Chapter Thirteen - Clampers and the Birthday Realization
Kikimora stared at her reflection in her vanity mirror, one of the few things she managed to save from her previous home before she had to leave it. Poplar never did find out that Kikimora seduced and manipulated her way into the role of Pop Queen. Poplar's aunt frowned upon inter-species marriages with the trolls, and she did not approve of Poplar expressing any interest in Technora (who not-so-subtly pined for him). However, she did approve of the eloquent, intelligent, and beautiful Kikimora, a Pop Troll who put on the image of a devoted lady who like to flirt casually with Poplar. Ergo, Poplar's aunt convinced his mother that Kikimora would be the better mate. It should have been easy from there.
Marry Poplar? Check.
Gain magic powers? Check.
Use those powers to destroy the other kings and queens? Check.
But did that plan work? Of course not.
After killing Poplar and leaving his body for the buzzards, Kikimora vanished into the woods and created a home where she could practice her magic and plot her revenge. Again, it seemed simple enough: become powerful sorceress, and then take over all the trolls and rule over them.
However, as the days passed, Kikimora saw herself changing. Tiny blemishes became big ones. Then she steadily transformed into a hideous beast. Her own demonic servants she created shied away at her appearance. For months, she kept her mirrors covered so she would not have to look at her monstrous reflections. Dead ends greeted her as she searched for a cure. Then, she remembered that Rules of Magic book the Wishing Well gave her. Only by finally cracking that book open did she find her answer.
It's really unfair. Kikimora had scoffed to herself. Why would my magic change me like this? I can use my power how I want! How is a book supposed to decide what's evil and what's not?
Now, she had a new problem. She couldn't very well take over the troll kingdoms when she looked like this. No, her beauty took precedent over everything else. She had to regain her former appearance to be a proper queen. Kikimora switched gears and began looking for ways to reverse the effects. So far, few spells worked on her ugliness. The spells that did work were never permanent. Somehow, the scales and greyness and claws and unkempt hair always returned.
Kikimora glanced out the window of her new home. Her temporary housing sat in a tall tree where she could better look out over the land. Winter was coming. The first snow was early that year, beating the solstice by at least a week. Kikimora's spell on that Funk Troll child gave her some normalcy. More than what a dozen young or baby animals did for her. Kikimora did much hunting over the centuries, using young animals to sustain her strength and youth, and to keep her from becoming more hideous than she already was. It wasn't until a few years ago, after so much research and experimentation, that she discovered the life forces of young trolls were the key. Small children or even baby trolls had the years and youth to make her eternally young and beautiful.
The trolls living in isolation stalled her plans. Even with Deimos and Lupe beside her, Kikimora struggled to find children and figure out a way to capture them without being caught herself. She couldn't very well transport her magic materials to the children, and she failed several times to take children back to her cottage. She thought for sure the construction of Music Central near her home would ease her struggle. The Mashups did indeed help her find a moment when everyone was distracted so she could kidnap that first lot of children. From there, Deimos and Lupe could find holes in Music Central's security and bring more of them.
But that plan, too, failed miserably. The children were saved. Security was tightened. The life force of that funk child began to wear off, and Kikimora feared she would have to resort to animals again.
Lupe trotted up to her and bowed. "My lady. We have retrieved Chef, as you commanded."
"Very good." Kikimora wrapped a wool cloak around her shoulders and glided down to a balcony sticking out from halfway down the tree. From there, she, Deimos, and Lupe could be just above Chef's head. The purple bergen reluctantly bowed to her.
"How was your summer, Queen Kikimora?" Chef tried and failed to keep her tone pleasant.
"Much more pleasant compared to yours, I'm sure." Kikimora laughed.
Chef growled a little. "When you said I would soon regain my former position in Bergen Town, I think I misunderstood your definition of 'soon.'"
"Hold your tongue." Kikimora ordered. "Do not forget, Chef, that it was my magic that resurrected your spirit and put it in a golem form."
"And what a despicable form it is!" Chef complained. "I don't have an appetite; and even if I did, it's pointless for me to eat anything! Will I even be able to receive that burst of happiness when I start eating trolls again?"
"Patience, my faithful servant." Kikimora said. "Continue to follow my orders, and you will get what is rightfully yours. Did you spy on the other kingdoms, as I instructed?"
"Yes. The security in all six troll kingdoms is as fortified if not more so than Music Central's." Chef reported.
"We will focus on Music Central, then, since Deimos and Lupe know it best. Besides, Music Central is a young kingdom. They are not nearly as secure as they think." Kikimora announced. "The beauty and strength that child gave me is beginning to wear off. Our next plan is this: to capture every single child in Music Central. Combined, their life forces will be enough to restore me fully to my former self. Then, I will conquer every other troll kingdom and rule over them all."
"And then you will hold up your end of our bargain?" Chef asked hopefully.
