#jaxs

The darkness that fills the space is broken by the sound of a box top sqweeking. Zooble opens their big and small eye to find their sleep disturbed by the red and blue-eyed Jester; Pomni.

"Is the adventure over already?" Zooble disembodied head groans.

"No," Pomni replies, "The adventure hasn't even started yet."

"We'll then don't be a nark and find your own hiding spot." They grab the cover of the box with her unattached claw. They try to seal themselves up again, but the brunette yanks it back in place.

"It's not that. It's just that we haven't seen Caine at all today. Plus, Gangle was looking for you." Pomni takes her hand off the lid and steps off to the side. A familiar teary-eyed white mask with a kind smile walks up to the box.

"Hi Zooble." Gangle waves one of her red ribbon arms before picking her friend's pink triangle head out from the box. The two have a small moment of peace before the circus's ragdoll shouts;

"Hey! What's this?" The crew look to what caught her attention. A piece of paper is posted not too far from the hiding spot. The red yarned hair doll rips the note off the green block. The others quickly join her side to look as well.

On the page, a neatly written note is typed up. Up in one of the corners, a silly doodle of the ringmaster face with tiny hearts and hands is scribbled. Lining the bottum is a sketch of the sharked toothed bubble and a chubby bee. Flying from the left side of the paper to the right. Everyone can hear the boisterous voice of the writer as they read the words in their heads.

"Hello, my little rubber baby buggy bumbers!

Today, I've decided to go to the store to get essential ingredients for my signature Milk and Cigarette Casserole! I hope you can handle yourselves until I get back." The girls turned their heads to the side to find the sender of this letter floating a few feet away from them. His silly grin matched the doodle perfectly.

"Well, this was fun while it lasted," Zooble comments as the purple robed chess piece enters the room.

"So, what's the adventure today?"Ragatha steps forward, completely ignorant of the frantic shaking of Zoobles' head.

Caine's goofy expression turns surprised as he answers, "Oh! I don't have an adventure for you today. So you can do whatever you feel like." Zooble takes this chance for the rest of their body to climb out of the box. The yellow peanut with orange spots slides over to Gangle and uses their noodle arm with a toon glove to pop their head back in place.

"Okay, sounds fine to me."

"You should ask me suggestions on what to do insted." The mouth with a suit nudges. Acting like a needy high school girl, eyelashes fluttering and all. This does not phase the one white wing human.

"No."

"What should we do insted?"

"No-Gangle!" They try to stop her, but the words could not be retrived. The ribbon lady shudders and apoligizes to them.

"Great Question Gangle!" Caine's response was almost as big as his overly inflated eyeballs, "For an answer, let me consult -"

Before he could finish his train of thought. The lights began to flicker like mad. This not only startles the group but the host as well.

"Uhh, Caine..." Pomni starts," What's wrong with the lights?"

The top hat hums,"Did Bubble forget to pay the electric bill?" Suddenly, the very same creature hovers by and says,

"Nope, just the heating"

The lights continue to flicker rapidly. The girls huddle close close to the King piece as the shift between the light and dark grows rampit. Till they suddenly glow as bright as the sun before shutting off in an instant. The entire circus is now covered in a blanket of darkness and uncertainty.

"Gosh, it sure gets dark early nowadays." Said Kinger.

"Don't worry, my bright fireflies! Just a small ripple in the web of life." Caine closes his eyes and snaps his fingers.

Nothing happens. His eyes pop open, and he tries again. Still nothing. His teeth furrow, no matter how many times he snaps. The lights do not turn back on.

Ragatha squeaks, "Caine, why are the lights not working?"

"Must be a faulty wire," Caine keeps snapping his fingers to no avail.

"Caine, I swear to god!" Zooble shouts,"If this is one of your indoor-house adventures-"

Their rant gets cut short by a painful cry. The gang jumps to the sound. The voice was not one that they recognized. Gangle hides behind the boastful tinker toy while Ragatha grabs Pomni by their circular shoulders.

"What was that!?!"The patch dress doll shrieks.

