A/N: Wow. I really hate finals week. But this is why I plan ahead. Here's the next chapter! And those waiting for "Miwa Chronicles", please hold off on the reminders. I'm working on a new chapter now and I finally have some free time to finish up this story and work more on "Miwa Chronicles".

Voices for new characters:

Blacksmith Smurf: Chris Hemsworth (Thor from Thor and Avengers)

Complimentary Smurf: Jake T. Austin (Max from Wizards of Waverly Place and Bruce from Hotel for Dogs)

Hunter Smurf: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Joe Kingman from The Game Plan)

Fisher Smurf: Alexander Gould (Nemo from Finding Nemo)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Smurfs (minus Archer and Luna and the ones I made up).


Chapter Eight

The Smurfs were bustled and busy as they prepared themselves. The day of the Cultural Festival finally arrived, and Papa excused all his Smurfs from their chores to get their acts ready for that evening. The Smurfs looked horrified when they heard Papa was shot, but every time somesmurf stared at his bandages he would snap at them a little to assure them he was all right. Dabbler didn't tell anyone about Archer's arrow, but said Smurfette wouldn't come out of her room. Gutsy only walked in once, and he nearly got a fist to the mouth. So he left Luna with Fakir and Gourdy and left to prepare for his act.

"Isn't Archer going to sing her song?" Actor Smurf asked timidly. Despite changing his name from Timid Smurf, he still held his somewhat nervous nature.

"I hope so, lad." Gutsy said, fiddling with his faux bearskin cape. "It's such a lovely song."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she never smurfs out of her room again." Blacksmith Smurf huffed deeply.

"Now be nice, Blacksmith." Complimentary Smurf scolded gently. "Archer has such a beautiful voice to match her beautiful face."

"But she's been so hard on herself lately." Actor sighed. "She's changed."

Gutsy sighed too. "I know. I'm so worried about 'er. I jus' don' know how ta help."

"Are we gonna practice or sit here and talk, by golly?" Timber urged. "C'mon. I'm sure Archer will perk up by this evening. She just needs time alone."

"I hope yer right." Gutsy took a breath. "All right, let's get smurfin'. Timber, Blacksmith, how's de bear costume?"

"Goin' smurfily!" Timber said, pulling on the bottom half of the bear like a pair of pants.

"I'm sure you have the voice for being a great bear, Blacksmith Smurf." Complimentary said.

Blacksmith laughed heartily, his voice booming as it usually does. He pulled on the top half of the bear, the bottom of it dropping past his feet. "Well, we'll see if I can scare a few Smurfs during the performance." He pulled the bear head over his own and Timber took a hold of Blacksmith's ankles, holding them in place on his shoulders.

"Wallah!" Actor cheered. "Instant demon bear!"

"Perfect!" Gutsy nodded in satisfaction. "All right, lads! Let's go through it one more time!"


Sweepy whistled as he walked briskly through the village. His regal king's crown slipped a little, but he pushed it back into place. He readjusted the heavy red cape with the white trim on his shoulders. It was Marco's idea to do a sort of "report" on British royalty, but Sweepy appreciated that he didn't need to change much of his appearance. The two British Smurfs even got Smurfette to play as a queen.

Sweepy paused outside Archer and Gutsy's home, his whistle dying down. He stared at the dark windows for a moment before moving to the door and knocking quickly. "Archer! You in there?"

Silence.

Sweepy tested the door and found it unlocked. Panicking slightly, he pushed inside hurriedly. "Archer? Archer!" He looked all around the living room and kitchen, but his sister disappeared altogether. "No. Oh no!" Panic levels rising by the second, he charged up the stairs to the bedroom, throwing the door open.

Archer jumped in her spot on the bed, staring at Sweepy. "Do you have any idea how awkward it would've been if I hadn't been wearing clothes?"

Sweepy sighed in relief and a little embarrassment. "Sorry, Arch. I was afraid you'd smurf off again." He noticed the book in her hands. "Whatcha lookin' at?"

