Trolls: Across the Galaxy

Chapter 13

Phoenix pulled hard on the lever and all the power in the castle went off. The lights turned off and the system shut down.

Phoenix: That should buy us some time.

Branch: ...What just happened?

Phoenix: I just shut off the power. The extraction chamber should be down by now.

Viva: Wait...extraction chamber?

Phoenix: I'll explain later, just follow me.

Phoenix led to rescue party across the castle, Viva took a lantern out of her hair to make it easier to navigate the dark castle. Branch took his velvet box out of his pocket and opened it glancing down at the ring. He held the box close to his chest and a tear trickled down his cheek.

Branch: Hang on, my love, we'll be together again soon.
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Phoenix looked around her surroundings. Thankfully, it was too dark for anyone to notice her or a group of intruders.

Viva: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Did you say extraction chamber earlier?

Phoenix: Yeah...it was my father's idea...see, he was looking for the happiest most colorful specimen to fuel our planet.

Branch's heart sank when he heard that, was Poppy really that joyful that it lead to her own abduction? Not that it was her own fault, it was just who she was as a person. But what their king was doing...it was unforgivable.

Viva: What a jerk! He's got another thing coming if he's using my little sister like that!

Clay: Ooh, I love when you get feisty.

Viva: Thank you!

Phoenix: Shhhh!

Phoenix pressed her hand against a scanner and the entrance to the chamber opened up.

John Dory: Okay, this is freaky.

Tiny: I love it! I'll need to remember this if Daddy ever sends me to my room!

Viva: Which he probably will when he realizes you're missing.

Tiny: Stay out of this, auntie!

Phoenix: Psst! Guys, through here.

Everyone took looks around the chamber, it looked creepy...and not very welcoming.

Viva: This...this is creepy.

Phoenix: And unfortunately our only chance.

Branch looked around feeling rather overwhelmed. His bunker was nothing like this, too much...tech. Thankfully, he wouldn't have to worry about it again once this was all over. As he continued looking around, he suddenly spotted a glass tube in a corner, and there was someone in it. Could it be...?

Branch: Poppy!

Poppy gasped when she heard her name. She turned around and saw all her friends in front of her. Branch put his hands against the glass.

Poppy: B-Branch? Is that you?

Branch: Yeah, it's me.

Poppy put her hands against the glass lining them up with Branch's.

Poppy: Oh Branch...I was so afraid I'd never see you again!

Branch: Me too, we're going to get you out of here, I promise.

Poppy noticed that everyone had weapons on them.

Poppy: Why do you guys look like you came from the army?

Viva: Looks who's talking, is that silver you're wearing?

Poppy: ...Yeah, still a mystery to me.

Viva: Oh my gosh, it looks so fantastamazing on you! You've got to show this to me back home so I can make one for myself!

Poppy looked up at Phoenix who was hiding her shame.

Phoenix: Poppy, I'm really sorry, I bought some time for you to escape. I'll just have to explain to my father how to power went down.

Poppy: ...You turned it off?

Phoenix: Yeah, I couldn't stand seeing you suffer...and it's kind of my fault that you're here.

Poppy: It's okay, I forgive you.

John Dory: Sorry to interrupt, but can we get to the lesson later? This place is creeping me out.

Viva: Me too...hang in there, little sis.

Phoenix: Over here.

Viva attempted to pull a lever to release Poppy, but it was too heavy.

Viva: Sheesh, this thing's like iron!

Phoenix: Oh no...my father's a monster, he's always one step ahead.

Spruce: Now what?

Branch: I got this!

Branch took out a hammer and attempted to smash the glass tube, but something happened.

🚨WARNING, WARNING, INTRUDER ALERT, INTRUDER ALERT🚨

The lights turned back on and the power was back on.

Phoenix: No!!! The power must be back on!

Viva: What?!

Clay: You've gotta be kidding me!

Phoenix: You guys get out of here, now!

Poppy: But...

Branch: Don't worry, Poppy, we'll be back. Promise.

Poppy: Okay...

Everyone quickly escaped through a window. Poppy watched them go with tears in her eyes, not sure what was going to happen now. Her worst fear was that her color was going to get drained and she would be left helpless.
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While everyone was trying to escape the castle, Floyd suddenly stopped when he saw a light coming from one of the rooms.

Floyd: Guys, over here!

Branch: What?!

Floyd: Check this out.

Viva opened the door cautiously, what they found in there left them completely speechless. Branch picked up a small flask filled with light and color swirling around inside.

Viva: What is that...?

It wasn't Poppy's, and it wasn't labeled. If it wasn't hers...then whose was it?