Brenda's Boy Trouble/Part 1

It was a beautiful spring day about two years after Empath had left Psychelia for good. Papa Smurf had left Empath in charge of the village for a few days since he had some important business with Homnibus the human wizard. Empath assured Papa Smurf that he would keep things in the village under control while he was away while Polaris served as his chief of security. Papa Smurf was certain of his son's ability, but nonetheless told him that he will return promptly should there be any emergency that would require his assistance.

It was during Papa Smurf's absence from the village that Empath saw Smurfette carrying a canvas on a wooden holder along with a paintbrush. "Morning, Empath," she greeted with a kiss.

"Salutations, Smurfette," Empath greeted back. "It looks like you're going to do some painting today."

"Painter is smurfing us out into the forest today to smurf me and a few other Smurfs some painting lessons," Smurfette explained.

"This smurf would be honored to see the final results of your efforts," Empath said. "Just be careful out there in the forest."

"I will, Empath," Smurfette said. "Smurf you later."

Empath and Polaris both watched as Smurfette walked away. Then Polaris turned to Empath and said, "This one senses some apprehension in you that you fear something terrible might happen to Smurfette while she is the forest, Empath."

"Just because Gargamel is gone from the forest does not mean that we are completely out of danger from anyone who intends to capture Smurfs and use them for their own ends, Polaris," Empath said. "Especially not since Severus decided to pick up where Gargamel left off in that area."

"This one is curious to know more about this Severus character that has now become the new threat to our existence, Empath," Polaris said.

"From what little this smurf had sensed in our brief first encounter with him, Severus is a professor of magical arts at the Sorcerer's Guild, Polaris," Empath answered. "He apparently heard about the legend of Smurfs and is seeking to capture us in order to extract our Smurf essence, which could be used to extend human life beyond its normal span of 70 years."

"So instead of using the Smurfs to make the Philosopher's Stone, he's using your people to discover the secret of immortality," Polaris surmised. "It's rather disturbing that these humans would use lesser creatures than themselves for their own personal gain."

"This smurf shares the same sentiment, Polaris," Empath said. "Nevertheless, this smurf will do anything to keep Severus from achieving that purpose, even if we'll never be completely rid of him or anyone else like him in our forest."

"This one understands and acknowledges, Empath," Polaris said.

Then they heard, "RUN, MY LITTLE SMURFS, BUT YOU'LL NEVER GET AWAY FROM ME! HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

Then the two of them saw Sassette, Slouchy, and Nat running towards them. "Help, Empath, it's that terrible wizard Severus!" Sassette cried out. "He's coming for us!"

"Where did you meet this Severus, Sassette?" Empath asked.

"Over there, Empath," Sassette said, pointing in a certain direction. "He's big and creepy, even scarier than Pappy Gargamel."

"Look, he's coming," Nat said, sounding fearful.

Empath and Polaris both looked, but instead of a giant human being, they just saw a tall costumed being at least six apples tall, according to the size of Smurf measure. He was moving in a rather threatening manner with his arms stretched out in front of him, his face in a very immobile expression of fierce terror.

Empath sensed and realized what it actually was. "Snappy Smurfling!" he exclaimed, sounding displeased.

Snappy emerged from the robe of what was apparently a costume design. "Oh, I had you Smurflings on the run with this costume," he said with a devilish laugh.

"Snappy, how could you play such a trick on your fellow Smurflings by dressing up in the costume of an evil wizard that's preying on the Smurfs?" Empath asked.

"Oh, lighten up, Empath," Snappy said. "It was just for fun. I really didn't mean to hurt anybody with this."

"This smurf is certain that you had good intentions, Snappy, but nevertheless you shouldn't make light of such a danger that exists in our forest," Empath said. "What if Severus did find his way into the village?"

"Then I'm pretty sure that you would smurf good care of it, Empath," Snappy said. "Severus surely isn't going to smurf against you."

"Nevertheless, we're not going to take any chances here, Snappy," Polaris said. "You should put that costume away and stop scaring your fellow Smurflings with it right now."

"Aw, gee, you grown-up Smurfs really aren't much fun," Snappy groused as he walked away with his costume, sounding rather upset.

"Heckling hedgehogs, I feel sorry for Snappy, even if he was trying to smurf some fun with us with that scary costume," Sassette said.

"Well, he should be careful smurfing something like that, Sassy," Nat said. "Who knows if we have to deal with Severus someday invading our village like that?"

"Why there has to be another wizard in the forest like Gargamel is totally beyond me," Slouchy said.

"We won't let Severus do anything that will harm any of us, my fellow Smurflings," Empath said. "We're going to remain vigilant in our safeguarding so that evil wizards like him don't have a chance of ever fulfilling their desires upon us."

To be expanded on.