SilverLight05

A large omminus shadow engulfs Pomni and Caine. Both of the watch on with wide eyes as a large sea slug like serpent approaches the ignorant gloink sitter. The dimly lit room gives its white eyes with black rings a feindish face as it looks down at the scene in front of it.

Lorak finishes her snuggle attack and folds the qulits that fell to the floor as a result. She then places it safely in the fanny pack and picks up the crescent gloink. Giving it a gentle snuggle, she says, "You little ones sure are brave to be traveling the dark by yourself. Where are your guardians?"

"Right here!" The words garbled from its blue lips, the way she bellows frighten her so bad she held the gloink close to her chest, "Would you kindly release my little Crescendo!?"

She let's out a surprise 'oh' and gently places the lavander moon on the white tile. All the gloink roll and cartwheels over to the yellow spotted mother. They look over each and every one before giving her attention back to her.

"And to whom am I to give thanks for watching my precious babies."

"Lorak..." She answers then gives a bit of a long 'ah', "I'm sorry, how may I adress you?"

They scoff, " You may address me as her royal highness. The queen of all that falls into the nest of the Gloinks!"

"OH! I do beg your pardon your highness. " She bows much more elegantly and less playfully than she did with him,"If I may be so bold to ask. How did you and your little ones get separa-?"

The last few letters get hyphen when the queen gets slammed onto the ground. Like the rug was pulled out from underneath it. Gloinks skitter and flee from the scene, passing beside and under the circus spectators.

"What's going on?" A tinge of irritation laced with fear fills the Jester's voice. However, the answer comes at the swift pull on the Gloink Queen's body. It roars as it is pulled backward with a sickening slurrping sound erupting from behind it.

"TAKE CARE OF MY BABIES!" She looks Lorak dead in her eyes, their pupils filled with dread. She cries out the mothers name and reaches out, but it's jolted back. All three watch in horror as the giant slug is slurp up like a stawberry twizzler. The culprit is nothing more than a large pale head. The familiar red lined dead eye stare opens a door that Pomni wish remained closed. It opens its mouth, and the same eerie wail that was heard before shrills out. With rows upon rows of shark teeth in the void of its blood red jaw.

Before the veteran could scream at the top hat creator of that abomination. A march of moist spats draw closer from the other side of the wall. Ignoring her hyperventilating, he focuses his attention on the newest member of the crew. She tries to step away from the slow approaching assassin but fails. Her back hoof hits the tire bench and makes her lose her footing. She sits on it in a cat-like pose, trapped in its ghastly gaze like a deer in headlights.

"Pomni, cover the rear," Caines' order is backed with a sharp snap of his fingers. A loaded pistol pops in the shaky girl's glove. "Come now, my pertrified pupper. Time to get up~"

His comforting grin gets overshadowed by the head's light right on his tail coats. Suddenly, he's shoved off to the side so hard that he nearly hits the wall. His teeth are mere inches by the time he stops. He straightens himself up and shakes the dust off, but a loud crack prevents him from scolding her abrasive behavior.

He turns fast and sees the beheaded creature dazed and smashed into the wall right begind him. The cause, Loraks fist connected to its cold dead cheek. She takes a step back to view the work and looks down at her hand, quivering like a leaf in a hurricane. The creatures' wail keeps her from settling down. It's ever shifting black and white rings staring her down, freeing itself from the cracked surface.

"NOPE! NOPENOPENOPE! THE LAND OF TEN THOUSAND NOPES!" Each letter is enforced with a swift barray of punches. Pushing the head deeper into the wall till it breaks under the pressure. She finishes off with raising her front hooves and a mighty stomp. It lets out a painful shrink and then sinks into a cold slumber. The showman's eyes glitch, unable to tear his gaze from her feirce gaze and heavy breathing.

A barrage of gunshots snap the two out of their trance. Pomni's shots whiz past a headless corpse crawling towards them. It extends its nasty black claws and swips at her head. Her swift dodge costs her footing and falls to the ground. It pins her trigger hand down to the chessboard and lurches up to strike again. Caine ready his fingers to end the fight, yet another loud crunch followed by a zip of white cancels the act. The head crashes right into the body and sends flying into the wall. Breaking the parasol in the room in the process. Tumbling down right on top of the twitching corpse. His tiny eyes turn to the batter of that mighty swings. Her right leg that hung in the air is gently placed back on the ground. He glitches again as he watches her approach the fallen gunman.

"Koko, Daijōbu?"

"I don't think I can take much more of....DID, YOU PUNT THE ANGLE'S HEAD BACK ON IT'S BODY!?!"

"That THING'S an ANGEL!?!" A burst of a fleshy wing gives her the answer. Debrie gives way as the newly merged beast body twitches and contorts. Growing larger with every decaying plumage sprouting on its body.

"C-Caine, what's happening!?!" Pomni retreats to his dimly lit side as another fleshy wing bursts from Angles' side.

He sqints his teeth at the creature, "Curious, I don't recall making this animation sequence so disgusting."

"WHAT!?!" Both girls shout objectively.

"This is what would have played if you failed to keep the head away from the body from the scary door in 'The Mystery of Mildenhall Manor' Adventure. This form makes it bigger, faster, stronger, invulnerable to bullets, and" He gets more and more dramatic with his explanation, but his showboasting is cut when Lorak grabs his arms.

"Are you saying it's an unkillable boss now!?!" She lighty shakes him, and he shakes his head in approval. A heavy claw hand cracks the white tile. All turn to see the final form of the fallen Angle. Its sickening thin grey body now had dirty patches of black feathers. It looks to the group like prey, eyes a soul sucking ebony. Spreading its fleshy wings as it begins its approach.

Upon opening its angular mouth, the body of the wing catches the spotlight. The dead fish eyes on them glitch upon contact. It winces away in pain, taking a few steps back only to be zapped by the adjacent light beside it. Lorak takes no time to take Pomni and Caine under each of her arms and takes off in full gallop.

"To quote Wally Franks! We're Outta HERE!"

***

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang reunites back on center stage. Team Fun and Games are looking much more serene than team Abstrabbit since the mixed up doll looks to their partner like dead weight.

"H-Hey guys," Ragatha broke the ice, "How did things go on your end?"

"Just Great~ Zoobie and I had quite the adventure." Jax's playfuly leans on Zoobles' shoulders till they shove him off, "We even ran into Gummi brothers."

It took a minute for the red head to process what he meant, "W-Wait they were here too!?"

"What are you talking about...?" Their big lazy eye gives her a bit of a fright.

"Oh~" Kingers eyes smile, " We had a lovely chat with a ghost lady. Oh, and Disappearing Guy paid us a visit too~"

Zooble steps forward, "Did they mention something about a 'tiny white eyed thing'?"

"I don't know about the eye part," Gangle replies, "but she did say someone small bringing them here."

"SEE!" They turn their anger towards Jax.

"What~? They probably just saw one of Kinger's bugs from his collection. I know he mentioned a few missing-"

"But to have so many NPC wandering around when Caine clearly stated he doesn't want them here. This is way too suss!"

"What are you two talking about?" The ribbon asks.

"Get this," the lagamorph moves to the spotlight on center stage, "Drama Queen over here thinks this whole thing is his latest adventure and the new girl is the ☆star☆ of the whole thing~"

"You can deny it because you weren't there when she arrived," Zoobles voice drowns in deadly hatred as they join him under the light "but the way she did and how she reacted was just too bizarre to be normal. You guys get it, right?!"

Ragatha scratches her head in doubt, "Well, it's not like we actually saw them first arrive. No one was near the stage, and Caine was with us when it happened....Buut then again, he could have prepared this all beforehand..."

"Exactly! Gangle, you think so, too, right?" Their tone turn a bit more sunny, but it shift to grey when they see the timid look in mask ones eyes.

"We...all had...our own way with...handling an unimaginable truth for the first time." She figits with her ribbon tips. "I...still remember how....angry you were when it happened to you."

"Oh yeah, I remember now~" Jax's arm returns to their shoulder, "You practically went ballistic and tried to claw our dear ringmaster eyes out." They shove him off again, swearing under their breath, " Well, we got two votes yes and two votes no. Looks like our resident mad lad is our tiebreaker."

"Could you repeat that? I couldn't hear you over the clattering of coconuts." Everyone raises an eyebrow to the chess man's statement. Until the faint sound of galloping hooves echos in their ears. From stage left they see Team Showtime in the arms of the centar. Running towards them so frantically that the very ground shook beneath her.

"EVERBODY HOP ON!" Pomni shouts as loud as she could while holding her arms out. Before they could ask why the Angle shrik sent chills down their spines. As soon as the gang saw it crawling behind the three like a zombie baby on steroids. All but the wall eyed Kinger ran towards the pony girl as quickly as they could.

Jaxs uses Zooble like a springboard and lands dead center on her back. Pomni manages to grab them before they fall, and she throws them behind herself. Ragatha takes her shivering friend in her arms and gets in the left side behind Caine. Nearly slipping off if it weren't for Gangle grabbing the other side and the trapped set of teeth and eyes straightening his legs like a makeshift step. Lastly, Kinger takes a lunge and hops on the far end of her body as she passes center stage. Everyone but Jax sits and tries to hold on as Lorak continues to run off stage right with the shambling creature not far behind.

