Back at the Glenn all the bears sat around the table waiting anxiously for what Gruffi had to tell them. Gruffi had entered the Glenn earlier looking a bit disturbed before barging into everybody's room one by one telling them that there was going to be a meeting today and that it involved Gusto.
Sunny was sitting close by while nervously holding unto Gusto's red signature bandana. Across from her sat Zummi. His face gave it all away. He wasn't pleased and actually very nervous with what Gruffi was about to tell them all. Gruffi soon enters the room and takes his place in front of the table with Tummi in close pursuit. Tummi takes a seat by Gruffi and crosses his arms looking away from the other bears. Sunni couldn't take it anymore. She has been waiting for nearly as long as Gruffi and here they were taking their time with whatever news they had to share. She needed to know and she needed to know now!
She takes a stand and slams her hand on the table.
"Well!"
Gruffi averts his eyes from the table to confront those of his daughter's. Her eyes were both pleading and already forming tears.
"What do you have to tell us about Gusto!"
A door slams open and all at once the bears look for the source.
There stood Cubbi. Bearing a scar on his right eye and wearing his armor he takes a moment to take in the scenery.
His presence alone had caused all the bears to take a deep breath.
"Not thinking of starting the meeting without me are you Gruffi?"
Gruffi shoots him a stare of disgust.
"I couldn't even if I wanted to kid."
"Well since your all already standing I'll ask for the rest of you to stand for there is a king present."
He takes one step to the side to reveal a man behind him attempting to make his way through the small door.
Grammi nearly jumps out of her chair to fix her hair and dress.
"King Cavin!"
The King makes his way while adjusting his crown.
He looks around sharing a warm smile.
"Hello Gummies."
Seven years have passed since taking the position of king after marrying Calla. Swarmed with the new duties that come with being king he hasn't been back to the Glenn since. Everything has especially been difficult with King Gregor's passing and being attacked repeatedly by Igthorn didn't help with the situation.
"King-"
Raising a hand for insurance he places a hand on Grammi' shoulder.
"Cavin is quiet alright Grammi. No need for formality among friends."
He was still the same sweet little boy who used to come by every chance he could get.
"Cavin what of Calla? Isn't she due any day now?"
Parting with the smile he looks over at Sunni.
"Sorry Grammii I'll speak more of that after Gruffi shares with us with the news he brings."
Gruffi takes a deep breath in and one more look around the room before he starts.
How things have changed. Looking over at each Gummi and Calvin he could still see them as how they were 10 years ago. Among them was one empty chair. For a second he could swear that he saw Gusto sitting there and smiling and laughing. Things were never going to be the same.
"Both I and Tummi went to Drekmore last night."
Cubbi drops his head bothered by the statement while the rest of the gummies looked at him in shock.
Grammi throws a cup nearly missing the bear by inches.
"Gruffi Gummi have you gone mad!"
Tummi stands slamming a hand at the table.
"Everybody calm down! There's more."
He looks over at Gruffi as a sign for the brown bear to continue.
"We found Gusto."
Sunni drops the bandana feeling her heart about to jump out of her chest.
"What? Where is he? IS HE HERE! Did he come back with you! Is that the big news!"
Gruffi looking down and swallowing hard but he refuses to answer her question.
Desperate for answers she runs over to Tummi grabbing a hold of his collar.
"Tummi? Where's Gusto?"
Grabbing her hands he pushes her off.
"He's not coming back! He chose Igthorn over us! He's not one of us anymore and we all need to take this in and move on without him!"
She couldn't hold it back anymore. The tears begin to flow as she looks over at Gruffi.
"Gruffi? He's lying isn't he? TELL ME HE'S LYING!"
He could only turn his back at her.
Cubbi makes his way for the door.
Turning around Gruffi approaches the bear.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Where do you think? Gusto has betrayed us. I'm going to inform the Barbics of his betrayal and to send out orders for him to be killed on sight."
"WHAT!"
Gruffi grabs for Cubbi's shoulder and violently turns the once gentle loving bear around.
"I won't let you!"
Cubbi quickly turns around and punches the older bear in the face.
Grammi not believing what she was seeing calls out to the younger bear.
"CUBBI! Stop!"
Ignoring her cries he pulls his sword out and places it close to Gruffi's exposed throat.
