Opening Song: Kimi no Te ni Boku no Te (Your hand in mine.)

 

And so we go off on a grand journey….

Armed only with determination

 

And a dream that refuses to be forgotten!

 

A rainbow of one color, birds that sing the same song

While it feels safe I gotta open my cocoon and fly someday

 

It was raining this morning so I thought I could sleep in

But then trouble started and friends and foes….

 

Fought as one!

 

I decided to have my journey with you

Because of the cool way you took your hand out of your pocket and showed it to me

 

And so we go off on a grand journey

Armed only with determination

 

And a dream that refuses to die!

 

 

(Last time on Sakaki Jikan Tabibito, Sakaki and Gato were headed into the heart of the beast to speak, as they had finally found where the Tengons had set up base on Atsuko’s home planet. After meeting up with two sisters that helped our hero do some soul searching, he was on his way to defeat the Tengons….or so he thought. It seemed that they had gotten the drop on him by sending a mech after him. However even though Sakaki was close to being defeated, the mech seemingly gave up on them. However Sakaki and Gato couldn’t take this easily because it was soon they found out….)

 

Sakaki: Maybe….just maybe we weren’t its target!

 

(Meanwhile in the city neighboring the one Sakaki and Gato had just left, The unmanned Tengon mech that attacked Sakaki and Gato earlier has found its true target, and has it cornered. We see that this target is in fact a girl who appears to be Atsuko’s age with blue hair that includes bangs that cover her eyes, and she wears a white shirt with a skirt, and has sandals on. This girl’s description sounds familiar however and perhaps we may find out why soon. Unfortunately this girl’s future doesn’t look too bright as she stares down the barrel of the mech’s rifle. As her life flashes before her eyes, she curses the person who had her out at this time anyway.)

 

Girl: Gramps! If it weren’t for you and your medicine being so far away, I wouldn’t be in this mess! Now I’m gonna be killed and I don’t even know why! I haven’t had a boyfriend or a first kiss! This is almost like being killed straight out of the womb! (Starts to cry) Why does this kind of thing have to happen to me?! Its so not fair…….

 

(The Tengon mech cocks its rifle ready to make the shot that will end it all.)

 

Girl: This is it……

 

Sakaki: Episode 36: A Girl’s best friend! Kiki’s appearance!

 

(Suddenly just before the mech can fire its shot something drops in front of its view. This something is actually Gato, who proceeds to moon the robot.)

 

Gato: Hey sensor breath! How’s the view back there?!?

 

(The robot reaches up to peel Gato off, but just then Sakaki appears behind it and takes a swipe with the midnight blade to its leg. The robot stumbles and then falls over, and Sakaki then stabs downward into it’s back which causes a mechanical fan to malfunction therefore overheating the bot. It shuts down, and is no longer a threat to anyone.)

 

Sakaki: Phew! Good thing we managed to find this bot again!

 

Gato: Yeah, but with your planning we were actually able to take it out.

 

Sakaki: Wow is that a complement Gato?

 

Gato: Don’t get used to it. It’s much more entertaining to belittle you.

 

Sakaki: Hahahah I don’t like you.

 

(Meanwhile the girl sits up on her knees and stares at her heroes with unfaltering admiration. She raises one hand to her chest to slow her racing heartbeat, and then finally manages to stand up.)

 

Sakaki: Well then we’re really close to the Tengon base, so let’s just keep going.

 

Gato: Sounds good.

 

Girl: Wait!

 

(Sakaki and Gato turn and see the girl. It’s obvious that they didn’t even know she was there up until now, because Sakaki has a blank expression, and Gato goes to playboy mode.)

 

Gato: So what’s a sweet little thing like you doing out here all alone?

 

Sakaki: You didn’t even know she existed up until now.

 

Gato: It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to bask in beauty such as yours. So I didn’t notice right away. Please forgive me young lady.

 

(Sakaki sweatdrops.)

Sakaki: There should be laws that keep people like you locked in your houses.

 

Girl(Blushing): I really want to thank you for helping me out! You saved my life!

 

Sakaki: It was no problem! But you should really run home now. I don’t know when they might call for back up.

