A/N: Okay, you guys are clearly dying to know the villain of this story. Here's another chapter for you!
Chapter Four – Plans, Proposals, Plans of Proposals
During the rest of their stay in Hana Rosa, Delta Dawn taught Rosiepuff her style of earth-bending, Branch made friends with locals his age, and Symphony played so much with the children that she slept most of the way home. Branch and Rosiepuff talked and laughed during the carriage ride, only further proving the success of the trip. When they finally arrived in Troll Valley, Rosiepuff made dinner for everyone at the Troll Tree, and she, Branch, and Symphony told their friends about the trip. Poppy, especially, was excited to expand her bending knowledge.
Over the next couple weeks, Rosiepuff began exchanging letters with Delta Dawn and Rockwell. She updated them on everything that happened in Troll Valley, with the exception of the restaurant. While Rosiepuff was happy to give Moxie the opportunity to gain valuable skills, she wasn't happy to be forced from her work because of doctor's orders. Rosiepuff's presence in the restaurant did not waver, even when she reluctantly did less cooking. Customers kept coming, so things seemed to be all right. But Branch noticed that his grandmother seemed antsy. She still worked as a waitress and baked the desserts (which was less harsh on her wrists and hands), but she wasn't used to the slower pace.
Branch decided they needed a distraction. Thankfully, one came in the form of Grandmaster Ryu's birthday. After his death, the residents of Troll Valley began celebrating his birthday in the form of a great party, complete with food vendors, games, and performances, to honor the great master. Nobody wanted to hold the celebration on the day he died.
Branch convinced Rosiepuff to leave the restaurant's food cart with Moxie, Biggie, and Fuzzbert, and he and Symphony led her into the festival. The warriors of the Troll Tree wandered the festival. Peppy often stopped to talk with some of the older villagers, exchanging stories about Peppy's father.
"This is fun, huh?" Branch asked as they sat down for lunch.
"Yes, it's very fun and it is distracting me." Rosiepuff said with a slight smirk.
Branch chuckled sheepishly. "Caught onto that, did you?"
"You're very sweet, my angel." Rosiepuff said. "I think I needed this."
"We should play some games or something!" Symphony suggested when they continued walking. "Or we could…..we could…" Symphony squinted a little. "Hey, don't we know that lady?"
Rosiepuff and Branch followed the dragon's point, and they saw a small tent with a female troll standing at the entrance. Her giant coat concealed her body from the neck down, even dragging along the dirt.
"Wait, isn't that the soothsayer from Sunrise City?" Branch realized.
"Let's go say hello." Rosiepuff suggested, walking towards the soothsayer.
"Maybe we shouldn't." Symphony said. "I'm still mad that she told Artemis you were the Dragon Warrior."
"The soothsayer intended to fool Artemis, and I ended up in the crossfire. Nobody could've seen that coming, even her." Rosiepuff corrected. "I hold no ill will against her, and neither should you."
"Fine." Branch shrugged. "But if she's serving food, it better be good."
The soothsayer heard them coming, and she smiled at them. "Good day to you, great warriors."
"It is nice to see you again." Rosiepuff said with a small bow. "What brings you to Troll Valley?"
"The celebration for Grandmaster Ryu, of course." The soothsayer said. "I am offering crystal ball readings. Would you care to partake? No charge for you, of course."
"That could be fun." Branch shrugged. "Are you accurate?"
"Yes, though my prophecies can be interpretive." The soothsayer said. "Care for a glimpse? Perhaps some sage advice?"
"I think that would be nice." Rosiepuff said.
"Then step forward, one at a time." The soothsayer walked into her tent, flipping a sign outside to read "Reading in session."
"Who's up first?" Rosiepuff asked.
"Why don't you go since you seem so eager?" Symphony chuckled.
"I just think we all could use a little guidance. Even you, Symphony." Rosiepuff stepped into the tent. The soothsayer sat at a table in the center of the tent. A crystal ball rested in the middle of the table, and Rosiepuff took the free chair across from the soothsayer.
"Place your hand on the crystal ball and clear your mind." The soothsayer instructed.
