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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Ursa blinked at her adopted cub, then sighed, shaking her head. "Play... Buddi, how many times have I told you, you have to look out for yourself now? We've work to do. If you're not big enough to help, then keep out of our way." With a brief pat on the shoulder, she strode past him.

Buddi's sigh echoed her own, yet his was more heartfelt. Yeah, he knew he hadda start looking after himself, but did it hafta be ALL the time? Even the others got together at night to laugh over old stories about growing up. He didn't HAVE anybody like that to pal around with. Only the other Barbics... Wish Sunni were here...

"Buddi?"

He halted just before running into Grammi. "Uh.. Sorry."

"Oh, that's okay. You have the longest face I've seen in years. What's the trouble, son?"

He blinked, hard to believe she could act so familiar with someone she barely knew. Barbics NEVER acted this way. Yet, Buddi found it somewhat comforting to be around Grammi. Just as he found her astounding affection stifling. Ursa never behaved that way. It made him a little uncomfortable with Grammi in this respect. But... Maybe she'd like to play. Ursa was busy. Everyone else was busy. They'd never know. And Grammi was a gummi bear. Not Barbic but better than hanging out with trolls. He'd ask her.

Battlefield

The sorceress gummi turned to Igthorn and smirked. "Let's strip all her make-up away and see if you still like her, eh?"

With a frantic cry of "Noooooo!!!" from the trapped Lady Bane, a simple wave of the Gummadoon staff turned her back to her original haggard gray self.

'Wooddale' laughed. "She's older than yer greatest granny, and all the rest, combined!"

The Duke of Drekmore cringed and gagged, Toadie and the other ogres reacting as crudely. "Egads, she's hideous! What happened to my lovely bride to be? The other half of my evil duo?"

"Sweetie..." Bane purred. Tried to. "I'm still the same treacherous woman you love. Please help me KILL her!!" Her voice staccatoed into a shriek of rage at his denseness.

"..Iiiii... don't think so." In another instance of famous Igthorn switch-hitting, he set his eyes on the staff. Obviously it had intense power, as a gummi possessed it. He must have it. Totally ignorant, Igthorn lunged for the staff.

"You better let go, dummy..." was Zorlock's only warning.

"Men!" Igthorn called. Instantly, his ogre enterage came to assist in the tug of war, some even pulling on Zorlock's side!

"Father!!" Calla screamed as Gregor fell under the lance of the great leviathan giant. Armored in the same gummi helmet and weaponry that won her the right to protect herself, the princess of Dunwyn surged forward to rescue the King.

Before the giant could strike a final blow, a much larger and ominous explosion was heard. It shook the battlefield, the opponents, and the home team to boot! Nobody knew what it was or who's side it was on! Total confusion erupted, except on the part of the giant. His aim had seriously wounded the king. Now with a great foot, he would end—

A tree limb came from nowhere and snaked around the fallen King, pulling him to safety. Suddenly, there were many many walking talking trees on the battlefield! No one knew who's side THEY were on either!

Lady Bane, aged but still possessing her coveted gummi medallion, was able to use it to release herself from the magical gummi-magic hold the distracted Zorlock had her in. She could easily slink away and pick up another time, once she reclaimed her youth. In fact... There were many fine young ones on the field now. None would miss a few hairs snatched in the heat of battle...

She did not see Buddi and Sunni positioning themselves to pounce her.

Gummadoon's interior

"No, cub. You haven't failed us." Plucki offered the gentlest of smiles and held Cubbi close. "You won't fail us. Never. I have complete faith in you. But, I know you've just recovered, yet the battle rages on. I'm needed. YOU are needed. We can both turn the tides on the war, but you must be brave. Very brave indeed. Are you up to this challenge?"

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