Song Defies Color

A/N: I spent two whole days writing this! And I'm adding a bit more mystery into the story, which might make you guys' heads spin and come with some strange theories. Well, at least I think. It seemed that way to me.

Anyway, let's get on with Chapter 6. Roll it!

Chapter 6

Response to a Song

It was a warm and dark spring night, with only the moon shining above. In a nice little purple pod, an elderly purple Troll with mint green hair tied up in a bun was tucking in a young trolling of about three years old, with teal skin and cobalt blue hair, into his bed. But the trolling didn't seem very happy about something.

"Why did they have to go, Grandma?" The trolling asked.

"Come now, sweetheart." His grandmother said. "You know that they had to go."

"Why couldn't they take me with them?" The trolling continued to question.

His grandmother just laughed lightly at the young child's adventurous spirit. "You're still much too little to be going out on scouting trips." She explained, chuckling again at the childish pout on her grandson's face. 

"But you know that wherever they go, they'll always be with us."

"How?" The trolling asked.

His grandmother smiled softly at him as she went over to the other end of the bedroom. After scanning the shelves for a few seconds, she soon came back over to her grandson's bedside and then showed him something that made him gasp softly in awe.

She was holding a small circular golden box with tiny emerald and ruby flowers imprinted on the sides. It looked so ordinary and plain at first glance, but the trolling thought that it was absolutely beautiful. His grandmother then reached into the front of her dress and pulled out a matching gold chain with a similar flower dangling from it.

She carefully inserted the flower pendant into an open space that was shaped just like the pendant on the side of the circular box, as if it was a key of sorts, and then began to turn it around a few times. Then, when she stopped, the top of the box slowly opened up to reveal two little Troll figurines dancing together in a waltz. 

Their colors reminded them of his grandmother and his grandfather, whose colors were a bit duller than hers, with ashy blue skin and much darker green hair. A pretty little song started to play as the figurines started to twirl and spin.

"My husband, your grandfather, had this music box made for our wedding, which plays a lullaby that my parents used to sing to me when I was about your age, which I now sing for you." His grandmother explained. "I would play this for your mother every night when she was a little girl. Now, the three of us, me, your mother and your father are showing it to you. When you play it, think of us, and never forget that we love you very, very much."

Then, she started to sing along with the chiming melody.

Far away,
Long ago,
Glowing dim as
An ember.

Things my heart
Used to know
Things it years
To remember.

The young trolling smiled as he recognized the lullaby, knowing that it was the same one that his grandmother and his parents would sing to him. He then joined in with his grandmother as they sang the last part of it together.

And a song
Someone sings,
"Once upon
A December."

Then, the trolling's eyes fluttered shut as his grandmother placed a loving hand on his cheek and then kissed his forehead.

"I love you, my little angel." She said to him softly as the chimings of the music box slowly faded away into silence.

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

Branch immediately gasped for air and then sat up in his bed. His eyes were wide as he tried to regain his normal breathing rate.

Again with the song? He thought that he had heard it somewhere before. But maybe it was just a distant memory. But was it really the same song? It had been so long since he heard it, ever since his grandmother had passed away.

Just then, he heard the familiar banging from above ground. Branch lightly huffed as he pushed himself out of bed and quickly got dressed, pushing the thought and memory away from his mind for the time being. The good news is that he's no longer sick and feeling like death. The bad news, it's back to his exhausting chores for Guffin.

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

After another full day of working in Guffin's house, which was more menial than usual; most likely because of him being sick for a full day, Branch was out in the woods, collecting some more sticks for his supplies stashed away in his bunker. At least when he would be out in the forest, he could be alone with his thoughts.

Guffin gave him a whole list of chores that took up most of the day, but still left him with only a couple of more hours that gave him enough time to collect more supplies. She didn't really seem to be glad that Branch was back working, but she wasn't annoyed either. She just seemed indifferent. Not that Branch really minded.

Just then, Glitz appeared from out of the shrubs and flew happy little circles around the gray Troll, making him chuckle at his antics. "Hey there, Glitz." Branch said to him. "You gonna stick around for a few minutes?"

