Equestria Ninja Girls: Botbots

Chapters

Mall Than Meets the Eye
(Never) Be Yourself
Escape from Snackatraz
Spike's Tales
Phoning It In

Mall Than Meets the Eye

Shining calls out to her sister, “Hey Twily, you make sure Spike is in the house.”

Once, she heard him, Twilight (Sci-Twi) suddenly remember she forgot Spike at the mall. “OH NO!!!

Spike yawned from his spot as he woke up. "So what now, Twilight?” Spike asked before he looked around and found the tech store empty. “Twilight?” Spike called out before he suddenly picked up strange scents he never recognized before. “I got locked in the mall again.” Spike pouted, realizing that Twilight forgot him again. “I’d better stay out of the mall guard’s sight this time.” Spike noted with a yawn as he start looking around, but couldn't help but feel he wasn't alone. “It’s that scent again.”

“Sir, what's that?” And unknown voice was heard as Spike’s ears twitched, but he stayed silent to listen.

“A dog. Just stay out of sight.” Said another voice.

“It's not the Flesh Being. What's the problem?” The voice asked as Spike realized that he was targeted, but still remained quiet, as he silently, quickly and stealthily moved to find the source of the voice from the shadows by using his ninja skills. “Yeah. I'm going to go introduce myself.” Said the voice as Spike sensed that he was getting close to the source of the voices.

“Dimlit, no!” The other voice dreaded as from out of a corner, a flashlight-like creature walked up to Spike.

“Hi.” The creature said in an awkward tone. A few seconds of silence passed by.

“Uh, hi.” Spike responded.

“Whoa, a talking dog” The creature said in amazement.

Spike was however, confused. “You’re one to talk. You’re a walking, talking flashlight.”

“ I guess. My name is Dimlit.” The creature introduced himself.

“Name’s Spike.” The dog answered back.

“Nice to meet you, Spike.” Dimlit smiled as Spike now confirmed that they're not a threat.

“Your friends can come out.” Spike pointed out.

“How did you know I wasn't alone?” Dimlit asked in shock as Spike tapped his own nose.

“I can smell them.” Spike answered as Dimlit's friends walked out.

“Greetings, we come in peace.” Said one bot.

“I'm from Earth, too. Question is what are you all?” Spike asked.

“I'm Burgertron. That's Kikmee, Bonz-Eye, and Clogstopper.” The cheeseburger creature introduced as Spike looked at their weird appearances.

“I've never seen creatures like you.” Spike noted.

“And we've never seen a dog talk before.” Kikmee responded.

“So what’s going on?” Spike asked, getting to the point.

“We're Botbots. An Energon cloud struck our mall and created all of us across the mall.” Burgertron explained.

“Whoa…” Spike awed with a tilt of his head.

“There's a lot more of us too.” The botbot added.

“Really?” Spike asked.

“Burgertron is taking us to our rightful Squads!” Kikmee yelled in excitement.

“Squads?” Spike repeated in confusion.

Burgertron explained, “There's a bunch of Squads around the mall like the Jock Squad! If all your shoes have cleats or you actually are a shoe with cleats, this is your crew!”

“Hmm… I have a feeling that a certain athletic friend of mine is known by that squad.” Spike commented.

“Then we've got the Sugar Shocks. They talk three times faster than any of us and I kinda get a stomach ache just hanging out near them.” Burgertron added.

“ Hehehe. I think they’ve heard of a certain party friend of mine.” The dog chuckled.

“The Gamer Geeks control the Mall's systems so we're never on the Security Guard's monitors.” Burgertron said with a smile.

“Huh. I wonder if they’ve heard of Shimmercode or seen her videos.” Spike wondered to himself.

“And then there's the Custodial Crew who... Eh, actually you know what, the less I tell you about them, the better to be honest.” Burgertron informed, keeping it confidential.

“Oh… Right.” Spike noted, having understood what Burgertron meant.

“There's a bunch of other squads, too. But what are you doing here, Spike?” Burgertron finished.

“I was taking a nap, but Twilight forgot about me and I overslept again.” Spike answered while rubbing the back of his neck as Bonz-Eye stepped over.

“We can help you find a back door out or something after we're done.” Bonz-Eye said as that cheered Spike up.

“So, hop aboard. Sooner we're done, sooner I can go home and plan my next visit.” Spike quipped as Burgertron was surprised.

“Next visit?” Burgertron asked, shocked by what he heard.

“The mall only a couple of blocks from my house and I have an owl friend who can show Twilight I'm fine.” Spike informed.

“You want to be friends with us?” Clogstopper questioned.

“Sure.” Spike nodded as he laid down before Burgertron and the Lost Bots climbed aboard Spike. “Comfy, everyone?” Spike checked as everyone confirmed and the dog took off. “So, where am I going?”

“Food court.” Burgertron answered while pointing a finger to that area.

“And what’s the squad of that area?” Spike asked.

“Mine. The Hunger Hubs.” Burgertron answered as Spike suddenly stopped when he smelled the mall guard before stepping back.

“Quiet guys. The mall guard’s here.” Spike said before the botbots hid behind a bench. “Why are you guys hiding? You live here.” Spike quietly asked in confusion as Burgertron snapped his fingers in realization that forgot to mention this earlier.

“Okay, Spike. Time you leaned, *Dramatic voice* The Sacred Rule of the Mall! *Normal voice* No Bot may ever, I repeat, EVER, reveal to the flesh beings that we exist. Have you seen what the Flesh Beings do to the stuff here? Why are you hiding?” Burgertron said as Spike realized what he meant.

"Cause he might freak if he hears me talk.” Spike answered as Kikmee kept her eyes on the guard.

“How are we going to get by this defense coach?” Kikmee asked as Burgertron stood on top of Spike's head

“Never fear! If there’s one thing you learn from a brilliant leader like me, Lost Bots and Spike, never give up! I have an idea that cannot fail!” Burgertron declared.

“Every ninja figures some way through a problem.” Spike shrugged.

“Ninja?” Bonz-Eye asked.

“Yep. You heard right. Ninja.” Spike bragged with a proud smile.

“Okay, if my plan fails. Spike, you show us a ninja strategy.” Burgertron said.

“Thanks.” Spike smiled. A few seconds later, everyone got aboard the mall train.

"Seriously?" Spike mentally thought.

“Everyone ready?” Burgertron called out.

“ Ready!” Kikmee, Bonz-Eye, Dimlit and Spike answered.

“Soup!” Clogstopper randomly yelled.

“Huh?” The dog asked in confusion, not knowing what he meant.

“Floor it, Kikmee!” Burgertron ordered.

“Hold on tight!” Kikmee said as the bot charged forward and shoulder-thrusted the accelerator, making the train start moving slowly.

“Slow but quiet.” Spike noted.

“As long as we keep quiet, nothing can go wrong!” Burgertron smiled as Spike facepawed at that. “Oh, come on…” Burgertron groaned as there was cheesy children music started playing as lights emerged from the train.

“Yep, I was expecting something like this.” Spike deadpanned.

“Why?!” Burgertron cried out in frustration.

“The Flesh Being! The Flesh Being!” Bonz-Eye alerted.

"Why do I get the feeling I’m going on a huge adventure?" Spike mentally thought to himself as Dave walked by, talking to his boss.

“Yes, Randall. If I see the Sparkle Family dog, I'll take him home. I'm sure the little guy just asleep in a store.” Dave assured his boss as Spike heard that conversation.

“Oh, crumbs.” Spike groaned as Bonz-Eye tapped the dog's back.

“Spike, how often do you come to this building?” Bonz-Eye asked.

“During the day.” Spike answered as Dave walked by, completely obviously to the train, leaving Spike shocked at that. “Wait, he just walked right by us without a second thought.”

“Looks like it.” Dimlit agreed in a quiet tone as a bead of sweat dripped down Spike’s head, astonished by Dave’s obliviousness.

“Are your friends as clueless as him?” Kikmee asked.

“No. Not really." Spike shook his head before he noticed something. "An escalator!”

Everyone looked ahead as Burgertron smiled. “Those metal jaws of life will lead us right to the Food Court, as smooth a ride as-" Burgertron was about to say before being interrupted by sudden loud grinding.

“Not a good sign.” Spike dreaded as the train went up slowly while the Lost Bots and Burgertron were thrown to the front window before the train crashed loudly to the ground. “Ow…”

“Just as I planned.” Burgertron said.

“Really?” Spike sarcastically asked as Dave heard the crash.

“What the heck?” Dave gasped in surprise.

"Hide!" Spike quietly ordered as Dave ran up to the train to inspect the loud noise. As the guard was distracted, Spike braced himself on the roof while everyone else transformed. "Nobody make a sound.”

Dave spotted Burgertron. “Hey, well whaddya know? A hamburger!”

“No.” Spike quietly gasped.

“I said what I wanted five times, and I got a hamburger.” Dave smiled.

