Disclaimer: " I don't own Sailor Moon. The Chibi Scouts with the
exception of Rini belong to Angel Raye. The Snibbits are mine."
-- Quoth the Ravyn
Madelyn's New Pet -- By Ravyn Knyght
"So have of of them been exterminated?" a woman asked. "Except for this one. No matter what we do we just can't kill it." a man's weary voice explained. "Well then shoot it out into deep space! Just as long as it's not on this planet!" the woman angrily snapped. The man complied and set to work on constructing a small life pod. He felt bad that all the others had to be killed and decided to take pity on the last remaining one. "Well here you go little fella. I hope you find a nice uninhabited planet." the man said as he carefully placed the little creature in the pod and launched it.
Several weeks later.....
"C'mon! Get it!" Ariel coaxed as she shone a flashlight on the floor. Moonbeam was determined to catch that light spot no matter what. He tried to ignore Ariel's attempts at first, but as soon as she gave the flashlight a little shake to make the patch of light dance around the floor he was hooked. Both Ariel and Madelyn were sitting on the bed taking turns with the flashlight. After a while the two tired of the game and turned the flashlight off. Moonbeam still wanted to play however and satisfied himself by swatting at a ball. Madelyn watched Moonbeam and sighed, "I wish I could have a pet." she grumbled as she thought about all the other Chibi Scouts who had pets. "Rini's got Luna and Diana. Daisy's got Cresent. Annika has Stardust. Gloria has Artemis. You've got Moonbeam and Faith has that turtle, Slugger." Madelyn sighed wishing she could have one of her own. "Well did you ask your parents if you can have one?" Ariel questioned, rolling her eyes. Madelyn thought, "Well....no." she admitted. "Well ask then! You know that they'll give into you." Ariel added. "But what kind of pet do I want? There's so many and they're all so cute!" Madelyn giggled as she thought about kittens and puppies and rabbits. "There's all kinds of books in the palace library about animals. Maybe you should look through them to decide what you want." Ariel commented.
That night during dinner, Madelyn decided to put the issue up for debate with her parents. "Mama, could I have a pet?" Madelyn simply stated. Hotaru and Anthony looked at each other and back at her. "What brings this on?" Hotaru asked wondering why madelyn would bring it up. "Well almost all of the other girls have pets." Madelyn stated. "Well that's true but owning a pet is a big responsibility. It is a living, breathing, thinking, feeling creature and wanting one because everyone else has one is not a good reason for wanting one of your own. You should have a pet out of love and not need." her father told her, Madelyn pouted. "So I can't have one then?". "We didn't say you couldn't have one, period. We want to make sure it's what you really want. Many pets can live for several years and are a lot of work, especially for a young child." Hotaru added. "They require a lot of time and effort. You have school work, your friends, ballet practice and Chibi Scout duties. You don't have much free time so it would be hard for you to manage a pet." her father followed up. Madelyn dropped it for now but still thought about it.
At bedtime, Hotaru came in to say good night to her daughter only to find her not in bed but at the window gazing at the stars. "It's past your bedtime." Hotaru reminded her daughter, Madelyn nodded still watching the night sky. "Visions of puppies and kittens still dancing in your head?" Hotaru mused sitting down next to her daughter. "Sort of. But it's not fair, mama! Everyone else has one but me!" Madelyn whined. "Now don't whine, sweetie. Someday you will have a pet that you will love just as much as the other girls love theirs. Now it's time to go to bed." Hotaru said kissing her daughter on the forehead. Before Madelyn left the window she saw a shooting star streak across the sky. "Mama, look!" she pointed the star out to her mother. "Let's make a wish then!" Hotaru laughed as they both closed their eyes and made their wishes. "I think I know what you wished for!" Hotaru said as she tucked her daughter in for the night.
Hotaru came back to her room thinking that maybe it would be good to get Madelyn a pet afterall. "Anthony. Do you think we should get her a pet?" she asked kissing her husband. Anthony knew that his wife was about to work him over, all the signs were there. The soft voice, the large innocent and pleading eyes staring deep into his. He knew that he'd give in eventually, he always did. "I thought we discussed this earlier. Please don't reopen the subject! We won this argument! How many will we lose in the years to come!" he begged his wife not to press the matter further. "I know, but it's just that...." she stopped in mid sentence thinking about Madelyn's and her own future. "Just what?" Anthony asked wanting her to continue her thought. "Maybe we should get her one. To help take her mind off of her responsiblities. I know what she's going through and I believe any distraction that takes her mind off of her duties as the Sailor of Destruction would be a good thing." Hotaru finished knowing that although Madelyn never mentioned it, it had to weigh heavy on her mind. "We'll discuss this more tomorrow." Anthony promised his wife before falling asleep.
In the control room Asai was on duty and was tracking a mysterious object that seemed to change directions as it slowed down. It's too small to contain a person. he thought reviewing the scans. It then went below radar and the satellite lost track of it. Asai logged the object's last known co-ordinates and sent a couple of security guards to investigate as the last known position was just half a mile from the palace. Within a few minutes the security team reported back that it was an extremely small life pod, and it was empty. "Bring it in for investigation." Asai informed the men as he made a mental note to discuss this with the king and queen first thing in the morning.
