The Switch

[At Penguin Park, Sakura, Li, and Kero are trying the capture the Change Card.]

KERO: Sakura! Over here!
LI: I got him! Kero, move away! Now!
KERO: Wrong again, kid! This one's ours! (to Change) Hey, you! Come back here!
SAKURA: Change Card, return to your power con-

[The Change Card jumps on Sakura's back, then jumps off.]

SAKURA: Wah! Hey! Get off!
LI & KERO: I've got it!

[Li grabs the spirit around it's body and Kero grabs the tail. All three glow for an instant.]

LI: Sakura! Hurry up and seal it! Before it escapes again!
SAKURA: Huh?
KERO: Hey! Seal it before it escapes again!
LI: I just said that!
SAKURA: Change Card, return to your power confined!
LI & KERO: Ah!

[The spirit returns to its card and lands in Sakura's hand.]

SAKURA: Finally. Are you guys okay?
KERO: (as Li)Huh? Oh. I don't believe it!
LI: (as Kero) No way!
KERO: (as Li) Ah, relax, kid.
LI: (as Kero) How can I relax? I'm a stuffed animal!
SAKURA: What... are you talking about?
LI & KERO: Uh...
KERO: (as Li) Sakura! Listen carefully, okay?
SAKURA: Li, why are you talking like Kero?
KERO: (as Li) I am Kero. We had a little accident.
SAKURA: Can you do other impressions? Really, you're pretty good.
LI: (as Kero) It's the truth, Sakura. I'm Li in Kero's body.
SAKURA: Oh, you guys are a riot. (writing) Sa-ku-ra. There, the Change Card's signed! Let's go home, Kero!
LI: (as Kero) Hey! Keep your distance!
SAKURA: But? You mean... you are...?
KERO: (as Li) That's right.
SAKURA: The Change Card did that? This is just terrible, Kero!
LI: (as Kero) I'm Li!
SAKURA: So what does this mean? Are you permanently switched now?
KERO: (as Li) Not necessarily forever...
SAKURA: Really?
KERO: (as Li) There are certain procedures that have to be followed.
SAKURA: You seem to be awfully calm about this, Li. I mean. Kero.
KERO: (as Li) Yup!
SAKURA: Is there anything I can do to fix this now?
KERO: (as Li) Sometimes things have to take their course. It's all part of expect the unexpected.
LI: (as Kero) Huh? Easy for you to say.
KERO: (as Li) Watch it, kid!
LI: (as Kero) Listen, I'm the one stuck in the body of a stuffed animal! Okay?
KERO: (as Li) Welcome to my world.
SAKURA: What do you mean?
KERO: (as Li) This is my chance to live it up, big time!
LI: (as Kero) Wait a minute! I don't like the sound of this, Kero!
KERO: (as Li) Ah, don't get your wings in a flutter, kid.
SAKURA: Kero!
KERO: (as Li) All we gotta do is a reverse transformation. We just have to be back here tomorrow, same time, same place. Okay? Or we'll be stuck like this, forever!
LI: (as Kero) I'll be here!
KERO: (as Li) Don't mess up. Being me isn't easy.
LI: (as Kero) I could be you a lot better than you could be me!
SAKURA: Guys!
KERO: (as Li) Just show up, kid. Think you can handle it, huh?
LI: (as Kero) Yeah!
KERO: (as Li) 'Cause if you don't, we're stuck.
LI: (as Kero) Fine! There's just one little thing...
KERO: (as Li) Yeah, right. Here it comes, folks, excuses from the kid.
LI: (as Kero) Huh? It's Meilin.
SAKURA: We can't tell Meilin, okay? We can't tell anybody. Low profile, right?
KERO: (as Li) Well, of course.
SAKURA: Because we can't afford any unexpected glitches.
LI & KERO: Yeah.

[At the door to Meilin's apartment.]

MEILIN: Hi.
KERO: (as Li) Uh, hi, Meilin.
MEILIN: You're late, but it's okay. Come in!
KERO: (as Li) Well, okay. Here's the deal...
MEILIN: Your voice sound awfully strange, Li. Have you got a cold or something?
KERO: (as Li) Ha, ha, ha, ha...
MEILIN: Doesn't matter, come on!