"What is that thing!?!" Gangle and Ragatha shout, hugging each other tightly.

"It's the Angle from the Manor adventure!!"

"That one made for me!?!" The Jester turns their head shakes a hard yes, "CAINE! WHAT THE F#@%!?!"

As they barret him, Kinger sits up and notices the danger closing in behind them. "AHH!WHERE'S A SHOTGUN WHEN YOU NEED ONE!?!" He screams.

"Did somebody say 'SHOTGUN'?" Jax responds by pulling double barrel shotgun out from his overal pocket.

"Where did you-!?"

"Just a little reward for myself from winning our game yesterday." He cuts Ragatha off and aims for the Angles forehead, " Smile you son of a B%!$#" He fires, but the shot bounces off its face. He pauses before angrily tying again, but the shot has no effect. "What the H@!%!? What gives!?!"

"It's impervious to bullets!" Pomni explains.

Zooble leans over to scream at the maker, "Why would you do that!?"

"I thought it would be cool and...'matoor'!

"Can't you just snap it away?"

"I love too, my ruby ribbon , but I can't seem to move my hands." He demonstrates by wriggling his body that was tightly pinned to her left side. In rage, the one winged toy grabbed his legs and yanks with all their strength. The only thing they gained was losing their temper.

"Great! Just GREAT!" They throw their arms in defeat,"Stuck on a runaway horse being chased by an unkillable freak with the absolute - why is it avoiding the lights?" All eyes were on the Angle as they watched it weave and swerve to dodge the dim glow like the plauge. Lorak manages to lose the creature for a moment by ducking into a small hallway, but it proceeds by scaling the walls.

Jax scans ahead to spy the fork in the road ahead. He rolls his eyes and leans to the left side of the stampeding centar's ear, "Hey Rapidash! Take a right!" The equine avoids hitting the wall by leaping onto it but goes the complete opposite way, "HEY! I SAID RIGHT ARE YOU DEAF!" She remained undeterred, " Hey Dollface! How do you calm down a panic horse!?"

"Uhh, well, maybe you could try -"

"Don't TELL him!" The Jester squirms, "She's the only thing keeping that thing off of our A-" Her three letter word turns into a long scream when the aforementioned 'thing' cuts them off at the exit. Lorak whinny's and uses the left wall to jump over the gaping maw, and the chase continues. The force of the landing shakes the crew from their seats, especially Jax. Who ends up straddling the front saddle, giving him the chance to notice the fanny back hiding in plain sight.

Zooble notices how quiet the bunny turned, "What are you doing!?"

"Just checking the Handy Dandy Fanny Pack~ Flamethrower,Flamethrower, come on Flame thrower!~" With a sinister grin, he unzips the bag and thrusts both hands inside. He pulls out his left hand to find a handful of orange and yellow foiled candy. "Peanut butter cups?" He toss the candy and rumages again to pull out a soft squshy orb with his right, "A Stress Ball!"

He flings it back to the Angle to be devoured like the squishy strawberry it was. He pulls out the third one with both hands to get Pomni's blanket in his face. He angrily crumbles it and backhand throws it. The quilt unfurled and covered its head for a few moments before it vigorously shook it off. The final item he pulled from the bag was an old-fashioned tape player.

"What the F#@% am I supposed to do with this!?!" He side tosses it, and it hits the Kings cross crown. Stopping its flight and allowing it to be safely caught in his floating hands. With a curious 'oh' he presses the play button.

🎶 "Hush now. Listen, and you'll hear the. Rush of glistening train wheels. Down a long twinkling starry climb."🎵

A calm melody accompanied by an angelic voice fills the tent's chaotic air. Withing the first line, Loraks widen eyes slowly became calm and serene. Their thunderous gallop also draw to a heavy trot.

"Don't slow down! It's going to catch us -" Pomni declarations is paused when she looks back to it. The lullaby's soothing keys also made the Angle's rush come to a crawl. Before long, the beast falls to the tiles difting to snooze-ville.

🎶 "~All a-borad the train to slumber land. In this kingdom of joy. Like is sublime~"🎵

The sight of the nightmare run ending fills the cast with ease. They, too, begin to feel the effects of the sweet motherly voice. The two ginger girls rest their head ontop of one another. Kinger and the muliti colored pawn heads start drooping. Team bad guys let out a very big yawn and stretch combo. Even Caine's jaw felt heavy due to the docile tune. However, he quickly shakes off the drowsiness. Using his tiny legs, he pulls himself out of the sleepwalking mares, still tight grip. He shakes his toony head once he pops out and flies over to the sleepy king.

🎶 ~Quiet, Your fears and axienty si-~"🎵 A click on the stop button snaps them out of their slumber. As the gang rubs the sand out of their eyes. He whistles his way over to the face of the now fully stopped and nearly nodded off maiden.

"~Wakey Wakey, my sleepy steed~" he lighty pat Loraks cheeks. Her eyelids flutter a bit, then lift so her two blues met his blue and green. A frightening whinny causes him to scream as well, and the two take a step back from each other.

"WHO ARE- Wait!" Her horrified query is quelled. She squints her eyes to get a good look at the shaken chompers. "...Takumi? Is that you?"

"Who? Oh, YES! That's me!" He let's out a playful laugh.

She still stares at him with disbelief till reality hits her, "Oh! Sorry I- I didn't recognize you. " The coment hit him like a runaway train, then she adds, "you lost your glow." That made him blink back to his senses. He looks at his arms and his button chest. The lime light that enveloped his entire being before had faded away.

"Guess the glowstick finally burned out."

She turns to the witty lady still tucked in her right arm, "Koko...?"

"Yep. It's me... " She nervously waves to her. The filly was still dazed and puzzled but snaps out of it when she heard the groans from behind her.

"Oh! Hello... everyone. " She turns her torso a bit to see the rest of the party on her back, "...wait. What were we doing?" A distant scrap on the marble floor helps her remember. Now wide awake, and alarmed the crew watch the Angle raise its disgusting wings. Using them as an extra pair of arms to lift its heavy head. Opening its jaw and letting out a low but very deathly shrill.

Without a moment to lose, Caine summons his cane and uses the golden orb to divert the scarred horse's attention away from the scene. "Shall we make a break for the stage?" He dramatically bows to her and extends the cane out towards the open sitting area.

The fear in her eyes gives way to newfound courage. "Lead the way, Ringmaster!" With a tip of the hat, he zips ahead towards the rainbow lounge area. She adjusted Pomni's position from mere baggage to bridal style and takes off like the wind in pursuit.

"Wha-NO! CAINE! SNAP YOUR FU -" Zooble's demand is unheard for upon turning the corner to sharply. She hits the left wall, and it causes their head to pop off from their body. Lorak apologize as the two girls catch their friend in their arms. Their ride to the target was much smoother than the last. The eager beaver stays ahead to direct her in the right direction. Danger still could be herd skittering behind them as it slams its way thru the dark circus. A few more close turns and the large pole that mark the front of the stage. As soon as she sees the energetic red bean waving under the stage light. She races towards the finish line in full gallop.

"Wait! You're going too fast!!" Her pinwheel eyes tremble as she clings to her chest for dear life.

Jax takes initiative and takes the horse by her ears, "WHOA NELLY!!" He pulls back with all his might. She whinny's in pain and rears up on high to buck the poor souls on her back off. They sail thru the air and all land right in front of the unfazed showman. Pomni was saved from the flight due to the fact she was still cradle in her arms.

Still catching her breath, Lorak carefully places her passenger on the ground and gives the perpetrator a devil's glare. "Don't EVER do that again."

"Or what?" He pries himself from the toy pile, "You gonna BUCK me!?"

His teasing nature bares not more hatred but a spark a light in the mare's eyes. That moment is short-lived when the Angle returns to the scene by climbing over the wall that divides the sitting area from them.

"C-caine!" The doll shudders watching the beast crawl down to the floor like a venomous arachnid, "We're here, and we threw the breakers. So can you fix this now, please!?"

"Worry not, my petrified poppet. This will only take -" His pops off the wooden panel and opens the medal box hiding inside. Once he looked inside the confident grin, he wore transformed into shock and terror. "Oh motherboard..."

The team hover over their supposed savior to observe the situation. A tangled mess of colored wires turns the fuse box into a plate of technicolor spaghetti. Long nails scratching the grain on the beam alert the crew that the threat is getting closer. The last two on the floor step backward to the stage. Upon hitting the wall, Pomni frantically jumps to try and reach it.

On her final leap of faith, she's caught by the equine and is lifted to safely. "How much time do you need?"

"Giveme57seconds, tops!" He answers as he hastily untangles the tricky puzzle in front of him. A victorious cry from behind seals the deal.

"I'll give you the full minute." Pomni barely makes out her reply. She noticed that the tomboy's kind eyes grew icy cold as she walked away from the stage.