Rosiepuff did so. She took a few deep breaths. She watched the soothsayer shut her eyes and hum softly to herself. Rosiepuff focused on the hum, at first. Then, she noticed the crystal ball change. Smoke appeared inside the ball, filling it completely. Shadows appeared in the fog. The shadows then became more detailed, creating black-and-white images. The figure turned into a younger version of Rosiepuff.
"What do you see?" the soothsayer asked.
Rosiepuff explained the snapshots as she saw them. They appeared rapidly, like moving paintings. "I see myself, with my family. We're together in Hana Rosa. Now my grandmother is arguing with someone, while I cower behind her. I remember that. We were visiting La Classica, and someone was being cruel to me because I was a water-bender. That was the first time I experienced such a thing. Wait, it's changing. I'm fighting against Titan. I….I killed him…..now I'm running. There's something chasing me, but I can't see it. Now I'm facing whatever it is, and I…." The smoke disappeared. "It's gone. Where did it go?"
"You have done well, facing your past and moving on from your pain." The soothsayer stopped humming and opened her eyes. "There is only a little way to go. However, there is one final hurdle you must overcome. In the near future, you will meet some familiar faces. There is unfinished business to attend to."
"What unfinished business?" Rosiepuff asked.
"That is all I can say, all I can see." The soothsayer said. "I am very confident you will emerge stronger than ever. Like a phoenix bursting from its ashes, you will be reborn."
Rosiepuff smiled and bowed to the soothsayer. "Thank you." She walked from the tent, casually pondering the oracle's words. "Okay, Branch, your turn."
"Fine, whatever." Branch rolled his eyes as he entered the tent. Like Rosiepuff, he sat at the free chair and did as the soothsayer instructed. The smoke and monochromatic images appeared. "I see myself, holding the Dragon Blade. I'm defeating Creek. Now I'm seeing a bunch of other stuff. All my friends and family are fighting different battles, and I'm not helping them. That's it. What does that mean?"
"It means you are worried that you have not done enough in your life." The soothsayer said. "But you are in control of your life and your life alone. You must learn to let another follow their destiny, even if it means forcing yourself to stay on the sidelines."
Branch frowned in thought. "May I ask you one more thing?"
"Of course."
"You're right about one thing: I feel like I haven't done enough to earn my title as Dragon Warrior. I'm just wondering if there's anything more I should be doing."
"That sounds like a question for your master. I can only tell you that people too often think they need to make massive changes to 'fix' their lives. Sometimes, even a small change can make you feel better."
Branch smiled a little. He bowed to the soothsayer. "Thank you." He exited the tent. "Okay, Symphony, you're up."
"Okay, but I'm not the one who seems to be having life problems." Symphony flew into the tent. She sat on the table, placing her claws and toes on the crystal ball.
"What do you hope to find, little dragon?" the soothsayer asked.
"I dunno." Symphony shrugged. "Life seems good for me. I'm rather content."
"Are you?" the soothsayer raised an eyebrow.
Symphony tapped her claw on the crystal ball. "Does everyone in this world have a destiny? A path they follow that leads to greatness or evilness or even just mundane life-ness?"
The soothsayer hummed in thought. "What do you see in the crystal ball?"
Symphony looked. "I see an egg. Oh, that's my egg. See, there's Branch taking care of me. And that's us getting caught by Grandma. Did you know she used to have a 'no pets' rule in the house? I won her over, though. You know, after I helped fix the stuff I broke." Symphony looked into the crystal ball again, and she stared in confusion. "Wait, what's that? Is that me? But I'm so much bigger. And I'm fighting someone. Whoa!" A shadowy creature with glowing red eyes appeared, but Symphony saw her larger self fighting the creature with lightning. "I think I'm winning. Where'd it go? Why did it disappear?"
"That is the end of your prophesizing, my friend." The soothsayer said. "Not everyone has a great destiny. But you are indeed destined for a great thing. You will discover your life's purpose in the near future. For now, be content with your life as it is."
"Thank you." Symphony said. "Can you tell me what that great destiny will be?"
