As the Rock Trolls became accommodated in their new surroundings, Captain Blue and Mal Shredder overlooked the sky and the deck from the ship's wheel. They watched as the crewmates worked together to keep the vessel afloat, an uneasy silence emerging between them both. Their newfound alliance was treated as such, paranoid that one or the other would not hold up their end of the deal.
"Why are you here?"
Blue turned towards Mal with a confused frown before replying, "A good Captain always goes down with their ship."
"That's not what I'm saying. What are you hoping to gain when you finally catch Queen Poppy? Honor? Fame? Revenge?"
Blue scowled at her ("Yes...") before turning away for another dramatic monologue:
"Everybody knows, or should now at least, about the true history of the Strings. All of the Tribes lived in harmony until Pop's ambitions outgrew the rest. The Tribes tried desperately to reclaim their Strings and eventually did so in the end. But what the history books...the scrapbooks...didn't tell you was the true fate of those who were forcibly converted to Pop. The Tribe Ancestors never bothered to save them... To save us. The Pop Tribe Ancestor himself discovered a flaw in his plans: every action has its consequences, and in his case, he neglected to play the correct notes and half of the converted Trolls...regained some semblance of consciousness. The other half...lost their true colors. They became mindless shells of their former selves. He was disgusted by the "monstrosities" he created, not by the fact he himself created them. He had them destroyed. Executed. Killed. All because they were different. He had his own subjects murdered for simply harboring interests other than Pop, a tradition that would continue for more than a decade. As such, their deaths were not mourned, but celebrated by their saviors."
"Savior?" Mal shared the same confused frown worn by the Captain a moment earlier, "Is that what you and your crew consider yourselves?"
"Not exactly," Blue chuckled bitterly, "Savior is just another word for hero, which is what we are not. We're extremists, radicals, zealots...villains, if you will. But we're also outcasts. Different Trolls brought together by tragedy."
"You have lost someone?"
"I lost everything. A chance for love, friendship, and family. A byproduct of the yearning for a simpler time. And eventually...so will you. In time, you'll know what it feels like to lose everything."
. . .
"I already have."
The same-old frown of confusion was worn by Blue again as she faced Mal, awaiting some sort of clarification.
"The one Troll I loved...was taken from me," Mal explained, "Some say it was an unintentional occurrence, others say it was a planned assassination. In any case, it still doesn't change the simple facts that my love was and still is gone...and there was nothing I could do about it. All I could do was move on and take care of the remaining family I had left even if I initially couldn't find the strength to do so."
Blue now felt uncomfortable and regretful that she awaited the clarification before she masked it with a spiteful grimace.
"So what do you suggest I do? Move on? Let bygones be bygones?"
Mal then shot her a saddened smile, "You do what you need to do, darling. I'm merely an accessory to your plans."
Blue's grimace softened as she sighed softly and turned back to the deck, her scowl of spite replaced with a smile of sympathy.
"Of course you are..."
Little did they know, beneath the deck in one of the many rooms about to be accommodated for a fair few Rock Trolls, a Funk Troll by the name of XXX was inside cleaning the room for them. He never actually considered himself to by a Chanty Troll, let alone have actual plans to become one. Instead, he only joined the unsavory group of Sky Pirates for the weapons involved. With those weapons, he could further his own quest for vengeance and redemption. Even if he had shared a similar goal and mindset to the Captain that he would do anything for his people, he would never truly align himself with a bunch of backstabbing buccaneers and mutinous maruaders for all he knew.
"Is the shipment ready?"
"Almost. We just need a little more time."
"We're running out of it and options. We must act now."
"Not yet. It's too soon; The Captain will start to suspect something. Sometimes, we have to play the waiting game to get what we want."
"Perhaps. I hope you're right."
"Yeah. Me too."
It was the conversation shared with a close associate before XXX left on his mission. He would need all the luck in the world.
In a nearby room, a Classical Chanty Troll began playing the piano as a group of Funk Chanty Trolls began vocalizing in the form of a church choir.
"Woke up this morning..."
. . .
"You got yourself a gun..."
. . .
"Got yourself a gun..."
In another nearby room, a Techno Chanty Troll noticed the beat and began to build upon it with his DJ mixer, something XXX noticed in return and decided to go with the flow.
["Got Ur Self A (Gun)..." by Nas]
Finished with his cleaning, XXX left the room in search of the weapons room as the Funk Chanty Trolls continued singing in conjuction with his speed-walking. As they did, he sang alongside them.
[Chorus]
Yo, I'm livin' in this time behind enemy lines
So, I got mine, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You from the hood, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You want beef, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
And when I see you I'ma take what I want
So you tried to front, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You ain't real, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
Approaching the weapons room, the very first one he spotted was a Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded MC Operator...
[Verse 1]
My first album had no famous guest appearances (and then a BCM Recce-14 KMR-A13 with a LMT M203 2003 L2B...)
The outcome: I'm crowned the best lyricist (...a Heckler & Koch HK416 with a 10.4/5 inch barrel...)
Many years on this professional level (...a 3rd Generation Glock 17...)
Why would you question who's better? The world is still mine (...a 3rd Generation Glock 17 with a stainless slide...)
Tat's real, with "God's Son" across the chest, the boss of rap (...a Salient Arms International Glock 17 Tier 1...)
You saw me in Belly with thoughts like that (...a 3rd Generation Glock 19...)
To take it back to Africa, I did it with Biggie (...a two-tone SIG-Sauer P226...)
Me and you were soldiers of the same struggle (...a factory black SIG-Sauer P226R...)
You lames a huddle, your team's shook (...a Smith & Wesson M&P...)
Y'all feel the wrath of a killer, 'cause this is my football field (...a blued Colt M1911A1...)
Throwin' passes from a barrel, shoulder pads, apparel (...a nickel-plated Colt MK IV Series 80 with pearl grips...)
But the QB don't stand for no quarterback (...a Beretta 92FS...)
Every word is like a sawed-off blast 'cause y'all all soft (...a Heckler & Koch P30...)
And I'm the black hearse that came to haul y'all ass in (...a Remington 870 Police Magum Riot...)
It's for the hood by the corner store (...a M4A1 Carbine with a red dot scope and railed handguard...)
Many try, many die, come at Nas if you want a war, get it bloody! (...and a FN M249 SAW Paratrooper with a SureFire 100-round casket magazine.)
Grabbing all of the aforementioned firearms off the shelves and racks, XXX set them down as he prepped them for future usage in synchronization with the chorus.
[Chorus]
I got mine, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You from the hood, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You want beef, I hope you (got yourself a gun)
And when I see you I'ma take what I want
So you tried to front, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You ain't real, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
Deciding 17 firearms was not nearly as enough for a war, XXX decided to grab some more for the road.
[Verse 2]
Yo, I'm the N (CLICK!), the A (CLACK!) to the S (CLICK!) - I (CLACK!) - R (CLOCK!) (A Browning M2HB...)
