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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His leg still hurt, but it was a tolerable pain. His limp was only noticeable if Plucki looked for it. Any other cub might have complained but the cub swallowed his pain and pressed onward, not a word escaping his lips. Plucki felt a wave of admiration. He had always admired Cubbi, for more reasons than one. But seeing this determination, he gave a smile as he imagined the adult he would become.

If Cubbi was aware of this, he didn't make an acknowledgment. Rather, he followed the elder knight as they made their way through Lady Bane's corridors. They heard Gumlittle's battle cry followed by the gnashing of teeth and metal. Both broke into a run.

Gritty and Grubbi had gone to try and handle Lady Bane…Zorlock…whomever it was they were fighting. Grubbi saw that Sunni had been knocked out. Buddi has pulled her out of danger's way and was trying to wake her up. Grubbi wished he could go over to see if she was alright but Gritty needed him at the moment.

This creature they were fighting was a big fan of energy bursts. The two had managed to avoid quite a few but the scarce few did hit their shoulders or face. Gritty had taken the majority of the blows as he was closer than Grubbi was. Thankfully, Ursa had broken off from them to help Buddi.

They had heard some more gummies enter and thankfully they were helping. Right now, they had weapons drawn and were attacking the Kuson-Pi with Ursa. The good thing was that now Ursa could focus on the fight rather than if Buddi and Sunni were safe. She already had a nasty gash on her arm from protecting her baby.

Buddi and Sunni were out of harm's way for the moment. Buddi would have helped but he couldn't. He simply had no way of helping. The adults were having enough trouble and if he entered, they would have to worry about him too because he wasn't fully trained.

Ursa swung her sword, completely severing the Kuson-Pi's front left leg. It gave a yelp of pain and fell. Its jaws ground and it let out a roar that made everyone cover their ears, even Lady Bane. Ursa recovered swiftly. She stole a glance beyond the fallen Kuson-Pi, to her cub. He had a large wince on his face and had clamped his hands over his ears. He no doubt would have been standing by her side if Sunni wasn't hurt. Ursa felt this was for the best. She didn't hate Sunni, just didn't approve of her lifestyle.

Ursa jerked her attention back to the Kuson-Pi. It had opened its jaws and lunched towards her. She whipped her sword upward and blocked the four large fangs. The Kuson-Pi was pushed away from her by a set of Gummi twins and was being systematically injured by three more gummies on the sides and belly. That wouldn't work. The Barbic leader racked her memory for the legend for any clue to how to beat it. She'd never been very into their legends but even she had heard of the Kuson-Pi.

Ursa shook her head mentally. Buddi had found out about the Kuson-Pi, when he was four. Oooo, she had chewed Ryo out for that. That had led to a frightened cub for a whole week. Every night, she had woken up to a 'Mama Ursa!' A sharp pain in her shoulder suddenly reminded her of what she had been trying to remember and it suddenly clicked. While the Gummi knights began to attack, Ursa merely swung her sword down in an arch, neatly slicing through the being's neck, it's sole mortal spot.

The Kuson-Pi gave a final growl before it collapsed.

The knights froze, stunned. Ursa wiped her blade on the floor and then slid it back into its sheath. She walked over to the two cubs, to make sure they were all right before she ran to join the others, battling Lady Bane. The knights were stuck dumb. A voice said from behind them,

"Are you going to help them or not?"

They turned to see Sir Plucki and Sir Cubbi rushing in. the knights swiftly recovered and headed for the magician. Blastus finally said the one thing that stunned them so…

"That warrior's…a female."

When they had seen such fine sword fighting skills, they had automatically assumed it was a male. Females in Gummadoon were typically magicians as no female had ever expressed an interest at being a warrior. They liked to care for the cubs and cook and clean. It wasn't that they had to, they merely liked it.

This female Gummi was unlike any they had ever met.

Lady Bane had been keeping this battle up for quite some time. She would have liked to destroy them but she had other plans. Plans that would last longer and provide the gummies with more pain and her with a greater sense of vengeance. And despite that fact, she had her spell to figure out…why had it gone wrong? She was supposed to maintain control of her body.

