Chapter Twenty-Four – Homeward Bound
The wing troll royalty did indeed leave that same day, bidding a sad yet fond farewell to Finny.
"I promise we'll visit soon." Ariana said.
Finny hugged them tightly. "I'll miss you."
"We'll miss you, too, my princess." Cobalt cleared his throat, trying to look regal. But his shiny eyes hinted at the tears he wanted to shed.
"Have a safe journey home." Yuki said.
"Are you in need of a snow phoenix to carry you?" Snowstar asked.
"I think we can make it." Ariana assured. "Especially with our guards."
"Nonsense." Yuki said. "I'll have one of my trusted riders escort you home. It's safer that way."
"If you insist, King Yuki." Zephyr said.
"Thank you." Ariana looked to Finny with a sad smile. "I wish I could see my sister again. But I will settle for seeing her face in you." She knelt down and hugged Finny again. "You are very loved, my niece. Never forget that."
"I won't." Finny promised.
After the wing trolls left, Ash and his friends prepared for their journey home. They spent one more day resting in the kingdom, refueling for a long-ish trip back to the Troll Tree Kingdom. Ash spent a large portion of his time staring in the mirror again and again, just to make sure he actually did get his colors. Every time he checked, it was the same: blue skin and dark pink hair. Except for one thing. Ash noticed a streak of his hair was still black, just like Rosie's hair. Somehow, this didn't worry Ash. If Rosie had a black streak, it would make sense that he would, too. Ash braided the streak, weighing it down with a few colorful beads, and the black lock of hair rested against Ash's temple and hung down the side of his face. He resumed packing, resolving to simply ask his father about it when he got home.
Before they left, Ash took Iris to Yuki with a special request.
"What are you planning, kid?" Iris asked as they walked to the library.
"Just trust me." Ash said with a mischievous smile. "I'm about to fulfill a promise I made you to."
"What promise? What are you doing?" Iris half-demanded.
Ash pushed the door to the library open. Just as Snowstar had told him, Yuki was inside, reading a book. "Hey, King Yuki." Ash greeted.
"Good morning, Prince Ash." Yuki greeted. "And you are Iris, yes?"
"You have a good memory, Your Highness." Iris bowed a little.
"What can I do for you two?" Yuki approached the pair.
"I wanted to ask a favor." Ash said. "Iris needs a new home, where she can be safe. She's done some things in the past that…well, let's just say she made one or two mistakes."
"You're sugar-coating it pretty thick, kid." Iris looked down shamefully.
"My kingdom has long been established as an asylum for those seeking a second chance." Yuki said. "Where are you originally from, Iris?"
"Moonlight Kingdom. The original one Empress Eclipse ruled." Iris answered hesitantly.
"I see." Yuki nodded musingly.
Iris still wouldn't look Yuki in the eye. "See, when I was in Moonlight Kingdom, I was—"
"Your past does not matter to me." Yuki interrupted gently. "Would you like a second chance? To start a new life?"
"Yes." Iris nodded.
"Then you are welcome here." Yuki said. "Tell me: do you know anything about floral arrangements?"
Iris blinked a few times in confusion. "Sort of…."
"Good. The florist is in need of an assistant, and anything you don't know, she can teach you." Yuki said. "I'll introduce you to her."
Iris grinned. "Thank you."
"Wait, is there also a free house where she can live?" Ash asked.
"Oh yes, of course." Yuki nodded. "No worries, Ash. Your friend will be taken care of, and she'll have a good home in the kingdom. Speaking of which, you need to be getting home soon. I'll go make sure your animals are ready."
Ash and Iris followed Yuki outside and to the entrance of the kingdom, where the partly cloudy skies promised a good day for traveling. Ash could see his friends preparing for the journey home. Gris tugged his sweatshirt hood over his head. Steve and Ebony's saddlebags were loaded with food and camping supplies.
"I think you'll like living in the Mountain Troll Kingdom." Ash told Iris. "If you're okay with the cold."
"I'm okay with it. Especially if I bundle up. Besides, how can I pass up a chance to have a better life?" Iris knelt down and hugged Ash. "Thank you, Ash, for being my friend. I would still be in the Western Woods if it weren't for you. I really can't thank you enough."
"Don't worry about it." Ash said. "Friends help each other out, right? And don't worry about your own colors. The mountain trolls are great at helping grey trolls find their colors. I guess that's why Harper wanted me to come here."
"I'm sure I'll get my colors again. Even if I don't, I'll be happy here." Iris assured. "But you have to write to me, okay? Keep in touch."
