Polaris' Smurfy New Life/Part 8

Duncan and Smurfette were pleased to see Empath and Polaris both joining alongside them in flight on their return to the village. "You still have the spirit of a McSmurf within you, my pale-smurfed laddie," Duncan said.

"I'm so pleased that you wouldn't abandon us to that evil witch, Polaris, even after all we smurfed to you," Smurfette said.

"This one is very much honored to have lived with such a group of people as you that this one would not want to do anything to bring disgrace unto you," Polaris said.

"We'd be happy to continue having you be part of our village, Polaris," Papa Smurf said with honest feeling.

"But that would mean having to continue dealing with those who do not like Psyches being among your kind, Papa Smurf," Polaris said.

"We'll deal with that when the time comes, Polaris," Empath said. "Right now, your place is beside us, your true friends."

Soon the five of them returned home, to be greeted by a crowd of Smurfs gathering around the north end clearing to receive them home safe and sound.

"My little Smurfs, Polaris is back among us, where he will remain as a member of this village for as long as he desires to smurf with us," Papa Smurf announced.

"Hurray for Polaris!" most of the Smurfs shouted.

"I hate all this big fuss over a fellow member of this village," Grouchy said.

The Smurflings gathered around close to Polaris as he greeted his fellow Smurfs. "I guess you're back to being your old...well, Psychelian self again, aren't you?" Snappy said.

"Don't mind what he says, Polaris," Slouchy said. "You're still a Smurf to me, even if you're a pale skin."

"But what happened to your blue skin, Polaris?" Sassette asked.

"Yeah, you used to look like a Smurf, and now you're back to looking like a Psyche all of a sudden," Nat said, also wondering.

"This one doesn't know what has happened, my fellow Smurflings," Polaris answered. "It is something that this one will have to be examined for in case the Long Life Elixir's effects have worn off."

"Oh dear, I only hope that's not the case," Smurfette moaned, sounding concerned.

"Well, might as well get the examination underway so we can find out for ourselves," Empath said as he and Polaris headed away from the crowd, with Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and Duncan following. - In the infirmary, Dabbler did his physical examination of Polaris, and then Empath did a telepathic scan of Polaris to see if there was anything wrong that would make him revert to his original physical appearance. Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and Duncan waited in another room so as to give the three a bit of privacy concerning the examination.

After a good while, Empath and Dabbler both came back with their reports. "So far, as much as I can tell, Polaris seems to be smurfing in good health...for a Psyche, that is," Dabbler said. "However, Empath can better explain what's smurfing on with Polaris than I can."

"So what has happened to Polaris, Empath?" Papa Smurf asked.

"Well, the Long Life Elixir is still working, Papa Smurf, but the side effect of his skin turning blue and having no hair has gone away," Empath answered. "This smurf can detect no trace of the deterioration that he has suffered previously, so that means he should remain in good health for the time being."

"At least that's one battle that your friend has triumphed over, laddie," Duncan said.

"But does that mean he stopped being like a Smurf?" Smurfette asked.

"This smurf really does not know, Smurfette," Empath said. "Right now, physically speaking, Polaris is somewhere between being a Psyche and being a Smurf. We do not know what other things this cure might do to him in the long run that would benefit or harm him. For now, we're going to take his recovery one step at a time so that there are no possible relapses taking place."

Papa Smurf sighed. "We'll help him smurf through the changes, Empath, whatever may come."

To be expanded on.