The Smurfocalypse chapter 97: The Search for the Savant Cure
It was a warm summer morning when Hefty assembled the knights and gathered at the gate. Jupiter would also be joining them on their quest for the Savant Cure. The knights had their rations and other necessities on packs which they strapped to their back. The earliest form of what would one day be commonly known as a "backpack" is where the Smurfs stored their supplies. One of the few inventions the village had left from Handy Smurf during the time he was able to work. The Grove Knights consisting of SmurfDew, Smurfhoney, Smurfclover, Smurfpetal, SmurfJade, Smurfhazel, Smurfpearl, and Smurfdaisy were recruited into the village and stationed into the posts previously assigned to the Knights of the Smurf Table to protect the village while Hefty's forces accompanied by Smurfblossom and Smurfstorm would venture out into the unforgiving world to embark on their latest quest. Other Smurfettes from Smurfy Grove such as Smurfmouse were also welcomed into the village.
"Brainy I will give you this one chance to prove to me you are responsible enough to step in as temporary leader. However if any of us come back and we hear any complaints that you've been treating Smurfs unfairly there will be harsh consequences understand?" Hefty said.
Brainy was prepared for this day for a long time. The day Hefty would trust him enough to rely on him for an important work assignment involving a position of authority. Brainy nods his head and his expression becomes serious.
"I understand Hefty. Leave everything to me. I'll take care of everything and there will be no trouble." Brainy said.
"I hope your right. I'm depending on you to fill in for me while I am gone. There are countless responsibilities to be taken and many lives are on the line. You will need to throw aside your regular behavior and step up to be a Smurf everyone can trust." Hefty said.
"I swear on my honor as Papa Smurf's apprentice that I will not fail you." Brainy said.
"I suppose I'll have to trust your word. After all trust is an important commodity in any society." Hefty said.
Brainy nods in approval.
Just downtown Smurfstorm had the Grove Knights assembled in line formation and giving them a pep talk.
"Alright girls, this is the day we've all dreamed of. The day where we once again have a place to call home. Hefty has trusted each and every one of you with a very important responsibility. Your mission is simple, protect the innocent lives of Port Saint Smurf with your lives and fight until your dying breath in their defense. This will be our first mission where I will not be here to guide you. I trust in each one of you, and I know you're all perfect fits for this job. If we play our cards right and earn Hefty's trust we can make a name for ourselves here." Smurfstorm said.
She then walks down the line eyeing every Smurfette.
"Smurfdew!" Smurfstorm said.
"Yes?!" Smurfdew shouts.
"You are to stand in as second in command. Remember our strategies and deploy the knights in an orderly and safe manner!" Smurfstorm said.
"Yes Smurfstorm!" Smurfdew said.
Smurfstorm stops walking the line and steps away to address her forces.
"Make me proud, and we will meet again someday." Smurfstorm said.
"We serve and we protect! We are the Grove Knights!" Smurfblossom shouts as she raises her fist into the air.
The Grove knights shouted their war cry as they all simultaneously raised their fists into the air.
On the other side of town near the gates the Knights of the Smurf Table were assembled and Alchemist was giving out potions. Just then Pluto comes running up with a shoulder bag in full armor and stands next to them.
"Sorry I'm late mister Hefty!" Pluto said.
"What are you doing here Pluto?" Hefty asked.
"I'm ready to go on the quest." Pluto said.
Hefty just looked at her and shook his head.
"I don't think so Pluto." Hefty said.
"But why? I'm a warrior too! I want to help mister Handy!" Pluto said.
The knights couldn't help but snicker amongst themselves and Jupiter knelt down so he was eye level to Pluto.
"Pluto I really don't think it's a good idea…" Jupiter said.
"But how come?! You saw how I fight! I've been raised since I could walk to be a fighter!" Pluto said.
Jupiter simply lifts her helmet off her head and readjusts her bangs.
"Pluto it's going to be very dangerous. We don't want you to get hurt." Jupiter said.
"B-But I can fight! It's Titan's fault this happened, and I used to be on his crew! I'm partially responsible!" Pluto said.
"That's not the way we see things Pluto." Hefty said.
"I just want to help…" Pluto said.
"We understand that, and we appreciate you being so eager to help out. However this quest will be very dangerous and we don't want you to get hurt or killed." Farmer said.
