A/N: Trigger warning! A trigger warning for the implication of suicide. You have been warned. Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Nine – Fast Friends
It was still cloudy when Ash awoke the next morning. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. When he looked around, he did not see the bedroom where he and his friends slept. Steve curled up near him. Sir Tandeth cooked breakfast over a fire. Ash suddenly remembered his nightmare, and somehow ending up in water. He noticed a river a short distance away.
"Good morning, my liege." Sir Tandeth served Ash some scrambled eggs in a nut shell. "Eat up. We have much to do if we want to find our friends again."
Ash accepted the food, and patted Steve on the snout when the crocodile nuzzled him. "What happened last night?"
"I don't know how you ended up outside the tree, my liege, but I knew I had to follow when I saw you take off so quickly." Sir Tandeth explained. "You fell into the river, and so Steven and I came in after you. Took some time to get to shore, and we decided to make camp until you woke again."
"Sorry." Ash said. "I was sleepwalking and got really scared from some nightmares."
"It's quite all right, my liege."
"No, it's not all right. Look at where we are. We could probably follow the river back up towards the brighter part of the forest, but how are we going to find the others? I don't have my bag, any of my supplies, nothing."
"Do not lose faith." Sir Tandeth said as he put out the fire. "We will go together and find a way back to our friends. I'm sure they know we are missing and are searching for us."
Ash smiled. "Thanks. Why don't we go just a little farther upriver? Just until we get to the nicer part of the already dark Western Woods? Maybe we'll see the tree from the river."
"A splendid idea!" Sir Tandeth agreed. He and Ash mounted Steve, and they headed out. The Western Woods would always be dangerous, but this part really did seem more perilous than the rest. Sir Tandeth stayed alert, looking all around for danger. Ash stuck close to the knight. He wished he had at least the mirror to communicate with his friends. But he tended to empty his hair before going to bed so nothing would tangle in it while he slept. He would have to rely on his father's survival lessons.
Steve stopped after about an hour of walking, but they were not much closer to where they fell in. The crocodile sniffed the air, and then growled.
"What's the matter, buddy?" Ash asked.
"Ahead, my liege." Sir Tandeth pointed, and Ash looked up. He finally heard a commotion, and he saw someone fishing on the river. At least, she tried to fish. The troll clearly had no idea what she was doing. She kept stabbing at the water wildly, trying in vain to impale a fish. The troll looked to be middle-aged, if not older. Her dress was in tatters, and her hair was in a tangled ponytail. She wore armbands that went from her wrists to her elbows. She had pale grey skin and black hair streaked with white. She shouted in frustration and kicked the water, throwing her spear aside. She collapsed back onto the sand, sighing heavily.
Ash exchanged looks with Sir Tandeth and Steve. The boy urged his steed forward. "Hi there."
The troll woman jumped to her feet, staring at the trio with wide eyes. She looked equal parts scared and befuddled. "What do you want? I'm trying to fish here!"
"Doesn't look like you're doing a good job." Ash chuckled.
The woman scowled. "What's it to you, punk?"
"Sorry, my bluntness came from my dad." Ash slid off of Steve and walked up to the troll woman. She recoiled, still glaring at him. "It's okay. Let me help you. My dad taught me how to fish."
"Uh-huh. Sure. What's in it for you?" the woman demanded.
Ash shrugged. "I get to do something nice for you?"
"Nobody does anything nice without expecting something in return." the woman said.
"I do." Ash said. "Come on, let me help you. We'll fish together."
The woman sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to share my catch."
"That's fine." Ash said. "Come on! Let's get fishing!"
"I'll help, my liege." Sir Tandeth said as he joined them. The troll woman rolled her eyes. She retrieved her spear and resumed stabbing at the water. Ash found some reeds and wove them into a thin rope, which he used like a fishing line. Sir Tandeth herded the fish towards the boy, making it easier to catch three fish in no time. Steve guarded the catch. When Ash noticed the troll woman still having trouble, he walked over and picked up a stick, which Sir Tandeth sharpened into a spear.
"Don't be so jerky with your movements." Ash instructed.
"I don't need your help!" the woman snapped.
"Well, you'd be catching more fish if you didn't need my help." Ash said with a kind smile. "Look, stand behind the fish, out of their line of sight. Stab directly down, swift and smooth." He plunged the spear into the water and pulled up a squirming fish. "There, see?"
"I'm still not sharing my fish." the woman said.
