Disclaimer: Hey guys. Welp, looks like things are taking a whole new turn for the worse. Applejack is not trapped in the Amazing Digital Circus and with Maleficent there, things are about to get nasty for everyone there. Let's hope Spyro and his friends can get there before things get worse or something happens to Applejack and the unborn baby. This Idea came from CRabbit and I watched a couple of episodes from the GliTCH channel on Youtube and I gotta say, it's pretty good along with the Murder Drones series, one I might think about later along with some other things from Youtube as I'm always looking for ideas to expand this story besides just Disney stuff. All rights for My Little Pony, Star wars, The Legend of Spyro, Sonic the Hedgehog, and The Amazing Circus belongs to thier original creators and owners as I am not the original creator of any of the works used in this story. Thank you all again for reading my story thus far and hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Chapter 170: The Digital Circus Part 1: Meeting New Friends
In Equestria, Spyro was in full blown panic, trying his best to get the terminal back online, but the sudden lightning storm caused the circiuts in the entire thing to short out, making it difficult to get the computer back online, but after rewiring the power breakers from some of the nonessential systems to the terminal and replacing the fired motherboard, Spyro managed to get the terminal back online, the garage coming back to life as he looked at the terminal to try and get it to work again, but the path that was originally there was cut off, a firewall blocking the way as he tried to do his best to get past it.
"What the heck happened!?" Rainbow Dash asked. "How the heck did Applejack get into that world!?"
"I don't know, but I don't care!" Spyro said. "We need to get her back, but the firewall came back online and the code that was on the screen before isn't working anymore. The code's changed."
"What does that mean darling?" Rarity asked.
"It means she's trapped there until we find a way to bring her back." Spyro replied. "I need to get in contact with Master Yen Sid and the others. I need to update them on what's happening. Hopefully, we'll come up with a solution on how best to find our friend before thing's get worse for all of us."
He then flipped a few switches, sending out an emergency signal to all the Keyblade warriors as the roof opened up, bringing a satellite dish down and creating a simulation, splitting the room into six different sections, Yen Sid sitting at his desk while Sora, Riku, and Kairi were in their ships, flying them while Axel was sitting on a bench in a park eating ice cream and King Mickey was sitting in his study looking over some papers, looking up to see the room split like that.
"Oh, why hello everyone!" King Mickey said, getting up from his chair and walking out. "Spyro? Is that you?"
"It is Mickey, but now is not the time for catch up, we have a serious problem." Spyro said.
"You bet you have a problem pal!" Kairi said. "I was told that one of the mares in your herd is carrying a baby from Sora and you didn't bother telling me when I had the chance to answer the fricken call!?"
"I'm sorry Kairi, but we have a major problem." Spyro said. "We cracked the code and had direct access to the digital circus world."
"And why's that a problem?" Sora asked. "It just means we now have a way to get there."
"Had a way to get there." Twilight said. "Unfortunately, the code changed as soon as the terminal freaked out. Something or someone in this world pulled Applejack in and-"
"Wait, what!?" Sora asked, Axel spitting his ice cream out while Kairi gasped. "Applejack got pulled into that world!? In her condition!? How did that happen!?"
"I have no idea, but we need to get her out of there now!" Spyro said. "Unfortunately, most of the equipment I have here is fried or useless. I could recalibrate the Holo-room projection unit I have in my Garage to a Digitizer and get us in there, but that'll take way too long."
"And the code changed." Fluttershy said. "What it was before, it won't work now."
"Hmm, this will be a problem." Master Yen Sid said. "You're going to have to find another way into the circus and get your friend out."
"But it took nearly a week before my terminal could crack the code." Spyro said. "And with it's current condition, it'll be weeks before I can get this place back into working condition. That means all my ships in the garage are going nowhere."
"Terrific." Rainbow Dash said. "That means we can't help her."
"There's one way we can help." Spyro said. He then activated the hologram and showed the computer room in Radiant garden. "We can use the computer in Radiant Garden to get into the Grid and travel to the Digital Circus."
"But what about the firewall thingy!?" Pinkie asked. "What about it!?"
"We'll need to deal with it manually." Spyro said. "Riku, is Maya with you?"
"Afraid not." Riku replied. "She's off on a mission to Atlantica. Been reported sightings of Heartless there and she's dealing with them."
"So, now what?" Axel asked. "If that pony is trapped there, who knows what kind of danger is there. She's the only one who has the skills that come close to yours. None of us can take down that firewall."
"Well, there is my Crashbug Virus." Spyro said. "It's devistating, but it should do the trick to get past that firewall."
"That's a great idea!" Twilight said. "That virus is nasty to tech."
"But how will we get it there?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You said so yourself, we can't get to Radiant Garden. The ships are locked up."
"All, but one." Spyro said. "Sora, think you and the others canmeet us at Radinat Garden?"
"Already on my way." Sora said, the transmission ending.
"Spyro, take care when you're in the circus." Yen Sid said. "The darkness there is growing and it's getting stronger. Find your friend, find that darkness, and either subdue it or destroy it. If that darkness is allowed to continue to spread, then The Grid will be lost."