"Yes." Kikimora said. "Do as I command, follow my plan, and you can pillage Music Central after we take the children. You'll be able to eat as many trolls as you like."
Delta Dawn did promise Clampers she could have her birthday back in Music Central, where her friends would meet her. However, they had to wait until after the harvest was complete before they could leave Lonesome Flats. Delta Dawn received several letters from her royal friends, saying when they would be in Music Central again so they could plan the first-ever multi-genre winter holiday.
Clampers was obviously excited for the winter holiday, but not as excited as she was to celebrate her birthday with her new friends for the first time. She handmade the birthday invitations to send to everyone. All she could talk about on the way to Music Central was the party she would have with her best friends. Delta Dawn listened patiently, as she usually did when her young niece would ramble in excitement. They arrived back in Music Central the day before the solstice, and Poppy and Branch came soon after and jumped at the chance to help set up the party. It was nice to have a proper celebration of something to help forget about the kidnapped children incident from several months ago.
"Born on the winter solstice, huh?" Branch mused as he helped Delta Dawn decorate the cake.
"Better than that." Delta Dawn said. "Clampers was born during one of the worst snowstorms in Lonesome Flats history. The winds were strong enough to rip roofs off buildings. The snow built up faster than we could shovel. Hail fell every day. But just as Clampers came into the world, the storm stopped, and we had a peaceful, manageable winter the rest of the season."
"That is the cutest story I've ever heard." Poppy cooed.
"Eh, I've heard better 'kid was born in a catastrophe and the catastrophe stopped' stories." Branch shrugged.
Popp punched his arm playfully. "You have not."
"I appreciate you helping me out." Delta Dawn said. "I can handle just about anything in Lonesome Flats, tackle any problem a queen comes across, but I would rather wrestle with a prickle possum than deal with youngins at a birthday party by myself."
"Hey, birthday parties are my jam." Poppy assured.
"And blackberry is my jam." Branch joked.
"Happy birthday, Clampers!" Coral Blush greeted, carrying a large birthday present in his arms.
"Happy birthday!" Ozzy arrived next, balancing a gift on his head.
"Hey guys!" Clampers tackled her friends in a tight hug.
"This ought to be fun." Branch chuckled.
CJ, Cadence, and Blue soon arrived, and the party went into full swing. It was a happy reunion for the Mashups. Despite the fun summer they each had, it was great to be together again. They played every game prepared for them, from dodgeball to Tricky Troll Trivia. The cake was devoured. Clampers tore through her gifts.
From Coral Blush: a puka shell necklace.
From CJ Suki: a country/pop music mixtape.
From Ozzy: a banjo designed like a rock guitar.
From Cadence: a painting of Clampers herself.
From Blue: hand-knit leg warmers.
From Delta Dawn: several new pairs of overalls, a new toothbrush, and a request.
"You have to give your aunt a gift on your birthday?" Blue asked.
"Not really." Clampers shrugged. "I have to tell Aunt Delta the most important thing that happened this year to put on the rug!"
"Tapestry." Delta Dawn corrected gently. "Lonesome Flats has a coming-of-age ceremony for their youngins. Every year, one important event is recorded on part of the tapestry, and the final product is given to a new adult troll to remind them of the journey they took and the path ahead. Clampers's tapestry is most important as the princess of the Country Trolls. When she's crowned queen, her tapestry will be revealed to the kingdom to celebrate a lifetime of a princess training to be a leader. Now that she's old enough, she can decide for herself what event she'd like me to stitch into the tapestry."
"It's easy this year." Clampers smiled wide. "The most important thing that happened to me this year was meeting my friends." She accepted the Mashups' group hug.
"Okay, I'm about to overload on cute here." Poppy gushed.
"Oh, stop it." Branch rolled his eyes with a grin.
"When will Clampers become queen?" Ozzy asked.
"Not for a while longer." Delta Dawn said. "Her twenty-fifth birthday."
"That's not for another century!" CJ gasped.
"Oh, it'll come sooner than you think." Delta Dawn tousled her niece's hair. "Why don't you kids run along while we clean up?"
The Mashups were too tired to really play anymore games. They worked together to make snow sculptures instead.
"You're going to be a wonderful queen, Clampers." Cadence said. "I am very sure of it."
"I can't imagine you being a grown-up yet." Blue cleaned snow off his glasses.
Clampers did not answer. She kept compacting a snowball in her hands until it broke apart. Ozzy raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
Clampers sighed. "I guess I just realized I'm one birthday closer to being the queen."
"That's exciting!" Coral Blush insisted.
"And scary!" Clampers nibbled on her mitten. "I'm going to be Queen of the Country Trolls. What do I know about being a queen? Am I even being a good princess? What if I'm a bad queen? What if I destroy our music? What if I—"
"What if you are a great queen because you're a good princess?" Cadence interrupted.
