Trollex stared up at the swirling darkness formed above his head, a feeling of both dread and calm washing over him from the epicenter. He held out his hands, though he wasn't entirely sure why. That's when he got quite the surprise. Out of the center of the swirling darkness fell Beat, who was yelling as he plummeted. Clearly he had just come from water, as his Flow hadn't kicked in yet. Trollex caught him gently and grinned down at his friend. "Nice of you to drop in, Beat!"
Beat shook himself out a bit, then looked up at Trollex. After he took a moment to register, he gasped sharply. "Trollex… you're back! You've got all your color back!" He tried to lift himself out of the others hands, but failed. "Darn it… Can't float yet! Wait, where is—"
Both Trollex and Beat stared upwards as they heard a yelling sound, and the young kings eyes widened when he spotted a familiar young green Techno troll. "Coral?!" He used one hand to hug Beat to his chest, lunging forward to catch Coral.
As soon as he had Coral in his arms, he sighed, clinging to both of them. "Man, you guys are crazy…" He jolted slightly as he felt a weight fall on his head, and he glanced up to see the Guardian, in its small, fluffy puppy form. He grinned wide. "Thanks for the help, Fluffy." It gave a toothy grin, licking his forehead.
It didn't take long for those with wings to fly up and see what had happened. Most of the Dark Ambient trolls hovered around him, cheering happily. The Techno trolls seemed to be crying in joy, but he noticed that there was one face in the crowd he couldn't see, the young looking Ambient troll named Peter. He chocked it up to him being lost in the crowd, despite being one of the few with the bright teal coloration.
He looked down at the now squirming Coral in his hand, who was trying to wrap his arms around Trollex's neck. The young king relented and allowed Coral to give him a hug. He laughed softly, snuggling the two. He was glad to have Beat back, and getting Coral was…. Unexpected, but not unwanted. He knew the Blush family would be ecstatic.
"CORAL!" The three jumped a little, and watched as the crowd around them parted to show Peter hovering in the air, the Blush family next to him as they stared, watery eyed, at their young king and their son.
Atoll swallowed thickly, drifting forward slightly as he reached out to him. "Coral, is it really you…?"
Anemone covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face, though anyone could see the smile in her eyes.
Coral gasped, letting Trollex go and zipping over to his mom and dad, tackling them in the air and sending them all into a spin. As they came to a stop in the air, the three laughing and clinging to each other, Trollex couldn't help but smile, remembering the way his parents hugged him when he was young.
Beat sighed softly, smiling. "I'm glad I convinced the other leaders to bring him. They were really against the idea, but… I thought it was a good idea! Turns out people should listen to me a bit more often!"
Trollex tried to hide a grin. "Hm? Sorry Beat, I wasn't listening."
He nearly broke his composure when Beat gasped sharply, giving him an indignant look. "Ah! How DARE you sir!" Beat harrumphed.
Trollex snickered and rubbed the Button fish's head affectionately. "I'm just joking, you Tuna. Calm down." He gave his friend another hug, just enjoying the moment of peace. He had a suspicion it would be his last for a while.
As though to confirm his suspicions, He heard some of the Dark Ambient trolls in the crowd beginning to mutter, the Guardian on his head letting out a small whimper before leaping down, making its way towards king Sheo and the other royals, all three of which were looking worriedly at the sparking green crystal mounted in King Sheo's staff.
Trollex zipped down to get a better look, feeling a strange electricity race across his scales as he approached. He stared at it, and then looked between the three royals. "I take it that doesn't happen often?"
Sheo shook his head, glancing down as the Guardian grew in size, taking up its towering wolf form as the crystal glowed a bit brighter. "This crystal has always been passed from king to king, weather born to the role or not… When Vespa's father handed it to me at our union, I was terrified of it at first… it's what controls the darkness, or, at least it's what helps us guide it." He blushed a bit. "I think control is way too strong a word for what little we can do."
Myla nodded, stepping over to pet the Guardian. "Basically the crystal gives us a connection to Fluffy here… But they can still do their own thing. Actually, Fluffy and the barrier are one in the same… both formed of the living darkness."
Trollex perked up a bit, and glanced up towards where Beat and Coral had fallen in from. He felt something tugging at him again, and looked back towards the family. Vespa gave him a look of deep concern, and he had a feeling she knew what was coming next.
