Gummi Glen Depths
"CUBBI!"
That cry of desperation which rang throughout the entire chamber, drowning out the voices of the tortured spirits, came from not only Plucki but Gruffi as well. Their outcry cracked against the shattered remains of the mirror and bounced back to them, unheard, unanswered.
In that moment of sudden, silent loss, Sir Gumlittle and Zummi and Sunni came upon the two father bears, both overwhelmed by the reality presented in the broken prison. Although she wasn't certain what happened before she came in, Sunni was pretty sure by the look of things that the mirror was Emi's cell, she'd obviously gotten out because it was in ruins, and Cubbi and Tavi were nowhere to be found. That sense of loss began to surround her as well, that dread and hopelessness. "Gruffi?" she attempted but not even she could form a better query than that of a child looking for consolation and support from an elder. None came.
A deep groan shuddered from Zummi. The old wizard's legs buckled and Sir Gumlittle caught him under the arm just in time to support him. The old guy was pretty heavy! But then he found his strength and righted himself. His medallion began to glow brilliantly, illuminating the entire room, chasing away some of the dread and fear and horror, giving way with its light a delicate sense of hope that everyone immediately latched onto.
"Great Gummies!" Zummi uttered, looking about.
"What, Zummi?" Sunni queried.
He had no words at first. It felt like... like the first time he'd been in Gummadoon and Councilor Wooddale showed him a better way to channel magic. It felt powerful, alive, yet contorted, twisted, and blackened. It was power, but it was dark. "A... a dreat geal... er, great deal of magic was spent here recently. I can feel it..." It made him cringe away from his sensing of it and clutch even tighter his medallion, as if to keep it safe from harm. "Dark magic..."
Plucki recovered enough from his shock to rush toward Zummi. "Magic... Can you sense them? Are they still alive? Has your knowledge of magic grown enough that you can try?"
"I... I..." Zummi stammered. "I don't know, Sir Plucki, but I'll try."
Pushing past Sir Ramsei barring his way, Corvi came in and stood by Zummi. "You can bet I'm right here with you to help with whatever I can."
Within Emi's Prison
Cubbi stared at the cub who looked so very like him. He stared and barely noted that the surroundings had changed yet again to cool clouds, more felt than seen. He dared to ask, "Am... am I dead?"
Aldi Gummi smirked a bit. "No. You can't die in here. But you are pretty stuck."
Cubbi frowned at the pink-furred cub who still held onto his hand. "You helped me before... In the tunnel?"
"Ah-huh."
"But... If you're Aldi Gummi, then that makes you Sir Plucki's son. That means you're dead."
"Ah-huh."
Cubbi immediately yanked his hand away.
Everything around him went black and cold and howling like a moonless freezing night. Cubbi tried to look about him, to see where the ghost went, but saw nothing at all.
Ghosts. Why did ghosts hang around him so much? And why did they freak him out so much? Why was Aldi here? To haunt him? Make sure he didn't get too close to Sir Plucki? But it wasn't his fault Aldi was dead! And... and it wasn't anybody's fault that he and Plucki got along so good! Why did he feel so guilty, so scared! Scared of ghosts, scared of never getting out, scared of never seeing Sir Plucki or the others again! If they were still alive. Were they? Were those visions? Nightmares before?
The blackness began to creep beyond his skin, into his mind, began to freeze any action.
A hand fell into his once more. With that secure grip, which he returned this time, the blackness oozed back and Aldi once more was in front of him.
"That's not helping, Cubbi. You gotta listen, okay? Listen before Papa and the others get hurt."
Plucki wasn't hurt yet? Could he actually help stop something bad? Cubbi gulped. "O-okay?"
Outside Lady Bane's Lands
"You... You were...?" Gusto couldn't quite finish the sentence. Grammi couldn't even ask it at that point.
"Yeah. Lady Bane... cast a spell. Resurrected me... Took me over. I'm... fighting back."
"Well, uh, good for you, Luck-meister..." Really, what else was there to say about it?
Silence followed for a bit, given that the Glens had no idea what to say to a possessed, resurrected gummi and the Councilors were simply trying to focus on the task at hand and get to the witch's castle as quickly as possible.