"A scrapbook." Archer said, scooting over so Sweepy could sit next to her.

"Well look at that." Sweepy sighed, staring at a picture of Patrick Winslow, Clumsy, Gutsy, Brainy, and Grouchy playing with the human's toy instruments. "Is that the trip ya took ta New York?"

"Yep." Archer nodded. "I drew it myself."

"Wow." Sweepy breathed. "I never knew you could draw so well."

"Growing up in Aleron's palace with no friends left me some time to gain a few talents." Archer said softly. Sweepy fell silent, unsure how to respond to such a statement. Normally, one would expect a sorrowful sentence to sound…well, sorrowful. But Archer talked as though discussing the weather. She turned the page and came to a portrait Painter painted of Gutsy, Archer, and baby Luna. Sweepy looked back and forth between the picture and his sister. The Archer in the picture held a soft, loving smile that could bring anysmurf out of a foul mood, even Grouchy or Weepy. But that beautiful little grin didn't exist anymore; not now, when the stress of Balthazar's hunt seemed to push Archer to the breaking point. Sweepy couldn't believe she made it this far without going over the edge. He knew for a fact that she would never commit suicide, but the fear she would run away into the forest remained. There's no telling what's running through Papa's head right now.

Sweepy gently took the book from Archer and set it down. Then he wrapped his arms around Archer in a warm embrace. Archer didn't return the embrace, but she didn't try and wiggle out of it either. The two of them stayed that way for a while, in silence and in one another's company.

"Archer." Sweepy finally spoke.

"Hmm?" Archer asked.

"You don't have to be alone in this fight. I'm 'ere. The other Smurfs are 'ere. We'll protect Luna and help ya with whatever ya need." He gently pushed Archer away and held her at arm's length. "If I ever find Balthazar, I'll smurf 'im to the next decade."

Archer stared at the ground a moment, but then smiled softly. She kissed Sweepy's cheek. "Thanks Sweepy."

Sweepy smiled and hugged Archer again. "Well, I gotta smurf off to Marco. Can't wait ta 'ear your song." Archer nodded and waved as Sweepy walked off. But when he disappeared, so did her smile. The tomboy Smurfette stood from the bed and moved to her vanity, sitting on the stool and staring in the mirror. A tired, grungy, pale-looking Smurfette looked back.

"Well, Ms. Archer Smurfette, you're a sorry sight." Archer sighed. She poked at the shadows under her eyes, trying to remember when she last had a proper night's sleep. She looked down at her torso, feeling her ribs that stuck out. When did she become anorexic? She stared into her mirror again, seeing her silver tinged, sapphire eyes dulled down from their usual brightness.

Suddenly, the room seemed to darken, and Archer's reflection shifted and changed. Archer's eyes widened as Balthazar appeared in her mirror, laughing cruelly. His laughter echoed and seemed to raise in volume. Archer's fist clenched and she punched Balthazar's face, shattering the mirror and stopping the evil wizard's laughter. Archer breathed hard, her knuckles bleeding a little. She stared at what was left of the mirror, mentally noting the fit that Vanity would've thrown if he were there. Archer stared at the pieces of broken mirror on the ground. Balthazar's laughter echoed in her head.

She sighed. "Smurfity smurf smurf smurf."


"Festival!" Crazy chanted. "Festival!"

"Crazy, come on!" Greedy called.

"We gotta join th' band!" Farmer added, waving Crazy over with his fiddle.

"Band!" Crazy chanted. "Band! I play in band!"

"Not if ya cain't keep up!" Farmer laughed as he and Greedy hurried off to the stage. Crazy, realizing they left him in the dust, suddenly hurried after his brothers. The other Smurfs joined en masse to the outdoor auditorium setup they worked so hard to build over the last few days. Many of the Smurfs were still dressed in their costumes for their performances. Papa bounced Luna in his lap, earning a bout of giggles from the child. Smurfette sat beside Papa with Baby cradled in her arms.

