Ted was depressed. Why? Nobody but Ted knew, but they did have an idea of who could have caused it. Greg Bollock always loved to play with other people's feelings, and generally just causing them to feel down.
Ted just walked to his scooter, looking down at the floor, remembering the (quite one sided) conversation they just had.
'You really believe that magic shit your old man talked about? What are you gonna do next? Take us all to Neverland or somethin'? Sure, I believe he destroyed everything, but a "mystical creature as old as time itself"? that's ridiculous! I'm telling you, shrimp, all those years alone made him batshit insane. Either that or he's become one of those non-stop attention seeking, annoying elderly people.'
Ted believed every word his grandfather, the Once-ler had said, even if they weren't likely to be true. Because, one boy bringing back the trees to Thneedville wasn't very likely either, right? Then why was it he found himself riding to his house anyway? Did he seek confirmation, or did he just want to tell him what happened? Whatever it was, clearly, something drew him closer to that old lerkim.
Ted went in through the back door, knowing that one was always open during the day, but the boy froze in his steps when he heard laughter. Two people were having a conversation, having fun, and he was about to interrupt them. One voice he knew all too well, it was his grandpa, the Once-ler. But he didn't know this other voice. He decided to just follow his ears, and ended up peeking through the door opening to the living room. He saw the Once-ler and… Wait, was that…? It had to be him! It fit the description perfectly. The boy had memorized everything the Once-ler said about the Lorax. 'He was shortish and oldish, and brownish and mossy. And he spoke with a voice that was sharpish and bossy. Oh, and a mustache, he had a huge, yellow mustache.'
The Once-ler spoke up "Ted, I know you're behind me so you might as well come out." "H-How'd you know?" "because I saw you on your scooter through the window." "Oh…" "Who is this?" The Lorax asked curiously. "This is Ted Wiggins, my grandson." "A-and you must be the Lorax…" Ted said somewhat in disbelief. "Damn right I am."
A few minutes later, Ted sat down with the two, holding a mug with hot chocolate. "You sounded pretty sad when you came in, Ted… Mind to tell us what's wrong?" "N-nothing, there's just this guy in school picking on me ever since I told my class the story of you guys… He called you 'either batshit insane, or just another one of those non-stop attention seeking, annoying elderly people'… And me a baby for believing in the Lorax… and… I came to doubt your story, so that's why I came here…"
"Doubting your family is never a good thing. I don't have any and I know that much." The Lorax said. "And I'd like to help you get that nasty bully back." "You would? How?" "…I don't know, I can't leave the valley." "Perhaps you could take a picture of us together, would that help?" The Once-ler suggested, and Ted smiled, bringing out his cellphone. Once-ler knew what this meant, and put the Lorax on his lap as if he were a stuffed animal, Ted took the picture and grinned. "I can't wait to see the look on Greg's face when he sees this!"
The following day at school, Ted showed the picture to Greg. "I'm impressed, Ted." He said. "I never knew you were such a talented photoshopper." Greg said as he walked away, laughing close to maliciously. Ted was offended by this at first, but now he knew to never doubt his grandfather anymore, because he would always speak the truth.