Chapter 7: The Black Year, Part 2
A sense of loss hung over Hefty. He sat quietly and dejectedly in front of the cave, while the others inside tried desperately to save Puppy's life. First Hefty lost his family, his home, and now he the smurflings - all in less than one year. He stared blankly out into the unusually quiet forest. It was as if every creature in the woods was mourning over the falling of the smurfs.
This made Hefty wish that Mother Nature and Father Time could show up, cast their magic, and turn back time so that none of this would ever happen. Sadly, that was not possible.
The smurfs had already confronted them with their problem months ago when the ten of them first ventured away from the Old Village. The elder deities had explained that it is not possible to stop the devastation that has occurred. However, it has not stopped Mother Nature and Father Time from expressing their grief and sharing the strong sense of guilt that they could not do anything about it.
The brooding smurf was so deep in thought that he barely noticed Brainy sitting down beside him. Ever since the disappearance of the smurflings a rift has come between the two brothers, bigger then it has ever been even during the lively days of the Old Village.
Brainy looked apologetically at Hefty with sadness in his eyes.
"B-Brainette says that Puppy might not make it. The injuries he received from Asmoday were greater then any of us can compensate. He-" Brainy paused for a moment in order to control his emotions a little better.
"...He may not even last through the night." He finished in a whisper with a few tears running down his face.
Again, Brainy watches Hefty. Hefty expressed no emotion to what he just heard, not even the slightest hint of surprise. The only thing the strong smurf did was turn his head further away from Brainy.
"Come on, Hefty!" Brainy finally spat out explosively. He became very irritated with this silent treatment. "Just come out and say it, already. It's my fault! My fault for losing the smurflings! T-That Puppy is about to pay the ultimate price for his attempts to protect them! Now he's about to die in vain over it. ...And what did I do? I abandoned my post like an idiot! I'm sorry, ok!"
Finally Hefty looked to Brainy, his eyes having so many emotions mingled together that it was hard to tell if he's grieving, or angry, or both. Brainy's heart skipped a beat, thinking his strong brother might say something. He was expecting him to say how everything he just said was right. Brainy held his breath expecting Hefty to yell, cry, or even spit. Anything is better then silence.
To Brainy's surprise, Hefty did not say anything. Instead, he got up and walked away from Brainy and the cave they had called home for the winter.
"Hefty? Hefty? Where are you going?" Brainy shouted to his brother. He started to get up to follow his brother when a smurfette's hand stops him. Surprised, Brainy turned around to see Toughette.
"I'll go talk to him." She said quietly before pursuing her boyfriend.
With a heavy heart, Brainy simply nodded. Another touch on his shoulder caused Brainy to turn and see Brainette. She attempted to give him a brave, supportive look. Without saying a word, Brainette simply sat down beside him and they both stared out on the field blankly.
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Hefty stopped at a nearby creek. He bent forward to see his own reflection. The smurf staring back up at him still bore some scratches and bruises from his fight with Asmoday. The biggest scar on his face, though, was the one he got from when the Smurf Dam collapsed in the flood, and swept him away to the Smurfette Village.
He rested his head into his hand, unsure if he had enough strength to hold it up anymore. Out of all the smurfs in the village, why does he have to be one out of the only ten survivors?
"It isn't Brainy that you are angry with, is it?" The familiar voice, like an angel, spoke.
Hefty looked up to meet Toughette's gaze. She was right.
"Like me, you are probably blaming yourself for losing the smurflings. If only we had practiced harder, focused on our strengths, maybe, just maybe the smurflings will still be safe with us." Toughette went on saying as she walked up to her troubled boyfriend.
Hefty simply nodded his head before bringing his attention back down to the running brook. He did not even look up to Toughette when she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You know that we can never beat him, don't you?" She calmly told him. "No matter how much we practice with our sparing, we will never be good enough, or strong enough to beat a demon."
"Then with that said there is only one thing to do when we finally confront Asmoday again." Hefty finally said, looking back up at her.
"You mean the ultimate sacrifice?" She gasped.
"If it is the only way to get the smurflings back safely, we have no choice." Hefty nodded.
