The Smurfocalypse chapter 106: The Search for the Savant Cure Part 10: Sweepy Smurf's Smokescreen Deathmatch!
As the battle raged on around them It fell down to Smurfstorm to preserve the future of Port Saint Smurf by keeping Hefty alive long enough for him to be healed. Smurfblossom and Smurfstorm carried Hefty through the forest unsure of where to go, or what move to make next. The only objective the two of them had was to keep Hefty safe in his vulnerable state. Unfortunately Hefty Smurf was a high priority target in this battle. They had to remain vigilant in case of ambush. Unbeknownst to them there were only five raptors left to stand in their way, but who was to say they weren't being stalked at this very moment? The forest was on fire, and the smell of burning wood filled the air even from their location. They had a short amount of time to deal with before the fire began to endanger every life within the forest, but still they pressed onward.
"If we keep traveling in this direction I'm sure we'll reach the mountain." Smurfstorm said pointing to the mountain peak visible through the tree line.
"Hang in there Hefty. We'll make it there soon." Smurfblossom said.
As they walked the Smurf made path they would rendezvous with Falconer and Zarus who had tracked them by following a trail of Hefty's larger footprints. Falconer ran out onto the Smurf made trail his form visible on the moonlit path, Zarus soon followed and perched on his arm guard as he held out his right arm for Zarus to perch.
"Falconer!" Smurfblossom shouts.
Smurfstorm and Smurfblossom turn around to see Falconer and Zarus standing in the moonlit path.
"What happened to Hefty? He looks like he's been to hell and back." Falconer asked approaching them.
"He pushed himself way to hard." Smurfstorm said.
"Hefty fought three back to back opponents on his own. He's hurt really bad." Smurfblossom said.
"I never thought I'd see the day where Hefty Smurf would be backed into a corner like this…" Falconer said.
Falconer motioned for Zarus to get off his arm guard and the falcon took flight before landing on the path next to them.
"Zarus! You're hurt!" Smurfblossom said.
Zarus was injured from his fight with Smilodon. The wound was bleeding and blood was dripping down from the axe wound and onto the forest floor.
"Zarus has had worse injuries than this." Falconer said.
"Hold on! I'll heal you!" Smurfblossom said reaching into her pack for her healing powder.
They cautiously lay Hefty on the ground before Smurfblossom approaches Zarus, dumping the lime green powder onto her palm.
"I wouldn't approach him if I were you. He doesn't respond well to being messed with while injured." Falconer said.
"I just want to help… Can't you explain to him that I'm going to heal him?" Smurfblossom said.
Falconer nods.
"It's alright Zarus, she only wants to help. I trust her" Falconer said.
Zarus nodded and allowed Smurfblossom to approach him. She holds her palm to her mouth and blows the lime green healing powder towards Zarus' chest wound. The powder forms a cloud just in front of the wound and slowly the wound begins to close. The lime green cloud then disappears and Zarus' chest is no longer bleeding. Zarus then looks to her and screeches.
"He says thank you." Falconer said.
Smurfblossom cheerfully smiles and chuckles at Zarus.
"No problem!" Smurfblossom said.
"We need to focus now on getting Hefty to the mountain. He needs a bloodstone, and fast!" Smurfstorm said.
"I have another idea." Jupiter said as he entered the moonlit path from the foliage.
"Jupiter! You're alright!" Smurfblossom said.
Jupiter had healed with his potion in between the end of his fight and reuniting with Hefty. He walks up to Smurfstorm and looks her in the eyes.
"I heard there is an easier way to get bloodstones than to climb Blood Mountain." Jupiter said.
Intrigued yet cautious, Smurfstorm raises an eyebrow at Jupiter.
"What do you propose?" Smurfstorm asked.
"My opponent told me there is a cavern where the Raptors store bloodstones. It could be less dangerous than climbing the mountain." Jupiter said.
"Wait. Your opponent? You would trust these Smurfs after all they've done to us?" Smurfstorm said.
"It does seem suspicious Jupiter." Falconer said.
"Let's hear him out guys." Smurfblossom said.
