Here's chapter 7! Sorry for the Delay, folks! This was a challenging chapter to write. Longest chapter so far!
Enjoy!
Warning: There will be some dark, sad scenes so be prepared and don't say I didn't warned you.
Tomboyfriend - Yeah, I wish my folks would be that accepting too. Hope you enjoy my writing more.
Reby Montana - Thanks!
Black Raider - You can't go wrong with Rosiepuff. She's the perfect mother and grandmother. It's called a cliff hanger, you should know that by now. But I'll tell you this, the bad thing won't be focused on our couple. Just read and find out, and probably get some tissues because it's sad and dark.
SkyZoneKiller - Sure will.
Fiery Fate - Well, the dark thing won't affect Wood and Primrose but the next thing will affect all trolls. Can't say any more than I have already.
mlpfanceline1 - Well, I got to warn you that this may be too dark for you so I expect some tears from some people. Guy sure is the lovable friend anyone would have.
A Blue Angel Born From Love
Chapter 7: Trollstice Eve: Shiningstar's Loss
Later that night...
It was very dark. The stars twinkled faintly and the moon was nowhere to be seen. Possibly because it was in its new moon phase. The village was quiet, with only a few pods lit up while the rest were dark, indicating the residing trolls were sleeping.
In a familiar light blue pod with white sparkles, Shiningstar was lighting up a torch as he put on a shrouded blue cloak to protect him from the wind and from being seen once he leaves his home. Behind him, his father, Beryl, an emerald glitter troll with periwinkle hair and blue eyes, was holding his sack and grabbed his cloak as well.
"Must you go out there?" Beryl turned to his wife behind him. She was a coral colored glitter troll with peach hair and brown eyes, wearing only a red shawl. Beside her was their daughter and Shiningstar's younger sister by only two years, Starlight, who was watching worriedly. She was a bright fuchsia glitter troll with pale pink hair and deep blue eyes wearing a crystal necklace with a star charm.
"The night is young so it won't be too dark out. The only good firewood can be found beyond the village and if we're lucky, we could gather some berries on the way," Beryl explained.
"Oh, Beryl, no. Please, not tonight," She pleaded. "It's too dangerous. The moon is not even a quarter full. What if something bad happens? I can feel that something's not right."
"Coral, I have no choice. We need the supplies to survive the incoming winter and tonight might be a good choice for it since Bergens won't be out here in the dark or able to see us. Otherwise...well, you know," Beryl said solemnly.
Coral nodded. She didn't like the idea for both her boys to be out there, but knowing that with winter coming, they'll need every provisions they could get before the frost comes. Plus, since Trollstice might be around the corner and only heaven knows when, they'll need to stock their emergency provisions. Most trolls might not have thought of that, but since Beryl is one of the best woods salesman and with a big family to support, he had to take the risk.
Beryl noticed his wife's worried look and went to her as he then kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, we'll be back soon. Our son will be with me and we'll watch each other's back. If anything happens while we're out, do what you can to protect our daughter. Alright?"
Coal sighed heavily and nodded. "You both be careful, okay?"
"Of course," He agreed as they both shared a kiss. Their children turned away in respect. Once they finished, both father and son went towards the door. Starlight began to follow them. Her mother stopped her before she could leave. "Oh no you don't, young lady. You're staying here with me."
"But I want to go with Dad and Shiningstar!" Starlight whined.
Beryl shook his head."No, Starlight. Not tonight, but you will someday."
"But I always go wherever my brother goes!" She pouted as she crossed her arms.
"Starlight, please behave yourself," Coral scolded.
Shiningstar laughed. "That's okay, mom. In a way, she reminds me of myself when I was younger. Eager to go with dad despite the risks." He then turned to Starlight. "But she's right, sis. I may be older than you but it's mostly because dad needs me to watch over him. You'll be watching mom when I'm not around. I'll be happy knowing that my favorite sister is safe at home," He said, ruffling her hair.
"Shiney, I'm your only sister," She scoffed.
"All the more reason for you to stay here. We'll be back before you know it. Think you could be the man of the house, or in this case, the woman while we're gone?"
Starlight thought for a moment. She then nodded. "Okay, big brother. You'll see. I'll protect mom!"