"Don't worry sir, we'll get it done." Spyro said.
The transmission then ended and the room got back to normal as he walked out of the garage, everyone following him as they went to the back of the garage, which he pulled out a switch, turned it and pushed it back in, causing the ground to shake and split open, opening up as a platform started to rise and with it, the Gozanti cruiser came out, except it now had a new pait job, purple and black exterior with new cannons where the old ones were and new Holy-G engines.
"Wow." Rainbow Dash said, looking at it.
"It's amazingly, superly fantastic!" Pinkie exclaimed. "When did you build it!?"
"I didn't." Spyro replied. "I got it in an exchange with a defector wanting to flee the Empire. We can use it to get to Radiant Garden and get to the computer room."
"Who cares how he got them, let's get going!" Rainbow Dash said.
They all ran into the Gozanti Cruiser and everyone too a seat, Spyro taking the pilot seat as he activated the ships engines, taking off as the ship levitated in the air before going straight into the atmosphere, getting the ship out o the worlds range before locking in the coordinates for Radiant Garden and jumping into Hyperspace instead of warp space, deciding to keep the it attached, thought it might not be as fast, it was a beautiful sight to behold for anyone to see. Elsewhere in Malefors stronghold, the statue of the dark master came back to life, roaring out as Aphara came in and Orion appeared, heading to his statue.
"The roar to the Digital Circus has opened." Malefor said.
"Great, so now I can go in and get the remains and break the second lock." Aphara said.
"Not so simple." Malefor replied. "The pathway is only opened for thirty seconds before it closes and a new code is made. No, you'll need to wait for the prince to make his move before entering. Once in, wait for the Abstract and for the Prince to destroy it. Once done, get the pieces and return immediately."
"At once, master." Aphara said.
Orion moved his phantom hand and a moment later, he created a portal into the Grid, Aphara walking in to wait for the prince to arrive. In the Digital Circus, Ragatha was taking Applejack to another room of the area, walking down a corridor and in that corridor was many doors, some of them had pictures on them, but others were marked with red x's through them while a few doors had those little art mannequins, Applejack looking around as they went.
"So, what exactly is this place?" Applejack asked.
"Well, it's a digital world where every now and then a human will pop into existence in here and live out the rest of their life." Ragatha replied. Where we're at now is the tent, which is where we live and where we stay most of the time until Caine gives us an activity to do."
"And how often does that happen?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, every Episode, there's a new adventure or activity that Caine has us do." Ragatha replied. "You missed out on Pomni and Kinger after they had their little run in in Episode three where Pomni got possessed and Kinger had to save her. While we were trying to solve the mystery of Mildenhall Manor."
"Um, who the heck are they?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, don't worry, you'll get to meet them." Ragatha replied. She then knocked on a door with a purple rabbit on it, the door opening to show a tall purple rabbit in red overalls and wearing yellow gloves, looking drowsy as he came out. "Mornin' Jax!"
"Oh, hey Ragatha." Jax said, yawning, looking down at the pony. "Oh great, another new comer. What's your story kid? How'd you get here?"
"Beg pardon?" Applejack asked.
"OH, don't mind him." Ragatha said. "That's Jax. He's one of the folks that lives here. Jax, this is Applejack. She just got here."
"Applejack huh?" Jax asked, looking down at her. "Well, I must say, never thought I'd see a human get turned itno a horse before."
"Horse!?" Applejack asked. "Ah'm a pony pal!"
"Eh, whatever." Jax said. "Anyway, you guys hungry? I'm gonna go get some grub before Caine get's the idea of sending us into another adventure to greet the new girl."
He then walked away, leaving Applejack and Ragatha alone in the hall as someone else came out, a jumbled up pile of shapes and random bits and pieces came out, seeing Ragatha and a new comer and groaned.
"Great, another addition to the circus." The shapes said, the voice feminine by the sound of it.
"Ah, Zooble, good mornin'." Ragatha said. "I'd like for you to meet Applejack! She just got here."
"Whatever." Zooble said, walking away and surprising the farm mare.
"Not a very hospitable lady, now is she?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, don't mind Zooble, she's nice when you get to know her." Ragatha said. A moment later, a couple more doors opened up and from them, a king chess piece wearing a royal purple robe with white fur lining on it while the other was a woman made of ribbons and a face mask with the emotion of sadness. "Oh, Gangle, Kinger, good to see you."
"Oh, hey Ragatha." Gangle said, seeing Applejack. "Who's this?"
"This is our new friend, Applejack." Ragatha said. "She just popped in this morning."
"Oh, h-hello." Gangle said.
"Pleasure to meet you Applejack!" Kinger said. "Say Ragatha, have you seen Pomni recently? I'm kinda worried about her."
"Oh, I'll check on her, no problem." Ragatha said. "Come on Applejack."
They walked over to another room, one in which it had the image of a girl in a red and blue jester costume, walking up and standing before the door, Ragatha then knocked on the door, waiting for a response, but they got none, so she knocked again, but still they got nothing, so Ragatha opened the door and the room was completely dark, giving chills to them both as they walked in.
"Ah got a bad feelin' about this Ragatha." Applejack said. "Somthin' don't feel right."
