The Smurfocalypse chapter 125: The Law of the Land. Hefty Comes Marching Home.
It was late summer by the time Hefty and his forces would return home with the bloodstone Grandpa needed. Things had been going smoothly ever since Brainy ended the crab incident with only minor complications that come with living in a diverse community. It was mid-afternoon when Hefty would arrive. Inside things were going normally with everyone doing their thing. Pluto and Coconut sat on a bench just enjoying the day. Coconut was holding Elaeis and everything seemed normal. Pluto stared in awe at the human structures still not knowing what they were or what made them.
"Hey Coconut, What do you think made these huge buildings?" Pluto asked.
Coconut just looks at her.
"Humans." Coconut answered nonchalantly.
"What's a human?" Pluto asked.
"Humans are really big creatures, and a lot of them are very mean and scary. When I was little this really bad human captured some of my tribe and wouldn't give them back unless we gave him gold." Coconut said.
"No way… What did you do Coconut?" Pluto asked.
"I was told to stay inside. Grapefruit had me stay inside and do chores for him until it was safe. The grownups fixed everything, but wouldn't tell me what happened." Coconut said.
"I know what happened… If it happened to me I'd keep my friends safe while I dealt with it." Pluto said.
Coconut looked visibly uncomfortable at the thought of Pluto killing them. Sometimes Pluto just let's things slip out and sometimes it scares Coconut. Coconut wanted to believe Pluto wasn't dangerous, but the others don't quite know her full story. Coconut doesn't even know the half of it.
"I guess so Pluto." Coconut said.
Coconut stands and as she does Elaeis remains clung to her before she expertly stretched and then grabbed hold of him again.
"I'll see you later Pluto. I have to make a shelf for Mango." Coconut said walking off.
Pluto turns to look at the huge human building not too far away from Port Saint Smurf's little park they were sitting in when she heard the front gate open and she turned to see Jupiter and the others. Pluto smiles and runs up to Jupiter. She was excited to see her friend again, but already she noticed just by looking at him that something bad had happened.
"Mister Jupiter! Welcome home I missed you!" Pluto said hugging onto his waist.
Jupiter felt Pluto hug onto him and he looks down at her unable to hold his frown. Behind his smile he wondered how he was he ever going to save this Smurflings life and keep her out of the battlefield after what he had done?
"I missed you too Pluto." Jupiter said forcing a smile. He then playfully grabbed one of her braids and she giggle and slapped his hand away.
"Something happened didn't it?" Pluto asked.
Jupiter sighed and nodded looking down at her. Pluto frowned a look of concern on her face.
"It'll be ok mister Jupiter…" Pluto said.
"I know Pluto… I'm just sad." Jupiter said.
Pluto hugged him again longer this time.
"That's normal mister Jupiter." Pluto said noticing Timber wasn't with them.
"You know… When I'm sad I like to read. Would like to read a story together mister Jupiter?" Pluto said.
Jupiter smiled as he held her and then pulled away from the hug.
"Yeah, but maybe something without action this time." Jupiter said.
"I understand." Pluto said.
Pluto led Jupiter by the hand and they disappeared down the street. Jupiter felt survivor's guilt as he walked with Pluto through the town in addition to what was bothering him with Mars. Today he would bond with Pluto in a way he never thought he would. He would tell her all about Mars and what he had done and some of the things he saw happen that bothered him. It turned out to be really helpful. Pluto was very understanding and brought insight into his perspective based off some of her own experiences. Their friendship grew stronger as a result. Meanwhile Hefty and the others had some important matters to discuss with the community. This would be a changing day in Port Saint Smurf with a new law being put into place that did not exist when Papa Smurf was leader. Hefty had only a couple of hours to get with Grandpa and check in on Port Saint Smurf's progress and then he assembled the village. It was going to be a long day.
"Alright Smurfs we have a lot to discuss, and I know there's lots of work to be done and it's very hot so I'll try to make this as brief as I can." Hefty said.
Hefty addressed the village just as Papa Smurf had taught him. He stood before the citizens of his village without armor or a weapon and spoke to them letting them know he has all of their best interests at heart.