"So did they cave?" Ariel asked Madelyn wanting to know how the conversation went. "Did who cave?" Annika asked. "Madelyn's parents." Ariel answered. "About what?" Hope asked. "Getting a pet." Madelyn informed. "Well?" Ariel wanted to know. "No." Madelyn sadly reported to the group. "Hey! Hurry up back there!" Daisy yelled noticing that the younger girls were lagging behind. They quickly caught up with Daisy and Maggie and continued their conversation on their way to school. None of them noticed that they were being followed.
On their way home, Madelyn stopped to tie her shoe lace. As she busied herself with the task neither her or the other girls noticed a small creature slip into Madelyn's book bag. "Come on!" Daisy grumbled as Madelyn and Ariel had fallen behind again. "Coming!" Madelyn called she the two caught up with them.
After getting back at the palace and being greeted by their parents, the girls were warned that there might be a new Negaverse threat. "A space ship? Cool!" Ariel excalimed and started pleading with her mother to see it. "Come along Madelyn! You have ballet pratice so hurry and change." Hotaru reminded and Madelyn hurried off to get ready. As madelyn got ready she noticed something moving inside her book bag. She cautiously approached it and undid the flap and was about to open it when her mother called. "Madelyn! We're going to be late!", Madelyn refastened the tie and left. Probably just a book going to one side. she thought. However she tied the flap loose and the creature managed to free itself from the bag. "Snibbit?" the tiny, pale yellow, powder puff muttered as it looked around at the strange surroundings with it's deep blue eyes. It bounded off of the desk and surveyed the room. "Snibbit?" the little creature said again, sounding a little nervous as it explored Madelyn's bed room.
It quickly dashed under the bed when Anthony came in with a laundry basket. While he folded clothes and put them away the phone rang and he left to answer it. The little creature watched Anthony the whole time and was curious as to what he was putting into one of the drawers. It bounded up onto the top of a dresser and peeked over the edge into the open drawer. What it saw seemed to make it excited. "Snibbit!" it cried as it leapt off of the edge and nestled itself into Madelyn's sock drawer. For a moment the little powder puff thought it had found its own kind as it gazed excitedly around at the multi-coloured bundles. But as it realized they were not the same as itself it was too late, Anthony returned and closed the drawer. "Snibbit!" it cried but all Anthony heard was a muffled sound. He looked around the room, then to the open window. Outside there was a song bird chirping and he thought it must've been that and left the room.
After Madelyn and her mother returned from ballet class, Madelyn went to her room to change. "We'll be eating in the palace dining room tonight, so when you're finished changing meet us down there." Hotaru told Madelyn. "Okay mama!" she called back as she went about changing her clothes. She noticed that one of her socks had a hole it it and she opened her sock drawer to get another pair. As the drawer opened and the light filtered in, the little powder puff saw this as a chance to escape. "SNIBBIT!" it squealed as it leapt out at Madelyn. Madelyn in turn gave a short shriek as she thought a pair of socks came alive and was attacking her. The little creature bounced under the bed, peeking out at the stranger. After Madelyn caught her breathe, she nervously got down on her hands and knees and peeked under her bed. Was it a mouse? she thought as her heart was still racing. She caught sight of a little powder puff like animal, quivering with fear. "Awww!" Madelyn sighed as she looked at the little animal. "Come on out! I won't hurt you!" she coaxed and within a few seconds the little furball cautiously came out from hiding. "Snibbit?" it spoke. It's large blue eyes staring at Madelyn's large purple eyes. "Oh you look so cute!" Madelyn exclaimed. The complement seemed to make the little animal happy as it gave a soft purring noise. "I have to go to dinner now." Madelyn told the animal as she carefully picked it up and placed it back in the sock drawer. "You'll be safe in here. I'll bring you something to eat." she said, leaving the drawer partially open before leaving.
Down in the dining hall the Knights and Scouts discussed the peculiar little space ship that was recovered last night. "According to security, they found a tuft of yellow hair in the craft and I'm running tests on it now. It might be some type of animal that was in the pod." Amy reported. "Well I've ordered security to keep an eye out for anything suspicious." Endymion said. "Well enough about that, I want to hear about that English test you had today Rini." Serenity stated, causing Rini to choke her food down. "Oh I did alright." she calmly stated not wanting to admit the test was a disasterous failure. Within a few minutes Madelyn had joined everyone at the table. "Madelyn! Mom said there was some kind of animal in that space ship they found. It has yellow hair." Ariel reported, Madelyn wondered. "If it is an animal it will have to be caught. It might be dangerous to leave it roaming about." Haruka commented on the matter. "Yes, I would like to run some tests on it to make sure it doesn't create any health hazards." Amy added. Madelyn thought about the strange little animal in her sock drawer and wondered if it was the one from the space craft. She was going to tell everyone about it but when Amy said she wanted to run some tests on it a chilling image of that poor defenseless creature strapped down to an exam table being poked and prodded came to Madelyn's mind and decided to keep her mouth shut. What harm could a little powder puff like that cause? Madelyn reasoned.