The little fuzzbug just chirped happily, confirming Branch's suspicion. "Okay." He said, chuckling again as Glitz nuzzled his face.

As the two of them continued to gather sticks, they suddenly heard a rustling sound from nearby. Instinctively, Branch jumped into a few shady bushes nearby along with Glitz and remained very still, hoping that whoever or whatever won't be coming in their direction.

Peeking through the foliage, Branch saw a familiar shoot of pink from the tall grasses. His eyes widened and his heart started pounding loudly in his ears, blood rushing up to his cheeks, turning them a fierce shade of lavender as Princess Poppy came out of the grass, holding a wooden plank and an empty cup in her hands.

She looked around the area, eyes curious and confused. "I thought I heard something." She muttered to herself, scanning her surroundings. Branch and Glitz remained silent, hoping that Poppy wouldn't notice their hiding place.

After a few tense seconds, Poppy just shrugged away the thought and then hoisted herself on top of a large mushroom nearby with her hair and seated herself down on top. She placed her plank and cup in front of her.

"Finally, I can be alone." She said. "Maybe, if he could hear me, this could reach him. If he even is around here."

Branch's ears twitched upward from in his hiding place. Was she talking about him?

Just then, Poppy began clapping out a rhythm while also using the cup to make similar sounds as well. The beat was actually pretty catchy, and Branch managed to resist the urge to make a sound or quietly hum along with her song.

https://youtu.be/pjcOzqxu4JQ

Poppy: I got my ticket
For the long way 'round.
Two bottle o' whiskey
For the way.

And I sure would like
Some sweet company.
And I'm leavin' tomorrow,
What do you say?

When I'm gone,
When I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me
When I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my hair,
You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh.
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

When I'm gone,
When I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me
When I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my walk,
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh.
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

What did Poppy mean by that? Was she really leaving, or was it just a metaphor? Branch wasn't quite sure what to think about it. 

However, Glitz was just confused as to why his Troll friend wasn't making any moves towards the pink female. He could tell by the pheromones that were emitting from him that he is definitely attracted to her, but why is he hiding from her? Sometimes, Trolls can be confusing with how they choose a mate.

I got my ticket
For the long way 'round.
The one with the prettiest
Of views.

It's got mountains, it's got rivers.
It's got sights give you shivers.
But it sure would be prettier
With you.

Wait a minute. Oh! Now he understood. She was trying to see if he was still out there somewhere. But since no one in the village appears to believe her story about someone rescuing her, she decided to go off to be alone and sing something to see if he would respond.

Branch bit back a smile. She's smarter than she looks. He thought to himself. 

Though he did feel sorry towards her, knowing that she is the princess, so she would hardly get a moment's peace. Everyone wants something from her, and being the heir to the throne of a very upbeat, affectionate and crazy race, it has to be mentally and physically exhausting sometimes. Of course, he wouldn't know personally. But he could imagine that it could be pretty challenging.

When I'm gone,
When I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me
When I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my walk.
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh.
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

Branch almost looked and felt like he was enchanted by the pink princess singing while making her own rhythm with her hands and with the cup she had brought with her. Her voice was just as beautiful as when he had heard her the first time. And the late afternoon sun was lighting up her figure, making her appear as if she was some kind of ethereal being; like an angel. With that lovely voice of hers, and her brave and kind spirit, she might as well be one.

When I'm gone,
When I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me
When I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my hair,
You're gonna miss me everywhere.
Oh, you're sure gonna miss me when I'm gone.

When I'm gone,
When I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me
When I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my walk,
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh.
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

Branch just smiled fondly as the princess finished her song, but he still made no move to make himself known. Having enough of the confusion, Glitz was about to go and greet Poppy himself, but Branch quickly grabbed him with a hand. However, the little fuzzbug was pretty strong, and the gray Troll could feel his grip slipping away.

Finally, he lost his hold on his little friend, and Glitz suddenly torpedoed over to Poppy and crashed into her! "Whoa!" She exclaimed as she tumbled across the top of the mushroom.

Branch quietly gasped and winced at the sight of that from his hiding place inside the bushes. Just great. Now because of his one-track minded friend, he was going to get into a heap of trouble.

