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Author
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Topic: "A Wild Winter Solstice" -- the full story
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 09:23 AM
Here is a Winter Solstice-related Smurfs story from my EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf series. Enjoy!
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Chapter 1
It is Christmas Day in the Smurf Village. Empath woke up from his sleep, feeling like he had the best night's sleep ever. He remembered that last night he and his fellow Smurfs were helping out an old couple with what would be their last Christmas together, to lift up the spirits of an old woman who was ready to pass on from this life. They had to sacrifice a lot to give that couple the best Christmas they could ever have, but Empath felt that it was worth it. And to top it all off, the Smurfs were rewarded with a Christmas tree and decorations and presents that were given all on Christmas Eve.
Empath went to his window to look at everything in the village, and sure enough, the Christmas tree was still there, so the whole thing wasn't a dream that he and his fellow Smurfs had. He smiled as he went to his chair to get himself dressed in his bodysuit before stepping out of his house.
Polaris Psyche met Empath as he was coming down the stairs from his bedroom. "Salutations, fellow Empath," Polaris greeted. "This one senses that you are exuberant about the new day that has arisen."
"It's Christmas Day, Polaris," Empath said. "Even though we received our presents last night, this smurf feels that it's a good day to spend some time with this smurf's fellow Smurfs. By the way, what are your plans for the day?"
"This one was hoping to spend time with Brainy in another game of chess, if he is available," Polaris said.
"Brainy must find you a formidable opponent in that game if he's always seeking to better his strategies against you," Empath said.
"Admittedly, Brainy's game strategies keep this one 'on his toes', as you Smurfs are fond of saying," Polaris said. "It is a challenge to keep this one from sensing what his next move shall be in order to keep things fair between us."
"This smurfs knows you're doing your best, Polaris," Empath said. "Anyway, this smurf is intending to spend some time with Smurfette today."
"Then this one will not keep you waiting," Polaris said. "May you have a pleasant day today with your fellow Smurf."
"You enjoy yourself with Brainy, Polaris," Empath said, smiling as he headed out the door.
He looked around and saw that his fellow Smurfs were busy enjoying the presents that they were given last night. He heard the sound of a motorized vehicle approaching, so he turned and saw that Handy was driving around in a snowmobile he had designed. "Morning, Empath," Handy greeted when he came to a stop.
"Salutations, fellow Handy," Empath greeted back. "This smurf can see that you're going about on your new motorized snowsmurfer today. How is it running?"
"Better than I expected," Handy replied. "I'm thinking of smurfing this out into the forest to see how it smurfs outside the village."
"Just be careful, Handy," Empath said. "You don't want to wreck your new invention all too soon with some careless moves, or cause any injury to yourself."
"Don't worry about me, Empath...I'm sure I'll smurf the hang of it," Handy said. "See you later." With that, he gunned the motor, and Handy zoomed away in the direction he was traveling.
Just then, Tapper and Duncan McSmurf showed up. "Smurf o' the morning to you, Empath," Tapper greeted. "'Tis a bright smurfy morning we're having here on this Christmas morn today."
"Aye, that it is...maybe a little too bright for me," Duncan said, rubbing his eyes. "I can't believe that I smurfed the night with Hefty in that Slime Bar in the Imaginarium celebrating Christmas."
"This smurf can sense that the Slime Bar wasn't exactly your best place for drinking fermented beverages, Duncan," Empath said.
"You can smurf that again, laddie," Duncan said. "Hefty can drink that smurf like it's nothing, but it sure smurfs me a sour stomach just smelling it."
"That's because it is meant for Wartmongers, my friend," Tapper said. "Not everything in this world is smurfed to be digested by every smurf of creature that the Almighty has smurfed into this world."
"But you weren't there for the beverages, as this smurf could sense," Empath said.
"I'm not going to smurf up a good fight when I smurf across one," Duncan said. "Those Wartmongers may be tough, but I can sure tenderize them well enough to smurf them into haggis burgers."
Tapper made a face at the mention of haggis. "That's something I certainly didn't need to hear about."
Empath laughed slightly. "Well, Duncan, this smurf is pleased to know that you have enjoyed your excursion into the Slime Bar with your friend Hefty. Now if you'll excuse this smurf, this smurf is on my way to meet up with Smurfette."
"Aye, I surely don't want you to keep the sweet lassie waiting," Duncan said with a suggestive smile. "You enjoy yourself with her company today."
"Have yoursmurf a merry Christmas today, my friend," Tapper said before the two of them departed.
Smurfette was at her mirror, brushing her hair and trying to get herself presentable for the new day, when she heard a knocking on her door. "Empath, is that you?" she asked, anticipating his arrival.
Then she heard the sound of a squirrel chattering outside her door. Smurfette had a feeling that it was someone else that she knew that arrived at her door.
"Hold on, I'll be there," Smurfette called out as she put down her brush and got up to answer the door. She opened and saw that it was Wild Smurf with Chitter, with Wild carrying a bouquet of rare white snow flowers in his hand.
"Morning, Smurfette," Wild greeted, presenting her with the flowers. "Do you like them?"
"Oh, they're so beautiful, Wild," Smurfette said, smiling as she took the bouquet from Wild's hand and then kissed him on the cheek. Wild felt his cheeks turn red as he received the kiss.
"I'll just smurf them in a nice place where I can smurf at them, which shouldn't smurf long," Smurfette said. Wild waited patiently while Smurfette found a bowl to place the bouquet in before joining him again. "So what smurfs you to my door today on Christmas morning?"
"Maybe the two of us can smurf together out in the forest, just you and me," Wild suggested.
"That would be nice, but I'm expecting Empath to arrive soon," Smurfette said. "However, you are welcome to join us wherever we're smurfing to go today."
"You mean you don't like me anymore?" Wild asked, sounding confused.
"No, Wild, I still like you as a friend, and maybe we can smurf closer as friends the more we smurf together," Smurfette answered. "It's just that I know Empath a bit longer than you and that I smurf...special feelings for him."
"You mean the two of you are in love with each other?" Wild asked.
"We're close to smurfing in love with each other as we can for now, Wild," Smurfette said. "We're still smurfing out things between each other so that there would be nothing smurfing between us if we decide to marry."
"Marry?" Wild asked. "You mean like that man and woman we smurfed last night in that other village?"
"Something like that, Wild," Smurfette said. "It's a special bond that two people who truly love each other smurf themselves into so they can smurf the rest of their lives together with each other. It usually smurfs between a man and a woman, which was how it was created in the beginning."
"And the two smurf those things together with each other that nobody knows about?" Wild asked, sounding curious.
"That's what Papa Smurf says about marriage, Wild," Smurfette replied. "I'm not sure how well you know things like intimacy between creatures in the forest, but they usually prefer to enjoy those things in private."
"I would like to know what it's like someday, Smurfette," Wild said with some honest feeling behind it.
"I'm sure you'll smurf the right one that you'll feel comfortable smurfing yourself with someday, Wild," Smurfette said, touching his face to show her empathy to his situation.
Just then, Empath showed up. "Salutations, fellow Smurfette," he greeted. "This smurf sees that we are not alone today."
"Oh, hello, Empath," Smurfette greeted back. "Wild just dropped by to smurf me a Christmas present of his own...these snow flowers that I have inside my house right now."
"This smurf can sense that they are a lovely present, Smurfette, and that you appreciated it," Empath said. "This smurf thought that we would be alone with each other today."
"We can still be together, Empath," Smurfette said. "I'm just wondering if you don't mind smurfing Wild as a tagalong when we smurf out into the forest today."
Empath looked at Wild, who seemed eager to come along. "This smurf doesn't see why not if that would please you, Smurfette," Empath said. "He's your friend as well as this smurf's. He could use some time to spend with you."
"Well, just let me smurf myself something warm and I will join the two of you," Smurfette said as she went back into her house and closed the door.
Empath looked at Wild, who just continued to sit there with his eyes bulging out of his head. "This smurf senses that you are turned on by Smurfette's presence, and this smurf doesn't blame you for that," Empath said.
"She's so beautiful, I wish that I could marry her right now," Wild said.
