True Colours

Chapter 9 - Chef's Triumphant Return

Meanwhile, within the Bergen castle, the atmosphere was not much different on the inside than what it was on the outside.

Two guards stood dutifully at the steps to the throne, with only blank stares for expressions. And, while Bridget used a small handheld vacuum to clean up the throne room, Gristle, who now ruled as king, lay atop the throne with a listless spirit.

"Oh, Barnabas." He sighed out sorrowfully, gazing down at his pet crocodile. "You're my only friend in this whole miserable world. Dad was right. I'll never ever, never ever, never be happy."

Bridget stared up at him, saddened by his dejected words. He flopped down on his throne, sighing out once more in defeat.

"Never say never!" A sudden voice boomed around the room, making them all look around in confusion.

They stared towards the large doors, holding their breaths, as if waiting for them to suddenly burst open. However, they were caught off guard as Chef, covered in filth and sticks protruding from her messy hair, dramatically stepped out from behind a potted plant.

Gristle jumped back a little in fright as the dishevelled woman made her way forward. The guards rose their spears, in case she tried anything.

"Chad. Todd." She simply greeted them, a self-satisfied smirk resting on her lips as she nonchalantly tossed her cape over the tips of their weapons as if they were a coat rack.

"Chef, where did you come from? My father banished you twenty years ago." Gristle angrily questioned before a look of confusion – and slight concern - overtook his features. "Have you been standing behind that plant this whole time?"

"If only, sire. No. I've been out in the wilderness, thinking of nothing but how I let you down."

She spoke in a voice that seemed to be filled with regret and sorrow. However, Gristle only stared at her disapprovingly, unfazed by her words.

"If only there was some way I could make you feel better."

"Well, fat chance! The only way I'll ever be happy is by eating a Troll and that ain't gonna happen, thanks to you."

"Ah, but it just might. Thanks to me."

With that, she unzipped her fanny pack and, with their voices harmonised in an angelic note, all the Trolls within rose out. Gristle, Bridget, and the two guards stared in disbelief and amazement as a whole handful of Trolls, that had been a distant memory for the past twenty years, were now real and singing right before their eyes.

Gristle was mesmerized, slowly reaching out his hand. "You found the Trolls."

But his hand was quickly smacked away by the chef, making him gasp, which in turn made Bridget wince, while the Trolls snapped out of their singing state, swiftly hiding inside the fanny pack.

"So, this means I might actually get to be happy!"

"That's right." Chef confirmed.

Gristle grew even more excited now, much to the horror of the poor Trolls within the fanny pack. But, before he could get his hopes up too much, Chef zipped the fanny pack closed, making him look at her questioningly.

"Of course, everyone else in Bergen Town will still be miserable but that's not your concern."

"I am their king, so maybe it kinda is."

She widened her eyes in fake shock, as if just realising that fact before she asked, "What exactly are you proposing? Bringing back Trollstice? For everyone?"

Gristle seemed unsure at first but quickly, and confidently, stated, "Yes! That's exactly what I'm proposing."

"Great idea, sire. Absolutely brilliant. Aren't you smart?"

"I guess I am."

Gristle smiled at her sweet words as Chef lifted him off the throne, setting him in front of it as if to gaze out towards his kingdom. When, in actuality, it was just so she could take his place on the royal seat.

"And I, your loyal Chef, will be right behind you." She proudly announced before her eyes narrowed on the back of his head and grumbled, "Holding a knife."

"What's that?"

"Holding a knife, a spoon, a ladle." She quickly remedied in her most innocent-sounding tone, waving around a wooden spoon to emphasise her saccharine words. "I'm your chef, after all!"

"Yeah, you sure are!"

...

Chef, now cleaned up and once again in her royal uniform, burst through the doors of the kitchen. A large grin overtook her face as she victoriously held up her arms, finally right back where she belonged.

"I'm back!" She proclaimed before turning to face the little, purple Bergen behind her. "You, scullery maid, what's your name?"

"Uh, Bridget."

"Congratulations, Idget. You work for me now. So, you take those dishes downstairs, and you start scrubbing!"

The little Bergen wasted no time following the taller woman's orders, scurrying over to a large stack of plates and pots.

"Yes, Chef. Thank you, Chef." She hurriedly called over her shoulder as she scrambled to the exit to dutifully fulfil the chef's orders.

Once alone with her vengeful thoughts, Chef menacingly smirked as she unzipped the fanny pack and tossed all the Trolls into a cage. They screamed as they harshly fell inside while the cage door snapped shut and was secured with a lock.

"Don't cry, Mr Dinkles." Biggie attempted to hush his unfazed worm before suddenly screaming, "Guys, Mr Dinkles is really freaking out!"

The bug's blank face just stared back at them. "Pew."

"Whoa, whoa!" Creek intervened, trying to be the voice of order. "Everyone, we must all remain calm." He advised, before pulling out a comb and pulling it through his gradient hair. "Comb~"

"That's right." Chef agreed, making them all step back fearfully upon noticing her presence. "A calm Troll is a tasty Troll. And you are a key ingredient in my recipe for success. You see... He who controls the Trolls controls the kingdom. And I- I am that 'he'!"

"You're a dude?" Cooper questioned.

This made Chef grunt in displeasure as she grabbed a knife, used it to chop up a lemon into neat slices, before taking one and squirting the juice into Cooper's eyes. The poor little guy yelled out in pain as the chef slipped the knife away, all within the blink of an eye.

"By this time tomorrow, I'll be queen and all of Bergen Town will get exactly what they deserve. True happiness!"