And if I wasn't, I must've been Escobar (...an American Tactical Imports FS9 Sport...)
You know the kid got his chipped tooth fixed (...a Beretta 90Two...)
Hair parted with a, barber's preciseness (...a CAA Tactical RONI-SI1...)
Bravehearted for life, it's (...a Desert Eagle Mark XIX...)
The return of the Golden Child, son of a blues player (...a FN FNP-45 Tactical with a Trijicon RMR red dot sight...)
So who are you, player? Y'all awaited the true savior (...a FN FNX-45 Tactical FDE with a Trijicon RMR red dot sight...)
Puffin' that tropical, cups of that vodka, too (...a 3rd Generation Glock 21...)
Papi chu', tore up, wake up in a hospital (...a Heckler & Koch HK45T with a tan frame...)
Throw up? Never! 'Member I do this through righteous steps (...a Heckler & Koch HK45C...)
You Judas thought I was gone, so in light of my death (...a Heckler & Koch USP Compact...)
Y'all been all happy-go-lucky, bunch of sambos (...a Kimber Pro CDP II...)
Call me "God's Son" with my pants low (...a Kimber Warrior...)
I don't die slow, put them rags up like Petey Pablo (...a Kimber Warrior SOC...)
This is NASDAQ though, in my Nascar, with this Nas flow (...a Para 1911 G.I. Expert...)
What could beat that? Not a soul reppin' (...a SIG-Sauer P229R...)
Hit the record store, never let me go, get my whole collection, yo (...and a Remington 870 Field Gun.)
Loading their ammunition, checking their sights, and cleaning their barrels, XXX was once again in synchronization with the chorus.
[Chorus]
I got mine, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You from the hood, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You want beef, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
And when I see you I'ma take what I want
So you tried to front, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You ain't real, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
Now up to 34 weapons, XXX just could not help himself and loaded some more.
[Verse 3]
It's, the, return of the Prince, the boss (A Remington 870 MCS / MCS Masterkey...)
This is real hardcore, Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit soft (...a Mossberg 500 Persuader / Cruiser...)
Sip Cris', get chips, wrist glist' – I floss (...a Mossberg 500 Knoxx Sidewinder Kit...)
Stick-shift look sick up in that Boxster Porsche (...a Colt Law Enforcement Carbine...)
With the top cut off, rich kids go and cop The Source (...a Colt Model 933...)
They don't know about the blocks I'm on (...a Daniel Defense DDM4 MK18...)
And everybody wanna know where the kid go (...a FN SCAR-H / SCAR-L...)
Where he rest at, where he shop at and dress at (...a pair of Heckler & Koch G36Cs...)
Know he got dough, where does he live? Is he still in the Bridge? (... a M4A1 Carbine with a M203 Grenade Launcher...)
Does he really know how ill that he is? (...a Mk 18 Mod 0...)
Got all of y'all watchin' my moves, my watch and my jewels(...a Novekse N4 Diplomat with a M68 Aimpoint red dot scope, Surefire M900 weaponlight/laser foregrip, and Vitor VIS upper...)
Hop in my coupe, dodge interviews like that (...a SIG-Sauer P556 SWAT with a SG 550 series lower receiver...)
It's not only my jewels, ice anything, plenty chains(...a SIG-Sauer P516 Patrol / Tactical Patrol...)
Look at my tennis shoes, I iced that(...a SIG SG 552...)
Who am I? The back twister, lingerie ripper (...a Remington 700PSS...)
Automatic leg-spreader, quicker brain-getter (...a Nemesis Arms Vanquish...)
Keepin' it gangsta with ya (uhh) (...and a Barrett M98B / MRAD.)
Checking his new weapons for the third and final time, XXX was once more in synchronization with the chorus.
[Chorus]
I got mine, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You from the hood, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You want beef, I hope you (Got yourself a gun)
And when I see you I'ma take what I want
So you tried to front, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
You ain't real, hope you (Got yourself a gun)
Now satisfied with the 55 weapons he had in stock, XXX carried the bags containing them out of the room and towards the lifeboats, the casual concerto of Chanty Trolls chanting the outro as he left. He felt bad about leaving them, no doubt, but they would become an liability to the mission at hand. The closest thing he had to a family they may be, but a close enough one to form a meaningful bond with they were not.
XXX was better off all by himself.
And everyone else?
They better get themselves a gun...
You got this, Poppy...
Taking a deep breath, Poppy opened her eyes and nodded at Paul and Anna, who exchanged nods with each other. The former readied a series of red balls while the latter pressed play on the small CD player.
("Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez) [Instrumental Version]
It was in the wee hours of the morning (4, to be exact) that Poppy decided to wake up and continue her training alone for the time being. Three hours later at 7, Paul and Anna joined her and noticed a distinct improvement despite her fantastic fatigue. Offering their assistance to her to further it, the Pop Queen eventually agreed and offered a positive "pop" song to accompany it.
The objective was simple enough on paper: there were a series of targets with holes, which Poppy have to levitate the balls into as they were being tossed towards her. But will it turn out to fruition in execution?
Well...only one way to find out.
Once the song's instrumental began to rise, Paul hurled the balls at Poppy, who held out her hands to stop them in midair. That was the easy part.
As for trying to levitate them into the open omphalos, it was easier than done. They would either bounce off and hit her, bounce off and hit Paul and Anna, or bounce off and hit all three of them at once. In any case, the balls failed to enter the holes and Poppy's patience was wearing thin.
But she could not give up yet.
Taking a deep breath, closing her eyes, and focusing again, Poppy tried using her mind instead of her hands. Many of the discarded balls began to levitate surprisingly perfectly in midair, shocking both Paul and Anna. When Poppy opened her eyes, they were glowing white now as they were before. The balls then swiftly shot superbly through the target's holes and then back.
This particular pattern continued in a circular motion before the balls were straightened up in a linear train that traveled upward and back into the box of bounteous balls.
Poppy's glowing eyes dimmed and reverted back to their normal state. Blinking in bewilderment, Poppy glanced around before turning to face Paul and Anna, whose mouths were agape.
"That...was...incredible!" Paul cheered Poppy on with enthusiasm while Anna whooped in excitement all the same.
"You go, girl! You go!"
Poppy laughed in joy as she joined their group hug.
"So..." Paul calmed down and briefly pulled away, "How about some breakfast? You most definitely deserve it."
Poppy quickly smiled and nodded, "Yes, I most definitely deserve do..."
As evening approached, Adora and Catra bonded with Flutterina some more while Branch and the Tribe Leaders discussed the inflitration plan with Archer, who had somewhat of an issue molding back into his Party Crasher persona, which Harper managed to alleviate in short order. Creek, Growly Pete, Carol, and Ripley Wisp singled out the more suitable weapons for his endeavor.
THUMP!
