Here's chapter 14!

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Branch: Troll of the Wildglades

Chapter 14: Runaway Train Troubles

For two cold days the train traveled across the land until it had reached a complete stop. The trolls felt the train not moving anymore and wondered where they have reached. Branch stayed with the group for the rest of the trip, feeling comforted by their company. His skin is no longer grey but still, it was pale. However, he couldn't focus on that now. He was the first of them to stand up from the floor, listening to the commotion outside.

Suddenly, the door finally opened since the beginning of their train ride. The sudden light blinded him for a moment as it poured through the opening until he adjusted his sight. The kind ogre from before, Cliff, stood in the opening and with a rope, tied Branch's hands together with coaxing of course. "Come on. Come on, you'll be alright now. That's it."

As Branch followed Cliff outside, his eyes widen surprisingly as he studied the area in front of him. There were tents hosted on both sides, several equipment and boxes being unloaded from the train or wagons, and the whole place was surrounded by ogres of all colors and sizes. There were some with working uniforms and some wore protective armor. It was similar to the ogre camp he had stayed before but here, the place was bustling. The ogres moving back and forth and orders were being carried around. It was a labor camp and Branch feared that they might be put to work for them.

Hiding behind him were Creek, Smidge, and DJ Suki. They all stood nervously and were afraid to move out. "Where are we, Branch?" Creek wondered, looking out.

"I'm scared!" DJ Suki whispered.

"Hey, it's going to be okay," Branch assured them softly, even though he was feeling insecure himself. "Just try to stay close to me. I won't let them hurt you."

Branch was being gently pulled out by Cliff while the ogres did the same routine on the other trolls. Not far from them, he managed to catch sight of Fireworks and his friends' unicorns: River, Bullet, and Echo. The unicorns were also nervous but as he passed them, he gave them reassuring nods, indicating them that all will be fine.

"Excuse me, whatever it is you're planning to do to us, I simply request that me and my friends stay close to our unicorns. Please, that's all I ask," Branch told Cliff.

The ogre was surprised that a troll would ask such a request, heck, surprised that a troll would ask anything at all. "These unicorns are your friends or something?"

Branch nodded. "They're all we have left of our family."

"I don't have much power in my position to do that. However, I'll pass your request to my boss. I can't make any promises," Cliff added.

"As long as you try, that's all that matters."

Cliff nodded in agreement and continued leading Branch across the camp by the edge of the railroad with the others behind him. Branch also noticed where the other trolls and unicorns were located which was inside a pen area while waiting for their hard labor.

"I don't know why we were brought here. What I did know was we have to find a way to escape and get back home. To all our homes."

Not far from the trolls, a small group of ogres were facing a giant hole in the mountain, possibly a tunnel was being made. One of them was working with a detonator waiting for the signal.

"CLEAR!"

He pushed down the lever. A sudden boom was heard as an explosion was made inside the tunnel. Clouds of dust blasted out of the hole, however, instead of making a hole through the mountain, all they managed to meet was nothing but rock.

"No good! We hit bedrock!" A worker cried out.

One ogre, wearing a high ranking uniform and a top hat, seemed disappointed with the results. Judging from his clothing, it can be assumed that he's the one in charge of the whole camp here. "Well, that's it then. We're hauling the steamer over the mountain," the boss, Chip, said, putting his hat back on. Murmurs from his men were heard in the group. They were whispering in disagreement with the idea. It sounded completely crazy. "Look, we've got six days to connect with our destination. Move out at dawn! Get the trolls and unicorns ready. We'll need every one of them."

Overhearing the conversion, Branch caught every word from inside the pen where he and others were in. This sounded promising. Not only will he have more time to plan to escape, he'll also manage to get a clue of their whereabouts. He just hope that they were not far from home. He decided to go along with it until he sees a chance to escape and take it, just as his mother had advised him.

"Mother, give me strength and watch over us, please," he silently prayed. "And if you see Poppy, tell her that I won't let her down. We will be free, all of us."

At dawn, the sun was rising slowly from behind the mountains and over the labor camp. About a mile away from the camp, a familiar glitter troll had stopped to watch the sun rising and ahead was his destination. He had traveled a long way from home, wearing a thick hooded coat to protect himself from the cold while carrying a small sack for provisions.

"Hang on, my friends. I'm coming for you," Guy Diamond said seriously.

He began to continue his journey and followed the railroad. Suddenly, he halted at the sound of something approaching behind him. A cloud of dust was following him, sounds of clattering hooves hitting the snowy ground was heard, and a big shadowy figure was getting bigger the closer it got. Guy Diamond would have run, of course, but at the speed it was going, running away would be futile. Instead, he took a knife he brought along and went into defensive position. Just as the figure was seconds away from him, it suddenly skidded and halted, surround them in a foggy cloud. Guy had his eyes closed to protect himself from the dust and when he heard snorting, he opened one eye and then the other and gasped. A tall pinto unicorn with midnight blue fur mixed with pale silver markings, a light blue mane and tail, and teal eyes stood in front of him. But this was no ordinary unicorn.

