Chapter Three: The Mission
As the light emitting through the sparse, barred windows dimmed to a warm orange, hundreds of mini Smiling Critters returned to the lobby of Cube Bee's Toys. The little plush animals scurried forth in their specific lines and with their group of partnered critters until they reached the entryway of the warehouse.
Sitting by the front entrance were five of the leading critters. In the center of the little row, DogDay fronted all his kin, putting his front left limb way up.
"Now, does every critter have the correct time on their watch and the alarm set for tomorrow at noon?"
All the toys rambled positively while holding up limbs that were strapped with the rainbow band.
Great!" barked DogDay, doing a little bounce.
Next to him, Bubba Bubbaphant tapped his timepiece with his trunk.
"And to be sure everyone is alerted precisely, make sure your watch is synchronized."
All the critters, including his friends beside him, were glancing at each other, to and fro. Deadpanning, Bubba felt a familiar tapping over his withers. And before his pink pal uttered her question, he gestured to a nearby hung clock.
"Synchronize means everyone's watch has the correct and exact time."
Picky Piggy beamed. "As always, thanks, Bub!" And she attended to her watch as did the others.
As the leaders turned and craned their little round heads at the broad, double-locked metallic door before them, CraftyCorn and Bobby BearHug sprinted and galloped to them, sharing dismayed frowns.
"We're sorry... DogDay," huffed the plush ursine. "We... couldn't find any keys."
Her friends silently gasped. DogDay scanned the awaiting critters, making certain they had not heard of this disheartening news. Fortunately, the toys were too busy sparring with one another; practicing adorable and intimidation techniques of enlarged eyes and tongue-blips, followed by small roars and air swiping.
"Really? Not even one?" the little dog asked quietly.
"Not even one," Crafty repeated sorrowfully. "Me and Bee checked everything and everywhere in the office."
Pondering for a moment, the plush canine discerned the keyhole in the center of the doorknob.
"Maybe our CatNap can lock-pick like he's done with the other doors."
He and his friends looked around themselves. No visual of the elusive little cat anywhere.
Bubba rubbed under his jaw as he squinted his sights at the steel latch.
"This door's mechanism appears much stronger than the rest of the doors. I'm uncertain that tiny claws would have any positive results."
Hoppy Hopscotch stared at the foot of the locked entrance. "What if we try gnawing our way out like we did on the bottom of our old shipping crate?"
"But chew on metal?" Picky questioned with a disdained snort. "I don't care how much iron that'd be... No, thank you!"
KickinChicken reared his face at the narrow knob. "Well... what if the door's unlocked?"
Slowly, Bubba moved his head from side to side. "Apologies, Kickin, but I highly doubt it would be unlocked. Management made sure to always secure the entrance and exit of this warehouse."
DogDay hummed in thought. "It's worth a try, Bubba." With a returned smile, he nodded at the grinning plush bunny. "Hoppy, do your thing."
"Ya don't need to ask me twice!" she remarked, rubbing eager little paws together.
As she'd done many times beforehand with other doors, Hoppy bounded underneath the lengthy handle. And with a firm hop, she clung on. Within that second, the latch descended.
"Hey, I heard a click! It can be opened!"
Every critter wiggled, jumped, and cheered at the little rabbit's triumph. All accept her gaping blue friend.
"Management didn't remember to lock the front door?!"
Picky and DogDay patted Bubba's back.
"Guess they aren't elephants," commented the plush canine, lifting his paws with a happy shrug.
"Hey... guys..," called out Hoppy between grunts. "Don't... leave me hanging!"
"Oh, right!" DogDay waved toward the dangling rabbit. "C'mon, guys!"
Once they were all huddled by the door, Bubba craned his head and with his long nose, curved around his green friend's ankles. Soon, the plush pachyderm's short torso was being towed by a chain of his close companions. It took a lot of groans and some effort from the mighty little toys, but ultimately, the entrance was soon, wide open.
