Hola, mi fanfiction amigos! frostforge44 here with another smurfy update! This one's gotta be my longest one yet! We've got a lot of new characters joining the scene and some special ones at that! And thank you all for your encouraging comments!
Crafty: Yup. This has to be the most remembering I've ever had to do in all of my smurf.
Hey, at least you get some comfort. Oh, and by the way, I'm gonna answer the reviews! Yay!
Grouchy: I hate answering the reviews! And Yay!
Speaking of you, Grouchy, Zinka17 wants to give you two things.
(slaps Grouchy in the face)
Grouchy: OW! What was that for? (rubs his cheek)
According to her, it's for putting yours, Crafty, and Baby's lives in jeopardy. But, she also sends this. (hugs Grouchy)
Grouchy: I hate hugs...sometimes. (smiles slightly)
Chloe- First of all, don't worry. Grouchy wasn't hurt when he fell. Baby still loves Crafty, isn't that right, Baby?
Baby: Ga Ga Bobo Dado Craa! (tugs on Crafty's braid then hugs it)
Second, I think someone wants to say thank you.
Hummer: Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp! (Yes! Thank you so much!)
Also, I'll deliver those too.
Grouchy: (grumbles) What is it this time?
(scoops Crafty and Grouchy into a big hug)
Finally, before the disclaimer, I just wanna say something to a special friend. flowerpower71. I hope you're feeling better. I don't know how long you'll be in the hospital, but I'm dedicating this chapter to you! Get well soon!
Crafty: Hummer and I belong to frostforge44.
Baby: Goo ga baba boo doo! (We belong to Peyo!)
Hummer: Chirp chirp chirp! ( Enjoy the new chapter!)
Papa had just brewed some Smurfberry cider for he could tell from Crafty's tone of voice from earlier that this was going to take a while. It was disappointing to only find she had regained one memory from her whole past, but if anything, it would be one step forward from where they were right now.
He also had to think of what to do next. If only one memory could resurface in Crafty's consciousness from the potion, than he must be dealing with very powerful and dark magic.
After Crafty, Gutsy, Hummer, and Papa settled down with their own cup, Papa asked after taking a sip of his cider, "So, Crafty. What is it that you do remember?"
Crafty took a small sip of her beverage and said, "Well, I don't remember how long ago it was, or how long I was knocked out, but I do remember that there was this big thunderstorm when I woke up…"
Thunder and lightning played a violent and dangerous symphony late one evening. Large raindrops crashed to the thick forests and rocky cliffs below. Along with the harsh weather, the rapids of a large river swirled with utter abandon.
In that particular river, a large brown blur sped through the raging currents. A large river otter determinedly swam through with fluidness and grace as she was born to do. Her name was Hazel and she had a mission to complete. Her green eyes squinted as she had difficulty steering through the currents.
On the back of the creature sat a small blue creature. It was obviously female for her long, wet brown hair flying freely going down the river. She wore dark-blue overalls, a white shirt, and a light-blue hat that was completely drenched from the rain and river. That was a Smurfette. Crafty Smurfette. Her wet, flawless skin showed no indication that she had been injured like she was when her friends had first found her. She looked around, confused and scared at what was going on.
"Okay, um, Hazel was it?" Crafty stuttered clinging to the otter's fur. She nodded and Crafty continued, "Where exactly are we going?"
"Somewhere less dangerous! It's not safe for you back there!" Hazel yelled as loud as she could.
Another thing special about this otter: She was a magical otter. She could speak and communicate with other living creatures. She lived a much longer life span than other animals, though she is still very young. She also had much more strength, agility, and cunning than any other living otter or even most other living creatures.
"What's wrong with back there? Do I know you? Do you know who I am?"
"Not really, no! But I'll explain it later! For now, we have to get as far away as we possibly can!"
Suddenly, an unseen rock came into Crafty's view.
"Hazel! Look out!" She cried pointing ahead of them. Hazel turned her head forward and her eyes widened as she tried to dodge it, but to no avail. Hazel crashed right into the rock and instantly went unconscious.
Crafty yelped as the force of the crash had sent her flying right into the rushing currents of the stormy river. She attempted to swim to Hazel, but as she looked ahead, there was a fork in the river. As if some unknown force had meant for it to happened, Hazel had floated down one break in the river, and Crafty was thrown into the other.
She struggled and flailed her arms and legs to keep her head above the water. She had to gasp every time she had the opportunity to surface to the top of the river.
It felt like hours before Crafty had the opportunity to drag herself into more shallow, gentle shore of the river. She stumbled onto the muddy shore and just collapsed.
Many hours passed before Crafty woke up. The river had calmed down and the sun shone in a clear sky as it slowly went into the late afternoon. She stood up slowly, trying to ignore the weakness in her arms. She went to the river and washed the mud off of her dark-blue overalls as best as she could.