"I'm afraid not. That is beyond my sight." The soothsayer gestured for Symphony to come closer. "I feel I must warn you, little dragon, that the path to your destiny will come at a price. I predict you will perish to save your family on the way to your true purpose."
Symphony stared at the soothsayer. "How?"
"No one should know too much about their own demise." The soothsayer said. "Go in peace, young one."
Symphony thanked the soothsayer uncertainly, and she flew from the tent. How am I supposed to discover my destiny in the near future if I'm supposed to die on the way?
"So what'd she tell you?" Branch asked Symphony.
"Hey, you didn't tell me what she told you." Rosiepuff pointed out.
"Then I'm not telling either." Symphony said, putting on a grin. No need to worry them. Besides, the soothsayer might be crazy.
The month following the celebration seemed to drag on for Rosiepuff and Branch. Symphony no longer worried about the soothsayer's prophecy, and split her time between the Troll Tree and Rosie's Place. Rosiepuff slowly but surely accustomed herself to her new pace in the restaurant. She praised Moxie's great work as a chef. Less time in the restaurant meant Rosiepuff could put more effort in Poppy's water-bending training, something the pink troll enjoyed. Branch did his training at the Troll Tree and spent time with Poppy during his leisure hours. Not a lot of exciting battles happened. The occasional band of bandits or two.
Branch wandered the village one day. His friends would greet him with a "Hey there, Branch!" when they saw him. When the other villagers saw him, they said things like "Good afternoon, Dragon Warrior!" and "Hi, Dragon Warrior!" Branch replied with courtesy. He still wondered if being the Dragon Warrior meant more than defeating Creek. Or, like Poppy said, maybe it was just a title. He liked being a warrior regardless of his title. Branch wanted to change something, but couldn't figure out what exactly he wanted to do.
Something sparkled in the sunlight, and Branch looked over to the window of a jewelry shop. For some reason, his feet pulled him into the shop, and he went towards the rings.
"Can I help you with anything, Dragon Warrior?" the fairy troll behind the counter asked.
"I think so. Thanks, Amethyst." Branch murmured, his eyes analyzing the rings. He saw so many colors and designs and price tags, and he nearly went cross-eyed.
"For yourself or for another?" the fairy troll asked.
"For my girlfriend." Branch replied.
Amethyst squealed in excitement, her wings fluttering fervently. "Say no more! I know just what you need!" She readjusted her glasses and rummaged around the glass case. She pulled out a ring from the case and showed it to Branch. "Rose gold band, rounded red stone embedded in the metal to minimize odds of breakage. Ideal for a warrior, and perfect for an engagement."
"Amethyst, you did it again." Branch smiled. "You always know just what people need."
"I have lived in this village all my life, and I know every single troll who lives here." Amethyst said proudly. "My eyes may be going, but my sense remains. I'll get you a good deal on that ring."
"In that case, can I grab something else for my grandma?" Branch requested politely.
"I got just the thing!" Amethyst found a pair of pretty pearl earrings. "These are on sale. I know she has that lovely pearl necklace she only wears for special occasions, and these will match perfectly."
"You're the best, Amethyst." Branch paid for his items and hurried home. The restaurant was quiet today. Branch waved to the handful of patrons on his way to the kitchen. "Hey Moxie! Is Grandma around?"
"She's reorganizing the pantry." Moxie said. "Here, taste this."
Branch accepted the ravioli she offered. "That is so good! Great job!"
"Thanks!" Moxie bounced giddily. "I'm so thankful your grandma let me move to full-time. I'm learning so much!"
"Glad to hear it!" Branch went downstairs to the pantry and found Rosiepuff taking inventory. "Hey Grandma! I got something for you."
Rosiepuff accepted the paper-wrapped package and opened it. "Oh, Branch, they're lovely." She raised an eyebrow at him. "What sort of trouble are you in this time?"
"What do you mean?" Branch laughed.
"You usually only get me jewelry when you're trying to butter me up." Rosiepuff tucked the earrings in her pocket.
"No, but I could use a pep talk." Branch admitted. "I also bought a ring. What would you say to Poppy being your granddaughter-in-law?"
Rosiepuff screamed in excitement, hugging Branch tight enough to cut off his airways for a moment. When Symphony flew down to see what the fuss was about, she squealed too.