A long silence builds tension under the red and yellow tarp. Both titains kick up dust with their hooves/claws, roll their shoulders, and crack their necks. Finally, a vociferous roar initiates Loraks charge. Everyone observe with bated breath as they close the gap. As it lets out another howl, she whips out a small stick to tosses it into the blinking eye, maw.

It cruches down on the tube, unleashing a familiar green glow. The voice that filled the space with fear now is full of pain and agony. As it scraps the toxic gunk off its teeth. She runs towards the support beam, leaps onto it, and uses the momentum to crush the undead under her hooves. Another anguish shrill is released with the crunching of bones accompanied.

Lorak raises her arms to land the final blow. However, her fist slams onto the cracked checkerboard. A large cone of light shines down on her. The creature vanishes with only the green spatters as proof it was there. The main six hurried off stage to reunite with her as she got up and patted the dust off.

"You-" Zooble's studders in disbelief, "How did you -"

She states, "He said it was impervious to gunshots. He didn't say it anything about physical assault.~"

"Probably because no one would be crazy enough to try and curb stomp it." Pomni moves up to the front of the back, being the last one to arrive.

"Well, call me crazy but it worked." At that moment, the entire tent lit up as bright as her smile.

"There we are, let there be light!~" Caine triumphly quotes, "I'm going to have a LONG talk with our technichian about this. The digital fuse box is NOT a toy." He looks out to his lovely stars with a warm smile. Only to see terror and awe still in all thirteen eyes. "Why so tense my unease ukuleles~"

The answer plop right into his hands. He brings the left one up to his eyeballs, a large pile of dark brown gloop oozes between his silky glovetips. Without hesitation, he licks it and smacks his nonexistent lips.

"...fudge..."Once that word escaped his teeth. The memory and anxiety kicks into overdrive. He directs his tiny eyes upward towards the source of the raining goop. They lock onto the jawbreaker orbs fixated on the top of the chocolate titan that took up the entire rear.

"D̸o̵ ̷m̷y̶ ̶e̷y̶e̶s̷ ̷d̸e̸c̷e̶i̸v̸e̶ ̸m̸e̴?̷ ̶A̷ ̴t̶a̷s̷t̵y̴ ̵m̷i̵d̷d̷a̵y̵ ̶m̴o̵r̵s̸e̷l̸?̶ ̶D̷o̶n̸'̵t̶ ̷m̸i̴n̸d̷ ̷i̵f̸ ̴I̸ ̷d̵o̶~̴" it rears up, ready to dive down towards its prey. Caine frantically wipes the food off his hands. By the time one was cleans enough to ready a snap. A thick sludge rises from underneath his boots and tosses him up into the air like a sweedish fish to be scarf.

A firm but warm set of fingers clutch his hourglass waist. Time seems to slow down as he feels himself thrusts off stage down to the ground. His jaw a gape to behold what was unfolding. A freckle knight standing right where he once stood. Getting swallowed by the abyss that was the fudge mouth.

"LORAK!" Pomni cries in vain. Caine's hat drops between his legs as the fudge gulps down its prey. Even the king normally numb to everything is replused by this. Gangle buries her face into Ragatha dress to hide. While Zooble grasps their marble stripe neck with an unsettling glance.

"M̶m̷m̵m̵,̴ ̵R̷o̵c̶k̷ ̶C̵a̸n̴d̴y̷~̴ ̴Wi̵t̵h̸ ̸a̶ ̷h̷i̵n̷t̷ ̷o̵f̵ ̴m̷i̵n̴t̶.̶" It licks its candy corn teeth in satisfaction, making even Jax hiss in disgust, "W̴a̸i̴t̴.̴.̷.̶.̷..." The globs candied painted eyes head south. Sounds of cold crackling gurgle from its stomach. White and pale blue ice crystal blossoms forth and spread out like a virus. In less than six seconds, the threat becomes nothing more than a frozen treat. Their boulder eyes, unable to stay on tiny peaks. Roll off its head before smashing down the planks below.

Before anyone could process it. Loud cracks echo from inside the statue. They grow louder along with the sound of muffle grunts. One more loud crunch frees the caged centar from their icy tomb. Chunks of thinly cut fudge fall behind her like shards of glass.

She falls to the ground, unable to move another step. Her white elbow cut arms cover her head to prepare for the results of her actions. With a snap of firm fingers, the icy shards are removed, and the damage to the circus is cleanse. Caine dusts off his hat and firmly bestows it back on top of his upper jaw.

"Well~ as far as impromptu adventure goes. I say this one was a 'Smashing' success," he floats up into the air and glides over to her, their head still low to the floor," Now my Reckless Rainbow," he crossed his arms, "I understand you were 'Filly' the need to protect me. However, if I 'Neigh' say, you don't need to 'Saddle' yourself with such a 'Mount'-ain't of worry for little old me~. Why I would be a 'Foal' if I couldn't defend myself or my circus from-" Each pun he told is jam packed with silly-ness as he mimes everything from putting a bag on his back to shadow boxing.

"CAINE!" His performance gets cut by the young ebony who had joined them back on stage with the others not far behind, "This is NOT the time for jokes! Look at her!" She points to the quivering filly, head still hung low. Her fingerless white color palms cover her mouth. Stifle hiccups could be herd. Caine drums his fingers across his cane in self doubt. The girls share her pain while the Abstrabbit group treats it like another day.

Their opinion changes when the hiccups grow louder and more cheerful. All but the king and Caine stare unbelievably as she bursts out laughing. She holds her stomach tears of joy in her eyes while she begs him to stop. He holds his cane as tenderly as his grin. Lowering himself to her eyeline while she calms herself.

Unable to deal with this, Zooble storms over to the giggling duo and grasps the mare by her fury shoulders, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? HOW CAN YOU BE LAUGHING AT THIS!?!"

"I...can't help it," she calmy speaks, "I'm a sucker for puns."

"I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR BAD SENSE OF HUMOR! YOU LITTERALY JUST GOT EATEN BY A GIANT SLOP MONSTER ONLY AFTER BEING CHASED AROUND THE ENTIRE TENT BY SOME REJECT SPAWN OF SATAN!!" They take a deep breath, arms still trying to shake sense into her, "YOU DO REALIZE THAT THIS WILL BE YOUR LIFE FROM NOW ON!?! GOING ON NEVER ENDING DANGEROUS AND DEADLY ESCAPEDES! OR WAS YOUR OLD ONE SO BLAND THAT YOU WILLING TO THORW IT ALL AWAY! YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS!"

"OF COURCE NOT!" Lorak frees herself from their grip, "You think I haven't figured it out by NOW!? I MAY have some brain damage, but I'm NOT STUPID!" She stands tall and takes long strides towards the group, pointing at her scar and shaking her head, "One minute, I'm about to clock out of work for the last time and the next. I'm Here in this Topsy Turvy Circus with- 'I'm sorry if this all sounds offensive,'" She holds her hands in a stoping motion before pointing to each and every one of them, "A Medieval Ghesha! A Tinker Toy that's a Super Grump! A Jerk-of-All Rabbits! A Teary Eye Ribbon Girl! A Derpy King Piece! An Anine Doll that is trying to keep it all together! And this Goofy Goober, who I SWEAR IS..." The rage in her heart quelled into regret, "oh no... Oh, FREDDY! You're going to have a HEART ATTACK when you hear about this! And Melodie...TEDDIE! LEXI! MAMA LEXI! PAPA LEXI!" She holds her head in despair, kneeling to the cold wooden boards. They could hear her breathing heavily in between the newly formed tears and saying more strange names.

The host quickly hovers closer to her side, "NowNow! No need for tears, my dear! I understand you're upset, but I'm here to help in any way I-"He tries to place a soft glove on her unsteady shoulder, but she casts it aside it before to touch a spot.

"PLEASE!" She pins his arms to his red coat sides, giving him a bit of a jolt, "I....I Need...." The girls and Caine wait in fright while the smug hare enjoys the drama.

"A Pillow!" Her plea makes everyone take a minute to double blink, "The biggest pillow you can possibly conjour. Would you do that for me!? PLEASE!!" Without missing a beat, he snaps his fingers. The group is lifted up for a few seconds to plop down on a stage size cushion.

"Will this suffice?" He confirms. She frees his arms and looks down at the cloudy comforter. Like an ostrich to sand, she plunges her head down into it. Screams and wails are drowned into the soft material. All but Jax, who was disappointed by how that played out. Watch her pound her fist in and push her face deeper into it. Anguish dissolving into quiet whimpers and harsh breathing. Clawing at the silk comforter for dear life.

The red lasses join Pomni's side as the three gaze at the 'Super Grump'. They advert their guilty eyes, rubbing their red coiled arm in shame. They take a cube knee to her, wanting to speak again. However, their half closed eyes bolt open wide at their body. No longer were they sobbing or breathing or even moving. The tiny gentleman sits on his knees close to her left arm. He lifts it ever so slightly, and shortly after, let's it go. It flops down like a dead fish, not even a twitch to be seen.

