As he walked out in the fields of Spring Valley, Comet caught a glimpse of his ornament glow a bright red. For a small stuffed bear, donned with a green Christmas cap and a green scarf, Comet knew a thing or two about searching for something. He held the silver ornament in his paw, watching it as it glowed brighter.
Comet chuckled. “Now, where are you taking me? It must be somewhere good.”
Walking on two legs was a fairly simple task for Comet, as he found it much better on his legs than walking on fours. Of course, being a talking stuffed animal had its advantages and privileges.
The end of the road came at a tree with an arched wooden door. The ornament stopped glowing, changing into a dull state. Curious, Comet pushed the silver door knob and entered the inside of the tree. It was dark and no one was around, a perfect opportunity to search for the goods. A round wooden table with three small wooden chairs sat in the middle of the room. Across from the table and chairs was a large wooden chest with silver latches.
“Ha ha! Jackpot,” said Comet, charging towards the chest. “Let’s see what you have inside.” He opened the chest, only to discover it was filled gold, jewels, and prized documents. Comet looked at the documents in confusion. “I wonder what these are for. Oh well.” He stuffed the documents back inside the chest. “Now, where was I? Oh yes, I was just searching through this treasure. No one’s home, so I…”
“Freeze, Charlie-Mac!” cried a male voice, holding a sword.
Comet dropped a document right into the chest. He did not want to be killed today.
“I know your business here, bear, but you’ll not have my treasure,” said the male voice.
Comet raised his paws in the air. He turned around slowly, an apologetic look on his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know this was your tree house.”
“Oh yeah? Well, it so happens that it is,” said the male voice. The person or animal behind the voice still lurked in the shadows. “Now stand your ground before I make you stand.”
“Who are you? Could you get me some light, please, so I can see your face?” asked Comet.
A torch was lit, revealing the male voice belonged to a grey stuffed hare. A grey stuffed rabbit showed up behind the hare. Comet lowered his arms in relief.
“It’s only you, Maxwell,” said Comet. “I thought you were a man.”
“It looks like the jig’s up, Maxwell,” said the stuffed rabbit.
Maxwell lowered his sword. “Hm, and for a moment there, I thought you were stealing my latest dig.” He sheathed his weapon, as he gave Comet a kind look. “I found that chest right after we slain the dragon.”
“We didn’t slay any dragon, Maxwell. I think your mind is going, especially after we left Molly’s bedroom,” said Comet.
“I told you, you should have left the details out,” said Maxwell’s rabbit.
“How’s the kids?” asked Comet.
Maxwell moved out of the way, as did his wife, to reveal little grey rabbits. “They’re as bouncy as ever.” He told Comet, “Take all the treasure you want, but leave the wills. Until we find the owners of those wills, we can’t have them.”
“Is that what they are? Well, thank you,” said Comet.
And so Comet took as much gold and jewels as he could. He whistled as he left Maxwell’s new tree house, throwing the bag of gold over his shoulder. Maxwell and his rabbit wife watched Comet as he took off to wherever he was headed. Maxwell, convinced that Comet would not return for another day, returned inside his bunny tree house, shutting the door after him.

Once again, Old Reliable and his stuffed bear crew were on the hunt for the evil stuffed hare and his sidekick stuffed rabbit wife. Old Reliable, being a small stuffed brown bear, knew a thing or two about combat and was a grand leader in getting his crew to safety. His wingman, a stuffed tan bear named Slider, could be counted upon. If only his mind was not so screwed up to begin with.
It was time to lay some ground rules before attacking the stuffed hare’s starship.
“All right, listen up men! We’re on a mission here and that mission is clear: take down that hare Evil Maxwell’s ship and deliver the supplies to the captain of the Lesuplaner. If I see one hair standing upright, one leaf turned untouched, one Kleenex bottle used up before I have the chance, I’ll…” Old Reliable was interrupted by one of his crew members: a small orange stuffed bear that looked very timid. “What is it, Sparky?”
“Um… commander, I was just wondering… if we’re to take down those fighters, would it save us time…”
“Fighters, eh?” asked Old Reliable, looking up at the bridge’s window.
Indeed, there were fighters flying their way. Old Reliable knew he would have to rely on the bombers. He told Slider, “Tell the bombers, Jordie and Mr. Lipsman, to shoot head on at those fighters.”
