In the Depths of Gummi Glen
Emi Gummi stretched, step her feet upon solid ground for the first time in centuries. Unable to help it, she whirled around, letting her long black hair flow free. Free! Finally! So many damn centuries, so many years, confined to that hell of a prison. Her waiting had paid off in spades! She was finally able to walk free once more! It had taken so much planning, so much manipulation and she had to admit, she was quite tired because of it. That fatigue though, would soon pass and she could hardly wait to finish what she had started all those years past!
Shifting her step, the gummi woman approached the mirror that had served as her prison for the past 500 years. The crystal clear surface, stretched to be the height of the blasted cubs that had ventured here, reflected her own dark presence back at her. She couldn't help a smile as she finally gazed from the outside in. For so long, she had been forced to stare at it from the inside out, though one could hardly call it staring. You could see some of the atmosphere and environment from the inside out but it was horribly distorted, like looking through a broken glass frame or through one that was clouded with ice and fog. She had gazed out into this empty chamber many a time.
Frowning a bit, she observed her reflection.
500 years had aged her considerably. She would need to regain some of her prime age before she could act. That was easy enough. Stealing youth from a person was quite simple in reality. Lady Bane preferred the long method of taking the youth slowly, day by day. While hers took less energy, Emi would be quite willing to sacrifice a little energy to get into her prime again quickly. It would take some careful planning but it was also a method through which her youth could not be stolen away again, unlike Lady Bane's. She was well aware of Lady Bane's need to utilize an old Latin spell because the gummies had stripped her youth from her in the last war. There was a far more assured way. Take youth from someone in one fell swoop until they collapsed into dust. Given the long life of gummies, she would need to take five or so humans to achieve her goal but that was easy enough. If it could not be wretched from her then it was worth the extra time and planning. Humans were fools, easy to ensnare.
Speaking of fools…
She summoned the mirror to shrink which it did accordingly. Taking it in her hands, she smirked, calling to the two little lost souls within it. They would be drawn to reply, whether they wanted to or not. That was the curse and benefit of a prison based on emotion. Oh, the many times she had been forced to respond when her clan members, those that remained, had called, pleaded with her. It had been like that for a few years…before her curse because known. Oh, they had stopped the majority of her magic but not all of it. Once they saw the kind of power she could still manifest even from a prison, the visits and pleads had stopped. Those who were blood-linked to her were long dead and the clan members remaining…fear control their actions. They dared not venture near.
Yet, she still remembered how to create such a call. Gummi spirits were odd that way. Once you understood it, the spirit of a gummi could truly do amazing things.
Sure enough, slowly, she saw the frightened faces of two young children appear in the mirror. Their spiritual forms, as all who entered the mirror prison reverted to that. It was supposed to "allow the soul to heal" more readily or some kind of nonsense like that. In any case, oh, how she loved to see such fear reflected in those young eyes. Young Tavi, shaking visibly and young Cubbi looking near tears. Pressing their palms against the entrance but not being able to pass through. Oh, how she loved seeing the situations reversed.
Pressing her nose against the glass, she laughed, "Oh, good luck getting out of there. I tried for 500 years. Thanks for opening the door for me!"
She utilized a little magic here, just a smidge, just enough to freeze their reactions in the glass. Their wide eyed faces, their petrified eyes. It was a simple enough duplication spell. Even as she saw their spirits retreat back from the surface, fall into that dark abyss, their terrified glances remained imprinted on the glass. It would make a nice memento to greet their families with when they came; she was certain that they would be. Oh, she supposed she could have left them to simply wonder about the fate of the two but it was so much more satisfying to know that the very thing they had created to keep her encaged now would entrap their children as well. So…ironically satisfying.
She threw the mirror, hard into the cold floor where it promptly shattered into dozens of pieces. Glass shards, of all sizes, went everywhere. Yet, still embedded within them were those small, wide eyed, scared-to-death faces, pressed against the glass, screaming for aid with voices that could not be heard.
Emi made sure to crush one with her foot as she walked out.
Gummadoon Courtyard
Gruffi barely managed to catch up with the knights as they headed towards the stables, where the unicorns were kept…no, they actually weren't going that way. Did they mean to run there on foot?!
No, they were turning just ahead and Gruffi could see a field, with grazing unicorns. They looked strong enough but hardly the stallions that they had seen when they last came here. The knights weren't wasting any time. Not even bothering to grab their usual steeds. For Gruffi, that was a good sign. He didn't think they were going to treat Cubbi and Tavi's disappearance and mishap lightly but for some reason, seeing such urgency and no-nonsense expressions on their faces, the way they didn't even speak, just moved, well, it comforted the bear that all that could be done WOULD be done.
And Gum help him, he was comin!
Zummi and Sunni were not too far behind him as he advanced on the knights, Plucki especially, but that wasn't where his thoughts were right now. His thoughts were on Cubbi! The legends of Emi had always been simple stories to him and frankly, he'd never taken much interest in them. That just wasn't his thing. However, he did know the darkness he had felt in that hallway. It had chilled him to his bone and he would never forget it. He could still recall every single moment of that day.
And it had been the death of poor Cubbi's mom to boot! No, he would not fathom something that…twisted…taking his youngest cub as well!
"Hey!" He called as the knights tore through a gateway and began to pull unicorns from the field. No talk still, just rapid grasping of horse hair and pulling themselves up on the mares' backs. They weren't grabbing saddles or reigns or anything, just swinging on up, bare back! Good, speed was what they needed! "Ya need a guide for the Glen! How in fur are you gonna find those cubs if ya get lost in the process? The Glen ain't small!" That was an understatement to be sure. Gruffi had grown up in the Glen and if you went deep enough, you could still get lost unless, like him, you took the time to really understand the guts of the place and how it was laid out. They needed him!
Zummi came up behind them, huffing and puffing, "Ruffi's gright, er, Gruffi's right! Bring us along!"
