A Series of Unfortunate Events [ffireafy]

Leafy sighs as she walk out of town, after seeing Tree again. It has been years, hasn't it? After all, Tree was the one who had brought her up with the Gods.

"What's your name, lass?" The stranger asked this little girl. Her eyes covered in fear, as she hid behind him. "Please protect me from them.." The stranger laughed, and picked her up. "Don't worry, you're safe with me. I'm Tree. And you are?"

The girl shook her head, not knowing what to say. "Okay, then I'll name you." Tree says, as he pokes her palm. "But first, let's take a walk around, shall we?"

The place was eerie.. and peaceful. Birds chirping, and flowers blooming. Tree took the little girl to a palace, where it bloomed of vines and flowers, and the sun shone brightly.

"H-hello." She stuttered. Hiding behind Tree.

"Hello, little child." Greeted the one in the third seat.

The one in the second seat looked stoic, and strict. As if he didn't want her here. However, the first one gave her the feeling of warmth and welcome. "Hello little one. What brings you here?"

"I- I don't know. Tree brought me here."

The second scoffed, and looked at Tree. "Why did you bring her in?"

Tree smiled, a calm, collective smile. "I want her to stay with us." The second was furious, but held back by the first. "I'm listening, Tree."

"I want to guide her. She doesn't deserve to die alone in the woods."

The first thought about it, and the Third had agreed. The second still looked at the two, in anger.

The first smiled, and let the girl stay. "Okay. Tree, you will provide her needs and take her under your teaching." Tree bowed. "Thank you kind Gods."

As Tree and the little girl walk off into a hill of sunflowers, the girl asked Tree, "Who are they?" She asks, and Tree knelt down to look at her. "They're the Gods. Now, you must respect them and follow them, okay?"

The girl could only nod.

"Would you like some bread?" Tree offers, handing her a warm slice of bread. The child only remembered eating rice and vegetables, and nothing else. She had seen everyone eat bread, but unfortunately, she could only eat two things. "What is bread?" She asks, and Tree laughs. "I suppose you haven't eaten one back then. Here, try it."

The girl took the slice Tree had offered her, and nibbled a small piece. "Wow! It's amazing!" Tree chuckles along. "I know! Come on, let's go rest while I get you more bread."

The whole day she and Tree were talking while she ate more and more bread. Tree stared at her, and picked the child up. "You know, I have a favorite story.." The child leaned closer. "What is it?"

"Well.. I don't remember much but it was really sad. It was back then when humans roamed this place, actually. Wait— I want to name you off of the name of the girl there."

"What was her name?"

"It was Leafy."

The child smiled. "That's quite lovely."

"It certainly is." Tree smiled, as he tucked her in.

Years have gone by, and Tree had thought Leafy all the things she needed to do, and the rules she needed to follow.

"Tree, what do you do down in the Earth?" Asked Leafy, who was tying down a flower crown for him.

"Well, we are mostly ordered to create peace and order. My job is to protect someone."

Leafy grinned at this. "Wow! I admire you a lot, Tree. I want to be just like you! I want to protect someone, too!" Tree hugged his knees, smiling at her. "Then, who do you want to protect?"

Without hesitation, Leafy responded, "I want to protect the boy that saved me!"

"That's a great wish, Leafy. Aim for your dream until you make it." Tree pats her head. "Then who are you protecting, Tree?"

Tree's smile dropped, and he looked away. "Well.. you know, Leafy, if you want to protect someone, you do it because you love them."

"So you love the person you're protecting, then?"

Tree blushed. "I suppose.. I do."

One night, bells rang, and anger was ensued, Leafy saw chaos. She ran to the palace, only to find the three Gods fighting.

"We shouldn't have trusted him!" Spat the second, blaming the third.

"Oh, it's just fate! It was meant to happen!" The third explained.

The first, having enough, shut the two down. "Be quiet, and have some manners. What's happened has already happened. Let us not wish for the worst."

The three gods sighed, and saw Leafy standing there in the middle.

"Oh, there you are, little child. Come here." The third invited Leafy. Of course, she walked to them. "Yes?"

"Leafy, you will be under guidance of  Tennis Ball."

Tennis ball, Tree's friend. "Why?" She asks.

"Don't ask any questions, imbecile. Begone from my sight!" Hissed the second, and Leafy just left.

She had gone to Tennis ball, and stayed there. "Tennis ball, where's Tree? What are the God's talking about?"

Tennis ball pouted, "Well.. Leafy.. this is hard for me to say."

"I won't be hurt, Tennis ball, I promise."

"Tree.. he left."

Leafy was shocked, and asked him again. "Are you sure?"

Tennis ball nodded. "Yes. He left last night."

"Wh-why would he?" She asked, her eyes holding back tears.

"He.. I don't know either." Tennis ball.. was crying too.

"Oh Tennis ball— that's impossible! Tree wouldn't have left— he love this place he told me that himse—"

Leafy was cut off with Pie putting his arms on her shoulder. "Leafy, let's face it. Tree's gone, and he"s never coming back."

Leafy was on the brink of tears, and this time she let it go.

Because that afternoon, all Leafy could hear was her screaming of pain, and agony. The fact that Tree— had left her alone there hurt.

And it still did.

Leafy didn't know where she was going, as those moments replayed in her mind. A scream then came from behind her. She turned around, only to see Firey, shaking. "W..where are you going..?" He asks, terrified. Leafy looked at what's in front of her.

A cliff.

She looked back against him, her eyes on the brink of tears.

"I'm sorry I wasn't enough." Was the last thing Leafy said, before dropping to the ground and shrieking.

It hurt her so much, and Firey had no idea.