Smurfed Behind: The Other Side Of The Mirror/Part 5

It was late at night. Traveler had to make himself invisible so as to not draw any attention to himself while he was still in this universe's Smurf Village. He could see that there were Smurfs patrolling the village throughout the night, armed with spears while carrying lanterns. He carefully looked around the village to see where Empath and Polaris were held captive so he could break them out and they could get help together.

He soon found a solitary Smurf house that had its windows barred and its door locked and chained so that nobody but the guards could enter or exit. Right now Traveler could see them drag Empath into this house, seemingly weakened from whatever it was he was subjected. "Have a pleasant rest, you Smurf," one of the guards sneered as they dumped Empath inside. "We'll be smurfing you in the morning when Papa Smurf decides what to smurf with you two."

Polaris was in a meditative state when he heard Empath being dropped inside on the floor of their confined house. After the door was shut and locked again, Polaris opened his eyes and saw Empath turning on the floor, weakened from such incredible pain that Polaris had sensed. "Empath, are you all right?" he asked quietly as he got up and went over to where Empath was lying to help him sit up.

Empath groaned as he tried to sit up. "This smurf is still functional, Polaris, but just barely. That was an agonizing session of torture that this smurf had went through with this universe's version of Empath. It felt like being in Psychelia all over again, having to endure the Psyche Master's mental probes."

"Thanks the Ancestors for the blessing that you're still with us, Empath," Polaris said. "This one has to admit, though, that this one is at a loss for how we would be able to escape this imprisonment."

"This isn't exactly how this smurf would want to leave the world of the living, Polaris," Empath said. "But this smurf would gladly sacrifice my life if it would keep our Smurfs, especially Smurfette, safe from these Smurfs."

"That would not stop these Smurfs from trying to find a way to use the Janus Mirror to cross from this world into ours, Empath," Polaris said. "If we could find a way to close the portal between the worlds, even if it means we are stuck in this world for all time, we would have a better means to protect our fellow Smurfs."

"But we still would have to find a way to escape if we're going to get any answers from anyone who would help us here, Polaris," Empath said.

"There is a way out of here, but you must follow me," another voice spoke.

Empath and Polaris turned to see who was in the house with them. They saw what appeared to be a Smurf from that universe, but something about him was different that they could sense. "Traveler?" Empath asked.

"Shhhh, not so loud," Traveler said, putting his finger to his lips to motion a silence. "Smurf my hand, and this one will lead you out of this place."

"This one is curious to find out how you ended up here," Polaris said.

"There is no time to explain," Traveler said, sounding urgent. "Quickly!"

Empath and Polaris realized that they had to trust what Traveler was doing. They both took a hold of each other, with Empath grabbing Traveler's hand and Polaris grabbing Empath's. Suddenly they could feel their own molecules vibrating as they were now in an intangible state, passing through solid matter as if it were air.

They suddenly found themselves walking straight toward a guard. "Traveler, watch out!" Empath called out.

"There is no need for alarm, Empath," Traveler said. "As long as we're smurfing each other's hands, we are invisible, and no one will be able to touch us."

"Are we existing outside of time here?" Polaris asked.

"No, but here we can smurf in this form for a short while, just long enough for us to escape into the forest," Traveler said.

Empath sighed. "You're our rescuer, Traveler. We'll follow wherever you go."

The three of them quietly walked through the village in a state where nobody could see or even touch them. They reached the outskirts of the village where a high wall was surrounding the perimeter. "Here we go, the final barrier we must smurf through," Traveler said.

The three of them passed through it without difficulty. But as soon as they have gone several paces away from the fence toward the forest, they heard, "Alert! Alert! The prisoners have escaped! They're smurfing into the forest!"

"Great Ancestors," Traveler exclaimed. "It seems that this one's temperokinetic abilities are beginning to fade."

"Which means that they can now see us," Polaris said, understanding what Traveler had said.

"Run as fast as you can!" Empath cried out.

The three of them ran as fast as they could into the forest to escape the Smurfs that were now waking up and heading into the forest to find and recapture the escaped prisoners. They soon found a hole in the ground that they dived into and hid deep within, watching and using their telepathy to sense how close the Smurfs were and whether they would be able to find them.

Empath, Polaris, and Traveler held their breath for as long as they could, waiting and watching in suspense as the Smurfs above ground wandered through the forest and shined their lights around to see if they could find a trace of the fugitives. It was a long intense wait that made the three of them wonder if they would ever keep the freedom they have now gained.

"If the three of us smurf together, they would most likely capture us, and our escape would be all for smurf," Traveler said.

"Then we should split up," Empath suggested. "This smurf will go to Gargamel's house and see if he would be able to help us. Traveler, Polaris, you two should head for wherever the Psyches may be living in this world, if there is even a place called Psychelia here."

"May the Ancestors guide and protect us as we go on our separate ways, Empath," Polaris said.

"And may fortune favor the foolish," Empath said, nodding with acceptance.

To be expanded on.