“I gotta help.” Spike said, left with no choice as he stealthily moved to the top of the train before he pounced onto Dave's face.

“Gah!” Dave yelped as Burgertron took the opportunity he jump out and run as Dave was struggling “Get off of my face!”

Spike jumped off Dave as he ran towards Burgertron. “Gotcha, buddy!”

“Hey, who's there!” Dave called out before he shined his flashlight beam at the sight of Burgertron and Spike.

“Not good!” Spike panicked.

“A little robot and talking dog!” Dave gasped in surprise before he suddenly froze as he recognized the dog.

“Let’s am-scray!” Spike ordered as Burgertron jumped on before the dog ran.

“Hey, stop!” Dave said as Spike kept running.

“There's a smoke bomb under my collar for emergency. Grab it!” Spike informed.

"O-Okay!” Burgertron responded before he found it and threw the smoke bomb to the ground, causing a smoke screen.

“What the?!” Dave yelped before the smoke clear, as the duo were nowhere to be seen. “They’re gone!”

Spike kicked a cup down the stairs, knowing Dave would hear as the security guard raced towards the sound, while the duo came out of their hiding spot. “Phew! He’s gone!” Spike sighed in relief before he picked up multiple scents. “Uh-oh!”

“Whaddya m-Oh…” Burgertron realized what Spike meant as he turned to see Multiple angry Botbots come out.

“Oh sewer apples.” Spike groaned.

“Spud Muffin! Ulf! Uh… Didja miss me?! Course you did. But I’m back! Yay!” He nervously said as Spike facepawed at that.

“Don’t “yay” us! Total jerk-moves you just pulled, letting that thing in here and revealing yourself to a flesh creature! Unforgivable.” Spud Muffin scoffed.

“Hey, back off! It was an accident!” Spike pointed out.

“Burgertron, you were the last bit I’d ever expect to give away our secret. What have you become, Burgie?” Ulf asked.

“I said, back off!” Spike repeated.

“Oh! You and the others saw that?” Burgertron nervously asked as Spud Muffin was not amused.

“Passport revoked bro-mide. You broke the only rule we have! A flesh being and that thing knows we exist! That puts Mall life in jeopardy. Consider yourself out of the Hunger Hubs. And I seriously doubt anyone else is gonna wanna hang with you now or with your weird friends!” Spud Muffin said as that caused Spike to snap and kick Spud Muffin into a trash bin.

“Anybody else want to get on my bad side?” Spike growled.

“Spike, that's enough." Burgertron pointed out.

“Gah!" Spike gasped before he calmed down. "Sorry about that.”

Spud recovered after getting out of the trash bin. “Flea-Infested mutt” Spud groaned as everybot left.

“He called us your 'weird friends'." Dimlit noted.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Burgertron apologized.

“That means 'Weird Most Important Thing In The World!' No one has ever said anything nicer to us!” Dimlit squealed in happiness.

“That's a nice way to see it, Dimlit." Spike smiled.

“I know! And did you see that other ball? And that bat? There really are squads for all of us! I’m maxed out on excitement! I’m in the ZONE!” Kikmee whooped in excitement.

“Yeah, it was pretty cool.” Spike agreed.

“But your squads won’t want to take you back now! I ruined everything!” Burgertron lamented.

Bonz-Eye started, “Your plan did not go like you hoped. And your friends rejected you. And you were humiliated in front of everyone you’ve ever known…”

“Blunt like Sugarcoat much?” Spike quipped.

“…But didn’t a “brilliant” leader teach us to “never give up”? Bonz-Eye finished.

“And a ninja always finds a way.” Kikmee added.

“Hehehe. It’s true.” Spike giggled.

“Yeah. Can’t we try again tomorrow?” Dimlit asked.

“You know, you’re right. This is just a setback. A big one, sure, but this is only the beginning!” Burgertron declared with a smile.

“And I'll help, too.” Spike added.

“But don’t you have to go home?” Burgertron asked.

“I do. But I can come back. I'm use to staying up late.” Spike responded.

“Because you’re a ninja?” Burgertron assumed with a smile.

“Yeah, but right now. I gotta get home.” Spike said with a smile as he started heading to the back exit door.

Meanwhile, Dave was planning something. “No one’ll believe I saw and heard them, yet. But there is no way they’ll escape my brilliant and cunning plans! This is only the beginning!”

Author's Note

Well, this is quite a surprise.

(Never) Be Yourself

Spike stretched out, ready to head back to the mall. “Better be careful not to wake anyone.” Spike said to himself as he carefully snuck out of his house and made his way to the mall. "Phew! Now to find Burgertron and the others.”

“Hoot?” A sound suddenly made itself known.

“Gah!” Spike yelped in shock as he turned to see a familiar face. “Oh, Owlowiscious. It’s just you.”

“Hoot.” Owlowiscious hooted as Spike shook off the fear.

“You think you can cover for me till I come home?” Spike asked.

“Hoo.” Owlowiscious responded.

“Thanks, buddy.” Spike smiled before he ran off to the mall as it took some time, but Spike made it to the mall and got in through the back door.

Burgertron jumped out as he saw him. “Hey Spike.”

“Hehe. Hey, Burgertron.” Spike smiled.

“I was just about to wake up the Lost Bots.” Burgertron said as he walked over to Spike. “Mind giving me a ride?”

“Sure.” Spike responded as Burgertron got onto his back and they headed to the Lost and Found. Soon, they got to the Lost and Found as Burgertron jumped off Spike before blowing a kazoo loudly, jumping the LostBots awake.

“Mommy?” Dimlit yelped as he was flipped upside-down.

“…What was that?” Spike asked, looking at Burgertron.

“Nothing like rousing kazoo music to get the Energon pumping!” Burgertron responded, waving it off.

“Everyone okay?” Spike asked in concern.

“I think so. But Burgertron, why?” Bonz-Eye responded.

“Probably the same reason as my friend Applejack.” Spike guessed.

“You Lost Bots probably aren’t used to getting up at the crack of closing, but if we’re going to get accepted back by our squads, we have no time to waste. We need the perfect plan. And guess what?” Burgertron asked.

“You’re a ventriloquist?!” Dimlit smiled as Spike bit back a snicker at that.

“What? No. Anyway, I have the perfect plan! Follow me!” Burgertron replied as everyone followed him.

“Cloggstopper, you coming?” Spike asked before he found something surprising.

“No one asks if I’m a ventriloquist." Clogstopper said to a hand puppet before he voiced said puppet, "You aren’t.” surprising himself with that.

“I guess, everyone has a hobby." Spike said to himself as he mentally thought "Even if they are disturbing.”

Soon, Spike, Burgertron and the Lost Bots saw the other Botbots watching a video.

“A Video Kiosk?” Spike asked before the video kiosk showed Spud Muffin.

“Hey bros, bro-ettes, various bro-dentities. Spud Muffin here, just doin’ what I do, NBD. Check it: COUCH SURFING!” Spud Muffin whooped as he then surfed the couch with a flip-flip while the other Botbots cheered.

“See? If there’s one thing all the Bots love, it’s a dope BotVid.” Burgertron smiled as Spike stared at Spud Muffin in the video and had a strange feeling.

“Burgertron, who is that exactly?” Spike noticed.

“Oh, that’s Spud Muffin, my best bud and maybe former vice-captain of the Hunger Hubs.” Burgertron answered as Spike was suspicious, but kept quiet.

“Man, that Spud Muffin is a hunk! What poise! What charm!” Clogstopper swooned.

“Yeah, he’s got sort of a sidekick charm maybe. But that’s not the point. Look at how everybody loves BotVids!” Burgertron resopnded.

“Uh, cool Bots make BotVids. *Quietly* We’re not cool Bots, remember?” Kikmee pointed out.

“Well, not YET! Sure, you’re a little weird, and one of you, not saying who, is distractingly unhygienic…” Burgetron started off as Clogstopper had his Tongue stuck on gum. “He could mean anybody really.”

“Yeah. That and you're disgusting." Spike added.

“…but once we make BitVids for each of you and get them to play on that moving wall, your generalized greatness will be apparent and all the Squads will forget about how much they hate us! You in?” Burgertron finished.

“At the very least it could be fun to do.” Spike halfly agreed as the Lost Bots kinda shrugged.

"A half-shrug of acceptance? That’s all I need!" Burgertron smiled as Spike leaned down.

“Come on. I think I know someone who can help.” Spike smirked.

“Who?” Burgertron asked in confusion.

“Hop on and you'll see.” Spike responded as Burgertron and the Lost Bots got on him.

“Okay?” Burgertron said, still confused.

A short while later, Spike brought his friends to the electronics store where Twilight works. “Hehe. Sure brings back memories.”

“What is this stuff.” Dimlit asked as Burgertron looked around.

“Hmm, no idea. Nerd stuff?” Burgertron guessed.