"Huh. I guess it's a good thing this thing hides stains well," She laughed as she tried to lighten the mood on her current situation.
She had no idea where she was, no clue where she came from, didn't know where to go now, no way of defending herself, and absolutely had no inkling of who she was or who she knew to trust. The only one she knew was trying to help her was that otter, Hazel. She needed to find her and quick.
Crafty thought and figured the best way to find her was to walk down the river's shore. So, she began to trudge on the grassy shore which only lead her out of the forest she was in. Her weary eyes scanned the river and wildlife to find the mysterious she-otter.
It wasn't long before she came onto a grassy meadow. Flowers were beginning to bloom and birds, bees, butterflies were flocking the place as the beginning-of-summertime air blew in a gentle breeze, making the grass and flowers sway lightly.
As she went through the field, all of the animals regarded her kindly with a bow of the head or a friendly squeak, squawk, or growl. It was almost as if they had met her before and respected her a lot.
Suddenly, all of them perked up, then went and hid in the grass. Crafty was officially confused. Why were they hiding? Is there something dangerous around here? Why was her instinct telling her to run and hide with them?
A cage crashed on top of Crafty and something slid under it, trapping her inside. The cage was lifted and Crafty, as if she wasn't shaken up enough, fell back startled as she saw the face of a human man. He had a sort of gleam in his eye as he observed her, something sinister, something…evil.
"Well, well, what have we here?"
"I don't know. Who are you?" Crafty said sincerely. However, that man thought it wasn't as innocent as she was trying to make it, if she was trying to at all.
"Are you mocking me, you little blue rat?" He asked menacingly.
"I don't know. Do you want me to?"
The man growled, "Oh, forget it. Whatever you are, you're bound to catch a generous profit."
He started to carry the cage to his wagon. When he opened the back, Crafty was absolutely horrified at what she saw. Magical creatures of various species were trapped in cages, all looking miserable and fearful. Faeries, imps, pixies, and many other beings were held captive. From the look of their medical conditions, this man had no intention of caring for them one bit.
The man threw the cage with Crafty in with the rest of them and shut the curtain that kept them hidden. Crafty rubbed her head to be rid of the pain from the fall and glared at the curtained door.
"Oh dear, are you alright?" A worried female voice asked from above. Crafty looked up to see a large bird in a large hanging cage. Beautiful red feathers with gold tips covered her body. While her figure indicated she was quite young, her amber eyes proved her to be wise and kind.
"Yeah, I guess so," Crafty winced as she stood up.
She smiled warmly and replied, "Well, that's good to know. I'm Meena. I'm a phoenix."
"Oh yeah. I've heard of those. I'm not sure where, though," Crafty said rubbing her chin in thought. "Um. I'm sorry, but I don't think I remember my own name."
"Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear that! You must have been through so much, little one."
"I wouldn't know, but thank you. Do you know why we're here?"
"Humph! Poor little twerp. She's not gonna last five minutes where we're going," A gruff voice remarked.
Crafty looked over to see an irritated looking badger lying in a cage in the corner. His dark brown eyes showed impeccable strength, nerve, and ferocity. He reminded her a lot of Hazel.
Meena glared down at him with narrowed eyes, "Oh, Xavier. No need to be rude to the poor thing!"
Xavier growled, "Why not? She should know perfectly well what's going on."
He turned his back at them as he lied down to rest. Meena sent another glare in his direction, then said more kindly to Crafty, "You'll have to forgive Xavier. You know how badgers can be. They're only civil when they want to be."
"Anyway, I'm afraid to say that the man has captured us all to sell other humans. You know, apparently we are worth much of what they call "money", which they need to survive. Only the gods know why they depend on it so much. I don't know what it's like, but if other humans are anything like that man out there, I wouldn't care to find out."
"Have you guys tried busting out?" Crafty asked curiously. All of the other creatures looked curiously at each other. There were a few sheepish "no" 's and shakes of the head. "You all can't be serious. I bet all of you that you could get yourselves out if you really tried."
"It's not that easy, dear, but if you do find a way, I'm more than willing to listen," Meena said tucking her head into her wing.
Crafty sighed and sat down as she hugged her knees to her chest. She looked around sadly and muttered, "Well, I'll find a way. Somehow."
Days have passed and it was looking more and more hopeless. But that wasn't to say that she wouldn't find a way out anytime soon
Crafty sat around and looked around, desperate to find a way to free herself. She brightened up as she saw a loose nail in the wood of the wagon. But it was nowhere near her cage. It was, however, near the cage of a small, orange dragon, who seemed incredibly upset at being trapped. Crafty couldn't help but feel bad. The poor thing doesn't look older than a few days old.
