Branch had been worried for the past two days. All he could think about was Spirit and wondering if she would be okay. He sat down on the cool grass and watched as lykars from Spirit's pod played on the shores and in the lagoon, he managed to convince Clay to break down the rock wall so that the sea lykars could roam free. Well, with a little help from Tekai. Finally, the lagoon was the haven for lykars it used to be, everything seemed as it should and Spirit was the reason for it, she refused to let anyone hurt her family and now they're all free as they should be, but the cost of that was her getting badly injured. If Branch would ever see Creek again he was going to show that traitor a lesson.

"Tough-tail! There you are!" Tekai called to him.

"Hey Tekai, what are you doing here?" Branch asked.

"Well I thought I would tell you about Clay's changing of mind," Tekai said. Branch looked at her, confused. "So you know how I humiliated him in front of the whole village just after Spirit attacked you?"

"How could I forget?" Branch laughed.

"Well, that and Spirit's escape have managed to convinced him that lykars don't belong in captivity or under any command, so he's decided to finally get rid of the lykar races!" Tekai exclaimed. Branch was wide-eyed.

"Wow! Remind me to never get on your  bad side!" Branch said. 

"Eh, I do what I can!" Tekai responded. 

"Just asking, but you don't happen to know where Iris is, do you?" Branch asked.

"You don't know?" Tekai asked back. Branch tilted his head. "Kyra needed to see her about Spirit, she didn't tell you?" Branch didn't hesitate and got to his feet.

"Thanks Tekai!" Branch yelled as he ran to the lykar veterinarian.

Once Branch got there he searched the busy building for his sister. He looked down every corridor until he finally spotted her. She was talking to Kyra who was knelt down, he wasn't able to tell what they were saying entirely.

"And that's really all I can say for now," Kyra said to Iris. Iris nodded back to her and lowered her head, she spotted Branch and he rushed over to meet her. Judging by the look on Iris' face, it wasn't too good.

"Iris," Branch took a deep breath, "give it to me straight." Iris held Branch's hands in her's and looked at him in the eyes.

"They're doing everything they can, but Spirit was out of water for a long time and her injury was pretty bad," Iris paused for a second. "The doctors are going to try everything to help her, but they think that...euthanizing her may be the best option." Branch's surroundings soon became a blur, his ears were ringing and he started shaking, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't want to believe what he was hearing. He felt tears fall from his eyes and stream down his cheeks. Iris brought him in close and let him sob into her shoulder as she stroked the back of his head. Iris caught sight of Poppy at the end of the corridor and she came running over to them, looking concerned at Branch. He didn't say a word but she had an idea of what had just happened.

"Oh Branch, I'm so sorry," Poppy comforted, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him from the back. After a little bit, Branch broke away from the hug, his eyes were stained from his tears.

"It's fine guys," he whimpered, "I-I just need to be alone right now." Poppy and Iris respected Branch's privacy and let him go. Watching sadly as he walked down the corridor by himself with his head low.

Branch wasn't seen for a long while after he left the veterinarians which made Iris and Poppy concerned. They both decided to go and look for him just to check he was alright. Iris went to investigate the lagoon and the rivered troll village, while Poppy looked around the music troll village. There was no sign of him. Poppy had checked everywhere. Nothing. She was about to go find Iris to see if she had any better luck when she caught sight of a distant shape of a troll. Could that be Branch? Poppy rushed over to find out. It was Branch, he was sitting with his back to her, his ears were drooped downwards and his tail was around his legs, but the thing that was most noticeable was his colors. He wasn't gray, but his light blue skin was dimmer than usual, the same with his hair. Poppy carefully walked toward him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She felt him tense, but he soon relaxed.

"Branch," Poppy said softly, "what happened to your colors?" Branch dug his face into his knees.

"I tried to hold on to them, but I couldn't," Branch's replied shakily. Poppy hugged his head and moved it onto her shoulder. "I can't lose Spirit, Poppy," he sniffed, "I just can't." Poppy looked into Branch's eyes and placed her hands on his cheeks.

"It'll be okay, Branch," Poppy assured, "Spirit is not going to give up on herself, she'll keep on fighting like she always does." 

"I just don't know why she would do that?" Branch sighed, Poppy looked at him confused. "She's in that condition because she saved my life from Creek." 

"Because she loves you," Poppy replied, "you were the one who gave her a chance in the first place. You believed in her right from the start and she wasn't going to let that chance go to waste. She saved you because you made her believe in you." Branch looked up at Poppy, she smiled at him and kissed his nose. "And no matter what happens to Spirit, I will be here for you, we'll get through it together." Branch smiled and kissed Poppy's cheek.

"Thank you, Poppy," Branch said. Poppy grinned back as she hugged him. Iris came running to find Poppy and saw her and Branch hugging, she smiled at the sight. Poppy saw her and smiled back at Iris. Branch and Poppy both slowly broke away from their hug and turned to Iris. 