"As long as we stay together we will be strong enough to go through with it." Toughette said, leaning her forehead up against his in an affectionate way.
"You know, out of everything Asmoday has caused us and the rest of the smurfs and smurfettes, I am glad that he brought us together." The strong smurf sighed, letting a tear escape from his eye.
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The next day happened to be the second hardest day the four remaining smurfs had to face. Hefty and Toughette just finished scooping the final bit of dirt with their shovels over onto the body of Puppy.
Brainy stood nearby with their furry friend's collar. The special collar is what Homnibus created for Puppy just before sending the little fella as a gift to the smurfs. It had surprised Brainy when the magical collar slipped off unexpectedly once Puppy's spirit left his body.
The locket still did not open, only the chosen one can open it, but that was not important. Today the smurfs had lost yet another dear friend. Now how will they get around in the world? Who will be there to help them get back the smurflings?
At least with Puppy around the smurfs felt a little bit safer. Being only three apples high, and no village immersed in magic to protect them from enemies, the outside world can be a very dangerous place for a smurf. It is apparent now, more then ever, that they are vulnerable without a guard-puppy around.
All four smurfs shed a few tears over the death of their furry companion. They kept the grieving short, for now they were on a mission. The smurflings were still in jeopardy. They have to rescue them at all costs.
After saying their final goodbyes, the smurfs went to put away the shovels, and Puppy's collar, back into the cave with their treasures from the Old Village. Brainy and Brainette cast a protective spell, causing their treasures and other supplies to appear invisible to the naked eye.
Thus done, the four smurfs left the cave with only the few essentials in their backpacks. Hefty and Toughette made sure they do not leave without their staffs. Chances are they will need them when they go up against Asmoday again. Neither of them were sure how, but they will somehow find Asmoday and demand that he return all of smurflings to them.
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For the past few days, the smurfs wandered over the sloping land in hopes to find some clue on the whereabouts of Asmoday. Never have these four been so serious, so determined on anything before, and without the helpful guide of their dear Papa Smurf. This is just something that they have to do. Giving up is not an option.
Their search had led them through a human village. In order to avoid being spotted, the four smurfs decide to walk in the shadows as much as possible. As usual, the market in the main streets of this town was as busy, teeming with profiting merchants, shifty-eyed peddlers, and eager shoppers. This made staying out of sight harder. Lucky for the smurfs, however, is that every human knew nothing of their existence. The humans were more interested in what they were selling and buying to take notice of four little blue imps running from one shadowy corner to another shadowy corner.
As they passed one of the booths, Brainette stopped when one of the peddlers behind them made a sales pitch that sounded familiar.
"Diseases and Plagues! Get your books on Diseases and Plagues here! You have a neighbour that annoys you? Stole your cattle? Destroyed your property? Why not curse him with a deadly disease? I've got everything you need right here in this book!" A dirty looking man, half the size of a normal size man, was calling out into the crowd.
"Hang on, smurfs!" Brainette cried out to the others. Almost instantly Brainy, Toughette, and Hefty turn to face Brainette.
"There is something that this man said sounds familiar. I think we should go talk to him." The bespectacled smurfette says, jerking her thumb at the man.
"Ah, Brainette, maybe that is not such a good idea." Brainy warned, but it was too late. Brainette is already at the man's feet. Brainy looked helplessly over at Hefty and Toughette. They both shrugged their shoulders before following Brainette to the strange little man.
"Excuse me. Um, excuse me." Brainette called up while she tugged at the man's brown cloak.
The man peers down at Brainette with a look of disgust.
"Go on, beat it you little imp. I'm not a charity center. There are no free hand outs here." Brainette did not move. She became more persistent and tugged harder on the cloak.
"I said beat it! Go ask for scraps elsewhere!" The hairy man says hoarsely, trying to shoo her away with his free hand.
"I'm not here to beg!" Brainette finally said crossly, stamping her foot on the ground. "I just wish to ask you about that book you are selling."
"Oh, well that's different. You wish to buy then?" The man asked hopefully.
"Um, no, just a question," Brainette answered in a slightly sheepish tone.