"That's okay. You need them more than I do." Ash eyed the woman's tattered clothing over a starving slender frame. The woman huffed, but she paid more attention to Ash's technique. Then, she started using it. Sir Tandeth joined them. Amongst the three of them, they caught at least a dozen fish.
"Not bad, kid." the woman said.
"Glad I could help." Ash said. "Would you like help cooking them? They can be fried or made into sushi, if you like."
"I eat it raw." the woman said.
"No way!" Ash insisted. "Sir Tandeth! Gather some firewood, please. Steve! Help me get some seaweed and other stuff!"
"I am not incapable of cooking for myself." the troll woman said.
"My treat!" Ash said. He wouldn't let the woman help in any way. He thought back to all the cooking lessons his mother gave him, and he got to work. The woman finally gave up and simply watched him work. She was rather impressed to see such a young lad working so quickly as he cooked. A shell was used to fry the fish while Ash also made sushi. The troll woman wouldn't admit out loud that the smell was rather enticing. Her mouth watered as she inched closer to the fire.
"Is it ready yet?" she asked after several minutes of staring hungrily at the fire.
"The fish needs a bit more frying time." Ash said. "But you can munch on the sushi for an appetizer. See, this stuff is sashimi and this is called nigiri."
"As long as it's ready to eat. Just give it to me!" the woman eagerly snatched the shell plate away from Ash when he offered it, and she scarfed down the sushi. Ash handed a single piece each to Sir Tandeth and Steve. He resumed his cooking, not paying the woman any mind as she devoured the sushi. The entire plate was gone in minutes.
"Pretty good?" Ash asked with a proud smile.
"Not bad at all." the woman said with a small smile. That smile quickly disappeared. "But, seriously, what do you want? I don't have any money, nothing of value, to give you."
"I don't need anything." Ash said, pulling the fish off the fire. "What are friends for?"
"I don't have friends." the woman said.
"You got me!" Ash declared.
"That's pretty fast for becoming friends." the woman noted.
"Exactly! We're fast friends!" Ash said.
"That quickly, huh?" the woman raised an eyebrow.
"Yep!" Ash used the sticks he cooked with to tap on the rocks.
"Oh, no." the woman droned. "You're not going to sing, are you?"
We're gonna be fast friends!
Friends, lickety split!
Maybe we don't know each other yet
But that'll change soon too, I bet!
"Yeah, right." The woman scoffed.
We're gonna be fast friends
I think we can do it
We'll be friends forever someday
So let's start with being fast friends today
"I barely know you." The woman said.
"We can change that." Ash assured.
Every friend you made was once a stranger to you
Something brought us together, you see it too
I know I already like you, this ain't so passing trend
I don't see a reason we can't be friends
I think we can be fast friends
Don't worry about the pace
We'll start by being friendly with each other
Then it'll feel like I'm your brother
We're already fast friends
But I'm telling you it's not a race
We'll get closer and closer each passing day
Become truest friends no matter the way
"Sing with me!" Ash insisted.
"I can't sing." The woman said.
"Sure you can. All trolls can sing." Ash said.
"Well I can't." the woman insisted. "All that comes out is a sound that scares the animals away."
"I don't believe you."
"Whatever."
"Can you rap?"
"What is that?"
"Like saying poetry, but to a beat."
"Okay, fine." the woman cleared her throat.
I tell you now, we cannot be
There's no way we're friends that quickly
You hardly know me, it can't be true
No way am I already friends with you
Even if we get to know each other, no way
You don't want me as a friend, anyway
I'm not worthy of friends, can't you see?
I've been alone all this time because it's meant to be
Ash paused in his drumming. "Well, that's not much like the compliment battles back home, but great rapping!"
"Kid, we can't be friends. Look at me. Why would you want to be friends with someone like me?"
"Because everyone needs a friend. I'll be your friend, if you like."
"And what'll happen when we go our separate ways and you forget about me?"
"I don't forget my friends. Who says we have to go our separate ways? Unless you're attached to this place."
The woman looked around. She sighed heavily. Ash's Hug Time bracelet went off, and he hugged the woman.
That's the best thing about fast friends
A little kindness can go a long way
If you want to come along with us
I know it must be hard to trust
But we're already fast friends
If you want, you can stay
Or we'll take you away
And laugh and talk everyday
Let's start out as fast friends
The woman finally smiled. She tousled Ash's hair. "You're all right, kid."
"Oh!" Ash lightly slapped himself in the head. "I never introduced myself! My name is Ash. This is Sir Tandeth, and that's Steve."