[Meilin pulls Li (aka Kero) into the apartment.]

KERO: (as Li) Oh, boy!

[Outside the apartment building.]

LI: (as Kero) We should've never let Kero go in there.
SAKURA: Well, since Meilin was expecting you, we didn't have much choice, did we?
LI: (as Kero) He's going to blow it!
SAKURA: Li, if you don't show up where you're suppose to, people are going to start to get suspicious.
LI: (as Kero) But, Kero...
SAKURA: C'mon, Li. He just has to make some soup.
LI: (as Kero) I bet he can't even boil water.

[Inside the kitchen of Meilin's apartment.]

MEILIN: So, do you need anything else?
KERO: (as Li) Uh, for what?
MEILIN: You promised you were going to cook Wei's chicken noodle soup for me today. Remember?
KERO: (as Li) Oh, oh yeah! I am!
MEILIN: Okay! I'll go set the table, while you get started. I can't wait!

[Meilin leaves the kitchen]

KERO: (as Li) I just... Uh... It's just soup. How hard can it be?

[In Sakura's bedroom.]

SAKURA: Li! There is no way you're sleeping in my room!
LI: (as Kero) So, what?! You want me to fly over and sleep in the tree?
SAKURA: It's no big deal. You've got Kero's wings.
LI: (as Kero) Fine! I'll fly to the tree.

[Li opens a window and walks to the ledge.]

LI: (as Kero) Uh! How hard can it be? No problem!

[Li jumps for the tree, but when he almost reaches it, he starts to fall towards to ground.]

SAKURA: Oh, no! I'm coming!

[Sakura runs to the front door, which Tori and Julian are entering; Julian carrying Kero (aka Li).]

TORI: I've got a key.
SAKURA: Hang on! (sees Tori) I, uh...hi!
JULIAN: This is your stuffed animal, right? He just came flying out the window.
SAKURA: Yes, it is...
JULIAN: The next door neighbor's cat thought he was a bird. Here.

[Julian hands Kero (aka Li) to Sakura.]

SAKURA: Thanks.
TORI: That thing's looking worse and worse each day. I vote we give it to the cat.
SAKURA: 'Ya hungry?
TORI: I suppose I can eat something.
SAKURA: Dad's working late tonight. I'll go make hamburgers!
LI: (as Kero) *mumble*
JULIAN: Does it talk?
SAKURA: What?
JULIAN: Well, it sounded like it said something just now, didn't it?
SAKURA: No! Nope! Doesn't talk! Nope. Never did!

[Back in Sakura's room.]

LI: (as Kero) You scrunched my nose!
SAKURA: Sorry. Being a stuffed animal isn't as easy as it looks, I guess. You blew it big time on the flying, so just stay put. I'll bring you some food.

[Sakura leaves to room.]

LI: (as Kero) Stay put... Hmm...

[At Meilin's apartment, Li (aka Kero) and Meilin have sat down to eat the soup.]

MEILIN: I bet there isn't anything you can't do, Li.
KERO: (as Li) So, how do you like it? Huh?

[Meilin's tries it, and makes a weird face.]

MEILIN: Good... You sound different today.
KERO: (as Li) Uh... how?
MEILIN: Like that stuffed animal.
KERO: (as Li) Uh, that's funny. You're not the first person who's told me that today, actually. But I guess that just happens when you hang out with someone a lot.
MEILIN: Why would you wanna hang out with a stuffed animal?
KERO: (as Li) Don't call him a stuffed animal! He's Keroberos, Guardian Beast of the Seal.
MEILIN: What do you mean? You always call him a stuffed animal.
KERO: (as Li) Well yeah, but not anymore. That Keroberos is a pretty amazing guy. (tries the soup.) Ah! This soup has a lot of zap! Ha! Even if I do say so myself...

[In side Sakura's bedroom, Li returns to the windowsill.]

LI: (as Kero) If he can fly, I can fly. I can... Ah!

[Li slips, but manages to hang on. Slowly he makes his way down the drainage pipe to the kitchen window.]