"Ooh, I'm so excited!" Gourdy did a flip in the air as he settled down on the other side of Papa. "This is going to be so much fun!"

"I imagine you never smurfed things like this before." Smurfette giggled.

"Of course not!" Gourdy still bounced in his seat. "Most of the time my mastuhs would keep me in my gourd. Or they would neveh let me outside their home."

"You poor thing." Smurfette sighed sadly.

"But that's why I love being Farmer Smurf's genie." Gourdy assured, smiling broadly. "He's such a good mastuh!" He frowned. "Except when he gave me that stupid tea."

Smurfette giggled. "Well, you needed your rest."

"I'm still not forgiving him until next week!" Gourdy crossed his arms.

"We're glad you settled in so nicely with Smurf life, Gourdy." Papa said. "You've really become a part of the family."

"Even if I get a little annoying?" Gourdy smiled sheepishly.

"Even then." Papa chuckled.

"Speaking of annoying," Hefty snickered from the row in front of them. "Here comes Brainy and his introduction."

Despite Hefty's remark, the Smurfs cheered and clapped as Brainy came onstage, dressed in a toga with a laurel wreath tucked behind his ears. "Welcome, Smurfs and Smurfettes! To the Smurfs' First Ever Cultural Festival!"

"Smurf ze show on ze road, Brainy!" Painter called.

"Yes, yes, of course." Brainy waved him off. "We begin our evening with a showmanship of the smurftastic games of the Greeks! A wondrous society as brilliant as I am! A culture that reflects my intellect with a—" Somesmurf backstage finally found the right moment to hook a cane around Brainy's neck and yank him back behind the curtain. "ACK! Watch it!"

The Smurfs only laughed heartily at their poor brother's misfortune. They soon quieted as the curtain opened to reveal Clumsy and Brainy, both dressed in togas and wearing laurel wreaths behind their ears. Clumsy wore the gold medal he won at the Smurfic Games; thankfully, not the powerful Medallion of Poseidon but a genuine medal Blacksmith made and Painter painted gold.

"The Greeks were known as great warriors, artists, and sportsmurfs." Clumsy recited, pushing his hat out of his eyes. "Above all other things, they were best known for their games. Games such as the javelin toss!" He lifted a javelin from the ground and immediately started wobbling. But he managed to throw the javelin; unfortunately, he misfired and it pierced the empty seat next to Panicky, who immediately seized up and turned stark white. "Oops." Clumsy chuckled. "Uh, and games like the shot put!" He groaned in effort as he lifted a heavy ball from the ground. He managed to shove the weight upwards, and it flew up into the air and crashed right through the floor of the stage.

Handy face palmed. "Should've known that would happen."

"Clumsy, be careful!" Brainy scolded.

Clumsy chuckled nervously as he picked up a discus. "And best of all, the discus!" Even the wooden discuss seemed heavy to the lanky built Smurf. But Clumsy just took a breath and suddenly started spinning, gaining more momentum by the second.

"Now, Clumsy!" Brainy said in his lecturing tone. "Too much momentum and that disk will—"

Too late. Clumsy let go, falling back on his tail in the process. Brainy ducked as the disk shot past his head. He laughed in triumph, thinking he finally avoided misfortune. But the disk kept flying, ricocheting off Chef's frying pan when he held it up to defend himself. The disk flew out into the audience, bounced off one of the lampposts, skimmed Papa's hat as it passed, rebounded off Marco's knight shield, hit one last lamppost, bounced off the cymbals on Greedy's drum set in the orchestra pit, and finally flew back to the stage and hit Brainy's head. The smart Smurf swayed a little and finally fell backwards, unconscious. The Smurfs cheered and whistled while the curtain closed hurriedly.

"Well that was interesting." Papa chuckled.

"Not for poor Panicky and Brainy." Smurfette giggled.