However, with Gusto around, it was difficult to maintain a level of silence. "So," he started, grinning. "Heard you're stuck in there, eh, Lady Bane?" He leaned nearer the boy's face, leaned over Sir Ecri's shoulder.
The young knight didn't like the Glen gummi's taunting or his proximity and looked back briefly to frown on his behavior.
Gusto ignored him. "We know you're in there. Whatsamatter? Beat already?"
Oh, she could not ignore that smart-faced grin any longer and shoved Lucki's control to the side, forcing sluggish legs and arms to her bidding, and tried to launch herself at the offending artist.
Ecri struggled with the reins of his unicorn and an irate possessed child. He yanked hard on the bit and grabbed for the green-furred body currently trying to leap at the aqua artist behind him. Just managing to secure a hold around the child's waist, he was able to stop Lady Bane's charge. That did not mean he did not glare at Gusto for inciting her. Not feeling it was enough, given the other gummi's smug face, he added words of disapproval and warning. "Do NOT do that."
Gusto shrugged in his usual non-chalant manner. "Hey, it got her riled. That was the point! One, we know she can take control of Lucki still and that means we gotta watch our backs. Two, she's still got some fight left in her. That means she may actually be willing to help us in order to get her own sorry soul out of Luck-man."
Well, given that he had a point, Ecri let the matter rest and merely endeavored to catch up with the others, shaking his head at their querulous expression.
Lady Bane did not. She sneered and snarled at the smart-mouthed artist bear. "Just you wait. When your back is turned, when you feel safe, that's when I'll strike!"
Gusto laughed. "No you won't. You've already given away your element of surprise. Hey, I'm no fighter but even I know that the first rule is not to tell your moves to your opponent! How did you even get this far in your reign of terror? I mean, you gotta be smarter than your Troggles... Right?"
"You... I'll-!" Lady Bane spat out from Lucki's body. Lucki, in the meantime, was doing an admirable job holding control of the arms and legs and not allowing her mobility to attempt a second strike.
"Hey, it's not my fault Emi's got you beat on the evil front. I mean, before her, you were at the top of Evil. Now..." He shrugged absently. "So, you know, don't go stabbing us in the back, because I highly doubt you can beat her the way you are. And if you want her to go down, which is what WE want, it's time to pick a side and stay on it. No double crossing or you'll be stuck in oblivion and off Team Evil for good."
Lady Bane stopped fighting at those words. Inwardly, she smirked. Manipulative ursine... He was right, though. She must devote more time to actually helping with the problem. There'd be time later to concoct devious tortures for all of these miserable bears...
During her inner musings, Lucki took control of the mouth. "She doesn't... desire... to be... the most... evil." Talking was still difficult, partly due to having to rend control each time, and partly due to a sudden shortness of breath. "She... wants... power."
Shut up, brat! she hissed at Lucki's soul, yanking it away from the mouth.
He couldn't resist being pulled away. His body strength had been taxxed by Lady Bane's attempt to attack Gusto but his soul was weakened as well. Couldn't explain it except that his entire being felt exhausted. And, despite her fussing, he knew Lady Bane was worn, too. Whatever was going on with his body, it was affecting both their souls. Both had to sit back, relax, and hope to be ready when they finally got into Lady Bane's castle.
You can bet Lady Bane couldn't wait to go home.
Lady Ivori's Classroom
It would seem to be, on all outward appearances, like any normal day of watching over the young cubs of Gummadoon. They played, the pushed a little, she intervened, snacks were handed out, ate and drank, they walked together when one needed to use the restroom... It seemed like any other day, except that she knew it wasn't. Everything was too quiet. Not the calm sort of quiet but just... deathly quiet. As if the walls withheld secrets. She didn't like that feeling. Not at all. To make matters worse, she was fairly certain the knights knew something but weren't telling. But, for now, she kept up a cheery face. No need to worry the young ones. Mustn't set off further talk of death in young Cori and Morri. It would merely upset everyone, including her. And look now, all playing nicely, no knights who lay down and never stand again.
Lady Ivori sat with the children, smiled happily, and resumed her playing with them.
