Song Defies Color

A/N: Again! I've been working on this for two to three days straight! Okay, I took breaks once every few hours, but you get the picture! And I thought that this chapter was going to be easier because it was a bit shorter than the previous one. Well, I thought wrong.

*takes a deep breath* Anyway, I'm hoping that soon, once I get one of my other stories finished soon, things won't be entirely crazy before college classes start up again. But I won't press my luck. Let's just say that job hunts have gotten a lot harder because of the pandemic, and waiting for responses whether if I got the job or not is nerve-wracking.

But enough of my surprisingly hectic life. Let's get on with Chapter 7! Roll it!

Chapter 7

More Mysteries of the Past

The next day after his secret little serenade to Poppy, Branch was practically floating on air as he worked on restitching a little hole that was in one of the curtains, quietly humming the song that he wrote and sang for the beautiful Troll princess in one of the spare rooms of Guffin's disguised mansion. 

He was a little confused as to why she asked him because they haven't used those particular curtains in a couple of months, but then again, the current curtains were due for a wash soon, so they would need to be replaced.

Just then, he heard Cloud Guy and Archer come over to him. "You seem to be in a good mood today." The former said with a little smile. "It suits you."

Branch rolled his eyes. "Ha-ha." He laughed sarcastically, and then went back to sewing. "I know what you are going to say next. You're going to ask me a totally random question because you snuck in my bunker again and are curious about it."

"I swear you're psychic." Cloud Guy muttered, crossing his arms. "Okay, I saw that you were working on a painting, and I was wondering when you are going to finish it."

Branch rolled his eyes again. "I just started working on it last night." He said. "It's going to take me a couple of more days to finish it."

"Someone's just impatient." Archer added, looking over at Cloud Guy with a teasing smirk.

"Come on!" The talking cloud exclaimed. "You gotta admit, our stormy friend is talented. First singing, then poetry, now painting. How many more hidden talents do you have?" He asked.

Branch raised a brow in amusement. "I'll let you guys figure them out." He said.

Just then, Glitz came into the window, buzzing frantically. There was only one reason that he would be acting so frazzled.

"Guffin alert!" Archer exclaimed.

The three friends immediately jumped up. "It's already a quarter to three?!" Branch exclaimed, looking over at the grandfather clock in the room.

"You have two minutes." Cloud Guy said. "Hurry and go! We'll put these away."

"Thanks, guys." Branch said, and then handed Cloud Guy the fixed curtain drape. "And remember to stay out of sight."

******************************

Within those two minutes, Branch made doubly sure that everything was in perfect order as he made his way over to the door. He then waited patiently as Guffin came inside, and her cheery disguise vanished in a wall of green flames, revealing her true elegant and sophisticated self.

"How was your day, madam?" He asked her politely.

"It was quite well, minus one little disturbance." She answered, handing Branch her basket of goods. "I'll expect my tea in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, madam." Branch said, bowing to her slightly before beginning to walk away.

"And Branch?" Guffin called out to him, making him stop and face her again. "Make it jasmine instead of the usual chamomile."

"Oh." Branch said. Usually, Guffin doesn't drink jasmine tea unless something was really bothering her. 

"Very well, madam. May I ask why?"

"Let's just say that the only downside of my day was that someone was being quite stubborn." Guffin answered, lightly pinching the bridge of her nose.

Earlier, she had spoken with Princess Poppy to try once again to get rid of any delusions of her so-called Mystery Troll, but the pink princess was still adamant that he was out there, that she heard him again, and that she was going to find him one day so that they can meet face to face. It took all of her patience to keep herself from scolding her harshly.

The sorceress then focused back on the gray Troll standing in front of her. "And do not repeat your errors from last time. I want that tea steeped for seven minutes; no more, no less."

"Yes, madam." Branch said.

"Just keep in mind that if it weren't for me, you would've been ostracized by those other Trolls for the past twenty years, who surely won't understand you." Guffin said. "I've been taking care of you since you were a child, so I expect you to repay me by making sure that everything is in perfect order. Is that clear?"

Branch lightly bit his lip. "Yes, madam." He repeated meekly.

"Good lad." Guffin said, before turning on her heel and headed over towards her room, leaving Branch alone with his thoughts.