"This smurf wouldn't recommend just proposing to her right off the bat when she doesn't even have enough time to know you, Wild," Empath said. "It would be better for the two of you to give each other the chance to grow together in your friendship with each other and see where it will go from there, whether Smurfette will want you as a potential lover and mate sometime in the future."
"But why can't it be now?" Wild asked.
"This smurf has sensed from my interactions with humans in the matter of courtship and dating that such sudden proposals will lead to disaster, Wild," Empath said. "It's easy to follow what the heart wants, but it needs to be mediated with what the head is telling you to do, as Papa Smurf would say. If there's no mediation going on there, we will end up doing things that we will regret for the rest of our lives."
Wild looked puzzled. "I'm not sure I understand all that, but if Smurfette won't marry me now, then I will wait for her to say that she will."
Empath smiled. "This smurf is certain that it will be worth the wait, Wild."
Just then, Papa Smurf was walking by. "Hello there, Empath and Wild, and merry Christmas to you," he greeted. "Are the two of you waiting for Smurfette?"
"Yes, we are, Papa Smurf," Empath said. "We were both going to walk out into the forest today now that the snow has stopped and it is a bright shining day today. What about you?"
"I'm just smurfing a break from my work to oversee what my little Smurfs are smurfing today, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "I could only wish that I were 400 smurfs younger so I could enjoy the pleasure of smurfing with a Smurfette."
"This smurf understands and hopes that you will enjoy the day despite your feeling the absence of a mate, Papa Smurf," Empath said.
"You smurf a good day yourself, Empath, and that smurfs the same to you, Wild," Papa Smurf said, nodding with acceptance before he walked off.
Just then, Smurfette emerged wearing her winter cap and jacket. Wild just looked at her and gave her a wolf whistle. Smurfette giggled at the response.
"So are we all set to walk off together into the forest?" Empath asked.
"As ready as I will ever be, Empath," Smurfette answered. "I hope that I won't be too much of a distraction for either of you smurfy gentlesmurfs."
"You look fine the way you are, Smurfette," Empath said. "We'd be happy to escort you on our way out of the village, if you don't mind."
"Well, if Wild doesn't mind smurfing my other hand, we can smurf ourselves underway right now," Smurfette said, extending her other hand out as Empath took one of hers.
Wild jumped up and grabbed the other hand, dragging both Empath and Smurfette along with him as he ran out into the forest.
Soon Empath and Smurfette found themselves in a snowy glen in the woods, the same glen where they had found Wild in at the first. The two of them sat and watched as Wild played together with his fellow squirrels in the glen.
"I can't believe it's just been this past summer when we first discovered Wild out in the woods," Smurfette said. "It smurfs like he's been with us for a much longer time than that."
"We do forget how much time has really passed between then and now, Smurfette," Empath said. "Frankly, this smurf still remember this smurf's first encounter with him many years ago like it was yesterday."
"You mean back when you first smurfed to the village while you were still smurfing in Psychelia?" Smurfette asked.
"That is correct, Smurfette," Empath said. "Although this smurf didn't know at the time whether he had a name or not, his presence in the forest was a secret this smurf was sworn to keep for years until he was eventually discovered by us in the present age."
"But why would you smurf his existence a secret?" Smurfette asked.
"This smurf sensed that he wasn't ready to become known to his fellow Smurfs, since he was still living with the squirrels," Empath answered. "But it was a time when Papa Smurf thought he had lost this smurf for good, and it would have made for a really dark and dismal Winter Solstice that year."
"So this happened near the time of the Winter Solstice," Smurfette surmised. "I would be interested to find out everything about that time, if you are willing to smurf me."
Empath sighed. "Some of the details of the story come from Narrator, Smurfette, but this is all that this smurf had remembered of that incident."
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 09:24 AM
Chapter 2
Empath's story began around December 3rd in the year of his first visit to the Smurf Village, when he woke up in the bunk of the house he was sleeping in to find out that his fellow Smurfs were gathered around the window in what he sensed was awestruck wonder. Empath decided to go join them at the window and find out.
Sure enough, he could see for himself that the Smurf Village was now covered in snow and that there was snow falling. It seemed like a very unimpressive sight to him, since he had seen snow fall in Psychelia many times before since his Day of Emergence, but to the Smurfs it was like something totally new and wonderful.
They quickly scrambled to get their scarves and gloves so that they could go outside and play in the snow. Empath, however, went to his bunk and pulled out his Psychelian bodysuit which he had stored up in a drawer and covered himself up in it, feeling that now was the day to start wearing it.
The other Smurfs looked at Empath as he put on the bodysuit. "Hey, Empath, why are you smurfing on that bodysuit?" one of them asked.
"Yeah, you don't need to wear anything but a scarf and gloves," another Smurf said.
"We haven't had to smurf on anything warmer for years during winter," a third Smurf said.
"Are you afraid you're going to smurf your death of cold this year?" a fourth Smurf mocked him.
"Ah, just let Empath be," the first Smurf said. "He wants to be fearful of smurfing outside the way that he is, that's his choice. Come on, let's get smurfing."
The other Smurfs quickly scrambled outside, leaving Empath by himself as he followed them out the door. Soon he could see them playing in the snow, making snow Smurfs and snow angels and even throwing snow balls at each other. Empath himself got hit by a snowball as he stood by the door of his house while the Smurf who threw it laughed at Empath's reaction.
Soon Papa Smurf arrived, wearing just a scarf and gloves. "Good morning, Empath," he greeted. "I see that you're curious about what's smurfing on now that your fellow Smurfs have smurfed our first snowfall of the year."
"That is correct, Papa Smurf," Empath said in a flat tone. "This smurf has seen snowfalls before without ever being really impressed by them, yet these Smurfs react as if they have never seen snow before and were anticipating this day to happen."
"Winter is a time when Smurfs get to enjoy smurfing outside when it's nice and snowy, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "Granted, not every Smurf enjoys winter, but it smurfs out the Smurfling in all of us as we prepare for three months of enduring the cold weather before spring returns. This is also the time of the year when the Smurfs celebrate the Winter Solstice, the shortest day in the year."
"Is there a particular way in which the Smurfs celebrate this Winter Solstice, Papa Smurf?" Empath asked.
"We do prepare for the celebration by smurfing down a big evergreen tree in the forest and decorate it with all smurfs of ornaments that we smurf up, Empath," Papa Smurf answered. "We also smurf gifts for one another to smurf under the tree after it is set up, and we smurf special food such as smurf nog and candy canes and gingersmurf cookies and fruitcake...although the only Smurf that I usually smurf fruitcake this time of year for some reason is Hefty."
"This smurf would be interested to experience his first celebration of the Winter Solstice with you Smurfs, so that this smurf can determine for himself its appropriateness," Empath said.
"You'll experience it firsthand, Empath, believe me," Papa Smurf said. "Right now I need to summon the Smurfs together to smurf their attention so that we can get started on smurfing the decorations for the village during this season."
"This smurf understands and acknowledges, Papa Smurf," Empath said, nodding with acceptance.
At the sound of Harmony's horn, all the Smurfs gathered around Papa Smurf as he stood upon the speaking mushroom.
"My little Smurfs, I know that you're excited about our first snowfall of the season, but now is the time we should prepare ourselves for our most joyous time of the season -- the Winter Solstice!" Papa Smurf announced.
"HURRAY!!!" most of the Smurfs shouted together.
"I hate the Winter Solstice," Grouchy said.
"Timber, I want you, Hefty, and Gutsy...sorry, I mean Duncan...to smurf out into the forest together with a team of Smurfs to smurf up the biggest evergreen tree you could find to smurf it up as our Solstice tree in the center of the village," Papa Smurf said.
"As you wish, Papa Smurf," Timber said, giving a salute in response.
"Greedy, I want you and your kitchen staff to start smurfing up a feast for us to enjoy on the day of our Winter Solstice," Papa Smurf said.
"Oh boy, that's my favorite part," Greedy said as he licked his lips.
"Yeah, mine too," Nabby said as he did the same.
