Chapter 5: The Smiling Critters Destiny

In a dark void, the Smiling Critters awoken. They held their heads as they looked around.

"Where are we?" Hoppy Hopscotch confused.

"CatNap, did you knock us out with your sleeping gas again?" DogDay questioned.

"If I did, I was supposed to be unaffected. So no," CatNap answered.

"But then what was all those dirty dishes cleaning themselves and our medals glowing? Did we do that?" KickinChicken curious.

"Impossible. There's no such thing as magic. It defies all logic," said Bubba Bubbaphant.

"Um, Bubba? I'm a unicorn and we are talking animals. We defy all logic," CraftyCorn corrected him.

"Oh. Always forget that."

"You…have awoken…your powers,… children," said a female voice.

"Wait! I know that voice," Bobby BearHug said.

Suddenly, the Smiling Critters' parents revealed themselves but in chained to their necks, and limbs.

"Mom?!" PickyPiggy in shock with the rest of her friends.

"Hello, our children…You've grown…so much," said Bigger Body PickyPiggy.

"We don't have…much time until…you wake up," said Bigger Body DogDay.

"Dad! Is this really a dream?!" DogDay said, going over to his father to hug him.

"Yes and no… This is a message dream… that we can connect… through our medals," said Bigger Body Bubba.

The Bigger Body Smiling Critters show their shining medals before their children looked at theirs.

"Listen! Don't ever take… them off or…lose them," said Bigger Body Kickin.

"They are the keys…for you to end…all of the suffering," said Bigger Body Hoppy.

"Suffering?!" Kickin gasped.

"What suffering?!" Hoppy added.

"Where are you?!" CraftyCorn asks.

"We are at…Playtime Land…Held there for… a decade," Bigger Body CraftyCorn answered.

"Children, you must journey to Playtime Land to free all of us from this curse. They are coming to aid you to fulfill the prophecy," Bigger Body CatNap continued. "We had to leave you behind to protect you from…"

But then the Smiling Critters start to go static as CatNap said, "No, no, no, no, no! We're waking up!"

Bigger Body Bobby said, "Children, we've always…loved you…Don't ever forget that!"

"Mom!" Bobby called before the Smiling Critters woke up.

Kissy Missy is there and said, "You're awake. Did you see them?"

"Mrs. Missy, you knew all this time?! You knew where are parents?!" Hoppy shouted.

"I wanted to tell you for so long, but you were ready until now."

"Then, you must know about this prophecy that our parents mentioned?" CraftyCorn asks.

"Yes. I know it all to well: A Vanilla Sun Knight will lead to heed the call.

A Lavender Moon Knight will awaken to prevent evil's brawl.

A Peppermint Thunderbolt Knight shall race into action.

A Citrus Apple Knight shall devour the sinister malefaction.

A Ylang-ylang Star Knight will provide confidence and courage.

A Rose Heart Knight will spread hope with love that encourages.

A Jasmine Flower Knight shall create colorful hope.

A Lemongrass Lightbulb Knight shall bring knowledge for a new era in rope.

These Smiling Critters will retore Playtime Land,

As they come together, hand in hand."

The Smiling Critters were wide mouth in shock.

Bubba said, "No way. That's us! You mean to tell us that we are going to lift the curse upon Playtime Land?! What can we do?! We're just kids."

"Your medals."

"Our medals," Bobby said as she and her friends looked at their medals.

"They are no ordinary medals. They are magical pendants passed down to your families for generations. Your families were the Guardians of Playtime Land that fended off evil and black magic that would plague our land. They were called the Smiling Knights. During the Day of Terror, your parents fought all they could to prevent it, but they ended up becoming victims to the Red Air's curse. With little sanity they had left, they brought you to me and returned to Playtime Land to do what all they could to stop the Red Air from spreading. It won't be long until the Scent Seal cracks. Smiling Critters, it's up to stop it and lift the curse."

"Woah. To think we are descendants to Magical Knights. Cool!" Kickin commented.

"It looks like we have no choice, Critter Crew. Besides, this will be our chance to see our parents again," DogDay held his medal with care.

"This is hard to sallow to take on this big responsibility," said PickyPiggy.

"Our parents mentioned someone coming to aid us in our quest. Who is it?" CatNap asks.

"The Oracle who created the very prophecy. We would call them, the Player," Kissy Missy answered.

"And they are right here," a voice from behind.

Everyone turned to see the figure uncloak themselves to show their face is The Player from Poppy Playtime.

"Dude, where's your face?" Kickin asks.

"My true body was turned into the mannequin state. It was the price I paid for escaping Playtime Land during the Day of Terror. Come, children. It is time for you understand and control the powers bestowed upon you."

Unknown to everyone, the Nightmare Critters overheard what everyone said.

"No way," Maggie Mako in shock.

"I can't believe it," said Touille.

"Those Smiling Freaks," said Poe.

"Have magical powers," Allister Gator disbelief.

"That's not fair!" Simon Smoke annoyed.

"But that would mean they will leave this place soon," said Icky Licky.

"But they can't leave. Baba and I never got tell DogDay and CatNap that we-," Rabie Baby upset.

"Forget it! It's obvious what we must do," said Baba Chops.

"Tell them how we really feel?"

"No! We are going to follow them during their journey. There's no way we're letting them take all of the glory."

"Oooh," Nightmare Critters amazed.

"What?"

"Well, that's not like you, Baba," said Icky.

"Must really got it hot for DogDay, huh?" Maggie teased.

"Nuh-uh!" Baba blushed.

"If it means to get CraftyCorn to give me a chance, I'm in," said Simon.

"Count me in too," Rabie Baby agreed.

"Out into the sunshine? No way," said Poe.

"Count me out. I would rather wait for their return to hear if they fail," said Allister.

"And by the way, wouldn't guys want to finally be free from those Smiling Freaks?" Touille suggested.

"But being ourselves isn't fun with them to annoy," said Maggie.

"True," said Allister, Poe, and Touille.

"Let's get packing, Nightmare Critters. Time journey to piss of the Smiling Freaks," Baba sheep laughed.

"Yeah," they cheered before laughing with her.

Kissy Missy showed up and said, "Shouldn't you Critters get back to cleaning duty?"

"Mrs. Missy, how long have you been standing there?" Baba asks.

"I got to the part when you said pissing of the Smiling Critters. Get to work."

"Yes, ma'am."