The next day has come. Zach just gets out of bed with half-opened eyes, still sleepy and groggy. He performs his morning ritual as usual; using the bathroom, brushing teeth, and getting into his circus outfit. He looks at his reflection, which looks distorted and funny from the cracks in the mirror. “Arceus, look at you! Still a fucking doof as always… Today’s going to be the same like every other… Just horrible…” He turns and leaves the dwelling, headed over to the canteen to get his breakfast; a large cup of coffee with some scrambled eggs. The riolu sits alone, finishing his food without interruption or interaction.
Once he’s finished, he makes his way into the main tent, getting ready to work. As he crosses the center to his station, he stops short as the other pokemon gather round.
“Hey, Zach,” starts the chimchar. “Got a moment?”
“What’s going on here?” Zach asks. “What is all this?”
“We just want to say we’re all sorry for what happened…"
“Why are all of you sorry? It’s not any of your fault I’m a runt riolu…”
“Don’t say that,” Richie adds. “You’re not a runt; you’re one of the best acts around! You bring joy to other pokemon and you’ve been an important part of this circus ever since.”
“I don’t get it… Why are all of you suddenly being nice to me…?”
“That’s my fault,” claims Betty, stepping forward. The riolu faces her. “I told Ringmaster Raichu and the others about everything that had happened.”
“Couldn’t stop gossiping, huh?”
“Everyone here deserves to know. Besides, it’s not good for a pokemon to suffer, especially when you’re with us.”
“Yeah,” the trapeze kirlia adds. “Circus pokemon are supposed to bring joy to others and be happy doing it, not live in misery and be tormented.”
“Pokemon should be laughing with you, not at you,” Manny states. “When one of us is down, we all come in to help. That’s what family does, am I right?”
“W-what…? What family…?”
“Us,” says Betty. “WE are your family.”
“Hold on… You said I would never be part of you guys no matter what happened.”
“Still remember that, huh? I was wrong; we all were. I said that because… Well, I was jealous…”
“Jealous…? Of me…?”
“You’re one of us, and that makes you part of our family. You’ve always been a part of our family the whole time.”
“Yeah,” Richie butts in. “We just hadn’t realized it. Besides, we all come from the same backgrounds. Every pokemon here is different on the outside, but on the inside, we’re all the same.”
The riolu manages a small smile. “Gee, thanks, guys…”
“Aw, come here!” Manny picks up the riolu and gives him a big hug. “You always have a place with us!”
“Ack! Man-ny y-you’re crush-ing m-e…”
Manny eases up and puts him down. “Uh, whoops…” He rubs the back of his head. “Sorry…”
“Oh,” Betty spurts. “I also took the liberty to tell Ringmaster to tone down on the extreme stunts for you. Should be safer to do your stunts so you don’t end up at the clinic every single time.”
“What’s all this?” asks Ringmaster Raichu, coming over to investigate. “I’m not paying you all to stand around. Get back to work.” As he leaves, the pokemon disperse and go back to their stations.
“Betty,” Zach begins, grabbing her attention. “Thank you very much…”
“Family’s always there for each other,” she tells him. “I’m sorry yours never was… Both of them.”
“You know what, it’s fine. I’m probably better off making a family with some random pokemon…”
“And if not, you have us.”
“You guys sound like a great family,” says a voice. The two pokemon turn and notice the small buizel in front of them.
Betty stares at him. “What are you doing here, Kid? Show doesn’t start until later.”
Zach narrows one eye. “Wait… Jacob Jr.? What are you doing here…?”
“I ran away,” Junior claims. “My parents have been bossing me around and making me do things I don’t want to do. And my sisters have been a pain.”
“Maybe because they love you so much,” says Betty, sarcastically.
“I don’t want to be with them. I want to be with you guys.”
“There you are, Junior!” shouts Cindy from afar. She flies over to meet him. “Your father and I have been looking all over for you!”
“Well…” Betty turns away. “Guess we’ll leave you to it. Come on, Zach. We better get ready for the show.”
“Got it.” Zach walks away to his post to avoid confrontation with the celebi.
Cindy crosses her arms. “Junior, what were you thinking?! You could’ve gotten hurt!”
“I’m fine, Mom,” responds Junior. “In fact, I’ve decided to join the circus.”
“What?! Are you out of your mind?”
“Mom, I’m fed up with you and dad pressuring me! And I’m tired of Ezie and Zoe always picking on me…”
“Everyone has to do things we don’t want to do. And you are family. Look, if it helps, I’ll talk with your father and sisters to see if we can work things out.”