"Vanity, I want you and Party Smurf to smurf the village with lots of streamers and wreaths to make this village look festive for Winter Solstice," Papa Smurf said.
"Well, you've certainly picked the right Smurf for the job, Papa Smurf," Vanity said.
"Uh, but what about gifts and presents, Papa Smurf?" Clumsy asked.
"That is up to the rest of you Smurfs to create and smurf to each other this year, Clumsy," Papa Smurf said. "Let's try to smurf together to make this one of the best Winter Solstices we've ever smurfed. That is all."
"HURRAY!!!" most of the Smurfs shouted together.
After Papa Smurf left and the Smurfs started to go their own separate ways, Tapper approached Empath, dressed in a thick green sweater. "It's going to be exciting, you celebrating your first Winter Solstice with us, my fellow Empath," Tapper said.
"This smurf senses that you don't believe that this is the holiday that we should be celebrating, fellow Tapper," Empath said.
"It's just a personal thing, but I believe the real reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of a Savior who has smurfed into this world many years ago -- the Savior being Jesus Christ."
"You believe that this Savior was born into the world around this time of the year, Tapper?" Empath asked.
"Not exactly around this time of year, my friend, but during the time of a great census when everyone in the known world was registered during the time of Cyrenius the governor of Syria," Tapper said. "Mary, the mother of Jesus, was with her husband Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to be registered, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of King David, and she was near the time of her delivery. However, because there was no room for them at the inn, Mary had to give birth to the Savior inside a dirty stable, and the Babe was smurfed inside a manger, which is what was used to feed domesticated animals in."
"That doesn't seem very hygienic for the Savior of the world to be born in a stable, or even dignified to be poor of parents of very modest means," Empath said.
"Scripture says of the Savior, that, though He was in the form of God, He didn't consider clinging to be equal with God, but He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men," Tapper said. "And being found comprised as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
"So the purpose of this Savior was to be born in human form and to die for the sake of redeeming humanity unto this God whom you believe in," Empath said, sensing what Tapper was thinking.
"His life, mission, death, burial, and resurrection have all been foresmurfed by the prophets of old, Empath," Tapper said. "It's amazing that the Almighty would choose the way many people would consider foolish to bring many sons and daughters unto salvation, that they would become the children of God, to be redeemed from a world that is lost in sin and separation from Him."
"That is a fascinating story, Tapper, but this smurf has difficulty believing it to be true, even if this smurf can sense that you believe with your whole being that it is true," Empath said.
"I can only pray that not only you, but also others in this village, will believe in the verity of this story that has been smurfed to me from the very God who loved us and created us even in our mother's womb," Tapper said.
"This smurf appreciates your sharing of the story regardless, Tapper," Empath said with a nod of his head.
Just then, Timber, Hefty, and Duncan showed up. "Hey, laddie, you want to join us in smurfing out our Solstice tree in the forest so we can smurf it back home and smurf it up?" Duncan asked.
"Come join us, we could use a Smurf like you to help transport it," Timber said.
Empath looked at Tapper as if wondering what he should do. "I would suggest that you smurf along with them and learn firsthand about how we celebrate our Winter Solstice while you have the chance," Tapper said.
Empath nodded. "Then that is what this smurf will do. This smurf will see you later upon our return with the Solstice tree." With that, he joined the three other Smurfs as they headed off into the forest together.
"May the luck of the Smurfish be with you, fellow Smurfs," Tapper said as he watched them depart.
On their way into the forest, Timber and Duncan both sang songs together while Hefty and Empath both walked on silently, with Empath quietly observing all that was taking place and Hefty feeling like he would rather just get the job done and return to the village than put up with having to be around Empath or Duncan.
"How far do we need to go in order to find the tree that would be suitable for our Winter Solstice tree?" Empath asked.
"Timber's smurfed a good eye for the right kind of tree, laddie," Duncan said. "He hasn't smurfed a bad tree since the day he first smurfed an axe to one."
"But I don't like smurfing down trees without smurfing a new one to take its place, Empath," Timber said. "That's why I like to smurf a moment of silence for the tree that has smurfed its life for us so that we can honor Mother Nature for the gift of smurfing us this forest for us to live in."
"I don't care much for honoring trees, much less honoring Mother Nature and Father Time for anything," Hefty said. "I just want to keep my fellow Smurfs safe from harm and not let ourselves get exposed."
"That's a very disrespectful thing to say, Hefty, given that Mother Nature has smurfed your very life into being," Timber said.
"Well, that's my opinion, and I think that I should be entitled to it, unless any of you can smurf me a reason otherwise," Hefty said defensively. "Just as I should be entitled to think that Empath isn't a real Smurf for having to smurf that ridiculous bodysuit around on a day like today."
"If it smurfs the laddie warm all winter, why should you care?" Duncan said. "He isn't smurfing you any harm smurfing those thermals now, is he?"
"This smurf is curious about why you Smurfs feel like you don't need to wear anything warmer than a scarf and a pair of gloves, Duncan," Empath said.
"It's just how we Smurfs are, my boy," Duncan said. "Mother Nature can smurf blistering cold winds at us, and it won't even smurf us a bit. But then Mother Nature created us for the purpose of withsmurfing the coldest of winters."
"Hmmmm, then perhaps this smurf should consider trying to wear less when it comes to being outside among this smurf's fellow Smurfs in the coldest temperatures," Empath pondered.
"There it is...the perfect tree for us!" Timber exclaimed
The four of them raced toward a big evergreen tree that looked like it was several feet tall. Empath looked at the tree and wondered if it was the right one to stand in the center of the village without attracting undue attention unto themselves.
"Get ready to smurf, tree, because Hefty's going to smurf you down," Hefty exclaimed, ready to swing the axe he was carrying.
"First, let us pray for the tree," Timber said. With every Smurf's head bowed down, he prayed, "Mother Nature, thank you for smurfing us this tree for our Winter Solstice. May we honor you with our gifts of smurfitude as we plant a new tree that will smurf the place of this one in the spring. For we ask you this in the name of Mother Nature and Father Time. So let it be."
"So let it be," Empath and Duncan responded.
"Okay, Duncan, Empath, smurf yourselves out of the way so that the tree doesn't smurf you down with it," Timber warned. Empath and Duncan positioned themselves as far from where the tree would land as possible while Timber and Hefty took turns hacking away at the tree.
It took about a few minutes, but then they could hear the sound of the tree falling. "Timber!" Timber called out.
"Empath, look out!" Duncan shouted as he backed himself away.
Empath backed away, but the tree landed so close to him that it knocked him away, causing him to fall into a deep hole that was nearby.
Duncan picked himself up from the ground after the tree had landed. Then he noticed that something was wrong. "Empath, laddie, where are you?" he asked.
"Duncan, what's wrong? Where's Empath?" Timber asked.
"I don't know, Timber," Duncan answered. "He must have been smurfing too close to the tree when it had smurfed him down into a hole that was nearby."
The three of them looked around until they found the hole. They peered down to see if they could find a trace of Empath. "Empath, are you down there? Are you all right?" Duncan called out.
The three listened, but there was no response. "Not a single smurf," Hefty said.
"Could Empath have been knocked out wherever he had landed in that hole?" Timber asked.
"We won't know for sure unless we smurf down there with ropes," Duncan answered.
"We'd better report this to Papa Smurf, and then get the other Smurfs to help smurf this tree back to the village," Hefty suggested.
"Aye, we'll have better luck finding him when we smurf ourselves with some rescue gear with us, laddie," Duncan said.
"I only hope Empath will be all right until we find him," Timber said as the three of them headed away from the mouth of the hole.
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 09:25 AM
Chapter 3
"Oh, that's terrible," Smurfette moaned. "I can't believe that you were left smurfing down in a hole without any way to smurf back up."
"This smurf was unconscious at the time, Smurfette, and besides this smurf had not yet mastered the power to telekinesis to fly myself out of that hole," Empath said. "So naturally, when they did not know what to do, the three Smurfs headed back to the village and called for Papa Smurf."
And as Empath's story continued, Smurfette saw in her mind Papa Smurf in his laboratory doing some things when he heard somebody knocking on his door. He went to open and found that it was Hefty, Duncan, and Timber.
