Chapter 4: This is Where I Belong
(Spirit): And so I grew from colt to stallion as wild and reckless as thunder over the land racing with the eagle, soaring with the wind. Flying? There were times we believed we could.
Astrid's POV
Astrid Gummi was now 17 years old and had now grown into a beautiful gummi bear. Right now she and her horse were galloping at full speed racing her friend, Eagle to the end of the valley. One of my favorite things to do after finishing chores. The wind blowing through my fur is one of my favorite things. "C'mon Spirit, Faster!"
After a few strides we passed Eagle's shadow and slowed Spirit to a stop as we reached the end of the valley. Spirit reared up and neighed happily while I laughed.
(Astrid): Like every gummi before me I wanted to be the protector of the clan. But like Gruffi would say, I would have to prove my responsibility and bravery in order to protect the clan.
I then heard a growl behind me. Spirit and I turned and saw a mountain lion creep into some nearby bushes. I gasped when I saw who it was looking at. Tummi, Sunni, and Cubbi! "MOUNTAIN LION!" I screamed. My family stopped harvesting berries when they heard me shout. Not two seconds later the big cat leaped out of the bushes. The young cubs ran. But Cubbi tripped, and right as the mountain lion was going to grab him. Spirit and I jumped in to save him.
Spirit bucked and reared trying to get the cat away. I could hear my parents and family calling in my name in fear. Suddenly the mountain lion leaped onto Spirits back, I was scared cause I could feel the breath of the mountain lion right behind me. Then an idea came to me, I held onto Spirits neck. "Spirit, tuck and roll! I commanded. Spirit then hit the ground and smashed the mountain lion into the ground. Spirit reared up and stomped the hooves near the cougar's face and snorted. "Go on, get out of here! Scram!" I yelled at the cat to make it run off. "Bad kitty!" I said and Spirit snorted in agreement. I ran to my family and I slid off Spirit. "Is everyone alright?" I asked. "Wow, that was awesome," Cubbi said. "Yeah, that was so brave of you." Gusto said. "Are you alright honey, did the mountain lion hurt you?" Sammi asked, worried about her daughter's safety. "I'm fine mom." I said. "Come on everyone I think that's tenough for eday-I mean enough for today." Zummi stammered. "I'll be right there." I hopped on spirit and began to lead him back to his herd when I began to sing.
I hear the wind across the plain
A sound so strong, that calls my name
It's wild like the river, it's warm like the sun
Yeah, it's here, this is where I belong
Under the starry skies, where eagles have flown
This place is paradise, it's the place I call home
The moon on the mountains
The whisper through the trees
The waves on the water
Let nothing come between this and me
'Cause everything I want, is everything that's here
And when when we're all together, there's nothing to fear
And wherever I wander, the one thing I've learned
It's to here, I will always, always return
As I slid down a tunnel into the glen I sat down at the table where my family was having dinner. Growing up with them has been some of the best years of my life. Zummi was like a grandfather to her and he would teach her about the Great Gummies and their ancestors as well as entertain her with his spells and stories. Her and Grammi would love to cook, although no one cared for Grammi's food much. Everyone absolutely loved my cooking. Grammi even passed down the recipe of the gummiberry juice to her when she was mature enough to learn. She loved Tummi like an older brother and they loved to eat and build boats together. Even though I didn't have much of a girly side to me I loved playing princess with Sunni. I could play the crimson avenger or knights with cubbi. They loved it when I showed them how to ride Spirit and almost always asked to ride him. Whenever Calvin or Princess Calla came over I would sometimes show books to Calvin on how to train to be a Gummi Knight, and Calla would show me moves on self defence which I loved her for. I had an amazing relationship with my parents. I would draw and sketch with my dad and help mom out with household chores. And also keeping an eye out for threats like Duke Igthorn and his Ogres as well as Lady Bane. But the one gummi I have a very close bond with is Gruffi. I respect him and always follow his orders and help him with his maintenance work. He has taught me everything I know and someday I want to be like him.
Normal POV
During dinner the Gummies talked about Spirit and Astrid heroic deeds. When dinner was over Astrid was helping Grammi with the dishes when Gruffi came into the room. "Hey Astrid, can we talk?" "Sure Gruffi give me a second." Astrid said. As she and Gruffi walked out they started talking. ¨Look Astrid I couldn't help but watch how brave you were with battling that mountain lion.¨ ¨Oh it was nothing, I had to do something." Well like every gummi protector before us, you had to prove your bravery, And you did." "Does that mean I am officially the protector of the Glen." "No, you have to do something completely remarkable to become a protector. Something never done before by gummi kind." Astrid thought about it, "I'll make you proud Gruffi." You always do Astrid." Astrid and Gruffi hugged for a while. " It's getting late, I'm going to bed." "Alright kid I'm just going to do my hallway patrol's, see you in the morning." "Night Gruff." With that Astrid turned and walked to her room. And crawled into her bed that overlooked Spirit's herd "Goodnight Spirit." She whispered and soon fell asleep.