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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Present

"I... I don't know what's wrong!" Sunni cried at Grubbi's query.

After a quick inspection of Buddi's condition, the healer dug in his bag for a mortar and pestle, then a combination of herbs he quickly ground to a powder. "Open his mouth."

Ursa did, crowding over Buddi already. Grubbi poured in his mix and grabbed her canteen for water to ease the powder down his throat. Soon, his body relaxed, as did Grubbi's. When Buddi sat up on his own, Grubbi let out a sigh of relief. Ursa passed him a look. He gave a nod and _she_ relaxed slightly.

"What was it, Grubbi?" Gumlittle asked, on hand in case he was needed. The other knights were close by but only he'd managed to squeeze in to see what the fuss was. Plus, his height gave him that advantage.

Grubbi spied the canteen, took off the top and gave a sniff. He sneezed, passed a more meaningful look Ursa's way. "Bad water." He poured the remainder out onto the ground. "We'd better move on to Gummadoon quickly."

"Spies?" Gumlittle asked.

"I believe so."

"If they try anything else, we'll take them on." Ursa claimed boldly, drawing her sword and making a cursory inspection of the surrounding countryside. "Lead on, Knights of Gummadoon."

Far Past

"So... You're from the present, like me." Ursa said, gazing at the quartet of Glens in between bites to eat.

"Er... Sort of. More like... your future."

"Not by too far." Gruffi added on top of Zummi's explanation

"So, what _are_ you doing all the time-hopping for, if you believe you can't change the past?" Kuriani passed a look young Malachi's way. Engrossed in food like the large blue Glen, he didn't pay any attention.

"Er... well... We.. uh...."

"We can't tell you." Gruffi answered for Zummi again.

"So I'm to believe you went back in time just to start all this mess and pretend to save my Buddi when you actually got him cubnapped in the first place?" Ursa barked.

"No, dear, we--"

"Without YOU around, Malachi would never have turned." Kuriani said, her anger rising. "Now I'm stuck with two. One who misses his sister enough to abandon the Code and another who acts like a scared rabbit! I know what you're after. And you can forget it! If you want the Barbic Code, you'll have to BE Barbic, and that's impossible." She rose, grabbing little Malachi up in the process. "Go back to when you're from. You are no longer welcome here."

"But you don't understand. We..."

"Zummi, it's no use. She's as pig-headed as Ursa."

"WHAT did you say, bear??" The future leader of the Barbic clan rose to her full height and towered over Gruffi.

He wasn't intimidated. "You heard me. If it weren't for your Barbics, we wouldn't be forced to jump around in time! You may be a gummi bear but you've divorced yourself of ALL of our traditions. We're just seeing the start of it! Sure, those in Gummeria had a lovely dream and it crashed and burned. That wasn't us." He turned to his fellows, then back to Ursa. "If you were a true gummi bear, Barbic or not, you'd help another out. THAT is the gummi way and the code WE live by, Ursa Barbic. Let's get outta here, Zummi. WE are not wanted."

Gruffi stood and marched off. The three remaining Glens followed, though Tummi grabbed an armload of food before rushing after them.

"But Gruffi, we can't go! What about Pittori, Nevi, and Malachi? Kuriani was right. They are our problem."

"We didn't make them, Zummi. They made themselves. Everybody's gotta make their own choices in life."

Grammi lay a staying hand on Gruffi's arm, holding him in place. "We know what happened. Ya can't say you wouldn't have taken the chance to change things if we were in Malachi's shoes."

"...Grammi, we shouldn't stay here. We--"

"You there! Kuriani told you to leave!" Randi said, approaching with his spear at the ready.

"Yeah, yeah. We heard."

"Stop him!!"

Lax in guard at the scene the Glens were causing, the senior Nevi, Pittori, and Malachi made a break for it. Straight into the trees which would one day be/was once their home. The Glens were forgotten as all the Barbics raced to catch them. Ursa included. Kuriani, Malachi in tow, grabbed Randi by the spear and yanked him to the Glens' side.

"Stay with them. Don't let them leave just yet. We have some unfinished business. Keep Malachi safe, lover." Kuriani spun on her heels and chased after the three renegade Barbics.

Gruffi rolled his eyes. "Just great."

Malachi, thrust into Randi's care, looked from him to the Glens. Tummi caught his eye and waved. Malachi waved shyly back.

Present

"Now! They are about to enter the Gummi city!" Zorlock commanded, having regained control of all of the body. If there was more of that double talk, the stupid duke might get suspicious. Now he could hear the witch but she couldn't say aloud what she thought. Only he.

Lady Bane graced to the tower balcony, her hand on Igthorn's. The large crowd-- army-- quieted their rabblish banter and threats below.

"It is time! We will start out at once to take the gummies at their stronghold of Gummadoon! Ogres! Aerials! Giants! Spinster! Bad Guys Galore! Let us make our long-awaited debut!" Lady Bane whirled about and headed down.

Igthorn pouted. "But... That was my speech."

"Better luck next time, Dukie. Cheer up. We get back at gummies today. Got your secret weapon?"

"Shh! You want to blow everything?" Igthorn clocked Toadie a good one.

"Let's go, Toadwart! There are kingdoms better than Dunwyn to conquer today!"

"y.YyeEss, DduKie.." Toadie stumbled after him.

Near Past

Gritti tucked the snoozing cub in, who'd wrapped his hands into tight fists about the blankets of Ursa's bed. After a long look at Buddi, he turned to the window and looked up at the stars.

"Don't be gone much longer, Ursa. He needs you back. We all do."

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