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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King Jean Claude looked at the cubs and his own daughter and thought as he rubbed his chin. "Marie, I will consider this, if you can give me a half hour to consider my options, I will give you my decision. This will not be easy; Gregor is my friend and ally, and I must think, please if you may leave so I can." The group of three nodded and walked out of the throne room, allowing the king to think over what he must do in the best interests of all three kingdoms.

The three retreated to Marie's room, to wait. They did not really know much else to do. They had appealed as best they could. Now, it was merely a matter of time. Buddi looked skyward and then walked over to the window, gazing out over the land, back the way they came. The waves crashed against the shore and Buddi felt a little sick just watching them.

"Buddi?"

The cub turned and smiled. "Hey Sunni."

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothin'. Just thinkin'."

"'Bout what?"

"About this war…" he sighed. "I know we'll try as hard as we can but do you really think we can win?"

"I know it."

Marie walked over, "Qui. With my father's aid, plus your own armies, we'll put an end to this war."

Buddi nodded. "Sometimes, I feel…I wanna believe that…ah, never mind." He smiled and glanced back outside, towards home. Sunni knew of his doubt and she put her hands on his shoulders and on her own impulse, kissed his cheek. His cheeks turned hot under her lips and Marie chuckled.

"L'amour."

That only made Buddi blush a deeper red but he smiled at Sunni, although a bit shyly. Sunni said, softly and gently,

"We'll think of something. We will _not_ be beaten by this war. We've peace with one human kingdom-"

"Deux…"

The door opened and King Jean-Claude was standing there, firm and tall,

"We set sail at dusk."

Future

Gruffi, still stunned dumb, stared ahead, not hearing much of what was going on. Sunni chuckled a bit and nudged him with her elbow. She was glad she had not announced the other news yet. She turned to Buddi who smiled gently before turning his attention back to the ceremony. The rest of the gummies were watching with interest as Cubbi approached and at Wooddale's request, fell to one knee.

It was indeniable that Gummadoon was making a big deal out of this. The rest of the Gummadoon knights were present, although most were off to the side. The Glens also noted that there was only one of the twins. He stood by the blue knight. The exception was their Captain, who although older, had not looked to have aged much, Sir Plucki who was standing at Cubbi's side. Gruffi noted that he had his head held high, almost like a father would have. The way _he_ should feel. But here he was, fussin' over his other cub's choice of a mate. But still…the gruff gummi shook his head to clear his thoughts. Cubbi, that was why he was here. He focused on the matter at hand.

"Cubbi Gummi, very few are given the honor of serving Gummadoon. They must prove themselves to be both a gentle soul and to possess a brave spirit. Their will and determination must be above average and beyond a mere valiant soul. They must possess such a will and love for their fellow gummies that they would be willing to risk death to keep all safe. Sir Plucki?"

"Yes, Milady?"

"For the past ten years, you have guided your young squire both on and off the field, in both training and life skills."

"Yes, Milady."

"Do you feel that he has successfully completed and passed the physical requirements to survive any trials he might endure?"

"Without a doubt, Milady."

"Has he the strength of will and soul that a knight requires?"

"More than enough, Milady."

"Thank you, Captain." Wooddale turned her attention to the young adult and took a sleep staff from Berrybottom. Touching first Cubbi's left shoulder, then his right, she said,

"The safety of Gummadoon is now equally shared upon your shoulders. I hereby dub thee a warrior for our ways and protector of our people. Rise and take your staff, Sir Cubbi."

Rising to his feet, Cubbi took the golden staff, and in a flash of magic from the council received his official knight uniform which was a tad different from the uniform he'd worn for training. He gave Wooddale a half-bow and followed Plucki back down the stairs. The other knights slowly came out to stand by Cubbi's side. Unlike Ramsei and Ecri, Cubbi was granted the blue status, rare for a newly anointed knight, especially one of his young age. In a sense, this meant that in a battle, Ramsei and Ecri would have to abide by his orders. No doubt this did not hold well with those two, who had fought towards that status most of their lives and here was a young knight granted it before them. The council had its reasons however.

Wooddale stepped forward,

"So today, the final step of the prophecy has been set into motion." She smiled at Cubbi, "And it is now up to you to guide it the rest of the way. And I know you will, just as you did nine years ago, just as Sunni and Buddi did nine years ago. Nine years ago this very day. We've much to celebrate today."

Plucki smiled, knowing well what happened nine years ago. He nodded, "The Festival of the Three."

Wooddale nodded, a smile on her face, "Indeed, as well Sir Cubbi's eighteenth year."

That said, everyone began to depart towards the main hall. Cubbi soon found Tavi in his arms and he smiled at her. She locked her arms around his neck and kissed him. She caught her aunt's playful shake of the head as she walked down from her seat on the council. The glens were walking up to the two. Grammi had a look of pure joy while Gruffi still seemed uneasy. Zummi and Tummi were smiling.

"Mon ami Cubbi! Mon ami Buddi, ma amie Sunni, vite, vite! This Festival is in your honour you know!"

Gruffi was stuned. A new gummi holiday…for these three? What had happened...

"We're coming Blastus."

The group slowly trotted towards the door and as they entered, the past Glens were stunned.

None of their holidays were quite as elaborate as this! Music was playing and people were dancing. Chefs were bringing out plate after plate of hot food and magicians were triggering numerous spells of decoration and fireworks. Some magicians were off to the side, entertaining the cubs. The slightly older cubs, girls, were watching the dancing.

