Chapter 11: Papa Smurf's Return
"There, there Smurfette… It's fine now, I am here to stay, and I have Smurftaculier news!" Papa Smurf comforts Smurfette to the very best of his ability as they head into the house Papa Smurf could not believe what his little Smurfs had become without him. There was blood smeared on the walls where gruesome fights were carried out over the decreasing amount of Smurfberries, the putrefying stench of rotting flesh lingered in a corner of the room where the body of Azrael lays under a blood stained cloth exposed to elements of decay and deterioration. He saw Smurfs in armor marching in formation back and forth and heard Hefty sound order upon order. Then he saw something that made his skin crawl. Up on the mantle to the fireplace was the heads of various strange creatures which Papa Smurf recognized immediately.
"Natural Smurf!? Tracker!? What in Smurf's name is going on?!" Papa Smurf demanded.
After explaining the events of the past couple weeks without his presence Papa Smurf was amazed at their ability to stay alive and at the same time shocked to know the sacrifices made and risks taken to ensure survival.
"See?! I told you Papa Smurf would be back! But oh no! Papa Smurf is never coming back you said! Oh no! Papa Smurf has abandoned us! Oh-" Brainy was interrupted when he was thrown outside.
"The creatures you say now haunt these woods are none other then demons! Creatures of pure evil!" Papa Smurf explains.
"Pure evil?!" They all say at once.
"Pur eevul?!" Gargamel's muffled speech was heard from the cellar.
"Smurf up down there human!" Hefty screams as he bangs his spear against the cellar door.
"I hate pure evil!" Grouchy yells.
"Yes, well as I was saying… These Smurf sized demons are only among the weakest of Demon spawn! There are other demons up to a thousand times more powerful then this! Maybe even worse! Its truly a miracle you all survived!" Papa Smurf explained.
"So what's the news on SmurfBerries Papa Smurf?" Dreamy asks.
"Thankfully Dreamy, Smurfberry Island is one of the few places untouched by apocalyptic events! Papa Smurf says.
The cheers of rejoicing Smurfs fills the air as Grouchy takes his stand.
"Then we sail to Smurfberry Island! Grouchy yells.
"But Grouchy! You hate sailing! Absosmurfly hate it!" Brainy yells.
"I do!…. But I love Baby Smurf…." Grouchy says, as he gives Baby a grin from across the crowd which Baby returns the grin and laughs.
"But Papa Smurf! How will we ever Smurf a ship without Handy?!" Dreamy asks.
"Handy is not the only Smurf who can build things Dreamy! We together can find out how to do this as a group! We will have S.S Smurf III up and ready to sail by the morrow!" Papa Smurf says.
"I will gather some resources in the forest!" Timber says, as he takes off his armor and puts his cap on.
"Yes! A Smurfy idea Timber! Nat and Tracker will aid you!"
"I've never Smurfed a design for a ship before, but it can't be that much different from a hut! I'll begin Smurfing blueprints!" Architect says.
"I will Smurf some potions and antidotes for your trip Captain Dreamy!" Alchemist says.
"Your going to need food to!" Greedy says, as he runs for the supply.
All the Smurfs eagerly began preparations for Dreamy's selfless voyage that would bring Smurfberries back into the lives of everysmurf. Papa Smurf approaches Dreamy as he is getting fitted for a new cap and places his hand on Dreamy's real shoulder.
"Uh.. Ahem, Dreamy… Might I have a word with you?" Papa Smurf asks.
"Can't it wait Papa Smurf? It will only be a few more minutes." Dreamy replies.
Papa Smurf shows Dreamy the idol of The Great Smurf and points to it, then motions towards the door with his head and right away Dreamy knew it was important, he joins Papa Smurf in leaving the room and going outside.
Tailor comes back into the room to see nobody there
"My Smurfness! Not even patient enough to wait to get his head measured! As if me job weren't already stressful enough!" Tailor bickered.
Behind the privacy of a great oak, Papa Smurf begins what will sort out to be a very interesting conversation.
"I learned something on my trip to Mother Nature's…" Papa Smurf began.
"What is it Papa Smurf?" Dreamy asks
"On my way back… A storm hit and I fell off of Feathers which resulted in critical injury… I had a vision.." Papa Smurf says.
"Wow! Really?! What was it like Papa Smurf?! Did u see him?!" Dreamy asks.
"I saw him… It was the Smurfiest experience of my entire Smurf Dreamy.. Bright light all around just like you said… And then I saw who I could have sworn was Scaredy.. Only he was not scared.. He was smiling and looked so relaxed. We were under the great oak, peaceful scenery, a cool breeze. Then Scaredy led me to him… He looks just like his idol! It was amazing! Then he wrapped his arms around me and whispered into my ear… He said: "My little Smurf… It is not yet time.. There is still so much to do… The child.. Take the child to Smurfberry island.. It is there you will find peace." it was simply amazing… I haven't been called "little Smurf" since Grandpa left the village." Papa Smurf explained.