The ears of Branch, Val, Gust, and Laguna were the first to perk up, followed by Delta Dawn and the rest of The Tribe Leaders. She immediately readied her Winchester Model 1873 while Branch and Gust quick-drew their two-tone Glock 17 and their Beretta 92FS. Hickory handed off his SIG-Sauer P226R to Val while he pulled his Remington 870 just as Creek and Chenille pulled their M4A1 Carbines.
THUMP!
While the first thump was faint, the second grew louder, signaling that the person or object causing these was progressively coming closer...
THUMP!
...and closer...
THUMP!
...and closer...
THUMP!
...and closer...
THUMP!
...until Delta realized that those were not just ordinary thumps that go bump in the night.
Those were gunshots.
Suddenly, one of the emergency exits for the bunker collapsed open, prompting those with weapons to aim them at said opening.
"Who's there?" Branch asked first.
"What do you want?" Val was second.
"Friend or foe?" Gust was third.
"Noble intentions or not?" Laguna was fourth.
"And when were you planning to inform me of your surprise visit, old friend?" Delta narrowed her eyes at the darkened opening, prompting everyone to look at her in surprise and bewilderment...
"Because it kind of destroys the idea of a surprise visit, doesn't it?"
...before they turned back to said opening when emitting noises made it clear that the "old friend" was making their debut in the bunker.
The old friend was a female cat with orange, white, and black fur with green eyes. She wore a dark brown duster coat; a pink Stetson hat with matching boots; a white long-sleeve, button-down, collared shirt; a brown vest with a sheriff's badge reminiscent of Delta's own on the left side; dark blue jeans; a pink neckerchief; and a brown belt with a yellow oval shaped buckle with two horseshoes on it. She wielded a blued Colt MK IV Series 80 with pearl grips in one hand and a sack of...suspicious something in the other; it was thrashing wildly in the bag as if it were (ironically) a cat wanting to be let out of the bag.
"Sheriff Callie?" Delta was nonetheless by the surprise arrival herself.
"Sheriff Delta," Callie smiled in an amiable manner despite it, "Or is it Mayor Delta? Plus, why are you acting surprised to see me, old friend?"
"I was expecting a different old friend, but it's pleasant to have you here with us."
"Pleasant? Not nice? Hmm. Are you sure it's actually me and not one of them Party Crashers?"
His own suspicions arising, Branch carefully approached Delta's fellow law enforcer, "How do we know you're not?"
"Because I did you all a favor and snatched him up before he could do any real damage...not that he could by the looks of it."
Producing the still wildly thrashing bag, Callie gently dumped the bound-and-gagged contents onto the floor.
"Peter?" Archer's eyes widened.
Peter spat out the makeshift ball gag and bitterly chuckled, "Archer. Old friends together again."
"Well, to be fair," Harper sheepishly grinned, "I don't think you and Archer were friends to begin with."
"He was nice to me," Peter halfheartedly defended himself, knowing that his "old friend's" girlfriend had a point, "So that still counts."
"What are you doing here?" Archer helped him up regardless as Laguna picked up the spat-out ball gag with her glove hands and immediately discarding it in the nearest trash bin before sanitizing everything it made contact with.
"My job, obviously."
"I caught him idling around the remains of Troll Village," Callie explained, "No offense to him, but he was very easy to capture."
"I thought I told the rest of the Party Crashers to stay away from the rest of the Tribes," Barb crossed her arms in contempt.
"Believe me, Queen Barb, we did," Peter concurred, "And it's driving Bash insane. The Bergens wouldn't let us in their kingdom after you threw us under the bus. You made amends with the rest of the Tribes except us. If you didn't like the way we accomplish things, then you shouldn't have hired us."
"I don't recall hiring you."
Barb then swiftly drew her combat knife and held it against Peter's neck.
"I doubt I'll recall killing you, either."
"Queen Barb, was it?" Callie stepped forward for Peter's sake, albeit reluctantly, "Perhaps you can use Peter as a pawn at the moment. A scout alongside Archer."
"How do we know that this Peter won't rat us out?" Val approached, her eyes narrowed with equal suspicion.
"Because I have nothing left to lose now," Peter narrowed his eyes back, "Bash's attitude have significantly progessed downward since then. He's become a psychopath and most of the others followed suit. The rest, ugh..."
Everybody exchanged uncertain looks and glances before Harper approached, "What else do we have to lose?"
"A lot more," Branch replied, "We need to be careful when considering any and all alternative options."
"Caution is a luxury we can't afford during a time like this, Branch," Delta Dawn grimaced.
"Perhaps, but we can only hope," Queen Essence opted to look more on the other side of dire situations despite her own reservations, "We need to take a chance."
"And if Peter even tries ratting us out?" Barb lowered her knife.
"Then I'll kill him myself," Archer's face darkened, surprising the others as much as himself, "I can handle the burden of murder far better than most."
He then turned away to get ready for the mission, leaving a concerned group in his wake. Specifically, Harper's face saddened upon seeing her loved one in such a frazzled state.
Oh well... Follow the leader, I suppose...
DJ's group arrived at Latin City in the early morning. Because she was the de facto leader, DJ felt guilty about insisting on the group not taking any breaks except the very brief ones, but Trollex reassured her that he reassured the group that they would get some well-needed rest once they arrived. Even so, Petra and Billy were none too pleased about DJ's decision despite them merely following the leader.
Their heads spinning, their eyes burning, and their feet aching, the group eventually reached the outskirts of Latin City, stumbling through the banana leaves that served as an entry, exit, and protective shield to the kingdom. Oddly, the already sleeping kids plus a wide awake Melody managed to make it down the hill unscatched; the adults, on the other hand, were not as lucky. Their injuries were not too serious, though, but it did not diminish the fact that said injuries hurt.
When DJ came to, the first thing she saw was a female Latin Troll with green eyes, bronze skin, and amber hair. Judging by the navy blue long-sleeve military style jacket with nine rows of gold tone buttons, the sword in her sheath, and the gun in her holster, she was most definitely a member of the Latin City Royal Guard, and a most familiar one at that.
"Oh, hey...! You...! Camila...?"
The Latin Troll grinned before she corrected DJ, "Close but not too close. It's Adriana, actually."
"Right. Sorry, my bad," DJ took Adriana's hand as the Latin Troll helped her up.
"No worries, amiga," Adriana waved her worries off, "I usually get the same questions and I usually give the same answers. Camila is off a mission that will most definitely involves guns, swords, milkshakes, and performers."
"Performers? Like musical performers or parade performers?"
Adriana opened her mouth to correct DJ, but she decided to close it after a moment. She wanted to correct her. She really wanted to.
"Yes. Sure. So...what bring you and King Trollex back to Latin City? Along with new friends?"
