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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"What is it? What do you see?" What possible demons attacked the young knight? Why could he not help?! Plucki held on to Cubbi with all his might, wishing the fever, the demons, all troubles away with that strong embrace. Could he not protect one cub... again? It mattered so much!

Past

Una chuckled. Almost a giggle, really. It bothered Gruffi, who was trying to talk covertly with the others.

"So what now? What's the hold-up on the spell, Zummi?"

"We can't leave yet, Gruffi. Remember why we started on this journey? This could be the chance we've been waiting for."

Gritti, the cub, currently held the old wizard's attention. The smoke-furred Barbic was bouncing a ball back and forth with Una, who had the oddest grin on her face.

"Zummi, even I hafta admit this is getting dangerous." Grammi put in. "Hate to sound like Gruffi but... I'm beginning to think gummies weren't meant to bounce around through time."

Una let out a laugh that startled them. Little Gritti stared at her, too, as the ball bounced right into her. Without further momentum, it lost impetus and rolled all but out the door.

"How far did you say... the humans were?" she addressed Gruffi.

"I dunno. We just kept running."

A bubbly series of giggles seemed to grab the child-heavy Barbic. She gripped the arms of her chair with near crushing force.

"Auntie Una?" Little Gritti went to her side, confused at the odd behavior.

"Would you be serious??" Gruffi exploded.

"I am. Very serious." Her breathing was paced, like the ticking of a clock. Except when a laugh bubbled up again.

"Land sakes," Grammi surged forward, alarm registering on her face. "Are you gonna have that baby _now_??"

"I don't seem... to have a choice." Gritting her teeth, that last muscular contraction was anything but funny. Why now, little one? she thought. Why with your father away, and a threat looming near??

"Auntie... I go get the others!" Gritti spun about.

"No! Gritti, I need you here." Anything to keep the little cub here. Last thing she needed now was a youngster lost in the forest. "I don't suppose any of you have any cub-birthing experience?"

"...I do." Grammi pushed by a motionless Gruffi, who literally fell over.

"Good because... I... don't!" A particularly strong one seized her. It shouldn't be this way. She should have a _Barbic_ cub-birther and her mate by her side! Her head tilted back, her lungs filling with air before another contraction could take it away. "WARRIO!!!"

Present

"Cavin, we don't have time for that."

"But, I dropped my gummiberry juice just back there. I'll get it real quick." He'd already spun about.

With the first step, he smacked bodily into the stumpy leg of an ogre.

"Huh?? Oh goodie!" With one great sweep of his arms, the ogre had caught up the squirming Cavin. Calla could only watch in horror. "Dukie gonna be so
proud! This shrimp gonna help us big time!"

Hmph. Not this time. were the princess's thoughts as she slipped into one of the surviving underground passages. Though she knew she'd need some help if she were to get Cavin away safely...

Unfortunately, the passage she picked didn't lead in the direction of Gummadoon. Drat...

Easing up to the trap door exit, she spotted no one around and so climbed out.

"Halt there, human!"

Her hands went up into the air as an object was thrust menacingly into her back. It was low... She turned, and spied a lavender gummi in knight's armor.

"Oh, thank goodness!"

"I said halt!!" Ecri butted her with the nose of his slumber staff.

"I'm halted!" she countered. "But there's a very nasty human on his way over so you'd better watch out for him instead. I'm Princess Calla of Dunwyn and--"

"Dunwyn? Hmph. Don't get me started." He pushed her ahead of him with his staff. "March."

"But, please! Ca-"

"Don't make me get rough with you, Princess! There's war brewing and anyone could be a spy. ANY human..." Eyeing her speculatively and unbudgingly, the blonde princess scowled but moved.

"War? With whom? Not Dunwyn, surely!"

"If you attack us, we'll defend ourselves with everything we have. And nothing less."

"But we won't attack without provocation either!"

"Oh yeah? Then what's that? A picnic parade?" the sarcastic Sir Ecri pointed out the forward marching knights of Dunwyn, led by Sir Tuxford, making progress toward Gummadoon. They were positioned on a ridge above and so got a good view. "And let's not forget yer possible allies over there." He indicated a gray cloud approaching.

No. Not a gray cloud. A cloud of dust! From a huge army!!

"Oh no... What's going on? Please, tell me!" she begged.

"Save it for Sir Blastus. I don't have all day to push you around, so move!"

Sunni was losing faith. She hadn't heard a thing for hours. All black prospects bubbled up in her mind. The horrors of war, the loss of this great city, seeing Lady Bane again, never seeing Grammi or Tummi or Gruffi or Grammi or anybody else again! Anyone could die in war... Especially Cubbi.

She cried. She wanted to be with Buddi!

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