Now that they had the three Trolls surrounded, the Faunlettes grabbed them by the arms and legs and carried them away, much to their surprise.

“Maybe they got worried because we were arguing," Creek suggested.

“Guys, come on!" Branch tried to reassure them. “We were just having a normal, civil disagreement!"

“Civil? Branch you're crazy!" Willow said. “Where are they even taking us?!"

Branch did his best to look at the path ahead, but all he found was...

“The Stream of Silence!" he realized. “If we hit that water, we'll end up like Poppy! We'll never be able to say or feel anything ever again!"

Poppy tried to stop the Faunlettes, but it was hard to do since she couldn't talk. Just as they were about to soak her friends into the stream...

“PUT THEM DOWN!" a scary voice shouted. Everyone turned around to find a fiery creature charging toward them. The Faunlettes set Branch, Creek and Willow down next to Poppy and the creature made a ring of fire surrounding the four Trolls. Creek hid behind Poppy as Willow prepared a cryokinetic attack.

“Hold your ice!" Branch warned. “I think I know this one, and she's trying to help."

The creature stepped through the fire and put out her own flame. It was Helga!

“Well, yeah!" she said with a toothy grin. “Can't have them silence the only friend who'll speak to me."

“She talks?" Willow asked.

“You have no idea," Branch whispered. “Poppy, Willow, Creek, meet Helga Hedgewinks!"

Poppy reached out a hand to shake, but Helga had to blow the flame out first.

“Well, thank you for the... wall of fire," Creek said sheepishly. “But I thought Faunlettes were dangerous when they're angry. How did you know you could control your temper?"

“I didn't," Helga replied as the ring of fire died down. “Huh, I guess anger is like other feelings. It's not about having them, it's what you do with them."

“And giving up happiness to avoid anger is no kind of life," Branch added.

“I never thought of it that way," Creek admitted.

“Yeah, I can't imagine not being able to talk to birds," Willow said. They all noticed the Faunlettes staring at them, listening.

“Virgo, you used to love to laugh at everything. Sundrop, you sung the most beautiful harmonies. Don't you miss it?" Helga reminded the other Faunlettes, and turned to the one in the robe. “Chief Granite, I remember every year, during the summer solstice, you would give the most inspiring speeches. And everyone loved listening to them."

“We know you guys are worried about fighting, but friends can disagree without causing trouble," Branch explained.

“Everyone gets mad sometimes," Willow added. “Branch and Creek argue all the time."

“What?!" Branch exclaimed, not wanting to look bad in front of Poppy. “When do we argue?"

“On the way here?" Creek pointed out. “And about the Faunlettes being silent? And right now!"

The Faunlettes began to worry again. Willow just held her bangs over her face.

Branch sighed. “Look, we don't always see eye to eye, but we never let that get in the way of happiness."

“And if you're really angry, then take some time away so you won't hurt anyone," Creek suggested. Poppy nodded in agreement.

One of the Faunlettes stepped up and started making gestures.

“I think they're trying to say something," Willow said.

Helga decided to try to figure it out. “Okay. Are you hungry? Oh, no! Some Faunlette trapped in a well? Okay. Baby. Baby fish? No, ba— ba— baby fish mouth? Something? Anything? Ugh! Just write it down! Grr, this is making me furious..."

Everyone got nervous as Helga's head began to burn.

“Would you excuse me?" she said calmly. “I'll be right back."

With that, she trotted off somewhere safe, let out her anger, and returned with a relaxed smile on her face.

“You were saying?" she asked. The Faunlette pointed to her mouth, and then his own. “Oh! You want the cure for the Stream of Silence!"

“That's... good, right?" Willow asked.

“Well, it would be, except there aren't any more flowers to make the cure," Branch answered. Poppy held her own throat nervously.

“Are you sure?" Creek asked.

“Oh, beyond sure," Helga replied. “Believe me, I've had a lot of alone time lately. I've searched the entire valley ninety-seven and a half times. Although, I wonder if that second half could make a difference?"

Helga trotted off, and the rest of the Faunlettes followed.

“I wish she told us what kind of flowers she's looking for," Willow said.

“They're called Sparklepuff," Branch answered.

