New Pages of History, The Future is at Hand
Part 1: New Arrivals
It was a casual morning with no indication anything special could lie just beyond the horizon of the day. Grammi was cooking breakfast and Zummi was studying the Great Book. Sunni and Cubbi were waiting impatiently for the day to truly bloom in its entire splendor. This summer had been quite warm so they were planning on going swimming later. Tummi had agreed to go with them, but right now he was more interested in Grammi's breakfast. Gusto hadn't shown up yet, but no one was particularly concerned. He would usually arrive just as the food was being set on the table. Gruffi had a few projects he wanted to finish, but there was no real hurry. It appeared it was the beginning of a beautiful, peaceful day.
Gruffi walked down the hallway, toolbox in hand as he whistled slightly. Having something to do – a purpose in mind made him feel more relaxed and at ease. He was just going to nail down those loose boards near the library, which he could get done easily before breakfast. Suddenly, one of the hallway doors opened and slammed into his face. "Watch it!" he yelled, as he fell backwards, his tools scattering upon the floor, "What do you think you are -" He stopped when he saw Sir Thornberry standing there, still holding the doorknob. "Sir Thornberry? What are you doing here?"
"Where?" the older bear asked in his usual confused fashion.
Gruffi shook his head slightly. "Never mind," he said.
"What are you doing on the floor?" Sir Thornberry asked, "I would have thought you would have been up and at it for hours, 'specially with company coming."
"What company? What are you talking about?" Gruffi stood up.
"Well, that's what I've come to tell you about," Sir Thornberry answered, "Ursa sent me here to give you an important message."
"What message?"
"Uh," began Thornberry, "Well, I clean forgot what the message was. Hey, I smell breakfast." He started to step forward, but tripped over some of Gruffi's tools that were still lying in the floor. He fell forward, knocking Gruffi down with him. "Will you look at that," he complained, "Now who would leave these tools spread all over the floor like this? Someone could get hurt."
"Someone still might," Gruffi mumbled.
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Sir Thornberry sat at the table and was wolfing down his share of breakfast as the others watched him carefully. No one knew any more than what Gruffi had gotten from him earlier: that Ursa had sent them a message and something about company.
"Now, who's coming?" Zummi asked.
"Someone's coming? Well then, we should get this old place ready," Thornberry said.
"Look," Gruffi stated, standing up, "What did Ursa send you hear to tell us?"
"Calm down, Gruff," Gusto said, "Why doesn't someone just go to Ursalia and find out?"
"That might not be such a bad idea," Gruffi admitted, "Then at least we can find out what's going on."
"Yeah," Sunni spoke up, "And it's been a while since we've seen Buddy and the others."
"Hold on there," Gruffi interrupted, "I don't know if all of us should go. Some of us should stay here in case anything happens."
"That's good thinking," Sir Thornberry agreed, "It wouldn't be very friendly if no one was here when the Great Gummies arrive."
"The Great Gummies!" everyone exclaimed at once.
"Huh?" Thornberry said, "Is there some sort of echo in here?"
"Are you serious?" Cubbi asked.
"Dumb question for him," Gruffi mumbled, "I say we should go and ask Ursa ourselves to see if he's telling the truth or if this is just more of his silly babble."
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"It's not just silly babble," Ursa said, glancing at Sir Thornberry who had already wandered away from the others, "Although he certainly babbles enough."
"Then it's true?" Grammi asked, almost pleading.
Ursa nodded and pointed up at the Gummiscope. "We got the message just the other day," she explained, "According to the message, a small group is supposed to be heading this way soon. They said that they just wanted to see how things were going and if they could help in any way."
Gritti crossed his arms across his chest. "Not that us Barbics need any help," he added.
"When will they get here?" Sunni questioned excitedly.
"We're not exactly sure," Ursa replied, "They said they would send us another message just before they leave so they can give us an approximate arrival time. Of course, it will have to be a rough estimate. Ocean travel tends to be unreliable."
Gusto nodded, knowing that to be the truth all too well.
"We'll tell you when we get the next message," Ursa continued, "So at least you have some idea of when they will arrive." There seem to be something else, just under the surface bothering her, but she didn't say anything. Silently, she chewed her lower lip slightly. Gruffi noticed, but didn't ask Ursa what was wrong.
"This is just so amazing!" Sunni cried, twirling around.
"It's almost too good to be true," Zummi said, tears welling up in his eyes.
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The following weeks passed as slowly as a lifetime, yet there didn't seem to be enough time to get all the things they wanted to get done. Grammi had everything ready for a huge feast, but until the Great Gummies actually arrived she couldn't really start on anything but a few of the deserts. She organized and reorganized her kitchen and all the others steered clear knowing that now wasn't the time to bother her. Gruffi was trying to make sure that everything was in working order but as usual, little things kept breaking. He worked twice as hard as he hoped and prayed that everything would be in order. Zummi was trying to perfect a few more spells. It wasn't that he wanted to show off, but rather he was afraid of messing up a simple spell and embarrassing himself. Gusto was working on a new statue, while Sunni hung up a few banners for decoration. Cubbi tried to help Sunni, but he was too excited to really focus on anything for long.
The day that they were to travel to Ursalia awoke dismal and gray. Thick clouds choked the skyline and rolled across like great, black waves. By the time the others reached city, the rain fell in icy, blinding torrents and the wind moaned painfully. It was a bad day to be traveling, especially across the ocean. They were soaked completely when Ursa met them at the gate and led them to shelter inside.
"I don't like this storm," she announced, "The waters are especially turbulent right now. I'm not sure that anyone could make it through."
