Chapter 13
"The Tide Turns Again"
So, it appeared that by holding Foxglove as a hostage, Duke Igthorn and Lady Bane as well as what was left of their allies, claimed victory over the Gummi Bears in their capital Ursalia. However, little did they realize that despite ordering all of the Gummi Bears to surrender their weapons and their treasures and their secrets to them, the Gummies had given false replicas of their real possessions in an effort to regain the upper hand. It seemed that something like this stunt could work on their part, but it was going to be worth a try.
"I hope you all know what you are doing," said Captain Blastus to Gruffi and Ursa. "They may not see through our true intentions. If they realize what we are doing to them, they might harm Foxglove."
"Then, maybe they'll release her and then realize that what we all gave them were false replicas," replied Gruffi. "We have done similar stunts in the past and maybe they'll try again."
"Don't be crazy, Gruffi," said Ursa. "Remember the time the Great Gummi Horn was used to scare off that human who now controls Ursalia and his mate?"
"Well, it doesn't matter where the Great Horn is, my lady," said Captain Blastus. "Someone had access to it by going into the weapons storeroom and using it to scare off most of the guards. Apparently, whoever did so was very foolish into doing something like this and nearly hurting everyone in the capitol."
Just then, the three adults saw Sunni, Cubbi and Buddi sitting with Cavin and Princess Calla who was still recovering from injuries suffered in his duel with Igthorn. They walked over and sat down with them.
"I hope you three could give a good explanation over how you had access to that horn," said Gruffi sternly but calmly. "A lot of Gummies could've been hurt."
"We had no choice, Gruffi," said Cubbi defiantly. "If we didn't do something, Igthorn's plan could've been worse."
"Well, it's already worse now," replied Ursa. "You may have helped us greatly in scaring off most of Igthorn's allies, but I thought we told both of you when you first came here that the weapons storeroom is off limits."
"I know, Ursa," said Buddi. "But, what was more important to us then? Saving all of you, or bowing down to the two evil humans that hold that female bear hostage?"
"My son," said Captain Blastus. "I know what you did was wrong, but believe me, you all did the right thing. Tonight, I have seen that not all humans are evil and that if all Gummi Bears could see what I see and that is saying something, then maybe the true meaning of coexisting between the Gummi race and the Human race is in the five of you."
This made Cavin and Calla smile at those words, despite the scratches and bruises that they suffered in the battle. Cavin moaned slightly as the wound in his head was still fresh, but the train of Calla's gown was tied tightly around it and prevented any more bleeding.
"Calla," he moaned. "Did you have to tie your train tightly?"
"Unless if you want to lose your life the same way as Sir Tuxford," said Calla, speaking to him like a mother would. "Then, I suggest you keep it on."
"But, it's your favorite dress, Calla," added Cavin. "I'm sorry that you had to ruin it."
"Cavin," replied Calla. "Sometimes my formal dresses are not important at times like this. I can always it have it repaired back in Dunwyn. But right now, we need to focus on saving Lady Foxglove."
All of the Gummies were baffled on what to do, but then Gruffi had an idea.
"I've got it!" he cried. "Calla, do you remember the time we used the mechanical knight to save your father?"
"I do," she said. "I thought you brought it to Ursalia to be put in storage."
"We can come up with a plan that could save Lady Foxglove and turn the tide back to us," exclaimed Gruffi. "But, if I am going to have access to the mechanical knight, I need your help, princess."
"We'll show you the way," said Sunni. "But, we have to do it in a way that will not attract the rest of the guards."
"Then, we'll have to create a diversion," said Ursa. "I'll focus on one to distract the guards, you all return to the storeroom. Now, Go!"
So, Gruffi, Cubbi, Buddi, Sunni and Calla headed back to the storeroom while Ursa turned her attention towards a troll who was guarding a group of Gummies that were near the dead body of the Slugger.
"Hey, troll," she said defiantly. This made the troll raise his pea shooter at her.
"What is it, Gummi?" he asked.
"There is a group of Gummies that have escaped the city, but there are reinforcements on the way," said Ursa. "You might want to join them."
"Thank you," he said. "I shall go at once."
"Ursa," said Gritty. "Are you crazy? The two evil humans are going to know that was a false move on our part."
"Gritty," she replied. "Do you remember the times where we had to protect Barbic Woods by causing diversions? Well, that's exactly what we are doing right now."
Although he was not popular with the idea, Gritty had to follow Ursa's strategy much like he did back in Ursalia. Meanwhile, Foxglove was now tied up in the throne room with Duke Igthorn and Lady Bane who were now drinking glasses of wine in honor of their victory.
"To our victory, Lady Bane," said Igthorn. "And to infinite power that shall come our way."
