| SPOILER WARNING! This article may contain major plot details for the SPY x FAMILY manga. This article may contain unmarked spoilers. Read at your own risk. |
| “ | That's a bomb. Next time you try something funny, I blow your head off. Anyone else try something funny, I blow her head off. Anyone try to escape, I blow her head off. And of course, if anyone tries to take it off, it'll explode. You got that, brats? Your dear classmate's life is in your hands... Any of you screws up, and she's a goner. | ” |
- This article is about the arc titled Red Circus. For information on the organization itself, see Red Circus.
Note that the arc title and following sub-headings are fan-made and used to better organize the story.
The Red Circus Arc is the thirteenth story arc in SPY x FAMILY.
Eden's first graders go to the museum for a cultural experience, but on the way, two of the buses are hijacked by an extremist group of terrorists called the Red Circus, including the one Anya is on. Now, Anya along with her fellow classmates must figure out how to survive and get out of this life-or-death situation.
Summary[]
Hijacking: The Red Circus[]
At the SSS headquarters, the Boss receives a report regarding the leader of the Red Circus extremist group, Billy Squire, who is rumored to be commanding a faction in Berlint.
Billy gets on an Eden bus
Anya and the rest of Eden Academy's first-years are heading to the Berlint Museum for a field trip. As the bus approaches the museum, two of the four buses, one of which Anya is on, are hijacked by Billy Squire and his crew. Billy immobilizes the dorm tutor unconscious with a taser, and the bus continues moving. Upon noticing that two of their buses have gone off course, Mr. Green gives chase, but Billy shoots at him and crashes his car. Billy then tells the terrified students that their bus has been taken hostage by the Red Circus, telling them to do what they say if they want to live.[2]
Billy threatens Bill
The report of the hijacking quickly reaches the police and Eden Academy, and Henry Henderson makes an order to ensure that neither the students nor media catch a word of this. As Anya becomes dizzy from her classmates' overwhelming thoughts of fear, Bill Watkins tells everyone to calm down and that help will come, but quickly quiets down when threatened by Billy.
At the same time, WISE hears about the hijacking, and Sylvia decides to get involved and gathers available agents after hearing that Anya and Damian are among the kidnapped as Loid is out on a different mission.
Billy puts a collar bomb on Anya
The students try to figure out where they are going, so Anya, pretending that she desperately needs to use the bathroom, makes the driver think about where the bus is headed: Papier Palace Park. Anya passes this information to Becky, and they devise a rescue plan. Anya and Becky write an SOS and place it in Becky's tin container. Damian notices this and decides to help create a distraction. Meanwhile, Anya and Becky throw the SOS message out the window, which is discovered by passing pedestrians. Billy realizes this and puts a collar on Anya, telling the children that it is a bomb and threatening to detonate it if anyone else tries anything.[1]
Yuri asks about Anya to his Lieutenant
At SSS headquarters, the Lieutenant informs his superior of the situation, so Yuri finds him to ask about Anya, but the Lieutenant is told to stay behind as to not risk complicating the situation. While initially compliant, Yuri demands to be brought along but gets restrained. At the same time, Becky's father gets word of the SOS message and is stopped by Martha from making any rash actions.
Back on the bus, all the children are terrified of the bomb, including Anya. However, Billy's thoughts reveal that it is a fake, and Anya, upon hearing this, quickly relaxes, baffling her classmates. Damian thinks this was an act to calm everyone and confronts Billy, demanding the bomb be placed on him instead. To his dismay, Billy also puts a collar on him. Fearing for his life, Damian is soothed by Anya, who takes his hand. Suddenly, the bus swerves and stops as the police, who have used spike strips, surround it.[3]
Billy uses Damian to threaten the police
The students' joy is cut short when Billy fires his gun, orders them to cover up the bus windows with black sheets and exits the bus with Damian in tow. Billy makes his demands to the police: release his 17 imprisoned comrades and secure the Red Circus safe passage to Nortica, promising to release five students for every freed comrade.
A squad of SSS officers arrives at the scene, and its captain orders to storm the bus. The Police Chief resists, believing that the hostages' safety is their priority and they should negotiate with the hijackers. The captain decides to comply but notes that most of the imprisoned comrades are already dead anyway. Returning inside the bus, Billy explains to his comrade, Vadim, that they will stall for time until the kids' parents pressure the government.