"Branch, are you alright? Your colors..." Iris said, she immediately knelt down to hug her brother. He smiled as she did, still with tears falling down his face; then Iris looked at him seriously.

"I think there's something you need to see," Iris stated. Branch and Poppy both looked at each other.

***

Back at the lykar veterinarian, Kyra was outside, in a shallow medical pool with Spirit on the ledge. Even though she was in critical condition, it was vital for her to be in water so her skin didn't dry up. Most of the time, Spirit just remained lifeless on her front. The vets were doing everything they could to help Spirit, but they were doubtful. When she was at the lykar institute, Spirit was hardly fed and she rapidly lost weight; this meant that when the barb was in her side, it did a lot more damage than expected, the vets had patched up her wound but there was still no sign of her waking up. For Spirit to wake up, she had to be stable and able to react to things around her, a slight ear twitch could have been a sign of stability, but at the moment, Spirit wouldn't even react to someone blowing in her ear. Kyra looked at Spirit's face, she looked so peaceful, as if she was asleep. Kyra feared that there was very little chance of Spirit recovering and decided to take her back to the surgery room with the vets, she scooped the lykar in her arms and carried her back inside. Another vet met her in the corridor.

"How's she doing?" The vet asked, looking down at Spirit in Kyra's arms.

"Still no response," Kyra sighed.

"Bring her inside and let's take another look at her," The vet stated as she led Kyra inside.

***

Branch, Iris and Poppy were sat on the sand of the shore, watching the sea lykars playing in the lagoon; they spotted Askar with Corkscrew and Ali, they introduced him to various members of the pod. There were young trolls interacting with other lykars through the glass panels, their eyes lighting up as they started building connections with the lykars; it reminded Branch of when he was young and he saw a lykar for the first time with his dad, it was Kayla. Even though he was only two years old, he would never forget that first interaction with her. He felt so privileged to get to grow up with these amazing animals and watch Kayla as she grew and eventually finding her mate and having calves of her own. Branch wished that his dad could have been here to see Spirit and see the connection he had with her. But Branch was so scared that he would have to let that connection go. He hoped for Spirit to be okay, but deep down, he had a feeling he knew that her chances weren't good and what was going to happen to her. Iris put her arm around Branch's shoulder.

"I know, Branch," Iris said sympathetically. "But look at all the lykars that are now free because of you and Spirit."

"She got her whole pod to freedom, but not herself," Branch sighed. Poppy and Iris looked at each other, then back at Branch who was gazing at the lagoon. Suddenly, Tekai came in on Manta, almost knocking straight into them. "Tekai wha-" Branch tried to start, but Tekai stopped him.

"Kyra wants to see you, Branch," Tekai informed. "It's about Spirit, she says it's urgent." Branch didn't hesitate and climbed up onto Manta's back, Poppy and Iris following behind. 

"What does she mean by urgent?" Branch asked as Manta ran down the shore.

"She didn't explain," Tekai replied. "She just told me to find you immediately!" Branch didn't know how to feel about this. What could Kyra have meant? Was Spirit going to be okay? Or did he have to say his final goodbye to her? Questions buzzed through his head, he was hoping this would be good news.

Manta stopped outside the entrance to the veterinarians, he was panting as he lowered his body to let the trolls climb off him. Branch stopped for a moment, he just looked at the open door in front of him, almost feeling like he didn't want to go in. He wanted to know that Spirit was going to be okay and didn't want to know the opposite. Poppy stood next to him and grabbed his hand, Branch looked over to her.

"We're right here beside you," Poppy assured. "No matter what happens." Branch took a deep breath then walked in with Poppy and Iris by his side. Kyra was standing near the end of the corridor, she noticed the trolls and turned to them. Once they met up, Kyra knelt down to meet Branch's level. 

"Branch, Spirit has been showing signs of stability," Kyra said. The corridor was plagued with silence as Branch waited for her to finish. "She's going to be okay." At that moment, Branch eyes lit up, he felt his heart fill with relief as a huge smile spread from one ear to the other. Poppy squeezed him as she let out a cheer of joy. "Now, she hasn't woken up yet, but would you like to still see her?" Kyra asked, Branch nodded slowly. Kyra smiled at him and stood up to open the door to the surgery. Branch nervously walked in. There were vets surrounding a doctors table in the center of the room, Kyra let Branch climb onto her hand to get him closer. Branch saw Spirit lying on the table, she looked so calm, her eyes were shut and relaxed and she was breathing quietly and steadily. Kyra set Branch down on the table as the doctors took a few steps back, letting him reunite with his lykar friend. Poppy and Iris sat on Kyra's shoulder to see them. Branch ran his hand down Spirit's side as he walked alongside her. The wound that the barb had left in her side was covered up by a tight bandage. As he approached her head, he looked at her closed eye. Branch knelt down by the base of Spirit's snout, gently placing his hand on it. He smiled at her, even though she was unconscious, he was still glad to know that she was going to be okay.