 

Girl: But…I have to repay you. Please let me cook you dinner or something!

 

Sakaki: Uh thanks but no thanks, we’ve got things to do.

 

Gato: Pshaw Sakaki I had no idea that you were THAT way.

 

Sakaki: THAT way? What’s that supposed to mean?

 

Gato: You know….with the boys?

 

Sakaki(Thinking): What can he possibly…..

 

(He glares at Gato once he gets it.)

 

Sakaki: I am NOT that way! It’s just that our priority is getting to the Tengon base and saving Atsuko!

 

Gato: So then you like toots better than this cutie?

 

Sakaki: I REFUSE TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE!

 

Girl: Wait…you two know ‘Tsuko-chan?

 

Sakaki: Yeah, wait do you know her?

 

Girl: Yes…! She’s my best friend!

 

Sakaki: Ah! Then you must be Kiki!

 

Kiki: Yes that’s me! She told you about me?

 

Sakaki: Yeah! I never thought we’d be able to meet though.

 

Gato: Toots….talked to you about her friends?

 

Sakaki: Well yeah…what she never told you anything?

 

Gato: No….

 

(Sakaki smiles mischievously.)

 

Sakaki: Shows that she doesn’t think much of you then.

 

Gato: Fine then. I like her friend much better anyway.

 

Kiki: Please come back home with me so I can repay you….besides after being attacked like that I’m kinda scared to walk back by myself.

 

Sakaki: Ok, when you put it like that I suppose we could come.

 

Kiki: Thank you! Thank you very much!

 

(They follow her to her home, which is actually a bit closer to the rich district. They take a different way there than Sakaki and Gato originally came by however. When they get to her house she takes off her sandals and walks over to a back room. She comes back out in a minute and turns on the oven, and then beckons Sakaki and Gato to sit down. They do and then the three of them begin to talk.)

 

Sakaki: So if you live all the way over here, why were you where we found you?

 

Kiki: Oh yeah! That’s right! (She digs into her Skirt’s pocket) It was for my Grandpa’s medicine. My parents passed away a while ago so I live with him. Since I’m the child you’d think he would take care of me, but it’s often the other way around. He’s not feeling well so I had to go to next town over for medicine.

 

Sakaki: I see.

 

(Kiki finds the bag she was looking for and goes to a room near the one that they are in, and after a couple of minutes appears in the doorway.)

 

Kiki: He’s awake now, and I explained everything to him, so he really wants to meet you now.

 

Sakaki: Sure!

 

(Sakaki and Gato walk over into the next room and in that room they find an old man in a bed. He sits up when he hears Sakaki and Gato enter, and he smiles at them.)

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: So I hear from my granddaughter that you saved her life today?

 

Sakaki: Yeah, it was no big thing though.

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: It was so a big thing young man! I’d love to give you something in return, but I don’t have much you see.

 

Sakaki: It’s quite alright. However we can’t stay too long, we just came to escort Kiki home since she was shaken up by the whole ordeal. Really we should be on our way.

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: You even brought her home? You’re a marvelous young man! I’ve got something to tell you!

 

(He beckons for Sakaki to come closer, and then whispers something in our hero’s ear.)

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: She’s been complaining that she needs a boyfriend, and quite frankly I think you fit the bill perfectly. Though she’s a lot like my son’s daughter, kind but a real firecracker when angry.

 

(Kiki gets a large irritation mark, and walks over to Sakaki and her grandfather.)

 

Kiki: Oh Grandpa……(loudly) I’M RIGHT HERE! AT LEAST WAIT UNTIL I LEAVE THE ROOM TO TALK LIKE THAT!

 

(Kiki storms out.)

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: See what I mean?

 

(Sakaki laughs uneasily.)

 

Sakaki: I’ll keep that in mind.

 

Gato: She’s even cuter when she’s mad…..yo Gramps! Mind if we go on honeymoon early?

 

(Later Sakaki, Gato, Kiki, and her Grandfather sit around a dinner table about to enjoy the fruits of her cooking labor.)

 

Everyone: Its time to eat!

 

(As they are eating, Kiki speaks up.)