Sir Plucki's Office
Though Blastus never thought he'd be using his brother's office as a base of operations in his absence, the role felt almost natural as this gummi he'd summoned soon dashed away on her assigned task and that gummi entered to see why Blastus had sought him. He was simply kept too busy to question every decision.
That's how Sarrika found him, knee-deep in maps of Gummadoon, doling out duties to fortify areas of weakness, a planned city-wide announcement which would be projected by the remaining Gummadoon wizards if and when Emi was about to attack, where the citizens would be kept safe at that time, more gummies to help stock provisions in those areas, and the rumor that it was all a drill in order to keep everyone from panicking.
Wading past three gummies hurrying out on their assigned task, Sarrika said, "Sir Blastus, if I could have a word with you?"
He looked up from studying a map of the lower levels of Gummadoon. "Healer Sarrika, what can I do for you?"
"Where are Sir Ecri and Sir Plucki? I must speak with them and can't find them anywhere."
That paused the knight briefly. "Eh..." He moved away from his maps and closer to the healer to huddle up for a reply. "They have gone separate but vital paths. Sir Plucki has led a group to Gummi Glen. We learned a mere hour ago that Emi is targeting Tavi and Cubbi. That is where her prison is and that is where Sir Plucki and his group have gone. Sir Ecri and his group are venturing to Lady Bane's castle in order to look for answers there."
Sarrika's mouth turned in a look of distaste. "That will be difficult without the witch's help."
"Oui... Which is why young Lucki went with them."
"WHAT?!" the healer cried out, startling the other four gummies in the room. "Sir Blastus, that's... that's..."
"S'il vous plait, calmez-vous." he told her, shushing her with his hands and pulling her into the more secluded and smaller private office. Shutting the door, he explained, "It was a necessity, Sarrika. They need answers and those answers lay within her castle. To navigate properly and not waste time, that means they also needed Lady Bane. Councilor Wooddale and Grammi are also with him and will let no harm come to him, as will not Sirs Ecri, Horli, and Kai. Councilor Berribottom and Gusto also accompany them. They are both equally important missions and we did not have time to do both separately. What I would very much like is for you to remain at the ready and get from the stores any medicines, bandages, and other tools of your trade, just in case the fight turns here. There are several gummies already at the lower level stores and I believe that is where you will find-"
"Sir Blastus," the healer started, losing her patience. "I am going to let slip the fact that I was not consulted before letting a very seriously ill patient leave my charge, but, and I beg your pardon, my apprentices and assistants can do that sort of work for you. What you can do for me is listen."
That immediately shut the French knight up.
"The slumber sand from earlier. It was Karleni. She was possessed again, and I doubt Lady Bane is strong enough to possess more than one person. It would likely be Emi, as she's got her sights on Gummadoon and her presence has been felt here before recently. I went to the library to conduct further research on Concordia, to help Lucki, or the Gummadoon Staff, to help fight Emi, but Librarian Jenni told me that the Library had been closed by order of Sir Plucki due to some kind of contamination? I can only assume, again, it has to do with Emi. So, Karleni and I have focused our efforts on the other libraries and I've come with our findings. As it turns out, I found a clue on the Staff of Gummadoon first. It was Sir Ecri who first saw it but he was pulled away, obviously. Is Lady Cressi available, if she's feeling well? It's all in Old Gummi. Or perhaps Corvi. He's at least as good as his mother at translating. Jenni is still a novice with the language and... What?" The more she spoke, the sadder Sir Blastus became.
"Lady Cressi... She is no more, Sarrika."
Shock covered the healer's features. "Dead?"
"Died of illness and unwilling to seek a healer, according to Corvi. He blamed himself and even kept it secret until it was more weight than his young soul could bear. But he is not available either. He went to help Sirs Plucki, Gumlittle, and Ramsei at Gummi Glen with the other Glen gummies in case any messages or traps are in Old Gummi."
Healer Sarrika shook her head. So much loss, so much badness lately! "We are sorely in need of making it required curriculum, Sir Blastus."
He nodded. "Certainement. But there may be another option. You remember the name of the book you wish translated, and the author or scribe?"
"Of course."
"Then you must go seek out young Toni, for he has a book which can likely aid you, healer. Perhaps it may also know of Concordia."