"I'll write to you every day, if you want." Ash said. "Though, sometimes it's harder to get messenger bugs up here in the wintertime."
"We'll work it out." Iris chuckled. "Travel safe, kid."
"I hope you have a great life here, Iris." Ash didn't want to let go. He sadly waved goodbye to Iris as he went to join his friends.
'Ready to go home?' Prowlus asked.
"Yeah. Totally." Ash nodded. "Just wait until Mom and Dad see me!"
"Okay, do we have everyone?" Harper asked from Ebony's back.
"Let's see, Gris is here. So are Prowlus, Steve, Ebony, and me. Sir Tandeth, you ready?" Ash asked.
"Always ready to follow you, my liege." Sir Tandeth mounted Steve.
"Zuli?" Ash found the grey princess and jogged over to her. "Hey Zuli, ready to go?"
"Yes, just a minute." Zuli hugged Finny. "I will write to you when I arrive."
"Then I'll write back as soon as I get the letter!" Finny said. "Princess Pen Pals?"
"Princess Pen Pals." Zuli and Finny did a cute handshake, causing laughter from Ash.
"Princess Pen Pals?" Ash asked.
"Finny and I have grown very close. We want to keep in touch while we're separated." Zuli explained.
"Great!" Ash said. "And we'll try to visit when we can. Maybe you and your family can come for my birthday next year!"
"I would like that." Finny hugged Ash tightly. "Thank you, Ash. For everything." She hugged Zuli one more time. "Best of luck with Ash. I think you two will work pretty well together."
"Thanks." Zuli said. She and Ash headed back to the others.
"What did she mean by that?" Ash asked Zuli.
Zuli smiled coyly. "Oh, nothing."
Ash shrugged, and he and Zuli climbed onto Steve with Sir Tandeth. Prowlus and Harper mounted Ebony. Gris shouldered his backpack, and he carried a makeshift snowboard he fashioned from some tree bark.
"Safe travels, my friends." Snowstar said. "We cannot thank you enough for what you've done."
"Thanks for having us, Queen Snowstar!" Ash waved. "Expect a letter from us when we get home! Guys, let's ride!"
Steve broke into a run, and Ebony took flight. Gris got a running start and then jumped on his snowboard. It was a speedy trip down the mountain. Even though the breeze nipped at everyone's faces, there were smiles all around. Finally, they were heading home.
"Poppy? Poppy!"
The pink queen jumped. "Huh? What?"
"Were you even listening to me?" Branch asked.
"Of course I was." Poppy scoffed.
"Oh yeah? What did I just ask you?" Branch asked.
"Um…" Poppy thought quickly. "What kind of cupcakes should we have for Ash's return party?"
Branch grumbled. "Lucky guess."
"Sorry. Talking about when Ash might be back is making me miss him again." Poppy sighed. "We haven't talked to him in a while. I hope he's okay."
"I'm sure he is. He's pretty strong, even for a kid." Branch assured. "We're planning his return party now because I've got a good feeling that he'll be home soon."
"I hope you're right." Poppy said. "I know he felt like he needed to take this quest, but I hope he realizes we'll still love him if he comes home grey."
"I'm sure he knows. If he didn't before, he would've figured it out by now." Branch said. "We just have to be patient. Any day now, we'll hear the word that he's home. I bet your dad will come running up to us, saying," Branch did his best King Peppy impression. "'Poppy, Branch, guess what? Ash is finally home!'"
"Poppy, Branch!" Peppy himself nearly crashed into the royals from running towards them so quickly. "Guess what? Ash is finally home!"
"Told you." Branch chuckled.
"Are you sure?" Poppy asked her father.
"The scouts saw Ebony flying towards us!" Rosiepuff arrived next, smiling excitedly. "Gris and Steve are with her! They're coming this way!"
"All right!" Poppy cheered. "Someone go get Bridget and Gristle! Come on!"
When he saw the wall to Bergen Town and Troll Grove, Gris broke into a run. Ebony and Steve sped up to stay alongside him. When the travelers finally arrived at the entrance to Troll Grove, their families and friends were there to cheer them on.
Gris ran up to his parents and leapt into their arms. Sparkler hugged her twin. "I really missed you guys." Gris sniffled a little.
"We missed you, too." Bridget sighed happily.
"Prowlus, Harper!" Poppy waved to the couple as they slid off Ebony. "It's so good to see you again! Where's Ash?"
"Right here!" Ash jumped off Steve and jumped into his parents' embrace.
"No way!" Branch looked Ash over. "You found your colors!"