“Right-to, commander Relay,” said Slider.
Old Reliable rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I need better men.”
Slider spoke into the intercom. “Mr. Jordie, Mr. Lipsman, if your command is set, blast those fighters to smithereens.”
From the bombing station of the ship, Jordie, the medium stuffed brown bear, and Mr. Lipsman, the large stuffed white bear with a sense for explosions, prepared for the attack. Jordie turned to his co-worker from the other cannon.
“Whenever you’re ready, Mr. Lipsman,” said Jordie.
“Jordie, I was born ready. Light ‘em up, sparky!” said Mr. Lipsman, his mind all into the firepower.
“Did you say something, Mr. Lipsman?” asked Sparky over the intercom.
Mr. Lipsman shook his head in frustration. “I’ve got to get better crewmembers.” He chose his target and fired the cannon. “Light ‘em up!” One of the fighters exploded. “Yeah, all right baby! Boom boom boom! That’s what I like to hear.”
“Watch it, Mr. Lipsman. We need you to keep firing at those fighters,” said Old Reliable over the com.
“Second target,” said Mr. Lipsman, preparing to fire. He shot another fighter. “Ha ha! Yeah!”
“Looks like we’ve got a third,” said Jordie.
Old Reliable told the two gunners from the bridge, “Just keep firing at those fighters.”
A blast was heard over the intercom, along with Mr. Lipsman’s chaotic excitement.
Old Reliable said, calmly, “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Sir, what’s that?” asked one of the stuffed bear crew, seeing the static.
“Show the screen,” said Old Reliable.
The screen flickered to reveal a grey stuffed hare, looking evil. Old Reliable knew who it was.
“Maxwell.”
Maxwell cackled, “Missed me, old chap? You old geezer.”
“What do you want, Maxwell? You’ve been causing a great disturbance that I am about to remove,” said Old Reliable.
Maxwell cackled again. “You think you can stop me. You’ve got another thing coming.”
A microwave sounded inside Maxwell’s ship. Trisha, his stuffed rabbit wife, told him in a cheerful voice, as she pulled out the cooked carrots, “The carrots are ready.”
Maxwell sighed in sadness. “I’ve got to go.”
The screen flickered off to reveal the window of the bridge.
Slider said to Old Reliable, “Well, that was short lived.”
“Fire on that ship,” said Old Reliable.
“But Old Reliable, sir, shouldn’t we…”
“I said to fire, Captain Slider. That’s an order,” said Old Reliable, gruff.
“Yes, sir.” Slider said to himself, “I knew this was a bad idea.” He told the stuffed bear crew, “Fire on that ship.”
As Maxwell and Trisha were about to eat their cooked carrots, they heard blaster fire. They looked at each other, right as…
“Pow pow!” said Molly, making blaster sounds. She spoke for Maxwell, “Oh no, they’ve taken out our hull. We’ll have to try something else. I will get that Old Reliable one way or another.”
Mrs. Brennan knocked on Molly’s door. “Dinner’s ready.”
Molly, not caring if her playtime was interrupted, told her mom, “Sure.”
“Wash up, and then come down. I’ll find Schultz,” said Mrs. Brennan, already charging off in search of Molly’s brother.
Yup, it was definitely a good playtime.

The Brennan family was away for the weekend to see the grandparents. The stuffed animals and dolls had the place to themselves. If only the Brain crew was not on schedule to keep check of the bedrooms. Sharky, a medium stuffed yellow bear, for instance was checking in with Tamra, a medium stuffed polar bear, every five seconds, using the small walkie-talkies they crafted.
“Sharky, we’ve got a situation: it seems the squirrel feeder is drawing more squirrels. I need you to check it out, over,” said Tamra.
Sharky was not impressed. “You know, Tamra. There’s a thing about squirrels that gets me. We’re stuffed animals, remember? We don’t need to be checking in on a simple matter of squirrels.”
Tamra said through the walkie-talkie, “Well, I just thought you should know.”
Sharky said, while running, “That’s great to hear.”
Comet looked up, alarmed. He was the new Christmas bear after all. “Sharky, where are you going?”
“Can’t talk now, new guy. I’m on squirrel duty,” said Sharky.
Comet looked at Slider in confusion. “Does he know what he’s talking about?”
“Yeah. He doesn’t get out much,” said Slider.
