Chapter Text
Mona the bird alien, and a new helper for YAY-OK, awoke from her bed, it had been a long day of helping YAY-OK with chores and keeping the monkeys out of trouble when they came home from visiting their mother. She was exhausted and about ready to go to bed. All of a sudden, she heard someone from afar, it sounded like crying. The sound came closer and there was a knock on the door. Mona answered it and saw Gus, he was in tears.
“Are you alright?” Mona asked him softly.
“Mona… I'm so sorry.” Gus whimpered.
“For what?” Mona asked.
“For giving you such a hard time… As usual. I think everyone is right about me…” Tears flowed from his eyes.
“Oh, Gus…” Mona scooped him up into her arms. “It's going to be alright.”
“No it's not, I think I should just quit, everyone would be much more successful if I just left.” Gus sighed.
“Gus, you mean a lot to everyone on this ship, me, Wally, YAY-OK, Rose and Violet.” Mona patted his back.
“Are you kidding? I bullied Wally, YAY-OK always has to cover for my mistakes, and the jaguars are far too successful, they don't need me.” Gus hung his head.
“This isn't like you Gus… Did something happen when you were visiting your mom yesterday?” Mona remembered.
“Fine, you caught me. Mom wasn't the only one there. As usual Gam Gam only wanted to see Wally. I left her to dote over her golden grandchild and she didn't even feel guilty for insulting me.” Gus continued. “She's always hated me. Maybe I should stop blaming her for that… I just want to be loved…”
“You are loved.” Mona patted his bead.
“Thanks… Can I stay with you for a while?” Gus shyly requested. “I'm not sure how to feel about Wally right now. He could have tried harder to stand up for me. He's still my brother and I should have treated him better but I'm still mad at him.”
“Sure, you can. Take as long as you need.” Mona patted his head gently. Mona was getting tired herself, the last thought lingering was wondering how Gus's own flesh and blood could hate him. She wanted to see Gam Gam and scold her for saying that her own grandson didn't matter. But she knew that wouldn't help Gus, besides, for now, her focus was on comforting him.
The next morning, Gus and Mona awoke in her room at the sound of the clicking of a triangle.
“Breakfast is ready!” YAY-OK announced. “Banana pancakes are on the table!”
“Hey, Gus.” Wally shyly waved at him. Gus pouted and sat at the table, not bothering to look at his younger brother. Wally sighed and subtly picked at his food with his fork.
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Rose joked.
“Rose, don't pick on them, they seem genuinely upset.” Violet warned her.
“Did they get into another argument over who their mom loves more?” Rose asked.
“It's not that…” Mona whispered. “I'll tell you later.”
Gus picked up his pancake platter and took it away, heading for his room before slamming the door.
“He… Doesn't have the best relationship with his grandma.” Mona told Rose.
“He acted more polite to her than usual.” Wally admitted.
“You still don't get it.” YAY-OK scolded Wally. “She hates her own grandson, your brother and best friend and you still take her side!”
“She doesn't hate Gus.” Wally denied.
“Just because she gave him the banana peel to eat doesn't mean she loves him! I think she's incapable of loving anyone besides you!” YAY-OK told Wally, finally letting out his frustrations.
“And what's so wrong with me being loved?” Wally scoffed.
“Nothing, but there's a lot wrong with you never standing up for your own brother when his own grandparent calls him worthless!” YAY-OK pointed out.
“But everyone thinks we're worthless!” Wally
blurted out. “Gam Gam thinks I'm important, and it's not my fault that she's so mean to everyone else. I can't control her.”
“Guys, quit arguing!” Rose shouted.
“Just leave them be for now.” Violet told her sister. “They should stop soon.”
“Wally, this is clearly getting us nowhere, just understand that Gus has a reason to be mad at you.” YAY-OK sighed.
“I guess you're right.” Wally gave in.
“I just wonder why she hates Gus so much, yes he can be irritating, but they're family.” YAY-OK continued.
“She does wish Gus was more like me, but… Everyone else accuses us of acting the same.” Wally finally admitted. “I better apologize to Gus…”
Wally knocked on the door.
“Go away…” Gus grumbled.
“Gus… I came to say sorry…” Wally hung his head.
“Wally… Normally I'd stay mad, but I think I understand now. You're so much more likeable than I ever will be.” Gus sighed.
“What are you talking about? The villains always say I'm the more annoying one.” Wally stated.
“But you have more friends than me and everyone thinks you're adorable.” Gus rolled his eyes a bit but looked at the floor in defeat. Wally wanted to argue more, but he knew it was all too true, not only was he liked by more creatures, he embraced every minute of it. It was no excuse for Gus's cruel attitude, though it was starting to make sense why he was so bitter all the time.
“YAY-OK made breakfast.” Wally changed the subject.
“I'll be there in a minute.” Gus said. Wally got up and left the room, hoping Gus would follow soon.
Gus took a deep breath then decided to dial a number on the phone. He felt like he would regret this, but he had to know.
“Hello, Gam Gam…” Gus told her.
“Oh, it's you…” Gam Gam growled.
“Let's just cut to the chase, what did I ever do to you?!” Gus shouted.
“You want to know, huh?” Gam Gam cleared her throat. “Fine, I'll tell you. First of all, your mother… She's not actually your mother.”
“I'm adopted?!” Gus gasped.
“She's your aunt.” Gam Gam told him. “She took you in and never had the guts to tell you the truth and encouraged me to keep it a secret as well.”
“Ha! She wouldn't lie to us like that! Would she?” Gus wondered. “And besides, if she's not my mom, then who is?!”
“Your real mother is gone! She was taken away from us when someone blew up the house! Everyone managed to survive… Except her.” Gam Gam's voice started to crack slightly, showing her rare vulnerable side just a little.
“Who would do that?” Gus asked worriedly.
“It was you! You were always so careless, it started young! You had to mess with all of your father's old machines and weapons. It was your fault!” Gam Gam shouted, going back to her usual cruel self.
“I… I didn't mean to…” Gus teared up. “I was just a baby!”
“And you haven't learned or grown from any of that years later! You know what? I don't even know why I still bother with you!” Gam Gam ranted further.
“I'm sorry…” Gus whimpered.
“Well, I don't forgive you, bye!” Gam Gam hung up. Gus was left in silence, this felt like a nightmare, his destructive tendencies had caused many disasters. But nothing prepared him for what he was just told.
“Gus, your pancakes are getting cold.” YAY-OK told him, but then noticed Gus curled up and sobbing. “Are you alright?”
“I'm sorry…” Gus said again.
“For what?” YAY-OK asked.
“You don't want to know…” That was the last thing Gus had said for a while.