Poppy slowly picked herself up and then saw the little glowing turquoise bug that had crashed into her. It certainly was a cute little thing, but this obviously wasn't her Mystery Troll. Still, it was nice to make a new friend.

She giggled as she walked over to it. "Hi there, cutie pie." She said, greeting the little fuzzbug.

Glitz picked himself up and then began flying little circles around the pink female Troll, making her laugh. He could smell flowers, cotton candy and strawberry bubblegum coming off her.

"Aren't you spritely?" She asked him. She then reached into her hair and pulled out a little cherry. "Here. You hungry?"

Glitz saw the little red fruit in her hand and he swooped down and then ate the whole thing in one bite. Poppy giggled again. 

"You like cherries?" She asked him, lightly tickling him under his chin.Glitz just responded by nuzzling her face. 

From where Branch was hiding, the gray Troll had a soft little smile on his face. She found his weakness. Glitz just loves cherries. They were his favorite snack.

Poppy giggled as she reached into her hair again and pulled out a whole handkerchief full of cherries. Glitz buzzed happily at the sight of the many little fruits. He then turned over in Branch's direction and made a chirping sound, calling out to him.

"You have a friend over there?" Poppy asked the fuzzbug.

Branch's heart nearly stopped and he took a couple of small steps further out into the bushes, trying his very best to not rustle the twigs very much. He then saw Poppy leaning out to see if anything came out from the foliage.

Please don't come this way. He pleaded in his brain. Please don't come this way.

"Anyone over there?" She called out. 

But Branch made no move. His limbs were practically paralyzed with fear.

After a few tense seconds that seemed more like minutes, Poppy raised a confused brow. "That's odd." She muttered to herself. Usually, something would have responded by now.

"Poppy?" A voice called out to her from behind. 

The pink Troll princess turned around and saw a male Troll with purple skin, teal-ombre hair and indigo eyes come over to the mushroom she was standing on. He had glitter freckles on his cheeks, and he only wore yellow yoga pants with a purple Hug Time bracelet on his left wrist.

"Creek." Poppy acknowledged the Troll. 

From his hiding spot, Branch glanced over at the purple Troll coming up to the pink princess. That's Creek? He thought to himself. The one who's Guffin's top student and who she wants Poppy to consider as a potential suitor?

"I thought that I heard you from over here." He said, a charming smile on his face that made Branch sick to his stomach as he pulled himself on top of the mushroom. "What are you doing way out here?"

"Um...." Poppy trailed off, not sure how to answer. 

But this is Creek. He's her friend, even if it is obvious that he wants to be something more with her, although she doesn't love him like that, and she doubts that she ever will.

"I was trying to see if I could make my Mystery Troll come out to me." She explained.

"You still believe that he's real?" Creek asked.

"I know he is!" Poppy answered. "He's out there somewhere, and I'm gonna find him one day and give my gratitude."

She then looked around the area. "I was hoping that he could hear me sing from here, if he doesn't live in the village." She added. "But so far, nothing."

"Poppy, you know as well as I do that no one can survive out there alone." Creek said. "It's much too dangerous."

The pink princess sighed heavily. "Yeah, I know." She said. "But still-"

"Come on." Creek said, wrapping an arm around Poppy's shoulder, cutting her off. "Let's head back to the village."

Suddenly, Glitz headbutted into Creek's side pretty hard, pushing him away from Poppy and then he was falling off the mushroom. Branch winced at the fall, but there was a little smirk forming on his face at the little stunt his fuzzbug friend pulled on him.

Poppy jumped off the mushroom to check on her friend. "Creek, you okay?" She asked him.

Creek slowly picked himself up off the ground. "Yes, I'm fine." He assured her, brushing the dirt off his pants. 

He looked back up at the mushroom just in time to see Glitz zoom down over to him and then start headbutting into him. "Okay, okay. We're leaving." He said to the angry little bug as Glitz gave him one more angry buzz and headbutt until he zipped away, out of sight to where Branch was hiding. The gray Troll gave his fuzzbug friend a smirk.