Sharky ran across the carpeted floor in a mad dash. Only this caused him to run into the large stuffed tan bear named Crybear, a name given to him by Molly Brennan for a specific reason: he cries every time there’s something wrong and I do mean this literally.
“Oops. Sorry Crybear,” said Sharky, stubbing Crybear’s toes on his way past him.
Crybear, now upset, weeped his eyes out. Beacon, the medium stuffed black bear, accompanied Crybear and Sparky, who was already getting past his timid behavior when Sharky interfered. Now Beacon had two stuffed bears to worry over.
Tamra informed Sharky fast, upon looking out the window, “Never mind. The squirrels are going away.”
“What?” asked Sharky. He stopped in his tracks. “Then why did you make me run…”
“Captain Sharky,” said a large stuffed brown bear named Francis, “Traitor and I need you at the bridge pronto.”
“I’m on it.” Sharky said to himself, “If only I get a break here.”
Comet, upon seeing Sharky run back, called to him, “Oh Sharky, if you have a minute, I need to inform you…”
“Not now Comet. I’m busy!” called Sharky back, zipping past him.
“He’s always busy,” said Slider.
Sharky jumped onto a pile of books, which led inside the makeshift tree house. When he came inside, Sharky saw Tamra with Jordie. It was not the first time he caught the two in a romantic flux. Sharky got their attention, just as Francis and Traitor, a large stuffed black bear, entered the tree house, barging into him.
“Oops. Sorry Sharky,” said Francis.
Traitor told Sharky in a gruff voice, “Oh, and when you’re done running around, I need three mochas. Would you mind getting those?”
Sharky about had enough. He nearly exploded, when he saw Traitor’s demanding look. “Why would I say no to that expression? I’ll get on them.”
Traitor put a paw over Sharky’s shoulder, stopping him. When Sharky turned around, Traitor laughed, “I’m just messing with you, kid.”
Comet knocked on one of the side books. “Sharky, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Sharky looked at Traitor, who told him, “Go on.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Sharky. As soon as he and Comet were outside, Sharky bombarded him, “Oh please, Comet, don’t send me looking for squirrels or mochas or demanding I see you on the bridge. I am not a moving object that needs to be sent everywhere.” He hardly gave Comet a chance to enter the conversation. “I am a plain and sensible lackie who just happened to join the Brain team, and I…”
“Sharky, that isn’t it,” said Comet.
Sharky was confused. “Then what do you want?”
Comet pulled out from his green cap a red light bulb. Sharky observed it in awe, before he thanked him for the gift. All Comet could point out was, “Nah, you would have done the same for me.”
“I doubt I would, new guy,” said Sharky, slugging Comet in the arm.
“Ow!” cried Comet, softly. He and Sharky ended up laughing, before slugging each other, much to the annoyance of Traitor. The two laughed again. All seemed well, at least until the next conundrum occurred.

Ever since Comet the Christmas bear’s arrival in Molly Brennan’s bedroom, the activity there became a bit rocky. Take Crybear’s situation, as he cries whenever something bothers him. Now Beacon, a medium sized stuffed black bear, happened to be near Crybear, the large sized stuffed tan bear, when Crybear was in a flux.
“What is it, Crybear? If I don’t help Francis with the repairs to the new book he borrowed…”
Crybear asked, timidly, “Could you do me a favor?”
Beacon sighed. “Anything you want, big guy. What is it?”
The plastic ice cream in the plastic waffle cone went splat on the floor. This made Crybear cry his heart out like a baby. Beacon was alarmed, but knew just what to do.
“Here. Give me that.” Beacon took Crybear’s plastic waffle cone, causing a great confusion to the large stuffed white bear, and put the plastic ice cream back inside it.
Crybear clapped his hands in delight. On his furry face were tear stains. “Ooh ooh, you fixed it! You fixed it!”
“Here you go, big guy,” said Beacon, handing Crybear back the plastic waffle cone. “Now, what is the favor you wanted to ask me?”
“Could you move the heat register? I’d like to get some warmth on my fur,” said Crybear.
Beacon looked at the vent under the window ledge. He returned his gaze to Crybear. “Crybear, it’s an air conditioner. I can’t move it.”
Crybear gave him wide eyes, already welling up in tears. “P-P-Please?”
Beacon sighed again. “Anything for you, big guy. I’m on it.” He ran towards the air conditioner vent, just as Sparky wanted to talk to him.