SAKURA: I'll go get some more!

[Sakura goes to the kitchen.]

JULIAN: You're not serious. That's rhetorical, man!
TORI: No. For every attraction, there's an equal and opposite reaction.
LI: (as Kero; outside the window) Sakura! Rats! Hey! Over here! Ah!
SAKURA: Hey, Tori. Would you like another hamburger?
TORI: Yeah. I thought I heard something.

[Outside, Li's barely hanging on tot he ledge, when the neighbor's cat walks below him and looks up.]

LI: (AS Kero) Somebody! Yah! Ah! (to Cat) Get away from me!
SAKURA: (to Tori) Just sounds like a cat.

[Sakura opens the kitchen window, and sees Li.]

SAKURA: Li!

[Julian walks into the kitchen.]

JULIAN: Hey, do you want me to go check it out, Sakura?
SAKURA: What? Oh, no. It's nothing.

[Li looses his hold on the ledge and falls.]

LI: (as Kero) Aah! Uh...

[The next morning, Sakura opens the drawer where Li's sleeping in Kero's bed.]

SAKURA: Are you awake?
LI: (as Kero) No. I'm in a bad dream.
SAKURA: It'll all be over this afternoon.
LI: (as Kero) Yeah...
SAKURA: Hey, you were supposed to stay put. It's your own fault.
LI: (as Kero) Thanks for pointing it out.
SAKURA: You shouldn't come to school today.
LI: (as Kero) Are you kidding?
SAKURA: No, I'm not. You already blew it twice. It's too risky.
LI: (as Kero) I'm coming. Who knows what Kero will get into.
SAKURA: You're no slouch for causing trouble either, you know.
LI: (as Kero) I won't move an inch! I promise!
SAKURA: 'Kay. Not one inch.

[At Reedington Elementary, Sakura is putting her skates away in her locker when Li pokes his head out of her bag.]

LI: (as Kero) You know, you really have to get organized, Sakura. You almost made us late!
SAKURA: Li! Get into the bag, right now!
LI: (as Kero) Do you have any idea how dark and...

[Mr. Terada enters the hallway and Li quickly pokes his head back into the bag.]

MR. TERADA: One minute to homeroom. Looks like you're loaded down.
SAKURA: Yeah, uh, I brought my... gym stuff today! Oh! Cool bag!

[Mr. Terada holds up a blue gift bag.]

MR. TERADA: This? Oh, it's a birthday present for my niece.
SAKURA: What did you get for her?
MR. TERADA: It's a stuffed animal. But, if we're not careful, we're going to be late for class.
SAKURA: 'Kay!

[Sakura runs around a corner, and stops to catch her breath. Li pokes his head back out of the bag.]

SAKURA: *sigh* Li, is everything okay?
LI: (as Kero) Whew. Good cover. Kero is never going to pull this off, Sakura.

[Sakura enters the classroom.]

SAKURA: Hi, guys!

[The whole class is gathered in a cluster, surrounding Li (aka Kero) who is showing off some karate moves.]

CHELSEA: Wow, you never really seemed like the video type guy, Li.
RITA: So, what's your favorite move?
KERO: (as Li) Without a doubt, it would be the Zailon Warrior thumb flip.
LI: (as Kero; to himself) I don't believe this.
NIKKI: Wow, that's one I never heard of before. Can you show it to us?
KERO: (as Li) Basic move. Wrist and thumbs with a little leg...! Whoa!

[Kero tries to show his move, but falls to the floor.]

CLASS: *laughs*
LI: (as Kero) Uh...

[Outside, to one side of the school, Kero, Li, and Sakura are quickly conversing.]

SAKURA: You call that a low profile, Kero?
KERO: (as Li) Aw, so sue me! We were just talking about video games. Sorry.
LI: (as Kero) How humiliating.
KERO: (as Li) You oughta thank me. I gave you a personality.
LI: (as Kero) Thank you?
SAKURA: Shh! Don't be so loud or someone will hear.

[Madison approaches.]

