Chapter 15

Angry and howling wind pushed against branch, swaying him off his feet and onto the ground. Almost as it a storm was brewing. But how could that be possible? Until he began picking the flowers and their bulbs, there was no sign of clouds anywhere. Suddenly, a bright flash of lightning and thunder roared across the sky, but surprisingly no rain. Branch tried to look for cover, but the villa was completely open. There was nothing to hid under, as confused as branch was, he was startled by an even stranger event. Someone's voice.

"Who dares to steal our precious flora"?! A thunderous voice demanded. Branched almost jumped at the voice. Guarding himself in the process. Being sure to be cautious, seeing as he couldn't see his potential opponent. "I-I'm sorry, but I didn't know that these flowers were owned by anyone. Please, won't you spare some gloom blossoms"? Branch asked with an almost apologetic tone. "We have been guarding this patch from both beast and bergen alike. These flowers have been so valuable, that  this is the only grove remaining. Too many have fallen prey to greed over these blessed flowers, and so this grove is guarded. I must ask for you to return those bulbs and leave". Branch wondered why these flowers were so sought after. Sure they were the only known cure for a frostmouth bite. But was there really more to them than that?  Branch's heart sank into his chest. If this mysterious person wouldn't part with any flowers, then he had only one choice. And he didn't like it. Branch slowly backed away, then quickly turned to grab his bag. Running swiftly for the exit. Almost immediately, the clouds had formed to make a thunderhead, thick and darkening. Deep rumbling could be heard as branch made his way towards the exit. Suddenly without warning, lightning touched down to the ground before branch could reach the exit. Causing branch to jump back on instinct huffing hard. Thankful he wasn't hit.

The strike made a burning, sulfur smell waft in the air, smoke rising from the charred earth. Almost burning branch's nostrils. Branch scurried to his feet. Quickly beginning another run. Resulting in another lightning strike. "Return them, NOW"! The voice bellowed angrily. Trying to find another exit, branch frantically ran in any direction he could. The more he ran, the more lightning bold scorched the ground, targeting branch more closely with each attempt. "Return them! Return them now or you will DIE"! The voice Roared as it echoed over the villa. Branch fell to his knees, knuckles clenched and in the dirt. "If you kill me, you kill HER"! Branch shouted into the air. The lightning stopped. Branch looked up, surprised to see that the clouds were no longer dark or rumbling. Instead, the breeze was calm, clouds a normal white, and still. Branch's curiosity peaked, he stood. Still cautious, but curious. To his bewilderment, he saw that the clouds began to break apart and gently descend to the ground, separating into small singular clouds. Confusion grasped branch's mind. What was happening? Were they gone? Were they going to let him take some flowers? He was unsure what to think at this point. Several silent moments later, branch was astonished to see one of the clouds come towards him, only to sprout arm and legs. Looking at him with a questioning yet soft facial expression. Soon after, all of the other clouds sprouted arms and legs as well. Looking to him with the same expressions. Branch stood, eyes wide and mouth jarred, trying to find the words to say. Before he had a chance to, the cloud spoke to him. "What do you mean by that"? This clouds' voice was nothing compared to how it sounded when branch saw it in the sky of the villa, instead now, it was calm and light. Branch stammered for a moment, almost sure he was hallucinating. "M-my princess back home. She had been viciously attacked, and then bitten by a fully grown frostmouth snake. I sucked as much venom out as I could, but it wasn't enough. She's back in our village, and she won't last much longer".  Branch couldn't continue his sentence. Just the thought of losing her was breaking his heart, feeling his eyes well with tears. Kneeling to the ground, face buried into the grass, he bowed before the cloud people. "Please....I beg you...Let me have just a few of the flowers. Their nectar is the only known cure for the venom in her blood. Please....let me save her". Branch pleaded. The cloud then had a light shocked expression on his face with a small mixture of concern. But soon after faded. Branch rose from his position in the grass when he noticed the sound of soft laughter. "These flowers don't cure JUST a frostmouth bite. Although, that is a very serious matter, their bite is said to be excruciatingly painful and causes several painful side effects". Branch looked to the cloud in confusion. There were more to these flowers than he knew? "These flowers can cure ANY ailment or sickness. After many have found out about that property, few of them now remain". Branch looked around to see the cloud people looking at him intently. 