"That's my girl!" Beryl said, hugging his girl. "Alright. Let's go, son. The sooner we leave, the faster we'll return. And don't forget the horn!"
"Right, dad!" Shiningstar agreed. He then packed a troll sized ram's horn. With this, he could blow it to alert the trolls should there be any sight of Bergens in sight. Once he's done, he followed his father out.
Both males went through the door and out of their pod with torches in their hands. They looked back to the females who stood worriedly as they watched the two of them heading out of the village and into the woods.
Once the two trolls left the village, they headed deep into the woods but kept a watchful eye to their surroundings. The night can bring even more dangerous creatures than in the daytime. After walking for a half an hour, they reached a preferable distance away from the village.
"Hmm, this looks like a good spot." Beryl sets his torch on the ground. "Okay, Shiningstar. You gather some sticks and berries should you find some, but keep an eye out for anything."
"Sure, dad," Shiningstar said, while going in the other direction.
"And remember, don't go beyond the dead tree in the clearing!" His father warned as he searched around for fallen sticks.
Shiningstar went ahead through the shrubbery. He searched high, he searched low. There was no sight of berries and the night was filled with critter noises in the night. As he walked along, he came across a berry bush filled with juicy blue and red berries. "Ah, found them!" He then picked them up one by one and put them in the sack, as well as, put a couple into his mouth. "I wished they didn't taste so good, or else I'll never get this sack filled," he chuckled.
A rustle interrupted his berry picking. Shiningstar perked up, his ears positioning to the sound. He nervously gazed around the area. No shadows, no sound, nothing. "Hello? Dad? Are you there?" Another rustling was heard. He turned around and saw a dark figure hidden in some bushes. It was too dark to make it out, but it looked like a blue troll with green hair.
"Oh, hey there. Who are you? What are you doing here in the dark?" Shiningstar asked. The figure didn't spoke a word. It just stood there. "Can you talk? I won't hurt you." He paced towards the troll. Suddenly, the figure disappeared into the bushes. "Wait! Don't leave!" Shiningstar slumped his sack in his back and chased the troll.
Meanwhile, Beryl finished collecting the sticks and bundled them in a pile. "There. That should do it. Son, it's time to go!" Beryl called out, but he didn't hear his son's voice anywhere. "Shiningstar?" He called again. He gasped when he heard something and turned to see some critters hiding into their homes and other bugs flew away in a panic until it became quiet. Too quiet. 'Something's wrong. The woods are far too still.' He gasped as he realized something. "Shiningstar!"
Shiningstar looked around, trying to find the mysterious troll. "Where are you?" He called out though he received no answer. He began to rush forward through the thick grass, pulling each blade away until he came across a clearing.
The clearing was vast with only a few clumps of grass, barely any cover for him. Behind him was his forest and in his view there was another forest not far from his own. A dead tree stood in the middle of the clearing, barren of any leaves, vines surrounding its branches, and moss surrounding its roots. He knew his father had warned him about going past the tree, but he couldn't ignore the fact that there's a troll out there in the open. He inhaled deeply and slowly walked out of the forest's edge and into the clearing. Once he barely passed the tree, he saw the troll in a grass clump.
"There you are, friend. Why did you run off?" He then walked towards the troll, but before he could get near it, someone stopped him.
"Shiningstar, get away from there!" He stopped and turned around to see his father panting from the run. Beryl ran to his son while grabbing his arm. "What are you doing out here? I specifically told you to stay away from here, didn't I?" He scolded sternly.
"I know, dad, and I'm sorry. But there's a troll over there and I need him to get him out of this area." Shiningstar pointed to the troll a few steps away from them. "Hey, friend, come with us. We'll take you to the village."
Beryl became suspicious. What kind of troll would be out in the open like this? As his son came closer to the stranger, he stared at the troll and noticed a rope tied around its waist and that its eyes weren't blinking at all. That's when he realized a shocking truth.
"Shiningstar, don't touch it! It's a trap!"
"Huh?" Shiningstar unknowingly grips the fake troll's hand and then in a flash, the troll began to skid backwards, dragging the gripping Shiningstar across the clearing and away from Beryl. "DAAAD!"
Beryl sprinted into a run as he chased the glitter troll. Shiningstar held onto the troll, despite the rough ride he was in. Dust blew from ride, small pebbles flew by his face. He closed his eyes to avoid his eyes from being hit by the ground dust and stones.