Poor thing, Crafty thought angrily. I bet that man snatched him right from his mother. He probably doesn't even have a name.
"Psst! Hey, you!" Crafty whispered a little loud.
His ears perked up and he looked in her direction. He looked around and behind him before looking back at her while pointing a claw at himself.
"Yes. You! Do you see that nail there?" Crafty asked pointing to the loose piece of metal. He looked at it, then back at her and nodded. "Good. Can you get it and throw it to me?"
He tilted his head but stuck his head out of his cage and grasped the nail in his jaws. He forcibly pulled it from the wood then tossed his head to throw the nail in the direction of Crafty's cage. It landed right near the cage, but she had to struggle as she stretched her arm out as far as she could to reach it.
"Yes! Got it! Thanks" Crafty whispered triumphantly as she saluted to the young reptile. She took the nail and went to the lock that kept her cage door closed.
It took her only seconds to find the keyhole and then jam the nail in it. The nail twisted and turned at her will and, by listening to the clicks of the lock, Crafty heard and felt the loud click. She twisted the lock off of her cage door and pushed it open.
"Uh…You were saying, Meena?" Crafty casually said as she leaned against her open cage door.
Meena uncurled and looked down. Her eyes widened and her beak hung open.
"But…How?" At the sound of Meena's voice, all of the other creatures looked at Crafty's cage and saw she was free. They all looked at her and each other in amazement at what they were currently witnessing.
"I have to admit it, I don't know myself. But be quiet! I'm busting you all out of here!"
Crafty took the nail out of her keyhole and went to the dragon's cage. She jammed it into the keyhole and, again, unlocked the cage door. The dragon perked up and wagged his tail as he trotted out of his unlocked cage. He stretched out his wings and licked Crafty affectionately in thanks.
"You're welcome," Crafty whispered wiping the drool off of her face.
For several more minutes, Crafty repeated the process and opened the doors of cages and freed them all. With the help of the dragon baby, Crafty was even able to get Meena out of her cage. Now, the only other creature to get out was the difficult Xavier.
Xavier growled in annoyance and turned away. Crafty frowned and rolled her eyes, but went to unlock the cage anyway. He picked himself up and snarled, "I don't need your pity! I can get out if I want to!"
"Then why don't you?" Crafty remarked smugly. He looked startled and averted his eyes as she did her magic and unlocked his cage door.
"Why are you doing this?" He grumbled.
"Because it's the right thing to do," Crafty grunted as she yanked the nail out of the keyhole and the door swung open.
"Let's go. Before that horrible man comes and finds us," Meena said worriedly. All of them nodded and went for the curtained door.
All went and jumped or flew out of the wagon, being silent so they wouldn't attract the attention of the poacher. Before Crafty went out, she turned back and looked back at Xavier. He was slowly getting up and walking in her direction. His head was bowed and he climbed onto the ledge of the door. Before he jumped, he turned his head and asked,
"Thanks. You're pretty clever for a, well, a whatever you are. Good luck findin' yourself, kid."
Crafty smiled and Xavier smirked as he leapt onto the ground and ran into the tall grass. Luckily for them, they were still deep in the wilderness. Or maybe in some other wilderness. But it didn't even matter, they could go free now. Crafty took a deep breath and jumped to the ground. She recovered quickly from the shock of the fall and ran for the tall grass of the forest as well.
"Okay, now that that's done, I need to find the river, find Hazel, and get to wherever I need to go."
Crafty wandered for hours, hoping to find a way to the river, a river, anything with water. Frankly, she was extremely thirsty and hungry and wanted to rest badly.
"Oh, great. I'm hungry, thirsty, exhausted, and have no idea which way to go. Can this possibly get any worse?"
Unfortunately, it could and it would.
Crafty suddenly felt herself being tightly gripped and hoisted into the air. The shock fogged her mind for a few seconds but then saw she was extremely high up. She saw that scaly feet and sharp talons held onto her. She looked up and mentally slapped herself. Holding onto her was a bald eagle. She looked like she accomplished something great, like catching a meal, most likely for her babies.
"Hey! I'm not food! I'm-I'm," Her face fell when she didn't know what to say, but it quickly turned indignant as she started hitting at the bird's brown feathers, "The point is I'm not going to be eaten! Let me go!"
Everything went by in a flash at that moment. A red blur tackled the eagle and she let out a hurt squawk. Crafty free-fell to the ground at an alarming rate. She closed her eyes and waited for her doom to come. She was suddenly met with a face full of feathers. She opened her eyes to meet familiar amber ones.
"Meena!" Crafty cried out happily. Meena smirked and went to fly away from the now angry eagle. Unfortunately for those two, luck is not a kind mistress.
