Growing Up
The Barbics, Glens and any other Disney characters are copyrighted to Disney and we claim no ownership. However, any new characters are copyrighted to Ulisa, Silver Fox and Cheetah the Furry. This plot is a collaboration of Ulisa, Silver Fox, and Cheetah the Furry.
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Buddi for once didn't argue. He saw the sense in it right away and dashed off. Grubbi silently wished him luck and turned in the direction Buddi had been pulling him. As quick as he could, he started tracking Ursa's kidnappers.
Not too hard. Lady Bane and her Troggels weren't known for soft forest steps. But he wasn't hurrying to seek tracks. And he hadn't been just looking for firewood. Do the other two feel it? he wondered, setting aside the hard-to-place sensation. The woods... Lady Bane was here to get something from the woods. That had been grass in Buddi's hands, after Grubbi found him. Green grass. Like... Like the place was coming alive again. After so long, was such a thing possible? Could Barbic Woods regrow to it's previous state? The idea awed Grubbi even as he chased Ursa's kidnappers.
Buddi had no idea how long he'd been running. It felt like the whole night. Right now, he had to stop. But not for long. Just the thought of Ursa dying because he couldn't keep going pushed the cub onward.
Far Past
A division of loyalties. Right before their eyes. Even Tummi understood what was happening. He stuck close to Grammi and Gruffi, for instruction on what to do, where to go.
As the pre-Barbic bears left the council chambers, the humans entered. They seemed like the nice type but at times it was uncertain under the skin. Grammi looked to Zummi, who looked to Gruffi.
"What should we goo, Druffi.. er.. I mean, do, Gruffi?"
"Somethin's about ta happen. I know it." Grammi said, wringing her hands and looking about nervously.
"I wanna do somethin' but can we really upset events in the past like this? It isn't why we're here. We were supposed to look for answers to our own problems, not help out during the precursor to a war about to rage on into our present." He threw up his hands.
"Actually, there's a theory, Gruffi, that events are set. Everything that's happened accounts for the fact that in the future, we have traveled back here. It's only a theory but it means that it doesn't exactly matter what we do here in the past. It has already affected the present."
"But that would mean that fate is set and nothin' can change it from its course." Grammi said, disliking the idea.
"Uh..." Tummi broke in. "Could ya speak in plain syllables?"
"We can take a vote." Gruffi offered. "Let's let this so called fate decide. All in favor of helping out the gummies here, raise your hand."
Zummi, Grammi, and even Tummi raised his hand.
"Gruffi..." Grammi stared at him, shocked, for the gruff bear had his own hand raised.
"What? I didn't say I was against it." He crossed his arms and looked away, letting him spy a spy peeking at their private council from the corner of one of the structures. "Hey, what are you doing there?"
"Nothing." Fearing little, Malachi emerged and approached with awe in his voice. "Are you disguised warriors?"
"Oh, goodness, no!" Zummi started.
"Then why're you talkin' about fighting?" The cub frowned. He found the humans interesting but then he'd heard the new gummies talking and came over to investigate.
"Oh... Well, we..." Thankfully, it didn't seem to Gruffi that the kid had picked up on the time parts of their talk.
"Malachi!" Kuriani stormed over and grabbed his arm roughly. "You come with me right now!"
"But, Sissy! They're gonna help!" he brought up in defense.
"What?"
"Yeah..." Gruffi stepped toward the tall bear, still trying to get over his reaction to her. She _wasn't_ Ursa. He just had to keep telling himself that. "We're on your side in this debate. We... er.. we know something's about to happen."
Kuriani's keen eyes narrowed, seeing more in Gruffi's words than what was spoken. "What's going to happen?"
"The humans will attack. Soon. I mean, it's inevitable really."
"Hm. As I thought. I've had some of the guards doing extra training and others doing scouting of the surrounding woods. Corali's my friend and I've given her the benefit of the doubt time and again but I can't abide by her actions. She's thinking of Gummeria's future with humans and I just can't see it. I never have." Kuriani's head sagged with the weight of her decision. "A small band of us are leaving Gummeria. We see no future in associating with humans. We won't risk our families." She lay a hand on Malachi, by her side, then turned a lop-sided grin on the Glens. "Didn't take you for being on our side. You seem a bunch of human-supporters. No offense."