"Hold on, son!" Beryl stretched his hair to a tree branch and swung from branch to branch until he was slightly ahead of them. Running across one branch, he grabbed a small knife from his sack and immediately jumped down onto the rope. With quick thinking, he began cutting the rope with the knife with desperation. It's only a matter of time til the two of them will be somebody's dinner and he knows it. After a few seconds of cutting, the rope finally snapped and the two trolls tumbled to the ground.
Coughing from the adrenaline, Beryl ran towards his son who struggled to get up. "Shiningstar, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," He panted, however, as he stood, he staggered. He noticed that his right knee has a bleeding cut. Probably from being dragged on the ground that he received that wound. Beryl saw the wound and grabbed a leaf and wrapped it around it.
"Can you stand?"
"I'll try." Shiningstar grunted. He rose on one foot and manages to lift himself with the other, despite the cut. "It hurts a little, but I'll live." His father sighed in relief. As he brushed the dust off of him, Shiningstar asked, "What was that?"
"That was one of the Bergens tricks! If I hadn't cut the rope in time, you could have been-" Beryl scolded but stopped when he realized the scare they both had. Instead, he wrapped his arms around his son. "I thought I was gonna lose you."
"Yeah, me too," his son said. The wind suddenly blew hard, sending a shiver to the trolls. Beryl looked around, seeing that they're in the other forest past the clearing.
"We got to move. We have to tell the others of what we encountered," Beryl stated. Both father and son turned back and walked home.
But as they began walking, Beryl stopped. His ears moving around, trying to listen. His son saw that he halted. "Dad?"
"Shh." Beryl shushed him as he glanced around. The forest was too quiet, not a good sign especially for small trolls like them. He looked up, then down, then all around, yet he didn't see anything, but he had a sinking feeling that something's out there. He then held his knife tightly on one hand and slightly shoves his son back. "Listen to me. I want you to turn around, go back to the village and don't look back. Run for your life when I say go."
"But dad-"
"No buts. Just do what I say and protect our family, no matter what," Beryl sternly instructed. His son gasped at what he ordered. He only nodded silently.
Suddenly, the ground and the flowers began to shake. A rhythm of loud thumping was being heard. It sounded like giant footsteps from a giant being and to the trolls, only one terrifying creature is big enough to make those footsteps. With horrified expressions, both trolls looked up to see what they feared the most: A Bergen. The Bergen wore a chef attire, black pants, and a brown fanny pack and was grayish lavender, had red eyes and light blue hair.
"What have we here? It seems that I didn't lose my catch of the day despite my trap being a failure. I only needed one but this is a bonus...for me," The Bergen, known as Chef, said with a grin.
Beryl growled and stood defiantly in front of the Bergen with his knife at hand. He knew he doesn't have much of a chance against Chef, but he must in order for his son to escape. Chef reaches out and attempts to grab Beryl, only for him to dodge by doing a back flip.
Shiningstar gasped. "Dad!"
"Go, son! GO!" Beryl yelled.
Shiningstar glanced at the Bergen. Its appearance terrified him, however, taking heed of his father's orders, he turned and sprinted into a run through the grass.
Beryl turned to Chef and threw a stone at her forehead with his hair. Chef growled from the hit, rubbing her forehead and tried to clap her hands around Beryl, but he quickly jumped away. He scaled up a tree and once he reached onto a branch, he ran ahead and jumped down, preparing to strike with his knife. But Chef quickly saw him and in a flash, he swatted Beryl away, sending him against a tree. He groaned as he slipped down to the ground.
Seeing that the troll was down, Chef then went down the path where Shiningstar ran.
Shiningstar continued to ran, breathing rapidly. He tried to run faster, yet his knee was slowing him down. Even though it hurts, Shiningstar did his major best to keep running. "Gotta hurry...Gotta warn... (pants) the others!"
The ground shook and he knew that Chef was behind him. He sprinted forward through the grass and under roots. The clearing immediately came to view as he continued to run. Shiningstar had just barely passed the tree when suddenly, he felt his hair being pulled and himself into the air.
"Where do you think you're going? There's an event going on and we need an opening attraction and guess what that makes you?" Chef chuckled.