She did have a point. If he were left alone in the village, he would've been put into the orphanage, where he would've lived out his life, since no one would want to adopt a gray Troll, if they think that they're like the plague. 

However, that was the only good thing she had ever really done for him. Other than taking him in, she treats him like a servant.

*******************************

Later, in the kitchen, Branch was prepping the tea for Guffin, where his friends were helping him. Archer, however, was in a sour mood, after hearing the sorceress talk to his friend so sternly earlier.

"I hope that witch chokes on that tea." He muttered as he handed Branch some jasmine.

"Archer." Branch chided sternly, briefly narrowing his eyes at the teenage Party Crasher as he took the herbs. 

He then placed them inside the kettle of water and then placed it on the stove. As he set the stove on a low setting to start boiling it, Cloud Guy and Glitz came into the kitchen, bringing in a giant basket full of oranges that they helped Branch pick earlier.

"Put your back into it, you puny bug!" Cloud Guy said, struggling to keep the large basket aloft.

But Glitz, offended by his remark, just dropped the handle that he was holding with his mouth, making the cloud almost fall forward with the basket. He placed it on the table, but the weight of the basket made the tea tray bounce up into the air.

"Cloud Guy!" Branch and Archer exclaimed at him as they watched the contents come back down. 

Archer grabbed the crumpets before they hit the floor, and Branch caught the rest of the tray. "Eh. Oops." Cloud Guy said, rubbing the back of his head. "Had to let go of the oranges sooner or later."

The other two rolled their eyes as they placed the tray and the crumpets on the table again. Everything looked fine, except there was one thing missing.

"Where's the teacup?" Archer asked.

They then saw said teacup dangling near the edge of the shelf. It then fell off and sent a large ladle flying as well. Luckily, Glitz zipped off and caught the tea cup on his head, balancing it a bit precariously, though.

"Nice catch, buddy." Branch said to the fuzzbug as he took the teacup off him and placed it back on the tea tray.

But then, everyone saw the ladle land on a gargoyle's nose, which was next to the fireplace. Suddenly, the head dipped a little lower than normal, and a low rumbling sound was heard, coming from the floor. Everyone turned behind them and saw that the floor was slowly sinking, revealing a hidden staircase among the stone tiles.

"Okay, that's actually pretty spooky." Archer said as the rumbling came to a stop.

"Well, I'll be a tornado's uncle." Cloud Guy said.

Branch carefully and curiously headed over to the entrance of the hidden stairs. He didn't know that there was a basement. 

"I wonder where it leads." He said.

But then Archer grabbed his arm. "Uh, that's a bad idea, Branch." He said. "Besides, Guffin is expecting tea in about seven minutes."

"We still have a little bit of time." Branch assured him, gently pulling his arm away from his grip. "Come on. Who knows what can be down there?" 

With that, the gray Troll started to head down the stairs. "Oh, sure." Archer said sarcastically. "And I thought that you are supposed to be the one who overthinks everything!"

"Come on, Archer." Cloud Guy said. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Excuse me if I'm not feeling it right now." Archer said. "But I'm pretty worried about what will happen if Guffin finds out we went down there."

But his words were paid no heed as Cloud Guy and Glitz followed Branch down the stairs. "Oh, fine!" Archer exclaimed as he too began to follow them. "No one ever listens to me anyway." He muttered under his breath.

Soon, everyone was down in a basement of sorts. There were shelves all over the room, holding all sorts of odd trinkets, along with trunks on the floor. There was also a table and a chair in the middle of the room, carrying even more papers, books and baubles.

Branch noticed that there was a fine layering of dust on the wooden furniture. "It seems that no one has been down here in a long while." He said.

As everyone began exploring the basement, Branch found one of the trunks on the ground and opened it. Piles of old invitations popped out, making him jump briefly, and most of them were looking like they were scrapbooked. Branch picked up a couple of them off the ground.

"I really can't imagine Guffin attending all of these events." He said, looking at the worn felt pieces on the pieces of paper. It seemed that some of these were pretty old, maybe even older than he had been alive.

"Well, if the village knew the truth about her, they'll never invite her to a party again." Archer came in from where he was looking in a different trunk.

"Hey, fellas." Cloud Guy called out to them. "You might wanna take a look at this."