When Creek left the area, along with a reluctant Poppy, Branch slowly emerged from out of his hiding spot. He carefully climbed onto the mushroom where the princess was standing on top of, and saw that she left her handkerchief there, still having the cherries placed on it. Glitz buzzed happily at the sight of them, and began to gobble them up, one by one.

Branch smiled at the sight of his little friend looking so happy eating his favorite treat. His eyes then glanced back in the direction where Poppy left in. So she does believe that someone rescued her during that crazy storm two nights ago; aka him, but she doesn't know that it is him because she doesn't know that he exists. At least, she hasn't seen him clearly, face to face.

Her beautiful voice was ringing in his head, and her song was clearly resonating with him. It's clearly a call out to him; a message, but what is she expecting? A response? If so, then how can he respond to it, and should he even?

With those thoughts ringing in his head, Branch watched Glitz finish off the rest of the cherries and then lie down on the fungus they were standing on, letting out a satisfied burp. Branch's nose twitched at that, fighting back a smirk.

"Buddy, what did we say about manners?" He said to him, carefully picking up the stuffed fuzzbug in his hands.

Branch's eyes then landed on Poppy's handkerchief that she must've accidentally left behind, still carefully placed next to Glitz. He wanted to reach out and take it with him, as some other memory or token of her, but he ultimately decided against it. Sooner or later, Poppy will remember that she left it behind and will come back to get it.

Soon, Branch left with Glitz in his arms, heading back to his bunker. It already hasn't been two days, and his mind was racing and spinning with everything that has been happening to him. Maybe he should turn in early and think more about it tomorrow. Though he doubted that sleep was going to come easy to him tonight.

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

About an hour later, Ms. Guffin was studying in her library when she heard a knock on her door. She closed the book of spells that she was looking through, and then went over to the door, making sure that her disguise was up.

When she opened the door, she saw a familiar face greet her. "Creek." She said, acknowledging the young purple Troll.

"Hello, Ms. Guffin." Creek greeted her with a charming smile.

"What brings you here so late in the day?" Guffin asked him.

"I found Princess Poppy out in the forest earlier." Creek said, his smile starting to get a little strained. "She is still adamant about finding that Mystery Troll and proving to everyone that he was real."

Guffin blinked, not sure what to think about it, until she felt something stir hotly inside of her. "What Mystery Troll?" She asked him, feeling a little bit apprehensive. 

What was he talking about? Was that how Princess Poppy was found alive and well after the storm?

"She claims that someone saved her during that crazy storm two nights ago during her birthday party." Creek explained to her. "We've looked all over the village yesterday, and she says that none of the Trolls in town match whatever memory or description she has of her rescuer. 

"We all think that she may have been seeing things because of her near-death experience, but she still remains firm to her theory that the Troll who saved her life was real. She almost sounds as if she was infatuated with this guy! If he even exists at all."

Guffin had to do all she could to keep herself collected and calm in front of her top student. This was a very serious problem.

"Well, I'll talk with her tomorrow." She said to him. "I'll see what she thinks about it, and then maybe we can come up with a compromise."

The disguised sorceress then placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Creek." She assured him. "She soon might change her mind and give you a chance to court her. You just need to keep being patient."

Creek seemed to be pleased with her answer. "Alright, Ms. Guffin." He said, lightly bowing his head in respect, giving her a polite smile at the same time. "I appreciate your time."

After he had taken his leave and left her house, Guffin closed the door, her cheery disguise away in seconds with a wall of green flames enveloping her form. Then she headed back over to her library and slammed the doors loudly behind her. Her fists were clenched tightly as she walked stiffly into the center of the room.

"I need to figure out more about this 'Mystery Troll'." She said to herself, an angry scowl on her face, her teeth slightly bared in anger, and then grabbed a nearby book, chucking it across the room. 

"I need to know who he is. I need his name! This could ruin everything!"

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

In his bunker, Branch was lying silently in his room, his thoughts filled with images of Princess Poppy. The song that she was singing earlier out in the forest was echoing in his head. He was humming that same little ditty under his breath.