"What's the matter, my little Smurfs?" Papa Smurf asked.
"It's Empath, Papa," Duncan answered. "He was with us when we were smurfing down our Winter Solstice tree in the forest and he smurfed down into a hole and we can't seem to smurf a response from him."
"I have a feeling that Empath is in danger and in need of rescue," Timber said.
"Great Smurfness!" Paps Smurf exclaimed. "I will have Miner join you and we will smurf out into the forest together to see if we can find where he is."
And soon Smurfette saw that Miner joined the four Smurfs out in the forest where they found the hole that Empath has fallen into. Miner carefully lowered himself down on a rope, armed with his trusty miner's cap to shine his way into the deep darkness in order to find where Empath may have landed.
The four Smurfs waited patiently and eagerly at the top of the hole, hoping to hear anything. Then they heard, "Aye, I've smurfed the bottom of this shaft, Papa Smurf."
"And what have you found?" Papa Smurf called back.
"Nothing there, Papa Smurf," Miner answered. "Empath's body is gone. If he landed here, he must have awakened and tried to smurf a way out."
"That must mean the laddie is still alive, but where would he be now?" Duncan asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Gutsy," Hefty said.
"Then we'll have to smurf the entire forest to find out where Empath could have gone, if he has escaped from this hole," Papa Smurf said. "Miner, smurf back up right now."
"Coming, Papa Smurf," Miner said. The four of them waited until Miner had reached the surface, feeling like the search was all for nothing.
"This isn't exactly the Winter Solstice that I was expecting, to have one Smurf among us be lost in the forest," Timber said.
"It's not that we've lost anybody really important, Timber," Hefty said. "After all, it's just the star-face from Psychelia."
"I say that Empath is important to us, laddie!" Duncan said, sounding irritated with Hefty's dismissive attitude. "This is his first Winter Solstice with us, and I think he desmurfs better than being lost from us on it."
"Let's not argue about this, my little Smurfs," Papa Smurf said. "As soon as we smurf this tree back to the village, we will start smurfing out a rescue party that will smurf the forest for any sign of Empath. With any luck, we may be able to find him soon."
"Yes, Papa Smurf," the other four Smurfs said together.
"In the meantime, this smurf found myself waking up in a strange location, being cared for by the strangest of Smurfs that this smurf had ever seen at that point in my life," Empath said.
And as Empath's story continued, Smurfette saw that Empath was lying on the ground on top of some soft moss, feeling as if he had been asleep for days. His head hurt so badly that he was afraid to lift it up. He slowly opened his eyes and saw where he now was. It looked like it was inside a hole in a tree, with the only light coming in through the hole. Wherever he was now, he only wished that he could let the other Smurfs know that he was safe.
And then he saw a mysterious figure coming toward him, crawling around on all fours, looking after Empath as if he were an invalid. As the figure came closer, Empath saw that it was a Smurf, and not only that, but he was also naked except for a bush of leaves that he was wearing around his waist.
Empath became fearful at the sight of this Smurf. "No...please...don't smurf any closer...I don't want to be touched!" he cried out, finding himself unable to move anywhere.
The naked Smurf looked at Empath strangely, as if wondering what he was doing to make the one he was caring for frightened.
"PLEASE GO AWAY!" Empath shouted very loudly. The naked Smurf retreated from Empath when he heard him shout, fearful of what may happen.
Empath couldn't help feeling the fear he was having right now. All his life up to that point in Psychelia, he was told to beware of savage creatures that like to parade their flesh around and do unspeakable things for their own perverse pleasure. And now he was at the mercy of one whom he did not know very well about what his true intentions were with Empath.
It was at that moment that Empath felt trapped and helpless, uncertain of what to do.
Back in the Smurf Village, Papa Smurf summoned the Smurfs together to inform them of the news. "My little Smurfs, today one of our little Smurfs is missing out in the forest, and that Smurf happens to be Empath."
"EMPATH IS MISSING?!?" the Smurfs exclaimed together.
"I hate Empath being missing," Grouchy said.
"There is nothing for us to worry about yet, my little Smurfs," Papa Smurf said. "Since we are still in the early part of winter, we may still find Empath before the end of the day. That is why I'm going to smurf out a few search parties as well as Tracker to smurf through the entire forest."
"But Papa Smurf, what if we don't find Empath?" one of the Smurfs asked.
"I don't want anyone of you to think that we won't be able to find Empath," Papa Smurf said. "Let's try to think positive even in a season like this. If Empath is somewhere in the forest, it would only be a matter of time before we will find him no matter where he may be."
"But what about the Solstice tree that we smurfed down in the forest, Papa Smurf?" another Smurf asked.
"I will smurf out a team of Smurfs to bring the tree straight to the village," Papa Smurf said. "Whatever happens, we won't smurf our Winter Solstice without Empath being here for it. That is all."
"YES, PAPA SMURF!!!" all the Smurfs said together.
Soon afterward, he sent off Tracker and a few other Smurfs on a crane to fly around the forest to see if they could find any trace of Empath. He also sent off a few search parties to see if they could find any trace of him on the ground. He had hopes that they would find Empath soon, but given how the weather was slowly getting worse, it would seem that Papa Smurf's hopes of finding Empath would also diminish over time.
By the end of the day, as the Smurfs came back home to get out of the cold and to rest, they made their report to Papa Smurf: "We have found nothing out there, Papa Smurf. We have searched everywhere we possibly can, and he is most likely someplace where he can't be found."
Papa Smurf sighed. "All right, my little Smurfs, I think it's time we should smurf ourselves a rest until the following day. If we can't find where Empath is now, we'll have to assume that he has smurfed shelter from the cold for the night and will try to smurf his way back home by tomorrow at the very least."
As the Smurfs headed for their sleeping quarters, Brainy and Clumsy were walking with each other, lost in thought. "Gee, I never thought we would have to smurf our days smurfing out for a lost Smurf instead of smurfing ready for the Winter Solstice," Clumsy said.
"This isn't exactly how I was imagining smurfing the rest of this month myself, Clumsy," Brainy said. "I mean, how are we supposed to enjoy a holiday celebration like this if we're so preoccupied with one of us being missing?"
"I honestly don't know, Brainy," Clumsy said. "I only wish I knew everything like Papa Smurf does."
"Even Papa Smurf doesn't know what to smurf, and that makes me wonder how much trust I should even smurf in him to have all the answers to a situation like this, in the likelihood that Papa Smurf will someday make me the village leader," Brainy said.
"You want to be a village leader someday, Brainy?" Clumsy asked.
"Of course I do, Clumsy," Brainy said. "Why else would I be so gifted with intelligence and wisdom if it is not for the purpose that I may have to lead the other Smurfs on the day when Papa Smurf is gone forever?"
"Well, if you want to be the leader of the village, I'm ready to support you on that," Clumsy said.
Brainy rolled his eyes at that thought. "Well, that's certainly a sweeping endorsement if I ever heard of one!"
Meanwhile, Tapper and Duncan were both walking and talking with each other. "Great Smurfiny Crickets, I wouldn't think we would lose Empath at such a time of the year as this," Tapper said.
"I'm not ready to smurf up on him yet, laddie," Duncan said. "Somewhere out in the forest he's smurfing himself to safety so he can be found."
"I can certainly hope and pray that he is," Tapper said. "I wouldn't want to think he would be smurfed from our presence forever."
"Isn't your Almighty capable of anything, including knowing where the young pup is?" Duncan asked.
"I believe so, Duncan," Tapper said. "If He alone is able to sustain us all these years we have been smurfing together, He is certain to smurf the same to our wayward Smurf in the forest."
"So why not smurf Him a prayer and see if He can smurf us some answers?" Duncan asked. "It wouldn't hurt if you at least tried."
"I will bring this matter before Him in prayer tonight before I smurf to sleep," Tapper said. "It's the least thing that I can smurf before we smurf out of options of what to do."
Empath continued to lay there in wherever he was in the forest, watching as the lights grew dim and everything became dark. He still couldn't move himself around, feeling that whatever had injured him had paralyzed him to a certain extent. He didn't know if the injury was permanent or not, which made his situation feel even more distressing.
