Smurfocalypse chapter 68: Zarus the Super Falcon
Upon being splashed with the formula the bird bathed in the liquid, spreading his wings and shaking so as to make the formula cover his body. The magic entered the falcon's body through every fine pore and granted the falcon unbelievable power. The Falcon immediately took flight appearing as just a blur once leaving the armguard Falconer smirked and readied his gun as he began to run back into the battle after Zarus. Hefty's eyes narrowed as he tried to follow the Falcon's movement. Knowing where Zarus was, and where he was going didn't guarantee he was going to be able to dodge an attack coming in at such speed. As Hefty was observing the falcon Farmer and Timber came in for an ambush. Hefty would then display one of his greatest skills. Hefty kept his eyes on the falcon and dropped his sword, and when Farmer and Timber swung their training weapons at him he caught both weapons. Aided by the potion's strength he yanked the weapons right out of their hands and tossed them aside. In perhaps record breaking time for any falcon ever, Zarus flew all the way across the 80 foot plateau and was able to save Farmer and Timber from a beating by ramming into Hefty with such force the Smurf was sent clear off the plateau. The other Smurfs stared in horror as Hefty was sent flying off the plateau and disappeared beneath the treetops.
"Hefty!" Timber screams in horror.
The knights all ran to the edge of the plateau and looked down. There was nothing that could survive that fall.
"He's… Is Hefty really dead?" Sweepy asked.
"No! This has got to be a nightmare! Hefty!" Timber screamed.
The Smurfs stared in disbelief for minutes. They were almost certain Hefty was gone, but then they saw him fly up from the treetops towards the plateau.
"The formula… We're saved." Archer says in relief.
It was clear that the knights had successfully defeated Hefty with Falconer's clever thinking. Hefty landed safely back on the plateau with a smurfy smile on his face despite his pounding heart.
"Using the formula on your falcon… That was some Smurfy thinking Falconer. You and Zarus are surely an unstoppable team, but how good are you without his help?" Hefty said.
That was just it though. One could not fight properly without the other. Without Falconer's instructions Zarus relies on instinct, and without Zarus providing the perfect distractions and swooping in for the kill Falconer had a single bullet in dire situations where reloading would be impossible and then that would be it for his power. Then he has to rely on his knife whereas most demons carry larger weapons.
"I'm not entirely sure… I thought I would be fine in the forest, but then those magic flies came in." Falconer said.
"That problem is solved. With that kind of speed and power Zarus could easily defeat that enemy now." Hefty said.
"Hefty I think I need some extra help." Falconer said.
Hefty smiled and put his hand on Falconer's shoulder.
"Then you've come to the right Smurf. We'll have you battle ready in time don't worry." Hefty said.
What Falconer needed was some good old fashioned close combat sparring. A situation where he would not be able to communicate w ith Zarus and would be pressured to do more fighting himself, but at the same time due to it being a training exercise he would be completely safe from death.
"Both you and Archer need to improve skills in close combat. So I am pitting you against each other." Hefty said.
Archer and Falconer just looked at one another.
Archer had his training bow and rubber tipped arrows, and Falconer had his beanbag gun and his wooden training knife.
"Here's how this is going to work. We're going to make an arena with rocks that will be 2 meters wide. You both will go in, and you'll spar until either one of you gives up, or knockout." Hefty said.
Hefty walked up to Sweepy who was still recovering from Hefty's attack.
"You holding up alright Sweepy?" Hefty asked.
"I've never been hit so hard in my entire Smurf…" Sweepy said.
Hefty grinned and patted Sweepy on the back.
"Enduring a punch like that will put hair on your face. You'll be fine. Your speed without the armor is impressive, and you form is great." Hefty said.
"I even surprised myself. I feel so light without it." Sweepy said.
"All of you did a Smurfy job so far today, but by the time we leave here you'll all have at least one skill you didn't possess before." Hefty said
Hefty then faced the rest of the knights.
"Let's get this arena set up. We'll do one on one's, but I want Falconer and Archer to be first." Hefty said.
The knights got together and placed the border for the arena made from rocks in the center of the plateau. Meanwhile Zarus was gone. Zarus was still enjoying the strength and enhanced flight the potion was giving him, and the falcon flew away from the plateau to Falconer's old hunting grounds near what used to be Uncle Smurf's village and was hunting for prey.
