Chapter Nine – Surprises All Around

"Can certain trolls only bend certain elements?" Poppy asked during training.

"Nope." Rosiepuff said, sparring with Peppy. "Maybe a mermaid troll seems more suitable for water-bending, and perhaps a fairy troll might be a better air-bender. In my family, my mermaid troll grandmother was a fire-bender, and my great-aunt married a fairy troll whose element turned out to be water-bending."

"Were there any in your family who weren't benders?" Cooper asked.

"Yes, some." Rosiepuff said. "We are a family of benders, but it's not like we were opposed to having non-benders in the family. Then again, I always saw my other family members marrying benders they met throughout the country."

"Did they have anything against non-benders?" Smidge asked.

"No, not at all." Rosiepuff answered. "At least, not that I knew of."

"I doubt there was any kind of prejudice in the Golden Rose Clan." Branch said. "They've never done anything bad. Right, Grandma?"

Rosiepuff and Peppy finished their spar and bowed to each other. "I wouldn't say that. My family history is not without its dark moments. An air-bender ancestor of mine was a detective. He was hired to solve a case involving kidnapping and child slave labor. He and his partner caught one of the masterminds in the operation and interrogated him for hours to get him to talk. When the criminal refused to talk, my ancestor used his air-bending and essentially tried to suffocate the criminal until he finally confessed. He solved the case, and the public never found out about my ancestor's questionable interrogation methods, but he confessed it to the patriarch of the Golden Rose Clan, and it was included in my family's history. It was shocking to learn, yes. But knowing the good and the bad parts of my family history makes me wiser."

"He had good intentions, at least." Cooper said.

"That doesn't exactly excuse what he did." Poppy pointed out.

"Precisely." Rosiepuff nodded. "Legends and lore have been written about my family, but that doesn't mean we're perfect. Heaven knows what sort of secrets went to the grave over the decades."

"Masters!" Harper ran up to them. "The village is under attack! Strong warriors are causing mayhem in the market!"

"Perfect!" Rosiepuff said.

"What?" her students asked in confusion.

"We're going to use this as bender practice." Rosiepuff said. "Real-life application of your skills. Go use your bending to the full extent of your abilities. Just remember: the first rule of bender fighting in a city or village is trying to not cause property damage. Ready?"

"Let's do this!" Branch cheered. The warriors ran off towards the village. Just as Harper said, there were about a dozen trolls causing general bedlam in the village.

Smidge tackled one of the enemy trolls to the ground. She paused. "Wait, this is Master Lupin from the Eastern Forest."

Peppy locked swords with another troll. "This is Master Zhan-Shi from the Ruby Beach village!"

Poppy dodged slices from her opponent's tessen. She encased her arms and hands in water to block the attacks. "This is Kessie! From Sunrise City!"

"These are all our allies from all over the country!" Suki realized. "But what's wrong with their eyes?" Each of the Troll Tree's comrades-in-arms wouldn't respond to their names, and their eyes were black as coal.

"Just try to get them still!" Peppy ordered. "Don't hurt them!"

"No promises!" Delta Dawn jumped and stomped all four hooves into the ground, creating a ripple that knocked a few warriors off their feet. She deflected and blocked strikes from a master's hammer weapon and finally trapped him in rocks. Once he was incapacitated, the master's eyes returned to normal, and he fell unconscious.

Peppy continued his sword battle with Master Zhan-Shi. Poppy came in to help. Father and daughter combined their elemental abilities to quickly take down Zhan-Shi. Peppy shot a fireball, distracting Zhan-Shi so Poppy could encase him in ice. His eyes also returned to normal, and he shook his head in confusion.

"Master Zhan-Shi, you're in Troll Valley." Peppy said. "Why are you attacking us?"

"Attacking…what?" Zhan-Shi looked around. "I don't understand. Why am I here?"

"We'll figure it out. Just wait here!" Poppy and Peppy ran off.

Zhan-Shi glanced to the ice keeping him firmly stuck to the ground. "All right. Not as though I'm going anywhere."

Branch and Symphony used their collective firepower to take down Master Lupin. Lupin had a round white shield he often used as a defensive and offensive weapon, but he spent much time using it to guard himself from the blasts of fire. Symphony found some rope and wrapped Lupin in it while he was distracted by Cooper and Branch. Lupin's eyes went back to normal, and he growled as he regained his senses. Like Zhan-Shi, he was confused and disoriented. Suki took care of Kessie, even stealing her tessen fans and using them against the younger warrior. Rosiepuff caught three masters at once in a miniature hurricane, and then used the mud to trap them. Smidge used earth-bender techniques with her kung fu, joining forces with Delta Dawn to fight. The skirmish continued as such until each black-eyed warrior was captured, and the Troll Tree warriors regrouped.

"Well done, everyone." Rosiepuff said.

