Later, the smurfs returned to the village with SmurfAggie in tow. Everysmurf in village was so worried about her, but SmurfAggie felt very sad for what SmurfStorm said about her not being a smurf like them. Without saying a single word, SmurfAggie walked to her house, and closed the door, ignoring everysmurf at her path.

Smurfstorm noticed this and felt sorry for SmurfAggie for what she said about her. Minutes later, Stormy climbed the ladder of the floating house, knocked on the door, and waited for Aggie to respond. Stormy didn't know what to say to Aggie as she felt guilty for hurting her like that.

Suddenly, the door opened as SmurfAggie looked at her front, and frowned. "Oh, it's you, SmurfStorm."

"Aggie, wait." SmurfStorm thought Aggie will close the door as she stopped her. "Um, can I talk to you for a moment?"

SmurfAggie feared of Stormy at first, but she never resist of giving her friends a chance to explain. "Come in."

SmurfStorm enetered the house as SmurfAggie shut the door behind her. SmurfStorm can't help herself but to sit down on the couch. Aggie didn't mind to serve her cookies for snacks as she put a plate of cookies on the table near the couch.

The two smurfs were silent for few minutes, until SmurfStorm spoke.

"SmurfAggie, there's something I wanted to say." She took a bite from a cookie, and confessed. "I'm very sorry about what I said. I really didn't mean to say that. I didn't mean to hurt you." She almost shed a tear. "I was only trying to protect our fellow smurfs, but I didn't realize I hurt one of my fellow smurfs. I have no excuse for saying those things about you. Some friend I am, huh?"

The way SmurfStorm said those things, SmurfAggie can able to recall that moment she was been rejected as one of the smurfs, and wasn't able to fit in at all. Aggie tried to hold her cry and sat besides stormy. "SmurfStorm, what you said was very hurtful, but I understand you were just trying to protect us smurfs. I think you were right. I was always been a human, never been a smurf. I tried to fit in, but I'm not meant to, anyway."

"No! That's not true, Aggie." Stormy placed an arm on Aggie's back. "Just like Smurfette thought of it, but she was able to fit in to any of us, boys and girls. And I think you have the right to fit in, too. I know what I said was wrong, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends with us. I observed you all this time. You were just wanted to be friends with us… and we are friends to you too, smurf or not. I'm very sorry, Aggie."

SmurfAggie smiled slowly with tears rolling from her eyes, as so was SmurfStorm, as they both share a big hug.

"Apology accepted, Stormy." She said.

On a bright and sunny day, now that SmurfAggie and SmurfSotrm are friends now, SmurfAggie, SmurfStorm, and Aria were racing each other on dragonflies. Over the past few days, Aggie has been hanging out with those two smurfs a lot, especially since she and Smurfstorm bonded after the events of their fight. Currently, Aria had the lead, but Smurfstorm was catching up to her fast, and Aggie was in the last place position.

As they rounded a giant oak tree, Aria exclaimed, "I'm going to win! Nothing can stop me now!"

But Smurfstorm smirked and replied with, "Oh yeah? Watch this"! She pulled on Spitfire's antennas as it made a spinning move while soaring over Aria. Almost in a slow-motion fashion, Aria swore she saw Smurfstorm wink at her before she took the lead.

In a flash, Spitfire landed as Smurfstorm chuckled, saying, "And once again, the undefeated racing champion beats her competition."

Aggie said as she jumped off her dragonfly, "Close race, you two,"

Aria sighed, saying, "I don't get it. I've tried almost every technique there is, and I still can't beat you."

SmurfStorm swung her arm over Aria as she said, "Piece of advice? Years of practice, but no worries. You and SmurfAggie will get it soon."

Aria playfully rolled her eyes before developing a deep smirk, tackling Smurfstorm to the ground. The two wrestled each other as Aggie watched in both confusion and amazement.

Once Aria got Smurfstorm in a headlock position, SmurfAggie asked, "Why are you two fighting like that? Was there some unsettling grudge I'm not aware of"?

Both smurfs laughed as they stood up, with Smurfstorm saying while brushing dirt off her dress, "We've been wrestling with each other since we were tiny."

Aria added, "Yep! It helps to build muscles, practice capture techniques, plus it's just fun."

Aggie was impressed when she heard them say that. She thought that she had a close friendship with the other smurfs, but Smurfstorm and Aria's company is something else. She asked with a smile, "Has your bond always been this tight?"

Both smurfs looked at each other and nodded, saying, "Yep," in unison.

Aria added, "Ever since we were brought to the village as babies, Smurfstorm and I have been together through just about anything you can imagine."

Smurfstorm said with pride, "I especially took it to heart since Aria is my younger sister."

