Our Little Nightmare
Based on INUbis's Smiling Critters series
This is how the Nightmare Critters were given their newest member (https/matchmakeramethyst/art/The-9th-Smiling-Critter-and-Nightmare-Critter-1153625127 ).
In Nightmare Hollow, it was nighttime. An unavoidable shadow was holding something small but shaken. Quietly, the shadow goes to Baba Chops's house and sees her asleep. Then they ran toward Icky Licky's Sports Haven. The shadow sees him sleeping in his bed while holding a first-place trophy. They go over to Rabie Baby's cave and head inside. They saw her sleeping in bed but quickly left when they noticed her ears twitching. The shadow goes to Allister Gator's swamp and sleeps him sound asleep with a CatNap toy. Once they leave, they go to Simon Smoke's Modern Lift. By peering into his window, he's sleeping with a CraftyCorn body pillow in his arms.
"Crafybaby, forget about DogDay. Forget about the rest of the Smiling Critters. I'm all you deserve. By my queen, and we'll rule all Critters alike," he mumbled.
The shadow shook its head before leaving. They went over to Poe's graveyard and saw them still up and listening to loud rock music. So, the shadow threw a rock at their head, which knocked them out. The shadow walked away to Touille's Eclectic Hideaway. They looked into his house and found him in bed, covered in ragged blankets.
"Why…Why chase me all the time, CatNap? …Let me have some peace," said Touille in his sleep.
The shadow walked over to Maggie Mako's Candy House. She's in a fish tank while sucking on a lollipop as she sleeps.
The shadow gets to the center of Nightmare Hollow to lay what they have found on the ground. Then they take out a fireworks rocket and light it before fleeing Nightmare Hollow. The rocket fireworks go up into the sky and set off, which wakes the Nightmare Critters in panic.
Angered, Simon came out of his house, stomping, and smoke came out of his nostrils.
"That's it! That's it! When I get my hands on Poe!" Simon screamed.
Maggie came over and said, "I'm with you. No one interrupts my sweet dreams!"
They saw Icky running by with Allister and Touille on all fours. Rabie was behind them, carrying Baba, like in the music video, Making Money, who was red-eye and tired.
"Poe!" Icky yelled.
"I'll bite you for this!" Allister added.
"Oui! You better surrounder!" Touille shrieked.
"Ruin my beauty sleep?! It'll ruin your night!" Rabie hissed.
"I don't know, guys. Poe isn't always this extreme at night," Baba trying to calm down.
"Hey, you guys! Wait for me!" Simon flies after his friend.
"Never leave the shark out of justice," said Maggie, followed behind.
Poe's friends arrived at the graveyard. They were surprised to see them unconscious.
"Unusual, Poe asleep during the night?" Baba commented.
"I'll wake him up," said Touile.
He showed his feet toward Poe's face, making them wake up in fear.
"Gah! Touille! As if throwing a rock at me was bad enough!" Poe yelled.
"What are you talking about? I just got here with the rest!"
Simon picked up Poe by the collar and said, "What kind of prank was that, Poe?! Launch a firework to wake us up!"
"What firework?" Poe confused.
"The one that woke us all up," said Icky.
"And why would I have fireworks on me and lit them on a lovely night like this? Baba gets it, right?"
"See? It's not like Poe," Baba said, with her blanket covering her like a cloak.
"Well, raven, if you didn't cause this commotion, then who?" said Rabie.
"Probably the same person who gave me the lump on my head with the rock they've thrown," said Poe, showing the bump on their head.
"Oh, yeah. Someone threw a rock at you, alright, Poe. I can tell," Allister said, rubbing his head.
"Okay, so it was clear that someone did this to mock us all. Let's beat wallaby out of them," said Maggie.
"Then, can we go back to sleep?" Baba rubs her eyes.
But then Baba unveils her face when she hears a cry.
"Nightmare Critters, did you hear that?" she said while looking around.
"Whatever it is. It's hard to hear from Simon's fuming rage," said Rabie, looking at Simon, who was growling and clawing on the ground for sleep being interrupted.
But the cry got louder, and Baba became interested in going to the source.
Her friends noticed they followed her with Icky and said, "Babs? Hey, Babs. Where are you going?!"
Baba reached where the rocket fireworks were launched, and she gasped at what she saw. When her friends arrived, she removed her blanket and put it on the ground.
"Ey, girlfriend. You ought to tell your friends where you run off to before leaving us like that," Maggie suggested.
Baba is holding a blanket like a bundle, confusing her friends.