Finding the vent, Beacon did all he could to unlatch it. He jerked the vent several times, but nothing worked. He moved the slider back and forth several times, but still nothing. Frustrated, Beacon tried it again, only to end up with part of his fur singed and the rest poufy. At that point, upon moving the slider back, Beacon looked like a walking furball. Traitor was laughing at the sight of him, before he and Francis retreated back inside their makeshift tree house.
Just as he returned to Crybear, Beacon shook himself off. To his relief, his fur returned to its first state. Crybear waved his paw in the air with great excitement.
“What now, Crybear?” asked Beacon, showing some annoyance in his voice.
Crybear held out a plastic lollipop inside a plastic wrapper. “Could you open this for me?”
Beacon took the plastic lollipop in his hands. He said, chuckling, “How hard can opening a lollipop be, even a plastic one?”
However, Beacon’s paws could not open the plastic wrapper. He tried opening it with his teeth, but nothing. He tried jumping up and down on the plastic lollipop, but the wrapper would not budge. He used his paws, but every time the wrapper would not open. Frustrated, Beacon threw the lollipop. The lollipop bounced right into Sparky’s paws.
Crybear was in a devastated state.
“No, no, no! Don’t cry. It was just a lollipop,” said Beacon.
This did not help Crybear, who wept his eyes out… again.
Beacon thought of things that might calm Crybear down: he tried juggling, riding on a toy unicycle, leaping and bounding around the room, running really fast around Crybear, making whistling songs, humming his favorite tunes. Still, Crybear continued to cry non-stop. Only when Sparky came up to Beacon did the matter stop.
Sparky got Beacon’s attention. Beacon asked him, “What is it, Sparky?”
Sparky pulled out the plastic lollipop, wrapper free. He handed it to Beacon, “I thought Crybear wanted it.”
Beacon took the plastic lollipop. “Yes he did. Thank you, Sparky.” He saw Crybear stop crying, tears still staining his furry face. He handed the plastic lollipop back to Crybear. “For you.”
Crybear said in excitement, “Thanks!” He licked the plastic lollipop in delight.
Beacon hoped this was the last favor Crybear would ask him. “If this is all you need, I’ll just…”
Crybear raised a paw. Tossing the plastic lollipop, Crybear brought out a large cardboard box. He said with a gleeful expression, “See what’s inside. It’s for you, Beacon.”
Suspicious, Beacon approached the cardboard box and said, “I hope this isn’t a ruse, Crybear. I’ll… yipe!” He jumped upon seeing a large toy soldier bounce at him. He ran for cover behind the nearest chair.
Comet, the small tan Christmas bear, told him, “It’s only a Jack-in-a-box. What’s the fuss?”
Beacon glared at him. “Don’t make this more difficult than it already is.” He approached Crybear, who looked confused and upset. “Crybear, what did you think would happen when you showed me this… this…”
“Jack-in-a-box,” said Crybear, timid.
“Right, Jack-in-a-box. This has to be the worst prank you could invent. It tops the other gifts you decided to leave me earlier,” said Beacon, frustrated.
Crybear said, “You don’t like it.”
Sparky told Beacon, serious, “Beacon.”
“No, I won’t be quiet. This was a mistake from the start,” said Beacon, outraged. He told Crybear, who looked ready to cry, “Crybear, next time you deliver a nice gift. Not one that bounces on people and stuffed animals.”
Crybear started, “But Molly…”
“Oh, Molly may have gotten this gift as a present, but that doesn’t mean that you should play with it. Next time, leave her gifts alone,” said Beacon.
That was it. Crybear burst into tears and could not stop crying. He sat on his butt as tears formed puddles on the freshly swept carpet. Beacon shook his head in frustration. Would the bear ever learn? He very much doubted it, due to Crybear’s sensitivity. There was nothing to do now except wait until Crybear stopped crying, however long that took.

The Brennan family was known for going on their family vacations. The luxury of this was because Mr. Brennan was the local author, and that meant he could travel to and from wherever he wanted. His books were what gave his family the money they needed, and at that time he had plenty.
Before they left, Molly took with her the new Christmas bear her mother bought for her at the local craft show. Molly loved the Christmas bear she named Comet so much that she could not stop playing with him. She was allowed one toy to bring with her, so she decided to pick him because he was small and portable.
