The Flame of Happiness Trilogy - Return Chapter 31: Love Everlasting, a trolls fanfic

A/N: The final chapter is here! I know you guys have enjoyed this story, and I thank each and every one of your for sticking with it until the end. Of course, this is just the beginning. Details for the sequel are below!

Reby Montana – You've been so patient waiting for Part 2. I promise I will get the first chapter up as soon as I can!

Born On The Break Of Dawn – Yes, I have the soundtrack for Trolls Holiday already, and I love it all! My favorites are Holiday, Friend Medley, and Love Train.

Guest – You will have to let me know if any of your theories did not come true in this chapter!

TAPDANCING GIRAF – Aw, thank you!

Jpbake – Wow. Nice language. Don't worry, I take your hatred for Malcolm as a compliment to my writing. :D

Feanwen – Funny you should ask about that. I'm afraid your answer won't come until Part 2.

BTW, no pressure, but I only need 9 more reviews before I hit 300 for this story. That would absolutely make my day. :D

Chapter Thirty-One – Love Everlasting

Even the darkness from the storm clouds overhead couldn't cloak Reaper entirely, especially from a trained hunter like Symphony. The phoenix flew faster and faster, soon catching up with the dark phoenix. Rosie struggled and thrashed in Reaper's foot, calling him every name in the book.

"How do we get her free without hurting her?" Rosiepuff asked. "Remember, those talons are venomous!"

"Someone has to go grab her so Symphony can take Reaper down." Branch said.

"I'll go." Creek offered.

"No, I'll go, she's my daughter." Branch protested.

"Branch, throw me." Creek insisted. "You're stronger than I am. Throw me over!"

Branch had to admit that was a good idea. He took Creek's outstretched hand and crouched down on Symphony's back. "You know, I've always wanted to throw you out."

Creek blinked, suddenly nervous. "Uh….what?"

Branch threw Creek with all his strength. Creek flew faster than he expected. But he tucked his knees to his chest so he could land perfectly balanced on Reaper's back. The dark phoenix hissed, trying to buck Creek off. The purple troll went down to Reaper's foot and sliced his dagger across the dark phoenix's leg. Reaper's grip loosened enough for Rosie to safely slip out. Symphony swooped down and tackled Reaper. Rosie and Creek jumped over to Symphony and climbed onto her back with Rosiepuff and Branch. The trolls had to hold on tight as Reaper and Symphony twisted and turned in the air during their fight. A phoenix fight was something to behold: scratching talons, snapping beaks, and body-slams, all in the air. A couple times during the fight, Symphony and Reaper would grab and restrict each other's movements, causing them to fall towards the ground. Luckily, they would break apart in time to swoop back up to the air and resume the fight.

"How you guys holding up?" Branch called over the wind, keeping his death grip on Symphony's feathers.

"Could be better!" Rosie admitted, holding Symphony's feathers with one hand and hugging Creek with her free arm.

"I feel nauseous." Rosiepuff admitted. She even looked a little green.

"You think Symphony can hold still for a moment?" Creek asked. "If I can get a clear shot, I can shoot Reaper in the eye and give Symphony the advantage."

"What makes you think she or Reaper will hold still for even a second?" Branch grunted when Reaper body-slammed Symphony again.

"All right, then it's time for Plan B." Creek decided.

"What's Plan B?" Rosie asked.

Creek answered by climbing/crawling down to Symphony's legs. The next time Symphony and Reaper grappled with each other, Creek jumped onto Reaper. He climbed up towards Reaper's head, narrowly avoiding Symphony's talons. He did manage to reach Reaper's head, but he couldn't shoot Reaper with the two birds fighting so viciously. So Creek did the next best thing: he pulled out his dagger and held the hilt in both hands. With a shout of effort, Creek plunged the dagger into Reaper's head. The dark phoenix let out a loud, high-pitched screech. Branch, Rosie, and Rosiepuff covered their ears from the sound. Reaper would survive this wound, but he didn't have the mental focus to stop Symphony from grabbing him and dragging him towards the ground. Faster and faster they fell, without any indication of stopping.

"Everyone jump! To the trees!" Branch ordered. The trolls leaped off with all their strength, stretching out their hair to grab the nearest tree branches. They swung themselves to the ground, a couple of them tumbling as they landed. Symphony plowed Reaper into the ground, kicking up dirt and dust. It became silent, save for Symphony's agitated hissing and panting.

