People were gathering around the stage and were excited for the circus.
Soon, the show began and everyone was cheering as jugglers juggled fire, bears danced and walked on bouncy balls and music was played.
Chip was having the time of his life, laughing and cheering.
Spike, Rocky and Ginger were impressed.
The jugglers and the bears rolled onto the stage and finished the act, vanishing into thin air.
The crowd cheered loudly.
More tricks happened in the show; there was a fire breather, a trapeze act, people jumping through fire loops and clowns making children laugh.
Even Chip got some souvenirs from the clowns; three juggle balls.
Rocky was still suspicious of the circus. Many people believed that he originated from a circus in America, but he wasn't.
At a long last, smoke appeared on the stage and Tzekel Kan took the stage.
"BEHOLD! Cirque de Kan, a treat for your senses. A delight for your soul" he announced.
Everyone was excited as Tzekel Kan then made Cholena appear.
"May I present my assistant... the lovely Cholena."
Spike was excited to see Cholena again, his heart pounding and his tongue hanging out.
"Spike, you sly dog" Rocky grinned, seeing the rat's love struck look.
"What?" Spike shrugged.
Unknown to the awe-struck audience, Le Frog and three of his circus performers, Le French Frogs, popped up behind a tent and shared evil grins.
"Okay, men, to action!" whispered the French.
The circus frogs started sneaking through the crowd, unnoticed but Spike couldn't help but notice the frogs slipping through.
"And now, I will astound you with a proper tribute of magic unparalleled in modern times" Tzekel Kan said, distracting the audience.
"Behold La Petit!"
Two strongmen carried a large elephant, Hathi on a platform to the stage. Then, they placed the platform down for Cholena to gently coax Hathi into climbing up the stage.
The crowd were gasping in awe.
"Do not look away from the beast for I shall make it vanish before your very eyes" warned Tzekel Kan.
The frogs started stealing gold pieces, jewelry and other objects.
Cocking an eyebrow, Spike handed Chip to Ginger and quietly followed the frogs.
On the stage, Cholena noticed Spike but she remembered what her so-called 'friend' warned her earlier.
Meanwhile, Spike crawled into a large underground tunnel which had led him to Tzekel Kan's dressing room/carriage.
Once inside, he found jewelry and gold everywhere.
He gasped in shock.
"The circus are a band of thieves!" he hissed viciously.
Spike carefully took a stone necklace from a box and examined it.
I wish Lu-La was here to see this Spike thought to himself. She could transfer her memories into others' minds.
Then, he tucked the necklace into his pocket and ran off before Le Frog could see him.
Cholena covered Hathi with a large tarp and presented as Tzekel Kan began to chant non-nonsensical words.
The crowd gasped in awe as Cholena removed the cover to show that the elephant has disappeared into thin air.
Laughter and cheers filled the air, roses flew onto the stage. The show was over.
The crowd began to leave and Cholena was picking up the roses that have been thrown to the stage.
"Wow! Wow, wow, wow!" cheered Chip.
"Kan is incredible! I wish I could join the circus. Hey, hey, maybe I could join a circus. Yeah! I could be a juggler. What do you think, Spike? I'd juggle and I'd..."
The little teacup then noticed that Spike was nowhere to be seen.
"Uh, Spike?" he called. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know" shrugged Ginger.
"Hello" Spike greeted, tired but anxious.
Rocky turned to Spike.
"Spike, where have you been?" asked the rooster.
"I saw these stupid French frogs snooping about and I knew they were up to no good. I followed them and found this in the dressing room."
He showed the necklace to Rocky.
"They had more gold and jewelry hidden from innocent eyes" continued Spike.
Rocky thought this over and gently took the necklace from Spike.
"We'll get to the bottom of this" Rocky said. "I promise."
As soon as Rocky walked away, Spike then noticed Cholena and sighed romantically.
Ginger noticed Spike and gently tapped his shoulder.
"Spike, I may not agree with Rocky but promise me you'll be cautious with her" she warned.
"But she isn't like them" Spike protested.
"I know, but please promise me you'll be cautious."
Spike sighed then nodded his head. He promised... only for his eyes to stare at Cholena again.
This made Chip nervous and jumped up and down.
"Hello?" he asked.
"What are you doing?" snapped Spike, catching the teacup.
"Nothing. You were making goo-goo eyes at your girlfriend again."
"Oh, she... she's not my... Who said she was my... Nonsense! Chip!"
The two laughed and tackled each other.
"I thought you forgot all about me" Chip said.
"No, never" Spike chuckled. "I'm stuck with you."
"Best friends."
"Yes, and we'll always be."
"Always."
Rocky was walking away from the circus and climbed onto Toby's back.
"Spike is not a thief" Rocky said to himself. "But a string of robberies begins the moment the circus comes to town?"
The American rooster thought this all over.
Was it a coincidence? He didn't think so.
"How many times have I ever been wrong?" he asked himself.
Toby barked and tagged his tail to count.
"Toby, that was a rhetorical question" Rocky scolded.
The dog whined and bolted off with the Captain of the Guard on his back.
Meanwhile, Cholena had finished picking up the roses and was about to leave when...
"Where do you think you are going?" asked a voice that made her jump.
"I was just-" Cholena began to say.
But Tzekel Kan snatched the roses from the Indian mouse and kicked her off the stage.
"I mean to have that bell" he said.
With a heavy sigh, Cholena quietly followed Timmy, who carried Spike, Chip and Ginger on his back as he began to leave the circus.
It was night fall when Timmy brought Spike and Chip back to Notre Dame.
"Goodnight, Spike" Ginger smiled.
"Goodnight, Ginger" the rat replied.
Timmy and Ginger soon left and Spike entered the cathedral.
"Hello, lad" called Bobnar. "How was the show?"
"It was alright" Spike replied. "Ginger and Rocky enjoyed it but something was not right."
"What is it?"
Spike wanted to mention the circus stealing from the people, but he decided not to.
"It was just too much for me" he shrugged.
Soon, Spike carried Chip up the stairs and placed him close to Mrs. Potts.
Lu-La chattered excitedly and noticed Spike's upset face.
"Not now, Lu-La" Spike moaned.
But the alien placed two tentacles on the side of Spike's face and his eyes began to widen.
She transmitted his memories of what happened in the circus.
Lu-La was shocked and backed away.
"I know" cooed Spike. "It frightened me as well. I'll have to ask Cholena tomorrow. Maybe she knows."
Tzekel Kan was examining the jewelry his French frogs stole and chuckled.
The Acolyte watched as his master examined, then turned to face him.
"Where is Cholena?" he asked.
"The little savage rodent has left to steal for us" Tzekel Kan replied with a grin.
"But I will not tolerate her falling in love with an untrustworthy rat who steals and cheats with no remorse."
Then he placed the jewels and gold into a chest and hid it behind a mirror door.
"Should he find out of our secret?" the Acolyte asked.
Tzekel Kan frowned.
"The rat will get what's coming to him" replied the sinister man, crushing a nearby spider.
To be continued...