The Smurfocalypse chapter 99: The Search for the Savant Cure Part 3: The Dream is Over
The knights were hauled away into prison cells specifically designed for the more evil beings that tried to approach Blood Mountain and were shoved inside. The deceased previous occupant in Hefty's cell wasn't even removed as a human skeleton just sort of laid in the corner. It was a cruel fate to have to rot in prison, but the knights did not resist their fate. Hefty could easily break his way out but to do so would lead to needless bloodshed. Hefty had to think of plan using all the knowledge he currently had to try to remedy this unfortunate situation. While the knights were being imprisoned by Terry the rest of the community except Raptor was escorting Smurfblossom, Smurfstorm, and Jupiter out of the woods. They were led to the tree line and shoved out of the forest… They were instructed to never return.
"What do we do Stormy?" Smurfblossom asked.
"We can't just leave Hefty and the others behind to rot in prison." Jupiter said.
Smurfstorm was not about to abandon the Smurf she loved and leave him subjected to half of his life in prison for crimes he didn't commit in a strange land so far from home. The Smurfette put her hand to her chin as she thought of a solution.
"We will retreat for now, but tonight we have to go back and break them out." Smurfstorm said.
"Sounds like a dangerous mission." Jupiter said.
"We don't want any Smurf to get hurt Stormy." Smurfblossom said.
"We don't want any of US to get hurt. I don't particularly care about the raptor's safety." Smurfstorm said.
Smurfstorm was concerned only for Hefty. She was not going to let them treat her love so unfairly. Raptor Smurf had no idea what he was getting himself into when he decided to mess with Smurfstorm.
"So tonight once the raptors go to bed… That's when we return." Jupiter said.
"It will be a risky and dangerous mission, but we all accepted the fact that we could die the moment we left Port Saint Smurf." Smurfstorm said.
Smurfstorm, Smurfblossom, and Jupiter walked away from the forest and into a nearby field where they made camp and waited for the opportune moment to retaliate. Meanwhile in the forest Zarus had observed where Terry had taken the knights. The falcon was not just going to sit back and allow them to imprison his master either. However he left the forest in search of prey in the nearby field as common kestrels tend to not hunt in the forest. His quest for food reunited him with Smurfstorm, Smurfblossom, and Jupiter.
"Zarus! You made it out ok!" Smurfblossom said.
The Falcon perched on a tent in the camp Smurfstorm and the others had formed. He had with him a dead field mouse that he was feasting on. The four of them laid low and carried out the rest of the day until the sun went down. Then Smurfstorm would lead the remainder of the knights back into the forest to lead them to the encampment. As Smurfstorm had theorized the Raptors had all went to sleep leaving everything completely undefended. They entered the encampment towards the well sneaking quietly using the fact none of them were wearing armor to their advantage. Zarus stuck to the trees and was guiding them to the prison complex where Hefty and the others were currently trapped.
Smurfstorm and the others followed Zarus to the complex where most of the knights were asleep. Hefty had his back to the cell bars and was facing the corner of his cell. Hefty was still deep in thought when he heard Smurfstorm whisper to him from outside the cell.
"Psst! Hefty! It's me Smurfstorm." Smurfstorm said.
Smurfblossom and Jupiter had gone to different cells to try to gain the attention of the other knights.
"What are you doing here? You could be killed if you're caught." Hefty said.
"I'm here to rescue you of course. What you thought I'd just go back to Port Saint Smurf with my tail between my legs and give up?" Smurfstorm said.
Hefty smiled.
"Of course not." Hefty said as he bent the cell bars with ease allowing him to escape.
"Come on. Let's set the others free." Smurfstorm said.
Smurfstorm and Hefty went down the cells busting the other knights free. They had freed everyone and were just about to retreat from the woods when they heard the sound of a loud trumpet echo throughout the forest. They turned to see none other than Terry standing by the well who had literally woke up to get a drink of water when she spotted them trying to escape. Her signal had woken the other raptors from their slumber and they all rushed outside weapons in hand ready for the worst.
"The prisoners are escaping! Get them!" Terry shouts.
The other bone armored Smurfs including Raptor himself all rushed towards Hefty and the knights.
"Retreat!" Hefty shouts.
The knights all ran passed Hefty and began to quickly scale the forest terrain as they desperately made their way for edge of the forest that borders Blood Mountain. All the while they were being pursued by the raptors. They almost make it to the edge of the forest when Raptor generates his Smurf Essence and with an outstretched arm launches a ball of molten lava towards Hefty as he ran. He wasn't particularly aiming for anyone specific, but as he was running the shot was lined up just enough that his attack was pursuing Hefty.
"You won't escape justice that easily!" Raptor yelled.
Hefty was continuing to run alongside the others not immediately realizing he had just been attacked. As the lava got closer it began to light up the area. Timber had seen the lava closing in and knew Hefty would have little to know time to react. So without thinking Timber stops in his tracks and outstretches his arms to his sides to shield Hefty from the blow using his Smurf Essence to generate a protective wall of wood. The result was Timber getting blasted by the full force of Raptor's attack as it tore through the wall of wood. Timber falls backward with a scream and the knights stop in their tracks and turn to see Timber laying on the ground on his back with lava beginning to burn his body.
"Great Smurf!" Smurfblossom shouts.
"Timber!" Hefty yells as he ran to Timber.
The others also had run to Timber's side and when it was clear what was happening the Raptors had stopped their pursuit. Raptor's eyes widened as it just dawned on him what he had unintentionally done.
Hefty ran to Timber and knelt down to face him. Timber was in critical condition as lava had entered his armor and was coursing throughout his body causing it to burn. Smurfblossom immediately took off her pack and retrieved a small emergency medical bag similar to what Doctor carries and knelt down next to Hefty.
"Isn't there anything you can do Smurfblossom!?" Smurfstorm said.
"The lava is spreading all over his body! T-There's nothing I can do to help!" Smurfblossom cries as she puts her hands over her face and sobs deeply.
"Timber… Why?" Hefty asked.
Timber grins despite the immense pain he was in.
"Even if the stars fall from the sky, and the sea engulfs Europe… You mustn't die Hefty… Not you." Timber said.
Hefty began to tear up knowing that because of the lava that the Potion of Addicting Health would be useless.
"Glory… To Port Saint Smurf…" Timber said before he died.
"Timber! TIMBER NO! Open your eyes! OPEN YOUR EYES!" Hefty shouts as he shakes Timber frantically.
The other knights and even some of the Raptors began to tear up as it had become clear they had made a terrible mistake.
"Great Smurf… What have I done?" Raptor said.
"I may not have liked Timber Smurf, but he didn't deserve to die…" Archer said.
Timber's body began to burn causing Hefty to back away. Tears streamed down the noble leader's face as he mourned the loss of a good friend. Smurfstorm slowly approached Hefty. Even the brave Smurfstorm was in tears. She was hesitant at first, but then she gently wrapped her arms around Hefty and much to her surprise Hefty hugged her back tightly as he cried. They held each other in an embrace for a moment and then Hefty let her go and turned to face the Raptors.
"I'm going to kill you all for this… I'M GOING TO KILL YOU ALL!" Hefty shouts as he generated his Smurf essence.
The knights backed away from Hefty as his body began to expand and his armor was thrown in every direction.
"Knights! Attack!" Hefty shouts as he charges the Raptors.