Norman and Beau were sitting in the front yard, talking about random things. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping. Norman was enjoying the moment, feeling content and relaxed. Beau smiled and nodded in agreement, feeling peaceful and content. Just then, Beau’s phone started ringing. “Oh shoot, it’s my Mom. I’ll be right back.” Beau said, getting up and walking off to take the call in private. Norman understood and decided to think about what he and his siblings would be having for dinner that day when a Vulpix passed by and stopped in front of the Callaway’s home. He walked over to Norman with an angry face. “Hey, you’re with that Leafeon and Espeon who are both gay, aren’t you? You shouldn’t be exposing yourself to those f*****s or they’ll corrupt you,” said the Vulpix. Norman looked up in anger. “Hey, don’t talk about my siblings like that?” He snapped. “What are you gonna do about it?” The Vulpix said. The Vulpix kept hurling insults and homophobic remarks toward the Callaways and Norman kept arguing back with him. Norman got up to properly confront the Vulpix, only for the Vulpix to shove him on the ground and start kicking him. “That’s what you get for hanging out with f*****s.” The Vulpix said before spitting on Norman. Norman was upset but since the Vulpix was bigger and stronger than him, he couldn’t do anything. Suddenly, he heard someone stomping over. As the Vulpix was walking away, someone grabbed his hood and pulled him back. “Hey, what are you-” The Vulpix asked, turning around to see who was behind him. It was Beau, who was NOT happy. “What do you think you’re doing?” He asked, angrily. “None of your business, f*g. You’re with him,” The Vulpix snapped, pointing at Ajax, who had come out to check on Norman and Beau and was shocked to see what happened. He ran over to see what happened. “Oh shit, Norman, are you okay?” asked the panicking Leafeon. He helped Norman, who was tearing up because of the pain, off the ground and wiped the spit off his face with his hoodie sleeve. “Buddy, what happened?” Ajax asked. Norman tried to speak but could only whimper. “Clancy came over and said something to Norman and when Norman stood up, Clancy shoved him onto the ground and ‘started kicking him for a few seconds then spit on him while he was down,” Beau explained. The Vulpix looked angry and scared at the same time. “Huh? Who’s Clancy?” Norman asked, wiping the tears out of his eyes. Ajax and Beau pointed to the Vulpix, who looked much more nervous. “I need to call Scooter and let them know what’s going on,” Ajax said, pulling his phone from his hoodie pocket. As Ajax went into the house to make the call, Clancy grew very nervous and tried to make a run for it but Beau was much stronger than he looked and kept him restrained. Norman was still shaken up from the attack, but since Ajax and Beau were on top of things, he knew he had nothing to worry about. Ajax returned a few minutes later, looking relieved. He had called Scooter and let him know the situation. Scooter had quickly responded and was on his way. Clancy bit Beau’s paw to try and escape, but Beau barely reacted. “I’m sorry, Clancy, but you brought this upon yourself.” He said, folding his ears down. Ajax and Norman were impressed, Clancy was just pissed off. “Goddamn it, let me go, you filthy fa-” Clancy's insult was cut short by someone calling him from the sidewalk. "Clancy Brantley!" Ajax, Beau, Clancy, and Norman all looked over and saw another Vulpix and an angry Ninetales walking over. "Do you wanna tell me what you were doing, mister?" The Ninetales scolded. Clancy's ears folded down. "Dad, I… I was just…" He tried to speak but he was too nervous to think. "From what Ajax told me, it sounds like you were being a dick to his little brother because of his and one of their other siblings' sexuality." The Vulpix said. "Scooter, please don't use that language. You know I don't like it." said the Ninetales. "Sorry, Dad," said Scooter. “Oh, so the bigger Vulpix was the Scooter that Ajax and Beau were talking about?” Norman thought. "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Brantley, but Clancy came over here and started harassing Norman," Beau explained. “Norman? Is that this adorable little Eevee?” The Ninetales asked, looking at Norman with a warm smile. "Yeah, that's me… Norman." Norman said, not knowing what to do. Ajax could tell that Norman was scared so he grabbed his little brother's paw and held it. "It's okay, Norman. Mr. Brantley is really nice. He even lets Beau and me call him Conner sometimes." He said, rubbing Norman's paw with his thumb. "He does? Why?" Norman asked. "Because that's his name, goofball. Conner Brantley. Of course, we mostly call him Mr. Brantley since he's an adult," Ajax said. Norman nodded. “Okay, I understand.” He said. “Now, Clancy, why did you feel the need to come over here and start drama?” Conner asked. “I… I don’t know. I… I just don’t know.” Clancy said, his ears folding down as tears started to form in his eyes. “Well, buddy, if you don’t know why you did it, then how can you say it was justified?” Conner asked, kneeling in front of his son. “I… I guess I can’t.” Clancy said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Look, Clancy, you can’t go around, saying things like that. And you sure as heck can’t be using that word.” Conner said. “What word, Dad?” Clancy asked. “You know. The F word.” Conner said, glaring at his son. “Oh, that word… sorry…” Clancy said. “Is it because you’re also-” “No, son. That word is bad either way because it’s offensive to other people in the LGBTQ community.” Conner said. “Oh, okay.” “Now, can you apologize to Norman?” Clancy nodded and turned to face the now mostly content Eevee. “Norman, I… I’m… I’m…” Clancy took a deep breath to try and compose himself, but Norman just wrapped his arms around him and said, “Don’t worry, I forgive you. Just don’t say mean things like that. And please don’t kick me or spit on me again.” Clancy was stunned by Norman's quick forgiveness but simply hugged him back. “See. Hate and Love are the same. Whichever you choose to put out is what will come back to you. Positivity and Negativity are both very contagious, so be careful with what you spread.” Conner said. “Well said, Dad.” Scooter said. “Now, you’ve apologized and Norman forgave you. I think it’s time to go home,” Conner claimed. “Okay.” Clancy said, taking his father’s paw. “Bye, guys.” “Bye, y’all.” Beau said, waving. “Take care.” Ajax said. Norman said nothing and just waved. As soon as the Brantleys reached their home, Clancy had a thought. “Hey, Dad?” He asked. “What’s up, bud?” “Am I… grounded?” Clancy asked. Conner thought about it for a minute and said, “You know, seeing as how Norman quickly forgave you for bullying him, I’ve decided not to punish you.” Clancy sighed with relief. “But this is a one-time pass. Don’t let it happen again.” Conner said in a stern tone. “I-I won’t, Dad. I promise.” Clancy said. “Good. Now, what do you guys want for dinner?”