Branch and Archer turned around and saw that the cloud was holding up an old framed photo of four young Trolls, one of them being Guffin when she was much younger. What was surprising was that she was in normal appearance of her dark purple skin and sparkly hair, only it was a pretty lavender color instead of white; due to her current age, instead of how she would look to the rest of the village.

The second Troll, who was standing next to her, was the king before King Peppy; Princess Poppy's grandfather, back when he was a young adult himself. He looked slim and regal, with cocoa brown skin, amber eyes and green hair.

The third one was of the queen at the time, standing next to her husband. She looked stunningly enchanting, with her pink skin and matching magenta eyes, which briefly reminded Branch of Poppy's own beautiful rosy colors, and sunny yellow hair let loose.

But the fourth Troll, who was standing on the other side of Guffin, their arms hooked together, her face had been torn off, leaving the rest of her body intact. However, there was something about her red knitted shawl that seemed somewhat familiar to Branch. Other than that, all four of those Trolls looked like they were friends.

"Yeesh. She sure got mad at somebody." Cloud Guy said, pointing to the Troll who was missing their head. "I wouldn't want to be in her position."

The other three just nodded, or buzzed in Glitz's case, in agreement. Guffin must've been mad at someone from long ago, and it seemed that they used to be friends. So what happened that would've caused the sorceress to be so bitter about her?

As Cloud Guy put the photo away, everyone continued to somewhat snoop around a bit. But then, Archer found something. A little circular gold box. He then picked it up.

"A jewelry box?" He asked aloud, getting everyone's attention. "How much jewelry could that old hag need?"

Branch's eyes widened in shock when he saw the box. It couldn't be, could it? 

"Let me see that." He said, reaching out.

Archer handed him the box, and Branch analyzed it. It was just like how he had pictured it in his dream. It was the same music box that his grandmother would play for him, from the gold paint to the little flowers around its circumference. But there was one flower missing. The key.

"Do you recognize it?" Cloud Guy asked.

"This isn't a jewelry box." Branch said. "This is a music box. The same one that.... my grandma used to play for me when I was little."

"What's it doing down here?" Archer questioned. "Technically, weren't her most precious belongings supposed to go to you after.... her passing?" He was trying his best to carefully word that last part, since her loss was still weighing heavily on Branch.

"Yeah." Branch answered, feeling just as confused as the teenage Party Crasher. 

He couldn't quite remember much of the weeks after Rosiepuff's death, since everything was really like a dark cloud of misery and loss, except that the only things he had left of her were some old music records of her favorite songs, old cookbook recipes, her journal; which he hadn't had the heart to read, her signature knitted heart shawl, and.... the key.

Branch reached up into his hair and then pulled out the little flower pendant that acted as the key to the music box. After that dream or memory that he had a couple of nights before, he had been feeling like he should keep it close with him, just in case. And his hunch was proven right.

https://youtu.be/fYCf2o4Gvq8

He inserted the flower pendant key into the hole of the box and began to turn it. Once it was wound up a good three times, he let the pendant go and placed the music box on the table as it slowly opened up and started playing the exact same tune that he had dreamed about, the little Troll figurines of his grandmother and grandfather inside dancing to the tune.

"That song." Branch said. "I knew I heard it somewhere before."

"What is it?" Cloud Guy asked.

"It's a lullaby that Grandma would sing to me back when I was little." The gray Troll explained to his friends. 

"But I've been hearing it in my dreams for a few nights now. I know that it sounds really crazy, and my earliest memories are still a bit hazy at best, but I know that it's the same song."

Just then, it was like the words of the precious lullaby came back to him all at once as Branch started to sing. It was exactly how he had remembered it.

Branch: Dancing bears,
Painted wings,
Things I almost
Remember.

And a song
Someone sings,
Once upon
A December.

He then began to slowly walk around the long table as warm and happy memories flooded through his mind, a wistful little smile on his face as he recalled both the love of his grandmother and of his parents, Rowan and Esmeralda.

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory.

Far away,
Long ago,
Glowing dim
As an ember.

Things my heart
Used to know,
Once upon
A December.

Just then, it was like he was reliving his memories in his mind's eyes. He remembered when he would explore the village with his parents and his grandmother, and whenever there would be a musical number, he would dance with them, sometimes even singing the song. For a young child, he would impress the adults with his sweet voice and his ability to dance and learn the words of the song so quickly.