The three knights, Gumlittle, Plucki and Ramsei turned briefly as they got a grip and control on the unicorns, but they barely had a chance to give a reply of any sort before Sunni pushed her way past Gruffi and Zummi and pulled herself up behind Sir Ramsei. "We're coming with you, let's go!" Her sharp tone was reminiscent of another female they knew and it wasn't Grammi. It certainly had the desired effect though!
A bit surprised by her forwardness, Ramsei didn't argue, looking to his Captain. Plucki didn't give a verbal reply but extended his hand down to Gruffi, with Gumlittle following suit with Zummi. Grateful that no arguments were going to slow them down, the two Glen bears accepted and grabbed a firm hold on the knight's sides as soon as they were settled. Riding unicorns bareback was something the knights hardly ever did (and the Glen gummies NEVER did) but given the urgency of the situation, they had no time for proper arrangements. They had to move!
Gruffi eyed Sir Plucki as he settled. He, again, saw a similar urgency in Plucki's eyes that he felt in his own heart. His previous anger at having been completely left in the dust faded at that. He had to admit, he had been nearly ready to just tear out of the room without thinking too! So, the faster they got to the Glen, the better! "Take the route through the forest." Gruffi pointed ahead and to the right. "First few feet is rough but then it's all path. Straight shot!" Granted, he knew the knights most likely were aware of how to get to the Glen but they didn't have time for the easy route. They'd most likely get some cuts and bruises from the undergrowth for their trouble but that wasn't important right now! CUBBI was important right now!
Plucki wasn't talking much. The only response he gave to indicate he had even heard the Glen patriarch was to turn the unicorn in the direction he was pointed. He nudged the mare with his ankles, saying, "Swift as the wind blows, girl!"
It was so rare for a ride to be silent but this was what the ride to Gummi Glen was. Dead silent. Everyone remained silent, with the only sound being the heaving of chests and the hoof beats of the unicorns pushed to their absolute limits. The heaving of the mares' breathing under normal circumstances would have driven the knights to take a forced stop but this time, they urged them "faster, faster." Plucki's eyes were locked ahead, all his previous fatigue pushed aside and forgotten. All he could think of was that he had to reach Cubbi, Tavi too, but his thoughts admittedly were primarily on his squire. As the branches tore by his face, he pushed them aside with a harsh jerk of the arm. More than once, he felt the Glen bear behind him tighten his grip as they leapt over fallen logs and through bushes. Though, as horrible as it felt to admit it, had the Glen Gummi fallen off, he most likely would not have noticed.
Plucki kept seeing his squire, over and over. Those bright shining eyes, brighter than any cub he had been blessed enough to interact with. His mind could only repeat finding those eyes forever shut. He had seen what Emi did to gummies and she made no exceptions for cubs. If anything, she seemed to be crueler with children! The thought of finding Cubbi like he had found so many other cubs…like when they had arrived too late to save Bera. A playground filled with cubs literally struck dead in mid-play. Those horrified faces locked open forever in an unanswered plea for help…if he found Cubbi like that…
No! No, he could not allow himself to think that way! Toni had alerted them quickly. There was still time!
He pleaded with his heart to stop its hurting, to stop its crying. There was no time for that. They had time to save the cub!
Time to save his cub!
There HAD to be time.
Enroute to Lady Bane's Palace
Sir Ecri had to admit that he was not used to leading an expedition. That usually went to the more experienced knights or if it was between himself and Yaci, it always fell to Yaci. That was not an option now though. His brother was gone and he was the one that had started the investigation. He was going to finish it. There was way too much at stake here. So, here they were, his little small band of investigators. Himself, Sir Horli, Sir Kai, Councilor Wooddale, Councilor Berrybottom, Grammi, Gusto and Lucki resting in his lap. While Gusto and Grammi were not knights, they had been to this witch's castle before, according to Grammi. That kind of knowledge could prove to be invaluable, especially since they were going on an exploration for any answers they could find.
Ecri glanced down at the cub in his arms. Lucki's eyes had opened, briefly but he glanced ahead sightlessly, not really seeing anything. It made the knight's blood boil to see the innocent boy be pushed through the torture this witch insisted on inflicting just for her own sick pleasure. The violet colored knight truly looked forward to when they would force her out and perhaps…maybe then, young Lucki…perhaps they would be able to find a way to stabilize him and he could live out his life. Much as the thought of him being unnaturally resurrected made him sick and quiver a bit, it was hardly Lucki's fault. If they could pry SOME good for this circumstance.
"So, he's Tavi's bro?" The sky blue gummi behind him asked. Gusto had taken up a seat behind him on his unicorn while Grammi rode behind Sir Kai. Kai was keeping a pretty steady pace with him. The councilors and other knights rode a bit behind. The group up front knew where they were going after all. The sky blue gummi mentioned having been here once or twice while Grammi stated the woman had caused such turmoil for her clan that they had been forced to visit here many a time. Apparently, Gusto was normally the jovial one. Now though, he was all business.
Ecri turned just slightly as he answered, "Yes. Tavi is Lucki's little sister. They're the children of Councilor Wooddale's younger sister."
Grammi's interested look was silenced with Sir Kai adding, "Please, do not ask Wooddale on that. Lady Ameri, or Amaulthea as she was known to some, and her husband Sir Glenfield were lost during the last war."
A nod of understanding before Grammi inquired, "What about the poor dear's bruises? He looks like he'd shatter like glass!"
Silence reigned for a long moment before Gusto prodded, "IS it that bad?"
Ecri took a heavy breath before remarking, "It is not an easy topic. Lucki is Sir Gumlittle's squire—"
Grammi allowed a small smirk, "And dear to Corvi's heart if what I saw was any hint." She had to admit, despite the fear ripping through her heart about Cubbi, about Emi, about all this horrific stuff, seeing that blond haired dear come in and immediately drop to the green furred cub's side…that was a devotion that was so pleasant to the heart to see. In times like this, especially in times like this, enjoying those small moments, those little moments of compassion, of love and devotion, that was how you survived it!
