Frankie snuggled under the blanket that Queen Mom and the Man of Marvel had given him, gazing at the changing landscape. The weather was also changing, moving from the time of sunshine and warm rain, to dreary and stinging rain. He not only sensed the trolls would be on the move, he knew. His summer of chicken, puppuccinos, and frolicking in the turtle pool would be placed in memory.
Yes, they were on the move, the howling wind was rousting them out of their deep hiding places. He knew his mission. Anytime now the Realm Creator would have the apprentice give the go ahead. Until then Frankie, the Troll Slayer would enjoy the last few precious days of sunshine, basking in the love of mom and the man. All Hallows Eve was approaching, it would be anytime. While he looked with adoring eyes upon those he loved, he calculated what would be needed, yes it would be anytime now.
Yes, they were on the move, the howling wind was rousting them out of their deep hiding places. He knew his mission. Anytime now the Realm Creator would have the apprentice give the go ahead. Until then Frankie, the Troll Slayer would enjoy the last few precious days of sunshine, basking in the love of mom and the man. All Hallows Eve was approaching, it would be anytime. While he looked with adoring eyes upon those he loved, he calculated what would be needed, yes it would be anytime now.
As he slurped his last bit of puppuccino, Frankie came awake suddenly, but did not move a muscle. He had heard something in his sleep, and knew the time was now. He moved his ears, like a airport radar scope, trying to identify where the sounds were coming from. No one had to tell him they were the trolls, he instinctively knew. He had been trained to detect the pain trolls. The well being of his mom and Marvel Man depended on his knowledge and courage.
The noise was coming from the pumpkin patch. The trolls had been darting from pumpkin to pumpkin, trying to get closer to the castle without being detected. Frankie had been watching them for weeks, but now they were getting bolder. Soon they would start moving as a masse. How many would he have to battle? The time had come to assemble his pack. He wondered why the Apprentice had not contacted him yet. Until that time he would remain diligent. Perhaps the trolls were just sending out scouts. What worried Frankie is there seem to be a lot. Best call Jingles, Pepper and his brother, Sir Wallace.
Up from the trail, that cut a path thru the pumpkin patch, came the pack. Without saying a word, they knew why they were summoned by the slayer. The time was drawing near. As the group was napping, building energy for the coming confrontation, the ground around the pumpkins started to tremble. The four came to full alert. At that moment the Apprentice signaled...."Frankie, as I'm sure you're well aware, the trolls are grouping. They should be at full strength by nightfall. Clever on their part to attack on All Hallows Eve. Our scouts, the Blue Healers, have informed us the trolls have also incorporated with their cousins, the Gremlins. I also have some very distressing information, it appears some of the dragons have elected to help the trolls. I'm sorry Slayer, I know you have friends among the dragons. The Healers said it was just some of the dragons, how many, they couldn't be sure."
The noise was coming from the pumpkin patch. The trolls had been darting from pumpkin to pumpkin, trying to get closer to the castle without being detected. Frankie had been watching them for weeks, but now they were getting bolder. Soon they would start moving as a masse. How many would he have to battle? The time had come to assemble his pack. He wondered why the Apprentice had not contacted him yet. Until that time he would remain diligent. Perhaps the trolls were just sending out scouts. What worried Frankie is there seem to be a lot. Best call Jingles, Pepper and his brother, Sir Wallace.
Up from the trail, that cut a path thru the pumpkin patch, came the pack. Without saying a word, they knew why they were summoned by the slayer. The time was drawing near. As the group was napping, building energy for the coming confrontation, the ground around the pumpkins started to tremble. The four came to full alert. At that moment the Apprentice signaled...."Frankie, as I'm sure you're well aware, the trolls are grouping. They should be at full strength by nightfall. Clever on their part to attack on All Hallows Eve. Our scouts, the Blue Healers, have informed us the trolls have also incorporated with their cousins, the Gremlins. I also have some very distressing information, it appears some of the dragons have elected to help the trolls. I'm sorry Slayer, I know you have friends among the dragons. The Healers said it was just some of the dragons, how many, they couldn't be sure."