"Alright Smurfs, there's the ring. Just like always if you step outside the ring or surrender you lose." Hefty said.
Hefty then looked to Falconer and Archer and nodded.
"You two are first. The winner will continue to face off against the others. This will continue until only one of us is left standing in the ring. Once you are defeated you are eliminated." Hefty said.
The two cousins entered the arena of stone.
"I want a good clean fight. Remember Doctor isn't here to patch us up so mind your physical condition." Hefty said.
Falconer and Archer said nothing as they waited for Hefty's signal to begin the fight. Once the signal was given Archer quickly drew his training bow and readied an arrow at close range as though he were in a quick draw, but Falconer dodged the arrow with a dash to the right. Falconer then began to rush after Archer with his knife, but Archer didn't cave to the pressure and simply began jogging backward while firing more arrows. The only issue was that Archer's ammunition was soaring passed Falconer and landing outside the arena. According to Hefty's rules he could not retrieve any arrows that landed outside the 2 meter arena. There was also a limit to how much distance Archer could gain from Falconer at any given time. Falconer closed in and swung at Archer with his knife only for it to be parried with Archer's bow. Archer then attempted to bash Falconer in the face with the bow, but Falconer leaped back dodging the attack before coming in for another strike. Archer leaped into the air to dodge the attack and fired an arrow in mid-air towards Falconer from behind. The rubber tipped arrow struck Falconer in the back as Archer landed. Archer then drew another arrow and attempted to shoot Falconer again as Falconer charged him, but he missed and the arrow flew out of the arena.
Falconer Slashed at Archer with his knife only for it to be blocked again by the bow. Falconer then crouched and quickly slashed Archer across the gut with the wooden knife drawing a little blood and causing the Smurf to flinch. Taking advantage of the flinch Falconer punched Archer in the face before slashing at him again, but Archer leaped back avoiding the hit. Archer immediately transitioned the dodge into an attack, drawing another arrow and firing it at Falconer's ribcage. Falconer was struck close range with the arrow and he winced in pain. Falconer Jumped and did a flip in the air before landing in front of Archer and slashing at him with his knife yet again. Archer ducked avoiding the attack and countered with an uppercut to the jaw that nearly sent Falconer off his feet. The Smurf caught himself mid-air and landed on his feet before sheathing his knife and reaching for his gun. He quickly slid a beanbag from his belt into the barrel and rushed Archer who attempted to shoot another arrow at him. Falconer dodged the arrow by quickly moving to the left and then aimed his rifle at Archer, but then Archer ran and slid feet first into Falconer knocking the Smurf off his feet and sending his rifle sliding across the arena.
Falconer quickly got to his feet and drew his knife only for Archer to attempt to shoot him again. This time the arrow struck Falconer's weapon hand and he dropped his knife. Archer reached for his last three arrows and loaded them into the bow at the same time. The other Smurfs were unaware of this, but this was a special trick Archer had developed. Falconer was just waiting for him to use it. Archer let loose the three arrows at close range and Falconer threw himself onto the plateau surface to avoid them. The arrows flew out of the arena, and Archer's quiver was empty. Falconer rushed for a training arrow on the ground just in front of him and snapped it in half. Archer simply sheath his bow and attacked Falconer with a right hook to the face. Falconer delivered a punch of his own to Archer's face, and this exchange of blows continued. Archer locked Falconer in combat so he couldn't retrieve his weapons, and continued to throw punch after punch. Falconer threw punches of his own, and the two Smurfs were dodging and taking each other's punches at great speed. As they began to tire out the punches came slower and eventually they were standing there taking turns hitting each other as hard as they could.
Archer swung his fist at Falconer's face feeling his fist collide just before being punched in the face himself. Both Smurfs were worn out and it'd only be a matter of time before one of them was finished. The knights watched on as Archer and Falconer took turns punching each other in the face before Archer finally fell to the ground unconscious. Falconer did it, he had won the first round. This training would continue all day, and even more exercises were in store for the rest of the two weeks. Hefty worked with each knight individually and helped them develop new skills and techniques to better themselves on the battlefield.