Ecri nodded, "Yes," he diverted his eyes down to the blank-stared cub, "Those two have been friends since they were in diapers." Allowing himself just a hint of a smile at the memory, he added "When Corvi became a page, Lucki followed within days of his birthday that made him old enough." He didn't feel like adding that he had been fairly close with the boys as well. He'd been a squire, an older squire when the boys were pages but he remembered it well. That comradery was not easily dismissed or forgotten. His former disgust with the prospect of Lucki's circumstances had been replaced with determination. To find he had been a victim of Lady Bane's, that he had been wretched from his rest to possibly die an eternal death…
The reminder of all the things the boys had endured together¸ old pleasant memories lighting through his mind, he was more resolved than ever that young Lucki must have a happy ending. He WOULD have a happy ending. Nothing else would satisfy him.
Gusto eyed Ecri, narrowing his eyes, "So, what's wrong with the lil' squirt then? Grammi and Gruff tol' us about the process to get …to get Cubbers started. You wouldn't have let him start if he was so breakable." Gusto had a lot more faith in the knight training program than that. Their potential knights had to have a certain amount of physical strength, or if nothing else, they had to have a lack of physical limitations. You could overcome some physical limitations but he was pretty sure that if you bruised if someone looked at you funny, you would be politely refused knighthood.
Ecri gave a second firm nod, "No, you're correct, we would not have." He took another deep breath, glancing backward. Councilor Wooddale, while close, was not close enough to be disturbed by this conversation. He did not want to disturb her with unpleasant memories but the two Glen gummies DID have a right to know the depth that this sorceress had dropped. From their talk, they had seen their share of horrendous activity from the witch but he was fairly certain that the depth of her deplorable actions had been significantly increased from what they knew. "Lucki was always a very healthy child. Hardy and tough. Lucky as can be, hence his name. Born early and sickly but it didn't last long. He plowed through training, fast as anything. He entered the last war to give his aid and ended up saving Sir Gumlittle."
Grammi bit her lower lip. Her heart was telling her that something absolutely appalling was coming but she had to know. She needed to know what they were dealing with, despite her desire to ignore the uneasy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. Taking an inhale, she exhaled, long and hard, "Brave little dear." She wasn't really sure what she wanted to say. It was true, such an action was brave and courageous but there was something about the knight's voice that made her heart-sick. She wanted to not hear anymore and yet she felt she must. She wanted to push Lady Bane out of the cub with her bare hands. She wanted to pull the poor child close and smother him with a hug but if he was so breakable…Gum, no one should break so easily… "To run into danger like that.."
Gusto locked sights with her, catching the hidden emotion in her voice. "Can't say it surprises me with these guys." He had to admit, he was a bit surprised, given how young Lucki was (he guessed he was about 10 or 11) but if the squires were being homed into the knights of Gummadoon, he supposed it had to start somewhere. Still, to picture a cub not much older than Cubbi rushing onto the battle field…it gave him shudders.
Ecri waited a moment, "Lady Bane took advantage of his naiveté after his victory to attack him. I still…am unsure what she used. Some type of magical mist that solidified when she desired. Grabbed the boy in strangle so intense it choked off his air."
The two gummies were silent, just waiting. Ecri said nothing more, setting his sights ahead, nudging his unicorn along. He did not want to say what happened next. It may have been silly but…well, saying it aloud, it just was painful. As much as it probably sounded foolish and petty, not saying it seemed to make it less real. It was the same regarding his brother's death. Aside from the battle and his snapping at Sir Blastus right afterwards, he had yet to say it aloud. He knew that their allies needed all the information but his tongue fell flat.
It was probably a good five minutes before Grammi inquired, seeing the knight was not about to add anything. "What happened to him? Gum knows that Lady Bane's spells aren't always noticeable at first…" That had to be the explanation for his bruised body. She knew it in her bones! What kind of trickery had the sorceress pumped into this poor cub!? What had she done to his body? Her mist must have done something to his skin, to his muscles, to his blood. Gummi immune systems were some of the most advanced in the world! Yet after this cub had been in Lady Bane's clutches, after that blasted sorceress had possessed him, he was literally falling apart!
"Same thing that usually happens when you get strangled long enough."
Ecri turned his attention to the preteen in front of him at the sound of the boy's voice. The cub blinked a few times and Ecri saw the familiar spirit of Lucki take control. The green furred squire sat up, slowly, taking on a riding stance, no surprise. The cub had been riding since he was so young that it was probably instinct now. The gentle toned boy turned his eyes to Grammi and finished his statement, "I died."
Secondary Gummadoon Council Chambers
Toni shifted his eyes up, silent for a long moment. So much had happened within the past few minutes that his young head was still spinning. The group of knights taking off, the Glen guests rushing off, the re-emergence of Sir Ecri into talking-not-sad-zombie-like state and then the entire room suddenly being as empty as it was less than a few hour ago. Only one of the councilors and a handful of knights remained, with Sir Blastus talking intensely with two of them. He found a break in his conversation and planning to turn and address the remaining two children: Toni and Corvi.
Corvi was quiet, lost in that deep thinking look he sometimes took on so Blastus turned and smiled gently at the blue furred cub. The cub looked tired but he was hardly going to suggest he try to sleep. He wouldn't be able to. Blastus understood the council's choices and heck; his former squire Sir Ecri had several good points. He understood, from a tactical point of view, the reasoning and he would fulfill his duty as best he could. That being said, it didn't mean he was not worrying about everyone! There was a reason the three key knights of Gummadoon usually went into battle together. They worked off one another flawlessly. It felt…odd to be without them.
Blastus had been there when—
"Blastus?" Young Toni's words cut into his thoughts again. He shook his head to clear his mind and diverted his attention back to the young squire. He'd been trying to focus his attention on Toni only for it be lost amid all the what-ifs. He needed to stay attentive. The cubs especially needed it right now. Much as he felt fear running through his heart, for multiple reasons, to let it rear its head and petrify others, especially children, was not acceptable. He forced his war face to take control again; Gum, Plucki was so much better at that…
"Qui, Toni?"