Now, in his imagination, he was back in the village, and no one was judging him because of his dull and gray colors, the Trolls almost glowing like ethereal beings. They were smiling and waving politely at him. He just smiled back at them and headed over to the plaza.

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory.

Then, as he was spinning around, he imagined his colors coming back in full vivid splendor and he joined the village in their little graceful dance.

Far away,
Long ago,
Glowing dim
As an ember,

Things my heart
Used to know,
Things it yearns
To remember.

Just then, he was approached by the familiar glowing figures of his parents and his grandmother, his eyes starting to well up at the sight of them. He walked up cautiously to them, as if he couldn't believe that they were really there.

And a song
Someone sings,
Once upon
A December.

As he finished singing, holding out that last note, all three of his deceased guardians hugged him lovingly, making Branch release a couple of tears from his eyes. But then, everything and everyone faded away as the gray Troll pulled himself out of his imagination and back into the real world.

He then looked back at the music box as it was slowly chiming the last bit of the chorus one last time before it finally closed and became silent again. Branch came over to it and gently picked it up in his hand, removing the flower-shaped pendant from its keyhole. The gray Troll then held the little golden box close to his heart, his eyes shut tightly to keep any more tears at bay.

His friends didn't say a word or make a buzz, for nothing that they could say or do right then would be good enough for the heavy, melancholy mood that was present in the basement. Branch then took one more look at the music box in his hand, and then gently slipped it into his hair. He'll put it in a safe place in his bunker right when he gets the chance.

Then, he saw the flower pendant in his other hand. He gently fingered it with his thumb before putting it on, the thin gold chain soon fastened around his neck, and the ruby red flower luckily remaining out of sight because of his vest. He was going to keep this close to his heart, because it and the music box were a family heirloom that had been thought lost.

Finally, Archer approached him slowly, holding something in his hand. "I also think this is for you." He said, holding it out to the gray Troll.

Branch wiped away the remaining tears from his eyes and took it. It was a little brown wooden scabbard with midnight blue designs painted on it, holding something. The top of it had his name engraved with silver calligraphy.

He took hold of the hilt from the top of its scabbard and then slowly pulled out a beautiful dagger, the handle that he was holding having black leather wrapped around it, the pommel was polished silver, and the cross-guards were matching. The blade itself was cleaned, sharpened and polished to perfection. It most likely hasn't even been used.

Branch whistled lowly, impressed by its appearance. "This is beautiful." He said, twirling the dagger carefully in between his fingers. 

He then placed the dagger back in its scabbard, and saw that there was something on the back of it, along the edge. He flipped it over and saw little gold letterings.

"It's the song of your heart that reveals your true colors." He read. "To our son Branch for his fourth birthday. With love forever, Mom and Dad."

The gray Troll raised a smooth, dark brow up in confusion. "But, I thought that my parents died on that scouting trip after my fourth birthday. It was just right after my birthday that they left, and two weeks after, we got news about.... the landslide they died in. Then, my grandma died three months after that. After that, Guffin took me in."

He then sat down on the chair that was next to the table. "Why didn't she tell me about this?" He wondered aloud. 

Obviously, his parents were to show him this when they came back, and that he was most likely not allowed to use it until he was old enough to learn how to handle knives and blades. But they probably wanted to indulge his adventurous spirit; hence why they named him Branch, and part of that was knowing self-defense.

Archer just scoffed at his question. "Why does that old witch need any reason to torment you?" The teenage Party Crasher asked. "And you being gray is definitely not an excuse." He and the others then went back to snooping around the basement.

Branch lightly fingered the gold lettering along the edge of the scabbard. "With love forever." He whispered, repeating the phrase. It felt very reassuring to know that he was deeply loved by his parents in the little time that he knew them. 

Then, after reading the inscription once more, Branch tucked the dagger in his hair for the time being. He wasn't going to carry it on his waist where Guffin could easily spot it. She will definitely whip him if she found out that he had discovered her secret basement.

"Man, this old lady is a bit of a pack rat." Cloud Guy said, picking up an old book from a shelf. 

It was covered in dust, so naturally, he blew some of it off. However, the cloud of dust had floated over and reached Glitz.

