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- Okay, there's this really bad dude named Hacker.
- The Hacker, to you! - Whatever.
He wants to take over the cyber world from Motherboard.
- The three kids are sucked into Cyberspace,
and they use brain power to help save everybody.
- Okay, here's the plan.
- So they travel all over and run into all these weird creatures
and have all these awesome adventures.
It's totally up to them to save Cyberspace.
Can three cool kids and a wacky bird outsmart the Hacker?
- Never!
- There's only one way to find out.
Tune in to "Cyberchase."
- Cybersquad.
Need your help.
- What's wrong, Motherboard?
- Urgent problem.
Serene Greens...
getting worse...
- Serene Greens?
- Find Hapo.
- Find...
- Hapo? What's a Hapo?
- If we're gonna find Hapo,
we need to make a slight adjustment first.
Gather 'round, everyone!
- Why? What are we doing, Didge?
- Say "cheese!"
- Huh?
- What happened? - What's going on?
We shrunk!
- This is so cool!
But wait — why are we tiny?
- You'll understand when we get there.
One portal, comin' up!
- Ugh!
- I — I can't see anything.
- Eek!
A... mole?
- That's the biggest mole I've ever seen!
- That's because we're the smallest kids you've ever seen.
- Welcome to life beneath Serene Greens.
- Critter Cove?
Are we really underground?
- Looks like the short answer is... yes?
- This is amazing!
- Aah!
Remember why we're here, Jax.
- Why are we here, Didge?
- Um... who are you?
- We're the Cybersquad.
- Motherboard sent us here to help.
- We don't need any help.
Everything's fine in Critter Cove.
- We're looking for Hapo.
- I'm here, Didge!
Hapo?
- My full name is Haplotaxida.
It means "earthworm."
My friends call me Hapo for short.
- It's nice to meet you, Hapo.
Oops! Sorry.
Forgot you're a worm.
- Thank you for coming.
Things are a total disaster here.
- What are ya talkin' about? Everything's fine!
- Yeah, Hapo. You worry too much.
- Hang on, you two.
Give Hapo a chance to tell us what's wrong.
- It would be better if I show you.
The problem isn't here in Critter Cove.
It's in my neighborhood, Crawling Falls.
Low ceiling ahead!
- S-Something tells me
where we're going isn't as nice as Critter Cove.
- Yikes!
- Inez! Hang on!
Whoa! - Whoa!
- Aah!
- Man, that was close!
- This is where I live — Crawling Falls.
- Gee, Hapo. What happened here?
- Crawling Falls used to be peaceful,
just like Critter Cove,
with plenty of food for everyone.
But then things changed, and I don't know what to do.
- Don't worry, Hapo.
We'll help you figure this out. - Yeah.
We'll get to the root of the problem.
- Actually, the roots are part of the problem.
See how dry and shredded they are?
They used to be a source of water and food.
Now they're useless.
- Isn't there other food to eat?
- Not anymore. It's all gone.
- I can see why everyone's moving to Critter Cove.
- Well, I'm not moving! Crawling Falls is my home.
I just want it to get better.
- Aw, Hapo.
There must be a reason this is happening.
And we're gonna find out what it is.
- Are we done now, boss? - No!
We won't be done until my master plan is complete.
- Um... What's your master plan again?
- That is my master plan —
Hackerboard Chaos Central.
An exact clone of Motherboard Control Central,
and the new home of all things The Hacker!
From here, I will control the future of Cyberspace forever!
- But why here, Boss? Why on Serene Greens?
- Look around.
No one lives here, so there's no one to bother me
and get in my way!
Except you two.
Oh, thank you, boss!
- Happy to help.
- Now I want the remaining grass removed for good.
The glossy greenery is too inviting.
I don't want any curiosity seekers
disrupting my plan.
- Uh, you sure it's a good idea to clear away all that green?
It seems wrong. Right?
- Right! I mean, wrong!
- You think I care if it's right or wrong?
- Nope. - Probably not.
- Hmm.
- Hm!
- Any ideas yet? I don't mean to rush you,
but my world is literally crumbling around me.
See?
- Here's what we know.
Crawling Falls used to be just like Critter Cove.
- So something happened to make Crawling Falls change.
- But I don't know what that something is.
- Hmm. I have an idea.
Let's take another look at Critter Cove.
We can see what's there compared to what's here.
- Make observations, gather facts, compare —
I love it!
- Once we observe the differences,
maybe we'll figure out what's going on.
- Exactly! Come on, Matt.
Let's check out Critter Cove.
- Let us know when you get there!
I'll keep track of what we find in both places.
- What a glorious achievement!
I dare say, even Motherboard would be proud.
- Are we done now, boss?
- Not yet.
We need to make another building.
- Another building?
Do we have to?
- I think you'll be pleased.
The second building will be Chaos Central #2,
headquarters for none other than...
the two of you.
- Ya mean... like our own office?
- I'll get the building materials!
- What's this?
- Straw. For the building.
- It worked for the three pigs.