Branch scanned the dust cloud still around him. "Rosie! Grandma! Where are you?"

"Dad?" Rosie called. "I'm right here!"

"I'm over here!" Rosiepuff called from somewhere else.

"I'm okay too!" Creek confirmed.

The dust began to settle, and Branch finally spotted his daughter and grandmother. Creek emerged from the dust and waved to them to confirm he was all right. Everyone exchanged relieved looks, thankful it was over.

Branch saw a shadow, and his eyes widened. "Creek! Watch out!"

Creek didn't even have time to turn around. Reaper came from the dust cloud and lunged for the purple troll. The dark phoenix's talons shot forward, one of the sharp points stabbing into Creek's back and through his body. Creek screamed, drowning out Rosie's own high-pitched gasp of horror. Reaper grabbed Creek's hair in his beak and pulled the purple troll off his talon. Symphony tackled Reaper, forcing him to let Creek go, and the phoenix bit Reaper's neck. With a swift jerk, Symphony broke the dark phoenix's neck. Reaper finally fell to the ground and didn't get up again. Symphony hissed at him one last time.

"Creek!" Rosie screamed as she, Rosiepuff, and Branch hurried to the purple troll's side. Creek writhed violently and cried out in pain. Blood leaked from his wound, and the skin around the puncture turned black.

Branch had to hold Creek down by the shoulders to get a look at the injury. Rosiepuff managed to get a good look before Creek's forceful squirming broke him free from Branch's grip. "It doesn't look lethal at first glance, but the venom from those talons cause agonizing pain. He'll exhaust himself or even hurt himself more if he keeps this up."

"The crystal!" Rosie urged. She took Creek's hand in both of her own, trying her best to soothe him despite his inability to really hear her.

Rosiepuff yanked the Phoenix Tear Crystal off Creek's neck, breaking the chain. She breathed on it to activate the crystal's magic, and she pressed the gem to Creek's wound. But he kept thrashing about so much that she couldn't get the crystal to work. "Hold him still, Branch!"

"I'm trying!" Branch would push down on Creek's shoulders or chest, but the purple troll's thrashing forced him free of Branch's grip every time. Creek never felt such agony before. It was like getting scratched by a cat while simultaneously being stabbed with needles, multiplied by a hundred. Tears sprung up in his eyes and he clawed at the dirt. He couldn't speak. The only sounds that came from his mouth were grunts or screams.

Make it stop. Creek begged. Gods, kill me if you have to, but make it stop.

Branch gave up on holding Creek down and ran to his phoenix steed. "Symphony, come here. I need your help, girl."

Symphony understood, and she dipped her head down closer to Branch. He held out his cupped hands, and a few of Symphony's tears fell into his palms. Branch rubbed the wetness around his hands and went back to Creek's side. Rosiepuff moved aside to let Branch work. Branch focused on his magic, muttering the spell for healing under his breath. He pressed his hands to Creek's wound, still murmuring. Creek inhaled sharply and his body went rigid. He stared blankly at the sky. When Branch moved his hands away, the wound and any mark it left disappeared completely. Creek panted shakily, his eyes sliding shut.

"Creek?" Branch put a hand to the purple troll's shoulder. "Creek, you all right?"

After a moment, Creek's breathing evened out, and he opened his eyes a little. "Thank you, Branch."

Branch smiled with relief. "Well, you saved my life, I save yours. Now we're even."

"Technically, you're still in my debt because I saved your son too." Creek said tiredly.

Branch rolled his eyes and laughed, helping Creek sit up. "He's fine if he can still be a smart-aleck."

Rosie hugged Creek. "That's not funny. Don't do that again."

"What? Give you a heart-attack? Isn't it my job to worry you?" Creek teased.

Rosiepuff laughed, shaking her head. "For someone so calm and Zen, you certainly know how to worry people."

Creek chuckled. "Ironic, I know."

Branch sighed. "It's finally over."

"Thank gods." Rosiepuff said.

The trolls heard movement, and they saw Symphony making her way over to Reaper's body. They watched, confused, as Symphony circled the body of the dark phoenix. Then, Symphony clapped her beak, and sparks came from her mouth. She suddenly blew fire onto Reaper's body, igniting it.

"Since when can she breathe fire?" Creek asked.

"She doesn't…..unless…" Rosiepuff's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "It's her funeral fire."

"What's that?" Rosie asked.

