Not only is it the size chart, but also a final look at their Sweet Acre outfits. I didn't give Zooble one on the first drafts since I wanted to focus on the parts they would be wearing first. My passion for this hasn't died due to the final episode but only add more fuel to the fire.
Sadly, there's no room for Caine. He'll get his own page.
Since things might get harder to track later. I figured making a main post would help keep things together. Please bear with me while I learn how to make links on my phone.
The Amazing Digital Circus: A Circus Carol
Warning: Contents of this fan project may contain mild sexual implications, swearing, Non proof reading, violence, self inflicting pain/hurt, child abuse, Trama, Dark themes, Death, and Jax. Veiwer discretion is advised. This is NOT SAFE for sensitive minds.
Synopsis: Pomni believed she was getting used to the crazy life in the Digital Circus. That is, until another human enters the stage. This new member seemed unfaze at the fact that she was here or that she had no name. With strange things going on inside and outside the Adventures. Can Pomni and her friends find the source of the chaos while trying to uncover the mysterious of the newbie's past, present, and future in The Amazing Digital Circus?
Story:
Chapter 1: Another Day?
Chapter 2: Adventures Past
Chapter 3: Bringing Light to the Darkness
Chapter 4: Sweet Serenity
Chapter 5: Just Desserts (0%)
Chapter 6: A Sticky Situation
Chapter 7: Adventures Present
Chapter 8: Tides that Bind
Chapter 9: A Storm Brewing
Chapter 10-20: TBA
Concept Art:
Pomni
Ragatha
Gangle and Zooble
Caine and Bubble
Kinger and Jax
Lorak
Story Art
Running with the Centar (Warning there is episode 9 content at the end)
Warning: Contents of this fanfiction may contain mild sexual implications, swearing, Non proof reading, violence, self inflicting pain/hurt, Trama, Dark themes, Death, and Jax. Veiwer discretion is advised. This is NOT SAFE for sensitive minds.
Chapter 1: Another Day?
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.
"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.
"H-hey," Pomni whispers,"A-are you okay?"
"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.
Warning: Contents of this fanfiction may contain mild sexual implications, swearing, Non proof reading, violence, self inflicting pain/hurt, Trama, Dark themes, Death, and Jax. Veiwer discretion is advised. This is NOT SAFE for sensitive minds.
Chapter 2: Adventures Past
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 centaur 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-taur? 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 escapee 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 the 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. Scares 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 centaur. 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.
As promised, here's Caine. Yes, he gets two outfits because he needs a bee suit for his bee buddies. And yes, him licking honey of his glove is a spoiler, but I won't say 'When' in the story that takes place.
I did do some color, but I don't think I'll do it often. The colors just don't look right to me. I really should bite the bullet and upgrade myself so I can go back to digital drawing again.
6/23*Edit: I just realized I messed up on his head on the bee suit. His mouth isn't supposed to be connected like that. DX
I managed to edit them on my phone. Now my anxiety can relax and let me get back to writing!
Warning: Contents of this fanfiction may contain mild sexual implications, swearing, Non proof reading, violence, self inflicting pain/hurt, Trama, Dark themes, Death, and Jax. Veiwer discretion is advised. This is NOT SAFE for sensitive minds.
Writes note: There is a cheat sheet at the end of the chapter for words that you may not be familiar with. Please let me know if I missed any
An unfamiliar silence looms in the digital tent. Their egotistical and all-powerful AI host. Just rush off into his own handcrafted adventure with the naive newbie by his side. All eyes look to the milk and honey colord portal. Now filled with even more doubt about what awaits them on the other side. A roll of their miss sized eyes later, Zooble starts walking.
"Where are you going?" Jax badgers them, "the tents that way." He points behind himself.
Zooble stops their blue and yellow spotted right thigh grazes the gateway, "I know, I still owe her an apology. Plus..." they take a dramatic pause, "If Caine going to be joining us, then I can't possibly pass this one." She turns her pink head back to them. A wicked twinkle in her swirl eye.
The purple one tickles his chin, a devilish grin blooms from his pondering face, "Well, farming simulations aren't really my thing, buuuttt I'm always up for a HOOTenannny." He casually strolls to the golden gate, tips his invisible cowboy hat to the gals, and gives a shark tooth arm shake before taking a step into the unknown.
Ragatha takes one last look at her reflection. Pushing her new curly locks off to one side. Determination fills her three finger hand, clamping the compact shut. She pulls back on her dress collar to store the mirror safely inside. She marches ahead with a fire in her eye. The cautions ribbon and empty headed elder close behind. Zooble lets the others go first and joins after, leaving the court clown alone.
Anxious thoughts tare on her brain, but she shakes her head and runs thru the door. The scene of gold and white unveils a sky of azure blue with marshmallows clouds. A cool, gentle breeze glide thru the tall blades of grass. Admiring the horizon at the edge of the hillside. Stands the white freakled girl and the smiling showman floating by her side.
She perks her ears up and turns around to greet the new arrivals. "There you are! Love the outfits!"
Pomni pauses, then looks at herself. The toony gloves once red and blue were silky white. Her silly suit was replaced with a similar two toned color flannel shirt with denim jeans. She feels her hat, no longer the oversized top with bells jingling in face. But a bandana cap protecting her hair from the sun drop star in the sky.
All the others admire their new wardrobe as well. Jax still bore the signature overall. However, he rolls up the sleeves of his red and white flannel. Kinger played with the violet summer scarf, complimenting the simple white top with a blue vest and black bottoms. Gangle removes the straw hat and giggles that her outfit reminds her of the main character of a classic show. Zooble looked content in her grey and yellow uniform, and Ragatha does a little twirl in her non patch blue dress with apron.
