He closed his eyes, tucked his smooth tail around himself and Goosebumps, and drifted seamlessly into restful sleep. He laid there for a time content; all was right in the Swamp.
The quiet dark had a new inhabitant that wasn't unwelcome. It started out simple enough as a firefly. It languidly flew into his subconscious awaking his senses one by one. Moving as if laden with the secrets of the Swamp, he stirred his limbs to wake and gave chase. He rounded the dark, senseless terrain; one firefly was joined by another than two and soon he had a personal swarm. No sport to be had, it was a jovial hunt. Pink dashed by and the chase was on. He relished his surefooted form as dexterity gave him the illusion of flying. He bundled after his prey and the would be thief of prey with gleeful abandon. They rounded the mountaintops of his dreams before free falling into the seas of his subconscious. Pink gave way to yellow and they rounded in a circle before toppling over. Oh what fun he had! He wished he could be on the receiving end of a chase for once. Nature favored his bone density and height; Goosebumps didn't have a chance.
That was the beautiful thing about dreams. Regular limits were not of a concern here; they did not tire nor grow old and tired. Joints did not croak with unending complains and the fishing was very good. And here, gravity wasn't a killjoy. Flipping in the water of his dreams, he swam to his errant ghost owlcat, playfully nudging it with his nose. The owlcat rewarded him with an offended swipe. Overjoyed, he followed the fireflies to the bank at a slower pace and when he reached where the waters reached through the roots to the land, he pounced. And landed flat without purchase. He pounced and was surprised at the extra height. So much that he kept on bouncing up and down snapping fruitlessly at the glowing cloud. Up, down, up down. Time had no meaning, and like everything, was fluid. It was then he noticed his snout was no more. It was missing! He flicked his ears and one flopped to cover his eyes.
Eyes wide, Fiend was horrified.
He jumped up and raced back to the waters, and Goosebump changed direction to accompany him. And then sped past him for the very first time. Not only that, the ghost owlcat was bigger. Eyes widened further into impossibly cute territory. He stared at his reflection beside the pink monstrosity that was Goosebumps. Hie shortened nose twitched, the whiskers sprinkling against his furry, soft cheeks. He looked cute, agreeable. He looked like one of Cucumber's 8 rabbits. Except horns. Even the skeleton markings were agreeable. Indescribable joy rushed through his short haunches into his chubby form up to his floppy ears. Feigning relaxation, he sprinted to the right, Goosebumps giving chase, the fireflies all but forgotten. He pounced, jumped and where he could, he stuck little berries onto his horns. This would be good for all expectant does that came by for blessings. He opened his eyes and wiggled his tuft of a bum, the stars in his eyes.