"Where is he?"
"The most magically sealed and fortified place in Gummadoon: the main council chambers."
"Thank you, Sir Blastus. Good luck in here."
He smiled at her well-wishing. "And to you."
Sarrika dashed out, knowing time was against them. What also weighed on her was the fact that saving Lucki's soul was just as important to her as saving every other gummi here and everywhere else. Finding Concordia and finding all information on the Gummadoon Staff were both equally imperative in her mind... and she could only do one at a time. She had to choose the many over the one, at least at this time. As for Karleni's research... She had to trust that Karleni find something on fighting possession and holding back the forces of darkness, or any other useful knowledge which remained hidden by time in the older library books. Her determination was great, her will was stronger. She had vowed not to let herself be so used or abused again, for the sake of all of them and especially her son.
Arriving at the closed doors of the councilchambers, Sarrika was stopped by Sir Rudi.
He eyed her a moment, the said, "What with all the possessing going on, and other magical hijinks, gotta ask you a few questions."
"Alright but hurry."
"What's my middle name?"
"Harlin."
Rudi cringed at that, having disliked it for as long as he'd first heard it's use. Given that Sarrika and he were only a decade apart, she'd heard it often enough. This particular knight was very good at getting into trouble as a cub and Sir Ramsei very good at yelling at him to get him back in line. Of all the knights, Sir Ramsei was the one to whip him into shape. Did a good job, too, in her opinion.
"Okay, what's my favorite color?"
She cocked a brow at him. "Really? It's red."
"Right. Now tell me why."
She grinned. "You can't keep your hands off the cherry pies."
His grin matched hers. "Okay. Go on in, but if yer a spy or possessed or something, it's gonna feel awful goin' through those door. They're warded against all of that."
She waved him off and hurried in, both unaffected by his warning, nor by the wards.
Inside the still council chambers, she saw only two occupants: Sir Quimbi and Toni. Sir Quimbi was hunched over, doubled up and bent to look at whatever Toni had, their backs to Sarrika.
They were talking very quiet when she approached and, as they hadn't noticed her, she cleared her throat to warn them of her presence.
The pair whirled around, startled. Toni clutched a large worn book to his chest as if to keep it from the eyes of anyone else. Quimbi actually drew his blade.
At Sarrika's surprise over their lack of greeting, Quimbi lowered his weapon. "Sorry, Healer Sarrika. Just a little on edge right now."
"As are we all." she replied, taking no offense, but she immediately focused on the blue-furred cub. "Toni, may I see that? Sir Blastus said the book you carry might help in my research."
"Nuh-uh. I'm s'posed'ta keep it safe. Besides, it won't do you any good."
She frowned, puzzled, at the boy's behavior. "Be that as it may, I'd like to have a look at it."
The squire eyed her suspiciously and passed Sir Quimbi a look.
Quimbi shrugged. "She made it past Rudi and the door so..." Another shrug.
Toni's eyes narrowed further at Sarrika. "If you really are her, tell me what was the last thing you saw me for?"
"Aside from your slit wrists and a septic leg injury? You came in last month with a black eye and bloody nose from an improper block technique during training. Now may I see the book?"
Reluctantly, Toni handed it over.
Sarrika accepted the odd, old tome but when she perused the cover, spine, even the pages, everything was absolutely blank.
Toni, on his toes to see, said, "Aw, ya scared it!"
"I..." Staring in confusion between the book and the cub, the healer asked. "I beg your pardon? What kind of book is this exactly?"
"Really magical and really smart, but you scared it and our research went away!"
She considered for sure that they must be joking with her, and she'd normally get angry over that because it wasn't the time for jokes, except... Sir Blastus told her to come here to look for her answer.
Sir Quimbi leaned near her and said, "The thing only responds to cubs. If you wanna know anything, you'd best hand it back to Toni."
"Oh..." She frowned but did as she was told. "I... I don't know how much of what I need to know should be shown to cubs..."
Her brief concern was extinguished when the book took on a glow. Words sprung to life on the cover: The Journals Of Merlinni Gummi.
"Ah, see? There it goes." Grinning, Toni opened the book. Gold glowing words appeared on the first page.
She read it herself, awe-struck.