She adjusts the bee pin on her ascot, "They are quite lovely, but where's yours?" The gingers query does make Lorak take a look at herself. Unlike the others, the only article of clothing she had was her fanny pack and the matching hat she rode in with.
"Well, we can't have that now, can we?" A smile and a snap of finger materialize a bold red blouse. She feels the jet velvet collar and arm bands. The sleeves had silk flowers laced with vines embroidery. A sun and crescent moon rest under the collar. One dance with stars and the other tied with more flowers.
She looks up to him and matches his grin, "I love it! Thank you!" She tips her hat to him, and he returns in kind, "You should get dressed up to."
"Oh, I'm already dressed," Caine dramatic gesters at his signature threads, "Beside as I mentioned before, I'm just here to observe. So there's really no need for ME to change."
"You sure about that?" Her teasing tone raises a teethbrow, "I mean, no offense, but uhh...you kinda stick out like a sore tooth." She makes a wall with her hand and directs his attention to the cast. Everyone's country style suits did make his attire look a bit out of place.
He taps his bottum frontteeth,"You do make a fine point... Very Well! I'll 'Saddle' for the occasion." Another snap of his finger his red suit transforms to a normal dress long sleeve. A black vest with tassles match the cowboy leggings and boot combo. To cover the grey demins he spawn underneath. He grabs the rim of his top hatband with a twittle of his four fingers. He reaches inside and turns inside out. A cowboy hat pops in its place and he plops it back to the hover over his back gums. "What do you think? Am I ready for the hoedown or what~"
He snaps finger guns at her, but her cherry deminer starts to sour. The hand that blocks her mouth from the others now hides it from him, "Somethings...off..." Caine feels a little tense with her blue raspberry eyes scanning every inch of his frame. They suddenly light up, and a snap of her fingers later she reaches for her bag.
A large see-through plastic baggie is pulled out. Inside were tiny shapes of different sizes and colors. She opens it and scrummitage inside, her fingers digging around and pushing the circles and swirls around. Finally, a glittery gold star is pulled out with triumphant fan fare. She puts the bag back in her bag along with the bit of paper she pulls from the back of it. The brunette sticks the star firmly of the left chest. His heterochromia pupils sparkle brighter than the sticker itself.
"Now you're ready to rustle up some bandits~" She snaps finger guns back to him, and he lets out a big belly laugh.
"Oh no~ that was last time -" He desperately covered his teeth, but the words had already drifted to the others.
"Last time...?" Pomni retorts, she bends down and takes a handful of terra. Underneath the 'grass' was pink and tan sand like soil. She pops a blade in her mouth and chews it slowly. Her pinwheel eyes shrink in shock. They all stare as she lets the contents fall to the ground and licks the pink particles off her glove, "Sugar...Are we back in the Candy Kingdom?"
"Candy Kingdom?" The pony girl let's out a playful yuck turning back to Caine, "And here I thought you didn't get my reference. But I don't see any...Oh wait there it is!" She looks around and then points to something behind them.
From where the portal once was, an island far off in the distance stood. A sea of baha soda water stood between it and the candy cliff they stood atop off. Team Sweet Fangs joins them behind Jax, Pomni, and Ragatha. The lady takes a toy telescope out of her pack and gets a better look at the castle nestled behind the rock candy walls. Wafle cone towers stood tall among the macaroon rock spires and lollipop trees.
"Yes, sirie Bob, that the Candy Canyon Kingdom alright," said Kinger.
"Candy Canyon Cin..." She sticks out her toung in failure, "Try saying that five times fast." She goes back to the view, "You know I think I like this kingdoms design better than the one in Adventure Ti-IIYAA!" He shrink not only started them but almost made her lose the lens over the edge.
Zooble berate her, "Why are you screaming!?"
"FUDGE!" Her answer gave them blank faces, "Da-Tha-THING from last night!" Frantically, she picks up Pomni and places her tiny frame on her shoulders, handing her the spyglass and points towards the castle again.
"LOOK!" A bit frazzled by the sudden piggie back ride. The ivory lass shakes it off and takes a look thru the lens. The wafer drawbridge was rising back up as the beast that once overtook the stage was dragged away from the pink icing walls in a candy cane cage. Pulled by blue and red figures on sugar glass horses.
"Looks like it's being taken away from the palace."
"Oh!" The doll slams her fist, "They must have finally caught him after...umm. " She covers her mouth in shame.
"After...what?" The centaur encourages her to continue.
However, the funny guy interjects, "After it strolled inside and started eating everyone!" He mimics a chain chomp to sell it. Actually freaking the newbie out and nearly made them push her brush buddy off the side.
"And that clearly wasn't your fault by leaving the gate unlocked?" Zooble mocks him.
"There will be no comments from the 'Super Grump' who didn't even participate. Besides, it got its sweet commuffins in the end, so no real harm..."
His motor mouth gets jammed with a fistful of candy grass. Courtesy of devil wing Grump themselves, "How do you like those commuffins?"
He swallows it and gives them his cheshire grin, " Sour Grape, my favorite~"
"Yeah, you would be a Sour Patch Kid, wouldn't you~" Lorak playful jabs Jax in the shoulder.
He rubs his shoulder in disgust, "Don't ever call me that."
"Duely noted." The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife...
"SO!" The girl with the bow try to lighten the mood, "Where's the ranch we're supposed to go help?"
"Just pass the village down there." She escorts her button eye partner back to where she and Caine once stood. The rider on her shoulders keeps a firm grip on the collar. She takes a look thru the spy glass to see the land they would be visiting. A cozy cottage nestle between barns and stables. Not far from it lays a small row of houses and stores.
