The Smurfocalypse chapter 126: The Search for the Savant Cure part 20: Hefty Embarks.
Hefty's respite at home ended seemingly before it even began and now it was time to assemble his forces. Hefty and Storm had stayed up a little later discussing what the best strategy would be to tackle the Meadow of Life and choosing who amongst their friends would be of the best help. This was Hefty's opportunity to learn what sort of fire power he truly had at his disposal in terms of Smurf essence. Everything had to be considered. The terrain, a knight's known strategies, possible dangers, the risks and rewards that come with pairing certain Smurfs together. This hard work was nothing but fun for both Storm and Hefty. It was a job the two of them found they loved doing together, and Storm was relieved that Hefty hadn't pulled the rug out from under her and was trusting her with important decisions. Their mutual love for each other still remained dormant. It was hidden behind a mix of insecurities, trauma, pride, ego, and a strong mutual respect for one another as well as the practicing of respectful conduct within a professional work environment. However there was some playful moments between them that showed the other they cared a little more than what was public knowledge.
"This is great! I'm really giving it my all. He better be too, or I'll whoop him!" Storm thought as she observed the matchup they had proposed.
"Storm is an amazing tactician. It's no wonder she's so special. I love having her here, but she's not about to outperform me once we're outside the walls." Hefty thought.
The knights that would be joining them on their latest quest have been decided. Blossom, Dew, Sweepy, Pearl, Mammoth, Storm, and Hefty would venture out into this dangerous world to obtain another coveted alchemical ingredient. They assembled what they believed to be the strongest Port Saint Smurf had to offer to minimize the chance of losing one of their own again. Hefty was assigning training to the knights staying behind. Hefty was also admittedly becoming comfortable again. In the past if he could have helped matters he had never put all of his power into one force leaving the elites among them unable to protect the port. Times were definitely changing. Archer however as the village's sentinel would have to command the rest of the force with Hefty gone. A veteran of several battles, Archer was definitely the Smurf for the job. Hefty and Storm go to collect their forces.
Meanwhile Dew and Sweepy were just hanging out. It had been a bit since they'd seen each other and given the circumstances the two of them wanted to hang out for what either of them knows could be the last time. Dew was walking barefoot down the street as usual with her trident in her hand twirling it around with one hand and Sweepy was walking next to her. It was early enough they had some time to kill, but late enough they knew to expect Hefty provided he was showing up.
"You didn't like being in charge like that?" Sweepy asked referring to Dew's latest job as knight's captain.
"Nah Sweepy it was weird! I had to be all formal and stern. I'm not like that Sweepy. That's not easy for me to do." Dew said.
"Why did you feel the need to pretend to be that then?" Sweepy asked with a smile.
"I just kinda figured if I wasn't more firm like Storm that no Smurf would take me seriously." Dew said.
"Hey Dew… How come you always carry a shoe around with you, but you don't wear them?" Sweepy asked a genuine puzzled expression on his face.
"Because it's my shoe!" Dew shouted.
Then Pearl walks up and Dew frowns and gestures towards her with her hand.
"And there's my other one." Dew said gesturing to Pearl's right foot.
"Dew what are you angry about this time?" Pearl asked jokingly.
"That's my shoe you bitch!" Dew shouts only half kidding.
"What? No way Dew I'm going to be the one with the full pair in the end." Pearl said.
"Yeah whatever. Come on Sweepy let's go." Dew said walking towards the beach.
Sweepy followed her as she stormed off making foot prints in the sand behind her.
"Is that shoe really all that important?" Sweepy asked.
Dew turns to him still a little ticked.
"Pearl makes me so mad sometimes! She knows I want them, but she's always been jealous of them and she won't let me have the other one." Dew said.
"Is that why you don't wear shoes?" Sweepy asked.
"Don't worry about why I don't wear shoes!" Dew said.
Dew turned towards the ocean and stared out into it watching the waves.
"If I said something that upset you I'm sorry." Sweepy said.
"No! You're fine Sweepy! It's just Pearl! She won't give up the shoe until I beat her… or until one of us dies." Dew said.