However, the front door was self-closing. The seven leaders swiveled and with front limbs spread out, they pushed as much force as their little backs could muster. But in spite of their efforts, the big and lofty door was winning.
The plush audience was about to contribute, but Bubba shook his head curtly.
"Hoppy!" He pointed his trunk upwards. "The doorstop!"
The little rabbit spotted the little metal ring on the above pole.
"We've got this! Ready again, Kicks?"
KickinChicken rushed in front of her and lowered his durable plushy wings, crossing them.
"Go for it, Hops!'
Hoppy, true to her name, leaped onto her pal's awaiting aid. And with a bounce, she grabbed onto the top rod, pushing the ring forward.
Everyone cheerfully shouted at their leaders' success. Hoppy's six friends caught her, granting a safe landing.
Admiring his green and yellow friends, DogDay's mouth was as wide and joyful as his whirling tail.
"Awesome teamwork, guys!" the little dog looked to the rest of his friends. "And to all of you, too!"
CraftyCorn and PickyPiggy beamed at each other for the surprising adroitness of their hooves. And grinning proudly, Kicken strutted up to Hoppy who was shaking her knitted paws over her head, taking in the cheers.
"That was radical, Hops! Ya reached the top of that door like it was nothing and without wings!" The little chicken's beak-line raised with an idea. "Hey, since we'll be free, maybe ya can teach me how to make those rad hops to the moon!"
Rolling her eyes, the plush bunny scoffed playfully.
"To the moon? Don't be silly, Kicks!" Beaming, she laid her paws onto her short hips. "But I'll teach ya how to hop on trees and houses though!"
Kicken's grin curved higher. "You're on!"
Once all the critters became a little calmer, the seven leaders slowly about-faced a meter away from the now open entryway of Cube Bee's Toys. And with broad sights, they stood upright together, once more.
Exhaling sharply, DogDay peered over his wither at all the timid toys.
"Please wait, everyone. Your leaders will step out first."
Without a second of consideration, all the critters quietly bobbed their heads in approval.
Bobby BearHug's round ears detected sniffling. She turned on her right to find CraftyCorn no longer adorning the mini belt bag and Velcro strap.
"Oh, CeeCee!" She instantly wrapped a limb over her pal's teal mane. "What's the matter? Did ya lose your things?"
"Nuh-uh," responded the little unicorn with another snuffle. "I gave them to Fuzzy."
Bobby reared her view to see where the shaky little hoof was indicating. It was the logo sign of the Cube Bee's Toys' mascot.
Crafty slumped her limb. "I left my stuff and hung some of my art to help 'er remember us."
Bobby beamed warmly at the plush equine's youthful worries over the illustrated, cube-shaped bumblebee.
"That's very thoughtful, CeeCee."
Crafty's mouth-line curled but it was quivering.
"Bee?"
The little bear tilted her head. "Yes?"
"She reminds me of our CB... She-She also liked honey... very much."
Swallowing, Bobby pulled the low-whinnying unicorn in for a light and consoling hug.
"Yeah, I know, CeeCee... I know~"
At the comforting little bear's left, KickinChicken idly scratched the stitched 1 hidden underneath his plushy head feathers and turned to his fidgeting green pal beside him.
"Hey, Hops... are, are ya scared?"
Hoppy stilled herself, all except her wiggling nose.
"I'm-I'm scared?" She raised her ears. "Of course not! Um... How about you?"
"N-Nah... but... ya wanna hold my wing, anyways?"
"Uh..." The offered feathered limb was quickly clasped. "Sure! Heh! Why not!"
After a few more edgy chuckles, Hoppy peeked at Bobby BearHug. The red and pink-trim critter was idly peering down at the cement floor, and Hoppy elbowed for her yellow pal's attention. At first, he was confused, until a long ear was gestured to the nervous little bear.
Clearing his crop, the plush avian regarded Bobby.