"Let me go! Please!" Shiningstar pleaded.
"What? And ruin Trollstice Eve? Now why would I do that?" Chef sneered. "You should be proud. You're going to be the troll that will start Trollstice tomorrow! Aren't you the lucky one? Then again, maybe not you."
Suddenly, she was blinded by periwinkle hair being wrapped around her eyes. She yelped in surprise and tried to remove the hair. Beryl appeared from behind her and swung onto her right hand where his son was trapped in her grip. "Let go of my son!" He then used his knife and stabbed it into her hand.
Chef roared from the pain, her hand releasing Shiningstar as he fell to the ground. The pale glitter troll shook himself from the fall and saw Beryl holding the knife down into Chef's hand. "Leave me, Shiningstar! Run! RUN!"
"Father, no!" Shiningstar cried.
"Go! Protect your mother and sister when I'm gone! And tell them...that I'll always love them and you!" Beryl glanced at his son's eyes which were full of shock but also sadness. Both father and son shared one last look, knowing that Beryl's fate is imminent.
Shiningstar clenched his fist and place them into his chest. With a nod, he turned and ran away towards the forest. He reached into the sack and pulled out his horn. He blew on it, but it was weak since he coughed from the energy used in his run.
Beryl removed his hair and then slapped Chef across the face with it. Chef yelled, placing her hand on her cheek where she was slapped. In a fury, she grabbed Beryl and threw him against the dead tree. The impact fractured his leg and his head had a deep cut in it. When he fell to the ground, Chef grabbed him in anger. "Your little stunt may have stopped me from getting two trolls, but Trollstice will happen, with or without you! I suppose I'll settle for you!" She tightened her grip, rushing pain to the emerald troll.
"AAAAHHHHH!" Beryl yelled so loud that his screams echoed through the forest.
Shiningstar heard his father's yells but kept on running through the forest. When all went silent, he shed heavy tears as he ran, knowing what happened to Beryl. "Why must I return without you?" Shiningstar ran while crying in agony as his tears fell from his face.
-Inside Wood's Pod-
Wood awoke from a sudden disturbance. He thought he heard something but then again, it might have been the forest critters chirping in the forest. He then push the blanket away and rose from the sofa he was sleeping on. When Primrose decided to stay for the night in his pod, he decided to let her sleep in his bed instead of the sofa, not because it's the right thing to do, but because he wanted to. Not that the sofa was uncomfortable, just that a guest needs to be felt right at home.
He then quietly walked out of the door and continued towards the branch near the pod. He sat down, his feet dangling in the air as he gazed onto the stars above. It was a peaceful night for him and wondered if the trolls would ever live without fear of the Bergens. He breathed the fresh forest air and sighed deeply, enjoying the soft night breeze that went through him.
"Can't sleep, huh?"
Wood opened his eyes in surprise and turned his head in time to see Primrose walking to him with a green blanket around her shoulders. Her gaze was calm and gentle, with slight concern for his well being to go along with it. "Primrose? What are you doing up? It's late."
"I've heard the door being opened. I got up and didn't see you in the sofa, so I assumed you were out here." She then joined him as she wrapped Wood with her blanket, huddling themselves closer. "Is anything wrong?" She wondered.
"Nothing you should worry about," Wood assured her. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable with his doubts. "I just thought I heard something, but it's nothing."
"You must have trouble going back to sleep if it's nothing. You know I'm here if something's troubling you. There's no shame in that."
Wood smiled at her persuasion. She is as beautiful as she is kind and talented. They both look at the stars with each other for comfort. "Do you think we're happy like this?" Primrose heard him and wondered what he meant. "I mean about us trolls living here happily knowing that every year on Trollstice would mean the deaths of who knows how many trolls? It's like living in a cage as the Bergens prepare us for slaughter."
Primrose hadn't thought of that lately. Even though her own father was a Trollstice troll years ago, she still had fond memories of her happy times with her family and lately, she's been even happier with Wood and his family. "I understand how you feel. It's scary to even think about that, but you know... we won't always live like this. Someday, we won't have to live in fear of the Bergens."
"You're saying like it will happen," Wood scoffed.
"I believe it will, or at least, I hope so," Primrose admitted.
"You believe King Peppy might find a way for us to escape our fate?"
