Chapter 8: Critters Together, Knightly Forever
At the Missy Household, the Smiling and Nightmare Critters blush at seeing their plates filled with significant portions of Missy Meaty Spaghetti. They are at the dining table with the Missy Family while Daisy, the Flower, lies unconscious on the living room couch.
"Enjoy, little Critters. You deserve it," said Ms. Pecky Missy.
"Thank you for the meal," the Critters prayed hands before digging in.
Once they had a fork full, they were mesmerized by the taste.
"Lunch never tasted better after working up an appetite," said PickyPiggy.
"You said it, sister! Even after a harsh battle we encountered. This meal is worth the wait," said Maggie Mako.
"Are you sure bringing this feral flora into this house is a good idea?" Smacky Missy questioned.
"Don't worry, Ms. Smacky. We purified them good enough, so they won't act like they were before again," said CatNap.
"Such charming reassurance, little kitten," Smoochy Missy winked.
But Kissy Missy pushed her face down onto her plate and said, "Shut up and eat, Smoochy."
The Critters were scared but focused on eating.
"Luckily, we're so hungry we won't be startled by what Mrs. Missy did," said Baba Chops.
"What are the plans for you, Critters?" Kissy asks.
"We'll stay in Missy Meadows until we are fully prepared to reach Wuggy Prairie," said DogDay.
"You mean to stay in this house with Lady Smoochy?" Simon Smoke, looking at her with discomfort.
"Don't worry, Simon. I'll make sure she won't come near you or your guy friends," said Kissy.
"I got to say, Smiling Critters, you've changed so much after going off on this journey. You can handle anything. My friends and I will admit defeat," said Icky Licky.
"You?!" said everyone.
"Yep. No way I can't deny, after what I've seen, how capable you are."
"Weeee! I'm so proud of you, Icky. You've grown so much," said KickinChicken, hugs Icky.
"Don't push it, KickerRooster."
"Yeah, but still, very happy for you, man."
When the doorbell rang, Kissy stood up and said, "I'll get it."
After she opened the door, the Player stood there and said, "Mind if I drop in?"
"Player, hello. Come on in. We're having lunch. Let me fix you up a plate."
Once the Player showed, the Smiling Critters smiled happily and said, "Player!"
"Gah, it's a freaky faceless mannequin!" Rabie Baby screamed in terror.
"Why are they here?" Poe asks.
"I thought I would stop by and bring a special gift for Icky," said Player.
Icky gasped in amusement like a giddy schoolgirl before running to them and said, "Are you going to say what I think you're going to say?!"
"Yes, if you mean that you are finally ready to receive your family heirlooms."
The Player takes out the Coffee Backpack, a yellow backpack with coffee bean clips, and the Toxic Tongue Whip, a black frog-tongue-shaped whip.
"Yeah! I'm ready! I'm ready! Knight me! Knight me!" Icky cheered.
"Before I do, I must inform you that you've unlocked your magic after you admitted your defeat," said the Player.
"What?"
"You see, Icky. From ancient times, it's known that one must break through one's limits and flaws to unlock the magic within oneself. It speaks to the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. People can tap into true potential and achieve extraordinary things by pushing past perceived limitations and embracing imperfections."
"Did that happen to me, Player?" Baba asks.
"Yes. Your magic was unlocked when you led your friends in battle despite not believing in your leader's potential. You looked at the term leadership and how DogDay displayed it because you think you must act like him to be a leader for your friends."
Baba blushed in embarrassment while Rabie commented, "Oops, the secret's out."
"Baba, you don't have to act like me to be a leader," DogDay continues, touching Baba's hands and making her blush even more. You allow your friends to make decisions and manage their work. You show high authority to prevent your friends from acting too much. As for me, I have a hard time accepting my friends' ideas and can't keep them from doing what they love. You may not know it, but you're a great leader as good as me."
"Oh ho, so it was right to be suspicious about you not listening to any of our ideas, DogDay," Hoppy Hopscotch thumping her foot in disappointment.
"Hahaha, busted," Allister Gator laughed.
"Hoppy, that's not what I meant!" DogDay yelps in worry.
"Too late, puppy chow. You can't escape her wrath."
