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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Cubbi's dreams were haunted. He was so tired but now, all the memories came rushing back. He felt horrid. He had nearly killed Tavi. He hadn't been strong enough to save Destini. How could Plucki still accept him? How could he take on the role of knight now? Yet, somewhere in the back of his head, there still dwelled the desire. He didn't want to lose the chance to be a knight but at the same time, how could he accept it? After what he had _failed_ to do…tears slipped out of the cub's eyelids.

"Sir Plucki?"

The Gummadoon Captain's eyes flew open and he got up from the chair and walked over to sit on the bed when Cubbi called his name. Slowly, Cubbi turned over so he was facing Plucki. He knew he probably looked a mess. Still, he wanted to make the pain end. ANYTHING to make the pain end. Absolutely anything….

Cubbi opened his mouth to say something but his voice came out as a strangled sob. He couldn't say it. He simply couldn't. It was too real still. Too soon after. The cub shut his eyes and let shuddering cries escape his throat. They started slow and then before long, he was crying hysterically. All the events of the war came back in livid detail.

Plucki said nothing but pulled the cub into his arms. Cubbi laid his head against Plucki's chest, his breath coming in shuddering gasps as all the pain and fear and guilt came out full force, in the form of tears and whimpers. He tried to clamp them down with almost no result. The pain, guilt and agony of what he'd seen…it was too much. The cub gave in and the floodgates opened.

Plucki didn't say anything; nothing needed to be said. Rather, he knew what Cubbi was going through. Every knight and squire had their first dose of war and violence. The younger the child, the harder it was because it was such a blow to the state of innocence they had. The younger squires--no, pages as that's what they were--were having trouble and had been given leave by their knight mentors to go to their parents. Cubbi didn't have that. And those younger gummies had only seen the whole picture of the war. They hadn't really fought in it.

But…poor Cubbi. He had not only fought in it, he'd had to fight against that evil mastermind called Zorlock. Plucki wouldn't wish that on his worst enemy, let alone a child…especially not this child. The Captain looked down at the sobbing cub and without a word, laid his hand in his hair and rubbed the cub's back with his other hand.

"My fault!" Cubbi started to wail. "My fault! My fault Destini died!"

This got Plucki's full attention. He pushed Cubbi away from him and put his hands on the cub's shoulders. He met Cubbi's eyes, firmly but kindly.

"Sir Cubbi," he said firmly, "You did _not_ cause Destini's death. That was Zorlock's doing, not yours."

"but it was _me_ doing it…"

"no," Plucki corrected gently, "it was your body."

Cubbi didn't seem convinced. Plucki sighed deeply. The cub was misplacing the blame. That was common but it tore the knight's heart up. He looked at Cubbi and despite himself, he smiled.The cub was so miserable but his eyes were still strong. Most of the eyes were sorrow but Plucki saw a light deep behind them. He thought back to Aldi and remembered something he had always used with him.

"You're right Cubbi."

The cub looked up, shocked.

"W..what?"

"Zorlock was evil embodied. He was the greatest sorcerer, evil though he was, that ever existed, as far as we know. He fell the fifth Gummadoon council all in one shot. Destini was protecting the staff and you didn't keep Zorlock contained. When he took over Wooddale-"

"Now wait a minute!" Cubbi cried, angry. "He was strong. I'd just recovered from Fire Plaque. I was fighting him as hard as I could. When he attacked Destini, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't fight that stupid staff!"

Plucki chuckled and raised a brow at Cubbi. "That's what I wanted to hear, lad."

Cubbi paused, stunned. "It was Zorlock who killed her, who made her use the staff. I was trying…so hard."

Plucki stroked the cub's hair. "I know you were. But Destini didn't die in vain, little one. You destroyed the staff. And I know Zorlock was trying to escape. I saw it by the way your face changed. Your will kept him in long enough for thr staff to destroy him. Cubbi…to keep a wizard locked inside by will alone is soemthng very few can do. And you put an end to that cursed staff."

Cubbi looked at Plucki and a faint grin came over his face. He flung his arms around Plucki's neck and hugged him tightly. He said softly, as he squeezed out the last few tears,

"Thank you."

"Ursa."

Grubbi walked over to his leader who was still talking to Buddi. She turned to the healer who said,

"We can move into Gummadoon for now. Besides, I have a feeling Buddi here is something of a hero."

