Chapter Text
Branch smiled stepping back from his work as the room came to life. The new water filter hummed as the pump got to work while the water tank started to fill up and feed into pipes. A few months ago he had hit an underground water supply and had to build up a hole new water room. it was a long tedious project and he's officially warn out ready for a long night or day sleep. He chuckles to himself as he lay on his back putting his dirty gloves to the side. The cold tiles welcomed him as he rest for a moment. He may just fall asleep right here he's so tired. He doesn't know what time, day or month it currently is or what he wants to do more, Eat or sleep. He groans as he forced himself up his Stomach winning the argument. As he stood up he felt dizzy and his legs numb as he stumbled down the long halls to the nearest kitchen or pantry.
he got a good smell of himself and it wasn't pleasant either.
He smelt like motor oil, grime, stone, sweat, and Coffee. The clean freak started coming out of him as he started to feel disgusting. The feeling creeping up his back absolutely unsettling. He'll eat and then have a bath then sleep.
fully washed and fed branch groaned in exhaustion as he didn't have any bedrooms on this low level of the bunker. He'd have to walk either to one of three elevators on the very far side of the lay out or take the fucking stairs.
weighing his options he took a throw blanket and collapsed on a couch in a den. he looked around the cozy decorated den he smiled Feelin'a sense of pride. years he spent inside, running, building, modeling, hosting, making, storing and overall pouring his heart and soul into. And the bunker was masterful ready to handle absolutely anything thrown at it.
he smiled remembering a joke from his dear friend Poppy and her father.
"you're so ready for the end of the world you wouldn't even notice it!" former King peppy chuckled nervously looking at the extensive map.
"its a shame its kinda cold though.. Aren't you worried about hibernation?" Poppy asked feeling herself shiver.
Branch shrugged at her concern feeling rather confident in himself. When pop trolls enter a cold environment for an extended time they're body enters a hibernation like state.
"i have a strong heating system amd im pretty used to it." he said simply as he continued the tour finding the thermostat and turning it up.
Branch felt his eyes grow heavy and he shivers abit. its a little chilly down here..
the first think Tres noticed uoon getting the door to open was the cold air. the bunker was lit and seened like almost nothing was outta place.
the pop troll survivor's try to look over them into the bunker.
Branch was the last hope of the hole tribe and trollstopia. Many were holding out hope maybe the survivalist was coming up with a plan for them all. many had given up hope in belief perhaps Branch wasn't willing to help this time and have abandoned them. some think perhaps Branch had died in his bunker unbeknownst to everyone. but after so long the uncertainty and desperate need of them were weighing on them. the regatton troll tresillo and the yodelers had come in hope of perhaps something. The once bright and cheerful people had nothing to give. The only one they could hope for was Branch who hasn't appeared in 2 months.
the regatton trio quickly entered the house as Hickory went to check something first. at the front foor Branch installed a digital map and tracker that hooks up to hug time bracelets. he didn't know how to feel when he saw Branch's flashing icon in the bottom layer of the bunker.
has he really ignored everyone in this time of crisis?
they quickly made it to the elevator as the regatton trolls followed. slowly they descended as they realized it kept getting colder.
"boyo needs to up the thermostat..." Dickory said as he shivered.
tres scoffed at how irresponsible and selfish Branch must be to hide away and let the world burn...
at the very bottom they got out and entered the den to see a ball of fluff.
branch had curled up under the blanket as his hair fanned out and puffed around him. he was so...so still.
hickory and tres Ran over while Dickory was more cautious with approaching branch. hickory searched for a pulse noting how cold the pop troll had become. removing the blanket they were even more worried at how thin he had become.
Tres ran to the thermostat and pressed on the button. Nothing. nothing but an error warning.
Branch has been down here in hibernation for too long and needs to get outta here or risk possibly fatal harm. Dickory tossed more blankets on them as hickory re bundled them up and had to hurry them to the elevator.
this was not the rescue the three were planning on.
the town survivors also surprised and astonished as they ran branch up the bunker entrance. they looked very fragile as he was laid out to rest in the sun. Hickory and Dickory exchange looks between branch and the stunned crowd.