Chapter 7: King Igthorn
9795 BC - Castle Drekmore - New Land of Magic
After an accident, Cavin and Cubbi discover that Duke Igthorn and the Ogres have abandoned their castle
"Looks like you were right little Cubster" Gusto said "Iggy and his Ogres really did fly the coop"
"Never thought I'd see the day" Zummi said "did you know what this means?"
"Yeah, we better get out of here before Igthorn comes back" Gruffi said
"But don't you see Gruffi?" Zummi asked "Igthorn may be gone for good and if he is, we won't have to live in fear anymore. Just think of it, with peace right around the corner, Gummis can finally come home"
"Alright!" Cubbi said "let's celebrate!"
"Not so fast, kiddo" Gruffi said "troubles don't just vanish into thin air and neither do Ogres! I say we wait to celebrate"
9794 BC - Gummi Glen - Dunwyn
"I still can't believe it's been a whole year since Igthorn left" Zummi said "I'm sure it's safe to send a message asking the Great Gummis to come home"
"Cubbi! Sunni!" Gruffi exclaimed "you promised you were going to help me set these traps, remember?"
"But Gruffi" Zummi said "with Igthorn gone there's no need for traps, we don't have to be afraid anymore. That's why we're inviting the Great Gummis to return"
"What makes you so sure that Igthorn's not coming back?" Gruffi asked
"What makes you so sure that he is?" Zummi asked "after all, he's been gone for a year"
"So what?" Gruffi asked "you just can't do this!"
"Sure he can Gruffers, it's easy" Gusto said, taking the letter from Zummi and giving it to Artie "Artie will fly to Ursalia where Sir Thornberry can use the Gummiscope to send Sir Zummi's message" and Artie flies away before Gruffi can catch him
"This is great" Cubbi said "can we go and tell Cavin and Calla the good news?"
"Better yet" Grammi said "since tomorrow is Dunwyn's annual monarch state parade, why don't you spend the night there?"
"Yipee!" Cubbi and Sunni exclaimed and ran off
Later, outside the Glen, Zummi is practicing magic
"What a magnificent sight!" Zummi said as he uses his magic to set off fireworks
"Zummi, what do you think you're doing?" Gruffi asked, running up
"I'm practicing my fireworks to welcome the Great Gummis when they arrive" Zummi said "this way they'll be able to find the Glen in case they forgot where it is"
"Yeah, and the whole world will know where it is too!" Gruffi pointed out
"But Gruffi, soon we'll be able to come out of hiding" Zummi said
"Igthorn isn't the only threat in the world" Gruffi said "even if he is gone, it doesn't mean it's safe to mix with humans. You've seem to forget that Igthorn was not the threat that sent us into hiding. You can dream all you want, I'm going to set traps"
Nearby, unknown to Zummi or Gruffi, Toadie manages to put a special termite on Zummi, who once he is done practicing his magic, returns to the Glen with
Later, the termite begins tearing Gummi Glenn apart. The Gummis try to stop it, but the only thing they are able to save is the Great Book of Gummi.
"That was close" Zummi said "thank goodness I was able to save the Great Book"
"Did I hear you say, Great Book?" Igthorn asked
"Igthorn!" Zummi said "I thought you left!"
"Missed me, did you?" Igthorn asked as he grabs Zummi "so tell me, what makes this Book so great? Could it by chance contain Great Gummi secrets? Maybe your secret Juice recipe?"
"I never said that" Zummi said
"No" Igthorn said "but you said enough" and Ogres surrounded Zummi
"Help! Help!" Zummi said
The other Gummis rush to his aid, but see the Ogres and hide behind a bush
"It's Igthorn!" Grammi said
"And he's got Zummi and the Great Book" Tummi said
"See I told you finding Drekmore empty was too good to be true" Gruffi said
"What do we do now?" Tummi asked
"We'll free Zummi that's what we'll do" Gruffi said and as Gusto and him charge ahead, they fall into a hole created by the termite
"We'll get you out" Tummi said
"No, you've got to save poor Zummi!" Gruffi said
"Well, alright" Grammi said "but be careful" and Tummi and her follow the Ogres.
Castle Drekmore
"The recipe for Gummiberry Juice will soon be mine" Igthorn said "all I have to do is break this lock" as he's about to hit the lock with a chisel and hammer
"Wait" Zummi said while tied up to a chair "I wouldn't do that if I we're you"
"Really?" Igthorn asked "and just why not?" And he hits the book, which sets off the protection spell that sends a magic blast that sends Igthorn flying through the air
"That's why not" Zummi said
"Pst Zummi" Grammi whispers and Zummi turns to see Grammi and Tummi, who's untying him
"We can't leave without the Great Book" Zummi said as he grabs it. However, Igthorn manages to trap all three Gummis
"Now tell me what the recipe for the Gummiberry Juice is or I'll light all three of you on fire and use the Great Book to start it!" Igthorn said
"You wouldn't!" Zummi said
"Oh really?" Igthorn said as he lights a candle under the book
"No!" Grammi said "you win Igthorn, I'll cook your Juice" and Igthorn blows out the candle
"I had a feeling you would" Igthorn said
Later, Grammi finished cooking the Juice and giving them the recipe
"There you've got your Juice, now give us the Book" Grammi said
"Not so fast" Igthorn said "we need a little taste test" and he shoves a spoonful of Juice into Tummi who reacts violently to it "I knew you'd pull a trick like that" and he picks up Zummi and Tummi and holds them over the pot "so unless you want your buddies boiled in berries you better make some corrections fast!"