"Whatcha doing, Baba?" Rabie said.
When Baba turned to her friends, they gasped at what she had bundled up. In Baba's blanket was a baby African golden cat or Caracal kitten with small but noticeable claws. The kitten meowed constantly as if it was confused.
"I tawt I taw a itty bitty puddy tat?" Touille said.
"So a kitten caused all this commotion?" Allister confused.
"Idoit, of course not. How can something so small could set off a firework and throw a rock at me?" said Poe.
"Aw, how long have they been here? They can't stop trembling," Rabie says, getting close to the kitten.
"Guys, you know what this means? It's a sign. We can finally get even with Smiling Critters in number," said Icky.
"Totally. We'll show them we have what it takes to be their caretakers. They'll regret laughing at us," said Simon.
"Fine then. Let's take it to Baba's house," said Maggie.
"Why my house?" Baba questioned.
"Because you're the one who picked up. And it seems to like you."
Baba notices the kitten starting to snuggle its face on Baba's wool.
"Awww," the Nightmare Critters find it cute.
"Eh, what the heck? Let's move, Critter Crew," said Baba, leading the way.
At the Smiling Critters Neighborhood, the Smiling Critters are having a sleepover at DogDay's house.
All of them sneezed at the same time, confusing them.
"Weird. What was that?" KickinChicken asked.
"It's not that cold in my house," said DogDay, holding MittenKitten.
"Blow into this, MittenKitten," CatNap holds a tissue for her.
After she blew into it, Bubba Bubbaphant said, "Hmm, I wonder if? No, that can't be possible."
"What is it, Bubba?" CraftyCorn asks.
"Well, it's some silly superstition that when people think of somebody, the person in question would sneeze."
"That sounds interesting. I want to try it, " Bobby BearHug said, touching her head to think.
When Hoppy Hopscotch sneezed, Bobby said, "Wow! It worked! I was thinking about Hoppy, and she sneezed."
"Uh…okay?" Hoppy confused.
"But it's true. Who would think about us in this late hour?" PickyPiggy asks.
"I have a hunch who, and they start with a N, and they are creeps," CatNap said with suspicion.
"Oh, those guys," his friends said, but MittenKitten was busy cuddling DogDay.
At Baba's house, the Nightmare Critters sneezed while the kitten they found was confused by it.
"Ah, what cold outside. Now, let's see. We need a crib for them to sleep in," said Baba, putting the kitten on her couch.
"Wouldn't a box count?" Touille suggested.
"It makes it sound like we're looking after a stray, not a baby," said Poe.
"But we can't build a crib in this hour of the night."
"I would."
"Duh, of course you would, Poe. But it's just temporary."
"Why don't we stuff the box with my wool?" Baba suggested keeping them quiet.
"Fair enough," they both agreed.
"I got a good one. I can finally use this box that my coffee beans were once stored in," said Icky, showing a branded coffee bean box.
"Good thing you shed a lot, Baba," said Simon, holding some shredded wool.
Icky lowers the box so Simon can add the wool. Rabie then puts the kitten in it while removing the blanket.
"Aw, kitty seems to love it," she commented while the kitten rolled in.
"Let me see," Allister said before putting his face in the box. "Hey, it's kinda cute. Uh-oh…"
Allister shows his face covered in three bitemarks and smiles, "I think somebody's hungry."
Maggie happily picked up the kitten and said, "Is it true? Are you hungry?"
"Meow, meow, meow, meow," the kitten responds.
Maggie puts her on Baba's couch and says, showing a bottle of it, "I got just the thing for: rich cream."
"Maggie Mako, it's a baby. You can't feed her cream," said Rabie.
"Oh, yeah. What it needs is sweetened condensed milk."
She takes out the milk bottle and pours it into a saucer.
"Eat hearty," Maggie serves it to the kitten.
The kitten sniffs before lapping it up.
"I guess it like it. How about some beef to go with it?" Simon said, showing a thick, juicy, raw steak.
Seeing it made the kitten wag their tail and hop up, wanting some.
"Woah there, kitty! You don't want to eat it like this. How would you like it rare?" he said.
With his fire breath, he cooked the steak rare before giving it to the kitten. The kitten happily bared its teeth on the steak and pulled to get a bite of it.
"Yeah, go for it, kitty. That's how a real Critter Beast eats!" Allister cheered.
"Ha! And the Smiling Freaks says we can't raise a baby! In their cheeky faces!" Icky shouted.
