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Chapter Text

Today was like any other day in Pop Village. It was bright and sunny, with no gloomy clouds in sight! Today was surely the day for the pop trolls. What made the day even greater was that tonight the pop trolls would be celebrating their 20th anniversary of freedom from the Bergens. So today was surely the day for everyone...well, not quite it seemed at least not for one pop troll. But could you truly call this dude a pop troll? I mean he was quite the buzzkill to be around.

No one liked a buzzkill, especially a paranoid "fun" police that always showed up to kill the vibes. The troll always seemed to have a frown on his grey face, some would even question if he ever knew how to smile or sing. What would his singing sound like? some would say he probably sounded like a broken record with the sound of agony and pain in it. Trolls tend to be kind-hearted beings but even the most wholesome of creatures have their dark side. And the pop troll's dark side was talking crap about one troll named Branch. They tended to call him paranoid, crazy, buzzkill, etc.

No one wanted the troll six feet close to them seeing as they believed if he was near he would cause them to go grey just like him. Well, all except one troll seemed to not believe that silly little rumour about the grey troll. That troll was named Poppy she was one of the most happiest trolls you could ever meet. She was you're typical pop troll, she sang, danced, and hugged, she also saw the world with colourful lenses that hid the dark truths with glitter, rainbows, cupcakes, and all that was colourful. She and Branch were polar opposites but that didn't stop Poppy from trying to be Branch's friend. All she wanted most in this life was to see the grey troll smile and be happy in his life. 

Speaking about dancing and singing the pop trolls just finished one of their biggest songs of the day with a song, talking all about the village and their friends. The trolls ended their musical number with quite the show poses, glitter and bright smiles on their faces, but as Princess Poppy and her friends were posing and slightly panting for air they began to hear a slow clapping sound coming from the shadow. Poppy began to look around for the source of the clapping as her eyes brought her toward a grey troll holding a bunch of sticks in his hands. He looked unamused as he leaned on a mushroom steam, his slow clapping was slowly coming to a pause.

"Really, really great job. I could hear you from a mile away." as he said this he slowly began to walk as Poppy and her friends were settling on the ground again from their mid-air poses. "Good. I was worried we weren't projecting enough" said Poppy as she got off Copper's head while still slightly panting. But before anyone could say another word they all began to feel slightly dizzy. "Ugh...I don't feel so good" DJ Suki was gripping onto her forehead as she voiced out about her feeling under the weather all of a sudden.

But Poppy merely shook her head hoping to get rid of this sudden sick bug going through her body. She couldn't be sick, could she? She had a celebration to run later tonight. She and all of Pop Village had their 20th anniversary planned for that day and she couldn't have possibly gotten ill so quickly through the day. All of the trolls began to slowly groan as the world began to spin around them. And suddenly they all collapsed like fresh snow coming from the sky onto the ground but unlike snow, they all fell with a loud thump. The last thing most of them heard was the sticks Branch was holding fall onto the ground as his grip released. 

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Soft groaning could be heard coming from a couple of trolls as they slowly began to get up from their positions. Some were lying on top of each other and others were spread out away from the rest of them. Poppy could feel a gentle light on her face as she groaned and slowly sat up. Her eyes were adjusting to the lights as she looked around to see her surroundings. But all she could see was a large room with bright lights, and couches of all shapes and sizes, and in the front of the room was a large screen TV, which was above a large stage.

She slowly got up as her head was still feeling stuffy and dizzy. But before she could fully get up she was being hugged from all sides. It was her friends who were hugging her as they held scared looks coming from their eyes and were as tensed as a plank of wood. She then realised why they were so scared. She and the pop village trolls were surrounded by bergens, all whom had hungry looks in their eyes as they eyed the pop trolls. Before she could move a muscle to try to get away from the bergens all her actions were stopped after hearing a voice coming from the stage. On the stage was a tall figure who looked nothing like a Bergen or any other creature she'd ever seen before. The figure was testing out a microphone they were holding in their hands. 

"Hey? Testing, testing, can y'all hear me?" Once the figure saw that the trolls and Bergens were staring at them, they began to smile as they slowly began to wave toward them. "Okay, great! You guys can hear! Uh-Hello there. My name is Christopher but you may call me Chris-"  But before they could continue speaking a couple of trolls began to start panic not only were they panicking, but the bergens started to walk toward the trolls.

"Woah there!" As Chris started to yell using their own voice rather than the microphone the bergens suddenly came to a halt. As a glass wall came out of the ground separating the trolls and Bergen's from each other. The trolls and Bergens were shocked, to say the least after the glass came from the ground and divided them from each other. Chris took a sigh of relief as they mumbled something under their breath but was still loud enough to hear due to them holding the mic so close to their face again. "Should have probably done that from the start...would have caused less of a hassle." 

"Yeah, you probably should have" Poppy looked over to where the voice came from. It had came from Branch as he looked annoyed toward Chris, who was awkwardly smiling. "Uh- I wish to apologize about that- I'm still new to the who division thing...I never had a need for the glass division" 

Branch merely rolled his eyes at Chris. "Are you sure that glass will keep them from eating us!" Yelled a random pop troll. "100% certainty! This glass is the equivalence of 200 glass plates stacked on each other! Trust me when I say I dropped this four times setting it up and it didn't even scratch!" Chris seemed pretty confident with their words. "Excuse me darling" Poppy had never heard that voice before and she was certain she knew all the trolls in the pop village. That's when she was faced with a troll that looked like a certain someone she knew. 

She had blue hair and tall she looked like royalty as she stood next to two trolls that were similar to her. Now that Poppy looked around the room she realised that she was surrounded by trolls she never seen before. They all dressed and looked different compared to the her and the rest of the pop troll villagers. "Woah" she said under her breath. "Excuse me darling, but I may just say that as lovely as this is but why are we here?" "Uh- Also how do we know you won't kill us?" Now that voice Poppy knew, it was Branch's voice.

"OH! sorry I was so caught up on making sure y'all would get eaten. I have realised I never explained anything truly!" Chris's face was bright red when they realised they never explained why the trolls and Bergens were locked in a room. "Let's start over, My name is Christopher or Chris it's a pleasure to meet you all once again. I brought you all here so you can watch future events and get to know each other." Now Poppy wasn't the sharpest pair of scissors in the drawer, but she knew pretty well that what Chris said had made zero sense. 'Watch future events?' 

A nervous chuckle could be heard coming from Chris. "Let me explain, I'm from the future and I've been watching you all for the past few years now...N-now I know that sounds creepy! But uh- it's sort of my job." The trolls and Bergens couldn't believe what they were hearing. From the future? How could someone come from the future...and most importantly this figure was watching them for YEARS! "From the future yeah right as if." A troll dressed in ripped fishnets and had a red mohawk said as they rolled their eyes.

"Now I know you don't believe me, but I have proof, If you guys would just allow me to show you. Also to answer your question Branch. If I wanted to eat any of you or hurt any of you I would have done that hours ago-" "Hours ago?" Poppy said a bit louder than she expected. "Heh-yeahhh...I may have added to a bit more sleeping powder on some of you than I expected. You've been knocked out for two hours...so all of you were at my mercy for two hours, and I didn't hurt a single one of you. I kind of thought you guys died for a second." Chris had said while staring at the floor but the last part they mumbled,  but due to the mic everyone heard that. Some of the trolls started to panic from hearing what Chris had accidentally confused to them. Geez, even a couple of bergens were scared and freaking out. 

"Now I know this sound horrible...but you guys don't have much of a choice unfortunately." As Chris said that they began to point at a clock behind the trolls and Bergens on the clock it read '5 days 24 hours 60 minutes 60 seconds' " To put this lightly it's either you all react to the future or your trapped in this room for the next couple days." "Now you hear sir! But surely this isn't  legal!" A southern accent was heard from a troll with messy red hair and four legs like a horse. "I understand the anger ma'am but you must understand this is my job. I can't allow you all to leave right away...because then I break my contract and everyone in this room will be erased on the spot!" 

Everyone froze. What? No...no, no, no! They were trapped here being forced to react to the 'future' something they still didn't think existed. Chris looked sympathetic toward the trolls and Bergens. "I'll give you a minute to come to an agreement-" 

"We'll do it!" Poppy had yelled this out and everyone looked at her. "Poppy what are you doing?" Asked Biggie seeing his friend make this decision without giving it much thought. "What other choice do we have? We either react or we don't and get erased!" Poppy was slightly freaking out but tried to keep calm. That's when a calm voice intervened her thoughts. "She's right, what other thing can we do but react to the future" the trolls looked around and mumbles could be heard, even the bergens were coming to an agreement which was shocking to say the least. 

"Great! Okay so we'll be starting soon. Oh! Also don't worry about hunger or any other personal needs. As long as one stays in this room stuff like that don't matter to much" The trolls and Bergens began to sit down as they noticed the huge screen start to glow and the reacting would soon begin. 

Chapter Text

On the screen was a scrapbook. And Poppy quickly realised what was going on. "Hey! That's the scrapbook I was showing to the class!" She had said that with such glee. "But wait, I thought we were reacting to the future?" She was confused, Chris had said they were reacting to the future, but all of that happened already. "Uh-yeah but it's only for the next 10 minutes or so" The trolls yelped in surprise when they realised that Chris was floating three feet off the ground with a bag of popcorn in his hands as he looked at the screen with them. "Uh- How are ya doin' that?" tried to ask a country troll, but Chris just shrugged it off and said "Who knows" With that simple answer, if one could call it that they all turned back to face the screen. 

A scrapbook was opening to a colourful page with a tree holding miniature pods on the screen and suddenly the speakers began to play.

"Once upon of time, in a happy forest in the happiest tree." suddenly most of the Pop trolls were shimmering in glee as they heard their princess voice narrate the story. "Aw, guys! That is so kind that all are so excited but I did say I was read to the class about our history" But even with the explanation they all still voiced their excitement. Even when they heard a few groans coming from the rock trolls. Not that they would know yet. "UGH! Let's just get this over with I don't wanna hear pipsqueaks voice any more than I have to!" said the same rock troll from before. Poppy frowned a bit but shrugged it off when Creek just shook his head 'no' towards her. 

"Lived the happiest creatures the world has ever known. The trolls." as she said this the screen showed the tree then moving towards some trolls speaking to one another. The page slowly flipped as Poppy's voice once more filled their ears. "They loved nothing more than to sing, and dance, and hug. Dance, and hug, and sing; dance, and sing, and hug; dance, and sing, and hug; dance, and sing, and hug; dance, and sing and hug." As this continued on the scrapbook showed trolls singing, dancing, and hugging at first at a slow and steady pace, but it slowly became a blur of pictures and the voice was no longer clear.

Branch just rolled his eyes as he let an audible groaning sound with a soft tch coming from him. Poppy couldn't do much but let out a frown when she noticed how unhappy Branch was. Finally, on the screen, the pictures and words stopped to show a panting troll lying on their side. The page started to turn. "But then one day, the trolls were discovered by...a Bergen!" The page showed the trolls happily dancing and singing until a large Bergen showed up.  

The Pop trolls looked to their right where the Bergens were all seated, the trolls were shaking from fear as a couple of them eyed the trolls with hunger in their eyes. All the non-Pop trolls held confused expressions on their faces with a tint of feeling uneasiness from the looks the Bergens gave them and the Pop trolls. Let's not talk about the trolls wearing buckets on their heads with wild messy clothing. They looked bloody terrified by the Bergens and the room they were in. 

"The Bergens didn't know how to sing or dance or even hug. They were the most miserable creatures in the land" It showed two Bergens off-key singing, kicking each other and pulling their underwear. A cloud suddenly appeared right on top of them and began to start pouring on them. As Poppy narrated all of that a few Pop trolls snickered as their eyes made their way toward Branch. He glared at them before slumping on the couch with his arms crossed as he grumbled under his breath. This caught the attention of a few non-Pop trolls and they held confused looks on their faces.

To most of these outside trolls seeing a troll as grey as a gloomy day was quite a shock. In a bunch of tribes, they had heard of "grey trolls" but those were rumours or fake fairytales you would tell your kid before bed. Those who weren't paying too much attention to Branch, they all looked at their right as they looked at the Bergens in a bit of shock. It was shocking to hear that a species of creatures weren't huge fans of singing and dancing. Now the hugging was understandable, especially to the Classical Trolls who have never hugged a day in their life. 

"And once they saw how happy the trolls were they wanted some of that happiness for themselves." It showed a troll stretching and a Bergen behind them, it quickly showed the Bergen flicking them into their mouth. This caused the non-Pop trolls to gasp and look at the Pop trolls, who all physically cringed at the sight of the Bergen eating their kind. Even if the other trolls weren't fans of the Pop trolls no one deserved to be eaten all for something that was inside of them, to begin with.

"Woah! Are you telling me you guys ate pop trolls!" Said a random funk troll as they were shocked by what they had all just watched. But this caught the attention of Poppy. 'Pop troll'? Before she could ask a question the screen showed the scrapbook trolls saying "Oh, my god!" then quickly flipped the page, toward a scrapbook Bergen being all happy. "Eating a troll made them so happy they started a tradition." Quickly it showed the same tree from the beginning in a cage in the center of a colourless town.

"Dude that's so not rock" The room was quickly filled with murmuring from trolls and right on the other side of the glass wall were the Bergens who looked unfazed by the troll's mindless ramblings. "Oh please, You only say that because you creatures are known to be happy dumb beings with brains made out of cotton. But once I find you I'll be able to make my way back into Bergen Town!" Yelled a random Bergen with crazy blue hair and a messy chef coat, ripped pants and an apron.

"Hey- I recognise you didn't my father ban you!" yelled out a small Bergen with a keytar in his hands as he sat with his legs on the back of the armchair he sat on. "Yes, my sire but I-" "UGH! If I knew you guys would ramble on for no reason. I wouldn't have hot glued some of your mouths shut!" grumbled Chris as he floated off the ground with a plate of cookies in his hands. This quickly shut the Bergens and the trolls up rather quickly. This caused Branch to smile...sort of. It was more of one of his famous smirks rather than anything else honestly. 

"Once a year, every year the Bergens would gather around the troll tree to taste happiness...on a holiday they called Trollstice" It slowly went from a scrapbook setting to a more 'realistic' setting for them. It showed a close-up of the Bergen Town castle and then the doors quickly opened showing the inside of the castle and a small Prince Gristle Jr. 

Branch merely rolled his eyes toward the small Bergen. Honestly, this was a waste of time for him. Right now he should be in his bunker trying to find a way to protect the village and the Pop trolls from the Bergens, rather than sitting in a room with trolls of different kinds. The worst part was that the Bergens were sitting right across from them. As he grumbled he was met with a purple troll right in front of his face. His silent grumbles became annoyed groaning as he saw none other than Creek right in front of him. "Why hello there Branch" greeted the Purple troll with a smile so face you could almost taste it. "Ugh! Can this day get any worse!" He yelled out, this caught the troll's attention, not that he realised that yet.

"Come on, mate. I can feel your toxic, negative vibes from across the room. You should try to think of the positives of our situation" This seemed to tick Branch as he started to grip his shorts as he could feel the anger inside of him start to boil like a large pot of boiling lava. Quickly a country troll with a sheirf badge with short brown hair put himself in the middle of the two Pop trolls. "Alrighty' let's all calm down won't ya'? After all, we're all stuck here so we might as well try to get along" 

Branch backed down as the country troll took Creek back to his seat that was right next to Poppy. She had a slight frown on her face as she saw her boyfriend Creek come back after having annoyed the grey troll. Back over toward the grey troll he merely had an annoyed expression until he could feel a shadow looming over him and saw a Techno troll standing in front of him. "Yo! My name's Synth! What's your name bro!" This was quite a shock for the grey troll, he wasn't expecting someone to 'walk' over to him not that the techno troll could technically walk. "Branch...My name's Branch" The Techno troll merely smiled as he sat next to the Pop troll as he didn't say another word so as to not scare the anxious troll who looked ready to have a freak out of emotions. 

For the trolls and Bergens who couldn't care less for the mindless drama they saw as the young Prince Gristle ride a tricycle all around the castle grounds. He even managed to use his tricycle on the stairs as he made his way to his father's room. His father peacefully slept on his bed, before his son rudely interrupted his sleep so early in the morning. Prince Gristle caused the door to fall as he jumped on top of his sleeping father. "Good Morning, Daddy!" this caused a small chuckle to come out from the present-time King Gristle as he saw his father on the screen with his younger self. "Daddy, wake up! Daddy, Wake up, Wake up, Wake up, Daddy" Prince Gristle Jr. was trying all that he could to wake up his sleeping father. "Wake up, Daddy. Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Prince Gristle started to jump on his father, before opening his shirt to reveal a bunch of chest hair as he grabbed a fist full of it and ripped it as he yelled "Daddy, Wake up!"

This surely woke up his father, causing him to scream in pain. A bunch of Bergens and trolls with chest hair cringed at the sight of Prince Gristle jr ripping out his father's chest hair. And those with children merely chuckled at the sight, knowing how hard it is to deal with children so early in the morning. "Gristle! What time is it?" asked King Gristle as he pulled his son off him. His son who held a smile with so much joy merely said "It's Trollstice!" that was when the trolls began to feel a sick pit in their stomachs.  

"Don't worry everyone, we will never have to worry about another Trollstice ever again" Said King Peppy as he reassured his people. Princess Poppy chimed in after her father "That's right! After all, it's been 20 years since a Bergens ate a troll!" A couple of non-Pop trolls began to wonder how the Pop trolls even made it out alive in the first place.

But in another area was a troll with blonde hair in shock as she heard both voices and needed to know where it was coming from. But the room being so large compared to her so many trolls made it hard to pinpoint their locations. As for another four set of trolls when they heard the groaning of a certain voice they surely believed it was him, right? So one of the four brothers helped the blonde troll find those voices not just for her but to help him find the troll he was looking for. 

"Trollstice! Our one day to be happy!" Said King Gristle to his overly enthusiastic son. "Yeah!" Said the young prince. And as the view panelled to the troll tree centred of the Bergen Town all the Bergens were surrounding it as they chanted. "Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!" They chanted this over and over until the show finally began for them. The same Bergen who was talking about finding the Trolls was shown on the screen. A few older Pop trolls knew her as the "Bringer of misfortune" seeing as she was the last thing trolls would see when they were taken away or what those being taken away saw. Branch remembered her, somewhere in the back of his head. As he began to turn pale and started to shake as the memory of his grandmother resurfaced in his mind. 

"Yo! Dude are you okay?" He looked to his side as he saw the techno troll gently speaking to him as you would for a baby. He merely tried to play it cool as he scoffed and grumbled "I'm fine." Even with his rude attitude the other troll just smiled and nodded, "If you feel uncomfortable you can always talk to me dude" This made the grey troll blush, he wasn't used to this form of attention from any troll before. It was warm and fuzzy...but pleasingly, it wasn't like the other troll's warm attitudes toward each other but like a warm hug that made him feel safe. But he shook that thought out of his head and looked back at the screen as he fidgeted with his hands. 

" Please give it up for the keeper of the Trolls your Minster of Happiness your Royal Chef...Me" The present Chef looked at her younger self in awe. Oh, how she missed those times. She raised a butcher's knife and a cutting knife as the crowed all "ooh" and then fire rose upwards. "I know she's the bad guy or whateve's but that was sick" said a rock troll with a black hat covering his eyes. The Bergens on the screen cheered as the fire went upwards. "This is a very special Trollstice as there is one of us who has never tasted a troll."

She began to point to Prince Gristle who was on top of his father's head he was very excited right now. "ooh, me! she is talking about me!" he looked around telling the Bergens about how she was announcing toward their prince. "Prince Gristle..." she said as his father gently placed him on a large spatula. "...the time has come." Prince Gristle looked at his father as he began to speak to him. "It's okay, son. I remember being nervous my first time." he gently reinsured his son as Prince Gristle smiled and gave him a thumbs up and said "Okay" as his father did the same only saying "That's my boy." As his son was being taken closer to the gate. 

Chef placed him on the ground. "It's my sacred duty to initiate you in the ways of happiness" she said this as she was face to face with the Prince. She then opened the gate as both Chef and the Prince walked in. "I have chosen an extra-special troll, just for you." she pointed toward a shiny pod on top of the tree branches. She then placed her hand around it as it opened and the trolls and Bergens could see pink hair. The non-pop trolls gasped as the Chef held the troll in her hands.

"The happiest the most positive sweetest troll of all. And because every prince deserves a princess I give you the one they call Princess Poppy" Prince Gristle held the most happiest look, it was as if he had already eaten a troll before all of this. A few Pop trolls cringed at the thought of their Princess and future Queen being eaten by a Bergen. A couple of trolls held looks of pity toward the Pop trolls. 

The blonde troll looked at the screen with more hope that she'd find the pink troll whom she heard the voice of from the start of the reaction. She had heard a tall blue troll say her name after all. The messy green haired troll she was with was on his own mission to find his missing younger brother. 

As Chef ran her head on the troll's hair, the young prince quickly took the troll from her hands. Causing trolls to gasp and a few Bergens to roll their eyes at their reactions, even the king began to groan as he watched the screen. "Please make me happy, Princess Poppy." As he said that, he quickly put the troll into his mouth. Now this caused a panic to rise on the troll's side as most of them believed they had just seen a murder take place on screen. "Calm down, I can't have y'all screaming your heads off" said Chris as if he knew this would happen as he shoved chocolate into his mouth.

"What are you feeling?" asked Chef toward the young prince. The prince was shown chowing as he made a gross face before spitting out the troll. "That one's rotten!" the chef quickly picked up the troll and saw it was a wooden doll. "It's fake?" she said with a tint of worry. But quickly the trolls celebrated knowing that the Bergen Prince didn't eat a troll. "Wowie! I nearly fainted" Said a country Troll with blue hair tied in a ponytail. Poppy was just glad none of them had to worry about her past baby self.

The Begrens gasped as they announced in shock "It's fake?" the king was in shock and anger about this news. "Fake!" Chef quickly kicked the tree as a bunch of troll dolls fell onto the ground. Prince Gristle looked around and said, "They're gone?" This angered the king even more "Where are they?" Chef quickly tried to calm him down. "Don't worry, sire. We'll find them!" she snapped her finger and quickly three cooks appeared and began to listen on the ground for the trolls as well as Prince Gristle who said, "I think I hear something!"

It then showed an underground tunnel. That showed the trolls running through them. "Go! Go!" yelled out King Peppy. Then it showed a couple of trolls passing a pink trolling toward her father. "We got Poppy!" yelled a male troll then passed her "Here comes Poppy" said a female troll before handing her to her father "Here she is!" King Peppy held onto his daughter. The trolls were more relieved as they saw the young princess, but then became saddened when they saw that the princess was so young when this all happened.

"Ah! There's my Princess" he said but the present King Peppy could only hold onto that sadness as he remembered about his eldest daughter. "Da-da" said the young Princess. As a few trolls cooed at the cute baby. Poppy could feel herself become just a tiny bit embarrassed by these old memories she had no clue about. A troll came up to King Peppy "King Peppy, some of the others can't keep up" then handed a torch to the troll as the King said "No troll left behind!" he began to start running as he removed his clothing to help trolls. They all thanked him by saying "Thank you, King Peppy" 

"Excuse me, but was removing your clothing necessary?" asked a funk troll, the same one who spoke to Chris about why they were in the room to begin with. "Of course! No troll left behind, It was a sacrifice for my people" he proudly said as Poppy smiled at her father and her idol, she wanted to be just like her father. The King was carrying an injured troll on his back as he yelled "No troll left behind!" Now on the surface, Bergens had shovels trying to find the trolls. "Daddy, where are they?" asked the prince then the King faced toward Chef "Don't just stand there! Make my son happy!" Chef looked slightly frightened before staking an axe that one of the Bergens were using and took it.

"He will be happy!" she yelled before striking the ground with the axe. Back below King Peppy was carrying a bunch of trolls on his back as he tried to not get struck by the Bergens on the surface. But he was caught from the back of his underwear he tried running in place but couldn't get unstuck. Right before the ground right in front of him stroke, he threw the ball of trolls. The ball of trolls rolled through the tunnels and made it to where the rest were. "Where is he?" asked a troll not having seen their king. A troll limped to see if he could spot their King. But due to the dust in the air, he couldn't see anything so he turned back and said "I don't think King Peppy made it" The trolls gasped as they heard the troll say that. But right behind the cloud of dust, a silhouette was seen

"When I say no troll left behind...I mean no troll left behind!" a group of trolls looked down at the ground as they heard the King's words. Poppy and most of the trolls couldn't see the group of putt-putt trolls and had no clue that they were left behind all except for the King who held a guilty look on his face. The king was shown butt naked as a couple of trolls covered their children's eyes. The pop trolls cheered as they saw their King until one cried out "King Peppy! Where's Princess Poppy?" she had a look of worry until King Peppy reassured her as he opened his hair to show her the princess. 

"Don't worry. She's safe" he pulled out the Princess so the trolls could see. The troll with blonde hair was saddened she couldn't be with her happy was still happy that her sister was alive after all this time. "No troll left behind" said the princess which caused the trolls to coo on screen and during the reaction. "But we'll all be a lot safer the further we get away from Bergen Town" said King Peppy as they began to walk "Go, go! Hurry"

"That's right! Take her away! Get her out of my sight" The Bergens were holding onto Chef as they were getting ready to toss her out of Bergen Town. "She is hereby banished from Bergen Town forever!" yelled the King as Chef was being pulled even further. The Begrens chanted as Chef yelled "We can all be happy again. I'll find the trolls!" She was tossed out of the gates as Chef angrily said "And shove them down your ungrateful throats" The Prince could be seen looking through the window as he looked down to see the mob of Bergens. He walked over to his father who sat down on his throne. "But, Daddy...I never got to eat a troll" said Gristle as he anxiously looked at his father.

"Now I know this is wrong to say, but I do surely hope he said something comforting to his own son!" said a Funk Troll. "What's going to make me happy now?" as the king said that a small Bergen girl was sweeping the carpet. "Now surely that ain't illegal to have some someone so young work!" said a Techno troll. The King smiled as he picked up his son and placed him on his lap. "come here, son." just a smile on his face before saying "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You will never, ever, ever, ever be happy" said the King to his own son. "Never?" said the prince "Ever" said the king as Gristle looked down in sadness. The girl looked at her prince with sadness as he began to walk away. 

But for the trolls they had found their new land, and on a mushroom stood King Peppy, holding Princess Poppy in his hands. "Here! Right here!" he placed a torch on the mushroom. "This is where we will rebuild our civilization." he told the trolls, who all cheered. "It has everything we need. Fresh air, clean water, and sweet acoustics" he said as he raised Princess Poppy as she pulled out a cowbell and began to start playing. They all started cheering for their princess. Slowly the trolls began to rebuild their new home as the progress was shown rather quickly on screen. It slowly turned back into a scrapbook formed village. 

"Twenty years ago today, King Peppy made us safe and now every troll is free to be happy and live in perfect harmony" said Poppy but quickly sang the last part with two smaller trollings. "And that's why we hug every hour" said a small troll girl. "Every hour!" said a rock troll. "Isn't that a bit much?" asked a Classical troll, who wore a fancy suit. Branch just rolled his eyes at the trolls and the screen as he heard about the most dreadful hours of the day...hug time.

"Yep!" said Poppy as she closed the book in her hands.  "I wish it was every half hour" said a young boy playing with the soft ground of the pod. "Uh-no you wouldn't, then how would trolls have time to sleep" "or eat" "or have a killer rave!" said a couple of trolls from other tribes and Synth who startled Branch. "Sorry" Synth apologised to the grey troll. He merely scoffed, as he began to fidget again. "So do I. But that wouldn't leave much time for singing and dancing now would it?" said Poppy "That works too, I guess" said a random techno troll. 

"Princess Poppy do the Bergen still want to eat us?" asked a trolling as they watched Poppy place the scrapbook on a stand. "You bet" said Poppy in a cheerful tone. All the trolling gasped. "But just because it's the only way they'll ever be happy" A couple of Bergens began to eye the trolls again the moment Poppy said that. "That still doesn't excuse them for trying to eat Trolls" Said the King of Funk but that was Poppy's theory from what she could see he looked like. A trolling licked their arm and said "Oh, no. I do taste delicious" A couple of trolls laughed. "Isn't there anything else to make them happy?" asked the young trolling girl again.

"Ooh, what about having a birthday parties?" "Or slumber parties?" "Or staring at your parents while they sleep." A few trolls groan at the young trolling response to the matter. "But I don't wanna be food" Poppy quickly reassured her. "Don't worry. No troll ever will be. And that's why we're celebrating with the biggest party ever. Everybody is going to be there" A few non-pop were worried, but one troll was outraged. "The biggest party ever! You're just leading the Bergens to us!" yelled the grey troll a couple of Pop Trolls groaned at Branch's statement. The mumbling started again as they began to talk about how paranoid he was being and how nothing fun happens when he's around.

"Maybe he's right" said the Queen of Funk. This shocked Branch as no one has ever agreed with him before. "Even when far away from the Bergens maybe being more careful should be the best route to take." The Pop trolls quickly stopped mumbling about the grey troll. 

Poppy frowned she didn't mean to make the grey troll upset. After all, she still has his invite with her even right now. She was working so hard to befriend the troll but it seemed the others had other plans and it was making it hard to befriend the grey troll. A young troll came out of Poppy's hair as he asked "Everybody?" as he tilted his head and so did Poppy as she answered his question "Everybody" while tilting her head just like the trolling. "All expect Branch!" Said Cooper but he didn't mean it offensively. Poppy took her bell and began playing it. 

(They sang and danced)

They all ended the song with glitter and pyramid pose type thing as they all panted as they finished singing. During the whole thing, three funk trolls were surprised when they saw Cooper when he began to sing. The three trolls quickly made their way toward Cooper as he looked at them with confusion. "Hello, trolls who look like me!" The king of Funk looked at Cooper as she began to cry. "My baby! You're alive!" she began to hug her son

"I am alive!" said Cooper with a smile. "Baby...I'm your mother Queen Essence of the Funk trolls" and then showed another troll who was purple said "I'm your father King Quincy" and slowly another troll who looked just like Cooper said to him "I'm your twin brother, Prince D" Poppy and her friends all just looked at the happy family reunion with so much joy for Cooper for finally finding his family again. "Poppy! I have a family!" Poppy merely smiled as happily told her "OMG! I'm so happy for you Coops!" All the Pop trolls seemed to be happy for their friend Cooper who finally found his family. Well all except Branch and....Smidge? "What's wrong Smidge?" asked Poppy toward her small troll friend. "Well I have a feeling that we'll be getting a ton of reunions coming up soon" said Smidge until she just shrugged it off as nothing. 

Quickly clapping could be heard coming from somewhere. Poppy began to look around for the source of the clapping as she saw in the shadows a grey troll with an unamused look on his face as he slowly clapped while holding a bunch of sticks in his hands. "Unbelievable, guys." said the grey troll as he clapped "Really, really great. Good Job" he stood up from leaning on the mushroom he was leaning on. "I could hear you from a mile away!" that statement made a few trolls gasp. "You would think Pop trolls would know with a natural enemy trying to get them they would know not to be so loud" mumbled the red mohawk troll from before but also made sure her mumbles could be heard. The trolls left their poses and Poppy got off Cooper's head and said still slightly panted from all the singing she had done

"Good. I was worried we weren't projecting enough" This seemed to anger Branch on screen and present Branch as screen Branch made his way toward the group of trolls. "Poppy, if I can hear you, so can the Bergens" whispered Branch. "Oh, boy" "Here we go again" "Oh, Branch" "You always ruin everything" "Warning us about the Bergens" It seemed to the non-pop trolls and Bergens that this was a normal occasion for the grey troll. He was just known as the overly paranoid troll who had no idea when to stop being so paranoid. Poppy could hear the whispers and mumbling about how horrible they treated the grey troll just because he was just trying to make sure no one was found by the Bergens. It's not that she ever actually joined in...but she never stopped it either. So wasn't even close to being innocent in all of this. "No, I don't" said Branch as he looked at the group of trolls. 

It showed a birthday party and suddenly the grey troll ran in yelling "The Bergens are coming!" then it showed a wedding and once again the grey troll ran in yelling "The Bergens are coming!" and lastly funeral where the grey troll ran in yelling "The Bergens are coming!" and each time he yelled that and scream he seemed to toss something to the side. The grey troll was embarrassed by what he saw on screen. It was already horrible knowing he was being stalked for years now they were proving it by showing all these horrible moments from his life. He then saw Queen Essence walk toward him with a look that felt so motherly as she gave the grey troll a small smile.

"Hello there darling" Her voice sounded so soft and motherly that it made Branch feel fuzzy again. "Uh-...Hi...?" he felt so awkward that he refused to look at her. "May I ask darling why you thought the Bergens were coming?" Branch just looked at the ground, he expected to be told off or something for being so awkward toward the Queen of Funk but he honestly couldn't find the words to say to her. And all did was smile at the grey troll as she didn't need him to answer to know that he felt uncomfortable from the sudden question. But he started to mumble under his breath. "I'm sorry sweetheart but could you repeat that?" he never looked up as he answered a bit louder "I thought I... heard something" She could tell it was a lie but she didn't push it. "Why thank you sweetheart for the response." He never looked up he just continued to look at the ground as he fidgeted with his hands.

"Come on! We haven't seen a Bergen in 20 years. They're not going to find us" said Poppy in a relaxed tone toward Branch. "No, They're not going to find me, because I'll be in my highly camouflaged heavily fortified, Bergen-proof survival bunker." said Branch to Poppy and the others. "You mean you're not coming to the party tonight?" asked Poppy as a slight gasp could be heard as the twin began to start speaking " But it's going to be the biggest..." "The loudest..." " The craziest party ever!" the other chipped in for a say as Biggie agreed with his fellow trolls. Now present Poppy was a bit under the weather as she knew the grey troll wouldn't be joining in on the fun for their 20th anniversary which was originally that night.

The trolls all cheered as they tried to get the grey troll to join the fun. "Big? Loud? Crazy? You're just going to lead the Bergens right to us!" yelled Branch at the trolls. "At least he has some common sense" Said the Queen of rock. "Are you sure you want to invite this party pooper to poop on your party?" asked Cooper to Poppy. "Cooper that's not a nice thing to say to someone, go apologies to Branch" said Queen Essence. Cooper merely went through with it and said "Branch, I'm sorry for calling you a party pooper despite being a party pooper" Branch knew better than to take offence to anything the troll had to say so he merely just nodded his head as he mumbled "Whatever...I don't care" It wasn't the truth or lie it was just a bunch of words put together. "Yes. I think everyone deserves to be happy" said Poppy after what Cooper had said to her. "I don't do happy" replied Branch with a scowl on his face. "Branch, I know you have happiness inside you. You just need our help to find it."

Branch just looked away from the screen. He knew that they were just trying to help him...but he hated it. He hated it when they tried to forcibly invite him to things he had no interest towards. Synth seemed to have noticed his behaviour as he merely smiled at the grey troll. "You okay, bro?" Synth asked but he just nodded as he couldn't make out words at the moment for him to answer. Poppy took out an invite for the grey troll.

Creek seemed to have noticed as he turned to Poppy "Did you make him a special invite?" Poppy just merely blushed a tiny bit as she covered it up by saying "Yeah, if I make him something special he'll know he's welcomed by the trolls!" Creek merely smiled at the Princess as he knew that the princess was lying between her teeth. The invite said 'Branch you're invited' and it showed a tiny Branch with a small heart in his hands as it sang "Celebrate freedom from the Bergens"

But Branch looked unamused by the invite Poppy had on her. And then the invite started to shoot glitter on his face. "Ouch that gotta hurt my dude" Said Chris as they let out a small chuckle. "What do you say, Branch?" then Branch took the invite from her hands and a bunch of Pop trolls had a feeling they knew what would come next. Then he threw it on the ground and stepped on it. The group gasped as Smidge replied with "Oh, my god!"

Branch started to remove the glitter from his face "I wouldn't be caught dead at your party, but you will be. Caught and dead" Branch said as he pointed at Poppy and then made a head-cutting-off motion. Poppy merely frowned before hearing a voice coming from the sky as the trolls turned to Creek. "Woah, whoa. Easy Branch. Easy" Creek got was dropped off by the small critter who carried him. "Thank you for providing safe passage, brother. Namaste"

On-screen Branch rolled his eyes and present Branch just groaned and rolled his eyes at Creek. Creek thanked the critter before facing Branch and said "Okay, first of all, mate, thanks for sharing your unique perspective on things. Again" said Creek as he got closer to Branch who was walking back trying to get away from Creek. The trolls merely snickered at his "funny" comment toward the grey troll.  

"But, just for now, why don't you try on some positivity, eh?" Said Creek with a small dance to the grey troll. "A little positivity might go with that vest." he then pointed towards Branch's vest. One of the four brothers looked at the screen as he had a small smile on his face as he saw his brother wearing the vest he gave him. "Heh, He surely grew into the vest, huh." as he went back to searching for his brother. "Okay. fine. I'm positive you all are going to get eaten." said Branch with a sarcastic tone at the end with a smile on his face.

"You have a mighty' nice smile there" said the Country Troll who stopped the fight between Creek and Branch. Branch could only blush out of embarrassment from the troll's comment. Then a small chim could be heard as Poppy smiled as she looked down at her hug time watch. "Hug time!" said Poppy as he opened her arms and then Creek replied with "It is hug time." Branch just rolled his eyes as he cringed at the mere thought of someone hugging him. "Hug time!" said the trolls as they began to hug with Branch in the middle who looked terrified. Branch merely dug his fingers into his shoulders as he physically cringed at the physical touch being shown on screen. "Hey, are you okay?" asked Synth with a worried look and tone in his voice. Branch just looked down in shame as he just nodded. "Come on man! Don't you know anything about personal space?" asked the Queen of Rock.

Poppy looked down in embarrassment once again not trying to make the grey troll uncomfortable. "That feels good. Our hearts are synchronizing!" said Creek with a delightful tone. "I can squeeze you forever" said Guy Diamond as he personally hugged Branch. Branch finally managed to get out of the hug as he got up from the ground. "Someday, when the Bergens find us. And the survival of every Troll is in your hands. I sure hope the answer is singing, dancing, and hugging because that's all you know how to do." said Branch to Poppy irritated she frowned at his words. "That is not true! Poppy can also scrapbook." said Biggie in Poppy's defence. "Yup, that seems to be very helpful" said a rock troll. "I'm sorry, Poppy" said Biggie with a frown on his face as he hugged Mr. Dinkles. "It's okay, Biggie you gave it your best and that's all that matters!" reassured Poppy 

"I can't believe you're gonna be queen one day." spat Branch as he began to walk away from the group. Poppy began to look down as Creek looked at her and tried to comfort her "Tune out his negative vibrations, Poppy. They're toxic. Some folks just don't want to be happy." he rolled his eyes just a bit as he smiled at her in the end. "Thanks, Creek. I needed that" said Poppy towards Creek "Of course Poppy. That's why I'm here" he replied. "I guess" Poppy said with an awkward smile "You guessed right. Boop" said Creek as he booped her nose. 

It then cuts to the party. Where DJ Suki was playing music, the trolls just danced, and Biggie was crowd surfing. "I love you so much!" said Biggie. "Now that are some good beats" said a techno troll and everyone agreed with him. It then showed DJ accidentally swallowing a firefly into her mouth. It then showed her eyes and mouth glowing. "Now that doesn't look normal. Maybe you should go see a doctor for that" Said a Funk troll. "Nah, It's fine. I've been through worse while DJing" said DJ. A few trolls just frowned at her reply as they all murmured about how unsafe that could have been for her. It then showed the twins and Creek throwing a ball of glitter in the air.

"Okay! wow! A troll can totally get hurt with something like that!" Said Synth "Leave it to the Pop trolls to be reckless when it comes to parties. I know rocking could be hardcore at times but we still make sure it's safe and rocking for everyone" huffed the Queen of Rock as her people agreed with her. Poppy just looked in shame. How could she turn out to be a good queen if her own people were being reckless at times...including herself. "Whoo, Glitter!" yelled Creek as it turned to Smidge who was on a mushroom and then was hit with a glitter ball. A bunch of trolls gasped at what they saw. Then a troll named Milton Moss ran to Smidge to ask if she was okay.

"Are you okay?" Smidge just blushed as her yellow cheeks turned into a pink hue colour. "I'm fine...I may be a small petite troll, but I assure you I'm quite strong!" this didn't seem to reassure Milton or a few other trolls. As Smidge was hit with the glitter ball trolls gasped as they looked at her with worry. But she got up and yelled out "YOLO!" and then the trolls cheered for her. On the pink mushroom showed Poppy smiling and jumping as she saw the trolls dance. 

On the side, you could see the grey troll looking at them unamused at the trolls. "Branch! You did show up- sort of!" said Poppy with so much joy it looked like she could blow up from how much she was smiling at the grey troll. "Whatever, You were probably loud anyway. Like always anyway" huffed Branch with an eye roll toward the overjoyed troll. 
"More glitter!" yelled Poppy and then Smidge pulled a string as flowers threw out glitter into the sky.

"I feel bad for whoever has to clean that mess up" Yawned Chris. It made an explosion of glitter so big that it filled the sky with glitter and colours. It then panelled to a small campsite showing Chef who was writing on a piece of paper on the ground. The Pop trolls gasped as they realised what they'd done. A few non-pop trolls looked sympathetic towards them "What did you guys expect it was going to happen sooner or later" said a pop troll with two pigtails. Then Chef looked at the screen which caused Chris to yelp "Oh my stars! That's ugly!" which caused a few trolls and Bergens to laugh. All except Chef who rolled her eyes with a scoff. It then showed Chef setting up a telescope and then she looked around as a faint voice was heard "I can't hear you!" and then a firework was lit up making out the silluhate of Poppy. Chef has a smile on her face as she said "Trolls" 

"Believe me, when I say I can surely hear you trolls" said Chef with a laugh. It caused the Pop trolls to hide in fear of the thought of the Beregens finding them. Branch was trying hard not to start crying or have an anxiety attack. He didn't want to die! He wanted to live! He felt selfish for thinking this way but he couldn't but start crying. It wasn't until he was brought into a hug by a troll he was all too familiar with. 

"Okay, everyone I just want to take a moment and get a little real." said Poppy who stood next to her father. "Poppy! She's my friend! I know her!" said Biggie before being shushed by his fellow trolls. "Sorry, Poppy" said Biggie. "Aw! It's okay Biggie!" said Poppy as she hugged her tall blue friend. King Peppy cleared his throat before Poppy continued "I'd like to take a second to celebrate our king...My father...Who, 20 years ago this night...Saved all of us from those dreaded..." Poppy grabbed onto her father's hand, but near the end of her speech, a loud thump could be heard which cut her off. They all looked up and as everything shocked, they could finally see what was there in the shadows. "Bergens" said King Peppy and with a smile on the Beregen's face she said with a small tone

"Gotcha"

Chapter Text

The trolls stood in pure shock as they saw Chef staring at them with a smile on her face. Then shows Cooper poop out cupcakes. "Did you just-?" "Yup!" said Cooper with glee in his voice. The Funk family just looked at their son and then at the other trolls who stared at them for answers. "No comments" said King Quincy. Poppy then picked them up from the ground and showed them to Chef "Um...Cupcake?" which Chef made a face of disgust as she saw Cooper poop out the cupcakes but then that look of disgust turned into a vicious smile. She opened up her bumbag, which caused Poppy to drop the cupcakes. "Run!" she yelled quickly the Trolls started to scatter around to run away and hide from the Bergen. "Okay, but were those cupcakes sanitary and edible?" asked Chris which caused the trolls and Bergens to look at him who was now eating two large chocolate cupcakes. "What?" 

The trolls ran around as they yelled stuff like "Run" "Poppy help!" "Mr. Dinkles?" they ran as the Bergen were trying to grab them. "Has anyone seen Mr. Dinkles?" only to show him behind Biggie and to let out a small "Mew" only for Biggie to be grabbed by the Bergen Chef. "Blend in! Blend in! Blend in!" yelled Poppy to the trolls. The trolls quickly followed her instructions and they began to blend in. Only for Poppy to hear her name being called out by a troll. The bergen kept trying to get more trolls but kept missing until she spotted Smidge "Run, Smidge!" the short troll kept trying to run until she picked up by her hair. "Oh, my god!" said Smidge as she was being carried away. A lot of trolls were terrified at they saw the screen they couldn't believe what they were seeing. The Pop trolls would have to go back to hiding and find a new home from the dreadful Bergens again. But then again they were practically asking for it seeing as no one seemed to care about what Branch had to say when it came to the safety of their village. The twins were shown fighting over which direction to run. But Chef just placed a finger on their hair causing them to fall over with a grunt. They were placed in the pouch as Poppy ran over to help some trolling hide as well as Cooper but it seemed Cooper forgot to blend in as he was picked up by Chef. "My baby!" yelled Queen Esscense as she saw her son being picked "That's my bro!" yelled Prince D as he looked at the screen with grief knowing that his twin brother was picked by the Bergen. 

Poppy looked at the screen with fear before turning to Chris and asking "Can any of this be changed!?" Chris merely looked at her with a bored expression as he took another bite of his second chocolate cupcake from earlier. "Hmm" said Chris as they pretended to think "Nope! None of this can be changed, the future can't change no matter how much someone plans. The future will always be the same. You can call it fate" Poppy looked down with grief and a terrified look on her face as he said that. No matter what she did she would lose her home and her friends.

"Cooper!" yelled Poppy as she came out of her hiding spot. "Everyone, minimize your auras!" yelled Creek. "Yeah, that's totally going to help" said the Queen of Rock as she tried to play it cool. Despite her being scared of what may happen to them. He was then grabbed by Chef "Creek!" yelled Poppy as Creek tried to reach for her. "No! Poppy!" Poppy then stretched her hair to try and grab Creek as he took hold of her hair. "Hold on!" "Poppy!" Creek began to let go of her hair and unfortunately, he did. "No!" Poppy fell "Creek!" He was then placed into the bumbag with the others. Chef took another look around and then saw King Peppy hitting her toenail with his walking stick as he said "Bad Bergen! Bad, bad Bergen." She began to reach for him as he continued "Bad, bad Bergen" Poppy saw this, and called for her father "Dad!" she took his hand as she and her father ran toward the mushroom they were both just on before the Bergen came.

"Dad! Why would you try something so reckless...you could have gotten hurt" Said Poppy to her father. She couldn't lose him, it would be too much for her to bear losing her only family member like that. "I'm sorry, Poppy I didn't mean to scare you." Said King Peppy as he hugged his scared daughter. 

Branch looked at the troll who was hugging him and saw the magenta hair and eyes as they stared at his teal eyes with a sad smile on his face. Branch merely got up as he began to walk backwards to get away from him. "Branch...It's me, Floyd" said Floyd with a sad smile with tears coming out of his eyes as he saw his baby brother look at him with fear in his eyes. "No...No! G-Get away from me!" yelled Branch no he couldn't take this. First, he was brought to an unknown place with the Bergens, then he was reacting to the future where the Bergens find them, and lastly, his brothers who were all standing behind Floyd. Synth could see Branch as he freaked out.

"Hey, it's okay. Deep breaths man... deep breaths 1,2,3 and release. Let's do it again, deep breaths 1,2, 3 and release." Said Synth as he helped Branch with his panic attack. Floyd felt a hand on his shoulders as he looked over to see a Country troll looking at him and he said to Floyd and his brothers "Maybe, it's best to give him some space shall we?" Floyd looked at his brother and then the country troll and nodded. He was moving too quickly for his baby brother no wonder he was scared. Seeing his home gone and all his friends being taken takes a real toll on someone. John Dory just looked at his baby brother one last time before sitting with his brother further from the grey troll but not close enough to see him. As he sat down he only had one thought running through his head 'How did his baby brother turn grey?' 

As Poppy and her father hid, Chef looked toward the mushroom as she bent down to look for them but found nothing for the eyes to see. As she stood up she just kept staring at the mushroom. Then said "Thanks for throwing the biggest...the loudest..." Cooper stock his head out of the poach and said "The craziest party ever!" before Chef pushed his head back in. While he just groaned in pain. The Funk family royals looked at Cooper and began to hug their son knowing that fate unfortunately couldn't be stopped so easily. Chef ended up leaving the ruined village. Poppy and her father unblended themselves and Poppy looked around the village that was now ruined by the Bergen. The trolls also came out of their hiding spots to see the damage. They began to group together to see their king and princess. "Is it coming back?" asked a troll then Harper pitched in "What are we gonna do now?" King Peppy replied with "We have to find a new home. Everyone, hurry. We have to leave before the Bergens come back." Poppy looked a bit surprised and said "We have to rescue them" but King Peppy just shook his head 'no' "No, Poppy we have to run. Now let's go, everyone. Come on!" as he said that the trolls started to move. "What about 'No, troll left behind?'" asked Poppy. 