"Master Prowlus." Peppy approached one of the masters. "Why have you and the others attacked Troll Valley?"

"I'm embarrassed to admit I do not know." Master Prowlus said. "Truth be told, I do not know how I even got here. I was having a horrid dream that I attacked my friends. Only now, I see it was all real." The other masters voiced similar stories. Their eyes had all returned to normal.

"I had no control over myself!" Kessie said. "It was such a bizarre feeling."

"This is odd." Delta Dawn said. "They're not lying. But how could this happen?"

Rosiepuff and Symphony exchanged a fearful look. It couldn't be, right? Was it possible?

"Wait, where is Master Everest?" Lupin asked.

"Master Everest? From the Northern Mountains?" Peppy clarified.

"I remember. He was with us, I'm sure of it." Lupin said.

"Uh, guys?" Delta Dawn said worriedly. "There's something big coming our way."

Everyone else heard and felt it, too: the heavy thudding of big boots and a bigger troll. The warriors looked up to see a troll nearly twice their size, wielding a large battle axe. His eyes were fully black.

"I get why he's called 'Everest.'" Delta Dawn gulped.

Master Everest slammed the flat of his axe into the rocks and ice holding the other masters. Once they were free, their eyes turned black once more. The tied-up masters were also freed and their eyes changed.

"Oh great." Branch groaned as the warriors readied their weapons and elements. The battle resumed, except Everest almost dominated the fight. The Troll Tree fighters had a hard time blocking attacks when Everest's axe could go through just about anything. Rosiepuff and Peppy challenged Everest directly, beating him back from the others so they could take down the masters again. Peppy's shots of fire bounced off Everest's armor. Rosiepuff couldn't encase him in ice or earth because he would smash his way out.

"You know him, right?" Rosiepuff asked Peppy as the battle wore on seemingly without end. "Does he have a weakness?"

"If we could get him off-balance, that would help." Peppy said. "But his armor is nearly impenetrable!" He jumped aside to avoid Everest's axe, and Everest punched Peppy hard enough to send him flying back several feet. Rosiepuff ran to help, and Everest threw a backhanded fist that forced her into the wall of a shop. She hit the ground, a bit dazed, and Everest advanced towards her with his axe raised. Rosiepuff pulled water from the pouch at her belt, and she encased Everest's head in ice. Distracted, Everest could not attack, and Rosiepuff slipped out of the way. She pulled the water back and prepared for another strike. Everest turned to attack.

Suddenly, several rocks the size of Everest's head hit him in the face. A small column of rock hit Everest in his groin. A large column of rock shot from the ground and threw him into the air before disappearing again. The other warriors paused in their fight to watch Everest fly overhead and land in the street, unconscious.

"That was so cool, Grandma!" Branch cheered.

"Uh, I didn't do that." Rosiepuff admitted, still holding her water ready to attack.

"He did!" Delta Dawn pointed down the road, and Rosiepuff spun around. A cloaked troll wearing a wide-brimmed coolie hat stood a short distance behind her. The mysterious troll kicked up another rock and shot it at Lupin. The battle resumed, with the mysterious earth-bender joining in. Everest regained his senses and rejoined the fight. While the other warriors could be detained once more, Everest was harder to take down.

The mysterious earth-bender tapped Rosiepuff on the shoulder. He pointed to the mud at their feet.

"Good thinking." Rosiepuff nodded. "Let's do it!" She and the mysterious earth-bender combined their earth- and water-bending to control the mud. They trapped Everest from the neck-down in it, hardened the mud to keep him trapped. He couldn't move his limbs at all.

"Well done, everyone." Poppy dusted off her dress. "I think that'll do."

A sinister laugh suddenly came from the black-eyed masters. They spoke collectively in a voice that was none of theirs.

"Well done, Golden Rose." The voice said from a dozen trolls. "Your powers are more formidable than I thought."

"This is eerie." Branch said. "Anyone else think this is eerie?"

"Who are you?" Poppy demanded.

"Tell them, Golden Rose." The voice said. "Or shall I?"

Rosiepuff sighed. "Everyone, do you remember the story I told you about the monster who massacred my family?"

"You're one to talk!" Black smoke suddenly came from the masters' black eyes, and the smoke solidified into Titan's ghost.

"How in the heck did you get here?!" Branch demanded, standing protectively in front of his grandmother.

"Strange, the ways of this world. I actually did not believe in ghosts until I became one." Titan chuckled. "After I died, I knew my spirit would not rest until I finished my life's work. Once I could visit the Mortal Realm, I gave instructions to one of my descendants on how to resurrect me so I could leave my place of death. All it cost was the boy's life, but his sacrifice will not be in vain."

"Killing senselessly for your own selfish needs?" Poppy scoffed. "Somebody clearly hasn't changed."