 

Kiki: So Sakaki-kun, how IS ‘Tsuko-chan? I haven’t heard anything from her since she left for her report.

 

(Flashback to when Atsuko is about to go into the time flow in the Time Gate.)

 

Kiki: ‘Tsuko-chan! When will you be back?

 

Atsuko: Don’t worry about it so much! I’ll be back soon! And of course I’ll bring you some souvenirs from the past!

 

Kiki: You’re so carefree! Of course I’m worried! The past is much rougher than the future that we live in is! What if you get hurt? Or lost!?

 

Atsuko: I won’t. I’m pretty tough too remember? Ok I’m going now, next time you see me I’ll be passing History!

 

Kiki: Tsuko-chan….

 

Atsuko: So long! I’ll miss you!

 

(She hops in the Time Gate, and it soon lifts into the air, and into the time flow. We fade back to the present, where Kiki looks at Sakaki expectantly for an answer to her question but instead Sakaki looks away with a sad look in his eyes.)

 

Gato: Hey…maybe you shouldn’t tell her….

 

Sakaki: No, as her best friend she deserves to know the truth.

 

(Sakaki looks at her with a serious expression.)

 

Sakaki: Kiki, I’m sorry but…

 

(Sakaki explains the whole situation about the Tengons, the master technology, and Atsuko’s capture. Kiki looks down sadly, and then looks back at Sakaki with pleading eyes.)

 

Kiki: If this is all true you have to go save her! Who knows what those Tengons will do to her?

 

Sakaki: I know. That’s where we’re going now. So I hope you don’t mind if we leave right now.

 

Kiki: Wait!

 

(Sakaki stops.)

 

Kiki: I want to go with you. Please take me with you.

 

Sakaki: No way! If you should get kidnapped, or hurt Atsuko would never forgive us! Besides we still haven’t even figured out why that robot attacked you!

 

Kiki: That’s why I should go! If I stay here who knows if it will come back? You won’t be here to save me again will you?! Besides that ‘Tsuko-chan was already hurt once by those monsters….and I don’t want to see her hurt again…

 

(Sakaki smiles at her.)

Sakaki(Thinking): It’s no wonder that they’re both friends. Kiki is thinking of Atsuko before herself. However it’s too much of a gamble to bring her along.…

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: Sakaki-kun, please you have to take Kiki with you.

 

Sakaki: Grandpa?

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: While she hasn’t been sure of it she’s had a bad feeling about Atsuko leaving this whole time. And one thing that a person shouldn’t be without is a best friend.

 

Sakaki: I understand that. However Gato and I are already going to have a tough time trying to sneak in there without being discovered…..

 

Kiki: I promise you I won’t get in your way.

 

(Sakaki sighs, and then Gato says.)

 

Gato: While what I’m about to say may sound like a corny b-movie, but I agree with Gramps and the little cutie.

 

Sakaki: I think I know why YOU want her to come.

 

Gato: Well besides that, even if we manage to find toots, you remember how she was right?

 

(Sakaki remembers Atsuko’s eyes, and her cold expression at their most recent meeting.)

 

Sakaki: Yeah, I couldn’t forget that no matter how I try to.

 

Gato: Well how do we know we’ll be able to reason with her? While we’re friends, we’ve still just recently met each other. Those two girls have known each other much longer, and therefore it may be easier for toots to be brought back to herself if she sees an old friend.

 

Sakaki: Gato, ok. We’ll take you along Kiki.

 

Kiki: You won’t regret it!

 

Sakaki: But you have to stay out of the way. When we engage the Tengons in battle you have to make sure that you get far away.

 

(Kiki nods.)

 

Sakaki: Ok! I think we can move out now!

 

Kiki’s Grandpa: Good luck. If anyone can bring Atsuko back, I think its you three!

Sakaki: Thanks Grandpa, your words will give us the resolve we need!

 

(Meanwhile at the “Tengon Garage” better known as the base Sakaki and Gato are headed to, Dr. Sinister is preparing a shipment of supplies to be transported into space on the Tengon mothership.)

 

Dr. Sinister: Everyone, remember that these supplies are needed to start the Tengon Empire. Be careful with them, and guard them with your lives.