"Oh, sounds like someone's on center stage." Everyone turns to Kinger with a shocked gaze.

"But-"Gangle takes their claw in her ribbon,"we're all here...and that didn't sound like Jax."

Everyone's eyes turn to the direction of the stage. The voice echoes thru the tent, and it sounds like it was hurt, badly.

"Well! No sense in standing around doing diddly squat!" The ring masters worried face blinks back to goofy. With a snap of his fingers. A flashlight falls right into Pomi's gloves. She sends the ignorant red coat an annoyed glance before turning it on.

Holding the timid doll's hand in hers, the gang slowly makes their way to stage. Each one stays close to each other for comfort. While Caine floated just a few inches in the front. His cane clutches tightly in his hand. As they draw closer, the voice grows louder. Soon, a large silhouette begins to appear up on top of the stage. The leader of the group shines her light upon the figure and gasps.

It's a woman. Kneeling on the floor, her hands burried under her boyish short hair. From where they stood, they couldn't make out her face or the rest of her body. All they see is her holding her head for dear life; moaning in agony.

Pomni's jaw drops along with the flashlight, "No way..."

"WOWIE! It's only been a few weeks, and we already have a new human joining us!" He quickly floats up to the stage before anyone could stop him, " Hello, my Superstar! Welcome to the Amazing Digital Circus! My name is"

As he spoke, the figure tried to reach out to him. However, before their fingers could touch his broad chest. a small spark cause the two to shout. The lady winces, grabbing her hand back while Caine falls to the wooden floor. Both of them were entwined in small electric volts of light. Everyone quickly rushes up to the stage. As they approach, the sparks continue to dance. Lighting up parts of her body for all to see.

She is human, well, half human. While the top half of her resembles a young woman. Everything from the belt down was equestrian; tail and all. The girls look in awe while Kinger glances towards the direction of Caine. His once blue and green eyes now broadcast a black screen with small bits of writing from top to bottom. A glove hand firmly grasped his fore-gums before he vigorously shakes it off.

"H-hey," Pomni whispers,"A-are you okay?"

"Wow! Now that's what I call an "electrifying" entrance!" He grabs his cane and floats back up as if nothing happened. Nobody responds as the smallest of the group approaches the new guest. Their cries of pain dying down.

"Wha-is someone there?" The lady speaks up, "I can't see. Did the power go out? Hang on -" She reaches down to her waist. The sound of a zipper whisps open, and she digs deep into the bag that separates her torso from her legs. Everyone holds their breath as she pulls out a small tube out.

"Why hasn't the generator kicked on yet! Mattaku! This day can just go to -" She snaps the tube in half, and a lime green light fills the area. Her thought process stops when she sees Pomni's pale face. The two scream as she frantically tries to keep the glowstick from falling out of her hands.

"Who the flip are you!" She tries to back away from her but finds it an impossible task,"My legs...I can't feel my legs," She turns her head to see that her two legs have doubled. What once were simian are now very large, very strong pair of pony legs. Before anyone could speak, she let's out a very loud neigh. Then suddenly covers her mouth.

"What the Fudge!?" Soon, a whole slew of horse noises escapes her lips. From whinny's to whickers, to snorts and blows.

"What in Terra's name is going on!?!"

"I'm glad you ask!" The ringmaster cuts in, getting right up in the new girl's face. Literally.

She let's out a short shout then points the glowstick directly at him. His eyes part away ever so slightly to avoid the child friendly light.

"Woah, steady there, my little pony," Caine guides the toy away from his teeth with his index finger, "You can poke someone's eye out with that."

He literally pokes his blue eye to prove his point. The girl's fearful face grew serious feirce. She drives the stick right under the black bowtie. Holding it tight like a lightsaber about to cut Dark Vader's thoat.

Her voice sank low and cold, "Who are you?"

"Allow me to introduce myself," He takes off his top hat and bows to her, completely unfazed by her attempt to threaten him with a toxic rod, "My name is Caine! And you!" He boops her nose, quickly changing her ready-to-fight look to an embarrassed one, "My dear, have arrived at The Amazing Digital Circus; a fabulous land full of wonders where anything can happen!"