"Oh don't be silly." Ragatha said. "Pomni might not like it here, but she's a good friend." A moment later, Pomni looked out from behind the bed, seeing Ragatha and Applejack before coming out from behind the bed. "Ah, there you are Pomni."
"Hey Ragatha." Pomni said, looking to Applejack. "Whose that?"
"Oh, allow me to introduce you to the newest member fo the Amazing Digital Circus, Applejack!" Ragatha said.
"Wait, newest member?" Applejack asked. "Ah'm sorry, but Ah think ya'll might be comfused about somethin'. Ah ain't plannin' on stayin'."
"Yeah, well, good luck trying to find an exit." Pomni said. "This place is a literal prison. There is no escape from this place."
"Not so." Applejack said. "Theres always a way out."
"Yeah, I use to believe that myself." Pomni replied. "We're not getting out of here."
Applejack could see how unhappy Pomni was and walked over, sitting down and giving the poor girl a hug, which surprised the girl, but she hugged her back, smiling to have a friendly hug from the pony.
"Don't worry Pomni, we'll find a way out." Applejack said. "Plus, Spyro's comin' to get me out."
"How can he get you out of this place?" Pomni asked, ending the hug and walking away.
"He's a tech genius." Applejack replied. "Plus he had his own ship. He can teleport himself in and out of any world."
As soon as Applejack said that Pomni stopped where she was, hearing that Applejack's friend could get himself into any world and out of them at the same time made her heart freeze, turning to Applejack with a mixture of shock and hope.
"Any world?" Pomni asked.
"Yeah, any world." Applejack replied.
"Could... could he get my out of this place?" Pomni asked. "I got sent here by mistake and I don't belong here!"
"Wait, ya'll got teleported here?" Applejack asked.
"I did!" Pomni replied. "Please, tell me, can he get me out of here!?"
"Well of course he can." Applejack replied. "If ya'll aren't an inhabitant of this world, he can get ya out no problem."
A moment later, a horn went off, eveyrone looking out to see what it was before a floating bubble appeared to them, looking at them and smiling.
"Oh, hey everyone!" The bubble said. "Caine wants everyone in the main room where the stage is at! He has an activity for the new comer!"
"Thanks Bubble." Ragatha said. "We'll be there in a minute."
The bubble then flew off to get the others while Applejack was starring at the door with a mixture of confusion and shock, looking to Ragatha for an answer.
"Who, or what, was that?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, that's Bubble." Ragatha replied. "She's Caine helper that helps to clean up any messes. Though, she tends to clean it up with her tongue."
"Her... tongue?" Applejack asked, immediatly feeling sick.
"Yeah, just don't barf or nothing." Pomni said. "She's lick it up like it's an ice cream cone."
Applejack suddenly felt queezy, thinking about that as her face turned green and her cheeks blew up, wanting to vomit, but she just swallowed it, shaking as she felt ill.
"Smart call there." Ragatha said. "Come on, we don't want to be late."
Ragatha and Applejack walked out of the room, heading to the main room where the stage was while Pomni remained in her room, feeling hope again after so long, but as she finally felt hopeful again, Maleficent came out of the shadows, walking towards the short jester.
"Don't believe anything that pony says Pomni." Maleficent said. "Her little boyfriend can get himself into any world he wishes, he won;t take you out of this world. He won't risk his precious World Order."
"But I'm not from this world." Pomni said, turning to Maleficent. "Didn't you hear what she said!? I'm not an inhabitant of this world! I can get out with his help!"
"No Pomni, he won't help you." Maleficent replied. "He'll only come for the pony and once he has her, he'll leave, leaving you here to rot away, turn into an Abstract and fade like a bad memory. Your only escape is through the darkness. Only when you open yourself to it can you finally be free of this prison."
"I... I don't know." Pomni said. "I don't feel comfortable with doing that."
"It's the only way." Maleficent replied. "Think about it. Once you realize that he won't help you, all you need to do is open your heart and let the darkness in."
Maleficent then disappeared in a flash of green fire, leaving Pomni alone in her room to mull over what Maleficent said, but her mind was already made up, running out of the room to catch up with the others so Caine didn't pull her through the walls to get to the main room. Meanwhile, in the edge of space, the Gozanti Cruiser had just come out of Hyperspace, flying towards Radiant Garden as they made their way to the surface, flying down through the cloud cover as Spyro piloted the ship to the palace, a large hangar bay already opened up and ready for them as they landed on the extended landing pad and the ship was pulled in, everyone waiting for the pad to stop before leaving the ship. Once the pad stopped moving, they all walked t the boarding ramp and it started to lower down, Leon and Yuffie were waiting for them as they came out of the ship.
"Welcome back everyone!" Yuffie said.
"Spyro, goo to see you again." Leon said. "Good to see you back in one piece."
"Feels good to be back, but now's not the time for small talk." Spyro said. "We need to get to the terminal room quick."
"Sora got here ahead of you and filled us in on what happened." Leon replied. "Congratulations on becoming a father."
"Thanks, but we need to get into the Grid immediately." Spyro said.
"Come with us." Leon said.