Back at DogDay's house, the Smiling Critters tried to sleep but sneezed again. Sighed because they know the Nightmare Critters are to blame, but MittenKitten distracts them by putting her paws up like an idol. They blushed at finding it cute and petted her.
Returning to Baba's house, Rabie and Simon are whipping the kitten with dammed clothes to clean her.
"Meow…Meow…Meow!" the kitten complained.
"Hold still, little furball. If you're ever going to stick around with us, you must be clean. Or do you want to end up like Touille over there?" Simon pointed toward Touille, who was going through a trashcan.
"You're lucky Baba isn't keen on wanting to start a bath for you at this hour," said Rabie.
Baba sows her wool to make a proper blanket and a little bed. Icky, Poe, and Maggie watched her while Allister slept close to her.
"So, Baba, is the cat a girl, a boy, or a Poe?" Icky asks.
"Very funny, Icky. I prefer non-binary," Poe annoyed.
"Why are you asking me? Rabie and Simon are with the kitten," said Baba.
"It's got to be a girl. The lassie loves sweets like me," Maggie smiled.
Allister opened his eyes and said, "I don't know. That baby cat loved that steak like a real man."
"Let's find out. I got a diamond and Baba's voodoo favorite toy," said Simon, holding a diamond and a DogDay toy.
"Hey! Where did you get that?!" Baba yelled.
"Rabie told me your secret toy box. Hehehehe."
"Ugh, of course, she did."
"Simon, is that a real diamond? Where did you get that? Did you steal?" Rabie teased.
"I always have a nose for anything shiny. Now, to start the test," said Simon.
"Quoi? This is what I want to see," said Touille.
Simon placed the diamond and the toy on the ground. The kitten was very confused and looked at the two items before it. The kitten walked over to the diamond, dazzled by its beauty, and paw-patted it.
"It's a girl. Because girls' best friends are diamonds," said Simon.
"Wrong! My best friends are Baba and Maggie, yet diamonds interest me," Rabie said.
"My best friends are Baba and Rabie, yet sweets got to me first," Maggie said.
"My best friends are death and solitude," said Baba.
"Awww," Rabie and Maggie upset.
"Oh, cool it, you two. You're my girl-friends instead of best friends."
"Eeee," Rabie and Maggie cheered.
"You girls, what are your tastes in what you value most in friendship and items? Unlike you, I value my best friend and our friendship. Right, Allister?" Icky arm-hugged Allister.
"Heh. I guess so," Allister shrugged.
"Whatever. You two are not cool enough to be my best friends," Simon scoffed.
"Hmph! A real best friend shouldn't care how much I need to bathe myself," Touille crossed his arms.
Then Poe said, "What could make a best friend? A shadow to match my hollow cries, A soul that sees through my veiled disguise. In this abyss where light fades away, They'd sit in the dark and choose to stay.
It's not the smiles in fleeting gleams but shared silence amid a scream. They carry a weight I can't define, A tether in chaos, a lifeline.
They don't fix me—no one could— But they understand when no one would. A best friend lingers like a haunting song, Resonating where I've been broken too long.
What could make a best friend, in the end? Someone who stays when there's nothing to mend."
Poe's friends looked at them with eyes filled with no way of reacting to their poetry.
"That was some way to express friendship, Poe," Baba smiled.
"Thank you, Baba."
"Eeeh," the others thought with blank smiles.
But then the kitten came over to Poe and caressed up their leg.
"Awww, you liked it too? You have good taste in the dark, kitty. We're keeping her, right, Baba?" Poe patted the kitten.
"It's her decision if she wants to stay with us. If it wants to leave, we'll let it be," Baba said.
"True. A Nightmare Critter is always rebellious, independent, and chaotic," said Simon.
"Don't get cocky, Simon."
"Well, someone has to step in when our "real" leader doesn't want to do anything."
"As if I wanted to be a leader."
"Hey, it was the only way to make you stick around."
"Cool it, you two. Let's get some sleep. We'll do everything else in the morning," Allister falls asleep on the floor.
"Yeah, and see the look on the Smiling Critters' faces when we show them our newest member," Icky smirked.
Back at DogDay's house, the Smiling Critters sneeze again but are so fed up that they cover their faces with pillows.
It was morning at Nightmare Hollow. Baba was sleeping on her couch with her blanket, Rabie was beside her, and Touille and Allister were on the armrests. Simon and Icky were upside down on the couch's lumbar supporter. Poe and Maggie were up against the sofa. Suddenly, on the other of her room, on a coffee table, her coffin alarm clock goes off. The sound of its skeleton teeth chattering scared everyone up. It caused Touille, Allister, Simon, and Icky fell off the couch.