A thought dawns in Pomni's mind, "How are we supposed to get down there from all the way up here?"
"Easy, Ponyta here can give us -" He tries to put his yellow glove on her rear, but she jerks her flank before it even tickles it.
"Not happening!"
"What, we all know you can handle all of us~"
"Last night was an emergency and in case you forgot; I had to carry two of you in my arms," She provides her counterargument as she gentle put the one she was referring to on the ground, "Plus, You're banned until further notice for your careless Buster!" She sternly places her index in the empty spot where his nose would be if he had one.
He slaps her hand away, "Don't call me that."
"Duely noted."
Her stern stare softens when the Lonestar announces, "Not to worry, my troubled travelers. Your escorts should be arriving right about...."He rolls up his sleeve to stare at the wacky watch on his wrist. "...now!"
A high bubbly whinny whistles in their ears. All seventeen eyes look down the light brown sugar road. A small dust cloud roars closer with the sound of racing hooves. Three silhouette riders can be seen as the four glass candy horses arrive at the end of the apple tree trail. Before the dust settles, the lead rider hops off his horse and approaches the group.
"G'day, Mates!" The voice sends goosbumps down Pomni arms. A green and yellow gummy person stolls over to the party. Lightly patting the sugar dust off his chocolate colored drover coat. He lifts rim of his akubra hat to let his white rim eyes and crocodile smile shine bright. "Welcome to Sugardust Valley. My name is Gummigoo. My brothers and I would be stoked to give you a ride to the ranch. Also, I like to give my full hearted thanks for helping us out in our darkest hour. We apologize for any trouble we have caused." He takes his hat off in respect.
"No trouble at all, Mr Goo." Lorak extends a hand to the gentlecroc.
"Oh please, Mr. Goo is my father. Just call me Gummigoo." He extends his sunny yellow and white hand as well. She gives a firm handshake it while repeating his name back.
The zany showman pops by them. "Perfect timing, partner!"
"Thank you, boss," he rebrands his hat to tip it to him in return. "I brought the extra horse as you requested."
While the two chat, Lorak gave Pomni shoulder a light tap. Knocking her out of the clouds she was walking on.
"You alright there, Koko?" She whispers, "Your face is redder than red bean paste."
She holds her cheeks in embarrassment, "Is it!? Well, I mean, I was hoping to see him again, but I didn't expect to see him... wearing such a...ensemble..." Her red and blues keep checking how every fiber of the coat ensecuates his crocodile muscle tones. His laughter makes her sheepish smile.
"So... you know him?"
"Hmm... Oh yeah! Gummigoo and his brothers are from previous adventures WAY before your time~" her snark grants her a wtf look from the senior yarn. Which in turn makes her let out a bit of a guilty chukle.
"Let me guess, you were the new girl before I showed up, right?"
She rubs the back of her bandana head. "Ye... yeah."
"Did it feel good?" The Cenny leans down to elbows her shoulder jokingly.
"Well... yeah."
"It's fine, just as long as you don't get up to Violets level of mockery, that is." She says loud enough for him to hear.
"Don't call me Violet," he immediately declares, "For your information, my fur tone is a bold Heather."
"Heather?"
"Yes, and just like that Scottish bloom, I got nothing but good luck on my side." Jax confident struts over to the spare horse. He tries to place his hand on its licorice leather saddle. Yet the amber pony bitterly whinnies and reings up in an attempt to kick him. Quickly, the two other brothers get off their steeds. The bigger one grabs the horse, and the smaller gets the boy out of range.
"Careful! Butterscotch is very fickle about who approach them." The raspberry and grape one explains while the cherry and lemon tends to the angry colt who sends a crude snort his way.
"Why did you bring that one then?"
"We only had four horses left," said the other brother while calming Butterscotch down. "The boss said one of you was an expert on horses and believed they could handle him." All but Kinger, look to the blue lass. She felt the pressure was on but didn't let her newfound confidence break. She rushes over to the lone tree near where Caine floated earlier. Spying the brightly shiny apples hidden amoung the peppermint leaves. Firmly grasping the milk chocolate bark, she shakes the trunk vigorously.
"Uhh, Ragatha...do you need a..." Gangle takes a step towards her but halts when she replies;
"No! No, thank you! I got this!" She continues to rock the tree furiously. More, and more leaves drift down to her boots. The sound of fruit ploping into an open palm ends the struggle. She turns a button eye upward to find her pony pal caught the prize she sought before it hit her head.
"Here you are, Raini"
"Oh, thank you." She takes the food from her, "Wait...what did you say?"
"Raini, is that okay for your nickname?"
"That's Perfect~" Jax smirks, "A name that reflects just how much of a drip she really is!" His words stung her, rubbing her cloth arm.
"Even though rain is good for nourishing frail crops and renewing life in harsh soil. That's not the truth behind her name, Dusty!"
"Dusty?"
"Yeah, like those sad little grey swirls blowing Hot Air in the lonely desert," Her words sour his mood and lowered his ears. Then, a reassured hand is placed on the defendant's stiff shoulder, "Go ahead, Raini." She stares at the warm expression on their face. A moment to collect herself, she gracefully approaches Butterscotch.
The horse notices her and begins to snort and stamp his hooves. It reings up to show dominance despite the caretaker holding the reings. Ragatha stops a few feet away from him and holds the apple out at arms length. The amber colt judges the lass. Her face shows not fear or maliace but respect. She nods to the brother to release him. The stallion slowly approaches her, their stance undeterred. He takes a few whiffs of the peace offering before chowing down happily. Taking the opportunity, she softly pets the candy fauna smooth neck. Once he finishes the treat, he nuzzles his snoot on her cheek.