With some mental effort, Empath tried to make his bodysuit glow with the circuit lines that were present whenever he was in Psychelia. The room was soon aglow in the faint light from the bodysuit, which made Empath see where he was a little better. He could see that he was most likely inside a tree, and that it was the residence of the naked Smurf that had found him.
Speaking of the naked Smurf, he was still there with Empath, still watching over him, although now he was a bit frightened by the strange glow that was coming from Empath's bodysuit. He was afraid to approach Empath now because of this.
"Whoever you are that rescued this smurf, don't be afraid...this smurf will not hurt you...not that this smurf could move anyway," Empath spoke. "Come closer so that this smurf can see you."
The naked Smurf cautiously came closer. Empath could see that he looked like an ordinary Smurf, although naked and wearing a bush of leaves for clothing.
"Can you speak? Empath asked. "Are you able to speak?"
The naked Smurf opened his mouth, but all that came out of him were strange noises that sounded like squirrel chatter.
"Never mind," Empath said. "You must have been living out in the forest too long to have developed any sort of skill for language."
Then the light from Empath's bodysuit began to dim, and the naked Smurf began to disappear into the darkness until the light was no more and the naked Smurf was nothing more than a silhouette.
Empath sighed. He felt that whatever has happened to him, only the naked Smurf can do anything for him now in his condition, and that he was going to have to trust in this stranger to take care of him.
Back in the Smurf Village, Tapper was at the window of his sleeping quarters, kneeling down to pray.
"O Lord God Almighty, the Heavenly Father, the Maker of all that is seen and unseen, I pray right now for my fellow brother Empath," Tapper spoke. "Nobody in the village knows where he is right now, but You know, for Your eyes smurf through the entire world, and nothing is hidden from You. Help Your servant pray for his survival right now, wherever he is, that You will sustain him and heal him of whatever injuries he may have smurfed. Smurf him safe under the shadow of Your wings and forgive him of all his sins, that he may someday glorify You with all that he smurfs. You alone know how long each of us has to smurf upon this world, so I pray that we will not give up the search for Empath until the time smurfs when You say we should give it up. Please continue to bless and guide Papa Smurf as he leads us day by day by his wisdom. I ask all of this and give thanks in the name of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Amen."
And with that, Tapper headed to his bed and fell fast asleep.
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 09:28 AM
Chapter 4
"That's sad, Empath, but at least your fellow Smurfs and Papa Smurf were still thinking of you being out there in the cold that holiday season," Smurfette said.
"This smurf appreciated that they were thinking of this smurf, Smurfette, even as incapacitated as this smurf was at the time," Empath said. "Fortunately, Wild was a very good caretaker during that time, and we came to be very good friends in the process. He was curious because he had never seen a Smurf before during his time of solitude out in the forest."
"But you were afraid of being around a naked Smurf, even alone as you were with him in the state you were in," Smurfette said.
"You are correct, Smurfette," Empath said. "It was terrifying for this smurf to have to be exposed to somebody who had no qualms about exposing himself due to the fact that he didn't even understand the importance of clothing. But this smurf became used to his appearance over time."
And as Empath's story continued, Smurfette saw that Empath had woken up from his sleep in the morning, being forced to drink a liquid that had an awful taste to it, but sensed it had properties in it that could nourish him and heal him of his injuries. Empath acquiesced to the desire of his caretaker to drink whatever he was feeding him, in the hope that it would give him the strength to recover.
Empath sighed in relief when he was finished. He looked at the naked Smurf, who just looked at Empath as if he were pleased to see his patient respond to the treatment that was given.
"This smurf appreciates your efforts," Empath said. "This smurf has sensed that you have lived here all by yourself for years, with only squirrels to keep your company. This smurf can only wonder why you don't live with the other Smurfs in the village."
The naked Smurf looked at Empath curiously, as if trying to understand what he was saying.
"Apparently you are not able to fully understand anything this smurf is even able to tell you," Empath said. "Please come a little bit closer."
The naked Smurf came closer to Empath. With as much strength as he can muster, Empath tried to move his left hand to reach out to the naked Smurf and touched his hand, holding it as firm as he could. The naked Smurf then felt something coursing through his arm to his brain at the moment Empath touched him.
"Now you should be able to understand what this smurf is saying," Empath said. "What is your name? Do you have a name that this smurf should call you?"
The naked Smurf spoke again, but Empath could still hear nothing but squirrel chatter coming from that Smurf's mouth.
"That was probably not the best question this smurf should ask," Empath realized. "This smurf senses that you don't even have a name, so it would be best for this smurf to give you one. How about...Wild? Can you say Wild?"
"Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiild?" the naked Smurf said very slowly.
"That's a good first effort for you to speak," Empath said. "Your name is Wild Smurf. This smurf's name is Empath Smurf."
"Emmmmmmmpaaaaaaath Smuuuuuuuuurf," Wild said very slowly.
"That's very good," Empath said. "Do you know where we are? Like where in the forest we happen to be at this point?"
"Empath...is...with...Wild," Wild responded.
"This smurf knows who he's with, but where exactly are we?" Empath asked. "Are we inside a tree or something?"
"In...side...a...tree?" Wild responded, curious to know what that meant.
"This structure would seem to be composed of material that can only be found in a tree, Wild, so this smurf would suggest that we're inside a tree," Empath said.
"Empath...and...Wild...is...inside...a...tree," Wild said.
"This smurf is certain that you will understand how to speak in a fluent clear language in time, Wild," Empath said. "But now this smurf must rest."
"Empath...must...rest," Wild said, seeming to understand.
Back in the Smurf Village, Papa Smurf had the Smurfs set up the Solstice tree in the center of the village and put ornaments upon it to make it festive for the season. Despite the circumstance they were facing, Papa Smurf was hoping that they would still have a joyous Winter Solstice nonetheless.
After the work on the tree was finished, Papa Smurf stood by his little Smurfs to admire the wondrous sight of the tree with all its decorations. "Good job, my little Smurfs," Papa Smurf said, sounding pleased.
"If only M'sieu Empath was here to smurf it up with us, Grand Schtroumpf," Painter said.
"Tis such a moment to frustrate that he wasn't here to decorate," Poet said, seconding the emotion.
"I hate decorations," Grouchy said.
"I'm sure he would have wanted to be here for that moment, my little Smurfs," Papa Smurf said. "Nonetheless, it will be smurfed here in his memory to make sure we are thinking of him."
"You don't think we will ever smurf him again, do you, Papa Smurf?" Clumsy asked.
"Of course we will smurf him again, Clumsy," Brainy said. "He's Papa Smurf. He's not going to give up on Empath, even when it smurfs to be impossible."
"But what if he never returns? What will we do?" Clumsy asked.
"Don't ever think that, laddie," Duncan said. "Empath's out there, I can feel it in my smurfs. Somehow he will still return to us safe and smurf."
"We should try to hope for the best, my little Smurfs," Papa Smurf said. "As long as we faith, it is certain that Empath will return sooner or later."
Just then, Greedy came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of fresh-baked goodies. "Okay, who wants gingersmurf cookies, smurfed straight from the oven?" he called out.
Papa Smurf watched as his little Smurfs gathered around Greedy to take as many gingersmurf cookies as they could before they were all gone. He sighed, wishing he could feel as confident as he was speaking to his little Smurfs about Empath's return.
Throughout the day, as Empath drifted in and out of consciousness and Wild was taking care of him through what little means he knew how, Wild was picking up how to speak words very slowly from Empath teaching him very basic language skills. Wild began to understand things that he never thought of before and was curious of everything he was being told.
"What that thing upon your head?" Wild asked.
"The thing is this smurf's hat, Wild," Empath answered. "It is what all Smurfs wear because their heads are bald like yours."
"May this one try hat upon my head?" Wild asked.
Empath nodded, and Wild carefully lifted Empath's hat from his head and then placed it upon his own head.
"Does this one look like a Smurf?" Wild asked.
Empath looked at Wild and nodded. "You indeed look like a Smurf."