"Don't be stupid Gruffi! Would you like for me to go back and report your treacherous ways?"
Before he could say anything Cubbi could feel a sword being pressed against his throat.
"Sorry to intrude Sir Cubbi but pulling a sword in the presence of a king is far more treacherous would you not agree?"
Cubbi glances over at his once childhood friend and puts away his sword.
"My apologies King Cavin."
He gives the remaining Gummies a glance as he steps in front of the fallen bear.
"Let this be a lesson to the rest of you! Anyone seen approaching or aiding the traitor Augustus Gummi will be treated as a traitor and will also be killed on site.
Tummi helps Gruffi to his feet.
"Oh and Gruffi?"
Rubbing his cheek to help ease the pain he glances up at the pink bear.
"Don't think for a second that Gusto wouldn't do the same to us. As Igthorn slits our throats one by one Gusto will be the one holding the pan to catch our blood. Remember that!"
He slams the door as he makes his exit.
"Good gracious! What has become of this Glenn! I'll get some ice for you Gruffi dear."
Putting away his sword Cavin brings the room back in order.
"Well now that that order of business is over with there is another that needs to be taken care of."
Sunni wipes her tears and collects herself.
"I'm leaving with Cavin to be with Calla until she gives birth to the new prince."
He had lost Gusto now his only daughter is leaving to.
Cavin places a hand on her shoulder and takes over the conversation.
"There are rumors that Igthorn will be attacking very soon with a bigger army and that we are expecting heavy casualties. With Calla near the end of her pregnancy I cannot take any chances. That is why we have decided to move Calla to a much safer yet secret location. I'm sending her with the best to insure that she remains safe and survive the birthing of our son and that includes Sunni."
"You agreed to this?"
She nods.
"I have to Gruffi. Calla is my best friend and she needs me more than ever."
Sucking it all the pain in, he forces a smile.
"It's the Gummi way…"
She let's out a smile and runs up to the only man who ever treated her like a daughter.
Seeing her run to him forced his mind to see various images of her growing up and seeing her now as a woman was just incredible.
He didn't care what anybody said. Tummi, Sunni, and even Cubbi were like the children he never had. Tummi had gone on to follow his dream as a ship maker becoming one of the best in the land. Sunni had grown to become such a beautiful woman and even with everything that had happened with Gusto she had learned to love again with Buddi Gummi. Cubbi had become the knight he knew he was destined to be, but unfortunately he could never forget the night Igthorn had attacked him and hate continued to grow in his heart. They had grown apart through the years but Gruffi still loved him as his own.
Sunni gives the bear a big hug goodbye.
He didn't want to let her go. Why do they grow up so fast he wonders to himself?
Sunni uses the opportunity to whisper in his ear.
"It's going be ok Gruffi. We're both going to be ok."
She pulls away and continues to hug the remaining Gummies.
She looks back one more time and smiles and leaves with Cavin.
"Take good care of her ok!"
With a nod Cavin leaves along with Sunni.
"By Gum I'm really getting to old for this."
Remember back to early events he brings his attention to the wizard.
"Zummi there was something that Gusto had mentioned and it involves you."
Letting out a sigh he uses the opportunity to clean his glasses.
"Not here."
Putting his glasses back on, he leads the bear back to his studies.
Once there Zummi magically waves over a cup a tea and takes a seat.
He also waves over a letter.
"I believe this is what your fooking lor- looking for."
Passing the letter over Gruffi looks over at the paper which is covered in various colors and patterns.
"What's this?"
"Answers."
"To what?"
"On why everything happened that night ten years ago."
"But Zummi this is nothing but nonsense."
Taking a sip from his glass he places it down as the conversation grows more serious.
"Maybe to the untrained eye but to Gusto it was more."
"What do you mean?"
"Ten years ago I received that letter the same day the Barbics received a letter from the Great Gummies."
"And?"
"It turns out we received the wrong letter."
Still confused Gruffi glances at the letter once more.
"What did the letter say?"
"That letter you're holding was the letter we received. As you notice someone with an untrained would be unable to decode it but a person or Gummi specifically trained to decipher colors vs patterns could."
It was starting to make sense to him.
"Gusto?"
"Precisely."
"So Gusto decoded the letter then what?"
"Well that's when things grew ugly."
