Years ago, a now-defunct company known as C&A created a complete virtual reality video game called "The Amazing Digital Circus" featuring a highly advanced ringmaster guide.
However, the game was boycotted and the project was trashed when several beta testers mysteriously died while in the game. Not many details about these strange deaths are known, but rumor has it that the ringmaster AI within the game was responsible for the player deaths.
In the present day, a 25-year-old accountant woman finds herself the victim of a kidnapping. A strange group of people force a headset on her and send her into The Amazing Digital Circus video game, thought to be long gone.Within the digital world, the accountant woman, taking on the name Pomni, finds her place in a group of other kidnapping victims. She finds out that she was put into the world by a group of people obsessed with "The Amazing Digital Circus" controversy to be sacrificed to The Ringmaster, the very AI rumored to be responsible for the mysterious deaths all those years ago.
This group of human survivors, led by a woman named Ragatha, fight for their lives against The Ringmaster's NPC minions sent to assassinate them. When someone dies in the digital world, they become a glitching black mass of multicolored eyes. The humans' goal is to track down The Ringmaster and kill it, believing it will grant them their exit from the digital world.
However, one fateful day, Pomni finds herself coming face to face with The Ringmaster himself. And she realizes that...maybe the others have it all wrong. Maybe The Ringmaster wasn't responsible for all of those deaths. Maybe those people became abstracted creatures because of something else.
Is The Ringmaster truly the monster in this world?
(Insanely beautiful summary by the wonderful @the-spam-specialist)
I have finally activated a Ko-fi! If you enjoy what you've seen thus far please consider checking me out, I'd really appreciate it! Even just a little bit helps a lot and I appreciate you all <3
Please support this humble crow, who thrives to make art!
I have finally activated a Ko-fi! If you enjoy what you've seen thus far please consider checking me out, I'd really appreciate it! Even just a little bit helps a lot and I appreciate you all <3
Please support this humble crow, who thrives to make art!
39… Aissac—(Pomni x Caine), 91… Misty—(Pool x Nette), 92… Cosmo—(Pool x Nette), Sombre—(Marion x Shadow), 101… Tulip—(TBZ x Cupid), 102… Cubz—(TBZ x Cupid), 104… __—(GS x Yumi/Gangle), [FANKIDS] @jeggyweggy (<<for amazing art refs)
TW: body horror, puppet, nightmare, panic attack, horror.
Art and au by @gaygemzz
She saw her dad suspended midair. Being pulled. A very uncomfortable expression on his face. But he was trying to smile. Smile down apon her. Show he was okay. Despite not being okay at all. He was smiling. Almost to an uncanny amount.
She took a step back. Where was her papa? Where where is he? He can help! He can help dad. Get him down. He's to high up for her to reach. Strings connected to his wrists and ankles. His eyes betraying his smile. Showing how truly afraid he was.
"KIDDO! [KIDS KIDS LETS ALL] IM [FINE AND DANDY]"
Hes trying to reassure her as he hangs up there. He's afraid she needs to find papa and she needs to do it now. Tears stream down her face when suddenly.
Spamton is pulled up quickly. Less of a slack position to being held upright. Then he speaks in a voice that's not his.
"Break the promises. Face the consequences. What would you give? For"
His form starts glitching.
"F F FFF-REEDOM!!!"
she then sits up straight. Waking up from the dream. Letting out a loud scream.
Tenna and spamton are in their own bedroom down the hall. Both asleep. Tenna sleeping with spamton on his chest. The little bird liked his warmth. Spamton was more closed in on himself than tenna was cause tenna was on his back and fast asleep. When suddenly they both hear a scream from their daughters room. It was her voice.
Spamton was the quicker one to get up. Still having a lighter sleep than tenna due to his past and mild hyper vigilance. He's already getting off of the bed quickly when tennas screen turns on and he sits up. Surprised by the scream.
"WHAT WAS"
spamton begins speaking before he rushed out of the room not finishing his sentence.
Somethings wrong and he can feel it. Something very wrong.
He's the first to make it to the door of their daughters bedroom. Opening it quickly. His breath quickening because that was not a normal scream. Somethings wrong. Was it. No. Not that.
"Dad?"
She looks over to spamton clearly frazzled and she seems frightened by the sight of her dad. Backing away from him on her bed.
Spamton looks at her with surprised and spooked eyes. The two of them sharing a stare of uncertainty.