The group followed the Ninja master and the warrior through the palace, going down several corridors until they reached the terminal, and in the room was Sora, Cid and Aerith, looking to the doorway into the room as they came in.
"Spyro, right on time as always." Cid said.
"How are you holding up?" Aerith asked.
"I've been better." Spyro replied. "But I'll be even better when we get Applejack back."
"Yeah, Sora filled us in on what happened and about the pony carrying a baby." Cid said. "Congrats man!"
"Thanks Cid." Spyro said. "But now we need to find a way to get to AJ and get her out fast."
"You're in luck." Cid replied. "Tron found a route to the Digital Circus, but unfortunately the firewall is still up and there have been some signs of Heartless in the Grid recently. I don't think they'll let you get there without a fight."
"And thankfully, you may not need to fight." Tron said.
"Who said that?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Oh, that would be Tron." Sora replied. "He's a friend of ours."
"Yeah, but where is he?" Twilight asked.
"I'm here." Tron said, the computer lighting up.
"Wait, he's in the computer thingy!?" Pinkie asked.
"He is." Spyro replied. "Tron is an Artificial Intelligence unit designed by Ansem the Wise to protect some of his more dangerous research."
"And he's been working on a way for you and your friends to get to the Digital Circus and save your friend." Leon said.
"Indeed, I have." Tron said. "To get there however, you're going to have to traverse through The Grid, which I have provided a means for you to get there. However, the Firewall is going to be an issue as it is very strong, even for me."
"I might have a way to get around it." Spyro said.
He walked over and pulled out a small cable from his bracers, plugging it in and typed in a few commands before the Crashbug popped up again.
"Crashbug!" The virus said.
"Good to see you again little guy." Spyro said. "We're going to need your help." He then typed in a few codes and the image of the world popped up. "We need to get to this world, but unfortunately there is a very strong Firewall protecting it. Think you guys can bust it down for us?"
"Crashbug!" The virus replied, dozens more of itself coming up.
"Excellent." Spyro said. "Set up what you can and wait for us to get there. Once you see us, wait fifteen seconds and then blow it up."
The virus saluted before it disappeared from the screen, Spyro unplugging his bracers from the terminal and walked back a bit, getting back to his friends as the screen went back to normal.
"I do not fully understand how these strange little bugs will help get past the firewall." Tron said.
"Don't worry pal, you'll find out soon enough." Spyro said. "Cid, can ya get us in the Grid?"
"Sure can pal!" Cid replied.
He then turned to the terminal and started to type in some stuff while everyone who was planning on going in got infront of the machine that will digitize them.
"I don't get how we'll get into this Grid from here darling." Rarity said.
"Don't worry Rare, you'll see soon enough." Spyro replied. "You ready Cid?"
"Ready!" Cid said. "And here we go!"
Cid then pressed a button on the terminal and a moment later, the machine behind them started up, glowing a bit as it then shot out a beam of energy to everyone standing there, but then an alarm went off, freaking everyone out as a blue aura formed around Sora and Spyro, digitizing them as the same blue aura surrounded Rarity and Fluttershy, turning them into data as they went into the Grid, but for the rest of them, the process didn't work, leaving them outside while the others went in.
"Hey, what gives!?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Why are we still here!?"
"I think the machine overloaded." Cid said. "Guess too many individuals trying to enter at once caused it to overloard."
"Well, can't you start it back up?" Twilight asked.
"Sorry kid, not gonna happen." Cid replied, pointng to the machine and it was smoking. "If we tried to send you in while the machine's like that, it'll explode and you'll all be trapped inside the Grid forever."
"Well, can't you fix it?" Twilight asked.
"I can try." Cid replied. "But it'll take sometime to do so. The tech is pretty complicated despite how old it is."
"But, what can we do from here!?" Pinkie asked.
"For now, nothing." Leon replied. "Our friends are on their own from here."
The ponies looked from Leon to the terminal where the Grid was at, hoping they would be alright in there while the others waited outside. In the Grid, everyone digitized in the main control room, each of them wearing Tron armor and the lights on them were blue and everypne's armor was a dark blue besides Rarity's, which was white while Spyro's was purple.
"And we're in." Spyro said. "Welcome to the world of Space paranoids, a.k.k, The Grid."
"It's amazing." Rarity said. "I never thought I'd see a world like this before."
"Well, we're currently in the Computer Core." Sora said. "Wait until you see the actual Grid.'
"Uh, where is everypony else?" Futtershy asked.
The group looked around, wondering where their friends were as Spyro got worried.
"Cid, where are the others?" Spyro asked.
"Don't worry bud, they're safe and sound." Cid replied, relieving his worries. "The machine that digitized you overloaded and is currently fried. We can't send anyone else in, or pull you out until we fix the machine."
"Great, this day just gets better and better." Spyro said. "Tron, you here?"
"Right here Spyro." Tron replied.
They looked to the entrance and there stood a man in white and blue armor, walking to them as they approached him.
"Hey Tron!" Sora said. "Long time no see!"
"It's good to see you again Sora, Spyro." Tron said,looking down at the ponies quizzically. "I am unfamiliar with these beings. Who are they?"