The cloud then smiles softly. "What is your name"? Branch looked over to the cloud, almost hesitant. ".....Branch". He replied. The cloud then outstretched his hand, in means to make amends, from what branch thought. "Guy". The cloud replied. Branch waited a moment, but thinking of poppy, he took guy's hand willingly, shaking it lightly. Guy looks to him, looking over his face for several moments. Branch wasn't sure what to say, should he run or should he ask one last time? He couldn't choose. Finally, the cloud spoke. "....Do you love her"? Branch shot his face up quickly, almost blushing. Seeing guy waiting for his answer patiently. ".....More than life itself......". Branch said softly. Nodding his cloud head (which was almost his entire body from what it seemed) guy looked to his people. Every cloud had looks of agreement and encouragement. "Alright then, branch, You may have some gloom blossom's. BUT, on one condition". Guy added. Branch's heart leaped in his chest, almost jumping out of his throat from happiness. "Y-yes! ANYTHING"!! Branch exclaimed excitedly. The clouds' gaze softened. "You can ONLY take the amount that she will need. For a frostmouth, it would be about two flowers. Maybe three, just to be sure, but, You need to crush the entire flower and mix it with water to make it a drink. Have her drink it". Branch broke out a smile that reached from ear to ear. Tearing up from joy and thanks. Without thinking, branch lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the cloud man. Embracing him in a heartfelt and thankful hug. "Thank you"! Branch huffed. Guy in return, patted his back understandingly. Since branch had already dug two flowers, he only needed one more, hurrying over to the nearest flower he could find, he began to dig. Finishing in putting the last gloom blossom into an empty  apothecary jar, branch gathered his satchel and stuffed the jars inside. Almost in an instant, branch had another realization, he may not be able to return to troll village in time. Worrying him deeply. Guy had noticed his hesitation. Unsure as to why he wasn't on his way with haste, he approached branch slowly. "Branch, is anything wrong"? guy asked. Branch looked to him with a saddening look on his face. "I....I don't think I will make it back to troll village in time. It took me a full day just to get this far. How could I possibly get there in time, with all the time I used just to GET here"? Branch sighed in concern. Looking down to the ground in a hopeless wince.

 Guy was silent. Moved by his fear and determination to save someone who was obviously so dear to him. Guy decided his last gift. "Well then, there is one last way I can help you". Guy said in a soft, but chipper voice. Branch spun around so fast his satchel almost opened. Eyes like saucers, and mouth partially opened, he glanced at guy, waiting for his response. "One of our cylo bird's can take you back to where you need to go. Come with me". Guy turned towards his people, who were making a clearing in the center for them. Branch followed behind eagerly. Smiling and waving at the rest of the cloud people. They gladly reciprocated. Finally reaching the center, guy used his fingers to form a circle, bringing them up to his lips and began to whistle. A moment goes by that branch noticed the sound of heavy wings beating in the distance. Suddenly a large auburn bird with purple feet and a purple bill flew over the villa, causing a huge gust of wind to spread. With each beat of its powerful wings, more hard gusts of wind waved over the crowd as it lowered itself down. Finally touching down to the ground, the cylo bird turned its head with a 'caw' to look upon guy with its one eye. Walking slowly up to the beast, guy stroked its feathers to sooth the animal. "You can use one of our cylo birds to get there in less than half the time you needed to get here. They can fly at amazing speeds. Just tug at the feathers on either end of the base of the neck, and it will know what direction to go in". Guy finished as he gestured for branch to get onto the birds' back. Branch held his hand out one last time, waiting with a smile. Guy happily outstretched his hand once more, shaking hands with the grateful troll, smiling happily. 

