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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But it was more than that. This was his fault…again. Lately, it seemed everything was his fault. If he had just kept his mouth shut, if he hadn't followed Ursa, if he hadn't-

"Stop stewing," a rough but gentle voice commanded.

Buddi looked over to the source. Gritty gave him a cold stare. He went on, "You're stewing, partner. Stop it. It won't do you any good."

"Stewing?"

"Going over all the what ifs in your head. That won't help us and it won't help Ursa. So stop and focus on the present."

"But…all this is my fault…like it always is!"

"Now that's nonsense, Gum's sake."

"It's true. Everything that can go wrong has."

"Care to enlighten me?"

Buddi looked beyond him and Gritty turned, finding Cubbi close behind. Buddi shook his head and then fell silent. He ran off ahead, to catch up with Sunni. Gritty sighed deeply. Cubbi looked at the Barbic adult. There was a look in his eyes that Cubbi had seen before. He'd seen it in Sunni's eyes when he'd first told her about the Gobbers, when he, Gruffi and Tummi came back from Ursalia after Buddi's test. She'd looked stunned and then relieved when she found out Buddi was alright. That's how Gritty looked; worried, concerned, and angry.

Buddi caught up with Sunni easily. She kept her gaze ahead but when she saw Buddi, she slipped her paw into his, squeezing tightly to offer her support. Buddi gave her a small smile in return. He was hurting all over, and her touch helped slightly to ease it. He prayed she wouldn't ask what Gritty had and to his relief, she kept silent.

A large fancy castle soon loomed over the horizon, against the now full moon. Sunni narrowed her eyes,

"That's it."

Gritty broke through the two cubs and headed around the side of the castle, saying,

"Stay close and be quiet."

Ursa kept her eyes shut, not trusting them to be empty of pain if she did open them. She wasn't going to give this nishien that satisfaction. Everything burnt. It felt like a raging fire was running through her blood. She had to fight to focus and finally managed to lock her mind onto a past event. The pain eased, then vanished.

9 Years Prior…

Ursa walked through the woods' floor, looking for Buddi. He was four but he still needed about an hour's nap every afternoon. But tracking him down was getting more and more difficult. He was fast at climbing and he wasn't always on the ground. He would be learning how to swing within the next few weeks.

Ursa crept around a corner and all but screamed.

"Buddi Timba Barbic!"

"Mama Ursa!"

The cub that looked back at her was covered in mud, from head to toe. She could barely even see his eyes. To make matters worse, his green tunic and black slacks had been newly made just three days ago and now they were coated with mud. Ursa tugged at her hair in frustration.

Buddi, unaware, went back to his playing. He looked up at Ursa after a time and said,

"Mama Ursa has a birthday in two days."

Ursa rolled her eyes but smiled. "yes, in two days." She confirmed. Buddi pouted,

"Grubbi never lets me help. Says I'm too inexperienced."

Ursa shook her head in wonder. Sometimes she forgot that Buddi was unusually bright. His vocabulary astounded her. She had been stern with the other Barbics and told them they needed to watch their mouths around him. He added new words to his knowledge every day. The last thing he needed to add was vulgarity.

"So I said, okay, I'll make you something else." The cub produced a small diamond. Gems were rare in the woods but if one looked hard enough they could find stones of rare quantity. Buddi knew Ursa had a large collection of such stones but he had yet to see a clear one. She said her parents taught her about their rarity and beauty and hence started the collection.

Ursa looked it over. Her anger faded and she smiled, "It's beautiful."

Buddi took it back. "Not done yet. I've got ideas for it. You hafta wait until the party."

Ursa laughed deep in her throat. But she ruffled Buddi's hair and said,

"I think I'll survive. But-"

Buddi's eyes lifted at that word. Ursa pulled him up by his elbow.

"You still need a bath."

"Aw! MAMA URSA!"

Present

Ursa opened her eyes a while later. She remembered pain and agony, from several of Lady Bane's spells. It had felt like fire was coursing throughout her body but she had refused to acknowledge she was in pain; she wouldn't give that human the satisfaction.

To any other, the pain would have been crippling. But Ursa was a warrior. One of the first things she had been taught was how to take her mind away in the scenario of torture. It was hard but doable. Her thoughts always returned to her child. Sometimes, they were simply vivid memories or in some cases, dreams of the future. Her memories worked well enough. Ursa remembered a sudden pain in the back of her head and surmised that Lady Bane, fed up, had knocked her out again.

Now, as Ursa opened her eyes, she became aware, although slowly.