"Hey... Hugs, would ya like to hold my wing, too? ...Not that I'm scared or anything."
With her frown upturned, Bobby's soft paw clung to the plushy plumes.
"Thanks, Kicky." She beamed thankfully and hearteningly. "And don't worry. I know you're super brave... and awesome."
"Heh...heh... yeah."
Meanwhile, CraftyCorn's grief had lightened after she heard the soft rumbles and clucky trills. Smiling, she beheld her two close companions focusing their support for each other.
"Awww~ That's so- NAY!"
The plush equine startled her companions. DogDay whipped his head toward his white and teal friend.
"Crafty, what is it?!"
"S-Some-thing just brushed up against m-me! It was-!"
She veered over her withers, just in time to glimpse a moving, lengthy purple tail.
"Oh, tee-hee..." Crafty's pinned little ears shot up. "Never mind!"
With a sigh, DogDay sidestepped to give CatNap a spot to stand with him in the middle of their group. But when the little dog glanced at the plush feline, his smile dropped like a stone and he hastily averted his wide sights...
There was a thin and prickly leg from some indiscernible insect, sticking out of CatNap's muzzle.
PickyPiggy, next to Bubba and DogDay, heard the light crunching and grinned.
"Hi, CatNap! What goodies did ya find?! Can ya share..?"
The little pig canted her view at DogDay. He was shaking his head, followed by making wriggling motions with little digits. Immediately, Picky grasped the hint and made a puckered frown.
"Ya know what, it's alright. I'm not hungry!"
Her blue pal's trunk almost released the map and popped a stitching in his neck from hearing Picky's statement and quickly felt her brow for a fever.
CatNap licked his mouth-line clear of any flecks of carapace and observed his companions.
"Hey... What'd I miss?"
KickenChicken and Hoppy Hopscotch sulked because of their purple friend's absence when they opened the enormous front door.
"Everything..." "...Per usual," they said flatly.
The plush feline briefly lifted his withers coolly, then his right ear twitched. He saw DogDay sitting and trying to stop an itch again. The little dog stopped grunting and fidgeting when his squinting eye saw the familiar toe beans extended to him, followed by a favorite low and calm rumble.
Breathing out, DogDay accepted the paw and was helped to an upright stance. His mien matched his pal's again.
"Thanks, Naps."
The little leaders bridged their front limbs. And after a moment to gather their bearings, they took short, cautious paces until their bottom feet and hooves met the grass.
Real. Green. Grass.
The critters stomped and padded in place. The grass was really like how they imagined... soft and springy. The toys' tiny nostrils and black noses took in the spring breeze. And the heavy dread within them transcended to light inquisitiveness as they observed the natural realm. Albeit, they had admired it countless times. However, seeing and smelling the world without bars and panes was breathtaking... and free.
The leaders of the Smiling Critters were finally outside, and it was such a contrast to the colorless, drab warehouse. An emerald-sheathed earth underneath a vibrant orange sky. And when they peeped at the lowering sun peering through the cottony clouds, the concept of leaving their familiarity behind wasn't so frightful anymore.
DogDay fronted the awaiting critters still inside the lobby.
"Okay, every critter, this is it! Before we begin step one of our mission, does anyone have anything else they'd like to ask?"
Instantly, a hundred dark pink hooves went in the air, including his pink friend's. DogDay planted his red-orange patch into an awaiting paw.
"As discussed before," He lifted his head, "there won't be any snacks on this trip."
All the limbs slumped down with displeased snuffles.
"Okay!" The little orange leader smiled broadly once more. "Is every critter ready?!"
Yeses resounded within the large lobby. Some of the toys were sniffing the outside air and in the back, others were hopping to catch a glimpse of the world, too.
Looking at CatNap, DogDay's beam grew more confident, and proudly nodded with him. All of their kin were certainly ready.
Then, after three decades, the mini Smiling Critters vacated the warehouse that was Cube Bee's Toys.