"Aura?" Guy Diamond gasped. The unicorn stomped her hoof in greeting, happy to see a familiar face. "What are you doing here? Where did you come from?" Guy wondered but knew that it didn't matter anymore. She was here and was happy to see her. Aura was happy to see him as well, but looked around in hope to finding her rider. "You came to find Branch, didn't you?" Aura tossed her head. "I may know where he is and our friends. But we need to hurry!"

Without a second thought, she turned around so her back faced Guy Diamond. Shocked at first, but then Guy realized what she meant to do. "You want me to ride you?" Aura insisted and even lifted her left front leg for him to get on her back. Guy hopped onto her back and held her mane. "Thank you, Aura. Now, come on, let's go save our friends!"

Aura neighed loudly and galloped away towards the camp.

The sun rose with the dawn as Branch opened his eyes. Groaning from the sleep onto the ground, he stretched and yawned loudly. He didn't get much sleep last night, being busy trying to come up with an escape plan that may work. There were hardly any positive results, so maybe today, something will come up.

"Rise and shine, everyone!" Chip cheerfully cried out, waking the trolls up. "Time to work!"

All the trolls formed a single file line and walked out the gate. One by one, each troll was taken to its position and when Branch was next, a hand halted him. Chip faced him with a small smile. "Cliff passed me what you offered. I must say that I was surprised since no troll had any guts in talking to an ogre, let alone ask for a suggestion. It sounds unusual, but if you're okay with it, you and your friends will work alongside their unicorns. Just tell me which and I'll get them together."

Branch was stunned, believing that it was a high shot for his favor to be approved. He managed to find his voice and said, "Okay, River, the lapis blue unicorn with a two colored mane and tail belongs to Creek here." Chip nodded and an ogre took River and gently pushed Creek towards them. Branch nodded to them to stay together which they agreed as they walked away. Branch then faced DJ Suki. "Her unicorn is that big burgundy one over there. The one with an earring on his ear." DJ Suki and Echo joined together as another ogre took them away. "The small purple unicorn with stripes go together with my little friend here," Branch said as he mentioned Smidge. She held Bullet's mane protectively as they're being led away. "And I'll take Fireworks."

"Fireworks?" Chip wondered confusingly.

"The pale yellow unicorn with red mane and painted fireworks on it. I want to be with him. He trusts me and won't let anyone else near him," Branch explained.

Chip looked at Fireworks and then to Branch. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal."

An hour has passed since Branch talked with Chip. Luckily for him, he and his friends were chained in the same reins and gratefully, chained alongside their respective unicorns. Creek and River were beside Branch and Fireworks, Smidge and Bullet was behind them while DJ Suki and Echo were in front. Branch was thankful that the ogre boss fulfilled his request. Even Fireworks was happy as he nuzzled Branch's cheek which he patted his snout in return. Like his friends, the reins were tied around their bodies as well as the unicorns. Ogres had chained them to the reins and then to the steamer behind them. Branch was amazed by the size of the train they had to pull, which is why the ogres needed so many trolls and unicorns to work together to pull it over the mountain. All together, they were at least 50 of them.

"Ready to go!" One ogre cried out while another waved a flag.

"Move them out!"

At the sound of the whip from a passing ogre, both unicorns and trolls started moving forward. Each step was a struggle but Branch remained strong and confident. Luckily for them, Branch and his friends were placed in the back, which means they won't have to use so much force in their work. It was amazing how a team of unicorns and trolls together could managed to move the heavy steam train. Branch looked ahead and saw the hill over the mountain they had to go over.

"This is going to be a lot of work for even the rest of us," Branch muttered.

Another hour had gone by and they were halfway through with their journey. Branch was fine in health but he noticed that some of the others were getting tired. DJ Suki was panting in exhaustion with Echo nuzzling in encouragement for her to keep going.

"Move it!" One ogre ordered, cracking his whip on the ground. When he saw DJ Suki slowing down, he shoves her. Branch saw it and attempts to attack the ogre but the chains kept him in place.

"Stop it! She's doing her best. We're all doing our best. Leave her alone!" Branch growled.

"Get back in line!" The ogre ordered which Branch obeyed without breaking eye contact.

Branch move along, sometimes checking on the others every now and then. "How you all holding up?" Branch asked.

"We're holding," Smidge grunted.

"I'm feeling tired, but I'm still strong," Creek replied, though showed signs of deep worry in his face. "I hope we are out of here soon."