"Oh, this is Rarity and Fluttershy." Spyro replied. "They're my friends."
"Well, it's nice to meet you all." Tron said. "Spyro, Cid said you needed a way to the Digital Circus and I managed to find something that should work, but with the Firewall, it's going to be a challenge for you to get through."
"Let us worry about the Firewall Tron." Spyro replied. "What have you got for us?"
"Follow me to the docks." Tron said.
Everyone followed him out of the Computer Core and walked down several corridors, heading towards the docks while passing by some of the windows, the ponies looking out and were completely lost for words, finding the entire world was a digital world with streams of data flowing everywhere, pipe like structures that transfered data to wherever it was meant to go. While the girls were marveling at the sights of the digital world, Spyro and Sora were having a look at the rides that Tron got for them and they were Light Cycles, surprising Spyro and Sora as they approached.
"Light Cycles?" Spyro asked.
"It's the best I could come up with on such short notice." Tron said.
"They'll have to do." Spyro said. He walked over to one of the cycles and got on, activating it and it then roared to life, getting the ponies attention as they walked over. "We're going to need speed if we're getting to the Digital Circus."
"Um, how are these going to help us get to Applejack?" Fluttershy asked.
"They're fast and they leave behind a trail that if an enemy runs into, they're basically running into a wall made out of light." Spyro said. "They may lack weapons, but they're still very fast. And we'll need them if we're going to get to the Digital Circus, we need to get there as fast as possible."
"Uh, darling, we don't know how to drive those things." Rarity said.
"Not to worry ladies." Tron said. "These cycles have been modified with an autopilot with the desired coordinates. That way, you can ride there and deactivate autopilot at your leisure."
"You girls can go through how to pilot these things through the manual." Spyro said. "It's not difficult. Just keep your balance. Right throttle makes it go, and the switches on the left side of the handles activates the wall."
"Uh, no thumbs darling." Rarity said.
"Also not a problem." Tron said. "Sora told me Spyro had ponies for friends, so I modified the cycles to allow your helments to activate the walls on command."
"He's thought of everything." Rarity said.
"Except for the route." Tron replied. "The route itself is filled with Heartless. It's going to be dangerous for you to go through there. Maybe if you gave me a day or two, I'd-"
"No Tron, we're going now!" Spyro said.
He put his helmet on and reved up the bike, ready to get going as the gate opened up on the dock and he took off, riding off of the door and landing on the road, riding along the route while the others looked down, watching him go ahead of them.
"Someone's impatient." Sora said.
"He's just worried about APplejack's safety, that's all." Fluttershy said.
"We're all worried darling." Rarity said, looking to the road. "But I think Spyro is letting this entire thing get to him. Rushing into danger like that, that's not his style."
"Well if you have a pregnant girlfriend trapped in a world where someone's darkness is festering and could lead to her demise, I'd probably be the same way." Sora said, walking to the bike. "Come on ladies, saddle up!"
"You did not just make a horse joke." Rarity said.
Sora just smiled, getting onto his bike and put his helment on, reving up the bike as the ponies got onto their bikes and rushed off the ramp, landing on the same road that Spyro landed on, following after him to catch up. In the Digital Circus, everyone had gathered in the main room where a stage was set up, everyone wondering what was going on and what activity Caine had instore for them this time, which they didn't have to wait long as he suddenly popped up out of nowhere and smiled, though his entire face was teeth, so he was always smiling.
"Good morning everybody!" Caine exclaimed. "I hope you're all having a fantastic, sunny, sunny day!"
"Yeah, reall sunny." Zooble said sarcastically.
"Aw, come on Zooble!" Caine said. "Turn that frown upside down!"
As he said it, he ended up twisting Zoobles head to where it was upside down, the jumbled up mess od shapes and random objects looking at him in annoyance.
"So, what have you got instore for us this time Caine?" Jax asked.
"I'm glad you asked Jax!" Caine said, popping out from behind the bunny and spooking him before floating to the stage and looking to them. "Today, we have a new addition to the Amazing Digital Circus! Let me present to you... APPLEJACK!" As he said it, a spot light shined above her, shocking the farm mare as balloons and confetti started to fly everywhere, making her think Pinkie had thrown her a party, but remembered that she wasn't there. "And to celebrate the recent addition, we're going to throw a special activity! But why just tell you when I can spin for it!"
A moment later, a large wheel with random colors and images appeared from the sky, slamming into the ground and knocking everyone down as they looked at it.
"Ok, this is a new one." Jax said, getting up.
"On this wheel, I have put down so many fun activities that I want to do all at once, but I couldn't make up my mind what to choose!" Caine said. "So, I'm going to spin this wheel and whichever activity it lands on will be what we do! Are you all ready!?" Everyone gave a half hearted cheer, Applejack not knowing what to make of it as she looked around, seeing that everyone wasn't as enthusiastic about it as Caine thought they'd be, the farm mare checking on Pomni, but saw she was nervous, her arm abstracting a bit and freaking the farm mare out. "That's the spirit! Now, let's... spin... that... WHEEL!"