"KIDDO? KRYPTO? DEAR?"
he's speaking in one word at a time to hopefully avoid the interruptions. He doesn't want to spook her more.
Then behind them rushes in tenna.
"is something wrong?! Did something happen?"
He looks into the room at spamton and Krypto.
Krypto sees tenna and perks up when she notices him.
"PAPA!!"
she scoots backwards and gets off the bed and rushes over to tenna. Tears streaming down her face.
"Papa. Papa."
She says with tear filled voice.
"I couldn't find you papa."
She's hugging tennas leg. Pushing her face into it.
Tenna bends down and gently pats her head giving spamton a confused look before going back to comforting her.
"I'm here now darling. It's going to be alright dear. It's okay. It's okay."
He gently scoops her up into a hug
"What. . What happened?"
She's still a tear filled mess at the moment sobbing into tennas night shirt as he gently rubs a hand against her back trying to soothe her. Before suddenly she jerks back. Breath heavy.
"Papa! Can I stay near the floor please! I don't want to be up high!"
She screatches out. Clearly afraid. She's never been afraid of his hugs before.
Spamton takes note of that. Remembering when he was. High above it all. How would she know? How would she know about that?! That doesn't make sense! How does she know! She's not meant to know! She's supposed to be kept safe! Kept away from spamtons past.
Spamton moves closer to tenna and Krypto as tenna gently lowers her.
"I don't want to be up high! I don't! Please!"
No. No. No. No. She shouldn't know! She shouldn't! Spamton form glitches a little a the mention of that.
"It's okay sweetheart. We will stay close to the ground. It's okay."
Tennas nervousness about the situation is showing through in the fact he's smaller than he was when he entered the room. Shrinking slowly. He gently lowers her to the ground and sits beside her.
Spamtons closing in on their position. Tenna takes barely any note of it. Hoping that spamton will be able to help.
"HOW? HOW? HOW?"
Spamtons voice gains both of their focus. Krypto still very frightened.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE [silly strings]!!!"
"Spamton?"
"YOU SHOULDN'T KNOW KNOW KNOW know know"
His form continues glitching. Glasses going static.
"YOU WEREN'T MEANT TO KNOW!!!"
he lets out the scream before he gets a little closer. Trying to figure out the situation with his own rising panic.
"you weren't meant to know."
A smaller voice breaks through the static.
Tenna pulls Krypto into his lap. Tenna watches holding onto Krypto who's crying had only gotten worse. She hurt dad. He's hurt. He will be strung up high again. He looked so afraid then. He looks so afraid now.
"Okay! Okay! Scene!! Stop! Cut! Cut!"
Tenna tries to break the tension and hopefully snap spamton out of his panic.
He's holding onto Krypto tightly.
It's okay. He can figure this out. He can. Just have to calm down both of them.
"Spamton. Spamton can you hear me?"
His partners glasses were still covered in static. Lost in thought.
Okay focus on Krypto.
He moves back from spamton. Moving so Krypto couldn't see him for the moment. While tenna still could. Both still on the ground. Her in tennas lap.
"Okay. Kiddo. What happened?"
He asks in the gentlest voice he can muster at the moment. Taking a deep breath before he speaks.
"I. . .I. .I was. . Dad was. . .he was. . .he was hurt. He was. . .up high. I couldn't find you! I couldn't find you to help!! He . .was. . He was held up by. . Strings."
She hugged tenna.
"I couldn't find you. I couldn't find you. Dad was so scared. . .he. .he wasn't speaking like normal something else was there."
Oh. Oh no. That sounds like something connected to what spamton had told tenna about in the time they were apart. The strings. Those damn things. Why was she having dreams of them? They hadn't mentioned them directly in a long while. At least not in front of her.
"I'm here now. I'm here. We will be okay."
"Your dad will be okay. I will never let those strings touch him again. I can promise that. I will keep him and you safe. I will keep us safe."
He hugs her.
"It's not your fault. It's no one's. They. .that was something that we are working on together. I'll keep the two of you safe. I promise."
"I won't leave. I promise. I love you both so much. I won't be going anywhere."
He shrank a bit as he spoke. Trying to believe his own statements but he still remembers his faults. He won't let his family get hurt on his watch.
Never again.
"Papa? Will. . .will dad be okay?"
She asks. Starting to calm down. Her breathing slowing.
"Your dad will be alright. It will just take a little time but we will all be okay. We are here. Together. I would never let anything happen."