MADISON: Someone will hear what, Sakura?
SAKURA: Madison!
MADISON: I've got the distinct feeling I'm missing something.
KERO: (as Li) Ah, you do?
LI: (as Kero; to Kero) Maniac!
MADISON: Oh, I didn't know you were here too, Kero. Or is it Li?
KERO: (as Li) Uh, what do you mean? I'm Li...
MADISON: Sorry. But bet my camera that Li Showron has never played a video game in his life.
SAKURA: He hasn't! Uh...
KERO: (as Li) Well, so much for secrets, huh, Sakura?
LI: (as Kero) That's right. Nice going.
MADISON: Oh, come on. It was obvious. No one had to tell me. just knew.
LI: (as Kero)We've only got a few hours left. Then everything should get back to normal. And this nightmare is over!
KERO: (as Li) Tell me about it! Living in your body ain't no picnic, kid!

[That afternoon, Li (aka Kero) was playing soccer with the other boys while Kero (aka Li) watched from an upper classroom. Sakura is on the next field playing ball with her friends when she stops to watch the boys game.]

KID: I'll take that!
KERO: (as Li) Ah! Grr.
LI: (as Kero) He's hopeless!
RITA: (to Sakura) Heads up!
SAKURA: Huh? (ball hits her) Uh!
KERO: (as Li) Forget the two legged thing!
SAKURA: No!
LI: (as Kero) No!

[Kero gets down on his hands and knees and heads for the soccer ball. He jumps into the air to catch it, but the ball smacks him in the face. Kero falls to the ground.]

KERO: (as Li) Ahh! Ah, ah! Oh, oh...
LI: (as Kero) I'm ruined!

[From outside the classroom.]

MR. CARTER: Who's in there?
LI: (as Kero) Huh?

[Li returns to Sakura's desk just when Mr. Carter enters the room. The teacher picks up Li from the desk.]

MR. CARTER: Kids. The only thing they don't forget is their lunch. Let me introduce you to your new friends at the lost and never found.

[Mr. Carter pushes a cart, with a bag with Li in, down the hall, when a teacher comes out of the office and stops him.]

TEACHER: Mr. Carter. Perfect timing. Can you give us a hand with the textbooks? They're on the loading dock.
MR. CARTER: No problem.

[Mr. Carter pushes the cart to the side of the hallway and enters the office.]

[Outside Reedington Elementary.]

KERO: (as Li) See? Don't sweat the small stuff, Sakura. We made it through.
SAKURA: We're not done yet, Kero. We still have an hour to go.
MADISON: It would have made a great document. Too bad I didn't film it.

[Meilin runs up.]

MEILIN: Hey! All right, what's going on?
KERO: (as Li) What? Nothing's going on, Meilin!
MEILIN: It's me, Meilin. So spill it!

[Back outside the school office, Mr. Terada walks by, when the same teacher opens the door.]

MR. TERADA: Good night.
TEACHER: Phone call, Mr. Terada.
MR. TERADA: Oh, thanks.

[Mr. Terada puts down the blue gift bag on the cart, next to an identical one, holding Li. He then follows the teacher into the office.]

LI: (as Kero) Now's my chance! Whoa!

[Li tries to leave the bag, but accidentally falls into back into the bag, and knocks Mr. Terada's bag off the cart. A stuffed animal similar to Kero falls out onto the floor. Mr. Terada leaves the office and picks up the bag holding Li.]

MR. TERADA: Okay, good night.
LI: (as Kero) Got to go. Wah!

[A few minutes later Sakura, Meilin, Kero, and Madison run down the hallway.]

MEILIN: Wait until my Li hears about this.
KERO: (as Li) He knows.
MADISON: As a matter of fact, here he is.

[Madison picks up the stuffed animal lying on the floor.]

SAKURA: Couldn't be. He's upstairs.
MADISON: Look...
SAKURA: Li, I told you to stay put. What are you doing here?

[Meilin takes the stuffed animal from Madison.]

MEILIN: Look at him. No...
KERO: (as Li) Now who's causing problems, huh, kid?
SAKURA: C'mon. Wake up!
MADISON: Sakura, this is way too public.

