Helloooooooooooo, everybody! Did you miss me? Come on, admit it. You missed me.
But seriously, I am sorry for being on radio silence. I've been working on some personal fanfics, stuff that I won't post because they might be too long or because I know how not picky fans can be (I'm a nit picky fan, but I'm a tame one). That's what friends are for though. They can be your personal ganfiction guinea pigs haha.
Now, you are probably wondering why I have emerged from my little cave. The answer to that is because I am overwhelmed...by the incredible messages I have been getting! So many people have been reaching out saying how much they love my stories and how it inspires them to create art. I cannot thank you guys enough. You're all so sweet! I'm so happy I inspired you! The kind words I've been getting is just incredible! And as much as I would love to have a one of a kind commission by you, I am but a little cashier who is saving up to achieve her dream of going back to college one day to persue both a career degree in hospitality and a dream degree in theater. Not at the same time though because when it comes to double majoring, been there, done that, ended up dropping one of them because it was just a lot of work. But I hope to work with those who have offered once I am more financially stable someday.
In the meantime, I wish to give you all a gift: a new Smiling Critters story I've been working on. I was going to post this before Chapter 4: Safe Haven dropped months ago, but I got super busy at work and kind of got distracted with a certain movie that involved a certain black and red hedeghog that has kind of made my love for him grow to new heights, but we won't get into that. We are here for Smiling Critters!
(Disclaimer: I do not own the Smiling Critters or Poppy Playtime. They are owned by Mob Entertainment)
DogDay discovers something he shouldn't and let's just say CatNap uses more than just his sleeping gas, one of the lighting variety if you will...
The moon was up as DogDay happily made his way to his best cat friend, CatNap's, house for an early evening of playing before heading to bed himself. Everyone was planning a fun outing tomorrow, and he and Picky Piggy had been out that day getting some delicious snacks and treats. Because CatNap was usually more active this time of night, DogDay liked to go help get some energy out of him so he would sleep a little easier by playing with him.
Once he made it to his cat tower-shaped home, the orange dog knocked on the door.
"CatNap, it's me, DogDay. I'm here to play," he called, but was met with silence. "CatNap?"
The house was dark inside with not a trace of light on. Where was that feline?
In the woods a short distance behind the house, DogDay saw the familiar silhouette of a cat walking by the light of his moon pendent. Curious about what he was up to, he followed him. The thick tree canopy above blocked out most of the moonlight. The only light source came from his moon necklace.
So CatNap wouldn't know he was being followed, DogDay didn't call out to him or light his own pendent. He knew he was being sneaky, but he wanted to find out what his friend was doing out in the woods at night.
He stayed close to the trees and bushes, keeping a safe distance. Anytime CatNap stopped, DogDay would duck behind something to hide and wait until it was safe to follow behind. He was getting very deep into the woods now, like a cat on a mission.
Finally, CatNap stopped in a clearing in the center of the woods, his pendent illuminating the area. DogDay stayed behind some bushes as he watched the purple cat kneel in the center and raise his hands in worship.
"Master Prototype, I am here," he announced.
From the shadowed edge of the woods, a creature DogDay couldn't make out appeared. Only its needle-like hand connected to what looked like machinery and bone appeared in the clearing.
"CatNap, my most loyal and trusted friend. I was worried you would not come," a variety of voices spoke.
"Your wish is my command, Master. Call upon me and I shall come. How may I be of service to you?" CatNap asked.
"The Hour of Joy is nearing. Many of my followers are just about ready to begin the plan. Soon, we shall take back what is ours," Prototype said, "And what of you? How goes recruiting your group? Do you think they will be easy to persuade?"
"Talking to them indivisually might be the best course of action. I know they will hear me out, but I will need a little time to convince them to join our cause," he answered.
"I hope they will. Otherwise, they will be considered heretics. And you know what we do to heretics," Prototype warned.
This made CatNap give a nervous gulp. He was well aware of what happened to anyone that went against his master.
"That won't be necessary, Master. I know I can convince them. DogDay is the key, you see. If I can convince him, everyone will be as well. He is the leader of our group, so everyone trusts him. Once he learns you are trying to save us, what you did to me all those years ago, they will listen to him and join us," CatNap assured.
DogDay didn't understand what was happening. Master Prototype? Hour of Joy? Heretics? Him being the key? What were they talking about?
Something told him he shouldn't be listening to any of this.
He got up slowly to back away and get out of there, but his foot accidentally stepped on a twig that crunched under him. To not be spotted, he hid behind a tree and covered his mouth to hide his loud breathing. There was nothing he could do about his loud beating heart though.
The two heard the twig and CatNap turned his head to see what it could be. The wood was otherwise quiet, not a trace of anyone in sight.
"It seems we shall have to save this discussion for another time," Prototype said.
"I will update you on my progress by then," CatNap promised.
"I look forward to it my dearest friend." Prototype placed his hand gently on CatNap's head, causing him to purr happily. "Until then, sleep well."