The Agent informs Sylvia
Sylvia receives intel from the WISE Agent on the whereabouts of the missing second bus and leaks it to the police. When the SSS officers report on this, Yuri overhears them, asking for permission to investigate, and is released to get to work. After gathering intel from his informants, Yuri deduces the location of the missing bus. Back to Billy, the SSS captain receives a message from HQ telling his squad to go on standby until the second bus is found.
Inside the bus, Billy notices that some of the kids need to go to the bathroom and allows them one at a time to step outside and do their business in the shrubs. Becky's father and Martha arrive at the scene, where Henry is also present, worried for the well-being of his students. At dusk, Billy asks the police for an update on the negotiations. The police commander explains that they are currently in the middle of releasing three prisoners, but in the meantime, they want to give the hostages food and water. Billy allows this, but only if someone from the school delivers it, Henry volunteers to go.
Henry enters the bus
Henry, concerned about the well-being of the hostages, particularly with the dorm tutor as he demands should be taken to a hospital, requests to take the tutor's place on the bus. As the children eat the rations, Billy watches with a subdued expression. Henry notices this and asks if Billy also has children, to which the man responds that he had a daughter who was murdered by the state during a Red Circus protest gone violent. Billy looks at two students sleeping, which makes him remember the day his daughter, Biddy, died. Witnessing his memories via her telepathy, Anya is surprised.
Yuri defeats the hijackers
Yuri locates the second bus at a warehouse guarded by the hijackers.[4] Joined by a squad of other SSS officers, Yuri raids the hijackers and secures the hostages, but comes out with a wounded shoulder. The SSS captain receives the news of the second bus and is given command of the situation, starting by announcing to the hijackers that their comrades from the other bus are dead and giving them until dawn to surrender. Vadim, frustrated, decides to use their last resort: blowing up the bus with the hostages inside as the strike force rushes in. Anya, hearing Vadim's plan and the thoughts of an SSS guard regiment preparing to storm the bus, decides to confront Billy.[5]
Resolution[]
At the Forger home, Yor is concerned about Anya's absence and calls Eden to ask about her. While they tell her that the trip ran long, Yor is uneased and calls Sharon. Sharon informs Yor that her son already came home, and the trip got canceled, worrying her even more.
Billy looks back at Anya
As Anya approaches Billy, she thinks about mentioning the Secret Police but worries it will cause immediate danger. Instead, she asks for more rations, knowing the police held back when students received them. Billy is shocked and threatens to detonate her collar bomb, but Anya, knowing it is fake, says she is not afraid, echoing Biddy's speech and unnerving Billy. Anya parrots his daughter's words by reading his mind, so he snaps, removes Anya's bomb, and orders her to leave. She refuses, shocking everyone, and demands rations, surprising Billy as he thinks she is incredibly brave.
Billy asks what motivates her, and she repeats Loid's wish to create a world where kids do not need to cry. Moved by memories of Biddy, Billy leaves the bus with the group's guns and bags and surrenders. An enraged Vadim tries to drive away but is blocked by armored police vehicles. Vadim picks up Anya as a hostage, but Martha quickly immobilizes him with a taser, saving Anya. The police then arrest the terrorists. As the hostages are freed, Billy sees a smiling Anya waving to a crying Becky running to her and Martha.[6]
After the Incident[]
Henry with the kids after their awards ceremony
After the hijacking, Anya, Becky, Damian, and Bill are awarded a Stella Star for their courageous efforts during the crisis in a ceremony at Eden. As the students celebrate their achievement, Henry reflects on how no one was hurt during the crisis.
Going back to the arrest of the Red Circus members, the information blackout of the incident is lifted, and all the students' guardians are informed and instructed to pick up their children. One by one, the students get picked up by their parents until only Anya and Damian remain. Damian commends Anya for what she did and apologizes for how he treated her before, but she recalls how brave he was during the incident, having a bonding moment between the two children.