His shrunken eyes were nearly hidden by his frightened maw. All the females felt the same as they rushed to help him push the fallen foal. It took all five tugging on her arm and shoulder to turn her on her side. Freeing their closed teary eyed face from the pillow. A slow exhale escapes her lips as she remains undisturbed. They all let out a sigh of relief when she began to breath again.

"Thank goodness." Ragatha wipes her cloth brow,"she just fell asleep."

"Oh well, I'm not surprised," all eyes state at Kinger, who was still holding the tape player in his hands, "What with all the running and the fighting, the screaming and crying. Poor dear must have tucker herself out." He waldles over to the group and gently leaves her possession in her arms. She unconsciously snuggles it close to her heart. All eyes now fall to the orange spotted trinket.

"Zooble..." Gangle soft tone is sharply cut.

"I Know!" They mute their volume by covering their non existant mouth, "I... I know. I just... couldn't understand how they weren't... but the whole time they were. She... she just hid it so well. I thought she..." they hide their eyes in shame before taking a huge gasp of air, "You were right. We all have our own ways. Honestly, she handled this WAY better than I did." She sits down on the pillow to get close to the resting lady, "I'm sorry, I'll give you a proper apology when you're awake."

"Yes, let's make sure they can rest in -"He reaches out to pat her head, but Caine lays a firm hand on his fingers. Kinger and everyone's pupils shrink. They all look to him, his teeth slightly parted to keep his toon eyes hidden.

"Not there." An unusually quiet voice of worry leaves his gums. He guides their glove away from Loraks scar and softly places it down on the far right. He gives it three pats to assure that it was safe now. It takes the cross man a minute to process but then process to give their junior a mild head stroke. A warm smile forms on her face as a result.

Kinger closes his eyes to little man to make it like he was giveing a warm smile, "Thank you Caine."

He's taken aback by this but immediately clears his imaginary throat to change the subject, "Well, this has been 'Quite' an exhilarating experiences. You all deserve a good long rest as a reward. Now, if you'll excuse me, I got some...uh...'things' to attend to. So Ta Ta For Now my Funderful Fruit Baskets~"

"Caine wait...!" Pomni tries to stop them without raises her voice. But the AI vanishes into thin air as quietly as his speech. The gang stare at the sleeping centar. Her four legs curled tight to make herself smaller than she was.

"Yeah...there's no way we're carrying her." Jax nonchalantly report, still keeping a good distance between him an the group.

"Do you think she'll be alright there?" The tearful mask query is answered when the white rug gets pulled out from under Jax's toes. The stage size pillow magically starts shrinking down in size. Causing the others to jump to avoid falling on their flanks like the cocky lagamorph did. It stops once it becomes a massive mare size mattress. A starry canopy pop out of the air and drapes over her to sheild them from the bright lights.

The second newest member to the quick fix tent and draws back the curtain with her red glove, "I think she'll be fine," she smiles in comfort for the first time in a long while. Even Jax joins the group to view the sight. Slumbering without a care they rest with plethora of pillows of all shapes and colors.

Taking the opportunity to rain on the parade Jax's whispers loudly,"Well Zoobie, looks like your NPC theory is busted~" They jab him in the arm but the comment is already picked up by Pomni's hidden ears. She looks to the irritated with curious pinwheels.

"I'll explain but let head over to the lounge first. I don't want to disturb her. " Zooble takes one last look at the scene before taking her leave. One by one, the others follow suit.

"Goodnight Lorak," She draws the curtain close and exits stage right.

***

The chaos of yesterday seems like a distant dream after a good long rest. Pomni reaches her gloves up towards the canopy. After chatting with the others till late into the evening. Being able to sleep in late felt refreshing. She heads over to the stage to check up on Lorak. Her joyful stroll comes to a halt when it comes into view. Not a trace of her or the makeshift bed was to be seen. A concern thought wrinkles her rosey cheeks, but it brust when a familiar voice calls out her name.

She checks out the side of the tent where the couches lie. The ever cherry ragdoll waving at her to come over. She heads the call and strides over to her side.

"Morning Pomni, did you sleep well?"

"I did, best sleep I had in weeks."

"Well, maybe we should have impromptu adventure more often~" A cheeky voice sings out. She peers beside her friend to find the rest of the group was with her. Jax's feet could be seen wiggling off the purple couch. Gangle and Zooble share the blue, and the purple robe royal stares up at the painted sky on the red.

Two-tone cheery smile shifts flat, "Has anyone seen Lorak?"

"No," the mask with no tears answers, "I was the first one up, and when I came downstairs, the stage was empty."

"I tried knocking on her door, but nobody answered." Zooble adds, figiting with her moon pin, "She's probably avoiding me after what I said..."

"O-OR Ma-ybe, they're still sleeping." The ginger locks think positively, "like Caine said. It was a very exhilarating day yesterday!" She adds a few nervous laughs to lighten the mood. The room atmosphere didn't change at all. She anxiously rubs her arm with her fingerless hand.

Then Pomni noticed something was off, "Shouldn't Caine have pop in by now?" Everyone turns their eyes and heads side to side. Nothing but silence fill the digital circus.

"Maybe he's... sleeping in, too?"

"Or maybe they're sleeping together~" Jax cackles. Both girls turn to arrow and lighting bolt antenna person with raised brows.

They sigh, "I told him about the spark they shared, and now he thinks they're dating."

"At least MY theory has more evidence. Right Pom Pom?" He leans over the couch with one arm to give his former partner in crime a confident grin.

She scratched the back of her neck, "They were pretty friendly around each other. But there's no way they're-"

"And THAT concludes the Grand Tour of The Circus Grounds~. What did you think? My Talented Honeybee?" Caines energy fills the air.

"The carnival looks fun," Lorak voice also could be herd, "but I don't think I'll be going to the lake. I would Not look good in a swim suit..."

"Nonsense! You would look very darling in swimwear."

"I bet you say that to all the girls." They cast their eyes to the entrance of the tent. The new girl strolls towards their direction. Completely distracted by the conversation. It wasn't long till she noticed the gang. She waves and gives a warm smile, "Morning, everyone!"

"Good morning, oh-" Ragatha train of thought is derailed when she sees her sluping something from a long plastic tube. "Umm, what is that?"

"It's go gurt~"

"Go...gurt?"

"Sup, My Young Parsons~." Caine flies out from behind, " I TOO am so on the go that I drink my Yogurt from a Tube~. " Team ButtonBlossum blankly blink as they watch the two suck their tasty treats dry. Both are sharing a silly grin with a giddy laugh at the end of their meal.

"You guys want some?" The girls nod their head in response. With a zip of her fanny pack, Lorak pulls out six more tubes. Each their own different color. She holds them out to the two like a deck of cards. Pomni took red while her friend took blue. A snap of her partners fingers sends the other tubes to the rest. The pink ploping between Jax's ears. Green is given to the happy mask while Purple falls in Zooble lobster claw. Finally, a sky blue tube lands in Kingers lap. Everyone rips the tops open and takes a slurp of its insides.

"Teddie Grahams.../Stawberry♡/Ramen~/Watermelon...?/Banana!" All the girls and Kinger voice what their sweet treat was. Only the rabbit kept quiet as he finished his meal.

Before Pomni could ask how this was possible, the centar jumped in, "Crazy, right? It's like Mary Poppins Medicine. Mine was chocolate, and Caine's was Honeysuckle."

"Oh well, that kinda...Wait A Minute!" The truth hit her like a punching glove, "You remember his name!"

"I know! Isn't it great?! My first name was memorized in only a few hours! It's a new record!"

"Do...do you remember my name?" She unconsciously asks.

The twinkle in her eyes burns with determination as she wracks her head, "Ko....Po...Pom....Pom-nu? No! Pom...nnn...NNnniii. Pom..ni?" She open her eyes and looks to her for approval, her gentle grin says it all "Pomni?" The bells on her hat jingle yes, "YES! Two names in less than a day!"

"Why are you making such a big deal?" Jax strolls over and uses the short ones head as an arm rest, "It's just a name."

"Well, for your information, I have minor memory complications." She explains in a serious tone, tapping on her headside close to her scar. "Thank to a certain old 'Chad' who's name shall not be mentioned." She toss her whole self to the side in a huff, the others wait for her to continue her story. "Anyways, if your all okay with it. Would you be alright with me giving you nicknames till I remember your names?"

"Oh O-of cource!/I'm okay with that./Oh are we giving out codenames now?"

All eyes turned to Zooble, she looks away and rubs her right green monster arm, "It's fine..."

"Well, since everyone is in, I guess I'll hop on the bandwagon, too. Just be sure you give me a really cool one to match my manly manliness~" He strikes a couple of macho poses that succeed in making the gal of the hour stifle a laugh.

"Well, she can try, but I, for one, believe that no nickname she gives you will be as great as mine~" Caine finishes his dramatic speech by sitting down on her saddle. The two share another smile, but the moment is made awkward with everyone, but Pomni and Kingers panic faces.

"What's the matter?"