He just couldn't get her, or her song, out of his head. She looked and sounded perfectly and utterly magnificent. Music was ringing in his head, and his fingers were twitching, wanting to put them to paper. But what could he do?

Obviously, Poppy believes that he was real, but it started to seem that her faith was starting to waver a little bit because of everyone else's disbelief and reluctance about the subject. She had looked everywhere for him, but to no avail. 

Well, he just can't reveal himself to her and tell her about it. She would be terrified or shocked to see a gray Troll. Plus, everyone in the village believes that gray Trolls are toxic for their happy-go-lucky society. But what can he do?

Just then, an idea came to his head. Maybe he could give her an answer to her song, but not reveal himself to her; at least for the time being. But that should be more than enough to get her to still believe that he was indeed real.

Branch immediately jumped off his bed, dashed out of his bedroom, and then went over to his desk that was in his study room. He grabbed an old guitar that had been discarded a while which he fixed up, a notebook that had a couple of old poems inside of it, and a new pencil and started to write. Once in a while, pretty music and lyrics would be heard ringing throughout the bunker. Looks like sleep might have to wait until later.

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

The next night, Poppy found that same mushroom that she used as a makeshift stage the day before, where she had left her handkerchief by mistake. Luckily, it was still there, right where she left it when she gave those cherries to that cute little fuzzbug that had crashed into her. However, all of the cherries that were there were all gone. 

But Poppy didn't mind. She was just a little upset at herself at forgetting something so simple. Also, she was in a bit of a sour mood because of her conversation with Ms. Guffin a couple of hours earlier. 

It seemed that she too, wasn't convinced about the existence of Poppy's Mystery Troll. The pink Troll princess felt like she was almost about to lose her temper and just exclaim out loud that her rescuer was real and out there somewhere.

"I can be such a ditz." She muttered to herself with disdain as she put her handkerchief back into her hair. 

But right as she was about to jump off the mushroom and then leave the area to head back to the village, she heard something. Or rather, someone. She froze as she listened to the sound.

https://youtu.be/BTviHOEtv38

Hop in the back and come with me.
You don't have to pack everything.
Don't you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby.

Poppy quietly gasped when she heard that sweet, tenor-like voice. It was beautiful and just absolutely angelic, for a male Troll. She realized that she had heard that same voice once before. Was it her Mystery Troll?

Hop in the back and come with me.
You don't have to pack everything.
Don't you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby.

From his hiding spot from inside a hollow stump nearby and out of sight, Branch was playing the guitar while singing his new song that he wrote as an answer to Poppy's song the day before. Glitz and some of the creatures were providing some acapella background voices, hiding out of her sight.

Branch: Getting bored of your job today?
You've been working at this place for years.
And though you feel a bit betrayed,
Baby, that place isn't worth your tears.
Oh, oh.

I know that life is hard on you,
And you can't seem to find out why.
I'll explain, just grab your coat, girl,
And just join me on this ride.

Let's take a ride,
On the countryside.
Let's just get away.

We can spend the night,
'Till the morning light.
Let's just get away.

Poppy nearly felt her heart almost bursting from her chest with anxiousness as she listened to the song. This had to be her Mystery Troll! She had never forgotten what his voice sounded like from what she could remember when she had woken up after she lost consciousness during the storm. 

She knew that it wasn't all a dream, and that he was real! And he must've had heard her yesterday, because it felt like this song was a response to hers.

Girl, you're the best.
You could be
An angel among
Society.

Poppy felt herself lightly blushing a light red, contrast of her normal bubblegum pink, at the Troll's smooth words. He certainly sounded quite charming, if his voice and his lyrics were any indication of it. He must be some kind of romantic; and he certainly had real talent, because she had never heard that song before. Did he write it himself?

But you get crushed
From what you see.
You try to hard to help,
And that's enough for me.
Woo.

Branch smiled at the sight of Poppy looking almost mesmerized as she slowly scanned the area from on top of the mushroom, but finding no sign of where he could be hiding; a light lavender blush on his cheeks. 