"First off I want to thank Brainy for being a Smurfy advisor, a great partner, and a hero who has set an amazing example for us all. Let's have it for Brainy Smurf!" Hefty said.
The village claps and Magica who was seated next to him turns towards him.
"That's really cool Brainy!" Magica said.
Brainy's expression swelled with pride. Things have at last come together between him and Hefty. Papa Smurf would be proud.
"I'm sure some of you notice that Timber isn't here. Timber died fighting for us. He always rose to the occasion since the very beginning and had all of our best interests at heart. Timber was an amazing Smurf and a lot of us were good friends with him. He will be sorely missed, but we're going to make Timber proud. We're going to shape the land and the Smurfs he loved into something great! Together we will forge a new world under the heavens!" Hefty said.
Hefty would move forward with his next point.
"I've heard of quite a bit of unsmurfy stuff that happened around here while I was gone. There will be no more of it. For all we know other than Leafland we could be the only Smurfs left in Europe. Take a look at the Smurf or Smurfette standing next to you. It doesn't matter if you know their name, or even know where they are from. They are your family now. We treat our family with respect. A lot of us have seen and done some really messed up things this last year. If a member of your family is struggling don't make things worse for them. That's how accidents happen in the workplace, and that's how we get into situations where we act in certain ways that we don't need to act anymore. The world is safe, the fighting is over! We have to rebuild and work together in order to stay alive. I'm telling you as your leader that I will not tolerate unsmurfy behavior towards a Smurf who is suffering. I wouldn't tolerate it out there and I won't tolerate it in my home." Hefty said.
"Also! We've all done something, or seen something that has changed us. No Smurf is a saint! I will not have Smurfs judging each other over things they've done outside the walls to survive. We wipe the slate clean right here." Hefty said gesturing to the ground.
"This is Port Saint Smurf. We accept any Smurf no matter what they've done outside these walls. This is a land of second chances." Hefty said.
Hefty continues on with the next item.
"The housing project is approved, and construction can start any time. We will unfortunately need some Smurfs to volunteer to get wood. I've noticed some of you have already tackled the issue I appreciate you addressing that for me. I would prefer you knew what you were doing, but if you at least know how to use an axe see Brainy tomorrow morning. Big thanks to the volunteers who took over for Timber while we were gone. Big thanks to our construction crew. That works not fun, and some of you jumped right in the moment you got here." Hefty said.
"Going back to the new law about not judging others for what they did outside the walls." Hefty said.
That's when Mammoth and Compy exited Hefty's hut and stood next to him.
"This is Mammoth and Compy Smurf. They came from Blood Mountain and were a part of the group that killed Timber. However! These two had nothing to do with it and their home was destroyed in the battle. Mammoth and Compy are one of us now. Please show them what it means to be a part of Port Saint Smurf." Hefty said.
Hefty looks into the crowd.
"Storm!" Hefty said.
Storm rolls her eyes and scowls.
"Do I have to?" Storm asked standing up.
"Yes!" Hefty shouted.
Storm approached Hefty in front of the entire village.
"The Grove Knights, and the Knights of the Smurf Table are now one." Hefty said reaching out his hand.
Storm hesitated. She was still having some serious trust issues. She loved Hefty, but doing this meant she wouldn't have her own force anymore. She takes his hand and shakes it.
"United we are until the day we fall." Hefty said.
"For Port Saint Smurf!" Storm shouted.
"Mammoth. Welcome to the Knights of the Smurf Table." Hefty said.
Mammoth nodded silently.
"For great justice I will protect every last one of you." Mammoth said.
"That is how I will repent for what happened." Mammoth thought.
"We stay here tonight. Tomorrow we march for the Meadow of Life. We only have until the end of the summer to get what we need before it's gone for a year. I will let you all know who will be coming tomorrow morning. If you're a knight don't make any plans." Hefty said.
Hefty ended his speech and dismissed the village. Grandpa had given Hefty the clues to the next piece of the puzzle. He was getting closer to saving his friend and bettering his community, but many dangers yet await Hefty and his forces.