Disclaimer: I Do Not own The Smurfs. The Smurfs is the property of Peyo and Hanna-Barbara.

Author's Note: I got this idea and I really hope it works.

Brainy's Sick

The day started out fairly normal in the Smurfs village, nothing out of the ordinary. The sun came out like always and Greedy rang the bell for breakfast. The other Smurfs happily went to the breakfast table. However, one smurf was a bit sluggish compared to the rest; and it was not Lazy, for a chance.

Clumsy happily went to the house of his best friend and greeted him, "Morning, Brainy!"

"Hey, Clumsy," Brainy weakly said.

"I can't wait for breakfast! I hear Greedy's making smurfberry pancakes today!" Clumsy said as he took Brainy's hand and headed for the table.

"Yummy," Brainy said, still sounding a little weak as they went.

That was when Clumsy noticed how Brainy sounded. "Brainy, are you feeling okay?"

"I don't know. For some reason I feel really weak," said Brainy.

"Oh gosh. Maybe you oughta head back to bed," Clumsy suggested.

"And miss the smurfberry pancakes? Clumsy, you must be crazy," Brainy said with a smile.

All of the Smurfs sat down together at the table and started enjoying their pancakes. The only hiccup would probably be when the Smurflings attempted to give some pieces to Puppy from the table. Fortunately, Smurfette saw that.

"Smurflings! Don't give Puppy table scraps!" she scolded.

"Sorry," the Smurflings all said.

As Clumsy was happily chewed on his pancakes, he made a yummy sound. "Greedy really out did himself, huh, Brainy?" he said as he glanced at his best friend, who was only staring at his plate and had only taken a few bites. "Brainy?"

"Huh? What?" Brainy asked before he took a face plant into his breakfast.

"I just asked if you liked the breakfast," said Clumsy.

"Oh! Yeah! It's great!" Brainy said with a smile as he took a bite.

Clumsy looked concerned. "Are you sure you're okay? You looked like you were gonna fall into your pancakes."

Brainy frowned and said, "Maybe I'm not so fine."

"Maybe you should get back to bed," Clumsy suggested. "I'll take care of your chores for ya. Uh, what are your chores today?"

"Well-" Brainy started, but was interrupted by Sassette poking him in the arm. "What is it, Sassette?"

"Can you please pass the syrup?" Sassette asked.

"Oh, sure," Brainy said as he grabbed the nearest bottle and handed it to Sassette. "Here you go."

"I said syrup! This is honey!" Sassette whined.

"It is?" Brainy asked as he took the bottle back and looked at it; and she was right. "Oh! Of course it is. I was just kidding."

Brainy laughed as he gave her the syrup. Sassette looked at Brainy like he was weird and then went back to her food. She then turned to Smurfette and asked her a question.

"You remembered your promise, right?" Sassette asked Smurfette.

"Of course, Sassette," said Smurfette. "Hefty, Brainy, Tracker and I will be taking you all after breakfast."

"Where?" Clumsy asked while the Smurflings cheered.

"The four of us are taking the Smurflings on a nature hike in the woods," said Hefty.

"Oh!" Clumsy said, and then glanced at his best friend. "Uh, how about I go with you instead of Brainy?"

"But, Clumsy, Brainy promised to go," said Nat.

"Sorry, Nat, I'm calling in sick," said Brainy.

"But why? You promised," said Sassette, looking disappointed.

"I'm just not feeling very well," Brainy weakly said.

Hefty looked unconvinced. "Is this an excuse so you don't have to go?"

"What? No," said Brainy. "Why would you assume that?"

"Because you always make excuses to do the bare minimum of your chores," said Hefty. "Well, you're not making excuses to get out of your promise!"

"But, Hefty, he's not making it up!" Clumsy pleaded.

"Stop trying to make excuses for him, Clumsy!" Smurfette scolded. "Just because he's your best friend doesn't mean you have to indulge his selfishness."

"But….. it's not like that…." Brainy weakly said. "I really feel sick."

"Yeah, and I have a red nose," Hefty sarcastically said. "Finish up and get ready."

"But I don't feel good," said Brainy.

"Hefty, he might be serious," said Tracker.

"If you think I'm so gullible, think again!" Hefty said.