Wild took the hat off and placed it back on Empath's head. "Maybe this one try making hat for this one," Wild said.
"You may try to create yourself a hat, but this smurf doesn't see what you will make it from," Empath said.
Wild looked as if he was trying to think. Then it came to him. "This one know how to make hat now."
Empath watched as Wild scrambled deep into the hole in the tree and then came back with a pile of dry leaves. He then took some sap from the tree's wood and then carefully crafted himself a rudimentary version of a Smurf hat with the leaves and the sap. After letting it dry and harden, Wild placed the makeshift hat upon his head. "See, now this one also has hat!"
Empath nodded with acceptance. "This smurf believes that that hat looks very appropriate on you, Wild."
Near the end of the day, Papa Smurf waited until Tracker arrived on the back of a crane for any news he may have regarding Empath's whereabouts. "Any luck?" Papa Smurf asked.
"Still nothing, Papa Smurf," Tracker said. "Wherever he is, he may be smurfering down and smurfing low until the weather is warmer."
Papa Smurf sighed. "You smurfed your best, Tracker. Go and join your fellow Smurfs for supper. I will smurf care of things here."
"Yes, Papa Smurf," Tracker said, saluting before heading off toward the dining hall.
Brainy, Hefty, and Handy joined Papa Smurf at that moment. "Still no word about where Empath may be about now, Papa Smurf?" Handy asked.
"Unfortunately no, my little Smurfs," Papa Smurf said. "We should smurf ourselves some food and rest before the new day smurfs and we smurf our search anew."
"A lot of good that will smurf us, if we can't even find where the star-face may be at this moment," Hefty said.
"I believe Papa Smurf doesn't want us to give up hope yet, Hefty," Brainy said. "If there's a chance that we may find him, then it's very likely to happen."
"It's going to smurf a god-sized miracle in order for that to happen, Brainy," Handy said.
"Well, I don't believe in miracles, Handy," Hefty said. "Either it's going to happen or it doesn't, and I'm fine with that."
"Let's smurf ourselves back to the table and finish our dinner," Brainy said. "Our minds will smurf a whole lot better when we are well-nourished."
"Just make sure you save the fruitcake for me," Hefty said as the three of them headed back to the kitchen, leaving Papa Smurf to lead the crane back to the stables.
Out in the forest where Empath and Wild were staying, as they were preparing themselves for sleep, Wild was full of questions on his mind.
"What are the Smurfs like?" Wild asked.
"The Smurfs are people like you and this smurf, Wild," Empath answered. "They live together in a hidden village in the forest with houses that are shaped like mushrooms."
"Do they dress like this one?" Wild asked.
"They tend to wear only hats and pants...at least most of them do," Empath answered. "This smurf wears this bodysuit because this smurf currently lives among the Psyches in Psychelia."
"What is Psychelia?" Wild asked.
"It is a village that is much different from that of the Smurfs, with people that have similar appearances to Smurfs, except that their flesh is pale, and they also don't express emotions," Empath answered.
"But you are a Smurf," Wild said. "So why do you live among them?"
"This smurf lives among them because this smurf was brought to Psychelia as an infant to be raised among them, as far as this smurf can ascertain," Empath said. "This smurf has been used to the way that the Psyches live up until the time Papa Smurf took this smurf from there to live with the Smurfs for a year."
"Then you must return there when your year is over, and then what happens?" Wild asked.
Empath sighed. "This smurf honestly doesn't know, Wild. It may be that this smurf will no longer remember anything that this smurf has learned among the Smurfs when this smurf returns to the Psyches."
"But you can stay here with me," Wild said.
"As much as this smurf would want to stay with you, this smurf must return to be with the other Smurfs, and then return to Psychelia," Empath said.
Wild sighed. "Then I will miss you if you ever go away."
"We will deal with that together when the time comes, Wild," Empath said. "Right now, we should sleep and allow this smurf time to heal."
Wild nodded. "I will take care of you until you are healed."
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 09:30 AM
Chapter 5
"That was sweet of Wild to do while you were incapacitated, Empath," Smurfette said. "But the other Smurfs must have been worried sick about not finding you during that time."
"That's what this smurf had heard, Smurfette," Empath said. "This smurf spent days being healed, and slowly this smurf was regaining mobility, which really made the Smurfs feel frustrated in not being able to find this smurf, especially Papa Smurf since this was the first time in years that he had been with this smurf since our separation years ago in Psychelia."
"But you did get healed and you did eventually smurf back home in time for the Winter Solstice," Smurfette said. "I would want to hear about how that happened."
"Just be patient, and this smurf will tell you," Empath said. "Anyway, it was several days later, according to the other Smurfs, when they still couldn't find a trace of this smurf in the forest, and Papa Smurf's faith was severely being tested, but Tapper wasn't going to give up."
And as Empath continued his story, Smurfette saw in his mind the point in the story where it was several days later, when Papa Smurf waited at the end of the day for Tracker to return from his usual airborne search through the forest only to come home and say that he found nothing. Papa Smurf's face felt heavy with sorrow, as if he was coming to the realization that he may be losing Empath all over again.
Late at night, when most of the Smurfs were asleep in their quarters, Papa Smurf was still up at night, sitting in his chair and looking at an old hand-drawn picture of his wife Lillithina, feeling sad that she couldn't be there at that moment to comfort him during his time of loss. The first time they lost Empath was bad enough for her to take, but it felt even worse as if he was going to experience the loss all over again.
Then he heard a knocking on his door. He opened it and found that it was Tapper, all dressed up in his robe and nightgown. "May I enter to smurf something with you tonight, Papa Smurf?" Tapper asked.
Papa Smurf allowed Tapper to enter, so he pulled up a chair to sit by the fireplace with Papa Smurf. "What smurfs to be on your mind tonight, Tapper?" Papa Smurf asked.
"The same thing that smurfs to be on everybody's mind, Papa Smurf...wondering where Empath is and what he's smurfing, if he is still alive," Tapper answered.
"That's just what I was thinking, whether he is still alive tonight," Papa Smurf said. "I feel like I'm losing a special child that smurfed more to me in this world than any of you."
"I'm sure Empath is special to all of us in more ways than one, Papa Smurf," Tapper said. "But I feel in my spirit that Empath is still alive, being smurfed over by a guardian angel who has been smurfed by the Almighty to take care of him."
"You believe that this guardian angel is protecting Empath?" Papa Smurf asked.
"As surely as the Almighty is my witness, Papa Smurf," Tapper said. "I can sense that the Almighty is protecting him for a very special time in his life when he will smurf deliverance to his fellow Smurfs from a very powerful evil that would threaten to destroy us all."
"The Almighty has smurfed you this?" Papa Smurf asked, sounding a bit incredulous.
"Only He knows the exact details of how it's going to happen, Papa Smurf," Tapper said. "All I can smurf to you right you is not to lose hope, for the Almighty will bring Empath safely home at the due time appointed. We just need to continue to believe that we will see Empath again."
Papa Smurf sighed. "You seem to have more faith in this Almighty than even I do in anything at this point, Tapper."
"I'm just simply smurfing what I can as a humble servant of the Almighty, Papa Smurf," Tapper said. "This is all His smurfing, and He will smurf it to pass without fail. The One who has our lives in the smurf of His hands can never lie about that."
Papa Smurf reached out and touched Tapper's shoulder. "Thank you for your words of encouragement, Tapper. I guess that's just what I needed to hear right now."
"And so while the Smurfs continued their search during the days leading up to the Winter Solstice, this smurf was slowly recovering, and Wild was learning more and more about what it means to be a Smurf from what little this smurf knew about them at the time," Empath said.
And as Empath's story continued, Smurfette saw in her mind Empath beginning to move around, feeling like he had been stiff from lying around for ages. Wild had brought him something to eat, which Empath gratefully accepted, even if it wasn't very palatable to Empath's tastes.
"These Smurfs have a celebration around this time of year...what is it called?" Wild asked.
"It is called the Winter Solstice, where the Smurfs celebrate the shortest day of the year with gifts and presents and food and singing," Empath answered.
"And you're going to this?" Wild asked.