Beneath the deepening golden-brown sky, near an isolated dirt road, hundreds of moving, shiny white optics peered through the high grassy weeds. Making sure to stay together, the plush animals swiftly waddled and tread in their own lines while maintaining a pace as fast as their little legs could go. Only stopping to duck down out of sight whenever a lone car drove by. Excluding all the plush avians, everyone else resumed their comfortable quadrupedal movement.
Some of the critters ignored their empty stomachs to graze. They needed to reach Nestling quickly and safely; neither wanting to be discovered by drivers nor any predators.
In front of the two plush rows were the eight little leaders. KickinChicken held the open map as they moved, so Bubba Bubbaphant's trunk wouldn't cramp up. And partway during their travel, the plush pachyderm agreed to give his tired pink pal a piggyback ride.
After slightly over an hour of trailing a path that seemed to bring them to nothing but more path, something new brought them out of their monotony.
The toys halted. And rearing bright little faces, they observed the big white board attached to a wooden post. It was painted with the blue italic letters: Welcome to Nestling.
Both sets of eyes of CraftyCorn and Bobby BearHug drifted to the bottom artwork; a pair of bluebirds perched on a nest that held their young.
"Oohh!" The little unicorn neighed with delight. "So pretty!"
"It is very pretty, CeeCee," remarked her red pal, elevating her paw. "But look there."
Underneath the illustrated feathery family, most of the toys read the smaller writing...
Population: 800.
Oh... I see what ya mean, Bee," Crafty felt all four of her legs tense up. "Eight hundred humans is... a lot of humans."
"But most likely, some will be children," Bubba Bubbaphant reassured. "While we aren't scaring the children, they will aid us by encouraging the worried adults to flee the town much faster. It won't be too hard."
Smiling, he pointed his trunk to his purple friend. "See? Our CatNap isn't worried about it!"
The seven critters stared at the sitting plush feline... His eyelids were fully down. The little leaders turned their view and found CatNap's entire purple kin completely unaware of their surroundings.
With a low rumble, the annoyed elephant nosed CatNap until he flittered his droopy eyelids open.
"Hey... What'd I miss?"
"Everything, per usual." Bubba sighed heavily. "For the love of literature, CatNap, how can you and your entire line go to slumber right now?"
The little cat let out a drawn-out yawn. "Hiking makes us sleepy."
"Breathing makes you cats sleepy!" Hoppy stated, eliciting a titter out of Crafty.
After another display of little pointy teeth from another deep respire, CatNap's eyes broadened when he finally focused on the large lettering on the big board.
"Hey!" he hissed out, waking up his dozing kin. He indicated with a paw. "Nessst...ling."
"Nessst...ling..!" rasped the ninety-nine, grinning plush felines.
"Ugh, now he's got all of 'em saying it that way!" mumbled KickinChicken with a shiver.
Clicking a small tongue, Bubba shook his head. "I guess I need to repeat myself about the human numbers again, eh, DogDay?"
No response. The plush pachyderm blinked at his mute leader.
"DogDay?"
On all fours, the plush canine's entire self was rapidly swaying in sync with his little plush appendage.
Flapping big ears, Bubba chortled. "Wow, I guess this is how the idiom: the tail that wags the dog originated-"
"IT'S A SIGN!" DogDay exclaimed, causing his friends to gasp and hop off the ground right along with him.
Bobby wobbled closer and placed a paw over one of the wriggling dog's withers.
"Yes, DogDay... We see it, too!"
"What? No, Bobby! Not about the sign being an actual sign! I mean what it's signing to us!"
Panting, DogDay bounded up to the tall pole and swerved around it three times before sitting up on his back paws.
"Population... eight hundred!" He patted his plushy chest firmly. "There's eight hundred of us! Don't ya see? Nestling is meant to be our home!"
The hundreds of critters before their leaders wriggled and capered where they stood.
"The Smiling Nestlings: name pending!" the little followers decreed.