"What was that?!" Rabie screamed.
The Nightmare Critters noticed the alarm clock and looked annoyed. To turn it off, Poe threw an Edgar Allan Poe poetry book at the clock.
"Freak. Baba, I suggest a new alarm clock," they said.
"Totally," Baba yawned.
"Wait, where's the kitten?" Maggie looked around.
"Uh, who left that window open?" Simon pointed to it.
"Aw, man. She escaped! What a scamp!" Icky complained.
"It's alright, Icky. There will be other baby strays to find some other time," said Allister.
"Cette mignonne chatte chatte connivent," Touille crossed his arms in anger.
"I'm going to assume you cursed in French again, Touille," said Baba while something moved in her blanket.
"Um…Baba? What are you doing?" Simon questioned what he was seeing.
When she noticed, she said, "Huh? I don't think it's me."
When she uncovers, the Nightmare Critters find the kitten they took last night on Baba's belly waking up.
"Well, would ya look at that? The kitty stayed after all," Baba said, picking her up.
"Does that mean we'll keep her?" Allister asks.
"Obvi. But we need to come up with a name for her."
"Since she has small claws, why not name her after them?" Maggie suggested.
"That's not a bad idea. How does Clawdia sound?" Rabie said.
But the kitty blows a raspberry, showing she dislikes the name.
"Borning. How about Clawdora?" Touille suggested.
The kitty sighed in rejection.
"Clawlyn?" Poe added.
The kitty shook her head.
"Clawrina?" Simon added.
The kitty hissed.
"Okay, fine. If you have a better name suggestion, I say you tell us," Simon said, facing the kitten.
The kitten was distracted by Simon's pendent and started playing.
The Nightmare Critters found it so cute they blushed and said, "Awwww."
"Oh, I can't stay mad at you. You like my gold medal?" Simon sweetly pets the kitten.
"That's it! We'll call her GoldyClaws," said Baba.
The kitten wagged her tail in delight as Icky said, "She likes it. GoldyClaws it is. Wait until the Smiling Freaks see our newest member!"
At DogDay's house, the Smiling Critters were eating breakfast. Picky happily fed MittenKitten, a healthy baby mush in a high chair. Everyone found them so cute without realizing they were eating sloppily. The Smiling Critters sneezed and finally noticed how messy they were eating.
DogDay slammed his hands on the table. Quickly, CatNap covered MittenKitten's eyes with his tail.
"That's it! That's it! I had enough," said DogDay.
"Easy, DogDay. MittenKitten is present," said CatNap, as everyone cleaned themselves up with napkins.
"But the Nightmare Critters, why are they thinking about us so much?!"
"We're their rivals, so it's logical for them to think about us," said Bubba.
"Ugh, but this is getting out of hand. I say we make them stop it," Hoppy punches her fist in her hand.
"I agree. Let's get to kickin' their butts," Kickin agreed.
"We aren't going display violence in front of MittenKitten. We'll be bad examples to her," Bobby rejected.
"But one must learn to confront their bullies and stand up for themselves," Crafty corrected her.
"Now, everyone. Breakfast comes first before doing anything for the day. Isn't that right, MittenKitten?" said Picky.
After CatNap uncovered her eyes, MittenKitten meowed in agreement.
"So, where do the Nightmare Critters live again?" Kickin asks.
"Nightmare Hollow with the entrance of a creepy, barely lit forest," Bubba answered.
"I don't think we should bring MittenKitten on the wrong side of the tracks," said DogDay.
"So, what should we do? Wait for them to come out of their turf?" Hoppy asks.
"Sounds good to me," said CatNap, patting MittenKitten's back for her to burp.
The Nightmare Critters are happily walking out of Nightmare Hollow with GoldyClaws on Baba's head. She happily pats Baba's wool playfully.
Rabie giggled, "This is wonderful. At long last, the girls in our group have even the boys."
"We're right here, Rabie," said Simon.
"Wait…Am I part of your group, girls?" Poe asks.
"Huh?" their friends were confused.
"You're a girl, Poe?" Icky asks.
"No! I'm a non-binary, idiot. I can be in yours or girls' group whenever I want."
"You lost us there, Poe," Allister said.
"Do we have to go to City Hall to adopt her? I mean, consider our past actions," said Maggie.
"If the Smiling Critters could adopt, so can we. Besides, who can say no to a face like this?" said Baba, poking GoldyClaws' face.