I apologize for ending your search for answers on Emi Gummi. One cannot be too cautious.
"Yer right there, book, but this's really Sarrika." Toni spoke to the book, then turned to her. "What didja need to know?"
"I... I..." Sarrika stammered, then shut her mouth, took a breath, and said, "I'm not sure where to begin, but what I need is information on the creation of the Gummadoon Staff and how it was a key to Emi Gummi's prison. What was the source of its power? Why was it cursed? How was it used to help contain her?"
All looked to the book. More glowing words emerged. What you seek is the book entitled The Shaft Of Dark Lightby Heridici Gummi.
"Yes! That's the one!" Sarrika smiled, delighted that this book was so easy to use. Smart, Toni had called it. Indeed! The smartest book she'd ever encountered! "I found the book but can't read it. It's in Old Gummi."
Please consult Corvi Gummi to translate it.
A very smart book... "I can't. He's gone off to help the other knights who've gone right to Emi's prison."
I see. Very well. The book can appear within these pages simply by stating 'Recall: The Shaft Of Dark Light by Heridici Gummi', and when it appears, state very clearly 'Translate'. The manuscript will appear translated for you, however to use this feature of me is draining and I will be unable to assist you in any way for some time afterwards. Do you wish to proceed?
Sarrika looked from Toni to Sir Quimbi, consulting them. "You were meant to watch over this magnificent book. This information I feel is vital but if the knights require the book for another purpose..."
"Go ahead, Healer Sarrika," Toni told her. "If you can figure out a way to make another staff to trap Emi or how to suck her power away or... or anything that'd help Gumlittle and Plucki and the others, you go for it." And he held the book up to her.
She did not take it as before but merely stood and said the words, "Recall: The Shaft Of Dark Light by Heridici Gummi." When the words sprung to the pages, exactly how they appeared in the original book, she said very clearly, "Translate."
The mysterious Old Gummi language changed immediately to Common.
Healer Sarrika began her research in hungry earnest.
The Village Of Ernst
(Five Miles Outside Of Dunwyn)
When Sir Timothi had proposed to Sarrani, he knew the two years prior with her absent had been torturous. He knew she felt strongly about pursuing her dream as a travelling healer. When Gummadoon stood solid on its foundations once more and not bouncing around time, she'd begun her quest. He'd taken up knighthood the same year. He knew all that, and that's why he'd proposed when he could, when she'd returned.
She'd accepted before they were off to follow her dream.
That was all fine and well, but he'd had no idea she'd meant to be a travelling healer of human medicine as well as gummi!
Smiling that grand smile of hers, she patted the knee of the old man who'd received one of her special disinfectant bandages. "There you are. Keep off it for a day, if you can."
The grateful villager nodded and offered the pair a few apples in payment.
"Thank you, but really, helping is thanks enough."
Sir Timothi accepted the apples and stowed them in his bag, along with the salted meat, boiled eggs, carrot bundle, and a pickle from other grateful villagers they'd tended to along their way.
It was odd, being seen by humans let alone being accepted by them, but he had to admit even he was fascinated by the similarities between human and gummi physiology. Endlessly fascinating to Sarrani, their evening talks usually had to do with some tidbit she'd discovered that day or week.
That first night, after he'd discovered her deep interest in human physiology upon learning that's where she intended to practice her craft - the nearest village to Gummadoon - he'd asked her about it.
"Oh, I've always found humans fascinating, Tim. Sarrika never understood, though we both enjoy the healing arts. And after the war... Well, I knew there were many wounded humans. Somegummi had to come out into the thick of it and help them all! Their medicine is so woefully underdeveloped." She'd shaken her head pityingly.
Given that, and his own vows to protect the innocent and undo the wicked, this seemed to fit as well. Sometimes Sarrani, though he loved her dearly, was incredibly trusting and needed someone to question human motives. There'd been no trouble but... still... All it'd take would be one to harm her, break her trust. He was looking out for her personal safety and her mental safety. He'd made it his vow to protect her every way he could.