“Who are you calling nerd, nerd?” An unknown yet offensive voice retorted as the source was revealed to be a camera Botbot.

“Guys, this is FOMO.” Burgertron introduced.

“I know him. I saved him from being bought by a shopper this morning.” Spike remembered.

“And how did you know I was a Botbot, exactly?” FOMO asked.

“All of you have a scent I can pick up.” Spike responded after a small sniff in the air as Fomo seemed skeptical about that.

“Anyway, these are the Lost Bots.” Burgertron continued.

“Oh, I know. Everyone knows about you 'Lost Bots'. Ech. I can’t believe you broke The Sacred Rule!” FOMO dramatically pointed out as Burgertron ignored his complaints.

“Okay, well Fomo here is gonna film your BotVids for you.” Burgertron said.

“Really?” Spike asked, surprised at that.

“Yep.” Burgertron answered.

“Fomo is doing this for Fomo.” FOMO spoke in third person.

“Thought so.” Spike deadpanned, having expected that.

“Yeah, I did not become the top influencer in the Mall by helping others.” FOMO added, standing his ground.

“Influencer? What do you make people do?” Dimlit asked while hugged one of Spike's leg.

“I make ‘em watch sick BotVids. My lifestyle is my brand! Which means I need content, content, content. That is the only reason I’m willing to slum it with you pariahbots.” FOMO explained.

“You seem rude but say cool words. So I guess that makes it ok?” Dimlit wondered.

“Let’s go with that.” Burgertron smiled.

“Maybe Dimlit could stay with me instead.” Spike offered.

“Come on, let’s go. Shoot great stuff. Show off your personalities! Don’t worry! Just be yourselves!” Burgertron retorted as Spike had no choice but to let Dimlit go with the others.

“Burgertron, are you sure about this?” Spike asked, tapping the Botbot's shoulder.

“Absolutely!" Burgertron confirmed.

Meanwhile, Dave was on his phone, talking to someone. “No, seriously, they were little robots and the Sparkles dog was talking! In the mall!” Dave said as hysterical laughter was heard on the other end of the phone. “Aw, stop laughing! It’s not funny! One of those robots was a cheeseburger!” Dave explained as the laughter intensified on the other end. “Aw yeah ok, laugh, laugh. Yo-You’ll see!" Dave growled as he ended the call. "Man. My mom sure can be mean.” Dave sighed as he brought out a trap kit he was carrying. “Once you catch the dog and one of those bots in a trap, Dave, everyone, your mom, your boss, that misinformed bus driver, they’ll have to believe you! Building this should be easy.” Dave confidently said before he let out an insanely long instruction manual and two small tools. “Yeah. Yeah, easy.” Dave uttered, unsure deep down.

Meanwhile, back with Spike and the Lost Bots...

"Alright! Ready to show me the gold you captured on video?” Burgertron asked with fist pumps.

“Yeah, show us the videos.” Spike cheered in agreement.

“Yep! We were kinda nervous at first, but we’re really proud of what we got.” Dimlit said.

“Can’t wait. Lay it on me!” Burgertron smiled as Fomo turned the videos on so Dimlit was up first as nothing happened.

“Hmm… When does it start?” Burgertron asked in confusion and impatience.

“I think already started.” Spike noticed before “#Kittens” appeared with customized pictures of cats and kittens as he sneered at it.

“"#Kittens?!” Why did it say “Hashtag Kittens"?!” Burgertron asked in surprise.

“Everybody loves kittens!” Dimlit smiled.

“You just erased my brain. What were you doing in that video?” Burgertron clarified.

“The Standing Completely Still Challenge”! Everybody also loves stuff that ends in “challenge!"” Dimlit added.

“Okay, I… There are no words.” Burgertron admitted.

“A for effort, Dimlit.” Spike commented.

“Who’s next?” Burgertron asked.

“How about Kikmee?” Spike suggested as Fomo was already uploading the next video.

“Please be good.” Burgertron mumbled.

“And no cats.” Spike added as a video came on, showing Bonz-Eye swinging her katanas at yellow triangles like beat saber.

“Alright! This is more like it!” Burgertron cheered.

“Cool.” Spike agreed before Bonz-Eye started going overboard with the katanas as she sliced the background, wires and flashlight before the camera turned to static.

“Enlightening, is it not? My blade is so sharp, it can slice through our concept of reality itself.” Bonz-Eye said.

“Reminds me of a friend of mine.” Spike chuckled.

“The end might be a little off-putting.” Burgertron noted.

“Well, mine’s ON-PUTTING! Roll em, Fomo!” Clogstopper smiled.

“I have a bad feeling about this one.” Spike dreaded as the next video was… doodles?!

“The weight of the world got you down? Feeling lonely? Listless? Friendship with Clogstopper can help! Friendship with Clogstopper can brighten your day with joy! Ask your doctor if Friendship with Clogstopper is right for you! Mild to serious side effects of Friendship with Clogstopper include random exposure to dangerous fungi, loose stool, and emotional irritation.” The Clogstopper on the video said as it ended with Burgertron and Spike facepalming themselves.

“Called it.” Spike said.

“So? Best one? Or better than best?” Clogstopper asked with a smile.

“Don’t decide yet!” Kikmee responded as Spike stepped in.

“Kikmee, breath.” Spike advised as the next video showed Kikmee transforming into a soccer ball before she bounced all around, tackling other Botbots while she was at it before the video ended.

"Why would you do that?!” Burgertron gasped in horror.

“What? It’s a fun, sporty prank!” Kikmee responded.

“Just like Rainbow Dash.” Spike sighed.

“You probably just enraged half the Mall!” Burgertron pointed out in worry.

“For real. Y’all are more hated than ever.” FOMO agreed with a smirk before he was punched by Spike for not helping.

“Yeah, hers didn’t really work out. But the rest… Masterpieces, right?” Clogstopper asked.

“Masterpieces of garbage! Those are the worst BotVids ever made! What were you all thinking?” Burgertron questioned.

“We were doing what you told us. Just being ourselves.” Dimlit responded.

"No Dimlit, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just... These videos aren't exactly...” Spike tried to say, but stammered to find the nicest words before Burgertron interrupted him. “I didn’t mean your REAL selves! I meant your better, cooler, FAKE selves that people might actually like! How could you mess up such a simple, clear instruction?!”

“Burgertron, calm down. We're all friends here.” Spike said.

“Okay, Spike. Look. It’s my fault. I should’ve directed this project myself. Let’s just head to the South Wing, I’ll think of something new.” Burgertron declared.

“Yeah, we can’t go there.” Clogstopper pointed out.

“Yeah, Dave is at that wing.” Spike agreed.

“Not to mention setting up his traps.” Clogstopper added.

“His WHAT NOW?!” Burgertron gasped.

“Oh, no.” Spike dreaded as he realized why ninjas are never supposed to be caught.

Meanwhile, Dave finished his traps. “And they rejected your application to the Engineering Academy, Dave.” Dave said, acting like he did his traps perfectly when in fact they were poorly set up. “Well, their loss.” Dave scoffed as his stopwatch beeped. “Ah! I’m late for my rounds!” Dave realized as he left his traps with great confidence they'll work.

After he left, Spike, Burgertron and the Lost Bots showed up from behind a pillar.

“Wow, and here I thought Mikey was bad at building stuff.” Spike noted while remaining hidden as Dimlit saw the displays.

“Is that a new amusement park?”Dimlit asked.

”They’re traps!” Kikmee whispered loudly.

“They are PERFECT!” Burgertron smiled as Spike shook his head.

“Poorly made though.” Spike pointed out.

“Explain.” Bonz-Eye requested.

“Well, whereas you all see danger, I see opportunity! If we can beat these traps, we’ll not only protect all the other boys, we will look incredibly amazing as we do it on video!” Burgertron explained.

“I guess it could work.” Spike admitted as Clogstopper, Bonz-Eye and Kikmee smiled at that, but Dimlit was nervous. Spike didn’t look away from the work as he commented, “Man, Dave really built these poorly.”

“And when our Squads all see it, they’ll be BEGGING us to join them!” Burgertron cheered with fist pumps as Spike tried to bring him back to reality.

“Begging might be a stretch, Burgertron.” Spike pointed out.

“Look, these are called “traps” which makes me think there will be some kind of “trapping”. What if WE get trapped?” Dimlit worried.

“That's why you have me for a friend, Dimlit.” Spike responded, stepping up.

“Well , you’re certainly not gonna beat the traps with that attitude! Now let’s get started, the flesh being’s rounds only take twenty minutes.” Burgertron informed as he and everyone else inspected the traps.

“Um, why are there loose bolts here?” Clogstopper noticed.

“And batteries in a jar?” Dimlit asked while holding said jar.

“And oil?” Kikmee added.

“Man... Totally cliche.” Spike sighed, not impressed.