GoldyClaws licked Baba's hand in response, which the Nightmare Critters found very cute.
"We better adopt her, or we'll burn City Hall to the ground," said Simon.
"Non, we'll be thrown in Juvey again. Why not pranks?" Touille suggested.
"Ugh, I guess we'll do. We can't let loose as much as we want to anymore."
"I'm being Critter Chaotic," the Nightmare Critters sighed in sorrow while GoldyClaws confusedly titled her head.
Once they left the forest, they noticed the Smiling Critters coming over. The Nightmare Critters chuckled mischievously while GoldyClaws meowed interest in wanting to know what they were up to.
DogDay and CatNap push MittenKitten's carriage as they lead the way. She was drinking her bottled milk as they walked together.
"I got a bad feeling about this," said CatNap.
Suddenly, the Nightmare Critters appeared behind the Smiling Critters.
They screamed when the Nightmare Critters shouted, "Hi, Smiling Freaks!"
In response, the Smiling Critters karate kicked the Nightmare Critters off-scene in defense while saying, "Hiya!"
The Smiling Critters were shocked by what they did before Bobby said, "Oh my! Nightmare Critters, are you alright?"
The Nightmare Critters walked over, but GoldyClaws was so deep in Baba's wool that the Smiling Critters couldn't see her.
"Woah, that's some kicks you did. Thankfully, it didn't hurt as much," said Allister as he held back.
"Are you sure? Because it looks like you're shaking in pain," said Hoppy.
"We got into fights in the past. So this is nothing in comparison," said Simon, holding the back of his head.
"We're so sorry. But don't sneak up on us like that again. We've been taking defense classes after school since we adopted MittenKitten," said Crafty.
"Ah, parental protection for the baby. I'll admit that's a wise decision," said Touille.
"Ms. Delight recommended it after discovering MittenKitten," Bubba said.
"But that's beside the point. Why did you guys think about us last night?" Kickin questioned.
"What? How did you know?" Icky asks.
"We sneezed a lot last night, and we had a hunch that you were thinking about us," said DogDay.
"That superstition?" Poe surprised.
"Can you blame me for thinking about you? We're your rivals. But we have good reason to. Check out! We found this baby on our turf," Baba said before pulling GoldyClaws off her head and presenting her.
"What?! Where did you get that kitten?" CatNap said, and he and his friends were in shock.
"We found GoldyClaws last night when someone set off a firework in our neighborhood and threw a rock at Poe," said Rabie.
"GoldyClaws, huh? Did Baba name her because she was playing with Simon's pendant?" DogDay guessed.
"Ha, you got it right. It is nice to know you have been researching," said Maggie.
"Never underestimate us. We won't let your darkness consume us. We'll ensure our light gets the better of you," Picky smirked.
"Heh. Funny as ever, Piggy."
"I assume you are planning to go to CityHall to adopt GoldyClaws, right?" Bubba asks.
"Oui. We can't wait to teach our Little Nightmare the arts of causing mischief, anarchy, and pride," said Touille.
CatNap sighed and sarcastically said, "Oh, this will be fun."
"Place MittenKitten on the ground. If GoldyClaws and she are rivals, we need to find out," said Baba.
"You said that we're the strange ones. But your excuse for broadening our relationship is something," DogDay teased as DogDay placed MittenKitten on the ground while she was still drinking milk.
"MittenKitten, I want you to meet your rival, GoldyClaws."
After Baba placed GoldyClaws in front of MittenKitten, GoldyClaws began to sniff her while remaining cautious. Seeing the new face, MittenKitten happily puts her bottle in GoldyClaws's mouth. She pulled it out but smacked her lips and noticed the taste of the milk. GoldyClaws starts to drink while giving a thumbs up. MittenKitten smiled before taking out another milk bottle to drink.
"Awww," the Smiling Critters smiled.
"Not what we're expecting. But she's got a lot of work to do," said Simon, who picked up GoldyClaws.
"I can make the diapers for you. In your colors, of course," said Crafty, showing her sewing needles.
"Sweet of ya, Princess. Now let's go to City Hall."
At City Hall, Doey the Doughman is sorting through the problem children's files with Scout the Bot and Medic the Bot in his office in the Child Welfare Quarters.
"Here are the Nightmare Critters' files, sir," said Scout, placing them on the desk.
Doey said, "Ah, yes, the Nightmare Critters. They, too, were orphaned by the same plane with both their and the Smiling Critters' parents in it. The aircraft went missing a couple of years ago and was never found. We all had to assume the worst. So many people were orphaned, widowed, and childless. I understand why the Nightmare Critters became what they are today. I'm glad they're out of Juvienil School, but I can tell they'll break from self-straining and not go back there. If only something else could help them change for the better."