"The best way you can help Handy is to stay here in Port Saint Smurf and be his nurse." Hefty said.
"But mister Hefty…" Pluto said.
"You don't owe us anything Pluto. The reason I spared your life in the death match is because I wanted you to have a chance at a normal life. The fighting is over Pluto. It's time for you to move on with your life and start a new chapter… A peaceful chapter." Jupiter said.
"I see…" Pluto said.
Pluto then gave Jupiter a hug.
"Good luck mister Jupiter! Please be safe and come home alive!" Pluto said.
"I'll do my best Pluto." Jupiter said hugging her back.
"Run along now Pluto. We have important business to attend to." Hefty said.
Pluto picks up her helmet and runs off as Hefty addresses the knights.
"Her heart really is filled with love." Timber said.
"That's why she couldn't come along. No matter how many battles she's been through she is simply to pure for the hell we might face." Archer said
"Once Smurfstorm and Smurfblossom arrive we set out." Hefty said.
The knights waited for Smurfstorm and Smurfblossom to join them, and then it was go time. The gates opened and Hefty led his forces outside where they would begin the long march to Blood Mountain. With the knights gone it was now up to Brainy to handle an important village issue. The village was experiencing a crab infestation and in between refugee interviews it now fell down to Brainy to come up with a solution to the problem before the crabs made their way into the food storage and began devouring their reserves. Needless to say this was not something Mango viewed as an issue simply because crab was one of his favorite foods, but the rest of the village was tired of seeing them and something had to be done. The plan was to deal with the crabs in a humane manner that didn't involve their deaths. The village could agree that the crabs didn't deserve to die, but at the same time they could not afford for them to somehow break into the food storage. This is the main project Brainy would be working on now as temporary leader and Port Saint Smurf was counting on him to find a solution quickly. If Brainy could find a solution to the crab issue this would thread the needle to his road to redemption, and perhaps more Smurfs would take him seriously from now. He might even make new friends along the way.
Smurfmouse very quickly earned the adoration of Mango Smurf who absolutely loved her hair. Her clumsiness was just a bonus that made her appear even cuter to him. However Mango had no idea how to approach this peculiar situation so he sought out advice from the only Smurfette he could trust: Coconut. In the coming days Mango would simply not be able to keep his mind off Smurfmouse. Whenever he saw her in the street his heart would skip a beat, but the poor guy had no idea what he should do about it. So he went to Coconut's hut and sat down to have a discussion with her.
"You should talk to her… Introduce yourself." Coconut said.
"But what if she doesn't like me? What if she thinks I'm strange? Should I go to tailor and have a white suit made?" Mango asked.
"No. You should just be yourself. You're not a strange Smurf Mango you're very smart and talented with a strong head on your shoulders. I think you should introduce yourself to her." Coconut said.
"…I'm nervous. The whole situation makes me feel kind of sick." Mango said.
"I can come with you if you want. Elaeis and I don't have anything to do today. Not until the construction crew finishes the new huts." Coconut said.
"T-Today? Like right now? For Smurfs sake… I don't know if I can do this." Mango said.
"It'll be ok Mango. I got your back. Crewmates for life!" Coconut said outstretching her fist.
"Crewmates for life…" Mango said fist bumping her.
Coconut got up from the sofa and walked over to the other side of her living room where there was a wooden stand with a glass tank on it containing a single crab. She opened up the drawer just under the stand and retrieved a box of crackers before opening the box and taking one out. She then dropped the cracker into the tank.
"There ya go Crabmeat! Eat up!" Coconut said cheerfully.
The adult male crab known as Crabmeat was delighted to have received this gift and scuttled over to the cracker before picking a section of it apart and slowly beginning to eat it.
"Come on Mango. We can't keep Duck waiting outside for too long he'll get bored." Coconut said.
Coconut and Mango walk outside and Mango unties Duck's lead from the porch while Coconut placed Elaeis in his carriage. They then walked passed Dreamy's hut as they went down the street. Dreamy's hut was transformed into a museum where Smurfs from all over the port could come to learn about the feats of captain Dreamy and the discovery of the Smurfberry. Coconut managed this project all by herself of course and the inside of the hut was kept in pristine condition just how Dreamy had left it the day he died. She had plans to have a statue made in Dreamy's likeness which would be built outside the hut with a plaque on the foundation stating all the Smurfs that were members of his crew, but she'd first need to gather the materials to make it. Smurfmouse was living in Liar Smurf's old hut just down the street passed the blacksmith, Chef's kitchen, Potter's hut, Brainy's laboratory/hut, and Handy's workshop/hut. These were remote locations surrounding Smurfmouse's new hut making her hut pretty close to the downtown area where the majority of the major projects were being done.