"Alright, it's not four handfuls of red berries it's six" and she adds two more handfuls of red berries to the pot
"Excellent" Igthorn said "now let's try this again" and he decides to give it to Toadie this time, knowing Grammi wouldn't risk Zummi's and Tummi's lives and not want a bouncing bear to mess anything up. Toadies gains super strength
"It works!" Igthorn said "and now that I have the secret of the Juice, I'll grind Gregor's army to dust!"
Later, the Ogres have turned Drekmore into a factory for creating Gummiberry Juice. Zummi casts a spell and shrinks, freeing himself from the chains that bonded him to Grammi and Tummi. He manages to escape
Hall of Legends
"While her trick failed, the attempt is an important lesson" Simultaneous said to Merlin "have some alternate versions of some of your spells and potions that are similar enough to the actual thing to be believable but backfire when tried. If someone ever is in the position to force you to give up one of your spells, you give them the alternate version, the fallout of which should provide you some sort of cover to escape"
Ruins of Gummi Glen - Dunwyn - New Land of Magic
Tummi and Gusto manage to escape the pit they fell in and try to capture the termite. Gusto manages to trap it in a glass bottle and they feel the ground shake. They look out a hole in the ceiling and see the Ogres marching toward Castle Dunwyn
Castle Dunwyn
The annual monarch state parade begins. In one of the castle's towers, Cavin, Cubbi, and Sunni watch
"This is great!" Cubbi said "you can see the whole parade from here!"
All of a sudden a boulder hits the castle, followed by several more which land in the courtyard
"We're under attack!" Tuxford said
"Close the gates!" Gregor ordered "man the catapults"
"Look who's back" Cubbi said
"Igthorn!" Sunni said
Gregor's knight fire boulders at the Ogres, who catch them and throw them back. The castle tower the Cavin, Cubbi, and Sunni were in collapse around them. Cavin manages to free himself but doesn't see Cubbi or Sunni. He beings to look under the rubble to find them
Outside the castle, Gruffi and Gusto arrive to see the castle under siege
"Whoa!" Gusto said "what's wrong with this picture?"
"Somehow those Ogres got their hands on Gummiberry Juice" Gruffi said and they take a drink of Gummiberry Juice and use their bouncing powers to knock over a cart of Gummiberry Juice, spilling it all over. Igthorn uses his super strength to knock the Gummis back, smashing them into a tree as the Juice runs out for them and they're captured by the Ogres. Igthorn the tosses Toadie into the Castle, who opens the gates and the Ogres pour in. The Ogres grab Calla and Gregor
"Duke Igthorn!" Calla exclaimed
"Wrong" Igthorn said, taking Gregor's crown "that's King Igthorn! At long last, Dunwyn is mine!"
Outside the gates, Zummi arrives, only to realize he's too late. He decided to go find the Barbics
Inside the ruins of Castle Dunwyn, Cavin manages to find Cubbi and Sunni and they return to Gummi Glen, to find it in ruins
Ursalia
"Not only does Igthorn got the other Gummis, he's got the Great Book too" Zummi said
"Just like a human" Gritti said
"We must attack and free our fellow bears" Ursa said
"To attack now would be suicide" Zummi said "even you Barbics are no match for super strong Ogres"
"I suppose you have a better plan" Ursa said
"A few of us could sneak in a free the prisoners right from under their noses" Zummi said
"He's got a point Ursa" Gritti said
"Very well" Ursa said "Gritti and I will help"
"I knew I could count on you" Zummi said "but we can't go until I signal the Great Gummis"
Castle Drekmore
Grammi and Tummi manage to hide in a barrel, which unfortunately is sealed by the Ogres.
Outside the Castle, Calvin, Cubbi, and Sunni are about to arrive when they hear Ogres coming and decide to hide
"This is one load of Juice Igthorn isn't going to get" Cavin "ready Sunni?"
"Ready" Sunni said and Cavin and her throw rocks at the Ogres while Cubbi cuts the barrels free with his sword. The Ogres chase after Cavin, Cubbi, and Sunni just as Zummi, Ursa, and Gritti show up
"Cubbi, Sunni, they're all right!" Zummi exclaimed
"But they won't be for long unless we do something" Ursa said and Gritti and her take out the Ogres
"Boy are we glad to see you" Sunni said to Zummi "but where's everyone else?"