"Miss Adriana, was it?" Melody approached the Royal Guard member next, "My name is Melody Aria Song. I was instructed by my mother to travel here to Latin City, Dragon Hollow, and the Celtic Rock Kingdom. A group of renegade Trolls known as the Chanty Trolls attacked Volcano Rock City in search of the Six Strings."
Adriana's soft but friendly smile fell immediately upon Melody mentioning the Chanty Trolls and the Six Strings in the same sentence, "But why? The Strings were destroyed by Queen Poppy, were they not?"
"They were," Melody nodded her head, "but the Chanty Trolls don't know that yet, as far as we know."
Adriana rubbed her chin before nodding as well, "Very well. Come with me. We shall find King Lucas and Princess Dulce."
DJ and Melody led the sleeping group (plus one big Wooferbug) to the large nut tree that served as the castle and home for members of royalty. They all took careful steps upward to the front entrance before entering inside to be greeted by the same strategically lit room accompanied by the heavy wood scent.
"King Lucas? Princess Dulce? It's me, Adriana. We have guests. Familiar guests."
. . .
"What kind of familiar?"
"The Saving-The-World-From-The-Past-Terrors-Of-The-Rock-Trolls kind of familiar."
One moment of flapping later, and an avian Troll gracefully landed on the ground in front of them. A single spotlight shone on him, giving a good view of him for DJ and Melody. He was a deep shade of royal blue with lush feathers that, judging by the patterns within, resembled colorful eyes. His hair feathers were tightened at the base with a light blue hairtie while his tail feathers were dragged on the ground; both sections of feathers were long, dangling, iridescent, and aquatic/peacock-evocative. His primary outfit was a white translucent, knee-length beach kimono that was adorned with a picture of a color distorted beach with waves; he wore no pants or shirt, but rather a crystal necklace around his neck, a clear hint of his royalty.
"Welcome back to Cuidad Latina, Miss DJ," King Lucas smiled warmly, "It is a pleasure to have you return."
"The pleasure is all mine, King Lucas," DJ Suki bowed in respect, "I apologize for arriving back on such short notice."
"No, no," Lucas shook his head, "No need for apologies. Your short-noticed arrival is clearly a sign of an emergency...unless it isn't?"
"It kinda is," DJ made a "So-So" gesture with her hands as she introduced Melody, "Your Majesty, this is Melody Song from Volcano Rock City. The kingdom was attacked by a group of Trolls known as the Chanty Trolls–"
"The Chanty Trolls?" Lucas gasped in horror before frowning, "And you made sure none of them followed you here?"
"The Rock Trolls managed to defeat them in battle," Melody confirmed, "though I wouldn't be surprised if any stowaways or stragglers managed to slip away unnoticed."
"If that is the case, then we must make sure every citizen and lockdown measure is accounted for."
"I'm on it, Your Majesty," Adriana began to walk away before stopping herself and turning back to Lucas, "Do you wish to summon Captain Gabriel as well?"
"Please do. We need all hands on deck."
Adriana nodded and turned to walk away to attend to her duties just as another avian Troll stepped (or flew) into the spotlight. The only things that prevented her from being the spitting image of King Lucas were her feathers and clothing choices. Aside from them being shorter, she lacked the peacock-like tail feathers and their eyeball-like pattern that defined her sibling. Her headdress, on the other hand, made up for it with its peacock feathers, jewels, silver that embraced her head in place of a crown or tiara. Complementing the headdress was a teal sequined scarf that resembled an eye-catching dress with a very large slit going up her body's right side when wrapped around her body in addition to diamond earrings and three green bracelets on each arm.
"Hey, big bro," Princess Dulce hugged her older brother from the side, "Another one of your emergency lockdowns, I suppose?"
"And with good reason, little sis," Lucas gestured to the group with his thumb, causing Dulce to face them and gasp in delighted shock.
"DJ Sammy!"
"Suki..." DJ gritted her teeth in annoyance, much to Dulce's embarrassment.
"Ooh... Well. Suki, Sammy, and Suri, what's the difference? It's wonderful to see you again, old friend!"
"The pleasure is–"
DJ never got the chance to finish her greeting just as Dulce bolted forward, grabbed her by the waist, and hoisted her high into the air for a bone-crunching hug, all the while giggling like a madwoman. Struggling to catch her breath, the Pop Troll patted the Latin Troll on her shoulder, prompting Dulce set down DJ and pat her on her shoulder.
"The pleasure...is all mine. But I don't want to sound rude, but do you guys have any spare rooms we can take a rest in? We did not take any breaks whatsoever."
"But of course!" Dulce excitedly exclaimed, "We'll also throw in a free complimentary breakfast! Anything for the saviors of the Troll Kingdom! Come! Walk this way!"
DJ pulled her Wooferbug carrying the group along as Melody followed behind with King Lucas.
"I think I already know the answer to this," King Lucas turned to Melody in suspicion, "but I suppose that you wish to know about the Magical Musical Trolls?"
"You suppose correctly," Melody turned to King Lucas in surprise, "My Mom told me most of the important details, but I'm guessing that you can add an elaboration?"
"You guess correctly...although I will only do so if the fate of the Troll Kingdom depends on it."
"Believe me...it really does."
Traveling by foot on the road, a Troll traveled back down to her home.
Her real home.
("Road Between" by Lucy Hale)
Olivia was born to a single parent, a mother, who told her she was a miracle.
Her little miracle.
Those were her last words before she passed from one life to the next.
I don't have any answers
I'm not short on questions anymore
Still choosing lost causes,
Defending battles and hopeless wars
Afterwards, she was raised by an elderly Troll, who offered her all the love in the world when her mother could not.
She had a normal life, a good life, soon after, people to call her friends and a person to call her love.
But with all good things...
With the right heart
Wrong decision
Keeps you blinded
Tunnel vision
Oh the road to
Love is paved with good intentions
...this good life was not meant to last.
A cruel crime was committed, and poor, unfortunate Olivia was the prime suspect.
Her friends and love turned against her, breaking her spirit and granting her despair.
And I'm still getting to the good part
The breaking down
Learning how to write my story
And I'm in the middle of the madness
The living loose
Finding who I'm gonna be
From the start til the end
I'm still learning the road between
Taking action and opportunity when it presented itself, Olivia decided to remove herself out of the equation as she was the problem that needed solving.
This was much to the dismay of the elder Troll, who pleaded for her permanent stay to no avail.
She chose a new path, a path that she and she alone would face.
I'm gonna need to borrow patience
A shot of courage for letting go
Rent a little wisdom
Until I can afford my own
Patience, courage, and wisdom would form a trio of tenets she would adhere to from that point forward.
With the right heart
Wrong decision
Going slower
Tunnel vision
Oh the road to
Love is paved with good intentions
Olivia was still a child when she finally found a home to call her own.
Family, friendship, and love would be kept to a minimum to keep the focus exclusively on her.
Specifically, she wished to regain her lifestyle and wellbeing.
