Chapter 3: The Mecha Smurf

Handy and Doctor work against the clock on a difficult procedure never before performed by Smurf or man, with Time running out for Dreamy, a unlikely duo of Smurf masterminds race against the clock.

"Wrench…. Hammer…. Gears.." Handy named off every tool as needed it, Doctor would standby and hand each tool as Handy ordered for them while monitoring Dreamy's heart rate and managing his vital senses.

"That ought to Smurf it Doctor.. Now your turn" Handy says, as he steps back for Doctor to take position. Doctor Smurf removes several surgical tools from his coat and puts his mask on as he steps up to Dreamy's stretcher.

"This will be the hardest thing I have ever Smurfed Handy.. I hope it works" Doctor says, as he dabs at his forehead with a cloth as to remove sweat.

Handy steps outside the tent with his tool set for his job was done and he hadn't the stomach to watch what Doctor was going to do. The sun was now hiding itself behind the trees as the sky slightly clears and the storm that destroyed Vanity finally comes to an end. It was evening in the village and Miner Has returned from a 3 day expedition of an underground cavern. " Hey Miner" Handy said, as he saw his fellow Smurf coming up the street towards the well.

"How ye be doin Handy?" Miner replies, as he draws a bucket of well water with which to wash the soot and coal dust from his black and blue body.

"Not to Smurfy I'm afraid… you have missed a lot." Handy hesitates slightly in his words but comes to realization that he must be the bearer of bad news to Miner.

"sere a problem Handy?" Miner asks, as he carries his bucket back to his hut, not even making eye contact with Handy.

Handy follows miner to his hut where he explains all that has occurred during this unusual day of misfortune. Miner takes this surprisingly well and sheds not one tear over Vanity. Unlike the other Smurfs Miner realizes that Vanity was rather selfish and instead of dealing with him like the other Smurfs Miner chose not to form a Smurf to Smurf bond with him so hearing of Vanity's death only brought shock to Miner's ears on account of the dance being impossible and the very unlikely way Vanity had died.

"Well from what Papa Smurf says I reckon we'd be a lot safer underground then up 'ere where all Smurf is about to be breakin loose" Miner said, while changing the candle on his helmet and storing nearly a hundred more in a burlap sack.

" You know what Miner? Your abso-smurfly right! If we tunnel under the earth we could avoid the gusting winds!" Handy replied.

"Aye. And what's better, I know exactly the best tunnels we be taken to." Miner says, as he unravels a scroll containing a very detailed and well drawn map of various underground tunnels, caverns, mines, and rest spots that Miner has encountered in his century of mining, resource gathering, and digging.

"Miner! This is Smurftastic! Unbelievable! I never knew you were such a great map designer! Why.. This makes Tracker's maps look amateur!" Handy exclaimed, amazed.

"Ya know Handy? I be trustin Papa Smurf as much as the next Smurf, and I be truly fond of 'im as well. But from what ye be sayin bout 'im I don really think he cares for us anymore.. Since he be goin an sayin that" Miner said, tossing a few picks and a shovel into another sack and slinging it over his back.

" Are you saying we should form a group and head towards the tunnels tonight instead of going with Papa Smurf?" Handy asks.

" Group or no group Handy… I be goin into the mines regardless" Miner states, as both Smurfs head for the door.

"Alright Miner.. Give me some time to try and convince some Smurfs to join our cause I'll meet you at the mines entrance in three turns of the glass" Handy says, as he makes way back to the well to find more Smurfs.

" I be waitin for ya Handy and best of luck to ya" Miner shouts, as he heads the opposite way towards the mines.

Handy fills a goatskin with water and secures it with a cork, and then announces his and Miner's plan to every Smurf that would listen. In the end he convinced sloppy, scaredy, painter, sporty, and Hunter to come along with Miner and him to the tunnels.

" Come on Doctor.. We need you" Handy complained, as he fails to convince Doctor to come along.

"Aye.. You and every other Smurf in the world.." Doctor replied as he goes back into the tent to finish work on Dreamy.

" B-But Doctor!-" Handy's words were cut short.

"Not another word Handy! Now leave! You may be rebelling Papa Smurf's orders but I will not and I will not come along and see to it that your bodies are well Smurfed for burial! Mark my words Handy… you seven are going to Smurf in those mines.. You're a dead Smurf walking! Now be gone!" Doctor said.

It was final Doctor Smurf was not coming along. Handy gathered his fellow Smurfs and headed for the mines when he was accompanied by Hefty, Tuffy shortly behind.

"So… Then this is it.. Your not coming along then?" Hefty said.

" I'm really sorry Hefty.." Handy replied.

" I just want you to know.. No matter what happens… You will always be my best friend Handy" Hefty said.

" Same here buddy… Take good care of Papa Smurf and the others.. Perhaps we will Smurf again someday." Handy says, holding out his hand to Hefty.

" Count on it pal" Hefty says, as he shakes Handy's hand.

Both Smurfs say their goodbyes and parted ways Hefty accompanied by his mentor Tuffy, headed for the Great Oak as the sun turns red in the sky on its way down over the horizon signifying the beginning of night, and the last few peaceful hours the Smurfs will have before the winds hit. Meanwhile Harmony's trumpet goes off at Doctor's tent and the remaining Smurfs gathered around as Doctor steps out of his tent, a warm, happy smile on his face and his eyes lit up with pride and satisfaction.

"My fellow Smurfs!" Doctor began, as he threw his ungloved hands in the air to request silence and full attention.

" I have amazing news!" Doctor continues.

" I hate news!" Grouchy shouts, as he tends to Baby.

" Erm.. Anyway.. I am proud to announce that Dreamy Smurf has made a full recovery! And will be joining us tonight! And every night after for the rest of his Smurf!" Doctor declares proudly.

" At this I am proud to present to you… " Doctor says followed by a long pause and a drum roll performed badly by Harmony.

" Captain Dreamy Smurf!" Doctor says, as the tent door flings open and Dreamy steps out. There was a loud cheer as every Smurf in the village roared with applause and tears of joy. Dreamy steps into the crowd and proudly glances at his fellow Smurfs, a single tear forming at his good eye.

" Horray for Captain Dreamy! Horray for Captain Dreamy!" The Smurfs chanted.

" Thank you all! Your all such amazing friends!" Dreamy cried, with tears in his eye.

Brainy steps up towards Doctor's tent and lifts his finger for a lecture.

"Of course! I knew all the time that Dreamy was gonna make it! It is with great honor that I Brainy Smurf take 100% credit for it was no doubt that my brilliant book: "Brainy Smurf's Book of Surgery" was the cause for this astounding miracle performed today! Further more I-" Brainy's lecture was cut off when he was thrown out of town again, with the classic butterfly scene and brainy flying in landing on his head. " At least they appreciate a good book" Brainy says, before his book flies out after and hits him in the head.

" Never mind" Brainy says dizzily.

" So glad you could make it Brainy.. He he" Papa Smurf chuckled, as he leaned with an elbow against the Great Oak, a slightly senile look on his face.

" Papa Smurf? Are you feeling well?" Brainy asks.

" Never better Brainy what ever would lead you to ask that?" Papa Smurf said.

" Oh heh… Nothing Papa Smurf nothing at all. Why I for one think you have never looked Smurfier and-"

"That will be quite enough Brainy" Papa Smurf said.

" Yes Papa Smurf…" Brainy replied, rolling his eyes.

The two Smurfs wait for the other Smurfs… Which path will they take? Will they head for the Great Oak and the comfort of Papa Smurf… Or will other means cause them to take a different path? Find out in chapter 3 of the continuing saga: Smurfocalypse.