"As soon as this smurf is fully able to walk, this smurf is going to return to the Smurf Village," Empath said. "You can join this smurf on the way and return to them if you want."
"But I would miss my family, the squirrels," Wild said.
"The squirrels have been your family?" Empath asked.
"Ever since I was a baby, I was raised by various families of squirrels," Wild said. "They felt so warm and furry, and here I am, so naked without hair."
"You can join your fellow Smurfs and feel like you belong there," Empath said.
"I would never fit in among them, Empath," Wild said.
"This smurf knows how you feel about not fitting in, Wild, but this smurf will be there with you until this smurf returns to Psychelia," Empath said.
"But you would forget me," Wild said.
"By the Great Ancestors, this smurf will never forget you as long as this smurf lives," Empath said, holding Wild's hands while he said that.
"And so, it was on the day before the Winter Solstice, when Papa Smurf made one final effort to send out a rescue party in order to find this smurf in the forest that this smurf was able to walk, and that this smurf was eventually found by this smurf's fellow Smurfs," Empath said.
And as Empath's story continued, Smurfette saw in her mind the day when Empath finally ventured out of the hole in the tree that he and Wild were living in, to find himself high up a tree somewhere in the forest. He looked down and saw that it was going to take some effort to descend down the tree to the bottom where he would reach ground and then try to find his way back to the Smurf Village.
It was a slow descent, and rather tricky, for some of the branches Empath landed on were covered in ice, causing Empath to slip here and there. However, by the time he reached the bottom, Empath could see that he was in a rather unfamiliar part of the forest he had never been in. He decided to call out: "SMURFS! ANYONE! CAN YOU HEAR THIS SMURF?"
Unknown to Empath, a fierce wolf was sneaking up behind Empath, ready to attack him unaware. Empath then sensed the presence of something dangerous, and so turned and saw the wolf ready to pounce on him. But then from out of nowhere, Wild came and attacked the wolf himself, throwing a snowball at the creature that made him turn his attention toward Wild instead of Empath.
"Wild, be careful!" Empath called out.
The wolf chased Wild until he reached a ledge that overlooked a ravine. Wild waited until the wolf came close, then leaped high out of the way and grabbed onto a nearby branch of a tree while the wolf slid out of control off the ledge and down into the ravine, only to land in the icy river below.
"That was a brave thing you did, Wild, protecting this smurf from the wolf that would have devoured this smurf," Empath said, sounding appreciative.
"EMPATH! EMPATH! ARE YOU OUT THERE?" he heard a few voices calling out.
Empath recognized the voices. "Those are this smurf's fellow Smurfs! They have come to rescue this smurf!" And then he turned and saw that Wild was gone.
A few minutes later, Empath found himself facing Hefty, Handy, Tapper, and Duncan. "Great Smurfiny Crickets, thank the blessed smurfs of Eire that we have found you, Empath!" Tapper cried out.
"Say, where were you?" Hefty asked. "We tried smurfing for you for days, but we couldn't find you."
"Well, this smurf was stranded in the forest, using this smurf's Psychelian techniques in order to survive, fellow Hefty," Empath said.
"They certainly must have smurfed, laddie," Duncan said. "Here you are in one piece, and not smurfing worse for wear at that."
"Come on, Smurfs, let's smurf home so we can tell Papa Smurf and celebrate the Winter Solstice together," Handy said.
"I'd be curious to meet this guardian angel that protected you all this time you were out here by yourself, Empath," Tapper said.
"Well...this 'guardian angel' prefers to keep his identity anonymous, for reasons that are best kept personal, if you don't mind," Empath said.
"Then we shall not bother to ask anymore about him," Duncan said. "Come, laddies, let's smurf home and smurf the good news."
Papa Smurf was in his laboratory doing some important things when he heard the song of Harmony's horn, sounding an announcement. Since he was usually the one that called forth announcements, he went outside to find out what was going on.
He found that the Smurfs were gathering around Hefty, Handy, Tapper, and Duncan as they came home from the forest. "Good news, my fellow Smurfs! Our long-lost laddie is home at last!" Duncan shouted.
Papa Smurf saw who came with them. "Empath! You're home!"
"Papa Smurf, this smurf is honored to see you again," Empath said with a hint of honest feeling behind it.
Papa Smurf took Empath into his arms and embraced him. "I never thought that I'd smurf you again. Where were you during all this time?"
"This smurf was stranded in the forest, unable to find a way back home," Empath said. "Fortunately, this smurf was relying on his Psychelian training techniques to survive in the cold winter temperature."
"You honestly had me worried there, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "Tapper believed that you were being smurfed over by a guardian angel all the time that you were lost."
"You can rest assured that this smurf's 'guardian angel' has protected this smurf up to now, when this smurf was able to find his way back here," Empath said. "Did this smurf miss anything important that was going on here?"
"Fortunately, you smurfed home just in time for us to celebrate the Winter Solstice, which is tomorrow," Papa Smurf said. "In the meantime, we smurfed the village with all the decorations in case you were smurfing home."
Empath looked around at everything in the village. "This smurf appreciates the efforts. Is there anything else you need this smurf to do now, Papa Smurf?"
Papa Smurf sighed. "Just...get yourself freshened up and ready for dinner. We will be celebrating with festivities soon enough." He then turned to all the other Smurfs. "Tonight we will smurf a special feast in honor of the return of Empath Smurf."
"HURRAY!!!" most of the Smurfs shouted together.
"I still hate hurrays," Grouchy said.
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 09:32 AM
Chapter 6
"I'm so pleased to hear that you returned in time for the Winter Solstice, Empath," Smurfette said, "but I'm worried about what happened to Wild."
"This smurf didn't know what happened to him either," Empath said. "He must have been scared off by the presence of the other Smurfs and didn't want to make himself known by the ones who have found this smurf out in the forest."
"But you did smurf him again, didn't you?" Smurfette asked.
"Just one more time before he disappeared, never to be seen again until recently, Smurfette," Empath said.
And as Empath's story continued, Smurfette saw in his mind the day of the Winter Solstice, when he was sleeping in his quarters with some of his fellow Smurfs, when they heard Harmony's horn playing throughout the village, signaling every Smurf to wake up. They all got up and headed for the Solstice tree, where they saw lots of presents lined up under it, and Papa Smurf standing there, looking so cheerful.
"Merry Winter Solstice!" Papa Smurf called out. "Come and smurf your presents!"
"Oh boy, I can't wait to smurf open my presents!" Clumsy said.
"I hate waiting to open my presents," Grouchy said.
"Last one to the tree is a rotten Smurf," Hefty said.
"And may the last one be Hefty," Duncan said.
Papa Smurf laughed as he handed each and every Smurf their present. Empath was surprised to find that he received a pair of gloves, a scarf, and a winter hat for his present.
"You seem disappointed, Empath, as if you were expecting more from this Winter Solstice this year," Tapper said, observing Empath's reactions.
"There just seems to be so much that went on that this smurf missed up until this day, Tapper," Empath said. "But this smurf isn't really concerned about what this smurf has missed out on, but rather..."
"But rather what, laddie?" Duncan asked, sounding curious.
Empath felt as if he was about to mention meeting Wild out in the forest, so he decided to change the person he was talking about. "This smurf was thinking about the Psyches who never even get the chance to celebrate anything this joyous before."
"Given what you have smurfed to me about them, I wouldn't blame you for feeling that way, Empath," Tapper said. "If all they have to smurf forward to is just endless days of schoolsmurf and training, they're going to smurf out to be a bunch of dull joyless people."
"Why should we worry about them at all?" Duncan said. "We've got something they could only wish they had...a reason to feel good about smurfing alive each and every single day."
That got Empath thinking. "Well, given that this is a season of giving, this smurf should create something for a special someone who has been very helpful to this smurf as of late," he said.
A little later on, Empath returned to the forest to the very same spot where he was found by his fellow Smurfs after being cared for by Wild. This time, however, he was carrying a gift box. "Wild? Are you out there? It's Empath!" he called out.
Then Empath saw Wild scurrying down the tree like a squirrel to meet him where he was standing. "Empath! You returned!" he said.