After dinner Madelyn rushed back to her quarters to check on her new pet. She decided at dinner that she would keep it as a pet. Her parents were still talking with the other families so she had some time alone. She rushed to her room and took the animal out of the drawer and placed it on the bed. "What should I name you?" Madelyn wondered. The tiny creature bounced up and down, "Snibbit! Snibbit!". "Is that your name?" Madelyn asked and the animal nodded. "Wow! You understand what I say?" she gasped, Snibbit nodded again. "This is soo cool!" Madelyn exclaimed as she scooped up her new pet. "Do you want to live with me?" she asked and Snibbit bounded up onto her shoulder and nuzzled her neck. She giggled as Snibbit snuggled. "You're not dangerous are you?" Madelyn asked next thinking about the dinner conversation. Snibbit shook himself, to indicate that he wasn't dangerous. "I'm glad. Well then Snibbit let's get you something to eat!". Madelyn's suggestion made him squeal for joy.
After trial and error Madelyn found that Snibbit prefered vegtables. She was delighted to know that Snibbit loved brussel sprouts. Now she had someone to eat them for her. After a good meal, Madelyn took Snibbit back to her room, there were many things to warn him of. "Now you have to stay out of sight of everyone around here. If they catch you they'll do all kinds of tests on you." Madelyn told him, her warning made him quiver with terror as he remembered the ordeal he went through just a few weeks prior. Madeyln could tell that he was getting scared with all this test talk so she changed the subject. With the cats it was easy to tell if they were boy or girl but it was difficult figuring out what Snibbit was. "So are a boy or girl?" Madelyn hoped it was a girl but it didn't matter too much. "Boy?" she said and Snibbit bounced up and down, "Snibbit! Snibbit!" it chirped. "Well then..." Madelyn was interupted by her parents coming in. "Quick! In the sock drawer!" Madelyn whispered as she helped her new pet hide. "Don't worry! I'll be back!" she said and gave Snibbit a kiss, which made the tiny animal blush. "I love you!" she whispered, leaving the drawer open a crack.
After getting ready for bed Madelyn took Snibbit out and put him on the bed so he could sleep with her. Snibbit liked the idea and snuggled up to her neck giving contented chortling sounds. Hotaru came in to tuck her in and Snibbit quickly dashed under the covers so not to be seen. After she left he came back out and took up position close to Madelyn and the pair drifted off to sleep.
After getting up early and preparing some food for her new pet, Madelyn got ready for school. Snibbit sat on the bed watching her get ready to leave. "Snibbit?" he said in a questioning tone, wondering what his new owner was doing. "I'm going to school now but I'll be back this afternoon so until then stay out of sight, okay?" Madelyn said, Snibbit nodded. "I left some fresh vegetables on a tray in the sock drawer for you. I love you!" she commented giving Snibbit a gentle kiss before leaving.
"You seem to be awfully happy this morning?" Ariel noticed her friend was a little more upbeat than yesterday. "I'm just in a good mood, that's all." Madelyn commented as they continued on their way to school. Madelyn thought about telling Ariel about her new pet but decided against it knowing Ariel couldn't keep a secret. I'll tell Kara! she thought, knowing she'd feel better telling someone. She felt like she would burst if she didn't tell someone soon.
At lunch Ariel, Kara and Madelyn were sitting down under a tree eating and talking about what went on in class so far. Madelyn decided then and there to tell Kara but she had to becareful of Ariel. "Kara, can I come over to your house to play today?" she asked and Kara agreed. "You know you are always welcome at my house." Kara told her. Ariel was a bit jealous of Kara but never said anything. "You can come over too Ariel." Kara added. "Really! Thank you, Kara!", Madelyn groaned silently. "I've got something to show you!" Madelyn beamed, thinking of her pet. "What?" Ariel asked wanting to be let in. "I can't tell you! It's a secret!" Madelyn playfully responded, Ariel got a little upset and was about to say something but the bell rang and they went back inside.
Back at the palace, Snibbit ws getting bored being cooped up in the sock drawer so he decided to explore the rest of the quarters. "Snibbit?", he peeked around the corner to see if anyone was there. Seeing no one he cautiously bounded down the hallway into the living room. Hotaru came out of the kitchen causing him to duck under the couch. He watched as Hotaru walked over to the closet and took out a vacuum cleaner. The noise of the vacuum cleaner scared Snibbit as he quivered under the couch as Hotaru came closer and closer to him with the strange and noisy device. Hotaru thrust the vaccum cleaner underneath the couch as she always did this time of day thinking nothing of the trauma she was inflicting on Snibbit. "SNIBBIT!" he cried out trying to get away from the contraption but soon found himself caught in the vacuum's suction grip. Because of the noise, Hotaru couldn't hear Snibbit's cries as he got sucked into the vacuum cleaner. After Hotaru was finished she detached the collection bag and emptied it into the trash can.
After she went into the bedrooms Snibbit jumped out of the trash can and sneezed as he shook the dust out of its coat. "Snibbit!" he growled at the deactivated vacuum and gave it a pounce. As he tried to made his way back to Madelyn's room the front door opened and Anthony came in. Snibbit didn't want to hide under the couch again so it quickly searched the room and hid in an open kitchen cabinet. He watched as both Anthony and Hotaru came into the kitchen. "So how were things today?" Hotaru asked her husband as she prepared lunch for themselves. "Oh, the usual. What's for lunch?" he asked as Hotaru brought two two plates to the table. The aroma agreed with Snibbit as his stomach growled. Somehow he had to get past Anthony and Hotaru and get to Madelyn's room where his food was. "Oh! I just remembered that I have to pick something up at the supermarket for tonight's dinner!" Hotaru remembered. "Do you want me to get it?" Anthony asked, Hotaru shook her head. "No that's alright. I won't be that long." she said as she kissed her husband and left for the store.