"Yeah, right when I stopped looking for them." Ash laughed. "And I think I found a lot more than my colors while I was out there."
"That's great, Ash." Poppy hugged her son tightly. "We're so happy to have you home, regardless what color you are."
"But since you did come home with the color I was hoping for…" Peppy smirked playfully at Rosiepuff.
"Fine, fine, I'll get you those cookies tomorrow." Rosiepuff rolled her eyes with a smile.
"What cookies?" Ash asked.
"Your grandfather bet me a dozen cookies that you would have some of his colors." Rosiepuff explained. "With that pink mane of yours, you're looking more and more like him."
"I can live with that." Ash laughed as Peppy tousled his already messy hair.
"So you guys must've had quite the adventure, huh?" Branch said. "Find anything else besides your colors?"
"So much!" Ash said. "I can't wait to tell you everything!"
"Oh! Sparkler, this is for you." Gris pulled off his ball cap, revealing the albino swag stag sleeping in his hair. He handed the creature to Sparkler. "Your unicorn, as requested."
"Aw, she's so cute!" Sparkler cooed. The unicorn/stag sniffed Sparkler's hand, and then licked the bergen girl's nose affectionately.
"Thanks for letting me go with Ash." Gris said. "I think I'm finally ready to be a proper prince."
"Sounds like a plan." Sparkler said.
"Come on, Gris. Let's go have some lunch." Gristle said. "Tell us all about your adventure."
"We can feed Steve and Ebony while we're at it." Bridget said.
"And you're coming home with us so you can tell us all about your trip." Branch scooped Ash up onto his shoulders. Sir Tandeth, Prowlus, Harper, and Zuli joined the royal family in the royal pod, where they sat down with lunch and listened as Ash told the story.
"We visited Rosie in her kingdom first. She gave us some great advice, and then we met Archer who gave us some advice we didn't think was great at first, but it turned out to be just what we needed. We met Sir Tandeth there!" Ash pointed to the black-armored knight. "He even saved us from a scary lizard thing. He told us about where he was from, and how his people are sometimes given to kings and princes to protect, so I made him my personal knight. He can stay, right?"
"Of course. A home here is probably much safer than the Fearsome Forest." Poppy said.
"Well, next, we kept traveling, and then I sort of turned Steve into a duck." Ash chuckled. "Long story. Anyway, we ended up losing Steve for a while, and then we ran into Cloud Guy and his family, and they helped us rescue Steve! Then we met the Sunflowers, and they invited us to the Rainbow Rave! But then Harper was kidnapped by the Party Crashers. We went to save her, and the wing trolls ended up saving us. We met Ariana, Cobalt, and Ariana's husband Zephyr and their daughter Ellie. They gave us food, and Cobalt gave me some advice, and then the Party Crashers struck again!"
"Those guys still as annoying as I remember?" Branch asked.
"Oh yeah, so annoying." Harper said. "But Ash got a great idea."
"We worked together and lured a swag stag herd over to drive the Party Crashers off! So, after we left the Wing Troll Kingdom, we kept traveling for a while. You know, seeing some stuff. Then we ended up in a kind of scary place."
"You didn't go into the Western Woods, right?" Branch asked.
"Uh, no, of course not." Ash cleared his throat. "But we did find a new friend! A nice lady named Iris. She joined us on our trip. Get this: we even found Erika and Icestorm! They had a kid named Finny!"
"That's wonderful!" Poppy gasped.
"I didn't think they'd ever be found again." Branch said incredulously.
"Well, unfortunately, we lost them again soon after." Ash said. "But Finny stayed with us, and we kept traveling together. We did a lot of fun stuff: stayed at the family camping spot, explored some cool caves and nearly got lost, and Prowlus and Harper got engaged!"
Poppy squealed excitedly. "Really?! That's so awesome!"
'We want to get married soon.' Prowlus said.
"We can take care of that." Rosiepuff assured.
"So where did you find this little one?" Peppy asked, gesturing to Zuli.
"That's Zuli. She found me when I got lost in the caves." Ash explained.
"You were living in the caves?" Branch asked.
"In a way, yes." Zuli said. "I will tell you the truth, but you cannot tell anyone else outside this circle. My name is Princess Lapis Lazuli, of the Silver Troll Kingdom. My father, King Sirius, granted my request to visit the other troll kingdoms, in hopes we can ease our way into coming out of hiding."
"I always heard legends about the silver trolls. Deep down, I had a feeling they were real." Peppy said. "If my father were here, I could finally say, 'I told you so.'"
"You are most welcome here, Princess Lapis Lazuli." Branch said. "Whatever we can do to encourage your people from hiding, we'll do it."