His over the top introduction left the women speechless. From the way his eyes popped out of his teeth to the little rainbow arch he makes with just a clap of his toon glove hands. Her arms that were straight like a lance slowly desend to her lap. The glowstick still glued to her hands. The trail of small uhhs she utters is interrupted by a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry," the Jester kindly assured her, "we've all been thru this. My name is Pomni, and this is Gangle, Zooble, Kinger, Ragatha." She puts her blue hand on the stunned ones shoulder and directs her red hand to each one of her friends, "and..."

She paused when she pointed to a dark shadow from the right side of the stage. A cone of light shines from its hands to reveal a Cheshire smile with a matching pair of sinister yellow eyes. The two scream, and then the madame slings the glowstick straight to its head. Sadly, it misses the mark. It tilts his head, and the green light hits the aimless Bubble that suddenly just popped up. Bouncing it high into the air. Everyone watches as it drops down right into oversized cainine jaws. The tube pinballing around his molars till it blips out of sight down the pipe.

"Now is That anyway to greet a new friend~." The shadow taunts lowering the flashlight to show more of his violet rabbit face,"You could've hurt my wittle feeling~"

"Jax, where did you even come from?" Pomni curses.

"Well, I noticed the crazy light show on stage. So I came to see what new thing Caine was cooking up. And it looks like Raggy just got her wish for a pony~. " He smirks as his shines the light down on her like a spotlight. She raises a hand to sheild her crystal blue eyes from the light.

"Jax!" She protests, stomping her boot down.

"Pony..." The newbie repeats. She takes a good look at her new form now that she can see clearer. Her chocolate tail swishes back and forth, matching the same color as her new fur and the hair on her head.

"Huh, I guess I am."The reality seeps into her

"Yeah, welcome to your new body...and your new life," Zooble welcomes her. Just before anyone could respond to that. Jax shoves the light closers to her face and asks,

"So, you got a name Pony Tail?"

She blinks a few times, "My name...?" Three out of the six scowl at the Long-eard jokester for bringing that subject up, "I..."

A long paused pass before she replies, "I don't have a name...Wait!"

Once again, she reaches for the white fanny pack. She moves it over her bare stomach and dips in with both hands . Sounds of muffled paper and jumbled keys ring out. After a minute or two, she takes out a laminated card. A red lanyard dangles as she tries to read it. Out of curiosity, he shines the light over her head so the funny bunny pair can see as well.

"L-O-R-A-K," Jax reads aloud, "Lorak? What kind of name is that!?"

"Look who's talking; Purple Guy. Or should I call you Pinkie cause of your overalls?" She teases, the others stifle a laugh.

"Call me either of those again, and I tie your horse ears in a bow."

"I like to see you try Long-ears," Lorak remarks. She puts the card back in her bag and finds the strength in her legs again. Both characters are surprised to find that not only was she standing up. But she was also taller than him.

"So," Lorak breaks the awkward silence, "is it always this dark here? Or did I arrive after curfew?"

"Yeah, care to shed a little light on this blackout?" Jax shines the spotlight on the tiny leg quest maker.

Caine clears his non existant throat, "There seems to be some tenichal difficulties with the Digital Lighting, but not to worry. I've already got our best technition on the case."

"The breakers are flipped down, boss," Bubble floats up to his side.

"Why didn't you flip them back up?" His eyes shrink in disappointment

"I got no hands experience with that," Everyone groaned in silence at the reflective assistant. Except for the white king and the knight who stifle a laugh.

"Well then, looks like this is a great opportunity for our newest member, Lorak." He points the tip of his cane to her, "to not only get a little experience under her fanny pack belt but some bonding time with her fellow party members as well. So, today's impromptu Adventure will be-"

"No!" Zooble objects, "No impromptu adventure, you just want us to do the job for you! Screw this, I'm going to my room."

They only take a few steps with their peg leg when a loud omnious roar shakes the tent. The high-pitched wail sends a unerving chill to all of the cast.