Sweepy didn't quite always understand Dew. That's alright, Dew is a little complicated. He still enjoyed hanging out with her. The shoes they once fought over in times of peace are now a symbol of their rivalry. It kept them alive in a world where the blackhearted made them live in fear. Their stubbornness keeps each other alive in a twisted sense that they must maintain their own personal strength and keep it up to the standards of the other, or risk losing this precious item each of them possesses and submitting to the other. This complicated relationship is exactly why Storm suggested to Hefty that the two of them come along together. She got the idea from her own rivalry with Hefty that was quickly building. Rivalry when healthy could be a useful tool in the construction of teamwork. Storm noticed the flaw in her friends and turned it into a tool that's been keeping them alive along with her training for a long time. Just as Hefty weeded out Falconer's weakness in order to save him. It's personalities like these that when good can shape the land and enrich its people, or Smurfs.
"Hey! What are you Smurfs up to?" Blossom asked walking up.
Dew and Sweepy turn to face her. They were the only Smurfs on this part of the beach.
"What are you guys like on a date or something?" Blossom asked.
Dew's entire face turns red.
"Why would you ask something like that Blossom?!" Dew shouts.
Blossom lifts her hands up defensively and giggles. Sweepy seemed to find it funny too and he was grinning in the background. The idea of him dating Dew out of all the options he now has was sort of funny in a way he felt guilty for feeling. Dew was cute in her own right, but not so much Sweepy would want to do anything other than just hang out.
"Just to mess with you." Blossom said.
"You're such a pain in the ass." Dew said folding her arms and looking away still blushing slightly leaning against her trident.
"Stormy told me that we're going out again and that you two have to come." Blossom said.
Dew smirks her blush now fully faded.
"Of course she does. What would Storm do without me?" Dew said.
"You mean what would she Dew?" Sweepy asked with a grin.
Dew cracks up with a brief cackle before punching his arm.
"Shut up Sweepy." Dew said with a smile.
"We'd better get ready. Hefty said there's no time to lose." Blossom said.
The others go their separate ways to get ready. Meanwhile Mammoth was mentally preparing as he stood in his room in Sweepy's hut. Without armor he looked like a normal middle aged Smurf. His brown beard was overgrown and he ran his hand over his cheek feeling the stubborn hairs pinch his skin as he looked in the mirror. He was still wearing the clothes he was wearing under his armor when he debuted. Black pants and shoes with a grey Smurf cap. He certainly didn't look like he has the power he has, but then like a super hero preparing to save the day he puts on his armor and at last there he was in all his glory ready to make a change. He grabbed his bag, and his war hammer and exited Sweepy's hut into the street. Just down the street Compy was sanding a board waiting for him to return. Compy couldn't wait until the day Mammoth would trust him alone with the tools. He had a smile on his face as he worked. He wore a green t-shirt with white pants and a white Smurf cap. Just a normal Smurfling exploring the world around him.
"Hey Mammoth! Took you long enough." Compy said with a wave.
He was going to have to leave Compy here and that was troubling him. Mammoth trusted Hefty, and Mammoth trusted himself, but even Mammoth had his own problems with trust. A job needed to be done and a citizen needed his aid, but Compy was still number one. He fought with the idea that Compy may not be safe without him here.
"Why are you all dressed up?" Compy asked.
"Hefty says I have to go with him to the Meadow of Life." Mammoth said.
"Someone needs your help Mammoth. Go be a hero. I'll be fine." Compy said with a smile.
Pluto then runs up and excitedly squeals.
"Compy come on! You have to see this! Me and Coconut found a weird animal!" Pluto said.
The weird animal was a squirrel… Compy was going to be disappointed and confused.
"What really? I wanna see!" Compy shouts running off after Pluto.
"I'll see you when you get home!" Compy said with a wave.
Mammoth was relieved. He thought Compy would be sad, or scared. This place brought him back to normal. Mammoth was eternally in Hefty's debt.
"Let's go big guy." Sweepy said as he and the others passed Mammoth.
Mammoth follows behind them after taking what he hoped was not his last look at Compy as he followed Pluto down the street. The knights assembled and Hefty wasted no time getting the gate open and setting out with the others behind him. Up on the walls Archer and Falconer watched on.
"This will be the first time we won't be with him." Archer said.
"Hefty will be fine. We've seen him do some amazing things. He'll find his way back somehow." Falconer said.
"Until then I'm going to need some help around here. Can I count on you?" Archer said.
"Of course cousin. That's what family's for right Zarus?" Falconer said.
Zarus perched on his armguard screeches.