"I'm glad you wanna save your friends darlin' but sometimes you have to face the truth." Said the same Country troll with the blue hair that was in a ponytail. "No! I have to save them, they're my friends!" said Poppy to the Country Troll. "You have to understand, that could be nearly impossible, right now." Said the King of Techno. "No! I have to try!" said Poppy. King Peppy looked at his daughter with sympathy "I'm sorry, Poppy. That was a long time ago. And I'm not the king I once was." He began to walk off, as Poppy was starting to make up her mind on the issue. "Then, I'll go! I'll go and save them" she said. This shocked her father and the pop trolls. "Princess Poppy! that's too dangerous to go off all by yourself!" said a Pop troll. "No, Poppy. It's too dangerous." King Peppy tried to stop his daughter from doing anything reckless with her life. "I have to at least try" declared Poppy. "No. You can't go to Bergen Town by yourself. It's impossible." Poppy looked saddened by her father's words as she turned around looking for a way. "No...I know one troll" whispered Poppy. Her friends seemed confused until they realised who she was talking about. "Poppy, do you really think he'll help?" asked Guy Diamond "No...But I have to try" Said Poppy as her eyes darted toward the grey troll. 

In Branch's bunker sat Branch at his table with the invite Poppy made for him all fixed up. "You-You fixed it" said Poppy as she smiled at the grey troll. Branch turned a bright red colour tinting on his grey cheeks. "Yeah...I did. It's just...nevermind! It doesn't matter!" said the flustered troll. Poppy just smiled as she walked over to the grey troll, he expected her to hug him or something but that never happened as she merely sat down next to him. "Celebrate freedom from the Bergens Celebrate freedom from the Bergens." sang the invite. He had a sad smile on his face. Poppy gasped as she saw that Branch had kept the rest of her invites but kept it to herself. He then heard knocking coming from the surface as he gasped he quickly put the invite with the rest only to drop them onto the ground and they began to play. He tried to shush them as he whispered "No! No! No!" as he tried to close them. The troll looked so flustered by what was being shown on TV. 

A few trolls laughed but not in a mean-spirited way, they just found it cute how the grey troll tried so hard to hide his emotions like a mystery novel, but couldn't. "Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch, are you in there?" Yelled Poppy as she knocked on the rock away from the rug that said 'Go Away'. Branch looked unamused by the Pink Troll who knocked on the rock. "Seriously?" he said which confused the pink troll. "Huh?" her confused expression made Branch blush a bit as he looked away from her. "Nothing...forget I said anything!" murmured Branch. Synth merely smiled at their expression, anyone could tell that the grey troll had the slightest feeling toward the Princess. But he was too awkward to notice and the princess was too aloof to tell the difference. 

The brothers merely looked at their younger brother with annoyed looks. In their mind, Branch was still too young to be thinking about 'love'. Sure, he was an adult, but did that really matter? No, it didn't at least to to the ex-brozone members. 

The mat behind Poppy had a small slit that opened and showed Branch's eyes as he spoke. "I'm not going to your party." Poppy looked into the slit "The party's over. We just got attacked by a Bergen." Poppy was a bit freaked out but overly she held her composure. Branch whispered on his end of the mat "I knew it" he quickly opened the hatch and pulled Poppy inside. He began to lock the locks on the bunker and started to set up traps. "Uh- I'm no survivalist but is all of that needed?" asked Synth as he turned to Branch who had a smirk on his face. "Of course and those aren't even all my traps either!" The brothers began to turn to one another after their baby brother announced that. "Not all of his traps?" Whispered Floyd as he felt guilt run through him. He made a promise to his brother and he was never able to keep it. No wonder he didn't want to see him or the rest of their brothers. 

"Branch" started Poppy only to have Brunch shush her with his hand over her mouth "Shh" he was looking up toward the hatch door. "I have to tell you something." she was shushed again by Branch. "Shh" Poppy tried again "I was just gonna..." and the pattern happened again "Shh! Shh!" with a slight tutting sound. So Poppy raised her and to speak. "What? What could be so important that it's worth leading the Bergen right to us?" whispered yelled Branch to Poppy. "He has a point" said Clay. Branch just started to dig his finger on his palm, not used to hearing his brother's voices. "The Bergen's gone!" said Poppy to Branch. "I can see that" said Branch to Poppy "But you don't know that, do you?" Poppy just rolled her eyes at him as a few trolls chuckled at his comments toward the Princess. "You don't know that. It could still be out there. Watching.Waiting.Listening." as Branch said that he leaned forward with his arms stretched, and then he started tapping his fingers together, lastly, his ears went up and moving as he said listening. A few trolls found it adorable and awed at Branch. He just blushed though as he heard the Trolls awe at him. "Hey! Bitty B can still do the ear trick of his!" Said John Dory 

A few trolls gasped in shock the moment they heard what John Dory said. "Wait- Are you saying that...Branch is...Bitty B!" said Poppy as she stared at Branch with so much awe as she was 'friends' with an idol! "But of course. After all of this, I can show you pictures" A bunch of their old fans were gushing as they heard the old boy band was in the room with them. "Bitty B?" asked Prince D. "It's a stage name for the one of the most coolest boy band ever! It's none other than BroZone!" Gushed a Pop troll. Branch looked uncomfortable from all the unneeded attention he was getting. He didn't like it whatsoever so he merely looked down at the ground and tried to block all the sound out by thinking of his Bunker and all his books, his planners, and Gray who was back in the bunker safe and sound. 

"No. It left" said Poppy again to Branch. "It took Cooper, and Smidge, and Fuzzbert, and Satin, and Chenille, and Biggie, and Guy Diamond, and Creek!" Branch rolled his eyes at the mention of Creek. Creek seemed offended by this "Now, mate that was surely uncalled for. Wouldn't you say?" said Creek, Branch just looked at Creek and rolled his eyes again before sarcastically saying "Oh, my bad! I forgot your feelings were easily shatterable like sticks on the ground" he said with a sarcastic smile. Which caused a few of the trolls to laugh, as for John Dory he nudged Clay and said "He got that from me!" but Clay only scoffed. "Which is why I have to ask you. Will you go to Bergen Town with me and save everyone?" this shocked Branch as he turned toward Poppy and said "What? No!" only for screen Branch to say "What? No" Branch frowned his brows as he said that to Poppy. "Branch, you can't say no. They're your friends." said Poppy in a slight shock.

"Darlin', I know you want to save your friends...but it's obvious they're not quite his friends. And even then you don't have to push it, darlin'." Said the Country troll from a few minutes ago. Poppy looked down embarrassed once more. "Yeah! Also even if they were friends how come no one else came to help them? If they're friends?" Said Chris in a joking manner. The Pop trolls looked down in shame after Chris said that. 

"Uh-uh-uh. They're your friends" said Branch to Poppy "I'm staying right here in my bunker where it's safe" Branch crossed his arms as he stated his plan to Poppy. "Oh, that's great. You're the one guy who knows more about Bergens than anyone but when we finally need you, you just want to hide here forever?" Poppy was a bit annoyed with Branch. Branch merely scoffed at Poppy. "Forever? pff No." Branch pulled a lever right next to him. "Yeah...I really only have enough supplies down here to last me 10 years." They went down and everyone could see the hole and what they held for the underground bunker. "11 if I'm willing to store and drink my own sweat. Which I am." a few trolls and Bergens gagged at that response. "I don't think that's sanitary" said Synth. "No, but it's resourceful!" said Branch proudly toward the Techno troll. Branch faced Poppy as she merely looked around. "You all said I was crazy, huh? Well, who's crazy now?" They finally reached the bottom of the Bunker and Branch pointed at himself. "Me. Crazy prepared."

Even after everything, Clay was proud of his crazy overprepared little brother. As for Spruce and Floyd, they looked at their brother in worry as they watched the screen. The bunker looked huge how long did he have to build all of this? Surely, he couldn't have done all of this all by himself. But Floyd could only chuckle as he saw the bunker that his younger brother once talked about building. It seems he had...but without him. 

Poppy kept looking around as she followed Branch off the lift. "I'm sorry. I should have listened to you. You told me not to throw the party, and I threw it anyway. And it's my fault they were taken. And now I don't know what to do." Poppy told this to Branch who was placing sticks into a small cubie. Branch then leaned against the storage shelves and said "Why don't you try scrapbooking them to freedom?" he said as a few trolls laughed at Branch's comment as his brothers looked proud. "Solid burn, Branch" said on-screen Poppy and Present Poppy. Branch merely smiled and raised an eyebrow at the princess. Which caused Poppy to slightly blush and a few other trolls. "Damn, talk about W rizz, my dude!" Said Chris with a bag of Takis in his hands. "He got his hot looks from me" said Spruce but Clay just facepalmed "That's not how DNA works" 

"Well, thanks anyway." Poppy turned back to the lift and started departing upwards. "Hey, anytime, Poppy. See you in 10 years" said Branch as he could no longer see Poppy. Branch was all alone again with a sad smile on his face. He turned back around until he heard the lift depart downwards and Poppy peaked her head. "Oh, hey, Branch? Just wondering  if I could borrow something." Said Poppy. Branch got up from his seat having a slight idea about what Poppy could be planning.

Branch on the screen looked at her with confusion as she asked such a sudden question. "What?" She just merely smiled as she said two little words that would cause Branch to freak out. "Your bunker" This caught Branch off guard. "What!" 

Branch was shaking in anger. His safe space and his comfort were all taken away in a matter of seconds. He was so angry at Poppy that broke down in sobs. This caught everyone by surprise. The ex-BroZone members got up in a flash and made their way toward their brother. None of them tried to startle him so they stood a few feet away from him. "Hey, Branch...can you hear me?" Asked Floyd. But Branch wasn't responding, he could only full-on sob as he felt broken right now. The one troll who might of just slightly cared about him just broke all his trust. Poppy felt guilt radian by all of this. She never meant to upset Branch like this. 

But quickly murmurs could be heard about Poppy and how much she upset Branch. A shadow loomed amongst the pop trolls as Chris stood over them. "I'll take care of this. Just give me a minute." Chris snapped his fingers and Branch disappeared. "HEY! Where did you take my baby brother!" Yelled John Dory. Chris merely looked at them but due to their tall height compared to the trolls they slowly bent down to see them at a form of eye level. "Don't worry, he's fine. I merely teleported him so he could calm down. He should be back in a few minutes." Said Chris as they looked at their watch. "Hmm...we're behind schedule. Oh, well. We'll just have to run this quicker I suppose." 

Chris went back to their spot and the TV started to play again. But that didn't stop the whispers about the Princess of Pop. 

"Okay, everybody. Come on in!" Yelled Poppy as a load of Trolls came into Branch's bunker. Poppy felt herself cringe as she saw what future her did. She was the reason why the Ex-BroZone members and Branch's brothers were shooting glares that felt were killing her with the guilt inside her. Branch looked startled when his bunker filled with trolls. "No! No! No!" Yelled Branch as the trolls ran in. He turned to Poppy "Whoa, wait! Poppy, what are you doing?" She just smiled at Branch and said with a smug look.

"You said you have enough provisions to last 10 years, right?" She exclaimed to Branch who looked angry and irritated with the Princess. "Yes, to last me 10 years. Me! It'll last them two weeks!" Branch was starting to lose it with Poppy. She just smiled at Branch as if it was nothing at all. "Then I guess I better hurry." 

"I'm surprised he was nice enough to say it would even last them more than two days." Said a Bergen. Which got a chuckle out of some of them. "Wait, wait, wait! You won't last a day out there." Said Branch trying to stop Poppy. "Aw, he cares about her safety." Said a yoodler. Poppy just blushed, not that it mattered Branch was always like that. So it didn't really mean anything, right?

"And you won't last a day in here." Branch looked over to see Trolls drinking jars of his sweat. "Chug! Chug! Chug!" Yelled the trolls in encouragement. The trolls start to groan realising that he was drinking the grey troll's sweat. It also showed a few trollings playing with his traps. "Now that's obviously unsafe" said Spruce. Poppy just looks at Branch and smiles. 

"Solid burn, returned." She began to walk again, only this time being stopped by her father. "Poppy, wait. Please be careful." Her father held onto her shoulders and she reassured him with a smile. "Don't worry, Dad. I can do this." They began to hug as her father said "I love you, Poppy." And she said back to her father "I love you too, Dad."

Present Poppy and King Peppy got up and hugged. Hoping that Poppy wouldn't do anything reckless. "Uh- yeah this is sweet and all but what about my brother?" Said an annoyed John Dory. "Yeah! What happened to my brother where is he?" Spoke Clay. Chris looked down as they looked at their nails and then placed a black silk glove onto his hands. "He's fine, he should be arriving soon. I just don't want him freaking out again." 

A small trolling came out of King Peppy's hair as he said "They grow up so fast." As King Peppy didn't say anything. But look slightly unamused. Poppy was on the lift about to head up as she said her goodbyes. "Bye, everybody! See you soon!" They all looked at their Princess as they said their goodbyes. "Good luck, Princess Poppy!" Poppy just looked at her hug time watch as she whispered. "And three, two, one." Slowly a bunch of sounds a melody could be heard in the bunker. Branch was freaking out of his mind as he realised what this meant for him. 

"Once again! Personal space!" Yelled the Queen of Rock. Floyd looked a bit hurt as he saw his younger brother freak out, Branch was always a little cuddle bug as a baby. Always trying to hug one of his brothers as he clung to them. But it seems time changed that. 

"Hug time!" Yelled the trolls as they all walked towards Branch. "No!" Yelled Branch in horror. "Out of all the trolls there why the least approachable troll there specifically?" Asked a Bergen. Great thought Poppy even the Bergens were looking down at her and her people. Maybe she was being a bit harsh toward the grey troll by putting him in that situation. "Hug time! Hug time! Hug time!" Chanted the trolls. But those same trolls were a bit embarrassed by their future actions. "No! No!" Branch yelled out as Poppy was fully gone from sight. 

"Okay then!" Yelled out Chris getting everyone's attention. "Branch is feeling better now! Not really but better enough to join you guys again!" Said Chris as he snapped his fingers and brought Branch back. He was sleeping as he was still a bit peckish but asleep. He was brought over to John Dory who took his sleeping brother in his arms as the brothers stared at their sleeping younger brother. Spruce was about to ask something but was cut off by Chris. "He's been sleeping for the last 5 minutes the next few parts aren't bad I just prefer he stays asleep. Don't need him freaked out by what happened." 

It shows Poppy as a tiny scrapbook troll. "With her friends safely hidden. Princess Poppy set off to rescue her other friends." The tiny scrapbook Poppy was walking as she stepped on Bergen's footprints. But she bumped into the Bergen as her head taken off. Confident she'd make it to Bergen Town on her own. "Convinced she'd make it to Bergen Town." The Bergen seasoned her head with salt. "Totally sure she'd make it to Bergen Town." Said Poppy as she began to put down the scrapbook and looked at the footprints on the ground. 

(She sang and overall nearly died a few times. The spiders were the last of it all.) 

"What were you thinking!" Exclaimed Branch to Poppy. "Branch, I-" But was cut off as Branch just rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Don't try explaining. It was bound to happen." Poppy merely gave him a tiny smile. "Well then let's hope we can both go to Bergen Town together!" Branch groaned "I bet you don't even have a plan." Poppy just continued to smile. "Nope!" Clay just facepalmed at her. 

Luckily for Poppy Branch finally showed up. "I knew you would come!" said Poppy. Branch just rolled his eyes at the screen with a flustered look. He had grabbed Poppy from the spiders that crowded her. The spiders started to go towards Branch and Poppy, so Branch ended up throwing a pan at the spider. "I thought you were a survivalist?" said Poppy. "Hey! I'm trying!" said Branch. "I would be freaking out if I had to face those spiders!" said a techno troll toward the screen. Branch then threw his bag on the ground as he used his hair as a whip to scare the spiders. They all began to back away from Branch as he trapped them in a creature's mouth that ended up eating them. He then looked over at Poppy who was still on the ground wrapped in spider silk webs. "Huh? Oh, no! Poppy?" he ran over to check for a heartbeat "Hang on!" he yelled then began to look for things to help Poppy. "That was very nice of you dear to help your friend like that" Said Queen Essence with a warm smile. Branch just looked at the ground with a tint of embarrassment. 

He grabbed a sharp petal and two small critters. He cut open the silk that was wrapped around Poppy's body with the petals and then began to quickly power up the critters as he placed them on Poppy to start up her heartbeat again. Which worked as she got up and announced "Get back up again!" Poppy's friend ran to Poppy so happy she was okay. "Poppy, I thought you said you wouldn't be reckless. It's dangerous out there." Poppy looked down in shame as her father scolded her. "I'm sorry Dad...I didn't mean to scare you like that." King Peppy sighed as he hugged his daughter in a tight hug. He couldn't lose another one. 

Poppy looked over at Branch and smiled as she said "Branch, my man! You are right on time" She then began to get up as Branch replied back to her. "Oh, right Like you knew I was coming" he placed the critters on the ground. "Yes! I figured after the third hug time getting eaten by a Bergen wouldn't seem so bad" Poppy smiled slightly as she looked at Branch who just groaned at her statement. "Wait! Third hug time?" asked Branch but everyone ignored him with awkward smiles and laughs. "And I figured there was no way you could do this by yourself. Guess we were both right" said Branch. "Yup, It's not like you obviously don't care about her" Said a country troll with a small giggle. "Hmm. All right. Let's do this! Sooner we get to Bergen Town, sooner we can rescue everybody and make it home safely" Poppy told Branch as she began to walk in a certain direction in the forest. And Branch merely followed her lead. "Wait, wait, wait. What's your plan?" asked Branch in a confused tone. "I just told you to rescue everyone and make it home safely"

Branch sighed disappointed "I'm not surprised" Poppy merely frowned. "I'd say your 'plan' just needs a bit of work done on it" Said Floyd to Poppy. Branch knew his brothers were there near his side since he woke up. But he chose to ignore them. He wasn't ready to face them and he didn't care if they wanted to talk to him or not. "Okay. That's not a plan. That's a wish list." Branch crossed his arms looking at Poppy unamused by her 'plan' "Oh, I suppose you have a plan." Branch merely smirked at her line. "Of course, I do. I have a plan for everything" Branch said proudly. Clay smiled at how prepared his little brother was for everything. 

"First, We get to the edge of Bergen Town without being spotted. Then, we get inside by sneaking through the old escape tunnels which will then lead us to the Troll tree... Right before we get caught, and suffer a miserable death at the hands of a horrible, bloodthirsty Bergen!" It showed Branch's plan in scrapbook form. "Ugh! Again another scrapbook!" exclaimed the two pigtail Rock Troll. It showed cased them walking off from a distance of the troll tree, then making their way into a tunnel, and lastly a Bergen behind them ready to eat them. "Uh-Nice plan you got there bro...a bit much don't you think?" asked Spruce. Branch looked away from him, causing his brothers to frown. "Hold on a second, are you scrapbooking my plan?" asked Branch to Poppy who was cutting pieces of paper. "Uh-huh. Yeah. Almost...done!" said Poppy as she showed Branch the end results. It was Snack Pack and Branch with a sign saying 'We did it' and it started shooting glitter at Branch again. "Where do you keep getting glitter from!" Yelled The Queen of Rock. "There will be no more..." Branch placed a finger on his nose as he breathed out the glitter from his nose "Scrapbooking." he finished. 

On a log were Branch and Poppy walking as Poppy sang random beats. "Do you have to sing?" asked Branch obviously annoyed at Poppy. "I always sing when I'm in a good mood" said Poppy as she spun around a branch on the log. "Do you have to be in a good mood?" groaned Branch. "Why wouldn't I be? By this time tomorrow, I'll be with my friends!" said Poppy. "You have great enthusiasm there Princess Poppy, but sometimes you try to take a situation a bit more seriously" Said the King of Techno trolls. Poppy merely sighed as she smiled slightly and nodded. If she wanted to be a good future Queen then that meant being a bit less whimsical for everything. "Oh, I wonder what they're doing right now!" said Poppy and she slightly grunted out loud. She jumped down from the side of the log she was on and was closer to Branch. "Probably being digested." Those words made Poppy frown. "They're alive, Branch. I know it!" Branch only rolled his head to the side as he responded back to her. "You don't know anything, Poppy. And I can't wait to see the look on your face. When you realize the world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows. 'Cause it isn't, bad things happen. And there's nothing you can do about it." Poppy merely frowned as Branch left afterwards as she still looked for the right words to say. 

The interaction made the brothers heartbroken. They knew their brother was talking from experience. It seemed this was the cause for him turning grey. They just looked at him as he looked at the screen with his knees bent under his arms as he frowned at the screen. Their once cute baby brother...was now a grumpy adult who didn't know what 'fun' meant or had someone to call his family anymore. And that hurt them since they knew they were the main cause of most of this. 

"Hey, I know it's not all cupcakes and rainbows. But I'd rather go through life thinking that it mostly is. Instead of being like you. You don't sing, you don't dance. So grey all the time! What happened to you?" Poppy made her way back to Branch, as she exclaimed the last part as she questioned what happened to the grey troll. A question that was in most of their heads, but chose not to ask. I mean how could they ask such an insensitive question like that in the open, mostly when that troll was so paranoid and anxious it'd all cause him to retreat into himself. She was quickly shushed by Branch "Sh" She stopped as she heard him say that. "A Bergen?" she asked worriedly as Branch whispered "Maybe" and slowly started walking again. Poppy looked around worriedly until it finally hit her. "There's no Bergen, is there? You just said that so I'd stop talking." Branch merely smiled as he whispered again "Maybe" Poppy left an annoyed groan as she started walking again behind the grey troll. A few trolls laughed at their small interaction at the end of the whole thing. "Pfft, that wasn't half bad for a Pop troll" Said a Rock troll as a few others agreed.  

It then showed cased, Poppy and Branch tucked in with a night sky over them, with a warm fire having been lit in place. Poppy couldn't sleep as she pulled out a photo stand of all of her friends. She opened them up as they were all layered together. "Aw! Poppy that's so sweet of you!" said Biggie as he hugged Poppy. Poppy laughed as she hugged Biggie and then the rest of her friends came in for a hug. Branch merely rolled his eyes at them. 

"So special" said Poppy as she ran a hand over the pictures of her friends. "Goodnight, Cooper. Good night, Smidge. Good night, Fuzzbert. Good night, Satin. Good night, Chenille. Good night, Biggie. Good night, DJ. Good night, Guy Diamond. Good night, Creek." she let out a small chuckle when she said Creek's name. Creek smiled at that. "I wish you good night's rest too Poppy" said Creek as this caused Poppy to blush. "Aw! Thanks, Creek." Said Poppy as she hugged Creek. He hugged her in return and then booped her nose. "Boop" Poppy just smiled and laughed at that. "Boop" said Poppy to the picture of Creek. Creek just smiled at his girlfriend and took her hand into his. Branch saw this and rolled his eyes. 

Branch turned his back toward Poppy and sounding annoyed said to Poppy "And good night, Poppy." he turned back around to fall asleep. Poppy looked back to the starry night and then her hug time watch chimed as she looked over at Branch. "Don't even think about it" Poppy frowned as mouthed out what Branch said. She looked up once more at the starry night as she began to sing. "Stars shining bright above you" she began only to be cut off by an annoyed Branch. He turned over to face Poppy "Really? Seriously? More Singing?" "Yes, Seriously! Singing helps me relax" said Poppy with a smile at the end.

Branch just rolled his eyes at her response. "I'm surprised you haven't lost your voice at this point" mumbled Branch. "You know Branch you used to sing all the time too!" Said Floyd with a small smile. "Really!" Said Poppy with her eyes shining brightly. "Yeah, Branch used to have the most beautiful voice. I bet he still does." said Spruce all the Pop trolls were surprised to hear that Branch used to sing. None of them have heard the grey troll sing or hum a tone before. "Wow! I always thought Branch just had horrible singing" Said DJ, the brothers laughed at that. "No, our little brother here had the angels backing him up. When he sang the whole world could only sit down and listen" said John Dory proud of his little brother. "Well, Guess what. I don't sing!" yelled out Branch. This once again caused them to frown at the grey troll's words. Poppy frowned, it seemed Branch's brothers loved him so much but Branch didn't even wish to acknowledge his brothers. 

"Maybe you ought to try it" said Poppy and Branch replied annoyed again. "I don't sing and I don't relax. This is the way I am, and I like it." Synth smiled at Branch as he looked at him and said "I'm glad you know who you are" and a few trolls agreed with him. "Yeah, but do try to relax a bit won't ya?" asked Prince D. "I bet you put your feet up with a nice book and a warm cup of coffee after a nice long day" Said Chris with a smirk as they now had a plate of chocolate covered cookies. "Where do you keep getting those from?" Asked Smidge. Chris merely shrugged "Don't judge, I'm a growing boy. So that means I need food!" they said as the trolls and Bergens once again stared at Chris.

"I also like a little silence." yelled out Branch as he laid down again. Poppy frowned as she heard that, it showed a close up of Branch and the ukulele could be heard in the background. Branch once more turned around and was met with Poppy playing the ukulele. "Hello Darkness, my old friend. I've come to talk to you again." Poppy sang and then two flowers joined her. A small spider made its way near Branch and it greeted him "Hello" Branch merely sided-eyed the spider. "Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain. Still remains Within the sound...Of silence" During her song a few critters joined her in the melody. And the spider who greeted Branch was flung off him the moment they started to crawl on Branch. "That was a lovely melody" Said a classical troll to Poppy. "Aw! Why thank you!" she said with glee. 

Poppy walked over to Branch with her ukulele in her hands. Branch merely had a small smile as he stood up and asked Poppy "May I?" and Poppy nodded as she handed the ukulele to Branch. He held it for a second before tossing it to the fire and went back to lying down. Poppy stared at the fire with shock as she heard the strings break apart. "Come on, Branch. Was that necessary?" asked Guy and Branch merely smiled and said "Yes." 

Poppy and Branch were now near the old tunnels that were used for their escape. "So those tunnels are the ones they used to escape" Said a bergen. "One of these tunnels leads to the Troll Tree." Said Poppy as they got closer to them. "That's right." agreed Branch with Poppy's statement about the tunnels. "There's so many of them. I wonder which one" Poppy and Branch were close to a tunnel as Branch was bent down to feel the soil of the tunnel. "I don't know." As Branch said that a deep voice could be heard which startled both Branch and Poppy. "Choose a hole wisely! For one will lead to Bergen Town...And the others, to certain death." Branch and Poppy looked around to see where the voice came from so Branch yelled out "Who said that?" They continued to look for the voice. "It was...Me." Suddenly a cloud popped out of its hiding place near a tree. "Hey, guys, how's it going? Welcome to the root tunnels. I just wanted to warn you. One of these tunnels leads to the Troll tree...And the others to certain death, death, death, death" During the last part the Cloud merely mimicked an echo. "I can already tell he's going to be a load of fun" Said Branch sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. "Come on, Branch. He might help us get through the tunnels" Said Poppy to Branch with a smile on her face. 

Poppy and Branch just looked at Cloud Guy with confusion, until Poppy spoke first. "Do you think you can tell us which is the right one?" Poppy tried to have a bit of fate in this. "You bet!" said Cloud Guy. Poppy smiled happily after hearing what Cloud Guy said. "Great!" but Branch quickly stopped everything "No, that's okay. We're fine, thanks!" Poppy awkwardly smiled at Branch "Branch. He's trying to help us." said Poppy but Branch eyed Cloud Guy with suspicion. "I don't like the looks of him. I mean, who wears socks with no shoes?" Cloud guy was too busy to say anything as he picked something off his teeth. "It's better than socks and sandles...No offence Bergens." said Chris as the Bergens merely grumbled at Chris's comment. "He seems to know what he's talking about." Poppy said to Branch and Branch merely huffed in defeat. "Okay, fine. Which way do we go?" Branch asked Cloud Guy. "First, you have to give me a high five. Then I'll tell you." Cloud Guy raised his hand for a high five as Branch looked annoyed and confused "What?" but Poppy quickly threw herself in and said "I love high fives. I'll do it." 

"Why a high five? It could have been anything else...like a riddle!" said a classical troll. "I can smell a prank on all of that high five" Said Clay, the once King of the Pranks. "He has a point his tone says it all." said Spruce. "Oh, I know you'll do it. But will he?" He looks over at Branch as he gets ready for a high five. "Once again. Why him?" said a rock troll. "All right, dumpy diapers, up high!" Branch was down with all of this as he merely stated "Nope, I don't do high fives." But Cloud Guy didn't back down either "Slap it, boss." "Not gonna happen." "Party on the top floor." "Nope." "Little slappy. Make Daddy happy." "That's weird." Cloud finally backed a for a second as he stated to Branch "Come on, just one little high five." 

"Branch, it's a high five. It won't kill you" said Guy Branch merely rolled his eyes "So what? I'm not high fiving him." Poppy merely groaned with Branch's answer. "No, thanks. I'm good." Cloud Guy raised his other hand for a demonstration. "Here, just do this...But with your hand." He clapped his own hand expecting Branch to do the same afterwards but with his own hand. "Thank you for that demonstration. Really cleared up exactly what I will not be doing." Poppy was getting annoyed with Branch and exclaimed to him "Branch, it's a high five. The others lead to certain death. Get perspective." Cloud Guy merely smiled with a dazed look, Branch sighed as he asked Cloud Guy "One high five and then you'll tell us which tunnel to take, right?"

"So easy." Branch grunts out as he finally decides to go with it. "Okay, fine!" He goes in for the high five until Cloud Guy pulls back and says "Ohh. Too slow" Branch was annoyed by that "Too slow?" Cloud Guy and Poppy laughed "Classic" snorted Poppy as Branch was losing it. "No, no. All right. I'm gonna let you slide with a fist bump." And Branch went in for it once again and Cloud Guy decided to play around with him. "Shark attack! Nom-nom-nom-nom. Jellyfish! Hand sandwich. Turkey. Snowman. Dolphin. Helicopter. Last supper. Monkey in a zoo." Branch looked confused by all of this "What?" "Gear shift!" Cloud Guy began to mimic a gear shift. "That was surely something...huh?" asked a Funk troll. "I would be annoyed if someone messed around me like that while trying to save someone" Said a Classical Troll. Both Cloud Guy and Poppy laughed, but Branch sent Poppy a glare that made her stop laughing and she stood up straight. "Okay, okay, okay. Now I'm thinking we hug."

"This won't go well. What so ever will it now?" said Smidge as the moment Cloud Guy opened his arms for a hug Branch grabbed a stick and broke it. Which scared Cloud Guy because soon after Cloud Guy was running away from Branch as he chased after Cloud Guy and Poppy was chasing after Branch trying to stop him. "That's right. You better run, cloud!" "Wait!" They ran into a tunnel as Branch just kept yelling and Poppy trying to stop him. "I'm gonna tear your little cloud arms off your cloud body, and high five your face with them!" "He's just a cloud!" "Get back here!" "Branch! He can help us!" "Come back!" "Run, Cloud Guy!" "I'm gonna kill you!"

The trolls and Bergens merely sat in silence as they saw what was happening on screen. "Well that was something" said John Dorry breaking the silence. But in that silence was a blonde troll who was too scared to come out of the shadows as she watched her sister facepalm as she said something to the grey troll. "Come on Branch! He's just a cloud!" She saw the grey troll roll his eyes as grumbled under his breath. She was close enough to hear and see her sister but far enough that she couldn't be seen. But she knew that one of those trolls next to them knew she was there. He just didn't say anything yet. 

"Ta-da! We're here!" Poppy and Branch were a bit shocked by those words. Cloud Guy removed the sticks from Branch. "You guys are a lot of fun. You know, I gotta go. Got some cloud stuff to take care of. Catch you on the way back? Unless...You die." Cloud Guy left as he went through the tunnel again. Poppy and Branch looked behind them as Poppy said "The Troll Tree" and they began to slowly walk.

"Bergen Town."

Chapter Text

Branch and Poppy walked over to the edge of the Troll Tree. They saw the Bergens being gloomy and depressed as they went on with their lives. "Sheesh, they're more depressed than before" Said Satin as her sister agreed with her. "I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad. I got sunshine in a bag I'm useless. But not for long the future is coming on. I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad. I got sunshine in a bag I'm useless. But not for long the future; is coming on, is coming on, is coming on, is coming on, is coming on, is coming on." The bergens sang as they were all filled with depressed states of mind. A kid dragged a broken kite, two men fought with each other by kicking one of them and the other did a wedgie on the other, a lady was cutting her flowers, and a man was sitting outside reading as he was dumped with green goo, one man was ripping pages from a book, and lastly one was burry himself alive. "That was something all right" said Cooper as they watched the miserable and depressed Bergens go on with their daily lives. "Wow! They're as miserable as you." Bluntly whispered Poppy. Branch was just slightly cut off guard from her comment. "Which means they haven't eaten a troll yet. Now, come on. Let's go save our friends" Said Poppy as they were about to make their way to the Bergen Town Castle. "Your friends." said Branch which Poppy replied slightly annoyed "Our friends don't fight it."

"Last time I checked. None of them ever tried being my friend. So in correction, they're your friends" grumbled Branch as he crossed his arms and leaned back on the couch as Poppy frowned. The ex-BroZone members frowned also, they didn't enjoy seeing their baby brother all sad and grumpy all the time. It felt...wrong. So out of place for the once adorable, outgoing, social trolling that he once was. Now all the grey troll did was act all gloomy and depressed all the time in a paranoid state of mind 24/7. 

It then panelled to a scene of the inside of the Bergen castle showing a picture of King Gristle Sr. and Prince Gristle Jr. smiling. And underneath the picture sat the new King, King Gristle Jr. He sat lazily as he looked miserable, beneath the few stairs was a small maid from the beginning all grown up. "Hey! That's me" Said King Gristle with a small smile after he saw the picture of his father. The maid just smiled at her king as she felt butterflies in her stomach as she heard him speak. "Oh, Barnabus. You're my only friend in this miserable world." Sighed King Gristle. As for Barnabus he merely rolled his eyes at that comment. "That's quite sad honestly" said a Pop troll. "It's kind of sad that he's the king of all the Bergens in Bergen Town and no one cares a bit about him" Chuckled Chris as they ate mint chocolate ice cream out of the tube. "Hey! My citizens care about me...right?" Said Gristle and the Bergens just shrugged and mumbled. "Oh, dear. Maybe we should keep some comments to ourselves dear." Said Queen Essence. "My apologies Ma'am and Sir. King Gristle." Said Chris and rolled his eyes in the end. "That's a start" Said King Quincy. 

"Dad was right. I'll never ever, never ever, never be happy." Said King Gristle as he hit his head on the back of his throne. "I wouldn't be doing that if I was you. You need those last brain cells you already lack." Said Branch as he rolled his eye at the Bergen on screen. Gristle turned red in embarrassment and anger at what Branch said but had no good comebacks to say so he merely grumbled. King Gristle tossed himself on the seat cushion of his throne "Never" but suddenly a voice could be heard out of the blues. "Never say ever." The voice echoed as King Gristle got off his throne and looked around anxiously. Todd and Chad were ready and guarded for anything ready to come out. And quickly Chef came out from the back of the plant near the doors. 

"Okay, but how didn't anyone see her come into the castle and enter the throne room." Questioned Synth and a few trolls and Bergens questioned it also. "Maybe the Bergens need better guards." said the country troll with a ponytail. "Sugar! I just realised I never told you darlins' my name! Well, My name is Holly Darling." Said the Country Troll with a smile. Poppy smiled at the idea of new friends. Synth greeted her back "Sup! My name's Synth" He said to Holly Darling as he mimicked air horns. Holly Darling merely chuckled at Synth's response. Poppy smiled as she was glad that the trolls were getting along, it mostly had to do with the intense air at first when all the trolls were put together. That everyone eyed each other like a huge threat. 

King Gristle shrieked as he saw the state of Chef and the fact she was hiding behind a plant. Barnabus growled at her, while Chad and Todd pointed two spears at her and she merely answered with "Chad. Todd." before placing her cape on the spears. She also stepped on the vacuum that the maid was using. "Chef, where did you come from? My father banished you 20 years ago." Stated King Gristle to Chef.  He then looked confused and asked "Have you been standing behind that plant this whole time?" a few trolls facepalmed at the words of the Bergen King. "Well he's obviously not the sharpest knife in the knife drawer" said John Dory. This caused some of their old fans to blush at what he said and giggle a bit. Now that Branch noticed it they seem to do it pretty often only he chose to ignore it and his brothers. "If only, sire. No. I've been out in the wilderness thinking of nothing but how I let you down." said Chef with a sad look on her face. "Yeah right! And next, you'll tell me that left is right and up is down." Said Chris as they scraped the last of their mint chocolate ice cream from the tub with their spoon. 

"If only there was a way I could make you feel better." Said Chef with the same sad look and sad tone in her voice. King Gristle looked slightly mad as he spoke "Well, fat chance! The only way I'll ever be happy is by eating a troll and that ain't gonna happen, thanks to you." Said King Gristle as he jumped back onto his throne. "Ah, but it might. Thanks to me." Chef opened her bumbag as a holy light could be seen and the trolls sang in harmony as they snug in a choir. All the Bergens in the room gasped in awe when they saw the trolls. "A beautiful melody once again, but was it needed at this point in time?" asked a classical troll. "Of course it was. There's always time for a bit of pizzazz" said Guy Diamond proudly.

"You found the trolls" King Gristle was about to grab them until Chef slapped his hand and the trolls went back to hiding. "Yes, she found the trolls no thanks to some trolls" mumbled Branch. Poppy and her friends frowned as they once again didn't mean for any of this to happen. "Hey, come on B. They didn't mean it." said Floyd. But he was ignored once again by his younger brother. Who looked away from Floyd, he seemed to do that anytime his brothers would speak to him or just make a comment in general. Floyd knew not to take it personally since he knew he had no right to believe that Branch would just run up to them with open arms after they left them.

"So this means I might actually get to be happy!" King Gristle was smiling with joy with that thought in his head. A few trolls gasped knowing what would happen to the 9 Pop Trolls. "Don't worry guys me and Branch are going to save you." Said Poppy with a fake confidence but a very real smile on her face. The trolls all smiled at her and thanked her. "That is kind of you, Poppy. Risk your life for us." Said Creek and Poppy began to blush at her boyfriend's words. Branch just groaned and rolled his eyes. 

"That's right. Of course, everyone else in Bergen Town will still be miserable... But that's not your concern." Said Chef with a monotone voice as she said this to King Gristle. "I am their king, so maybe it kinda is." King Gristle wasn't very confident with his response. Chef smiled as she said with a fake confusion in her voice "What exactly are you proposing? Bringing back Trollstice? For everyone?" The Bergen's peaked up in hearing this from Chef. They all looked at their King as he wasn't still sure about this but with a slightly confident tone said "Yes! That's exactly what I'm proposing." 

Chef just smiled at the young King's response. "Great idea, sire. Absolutely brilliant. Aren't you smart?" King Gristle looked a bit relieved with this response as he confidently said "I guess I am." Chuckled King Gristle and then Chef picked up King Gristle and placed him on the ground. "And I, your loyal chef, will be right behind you. Holding a knife" she said as she sat down on the throne behind Gristle. "What's that?" asked Gristle after he heard what Chef said. This caused a few murmurs to pick up on the Bergen side as the trolls were a bit shocked to hear the Bergen trying to go up against the King like that. "Holding a knife, a spoon, a ladle. I'm your chef, after all!" Said Chef as she pulled out a spoon from her back pocket and tapped King Gristle on the forehead with it. "Yeah, you sure are!" Said Gristle with confidence. "Oh, Great. Another idiot on the throne." said Branch as he mumbled in complaint. Chef smiled viciously as she heard Gristle say that. 

It then panels to Chef all fixed up again back in the kitchen she used to work in. "I'm back!" she whispered. "That's not creepy at all" said a funk troll as they watched Chef on screen whisper that. "You, scullery maid, what's your name" asked Chef to the young scullery maid. "Uh, Bridget." she answered a bit unsure at first. King Gristle lifted his head just a bit to see the Bergen on screen, huh he'd never seen her in the castle before. But then again a lot of the scenes she was in them with him as she would clean. But he just shrugged it off like nothing. "Congratulations, Idget you work for me now." said Chef "The least you do is try to get her name right." said Poppy to Chef. But Chef just rolled her eyes "What does it matter if I forget one silly let name like Idget or Bridget or whatever" said Chef with another eye roll. This caused Poppy to frown but her friends stopped her from doing anything rash that would risk her life.

"So you take those dishes downstairs and start scrubbing." Bridget quickly grabbed a handful of dishes with her as she thanked Chef. "Yes, Chef. Thank you, Chef" Poppy frowned she knew Bridget was a Bergen but she felt like she was different than the rest. That the Bergens could change and find a new way to be happy if they really tried. But they made it clear they didn't wish to change with the way they continued to eye the trolls the whole time they were reacting. Chef opened her bumbag as she threw the trolls inside a cage that was nearby. The trolls screamed as they were thrown into the cage by Chef. "Shh. Don't cry Mr. Dinkles. Shh! Guys, Mr. Dinkles is really freaking out!" Said Biggie as he tried to calm Mr. Dinkles as he himself freaked out. "Mew" said Mr. Dinkles unbothered by everything. "Whoa, Whoa! Everyone calm down, we must all remain calm." Creek then pulled out a comb and sang "Comb" A few trolls questioned it "That wasn't weird whatsoever" Said a Rock troll. "That's right. A calm troll is a tasty troll." The trolls grouped together as they tried to get away from Bergen as she spoke to them. "And you are a key ingredient in my recipe for success." Chef had a cookbook she was flipping the pages as the trolls gasped at her words. "You see he who controls the Trolls controls the kingdom. And I am that 'he'" said Chef with a villainous tone. "You're a dude?" asked Cooper. Chef grunted in annoyance as she cut up a lemon and squeezed the juice into Cooper's eyes as he screamed in pain. "Woah there you can't bully my bro like that" said Prince D. "Oh, my poor baby!" said Queen Essence she said as she hugged her son. Cooper hugged his mom as he could just slightly feel the pain through the screen. 

Chef put the knife back into where she got it as she lifted her leg on the table. The Trolls and Bergens all groaned in disgust and looked the other way. Chef just rolled her eyes at their reactions. "Ew! Not in front of me and my bowl of cereal!" said Chris as they gagged. "Ohh!" said Biggie as he covered Mr. Dinkle's eyes. "By this time tomorrow, I'll be Queen" King Gristle was surprised by this. "Wait is that what the whole knife and 'he' thing was about! Stealing my throne!" he said surprised. "Uh- Of course not sire! I meant it as a play on words." Said Chef trying to hide what she said. "And all of Bergen Town will get exactly what they deserve. True Happiness!" Thunder started to shoot out as the last part began to echo as she said it. The trolls were shocked by her words as the Bergens cheered with her. "You can't! There's not enough trolls to feed all of Bergen everyday to gain them true happiness!" yelled out Poppy as she freaked out by what Chef said. "Yeah, how do you plan on making sure there's enough trolls when you feed them to Bergens everyday!" Questioned Branch as they freaked out for their safety. "Oh, don't worry I have a plan" said Chef. The trolls didn't enjoy the response since they knew that Chef wouldn't explain what she meant by that.

The inside of the Castle could be seen as Guards walked by during their shift. "Chad" Todd" They greeted each other. The fire that was burning was shown to be Poppy and Branch hiding. They both used their hair as a rope to get over to the other wall on the other side of the castle. They landed and the first thing to come out of Poppy's mouth was "So where do you think our friends are?" Asked Poppy to Branch who was leading the way. "If I had to guess, I'd say a Bergen's stomach." said Branch as the screen showed a family of Bergen's eating trolls. The trolls shivered as they saw the picture of the family of Bergens eating the trolls. Poppy was a bit annoyed by Branch's negative perspective of their situation "Could you try to be positive? Just once. You might like it." she said with a small huff. "Okay. I'm sure they're not only alive. But about to be delivered to us on a silver platter." That was all said sarcastically by Branch which he ended it with a sarcastic smile. Poppy sighed in relief  "Thank you. That wasn't so hard, was it?" Branch just deadpanned as he heard Poppy's words. "Really?" said Branch as he looked over at Poppy, Poppy just smiled "Yes, really. I'm sure somewhere deep inside you, you can find a way to be positive Branch." Said Poppy and Branch just faceplamed. 

Poppy then saw her hug time watch chime as she gasped "Branch!" but Branch annoyed by Poppy said "Hug time? Seriously?" but he was quickly shushed by Poppy. "Listen." That's when they heard it, the hug time watched a soft glow and chime not too far from where they were standing. In a dining room there walked in Chef, King Gristle, and Bridget with the Trolls in the same cage from earlier but now on a cart being pushed by Bridget. "This is gonna be the best Trollstice ever! Such a great idea I had." announced King Gristle as they made their way into the dining room. "Yes. Tomorrow is Trollstice, everyone. And it must be perfect!" Said Chef and then quickly all the guards spoke "Yes, Chef!" Poppy and Branch were on a light stand on the ceiling as they watched the Bergens speak to each other. "Feels great to be ordering everyone around again."

"Okay, but since when does the head cook make orders for the guards? I thought that was the king's job and also why are the guards doing all the prep work?" Questioned Synth once more about how these Bergens worked. "You know what I've never thought about that either" said a Funk Troll. "They're pretty odd with the way things work in Bergen Town." said a Classical Troll. But on screen, Poppy and Branch were seeing the cart move closer to where they were and they saw the trolls scared as they were trapped in a cage. "Branch, look!" said Poppy as she pointed to the cage Bridget was rolling around using the cart. "They're alive?" questioned Branch a bit surprised. "Wow, he came all the way to Bergen Town truly not excepting them to be alive" said a Bergen. 

Poppy and Branch leaned back against the wall of the light and Poppy said "And on a silver platter, too. We were both right." a couple of trolls laughed at Poppy's comment as Branch just groaned as he threw his head back with a facepalm. But then Chef said to King Gristle "And to mark the occasion, Your Highness, look. I found your old Troll bib." she pulled it out of a small box as she showed it to King Gristle. "Wow! I bet you still fit." he said with excitement as he put it on and tied it against his neck only to slowly cut off his breathing. "Like a glove!" Unfortunately, it seemed it couldn't stay on with it breaking into a bunch of pieces. The scullery maid gasped as Cooped chuckled at the sight. Only to be quickly shushed by the trolls. King Gristle was mad at this point as he finished fixing his shirt. "Oh, you think that's funny? We'll see who's laughing when I bite your yummy head off. When I bite all y'alls yummy heads off." King Gristle was standing closer to the cage when he realised something as he saw the freaked out trolls. "Wait a minute. Chef, this isn't enough yummy heads to feed all of Bergen Town. How are we supposed to have Trollstice if there's not enough Trolls?" King Gristle was beginning to question Chef as she quickly tried to fix the situation. The Bergens also began to notice this as they murmured to each other about how they planned to have Trollstice with so few trolls. The trolls who already noticed that from the start were beginning to grow anxious.  

"There's plenty more where that came from, sire." said Chef trying to calm down King Gristle. "Are you sure?" questioned the King to Chef. Branch and Poppy gasped from where they were hiding. "Because I promised everyone a troll." said King Gristle eyeing the cage closer this time. "No, no, no sire! Everything will be fine." said Chef as she tried to fix everything and put the king to ease. "If I were truly worried would I be willing to do this?" she opened the gate and grabbed a troll, and that troll was none other than Creek. The trolls gasped as Poppy exclaimed "Creek!" but Branch quickly pulled her away before she could do anything rash. The trolls were shocked as they watched the Bergen take Creek. Poppy quickly gave a hug to her boyfriend Creek as she promised him "Don't worry Creek I'll save you! I won't let him hurt you" but Creek just gave a sad smile. "Thank you, Poppy. But you know that once someone's eaten there's no going back" said Creek but Poppy and the others were sure that Creek would make it. But Creek just shook his head as he smiled at his friends and girlfriend as they hugged and didn't let go. "If this is fate. Then it means he'll truly be gone." said Clay but Spruce just hit him in the back of his head "Ow!" exclaimed Clay in pain. "Not the time, bro" said Spruce. 

Chef looked up to where Branch and Poppy were as they hid. King Gristle looked so excited to eat his first troll. "Oh, my first troll" He was then handed Creek as Chef said to him "Go on, eat, King Gristle. Enjoy a taste of true happiness." King Gristle licked his lips as Creek whimpered in fear. Branch and Poppy were terrified by what they were watching up above in their hiding spot. Creek and his friends just hugged him tighter knowing the poor troll's fate in life to come. King Gristle opened his mouth about to eat Creek. Creek whimpered and the Trolls shuddered in fear inside their cage. But King Gristle stopped himself from eating Creek. "Shouldn't we wait for Trollstice?" asked King Gristle and the trolls sighed in relief both on screen and present. While the Bergens groaned as they watched their king refuse the troll. "Sire, everyday is Trollstice when you have Trolls." as Chef said that Branch and Poppy looked at each other confused. But then Chef placed Creek in a taco on a plate, and King Gristle took it about to eat it again. But once again stopped as he said "But my dad said the first time should be special." once again the trolls sighed with relief. But Chef had other plans as she said "Well, you're the king now." as she poured hot sauce on Creek causing him to scream in pain. "Yeah, I am the king." for the last time he went in for a full bite and lastly stopped "But I think I should share this moment with all the kingdom." he said admiring the taco with Creek inside of it. "Eat it!" said Chef as she shoved the taco into his mouth. The trolls gasped as Smidge said "Oh, my God!" but back in their hiding spot Poppy yelled out "No!" but Chef snapping her finger exclaimed "Yes!" and soon the King had a sombrero on his head and the Guards began to play Mariachi music as he began to spin around near the exit door with Chef right behind him. "Idget, lock these Trolls in your room and guard them with your life." said Chef as she threw a spoon at Bridget's forehead. "Yes, Chef." King Gristle groaned out as he finished spinning and Chef said "Yes. Yes, I know."