“You gotta be kidding me. They’re lures! These are robot stereotypes! Come on! Does he really think we eat nuts and bolts?” Burgertron deadpanned as Spike looked at one bot.

“Don't try it, Clogstopper.” Spike growled

“Aw…” Clogstopper pouted.

“Don't.” Spike glared.

“Is it possible the flesh creature built these with a blindfold on?” Bonz-Eye asked.

“Or he's very incompetent.” Spike added before Kikmee accidentally knocked over the oil sprayer, before the construction fell apart, not hitting anyone at all.

“Yes. I'd go with incompetent.” Bonz-Eye responded, agreeing with Spike.

“Oh good! We don’t have to do this!” Dimlit sighed in relief.

“Bad! We need these traps to work if we’re going to impress everyone.” Burgertron pointed out.

“So? It’s not like we’re gonna rebuild them properly and put ourselves in more danger just to look better on video.” Kikmee said.

“Open mouth, insert foot.” Spike deadpanned.

“Yeah! Great idea! Let’s do that!” Burgertron cheered as Kikmee facepalmed.

“So close.” The dog groaned.

Later, they rebuilt the traps perfectly.

“Hey, great work! We should think about applying to an Engineering Academy.” Burgertron smiled.

“Tried that. They said they don't allow dogs.” Spike responded before Dimlit gasped.

“We have our first viewer!” Dimlit pointed out as the Sugar Shock Botbot Sprinkleberry Donut walked up. “BotBots.”

“Is that all he ever says?” Spike asked.

“Yep.” Burgertron answered.

“Weird.” Spike noted.

“This is only the beginning! Once we make this BotVid, you’ll be signing autographs for everyone!” Burgertron cheered.

“No. I will never write my own name.” Clogstopper growled.

“Can you even spell your own name?” Spike asked as Burgertron looked at the time.

“Ack! The flesh beast is only three minutes away! We have to make our cinematic masterpiece! Let’s go!” Burgertron urged before Kikmee stopped him.

“Whoa! Watch it, coach! Oil slick.” Kikmee pointed out.

“Thanks.” Burgertron said in gratitude.

“Great job, Kikmee.” Spike smiled.

“Now everyone, on your ones!” Burgertron ordered.

“Better film this, Fomo.” Spike reminded.

“Fomo, you ready?” Burgertron asked.

“Readier than you dweebs.” FOMO scoffed.

“Okaaay hit record!” Burgertron smiled before Fomo did that as his camera lens, being his right eye, turn red.

“One other thing: Insult us like that again and I'll make sure my owner Twilight dissects you.” Spike growled as Fomo just scoffed, still skeptical since the dog knew about the sacred rule.

“Hey bots! BT here, and we couldn’t help but notice the flesh creature has set up a series of traps for all of us. OH NO! But never fear, your brave and indisputably cool heroes are here to shut this down.” Burgertron commented.

"Hi, Twilight!” Spike joked.

“SPIKE!” Burgertron yelled as humans couldn't see this.

“What? It's just a joke.” Spike smirked.

“Not cool, bud.” Burgertron frowned as the other bots were still a bit peeved off from the last time Spike got them caught. Kikmee transformed before bouncing across the bear-traps while setting them off before going into a bucket, lifting Bonz-Eye up as she sliced up the nets that were fired at her before jumping upward as Clogstopper transformed into a plunger while sticking itself to the pillar, allowing her to jump towards the skateboard as she pushed it with Dimlit riding the skateboard.

“Whoa!" Dimlit yelped as set traps off while dodging them. "We’re really doing it! We’re actually cool! Whuh-oh!” Dimlit dreaded as he was about to crash into the trap before Burgertron stopped the skateboard.

“And that is a wrap on the traps!” Burgertron quipped as Dimlit fainted.

“YES! MONEY! Oh! This’ll be the way sickest BotVid yet!” FOMO grinned as he left.

“That was amazing! There his no way we don’t look cool-“ Burgertron was about to cheer before he accidentally set off a trap and got captured underneath a box.

“Of course, you'd be the one getting trapped.” Spike groaned in annoyance before Dave showed up as the the dog and Lost Bots hid. “Talk about timing.”

“Huh? The traps went off, but no robots? I built these perfectly, so-WHAT?!” Dave gasped as he spotted the moving box.

“Bonz-Eye, get on my back.” Spike said.

“On it!" Bonz-Eye responded as she climbed onto Spike's back before he then quickly ran towards the box while Dave walked towards the trap.

“I got another smoke bomb with my collar.” Spike informed.

“So I must use it?” Bonz-Eye assumed as Spike saw the opportunity.

“Now!” Spike shouted as Bonz-Eye threw the smoke bomb, covering an amount of area in a smoke screen.

“Huh?” Dave wondered in confusion before he grabbed the box. “Oh YES! Why don’t you laugh at this, mom. Laugh with your face. Laugh… *Lifts box, revealing only the broken sticks* at me for another night. I’ll find you robots and dog, I swear.” Dave growled as he walked away, not noticing a tear in the box at all.

“Thanks for the save, guys.” Burgertron sighed in relief.

“No prob!” Spike smiled.

“Now let’s see how the other Bots react!” Burgertron urged as everyone came to the kiosk to see Botbots watching it. “Are you showing it? Our brilliance? Our transcendent filmic experience?”

“Better b-b-believe! I got it on loop!” FOMO giggled as the group saw the video showing Sprinkleberry walking forward before slipping on the oil slick, falling down and getting oily as the other Botbots started laughing with the video looping over and over.

“You didn't film us?!” Spike growled in shock.

“What is this? This isn’t us!” Burgertron pointed out.

“No, it’s BETTER! I have a keen eye for fails, and when I saw Sprinkleberry headed for that oil, oooh, I knew exactly where the MONEY was!” FOMO explained as Clogstopper was laughing at the video too before Spike pounced onto FOMO and started beating him up.

Meanwhile, Burgertron was walking, down in the dumps before Spike and the Lost Bots showed up.

“Hey, look on the bright side, sir. Sure, no one saw it, but we DID beat all those traps. And we did it by being ourselves!” Dimlit smiled.

“Which was your idea if I remember.” Kikmee pointed out.

“And it'll keep Dave from trying it again” Spike added.

“You know, good point. It’s not our fault other bots don’t have discerning taste and will laugh at the stupidest stuff on a BotVi-“ Burgertron was about to agree before he slipped on an oil slick and fell, getting a little oily as the others stifled their laughter.

“Hey Spike, where do you get the smoke bombs?” Kikmee asked Spike.

“Hehe. A ninja doesn’t reveal their secrets.” Spike responded as Burgertron still on the oil slick.

“Uh, hashtag kittens?” Burgertron nervously said before he, Spike and the Lost Bots burst into laughter as the dog realized his slip of the tongue “Okay. Walked into that one.”

Escape from Snackatraz

Spike was back at the mall before his stomach growled. "That's what I get for skipping Dinner tonight." Spike growled at himself before his stomach took control as Spike’s nose smelled something tasty. "I smell something tasty." Spike salvated as he started following the sweet aroma.

"HELP! HELP!" A voice cried out.

"Huh?" Spike noticed as he looked at the vending machine and saw a Botbot stuck inside. "A cupcake botbot?"

"C’mon, pick it up! We gotta get to the Food Court yesterday!" Burgertron urged.

"How can we get there “yesterday”? *Excited gasp!* Do you have a time machine?!" Dimlit asked.

"Time machines don’t work, Dimlit. Except my that one time." Clogstopper said as Spike saw his friends coming and raced over to them

"Hey Spike! You’re here!" Burgertron greeted.

"Hey guys, where's the fire?" Spike asked.

"Agreed, what’s the hurry, Burgertron?" Bonz-Eye repeated.

"Oh, I don’t know. Just the most important event in Mall history: THE ICE CREAMAPALOOZA!" Burgertron happily answered.

"Hope there's dog friendly variety." Spike said.

"Rocket Pop Rollercoasters! An Ice Cream Bobsled!" Burgertron listed.

"Cookie Sandwich Bumper Cars?!" Dimlit added in excitement.

"And you got us tickets to this event, coach?" Kikmee asked, excited as well.

"Of course… not…. Yet, but I’m sure if I lay on some classic Burgertron charm, we’ll be knee-deep in frozen bliss in no time!" Burgertron boasted.

"Actually, we have a problem." Spike pointed out.

"Help! Help! Can no mortal soul hear my cries for assistance?! It is I, Frostferatu! Master of glazed-toppings! Sultan of Sugarcoating! Dark Prince of Pastries! And I am trapped in this infernal prison!" The new botbot cried out.

"Not this guy." Burgertron groaned.

"Hi Frostferatu. I'm Spike." Spike greeted.

"How did you get in there?!" Kikmee said.

"Every few days the flesh beings restock this device with fresh deserts from our store! And no cupcake is fresher than I, Frostferatu! *Dracula laugh* But now I am stuck, which kinda bites." Frostferatu admitted.