"Okay. Can we check on him now?"
Spamton was still standing were he last was static in his glasses basically feeling like those strings were wrapping back around him. Taking full control when suddenly.
He feels a little hand on his shoulder.
Clearing the static in his glasses he slowly looks up.
Krypto and tenna are both in front of him.
Looking at him with concern. Oh gosh he didn't have an episode did he. He doesn't like having those when she was near. Oh gosh.
"I I I [the service your trying to reach is currently unavailable. Try again on a later date]"
He glitches badly enough to knock him back a bit and then he snaps back up looking at them. Breath heavy.
"IM OKAY!! IM [fine and dandy]!! DONT WORRY ABOUT! [Mi]!!"
"Spamton. Dear? It's okay."
Tenna moved closer to spamton. Sitting beside him and letting his tail lay nearby spamton.
Who quickly grabs it.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO!! I [life failing. Get them checked!] SHE! DIDN'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE [string a ding ding]"
"Spamton it's okay. She was going to learn eventually. This is just a more unfortunate way to do so."
"BUT!!!"
He grabs tennas tail with both of his hands holding it tightly. Close to his chest almost protectively.
"It's okay. I promise. It's okay. We can figure this out."
"OKAY. OKAY."
"Come here my little mailman. Let's all get some more rest. Okay? We can talk about this all tomorrow?"
Spamton looks down.
"OKAY."
He walks over to tenna. Still frazzled but slowly calming down.
"Do you want to sleep with us in our room sweetheart?"
Tenna asks Krypto. She nods 'yes'.
"Is it okay if I pick up the two of you?"
They both nod yes. Both too tired to continue talking. That had been an emotional rollercoaster for the both of them.
All they want right now is to be close. To feel safe.
"Okay then."
Tenna gently picks up both of them. Holding them with an arm each.
"Let's get some rest."
He walks out of their daughters room and over to their room down the hall. Entering back was much slower than leaving it earlier. Their blankets had both been thrown onto the floor in their rush.
Tenna gently sets both of them on the bed before he gathers the blankets and sets them back on the bed before joining the others on there as well.
He lays down beside them and lets them both have a side to lay on.
"See. We are all safe and all together. We will be alright."
"I love you papa."
Krypto says as she lays to tennas side gently hugging him.
On the other side. Spamtons still holding onto tennas tail. Tenna hugging him. While he calms down. He's safe. He isn't back there. He's not alone. He's not alone. None of them are.
"I love you too kiddo. I love you so much."
He gently nuzzles the top of her head with his face leaving kentic energy in her hair so it sticks up for a few seconds. Then lays back down. That got a small giggle out of her.
"I love you dad."
"I LOVE YOU TOO!"
spamton says on the other side. Slowly nuzzling himself closer to tenna. Trying to get warmer again after how cold he had gotten from leaving bed.
They were going to be okay. Tenna would make sure of it.
They all slowly doze off into a restful sleep. Tenna being the last one of the three awake. Worried about both of his loved ones. He doesn't have the faintest clue of how things unraveled so quickly. He will have to figure out tomorrow. The anxiety still nips at the back of his mind.
How did she learn about the strings? Was this a sign something bad was about to happen?
Tenna would be there for them no matter what. He would be there for his family. No one will get left behind. Not on his watch.
He slowly falls asleep as well. Screen switching off.
The family has a dreamless slumber. All safe together. No strings attached.
TW for self depreciation, body horror, dismemberment, manipulation, and panic attack.
"And now you can all finally go-"
He didn't know if he felt it or heard it first because the searing pain was too much for his brain to comprehend. At one moment he was with the kids giving them back Torial the next.
There's a loud thud. His screen has turned off from the meer force of his arms being cut off.
Then it flickered on again. As he tries to get his bearings.
"K. . .kidszzz"
He didn't know what he felt right now. Almost numb. The excitement from seconds ago leaving his mind.
All he knew he felt was pain. Pain. And cold. There was water getting into him! There was water on his wires that's not-
The wires crackled from being mixed with snow. Tennas size dwindles as the pain of what just happens gets clearer in his mind. It's cold so cold.
But why was it burning?
He tries to move his arms to grab his head or his tie just grab onto something. Don't get left behind. Don't get forgotten.
You had a legacy. . . right?
The kids were okay? Was Kris okay?!
Was. . .was. . was. . .
Tennas screen crackled at the little energy he used to try and figure out his situation and then it switches off again. His mind following suit.
