Chapter 2
"What in land sakes happened to you two?" Grammi asked when she saw the pair of paint-covered gummies.
"We got caught up in my work," grinned Gusto as he and Shelli fell into another giggling fit.
Grammi and the rest of the gummies were picking gummi berries to make another batch. The sight of the two gummies covered in red paint was certainly amusing, yet aggravating at the same time.
"If you two are finished you can help us pick berries. You have to put in a little help if you want any gummi berry juice." said Gruffi gruffly. "Tummi stop eating the berries!"
Sunni and Cubbi were giggling at the painted gummies. Usually they were the ones getting in trouble for being silly but lately Gusto and Shelli were the ones getting in trouble.
"I know a cleaning spell that will fean you up clast, er, clean you up fast," offered Zummi.
"That's very sweet, Zummi, but no thank you." Shelli answered before Gusto could agree. Twirling around and batting her eyes she continued, "red really is our color don't you think?"
Gusto rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to be covered in paint any longer than he had to but it didn't look like he was getting out of it. "Here, Tummers, I'll help you out." He told Tummi as he quickly began filling a basket with gummi berries.
Lately his round gummi friend had been a bit depressed and Gusto wasn't sure why. He could still help him out and try to make him feel better, though.
No one was paying attention to the cubs until they noticed that things were strangely quiet.
"Cubbi! Sunni! Where are you two?" called Grammi.
The two bear cubs sprang out of the bushes covered in red gummi berry juice. "Now we look just like Shelli and Gusto!" crowed Cubbi. Before the adults could punish them the young cubs started to throw red berries at everyone until everyone was splattered in red.
"Gusto! Now look what you started!" exclaimed Gruffi.
"Me? How is this my fault?"
"They wouldn't have gotten that kind of idea without your crazy artist nonsense!"
"Okay, that's it! This is war!" yelled Gusto. "Sunni, give me some berries, Gruffi needs a makeover."
Sunni eagerly complied. Soon Gusto was chasing Gruffi through the forest finally tackling him. When the two reemerged they returned as red gummies instead of a blue and rust colored one.
"This has gotten out of hand," said Grammi through her laughter. "Let's get what berries we got inside before someone ends up wearing them."
On the way back to the Glen they had to cross a log bridge. Gruffi 'accidentally' tripped Gusto. The artist landed with a splash in the stream below.
"Finally I can wash this off!"
~:~
"Uh, Captain?"
"Yes, Billi?"
"I don't think those gummies down there are friendly."
"Why do you say that?"
"They are throwing spears and shooting us with arrows."
"I can't believe this!" Chummi looked over the rail and sure enough, spears and arrows were flying through the air at them. Lucky for the crew the ship was too high a target. "Lower the white flag with the gummi insignia!"
"Lower it?"
"Well, do you really think they can see it from the mast when we are right overhead?"
"Oh, yeah." Billi, although a skilled crewmate, wasn't the best at the thinking department. Quickly the orange gummi lowered the flag from a rope. After the wind snapped the flag open the arrows and spears soon halted.
"Good job, Billi. Now we can try landing. Bring her down, crew!"
"Such a friendly lot," Josi sarcastically told the Captain. "Think we will end up as dinner? They may be cannibals you know."
"If they are cannibals you will be the first to know. I've just nominated you as spokes bear."
"Me?!"
"It's your quest, isn't it?"
"Fine! But if they cook me I'll tell them how juicy and savory you are."
Chummi chuckled at the younger bear and turned to supervising the landing. Soon they were on the ground and small gathering of warrior gummies were standing warily, weapons ready.
"Greeting fellow gummies!" called Josi from the ship. "We are bears from Great Bearton and looking for some missing gummies. May we impose upon your hospitality of letting us come onto your land to see if there is any sign of them?"
A young female gummi stepped forward. She was young, like Josi. Her fur was dark rust red and her hair was black. "For one night." she replied. "Only if you will do us a favor in return."
Josi nodded to Chummi's crew and a gangplank was lowered. Soon the ship was tethered down and the crew had disembarked. Meanwhile Josi had gone up to the younger female gummi.