"What could change them? It doesn't look like they want to change," said Medic.
Suddenly, the Player arrived with some papers in their hands.
"Hello again, pal. What you got there?" Doey waved.
The Player first handed Doey a photo of the Nightmare Critters with GoldyClaws.
"The Nightmare Critters got themselves a baby too? So, they'll be coming here to adopt it, right?" Doey asks.
The Player then shows GoldyClaws' profile to Doey and his co-workers.
"What?! The baby they've found is Behemoth?! Let them find out for themselves, like for the Smiling Critters and MittenKitten?" Scout asks.
The Player nodded before Medic asked, "Have you got a court order for them to allow you to adopt her, too?"
The Player showed the order as well.
"This is perfect. The Nightmare Critters caring for a baby is what they need to change their ways. Scout, go speak with Daddy LongLegs," said Doey.
"Yes, sir," said Scout, leaving.
"Thankfully, both baby Critters are 3 months old. But I still wonder how powerful creatures arrive in Playtime Plains," said Doey.
The Player then whispered in Doey's ear to answer him.
"Are you serious?! You think that might be the case?!" Doey shocked.
After the Player nodded, Doey said, "Well, I'm grateful to the person who rescued them and handed them to the right Critters that will look after them. Got a gift for GoldyClaws?"
The Player takes out a raspberry-scented all-purpose baby stroller that's colored gold with raspberry imprints on it.
"Always prepared for anything," Doey smiled.
When the Smiling Critters, Nightmare Critters, and GoldyClaws arrived at City Hall, Bubba held a book and said, "I was looking over on what kind of cat GoldyClaws, and I found out that she's an African golden cat."
"Golden cat? She looks more brownish to me," Simon inspects GoldyClaws, whom he's holding.
"It's just a name, Simon."
"Now, wait a minute. What kinda cat is MittenKitten since you pointed it out for our baby?" said Icky.
"I've been researching and concluded that MittenKitten is a Persian Cat."
"A Persian? Oooh, fancy," Rabie commented.
"Indeed. To think our little kitten was from a purebred," said CatNap, patting MittenKitten's head.
"Hmph! At least our baby is naturally born wild animal," said Touille, patting GoldyClaws' head.
"Because you and your Critters, excluding black sheep, are wild animals is an honor?"
"Um, CatNap…? Bubba and I are part of the wild animals too," Bobby crossed her eyes.
"You two are fine. At least you're not as savage as the Nightmare Critters."
"Excuse me. Who are you calling savage? We prefer the three C's," Poe yelled.
"Three C's?" DogDay said as he and his friends were confused.
"Cuddly, cute, and creepy," said Allister.
"Yeah, no," Hoppy disagreed as the Smiling Critters shook their heads.
"Maybe you don't see it, but there are people who think of us like that," said Maggie.
"But the first two don't fit your personas," Picky pointed out.
"You dare to judge us?!" Icky shouted.
"Like we don't have to for no reason," Kickin answered.
"You want to start something?!"
"Not in front of the babies," DogDay barked.
"It doesn't seem like they'll notice," Baba pointed out that MittenKitten and GoldyClaws concentrated on drinking their milk.
"Fine by me," Kickin and Icky about to roughhouse.
Suddenly, Daddy LongLegs said, "Nightmare Critters, I'm glad you're here. Doey wishes to see immediately."
"Okay?" said Baba before the Nightmare Critters entered City Hall with GoldyClaws.
"That was convenient," Bubba commented.
"I bet they got in trouble," Kickin teased.
"I won't be surprised if they did," Hoppy smirked.
"But they just got out of Juvenile School," Crafty confused.
"Aren't you worried?" Bobby asks.
"After all the trouble they cause for us ever since they've become part of our class, they had it coming," CatNap crossed his arms.
"Merciless as ever, buddy," DogDay commented.
The Nightmare Critters came out with GoldyClaws in her new stroller.
"Hey! Guess what?! GoldyClaws is adopted by us!" Rabie is showing the adoption papers.
"WHAT?!" the Smiling Critters in shock.
"But that's impossible. It's you guys and your records!" CatNap is in disbelief.
"Ha! In your Smiling Freak faces! You said we don't have what it takes to adopt or raise a baby. But we proved you wrong!" Touille mocked.