Dreamy took a moment to let this sink in. He interpreted the words of The Great Smurf very closely.
"Child?… What is a child Papa Smurf?" Dreamy asks.
" "Child" is the word used by humans to describe their young ones." Papa Smurf said.
"So.. He wants me to take Baby to Smurfberry island?" Dreamy asks.
"Indeed I think that's what he is implying." Papa Smurf says.
"He must be stupid if he thinks I will listen to him! Its his fault we are in this mess!"
Dreamy rants.
"Listen to me Dreamy… I don't think The Great Smurf is to blame for any of this at all! Think about it.. Demons are hell spawn.. A presence of evil! Do you think The Great Smurf is a being of evil?" Papa Smurf explains.
Dreamy took a long time to consider this, it is true, demons were not holy in the slightest, and Dreamy could not link the fear in his heart whenever demons attack to the comfort and tranquility of The Great Smurf's presence.
"Your right Papa Smurf… He is innocent." Dreamy says.
"It would appear that there is an even greater struggle between two very powerful forces beyond anything we will ever understand Dreamy.. Trust in The Great Smurf… And let him guide you." Papa Smurf says.
"Will you accompany me Papa Smurf?" Dreamy asks.
"I must stay behind with the others Dreamy… The others need my guidance and knowledge for a while longer.. You have matured so much in such little time Dreamy.. I am proud of you.. Nature bless you.. And may The Great Smurf lead you to peace.." Papa Smurf says, with a single tear in his eye.
Dreamy Smurf realizes this will probably be the last time Papa Smurf and him meet face to face. Fore The Great Smurf has plans for Dreamy and his brave crew, a mission, to keep him safe. Dreamy nods his head and goes back into the house only to be scolded by Tailor and drug by the ear back to the stool to be measured. Hours passed and Timber, Tracker, and Nat have returned from the woods with enough lumber to created the ship.
Grouchy prepares for the journey with unease but he knows it must be done, not many Smurfs are eager to volunteer as crew members for the voyage and Dreamy will need every hand he can get. He loads his supplies and possessions into a sea chest, the kind distributed to sailors by the captain during jobs at sea in the 1500's. Smurfette enters his tent which he preferred over Gragamel's house to live in, and just started to cry.
"I'm going to miss you Grouchy.." Smurfette says.
"I hate you missing me!" Grouchy says.
Smurfette continues to sob. Grouchy closes his chest and locks it and puts his arms around Smurfette who buried her head in his chest.
"I hate it when you cry too…" Grouchy says.
"I'm s-sorry Grouchy.." Smurfette says.
"Don't worry about it Smurfette…" Grouchy says, as he strokes her hair and kisses her cheek.
"Why don't you come with me Smurfette?" Grouchy asks.
"You think Dreamy could use me on board? Smurfette asks.
"Of course he could… If he couldn't I'd hate him!" Grouchy says.
Smurfette giggles and looks up at Grouchy as he holds her closer she blushes. She was so happy she could be alone with Grouchy and even more happy that he didn't hate her as much as she feared he would. A warm smile appeared on her face and she ran for her tent which was right next to his just like at camp and began to pack her things.
"Any Smurf who wishes to be a crew member of the SS Smurf III step right up and sign your name on the parchment!" Editor Smurf yells out.
Editor set up a booth next to the construction site of the SS Smurf III and was recording on parchment the number of Smurfs volunteering to be crew members and assigning a single sea chest and a scrap of bedding to each will be sailor. A translated list of the Crew Members of the SS Smurf III are as follows:
1. Captain Dreamy Smurf - ship Captain
2. Navigator Smurf - ship navigator and second in command
3. Grouchy Smurf - volunteer sailor and combat specialist
4. Fisher Smurf - ship food provider and weapon specialist
5. Greedy Smurf - ship cook
6. Mariner Smurf - marine specialist and third in command
7. Smurfette - volunteer sailor and care taker
8. Baby Smurf - Baby Smurf
9. Alchemist Smurf - ship herbalist and apothecary
10. Architect Smurf - ship maintenance specialist
Papa Smurf had them working on the vessel late into the night before he dismissed them until morning. Ship crew members and volunteers said their goodbyes and took their sea chests up the gangplank onto the unfinished hull and into the sailor's quarters. Dreamy of course is extremely excited to get back on to the sea and had already put his belongings in the Captain's Quarters hours ago. The crew then retired to their personal quarters off ship to get a good nights rest. For on the dawn of the morrow, they set sail for Smurfberry Island.
Chapter 12 is the final chapter that the ten Smurfs listed above will be appearing in Smurfocalypse for awhile (if ever again). But don't be sad! There's a spot on Dreamy's ship for all of you! Come aboard and sail the ocean blue with Dreamy and his crew in the side story series: "The Peradventures of Dreamy Smurf" coming soon!
