Back at the funeral all the trolls talked amongst themselves, waiting for Poppy to return so they could commence with the burial...

     "The poor boy..." Peppy sighed, he and Pansy standing up at the casket. "He was so young..."

Laughter filled the two older troll's ears, both of them turning to see Azalea and Twig playing happily with Uueeka who was making sure to be gentle with the two young trollings.

Pansy couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight, glad to know this horrendous event wasn't putting a damper on the two children's spirits...

"That's what Branch would have wanted..." she stated in a soft tone. "For his family to remain happy... he loved them all so much... he loved our daughter so much..."

Peppy nodded in response to his wife's statement, knowing she was right...

"He would have wanted us all to be happy..." the old king started. "He was the most selfless troll I have ever known..."

—————

     Uueeka's head perked up suddenly as he sensed the approach of two oncoming trolls, the Synathin looking off into the distance to see the couple walking towards the funeral...

     "Freendo!" the large bird-like creature shouted out in overwhelming excitement, quickly taking off towards one of the two approaching trolls...

—————

     Branch walked with Poppy back towards the funeral grounds, the little blue troll's arm wrapped gently around her, the young queen's head low in sorrow...

     The two of them were silent, Branch knowing that no-matter what he said... it wouldn't help the love of his life feel better... she couldn't hear him anyways...

     Suddenly, Branch collapsed right down to the ground, something large jumping directly on top of the little troll...

     "Freendo Branch!" Uueeka shouted out, nuzzling his head into Branch's cheek, causing the young boy to chuckle softly as he struggled to push the Synathin off of himself.

     "Hello to you too," he laughed, Uueeka tickling the blue troll with his feathers. "Stop it! That tickles!"

     Poppy looked over at the Synathin that was three times her size, smiling slightly as she realized what was happening...

     Just like her two kids... the bird-like creature could clearly see her late-husband...

     "That's strange..." Pansy said in slight confusion, she and Peppy slowly walking towards the weirdly behaving Synathin... "I've only seen him act this way when you and... Branch... visited the grove..."

     "Ok! Ok! That's enough, you over grown bird!" Branch laughed, finally pushing Uueeka off of himself.

     "Synathin," Uueeka corrected, helping Branch up to give the little troll a hug.

     "I missed you too..." the young boy whispered with a soft chuckle, hugging the Synathin back, both friends shutting their eyes in joy...

     Poppy smiled, more tears running down her cheeks as she watched the display of joy, still not seeing Branch, but somehow knowing he was there...

     "Uueeka?" Pansy questioned, the Synathin opening his eyes to look at the older troll he considered a mother. "What are you doing there, boy?"

     Pansy placed a gentle hand on Uueeka's head, the Synathin purring softly at having all of his favorite trolls so close by.

     "Branch," Uueeka stated simply, finally breaking the hug.

"Mom... dad..." Poppy started, seeing the confused looks on her parent's faces. "This is gonna sound crazy but... Branch... he's still here..."

"Of course he is, my little princess," Peppy stated with a kind smile, hugging his daughter to try and comfort her. "He'll always be with us... in our hearts..."

"Well... yeah..." Poppy began, pulling away from the hug to look her parents in the eyes. "But he's actually here... like... standing right beside me..."

Branch forced a nervous smile, waving to the old king and queen even though he knew they couldn't even see him...

"So... we're talking ghosts?" Pansy questioned, trying her best to understand the situation.

"Well... yeah..." Poppy shrugged.

Before anything else could be said, Fuzburt came waddling over, murmuring something in his gibberish language...

It was time for the burial...

"We'll continue this conversation later..." Peppy started, placing a gentle hand on his daughter's shoulder to lead her towards the front of the funeral area so they could all say their final goodbyes to the unfortunately lifeless troll before he was actually gone forever...

Branch sighed, slowly beginning to follow, but a sudden stab in his stomach caused the young boy to stop dead in his tracks, a scream of pain uncontrollably escaping his throat as he collapsed down to the ground, his whole body flashing in and out of existence more than ever before...

"Freendo!" Uueeka gasped, quickly lowering his head to the little blue troll who was huddled up in pain at his feet... "Branch?"

"Ugh..." Branch groaned, slowly trying but failing to push himself back up to his feet...

"Stemeig strule..." the Synathin instructed, lowering his beak down to Branch's back before closing his eyes. "Ooshima..."

     "N... no..." Branch struggled to say in a shaky and weak voice as he gently pushed the Synathin's head away. "You... you can't save me, Uueeka... I'm beyond help..."

     "Wimbia..." Uueeka said, nudging the little troll to help him stand back up.

     "I'm ok..." the young boy stated, finally coming fully back into existence as he placed a gentle hand on the Synathin's head. "Just save your energy... don't wast it on me..."

     Not fully buying that his friend was truly ok, Uueeka hugged the little troll, letting him feel his worry...

     "Really, bud..." Branch assured, hugging back. "I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere... I promise..."