Cirque Du Strange

## Synopsis

A suspicious traveling circus takes a liking to Andy, giving him and his friends a chance to investigate their odd behavior when they offer him a chance to show off his skills – though escaping the freak show may become an act all its own.

## Plot

Later that day, Lightning Dust is waiting for Crystal Eye at the elder hero's hideout for training. When Crystal Eye finally arrives, Lightning Dust jumps to attention, eagerly following him inside, where Crystal informs him that he needs Lightning Dust's help with something urgent. To Lightning's surprise, Crystal Eye brings up the Cirque Du Strange, instructing Lightning Dust to sneak in and report back if anything even slightly suspicious is happening. Lightning requests further reasoning behind his worries, only to be immediately shot down. Putting his uncertainty aside, Lightning Dust agrees to look into the circus for him, figuring that it can be a chance to see the circus after all, if nothing else.
That night, Klaus heads to the Cirque, accompanied by Andy and Kailey for some extra help investigating things. Kailey suggests they start with the main show, and the trio heads to the central tent to get tickets. While there, they run into the Ringmaster of the Cirque, Richard Crystaille, who quickly voices that the trio has caught his eye - and subsequently offers them week passes, on the house. When they question the supposed generosity, Richard assures that they have no reason to be concerned before excusing himself to prepare for the show.
Once inside, Klaus, Andy and Kailey all agree that there must be a catch to the free tickets, still thrown by the Ringmaster's apparent interest in them. The discussion doesn't get far past speculation before the show is preparing to start, and they settle themselves for the time being. Richard appears in the ring to introduce the show and his performers, and the trio can feel their worries leaving them as they enjoy the show. Little do they know that in the ring, one of the performers - Laleia - is using her telepathy to discuss with Richard as they perform; specifically about making sure Klaus, Andy and Kailey don't catch on to their true intentions too fast.
Later into the show, Andy gets all the more excited as an archer, White Hawk, is introduced to the crowd. Far below, Richard takes note of Andy's excitement and instructs Laleia to pass the info along to White Hawk, to get their plan rolling properly.
With the info in mind, White Hawk proceeds to underact his performance, prompting Andy to voice his disappointment to his friends above. This prompts Klaus and Kailey to agree that Andy could do much better, even though his intention was not to boast - and Richard immediately takes the opportunity to claim that Andy is challenging them. Before Andy can argue, he's pulled into the center ring and is given a bow and arrow of his own to show off to the crowd, before promptly being blindfolded. Despite his terror at the attention on him, matched with his disadvantage with the blindfold, Andy takes his shot and manages a bullseye, prompting a cheer from the crowd. The crowd's enthusiasm boosts Andy's confidence, and the Ringmaster allows him a moment to soak it in before ushering him behind the curtain while he continues the show. Behind the curtain, the rest of the circus members continue to congratulate Andy on how he did. One of the performers, Tigress, brings Klaus and Kailey backstage to reunite them again, to which they too encourage Andy's work. Amidst the excitement, Richard returns with his own compliments, quickly followed by an offer for Andy to continue to perform with the circus for the rest of their stay in Dellville. Andy has his reservations, unconvinced that they'd actually benefit from his being there. As Richard insists, Andy shares a glance with his friends, all three of them quietly sharing the same thought: This gives them an in to investigate even closer than they were expecting. With this in mind, Andy agrees, and Richard instructs him to meet back here in the morning for them to discuss the details.
The next day, Andy gives Klaus and Kailey a call on his way to the circus in the morning. Andy takes note to keep an eye out for anything particularly suspicious, and his friends add in a reminder that they may be worried over nothing, as well as a more serious warning to not get in too deep in case things do get dangerous. Andy agrees, but determines that it surely won't get that bad. They bid each other farewell, and they assure Andy that they'll be at the show tonight.