"What if she's not home?" Mango asked.
Coconut shrugged.
"Then she's not home. We'll try another time." Coconut said.
"Just one more stop for the day Duck then you're free to go." Mango said looking back at Duck.
Duck quacked in response.
They made it to the door and mango began to visibly sweat. He then tied Duck's lead to the porch and just sort of stood there before being nudged by Coconut.
"Well? Go ahead, knock on the door!" Coconut said.
Mango hesitated and gulped before gingerly knocking on the door.
"Just a second!" Smurfmouse responds from inside.
"Oh Smurf! She's home! What do I do?!" Mango thought.
Just then Smurfmouse answers the door.
"Yes?" Smurfmouse said.
"Uhm… uh…" Mango said.
Thankfully Coconut was there to prevent an awkward encounter.
"Hello neighbor! We're from the department of furniture and we understand you recently were accepted into Port Saint Smurf. My name is Coconut." Coconut said.
Mango was shyly staring at the ground before receiving an elbow to the side from Coconut. She then folds her hands and smiles innocently.
"I'm Mango Smurf. I make baskets in the village." Mango said.
"Baskets? I could actually use a laundry basket. I'm tired of just piling up my dresses on the floor." Smurfmouse said.
"Mango makes the finest baskets in the village." Coconut said.
"I could make you a laundry basket no problem. Will you be home tomorrow morning around ten?" Mango said.
"I guess. I'm still not really sure what I should be doing here for work." Smurfmouse said.
"Let me guess... Brainy interviewed you and never gave you suggestions." Coconut said.
"Ugh Brainy Smurf. What an uptight Smurf hole." Smurfmouse said rolling her eyes under her thick bangs.
"Tell me about it." Coconut said.
"I'm neutral to Brainy." Mango said.
"That's because you're somehow lucky enough to not have been lectured by him yet." Coconut said.
"He tried to force me to get a haircut…" Smurfmouse said.
"That's ridiculous! There's nothing wrong with your hair it's very pretty just how it is." Mango said.
Smurfmouse smiled.
"Well thank you!" Smurfmouse said.
"No problem." Mango said.
"I'm still a little lost. This is a big place and I don't really know anyone here other than the Smurfettes I came here with. Yesterday I accidentally bumped into some Smurfs carrying construction supplies and got yelled at." Smurfmouse said.
"When I first came here I was a bit lost as well on what to do. If you want I can be your friend, and when I get home from work tomorrow with your laundry basket… maybe I could show you around? Give you a more detailed tour?" Mango said.
Smurfmouse just smiled.
"Ok sounds good." Smurfmouse said.
Just then they heard quacking from outside the porch and heard Duck trying to stretch his wings.
"What was that? Sounds like a duck" Smurfmouse asked.
"Oh that's just Duck. He must be getting bored." Mango said.
"You have a duck? Is he friendly?" Smurfmouse asked.
"Yes very much so. Would you like to pet him?" Mango said.
"Ok." Smurfmouse said with a smile.
The three of them stepped off the porch. Smurfmouse nearly fell down the stairs, but Mango prevented her from falling by grabbing onto her arm. Then Duck walks up to them and quacks.
"Don't you screw things up for me Duck…" Mango thought as Smurfmouse approached him.
Smurfmouse outstretched her hand towards Duck gingerly, and in a quick motion duck just lowers his head allowing her hand to brush against the side of his head before lifting his head again.
"I like him." Smurfmouse said.
"So tomorrow at ten?" Mango asked.
"I'll be waiting for you." Smurfmouse said going back up her porch to her front door.
"I'll see you then." Mango said.
Smurfmouse nodded and then entered her hut. Coconut then looked to Mango and grinned before nudging his shoulder with her fist.
"Told you it would be ok." Coconut said.
"Thanks so much Coconut." Mango said.
"That's what crewmates are for!" Coconut said.