"We might need to chat after lunch, DogDay," Bubba Bubbaphant nodded.
"I'm just trying to cheer Baba up," DogDay looking upset.
"He's right, don't get upset, Bubba and Hoppy," CraftyCorn backing DogDay up.
"Let's not forget we're staying in a guest's house, everyone," said Bobby BearHug.
"We can talk about sunmutt's too much truthful nature later. Please continue, Player, so we can go back to eating," said Touille, continuing to eat his portion.
"Of course," the Player continued. "Icky Licky, the Coffee Biohazard Knight, because you were willing to accept a defeat without trouble, your magic has been unlocked. You have the abilities of Illusion Tricks, Venomous Spit, and Camouflage."
Icky looked at the necklace, which glowed in his color, wowing everyone.
"With such growth, I bestow you the unlimited magical Coffee Backpack and the Toxic Tongue Whip, with each whip lash delivering a potent venom capable of temporarily paralyzing opponents."
The Player puts the Backpack on Icky and hands him the Whip.
In awe of being given his family heirlooms, Icky got down on one knee and said, "Player, thank you. I will make our enemies pay for what they've done to our fallen kingdom."
"Woah, Icky. What's got into you? You've changed too quickly," said Kickin.
But then Icky does the "Can't Touch" iconic dance move, causing Kickin to say, "Never mind. Nice facade, though."
"Save your cringy dance move later, frog legs. Lunch still needs to be eaten," Maggie shouted.
"Yeah, I might need some seconds," Picky added.
As everyone returned to eating, Kissy showed up with a platter of the Missy Meaty Spaghetti and said, "Here you go, Player. Eat up."
"Thank you, Kissy. Bon appetite."
"Oh. Parlez vous francais? Bon Player, nous pourrions bien nous entendre, vous et moi," Touille smiled.
But the Critters looked in Anya Forger's shock when Player put a toy lips on their face and began to eat the spaghetti.
"I think I lost my appetite," the Critters spoke up.
"Huh?" the Missy Family confused.
"Kissy, I have something to tell you before I leave." Player said.
"Can you say it without your eating lips?" Kissy asked.
"Right."
The Player removes their lips and whispers something to Kissy that shocks her.
The Player handed her the empty plate and said, "Thank you for the food, Kissy. I must be off, everyone. Good luck on your journey, little Critters. And remember, friendship is the key to bringing you Critters to victory."
The Player walks out of the house for the Critters for them to say, "Bye, Player."
Baba sighed in relief and said, "Well, my appetite is back. Let's continue eating."
"Good to hear. I made some dessert. Strawberry Crunch Layer Cake," said Ms. Pecky.
"Yeah! Dessert!" Maggie cheered.
Laughter was heard inside the Missy Family household while the Player was outside.
They looked into the sky and said, "Princess Poppy, please never give up hope. You, everyone, and I will be free from all the cruses we must endure."
A few hours later, it's nighttime at Missy Meadows. The Missy Family is fast asleep in their rooms. Ms. Pecky sleeps in a couple's bed while holding a red Mini Wuggy doll. Smacky sleeps on the side of her bed. Smoochy is surrounded by all the Playtime toys and sleeping with a drooling face.
Kissy is cuddling a Huggy pillow with her eyes open. She begins to remember what the Player said to her.
The Player said, "I have seen. The vision I will speak. The Smiling Critters and Nightmare Critters will encounter your fallen love. A monster is he by the brain and to the eye. But his heart did not fade from the wicked Red Air that spread on our fallen kingdom. Kissy, join the Critters when it's time for them to go to Wuggy Prairie. Fight or calm your estranged husband? It's your choice. Either way, no life of the innocent will be lost. Choose carefully, or Huggy might die. For thinking before acting is as wise to this day."
"Huggy…," she said in concern.
All but CatNap were sleeping on the giant bed in the Critters' guest room. DogDay slept next to CatNap while Baba Chops was holding onto DogDay. Rabie Baby was sleeping on the other side of CatNap. Icky Licky and Allister Gator were on Baba's wool while their feet were on KickinChicken's and Hoppy Hopscotch's faces. Bobby BearHug held PickyPiggy and Poe in her arms as they slept. CraftyCorn was shivering, but Simon Smoke got the fire in him to warm him up because he slept close to her. As for Touille, who is sleeping peacefully, Bubba Bubbaphant has his trunk covered so he does not smell Touille's scent.