Another eagle, the mate of the mother eagle, rammed into Meena and, again, Crafty was free-falling. The only problem was that Meena couldn't save her. She was busy defending herself against the angry birds of prey.
Crafty closed her eyes to wait for the impact of the fall. She cried out in pain as she fell on tree branches and was scraped by tree branches and bark.
Finally, she hit the surprisingly soft ground and then her entire world went black.
"…Then I woke up, went to find some food, and then I guess you guys can figure out the rest," Crafty finished taking a sip of her cider. She felt so good to tell somesmurfs that.
Everyone else was in complete shock. Their mouths were agape, their eyes were wide and they just had no clue what to say to it.
"Oh, Crafty. I'm so sorry all of that has happened to you," Papa said looking over her with sympathetic eyes.
Gutsy nodded in agreement as he placed a comforting hand on Crafty's shoulder and gently squeezed it. Hummer put a wing on her other shoulder and nodded along with Gutsy.
Crafty sighed, "Yeah. It was definitely a lot to smurf through, but at least I found you guys."
She put both arms around Gutsy and Hummer and pulled them into a tight, warm embrace. The both of them smiled and hugged her back. Papa just couldn't help it, he walked in and joined the group hug, holding each of what he like to call his children close to him. Though, Hummer was more of a new member of the family, but he was family just the same to Papa.
Papa suddenly stepped away and thought aloud, "Hmm. But still, that potion should've smurfed each and every one of your memories. Perhaps I need some assistance with this."
His face suddenly brightened and he turned to Crafty asking, "Crafty. Would you mind smurfing with me tomorrow? I believe I have a friend who can help with this."
"Uh, sure Papa. Who is this friend of yours?" Crafty replied feeling only a little unsure. She had no doubt in Papa Smurf's decisions, but she just felt a bit afraid.
"His name is Homnibus. He is a wizard like myself, but much more talented than Gargamel, so don't you worry about that," Papa ended with a chuckle. This made Crafty giggle a little, but then her face a little and looked down. "Is there something wrong?"
Crafty said in a low voice, "It's not really much. It's just, well, that was only one memory, Papa. If that was only one, than what else has happened to me? What if I have other memories that are worse than that?"
She started breathing fast and hugged herself for comfort as she started shivering violently. Gutsy frowned and wrapped an arm around her waist, stroking her back to soothe her. Or, at least attempt to. He was never too good with doing things like that since he left all of the "comforting" to either Papa Smurf or Smurfette.
Hummer nuzzled his head against her cheek to make her feel better. Crafty smiled at the both of them, then pulled them close again.
Papa smiled knowingly at his young Smurfette, "Crafty. I completely understand and I know you're scared. I'm sure anysmurf would be."
"Aye. I'm sure I would be shaken like a newborn sheep if I was in yer smurfs, Crafty," Gutsy humored to add some comfort. It helped by making Crafty giggle in response. Then he continue,
"But ye 'ave us, lassie. 'sides, if anythin' tries to smurf with ye, I'll make sure dey run away wit' deir tails between deir smurfs!" Gutsy punched his chest in promise
Crafty laughed and hugged him closer, "I'm sure you will, Gutsy."
"Hehe. It's exactly as Gutsy puts it, Crafty. We'll smurf with you through it all. Now, the three of you should get some rest. We all leave first thing in the morning."
"Yes, Papa."
Hummer hopped on both Crafty and Gutsy's shoulders as they walked out of the mushroom to go to their own. Suddenly, a whole bunch of Smurfs gathered around the two.
"What happened, Crafty?"
"Tell us! Tell us!"
All of them bombarded her with questions and she felt herself feeling overwhelmed with all of the questions. She started shaking again and she just wanted it all to stop.
"QUIET!" Gutsy yelled on the top of his lungs. An eerie silence settled over the crowd as he glared at all of them. "Can't ye see dat de poor lass has been through enough today!"
Gutsy pulled Crafty to him and guided her through the Smurfs, though they were too afraid to actually stand in his way. So, they backed off as he went on his way with Crafty and Gutsy.
Crafty went in closer to Gutsy and whispered, "Thank you, Gutsy."
Gutsy smirked, "No problem. Dey should know better."
Only minutes later, going at their own steady pace, they finally made it back to Crafty's mushroom and Hummer's nest. Gutsy led Crafty to her door and patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"It'll be alright, lass. Ye'll see," Gutsy tipped his hat in farewell and went to head back to his mushroom for some well-deserved rest. Crafty smiled to herself as she turned to see Hummer settling into his nest to sleep as well.
She sighed happily and went into her home to get ready for bed. She didn't care anymore if her past was for the lowest of all creatures in the world. She was happy now. She was happy because she had love, friendship, and comfort. She was happy because she had a family.