"A phoenix is reborn through fire." Branch explained. "They basically set themselves on fire and they're reborn from the ashes of their body. That's the only time they use their fire-breathing. But why is she doing it for Reaper?"

Reaper's body turned to ashes rather quickly, as phoenixes did when they died, and the quartet of trolls saw movement in the ashes. Branch stood in front of Rosiepuff, Creek, and Rosie, waiting with bated breath. Symphony was oddly calm.

Soon, a head poked out from the ashes. A little bird chick blinked his tiny eyes and sneezed cutely. The chick looked around, and then his eyes settled on Symphony. Squeaking adorably, the black chick hopped out of the ashes and right over to the phoenix. Symphony leaned her head down, and baby Reaper nuzzled his head against hers.

"He's so…so…" Creek couldn't find the right word.

"Adorable!" Rosie cooed.

"I have to agree. He's rather cute." Rosiepuff said.

"But isn't that the same bird who tried to kill us more times than we can count on all ten fingers and toes?" Branch demanded.

Baby Reaper looked to the trolls and hopped over to them. The chick looked back to Symphony, who nodded to the baby. Baby Reaper made a trilling chirp noise, nipping at Branch affectionately. The chick nuzzled Branch so much that Branch fell over.

"Okay, he's kinda cute." Branch laughed, hesitantly petting the black chick's head.

"I don't think you have a choice regardless." Rosiepuff said. "It looks like Symphony is a mother now."

"But why doesn't Reaper remember us?" Rosie asked.

"That is a bit weird that Reaper doesn't remember anything from his past life." Branch said. "That's not normal for a phoenix."

"I think that's from Creek's last blow. You hit him right in the head, Creek." Rosiepuff said. "He must not remember us at all."

"Well, as long as Symphony is raising him, he'll be okay. She'll teach him to be careful with those poisonous talons of his." Rosie said. "Can we keep him, Daddy? Please?"

Branch laughed, rubbing the phoenix chick's head. "Might as well. But we can't call him 'Reaper' anymore. Too creepy."

"What do we call him?" Rosie asked.

Branch stared at the little black phoenix chick. He thought for a long moment. "I'm going to call him 'Shadow.' What do you think, Symphony?"

The phoenix cooed like a dove.

"I guess that's a 'yes.'" Branch chuckled. "Welcome to the family, Shadow."

Symphony carried her new baby gently in her talons while the trolls rode her back. They flew back to Poppy and Peppy to pick them up. By then, Peppy already spread the ashes of the funeral pyre around and made them unnoticeable. Poppy already agreed to not tell anyone what they did. There wasn't any point to telling them.

Unfortunately, when they returned to Bergen Town and Troll Grove, they saw the thorny barrier Malcolm created still standing strong. Symphony flew down and hovered in front of Gristle and Bridget.

"Glad to see you guys are okay." Gristle said.

"We were so worried. But we heard you beat him, Rosie!" Bridget said with delight.

"It's finally over." Rosie confirmed.

"Yeah, except we still can't get these thorns down." Gristle said. "We've been trying everything."

"Sometimes magic can stand on its own, without the caster's strength." Rosiepuff said. "Magic is what made these thorns, so magic must bring them down."

"Rosie and I can take care of that." Branch said. He steered Symphony up and over the thorny barrier, landing on the ground near the Troll Tree. The trolls gathered around, voicing their concerns over their inability to bring down the thorns.

"Don't worry!" Poppy called out over the trolls. "We got this covered."

Tulip raised her hand like a student in class. "Queen Poppy! Who's that?" She pointed to the black bird chick.

"That's Shadow." Branch explained. "He's Symphony's baby." The dark phoenix chick looked around at the trolls and made a little squeaking sound. The trolls let out a collective, "Aww."

"All right. Let's get these thorns down." Rosie said.

"You sure you can do it?" Branch asked.

Rosie paused. "Well, I actually could use a little help, if you don't mind."

Branch chuckled. "I'll follow your lead, baby girl."

Rosie grinned. She thought for a moment, and then began to sing.

Beaten down, survived the fight
Now my heart is full and light
Times were dark, but don't you know
After every storm is a rainbow

Rosie raised her hands to the thorns. A soft glow emitted from her palms, but the thorns did not move. Branch and Poppy came up to sing with her, and Branch brought his own magic out to help his daughter.