"Is…is there something I can do? I…don't like just standing here!" Toni felt fidgety. Everyone had split and run off into separate directions so quickly. Only one council member left, three knights that were doing a really bad job at not looking scared, only Tummi of the Glens was left (he'd returned with the water Grammi had requested after everyone had dispersed) so that left him, Corvi and Tummi almost alone in the room with Sir Blastus. What had felt like a room full of hope and protection less than five minutes ago suddenly felt empty and cold. He hugged the book closer to his chest, wishing all the evil, horrible things to just be brushed away like they always were in stories. It was a stupid wish but all the same…
Corvi turned his sights to Blastus, taking a stand next to Toni, "Yeah, we should be doing something!" What he was not exactly sure, despite racking his brain over it but Gum there had to be something…
"And we are." Blastus assured them. "I'm making preparations for our troops to be on guard. The council is beginning their own research with what we have. You two—"
"Blastus.." Toni snarled, "If you tell us to go to bed or not to worry about it, I swear I'm gonna kick you."
The knight gave the boy a warning glance, a rare look from the jovial knight, "Non," he assured him, biting down his remark about the boy's tone (he could hardly blame the cub for thinking such things) "I would not do that. You deserve more than that. I know you want to follow our amis but we have different roles we have to play." He raised his hand for silence before Toni could even open his mouth, "That means something for you as well, little Toni."
Interest peeked, his ears perked up and he stepped a bit closer, "What can I do?"
Blastus eyed the boy, "I want you to protect that book."
Toni groaned, "But I—"
Blastus knelt down a little bit and set his sights on the cub's eyes, "I know you may think I'm dismissing you but I'm not, mon enfant." Blastus' entire face looked different. No more jovial playing around, just a stern, serious glance that seemed usually to be reserved for Plucki. It was easy to forget sometimes, with Blastus being so playful, that he was also one of their best knights. You didn't become third-in-command for no reason. "That is a vital role." He put his hands on Toni's, gave them a tight squeeze. "It seems like the book only responds to us but there may be ways around it, mon ami. I don't want Lady Bane or Emi getting their hands on it. You're tres imaginative, Toni. Do I need to tell you what might happen?"
Shaking his head, Toni tightened his grip on the book. "Uh uh. What should I do with it?"
Blastus frowned, "Keep it close. Go to the most secure place you can find in the palace. I'm going to send two knights with you. When the others return, we'll regroup. If you can get any more information from that book, great!"
Toni expected to be excited when he was given a mission, given something to do. He didn't feel like that anymore. Much as he wanted to rush after Cubbi and Tavi, much as he wanted to go with the others to Lady Bane's, he suddenly felt a desire to curl into a ball. Protecting the book, while not the most glamorous of jobs, held a great deal of weight to it. Who knew what was in this book? Apparently, it was the entire memory of one of their old wizards! That ol' guy probably knew a ton of stuff! With what Lady Bane had done…had made HIM do…without the book, Gum only knew what she would be able to accomplish with it.
Swallowing his fear, though his young voice still trembled some, he eyed Sir Blastus, "I..I can do it."
With a gentle smile, the French knight thumbed the boy's nose. "Qui, I know you can—"
Biting his lower lip, Toni inquired, "Can…I pick who gets to come with me?" Almost as soon he said it, he slapped his forehead. With all the things going on, he was being petty enough to actually request certain knights to be with him? "Sorry," he said simply. "I.."
Blastus chuckled, "Don't worry, Toni. I was planning on sending Quimbi and Rudi with you. You do well with those two, do you not?"
Toni wasn't too fond of Rudi but Quimbi was alright. Besides, with the kind of things they had at stake here, who was he to be protesting? They had no time for that! So, he hardened his face and gave a fierce nod. "Don't worry Blastus." He said with a harsh fierceness to his form. Tightening his grip on the book so hard his knuckles turned white under his fur, he narrowed his eyes, unaware that such a face while intimidating on an adult, made him look more like he was pouting than anything else, stating, "No one's gettin' their hands on this book. I give my word."
Within Emi's Prison
So dark!
It was emptiness! Pure emptiness where you just fell and fell and fell! Cubbi couldn't even see Tavi anymore though, he was sure she was close. He could hear her but yet he couldn't see her. He couldn't really smell anything either! He really couldn't see anything. There was nothing to see! He felt queasy and sick, as he felt like he was falling and falling with no relief, no end! The small patch of light that he had seen Emi's face in had vanished in a shattering of color and he could see nothing else. Just empty space and darkness.
Idiot. He was an idiot. He should have listened. He knew better. He should have…
What had they done? They'd let her out. Her, the one gummi they had been trying and trying to keep imprisoned and they'd let her out! Gum knew what she was doing! She might be attacking their friends and family this very minute and it was all their fault! Their fault! They'd damned their whole race! They'd signed a death mark on all their loved ones. The horrible massacres they had grown sick simply hearing about were going to become cold hard facts again! Images of gummies being torn to pieces, the Glen burning, the kingdom of Dunwyn being ripped apart…
Cubbi screeched as the air around him suddenly became filled with water and fire. It really...well, there was not a good description for it, despite how he tried. The nearest thing he could come up with was, well, the rain was on fire! The falling drops burned and froze all in the same motion while he continued to fall and fall. He was usually a cub that loved a good ride and jumping and darting quickly was a game he normally loved. Here though, his stomach seemed continuously caught in his chest as the dropping never seemed to cease! There was nothing for him even to collide with!
It was so hot! The burning rain hurt!
And lonely! His eyes darted about for Tavi, again and he called out for her.
Nothing.
Well, okay, that wasn't quite true. There was sound. Screaming, yelling. Crying. He didn't know from where but he could hear it. Tears of someone that was scared to death. Screams of someone pleading for mercy. He didn't recognize any of the voices. Emi's victims, maybe? Then, just when he thought it could not get any worse, it did. The voices that were screaming in pain, screaming in panic, screaming for mercy shifted, morphed, became voices he DID know. The screams of fear turned into Zummi's cries of despair. The screams of pain became Sunni's. The screams for mercy became Grammi pleading for someone to spare the cubs. The shouts of protest shifted into Plucki and Gumlittle's vocals. The cries of rage and frustration became Gruffi's.