Yor comes running for Anya
As Damian talks about how none of their parents are there, Yor arrives at top speed and asks Anya if she is alright. Anya initially confirms, but quickly begins bawling in her mother's arms. While Yor comforts Anya, the WISE Agent and Loid, disguised as team soldiers, discuss the outcome of the hijacking. Loid came racing back to Berlint once he heard about the crisis and infiltrated the strike team, so he was exhausted but relieved that everything ended safely. The Agent asks if he will go to Anya, but Loid says he needs to maintain his cover and will cook Anya her favorite dinner when he gets home. Hearing his thoughts, Anya gets happy. Yor notices Damian and tells him that Melinda will be arriving soon. Melinda arrives shortly after and has an emotional reunion with Damian. However, when Damian mentions Donovan, Anya is shocked to read Melinda's negative thoughts on Damian conflicting with her motherly affection.[7]
Loid drives Anya to school
At the Forger home, Anya celebrates her new Stella Star. While Loid and Yor are proud of her, they scold her for her recklessness during the bus hijacking. Loid drives Anya to school and apologizes for not being there to pick her up, although Anya is fine since she knows he was there.
Due to their actions, Damian and Becky have become more popular among their classmates, but Anya stands out the most as "Double Starlight Anya." No longer looked down on, she is now seen as a hero and starts planning to make many friends to conquer the world. After Damian has a bickering with Anya, she starts crying, so Damian reassures her and tells her he will buy her candy. Emile and Ewen are shocked that Damian apologized, but he claims that properly apologizing makes him stronger. Anya rebukes this, and they resume bickering. Their classmates leave them behind, and they end up arriving late to class.[8]
Loid after experiencing Thomas's marital issues
Cecile Hall's dorm tutor, Thomas Austin, wakes up in a cold sweat after a nightmare. Following Henry's recommendation, Thomas seeks Loid's psychological help. Thomas believes that his nightmares are being caused by his experience in the hijacking, but Loid, after looking into Thomas's background, reveals to him that the source of his fears and nightmares is his wife, whom Thomas is having severe marital problems with. Deciding to help ease this trauma, Loid has a talk therapy session with Thomas, which proves to be tiresome, making him conclude that authentic marriages are difficult.[9]
Spy and Dog Battle[]
Sylvia reminisces her past
Secretary Sylvia Sherwood of the Westalis Embassy in Ostania is a slovenly individual. However, she is also the handler for a corps of WISE agents in Ostania and a strict and capable leader. Despite this reputation, her slovenliness leaks into the office, and she gets scolded by the WISE Agent for it. Sylvia returns home to walk her dog, Aaron, to the dog park and for her meeting with Agent Twilight. At home, Sylvia reflects on her old life with her daughter and partner in a home that contrasts with the state of her current one.
Sylvia is surprised to see Anya and Bond at the dog park, and Loid explains that he brought them here at Anya's insistence. After Loid receives orders for an extra mission, Anya recognizes Sylvia and walks up to her with Bond, wanting to look at Aaron, to which they recognize as the dog used in Minister Brantz's assassination attempt, which Sylvia confirms. Having completed their meeting, Anya and Bond approach her, wanting to play, as she suggests having a competition to see who has the better dog. Sylvia accepts and convinces Loid to participate by promising to relieve him of the extra mission.
Bond vs Aaron
The dogs participate in three challenges: an obstacle course, tracking and retrieving a handkerchief, and a frisbee catch competition. As Aaron won the first round and Bond won the second one, this last one was more agitated. However, both dogs fail to catch their frisbees, with Bond getting hit in the face, so the owners decide to call the match a tie.
Sylvia makes Aaron a promise
While Anya plays with the dogs on her own, Sylvia informs Loid of rumors that Project Apple is still in operation. While it is unknown if they are connected to Donovan, WISE intends to find out. Before Sylvia leaves, Anya says that she looks like she had fun. Sylvia confirms this and promises to play with her again sometime. As they walk back home, Sylvia promises Aaron that she will tidy up their home.[10]
Story Impact[]
- It is revealed that the Red Circus terrorist group that Yor assassinated in Extra Mission 2 had not vanished and there were still active members.
- This marks the first arc in which Anya must resolve the main conflict on her own.
- Anya and Damian earn their second Stella Star, while Becky and Bill earn their first Stella.
- Anya and Damian become friends.
- Anya starts to become popular with her classmates.
Characters Introduced[]
Trivia[]
- This marks the first arc where Loid Forger does not get directly involved in the main problem.
- Becky Blackbell's father makes his first physical appearance, although his appearance has already been presented in Becky's imagination in one of the early arcs.
- Martha's surname and her long-standing acquaintance with Henry Henderson are revealed for the first time.
- The Cecile Hall Dorm Tutor's name and personal history are revealed for the first time.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 70.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 69.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 71.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 72.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 73.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 74.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 75.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 76.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 77.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 78.
[]
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