"Sorry about that. Zorua likes copying appearances. It's a bother, but it's the best part of the show aside from the actual show" The young man, wearing a red and black magician suit with a top hat, jumped from a float due to his Zorua coming down to break up the fight Crystal and Aaron were having, even if Crystal was done with the conversation and lacked proper speech now

"And sorry for interrupting your little argument, but I could actually hear you from the other side" he looked at the parade "this parade here is to bring everyone's spirits up! Zorua probably came here to have you stop ranting. What's the big idea of making a scene like that? Don't you know how much work we've put into these floats and stuff?"

"S-sorry..." West grabbed Aaron's head and made him bow with him "We didn't mean to make a ruckus. Forgive us" The young man grinned

"No problem! I actually wanted to see if everything was okay!" He looked at Crystal staring at the floor "I'm Dave! An opening act to the famous Summerlight circus! Please to meet you! I hear you're the opponent Samantha is going to be battling in her show!" He shook Aaron's hand "How exciting! It's always a lot of fun to see her battling in action, although she doesn't like fighting all that much"

"What do you mean? She's a gym leader" Aaron said

"She's more of a lover than a fighter, believe it or not. She's the star of the show, the ringmaster, and is the one that first brought it to life when we struggled a few years ago" he turned around to look up at a float of a castle in beautiful flames, to see the star of the show standing by her throne, wearing a circus dress that matched her soft red hair in twin tails. Crystal's eyes widened, adoring her appearance and bright smile. She had never seen a smile that big on Sam's face before...

"She brought life to this dull city... She's really cool" Dave's eyes softened in happiness "She's beautiful and full of energy. She's strong and confident... I don't expect anything less from the Otashi family!" His smile widened "She's great even without her family's name!" Crystal stared at the hearts circling around his head

"I don't care how cool she is! She's going down!" Aaron said

"Her and her family embarrassed mine! She was the first to make a fool of my big sister!" West glared "I also want to challenge her! Where do I sign up!?" Dave smiled

"Another challenger? How exciting! Sam is always open to take in another battle if the first one doesn't entertain her enough" Crystal snorted silently, knowing Aaron will fail at doing that "Either way, she loves being entertained. If she notices you, you can be the next challenger!" West pumped his hand in success "Unfortunately, it's going to be hard to even get tickets to the show, taken that it's sold out..."

"No! Please, you have to make an exception! I have to represent my family!" West begged

"I can always do that... but I'm not really doing this in the name for the family, so... Can't you make an exception?" Aaron asked

"Well... I don't have a say into this. I'm sorry. You might want to ask the main gym, and maybe ask Sam yourself if you catch her at all. I seriously doubt it because she runs the circus pretty much. It's named after her, after all" West sat on the floor in defeat. Crystal started thinking of a way to get into the show

"I'll try after the show then..." West cried. Aaron patted his back

"Yeah! That's the spirit! It's not the end of the world!" Dave said. Aaron helped him up

"How about we talk at lunch..." West sighed

"It was nice meeting you" he said to Dave. Dave nodded with a kind smile "Come on, Cris"

"Um... I'll stay here for a bit to watch the rest of the parade"

"You sure?" Looking at her feet, knowing they won't move, she nodded and watched them leaving her in the middle of the crowd. Dave bowed to her

"It was a pleasure meeting you! I really must get going! I'm looking forward to meeting you when the time comes for you and your friend to pay a visit to the Pokémon gym" Froslass took his suit to stop him from leaving, knowing Crystal wasn't done with him

"So... There's no way we can get into that show tonight?" He frowned

"Unfortunately, no. It's out of my hands" she nodded, looking slightly up to see him watching Samantha getting closer, waving to the crowd, then to him

"Hey, Davy! What are you doing down there!? Get your butt up here!" She laughed. Dave chuckled

"You got it!" Her throne was unseen after a few feet "Sorry again, but I really have to-"

"Tell me... Do you like the star of the show?" She peaked at him. His face turned red

"W-what!? Don't be ridiculous! There's no way I'd be able to get a chance with her even if it was true!" He frowned "She's always working anyways... I'll never get the chance, so I won't bother" Crystal didn't look amused

"Spineless... She doesn't deserve someone like you then" his eyes widened, almost in anger

"Hold on! What did I do to have you insult me like that?" She snorted, looking back at the parade