"Branch, we have to save him!" Poppy was trying to go after Creek but Branch stopped her. "Save him from what? His stomach?" questioned Branch and Poppy quickly replied. "We didn't see him chew. We didn't see him swallow!" said Poppy trying to find any way that Creek could have made it. "Face it, Poppy. Sometimes people go into other people's mouths. And they don't come out. If we go after Creek now, we're going to get eaten. I'm sorry. But it's too late for him." But Poppy wouldn't take that. They looked around as she spotted Bridget and the cart she was pulling and then jumped off from where they were hiding. "Huh. Poppy!" exclaimed Branch to Poppy as she did some crazy parkour to get to the back of Bridget's apron loop. "Poppy what are you doing!" Said King Peppy to his daughter as he watched her doing all that to only get closer to Bergen. "I have to save them, Dad! I have to save all my friends and Creek from the King!" said Poppy as she determined to save her friends. "That's kind of you Princess Poppy...but not everyone can be saved" said Floyd with a sad look on his face. "Well I have to try" said Poppy as she looked at her friends who all had worried expressions. 

Branch seemed to also follow Poppy as he also did some crazy parkour to get with Poppy on the other loop on Bridget's apron. "Woah there B! What are you thinking!" said John Dory. But Branch didn't answer as he picked at his palm and didn't even look at JD or any of his brothers who looked worried as they saw their baby brother on-screen follow Poppy to get on a Bergen. They watched as Bridget walked a long swirled staircase with the cage in her hands. Only to open a door leading into a small bedroom as Poppy and Branch hopped off the back of her apron and hid behind a spinny wheel. Bridget placed the cage onto a small table as Chef called out for her. "Scullery maid!" she then dumped a bunch of dishes on her as she stood there not moving. "Wash these pots and pans for Trollstice." Branch and Poppy could be seen scurrying away from their hiding spot. "The king's inviting everyone. Except you." This caused Bridget to start crying as she threw herself onto her bed. Poppy looked at Bridget with sadness as she and Branch still hid. She then revealed a ripped out magazine with King Gristle on it and then began to sing. 

(She sang about her love for King Gristle. (The song is too long dude. I'd be here for hours if I did it.))

She sobbed into her pillow for a second as she fell asleep and snored. King Gristle just looked at the screen with shock not expecting the random scullery maid to like him like that. And Bridget looked at the screen shocked with no words to say as she was terrified at what could happen since the King knew of her feelings for him now. "She's in love with the king." said Poppy feeling bad for the sleeping Begren. "What are you talking about? Bergens don't have feelings." asked Branch confused. Bridget on the other hand felt butterflies in her stomach knowing that the King was staring at her not sure what to say about all of this. "Maybe you don't know everything about the Bergens. Now let's go." Said Poppy as they made their way to where the cage was located to free the trolls. Branch and Poppy got onto the table and Branch removed the cloth off the cage. And Poppy exclaimed "Guys!" and the trolls said/sang "Poppy! Celebrate good times, come on" "It's a celebration"Poppy sang but Branch was quick to shush them There's a party going on right here" the whispered the last verse. The other trolls facepalmed at the way they were reacting. "Really? Out of all the times to start singing you chose that moment" said the Queen of Rock annoyed with them. "No! There is not a party going on right here." Branch took a pair of scissors out of Poppy's hair to use to pick the lock. "The sooner we get you guys out of here..."  "The sooner we can save Creek!" Poppy cut off Branch. "What?" said Branch a bit too loud since he accidentally woke up Bridget.  "Hello? Is it me you're looking for?" she questioned and then went back to sleep. Branch slowly opened the cage as they sighed with relief as they saw Bridget go back to sleep. "I know you're looking for the cupcakes and rainbows here. But let's face it, Creek's been eaten." The trolls got out of the cage and Biggie was the first to say "They put him in a taco!" "It was horrible." Said Cooper

"Tell me about it. They ruined a perfectly good taco." Said Chris who was now eating waffles with whipped cream. "I'd have you know I bet I was very tasty toco" mumbled Creek a bit offended by Chris's comment about them. "Also, Why do you Bergens eat troll hair? Is part of the happiness or something? Because last I checked no one enjoys eating hair, especially seeing as they place things into their hair which you're also eating." Questioned Chris. And it seemed the Bergens didn't have an answer because they just all began to also question this. 

"Sorry, Poppy. Creek's gone." Said Guy as he gently placed his hand on Poppy's. "Poppy, how could you possibly think Creek's still alive?" Questioned Branch but Poppy was a bit loud and was feeling a bit anxious with a bit of hope in her. "I don't think he's alive. I hope he's alive, and that's enough." and Biggie and Cooper nodded their heads in agreement with Poppy's statement. "How do you always look on the bright side?" questioned Branch annoyed with Poppy's positive thinking. "There is no bright side here. None" 

But Poppy quickly rebutted his claim "There's always a bright side" and then a bright light was shined on them. "Pftt, it seems that means literally" said a Rock troll at the irony of that. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?" They screamed and started to run hoping not to get caught and Guy shot glitter at the Bergen "Glitter!" Bridget screamed as he removed the glitter from her eyes yelling out once more for the Trolls "No! Get back in your cage! Chef's gonna be so mad! No!" The trolls ran into a crate as Bridget tried to grab them but missed each time. They ended up running from the crate and ran in circles trying to get away. Branch took a fork as a weapon and Bridget took a pan as her weapon of choice. "No offence dude, but using your finger could take more damage than anything else for a troll. The pan is just a death weapon at this point. I don't think you need Troll mush." Said Chris as they finished their fourth waffle it seemed. "Bridget, stop!" Poppy yelled as Bridget looked over at Poppy. "You're in love with King Gristle." said Poppy as Bridget tried to play it cool. "Um, I don't know what you're talking about." Poppy then opened a curtain revealing pictures of Gristle. 

Bridget's face was bright red after seeing what was being shown on screen. As for King Gristle, he also began to blush as he never had anyone make him a shrine before like this. At least not that he knew of until now. "Uh! Excuse me! That's not mine." said Bridget as she covered it up again. But Poppy just raised her eyebrow showing her a cutout picture of Bridget and Gristle together as husband and bride. And Bridget finally admitted defeat.  "What does it matter? It's not like he even knows I'm alive." As harsh as it was...it was true King Gristle had no clue who Bridget was until reacting to themselves on screen. And King Gristle was starting to feel as if he wished he knew everything about these Bergen earlier. "Bridget, I can help you! What if there was a way we could both get what we want?" said Poppy calmly to Bridget. The trolls were shocked to hear that the Princess wanted to help the Bergen. "You wish to what!" yelled Branch as he heard what Poppy said. "Branch! She can help us get back Creek" Said Poppy as she needed to help her friend and boyfriend from the Bergen King. "No! Don't you get it! He's dead! Gone! There's no way to save Creek if he's dead!" Yelled Branch as he was beginning to get mad at the Princess for ignoring all the signs that he wasn't alive anymore he was gone now. He got up from the couch and made his way to a corner of the room and sat there angrily as he tried to calm himself down. Poppy and the others weren't sure what to say to him or knew what to do. 

"Just give him a moment dear" Said Queen Esscense "He's going through a few things right now" The brothers and Poppy nodded, sure that the grey troll wouldn't do anything to reckless. After all, it seems Chris was watching them even if he didn't say anything. "You love Gristle, too? You'd better back off, girlfriend!" Bridget sassed Poppy then hissed in the end a few times. A bit unsure of herself. But Poppy quickly cleared things up with Bridget. "No. Bridget, no. That Troll King Gristle put in his mouth, that's Creek. And I would do anything to save him. The only problem is...We can't get anywhere near the king without him eating us. But...You can. You can walk right up to him and tell him how you feel." Poppy explained her plan to Bridget as she told her about Creek and what they needed to do so they wouldn't get eaten by King Gristle. "As if. I can't just walk right up to the king. His royal awesomeness would never talk to a scullery maid like me." Bridget picked at her nails sure that Poppy's plan would fail. "What if he didn't know you were a scullery maid? What if he thought you were this total babe?" explained Poppy to Bridget as they were cooking up a plan to help Bridget. 

"What kind of total babe would be dressed like a scullery maid? I smell like gravy." Bridget looked at her clothes which were old and ripped apart. But the twins quickly jumped in and told her "What if we made you a new outfit?" "I'm thinking..." "Jumpsuit!" They looked excited with their choice of fashion. "What's the point of a jumping suit if I still have this hair?" Bridget was only slightly aboard but was still questioning them. "We can fix that." said Poppy to Bridget reassuring her for everything and the trolls nodded. "What's the point of a new outfit and new hair...If I don't even know what a total babe would ever say?" Poppy quickly jumped as she said, "We can help with that too!" Bridget was starting to go through with this as she exclaimed "Really?" she was near the wall of pictures and Poppy wanted to reassure the plan once more. "What do you say, Bridget? You get us Creek, and we'll get you a date with the king." a bit unsure Bridget let out the go for the plan. 

"Let's do it?"

Chapter Text

Branch was still sitting in his corner as he could feel his heart start racing. Something didn't feel right as he looked down to see he's hands start to shake. He could feel Chris's eyes on him as he had a look that held nothing behind his eyes. "Are you alright?" he asked as Branch curled up and didn't answer. He started to feel restless as he couldn't understand why his anxiety started to get worse. Chris looked at the clock that was ticking '5 days 10 hours 25 minutes 60 seconds' it read. It was obvious what Chris was trying to say to Branch. Even with his silence he merely smiled at him with no thoughts going through his head. He then created a small portal and out came a plate of brownies. Which he offered one to Branch but Branch didn't react. Not when he felt like his heart was about to explode in any minute now. Chris just shrugged and ate one as he looked back at the screen. But Branch knew that he was actually looking at him, how? He was sure but he could feel his eyes on him. 

The trolls and Bergens were watching the screen as it showed the Princess and the Trolls begun a new song number. "A 5, 6, 7, 8..." "When you look in the mirror let it disappear All your insecurities" the trolls were getting her ready for her date with King Gristle. But Bridget quickly put everything to stop. "Wait! Why isn't this one singing?" she asked as she pointed to Branch. Quickly the room was silent and all the previous questions they all had resurfaced again. And the point they all made when they knew Chris was not one to hide anything from them. They let these things play through and if one of them asked a question that caught his attention he would answer it and he made no plans to hide it. But no one had the guts to ask any question knowing that all of this was just fate for them. Another question in the back of their heads was that they understood why the Pop trolls and the Bergens were reacting to all this...but why other music genres? What did this have to do with them? What was Chris gaining from having them also react? 

From the looks of it, Chris wasn't telling them anything but also showing them everything. There was no in-between for Chris. Which was another thing that caught their attention was that Chris took an interest in Branch knowing that he helped Branch calm down from his panic attack earlier. Chris didn't look the type to care since here they were showing them the future as trolling cried with their mothers as they watched the future play out for them or how Chris would just comment and roll their eyes at gossip going around as if they couldn't care less about what was happening to them. But seeing them answer everything but not at the same time was the fear that all had, trolls and Bergens.

"Come on, Branch. Sing with us!" said Cooper as it took Branch off guard when he heard what Bridget said. It's had been so long since someone questioned why Branch didn't sing, dance, or hug. This was the way he was and everyone knew that and they just stopped questioning. "Yeah, Branch, sing with us!" said Biggie as the others tried to get him to sing too. "What's the point in getting him to sing? It doesn't matter if he does or not." said The Queen of Rock as she rolled her eyes at the screen. "Yeah, if he doesn't want to sing just let him be him" said Synth a bit disappointed with the trolls trying to push Branch to sing. The trolls and Bridget were a bit ashamed for trying to push and asking such a sensitive thing for him.

"No. That's okay." said Branch trying to skip the topic but Bridget who was never fully aboard with the plan and held doubts said, "You don't think this will work?" She said worried "Oh, no, no. It's not that. I just don't sing." reassured Branch knowing how much this 'plan' meant to Poppy and the others. "Branch!" said Poppy as her plan was slightly going overboard. 

"No. He's right. This idea is stupid. King Gristle will never love me." sobbed Bridget who felt horrible about herself again. The trolls tried to comfort her during her bad times she was having. "Come on. Hey, hey." "What's all this?" "That's right, Bridget. Just let it all out." "Bridget, let it go. Just have a good cry. Go, girl! Okay, now bring it back in. Reel it in." said Biggie at the last part seeing Bridget full on sobbing now. Branch just rolled his eyes as he began to climb the curtain and Poppy followed him. "Branch, what are you doing? You have to sing!" said Poppy annoyed with Branch. "What does singing have to do with helping Bridget with her date?" asked a techno troll clearly confused by what was going on right now. And a few trolls agreed with not understanding the context behind all of this. "I told you, I don't sing." said Branch still climbing the curtain. "You have to!" argued Poppy. "I'm sorry. I can't" said Branch as he tried to get himself out of this issue that was created by the Bergen without meaning to. "No, you can. You just won't." It seemed no matter where he was going Poppy was tailing him as he couldn't get himself out of the issue and was causing him more stress. "Fine. I just won't." Branch opened the window and unlatched it since Poppy wouldn't give him space. 

This was too stressful for Branch he felt his heart pounding inside of him. He dug his fingers into his palms as he gently rocked himself back and forth trying to find an escape from all the noise going through his head. The room felt loud, bright, and small. As he felt another panic attack again and just like the last time he was brought back into another room, the same room from before. Only this time Chris was inside the room. He could hear Chris telling him to breathe as he slowly came back to sense. He who thought he had just teleported into the room was actually in the room for a while now. He finally managed to calm down as Chris just held a small smile on his face. He awkwardly chuckled "Sorry...I'm bad at this kind of stuff. I don't know how to keep someone in check...uh- How are you feeling? Mostly your head?" Branch was confused by that part.

"Oh...You hit your head as you started to have another panic attack. It was pretty loud it caused your brothers to worry for you" said Chris as he chuckled as he saw Branch roll his eyes at the mention of his brothers. Branch had gone non-verbal again. But Chris's blank look made him feel slightly better knowing Chris held no actual pity for him. "I'm going to go now and I'll bring you back in a minute. I gave the others a 10-minute break from reacting since they were panicking when they heard you panic while sobbing again. I just came here for a wet floor sign since you cried so much I thought you would cause a flood." Branch scoffed at Chris's words he knew Chris was trying to be funny but it didn't always fly for him. He just looked at Branch with his dead look and got up from the ground as he teleported out of the room. 

And just like Chris said, Branch was back in the room with the others. He was back to where his brothers and Poppy were. He looked around to see the snack pack, synth, his brothers, and Poppy. "Sorry, my teleportation just teleports you anywhere in the span of a room" said Chris it was an obvious lie though. A lie he wasn't afraid to tell or get caught for telling.It also seemed that Chris paused the television so as to not allow Branch to escape what was bound to happen. Since they were still watching Branch and Poppy's awkward fight. "You have to!" "No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Why not? Why won't you sing?" and the words that Branch said were not what anyone expected to hear. These few words caused the whole room to grow quiet. 

"Because singing killed my grandma, okay?" yelled Branch back to Poppy. Branch looked down in shame as he heard his brother gasp in disbelief. "Branch...what do you mean by that?" asked Floyd as he couldn't believe what he heard his own brother say. "Now, leave me alone." The brother refused to believe that. "B...Are you trying to say...Grandma died?" calmly asked Spruce who couldn't believe what was going on. None of them understood what was going on. A few of them had tears in their eyes with so many questions. 

Poppy looked stunned by what she heard obviously not expecting to hear what Branch said to her. "My uncle broke his neck tap dancing once." Whispered Cooper but his father sighed as he said "Not the time, son" Not only wasn't it the time, but he should have expected for his son to gain family over the years. But that was a talk for another day. 

"How did singing kill your grandma? What song was she singing?" questioned Poppy as she looked at Branch who was sitting on the ground now curled up. "I was the one singing." Branch admitted softly to Poppy. She was a bit surprised by that statement made by Branch. The brothers had a few theories in their heads but they were quickly thrown away the moment they saw their younger brother singing as a small trolling still. The sight made everyone silently gasp as they realised the troll was still so young when he experienced this. "And I need you now tonight And I need you more than ever" sang Branch with no care in the world. "That day, I was so lost in song...I didn't hear my grandma trying to warn me." said Branch as a Bergen was coming into view and his grandma noticed as she screamed out for him. "Branch! Watch out!" she was running toward him as he couldn't hear her yells. "And we'll only be making it right" The Bergen was about to take hold of him before he could be grabbed. His grandma ran as he finally realised she was behind him. "Watch out, Branch!" she pushed Branch to the side causing Chef to grab her and Branch was thrown to the side. He broke his fall with a leaf as he heard his grandma shrieks of fear. "Grandma!" he called out after her. 

It then showed Branch turn grey. He looked only around 5-7 around those times. And while everyone watched this play out no one spoke. How could they when they just watched someone lose their family member? It was made obvious that Branch's brothers were not there to witness it and that led everyone to believe that Branch was an orphan from that time on. The family could only feel tears fall down from their eyes. Their baby brother was still so young when this happened. He shouldn't had to witness something like that. He lost everything all because of one fight and a bergen who took everything in a matter of seconds. And he couldn't stop either one of them from happening. It was like fate wasn't on Branch's side. "Branch...I" started John Dory but was cut off by Branch as thick tears rolled down his cheeks. "No! Why don't you get it? There is no apologising for what you've done there are no words that can turn back the clock. You all left me!" This stunned the trolls and Bergens. His words were filled with anger but so much sadness as he if was back to being a little kid with no concept of anything going through his mind as he yelled out to his brothers. "You all left...and then I lost grandma. N-no one wanted me...No one wanted to take care of a trolling who was grey and held no more meaning" whispered Branch. Those words hurt as the Pop Trolls truly didn't want to handle a trolling who needed more care than the average trolling. 

This hurt his brothers. No wonder why none of the trolls knew about his singing he hasn't sung a not since the incident that took place which caused their baby brother to never go back to his colourful self again. He felt like there was no reason to be happy again since he had no one in his life to help him with his trauma.

There were rumours that went around for trolls who went grey. That those who lost colour after a long period of time would slowly die inside out. It may sound harsh but the few records Troll had said that a grey troll would die after a year or two. But Branch here was a 20 something, he was an adult. A he spent most of his life as a grey troll who was abandoned by everyone. He lost his grandma and his brothers left. He had no reason to be happy...no reason to see the bright side of the light in his life. 

"Once upon a time there was light in his life But now there's only love in the dark Nothing he can say" "A total eclipse of the heart" sang the trolls and Bridget took over the last verse. Branch was a bit uncomfortable as he stared through the window as Poppy was behind him. "I haven't sung a note since." Which confirmed everything for everyone. "I'm so sorry, Branch. I had no idea. I just assumed you had a terrible voice." Apologised Poppy for trying to make Branch sing and for thinking he had a horrible singing voice. "No, no, it was like an angel's. At least, that's what grandma used to say" Branch cleared up for Poppy. It was all going back to what the Ex-BroZone members said about Branch's singing and how he would sing so beautifully and that clip which was so beautiful and held so many memories for Branch was truly majestic. "It seems she wasn't wrong about your singing Branch" said Poppy. Branch who was still slightly crying just looked at her as he tried to calm down from his high. Branch tried to scoff but it came out more like a cough looked away flustered.  

"Whoa, whoa. What are you doing? It's not hug time." Said Branch as he was being hugged by Poppy. "I just thought you could use one" whispered Poppy. Branch didn't try to escape the hug or leaned into it, he just stood there allowing Poppy to hug him. Until the others and Bridget began to hug Branch was it that he tried to escape it by saying "Okay. Okay, I'll help. But I'm still not singing" And this time Poppy took his answer without fighting about it. Everyone in the room could tell that Branch was trying still being affected by everything that happened to him.

But just like the present Branch who stopped crying only to scoff at the screen when he saw the trolls who hugged him. They knew this was his way of hiding his trauma and emotions by building a wall. That was slowly coming down like a dam filled with overflowing water. And they knew that any day now it'd break causing him to relive through everything. Just like how a hole was now starting to form the minute he yelled out to his brothers and admitted so many things about himself to everyone in the room. 

"Okay, people. Hair we go!" said Poppy as they began to sing. They all got on top of Bridget's head and started to stretch out their hair causing it to swirl together into a rainbow making it look like a wig. "Yup, totally not weird and eye-catching to a bunch of Bergens who haven't seen bright colours since we left" said Branch sarcastically. Poppy just playfully rolled her eyes at Branch who facepalmed and looked away from her. This did make Synth laugh as he looked at him confused and he just raised his hands to show he surrendered but never answered Branch. It showed Bridget putting on the jumpsuit and walking through Bergen town as she tried to get the hang of high-top heels. The Bergens all looked at her but didn't say anything. And Bridget began to start singing through Bergen Town. 

(Not writing all that bullsh*t my fingers would hurt and my sanity is low enough that I'm writing this.)    

Bridget ended up landing on top of Barnabus as he growled at her. She ended up throwing a sandwich to him the sandwich she stole from a Bergen. "No, no, no! It's all wrong! I'm the king who's bringing back Trollstice. I need a bib to match." Yelled the King to a shop owner who was helping him find a new bib. "Oh, come on. The least you can do is help a small business owner." said a classical troll. "Yes, sire." said the show owner. Bridget gasped as she saw the King through the window. "I look like a child in this one" complained Gristle like a child. "Oh, sire!" said the shop owner as King Gristle through the bib onto his face. "I need something elegant, sophisticated. You know, a man's bib" he said with a pose in the end. "I didn't know men wore bibs? I thought that was a baby thing" laughed a rock troll. "I'll have you know that I look amazing in a bib" said the King as he flexed in the end. Bridget was silently gushing as she saw the King flex. 

"Oh, he's so beautiful" said Bridget as she watched the king through the window. "Someone needs to get their eyes checked" mumbled Branch as he was hit by Poppy "Ow!" she frowned at him "Branch, don't judge love" she scolded him. He just rolled his eyes at Poppy. "And so are you" said Poppy to Bridget but she just panicked again. "He'll know that I'm just a scullery maid." "No, no, no!" said Poppy as she couldn't let Bridget think that way "I got to get out of here" But Poppy quickly made sure to reassure Bridget and calmed her down. "I'll be right here for you, Bridget. We all will." Poppy calmly said to Bridget. "You'll tell me what to say, right?" questioned Bridget. "Of course, I will" and Bridget mimicked her "Of course, I will"

Branch just facepalmed and groaned "This totally won't blow you in our faces" Poppy looked unamused with Branch's comment. "Just wait until we get inside" said Poppy after hearing Bridget mimicking her. "Sire! I believe I have the perfect bib!" Said the shop owner as the screen was showing them back into the shop. "It better be! Trollstice is tomorrow night. I mean, I look good. But I have to look great." Said Kin Gristle as the show owner opened a box that was inside a glass case. "Right." He then showed the 'perfect' bib for King Gristle. He looked at it with awe as he saw it "It's got a wing-dingle on it!" The shop owner helped put it on Grisle and said "Your majesty! Look at you! Such a big, big boy."

"That is one of the most childish bib, I've ever had the misfortune of seeing" said Chris as he ate a plate of steak and rice. "No more sweets?" asked Clay "Nope, I don't think my stomach can take it anymore" admitted Chris as they shoved rice into their mouth. "You did eat a bunch of sweets during this whole thing" said Synth "Yeah, and I regret it big time" said Chris. "I love it!" Said King Gristle as he wore the bib. Todd, Chad, and the shop owner clapped as they saw their king pose in front of the mirror. "I think you look fat." The clapping then stopped as King Gristle looked angry to see Bridget standing there. "What?" he questioned "P-H, phat. Then strike that pose" whispered Poppy to Bridget. "P-H, phat!" as she striked a pose. The king's anger completely melted away as he saw Bridget. "Hot lunch! Total honesty from a total babe." Bridget nervously chuckled since she'd never been so close to the King before like this. King Gristle must admit she was very lovely dressed like that but he honestly enjoyed normal Bridget. Not that he'd admit it, just a nice thought to have. 

"And who might you be?" asked King Gristle as he took Bridget's hand. "Your name is, um..." started Poppy and then quickly turned to the others for help. "Lady!" Biggie said first "Glitter?" Guy added questioning it "Sparkles!" Smidge added "Seriously?" while Branch deadpanned. "My name is Lady Glittersparkles, seriously." Bridget said to King Gristle as she copied the troll's words. "You guys really didn't come up with a name beforehand?" said the Queen of Rock. King Gristle didn't even question it as he just replied with "Well, my Lady Gittersparkles." as he said this he gave out a chuckle "Would you care to join me for an evening...At Captain Starfunkle's Roller Rink and Arcade?" asked King Gristle "Would I! Would I?" Bridget exclaimed at first with excitement then questioned it to Poppy. "Yes! You'd be delighted" answered Poppy to Briget. "Yes! You'd be delighted." Hearing her say that a few trolls facepalmed not excepting her to say it in such a way. But some of them felt a bit saddened for her since they remembered seeing Bridget so young as a scullery maid. So she probably never got proper schooling so it's not like she knew any better. 

"Oh, Indeed, I would" said Gristle not questioning it any further once again. In Bridget's hair, Branch asked Poppy "When are you gonna ask him about Creek?" and Poppy replied with "We have to warm him up first. Don't you know anything about romance?" she questioned with a duh face. "Of course! I'm passionate about it" answered Branch "Really?" Questioned Poppy not excepting that answer. "Don't you know anything about sarcasm?" deadpanned Branch. "I bet someone like Branch can be quite the romantic fellow" said Holly Darlin. This caused Branch to blush as he questioned her words. "What makes you say that mate?" questioned Creek "Just look at the little fellow he looks like someone who knows his way around some words" she answered. "Huh, Now that you say it he does look like someone who knows his way around words" said Smidge. During the whole thing, Branch merely blushed as his brothers laughed a bit. 

"B here used to be a chick magnet when the band was still around. But that again was due to him being an adorable baby" proudly said John Dory. Even with Branch trying his hardest to ignore his brothers he just rolled his eyes and huffed as he heard his brothers talk about how cute he used to be as a baby. He then looked at the ground as he cut out the outside world. 'He was an adorable baby' that's the only way they would know him. A baby. Not as a Branch, but as a baby. An innocent baby who thought they would come back for him but never did. A helpless baby. This seemed to be his brother's way of coping from what they heard not too long ago. They weren't asking questions because they didn't know how to confront him or knew anything about him.  

"I think I had a sarcasm once." said Cooper hearing that brought back Branch from his mind. "And I'll take one of everything, Bibbly. Things are gonna get messy." said King Gristle to the shop owner. The last part caught them by surprise but the trolls didn't seem to understand what he meant but the Bergens did. It then showed them on their date. A pizza was placed on their table "Enjoy your pizza. Here's your tokens." said the Bergen as he threw the tokens on the table. "So fancy. Good thing I brought my appetite" said Bridget as she reached over for a slice and so did King Gristle. They both reached for the same slice and then looked at each other in the eyes. Only for Bridget to slap his hand and goble up the slice of pizza. And the King only saw her with disgust before seeing her so much awe as he complimented her "You are fantastic!" and Poppy whispered to Bridget "Bridget! Compliment him back!"

"I like your back" said Bridget but Poppy tried to fix that "No! I meant say something nice about him" and Bridget whispered back to Poppy and said "But I do like his back" but King Gristle heard this and began to question it with confusion. "Poppy, help her" said Branch and then Poppy began to look for thing to compliment Gristle on. "Your eyes...They're...Ooh! Your ears" Poppy was a bit grossed out. "Your eyes...Ears" said Bridget unsure of what they wanted her to say. "Nose! Skin! Neck!" said the trolls trying to find something to say also but Bridget just kept finding something to say "Skin, neck, ears...Nose, face, back of your head"

"Are you okay?" questioned Gristle getting a bit uncomfortable. "Your teeth" said Guy with a high pitch and Bridget tried to copy it "Teeth" During the whole time the trolls and Bergens looked concerned for Bridget even if they had full context of what was going on. Branch hid his face in his hands as he couldn't bare the embarrassment that was happening in front of him on screen. As for Bridget, she wasn't sure how to feel she felt embarrassed and confused about what was happening. She knew this date was a horrible idea but she never imagined it to go this badly. "What's going on? Are you making fun of me?" said Gristle as he got up ready to leave the date. 

"Your eyes!" Bridget finally said "They're like...Two pools, so deep...I fear if I dive in..." This caught the trolls and Bergen's attention. Whoever was speaking to Bridget obviously had a way with words because Gristle began to start listening to what Bridget was saying. It was a shocker but not really when they saw the troll who was whispering to Bridget. It was Branch. The grey troll was talking to her with such a calm tone it made you forget that he was utterly terrified of her even without him admitting that. "I might never come up for air" he whispered and Bridget followed his words. "I might never come up for air." Poppy looked at Branch shocked that he was taking charge of the situation with such grace with each word he said. "And your smile. The sun itself turns jealous...And refuses to come out from behind the clouds." the trolls just looked at awe in the screen just like Poppy was staring at Branch with awe that it was such a sweet moment. "Knowing it cannot shine half as bright" said Bridget and then Gristle sat back down. "I kinda do have a nice smile, don't I?" he said with confidence. "Yes, you do" said Branch looking at Poppy as she smiled at him. He gave a tiny smile at her before going back to giving a serious expression. 

"Branch...I had no idea you had a way with words" said Poppy but Branch just blushed as he looked away. "Talk about that W rizz dude" chuckled Chris. "I knew that Branch here surely would have a way with words" said Holly Darlin proudly. A few trolls all shared similar looks as they saw the way Branch and Poppy saw each other. It was obvious from the start but it seemed those two were too oblivious to see it or try to jump on the train of emotions. "I can't believe I'm about to say this..." said Bridget and Biggie gasped a bit freaked out "Guys, she's going rogue!" but Bridget continued speaking "But being here with you today...Makes me realize that true happiness is possible." Bridget's small speech made Poppy starstruck as let out a small "Whoa" and it seemed Gristle agreed with her as he moved closer to her. "It is! True happiness is a lot closer than you think. It's right here" He then showed her the gem on his cape that we wore. "That's pretty, I guess" said Bridget not really caring about the gem. Until Gristle began to open it "What do you think now?" as he opened it, it showed Creek inside the gem. 

"Creek?" questioned Branch 100% thinking he was dead. "I knew he was alive!" said Poppy as she was so happy to know he was alive. Poppy turned to Creek as she hugged him "Your alive Creek! I knew it you were alive after all!" she said as he chuckled "That's right, I am alive" he said obviously happy with the way turned out. But Branch wasn't buying it. "How though?" he asked this made the trolls frown as he questioned how and why he was still alive. "Branch-" began Guy but was quickly cut off "No, It's pretty obvious something happened there's no way he would still be alive if some sort of deal or bargain took place" he said as he crossed his arms and eyed Creek with suspicion. "Let it go, Branch. I'm alive after all. Is that what matters?" said Creek. Branch still not buying his words just glared at him as Creek just smiled at him "Okay, that's enough. Branch he's alive that's all that matters we'll get back to Troll Village everything will go back to normal" 

Branch didn't buy any of this as he looked over at Chris who just smiled at their words. He let out a small chuckle and said "If only life was that simple" he mumbled to himself but Branch could practically lip read his lips as if Chris wanted him to. He was just smiling as he then looked at Branch and gave a small wave as he chuckled once more.  

"Mr. Dinkles, he's alive!" said Biggie as the trolls cheered "Oh, snap!" said Mr. Dinkles and then the trolls gasped. Biggie looked at him closer and said "You just talked!" only for Mr. Dinkle to mew again. "I've been savoring this little guy" admitted Gristle to Bridget. As he held Creek up from the gem locket and Creek panted for air obviously having lack air since he was trapped. "Help! Mercy!" he begged Bridget to save him. Only to be placed back into the gem Locket by Gristle. "Tell me, my lady, will I be seeing you at the Trollstice feast?" asked Gristle to Bridget as if nothing happened. "Well, duh. I'll be working" said Bridget as if it was an obvious fact. "It!" Poppy quickly fixing it "It. Working it. You know...Workin' it." she said as she got up and did a small disco dance. A few Funk trolls laughed and Prince D said "You got the moves!" 

"Yeah! You're not kidding, you will. Because you're gonna be there as my plus one" announced Gristle "Really?" Questioned Bridget unaware of that part. "Assuming you'll say yes?" asked Gristle. "Yes!" said Bridget and Gristle cheered "Yes!" and the trolls also cheered a "Yes!" "Meantimes, maybe we should find some other way to...Work up an appetite" said King Gristle as he flirted with Bridget "Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?" she flirted back. And before they knew it they were both roller skating. "Whoo!" as the spinned. After a few cool moves, the trolls almost revealing Bridget, Gristle nearly kissing Bridget, and Gristle being used a basketball on Bridget's finger. They nearly went for a kiss in the end only to be stopped by Chef. "Ah! I forgot she existed" said John Dory as the moon that was being used in their fantasy love story turned into Chef. "Your majesty. You seem to be having...Fun." she questioned the king. "I am! Meet the lovely Lady Glittersparkles" said Gristle as he showed Chef his date that he was with. "You remind me of someone" she said as Bridget was shaking and her hair? "She's gonna be my plus one." said Gristle and Chef went ah when he heard the King's words. "Oh, I see. For a moment there I was concerned you were changing the plan" she eyed her closer as Gristle and her chuckled as Bridget nervously chuckled. Cooper also chuckled but he was quickly shushed.

"Well, this won't be a problem at all, Your Highness. I'll just get my worthless scullery maid to get...Another place setting ready for the lovely...Lady Glittersparkles" she dragged out the last of her name as she just eyed her continuously. "Put her place setting next to mine. I want her right by my side..." he looked at his side to see she had left. "Hey! Lady Glittersparkles? Lady Glittersparkles!" he ran off outside and saw her leaving into a back alley. "I'll see you at Trollstice, yeah?" he gasped as he saw her rollerskate on a step. He grabbed it and spun one of the wheels as he whispered "I miss you already" and then kissed it only to burn his lips "Ow!" King Gristle was a bit embarrassed as he saw himself kiss the wheel of the rollerskate belonging to Bridget who was blushing. 

Bridget skated into her bedroom as she flopped onto her bed. And the trolls get flinged onto the bed no longer standing on Bridget's head. "I think the king really likes us" said Cooper to Biggie as he replied with "I know, right?" And Bridget all excited said "That was the greatest day of my life! Thanks, Poppy. Thanks to all of you! Even you, I guess." she thanked all of them despite not really counting Branch, which caused him to frown. "Wow, no thanks to the poet?" said Synth being offended for Branch "I thank you did great. You know what you need a cool rave name!" exclaimed Synth to Branch. That caught Branch off guard "Rave name?" he questioned "Yeah! You need a cool rave name. Hmm...Oh! How about Dubstep!" he said as he got up from excitement Branch was not fully catching the grasp. But it seemed to make Synth happy and all he could feel was him being flustered. He fidgeted with his hands not at all understanding the excitement coming off of Synth he looked confused and couldn't hide it well. But merely said "Sure...? Whatever works for you?" he was unsure of what to say in this form of situation. 

"I just never thought something like that could happen to me. And it just did! I'm so excited I could just scream" said Bridget as she let out a small scream from all the excitement. "I could scream too! Creek is alive!" said Poppy as the trolls cheered. Branch yelled out as the trolls looked at her confused wondering if he was hurt or anything. "Branch, what's wrong?" asked Poppy to Branch clearly worried for him. "Nothing. I thought we were celebrating" he said confused. None of them said anything about Branch's 'happy shout' It was nice to see him try something he wasn't used to or understood. "That's your happy shout?" asked Cooper "It's been a while" deadpanned Branch "Oh, here I thought you were dying" said Cooper with a calm smile. Branch didn't say anything it felt nice to see himself trying to do something he never thought he'd do ever again. But at the same time...it felt odd and wrong. He had mixed feelings about all of this...but he felt warm right now. He enjoyed being here but he also felt scared and alone. 

"Well, you're gonna have plenty of practice, because we're gonna save Creek. And life will be all cupcakes and rainbows again" said Poppy to Branch as she announced going back to save Creek. "Up top!" said Branch to Poppy and Poppy went in for the High five until Branch moved his hand and said "Too slow" to her. Poppy was a bit surprised but smiled. Poppy looked over at Branch who was a bit surprised himself. She smiled at him as she loved watching Branch improve with everything that was happening right now. The Ex-BroZone members smiled at the screen as they watched their baby brother act like he was once used to. It was a bit odd but they wouldn't trade it for the world. They knew even if this Branch who was in the room with them didn't change they knew he would at least grow. They were selfish for wishing they could be apart of his life knowing they left and only know it seemed he was starting to talk to others and they knew they couldn't be there with him yet. Maybe one day...hopefully. 

"Yes!" "I knew it!" could be heard by the twins in the background as Poppy just smiled at Branch before saying to the trolls "Okay, everybody. Let's go save Creek" and then quickly got off the bed and headed to the door. But was stopped by Bridget who was blocking the closed door. "No! No! You can't leave. Lady Glittersparkles is gonna be the king's plus one at dinner" said Bridget to the trolls as she used her body to block the door. "The dinner where they're serving Troll? Yeah, I think we're gonna have to skip that one" said Branch as he didn't like that idea whatsoever. "No! No, you have to help me be Lady Glittersparkles. I need you" said Bridget as she got onto the ground to be close in height with the trolls. "You don't wanna pretend to be someone you're not forever!" said Poppy hoping that Bridget would understand where she's coming from in this. "Then how about just for tomorrow?" asked Bridget "Bridget, you don't need us anymore. You and the king can make each other happy!" said Poppy calmly but it didn't seem to work because Bridget soon became upset "That's impossible! Only eating a Troll can make you happy. Everyone knows that! I wish I'd never gone on this stupid date!" she said as she walked over to her wall of picture of King Gristle and ripped it up as she started to cry. 

"Bridget..." Poppy felt bad for Bridget but then again she couldn't also be there for her since she knew what would happen if she did stay for tomorrow's dinner. "Just go! Get out of my room. Leave me alone" yelled Bridget as she wanted to be alone as she felt upset and hurt. "Please, listen" Poppy tried again but was cut off by Chef who yelled "Bridget!" The trolls were leaving the room as Branch said to Poppy "We've gotta go" knowing that if they don't they'll be captured. "Bridget..." she tried one more time "What's going on down there? Bridget, scrub that dish! The king's bringing a plus one" yelled Chef as she threw a plate down hitting Bridget in the head as she continued to cry. 

Poppy felt so much guilt for Bridget. But she knew deep down inside she couldn't help her...at least not at that moment. "Poppy, you're doing the best you can do. And that's all that matters" said her father King Peppy as he hugged his daughter. She sadly nodded her head as she heard Bridget reply to Chef as she cried and whispered.

"Yes, Chef."

Chapter Text

Bridget was a bit hurt knowing that her new friends had to leave. It was for the best, but she couldn't see it that way. They gave her something she was proud of, only for her to have to let it go. She looked at the screen as she saw Poppy having a guilty and sad expression on her face as she had to leave her small bedroom. The mood in the room quickly shifted as they saw King Gristle placing his royal cape and the single rollerskate belonging to Bridget onto his bed carefully. All dressed up in exercise attire ready for a workout. "I just have to lose 30 pounds in the next eight hours" said King Gristle as he placed a headband on his head. "That's not how losing weight works" said Chris as he ate a bowl of corn. "I knew that, I was just making sure I had the confidence!" said King Gristle as he blushed in anger and embarrassment from being called out like that. "Sure you did buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night" said Chris as he rolled his eyes.

King Gristle turned on the treadmill on 1 digit as he began to run. "Oh! come on, not the sandals!" said Chris as he watched Gristle running on the treadmill with sandals on. "You're being very judgy right now aren't you?" said a Bergen "Uh, Yeah. I'm stuck here for the next 5 days 6 hours 10 minutes and 30 seconds" Chris pointed to the clock reading how much time they were being forced to be stuck in the room for. "Didn't you bring us here?" deadpanned a Rock troll "Yeah, But this is my job. I do this for a living. I make money this way and I need money to survive. I just never needed to stay in a room with the people reacting before" groaned Chris in compliment. "So why are you here then?" questioned Branch. "Uh...Well I can't leave or then some of you will try something stupid, leading me to have to clean up your messes" grumbled Chris.  

The trolls opened the door leading to Gristle's bedroom as they looked around for the gem locket where Creek was trapped in. Poppy managed to spot it as she whispered yelled "There it is!" and then the trolls started to make their way to the locket. While Gristle was singing as they were running on the treadmill "I feel good, I feel good I feel good, I feel good I feel good" While he was singing the trolls made their way onto the bed crawling through the cover as Branch led the way. He was the first to make it to the locket but Poppy was the first to speak as she said to Creek who was inside the locket. "Creek, we'll have you out of there in a second" Branch was trying his hardest to remove the locket. "Hurry!" yelled Biggie and Branch replied with "It's stuck!" but in the gem of the locket could be seen Gristle's pet Barnabus. "Run!" yelled Poppy as the trolls ran and screamed out loud. Branch and Poppy managed to remove the locket as they ran also. "I feel love" sang Gristle even though there was chaos going on in the background. 

"Hey, guys! Over here!" Yelled out Cooper as the trolls were inside Bridget's single rollerskate. "So much chaos for a single troll" said a Bergen. "Yeah, but then again with that single troll is enough for a full day of happiness" said another. The whole time they were in the room Trolls and Bergens spoke but the trolls tried so hard to ignore them. But couldn't and now that they knew that this was fate they would come across to. They all knew Trollstice would be a go for them. So they just kept talking about it and how excited they were for that day to come for them too. "Don't worry, Creek. After we get out of that room we'll be able to go back to the village together!" said Poppy who was excited to have her boyfriend back. Creek smiled "Why thank you, Poppy. I'd like that too after all of this we can have a nice spa and meditation with each other" he said as he booped her nose "Boop" he said as she blushed and giggled. 

Branch on the other hand rolled his eyes as he still refused to believe Creek wasn't hiding anything. He just glared at Creek as he watched the snack pack, Poppy and Creek all acting as if none of this wasn't odd whatsoever. "Everyone, get in! Let's go" cried Biggie as Barnabus was trying to eat them. "Branch, give him to me" said Poppy as Branch handed the locket to her. "Go! Just go!" yelled out Branch as they got on. Barnabus jumped on the bed causing the rollerskate to fly upwards. "Everybody hold on!" said Branch as the trolls yelled mid-air. It then started an epic chase with the trolls and Baranbus. They were rolling with the skate down the castle hall being chased and Biggie cried out "Hold it steady, guys" as they were taking random turns nearly tipping them over each time. "Satin, Chenille, sharp right!" yelled Poppy as she saw the light hoping to use that to take a turn. "Let's do it!" cried out Chenille as she threw her sister Satin to the light making them take a sharp right turn. Barnabus was still behind them as the trolls and Bergens were in their hot seats wondering what would happen to the trolls. Would they be eaten or get away safely? thought the trolls while the Bergen questioned will they be eaten by Barnabus or captured again to be eaten by the Bergens. 

"Guy Diamond, glitter him!" Yelled out Poppy as Guy swung using the shoelace and yelled "Eat glitter!" as the wheel scrapped off his glitter. The trolls looked away as they all winced in the pain he would feel due to that. "Ha-Ha" laughed Guy in amusement but also in harsh pain he was feeling. He managed to blind Barnabus as he swung back on top with the others and the screen showed his bum no longer holding glitter to it. "Look!" cried Poppy as they were heading outside near a window but also wet floor signs. Causing them to all scream. "Hold on!" yelled Poppy but the impact made Poppy lose her grip on the locket causing it to fly out of her hands. "Creek!" she yelled as Barnabus swallowed it, but caused him to go into a coughing fit. "Barnabus!" cried out Gristle as he watched his best friend in pain. Barnabus kept running due to the wet floor he then hit the window making him spit out the locket into the sky. And Poppy who gained the confidence threw herself to catch the locket. "Branch!" she yelled as she stretched out her hair and Poppy and she wrapped their hair together to catch each other. Sending Poppy back to the other into the rollerskate "We got you!" cried Biggie as gravity was bringing them down. 

They saw they were about to hit a window and they all screamed. The rollerskate hit through the window and a few floors also. "What are Bergen skates made of?" questioned Holly Darlin'. Synth was losing it as another troll was trying to get a better look at what was going on. "Well lookie there it seems not even I didn't expect that" said the troll "Never did I, Gust" said Holly Darlin'. But even with all of that they landed in the kitchen as Branch and Poppy managed to catch the locket. "Gotcha!" said Poppy as the trolls gathered around to see them open the locket. 

Only to find it to be empty. "No...No! We couldn't have been late" cried Poppy as she looked at Creek. Who was shocked as he stared at the screen not sure what to say. As Poppy cried for Creek's loss, she quickly hugged Creek. "I-...I'm so sorry Creek!" she cried as she felt Creek hug her back. The trolls were all stunned not thinking that they'd find Creek gone/dead. Even Branch who was starting to feel bad for thinking Creek was looking to betray them since he was still alive in the skating rink when they saw him get eaten by the King. Did the king not eat him until after the date only to show off the fact that he had a troll to begin with? 

The trolls gasped as they saw the empty locket. "No! He can't be gone" whispered Poppy as she refused to believe Creek was dead/gone. "I'm sorry, Poppy. We're too late" said Branch to Poppy as she was still in disbelief. But the one voice none of them thought they would hear spoke and it was none other than Chef who had a cage in her hands. "Actually...Your timing is perfect." She trapped them into the cage only thing being shown on screen was her eyes. The trolls gasped not thinking that they'd get caught again by Chef. They were placed back into the old cage they were placed into before but now this time Branch and Poppy were also inside. They all freaked out as they were stuck one more in a cage. "Sorry, but I can't have you leaving before tomorrow's dinner. A dinner to which you are all invited." The trolls were all scared as Chef's face was close to the gate. 

All the trolls were worried for them. The Ex-BroZone members got up as they saw their baby brother in the cage on screen. Meanwhile, their adult baby brother was panicking as he didn't want to be eaten by a Bergen. None of the trolls did. He was selfishly saved by his grandma when he was still so young, only to allow himself to get trapped in a cage waiting to be Bergen's dinner? He and the other trolls began to cry as none of them wished to be food as they worried about what would happen to the rest of the Pop Trolls. The brothers slowly approached Branch who was crying as he curled up into himself. "I don't want to die..." whispered Branch as his brother sat down close to him. "Branch...Don't worry" whispered Floyd. Only to be engulfed in a sudden hug by Branch as he cried about how didn't wish to die in such a fate. The brothers would have been shocked if not for them crying knowing the fate that Branch was destined to have for the future. Just like their parents and grandma. The Non-Pop trolls held grief for the Pop trolls as they watched the snack pack curled up hugging each other as they cried and King Peppy and Poppy hugged as they knew what would happen to them. 

The Bergens cheered knowing that they'll still have their Trollstice dinner as Bridget was shocked she couldn't do anything to save the trolls. King Gristle who was trying to please his people just smiled nervously as he watched the screen. And while all of this was happening Chris just held a blank expression on their face without a single care in the world.    

"And when I say all...I mean every Troll in Troll Village" those words brought fear into all trolls. "You'll never find them. Not where they're hiding" still tried to fight Poppy. Chef who was walking away from the kitchen stopped walking. Then smiled as she heard the troll's words as she was still fighting. 

"You're right. I couldn't find them. But I could with someone they know. Someone they trust." Said Chef as they walked back closer to the cage. The trolls were scared as she got closer again. But this time she opened her bumbag and said while doing so "Someone...Like this guy" She pulled out Creek from the bumbag as he was meditating. All the trolls gasped as they saw that Creek was alive. But how? "Creek! You're alive!" exclaimed Poppy as Chef placed Creek onto the table the cage was on. Branch looked at Creek confused as the trolls were so happy that he was alive. Even Poppy was a bit confused about what was going on. "He's selling us out!" said Branch as he began to choke him with his hair. "Branch! Wait! I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation. At least give him a chance" said Poppy as she tried to pull Branch away from Creek to allow him to speak and breathe. "Thank you, Poppy. I'm selling you out" Creek said with a deadpan in the end with his honesty. 

Poppy, who was hugging Creek after finding out he truly was alive in the end. Quickly let go of him and backed away. "W-what?" she questioned as the others were shocked when they heard Creek say he sold them out. "But...I...Creek, Why would you...?" she said as tears fell out of her eyes. Her boyfriend...her friend...betrayed her. Just like Branch said he did from the start. "Poppy, I never sold you out! We can change this! I promise you! I would never sell you out or the village" said Creek. But Poppy kept backing away as she cried looking at Creek. "You liar...you- Branch was right you sold yourself to the Bergens...Was it for safety...? Did you sell us out so you could live!" cried out Poppy. Branch quickly got up from the hug he was having with Floyd still. He ran over to where the drama was happening. The brothers got up from sitting positions as they ran over to where Branch was to make sure nothing would happen to anyone. 

The trolls and Bergens were silent as they watched all of this take place. "Poppy-" said Creek "No! No! You betrayed us to save yourself! I would have came to save you, Creek!" yelled Poppy as she cried. She looked around to see her father, her friends, the other tribes of trolls, Branch, Branch's brothers, the Bergens on the other side of the glass, and Chris who was standing closer to them. And all of them were shocked (except Chris) when they heard that Creek sold out the trolls. She cried as her father ran up to her to hug her. "Creek...I loved you...was that a lie too?" she whispered. Now that shocked Creek "Of course not! I-...I loved you too, Poppy. And I still do...I just" As this was going on Chris sighed "Why don't I show you why this all happened" said Chris as they unpaused the television and the Bergens and Trolls all looked at the screen.