Even Caine's porcelain teeth turn south at this," Bubble, is there anything ELSE you like to report?"

They shake their heads, "Nope, nothing, nada," another awkward silence pases before they add, "Except for the monster stalking the tent and trying to kill us all," Their goofy grin making his teeth about to seal his eyes shut.

"Wait," Lorak's interjected, "there's a monster in this circus?"

"Oh, you don't know? There's a nasty one who loves to gobble up innocent adventurers when the lights go out. Especially the ones that are covered in freakles," Jax's plays with the flashlight to make his story even more convincing. Making her cover her arms and parts of her body with her tail.

"Nownownow," Caine jumps in before the others could strangle the rabbit, "I can assure you there are no monsters that eat humans in this or any other place in the Digital Circus. And even if there was; which there's not. You'll all be perfectly safe as long as you have a light source."

At that moment, the only source of light starts to flicker. Jax's hit the dying stick with his yellow gloves a few times to try and fix it. Unfortunately, it has no effect, and the crew finds themselves in darkness once more. To add more oil to the flames, the same roar bellows throughout the shadowless tent. Pomni looks up to the new girl to see terror only in her eyes. Her hands were a few inches from her face as if she were afraid to touch it.

She was about to place a hand on her arm when a soft green light tickled her eyes. They all look up to see that the master of ceremonies had become an oversized glowstick.

"Wow, boss, you're positively glowing," said Bubble, watching him admire his newly lit body.

"Flattery will not save you from a pay cut."

"You don't pay me"

Caine finishes the conversation with a single poke, "Anyway, here's a map of the circus. Once you flip the three switches. Return to the stage to flip the main breaker." He snaps his fingers, and three parchments papers appear. They float right on top of the doll, jester, and kings crowns. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to -"

His calm and confident gaze turns bleak. The centaur that was once frozen had lept into the air towards him arms wide up. He placed his fingers together, ready to snap, but he was too slow. The others watch on horror as she captures him by his tiny waist, and the two descend to the ground with a thunderous stomp.

Everyone scrambles back down to the chessboard ground. Upon approach, Pomni notices the flashlight she dropped earlier. She manages to get it to work and shines a light on the situation. Lorak was clutching Caine for dear life. Like a frightening child hugging their comfort plush, completely fozen to the spot.

Caine manages to lift his jaw up to speak,"My dear, I understand you're a bit frazzled. However, I really need to leave so I can-"

"No! You'retheonlysourceoflight. I'mgonnaholdyougoodandtight. Untilleverything'salright!" Her voice chimes thru the fabric house, and each word presses Cains tiny waist closer to her flat chest. Which leaves everyone a bit shocked by this reaction.

"That... was a surprisingly good limerick," said Gangle.

Lorak starts deep breathing, "IrhymewheneverI'mstress. Ithelpsmefeelless. Likeaoverzizedunravelingmess."

"Hey, it's okay" Ragatha motions her hands in a calm wave, "Everthing is going to be o-"

Karma strikes once more with much louder roar. This causes the already frighten knight to lower her head down. Her left hand firmly gasping the back of Caine's upper jaw. Forcing him to shut his mouth on top of her right shoulder.

The mix match toy hold their head in defeat and yanks the map out of Kinger's floating gloves. "Alright, if I'm going to get stuck doing this, I want to get it done as fast as possible. Jax's and I will head up to the guest rooms. Gangle; you and Ragatha go with Kinger over to the left side of the tent," they grab the flashlight from the red and blue lady's hands, "Pomni, you stay with Caine and "Lorak". Try to get her to calm down before she snaps Caine in two. Let's go 'Pinkie'."

"Who died and put you in charge?"he argues,"And I though you were gonna hide in your room."

"Even if we all hold ourselves up in our rooms."they begin, "We don't even where her's is or if we'll be safe there. The best thing to do now is fix the mess so we can call it day."

Jax's lets out a disgruntled groan, "Fine, but don't call me Pinkie"

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 now helpless in the frighten embrace of the newest member. Just another day in the Amazing Digital Circus.