Backstage, Poet and Party Planner worked as the stage managers, directing upcoming acts onstage. "All right, Chef Smurf you're up next!"

"This is turning out to be a smurfy show!" Poet sighed happily. "What's after Chef?"

"Miner and his group." Party Planner reported.

"And what about Archer?" Poet asked. "I'm just dying to hear her sing!"

Party Planner looked at his clipboard. "She's right before Gutsy and his act. That is if she shows up."

"She's here." Poet assured, peeking out into the audience. "Look, she's going over to sit with Gutsy."

"Oh good." Party Planner sighed in relief. "I was worried she'd smurf off again."

"I don't see how she could." Poet shrugged, walking with Party Planner further backstage. "After all, she's got a baby to smurf after now. She wouldn't abandon Luna."

"Yeah, but we both know how she is." Party Planner mumbled.

"Lassie!" Gutsy greeted warmly, waving his mate over to the seat next to him.

"It is good to see you here." Blacksmith said with a smile. "We were worried."

"I'm fine." Archer assured. "A little under the weather, but I'm perfectly smurfy."

"Good." Gutsy smiled, pulling Archer into a strong side hug. "Just sit back an' relax. It's gonna be a smurfy show."

"Shh!" Complimentary shushed them politely. "Chef is making Austria's famous Linzer torte!"

Archer settled down, nestling close to Gutsy. The Scotsmurf smiled and put an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Archer watched the acts progress, smiling softly. Papa, sitting a few seats down, smiled at the sight of his eldest daughter finally seeming to enjoy herself. Perhaps we can move on from all this unsmurfiness. Papa thought, bouncing Luna a little.

The acts continued on after Chef completed his edible masterpiece (and then hit Greedy on the head with a frying pan when the gluttony Smurf tried to steal it). Sweepy and Marco gave a wonderful presentation of Britain's royalty system, complete with Marco dressed as a knight and Smurfette a queen. Painter painted a lovely French princess in a fancy dress, to which all the Smurfs had to stare in awe. Miller gave a history of the tulip and its importance to the Netherlands. In between each act, the band would play a short instrumental piece, and during that time Papa would glance over at Archer and Gutsy to see how they fared. Archer legitimately laughed at some of the more comical parts, and Gutsy continued to hold her close. The color seemed to return to Archer's face and her silver-tinged sapphire eyes brightened considerably. To Papa, she truly looked happier than she had been in days. It was a heartwarming sight, and it let Papa settle down to enjoy the show.

"It seems like just a rusted old lamp to me." Fakir recited his lines as he stared at Gourdy's gourd. "Wait, I believe there's something written here!" He rubbed the gourd, and Gourdy appeared in a puff of pink smoke. "My smurfness! Who are you?"

"I am the genie of the magic lamp!" Gourdy bowed, also reciting his lines. "Your wish is my command!"

"Knowing Gourdy, Ah bet 'e's said tha' 'bout a thousand times." Farmer whispered to Alchemist.

Alchemist chuckled in agreement. "I wouldn't doubt it."

"Psst!" Party Planner hissed. "Archer! You're up after Fakir, Gourdy, and Luna! Gutsy, you're after Archer!"

"I'll see you backstage?" Archer offered as she stood.

"Of course." Gutsy nodded. Archer smiled and followed Party Planner around the back of the stage to her dressing room. Gutsy sighed blissfully. "I must be de luckiest Smurf in de world."

"Besides Lucky Smurf?" Complimentary laughed.

"He's not even that lucky!" Actor chuckled.


Hunter Smurf ran as fast as he could, the green feather in his hat flapping wildly in the breeze. Fisher Smurf sprinted right beside him, resting his fishing pole on one shoulder. "Come on!" Hunter urged. "We're gonna miss the whole thing!"

"You're the one who wanted to stop at the wild smurfberry bushes for a snack!" Fisher protested.