As she returns the hug, Zooble has a thought, "Wouldn't candy eating candy be considered...?"
"Candi-balism?" Lorak finishes their sentence. Her pun making the host chuckle, "Don't worry, everything is sugar. Except for the food." She lightly kicks the trunk with her rear left hoof, and a few apples fall into her arms. She takes one and toss it towards them. They examine the fruit closely. As she said, not a trace of confectionery could be seen on the red object.
Zooble, despite having no mouth, takes a bite. A crisp chomp is followed by blissful eyes. They gester their mask partner to try as well. She bites into the apple while it's still in her claw, and her big ovals grow more exponentially.
"This is delicious!" Gangle critiques.
"And they'll be plenty more delectable delicacies to try as we head down the road." Gummigoo assumes them, extending a hand out to Pomni, "Madam, would you grant Sugarshard and I the honor of being your escorts." His words bring more color to her cheeks. She bashful takes his hand as he whistles for his crystal clear steed. He easily lifts her up and places her on the black licorice saddle like a princess, then hops on behind her.
With a hiss thru his teeth, Jax grabs the shorter brother and hops on the coffee colored pony. The other extends a long hand to the Abstragity couple. They offered the spot to her, but she politely insisted they take insted. They accept, and he helps them up onto his steed. Gangle moves to Ragatha as she is lifted up onto Butterscotch saddle by Kinger. Who joined her shortly before the 'candi-balism' comment arouse. He also lifts her up and places her right in front of the happy rider.
Only after he grasp the reality smacking him right between his wonky eyes, "Guess I just lost the game."
"You can ride with me, Sofuge." Lorak offers stuffing the rest of the apples into her carryon.
"Sofuge? Why do you call him that?" The ribbon asks, the color on her facefur went as pale as her spots.
"Oh, I know!" Kinger perks up before she could speak, "It's because I'm 'so full of glee'~"
"... Yes, that's exactly right!" She breaks the awkward silence in the area. She sits down to give the elder a hand up on her back.
"Thank you kindly sweetpea."
"...You're welcome."
"ONWARD SPACE MONKEIES!" His nonsense cracks a smirk on her as she starts her treck down the orchard. With a light tug on Butterscotch's reigns, the ginger duo joins her side. All the girls and the father figure share a grin as they trot.
The lead gator clicks his pineapple flavor teeth, signaling Sugarshard to move along, "Max, take point, Chad on the right, I take the rear." The bros follows the command and moves into position while the big cainine boss floats overhead.
Pomni keeps a stern grip on the saddle horn at first, but slowly, the stiffness in her shoulders settles whilst taking in the scenery. Light from the golden afternoon sun adding color to the orchard. As the gentle breeze orchestrates a shadows waltz on the trail.
While she absorbs the colors, her eyes catch something, "Are those...oranges?"
"You got a keen eye, miss," Her escorts compliments.
"We grow all sorts of fruits," Chad explains, "Oranges, Peaches, Cherries, Pears, Bananas."
Max adds, "We also have a berry patch; Raspberries, Blueberries, Stawberries,"
"What about Snozzberries?" Jax quips.
"Oh no, we don't grow those. That's grown on another farm that's known for their herbs and flowers."," His rider assurance gets a frustrating groan in return.
"Speaking of, Heather," the toybox character begins, "I didn't know you had a soft spot for Flora."
"...what are you talking about?" A look that could kill is sent their way.
Feeling uncomfortable, the hybrid in the middle steps in, "Earlier! You said you were like the flower that blooms in Scotland..."
His beady eyes grow wide once more, "Oh! THAT! That was just something I picked up from a previous adventure. That was even before your time Poppy~" He winks over at his former 'evil' partner.
"Poppy...?"
"Ah yes, The Garden of Titillare; I remember it like it was two months ago," Caine sits down beside Kinger as his story unfolds, "Everyone was assigned to defend a part of a giant greenhouse from insidious invading vines that would tickle you until you pop."
"Pop? Like actually *pop*?" Lorak enforcing the last one by making the actual sound with her lips.
"Well, we were all were turned into flowers for that one. So the 'popping' just made us turn back to our normal selves. Which actually made the challenge more difficult..." The doll rubs the back of her neck.
"Really?" Pomni was intrigued, "wouldn't it be easier to fight as your normal selves rathar than flowers?"
"Not necessarily my curious Daisy, while your normal form gave you more mobility and access to the gardening tools. The flower form gives you control of your plot of land. Granting you the ability to command the plants to either attack or help your teammates."
"That sounds like a fair trade off, what made it so difficult?" Lorak continues the inquiries.
The fearful mask indirectly points to the reason, "Jax used the tools against us insted of the vines."
"I heard that!" His shout shake her so bad she frantically grabs her face, "I was doing you a favor since you hated your flowerbed." She tries to bury her face in her thin arms.
"What was your flower?"
She exposes a sad onxy eye to hers. "A white spider lily..."
"That's good." The mare's comment caught everyone of gaurd, "White ones represent good health and positivity."
"I...I had no idea." Her meek tone grows optimistic."I thought spider lilies just meant death."
"You're thinking of the Red ones. Which makes sense since those are more regonzied than the other colors. My mother loved the yellow ones, so I always left those on herrrr..." Her long r roll throws all presents, upper eyebrow up, even the ones with none to speak of, "Raini! What kind of flower were you? I bet it was a sunflower to match your 'Sunny' disposition."
Her over the top act help kept the flow going, "Actually, Kinger was a Sunflower, I was a Hydrangea, and Kaufmo was -"
"Kaufmo," Ragatha discoverers her mistake and cover mouth a bit too late, "who's Kauf"
"OH! LOOK! We made it to the villa...aaaa" She tries to change the subject but gets stuck onon the vowel.