Was this real? Had he…was this happening? Right now?
Despair, fear, sadness so heavy that it was suffocating enveloped the cub.
Cubbi, help me!
The entire landscape around him changed. Not to anything specific per say but it was almost like the backgrounds of everywhere he had been had been combined into one simple environment. He saw the flooring of the Glen, the walls of Dunwyn, the furniture of Gummadoon, even the birds and animals that he had seen on his many adventures. They were all suddenly there, romping about even though it made no logical sense whatsoever. Outside trees and burning rain and the Glen, Ursalia and Gummadoon all in one.
But in the center of it was still that voice, that voice he knew well. Turning about, he found himself face to face with Sunni. She was right there, in front of him! But, Gum, not how she should be! Blood, bruises, dirt and mud turning her yellow fur nearly brown. Tears running down her face, her clothing torn. Cubbi could not see what pursued her but he didn't need to. Truly, didn't he KNOW what chased her? KNOW what caused such horrible injuries to his heart-sister? KNOW that it was his fault?
He barely caught her in his arms when she stumbled before her eyes went dark as ice and she literally shattered into dust in his grip. Blood poured everywhere…
Cubbi, how could you have let her go…
Whirling around, Cubbi found himself right next to another familiar face. "Gruffi!"
Sure enough, there he was, that parental figure that Cubbi's heart had known since before he could recall. But, just as his sister, he was full of bruises, coated in blood, with fur literally tore from his body. There were patches of just skin that were a horrible, raw, red color. Cuts, gashes, and wounds just seeping blood and ash seemed to cover his whole form. He was crawling to him, yet still carried that strong tone, that unrelenting seriousness that always had carried them through such trials. But when he got closer, Cubbi nearly threw up, seeing that there was little to nothing past the bear's knees. Just torn, bloody stumps.
Then, just like Sunni, when he rushed him, he shattered away in a flood of brown and red.
Cubbi, I told you to stay in Gummadoon.
Gum, no. The cub jumped up, ran at Plucki when the knight came into view. Yet, even as he got closer, he knew this could not be real. It couldn't be. He didn't want it to be. Yet, everything was right in front of him, he was seeing everyone he loved dying. The image of Sir Plucki was no different. He stood there, blood running down his entire body. Cubbi couldn't even see the golden fur. When he approached, when he got closer, he threw his hands over his mouth when he saw no eyes where those gentle soft gazes usually waited.
Falling to his knees, or as much as one could fall at all in this weird place, the squire covered his face with his hands, shaking. Afraid to open his eyes again, he gulped and bit down a sob at the mass of faces that appeared and disappeared around him. Friends he knew, people he loved, folks he knew so well. His heart broke in his chest and when those images finally vanished away in a wash of blood that felt and smelled so real that he nearly threw up, he screeched aloud and the air around him exploded into burning water, flame and thunder.
The pink furred cub clamped his hands over his ears as tears erupted from his eyes, only to be dissolved into steam in the hotness of the environment. Imsorryimsorryimsorry! He screeched over and over, his voice lost amid the howling, amid the screaming, amid the…dying.
His clan was dying.
His friends were dying.
His dear mentor was dying.
He'd killed them! Everyone dear to him was dying! Everyone that he was training to protect, he had killed them all! If not like this, then soon! They were all going to die!
A horrible sinking feeling took him, like he was stuck in a tar pit and it was slowly pushing him down, absorbing him, pushing on him so hard that everything was blank and empty. He'd killed them all…
Cubbi!
A sharp tone made his eyes fly open and a hand grabbed hard onto his wrist. For a moment, he thought Tavi but no, no, it wasn't. It was similar at first glance but it wasn't her. Gum, where was she in this mess? Lost like he was? Was she seeing the horrendous things he was? Was she near? Was she far? Had she survived this fall or had she actually hit the ground? Was she somewhere else entirely? How was he supposed to find her in this mess of a place? Gum, what was he going to do…
Cubbi!
The voice jerked him back to the present moment and he glanced at whomever had grasped his hand. They had slowed his fall…float…whatever it was here but still he was a little below his savior. Eyes wide, Cubbi blinked.
Then blinked again.
He had to still be seeing images because he was looking at himself…wait, no. No, not him.
A cub that looked a lot like him was staring down at him, with a strong grip on his wrist. Pink fur, no clothes but Cubbi saw that he was in the same state (he'd never noticed it because of all these horrific images) but the cub's hair was quite curly, almost like little ringlets all over the cub's head. His eyes were concerned, soft and Cubbi swore he had seen them before though for the life of him, he could not recall where. Staring, thinking, he gaped a little, swallowed, then asked, "Who are you?"
"Aldi Gummi."
Lorath Wood
Cool wind, actual wind! Being stuck in a formless prison for so long made anything that was solid and real deeply desired. So, despite her knowledge that she would need to work quickly, Emi Gummi took a moment to let the wind blow through her long hair. It felt so wonderful that she stood there, for a moment, amid the trees of Lorath Wood and just let the breeze blow. Oh to be free from that blasted prison, to be free to claim what was rightfully hers and to make those who had dared to try and stop her pay…
First things first, she coached herself. Strength. I've aged since I was put in that prison. I need to get that back first.
Simple enough. Lady Bane's youth spell that she normally utilized was sufficient but she needed to alter it a bit to become permanent. She did not need to attack right now, in fact, that would be ill-advised. She had learned over her many centuries that patience was always the best method. That was how she had achieved her previous victories and that was how she would achieve this one. She would get her youth and strength back, infiltrate her enemies' stronghold and then strike when they were most vulnerable.
And speaking of vulnerable, the pathway she was currently walking was a favorite for travelers and merchants. Folk that would hardly be missed should they go missing.
And they were going to go missing permanently.
Gummadoon Halls
"Blastus!"