"I have no reason to believe I was being lied to. Before his death Mars told me they stashed bloodstones in a cave near the mountain for easier access." Jupiter said.
"This could be an obvious trap. Even if it is true what makes you think it's not being guarded?" Smurfstorm said.
"Guarded by who? They all just ran aimlessly into the forest when we charged them. They have no set strategy." Jupiter said.
"We could use the fire and the battle as a distraction to find this cave and get the stones we need." Falconer said.
"It sounds like this is our chance to heal Hefty quicker. Even if it is guarded there are four of us we could take them out together and grab the stones." Smurfblossom said.
"It is a bit of a gamble, but the reward seems to outweigh the risk…" Smurfstorm said.
"So what does everyone think? We don't have much time to stand around." Jupiter said.
Smurfstorm thought about it for a second. She had no reason to distrust Jupiter's word, but she had a bad feeling that there would be danger waiting for them.
"Very well Jupiter. I'll go with your plan. Do you have an idea of where the cavern could be?" Smurfstorm said.
"I wasn't told where it is simply that it exists. Our best bet is to look for the cave. We can't afford to leave Hefty in this condition." Jupiter said.
"Zarus will carry Hefty so we can get through the woods quicker. Let's not waste any more time." Falconer said.
Smurfstorm and Smurfblossom put Hefty on Zarus' back and then the group continues to navigate the forest in search of the cave. At this very same moment deeper into the forest Sweepy was making his trek through the terrain in his heavy armor. Sweepy knew he was out here to eradicate the raptors, but up to this point he had only seen them flee when Hefty made the order to kill them all. As Sweepy makes his way through the forest he hears multiple footsteps come up from behind and cautiously turns only to see Smurfstorm leading her group through the woods in his direction.
"Smurfstorm! Guys! I guess it's only natural you'd catch up to me." Sweepy said.
"Sweepy! Have you seen a cave anywhere out here?" Smurfstorm asked.
"A cave? No I don't believe I have. Why?" Sweepy said.
"Hefty has been badly hurt! We need to get a bloodstone for him as soon as we can!" Falconer said.
"There should be a cave full of bloodstones somewhere in the forest. We need to get him there quickly" Jupiter said.
As they spoke a figure stepped into the moonlit path behind Sweepy.
"Well Well… What do we have here? Hefty Smurf as I live and breathe, and it seems he's in the perfect condition for me to take him out. Master Raptor will be pleased." The figure said.
Sweepy turns to face the figure. A Smurf wearing enchanted bone armor that resembled the Amphisaurus wielding a two handed battleaxe was standing there to greet him.
"Right like we'd ever give Hefty to you!" Smurfblossom yelled.
"Silence fools! Anybody wishing to stay alive has the choice to leave Hefty here and run away." Amphisaurus said.
To his statement the knights responded by drawing their weapons. Smurfstorm had her bow aimed right for Amphisaurus' skull. Amphisaurus simply laughed and generated his Smurf essence. As his aura flared high above his head the entire forest began to shake as the earth beneath them trembled as though in fear of his power.
"Stormy we don't have time for this!" Smurfblossom said.
"Leave him to me! Everyone stay by Hefty's side, and guard him with your lives… And if we meet again I hope to see Hefty safe." Sweepy said as his own aura began to emerge engulfing his being in blue Smurf essence.
"Right! We'll leave this to you Sweepy!" Smurfstorm said.
The knights began to run off into the forest, but Amphisaurus wasn't having any of it. As his aura grew his Smurf essence's impact on the earth began to intensify sending the Smurf's with the exception of Sweepy to their knees. In his heavy armor Sweepy was able to maintain balance.
"Nobody escapes the wrath of Amphisaurus Smurf!" Amphisaurus yells as his aura flares.
"We'll just see about that!" Sweepy yelled.
From Sweepy's aura came a thick black smog which quickly enveloped the area surrounding both him and Amphisaurus forming an arena cloaked in black smoke. As Sweepy's technique was executed the knights got to their feet and escaped into the forest. It was impossible for Amphisaurus to see when they escaped and in which direction they escaped in. Sweepy had completely covered the tracks of his comrades and paved a way to safety.
