Time passed, and things went back to normal. Topaz apologized to Zirconia, and they all talked with their Ancient about what was going to happen.
"It was hard for us too when our Ancients left," said Grandma, "But we kept going. We keep them in our hearts, and have always tried to do our best."
"Aye," said Spinell, "You're all young, and don't have much experience with life. It'll get better, you'll see."
"But we need you!" said Sapphire.
Trollheimer shook his head. "As friends and advisors, maybe. But you've learned what you need to know about the basics of magic. The rest will come with experience. And anyway you'll have access to our books and scrolls and notes."
"But what if-" said Topaz.
"What ifs may not come to be," interrupted Zirconia. "Face the future without fear. You can handle it."
"If you say so," answered the blond, "But I still don't like it."
Zirconia gave her apprentice a hug. "I understand, dear. I'll miss you, too."
Another month passed, and college started for Sapphire and Amethyst, while Ruby and Topaz worked. Onyx interviewed the Ancients, getting as much detail about their lives as she could. They were touched and flattered that she wanted to write a book about them.
"You've had long lives, working in the background to help everyone, and you deserve some recognition," she explained.
One day everyone met at the Trollzopolis Municipal Building, and the BFFL were introduced to the trolls who worked in the office of the Ancient Liaison, who had the responsibility of contacting the Ancients when they were needed.
The girls, of course, had had no idea any such thing existed. It was explained that governments elsewhere in the world also had this office, and kept in touch. Their responsibilities as the new Five were worldwide, including even the Ogre and Gremlin nations.
That visit had been an eye-opener, and they got their first real glimpse of just what they were taking on. Momentary doubt seized them, but after a lot of discussion and consulting with the Ancients, they decided to accept it.
They would live their lives as normally as they could, but would respond when needed. Their jobs and colleges were both accepting of this, and would make arrangements as needed.
bffl bffl bffl
Another month passed, during which time the Ancients made all the arrangements for themselves to leave society. Only Grandma van der Troll had any living family, and that made it hardest on her.
"When is this going to happen, Grandma?" asked Amethyst.
"I'm not sure, dear, but we'll know when the time is right," was the answer. "Be strong. Miss us, but don't grieve. We've all longed for rest, and now it's at hand."
"I'll try, but it's not easy," said Ame.
All of the girls had noticed that with Simon and Snarf out of the picture, the Ancients were slowing down physically. Even Trollheimer, who looked like he was in his late thirties, was growing older in appearance.
Onyx finally announced that the book deal had been made, and she would be the writer. She asked for, and got, a short piece from each Ancient for inclusion.
bffl bffl bffl
The day came when none of the Ancients could be found. Frantic phone calls got the girls together, and they looked in every place they could think of, to no avail.
The BFFL ran through the mall to Obsidian's shop. Ruby used her key to unlock the door and they all went inside quickly.
"Obsidian?" called Ruby, but got no answer.
"Saph, check the bead lab, see if she's there," said Ruby, pointing up the stairs.
The blue-haired girl ran up the steps without answering.
"There's no sign of her," said Amethyst, coming back from checking a storeroom.
"She's not up here," called Sapphire, and came back down.
"Now what?" asked Onyx.
Ruby stood and thought for a moment. "I know! The basement!" She drew out a spell bead, muttered an incantation and tossed it at the wall. A familiar wooden door appeared, glowing softly. It was the only way to get there, a security measure that Obsidian had set up to protect her secrets.
"Let's go!" Ruby shouted, and ran through to door, vanishing from sight as she did. The others followed.
They stood looking around. The room was still rather messy and dirty. Cobwebs were everywhere, and the air was chill and damp. Nobody greeted them.
"Darn," said Ruby, "And this was the last place I could think of she would be."
"Hey, what's this?" asked Topaz, going over to the wooden table near the back. On it lay a scroll and a plain wooden box.
"That wasn't here before," said Ruby, joining the others as they came over to see.
Sapphire picked up the scroll and opened it.
"This will be our greatest gift to you," she read, "When you open this box, you will be released from the spell that suppresses magic. Your level of magic will be permanently affected, and you will no longer have to rely on spell beads.
Make sure that everyone is here before you do this.
There are bad times ahead, but we have great confidence in you all to get through them, protecting the trolls and other good beings. You all have wisdom beyond your years, and the knowledge to apply it. We are not afraid, and you should not be either.
We love you all. Goodbye."
Sapphire dropped the scroll and wiped her eyes. The others, even Onyx, did the same.
"So we're going to be able to use magic directly again? Cool," said Onyx.
"Yeah. I did like it when Simon gave us a boost that time," Said Ruby.
"But I didn't like the evil stuff we did," said Topaz, "I still get embarrassed when I think about it. We were rude, mean, and overbearing to everybody."
"But we were under Simon's influence. We didn't have a choice," said Sapphire.
"I know. But it was still a bad time," answered Topaz.
"I dunno," said Ruby, "As I remember, you had a lot of fun."
"But... I didn't want to have fun!" protested the blond.
"I'm just teasing, Tope," said Ruby. She went over to the box, put a hand on it, and turned to her friends. "Ready?"
They all exchanged a look. "Yes." they said in unison.
Ruby opened the box, and out flew five blobs of light in various colors. They hovered over the box, then one flew into each girl, who glowed softly for a few seconds, then returned to normal.
Topaz giggled. "That tickles!"
"Wow," said Sapphire, "I feel the magic so much stronger now!"
"Everyone, look at your gem!" said Amethyst.
They did so, and they were glowing brighter than they ever had before. Even Onyx made an enthusiastic exclamation.
They literally contemplated their navels for a few seconds, admiring their gem's new power.
"Guys," said Ruby, turning to the other BFFL, "You do realize that WE are the Ancients now."
Topaz' wail could be heard all over the mall; "But I'm too YOUNG to be an Ancient!"
The End
Author's Note: This was the first of at least four stories I have planned. I want to tie up loose ends from the series before sending the BFFL on new adventures.
Next: "Return to Trollhiti" Sapphire gets a letter from her friend Sandstone, raising concerns about the plans of an ogre terrorist group who are planning to seize the magic from the island and use it for their own ends.