"My name is Joseph Gummi, Josi for short. May I ask your name and give my thanks for your generosity?"
"My name is Arrow," replied the female gummi. "You will do us this favor, yes?"
"What is the favor?"
"Help us find the rest of the Barbics. We were separated years ago during a war and have been trying to reunite with them ever since."
"As long as you don't mind flying we are happy to comply," Josi told her with a charming smile.
They all spent the evening camped beside the ship. Chummi tried to explain that it would be more comfortable onboard but Josi wouldn't have it. Josi was on land and was relishing his vacation from flying. After dinner served by a tough-looking brown bear named Cookie, Arrow's uncle Dagger explained their situation.
"We had the misfortune of being on the wrong side of Barbic forest when the humans attacked. I managed to gather the gummies nearby into a small militia but only a few of us made it out alive. Who you see around us are the survivors. You've met Cooki and my niece Arrow. That little rust colored cub is Arrow's little sister, Rusti. This big gray brute next to me is Bulli. The brawny dark brown fellow across from me is Mace and the leaner tan bear next to him is Whip."
"Knowing Ursa and her fighting skills there have to be more survivors. All we want to do is find them."
"We are headed for Gummi Glen." Chummi told them. "The gummies there have a Great Book. If they don't know something then that book surely must."
"To Gummi Glen, then," agreed Dagger.
Early the next morning the Barbics and airship crew packed what was needed on the ship and lifted off. Josi couldn't help but smile at Rusti. The little female cub was on tippy toe looking over the rail wearing a look of wonder. He then turned his attention on Arrow. It's been a long time since he had seen another female gummi close to his own age but he was positive that none looked as stunning as she. Her exotic look captivated him.
"How long until we get to Gummi Glen," asked Arrow. She had been feeling Josi's eyes on her and it was making her uncomfortable. She hoped that a change of topic would distract him.
"We should be there in approximately two weeks, maybe less if the wind stays strong," answered Chummi before he was called away by a sailor.
Arrow's look of disappointment bothered Josi so he tried to cheer her up. "Chummers tells me there are more gummies over the glen," he told her. "There are only six that he knows of, but two are girls."
"Oh, goody," Arrow replied rolling her eyes. "They will probably try to dress me up in frills and lace with ribbons in my hair." Obviously not happy with the idea Arrow pulled out her knife and was toying with it as she spoke. "I dare anyone to try it."
"Why should they?" Josi asked. "I don't see any reason why anyone would want to change you. I haven't seen very many female gummies as strong as you. Let me tell you, you are refreshing."
Arrow was clearly taken aback by Josi's response. She couldn't tell if he was trying to hit on her or not. What he said seemed true and genuine even if it was a bit on the flowery side. Since they would be stuck together on the ship for about two weeks Arrow decided to give him a chance. She asked him about his history and she told him hers. Although they came from very different backgrounds the two were getting along great. The two weeks passed before they realized.
~:~
"Grammi, Gruffi!" shouted Cubbi as he a pink blur shot through the Glen. "Chummi's airship is back!"
"What did you say, dear?" Grammi wasn't sure if she heard the cub right. Having a visitor again would be wonderful.
"Hold the phone, Cubbers. Slow down," said Gusto as Cubbi turned a corner and barreled right into him. About this time all the gummies had run to see what the commotion was about.
"What's this all about, kid?" demanded Gruffi.
"I was out playing by the cliffs and saw Chummi's airship! He was a ways off but I know it's him!"
All the gummies at the Glen decided to see for themselves if Cubbi saw what he really saw. They all hoped, but dared not believe until seen with their own eyes. As they reached the cliffs they were just in time to see the ship landing on the beach. They followed a bath down to meet them as the crew of the ship lowered the gangplank to disembark. When they got to the beach Chummi and another younger pink gummi was on the beach waiting.
"Gusto?!" the pink gummi stared his disbelief.
"Josi!" Gusto ran and pulled his little brother into a bear hug. "Great Gum, Josi what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Josi replied. Gesturing back towards the ship he continued, "and we brought along some new friends, too.
