~ The Other Side of the Storm ~

Chapter 20

(Next chapter is the end and I'm not ready at all-  but I'm saving the speech for when it's time. 👉🏻👈🏻)

The group of trolls walked in mostly silence, finally on their way to Troll Village. Archer and Rose were lifting the stretchers, occasionally switching it up to Ash and Acorn or Verdana and Mandy.

Creek followed behind, staring at the ground, thinking. He questioned why he was so desperate to date Poppy. He had no idea why he loved her so much, he just did.

Poppy walked next to the stretcher, still keeping hold of Branch's hand. Every once and a while the silence was interrupted by her saying to Branch, "You'll be okay," even though he likely couldn't hear her.

Branch barely moved besides his chest moving a little. He didn't make any noises, he was practically dead.

"Archer, can I borrow your jacket?" Before he could answer, Poppy pulled the purple jacket off the party crashed and laid it on Branch's legs.

"Be my guest," Archer rolled his eyes.

Poppy frowned and sang a calm tune, a softer version of a duet they've sung in the past, "We put our lives in danger, all for some silly tornado, Branch, let's go home, you're safe with me.."

"Aww, that was beautiful." Guy complimented. Poppy and Branch have sung the song at karaoke parties as a duet together in the past, the entire village knew it well.

"Thank you." Poppy smiled and continued the lullaby-like cover, "I know everything will be just fine, as long as you stay by my side whether the weather is fair or fine. I know there'll always be a clear blue sky and sun shining yellow and bright. Behind even the darkest clouds there's a-always.." A tear rolled down her cheek. The next part Branch would join in, but obviously he couldn't.

Guy put his hand on her shoulder, "Light.." He continued the part for her, "A fire, things have never been so dire, we need a lot of positivity."

Poppy giggled and pointed at a big fluffy cloud in the sky, "That storm cloud looks like a bunny!"

"This is the height of disaster but all I.. hear..?" Guy squinted his eyes and looked closely ahead of them.

Dagger was hopping around and barking in the same direction.

"Why'd ya stop? I was just getting into it!" Poppy looked at Guy then looked to see what he was looking at, "What?"

Dagger growled and took off after whatever was over there.

"DAGGER! GET BACK HERE!" Ash chased after the cuddle pup.

"GUYS DON'T-" Verdana face palmed, "We should know by now not to go after things."

"Eh, if they die, they die. At least we know where your home is." Rose shrugged, "Shall we continue?"

"OH MY TROLL! GUYS! GUYS! GUYS!" Ash excitedly ran close enough to the group for them to see her, "COME HERE! IT'S NOT A THREAT!"

"That's what they all say." Acorn rolled his eyes.

From the distance, a large group of trolls was walking towards them, Ash excitedly in front of them.

Ash moved aside to reveal a troll leading the group— King Peppy.

Poppy's face lit up and there were tears immediately filling her eyes, "DAD!"

"POPPY!" Peppy ran to her and pulled her into a tight hug, "I was so worried about you!"

"I was worried about you too!" Poppy looked up from her father's shoulder to see her other friends, their eyes all sparkling with joy. "GUYS!"

"POPPY!" All her friends joined the hug— Cooper, the twins, DJ, Smidge, they were all there, they were part of the search party.