"What is this?!" Amphisaurus demanded as he tried to see passed the confines of the arena.
"This is my smokescreen death match. An endless illusion of black smoke from which there is no escape." Sweepy claimed raising his mace.
After his battle with Carambola the Smurf Hunter Sweepy had worked on his newly discovered ability and together with Archer who possesses an Illusion type Smurf essence perfected his Smokescreen Deathmatch. No matter how hard Amphisaurus tries he will not escape the confines of Sweepy's technique like Carambola had during their match. Ampisaurus sprints passed Sweepy in the direction the knights were standing in and began to run trying to pursue them, but all that met him was an endless bed of smoke leading him nowhere.
"Try as you will it makes no difference. You could run for the rest of your life through this smoke and never get anywhere." Sweepy said with confidence.
"You asshole! Then I guess I have no choice but to destroy you!" Amphisaurus said raising his battle axe.
Amphisaurus charges at Sweepy and swings his battle axe only for Sweepy to raise his large shield and block the attack. Sweepy then swings his mace towards Amphisaurus, but the attack is evaded. Even in this thick smoke his opponent was proving to be a worth adversary.
"No matter how much you struggle you will never leave this arena alive." Sweepy claims as he steps up to Ampisaurus slowly, the clang of his armor echoing through the forest as he steps.
Amphisaurus stands his ground as the heavy armored knight approaches him. The smokescreen limited his vision, and Sweepy's defense seemed to have no flaw. Sweepy lifts his mace and blue Smurf essence envelops the weapon as he swings it with all his might towards Amphisaurus.
"Smoke Stack!" Sweepy yells.
The mace collides with Amphisaurus' battle axe as he raised it just in time to block the attack. However the mace released a puff of black ashy smoke which enveloped Amphisaurus, the smoke filling the Smurf's lungs causing him to violently cough. Sweepy followed up with another swing his mace colliding with Amphisaurus' chest. The Smurf's enchanted bone armor absorbed most of the attack but the force of the blow sent the Smurf off his feet as he flew backward. Sweepy walks up to where Amphisaurus landed and attempted to swing his mace into Amphisaurus' skull. Amphisaurus gets to his feet quickly and dodges the attack as he dashes towards the edge of the arena his Smurf essence flaring in the form of a blue aura.
"Earthquake!" Amphisaurus shouts as his aura intensifies.
The very ground beneath Sweepy's feet became to quiver and quake as though in fear of Amphisaurus' might. The tremoring began to intensify and Sweepy's knees began to shake as he struggled to maintain a fighting stance.
"An Earth type Smurf essence… I need to balance my weight to avoid losing my footing." Sweepy thought.
Sweepy raises his large tower shield out in front of him and balances his weight as he shifts his stance the earth still quaking beneath him.
"You won't be able to resist forever! Let's see how you handle this!" Amphisaurus said.
Amphisaurus swings his battle axe into the ground the blade glowing with Smurf essence.
"Fissure!" Amphisaurus shouts.
As the earth began to shake violently under Sweepy's feet Sweepy could feet the ground breaking apart beneath him. A large crack was forming in the ground below going straight down the middle of the arena in a jagged yet horizontal line which split the arena into two halves. Sweepy could feel his feet being pulled apart from one another. He looked down to see the crack widening and decided it'd best to dash to the opposite side of the arena from Amphisaurus. Sweepy displayed speed in his heavy armor that was atypical of warriors of his class which both surprised and impressed Amphisaurus.
"So you Knights of the Smurf Table aren't all just talk after all. Well done, but this will only delay your inevitable death." Amphisaurus said.
"You thought you could rid of me that easily?" Sweepy asked.
Amphisaurus scoffed.
"No. I was merely testing your overall speed." Amphisaurus said.
"Waste as much time as you want. Soon the smoke you're constantly inhaling will damage your lungs, and will prove fatal anyway. It makes no difference to me my body is used to this environment." Sweepy said.
Sweepy was bluffing. The Smokescreen Deathmatch was an illusion. However techniques like the Smoke Stack consisted of actual Smurf essence generated smoke. After receiving a taste of Sweepy's Smoke Stack technique perhaps he could bait Amphisaurus into hastily speeding things up.