Still thrown for a loop, she bites and looks ahead, "Woah..." The ride slowed to a halt just outside the village gate. The gangs mouth left a gap at the sight they beheld. Doors and windows bared shut with thick boards. Some broken and scattered on the damp ground. Shattered pottery, crushed boxes and barrels left askew beside scratches and dents on the walls.
"WOOOOW" Jax's o evolved to an oval, "What. A. DUMP!"
Gummigoo moves to the head of the pack, "Sorry about the mess folks. We're still cleaning up from the storm we had just the other night."
"Must had been a real whoppa to cause this much damage." She tips her hat up to get a better view.
"Fair Dinkum," Chad approves, "We're still dealing with the nasty zephyr's." Right on cue, a strong gust whips thru the lone road. Everyone holds on to their hats or seats while keeping their lids shut from the dust swirls.
Lorak's hat gets ripped out of her hands by the gale. She tries to retrieve it, but it sails just out of her reach. All watch helplessly as it soars higher towards the rattling rock candy rooftiles. A small shadow suddenly leaps into the air and catches the paper weaved cap. No one could make out their face for the person's dress unfirrls. The gust devolved into a breeze, and like pure snow, they gently descended from above.
She holds out her arms and catches the hero before their pink candy floss feet touch the ground. The circus gazes at the tiny munchkin. Their frilly daffodil Alice dress is safe under a clean apron with heart pockets . Pixie sticks arms and legs of pale and blush heightens her dainty form. Four puffy pink marshmellows circle her head while the fifth is smooth between it and the body like a neck pillow. The King and Caine lean over to get a glimpse of the little ones' face. Two big pairs of leaves hide her mouth while her big beady eyes blankly blink.
"...Hello." Her catcher softy spoke. The mini lasses squeeks. Her blush grows, digging her honey candy finger into the hats rim. Without warning, she shoves it right in the horses face and scrambles to free herself. With a plop on her cotton candy tush she hops up again and dashes away. She tries to call out to the girl, but the giant bow tied behind her already vanishes behind the building. Leaving her and the rest a bit confused at the event that unfolded.
The green ranger toy taps the rider's shoulder, "What was that about?"
"Oh, no worries, mate," said Chad, "SugarBelle just a wee bit shy around new visitors." From the corner of his yellow eye, he notices the newcomer staring down at her empty palm anxiously.
He got an idea, "You sure about that?" They all give him their undivided attention. "If I was that frail little daizey. I head for the hills to get away from the Big Scary MAN HORSE~"
She returns her crown to its rightful place, "First off; It's Horse WOMAN. Secondly, I don't want to hear it from the Cheshire Hare with sinister grin."
"I'm just saying..." he turns around to continue the interrogation,"I've been around the block for a long time, and I've never seen anybody monsterous like you."
"I'm Not a monster! I just happen to be bigger and stronger than the average person. I'm sure there were others like me before your time. Right?" She keeps a cool head, but the eerie silence after fills her with doubt. Even the chatterbox keeps his teeth sealed.
Not wanting the conversation to end here, the smallest speaks, "Wait, what about that cyclops!?"
"What Cyclops?" He bends an ear.
"The one on the first set of doors in the hall. It was furry and pink, and they looked pretty big in the faceplate."
She fiddles with her ribbons, "I...joined after Jax, so I didn't see them either. Did you?" She looks to her rider to pass the baton. Once again, the pressure was on. But the confidence she built up shrivled. She looks to Caine, but his mouth refuses to even peek open. However, watching her new friend stressful digging her nails into her palm losens her stitch lips.
"I never saw them." Zooble chimes in, "so they must have left before my time, Gangle?" They ask for her support.
"Well... I do vaguely remember them..." Her old habit of holding her arm kicks in, "They were as tall as you....but...they certainly weren't as strong. I Mean, they could pick Me up easily, but Kinger... they couldn't carry him for as long as you have. Or all of us, in fact."
"Or Smash a bunch of walls or the floor, knock Zoobies head off," He counts her misdemeanors, each one shrinking the big gal, "and let's not forget that crack in the support beam and-OW" An object to the head shuts his trap. It bounces and rolls on the ground. An oversized peach was the culprit.
"Hey! Who threw that!" The angry bunny head darts in all directions to find the pitcher.
"Whoopsie Daisie!" A cheeky voice rings aloud, The attention shifts over the general store across the way. On cue, a plump monkey with nerdy swirl glasses hops up from behind the conveniently open window counter. "Dreadfully sorry about that good, sir! Can't seem to get a grip with these 'Butterfingers' of mine!" The sable licorice chimp let's out a theatrical chuckle while waving his candy bar fingers to them. One or two a bit cracked to reveal their nutty flaky centers. This act breaks the tense air and gets a laugh. Most of which came from Lorak, who kept commenting on the pun to herself.
Jax is not amused, "Who's this ugly ape?"
"Dunge's the name and smiles are my game~" The shopkeeper steps out of the shop with a work apron full of fresh produce. The salt on his skin shines as he tosses the food high up and begins to juggle them, "After all, in our little valley. Making others' smiles is more valuable than all the maple syrup in the whole Candy Kingdom! Laughter is the best medicine, and when you combine that with good eats and hard work. Why? You can even cheat death itself." Those last words threw the new girls for a loop till he shouts, "Here you go!"
He ends his act by tossing a single fruit to each guest. Pomni and Raini almost drop their apples. Lorak catches the banana with her hat. The two gentlemen snatch the peaches from the air in sync with Abstragity, getting their pears.