With Aria saying in response, "By two days! We are practically the same age, Stormer!"

When Aggie heard Aria say that, she did her best to stifle her laughter as Smurfstorm blushed and turned away in embarrassment.

Aria could tell Aggie was going to ask about the nickname as she said, "'Stormer' is my nickname for Smurfstorm. I've been calling her that since I learned to talk."

Then Smurfstorm sighed, saying, "And it was something that was supposed to remain secret," shooting a playful glare at her younger sibling.

Aggie broke into laughter before saying, "Wow, you guys are close. Aria, you said that Smurflily is your younger sibling as well. Is she as close as you two are?"

Smurfstorm nodded, saying, "She's as close to us as we come."

Aria added, "Together, we're known as the Smurfy Grove Trio because we stick together, like the three smurfsketeers."

"Huh, and I thought my friendship for my other friends in other worlds is better than yours. No offense," SmurfAggie tried not to contrast about friendship levels.

"None taken. I know you have been experiencing making friends with others before you came here," SmurfStorm crossed her arms and nodded.

Aria then added, "Yeah, and I'm sure your friends still love you as family…, especially that… Red you always talked about? And he's a bird? You must be lucky… or he's the lucky one."

Aggie blushed when Aria mentioned about her boyfriend from another world.

Soon, the trio began walking back to the village, with Aria leading while humming a small turn in her head. Meanwhile, Smurfstorm had a solemn look on her face.

Aggie noticed this and asked, "What's wrong?"

Smurfstorm shook her head before answering, "Nothing. It's just... ever since that incident with the tornado a while when you first came to Smurfy Grove, I've been feeling extremely guilty about Aria being swept away." She brought her hand close to her face, saying, "If I had just held out a little more, she wouldn't have been caught and sent far away. I can't even forgive myself or call myself a proper sister since I couldn't even protect my own family when they needed me the most."

*Flashback*

That night, a ravenous tornado was sweeping through Smurfy Grove and everyone was taking cover. Aria helped a few of the slower smurfs before failing to notice that she was right in its path. she began to loose her footing and ended up grabbing on a branch for dear life.

Smurfstorm tied a rope around her and ran towards her, trying to reach out to her sister. She shouted, "Ari! Grab my hand! Quick"!

Aria let go of one of her hands and used it to reach out to Smurfstorm. They were just fingertips away as SmurfStorm said, "Just a little more...almost there."

Suddenly, the branch Aria was holding onto snapped as it and Aria were pulled into the tornado and swept away. Every smurf watched in horror as Aria was carried off, most likely smurfed for good. SmurfLily hugged SmurfWillow tightly, crying into her stomach, SmurfAggie dropped to her knees and broke into a hard sob. Every smurf was either crying alone or with a friend by them. However, no one was more upset or heartbroken than Smurfstorm. She dropped to her knees, dropped her signature bow and arrow, and just looked ahead, almost dazed. When Smurfwillow placed a comforting hand on her, Smurfstorm lost it. She cried harder than she ever did before, every smurf gathering around her and Smurflily for a big group hug.

*End pf Flashback*

Aggie had a sympathetic look as Smurfstorm said, "I'm an awful smurf. I'm a failure as a friend, especially since I was so mean to you before, and I'm a failure as a sister since I couldn't save her in time."

SmurfAggie placed a hand on her shoulder, and said, "That's not true. You're not a bad smurf at all. Yes, you did make some mistake before, but you're fixing them now and being a better smurf for it. It shows you really are a good friend. You're loyal, you're honest, you're brave, heck, you're even braver than me. Plus, you're not a failure as a sister. Just because you couldn't save her that one time does not mean that you're a bad sibling. Aria loves you for who you are. She loves you for everything you've ever taught her since you were babies. She loves you for the fun adventures, games, and memories you two shared. She loves you Smurfstorm for you...and nothing or no one can ever change or break the bond that you two hold."

Aria came over, saying, "I overheard what you guys said. Stormer, what happened that night was not your fault. No one could blame you for that branch snapping. If it makes you feel better, I should have been smarter and notice where I was. But what happened was not your fault, honest. I love you because you're the best older sister a smurf could ask for. In fact, I was able to survive out there on my own before you guys found me because of the things you and Smurfwillow taught me. You're more than just my older sister, you're my best friend Smurfstorm." Aria hugged Smurfstorm tightly as Smurfstorm smiled, returning the hug as well.

Once the two separated, Aria exclaimed, "Now, let's get back to the village. Last one there's a stick in the mud,"

Smurfstorm smiled, shouting, "Oh it's on Aria! I'm coming for ya!"

"Hey, wait up!" Aggie began to run.

The trio's friendship was still strong as ever, and nothing and no one could ever change that.

Special thanks to MasterClass60