The Wizard, the Smurfs and the Curse of the Black Shards


It was a fine spring morning, the snow was slowly melting, the flowers had begun to grow and blossom, and the birds were singing sweetly throughout the kingdom and countryside.

In town, it was busy as a beehive for today was the annual Spring Festival. People from near or far would come to celebrate the day and join the festivities. All except for one.

Out in the forest, Gargamel was moaning and groaning. The bright sun had woken him up early that morning and he really hated springtime.

"I hate nature" complained Gargamel.

"How gaudy. The grass, the flowers. And I really hate Smurfs!"

However as he searched for any trace of the Smurfs, Gargamel noticed that the clouds above were slowly turning black and he heard thunder rumbling.

"Oh, no" he gasped.

Heavy rain poured down on the wizard as he ran back to his castle and tried to avoid stepping in puddles.

But as he reached the bridge that led to his home, lighting struck and the entire bridge started to fall apart.

"No! No, no!" Gargamel cried.

He ran to get on the other side, but on the last step, he fell down the rocky cavern with a long, bloodcurdling scream.

"HELLLPPPP MEEEEEEE!"

In his room, Gargamel was tossing and turning, still inside his bad dream.

Azrael was curled up on his master's body, sleeping peacefully.

And then suddenly, Gargamel shot up awake with a loud...

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

Azrael yowled as he was sent flying off his master's lap and hit right on the wall.

Gargamel panted, with fear in his eyes and his skin was pasty white.

"Another bad dream" moaned the wizard.

"Gargamel! Open up!" demanded a voice.

Despite his anxiety, Gargamel knew whose voice that was.

He got up and opened the door.

"Hello, Papa Smurf" said a tired Gargamel.

"Come outside with me" said the old Smurf.

Gargamel followed Papa Smurf to the bridge. They were in their night clothes, but it was okay. Nobody else was going to bother them.

"That was the tenth nightmare that you woke up the entire Smurf Village this month" said Papa Smurf.

"I know, I'm sorry" answered Gargamel.

"What happens in these dreams?"

Knowing he might feel nervous talking about it, Gargamel told Papa Smurf that each dream involved him in danger and nobody to save him.

"I can help you, Gargamel."

"Never!"

Papa Smurf knew what Gargamel hated. And it was Smurfs. But, that didn't stop him.

"Gargamel, please..." said Papa Smurf, slowly.

"Papa Smurf, you know why I hate Smurfs and what I intend to do on you and the others." Gargamel said angrily. "So.. I can't let you help me."

Then, Papa Smurf finally gave up.

"I'm sorry, Gargamel" he said.

As the old Smurf left, Gargamel sighed sadly and starred at the stars in the night sky.

Azrael, who had overheard them, ran to Gargamel's side and rubbed against his master's leg.

"I know, Azrael, I know" the wizard cooed.

"I just wish someone would understand how I feel."

Both the wizard and his cat stayed on the bridge and looked out the stars throughout the cold night.

To be continued...