Here's chapter 18, in other words, the final chapter! I must admit that this story had received the most reviews than any of my stories that I've ever written. It may not be a hundred reviews, though I might get it after this chapter, but I'm glad that it's a success, especially to all you troll fans.
Also, after taking account on the poll votes, I'm proud to announce the winning story of the vote: My next troll story will be based on Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron! Thank you for your votes and I'll begin writing it as soon as I can.
Anyway, enjoy the finale!
mlpfanceline1 -Thanks. I know you will and I appreciate it. As for your question, yes. I will see the holiday special and then I already did and I loved it! I even have the novel version which had more parts than what the movie had, but still, both versions are enjoyable! The soundtrack is totally fun to hear. I especially love the 'Holiday', 'Love Train', and 'Friend Medley' song.
Reby Montana - Yeah, I love that part too! I always love when a character gets busted before they do the act. LOL, indeed! Yes, Nicholas will meet the trolls but you'll have to read to see his reaction. Thanks for your vote, my friend, even though it didn't win the contest. But I still appreciate in you taking part of it.
Black Raider - Yeah. Well, you'll just have to read to find out. Technically, Creek is more like a little friend than a pet. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
mikaela2015 - Thanks!
FYI:
(Bold and Italic = Branch's narration)
(Regular Italic = Nicholas Tombstone's review)
Trollatouille
Chapter 18: The Finest Chefs in all of Bergen Town
Since being suggested to wait for the customers to leave, Nicholas Tombstone waited patiently at his table. During his wait, customers had came and went one by one. Gristle Jr. was the only one who came out of the kitchen to continue his work as a waiter and serving the food at the tables, even coming to refill Nicholas's refreshments should he asked for more.
While waiting, Nicholas began to wonder what so special about these chefs that they won't came out the moment he asked for them in order to thank them. Maybe they're shy. Maybe they don't like crowds. Whatever the reason, he had to see them because their food had filled his heart with happiness and it was unlike anything he ever tasted since his mother's cooking. He continued waiting, tilting the wine glass back and forth as he did.
Hours had went by and finally, once the customers were all gone except for Tombstone, the two young Bergens looked at each other behind the door. Taking a deep breath and then an exhale, Gristle Jr. came out with a hat covering the trolls in them and Bridget followed as they walked towards Nicholas. When they reached the table, Gristle Jr. lifted the hat, revealing Poppy, Branch, and even Creek with them.
"Creek? What's all this about?" Nicholas was surprised to see his little friend with them.
"Well, Nick, as I explained on the letter given to you, I was helping some friends which are the ones you see here before you. Turns out that I've found my old clan and I helped them prepare the food they've served here," Creek explained. "But I tell you that though I helped out, the true chefs, the ones who served you the Ratatouille you ate, are these gifted trolls: Branch and Poppy." He presented them the two trolls.
Branch and Poppy waved and bowed in greeting. "Let me be the first to say that though it's a little...scary to meet an important Bergen such as yourself, it was an honor to have cooked this meal for you, especially with my partner." Poppy said while taking Branch's hand.
Nicholas was silent and then chuckled. "I must admit that I personally know Creek here as a gifted troll, but do you really believe that these two are the ones who have cooked all the food tonight?"
Gristle Jr. then spoke out seriously. "Mr. Tombstone, I know that this is hard to believe, but it's the truth. These two trolls, my best friends, are the best chefs you will ever find. I may be the son of the late Gristle Sr., but I am not a chef like Dad. These two are."
"At first, Tombstone thinks it's a joke! But as Gristle Jr. and Creek explains, Nicholas's smile disappears."
"So this is serious...right?" Nicholas managed to say after taking all this info in.
The young Bergens nodded. "If I may, let us show you everything back in the kitchen. You'll see it clearly with your own eyes," Gristle Jr. offered.
Nicholas glanced at the trolls, seeing that they aren't fooling around but are willing to show their work to an important critic such as him. He accepted the offer as he followed them to the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, Nicholas saw all the trolls cleaning the kitchen. Some put away the pots and pans, others cleaned the stoves and stations, and even stacked up the plates. Later, Gristle Jr. let Branch and Poppy control him as they remake the Ratatouille for Nicholas to see their progress while Bridget, Nicholas, and Creek watched.
They finished when Branch and Poppy added the finishing the touches of the improved Ratatouille. During all that time, Nicholas just stared and haven't made any reaction to all he had seen. They returned to the table where Gristle continued explaining their story to him.