"Just sit tight in there. We'll get you out." Spike assured.

"Yeah, tough break, buddy. Welp, nice seeing ya, gotta roll." Burgertron bid farewell before Spike stopped him.

"Burgertron, the carnival can wait. Frostferatu needs our help." Spike pointed out.

"Spike's right. This is a bot in need. We have to help." Bonz-Eye agreed.

"You will help me escape. *Swirling eyes* Look into my eyes. I am using my vampiric skills to hypnotize you into doing my bidding!" Frostferatu menacingly said.

"There’s a glare. We can’t see your eyes." Bonz-Eye pointed out.

"Let me try a different angle. I really wanna be hypnotized." Clogstopper said.

"Spike is right. This is a fellow bot in need. We have to help." Bonz-Eye urged.

"He’s a Sugar Shock! None of us are Sugar Shocks. Let them handle it." Burgertron responded.

"The Sugar Shocks aren’t here!" Bonz-Eye replied.

"Because they’re probably in the middle of Bon-Bon Bowling right now, where we should be!" Burgertron retorted.

"Burgertron, we can't just leave him. We have to do something." Spike urged.

"Tell you what, when we get to the carnival, I’ll let the Sugar Shocks know what’s up with Frosty here. It’s not like there’s a ticking clock on this or anything." Burgertron said.

"Yeah, about that." Clogstopper responded.

"What's up, Clogstopper?" Spike asked.

"I was in the bathroom earlier, just minding my own business, when I overheard Dave doing his business, by which I mean talking to his mom on the phone, so don’t be gross." Cloggstopper started to explain.

[Flashback]

Dave listened to the chatter on the other end of the phone call. "Am I doing anything special for my birthday, Mom? Uh, of course I am! I’m going to treat myself to a cupcake from that fancy new vending machine on, on my break tonight! It’s time to live out loud! Heh. Yeah. Yeah that’s all."

[End Flashback]

"Somehow, I’m really glad Pinkie isn’t here." Spike said in relief.

"Okay, fine, there is a ticking clock." Burgertron admitted.

"Our best option is to divide and conquer. One group distracts Dave, the rest get Frostferatu out." Spike noted.

"Dave’s break’s in 20 minutes! We gotta get Frostferatu out of there!" Bonz-Eye informed.

"You heard Spike's plan. Kikmee, take Dimlit and Clogstopper and stall Dave." Burgertron ordered.

"Yep!" Kikmee responded.

"You got it!" Dimlit added.

"Heh. 'Stall.'" Clogstopper chuckled.

"Spike, do you know how these things work?" Bonz-Eye asked.

"Yeah, all we need are coins." Spike answered.

"Then that is our plan of attack." Bonz-Eye declared.

"Plan-schman. What we need to do is get this over with so we can get to Ice-Creamapalooza before all the rides melt, and I have a brilliant idea how!" Burgertron boasted.

"This should be entertaining." Spike deadpanned.

"Yep." Bonz-Eye agreed as some time later, she and Spike were readying to catapult Burgertron.

"Okay, on the count of three-" Burgertron was about say before Spike and Bonz-Eye released him early, launching him. "By the power of cholesterol, I will-pah!" Burgertron groaned, having crashed on the visor, splattering mustard and ketchup as he slid down.

"This could take awhile." Spike noted.

Meanwhile, with Kikmee and her team, they opened the vent. "Shhh." Kikmee shushed as the trio found Dave reading a unenthusiastic birthday card

"'It is your Birthday. Regards, Mom.' She always knows just what to say. You know what? Mom’s right. It is my birthday, and I’m gonna treat myself. I’m buying that deluxe vinyl Mega Shogun Raptorsaur figurine I always wanted! Yeesh. That is expensive! But hey, Dave’s birthday only comes once a year! Well, once every four years. Stupid leap day." Dave talked to himself.

"We gotta keep him busy! Should we lock the door maybe?" Dimlit asked.

"Flood this office with sewage?" Clogstopper suggested.

"I got an idea." Kikmee said.

"Credit card info entered. Raptosaur in my virtual cart. Just hit “confirm” and this is the best birthday I’ve ever had." Dave simply listed as the Lost Bots got into position. Kikmee gave the signal as Dimlit jumped and transformed into his flashlight form before crashing on the ground. "Huh? What was that?" Dave wondered as he look for the source of the sound while Clogstopper fired Kikmee and she started messing with the order. Kikmee then hit confirmed as a purchase ding was heard, making Dave come up as she retreated out of sight before he saw what happened. "What?! I don’t want a thousand of these! How did that happen? Undo! Gah! Order confirmed?! Oh no. Cancel, cancel! Express shipping?! Oh no, no, now I gotta call customer service! Thirtieth in the queue? *Dramatic groan before hearing generic waiting music* Oh, this is my favorite song."

Back with the Rescue Team...

"15th time’s a charm-blah!" Burgertron shouted before he splat against the window and slid down again.

"Burgertron, I know how a vending machine works." Spike said.

"Spike has a point. Let's use our brains." Bonz-Eye agreed.

"I used my brains! Some of them are on the ground over there." Burgertron pointed out.

"We need to find coins to get Frostferatu out." Spike informed.

"He's right. The Flesh Beings use shiny disc and place them in there." Frostferatu added.

"Shiny discs? Where are we supposed to find those?!" Burgertron asked before Bonz-Eye got an idea where.

Later, the group got out of a fountain with lots of coins.

"We'd be in so much trouble if the cameras worked." Spike snickered.

Back with Dave…

"So you’re saying there’s nothing you can do then?! Nothing?! Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Well you have a nice day, too!" Dave growled on the phone before ending the call with a defeated sigh as his stopwatch beeped. "Oh biscuits, I’m late for my rounds!" Dave groaned as he walked off with Kikmee's team following him.

Back with Spike, Burgertron and Bonz-Eye...

"Almost there!" Bonz-Eye said as a coin bounced off the slot.

"That disc was wonky." Burgertron insisted.

"Whatever you say." Spike shrugged as Burgertron tossed another coin, which flew into the slot.

"Yes! Grand touchdown field goal." Burgertron whooped.

"Frostferatu, can you see the number you're under?" Spike asked.

"Yes, now all you have to do is climb up to the number pad and press B-7!" Frostferatu informed.

"Simple enough." Spike smiled.

"It’ll take forever to climb all the way up there! And we’re late enough for Ice Creamapalooza as it is!" Burgertron groaned.

"Forget that, what about the Mall Guard? He’ll be here any minute!" Bonz-Eye pointed out.

"Guys, I can handle this. My friends do this kind of climbing." Spike assured.

"How about this? I’ll just hurl a few more of these disc thingies and hit the buttons from here!" Burgertron insisted.

"Your call." Spike shrugged as Burgertron tossed a coin with it hitting a button.

"Alright!" Burgertron cheered before a bag of licorice was brought down instead. "Practice run."

"Spike, do you have any friends this clueless?" Bonz-Eye asked.

"Two or three." Spike simply answered.

Back with Dave…

"Oh great! That mishap maxed out my credit card! Enjoy your birthday finance charges, Dave." Dave grumbled to himself as Kikmee and her team stayed at a safe distance.

"He’s getting closer to the vending machine! We’ve gotta think of something quick!" Kikmee gasped.

"Okay, I’ve got an idea! What if we opened up a restaurant that served soup in a bag?!" Clogstooper suggested.

"How would that stall Dave?!" Kikmee deadpanned.

"Does my soup bag restaurant need to?" Clogstopper asked in confusion while Dimlit noticed a sign and smiled before shining a spotlight on it as Dave walked towards it.

"Where am I even gonna put a thousand Raptosaurs? They’re too scary to go in my bedroom. *Notices sign* Huh? 'Automated Massage Experience'? I could use a relaxing back and shoulder massage. It is my birthday, after all." Dave smiled before walking off as Kikmee's team smiled while they closed in. Dave went to a massaging chair as he took a seat and turned it on, relaxing. "Ohhh yeahhh… birthdaaay…" Dave sighed in relief with his voice vibrating as he didn't notice the trio come by the chair.

"He might get bored. We gotta play it safe here." Clogstopper said as he set the machine to dangerous level.

"Hey! No!" Dave yelped while being strapped in before the chair started shaking rapidly as Dave screamed in panic, with Spike hearing him from afar with his canine ears.

"That can’t be good." Spike noted.

"You're a strange dog, Spike." Frosferatur said.

"Meh, been told that before." Spike shrugged.

"He must be getting closer. We’re running out of time!" Bonz-Eye realized.

"Then, we do what my friends do: Improvised." Spike said.

"That’s it, going in!" Bonz-Eye declared as she flipped and dove into the vending machine like a skilled ninja.

"Not bad." Spike smiled.

"You coming or not?" Bonz-Eye asked.