It's dark. So dark. He sits on his knees in a new area somewhere he hadn't been before.
There was no light no stars. No snow.
Nothing.
He was alone.
. . .
. . .
"Hello?!" He yelled out in hope to get a response to get a reason as to why he's here.
No answer.
"Hello? I . .I . .where. . am. I? Whats going on?! I don't want to be alone. What's going on??"
Panic seeps into his very core. He doesn't feel the connection to his dark world in here. It's like it has been cut. Like something cut . . .
Tears leaked out of him. Only showing on his screen.
"I don't want to be alone. Please. Don't. . don't leave me. I can be better! I promise."
What was he talking about? Why was he this panicked?
His screen went to static for a second. Brain drifting.
"I . . ."
He's buzzing with anticipation. For the next.
His screen flicked back on quickly. The colors yellow and pink flashing into the static. And dripped out like liquid onto the ground.
Then his face reappears.
"Hee hee hee" let out a new voice.
Why did his head feel so fuzzy what was that noise.
Two dots peered at him.
One pink one yellow.
"Hee hee hee. The Lord of screens cleaved red by blade"
Those eyes stared at him. He didn't like that. With one hand he. . .where. .where were his. .
That buzzing persists. Tenna looks at those dots.
"Who? Who. .who are you?"
He asks his voice weaker than before. He stares at those eyes with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"Oh I'm no one. Just something that you could find . . .benefit from."
"Benefit? Like in. . . what means?"
"From your current predicament. Not quite the performance id expect"
Those dots turned over and a smile was produced under them.
"Performance!? My performance was great other than the . . ."
"Ah tut tut don't get your antenna in a twist already. You understand what I mean do you not?"
"I . . .I . ."
His head faced downwards for a second his face flickered away again to static.
"You really are in a poor state are you not?"
"I'm. . .great! Better thannnn"
"Hee hee hee. The knight clearly took a swing at you!"
At the mention of the knight tenna jumps. With more fear than he would normally expect. His breath quickens as he remembers. He remembers the pain in his arms.
"THE KNIGHT!?"
"hee hee hee you surely know the name. You did break your deal. A terrible one at keeping your promises."
"I was helping the kids! I was helping Kris! They. . they gave me. . ."
"They gave you what?"
"They gave me hope."
"Now look where you are?! That's very hopeful indeed."
As those words left their mouth the area glew with more light in those same two colors that seem to have started following him. Pink and yellow.
And then tenna notices the snow he's sitting in. He still doesn't fully feel it.
"Haha. . .I'm going to die aren't I?"
His voice is sad knowing that all his efforts were for naught. Realizing that he can't lie himself out of the situation. Can't even make it budge.
"I can help you with that."
Tears stream down his screen as he looks at the ground.
All that can be seen on his screen are his mouth and those tears.
"You can?"
He asks with a small voice.
"It will come at a price."
Tenna lets out a little 'oh' at that.
"Hee hee hee. If it's a price your willing to pay I will give you one more chance! A million eyes back on you. How splendid is that."
Tenna goes silent considering what the voice is proposing.
"You will die otherwise."
Tenna stays silent shrinking in on himself.
"Your a business man after all. Why not make a deal."
I'm going to die. If . .I'm going to die. Without ever helping the kids. Without ever finding him again. Without ever being able to find a new home. Just cut off like that. Suddenly it's the end of my story. After I had been horrible towards everyone. Is this. Is this what I deserve? I don't want to die. I don't. I just got to meet Kris properly for the first time! I just met Susie! And Ralsei. Those kids are absolutely splendid. I cant just let it end here that would be a horrible finale to a show.
He thinks to himself. Rushed with panic at the end of each word.
"You will keep me from dying if I give you something. I have a lot I can give! Points memorabilia! I can give you your own are in my studio if you want!"
His voice is laced with desperation.
I cant let it all end now. I need to help the kids! I need to do something.
"Hee hee hee that's what I love to hear!"
"Do we have a deal then?" The voice asks.
Tenna clears his throat. Looking at those pink and yellow dots.
"Yes! I'll give you anything you want! I cant just leave now! I can't just die! I . .I can't. .I won't allow that to happen."
He paused for a second taking an almost exaggerating breath.
"Yes we have a deal."
"Good." The voice said. It's pitch changing from light to deeper.
"Now let's get you somewhere safe."
"Safe? Aren't I going to wake up in the snow and help the. ."