"Indeed, Igthorn," she smiled. "Just think, all of the Gummi secrets in my possession and you as ruler of Dunwyn. Together, we shall be unstoppable." The two villains then shared a hearty evil laugh as Foxglove looked at them sternly in the eyes.
"That's what you think," she said. "I may be tied up, but my husband and the others will fight back."
"Is that what you think, Gummi Bear?" asked Igthorn mockingly. "Why, with you as our hostage, we will the Gummies and King Gregor's precious daughter at bay for as long as we can. Then, when we are done with them, we shall deal with you and our victory will be complete."
"We will find a way out of this, Duke Igthorn," cried Foxglove. "Then we shall make you evil human scum bow before us."
Igthorn responded by slapping Foxglove in the face, knocking her to the ground.
"How dare you talk back to your master!" shouted Lady Bane. "As long as we are in command of Ursalia, you shall obey us, do you understand? Unless, you want us to make you watch the deaths of your fellow Gummi Bears, one by one."
Foxglove refused to be intimidated by what her captors were saying and got back on her feet, surprising both of them.
"That's all you think," she said defiantly. "You talk and you talk and yet you get absolutely nothing. Even if you think you have beaten us, you really have not. All that the both of you are doing is getting what you want out of greed and that instead of getting what you want, you will get evil in your life."
"Silence!" shouted Lady Bane and was just about to strike her again when a knock was heard at the door.
"Who is it?" she asked loudly and an Aerial entered the throne room.
"My lord and lady," he said. "There is a black knight wanting to speak with both of you."
"A black knight?" he asked. "Where is he from?"
"He claims to be from Dunwyn castle wanting to start a new life as a captain in your ranks, my lord," said the Aerial.
Although they were both skeptical, Duke Igthorn and Lady Bane allowed the knight to enter. But, what they didn't realize was that they were to be tricked by Gruffi and the others, who were only in to rescue Foxglove and turn the tide back towards the Gummi Bears.
"You may enter, good Sir Knight," said Duke Igthorn. "Come forth."
"Thank you, your excellency," said Gruffi in a disguised voice and he entered with the two villains into a separate room where there was privacy between them and the outside world.
Meanwhile, Sunni, Cubbi, Buddi and Calla were hiding from the view of the Aerial guards that were standing in front of the throne room.
"How do we disturb the guards without attracting Igthorn and Lady Bane?" whispered Cubbi. "One wrong move and it's over."
"I may have an idea," said Calla and taking her white high heels off, threw them into the view of the guards and they caught the attention of them while she and the others hid from their view..
"Hey," said the first Aerial guard. "Do you see this?"
"Yeah," replied the second Aerial guard. "It's someone's shoe, but it is too big to be a Gummi shoe size. There must be a human in here."
Just then, the three Gummi cubs and Princess Calla jumped the Aerials and covering their mouths, dragged them into the foyer and bound and gagged them, so they couldn't scream. Rather than using her already damaged formal blue and white dress, Calla tied the Aerials with pieces of the curtain and stuffed huge portions of the curtain into their mouths. Once they were taken out, the cubs ran towards Foxglove who was looking at the room Duke Igthorn, Lady Bane and Gruffi disguised as the Black Knight were in.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Shush," whispered Sunni. "We are here to help you, Foxglove."
"You gave a great speech," said Buddi. "We think all of the Gummi Bears have already seen the truth."
"I hope so after everything that has happened," replied Foxglove. "But, you shouldn't be here, they are here talking with a potential enforcer of us all."
"We have a plan to get these two out of Ursalia once and for all," said Calla, sliding on her white high heels again. "But, right now, we have to get out of here."
So, the group took Foxglove out of the throne room and just as they left, Duke Igthorn and Lady Bane, followed by the mechanical knight entered the throne room and the two villains were shocked and aghast by what they saw next.
"Where is the prisoner, you fools?" demanded Duke Igthorn as he walked over to the knocked out Aerials.
"Answer us, now!" demanded Lady Bane, using her Gummi Medallion to bring the Aerials to their feet.
But just then, the Mechanical Knight grabbed Duke Igthorn and Lady Bane and threw them across the throne room back on their seats. It was then that Gruffi finally revealed himself to them.
"You will never take Ursalia," he cried and closing the door to the mechanical knight, ran out of the throne room leaving a hopping mad Igthorn and Lady Bane behind.
"We've been tricked!" shouted Igthorn. "Get up you fools and call to arms!"
"Now!" shouted Lady Bane as the Aerials pulled themselves together and ran to gather their reinforcements for battle.
The battle for Ursalia was about to begin again, this time, the Gummi Bears were the favorites.