"You've done nothing... That's the point. You're scared of rejection. It's written all over your face" he gulped at her serious tone. He froze when she finally lifted her hat to take a good look at his brown eyes filled with shock and made of shyness "Working for the circus, and yet you are shy to a point where you can't even confess to her?" He cupped his mouth, seeing the similarities of her eyes matching Samanthas

"W-wait... a minute... are you?" She smirked

"Even if you were confident, what makes you think you're good enough for my sister?" she held her throat in pain, seeing she was at the peak of her limits to speak "We're done here... I have nothing left to say. Head back to where you belong, coward" he could see the paleness on her face

"You... You're the one she's been talking about. The one that's been ill since a young age?" She looked down, surprise to actually know Sam's been talking about her even if they haven't seen each other in years "How are you here?"

"I've come all this way... From the safety of my home, just to see her" she frowned "And the rest of my family" the crowd begun leaving after the parade left. He took a deep breath now that everyone left and bowed to her

"I'm sorry... If I just saw your eyes before, I would've caught on sooner. It's an honor to meet one of Samantha's older sisters" he started shaking, not believing he couldn't win the acceptance of one of Sam's sisters when he got encouraged to ask her out by the others he met. He heard Crystal was tough and serious... cold even, so how..?

"I told you to leave, didn't I? Did I not make that clear?" He stood up, looking at her Cleffa worriedly stroking her cheeks "I'm done talking to you. There's no reason for others to know why I'm here. I'll find my own way to meet her"

"Hold on" she sighed, wishing he'd now leave so she can find a way to move "I can probably find a way to get you and your friend to the show" she raised a brow

"I thought it was out of your hands"

"No, not for Samantha's older sister" she peeked around to make sure no one was listening "Please come to the entrance of the tent where tickets will be scanned. I'll have one of the performers let you in. I'll make sure they know to look for you"

"I don't need anyone knowing who I am. I'm undercover, pretty much" he nodded respectfully

"I understand" seeing the kindness of his eyes and his gentleman features, she knew from the start that he was a loyal guy for his sister. She just doesn't approve of his spineless behavior. She needs a real man who tells her how he really feels "It was an honor to finally meet you. She's said nothing but good things about you" he smiled, trying to get her to do the same, but failed miserably when she rolled her eyes, annoyed.

"Thank you... Now, will you leave? You're... irritating me" his entire being was crushed "I'm serious..." she coughed

"Cle..." Cleffa frowned. Froslass took her hand, trying to get her to move, but she won't budge. Dave's Zorua turned into her to lean forward to see what was wrong. Crystal pressed the back of her hand on her forehead, thinking she might be getting a headache, but was only paranoid at the fact that most her muscles stopped working. This is the thing she's been wanting to avoid

Zorua frowned at Dave, knowing it was serious. Dave nodded and offered a hand "Let me help you to the Pokémon center"

"Don't you have a parade to be in?" She coughed

"That can wait. I'm not going to let you stay here" sighing, she opened her arm for him to take and was wrap around his shoulder. He tried helping her move, but that led to her falling forward. He caught her light body and carried it bridal style. His face went red at the closeness and disrespect he feels for carrying her without her permission

"I-I'm sorry!" He panicked "I was just trying to keep you from falling!" She closed her eyes, silent completely "Ms.Ot-?" She shut his mouth, giving him the evil eye

"Don't" she mouth, "say.that.out.loud" gulping, he obeyed and followed Froslass leading him to where West was, which was at a nearby café with Aaron eating like a Pokémon while West was sitting with two entrees in front of him like he was waiting

"Excuse me, gentleman!" Dave spoke. West nearly fell off his seat when seeing Crystal in the arms of another

"Cris!" West hurried to carry her lifeless-like body "What happened?!" He kneeled to gently place her on his bent leg. She opened her eyes, seeing him about to snap at Dave "What did you do?!"

"Cleffa! Clef!" Cleffa waved its arms, showing West that she was awake and looking at him with disapproval. He softened his features and helped her up, but had her fall backward and caught right on time

"Oh, Arceus! What just happened!?" He gasped, carrying her to sit on the chair. She sat there like a glass doll, staring at nothing

"I'm not sure myself... She stopped moving all of a sudden. I recommend you taking her to a Pokémon Center right away" Dave bowed "I look forward to seeing you three at the show!"