"You mistake me for an evil man, young lady." Titan said. "I am a humble soldier, trying to rid the world of evil. My quarrel is not with them, Golden Rose. Only you. Surrender to me now and let me rest in peace."

"You'll be resting in pieces when we're through with you!" Delta Dawn growled.

"Leave us, Titan." Rosiepuff ordered. "You won't catch me off-guard again; and, as you can see, I will not be alone in my fight. Leave my family alone!"

"I will drag you to the Spirit Realm if I must." Titan said. "Mark my words, Golden Rose, you will die by my blade. Clearly, it will take more than possession to destroy you. But I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve."

Branch, Poppy, Delta Dawn, and Suki each fired their element, but Titan turned into a comet of light and zipped away. Rosiepuff tried to chase him, but the spirit flew off, disappearing into the horizon.

Branch and Symphony approached Rosiepuff. "How long has he been back?"

"Okay, fine!" Rosiepuff sighed. "He's the one who attacked me at the restaurant and set it on fire. Happy now?"

"Of course not!" Branch said. "My grandma's being hunted by the crazy guy who killed our entire family!"

"Just give them a moment." Peppy told his concerned students. They stood a short distance away. "This is family business."

"That should make it our business, too." Poppy said as they freed their comrades-in-arms.

"Let's just be glad no one else got hurt." Cooper said.

"Thanks to you, good sir." Peppy said to the mysterious earth-bender. "That was truly incredible. Your bending skills are top-notch and you—" The earth-bender pushed past Peppy and the other warriors, walking towards Rosiepuff. Peppy stared after him. "….are not even listening to me."

"Who is that guy?" Delta Dawn asked. "Friend of yours?"

"We don't know him." Smidge shrugged.

"I know, I know. I should've told you." Rosiepuff said. "But this is not a normal enemy, Branch. This is way outside your scope of experience."

"Hey, I have a vendetta against this guy, too." Branch said.

"No, no vendettas." Rosiepuff insisted. "I killed him. I avenged my family. I didn't know he'd come back, but that's not the point!"

"What is the point?" Branch demanded.

Rosiepuff sighed heavily. "The point is I refuse to let him ruin my life again. But I need some help to beat him."

Branch finally smiled a little. "Then I'm here for you. We all are." They realized the earth-bender walked up to them. "Hey, thanks for your help."

"Yeah, you were awesome!" Symphony agreed. The mysterious earth-bender stepped around the blue troll and his dragon, stopping right in front of Rosiepuff. Branch and Symphony stared at him, perplexed.

"Um, thank you." Rosiepuff said. "You're a skilled earth-bender."

The earth-bender didn't move, his hat concealing his face. Up close, Rosiepuff saw he wore wool pants and a fur-lined vest. Rosiepuff peered under the hat, trying to get a look at the earth-bender's face. The earth-bender finally raised a dark blue hand and removed the hat. His skin was midnight blue, and his icy blue hair was tied in a topknot. He had a short beard the same color as his hair. His blue-grey eyes were brimmed with tears.

Rosiepuff's eyes widened. Her voice came out in only a whisper. "Kai?"

Kai had always been a strong troll. Now, his hands trembled as he gently cupped his wife's face. "You're as beautiful as the day I lost you." He was ready for her kiss. He held her tightly, as though he feared she would fly away.

"You were gone." Rosiepuff breathed. "I was told…they said….."

"They said the same about you." Kai laughed. "I swear, had I known you were alive—"

She hugged him again. "Not just me." She looked to Branch with a smile.

Branch hadn't quite picked up his jaw. "Grandma…..is that….?"

"Wait, don't tell me." Kai looked over the younger troll. "Is this Branch? Is this strapping young man my grandson?"

"Hi." Branch waved a little, unsure how to react.

"That's not how we greet family where I'm from!" Kai laughed, picking Branch up in a hug that nearly broke Branch's spine.

The previously possessed warriors got a quick checkup from Dr. Plum before returning home, anxious to protect themselves and their homes from this vengeful spirit. Meanwhile, Peppy invited Kai back to the Troll Tree so everyone could sit and talk. Once they were settled in the dining room, Rosiepuff explained how she ran from Lotus Lagoon, found Branch, and managed to escape Sunrise City with some help from Tan.

Then, Kai told his own side of the story. "We managed to defeat Artemis's men and send him running. I regrouped with my Merry Men, and we combed the forest for survivors. We only found a third of Lotus Lagoon alive, maybe less than that. Pollen found our son and daughter-in-law dead. But you and Branch were not amongst the bodies. The tracks had been wiped away. I thought that, maybe, you and some of the other survivors had escaped into the city. So, I sent a few of my Men to the city in secret. When they returned, my worst fears had been confirmed. They told me they heard Malcolm himself report to Artemis, telling him that they had cornered a water-bender and killed her. I swear, it was not a lack of faith in you that led me to believe them. Rather, it was seeing all the ones we lost that made me fearful it was true. I'll admit I almost gave up on everything. Eclipse smacked some sense into me, almost literally. Everyone looked to me for guidance and leadership. I feared that the survivors would face more attacks in the future. To protect them, I led what remained of Lotus Lagoon into the Dragon's Pass."