Seeing a chance to get away, Snibbit moved out of the cuppard when Anthony wasn't looking. He had managed to get out of the kitchen but bumped into an end table, causing the lamp to sway. Anthony noticed the lamp about to fall over and rushed to catch it. "Now what caused that?" he said aloud looking around to see what would have caused the lamp to almost fall over. Snibbit ducked under the couch but kept his eyes fixed on the vacuum incase it came after him again. "Snibbit. Snibbit. Snibbit." he said as he quickly bounced back to the bedrooms. "What was that?" Antohony wondered hearing a noise and decided to investigate. "I'm sure I've heard that before?" he wondered as he checked the quarters, finding nothing. Snibbit managed to get back to the sock drawer and started to eat when Anthony came in. Snibbit quickly nestled in between a pair of socks and laid motionless. "I'll have to remind Madelyn to close drawers when she's finished with them." Anthony said closing the drawer. He continued to search until Hotaru came back. She found her husband down on all fours looking under the furniture with a flashlight. "What are you looking for?" she asked. "I thought I heard something." and told his wife of the happenings. "You must've imagined it." she concluded. But that didn't explain the lamp falling over.
After school, Madelyn was getting ready to go to Kara's when she checked on Snibbit. "How did you get so dirty?" Madelyn gasped as Snibbit's yellow coat was now grey. "Well no time for a bath now." she stated and carefully put Snibbit into her pocket. "I going to play at Kara's!" Madelyn called. "Be back for dinner!" Hotaru answered back. After meeting up with Ariel, the two headed off.
Maybe I should tell Ariel? Madelyn thought on the way to Kara's house. "So what's the secret you can't tell me?" Ariel said, mad that Madelyn would keep something from her. "I'll tell you once we get there." Madelyn promised. "Really!?" Ariel asked excited that Madelyn decided to share the secret with her. "Yes but you can't tell anyone at the palace. Okay?" Madelyn pleaded. Ariel thought for a moment. She wondered if it was something bad. "Okay?" Madelyn repeated, "Or I won't tell you!" she threatened. "Okay!" Ariel agreed wanting to be let in on the secret.
"So what's the secret already?" Ariel impatiently asked once the girls were alone in Kara's room. "This!" Madelyn said producing Snibbit. "Oh it's so cute!" Kara exclaimed. "This is my new pet, Snibbit!" Madelyn told the other girls. "This is what I can't tell everyone in the palace?" Ariel asked not understanding. "Yes, because I think it's what was in the space craft." Madelyn explained. "It might be dangerous!" Ariel cautioned but Madelyn ignored her, "He's from outer space!?!" Kara gasped looking at the small animal. "Snibbit!" he replied. "He needs a bath though." Madelyn said. "Come on then to the bathroom!" Kara said motioning them along. Ariel wondered if Madelyn's new pet was dangerous. She wanted to tell but she promised that she wouldn't.
Kara filled the bathroom sink up with just enough warm water as Madelyn set Snibbit down on the sink. "Snibbit?" he said wondering what the girls wre going to do. "It's safe!" Madelyn assured as she held him in her hand and gently lowered him into the water. He was a little nervous at first but he soon learned to love the water. After he was clean, Madelyn used a hairdryer on low setting to dry him. Snibbit enjoyed the warm breeze. After they took him back to Kara's room he started to shiver. "Oh no!" Madelyn gasped as she saw Snibbit shivering. "He must've got a cold." Ariel concluded. Before they knew it, Snibbit gave off a bright light and when it died down there were four Snibbits instead of one. "Cool!" Kara exclaimed as she stared at the new Snibbits. "Babies?" Ariel said, looking at the bouncing little powder puffs. "Snibbit is a boy, silly and boys don't have babies!" Madelyn pointed out but yet there were three new Snibbits.
There was a green one, a blue one and a black and white zebra striped one along with the original. "Oh they're soo cute!" Kara squealed as she picked up the zebra striped one. "How did that happen!?" Ariel said staring wide eyed at the little bundles of fur. "I don't know." Madelyn said. "Snibbit! Snibbit!" the group chanted as they bounced up and down on the bed. "Can I keep this one?" Kara asked, nuzzling the zebra Snibbit. "If it wants to stay with you." Madelyn replied. The Snibbit was in full agreement. "I don't like this!" Ariel said not understanding what just happened. "What's not to like?" Madelyn said picking up her Snibbit and the green one. The blue one made its way over to Ariel and snuggled down into her lap. As the girls marveled over them the Snibbits started humming a sweet tune. "Everything about them is cute!" Kara said snuggling hers, "And the best part is we each get one of our own!". "Mom won't let me keep mine I don't think once I tell her." Ariel said. "You can't tell her!" Madelyn snapped. "If you do then she'll take them all away to do tests on them!". "She won't get mine!" Kara said defensively. Ariel was now starting to become attached to hers as well. "Well I suppose it won't hurt." she reasoned. "I'll give the green one to Maggie because she doesn't have a pet either." Madelyn stated as the girls played with their new pets.