CatNap looked at everyone, feeling happy that his group was sleeping easily. However, he looked out the window to see the MoMoonuminating. He was drawn to the beauty of the only grand light of the night. CatNap, with slick, went to the window and opened it slowly. But his tail could touch DogDay's nose, waking him up a bit. DogDay witnessed his best friend climb out the window and go up to the roof.
Now, on the roof, CatNap reads his Lunar Magic Book. He held his hand before the MoMoono, and the light allowed it to form harmless moon dust. CatNap threw them into the air so he could dance as they fell beautifully. CatNap swings his arms and moves his feet lightly. Because of his graceful dance, the Moondust formed into two of his shapes. With his Moondust, two clones joined him at his dance, so more shapes were made: a flying bird, a jumping fish, and then a blooming lavender.
"Nice performance," said a voice.
CatNap jumped and turned to see his friends and the Nightmare Critters standing there.
"Uh, I can explain. But how long have you been standing there?" said CatNap as his shapes dissolved and the Moondust reverted into the light from the moon. "Long enough to see a pretty dance performance. Nice to know you can dance," Rabie winked.
"Well, my spell book did say that I must feel pure, gentle emotion to make Moondust be in proper shape. So, I thought dancing could prevent stress from clouding it."
"He's right. Dancing can relieve stress through expression and mindfulness, and it's fun," said Bubba.
"So, you get to stay up late, and I can't, kitty?" Poe questioned.
"How else am I supposed to practice Lunar Magic?" CatNap answered.
"Either that or you're deep in thought, are you, buddy?" said DogDay.
"I'm still perplexed by what the Prototype said to me. Eww."
"Pretty gay, am I right?" Touille joked.
"That's not helping."
"It was a joke, kitty."
"Well, I don't find it funny. Although, I wonder what the Prototype meant by that. Maybe he was responsible for my curse."
"Curse?" Baba question.
"Player told me my sleep gas is from a family curse."
"Woah, insane. But I can feel that my fire breathing is a curse but a blessing," Simon commented.
"Even if the Prototype placed this curse on my family, I want to know why."
"And we're going to make sure you get the truth, CatNap," Kickin smiled.
"Plus, break the curse if you're okay with it," said Hoppy.
"I'm not sure if I want it gone," said CatNap.
"Well, now that I have some cool magic on my side, there is no doubt the enemy will be scared of us now," said Icky.
"Don't get cocky, Icky. I and the rest of Nightmare Critters still have a long way to go to get our magic," said Maggie.
"We still have a long way to go," said Bobby.
"We got enough time to prepare more that will come our way," said CraftyCorn.
"Grow enough to fill up our strength," said Picky.
"Critters, when we are together, nothing can stand in our way," DogDay continued with his hand in the middle. "Let's win this journey for Happiness.
"Individuality," Baba joins the middle.
"Peace," CatNap adds his hand.
"Respect," Icky added.
"Truth," Rabie mentioned.
"Freedom," Hoppy smiled.
"Endurance," Allister spoke.
"Growth," Picky said.
"Justice," Kickin shouted.
"Dignity," Simon smirked.
"Courage," said Poe.
"Love," said Bobby.
"Hope," Crafty mentioned.
"Independence," said Touille.
"Faith," Maggie said.
"And knowledge," Bubba finished.
With all their hands in the middle, the Critters said, "Critters together, knightly forever!"
"Critters!" Kissy's voice yelled.
The Critters jumped and noticed Kissy's head poking out of their room.
"What are you doing up on my home roof?!" she yelled.
"It was CatNap's idea," Touille pointed at him.
"I didn't tell you guys to follow me!" CatNap yelled.
"Get back in your room and sleep," said Kissy.
"Yes, Mrs. Missy," said the Critters, returning outside.
As the Critters return inside, the Player waPlayereverything outside Missy Meadows. They put on the toy lisps to show a warm smile before disappearing into the darkness.
THE END…