At the circus, Andy quickly runs into the Ringmaster, who leads him towards one of the tents so they can get him ready. On the way, they strike up a conversation, which inadvertently reminds Andy of Josh Sharman - who Andy still resents, after what he did to his uncle and Klaus alike. Sensing Andy's spike of anger, Richard surprises Andy by seeming to egg on the vengeful feelings, which sets off some alarm bells in Andy's head. Richard also focuses on Dellville's reputation as the superpower capitol of the world as he states how no one in his circus is technically 'normal', leading Andy into wondering if that's why they're in Dellville in the first place, and proceeds to state that if they're looking for someone with powers, they've picked the wrong person for it. Richard casually disagrees. Before the conversation can continue, they arrive at the tent where the rest of the circus performers are. Richard proceeds to introduce Andy to his crew, and the Cirque members all greet Andy with open arms.
Following Andy's second night performing with the Cirque, Andy slips away after the show to relax, reflecting on what he's observed thus far. He notes that if the Cirque is up to something after all, they seem particularly good at hiding it. He also recalls a conversation he had with one of the other circus members, Skullhorn, who had known Andy's uncle when they were younger, before he had joined the Cirque, and had connected with Andy over that bond - as well as their bond through their similar beliefs as Daemonins. Skullhorn had taken the chance to encourage Andy's skills, despite Andy's attempt to brush the compliment off, still uncertain on why everyone seemed so impressed when he's doing little more than shooting arrows.
Andy is snapped back out of his memories by his phone ringing. He picks up to Klaus, who worries that he hasn't heard from Andy for the night yet. Andy promises he'll update when he has something outside of general unconfirmed suspicions. As the call ends, Andy prepares to head home, briefly worrying whether he really wants to press the Cirque members for info. He ultimately decides to continue the same way he has been and hope for the best.
At one of the Cirque's shows, Kailey quietly tells Klaus how his behavior is worrying her, as he's acting as though he doesn't trust Andy. Klaus disagrees, claiming to simply be worried that the Cirque is manipulating their friend.
In the ring below, Andy performs alongside the Cirque members as though its second nature, even growing accustomed to communicating with them through his thoughts, as the Cirque often does with Laleia's help. With his guard lowered, Richard and Laleia take advantage, twisting his thoughts to make Andy aim his next arrow right for Klaus in the crowd. Thankfully, the arrow is made to burst into a bright light rather than actually striking Klaus, but the event startles Andy all the same, prompting him to split out of the ring in horror. Richard follows Andy behind the curtains, where he accuses the Ringmaster of making him attack his friend. When Richard doesn't deny the accusation, Andy goes to leave. Before he can make it out, one of the performers grabs him, and Richard uses the staff he carries around to knock Andy out cold.
Much later, Andy wakes up tied to a chair, surrounded by the Cirque members. Richard loosens the cloth around his mouth so they can talk, and begins to explain how the Cirque has been impressed by him so far, including their leader, Sapphina, who wants to meet him. Andy refuses, but Richard continues regardless, trying to tempt him by claiming that his accuracy with a bow and arrow is far more than just skill, and that Sapphina can help him meet his full potential. Andy continues to argue to no avail, until Richard silences him with a cloth again, insisting that Andy has little choice in the matter.
Outside of the circus, Kailey is quickly joined by Lightning Dust, and the two worry over how Andy has yet to leave the tents to meet up with them. With the rest of the crowd long gone and all but the central tent packed up, the two determine that they need to investigate, and head inside the tent to find him. Once inside, Kailey is nabbed by Richard, and Lightning Dust quickly realizes that the Cirque members have them surrounded. Richard voices his displeasure at the sight of Lightning Dust before revealing that he has Andy captured as well. With Lightning Dust riled up, the Cirque attempts to grab him as well, cuffing him with devices that cut off his powers. With Lightning subdued, Richard insists that they're actually helping Andy by taking him with them before Laleia knocks Lightning Dust out - and, shortly after, she does the same to Kailey. With both of them out for the count, Richard loosens Andy's gag to give him a chance to talk again. Richard tries one more time to convince him that they're helping him. Though Andy has a brief moment of hesitation, he disagrees one last time, much to Richard's frustration. Richard pulls aside and calls Sapphina through the orb on his staff, asking if she still wants to talk to Andy herself. She voices that she wants to do so face to face, and from there, Richard checks with his performers that they're ready to depart. Andy attempts to demand that he and his friends be let go, but it does little more than start a new argument, where Richard lets slip his distaste for Dellville's heroes - both Lightning Dust and Crystal Eye alike. Rather than entertaining the argument any further, Richard uses his staff once more; this time, the orb puts Andy under a spell, lulling him into a sleep-like state.