The woman laughed. "My name is Iris."
"That's a pretty name." Ash said.
"Might we inquire what you're doing out here in this nasty part of the woods?" Sir Tandeth asked.
Iris accepted the fried fish Ash handed to her. "Well, I've been out here for decades. I was once a loyal soldier in my homeland. But I was wrongfully banished by my own father. I was disgraced by everyone I knew, and I realized I would never be welcome at home. My would-be friends never stood up for me. So I wandered this forest, thinking I would just fade out of everyone's memories. Never thought I'd find someone out here."
"We're on a quest to find my colors." Ash explained. "But we got separated from the rest of our group."
"We are hoping to find them as we travel upriver." Sir Tandeth added.
Iris looked upriver, and she put out the fire. "Come on. Let's see if we can find them."
"Does this mean you'll join us?" Ash asked hopefully as they started walking.
"I'll decide after we find your friends." Iris said. "You're a good kid, Ash. At the very least, I want you with people you trust."
"Thanks, Iris." Ash said. He held her hand as they walked. Iris raised her eyebrow, but did not wiggle out of his grip as they walked.
About an hour later, after chatting about their lives and Ash's adventures in the forest, the quartet arrived in a semi-brighter part of the forest. It was still the Western Woods, full of dark trees and dangerous animals, but it didn't feel nearly as dangerous as their previous location.
"I'm going to send up a flare, see if they can track us down." Ash created a firework in his palm and shot it upwards. The firework exploded, bright and colorful enough to be seen even against the clouds.
"I suggest we wait here for them." Sir Tandeth said. "Perhaps they will see us, and we shouldn't disappear on them again."
"I could use a break." Ash agreed. They all sat by the stream, and Ash sent up another couple fireworks.
"I've been thinking, Ash." Iris said. "If you were born grey, how do you know you won't stay like that?"
"Because I was always told I had true colors." Ash said. "I was born a rainbow troll, so I have to have colors, like you did. Maybe we'll find your colors out here, too."
"I doubt it." Iris sighed. "I've been grey almost as long as I've been exiled. But if you really think you have colors other than what you got now, what do you think will bring them out?"
"Don't know." Ash shrugged. "I guess that's why I'm out here. To find out."
Iris had to admire the boy's persistence. She couldn't help but feel like Ash was familiar to her. But she never met him before. She also didn't know his parents, Poppy and Branch. So what was it about this boy that made her think she knew him from somewhere?
"My liege!" Sir Tandeth pointed upwards, and Ash saw a familiar black bird up in the sky.
"Ebony!" Ash called, waving his hands. "Down here, girl!"
The dark phoenix looked down and saw three familiar figures. She circled around to the other travelers, gave a great cry, and then flew back to land before Ash. A minute later, Gris, Prowlus, Harper, and even Eclipse appeared and happily rejoined their comrades.
"Oh, Ash! We were so worried about you three!" Harper said as she hugged him.
"What happened to you guys?" Gris asked.
"It's a long story." Ash said. "The short version is I fell in a river, Tandeth and Steve saved me, and then we met Iris!" He pointed to the grey troll woman.
Eclipse did a perfect double-take. "Iris? Captain Titan's daughter?"
"Captain Titan?' Harper asked, confused. Prowlus looked shocked.
Iris stared at Eclipse for a moment, and then hurriedly bowed out of instinct. "My empress."
"Who's Captain Titan?" Ash asked.
'I'll tell you later.' Prowlus signed quickly.
Eclipse walked up to Iris, looking wary. "After all this time. How are you still alive?"
"Stubbornness, I suppose." Iris said sheepishly.
"She helped me, Tandeth, and Steve get back to you guys." Ash said. "I've invited her along, if she wants to."
"I don't see why not." Harper shrugged.
"Perhaps." Eclipse said, eyeing Iris. She turned to Ash with a smile. "We can discuss it over lunch while we make our next plan. I have great news: I think I found Erika and Icestorm!"
"You did?" Ash gasped happily.
"If I'm right, their home is about a day's travel northeast." Eclipse explained.
"Then forget about making a plan, I already know it!" Ash said. "We're going to find Erika and Icestorm! Lead the way!"
With Eclipse's help, the travelers found the border between the Western Woods and the rest of the forest. They traveled until dusk, and then made camp. Ash insisted that Iris, at the very least, should leave the Western Woods. Iris accepted, and even helped make camp. She sat a short distance away from the others during dinner, and Eclipse took that moment of semi-privacy to tell everyone what she knew of Iris.