"It's like Papa Smurf always used to say… Haste makes waste." Sweepy thought.
Amphisaurus' face contorts into an expression of rage as he takes the bait and dashes towards Sweepy, leaping over the huge crack in the arena and soaring towards Sweepy with his axe drawn. The result was brutal. Sweepy raises his shield and draws his mace dashing forward towards Amphisaurus appearing as a mere blur as he rams his mace right into Amphisaurus' chest causing the Smurf to flip through the air and scream as he flew towards the endless illusion and hit the floor with a thud his chest plate cracked and the wind knocked out of him. Sweepy turns around and faces Amphisaurus as he stands on his feet panting with fatigue.
"If not for your enchanted armor you'd have a hole in your chest cavity and your organs would be mush." Sweepy said.
"Damn you…" Amphisaurus said.
Sweepy's bold technique took a chunk out of Amphisaurus' stamina and armor durability granting him the lead in this fight. However Sweepy had to take caution as the earth still quaked beneath his feet. He was forced into a permanent defensive stance using his heavy tower shield as a third leg which propped him up and relieved stress on his muscles. This didn't change the fact the stress on his biceps was draining his stamina as he had to focus on keeping the shield in place to balance out his weight. His muscles flexed under his armor as he worked hard to maintain the weight of his heavy armor, weapon, and shield. He was getting a work out similar to the training Hefty would put him through and it brought back fond memories of both pain and accomplishment as he endured Hefty's harsh training routines alongside his fellow knights. Their bond was quite strong even when separated and it gave him strength that persevere the strain on his body. In his mind Hefty was egging him on, encouraging him harshly to not give up and to push his body to the limit. There was so much at stake. Port Saint Smurf, his honor as a knight, his obligations, Timber's sacrifice, and the continued survival of those he holds dear. So much was on his shoulders, and he wasn't going to let anybody down without a fight. Sweepy knew the day he agreed to be a knight that he would become someone the village would adore and depend on. Sweepy always wanted recognition and he finally achieved it. Smurfs would shake his hand in the streets back home and thank him for everything he does. He owed it to his friends and family to overcome this challenge and return to Port Saint Smurf victorious and ready to clean some chimneys. He was a sweeper of chimneys and a sweeper of threats. Keeping everything clean and peaceful and letting the dirt, grime, and blood soak his hands so nobody else had to. He is the Knight Sweeper.
Meanwhile Smurfstorm would lead her group through the woods getting closer to the spreading forest fire. Beads of sweat peppered her forehead causing her blue bangs to stick to her forehead. Still she takes charge and remains strong. Her need to save Hefty is not just out of her hidden love for him. She needs a rival she can but heads with and aim to surpass. Hefty owed her a rematch and she was going kick his butt and make him fall to his knees before her might. Hefty was also a shining light in her world that had promise to repair what the blackhearted had destroyed bringing peace to a world torn apart and providing safety for her fellow Smurfette of Smurfy Grove. She did not hesitate to boldly take control of Hefty's forces as though they were her own in his stead, and no Smurf had the guts to oppose her orders. There was something charismatic about her in this specific situation that drew the others to her and put their trust in her despite not knowing her for very long. Long ago she promised Smurfwillow on her death bed that she would lead the Smurfettes to safety taking up leadership of the remnants of Smurfy Grove. After avenging Smurfwillow's death she soldiered on to honor her promise which brought her and her girls to Port Saint Smurf. She may love Hefty but it doesn't give him a pass. She's going to show her love for him in the only way her fierce pride will allow, by proving herself strong enough to stand by his side. She's going to do everything she can to save him so she can show him her true power.
"Look Smurfs! A trail!" Smurfstorm said pointing to a trail which disappears into the darkness of the forest.
"What do we do Stormy?" Smurfblossom asked.
"We follow it! Move your Smurfs and stay close!" Smurfstorm said as she sprints ahead.
She is obediently followed by Grove Knight and Knight of the Smurf Table alike. Where does this mysterious Smurf made trail lead? Smurfstorm bravely embarks in uncertain territory filled with danger in the next chapter, and everyones going with her whether they like it or not.