"You're the one who insisted that he'd smurf a fish today!" Hunter countered. "We weren't even supposed to go outside the barrier."

"Then what were you doing out in the forest?" Fisher demanded.

"Archer doesn't smurf out on patrol anymore." Hunter explained as they continued to run. "Somesmurf has to keep an eye on things in the forest."

"But Papa says—"

"'Papa says', 'Papa says'. Yeesh, you're starting to sound like Brainy."

Fisher pouted. "Well now that's not nice."

"Just hurry up you—" Hunter suddenly skidded to a halt, causing Fisher to crash into him.

"Hunter?" Fisher asked. "Why'd we stop?"

"Sh." Hunter held up a hand for silence. He scanned the area around them, staring at the dark trees and black bushes. Then, there was a rustling as something moved from one bush to another.

"What is it?" Fisher asked worriedly.

"I don't know." Hunter admitted, notching an arrow in his bow. "But I'm about to find out."

"Hunter, you're one of the worst archers in the village." Fisher protested.

"Am not!" Hunter hissed. "Watch!" He pulled back the bowstring, changing his aim every time he spied the shadow shoot past. Finally, he released the arrow and sent it flying. The projectile ricocheted off multiple trees and caught Fisher's and Hunter's hats, pinning them to a tree. The shadow disappeared into the forest.

Fisher glared a little at Hunter as he retrieved the arrow and their hats. "Hunter, I think you should leave the archery to Archer Smurf."

"Archer isn't that great with bow and arrows." Hunter grumbled, taking his arrow and hat.

"She isn't called 'Archer' for no reason." Fisher chuckled.

Hunter rolled his eyes and pulled his hat on his head. "Let's just smurf home before Papa notices we're gone."

"Yeah." Fisher nodded. "I wanna hear Archer sing her—yipes!" He suddenly fell forward, landing flat on his face.

"You all right?" Hunter asked, pulling Fisher to his feet.

"I'm fine." Fisher groaned a little. "But what did I trip over?"

"You tripped into this paw print." Hunter said, pointing to the large paw print in the dirt. Fisher stood and climbed from the small crater. The two Smurfs took a look and their eyes widened.

"Yikes." Fisher breathed. The two Smurfs stared at the large imprint, noting how huge it was compared to their own footprints. Hunter knelt down to the paw print. While he lacked the skills of a good archer, he still possessed the great knowledge of a hunter and could identify any animal print. He stared at the entirety of the paw print, noting its shape and size and depth. His eyebrows furrowed in thought, the look on his face making Fisher nervous.

The two of them jumped at the sound of twigs snapping, like something crushing an entire bush. Fisher gripped his fishing pole tightly in both hands, staring around fearfully. "Hunter…."

"Hide!" Hunter ordered, pushing Fisher into a bush. They crouched down in the foliage, staring out into the rest of the forest. They waited patiently, remaining as quiet as shadows. Then, the sound of heavy footsteps, like the pounding of a giant bass drum, came their way. They shrunk further in the bush, watching four furry masses pass them.

"What…..was…..that?" Fisher breathed.


Gutsy knocked briskly on the door to Archer's dressing room. "Lassie?"

"I'm not presentable!" Archer's voice called from inside.

Gutsy's cheeks burned a little, but he only smiled. "Jus' wanted ta wish ye luck! Poet'll be 'ere soon ta get ya."

"Thanks!" Archer called again. "Good luck to you too!"

Gutsy smiled. He put a hand on the door, wishing he could go in and see his mate's beauty. "I love ye, lass."

Gutsy pulled his hand away as the door opened a bit. Archer's head poked out and she smiled. "I love you too, Gutsy. With all my heart and soul."

"Gutsy!" Blacksmith called. "Come on! We must practice just one more time!"

Gutsy chuckled. "Well, I better get goin'. See ya, lass."

"Bye Gutsy." Archer said before retreating back to her dressing room. Gutsy sighed blissfully as he moved off to his group. Minutes later, Poet came by and knocked quickly on Archer's door.