The sorceress made her choice. She fired a final burst of power and then sneered,

"Don't get too comfortable, this is merely a demonstration of what I can accomplish."

That said, she vanished.

Near Past

Gruffi squirmed and forced himself into a semi sitting position. His ankles and wrists were bound but he began to rub them against the bark of the trees. It was painful to his skin but it began to loosen the weaving of the ropes. Malachi, Nevi, and Pittori had chased Grammi but luckily she'd gotten away. Gruffi had an idea and decided to state it, soon.

"Zummi…"

The magician turned to Gruffi in response. Gruffi's wrist bonds fell to the ground, severed, but he wisely kept this hidden. He made a gesture for Zummi to start doing the same and Zummi did so, after making a gesture to Tummi. Tummi needed no further prodding and swiftly began to do the same. Nevi and Pittori were still speaking with Malachi but Malachi had a hawk's eye on them so they had to be discreet.

"All right Zummi, your magic got us into this so it's gonna hafta get us out."

"I wouldn't have time to find the spell…"

"You have the fire lighting one memorized."

"Well yes…but-"

"Listen, I've been around Buddi enough to realize this much: when Barbic Woods burns, they burn and they hurt. I need you to start a small brush fire. Just enough to get attention and provide enough distraction for you to find another spell. You have an illusion spell or a disguise spell right?"

The magician nodded.

"On my cue."

Gruffi waited and silently and discreetly freed his ankles from their binds. If Nevi and Pittori hadn't been arguing with Malachi, he would have never been able to do so undetected. But Malachi was arguing feverishly with his two elder Barbics. Gruffi turned to Zummi,

"Now!"

Zummi was swift, "Flummame Luumight!"

The branches and leaves caught fire swiftly and the heat and smoke stunned the Barbics, who were not familiar with magic, giving Gruffi enough time to free Zummi and Tummi's legs. The three ran as Zummi shifted through his spells, looking for the one in particular he needed.

Nevi and Pittori started after the three but Malachi said, surprisingly, "No…"

"Mal…"

"We'll draw them out," Malachi promised, his mind racing. His moral conscience was screaming at him but his heart was merely focused on his long dead twin. He didn't care what it took to make that magician undo it. He'd seen a way.

He'd seen the Barbics' cub. He was their sole one. They'd give up anything to get him back…if someone happened to take him…

Malachi shook his head; he had time to plan.

"Oh, Ursa…I'm sorry, I thought-"

"No, it's all right, Grammi," the Barbic leader replied. She took another bucket of water and poured it over Buddi's head. Buddi laughed and parted his wet hair. Ursa chuckled and rubbed his head. She turned to Grammi with a grin and said, "Can you hand me that towel over there?"

Grammi gave her a nod and retrieved the white towel. It felt awfully warm, warmer than the towels she used. Ursa took it from the Glen and gathered Buddi in it as she lifted him from the bath. Sitting him on his feet, she proceeded to scrub him down, until his fur fluffed like a newborn rabbit's.

Before she could dress him, the door was flung open and Gritty announced, "Ursa, fire down by the practice clearing, not too big but enough we need you."

Ursa's face paled and she looked at Buddi, then back at Gritty. Grammi intervened,

"Go, dear. I can watch Buddi until you get back."

Ursa turned, considering it. She hadn't really known Grammi that long but…she couldn't let her woods burn. She consoled herself that if Grammi were ill intentioned, then she would have made her move by now and if need be, Buddi's scream could bring at least ten Barbics within two minutes' time.

"All right." She turned to Buddi.

"Buddi, I'll be back soon. This is Grammi. I want you to listen to her until I get back, okay?"

"I come with you!"

Ursa shook her head, "Sorry, little one. Not this time. But when I get back, we'll eat dinner and then you and I can have our 'night' early this month, okay?"

Buddi seemed alright with that, although he still pouted. Ursa ruffled his hair and then ran out after Gritty, leaping over the railing, grabbing a vine and then vanishing from sight.

Grammi turned to Buddi, "well, why don't we get you dressed and then maybe you can show me your room?"