"Free samples of our finest treats. Our way of saying 'Welcome to our humble home~' "
"So where's mine?" The instigator barks.
The clerks bad aussie accent breaks, "Don't worry, Fru. Yours is on the house~"
"What did you -"
"Remember! Timeisanillusion!FantasyisReality!BuyOpal!Byyye!!" Just as quick as he popped in, his white tipped tail disappears into the back of the shop. Once again, the gang is left an awe.
"What that's supposed to mean!" He demanded an answer.
Suddenly, the Centaur points up, "Oh, look, Gravity Falls." Just like magic, a double pair of cherries plop on top of Jax's long ears. Giving them the appearance of cute jewelry piercings. He quickly rips them off and scarfs them down before anyone could say a word. All of a sudden, he starts coughing and pounding his chest.
"Jax! Stops joking around!" Zooble scolds. Their temper is chilled as the act gets more serious. His usually large eyes start to swirl and shrink. Gasping for air, his staight teeth turn shark toony.
"He's not joking..." Pomni gasps, "he's Choking!
"Somebody help him!" The mother of the group cries.
His escort tries to help, but "My arms are too short to reach." Thinking fast, Lorak grabs the chess man's floating gloves and sends them flying into Jax's torso. The impact had no effect, and the gasping gets worse.
"Sofuge! Give him the heimlich!"
"Hi who?"
"If a patient is gasping for air. You hug them from the backside with care. Then, take BOTH hands and push against the Di-A-Phrame!" She demonstrates the proper placement of his fingers and the process of pressing up the right spot of the body. He copies the hand motions move for move. Sure enough, all four cherries sail out of his mouth on the last syllable.
His former partner signals her rider to go alongside of him, "You ok, Jax?"
"What...was...THAT!?!" His shout stops her from putting an assuring hand on his shoulder, "I Never choked on my food before! EVER!"
"Well, have you ever had food like this before?" The mare points down to the rathar large and saliva covered evidence hoack by her cloven hooves.
He trips over his words,"...no..."
"Well, there you have it. As Caine mentioned earlier, a lot of things have changed. So, some things you were able to do then. You may not be able to do it now." She takes out a pack of tissue from her bag. Using only one of the two-ply, she picks up the crushed cherries. "Although it could just be the fact stems got entangled and got stuck halfway down." She takes a corner of the soft paper and reveals the entwined fruit to the class. The caramelize equine nuzzels the hand with the food, and she allows it to partake, "So maybe next time, don't wolf down your food so quickly. After all, we can't have you 'choking' on us before the game even starts."
She placed her snack into the hand his eyes were glued to. Sending his spiraling mind back to reality. He looks up to catch the playful wink that ties the speech together. He peeks at the rest of the crew, and even the ringmaster eyes reflect concern. He scoffs and squeezes the end of the banana. The unpeeled fruit hops right into his open mourh, and he swallows it whole.
"Just try and keep up Tender Hooves," he tosses the peel smack dab at her gaping maw, He swings back around and slaps the pony's flank. It lets out a loud whinny and reigns up on his heignlegs. Gummigoo ushers his horse away to protect his guest eyes from the kick up.
"Woah! Toffee! Steady!" Max attempts to regain control fail as the stead heads off in full gallop.
"Last one to the Ranch is a Rotten Eggplant!"
"Yeah, and the first one's gotta eat it! Hold on Sofuge!"
"Hold on to wha-OH!"With no time to lose, she pockets the peel and speds off after him.
"HEY!" Curly locks try to argue back. But watching her catch up and playful poke his ear before passing him. Instill a little mischievous smile. She turns to Gangle, who's caught the bug as well. She wraps her thin arms around her waist as she makes the leather snaps. Butterscotch responds by leaping into a sprint of their own.
Chad checks with his partner, and they give them a claws up, "Let's go, Caramel!" He let's out a thunderous YAH! and the two lope down the path.
"OH! now we're talking!" Gummigoo tugs on his partners reigns, "High Ho Sugarshard! Away!" Pomni holds on tight as they join the race. Leaving the smiling cowboy in the dust. Caine finishes his snack in one bite and prepares to leave when...
"Hey Caine!" Lorak voices soars over the hooves, "Hurry Up, Or You'll Be Left Behind!" That short sentence lights up his day. He pushes his hat upfront and zips down the track. Creating a small sonic boom that rattles the shacks behind him.
***
The race ends with Toffee crossing the ranch's gate first. The victory hops of the colt with a hearty laugh,
"And the winner of the Sweet Acre Derpy is Lightning McJax! And the crowd goes WILD!" He imitates the sound of a roaring stadium as Sugarshard and Butterscotch cross the gate line.
Pomni hops off and struts over to her flannel twin, "You only won cause you got a head start."
"Sounds like sour persimmons cousin~I forgot our whittle Jester hates to lose." He boops her unexciting nose, not expecting a playful smirk in response."Buuut I guess I can't call you that while you're wearing this, can I?" He resumes his teasing by stealing her bandana. Exposing her raven hair to the sun whilst Team Caramel trots up beside the red pair.
"Hey! Give that back!"
She reaches out to grab it, but he dangles it overhead,"You gotta be quicker than that, Buttercup~"
"I'm no Powerpuff!" She lunges for it and begins the chase, "Jax!"
"You're too slow!~" He snorts as he waltzes around the yard. Waving the trophy just beyond her reach like a checkerd flag. Their grins and cherful banter welcome the last of the racers to the scene. They dismount their mounts and rejoin the two. As he keep the fiesty lass at arms length a vevelity laugh sings out;
"My my, I haven't seen this much excitement since the last harvest."They draw their attention towards the little house. A very large gummi gator cautiously approaches her guests. Her tiny watermelon green feet rest a mere foot away. Green painted the bottom half and the underside of her hands and tail while a complimentary red finishs her top, "Welcome to our little slice of paradise." She gives a hearty smile despite all but her two front teeth flatten.