Sir Blastus turned, pulled from his attempt to coordinate several knights to increase their defenses. Toni had been swept away with Quimbi and Rudi and the remaining gummies had vanished to their positions. The knights were waking any extra forces they could, save the ones that truly could not be pulled for fear of utter exhaustion, the counselors were swarming the library and that left Sir Blastus to command positions of defense. Not his favorite thing to do but he was most qualified. It gave him a sense of purpose, that he was doing something…
Hence, here he was, rushing about the upper towers, calling commands left and right, gathering who he knew to be the best lookouts, the best infantry, the best spies…despite the late hour, the knights of Gummadoon were a flurry of commotion, all the while trying their best not to alert the populace. A panic was not going to help matters in the least. So, while remaining stern and strict about the importance, the rearranging of Gummadoon's defenses was done in relative quiet.
"Sir Blastus!" his name was called again. Turning, he saw his pursuer rushing up the nearby stairs. Corvi, his poor little Corvi, approached him, saying, "Blastus, I'm going after them to the Glen." It wasn't a request, it was a plain statement. A statement that the cub followed up by swiftly walking past him and for the stairway that led for the exit to the courtyard nearest the stables.
Oh, that got his attention. "Corvus!"
Shaking his head adamantly, the cub stated, "Toni is going to be protecting the book, I don't need the other boys panicking, Lucki is helping them explore Lady Bane's palace, _I_ need to do something!" The desperation in the boy's voice was heart-breaking. This was too much for anyone to cope with all at once. How was Corvi maintaining? Blastus was NOT going to let his squire break down again. No, he was going to be there for him this time. Foolish acts would not be tolerated, no, he would not…
"Corvi." Blastus softened his voice as he put his hands on the cub's shoulders. Much as he wanted to pull him into his arms, he could not. He had to be the strong commander right now. However, Corvi's declaration had to be addressed, "Your loyalty is commendable but—"
"Blastus, they're going where Emi was held." He reminded his mentor, his eyes firm. "She might be free; she might not but think about all we've learned about her. Old Gummi was her mother tongue, that was what was spoken throughout the Glen in her time. Anything that might be a warning or information or anything is going to be in Old Gummi."
Blastus had to give a nod of agreement to that statement.
"They need me! What if they miss some vital information? I know they understand some of it but you know as well as I do that I'm your best translator now." His eyes drooped a bit at the reminder but then he swiftly hardened his gaze. "Blastus, don't think about me being your squire or half the crap I've been through. That isn't important right now." He was afraid. He was not foolish enough not to admit that but there was no time for that now. With this threat, so much danger was literally waiting to burst in on their lives. His little brothers…much as he wanted to rush to them now, pull them tightly into his chest, he was hardly strong enough to protect them. Not alone. "What's important is getting to Cubbi and Tavi. What's important is stopping Emi." He eyed his mentor, eyes pleading, "Please Blastus." Much as he wanted to help, much as he wanted to do SOMETHING, it was also vital to him that Blastus_let_ him go. That he trust him with such an important task…
Gum help him…why do you have to make sense? Sir Blastus' thoughts ran rapid fire in his mind. The part of him that wanted to keep Corvi safe was reminded, again, of everything their squires, their boys had done thus far to protect. To serve. Everything they had been teaching them. Now, again, Corvi reminded him of what they missed in their haste, in their desire to rush for their young ones. His eldest squire had never been one to miss a lot of details and despite still recovering somewhat, he knew the teen was right. Old Gummi WOULD be needed.
Sighing deeply, the knight pulled a small dagger from his belt, slapping it into Corvi's hand, "Keep it close. Don't hesitate if you need to use it but Gum's sake don't run for trouble, either!" It seemed an odd thing to say, given Corvi's almost impeccable record but given the tense atmosphere of the air, the knight felt compelled to add it. "Don't hesitate Corvi. The dagger's small, you'll have a small opening." He reached over, tapped the boy on his shoulder right by the base of his neck, below his collarbone "Stab down, here, hard and fast. Then you run." Blastus gave his order in a no-nonsense tone before continuing, "Meet up with Plucki and the others and stick close to them. Keep your senses sharp. I don't know if she's been freed or not…if she has, she is cunning." Blastus cupped Corvi's face, looking right into his eyes, "She is cunning, Corvus. Clever. Relentless. She'll say whatever she needs to in order to get your guard down but she means none of it. Trust nothing from her mouth."
"…right." Corvi had to admit that while he was just as determined as ever to go lend his aid (especially since they did not have too much of a head start) hearing so much worry from Blastus made his heart race a little. After all, the knight was always the strong figure to Corvi. However, times caused many things to change and this was just one of them. Hardening his spine, both physically and mentally, he locked eyes with his mentor, "I'll be fine, Blastus. I'll find the others and we'll figure out this mess."
Smiling lightly, Blastus told him softly, "Trust your heart, Corvi. You sometimes have the same problem a lot of our young knights do—becoming confused at what to trust, the mind or the heart. In this case, always trust the heart. It's your best clue to real intentions. If your heart is yelling at you—"
"Trust it." Corvi finished and curled his fingers firmly around the handle of the dagger. Under normal circumstances, he would have been so proud, so thrilled that Blastus trusted him enough with one. Oh, it would have given him bragging rights to last for weeks! While he was being allowed to train with small weapons, carrying one about was still strictly an adult privilege. However, in this case, he was well aware it was out of necessity. So, he was careful to handle the blade cautiously, as he'd been instructed and tucked it into his belt.
Giving a firm nod to the boy's acknowledgement of his advice, Sir Blastus hardened his voice; he was commander now, not mentor. "Take Vite. He is swift and knows you. You're aware of the way to Gummi Glen?"
"Yes Sir." Corvi responded in like seriousness.
"Go quickly. You have my permission if anyone states you're not welcomed." Blastus was fairly certain that one blue furred knight would have objections and they had no time for that. Corvi spoke truth and Ramsei would just have to deal with it. "Stick with the party, return with them. Gum's speed, mon petit enfant."
