Smurfocalpyse chapter 59: The Addicting Potion of Instant Health
Hefty watched as the last of Vanity's forces went back into the cave. It was just as Handy said, they came from underground. They couldn't attack at Uncle Smurf's village because the lockdown including a sealing of the mines with magic. The combined magic of the two elder wizards was too great to be penetrated, and the demons could not get to them. Were the demons truly all gone from the woods though, and was Vanity lying when he said he'd return alone. Hefty is going to act cautiously as though his assumptions of them still being in the woods, and Vanity returning alone being a bluff were true and plan accordingly. Papa Smurf would never believe these monsters or fall for their tricks, and neither will Hefty. There was a rustling in the trees above him the moment the last of the demons left and Hefty looked to see Clockwork still tirelessly wandering the woods. He had the infected Falconer Smurf over his right shoulder. Once they saw each other Clockwork began to get back to the port with Falconer, and Hefty followed. It was an uneventful journey through the woods on their way back to the port. They had been fighting collectively for hours, and the only one to escape injury was Farmer. It was mid-afternoon when they made it back to camp, and Hefty was thankful to see all the Smurfs come back alive.
"A lot of us need medical attention, and we only have a month to recover and train before they return." Hefty said finally grasping his own injury as the adrenaline was wearing off.
"We need to get back home and see doctor…" Timber said. He was still bleeding profusely. His journey back to camp was not easy.
"…And Falconer." Archer said.
"We need Alchemist. Papa Smurf told me the tuberose was what he used to save the village. Surely Alchemist has some of that." Hefty says.
Clockwork set the still unconscious Falconer in his tent and removed the loose brick from the wall. Much to his surprise. The entire village was gathered outside the wall near the cemetery. The air smelled of cooking food because Chef was there stirring up a pot of stew, there were picnic benches assembled and all the Smurfs were setting some an outdoor gathering. Every Smurf was doing their part, and Alchemist was there tending to a table where he placed six vials of an alluring blue solution. Clockwork the attention of Handy who rushed to the wall. Handy then motioned for Alchemist to come to the wall.
"A lot of them are badly injured… You'll have to come to them. Also, do you have tuberose?" Handy asked.
"I have plenty of tuberose back at my place. Did one of them get infected?" Alchemist asked.
"Falconer." Handy said.
"Keep him restrained. I'll fix up a solution as quick as I can, but don't just keep repeatedly knocking him out. The book says if you do that it'll mess with their head." Alchemist said as he returned to the table to fetch his potions.
Alchemist quickly stuffed the potions into the wide sleeves of his black robes, returned to the wall, and stepped outside into the camp.
"I have just the thing to get you Smurfs back on your feet instantly." Alchemist said as he retrieved a vial of the pleasant looking blue liquid from his sleeve.
"Is that one of Papa Smurf's special potions?" Hefty asked.
"Yes, I've been practicing for a long time." Alchemist said as he rushed to Timber.
"Your first, and you can't take no as an answer. Quickly before you pass out!" Alchemist said.
"Help me out of my helmet…" Timber said.
Clockwork carefully removed the Smurf's helmet, and then Timber drank the liquid. Immediately his wounds were healed. Unfortunately the same can't be said for his armor.
"I'm healed?! I'm at full strength again!" Timber said.
The other knights were quick to take their potions, and were given the same results.
"I kind of want more though…" Hefty said.
"Yeah me too." Said Archer.
"…Can you give us more?" Sweepy asked.
"Absolutely not! Addiction is a side effect, and if you drink another one within twenty four hours you'll throw everything up and your wounds will return." Alchemist said.
"So how do we kick the addiction?" Hefty asked.
"By simply not taking anymore. You're healthy now you don't need any more medicine." Alchemist said.
"The village is throwing a celebration in your honor of your bravery. Take the rest of the afternoon to relax. In the morning you'll feel better and you won't crave the potion anymore." Alchemist said.
"Right... Your right. Alright knights today is a wrap, but we have thirty days to prepare for their return. It's going to be a lot of hard work and training for us all, but we have no choice." Hefty said.
Hefty. Now is the perfect time for me to show you this." Timber said handing the blueprints for various siege weapons to Hefty along with the orders he found in the tent.
Hefty glanced at the blueprints.
"What is this scribble?" Hefty asked.
"Blueprints Hefty! For making siege weapons!" Timber said excitedly.
"We align these ones that fire projectiles along the walls, and this one's a catapult! Where did you find these?!" Hefty said.
"I just walked right into one of their tents and grabbed it off a table." Timber said.
"Reckless… However this time it paid off! This is incredible! I have to show these to Handy!" Hefty said.
"But first a day of rest, right?" Alchemist asked.
"Yeah yeah today no more work no more training. I just want some of whatever is cooking… Smells like stew." Hefty said.
"Stew again?" Archer asked.
"I'd like my poop to be solid for once… Maybe I'll have something else." Sweepy said.
"Why are we just standing around in the woods talking? We could be inside with the others." Farmer said.
"We got to watch Falconer. Why haven't you left to make the cure yet?" Hefty asked Alchemist.
"You're lucky I live close by!" Alchemist said running back to the village.
Falconer began to wake up in the tent and was screaming and thrashing about. Clockwork ran inside and tackled the infected Smurf and pinned him to the ground.
"Clockwork is immune… Probably best we let him handle things from here." Hefty said.
"So we can go inside now?" Timber asks.
"None of us are going inside without Falconer. We will all go in together." Hefty said.
Not much later Alchemist would return with the tuberose cure. He entered the tent and took the cork off the vile causing the entire tent to be filled with the fumes of tuberose. Just as instantly as he was infected Falconer was returned to health, and since he had not suffered any other injuries he didn't need to take an addicting potion of instant health.
"I really want more of that potion…" Hefty said.
"What potion are we talking about?" Falconer asked sitting in the tent.
"Alchemist gave a really good tasting potion to heal our wounds." Timber said.
"…Did I get one too?" Falconer said.
"Yes I made one for you in case, but no Smurf is getting more potion so don't bother asking." Alchemist said.
"Wait, so there's one left?" Archer asked.
"Uh oh…" Alchemist said.
Hefty drew his sword.
"Any Smurf want to brawl for it?" Hefty asked.
"Hey now! That's enough! You're going too far with this!" Alchemist said.
"I want more of that potion!" Hefty said sheathing his sword.
"I told you if you drink anymore within twenty four hours you will throw everything up, and your wounds will return!" Alchemist said.
"So I could have one tomorrow?" Hefty asked.
"Abusing medicine is very bad for you. Especially magic medicine. I won't allow you to destroy yourself." Alchemist said.
Hefty clenched his fist and then removed his helmet.
"Each time you drink one the addiction will become more powerful unless you follow the specific instructions in Papa Smurf's alchemy book. It's not something you fool around with." Alchemist said.
"Oh fine. You win. Let's all go home and eat something. I'm starving." Hefty said.
Hefty and the other Smurfs entered the port through the loose brick then Clockwork put it back in. It was time a period of rest. A day they can take to enjoy the results of their hard work. Then it was going to be nothing but training.