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.

****

Past

"I spav the hell.. er.. have the spell!" Zummi announced. He couldn't afford to focus on the efforts of Mindi. She was failing...

"Go. Now! Do it, Zummi!" Gruffi yelled. He kept his eyes on Mindi's valiant efforts. Other Barbics had joined the fight but he knew... Mindi probably wouldn't survive this encounter. Not with that wound. And to think... Their excuse of humans spotted in the forest had been a lie concocted just to let them in... He never woulda thought it could be true. Never.

Grammi holding the sqwalling new Barbic and pressing poor Tummi's eyes into her shoulder, she had one look of the tables turning in favor of the Barbics outside the hut before the spell took affect. The converging humans swarmed onto an empty scene.

When it was over, there was an incredible silence. Like no silence before experienced. They looked around, adrenaline still pumping from that near miss encounter.

Tummi asked first. "Guys? Where are we?"

Present

"Ah... I see now."

"Oh, Lady Baaaane. Love of my life? Worm of my apple?"

"Not NOW!" she screamed, throwing things at Igthorn to get him to leave. Should have used magic. No, that was a waste. Shut up! Who asked you? Well I'm here anyway, aren't I?

One of them sighed. They had to get back to business. Her sudden revelation was agreed upon by Zorlock. They'd let Cubbi rest, think he'd won. As his dreams began, they could wheedle their way into his memories from there, or even easier, just twist the dream into a real scorcher! That would be fun indeed!

Outside, Igthorn paced. "That does it! Who am I to be thrown out by a woman??! Even if she is the most gorgeous and loathsome..." He shook himself out of a swoon and marched over to Gad, holding Cavin hostage. "Tell me again, boy, what it was you were doing in the woods?" he asked smoothly.

"Picking mushrooms."

Iggie wasn't buying it. "With the princess? With Dunwyn guards en entourage of that sop Gregor? Tell me, truthfully," he grabbed Cavin's neck and squeezed just slightly. "Where did all those knights go?"

"I..*cough* don't know!" *cough cough*

"Igthorn!!" came a call from above.

The Aerials, having devised a new contraption that doesn't require gummiberry juice, wouldn't let anyone but themselves drive the blasted things. However, they took up scout duty without complaint and never failed to report. Unlike his own ogres. "Yes? What is it?"

"The gummies have formed an alliance with Dunwyn. We have to attack now!"

Igthorn growled. "That's what I've been trying to TELL her!!" He paced again, unable to determine what the hold up could be with Lady Bane. This was their crowning moment, their time to shine, their sweet taste of revenge just about on their lips! So why wasn't his little love bane getting into it?

His mind began to turn toward the other alternatives he'd been forced to consider since Lady Bane's refusal to see anyone. That had been early this morning. If she was going screwy, he wasn't going with her. He could lead this rabblish army better anyhow. Only he had the secret of the juice, which he kept locked away where no one would think to look. In his head. He wouldn't even tell Toadie.

Now... where was that sorry excuse for a throw-rug?

Ursalia

Buddi sure knew how to get here the fastest. Sunni was out of breath long before they rushed the gates of Ursalia. Without incident, thankfully. They encountered two guards, Barbic, as they dashed in and collapsed, out of breath.

Mardi backed the other off to give the cubs some air. "Take it easy. What's wrong? Take it slow, okay?"

"Army... attacking... Gummadoon..."

"Ursa..... calling.... We gotta... help 'em!" Buddi was trying to get it out as fast as possible, sucking huge gulps of air into his lungs. "We gotta go now!"

That was all Mardi needed. He signaled and called to those who were too far to see. He turned to the kids. "You cubs stay here. No telling what we may encounter."

"But... D'you even.. know the way?" Buddi was irate. How could they just ditch 'em here when everyone else was fighting?!

"Of course. We're not stupid." Mardi raced off to make sure everyone of the Barbic warriors had heard and answered his call to gather.

"No way. I'm not sticking around here." Buddi said. He took Sunni's hand, saw her nod in complete agreement, and took off at a run. "I know an even faster way back."

"Faster? Buddi, I don't think I can run anymore."

"Run? No. We're gonna fly!" Indeed, he wasn't leading them out of the city but down into secret passages.

****