"Umm...Lorak, are you comfortable with him riding you? I mean, I know we were also on top of you yesterday, but that was an emergency, and!" Ragatha starts pulling on her hair, but the brunette takes their hands in hers.

"It's ok. I know it wasn't a normal day in the circus. Besides, I already gave Pomni a ride, so it's cool." The ginger turns to the senior brunette, and she agrees with a sheepish grin.

"In that case~" With not a minute to lose the jocker hops right on Lorak's back in a rathar rough Manor. Pratically shoving the comphy mouth off. "Giddy Up Pony!" He gives the heart birth mark on her flank a good smack. She flinched at this, and the other was as shocked as she was.

That face, however, quickly changed to sinister one, "You got a good grip there, Jackie~?

"Of course I do, and don't call me JAAAACCCKKKKIIIIEEE!!" His confidence is shot off as she takes off in wild gallop. Reinging and charging in all sorts of directions and throwing in a few bucks for good measure, "I thought Pony Rides were supposed to be chill!"

"I'm not a pony! I'm a Cenny!"She starts leaping into the air with every word, "And Cenny's! FIGHT! BACK!" With a victorious whinny and high ring, she sends the bunny flying. He zooms between the girls and right under Caine perfect leg split and crashes right onto the green couch.

"Oh! Hi Jax~!" Kinger notices him, the boy just groans and throws a cushion literally between his eyes. The two girls on blue give a refine applause to the show while the other two try to hide their smiles.

"Bravo my Rodeo SuperNova! A perfect score across the board!" A joyus snap of the fingers gives his fellow red and blue judges white signs with big black tens on them. He gives her a roudious whistle unaware that Bubble waft over at the end and puke out one with a 5.7 on it. She hides her simper and blush by taking a theatrical bow.

"You quite the wild child aren't you?" Pomni hands her and Ragatha score boards to the hungry bubble.

She trots over to the three of them in pride, "Would you believe that I was a good girl who stayed home on the weekends? I wonder what my mom would say if she saw me now?" She rubs the back of her neck nervous ly.

"I'm sure she would be Proud of what a Strong and Independent woman you've become!" The button eye steps forward to assure her, "Oh, your hair..." She points to the top of their head.

"Hmm," Lorak opens her bag and takes out the familiar mirror. Her chocolate locks went thru the same wild ride as the last guy. "Oh, no worries, I never really cared about my hair. That's why I keep it short."

"Well I could brush it for you if that's-" She reaches up but they cover her head before her hand got close.

"No! No thank you," Lorak quickly corrects herself, "I rathar brush my own mop." She takes her fingers and combs its down and around her new ears. Ragatha looks away a bit rejected but understanding, "But uhh...if it's not too much trouble. Would you be able to brush my tail?" She ask completely unaware of what just happened, "I just figured out this morning that I...can't quiet reach back there." She shows how no matter how far she reach her hand couldn't reach her wagging short tail.

"Oh YES! I love too! Wait here I'll go get a brush!" She was about to dart to her room but was stop when a simple handleless hair brush is handed to her. She gives the patch girl a sincere expression while she rest on the floor and place it in her hand. Beaming with joy she races to right end and begins the treatment.

"Wow, That bag of yours has everything doesn't it?" Gangle joins the quartet.

"Not really," she elaborated, "it only gives me what I need, and it can only be something that can fit in a small space. I can store whatever I want inside it, but only if I can squeeze it thru the entrance.

"Like the blankets?" Pomni adds.

"If you fold them tightly enough, they can. Living in a traditional household gives you the skills to fit all your clothes into one drawer."

"There! All nice and sleek now!" She jumps for joy and moves off to the side so they can view her work. What once was a mangled tuff was now smooth and silky.

The little Cenny shakes it to and fro, "It looks great, Thank you!" Her satisfaction gives her a great big smile on her round face, "Let's me do your hair in exchange." She reaches into the white bag again.

"Oh no! Don't worry about my hair! It's always been like this so I'm-"

"Nonsense~ A little bedhead can be easily mended" Not another word was spoken when she felt a delicate hand on her cheek. Lorak scoots in front of her and takes out a small ivory hairbrush. She closed her eye and allows her to brush. The circus looks on with curiosity even Jax peeks at the show.

"There, now you're ready to take on the day." She puts away the brush and takes out a child's compact. Opening it to revel the mirror inside. Ragatha opens her eye but holds her face in awe. The locks that were a weave of red yarn flow and curled like real folicals. She unconsciously takes the mirror from their hands and admire the new person she sees along with the rest of the cast.

"Why, you look lovely today." Kinger face appears in the reflection, " Did you do something with your hair?"

"Yes!" She screams with joy, then came a thought, "But...I tried SO many times before. Why now...?"

"Excellent Question My Curly Croissant~" Caine pops over to pat her puffy shoulders before soaring up towards the painted sky with his walking stick in hand. "For I have exciting for all of you! Bubble drumroll please." The shark tooth orb floats by his side and opens his gaping jaw. The sounds of a snare drum vigorously tapping roars out. "Yesterday, at precisely 11:35am. The Amazing Digital Circus...got a BrAnD NeW UpDaTe!" He holds his hands up high to absorb the energy of his guests. Sadly he realizes no one was amused by his announcement. The chirping of cricket now play through Bubble gaping maw. Before the showman could end it, he notices a hand rising into the air. "YeS! The Cenny in the front row!" He points the golden orb at her.

"What...did this update do...exactly?" She tries to understand his excitement.

"TONS!" His antics get more zany with every letter, "As you can see, we're already seeing the high definition settling into our establishment. As well as a pallet of new feels, taste, and smells. That I've already incorporated into my latest creation☆"

"Oh~" she suddenly turns British with her palms close up to her left cheek, "Have we got an Adventure~"

"~YES! WE GOT AN ADVENTURE!~" He replies the same way, making the older members slightly uncomfortable, "And Today's Adventure is:"

●◇SWEET ACRE DAYS◇●

"That's Right! This cozy ranch has been plauge with the worst kind of bad luck. It's up to you to reclaim their missing livestock and help restore their livelihood to its former glory!" Another moment of silence falls onto the crowd.

Pomni scatches her head in disbelief, "That sounds....suprizingly normal."

The toy finaly gets up on their purple foot and orange hand feet and walks a few step towards the toon eye man, "Yeah, what happen to 'I Can't Tell a Story with nothing bad in it'?"

"What makes you think there isn't one?" Loraks comment stops the ringmaster eyes twitching, "He said their livestock went 'missing' meaning their could Be some sort of mystery to solve or a sabatour that needs to be stopped or possibly both."

Jake leans down to the filly by once again using the four bangs brunette hat like a convient rest, "Did you just nonchalant leak the whole thing to us?"

"Hey, I'm just throwing some theories out. I'm just as much in the dark about this as you are." She stands up to eases the stress on her knees.

"Then put on our ranch hats and set off out towards that setting sun~" Caine snaps a white paper basket weaved hat for the lady. A wave of dramatic arms unleashes the golden honey and milk cream portal.

"Thinking with Portals, Fancy~" she casts a high class smirk at the giddy gentleman. Taking no time to head straight for the candy swirl vortex. Team Fun and Games plus Team Bad Guy follow not to far behind. Only a black square away from the door the line comes to an abrupt halt. The one in front looks back to see the yellow tail coats head towards Zooble direction.

"Caine!" Her voice stops him in his tracks, "Aren't cha coming with us?" Her british accent makes a comeback, however it was her question that baffles the entire cast. Including the man of the hour himself, but only for a moment.

"Oh no, my place is here in the tent to watch all of your enjoy my brilliant creations." He proudly takes off his hat and salutes them off.

"But how can you enjoy it to the fullest if your not really there?" Her thought hits the nail smack dab on his red gum head.

"She's got you there," Jax's snidley remark, "Don't you want to experience all the 'new wonders' that 'update' brought us up close and in person? Or are you afraid to play your own game?"

His words made his teeth take a sharp turn down, but reverse fast when he hears her say, "Wait, you've...Never gone on one? Ever?"

"Of couce not~," He zips right to her dismayed side, "After all, I created these adventures. I know all the in's and out's and all the little in-betweens. If I tag along I just be spoling the whole experience and make it too easy for you." Once again he exaggerates each word to make his case. Finishing with a shut jaw turned port side.

"You do make a good point," he catches a small sigh escape her lips, "I was hoping we could spend more time together, but I get what your saying. Plus you probably busy will all sorts of things so I just drop the whole thing. See you when we get back." She admits defeat and takes a step forward but gets blocked by an overly extended arm.

"WOAH! Not so fast!" She looks to Caine, mouth still shut, "Bubble, how that monitor update coming along?"

"It's at negative one percent!"

"Well, Looks like I'll have to take the classic approach and join you all this time around. BUT let me make it clear that I will be mearly Observing you and will ONLY assist if any unforeseen hiccups or glitches arise." His finger camera captures her smile.

"Well then, What Time is it...?"

"Twelve twenty one." He looks at the invisible watch on his right wrist.

"What? No. Come here" She gently takes his shoulder and leans close to him,"when I say...you say..." The others try to listen in on their private conversation in vain

"Oh that good! That's Really Good!" They giggle like classmates. The group give eachother side glances to understand what was going on.