And I'm still getting to the good part
The breaking down
Learning how to write my story
And I'm in the middle of the madness
The living loose
Finding who I'm gonna be
From the start til the end
I'm still learning the road between
She knew hardship and difficulty would be par for the course in order to achieve this goal, but she had no other choice.
She knew that the tasks would become another chapter in the story she would write.
She knew all of this, but it was an easy and obvious reminder of reassurance.
And I know it ain't gonna be easy, no
But I'm a fighter and you can't take that from me, no
This is just a page in the chapter I'm in
She vowed to become a better Troll...
And I'm still getting to the good part
The breaking down
Learning how to write my story
...a stronger Troll...
And I'm in the middle of the madness
The living loose
Finding who I'm gonna be
From the places I've been
To wherever I'll go
From the start til the end
But until then...
I'm still learning the road between...
Sighing to herself as she continued down the road, Olivia's ears and head eventually shot up at the sound of a twig snap, prompting her to reach for a Glock 17, a Glock 19, a SIG-Sauer P226R, and a Mossberg 500 Persuader. Securing the pistols in her waistband holsters but keeping the shotgun at the ready, she pinpointed the last location of the noise and approached the forest, straying from the path and her luggage carriage.
"I advise to come out to the light and reveal yourself," Olivia continued aiming her weapon, "Because I'm a good bounty hunter when it counts and a great shot when I'm pissed off."
. . .
"I'm... I'm sorry, ma'am..." A timid voice nervously spoke as she stepped out from behind the bushes. It was a Pop Troll child with taffy pink skin, jam purple hair with boysenberry tips, and hazel eyes; she wore a blue dress above a purple leather jacket. Raising her hands up, she continued her apology.
"I didn't mean to intrude on you. I was...just trying to find my friend."
Olivia's hardened expression softened slightly as she lowered her shotgun, "Sorry about that. Basic instinct, I suppose."
"It's all right," The Pop Troll nodded in understanding as Olivia sighed.
"So...you lost your friend, huh? Need any help?"
"If it's not too much trouble. She tried to help me escape the Party Crashers."
Olivia's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and intrigue, "The Party Crashers?"
"They're distant relatives of the Bergens?" The Pop Troll offered, "Wendy was a member of the Party Crashers when she was helping me escape."
"Hmm. Did this happen recently?"
"A night ago. She told me to head to the outskirts of Troll Village, where the Party Crashers were planning their repeated attacks."
Troll Village... Not Pop Village?
Olivia rubbed her chin and nodded as she walked back to her carriage, beckoning the Pop Troll, Wendy's friend, along to take a seat.
"Then she couldn't have gotten that far on her own. Come on. Let's go find your friend."
Wendy's friend climbed aboard, fastening herself as Olivia continued to pull it forward.
Traveling by foot on the road, a Troll traveled back down to her home.
Her real home.
Branch, Val, Gust, and Laguna continued working on the tunnels as the Tribe Leaders instructed the Bounty Hunters to oversee Archer and Peter on their mission. Meanwhile, the Tribe Ambassadors (minus Val, Gust, and Laguna for obvious reasons) took over half of the leadership duties for the time being in order to pick up the slack. While Holly, Synth, Dante, Minuet, Lownote, Rhythm & Blues, Demo, and Blaze were content on working within the confines of their own Tribes, they were not above working alongside the others as well. Specifically, Blaze seemed especially keen on assisting the Classical Trolls, much to the surprise of the Tribe Leaders and Ambassadors...but not Minuet herself, the real reason behind his sudden shift in behavior.
Watching Lownote feed his pet, the Snug-A-Lug, the heads of Holly, Demo, Synth, Adora, Catra, and Flutterina began to tilt in confusion as Lownote gently patted it on the head.
"So lemme get this straight: You can't hug a Snug-A-Lug?" Adora examined the creature in question.
"Absolutely not," Lownote calmly shook his head as he explained, "After just one hug, it splits into two, and it doesn't stop there; the more they hug, the more it splits until the Kingdom is overrun with Snug-a-lugs. They will continue hugging until the planet is overrun."
"Aww..." Holly and Synth awwed at the idea while Adora and Catra exchanged uncertain looks before the latter said this to the former's chagrin.
"Is it weird that I want to hug it now?"
Eventually taking a break from their work and watching the group bicker about the Snug-A-Lug, the facial expressions of Branch, Val, Gust, and Laguna were a cross between amusement and bemusement.
"Nah..." Val disagreed with Catra, "I don't think it's weird at all."
"Please take note of Lownote's explanation on why hugging the Snug-A-Lug is detrimental not just for the hugger, but for the huggee as well," Laguna tried to dissuade Val from doing so.
"I'm just saying," Val shrugged, "If it's true what Lownote said, that the Snug-A-Lug will duplicate every time a hug is given, then I appreciate the challenge behind it. You can't give it a hug even when you reached the tip of the temptation's iceberg."
"I agree," Gust chuckled in concurring, "There's that...je ne sais quoi about it all."
"I...don't know what that means."
"Exactly."
"Regardless..." Branch interjected, "It's nice to take a break once in a while."
"You said it, man. Not me."
. . .
. . .
. . .
And not a moment later...
("Right Trolls For The Job / I'm Gonna Do My Thing (Mash-Up)" by Justin Timberlake, Skylar Astin, Lauren Mayhew, Eric Lopez, Anita Kalathara, & Royal Deluxe)
Val started singing, unintentionally frightening Branch, Laguna, Gust, and pretty much everyone else around her.
["Right Trolls For The Job: Part 1"]
Val:
I'm so good!
Stronger than that Snug-A-Lug
I don't even need to hug
Rocking's how I show my love
Then out of the blue, Laguna decided to join in...
Laguna:
Some would
Find you irresistible
Huggable and kissable
To me you're just atypical
...followed closely by Gust...
Gust:
It ain't worth all the fuss
Y'all just leave it to us
...and finally by Branch, who groaned in contempt at the sudden but inevitable turn of events.
Branch:
Toughest trolls on the block
Yeah, we're the Right Trolls for the job
Val did not seem to mind...
Val:
Yo!
...and neither did the rest of the group.
All:
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Branch:
We're the Right Trolls for the job
Yeah!
All:
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Laguna:
We're the, we're the Right Trolls
We're the, we're the Right Trolls
Yeah!
All:
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Gust:
We're the Right Trolls for the job
All:
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Val:
We're the Right trolls for the job
Right trolls for the job
["I'm Gonna Do My Thing: Part 2"]
Switching up the lyrics but keeping around the beat, Branch retrieved a microphone, Val retrieved a guitar, Laguna retrieved a keyboard, and Gust retrieved a drum set. Many of the Rock, Country, and Funk Trolls who were watching threw their hat into the ring of heavy blues.
[Verse 1]
Branch:
You're not the Police...
Val:
You're not the President...