"Maybe he will, maybe he won't. Could be someone else with a courageous heart and the will to protect. Who knows? Maybe it might be King Peppy's own child in the future or someone from our next generation. All we can do is hope. And until then, we just enjoy life the way we do."
"You know, you're pretty wise," Wood said.
"When you've endured many difficult things and still be happy despite the sadness, you learn to appreciate the good times in life and to share it with others," Primrose said, cuddling closer to Wood who embraced her in return. "I may have lost my parents, but I found you and everyone else. There's always something to fight for and there's always happiness just waiting to be found."
"You're right, Prim. If only every troll could believe as much as you do. We must always follow our hearts and search for the light of our happiness."
"Yeah. Though the search for my light is over because I could see it everyday in your eyes, Wood," Prim said lovingly.
"And I in yours," Wood agreed. He then gently pulled her for a kiss which they both savored each second. They then separated and looked to the sky. "We should head back."
"Yeah," She nodded.
Suddenly, the air was interrupted by the sound of a horn. Wood and Primrose heard it and stopped what they were doing to listen.
"What is it?" Primrose worriedly asked after seeing Wood pinpointed his ears to the sound. With a worried look, he answered.
"Trouble."
The whole village was awaken by the sound of the horn. Lights lit up from their pods as various trolls burst out of their doors, wondering what all the fuss was about. The young trollings were awake as well, but stayed inside their homes with at least one of their parents for safety.
King Peppy and Queen Joy were outside too and headed towards the village's entrance where the forest border met their homes. The other trolls gathered around them, including Wood's friends.
Wood and Primrose, followed by Rosiepuff who had just woken up, came down from their pod and saw the trolls together with their King. Wood then saw Big Bash heading towards the commotion and called out to him. "Bash! What's going on?"
"I don't know. We've heard the horn and it looks like so did everyone else. Everyone's already here except for Shiningstar."
"Where is he?" Wood wondered.
"His mother said that he was out in the woods with his father to get some wood and food. But they still haven't returned," Big Bash answered.
"All by themselves in the dark?!" Rosiepuff asked worriedly.
"Seems so." Big Bash went on ahead with the others behind him. Wood and Primrose passed through the worried trolls until he reached the entrance where King Peppy was. In front of them, something was heading towards them as sounds of leaves rustling and staggering footsteps can be heard behind the shrubbery. Peppy and Wood braced themselves for anything and in an instant, the stranger bursts out of the bushes, panting and gasping for air as he dropped the horn he blew before. It was Shiningstar!
"Shiningstar!" Wood gasped as he ran to his friend. When he reached him, he saw his whole body covered with dirt and slight scratches from the run, his hair has some twigs and leaves in it, and his knee was still wrapped in its leaf. But what surprised him even more were the tear stains on his face. Was he crying? "What's happened to you? You're hurt!"
"Wood..." Shiningstar gasped, trying to catch his breath.
"Somebody give him some water!" Wood ordered. One troll came in with a small bowl of water and handed it to Wood as he passed it to his friend. "Drink this." Shiningstar then drank the water which helped him recover a little.
"Shiningstar, what's happened? We heard the horn!" Peppy asked worriedly, though he didn't want to sound to hasty for an answer, so he waited for Shiningstar to answer.
Shiningstar began shaking uncontrollably. The event began to play in his head like a film and it was unbearable. He struggled to speak but he focused harder and spat out his words, "B-b-be-Bergen! A Bergen!" The trolls gasped at the mention of the creature that eat them for their happiness. Some trolls huddled to their loved ones worriedly and the children whimpered. "We...we've encountered the Bergen...in the forest beyond...the clearing. She laid a trap for us."
From the group of trolls, Starlight and her mother, Coral, pushed some trolls out of their way as they ran to Shiningstar. "Oh, my son, you're safe! I was worried!" Coral said, hugging her son. Starlight looked around and noticed that Beryl wasn't around.
"Big brother, where's Dad? Isn't he with you?"
That did it. The mention of his father caused himself to tear up as he struggled to keep his tears from shedding. He panted as he continued to speak. "I...I was dumb enough to fall for her trap. F-Father saved me from the trap and I thought the worst was over. But that's when the B-Bergen attacked. I've ran away but the Bergen grabbed me. S-she said that I was going to be the troll that will start Trollstice tomorrow." The others gasped in horror when they realized that Trollstice is tomorrow. The one day they feared the most. "Suddenly, my dad came to my rescue again and I managed to escape. But my dad...my dad stayed behind. I remember hearing his yell as I ran...and..." He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and he cried out. "AND HE WAS TAKEN!"
