Chapter 5: Circe's Backstory, Betrayal and Revenge.
It's time to reveal Circe's history with the Trolls and why she wants revenge. Also how she knew Branch's dad.
WildChicken10567 – I'm glad my cliffhanger was surprising enough to get that response.
Reby Montana – I already said. I have the story already figured out and the idea of adding him came to mind too late. And I don't plan on changing it. I'm sorry. In this his dad is dead. I'm connecting this to neomoon585's fanfic 'A Blue Angel Born from Love'.
WARNING: You might cry.
Enjoy!
"Wha-What?!" Branch shuttered. "You knew my father?"
"More or less. I was quite young back then." Circe answered. "What I do remember of him, I see in you."
"Really?" Branch asked.
"*Hmp* Quite." Circe said with dissatisfaction. "From what I can remember both of our fathers were actually pretty close."
"Our dads were friends?" Branch said surprised. "But wait if they were, then why are you doing this? Where are your parents?"
Circe shot the most piercing glare Branch has even seen at his question. There was so much rage in it, and pain actually too.
"Oh like you care!" Circe yelled in utter anger then turned her back toward him. "You don't understand! None of you trolls understand!"
"I might if you just tell me!" Branch yelled back.
"GONE! They're gone! All because of you trolls!" Circe stomped toward him and loomed over him yelling.
"What! How?" Branch was beyond surprised by her answer.
Circe growled and sneered, but then sighed.
"My family has been friends with the trolls for generations." Circe started. "Ever since you all lived in the troll tree. Long before the Bergans ever moved there. My family has always remained small. But our family chain is long. Every few weeks my family would come to the Troll Tree to greet you trolls, put on a show for you, and in return you all gave us food by allowing us to feed on your happiness. And so it went on for many years. Up until the time of me and my parents. When the Bergans moved around the Tree my family had ways of sneaking there and continuing our visits. We weren't sure what we could do to help you all, but lift your spirits with our music. You trolls are the most plentiful source of happiness there is. Your happiness could keep us going for weeks. So we commonly visited within weeks. Of course we considered you friends so, some were for food and some were causal. We visited about 3-4 weeks at least."
Circe then looked at Branch again in anger.
"But then one day. We came to the Troll Tree for our usual visit… and you trolls were gone!" Circe built up to and then shouted.
It then occurred to Branch that must've been after the trolls escaped the Tree.
"My parents and I were hurt by the fact that you trolls left us, without ever telling us where you went!" Circe continued the story. "We were already hungry so we knew we had to find you fast. And so we searched, for either you trolls and any source of food along the way. Regular food can at least fill our bellies. But happiness is our only life stationing food. The days turned to weeks, the weeks turned to months. Then eventually… my parents couldn't take it."
Circe turned away from Branch again. But Branch could still see she had sad, broken eyes.
"My parents collapsed from hunger." Circe sadly continued. "Even though I was starving as well I rushed over to them. They looked at me with a smile and they told me to go on. I was shocked, so sad, so scared by what they asked me to do. I denied it. But they told me they knew they wouldn't be able to go on at this point, and that I still could. They told me how much they loved me… and how happy I made them. Then they told me to do the unthinkable… they told me to eat their happiness."
"What? How is that unthinkable? I thought you Charen only harvest happiness. Why did you have to come to us instead of feeding on each other's?" Branch asked
Circe turned her head slightly with a minor glare.
"Because there's something about us that only we Charen know."
"Wha-What is it?" Branch was hesitant to ask.
"We Charen are forbidden from ever feeding on each other's happiness. Because if we do… it's gone from them forever." Circe turned back away and answered. Branch gasped in shock at that fact.
"But my parents knew it was their time. And if their happiness was to do anything, it would be to keep me going. They had no use for it at that point, but knew I did. Anything, more than anything I wanted to find another way! I wanted us to all survive and find the trolls together! But they were too weak, and there wasn't any food for miles. They told me if any of us were to survive, it was me."
Circe then began to cry.
"And so… I did it."
"I fed on their happiness, their love for me. Then… they died right in front of me from starvation." Circe then sat down to cry more reliving that memory. "I mourned. I mourned greatly, in complete and utter despair. My parents were gone and I was left all alone. It was then that I found my necklace near us. I was sure it was from my parents. A note attached said 'Find what we're searching for and what you want.' I was confused at first. But as soon as I put it on it all became clear to me." Circe looked up then turned toward Branch again. And started stomping his way.