The first thing she noticed was that night had fallen and the time had slipped by. She twisted her wrists and found them bound tightly. She was lying on a table, one that was seemingly made of some type of black marble. That alone worried her. She knew she was not here because she earned it.

The second thing she noticed was that she was bare; her clothes and weapons had been stripped from her. Her hair was loose and falling around her shoulders and spilling onto the marble table. The shackles that bound her were fancy, black with a red dragon like design on them. Obviously they were very old but they held fast. But they worried her. Ursa was no fool. She remembered the sorceress' threat.

A noise to the side made Ursa turn her head, she closed her eyes. She heard heels on the stoned floor. The sorceress…Ursa remained silent. She knew Lady Bane was upset and to some point, ashamed, that she had been unable to break her. But she remained still. When she felt the sorceress turn, she cracked her eyes.

She saw various herbs, mainly from Barbic Woods, a small knife and a dark golden dagger. The sorceress opened a large book and then looked at the time. Ursa saw she had opened the far window, letting in the moonlight. The full moon seemed to grow brighter with each passing minute. Ursa closed her eyes as the sorceress crept closer. Ursa felt the sorceress grab a lock of her golden hair and saw a small section off. She set it among the various herbs and then looked to the time.

"Ten minutes."

Grubbi met Gritty and the three cubs inside the castle.

"Gritty! Thank Gum!"

"Buddi was pretty brief. Any luck?"

"A little…my guess is that Ursa's in the room by the moonlight. Up there." He pointed towards a balcony about two stories up. He paused and then went on, "The moon's brighter than normal. My guess is that she wants Ursa close to the moonlight. Her power must be influencing the light's intensity." Gritty nodded. Buddi stood silent, his eyes narrowed in a rare expression of rage and determination. Gritty took the cub's hand, gave it a delicate squeeze and then nodded towards Grubbi. The two adults turned to the children.

"You three follow but stay out of sight."

The three nodded. Grubbi and Gritty pushed the doors opened and entered, being silent as was possible. The adults started forward when a group of Troggels invaded the hall.

"Get gummies! Get gummies!" They chanted. They charged forward. The two adults took out their spears but a choice few leapt past them towards the cubs. Buddi had his spear out and managed to toss one over his shoulder but there were too many. He was already being cut. The mere scratch brought back memories….memories that he would sooner die than remember. He tossed a second aside, knocking it out.

"Scatter!" Buddi commanded. The two cubs, knowing Buddi was far better trained in strategy, followed him as he dove to the side, scrambled up a side drape and onto the support beams. Cubbi and Sunni followed suit. Sunni ran to be with Buddi while Cubbi followed one through the wall into a separate room. Buddi and Sunni followed their beam through the wall, through the castle's walls.

The Troggels had been fallen by the adults. Most were merely knocked out but a choice few would not rise again. But as they glanced around, they found the cubs gone.

"Buddi!"

"Sunni! Cubbi!"

Grubbi cocked his eyebrow, "Why are they here anyway, Gritty?" the Barbics' second-in-command hissed,

"Later."

He ran ahead. Buddi had been on a haiana and Gritty knew that any cub Ursa raised could handle himself. In any event, they had no time to look. The two ran off, following their instincts.

Cubbi clung to the beam tightly as he crept into a room. He found Lady Bane passing through it. He froze, fell silent. Lady Bane was saying something; he perked his ears up.

"This spell might prove useful…not as much fancy preparation. But highly effective. Revival of any foe of I choose to do whatever I choose…hmm, I could use that during the attack on Ursalia. And as for the foes…"

She didn't finish but walked off, thinking. Cubbi thought, considered what he'd heard. Revival…no! Did that mean she could bring back of their past foes that she chose? The Spinster? Igthorn? Zorlock? The trolls? No! Cubbi gasped, lost his balance and fell, shattering some glass bottles. One cut his arm but it wasn't a bad cut. He scrambled to his feet but Lady Bane had seen him. She whirled around. She squeezed her hands tightly and Cubbi saw a piece of blond hair in her palms…Ursa's hair.

"I'm through with you meddling bears."

She took a sliver of hair from her collection, spoke a few words and then a bright flash nearly blinded Cubbi. When he opened his eyes, he screamed,

"No way!"

Something new stood before him, looking like something out of a nightmare. It was about the size of a wolf, and had the basic design of one. The difference was its teeth, its ears, and its eyes. Its fur was dark coal black and it had four long fangs, two on its top jaw and two on its bottom. Its ears were huge, almost ridiculously large. But it was the dark red eyes that frightened Cubbi. They looked him right in the face, snarled, let out a howl and ran towards him. Cubbi scrambled to his feet and ran, this demon snapping at his heels.