Coral and Starlight gasped and covered their mouths in horror. Coral had heavy tears at the thought that her husband was taken by a Bergen and it wasn't even Trollstice. Starlight comforted her mother, though she too had her eyes with tears.
The trolls began to chatter amongst themselves, worried and terrified of this news. "This is bad. This is very bad."
"What are we going to do? Trollstice is tomorrow! Who's gonna protect our families?! We must hide!" One female troll declared.
"I think that we must leave and flee to another forest or territory!" Thorn said.
"With winter coming? That's just as dangerous as facing the Bergens!" Rosiepuff argued.
Wood heard the others and turned to Shiningstar who was sulking despite the commotion. He then faced Primrose and his mother who shared the same looks of worry as Wood did.
"There might be a chance," Everyone turned to King Peppy. "Now that we know that Trollstice is tomorrow, we have a slight head start to prepare. My trolls, plan your escape plans now. Those who will fight must prepare themselves to defend the others. The rest of you, find shelter and escape routes for tomorrow! This is not a drill! And when you're done, pray for the others and hope that we may survive."
The trolls, though hesitant to admit the danger that will bring, obeyed their leader and went home. Some trolls still stayed behind with their king. King Peppy then headed towards the forest. "Where are you going, Peppy?" Joy asked.
"I'm going for Beryl."
"What? No way! It's too dangerous, my king!" Wood said. "They'll take you too!"
"It's not Trollstice yet, so maybe...just maybe Beryl might still be alive. No troll left behind! Remember?" Peppy said with determination.
"I'm coming with you!" Wood stood up.
"No, you're not! No son of mine will be going into this mission!" Rosiepuff disagreed as she held his shoulder.
"Your mother is right, Wood. As king, I must do this alone. Besides, you're needed here in your home. You need to protect your family. I need to protect every troll, not only because I'm their king but because they're my family as well," Peppy said softly.
Wood only nodded in agreement as Rosiepuff and Primrose came to his side with caring looks.
"King Peppy!"
They saw a blue troll with silvery blue hair and purple eyes running to them. "It's Ripple, our lead scout!" Joy said as the said troll halted before them.
"Your majesty, there's news! The Bergens are all gathered around about half a mile from us," Ripple said, panting from the run.
"How many?" Peppy asked.
"Many. Like practically the whole town is there."
"But it's not even Trollstice yet, so why would they be gathered there?" Joy wondered.
"There's more. I saw a glimpse of a troll in front of them. He was a green glitter troll with periwinkle hair," Ripple added.
"That's Beryl!" Coral cried out.
"I'm afraid there's no way in getting there undetected, King Peppy, however, it can be seen from the Troll Tree. This is something you must see for yourself," Ripple said.
"Take me there," Peppy ordered. Ripple nodded as he began to his leader to their destination. "Joy, could you wait for me in the Royal Pod? I won't be long."
"Alright, dear. Be careful," Joy nodded as she hugged her husband, feeling worried for whatever he will see and will happen.
Wood turned to his mother and Primrose. "I'm going with him but just to the Troll Tree. There's no trouble there. Stay with mom, Primrose."
"We'll be fine. Go ahead," Rosiepuff agreed and held Primrose's shoulder calmly. Wood nodded and hugged Primrose which she returned. Once he separated, he gave her a small kiss on her forehead and proceeded to walk.
"Wood, I want you to take me with you," Shiningstar suddenly spoke.
"Star, you don't..."
"Please, I must know about Dad!" Shiningstar insisted. Wood knew that there was no use in arguing and persuading Shiningstar to rest after his escape. He nodded and let him come along, helping him on the way should he stumbled or staggered.
Coral and Starlight watched Shiningstar worriedly and hoped for the best. Rosiepuff came to them with soft eyes. "You're welcome to stay in our pod. You guys might need some comfort after what you've heard."
"Thank you, Rosiepuff," Coral thanked her as the two glitter trolls accompanied their hosts back to their pod.
