Chapter 1: Nightmares in Plain Sight
It's been eight days since the Smiling Critters left their familiar home, Critter City. They are seen walking through some riparian plains on foot with their magical backpacks on. DogDay is leading the way while dragging a sleeping CatNap on the tail. Bubba Bubbaphant is reading the map while CraftyCorn is practicing her Reality Drafting magic by drawing. PickyPiggy is eating an apple, and Hoppy is running in place while moving to stay close to her group. Bobby BearHug is carrying a tired KickinChicken on the shoulder.
"Oh, man. Why did the car have to melt on the third day we had to go on her journey? All this walking is making me tired. Also, thanks for carrying me, Bobby," said Kickin.
"No problem, Kickin," said Bobby.
"Well, it serves him right for not participating fully in gym classes," said Hoppy.
"Oh, you want to go, reckless rabbit?!" Kickin yelled.
"Who are you calling reckless when you always try to do dangerous stunts?!"
"As if you don't put your life on the line!"
"I was expecting my magic to last longer, but I was wrong. It's a good thing I'm practicing so they could last long," said CraftyCorn.
"Hold it, I smell something edible to eat!" Picky shouted.
Everyone stopped so she could remove a shrub to reveal a wild garden filled with blueberries.
"Guys, I found blueberries," she said.
"Excellent, Picky. Gather the berries, Critters," said DogDay.
He tugs CatNap's tail and says, "Hey, sleepyhead. We found some free food. Help us gather some."
CatNap wakes to yawn, "If it means a chance to eat good food, fine."
When CatNap joins his friends, they stop to hear loud munching noises. In an act of defense, the Smiling Critters summon their weapons. They look around until they see a giant blueberry bush moving crazy. They quietly approach the rustling bush.
"Okay, on three, we strike," DogDay said. "Everyone ready?"
"Ready," the others said.
"One, two, THREE!"
The Smiling Critters charge into the bush and start attacking what's in the bush. Screams and hits were heard as the bush moved violently. But stop instantly, for the Smiling Critters poke their heads out in shock, and they pulled out their rivals, the Nightmare Critters, who looked dirty, hungry, and thirsty while carrying backpacks.
DogDay pulled Baba Chops out with both hands under her arms and said, "Baba?!"
"Icky?!" Kickin said while holding Icky Licky's tongue.
"Rabie?!" CatNap said, holding Rabie Baby by the hips.
"Allister?!" Hoppy said, holding Allister Gator by the leg upside down.
"Simon?!" Crafty said, grabbing Simon Smoke's chest.
"Poe?!" Bobby said, holding Poe in her arms.
"Touille?!" Bubba said, holding Touille by the tail.
"Maggie?!" Picky said while biting Maggie on the tail.
"Hi, DogDay," Baba blushed while laughing like a sheep.
"What are you Nightmare Creeps doing here?!" Kickin exclaimed.
"What does it look like we're doing?! We're following you! No way we're not letting take all of the glory," Icky yelled.
"Ugh, I can't believe it! As if you were more annoying than at home right now," said CatNap
As the Smiling Critters dragged the Nightmare Critters out of the bush, Rabie said, "My, my, CatNap. You know how to grip on a girl."
CatNap then drops her hard, and she lands on her butt as his friends let her friends go. The Smiling Critters then make their weapons disappear to make the atmosphere ease.
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but how long have you followed us?" Hoppy asked.
"Ever since you left Critter City," Simon continued. "Although it was hard to keep up with Baba constantly nagging to be alone, Allister's laziness to not move his own feet, and Poe's stupid hatred and fear of sunlight."
"Hey, I wanted to come along, but sometimes you have to wait for what you want to come," said Allister.
"I didn't expect to be so much sunlight all over the world, so shut up, flame breathe," said Poe, wearing a cloak.
"Will you guys please go home? This journey of ours will be dangerous," said CraftyCorn.
"And by looking at your current state, it's clear you won't last long," said Bobby.
"Meh, I don't mind getting dirty," Touille continued. "And it's a funny story, actually. You see, it disappeared as soon as we left the city."
"You're making this up, are you?" Bubba questioned.
"We're not. The city literally disappeared. Have you guys ever looked back at the city when you left?"
"Uh, no?" the Smiling Critters answered.
"We were so focused on our journey that we didn't look back," said Picky.
"We'll you should've. Who knows what happened to the city? I think we can never go back. Anyway, we like to eat those blueberries now," said Maggie, scarfing down the berries.
"Hey, leave some for us, Maggie," Baba exclaimed.
"Smiling Squad, huddle up," said DogDay.
When the Smiling Critters huddle together, the Nightmare Critters continue to eat the blueberries.
"What do you guys think?" DogDay asks his friends.
"I find it hard to believe them, especially the two liars in their group," said CatNap.
"I don't know. The Nightmare Critters seem to be telling the truth. Only Touille likes to look dirty. The others not so much, especially Simon and Rabie," said CraftyCorn.
The Smiling Critters looked at the Nightmare Critters and saw that only Touille looked happy about being dirty, while the others seemed disgusted at their current appearance while continuing to eat.
"As much as I hate them, I can't stand to see them suffering," said Hoppy.
"Meet too. The Nightmare Critters need some food," said Picky.
"Does that mean they'll have to come with us?" Kickin asks.