Poppy was beginning to choke Creek as the others tried to stop her. "You better explain yourself, Creek!" yelled out Poppy as she let him go. Creek panted for air "As I was about to accept my fate...I had, what I can only describe as...A spiritual awakening." As he said those words Poppy and the others were only confused. Until they were brought into a flashback. Where Creek was being eaten by King Gristle. He quickly stopped by hanging onto King Gristle's uvulitis and yelled "I don't wanna die!" he was quickly gagged out by Gristle. "Don't eat me. Eat someone else. Anyone else. Everyone else. But not me!" begged out Creek. "But the king wants to be happy now" said Chef obviously annoyed right at that moment. "Wait! Wait! There must be some other way. I'll do anything" pleaded Creek and then Chef smiled hearing his words. The flashback was over and Poppy held a look of sadness "No! Creek, please don't do this" but Creek who held a look of 'guilt' said "Believe me...I wish there was some other me-not-getting-eaten way" and as Chef sharpened her butchers knives said "But there isn't" As she said that the trolls gulped in fear. But Creek continued his pathetic speech "And now I have to live with this for the rest of my life. At least you get to die with a clear conscience" Poppy was shocked that he said that so freely and calmly. "So, in a way...You could say...I'm doing this for you"

He placed his hand on her cheek and placed his hand in her hair as he pulled out her cowbell. and with the stick part placed it on her nose and said "Boop!" The trolls weren't sure how to react. Even with the explanation Creek's actions weren't justified. Poppy laughed as she saw Creek just stand there with a sad look on his face that said it all. She just shook her head as she sobbed. She was going to lose everything she loved and her friends and it was all her fault. "You...tricked me. You lied to me...I-" Everyone bite their tongues not knowing what to do. "I knew it. I knew you would sell us out. But I-" Branch was cut off by Poppy "I'm sorry I didn't believe you, Branch. I just wanted to see the positive side of everything...But I-" Poppy felt someone hug her as she looked up to see a blonde troll who looked so familiar but she didn't understand why. That's until she heard her father gasp. "Viva?" he whispered. "Hey, Daddy" she smiled as she hugged her crying sister. "Wha-" Poppy was so confused. "Don't worry, Poppy. I'll explain everything a bit later" She said. Teary-eyed Poppy saw the screen change to Branch's bunker as she cried louder knowing what was happening right now. But she was being hugged by the Blonde troll named Viva and her father. 

The trolls listened as they all sat quietly in Branch's bunker. She could see her father shushing them as he whispered "Listen. It's Poppy's cowbell!" he held so much joy in his eyes. Poppy could only wince away from the screen. The trolls were running outside of Branch's bunker and Branch frowned since he had told them all that he'd be following Poppy and not to leave unless he or Poppy told them it was safe to leave. "My baby did it! Poppy did it!" said King Peppy as he and the rest of the trolls ran outside to see Creek? and only Creek? This confused all of them and King Peppy asked "Creek?" Creek dropped the cowbell and shrugged his shoulders as he was picked up by Chef and placed on her shoulder. "Uh-oh" said King Peppy when he and the others noticed that they were surrounded by Bergens as all they could hear were their scream of terror. The trolls all felt sympathy as they could only watch them all be taken away. The Pop trolls were scared as they saw their fate take place on screen.

King Peppy, Viva and Poppy were hugging each other as Poppy and Viva cried as King Peppy tried to comfort his daughters. The snack Pack was hugging each other, Cooper was with his family as they cried knowing they would never see him in the future due to the fate he would have to suffer. Branch was crying as his brother tried to comfort him but he couldn't stop crying. As for Creek, he was being shunned by everyone for what he had done. 

"Trollstice! Trollstice! Trollstice!" chanted the Bergens as they made their way into the castle. King Gristle looked hopeful as he waited outside the castle looking for Lady Glittersparkle to arrive. Bridget who felt horrible for the troll's fate felt even more guilt as she saw King Gristle waiting for someone who didn't exist. Inside the Kitchen was another show all on its own. Cooks worked hard to set up for last-minute preps. Chef placed a counter that had trolls painted on it. The same one she used for past Trollstices when she would pick them from the Troll Tree and then take them to the castle to prep them. "Now let's prepare the main course. The Trolls!" she exclaimed as she and the other cooks dumped them into it. They all fell into the huge counter and then it was sealed by Chef as she locked all the locks on it with a laugh. 

The trolls were thrown inside as King Peppy who was being helped by Biggie to get up gasped as he saw his daughter again. "Poppy?" he smiled as he ran to his daughter "Poppy! Thank goodness you're all right" he hugged his daughter as she gently pushed her father away. "I'm doing great. I got everybody I love thrown in a pot. Thanks for asking" sarcastically said Poppy. This made a few trolls gasp none would have imagined seeing the Princess who was normally so cheerful act so gloomy before. Poppy just kept hugging her father and Viva...her sister. A sister she never knew she had until now. She felt so many emotions she didn't know what she felt...just one word she or anyone could describe it would be...blank. She felt so much but so little all at the same time. This was her fate. She would never see her sister, she would never meet her. 

She looked around to see her friends all hugging loved ones. They all cried as mothers and fathers hugged their trolling's telling them that they'd be fine. Telling them they had nothing to worry about as they tried not to cry in front of their little ones. She kept looking around as her eyes darted to Branch. He who chose not to acknowledge his brothers was hugging them as he cried. "Let it out, Bro" said Clay as he and the rest of his brother hugged Branch as he cried. He was feeling so many emotions he wanted to cry, anger, sadness, guilt, anxious, and confusion. He wasn't sure how to react to all of this, he was angry at what Creek did but at the same time he felt guilty he couldn't stop all of this from happening. He felt like he was the reason again as to why others were going to lose their lives to the Bergens all due to him not being able to knock some sense to Poppy. If he could just have done anything at all he and the others could have planned better for all of this. But he didn't and now they would pay the price. 

The brothers felt like they knew what the youngest was thinking about with the way he dug his fingers into his palm. Spruce placed his hand on Branch's and with a gentle tone "Hey, don't hurt yourself like that, please. None of this was your fault...you did all you could Branch. And you should be proud baby bro" tears raced down his face as he tried to get his brother to stop digging his fingers into his palm. "I-I'm sorry..." cried Branch. The brothers were confused about what he could be apologising for "What do you mean, Branch?" asked Floyd as he gently rubbed his brother's cheek as he whipped off his tears. "For ruining the t-tour...and causing you all to f-fight and ruin your dreams" he cried as he curled further into himself. This broke the brothers as they heard Branch say that he believed it was all his fault for the fight and for them leaving him. "No, It was our fault. You did nothing wrong Branch...We just..." John Dory couldn't find the right words to say and none of the others knew what to say either. "We- We were all so stressed out...which led to us fighting and leaving. It wasn't because of you Branch. I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise to you. I'm sorry that I never came back. I'm sorry I left" said Floyd as he hugged his brother a bit tighter. 

Chris sighed and said "I understand what all of you are going through. Don't get me wrong I really couldn't care less. But all this crying is going to cause you all to go ill. And we don't need that. So let me just say...there's a bit more to this story than what meets the eye" The trolls and Bergens looked at Chris confused. "What do you mean 'this story is more than meets the eye'?" Asked the Queen of Rock. "I mean there's more than all of the Pop Troll being eaten. Do you think I would have given you this much time just to have you watch yourselves get eaten?" asked Chris with an eye roll. This made the Trolls and Bergens confused was he implying there's a lot more to the story? If so why didn't he say anything earlier? But then again it made sense. Chris was annoyed with what was happening in the room. He didn't care but he also needed them to react before the clock said a new day. He couldn't lose time and the clock was reading '5 days 4 hours 40 minutes 60 seconds' He had allowed their cries for over an hour even if it didn't feel that way. 

"Poppy? Are you being...Sarcastic?" Asked Biggie not believing what he heard. "Yes!" exclaimed Poppy loudly. The trolls gasped. "Oh, my God!" Gasped Smidge who was shocked to hear her best friend say that. Poppy felt guilty as she looked at her friends and father with guilt and grief. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I thought I could save you. All I wanted to do was keep everyone safe, like you did, Dad. But I couldn't." Said Poppy as she her friends were shocked to hear her say all of that. "Poppy" said her father. "I let everyone down" said Poppy as she sat down. 

"But, Poppy..." whispered Branch but due to the quiet atmosphere everyone could hear it. "You were right, Branch.The world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows" she said as she faced the ground. She slowly began to lose her colours causing the trolls to gasp. Poppy who looked at the screen cried. She had led everyone to their doom and she couldn't do anything about it. "Poppy" Everyone was shocked to see the happy-go-lucky Pop Princess turn grey. 

"Wait- does that mean Trollstice cancelled?" Asked a Bergen "Yeah! We can't have a Trollstice if all the trolls are unhappy and grey!" Cried another Bergen. All their yelling about Trollstice being cancelled was blocked out by Chris. "Can you guys be a bit more sensitive about this?" Asked Chris. They quickly shut up as they watched the rest of the trolls turn grey after seeing the situation they were in and couldn't escape. 

The trolls all hugging each other, Pop and all other tribes hugged. The Pop trolls didn't wish to except their fates, but what else could they do? Nothing more but watch. But the curiosity still lingering in the room. 'This story is more than meets the eye' had said Chris. Could he be telling the truth by saying something would happen? '5 day 4 hours 20 minutes 06 seconds' would Chris really have given them this much time to watch the Pop trolls die? No...because he said so himself why would have them waste so much time to watch something like that? Maybe...a miracle would happen? 

The idea sounded stupid...but maybe just maybe...it could work? And it did. Since the screen singing could be heard. 

Branch was confused and didn't know what to do as he saw the others turn grey as they watched Poppy lose hope. Their King was unsure of what to do seeing his daughter turn grey and their Princess who was stubborn and always willing to help had lost hope. They had no clue on what to do so they also began to lose hope....and they too turned grey. It showed Bridget scrubbing dishes in her room as she turned over to her bed where her jumpsuit and rollerskate were. King Gristle was in the dining room with a single rollerskate waiting for Lady Glittersparkles. The kitchen was busy as the container with the troll was quiet. 

Poppy was on the ground lost and confused about what she needed to do. Heard the lost voice of singing. A voice she never heard before sing. "You with the sad eyes. Don't be discouraged" It was Branch who was singing to her. She had looked around and the trolls were signalling him as they stared at him and moved so she could him. He started walking to her and sat down next to her. His singing was soft and graceful. "Oh, I realize It's hard to take courage In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all The darkness inside you Can make you feel so small" During the song Poppy's hug time watch chimed. Branch hoping to help her reached his arms out for a hug but she covered her hug time watch. And looked down at the ground not moving or doing anything. Just sitting in her grief. 

Outside of the container was Bridget listening to the Trolls. She felt so much guilt for them. "What are you doing? The king is waiting" yelled out Chef at Bridget for not doing her job. "Get those Trolls out there!" she said to Bridget obviously tired of Bridget not doing her job properly. "Sorry, Chef" Said Bridget as she started to move the cart again. "Oh, you are sorry" said Chef once again annoyed. 

But inside the container, Branch was still trying to get Poppy to smile or show a sign of going back to her cheerful self. "Show me a smile then Don't be unhappy, can't remember when I last saw you laughing" sang Branch, Poppy was beginning to perk up to Branch singing. His soft singing was still soft but a bit louder now. "This world makes you crazy. And you've taken all you can bear Just call me up" he sang as he got up from his sitting position and tried to make Poppy smile, which he did. '"Cause I will always be there And I see your true colours Shining through I see your true colours" Her colours began to show again as Branch sang. She looked down at her feet which was the first thing that began to shine in colour. She smiled at Branch as this was happening. 

"And that's why I love you" sang Branch this surprised Poppy. She looked at him and he merely smiled as he let out his hand to her. The room was quiet the crying had stopped all eyes on a single screen. Poppy, Branch, Branch's brothers, Poppy's family, the snack pack, the trolls, and Bergens all watching on screen as they saw Poppy and Branch together as Branch admits to Poppy how he loves her. Poppy looked over at Branch who stopped crying but never let go of his brothers watched the screen a bit flustered by his words to the Princess. His brothers who were still crying but were beginning to joke around with Branch. "A princess? Huh, Bro" joked Clay and Spruce jumped in "In all my years as the heartthrob, not even I pulled a princess before, baby bro" Branch didn't say anything as he looked over at Poppy who was looking back at him. And when they realised that both were staring at each other they looked away embarrassed and flustered.  

"So don't be afraid To let them show Your true colours True colours are beautiful" Poppy had began to sing with Branch as both of them went hand to hand. And slowly Branch's colour had started to come back to him. Everyone was in shock to see the grey troll turning into a light blue colour on screen. Branch looked at himself and his body as he watched himself change. Branch didn't know what to say as he saw himself begin to change back to what he looked like when his grandma was still alive. "I see your true colours" he and Poppy began to sway as they sang with each other and slowly the other troll's colours returned to them as they saw Branch and Poppy filled with colour and life again. "- Shining through True colours I see your true colours That's why I love you So don't be afraid To let them show Your true colours True colours Are beautiful Like a rainbow" The trolls looked at the screen as they smiled glad that they all gained back their colours and maybe some confidence in all that was happening to them again. The BroZone brothers smiled as they saw their brother go back to his old colourful self. Even if their baby brother right now was still grey they knew that at some point he'll learn to trust again, to love again, and to be himself. He had some good friends in the future and even right now.  

"Like a rainbow" Branch sang as he ended the song with Poppy. Cooper was playing a harmonica as Poppy and Branch watched him play with awe. The trolls got closer to Branch and Poppy. "Thank you!" said Poppy but Branch replied with "No. Thank you" Poppy was a bit confused by Branch's words and asked, "For what?" and Branch merely said to her "For showing me how to be happy" Poppy was so excited for Branch as she heard him say that. "Really? You're finally happy? Now?" She deadpanned that last part though. "I think so. Happiness is inside of all of us, right? Sometimes, you just need someone to help you find it" said Branch with a small smile on his face. Poppy smiled at him also. "You my good man, have a way with words" said Synth as he smiled at Branch. Branch merely looked at the ground embarrassed by Synth's words and not sure what to say. "What's gonna happen now, Princess Poppy?" asked a small trolling to Poppy "I don't know. But I know we're not giving up" said Poppy to the small trolling. Poppy smiled at that, that's right they don't have a game plan yet. But they'll get out of there alive and she knows it because she has her friends and family to help her. 

She looked over at Branch who was smiling at Poppy. But then the container began to shake around the Troll's gasped in fear. "No" whispered a troll. The top part was being unlocked from the outside. "This is it, Mr. Dinkles. This is it" said Biggie to Mr. Dinkles who is in his arms. The trolling was hugging Poppy in fear as Poppy tried to comfort her the best she could. The top was opening and that could be seen was a light as they were standing in fear of what was to come. But that light slowly turned into Bridget who opened the top part of the container. "Poppy!" she said as she was outside of the castle. The Bergens were furies with Bridget as she was helping the trolls escape.

"What are you doing you idiot girl!" yelled out Chef as she was in front of Bridget. King Gristle quickly ran in front of Bridget "No!" cried Bridget as Gristle was defending her from the angry Bergens. "This is wrong! We can find happiness another way! We shouldn't have to eat trolls to find happiness!" cried out Bridget as the Bergens stopped yelling and froze. "She's right! You can find happiness without eating trolls" said Poppy as she ran near the glass despite her family and friends telling her otherwise. Branch who also ran out of his brother's arms as they yelled at him not to. He ran all the way next to Poppy who was defending the Bergen from the mod of Bergens. "She's right...Even if I don't fully believe it. You all were shown the proof. You don't need the trolls to be happy again" said Branch who was terrified of being so close to the glass. He was shaking but Poppy held his hand as she said "Please, you don't have to have another Trollstice you have all the proof. We can be friends I know we can" she pleaded to them. The Bergens began to mumble not sure what to do. "They're trying to trick you-!" Said Chef but was cut off as her mouth was glued shut.

"Ugh! Can we please not do this again? We only have 3 hours left of this bull hockey!" cried Chris, who was holding Creek in his hand as he was tied up and his mouth glued shut also. "Thank you" said Poppy "No problem I need a reason for her to shut up" said Chris. "Now we need to get a bit more organised" said Chris as he snapped his fingers and teleported everyone back to their seats, only this time they were closer to the other tribes.       

"Bridget?" asked Poppy but right inside the castle could be heard chants belonging to the Bergens "Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!" Poppy looked so confused as Bridget placed a hand inside for Poppy to jump on. "What are you doing?" questioned Poppy to Bridget "I can't let them eat you" declared Bridget "But..." Poppy said softly. "Come on! You gotta go!" she flipped the container hoping that the trolls would run off on their own. "Hurry! Go, go, go! Get out of here!" said Bridget as the trolls quickly made their way out of the flipped container. Poppy smiled at Bridget as she smiled at her. But they both had sad looks on their face knowing what would happen to her. "Bridget..." whispered Poppy Bridget got up from her seat and made her way to the glass as Poppy stood up from her the couch she was sitting on. "It's okay, Poppy. You've done so much for me, it's time to return the favour" said Bridget with a few tears rolling down her cheek.

Poppy wanted to say something but Bridget went back to her seat and she had no idea what she wanted to say. But she could feel Viva's hand on her arm and she just smiled at Poppy. She gave her a small smile and looked at Chris who was holding Creek upside down. He looked over at Poppy and smiled and winked at her. She was caught off guard and Branch said "Yeah, he does that a lot. I think he's planning something but won't say anything" Poppy smiled and sat down next to Viva and Branch. She was confident everything would be fine. And it was all thanks to Branch, Bridget, and that small wink from Chris.   

Bridget was placing down Poppy "No! Bridget, if you go in there without us, you know what they'll do" Bridget made her way back to the front castle door and merely said "I know" Poppy tried to run after her "But, Bridget..." Bridget nervously said "It's okay" She sighed and finally said calmly as she reassured Poppy "It's okay, Poppy. You showed me what it feels like to be happy. I never would have known if it wasn't for you. And I love you for that" she said as she got down to Poppy's level. She was so grateful for everything that Poppy had done for her. "I love you too, Bridget" Poppy softly said until she moved to the side a bit as she heard Chef call out for Bridget back inside of the castle. "Bridget!" Bridget gasped and then quickly went back to the door as Poppy followed her "Go on, now. You have to hurry!" she panicked. Bridget was ready to close the door until Poppy said "Come with us" 

It was very nice of Poppy to say something like that but Bridget knew better. It would make it too easy for them to be found again if Bridget was around. "And make it easier for them to find you? No way! You have to go. Now!" She began to close the door but Poppy got in the way of her closing it. "Bridget!" Bridget looked at Poppy with a saddened expression as she pushed Poppy with her finger. And Poppy couldn't fight Bridget and just allowed her to get pushed gently by her. Poppy hugged Bridget's finger as she said her last goodbye "Bye, Poppy" and closed the door behind her. Back in the dining room were the Bergens chanting for the trolls. "Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!" Bridget walked in with the cart that had the container where the troll should be. But King Gristle couldn't start just yet since he was still waiting for Lady Glittersparkles "Wait! Chef, shouldn't we wait for Lady Glittersparkles?" he said to Chef "You are absolutely right. Now, everyone, there will be no Trolls until...The king's plus one has arrived" said Chef agreeing with the king. "Boo! We've waited long enough!" cried the Bergens no longer being able to wait. After all no troll has been eaten in the last 20 years. Bridget felt horrible for not being able to make it with King Gristle "Unless..." said Chef "Unless, what?" asked Gristle a bit confused. "Well, unless she doesn't come at all. But that's crazy talk. Who wouldn't wanna be with you?" said Chef trying to manipulate the king into thinking she wasn't into him after all. The room was filled with murmuring from the Bergens. "Yeah. Maybe we should start" said King Gristle sadly "Trolls! Trolls! Trolls!" chanted the Bergens. 

"Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Trolls! Yeah!" chanted the Troll as they were using the old escape tunnels to exist Bergen Town. "Go! Come on. Hurry! Come on. Everybody, let's go. No Troll left behind!" said Poppy to the last few trolls "Watch your step" whispered Branch hoping none of them would fall while going into the tunnels. "Okay, but like who built those tunnels and why are they shaped like that? wouldn't it have been easier to not have done the swirls and everything?" asked a Rock Troll. "It was done over the years...we lost track of time" answered King Peppy. "Poppy?" questioned Branch as he noticed Poppy walking to the edge of the Troll Tree. "Bridget just ruined her life to save ours. It's not right! She deserves to be happy as much as we do. They all do!" announced Poppy to Branch as she made it her new mission to make sure Bergens were happy. Poppy smiled at her future self, she was positive that she'll find a way to get the Bergens to find happiness. 

Back inside the castle, the Begrens continued to chant for the trolls as Chef said "All right, everybody. Who's ready to eat Trolls?" they all cheered, all but King Gristle who looked at the single rollerskate in sadness."King Gristle...There is only one thing that will ever make you happy...And only one Bergen who can provide it" Chef was unlocking the locks on the top of the container as she spoke to King Gristle and the rest of the Bergens in the dining room. She removed the top part and said "Bon appetite!" But dread fit her the moment she said and realised "They're gone!" The Bergens were shocked to hear that and so was King Gristle "Gone?" "They're gone?" Chef quickly turned to Bridget and said "Idget...What did you do? You ate them! You greedy, greedy pig" She accused Bridget of eating the trolls and Bridget tried to tell her side "No! I..." but the Begrens started to retaliate as one yelled out "She ruined Trollstice!" The guards had surrounded her as Chef said "Guards, lock her up!" they came closer to her as they pointed their spears at her and a Bergen yelled out "Let's get her!" 

But at that moment the trolls ended up back in the rollerskate they previously had and used it to enter a window by breaking it. They used Barnabus as a plank to throw them across the room. "Why did they only notice them coming in when they were flying mid-air and not the window crashing?" asked a Funk troll confused on how these Bergens didn't notice anything. The trolls got off the rollerskate as they flew onto Bridget's head and the skate landed on her foot as music played and started to spin Bridget. "Where is the logic in all of this?" asked a Classical troll. The troll hair went longer and a rainbow showing everyone that Bridget was Lady Glittersparkles. Gristle Gasped as he saw who Lady Glittersparkles was they went under the table to get closer to Bridget and she nervously chuckled "Lady Glittersparkles?" he asked as she skated over to him with a single skate "What?" Chef questioned "But how? Why? Why did you do this?" Bridget removed the trolls from her head King Gristle was so confused. Bridget carefully placed them on the table "Because she didn't think you would want someone like her" Poppy explained. "I mean, hello? Is it me you're looking for? I don't think so" said Bridget as she pointed to herself not thinking he would be interested in her. Chef couldn't care less about what was going on and only told the guards "Guards, finish her!" she pushed them forward and they placed their spears near her again as she gasped and King Gristle said "No"

"Imagine your guard listening to your chef but not you" said Chris as they coloured on a colouring book. "You are the most random figure I've ever met" said Cooper "Why thank you" said Chris proudly. "Wait! King Gristle, when you were with Bridget, you were feeling something, weren't you?" said Poppy before anything worse could happen. "Yeah, I was. I just thought it was too much pizza" said King Gristle not understanding the point that was being made. "Me, too" agreed Bridget with what Gristle had said. "That feeling? That was happiness" explained Poppy this caused the Bergens to gasp and let out a "What?" the Shoper owner from before then said to Poppy "But you have to eat a Troll to be happy. Everyone knows that! Don't you?" But he was beginning to question that in the end. "But King Gristle's never eaten a Troll in his life, right?" asked Poppy to King Gristle and he answered as he looked into Bridget's eyes "No, I haven't. Yet, here I am. My belly empty...And my heart full" as he placed the rollerskate on Bridget's other foot. He took his hands as a few Bergens awed at their King for falling in love. "Now those were some sweet way of wordin' it" said Holly Darlin as she wiped her tears away. 

"Don't listen to her! There's only one way to be happy. My way!" cried out Chef in anger "Oh, Come on! Must you ruin everything?" exclaimed the Queen of Rock "No!" said Bridget as she pushed Gristle and Bridget aside. She slammed her fist on the table causing Branch to fly upwards due to impact and she grabbed him mid-air. Everyone gasped knowing what she was planning. "Hey! You can't eat our brother!" cried out Clay in anger. "Am...I going to die!" freaked out Branch and quickly his brother began to reassure him "No! Of course not! Don't worry Branch!" said Floyd as he tried to calm down Branch. 

"With me in charge...I'll serve you Troll every day of the year. With me as queen...All of life will be a never-ending feast of happiness!" Said Chef as she forced Gristle to sit back down and opened his mouth forcing Branch on Gristle's tongue. He was beginning to close his mouth as Branch was freaking out not sure what to do. "Come on, eat! Eat!" Chef yelled out to Gristle. Branch was starting to hyperventilate as he watched the screen. He didn't want to die like that. "Hey, It's fine. I promise I won't let them eat you, Branch" said Poppy as she promised Branch that she would never allow him to get eaten. She gently held his hand as she smiled at him. 

"No! Happiness isn't something you put inside. It's already there" explained Poppy to the Bergens as she managed to shove Branch and saved him from getting eaten by Gristle. Bergen's looked confused by her statement. "Thank you" whispered Branch as he looked over at Poppy who still holding his hand. "That's what friends are for" She smiled as she told that to the flustered Branch "Y-yeah." 

"They grow up so fast" Synth wiped his fake tears as Holly Darlin blew her nose as she handed Synth a tissue box as he dramatically wiped his tears away. The others laughed as they watched the Techno and Country troll nonsense. "He's still too young to date" huffed John Dory "Oh, come on. It's cute" Floyd rolled his eyes at his older brother. 

"Sometimes you just need someone to help you find it" Said Poppy and the Bergens liked the sound of that "Can I really be happy?" "I want to be happy!" "And me!" "And what about me?" as the Begrens said all that Chef was looking around confused. "Do you really think I can be happy?" said the Shop owner from before as Poppy happily exclaimed 

"Of course! It's inside you! It's inside of all of us! And I don't think it. I feel it!" Music could be heard begin to play. "Since when did you all have the time to set up music?" asked a Bergen confused about where the music was coming from. "I got this feeling inside my bones It goes electric wavy when I turn it on" sang Poppy as Branch joined in with "And if you want it inside your soul" They did these fancy hand movements with each other as they danced and sang together. "Just open up your heart let music take control I've got that sunshine in my pocket Got that good soul in my feet I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops" The Begrens watched them dance as they were start to feel the beat coming through them. "I can't take my eyes up off it moving so phenomenally The room on lock the way we rock it So don't stop Under the lights, when everything goes Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close" The other trolls sang here and there with Branch and Poppy. "Can't stop, won't stop When we move well you already know Let's go, let's work So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine" Other trolls ended up joining also as they jumped off the light stands as they joined the Bergens and other Trolls. "Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance Feel the good-good creeping up on you so just dance, dance, dance, come on All those things I shouldn't do but you dance, dance, dance And ain't nobody leaving soon so keep dancing I can't stop the feeling So just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling So just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling So just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling So keep dancing, come on" It was music playing in the background at this moment. 

Chef being a party pooper that she was, was still trying to kill the trolls so she pulled out her kitchen knives on the trolls. They gasped in fear until two trolls came in and squirted lemon in her eyes. "My eyes!" she yelled as she tripped backwards the twins came in running towards her and yelled "Let's do it!" and tripped Chef as she yelled and threw her into the container the trolls were once put into. She began to roll back and then Cooper pulled out a match and threw it towards Chef which lit her on fire. The troll and Bergens were shocked to see that play out and they all looked at Cooper who was laughing.

"Son..." Said King Quiny as he saw his son on screen who lit a Bergen on fire. She was horrible and deserved it but not like that. Chef who was tied up and had her mouth glued shut saw the screen with tense anger. Chef was flying down the stairs and the trolls merely watched as she screamed out in pain. Her bumbag was opening as Creek was coming out of it and he screamed out in fear also. "Deserved" said a Funk Troll and the trolls agreed. Creek who was tied upside down near Chris with his mouth shut was crying as he watched him on screen. 

"I can't stop the feeling Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling Feel the good creeping up on you so just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling All those things I shouldn't do but you dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling And ain't nobody leaving soon so keep dancing I can't stop the feeling Got this feeling in my body I can't stop the feeling Got this feeling in my body I can't stop the feeling Wanna see you move your body I can't stop the feeling Got this feeling in my body, come on" The trolls and Bergens dancing as they stepped outside and the whole Bergen town was becoming colourful and bright. "No, matter how many times I watch this I can't wrap my brain around that part" said Chris as they were confused about how that even happened in the first place. "All of that part was confusing" said the Queen of Rock. "It was...unique?" questioned Prince D.  

"Our new queen!" said King Peppy as he placed a crown on his daughter's head. "Woah, baby bro. Not just a princess but a queen as a girlfriend?" teased Spruce. Branch and Poppy blushed as they both tried to explain they were just friends and nothing more. The trolls laughed at their awkwardness about the topic of love. Poppy a bit more since she had just ended things with Creek who was still hanging. "Go, Queen Poppy!" "Way to go, Poppy!" "You did it!" they chanted as they were underneath the New Troll Tree that had been reformed once again. "Alright, Queen Poppy!" "She's my friend! I know her!" said Biggie as he pointed at their new Queen. "Thanks, Biggie" said Poppy as he smiled at her. "So just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling So just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling So keep dancing, come on" The song kept playing as Branch and Poppy held hands and then the earth quaked a bit as Smidge lifted them mid-air using her hair. "I know it's not officially hug time yet, but..." said Branch as he put out his hands for a hug. "Now that I am queen, I decree that hug time is all the time" declared Poppy right before they both hugged. They felt a pair of arms wrapping around each other. 

"Now that's creepy" said John Dory. They both got out of the hug as they saw Cloud Guy who had a smug smile and then put his hands up and said "Up high!" Poppy and Branch looked at each other with a smirk and high-fived Cloud Guy. He went flying off the mushroom with a laugh. 

Slowly everything became a scrapbook and the book began to close. The screen turned off as the light turned on again the clock now out loud said "4 days 24 hours 60 minutes and 60 seconds" Everyone was confused and Chris merely said back on the stage using their microphone again. "Okay! Everyone let me explain what's next! We are now going to react to something a bit shorter and then afterwards I'll answer all the questions you have!" He smiled as he looked at the trolls and Bergens who looked at him with shock. 

"Okay, then! Let's all get in the Holiday Spirit!" 

Chapter Text

"Uh- Holiday Spirit?" questioned King Gristle, everyone was confused. Chris just said "Yup! Today you folks are going to feel the joy of the season!" He merely smiled at them as he snapped his finger and the whole room was decorative. "You Pop Trolls have so many Holidays, I've decided to show you a new Holiday that you formed with the Bergens" Chris smiled as he was wearing a more festive outfit...which was merely a Christmas hat and black mittens instead of black silk gloves.

"I don't think we understand, Dear" said Queen Essence, Chris smiled and laughed "Don't worry! I'll just have to show you!" His smile started to feel strained as he talked louder to get himself to smile. "After all, I have to answer some questions later right? So why not watch something fun first!" said Chris as he felt tears rolling down his face as he was quietly mumbling "Ow" as he smiled. The trolls had so many questions to ask Chris, but they didn't know what to ask them. "Let's begin!" said Chris, as the lights became dim again like they had before. 

The screen turned on again as Chris was back to their previous spot near the back. The screen was showing up another scrapbook to begin the tale of their new adventure. "Pop trolls really like scrapbooks" said a Classical troll. "We do! They're so much fun to make" said a Pop troll. "More like a pain...the glue, cutting, and...glitter everywhere" said Branch as he shuddered just thinking about it. "Oh. Come on Branch. Here once we get home I'll happily teach you how to scrapbook!" Exclaimed Poppy with a smile towards Branch. 

"Thanks, Poppy but I'd rather not" huffed Branch "Oh, come on Branch just try it!" groaned Poppy "Uh, no. I am not cleaning up scrapbook paper, glue, and glitter up" said Branch who was counting off reasons as to why he'd prefer not to do any form of scrapbooking. "Dude, it's just cutting and glueing" said Synth with a laugh, Branch playfully rolled his eyes at Synth. "Ugh! I thought you said we were starting?" groaned the Queen of Rock. "Dude, You're killing my vibes. Don't you see that I'm killing time?" said Chris with an eye roll as it seemed he really didn't want to do anything that day. "Is this your job? That means you should be taking it a bit more seriously?" said a Funk troll "Yeah, I should. But where's the in that?" said Chris as he pulled out a sketchbook and was sketching whatever came to mind. "I mean I could be doing my job, but you see we're stuck here for the next '4 days 24 hours 50 minutes and 30 seconds,' I think we have time to kill, my dude" mumbled Chris. "So you're just lazy" said a Bergen "Yup!" said Chris as they popped the 'p' at the end. They smiled as they just continued to sketch. "Fine, You all wanna react so badly let's have ya react" groaned Chris. Chris snapped his fingers and the television once again continued to play. 

A male voice was narrating the story this time. "Once upon a time, in a village far away, lived a group called the Trolls that celebrated almost every day" The page presented the Troll tree with miniature pods and miniature trolls all nicely scrapped out onto the page. "Wait...celebrated almost every day?" asked Holly Darlin as she turned to Poppy. "Yeah! We uh-Pop trolls celebrate a Holiday almost every day!" she exclaimed happily as she explained how it worked "Almost Every day we celebrate a holiday for the whole day!" the other tribes and Bergens were shocked by that information. "Tell me about imagine going out to see them all dressed up like clowns as they eat pies off the ground while doing a cartwheel" huffed Branch in complaint. The other tribes and Bergens were slightly concerned. 

On the screen, a troll said "Hey, that's a rhyme!" when they heard the narrator speak, "The Trolls had holidays up the wazoo!" Branch rolled his eyes and said "Tell me about it" as he slouched down the couch. His brothers merely laughed as they saw his grumpy pouty face. "From Bubble Day to New Hairs Eve, just to name a few" It showed a few trolls in bubbles and then showed the trolls surrounding one troll who stretched their hair so long that Trolls cheered. "Yay!" It just kept showing the trolls celebrating all types of holidays as the background was the mere thing that changed. "Enjoying holiday after holiday, they partied without stopping" It then went back with the trolls near the Troll tree as the narrator said  "They celebrated everything with their leader, Queen Poppy" Coming out of the troll tree was Poppy and the trolls happily chanted out for their Queen. "Poppy! Poppy! Poppy!" 

Poppy smiled as her tribe was so happy to see her. "Aw! That's so sweet" said Viva as she hugged Poppy. Poppy was a bit surprised but she laughed it off as she hugged Viva back. "Aw! Thanks, Viva!" said Poppy as the hug stopped but that didn't mean they were holding hands as they giggled with each other. They've only just met but they were both super close as sisters. "But across the way, in old Bergen Town, lived a group called the Bergens whose spirits were down" It showed the outside of Bergen Town and then the page flipped showing the Bergens as miserable as ever.

Poppy frowned, even though they showed the Bergens to be happy, that didn't mean they wouldn't still be miserable since they had nothing to look forward to. "They had but one holiday that brought happiness. A tradition of eating Trolls on a day called Trollstice" The Bergen on the screen held a fork with spaghetti and a troll wrapped the noodles as the Bergen ate it. It made the Bergen so happy that he smiled so joyfully. The trolls freaked out as they winced away from the screen. None of them could forget what they watched previously no matter how much they tried to forget. Since they all knew none of them would forget. 

Especially not the Ex-BroZone members. In a way, they felt like they were impacted the most by everything that had been shown to them on screen. They watched their baby brother witness losing their grandma, watched him turn grey, and nearly got eaten by the Bergen King himself. Branch knew that something would happen during the reaction. 

The way Chris was killing time and how it started with the Narrator, narratoring the Begrens he knew only something bad could happen. "Then Poppy taught them that joy was inside all along!" It showed Poppy and Bridget so close as Poppy ripped out her heart to show the Bergens about love and happiness. "So they got rid of Trollstice, and their only holiday was gone" 

"Their only holiday? I mean it was for the best....but that doesn't make it any less...sad?" A Techno troll was a bit confused on how to feel after hearing that statement. Trolls began to agree with the Techno troll, they all felt sad for them...but getting rid of it was for the best. "I mean we hadn't had one for 20 years and it didn't matter much to us" shrugged a Bergen. 

"And so, on Trollstice Eve in Bergen Town, the Bergens, well, now they're just kind of sitting around" The scrapbook Bergen Town turned into the real Begren Town as it showed a creature of some kind say "Bo-ring! Bo-ring!" It managed to get a few chuckles out. It zoomed into the Bergen Town Castle showing Gristle and Bridget in the throne room. 

Bridget and Gristle were blushing. Ever since Chris placed everyone into more organised seats he had placed Bridget and Gristle together. Which caused both Bergens to feel butterflies in their stomachs. "Got another card from Troll Village" said Chad as he showed the card and Bridget said with cheer(?) "Oh, yay" Gristle who was playing the keytar merely said "Thanks, Todd" Chad had to correct King Gristle as he pointed to himself and then Todd by saying "I'm Chad. He's Todd" Todd merely whispered "Hi" but King Gristle couldn't care less "Yep. Got it, Chod and Tadd" Todd handed the card to Bridget who was so excited to show Gristle. "Ooh, look, Grissy, it's another card from Poppy!"

Poppy was glad that Bridget and her became better friends. Sure the thought was still scary but it was nice to know both sides were trying. Gristle just looked at it and questioned it "Happy Catch Your Friend Day"? he honestly didn't get why Bridget was so happy. "Ooh!" said Bridget as she went to go hang up the picture "What if you drop her? I mean, we're not insured for that kind of thing" asked Gristle not sure of that idea. "I would never, ever drop Poppy. Never" said Bridget confidently she placed the picture up with the rest of the picture she got from Poppy. "Whatevs, babe. The Trolls have so many holidays. Too many holidays, if you ask me" said Gristle as he joined Bridget who was admiring the pictures that were sent by Poppy. Branch let out a dry chuckle and said "Tell me about it" Synth laughed "Come on, Dubstep. You could at least try to be a bit festive!" he exclaimed with a laugh. Branch rolled his eyes playfully and scoffed gently. 

"Well, I think it's...kind of nice having so much to celebrate" said Bridget with a small chuckle in the middle of her words. "Hey, Bridgie, we do cool stuff, too. I mean, what about all those awesome cards we send back to them, huh?" said Gristle trying to prove a point. But over in Troll Village was Poppy holding a card that was sent by Bridget and showed Bridget and Gristle in black and white holding a sign saying 'Wednesday' The troll looked at it and said 'eh' it was a decent card. But it could be better also. "Now that's a sad card!" exclaimed Cooper which caused them to chuckle since Cooper never meant any harm, even if he could be a bit hurtfully honest with things. 

"Huh! Well, that's consistent" said Poppy as she looked at the card and placed it with the rest of the black and white cards with the Bergen couple holding a sign for the day of the week. "Branch, Bridget, um, sent another card" said Poppy as looked over at Branch who was looking in the mirror trying to uh- well no one was quite sure what he was trying to achieve. "Wha--what are you doing?" asked Poppy as she stared at Branch confused and then a realisation hit her "Are you about to barf? I'll go get a trash can" she said worried for Branch as she was about to get a trash can. "What? No. I'm practising my smile" said Branch. 

This small statement hurt the Ex-BroZone members as they realised that their baby brother didn't remember how to smile...I mean it made sense, no? He was alone for so long that he mostly forgot what it was like to be a troll again. I mean don't get them wrong they loved their baby brother but he was...different than the rest of the Pop trolls. He felt the odd one out for everything it seems. But the closer they looked at the screen something jumped out when they saw Branch talking to Poppy. "Uh-Chris?" started Floyd "Yeah?" asked Chris with a yawn as they fidgeted with their hat trying to get it straight on their head without falling. "Why is Branch still grey? Even after we saw him gain his colour not long ago?" questioned Clay. Now that the others thought about it more it did seem strange for that to happen. 

"He's a mood board" said Chris as they finally got the hat to stay. "I'm a what-?" asked Branch confused. "A mood board, meaning due to you being grey and you being unique case...your colour doesn't stay long. It comes and fades depending on your mood" answered Chris. This shocked everyone, I mean it made sense but at the same time hard to believe at the same time. A troll who changed colours depending on their mood was truly something. But a troll like Branch it wouldn't be hard to come by. Hearing that from Chris didn't make Branch feel any better about himself. 

 "Y-you know, I'm new to this whole "being happy" thing" said Branch a bit self-conscious about the whole smile and being like a 'normal' troll. "Oh, well, here, let me help. Smiles are my jam" said Poppy with her own smile on her face. "Okay. There we--No. Hmm. No. Close. Weird. What the--" Poppy was missing with Branch's face trying to get him to smile but...it wasn't going great. 

Poppy slightly frowned knowing she wasn't doing much to help Branch with his smile problem. Viva comforted her by caressing her hand as a way of saying 'You're doing your best'. She smiled at her sister. "Your face is being very frustrating" said Poppy, Branch not having much of a say in what she was doing to his face looked at the cards and said "What is the deal with these cards? Monday. Friday. Sunday Mid-Morning?" he questioned as he looked at the picture cards that were sent by the Bergen couple. He picked one up and Poppy said "It's like ever since Trollstice was cancelled, the Bergens don't have anything to look forward to. I feel really bad for them" Poppy took the card from Branch and looked at the card with sadness. Knowing that the Bergens had nothing to look forward to. But suddenly something hit her as she gasped and "Ooh!" 

But Branch knew what that meant for Poppy. Branch facepalmed knowing full well that Poppy was going to do something that would lead to him having to clean up her mess. He groaned at the mere thought of it. At least from the looks of it, he had some time to mentally prepare for coming up torture. "Uh, uh, no. No, no, no. I know what that look means. You're about to hatch an elaborate plan which involves a lot of hugging, singing, dancing, and...glitter" he said the last part with a gulp and an eye roll at the mere thought of the tiny speaks of sticky good-for-nothing glitter dust. "You know it!" exclaimed Poppy. "Okay. Promise me you'll sleep on it before you rush into something like you always do" Branch was about to leave but knew full well that none of what he just said would be done by the Queen of Pop. "Okay. I won't do anything" 

"I have a feeling things are going to get interestin'" said Holly Darlin with certainty in her words. Trolls and Bergens nodded to what Holly Darlin said and knew her words held truth. The screen showed the night turn into the day as the moon and sun high-fived each other. "How-?" questioned a Classical troll, but the others just shook their head. No point in questioning anything. "Just call me angel Of the morning, angel Just touch my cheek Before you leave me, baby I'm going down into the bunker, angel And I'll be sippin' on coffee In the morning, baby" sang Branch as he was going down the lift to the bottom grounds of the bunker. But lurking in the shadow the Poppy behind the lift as Branch sang holding a cup of coffee in his hands. He wore a robe and had messy hair and before anything, Poppy exclaimed "Good morning, Branch!" which scared Branch causing him to toss his coffee all over his rob "Aah!" but once he realised it was none other than Poppy he began to fix his robe and said "Poppy, you didn't sleep on it"

"Why do I feel like this happens often?" said Spruce as he noticed his brother not saying much to Queen knowing she broke into his bunker. Branch groaned at the thought of it. The idea of building it was so he could left alone but knowing that anyone at this point could come in just defeated the purpose. "You quite the song there Bitty B" said John Dory who was ignored by Branch who wasn't sure what to say to his brothers yet. I mean he knew he cried with his brothers as they hugged. But that didn't mean much when it was being compared to years of abandonment issues for the rest of his life. It hurt to see them here now with him knowing that he'll never see them again after this. But a part of him wished that they would stay and hold him...like they did when he was a mere child. A child with such a pure innocence that believed that they would come back for him. They had promised...no...they didn't promise anything. Floyd promised. But he couldn't hate the one troll who cared about him. But a part of him did hate Floyd. And it felt wrong but also good at the same time. 

"Not a wink" said Poppy as she followed Branch "And you probably got a crazy plan" said Branch as he picked up the mug and made his way to a small table Poppy merely followed him but with much more energy. "And, yes, I do. I decided the Bergens need a new holiday, and nobody knows holidays better than us! We'll just give 'em one of ours" said Poppy as she explained her plan to Branch. "And why are we doing this?" asked Branch as he tried to clean off his robe which was now covered in coffee stains. "Bridget is my best friend. They deserve to have a day of dancing and singing and costumes and presents and glitter! So much flippin' glitter!" Poppy grabbed the jug of coffee and Branch's mug and poured some into it. And drank it, which boosted her energy by 10x as Branch merely watched as his coffee was drank by Poppy. Luckily some were still inside of the mug. "Poppy, are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Branch "Absolutely. This is what I do. I take care of my friends. And this is how we're going to do it" Poppy then pulled out a scrapbook from her hair to explain to Branch in more detail. "First, break into Branch's bunker and get him on board" she said as the scrapbook showed Branch with coffee and then Poppy scaring him with his coffee still in hand. "What?" questioned Branch "I'm on board!" said mini scrapbook him. 

"Now that's cute" said Floyd as he smiled at Branch who merely huffed out annoyed. Floyd merely sighed as he knew it would be a long road for Branch. At least he had the Queen of Pop. "We set off for Bergen Town, and we arrive with as much dramatic flair as possible" The trolls were shown flying mid-air and then ending up in the throne room by smashing the window. "You trolls really like breaking windows, huh" said Gristle as he was annoyed at the mere thought of having to fix another window. He would already need to break 2 windows and the ground from what they've seen in the previous reaction process. "We see Gristle and Bridget...and do some hugging. We pitch them our holidays...Their minds are blown!" explained Poppy as the scrapbook showed. Bridget and Poppy hugging, a scrapbook showing the Bergen couple a few ideas and their minds literally exploding. "And that's how we're going to give Bridget and the Bergens a new holiday!" said Poppy as she showed Branch her idea and a pop-out Holiday showed up shooting glitter at Branch as it said 'Holiday!' as that happened the snack pack shouted "Holiday!" scaring Branch "Aah!"

Coffee spilt all over Branch this time as he sighed as he saw the mess he was in. "I'll go put on some pants" said Branch as he began to walk away from the trolls. "Do you not sleep with pants?" Asked Biggie, Branch went a bit red as he said "Of course not! It's...uncomfortable" he was fidgeting with his hands. And the other took it as a hint to not continue the conversation. 

The screen showed them the trolls waiting for the bus as they all lined up. They were all doing their own thing as Branch was still trying to smile. "Certain her holiday mission would be a success, Poppy chartered a ride on the Caterbus Express" said the Narrator of the story. Branch looked at the screen and frowned...he knew he was trying after all Synth had whispered to him saying that he was doing his best. Even his brothers were giving him encouraging feedback. 

But it didn't stop the hurt he felt knowing he just couldn't do something as simple as smiling. "I'll be honest with you Branch" said Chris as he looked in the mirror "Smiling is extremely difficult" Everyone who saw Chris smile before knew he was faking it. But now that he was trying it he realised Chris couldn't smile any better than Branch. "I think you have a beautiful smile" said a Classical troll. 

"Oh...uh- Thanks?" Said Chris as he tried to find one that fit but all of them looked uncomfortable so he kept his fake smile. "I'm sure you'll find a smile that fits, Branch" said Synth. Branch looked at Synth and gave him a small smile with his lips closed and nodded at his words. "Bus!" said the CaterBus out loud "All aboard! Woop-woop! Guys, hurry up. Come on! Let's go" said Poppy dangling from the uvula. The troll quickly got on the Caterbus. "Welcome to the Caterbus Express!" Said Cloud mimicking an echo at the end. "Oh, no..." groaned Branch at the sight of Cloud Guy. "Hey, guys. Captain No-slappy. Queen Poppy" Greeted Cloud Guy and Poppy did the same "Cloud Guy" Branch rolled his eyes at the screen, he hadn't met Cloud Guy personally yet, but he could tell they wouldn't be getting along whatsoever. "Please put away all electronics, safely stow your carry-ons, -and hold on to your Dinkles" Fuzzbert put away his headphones, Cooper trapped Smidge on the top compartment and Biggie hugged Mr. Dinkles "Mew"

"Son..." said King Quincy as he watched his son. As for Smidge, she wasn't impressed as she frowned at Cooper and shook her head. "Thank you for choosing the Caterbus, the safest way to travel. Unless we go into a wormhole" said Cloud Guy not really caring at the end as he said it calmly. None seemed to mind either except for Branch due to him being paranoid at the mere thought of a wormhole "I'm sorry. Did--did you just say wormhole?" But Cloud Guy getting ready to drive off said "Now sit back, relax, and feel the love" And quickly the Caterbus was off on the road. "I bet my Ronhda is faster" said John Dory smugly as if he was stating a fact. "Ronhda?" asked Clay "Ronhda is my Armadillo Bus that I found while travelling the mountains you know" said John Dory proudly. 

Branch didn't pay all that much attention to his brothers as they spoke. Branch looked around for a while...He could see Cooper and his family getting along. Poppy reunited with her sister Viva, his brothers were getting...along?, the other tribes were becoming good friends, and the Bergens weren't sending them hungry looks. But something inside of him felt off. As if he was trying to fix in the puzzle pieces that were in his head. It felt off...in a good but bad way. 