Lightning Dust finally wakes back up, only to find himself tied tied in a metal marionette box with tape across his mouth. Surveying his surroundings, he realizes that he's stuck on a train, and quickly spots Kailey tied on the floor - and thankfully, also beginning to stir. Once Kailey is awake, she searches for a way to free herself from her ropes. She manages to get to her feet and cut the ropes using some stray crates, then proceeds to head over to Lightning Dust, investigating the box holding him for any way to get him out. Trying to free him, there's a brief panic as the box turns on, pulling Lightning Dust every which way. In the chaos, he and Kailey manage to knock the box over, subsequently breaking it and allowing him to free himself from his restraints. With both of them freed, Lightning Dust and Kailey check each other over before trying to figure out where they are, and where Andy could be. They determine that if they're at the back of the train, they just need to start heading forward to find where Andy's at. So, Lightning Dust grabs Kailey and uses his powers to speed ahead.
The two land themselves in a dark train cart, where they find Andy as well as Richard's staff, keeping him locked in his daze. In trying to find a way to snap Andy out of it, Lightning Dust determines that their best bet is to outright break the staff itself. Breaking the staff open releases a mass of red mist, which quickly clouds the top of the train cart. Thankfully, despite the new apparent threat above them, the spell on Andy does break after all, and he groggily wakes back up. With both his friends secured, Lightning Dust prepares for a quick escape, only to be sharply interrupted by Richard's arrival to investigate the noise. The moment he sees the red mist above them, he's infuriated, and lunges to grab Andy. His upper hand doesn't last long before Andy bites him, forcing Richard's grip loose just long enough for him to run back to his friends. Before Richard can grab him again, Lightning Dust strikes him back. As the Ringmaster recovers, Lightning Dust notices the red mist knocking against the train doors, as though trying to escape the train as well. Lightning Dust takes the chance to open the door for the mist, which spills out the door and into the night. Immediately, Richard is appalled, snapping at Lightning one last time before ultimately giving up on trying to keep them hostage. Before Lightning Dust can leave with his friends, however, Richard warns Lightning Dust that he'll be back - and that he doesn't want to see his brother sending a kid after him instead of facing the Order himself, next time. Though the statement confuses Lightning, he and his friends are forced out of the train immediately after, not giving him the chance to ask who or what Richard is referring to. Instead, Lightning Dust turns his focus to catching Andy and Kailey before they can plummet to their doom. With his friends in his arms and questions on his mind, Lightning Dust starts making his way back towards Dellville, still worried not only about Richard and this supposed 'Order', but also over the red mist that he has set free, uncertain on where it disappeared to.
After Lightning Dust informs Crystal Eye on the Cirque's attempts to kidnap him and his friends, Crystal Eye is less than thrilled. Once he has told the whole story, Crystal asks if Richard specified when they'd be back, which Lightning Dust declines. Lightning follows up by mentioning the Order that Richard brought up, which prompts Crystal Eye to get all the more frustrated. He explains to Lightning Dust that the Order is a cult of sorts that takes in people and gives them powers, claiming to fix them while building an army of supers that devotes themselves to their leader, Sapphina. Crystal Eye voices his concerns over how big the Order may have grown, by now. Lightning continues, mentioning that Richard brought up a brother; at the words, Crystal Eye all but freezes, becoming all the colder at the mention. Lightning Dust concludes that Crystal Eye must be the brother Richard was referring to, asking if Crystal needs some comfort due to this sounding like a family thing. Crystal Eye denies that the Order is his family, but Lightning is unconvinced, and attempts a comforting hug all the same. The interaction turns out more awkward than anything else, but Crystal Eye voices his appreciation for the attempt. Lightning Dust then promises that they'll face the Order together, whenever they decide to return - to which Crystal Eye warns they'll need to ramp up his training before he's ready for that sort of confrontation.

## Appearances

### Main Cast

Klaus Melfton/Lightning Dust

Andy Kellson

Kailey Heartstrong

Richard Crystaille

### Cast

Daniel Carsley/Crystal Eye

Sapphina

Laleia

Skullhorn

Tigress, the Tamer

White Hawk, the Archer

Golde, the Man of Stone

## Trivia

* fun tidbits

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