Love and Pain

Summary: Taking from the beginning of the performance, James Crystal is on his way to the theater to try and stop it but his driver is going way too fast. Warning: Character death

Part 1

It was probably the craziest idea Mr. Moon had ever had. Taking over Crystal Tower Theater to clandestinely perform their new show. When Jerry had burst into his bedroom to inform him, Crystal was infuriated. How dare that amateur lowlife steal his theater and his resources on top of making him look like a complete fool, even firing his own daughter. As angry as he was about the embarrassment, he hated seeing his daughter in tears. After his wife's death, he'd sworn that Porsha would never cry and if she did, the one who made her cry would pay dearly. He couldn't tell her that of course. He admitted inwardly he didn't quite know how to talk to his daughter. Or anyone. He didn't have many whom he could call a true friend.

So now, here he was. With Miss Lane, his simpering assistant, and his bodyguards, in the back of his limo with his driver taking them to the hotel. He would stop this travesty and kill that koala.

They had the onboard television tuned to the theater's own channel to watch the show unfold on the way.

"We'll be at the theater soon sir!" His chauffeur assured him.

James growled. "I don't want to be at the theater soon, I want to be there now!"

Jerry climbed up the back of the seat. "Yeah, we want to be there now!"

The driver nodded and pressed on the gas, making the limousine shoot forward at top speeds. Jerry fell back with a cry and Suki clutched the handle above the door.

"Mr. Crystal, I beg you to calm yourself. You flew off the handle earlier today and upset your daughter! Now you're going to do what? Kill Mr. Moon? Sir, please, I beg of you. Really think about what you're doing," Suki pleaded with her boss who was trying to ignore her. "James, please! Think about this!"

"I AM!" He roared at her as the limousine entered the last intersection before the hotel, completely running the solid red light. "That little…. WHA!" He shouted as he was suddenly blinded by bright lights coming right at them. The sickening crunch of metal on metal echoed through the vicinity. Glass shattered and they were being tossed around the rear compartment. James could hear screaming, recognizing some of it as his own before everything went dark.

—————

Johnny was really proud of himself as he exited the stage. Not only had he mastered the steps and successfully performed them for the audience, he had kicked his sadistic teacher's ass. He ran to his father who was standing with his dance coach and the tiger who should have been his partner for the climax.

Buster clapped. "Johnny, that was great. Alright, time for Porsha…" Before he could go cue her up, they heard the sounds of metal clashing and tires screeching across pavement brought the show to a halt,

"Whoa! We have a big problem out here! Mr, Crystal's limo just crashed outside the theater!" Barry's voice crackled through the walkie talkie. "It's pretty bad."

The koala froze. He had expected Crystal to try and stop them. Not this. He bit his lip before picking up his mic. "Attention, all creatures great and small, we are going to be taking a brief intermission. There's been an accident."

The green alien ran from her position, meeting Buster outside. "Daddy!" She screamed while Marcus, Stan and Barry were fighting to get the limousine's crushed door open. "Daddy!" She ran towards the car, only for Buster to stop her.

"Porsha, no! Let them get him out. It'll be alright," he assured her.

She tried to get past him but he just pushed her back. "But Daddy needs me. Daddy!"

Buster shook his head. "Your father needs you to go back and do your number." She tried to muster a protest but he pressed. "Porsha, they need to work and get him out. And it might not be over. Your father needs you safely away from the car. Please. I'll stay and go to the hospital with them. Please, go finish the show. When it's over you and the cast meet us there. Trust me, you can't help him now."

Porsha appeared conflicted but knew he was right. There was nothing she could do, except go back and sing. She just hoped the last time she saw her dad wouldn't be the last time she saw her dad. She hoped their last words wouldn't be those angry ones.

Buster didn't want to do it. Mr. Crystal had tried to kill him earlier. However, Porsha still needed her father. For her sake, he'd stay with the white wolf and do what he could for him and Suki.

———————

James moaned, pain coursing through what felt like every part of his body. He looked around, his vision blurred as he tried to figure out what happened. He finally was able to make out Suki scrunched up in a ball. Jerry was laying on the floor of the rear compartment.

Suddenly he heard a mighty metal rip as a large gorilla hand tore it down. The large creature reached in and carefully picked up the unconscious Saluki.

He blinked, trying to process. This was familiar. He'd done this before. But when? And where was he now? What was going on? Then that big arm reappeared and gently pulled him out.

"Look out!" A voice shouted. "It's on fire!"

His eyes widened briefly and he heard the explosion. Then again, he knew nothing more.

AN: Will Mr. Crystal be alright? What about Suki? Who was still in the limo when it blew up? What will this mean for the show?