"Good morning, my little smurfs!" Papa Smurf happily greeted the rest. He noticed the scene before him. "Is everything alright?"

"Actually, Papa Smurf-" Brainy began, but Hefty interrupted him.

"Nothing. Just a small argument, but we took care of it," said Hefty. Brainy wanted to say more, but Hefty dismissed him. "We're all eager to start today's hike."

"Smurferoo! We sure are!" Snappy cheered.

Brainy sighed and said, "Yup. I'll be there."

As Brainy got up and headed back to his house, Clumsy looked worried while Papa Smurf looked curious. Clumsy glared at Smurfette and Hefty before going after Brainy.

"Um, Smurfette, is Brainy alright?" Papa Smurf asked in concern.

"He's fine Papa Smurf," said Smurfette. "Just trying to get out of the hike."

"Really? Are you sure?" Papa Smurf asked.

"Papa, no offense, but he always tries to make excuses to do the bare minimum," said Hefty. "And we don't need him disappointing the Smurflings."

"Well, if you're sure," said Papa Smurf, though he was still concerned.

"I'm not," said Tracker, just as concerned as Papa Smurf.

Brainy was packing up his knapsack and occasionally had to pause for breath. Clumsy peaked inside and watched his best friend in concern. Handy was walking by and saw Clumsy.

"Something wrong, Clumsy?" Handy asked.

"Brainy's sick and he needs to rest," said Clumsy.

"So why is he going on the hike?" Handy asked.

"Because Hefty and Smurfette think he's making it up," Clumsy said. "He tried to tell Papa Smurf, but Hefty wouldn't let him get a word in!"

"And you're sure he's not making up an excuse to get out of the trip?" Handy asked. "He wasn't exactly a willing volunteer."

"Do you really think Brainy would go that far?!" Clumsy asked angrily.

"Easy, Clumsy! I didn't mean anything by it!" Handy quickly said. "Look, all I'm saying is that Brainy will be fine."

"I hope you're right, Handy," said Clumsy, still concerned about Brainy.

Brainy left his house and went to meet up with Smurette, Hefty, Tracker, and the Smurflings. Everyone was packed up and ready to go.

"Okay, everyone, get a partner and stick with them!" said Hefty. "Each Smurfling has to stick with one older Smurf!"

The Smurflings all paired up with each Smurf. Snappy stood next to Hefty while Slouchy stood with Tracker. Sassette stood next to Smurfette and that left Nat with Brainy.

Once the teams were set, Hefty led the group out of the village into the woods. They walked together through the trees and took in all of the sights. The trees, plants and flowers were all very pretty, and the animals were a pleasant sight as well. The Smurflings were enjoying the hike a great deal, and the older Smurfs were happy seeing the kids happy.

"This is so much fun!" Sassette cheered.

"Surferoo!" Snappy cheered as well.

"Wait till we reach the hilltop," said Hefty as they went.

"Brainy, are you okay?" Nat asked in concern.

"Huh?" Brainy said as he looked at the Smurfling. "Oh yeah. Why do you ask?"

"You've barely said anything since we started," said Nat.

"I'm alright. I'm just… tired….." Brainy said, feeling weaker than before.

Before Nat could ask the others to rest, Brainy suddenly fell to the ground. "Everyone, stop!" he screamed, grabbing everyone's attention. "Brainy's passed out! I think something's wrong with him!"

The others immediately rushed to check on him. Smurfette turned him onto his back and it was clear that his breathing was rough and his forehead was really warm to the touch. Hefty was starting to doubt his earlier assumption.

"He's burning up, Hefty!" Smurfette said in concern. "I think we made an awful mistake."

"I knew something wasn't right," said Tracker.

"You did?" Slouchy asked.

"I suspected, but I wasn't certain what was wrong," said Tracker. "But that doesn't matter. Right now, we need to get Brainy back to the village. He needs medical attention."

"You're right, Tracker. Smurfette, you and Tracker get Brainy on my back. I'll carry him," said Hefty.

The Smurfs nodded and acted quickly to get Brainy onto Hefty's back. Hefty adjusted his fellow Smurf just right so that he would not fall off. Once Brainy was secured, the Smurfs started making their way back to their village. They only hoped that they would get there before something awful happened.