"Clampers, if you're as great as a princess as you are a friend, you'll be fine." Coral Blush assured.
"Thanks, guys." Clampers helped CJ climb onto her horse half so she could tie a scarf around a snowman. "I guess I forget, sometimes, that I'm going to be a leader."
"Well, you're kind of our leader." Blue said.
"Yeah, we do tend to follow your suggestions." Ozzy agreed.
"You also know when to take our advice." CJ said.
"See? You are more like your aunt than you think." Cadence said.
"I wish I knew what the other Country Trolls feel about me being queen someday." Clampers said.
"What if we went to find out?" Ozzy suggested. "Lonesome Flats isn't so far from here."
"Well, I don't want to bother anyone…" Clampers kicked at the snow.
"A queen never bothers. She helps." CJ said. "How about we go to Lonesome Flats just so you can practice being queen?"
"Go back?" The Mashups turned to see Delta Dawn, Branch, and Poppy. They had finished cleaning and seemed to overhear the kids' conversation. Delta Dawn looked to Clampers curiously. "We only just arrived. Why do you want to go back?"
"I want to practice being queen." Clampers explained her recently bubbled up insecurities.
Delta Dawn tapped her lip in thought. "While I want to encourage your role in the country kingdom, we did just get into town. We can always do this after the holidays—"
"I can't be that stressed out all winter!" Clampers protested. "Please, Aunt Delta? Just a few days? A weekend trip?"
"Well….." Delta Dawn liked the idea, but how to do it?
"Queen Delta Dawn!" Hickory and Dickory skidded to a halt before them. "Did you get our message before you left Lonesome Flats?"
"No, why?" Delta Dawn asked.
Dickory groaned. "I told you to send the letter sooner!"
"And I told you to set the delivery location to here!" Hickory huffed. "We sent a letter to Symphonyville for gold accents for the wreaths we're making. But my darling brother, for some odd reason, asked that they be shipped to Lonesome Flats."
"I thought we would be there longer!" Dickory protested. "I suppose we will just have to make the trip immediately. We will be back after the weekend."
Delta Dawn brightened. "Do you think the Mashups could join you? Clampers needs a weekend in Lonesome Flats for a special mission with her friends."
"No problem!" Hickory said. "You kinder go pack for the weekend, and we'll leave tomorrow morning."
"We will escort them there and back safe and sound!" Dickory vowed.
Delta Dawn grinned at the excited Mashups. "Looks like you're heading to Lonesome Flats for the weekend." She chuckled as the kids cheered.
All the trolls in Music Central buzzed excitedly for the upcoming winter holiday. Different trolls exchanged ideas and shared traditions. Decorations covered every inch of the kingdom, from the houses to the bazaar. Lights strung about the trees twinkled like stars. Everyone got into the holiday spirit. Holiday smells—cocoa and peppermint, ginger spice and cookies—filled the air to complement the carols rising to the sky.
The leaders of the trolls, the Minor Genres included, gathered on a stage to greet the people.
"Welcome one and all!" Branch called out over the crowd. "This is our first winter holiday together. We've come a long way, and I daresay our bonds of friendship have only strengthened! Regardless of what you call your winter holiday, your kings and queens urge you to share the joy and love. As we celebrate our yuletide traditions and welcome a new year, let us hope our newfound friendships flourish and any hurdles we encounter will be overcome with ease. Please join us in lighting the community tree, a tradition brought to us by the Techno Trolls!"
"All right, over here!" Trollex led his friends to what looked like an old-fashioned trigger switch for dynamite: a box with a T-shaped stick on top. The troll leaders each put a hand on the plunger, encouraged the other trolls to count down, and they simultaneously pushed. The lights of the tree flicked on, and the trolls cheered. The crowd dispersed to do the fun activities set out.
"This is going to be the best winter holiday ever!" Cooper squealed.
"You think everyone's having fun?" Poppy looked out over the crowd, her eyes darting around crazily.
"You're doing it again, Pop-squeak." Barb snickered.
"What?" Poppy shrugged.
"Worrying about everyone else's good time?" Branch pointed out.
"Let's go join in the fun!" Delta Dawn urged.
"Yes, you owe me a lesson on making gingerbread houses." Essence told Trollzart.
"Boys, let's go have some old-fashioned holiday fun!" Quincy guided his sons away.
Branch put his arms around Poppy's and Barb's shoulders. "You two are with me and Trollex. We're going to have fun together if it's the last thing we do today!"
The quartet visited nearly every activity table. Branch wore the wreath crown he made on his brow. Poppy and Barb exchanged decorated cookies to eat. Trollex made necklaces for all of them, created from string and holiday-themed beads.
"Maybe we could try cookie decorating again?" Barb offered. "I want to make up for that terrible cookie I decorated earlier."