--End of Part 1: Madelyn's New Pet--
Next --part 2: Snibbits To the Left, Snibbits To The Right--
Questions, comments?
Mail to:
ravyn_knyght@yahoo.com
Madelyn's New Pet -- By Ravyn Knyght
"So have of of them been exterminated?" a woman asked. "Except for this one. No matter what we do we just can't kill it." a man's weary voice explained. "Well then shoot it out into deep space! Just as long as it's not on this planet!" the woman angrily snapped. The man complied and set to work on constructing a small life pod. He felt bad that all the others had to be killed and decided to take pity on the last remaining one. "Well here you go little fella. I hope you find a nice uninhabited planet." the man said as he carefully placed the little creature in the pod and launched it.
Several weeks later.....
"C'mon! Get it!" Ariel coaxed as she shone a flashlight on the floor. Moonbeam was determined to catch that light spot no matter what. He tried to ignore Ariel's attempts at first, but as soon as she gave the flashlight a little shake to make the patch of light dance around the floor he was hooked. Both Ariel and Madelyn were sitting on the bed taking turns with the flashlight. After a while the two tired of the game and turned the flashlight off. Moonbeam still wanted to play however and satisfied himself by swatting at a ball. Madelyn watched Moonbeam and sighed, "I wish I could have a pet." she grumbled as she thought about all the other Chibi Scouts who had pets. "Rini's got Luna and Diana. Daisy's got Cresent. Annika has Stardust. Gloria has Artemis. You've got Moonbeam and Faith has that turtle, Slugger." Madelyn sighed wishing she could have one of her own. "Well did you ask your parents if you can have one?" Ariel questioned, rolling her eyes. Madelyn thought, "Well....no." she admitted. "Well ask then! You know that they'll give into you." Ariel added. "But what kind of pet do I want? There's so many and they're all so cute!" Madelyn giggled as she thought about kittens and puppies and rabbits. "There's all kinds of books in the palace library about animals. Maybe you should look through them to decide what you want." Ariel commented.
That night during dinner, Madelyn decided to put the issue up for debate with her parents. "Mama, could I have a pet?" Madelyn simply stated. Hotaru and Anthony looked at each other and back at her. "What brings this on?" Hotaru asked wondering why madelyn would bring it up. "Well almost all of the other girls have pets." Madelyn stated. "Well that's true but owning a pet is a big responsibility. It is a living, breathing, thinking, feeling creature and wanting one because everyone else has one is not a good reason for wanting one of your own. You should have a pet out of love and not need." her father told her, Madelyn pouted. "So I can't have one then?". "We didn't say you couldn't have one, period. We want to make sure it's what you really want. Many pets can live for several years and are a lot of work, especially for a young child." Hotaru added. "They require a lot of time and effort. You have school work, your friends, ballet practice and Chibi Scout duties. You don't have much free time so it would be hard for you to manage a pet." her father followed up. Madelyn dropped it for now but still thought about it.
At bedtime, Hotaru came in to say good night to her daughter only to find her not in bed but at the window gazing at the stars. "It's past your bedtime." Hotaru reminded her daughter, Madelyn nodded still watching the night sky. "Visions of puppies and kittens still dancing in your head?" Hotaru mused sitting down next to her daughter. "Sort of. But it's not fair, mama! Everyone else has one but me!" Madelyn whined. "Now don't whine, sweetie. Someday you will have a pet that you will love just as much as the other girls love theirs. Now it's time to go to bed." Hotaru said kissing her daughter on the forehead. Before Madelyn left the window she saw a shooting star streak across the sky. "Mama, look!" she pointed the star out to her mother. "Let's make a wish then!" Hotaru laughed as they both closed their eyes and made their wishes. "I think I know what you wished for!" Hotaru said as she tucked her daughter in for the night.
Hotaru came back to her room thinking that maybe it would be good to get Madelyn a pet afterall. "Anthony. Do you think we should get her a pet?" she asked kissing her husband. Anthony knew that his wife was about to work him over, all the signs were there. The soft voice, the large innocent and pleading eyes staring deep into his. He knew that he'd give in eventually, he always did. "I thought we discussed this earlier. Please don't reopen the subject! We won this argument! How many will we lose in the years to come!" he begged his wife not to press the matter further. "I know, but it's just that...." she stopped in mid sentence thinking about Madelyn's and her own future. "Just what?" Anthony asked wanting her to continue her thought. "Maybe we should get her one. To help take her mind off of her responsiblities. I know what she's going through and I believe any distraction that takes her mind off of her duties as the Sailor of Destruction would be a good thing." Hotaru finished knowing that although Madelyn never mentioned it, it had to weigh heavy on her mind. "We'll discuss this more tomorrow." Anthony promised his wife before falling asleep.
In the control room Asai was on duty and was tracking a mysterious object that seemed to change directions as it slowed down. It's too small to contain a person. he thought reviewing the scans. It then went below radar and the satellite lost track of it. Asai logged the object's last known co-ordinates and sent a couple of security guards to investigate as the last known position was just half a mile from the palace. Within a few minutes the security team reported back that it was an extremely small life pod, and it was empty. "Bring it in for investigation." Asai informed the men as he made a mental note to discuss this with the king and queen first thing in the morning.