"So, What Time is it?" She asks in a two man show way.

"ADVENTURE TIME!" With hand in the air with out a single care the two rush straight into the fractal void. Leaving the rest of them with most of their jaws dropped.

"Did he just/join in.../on his own/ adventure....?"

Previously on TADC ACC: A typical day in The Amazing Digital Circus goes haywire more ways than one. Lights once shining bright cutting off. A new member joining during the chaos. Having a panic attack not from the fact that she is there with a centar body and no name. But the fact that there's something in the circus that can only be driven back by light. The only source of that now is the master of the circus from swallowing a glowstick. So, the team splits up to deal with the situation.

~~~~~~~~~

Jax marches off ahead as Zooble sends a quick wave to the others before joining him. The girls also wave goodbye to Pomni before leaving. Kinger lets them go a short foot away before taking off himself. His body quickly lit up like a bright star till he dissapears behind the towering blocks.

Pomni sighs and takes a good look at what she had to deal with. The once boastful and all-powerful Caine is now helpless in the frightened embrace of the newest member. She knows her first task is to calm her down so they can get to the breaker box on the right side of the tent.

She takes a deep breath and places her red gloved hand on her locked arm. "Lorak, I know you're scared right now and frankly. I don't blame you. What with the darkness, the "monster" and..."

"That's not what I'm scared of," Her answer throws the Jester off, "I mean part of it is that but It's -"

"It's..." She asks to proceed

Lorak takes in a deep breath. She removes her hand from Caine's upper jaw and turns him around so she can rest her head on top of it instead.

"Being somewhere you're unfamiliar with, cut off from the rest of the world. Not knowing how long the uncertainty will last or if it will pass. Even though we have all this space. You can't help but feel like you're.... You're... trapped, all alone with no one coming to help..."

The downward spiral stops abruptly with a snap of fingers. A quilted blanket matterizes over her shivering shoulders. A much smaller version is also draped over Pomnis. The two look to the ringmaster who had been sitting in her embrace in silence for quite some time.

"Do not be afraid, my quivering quesade." His voice, although not as loud as before, still rings with confidence,"Even though I, unfortunately, can't fix the problem as quickly as I would like to. I will stay by your side and keep you safe during this period of uncertainty."

"W-wait!" She grabs her hat in disbelief, "You're NOT going to just send us off on our way and poof to... wherever you go off to..-"

"Nonsense!" He places a finger to her mouth to derail that sentence,"I could never leave my guests when their in such a jumbled mess. Especially since I am now the light that's keeping the creatures at bay." He points to all of himself dramatically, glowing physical and literally. Her pinwheel eyes disapprove of this.

"Doyoureallymeanthat," the tomboy's voice cracks startles them. She turns Caine 180 degrees so he can face her eye to eye. No longer drowing in fear but with hope with a glaze of worry tears. Her right arm still kepping his tiny torse close to her big belly, "If I let you go, do you promise you won't leave our side?"

He makes a scout pledge, "I promise."

"Pinkie promise," she pauses when she realizes she only had four fingers, "Cross your heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in your eye, " She adds, motioning every word with her left hand. Finishing by keeping the hand over the matching eye. He blinks his teeth in response.

"Never heard of that one but very well! I Pinkie Promise!" Caine does the exact motions as she did. Crossing his heart and covering the left side teeth that hide his blue eye.

The pony girl smiles for the first time and lets out a small giggle. She releases him and wipes the tears in her eyes. She placed her hands over her heart, then noticed the quilt Caine provided, slipping off. Taking the two corners and knots it around her neck, making a handmade cloak. She takes in a deep breath and lets out a non tongue raspberry while shaking her whole body.

"Okay, so what do we do?" She stands up to confirm her resolve.

"Well," Pomni takes this opportunity to whip out the map," we need to flip the switch inside the breaker box in this part of the tent." Her finger pointed to a room in the way back with a giant pinwheel inside it. Caine floating over them to shine more light on the situation.

"And then we meet the others back on the stage to flip the main breaker, right?" Lorak taps the diagram to confirm.

"Correct!" He rolls his r's,"So let's not dilly dally, the adventure awaits!" The overexcited mouth points his cane down the path they must take. Making the tired, darker brunette smack her head in frustration.

The lighter one simply giggles and shouts, "Onward to Adventure~!" She gallops several squares ahead and then rearing to say 'you coming'. Caine's eyes sparkle with glee as he soars over to her side. They share a goofy grin with one another.

"WAIT!" The two look back to see the short-white leg lady. Dragging herself forward, gasping for air. Lorak hastily cantars back to her side and takes a knee.

"Are you alright..." She frezzes on the name.

"Pomni..."She wheezes, straightening herself and trying to catch her breath. The pony looks guilty and wracks her gears to think of a solution. No less than two seconds, she snaps her fingers and unties the quilt cloak to cover her horse back. She turns 90 degrees and fully kneels fully on the ground next to her.

Pomni raises an eyebrow to her till she hears her say, "Hop on, I'll give you a ride."

"WHAT!?!" She jumps back, "A-are you serious!? I mean- I wouldn't mind, but are you sure you ok with that?"

"Sweetie, I've been giving pony rides to children for years. And that will be way easier with this new body."

"I am not a child!" Her rosey cheeks puff out, "but I would...appreciate the lift. Thank you. " She reaches her hand out to the quilted backside yet stops a mere inch away. A quick glance upward tells her the all seeing Caine was watching vigilantly. His hands ringing the dear life out of the poor walking stick. Thinking fast, she takes off the blue and red checkerd blanket that somehow stays clinged to her shoulder. She throws it over her back and climbs on up.

"Shall we?" She straddle the blanket saddle, holding the back of the fanny packs belt for safety.

Lorak rises off the marble floor, "Let's shall." With that, the two trot on their way with the smiling veteran hovering by their side.

****

The Abstrabbit team traveled down the darken hall in silence. Passing door after door with many different faces, most with red x marks. Zooble keeps a firm eye on her surroundings while the Jax's rabbit aimless wanders.

He yawns and rests his hands behind his head, "Gee, this place sure does look scary with the lights out~ Hope no monster sneaks up behind us and-"

"Tap any part of my body, and I shove this flashlight up your f#@%ing a#$!" They jercks his arm away from opposite shoulder and breafly shines the light on him to keep it at bay.

"My, my Zoobie, someone being kinky tonight~" He devishly grins, now resting his arm on the lightstick. They yank it out from under him. The anamorphic rodent flaps his arms, trying to keep his balance as they continue down the hall.

"What are you looking for anyway?" He straightens his back, "The box is under the table at the end of the hall."

"Well, what do you know..." Zooble whispers to themself. Jax rolls his eyes and marches over to see what's caught the toys' mid-shaped eyes. The last door at the end of the hallway once belonged to an empty artist mannequin. Now has replaced a picture of the girl with boyish short hair and a bright smile.

"Huh, so this is the newbie's crib. I should leave a 'welcome' present for our-" He reaches for the door knob but gets cut off by Zooble clawing his wrist.

They lifts his hand up, looks him straight and eye, and shouts in a low growl,"DON'T! Touch it."

"What, you already jealous that the new girl is getting so much attention~" his jokingly grin and fluttering eyes get wiped clean by their death glare. They drag him as far away from the door and shove them over to the end table at the end of the hall. Completely ignoring his silent chorus of 'ows'

"I don't want this game to last any more than it already has. You are NOT to even look at this door till we know more about 'her'."

"Alright, alright! Gezz! What's got you so bent out of shape." He knees down the floor and takes a peak on the underside. Just like he said, the breaker box was literally right under the table.

"Don't you think this all a bit strange?" They rant, "First, Caine says he has 'NO' adventure planned today. Then the lights go out, and a new person mysteriously shows up in the stage -"

"Wait," Jax stops his work and turns to them, "You think she one of Caine's NPC? That's hilarious! Caine would never make one that would handle him like a teddy bear. " He goes back under the table as they picked up where they left off.

"How else do you explain everything? The fact that she's so calm abouth this sudden change? Or how she magically had a name ready in a bag that grants her whatever she wants? Or how about the sparks that flew between her and Caine-"

"Sparks?" He directs his attention to them again, "You saw 'sparks' fly between the 'two' of them?"

"Yes!" Zooble shouts, they thought they were finally gaining some ground, He covers his mouth with his hand, but the stifle laughs confirmed he wasn't taking them seriously.

"Ha!" He burst, "No way, she's only been here for a few minutes, and she's already smashing teeth with him? Woo~ Scandalous~. Looks like you got your wish after all. What do you think the ship's name will be? Teeth-tar? Show horse!? PONYTIME!?!" His laughter gets louder and louder as he works back to the box.

Zooble raises their voice to try to get the funny bunny to listen, "I'm not talking about F#@%king smooching! I'm talking about actual-" The hallway lights flickering stops their rage. Within a few seconds, the light brings color and warmth back to the guest quarters. Zooble sighs in defeat, ending the conversation and the flashlight glow. She turns to head back down the hall.