 

(Atsuko then walks up with a checklist, and two Tengon guards accompany her.)

 

Atsuko: Dr. Sinister, the checklist conditions have been met.

 

Dr. Sinister: Excellent. We can start shipping out right away then.

 

(Atsuko turns as if she’s expecting something to come from behind.)

 

Dr. Sinister: What’s wrong?

 

Atsuko: Nothing….but this host body was….expecting someone.

Dr. Sinister: Unfortunately we don’t have time to waste on that.

Atsuko: I understand. However I may not be able to function correctly if this host body doesn’t have all its needs met.

 

Dr. Sinister: We’ll work on that.

 

(Atsuko climbs on board the ship and Dr. Sinister smiles evilly.)

 

Dr. Sinister: However I made sure that little annoyance was taken care of.

 

(He climbs aboard too, a Tengon solider comes to him and bows.)

 

Tengon Soldier: Unfortunately sir we won’t be able to launch off as soon as hoped. Due to some mechanical difficulties, we have to spend more time prepping than usual.

 

Dr. Sinister: I suppose this can’t be helped, but make it quick. We shouldn’t become any further behind schedule than we already are.

 

(The Solider bows and walks out. Dr. Sinister sighs and walks over to the cockpit of the ship.)

 

Dr. Sinister: Seems the fates are against me today. Oh well, as usual I’ve planned for anything and this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem.

 

(Meanwhile Sakaki, Gato and Kiki are hiding near the Tengon garage plotting their next move.)

 

Gato: So Lunkhead what do you plan on doing next?

 

Sakaki: As much as I know that everyone is going to be against this idea, I’m thinking that we might have to sneak on board the ship before it launches.

 

Gato: That’s stupid! Even if we find toots and manage to bring her with us, its not exactly like if we get cornered by Tengons we can jump off the ship into space!

 

Kiki: Besides that Sakaki-kun, the Tengon’s guards are numerous! I’m coming with you, but I don’t exactly have a fighting style of my own…..

 

Sakaki: Yeah this plan would be impractical IF all we wanted to do was bring Atsuko back. However…..

 

(He looks at the both of them with a serious expression.)

 

Sakaki: I plan on stopping the Tengons completely.

 

Kiki: That’s…..

 

Sakaki: It should become obvious to all of you that the Tengons are up to something huge. The dragon castor iron things that Boss Tengon wanted, conquering a planet to build a base on, and now this ship that’s probably headed somewhere to get more supplies or to meet up with the mothership. The Tengons are now no longer just some petty fiends that are up to little tricks. They’re probably not happy with taking over just one planet. So now I have to stop them, or else more people might end up suffering like Elisa and her sister Elly.

 

Gato: Dummy. (Laughs diversely.) You always spend so much time thinking about others that you forget about yourself. You do realize that if you are right, and if the Tengons find you that they’re not just gonna lock you up this time right?

 

(Sakaki smiles)

 

Sakaki: Of course! So we’re just gonna have to beat them down before they can do the same to us right?

Kiki: Sakaki-kun (More Resolved) I’ll help you in any way that I can!

 

Sakaki: Ok! First off let’s sneak aboard that ship!

 

(They all nod and begin to move from building to building, until they get to a huge stack of boxes that look like they’re about to go aboard the ship. Three very strong looking Tengon guards however…making getting on board a daunting task are guarding these boxes.)

 

Kiki: We can probably hide in these things and get aboard.

 

Sakaki: Bad idea. We don’t know what’s in them, and that means they could be hazardous to us, and even if we know what’s in them and its safe, we don’t know what the Tengons could be planning to do with the Boxes once they get into the air.

 

Kiki: Wow Sakaki-kun! I had no idea you were so smart!

 

Gato: He isn’t.

 

(Sakaki glares at him.)

 

Gato: Well you aren’t. However when you really want to do something, even that idiot mind of yours can do amazing things.

 

Sakaki: Two compliments in the same episode? Gato are you saying that you like hanging with me now?

 

Gato: I like being alive. You just happen to be the means that I can live under. So don’t flatter yourself.