"Okay, okay!" Branch said loud enough to calm them. "I haven't proposed yet. I'm working up the nerve."
"What are you waiting for?" Symphony asked.
"I don't know." Branch admitted. "I'm just kind of nervous. Grandma, how did Grandpa propose to you?"
"Oh, don't follow your grandfather's methods." Rosiepuff laughed. "He proposed to me in the middle of a top-secret mission."
"What mission?" Branch asked.
"Here, help me take stock and I'll tell you." Rosiepuff handed Branch a booklet for their inventory. Symphony helped while listening to Rosiepuff talk. "About a year after the competition for my hand in marriage, Master Shen and Lady Siren from Sunrise City contacted my family. They heard rumors of a rich troll who lived just outside our country, kidnapping benders and forcing them into slavery or fighting for sport. Shen and Siren were asking for help. Grandpa Thorn wanted me to investigate and take down this rotten trash and free the enslaved benders. Your grandfather, Kai, insisted on joining me for backup. At the time, we had only been dating for eight months. For some reason, Grandpa Thorn agreed; and, despite my protests, Kai tagged along."
"Was it very dangerous?" Symphony asked.
"Of course it was." Rosiepuff shrugged. "But I was a Golden Rose in my prime, and this was child's play. Though, I will admit my emotions got a little out of hand a couple times. It made my blood boil to see those benders mistreated. Well, Kai and I defeated a bunch of guards trying to stop our operation. Right after the fight, your grandfather looked at me and just blurted out, 'Will you marry me?' After I punched him for distracting me, we finished the mission and helped escort the benders home. Kai reiterated his proposal, and even gave me a bracelet he made himself as opposed to a ring."
"How did you react?" Branch asked.
"For a moment, I wasn't quite sure how to respond." Rosiepuff admitted. "I thought we were rushing things. But when I looked in his eyes, I suddenly saw our future together. It was like I had a vision of a wonderful life ahead of me, as long as Kai was my husband. I still have that bracelet somewhere. I stopped wearing it after the attack on Lotus Lagoon."
Branch patted his pocket where he kept the ring for Poppy. "Am I rushing into this?"
"Branch, you've been dating this girl for three years. If you aren't sure you want to marry her by now, you won't ever marry her." Rosiepuff said. She hugged him. "Best of luck, Branch."
Branch smiled. "Thanks. I want it to be special, though. Here, let me help out around here, and then I'll plan a great proposal!"
As the three of them finished the workday, it seemed as though they traveled back in time. Back to a time when Branch only ever dreamed of becoming a warrior. Back to those days when he would stare longingly at the Troll Tree warriors as they ran off into battle. Back to the days when Rosiepuff tried to discourage him out of fear. A fear that was rooted in something much deeper and more painful. Thankfully, knowing his grandmother's secrets did not tarnish his admiration for her. Branch loved his little family. Of course, he reminded himself, they were not so little anymore. Not when they had all the warriors of the Troll Tree, and their numerous friends across the country.
Branch left after helping to clean the restaurant. Biggie and Fuzzbert counted their tips and bid Rosiepuff goodnight. Moxie thanked Rosiepuff a dozen times for her teachings and returned home skipping. Rosiepuff locked the doors and pulled down the window shades.
"Why don't you go catch up with Branch?" Rosiepuff suggested to Symphony. "You certainly don't have to help me with this."
"Yes, I do." Symphony said. "You're my family just as much as Branch is. He may have raised me, but you're important to me, too. I want to help you with this."
"Well, I appreciate that." Rosiepuff said, setting up the kitchen. "Hope this works."
"It will!" Symphony's tail wagged like an excited puppy. "Let's go!"
Rosiepuff exhaled sharply. "Okay. I can do this. My hands may be useless, but I have a power few others possess. Let's do this!"
"Ready…." Symphony eyed the clock on the wall. When the minute hand hit the twelve (it was officially an hour after closing time), she called, "Go!"