Far Past

Kuriani and Gruffi finally managed to get into the city. Everything was quiet, the city was asleep. Not a single candle was lit, save the few outside the city, which was truly the only sign of civilization. This actually was quite the aid. With no one in the main courtyard, it was very easy to see the small cub. It was dark and that made it a bit more difficult, at least for Gruffi. He supposed since Barbics had been hunters and warriors even now, that the dark was not much of an obstacle. He was quite accurate in his assumption. Even with so little light, Kuriani spied Sachi running through the courtyard. A low growl punctuated her throat as she leapt down after her little sister. Bending her knees to absorb the impact, she was by her sibling in half a blink. Gruffi could not help but be impressed by her skill. Ursa could probably do that but Gruffi never bothered to watch. In fact, he surmised he never spent much time watching the Barbics, always dismissed their traditions as un-Gummi.

Kuriani snatched her sister's arm and smacked her lower back, not too hard but hard enough to cause pain.

"Shaza Byui. Jyu Btu Garfii! Qa sseeio Pota!"

Sachi gave her sister a raspberry and said, "Nu-uh!"

Before either one could say anything more, a low moan of pain was heard from outside the city, followed by war cries. Gruffi stood up, pulling on one of the few handholds to scramble up the wall a bit to see just beyond the gates.

This was it. The human army had come. That cry and moan had been from one of the guards that had been killed. Now the humans were battering at the gates. Kuriani and Sachi would be straight in their path! Gruffi cried down,

"Get out! Get out, you idiots."

The gates of the city were crashed inward.

Present

New Gumbrea was in much better spirits. Having made a promise, everyone was anxious to fulfill it. King Katai and Queen Kaori were among those returning. But first, their magicians said they had some business to attend to. King Katai and Queen Kaori were waiting for such business now.

They didn't have to wait long. Their three master magicians, dark sea green Wandi, light yellow Ruffi, and the eldest member, blood red Nefiti. Nefiti greeted them,

"My King, my queen. Long ago, when we fled, some of our cousins cast a spell to keep one Gummi city safe. But they swore when we were summoned back that we were to undo the spell. We were to undo it as soon as we were informed we would be returning. That way the city would reappear across the sea and our ancestors could help our Gummi cousins prepare for our arrival. That is why we are gathered. To fulfill our duty."

The king and queen nodded. The three magicians removed their medallions and touched them together. Chanting in words that were not the common language, they created a tremendous white aura. As the aura reached its absolute brightest, their was one coherent word heard:

"Gummadoon."

Sunni and Buddi turned as they heard Cubbi scream. Sunni turned swiftly, a bit too swiftly and only regained her balance thanks to Buddi. They crept as close as they could without falling from their perch. Buddi cocked his sharp ears and listened. He heard three sets of feet. One was light, probably Cubbi's but the other two were heavier and ran in unison.

The doors flew open and Cubbi ran through them, panting and obviously out of breath. Buddi's eyes lifted to see what he ran from. The dark wolf flew after the cub, jumping occasionally to catch up with him. Buddi felt his face turn white and his palms clam up.

"Nyie…Yusaca."

Sunni screamed but Buddi was passive as he felt his mind rip back nine long years.

Nine Years Prior…

Buddi snuck around the corners of the forest, where he saw the campfire blazing. He was supposed to be in bed but he always missed the good stuff when he was asleep. He knew that Ryo was always a source for interesting and adult stuff. So…

"Ryo!"

The Barbic adult turned from Zeshi and Lundi. "Buddi…you're supposed to be in bed."

"Not tired. I wanna hear what you're talking about."

"You're too young, go back to bed,"

"I'm not too young! Just because I'm not as tall or as strong doesn't mean I'm stupid!"

"So, you're suddenly wise?"

Ryo gave Zeshi and Lundi a wink. "Well, then brave little one, can you hunt down a Kuson-Pi?"

"Ryo!" Zeshi protested, his rust red hair blowing into his face. Ryo shook his head and said in a low whisper, "He'll leave once he hears enough."

Lundi and Zeshi stood, "Come and fetch us when he has. We're not getting busted with you. Ursa finds out, she'll skin you alive."

Buddi, fed up, said, "Tell me! What's a…Kuson-Pi?"

Ryo turned back around, "The pet of Lachuso. Said to be formed from her very blood. Long time ago, when we first settled this forest, three scouts went to find the barriers of this territory. They were found days later, no air in their lungs, stone cold, their hearts ripped from their chest."

Buddi put his hand over his own chest. Ryo chuckled, "It's said to be an oversized wolf with four fangs designed to grab each section of your heart and tear it out for food. That is, if it doesn't shred your body first."

