The fields remained quiet as evidence of the war is spewed across the fields. The war was finally over. With the sacrifice of one bear, he had not only stopped the war but had put an end to the Gummi Bears. Word had spread of his noble sacrifice. Some had taken today as a day of victory while others had taken it as a day of great loss. Dunwyn was now surrounded by a sea of mixed soldiers ranging from Cavin's army to his neighboring kingdoms' armies.
All the gummies minus Gusto stand by Cavin, Calla, and their son Calvin atop of the castle to ensure that everybody from below could see and hear the King. Cavin places a kiss on Calla's cheek and takes hold of his tiny son.
Taking a deep breath and putting together his composure he looks down at the huge crowd awaiting his word.
"Today will forever be remembered as a day where sadly both Gummi Bears and humans fought for their very existence. As you can see there are four bears that stand before me. As a boy, faith had brought us together and I have had the pleasure to be a part of these gummies lives."
Sobs can be heard coming from both Grammi and Sunni. Cubbi and Tummi with Artie on his shoulder stand bravely in Zummi's honor as Gruffi holds a painful grip on his hat while he keeps his eye contact to the ground.
"This win could not have happen if it weren't for the noble and selfless sacrifice of one Gummi. With the birth of my son, his death had insured us that humans will continue on existing. Zummi Gummi, it is my honor to recognize your heroic actions by knighting you and giving you the title most fitting for a hero of your caliber."
With tears in his eyes Cubbi steps forward with a huge platinum sword.
Calla steps forward to take their son as Cubbi passes Calvin the sword.
Taking the sword from his best friend he points the sword towards the sky.
"Rise White Knight!"
With a hole already placed at the center stone, Cavin places the sword into its forever resting place.
Inscribed on the blade of the sword reads,
Those things which are precious are saved only by sacrifice.
- SIR ZUMMI GUMMI THE WHITE KNIGHT
Stepping back Cavin lets out a smile and looks towards the sky.
"Goodbye Zummi."
The crowd surprisingly lets out a soft chant that soon grows to a sea of roars and cheers of the Gummi's name. Down in the crowd the Barbics can be seen joining in on the cheer.
"ZUMMI! ZUMMI! ZUMMI! ZUMMI!"
With all the noise Calvin begins to laugh and fling his tiny arms around. Calvin and Calla couldn't help but laugh at their son's actions.
The Gummies stop and look at each other startled, but soon they embrace each other just like old times.
Gruffi couldn't remember the last time they had all hugged.
They were the last.
Somehow they were going to get through this.
With his eyes closed he could swear he could see Zummi there hugging them one last time.
"Goodbye my friends…my family…my gummies."
Tears fall from his eyes.
"Goodbye Zummi."
With the end of Zummi's funeral began the festivities.
Wanting no part in it Gruffi makes one last stop to where it all started.
To no surprise there by the tree stood Gusto.
Taking a deep breath he pushes himself to climb that hill and to end this journey.
"Hey Gruffi."
"Hey kid."
Gusto already can tell from the tone of his voice that things were different.
"Fancy seeing you here."
Being Gusto, the old Gusto for just a moment brought him back…for a moment.
Shutting his eyes, Gruffi tried to not fall for it.
Crossing his arms Gusto leans onto the tree while giving his friend a questionable look.
"Why do we always find ourselves in these weird and awkward situations?"
He was tired of playing.
"What is it that you came to tell me Augustus?"
"I…I don't know."
Now he was just getting annoyed.
Stepping away from the tree he makes his way back to the castle.
"Wait! UGH! Gruffa-I'M SORRY!"
Stopping he takes a moment to listen to what the other bear has to say.
"I came to say I'm sorry."
"For?"
Admitting defeat, Gusto could only stubbornly brush his hands in his hair.
"Everything."
"I was right back there wasn't I?"
Gusto didn't want to answer, but he knew he couldn't avoid it any longer.
"Yes, I love him"
"Then we have nothing more to say."
Enough was enough from both parties.
"WHAT IS WITH YOU? You haven't changed one bit Gruffi! You are the exact bear I left 10 years ago! You and your stubbornness-"
And just like that came the punch to the face.
Falling backwards Gusto painfully rubs his now pinkish cheek.
"Let's get something straight AUGUSTUS Gummi! I've changed! After you left everything I did was for you! Now? Now everything I do is for MY family!"
Getting up he brushes the dirt off himself.
Gruffi couldn't help but laugh at the site of the blue bear.
"What's so funny?"
Taking a moment to compose himself he wipes a tear caused by all the laughing.
"By Gum, how we started this journey loving each other and now all we do is hate each other."
"I never said I hated you."
"But you stopped loving me right? When exactly did that happen? How many years of grief could I have saved myself?"
"I'm not doing this Gruffi."
"Why not? You owe it to me!"
"Excuse me? Let's get something straight! I don't owe you anything! I never asked for any of this to happen, but who are we kidding? What happened happened! I came didn't I? I said I was sorry! I mean what exactly do you want Gruffi!"
Those were the exact words both Gusto and Zummi had asked him. Such a simple question yet he could never answer it honestly.
He had always responded,
"I just want to be happy."
Putting all his thoughts on everything that happened throughout the ten years he finally knew the answer to that question.
"Forever gusto."
"What?"
Awhile back someone had heard me say your name and told me that where they're from gusto means enjoyment."
Letting out a small smile he responds,
"It also means artistic style."
"Yeah well you can keep that part."
Gruffi puts a hand out.
"Goodbye Augustus 'Gusto' Gummi."
Gusto looks down at the hand for a moment. Licking his lips nervously he laughs for a bit and takes the hand and gives it a firm shake.
"Goodbye Gruffi 'Gruffamundo' Gummi."
Not satisfied with a handshake the painter pulls the bear into a hug.
Embraced in each other's arms like old times.
Taking the initiative Gruffi pulls away.
"What are you going to do now Gruffi?"
"What else? Rebuild. It's the Gummi Way."
The brown bear makes his way down the hill one last time never to return to that hill with the fallen tree.
It pained the painter to see him leave.
Taking that as his cue Gusto makes his way down the hill where an injured Igthorn is waiting by his horse.
Grammi had done an awesome job in bandaging him up.
"Well? How did it go?"
"The only way it could have gone. He's going to be OK."
"And you?"
He wasn't prepared for that question and instead brushes it off.
Not wanting to press the bear, the man hops onto the horse. He brings his arm down to help the bear hop on.
Wrapping his arms around the man waist he couldn't help but ask.
"What are you going to do now?"
"What do you think? Rebuild of course."
Gusto smiles at the response.
"Rebuild?"
Igthorn kicks the side of the horse causing it to sprint over a small hill towards the direction of Drekmore.
"I'm going to be OK."
DONE! I'm so happy! I hope you guys enjoyed my story! It was hard writing this chapter because I wanted to make sure I was happy with it and lately I was caught up in writing other stories. PLEASE REVIEW! Thank you Readers!