"People all over the world, join hands" sang Poppy as she pulled Branch up from his seat.  "Start a love train, love train" She jumped on the other seat as she stared at Branch in a way that said your turn "People all over the world, join hands Start a love train, a love train" Poppy and Branch sang together on those lines as Poppy jumped on the top part of the chair and sang "The next stop That we make will be soon" Branch followed suit as he sang the part "Tell all the folks in Bergen Town We're bringin' it all to you" it panelled over to Biggie who sang the part with Mr. Dinkles "Now please don't miss The train at the station. Mew" Mr. Dinkles was dressed like a train conductor. "'Cause if you miss it I feel sorry, sorry for you" the twins sang with Guy at the end. It showed the Caterbus running from the outside view as the mushroom creatures danced to the music. "Well" sang Biggie starting the chorus again "People all over the world" Poppy then Branch sang as they walked through the middle part of the bus "Sisters and brothers" "Join hands, come on" Cooper also joined in...but the deeply concerning part happened when Cloud Guy was standing near Poppy and Branch. "Start a love train Ride this train! Come on! Ride it, ride it!" He went out of tone in the end but Branch asked the real question the moment the song stopped. "Uh, who's driving the bus?" He asked concerned. But the wheel could be heard creaking as they screamed out in fear. 

"Of course, something like that would happen" grumbled Branch as he watched that scene play out. They all watched as the Caterbus went off a cliff into a wormhole "Wormhole!" said Cloud Guy. They all yelled except Cloud Guy who was laughing manically as this all played out. "People all over the world" the song they had just sung was in the background playing distorted "You guys, I don't feel so good" he said as he looked at his hand "Join hands" he looked at his hand as it began to change "What's wrong, Cooper?" asked Biggie but Cooper saw him change also. "I'm feeling weird" said Guy. They all yelled out as they all changed forms. They managed to leave the wormhole and the moment they did not even two seconds later they began to sing again. Despite Branch still being freaked out by what happened. "People all over the world, join hands Start a love train, a love train" The other trolls and Bergens just watched as they began to sing again despite just coming out of a wormhole. "Start a love train" sang the last note Poppy as they arrived in front of the castle. 

"After landing in Bergen Town, Poppy continued on her quest. For her BFF, Bridget, she wanted nothing but the best" said the Narrator as the trolls were getting ready to surprise Bridget and Gristle. "Guy Diamond, you're on glitter" said Poppy as they were in front of the gate."Glitter at the ready!" said Guy as he showed his body off. "Cooper, pyrotechnics" Cooper showed up with a mask, fireworks, and light torch. "Fire!" yelled Cooper "Satin, Chenille, festive outfits" Poppy pointed at the twins as they both said "On it!" 

The Funk family looked at each other as they saw Cooper with a bunch of fireworks and a torch and they barely had any faith in him. "Uh, Poppy, about these costumes..." said Branch as he the bottom part of a sun for pants. Branch looked at the screen as he could his face turning bright red from embarrassment. He could hear a few chuckles and snorts coming from a few trolls which caused him to groan out loud in embarrassment. "Branch, we've been over this. It's not a holiday without costumes! So put on your big-boy pants and let's go in there, in three, two, one" Branch wasn't amused by Poppy's words "Stop everything!" she quickly said as she opened the gate doors with a slam open. 

"Huh?" said Gristle and Bridget excitedly put down her magazine as she saw Poppy she excitedly said "Poppy!" followed by a "Bridget!" they quickly ran to each other and started saying words to each other. "Pop Star!" "B-Bop!" "Lolly Pop!" "Roller girl!""Glitter bomb!" "Morning jogger" "Helicopter!"  "Prim and..." "Proper" they both said last. Gristle and Branch did not look amused at the girls did. "'Sup?" said Gristle and Branch followed up with "'Sup?" The girls were still going on. "Your hair looks amazing!" exclaimed Poppy to Bridget. Bridget's pigtails had rainbow hair sticking out at the end. She whispered to Poppy's ear "It's a weave" and then Poppy promised "I won't say a word" she declared to Bridget. "You won't say a word, but Chris did" said a Rock troll. Poppy rolled her eyes with a small huff at their words. Viva smiled at her not hearing her small huff, Viva was honestly scared of the thought of her sister being so close to the Bergen but she was glad her sister was alive and well. It wasn't just Viva who was scared for their sibling but Clay was nervous the entire time Branch stepped foot into Bergen Town. The other brothers were also worried due to Branch obviously not enjoying seeing himself talk with the King Bergen so nonchalantly as if he almost didn't eat him.  

"It's so good to see you, Poppy! Um, what are you doing here?" said Bridget but also questioned why the trolls were in Bergen Town. "Funny you should ask. Hit it, Smidge!" Yelled Poppy as Smidge turned the lights off. They were back on their thrones and Gristle was questioning that and Bridget looked excited. Cooper and Biggie pulled on a sting that opened a small present box and a troll tree showed up with other accessories in the box. A small pop-out showed up saying "Holiday!" with sparklers "Lady and gentleman, we are here to solve your problems!" said Poppy as she came out the little door on the troll tree. "We have problems?" Bridget was a bit confused by Poppy's words. "But don't worry. We have the solution. You guys need a new holiday!" said Poppy with jazz hands at the end. "Why do we need a holiday?" said Bridget confused. A few Bergens had agreed with Bridget confused with why they would need a new holiday. I mean don't get them wrong they knew they didn't have any holidays but that didn't mean anything...right? "How else are you gonna get presents and wear awesome costumes and play "How many marshmallows can you fit in your mouth?"" said Poppy but the last part was a bit out of pocket. "Hundred and seventy-two. Beat that" said Cooper as his mouth was stuffed with marshmallows. His father and brother looked proud but his mother was worried her son would choke. And then a marshmallow came out his nose. "Okay, now baby you'll never do something like that again. Understood?" asked Queen Esscense to her son. 

"My goodness, excuse me. Have you not been getting our cards back?" asked Gristle as he was about to eat a slice of pizza. "Uh, yeah. I especially love the Wednesday one. You know, it really made me appreciate the middle of the week" cut in Branch as he answered Gristle as he tried to smile again in the end as a practice smile. "Middle of the week. Told ya, babe" said Gristle proudly. "Look, we care about you guys, and we want to make sure you have something to celebrate. And here's the great news. The Trolls have, like, a kajillion holidays, so you can have one of ours!" exclaimed Poppy as she was just trying to help. "That's cool! I guess" said Bridget a bit unsure about all of this. "Yeah, it is!" exclaimed Poppy in the end. 

(Okay, I cringed so badly to the point I couldn't do the singing part for this. So I'll just explain most of it to them.)

The trolls sang in a peaceful chorus of voices, Poppy was attached to a wire as she was brought to the ground as she sang to the Bergen couple. And quickly the music got loud and with a pop to it. "A good chorus in the beginning" said a Classical Troll. Branch and Poppy were dressed as a rainbow and a sun that said 'holiday' together. They explained the holiday with a song and the first Holiday was called 'Glitterpalooza' Poppy had Guy explain the holiday to the Bergens which the whole day was about shooting glitter in troll's faces. "Ugh, I hate Glitterpalooza...Who even thought that shooting glitter wouldn't be a safety hazard" said Branch annoyed with the holiday and the fool who thought this would be a good holiday to celebrate. A few glitter trolls looked away as they heard the grey troll lecture them saying how it's unsafe to throw glitter in a troll's eye. As he explained that on the screen Gristle was shot with tons of glitter to the face. 

". . ." Gristle was speechless as he saw himself on the screen trying to remove glitter from his eyes. "Ah! Oh, yeah. Oh, that got in there" he said in pain. His eyes were burning red with pain as he tried to remove it but failed. "Maybe that holiday is not really cool for us" tried to explain Bridget. "That's okay. We got tons of holidays. Biggie, tell 'em about Tickle Day!" said Poppy to Biggie who told the Bergens about Tickle Day which was a holiday for trolls who wished to be tickled by spiders. "Okay, Now that's sick" said a Rock Troll as a few other Rock Trolls agreed. They shot spiders at Gristle as he screamed in fear as they crawled around him. Branch wanted to be the peacemaker but Poppy was only getting started. The twins were next as they talked about a laser foam party parade to the Bergen couple. The foam was shot at Gristle and was lasered in the eye. 

"Oh, Come on!" yelled out Gristle. "We probably should have moved that box..." mumbled Poppy as she saw the Bergen King be the victim of all their shenanigans so far. But she didn't 100% see it that way yet. A few trolls were concerned but had no idea how to voice it out. "This is was a horrible idea" said Branch as he was the only one to voice it out so far. "I mean we've nearly blinded a guy, probably have them cleaning that throne year for years to come, a waste of time, and lastly horrible costumes...no offence Satin and Chenille" he mumbled the last part. Poppy frowned at Branch's words...I mean he was being honest but it still hurt.

"These don't seem like Bergen things" said Bridget once again trying to cut in. Poppy then explained how they were only halfway through their holiday ideas. "You got to be kidding me" said Gristle as he couldn't believe they were only halfway through the idea list. Cooper showed up and began to sing about a holiday called Balloon Squeal Day which was a 24-hour day of listening to balloons squeal. The trolls then began to squeal them as the Bergens weren't fans and neither was Branch. "Hey, everybody, why don't we just take a cool five? Hmm? Not working?" Branch tried to smile again which creeped out Poppy. Branch saw that and sighed defeated once more at the thought they he'll probably never learn to smile again. "Maybe your issue is the fact that you're trying too hard" explained Chris. That caught Branch's attention 'trying too hard'? "I mean you're coping what others do when they smile and not finding your own thing. You're masking too hard and not finding your own melody to play with" said Chris as they painted on a white paper plate. 

Branch realised that Chris could either be helpful or make no sense whatsoever when he spoke. And right now was one of those moment where he made no sense. While Branch was thinking too hard about what Chris said. The Ex-BroZone members watched their baby try and try again...but kept failing. As a small helpless baby Branch had the cutest smile. His smile could make any troll cheer up. His cute babble, his clinginess, angelic singing, and cute nervous shaking that he would do. It was all still in Branch but tucked away so no troll could ever see it again...a side of him that still believed they would return. And they had returned...not fully but they were here...right? 

"Nope. Still--still super weird" said Poppy as she didn't look at Branch since she didn't want to break it the hard way. "These Troll holidays all suck!" said Gristle as Todd and Chad cleaned them off as they were both covered in glitter. But Gristle was being sucked by the vacuum. Poppy frowned as she heard that. All she wanted was to make sure they had the best holiday but didn't know how. "I'm trying to stop her, but she just won't listen" said Bridget as she looked at Poppy who was giving the couple two thumbs up as Branch was watching her confused. "You have to do--Ow! Ow! Ow! Todd! Ow!" said Gristle but what cut off as the vacuum was tugging on his ear and he yelped in pain. 

Poppy was still giving them thumbs up as she totally believed all of this was working. But Branch knew overwise but didn't know how to break it to her slowly. "Uh, Poppy, this whole thing has been great" said Branch as he was careful with his words. "Thank you" said Poppy as she faced Branch "And you're great for doing it" said Branch still soft and slow to her "Thank you again" Poppy once again took it as a compliment "But it's a disaster" said Branch as he felt she was ready to face the truth about how horrible this was going despite him knowing from the start that all of this would go down the drain in disaster. "Thank--Wait, what?" Poppy was a bit shocked to hear that. "He's not wrong" said a Bergen. "You know that wise old saying, "Go big or go home"?" explained Branch as he was about to whisper to her "Maybe we should go..." but was cut off by Poppy's enthusiasm "Bigger!" 

"Okay, that's not what I meant" said Branch trying to explain. Upbeat music could be heard as the stage turned red and the Bergen Couple was surprised by that. 

(Go watch that part on Netflix or somewhere because that's way too much and I lost motivation to that)

To point in any fewer words would be the fact that everyone was shocked to see what they saw. Branch facepalmed in embarrassment and Poppy was a bit concerned but not really. The others were mortified by what they saw, the snack pack was fine with this. The ex-BroZone members were shocked and mortified to see their baby brother like that especially since they still saw him as a baby and a baby shouldn't be doing stuff like that. "What did ya just make me witness'?" asked a Country troll confused about what they watched. "I have no clue" said Classical troll. "My baby brother should not be around 99% of those holidays" said John Dory as his two other brothers agreed but Floyd who facepalmed...but also felt the same way. "I'm not a baby" mumbled Branch who rolled his eyes. 

Bridget had enough of everything that happened and yelled out "Stop!" as loud as she could. And everything stopped as everywhere was a mess. But quickly covered her mouth as she said "I used my outside voice..." but right behind her Gristle was choking due to lack of oxygen. "Someone needs to get him out that sweater or find him a doctor" said Synth as he looked at the Bergen with worry. Gristle looked at the screen speechless...so that was his fate huh? A slow painful death. "You don't like any of our holidays?" questioned Poppy the trolls quickly went into hiding inside the cardboard set. "Poppy, all this glitter and foam...and pyrotechnics..." softly said Bridget "Don't forget the fuzzy sweaters!" exclaimed Poppy excitedly. "How could we?" said Gristle just barely as he tried to get his off. "I guess what I'm saying is...Hmm. Maybe it's best if you, um, go and stand somewhere, like, where we're not" softly said Bridget not sure how to say what she wanted to say to Poppy without making her feel bad. "Oh. Uh, you mean, like, back here?" said Poppy taking a step back. "Uh... Mm, mm" so Poppy took another step "How about here?" but it still wasn't enough "Mm-mm" she took another step as she pointed at the spot "You mean, like, over here?" she questioned. "Maybe farther?" asked Bridget. 

"Wait, are you mad at me?" asked Poppy worried about making Bridget upset with her. The other trolls knew this was bound to happen but they had wondered how long it would take for Queen Poppy to realise that. "No, I'm not mad. I'm just feeling a feeling that's the opposite of happy" said Bridget as she fidgeted with her hands. Those who witnessed this happening weren't sure what was going on since Guy asked Branch "What is happening?" but not even Branch knew what was going on. "I don't know. It's like, the nicest fight ever" he was still being lifted off the ground with a wire attached to his costume. "I still look stupid in that" mumbled Branch. 

"Bridge, I think I know what you're trying to say" said Poppy and then Bridget sighed in relief hearing Poppy's words "Okay, good, 'cause I really didn't want to have to say it" Poppy still not getting what Bridget was saying said "You want me..." "Mm-hmm" "to step back..." "Uh-huh" "so we have room..." "Yes!" Bridget was glad she understood what she was trying to say until she exclaimed out loud "to show you more holidays!" Bridget exclaimed "What? No!" but Poppy couldn't hear that since she was blabbering on "Like Fuzzy Legwarmer Day or Chug a Jug of Milk Day--" This time Bridget was getting annoyed as she said loudly enough for Poppy to hear "Poppy, enough! You're not listening to me" Poppy looked down in guilt not sure how to help her friend "What do you want me to do?" questioned Poppy "I think...you should... leave" softly said Bridget as she sighed mid-way. "Oh. Okay" Poppy was hurt but she also understood. 

Poppy began to walk off but then her walk became a run as she sniffled and slowly started to cry. It hurt to watch but at the same time, it was a disaster just like Branch said. It was meant to fail from the start. "The holiday presentation had ended as quickly as it started. Feeling bad for what she had done, Poppy left brokenhearted" The narrator spoke this bit of information. Branch and the others watched Poppy leave the castle 

"Poppy? Poppy?" said Biggie looking for Poppy outside of Bergen Town. “Poppy?" Satin called down then her sister “Poppy, where are you?” They all continued to look for their Queen. "Oh, can you see her, Mr. Dinkles?” Asked Biggie. “Where is she?” Asked Chenille worried Branch spotted something so he asked for a bit of privacy “Hey, guys, give me a minute” They all left trying to give the survivalist a minute with Poppy. After all, Branch knew a with words to help Poppy overcome her sadness. “Poppy, I know you’re hiding in your hair” declared Branch softly. He then realised that the creature wasn’t his friend. “Aah! What the what?” He was freaked out by the creature that was screaming. “Not Poppy! Sorry. Wrong hair” he apologised to the creature and saw another hut of hair.

”I don’t blame him for being scared. I too would have screamed after mistaking that for troll hair” said a Funk troll who shuddered in fear. “Uh, Poppy, is that you?” Asked Branch Poppy revealed herself he sighed in relief. Poppy was still beating herself up after what happened. “I totally blew it with Bridget. I...I mean, we've never had a fight before. And I'm worried I just lost my best friend forever, forever” declared Poppy feeling horrible about herself and her situation. "No. That's not possible" said Branch a bit smug about it but sat down next to Poppy was sulking in her own pool of pity. "I don't know, Branch" said Poppy but Branch was quick to reassure her. "Well, I do, because I'm your friend, and you know what?"

He began to imitate a record scratching as he began to sing "Friends" then added a beatbox to his song "How many of us have them?" the trolls and Bergens were confused on what he was trying to do. But it seemed Branch understood what he was doing and he had a feeling it might just help the Queen of Pop understand how to fix her issue. "Branch. Branch, please stop" said Poppy a bit annoyed that he wasn't helping. "Friends Thank you Thank you for being a friend" he sang he knew it annoyed Poppy but he then said "You know this one" he went back to singing "Traveled down the road and back" Poppy was annoyed and merely stated, "Branch, what's your problem?" not understanding why Branch was acting like this "You just might have a problem That I'll understand We all need somebody to lean on Lean on me when you're not strong And I'll be your friend" Branch was singing with fireflies and Poppy was beginning to lose it. 

Poppy had looked at the screen not understanding what Branch's goal was but she knew just by looking at Branch who had a smug look. She knew that he was confident that he'd help her problem and all she could was trust the grey troll. But some still questioned it like Branch's brother Clay "Hey, Uh, bro...Not telling you how to help or anything but...that's not how you help someone overcome things" said Clay with a deadpanned voice Branch rolled his eyes and for once answered one of his brothers "Well if I want to help Poppy. I have to make her understand her own way" he declared with an eye roll at the end as he huffed. He knew that it made his brother feel horrible but that wasn't his problem. Seeing as they didn't care about him or how he was doing for the last 20-something years! He felt like he had every right to be selfish. 

"You know what? No more Trolls in the castle area! It's like the Trolls just want us to be like them, with their happy energy and glitter and foam and lasers" declared Gristle as he was fixing his keytar on the stand. Todd and Chad were cleaning up the throne room as Bridget was staring out with the paper ribbons hanging up as she grabbed one and fell. She started to walk around but ended up stepping on Poppy's holiday pop-out. She bent down and sang "Holiday" She sighed as started talking to Gristle "Grissy... maybe we shouldn't have been so hard on Poppy and the Trolls" Over with Gristle he was about to sneeze "Ah! Ah, ah...!" but he covered his nose which lead to glitter coming out his ears. "I mean, they were just trying to do something nice for us" Gristle who was looking at the tattoo that said 'hug life' began to talk "I guess. I just can't believe they took a bus all this way and created an elaborate holiday-themed song and dance just to find a holiday for us. That is poor time management if you ask me" he was annoyed at the end as he mess around with his keytar. As for Bridget, she looked at the pictures she got from Poppy. "Yeah, they did do all of that, just to try and help us" she spoke softly 

"I mean, why does she even care so much about what we do? There's glitter on the ceiling. Who's gonna get up there and clean that?" Gristle's voice was barely audible. "Glitter on the ceilings?" said Gristle at the mere thought of someone having to come and clean that up somehow. Bridget was staring at the cards as she looked at all of them. "You're right. She does care... a lot. Maybe we do have a reason to celebrate a holiday after all" she spoke with softness but with also awe in her voice as she looked at the picture of her and Poppy in it. She gasped and announced "Grissy, that's it!" but Gristle was talking about who knows what. "Whose tear-away pants are these?" Biggie looked away embarrassed when he heard the King say that. "What? What'd I say? Was it king-ish? Did I sound like a king?" asked Gristle as Bridget made her way to him to give him a hug. "Yes! It was super king-ish. Now, get your keyboard ready. We have work to do!" said Bridget as she ran off to work on something for the Trolls. Gristle was proud of himself so he leaned on his keytar stand and said to Todd and Chad "You see what I did right there, Chad? That is how a king gets things--Oh!" but he fell off his stand. "Very impressive, sir" said Chad after Gristle fell. A few trolls and Bergen started to laugh as they watched that scene play out. 

But somewhere someone was not having a good time. "Oh, you're the best friend That I've ever had I've been with you such a long time" he sang with the help of a few forest creatures. Poppy who facing upward on her back yelled out towards Branch "Branch, stop! I keep telling you to stop, and you just keep singing. It's like you're not even listening to--Oh, my holy realization, that was what I just did to Bridget, wasn't it?" but she then quickly realised what his goal was the entire time and what she had done. "Phew! There it is. I was running out of songs" Branch was glad his plan worked out in the end. Branch had a smug smile as a few trolls clapped at him for his creative thinking. "You know Dubstep I would have never thought of doing that" exclaimed Synth "Uh-Yeah...I guess I just tried something" blushed Branch as he wasn't used to being praised by someone before. "Man. I got so excited trying to take care of Bridget, and I...I wasn't even listening to her" Poppy was even more upset now. Until she saw a bubble coming from the direction of Bergen Town? 

Poppy gasped as a quiet melody could be heard coming from that direction. Poppy and Branch came closer to the edge and Poppy gasped in awe as Bergen Town was covered in bubbles and the old Troll Tree was shaped like Troll hair. The Bergens were all singing in a chorus, Poppy and Branch walked around as they got closer to the Troll Tree. Todd and Chad had a leaf blower that was spitting out bubbles as a small Bergen child was running around. Gristle was cutting the old Troll Tree "Hey, everybody! The tree looks like Troll hair!" he announced out for everyone to hear. "Grissy! It's so beautiful" gushed Bridget as she saw her boyfriend cutting the old tree into a Troll hair tree. "Bridget!" yelled out Poppy as she saw the Bergen and when Bridget spotted the pink troll she yelled out "Poppy!" Poppy ran to her best Begren friend and said  "This is amazing" 

"I am so glad to see you" said Bridget well Poppy apologised to Bridget "I'm sorry, Bridget. I was not being a good friend. I got so caught up in telling you what to celebrate that I didn't even think about why" But Bridget quickly stopped her "Oh, it's okay, Poppy. You actually helped us. We realized that the holidays aren't about all that stuff" Poppy then got a bit carried away again "Right? Oh! It's not about the glitter or the presents or the decorations--Although, man, do I love decorations. But, no, you're right. It's not about that" but she quickly got right back on track in the end. "I'm learning as I go" she said softly and Bridget agreed with her

"Me too. I think that the holidays are about celebrating the awesome things in life. And the super-awesome thing in our lives is our friendship with you guys, the Trolls" Poppy was feeling sentiment from hearing Bridget say that and she said "And a friendship like ours is definitely something worth celebrating" They hugged (?) each other, as Branch watched from a distance. Both Poppy and Bridget watched him as he walked closer to them and Poppy gasped as she said to Branch "Branch... You're smiling!" Branch was seen smiling for the first time in a long time now. "I-I am? I am! Wow! That's what this feels like" said Branch "You have a very nice smile" said Bridget. A few others agreed with her "Yeah, Dubstep you have an amazing smile!" he exclaimed "I knew you still had a beautiful smile, Bitty B" said Spruce as he hugged Branch as Branch let out a small yelp before being put down again. 

His brothers were glad that Branch was smiling again and feeling like his old self. Even if that took a while. "Thanks! Now I can't stop. Yeah, this is kind of starting to hurt" said Branch in a bit of pain as he tried to make himself stop smiling so hard. "This is really nice, Bridget" As she said that to Bridget it panelled to Gristle who said "Happy Troll-A-Bration, everybody!" pointing to the banner that once said 'Celebration' "I love it" softly said Poppy "And since we're celebrating the Trolls, I thought we could "Troll it up" a little bit. Hit it, Grissy!" Bridget yelled out in the end. Quickly as Gristle ice skated on the floor everything became ice. "I have so many questions on how that worked" said Chris confused. "I wouldn't question it if I were you" said Synth as he shook his head. He knew what it was like to question things only for it to hurt your head in the end. 

Gristle came in with his keytar playing upbeat funk music. "Yeah now that's what we're talkin' about" said Prince D. "Holiday Come on" sang Branch and the guards sang back-up " Holiday"  "Celebrate" "Celebrate" Poppy sang "If we took a holiday" She was picked up by Bridget who sang "Took some time to celebrate" Bridget was heading to the ice with Poppy "Just one day out of life" announced Bridget "Everybody now!" as all the Bergens headed toward the ice "It would be, it would be so nice Everybody spread the word" they all sang this part "We're gonna have a celebration" the Caterbus came back with the snack pack as they sang "All across the world" Cloud Guy passed the screen. "In every nation" Branch sang "It's time for the good times" he jumped on Gristle's Keytar he was on and pressed a few keys that sounded like funk music. "He knows what he's doing" said a Funk troll who enjoyed the pop and funk vibes in the song. "Forget about the bad times" He jumped upward landing on Gristle's ice skate as he said "Oh, yeah" he continued his singing "One day to come together To release the pressure" They all sang "We need a holiday"

The narrator was narrating again as he said "And so Poppy and Bridget took some time to celebrate and appreciate each other on a brand-new holiday. They would take one day out of life, and it would be-- it would be so nice" Bridget and Poppy hugged as it showed the troll tree that had the trolls in as their hug time watches went off and they hugged. "It would be so nice, holiday" they sang this part as they skated around the troll tree. "So happy holidays to all, and to all a good night" said the Narrator who turned out to be Mr. Dinkles. "Huh!" they all questioned "The worm!" yelled out the Queen of Rock confused. 

"Oh, there you are, Mr. Dinkles!" said Biggie as he looked for his pet worm. "Mew" he said as he dropped his bubble pipe "Hang on. What are you wearing? Is that a pipe? Who gave Mr. Dinkles a pipe?" Biggie was so confused about why his pet worm was dressed like that. The scrapbook Mr. Dinkles was reading about showed a picture and Poppy, Bridget, and Branch's voices could be heard singing "We have got to get together" and glitter shot out from it. 

The Trolls and Bergens watched as the television turned off after the glitter shot out. But something they didn't expect was the clock "3 days 24 hours 60 minutes and 60 seconds" said the clock which shocked everyone. "Wait-What!" said Poppy surprised as the lights turned on and Chris was on the stage again and said "Ouch, sorry. Yeah, uh- turns out we ran out of time" They couldn't believe they watched this for a whole day despite only feeling like they watched this for a few hours at best. "Yeah...I um- Don't know what to say...I didn't think we would waste so much time..." Said Chris who looked embarrassed due to him not realising that they were wasting time. "Hey! You promised to answer questions!" yelled out the Queen of Rock angrily. "I did...Didn't I...Welp it seems we'll be doing that another day!" said Chris with a small smile as they then announced "Welp! Moving onto the next thing!" exclaimed Chris. "Wait a minute-" said John Dory but was cut off by Chris who said...

"Moving on to a string of harmony!" 

Chapter Text

This time, Chris was quick with what he did and said since before anyone could say a word or move a muscle the lights were off once more and the television began to play. "You're quick with it, this time" said Holly Darlin as the screen turned on. "Yeah...I feel bad for having to move so quickly but this is my job" explained Chris as he returned to his normal spot for the reaction, rather than on the front stage where everyone could see him. "I did promise to answer questions...and I'm sorry for breaking that promise....I- uh well you know" said Chris he was red in the face from embarrassment as he fidgeted his hands as he stared at the ground. "It's alright, Chris! We understand!" said Poppy with a cheerful smile. Chris looked away with a small huff and the red hue turned pink. "He reminds me of Branch" giggled Poppy, hearing that Branch perked up not understanding what she meant by that. So Branch didn't react as the gears in his head turned. 

The lights were off, and the screen was beginning to play out the next reaction they were going to watch. The speakers began to play a nice melody, and everything was coming together. The narrator- Uh...Cloud Guy's voice could be heard? "Ugh! Not that cloud again!" groaned Branch as he was beginning to get annoyed with the cloud. "Once upon a time, there were two Trolls" explained Cloud Guy "One was named Poppy" a mini cardboard Poppy said "Hey. How's it going?" Poppy was awed at the scrapbook mini Poppy "I gotta admit, Cloud Guy is nailing this thing" she declared. "The other was named Branch" the mini Branch said "What's up?" Branch wasn't 100% amused by this. "Together, they saved the world" Then a few other trolls showed up with large googly eyes on them as Branch and Poppy held hands. "Hooray!" the trolls cheered. "Poppy became queen. Branch found his true colours. And the two of them became best friends" The page had flipped and it showed Poppy with a crown and Branch being more colourful as they held hands. 

Cloud Guy was imitating fireworks popping in the sky as they covered the scrapbook. "Boom" he said lastly as it showed Cloud Guy and the scrapbook that he was reading. "And that was that. Pretty cute, right? Not to me. I'm the type of cloud that goes for... this sorta thang" he was reading a cute puppy and when the trolls saw this they began to awe at how adorable the cute puppy was. The puppy was yapping and barking. "Anyhoo, what Poppy and Branch didn't know is that their world was a lot bigger than they knew. Like, a lot, lot, lot, lot bigger!" Cloud Guy showed Poppy and Branch together as he spoke it showed a huge map of different troll tribes. The Pop trolls stared at the screen with amazement and wonder. Sure they now know about the other tribes due to Chris having them react and all. But they had no clue how any of that worked up until they saw that single map. 

It zoomed into the Techno part of the map and the Techno trolls were excited to know they'd have a part in this reaction of some sort. Synth gasped in amusement as he stared at Branch his new friend "Dubstep! You may see a part of our Techno home!" he said as he mimicked air horns and laughed in the end. Branch gave Synth a small smile and told him "I'd love to see a part of your home and culture" Synth smiled even wider at Branch. In the water, they could see a school of fish travelling together. Then they saw a heartbeat belonging to a Techno troll. Then a few Techno trolls were in the water partying to techno music. "One more time One more time, one more time" sang the Techno King who was also the DJ for this party. "What's up, my techno Trolls?!" he yelled out as the crowd cheered for him. "'One more time One more time  We're gonna celebrate Oh, yeah, all right, don't stop the dancing" 

Synth was smiling as he enjoyed himself a good rave when the Techno trolls had one. Which was almost every day! "Tonight is about family, love and music!" said the Techno King as a group of family smiled as he said that. The crowd was cheering their lungs out. "Come on! Let me see you jump!" he yelled out and they did which came out a melody as they did. "One, two, three, four!" he had yelled out while they jumped in the water. The trolls watched amazed as they partied the Pop trolls and other tribes blended music all the time like this but for once watching the Techno trolls do their stuff was amazing! "And get ready for the drop!" as he said that he zipped to a small green button-type creature and asked "Are you ready, little buddy?" the guy was hyped and yelled out "Let's do this, King Trollex!" the beat was building up as he had them wait "Wait for it!" the guy couldn't wait as he said "Come on" but King Trollex was still having them wait. "Wait for it"

The others were wondering what King Trollex was waiting for until Synth just chuckled and said to Branch who was confused "King Trollex enjoys playing around" he had explained to Branch but a few trolls overheard and it made sense. King Trollex was with the other Techno Trolls and was proud of himself. "Yes" said the little green dude "Wait for it. Wait for it! Wait for it" he was zooming around repeating 'wait for it' as he did. "Come on, man, hit me!" said the little guy and then a pink Techno troll yelled out "Just do it already!" The beat was louder and then he sang "One more time" as the beat dropped. "Music's got me feeling so free We're gonna celebrate" the pink troll was dancing and said "Oh, yeah!" the King was singing and everyone was having fun "Celebrate and dance so free Gonna party all night One more time One more time, we're gonna celebrate Oh, yeah, all right, don't stop the dancing Don't stop the dancing Oh, yeah, all right Don't stop the..." 

King Trollex was singing and the Techno trolls danced and cheered...but something caught King Trollex's attention as he saw large fish swim closer to the Techno trolls. "What's that?" asked a Funk Troll "I- Don't know" said King Trollex it looked familiar for some reason...but he wasn't sure why. King Trollex stopped the music as the fishes got closer to them. The crowed groaned not sure why their King stopped the music.  "Don't worry, everybody. We'll get back to the party in a minute. Let me just take care of this real quick" explained King Trollex to the Techno trolls who watched their King swim by as he faced the giant fishes. The Techno trolls felt a pit in their stomachs as they saw the screen. But something in the Rock Queen buzzed inside her. It was a sign that something she'd been planning was actually about to work out just like she planned. The other tribes were confused as they watched the screen.

The fish opened its mouth like a zipper opening up. And someone stepped out and said "Hey, man" The troll was none other than the Queen of the Rock troll tribe. She was happy "There he is! King Trollex of the Techno Trolls, right?" she asked when it came to his name. Things were making a bit more sense when it came to the troll's placing now. The Rock trolls were just a bit smidge farther than the rest of the trolls as if Chris didn't want a fight to happen. But why? "That's right. Who's asking?" asked King Trollex "Queen Barb. Of the Hard Rock Trolls" she replied. But he had no clue who she was "And I'm here to take your string, bro" after announcing that she played her guitar as it loudly played a chord. The other tribes were shocked to hear that all but Pop Trolls not understanding what she meant by 'string' 

"No way" he said the little green guy said "Ooh, don't do it, man" Trollex was serious as he said "If we lose our string, we lose our music" Hearing that Poppy was shocked a string that was connected to music? A few others were also shocked to hear those words. "You mean your bleeps and bloops?" she said as she mocked them for their music "Beep, beep, beep, beep-beep, boo" she chuckled "Yeah. That's not music. Do you want to hear some real music?" she asked. The techno trolls were offended by her comment when it came to their music. "Rockers!" she yelled out for more Rock trolls to come out. The Techno trolls were scared not sure what to do when she yelled out for her rockers. 

A ton more fish came and they began to play their cords. The cords they played were loud enough to fling the Techno trolls around and soon Bard began to sing "Yeah Oh Here I am Rock you like a hurricane!" she played a last cord and it broke their DJ system which was the last straw for King Trollex "Okay, okay, enough. Stop. You're harshing the vibe we worked very hard to build to" the Techno trolls were shocked to see their King give up their string like that. But at the same time, it made sense since there was no way they could overpower the Rock trolls. "Oh, but by the end of my world tour, we're all gonna have the same vibe. We're all gonna be one nation of Trolls, under rock" she threatened as she played the last final chords managing to break everything. "Who's ready to rock?!" she questioned out loud. 

None of the others knew what to say. The Queen of Rock had just said that she was planning to make one nation of Troll all under the Rock music genre. "I prefer Indie Pop or Indie Rock music" yawned Chris as he merely floated mid-air bored out of his mind. "Well it's only going to be Rock from now own" said Barb proudly. "You can't do that!" exclaimed Poppy "Poppy!-" tried Viva to reason with her sister before a fight breaks out. "And who says I can't pipsqueak!" said Barb as she questioned the Princess of Pop music. "After all, Pop is so boring! There's nothing in pop since it's so plain and ugh!" she exclaimed loudly with a groan. Before she could say anything Chris broke everything up. "Woah! No fighting! I'm not cleaning up a mini puddle of blood!" he said annoyed with the Princess and the Queen. 

(No actual singing since I'm staring this chapter later than I thought I would)

The screen panelled to Pop Village. It showed Queen Poppy getting ready for the day as she sang. She was so happy about becoming the new Queen of Pop. She left her pod and the trolls were singing and dancing with their new Queen. It then showed Branch in his bunker in his robe on his bed lying down and relaxing. There was one part of the song that caused Branch to turn into a bright red hue of blush as heard himself say what he said "I had my life changed by a beautiful girl" as he uncovered a picture of him and Poppy together. He hid his face with both his hands as he could feel the smirks on his brother's faces as they all heard that single line. "Ooo does Baby Branch have a crush~" teased Spruce as he gave his brother a small nudge. Branch just turned bright red as he was being teased by his brothers and a few other trolls. Poppy on the other was red as some of her friends went 'Oo' as they heard the once grey troll say that line. "Wow, Dubstep! I never thought you would say something like that" teased Synth "Please shut up!" mumbled Branch.  

Branch got out of his bunker and met Poppy and sang with each other as they made a little top part edge. "All right, Queen Poppy. I've prepared an agenda for the day" explained Branch as he showed Poppy his agenda. "Oh. Well, I hope it says singing, dancing and hugging. Ow-ow!" said Poppy with a cheer in the end. "Uh, isn't that what we do every day?" asked Branch "Yeah! Good times!" said Poppy as she showed Branch some rollerskates. The trolls skated around as they sang and danced. "Okay, now that looks fun-tasic!" said Viva as she hugged Poppy. Poppy was a bit surprised but it seemed that the whole time she met her sister she's been very clingy and touchy. Which Poppy didn't mind at all. 

After the trolls heard an auto-tuned scream coming from Guy Diamond. And yelled out for Poppy dramatically "Poppy, come quick! It's an emergency!" the trolls quickly made their way to Guy "Guy Diamond, what's wrong?" asked worriedly as she came closer to Guy Diamond. "I'm having a baby!" The troll gasped in excitement except Branch who gasped horrified. "I'm going to be a dad!" said Guy happily. "OMG! Congrats Guy!" said Poppy as she hugged her glittery friend. "Yeah! Congrats Guy" said Biggie and the other Snack Pack gang. Guy was so happy that he would be having a child...despite being a single father now. "We're on jumpsuit duty" said the twins together. "I get to be a role model" said Cooper excited for Guy "I don't want to be a big sister" said Smidge as she threw a small fit. Guy suddenly gasped as a small egg came out of his hair and it hatched. "Oh, sparkly baby" said a chorus. "Aw" they all said except Branch. 

"He is so cute!" exclaimed Poppy as she saw the small trolling on the screen. "He's so tiny I can squeeze him!" exclaimed Smidge as she hugged herself. "What should I name him?" asked Guy as he looked around for ideas. "Hmm. How about... Tiny Diamond?" said Poppy a bit unsure. Branch who was behind Poppy looked unamused with her name-picking skills. "Really Tiny Diamond?" deadpanned Branch "Hey I'm trying!" huffed Poppy with a pout. "Funny coming from the guy who was named after a tree branch" snorted Chris as they lazily floated around the room. Branch was a bit embarrassed as his brother laughed awkwardly. After Tiny Diamond was named he began to sing but it wasn't pop music. It was rap? "A rap trolling from a pop troll? How interesting" said King Quincy. Guy didn't care what his trolling was as long as he was a healthy trolling. 

After the end of their song and dance for the morning Poppy and Branch walked together. "Hey! That was some fancy footwork, Cooper" said Poppy to Cooper. "Some people just got it" said Cooper talking about his legs. "Biggie, Mr. Dinkles, you two were on fire!" said Poppy as Biggie was looking the other way and apologised "Yeah, sorry about that, Queen Poppy" he held Mr. Dinkles who was on fire and put the fire out. "Is he okay?" asked Holly Darnlin worried for the small worm. "Don't worry, Mr. Dinkle is used to that" laughed Biggie. "I'm digging that new anklet, Legsly" said Poppy talking to a lengthy troll "Thanks, Poppy. Kisses and donuts and sprinkles!" she said as she walked off. "Ah, what a Troll" said Branch. Poppy saw Guy and Tiny walking by and she said to welcome to Tiny "Tiny Diamond, welcome to the family, little buddy" Guy was carrying the small trolling in his hand and the tiny trolling said "Thanks, Aunt Poppy. And thanks to this silver-haired daddy of mine for bringing me into this world" Poppy awed "Oh" 

"I never knew my heart could be so full" said Guy so grateful for his son "Peace and love. Bless up. Tiny and Daddy out" said Tiny and Guy carried his son and they walked off. "Oh. Okay, bye" said Poppy as she walked off and Branch followed the Queen.  "Hey, uh, Poppy, there's something I was hoping to ask you I-I mean, I guess it's something I want to tell you, more so" Branch tried to look for the right words but his mind and his tongue weren't connecting since he couldn't find the words to express himself. His brother Spruce gave him a teasing look and said "Young love, blooming like a flower in spring" Branch was bright red. He had always seen Poppy like an annoyance but after sitting here next to her watching their future play out in a matter of days and not months or years. He realised he misjudged her character she wasn't always this loud, over-the-top, happy-go-luck troll he had always seen her as. But as a friend...but it seemed future him saw her as much more than a simple friend or the Queen of Pop Village. And it made him feel...fuzzy. 

Poppy watched Branch look for the words he wanted to say and she smiled lovingly. But at the same time, she was going through a breakup. She loved Branch as a friend but as of right now, she needed some time before she could move into another relationship. Branch was a kind, handsome, smart, crafty troll who deserved love but right now she needed to move on. And he needed to relearn how to live. 

"Uh-huh" said Poppy as she was listening but not fully there at the moment as she began to water the flowers. "Uh, but listen. You could feel free to respond to it, uh, with an answer, i-if you wanted" Branch was moving around feeling anxious about what he wanted to say to her. He felt so many emotions but the words couldn't match what he was feeling for her at the moment. The way she smiled at him and the way she made him feel, he couldn't ask for any more than just the two of them together. And the way she answered him made the butterflies in his stomach go 10x worse than before. "Sure. What's up?" she asked him and Branch just didn't know how to approach this. "Uh, what's up is I, uh, I-I-I-I-I-I...I wanted to tell you that..." It then showed Poppy staring at Branch but from Branch's perspective of Poppy. She looked as beautiful as two water droplets racing down a glass object with a rainbow imprint on it as they both danced in harmony. A few trolls snickered as they watched as Branch hopelessly watched Poppy as he couldn't find a single word to say to her as she smiled at him. "Uh..." he groaned as Poppy looked at him but continued to water the flowers. "You're crushing it at this queen thing" he said nervously. 

"Aw, Branch, thank you Being a good queen is the most important thing in the world to me. Other than being your friend" she said happily and thankful for Branch and his encouraging words. Branch smiled as the words echoed in his head "Friend, friend, friend, friend, friend, friend, friend" Poppy could feel herself turn a bit red as she had just accidentally friend-zoned Branch by mistake. Don't get her wrong she loved Branch but just not like that...as of right now. "Ouch...The friend-zone...You can either stay in that pool or learn how to swim it" said Chris as he looked down at the ground and clenched his fist "I drowned in it" he said sadly. "I still think he's too young to date" huffed John Dory but was hit by Floyd who shook his head. "I think they'd make an adorable couple" he said proud of his brother. 

"Uh, five it up?" she tried to give Branch a high-five but they missed "Huh. That could've been better. Let's try that again" but failed once more "O-Okay, one more" but they twisted their arms and failed. "Huh. For some reason, we can't seem to make a good connection" which caused Poppy to chuckle awkwardly and Branch sighed heartbroken. Fuzzbert could be heard from a distance and Poppy looked over at Fuzzbert as his hand extended for her to high five and they did "Oh, yes, Fuzzbert! Now that's a good connection" announced Poppy and Branch winced slightly from hearing Poppy say that. "Ouch, Friend-zoned and told you have a bad connection" said Clay then said "Ow!" as Floyd hit his older brother in the guts as he said that. "What he means is you're doing your best Branch...and that's all that matters" smiled Floyd at Branch but then turned to Clay and glared at him and his words. 

"What did I do?" asked Clay looking at his two older brothers and John Dory shrugged and Spruce facepalmed. Viva smiled at her sister Poppy as Poppy returned the smile before turning to Branch who was watching his brothers act like fools. She smiled at him until he looked over at her and began to blush...the feeling she felt when saw Branch was warmer than usual. Warmer than what she felt for Creek. Speaking about Creek what happened to him. "Hey...Chris?" said Poppy worried "Hmm?" hummed Chris as he floated around. "Uh-I...was wondering..." she started "...What happened to Creek?" asked Poppy as she stared at the ground. "Uh...Who?" questioned Chris. "...Oh! Him! Uh-Yeah he's up there" said Chris as he pointed to the ceiling and there was Creek and Chef being hung by a rope while they're mouths were taped shut. Chef was hung upside down as Creek was hung upwards. "Yeah...I wasn't sure if I hung him upside down if he'll mange to fall or not...and I don't wanna have to witness a death" mumbled Chris. "Are they okay up there?" questioned Guy "Yeah! They're fine!" 

" Poppy, help! Poppy!" yelled out Biggie terrified by the creature running behind him. "Biggie?" asked Poppy as she saw her friend yelling out for her and running towards her with a creature behind him. "Help! I'm being harangued by a monster! Someone stop it!" yelled out Biggie as he tried to run but ended up going on the ground as the thing kept hitting him. He was freaked out by the creature until Poppy grabbed it with her hair and said "Gotcha!" until she realised it was freaking out and yelled out "Ah! It's in my hair! It's in my hair! Get it out, get it out, get it out!" she yelled out all freaked out as she jumped around. Branch yelled out as he took ahold of whatever was inside Poppy's hair and began to shush it making sure it would calm down "There you go. There you go. Calm down. Who's a good boy?" once it was calmed down Troll began to ask questions. 

"Wait a minute! Is that...Debbie!" yelled out Barb as she saw her pet bat on screen. "Whose Debbie?" asked a Bergen as they watched Barb freak out over her pet bat. "That 'monster' as that Pop troll called her is my pet bat, Debbie!" she cried out angrily towards Biggie who was freaking out. "Woah! He didn't mean to call her a monster...he was just freaked out is all" explained Poppy trying to play peacemaker. Barb looked at both the pop trolls angrily and Biggie nodded as he agreed with Poppy's words. Before Barb could do anything Chris cleared his throat almost as if he was saying 'Don't try anything I have my eyes on you' So Barb just scoffed as she sat down in her seat and almost growled out angrily. 

"What is that thing?" said Legsly as she saw the creature on the ground "It's creepy" said Cooper a bit weirded out by it "It's scary" said the twins while Guy added with his auto-toned voice "And nasty" His son Tiny turned to his new Daddy and said "Hold me, Daddy" and Guy held his son as he mumbled an "Oh" Poppy looked at the bat creature and saw a letter on the ground. Poppy walked closer to it and saw a sticker holding the letter addressed "To Queen Poppy" She read. The trolls gasped not sure what the letter could want for their new Queen. But Poppy merely sighed and said "Oh, don't worry, everyone. It looks like it's just an invitation" The trolls sighed in relief hearing their queen say it was a mere invite "Whew!" Legsly walking through the crowd said "Just an invitation" 

Poppy cleared her throat and began to read what was on the invitation " "Barb, the Queen of Rock, "announces her One Nation Under Rock World Tour."Bring your string to the biggest party the world has ever seen." " The whole time Poppy was reading and the troll listened her father was on the ground peaking and listening to his daughters read. As he looked a bit freaked out by what he was hearing in that letter. "Queen of Rock?" questioned Poppy she had never heard of another Queen before maybe expect an old Bergen Queen but other than that she had never seen or heard about a Queen of Rock up until this point. "It's nothing! It means nothing at all. It's just junk mail. You don't need to worry about it. I mean, quit looking at it, everyone. Forget what you saw!" King Peppy was freaked out. He had taken the invite out of his daughter's hands and waved it around while trying to eat the paper to get rid of evidence of some form. 

"Dad...we you hiding this from me?" asked Poppy she frowned at her father who wouldn't dare look at his daughter. "I was just trying to protect you" he said as looked at his daughter who was frowning. She looked down at the ground...in these past two days Chris had shown her so much and seen so much happen in a single room she didn't know how to feel. First, she was brought in here and found out she was nearly eaten, She found out she had an older sister named Viva, she found out there were music strings, and lastly, she knew of these tribes being out there. Let's not talk about the fact she broke up with her boyfriend after he sold them out. And now she didn't know how to react to knowing that Branch liked her a lot more than just a friend. She sighed sadly at her father and looked away from him. "What about Viva...Why didn't you..." Her father didn't know what to say as he looked guilty about all of that. "I-" but before he could continue Viva looked at her father and smiled. "It's okay, Daddy... I knew it was rough for you" she said sadly.   

Branch yelled out and tackled Peppy and began to shush him like he did Debbie "There you go. There you go. Calm down. Calm down. There you go" Once King Peppy calmed down he said "Okay, I'm calm. I'm calm" Branch got off him and King Peppy got up and Poppy questioned her father as she was worried about him "Dad, what's going on?" King Peppy answered her by saying "Well, I have long feared this day would come. I was hoping to protect you from this, Poppy" Poppy reassured her father by calmly saying "Protect me? I'm not a little kid anymore, Dad. I'm the queen now" he stared at his daughter and sighed and started talking again to explain to his daughter and the others who were around at time. "You're right. The truth is we are not alone in this world" but was stopped mid-way since Mr. Dinkles began to make eerie noises but was shushed by Biggie. King Peppy began to talk again "There are other kinds of Trolls" The trolls gasped not understanding what he meant. "That's...Dad, that's great. The more Trolls, the merrier" said Poppy cheerfully but King Peppy said "You don't understand. These other Trolls aren't like us. They're different" he tried to explain to his daughter who still didn't understand "Different how? Different like Legsly?" she asked but Legsly said "I love being me"

"Or Fuzzbert? Or Smidge? Or Skyscraper Troll?" she questioned it then showed Skyscraper Troll "Yeah, different like me?" as they said that the trolls and Bergens questioned how they worked. "No, it's not that. They're different in ways you can't even imagine" he said still trying to explain to his daughter. "You see, we love music with a hummable hook, with an upbeat melody, with a catchy rhythm that makes you want to snap your fingers, tap your toes and wiggle your butt" He gave his daughter a small show of what he meant by snapping his fingers, taping his toes, and wiggling his butt. "You forgot bland lyrics!" said Barb with a smirk. But Poppy frowned at her words. "That's our music. That's what makes us Pop Trolls" he said at the end. 