Ryo expected Buddi to run by now but he didn't so he hit him with the final part,

"They say a choice few still roam the woods and they wait for someone weak and frightened, unsure…before they pounce!"

At the word 'pounce' Ryo jumped at the cub. But he had gone too far. In tears, Buddi leapt up and jumped into the canopy, calling,

"Mama Ursa!"

Ryo cursed, "Mijet!" and tore after the cub.

Present

Cubbi's scream brought Buddi back to reality. The cub had drank his flask of Gummiberry juice and using a bounce leapt up towards Sunni and Buddi. Buddi swung down and caught the cub's arm and pulled him up. If Cubbi hadn't had Gummiberry juice he wouldn't have been high enough. Cubbi turned to Buddi,

"What in Gum's name is that thing?"

Sunni put her hands on his shoulders as they sat on the beam. Buddi was silent. Then he saw the two cubs staring at him, took a breath and then a swallow.

"Buddi?"

"Kuson-Pi. Creature that drinks life. Ryo told me the story when I was little." He turned to Cubbi and Sunni, "But, it was only a legend."

Cubbi clutched at the two older cubs as the creature kept beneath them. They could move but losing their balance would be deadly. No one dared it. Every minute they sat still, the creature glared up at them, grinding its teeth. Cubbi said,

"It was from Ursa's hair…that's all she used."

Buddi bit his lip, "Must have to do with Barbic blood. It's Barbic legend and it was said to be made from blood…"

Kuson-Pi sat on its haunches and howled. The sound scattered the beam. Cubbi fell first but Buddi and Sunni managed to grab the side drapes. But Kuson-Pi had already pounced on the younger Glen cub, locking its jaws around his left leg. The cub screamed as the four fangs sank deep into flesh and muscles. The being dragged its jaws down, shredding most of the cub's leg.

A spear lodged itself into the creature's neck and it released Cubbi. The glen cub stumbled off as Kuson-Pi turned to its attacker.

Buddi, Sunni by his side. Sunni ordered,

"Help Cubbi! Get help! Go!"

"Who am I supposed to get?"

"Dunwyn! Anyone! Besides, who knows what spells Lady Bane will unleash! This demon here is reason enough! Just go!"

Easier said than done. The cub's leg was pumping blood. He tore his shirt off and bound the wound. He knew she was right but he didn't know if he could make it to Dunwyn or even get out before the creature decided it wanted to finish him off.

Sunni knew he had little chance to survive but if he stayed here, he had none. Not with lady Bane, Troggels and this…Kuson-Pi around. She would rather he have a slim chance than no chance. The Kuson Pi had its eyes on her and Buddi now as Cubbi stayed. Sunni made wild gestures with her hand.

But without taking the time to consider otherwise, Cubbi limped out, his shirt already a dark blood red.

"M'Lady?"

"Yes, Sir Plucki," Wooddale's voice was firm, "We have arrived back because our Gummi cousins have deemed it fit to return. But I want proof. I want you and the knights to patrol the surroundings. As you usually do. Keep an eye out for anyone, particularly Gummi. We don't know how long it has been but I surmise no more than two years since we've been here. How could anything have changed like that in two years?"

Plucki gave her a nod, made a gesture to his knights and then they parted the city's gates.

Ursa's eyes met Lady Bane's in final display of defiance. Lady Bane had since spoken words that were beyond Ursa's knowledge. But now, as she lifted that glowing blade, Ursa knew. But she refused to let her enemy see any fear. She met her eyes fiercely and waited.

The blade came down…

And metal hit metal. Ursa stared, stunned.

Gritty stood over her, protectively, with eyes burning.

"Shaza Tesca."

Blastus had wandered away from the other knights, patrolling his own section. He'd heard sounds he felt worthy of investigating but so far…

"Blastus…"

The voice was weak, scared, frightened…but so eerily familiar. Turning, the French knight practically raced over.

His little friend, Sir Cubbi, stood near the trees, obviously awed by their sudden appearance but apparently in too much pain to care. He was sweaty, obviously had been walking a time, but was too weak to stand. He sat on his knees. His face was pure white, but not from fear. Something else…

As Blastus came upon the cub, he saw why.

A crude bandage was wrapped around the cub's left leg, soaked through with and oozing blood.

Cubbi accepted the elder knight's arms. He had been lucky. He didn't know why Gummadoon was here and quite frankly, he didn't care. He knew they were here and he knew he needed them so that was all he cared about. Besides, they admired him, trusted he was…

The cub's thoughts were blurry but he heard a distinct call and distinct, hoof beats.

"Mon capitain! Mon capitain!"

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