The little fuzzbug then sneezed loudly and high-pitched because of the dust flying up his little nose, and he went flying across the basement, bouncing off walls and shelves like a glowing ping-pong ball. When he finally crashed into the shelves to stop flying off the walls, some of the trinkets on said shelves fell off and then shattered into pieces.

"Glitz!" The three friends exclaimed. The little fuzzbug popped out of the scattered pile of books, smiling and buzzing sheepishly.

"You can really pack a wallop, don't you, fuzzball?" Archer asked him, making the little glowing bug buzz in embarrassment.

"Branch?" Everyone froze when they heard Guffin's voice echoing from above, four pairs of eyes glancing upward.

"Oh, sugared honey iced tea." Branch cursed. Where had the time gone?

"Hurry, let's get cleaning!" Cloud Guy exclaimed as he picked up a couple of books from the floor.

"Branch! Where are you?" Guffin called again, sounding a little bit impatient.

"I'll be right back." Branch assured his friends quietly before answering the sorceress. 

"Coming, madam!" Then, he hurried back upstairs.

********************

Within seconds, Branch had poured some of the finished tea in the teapot, squeezed in a bit of orange juice in it, and arranged the tea tray just the way she preferred it. He was standing in front of Guffin's bedroom, and he knocked on the door twice.

"Enter." Her voice answered.

With one hand under the tea tray, Branch opened the door, and then used both his hands to hold the tray steady again. He would've used his hair to hold the tea tray, but Guffin had forbidden him from using his hair to help with his chores unless it was too much for his hands to handle.

The sorceress was already lying in her large bed, ready for an afternoon nap. "What took you so long?" She asked her charge.

"I'm sorry." Branch apologized, placing the tea tray on the table next to her bed. "I was.... distracted." He then carefully poured her a cup of tea and then carefully handed it to her.

"Lazy, you mean." Guffin sternly corrected him, although he was telling her the truth to an extent; he was distracted. 

The sorceress took a dainty sip before gracefully placing the teacup back on the table. "Much better than last time." She said.

Branch just nodded his head politely, and then stood up and began closing the curtains in her room so that she could have her afternoon nap. Once he was done, he looked back at her, his hands held in front of him. 

"Will that be all?" He asked.

Guffin nodded. "Yes. You may go, and don't disturb me until dinner." She said.

"Yes, madam." Branch said, bowing his head, and then taking his leave. He stole one last look at Guffin, who was starting to get comfy in her bed, her eyes shut, and then quietly shut the door behind him.

She was hiding things from him. Things about his past. Things that he didn't even know about or couldn't remember. But why? She and his grandmother were friends, so why would she keep secrets from him when they concern him in the first place?

Well, he certainly wasn't going to ask her, for she was most likely not going to tell him anything. It looked like he was going to try and figure out the answers himself. No matter what. He needed to know. 

A/N: More things are added to the mystery. Hidden relics from Branch's past, which has more holes than he thought, and lies beginning to be unraveled. Interesting, huh?

And before some of you smart ones out there pester me in the comments, yes, I was inspired by a scene from one of my favorite childhood movies, if any of you can take a guess of which one. But give me a break! 

When I was six years old, I would watch that and more of those kinds of movies over and over again almost every day. Once in a while, I would go on a bit of nostalgic trip down memory lane and watch some of them again, but only with my mom, because she was the only one who would watch them with me, back then and now.

Anyway, annoying rants aside, I think there's only one more chapter after this that before things start to get wacky. And not in a good way, either. 

The song that I used is "Once Upon a December", but it's a cover sung by this guy named Mark Read, and he actually sounds amazing. However, I don't own the song in any way or form. All credit goes to their respective owners.

I want to thank some of you guys for your advice about my art. Especially Shadgirl2 from fanfiction.net. I'm a big fan of her work and of her sister's, Midna Azusa. Maybe I'll share some of my artwork here on Wattpad if I get the chance. Might still not be the greatest, but I'm willing to share some. Mostly, I just draw "Pokémon" characters, but I think I can give "Trolls" a shot. But it probably won't be ready for some time.

One more thing. A commenter advised me to give credit to the artist who made the picture I used for this story's cover. Thank you for telling me, and now, I'll give credit to where credit is due, which is for bunkerdash, the artist. 

Well, that's all for this time! I hope y'all enjoyed it! Please leave a comment about what you think. They are highly appreciated, and remember to stay healthy!

Got to fly! ;)