Gust:
You're not the Pr-Pr-Prince...
Laguna:
And it's evident...
Choir:
So maybe you should let me be...
Strumming the bass line, Val howled "Yo!" again as the Rock, Country, and Funk Trolls sang the chorus.
[Chorus]
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
The four-Troll "band" performed the second verse after the first, this time in reverse order.
[Verse 2]
Laguna:
You're not my doctor...
Gust:
You're not my hand to hold...
Val:
You're not the K-K-King...
Branch:
I can't be bought and sold...
Choir:
So maybe you should let me be...
Val howled "Yo!" once again and strummed her bass line, the assorted group of Rock, Country, and Funk Trolls accompanying her and the band.
[Chorus]
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh! (We're the Right Trolls for the Job!)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh! (We're the Right Trolls for the Job!)
The third verse coming around, the grand guys and gals suitably shared one thirds of it.
[Verse 3]
[Bridge 1]
Branch & Gust:
Can't you see that you cannot control the man I am?
I am not a puppet on your string!
Val & Laguna:
So maybe you should check yourself before you tell me what you think of me
If I'm too hot to handle, baby...
All:
Drop the heat
Cause this is me!
The assorted group of Rock, Country, and Funk Trolls boomed the bridge...
[Bridge 2]
Choir:
I'm gonna do my thing...
I'm gonna do my thing...
...and chanted the chorus as Val howled "Yo!" once more.
[Chorus]
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
I'm gonna do my thing!
The Trolls now all contributed and played their part...
[Outro]
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh! (Laguna: "We're the Right Trolls for the job...!")
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh! (Gust: "We're the Right Trolls for the job...!")
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh! (Val: "We're the Right Trolls for the job...!")
Whoa-oh-oh-oh!
Whoa-oh-oh-oh! (Branch: "We're the Right Trolls for the job...!")
...as Branch, Val, Gust, and Laguna finished the song the same way that they started it:
"Right Trolls for the job...!"
The crowd cheered for them, but thankfully not to the point of giving away their location. Sheriff Callie's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"Do you Trolls always break into song?"
"Don't you?" Delta side-eyed her fellow officer, who opened her mouth to respond before closing it and groaning in agreement.
"Sure. Why not?"
A Few Weeks Ago (In Agatha's Home Dimension). . .
The Hinterlands were and still are considered a home to those who have no home to call their own. Its existence has been kept a safe and sound secret due to the Ancient Troll Leaders having made sure that the true identity of its occupants were kept under wraps. Plus, extremely low interest was a factor in its surprisingly sufficient secrecy.
Among the many occupants were the Smooth Jazz Trolls, the Reggaeton Trolls, the K-Pop Trolls, the Yodeling Trolls, the Polka Trolls, the Barbershop Trolls, the Mariachi Trolls, the Third Wave Ska Trolls, the Hair Metal Trolls, the New Wave Trolls, and the Disco Trolls. The former four were lucky enough to be skilled enough to find a second profession and announce their comeback. The latter seven were not, and they were unfairly made out by the universe to be their new and improved designated punching bags. On a somewhat unrelated side note, Disco got the the short end of the stick.
In order to keep them in one place at one time (ironic, considering their decisions prior and afterwards), the Ancient Troll Leaders housed them all in a comfortably crumbling three-story bed-and-breakfast that had barely bountiful beds and barely blissful breakfasts. Regardless, it was here where they interacted with one another and hosted competitions on which of their music was superior to the others. Some were friendly, others were...less than friendly.
On that topic, as if to mirror their true place in their substitutive social system, some of the more dangerous Trolls were housed on the bottom level. These groups included the Emo Trolls, the Dubstep / Brostep Trolls, the Nu Metal Trolls, and the Grunge Trolls. Perhaps a coincidence that this was an allusion to the tough and fearsome reputation played up by the Rock Trolls, these offshoots were nonetheless met with heavy (but not too heavy) scrutiny by their fellow misfits.
On the other hand, it was also quite ironically ill-fated that the few Trolls to treat them with anything that resembled respect and admiration...were also the most dangerous.
Inside the lobby of the bed-and-breakfast, furniture was thrown, swords were swung, and axes were hurled at one place and then another. Back and forth, left and right, up and down...and all around the improved weapons were tossed and turned by the forgotten and unpopular genres. Hastily playing their music in a way that ensured that they would overlap with each other, it was crystal clear from the get-go that this was one of their less-than-friendly competitions.
From the corner of the kitchen, the four Rock Trolls offshoots nonchalantly watched the remaining seven non-Rock Trolls fight for their supposedly deserved top title with little interest. Their interest was gradually growing to the point of joining in for a bountiful brawl. Alas, their interest could only last so long before being stretched to its absolute limit.
Case in point, one of the Grunge Rock Trolls with the nickname of "Dagger" was one of the few who noticed the non-players enter the establishment and attentively approached the action-packed arena, which was slowly being engulfed by green fog, which in turn was barely acknowledged by the pugnacious participants.
Slowly removing the hoods of their grey cloaks to reveal their identity (presumably for dramatic effect), the individuals in question were three female Trolls who wore different colored headhands with matching colored gemstones. Joining hands and taking a deep breath, the trio began to vocalize.
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh...
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh...
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh...
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh...
As they did, the gemstones began to glow and inhale the green fog, a magical aura of that exact color emitting from the trio. Once they were "satisfied", they sighed in satisfaction and scoffed in scorn at the combating crew.
"That was barely worth the effort, Serina," A purple-skinned female with cyan hair tied into two ponytails by the name of "Kiri" huffed in frustration towards her leader, "I'm tired of fast food. I need a meal. A meal fit for royalty."
"As much as I hate to admit it, you're right, Kiri," The leader, a yellow-skinned female with orange puffy hair styled with curls by the name of "Serina", nodded in averse agreement as she took a seat in the kitchen, "The energy of these so-called Subgenre Trolls just isn't the same as the original six Troll Tribes. Even with all of their energy combined...we can only gain so much power here."
"Ugh, you said it, not me," Kiri continued to solemnly sulk, "I wish those six Tribes were never separated and stayed fighting each other. If things stayed the way they were, we would gain more power and we wouldn't be treking to the most wretched of places to locate more negative energy!"
"And if things DID stay the way they were..." Serina growled at her "sister", "We wouldn't be here now. Right, Kiri?"
"Just saying, Serina..." Kiri propped her head with her arm, an elbow to the table.
"Just saying, hmm? Well, Kiri..." Serina smirked sinisterly as she serviced sickly-sweet sarcasm to shoot back a sardonic slight at her slightly younger "sister", "I just LOVE how the six Tribes split up, all and no thanks to those painfully perversive, positively putrid, permissively pejorative, poppy Pop-loving pricks called POP TROLLS!"