With a snort, Picky Piggy smirked at her sheepish blue pal.
"I can't believe ya started that, Bub."
"Okay, every critter!" shouted DogDay excitedly as he rejoined his friends. "Step one is completed! Now, for step two!"
Bubba stood up waving his front feet. "It's time to spread out in our doubled pairs... Your leaders will guide you where to go for step three... The final stage of our mission: hide undercover and takeover Nestling, tomorrow at noon-"
"Excuse me, Bub," Picky lightly interrupted, sitting up and sadly stroking a protesting stomach. "Could we do it a little sooner? I'm really hungry..."
"But noon is when humans are most active," DogDay reminded. "They are usually out, enjoying their lunch."
"Mmmm! Lunch..." drawled all the little pigs.
All the other critters nervously sidestepped out of their reach.
Wiggling his brow and with a lopsided smile, Bubba leaned into his orange friend's floppy ear.
"Not helping... DogDay..."
The plush canine returned the smirk. "Okay, Bubba, touché." He looked at his hungry friend's line. "We shouldn't change the timing of our mission." He crossed his limbs. "And for the last time, no one is eating anyone."
Picky tapped her small lower jaw. "How about we do the takeover at eleven a.m.? Please?"
Her eager line made pouty, pleading faces. DogDay and Bubba glanced at their watches and shrugged at each other.
"Sure," conceded the little dog. "Eleven a.m. is a fair compromise."
All the pink toys oinked gleefully. They weren't certain what 'compromise' was, but a whole hour earlier was a whole hour sooner of snacking!
Once everyone had reset their alarms to the aforementioned new time, the eight leaders viewed the distant town. Shielding their eyes from the setting sunlight, they could make out small rooftops of cape cod-style dwellings, multiple blooming trees and dense evergreens, and some other undefined locations that looked enticing. It was all... homey.
The leaders conversed for a few minutes and concluded on which directions they would take their groups in Nestling.
DogDay and CatNap chose to go northwest, while KickinChicken and Hoppy Hopscotch decided on the northeast.
CraftyCorn and Bobby BearHug to go southwest, whereas Bubba Bubbaphant and PickyPiggy to head southeast of the town.
The toys weren't exactly sure why they chose these paths, but somehow, they felt in their plushy cores that these routes would be the best for them.
"So, gang, ya ready?" DogDay asked.
Crafty was twiddling a hoof and swishing her plush, hairy tail, however, her smile never waned.
"Y-yes, I am! I am a little nervous nellie, but I know it'll all be worth it!"
"Very true, CeeCee," agreed Bobby. "Like DogDay said. A place where we'll all be happy and free."
The little bear waddled to their leader and outstretched her limbs, clinging on tightly.
"One more hug to hold you off."
The plush canine returned the warm squeeze, and he heard soft sniffles.
"Awww, it's alright, Bobby!" He rubbed her back. "This isn't goodbye! I promise we'll all be saying hello again before ya know it."
"I know," she crooned. "But you know me!"
She gave him one more cuddle before returning to her white and teal pal.
Meanwhile, Hoppy Hopscotch was bouncing in place, and KickinChicken's tiny talons were scratching the ground.
"Kicks and I are ready to get this done!"
"Booyah! Super ready!"
The corner of DogDay's mouth tugged upwards. By the active nose and ruffled plushy feathers, he could see his two friends were anxious. Nevertheless, their chipper, outgoing, and cool, assertive tones, disclosed they were opting on completing this mission. The duo had gumption and were analogous to relatives who engaged in friendly rivalry. This helped the little dog repress another edgy ear scratching.
"I'm ready, too!" PickyPiggy oinked. "Are we sure the map doesn't show where the apple trees are?"
She went to pick up the nearby map, but a warm gust swiped it out of reach.
"Hey, come back!" squealed the plush sow as she started to trot after it.
"Let it go, Piggy," Bubba Bubbaphant called out. "We'll find your apple trees on our own."