Currently aiding the good villagers of Ernst, the pair was yet again gathered around a fire to eat their cache of apples, eggs, carrots, meat, and/or pickle. Personally, he'd hoped she'd give it to someone. He despised pickles and did not look forward to kissing his fiancée with pickle-breath. He was debating if he could simply leave it in the woods without her notice when a woman and her elderly female companion solemnly approached.
Sir Timothi stood at once, for their expressions were lost, lacking any hope. People did not often come to a healer with such a look.
Sarrani also stood and walked over to the silent pair. "What is it? What's wrong?"
They carried two large jars a piece, one in each hand.
More shuffling from the surrounding brush brought two more humans - a man and a woman - each one carrying a large pot. They, too, bore lost expressions. The man, however, spoke.
"'Tis a plague, or worse. We're from Midlund but came to see you. Heard you help with all manner of ailments so we came, the whole village. We're a small one and can't pay you but we beg you, please. Can you help, b'fore more fall to this?" And he held out his pot to the approaching healer.
Sarrani took it with care. Unsure what to make of it, she opened it. Inside the pot was a fine ash the likes of which she'd never seen. "What is this?" she asked, mystified but careful not to breathe it in.
Tears formed in his eyes. "Our four-year-old son."
The woman next to him, her gaunt face showing no sign of sleep nor rest, held out her own pot. "Our baby."
The first woman held out her jar, as did the old woman next to her. "My two sons." she said.
Others came forward from the forest, some with jars or pots of remains, some with pleas to help their little village. Sir Timothi and Healer Sarrani were overwhelmed for a moment. Such tragedy! But then a closer inspection of the remains of a pot revealed not even a sliver of bone. There was no smell of burnt flesh and the reports all said the clothes were untouched. Only a pile of ash and the clothing remained.
"Villagers," Sarrani started, dread in her stomach. "this was no plague. I fear that you've come under some sort of magical attack. We'll escort you to Dunwyn Castle immediately. I'm sure Queen Calla will aid you while I bring this news to the proper authorities."
And off they began marching, Tim and Sarrani leading the sad parade.
He said to her, "By proper authorities, you mean the best authorities on magic?"
"Yes, Tim. We'll be headed home; after we see these poor people safe." And she shuddered, still horrified over the loss of so many young humans. What could have done this? Or, specifically, who?
Two Miles Outside Of Dunwyn
With overzealous glee the likes of which she rarely indulged in, the sorceress turned her attention inward, to the soul of the body she'd hijacked centuries ago. Well? Now that we're young and spritely again, whom shall we visit first? Your old home, the Glen? Or the city of that magical busybear, Merlinni?
The battered, scarred, tormented soul gave a cry and shrank away from the sorceress's powerful presence.
Heh. Gummadoon it is...
As 'Emi' made her way to the fabled magical Gummi city, she chuckled to herself. How had she not been driven mad by that insufferable Gummi mirror prison? Oh, not just by scheming and plotting the demise of every single one of those bears. No, she had a more captive audience. They never found out the truth, and as such, Emi had been trapped in the mirror with her. She'd had a very satisfying plaything to torture during her incarceration and look now. Still as cowed as she'd been for the last century or so. Still a quivering mess stuck in what was once her body.
It's mine, though. Still mine after all these centuries. And, Emi-dear, I'm just getting started.
Main Gummadoon Councilchambers
Sarrika read through the summoned book as quickly as she can, absorbing every bit she could. The healer ignored Quimbi reading over her shoulder, and Toni hovering on his toes every now and then. When she'd finished, she didn't close the book, lest the magic fade and the words disappear and what if she had to reference something within it again?
Finally, she looked up and said, "It was used to siphon off her dark power, to weaken her just enough to imprison her. But they needed a bit of her spent magic to imprint the energy on the Gummadoon Staff. It worked too well, however, and absorbed too much of her dark power, turning it into not only the key to her prison but a cursed weapon which would harm any who wielded it. I... I don't think we could craft such a weapon at this time. It took quite a while to create, and it was deviously complex, but it was absolutely key in locking Emi away."
"And it was destroyed in the war." Sir Quimbi said, paling.
"Exactly. That's what weakened Emi's prison. That's why she's been felt here. Without such a strong lock on her to keep her chained, there isn't much stopping her from breaking out."
"So what're we gonna do?" Toni asked when the adults fell silent.