"Thank you guy, You've saved my princess, and her kingdom". Still holding onto guys hand firmly. "You're very welcome. It's not every day that we get to help save a life. Now hurry, you don't have much time, after two days, the victim of the bite usually dies. Safe travels branch". Guy replied with a smile as he pushed branch onto the birds' back, smacking the bird lightly on the side to begin its ascension. Positioning himself comfortably, he grasps the sides of the birds' neck as he feels the bird taking off. Quickly enough, the bird was already above the canopy, soon after, branch remembered guys' words. Tugging at the feathers on its neck, the bird made way for the direction of troll village. Branch was determined to get back to her on time. He knew there wasn't much left. But he would never forgive himself if he lost poppy. "Please poppy....hang on". He muttered With a hard look on his face. He swore he would be there even if he had to travel all night on a birds' back to do it. There was  NO way he was going to lose his princess. Branch soared high into the sky at high speeds, hope filling his heart as he flew into the horizon.

Some time later, DJ gently wiped a cool cloth on her best friends' forehead. Drenched in sweat and breathing with short, shallow and raspy breaths. Her color had almost completely drained, leaving only a faint, grayish, nearly non-existent pink. King peppy, biggie and the twins watched over her, all with terrified faces. Almost preparing for the worst, but in pain just by watching their friend suffer like this. Cooper, smidge and guy diamond had traded off duties to one another. Smidge watching over the entrance (since she's the strongest), guy diamond obtaining more supplies for poppy's needs and cooper helping him carry them. Peppy wore a look of pain and pity as he watched his daughter weakly wheeze in her sleep. They had already ran out of all the ingredients needed to make the potion to stave off the venom. Now she was relying purely on her own immune system. Which, by the looks of her, wasn't doing too well on its own. "King peppy..." Biggie asked in a hushed tone. "Yes biggie..."? The king replied, not taking his eyes off of his poor daughter. "...Do you think poppy is..... going to make it"? Biggie asked, almost frightened. King peppy was silent, he wasn't sure on whether or not she would. She had gone too long without the potion branch taught him, and even longer without the actual cure itself. Poppy was growing weaker by the minute, and peppy was uneasy with even thinking about biggie's question. "Honestly biggie.....I don't know". Peppy whispered as he held his daughters hand. Her hands were cold, clammy and coated with sweat. Peppy could feel her shivering just by holding her hand. 

Moments in silence pass. The pack and the king look to their princess, fear of losing her setting inside them like a stone inside their stomach. "But, sir, branch will be coming back right? He left for the flowers, but no one really knows where the are. Do you think he will find them in time? Asked chenille with sadness in her voice. Before the king could reply, he was cut off by DJ. "Of course he will! He wouldn't let her die. The way he brought her in here, taking such good care of her, he loves her too much to let her suffer. He trusted her care to US when he left for her last hope. If she has a fighting chance, he will be the one to give it to her. Poppy trusts him, and that's enough for me". She finished as she held her friends' hand tightly. Chenille lowered her gaze to the ground. Feeling awful for making a remark to agitate DJ. But, the rest of the pack agreed with DJ. With all he has done, not just for poppy but for the king as well, they knew branch would do all in his power to save poppy. Suddenly, poppy began to cough profusely, hard and rasping. Almost as if it were a bark. Peppy rushed to her side, trying to calm her by rubbing her back. He could feel her her body quiver, listening to her wheeze and gulp for air. The pack looked almost mortified, what could they do to help her? They felt almost useless, feeling even worse that there was little they could do to ease her pain. 

