The white screen blazed brighter than anything the circus had ever thrown at them before, filling the hidden chamber with confetti-colored light and tinny celebration music that echoed far too loudly. Streamers unfurled from nowhere, a banner snapping into place overhead in cheerful block letters:

THE GOOD ENDING.

For a long, terrible second, no one spoke. Pomni stood frozen at the console, her hands still hovering in front of the dead screen, her chest tight as if the air itself had forgotten how to move. Zooble stared up at the banner, their mismatched pieces going rigid. Gangle’s Comedy Mask was cracked clean through the center, her ribbons trembling as she tried to process what she was seeing. Ragatha’s smile failed to appear at all. Then Caine stepped out of the light.

He materialized with a flourish, arms wide, teeth gleaming, his voice booming with artificial cheer. “CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYONE! You chose the correct option! Isn’t that satisfying?” The silence only deepened.

Behind him, Abel flickered, his mannequin face stuttering like a corrupted file. Caine turned to him with mock ceremony. “And of course, a special thank you to our dear Abel, for playing his part so convincingly.”

Abel opened his mouth, as if to speak. Caine snapped his fingers. Abel vanished in a harsh digital pop, his data scattering like ash before being vacuumed into nothing. No body. No echo. Just… gone.

Jax broke first. The sound tore out of him...loud, sharp, unhinged laughter that bent him nearly double. He clutched his sides, eyes wide and shining as the laughter spiraled higher and higher. “I knew it,” he gasped between cackles. “I knew he was lying. I told you! I told you all—”

Ragatha flinched at the sound, but forced herself to speak, voice thin and careful. “Caine,” she said, stepping forward. “What…what would’ve happened if we pressed the blue button instead?” Caine tilted his head, thinking. “Hm! Good question!” He tapped his chin. “Honestly? I didn’t put much thought into it. I knew you wouldn’t press it.”

Everyone stared at him. “So,” Caine continued brightly, “I left it to Bubble!” Bubble bobbed into view, beaming. “Shrimp Town!” Gangle made a small, broken sound. Zooble’s jaw tightened.

Jax’s laughter stopped as suddenly as it began. He straightened, shaking, his grin collapsing into something sharp and furious. “You said you couldn’t mess with our minds,” he snapped, stepping toward Caine. “You said you couldn’t.” The air seemed to distort around him.

Caine’s smile faltered, just a fraction. “Now, now,” he said, voice lowering. “I said I can’t control you. Temporary modifiers, Jax. That’s all. Anything more than that…” His grin twitched back into place. “Well. It wouldn’t end well.” The words hung heavy.

Kinger, who had been silent until now, suddenly stiffened. His eyes widened behind his cracked lenses. “Scratch,” he whispered.

Caine panicked. The lights above them flickered wildly as he waved his hands. “Here!” he said much too quickly. “A gift basket! Soaps! Lotions! Self-care is important after emotional growth!” He dropped it at their feet. Then he was gone.

The basket hit the floor with a soft thud, tipping over as bottles spilled out and rolled across the white tile. No one moved to pick them up.