"It was great!" Poppy insisted. "I ate the whole thing, didn't I?"
"Yeah, but you love all sweets." Barb shrugged. "The cookie had too much frosting and was so covered in sprinkles that I could hear it crunch while you chewed."
"I loved it." Poppy said. "But, if you want, I can show you some decorating techniques."
"I'd like that." Barb nodded.
"And I'll help!" Trollex offered. He cleared his throat. "I mean, if you'd like."
"Yeah, that'd be great." Barb's cheeks were red. It was quite chilly outside that day.
Branch looked up, and he quirked his eyebrow at Poppy. "Well, what do I see here? Is that mistletoe I spy?"
Poppy giggled. "I believe it is." She let Branch sweep her off her feet and kiss her.
Barb scratched her head, staring at the green leaves and white berries hanging above them. "What's mistletoe?"
"It's a traditional holiday plant." Branch explained.
"It causes couples to kiss." Poppy added.
"What sort of magic is that?" Trollex asked. "The power to just make two people kiss when they're near it?"
"It's not really magic. Just tradition." Branch shrugged.
"Then do I kiss someone? Do I kiss Branch? Or Poppy? Can I kiss Barb?" Trollex froze. "I mean….that is….uh, I don't really know how these traditions work so what do I know about anything and why would I say something so silly and—"
Barb grabbed Trollex by the shoulders and their lips quite literally crashed together. She then shoved him back, her lips pursed like she was holding her breath. She said, rather loudly, "I AM GOING TO GET HOT CHOCOLATE PLEASE EXCUSE ME!" She ran away so fast that she left behind a smoky outline of her body, which soon dissipated.
Trollex lay in the snow, staring at the sky. Branch and Poppy leaned over him. "I know Barb can be rather forward, and she doesn't quite get how to express these new emotions." Poppy said. "I hope you aren't mad at her."
Trollex shook his head.
"You gonna be okay, Trollex?" Branch asked with a knowing smile.
Trollex grinned loopily. "Yeah….."
A couple trolls screamed, and all eyes turned to Landon and Damion sprinting through the party. "Help!" Damion shouted. "There's a monster in the garden!"
"She's tearing up the winter seedlings!" Landon added.
"Come on, y'all!" Delta Dawn urged. The troll leaders and a handful of the strongest troll fighters hurried to the fields where Music Central grew their crops. There were already a few straggling farmers there, trying to fend off attacks from a Bergen familiar to Branch and Poppy.
"Chef." Poppy whimpered. "How?"
"Don't matter now." Delta Dawn punched her palm. "Let's show this big bully who's boss!"
"Release the hounds of war!" Dickory charged forward, faster than the others. He climbed Chef's leg like a mouse scurries up a tree, right up to her ear which he then bit. The trolls surged forward, unafraid. Even Poppy, arguably the most fearful of them all, clung to her determination to protect her friends and family and use that to fuel her fight.
Trollzart buzzed about Chef's face, and she swatted at him but missed entirely. Trollex threw what he called kaleidoscope grenades, which exploded in bright lights that temporarily blinded Chef. The trolls climbed into trees and threw stuff from above. They punched and kicked at her feet. Delta Dawn and the Country Trolls lassoed her legs to trip her up. Every time Chef managed to smack a troll away, two more would take their place. The trolls used their hair and whatever weapons they could find. They were careful to keep her focus away from Music Central.
When it seemed Chef finally tired, the trolls stood in a line between her and Music Central, ready to keep fighting even when they were bruised and disheveled.
"Consider yourself lucky that most of us are merciful." Trollzart huffed.
"Leave our kingdom and never return!" Chaz ordered. "We do not like monsters who hurt our families and friends."
Chef snarled. "I'll swallow you whole, you wretched little beasts!" She lunged for them again.
Suddenly, Chef doubled over in pain. She looked to her hands as her skin became wrinkly and tight across her bones. "What? What's happening?"
The trolls watched in horror as Chef's skin disintegrated to reveal bones made of stone. Her clothing became shreds, as though torn by a thousand pairs of invisible scissors. Her hair fell out. She decayed into a skeleton and turned to dust in a matter of seconds. Chef realized, in that last moment before she died, that Kikimora was behind it.
Nobody spoke as a light breeze scattered the dust that used to be Chef. Finally, Quincy breathed, "What in the hair?"
"Something's not right." Cooper said.
"Yeah, I'd say that entire thing wasn't right." Darnell agreed. "I'll be having nightmares for a week."
"No, Cooper has a point." Trollex said.
"Chef must have seen the lights from the kingdom." Barb said. "Why waste her time fighting the farmers and then us? Unless….." Her eyes widened and she whipped around to Music Central. The night was far too quiet for a party still going strong. "Something's wrong. Come on!" The troll leaders sprinted back, hearts in their throats.