"What in land sakes happened to you two?" Grammi asked when she saw the pair of paint-covered gummies.
"We got caught up in my work," grinned Gusto as he and Shelli fell into another giggling fit.
Grammi and the rest of the gummies were picking gummi berries to make another batch. The sight of the two gummies covered in red paint was certainly amusing, yet aggravating at the same time.
"If you two are finished you can help us pick berries. You have to put in a little help if you want any gummi berry juice." said Gruffi gruffly. "Tummi stop eating the berries!"
Sunni and Cubbi were giggling at the painted gummies. Usually they were the ones getting in trouble for being silly but lately Gusto and Shelli were the ones getting in trouble.
"I know a cleaning spell that will fean you up clast, er, clean you up fast," offered Zummi.
"That's very sweet, Zummi, but no thank you." Shelli answered before Gusto could agree. Twirling around and batting her eyes she continued, "red really is our color don't you think?"
Gusto rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to be covered in paint any longer than he had to but it didn't look like he was getting out of it. "Here, Tummers, I'll help you out." He told Tummi as he quickly began filling a basket with gummi berries.
Lately his round gummi friend had been a bit depressed and Gusto wasn't sure why. He could still help him out and try to make him feel better, though.
No one was paying attention to the cubs until they noticed that things were strangely quiet.
"Cubbi! Sunni! Where are you two?" called Grammi.
The two bear cubs sprang out of the bushes covered in red gummi berry juice. "Now we look just like Shelli and Gusto!" crowed Cubbi. Before the adults could punish them the young cubs started to throw red berries at everyone until everyone was splattered in red.
"Gusto! Now look what you started!" exclaimed Gruffi.
"Me? How is this my fault?"
"They wouldn't have gotten that kind of idea without your crazy artist nonsense!"
"Okay, that's it! This is war!" yelled Gusto. "Sunni, give me some berries, Gruffi needs a makeover."
Sunni eagerly complied. Soon Gusto was chasing Gruffi through the forest finally tackling him. When the two reemerged they returned as red gummies instead of a blue and rust colored one.
"This has gotten out of hand," said Grammi through her laughter. "Let's get what berries we got inside before someone ends up wearing them."
On the way back to the Glen they had to cross a log bridge. Gruffi 'accidentally' tripped Gusto. The artist landed with a splash in the stream below.
"Finally I can wash this off!"
~:~
"Uh, Captain?"
"Yes, Billi?"
"I don't think those gummies down there are friendly."
"Why do you say that?"
"They are throwing spears and shooting us with arrows."
"I can't believe this!" Chummi looked over the rail and sure enough, spears and arrows were flying through the air at them. Lucky for the crew the ship was too high a target. "Lower the white flag with the gummi insignia!"
"Lower it?"
"Well, do you really think they can see it from the mast when we are right overhead?"
"Oh, yeah." Billi, although a skilled crewmate, wasn't the best at the thinking department. Quickly the orange gummi lowered the flag from a rope. After the wind snapped the flag open the arrows and spears soon halted.
"Good job, Billi. Now we can try landing. Bring her down, crew!"
"Such a friendly lot," Josi sarcastically told the Captain. "Think we will end up as dinner? They may be cannibals you know."
"If they are cannibals you will be the first to know. I've just nominated you as spokes bear."
"Me?!"
"It's your quest, isn't it?"
"Fine! But if they cook me I'll tell them how juicy and savory you are."
Chummi chuckled at the younger bear and turned to supervising the landing. Soon they were on the ground and small gathering of warrior gummies were standing warily, weapons ready.
"Greeting fellow gummies!" called Josi from the ship. "We are bears from Great Bearton and looking for some missing gummies. May we impose upon your hospitality of letting us come onto your land to see if there is any sign of them?"
A young female gummi stepped forward. She was young, like Josi. Her fur was dark rust red and her hair was black. "For one night." she replied. "Only if you will do us a favor in return."
Josi nodded to Chummi's crew and a gangplank was lowered. Soon the ship was tethered down and the crew had disembarked. Meanwhile Josi had gone up to the younger female gummi.