"For now, I simply need a place to stay." Zuli said.
"Then you will stay here." Poppy decided. "We can even work out a way to contact your folks so they won't worry."
"Thank you, Queen Poppy." Zuli said politely.
"So then where is Finny?" Rosiepuff asked. "You guys were at the Mountain Troll Kingdom the last time you called."
"We took Finny there to bring peace between the mountain trolls and wing trolls." Ash said. "And it worked! Cobalt and Yuki are finally getting along, and Finny is going to be queen of the mountain trolls someday!"
"That's wonderful!" Branch said. "I can't believe you managed to pull that off. I've never met more stubborn trolls than Yuki and Cobalt."
"It looks like things will get a lot better between them." Harper said. "In fact, the biggest problem we had in the Mountain Troll Kingdom was the ice rats."
'Ash took care of them.' Prowlus signed.
"Soon after that, I got my colors." Ash said. "Everyone said it happened after my friends hugged me. I think…I don't know, I guess I found my colors because of them. Does that make sense?"
"Absolutely." Poppy said. "Are you happy, at least?"
"Now that I have a better idea of what that means, I can honestly say I am." Ash nodded. "I'm happier than I've ever been."
"We're proud of you, Ash." Branch hugged his son. "Not just because you found your colors, but because of how much you have grown."
"I'm proud of myself." Ash said. "But, I have to admit, I'm really glad to be home. Oh, and Dad?" Ash held up the black braid that hung by his ear. "Looks like Rosie and I are twins."
Branch sighed heavily. "I had feared that would happen. That will probably stay that way. A reminder for myself, I guess. We can dye it, if you'd like."
Ash glanced to his father's hair. Somehow, he never noticed before today that the azure hair looked closer to black unless in the right lighting. A permanent reminder of the two decades spent in isolation and fear and depression. A type of scar that would never really fade. It carried into Branch's children, but not his grandchildren. Oddly enough, this scar didn't seem so bad.
"It's okay." Ash smiled. "I think it looks cool."
Prowlus excused himself during the ensuing chats, and he went to the kitchen to refill his and Harper's cups. Once he was in a more private place, he called for Eclipse again.
"Yes, Prowlus?" Eclipse asked as she materialized out of thin air.
'Hello, Nonna.' Prowlus pulled from his hair the wand he took from Eclipse's spellcasting chambers. 'I found this in your old castle. Is it still useable?'
"Yes, I imagine so." Eclipse nodded. "Are you hoping to learn magic?"
'It does interest me.' Prowlus confirmed. 'But I do not have magic like Ash, Rosie, or Father. Can I learn through using this wand?'
"Of course." Eclipse said. "I'll even teach you. Your magic won't be as strong as Ash or Rosie's power, but you'll at least be able to do some with that wand."
'Thank you.' Prowlus tucked the wand away. 'We will see you again, right?'
"I am still Ash's guardian angel." Eclipse said. "Besides, no way am I missing your wedding. I'll always be there."
Prowlus grinned, listening to his family laughing in the other room. I can't wait.
It took some time for everyone to get used to Ash's new colors. Sometimes, a troll would ask where Ash was, not remembering the grey prince was no longer grey. Ash himself had to adjust to looking in the mirror and seeing a colorful troll. For a while, he feared it was all a dream, and it took a few weeks for his fears to vanish.
When wintertime came, trolls and bergens bundled up to keep the cold away. Bergens didn't like cold all that much, and stayed inside for most of the winter season. The trolls, however, were busy decorating and setting up for a great party. The snowy scenery was the perfect setting for Prowlus and Harper's wedding.
Branch knocked on the door to Prowlus's room. "You ready, yet?"
"Almost!" Ash's voice called from inside. "Prowlus is just a little jittery."
Branch opened the door, and he grinned at his sons. Prowlus wore black pants and a puffy white shirt. He futilely tried to comb his shaggy hair. Ash dressed in purple pants and the cape he received from Baize in the Silver Troll Kingdom.
"You two look very handsome." Branch said. "You nervous at all, Prowlus?"
'Just a little.' Prowlus said. 'But I don't know why. I want to marry Harper. I do.'
"I felt the same way when I married your mother." Branch said. "Choosing to spend the rest of your life with someone is a big commitment, but it's easier to do when you're with someone you love."
'I do love Harper. With all my heart.' Prowlus smiled blissfully. 'I feel like my life is going to change, but I think it's all going to be the same.'