Climbing the Troll Tree, Ripple, Peppy, Wood and Shiningstar had reach the top where the view of their forest can be seen. It was dark out and the wind blew softly, making the leaves flow. "It's right over there, King Peppy," Ripple pointed.
The four trolls walked across a thick branch which at the edge gave them a better view of the Bergens gathered around on a bonfire in the great avenue of Bergen Town. Ripple gave the king his telescope which he looked into. From the view, he saw the Bergens in all shapes and sizes gathered in a crowd and in the front was Chef standing in a small platform, looking on the excited trolls.
"What do you see?" Wood asked.
"See for yourself," Peppy said solemnly as he passed him the scope. When Wood looked through, he gulped at the sight of the giants. There was no sign of Beryl anywhere and feared that they were too late. The Bergens cheered and hollered, their cries could be heard from where they were.
Chef raised her hands and silenced the Bergens. "My Bergens, we are gathered here to celebrate a momentous occasion: Trollstice Eve!" They cheered along. "And as tradition, one troll will be chosen to initiate the ceremony so that we will begin the preparation of our favorite holiday: Trollstice! Raise the tarp!"
Two Bergens dressed in chef's clothing came to the bonfire where a tarp was covering something beneath it. He grab hold of it and waited for Chef's announcement.
"I present you our chosen troll!"
They remove the tarp and under it was Beryl, tied up against a small wooden pillar where he could see all the Bergens cheering for him. But for him, it is not a celebration but a death sentence. Beneath him were a pile of wood, straw, and other flammable materials. The pillar was standing in the middle of the unlit bonfire.
Wood gasped. "It's Beryl!"
"Father!" Shiningstar grabbed the scope from Wood's hands and peek through it. He gasped when he saw his father tied up with Chef beside him. "Why isn't he trying to escape?"
Beryl knew it was useless to escape and only waited for whatever was coming for it. But he didn't regret it, knowing he was giving his life for his son to escape. He only hope that he warned them in time and would escape the massacre that will happen on Trollstice.
Chef saw his calm look and peered to him with a sinister grin. "You know, troll, I'm quite impressed in how much trouble you gave me, but in a way, I'm also disappointed. Did you really think that by doing all this is going to save your fellow trolls? You are giving me your life and yet, you are saving no one from tomorrow. Trollstice will come with or without you. So don't even try to beg for your life."
Beryl glared back at her and said, "There's no such troll who would beg for their life to someone like you!" Chef scowled. "But I'll tell you this: Sooner or later, the trolls will escape you Bergens and you'll suffer the consequences. I promise you that! Even in the end, you'll never understand the true meaning of happiness no matter how many trolls you eat. Your heart is as cold as ice and will never thaw because you have no love, no kindness, and no friends! Face it, all you have and will get is nothing!"
Chef growled until she scoffed. "Your funeral." She then faced the Bergens. "Tonight, Trollstice Eve will soon be over, but tomorrow...Trollstice will begin and we will take every troll we can find and received what we want: TRUE HAPPINESS!"
The Bergens all clapped their hands and cheered loudly. Chef's co-chefs then gave her a small burning torch as she raised it into the air.
The trolls at the troll tree watched in horror at what may behold before them. Shiningstar didn't look away as did Wood.
"Let's celebrate the beginning of Trollstice!" Chef declared as she held the torch and let the flaming end touched the straw. As the crowd roared again, the dry straw quickly caught fire below Beryl's feet, igniting the bonfire. Beryl already knew his death was imminent so he accepted his fate with dignity and courage. His last thoughts were on his family and as the flames grew closer, he managed to whisper his last words.
"My family, though my time with you may not be as long as I hoped, I enjoyed every single moment of it. You are all my life and I'll always love you."
Shiningstar could only stared speechless, horrified, and pale at the sight. His father was gone and now, there's no stopping Trollstice from coming.
King Peppy only removed his crown and bowed in silence and respect for Beryl. Ripple did the same. Wood could only stare for a few seconds until he too bowed in silence. He glanced at Shiningstar who hasn't moved nor said a word since watching the ceremony. Knowing Shiningstar's loss, he could only mourn silently while shedding tears.
An hour had passed since the Bonfire had been lit. The Bergens had partied after that but now all the Bergens had left for their homes to get a good night's sleep for Trollstice. The fire has been extinguished, leaving only a trail of smoke and a pile of ashes and cinders.
