Surfocalypse Chapter 31: From Sour to Sweet
It was just another day of hanging out in the house and discussing new ideas for the new village. They were relieved to not only be reunited with Dreamy and his crew, but also to have Smurfberries. This was helping every Smurf cope with recent losses. The plans were coming together nicely as they already decided that their village should be centered on the well in the middle of town. Papa Smurf had finally come around just as Hefty said he would and was very much interested in Mango Smurf. The tropical Smurf wanted very little to do with Papa Smurf at the moment though as he and Duck were in a separate room enjoying some much needed alone time.
"When are you going to open up to me Mango?" Papa Smurf asked.
"When a live turkey crawls out of my Smurf and starts walking around." Mango said.
"Are all Smurfs where you come from this rude to their elders?" Papa Smurf asked.
"Nope, just me." Mango said.
"That's because you were bitten by a black fly right?" Papa Smurf asked.
"How did you figure that out?" Mango asked.
"One of my own little Smurfs suffered the same fate. I believe you've met him." Papa Smurf said.
"Yes I do believe I have. What of it?" Mango said.
"I have something that can cure what you suffer from." Papa Smurf said.
"Fool you can't cure a curse." Mango said.
"It's not a curse just a side effect of being bitten, and it can go away with some ajo." Papa Smurf said.
"Ajo? What in Smurf's name is that?" Mango asked.
"It's the solution to all your problems. You can eat it and be restored to your Smurfy self." Papa Smurf said.
"Why wouldn't you have given this to Grouchy?" Mango asked suspiciously.
"Grouchy is known for his grouchiness, but if you want to fit in here you may want to change your attitude." Papa Smurf said.
"And this ajo plant you're holding can fix that? What's the catch?" Mango asked.
"I just want to know more about you." Papa Smurf said.
Mango sighed and shook his head. This Smurf was never going to leave him alone unless he talked.
"Fine… My name is Mango Smurf, my favorite color is orange, I'm originally from the main island but about a hundred and forty years ago I was bitten by a fly as a Smurfling and spread the sickness throughout the whole village. Once everything was back to normal I was exiled for being cursed by the chief. I spent the next hundred and fifty years living alone on my own island until I found Duck's egg washed up on the shore." Mango explained.
"I suppose that's all I'm going to get out of you." Papa Smurf said.
"You're not going to tell me your life story too are you?" Mango asked.
"We'd be here a long time if I did that I'm afraid." Papa Smurf said with a chuckle.
Papa Smurf gave Mango the ajo, and then left the room. The choice was now Mango's to make. He could eat this and become a smurfier individual, or he could continue to struggle with fitting in. Mango looked at the herb in his hand and then to Duck. Did he want to go through with this? He would be losing a part of himself in the process, but if he did this he could start a new life and leave his dark lonely past behind him.
"I don't think it'd be too bad an idea." Dreamy said as he entered the room.
"What would you know about it?" Mango asked.
"I know Papa Smurf has taken a liking to you." Dreamy said.
"So what does that have to do with anything?" Mango asked.
"He just wants what is best for you Mango just like me." Dreamy said.
"But… what if I eat this thing and the others still think I'm weird?" Mango asked.
"The others think I'm weird and I don't let it bother me." Dreamy said.
"I just don't want to be exiled again…" Mango said.
"We don't do that here. We're one big Smurfy family working together. No trade, no exiling, no curses, no catch at all whatsoever. Papa Smurf wants you to be a part of that, and I do too." Dreamy said.
"You know… When I first met you I thought nothing of you, but now it would seem you're the very first friend I've had." Mango said.
"It's about time too. Take some time to think it over Mango. You'll be my friend no matter what choice you make." Dreamy said as he left.
Mango looked to the herb in his hand. Someone had literally came up to him and put the power to change his life into the palm of his hand. After some more thinking he put his hand to his mouth and put the ajo in, swallowing like a pill much to Duck's approval. Then suddenly he didn't feel so troubled anymore by his past and by his previous condition.
"You know what Duck? I kind of want to join the others in the living room…" Mango said.
Duck responded by quacking and the two of them came out of the bedroom and into the living room where Hefty and the other Smurfs were making plans for future work projects.
"Heeeey there he is!" Hefty said.
"Have a seat Mango, join us for a spell." Alchemist said patting the spot next to him welcomingly.
Mango smiled genuinely for the first time in long time and joined the others sitting next to Alchemist, Duck would settle on the ground next to him. Dreamy looked to him and nodded in approval and the two of them exchanged a friendly smile.