"But, Bub, I don't want to litter!"
Bubba smiled. Despite his pal's messy dinner manners, she was such a tidy little pig.
"It's not littering, Piggy. It's...um..."
"Recycling!" finished DogDay. "Maybe someday, a runaway critter who needs a home can use it to find us." He spread out his front limbs. "And we will welcome them with open paws!"
Picky beamed and Bubba made a deep bow of his head at the plush canine, placing a front foot over his back.
"Much obliged, DogDay."
After Bubba treaded to Picky, DogDay turned toward CatNap. Being so silent, the little dog thought that his pal had fallen asleep again. But no. On his haunches, he was slowly blinking at their future dwellings, seemingly lost in his thoughts.
DogDay discerned the calm cat's countenance; a closed and widespread, dreamy smile; resembling the one he had exhibited when he first agreed to take on the mission with his friends...
A loud gurgling arose from CatNap's underbelly that was louder than their pink, eager, and sweet friend's stomach. Stroking his tail, CatNap bashfully smirked, and DogDay chuckled along with him.
"I guess I don't have to ask if you're ready, huh, Naps?"
CatNap licked the inside of his mouth while producing an anticipated purr.
"Ready for real food, D.D.? Emmm... Yesss."
His orange pal bobbed his head. That was probably the reason for the plush feline's wistful expression. He was just keen on eating like everyone else.
With a waggling tail, DogDay put a limb forward, looking at each and one of his good and longtime, favorite companions.
"For Unkie D..."
Beaming determinedly, the seven critters circled their number 1 leader, and placed a paw atop the other, one by one.
"For Unkie D!"
Then, the leaders of the Smiling Critters dispersed, going to the front of their lines. And with stern nods and waves, the four groups composed of eight hundred, strongminded little toys, concertedly trod to the quiet and unsuspecting small township of Nestling.
It was step three. Still undercover, with a small, yellow abdomen on crumbly dirt, DogDay watched with growing concern. He fully knew where his ninety-nine orange kin were. They were all concealing themselves around this elected, outdoor area to ambush the humans.
However, the little dog couldn't pinpoint where his CatNap was, nor a single sign of any of his feline followers. DogDay didn't understand. They were all just together moments ago... Where in this big, scary world did they go?
DogDay was shrouded under a big rose bush. And he so wished he had not picked this spot! The thorns were minuscule but still sharper than any tacks that he had the misfortune of padding on the warehouse floor. The olive spiky tips pricked the toy's plush if he shifted roughly. Unfortunately, it was too late to locate a new camouflage.
Presently, many humans were enjoying the warm, mid-morning air and woodsy atmosphere. A tiny whimper escaped the little dog's yellow muzzle as his wide eyes stared upwards at the towering beings.
Kickin was right. Humans were, indeed, pretty scary!
Suddenly, a big rodent with a plumy tail darted past, and it took everything for DogDay to not bark and dash after it. He wondered if this was how CatNap felt whenever he was hunting...
Swallowing, the plush canine glanced at his rainbow watch and licked his nose.
Ten fifty-seven a.m... Only three minutes away.
How he yearned to hear his purple pal's tranquil purrs! DogDay halted a small yip. His hind leg was attempting to lift toward his ear and a pesky thorn reminded him exactly where he was hiding.
The little dog closed his eyes in full concentration. His elevated back paw retouched the grass. Of course, he and his best friend would be together again, like always. But this time, the opposite pair's lives would not entail being controlled by humans. DogDay and CatNap would enjoy their friendship, happy and free, forever. Exactly as their treasured elder had wished for all of them.
Light, digital music began to play from DogDay's left, front limb. He jerked his view at the little timepiece.
It was eleven o'clock a.m.
DogDay saw the many red-orange paws emerging from other shrubs and greeneries, and he detained a big breath for a moment...
"FOR UNKIE D!"
And following the rallying call of their leader, the mini Smiling Critters charged in plain sight.