Frankie's heart sank. "Take heart, Slayer, pain does strange things, and you know dragons can be fickle. The Healers said the trolls, gremlins and dragons plan to attack the castle at full dark. A call to the entire Woof Pack has gone out, until they can assemble, Pepper, Jingles, and Sir Wallace are your only help. I'll be with you in spirit. Over and out Slayer." How many hours until dark? So many questions swirled in Frankie's head. Would the Halloween revelers get in the fray? He had to make sure they were directed away from the castle, they could not have any pain inflicted upon them. Rotten trolls, always wanting to steal joy and replace with pain. He had lots of planning to do, before full dark. Best have some chicken and a nap, they were going to need all their strengths tonight.
Frankie sat in his favorite chair, with his superhero blanket draping his shoulders. He gazed at his mom, Queen Janet and the Marvel Man, whom he now called Dad. He could see the hurts were starting and he knew the time had come to take a stand against the rotten pain trolls. No more just chasing away and an occasional bite, the time had come to take a stand and fight.
As Frankie looked out the window, the sun had nearly disappeared, and the moon a few moments ago just a shadow, was starting to cast it presence. He knew what his mission was, slipping from the chair he padded over to mom, gingerly reached up.....so as not to hurt her RA, and licked the hurts. Turning he looked at Dad, and reaching up his paw took his hand and gave kiss after kiss. Standing back, looking back and forth at the loves of his life, he did an about-face, and refusing to look bad, he went out to meet his destiny.
Summoning Pepper, Jingles, and Wally, they made their way through the courtyard to the gate. Looking into the eyes of each member of his team, passed the understanding of what was to come. Pepper and Jingles were to protect his flank, while supplying him with energy lights. Wally was to guard his back, so no trolls could sneak up undetected. It was now full dark. The team went on high, silent alert......let the trolls be surprised this time.
The ground started trembling, the wind kicked up and started to howl, like a banshee released from underground. Pumpkins started to rock to and fro, some picked up and smashed. The Troll Slayer signaled his team to stillness, but on his command to commence the attack. The trolls poured out of the pumpkin patch, with the gremlins protecting their flanks. Different battalions of trolls had standard bearers carrying flags with the letters RA and ALS and DEPRESSION, etched into the cloth. There were many such flags, Frankie couldn't detect them all, he was too busy watching their movements. As this evil alliance marched toward the castle, Frankie saw the dragons getting ready to render air support. Traitors!
Then in a blink of an eye the trolls stormed toward the castle. They ground to a halt, surprised and shocked, as they had not seen the slayer and his team before the gate. While the trolls were still momentarily stunned, Pepper and Jingles tossed the slayer his lights of energy, Sir Wallace let out a ferocious bark, and the slayer, let out a growl. Tossing light, knocking down, shaking troll and gremlin alike. Delivering needle sharp bites for all the hurts inflicted on those he loved. Dragons started to drop gourds, Pepper and Jingles tossing as fast as lightening, energy light balls to the slayer. Bam, bam, bam. The dragons were brought down.
Before the slayer could start again on the trolls, a sneaky gremlin jumped and started to tear at the slayer's neck, Sir Wallace, with sword in hand whacked and dispatched the gremlin back into the pumpkin patch. The slayer and Sir Wallace looked at each other, and a brother's loved passed between them. With the dragons knocked out, and the lead gremlin out cold in the pumpkin patch, the trolls beat a retreat. The exhausted four, panting heavily, knew the trolls were not done, just regrouping.
Where was the Woof Pack? Frankie thought. Even a Slayer needs help. Pepper and Jingles had some more bad news, the supply of energy light was nearly gone. As Frankie turned to think, he noticed Wally was bleeding on his front leg. "When did that happen?" "Well, Slayer, there were a lot of gremlins", Wally said with a grin. "I love you brother." "And I you."
The night grew very still, and the moon's light had disappeared behind a cloud. The slayer knew it would be starting up again. Just then small parachutes started to drop around the team. Pepper and Jingles yipped in delight as they gathered the drops. "Come in Slayer.....word reached us of the supply condition and the Saint Bernards have catapulted ammunition." "Yes its arrived Apprentice, any word on Woof Pack?" "I'm sorry Slayer, the call was made......the Coleman Tribe hasn't answered as yet. Dexter and Bella are in recovery. Jasmine and Tucker will be here as soon as they can." " No-no, Jasmine and Tucker need to rest, advise I love the offer, but their well being is too important." "Slayer, I'm also sorry to report we lost a member of the pack yesterday."