"So did they cave?" Ariel asked Madelyn wanting to know how the conversation went. "Did who cave?" Annika asked. "Madelyn's parents." Ariel answered. "About what?" Hope asked. "Getting a pet." Madelyn informed. "Well?" Ariel wanted to know. "No." Madelyn sadly reported to the group. "Hey! Hurry up back there!" Daisy yelled noticing that the younger girls were lagging behind. They quickly caught up with Daisy and Maggie and continued their conversation on their way to school. None of them noticed that they were being followed.
On their way home, Madelyn stopped to tie her shoe lace. As she busied herself with the task neither her or the other girls noticed a small creature slip into Madelyn's book bag. "Come on!" Daisy grumbled as Madelyn and Ariel had fallen behind again. "Coming!" Madelyn called she the two caught up with them.
After getting back at the palace and being greeted by their parents, the girls were warned that there might be a new Negaverse threat. "A space ship? Cool!" Ariel excalimed and started pleading with her mother to see it. "Come along Madelyn! You have ballet pratice so hurry and change." Hotaru reminded and Madelyn hurried off to get ready. As madelyn got ready she noticed something moving inside her book bag. She cautiously approached it and undid the flap and was about to open it when her mother called. "Madelyn! We're going to be late!", Madelyn refastened the tie and left. Probably just a book going to one side. she thought. However she tied the flap loose and the creature managed to free itself from the bag. "Snibbit?" the tiny, pale yellow, powder puff muttered as it looked around at the strange surroundings with it's deep blue eyes. It bounded off of the desk and surveyed the room. "Snibbit?" the little creature said again, sounding a little nervous as it explored Madelyn's bed room.
It quickly dashed under the bed when Anthony came in with a laundry basket. While he folded clothes and put them away the phone rang and he left to answer it. The little creature watched Anthony the whole time and was curious as to what he was putting into one of the drawers. It bounded up onto the top of a dresser and peeked over the edge into the open drawer. What it saw seemed to make it excited. "Snibbit!" it cried as it leapt off of the edge and nestled itself into Madelyn's sock drawer. For a moment the little powder puff thought it had found its own kind as it gazed excitedly around at the multi-coloured bundles. But as it realized they were not the same as itself it was too late, Anthony returned and closed the drawer. "Snibbit!" it cried but all Anthony heard was a muffled sound. He looked around the room, then to the open window. Outside there was a song bird chirping and he thought it must've been that and left the room.
After Madelyn and her mother returned from ballet class, Madelyn went to her room to change. "We'll be eating in the palace dining room tonight, so when you're finished changing meet us down there." Hotaru told Madelyn. "Okay mama!" she called back as she went about changing her clothes. She noticed that one of her socks had a hole it it and she opened her sock drawer to get another pair. As the drawer opened and the light filtered in, the little powder puff saw this as a chance to escape. "SNIBBIT!" it squealed as it leapt out at Madelyn. Madelyn in turn gave a short shriek as she thought a pair of socks came alive and was attacking her. The little creature bounced under the bed, peeking out at the stranger. After Madelyn caught her breathe, she nervously got down on her hands and knees and peeked under her bed. Was it a mouse? she thought as her heart was still racing. She caught sight of a little powder puff like animal, quivering with fear. "Awww!" Madelyn sighed as she looked at the little animal. "Come on out! I won't hurt you!" she coaxed and within a few seconds the little furball cautiously came out from hiding. "Snibbit?" it spoke. It's large blue eyes staring at Madelyn's large purple eyes. "Oh you look so cute!" Madelyn exclaimed. The complement seemed to make the little animal happy as it gave a soft purring noise. "I have to go to dinner now." Madelyn told the animal as she carefully picked it up and placed it back in the sock drawer. "You'll be safe in here. I'll bring you something to eat." she said, leaving the drawer partially open before leaving.
Down in the dining hall the Knights and Scouts discussed the peculiar little space ship that was recovered last night. "According to security, they found a tuft of yellow hair in the craft and I'm running tests on it now. It might be some type of animal that was in the pod." Amy reported. "Well I've ordered security to keep an eye out for anything suspicious." Endymion said. "Well enough about that, I want to hear about that English test you had today Rini." Serenity stated, causing Rini to choke her food down. "Oh I did alright." she calmly stated not wanting to admit the test was a disasterous failure. Within a few minutes Madelyn had joined everyone at the table. "Madelyn! Mom said there was some kind of animal in that space ship they found. It has yellow hair." Ariel reported, Madelyn wondered. "If it is an animal it will have to be caught. It might be dangerous to leave it roaming about." Haruka commented on the matter. "Yes, I would like to run some tests on it to make sure it doesn't create any health hazards." Amy added. Madelyn thought about the strange little animal in her sock drawer and wondered if it was the one from the space craft. She was going to tell everyone about it but when Amy said she wanted to run some tests on it a chilling image of that poor defenseless creature strapped down to an exam table being poked and prodded came to Madelyn's mind and decided to keep her mouth shut. What harm could a little powder puff like that cause? Madelyn reasoned.