- It did not work for the three pigs.
As you may recall, the wolf blew their house down, and...
Oh, never mind.
This is what we'll use.
- Oooooh! - Pretty!
- Matt, Jackie, you in Critter Cove yet?
Just got here, Inez.
- Don't worry, just visiting.
- Okay, let's get started.
Tell us what you observe, and we'll do the same.
- The soil here looks nice and rich.
Hold on.
It's soft, and it crumbles easily.
- And when I squeeze it, it stays together.
- What about the soil in Crawling Falls?
- It's hard and clumpy here.
- Try squeezing it, Didge.
- It doesn't stay together.
- Okay. Soil texture —
soft and crumbly in Critter Cove,
hard and cracking in Crawling Falls.
- These roots are completely dried out.
- What about the roots in Critter Cove?
- Thick and strong.
- And tasty.
- Roots — strong in Critter Cove,
not so strong in Crawling Falls.
- No wonder all my friends are leaving.
- They haven't all left, Hapo. Have they?
- Good question, Didge.
Let's do a count,
see how many are in Critter Cove compared to here.
Okay, Matt.
How many critters are in your area?
- They're everywhere! And they keep moving!
It's hard to count them.
- I have an idea. Let's use a sample area —
a smaller section to represent the whole neighborhood.
- Good thinking, Jax!
We can measure by counting steps.
That way, Inez and Digit can use the same size sample area.
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
- 10 paces. Cool.
- Everyone!
If I could please ask you to stay still for just one sec!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Thank you! Continue!
- We count nine in our sample area, Inez.
- Got it. Since Jackie and I are
about the same height, I'll use 10 paces, too.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
- Okay!
How many critters in the sample area?
- Just one — me.
- Make it two! I'm still here.
- Hey, Peedie!
Glad you stayed.
Two.
Living things.
Critter Cove — a lot.
Crawling Falls — not so many.
Anything else we should observe?
- I don't think so. - Come on back, then.
Let's see what we can figure out.
- Alright, let's compare the data we collected.
In Critter Cove, the soil texture is soft.
It holds its shape when you smoosh it together.
- Not so in Crawling Falls.
It's all hard and cracked here.
- And check out the roots.
Big difference there, too.
In Critter Cove, the roots are thick and strong,
and there are lots of them.
- But here in Crawling Falls, they're dried out,
and there are barely any left.
- How'd we do on the critter count?
- We counted nine living things in Critter Cove,
and that was only in our sample area.
There are a lot more than that.
- In comparison, there were only two in Crawling Falls.
- No matter what, Hapo, I'm with you.
- Thanks, Peedie. What does it all mean?
- Well... what do healthy roots and healthy soil have in common?
- They're healthy?
- Right, Didge. But why?
- Uh, for one thing, when soil is healthy,
it has all the water it needs.
That's what keeps the ground soft and the roots strong.
- Exactly!
Water helps create a healthy habitat.
- But when soil is unhealthy,
sometimes it's because there's no water.
Without moisture, it becomes dry and cracked.
The roots fray, and living things can't survive.
- So the problem is the moisture!
- Or, no moisture. - Bingo!
We need to figure out what's going on down here
that's making the moisture disappear.
- What if the problem isn't down here?
What if it's up there?
- Hey, what's that noise?
- I don't know, but I've been hearing it for weeks.
- We should take a look.
Um, is there an exit around here?
- We can take this tunnel.
- Be careful, Hap!
- Wait...
Wait...
Go!
This way!
Everyone across!
- Yikes! What's going on up here?
That building wasn't here last time I surfaced.
- Hacker!
Take cover!
- Whew! That was close.
- Uh... I can't believe what's happened here!
All of this used to be covered with beautiful green grass.
- Serene Greens doesn't look so green anymore,
- that's for sure.
- Is it me, or does that building look
just like Motherboard Control Central?
- Almost done. Finish the job!
- I bet Hacker caused Hapo's soil problem!
- From aboveground? How is that possible?
- It's all connected, Hapo.
When the grass is taken away, like what Hacker did,
the topsoil isn't protected,
and it can get dry and unhealthy.
- So the soil below — where you live, Hapo —
that becomes unhealthy, too.
- It also works the other way.
When the soil underground is healthy,
the plants have the nutrients they need to grow,
and everyone who lives there
gets the food and shelter they need.
- Like I said, it's all connected.
- So what Hacker's doing is making things worse
above and below ground!
- We have to stop him before it's too late!
Unless it's already too late. Wait, is it too late?
- It's not too late.
- That was a close one.
- Let's find out what Hacker's up to.
- Yikes! I was right!
Hacker has totally duplicated Control Central.
- Didge, make us big again.
It's the only way we can stop him.
- Wait!
We have a better chance to sneak up on Hacker
if we stay small.
- And I think I see a way in.
- Are you ready to view the future?
- We're ready! - Ready as ever, boss!
- I present to you...
The Hackerboard!
From here, I can tap into Motherboard's system.
I'll know everything she's doing before she does it!