"Archer!" Poet said hurriedly. "Come on! You're next!"

"Coming!" Archer called cheerily. She opened the door and quickly came out. "I'm ready."

Poet stared in awe. Archer dressed herself in a beautiful, emerald green ball gown. Long sleeved, flowing skirt, and a collar line that would've shown just a little cleavage if Archer had any to show. The hem of the skirt, collar, and cuffs of her sleeves were gold. She even wore a gold circlet in her braided hair and a beautiful emerald choker around her neck.

"Oh Archer Smurf!" Poet sighed. "You look so beautiful!"

"Thank you, Poet." Archer smiled shyly. "I just hope my looks reflect my voice."

"But of course!" Poet assured, ushering Archer towards the stage. "Go out there and knock them dead!"

Archer nodded excitedly and walked gracefully onstage. Fakir, Gourdy, and Luna waved as they passed. But then Fakir jumped a little when Luna started whining. "Hey little one. What's wrong?"

"Something wrong with Luna?" Gourdy asked worriedly.

"She seemed to be doing okay onstage." Party Planner noted.

"Well, maybe she just needs to be fed." Fakir said. "Come along little one. Let's smurf you some dinner."

Gourdy looked back to Archer as the music started up and she began a short dance number. "Hey Fakir. Does Archer seem…different?"

"How so?" Fakir asked as they journeyed back to their seats.

"I don't know." Gourdy shook his head. "Just something about how she's acting. Didn't you notice how she wouldn't touch anybody on the way onstage? And how Luna complained like she did when she saw Archer?"

Fakir looked to Archer. "I suppose she's just a little riled up still." But as he looked closer, he couldn't help but notice something different in Archer's eyes.

Archer concluded her dance in an elegant pose before she began her song.

"Come now my baby
Come rest your sweet head
Go on off to
Your dream land

Hush now my baby
For now all is well
I'll be right here
When you wake….."

"This isn't her normal lullaby." Smurfette whispered to Papa.

"It sounds very nice, though." Papa noted.

"The stars shine bright through the night
And the moon will light your way
The trees be your shade, the grass your bed
Lay down for a good night's rest

Crickets are singing
The stars come to play
Close your eyes my darling
Sandman comes tonight

Always know that you are loved
And no harm shall come to you
Look around you and you shall see
Your family is here for you

Precious little baby
You're not alone
I'm right here darling
To protect you

You are my baby
I'll always love you
Nothing will harm you
As long as I'm here

Travel near and travel far
And return home to open arms
No matter how far you roam
Your heart will always lead you home

Come now my baby
Come rest your sweet head
And I'll be right here
When you wake."

Archer finished with a bowed head and an elegant curtsy. And the Smurfs erupted into applause, standing and clapping and whistling and cheering. Archer bowed gracefully before hurrying offstage. More applause greeted her as the crew, stage managers, Gutsy and his group voiced their praise and impressiveness.

"Way ta go, lass!" Gutsy laughed. "Ye were great!"

"Thank you." Archer nodded, smiling.

"All right, all right!" Party Planner ushered Gutsy and his group onstage. "We'll have plenty of time to ooh and ah her later! Get onstage!"

"I'll see you later, my love." Archer waved as Poet pushed Gutsy towards the stage.

Gutsy smiled warmly. "Smurf ye later, my lass." He finally started running and joined the others onstage. "Greetings Smurfs! We bring ta ye an anthem ta de great demon bear Mor'du!" The band began to play, with Reveler Smurf playing the bagpipes. Gutsy stood at the front, with Actor and Complimentary standing behind him. Gutsy wore his usual blue kilt and sash with a faux black bearskin cape. Complimentary wore a green kilt and sash while Actor wore a yellow kilt and sash.