As he continued to sing and play the song that he spent all of the previous night writing and fine tuning, some other critters that lived in the forest joined in with Glitz and the others in providing backup and sometimes even adding or echoing a previous line that the gray Troll sang already, like flowers or other insects.

Try to change
What you can,
And accept all the things
That you cannot.

(Don't stress yourself, baby.)

Branch: I know you want to fly away
From the world,
But for now,
With the time we've got,

Let's take a ride,
On the countryside.
Let's just get away.

We can spend the night,
'Till the morning light.
Let's just get away.

Let's take a ride,
On the countryside.
Let's just get away.

(Let's just get away.)

Branch: We can spend the night,
'Till the morning light.
Let's just get away.

(Let's just get away.)

Glitz and the other fuzzbugs then flew around in the air, adding a bit of an ethereal glow to the forest's atmosphere, making sure that they avoided the stump where Branch was hiding to make sure that they wouldn't be giving any possible clues.

Branch: Maybe if you consider
Us just riding;
That once you feel like a winner,
No more crying.

And baby, I know just
What you need (I know.)
To let your hair down
So that you feel free, yeah.

It hurts me to watch you
Sing the blues. (It hurts me, baby.)
Girl, you're so confused, (Let's get away.)
And I know what to do.

Let's take a ride,
On the countryside.
Let's just get away.

(Let's just get away.)

Branch: We can spend the night,
'Till the morning light.
Let's just get away.

(Let's just get away.)

Branch: Let's take a ride.
Hop in the back and come with me.
You don't have to pack everything.
Don't you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby.

(Let's take a ride.)

Branch: Hop in the back and come with me.
You don't have to pack everything.
Don't you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby.

Everything started to grow quieter by the second as the song came to an end, and the lighting of the fuzzbugs faded away as they left, along with the rest of the forest critters that were chanting and singing in acapella.

Let's take a ride.
Let's go girl.

(Let's go girl.)
(Let's go girl.)

Soon, everything was silent, as if nothing had happened at all. Poppy finally seemed to snap out of the little trance that she was in. To her, it felt like a spell was cast on her, because of how wondrous and glorious her Mystery Troll's voice was as he serenaded her and answered her little song from the day before.

She looked around the area once more, hoping that there was some sort of a sign; anything that could tell her where that Mystery Troll was, or possibly even a clue about his identity. However, there was nothing out of the ordinary that stood out to her.

"Hello?" She called out. 

But there was no answer. After a few seconds, she sighed heavily, but there was a smile on her face.

"Thank you." Poppy called out, knowing that her Mystery Troll could hear her now, wherever he was. "I hope that one day, we will meet face to face." With that, she jumped off the mushroom, lit up her hair, and began heading back to the village.

Once she was out of sight, Branch slowly stepped out of his hiding spot from inside the hollow stump nearby, holding the old guitar in his hand. A fond and hopeful smile was on his face as Glitz came back over to him.

"I hope so too, Princess Poppy." He whispered, placing his free hand over his heart, sky blue, lovestruck eyes glued in the direction that she left in. 

For the first time in a long time, he actually had hope growing inside of his soul that things will get better in his future. He had something to look forward to and dream about, as well as someone special in his heart.

A/N: What do you think? Enough mystery for now? Well, whether or not, things are only going to get more complicated and confusing.

Holy cupcakes! I used three songs in this chapter! Three freaking songs! Oh, boy. Well, I'll just give you the list, but I don't any of them. All credit goes to their rightful owners.

- "Prologue: Once Upon A December" from the live stage show of "Anastasia"
- "Cups (When I'm Gone) from "Pitch Perfect", sung by our very own Poppy, Anna Kendrick
- "Let's Take a Ride" by our own Branch in real life, Justin Timberlake

I don't know why, but I wish that I could make some art to go with my Trolls stories, other than my book covers here on Wattpad. But I doubt that I can pull it off, because I'm not really an artist. I tried drawing some Troll characters, but they didn't really look very good. If any of you guys want to give it a shot, you can try.

Well, that's all for now, y'all! I'll see you guys in the next chapter! Please leave a comment about what you think. They are highly appreciated, and remember to stay healthy!

Happy Holidays! Got to fly! ;)