The teen vanished down the hall towards the stables and Blastus let out a held breath, praying that he had not just sent his eldest squire to his death.
Gummi Glen
The sudden barreling of knights and Glen folk into the main hall of the Glen would have normally earned a flurry of question but even the most blind and detached of gummies could read the fear, read the panic, read the necessity for action in all their forms. Gruffi, despite his small size, quickly pushed his way in front, with Sunni flanking him. Sir Plucki, Gumlittle and Ramsei nearly walked in a straight row until the wide open halls began to give way to more narrow passages that the Glen naturally shrunk to in its lower levels. Zummi took up the rear.
"This way?" Sunni asked, pointing down the old hallways that she and Cubbi had often wondered about yet been forbidden to explore. Gruffi found that it troubled him far more than he liked that Sunni knew the exact path to where they needed to go. Granted, he knew kids were curious things and she had even said that she and Cubbi (and to some extent, Tummi) had often mused about what might lie down those old halls, but still, the fact she could pinpoint it so exactly made him see a faint flash of red. No, no, no time for that now.
"Yeah, you never went down here, did you, sweetie?" His tone was sharp but there held sorrow, fear in it that Sunni was not blind to.
Shaking her head, she stated, "No. Considered it a few times but with the way you and the others would freak out, we never attempted it." Shrugging, she added, "Most Cubbi and I did was come here and stare, guessing. Not even Cubbi thought it was worth it."
At the mention of Cubbi, the entire party seemed to gain speed, taking two steps for each one step. Gruffi's eyes never left the path in front of them, leading the group down the narrow hall. Plucki's stance stayed right next to his, with Sunni a few feet in front of them. However, as they rounded the last twist, to that oh-so-familiar entrance way, Sunni's feet suddenly clamped up and she froze. Gruffi barreling into her and the two of them would have fallen face forward had Sir Plucki not grabbed both of them firmly on the shoulder.
Ramsei demanded, "Wha-"
His inquiry died quickly.
The area before them was definitely the entry way Gruffi spoke of, the entrance into the forbidden hallway that lead to the dark chamber Gruffi had spoken of. The look on the Glen patriarch's face said as much, but the whiteness on his face as they approached also told them about their unspoken inquiry. For, what they gazed upon held neither door nor false wall that the Glen leader had constructed so painstakingly. A swift glance by Ramsei at the young girl Sunni told him that there certainly had been a blockage here before and now there was not. What they were facing was a dark, foreboding hallway, mostly blocked by fallen beams and rubble. Yet, there was a cold breeze that blew out of it with an unnatural rhythm that no wind carried.
Zummi approached the entryway first, though he shook visibly in doing so. Frowning, he stated, "The door was memoved by ragic…er, removed by magic."
"Tavi," Gumlittle said simply.
"No doubt." Plucki remarked simply, "We are on their trail then. Gum grant us time that we are not too late." He sprinted forward, towards the mess of beams and rubble.
Gruffi scoffed a bit, thinking, "Must be another way in. The kids made it through cause they're small. Sunni might be able—"
His next sentence was unfinished as Sir Plucki pressed his shoulder against the fallen beam and shoved, hard. It tumbled away, letting loose a shower of dirt and grime. He pushed the second beam before him in a similar fashion and while the horrible rumble it caused made them startle some, the hallway held firm. Dust clouded their vision and it took a moment to clear but the motion had opened a small but much larger hole in the debris. One large enough for them to squeeze through, so long as they were careful. Plucki wasted no time in rushing ahead, Sunni right on his heels.
Blinking a moment, Gruffi shook his head as the Gummadoon Captain vanished into the darkness, "Right…war hero."
With his surprise not worth wasting time on, he followed, grateful, for once, for his lack of height. He didn't need to duck nearly as far as any of the others. It allowed him to catch up with the knight and his surrogate daughter quite quickly and despite his larger bulk, Gumlittle followed swiftly with Ramsei and Zummi in tow. Ramsei held a small torch up, which provided some light. It was so little in this haunted hall and the light from their entry way did not seem to creep past the last fallen beam.
Oh, it was such a sharp coldness that they ran into. Such dark, empty, abandoned halls. It positively reeked of death, of despair. Sunni could not withhold a shudder. There was…well, the doors that were opened revealed rooms seemingly frozen in time, with remains of their owners just thrown about in a haste, as if they had rushed out like death itself was on their heels. Given what they had learned about what might dwell within these rooms, it did not seem unreasonable that they might have! "Cubbi!" She cupped her hands around her muzzle, shouting for her adoptive brother.
Silence reigned a moment before the cold, soft calls began.
But they were not Cubbi, nor was it a female voice. No, it sounded like a mix of both male and female, a mix of multiple vocals and it was in a weird tongue, like what Cubbi had greeted them with when they reached Gummadoon.
Gruffi turned to Zummi. "Zummi, what is that?"
Pale to the skin, the magician swallowed hard, feeling a rock forming in his gut. "I..I…I don't know Gruffi. Old Gummi, for certain. I…I'm not fluent in Old Gummi."
Gruffi shifted his eyes and saw the three knights obviously deep in thought, trying to translate, trying to think but they carried the same frustration-filled expressions as Zummi. "what?" the Glen leader demanded. "I thought they taught Old Gummi to all our knights."
"Correct." Sir Ramsei replied. "But it is utilized primarily during training. If we do not have to use it, the knowledge will slip away. As it has for us."
Frightened for Cubbi, frightened for Tavi, frightened by the sick, sad voices currently invading his ears, Gruffi cursed under his breath, "Great galloping Gummies, don't any of you know what that is?"
"It's a warning," came an unexpected voice from behind them.
Jerking about, Gruffi spied that tall golden haired cub following them. His long hair was held back with a low ponytail but his face was coated in dust and looked like he'd bonked his head on the beam coming in. He held a strong, determined look about him but oh, did that blue knight about blow up at seeing him, whirling around with a fierceness that made even the Glen patriarch jump a little.
