Joy had done it. Her second movie had become the highest grossed animated film in history with a whopping $1.6 billion and counting. Before the movie was released, she and her co-stars feared that it would become a box office bomb and get trashed by critics due to it being a sequel to the 7th highest grossed movie of 2015. But thankfully, it was not the case. Not only did the movie succeed in terms of box office records, it also gained great reviews just like the predecessor for its story, humor, relatability, characters, and cleverness.
In celebration of this, Joy had an idea to invite various animated characters to a party in her favorite park just a little out of Emeryville, though she went a little overboard with the invitations. Thankfully, she slowed down when the final plans were laid out thanks to Fear, Disgust, Anxiety, and of course, Sadness.
When the day of the party came, Joy excitedly welcomed everyone who came, including but not limited to Woody, Buzz, and their gang, the Incredibles, the hundreds of Minions, Gru and his family, the Mario Bros., and Anna and Elsa. The party was at full swing and Joy made sure of it. Ennui's radio played various tunes from both of her films. The food is related to the films as well. There were lots of conversations some characters had with the new stars. There were even lots of games the guests could play. Anger complained the party felt too much like a birthday party, though Joy digressed. If there was anything Joy loved more than her movies, it's seeing so many happy people. Though Sadness was concerned about something.
"Um, Joy?" she asked. "Where's Simba?"
"Right there, silly!" Joy laughed, pointing at the 2D animated lion talking with Anxiety, with Envy wanting to touch his mane.
"No, I meant the other Simba," Sadness pointed out. "The one who looks more realistic."
Joy looked around and gasped. Before her second movie, the remake of 2D Simba's movie was the highest grossing animated film. Though unlike Joy's movie, the remake received mostly negative reviews from critics and audiences who criticized the movie for being a rehash of the original, not doing anything unique, and most of all, a complete lack of emotion. Joy scrambled around the park, trying to find the photorealistic lion, but with no luck. She looked at her guest list and was shocked to learn that the 2019 Simba wasn't on it. She felt terrible.
"Sadness, I messed up big time," she said mournfully. "I thought I included everybody, but no. I didn't. What am I going to do?" She buried her head in her hands and started to cry. Sadness hugged her best friend for a few minutes.
"I saw the new Simba two hours ago near the big Luxo Jr. statue," the teardrop finally said. "Maybe you'll find him there."
Joy smiled a little bit and hugged her friend tightly. "Thanks, turkey! I knew there is a reason you're by B.F.F.! Now you go entertain the guests! I have someone to invite!" She sprinted off, leaving the teardrop shocked and confused. Disgust walked up.
"Where is she going?" the diva asked.
"To get someone," Sadness could only say.
Joy ran towards Pixar Animation Studios and by pure luck, she saw a photorealistic lion sitting and staring at the big Luxo Jr. statue with his emotionless face. She dashed toward him and yelled, "Hey Simba! Aren't you going to join us!?"
The 2019 version of Simba turned around and saw the yellow glowing emotion. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be at your stupid self-congratulatory party?"
Joy felt a bit of anger in his voice behind his blank face but she held strong. "I came to invite you to it. It's really fun. There are games and music and cake…"
"I'll pass," the lion groaned as he continued to look at the lamp. Joy now felt really awful. She was silent for a couple of minutes, then she slowly walked up to him and sat down next to him.
"Simba," she began. "Let me just say…" She took a deep breath sympathetically. "I'm sorry." 2019 Simba said nothing. "I'm sorry I didn't invite you to the party. I meant to but I got carried away with all of this planning and happiness and all of that other stuff..."
"You think I was mad about the party invitations?" 2019 Simba interrupted, surprising Joy. He sighed. "I'm...jealous."
Joy was taken back. "Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" 2019 Simba began. "Your movie beated out mine in terms of everything. Money, animation, and emotion. I was the previous king of animated cartoon films before your second film came around. You became a global phenomenon and will be remembered for years to come. Meanwhile, I had a movie of my own and people only see it as a soulless cash grab that was just lucky to get all of the money it has." He looked at Joy. "I wish I was more like you."
Joy gulped. "I had no idea you felt this way, Simba. You're not gonna go all villainy on everyone, are you?"
2019 Simba sighed and turned his head away. "What's the point? You can't change the past. You just had to face the fact that you and many others are better than you in every way shape and form. Not like I get to choose anything."
Joy looked at 2019 Simba with sympathetic eyes. Not only did 2019 Simba feel jealous. He felt rejected, lost, and alone. Joy touched 2019 Simba's shoulder. "You're right. You can't change the past or choose how much of an impact you have. But you wanna know something I learned in both of my movies?"
"What?" the CGI lion asked.
"Every emotion is important," Joy said. "And the same could be said for people too. Do you wanna know how you're important? You basically retold one of the most iconic stories in Hollywood in your own way and I bet that other Simba is proud of you for continuing the legacy he and his friends started back in 1994 your way. And besides, what have you got to lose? Don't you have another project coming?"
2019 Simba thought for a moment. "There is a prequel to my film coming."
"See? You just have another chance to shine!" Joy explained with a smile. "And from what I have seen so far, it looks great! Fantastic! I think fans are gonna love it! You see, Simba? You're loved by folks for being just the way you are! Including us! So even if you're not the king of animated films anymore, you're still you! And besides, who really cares about how much money our films make? They're only silly accomplishments! So whaddya say, blank face?"
2019 Simba pondered about what Joy had said, then out of nowhere, he gave her a hug. "Thank you, Joy. I needed this." He let go and Joy thought she saw a hint of a smile on the lion's face. "And before you ask again, I would like to come to your party."
"Yay!" Joy clapped her hands. "And I got an idea! Let's dedicate the party to the both of us! So you don't feel excluded anymore! Oh, I'll let you pick tonight's movie! And…" Joy blabbered on happily about the party as she led 2019 Simba to it. 2019 Simba did not anticipate the warm welcomes he got from other animated characters and to his surprise, his own co-stars are there too. The party was a lot of fun and when it was time for him and his friends to leave, 2019 Simba again thanked Joy for their conversation, in which the star smiled, kissed the lion's cheek, and simply said, "You're welcome!"
THE END