"GAH!" their shout makes Jax jump, hitting his head on the table. He turns to them irritated, but that look turns befuddled. Three anamorphic gators stood right before them, all letting out an Aussie gasp. The longer cherry and lemon gator, along with the shorter grape and raspberry one, hide behind their lime and lemon leader.

"Oh, sorry about that, luv," the one in front tips his leather hat to them. "Didn't mean to give you a start."

Zooble tries to respond, but all that comes out are mutterings. Fortunately, the smooth rodent leans over on their shoulders and speaks for them. "Well, well, if it isn't our favorite Gummigoo and his boys. How's your ma doing~"

"Oh, she is doing great!" The lanker gator replies, his long arms giving a big thumbs up,"Thanks for asking. Say, uhh, that white toothy monster isn't around, is it?"

"Who? Caine? No, he's not here, but I'd be more than happy to call him -" Jax's tone would have earned him a smack from Zooble if the leader hadn't interrupted.

"No, not him, we're talking about the banshie with teeth sharp as daggers."

"And a soulless gaze that frezzes your legs. We only managed to escape because it wanted the white eye critter insted." The littlest gator adds while the toy shook the rabbit off their shoulder. Before the conversation could continue, the lights flickered and went out again. They frustrated groan is cut short when they notice the three gators vanished as mysterious as they arrived.

"Jaxs, do you know what they were talking about?" They dare to ask him.

"Nope, not a clue." Jax's closes his eyes, returning his citrine gloves to rest behind his head once more.

They sigh and turn their attention back to darken door at the far end of the hall. The sound of scuttering makes their eyes squint in curiosity. A small shadow skitters from one side of the hall to the other. It stops right in the middle of the carpet and turns a sharp gaze at them. Its eyes shone like a pair of headlights about to take your life.

Quickly, they turn the flashlight back on with their minty claw, but all they saw was an empty hall. "Did you see that?"

"See what?"

"Some kind of tiny animal with bright white eyes." Zooble keeps the spotlight zooming all around the room to find the critter.

"Probably an escape from Kinger's insect collection." Jax's reply does not sooth their worry. They keep shining the light on every corner and door till the white eyes glare at them from the darkness.

"There!" Zooble grabs his head by their ears at points it and the light upward. Sadly, only the light fixture is all they see.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?"

"I Know I saw Something!" They march down and shine the light on every part of the hall.

The violet rabbit puts his finger under his chin, "Oh, I know what's up," They turn their triangle head to him, "You're just seeing some 🎵'Digital Hallucinations'~🎵"

"Jax..." they growled in angst.

🎶"The shadows are your fixations. You'll search door to door only to be floored. By your very own imagination~"🎶

The joker of the tent dodges and weaves their blows and screams. The two of them make a run out of the guest hall back to grand stage. As they turn the corner to leave, black goop drips down from the dead lights above.

****

"I never realized how spooky it castle can be in the dark," the tragedy mask whispers.

"Don't worry," the doll puts a firm hand on her ribbon shoulder, "Kinger's light will keep us safe, right, Kinger?" Team Fun and Games turn to their third party member. He muffles a yes and gave them a thumbs up. His light shines brighter than any stick. Due to this, though, he has to walk a few steps behind, so it's not to hurt their eyes.

"Say Ragatha, in all your years here. Have the lights been out for this long before?"

"Oh sure, they have. They...uhh" The red heads train of thought wander, "come to think of it. I don't think the lights have EVER been off before." The fact hit Gangle so hard that her big black eyes grew in fear. "But hey- It's OK. Caine said we just have to throw the switches, and everything will be fine-"

Her reassurance is halted with three light taps on the shoulder. She jumps and screams in fear, causing her teammate to scream. The white chess piece also muffles a scream. Even though he was the one who taped her shoulder.

"What-is-it!?!" She pulls on her braids. Kinger muffles a reply, "What?" He says it again a little louder, but still muffled, "What!?"

Kinger lets out the breath he's holding, "I said. I found the fuse box." The girls look in the direction of the floating finger.

Beneath the red and blue banners on the toy stone walls, a metal box rest. Gangle hobbles over and begins work on flipping the breaker. The doll watches them with baited breath. The wonky eye king, on the other hand, looks around like he was seeing it for the first time.

"How long has it been down?" He asks aloud.

"Huh, oh, the lights. Umm, I say they've been out for at least a few minutes."

Her answer places a trouble hand under his 'chin', "That's...that's not right. They'veneverbeenoutbefore.Theyshouldneverbeoutforthislong.Isitavirus?No,it'stoostrongforthat...unless"

His spiral is interrupted with the sound of a heavy switch flipped. The lights return to the set, switching the narrow look in his eyes back to placid. Although even that was short-lived when he noticed the green ghoul floating in front of him. The two share a started 'OH!'

"Ms. Martha!" Gangle raundevous with the group, "What are you doing here?"

The 19th century late wife looks at her surroundings puzzled, "I'm not sure, the last thing I remember was saying my goodbyes to two of you. And the next, I find myself here in this strange carnival."

"Oh, it's not a carnival, Miss Mildenhall." Ragatha tries to sooth her floating worries. "This is the circus. It's, well I guess you can consider it our home."

"I see," Her pale eyes look around tent with wonder, "I never set foot outside the Manor. I had no idea such a vibrant, colorful world existed."

"You might want to be careful floating so high. If Caine sees you, you might get dele-" The ribbons sad warning is disconnected

"Caine, is that the name of that tiny thing that brought us all here?" Her answer makes them all look at her in confusion.

"All of us?" She repeats, holding her dress a bit to calm herself.

"Yes... I remember now. I was in a large hall with lots of doors after someone bumped me. Lots of other creatures I've never seen were lined up beside me. And right below my dress was -"

Once again, the lights flicker, and the ghost vanishes when they stop. The three wouldn't be able to process it since a red dummy with a cowboy hat takes the ghost place.

"Beware the -" with just those two words. The cowboy and the lights pop out of sight. The trio blink befuddled by the whole event.

"Well, that was a rathar short lore drop." Kingers goofy voice pulls the two girls out of the dumbfounded state.

"OK~ Let's head on back then. I'm sure the others are already waiting!" Ragatha immediately changes the atmosphere and starts walking out to the castle's archway door. As Gangle hastens to catch up to the toy. The sound of hissing catches the cross man's attention. He squint his eyes and tries to see. All that he could spot are the same walls and patterns that stood there for years.

"Umm, Kinger," the sad ribbon speaks," can we get some light, please?"

With a delightful 'oh', he holds his breath and heads on over to the group. The soft glow from Team Fun and Games slowly fades away from the toy castle set. Reveling a pair of very crossed white eyes watching from the walls above. Hissing like the very sight of them fills them with disgust.

****

Team Showtime makes great progress in their travels to their switch. Thanks to the rapid walking pace of the newest member of the circus. Despite the fact they've been taking their time to observe their newfound surroundings.

"You know, this place looked a lot smaller from the stage." Lorak's eyes still gaze around the blocks and tubes above in amazement, "I'm guess the other members are sleeping."

"Others?" Pomni asks, still riding side saddle.

"Yeah, like the acrobats, the clowns, or does this place focus more on the attractions than the shows."

Caine zips around from her side to the front, "Oh no, my curious cucumber. Although we do have a Fairground for you to engage in ridery in. Our days here are filled by going on Fantastic and Death-defying Adventures that I handcraft myself."

She turns to the Jester for confirmation and she gives her an uncomfortable nod, " Oh, I see." Her tone becomes a bit unsettling as she tries to process this, " So this circus is...more like an adventures guild. And that's makes you the guild master~" She gives his bow tie a playful boop.

His laughter fills the air, "Oh my dear sweet cinnamon roll. I'm no mere guild master. I am your Ring Master~"

"Oh~ A thousand pardons Mighty Master of Ring," She puts her hand together like a prayer and bows to his glory, "Please forgive me for my ignorance. I did not mean to offend."Pomni grins her teeth in fear of his response,

"Apology accepted my little pony-" He pats the left side of her head, but this makes her wince in pain. Both party members jump as she holds her head. Suddenly, she starts tracing a bolt from the left side of her ear downward. The two circus residents watch as she pulls a black leather coin purse from the fanny pack.

Wanting to get a look, Pomni stands up on her horse back and leans over her shoulder. A mirror had been placed on the bag and in the reflection. A visible scar could be seen once she lifted her bangs away.

"How did you get that?" She waited for an answer, but nothing came. She peers over to her face to see she was staring off in the distance instead of her reflection, "Lorak...?"

The sound of her name snaps them out of the trance, "Huh-Wha-what did you say?"

"Did you always have that?" She points her blue glove to the part of head where the scar laid.

She lightly touches her head and nods, "I got this when I was little. Guess that got carried over to my new life."

"Not to fret my worried wild rose~ I can remove that pesky problem by." He places his thumb and second finger together.

"DON'T!" She grasps his hand before he could snap. Once again, startling the party for different reasons, "Please, don't do that...." She calmly holds his hand in between hers. However the trail of uhhs and errms that follow after don't help.