"Me too," Branch agreed. "What about you, DJ? You okay?"

"I'm okay. Don't worry about me," DJ Suki assured them.

"It'll be over soon. I promise," Branch said. When will his chance of escape come?

They all pulled as hard as they could and before they know it, they had reached the top after another hour had passed. "We're almost at the top! Slow down at front!" An ogre commanded.

As soon as Branch reached the top, the sun nearly blinded him. Adjusting his sight to get a better look, he saw forests and mountains ahead of him. There was even a river flowing beyond that. But they weren't just any ordinary landscapes. He recognizes them from the WildGlades...his homeland. He then looked down below the hill and saw various ogres building a new railroad...which leads towards his homeland.

At that instant, Branch gasped in shock. The ogres are planning to use the train to travel to his homeland and if they succeed, his home and family will be in danger and he won't let it happen.

"That was the moment I understood. They were heading to my homeland and I have to stop them."

Branch immediately planted his feet into the dirt. "Stop! Everyone, stop!" Branch yelled as his friends and their unicorns halted. The others stopped as well. Some began to worry, chattering what was going on.

"Branch, what's wrong?" Smidge asked.

"I know what these ogres want. They're planning to travel to my home!" Branch told them. His friends gasped at the thought. "My home is a sacred land untouched by strangers and my people will be in danger if they reach it. I don't want them to suffer just like what had happened to your village."

"Get back! Come on! Get back!" The ogre with a whip came, cracking its whip to try to get the slaves to work. But all the unicorns and trolls stayed in their place, neighing and chattering in panic.

"Hurry! It's starting to slip!" Because of the sudden drop of labor, the train had started to slip slowly. Various ogres tried to hold it in place. "Pull up! Pick up the slack!"

Branch looked around. He noticed the slaves were nervous, the unicorns were getting restless, and the ogres were distracted by what's happening. Not one creature was looking at him. 'This is my chance', he thought as he looked around. He nudged Fireworks and signaled him to do what he asked. Being smart creatures, Fireworks knew that Branch has a plan and trusts him completely. Branch then faced Creek who looked at him curiously. "Creek, don't worry. All will be fine," Branch said confidently. Before Creek could ask, Branch feigned being in pain, dropped to his knees and fell into the ground. Fireworks then copied Branch and fell too.

"Hold it!" The ogre commanded.

Immediately, all the unicorns and trolls stopped. They had calmed down, except for Creek, DJ Suki, Smidge and their unicorns. They worriedly stared at Fireworks and Branch on the ground, deathly still. An ogre ran to their sides to check on them. He opened one eye from both of them and checked to see if their stomachs were rising and falling with breath. Luckily for Branch, he was good at holding his breath for a long time. Branch opened his eye slightly which went unnoticed by all.

"Get the mules up here!" The ogre shouted. He then untied the reins from Fireworks and pulled the collar away, dropping his head. The trolls gasped in horror, thinking that they were dead. They did the same with Branch, releasing the chains on him. They looped Fireworks's hind hoofs in a chain to pull his body away while some ogres lifted Branch's body and hoisted him onto their shoulders. As they moved the two away, Branch opened his eyes and winked at his friends. Creek and the others gasped happily and stayed quiet.

Both males were being carried, or dragged in Firework's case, away from the others. And just as they barely went pass the steam train...

"NOW!"

Within a matter of seconds, Fireworks kicked off the chains connecting him to the mules. Branch stretched his hair to a log, pulling himself and the ogre onto it. Branch moved out of the way as the ogre made contact with his head on the log, knocking him out. The trolls and the unicorns cheered for their escape.

"Hey!" The mule ogre saw them and grabbed the loose chain to tie them. Branch immediately leaped on Fireworks's back and took off and jumped over the chain where the locks were. Branch and Fireworks fought to resist the ogres' attempts to capture them. They both eyed onto the metal block connecting the slaves to the trains.

"Do it, Fireworks!" Branch ordered.

Fireworks got the idea and kick the block and after a couple of times, it broke off, releasing the captured. Both trolls and unicorns ran away happily, chains and reins falling off as they ran. With half of the support team gone, the locomotive started to sway on one side. A few trolls looked back at Branch, but Branch urged them to run. "Go on! Go!" The trolls took the message and after sending their thanks, they ran to their freedom.

Branch and Fireworks saw the train moving back and their friends fighting against the added weight. Knowing the risk they'll face if this goes on, Branch and Fireworks worked together to break the last metal block off. Seeing that they've all been freed, Branch turned to Fireworks. "Go to them, Fireworks. Only you can lead them home safely. I'll find my back to you and everyone else. I promise." Fireworks snorted sadly, but couldn't disobey the teal troll. He nuzzled Branch and galloped ahead. "Everyone, get on your unicorns and follow Fireworks! Run home!"