"Well, given other circumstances, we can be human supporters but not for this." Grammi replied, wanting to erase the horrible image in her mind of these sweet cubs dead or dying on a battlefield. From what they knew of Gummeria, and not many knew anything specific, an army of 50 or more humans stormed in and murdered all in their path, supposedly for Gummi riches and secrets. She _couldn't_ sit by and let that happen, no matter how the others would have voted.
"So how do you know about an attack? It's only a guess on our side."
"Oh, well, we hear a lot of talk..."
"Huh. Okay. You don't need to tell me if you don't want to. It's time to give Corali one final chance to see the truth."
Kuriani strode toward the doors to the council chamber but they were opened before she got there. Pleasant, smiling humans emerged, shaking hands with each of the six Magistrates as they exited and departed. Corali approached her Captain with the grandest of smiles.
"Wonderful news! Negotiations are now Treaty! Isn't it wonderful? We can open trade routes with Roury Castle! They've even offered a border guard and assistance when called!" She grasped Kuriani by the shoulder.
"Would you please stop and think, Corali. See reason! It's a trap! They'll lull us into a false security and strike! Just like those who attacked before."
For the first time, Corali's face turned stern. "I've tried to be reasonable and show you that this is the _right_ thing. I'm not going to let you break down all that we've worked for because of an old fear. These are NOT the humans who killed your parents, Kuriani! You _can't_ judge people on their race."
"Corali..." Gummeria's Captain of the Guard shook her head. "I can't stay and watch this happen. Find yourself a new Captain." She peeled off headband and helmet and tossed them aside, ditching any mark of her elite standing before storming off, Malachi trailing behind her with a bewildered expression.
Magistrate Corali's head sagged. She was comforted some by her fellow Magistrates but all returned to plans of the upcoming Treaty meet tomorrow. There was much to do and little time to mend old friendships that had grown far apart from lack of weeding.
The glens at first stood around, dumb, but snapped into action, trailing after Kuriani, who was already barking out orders.
"Inash! Inash! Kykyran emiish. Tand! Tand ibara!"
"Kuriani, wouldja hold on a minute!" Gruffi called, jogging to catch her tunic bottom. "This isn't helping! You need to stick together now more than ever."
"No. I'm not leaving my guards and my brother and sister in jeopardy here when even you are certain threat is imminent. We're leaving, Gruffi."
"But... but..."
He couldn't say anything to stop her. Waving his companions onward, he followed Kuriani and her group of twenty-two into the surrounding forest.
The hospitality wasn't as good, nor was the food, nor did worrying help any over whether all in Gummeria were well, but the Glens couldn't complain much. They'd made the choice to follow. Around a small fire, half the troop ate and warmed while the other half watched or patrolled.
"So you won't even leave them a few guards to protect themselves? That's not the Gummi way! How could you abandon them?" he argued.
"They made their choice. We made ours. Let their new human friends protect them."
"Now, that's not fair, Kuriani." Zummi protested. "They'd never wet gurd.. er.. get word in time for that to do any good, no matter the offer. Corali's still your friend, isn't she?"
Kuriani stared into the fire, remembering many happier times. "More than that. She's my cousin.... You are right. I'll send four out as soon as Nevi, Randi, Stephani, and Pittori have eaten."
Present
Ursa came awake to a throbbing head and the smell of grass in her nose. Grass...! Her eyes flew open. She was face down in the dirt, or what should be dirt. All around, grass and a few bushes had sprouted up as if over night, the greenest patches near where that evil witch stood, bent over to pick some of the green things. Bound, she could not rise and attack or flee. For now, she was stuck. But she could pretend to still be out. Ursa clamped her eyes shut again and relaxed completely, hoping Buddi found Grubbi, because he certainly wasn't here. She was calmed by the scent of grass in her nostrils. Comforting, and very much missed. She liked laying in the grass when she was little, running her hands through the blades to pick up the smell.
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