After dinner Madelyn rushed back to her quarters to check on her new pet. She decided at dinner that she would keep it as a pet. Her parents were still talking with the other families so she had some time alone. She rushed to her room and took the animal out of the drawer and placed it on the bed. "What should I name you?" Madelyn wondered. The tiny creature bounced up and down, "Snibbit! Snibbit!". "Is that your name?" Madelyn asked and the animal nodded. "Wow! You understand what I say?" she gasped, Snibbit nodded again. "This is soo cool!" Madelyn exclaimed as she scooped up her new pet. "Do you want to live with me?" she asked and Snibbit bounded up onto her shoulder and nuzzled her neck. She giggled as Snibbit snuggled. "You're not dangerous are you?" Madelyn asked next thinking about the dinner conversation. Snibbit shook himself, to indicate that he wasn't dangerous. "I'm glad. Well then Snibbit let's get you something to eat!". Madelyn's suggestion made him squeal for joy.
After trial and error Madelyn found that Snibbit prefered vegtables. She was delighted to know that Snibbit loved brussel sprouts. Now she had someone to eat them for her. After a good meal, Madelyn took Snibbit back to her room, there were many things to warn him of. "Now you have to stay out of sight of everyone around here. If they catch you they'll do all kinds of tests on you." Madelyn told him, her warning made him quiver with terror as he remembered the ordeal he went through just a few weeks prior. Madeyln could tell that he was getting scared with all this test talk so she changed the subject. With the cats it was easy to tell if they were boy or girl but it was difficult figuring out what Snibbit was. "So are a boy or girl?" Madelyn hoped it was a girl but it didn't matter too much. "Boy?" she said and Snibbit bounced up and down, "Snibbit! Snibbit!" it chirped. "Well then..." Madelyn was interupted by her parents coming in. "Quick! In the sock drawer!" Madelyn whispered as she helped her new pet hide. "Don't worry! I'll be back!" she said and gave Snibbit a kiss, which made the tiny animal blush. "I love you!" she whispered, leaving the drawer open a crack.
After getting ready for bed Madelyn took Snibbit out and put him on the bed so he could sleep with her. Snibbit liked the idea and snuggled up to her neck giving contented chortling sounds. Hotaru came in to tuck her in and Snibbit quickly dashed under the covers so not to be seen. After she left he came back out and took up position close to Madelyn and the pair drifted off to sleep.
After getting up early and preparing some food for her new pet, Madelyn got ready for school. Snibbit sat on the bed watching her get ready to leave. "Snibbit?" he said in a questioning tone, wondering what his new owner was doing. "I'm going to school now but I'll be back this afternoon so until then stay out of sight, okay?" Madelyn said, Snibbit nodded. "I left some fresh vegetables on a tray in the sock drawer for you. I love you!" she commented giving Snibbit a gentle kiss before leaving.
"You seem to be awfully happy this morning?" Ariel noticed her friend was a little more upbeat than yesterday. "I'm just in a good mood, that's all." Madelyn commented as they continued on their way to school. Madelyn thought about telling Ariel about her new pet but decided against it knowing Ariel couldn't keep a secret. I'll tell Kara! she thought, knowing she'd feel better telling someone. She felt like she would burst if she didn't tell someone soon.
At lunch Ariel, Kara and Madelyn were sitting down under a tree eating and talking about what went on in class so far. Madelyn decided then and there to tell Kara but she had to becareful of Ariel. "Kara, can I come over to your house to play today?" she asked and Kara agreed. "You know you are always welcome at my house." Kara told her. Ariel was a bit jealous of Kara but never said anything. "You can come over too Ariel." Kara added. "Really! Thank you, Kara!", Madelyn groaned silently. "I've got something to show you!" Madelyn beamed, thinking of her pet. "What?" Ariel asked wanting to be let in. "I can't tell you! It's a secret!" Madelyn playfully responded, Ariel got a little upset and was about to say something but the bell rang and they went back inside.
Back at the palace, Snibbit ws getting bored being cooped up in the sock drawer so he decided to explore the rest of the quarters. "Snibbit?", he peeked around the corner to see if anyone was there. Seeing no one he cautiously bounded down the hallway into the living room. Hotaru came out of the kitchen causing him to duck under the couch. He watched as Hotaru walked over to the closet and took out a vacuum cleaner. The noise of the vacuum cleaner scared Snibbit as he quivered under the couch as Hotaru came closer and closer to him with the strange and noisy device. Hotaru thrust the vaccum cleaner underneath the couch as she always did this time of day thinking nothing of the trauma she was inflicting on Snibbit. "SNIBBIT!" he cried out trying to get away from the contraption but soon found himself caught in the vacuum's suction grip. Because of the noise, Hotaru couldn't hear Snibbit's cries as he got sucked into the vacuum cleaner. After Hotaru was finished she detached the collection bag and emptied it into the trash can.
After she went into the bedrooms Snibbit jumped out of the trash can and sneezed as he shook the dust out of its coat. "Snibbit!" he growled at the deactivated vacuum and gave it a pounce. As he tried to made his way back to Madelyn's room the front door opened and Anthony came in. Snibbit didn't want to hide under the couch again so it quickly searched the room and hid in an open kitchen cabinet. He watched as both Anthony and Hotaru came into the kitchen. "So how were things today?" Hotaru asked her husband as she prepared lunch for themselves. "Oh, the usual. What's for lunch?" he asked as Hotaru brought two two plates to the table. The aroma agreed with Snibbit as his stomach growled. Somehow he had to get past Anthony and Hotaru and get to Madelyn's room where his food was. "Oh! I just remembered that I have to pick something up at the supermarket for tonight's dinner!" Hotaru remembered. "Do you want me to get it?" Anthony asked, Hotaru shook her head. "No that's alright. I won't be that long." she said as she kissed her husband and left for the store.