Sometimes it's like the darkness won't go away
Things get crazy, and your nerves begin to fray
But then you power through, handle it in stride
Whether pass or fail, it fills you with pride

Everything's gonna be okay
That's what they always say
It didn't seem like it before
Now I feel like I can soar
The storm has passed
The rain has stopped
The tears are gone
And now
Everything's gonna be okay

Finally, the thorns began to recede. The brambles untangled themselves and started creeping out to the lampposts, trashcans, and houses of Bergen Town. Some of the vines even went around the edge of Troll Grove and up the Troll Tree. As they did, the thorny vines became flowery and beautiful.

Rosie felt a little wobbly, but Peppy and Rosiepuff came to her side to help hold her up. They, too, joined in the song.

Let's stand together, unite as one
Show the world that we're not done
Bring your strength and I'll lend you mine
Let everyone see how bright you shine

Even the Snack Pack couldn't resist, singing for their niece and offering her their strength. Cooper hugged Rosie tightly, pride in his eyes.

We're right behind you, hand-in-hand
Be right there to help you stand
Never back down, don't give up

Guy Diamond tousled her hair, his voice switching to auto-tune.

Come on, girl, strut your stuff

At the command of Rosie's and Branch's magic, the brambles became flower vines that decorated the surrounding area. Malcolm's magnificent castle faded away, and the Troll Tree and the pods that hung from it restored. The dark storm clouds overhead rolled away to rain somewhere else, and the clear skies revealed a peaceful evening.

After all we've been through

Dear Love Scrapbook,

I have created you out of love, yes, but that is not all you are about. You are a chronicle of the love I see around me.

The love of my parents, which got them through the toughest times.

The love of my family, which will always be my strength.

The love of my bond with Creek, who ended up being my soulmate.

The love of my grandparents, which stood the test of time and led them to their marriage on this day.

Watching my Grandad Peppy and Great-Grandma Rosiepuff get married is just one event that has taught me so much about love. Love is unconditional and infinite. There are all kinds of love. Sometimes it's mutual: both trolls know they feel it for each other and accept it. Sometimes it's like my parents: a childlike crush that blossoms into true love. Sometimes it's like my grandparents: complicated and messy. My grandparents weren't just stuck in a love triangle; they were stuck in a love dodecahedron. It took a long time for them to get to this point, and now they can finally live the rest of their lives together. I can only hope my relationship with Creek is just as sweet.

I know about love by looking at my family. May this scrapbook be a testament of that.

With love,

Princess Rosie

Rosie nodded in satisfaction and set the scrapbook aside to let the ink dry. It had been a month since Malcolm's defeat. Once everyone recovered from the incident, Peppy decided he was tired of waiting and wondering. I'm too old for overthinking, he said. He proposed to Rosiepuff, who remembered Oaken's request and happily accepted. Branch and Poppy were thrilled, and Poppy gathered her girlfriends to help with the preparations.

Rosie heard a knock at the window, and Creek poked his head inside. "Hey, you're about to miss the cupcakes." Creek warned.

"I'm coming." Rosie hopped up from her spot and followed Creek outside.

"What were you doing in there?" Creek asked.

"Just some scrapbooking." Rosie shrugged.

Creek chuckled. "Like mother, like daughter."

"Yep." Rosie shrugged. "Come on!" She and Creek ran out to the end of the branch and leaped off, using their hair to swing down to the ground. The party was still going on down below, where several picnic tables were set up with cupcakes being passed around. Peppy and Rosiepuff were ever by each other's side, she donned in a white gown and he dressed in black pants and a black jacket, both outfits designed by Satin and Chenille. Simple, yet elegant. The bride and groom hadn't stopped smiling at each other.

Rosie went to join her mother and aunts, talking excitedly about the ceremony that was just an hour ago. Creek approached one of the tables and grabbed a cupcake for himself. He turned around and nearly choked on his cupcake when he saw Branch right next to him.

"How are you so quiet?" Creek asked.

"You pick up a few things when you're constantly hiding." Branch shrugged, taking a cupcake for himself. "I want to tell you something, Creek."

Creek wasn't sure he liked that tone. "Uh…what is it?"

"I'm not sure I really like you." Branch said. "But now, it's for an entirely different reason. You're a teenage boy dating my daughter. Now, even I can't deny that you two share a bond as soulmates, and I won't get in the way of that. But if you do not give her the respect she deserves, or if you hurt her in any way, I am going to throttle you, cut you into pieces, and feed your remains to Barnabas. Understand?"