The trolls agreed with his words "But these other Trolls, they sing different" they gasped in horror "They dance different. Why, some of them can't even begin to grasp the concept of Hammer Time" As he said the trolls danced to 'U can't touch that' and they freaked out as Legsly yelled out "You can't touch that!" The tribes watched their reaction as they all screamed and freaked out. "Just a bit dramatic...don't ya think?" said Gus as he watched the screen as the scene played out. "It could be worse" said Branch sarcastically. "Stop" said King Peppy and everything froze and they stopped panicking. "I can't believe that worked" said a Classical Troll. 

"How about we break down to a smaller group?"

Chapter Text

In another part of Pop Village was a hidden area, deep in the forest away from civilization. There was an area that protected their most secreted item, a string which was connected to Pop music. As the Rock Trolls watched the screen their eyes lit up, now knowing where their string may be hidden. The Pop trolls and the other tribes were a bit concerned. Since they knew that the Rock Trolls knew where the sting could be hidden. King Peppy brought out an old scroll and opened it so he could begin to read the pages to the others. 

"It's a story as old as time. In the beginning, there was silence" He said as the scrapbook showed different types of trolls. "Boring" said a troll "Until one day, someone made a sound" One of the trolls played with one of the troll's hair and a note played they all oohed at the discovery they made. "Our ancestors were so inspired by the sound, they took six strings" The six trolls took a piece of their hair in a harp and music connected with each other "And those six strings had the power to control all music. They could play anything" the harp played music of different types. "Techno, funk, classical, country, hard rock and pop. And every kind of music in between. There was something for everyone. It was one big party" Barb rolled her eyes as King Peppy spoke about their tale of how music came to be. "Yay!" the trolls cheered as they all had their music "But little by little, Trolls became intolerant of each other's music" 

The trolls weren't happy with the lies being spread around from the Pop Troll's ancestor. Not that the others would know until Barb spoke up "Pfft, leave it to the Pop troll to tell lies about what truly happened ages ago" she said with an eye roll. Poppy stood up and calmly but annoyed said to Barb "Are you calling my dad a liar?" she could see Chris from the corner of her eye look a bit annoyed with her and Barb. "Maybe, or maybe I'm calling your whole tribe a lie" she laughed as a few Rock trolls agreed with their Queen. "What is that supposed to mean!" said Poppy even more annoyed with Barb. She was beginning to really not like this troll. Chris sighed and leaned back "Enough! I assure you all information will be brought into the light by the end of this day!" Barb had a smug look while Poppy frowned and looked annoyed not listening to the words of her father or sister as they told her to calm down. She huffed and sat down annoyed with Barb the Queen of Rock.

"I want it!" "I want to listen to techno!" "No fair!" "Hey, y'all, I want country" yelled out the trolls as they fought over the music. The more they watched the more trolls remembered why they didn't interact with the other tribes. Not because they didn't stand their music but because they couldn't stand their point of view or understand it. Branch on the other hand merely didn't understand the entire time they reacted to Pop Village he could hear the mumbles and groans from other tribes the moment Pop music was heard or sung. They all had views that he didn't understand. Don't get him wrong Pop music was normally loud, energetic, and over the top. But couldn't that be said for other genres? He didn't know much about funk, techno, classical, country, hard rock, and pop despite being a pop troll himself. Music was music no? a harmony and melody playing to a beat of some kind with or without lyrics in the music as it played. 

"They fought over what kind of music the strings would play. The elders realized there was but one solution" The trolls on the scroll showed talking to each other as they said "Blah, blah-blah-blah-blah. Agreed" The trolls all took a string from the harp and left their separate ways. "Each tribe would take a string and go their separate ways. Those six tribes have lived in isolation ever since. Techno, Country, Rock, Classical, Funk, and us, the Pop Trolls" Branch scoffed with a chuckle at the end as he mumbled "I know how that feels like" It was soft enough no one could hear but loud enough to stick guilt into his brothers who did hear him speak. "Now Barb's announcement makes sense. She wants to reunite the strings so the Troll World can be one big party again" she exclaimed but present Poppy facepalmed as she heard Barb laugh and say something she didn't quite hear. "Wait, that's all you heard? One big party?" asked Branch as he looked at Poppy deadpanned due to what she said. She chuckled softly "Yeah! It's when all the Trolls lived in harmony. And what's more important than living in harmony?" she said but Branch tried to be the voice of reason with her "Well, I heard fighting. The strings together leads to fighting" 

"Exactly, Branch. That's why we need to keep our string safe" said King Peppy as he was now closer to the waterfall paper that flowed and opened up for him as it showed the string in the harp. "Behold! The pop music string" he said as he played the string with a small movement to it. The pop string sang as it formed a heart made of sparkle dust. "Oh, yeah"  "It's beautiful" awed Poppy as the heart dusted everyone with sparkles "And powerful. Which is why we can't let it fall into the wrong hands" said King Peppy, Branch stepped in and said "And we won't. Not on my watch. What we need is a plan" he said as he tried to think of options to go with. "Don't worry. I've been preparing for this day for years. We run" said King Peppy with a hint of panic in the end. "Run?" Poppy was shocked by that. "And hide" he said still a bit panicked. "On it" said Branch ready to go fully dressed. 

"Mr. Prepared, huh?" joked Holly Darlin as she looked over at Branch who was proud of himself for being prepared for anything 24/7. "Of course. I'm prepared for everything!" said Branch proudly. "What about a hillside and zombie apocalypse?" joked Synth but it seemed Branch didn't understand humour all that much. Something that was already noticed but wasn't questioned. "A hillside and zombie apocalypse?" repeated Branch as he tried to think about that. "Dubstep don't overthink it pal, I was joking" laughed Synth as he saw Branch huff and turn red. His brother looked at him which caused him to scoff and looked away as he also felt Poppy smile at him with a small laugh escaping her lips as he turned bright red. 

"But we don't even know what we're running and hiding from" said Poppy as she watched her father and Branch begin to plan. "We're hiding from Barb and all the other different Trolls" said King Peppy as the other tribes frowned. "You're assuming the worst about someone you haven't even met" said Poppy a bit annoyed with her father's plan "You're not listening to me" said King Peppy "You're not listening to me" King Peppy a bit annoyed but worried over his daughter said "I'm your father!" Poppy replied with "And I'm the queen" King Peppy not excepting that said "Uh, father trumps queen. Now, there's no time to debate this. Let's go" Poppy looked at Branch who stood awkwardly at the ground as he fidgeted with his hands "Come along, Branch" called out King Peppy for Branch "Well, I, um..." he said as he quickly followed King Peppy as he ran off. "We're all Trolls. Differences don't matter" said Poppy annoyed and mad. 

Chris let out a small laugh as he heard that line. Poppy was a bit confused on why Chris was laughing as he poked Creek who woke up and was freaking out as he looked around. "Oh sweetheart" began Queen Essence as she looked at Poppy who was still confused. "I believe he's pointing to the fact that trolls and all creatures are different" But Poppy wasn't getting it "But..." King Quincy jumped in "Think of it this way...you and your family are the same time of troll but that doesn't make you the same. You all have your strengths and weaknesses and saying differences don't matter you're denying that part of you" Poppy not 100% getting it still but also starting to fit pieces in the puzzle nodded at the funk royal couple's words. "Take you and Branch too. You wish for Branch to fit in but you wishing to have him in a box to small for him is also denying he's just wired differently than the rest of the Pop trolls. It doesn't mean there's something that needs to be fixed or added but just different enough to say that's him and his character" explained Chris.

Poppy was surprised by his words and then looked over at Branch who didn't like being added to this conversation but understood where Chris was coming from. She had tried to add ingredients to the bowl that never existed but the moment she replaced them the cake didn't taste as good all due to her forcing in new ingredients to bake a cake that should have taken time but was rushed and forced. No wonder Branch didn't want to be around her or her friends it was all due to her trying to force him to become something he wasn't ready for or wanted to be. 

"Oh, look how cute you are! Barb is gonna love your new look" Barb was shocked to see her pet Debbie covered in glitter "What did you do to Debbie" yelled out Barb angrily "Tell her I look forward to helping her plan the world's biggest party" said Poppy as she gave Debbie a letter. As she was talking Branch was behind her looking unamused as he heard Poppy speak to the bat creature. "Are you now pipsqueak?" joked Barb but before any more could be said "She's trying to push your buttons" said Branch as he looked at her "You're good at that and I know you can deal with it for a few hours" Poppy looked at the clock that read '3 days 20 hours 40 minutes and 20 seconds' she looked at Branch and smiled at him and whispered "Thanks, Branch" Branch didn't reply as he looked at the ground merely nodded embarrassed as he could hearing the teasing coming from Synth, Holly Darlin, and his brothers.  

"Poppy" said Branch as he freaked Poppy out as she screamed out loud "What are you doing?" He asked unfazed by her screaming "Oh. Nothing" she said as she tried to cover Debbie. "Ooh! Poppy's busted" said the hot air balloon as Poppy tried to shush her "Sneaking out to meet Barb? Headed into enemy territory?" questioned Branch as Poppy took hold of Debbie who tried to run away. Barb was still pissed off by what happened to Debbie her poor baby. "She's not the enemy. She's a queen, the same as me" exclaimed Poppy as she let go of Debbie by mistake it hit Branch as it flew away to reunite with Barb. "Bye-bye, little bat" said the balloon as it waved Debbie off. "Your dad just told us that Queen Barb is bad news" said Branch to Poppy and she replied "Well, my dad doesn't know everything"

"He knows more about this. You didn't even know there was a string until this morning" as he said this Poppy was getting ready to get on the air balloon to go on her next adventure. "He may be fine in a world where everybody lives in isolation, but I'm not" Branch tried to reason with her once more "Well, but we don't know anything about the other Trolls" She was fixing things up and said "Well, we know they're Trolls. Branch, look around Troll Village. Everybody's different, even us" she proudly said that to Branch until she heard a sneeze coming from the distance. "Oh. Did you hear something?" it came behind a plant which was none other than Cooper who was hiding from plain view. "Stop trying to change the subject" said Branch

"Look, being queen means having a lot of power, and it's my job to use it for good. I can't stay home when I know there's a world full of different Trolls out there just like us" Poppy closed the door for the hot air balloon and the entire time she spoke Cooper could hear her talk. Cooper was mostly excited to hear the part of different trolls out there just like them.  Branch sighed as he heard Poppy talk about the other troll tribes "This is a terrible idea that will most likely blow up in your face" Branch said with a smug look and Poppy pulled out scissors to cut the rope keeping the balloon on the ground. "Okay, bye" she said as it began to go upwards "What?" Poppy looked at Branch who being slightly stubborn and crossed his arms as he watched the hot air balloon go up higher. He finally decided it would be better to catch up with her so he used his hair to lunch himself onto the hot air balloon with Poppy. 

"Aw, how cute" said the twins and Branch reacted with a small "Huh!" not sure what they meant by that. "Yeah, Bitty B trying to make sure your girlfriend's safe huh?" teased Spruce as he gave him a small nudge on the arm. "Not my girlfriend" blushed Branch "Pft, not yet" said Guy as he lightly teased him and laughed. Poppy was also blushing as she tried to say "Not dating you guys...We're just friends!" she laughed awkwardly. "I think it's sweet. Right Clay?" said Viva as she looked at the messy lime green-haired troll. He slightly blushed and said "Yeah...B and Poppy are uh-cute together" he said with a smile at the end. "Pfft- Real smooth" joked John Dory. Floyd just facepalmed at the trolls all teased one another. But he also smiled knowing how nice it felt to be with his brothers even if Branch didn't wish to be around them or acknowledge them all that much. After all even if he didn't say anything everyone knew Branch was still freaked out about the whole 'future' thing. 

"And I guess I'm coming with you" said Branch with a small smirk on his face. Poppy gratefully sighed as she said "Oh! Thank you. I really didn't want to go by myself" the hot air balloon loudly said "Road trip!" and Poppy replied with "Yeah!" Somewhere a bit further was about to begin their own mission as they went back to the secret place they had been earlier that day. As he looked at the old scroll "They are all different. A-And this one looks a little bit like me. We even have the same hat!" he said as a leaf landed on the funk troll. His family laughed at their youngest son. "...same hat, same hat, same hat!" his voice echoed as he said the words 'same hat'. It showed Cooper back in his pod getting ready for an adventure to find trolls just like him. He got his destiny cap and cloak on and left his pod and once he was a bit off from the village he began to say "Goodbye. I hope I see you again, friends. But even though it's scary, I have to go out there and see if there's other Trolls like me" He slowly began to walk until he found himself near the edge of the small cliff and began to shriek out loud. "Oh, man, this is gonna be hard" he said.

His family smiled having a good feeling that maybe their son would return to them in the future and not just in this room filled to the brim with trolls on one side and Bergens on the other. The trolls were getting along...sort of. It was going great for now a lot of family reunited after so long some better than others. As the Funk Queen looked at the Branch and his Brothers as they were lightly teasing each other as they danced around their feelings and their words. They all were careful as to not make Branch uncomfortable but he seemed fine as he spoke with Synth the Techno troll and Holly Darlin the Country troll who was talking to Poppy, Branch, and Synth. Things were fine...for now. Prince D saw Chris who was still up near the ceiling as he smiled at the screen but the type of smile that someone did when they were hiding something but wanted everyone to know they were hiding something. He was an open book that was glued shut after all of course he wanted everyone to know he was hiding something. 

"All aboard!" said Barb out loud and a few sea creatures went "Ai, ai, ai" all sing-song. It then showed the fish-type creatures coming out of the water with the rock trolls inside singing and playing music. "Crazy But that's how it goes Millions of people Living as foes Music Has kept us apart It's time for the hard rock Revolution to start" Barb was moving around as she sang her song while playing her guitar. "No spats, no tiffs, no fighting When everyone's the same I'm going off the rails On a crazy train!" Barb helped a small rock trolling play her guitar and find her groove in it. The creatures were throwing out fireworks the entire time as they moved around and while Barb sang. By the end of her song, she entered the main fish creature's mouth. 

"Yeah! I got the Techno string!" said Barb proudly said as she showed off the string. "Who knew world domination could be so much fun?" as the trolls cheered for their Queen's success. "Yeah!" "All right, Barb!" "All right!" they chanted out loud. The little trolling and Barb both yelled out loudly in celebration. "Ha! Queen Barb!" said one of the trolls with a beanie covering his eyes with messy hair. Barb and him fist bump and they laugh it off. Barb then turned to see a guitar in a case, the guitar had one string in. She held the Techno string in her hand as she placed the string into the guitar and the teal string turned red as it was placed inside. "Only four more strings to go until rock unites the world" said Barb as she was sitting on her throne now. As she fully sat down she quickly realised something and began to look around and said "Dad? Where's Dad?" She looked around until a flush was heard coming from the portable toilet. 

He was in an electric wheelchair as he moved around Barb was happy to see her dad as he got closer the back of the wheelchair was fire. "There you are, Dad I got the Techno string" she happily as her father merely said "Cool. What's a string ag-again?" he said as he backed up using his wheelchair. "What? Uh...Don't you remember the plan?" asked Barb. "How long has this plan been going on for?" asked King Trollex as he glared at Barb. Barb snickered and said "Two years now and now I have everything that I need the plan will be in action soon" She smirked. The trolls gasped and were a bit worried as she said that. "Plan? I don't remember..." he mumbled softly "Oh. Great idea, man. Okay, guys, line up" She said as three trolls quickly got up and showed their leather jackets to show off the plan. "We're gonna go over the plan again" She got closer to the three trolls and began to re-explain the plan to her dad. "Okay. We're on a World Tour. And on each stop, we get a new string" She showed off the strings of the patched leather jackets "When I have all six strings, I'll play the ultimate power chord. And I will unite the Trolls under one music. Our music!" all the troll chanted "Rock!" they all cheered as Barb's dad was also about to throw out a rock signal. 

"Oh, here it comes" said Barb excitedly, her father slowly lifted his arm upward as he grunted slowly "Uh, just a little bit more" said Riff but Barb quickly said "Riff, just help him, man" Riff quickly went over as he said "Yes, Your Rockness" as he got to the former Rock King Riff flicked his fingers "There it is" and the Rock trolls cheered out loudly. "Yeah!" exclaimed Barb as her father yelled out "Rock and roll!"  "Yeah!" Barb agreed as she and her father laughed. "It's cute to see them have such a good bond...even if she wants to take out music" mumbled a Classical troll. "I never knew trolls could be so deadly cute...until now" said a Bergen as they watched in mostly silence since they hadn't known that there were more trolls until now. And a few of them wished they had, maybe they could have replaced Pop trolls 20 years ago. Even Chef who had just woken up wished she checked harder for those other types of trolls. 

In the middle of who knows where Poppy and Branch were in mid-air in a hot air balloon. Branch being Branch pulled out a manual to learn how to fly the air balloon. "All right. In a short 456 pages, I'm gonna know how to fly this thing" He looked happy to learn how to fly the air balloon as he placed it down proud to start reading. "Ugh, Branch, we don't need a giant, comprehensive manual" Poppy closed the manual as Branch looked at her shock then dread filled his face as she threw out the air balloon. He went to the edge to try and catch it as he made a small sound and made a face as he looked ready to cry. "Ouch, the comfort item is gone" mumbled Chris "Comfort item?" asked Floyd confused as he looked up at Chris who practicing a swing with a metal bat close to Chef's face.

"Yup!" Chris popped the 'p' as he spoke, he took a swing and just barely touched Chef who was freaking out. And the Bergens and Troll were concerned for Chef despite hating her. "You see Branch is most likely to find comfort in things that remind him of his life back in the bunker which are manuals, puzzles, locks, and a single remote" The last part was confusing "Remote?" questioned John Dory as he looked at Branch who was bright red. "Yeah...he has a name too! It's uh...it starts with a G...I think? Maybe Ga...y?" he questioned not fully sure in himself. "His name is Gary and he's my best friend and son" said Branch proudly "Wait you have a remote control and it has a name? And you see it as your son?" questioned Spruce "He's not an 'it' and yes I very much do see him as my son and he is my son! I made him and therefor he is my son!" he said offended that Spruce called his son, Gary an 'it'. A few trolls looked at him with concern and his brothers weren't sure how to take that response. "I don't need your pity...just because I'm different doesn't mean anything...I'm fine" he mumbled. And no one knew what to say to that. 

"How hard can it be?  Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo" Poppy walked over to the controls "Try one of these" She clicked on something which caused the hot air balloon to freak and laugh as she told Poppy "All right, Poppy! Easy on the buttons!" and Poppy quickly apologised "Sorry" but nearby a soft snores could be heard by Branch as he shushed Poppy "What was that?" he whispered they slowly turned to look at the pile of cotton candy and they moved it aside as the snores could still be heard. They moved it and it was none other than Biggie sleeping with Mr. Dinkles who was sucking his finger asleep also. "Biggie?" asked Poppy as Branch facepalmed. "Oh, hello. Sorry. I couldn't help myself. You know how I am around cotton candy" said Biggie as he got up from the cotton candy and had only just woke up from his slumber. Mr. Dinkles was sticking to Biggie due to the cotton candy "Oh, dear. Now look what's happened. Mr. Dinkles got all gummed up" said Biggie as he tried to remove Mr. Dinkles off him as he tried to fling him off his hand by shaking it, Mr. Dinkles flew right off. Causing some Trolls and Bergens to gasp while Biggie looked ready to faint. "Mr. Dinkles! Mr. Dinkles!" he exclaimed as he quickly ran to go see if Mr. Dinkles was okay. And luckily he sticking to the side of the hot air balloon. "Oh, there you are. I thought you were--Oh. Right, then. We'll just be on our way--" said Biggie as he was ready to leave the hot air balloon until he realised he was in the air. Far from Pop Village. "Hey! Poppy, wh-where are you balloon-flying us to?" he exclaimed worried and confused as to why he was mid-air. 

"I would be so freaked out by that I would have fainted" said a Funk troll "He's braver than me I would have passed out the moment I found out I was mid-air" said a Techno troll. "We're on a mission to help Barb unite the Trolls, and I'm so glad you're coming with us" exclaimed Poppy joyfully as Poppy spoke Branch mouthed something and did hand signals to Biggie. "I did what in the who now?" he asked confused and Branch merely deadpanned "Hey, man, join the club" Poppy frowned hearing his words "Hey, you chose to join me" she said. Branch blushed "Well...You wouldn't have lasted a day out there by yourself" Branch mumbled "Touche" said Poppy as she smiled at Branch who looked away as he fidgeted. 

"And I hope you didn't eat all the cotton candy, because Barb is gonna love it" said Poppy as she began to fix the pile of cotton candy. Branch looked to his left only to see a box with a tiny bow fall and he quickly fixed it. Only for Poppy to clear her throat and say "Branchifer?" and Branch replied with "Y-Yes, Poppifer?" And the moment they said those same pet names everyone awed and began to tease once more. "Aw you two are so cute with those adorable names for each other!" exclaimed Holly Darlin. Poppy and Branch looked away in opposite directions and blushed as they heard the teasing continue. "What is this?" she said as Branch was on the box lid "Oh, it's nothing, nothing. That-that-that-that's just my man stuff" he quickly said but Poppy gasped and said "I love man stuff!" as Branch got off and she opened the box to see pointed sticks and rocks "Weapons? Ugh. For shame" Chris had let out a small snicker the moment Poppy said 'Man stuff' none of the trolls understood why he was laughing but the Bergens did and they looked at Chris unamused. "Leave me and my thoughts alone...I found that funny" he snorted mid-way of him talking. 

"Well, I-I..." Branch was not sure what to say "Violence never solves a problem, Branch" she said as she picked up a pointed stick and threw it to the side on for it to land in Mr. Dinkle's mouth. This caused Biggie to freak out and gently squeeze Mr. Dinkles to remove the stick from his mouth and when he did it shot out close to Branch who easily grabbed it as if it was nothing. "Damn, Bitty B you have some fast reflexes" said Clay proud of his youngest brother. "I know I do...and it's Branch" Branch said that but it was clear it wasn't from acknowledgement of what Clay said he was just proud that someone pointed it out. "I'm not saying we have to use them. I'm just saying it's better to be prepared in case we need them" said Branch as he made a fake stabbing motion to Poppy who grabbed the stick from Branch's hands and replied "We won't need them unless these pointy sticks help you listen or these rocks help you put yourself in someone else's shoes" She threw the stick in and picked up a rock only to throw that in too. She finally picked up brass knuckles and put them on "And what about these? Is this-- What, I-Is this some kind of jewelry?" She asked until she looked at them better and said "Oh, it's actually kind of cool-looking" She showed it off as if it was a ring. "Why do you have brass knuckles?" asked a Bergen confused as to why a little troll would have that. But Branch didn't answer as he looked away annoyed slightly as his brother watched the screen confused and at their brother confused too. 

"Gi-Give me that. We don't even know what's out there" he tired to reason with Poppy as they both made eye contact and they smiled...until Poppy kicked the box off the hot air balloon and Branch quickly said "Wait! No-- Oh, man" he looked as all his hard work gone due to a single kick. "By the way, I whittled those for hours" he said sadly as he would never bring back those hard painful hours. "First the book and then the weapons. This man can't have anything that brings him joy now can he" said Synth as he watched Branch all grumpy and sad that he's weapons were gone too. "Branch, the only weapons we need are this guy and this guy, for hugs!" she showed off her arms and then made a hug-type motion. "Uh, you may want to take a look at this" said Biggie scared as he pointed straight forward.

Biggie had been pointing towards buildings that were on fire and destroyed as they got closer to them. The classical trolls gasped out loud not sure how to react as they saw their homes destroyed all due to the rock trolls. Barb smiled as she saw her plan working not that the Classical troll were never really a threat to begin with. The other tribes had no idea clue on how they should help the Classical trolls. They were all panicking and crying knowing that they had just lost their only known home for centuries now. It was gone in a matter of seconds. They would have to prepare for a future attack once they get back home and practice. The rock trolls celebrated while everyone was filled with dread and despair. 'Fate' that's what Chris called it 'fate' they would all live through and couldn't prepare or plan for a new outcome. "So...nothing can change this outcome" said conductor of the Classical Trolls. He looked gloomed and not sure what to say or do and that made a few trolls feel horrible for him and his tribe of trolls. "..." Chris looked away he wasn't sure what to say or do. "This may be fate that you'll all face one day. But there's always a happy ending somewhere" said Chris as he gave a small sad smile toward the Classical trolls and the rest of the tribes. 

"This is gonna take a lot of hugs" deadpanned Branch as they looked at the disaster that had happened to the lands. They got off the hot air balloon and began to walk around as they saw the lands covered in still burning note pages scattered everywhere. The wind picked them up and carried them around as they looked around "Whoa. Something gnarly happened here" said Branch as he picked up a page filled with notes. "Of course, something gnarly happened did you really think we wouldn't do some rocking?" laughed a Rock troll from before with two pigtails as she high-fived Barb "Hello?" a small voice asked which freaked the troll out so Branch quickly grabbed violin bow off the ground and said "Who said that? Identify yourself!" and the voice replied with a small meek voice "Uh, are you nice or are you mean?" Poppy made sure Branch put away the violin bow down and said "W-We're nice. We're really nice" but Branch being his paranoid self commented "Yeah, but not too nice. So don't even try it"

"Okay. Oh. Hi" Something peeked out from behind the sand and out came a small flute with big bugged eyes and rolled from the sand she was on and rolled over to Poppy. Who picked her up and asked "What is this place?" wondering what happened to the lovely place that was destroyed by the rock trolls. "It used to be called Symphonyville" said the small flute before coughing out a fit "Where the Classical Music Trolls lived. But that was in the before" The small flute looked traumatized from hell to back when saying that. "What happened here?" asked Poppy "Well, it was the most wonderful place you ever did seen" When the flute said that Barb snorted and rolled her eyes with a scoff. 

"It was a place where all of the Classical Music Trolls could live in perfect harmony" It showed a flashback of the classical trolls before disaster happened. The small glitter trolls carried their instruments to play and the small flute was being played "Ooh" she giggled. "Wherever the conductor led, we followed" the conductor troll said "Play, play. Beautiful" but right behind was the fish-type creature that the rock trolls used. "But then Queen Barb showed up" The conductor could hear a small crash and said "Oh, no" "'Sup, Trollzart dude? I'm here for your string" said Barb as if she was merely asking for a cup of sugar as if it didn't matter for a second. "We will not go quietly" said Trollzart offended that she would even ask for their string. They played a Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor" with a small triangle ding in the end but Barb snored as they had played "Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry, I-I must have fallen asleep, because your music is so boring" Trollzart scoffed offended by her words "Where are the words, bro? Right? Now give me your string" she threatened in the end. 

The amplifier buzzed, with hums as Barb played Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor" using her guitar to fly the classical trolls out the air the conductor dropped his boton on the ground which Barb picked up "Oh! Oh! No" Trollzart said as she broke it and took their string. The Classical trolls looked grime as they watched her steal their string. The Techno trolls knew what that felt like to see the Queen of Rock steal their string. "Damn should have found a better place to keep that thing hidden" mumbled Chris under their breath but Branch could still hear him and just deadpanned stared at Chris as Chris gave an awkward smile towards him and looked away embarrassed. 

"She took our string. Our-our music. She took everyone" said Pennywhistle as it showed the Classical trolls being taken away from Symphonyville. "We lost everything" she said sadly not sure what to do about everything that happened. The trolls heard the tale and looked at the mess and chaos there was no hope as they saw the dim fire still going on. 

"Barb doesn't want to unite us. She wants to destroy us" 

Chapter Text

When said those few little words Barb grinned as she laughed while the rest of the Rock trolls laughed with her. "Poor little pipsqueak" mocked Barb as the hard rock trolls laughed. Poppy was getting annoyed but made sure not to say anything. "We need to make sure our own string is safe" said Branch to Poppy but Poppy merely said "Uh, our string is safe" She pulled out the string from her hair and Branch was shocked when she did "What?! Poppy, are-are you crazy?" Branch exclaimed worried about why Poppy would bring the string so he tried to hide it away. "I thought it was a good idea at the time. I-I can't believe another queen would use her power for evil" Poppy tried to explain her reasoning for bringing the string. "Okay. Change of plans. We need to get home as fast as we can and get everyone in the bunker" said Branch trying to make a game plan for this. "Uh, no. Change of plans. We have to stop Barb from destroying all music. If we don't stop her, who will?" said Poppy as tucked the string back into her hair worried about what Barb would do. "Poppy, you said this could be handled with hugs. How are we gonna hug our way out of this one?" said Biggie worried about what would happen to them. 

"It's okay, Biggie" Poppy tried to reassure her friend by comforting him. "Really? It's okay to be terrified? When am I gonna learn to stay away from the cotton candy?!" said Biggie freaked out as he nearly strangled Mr. Dinkles out of fear of what could happen. "No. As your queen, I promise that I will protect you, no matter what. I... pinky promise" Poppy said as she put out her pinky for a pinky promise. The trolls gasped as they heard the Queen of Pop say she pinky promised Biggie to protect him. "Poppy really! a pinky promise!" exclaimed Guy as he was shocked that one of his best friends would make a pinky promise like that. Biggie gasped as he said seriously "Poppy, you know you can't go back on a pinky promise" but Poppy replied seriously "Never did, never will" Biggie looked at Mr. Dinkles who nodded at him, and he nodded back as he looked over at Poppy who had her pinky out for the promise, and he did the same. They put their pinkie's closer to each other and a small electric buzz came as they put their pinkies together. A shock of pink glitter came out as they made a pinky promise and brought them into the air as this was happening. Branch was on the sideline flabbergasted by what he was witnessing at that very moment. 

"How-?" Questioned a Bergen confused as they watched the screen. "I-...I don't get paid enough for this bs for me to explain how that works" replied Chris as he took a sip of his drink. The screen showed the glitter explosion to go everywhere to the point the hot air balloon flow away too. "Farewell!" it cried out loud as it was being blown far away. "A pinky promise. Dang" It went as far as hit Cooper who was far away but could still feel the pinky promise happen somewhere. "Wha-" questioned King Gristle "Remember sire not to question everything" mumbled Chris as he was getting tired of explaining things to them.

It paneled over to Biggie and Poppy who were safely landing back onto the solid grounds once more. "Let it be so" Poppy said seriously and Biggie who replied with "And so it is" But for those who were on the sideline watching this play out Branch just groaned not 100% interested in this whole commotion. While Pennywhistle had her mind blown "This just got real" Poppy was planning out what they had to do next "We have to get to the Country Music Trolls in Lonesome Flats before Barb does" she turned over to the small flute and said, "Will you come with us?" but the small flute declined and merely said "Oh, no. Someone has to rebuild. And Pennywhistle is that woodwind for the job" to show off what she meant she began to move small grains of sand. The trolls awed as they watched Pennywhistle try to help rebuild everything that was once lost. Poppy smiled as she put a small construction hat on the small flute's head and gave them a few small pats and said "Good luck, little Pennywhistle" as she said this softly Branch and Biggie were slowly walking away. "Goodbye, Poppy" said the small flute as the trolls walked away. The small tower of sand fell as Pennywhistle sighed sadly. 

"She has a good heart" said Prince D as he watched the scene play out "I still can't believe Poppy did a whole pinky promise! You know what could happen if you break one Poppy!" exclaimed Smidge a bit worried for friend. "It's fine, Smidge. I know what I'm doing" said Poppy who merely got an eye roll and groan from Branch. "Making a promise without a plan" mumbled Branch. Poppy frowned she knew Branch would say and and she knew that her friends would be slightly worried due to her making a promise like that. Poppy sighed she knew that Branch wasn't on board with her plans in the first and second reactions they watched, and he was mostly in it for the fact he was scared Poppy would do something stupid and hurt herself. How could she call herself a good friend when she was making one of her friends worry about her all the time. To the point he had to get himself out of his comfort box anytime she had a reckless idea. 

Somewhere off the edge of Symphonyville were the Hard Rock Trolls who were shouting and having the time of their life. But the small bat was flying towards the main fish creature who opened it's mouth for it. It slowly came into the trolls view as Barb said "Wait. Is that...Debbie?" the rock trolls made a few comments about Barb's pet bat "Oh, what?" "Oh, that's a lot of glitter" Barb on the other hand was trying to clean up Debbie from all the glitter she was covered in "No! What did they do to you, my hairy little baby?! Come here, come here, come here" Riff merely said "Gnarly" Barb was hugging Debbie while her father was mumbling "What-what-what do you..." that's until Barb noticed something Debbie was holding and handed her to Riff who was a bit freaked out and she said "What is this?" she held out a letter as she looked at it "Pop Trolls?" she questioned as she ripped up the envelope with her teeth. She cleared her throat and began to ride the letter "Dear Barb, can't wait to meet you. I have tons of great party ideas" as she read that her father exclaimed "I like that" As Barb watched the scene, she did a small facepalm. 

"Maybe you and I can even be best friends" she continued to read until she stopped reading and made a small comment "Best friends? Is she making fun of me? No one says that" as she said that the screen showed Riff and her father smiling and nodding until they heard her say that they stopped nodding and smiling. "Friendship takes time and years of mutual care and respect. You don't just become best friends" as she was saying that a few rock trolls nodded in agreement with her. "You know I always thought a best friend only meant one very good friend" said a Bergen "Does that mean you can more than one best friend?" asked another. "You know I've only had one best friend my whole life so-uh I'm not best person to ask that question" answered Chris as he messed around with his gloves. Chris was floating near Creek and Chef, Chef who was glaring at Chris to let them down while Creek fainted due to him panicking. "Stop glaring, won't ya?" Chris rolled his eyes as he sounded clearly annoyed with Chef. 

"Plus, everyone knows I already have a ton of friends. Like Carol. Right, Carol?" It paneled over to Carol who was eating string cheese in a can. While she ignored Barb "Okay, you're busy. That's fine. Love you, Carol" she called out while being ignored. She looked a bit sad as her only friend was ignoring her until she heard a small crackling sound coming from the card. She took a closer look at the card until glitter shot out it and a small speaker sang "Trolls just wanna have fun" As that happened Barb growled out annoyed. The rock trolls behind her were a bit surprised while Riff moved Barb's father as he said "Gnarly" Barb removed the glitter from her face as she started to rant "Pop music isn't even real music! It's bland! It's repetitive! The lyrics are empty! Worst of all, it crawls into your head like an earworm!" As she was ranting she kicked a speaker, smashed a guitar on a mirror, threw that guitar towards a tv while scaring a rock troll. She threw herself behind a couch and took out a chainsaw and when she realised Debbie was near the part she was going to cut she moved Debbie while the chainsaw was still in the air buzzing. "How!" cried out a Bergen who was clearly confused. The trolls also questioned how she that while Branch was sort of impressed by that and merely mumbled "Cool" 

"You know, and you can't get it out-- Uh, I'm tired now. Hating things takes a lot of energy" she said as she sat on the ground after cutting the couch open. "Trolls just wanna have fun Trolls just wanna..." Barb quickly looked at her father who was singing the song from the card Barb read to the rock trolls out loud. "No. No. Look what their music just did to Dad. Daddy? Come back” Barb said as she quickly dashed towards her father who was now drinking a juice box that Barb gave him.”Come back to me, Daddy” She said as her father was slurping the juice box and when he finished he crushed it with his head. Midway through her panic she threw the chainsaw to the side and it had cut a trolls hair and one of the trolls compliment her hair “Nice hair, dude”

“No one does this to Dad. And no one makes fun of Queen Barb” She announced annoyed with what the Pop trolls did to her. A yawn could be heard coming from Chris who looked ready to say a comment but nothing was said from him. “Are you okay, Chris?” Asked Biggie, Chris looked at Biggie’s direction and smiled and nodded “Yeah, I’m fine…it’s just unlike you I don’t get affected by the hunger, tired, and restroom blockage…and I really need to go” said Chris a bit embarrassed by their situation. “Why don’t you just go?” Asked Guy a bit confused on why Chris hasn’t gone already. 
“Cause if I go then someone is going to do something stupid so I can’t trust you lot” mumbled Chris. Until he’s eyes lit up and then quickly pointed at Branch and said “Branch, you’re in charge until I get back from the restroom!” Chris quickly said and then shouted out a “Thanks” before Branch could protest about being in charge. Chris teleported out of the room and the trolls and Bergens were a bit shocked. The television began to play out a scene and everyone tried to pay attention to it. 

“Ah! I need that Pop string. And I know who's gonna help me.The most feared bounty hunters in all of Trolldom” Smiled Barb fully hopeful about what may come next. A bit of jazz music began to play and she said "Chaz, the Smooth Jazz Troll" Chaz was playing smooth jazz as she looked at the camera with a small wink, which made a few trolls blush. Mi Gente bgena to play "The Reggaeton Trolls" a few trolls sang "La, la-la-la..." as they all posed together to make themselves look cute "The K-Pop Gang" but for the next bounty hunter it wasn't an actual troll there it was a picture of Yodelers and a cliff that broke? "And... the Yodelers" A few trolls and Bergen's were confused as they watched the screen, but they knew they would get no answers just yet as it seemed Chris has yet to make their entrance again. "Uh-What do you think happened?" asked Synth as they looked around the room awkwardly, but a few trolls shrugged not sure what to say. While the Yodelers looked at each other not sure how to feel about their entrance. Until Hickory whispered something in his brother's ear and he smiled all knowing. 

"Okay. As you probably know, I'm bringing a tidal wave of rock across this land of ours" said Barb as she walked in front of a map of the kingdoms. The map which once showed the kingdoms all became red like the rock troll kingdom was being shown on the map. "And soon there will be nothing but hard rock as far as the ear can hear. Whoever brings me Queen Poppy gets to keep their very own music in their very own territory" explained Barb until she looked around the map for a place one of these groups could stay. Until she pointed way off the coast of the lands. "Right over here" A reggaeton troll took a closer look and said "I don't know. It looks pretty tiny" which annoyed Barb a bit "You want it or not?" that small comment made the troll go back to his spot. "All you have to do is get me Queen Poppy!" she exclaimed, and they all saw it like a fair deal as they said "Oh, okay" "Sounds like a pretty good deal" but a single K-Pop troll asked "Do you validate parking?" she showed a white slip but was quickly pushed by a K-Pop trolls as if she was saying 'WTF are you doing you b*tch' But Barb didn't seem to care as she turned to Riff and said "Dude, where are the Yodelers?"

"I heard a rumor, uh, that they yodeled so hard, an avalanche fell on 'em" answered Riff, but Barb just looked at him with a deadpan expression. "Or something" he cleared up at the end she merely replied with "Well, I don't pay you to hear" but he quickly said "Actually, I'm doing this for college credit" Barb on the other hand walked to her throne as she sat down and said "If anyone can find me Queen Poppy and her string, it's the Yodelers" as she burned the card Poppy had made "Just wanna have fun..." it sang as it burned, normally Poppy would have frowned seeing one of her invites or cards get destroyed or something around those lines. As she gave a quick glance at Branch who seemed to notice and frowned at her and looked away with a small huff. She couldn't help but laugh just a bit as she saw his flustered face not that she wasn't blushing either. But as she laughed, and she knew that deep down inside all that Barb needed was a friend just like Branch needed a good support system for him. Like right now Branch was showing more emotions than she ever seen before with him being around with his brothers, Synth, Holly Darlin, and Gus. And maybe that's what Barb needed also. All she needed was a good friend and a support system and that's exactly what she'll do!

Poppy, Branch, Biggie, and Mr. Dinkle's made it to their next destination. As Poopy looked at the map and said "This must be where the Country Music Trolls live" but everything looked dead and empty. Holly Darlin and Gus were a bit proud that their new friends would see a bit of their own cultures. As they smiled seeing Synth excited to see what would happen and Branch who looked interested. "Well, it looks like nobody's here. We're too late. Time to go home. Come on, guys, let's go" said Branch as he and Biggie tried to make a run for it. "There is no "I quit" in "team."" said Poppy as they both stopped trying to walk away from where the Country trolls' lived. While Poppy was already starting to walk toward the small town. The small town looked empty and lifeless as no one was outside but a chicken who said "Cock-a-doodle--Ah, never mind" A few trolls were a bit surprised that this is what how the Country Trolls lived. Until a song was starting to play when it caught everyone's attention. "Oooo! It seems Lady Delta is going to start playin'!" said a country troll loudly and excited for what was to come. 

(I'm not going to have her sing or anything but I'll talk about the in-between parts of the song. Go check out the og scene) 

The Country Troll's Queen Delta was singing her song and while she was walking mid-way through town. A couple and their children who were milking the cow was waiting for an egg to hatch from the teal and orange troll's hair. And when it hatched a small trolling was born and she was readying to start moving in the world. Until her father picked her up and said "Happy Birthday, honey" as he put her down and gave her a bucket and said "Time to get to work" and she merely replied with "Okay, Daddy" as she joined her brothers in milking the cow. "Woah, work at such a young age" said Prince D and Gus and Holly laughed as Holly replied with "Yeah, I remember when my daddy would have me working up until supper time" she said with a smile on her face "After all, we're good honest livin' folks who work all day and party all night" said Gus as a few Country trolls cheered and laughed as they heard Gus speak. Branch was honestly impressed with what he heard when Holly Darlin and Gus were speaking. It would be nice if the Pop trolls did more than sing, dance, and hugged. 

She sang and played her guitar as she sang, two trollings were playing with tumble weed until they were being chased by it. It also showed a Troll crying while he cried his own tear began to cry also. This all happened while Delta was singing her song. But somewhere a bit further stood the Pop Trolls hiding behind a barrel. 

“This song is so sad” said Poppy softly as she walked away from the barrel and Branch replied with “Yeah, it is sad. But life is sad sometimes, so I kind of like it” Poppy was a bit surprised when she heard Branch say that "You do? Huh. But it's so different" she said not really sure on what to say. Now that Poppy was watching the screen she felt a bit embarrassed "I know this is in the future but...watching all and hearing all your music makes this experience much more magical and it's been amazing hearing all of your music!" exclaimed Poppy as she tried to come up with something to say. "Honestly, I never thought I would enjoy listening to Techno music as much as I did" mumbled Clay but got elbowed by John as he rolled his eyes as he noticed his brothers new friend Synth staring at him with a warm but awkward smile on his face. "Thanks, dude. We honestly enjoy hearing that" he said back as Clay looked at the ground a bit embarrassaed. Viva just smiled as she heard her sister and her best friend voice out their opinion like that. "Oh, they must not know that music's supposed to make you happy" she gasped "That's awful" Poppy blushed as she heard herself say that and looked away as Holly Darlin and Gus laughed gently. 

Delta was still singing her tone as a few country trolls were dancing along with her song. Two trolls bumped into each and had their hats covering their eyes as they were ready to throw hands until they noticed who was on the other end and then began to dance together as they realised who the other troll was. But mid-way and the end of her song a troll suddenly ended up with a heart attack and dropped into a casket and died. Delta closed the casket at the end of her song with a loud thump. But somewhere else was three Pop trolls huddle into a small group and talking amongst each other...

Chapter Text

The trolls were huddled together, and Branch knew just from watching the screen. He could tell something was about to play out and whatever it was, it probably won't be all cupcakes and rainbows. But Poppy looks optimistic...like always. The more he thought about it, the worst he felt. He could feel his eyes looking around the room. And the more he looked he seemed to realise that Chris was yet to come back from the restroom. He even looked at the clock that read 3 days 13 hours 34 minutes and 20 seconds. It seems they still had awhile to go. Not that it would matter it seems since the scene was playing out and he realised rather quickly why he felt like poo. And at that very moment he wished he could disappear just like his brothers did all those years ago. 

Branch had moments where he felt like life couldn’t get any worse for him. But at this moment he felt like things truly couldn’t get worse or any less embarrassing for him. As he blushed bright red from embarrassment as he glanced at Poppy who was also a bit embarrassed by what was going on, on the screen. He could hear a few gasps and snickers from a few Rock trolls and Bergens. Many would ask ‘Uh? What’s going on?’ Or ‘It can’t be that bad…right?’ Oh, it was bad. Worse than the Rick roll memes all put together in a compilation of cringy memes and videos. Maybe even worse when but slightly better than that holiday song second verse. It had Branch’s brothers staring at him with concern for his wellbeing and much more. Like…he’s sanity and questioning he’s friends' sanity. Now let’s see that scene that maybe Branch feel like the biggest clown in the room. And if Branch was the clown, it made Poppy look like the whole bloody circus. 

"Okay, guys, guys, huddle up" said Poppy as the Pop trolls huddled together. But in the distance Delta and Growly Pete were standing together watching those three fools. "Growly, growly, growl" growled Growly Pete but Delta merely said "Now, take it easy, Growly Pete. I feel bad for them" she said with a ton of sympathy for those poor fools dressed in bright colours, brighter than the sun honestly. "It looks like they got beat up by a rainbow" The screen quickly showed the huddled trolls and the first thing out of Poppy's mouth was "First things first, these Trolls need some serious cheering up, and we're gonna have to go top shelf" Branch and Biggie where a bit surprised when they heard her say 'top shelf' but anyone who could be called a Pop troll knew what she meant by that. And they all knew it wasn't going to be pretty. "Poppy! Seriously top shelf performance!" said Smidge shocked to hear Poppy say that. Poppy awkwardly laughed as she played with her palms and said "How bad could it be?" she said a bit unsure. "Now, when you say "top-shelf, y-you don't mean..." said Branch "That's right. We need to sing them the most important songs in the history of music" said Poppy as she stretched out her body about to get ready for what's to come. "Yes, but which ones?" questioned Biggie a bit unsure also "All of them" said Poppy seriously. "Woah! There Poppy are you sure you wish to go that big" said Viva worried for her sister. "Yeah...if it means stopping Barb and her rain of terror" but Poppy said those words with so little confidence it felt like she was reading them off a script. 

(I'm not doing that part of the movie. I will die of cringe if I have to rewatch that and write it)

"I'm speechless" said Chris as he randomly showed up out of nowhere. A few of them yelped and looked over at Chris who was drinking coffee out of a large pot. "I knew that happened but watching that again was...horrible" mumbled Chris as he took a sip. Branch groaned as he could feel his face turn bright red and his stomach feeling someone punched him in the guts. It was not a pretty sight.   

The three Pop Trolls stood there after their performance as someone yelled out "You suck!" as they panted and posed. But then it quickly paneled to them in jail. With Delta on the other side saying "Now, I want you three to sit in here and think about what you've just done. That was a crime against music" she said seriously "I can't blame her, I felt like I was also dying of the second hand embarrassment" mumbled Chris. "You're very judgy right now, huh?" mumbled Clay with an eye roll "Uh-Yes, Yes I am" said Chris proudly as he also rolled his eyes at Clay "Thanks for noticing, Clay" he said sarcastically. "Wait, no. We're here to warn you about Barb, the Queen of Rock" yelled out Poppy to Delta as she was trying to warn them. But Delta sighed and merely said "Sweetie, I already know and have heard about this Queen Barb and her fancy World Tour. Now, if you'll excuse me, I got to go wash what you call music out of my ears" she said sweetly as first but then her attitude quickly changed sourly. A small trolling popped our if Delta's hair and chuckled as she said "Oh. You in real trouble now. Right, Aunt Delta?" But Delta didn't answer her as she walked off she said to Growly Pete "Keep an eye on 'em, Growly Pete" then the trolling cried out "Yes!" 

"Growly, growly, growly, growl" he mumbled out, inside the jail cell were the Pop Trolls as Poppy cried out as she watched Delta walk off "No, no. Music should bring us together, not divide us!" but when she realised no one could hear her cries she turned around and kicked the dirt "Sugar" she grumbled. "Woah! Poppy...did you just swear!" asked Guy rather shocked to hear one of his best friends swear like that out of the blues. Poppy could feel her face go red as she was too caught up in her own thoughts to hear future her swear like that. "Well, I knew it. "Who Let the Dogs Out." Too far" said Branch as he sighed. Present Branch facepalmed and sighed with a small groan in the end. "Okay, Branch. You can say "I told you so." I know you want to" said Poppy as she sat down on the bunk bed. She looked down as she barely noticed Branch who decided to join her on the bottom bunk. They were so close together than their hands nearly touched he smiled at her and said "Y-You did great out there, Poppy" he was trying to reassure her as she looked at him and smiled.

A few trolls were giving Branch a teasing look as he looked at the screen and blushed brightly from how embarrassing this was all was. Poppy wasn't any better she looked away from Branch as her face was also bright from all the embarrassing moments they've been having together. And it seems future her was oblivious to all of it. As this sweet moment happened Poppy yelped as the top bunk broke due to Biggie's weight and he landed right between the two trolls. Branch moved a bit over as Biggie complained "I'll never survive the big house. We've got to get out of here" Biggie was anxious inside the small jail cell. "I know. That was such a rad medley. I can't believe it didn't work" she huffed as she couldn't believe it didn't work the way she planned. "Tell me about it. I did the splits. No one even clapped. Am I not cute anymore?! Come on!" said Biggie as the camera showed he's back side to show how he managed to rip his pants. "Maybe my dad was right. The other Trolls are different in ways I was not prepared for. Some Trolls, they don't just want to have fun" Poppy sighed not sure what to do next "Anybody got a plan B?" 'said' Mr. Dinkles as Biggie made a voice for him.