10 years ago…
"So Gusto! Wh-wh-what does it say?"
There was a look of shock on the painter's face.
"Oh Zummer's this letter isn't for us…it's for the Barbics and its bad…real bad."
"What! Tell me!"
"It says that The Great Gummies coming."
"But that's great news! Why wouldn't they tell us?"
"Because it's what the next part says."
"Which is?"
"They aren't coming to make peace with the humans, but instead asking for the Barbics to prepare for war."
"War?"
"And here's where it gets bad. They don't only have orders to kill the humans but to kill every gummi from Gummi Glenn. All of our names are listed to be killed!"
Zummi nearly collapses at the news.
"No…"
A panicked Toucan flies into Gusto's living room.
"GUSTO! GUSTO! GUSTO! We got trouble!"
Running over to his elevator he can see several Barbics headed towards the waterfalls.
"Barbics? But how? Zummi they know! They know we have the letter!"
"What are we going to do? They are going to kill us!"
"No…no not you. Hide here! If they ask you never got to find out what the letter said! They know I'm the only one who can read it!"
Gusto runs to the elevator and pulls the lever.
"Gusto where are you going!
"I got to go to Gruffi! I'm supposed to meet him at the hill! He'll know what to do!"
Pulling the lever the elevator quickly drops the bear to the bottom level.
Artie flies above staying close to Gusto.
"Gusto they see us! They are headed your way now!"
Running as fast as he can he see the hill.
"Please Gruffi. Be there."
Running up the hill he's sees nobody.
"Gruffi where are you?"
Just then he looks down and sees the bear.
"Gruffi…"
At that very moment Gruffi looks up and sees the panicked bear.
Artie notices Gritty lighting up a small bomb and throwing it in Gusto's direction.
"GUSTO! LOOK OUT!"
Gruffi could only sit there in a numb state.
"So it was Barbics all along. All this time I thought it was Igthorn."
"Fortunate for me the Barbics believed everything I told them even the part when I said I believed the letter was for us. Gritty only read what he could and discarded the letter presuming that Gusto was the only one who could read it and believing that he was killed didn't think to take the letter with him. Only after finding out that he was very much alive the Barbics soon painted Gusto as a traitor. We pleaded for them to give Gusto another chance. That's when Tummi and Cubbi were ordered to rescue Gusto. Once Gusto refused to return he was forever banned from returning."
Taking another sip from his tea he glances over at the letter that Gruffi was holding.
"There was something that had bothered me all this time. I had always wondered how the Barbics came to find out that we had a hold of the letter and that I would be at Gusto's place around that time. Thinking back there was one name that was not mentioned on that letter."
"Who?"
"Cubbi."
It was like another punch to the face.
"He was soon promoted to knight after healing from Igthorn's attack. They said it was his act of bravery that had gotten him promoted but I knew it was much more than that. Cubbi had betrayed us. His longing to become a knight had grown much more important than us."
"No…no that's not Cubbi! HE would never do that!"
"I'm sorry Gruffi but it's the truth. When The Great Gummies land we will be killed along with Caven and the rest of the humans unless somethings done."
A realization came to him. He needs to save them all whatever the cost.
"Why haven't told the rest of the Gummies?"
"What's the point? To let them know of their impending deaths would only be cruel."
"No! Now more than ever they need know. We're not going to die! I'm going to save us it's the very last thing I do! We're not going down without a fight!"
Gruffi was back. The fire in his eyes was something Zummi missed.
"You're right! We need fo tight-to fight!"
"Zummi I need you to tell Grammi to make as much gummi juice as she can! For Tummi he needs to build as many boats as fast as possible! You conjure any useful spells."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to warn Cavin. We need his troops more than ever!"
Meanwhile back at Drekmore Gusto remains sleeping until the sun's light awakens him.
He slowly gets up to rub his sleepy eyes. Looking up he's surprised to see Igthorn standing by the window staring at him in his armor.
"What's wrong? I thought you were headed towards Dunwyn."
"I was until I found myself with an unexpected visitor."
He pulls out his hand from behind him revealing a very tired toucan.
"Artie!"
"Introductions later Augustus. Tell him what you told me bird."
He places the tired toucan at the edge of the bed.
"Gusto we got trouble. The Great Gummies are here."