Here we go, the final chapter of this long running trilogy. This has been hands down one of my favorite series I have ever written. How To Train your Dragon is probably my favorite animated franchises and getting to make a parody adaption with Trolls and taking a new darker take on the franchise has been a absolute blast. The way I wrote Branch in these final two stories was how I saw myself in Hiccups position being the environmentalist I am. Yes this has been a emotional ride, and having Branch die in battle was definitely not a easy decision but I am proud of every decision I made as I felt it made this trilogy the success that it has been. Now as we wrap it up you will need your tissues one last time because this final chapter will be the most emotional one yet (Seriously did you expect me to wrap this trilogy up any other way?)
As Cloud Guy finished his story he noticed Rosie in tears, a small puddle of tears laid at her feat from the tears that had been shed.
"Your grandfather may have given his life for the tribe, but his legacy, everything he stood for lives on today Rosie. The Hidden World has been untouched since the riders relocated all of them there, their numbers has skyrocketed, dragons that was close to extinction are now at a healthy population."
"I know that Cloud Guy," Rosie replied wiping away her tears. "I just wish I could have gotten a chance to know him."
"My dear, you don't have to be with a person while they are alive to know them, you can know them through their stories, through the life they lived, from the memories they left. Your Grandmother lived Branches life through her own, the same as your mother." Cloud Guy got up from their campfire and extended his hand to Rosie. "Come I want to show you something."
Cloud Guy led Rosie to a pile of burnt wood in the middle of the old Troll Tree. "This used to be your Grandparent's old home, your mother was born in this very home." Cloud Guy started moving a few pieces of wood then pointed at something in the middle of the pile. "Look."
Rosie walked over and stared down at the old pile of wood, her eyes widened at the sight of a picture that was still for some reason in good shape despite a little bit of the tip being burned off. Picking up the picture she noticed it was a picture of her Grandparents, Poppy was holding a five year old Scarlett in her arms, both of them was smiling as Melody and Starfire stood behind them.
"This was the last family picture taken of your Grandparents and your mother before the attack."
"How? How did this survive?"
"Even back then I knew this day was going to happen, I made sure a small piece of the past would be preserved for you to find and hold onto."
"You saved this?"
"I teleported to the hut just as it was burning, I grabbed it and held onto it till the fire was contained. Then I placed it in that same spot and left it there for this day."
More tears fell from Rosie's eyes as she stared at the picture of Branch, this was the first time she ever saw a picture of her grandfather, up until now the only idea she had of how Branch looked was the statue in New Troll Tree.
"Thank you!" Rosie cried "For showing me this, for showing me all of this. For the first time I truly know who my grandfather was."
"Your Grandfather was the greatest troll I have ever known in my millions of years of existence."
"You have been alive for millions of years?" Rosie gasped
"As I said, I'm immortal, but your grandmother isn't. She doesn't have much time left, you need to return Rosie, you need to be there to say goodbye."
"Take me there Cloud Guy." Rosie held out her hand and Cloud Guy grabbed it. Cloud Guy then flew Scarlett over to the New Troll Tree at supersonic speed. Flying high in the clouds Rosie gasped in awe at how beautiful the world looked from high in the clouds. Rubbing her fingers through a cloud Rosie imagined this must have been what it was like to ride on a dragon.
Within a few short minutes Cloud Guy landed in front of Rosie's house, turning to Rosie he nodded "Go Rosie, be with her."
Giving Cloud Guy a quick goodbye hug Rosie ran inside her house were she saw her Grandmother Poppy laying on her bed, the once mighty warrior and chief near death, having watched over The Troll Tree for almost fifty years. Now old and at the end of her life she was surrounded by her daughter Scarlett, the new Chief of the Troll Tree, who took over the title two years ago when Poppy's health was starting to fade. Also surrounding Poppy was the surviving riders and allies. Peppy had died only three years after Rosie was born, Smidge had sadly died two years ago and the Twins had sadly followed one year later. Raider had retired from her post at the Hidden World, her health and body know longer meeting the demands to defend it. Biggie and Heather's daughter agreed to take over her spot, leaving two years ago in a very emotional goodbye. It was hard for Biggie and Heather to see their eldest of their two children go, but knowing she was continuing the mission Branch left made the farewell, despite how hard it was, a little easier to swallow. The past two years Raider and Jo spent most of their days together catching up on their life. Jo had married and had four daughters and now had eight grandchildren, Raider obviously never married but she spent all her years ensuring the Hidden World remained hidden and watched as the rarest of dragons population grew in her nearly fifty years as protector of the hidden world.