At that, the entire bed-and-breakfast fell into a mighty great stunned silence as the occupants stared with their jaws agape at the group. They often glanced back and forth between an symmetrically stunned Kiri and a legitimately livid Serina, who carefully calmed down when she knew that she made her point. Everyone and everything was strictly silenced until...
"For REALSIES, Serina?!" A blue-skinned female with swept-down green hair by the name of "Vivace" gasped in over-the-top dismay, "Because I think the Pop Trolls are absolutely, altogether awful! No one listens to OUR music anymore, all and no thanks to them!"
"How do you think WE feel, little miss?" A blue-skinned Polka Troll with red, white-tipped hair by the name of "Tatiana Laska" bitterly lamented, "Why do you think we're here today?"
"Well, I think," Kiri halfheartedly turned her attention to her younger "sister", "that you're the worst, Vivace."
"Oh, yeah?" Vivace was understandably upset at her older "sister", "Well... I think...you're...a bad singer!"
On one hand, Vivace's lame comeback was met with amused chuckles of derision by the other Subgenre Trolls. On the other, it was apparently enough to rile up Kiri, who rapidly reached over the threadbare table and pull her forward face-to-face by the collar, swfitly and surely seething with a short temper.
"I'M a bad singer?! Look who's talking! Why do you think we save you from those damned village people in the first place?!"
"Well, why didn't you buy me some singing lessons?!"
"Well, why don't you see how expensive they are?!"
"ENOUGH!"
Suddenly, the both of them were grabbed by the neck and knocked against each other's heads, subsequently groaning in pain along with the other patrons. Kiri and Vivace were then met with the scornful scan of their older "sister", who groaned in incredible irritation at the annoying antics of her two younger "siblings".
"Well, why couldn't I be free of you two?" Serina grieved for her general wellbeing, "Because if I should tell you one thing, it would be that being stuck with you two isn't making this like any more bearable."
Vivace managed a soft smile as she took a seat beside her "sister", "I'm sorry, Serina."
"I'm not," Kiri chuckled.
"Because without you," Vivace ignored her, "we wouldn't be here...alive. We would be...dead, for all we know. We would be decaying corpses while vultures fed on our carcasses. Because of you, we're alive, even if by a considerably slight margin. If you hadn't saved Kiri from that brothel, she would have been selling her body for the rest of her life! If you hadn't saved me from that village, I would have been burned at the stake!"
Vivace took a deep breath before continuing, "The point is, Serina...the three of us have that certain quality that keeps us together. You''re the leader, Kiri's the muscle, and I'm...well, I was nobody when you found me. Because of you...I have a purpose. WE have a purpose."
. . .
. . .
. . .
"That was dark," Kiri frowned, "Really dark."
"That was beautiful," An Emo Troll by the name of Grey sniffled, "Really beautiful."
"Oh, God..." Kiri shook her head.
"And also surprisingly inspiring," Serina nodded again in averse admiration for her younger "sister", "You're not nobody, Vivace. If I found you and brought in...well, you must be somebody after all."
Vivace's smile grew as she lunged forward at Serina for a hug, which she reluctantly returned.
"Hey, come on, Vi. Not for too long, I have a reputation to keep."
"And I hate to break it up to you and everyone else," Kiri interjected again as Vivace pulled away from Serina, "but we're still here. Alone. Barely any food, barely any shelter, and barely any decent music."
"We won't be here for long," Serina stood up in resolute determination, "We're gonna get out of here, even if death should be our last resort."
"And how exactly are we going to do that?" Kiri continued to voice her realistic opinion, "It's not like a miracle is going to shoot up like a rainbow...!"
BOOM!
Perhaps on cue as a means to endlessly prove Kiri wrong, an explosion rocked the entire establishment to the core, accompanied by a light that filled up the darkened room. This light was rainbow-colored, a fact that everyone, especially the three "sisters", noticed all too well. Exchanging shocked looks with each other, everybody ran out of the bed-and-breakfast, led by Serina, Kiri, and Vivace, who all got a front-row seat to the prismatic phenomenon.
From a thousand miles away, they watched as a burst of rainbow energy exploded into the sky and created a powerful shockwave that radiated all over the kingdom.
"Huh," Kiri was impressed.
"Never one for outrageous optimism, were you, sister?" Serina smirked.
"Easier to let it devolve into crucial cynicism, sister."
"I agree."
Vivace gasped and laughed in delight as she felt figurative and literal energy flow through her veins, "Do you girls see that? Feel that? Know what that is? The six Tribes are united once again!"
As she cheerfully whooped and jumped all over the place, Serina shook her head at her "sister's" child-like wonder, "Yes, dear sister, it would appear to be the case."
"But how?" Kiri frowned once again, "And why now? The Troll Tribes were isolated for centuries and now they're deciding to perform a truce, peace treaty, or whatever you call it?"
"It seems that the Pop Trolls finally came through, sister. Whatever the case..." Serina took off her high hanging headband and examined her gradually glowing gemstone, "They're united once again. And this time...we'll not make the same mistakes. We'll strike when the iron is hot, we'll harness their energy, and we're going to make every single Troll adore us once again..."
Serina began to cackle menacingly, eventually being joined by her "sisters".
"Wait, wait, wait! You two are doing it at the wrong pitch. It has to start low and become higher with every laugh."
"Like this?" Vivace demonstrated, "Ha-ha! Ha-ha! Ha-ha! HA-HA! HA-HA! HA-HA!"
"Perfect..."
"Such a suck-up..." Kiri rolled her eyes before nonetheless adjusting to the pitch with her "sisters", who resumed their evil laugh in victory.
An evil plan for an evil trio...
Agatha woke up with a start and, after regaining her breath, glanced around to take in her surroundings. The memories of the past few weeks came rushing back to her full-force as she somberly hung her head. In that time span, the Siren Trolls managed to take over her home dimension and enslave the majority of the six Troll Tribes, while the leaders went into hiding. Trollex, on the other hand, was one of the few who were presumably captured and placed under mind control, considering he held off the brainwashed Trolls who were attempting to prevent their great escape. Even though she watched him engage in free-fall in the process, she steadfastly refused that the Techno King had died as a result. She had a gut feeling that Trollex...her one true love...was still alive.
Pulling herself out of bed, Agatha made sure not to wake up not just Emma and Victoria, but also King Eric, Aidan, and Alani, who were all surely sleeping soundly in their chambers. Exiting her own chambers, she quietly passed through the halls where several pictures and paintings detailing the rich history of the Folk Rock Trolls were hung on hooks and placed on display for those to see. As she did, she noticed more than a few depicted the life and afterlife of the former King and Queen. King Finn and Queen Fiona were happy, content, joyful, and unified, all the makings of a healthy relationship. The few arguments that were depicted were mostly trivial, ranging from food fights at the table to baby names at the nursery. She could not help but be happy for and jealous at the both of them.