Thankfully this doesn't phase him, "Caine."

"Caine, right! Gomen I-" She let's out a frustrated blow, "I have trouble remembering certain things. Names, dates, directions, the difference between left and right."

"And that because of -"She jesters towards the scar again, Lorak nods.

"Well then, all the more reason too-"he holds up his other hand but she quickly intertwines his fingers with hers to stop him again. He looks to her pleadful look and sees it grow more seriously.

"Please, I like you to leave it as it is." Her voice was stern but calm.

"I-I don't understand," his usual goofy voice is lost to the confusion.

"I know you just want to help, and I appreciate that." She takes both his hands in hers and continues,"but covering it up won't fix the damage. If anything, it'll make it harder to explain my condition to others. I'll admit it sucks Sap that I have to deal with this again. But that just means I have to work harder to remember all the wonderful things this world has offered. So, please be patient with me. Ca-" She gets stuck on the first two letters

Sadly, this time it does phase him a little, "Caine!" His voice, although only slightly higher. Has scare the two ladies and makes Lorak let go of his hands. "I literally just said - Forget it! It's fine! Perfectly Fine!"

He shuts his mouth in frustration and turns away from the two arms crossed in a small pout. Pomni was already used to this behavior, but she did notice it really affected the new girl. Her eyes were now looking down at her hands, fiddling with themselves.

"I'm sorry, I truly am." She pauses for a moment before adding," if-If it's alright with you. Can I- May I...give you a nickname?"

"A nickname..." Caine's dead tone doesn't fill her with hope. She lowers her head, but it and her hands are immediately lifted by him.

"Youwishtogivemeafamiliar,informalnameusedtoshowaffectiontowardoneyouadmireanddesiretobuildabondoffriendshipwith!?" His cheerful demeanor and the sparkle in his eyes now caught her off guard.

"Y-Yeah," she shakes her head,"But if you don't want that, then I'll try harder to -"

Caine breaks that thought of here with a long trail 'no's along with the frantic shaking of his hands. Realizing that he was making them uncomfortable. He clears his throat and removes his top hat from head.

"Lorak, if this will help you with your memory problem. I would be honored to have you bestow a name onto me." He bows to her and awaits her reply. The tone he gave was very mature, but the fluttering of his teeth and fiddling with the rim of his hat didn't match it one bit, "Take your time, no rush~"

Lorak covers her mouth the her hands to hide her smile. She quickly shakes the silliness away but still keeps a curled finger to her lip to help her think. After what seems to be an eternity for him she raises the hand from her lip and snaps it in his direction.

"Takumi." Her response raises a toothy brow, "It means 'artisan' or to describe someone who's a kind and passionate craftsman. You said you make the adventures for us, and you've been a very gracious host. Despite me nearly crushing you with that bear hug-"

Her explanation is cut short when she notices the weld up tears in the tiny man's eyes, "That's-That's beautiful. I shall strive to be worthy of my moniker." He saluts her as thanks, she let's out a giggle but stops when she feel a hand on her hip. She turn to find that two toned girl had moved from the sadle to her side during that whole interaction.

"I would also be comfortable with you giving me a nickname. If it helps you out." She said, Lorak gives her a soft grin, then once again puts her finger to her lip to think.

"Kokorozashi," Lorak snaps her fingers into a hand gun again. The name also surprised her. "Koko for short."

"Wha- wait why does HE get a short one and I got-"

"It means The 'Heart's' Aim," Lorak answer her query, she reaches into her fanny pack again and pulls out a small notepad and a black pen with a white eraser at the end. After zipping her bag back up, she sits on the black square and opens it up. Caine and Pomni lean in close as she sketches some lines.

"You write it with kanji for samurai on top and the one for heart on the bottom. See." She finish and shows them a small 志 between the blue lines, "you were the first to approach and help me when I was freaking out. Plus, your determination to stay focused helps us reach our goal."

Her explanation floored the little one, "Wow, you really put a lot of meaning into these nicknames."

"Mochiron~." She puts the notepad away, "These help me remember your names, and I hate to do anything half -" she's starts trailing off her eyes, squinting in the darkness. Pomni tries to get her attention by saying her name again, but she mearly points ahead and says, "Isn't that where the fusebox is?"

Both residents look ahead to spy a large parasol in the middle of an enclosed space. The trio made their way over to find the object they were searching for resting on the tire bench encircle the umbrella. Being the closest Pomni opens to the box to find a large comedic switch inside. Once she flips it, a few spotlights shine down from above. They take turns twinkling like stars in the still darkly ensrouded circus.

"Well, at least we can see now." The Jester remarks,

"Guess we have to flip the main breaker to..."Loraks trails off again as she turns back to where they came from. The two approached the centar. A thousand yard stare was on her face. Pomni calls out her name to try to snap them out of it. "Didn't you see that?"

"See what?" She and Caine turned to the open room they were in before. All they see was the same playset walls and blocks they've seen thousands of times before.

Loraks voice shakes a little. "I- I've been seeing things... strange things. I thought it was just my eyes playing trick on me, but. I just saw someone...who couldn't possibly be here."

Sensing her distress, Caine swoops in front of her and gently pats the right side of her head, "Now, now, don't be frightening my terrified tiramasu. You're just experiencing some Digital Hallucinations~ From your minds transitioning to-"

His explanation gets cut off when she takes his tiny shoulders in her hand. She spins him around to the front and shouts, "Does THAT look like a hallucination to you!?"

Right on cue from under the spotlight, a shadowing figure clips into view. No one in the party could make out anything, but the fact it had no face. The lights flicker off, and the figure vanishes from its spot. Only to pop up a mere foot from the group. Causing the whole group to gasp in fear. Lorak, who still had a firm grasp on his shoulders, reels him back. She placed her head on his button collared chest like holding a pillow for protection.

The spotlight flickers back on to shine down on a simple wooden figurine. Two out of the three members take a sigh of relief.

"Doctor." A male voice rang from the artist dummy as he raised a hand to the group.

"Doctor." Lorak replies as if it was natural. They all watch as the doll walks away like it was another day. She releases her grasp from Caine's shoulders and stares on in confusion. "What was that...?"

"Oh, that's just one of Caine's NPC's." Said Pomni like it was a normal thing. Before the pony could ask, she shricks and started shaking her body ferociously. "WHAT'S WRONG!?"

"SOMETHING'SONMYTAIL! SOMETHING'S ON MY TAIL! GETITOFFGETITOFF! GET IT OFF!" Her petrified voice rings in their ears, and she bucks the air like mad. The littlest one skitters back to avoid being trampled under her cloven hooves. Thankfully, the ringmaster was safe in the air. He glances down at the scene, then with a snap of his fingers, he flies down to her side again.

"Steady there, my frighten filly~"

"WHAT!...What...is that?" Her anger cools down. A star shaped critter rests in Caine's hands. Her body slumps to the floor, their breath heavy from the freak out.

He places the purple animal in her arms. "It's a Gloink~"

"What's a Gloink?" She quietly asks

"I'm glad you ask~ They are small mischievous critters that love to collect anything and everything they can find. Why this one grab your tail, though, is a mystery in itself?"

"Are you saying you don't know why it suddenly appeared just now?" Pomni returns to the group a touch annoyed by his additude.

Caine turns on his goofyness again, "How should I know? I didn't make them. Oh, wait! Yes, I did." He laughs like a mad man. This shakes Lorak from her trance.

"You, you made this?"

"Of course. As the ringmaster of The Amazing Digital Circus; I created not only the land that will be your new home. But also the wacky and zany cast critters that you'll be meeting in your future adventures. Like this Gloink, and that one and that one and-"

He pauses, the bells on Pomni's hat jingle and jangle without her moving her head. She gasps in fear, holding her hat down, and rushes to the still green glowing mouths side. Gloinks of all shapes and colors crawl out from the corners of the room and surround the sitting pony.

Before she could ask what they were doing. The one in her hand rolls up her arm and suggles her face. She lets out a giggle and pries the yellow lip smiling star from her cheek. However, its brothers and sisters join in on the fun. Brushing the fur with their points and bouncing on her quilted back. Her laughter becomes uncontrollable as she asks them to stop. However, the mischievous cubes and pins don't listen and continue the tickles and bouncing.

"OK, you ask for it!" She playfully gathers a few gloinks in her arm, "Get ready for a snuggle attack~" she let's out a raspberry and snuggles her head on each and every Gloink. As she plays and tries to settle down the little ones down.

Pomni smiles at the tender scene, "Gosh, She's like a mother to them."

"Nonsense," Caine's finger hushs her. "They already have the Gloink Queen for their mother. Don't you remember? Oh, right! You wandered into the void and missed out of that adventure."

Pomni was about to comment on HOW she ended up there. But a large omminus shadow engulfs the two of them. Both of the watch on with wide eyes as a large sea slug like serpent approaches the ignorant gloink sitter. The dimly lit room gives its white eyes with black rings a feindish face as it looks down at the scene in front of it.

To be continued...