Creek and the others got on their unicorns and galloped away with Fireworks in the lead. "Thank you, Branch! Hope to see ya soon!" DJ Suki cried happily with Smidge and Creek waving back.

"Good luck, my friends!" Branch hollered.

"Hurry!" The ogres all gathered behind the sliding train, trying to stop it from going downhill. "Bring the poles!"

As Branch tried to escape, his foot was caught by the chain being thrown from an ogre. They started pulling Branch, but the troll grab hold of the chain and threw its owner away towards the others. Branch jumped over the wooden sled of the locomotive and ran around it. A bullet shot by an ogre barely missed Branch and he ended up tripping over a wooden pole and fell to the ground. Shaking his head from the fall, he could hear the ogres beginning to panic and running for their lives. But what he saw was the train beginning to tip over.

Branch gasped and quickly got on his feet and ran ahead, just as the train completely fell on one side and started tumbling down behind him. Branch couldn't stop now or else risk being run over by the train. It wasn't easily running downhill especially with the various knocked down trees and loose ground on the way, but his life depended on it to keep going. He saw the camp down the mountain and leaped over a small hill just as the train jumped over.

"Whew, that was close!" Branch said, thinking it was over. He was nearly down the slope when the train crashed down behind him, still tumbling down and fast! "I spoke too soon!" It seemed that there was no stopping this train and Branch kept on running. The ogres down below saw the tumbling train heading towards their way and gasped in shock and horror.

The teal troll entered into a wooden shed and barely escaped through it as the train destroyed it in seconds. Branch saw an operating train ahead of him and knew what might happen if both trains crashed into each other. So, as the ogres moved away in panic, Branch jumped over the other train just as the falling steam train crash into it, setting both of them ablaze. The flaming coals from the engine along with the wooden buildings set both engines and the area on fire. Branch ran away to a safer location into the woods as the ogres looked on.

Once Branch reached the hill, he glanced back, smiling at his handiwork. Just then, another explosion occurred. Branch covered his sight with his arm, feeling the heat and force through him. His eyes widen in shock when he saw that the fire caused by the explosion had started to spread rapidly, setting the forest on fire.

"Time to go!" Branch turned and ran away from the blaze. As he ran through the forest, the fire followed behind. Everywhere he looked, fire was burning it faster than ever. He had to escape before he gets engulfed by them and all he could do is keep running. His path suddenly stopped and Branch fell into an empty pit. He looked to his left. Fire and giant rocks blocked that path. He faced to the right and it was also engulfed by the flames. He's trapped...until he looked ahead. There was a giant tree trunk blocking his way, but it was clear of the flames. If he was to survive, he had to jump over it, no matter the risk.

"I will make it!"

He huffed, and quickly ran ahead. Once reaching the trunk, he successfully jumped over it. But just as he thought he reached safety, the end of the chain on Branch's foot got caught on the branch's stub. Branch felt his foot being stuck and hanged upside down, dangling in the air and barely touching the ground. "Help!" Branch cried out, trying to grab hold onto his foot. "I can't die here now!" Branch then began to cough and his eyes started to water from the smoke and heat.

"Branch!" A loud voice cried out.

That voice. Branch knew that voice. He know it too well. He looked up and on top of the giant tree was none other than...Guy Diamond!

"Guy Diamond?!" Branch cried, feeling surprised, shocked, fear, and happiness at the same time. "How did you..." He suddenly felt someone nibbling his ear and looked down to see Aura. "Aura!"

"Don't worry, Branch. I'll get you down!" Guy Diamond shouted. He took out his knife and began chipping the thick limb off. The area behind them was almost ablaze by the time Guy managed to free Branch. Branch fell onto Aura's back since she was below him, giving him a soft landing. Guy Diamond jumped down to join the two.

"Guy, how did you find me...and Aura?" Branch coughed as he spoke.

"I followed you and the railroad," the glitter troll replied. "Then Aura found me and we both went after you. We never gave up on you especially when you've never gave up on us," he said with a smile which Branch returned. "But there will be time for that later. Right now, we got to move!"

Aura agreed and as she galloped ahead, a giant blazing tree fell behind them, forcing them to run ahead. They saw a cliff ahead, but both trolls knew that it's either that or the flames. Without hesitation, they ran ahead towards the edge.

"Let's go! JUMP!" Guy Diamond ordered as he, Branch, and Aura jumped over the edge and fell into the deep river below. They hit the water and luckily for them, it was deep enough for all of them. Branch started to sink below, but Guy grabbed him as he and Aura swam to the surface. Branch could do nothing more but tighten his grip onto Aura's mane while he lost consciousness.

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