As Rosie walked in the room Scarlett confronted her, pretty upset that Rosie had been gone all day. "Where have you been? You know your grandmother doesn't have much time left, how could you abandon us in a time like this?"
"I know the truth," Rosie answered turning to Poppy.
"What?" A weak Poppy whispered barely lifting her head.
Rosie walked up to Poppy and set beside her, facing her with a tearful smile as she wrapped her arms around her. "I know the truth Grandma, about Grandfather."
"Cloud Guy." Poppy realized, Then she closed her eyes as a small tear fell from her face. "Then you must know why I never spoke of that day."
"Yes," Rosie cried "I understand completely."
"I'm glad you finally know though, now I can finally die, not having any guilt."
"You have nothing to be guilty over," Rosie ensured "Those memories were to painful."
Rosie then took out the picture Cloud Guy gave her. "I found this at your old home, Cloud Guy made sure to preserve it, knowing this day would come."
Both Poppy and Scarlett gasped when they saw the picture. "I haven't seen this since the day we fled the old Troll Tree."
"Cloud Guy saved it, just for today."
Tears ran down Poppy's face again as she clinched the picture of her with her late husband and rested her head on her pillow closing her eyes. "I can now die in peace, completed." Poppy took a deep breath before she opened her eyes and whispered "I can see him, calling out for me."
"Go to him," Rosie ensured "You've been apart for to long."
With a tearful smile Poppy ran her right index finger through Rosie's cheek. "Thank you, for finding this, and making my final moments, some of the happiest I've had in years. You will make a great chief yourself someday, you got the best parts of me, your grandfather, and your mother in you. Never lose those parts of you for they make you who you are."
"Mother," Scarlett cried knowing she was about to lose her.
"Scarlett, my baby," Poppy whispered "You were the best part of my life. You were the one thing that kept me going after I lost Branch. I cannot be more proud of the woman you have become."
Poppy then turned to all of her friends. "Thank you all for your friendship, you have been with me for all the best and worst moments in my life, it was a pleasure knowing all of you."
Poppy then laid down one last time, then her color faded she closed her eyes and whispered "I'm ready Branch." Then with that Poppy took her last breath, clinching the photo of her and Branch in her hands.
Scarlett then started sobbing as she mourned over her mother, Poppy's friends also lowered their heads and closed their eyes in respect of the great chief.
As Rosie lowered her head to though she saw a light pass through her window. Running outside she looked up into the sky and that's when she saw it, the light shot up to the sky like a meteor and landed right next to the brightest star in the sky, suddenly a second bright star appeared and shined right above where Rosie stood. She then saw a image in the sky it was of Branch greeting a much younger Poppy into Valhalla, their dragons Melody, and Starfire also waiting for her as Branch welcomed Poppy with a hug.
"Together again," Rosie heard Cloud Guy say as Rosie noticed Cloud Guy suddenly appearing right beside her. A tear falling from Rosie's eyes she smiled and nodded.
"Thank you Cloud Guy, for everything."
This is New Troll Tree, for almost fifty years it has been our home, a home that wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for my Grandfather Branch's sacrifice. Many of stories have been told throughout the years of my Grandfather and the sacrifice he had to make, many of them were wildly exaggerated, but I know the truth, I know what really happened. My grandfather is known as a hero, a chief who gave his life to save his tribe. While that is true he was much more than that. He was a trainer, a savior,
A LEGEND OF DRAGONS!"
And that's it. Are you crying? Thank you to all who have read and kept up with this series throughout the past couple of years, this never would have became a trilogy if it wasn't for all of your support.
Next up is Watchdogs Vol: III as I try to wrap up my other Trolls Trilogy. That won't be coming till late April though as I want to spend the next several weeks working on Twilight's Reign and upgrade that to weekly updates. Watchdogs Vol: III is coming though, you will just have to wait a little bit longer.
Till then it's been fun going through this journey with you. Hope to see you on the next story.
Peace out.