While not explicitly detailed, this chapter mentions some dark stuff, so... this is your content warning.

Synth found Willow sitting on a mossy boulder with an open book in her lap. He slowly approached the teenage Pop Troll, and noticed the forlorn look in her giant purple eyes.

“Whatcha got there?" he asked, gesturing to the book.

“Book about Rattlecobras," Willow answered. “It includes potions, spells, and enchanted relics. But some of it's in Viperese, only I can read it. Kinda cruel, when you can't count past twenty."

“What's this part about?" Synth wondered, gesturing to a drawing of Troll whose limbs were encased in crystal.

Willow took a deep breath. “That's how the last surviving Rattlecobra planned to steal Troll magic. He created me as a vessel and was going to drain the life force out of all of us with these crystal pillars. They were kinda like Talent Diamonds, but under normal circumstances, not nearly as indestructible."

“And this wasn't normal?"

“It was part of his curse," Willow explained. “He cast a spell so they could only break if my heart did. Even dark magic isn't believed to be foolproof. Though I don't know about Talent Diamonds, though."

“Why? What do those do?" Synth asked.

“They can drain life essence from a talented host and allow a parasite to absorb it for a short while, but it can kill the host if you take too much," Willow revealed. “Like any other diamond, the only thing believed to be strong enough to destroy one is something called a Perfect Family Harmony. Of course, no one's ever been able to reach that high a bar. Many families have tried, but all have failed."

“Well, I hope I'm not trapped in a Diamond," Synth chuckled nervously. “I've never really had a family."

“If it's any consolation, mine's full of jerks," Willow admitted. “They would never do something like that for me. My Grandmummy would've, but not the others."

“Maybe not," Synth said, “but I'm sure Poppy, Dubstep, and Flower would. You guys are tight, yo. If that ain't family, I don't know what is."

Willow briefly smiled at the Techno Troll as she closed the book. She looked in the direction of the party.

“I don't hate you, Synth."

“I'm sorry, what?" Synth said in confusion.

“I said, I don't hate you," Willow repeated.

“You don't?" Synth asked. Willow shook her head. “Then, why do you hardly ever visit me?"

Willow clutched the book to her chest and responded, “You know how Shadow Springs used to be a water park?"

“It may have been brought up a few times."

“Well," Willow began, “when I was nine, I loved coming here more than anything. It was the perfect place to go and escape the drama back home. Plus, it was loads of fun."

“I guess it crushed your soul when it closed down?" Synth interrupted.

Willow sighed. “No, that didn't happen till a couple years later. I accidentally stayed after closing one day, and the park's lifeguard had to tell me that everyone else had gone home. He said I could go back the next day, but before I left... he wanted to show me something in a broom closet. It... sounded weird, but he was nice, so... so..."

Feeling his heart break, Synth tightly clutched his chest as Willow broke down in tears.

“All I wanted was a place where I felt safe..." she sobbed as Synth rubbed smooth circles around her back with his free hand.

“It's okay, Willow," he said soothingly. “It's okay. Just breathe. I'm glad you told me about all this. No one should have to have gone through that."

“What am I gonna do, Synth?" Willow blubbered. “Everytime I go to the springs, I can only think about the park and what happened to me."

“That's completely understandable," Synth assured her. “Just remember you're surrounded by good people... and I mean real good people... who would protect and do anything for you. That includes shattering Diamonds."

Willow smiled. “And I would do the same for them. Even you, I guess."

“So... we cool?" Synth asked eagerly.

“Yeah, we're cool," Willow admitted.

“And does this mean we're best friends now?"

Willow glared at him. “Don't push your luck, water boy."

💚🩵💜🩵💛🩵🩷🩵💙🩵

“Thanks for the motorcycle, Miss Smead!" Bridget said to Gristle's aunt as she opened up her engagement gifts.

“In case you get cold feet, you can just drive off into the sunset alone," Smead informed her.

“Gee, thanks," Gristle replied sarcastically.

“Don't worry, Grissy," Bridget assured him. “We'll ride it during our honeymoon."

“Where do you guys plan on going?" Guy Diamond asked.

“Where aren't we going?!" Gristle replied. “First, we were thinking about checking out this old golf course I went to when I was a kid. And then..."

Poppy and Branch, meanwhile, were less focused on partying and more on figuring out where Willow had gone. Flower and Tiny Diamond had decided to join in on the search.

“Yo, Willow! Where you at, girl?!" Tiny hollered.

“Wiwwow, where are yous?" Flower called out.

“Any sign of her?" Poppy asked Branch.

“I wish there was," Branch admitted.

“Wish granted," Tiny said, pointing to Willow and Synth as they emerged from the brush.

“Oh, hi, Wiwwow!" Flower greeted, running up to her friend and hugging her legs.

“Hey, Flower," Willow muttered as Branch picked up the baby princess.

“Where have you been?!" Branch said angrily. “Just because you're seventeen and have magic powers doesn't mean you can just run off like that!"

“Pfft. You're not my dad," Willow scoffed.

“I don't care! You're still our responsibility!"

“Branch!" Poppy scolded. “Let me handle this. Willow... what's going on? Why are you so... so distant?"

“I can't say it in front of the kids," Willow explained, gesturing to Flower and Tiny, “but I went through a very traumatic experience here eight years ago, and it's been gnawing at my brain ever since. I guess I let it get in the way of me befriending Synth and having fun with everyone else here."

“Eight years ago?" Poppy repeated. “But the park didn't close until–"

“Poppy..." Branch whispered, reminding her what they talked about. “If you're comfortable enough, we can cover the kids' ears and you can tell us."

Unsure at first, Willow looked over at Synth, who gave her a reassuring nod. She, then, nodded at her other two friends in agreement.

“Hey, I wanna know what's going on!" Tiny shouted as Poppy covered his ears and Branch did the same with Flower. “I won't be bothered! I can be grown up, too!"

Flower focused more on attempting to read Willow's lips. Unfortunately, she seemed to be saying words the little princess wasn't all familiar with, so she couldn't make it out. Once Willow was done talking, Poppy and Branch uncovered Flower and Tiny's ears with tears in their eyes.

“Look, guys... I know I should've told you sooner," Willow admitted. “I just wasn't sure if you'd..."

Willow was cut off by Poppy giving her the biggest hug she could muster.

“Oh, Willow," Poppy cried. “If I had known, I..."

“I'll kill him," Branch declared, patting on Willow's shoulder. “Who is he?"

“It doesn't matter, I'd rather just move on," Willow replied, then looked at Synth, who smiled at her. “Besides, I actually feel a lot better telling you guys."

“Are you sure?" Branch asked.

“I'm sure," she answered. “Now, come on. We have a party to get back to."

“Wait, I still don't know what happened!" Tiny pleaded as they walked off. “Tell me what happened! I'm an adult, too!"

“Tiny, I'm older than yous," Flower pointed out.

“And I have no problem with older women," Tiny said flirtatiously. Flower just blinked in confusion.

“I don't get it."

Well, we're getting a little closer to the actual movie events. Once we get there, I'll put this book on hold until I feel like enough people have seen the actual movie (or it's released on digital). Until that time, I'll try to work on a fanfic about how Bruce/Spruce met his wife/business partner/very tall soulmate, Brandy. I don't know what I'll do yet, but I have an idea how to figure it out.

I'll see you next time. 🌈