"Captain Titan was the leader of my guard. Strict, especially with his daughter." Eclipse explained. "I didn't realize until much later just how abusive he could be, and how much he exploited the trolls of my kingdom. Iris was sent to the Flame of Happiness rebellion as a spy, and wagered exile should she fail. Well, she was caught, and I held up my end of the bargain. I had hoped Titan would try to defend her, give me a reason to let her stay. Iris was always so ambitious. She even read about the Magic Blood Oath, and foolishly insisted that I take one with her when she proposed her plan. She said she could bring down the rebellion from the inside, or be exiled if she failed. I said she would be exiled if she failed ... unless someone stood up for her. That was my last failsafe. I had hoped Titan would show her some mercy. But he didn't, and a Magic Blood Oath cannot be broken until one of the trolls who takes it dies." Eclipse looked to Ash. "You are very kind, Ash. Perhaps too kind for your own good. Have you thought about whether or not Iris can be trusted?"
Ash glanced to Iris. "Of course I have. She's a stranger we met in the Western Woods. But, after everything I saw and all you said about her, I think she deserves a second chance. She's been alone and grey for so long. Why shouldn't we help her if we can?"
Eclipse sighed. "Very well. She can stay, if she wishes." Ash smiled in thanks and jogged over to Iris to talk to her. Eclipse tensed when Iris joined Ash to sit with them again. While Eclipse wasn't sure if she could trust Iris, who had worked for so long as a spy, the former empress did feel partly responsible for Iris's greyness and loneliness. Titan had been the cruel one, but Eclipse did wish she could've done more for Iris. As Iris ate dinner with the others, Eclipse noticed one of her arm bands slipping, revealing scars on her wrists. Iris noticed Eclipse staring in horror, and she quickly readjusted her arm bands to cover the scars. It only increased Eclipse's guilt, and she resolved to allow Iris to stay even if she didn't trust Iris.
"Thank you, Prince Ash." Iris said. "It's kind of nice to have some company."
"My pleasure." Ash said. "Everyone needs a friend. And you can come stay with us in the Troll Tree, if you want. Or you can stay in New Moonlight Kingdom."
"New Moonlight Kingdom?" Iris asked. "My, much has changed. Empress, since you're surely keeping watch over things, did the Flame of Happiness settle back in the kingdom?"
"Yes, long ago." Eclipse said. "Now, we have Moonlight Kingdom trolls in the Troll Tree and vice versa. It's all about where you think you'll fit."
'I enjoyed staying with our family in the Troll Tree.' Prowlus said.
"Mom and Dad would be happy for new residents." Ash assured.
"Remind me who's in your family?" Iris asked, trying to keep names straight.
"Prowlus is my brother, Harper is his girlfriend." Ash ticked off people on his fingers. "My mom is Queen Poppy, her dad is my Grandpa Peppy. Dad is King Branch, his grandma is Grandma Rosiepuff. Eclipse still counts, even if she's dead. She's my great-grandma, who was the mother to my dad's mom, Stella, who married my dad's dad, Larch!"
Iris nearly choked on her food. She stared at Ash. "Wait, you're telling me you're Larch's grandson?"
"Yeah. He died when my dad was a baby." Ash said.
'Father told us all about him.' Prowlus signed, which Harper translated. 'Did you know him?'
"Uh, yes." Iris said. "When he came to Moonlight Kingdom."
"Sorry you won't get to see him again." Ash said. "But we'll introduce you to Dad!"
Iris just nodded with a forced smile. She remained silent as dinner continued and then everyone went to sleep. She lay on the ground, covered by a spare blanket Harper gave her. Iris stared at the stars in thought.
So Larch won the heart of the rebel leader; and he had a son? A son who later had two sons of his own? Iris had often thought of Larch. She hated him with a deep passion. After all, he was the one who pried into her personal business. He stole her snow phoenix. He outed her to the rebellion when she was so close to bringing them down. So many people made her mad, but the thought of Larch made her silently seethe. For years, she prayed for one chance, just one moment alone with him so she could kill him. But he left for the Troll Tree. Now, she finds he is dead.
Prowlus was here. Ash, too. The blood relations, the family, of her most hated enemy.
I may get my revenge, after all. Iris thought with a smile. You escaped me, Larch. So it looks like your grandchildren will have to do.
Original song: "Fast Friends"