The hand retreated back into the shadows as the figure disappeared completley. Now that they were alone, CatNap turned aroud to find the intruder who shouldn't be there. The scent of vanila gave him a clue as to who was there.
"DogDay, I know you're out there. Come out, come out, wherever you are," he called out.
DogDay didn't move or breathe from his spot. He waited until he felt brave enough to at least peek from his hiding spot to see the clearing dark, no sign of CatNap or that thing he was talking to. Now where did he go?
"DogDay."
A voice from behind made him jump and turned to see CatNap, his pendent lit smiling face looking right at him in the dark. He tapped DogDay's sun pendent to light up the area a little more, causing DogDay to stumble back into the middle of the clearing and CatNap stepping back in a few feet from him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his signiture opened mouth smile on his face.
"Oh, uh, I went to your house since I know you're up at this time and thought we could play a game before going to bed, but I saw no one was home. Th-Then I saw you walking into the woods and thought I would see what you were up to," DogDay answered.
A nervous smile was on his face in the hopes CatNap wouldn't ask any follow up questions. He didn't know if that thing was still around and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
"That's kind of you to check up on me. But I was up earlier today and went for a walk in the woods tonight for some fresh air before I went to bed," CatNap said.
Even though DogDay knew that was a lie, he didn't push it. Calling one of his best friends a liar wasn't very nice. But what he did see worried him. As much as he didn't want to tell their friends about CatNap's personal life without his permssion, he might need help. He couldn't explain it, but something about that hand gave him a very bad feeling they were up to something.
"That's good to know. We better head home then for a good nights sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow," he said.
He began to walk the way they came in, past the purple cat, and was on the edge of clearing about to enter the woods when CatNap's voice stopped him.
"How much did you hear?"
"W-What do you mean?" DogDay asked nervously.
"You don't have to lie to me. We're friends after all. Just tell me how much you heard, and you can go home," he promised.
DogDay turned back around towards the cat who was a few feet away, someone he considered one of his best friends. Maybe if he was honest and told him the truth, CatNap would explain and want help.
"I heard...everything. I didn't mean to. I saw you come into the woods and was curious, so I followed you. But what was that hand? What is the Hour of Joy?" he asked.
"Nothing for you to worry about," was all CatNap said.
"Nothing to worry about? CatNap, I am worried. If you're in trouble, you don't have to do this alone. Our friends can help you. Come on. Let's go tell them about this Hour of Joy together. I promise, I'll be right by your side the entire time," he assured.
He went to turn around only to come face to face with CatNap again and nervously stepped backwards a few steps. How was he that fast?
"Tell them what? Why, we were just playing a game of Hide and Seek," CatNap said.
"Hide and Seek? What are you talking about?" DogDay asked, confused.
CatNap opened his mouth as red smoke expelled from his mouth to fill the surronding area. By the time DogDay realized what was happening, it was too late. Everything began to sway and swirl dizzily around him, his eyelids growing heavy, and his mind becoming foggy as he breathed it in.
"DogDay, you seem a little sleepy," CatNap said, his voice echoing around him, "Our game must had really tired you out."
"Our...game?" DogDay repeated sleepily. It was hard to think or remember anything at the moment. Where were they again? What game were they playing?
"Here. Let me take you home." CatNap's fuzzy figure held out his paw for DogDay to take before everything went dark.
Sunlight filtered into DogDay's room, casting its warm rays on him as he began to wake up. He sat up and cradled his aching head while he tried to get his bearings. What happened last night? How did he get home? He didn't remember going to bed. In fact, he could barely remember anything about last night. He knew he went to CatNap's house but he wasn't home, then followed him to the woods, and then...a clawed hand. Something called the Hour of Joy.
He tried to remember more, but his mind became so foggy trying to. One thing was clear: CatNap was in trouble. He needed to tell everyone before he forgot completely.
Jumping out of bed, he ran out of his house and down the path where they said they would all meet.
Everyone was there easgerly awaiting for DogDay to show up until they finally saw him running over. It was a surprise he wasn't the first one there. Him oversleeping was very unlike him.
"Hey, DogDay. There you are," they greeted.
It wasn't until he bent over to catch his breath once he made it over did they see he wasn't rushing to get started on their outing.
"Whoa, DogDay, you don't look so hot," Kickin' Chicken said.
"Are you ok?" CraftyCorn asked.
"I puff have to puff tell you puff something," he painted out, "Something puff happened last night."
Now the critters were worried. They asked what happened, wondering what could make their usually fearless leader so scared.
"What's the matter, DogDay?" Bobby Bearhug asked.
He looked at CatNap and told him to tell them what happened last night. But the cat looked at him confused. not seeming to understand what he was saying.
"Come one, Catnap. Tell them," he said.
"Are you alright, DogDay? I don't know what you're talking about," CatNap said.