"Hey there, girl," Branch whispered to Spirit, he wasn't expecting a reply but was hoping that she could still hear him. "You did it, Spirit. You got your pod back where they belong again and you'll be back with them soon, I promise." Branch rested his head on the bridge of Spirit's snout, feeling her warmth on his face. "You finally made it, Spirit. Once you're fully recovered you're going to be free." Branch kept his head on Spirit's snout, stroking it up and down. He heard a faint sound coming from Spirit's tail, he rose his head and looked down at her tail, a little bit puzzled. The others looked down too. Spirit's tail started to move to the side slowly, then to the other side, gradually getting a little faster. Branch felt Spirit's nose nudge into his side, he turned his focus to her eyes, waiting. Slowly, Spirit lifted her eyelids to reveal her shining blue eyes looking straight into his. There were tears starting to fall down Branch's cheeks as Spirit's eyes opened. "S-Spirit," his voice was a little shaky, a smile returning to his face. "Spirit, you're okay!" He exclaimed. Spirit smiled slightly as she let out a small squeak. Branch sobbed in happiness as he wrapped his arms around Spirit's snout. As he did, everyone could notice his colors getting brighter and brighter until they returned to their usual beautiful blue. Spirit lifted her head and pulled Branch into her chest, hugging him with her neck.

"Well, you don't call her 'Spirit' for nothing," Kyra commented, beaming down at Spirit and Branch. Spirit looked up at Kyra, her eyes as wide as ever. Kyra knelt down to face her. "Do you remember me, Blue?" Spirit nuzzled her nose into Kyra's face, making purring-like noises. 

Not long after waking up, Spirit was taken to one of the recovery pools outside with Branch, just to be sure that she was healthy and stable. The two of them messed around the pool, Branch held on to Spirit's dorsal fin and let her pull him along, Spirit jumped out of the water many times, even though she didn't have her brace, they would had to make her a new one. Branch had never felt so happy, that time he got to spend alone with Spirit in the pool was the best, he was so relieved to have his friend back. The thought of Spirit leaving didn't cross his mind once, he was just grateful of the time he got to spend with her now. After a while, the vets let Spirit go to the lagoon to reunite with her lykar friends. The vets said that she had to stay at the lagoon for a few days, just until she had fully recovered. As Spirit walked with Branch on her back to the lagoon, many lykars spotted Spirit almost immediately.

"There she is!" Spirit could hear them calling. She spotted Corkscrew and Ali come sprinting towards her, pouncing right on top of her.

"Spirit!" They both chimed, jumping on their hind legs and spinning around to greet their friend. 

"We're so glad that you're okay!" Ali exclaimed. 

"You had us so worried, please don't go dying on us ever again!" Corkscrew added in. Spirit giggled at her friends as she rubbed her side against their's. Spirit caught sight of another lykar looking right at her. It was Askar. Ali and Corkscrew let her go to him as they gave them their space. Spirit walked up to him and smiled at him.

"I knew those snatchers didn't stand a chance against you," Askar laughed, Spirit smiled back.

"Of course they didn't!" Spirit laughed. "I'm really glad you're back, Askar." She and Askar nuzzled their heads together. Branch and Iris walked up to Spirit, she turned her head to face them.

"Spirit, we have a surprise for you," Iris stated. Spirit tilted her head with her eyes wide. "When I was trying to find Branch earlier, I found a pair of lykars who somehow followed the pod as they traveled to the lagoon." Iris started, Spirit was still a little bit puzzled. "And I think they're here to see you." Iris pointed behind Spirit to the far end of the shore. Standing there were two lykars that Spirit knew very well. One had the exact same colored fur as Spirit with green and blue eyes, the other had the same eyes as the other and had fur similar to Spirit's mom. Spirit couldn't believe her eyes. It was her dad, Kotar and her brother, Storm.

"D-Dad?" Spirit was shocked. Her tail started to wag as a smile filled her face. "Dad! Storm!" Spirit took to her feet and sprinted to greet her family. Kotar and Storm started to run towards her too as they called her name. Spirit rammed her body into her dad's and wrapped her neck around his, nuzzling her head against him, Storm joined in and hugged his little sister with his neck.

"Oh Spirit, it's you," Kotar was so happy to see his daughter. "It's really you." 

"Dad, I'm so sorry about mom," Spirit started to say tearfully, but Kotar stopped her.

"It's okay," he smiled. "We're just so happy that you're alright." Spirit broke from the hug and turned to Storm.

"I've missed my little partner in crime," Storm laughed, trying to hold back his tears. The two of them rubbed their heads together, making purring sounds. Luna soon greeted the three lykars and sat down in front of them. 

"Spirit, we're so thankful for you saving our pod," Luna stated, smiling down at her. "You're our hero." The rest of the lykars gathered around Spirit and squealed in joy. Spirit turned back to Branch who was smiling at her.

"You are a hero, Spirit," Branch said to her as he held the bottom of her jaw in his hands. "I can't believe how amazing you really are." Spirit nuzzled her head against Branch's, letting him hug her snout.