Seeing a chance to get away, Snibbit moved out of the cuppard when Anthony wasn't looking. He had managed to get out of the kitchen but bumped into an end table, causing the lamp to sway. Anthony noticed the lamp about to fall over and rushed to catch it. "Now what caused that?" he said aloud looking around to see what would have caused the lamp to almost fall over. Snibbit ducked under the couch but kept his eyes fixed on the vacuum incase it came after him again. "Snibbit. Snibbit. Snibbit." he said as he quickly bounced back to the bedrooms. "What was that?" Antohony wondered hearing a noise and decided to investigate. "I'm sure I've heard that before?" he wondered as he checked the quarters, finding nothing. Snibbit managed to get back to the sock drawer and started to eat when Anthony came in. Snibbit quickly nestled in between a pair of socks and laid motionless. "I'll have to remind Madelyn to close drawers when she's finished with them." Anthony said closing the drawer. He continued to search until Hotaru came back. She found her husband down on all fours looking under the furniture with a flashlight. "What are you looking for?" she asked. "I thought I heard something." and told his wife of the happenings. "You must've imagined it." she concluded. But that didn't explain the lamp falling over.
After school, Madelyn was getting ready to go to Kara's when she checked on Snibbit. "How did you get so dirty?" Madelyn gasped as Snibbit's yellow coat was now grey. "Well no time for a bath now." she stated and carefully put Snibbit into her pocket. "I going to play at Kara's!" Madelyn called. "Be back for dinner!" Hotaru answered back. After meeting up with Ariel, the two headed off.
Maybe I should tell Ariel? Madelyn thought on the way to Kara's house. "So what's the secret you can't tell me?" Ariel said, mad that Madelyn would keep something from her. "I'll tell you once we get there." Madelyn promised. "Really!?" Ariel asked excited that Madelyn decided to share the secret with her. "Yes but you can't tell anyone at the palace. Okay?" Madelyn pleaded. Ariel thought for a moment. She wondered if it was something bad. "Okay?" Madelyn repeated, "Or I won't tell you!" she threatened. "Okay!" Ariel agreed wanting to be let in on the secret.
"So what's the secret already?" Ariel impatiently asked once the girls were alone in Kara's room. "This!" Madelyn said producing Snibbit. "Oh it's so cute!" Kara exclaimed. "This is my new pet, Snibbit!" Madelyn told the other girls. "This is what I can't tell everyone in the palace?" Ariel asked not understanding. "Yes, because I think it's what was in the space craft." Madelyn explained. "It might be dangerous!" Ariel cautioned but Madelyn ignored her, "He's from outer space!?!" Kara gasped looking at the small animal. "Snibbit!" he replied. "He needs a bath though." Madelyn said. "Come on then to the bathroom!" Kara said motioning them along. Ariel wondered if Madelyn's new pet was dangerous. She wanted to tell but she promised that she wouldn't.
Kara filled the bathroom sink up with just enough warm water as Madelyn set Snibbit down on the sink. "Snibbit?" he said wondering what the girls wre going to do. "It's safe!" Madelyn assured as she held him in her hand and gently lowered him into the water. He was a little nervous at first but he soon learned to love the water. After he was clean, Madelyn used a hairdryer on low setting to dry him. Snibbit enjoyed the warm breeze. After they took him back to Kara's room he started to shiver. "Oh no!" Madelyn gasped as she saw Snibbit shivering. "He must've got a cold." Ariel concluded. Before they knew it, Snibbit gave off a bright light and when it died down there were four Snibbits instead of one. "Cool!" Kara exclaimed as she stared at the new Snibbits. "Babies?" Ariel said, looking at the bouncing little powder puffs. "Snibbit is a boy, silly and boys don't have babies!" Madelyn pointed out but yet there were three new Snibbits.
There was a green one, a blue one and a black and white zebra striped one along with the original. "Oh they're soo cute!" Kara squealed as she picked up the zebra striped one. "How did that happen!?" Ariel said staring wide eyed at the little bundles of fur. "I don't know." Madelyn said. "Snibbit! Snibbit!" the group chanted as they bounced up and down on the bed. "Can I keep this one?" Kara asked, nuzzling the zebra Snibbit. "If it wants to stay with you." Madelyn replied. The Snibbit was in full agreement. "I don't like this!" Ariel said not understanding what just happened. "What's not to like?" Madelyn said picking up her Snibbit and the green one. The blue one made its way over to Ariel and snuggled down into her lap. As the girls marveled over them the Snibbits started humming a sweet tune. "Everything about them is cute!" Kara said snuggling hers, "And the best part is we each get one of our own!". "Mom won't let me keep mine I don't think once I tell her." Ariel said. "You can't tell her!" Madelyn snapped. "If you do then she'll take them all away to do tests on them!". "She won't get mine!" Kara said defensively. Ariel was now starting to become attached to hers as well. "Well I suppose it won't hurt." she reasoned. "I'll give the green one to Maggie because she doesn't have a pet either." Madelyn stated as the girls played with their new pets.
--End of Part 1: Madelyn's New Pet--
Next --part 2: Snibbits To the Left, Snibbits To The Right--
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