“I've never heard of that," Creek said sadly. Poppy and Willow shook their heads. At that moment, Whistle flew down in front of Branch and began singing, as if she was trying to say something.

“Willow, a little help here?" he said. Willow listened to Whistle and her eyes lit up.

“She says she knows where to find Sparklepuff!"

The group climbed onto Whistle's back and she flew them all to where the flowers were. Much to their surprise, not only did it turn out to be where Queen Penny lived, but it was Poppy's favorite flower!

“That's what Sparklepuff looks like?" Willow said in shock. “Who knew?"

“Helga would've never made it up here," Creek pointed out.

“Willow, I owe you an apology," Branch said. “The right way was the Duckweed way, and you were able to find Penny's home and the flowers to cure Poppy and the Faunlettes. I should've listened to you."

“Hey, if you hadn't followed me, the Faunlettes wouldn't wanna be talking again," Willow pointed out. Poppy nodded in agreement.

“She's right," Creek added. “If it hadn't been for your honesty, the Faunlettes would still be silent and Helga would be alone forever."

“And I hate to admit it, but you gave them pretty good advice about how to deal with anger," Branch said.

“Okay, guys, let's see if this works," Willow said, using some fire magic to boil water in a gourd. She placed one of the flowers in it, the water turned pink, and gave it to Poppy, who drank the whole thing. “Poppy, give me a C."

Poppy opened her mouth... and sang.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!" she cheered. “I missed you, voice! I missed you, feelings! I love you, guys!"

Poppy hugged all her friends and kissed Branch's cheeks. Noticing the shocked look on Creek's face, Branch let out a smug grin.

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

Whistle returned the Trolls to Faunlette Village and found Helga still looking around for the flowers. Luckily, they all brought back as many as they could, which should've been more than enough to cure all the Faunlettes.

Helga gasped at the sight. “You found them?! Where were they? Tell me everything and feel free to add complicated descriptions and comedic tangents!"

“Uh... I think we should take care of the others, first," Willow suggested. “Hey, guys, look!"

Willow shook her black and purple hair, causing all the flowers to float in the air. Creek grabbed one, though, to stick in Poppy's hair, while the rest of them were placed in a fountain. The Faunlettes went to drink the water, and all of their voices returned! They were talking, singing, laughing, cheering... it was amazing!

Chief Granite approached Helga with gratitude in his eyes. “Miss Hedgewinks, you and your friends have given us a wonderful gift: the realization that anger is within us, but it is our choice how we let it out. We would very much like it if you came back to live with us. I can't say how much we've missed your beautiful voice."

While everyone cheered, Willow looked away sadly.

“Willow, what's wrong?" Poppy asked.

“I let my anger out the wrong way," she replied. “I struck Branch with some of my Darkness."

“Actually, Willow, you don't have to worry about me," Branch reassured her. “It says here that although it's not true magic, Trolls have a special type of energy fueled by our happiness and it shields our hearts from the effects of the Darkness."

To demonstrate, he pulled out a tab on the scrapbook and a picture showed the Darkness going in and bouncing out of a Troll's body.

“He-he, that tickles!"

“Well, that answers all my questions but one," Willow said. “Hey, Whistle! Think you can take me and my friends home?"

Whistle tweeted excitedly and let her wing down so they could climb on.

“Do we have to leave now?" Creek asked. “The Faunlettes just got their voices back, now would be a good chance to get to know them better."

“I guess we could stay a little longer," Poppy decided, and they headed off to listen to Helga sing.

Branch pulled Willow aside and asked her, “What's your last question?"

“Where does the rest of my magic come from?"

“I don't know, Willow," Branch admitted. “I don't know."

'Cuz rainbows won't light up the sky unless you let it rain

And candles just won't glow until they're burned

No, you can't give up your laughter'cuz you're scared of a little pain

It's a lesson that my village never learned

Oh, yes, 'cuz rainbows won't light up the sky unless you let it...

RAIN!

If you think this is over... it isn't. I got more adventures in store.

All Willow got from the Rattlecobras was the ability to see body heat and move stuff telekinetically with her hair (because she doesn't have a rattle). But she can't cast spells. The rest of her powers are going to remain a mystery for quite a while.

Until next time. 🌈