- Brilliant, Boss!
Genius!
- At last, I have the power to match Motherboard!
I just need to activate the interface.
Ah! I think this is it.
Uh... wrong face!
- Aw! An adorable kitty-witty!
Can you find a bunny, boss?
- We need to get closer.
This way!
- Aha! It worked!
Hackerboard Chaos Central...
has launched!
- Hackerboard Chaos Central?
- Ya did it, boss!
- High five, Deedee! - Aah!
- You missed! - No, you missed.
- Try again.
- Aah! Whoa!
- Look out!
Deedee, look!
- Hey!
They look just like those Earth kids...
only smaller.
I think it is the Earth kids!
- What?
- Where are you, you miniscule moppets?
- Down here, Hacker!
And you can forget about Hackerboard Chaos Central!
You must be joking!
Get them.
- Ha-ha! You missed me!
I'm over here!
- Jump!
- Aah!
- Ugh!
- Well, well, well...
looky what we have here.
- Put us down, Hacker!
- Now, why would I do that?
I have you right where I want you.
- Hacker, you're harming everyone and everything on Serene Greens.
You need to stop what you're doing!
- Why do you care? You don't live here.
No one lives here.
- Hey! I live here! And so do my friends!
- You can't see them because they live underground.
- So, a couple of worms live underground.
So what?
I'm building aboveground.
- But you're pulling up the grass
and stomping down the soil to do it.
- And that's destroying the soil where Hapo lives.
- I'm so very sorry to hear that.
- Actually, I really am. - Me too.
- Whatever your plan is, Hacker, you won't get away with it.
Really?
Somehow, I don't think you're in a position to stop me.
- The Didge is!
- Whoa! - We're big again!
- Look at us now, Hacker.
Nooooooooooooo!
- I'll be taking this now.
- You'll never stop me! Never!
- Uh, I think we should go, boss.
- Roar!
- Get me outta here! - Aaaah!
- Come on! - Hurry, boss!
- Whoo-hoo! - Yeah!
- Hee-hee! Great job, Hapo!
- You did it! You got rid of Hacker!
- Yeah... but what a mess he left.
- We can fix it.
We'll replant the grass.
The soil will become healthy again.
- And so will Crawling Falls.
You'll see. - But...
It's gonna take time for all that grass to grow
to protect the soil.
- It will.
But we can spread straw across the ground.
That'll keep the topsoil from washing away.
- I can help! And so can my friends!
- Just one thing we need to do first...
- Look at Serene Greens now! All the grass has grown back!
- And it's green again!
- You saved our soil!
- Hapo!
- So, things are better in Crawling Falls?
- Yep, there's plenty of food and water again,
no more crumbling walls,
the roots are healthy...
and all my friends have moved back.
Come back again soon, okay?
- We will, Hapo. See ya!
- See ya! - Bye, Hapo!
- Stay right where you are —
It's "Cyberchase For Real."
- I love growing plants and flowers.
It's not very complicated,
but I made a lot of mistakes while getting my green thumb.
So when my friend Alex called yesterday
and asked for help with her plant,
I had to lend a hand.
- Hello? - Hi, Courtney.
- Hi! What's up?
- I'm trying to grow a flower, but it just won't grow.
- Did you follow the instructions on the seed packet?
- I did, and it's been three weeks.
Nothing is happening.
- Did you plant the seeds at the right depth?
- Yes. I measured. - Did you add water?
- I give it a lot of water.
Can you come over and look at it?
- I'll be right over.
- Hi. Thanks for coming.
Here's the plant.
- Aha!
- What "aha?"
- What's in the pot?
- Beach sand.
The lifeguard said I could take some.
- It's the beach sand that's the problem.
- There are a lot of things that grow at the beach —
grasses, palm trees, poison ivy.
- That's true, but just because some plants can grow in sand
doesn't mean all plants can grow in sand.
Let's go outside and do an experiment.
I put some holes into the bottom of two plastic cups,
like this.
If we pour water into the cup with sand in it
and the same amount of water into the cup with soil in it
that we dug up from your backyard,
what do you think will happen?
- The sand and the soil will run out the bottom?
- Let's see!
Now pour the same amount of water
into the cup that has soil in it.
- The water I poured in the soil stayed in,
but the water I poured in the sand leaked out.
- That's right!
Soil holds water better than sand.
Some plants grow in dry, sandy soil,
but others need moist soil.
- Is that the only difference between sand and soil?
- The big difference is that soil is alive, while sand isn't.
- Alive with what? - Let's see!
Soil is made up of mineral particles —
organic things like water and air.
Billions of creatures live in soil.
Some, like earthworms, are big enough to see.
Most others aren't.
- Look! I found a worm!
- Worms and other living things make the soil healthy,
making it a great place for plants to grow.
- Couldn't we just buy those things and add them to the sand?
- We could, but there are so many different parts of soil
that it would take a lot of work.
Really healthy soil can take 500 years to develop.
- I don't think I want to wait that long.
Let's just use this soil.