"I don't think we have a choice," said Bubba.
"At least we will have extra hands in battle and more company," said Bobby.
DogDay thought for a moment before looking into the eyes of his friends, who all shrugged at him.
Once they stop huddling, DogDay said, "Okay, Nightmare Critters. We'll let you stick around as long as you help out."
"Hooray!" the Nightmare Critters cheered.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Finally, we can sleep together," Baba hugs DogDay.
"What?" DogDay confused.
"Your tents looked way better than the ones we have."
"That's because they're magic tents."
"Where can we get one of those?"
"Their family heirlooms."
"First, let's get you Nightmare Creeps cleaned up. It smells like you haven't bathed properly in days," said CatNap.
"I couldn't agree more. The thought of you seeing me like this is embarrassing," said Rabie, covering herself with her wings.
"Yeah. A popular guy like me always deserves to be clean," said Simon.
"And we will get you clean," CraftyCorn said comfortably.
Simon blushed before Hoppy said, "Lucky for us, I can hear a river up ahead. We can use it to clean there and set up camp."
"Take us now. Take us now," said the Nightmare Critters, except Touille, pushing the Smiling Critters forward for the river.
"Go ahead without me. I don't need a bath," said Touille.
But Bubba's trunk wrapped him up to make him come along. However, as both Critter Crews walk together, they are being watched by the Shadow Poppy through the Poppy Flower Crystal Ball.
"What's this?! I thought there were supposed to be eight of them. Now, there are sixteen of those Smiling Critters. Your opinion, my Lord?" said Shadow Poppy.
The Prototype's claw shows itself and says, "Well, well, well. What have we here? The children of my new followers."
"New followers, my Lord?"
"Why yes. They decided to go into my servitude since the Day of Joy so that children wouldn't be mixed up in this. You hear that, Fallen Smiling Knights? They were not as treacherous as you thought."
The Bigger Body Smiling Critters looked up to see the Nightmare Critters. They did not respond to seeing their rivals'(the Dark Nightmare Knights) children.
"From where the Smiling Critters are going, should we send in that creature, my Lord?" said the Shadow Poppy.
"Great idea, my dear. We did send him there to bring us a Brontosaurus army. And he delivered them in perfect condition and in good submission."
Hearing this made the Fallen Smiling Knights look worried, and BBCatNap shouted, "You wouldn't! You promised you wouldn't hurt our children!"
"Nuh-nuh-nuh. I said I would "I" wouldn't harm your children, not my minions, did I?"
"You hustled us!" BBDogDay yelled.
"You got me but should've been more specific on yours to surrender. Come, my little Poppy Flower. It's time we make the call."
"Yes, my Lord. Hmhm!" said the Shadow Poppy.
The Prototype's claw allows Shadow Poppy to get into his hand so they can leave. The Fallen Smiling Knights looked back at the crystal ball and watched their children and the Nightmare Critters.
"I know why they would do it, but still," said BBBubba Bubbaphant.
"They could've done how we did it," said BBBobby BearHug.
"Those guys would do anything to save their skin and prove they're better than us," said BBKickin Chicken.
"I wouldn't call them good examples to their children," said BBHoppy Hopscotch.
"Traitors and bad parents," BBCraftyCorn commented.
"I bet they have no remorse for their actions," said BBPickyPiggy.
However, outside the room, the Bigger Body Nightmare Critters overheard them from the hallway, and they looked distraught by their words.
"If only you knew why we had to," said Bigger Body Baba Chops.
The Bigger Body Nightmare Critters start to remember who injured them on the grounds of Playtime Land and see their crying Baby Nightmare Critters about to be clawed by the Prototype's hand.
"Kids! Don't hurt them!" Bigger Body Icky Licky yelled.
But once the Prototype prepared his attack, Bigger Body Rabie Baby shrieked, "Stop! We'll do anything. Just let our babies live."
Hearing this, the Prototype stopped and questioned, "Anything?"
"Yes! Anything you asked for. We'll even go by your side if you let our children go," said Bigger Body Allister Gator.
"You Nightmarish Dark Knights looked capable of helping me bring down Playtime Land. Take your children far away, and once you come back."
"Please keep your promise that you won't kill or hurt our children," Bigger Body Simon Smoke asks.
"I promise. I shall heal your wounds so you can take your children away."
By looking at the crying baby Nightmare Critters, they remain in tears as the scene cuts to Home Sweet Home. Bigger Body Nightmare Critters, now bandaged and healed, held them in blankets. They hum The Thousand Year Melody, causing the Baby Nightmare Critters to calm down and fall asleep. But soon, their parents tear up as they hold their sleeping children up to their faces.
"We're sorry, but we have to do this," said Bigger Body Poe.
"Baba, Icky, Rabie, Allister, Simon, Poe, Touille, and Maggie, please. When the time comes, join the Smiling Critters on their journey and undo what we have done," said Bigger Body Touille.
"We love you," Bigger Body Maggie Mako cried.
After kissing their children, they placed them on the porch and entered the darkness.
When the memory ended, the Prototype approached the Bigger Body Nightmare Critters.
With only his claw shown, the Prototype said, "You eight! Aren't you supposed to find a way to break the Scent Seal?!"
"We're on it, our lord," they bowed in fear.
"Get to it. Remember your promise."
"Yes, sir."