Gaining The Mask (Hero Stories)

"Gaining The Mask" is a mini-story that takes place in the HERO: The Guardian Smurf story series. It takes place shortly after Hero's exile.

The Story
It had been a few months since Hero was exiled from the Smurf Village by Papa Smurf for badly injuring Jokey Smurf to the point of close death. Ever since then, most of the other Smurflings were adjusting to have one less Smurfling living with them in the village. To some of the Smurflings it was a good thing, but to the others it wasn't a pleasant feeling; particularly to Fergus, Hawkeye and Dempsey who were Hero's closest friends.

Now Hawkeye had something special about him which made him unique to the other Smurflings, he wasn't as strong as Hefty, Fergus or Dempsey, he wasn't as poetic like Poet or a master artist like Painter; in fact Hawkeye possessed something which granted him the ability of extended vision; allowing him to see much greater distances than the other Smurflings.

One day, Hawkeye was busy practicing his archery skills in a small clearing close to the village and every time he lined up his shot, his extended vision hindered his efforts to fully focus his shot and strike the target located several feet away.

"Argh! Curses! Every time I smurf up my practice shots this vision always hinders me!" Hawkeye said sounding frustrated. "It seems more like a curse than a blessing."

As he went around picking up his arrows off the ground for another go, his friend Fergus MacSmurf appeared.

"Alright, laddie," Fergus greeted. "I was wondering where you smurfed off to."

"I was just busy with my archery, Fergus," Hawkeye answered, collecting the last arrow.

"How's it smurfing along, laddie?" Fergus asked, sitting down on a rock close by.

"It's really difficult that's for sure," Hawkeye said, putting the arrows in to his quiver; but keeping one arrow out to prepare for another shot. "This extended vision really smurfs my eyes under strain."

"Is it happening quite commonly, laddie?" Fergus asked, beginning to sound concerned.

"Not too common," Hawkeye answered. "But it's quite common."

"Maybe you should smurf a word with Papa Smurf," Fergus advised. "It's best to smurf him about it before severe damage can be smurfed to your eyes. Maybe he might be able to help you."

"I'll smurf it to him," Hawkeye said. "Just as soon as I'm finished here."

Fergus watched on as Hawkeye prepped the arrow in to the bow, pulled back on the string and letting go, launching the arrow towards the target, but wind began to alter the arrow's flight path and made it go much higher than expected; making it hit a tree located behind the target.

"Argh! For the love smurf!" Hawkeye shouted in frustration. Fergus came over to him.

"Listen, laddie, smurf back to the village and tell Papa Smurf," Fergus said. "I'll smurf your arrow and target back."

Hawkeye knew Fergus was right, his eyes were under severe strain and felt very painful.

"I guess you're right, Fergus," Hawkeye said.

"Of course I'm right, laddie," Fergus said. "Quickly now! Smurf back to the village."

Hawkeye greatly appreciated Fergus' concern and headed straight back to the village and to Papa Smurf's laboratory.

to be expanded later.