Tavi chuckled and asked gently, "Dance with me, handsome knight?"

Cubbi chuckled as the girl touched the medallion on her forehead, murmured a few words, and in a flash of gummi magic, stood before him in a dress fit for a queen. He smiled, remembering how horrible she had been years ago when he'd first met her but he took her by the hands and the two glided out onto the dance floor.

Grammi, deciding to sit this one out, watched the two from the side, tears filling her eyes. Zummi came over and handed her a glass of rich drink. Gruffi and Tummi stood off to the side, Gruffi watching without emotion and Tummi eating from a handful of food he had already gotten from the tables.

"They're tres cute, n'est-ce pas?"

Tummi was the only one who answered Blastus. Plucki followed the French knight, obviously to greet the other Glens.

"Yeah…they'll make a cute couple once they mate."

"What?"

Tummi turned as Blastus and Plucki choked on their drinks. Tummi grinned sheepishly. "Oops."

Sunni chuckled and took a seat beside Grammi and Gruffi. As she sat down, she gasped, low. Grammi put her hands on her arm,

"Sweetie, what's wrong?"

The girl smiled faintly,

"Yer grandcubs just kicked me."

Present

Tavi bit her lip and tried again,

"Lu…no, La…ah phooey!"

Tavi sighed. She'd been trying to get a simple magic spell down, hoping that she could prove some use in this coming war. So far nothing worked, absolutely nothing. She knew that she was not supposed to practice sorcery without her mentor, in her case it was her aunt Toffi, around but she felt that if she was not ready for a war physically, perhaps she could add aid magically. So far…no luck.

The girl was drawn away from her failings by the sound of footsteps. Sticking her head out, her heart skipped a beat. Letting out a heavy sigh, she watched as Sir Cubbi made his way through Gummadoon's halls. He was headed for the gates. "Oh, he's _so_ cute!" she cooed. That single dance they had done together had snagged her heart. She _had_ to talk to him again. Her mind made up, she darted out and chased after him.

"Sir Cubbi!"

Cubbi turned as Tavi ran up the block. With Zorlock ruling his actions, he ignored her and ran on. He would have made I through the gates, had Tavi not darted through a shortcut and emerged ahead of him. Zorlock's anger grew…he knew that Cubbi's mere mention of Aldi to Plucki would provide material he could twist enough to make the cub's soul die completely and cease _any_resistance. Now, this little brat-

"Where are you going?" Tavi inquired.

"The battlefield."

"Wait! You don't know what-"

"I know enough, twerp."

Tavi backed, her hand to her chest. His voice had deepened, turned almost…evil. He turned faintly and his eyes were different, darker. They were older and they were _not_ Cubbi's eyes. She'd spent the entire dance with Cubbi staring into his eyes. Those eyes were _not_ his. She grabbed his shoulder and he whirled around, swiping her hand off and growling.

Wait! She remembered…one of the first things she learned when she'd told her Aunt Toffi that she wanted to learn magic. Some spells were called 'soul-switchers.' More than one person's soul could exist in a body. But whichever soul was stronger would command it. In some instances, the weaker soul died! Because they were so harshly broken. Gummies never used such spells but she had learned them because she'd always been interested in what types of spells the evil ones used. Yes…those dark eyes, his rejection…he had-

"You _aren't_ Cubbi." She accused. Her eyes narrowed. "Cubbi's eyes are not that evil."

His voice altered again, turned dark and scary. "yer too smart for your own good gummi."

"_Who_ are you?"

"Zorlock, Greatest of the Old World Wizards. Remember the-"

"Zorlock!" Every gummi, old and young, knew of Zorlock. Before Tavi was born but when her brother was younger, the Gummi Knights had rebelled against Zorlock. He had killed many gummies…the thought of that evil wizard…sweet Gum, Cubbi's soul-"Help! He-"

Her call was cut off when the wizard grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the wall, squeezing. She tugged at his hands without effect as even without evil power, Cubbi was a year older and stronger.

"You best keep your mouth shut, little one." That cold voice threatened. He tightened his grip.

Sweet Gum, she couldn't breathe! She needed air! Her eyes watered and she felt a panic take over her body. She tried to fight back in any way possible but nothing was so much as budging the hands that were killing her. Her blurred vision met Cubbi's eyes and as she watched, an incredible thing happened.

Those dark, evil eyes flickered and then with a fresh and passionated cry of, "Stop it!" the hands that held her released and for a brief instant, she saw Cubbi's familiar eyes before once again those dark eyes took over. The gummi/wizard fled, out the gates but not towards to the battlefield. They were headed for the opposing side. Tavi massaged her throat but a light of hope stirred in her heart.

Cubbi lived.

Rushing to her parents' stables, she drew out her brother's stallion and in a swift fluid motion, urged it out and onto the battlefield. She had to tell the knights…if they didn't know…they couldn't hurt Cubbi! Not while his soul still lived! Ignoring the orders calling her to come back, Tavi disappeared out of the gates and towards the gummi army. Her sharp eyes spied who she wanted and crying out, she jumped off the horse and ran,

"Sir Plucki!"

That little brat had in fact done Zorlock a favor. He didn't even need to go to Sir Plucki now. It didn't matter now, he no longer needed to play a part. Now, Cubbi's soul was in turmoil.

Sweet Gum, I almost-

You were gonna kill her.

No, that was you

You were too weak to resist.

No…no…n-

Zorlock grinned as the cub's soul broke and he felt that strong will dissipate.

Finally…you die.

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