"I wanted revenge!" Circe began. "If you trolls hadn't left us! We wouldn't have gone hungry, my parents would still be here, and our friendship could've been intact!" Circe marched up to Branch looking angrier than ever.
"Circe please. I'm sure we just forgot." Branch tried to reason.
"YOU THINK THAT MAKES IT ANY BETTER!?" Circe yelled her reply. "How would you feel if you were forgotten and left to starve!?"
Branch wasn't sure what to say at this point. Unlike Creek, Circe had a better reason for her actions. She was angry and hurt by what happened to her… by what the trolls did.
"My parents' happiness has kept me going for years since then." Circe said trying to calm down and continue. "Up until a few days ago. Luckily I finally found your little village and prepared myself for my first troll happiness feast in years.
"For what you trolls did to me, for what you put me through. Your village will be looking forward to a lifetime of servitude to me." Circe said once again sneering at Branch. Then she started walking away.
"Circe wait!" Branch pleaded "I'm sorry for what you went through, really! But when I lost my Grandma to the Bergans, I didn't strive for revenge. Should you? Would your parents want that?"
Circe stopped in her tracks by that finishing statement. Circe clenched her knuckles then turned her head slightly to look at Branch.
"That's different. You were our friends and you betrayed us. My parents are gone and it's all your guys' fault. It's payback time." Circe said turning her head away from him. "My show will be at sundown. Don't be late."
With that Circe left Branch alone. With him looking where she went, saddened by her story.
Her parents seemed nice. Just how the book described Charen. He doubted that her parents would approve of her using their happiness in pursuit of revenge. Branch just saw this as even more reason to stop her quest for revenge. As an apology to her parents Branch, DJ and Storm will stop the monster Circe has become. With that Branch ran back to the village to find DJ and Storm.
With Circe.
Circe headed back into the village. Many trolls greeted and praised her along the way. She would've greeted them back. But reenacting her past and her plan for revenge, hardened her heart at the moment and she wasn't in the mood.
"Hi Circe!"
Circe turned to see Poppy walking her way.
"Oh hello Poppy." Circe replied in a blank expression.
"You ok." Poppy asked seeing she seemed emotionally drained.
"I'm fine. Just had to get some things off my chest." Circe answered turning away slightly. "Where did those two go?" Circe asked referring to Storm and DJ Suki.
"They went back to the Fear Bunker." Poppy pointed in the direction. "How'd it go with Branch?"
Circe realized this could be an ideal moment to turn the trolls in her favor. Branch and the other two will more than likely come to her show to try and stop her. So she needs to assure that once she has her fun. She'll have the trolls apprehend them and put them away where they won't bother her anymore.
"Unfortunately I don't think he's quite partial to me." Circe said in fake discouragement. "He was quite aggressive in our conversation and it felt he was harassing a bit." She lied.
"Harassing our guest?" Poppy gasped. "I thought maybe Branch had opened up by know."
"I guess it was too much to ask from him." Circe said covertly dissing Branch. "I think him and the other two are going to try and steal my show." Circe said putting on an innocent face.
"What? Are you sure? That doesn't sound like something any of them would ever do." Poppy questioned. Poppy may be being placed under a spell. But she has one of the strongest wills. That and her strong friendship with the three allows her to fight it and question Circe's statement.
"I'm sad to say it's true." Circe lied. "They only wanted to know when my show was so they could steal my moment and keep you all from hearing my song." That much is true.
"But we love your song. Why would they do that?" Poppy asked as the spell was starting to take over again.
"That, I do not know." Circe lied.
"Umm if you want-"Poppy struggled to say. As if trying to fight or suppress something. "-I could have the others take them to the fungeon for a while for harassment?"
Circe was at first dissatisfied. She could see that Poppy was fighting her spell. But in the end smiled at Poppy's suggestion seeing that it was working again.
"No. Or at least not yet." Circe answered turning away. Poppy just gave her a confused look.
"If they want a battle, I'll give them a battle. But once I feel they've had enough, I'll let you know when you have my permission to do so." Circe said turning her head slightly Poppy's way with a smile.
Circe then went to her guest pod to prepare for the show.
With Branch, DJ and Storm.