"Better go, Burgertron. I won't fit." Spike added.

"I have a choice here?" Burgertron checked in surprise.

"Nope." Spike answered as Bonz-Eye grabbed Burgertron and dragged him into the machine. "Good luck."

"Hey! It’s me! I’m up here!" Frostferatu called out.

"How are we supposed to get all the way up there?" Burgertron asked as Bonz-Eye showed him the licorice rope. "Oh yeah, with the licorice rope! I knew I bought that for a reason."

"Less yapping, more climbing. And see if there's anything dog friendly. I'm hungrier than Mikey." Spike requested.

"Right." Bonz-Eye odded.

"And no chocolate." Spike added.

"You seriously still can't eat chocolate? I thought the Magic you told us would've change your anatomy." Bonz-Eye asked.

"Yeah, but I’m still not sure." Spike responded as Bonz-Eye and Burgertron shrugged their shoulders and kept climbing. Back with Dave, he was yelling in distress. "Okay, I see an explosion in 3... 2... 1."

But then the plug was pulled as the chair shut off.

"Oh! Whoa! Oh man!" Dave groaned in relief.

"Or not. That's a first." Spike noted while Dave inhaled stressfully as his restraints were deactivated.

"Okay, time to turn this disastrous birthday around. I’m getting me that luxury cupcake right now!" Dave declared as Kikmee and company started to panic.

"Oh no! We gotta warn them!" Kikmee gasped.

"On it!" Dimlit responded as he started flashing his light frantically like some kind of morse code.

"That's Morse code. 'Dave is coming. Hurry the rescue'." Spike translated as Burgertron looked down and got a bit scared while Frostferatu noticed the flashing lights.

"What is this? It must be some kind of a mystical sign from the nether realm! Speak to me, oh spirit caught between worlds! Huh?" Frostferatu wondered as he and Spike noticed Dave approaching. "Oh no! The living flesh nightmare approaches!"

Spike hid under the machine as Frostferatu transformed while Bonz-Eye and Burgertron took cover.

"Birthday cupcake, you’re about to be Daved." Dave smirked as unknown to him, the cupcake nervously trembled as Burgertron noticed Dave bring out a dollar.

"Oh no! This is terrible." Burgertron dreaded.

"Come on, Spike. Think." Spike told himself as he looked around under the vending machine for anything useful.

"What do you think I’ve been telling you? Saving a life is way more important than the ice cream party." Bonz-Eye pointed out.

"Harsh, but true." Burgertron admitted.

"Focus." Spike urged himself before he gnawed on something on the vending machine as Dave inserted the dollar, before it was ejected.

"Oh, come on!" Dave groaned.

"So that's how that happens." Spike noted before Burgertron and Bonz-Eye sighed in relief as Dave took the dollar and straightened it before inserting it again while Spike gnawed at the same time, making it eject the dollar again as Dave gave out an angry cry. "I need a breath mint after this."

"Okay, my therapist told me I need to accept rejection. But no way am I’m doing that on my birthday!" Dave insisted as Spike kept gnawing until he inadvertently bit through the wire.

"Uh-oh." Spike dreaded before Dave inserted the dollar as the machine kept ejecting, then they went over and over and over before a success ding was heard. "Oh, rats." Spike facepalmed before Dave pressed B-7 as the coil started pushing Frostferatu, but when he fell off, he got caught between the level and the glass. "Wow, that's lucky."

"Huh?! *Distressed cry* GIVE. ME. MY. CUPPYCAKE!" Dave roared as Spike stayed perfectly still so the machine wouldn't hit him while Dave shook the vending machine before an alarm went off. "Ah! Oh, great. Now I gotta go all the way to security and shut this off. This is a real great birthday. Real great."

Spike squirmed out after Dave left. "Okay, that was closer to crushing my head than I liked."

"That was too close! Bonz-Eye, you’re right. Saving this bot is a priority. *Kicks muffin* Let’s go!" Burgertron urged.

"Wait Burgertron, let's think this..." Spike tried to say as Burgertron leapt, grabbing Frostferatu before they were in midair.

"I didn’t think this through." Burgertron admitted before he and Frostferatu fell.

"Bonz-Eye!" Spike called out as Bonz-Eye swung down on the licorice rope and grabbed the two before landing outside of the vending machine.

"Licorice, Spike?" Bonz-Eye offered.

"I guess." Spike shrugged before he started eating as the others ran up.

"That was AWESOME!" Kikmee cheered.

"I woulda been dropping my batteries if that was me up there!" Dimlit admitted.

"I like not being eaten." Clogstopper said.

"Great job on distracting him, guys." Spike congradulated.

"Yes, and it was all thanks to my brilliant hypnosis powers, which commanded you to save me!" Frostferatu boasted.

"What? No, no, no, I went on a whole heroic journey and had a change of heart and everything." Burgertron retorted.

"Eh, agree to disagree." Frostferatu shrugged.

"Glad you're safe, Frostferatu." Spike smiled.

"Thanks for your help up there. But I’m sorry we never got to go to that party thing." Bonz-Eye apologized.

"Yeah, sounded fun." Spike agreed.

"Oh, it’s okay, I get it. Some stuff is more important than having the most fun you could possibly have in life. I was being selfish. I truly realize that now." Burgertron admitted.

"Spoken like a ninja leader I know." Spike remembered.

"Really? Because I happen to have tickets for Ice Creamapalooza if you guys are interested?" Frostferatu offered.

"Gimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimme!" Burgertron smiled.

"Need a lift, Frostferatu?" Spike asked with a smile.

"If you say so." Frostferatu responded as Spike let his new Botbot friend on him and raced after the others. The group soon arrived before a bat and baseball Botbot exited the place.

"Woah! That was the most fun I could possibly have in life! And now it’s over!" Batsby whooped.

"You got that right! And thank goodness for the wonderful memories, because it’ll never happen again!" Dinger agreed as the two Botbots left with most of the group in shock before Sprinkleberry passed by.

"BotBots." Sprinkleberry simply said.

"We got here too late." Spike noticed.

"Something’s gotta be open in there." Burgertron urged as Caution shifted to his Botbot form.

"Hey, sorry, bro. You missed your shot." Caution pointed out.

"Got any unmelted Dog Ice Cream?" Spike asked.

"In the back." Caution informed.

"Thanks." Spike said in gratitude.

"What?! No! Whyyy?!" Burgertron cried out.

Back with Dave, he arrived at the vending machine, out of breath. "Finally! Birth celebration. *Notice cupcake gone with a gasp* What?! No! Whyyy?!" Dave cried out before he looked down and saw the bran Muffin. "What do we have here? A bran muffin, for free?! Birthday rescued. Mmmm, bran." Dave smiled before he clumsily dropped it onto the floor as the muffin got a bit messy with a splat. "Eh!" Dave shrugged as he picked the messy muffin back up and ate it.

A little while later...

"Hey Spike, got a second?" Kikmee asked.

"Sure." Spike responded.

"We've been talking and..." Kikmee started.

"We want you to explain this Ninja stuff to us." Burgertron finished.

"Really?" Spike asked in surprise.

"We're friends, aren't we?" Dimlit responded with his own question.

"And I'm pretty sure we can hold a secret." Bonz-Eye assured.

"Okay. Tomorrow night, I'll tell the whole story." Spike said as he started to get ready to head home.

Spike's Tales

Spike looked through the Lost and Found for his friends. "Guys, you in here?"

"Over here." Burgertron called out.

"Oh, okay." Spike said before he saw what was going on.

"Don't ask." Bonz-Eye responded.

"Okay. Have a seat and I'll begin my tale." Spike started as Clogstopper was comically upside down, stuck on the floor with his head. "Close enough. Outside the mall, I have a group of friends you've seen. But far from town, I have special friends in a place called New York City."

"Hey, I've heard a bunch of crazy stuff from the flesh beings about that city." Burgertron noticed.

"Hehe, well, they’re true." Spike snickered.

"What stories?" Kikmee asked.

"Mutant Alligators, Alien Invasion, Ninja presence... The list is huge. But I never took notice because they seem a bit absurd." Burgertron listed.

"And what about me, a talking dog?" Spike pointed out.

"Is that any crazier than Brain-like Aliens piloting robot suit?" Burgertron asked.

"Nope. Or a different world that has magic and mythical creatures?" Spike responded with his own question.

"Really?" Dimlit gasped with a smile.

"Yeah, but back on track. Deep in the sewers lives four Mutant Turtles. My friends: Leonardo, Donnatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael." Spike said.

"Interesting names." Frostferatu noted as the group saw their Sugar Shock friend come in.

"Wow, that was sudden." Spike admitted.

"Sorry, I saw Spike come in through the back and wanted to investigate." Frostferatu explained.

"Well, have a seat. I was just getting to the emotional part." Spike added.

"Very well." Frostfuratu responded.