Gutsy began the song, a wide smile on his face. As Actor and Complimentary joined in the song, the demon bear Mor'du came onstage. Despite his supposed reputation, the Smurfs still cheered for Blacksmith and Timber inside the costume. Blacksmith, in the head, gave his mightiest bear roar, startling Panicky and Scaredy. As the song continued, Gutsy pulled out his broadsword and waved it around like a hero, playfully stabbing it towards "Mor'du". Actor and Complimentary performed a River Dance routine in the background.

Smurfette giggled. "What a show! Gutsy really smurfed his heart and soul into this."

"Now if only we could understand his accent." Hefty snickered. "What's a 'nae mair'?"

"No idea." Papa chuckled warmly.

"Psst! Psst! Papa!"

While Smurfette and Hefty became engrossed in the show, Papa turned to see Hunter and Fisher at the end of the row, waving him over feverishly. Papa looked around, but everysmurf else was too focused by the show. Papa stood and moved over to Hunter and Fisher.

"What's wrong?" Papa asked.

"Hunter and I were out in the forest." Fisher reported. "And we found these gigantic bear tracks."

"What were you doing smurfing out in the forest?" Papa demanded. "I told you to stay in the village."

"But these tracks were huge!" Hunter protested. "Not like any bear tracks I've ever seen!"

"And we saw Archer." Fisher added.

Papa blinked. "What?"

"We thought we saw Archer." Hunter corrected. "Whoever they were they moved fast and smurfed like the shadows. I only know one person or Smurf like that."

"That's not possible." Papa said. "When was this?"

"I think fifteen minutes ago." Fisher said.

"But we just saw Archer smurf a song for us." Papa said. He looked down, a frown suddenly appearing on his face. "Unless…." His eyes widened and he suddenly took off for the stage, Hunter and Fisher close behind.

Papa, Hunter, and Fisher burst through the door to backstage, startling Poet. "Papa? Hunter? Fisher?"

"Where's Archer?" Papa asked hurriedly.

"In her dressing room." Poet assured. "Party Planner and I have guards at all the exits. If she's smurfed out we'll have known."

"Unless she was never there in the first place." Papa said. He hurried past Poet, who followed close behind with Hunter and Fisher by his side. Papa ran up to the dressing room door and knocked hurriedly. "Archer! Open up please!"

"You may come in, Papa!" Archer's voice called.

Papa, Poet, Hunter, and Fisher pushed their way inside. Archer sat at the vanity, wiping the makeup off her face with a wet rag.

"I could've sworn we saw her out in the forest." Fisher said.

"If we didn't see her, who did we see?" Hunter asked.

Papa stepped closer to Archer, staring at his eldest daughter. Archer turned to smile at her father. "Is something wrong?"

Papa narrowed his eyes. "I'm afraid something is very wrong."

"What's the matter, Papa?" Poet asked.

Papa didn't answer at first. He continued to stare into Archer's eyes…..her smoky grey eyes. "You're not really Archer, are you?"

Archer laughed lightly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Tell me the truth." Papa ordered in an uncharacteristically dark tone. "Now."

Archer stared at Papa for a moment before she turned from him. Her smile disappeared and she trembled a little. "She told me not to tell. She said she was doing it for her family."

"What's she talking about?" Poet asked. Suddenly, Papa waved his hand through Archer's head, and she suddenly dissolved into smoke and disappeared. Hunter, Fisher, and Poet stared in shock.

"Papa, what did you do?" Fisher asked frantically.

"That was a smoke doppelganger." Papa explained, looking quite frustrated. "It's a quick and simple spell for when a wizard doesn't have the time to smurf a full copy of themselves." He groaned in anger and slammed his fist against the vanity, the loud sound making Poet, Hunter, and Fisher jump. "For the love of Smurf, how could I have not seen it sooner?!"

Outside and onstage, the Smurfs continued with the merriment, unaware of their missing sister. Gutsy and his group finished with a mighty cheer. The Smurfs clapped and cheered, and the actors onstage gave a bow.

A loud roar rang out over the crowd.