Summoning water from a pot, Rosiepuff scooped up the vegetables from the counter. Precise movements helped the water cut the vegetables, and she set them aside. She did something similar with the cheese. The water pulled lasagna noodles from the boiling pot on the stove and set the noodle sheets on a wire rack to dry. Rosiepuff grinned, and she made a ring of water around herself that then sprouted tendrils. Carefully, Rosiepuff used the tendrils to grab the vegetables, noodles, cheese, and premade sauce. But as she tried to pour and layer the ingredients, the sauce began to spill and the water wiggled as she struggled to regain control.
"You're good!" Symphony said. "Keep going!"
Rosiepuff took a deep breath. "I got this. I got it." She finished layering the lasagna and returned the water to the pot. She put the lasagna in the oven. "There. That wasn't so bad." She glanced around her kitchen, now an utter mess. "Except for the part where I have to reclean the kitchen."
"I'll help." Symphony offered. The two of them finished cleaning halfway through baking, and Rosiepuff summoned the water again. Since she couldn't feel anything in her hands, she previously had a bit of trouble picking up the pans from the oven. Especially with potholders, she could not fully register the weight of the pans, and they would tip. Symphony opened the oven door, and Rosiepuff reached in with the water. Steam hissed as the cool water came into contact with the hot oven, and Rosiepuff quickly pulled out the pan and shut the oven. She let it cool and returned the water once more. She and Symphony looked to the lasagna and grimaced a little. It certainly didn't look great. The cheese was in chunks and the sauce looked watery, and the whole thing looked too lumpy.
"Can't be that bad, right?" Rosiepuff grabbed a fork for herself and Symphony and they tried the lasagna.
"It's good." Symphony said.
Rosiepuff glared. "No, it's not. The vegetables are either undercooked or overcooked because they weren't cut right. Some of the cheese isn't melted, and the sauce is destroyed from being watered down. None of it is layered right. This is rubbish!"
"We'll try again." Symphony said in encouragement. "We can rework it so you can cook again."
"No, we can't." Rosiepuff sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Forget it. It's fine. I'm going to bed." She left before Symphony could respond. The little dragon sighed sadly. She pushed the hot lasagna pan—with her claws, so she wouldn't burn herself—to the bin and used a large spoon to throw away the defunct dish. Symphony wished she were bigger and strong enough to just lift up the pan and dump the food. Legend says dragons could change their size, and instantly grow really big or shrink really small at will. Well, as Symphony noted bitterly, legend never said how a dragon was supposed to do that. Symphony did not have another dragon from whom to learn these things. She had to teach herself how to fly, how to breathe fire. Still, a life with Branch and Rosiepuff was a blessing in her eyes. She heard tales of dragons kept in inhumane zoos or butchered for their valuable body parts. Symphony was a lucky one. Dragons were rare. Wild dragons were so good at hiding that they were hardly ever found, and there were not many domesticated dragons.
Symphony finished her job and flew upstairs. She crawled into Rosiepuff's room and saw Rosiepuff still awake. The elder troll sat on her bed, staring at a woven bracelet on her wrist. Symphony crawled across the floor and climbed up onto the bed. She noticed the woven bracelet had a rainbow's worth of colored beads on it.
"Is that the bracelet Kai gave you?" Symphony asked. "It's so small and simple."
"It was the perfect token for a proposal." Rosiepuff said. "It represents his form of showing love. He showed me he loved me in the smallest and simplest ways. From a flower left on my pillow at night to a random cup of tea delivered to me while reading my favorite book. That's how I knew it was sincere."
Symphony sat in front of Rosiepuff. They were quiet for a moment. "We can try again tomorrow, if you want."
Rosiepuff shrugged. "I don't want to seem ungrateful for Moxie's help. She's doing so well. It's just that…..I don't know…"
"What?"
"I am not ready to give up working in this place. Or maybe I'm scared of this drastic change. I've been doing it for so long. I focused so hard on my love for cooking and baking so I would forget about being a bender. Even after I started water-bending again, I couldn't give up how much I enjoyed my work. Now, I'm being forced out of it because of….."
"Because of something outside your control."