"My friends were trained by Hamato Yoshi, a ninja master from Japan... But he has suffered more than anyone should." Spike sadly said as he told the story of Tang Shen and the Bots were heartbroken for a better choice of words.

"I'll say this; that is far more horrifying than the dark ages." Frostferatu admitted.

"Spike... I'm sorry you had to share this." Bonz-Eye apologized.

"It's not that I don't want to remember this story, I have to... So others can understand the poison that's hatred. You all understand what I'm saying?" Spike asked.

"Yeah... I don't think I'll ever be able to get that bad taste outta my mouth or systems." Burgertron shuddered.

"You must've been friends with them from the start." Dimlit noted.

"Actually, I didn't know them during the first adventure they had. My friend Sunset explained they met them and their friends when the Shredder allied with their former enemies, The Dazzlings." Spike said.

"What do you mean Former?" Clogstopper asked.

"The best way to defeat an enemy is to make them your friend." Mikey answered as most of the others were confused at that while Dimlit smiled.

"They were enemies but now they're friends." Dimlit said.

"That's right." Spike nodded.

"I got a question." Clogstopper said as everyone expected him to ask something ridiculous, instead he asked a good question. "When was the first time you met them?"

"Well, you won't believe this because you were all long gone after that happened." Spike said.

"Huh?" The Botbots responded in confusion.

"I'm sure Burgertron saw the Triceraton broadcast." Spike noted.

"Yeah. The whole mall was in a panic." Burgertron said before he remembered something else. "Wait a minute, why do I have a feeling there were doubles?"

Spike explained the situation the best he could, but left everyone with a headache.

"Whoa, guess that was a lot." Clogstopper noted.

"Since then, we taken down hundreds of enemies and met several interesting people." Spike added.

"Spike, can you teach us to be ninjas?" Kikmee asked.

"Whoa, way out of left field. You bots sure about that?" Spike checked.

"Sounds fun." Bonz-Eye responded.

"Well, I can't be of much help demonstrating moves since I walk on all four. But I guess I could try. My only condition is no using the practice. Only self-defense." Spike informed.

"We promise." The Botbots confirmed.

"We start tomorrow. Right now, I gotta get home before someone sees my bed empty. Bye, everyone." Spike bid farewell as he started heading home, but then he spotted Spud Muffin on a video. "Ugh, I know there's something wrong about that Bot but I don't know what!"

"I suspected you'd develop the same sense as my son, Spike." A familiar voice said as Spike turned around, only to see Splinter.

"Master Splinter? Whoa... Guess animals seeing supernatural things is true." Spike noted.

"Amusing. Still, what troubles your mind?" Splinter asked as Spike was hesitant to tell him. "I give you my word, I'll be quiet about your friends."

"Okay... It's about Spud Muffin." Spike answered as he explained his suspicion.

"So, it seems you're developing Michelangelo's ability." Splinter noted.

"There's just something about him that has me seeing Sleaze written on him." Spike growled.

"Like an eel dipped in grease?" Splinter said.

"It's not that I don't trust Burgertron... But what if I'm wrong and it's just my imagination." Spike responded.

"Applejack's policy about honesty is correct in many ways. Anyone who hide behind a lie can't do it forever. The truth will reveal itself in time. Meanwhile, keep your wits sharp, Spike." Splinter advised.

"Understood, Master Splinter." Spike confirmed before heading home as Master Splinter faded away.

Phoning It In

Hey you! Yes, you! Do you love the Mall? Love to shop and hang out? Well what if you got PAID to do it?! No joke! Get ready to become a-

MALLFACE!

We’re casting for on-screen talent to appear in video ads for this very Mall. And we want YOU! Upload pics of yourself around the Mall to our app: MALLFACE! The user with the most liked selfie will star in a cutie Mall video!

You’re one pic away from being the best kind of famous: MALL FAMOUS!

"Huh, we should talk about this with the others tomorrow morning, Spike. Spike?" Twilight called out before she found a note. "Gone fishing?" Twilight read, leaving her suspicious. "Since when did Spike learn how to fish?"

At the mall, Spike and friends were trying to pull Clogstopper off the wall.

"Come on, everyone! Tug!" Spike strained.

"Ugh! Clogstopper, why do you keep doing stuff like this?!" Burgertron asked.

"It’s my hobby. I look for the most difficult surfaces to get unstuck from, then I stick myself to them!" Clogstopper answered.

"That seems like a bad idea." Dimlit noticed.

"All my best ideas are bad ideas." Clogstopper smiled.

"That doesn't make any sense." Spike deadpanned.

"Outdid myself this time." Clogstopper smugly chuckled as Dimlit looked down and saw Dave taking selfies.

"Something wrong, Dimlit?" Spike asked.

"Uh, guys?" Dimlit tried to call out as Spike looked behind and saw Dave below.

"Uh-oh." Spike dreaded.

"All we have to do is give it 110%." Kikmee said.

"Wait. What happens to us if he suddenly gets free?" Bonz-Eye realized.

"We fall." Spike answered as Clogstopper then became unstuck, throwing the group off balance. "Oh, this is going to hurt."

The group fell as Burgertron noticed Dave with his phone. "*Slow Motion* Oh, come on!"

Dave took several selfies, not noticing Spike and the Lost Bots in the background as they fell and soon landed.

"I bet those pics were gold! *Alarm beeping* Hold it! Midnight snack alarm? My favorite alarm! Ah, the pics can wait." Dave shrugged off as he pocketed his phone before running off.

"And that is one example of a Ninja Don't: Get into pictures." Spike listed.

"He doesn’t know it yet, but there is proof in our existence on his flesh-being-ama-phone." Burgertron pointed out.

"I wonder if he got my good side. Kidding. All three of my sides are good." Clogstopper ignorantly said.

"This is bad." Spike noted.

"Bad? This is game over! If our squads find out he has pictures of us, they’ll never forgive us!" Kikmee dreaded.

"That's a worst case scenario." Spike replied.

"Forgive us? Worst case scenario? It’d be way worse than that. They’ll probably throw us all into the fiery dumpster from which none return!" Burgertron panicked.

"You mean that dumpster fire out back?" Spike noticed.

"Come on! We’ve got to delete those pics before the flesh being realizes he has them!" Burgertron declared.

"Agreed, but we do it stealthily." Spike pointed out.

"Ohhh, maybe Dave’s office has something I can stick myself to. Let’s hurry, this is important work." Clogstopper smiled as the bots climbed aboard Spike and headed to Dave's office

"*Voicing chocolate* Don’t go, there’s space for the both of us on this floaty. *Voicing licorice* It’s too late for me, but I want you to live." Dave played before his voice was now mumbling.

"Like watching an adult Pinkie Pie and Mikey." Spike shivered with dread.

"So, is there a ninja technique to get the phone?" Burgertron asked.

"One factor of a ninja is opportunity. Patience is the key factor. We wait for the right time." Spike informed.

"Kikmee, you good with the plan? We might only get one shot at this." Burgertron said.

"Spike has the right idea. We wait then get the phone at the right time." Kikmee admitted

"Hope it doesn't take hou-" Burgertron was about to say when Bonz-Eye brought back the phone. "Explain."

"He follows each of his snack break with a nap break. I believe his mantra is 'It's always nap o'clock somewhere.'" Bonz-Eye said as Dave was fast asleep, snoring away.

"A+, Bonz-Eye." Spike smiled.

"Good job following my leadership, Bonz-Eye. Now let's see... How to delete those pics? *Turns on phone, only to see password needed* Agh! It has some kind of ingenious, high-tech security mechanism. Let's get this back to the Lost & Found. Hurry, before he wakes up!" Burgertron informed.

"Agreed." Spike nodded as the group then went back to the Lost & Found before the dog soon caught the Botbot scent like he usually does.

"Before we start, just a warning. Cracking this will not be easy. The potential combinations are endless." Burgertron pointed out.

"Lemme try; one-one-one-one-one-one." Clogstopper said as the phone became unlocked.

"Wow. Dave’s terrible at passcodes." Burgertron deadpanned.

"Do not diminish my hacking skills." Clogstopper replied.

"Anyone else think this phone is strange?" Spike noticed.

"Define strange." Bonz-Eye requested.

"I'm getting the Botbot scent." Spike said as that left Bonz-Eye confused before Burgertron puts pictures into trash can and deletes them.

"The trash can is exactly where the belong to and… mission accomplished! Now let’s get this phone back before he even notices it’s missing!" Burgertron urged before Dimlit gave an excited squeal.

"How adorbs! It’s just like my dreams! So delicious!" Dimlit hysterically laughed in excitement while playing a cookie matching game.

"Dimlit... Snap out of it, buddy." Spike said while snapping his paws.

"Spike’s right, Dimlit. Stop messing around! We have to get that back before the Dave creature wakes up, finds it missing, and stomps all over searching for it. Every bot will lose it on us if that happens!" Burgertron pointed out before Dimlit looked at him with crazed eyes.