Buddi turned blood red and buried his face into Ursa's nearby shoulder. The barbic leader chuckled and ruffled his hair,

"Little bird…"

Buddi blushed deeper at that phrase, which basically meant 'shy one.' He still didn't think he'd done anything that great but he also knew that if Ursa was making such a big deal about it, it must be. Grubbi scooped Buddi up from the cot and said,

"No walking for you for a few days."

Ursa was about to follow when Gritti reentered and said,

"Ursa…we need to talk."

The Barbic leader rubbed Buddi's head, telling him she'd be right behind him. Then, she trotted to Gritti's side.

"What is it?"

"The Gummadoon council found out about the Glen and South Gumpton. They're going to revive them."

"They can do that?"

"they could make the city vanish and only reappear once a century…"

"Point taken. So…why are you telling me this?"

"The others told them about Barbic Woods…they want to revive it."

Ursa's face paled with a mixture of shock and hope. "..What?"

"You heard me."

The barbic leader sat down on the cot that Buddi had once occupied. "Did they give details?"

"Well, for the Glen and South Gumpton, they are basically recreating it from scratch, knowing what it was like before-"

"They don't know Barbic Woods…"

"No but I also told them what you and Grubbi told me. That it was starting to rebloom."

"And?"

"And they said, if that was true, they would just speed up the process. The trees would be completely natural, not magically created."

Ursa looked at Gritti and saw pure hope in his eyes, and she knew it was probably reflected on her own face.

"What did the others-"

"They follow you."

"So-"

"DO IT!"

Ursa turned to see Buddi rushing back, or as best as he could which was pretty pathetic. He was weak, very physically drained. He fell onto his face. Ursa stood and walked over, scooping him up. Grubbi was close behind. She said, trying to sound firm but not being able to hide her amused tone,

"Buddi Barbic, do the words 'don't walk' mean anything to you?"

As she said this, she brushed the mud and dirt off his face. Buddi was looking at her, pure hope in his eyes. Tears streamed down his face.

"Let them do it, Ursa."

"Buddi, magic isn't something trivial."

"And we Barbics typically don't _need_ magic," Grubbi added. Buddi spoke, his voice nearly breaking with emotion.

"But…you heard Gritti. The trees'd be natural. It's starting to grow…wouldn't this be just speeding up what Natur is already doing?"

Ursa sighed; he had a point. She looked at him, at those young eyes, full of hope and desire. Inside, her own heart practically burst in her chest with the prospect…the idea of going home…she looked at the cub in her arms. So full of life and innocence yet at the same time, wise beyond his years. Ursa wouldn't deny it. As much as she pretended otherwise, she ached for their old life, their old home just as much as the rest of her clan.

"Gritti…go tell the council we wanna go home."

Tavi was silent as she led them through Gummadoon's walls. She tried to push her pain away but every step she took, she was reminded that her brother would never sneak up on her like he always did. That her mother would never again greet her with cookies and treats when she came hoem from tutoring. Her father would never again carry her on his shoulders.

But…her aunt was still alive. Although no one had said anything, Tavi knew her aunt would take her in. She wouldn't make her niece become an orphan, even if she was a little older than the average age for raising cubs. Tavi was brooding and Grammi surprised her when she put her hands on her shoulders. Tavi turned to look at her,

"Pumpkin…are you all right?"

Tavi sighed deeply and tears welled up. "no…"

"Did you see some of the battle, kiddo?" Gruffi asked. Tavi looked at him.

"I was in the battle. I saw my parents die and I found my brother's body. All I have left is my aunt Toffi."

Grammi embraced her tightly. She didn't say anything but her hug spoke volumes. Tavi was extremely grateful. Glancing ahead, she broke loose and ran, arms out, screaming,

"Auntie Toffi!"

Wooddale chuckled and fell to her niece's level. She scooped her up and then noted the Glens.

"Welcome back, gummies. The council is meeting right now and we're discussing a matter very important. Would one of you attend?"

"Auntie, they wanted to see Cubbi…"

"I'll go."Zummi spoke out. "You three co see Gubbi…I mean, go see Cubbi."

"Zummi? Are you sure?" Grammi inquired. He nodded and walked off with Wooddale while Tavi pointed out where the room was before heading off herself.

She called behind her, "If Plucki's there, tell him the council needs him."

"Sir Plucki?"

The Gummadoon captain looked up from the form he had cradled in his arms and gave a smile at the Glens' approach. Much as he hated to wake Cubbi, especially since he finally looked peaceful, he knew Cubbi'd wanna see his clan. Gently, he jostled the cub's shoulder and Cubbi moaned, low and slow. Plucki smiled as the cub murmured, "Five mo'e minutes."