"I see," The man again gave the bespectacled smurfette, and the other three smurfs behind her, a snobbish look. "In that case, be gone, all of you! I'm a very busy human and don't have time for the likes of you!"
"That's just it! I'm willing to bet you're not even human. In fact, I am betting you are a demon, a demon named Guland!" Brainette said in a sharp clear voice. The book looked exactly like the one that Gargamel had in his home.
The hairy little man looked around the market to see if anyone is watching. He saw that nobody was looking. With a grumble, he jumped off the stool he stood on. Then in a puff of smoke, the dirty little man transformed into a dirty little demon with yellow eyes, and sharp pointy ears and teeth.
"You are indeed a cleaver little blue imp, ain't ya," He said with a grin as he scratches his chin idly.
"We are smurfs, in case you are not aware." Brainy corrects the demon.
Guland raises one eyebrow, "Ah, so you are the little critters Asmoday has been obsessing over," He smirked.
"You know Asmoday? Where is he? He has something that belongs to us!" Hefty demanded.
"Yeah? Join the club," The short demon snorted. "He stole one of my diseases and plagues books, only for it to get destroyed in a fire!"
Toughette steps up. "So we have something in common. You will help us find him then?" She commanded.
Guland shrugged. "Well, I can not really do anything physically you know, but I can draw out a map to his home for you. I do wish you luck; however, he can be a very sneaky demon indeed." He said, handing Brainy a piece of paper with instructions to find a cave up high in the mountains.
"Thank you," Brainy bowed politely, accepting the piece of paper. He and Brainette began to lead the way with the map in their possession. Before the smurfs were out of sight, Guland suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, and one more thing, Asmoday loves to bargain. You give him an offer he likes, and he is obligated to stay true to it."
"Loves to bargain, eh?" Hefty thought aloud. He then looked over at Toughette.
They appear to be having the same thought. "We will remember that, thanks again," He added before taking Toughette's hand and catching up with their scholarly siblings.
"Yeah whatever," the demon muttered.
Looking around in every direction, Guland made sure the coast is clear before he could transform himself back into a human form. Then he jumped back onto his stool, and held out one of his books. He smiled as a farmer walked past.
"Hey, got an annoying neighbour that is stealing your stuff? Might I suggest cursing him with a disease?" He called out hopefully to the farmer. The farmer gave him a strange look before he quickened his pace down the market street.
"Cheapskate," Guland muttered.
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"This looks like the place," Brainy assumed, seeing medium-size statues of Asmoday on either side of a cave entrance.
"I'm surprised that demon back in the market actually led us to the right place!" Toughette said, scratching her head in disbelief.
"He had no reason to lie to us, Toughette. To Guland stealing one of his books meant that he would do anything to extract his vengeance," Brainette explained.
"Right, speaking of which, let's get inside and pay our home wrecker a little visit," Hefty announced. He swung his staff in front of him, ready for battle.
"I'm right beside you, love," Toughette nodded, grabbing her staff as the two of them led the way into the cave.
"Ah…wait…" Brainy started to call out after them. However, the two strong smurfs had gone in too far to hear his warning.
"Come on, we better catch up to them. They will need our help if they get into trouble," Brainette sighed.
Hefty and Toughette walked through the tunnel until they reached an opening. Before entering, however, the two carefully scoped out the scene before they deem it safe to step out into the area.
Every corner has burning torches that light up the chamber. To one side of the chamber stood two more tall statues of Asmoday with a large stone throne between them. On the backrest of the stone throne there was writing carved onto it. It read "Asmoday" in calligraphy style.
"He-Hello?" Hefty called out. He tried not to sound as nervous as he felt.
"Great. We come all this way to fight Asmoday, and he isn't even home!" Toughette huffed.
"Maybe this is a good thing. If we are lucky we can find the smurflings and get out of here without even confronting Asmoday today," Brainy said, still slightly timid, as he stepped forward.
"Good idea. We can take this opportunity to regroup and come up with a more defensive strategy." Brainette added to Brainy's suggestion. They both started heading toward the throne. Hefty and Toughette looked at each before following their scholarly siblings.