Branch, DJ and Storm had retreated to the bunker. Where Branch was finishing up telling the others what Circe told him.
"Whoa! Really? That's why Circe is doing all this?" DJ Suki asked. Her and Storm stunned by the bleak story.
"Unfortunately." Branch nodded.
"That's dark." Storm commented. "And I thought how I lost my parents was depressing."
"It just gives us all the more reason to put a stop to this." Branch stated. "We trolls did make a big mistake back then. But this is our chance to make amends with it."
"How's that?" DJ asked.
"Circe's parents were nice as the book described. Maybe she didn't realize it, but I'm more then sure Circe's parents weren't looking for us for revenge. They sacrificed their happiness for her, so she could rekindle our friendship. That I'm sure!" Branch said having this feeling he was sure that's what they wanted.
"Well alright! What're we waiting for? Let's do this! It's almost sundown" Storm stood up raring to go.
"Yeah!" Branch agreed getting up. The both of them started to head out.
"Hold up!" DJ stopped them. "If we're going to do something as big as save the whole village. Personally I think we should do it in style." Branch and Storm exchanged looks.
"Alright so what did you have in mind?" Storm asked.
"Well Satin and Chenille did say they finished our outfits from their new line." DJ pointed out with a smile.
Branch and Storm replied with a grin.
"If we're coming up with ideas to help us win this battle." Storm began with her own idea. "I think we should have some help with a chorus. Lucky we know of some who are also immune and might just be willing to help."
In Troll Village at Sundown.
Circe drank a quick glass of water and then made her way on stage.
"Welcome Troll Village!" Circe started her shows introduction. "I'm so pleased you all came so I could grace you with my song once more! I just can't express how lucky I am to have found you all!"
"We're the ones who are lucky Circe!" A troll in the audience cheered.
"Yeah! I can't believe we've never heard your voice till now!" Another said.
Circe gave a satisfied smile. Once she sings her song one last time there'll be now breaking the spell. Troll Village will be hers to do whatever. She then gave out a light chuckle, thus starting her song.
Dance
Back door, cracked we don't need a key
We get in for free
No VIP slea-
Suddenly her singing was interrupted when all the lights suddenly went out.
"Huh what's going on?" A troll asked.
"Yeah! Why are the lights out?" Another troll asked looking around.
Unlike them Circe knew exactly what was going on. Time for the fun to begin. She looked around searching for her opponents. Finally fireflies ignited a spotlight that appeared on a mushroom platform higher up and across from the stage she stood on. There the three stood with a bunch of critters backing them up. Each of the three wearing dazzling new outfits.
Storm wore a sparkling light blue fedora with black stripes and holes on the sides allowing her horns with a black bejeweled strap, a black and blue striped sparkling bandana around her neck, black and blue striped sparkling fingerless gloves that came up to her elbows, a black bejeweled belt, and black and blue striped spats on her feet. She was also hold a black and blue bejeweled guitar. (When I say stripes imagine Tiger.)
DJ Suki on her caterpillar was wearing a black and blue striped sparkling top, black shorts with blue outlines, a neon blue glowing ponytail holder, black and blue headphones with yellow star prints, sunglasses, and a bling necklace with the letters DS on the medallion (D for DJ and S for Suki).
And finally Branch was wearing a sparkling black and blue striped vest with a bejeweled collar, black pants with blue outlines, held up by a black then blue jewel decorated belt, topped off with a sparkling black on the top blue on the bottom sparkling cape.
"Bout time." Circe said ready to crush her opponents.
"Guess I am going to be in a show with you guys." Branch looking to the friends by his side, referring to their earlier suggestion of the three of them singing together.
"Let's just hope next time the fate of the village isn't on the line." Storm replied.
"Alright so let's do this thing!" DJ Suki shouted in excitement getting ready to start the music.
To be continued.
Yeah that's right. I'm leaving you guys hanging right before the big confrontation. I just felt it'd be an ideal time for a cliffhanger. Next will be a big sing off. So there'll defiantly be some recognizable songs. I felt I did good at the feels with Circe's Backstory. I actually cried writing it! Let me know if I got a tear out of any of you K.
This is it! The battle between three friends fighting to save their friends, and the Charen seeking revenge. Who will come out on top? Will Branch, DJ and Storm be able to best Circe's song? Or will Circe prove too strong and finally get her vengeance? You'll have to wait till next time to find out.