 

Sakaki: Ok so now we need to think of another way to get on the ship without being seen.

 

Kiki: Perhaps we could cause a diversion?

 

Sakaki: That’s a good idea, however I had a little bit of a variation in mind.

 

Kiki: Huh?

 

(He takes out the midnight blade and stabs a hole into a box.)

 

Sakaki: Ok everyone, when I count to three, run in three separate directions.

 

(They all nod.)

 

Sakaki: 1! 2……3!!!!!!!!!!!

 

(He shoves the box over with the hole in it, and the three of them scatter.)

 

Tengon Soldier1: What the heck was that?

 

Tengon Soldier2: This box has a hole in it!

 

Tengon Soldier3: And I just saw three intruders run off!

 

Tengon Soldier1: Damn! Did you see where the intruders went? Did they get on board?

 

Tengon Soldier3: No I’m sure they went back towards town.

 

Tengon Solider2: Ok then, one of you guys make sure this box is in good shape again, and the other two of you make sure you find those intruders!

 

Tengon Soldier1: Ok I’ll handle the box. You guys go look for the intruders.

 

(The other two nod and run after Sakaki and his friends. Meanwhile Sakaki is dropping rocks and other guides behind him.)

 

Sakaki: Now if the plan works they’ll come after me first. One guy went to check on the box probably, while the other two came to chase us. They seem pretty intelligent, and so they won’t separate since they don’t know who their opponent is. So in this time, Gato and Kiki should be able to get on board, and by the time those guys realize that they’ve been had, I should be on board too. It’s a bit more work but this plan should get us on board undetected.

 

(The guards notice the rocks that Sakaki is dropping, and examine them.)

 

Tengon Soldier2: What the….these all seem to be leading us somewhere.

 

Tengon Soldier3: Do we follow them?

 

Tengon Soldier2: No. It’s obvious that this person is trying to lead us into a trap.

 

Tengon Soldier3: Really?

 

Tengon Soldier2: He’s probably really strong and so he’s trying to leave tracks to an ambush. Instead, let’s wait here. Once we don’t show up he’ll probably come back and then we’ll get him.

 

Tengon Soldier3: Yeah that sounds like a plan.

 

(So they wait, and unfortunately Sakaki doesn’t know that his plan is beginning to unravel. Luckily the other half of this plan is successful as Kiki and Gato head back to the Tengon Garage, and sees the guard repairing the box.)

 

Kiki: Ok, if we simply sneak around these bushes, he shouldn’t see us right?

 

Gato: Yeah.

 

(Gato and Kiki, go around the guard and see an opening where the boxes that are going on the ship would go into. They go inside and hide amongst the boxes, waiting for Sakaki to show up and signify a successful run. Meanwhile however, Sakaki is looking for the guards that were supposed to come find him.)

 

Sakaki: Did they get lost or something? This is really strange….

 

(Sakaki gets up from his spot.)

 

Sakaki: What do I do? If I go find them, that’ll definitely cause more problems and scrap the plan.

 

(He decides to try to find another way around to the ship.)

 

Sakaki: If I can avoid them, then this plan isn’t scrapped after all.

 

(Sakaki walks a different route than he came from, and soon sees the Tengon garage in the distance.)

 

Sakaki: Well at least everything looks clear now.

 

(He stops and turns around slowly. Behind him are the two Tengon guards from earlier.)

 

Tengon Guard2: So there you are!

 

Sakaki: What the…..?

 

Tengon Guard3: You got busted! We decided to wait for you to show up! Since you ran off its pretty clear you want to get on board the ship in a hurry before it launches so we knew you wouldn’t stay in hiding for long!

 

Sakaki: Crap….!

 

(They lunge for him and he takes out the midnight blade to attack.)

 

Sakaki: Now what?!

 

(The Tengon guards put up a good fight against Sakaki, even with the midnight blade in his possession. Meanwhile the ship has finished its preparations, and is beginning to launch. Dr Sinister walks over to the window and smirks.)

 

Dr. Sinister: My ambition is almost in the palm of my hand now….its such a ecstatic feeling…..