"They'll make it!" Cubbi shouted, almost angrily, "No old storm can stop the Great Gummies!" As he sat down, there were tears in his eyes, but he wiped them away quickly.
"Even so," Ursa said, "They will most likely be late. That's why I think we should wait before we go down to the port."
"But what if they come and we're not there?" Sunni asked. Like Cubbi, she was trying not cry.
Ursa smiled, her expression more gentle than usual. "Gritty and some of the others are already down there. We'll go when this weather clears up."
The next day awoke as gray and bitter as the first. The rain showed no signs of stopping and everyone was uneasy. Despite the harshness of the weather, it was decided they would travel to the port anyway. The wait was just becoming too much for them.
The port wasn't a part of Ursalia exactly, but it was connected directly to the city by a Quick Car tunnel. The Barbics didn't seem very fond of ocean travel for even short distances, so no one had used the port in quite a long time. Gruffi had traveled here just the other day to make sure everything was okay, but it was still standing strong despite its age. Only the Great Gummies could have built something to last this long, Gruffi had mused.
There was a small building down at the port where they could take shelter while they waited. With each howl of the wind and slap of an angry wave, their fears grew for the safety of the Great Gummies that were trying to sail in this weather. To Gruffi's surprise, it was Gusto who seemed particularly worried. He wasn't talking as much as usual as he stood by the window and watched the ocean. Gusto had never seemed to have a problem with water before – he did live behind a waterfall after all, but he had been stranded on that island for quite a long time. Usually, Gusto spoke of his own past with the same casual ease he faced everyday life. Yet, as Gruffi watched him, he couldn't help but wonder what fears the Gummi artist kept hidden and what he hadn't told them.
Night fell and still natured raged with all her fury. It was almost impossible to sleep, but they had to try. The Great Gummies were now two days later than their expected arrival. Everyone tried to remain calm and brave – two days weren't really that late considering the storm. Yet, there was the unspoken fear that their ship had gone down and they would never arrive.
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"I see them! I see them!" the excited voice of Buddy cried out, waking the others from their light sleep. "They're coming!"
Zummi immediately jumped to his feet and ran outside. Not to far away, he could see a small Gummi ship sailing towards him. He was a bit disappointed when he saw how small the ship was – it couldn't carry more than a half-dozen Gummies, but immediately chastised himself for his disappointment. It would have been too dangerous to travel in a larger ship with more Gummies aboard. Besides, even a single Great Gummi visitor would be an honor.
The boat pulled closer to the dock and a large Gummi jumped out. He was quite tall, about the same size as Gritti, with tan colored fur and brown hair. He didn't say anything as he pulled the boat into position and tied it to the dock.
Another Gummi stepped from the boat and his appearance nearly took Zummi's breath. He was somewhat tall with a slender, almost effeminate build. Slightly unruly eyebrows revealed the age his youthful looking face disguised. His fur was a deep purple and looked as if his hair may have been the same color once, but time had faded it to a soft lilac. Yet, it wasn't his actual looks that had caught Zummi's eye, but his clothes. This Gummi wore a long, white robe trimmed with pale blue – the robe of one of the ancient Gummi wizards. Even before he saw the Gummi medallion around his neck, Zummi knew that this Gummi knew secrets of magic that he couldn't even imagine. Excitement and nervousness bubbled inside of him. This Gummi wizard could teach him so much, but what if he messed up one of his simple spells?
"My name," the wizard announced, "is Morlin. This large fellow that is working with the boat is Burly. He is not trying to unfriendly by not introducing himself, but he can not speak."
"Really?" Cubbi spoke up, looking somewhat amazed.
Burly turned towards him, smiling slightly, and nodded. "As you can see," Morlin added, "There is nothing wrong with his hearing. He may look like a brute, but he's actually quite a nice individual."
Burly looked at Morlin and smirked slightly as if to say, "That's what you think."
Another Gummi was climbing off the ship now. He was about Morlin's height, but his build was much sturdier. "And I believe you already know our captain," Morlin said.
"Chummi!" Sunni cried, running over to him.
Chummi smiled and hugged her tightly. "I think you're even prettier than the last time I saw you," he said, "You sure are going to be a heartbreaker one of these days."
Sunni blushed slightly and risked a quick glance at Gusto.
Chummi said hello to the others and spoke to them all briefly. He paused when he got to Gusto, because they had never met before. However, after a quick introduction the two were talking as if they were old friends.
The final Gummi stepped down from the boat and all eyes turned towards her. She was quite a beauty with her purple fur and violet hair, which fell casually over her left eye. Her dress, like Morlin's robe, was white trimmed in blue. The collar fit high on her slender neck and the sleeves and skirt were full and puffed. "And this is my granddaughter, Vixen," Morlin announced, his voice beaming with pride.
"Hello everyone," Vixen said. Her voice was soft, yet slightly husky.
"We are all quite tired after our journey," Morlin began, "So, may we travel on to the city and rest?"
"Certainly," Ursa answered, "Follow me."
Together, they headed back for Ursalia. As Zummi tagged along, he realized that a new chapter had begun in the story of their lives. What was going to happen next?
End Part 1
Hello all and thanks for reading the first part of my new story. I have a few notes I would like to add here. This is my first attempt at writing the Barbics into one of my stories, so I hope I did okay with their personalities – I tried my best. Also, I have only a vague idea of where this story is going, so that's why the title is a little, well, weird. I hope you like this story.
I'm sorry I haven't finished "Of Dragons and Angels." I've been having a tough time writing lately. Let's just say that if writer's block was terminal, you should be very, very afraid of this message. I will try to finish it. Thanks for your patience.