"But the cookies must find their twins! Their only purpose…" Dimlit hissed with manic laughter before Kikmee grabbed him.

"Easy, Dimlit. Something about this phone seems strange." Spike reminded.

"Phone games are dumb, snap out of it already." Kikmee said.

"They’re not all dumb, I saw an app on here you might like!" Dimlit noted.

"Yeah, right. Like I’d ever-" Kikmee was about to say before she gasped as Dimlit smugly pressed the football app with her groaning and chuckling in excitement. "Coming at me?! Nice try, scabs! Ha! Time to bring the heat!"

"Touchdown! Touchdown! Touchdown!" The game commentated as Kikmee cheered.

"Saw that coming." Spike deadpanned.

"See? This phone probably has something for everyone." Dimlit smiled before Clogstopper took the phone.

"The only way to prove that is for me to try every single one of these apps." Clogstopper said.

"This should be interesting on what he picks." Spike noted.

"Hmmm. *Opens shopping app* 'Welcome to Mer-chants. Five into deep savings on over-stock and remaining merchandise.' Wait. You can buy random leftover stuff? MIRACLES ARE REAL! Woah-ha! Fake mustaches? Plastic spiders? Spray cheese? I need this stuff!" Clogstopper responded before he cheered in excitement as he carted some stuff.

"Free shipping unlocked!" A voice in the app said before Clogstopper yelled in excitement as he carted a lot more stuff.

"How can they afford to sell a used case of creamed corn that cheap?!" Clogstopper asked as he carted it.

"Loyalty point bonus awarded! Point zero one percent discount applied!" The voice in the app added as Clogstopper giggled in excitement.

"That discount isn't exactly something to be excited about." Spike deadpanned.

"This phone is making all of our lives better! Can’t we keep it?" Dimlit asked.

"Ugh. No! Bonz-Eye, can I at least trust you to shut this down?" Burgertron requested as Spike took a big long smell.

"I dedicate myself to discipline. This flimsy illusion of reality could never entice me. *Takes phone as Clogstopper gave out a pained cry before Bonz-Eye noticed an app and opened it* Mindfullness: an app for Mindful Meditation." Bonz-Eye read in confusion.

"Breathe in. *As Bonz-Eye did that* Breathe out. *Bonz-Eye breathed out* Find your center. You are a warrior in battle, a battle of calm. The whale song teaches peace. Become one with the whale song." A relaxing female voice instructed as Bonz-Eye was making horrible whale noises.

"I just hope Fluttershy doesn't hear that." Spike shivered as he start seeing the smell was coming from the phone.

"What is happening to all of you? Dave will be looking for this so he can put his pictures into, whatever thing it was, this MallFace thing. *Opens MallFace app* Ugh. All these pics are terrible! This one, he didn't even change the contrast. The filters are right here! Look I just apply this, then move this here, and well, maybe a little shading, and wow. I have absolute control over these pics! I can put-uh no, no, no, undo. But use a bit from here, and a bit from here... There! We'll submit this!" Burgertron declared as the pic was a handsome version of Dave.

"Hypocrite much?" Bonz-Eye deadpanned.

"Guys, can I see the phone real quick?" Spike asked.

"Sure." Burgertron answered as he started tickling the phone with his tail, but nothing happened. "*Mentally* Huh, a tough customer."

"But whoa! That was sublime. Everything was at my fingertips. Reality was mine to manipulate." Burgertron noticed.

"All I want to do is bring cookies happily together. They NEED me." Dimlit hissed.

"Maybe we could borrow this a while longer. We could hide the phone in my cubby-hole!" Burgertron declared.

"No way! It'd fit better in mine!" Kikmee argued.

"I was the first one to use an app!" Dimlit pointed out.

"I'm the one who retrieved it!" Bonz-Eye replied.

"I'm the one who hacked it!" Clogstopper added.

"I'm leader! Give me my precious!" Burgertron growled as the Botbots argued and fought over the phone as it turned off, showing their horrifying faces as they gasped in shock.

"What have we become?" Dimlit dreaded.

"We're acting selfishly, but this isn't our fault. We have moral centers and solid attention spans! It's obviously the phone's fault." Burgertron claimed.

"Burgertron's right. We were fine until we opened those apps." Kikmee agreed.

"What should we do now?" Bonz-Eye asked.

"Before you do anything, let me try one more thing." Spike asked as licked the phone before it started shaking as the group suddenly heard stifled laughter. The Lost Bots were confused, but Spike smirked. "Guys, I thought I smell the scent of a Bot." Spike said before he continued to lick as the laughter started getting louder. "I'll only stop when you transform."

Spike kept licking before the cellphone suddenly transformed into a female gamer geek Botbot. "Okay okay, stop! *Laughter!*"

"You have a good nose, Spike." Burgertron noticed.

"Thanks. You okay?" Spike asked as he gave the Botbot a napkin.

"Yeah, name's Ring-A-Ling. But I've almost had enough of those five! I kept hoping they'd figure this out on their own, but I guess that ain't happening!" Ring-A-Ling deadpanned.

"But, but, but you're-" Burgertron tried to say.

"Don't "but-but-but" me! Alright, I've done nothing but help you guys all night! I set off the snack alarm to distract the guard, I opened the lock when you put in that dumb passcode, I even faked being out of battery so you could see the reflections of how terrible those five were acting! But those Lost Bots are just beyond help!" Ring-A-Ling pointed out bluntly.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Bonz-Eye asked.

"I shouldn't have to! I'm the most powerful tool for communication and entertainment ever made, not just something used to get likes. You're responsible for setting your own boundaries!" Ring-A-Ling answered.

"Easy, take a breath. I admit, they have their problems. But they're my friends." Spike responded as Ring-A-Ling cleaned his drool off her.

"Yeah, I've seen those Flesh Being pals of yours. You have some weird friends. How long you knew I was a Bot?" Ring-A-Ling asked.

"The second Bonz-Eye brought you to us." Spike informed.

"Sneaky." Ring-A-Ling admitted.

"The photos deleted?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, you saw Burgertron." Ring-A-Ling pointed out.

"Good. You can be on your way." Spike said.

"Yeah, you know what, I’m outie! Peace." Ring-A-Ling bid farewell as she dashed off before she soon got back to Dave, transformed into her cellphone mode and rang with an alarm beeping, waking Dave up. "I wasn’t napping, you have no proof! Oh, just the wake-up alarm. My least favorite alarm. *Opens phone* New notification from MallFace? Wait, I got how many likes?"

Back with the others at the lost and found...

"Now, before I head home. I think we all learned something tonight." Spike noted.

"Yeah, and you know, I’ve been thinking about what Ring-A-Ling said and I think she was right." Dimlit admitted.

"Good. And have we learned our lesson about hypocritical actions?" Spike asked.

"I agree. It wasn’t her fault we got so caught up." Bonz-Eye nodded.

"Good. You're on the road to Ninja training." Spike smiled.

"No, it wasn’t her fault. It was Dave’s." Burgertron said.

"It was ours. Wait, what?" Kikmee asked in confusion.

"Totally Dave’s fault. If he didn’t have her, we wouldn’t have become obsessed with the apps on her." Burgertron responded as Spike facepalmed.

"Four out of five ain't bad." Spike sighed.

"Don’t you think maybe we had some responsibility for how we acted?" Dimlit pointed out.

"He's right, Burgertron." Spike agreed.

"No! Dave's fault! Conversation over! Oh, it's almost Mall opening time. See you tonight." Burgertron shrugged off as the Lost Bots transformed, except Clogstopper.

"Wait! I think the phone was a bot the whole time!" Clogstopper realized.

Later, Spike snuck into his home with a makeshift fishing pole.

"Had a good night fishing, Spike?" Twilight asked, startling Spike with her presence.

"GAH! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Spike yiped.

"Sorry. So, catch anything?" Twilight noted.

"No, nothing tonight. Maybe I'll get lucky tomorrow night. Hey, didn't you want to try that Mall Face thing?" Spike remembered.

"Wasn’t sure, but after seeing that obviously edited picture? No thank you." Twilight declined.

"Really? What was the photo?" Spike asked as Twilight brought out her phone.

"Is this explanation enough?" Twilight pointed out while showing the picture as Spike did everything he could not to laugh.

"I'm going to bed." Spike said.

"Okay. Night." Twilight responded.

Meanwhile with Dave in the morning...

"Hey foodies, there's something at the Mall for you, too! Come discover dozens of fine dwining opportunities a-Duh, did I say "dwining"? Get it together, Dave! *Frustrated grunt* I got this, I just need to take a small walk and-Gah! *Trips onto his back before the mic crashed on him* Owww!" Dave yelled in pain.

"CUT! Seriously?! How'd this guy get the most likes?" A female director questioned.

"Yeah, he looks nothing like his photo." A male crew member agreed.