"Change is part of life. Things are going to change, but some things stay the same. When you feel overwhelmed by the change, you think back on the things that haven't." Branch said. "Come on, or we'll be late."
Prowlus and Ash followed Branch outside. Benches were set up under the Troll Tree, and the trolls sitting on them faced a flowery arch. Branch and Rosie's magic did wonders for the decorating, and even created snow sculptures to line the aisles leading to the front. Rosie, Creek, and Varian sat in the front row with Peppy and Rosiepuff, who cradled Mizuki in her arms. Poppy and Branch would be officiating the wedding together. Ash walked with Prowlus to the snow and flower arch, and then sat next to Peppy. Then Harper came up the aisle, wearing a long-sleeved white dress with a long train adorned with flowers. She carried a bouquet of frost-covered roses. She got to the front, and she and Prowlus hadn't stopped smiling at each other.
If Ash were being honest, he nearly fell asleep during the rather boring ceremony. But he managed to focus when Poppy and Branch presented Prowlus and Harper with their own small crowns: Prowlus's made with pine boughs, and Harper's made from flowers.
"We now present Prince Prowlus and Crowned Princess Harper!" Poppy announced. There was a loud cheer from the crowd as Harper and Prowlus kissed. Ash clapped the loudest. Right after was the dinner party, where everyone danced and ate from the buffet set up nearby.
Ash broke away from all the happy chaos and snacked on some cupcakes. He munched on one and reached for another, but someone else grabbed the same cupcake he did.
"Oh, hey Zuli." Ash said, pushing the cupcake to her. "Enjoying the party?"
"It's very fun, yes!" Zuli nodded. "Have you ever thought about getting married?"
"Heck no." Ash stuck his tongue out. "Girls are gross. Until they become my friend, of course."
Zuli giggled. She kissed Ash's cheek, causing him to freeze and blush fiercely. "I'm sure that will change in time." Zuli said.
Ash coughed. "Right. Uh, hey! We haven't done that oath of eternal friendship thing. I finally found a good gift for it."
"Remember: it only has to be something that can be carried with you all the time. Something that will remind us that we will always be friends." Zuli reminded him. "Ready?"
"Yes." Ash pulled a small box wrapped in bright paper from his hair. Zuli pulled her own wrapped box from a pocket in her dress. They exchanged gifts, and Ash eagerly tore off the wrapping paper. Zuli carefully ripped off the tape, folding up the wrapping paper and tucking it into her pocket. Ash opened the box and pulled out a crown-shaped silver charm. Zuli discovered her present was a knit poncho with a pair of puppies stitched into it.
"It's perfect." Zuli pulled the poncho on over her dress.
"I love mine, too." Ash slipped the charm onto the bead necklace he always wore. "So this means we're friends forever, right?"
"That's right." Zuli said. "Thank you, Ash, for bringing me to your home."
"I hope the rest of your kingdom can come out of hiding in the near future." Ash said. "They shouldn't have to hide."
"I agree. We'll figure it out, I'm sure." Zuli said.
"Prince Ash!" Sir Tandeth saluted to Ash. "Your mother, the queen, is requesting you for a royal family portrait."
"Thanks, Sir Tandeth!" Ash hurried off.
"Ash is a remarkable boy." Zuli mused.
"My prince has a good heart and a pure soul." Sir Tandeth agreed. "You two have a lot in common, you know."
"That's good to hear." Zuli rubbed her poncho with an affectionate smile. "I think the two of us will get along very well."
Ash found his family sitting under the flower arch used in the ceremony. He stood with his parents, and Smidge and Milton worked with the camera. Smidge moved people around and scooted them closer together at Milton's direction. As they were jostled about, Ash glanced around to his family. He remembered his dream from the Dream Sucker. Even when he had color then, he didn't feel like he completely belonged. He looked like a normal troll, but still didn't feel like it. Now, he looked different. Even better, he felt different. He still worried a little about his future, and what might happen if his grey colors ever returned, especially since he still had that black streak of hair. However, for the first time in his life, his worries didn't cause an anxiety attack or a frustration-fueled burst of emotions.
Some things stay the same, and some things change for the better. Ash grinned as he leaned into his parents' hug. I guess I just have to take on whatever comes my way. Good thing I got some great friends to help me.
"Okay everyone!" Milton called. "Smile big! Say 'cupcakes!'"
"Cupcakes!"
THE END
A/N: That is the end of my Flame of Happiness stories! This was super fun, and now I can move on to other things. I'm focusing on a lot of original stuff outside the Internet, but I'll return with a couple more fanfics, including a few adaptations like Kung Fu Troll 2. Stay tuned!