"He doesn't react beyond asking an occasional question. And when the story is done, Tombstone stands, thanks us for the meal..."
Nicholas stood up and said, "Thank you for the meal." He began to turn back until he saw Creek attempting to follow him. He stopped the troll which surprised Creek.
"My friend, I'm afraid you can't come home with me tonight," Nicholas said.
"But I always go with you," Creek replied.
"Do you remember our deal?" Creek nodded back. "Well, I believe the time has come for us to part ways."
"But Nicholas, you still haven't written your review. The deal states that I'll leave once you write it." Creek explained.
"That may be true, but I see that you found your family once again and I can't break that up. Why don't you stay with them for one night and wait for my review? Then we'll see the results. Does that sound reasonable?"
Creek looked back at his friends and then back to the critic. He faced him and nodded, though his face showed only sadness. Nicholas lifted his face with his finger softly.
"No matter what happens, I am glad to have had such a friend like you. Even if we do go our separate paths, our friendship will always stay in our hearts."
Holding back some tears, Creek hugged Nicholas's finger tightly as Nicholas patted his back, returning the embrace they shared. Once they finished, Nicholas looked at Branch and Poppy. "Take care of him. He's a good troll and a great friend."
"Will do," Branch nodded.
"That's a promise," Poppy agreed.
With that said, Nicholas Tombstone headed out.
"...and he finally leaves, without another word."
That night, Nicholas Tombstone returned alone at his office. Since coming back from the restaurant, he had taken in all he had seen and been told back at Gristle's. The trolls cooking, them controlling Gristle Jr. during all that time before and after earning him his fame, and even how he enjoyed the food they made.
He just looked at his window, glancing all of Bergen town from it. He even looked at his desk which he imagined Creek still on it with a smile on his face, but he wasn't and probably will not anymore. He knew he had to review the restaurant and his food, even if it involved the trolls and not because it's the truth, but it's because they deserved his true feelings for the food and to complete a promise to a friend.
"The following day, his review appears."
"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read."
He said as he slowly paces around his computer. Just then, finally deciding what to say, he began writing his review.
"But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so."
Outside Gristle's restaurant, the fountains poured out while Gristle Jr. with Bridget smiled as the couples kissed. Branch, Poppy, Creek, the Snack Pack, and King Peppy then walked out as they smiled while the others followed the troll chefs.
"But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent...new creations..."
The couple hugged continuously as Tombstone continued. "The new needs friends." Bridget then went to her motorcycle and headed for home. Leaving Gristle and the trolls behind.
"Last night, I experienced something new: an extraordinary meal from two incredible unexpected sources."
Gristle Jr. then offered Branch and Poppy back up, but both troll only smiled, closing Gristle's palm.
"To say that both the meal and its makers have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement."
They then looked at King Peppy and their friends, who all offered them to head back to the sewer, but Branch and Poppy only shook their heads. The trolls then only sighed as they headed back into the sewers while Gristle Jr. left the two. Creek stayed a little longer until he followed the trolls back to the sewer.
A bit later, Branch and Poppy headed on out as they looked back at the restaurant before the lights turned off.
"They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gristle Sr.'s famous motto: 'Anyone can cook'."
That night, in one of the boats they had escaped into from the forest, Biggie was trying to keep warm by a small fire next to him while he looked at King Peppy who only looked at the sky while resting on a small rug he uses as a bed.
Creek also looked at the sky from a ledge in the sewer. He was concerned of what the results might be from Nicholas's review. He trusts him enough to write his review and yet, he still wondered what will it say. With a sigh, he jumped down and left the sewers to search for two special trolls.
"But I realize that only now do I truly understand what he meant."
Back in the apartment, Barnabas was fast asleep in his bed while Gristle Jr. looked up into the roof, deep in thought about the future. He hoped all will turn out well for not only him, but especially for Branch and Poppy. They deserved the credit. He even turned to look at the stars, not feeling sleepy at all.
"Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere."
In Bridget's apartment, she sighed as she felt lonely for Gristle while lying on her bed. She had forgiven him for the lying and understood why he did it. Even all that, it still doesn't deny her feelings for him and after getting to know the trolls, she realized that they indeed are talented trolls to be considered chefs. In fact, she even thought they were cute and kind and was happy to consider them as her friends as well. She barely slept, thinking about the review just as Gristle does.