He then spun the wheel and it spun quickly, everyone watching it spin as they waited to see what they would be doing, but Applejack was more worried about Pomni, looking at the girl as she saw her abstract again, knowing that something wasn't right, so she walked over to her.
"You ok sugarcube?" Applejack asked, getting Pomni's attention.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Pomni replied, putting on a brave face. "Why wouldn't I be?" Applejack raised an eyebrow, not believing her for a moment, which Pomni saw she wasn't believing her lie as she sighed in defeat. "I... I'm sorry Applejack. I... I don't want to spoil anyone's mood. I... I just..."
"Ya'll can tell me what's wrong Pomni." Applejack said.
"I... I just don't like it here." Pomni said. "I... I just want to leave. I want to go home and be myself again, live a normal life. Not stuck in this virtual prison for the rest of my life." She then rubbed her arm, not looking at the farm mare as she felt embarrassed to look at her. "When I got here, all I ever wanted was to get out. I'm willing to do whatever it takes for me to get out of this place and get back home, back into my own body and live my own life like none of this ever happened." She then sat down, on the verge of tears as Applejack saw how sad she was, sitting next to her and putting her hoof on her shoulder. "I miss my mom, my dad, my friends, everyone in my life. I miss them all."
"Don't worry sugarcube, we'll help you to get out." Applejack said, Pomni looking at the farm mare. "When Spyro comes, we'll ask him if he has any ideas on how to get you and everyone else out of here and back to your world. He won't say no to you guys."
"And... and if he can't?" Pomni asked.
"Spyro never fails to help a friend." Applejack said. "He always finds a way. Whether it's in battle, or with one of his inventions that tends to blow him up ever now and then, he never gives up. Trust me, he'll get you all out of here."
"Y-you promise?" Pomni asked.
"Ah promise, Ah'll do everythin' I can to help get ya'll out of here." Applejack said.
Pomni wiped away a tear, looking at the farm mare and then hugging her, finally having someone who she could trust and feel comfortable around as the farm mare hugged her back, comforting the scared girl as they sat there.
"Aha, we have a winner!" Caine said, everyone looking up and seeing what looked like a scavenger hunt. "Looks like the activity for today is..." A moment later, a row of words appeared in orange and black words, skulls, pumpkins, and cobwebs either surrounding or part of the words appearing. "Spooky Scavenger Haunt! And it's quite fitting, seeing as on the day this chapter get's published, it'll be one day before Halloween in the real world!"
"Oh great, a scavenger hunt." Zooble said. "At least it's not Gloinks again."
"How it'll go is like this!" Caine said. "All around the Haunted Graveyard, there are items that are halloween themed as this month is spooooooky month. You'll split up into three teams, each with a list of stuff you need to find and bring back here!"
"Well, at least it isn't that time Caine sent us to the Candy Canyon Kingdom just to get the kigdoms Maple Syrup back." Pomni said.
"Wait, there's a candy kigdom?" Applejack asked. "Glad Pinkie wasn't here. She'd have a meltdown if she found out about that."
"Yeah, count me out." Zooble said, walking away.
"Aw come on Zooble, you missed out on the last activity, you gotta get in on this one!" Caine said.
"Besides, knowing Caine, he'll force you to be a part of the activity." Jax said. "So just do the Scavenger hunt and let's get it over with."
"Ugh, fine." Zooble said.
"That's the Spirit!" Cain said. "Alright, the teams for this scavenger hunt will be... Zooble and Jax..."
"What!?" Zooble shouted, looking to the rabbit, which he smiled and waved his fingers at her. "I hate my life."
"Kinger and Gangle..." Caine said, Kinger looking at Gangle and getting spooked by her. "And that just leaves Pomni, Ragatha, and Applejack!"
"But... isn't that a little unfair?" Jax asked. "They'll find all there stuff faster with three people in their team."
"That's ok Jax, I have a way to remedy that!" Caine said, snapping his fingers and making the list appear, everyone having a list of different items they need to find, but Applejack's team had a longer list than the others. "Since their team is bigger, that means they'll have more stuff they'll need to find!"
"That's... quite a list." Applejack said.
"Good luck everybody!" Caine said.
He snapped his fingers and a moment later, three portals appeared behind them, everyone walking through, but instead of finding themselves in the same spawning area, they found themselves in different parts of a graveyard map, Zooble and Jax starting in a forest section of the map, Kinger and Gangle outside in the cemetery, and Applejack, Pomni, and Ragatha inside of a crypt, looking around to see where they were.
"Wow, gotta admit, Caine's getting better at making these worlds." Ragatha said.
"Wait, Caine makes these things?" Applejack asked.
"Sure does." Ragatha replied. "He sometimes reuses worlds or remodels them from time to time, along with the NPC's, but this world is completely new. Just like the manor."
"Speaking of NPC's, he usually has some in each world." Pomni said. "We better start looking for the items on the list. I'd rather not get possessed again. What's the first item?"
Ragatha took out the list and had a look at it to see what they had to find first.
"The first item is a Jack-o'-lantern." Ragatha said. "Huh, should be easy enough to find. Let's head outside and see if we can find one."