A grin pierced Gruffi's hard face at that. He and Grammi sat on the bed as Cubbi blinked and sat up. Cubbi spotted them immeidately.

"GRUFFI! GRAMMI!"

He flung himself at them, locking his arms around the closest one, Gruffi. The Glen leader gave him a light squeeze back.

"Hey kid."

"Where have you guys _been_?"

Grammi chuckled. They must have been asked that a good three times. She stroked Cubbi's tear stained face and said,

"We're more interested in what we missed, pumpkin."

Cubbi laid his head against gruffi's chest, surprising him. "Cubbi?"

"A lot," he murmured, half turning his head into Gruffi's chest, "A whole lot…"

"Are…are you serious?"

Zummi was stunned. Revive the Glen? The thought stalled his heart and filled him with longing. The council caught his surprised and longing look and smiled. Berrybottom was the one who spoke.

"Yes, as we are reviving South Gumpton, repairing Ursalia-"

"And Barbic Woods," a familiar female voice added. Zummi turned to see Ursa walk through the doors. Gritti followed her, carrying Buddi, who had his eyes shut and was resting his head on the older gummi's shoulder. The barbic leader took ntoe of Zummi's surprised look and added, looking to the council, her eyes hard,

"I want you to speed the process up. We don't want any magically created trees. Our forest was fine."

The council gave her a nod and then turned to Zummi. Stunned, he gave a nod in answer. The five council members rose and began to chant. Zummi normally would had listened to their words, to how they looked, what they did as they chanted. But his mind was completely blown away by the prospect. They could go home…home.

The council glowed a deep blue for a brief moment before it faded and they turned to their audience, Berrybottom spoke,

"It is done."

Berrybottom smiled at Zummi, "You are free to investigate it. If you would let us know when you want to go, one of our magic apprentices will accompany you. Traveling by magic will take much less time than even by Quickcar.."

Zummi nodded. But before he could leave, Ursa grabbed his arm.

"Ursa-"

"All right, where were you?"

"We-"

"I know you Glens, despite how we clash. You would have come immediately, as soon as Sunni got there with Buddi. You didn't so I'm guessing you weren't there."

Zummi was obviously stunned. Ursa folded her arms, nodding her head. "I saw the way you looked at Ryo. He had something to do with it…now…I wanna know what happened when we were gone."

"Ursa…"

"Zummi Gummi! We may disagree at times and Gum herself knows that gruffi and I clash constantly but your clan members are our allies…our friends. I wanna know what Ryo, one of my clan, did to make you vanish."

Zummi sighed and slowly, evenly, he told Ursa the straight facts. He didn't look at her once until he finished.

Her lips were pinched, her face a lighter shade.

"He dared…"

"Ursa…it's okay. The Glen's been revived…"

"When he did this, it wasn't. He was going to…Ryo, you tachien!"

Zummi looked at her. Ursa inhaled, took a moment and then said,

"Zummi," she looked at him, her eyes dead serious. "With every drop of my barbic blood, I ask you to forgive him. Had I been there, this never would even had been considered. We do not abandon those who need us." Her face softened a bit. "Nor friends."

Zummi beamed, relieved. He knew the barbic code would not had allowed this but to hear Ursa call his clan 'friends'…his heart leaped. "Accepted hole-wearted…er, whole-heartedly Ursa."

Ursa nodded. As Zummi walked out, she called, "Zummi? My clan will be returning to our woods if the spell was effective…"

"As we'll go back to the Glen Ursa."

"May we remain friends?"

"I would not have it any other way, Ursa."

Ursa nodded as Zummi vanished. She turned and left the room, headed towards the courtyard. She had a few choice words…and some extra duties for a certain barbic who dared break their code. Glen or not, Barbics did not abandon those that needed their protection. Or who had earned their alliance and friendship and she was gonna make _sure_ Ryo knew that…

"Oh Cubbi, darling…it'll be all right. It's over, sweetheart."

Cubbi sniffled, burying his face into Grammi's chest. The motherly gummi wiped his tears with her apron. As she was ready to speak, the door opened and Zummi returned…it had been a good hour since he and Sir Plucki left. Now, his eyes were wet with tears, his face shining. Grammi and Gruffi and even quiet Tummi asked,

"What is it?"

"The Gummadoon council…they…they restored the Glen."