Branch was quick to get up and say "Plan B? Right up here. Step one: escape from Lonesome Flats" he pulled out a shove out of his hair and began to dig. "You weren't kidding when you said your prepared for almost everything" said Spruce as he was impressed with his little brother. "Truly a one of a kind survivalist" said Synth proud of his new friend. Branch was flustered by their kind words so he looked away with a huff. Branch was digging a hole as Mr. Dinkles helped him out by using his mouth as Biggie held him. Poppy had a bit of hope her friends would help come up with a better idea but when she realised they had nothing that she had in mind her smile dropped and she sat down next to the door and said "Plan B it is. I guess we're going home" She looked down sadly until a second later something latched on the door and someone cried out "Whoo-hey!" as they pulled the door straight up and Poppy yelled out as she was pulled out with the door. "It ain't right to put you in jail 'cause your music's different. It seems some folks round here don't appreciate a rad medley when they hear one" said the trolls as Poppy was on her back as she looked at the troll the other way around. But she quickly turned around and saw the yellow troll with red hair who was wearing country clothing. 

The troll winked at her and she smiled and he quickly said "Let's skedaddle" the moment he said that Poppy smiled and quickly got up and yelled out "Yes! Mission back on! Branch! Branch! You can stop rescuing us" Branch and Biggie heard her yells and looked up from the semi-deep hole they've dug so far. "Poppy, you don't even know who this is" said Branch as Poppy was on his backside riding him like one would with an actual horse. "I'm Queen Poppy. What's your name?" asked Poppy after introducing herself to the troll "Name's Hickory" he answered. But when Gus heard that name he realised it was a name he never heard of until now, and now that he thought about it he had never seen that troll in his life until now. "Branch, this is Hickory. Hickory, this is Branch" she introduced  them to each other, but Biggie cried out "Enough with the formalities. Let's go! Uh, this is Mr. Dinkles, by the way" he was sitting on the now broken door of jail cell but still introduced Mr. Dinkles. As Mr. Dinkles answered with a mew. But it seems the party wouldn't last long, since we got a case of party poopers come out a hut of sorts looking mighty angry. "I said let's skedaddle! Hyah!" he said as he began to run for the hills while he pulled biggie and the door. "Go get 'em, Clampers!" said Delta as she pulled the trolling out her hair and it began to hiss and blabber as it came closer to Branch and it seems he's flight or fight instincts to told him to run for the hills too. "This was my plan C, by the way" yelled out Branch as he ran towards Biggie, he quickly threw himself onto the door. 

"If a small trolling was chasing me like that I would be deadly terrified" said a Bergen who looked quite pale from the sight on the screen. "I always did say children were brought down by Satan himself" mumbled Chris as he finished the pot of coffee which was surprisingly still in his hands. "I'm surprised it took you a while to finish that pot of coffee" said Branch who was staring at Chris. "Look, unlike other liquids and food I can't chug down a pot of coffee like you do!" said Chris slightly annoyed "B, you're not really chugging a pot of coffee every morning right?" said Clay but Branch didn't answer "When I did I say morning? This man can chug down a few pots a day" chuckled Chris as Branch's brother gasped for his wellbeing. "Branch! You shouldn't be drinking that much coffee a day" Floyd sounded worried for his younger brother. "He's lying I don't chug a few a day I only...do three a day" mumbled Branch "But! It use to be six so I'm doing better" he finished. "That doesn't make things better!" said Synth as he looked worried at Branch. "Hey, you did this all by yourself" mumbled Chris as he was being glared at by Branch. 

"Charge!" yelled Delta as they ran after them, Hickory was yelling out "Hyah! Hyah!" as they made their way to a cactus filled lands and Poppy looked worried "Oh, no! Hickory!" but Hickory merely said "I got it, Queen Poppy" as he ran inside faster "Don't let them get away!" cried Delta. Hickory was running faster than the speed of light as he carried Poppy on him and was dragging along Biggie and Branch on the broken door. It seems Clampers was bulldozing her way through anything and everything.

"Bloody hell!" cried out Chris as he watched the scene "That thing is the spawn of something alright" he yelled out as he floated closer to the ceiling to get away from the small trolling come out her aunts hair. She had a devious grin on her face before she made biting motions at him. "Keep the thing 600 m away from me" He eyed the girl who was still smiling like she did nothing wrong of the sorts. "Demon" Chris mumbled as he shuddered away from them all. Seeing as he was floating near the ceilings it seems Chef was yelling out at him but all that was heard was her muffling screams. "Shut up, you're giving me a headache worse than those screams on the screen" he said annoyed as he rubbed his temples. 

As the trolls noticed the trolling coming there way, Hickory started to dash. He ran near a mining hole and jumped across it, but it seems the trolling couldn't jump that far yet and fell in. But due to the jump it wasn't the smoothest thing because Biggie and Branch kept nearly falling off the door. "Yeah!" whoops Hickory "Come on, Growly Pete!" yelled out Delta as the trolls realised they were nowhere near safe just yet. "Uh-oh" was said as they looked behind them and saw the Country Trolls "Do your thing!" said Delta to Growly Pete and he answered with "No one can escape my mustache" he said as his mustache became a lasso that latched onto Branch who gasped when it did. "Hyah!" said Growly Pete as he latched onto Branch's leg as Branch started to laugh a bit and said "That tickles" as he said that he began to let go of the broken door. 

"Branch, hold on to Mr. Dinkles!" said Biggie as Branch grabbed a hold of Mr. Dinkles small hat. "How isn't it falling?" asked John Dory as he questioned how it stayed on while he's baby brother hanged on to it. "Don't question it, John" said Floyd as he was mostly worried for Branch at that moment. As Branch held on, Mr. Dinkles body began to stretch out as he was straining himself and Branch yelled out. Mr. Dinkles body was stretching like never before as the Country trolls were right behind them. "Hyah!" cried out Delta. But somehow the ground was moving closer to Branch and out the ground came out the small trolling which jumped out and bit Branch in the rear end, which caused him to yell bloody murder. "I knew it! I knew that kid was a spawn of something!" cried out Chris as he was still near the ceiling as Chef glared at him and Creek was freaking out as Chris was yelling out. "I knew kids weren't meant to be trusted!" he said as he glared at the kid who was smiling at him. 

"Hickory, look out! We're not gonna make it!" cried out Poppy as they looked at the end of the edge. Suddenly Branch had an idea and said "Oh, yes, we are" he said as he removed the trolling off him and used her to snap the mustache off he's leg to use to cross. But it seems that they didn't have the momentum since they managed to go nowhere close to the other side. Since they stopped mid-way to the other side and Hickory said as they floated mid-air for a few seconds "Well, I hope Pop Trolls can swim" before falling down on the river below. As they all yelled out. "Oh, for Pete's sake. Well, dangity-doodly" said Delta as she saw them get away and clampers said the same thing with her aunt "Dangity-doodly" right before going back into her aunt's hair. 

"All that felt like a rollercoaster" mumbled Gristle as he watched all that played out. "Tell me about it" mumbled Chris. "For small creatures you sure are something" said Bridget as she looked slightly concerned. "You all are menaces" said a Bergen. 

On the screen, it showed a worm with a bread on and on the clouds as Mr. Dinkles was smiling as the other worm said "Welcome home" with choirs music behind them. But it quickly ended when the music started to distort and Mr. Dinkles was falling back to the ground as he gasped when he awoke spitting out a bunch of glitter water out of his system. "Oh, Mr. Dinkles, you're alive. For a minute there, I thought you'd kicked the bucket" said Biggie who was worried for his pet worm. Mr. Dinkles groaned out after being saved. "Oh..." said a Classical troll "Um...That's uh-" said a Funk troll as they watched the scene that just played out. Biggie was worried for his friend as he gave him a hug. His friends gave Biggie and Mr. Dinkles a hug. 

Poppy and Branch were laying on their backs and panted as Poppy said to Branch "I'm really glad you came with me" he panted and smiled as he said "Me, too" a few trolls smiled at the two as they gave them teasing looks. "Ugh! I don't like Poppy like that at all" yelled out Branch with a groan "Of course not, Bitty B" smirked Spruce as Branch looked annoyed with him and gave an eye roll as he mumbled "It's Branch" The two Pop trolls could hear galloping as they heard Hickory say "Yah! There you are. Whew I think we lost them. We should be all right" he explained to them as he removed the string and glitter off him and on Branch instead. "Thank you. I don't know how we can ever repay you" said Poppy before realising she did have something "Oh, wait! Yes, I do. Gumdrops!" she said as she gave them to Hickory "Gum what?" he questioned before grabbing them from the Queen of Pop "Oh. Well, thank you. Whew. That's got a zing, don't it?" he said after eating one. "

"Uh... Whoa" he said as Branch removed them from his arms and said "It's not candy time. It's question time" giving Hickory a glare "Huh?" he said as he heard a ding coming from the hug time bracelets. "Hug time!" "Hug time!" said Biggie and Poppy as Biggie came cover had they all had a group hug "Ooh. Oh, that feels good" said Hickory as he was being hugged but it seems Branch wasn't doing it and he grunted as he tried to escape the hug. "Why are you helping us? What's in it for you?" asked Branch as he managed to escape the hug. "Hey! Branch" said Poppy as she tried to stop him from doing anything. 

She chuckled as she said to Hickory "I'm sorry about my... associate" she glared at Branch "Bloody hell, went from friend to associate real quick" chuckled Chris. “I loved your message about music bringing Trolls together. You may be Pop, and I may be Country, but Trolls is Trolls” said Hickory as he and Poppy walked. While Branch was right behind them listening in.” "Trolls is Trolls." Wow. Deep” he said as he mimicked Branch as he was not amused in the slightest. Poppy wasn’t amused with his childish behavior. 

“Awe, that’s cute, Branch here’s jealous” said Holly Darlin as Branch looked flustered as he heard Holly’s comment and the scene that had just played out. "This is the beginning of a partnership between Trolls that's going to save all Trolls" said Poppy excited that Hickory was joining their team. "You're darn skippy" he replied with as Poppy chuckles as she heard him say that. Branch groaned annoyed as he heard what Hickory said. "Okay. We need to get to the Funk Trolls before Barb" said Poppy as she pulled out the map she had on her. "Well, quickest way is down that river. I'll build us a raft" said Hickory as he pointed to the river on the map and explained what they needed to do. Branch who heard Hickory explain he was going to make them a raft scoffed and replied with "This ought to be good. Guy probably doesn't know the first thing about building a ra..." but cut himself short when he saw how fast Hickory was going with it. "Cappuccino, anyone?" he asked as he was now on their overly fancy raft boat. "Well I say, this troll is a troll of many talents" said a classical troll and a few trolls agreed with their comment. Branch scoffed "Show off" he a bit annoyed by all of this. "Awe, B are you jealous of Hickory?" teased Clay. But only got ignored by Branch who looked away with a scoff and annoyed scowl on his face. "Cappuccino? Cappucci-yes" answered Poppy "Oh! Are you seeing this? Oh, wow" said Biggie as he and Poppy ran to the raft. Branch was shocked and flabbergasted by what he just witnessed. "I do want one. But I am not happy about it" scoffed and groaned about it, in compliant.

On another side of the world stood Cooper. He was walking along until he noticed something behind a few leaves and gasped excitedly "Trolls that look like me! Yes!" he giggled as he ran over to them until he noticed they looked nothing like him "Oh" the creatures made clucking and purring sounds "Hello there" said Cooper as they sniffed him. They quickly began to honk musically, and a funky beat began to start playing as Cooper grunted and tried to get away but so many joined in until one near swallowed him whole. He screams as he quickly spat out and the music stops, he was so scared he pooped out a birthday cake and says, "Happy birthday?" to the creatures. "Still no comment" said King Quincy as a few trolls looked over at him. 

Back with the Pop trolls and the single lone cowboy Country troll they sat on their raft slowly drifting on the water. As Hickory and Biggie where near a campfire on a wooden raft and the flames didn't seem to mind. "I can make a cortado, a macchiato, latte. We also do drip" said Hickory as he spoke to Biggie and Biggie merely said "Oh. It is a nice night, isn't it? Mr. Dinkles loves a full moon" Not too far away stood Branch who used goggles to watch them. "Total not creepy at all" shuddered Guy "Hey, Bro maybe you shouldn't watch trolls with goggles like that" said Spruce who just got an eye roll for an answer. "Let's get our grub on. Food's ready" yelled out Hickory. "Well, I'll bring more kindlin'" said Poppy with a silly southern accent in her voice as she had a few sticks in her hand for the fire that was already on a wooden raft. "Poppy, maybe it's just me, but are you getting a weird vibe from Hickory?" whispered Branch and Poppy was a bit surprised. "What? No. Why? Are you?" she asked "I just-- I don't know. I don't trust him" said Branch as he went back to look through the goggles and Hickory gave him a smile and wave towards them. "Well, yeah, but you don't trust anybody, Branch" replied Poppy but Branch then said "Hey, I just want us to be safe. And you know what's not safe? Putting too much trust into a complete stranger" he didn't want anyone to get hurt and Poppy didn't seem to get that. "Oh, I see. It's not Hickory you don't trust. It's me. Do you not think I'm a good queen?" asked Poppy as she put the sticks down worried about the fact, she believed that Branch didn't see her as good enough. 

"Wait, what? I didn't say that" said Branch as he realised she wasn't listening "I thought we were friends, Branch. I'm starting to think you don't even know what that means" Poppy said this without giving it much thought. And when Poppy heard future her say that she winced and felt horrible for allowing those words to come out. She knew how hard it was for Branch to open up and now that he was making progress future her was messing everything up. She glanced and Branch who cringed and looked away from the screen not wanting to show how things were going after he heard her future self say that. She wanted to disappear at that moment seeing as nothing was going right. "We are friends. And sometimes that means speaking up if I think you're making a mistake" after he went into a bit of shock from hearing Poppy say what she had just said. Poppy frowned a bit after hearing Branch speak out his mind. Suddenly like a windy day blowing, smooth jazz music started to play "Do you hear something?" asked Poppy softly. 

(I'm going to be honest I can't watch this scene for the life of me). 

"Got you, Pop babies. Soon, Barb is gonna have your string, and the world will be rid of cheesy, pointless pop music, once and for all" said Chaz as the trolls were tied up and getting out of their high. "Woah, take about jazzed up" said Chris with a light chuckle "I never did find jazz all that" he yawned. He was about to start playing again but was quickly stopped "Hold it right there, Chaz" said Hickory as he jumped off the top part of the raft. "And who are you supposed to be, cowboy pants?" asked Chaz a bit confused on who Hickory was. The Trolls gasp as they look over at Hickory who said, "My name's Hickory, and I don't much care for smooth jazz" they gasped again and looked over at Chaz who said "Oh, yeah? Well, you've just never had the Chaz experience" as he began to play his saxophone until he was stopped by Hickory who kicked him "Ooh. Ah" said Chaz as he was kicked then did, he land into the water with his saxophone honking out a note. "He gives me the wrong vibes" said a Bergen. 

"Gumdrops. Soundproof and delicious" said Hickory as he removed the gumdrops out of his ears and ate them. "Ew!" groaned out Chris as he watched that happen on TV. "Smooth jazz will be heard again! Smooth jazz will never die!" cried out Chaz as he was all wet in the river. He ended up submerging into the water with him blowing on his saxophone. "Who was that guy?" asked Poppy as she looked over at Hickory for answers. "One of the many bounty hunters out there looking for you" answered Hickory without sugar coating it. Poppy frowned as she heard his answer as to who Chaz was. "That was awful. So smooth and easy and awful" said Biggie, who no longer wanted to be a part of this journey. "I know, big buddy. It's enough to put you off jazz altogether" said Hickory who gave him a slight pat, but Biggie was done at this point "All right, that's it! We need to go home" he answered tired to the breaking point. "Biggie, it'll be okay" Poppy tried to reassure her friend. "Stop saying that, and listen to me. You only hear what you want to hear, and it puts us all in danger" no one excepted this from the soft bigger troll he was normally always so polite and passive. That seeing him this angry was surely a sight for a history scrapbook. "How are you supposed to save the world if you can't even keep us safe?" Poppy and Branch were surly shocked and when Branch heard this he looked over at Poppy who was shocked. 

"You made a pinky promise to me, Queen Poppy. And you broke it"

Chapter Text

When Poppy heard those few words coming out of Biggie's mouth she gasped lightly and wasn't sure what to say. Biggie looked at the ground, he wanted to say something about what they all had witnessed on screen, but future him was right. Poppy needed to learn to listen to others and not just hear what she wanted to hear all the time. It was like how Branch said before friends had tell friends when they were making mistakes. And Biggie did, but he felt like he could be a bit less harsh. He truly wanted to do or say something, but he couldn't because in the end of the day all of this was mere fate. So, it seems he's friend decided to give a hug as did Poppy as she apologised to him. He smiled at her and forgave her. "Pfft, Pipsqueak's feeling guilty?" chuckled Barb but she didn't get a mere glance from Poppy or anything. So, she lightly scoffed and looked away. 

Biggie was standing there not saying anything. Until he fully made up his mind and walked to the edge of the boat used Mr. Dinkles as a small raft to get him across the river. "I-I know this is a serious moment. But that's just a small worm" said a Techno troll clearly confused on how that tiny thing could lift up any troll across a river. "What kind of queen breaks a pinky promise?!" he yelled out as Poppy looked guilty about what just played "Biggie. No" she said softly. "This all so private I'm starting to feel more uncomfortable" said a Bergen as they looked away from the screen.

On the other side from where the now two Pop trolls and the sole Country Troll Hickory, was Cooper walking along the desert. He was dragging his body and panting out from the lack of energy and water. "I'm so lost. I'm almost there. I'm so lost. So hot" he said as he coughed and panted. As he dragged his body further, he noticed something not far from the distance, it was a small pond with shade. He gasped in delight and said, "I'm saved!" as he ran to it and began to drink from the water in huge gulps. He saw his reflection in the water who spoke to him "Are you, now? 'Cause last I checked, I was a mirage" then the words began to echo "...a mirage, a mirage" he spat out what he once thought was water out of his mouth with a groan. He let out a sob "I'm done for. And on top of that, I never found any Trolls like me" he collapsed on the ground for a few seconds.

As he was collapsed on the ground something came closer to him as it took him a minute to realise it as he was so tired from his adventure that he only saw the bottom part of whatever was looming on top of him now. The royal funk family were so excited when they realised what was going on. "We do get to see our baby" said Queen Essense as she hugged her son, Cooper. His father chuckled joined in their hug as did Prince D. The royal funk family would be whole again in the future. As the troll saw this moment, they smiled glad that they did reunite in the future after all. On screen, a bubble type thing was coming for Cooper who was surprised and said "What?!" as he tried to escape "Whoa! Whoa! No! No, no, no!" it quickly brought him upwards dropping his hat, but the bubble came back down to retrieve it. "Whoa" said the sun who saw the whole thing.

"Now that's creepy" said a Bergen not once thinking that the sun could ever do such a thing such as speak. "This world is much more than mine, I can surely say that" chuckled Chris as he fixed his shoes that were untied and a bit messy. "Are you not from this world, Chris?" asked Poppy a bit surprised to hear Chris say that. Chris looked at the small pink troll and smiled. "Nope!" he popped the P with his lips as he smiled. "I'm from a whole different world, it has more rules and logic behind it. But that doesn't make any less fun, you see" he smiled. "What world do you come from?" asked Clay a bit skeptical on what Chris was saying. "I come from a world far from here, some like to call it the underworld or h-e double hockey sticks" smiled Chris as he showed the row of teeth and the single mid gapped tooth with another tooth having a small chip in it. "Wha-!" said Gristle "I'm joking!" laughed Chris until his expression darkened "Or am I?" he was being grim toward them. "It's nothing, like I said before no harm will come to any of you" said Chris. He had his right hand up as he made that promise to them "Please forget all that was spoken" he said with a serious expression. 

On the raft being stirred by Poppy was slowly drifting on the river sang Hickory "I fall to pieces Pieces How can I be" he played a guitar. Branch looked over at Poppy before groaning and laying on his back. "Just your friend?  Just your friend" he saw Hickory on his other side looking down at him and he said "Something tells me your heart ain't in this mission, Branch" he said as Branch sat up again "What do you mean? I'm here, aren't I?" he sounded confused not sure what Hickory meant at all. "Yeah, you're on a mission, all right, but your heart is with Miss Poppy" he said which freaked Branch out for a second and quickly said "Hey, hold your horses" until he realised what he said "I'm sorry, is that offensive?" he asked, Hickory chuckled and said "Not as offensive as you thinking I can't see what's right in front of my eyes. Did you tell her yet?" he asked but Branch sadly replied with

"I tried, but..." then used his finger to his palm and made an explosion sound. "Well, if you did tell her, who knows if she'd even hear you?" Hickory tried to explain to Branch but he wasn't getting it just yet "What do you mean by that?" so he went on a bit further with his explaining "Well, let's just say only one of you is doing the listening in this relationship, and it's not her" that's when Branch realised what Hickory meant by that. "It's you" Hickory tried to clear up, which Branch found annoyed and said "Yeah. I got that. Thanks" he crossed his arms and looked away annoyed. 

"Uh, guys?" said Poppy as she pointed to something in the sky coming closer to them. "What in buttered biscuits?!" said Hickory as he picked up his guitar and Branch was freaking out. The same thing that happened to Cooper happened to them as their raft was covered by a bubble of sorts. "Huh?" said Hickory as he got ready to hit it he said "I got it" as readied to hit it with his guitar but seemed to hit Branch instead. "Ouch, right in the face" winced Synth. "Why is always me?" mumbled Branch as he's realised this always seemed to happen to him. He got closer to them again which Branch kicked but also kicked Hickory as well since he fell to the floor.

"Ouch, another hit to the face" said Synth again. But in the end their fighting was useless since the bubble took them. Poppy on the other hand smiled at the bubble and didn't much of it as she said "Ooh" before being swallowed whole by the bubble. So, when this happened, she began to scream as the three them headed inside of the huge UFO. The UFO quickly left after taking the three trolls. 

"What just happened again?" asked a Classical troll "Isn't this kidnapping?" asked Pop troll clearly confused. "Are we just kidnapping trolls at this point?" said a Techno troll. The Funk trolls felt a bit bad for making it look like a kidnapping of sorts. So, King Quincy whispered to his wife "We need to do some quick changes, huh?" and Queen Essence nodded her head. As the Pop trolls and the single Country troll made it inside, they could hear funk music begin to play. They were a bit confused until they got to see a bit more of what was going on. Inside the UFO they were Funk trolls as music was being played inside.

"Not a huge Funk music genre fan, but it has a nice beat to it" said Chris with a small smirk and shrug. The rock trolls rolled their eyes all of these music genres were a pain to deal with. "Yawn" said Barb as she rolled her eyes. "Surely, you have a better taste than funk music, Chris" said Barb as if she was implying something. "I'm not an actual rock fan either, I honestly prefer Pop, Indie-Pop, Rap, and K-Pop" said Chris with a shrug. Barb scowled and then huffed annoyed Chris's response. "I mean I do have a few songs I like for rock but they're more of Pop rock rather than anything else" mumbled Chris.

Poppy and the others got to watch a bit of a performance being done on stage. Right after that they entered an area with three seats. Poppy sat down without much issue, but that couldn't be said for Branch and Hickory. They fell on their seats or hit the ground with a scream and a grunt once impacted was made. "Welcome to Vibe City. You are cordial guests of Prince Cooper" a voice said to the trolls. The turned out to be from a funk troll who looked a lot like Cooper, but Poppy didn't know that yet. "Cooper?! What are you doing here?!" she asked until she heard a familiar laugh. "Actually, I'm over here" said the actual Cooper "What?" asked Poppy confused. "Bacon-wrapped hot dogs!" exclaimed Hickory clearly everyone was confused since Branch said "Okay. Maybe all the jazz hasn't left my brain yet" he said he the side of his head and notes played as they fell out of his head. "Okay, now that's not at all normal, B" said John Dory "You think?" sarcastically replied Clay. John Dory gave him a small glare as he and the others were of course slightly worried about their baby brother. 

"It turns out I'm actually from Vibe City, just like my twin brother" clarified Cooper "I'm Prince D. What's poppin'?" said Prince D to the trio. They both laughed as Prince D ran to his brother and laughed "I got a twin brother" whispered Cooper but that didn't answer much so Poppy asked "How is this possible?" clearly confused by all of this. "Cutting this off for a second but watching you all run up to each other was nice" Chris said cutting off the scene.

"My sister could never, she would rather have a rock to be her twin rather me" mumbled Chris. "Oh! You're a twin?" asked Holly Darlin a bit shaken by surprised and so were the others. "Yup, I have a twin sister named, Hailey or Hail as I call her" chuckled Chris. "Do you both not get along?" asked Viva "Nope" said Chris popping the 'P' "One could say she hates my guts to pieces. Can't blame her though I'm not a huge fan of her either" mumbled Chris. "But you guys are siblings surely there's some connection there" said Poppy. "...at least there isn't anymore" smiled Chris "But that was years ago" Branch and his brothers winced knowing what it was like not to get along with their siblings. There were five of them and it was always hard to get along when all of them were in the same room, just like right now. 

"Well, it's a very complicated story" said Cooper and then a flashback of sorts happened. It showed Queen and King Essense and Quincy together as Queen Essense had the two eggs in her hair "When we were both babies, my egg got snatched out of the nest. Mom and Dad looked everywhere, but they couldn't find me" but soon a bird took one of the eggs and let it go in the Pop village.

"So, you guys raised me as one of your own" a baby Cooper came out of the egg and the trolls awed at the small baby Cooper. "Cooper, you were so cute as a baby" said Poppy as she awed "Heh, he gets it from his father" said King Quincy proudly. "Now dig this" said Baby Cooper as he shook his hips then laughed. "And then when I went out to go find other Trolls like me, my mom and dad finally found me" it showed a scared Cooper who fell right on his face as he landed on the slipper ground and a women's voice could be heard. "Q, is that him? I think our search is finally over" the couple walked closer to Cooper giving him a better view of who was speaking to him. And it was none other than the Funk King and Queen. "Our son is finally home" said King Quincy. 

"I guess it wasn't too complicated" said Cooper as he ended his tale, then Cooper and Prince D laughed until Cooper realised something "Oh. Poppy, I want you to meet the King and Queen of Funk" then Prince D took over "King Quincy and Queen Essence" he introduced them. "My mom and dad" said Cooper before he got a bunch of kisses on the cheek. "Aw, how sweet" said Smidge "Good job, finding your parents Cooper" said Guy as he patted his tall friend.

"Wow, Cooper. You look just like your dad" exclaimed Poppy then King Quincy said "Yeah, that must be why he's so good-looking" he said proudly "Was that a dad joke? It was lame!" exclaimed Cooper as laughter erupted inside the room. "Well, so that means you're a Funk Troll?" asked Poppy confused "You don't have to be just one thing. I'm Pop and Funk" answered Cooper trying to clear off things for Poppy. "Or maybe you're Hip-Hop, like me" said Prince D "Yeah" 

"Hip-Hop?" asked Poppy before bringing out the map she had in her hair "Hip-Hop is also a good music genre, but not my taste" said Chris with a small yawn. "Yeah. I think your map is a bit outdated" said Prince D as Poppy tried to look for where Hip-Hop could be on the map "Hmm" hummed Poppy and then Branch pointed out "Oh, he's right. Look at that. It still has Disco" meaning the map they used was outdated by some time now and who knows what could have happened to them due to their outdated map.

"Imagine all the issues that could have happened" said Clay until he let out "Ow!" he was smacked by Spruce who hit him in the head. "Not the time, Clay" he said as he hit him again "Hey, OW!" he exclaimed. "I was just saying" he mumbled. Floyd gave his older brothers an eye roll while John Dory laughed. Branch on the other hand didn't seem to pay them any mind, as if they weren't seating right next to him or if they didn't exist at all. He didn't wish to acknowledge them in the slightest and it hurt. 

“Well, Your Majesties, we need your help to save all music from Queen Barb” Started Poppy as she spoke to the Queen and King of Funk.”If we combine our music, she'll see that music unites all Trolls and that we're all the same and that she's one of us!” She suggested “Poppy, I mean no disrespect, but king to queen, anything but that” but King Quincy stopped Poppy and her idea.

But she didn’t understand why. “Why not?” She wasn't sure why the Funk royal family would deny her request like that. King Quincy pressed a button bringing them to somewhere else. They walked a bit as King Quincy told his son "Let's tell 'em how it was, Prince D" and he did. "Sick. Long ago, our world was without song or dance. Then the Trolls found the strings, and life was one big party" he explained to Poppy as they walked toward a guitar that held a purple string inside of it. "Oh, yeah. I-I've heard this story before" said Poppy. 

"That is, until the Pop Trolls tried to steal our strings" said Prince D something Poppy didn't except to hear "Steal your strings? That-That's not what it said in our scrapbooks" She wasn't sure what to think after hearing that so Prince D tried to clear it up for her "Scrapbooks? Those are cut out, glued and glittered by the winners. Let me tell you how it really went down" 

A record played came out and began to play as it span. "Get started, uh Yeah, yeah, uh" sang Prince D as it showed the record spinning. It then showed the troll tribes with the string harp playing music. They were planted on a music album as it showed the true story of what happened. "We started off a team Party till we fall asleep, even on the street" The trolls were vibing to the music as it played for them. "When we disagreed, we did it on beat" it gave a closer look to the trolls as they listened to the harp play for them. "Did it on beat" "Respect the unique" 

"Right Anything less, it was weak" it showed the trolls with zero worries which made the song feel like nothing bad could happen at all. "The music of the strings made life complete" As the song went on the Pop trolls eyed the harp a bit more than some would. "Till that one day that changed everything The Pop Trolls started snatching up" as the Pop troll heard this tale go on they winced never would have believed their ancestors would make a scrapbook of lies for them to see later in the future. The Pop royal family felt a bit like a deflated balloon knowing that one their ancestors was the cause of this happening. 

The Pop trolls took the harp and made a run for it. "All of the strings" the album fell as the other tribes got up and looked worried seeing the Pop troll take the harp. "Putting melodies on top of popular beats" They tried to follow the Pop troll to get the harp. "They cut us out of the scene And then forgot what it really means" the Pop troll ran with the harp while the other were behind them. "Not even publishing? Should've seen between All of the scheming, it seems like" the album showed the Pop troll playing the harp of strings all on their own. "The Trolls they stole from were meaningless Walking around like they were the geniuses" the Pop troll played as the other only watched as their madness grew. "But it's only samples, auto-tune and remixes I'm a vegan I don't have no beef with them"

"Gotta protect my kingdom But the dream is to sing again" it turned to the outside of the album as it showed the Pop troll singing and playing the harp as their hear desired. "Being friends, seamless blend Harmony ain't hard when the keys within you win" it showed back to Prince D and Poppy who was looking at the album cover. 

(I'm going to cut a bit of the song since it has nothing to do with the backstory. But I do recommended listening to it since it's a bop). 

The funk family sang with each other as a few of the Funk trolls' citizens also sang and danced to the song. Poppy could only watch and listen as this happened around her. "Okay, but why is that a bop" said Chris said impressed. "Why thank you dear" said Queen Essence. "It was an amazing song" said Poppy as she gave a clap toward the royal funk family and the funk trolls. "It was fan-amazing!" exclaimed Viva. 

"Next morning, the elders were on it They saw the warning signs Couldn't ignore it" it showed the troll tribes coming up with a plan. As they saw the Pop trolls over doing it with their side of the string. And how they used the harp in their own desires. "Had to figure out how to save the way of life They had made, so they made a play" The Pop music troll were growing as their music became the number one out of all of them "The Pop Trolls were coming for it all All for one and one for all, so the only way we saw" It showed the bottom of the strings "There was one thing left to be done Each leader grabbed a single string And said, "Run!" " the other tribes took a string for their own music leaving the Pop trolls with nothing left but their own string. 

"And the Trolls never lived in harmony again" said King Quincy as the song had ended. "But I'm going to change that" said Barb as she got up from her seat "Soon the trolls will all be under Rock!" she exclaimed as the Hard Rock trolls cheered. "But that's not harmony!" exclaimed Poppy "Uh-duh, it's called unity" said Barb as she rolled her eyes. The trolls looked ready for a fight to play out as Chris sighed as it looked like he would have done nothing for a second. Until he realised Branch was glaring daggers at him if he decided not to do anything at this very moment. "Oi! Enough please" said Chris obviously tired of the petty games. "There's 3 days 8 hours 20 minutes 10 seconds play nice won't ya?" he groaned. "Fine!" they both exclaimed as they sat down in their own seats. "Thank the stars" mumbled Chris. 

"So the Trolls live in isolation because of what Pop did?" said Poppy shocked by the song. "Pop tried to destroy our music" said Queen Essence calmly while Branch mumbled "Just like Barb is trying to do" which Poppy exclaimed "I can make it right. History's just gonna keep repeating itself until we make everyone realize that we're all the same" she obviously wasn't listening again. "But we're not all the same" said King Quincy then Queen Essence said "It's why all our strings are different. Because they reflect our different music" they both spoke to Poppy hoping she would understand their point in all of this. "Denying our differences is denying the truth of who we are"

 Poppy had so much she wanted to say but for the first time she didn't think of it in another angle "I hadn't thought of it like that" she said quietly. Until not even a second later an alarm rang and Poppy gasped. As the thing the Funk string was in closed as she stood near it. "Rock has arrived! It's on!" said Prince D and then his father said, "Prepare for battle!" and the Funk trolls did. Quickly the Funk trolls did, and well a bunch of trolls were impressed by this. Especially Branch who was extremely impressed with their battle techniques. They ran in the same order and took their guitars, and the Queen had her Sousaphone (Maybe? I'm bad at instruments) "Assemble the crew" she said right before blowing her Sousaphone. 

The funk trolls were getting ready for anything that may or may not happen in this battle. The trio were running behind Cooper who said "I'm gonna make sure you get to safety" he said as he played a few keys and then three bubbles took the two Pop trolls and Hickory had his own bubble. "No. No No! Let me help you" cried out Poppy as she saw one of her best friends going with their family hoping to stop this without their aid. "Aw, you kidding me?" said Prince D as everything went pitch black inside the UFO. Out of it was Riff who removed a huge plug from the spacecraft as he giggled. "Hard Rock cut the power" said Queen Essence said back in the inside of it. "They're fighting dirty" said Prince D. 

"Pftt, who said there were any rules to begin with?" laughed Barb "And if they were who said us Rock trolls even followed them?" the Rock trolls cheered for their queen. "Cooper!" cried out Poppy as she was up the tube. And before they knew it, they were outside the ship and due to them being let out with no more protection than the bubble they were inside of. They quickly bumped into each other which caused the bubble to hit and go further apart. "Hickory" yelled out Poppy, but Hickory reassured her "Don't worry! I'll find you guys" he said as he was heading who know where. Branch was looking over somewhere else as he said "Uh, Poppy" trying to get her attention. And worked because she also saw all the Rock troll heading toward the Funk troll's ship. 

"Rock on!" they heard Barb yell out. The bubble was moving out of control as Branch and Poppy moved around in it for a bit. They were heading towards it and Poppy grunted trying to get out of the bubble to help them "No! We have to get back down there. There's still hope. We can still fix this" she said to Branch as she spoke Branch wanted to say something, but he was cut off. And just like Biggie Branch had enough once and for all. "Poppy, enough. I've listened to you and I've done it your way, and now it's your turn to listen" he said as Poppy turned around to listen to him. During the whole trip Branch has made sure never to raise his voice towards her or their situation in hand. Sure, he was being a bit paranoid, but he felt like he had a reason too. "It's time to get back home" he tried to reason with her. 

"I'm not like you. I can't just give up" said Poppy but Branch didn't like that "Give up? I want to protect our friends and family" he was trying to be reasonable why didn't Poppy see that though? Thought Poppy why could present her see it but why couldn't future her see it. And she knew this wouldn't turn out well for them. She could feel it in her guts just like Branch could it seems and everyone else in the room could because the room was silent. No troll, Bergen, or Chris spoke or made a single sound. As this played out. "I can't go home until I've proven myself as a good queen" exclaimed Poppy towards Branch. "So that's what this is really all about?" 

"Why are you so upset?" exclaimed Poppy not sure why Branch would be so upset right now. But he put down his cards for her to see at this very moment. "Because your dad was right and Biggie was right and Queen Essence was right" he exclaimed as his voices went up a bit higher. "And I've been backing you up even when you ignore them. But you never listen to me" he finally admitted to Poppy. He was merely backing her up he wanted his friend to be happy and feel like she was doing the wrong thing. But in the end, he ended up hurting her and others while he tried to back her up. And he also hurt himself in the process. "Branch, what are you talking about?" 

"You want to be a good queen? Good queens actually listen" said Branch his back turned from Poppy until he turned back around "You know what I heard back there? Differences do matter" the bubble was getting closer to the ground. "Like-like you and me. We're too different to get along. Just like all the other Trolls" said Branch and Poppy's heart winced hearing Branch hear that. She couldn't help but cringe hearing what future her had to say. But before that the bubble reached the ground and Branch began to walk the other way "We are really different" said Poppy not giving it much thought. "So different" he cried out "Completely out of harmony" she said afterwards, and he replied with "Completely" if the room was silent enough these words echoed in the room. "I don't even know why we're friends"

"Neither do I" He said as he walked away from Poppy as she just stood there. Branch walked away from Poppy before he stopped and said to her one final time. 

"So... why do I care about you more than anybody else in the world? Weird, right?"

Chapter Text

Those words echoed in the room. They were filled with so many emotions that it felt wrong to hear. No one knew what to say to Branch or Poppy at that very moment. Very felt like a blur for the two trolls.

Those words felt like a knife to the heart for the BroZone brother seeing as they knew what these words felt like 20 years ago when they all left their youngest brother to fend for himself. They were much nicer than their words, but they felt too much like their own words that they all once said to each other. He was still too young to understand everything, but they knew their youngest brother wasn't stupid. He walked away from Poppy just like they walked away from him. What could be a breath fresh of air could turn into walking away and never looking back. But they knew their baby brother could never walk away from her. What they had was special. 

Branch didn't know what to say or what to look at. It was obvious future him was hurt by all of this. And right now, he felt hurt it seems he opened up in the future only to get hurt once more.  Maybe all this was a bad idea, opening up to Poppy and to ever think he could have a friend in the future who cared about him. He wanted to cry and to scream. But he couldn't, he was too tired to put up any fight. He just wanted to go home. He wanted to sleep for a few good months and not have to worry about any of this ever again. He wanted to sleep and not have to worry about the Bergen's, Creek, The Rock Tour, the strings, his brothers, his grandmother, or Poppy. He wanted to forget about all of this...especially her. All because he couldn't take it anymore. 

Poppy wasn't sure how to react. She wanted to apologise to Branch, but she didn't know where to begin. She wanted to beg for his forgiveness, and she would do it even if he didn't forgive her. All she wanted was for Branch to know she never meant that. But it was as Chris said, "The future will always be the same. You can call it fate", this was their fate. It was practically written out for them that all of this would happen someday for them. If not today maybe a week from now or a month from now. But all of this would play out for them. And that felt like a stab in the back for Poppy. She felt like she lost two friends on this adventure all because she was too busy being selfish and not listening to Biggie or Branch the entire time. She only listened to what she wanted to hear. 

The other had no clue what to do for the two trolls. They wanted to say something, but what? What could they possibly say or do that could turn back the clock or say something that could help them? Viva tried to hug her sister who was too stunned to move or talk. She hugged her sister while her father also came in for a hug. Her sister's friends ended up joining the hug. But that was mostly all they could do. They couldn't do much more for her other than a few encouraging words and hugs to make the hurt feel numb for a bit. The hurt will always be there until someone breaks a bandage all they were doing was cleaning the wound. None of them had a single bandage to help her get through the pain. 

Chris sat there not saying or doing anything. He merely floated mid-air as he watched all of this play out. He couldn't say anything to help them get through all of this. After all, he said it himself all of this was fate, and they couldn't change fate. All of this would play out whether they wanted it to happen or not. They couldn't run away from this nor hide from all of this. So, he kept silent as they watched them hurt. No words or a few quick actions can stop the hurt they were all feeling. They all knew they would lose their homes, family, friends, and loved ones. Nothing they did or said could turn back the clock for them. 

After Branch said those few words, Poppy stood there feeling horrible about everything. She didn't know what to say to him, so she only watched him walk off into the distance. 

"I know your favourite song I hear it every day" Branch was walking near a pond singing to himself. Not a care in the world. Why should he care? He felt alone without his second half. "Whoever made your smile" he sang and everyone knew it was meant for one troll. A troll who practically ripped out his heart and stomped on it. "Made it to get in my way And every time you laugh" he had the tiniest smile on his face when singing that. He was near the pond singing his heart out for someone who didn't fully cherish him and his love for them. All because they were too blind to see it for what it was and saw a different light blocking the true one. 

"You make that little sound" The pond had Poppy laughing on its reflection. He was singing so slowly and painfully. It had so many emotions in one song sad and love hurt the most in it. "It's just the hardest thing To love you but not know how"

(This song broke me and I began to cry. Here I am having a Branch kinnie moment and I don't even 100% kin this man until this song hits). 

"I hate that you're perfect You're perfect for me" his heart ached as he sang. How could it not? Too much had happened in two days. Too many emotions and not enough words. He hated that and it hurt each time something like this happened in his life. He walked away from Poppy after they fought just like they did. He didn't want to remember them. He didn't want to remember what they represented or acknowledge them any more than he had to. 

"What good are words When they always just get in our way?" Poppy and Branch sang together as the water reflected them off the pond. They acted like nothing happened down there like they were still good friends and nothing but everything more. "And it hurts the most Just to know that you don't feel the same" They acted like friends and nothing more. "The same" They danced and hugged but the emotions behind them felt too friendly. No love in them. Mere actions but no other meaning in them. "And I hate that you're perfect" It showed them both together but too far from each other. Their hug time watches chimed but they both ignored it. 

"You're perfect for me" They began to walk away further from one another. "I hate that you're perfect You're perfect for me" no comfort between them. No words between the two. How could they say something when they were on two different fields. There was only so much one could do for each other. None of them knew the rules behind the game, seeing as love has no instructions. Love was the reward behind the game and they were both too blind to see the real rewards behind the box-covered game. 

Maybe in another life, his brothers would have teased him. But as of right now how could they when they watched their baby brother all hurt. He was hurting once more and they couldn’t do or say anything. How could they? They weren’t around for the last 20 years, can a few words can't just change the whole past. Their brother didn’t even fully acknowledge to begin with. 

He wanted nothing to do with them. And they could respect that, even if it hurt. They wouldn’t want anything to do with themselves if they had left them when they were so young either. They left a baby behind with their grandma who was gone now. Of course, Floyd didn’t think something like that would happen when he asked him to watch after Grandma. But then again he should have never given him that task either. For crying out loud he was only 1 and a half. He was just a baby when they left.

One can not buy love just like one can not buy forgiveness. Once someone learns that only then can they grow and realise their past mistakes. Running away was called cowardly but sometimes running away from something can have its benefits. If you stay you'll never see the other side of things. But if you run you'll never see what could have been. Running away has its pros and cons. For the brothers, they couldn't help but wonder the 'what ifs' would this outcome have happened if they stayed? Would this have played out if they had waited until Branch was older to join the band? What if they had just talked about it amongst each other? 

They all couldn't stand what they had done to burn the bridges. The kingdom had fallen and everyone who left was cursed and the only one standing was left behind and forgotten. Not once did they think of coming back. John Dory did and he found nothing but the ashes of the past. He had nothing left to give to the ones he had believed he lost. But he did lose them the moment he took the rule of a leader instead of a brother. He lost himself in the crowd of faces and it was all due to perfection. 

Branch finished his song. But with no moment to breathe, he could hear voices and noises coming behind him. He was ready for an ambush of sorts. "Can you see me? I can see you" said one of the voices. "Ew! That's creepy!" said Synth with a shudder up his spine. "Not something a troll or anyone would want to hear" said a funk troll as they glanced at Chris. "Excuse me but that's part of my job" Chris tried to defend his actions. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night" said Barb with an eye roll.

"I'll have you know I sleep very well at night" said Chris with an eye roll and a raspberry at the end. "Real mature" said Barb again. "I'm not exactly a grown-up yet! I'm only 17,055 years old!" they yelled out. "Huh!" said Poppy confused. "Yeah...let's not question my age" mumbled Chris as they awkwardly looked away. 

"Let's get him" laughter could be heard by the girls. They were running around all over the place it seems and Branch couldn't tell from where. "One, two, three" they said before capturing Branch who fell with a thump and it seemed to have gotten a major hit to the chin. "Ow! Now that gotta hurt sugar" said Holly as she winced away from the screen as she saw that blow to the chin as Branch had made impact with the hard solid ground. "Yay!" they announced in union as they saw that they got him off guard. 

He was tied up by a checkered pattern wrap. "Hey, crybaby. Your name Poppy?" one of the girls asked Branch. "What? No.. Who are you guys?" Now this poor man was clearly confused. I mean who wouldn't be? He just broke off his friendship with Poppy, he sang his heart out for her after a bad fight and now got kidnapped for what seems like the second or third time in his life. He needed a break but it seems the upper deities had another plan for him. "We are the K-Pop Gang" They stroke a pose after one of the girls said that line. "And you're going to take us to Queen Poppy" said the one who seemed to play a bit of the leader role amongst the girls. 

"Don't get me wrong, I love K-pop and whatnot but they seem a bit harsh for a genre of music" mumbled Chris. "And we're not?" asked the troll with pigtails a bit offended by Chris's comment. "Oh, believe me, I know you're harsh to the ear and all" mumbled Chris. (I'm not a fan of rock I have sensitive ears). "I can see why you prefer soft baby music" said Barb. Chris looked offended by that comment. Before turning around and saying "You need this job" he repeated to himself. "Having a hard time with work?" asked Clay. "NO!" yelled out Chris as they looked away from them all and refused to acknowledge any of them. 

"What?" asked Branch clearly not on board with this whole idea of sorts. Until music began to play and three trolls showed up and began to dance slightly and made a scene of sorts. "Not so fast, Tracy. We're taking him" said one of the girls as she pulled Branch closer to her who was trying to run away from this whole fight of sorts. "It's pronounced "Tresillo." If you want him... you're going to have to dance for him. I can't live in a world without reggaeton" he said with a dance in the middle of him speaking about what they had to do to win the Pop troll as if he was a prize in a carnival. "And we can't live in a world without K-pop" said the leader of the girls. And so the fight amongst music began. And Branch was still tied up as the leaders got ready to fight in a dance. 

The K-Pop trolls began first with them singing and dancing. When they began they untied Branch who joined them in their dance. After their turn was up he ended up dancing with the reggaeton trolls while their turn had begun. Until the end and Branch ended up getting tied up again. "I gotta admit that was pretty good, Baby bro" said John Dory "Yeah! It seems B is a great dancer. Not as great as past me but he's up there" teased Clay. Floyd just facepalmed before turning to Branch and said "You did great" It was nice and simple. 

"Respect" said the leader of the K-Pop group and Tressillo as well said "Respect" and then said, "Why don't we split him?" it was an idea that he put on the table and it seemed for a good reason everyone in the room thought was a horrible idea. "Did they just say split him?" asked a Pop troll who looked like they were about to gag. "He doesn't look like he's joking either" said Guy as they were slightly concerned for the grey troll. "Good idea" 

Branch was jumping to the side where he could see both groups. "Wait, wait, wait, wait" he said as he jumped as he did the groups looked at the grey Pop Troll as they waited for him to say his peace.  "Why does Barb get to decide which music gets to be saved? All music should be saved" He was confused as to why they were putting up with this idea rather than fighting it. Why allow someone to take everything they love when they can do something about it? The groups looked at each other and they came to a silent agreement. "All right, okay... I'm listening, Pop Troll" said Tresillo as he was willing to hear Branch's idea. He smiled as he heard those few simple words.  

Poppy was all by herself. She looked down at the string she had in her hands. A single string that Barb wanted. She needed this string to accomplish her goals. She wanted to make everyone know that Rock was the best music genre. She wanted everyone to live in a box away from their true selves. Poppy wasn't sure how to fix that. Not without her partner in crime who she just fought with. He was by her side for what seemed like forever. She and him had gotten so close in the last few years and it hurt seeing him leave. But not as much as the words that echoed inside of her head. 

Poppy could hear someone coming close by. And she freaked out and hid the string she was looking at with a slight disgust. Disgusted that this single pink string was something that Barb was looking for and would do anything to find this single pink string that made up Pop. The silhouette of the troll who came running to look for the Pop Queen was none other than Hickory who was so happy to see her again. Hey ran over to her as he gleefully said "Poppy, there you are" And let's just say Poppy was glad to see a friend rather than a foe. So she quickly got up and ran to him to hug him. "Hickory! It's so good to see you" 

Hickory was a bit confused to see Poppy all by herself. He was sure that Branch was with her in that bubble. So he asked where he went off to or what happened to him. "Where's Branch?" and Poppy answered truthfully. "We had a fight. He's gone" Hickory was not expecting Poppy to admit that Branch and her went their separate ways. "He's heading back to Pop Village" Hickory sighed not sure what to truly say other than "That's a shame" 

Branch rolled his eyes. He still had a horrible gut feeling about this guy as he watched him the entire time he began showing up on screen. And something told him that the curtains would soon open up to reveal the truth all at once. Every single secret out for everyone to see who this Hickory troll truly was. And he knew it was soon. He could tell just by looking at Chris who looked at the clock that read 3 days, 6 hours, 60 minutes, 40 seconds. And he knew Chris had yet to wrap this whole reaction with a bow just yet.   