"It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the geniuses now cooking at Gristle's..."
With Branch and Poppy, they were about a mile away as they watched the town from the roof top they were on, with Poppy cuddling Branch. Creek later appeared and asked them if he could join them in their waiting and view watching. They didn't mind at all, knowing how worried he was for Nicholas's review. The three trolls stayed together through the night until the sun rose.
"...who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chefs in France."
The next morning, Branch smiled as the sun rose. Creek seemed to be meditating while Poppy rested on Branch's lap until she woke up and locked her eyes on Branch's. She reached for his cheek and caressed it gently and the couple kissed lovingly.
"I will be returning to Gristle's soon, hungry for more."
That day, Gristle Jr. read the review with Bridget, all grinning before hugging and kissing. The trolls, including Branch, Poppy, their friends, and even Creek, all watched and cheered happily. Creek was proud that his friend kept his promise and hoped to see him again when he returns to the restaurant. Branch grabs Poppy and twirled her around, laughing and cheering together as Biggie watched happily while eating a berry.
"It was a great night. The happiest of our lives. But the only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability."
The next scene showed a man placing a "Closed for Violation of the French Health" on the door to Gristle's restaurant.
Turns out that after the review came, the trolls released their trapped captors considering that it's the right thing to do despite the consequences. But Branch and Poppy didn't care because what mattered the most was that their love for cooking still stayed with them and for their love for each other. They still have their family, their friends both old and new, and their future still held.
"Well, we had to let Chef and the health inspector loose. We're not that heartless even if Chef does deserves it. And of course, they ratted us out. But the food didn't matter. Once it got out that they were trolls in the kitchen, despite us being clean and everything, oh man, well...the restaurant was closed and..."
Finally, arriving at the present scene, Branch, who was narrating the whole story, was with Poppy by her side and both of them had aprons on them. They told their story to all who sat on the table where they were which were King Peppy, Biggie, the Snack Pack and a few other trolls. The table was their size with a small lit candle in the center and troll sized utensils, plates, and food.
"And well, Tombstone lost his job and his credibility after recommending a troll-infested restaurant," Branch continued until Poppy then took over.
"But please, don't feel too bad for him. He's doing very well as a small business investor. He seems very happy."
"How do you two know?" Smidge asked them.
"Yeah," Peppy wondered the same.
Poppy giggled. "Well, let's find out."
"Hey, wait, whatever did happen to Chef? Did she tried to get you guys again?" Guy Diamond asked.
"Oh, don't worry about her. I'm sure she leaved us alone since then. But if she does try anything, we'd made sure to have extra security," Branch smirked.
At that moment, Chef in disguise, tried to get over the fence where the trolls were located. However, just as she got down, she heard growling behind her. She turned to see Barnabas growling.
"Are you suppose to scare me away?" Chef taunted. Barnabas then growled loudly and then a pack of alligators of different colors and sizes joined Barnabas, all growling and snarling.
Chef suddenly turned pale. "Oh, crud." Suddenly all gators jumped and attacked her, all that could be heard was her screaming and her clothes being ripped apart.
The trolls inside watched as they laughed at her misfortune as they ate their food. "Hey, look at that. Dinner and a show!" Aspen commented.
Once the gators managed to chase a beat up and injured Chef away, they looked at the trolls with happily looks and wigging tails. "Good gators! Here's your reward!" DJ Suki said as the trolls tossed food to them which they happily ate and also accepted some pats and belly rubs.
"Does that answer your question, Guy?" Branch asked.
"Yeah. Ha-ha-ha!" Guy laughed.
The teal troll then opened the leaves to reveal the bottom area full of Bergens and in the center table was Nicholas Tombstone, now wearing a beret and without a scarf. He looked less gloomy than before and was content and kind to others.
"See? What did we tell you?" Branch commented to Smidge after seeing Nicholas socializing with the other customers.
After the restaurant closed down, Nicholas Tombstone helped them find a new place which was a small bistro where there was a huge tree behind where the trolls had made their new homes on it, giving a more welcoming and forest themed look for their new business. Gristle Jr. became the waiter, his girlfriend Bridget was a chef, Branch and Poppy were the main chefs, and Creek became the trolls' new sous-chef, where he will be in charge of the kitchen when the chefs are not around. Creek happily took the position and was thankful to not only be returned to his home clan, but also was able to see Nicholas Tombstone whenever he visited.