Lorak lightly taps her shoulder again, "Who's that?"
"I..."Pomni trails off, unable to resolve her query.
"Ma!" Gummigoo shouts, all three boys race to the huskey women's side."You shouldn't be up, Ma. You need to go back inside and rest."
"Now now my little ankle bitter," she pats his golden check and gently nuzzels his nose, "I'm not ready to call it quits and stay in bed for the rest of my days. Besides, it wouldn't be beauty to not greet our guests properly." Jax releases the stolen cloth over her head and steps back towards the boys as she closes the gap. She peers in awe at the mother, who was only slightly taller than the eldest child. Still wearing that caring smile, she ties the bandana back on her head.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I'm Hana Goo; manager and foregator of Acre Ranch."
"Tha... Thank you for having us, Mrs. Goo!" She bows her head, concealing her oversized pigment.
The gatorgal giggles, the pale daisies in her nightsky veil crown shake. "No need for formalities, just call me Hana, or Ma. Everyone does."
"Well, it looks like everything's running as Smooth as Honey." Caine interrupts, rubbing his hands together, "You all have fun, my diligent dingos! I'll see you all back at the -" His sentence is botched when his hat gets whacked off. It sails down to the ground perfectly in tack. He looks to the audience, and not a single one knows the cause of this phenomenon.
"My, that wind sure does packs Quite a Wallop~"
"There Isn't any wind." He pays no mind to their very loud comment. Mere inches from the brown sugar path he reaches for his chapeau. Only the very thing moves right of his reach. He tries again, but it scoots back to its original spot.
"Caine,"the filly fails to hide her simper, "I didn't know your hat had a mind of its own." Her giggling transformed his pout to a smirk. With a strengthen resolve, he plants he feet to resume the dance. The now animated cap keeps its distance with every slide and jump he makes. With the fourth one putting it behind his back, a lightbulb clicks on in his brain. Cupping his hands behind his back. He whistles Daisy Bell, pretending to be uninterested but keeping his big green on the target.
"GOTCHA!" A successful tiger pounce grants him his prize. It lifts him slightly off the ground, buzzing very voraciously to escape his grip.
Kinger screams, "GHOST HAT!" These two words stirred discontent in the viewers. Caine quickly pops the cap down. Changing it back to its original shape and revealing the true face under it the whole time.
"A flying honeycomb?" She tilts her fragile head. Large eyes blink open on the golden nectar face. It observes the specters below for a moment before happily joining them. It zips from person to person buzzing ever so curiosity and gleefully. It even took Jax passive hand waving as a fun game. Its trail ends at the radoll face. Humming cheerfully, it tickles under her button eye with its soft waxy body. She giggles before lightly pushing the critter aside.
"Oh dearie, you got Combee Honey all over your face." Mama Goo cast a shadow over her. Her eye shrinks in fear, unable to see her face beneath the midday sun. She flinches when her cold claws contact her cloth skin. Able to breathe again once she felt her softly wiping the mess away. "There we go, a sweet Shelia like yourself doesn't need any sugar to hide that lovely face." A light blush shows as the mother strokes her clean check. "And you. You cheeky little buggar~ What are you doing so far away from the nest?" The bee sits comfortably in her open palms. She lends a reptilian ear as it unravels a story thru long and short buzzes and hums. The content is revealed to be unpleasant thanks to her ivory eyes.
"Are you sure, little one?" It buzzed an unfortunate yes, "Boys, it looks like a Bearclaw have left Pudding Pond and has sniffed out the hives." Her sweet nature still rang through the bitter truth, then she turns to her sized equal, "Miss Mare, would you kindly accompany me over to the Apiary to make sure our little friends are safe."
Her hesitation and fumbling to answer confuses everyone around her. Nervously, she scratches the back of her neck. While her iris darts from one side to the other.
"ALLOW Me to handle the situation!" Before anyone could speak, Caine takes the spotlight. Pomni listens to her whisper to him but only hears his nickname. She did catch a side wink of his blue pupil to her and the glow she gave afterward.
"Oh, I couldn't possibly ask you to do this, Mr. Caine. You have already done so much, and besides. This one is friendly, but the others are very..." A feminine buzz ends her thought.
Two more Combees hover onto the scene, their obsidian eyes slimmer than their brothers. They bat not an eye to the strangers or the brothers and go straight to Mama. The boy greets his sisters and then zips up to the fellow floater. He rests his wings atop on his head while the ladies eye him carefully. His happy grin simmers to a more gentlemanly sort. Tipping his hat to the girls and slightly bowing without disturbing the wingman. They look at each other, and with a comfirm buzz, they too sit beside their brother.
"Golly!" Chad gasps, "those two never let anyone but Ma get close."
"But there they are all comfy cozy like your rellies." Max gets to the point.
"That's the boss for ya," the eldest adjusts his hat, "always a hit with the sheilas." The sentence under his breath caught the flannei girl by surprise.
She gives a hearty laugh, "They'll be apples in your hands. Thank you, Mr. Caine, your kindness is truly a blessing." She leans up to carress his cheek teeth and plants a small peck on top of his foregums. Leaving him slightly flustered and the crew even Lorak aghast. Awoken from their little siesta. the three combee spare no time leading their temporary caretaker away to their home out east.
"Now then, let's get down to the brass task." The foregator gets serious, holding the ends of her plum shawl in one claw. "Mrs Mask, you and your friend will help Max with the repairs." She gester her and Zooble to the smallest who grab a toolbox while they were watching the show. "Dearie, you and Mr Ascot will tend to the chooks and the horses." Butterscotch agrees to this by nuzzling Ragatha face. "And as for you, Buntar?"