While the toys had the house to themselves, the four dolls in particular were setting up for another tea party. Big Joe, the wooden rocking horse, was sleeping during this time. Fairvalla, the female raggedy doll, noticed Big Joe and felt sorry for him. She decided to speak to the small black cat figurine named Fluffy Junior about this.
“What do you think, Fluffy Junior? Should I cheer Big Joe up?” asked Fairvalla, while petting the small black cat figurine.
Trixie, the female stuffed doll, intervened in her motherly manner. “Fairvalla, don’t you in your right mind wake up Big Joe. He’s had enough to worry about.”
“Like not getting played with anymore. The family is thinking of selling him at some point,” said Meghan, the small female plastic doll. She was not the best character when it came to caring for other toys. Then again, her sarcastic behavior did not help either. “Oops. Did I say that out loud? Silly me.”
Trixie was appalled. “Meghan, mind your manners. Let’s just set up our tea party.”
However, Fairvalla would not be deterred. Leaving her post, she charged towards Big Joe and climbed up onto his wooden rocker. She knocked three times on his leg, causing the rocking horse to wake up, alert.
“What? What? What happened? Who…” Then Big Joe saw Fairvalla. A look of relief and annoyance came across his face. “Oh, it’s only you, Fairvalla. What’s it to be this time? Another party to cheer me up? Maybe you plan on dressing me up next, like a great big chicken.”
“About that: how do you feel about a going away party?” asked Fairvalla. “Word is the family is planning on selling you.”
“They ain’t selling me, no way,” said Big Joe.
“And what if they do? A party would surely cheer you up,” said Fairvalla.
“Fairvalla, I know what tricks you’re pulling, but they ain’t gonna work on me,” said Big Joe.
Fairvalla thought. She could imagine how the situation would turn out: It would be a spectacular farewell party. There would be blue and red streamers. The flowers would be decorated with caramel corn. The lights would be on display.
All the toys would be there. The toy soldiers would line up, ready to announce the arrival of Fairvalla, and of course Big Joe, for this was to be Big Joe’s party.
Old Reliable would be there, but he would get the chance to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey, if only his butt was not in the way. Hahaha. That would sure be revenge on Old Reliable. Then more pranks would be made on him. Surely, he would see reason and let Comet the small tan Christmas bear into the spare room without any other doors, except the one, or he would flee and never return.
Comet would be a hero. Every toy would admire him. He’d certainly fit the candidate for best leader ever.
And as for Big Joe, his party would be celebrated with a three-tiered cake and presents. Big Joe would be recognized as the greatest rocking horse that ever lived. And…
“Fairvalla… FAIRVALLA!” cried Big Joe.
Fairvalla’s train of thought returned to the present. She thought it was brilliant plan.
“Oh, come now Big Joe. Molly isn’t here, and we could certainly use this party,” said Fairvalla.
Big Joe thought for a moment. Having a farewell party for him was not a bad idea. “All right, but we’ll do this party my way. By the book. And make sure Comet’s here. He’s been a good friend to me.”
“Will do. Oh, but the parents said that you would be leaving two days after they got back,” said Fairvalla.
“I know, and I don’t like it,” said Big Joe. He whinnied in pain.
~x~x~
On the night that Molly, Schultz, and her parents returned from their vacation, Molly set Comet back in her bedroom. That night, Comet witnessed Big Joe’s nighttime going away party. He was very excited, and enjoyed the plastic food that accompanied it. Molly lately had been enjoying plastic food that she did not have to eat. The toys liked it too, considering they could pretend to eat the food, but not dig into it.
However, Beacon saw Crybear attempt to eat the plastic food.
“Crybear, that food is not real.” Beacon smacked Crybear’s paw. “Don’t eat it!”
Crybear sobbed uncontrollably.
Big Joe turned to Comet, looking pleased, “Well, I must say this party turned out to be spectacular.”
“And I know who to thank for holding this party,” said Comet. He turned to the dolls, announcing, “Fairvalla, was this your doing?”
Fairvalla spoke innocently, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Comet grinned. He knew better than to play Fairvalla’s mind games. She definitely decided on this party, and with Big Joe’s help it came to be successful. As an added touch, Fairvalla placed a large straw hat with a large pink ribbon on top of Big Joe’s head. There was laughter amongst the toys for this.
All Big Joe could say was, “It’s a living.”