Buddi looked at Grammi, then looked outside, then back to her. She was holding out his pajamas. Remembering his Mama Ursa's promise, he nodded and let Grammi help him dress.

"Haven't you found it yet, Zummi?"

"I'm try-oh, I found it, I found it!"

Tummi caught a glimpse of approaching Barbics, "Better hurry or Ursa's gonna met us about seven years too early."

"Dummisgummuise ummus nummow!"

A flash followed and when it cleared, the three glens examined themselves.

Gruffi was still the same size but his light brown fur had turned light blue, like Tummi's usual shade. He had a dark blue goatee and a bulky build. He wasn't fat but he carried more meat on his bones than usual. His clothing had changed as well. He now wore thick black slacks, with a baggy maroon tunic, bound by a rope belt. His hair was long and silky, of a dark midnight blue shade, and bound in a low ponytail. It was annoying and different but he definitely could not be mistaken for his old self.

Tummi was the same size, but he had shed a good thirty pounds. His fur had turned light violet, not unlike Zummi's ordinary shade. He had short plum colored hair that fell to his chin in waves. He was clean shaven but did have a hat similar to Gruffi's except for its black shade. He wore a forest green shirt and black slacks. He had crisscrossed black straps over his chest that met at a brown leather belt across his waist. He was barefoot, like the other two were but for Tummi, this was new.

Zummi was now of Gruffi's regular shade with dark brown hair that made curls around his face but otherwise was straight, shoulder length. He still had glasses, but they were full and not half. He had a cap like Cubbi's except it was jade colored. He wore a tunic like Gruffi usually did, save its shade, also dark jade.

The three had no time to think about their changes as Ursa and five other Barbics landed. Thinking quickly, Zummi announced,

"Over there," pointing towards the fire. They followed the Barbics. Their pursuers had no bothered to follow which was troubling. They would not try something with all these Barbics around. Ursa asked, as they began to gather water to extinguish the fire,

"You're with Grammi?"

"I…yes."

"Any names?"

That stunned the three. Gruffi answered, saying any name that struck him.

"I'm Qunci, that's Ezelli," he said pointing to Tummi, "and Aubrei."

Ursa gave a nod before she turned back to the task at hand.

"Gritty! Mama Ursa!"

Buddi ran to greet his guardian, jumping up from the table. Ursa chuckled and ruffled his hair. Grammi had managed to comb it out, a small miracle in itself, and had gotten him into his pajamas.

"Grammi," Ursa said, "we found ya friends."

Three new gummies walked in and Grammi hid her shock, instead saying, "Oh thank Gum. I thought they'd gotten lost. With this one's sense of direction." She jarred 'Qunci' playfully. He growled.

Ursa smiled, "I see you fed Buddi. We didn't know it would take so long. Thanks."

Grammi nodded, a small grin playing at her lips, "Ya got a regular angel there."

Ursa smiled, faintly, "Occasionally."

Buddi giggled. Ursa knelt down and said,

"Now, why don't you go brush your teeth and get in bed and I'll be right there?"

"Gritty!" the cub said instead, rushing to the black Barbic, "do climb the tree first!"

Gritty moaned loudly while the glens watched, interested. Buddi looked up and quivered his bottom lip,

"Pu-lea-se?"

Gritty gave a gusty sigh, "Oh, all right. Come here, partner."

Ursa leaned against the wall, amused. The glens, curious as to what this 'climb the tree' meant, followed her gaze.

Buddi grabbed Gritty by the hands and began to walk up the adult's front, finding 'footholds' on his thighs and belly. Upon reaching the shoulder level, Gritty flipped the cub over his back and then back over to set him gently on his feet. The cub giggled and then ran off to his room.

Ursa laughed and Gritty gave her a glare, yet a playful one. But before anyone could say anything more, Buddi let out a blood curdling scream.

Every adult was put on hair trigger when the cub came running back in. Gruffi expected him to be bleeding or something. Instead, the small cub ran to Ursa, looked up at her and wailed,

"I can't find Wolfie!"

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