But CatNap grabbed him by the neck with his tail to shut him up. DogDay quickly covered MittenKitten's eyes, and Baba did the same for GoldyClaws'.
"Really, you two? In front of the babies? GoldyClaws is not ready for that yet," Baba said.
"Our newest Nightmare Critter must have time to prepare," Poe added.
As Picky and Maggie try to break CatNap and Touille up, Hoppy complains, "It only took us hours to adopt MittenKitten. But it only took you Nightmare Creeps 30 seconds to adopt GoldyClaws."
"I was waiting for it to happen, and it came to us. An Angel got Doey to be on our side. They even gifted GoldyClaws her new stroller," said Allister.
"And it's raspberry-scented. Perfect for our Little Nightmare," said Poe, neck messages GoldyClaws.
"Still, congrats. But now, what do you?" Crafty said.
"Simple, Craftybaby. We get GoldyClaws her new medal and then party like wild animals," said Simon.
"At an ice cream shop that gives 60% off on sixteen ice cream cones with three scoops and customized three toppings for kids like us," Maggie smiled while holding Touille on her shoulder.
"Wow, that sounds like a good deal," Picky commented.
"To Shoppy's Super Store! Race ya Smiling Freaks there!" Icky shouted before the Nightmare Critters ran off.
"We'll beat you there, Nightmare Creeps!" Kickin yelled before Smiling Critters went after them.
As both Critters ran off, the Player was watching from the entrance of City Hall. They put on a smile face mask to show they're happy for the Critters.
But then, in an androgynous whisper, the Player said, "Good luck, Critters."
Shoppy's Super Shop is a sprawling, fantastical store that feels more like an adventure than a shopping trip. The store brims with vibrant displays of iconic Playtime Co. toys, cutting-edge gadgets, and irresistible treats that spark joy in all who wander its colorful corridors. The ceilings are lofty, with bright banners and oversized balloons shaped like iconic Playtime Co. characters. A shimmering glass façade invites customers in with a kaleidoscope of moving lights and playful animations. Inside, the aisles stretch endlessly, forming a maze of whimsy with larger-than-life shelves packed with vibrant Playtime Co. toys, interactive puzzles, and glimmering gadgets. Each section is themed—one corner is an enchanted forest with animatronic trees, and another is a futuristic playground with glowing LED pathways that react to footsteps. In the center, a towering carousel-like display spins gently, showcasing the latest must-have toys. Bright primary colors dominate the palette, accented with pops of neon and metallic finishes, giving the entire store an energetic, magical feel. Scattered play zones allow kids (and adults) to test out toys, surrounded by cheerful music and the soft hum of animatronic greeters guiding customers with a friendly wave.
When the Smiling and Nightmare Critters arrived, MittenKitten and GoldyClaws meowed to say wow and show they were amazed by the place.
"Since you planned to come to this store, my Critters and I wanted to come here for supplies for our baby," said DogDay.
"Good to hear because this is Nightmare Critter matter. Enjoy the shopping," said Baba, as the Nightmare Critters head inside.
"I got the list right here. We'll need some clothes for the diapers, milk, baby powder, wipes, baby soap, baby shampoo, and baby food," said Bubba, looking it over.
"We should do some shopping for ourselves too. I got stocked up on food supplies," said Picky.
"And I want to get more equipment to make little rocking beds for each of us. That way, MittenKitten has a proper place to sleep when she moves from a different house," said Crafty.
"Let's include high chairs for houses, too," Hoppy suggested.
"Along with baby toys," Kickin added.
"In the end, we still think of MittenKitten. Sometimes, I wonder what she'll look like when she reaches our age or grows. I bet she would be the most beautiful Critter of them all," Bobby said happily.
"Huh?" DogDay and CatNap said.
In their imagination, they see MittenKitten around their age. She still has her flower pin on her swirled cowlick, but her binky pendant has been replaced with her mittens and no diaper or baby booties. But when they imagined her as an adult with a diamond pearl necklace, red lipstick, pink blush, eyelashes, and a beautiful curvy body, DogDay and CatNap quaked in fear.
"No! We're not giving up on our baby just yet!" they both shouted as they hugged MittenKitten.
"Meow?" MittenKitten was confused.
But as she licked their faces in comfort, Bobby said, "Sorry! I didn't mean to go that far. Let's start shopping and forget about it."
Back with the Nightmare Critters, they walk down the accessories aisles and push down a basket filled with supplies they've collected.
"Hope we got enough stuff for us and GoldyClaws," said Allister.
"While shopping, I made this," said Rabie, showing a schedule.