They started to make their way outside to start looking for the items they had on their list, but little did they know, in the corner of the room they were in, a Search Ghost was watching them, coming out from the shadows as it suddenly disappeared before it could be spotted. In the Grid, Spyro was riding along the digital road to the circus, going through tunnels and past data currents as he wanted to get there as quickly as possible before anything bad happened to Applejack. A moment later, Sora, Rarity and Fluttershy were riding up behind him, catching up to him as he looked back and he slowed down enough to let them catch up before resuming his speed.
"Good of you to catch up." Spyro said.
"Spyro, I know you're worried about Applejack, but you need to slow down and calm down." Sora said. "You taught her how to fight using a Keyblade, she'll be just fine."
"I know she can take care of herself, but I can't help but worry about her safety." Spyro replied. "Her safety and the baby's."
"Don't worry darling, we'll save her." Rarity said. "We just need to be calm, that's all."
"Uh, but... how are we going to get out though?" Fluttershy asked. "The machine that sent us here is broken and what will happen if that wall is rebuilt?"
"I thought of that." Spyro replied, raising his arm and a holographic screem popped up. "I built a back door exit we can use once we're in. It'll take us back into the Grid once we find AJ."
"Wow, you made that before or after we got into the Grid?" Sora asked.
"I programed it while on this bike." Spyro replied. "The program should works once we're in the circus."
"Should work?" Sora asked.
"Hey, I just made this program, ok?" Spyro asked. "There's a chance there'll be bugs in it."
A moment later, an energy blast shot by, catchign Sora off guard as he wobbled a bit, looking back to see several Magnum Loaders coming up behind them, firing their energy weapons to try and hti them.
"Magnum Loaders!" Sora shouted.
"Great, that's all we need." Spyro said.
"Can't we shoot back or something!?" Rarity asked.
"Can't." Spyro replied. "The only thing thiese bikes can do is create light walls. They have no other weapons."
"What do we do then!?" Rarity asked.
Spyro looked forward, finding that they were coming to an open roundabout, getting an idea.
"Keep going!" Spyro said. "I got these guys!"
As they continued the route that the bikes were programed with, Spyro turned the autopilot off and turned, starting to drift around the roundabout as he pressed the left switch, activating the Light Wall Projector and created a wall around the roundabout, the Heartless crashing itno the wall and trying to stop, but they ended up tumbling and falling over one another to avoid crashing, but failing to do so. Spyro then turned the projector off and rode straight for the road that Sora and his friends took, gaining speed before jumping the wall, continuing to go after his friends as he caught up with them.
"Nice one Spyro!" Sora said, the group gaining speed as they continued on.
"That will only slow them down." Spyro said. "The wall will disappear and they'll be back." A moment later, several Devestators appeared on pillars, aiming their cannons at them. "Or they can bypass the wall and warp straight in front of us! Tron, we need backup, ASAP!"
"I'm afraid I can't provide additional support." Tron said. "But I think I know something that can."
They looked up at the pillars, seeing that the Heartless were getting ready to fire, but thent he pillars exploded, causing the Heartless to tumble down and turn into dark mist, confusing the group about what had happened until a Crashbug popped out, looking pleased with itself.
"Crashbug!" The virus said.
"Crashbug!" Spyro said. "Boy am I glad to see you!"
"Dude, how did Tron know they'd be here?" Sora asked.
"They must have followed us to make sure we were safe and sound." Spyro said, looking back at the virus. "Crashbug, we need you to keep the Heartless off of us and redirect us incase there are more than you can handle!"
"Crashbug!" The virus said, saluting him.
The bug then flew off, following the data stream as it followed the group, continuing to follow the group and knock down towers and pillars that Devastators had appeared on, getting ready to take a shot at the group, but everytime they tried, the towers and pillars would topple and fall, giving them a clear route until they saw a massive red wall with pixelated fire on it and at the tip of the road, right in front of the wall was a small group of crashbugs putting down some dynamite and and bombs, one of the bugs getting crushed by a larger bomb while the other bugs were laughing.
"Looks like they're almost ready." Spyro said. "And by the look of the amount of firepower they're putting down at the Firewall, they're going to blow it sky high."
"Heh, you're Crashbugs always like this?" Sora asked.
"Trust me, this is much more tamed than what they're capable of." Spyro said.
However, as they got closer, dozens of Magnum Loaders and a few Devestaros cut them off, blocking the way as the Devastators got their cannons up and started firing at them, making them maneuver and avoid the blasts and take another path.
"Shoot, we're cut off!" Sora exclaimed.
"Now what!?" Rarity asked.
"Stay on course!" Spyro ordered. "We're gonna go for another pass!"
"You serious!?" Rarity asked. "They'll pulverise us!"
"Not if we get an upgrade." Spyro said, activating the comms unit. "Tron, we're cut off! My virus can't handle this many Heartless all at once. We need an upgrade."
"Hold on, let me see what I can do." Tron said.
A moment later, more Magnum Loaders appeared behind them, firing their weapons at them and making everyone lean either left or right to avoid the attacks, starting to run out of maneuvers when a blue box appeared, everyone too focused on avoiding being shot when Spyro went through the box and a moment later, the Light Cycle glowed, catching Spyro off guard as it suddenly changed into a Tank, taking Spyro off guard as he sat in the pilots seat.