Creek wanted to believe Branch was kidding. But he knew better than to think that by now. "I understand completely."

Branch slapped him on the back good-naturedly, almost sending Creek to the ground. "Very good." He stepped away from Creek and returned to his wife's side.

"I saw that." Poppy said.

"Good." Branch shrugged.

Poppy bumped her hip against Branch's side. She noticed the faraway look in his eyes, and she kissed him. "Branch, you've been looking at your grandma strangely for, like, a week. What's up?"

"I just have so many questions for her." Branch said. "I know so much about my dad, but I've never really known who my mother was. I had her necklace, a piece of her I always carried with me. In a matter of months, I find out that not only did she ride and train a pet phoenix, but she was a sorceress. A magic-wielder by blood. I have so many questions."

"And you don't know how to ask her?" Poppy guessed.

"I don't know if I can ask her right now." Branch corrected. "This is a happy occasion. I feel like my mother's past is not a happy one, and I don't want my grandma to worry about this just yet."

Poppy nodded in understanding. "So what are you going to do?"

"I'll give myself a year. Or as soon as I master my magic. Whichever comes first." Branch said. "Then, I'll ask my grandma about my mother."

Rosiepuff broke away from her talk with Satin, Chenille, and Suki to find her new husband. She kissed Peppy's cheek. "Well, it took a few decades, but I think Oaken would be pleased."

"I will bet you anything he and Joy are laughing at us right now." Peppy laughed. "Cupcake?"

"Thank you." Rosiepuff reached for the cake Peppy offered, but then Peppy pulled it back.

"Oh wait, aren't we supposed to feed it to each other?" Peppy asked.

"Really?" Rosiepuff gave him an exasperated look. "Even Oaken didn't make me do that at our wedding."

"Come on. Indulge me for but a moment." Peppy requested.

Rosiepuff rolled her eyes. "Fine. Pull that cupcake in half." She took half that Peppy handed her, and she pushed the cupcake so quickly into his mouth that he nearly choked. He laughed, brushing crumbs off his mustache.

"All right, your turn." Peppy said.

Rosiepuff tried to look annoyed, but she had to smile at how cute he acted. She opened her mouth, and then yelped in surprise when Peppy not only pushed the cupcake into her mouth but onto her face too. "Peppy!" She complained after swallowing the cake in her mouth.

Peppy laughed heartily. "Hey, you got some frosting on your nose."

Rosiepuff grabbed another cupcake and smashed it into Peppy's face. "Hey, so do you." Peppy smirked and snatched a cupcake to throw at Rosiepuff. She ducked, and the cupcake sailed through the air and hit Branch in the face.

"Ugh!" Branch wiped frosting off his face and glared in irritation.

"She did it!" Peppy pointed to his new wife.

"He did it!" Rosiepuff pointed to Peppy.

Branch threw a cupcake back towards them. Both trolls ducked, and the cupcake hit Cooper. He tossed a cupcake at Rosie, and she caught the cupcake and smooshed it into her mother's face.

"Cupcake Fight!" Poppy shouted, throwing a cupcake at Branch. It only took a few minutes for an all-out cupcake war to begin. By the time the trolls ran out of ammunition, everyone was covered from hair to toe in cake and frosting. But everyone laughed, too, and not a single frown could be seen.

"Wait, I need pictures of this!" Biggie squealed, pulling a camera from his hair.

"Over here, Biggie!" Rosiepuff called. "Let's get a family picture."

"I'll take it!" Bliss offered, taking the camera from Biggie. Rosiepuff, Peppy, Branch, Poppy, Rosie, and the Snack Pack gathered around and posed for the picture. Poppy cradled Ash in her arms. Suki grabbed Creek and pulled him into the picture too. Rosiepuff hooked an arm around Branch's shoulders and pulled him in close. Branch couldn't hold back his grin even if he tried.

"Everybody say 'cupcake'!" Bliss said.

"Cupcake!"

THE END

A/N: Anyone who thinks Reaper couldn't have survived Creek stabbing him in the head, I cite Phineas Gage. Look him up. :D

All right! Part One is done! I've decided (with some advice from a friend) to separate The Flame of Happiness into three separate stories and make it a trilogy. Keep an eye out for the next installment!

Also, that first chapter may not come for a while. I have some organizing to do for my stories. But be patient and you will be rewarded!

TTFN!