"My name is Joseph Gummi, Josi for short. May I ask your name and give my thanks for your generosity?"
"My name is Arrow," replied the female gummi. "You will do us this favor, yes?"
"What is the favor?"
"Help us find the rest of the Barbics. We were separated years ago during a war and have been trying to reunite with them ever since."
"As long as you don't mind flying we are happy to comply," Josi told her with a charming smile.
They all spent the evening camped beside the ship. Chummi tried to explain that it would be more comfortable onboard but Josi wouldn't have it. Josi was on land and was relishing his vacation from flying. After dinner served by a tough-looking brown bear named Cookie, Arrow's uncle Dagger explained their situation.
"We had the misfortune of being on the wrong side of Barbic forest when the humans attacked. I managed to gather the gummies nearby into a small militia but only a few of us made it out alive. Who you see around us are the survivors. You've met Cooki and my niece Arrow. That little rust colored cub is Arrow's little sister, Rusti. This big gray brute next to me is Bulli. The brawny dark brown fellow across from me is Mace and the leaner tan bear next to him is Whip."
"Knowing Ursa and her fighting skills there have to be more survivors. All we want to do is find them."
"We are headed for Gummi Glen." Chummi told them. "The gummies there have a Great Book. If they don't know something then that book surely must."
"To Gummi Glen, then," agreed Dagger.
Early the next morning the Barbics and airship crew packed what was needed on the ship and lifted off. Josi couldn't help but smile at Rusti. The little female cub was on tippy toe looking over the rail wearing a look of wonder. He then turned his attention on Arrow. It's been a long time since he had seen another female gummi close to his own age but he was positive that none looked as stunning as she. Her exotic look captivated him.
"How long until we get to Gummi Glen," asked Arrow. She had been feeling Josi's eyes on her and it was making her uncomfortable. She hoped that a change of topic would distract him.
"We should be there in approximately two weeks, maybe less if the wind stays strong," answered Chummi before he was called away by a sailor.
Arrow's look of disappointment bothered Josi so he tried to cheer her up. "Chummers tells me there are more gummies over the glen," he told her. "There are only six that he knows of, but two are girls."
"Oh, goody," Arrow replied rolling her eyes. "They will probably try to dress me up in frills and lace with ribbons in my hair." Obviously not happy with the idea Arrow pulled out her knife and was toying with it as she spoke. "I dare anyone to try it."
"Why should they?" Josi asked. "I don't see any reason why anyone would want to change you. I haven't seen very many female gummies as strong as you. Let me tell you, you are refreshing."
Arrow was clearly taken aback by Josi's response. She couldn't tell if he was trying to hit on her or not. What he said seemed true and genuine even if it was a bit on the flowery side. Since they would be stuck together on the ship for about two weeks Arrow decided to give him a chance. She asked him about his history and she told him hers. Although they came from very different backgrounds the two were getting along great. The two weeks passed before they realized.
~:~
"Grammi, Gruffi!" shouted Cubbi as he a pink blur shot through the Glen. "Chummi's airship is back!"
"What did you say, dear?" Grammi wasn't sure if she heard the cub right. Having a visitor again would be wonderful.
"Hold the phone, Cubbers. Slow down," said Gusto as Cubbi turned a corner and barreled right into him. About this time all the gummies had run to see what the commotion was about.
"What's this all about, kid?" demanded Gruffi.
"I was out playing by the cliffs and saw Chummi's airship! He was a ways off but I know it's him!"
All the gummies at the Glen decided to see for themselves if Cubbi saw what he really saw. They all hoped, but dared not believe until seen with their own eyes. As they reached the cliffs they were just in time to see the ship landing on the beach. They followed a bath down to meet them as the crew of the ship lowered the gangplank to disembark. When they got to the beach Chummi and another younger pink gummi was on the beach waiting.
"Gusto?!" the pink gummi stared his disbelief.
"Josi!" Gusto ran and pulled his little brother into a bear hug. "Great Gum, Josi what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," Josi replied. Gesturing back towards the ship he continued, "and we brought along some new friends, too.