"What in the...!?" Spyro asked. "Tron, where the heck did you get this!?"
"I found it in an old data file for hackers." Tron replied. "It's pretty old, but I managed to do some modifications to where it's almost as fast as the Light Cycles with a powerful turret."
"I don't care how fast it is!" Spyro said, taking the controls. "You just went and gave me a big ass gun!"
He aimed the gun behind the fast moving vehicle and opened fire the cannon, hitting the ground and causing many of the Magnum Loaders to get destroyed or to fall off the side of road, Spyro laughing like a maniac as he continued to fire the gun as they went.
"Hey, where's my upgrade?" Sora asked. He got his answer when another blue box appeared, Sora going through the box and his cycle started to glow as he suddenly took off on a small Light Jet, yelling for joy as he was flying. "Woohoo! Now we're talking!"
He made a pass and flew towards the Heartless, the four wing mounted cannons opening fire on the road, hitting several of the Heartless as he flew back up to avoid crashing and being shot at.
"Hey, how come he get's a jet!?" Spyro exclaimed.
They continued to go around the road, mowing through the Heartless as they went until a Crashbug landed on Spyro's tank, looking into the scope and waving.
"Crashbug!" It said. "Crash, Crash, crash, crashy, crashy!"
"Thanks for letting me know." Spyro said, the bug flying off. "Crashbug told me the bombs are ready. The Firewall is ready to blow. It just needs a catalyst to make it go boom."
"Aw, but I like this vehicle." Sora said.
"We'll get you another one later." Spyro said. "Come on, let's get going."
They continued on the road towards the Firewall, making a right turn back to the wall of Heartless ready for them, but Sora just opened up on them, destroying two of the Devastator's while Spyro hit the third, making it blow up before opening fire on the Magnum Loaders, forcing them to retreat as they approached the wall, a large pile of explosives there ready to blow.
"Wow, when you said this was tamed, I was expecting something less than that." Sora said.
"Hey, wanna make something go boom, use a lot of bombs!" Spyro said. He aimed the gun at the massive pile of explosives, grinning all too enthusiastically as he pulled the trigger, making it fire and hit the explosived and causing a massive explosion, Spyro laughing like a mad man, but when the smoke cleared, there was no damage on wall, Spyro's maniacal laughter as he now had a look of confusion and anger. "WHAT!? That wall should have been nothing but broken data and computer fragments!"
"Guess it's sturdier than you first thought." Sora said.
"Gotta admit, that was anti-climatic." Rarity said.
"And loud." Fluttershy said, covering her ears.
"Tron, the Crashbugs failed." SPyro said. "The wall is much stronger than I anticipated. Whoever coded this thing knew what they were doing."
"Acknowledged, I'll see what I can find that'll break the wall." Tron said.
"Uh, Spyro darling, we got a problem. Rarity said.
They looked at the white unicorn mare, seeing how scared she was and looked to see what she was starring at, everyone looking at the wall and from it, the symbol of the Heartless appeared and from it, blocks of data and information came up from below the road and from the streams, heading towards the symbol as a massive heart appeared from the symbol as it disappeared, the blocks flying everywhere around the heart until they all merged, creating a bright light that blinded the entire group until the light died down, evryone looking and saw a massive Carrier Ship in ther sky, similar to the design of Tron carrier ships, but it was far more heavily armed and when the hangar bay doors opened, it dropped more Devastators and Magnum Loaders, all turning to them and aiming their cannons.
"Tron, we're in some serious trouble here!" Spyro exclaimed, getting the tank ready for a fight.
Meanwhile in the Haunted Graveyard, Pomni, Ragatha, and Applejack were walking around the crypt, looking for either a way back outside or a Jack-o'-lantern that was put indoors, looking around until they found what they were looking for, a Jack-o'-lantern sitting ontop of a stone coffin.
"Well, we found our first item." Ragatha said.
"I'll get it." Pomni said. She rushed over to the lantern and attempted to grab it, but it suddenly moved to the right, confusing Pomni and scarring her a bit before she reached for it again, but it moved again, freaking her out as she backed away. "Ok, that's a little scary."
"Must be a joke Caine's pulling." Ragatha said, walking over. "Here, let me." Ragatha reached for the lantern and grabbed it, pulling as hard as she could, but the lantern was not moving, confusing Ragatha as she backed away. "Ok, this is a bit much, even for Caine." However, the Jack-o'-lantern started to float in front of the group, Pomni shaking as she hated jump scares and a moment later, the Jack-o'-lantern dropping to the ground as the Search Ghost appeared, scaring both Pomni and Ragatha as they ran back to Applejack, who didn't seem scared as she stepped in front of them. "What is that thing!? One of Caine's NPC's!?"
"Search Ghost!" Applejack exclaimed.
She called her Keyblade, which it appeared in her muzzle as more Search Ghosts appeared around the group, Pomni and Ragatha looking at the Heartless in fear while Applejack stood in front of them, ready to protect her friends from the ghost-like Heartless and to get them out of there.