"Interesting décor," Brainy commented with a look of disgust as he passes one of the grotesque statues beside the throne.
"Hmm," Hefty pondered as he too passes the same statue. How he wished that he could just push it over and destroy everything else, leaving Asmoday as homeless as the smurfs were. That would serve the demon right!
Suddenly Brainette noticed something and ran over to the darkened corner of the chamber. She glazed carefully into the shadows and hollered, "Hey, over here, I found something!"
Toughette quickly reached up to grab one of the low-hanging torches from the wall before rushing over to where Brainette. Hefty and Brainy follow behind. As soon as the light hit the six objects that had caught Brainette's attention, all four smurfs gasp in shock.
What the adult smurfs were hoping when they found the smurflings was that the youngsters would be in a kind of a prison cell, completely alive and unharmed. Instead, they found the smurflings encased in some kind of semi-transparent crystal, their wide, unseeing eyes staring out at nothing in particular.
"No! What has that monster done?!" Toughette cried out in anguish.
"Aren't they lovely?" A dark creepy voice spoke up suddenly from behind, "They are my trophies after I officially dispose of you worthless creatures!"
All four smurfs spun around to face the owner of the voice.
Hefty and Toughette instantly got into a defensive stance with their staff held up, ready to fight. The demon had just materialized out of nowhere and stood at the opening of the tunnel, grinning from ear to ear.
"You know, I'm actually really glad you little bugs decided to come here and be destroyed," Asmoday said in a cocky tone, "I really was not interested in going back out there to find you again to finish what I have started."
He saunters over to his throne to sit down to peer with some admiration at the smurfs before he decides to kills them. Each of the adult survivors had a serious and focused look on their face. They appear to be ready for anything Asmoday choose to throw at them.
"What is he waiting for?" Brainy whispered to the others. Brainette was the only one to respond by shrugging her shoulders to him as if to say 'I don't know'. Hefty and Toughette said nothing, refusing to remove their eyes from Asmoday even for a second.
"Right, I suppose we should get this over with then. I do have a lunch date with the sea hags off the English Coast after all," Asmoday murmured carelessly, about ready to get up from his throne.
"Wait!" Hefty suddenly cried out, holding up one hand to forestall the demon.
Everyone froze with Hefty's sudden action, including Asmoday. The only one that stayed calm was Toughette, even though she showed some signs of nervousness.
Hefty lowered his staff. "We don't wish to fight with you!" He declared, still staring steadily at the demon.
"We don't?" Brainy spat out in shocked, even though that is what he is hoping too.
"You don't?" Asmoday appeared puzzled with this strange turn of events. He was not sure if he should be impressed with the little blue critters boldness, or not.
"No, we wish to bargain with you." Toughette stated, stepping forward and lowering her staff as well.
"B-B-B-Bargain?" Brainy stuttered, suddenly feeling thoroughly.
Brainette's jaw dropped. "Bargain? No, Toughette, bargaining with demons are bad! I beg you to step down from this idea!" She pleaded with her sister.
"We know what we are doing, Brainette!" Toughette snapped at her before turning her attention back to Asmoday.
"I agree with Brainette, Hefty please!" Brainy said, practically in tears.
"Just let us do what we have to do, Brainy," Hefty calmly replied without turning around to meet his brother's pleading gaze.
"So what is this bargain you are purposing to me, and how will it benefit me?" Asmoday demanded, thoroughly intrigued by now.
"We suggest you release the smurflings, and in their place we offer you…" Hefty paused to look over at his beloved mate, Toughette. The two of them could read the fear in each other's eyes, but they knew there was no chance of them backing down now. This was the reason why they came here. This was the only chance for the survival of the others. With a gulp, Hefty returned his attention back to Asmoday.
"…We offer you me and Toughette." He finished, trying to hide the quivering sound in his voice.
"You two offer yourselves in place of the smurflings, my trophies? Hmm…" Asmoday took a moment to think it over.
"That is not all!" Toughette quickly spoke up again. "You have to leave the smurfs alone to let them live on. Otherwise we don't have a deal."