"Corvus Randus Gummi! What are you doing here? This is not a place—" Ramsei began as his Captain and Second simply gaped in shock a moment. Not surprisingly. How had the boy managed to even stay steady on a horse to get here? He was hardly steady on his feet when they left!
"it's a warning," Corvi interrupted the blue knight, trying to get right down to business though the sadness he heard made his heart ache, setting his eyes on his Captain and his Second. "They're saying there's danger here, that darkness lurks at the end of the hall." He pointed. "That way. Where the shadows gather." Indeed, that was a well enough description. The hallway curved slightly but did end. But to the left, there was significant more shadows, save for one small sliver of greyer light. That had to be what they were talking about. He took a step forward.
"Corvus!" Ramsei grabbed the boy's arm, harshly "Do not ignore me! You had no authorization to—"
Eyes flashing, Corvi responded before Plucki could call Ramsei to hold, nearly snarling the words between clenched teeth. "B'ahsiel, beisah'ha!"
Well, Ramsei certainly knew THAT word!
Before the knight could respond, Corvi added, "Sir Blastus sent me. So, yes, I DO have authorization. He outranks you. And you need me right now, so, I say, again, 'beisah'ha!" Pressing forward, Corvi was glad that no one else tried to halt him. Instead, if anything, Plucki urged him forward, asking him to repeat what the voices had said. Corvi was glad to focus on that. Under normal circumstances, speaking to any knight, never mind one of the red rank, like he had just done would have gotten him a good pop on the mouth. He generally tried to be polite but Ramsei was stalling matters and they had no time for that.
Sunni and Zummi had rushed to where Corvi had pointed right away and it didn't take long for them to budge open the coated door. It was very unnerving. As they cracked it open, they could see footprints, cub tracks in the dust and yet, it was as if the door had recoated itself in the layer of age. Creepy…
The voices were louder now.
Gumlittle set his sights on Corvi as they all emerged into the tiny room. Like the others, seemingly frozen in time except this one was painstakingly neat and pristine. No toys, blankets neatly folded, chair pushed in. Yet, it was obvious that someone had lived her for quite a number of years. But, it was just that. A room. There was no additional exit or anything or the sort. Corvi winced, rubbed his head a moment. He was still not exactly one hundred percent but he tried to focus on the voices, those horrible haunting voice.
"Corvi?" Gumlittle's hand settled on the boy's shoulder.
Frowning, Corvi repeated what he heard but in Common, "Beware the mirror. Be not fooled. Beware the mirror."
Sir Plucki stepped forward and approached the full length mirror in the room. He observed it a moment then paused, laid his ear against the wall. He could hear the voices louder now, though he could not tell what they said. There was another sound as well. A whistling sound of moving air.
Stepping back, Plucki pushed aside the mirror, where it tumbled to the ground, shattering into dozens of shards, for the second time that evening.
An eerie, dark corridor greeted them and there was no mistake that the voices were growing louder from down that dark hall that seemed to suck up all light.
There was no hesitation this time. Ramsei followed close to his captain, holding the torch high as they ventured down the pathway. The walls were adorned with nothing. No pictures, no paintings. The floor was bare dirt and stone but the trained knights easily saw where cubs have placed their feet earlier. Corvi crept close to the knights though by now, the entire group seemed to have huddled in on themselves, trying to bring one another comfort. The hallway seemed suffocating and the crying of the voices increased and—
"Gum!" Zummi's sudden exclamation startled all but then they were all doing the same. Sunni clung tightly to Gruffi's arm a moment before gathering her wits. Even the three knights, well used to horrors and pain, paled and put their hands on their weapons, drawing their swords. Corvi, despite his fear, drew out the dagger Blastus had given him, his breaths coming fast. He felt Ramsei pull him close to his side, pushing him between himself and Plucki. Gruffi did the same with Sunni, pushing her and Corvi to the middle of their little huddle.
From the walls, screeching and moaning, were spirits.
Ghosts.
All gummi.
In pain, in agony, not at rest. Crying, all of them. Sobbing, pleading. Signs of their deaths still decorating their face. Blood, burst vessels in the eyes, coldness and unrest simply oozing from them. Singing still but now their voices were almost heart-breaking and made all their ears ache. A horrible pain that nearly made them physically ill. Corvi clamped a hand over his muzzle and had to focus on grounding himself a moment to keep from throwing up. It didn't help that he was still a little queasy.
"C-corvi?" Zummi managed.
Swallowing hard, the young teen nodded, saying, "She will strike. She will plan. Your children…your children…" Oh, Gum…
Plucki tore from the group rapidly, with Gruffi on his heels. Despite running away from the light, the Gummadoon Captain took off at a breakneck speed run.
No, no. He could not lose Cubbi. He would not. He could not believe it. He would not believe it. He had not arrived too late. He had not. There was still hope. There was always hope! He was faintly aware of the Glen gummi right behind him but he ignored his charge. Only Cubbi mattered! What could this evil gummi had done? Was she truly free? Had she ensnared his young charge? Had she broken him into a pile of quivering sobs and screams? Had she broken that wonderful spirit or—
Plucki and Gruffi burst into the wide chamber almost as one. There was some light here but not much. The two males cared not and rushed forward, spying the center point of the room right away.
A large mirror lay broken into multiple pieces on the ground.
"Beware the mirror…" Gruffi repeated Corvi's translated statement from the little room. Plucki and Gruffi carefully weaved their way over to the shattered glass mess. There was little to nothing left of the metal frame and there was glass shards everywhere, coating the floor. One was crushed, as if it had been shattered by a boot. But that was not what stopped the hearts and stalled the breath of the two gummi discoverers. No, something much more sinister and soul-writhing stared back at them. Enough that both of them fell to their knees and grasped hold of the broken glass, never minding the cuts they endured.
Within the shattered glass were two very distinct faces: a male and female.
Cubbi and Tavi.
They were pale in fright, shaking, petrified. Their mouths open in panic. They seemed to spy the two adults, nearly seemed to make eye contact with them. Screamed for them.
Before slipping away into the blackness of the glass and vanishing as the remainder of the shards turned to dust.