Jax copies "Buntar?"
"Buntar," a deep voice rises from below. They look down to his boots to find a pit bull size bunt cake staring up at him. It clops out into the open on big sprinkle hooves.
Kinger approaches the vanilla frosted critter, "Why Hello there little fella. And what kind of critter are...?"
"BUNTAR!" His quiz is popped when a chocolate one headbutt from behind. Sending him off high up into the air. Thinking fast, Lorak trots in small circles and manages to catch him before he lands on his crown.
"CRICKEY!"The leader swears, "The Buntars escaped their pen! Chad, get the sling!"
"Right!" He rushes to the cart off to the side and pulls out a sling shot and some jawbreaker sizes orbs. One very long pull on the rubber strap slings the dusty ball right between the two cakes. They scoot over and rub their lower lump into the powdered distraction. Quickly, he exchanges his equipment for an oversized, extendable arm grabber. Try after try. He clicks the trigger but misses the brown target. The pile of silver dust coating its glazed legs more and more.
Unable to stand it anymore, Jax climbs into the cart and whips out a giant purple sticky hand. Tiying a honda knot to make a large loop. He angles his elbow and stirs the air with his wrist. The handmade lasso swirrling over head like a pro. Following thru with the toss and his fingers aim for both pastries. The loop stick to their backsides and with a quick tug, the rope ensnare them. He yanks hard, and they go flying thru the air right into the yellow and red gators arms.
The Jester shoots a finger gun at him, "Nice roping, Tex." He mearly rolls his eyes and dusts his hands as a response.
"Now that was some might fine wrangling. You little rippar," Ma compliments stuns the happy hare, "Do you think you and Chad could collect the others that fled out yander." She directs their attention to the stretch of dark chocolate pine in the west. He takes another gander at the content of the cart and finds small carriers made from the same bark.
"If it means I get to catch them and stuff them in a cage. Then I'm Ready to Wrangle!" Not a minute to spare he plants himself in the driver bench. Strealing the reings to the Big pound cakes with whipped cream horns. A thunderous HIYA! a crack of the leather and their layred hooves start walking. Nearly leaving his partner behind without even saying goodbye to his mother.
"Quite the rambunctious cobber you got their little one." She give a soft chuckle to Pomni, it change to a soft tickle of the throat. Stringing on longer and louder with every cough.
"Are you alright Mrs. Hana?" She worries
Ma shooes her doubt away, "I'm fine-just alittle-dry cough -" She squeezes the words in between the gaps, but the fit gets more violent. She burries her mouth into her shawl. Her body jiggling like jelly till her tiny feet give in. The girls and gators cry out for her. Lorak swiftly puts Kinger down and manages to spare her from falling down.
The brothers rush to support her, "Ma, you Really need to go lie down. The boss and I can handle the rest from here."
"Don't be a drongo," she replies weakly, "I have to pick up the supplies from the village. Otherwise, those critters will escape..."
"I Can Get Them!" The three gummies look befuddled at her statement, "Just tell me where to go and give me the invoice. Gummigoo and I can get the supplies while you get some rest." She turns to him who agrees with her plan.
"No dearie, it's too much for just the two of you alone."
"Then we'll go too," the toybox and ribbon characters step forward, "It's to fix the fence, right? Many hands make light work after all. You leave it to us and let 'Mrs. Mare' take care of you."
She smile comfortably to them, "Thanks, Bell." The two look at them, and she blushes at their nickname.
The mother surrenders with a heavy sigh, "Very well, Gummidear go saddle up the other Pound Bull we have. You'll need it to carry all that. Maxie, be a dear and help the others with the horses."
"Yes Mum!" They carry out their task with no further comment.
"Mrs. Lorak," she turns to her with a voice as soft as butter, "Would you kindly help me get back to the house."
"No worries, Mame." They starts hobbling towards the white chocolate cottage. At the same time Max leads Team Pew Pew, his and Chads steeds to the stable. The eldest returns with the same golden brown steer that drove the cart. Zooble hop on the bull first and pulls the others up behind her. The boy get back on Sugarshard and takes the bulls reigns to begin the journey back.
"See you guys later!" Pomni waves back to the group.
The kings waves cheerful, "Safe travels!" With that the party splits up and sets off on their tasks. Ignoring the Buntars that were placed in the containers. Still chanting their names in a cutesy way. Their large somber eyes blinking a slightly pale color.
Warning: Contents of this fanfiction may contain mild sexual implications, swearing, Non proof reading, violence, self inflicting pain/hurt, Trama, Dark themes, Death, and Jax. Veiwer discretion is advised. This is NOT SAFE for sensitive minds.
Chapter 3: Bringing Light to the Darkness
A large omminus shadow engulfs Pomniw 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 centaur. 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-!?"
"It's impervious to bullets!" Pomni explains.
"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!?!"
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, The filly's 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 her cheeks. Their eyelids flutter a bit, then lift so the 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 reveals the open area with 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 her 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 centaur 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 the scar and softly places it down on the far right side. 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 centaur. 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 swimsuit..."
"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 centaur 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 her 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," she 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 right 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."
Jax 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....?"
I decided to put Gangle and Zooble together since I knew Gangle would be easy to do sincecI have lots of experience with ribbon curves thanks to drawing Rarity.
I thought Zooble would be the hardest to do since she had so many different parts. However, the true challenge was making sure none of those parts mix mash together since no parts had too many of the same colors.
I didn't put any text for Gangle, but I'll put a line here so I have a reference for her color later.