King Peppy led a small group consisting of Wood, Primrose, Shiningstar and his family, Rhythm, Big Bash, Olivia, Rosiepuff, and Joy. After what had occurred, Peppy and Wood announce the news to their friends and to Coral and Starlight, who were devastated and cried since then. Peppy decided let Shiningstar to return and pick up his father's ashes so that they would give him a proper burial ceremony.
Shiningstar, with a small jar, came forward to the pile of cinders in the bonfire. He gasped when he saw a pile of green glitter in it. He realized that it is his father's remains and as he knelt to his knees, he held a handful of it in his hands. Tears forming in his eyes, he panted until he suddenly cried, howling in despair.
"It's my fault! It's all because of me that my father got..."
"Don't say that!" King Peppy said, though he too struggled to control his emotions. "Beryl sacrificed his life to protect you, Shiningstar, so you could live. He didn't die in vain. His death was full of honor!"
Shiningstar kept on crying harder. Starlight cried onto her mother's chest while Coral hugged her daughter as she cried too. The others understood their friend's pain and they silently mourned. Wood then came to his friend and handed him some of his father's glitter. "My friend, I understand your pain. I, too, lost my father when I was younger. But you're not alone. We are still here. So please, let me help you gather these. It's the least I could do for you and Beryl."
Shiningstar sniffed and saw that Wood was also crying. He nodded and began collecting Beryl's glitter with Wood's help. After a few minutes, they collected all the glitter remains and the group had a moment of silence to pray for their lost friend and for mourning family. Peppy told Shiningstar that his father will receive a proper funeral when they return back home.
Shiningstar stared above the sky. He guessed that his father is now a star in the sky, watching them from heaven. Still, he feared about Trollstice. He wondered if he'll survive, and even if he did, will his friends or family might be as well?
[Shiningstar:]
What's going to happen?
What does the future hold?
So many things that I put off
Assuming I'd have time, Assuming I'd grow old
Everyone heard his voice, filled with sadness and worry. They knew that tomorrow might be their last day but at least they're together now.
What's going to happen?
And will I be alive tomorrow?
What's going to happen...to me?
Wood came towards his friend as the others gathered around them. He then began to sing to comfort him and assure him that all will be fine while the others followed his part.
[Wood:]
You're going to be okay
[All:]
That's what's going to happen
Everything's okay
We're right here beside you
We won't let you slip away
Plan for tomorrow
'Cause we swear to you
You're going to be okay
Shiningstar saw all his loved ones all gathered around him, some with tears in their eyes but still held smiles in their faces. Despite all that they had lost, they are still willing to smile for his sake. Feeling all their love and comfort, there was no way he would go grey at all. He formed a small smile, tears falling on his cheeks as Starlight and Coral came to hug him.
[Shiningstar:]
I'm going to be okay
[All:]
That's what's going to happen
[Shiningstar:]
Everything's okay
[All:]
Everything's okay
We will never leave you
Right here we will stay
[Peppy:]
Plan for tomorrow
[All:]
Plan for tomorrow
'Cause we swear to you
You're going to be okay
Shiningstar wiped his teary eyes and felt a great pain being lifted from his heart. Wood then came and hugged his friend. Then Primrose, Rhythm, and the rest of the trolls gathered around the glitter troll for a group hug. When they separated, Shiningstar stared at them. "Thank you."
"It's what we do. It's what families do," Primrose said with Wood hugging her shoulder.
"Let go home," King Peppy softly ordered. "Beryl needs a peaceful resting place and we need our rest. Tomorrow we must be ready for anything, and whatever happens...know that each and every one of you is a part of everyone's family and hearts. Never forget to always be there for each other and happiness will always be there for you to receive."
All the trolls nodded to their king. Nobody wants to be alone or sad, but knowing Trollstice is right around the corner, all they could now is pray and hope for everyone's safety. As all the trolls returned home after giving Beryl a proper burial, they slept together with their loved ones, thinking as it would be the last time they would see each other. Not one troll is alone that night. And if they've dreamed, they dreamed of only better times for their homes and for themselves.
This was an intense chapter to write! Hope you like it!
Song Credit: "What's going to Happen?" from Scrubs
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