Wonderworld into Dreams

Because I haven't seen anyone else write a BWW/NiD crossover yet

"And Edwards takes the ball! Edwards has the ball!"
The crowd cheered as the blue haired teen ran, dribbling expertly as he crossed the court. he half listened with pleasure as the announcer went on.
"But oh, can he hold onto it? Jennins is coming up fast!" Elliot risked a glance behind him and sure enough, the larger boy was closing in on him. Elliot hissed under his breath and looked around wildly, brightening in relief when he spotted two of his team mates waving urgently. He passed the ball just as his pursuer was about to catch him, grinning as he ran for the opposing basket, prepared to catch the ball and perform his signature slam dunk.
The announcer continued. "Hibson takes control of the ball! Hibson passes to Ricardo! Ricardo flies past the opposing players! Ricardo passes to Hibson!"
Elliot grinned in anticipation, this was all as he had planned! He blinked as the much larger Jennins moves to block him from any passes, struggling to get clear to no avail, he was blocked.
Seeing Elliot unable to catch his pass, his team mate hesitated before taking a breath and rushing forward. Elliot gaped as he realized his friend's intent. "No, it's too far for you! You'll miss at that range!" He spun, using every trick he had to try to get away from his blocker.
"Elliot!" A shout from the bleacher made him look and see his best friend, Claris waving urgently before pantomiming her arms outspread as if flying.
Elliot frowned in confusion before he caught on. "Prepare to fly..." He nodded agreement, closing his eyes to gather himself before feigning to the side then twisting as Jennins attempted to block.
Elliot was free! He skidded to a stop and turned to see Hibson, only to find him with his hands empty. A shadow passed over and Elliot yelped as he realized that he had been too late to stop that futile throw. He chased the ball in the hopes that he might be able to catch and dunk it when it fell short - but it never happened.
Jennins let out a yell of determination as he slapped the ball away where it was caught by a rival player. Despite his best efforts, Elliot was unable to catch up before his rival threw the ball neatly into his team's basket, sounding a buzzer.

"Hey El... good try, we nearly got it." He vaguely heard his friends attempting to cheer him as he stared at his sneakers. Elliot clenched his fists, frowning. "I told you not to throw it from that far off..."
His friend stepped back in surprise. "What could I do? That wall of a guy had you covered!" Elliot shook his head. "Passed or something. We would've had this game if you'd listened to me."
And Elliot Edwards turned to gather his things and leave.

From the bleachers, Claris Sinclair winced at the pained looks his friends shot after him and jumped down to chase.

"Elliot!"
Elliot stopped at the auditorium door. "Claris, I know what you're going to say and it won't change things. We should have won."
He patted her shoulder lightly before leaving. Claris sighed, unable to fight the feeling that he attempts to cheer her dearest friend were somehow inadequate. "But you should be proud of how close you came..."

Elliot slung his duffel bag more securely over his back and sighed, walking at a slow pace. He wasn't looking forward to arriving home and having his mom ask how his match went. She would apologize again for always being too busy to attend, he knew. Their encounters always seemed to go that way. That was part of why Elliot gave his all in every basketball game that he played. If he could make it big, maybe his mom wouldn't have to work so hard in so many jobs.
He kicked a dirty can in frustration, before looking at where it had landed. Absently, he kicked the thing with the top of his toe, flipping it vertically before chopping it with the side of his hand into the nearest recycling basket.
Elliot watched the can go in before continuing. "Yeah, now I get a basket..."

Claris walked quietly toward Twin Seeds Park. She just didn't want to go home yet after seeing Elliot so down. It was times like these when she felt a sharp pang, as if she missed someone but couldn't quite recall who. Someone who had been there for her when she had needed them. But... was gone now? Claris frowned, trying to dredge up the memories that always seemed to elude her.
Elliot had similar moments, she knew. It felt like a shared dream; something that the two of them had experienced together but then simultaneously forgotten upon awakening.
A flash of purple drew Claris' attention as something moved around a shrub. Curious, she followed. She certainly had nothing better to do at the moment!