 

(The ship slowly begins to rise up the air, and Sakaki sees this from his fighting spot.)

 

Sakaki(To the Tengon guards): Look! Isn’t that your ship leaving you?!

 

Tengon Guard2: We’re only supposed to look after preparations on the ground.

 

Tengon Guard3: We stay here anyway so that doesn’t affect us whether it launches or not!

 

Sakaki: In that case…..

 

(He slashes down a nearby tree and it falls in front of the two guards giving our hero time to escape.)

 

Sakaki: Drat it! I have to get there before the ship gets into orbit!

 

(The guards are in hot pursuit.)

 

Sakaki: I’m almost there!!!

 

(He runs to the launch pad and begins to make his way up the stairs.)

 

Tengon Guard2: He’s actually gonna try to catch it now?!

 

Tengon Guard3: He’ll be burnt to death that idiot!

 

(Meanwhile inside the ship’s hold Kiki and Gato wait anxiously for Sakaki.)

 

Kiki: Did he make it?

 

Gato: That idiot, something probably happened….

 

(Sakaki continues to run up the stairs as the ship begins to lift.)

 

Sakaki: Just a bit more! Just a bit more!!!!!!

 

(He finally reaches the top, and prepares to jump.)

 

Sakaki: I’ll either get burnt to a crisp or…..(shakes his head) I’ve got to believe!

 

(He jumps as the ship rises and manages to grab onto the side. Unfortunately this side wasn’t meant for someone to hang onto, and he starts to slip. Finally he falls from his spot, as the ship begins to fly upward into the stratosphere. Sakaki falls for a little bit and finds an open hatch that’s big enough for him to slip through. He manages to grab the hatch and slide inside, and the ship finally flies up into space and away from Atsuko’s home planet. The hatch Sakaki hopped into leads into a dark room and he slides down into the room and lands on his behind. Sakaki glances back and forth in the darkness and sighs.)

 

Sakaki: I just BARELY made it in….but the plan was only half successful…we were supposed to get in together….now I have no idea where I am….nor do I know where Gato and Kiki are.

 

(Meanwhile Atsuko walks down the corridors of the ship and is about to pass the stock room where Gato and Kiki are hiding. Suddenly stops and she finds herself compelled to open the door to the stock room.)

 

Atsuko: I’m not sure why….but this host body wants to see what’s in here….

 

(She starts to open the door, and inside Gato and Kiki are panicking.)

 

Kiki: They found us! What will we do?!

 

Gato: Sakaki! Where the hell are you?!!?!?

 

 

Ending Song: Ai wa Jikan o tomarenai (Love can’t stop time.)

 

You’re late for our promised time again (Now)

There’s so much on my mind I can’t be mad (Now)

 

Am I really into you? Or is this one of those flings?

The first time we held hands, wasn’t it on that rainy day?

 

Yeah…..I’m Really in love

 

Its so annoying but yet so true I can’t stop time or you

 

What will happen now? (Will we take a step forward or back?)

Will I still love you when you hurt me? (It’s too much now)

 

Can we really keep what we believe and be in love?

With all of this on my mind maybe its better if you’re a bit late…

 

 

NEXT TIME’S STORY

 

Sakaki: So much is happening next time that it feels like one episode won’t be able to hold it all!

 

Gato: Give us a summary won’t you?

 

Sakaki: Hey now, I can’t exactly do that, or else what point would there be to read the next one?

 

Kiki: We can at least say that we manage to find and confront ‘Tsuko-chan right?

Sakaki: I guess so. But that’s about it.

 

Gato: And of course Boss Tengon and his guards chase us down….

 

Sakaki: Ok guys that’s enough….

 

Gato: Oh man how could we forget those 4 people that are after Sakaki and the explosive end of the episode in which….

 

Sakaki: HEY!!!!!! Enough with the spoilers!!!!!!!!!!

 

Kiki: Next time on Sakaki Jikan Tabibito..

 

AN IN BODY EXPERIENCE! ATSUKO’S DOUBLE TROUBLE!

 

Sakaki: Now I’M not even looking forward to the next one anymore…

 

Gato: Sounds like a personal problem.