Again, Asmoday paused to think. He watched the two brave smurfs that are willing to sacrifice themselves for a handful of miniature blue bugs. Truly, it was a priceless offer.
Asmoday could tell the smurfs were without their protective canine companion, and soon they would be without their strong defenders. Without their muscle, how long would the rest of them survive on their own?
With a wide grin full of sharp teeth and red eyes glowing with dark glee, he answered in a low growling voice, "Deal."
The word spoken through Asmoday's teeth rippled through the smurfs' bodies, sending chills down their spines.
"Hefty, Toughette! Have you two gone crazy?" Brainy shouted at them in desperation as he spun them around to face him and Brainette.
Hefty looked deep into Brainy's eyes and said, "No matter what happens, Brainy, always protect the smurflings. They're the ones that matter the most."
"B-B-But…"
"This is the only way, Brainy. Sacrificing ourselves will ensure that you all are going to be safe from Asmoday." The strong smurf explained, handing his staff over to his bookish brother.
"You don't understand. We can't survive without you two!" Brainy cried, beginning to break into heavy sobs.
"Yes you can. Have a little faith," Hefty replied emotionally. He placed his hand on Brainy's shoulder in a gesture of brotherly reassurance.
"No, we lost so many loved ones already this year. We don't want to lose you two as well!" Brainette said tearfully.
"We will always be with you, Brainette. Stay strong, ok." Toughette softy told her bespectacled sister. At the same time, she pushed her staff into Brainette's hands.
Brainette was so shocked that she was unable to think of the words she wanted to tell her tough sister. She just stood there with her mouth hung open, and tears running freely down her face.
"Sentimental goodbyes are really pointless," Asmoday groaned, rolling up his eyes, "I accept your bargain, and I am obligated to fulfill my end, but you must fulfill your end first!"
Asmoday stood up from his throne and released a strange, dark energy from his finger tips aiming right at the strong duo.
Before Hefty and Toughette had a chance to react, a sharp pain struck them in the back. The pain only lasts a moment before their bodies become numb. Darkness fills them. They could sense absolutely nothing else. The only thing they heard was total silence. The only thing that surrounded was an empty void…
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Present Time
"Oh no," Brainette came to a sudden stop to stare down at her tracking machine in disbelief.
"What is it?" Snappy asked anxiously.
"I don't believe it. They are in the museum!" The elderly, bespectacled smurfette said, looking up from the tracker.
"Of all the places in our little community here they pick that place to hide?" Sassette cried out in surprise.
"Well if you really think about it, it does make sense," Elder Brainy determined thoughtfully, "The museum would be the closest thing that brings them back home, so to speak."
"Guess it does make sense if you do think about it," Nat nodded in agreement.
"Ok, now we know where they are, let's go get them," Sorcerer cheered as he walked up ahead of the others.
"Hold up there, Sorcerer!" Brainy quickly grabbed the arm of the hyperactive young smurf, "You remember how they acted with us in the medical lab, and again in the living room. There could be still a chance their memories have not yet returned. Hefty and Toughette might still try to run away. We have to be very cautious when we enter the museum."
"I feel it is our fault that they have ran off on us," Sorcerette pouted, looking down dejectedly.
"Hey, you didn't know. You and Sorcerer got them here safely, and that is what matters most," Slouchy said softly. He placed a reassuring hand on the young smurfette's shoulder. Sorcerette nodded once and seemed to feel better.
"Let's get there soon before they go on the move again," Brainette ordered checking her tracker as it beeps again.
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The sound of the magical door opened, but Hefty and Toughette, with their backs toward it, did not need to be psychic to know that their older siblings have found them. Hefty wrapped his arms tighter around Toughette as she snuggled closer to his chest. Neither of them wished to look back at them just yet.
"Hefty? Toughette?" Brainy cautiously made his way up behind his brother. "Now before you two decide to run off again I just want you to hear me out. Please accept my humble apology for what has happened to you throughout this whole day and…"
"It's ok, Brainy. We now remember what happened to us." Hefty calmly admitted, cutting his brother off.
"Y-you do?" The scholarly old smurf was a little surprised, even though a part of him suspected it to happen eventually.