"This smurf did return, because this smurf has created a gift for you as a show of gratitude for what you have done for this smurf," Empath said.
"And the gift is in this box?" Wild asked.
"That is correct," Empath said. "You just have to open it to find out what it is."
Wild carefully unwrapped the ribbon and opened the lid of the box. He was surprised to find out what was in it. "It's a hat, just like mine!" he said, lifting it out of the box.
"That's what it is, Wild," Empath said. "That hat will stay durable through all sorts of weather, and you won't have to worry about fixing it."
Wild then took the makeshift hat off his head and replaced it with the new hat that Empath gave him. "How do I look in it?" Wild asked.
"You look perfect in it, Wild," Empath said. "Anyway, this smurf wanted to know if you will come with this smurf into the village and stay with us for a while."
"I would like to, but I can't," Wild said. "My family is out here in the forest, and I don't think the other Smurfs will be ready to meet me."
"This smurf understands," Empath said. "You have been a very good friend to this smurf, and this smurf will miss your presence greatly."
Wild grabbed Empath in a tearful embrace as if the two of them would never see each other again. Empath reciprocated with an embrace of his own, then the two of them separated and Wild disappeared back into the trees.
"And so the rest of the day of the Winter Solstice was celebrated with this smurf's fellow Smurfs, eating, dancing, and singing carols well into the long night," Empath said as he concluded his story.
"That was a beautiful story, Empath," Smurfette said. "I'm glad you shared it with me, and I get to smurf everything that you and the other Smurfs have experienced."
"It was this smurf's pleasure to share it with you, Smurfette," Empath said. "Of course, it was surprising to find that Wild's speech patterns have degraded over the years since we lost contact with each other, but our friendship still seems to be intact."
"He seems to be smurfing it back up now, Empath," Smurfette said. "But I wonder if I would love him better if he smurfed fluently like all the other Smurfs."
"His unique speech patterns do have a charm to them, Smurfette," Empath said. "It would be such a loss if that meant we would lose the Wild Smurf that we knew in the light of all that he would gain."
"Speaking of Wild Smurf, here he comes with Chitter and a sled," Smurfette said.
The two Smurfs saw Wild and Chitter racing around on a sled that Chitter was driving and Wild was riding, going so fast that they were kicking up a spray of snow that covered over Empath and Smurfette.
"Brrrr, that was very unsmurfy of him and Chitter," Smurfette said, shivering as she and Empath shook the snow off each other after Wild and Chitter had passed by.
"This smurf can guess that Handy isn't the only Smurf who has a snowsmurfer here, Smurfette," Empath said.
"You mean Handy's smurfing around on that thing now?" Smurfette asked.
"That is correct, and this smurf thinks that we should..." Empath then saw that Wild and Chitter were making yet another pass by them. "Hold on!"
As Wild and Chitter passed by them again, spraying up snow, Empath shielded both himself and Smurfette with his telekinetic powers.
Smurfette sighed. "Thanks, Empath. Being sprayed by snow one time by Wild is pretty much enough."
"We can still spend the rest of day together alone in your house, enjoying some smurf nog while sitting next to an open fire," Empath said. "What do you think about that?"
"Well, that smurfs to me like it's every bit worth being smurfed on by snow again," Smurfette said as the two of them looked into each other's eyes.
They leaned into each other to kiss when Wild and Chitter passed by again, spraying up some snow that covered the two of them. They paid no attention to it as the both of them kissed.
THE END
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 12-17-2022 11:59 AM
Epilogue: "The Story Of The First Day"
During Empath's first visit to the Smurf Village, on the night before the Winter Solstice, when Empath was safe with the Smurfs again, all the young Smurfs had gathered around inside Papa Smurf's house for the annual telling of a story from Smurf legend. Every Smurf eagerly sat and listened as Papa Smurf began his story.
"'It was very long ago, when nothing existed, that there were two beings smurfed into existence. One was a male spirit, the other a female spirit. One wanted to direct the order of events, the other wanted to create beauty and life. These spirits realized that they could smurf together as one and produce something that would smurf both their needs. And so from this union, the universe was smurfed into being.
"'First they created the heavens and the earth. At first they were both smurfed with nothing. They were empty and this didn't please either of them. The Spirit of Time decided that there should be a sun, moon, and stars to smurf the days, months, years, and seasons. The Spirit of Nature decided that there should be living things on the earth, plants and animals, that would produce life by themselves.
"'And so the both of them, with the powers of creation they smurfed at their disposal, created the things that they would smurf into being to make the universe complete. The Spirit of Time put the sun, moon, and stars in place. The Spirit of Nature made the land, sea, and sky, and on them and in them she created all plants and animals, from the greatest to the smallest. The sun, moon, and stars would direct the order of events in this creation. The land, sea, and sky would smurf life to all who were living on the face of the earth.
"'And when the Spirits of Time and Nature were ready to complete creation, they created man and woman together as a unity of strength and beauty. The man would be the provider and the woman would be the nurturer. They were blessed with love for one another so that they would smurf together as one and create children that would smurf what we call the human race.
"'Then the Spirits of Time and Nature, realizing that creation itself needed a father and a mother to guide them, smurfed down among us in the form of man and became the Father of Time and the Mother of Nature.' And that, my little Smurfs, was how the First Day came to be."
All the Smurfs sat there in silence for about a minute, not sure of what to say about the story. Then Empath stood up and said, "That is a very interesting story about the world was created, Papa Smurf, but is there any way to validate that what you have told us is true?"
"I'm sure there is, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "We can go ask Mother Nature herself, since she smurfs in the same forest as we do. She and Father Time should be able to smurf us what they both know."
"Your gods actually live among you, Papa Smurf?" Empath asked.
Papa Smurf chuckled. "I'm not sure they would like to be called gods, Empath. They like to smurf of themselves as just mere guardians. They guide us and protect us from smurfing any harm to ourselves and others. They remind us that we are created for a reason and that we should honor them with what we're gifted with. They also remind us that we are mortal beings and that we will pass on from this existence, either to join our fellow Smurfs in the smurfy hereafter of Tartarus or to be smurfed down below to Tartarus."
"Elysium? Tartarus? I don't believe such things even exist, Papa Smurf!" Hefty said.
"I hate being smurfed to Tartarus," Grouchy said.
"Well, whether or not you believe they exist does not change the fact that they do, Hefty, and someday you will come to find out for yourself and then it will be too late for you," Brainy said.
"Gosh, Brainy, but what if Hefty is right, that those things don't exist?" Clumsy asked.
"Trust me, Clumsy, Hefty is only smurfing in denial because he refuses to believe that he will be judged for the very things that he has smurfed in his life," Brainy said.
"You Smurfs can believe what you want," Hefty said. "It's not going to change what I smurf about life and death."
"Regardless of what Hefty thinks or believes, my little Smurfs, we should try to smurf good and productive lives for ourselves and each other in the time that we have been smurfed in this world," Papa Smurf said. "And that is where I will leave you tonight as you smurf off to sleep and wait for the dawn of the Winter Solstice. Now hurry off to bed...you don't want Santa Smurf to catch you still smurfing awake when he smurfs!"
"YES, PAPA SMURF!" all the Smurfs said together.
As they left Papa Smurf's house to head to their own sleeping quarters, Empath and Tapper were talking to each other. "This smurf noticed that you didn't say anything about what your beliefs were after Papa Smurf had told the story about the creation of the world," Empath said.
"I do not feel that it's yet my place to challenge Papa Smurf about his beliefs, however different from the truth they may actually be, my dear Empath," Tapper said. "He's been smurfed with the beliefs of the Smurfs for so long, that it would take the power of the Almighty smurfing in his life to open his eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive the truth."
"So you are praying for some kind of spiritual enlightenment to happen in Papa Smurf's life before you are ready to give him what you believe is the truth of your beliefs," Empath said.
"I'm also praying for that with my fellow Smurfs, and also with you, Empath," Tapper said. "This season is the right time for all of us to know the truth of the Almighty, that He created us, loved us, and sent His only begotten Son into the world to die for us. And I won't stop until the Almighty says that I'm finished."
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4102 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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