"WHAT?!" Gruffi leapt up, Grammi, Tummi and Cubbi stared. Gruffi looked at Zummi, searching for it to be a lie or a cruel prank. He saw neither. Gruffi fell onto the bed, unbelieving yet wanting to believe at the same time.

"Those new gummies are from New Gumbrea, Gruffi." Zummi added. "The council revived South Gumpton. They repaired Ursalia…and revived Barbic Woods."

Zummi then proceeded to tell them of his conversation with Ursa. Gruffi listened, stoic, until eh finished.

"So…the great gummies are staying?"

"Yes…"it was Cubbi answered. "As is Gummadoon."

Cubbi lowered his eyes. Grammi took immediate notice.

"Pumpkin, what is it?"

"I…well…"

"Kid," Gruffi said it with strength but without venom. "Just spit it out."

"Plucki said…if I wanted…I could stay and be his squire and train…and become a knight of Gummadoon. But-"

"You'd have to leave the Glen and stay here," Gruffi finished. Cubbi nodded. Sadness was on his face but there was also a hope there, a desperate longing. Gruffi, still in shock, said nothing so Grammi took over,

"Oh Cubbi, sweetie…I know the other squires and pages have their families here…what about-"

"Plucki'll take me in. Most of the squires live with their mentors anyway…"

Grammi nodded, tears threatening to spill over. "Oh Cubbi, for the first time in centuries, the Glen will be full. With our cousins…finally home…I don't wanna discourage you honey. But…are you sure?"

Cubbi looked at each of the adults and then said,

"Yes. I wanna be a knight."

Grammi embraced him tightly,

"Then do it, sweetheart. Do it."

"I didn't do much…"

"Don't be so modest, Buddi," Ursa admonished gently. "Creating and figuring out how to launch a military attack is not _nothing_!"

"But…" it was Sunni who spoke now, "A holiday? For us?"

"You earned it, lass." Plucki intervened. He smiled as Cubbi walked in. "You _all_ earned it."

Cubbi blinked and walked over to Plucki's side as the Glens followed him in. "Someone wanna fill me in?"

Buddi spoke up, from his place in Ursa's arms. The rest of the Barbics were now in the main council chamber. The Glens noted that Ryo looked especially ashamed and cut down. But they didn't say anything. Buddi spoke out,

"The Gummadoon gummies and New Gumbrea gummies heard what we did and now they wanna dedicate the holiday of the end of this war to us. They wanna call it the Festival of the Three."

Cubbi was stunned to say the least. Gruffi spoke out,

"For three…?"

Wooddale nodded. "Buddi created and set into action the strategy that won us the war. Cubbi destroyed Zorlock and rid us of the only cursed Gummi artifact we've ever had. Sunni sealed our alliance with King Jean-Claude of France and Queen Calla of Dunwyn…"

"Wait!" Gruffi interrupted. "_Queen_ Calla?"

"Yes, Gruffi." A new voice spoke out. Turning, a small blond haired human girl walked through the door, followed by Sir Tuxford. Grammi didn't delay. She ran to Calla and hugged her tightly. The girl fell to her knees and accepted Grammi's embrace.

"Father was permanently injured in battle." She added. "He'll guide me but Dunwyn is mine now. And I cannot think of a better way to start it off than with an alliance with gummi kind."

She turned to the three now infamous cubs. "Or any better reward for you three than a holiday to make certain your acts do not fade with time."

And so that's what happened. After much convincing, the three cubs had agreed to a holiday. It was called the Festival of Three. A night that would be celebrated throughout all gummi clans, Glen, Royal and Barbic. Their human allies, both France and Dunwyn, also recognized it. But in Gummadoon, when they had a festival, they had a _festival_.

Food, magicians, games, dancing, and all the like. The Glens watched at first and then found themselves pulled into the celebration by their cousins. Sunni played a few of the games but because of her hurt leg, she had a few limitations. Buddi had the most limitations. He couldn't walk yet (medic's orders) so he sat with Ursa, watching. But he certainly wasn't one to turn down food or the gifts.

Yes, gifts. Since the three cubs had saved their kind, they received quite a few gifts as a result. Buddi surmised that in time, the holiday would probably present gifts to all cubs. But he wasn;t one to turn down a present. Most of the gifts were treats but quite a few were toys, which he was not ashamed to admit he had not yet outgrown completely.

Cubbi, despite the gifts and the praise, seemed the only one not happy. He looked like he was brooding. Buddi thought of calling him over and asking why but Grammi was already headed over and Ursa pushed Buddi's head into her lap and started to stroke his hair. Buddi, despite his outward façade, admitted he _was_ tired…exhausted almost. Ursa spoke, her voice soft.