"We remember what happened to the Old Village, our encounters with Asmoday, and why we had awoken in his dark, spooky cave," Toughette explained with a few tears running down her face.
Brainy and Sassette walked up to the strong duo, glad that they had found them. Sassette smiles warmly at Toughette. Toughette carefully stepped away from the safety of Hefty's arms, and reached up to gently touch Sassette's much older face. Still in disbelief, Toughette shook her head with a tentative smile on her face. Deciding to accept this new Sassette, the strong smurfette gave her a hug.
Hefty on the other hand pauses as he just looked at his now much older brother. It was obvious that he struggled to accept the age difference between them. Finally, Hefty let out a sigh before resting his strong hand onto Brainy's shoulder.
"This is definitely something to get use to," He said with a wry chuckle.
"Tell me about it," Brainy answered with a smirk.
"Why don't the rest of you go attend to other matters, you know, the kind that should not be unattended for too long…?" Brainette told Sorcerer and Sorcerette with a 'you-know-my-meaning' look.
"But what about Hefty and Toughette?" Sorcerer asked with some concern.
"Don't worry, Brainy and I will look after them," The Elder smurfette assured him. "In the morning we will get them cleaned up and changed before showing them around their new home." She explained soothingly. "Sassette, you Slouchy, Snappy, and Nat better go help these young smurfs." She added looking over to the elderly smurfette in braided pigtails.
"Alright," Sassette nodded. "See you two in the morning."
She, the other three elders, Sorcerette, and Sorcerer Smurf all politely waved to Hefty and Toughette before exiting the museum.
Hefty and Toughette looked baffled as they watch the others leave. Now it was just them and their very much older siblings, Brainy and Brainette.
"You two ready to come with us, so we can get you something to eat?" Brainette offered tentatively.
"Ok…but before we go anywhere else I just have one question," Toughette wondered, holding up her hands to Brainy and Brainette.
"I'm sure you will have many questions for us…not just one!" Brainy pointed out with a little chuckle.
"What is it, Toughette?" Brainette asked in a soft, supportive tone.
The golden blond smurfette breathed in deeply. "How the smurf did you guys find us so quickly?" She exclaimed.
Brainy and Brainette could not help but to look at each other with a smirk on their faces.
"With this," Brainette answered as she reached behind the back of Toughette's neck and pulled out a tiny black round object no bigger then a smurfberry.
"A bug?" Toughette gasped, confused on how such a small little object could help give away her and Hefty's location.
"That's one way of calling it." Brainy tried not to laugh, but failed.
"It's called a tracer, Toughette. It sends signals to this thing, which is called a tracker." Brainette explained, holding up the hand-held computerized device. "This is how we found you so easily."
"Ok, so how did that thing get on me on the first place?" Toughette asked, scratching the back of her neck where her elder sister took the tracer off, and eyed the device distrustfully.
"I managed to slip it on you when you passed out in the Medical Lab, before Hefty pushed me away." Brainette admitted patiently.
Hefty frowned and decided to place his arms around Toughette again before anything else could be 'slipped on' her.
"I see, don't suppose there are other surprises you wish to share with us?" He said gruffly, giving the elders a suspicious glare.
"In due time Hefty," Brainy nodded, holding up his hand to pacify them. "There is much you will learn of this new world. In the meantime, we should get some real food in you before you will want to rest up for the evening. Follow us, please."
"Jeez, why are you still trying to get us to believe that we need rest?" Hefty griped in an irritated fashion. "I'm not that tired. What about you Toughette?"
"No, not tired just an upset tummy." Toughette answered, rubbing her tender stomach.
"Right, let's take you to our room," Brainette said, "There we will have more privacy, and we can answer more questions you two may have." She motioned the young strong duo to follow her and Brainy out of the museum.
Hefty and Toughette both looked at each other in a confused manner before shrugging their shoulders and followed their older siblings out of the museum. Brainy turned to make sure the doors to the museum door was looked securely, so no other smurfs could sneak inside. Once he was certain that their treasures were once again safe, Brainy hobbled along with his cane to catch up to the others.