The customers don't know about the trolls existence in their new home or about the chefs' identity, only Nicholas, Bridget, and Gristle Jr. does. But these three Bergens decided to keep it a secret and are willing to protect the trolls who became their friends and family. Together, both Bergens and trolls had created this new restaurant and turned it into a family business where they could work and live in harmony.
Branch and Poppy then noticed Bridget tapping her watch as the same music from before played in the background. Creek was seen with her, wearing a white chef outfit and apron, waving them down towards them to continue working. The two trolls nodded them back.
"Well, gotta go! Dinner rush," Poppy said.
"Wait for me, Poppy!" Branch called out.
They both went down on a troll made elevator made for them to get down from the upper level where the trolls ate. They walked down the counter, headed to the sink, getting their hands cleaned, and finally grabbed their chef hats as Bridget came to them with a plate of Ratatouille made for Nicholas.
"You two know how he likes it," Bridget smiled.
"Right," Branch agreed as he added the sauce while Poppy added the parsley on top of it.
Gristle Jr. came in as he grinned. "Thanks, little chefs." He then left with the food in his hand and headed out. Branch, Poppy, and Creek then walked up a small ladder and towards the bridge to the door window made especially for them to see out the kitchen.
Outside, Nicholas ate his meals happily once it has been served.
"So, can I interest you in a dessert this evening?" Gristle Jr. offered.
"Don't you always?" Nicholas chuckled.
Gristle grinned. "So, what one would you like?"
They then looked at the three trolls, waving a bit. "You know what? Surprise me!"
"Coming right up." Branch winked as the three grinned and went to work as Gristle Jr. attended the other customers. While they cooked, Poppy glanced at a happy Branch as he prepared the meal he's working on. Branch noticed her look.
"What is it?"
"You know, all my life, I always loved cooking and being a chef. But recently, I found something that I love even more."
"And what would that be?" He asked softly, though he already know what her answer might be.
She held his hands and made a loving smile. "You. So, I'm glad that we've created a family business together."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. And when we're done for today, how about you and me share one more meal under the stars?" He then snapped his fingers which made Creek push a covered plate towards them. Branch lifted the cover which Poppy gasped. It revealed a troll sized chocolate cake with white icing, and a heart in the center which was half teal and half pink, indicating their love they have for each other.
Poppy gasped and smiled. "It's a date, partner." Branch and Poppy shared a deep kiss which ended with them hugging. "I love you."
"And I love you." Branch told her.
"And I would love to get some work done, if you two don't mind." Creek joked along. The two trolls laughed and they then resumed working alongside Creek.
All while, up at the troll area of the restaurant, trolls both old and young enjoyed their time together and ate the food that was being served to them. The Snack Pack helped along in serving the food as its waiters while King Peppy chuckled.
"Ha-ha-ha. Believe me, that story gets better when I tell it. Okay?" He then began to tell more stories to the other trolls while Biggie was seen eating more food than he could get his hands off.
"Biggie, saves some for the others!" DJ Suki told him.
"But I'm hungry!" He whined.
"What else is new?" Guy Diamond chuckled.
"Come on, bring some food over here, would you? We're starving!" Peppy ordered. All the trolls happily had the time of their lives in their new home. No more they should steal, no more they would run from danger, and no more would they worry for their future.
The new business is a huge success as many Bergens came in and a huge line waited outside the new restaurant, each customer eager to eat there. Never had the new restaurant had been successful. Perhaps it's even more successful than Gristle's.
All thanks to the two troll chefs, who worked together through thick and thin, and their Bergen friends they had made whose teamwork and friendship helped create their new restaurant now called, "Trollatouille" which has a familiar symbol of two trolls holding hands and wearing chef hats on it.
Comes to show you that even the smallest or unexpected creatures can cook, but these two have became the fearless and greatest of all of Bergen Town, in fact, in all of Bergoll.
THE END
Hope you like it!
I want to give thanks to all those who reviewed and positively commented to my story because without them, this story and well as some others may not have been a huge success. I hope to see you all for my next stories. Anyway, thank you all, especially:
Reby Montana
Black Raider
SkyZoneKiller
TheSnackPack
mlpfanceline1
BornOnTheBreakOfDawn
NerdAlert8910
BlackRobin7
ABBA1906
atomochi
ToLazyToLogIn
Please leave reviews! And keep a look out for the new Troll version of Spirit story!
Neomoon585