[Outside.]

SAKURA: He's just lying there. Maybe you were wrong about the Change Card.
KERO: (as Li) But, the Change Card doesn't have that much power...
MEILIN: Talk to me! Please say something!

[Kero grabs the animal from Meilin.]

KERO: (as Li) That won't do any good, Meilin. (starts shaking it.) Useless stuffed animal!
MADISON: Wait! Where did his wings go?
KERO: (as Li) Huh?
SAKURA: His wings?

[Kero turns the animal over to reveal the back, bare of any wings.]

MADISON: This stuffed toy... Really is a toy!
ALL: What?!
SAKURA: She's right!

[The four kids do a quick search around the school and meet back at the cart.]

MADISON: He wasn't in the classroom either.
SAKURA: Where could he have gone?

[Sakura sees the blue bag on the cart.]

SAKURA: Mr. Terada had a bag like that!

[Ms. MacKenzie approaches the small group.]

MS. MacKENZIE: This sounds serious.
SAKURA: Where's Mr. Terada?
MS. MacKENZIE: I just saw him walking.
SAKURA: We've got to find him! Do you know where he went?
MS. MacKENZIE: To the toy store, I believe.
MADISON: Thank you, Ms. MacKenzie!
MS. MacKENZIE: Anytime.

[Outside the toy store, Mr. Terada is just leaving when Sakura and the others run up.]

KERO: (as Li) You know, running on all fours is faster.
SAKURA: Mr. Terada! Wait!
MR. TERADA: This looks like trouble.

[Meilin grabs the blue bag that Mr. Terada is holding.]

MEILIN: Gimme that!
MR. TERADA: Hey! What are you looking for?

[Sakura holds up the Kero look-alike doll.]

SAKURA: The toy like this.
MR. TERADA: Well, I took it back to the store because my niece already had one just like it.

[Inside the toy store, Meilin is browsing through the stuffed animals.]

MEILIN: Li... Talk to me.
CLERK: I'm sorry, little girl. But our toys don't talk.

[Madison runs to the doorway.]

MADISON: Sakura! Here!

[Sakura and Meilin follow Madison outside to a toy machine where Kero is already standing in front of. Inside, Li is stuck between a bunch of stuffed animals.]

LI: (as Kero) It's about time!
KERO: (as Li) Just step aside there, ladies. This calls for an expert.
SAKURA: This is a lot different than a video game, Kero!
KERO: (as Li) It's all a matter of eye, hand co-ordination.
LI: Uh... Ah!

[As Kero guides the claw down and grabs Li's head, the clerk reappears, so Li quickly stops moving.]

CLERK: Ah, there you are.
LI: (as Kero) Oh, no!
CLERK: Good choice. He's a cute little fellow. Careful. Not to tight.

[The claw pulls at Li, but loses a grip on the head. The claw returns to its resting place.]

CLERK: Too bad. You'll have to try again.
GIRLS: What?
KERO: (as Li) All right. Here goes... the master!
LI: (as Kero) Oh, brother...

[At Penguin Park, Sakura is standing almost between Kero and Li who look like they're going to go at each other.]

KERO: (as Li) And I'm telling you, the clerk disturbed my concentration!
LI: (as Kero) Please, how hard can it be?
KERO: (as Li) Just as hard as you want to make it, kid!
LI: (as Kero) I'm ready!
KERO: (as Li) Not as ready as I am!
SAKURA: Hey! It's time, you two. Our twenty-four hours are over. Come on.

[Kero opens his arms, but Li turns his head.]

SAKURA: This is how it has to be done, Li.

[Li flies up and hugs Kero, who hugs him back.]

SAKURA: Change Card, release and dispel! Change Card!

[Change leaves the card and swirls around the two boys.]

[The next day, at Reedington Elementary, Sakura is sitting at her desk, when Li comes in and puts his bag down on his desk behind her.]

LI: Morning.
SAKURA: Good morning, Li. I thought things would be a little tough for you today. So here.
LI: What are you talking about, Sakura?
SAKURA: I bought you your other half.

[Sakura lifts up her bag and opens it, revealing Kero.]