“Mom, I’ve made my decision. I’m not coming back.”
“But you’ll be outcasted.”
“Not at the circus!”
“Junior…” She puts her hand on his shoulder and kneels to his level. “I get it… you’re not happy with us. But trust me… You’re better off being with your family… You don’t want to be here.”
“Why? You worked here with Aunt Elle on your own and you two did fine.”
“You don’t understand. Your father and I are doing what we can for you to have a better future; teach you everything you need to know to be prepared and get a better position in life. The circus is not a viable option.” She stands. “You need to come home with me.”
“All right, fine! But when I’m older, I’m running away to join the circus!” The buizel turns and speeds off.
“Hold it! Hold it!” Cindy flies over and grabs his shoulder to stop him. “Maybe you need to hear this from someone else.” She looks to the brionne. “Hey, Betty!”
Betty turns to the celebi. “Yes, Cindy?”
“Can you come here for a moment?”
Betty makes her way to the green pokemon. “What is this about?”
“Relax, you’re not in trouble. I just want to ask you something. You know how there’s always rumors the circus is closing?”
“Uh, yeah…?”
“What would you do if that actually happened?”
“Gee… If the circus closes, I’m going to have to go back to doing dirty dancing at the tavern… I don’t know how to do anything else…”
“Hey…” Manny comes up next. “Did I just hear you say the circus was closing?”
“No, Manny,” Cindy tells him. “It’s a misunderstanding. I’m trying to teach Junior how there’s always rumors.”
“Well, I never heard those rumors before!” He flails his four arms around. “If I lose this job, I’m screwed!”
Zach comes up and joins the conversation. “What’s going on? Who’s losing their job?”
“I think we all might be if the rumors are true!”
“What rumors?!”
“The circus is closing,” Betty states.
Zach’s eyes are wide open. “The circus is closing?!” Betty nods. “I don’t know how I’ll survive! The circus is all I have…! I’ll be out on the streets with nothing! I don’t want to lose everything again!”
“Junior,” starts Cindy, extending her arm toward the riolu. “If he had a family who cared for him, he wouldn’t be panicked about losing his job.”
“Oh my Arceus!” Betty spurts, drawing all of the performers to gather around. “The rumors are true…! What are we going to do?! Grab all the tarps, poles, and rations! The circus is closing!!!” Pokemon scramble left and right, terrified and anxious. They hurriedly start collecting various items all around such as poles and canvases for makeshift tents and other useful items for survival.
Cindy flies high in the air. “Stop!!! Stop!!!” Her shouts cause everyone to freeze and look to her. “It’s a misunderstanding!!! The circus is not closing! All of you, get back to work!” As she descends back to the ground, all the performers relax and try to rid themselves of their anxiety.
“Mom,” starts Junior. “What happened…? Why was everyone running around, frightened?”
Cindy turns to her son. “First, they probably imagined the runt riolu being with them outside the circus and Betty dirty dancing.” Junior puts his paw on his chin and nods, agreeing with the notion. "Second, and most importantly, these pokemon didn’t have families to help them or the same opportunities that you do. You saw how scared they got. Want that to be you?”
“No…”
“You’re lucky, Kid…” The two turn and see Ringmaster Raichu stand before them. “Your parents are looking out for you. Hey Cindy, can I talk to you in my office? You’re not in trouble, I just want to talk.” Cindy nods, then follows the raichu to his office trailer just outside the main tent. “Man, it sure is nuts out there. And not the ones you eat while viewing the show.”
“Tell me about it,” says Cindy. “I’m trying to teach my kid a lesson, and then, boom! Everyone goes crazy!”
“I just want to know how you found out.”
Cindy freezes. “The rumors are true…? The circus really is closing?”
“I got bought out by pokemon from the theatre business. They want to shut down the whole circus and merge all the entertainment into one. It’s likely everyone’s going to get sacked. I guess you can say they backed up the fairy dust and watched me dance around.” He lets out a chuckle, trying to joke with her, but quickly ceases. “Uh, sorry… I know, bad fairy pokemon joke…”
“What are all those pokemon supposed to do…?”
“Look, I feel bad… I do… But it’s showbiz… I better go break the news with everyone… You were a great circus act; you and your sister. And now, pokemon are happy to have you. Wherever you go next, others will be happy too…” He leaves. Cindy remains fixed on the exit where he disappeared through.
“Mom…” Junior pulls up next to her. “Everybody’s still freaking out! I want to go back home with you.”
She turns to him. “That’s nice, Junior… You know, we’re happy to have you… And wherever you go, others will be, too.”