*Schedule
"A schedule? Is this for who looks after her? Lame," Simon commented.
"Well, if I didn't make it, we would tear each other apart to have GoldyClaws all to ourselves."
"True."
"Meow?" GoldyClaws is looking around.
"We're almost done, GoldyClaws. Just one more stop, and we'll leave. But this stop is special," said Poe.
"Here we are. The medal and pendant section," Icky seeing the line of pendants, some of which looked similar to the Smiling and Nightmare Critters.
Maggie picked up GoldyClaws and said, "GoldyClaws, you must know we each have our medals. And because of that, it's customary for a member to have one. We would like you to have one so you can officially be one of us. So, pick what you like."
"Meow…," GoldyClaws, looking over the pendants on display.
She turned her head, blinked a couple of times, and scratched her head with her foot to think. GoldyClaws didn't find any interesting but noticed the collars besides the pendants. She eyed a Golden Kitty Cat Bell Collar with spikes( ). Eager, GoldyClaws pounced on it, grabbed it with her mouth, and showed it to the Nightmare Critters.
"Huh?" her Nightmare Critters were confused.
"GoldyClaws, you know that's a collar, right?"
"Meow," GoldyClaws responds, wanting to wear it.
"You sure? But an animal wearing a collar is a bit-"
"Meow!"
GoldyClaws' Nightmare Critters looked at each other before they shrugged in agreement.
Outside of Shoppy's Super Shop, the Smiling Critters were looking over the stuff they bought.
"I think we got everything," said Bubba, looking over the list.
"DogDay, CatNap, you can let go of MittenKitten now," said Bobby, seeing they were still hugging her in the offense.
"But if we let her go, she'll grow up so fast," said DogDay.
"As the person who found her first, I won't allow it," CatNap added.
"Oh my gosh. You two are acting like over-loving parents. I'll take her away from you now," said Kickin, pulling MittenKitten away.
"No!" DogDay and CatNap cried, reaching out for her but don't take her back.
"Don't make us change the schedule, you two," said Hoppy.
"Okay."
"We know how you feel, but don't go overboard," said Crafty.
"Yes."
"Should the Nightmare Critters be finished by now?" Picky looks at the entrance of the Shop.
"Them up to mischief again wouldn't surprise me," said CatNap.
The Nightmare Critters burst out of the Shop riding on their basket car and GoldyClaws' stroller.
"Hey, colorful clowns. We're done," said Touille.
"You paid for that, right?" CatNap questioned.
"Of course we did. We had the discount to sell to us at a very low price," said Icky.
"By threatening them?" Kickin questioned.
"We're more than just violent Critters, you know," Allister felt offended.
"Sure you are," Hoppy rolled her eyes.
"You know, being judgy isn't a good example for your baby," Rabie sassed.
"We're not being judgy. We're suspicious, considering the people from the background, trembling," said Bobby, pointing out the workers in the Shop staring at the Nightmare Critters in fear.
"Seriously? Is that why they lower the price even though we show coupons and discounts we scavenge?" said Simon, showing a bag of coupons.
"Oh…I guess you were telling the truth. We're sorry," said Crafty.
"We don't blame you. No matter where we go, everyone fears us. It can be fun but annoying at times," said Baba.
"And now it is time for the wearing ceremony," said Poe, taking out GoldyClaws' new collar.
"You got your baby a collar?" CatNap questioned.
"Yeah. We tried to get GoldyClaws to choose a medal, but she preferred this over them. Watch this! GoldyClaws, do you want a medal instead of this," said Maggie.
GoldyClaws hissed in response to say no.
"Oh, yeah. She's serious about wanting that collar. I can tell," said CatNap.
Poe carefully puts the collar on GoldyClaws before Baba says, "Behold our newest Nightmare Critter, GoldyClaws."
Baba then picked up and held her up to the sky.
"Even I did that to MittenKitten when we adopted her. Once we drop everything back off, we can go to that ice cream shop Maggie recommends," said DogDay.
"Good cause I'm hungry," said Picky.
As the Smiling Critters and the Nightmare Critters walk together, MittenKitten and GoldyClaws stare at each other as if they know their true identities. GoldyClaws shows her Behemoth Claws, and MittenKitten shows her eight-color-changing Elemental Cat eyes. They both bow their heads to each other in respect but show their strong arua to each other for intimidation in case the other has any funny ideas of attacking themselves or harming their families. MittenKitten and GoldyClaws turn their heads to readers/viewers to shush their fingers and wink.
THE END