Author's Notes: Sorry about taking so long with this. Until very recently I have been putting all my efforts into my other stories. But anyway, here's chapter two.

Forest Magic

Chapter 2

Danger Lurks Near

The tip of Gusto's brush ran across the surface of the canvas, leaving a dark purple line behind. The light blue bear smiled, satisfied, and painted another line next to it.

'Ah...' the artist thought with a blissful sigh. 'What a perfect day to paint.' And that it truly was. The sun was shining brightly but a constant light breeze kept the air from getting too hot. The pond clearing was filled with a serene feel, making Gusto feel a more motivated and inspired than in a long time. Painting a softer violet shade to accompany the darker ones of the painting Gusto finished his trail of thought: 'It's so peaceful and quiet...'

"Cannon ball!" came a loud shout, bringing Gusto's head around to glance at a pink flash that came from a cliff as tall as two Gummis. The colorful blob fell right into the pond, creating a high sprout of water. Gusto barely had enough time to quickly grab his easel and jump out of the way. Placing his art project back on the ground with care he turned around to glare at Cubbi who had just resurfaced.

"Watch it!" the artist raged. "I was just getting inspired and you almost ruined my masterpiece-to-be!"

The pink cub smiled apologetically and rubbed the back of his head as he called to the shore: "Sorry, Gusto!" Cubbi then swam across the pond. The Glen Gummis had decided to spend the day at the pond, since Zummi had wanted to get some important research done and Grammi had ordered them all out of the house so that the wizard could work in peace. Even Gruffi had been chased out of the house. Grammi was most likely secretly glad to be rid of the banging of Gruffi's hammer even if it was only for a day. The grim faced bear was sitting underneath a nearby tree, carving on a piece of bark with a small, slim knife. The knife had been too small to be used in the kitchen and too sharp to be given to Cubbi to play with so Gruffi had taken it. Gusto did not know if Gruffi was any good at carving, no one did, because Gruffi refused to let anyone see his work.

Sunni was lying on her back on the grass, enjoying the warmth of the sun's beams. Cubbi had told Gusto that she was trying to get her fur to get a fairer tint. Cubbi had also said that she had gotten the idea from Cavin, after the boy had told her that human hair turned a lighter color from the effect of much sunlight. Cubbi had finished his explanation with a huff of: "I really don't see the point..." to which Gusto had responded with an overly cheerful: "Well, you know what they say about female vanity and all that."

Cubbi had simply shook his head at the older bear, saying: "No, what do they say?"

Gusto had grinned at the cub before replying: "That there's no greater force."

Gusto glared at his painting, wondering where his inspiration had gone, while Tummi was leaning against a fallen tree trunk and going through a basket. The basket contained the lunch Grammi had packed for the always-hungry bear. Tummi had been the easiest to get out of the house. Grammi had simply promised him a basket of pastries and he had walked to the lake with no objections.

"That waste of paint looks nothing like a master piece if you ask me", Arty's croaking voice claimed from behind Gusto. The bird had settled down on a large rock and was eyeing Gusto's painting with a critical and, as far as Gusto was concerned, insulting look.

"No one asked you", Gusto huffed while shooting the bird a quick glare. He then turned his attention back to his painting. What was with everyone breaking his concentration that day?

"You know..." a voice started and Gusto grabbed his paintbrush in a firmer grip out of frustration. He turned his head to peer down a cub, whose eyes widened slightly at the furious twitching of Gusto's left brow.

"Yes, Cubbi..." Gusto managed to say through gritted teeth. "What is it?"

"Uh..." Cubbi trailed off, seemingly forgetting what he had been meaning to say. The twitch on Gusto's brow intensified. "Zummi's been hanging up strange masks all over the trees of the Glen", Cubbi spoke, finally catching up with his thoughts. "He said they shouldn't be taken down under any circumstances." The pink cub frowned slightly in thought. "I wonder what they're for..."

Gusto simply shrugged his shoulders before commenting: "Gruffi probably knows." He continued with a touch of pride: "Zummi always confides in Gruffamundo."

Cubbi snorted lightly before muttering: "More like he's the only one who listens to the stuff Zummi talks about." That said the cub walked back to edge of the pond and jumped in. Once again Gusto was left to his own devices as he tried to get a hold of the feeling he had been experiencing when he had started.

"Just admit that you can't paint", Arty put in suddenly. "You never have been all that good."

The twitch of Gusto's brow was back as he turned to glare furiously at his companion. His voice was a dangerously low as he spoke: "I could still do a duster out of your tail feathers." He grinned evilly at the startled-looking bird. "You would make a dashing duster."

Sunni giggled at the comment but Arty still did not catch on. The bird was too gone in his own world of featherless terror. He released a crow-like croak before starting to scream at the top of his lungs: "Animal abuse, animal abuse!" The bird took flight and flew over to Gruffi, accidentally dropping the dark bear's hat when he almost hit his head.

"Leave me alone, you stupid bird!" Gruffi yelled at the screaming Arty. "Can't you see that I'm trying to work here?" He dropped the piece of bark he had been carving on and used his now free hand to try to swipe at the bird flying around his head. "Cut it out, birdbrain!"

"Come back here, Arty!" Gusto shouted at his bird friend, laughing loudly and barely managing to get the words out. "I was only joking!"

"Yeah!" Sunni added with her own bright giggles. "No one is going to steal your feathers."