Her mind wandering elsewhere, Agatha began compare and contrast the relationships between Finn and Fiona and Aidan and Alani to that between her and Trollex. The most reoccurring similarity was that they all were in a positive and cooperative relationship. The only difference was how they acted and reacted in their respective relationships. From the looks of it, Finn and Fiona were the best of both worlds. They could work together in harmony to maintain their kingdom and have fun once in a while. Aidan and Alani, for the most part, opted to keep their love life and work life separate, never once submitting to the pleasures of public display of affection unless it was a simple hug or kiss on the cheek. Her and Trollex, meanwhile, were entirely a different story. Because the latter's idea of running a kingdom mostly consisted of making sure his subjects had fun and were happy, the former saw fit that she do the same, learning how to let loose perhaps a tad too much.
Never once did the kingdom's security come into play...until now.
Eventually making her way to one of the castle's seaside balconies, Agatha got a crystal clear view of the moon and the ocean that stretched far from the castle. The deep abyss was illuminated by the mystic moonlight, giving off a very ethereal and haunting quality to the already aesthetic atmosphere. As breathtakingly beautiful the night was, it was a moment that longed to be shared with someone else.
Someone...like Trollex...
("Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" by Elton John) (Cover By Boyce Avenue & Connie Talbot) [From The Lion King (1994)]
Closing her eyes and opening her mind, Aggie visualized herself in a desolate location. She was currently standing in a puddle that stretched for a thousand miles or more and surrounded the entire landscape. While a big, black blue sky illuminated her surroundings, a red satin gown that reached to her ankles magically materialized as she spun around.
She visualized herself...and only herself...for a moment.
[Verse 1: Ariel Winter / Connie Talbot]
There's a calm surrender
To the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind
Can be turned away
After that moment passed, Trollex appeared in a midnight blue tuxedo jacket with a gold shawl lapel collar and black bowtie to accompany her on her musical trip.
[Verse 1: Anthony Ramos / Boyce Avenue & (Both)]
An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior
(Just to be with you)
Joining hands with their respective beloved, Trollex and Aggie engaged in a dance of romance that went hand-in-hand with the background song.
[Chorus: Both & (Solo)]
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
(It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer)
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest?
(It's enough to make kings and vagabonds)
Believe the very best
Occasionally, Aggie allowed Trollex to dip her on the condition that she do the same towards him. They threw in a few spins and solo side-steps, because why not?
[Verse 2: Ariel Winter / Connie Talbot]
There's a time for everyone
If they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope
Moves us all in turn
With each passing minute, the both of them got closer and closer to each other. Perhaps too close for comfort, but the feeling was nothing but a comfort.
[Verse 2: Anthony Ramos / Boyce Avenue & (Both)]
There's a rhyme and reason
To the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager
(Beats in time with yours)
She was here with him, and he was here with her. She had him, and he had her...and sometimes, that was enough.
[Chorus: Both & (Solo)]
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
(It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer)
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest?
(It's enough to make kings and vagabonds)
Believe the very best
The dance had a brief time limit, but in the eyes of Trollex and Aggie, it was limitless. Compassionately cupping each other's faces, Trollex and Aggie prepared to pull in for a kindhearted kiss...
(It's enough to make kings and vagabonds)
Believe the very best...
...and the universe decided now was a good enough time to end the fantasy...
. . .
. . .
. . .
...or so they thought...
Agatha was almost certain that she was still in a fantasy when she pulled away from the kiss, imagining herself caressing Trollex's face with her tiny hands as he gazed her with his eyes.
Those lovely pale green eyes...
"Trollex...?"
"Yes?"
Her eyes blinking in bewilderment, Agatha's jaw hung agape as she examined her love from head to toe.
No. No, it can't be...
"Trollex?!"
"Yes," The Techno King nodded in confirmation, "That's my name, Aggie. Unless...you could be confusing me with Synth, so that way... Mmph!"
Before Trollex could drone on with jokes galore, he was quickly shut up by a quick-draw kiss by Agatha, who melted into the embrace just as quickly again. He did not mind the intrusion, though, and briefly mirrored her actions until she pulled away and gazed into his eyes. She wanted to make sure what was very much happening was very much real. When she had her confirmation, she began to cry tears of joy and plant small kisses on his cheeks.
"You're... You're alive..."
"Yeah," Trollex goofily grinned and blushed heavily, "It's a good thing I fell in the water when I did. Otherwise, if I fell on the ground, I wouldn't be able to breathe for...well, seemingly obvious reasons."
"I..." Agatha shook her head as she laughed heartily, "How? How are you here?"
"Well..." Trollex nervously scratched the back of his head, "I may have had a little help."
"Little? Who you calling little?"
Trollex and Agatha jumped at the sudden voice, though the former less so than the latter since he knew the identity of this "little" help. Shooting out of the sea, shaking itself dry, and soaring downward before slowing down to hover across the balcony, the "little" help revealed itself to the both of them. It was a blue creature with a darker shade on her back and a lighter shade on her stomach arms and face. She had short dorsal fins on her back, white-bluish-violet hair as a mane. and a small tuft of her at the end of her tail. She also had two dark blue horns on her head with two additional ones at the top that were patterned with an intricate design, a snout with sharp teeth, and big purple eyes.
Recognizing the creature as a dragon, Agatha gasped in awe.
"I'm not that short, let alone small," The dragon snarked at a bashful Trollex, "In fact, I am much taller and bigger than you two combined."
"You know what I mean," The Techno King waved off a halfhearted apology towards her.
"Heh. So..." The dragon spared a glance at Aggie and then her surroundings, "Is this her? Is this the place? Because I shouldn't be here; I should be back in Kumandra eating shrimp with my friend Boun."
"I still can't believe you "humans" eat our people while applying sauces and spices," Trollex noted with disdain while emphasizing the word "humans" with quotation marks.
"It tends to be a part of our culture, Little Mertroll," The dragon shrugged, "just as this so-called "Techno" music is a part of yours."
Trollex opened his mouth to retort back...but could not think of one.
"touché."
"Exactly," The dragon smirked before turning towards a still-in-awe Agatha, "I'd hold on to him if I were you, Aggie. He's a keeper."
Before Agatha could question how the dragon knew her, two voices of concern stepped out from the darkness.
"Royal Consort Agatha! Are you...okay...?"
"We heard voices and we thought..."
Their jaws hung agape, Aidan and Alani stared in shock at the apparent dragon accompanying and apparently sharing a conversation with Aggie and a little mertroll. Slowly but carefully gliding forward, the dragon transformed into a Troll herself. While maintaining her purple eyes and blue skin, and dragon wings, she now had long, elegant white-bluish-violet hair; a dark purple robe with a white furry collar; grey trousers that reached below her knees; and blue soft shoes that revealed her ankles. She was essentially a spitting image of her former self...in Troll form.
"Where are my manners?" The dragon smiled, laughed, and outstretched a hand for them to shake, "The name's Sisu."
