle. An intence flash of light burst, and from the bottle appeared...nothing. Nothing at all. Everyone just stared at the bottle, stunned.
Soldier: Wha...what!? Why isn't it working!
*Chris: *NSYNC Lunatic Storm!
The slashing wind struck at the soldier, forcing it to let go of the bottle, which landed back in *JC's hands.
Busta: *JC! Rub the bottle!
Not needing to be told twice, *JC took the bottle and rubbed at it. At first, nothing happened. Then, after a second, the huge flash of light returned, and this time, when it faded, in midst of the confetti and aura, this figure emerged.
Cue tunes of "Genie in a Bottle"...yes, I'm totally serious.
Girl: Yea, finally! Someone who would rub me the right way!
*Justin: O_O
*Chris: O_O
*Joey: O_O
*Lance: O_O
*JC: O_O
Soldier: O_O
Girl: Hey, what's everyone staring at? {Pause} JC? Justin? What're you guys doing here!?
*Justin: What...you're...
*JC: Christina Aguilera!?!?
*Lance: That's the puny little girl I saw on MMC along with those two!?
*Christina: You guys, look out! That lizard thing's gonna attack again!
Indeed, having recovered from the shock, the soldier prepared to pounce. But *Christina took her bottle and pointed it towards the soldier, and a beam of transparent energy shot out and enveloped the creature's head, and it fell to the ground, befuddled.
*Christina: Guys, I have just used my power to mind-blank that creature. Now, finish it off!
*Justin: ...
*Chris: ...
*Joey: ...
*Lance: ...
*JC: ...
*Christina: Guys! What're you waiting for!?
*Chris: Oh. My. God. She. Is. Sexy.
*Joey: I. Can't. Move. I'm. Mesmerized.
*Lance: Wowa. So. Fine. So. Fine.
*Justin: No. Must. Think. Of. Christina. As. Flat-chested. Eleven year-old. Child. Not. Working!
*JC: Arg! No! Too...sexy...losing...energy...
*Christina: What are you guys saying!? Snap out of it!
*Justin: Arg, she's right! No one bedazzles Justin Timberlake! Justin Timberlake bedazzles everyone else, that's the rule!
*JC: And I can't lose to *Justin! Not even in this area!
*Justin: *NSYNC Tearing Frostbite!
*JC: *NSYNC Spasmic Lightning!
The two powerful forces of *NSYNC launch out at the soldier and destroys it on the spot!
*Christina: Yea! Good job guys!
By now the other three member are shaking their heads, slowly coming out of their stupor.
*JC: Christina, what were you doing inside that bottle!?
*Christina: Well, it's a long story, first of all I wasn't actually in the bottle; I'm petite, but now that petite. The bottle's just a summoning device. I had discovered my own star crystal's powers some time ago, but I'm not powerful enough to do much by myself. So I decided to set the bottle so that it will only respond to someone with a positive and strong star crystal; When it does, I'll know that I've found someone who can help me. That turned out to be you guys!
Busta: That's the secret of The Bottle of Reflections!? The legends stated that it could create a world altering event!
*Christina: Well, it did! I'm here, aren't I?
No one could argue with that.
*Christina: By the way, why do you have a talking dog?
*Chris: You just popped out of a little bottle and you're asking us why we have a talking dog?
*Christina: But I told you, I wasn't...nevermind.
*Lance: So...what's your plan now?
*Christina: Well, sadly, my powers still aren't developed enough to do battle directly; I guess now just isn't my time yet...but I can still help you guys out a lot!
Saying which, *Christina handed her bottle over to the guys.
*Christina: When you really need my assistance, just give the bottle a rub, and I'll be with you. But for now, see ya!
Then *Christina made a gesture and disappeared in a puff of purple smoke("I Dream of Jeannie," anyone?).
*Joey: Whoa.
*Chris: Well, we've got a dependable ally, now.
Busta: By the way, good job guys, you did great today!
*Lance: Save it till after the concert...
*JC: The concert! Oh, crap, we have to go do the concert now!
*NSYNC was in such a rush to go that they didn't even notice the two figures watching them from the shadows.
Brian: You have to admit, they were impressive.
Other Figure: They were lucky...The genie came out and saved them. But you, B-Rok, I must say that you pulled off a better performance today than we thought you would. Bravo.
Brian: Just because I don't think that these boys are dangerous doesn't mean that I wouldn't go along with what the group decides. My loyalty is to you guys, one hundred percent. But know that I didn't enjoy it one bit.
Other Figure: Understood. But really, what do you think of this...*NSYNC? The others trust you; They'll need to hear a solid judgement from you soon.
Brian: ...I meant it when I told them I'd rather not meet them again. As much as I'd like to believe in their innocence, my gut feeling is that they will lead to some sort of conflict between us. And the more I think about it, the more I believe that the conflict may be all too unavoidable.
Chapter 7: "Everybody"
(And yes, the title refers to exactly what you're thinking it refers to)