Seemingly calmed down by this assurance Arty left Gruffi alone and flew past Sunni and Gusto, back on his rock. He sat there, not meeting anyone's eyes and trying to look as dignifiedly insulted as possible. Gusto simply ignored the bird, glad that the nuisance was silenced for the time being. Maybe he could finally get back to his painting.

The tip of Gusto's brush barely touched the canvas before the blue bear pulled it back. He had a strange feeling, like someone was watching him. Gusto turned his head to see Sunni's eyes locked on him, but the girl's gaze was clearly not focusing on him. Sunni's eyes looked glassy, giving the impression that she was looking through Gusto, at something only she could see. Brushing the girl's look off Gusto glanced around him but saw no one else looking at him. Perhaps he had been imagining things.

Taking a deep breath Gusto turned his attention back to his painting. Completely ignoring the feeling that was still nagging at the back of his head Gusto allowed his brush to sweep across the half-finished piece of artwork. This would be his greatest work ever, Gusto decided, if only there would not be any more interruptions.

"Everyone!" a sudden yell came to the clearing, causing Gusto to flinch and his hand to waver. The blue bear stared at his painting in horror. After all he had done to keep his painting from being ruined by splashes of water all it took for his work to be in vain was a single shout and his own hand betraying him. An aggravated huff came from Gusto as he simply pushed the easel to the ground as he looked at Zummi, who was currently leaning his hands on his knees as he tried to regain his breath. It was obvious that the wizard had run all the way there but what could be serious enough to make the usually patient and controlled Gummi take off in a wild run? Could it have something to do with whatever the wizard had been studying all week?

"What's wrong, Zummi?" Sunni asked as she sat up and went over to the elderly Gummi. Gruffi was already by his side, looking at the violet bear in worry. Gusto started to make his way to the wizard as well and was able to hear Cubbi coming out of the water once more. Tummi actually put his lunch basket down before joining everyone else.

"I've made a discovery", Zummi started when his breathing had evened out somewhat. "We are ill an derrible tanger." The wizard shook his head before trying again: "We are all in derrbile tanger." Zummi looked extremely frustrated and Gruffi tapped him on the shoulder.

"Slow down", Gruffi said in a supporting manner. "The world isn't going to end in the next thirty seconds."

The look on Zummi's face indicated that the world might just as well be coming to an end but he still managed to keep is speech controlled as he spoke: "We are all in terrible danger."

"Yes", Gruffi said with a light smile. "We understood you quite well." The smile faded quickly. "What's the date then?"

The look on Zummi's face mirrored complete despair as the oldest Gummi spoke: "Tonight."

"Don't worry", Gruffi said as he offered Zummi the piece of bark he had been carving on all day. "This is the last one we need. Just press the rune on it and I'll go put it up."

Zummi took the piece of bark with a relieved smile. Gusto leaned closer to see the most horrifying face he had ever seen, carved on the surface of the bark. He turned his gaze to Gruffi and said: "I don't think I have ever seen a mask more ugly than this."

Gruffi frowned as he snapped impatiently: "It's supposed to look like that." Zummi mumbled something under his breath as he pressed his forefinger on the forehead of the mask. "Not everything in this world is beautiful and full of sunlight, Gusto." The look on Gruffi's face when he said this had an awful, cold feeling creeping up the blue bear's spine. Sure, Gruffi was not the most cheerful of the bunch but never before had the bear used such a dark and regretful tone when speaking to anyone.

"Done", Zummi said as he gave the mask back to Gruffi, the other bear immediately taking off with the bark mask. Gusto looked after him sorrowfully, feeling very worried about the usually cold and collected Gummi. He was brought out of his daze by Cubbi's voice that spoke: "What's happening tonight?"

"Tonight is the night of the Dark Moon", Zummi said simply, like it was all the information they needed. But Gusto was still at a loss.

"What is the Dark Moon?" the blue bear asked and Zummi's eyes focused on his.

"It is the night the Creatures come out."

"Creatures?" Gusto questioned and at the same time Sunni exclaimed: "But I thought they were just a fairytale, a horror story!"

"A horror story they truly are", Zummi spoke in a quiet and grave voice while he glanced at Sunni. "But one that has truth in it." The old wizard's eyes came to meet Gusto's once more as the older Gummi directed his words to the artist. "There is a legend about horrible beings of darkness, called Creatures. They come out every one hundred years to destroy everything they come across. According to the legend light is the only thing that can kill them so dark magic is needed to cover the moon for them to be able to walk this realm."

"Where does the dark magic come from?" Gusto asked. "I mean, it has to be someone's spell right? And what about those Creatures? Where are they during the time there is light?"

"According to the texts I have read", Zummi started. "The dark magic comes from the unused energy that gathers when the Creatures are away. When the moon is covered by their energy, the Creatures can leave their home, the Night Valley." Zummi fixed the position of his hat on his head since it had gone askew while he had been running. "There are no records of how the Creatures came to be or of the exact location of Night Valley. It is only said that it is in the west side of the forest."

"So those masks you have been putting up are to keep the Creatures away?" Cubbi questioned and the group started slowly making its way back home.

"Yes", Zummi replied. "I got the instructions from a book that..." the wizard trailed off suddenly but continued soon afterwards: "...the Gummis of west gave to me." Everyone had noticed the way Zummi had paused before mentioning the Gummis of west, but Gusto was certain that he was the only one who started thinking about it. The trailing off had been caused by hesitation. What had Zummi hesitated and why should he? What were the Gummis of the west like and why had Gusto never heard anyone mention them before?

To be continued...