Requiem For Clockwork

NOTE: This is considered an alternate ending for "Clockwork's Powerplay" which fits into the EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf story series event "The Death Of Clockwork Smurf".

The Smurfs watch through the window of Handy's workshop, seeing the master builder at work trying to see if he could restore his creation and friend. It was like watching a doctor doing emergency surgery on a patient, trying to keep him from dying. They were all eagerly anticipating the diagnosis. Even Tapper, who didn't think a machine like Clockwork Smurf would have a soul, was praying for a miracle to happen, and Duncan, though he wasn't a praying Smurf, was hoping for the same.

But after what seemed to be an hour, Handy just hung his head in great disappointment. "It's just no use," he finally said. "Just about everything inside Clockwork Smurf is totally burned out. There's nothing I can do to resmurf him back to the way he was."

"You did what you could to save him, Handy," Papa Smurf said consolingly. "He was a brave Smurf who risked his life to save ours."

"It's all my fault, Papa Smurf," Brainy said. "If only I haven't smurfed Clockwork Smurf up to Reporter's printing press in the first smurf, he wouldn't have to have been smurfed like this."

"We can't change the past now, Brainy," Papa Smurf said. "We'll all have to live with the fact that Clockwork Smurf may be gone for good."

"No, Papa Smurf," Handy said. "Clockwork Smurf isn't gone for good. If there's a way for me to resmurf him, I'm going to find that way and I'm going to smurf him back good as new, if not even better than before."

"I don't doubt your abilities, Handy," Papa Smurf said. "But we must be careful not to lead the other Smurfs with false hopes, especially Clockwork Smurfette. This may be one instance where you may not be able to smurf Clockwork Smurf back from the dead."

"In the meantime, Papa Smurf, what are we going to do?" Brainy asked.

"We'll just have to tell the other Smurfs the truth, Brainy, as difficult as it may be for them to hear it," Papa Smurf said. "Handy, I'll smurf the telling of Clockwork Smurfette in your hands. I think it would be best if she smurfed this from you."

"Yes, Papa Smurf," Handy said. He, Brainy, and Papa Smurf left the workshop to deal with the Smurfs gathered around outside it to hear the diagnosis.

"Clockwork Smurfette, I'll need to smurf this to you in private," Handy said as she approached him. The mechanical Smurfette understood and went with Handy to hear the news from him alone.

"My dear little Smurfs," Papa Smurf addressed, "Handy has tried his best to save Clockwork Smurf, but I'm afraid that the damaged smurfed to our fellow Smurf may have been too much."

"You mean...Clockwork Smurf is gone for good?" Smurfette asked, sounding fearful.

"I'm afraid so, Smurfette," Papa Smurf said, sounding very heavy.

The news made the other Smurfs feel very sad as they joined Smurfette in mournful crying. "Poor Clockwork Smurf," Sassette wept. "It's all Pappy Gargamel's fault that he's smurfed like this."

"I hate losing Clockwork Smurf," Grouchy said.

"Aye, there's never been a soul like that of Clockwork Smurf," Tapper said. "May he find his peace in the hands of the Almighty."

"I'll miss the laddie's fighting spirit," Duncan said. "I would be honored to have him smurfing at my side in battle."

"I'll make sure Clockwork smurfs a proper obituary in the village newspaper, Papa Smurf," Reporter said, weeping as he was recording the moment in his notebook. "I think he would desmurf no less an honor from his fellow Smurfs."

"Oui, what a brave and noble sacrifice," Painter said. "This inspires me to create my next masteurpiesa in tribute to the late and great Clockwork Smurf."

"And I shall compose 'A Requiem For Clockwork' as my personal tribute," Poet said.