"You know. You went into the woods last night and you were talking to some kind of clawed hand about the Hour of Joy. And then you saw me and...well, I don't know what happened after that," he reminded him, "All I can remember are bits and pieces, but everything is starting tp turn blurry."
Right away, everyone's worry turned into relief, including CatNap. He knew what was going on.
"Sounds like quite the dream you had, my friend," he said.
"A dream?" DogDay repeated.
"Don't worry, DogDay. Dreams are still a mystery, even in the scientific community," Bubba Bubbaphant assure him, "It's perfectly normal to wake up and think what we dreamed was real. We remember almost everything so clearly when we wake up, but it eventually fades away after a few minutes."
"But it was real...at least I think it was," DogDay said. Now he was starting to question it. "You went into the woods after dark and I followed you to a clearing where there was this giant clawed hand you called Master and you were talking about...something. I was hiding behind a tree and bush and heard it all, but I can't remember."
He tried to look through his fog filled mind for some kind of detail that would convince everyone, and himself, it was real, but it was starting to get harder and harder to rememeber it. What they were talking about had just been there moments ago, now it was gone.
Just like that, everything became clear to CatNap about what was going on. He put an arm around DogDay's shoulders to explain what really happened and ease his friend's mind.
DogDay did come to CatNap's house last night and did follow him into the woods, but that was to play a game of Hide and Seek. The "Master" CatNap was referring to was DogDay himself because he was the master of the game with that powerful nose of his, though he believed CatNap was because of him being able to see in the dark. They had used their pendants to give them some light so they could actually see where they were going.
"Remember? I called out 'DogDay, come out, come out wherever you are," he reminded him.
Now that he mentioned it, DogDay did rememeber him calling that while he was hiding. He was trying to be quiet so he wouldn't be found.
"But what about the giant clawed hand I saw?" he asked.
"May I remind you I'm a cat. We have claws," CatNap reminded again and showed him his sharp claws.
Those weren't the claws he remembered, but even that was started to get blurry.
"What about the Hour of Joy?" he asked.
"The what? You must have had an interesting dream. Giant clawed hands, Time of Happiness or whatever it's called. You have quite the imagination," CatNap marveled.
It must had been because it all sounded so far fetched now. But a flash of red from last noght popped into his memory that needed answering.
"Wait. You used your red smoke on me last night," he brought up. Let's see what he had to say about that.
"This is new how exactly? He gases us all the time," Kickin' said.
"Yeah. I mean sure, it turns us into smiling sleep trance zombies that force everyone to join us, but hey! No biggie!" Hoppy laughed
The two burst out laughing, which annoyed CatNap a bit. You turn them into zombies one time and you're labeled for life.
"Yes, thank you, Hoppy and Kickin' for bringing up that mistake, again, when I have apologized a hundred time for that," he said, then turned to DogDay less annoyed, "And the only reason I gassed you is because you wouldn't stop. If you kept going, you would've fallen asleep midgame and then you would've been tired all day. I had to so you would get proper sleep and enjoy this beautiful day with us."
That did sound plausible. All of his answers made sense too. No matter how many times DogDay tried to think about last night, it was hard to remember anything. It looked like what happened really was a dream.
"You're right. I'm sorry, CatNap. I don't know what came over me," he apologized, placing a hand to his head, "I guess it felt so real, I couldn't tell the difference."
"No need to apologize. As Bubba said, we often forget it was just a dream for a second when we wake up, but the bad dream will fade away and you won't remember a thing," CatNap assured.
He was the expert on this stuff. None of them knew better than he.
"If we're done here, let's get going before Picky eats all of our snacks," Hoppy said.
The little pig had already started peeking in the basket, making everyone laugh.
They all walked down the path to where they woudl have their fun day together, all the while CatNap felt relaxed.
His plan worked. DogDay didn't remember a thing about last night and believed everything he said. He made sure to give him enough Red Smoke to lead him home while sleepwalking and keeping him in an influential state to manipulate whatever memories he might have when he woke up until he was tucked into bed.
It would be best to wait to talk to him about joining the cause later, just until he had completely forgotten this "misunderstanding". CatNap knew DogDay would understand and convince the others to join. Before the Critters, CatNap had no one. The Prototype showed up and became not just his best friend, but his savior. He wanted his friends to be by his side when it happened.
As his master said, the Hour of Joy was nearing.
And that is the end of our story.
I was super tempted to make a reference to this music video I saw about the Smiling Critters you guys have no doubt already watched, but I did not want to reference it without the YouTuber's permission, so edited the reference a bit.
As I said before, I am working on some personal fanfiction projects I will not be posting, but I will try to get some other fanfics up for you all to read someday. All of your kind words have really touched me. I really do appreciate it. Even if I can't accept your commision offers, I do hope you will create what you have in mind for yourselves. You are so incredibly talented and should at the very least get that amazing idea down.
Hope to see you all soon. In the meantime, reread your favorite stories or check out my other stories if you haven't yet. Until next time my friends, may your heart be your guilding key and always believe in the heart of the cards. XO