"Your soul's strained, Buddi. Rest."

Buddi needed no further prodding. He was happy and content. He was growing up but he was still Ursa's baby. Neither she nor his clan was going to leave him alone. Barbic Woods was revived. They were going home. Sunni had her homem restored. Her lifestyle…he would miss her but Barbic Woods was closer than Ursalia had been. She and he had already agreed to quite a few meetings once they were settled. They were not going to grow apart, he was certain of it. And as for the Glens, Buddi had never seen them so happy. He couldn't believe all this had happened…

"Shh…"

Buddi's thoughts fled at Ursa's gentle touch and he sank into a sleep filled with dreams of a bright future.

"Great, Sunni!"

The girl beamed at Macki's praise. She couldn't do most of the games but she ahd gotten a bunch of gifts, mainly dresses and jewlry and she and Macki were comparing designs and hair styles. Macki was older and was showing Sunni how to do some of thr Asian hairstyles of her parents' culture. Sunni loved it. And also, some of the other gummies had brought over the smaller games for her to play as well as some of the food.

Tears blurred Sunni's vision. Everything was going so…right! She and Buddi were closer than ever and were going to visit as soon as their clan were settled. She had her clan back, Calla was queen, and they were allies with humans once more. It was like a dream to Sunni, something straight out of a storybook! But it was true and happening.

Sunni spied Gruffi, silent, his arms crossed. Getting up, she limped over to his side.

"Gruffi…you're supposed to be happy."

He jumped, surprised. "Kiddo, don't do that."

"Sorry. But seriously Gruffi…I know you don't wanna trust humans but Calla's queen now…"

"She can't control her entire kingdom kid."

"No…she can't. But think about it. We managed to get the humans to ally with us for the war."

"well…yeah."

"I say we give it a shot. Aren't you ever happy?"

Gruffi looked at her and then out across the room. Grammi gave Cubbi a hug and the cub headed over to where Plucki was. He looked at Sunni, who smiled and motioned to human children and gummi cubs, playing games together, side by side. Neither side was displaying malice, just joy and perhaps a little bit of awe but nothing to get alarmed over. He stroked the girl's hair.

"yeah, I am."

"Plucki?"

The Gummadoon Captain turned and smiled at Cubbi.

"hey lad. Enjoying yourself?"

"The presents are great," the cub grinned and Plucki laughed. But Cubbi turned serious again. "Can I talk to you, Plucki?"

Plucki nodded, set his glass down and led the cub through the door from the main hall, into what looked like a sitting room. Plucki sat across from Cubbi.

"of course, lad. What is it?"

"I heard you before. When you asked me if I wanted to be your squire."

Plucki blinked. He'd thought Cubbi had been asleep. But he didn't say anything, just waited to see where Cubbi was going with it. The cub looked at him and said softly,

"I do. I want to be a knight. I do."

Plucki took Cubbi's hands in his and smiled at him. "and as I said, Sir Cubbi, I will welcome you with open arms."

"I'll hafta stay here?"

"yes. As is the case with squires and mentors."

"I thought so…just making sure. But," Cubbi grinned. "Grammi said she wants your promise you'll take care of me. She's a worrywart."

"Sounds to me like she loves you."

"That too."

"You can tell her that I'll guide you and look after you with every ounce of spirit and heart I have."

Cubbi smiled and nodded. He couldn't believe it…he was going to be trained to be a knight. All his childhood, he had dreamed of such a moment. He never imagined that he would have the honor of training under Sir Plucki himself! The greatest of all their legends. It was mind blowing. The cub took in what the Captain was saying about how it would work with awe. It sounded like Plucki was gonna take over the role of Guardian…wow…

"Cubbi!"

Tavi ran in, launched herself at Cubbi and kissed his cheek. She hadn't gotten to see him yet and now was ecstatic. He was still alive…

"EW! Gross!"

Cubbi pushed her off. As soon as he was able, he darted behind Plucki, who had stood. Locking his arms around the knight's waist, he said,

"Keep away from me!"

Tavi, in retaliation, chased him around the knight twice before the two tore outside, back into the party. Grammi stuck her head into the room and looked at Plucki. He saw her look and said softly,

"I'll look over him as if he were my own."

Grammi nodded, "He'll get to visit?"

"Of course, milady."

A crash was heard from the party, followed by Cubbi's

"GET HER AWAY!"

Plucki chuckled,

"One journey done and another begins."

THE END