"The Dragon's Pass?" Branch gawked. "Those mountains where no one lives, and no one goes up and comes back down alive?"

"The very same." Kai chuckled. "I tell you, it's much easier to climb deadly mountains when you have a bunch of benders with you. We created a secret village in those mountains, hidden away from the rest of the world, where we live in peace and practice bending without fear of prejudice."

"Is everyone a bender there?" Branch asked. "And you've lived up there all this time?"

"Yes; and, believe me, I would have come to find you sooner had I known you survived." Kai said. "We don't get a lot of news up there. However, recently, we took in a new member who didn't have a family of her own. Some things she told me sparked my curiosity. I began to wonder if you might be alive. It took a year to go through all the clues and track you down, but it was worth it."

Rosiepuff kissed his cheek. "I'll say."

"It's really great to have you here." Branch hugged him.

"It was so great to see you two; and it is a pleasure to meet you, little Symphony. I do wish I had arrived during better circumstances." Kai said. "What was with those possessed warriors? Was that really Titan?"

"Yes." Rosiepuff confessed. "He attacked me and set fire to my house and restaurant a few months ago. He's back for revenge, as you all know by now, and I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get hurt. I thought I could take care of it myself."

"Well, we know now." Suki said. "Let's work together and figure this out."

"If we didn't get visits from Grandmaster Ryu's ghost so often, I would think that this whole thing sounds fishy." Cooper said.

"That guy said he got one of his descendants to resurrect him." Delta Dawn said. "Probably through some kind of spell, right? If there's a way to bring him here, there's a way to send him back to the Spirit Realm."

"I know a place we can start looking." Peppy led everyone to the palace library, and they began digging through the texts for something that could help.

"You want to lend a hand, Delta Dawn?" Branch asked pointedly.

"Oh sure." Delta Dawn grabbed a random book and held it up. "Would this help?"

"That's a book about herb gardening, so obviously—" Branch remembered Delta Dawn's blindness. "Oh, right. Sorry."

"No worries." Delta Dawn shrugged with a smile. "But I can take what you pull down and arrange it on the table over there."

Once they had several stacks of books and scrolls on said table, the warriors poured over them for an answer. Even the myths and legends did not go unchecked.

"Wouldn't it be easier for Grandmaster Ryu to give us an answer?" Smidge asked.

"I don't know how he visits or if he chooses when." Peppy said. "But ask, if you think that could help."

"Hey Grandmaster Ryu!" Branch called to the ceiling. "Would you mind giving us a hand?"

A strong gust of wind blew through the window, flipping the pages of the book Poppy had in front of her. "Thank you!" Poppy called as she perused the page. "Hey, check this out. It's something about summoning and banishing spirits."

"Not a lot of information." Rosiepuff mused, staring at the images and text. "Nothing specific, but that symbol looks like a sort of gateway."

"But we also need some sort of weapon." Cooper pointed out. "Doesn't look like anything we have in the palace."

"Not to mention this spell or whatever it is doesn't work all the time." Branch noted. "But, by the looks of it, this thing could send a spirit back to the Spirit World. The only problem is we don't have everything we need. We don't even know what to do with such little information."

"Maybe my village has what we need." Kai suggested. "The villagers of Lotus Lagoon liked to travel, and they came back with all sorts of artifacts and weapons and books. We managed to save those relics. Apparently, Artemis was more interested in killing us than looting our home." Kai thought for a moment. "Rose, Branch? What if you came back to the secret village with me? Symphony, you should come, too. We'll scour our resources and talk with the benders in the village. Surely, we'll find some way to defeat Titan once and for all."

Rosiepuff, Branch, and Symphony exchanged looks with each other. "I think you're right." Rosiepuff said. "Besides, we don't have a lot of options. As long as everyone else will be okay here, in case Titan returns."

"It took him months to come back from the first attack." Poppy snorted. "I think we'll be fine."

"Actually, Poppy, maybe you'd like to join us." Kai offered. "A double-bender could benefit from the benders in my village. Eclipse is a double-bender, too."

Poppy looked to her father. "Would that be all right?"

"I think it's a grand idea." Peppy said. "The rest of us will stay in Troll Valley, keep an eye on things should Titan return. Odds are, once he sees Rosiepuff isn't here, he will leave us be."

"I'm staying, too." Delta Dawn said. "I'll help defend Troll Valley."

"I appreciate that, Delta Dawn." Rosiepuff said.

"Then pack some warm clothes for the hike." Kai instructed. "We'll leave first thing in the morning."