Rosiepuff stared at her hands. Her scars stood out more than usual. "It would be irresponsible to keep doing something that causes me more pain, especially if it causes problems down the road. But what am I supposed to do? I never really had a retirement plan or anything; and I don't like being forced to do anything or to stop doing something I enjoy. What can I do if I can't do this?"
"You can be a water-bender. Full time." Symphony suggested. "Do the things you did in the Golden Rose Clan."
"I hardly think so." Rosiepuff scoffed. "Protecting Troll Valley? Teaching other benders? Yes, I help around now and then, but to do it all the time? Can I really just jump right into it again?"
"I don't see why not." Symphony said. "You had to learn how to cook and run a restaurant and all that, and you did it just to make sure you and Branch were taken care of. But being a bender? It's literally in your blood. You were still a Golden Rose even when you left Hana Rosa, and you're a Golden Rose now. Branch isn't the only one who could stand to make a change. What if you started teaching all the Troll Tree warriors, and not just Poppy?"
"Oh, I couldn't do that." Rosiepuff said. "Peppy wouldn't allow it. He's the master of the palace, and he's in charge of his students. Besides, I don't want to infringe on his area of expertise."
"His area of expertise is kung fu." Symphony corrected. "I bet he'd be thrilled to have you teach everyone else. He might even want some bending lessons."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. I have complete faith in this. What else are you going to do with your time, anyway?"
Rosiepuff laughed, and she scooped up Symphony in a hug. "Thank you, Symphony. Why don't you go catch up with Branch? I'll clean up downstairs."
"That's okay!" Symphony chirped. "I already cleaned up!"
"Did you remember to turn off the lights?" Rosiepuff raised an eyebrow.
Symphony's smile dropped. "Uh….."
"That's what I thought." Rosiepuff laughed again, heading downstairs with Symphony close behind.
Symphony noticed something, and she tugged on Rosiepuff's coat. She whispered, "Grandma, look."
Rosiepuff looked into the dining area where Symphony pointed. Through the window between the kitchen and the dining area, Rosiepuff saw the faint outline of someone sitting at a table, eating something. Rosiepuff and Symphony shared a perplexed look. Symphony perched on Rosiepuff's shoulder as the elder troll walked into the dining room.
"Excuse me, sir?" Rosiepuff piped up. "We closed over an hour ago. That's strange, I thought I locked that door."
The guest scoffed. "And here I thought everyone was scared away by this garbage you call food."
Symphony saw the guest eating right off the table, his food plopped on the surface. "Wait, is that the lasagna I threw in the trash?"
Rosiepuff narrowed her eyes. In the dark of the restaurant, she could only just make out the troll. He appeared to be wearing some kind of armor, but she couldn't see his colors or his face. He might be a dark elf troll, if those were pointed ears she saw. She straightened up and used her 'scary Grandma voice,' as Branch called it. "You need to leave now, sir."
"So rude." The guest huffed indignantly.
Symphony noticed something about how the guest ate, and she gasped. "Grandma….." she squeaked. "Look…the food…"
Rosiepuff watched the guest pick up another forkful of trash lasagna and put it in his mouth. Her eyes widened when she saw that same bite of lasagna go through his mouth and fall to the floor, where more food lay. "Who or what are you?" Rosiepuff demanded.
The guest sighed as he stood. "You don't remember? Have you killed so much that the faces blurred together?"
Rosiepuff ran back into the kitchen and slammed the door shut, locking it. "If you don't leave right now, I'll use my water-bending to throw you out myself!"
"Always falling back to your water-bending." The guest's voice grew louder as he came closer. "Typical of a demon like yourself to resort to violence."
"Who are you?" Rosiepuff demanded.
Suddenly, an arm thrust through the door, and Rosiepuff and Symphony screamed as they jumped back. They watched, horrified, as a ghostly white figure stepped through the shut door. In the light, they could see he did indeed wear damaged armor, a sword buckled around his hips. His face was scarred, and there was a line across his neck.
"What do you think of my new form, Golden Rose?" the ghost put his hands to his temples, and he lifted his head right off his neck. "Do you recognize me now?"
"Titan." Rosiepuff breathed.
A/N: Haha! It's a cliffhanger! You ought to have expected that by now if you've read my stuff before. :D