Frankie bowed his head, and let out a deep breath, it was sad when a member departed. "Slayer, I know this will be difficult, dealing with the pain trolls always is, but hang on. You have a great team and reinforcements could arrive at anytime. Over and out". Frankie sat back, what he'd give for a puppocino right now, and maybe one of Granny B's sandwiches. He thought no time for wishful dreaming, the battle was far from over. And just like that, the trolls started streaming out of the pumpkin patch. The battle raged on, and just when the team thought they couldn't go on, the trolls stopped in mid stride, they heard something that gave even a troll pause. Frankie and his team, also heard, but what was it? As the hazy mist of the recent battle was carried away on the wind, the combatants turned towards the trail. Frankie, his heart near bursting with a overwhelming feeling of joy saw the Woof Pack charging up the trail towards the castle.
Where was the Woof Pack? Frankie thought. Even a Slayer needs help. Pepper and Jingles had some more bad news, the supply of energy light was nearly gone. As Frankie turned to think, he noticed Wally was bleeding on his front leg. "When did that happen?" "Well, Slayer, there were a lot of gremlins", Wally said with a grin. "I love you brother." "And I you."
The night grew very still, and the moon's light had disappeared behind a cloud. The slayer knew it would be starting up again. Just then small parachutes started to drop around the team. Pepper and Jingles yipped in delight as they gathered the drops. "Come in Slayer.....word reached us of the supply condition and the Saint Bernards have catapulted ammunition." "Yes its arrived Apprentice, any word on Woof Pack?" "I'm sorry Slayer, the call was made......the Coleman Tribe hasn't answered as yet. Dexter and Bella are in recovery. Jasmine and Tucker will be here as soon as they can." " No-no, Jasmine and Tucker need to rest, advise I love the offer, but their well being is too important." "Slayer, I'm also sorry to report we lost a member of the pack yesterday."
Frankie bowed his head, and let out a deep breath, it was sad when a member departed. "Slayer, I know this will be difficult, dealing with the pain trolls always is, but hang on. You have a great team and reinforcements could arrive at anytime. Over and out". Frankie sat back, what he'd give for a puppocino right now, and maybe one of Granny B's sandwiches. He thought no time for wishful dreaming, the battle was far from over. And just like that, the trolls started streaming out of the pumpkin patch. The battle raged on, and just when the team thought they couldn't go on, the trolls stopped in mid stride, they heard something that gave even a troll pause. Frankie and his team, also heard, but what was it? As the hazy mist of the recent battle was carried away on the wind, the combatants turned towards the trail. Frankie, his heart near bursting with a overwhelming feeling of joy saw the Woof Pack charging up the trail towards the castle.
Through the waning moonlight he could make out the Coleman Tribe, Bella Mia, Charlie, Riley, Porscha, Yodi, Sasha, Ginger, and too many to identify at a glance. He gave out a joyful little laugh, there in the distant rear, he could make out Sugar and Daphney running as fast their little legs could carry them.
He turned to his constant companions of the recent battle, and before the trolls had time to retreat or regroup, the team of four charged head-on at the troll army. The Woof Pack charged up the trail, as the Slayer charged down,they encompassed the troll army. The Slayer and the Pack giving no quarter as they repeatedly attacked; shaking and tossing, gnashing and pouncing. Slayer knocking out the few remaining traitorous dragons, then flipping to bite at the heavily armed gremlins.
The battle raged on and on, the sound of growls and ferocious combat never abating. As it seemed the fighting would never end, the wind suddenly calmed, and a faint hint of light rose on the horizon. The Slayer and Pack slowly came to a halt. As more light spread across the landscape, The Troll Slayer took in all the carnage of the battle. As Frankie panted and kept surveying the area, he saw Jasmine and Tucker off to the side, fallen trolls at their feet. "Sorry we arrived late, Slayer." Frankie panting heavily and shaking his head, said "no, no never too late to fight pain, we're all needed at some point, my thanks."
Standing knee deep in trolls, stood Sugar and Daphne, looking as grand and awesome as the mastiffs. As he continued to scan the area, his pride in the Woof Pack brought him to his knees. They came through, they fought with determination and courage. Pepper, Jingles, and Wally ran towards their Slayer, afraid he had collapsed. "Slayer, Slayer are you hurt?" "No, just a little tired."