To their surprise, everyone heard a loud rap and clamoring in a front section of the bunker, almost startling them. Biggie started off towards the living area, looking for the cause of the noise. Both determined but also afraid. What if it was creek? Escaped from the prison, would he try to take revenge on poppy? He wouldn't risk it. Soon after, a figure scurried down the corridor quickly, huffing in light puffs of air. Biggie braced himself for whomever has intruded on his friends home. To his surprise, it was branch, stopping when he saw biggie. Joy filled biggie's heart instantly. "B-branch? You're back? Oh thank goodness! Poppy may not make it, hurry, HURRY"! He urged. Without missing a beat, branch ran to the bedroom, only to be stopped by an awful sight as soon as he entered. He looked down to his princess, completely bereft of color. Grey skin and dark hair lay before him on his bed, no breathing could be heard from her lips. Branch's jaw dropped at the sight before him. He couldn't be too late, there's no way. He refused to let it happen. Running to the mortar and pestle, he took out two of the flowers and began to grind them into a thick paste before adding water, making them into a deep blue, luminescent liquid. The pack gasped at the beauty of the flowers, they had never seen them before, letting some 'ooh's and 'awe's escape. Pouring the contents into a jar, branch hurried over to poppy, hopping onto the bed, gently picking her up to rest on his lap so he would have an easier access to help her drink. "Poppy? POPPY?! It's me! Please, I know you can hear me! Please, I have the cure, please, drink it"! Branch waited a few seconds for a respond. LONG seconds. Almost like an eternity to him. To his relief, he saw her eyelids weakly part, slowly, and sickly. She struggled to turn her head to him, trying her best to view his face. Looking down to her grey face, he tried a weak smile, to encourage her. She made attempts to speak, coming out as small squeaks, hardly audible. Finally, she managed to find a voice. "B....R...A..NCH........I'm.....S..cared......" She croaked with a hushed voice. Branch used all his strength to hold back tears that were beginning to form.

"D-don't worry pop, I'm here, you'll be fine, just please drink this, quickly"! Branch urged her as he held the jar to her lips. Slowly, she opened her mouth enough to let the liquid into her mouth and down her throat. The luminary liquid quickly vanished into her belly. The pack, peppy, and branch waited, practically holding their breath. Wearing hope and yearning on their anxious faces. Looking to her troll she loved, she whispered what words she could. "Br..a..nch....I...."she whispered, too weak to finish her sentence. Branch nodded to her, holding a slight smile. "I love you too, poppy". He cooed to her. Smiling softly, she lay her head on his chest, looking into his eyes. Branch felt terror grip his heart, he could see light leaving from her eyes, leaving them into almost black, void orbs, her smile then faded. "P-poppy"?! Branch exclaimed. Nothing could have prepared him for this. She lay in his arms, hearing a heavy whisper as breath escaped her lips. Nothing could be heard afterwards. Not one breath, no movement from her chest or ribs where her lungs were, nothing at all. All was still, all was quiet. Branch's eyes began to widen, almost to the edges of his face. No, this couldn't be, he gave her the flowers, bulb and all, it should have worked! "P-poppy? poppy! Please!..Oh god..... WAKE UP! POPPY"! Branch shouted, shaking her gently. The pack all began to sob, DJ holding her face in her hands, pooling her tears as guy diamond held her in comfort with tears of his own. Satin, chenille and smidge all huddle together with tears streaming down their faces. Biggie and cooper try to console king peppy, who sat in the corner with his face buried in his hands, sobbing loudly. This couldn't happen. It shouldn't happen. He gave her the flowers, they should have worked. Glancing around to his friends, then down to his poppy. Her grey, limp body laying on his lap. Branch couldn't hold his strength anymore. Tears flooded his eyes, his lip began to quiver, feeling his whole body break down. He gently held her head against his chest, holding the back of her head with his hand and her waist with the other. He pressed her body against his, and finally let his strength go, letting out hard and agonizing wails of sorrow as he cried over her. The pack and peppy look to him, heartbreak and pain on all of their faces. It just couldn't be true, she COULDN'T be gone. Huffing in bouts of tearful gasps, branch could barely catch his breath, crying loudly while gripping her close to him for several diffucult minutes. Sniffling to himself, soon, all was quiet again....Branch looked down to her face, even while grey, she was still beautiful to him. 