"Wait, three? How come we can go now without tickets?" Dave smiled with pride

"I have my ways... Your friend here is very persuasive, so I figured to let you come to the VIP section" Crystal eyed him, shooting him with angry daggers that made him gulp nervously "She convinced me to let you in without tickets-I mean... You're fortunate to have someone like her to help you out! I might even convince Sam to let you be the next challenger after the other gentleman! She would be tired after the show, so it'll be better to catch her on her good side. You know?" West sighed in relief

"That sounds awesome... Thanks so much!" Dave waved his hands and made a bouquet of flowers appear for Crystal. Her eyes widened in amazement, trying to reach for the dozens of pretty flowers, but failed

"See you all soon!" He gave the bouquet to Froslass reaching for them, and threw something towards the ground, having him and his Zorua disappear into the smoke

"Lame" Aaron said with his mouth full. West chuckled and sat in front of Crystal staring at nothing

"Hey Cris, how do you feel?" She glanced at him for a moment "Come on, you gotta talk. Is it your condition? Did you miss your meds?" She looked over at Aaron staring "What? Did Aaron do this?" Aaron clapped the table from frustration

"Hold on! What did I even do!? Don't bring me into this-" Froslass looked like she was able to murder someone "Yo... Chill your Pokémon, will you?" West felt on Crystal's face

"Cris! You're freezing!" Froslass kept him from panicking and carrying her off the chair "She's cold! Why are you keeping me from keeping her-" he groaned, knowing not to question Froslass, and took out Crystal's cloak to set on her shoulders. She looked at his concern face, seeing if he can try to help her in any way

"West, calm down. She doesn't seem all that concern. Neither should you" Aaron said. For once, he said something smart. West calmed down and scooted over to sit knee to knee in front of her

"I got you some food. You don't mind, right?" Crystal stared at the tender look in his eyes "I know you're a light eater, so I ordered a sub with a salad like you got last time" a hint of blush came from his cheeks, showing a cheeky smile. Her fingers twitched, wanting to take his cheeks and squeeze them

Aaron gagged at the staring and stood up "The show starts at 7" he gathered his trash "See ya later" he peaked at Crystal looking at him "Feel better" he walked away as fast as he could without seeming like he was trying to avoid the little scene

"That was nice of him" West chuckled "He paid for our food by the way" did he now? It made her wonder how much of a person he can be behind his ugly attitude "Now" he brought her plate closer "I knew I shouldn't have left you on your own... Is this part of your condition?" Froslass lifted Crystal's long leg on his lap, outer thigh pointed towards him "W-What are you d-doing?" He blushed like crazy. Froslass handed over a syringe filled with clear liquid "oh?" Taking the syringe, he grabbed the little fat she had, trying to hold in his nose bleed, and stabbed into the skin of her leg

"There... Will that help?" He asked nervously. She smiled a little, barely able to move her head to nod. He lowered her leg and started cutting the sandwich into bite size pieces "Got to eat up! We're going to the show tonight!" He laughed, seeing the look on her face, thinking it was ridiculous that he was trying to feed her when she can barely move anything but her facial expressions and eyes "I still don't know how you manage to get us into the show, and I'm a little afraid to ask, but I have to thank you..." he smiled at his lap "You know how much I wanted this, and now I get to be there to battle her" he looked into her eyes "I owe you one!"

In truth, she did try to find a way to get into the show, but what she pulled had nothing to do with it. She didn't aim to tell Dave who she was, or even expected to be given access at all. She wanted to see her sister, but knowing how much she owes West for taking care of her all this time, she has to do what she thinks she needs to do to pay him back. He owes her for doing that favor, he says... but it was only a small payment that wouldn't be paid all the way so easily

"No..." she coughed, getting a small part of her voice back "Don't worry... about it" he smiled and helped her hold up her food, helping her eat like she was a disabled wife and her husband was helping to feed her. How strange that this doesn't seem as weird as it looks

Later on in the day, Crystal still couldn't get much hold of her body, but at least the emergency medicine in the syringe helped with the process... Wyatt is truly great to have the medication still around and be the only one to discover what medicine can help her

She had to be pushed while on a wheelchair like she was disabled, but it was only part of her condition. She managed to move some parts of her body again, but not enough to let her walk about freely on her own

"We're here" West said, staring up at the circus tent flashing lights everywhere with people gathering around the carnival rides and lining up to give their tickets to the people in the booths. Only one step closer to seeing her sister face to face. She'll make it happen somehow. She can't wait any longer

"Ready?" She asked. He nodded, determined

"You bet"

Edited on grammarly 12/5/18