Elliot couldn't shake the feeling of deja vu as e walked. He'd felt this way before, how had he shaken it then? He looked toward the Twin Seeds Tower in the center of town. He'd met Claris there, but he couldn't help but feel like there had been more to their encounter.
As he puzzled over the familiar mystery, Elliot caught movement out of the corner of his eye. a set of long ears? or horns?
Before he knew his own intent, Elliot was chasing after the thing.

Claris and Elliot each followed the creatures, unaware of the other's presence as they were led up to a very old structure. It was a unique design, but clearly had Georgian influences. Especially inside, as they found the door open enough to admit the chick like creature ahead of them.

Claris peered around cautiously. This was a theater to go by the placard out front, so she wasn't likely to be in trouble for entering uninvited, right?
A soft voice emanated from further in, muffled behind the wall of the hallway she followed. Claris smiled a little, as the deep, soothing voice seemed to be laughing at something. That was a good sign!
Walking further, she came upon an unusual sight - Several creatures like the one she had followed, and all were happily chattering and nuzzling a slim figure who was laughing merrily from beneath the multicolored pile.
Instantly a flash of familiarity hit Claris and she cried out in surprise as the memory of a slender figure extending a hand her way came back to her. Could it be?

The figure quieted at her yelp, brushing the creatures away and straightening in a hurry to face her. He brushed himself off and straightened his hat, which was oversized and came down over his golden eyes. Claris watched in surprise as she realized that no, she didn't know this person after all. Was he even human?
She became suddenly self conscious. "Oh, I-I'm sorry! I probably shouldn't have just come in, but I followed one of your... well one of those." She indicated the happy looking little things, finding them uncannily familiar as well. As the man stepped closer, she winced. "So I really hope I haven't trespassed! because I'll go right away, no pro-"

"Nono, you need not go away!" That deep, pleasant voice addressed her. He grinned widely. "Please, I would be quite happy if you would be willing to stay."

Elliot looked around with interest as he entered the building. He spotted the little rabbit eared creature hopping into a room and followed.
"Ah, welcome!" Elliot jumped as a tall figure appeared and bowed. A wide, disconcerting grin spread across the visible portion of the figure's face as he lifted his head to regard Elliot. "You are late, I've had to delay this show. You see, I'd expected you over two decades ago!"

Elliot frowned. "That makes no sense, I was just a kid that long ago!" Balan considered then tapped absently at a clock on the wall, watching the hands move slightly. "Oh, I see! I see! Yes, well I suppose that blunder is on me..." He grinned sheepishly. "Ninety six, not twenty six... oh the Tims will not let me live that one down! But nevermind all that, allow me to show you around!"
And like that, the tall figure took Elliot by the arm and grinning merrily, led him further into the theater.

Balan saw his audience seated comfortably before dashing onto the stage and behind the curtain.
"Friends of all ages, boys and girls! We'd love to thank you for choosing Balan Wonderworld!" The voice was clearly Balan's, though it came through the dusty looking brass tubes seat high in the walls.
Seated separately but closer than they suspected, Claris and Elliot looked around until a snap drew their focus back to the stage. And then to their astonishment, everything they thought to be normal was thrown into chaos.

The ground fell away, and they were swept along through tornadoes and floods.
The sun and moon flashed by in a blur until the teenagers couldn't tell up from down any longer. The walls seemed to collapse toward them, only to be revealed as curtains that were whisked away to become a cowl style cape, worn by none other than Balan.
Before Claris or Elliot could let out their breath, they were sent flying once more, tumbling across a shimmering ring of white before falling off the edge. As they did, the ring was revealed as the brim of Balan's now oversized hat.
A rush of white and red saw each safely seated once more as they struggled to regain their sense of balance.

Balan landed on the stage and performed a graceful bow, signaling an end to his show.
He looked up with that signature grin. "Thank you friends, for watching my show! And now, off to Wonderworld we go!"
Elliot started to protest, but was cut off by a large pink furry thing that nuzzled him affectionatelty before unceremoniously dumping him from his seat, allowing a horde of the smaller tims to swarm and carry Elliot off into a doorway that had opened out of nowhere.

Claris called out in surprise as the flood of tims washed her into that doorway as well. Balan laughed and allowed the doors to slam closed, before looking around knowingly and snapping his fingers.
It was time to begin.