The Woof Pack gathered closer around the Slayer, admiration radiated. He had always said his mission was to take a bite out of pain, and he did.....they all did. As the pack started to check for survivors, it was noted the troll army had all fallen. The Pack bid farewell and started to disperse, calling back, the head of the Coleman Tribe barked, "whenever you need us......." and they trotted away toward their homes.
As the team continued to rest, Frankie raised his head, what was all that chattering? Narrowing his eyes, he spotted its source. "Well, well, Gabby Girl and Princess Willow, nice of you to show up", he said with a gleam in his eye. "Well Frankie Slayer, it was like this - we were doing battle with our own set of trolls at the farm." "I'm glad you came, it's always nice to see you girls". "As momma says, 'better late than never', beside I heard you were serving puppuccinos." The joyful yipping could be heard 3 states over.
He turned to his constant companions of the recent battle, and before the trolls had time to retreat or regroup, the team of four charged head-on at the troll army. The Woof Pack charged up the trail, as the Slayer charged down,they encompassed the troll army. The Slayer and the Pack giving no quarter as they repeatedly attacked; shaking and tossing, gnashing and pouncing. Slayer knocking out the few remaining traitorous dragons, then flipping to bite at the heavily armed gremlins.
The battle raged on and on, the sound of growls and ferocious combat never abating. As it seemed the fighting would never end, the wind suddenly calmed, and a faint hint of light rose on the horizon. The Slayer and Pack slowly came to a halt. As more light spread across the landscape, The Troll Slayer took in all the carnage of the battle. As Frankie panted and kept surveying the area, he saw Jasmine and Tucker off to the side, fallen trolls at their feet. "Sorry we arrived late, Slayer." Frankie panting heavily and shaking his head, said "no, no never too late to fight pain, we're all needed at some point, my thanks."
Standing knee deep in trolls, stood Sugar and Daphne, looking as grand and awesome as the mastiffs. As he continued to scan the area, his pride in the Woof Pack brought him to his knees. They came through, they fought with determination and courage. Pepper, Jingles, and Wally ran towards their Slayer, afraid he had collapsed. "Slayer, Slayer are you hurt?" "No, just a little tired."
The Woof Pack gathered closer around the Slayer, admiration radiated. He had always said his mission was to take a bite out of pain, and he did.....they all did. As the pack started to check for survivors, it was noted the troll army had all fallen. The Pack bid farewell and started to disperse, calling back, the head of the Coleman Tribe barked, "whenever you need us......." and they trotted away toward their homes.
As the team continued to rest, Frankie raised his head, what was all that chattering? Narrowing his eyes, he spotted its source. "Well, well, Gabby Girl and Princess Willow, nice of you to show up", he said with a gleam in his eye. "Well Frankie Slayer, it was like this - we were doing battle with our own set of trolls at the farm." "I'm glad you came, it's always nice to see you girls". "As momma says, 'better late than never', beside I heard you were serving puppuccinos." The joyful yipping could be heard 3 states over.
Epilogue
Mom locked the door and started down sidewalk. As she opened the gate and turned to let Frankie through, she noted the vast amount of leaves that had fallen overnight. So many, they had to wade through them to get to the car. Hurrying to get Frankie to the vet, he had a nasty bite on his neck. Wally had been over the day before, and she was sure they had gotten into it, again. It was hard to scold little Wally, after all he had a wicked looking gash on his leg. She wondered if she should have Wally over, it seemed the two of them were always at odds.
As mom opened the car door and let Frankie in, she noticed a large gnarly looking twig laying on the pavement amongst the fallen leaves. Bending over to pick it up, something else struck her as strange. All the leaves were either torn or crumpled, and they all had bite marks! Perplexed she examined the twig, even more strange it had a piece of cloth attached, almost looking like a pennant or flag. Looking closer she could make out the letters 'ALS', she knew what ALS stood for, but what was it doing attached to this twig?
Driving down the road, mom noted all the smashed pumpkins. Tsking, she thought "love Halloween, but I could do without this, oh well". Frankie was peering intently out the window, his paws on the door, his face pressed against the window. As they passed the pumpkin patch his attention became focused. Mom, laughed and asked "looking for trolls?" His little butt gave a couple of wiggles, and he sat back down. When she looked again, it appeared he was smiling. Shaking her head she thought, "what a sweet little character." Saying out loud, "So Frankie, how about a puppuccino after the vet?"