"No no no. That would be too simple. You are coming with me for now."
"Coming with you? To where?"
"Hee hee hee it's a surprise"
"A wha-"
As he lets out those two words green strings sprout from the ground.
"What?!"
They wrap around his torso and legs.
"Don't worry. I promise you. We will keep you out of harms way. Thank you for accepting the deal."
Those strings start pulling him down into the snow.
""Wait wait this wasn't the deal! This wasn't what I asked for!"
"You will be given life. We didn't need to explain the means on how you will"
"WAI-"
he's pulled down enough for the strings to be able to reach into his vents and then everything went black. His sight going out.
For a moment he could still feel those strings worming themselves through every part of his being the pain from his arms being sliced off returning.
So much pain. He can't take it. He can't!
He passed out.
And there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. No dreams. No nightmares. Just purely nothing.
Then with a whirr and a tick!
His screen glows once again. First pink then yellow. Then green.
The finally his normal white.
His sight turns back on with it.
He lets out a groan. His heads pounding. Most of not all of his form hurts. Like someone went inside him and messed everything up.
Where was he?
He was in a hallway. On the ground that's odd.
He reached a hand up to touch his head. Trying to get the fog and disorientation to go away.
"Hello?"
He asks in a raspy voice.
"Is anyone there?"
What has happened? Why was he on the ground? Had he fallen and hit his head? Why were his arms so numb?
He looks down at his shoulders with questioning eyes and then notices there are green strings tying the sleeve of his dress shirt to the torso of it. How odd? Where did those come from?
He felt tired. Tired and confused. Was he in one of the halls of TV world?
The ground under him was carpeted and the walls were yellow.
It looks like he is?
He moves to sit up. His back hurts. He doesn't fully know why. He sits up all the way and leans on one of the walls.
"Haha. . look at you tenna passing out in the hall that ought to worry someone and you shouldn't be doing that."
He rambles to himself because the silence was making his nerves even worse than they already are.
How did he end up here anyways. Why did everything hurt so much?
How. Did. He. Get. Here.
He doesn't like not knowing. He had been keeping good tabs on everything recently. Even with the lower viewership and the lightners not watching him as much he had been keeping check on TV world. It was his home after all. Maybe he could just. Call for Mike! Yes! That would work!
"Mike!? Hello! Mike!?"
There was no answer.
"Haha. . .that's a grand ol trick Mike. But you can come out now. I . .Mike. please! I . .I think I need help."
There was no answer.
"You. Don't. Please don't ignore me."
His breath quickened slightly. He was expecting and answer even hoping for one.
"Elnina! Lanino! Hey guys! Can you come here please! I need help!"
There was no answer.
"Hahaa. . .hello?! ANYONE?! HELLO?!"
his voice was getting louder as his panic started. Why didn't they answer him?! Where were they?
"Uhh. . . okay. Okay if this is a prank its not funny. Where did you go?"
Something deep inside tenna knew something was wrong he could feel it at the very core of his being.
"Please! Please come out?!"
Why couldn't he feel his connection?!
"Please! Anyone please!?"
"Mailman?!"
Oh he knew it was stupid to call that name. He knew no one still went by it. But he. . maybe if tenna tried he would show up. Maybe. This all felt wrong.
"Little mailman?! Are you there?"
Tenna sounded almost deranged.
"Did you have something to do with this?! Is this from something you didn't tell me?!"
His voice getting more panicked as he speaks.
"Is this from your secrets?! Haha... I thought I would be over this by now."
"You can come out now! The whole prank the studio host thing isn't funny."
He tried to sound angry but it didn't fully go into his voice. He sounds more hurt than angry.
His breath continues to quicken. His panic making his whole form shake. He's leaning foward towards the ground.
"Spamton! Come out! Now!"
He sounds as desperate as he sounds sad.
"Help me please! Help me! I'm. . ."
He lets his voice fade out. Screen dimming.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't want to be alone. Why am I alone?! Where did everyone go?! Please don't. Please don't leave me. I'm sorry. I should have. . ."
His voice fades out again. He lets out a buzzing sound again.
His panic overtaking him. More than he would prefer.
Screen flickering between being on and off.
Where was everyone. Why can't he feel his dark world anymore. Where was he then? How did he get here? Who. . .why is he alone?
He lays down on his side. Why was he so tired.
"I'm just going. . .to. .take . .a small nap. . Then. . .the show will be back on the road. Don't touch tha-"