"Help, help!" Grammi and Tummi say from inside a nearby barrel "get us out of here!" and Gritti knocks open the barrel
"Grammi! Tummi!" Zummi said "we were just about to save you"
"We thought we'd save you the trouble" Tummi said
"Where's Gruffi and Gusto?" Grammi asked
"Igthron's holding them prisoner in Castle Dunwyn" Zummi said
"I'd like to teach that Igthorn a thing or two" Grammi said "but I'm afraid I taught him too much already"
"Don't give up yet Grammi" Zummi said "Cavin can help us free Gruffi and Gusto and you have to go back to Drekmore and destroy the Juice factory"
"Back to Drekmore" Tummi said "but we just got out"
Castle Dunwyn
Just as Igthorn learns of the Juice wagon being ambushed, an Ogre alerts him that they have company. Looking through a telescope into the sea, Igthorn sees the boats of the Great Gummis and decides to destroy them
In the Castle's prison, Cavin, Zummi, Ursa, and Gritti free Gruffi and Gusto. Not long after Igthorn discovers the escape
Outside, Igthorn directs the Ogres
"Forward men, we must greet the Gummi fleet with open arms and loaded catapults!" Igthorn said. Zummi sees this and informs the others. Zummi and Cavin go to get the Great Book of Gummi and free the knights while Gruffi, Gusto, Ursa, and Gritti go to stop Igthorn.
In the throne room, Zummi distracts Toadie with fireworks and opens the Great Book of Gummi
"Now to find a spell to get me out of here" Zummi said
"Hold it right there, Gummi" Toadie said "that's kingie's bookie"
"No it's not" Zummi said and he knocked the bookstand over on top of Toadie and makes a run for it. Toadie catches up and knocks him over. The Book happens to open to the right page and Zummi casts a spell, and the Book takes flight, with Zummi still on it.
On the ground, Cavin has freed the knights
At the coastline, Igthorn begins firing on the Great Gummis. Zummi arrives on the Book and warns them to leave and they do. One of the boulders hits Zummi and knocks him and the Book into the sea.
Gruffi distracts the Ogres while Ursa and Gritti throw their spears at the barrels of Gummiberry Juice cause the Juice to leak out onto the ground. Gusto uses the termite to destroy the catapults just as Sir Tuxford and the knights ride up. Gregor manages to grab the key to his and Calla's chains and frees himself
"Tuxford, take care of Calla" Gregor says and tosses him the key while grabbing his sword "I'll take care of Igthorn
"I should've gotten rid of you ages ago, Gregor" Igthorn said and they fight "but this is a good of time as any"
"I don't suppose you'd return my crown peacefully" Gregor said
"Forget it old man, it's not my style" Igthorn said
"Then it's time I taught you some manners" Gregor said and he knocks Igthorn's sword out of his hands
"Now kindly return my crown" Gregor said
"You want your stupid crown, here!" Igthorn said and he tosses at Gregor's face "you haven't seen the last of me!" And he runs off
Castle Drekmore
Grammi, Tummi, Sunni, and Cubbi sabotage the factory and then escape
Later, Igthorn has returned to grab more Juice, just as the factory explodes, destroying the castle and killing all the Ogres but Toadie.
Ursalia
Zummi, Grammi, Gruffi, Tummi, Sunni, Cubbi, and Gusto settle into Ursalia alongside Sir Thornberry and the Barbics, waiting for the day they can reunite with the Great Gummis
Hall of Legends
"Now do you understand why it was important to not interfere back when Zummi destroyed the Great Book a few years back?" Simultaneous asked Merlin
"Yes" Merlin said "if we had restored the Great Book, the Gummis would've never traveled to Ursalia and would've never ended up meeting the Barbics. Then when Igthorn launched his attack, the Gummis of Gummi Glen wouldn't have had the backup they needed to defeat him and he would've won the day. Most of the remaining Gummi's would've been killed, alongside Gregor and Calla"
"Exactly" Simultaneous said "this is why we limit out interference, we can't predict how our interference will impact the Omniverse in the long term. And with that, I think that is all you can learn from the Adventures of the Gummi Bears"
"Do the Gummi Bears ever reunite with the Great Gummis or live out in the open?" Merlin asked
"Careful, Merlin" Simultaneous said "knowledge of the future can be dangerous. You get to see more of the future than most people do, be grateful for that. And note that sometimes, you're not going to be able to know how everything ends, the Omniverse is infinite, you cannot neglect one part of it just to satisfy your curiosity about another part. However, I'll tell you what I can, this time, but don't get used to it. The Great Gummis do reunite with the others in Ursalia. When King Gregor dies, Calla becomes Queen and marries Cavin. The Gummis never get the chance to live out in the open. Cavin and Calla do get to see their Gummi friends on occasion after that, but never as it was before, Ursalia was just too far away for them to make regular trips back and forth and Cavin and Calla had a kingdom to rule"
"But now I want you to focus on finding an apprentice. It doesn't need to be today, but search the Omniverse far and wide to find someone pure of heart, wise, and with a strong gift in magic. Again, take your time, and be patient it may take hundreds of years, but you're immortal, you've got time"