Stroking the hair from her face, branch held her cheek, caressing his thumb against her skin gently. Tears swelled from his eyes, as something that has never happened before, greeted everyone's ears....Branch's voice in tune.

"You....were my strength.....when I was weak....

You....were my voice....when I couldn't speak....

You were my eyes...when I couldn't see....

You saw the best (choked by another cry) there was....in me......

Lifted me up....when I couldn't reach....

(The pack and king peppy all gaze on the blue troll as he sings to his love.)

You gave me faith......because you be-lieved......

I'm every-thing.....I...am....

(holding in another cry as a tear rolled down his cheek)

Be-cause............You loved meee......"

Finishing with a wincing look on his face, holding her face against his as he gave her, one final kiss. Pressing her cold, velvet like lips against his. The group cooed sadly. Cradling her body tightly, branch sat in silence as he wept, having lost all hope. From the group, bouts of gasps and astonished voices could be heard. From the tip of her lips, there was a pink sheen, light, but growing. Branch's eyes shot open. Wondering if what he was seeing was real. The pink sheen continued to overtake her body, finally glowing a vibrant bright pink, filling the entire room. Branch was astonished when he felt a stir in his arms. His breath on hold, afraid if he moved, it may not be real. Poppy began to stir in his arms even more, groaning in the process, finally shifting her head to see branch looking down at her. The pack surrounded the two trolls, cheering happily and wiping the tears from their faces. Peppy held his daughters' hand tightly, shedding tears of joy, thankful his daughter was alive. Branch sat, looking down at her with a painful, but happy expression as tears steadily fell from his eyes. She looked to him, with a weak, but warm smile. "Branch, you're crying, what's wrong"? She asked him softly. Feeling his heart overfill with joy and relief, his whole body began to ache. Holding her tightly, he refused to let go. "NOTHING!! Absolutely nothing! You're alive! Oh, my poppy! Thank god! I thought I lost you"! He said with a quivery voice. Nuzzling into her face and forehead. Poppy began to feel her strength returning slowly. But could hardly breathe with branch holding her so tightly. "B-branch! I.....I can't...ack....breathe"!! She croaked. Almost immediately, branch loosened his grip on the princess. Apologizing for holding her so tightly. The whole pack rushed to poppy, giving her hugs and cradling her, all buzzing with their own thanks for her being alive. She smiled and laughed weakly, happy to see all of her friends beside her, accepting their loving hugs and affections happily. Branch let her sit on the bed by herself, slipping off so that the others may fully embrace her in joy. King peppy stepped forward towards branch, taking his hand and looking to him with tears still in his eyes. "Thank you, branch....so much....." the king sighed. Branch looked up to the king, nodding. "There's no thanks needed peppy. I would gladly do anything for poppy. Her kingdom needs her". He said as he looked over to the group of friends fawning over her. She could only give so many hug at once, being surrounded by by her beloved friends. Peppy laid a gentle hand on branch's shoulder as he stood beside him. "Yes, but she also needs you". Branch looked to the king. His soft smile and old eyes looked to him for a few brief moments before he left his side to join the others. 

Branch looked towards poppy, seeing her warm smile, cosmic eyes and her vibrant skin made him feel more thankful than ever. His heart leaped into his throat just at the sight. He had never been more relieved in his life. Her beauty and laughter beguiled him at every move. He didn't know what to think, but he did know one thing. There was no one he could have loved more. Seeing that poppy is cured, it will still take time to have all of her strength return to her. But, there were still a few matters to attend to, like dealing with creek's punishment. So the celebrating will have to be cut and put on hold.

 Much work needed to be done, and he couldn't be happier to assist. But branch had more plans on his mind....

End of chapter 15