"I'm going to go talk to the Blush family." Trollex zipped off into the sky. He didn't want to say he'd be right back, that would be a lie. He didn't want to say he'd be back at all… no matter how this turned out; he had a feeling that would be a lie, too. Either what he does next takes them all to the surface, or…
He shook his head, stopping in front of the blush family, who were still hugging each other. He cleared his throat to get their attention, which worked. As the three looked over at him, he couldn't help but feel his heart swell when he saw how happy they were. "Alright guys, I'm going to head out. Stay safe, alright? Stay together, and never get split up again."
Before the Blush family could ask him why he seemed so tense right now, he zipped off again, this time making his way towards Dryya and Peter, who were chatting nearby. As he slowed to a stop, he held Beat out, looking down at his friend. Beat floated upwards, Flow having kicked in. "Trollex, what's going on? You seem on edge now."
Trollex smiled softly, then looked over towards the two Dark Ambient trolls. "Can you guys watch Beat for me a while? Just make sure he doesn't tail me, and don't let him do something crazy."
Dryya gave him a half glare. "Like you're planning?"
Beat glanced at Dryya, then back to Trollex, fear evident in his features. "Are you really? Trollex, whatever you're planning, let me come!"
He shook his head, guiding Beat to the two trolls. Once close enough, Peter reached out and gently took hold of Beat. The fish didn't struggle, just looking sadly at his friend.
Trollex cracked a grin. "Come on, don't look so worried! Everything will work out in the end."
He looked down at the stage again, and saw that the Guardian was staring at him. He could feel that tug again, and nodded a bit. It was time.
The Guardian tilted its head up and let out a shrill howl, forcing all in attendance to cover their ears. Trollex winced slightly, but bore the pain. He needed to be ready. This would be quick… and painless, he hoped.
Suddenly, the Guardian leapt into the air, bounding to him in the sky. As it approached, Trollex took a deep breath. A moment later, he was latched onto the Guardians pitch black fur, clinging for dear life as it carried him up, up, up… He could see the barrier ahead, just a few more moments.
As he was about to collide with it, he heard several trolls bellow cry out to him. He glanced back, seeing all of their terrified faces. He smiled, whispering under his breath. "It'll be alright… I hope."
He closed his eyes, braced for impact, and then…
Nothing.
Bellow, all gathered stared in shock at the place the young king and the Guardian had just been. They had made it through the barrier, but now none knew Trollex's fate.
Myla turned to her father and mother, gesturing helplessly at the last place they had seen the colorful king. "Did… did he just do that? Seriously?" She sounded a bit Hysterical. "There's no WAY he just…"
Vespa bit her lip a bit, staring upwards. "I… I hope I did not just send a young troll to his end…" She looked down, closing her eyes and clasping her hands. "I pray the Guardian can guard against the terrors…"
Sheo and Myla both looked down. Trollex was a great troll. Kind and caring, and always smiling when he can. He was strong in ways most trolls weren't, even if he didn't always see himself that way. They prayed for his safety, king Sheo clinging tightly to the staff.
Dryya stared, her wings barely keeping her aloft. He was gone, just like that. He never screamed; never fell from the sky… He passed through the barrier. She could feel her arm tingling at the memories of colliding with the barrier.
Peter hugged Beat a little tighter, struggling to keep the Beat drop button close. He had been asked to keep Beat safe, and he'd do just that. That definitely meant not letting the fish ram himself into the barrier. Only the Guardian could take him outside, and the Guardian had just vanished with the king of Techno on his back.
Beat cried out, struggling to escape from Peter's grip, tears streaming down his cheeks. "TROLLEX YOU LIAR! You better come back, you hear me! If… If you don't… If you don't we're not friends anymore! So you keep that fishy tail of yours safe!" He sobbed, his energy drained. He finally stopped struggling, letting Peter hold him close.
Atoll had known Trollex all his life. He and his wife had been good friends with the royal family before the former king and queen passed. To see a troll he considered family vanish so suddenly, especially pulling a stunt like that… He felt a deep dread, terrified that he may never see the bubbly young king again.
Anemone hugged Coral close to her chest, shaking slightly. After everything they had all been through, had they just lost their king, to?
Coral tilted his head a little bit, staring up at the peak of the dome. He looked at him mom and dad. "Mommy, daddy… where's mister Trollex…?"
The world of the Abyss was completely silent for the first time in generations, all trolls, Dark Ambient, Techno, Classical, Funk, Pop, Rock, and Country. All the tribes in one place, and all feared for the king of Techno, sending their prayers to whomever or whatever might be listening to them.