Chapter Text
Gus sighed to himself as he flew away on his scooter, with some bags dragging behind him in a small wagon attached to the back. He really didn’t want to worry anyone this time, he didn't care about getting attention anymore, especially from guilt tripping his only family, related or otherwise.
“Maybe they won't care anyway. I do cause nothing but trouble.” Gus sniffled. “I would have taken Wally… But Violet is right, that he still has good in him. Maybe it's my fault he's become worse…”
Gus flew his scooter away as quickly as possible, leaving his growing but still distant family behind.
SwaySway was walking across the fields of Pondgea, smiling to himself as he looked at the scenery.
“What a perfect place to meet Jenny.” He signed happily. “She should be here any minute.”
SwaySway looked around until he saw someone in the grass. It wasn't Jenny in fact, he looked more like a monkey, a crying monkey. A very familiar one, expect he was covered in bruises and a few scratches, as well as some dirt and plant debris in his fur.
“Hey, are you alright?” SwaySway reached an arm out for the primate.
“Get away from me…” Gus scoffed.
“Listen, buddy. You may not like us, and we may not like you… But I don't want to leave you crying like this.” SwaySway bluntly explained. “If you don't want to talk to me though, maybe I can at least get you back to your crew.”
“No!” Gus shouted, almost sounding panicked. “I can't, not now!”
“Really? They may be worried about you.” SwaySway told him. He could have sworn that as much as a nuisance Gus was, he and his team cared about each other, even if he and Wally committed villainous acts behind the others’ backs.
“Maybe a little… But… I saw what my friends and family's lives would be like without us. If Wally I never even existed…” Gus sniffled. “I do sometimes wonder if Wally would have been a better person if I wasn't there with him though…”
“You saw?” SwaySway asked.
“I… Got curious and used a machine to travel to a world where Wally and I were never born… Then I saw everyone was happy… Chimpsky, YAY-OK, even our own mom!” Gus fussed up. “We didn't think there was any reason to be heroes anymore so we just kept becoming worse and worse. Then Wally and I saw you and your friends. All of them loved you, you were loyal to each other. We hated you because… we were jealous.”
“Really?” SwaySway questioned.
“I know it was a stupid reason.” Gus punched the ground in frustration.
“That sounds rough. But perhaps we can talk about this later, you don't look so good. Maybe I can take you back to the Swamp Pad and fix you up.” SwaySway offered.
“Are you sure?” Gus looked up with concern.
“I'm not a doctor, but I used to do part-time work as a nurse.” SwaySway told him.
“I meant… Nevermind, just for a little bit.” Gus gave in. “But maybe I can put on a disguise so your friends won't freak out.”
“Can I at least tell Buhdeuce?” SwaySway asked.
“You mean the little duck who freaks out over the smallest sign of trouble?” Gus raised an eyebrow.
“I hate lying to him.” SwaySway frowned.
“Okay… Fine…” Gus hung his head. “But if I cause another chaotic mess, I'm leaving again.”
At the Swamp Pad, SwaySway started to tend to Gus’s wounds, disinfecting and bandaging them.
“How did you get in such bad shape?” SwaySway asked.
“It was a rough journey, but I stopped caring…” Gus shook his head.
“There, there.” SwaySway patted Gus's head.
“Why are you being so nice to me now?” Gus grumbled.
“You're hurt and you're not giving me any reason to antagonize you again.” SwaySway said honestly.
“Thanks… I guess.” Gus sighed.
“SwaySway!” Buhdeuce's shrill voice called from afar. “You get away from my best bap, you banana obsessed freak!”
“No!” SwaySway got between them. “He's not going to hurt anyone!”
“How do you know that?!” Buhdeuce asked in disbelief.
“He was crying and he didn't try to attack me.” SwaySway corrected.
“Are you sure he's not just tricking us like PB did?” Buhdeuce recalled the green panda who tried to replace Jelly and destroy him and SwaySway.
“My guard is up this time.” SwaySway promised. “Besides, we trained for this, remember?”
“As much as I'd like to forget, fine the money can stay, but if he does anything suspicious he's out.” Buhdeuce demanded.
“I wasn't going to stay anyway…” Gus grumbled.
“Don't be silly, he’s just like that.” SwaySway responded nonchalantly. “How about tomorrow, you make things right with my friends.” SwaySway offered.
“If they even want to see me.” Gus pouted.
“They won't at first, but once I explain everything, they'll greet you with open arms. Promise.” SwaySway put his arm around Gus's shoulder.
“Yay…” Gus half heartedly cheered.
Meanwhile, Wally was crying in his room, he was sent there as punishment when he and Gus were discovered trying to take over Pondgea behind the others’ backs. Their current caretakers told them to go to their room and not come out without permission.
At first he felt just a little sadness and shame for disappointing his crew, now he was bawling due to Gus being missing.
“Gus… You were all I had left… Why did you do this to me?!” Wally sobbed. There was a light knock on the door.
“Go away!” Wally whimpered.
“Wally, please let me in, I'm worried about you and Gus.” Violet's voice called.
“Fine…” Wally spat and unlocked the door.
“Wally… Where's Gus?” Violet asked.
“He left us…” Wally's lip quivered. “he gave me this note… He says he's never coming back.”
“Do you think I was too harsh?” Violet gasped.
“No… You weren't harsh about it… And everyone else was right to hate us for it… You gave us another chance and we blew it because we hated ourselves…”
“You hate yourself?” Violet asked with concern.
“I may be cute… But that doesn't matter anymore… I'm hideous on the inside!” Wally shouted.
“Wally…” Violet gave him a hug.
“You may not have been there… So we will never know… But I bet you and Rose would be better off without us too…” Wally leaned close to Violet. “I should have known it was a mistake to turn bad again, I just wanted to make Gus happy, he keeps his distance from you and Mona, and YAY-OK and Rose still resent him…”
“They didn't mean anything by it… They were just hurting.” Violet leaned her face toward Wally's.
“Maybe they were right though. Gus abandoned me after all.” Wally ironically smiled and chuckled. “I thought he was the only one who'd be better off with me. But maybe that's not true after all.”
Violet wanted to argue, say anything, but she was at a loss for words.
“I want to be alone.” Wally gently pushed Violet away.
“Alright, but don't try to go after Gus without telling anyone.” Violet warned him.
“Oh don't worry… Gus doesn't care, so why should I?” Wally gave her a fake smirk. Violet froze, but walked away, still shaken about the whole situation.