True Colours

Chapter 16 - True Colours (Title Drop!)

As the Trolls lost their colour and their hope, Bridget was down in the castle's basement. While she was cleaning some dishes, her expression was drained and melancholic. She stared at the plate in her hands, seeing her saddened face stare back at her.

She could only sigh at the sight before gazing over to her jumpsuit and roller skate, laying on her bed, and she could only think back on her time with Gristle...and wonder if it was all worth it.

...

Gristle held the other abandoned roller skate close as he sat at the head of the dining tables. All the Bergens were seated, ready for the feast to begin.

All but the Bergen he truly wanted to see. And, with every second that passed, and her face not appearing, he was starting to feel rather hopeless. And, though he didn't want to admit it, he feared that she wouldn't show up.

...

Branch stared at Popper...his friend.

He watched as no colour could be seen all around him. Everyone was grey just like him.

His gaze slowly shifted over to his sister, the only Troll who still had colour. He watched as her (E/C) eyes were solely trained on Popper. He watched as she gripped at her chest almost painfully.

She thought back on the day that her brother had lost his colour. Even though there had been rough patches that had happened before that day, Branch had still tried to remain positive. And, even though it had just been them and their grandma then, she had always assumed that together, they were enough to get through all the heartache that may come their way.

But then grandma was gone, and she saw her brother, who loved to sing, who was so full of life despite everything, waste away into someone so gloomy. And she thought he'd never return.

But...then Popper kept showing up. He would invite them to parties, offer hugs, and just be genuinely kind to them. And, even though Branch groaned and shunned him and denied every invite offered, (Y/N) always caught glimpses of Branch's old self resurfacing.

Popper had given her hope. Popper had made her believe in something good again. Popper...made her feel amazing in a way that couldn't really be put into words.

Branch knew all of this. And he knew he couldn't let his sister's hope be lost.

🎵Branch: "You with the sad eyes."

Popper's eyebrows creased in confusion at the sudden voice. So did the others as they began to look around for the source.

It was such a beautiful voice that neither of them had heard before. But, a gasp from (Y/N) drew their attention, and they looked up to see Branch, as he made himself known.

🎵Branch: "Don't be discouraged."

He slowly made his way forward but, despite hearing his beautiful singing voice for the first time ever, it wasn't enough. Popper looked away, unable to muster even the tiniest of smiles as he lowered his head.

But Branch wouldn't give up. He kneeled next to Popper, making him look at Branch, who smiled softly at him.

🎵Branch: "Oh, I realise. It's hard to take courage. In a world full of people. You can lose sight of it all. The darkness inside you, can make you feel so small."

Popper's hug time bracelet went off, giving off a soft pink glow as it chimed. Branch smiled a little wider at the sound, opening his arms, ready to give Popper a hug.

(Y/N) eyes widened at the gesture, waiting with bated breath to see if Popper would hug him back.

But the prince just sadly shook his head and covered the glowing flower with his hand, looking away from Branch. Other hug time bracelets began to chime and glow, slowly filling the space with colour.