Poppy sighed as she heard Hickory speak. "I was so desperate to be a good queen that I stopped listening to anyone but myself" She looked so down in the dumps. But something about Hickory didn't feel or look right. He looked like he wanted to say something or do something as if he was in a rush. "Including my best friend" She then pulled the Pop string out of her hair and said "And it's all because of this stupid string" which made small jingling sounds as she held it in her hands. Hickory then told her something she was never expecting to hear from him at the moment. "Poppy, take the string and run as fast as you can, you hear me?" The way he had seen the string the moment a soft melody played. Was something out of shock and his words didn't make much sense either for Poppy. 

"What? What are you talking about?" she was confused as to why Hickory would say that in this moment of crisis. "Trust me just go. Now! Please! Just go!" His back two legs were moving around funny as if they had a mind of their own. They tried to pull away from the main body as he grunted and tried to keep himself steady it seemed. "Hickory, are you all right?" asked Poppy concerned for her new friend she made on this journey. 

"Well isn't that nightmare fuel" said Chris as a few trolls and Bergens gasped at the sight being shown on TV. Parents of Trollings and baby Bergens were covering their baby's eyes from the sight. "Uh-is dude okay?" asked Synth worried for the poor guy. "I've never seen this happen before" said Gus as he could barely stomach any of this. No one could as they looked at the sight of what was happening to the Country troll on screen. 

"I'm fine" he tried to say to reassure Poppy not that it was working obviously. "Hey. Hey, now! Stop that!" the back part was really going at it at the moment. And he tried to calm it down despite how weird it looked. Sounds could be heard coming from the back of Hickory. Poppy gasped as she watched the scene of horror happening in front of her. Until a yellow hand came out of the fabric which caused Poppy to gasp in horror. She nearly threw up the moment she saw the second hand pop out. And the worst of it all the fabric ripped between the two parts which got a shout out of Poppy.

"What the fu-frick!" said Chris as they saved themselves from saying that word in front of the trolls. "I think I'm going to barf" said a Bergen as the scene managed to scare all of them. The bergen's looked at the trolls and they all wanted to gag at the sight of them. "I know I'm not the best at my job but I was not expecting that!" said Chris as they looked a bit more pale. 

The other side ripped apart and that side looked around and began to shout "Nein! What are you doing, Hickory?!" it was a smaller troll that yelled at Hickory. To say that everyone in the room was flabbergasted was an understatement no one knew what to make out of this whole thing that played out in front of them. "..." The room was silent, to say the least. "Quiet, Dickory!" said Hickory stopping Dickory from doing anything rash. All he needed to do was place his hand out on his forehead and that got him stuck on the other side not being much of a threat. "Okay, but why is that slightly funny" said Gristle with a small chuckle out of him. 

"What's going on? Hickory?" said Poppy confused by what she was watching play out in front of her. "I am so sorry" was all Hickory said with a whole different accent from the southern accent he had the whole journey with her and the others. 

Dickory yells out before saying to Hickory “Yeah. Show her who you really are, Hickory!” Before ripping off his outfit he was wearing the entire time with the Pop trolls. He showed a whole different outfit altogether. 

A smirk was on his face for sure. A smirk that said ‘ I knew it!’ All the pieces of the puzzle were finally put together. And knowing Branch he loved a perfect puzzle. He knew the moment he laid eyes on the so-called “Country Troll” that something smelt fishy about him. No one would just help someone like that for no good reason. He felt proud of himself for knowing something was off about Hickory. As for everyone else they tried to process what they just watched play out. Especially Chris who was trying to figure out how his outfit didn’t show the outfit underneath his Country clothing. 

“How!? It doesn’t make any bloody sense!” They cried out loud. They had two pictures in his hands of Hickory with his country outfit and his yodelling outfit. Trying to picture how the yodelling outfit could have been hidden from sight. 

Dickory started to yoloders and Hickory joined him. He started to sing high-pitched notes. As he removed his cowboy hat. Poppy was shocked to see what was displayed in front of her very eyes. “Wait. You're the Yodelers?” She asked as the water began to clear in her mind. The pieces were coming all together as the puzzle was nearly complete. "Yeah. Ya darn skippy, playa-play" said Dickory all excited as if he was a trolling again who just received the world's largest loli. "And you were gonna give our string to Barb?" she didn't know how to fully react during this whole interaction for what seemed like the first time in her life. 

"Ding, ding. Give this person a strudel for the correct answer" he was way too happy about all of this it seems. "Something about the way he talks is beginning to annoy me" mumbled Chris as he was still trying to figure out how this whole thing came to be. Too many trolls and Bergens in a single room to be fully noticed at all times. With a shout here and comment here at all given times it was hard to keep track of it all. But something that hit Poppy was that an offended shout could be heard in a German accent. That's when she realised Hickory and Dickory were in the room the entire time. She looked at Hickory who had an apologetic look on his face as Poppy looked at him from across the room. 

She wanted to say something to the yodeler but nothing came out. She was betrayed once more by someone she called a friend. The first time it was due to him wishing to save his own skin, but this time he wanted to say his music. And she very much could understand that but if he was apologetic towards all of this would this have ended on good terms? Would he have just stolen the string from the beginning and turned her in? So many questions that she wished could be answered but the only person with the answer was Chris. And something deep inside her told her it was the right time to ask questions. Only knowing him for a few days she could tell nothing good would come from the demon. 

And she knew that Branch knew all about this feeling. She saw the way he would glance at Chris who was too much like an open book but the pages were glued shut. The pages she could read were too small in print to fully tell if she was reading what she believed she read. She couldn't make a judgement like that especially since she was future Queen of the Pop trolls. She couldn't come up with rash ideals. But all this was coming from a small side of her who didn't want to believe a word Chris had uttered from the start. Who was Christopher? And what more was he hiding from them? She wanted the answers but they would never be answered and she knew that. 

"And you've been in back the whole time?" she asked slightly grossed out and Dickory and Hickory weren't sure how to answer that since Dickory annoyed asked "Next subject, please" but none of this was fully cleared up just yet. The why was the issue to solving this case wide open. "Why would you do this?" she asked she needed to know why Hickory and Dickory did what they did. Especially Hickory who she thought was her friend. "So sorry. Uh, it was the only way to save our beautiful yodelling" He looked at the ground the entire time. He sounded so sad and lost at that very moment. "Hickory" Dickory gave a warning to his brother as they both knew what was meant to happen next. 

"But trust me, you need to get out of here right away" Hickory was truly trying to protect Poppy and warn her of the dangers yet to come. "What are you doing, Hickory?" Dickory was running behind Hickory as he ran for the string but Hickory wouldn't allow his brother to keep the string to himself. "Nein! Dickory" he shouted as the three trolls had the string in their hands trying to grab the string. All with similar but different goals. "Shut your mouth-hole, please!" grunted Dickory as pulled for the string. "Let go!" cried out Poppy. "We must save yodelling!" the pulling of the string continued "Stop it!"

"Got you!" said a voice as Poppy let go of the Pop string and two rock trolls grabbed a hold of her. She shouted in surprise. Dickory fell backwards seeing as Poppy let go of the string and he had nothing left to pull without falling backwards. And when he noticed the string in his hands he laughed excitedly. "I thought I heard a yodel" said Barb as she was near a critter Poppy gasped when she noticed who it was "Queen Barb" 

Barb snatched the string from Dickory’s hand and gently tugged it to hear the small Pop melody play. ”The final notes of Pop. It will never invade anyone's brain again” She had said this as if Pop was a horrible earworm that dogged into people’s brains and ate them. It was surely something, to say the least. Poppy wasn’t having it though. 

“I'm not gonna let you do this!” She exclaimed her claim as she tried to free herself from the Hard Rock troll's grip on her. But it wasn’t doing much since they had her in place. Barb had a good look at her as she scoffed in a tint of laughter. “This is who I've been worried about? This little pipsqueak?” She was obviously amused by the whole thing. 

“I'll never stop fighting until I make things right” she had glared at her until she acknowledged the last part. “And I'm not a pipsqueak!” But Barb was amused by the whole thing “Uh, yeah, you are, 'cause I'm, like, a whole centimetre taller than you” she was on her tippy toes. As she tried to show how she was indeed taller than Poppy. Despite being the same height. 

“No! Leave me alone!” Cried out Poppy once again trying to fight her way out of the right grip she was in. “Leave you alone? Uh, I'm sorry. You were the one who was all desperate to be best friends” She was mocking her as she showed the burnt letter Poppy had made for her. Poppy couldn’t stand that and yelled out “Get your hands off me” No matter how hard she fought she was captured by the troll's grips. 

“Oh, okay. All right. You're feisty. I respect that. Strong woman to strong woman, am I right?” Barb could respect that from Poppy and only that it seems. Seeing as she kind of hated her existence for being Pop. Just like her father disliked other trolls and their differences. “But you know who else was feisty? Pop Village” She leaned in so Poppy could hear her words right in front of her. She gasped when she realised what that meant “Oh, no. No!” 

Pure dread hit the Pop trolls. They had lost their homes for the third time in most of their lives. They had to leave the Troll Tree 20 years ago due to Bergens and them eating them, The Bergens found them again and took them, and now the hard rock trolls trashed their homes. It was a sad cycle for them to live. Why couldn't they just catch a break at this point. Sure, their ancestors were jerks but this had nothing to do with them, right? You can't blame a group of people for something their ancestors did. Just like you can't blame everyone for something their leaders have done. It was cruel and unfair for the trolls to have to go through all this. 

Biggie was running. He was almost home, he was so winded from the long journey back home. Just him and Mr. Dinkles, but that didn't matter at the moment since he was home. He couldn't wait to see his friends and family again. "Everyone! Everyone! We're back!" but he stopped himself when he realised what had become of his home. He gasped in shock as he saw the destruction of his home. "Oh, no" it was a faint whisper as he allowed everything to sink in for him. He walked around slowly. But suddenly his friends came out of hiding when they noticed who the fellow was. 

"Biggie!" cried out Guy Diamond "Hello, Biggie" greeted Legsly as she cut off Guy. But he continued anyway "You won't believe it! We were attacked by Barb and her barbarians!" he exclaimed as Biggie finally realised what Barb did to the Pop Village. Smidge, Guy Diamond, Satin, Chenille, Legsly, and Tiny Diamond were the only ones left in the whole village. "She took everybody to Volcano Rock City. It was scary" said Tiny as he stepped out of his father's hair to say his statement. "Rock me, Daddy" he said as Guy rocked his son in his hands gently "Mm, that's nice" he said softly to his father. 

"I shouldn't have left her. She wouldn't have left me" said Biggie as he looked at the village. Everything was sinking in for him and the regret hit him in tenfolds. The others behind him gave him looks of sympathy. "Never, no matter how scared she was. I've got to go back" He was filled with confidence knowing he had to save one of his best friends. "We're coming with you, Biggie" said Legsly despite the other's shock hearing her words. "We got to go save our best friend" she said hoping they knew how important this was. 

"I know this a serious moment and everything but...what is with you trolls and the whole "We save" thing?" asked Gristle confused as to why they would make this into a whole group effort thing. "You surely take the whole power of friendship thing to heart don't you?" chuckled Chris despite no one understanding. "What?" asked a Bergen confused by Chris's statement. "Don't worry about it, it's a dork thing" mumbled Chris annoyed. Branch mumbled something under his breath. "Hey! I'll have you know I don't play that big of a role being a dork!" cried out Chris. "At least I'm not a caffeine addict like someone in this bloody room!" he hissed. "I'm not an addict" huffed Branch. 

"But how? We'll never make it past security" said Smidge not holding much optimism having just seen how everyone she ever cared about be taken once more. "We'll overpower them with muscles!" said Tiny as he strained himself trying to allow two tiny little muscles on his small arms to show. "How?" asked Spruce clearly confused about how someone only three days old could do something like that. "Don't question things, man" said Synth with a disappointed look on his face. "That trolling is only three days old and can already form full sentences" said a funk troll. 

The twins looked at the small trolling slightly concerned for him. "Or... we could overpower them... with fashion" said Chenille in the beginning but then Satin joined in the end. As the twins said that a whole scene of them working on clothing began. Everything was going well and dandy until Satin pricked her finger and let out a small "Ouch" and when she showed her sister Chenille the bit of pink glitter blood, Biggie freaked out as he fainted with a small "Oh" and then Tiny did the same "Ooh" 

Rock music could be heard as the scene panelled over to the Hard Rock trolls rocking out on the fish creatures they had. "Rock and roll!" yelled out King Thrash all excited as he laughed. In the back of it, it showed Poppy looking down on Volcano Rock City. Inside the city, trolls were cheering and everyone seemed busy. Some of the rock trolls were getting ready for something. "All right, where do we put these things?" asked a troll and then another said "I need a circuit hookup" They were all too busy to see the Pop trolls. Biggie quietly said "Okay, come on. Let's go, let's go, let's go" he was trying his hardest to make sure none of them got caught.

"..." Chris was flabbergasted. "What's wrong sugar?" asked Delta as she watched Chris unable to speak. He just pointed and was confused by what he was watching. "Two days nearly three" he mumbled loudly. "It took them nearly three bloody days to get to that point and it only took them a few hours at most to get there!" cried out Chris. "How did they get there so fast?" asked a Bergen. "No offence, but you're all so small how did you get there?" asked Bridget also confused after Chris pointed it out. But the trolls didn't have an answer so they just shrugged. "I need to know!" cried out Chris confused. 

Everyone was walking as quietly as they could other than Legsly who you could hear a jingling sound coming from her anklet. "Hey. Stop right there" said a rocky troll and they stopped and so did the jingling. "Legsly, I told you not to wear your anklet" said Biggie a bit annoyed "Only Rock Trolls are allowed back here" he said but quickly Biggie said "Well, it's funny you should mention that, because we are genuine Hard Rockers" and then they showed themselves and the outfits they wore. A loud snort could be heard coming from Chris who was up near the ceiling as he messed with the sleep Bergen Chef and Troll guru. As he held an uncapped sharpie in his hands as he drew on their faces. "Those are the most amazing outfits I've seen in my entire life" he laughed harshly as he could barely speak or breathe. The rock trolls deadpanned on how neither one of them realised that they were pop trolls in disguise. Barb groaned softly seeing how annoyed she was by the entire thing. 

(Second-hand embarrassment got the better of me). 

After a unique show being presented by the gang of idiots. Everyone in the room was quiet, all but Chris who was laughing his butt off. "Are you okay dude?" asked the rock troll with pigtails as she gave him a deadpanned look. "I'm fine!" he said as his laughs became small giggles. "I'm sorry...but that is the most stupidest thing I've seen all week" he said as his laughter finally died down. 

"Cool" he said after the show he just witnessed. "Hurry up. The show's about to start, man. Queen Barb's about to go onstage" he said as he gave them all instruments to play for Queen Barb. "We're screwed" said Smidge. Knowing that this was probably the worst idea they've ever had in their entire lives. "I've seen worst ideas" mumbled Branch with an eye roll. "Oh, come on Branch...I'm sure they'll do...great" said Poppy as she gave her friends encouraging smiles. "At being the worst" said Branch with a smirk. Poppy frowned but it got a chuckle out of Chris. "Someone's all giggly" said Floyd with a small chuckle. "Yeah...It's probably due to me having to lock myself in this room with you all for the past three days!" exclaimed Chris. 

On top of the stage, Poppy was being dragged by the trolls. "So, Popcorn, is being my best friend everything you could have ever dreamed of?" Barb was asking Poppy as she was being pulled by the trolls as she grunted trying to find a way to escape. She was captured in a cage and locked up as she could hear the trolls laugh. Barb had locked her up and there was nothing she could do or say to escape her locked prison. "I am not your best friend" said Poppy seriously after she realised that she was locked up for good. "You don't have to be embarrassed. I get it. Being queen can be kind of lonely" Barb walked to the said so she could get a better view of the crowd chanting her name "Barb! Barb! Barb! Barb! Barb!" Barb was no longer smiling as she looked at the crowd of faces. 

"There's all this pressure to be a great queen" Poppy was shocked hearing Barb say that. "And instead of real friends, you're just surrounded by people who just tell you what you want to hear" The only time Barb has ever been this open with her emotions before. So it came as a shock to her kingdom to hear her queen say something like that. Especially Val and Riff one of her best friends and right-hand man. "You know, other than your terrible taste in music and clothing and general lifestyle, you and me are the same, Popsqueak" she said trying to lighten up the mood. "Uh... No, we're not" said Poppy not believing a word that just came out of Barb's mouth. 

"We're both queens who just want to unite the world" said Barb as she walked away from Poppy. "You don't want to unite the world. You want to destroy it!" exclaimed Poppy angrily. "Nuh-uh. No way. No. I don't know who told you that" she said without a care in the world. She walked closer to the guitar that was behind held up by the trolls who captured Poppy and dragged her here. "Music has done nothing but divide us. Now that I have the final string, I can make us all one nation of Trolls, under rock" She took the string from the cuff she wore. And placed it inside the guitar as it went from pink to red just like the other strings did. 

The guitar began to float upwards from the case it was just in a few milliseconds ago. Barb grabbed the guitar and threw it upwards and as it came down it stopped in front of Barb merely floating.  Poppy was obviously concerned and asked "What are you gonna do?" she was worried about Barb and the plan she had cooking up in her head. "Play the ultimate power chord, and then..." but Barb stopped herself and chuckled "You'll see!" she said as the floor she stood on was actually a platform now going downwards away from Poppy. The thing Poppy was trapped in opened like a mouth as the trolls on the other side cheered as they saw their Queen in a new outfit as she held a microphone in her hand. 

"I'm done" said Chris as he threw a pile of paper to the ground. He looked so done with everyone's bs as he pulled on his hair. "I can't...I really can't" he mumbled as he threw his hands up. "I'm slowly losing it" he mumbled. "Maybe you're overthinking it?" said a classical troll concerned for Chris. "I overthink everything, it's what I do" said Chris as he stopped floating and landed on the ground with a small thump. He slouched a bit as he groaned trying to figure out a way as to how Barb changed so quickly. "Ouch!" said Chris as he heard his bones crack a bit from all the floating he's been doing. "That doesn't sound so well" said Smidge "Maybe you need to lay down" said Biggie trying to give Chris a solution. 

"I'm fine!" said as he gently moved his body a bit trying not to get a sudden cramp anywhere. But he still did right in his leg. "Ahhh! Bloody....!" He tried to muffle his screams of pain as he created a small portal and placed his head inside as he yelled out profanities. After two to three minutes he removed his head from the portal and started floating upwards again. "You don't look so well" said a Bergen. "You think?" said Chris sarcastically as his hair looked like a mess due to the portal he created. Not that his hair was neat, to begin with. He patted his hair down a bit hoping it'll stay down. But it seems not since it went upwards as if he was electrocuted by something. He managed to get a few trolls and Bergens to laugh as he tried so hard to keep his hair down. "Not funny" he said annoyed. 

"It's so stubborn!" he said trying his hardest to pat it down so it wouldn't bug him anymore. But no matter what he did it was probably worse looking than Clay's and that says a lot. "You know what...I'm keeping my hair like this" he said proudly but annoyed at the same time. "Is it because you can't afford a hairbrush?" mocked Barb. Chris glared at her and huffed. "I too can pay for a hairbrush...I just see no point in one...when I can just keep most of my hair like this anyway!" he exclaimed with zero confidence. 

Lava was rising upwards as Barb made her grand appearance on stage. Her kingdom cheering for her. Even one troll threw himself into the lava as he sang out "Queen Barb" as the spotlight was on him. "Doesn't that hurt?" asked Gristle but was ignored by the Hard Rock trolls. Seeing as they were all too impressed by his act to care. "Okay then" 

"So this ain't the end I saw you again today I had to turn my heart away " Her father King Thrash played a key and the lava went further upwards as the crowd roared with enthusiasm. Riff was playing on the drums then the spotlight went on the Pop trolls who quickly began to play as well trying not to blow their cover. "Smile like the sun Kisses for everyone And tales, it never fails" The crowd was really going at this point. Everything was going flawlessly nothing out of place just yet for Barb or her concert. "You're lying so low in the weeds I bet you gonna ambush me"  A troll who had a single tear yelled out "Rock on!" as his tear also looked dripped with rock attire. 

"You'd have me down, down, down, down Down on my knees" She went on her knees looking over at the Pop trolls undercover as she suspiciously looked at them as he sang her last verse. "Now, won't ya?" the music stopped and so did the cheers of the crowd. And everyone looked at the trolls as they stood there nervously not sure what to do next. Barb looked at them with a suspicious look on her face as if she almost got who they truly were. So Biggie yelled out loudly "Barracuda!" as he slammed the guitar to the ground. The crowd cheered loudly and Barb laughed as she said "Bam!"

Barb wanted to die from shame. It was obvious they weren't rock trolls...but she guessed that somewhere in future in her head it just didn't matter as much as the plan. But this mistake could cost them everything they worked so hard for. All of this would have been for nothing and she can't have that. 

King Peppy, Cooper, and Prince D could be seen going near the front stage worried. Two trolls holding guitars were near them so they couldn't do a single thing. Poppy, Viva, Queen Esscense, and King Quincy all looked terrified as they watched the scene play out. They had their families hostage and they couldn't do anything about it. So during the present time, all they could do was hug their family members hoping that nothing harmful would come to them. "It's alright, Poppy and Viva" said King Peppy as he hugged his daughters who were terrified but what was to come. "Come here, darling" Said Queen Essence as she hugged her sons tightly. "You'll be fine...right?" said Cooper. His mother only smiled and hugged him and his brother tightly as his father did the same. 

"Hey! Look, Daddy! I'm a rock star!" said Tiny as he was happily messing around with the few keys he had. Guy was merely looking at his son not saying much at all. "Uh, this is a little hot" said the troll who thought it would be a brilliant idea to throw himself into the hot lava. "How is he?" asked a Bergen confused about how the troll was still alive. "Who knows" said Chris annoyed with everything and mostly with their job. Barb threw the microphone into the crowd as they cheered for their queen. An electricity boom could be heard and seen as the guitar somehow made its way to Barb. The crowd was cheering loudly at the sight of what was to come. 

"Give it up for your former leaders" said Barb as the lights flashed on the 'former leaders' "Funk, Country, Techno, Classical..." They looked scared since none of them had a clue about what might happen to any of them. The crowd was booing at them and slowly Poppy could see the stage as she was rotated over to get a better look at what was yet to come for their fate. "...and worst of all, Pop" the light was now on Poppy as the booing continued. King Peppy was so worried for his daughter that he took a few steps closer. Barb pulled out her guitar pick from the cords and dramatically showed the crowd it. 

"Who wants to see what the ultimate power chord can do?" The was crowd cheering loudly as if telling her 'Yes! let's do it!' It showed the crowd and how trolls were cheering with a small trolling on a troll's hair and two other trolls on hair with one of them being knocked out. "Bloody hell doesn't someone know how to party" chuckled Chris. "No. No!" said Poppy worried about what might happen when Barb does. Seeing as Barb was pointing it at Poppy first. Poppy was worried as her friends and family hugged her tightly worried about what could happen to Poppy and the others yet to come. 

Barb was playing her rock riff as she chuckled until a grunt could be heard as a huge manual hit her in the face. Poppy was a bit confused by that sudden action. Barb threw the book of her face looking for whoever dared throw the book towards her way. She could see a hot air balloon coming her way. The balloon was coming closer to the stage and Branch jumped on the side part of the balloon as he said "Ha! I guess a giant comprehensive manual does come in handy" as he fixed the hat he was wearing. The K-pop group and Reggaeton trolls behind him. "Bitty B for the rescue, huh?" teased Bruce. Despite not liking the idea of his youngest brother going through danger like that. 

"Bla-dow! Just in time!" said Tiny to his father who was happy to see Branch save Poppy like that. "Branch!" Poppy exclaimed relieved to see one of her best friends coming to wreck the party for a good reason for once. All but one was happy to see Branch "Well, isn't that puke. Poppy's little boyfriend came to crash the concert" she said to the crowd not amused at all despite her tone and facial reactions. "Too late, Branch" she said pointing the guitar at Poppy "Wait!" he cried out but Barb didn't listen since she began to play the guitar.

The trolls and Bergens in the room gasped not just because Barb played the guitar and pointed it at Poppy but also because not even a second later Branch threw himself in front of the beam before it could hit Poppy. BroZone was shell-shocked as they watched the screen play out the scene. Branch himself was shocked by what he did in the future. Of course, he wanted everyone to be safe and not worry all that much but at the same time be serious and take processions but he never imagined himself doing something like that. 

"Branch!" Poppy cried out seeing Branch get hit right in front of her. His body was covered in an egg of sorts but it was mostly a rock. It was rather odd. Everyone was mostly quietly murmuring to themselves wondering what happened to the Pop troll who wrecked the party. Everyone was watching with content a bit of worry was in the air "No" Poppy had whispered when she had first seen the egg shape rock. Barb was smiling just a tiny bit as she noticed the rock cracking like a trolling egg would when they were ready to hatch. 

The rock egg fully hatched. The once Pop troll looked a bit more...rock? A little too much. But uh...he still looked a bit like his old self? Nah, he looked way too different to say they were the same troll. His hair was up in the front but the back was down like a mullet. Instead of his everyday leaf vest, he was now fully shirtless. Not that it would matter too much other than the fact he had tattoos on his body. At least he still had shorts on?

The room was silent. On one side of the room, they had no idea something as small as trolls could do such a crime of sorts. On the other side of the room and good majority of them were shell-shocked by all of this. How could Barb do something like that? They were terrified by what they now knew about the guitar and what the string could do if they fell into the wrong hands.

The self-proclaimed survivalist was having a panic attack as he watched the scene play out. His brothers were carefully trying to calm him down. "Hey...can you hear me, B?" said Bruce as he carefully rubbed his brother's hands as they shook in terror. His whole body was shaking in terror. And none of them knew what to do. Branch was always a small ball of anxiety even as a trolling but it never got this bad before. He normally would cling to someone and go full shy mode. He was like any other pop troll just a bit more cautious with life and a bit more anxious to try new things. But this took the cake for their baby brother. This is what? His third or fourth panic attack? It's been two days and so far this whole experience has been more troublesome than most experiences one has in a single life. Being shown their future was obviously something none of them expected or wanted. 

But Chris had said they would all be erased if they didn't react, and since Chris had shown a good amount of the powers they had. It didn't seem too far from the horrible truth that this may have happened to them all. Chris the entire time of these slight few minutes had a poker face with zero emotions. Not that they did show many emotions the entire time other than the over-the-top ones he enjoyed showing. He was dramatic and to him, this was a stage and they were the mere audience.  

"Branch" Poppy whispered as she saw what happened to Branch and his new transformation. Barb didn't know how to fully react just yet so she held a smile on her face but was not sure what to say or do until Branch exclaimed "Rock on!" and the crowd cheered knowing that whatever their queen did worked. "Oh, sick! Totally works" She was so glad that it had worked after all. And whenever trolls heard that line their hearts dropped to their stomachs.

"...you mean to tell me...he could have died" said Clay in pure terror "Our baby brother could have lost his life...due to that and..." he started to cry. Branch who was barely calmed down felt sick to his stomach. As John Dory despite his fear and anger hugged his youngest brother. He didn't let him go as he gently told him it was going to be okay. He and his other brothers held Branch close hoping that he knew that he was loved by all of them. "B...it's going to be okay...alright..." said John not fully sure what to say to his baby brother who was crying and panicking. Everyone was. None of them knew what to say or do as they reacted. How could they when they knew all of this could be their fate? It was sickening to watch. 

"Who's ready to get rippin' tattoos everywhere but our faces in case we still need office jobs?" yelled out Branch as the crowd could totally be heard cheering loudly. "You're turning everyone into rock zombies?" Poppy was so confused and scared as she had just witnessed her best friend turn into a rock zombie. And could have died if it didn't go well. It was worth freaking out and all. "Yep. I can't wait to party with you, Poppy" and Barb didn't even seem to care all that much about it. A troll came over to Barb with a cord to attach to Barb so she could be on one of those fish creatures of sorts. And she used it so she could fly mid-air and play the guitar. In theory, it was honestly really cool to think about and witness. But terrifying when you realise what the actual purpose for it. She played the guitar as she was travelling in the air and pointed the guitar toward the 'former leaders' of the other tribes. She first hit the Funk King and Queen as the twins witnessed and both of them were shocked to see their parents after the rock egg hatched. 

She did it to all the 'former leaders' all but Poppy but as everyone could witness what happened Poppy was trying to make her escape to stop Barb. "Rock and roll!" said Clampers as she was in her aunt's hair. She was so happy about what was going on all but Riff who moved his hat to see what Barb had done with the former leaders and the self-sacrificing Branch "Dude" he whispered. A door could be heard making a creaking sound as Barb looked up to see Poppy trying to escape. "Not so fast, Popsqueak" Poppy was not amused but Barb still looked over at Branch and said to him  "Hey, boy toy, it's mullet time" 

He looks over at Poppy and growls a bit. He grounded himself on the ground. And grunted with a small strain not fully used to the new body transformation just yet. But once he stretched his hair out he managed to capture Poppy. As Barb was playing a guitar riff as Poppy was captured in Branch's hair. Barb's guitar hit Poppy and she herself was inside of a rock egg also. She was doomed like the others and everyone except for some of the rock trolls gasped. It was odd knowing that this was most likely their fate. But they didn't wish to believe that either. 

And even if it could grasp on the slight bit of hope. It seems Chris was bored of watching the screen. As if he would rather watch anything else but the huge screen in front of all of them. Time was going back quickly. 3 days, 4 hours, 35 minutes, and 10 seconds could be read on the clock. 3 days they had three more days inside the room. Could Chris be planning on showing them a whole different life as all of them became rock zombies or could they be showing them a life outside of that outcome? They had no clue or much hope. But the hope they did have they truly wished that the best outcome would happen.  

Biggie, Cooper, Prince D, and King Peppy gasped as the fog cleared and saw what happened to Poppy. She was different than before. Her fully pink hair now had black in it. And her normal colourful attire was fully black and emo. "Who wants to party?! Without smiling" Poppy said after her transformation. And the crowd cheered happily as they smiled. Which got a tiny chuckle out of Chris due to irony. "Finish them off" said Barb as she threw the guitar towards Poppy who caught it. And began to play it after Barb pointed toward her father and her friends. She gladly played it as she was being a bit dramatic with it. But as she played the guitar she went from pointing towards her friends and father to pointing the guitar at Barb who was shocked. 

"What are you doing?" She was clearly confused by the sudden outcome. Poppy's eyes went from pitch red to her normal pink eyes. "You're supposed to be a rock zombie!" exclaimed Barb but Poppy explained how it worked. "Gumdrops. Soundproof and delicious" she said as she took out two gumdrops from her ears and ate them. "Ughhh..." said Branch as he looked away from the screen. He had stopped crying despite being hugged tightly by his older brothers who refused to let go of him. Poppy just laughed at the sight and his reaction. 

In the crowd, Hickory was standing next to his brother Dickory and said "She learned that from watching me" in his southern accent rather than German one. But back on the stage Poppy and Barb were having a bit of a fight. "Give me that!" exclaimed Barb but Poppy said, "I'm not gonna let you do this to anyone else!" She was pointing the guitar at Barb who was a bit taken aback by Poppy's words. "A world where everyone looks the same and sounds the same? That's not harmony" and on stage a bit further back another voice voiced out their concern. 

"Hey, Barb?" said Riff and then the spotlight was on him "Hi" he said with a small wave and smile on his face. "Maybe Queen Poppy has a point. If we all look the same, act the same, dress the same, how will anyone know we're cool or something?" he said voicing his concern about the whole thing. The crowd went from cheering to murmuring about how that was a good point that was just made by Riff. "A good queen listens" said Poppy as she looked over at Biggie who smiled at her. She looked back at Barb as they both circled each other for the guitar. Barb tried to jump for the guitar but Poppy ran with it "Real harmony takes lots of voices" she yelled out as she broke the guitar slamming it on the ground "Different voices!". A huge wave went through the sky as it sucked out all the colours from everyone. 

The string broke. The strings that brought their music together in the first place. The Pop trolls greed brought them apart. They made their own homes and never spoke to their other counterparts ever since that incident years ago. The strings that brought them together and ended everything all the same time were broken. They were barely glowing as they were in Poppy's now grey hands. Everyone was grey. No joy to be seen and no colours. Poppy didn't mean to break the strings but now that it happened she wasn't sure what to do or how to fix any of this. She didn't want this outcome. She just wanted to make sure no more rock zombies were created and fix everything. But now music was gone. And it was all her fault. 

Everyone who had turned grey went back to normal. The rock zombies went back to their everyday selves as if nothing happened. All but the grey fur that they now had to the destruction of the strings. They all looked gloomed as they saw the grey fur they now all had. No one said a word as Poppy held the strings in her hands. The strings were losing their colours but she didn't care since she noticed Branch. Branch was so confused about what happened to him as he swayed a bit as his head pounded as he looked at himself. He looked worse than before. But it wasn't odd at all to see the lack of colours on his fur. It was almost too normal. 

"Branch!" cried out Poppy as she ran to him. Barb said "No" looking at the strings she worked so hard to find and to lose them as quickly. The colour was fading on them completely as Barb ran to them and kneeled to hold them "My strings" as they fully dissolved in her hands. Poppy was making sure Branch was okay with little to no injuries possible. Until she looked over at Barb's direction and noticed she was quite upset with her and what she had done. 

Barb was panting in pure anger as she almost spat out "What have you done? You've destroyed music!" She accused Poppy of the crime she had committed. "Give it up, everybody. Thanks to the Queen of Pop, we've all lost our music" she said as if she had done nothing wrong herself minutes ago. No one had any comments to make seeing as they all had too many feelings and words stuck in their heads. No words can change this outcome for them. 

"History repeats itself. Pop has ruined everything" she said as she looked down as the crowd murmured slightly to themselves. 

"History repeats itself" Chris repeated the words in a slight mumble. "How fascinating" he said with a smile on his face. "You've all lost something deep inside of you and now you all look like a kicked puppy outside in the rain" said Chris as if he was amused. His feet didn't touch the ground as he was mere centimetres off the ground acting as if he was walking on the ground as he spoke. "You can't lose something that's inside of you" said Chris as he merely walked around as everyone watched not sure what to make out of this. Chris had made it clear already that they found this whole reaction thing and their reaction to be mere entertainment to them. Just like how he kept Chef and Creek on the ceiling to mess with them whenever he felt like it. His words were like water something you needed but took for granted of the moment you had it. Chris was likeable in the eyes of many in the room and the other few saw a distasteful look towards the demon. "Everything comes from the heart one way or another" he mumbled a bit as he flew near the ceiling to flick Creek on the forehead as he flinched slightly by the sudden touch. 

Everyone was quiet. Everything was quiet. No sounds. Nothing. Pure silence. No colour. No life. Nothing. All but two trolls it seems. And it all started with a single heart filled with pure love for a tint of pop. His heart could be seen off his fur and the few near him could see that. So he decided to share it with everyone. He picked up the microphone Barb threw a while ago. But now it felt like ages ago. He placed it near his heart which could be heard beating a tone. And every troll there could hear it. 

Prince D could see that and he began to beatbox to the beat. Their parents looked so proud too. "Those are my sons. Making music" said Queen Essence as she watched. The heartbeat could be heard and the beatboxing continued. Delta noticed a yellow heart on her belt and she began to clap and tap to the rhythm. As she did this some yellow hearts behind her could be seen lighting up. And with this trolls were smiling and joining in as the chattering around them became louder and more excited to join. 

Soon the audience and crowd had hearts of all colours. Pink, purple, yellow, green, blue, and red. The music stopped for a bit and Queen Essence spoke out to everyone "Queen Barb can't take away something that is inside us. Because that's where music really comes from" Barb took a second to listen to what she had to say. "It started with the strings, but now it comes from us" said King Quincy joining in after his wife. 

The Techno trolls were vocalizing melodically with their voices. And everyone on the stage looked to see their glowing hearts filled with life. "Yeah, it comes from our experiences" said King Trollex "Our lives" said Delta joining in "Our culture" and back to Queen Essence. "Beautiful" laughed Trollzart. "Listen to that. Barb can't take that away" said Poppy as she felt her heart. The crowd was getting louder as they vocalized together as a whole. It was a beautiful sight to see once and for all. But Barb still didn't seem to get it. But then it suddenly stopped. Seeing as Queen Essence was giving the stage to Poppy. 

"Let me hear you sing" The sun was coming up and the world felt less dark again. "Sing it together Louder than ever" The crowd was so happy to see the Queen of Pop singing. The trolls were all in one place. "Forget everything" Suddenly Branch joined in with Poppy "Just sing Like it's what we've been missing And they're gonna listen, listen" Branch was near Poppy as the two were the only ones singing at the moment "Forget everything Just sing" but after that verse, their colours returned again despite Branch still being a bit muted on the colours. 

Barb heard her father's wheelchair coming closer and she turned around and said "Dad?" clearly confused about what her dad had planned "It's all right, Barbara. Just let everyone be what they want to be. Including you" he said as he played a soft melody of his own as his colours returned. With Debbie next to him softly growled to her owner. 

"You think you've gotta hide it Don't keep it on the shelf" sang Poppy as the funk royal family walked near her as they swayed their hips and a bit to the melody of the music. "Let your waist start moving Watch the way I do it, do it"  She sang as she also swayed her waist around like the funk family and then began to excitedly jump around. "See me do it like nobody else" Soon Queen Essence sang as she and her family gained back their own colours again. "If we sing it all together" and Prince Darnell and Branch sang together "If we sing it all as one" and it want back again "It's louder than yourself" Darnell and Branch were both happily singing with each other despite the different music genres. "All together, everyone" and panelled to Queen Essence who was singing as her son came over to her and sang also. 

 "Everybody's looking Sing it loud now Watch the way we do it Hold up, watch out how I do it Do it" After that everyone joined in. "'Cause we do it like nobody else" sang Delta, Poppy, and Queen Essence. "Let me hear you sing Don't you stop it, don't you fight it" sang a group of them as King Trollex and his green little buddy happily floated around as the group sang. And joined in for a bit too. "Let me hear you sing If you got it, can't deny it" King Trollex went to the side they continued as it showed Biggie and Legsly singing together as friends. "Let me hear you It's waiting for you" It also showed the young rock trolling from before and Tiny being good friends with each other now. 

"Already you know That you do it like nobody else" Poppy could be seen running closer to the leaders as they sang "Just sing Sing it together" and with that, everyone gained back their colours again. Well, almost every troll did. "Louder than ever, ever Forget everything, just sing" Barb looked around still in the dark of everything as she refused slightly to accept this full outcome yet. The trolls were jumping around with different troll tribes as they danced and sang together. "Like it's what we've been missing And they're gonna listen, listen" Tiny pointed at his father as he said  "Come on, Daddy! Just sing!" he said as he jumped in his hands "Forget everything" was sung as Tiny said that to his father. "Let me hear you"

(Let me tell you. As much as I fucking love this song. I can't finish the whole thing. Sorry folks). 

Barb had regained her colours after Poppy threw the guitar her way and began to sing also and play it. As this happened her mohawk grew longer and more colourful and bright. Poppy herself got a new fit and a bit of a brighter colour pallet not that she fully needed it though. The lava also became a rainbow. The crowd was cheering so loudly and brightly after the end of the song that rock, funk, and pop trolls hugged and the rock troll said "I love you guys" as they hugged. 

"How sweet...and colourful like... never mind" said Chris as they finally noticed how bright and colourful the trolls became again. Not that it mattered since it seemed they all got along again. Like nothing bad happened to them and Chris wanted to keep it like that for a bit. Barb and Poppy sat together at one point and were talking to each other. Branch and his brothers were teasing him and looked like Branch actually acknowledged them for once. Everything was going well for now. 

Poppy helped her father up as she began to speak with him as she said "Dad, I should've listened to what you had to say and not run off like that" but her father stopped her "I'm so glad you didn't listen to me. You weren't naive about this world. You were brave enough to believe things can change" he said and Poppy smiled at him. "Braver than me" Those words echoed in one troll's mind. 'Braver than me' a bitter-sweet smile on her face as Viva hugged her father. Her younger sister was braver than both of them. It was refreshing to see but also hurt and scared her. "I raised Poppy to be strong and self-confident. I was a genius" He threw his cane away and in the background, it hopped away. He twisted his moustache before running toward the crowd so he could crowd surfing. "Ha! Ha! Yeah!" and the crowd carried him as they cheered. 

Poppy walked over to Barb and said to her "Well, now that you're not forcing me, I hope we can be friends" and Barb was so glad to hear that. "Yes!" and began to hug Poppy tightly then called out to Carol and yelled out "Did you hear that, Carol? We have a girl group now!" For once Carol threw her can of cheese and said "A girl group? Nice!" as she threw it Chaz was playing smooth jazz but the can landed inside of his saxophone. As the jazz music stopped and cheese went inside his nose and ears. 

"Is he okay?" asked Bridget concerned. Chris just shrugged it off "Meh" he said with a small chuckle not caring much. "Isn't this part of your job?" asked Gristle. "Pfft" scoffed Chris "By the end of this I won't have a job" laughed Chris. "..." 

"Yeah! Carol!" laughed Barb as she let go of Poppy so she could breathe again "She's psyched" she said before leaving Poppy with Branch. "Branch, I love that we're different" she said to Branch as he made his way towards Poppy. "And I love you, Queen Poppy" he said as Poppy smiled and said "I love you, too, Branch" as they both said their lines everyone began to make teasing comments towards both trolls. Which made both of them blush like madmen. "It seems someone's in love~" teased Clay as he nudged Branch slightly. "Shut up" he groaned as he slid off the couch. His brothers just laughed. As for Poppy, she was being teased also. "So you and boy toy, huh?" said Barb before Poppy gave her a small glare of her own. 

Branch put out his hand and said to Poppy "Shall we?" and Poppy ran to the side as she got ready for the best high five ever. And she ran to Branch full speed as a rainbow could be seen and glitter flying out everywhere. "Yeah!" Branch whoops "Yes! Now, that's a good connection! said Poppy as Branch laughed at her comment. The crowd could be seen as they watched both Pop trolls together on stage. 

"In the beginning, we were divided" said Poppy and then it showed the scrapbook from before "Our ancestors thought we were just too different to get along. It turns out they were wrong. Very, very wrong" she said as the scrapbook ancestor trolls merely blink but then the pop ancestor troll said "We're sorry" as the other ones look at them. The page turned and more colourful trolls stood together. "You have to be able to listen to other voices, even when they don't agree with you" The trolls in the scrapbook hugged each other tightly and the sun behind them gave themselves a high five. "They make us stronger, more creative, more inspired" It showed the page filled up with different trolls they meet along the way. "So whether your song is sad and heartfelt, loud and defiant, or warm and funky, or even if you're a little bit of each, it's all these sounds and all our differences that make the world a richer place" then the page panelled to Poppy and Branch holding hands. But as she kept talking the scrapbook closed and it showed Poppy and Branch talking to a class of trolling.

"Because you can't harmonize alone" said Poppy as she held Branch's hand. They smiled as they looked at each other until they heard Clampers laughing and her chomping on something. Which was none other than the scrapbook Poppy was just reading. Which got the trolls to laugh at the sight. "Clampers! Let's not eat our history" said Poppy as she managed to get the trolling to let go of the scrapbook. "Sorry, Miss Poppy" said Clampers before eating the Poppy scrapbook cut out that she managed to rip out. 

A beeping could be heard as they all saw Tiny coming in with a small truck of his own. "Yeah, oh, yeah, oh, yeah, oh, yeah" he said as he went in reverse he jumped out of it and said "Excuse me. I'm done with my nap and I'm ready to party!" he said as the back let out a load of glitter "Glitter!" Guy laughed as he watched the screen "Now that's my son!" he laughed.

And with that, the screen went pitch black. The clock then said as it read "3 days, 24 hours, 60 minutes, and 60 seconds" which caused Chris to laugh as he was now on the front stage. "I'll be giving you guys a good long 20-minute stretch and break!" said Chris on his microphone not that he really needed it though. He smiled as he watched the Bergens and trolls get up to stretch and talk to each other. "So Chris" said Poppy who was standing near the stage now. Which Chris jumped off of. "How may I help you?" said Chris as he picked up Poppy gently off the ground. "What do you plan on showing us next?" asked Poppy  "Well, Poppy...I've been thinking of giving you all a bit of a break again from longer stuff and go with something short and simple" he said. "And that is?" said Branch as he crossed his arms and glared at Chris. 

"I'm feeling festive still...So another more festive holiday!" said Chris as he was wearing more festive clothing. He was now wearing long formal pants, a bright red vest suit, a black button-up, a small pin, and a top hat with festive pins. "Ooo, nice fit" said Clay with a laugh. Chris laughed and said "Thank you, kind sir" as he placed Poppy down. And looked at his watch. He smiled and yelled out "Okay everyone! Let's get this show going!" which got everyone to sit back down. 

"Let's get our holiday spirit in full drive!" 

Chapter Text

A small piece of water paper was taped on a hard wooden table as a bright glow illuminated them. More than five different sizes and types of monitors were on the walls and desk of a small dark room. A small creak of a black leather office chair could be heard echoing as the person who sat on it gently rocked in it. A small plop of the cherry-flavoured lolli escaped from his mouth as black silk gloves removed it from his mouth and gently held it for view. His eyes looked down at the same note taped on the table that was not there when he entered the room. "Hmm?" he gently questioned as he placed the lolli back into his mouth and picked up the taped paper.

"What could this be?" he questioned as he saw the paper had writing on it. The paper was slightly torn and had a few burns in it. It was obvious though that whoever placed it on his desk had done that purposely. He could see a few smudge fingerprints. "Who the frick writes in red pen?" he questioned as he saw the entire bits of writing were written in red pen and horrible handwriting. Almost as if they had asked a pre-schooler to write it after a week of learning how to write the alphabet. The bright monitors didn't help either. 

"Dear Christopher, 

It is I, your real-life counterpart. I have written to inform you that it's been 4 months and 4 days since you last released a chapter of 'The Past or the Future?' I have also been informed that you no longer have excuses not to write this chapter seeing as you've been out on summer break for almost three weeks now. This means you should all the time of the world to release a new chapter of 'The Past or the Future?' by the end of this week to the beginning of next week. I'd love to read the next chapter by either the end of the week or the beginning of next week. 

From ?"

As Chris read the note he was a bit shocked that it had been 4 months and 4 days since he'd last released a chapter. "Geez...I should really stop putting things on for the last second" he mumbled to himself. But as he realised that he also realised he had kidnapped er...friendly allowed the Trolls and Bergens to stay in his reaction room for four months. I mean it wasn't that bad...it's not like they needed to sleep, eat, or use the restroom as long as they stayed in that room. He couldn't say the same the moment they leave the room though. Yeah, this didn't sound good no matter how much he thought about this. And he needed to fix this soon. 

And the only way Chris could fix this without making himself look like an asshole was by releasing a chapter soon! Which is exactly what he would do! Even if it killed him!....mentally not physically. Seeing as all his excuses were out of the window other than him being lazy and not wanting to do crap. So here he was in a deep hole that he created himself all because he was too lazy to release a fricking chapter already. Which he'll be doing soon...he just needs a new site to do so.

"Where the hell am I going to find that?" 

Chapter Text

Chris was not joking in the slightest when he said he was in a festive mood. Maybe it was due to him being locked up for so long that he was losing it. And it had to do with the fact he gently rocking back and forth singing festive music all of kind as he cried gently, which got all trolls and Bergens concerned for his mental health. 

He kept humming and singing slightly as he gripped his hair. Which really scared Chef and Creek seeing as he stood so close to them as he did this action over and over again. "Chris..." said Poppy concerned. This quickly got his attention as he snapped his head towards her. "Mhm?" He made a sound of acknowledgement towards Poppy. 

"Are you...okay?" She asked "I'm fine!" He exclaimed as he held a smile on his face as it looked so strained. So he quickly dropped it and allowed the television to turn on as he looked at the clock on the wall. 3 days, 24 hours, 20 minutes, and 40 seconds. "Well...bloody hell. It's been 20 minutes of me slowly breaking down..." he whispered to no one. 

"Time a movin'" he 'smiled' as he said that. And then allowed the show to begin despite the trolls and Bergens being heavily worried about him. “Are you-“ but Chris cut them off. “I’m fine! Why wouldn’t I be fine?!” Exclaimed Chris as he gripped his hair tightly and began to pull it until a bit of his hair was now pulled out. 

Which was noticeable due to the electrical-looking hair he had going on for himself. So he looked very interesting at the moment. All nicely dressed but so out of it that he looked like he was placed on an electric chair and somehow survived. So for better words, Chris looked and sounded horrible. 

“At least we have 3 more days?” Said Synth trying to lighten up something in Chris. “…” Chris went very quiet. So sick of this entire routine these past few days he merely played the next video for them to watch. “…” 

“Not the best choice of words” said Branch to Synth and he merely nodded. "Oh...uh-I'm just going to give a warning...best not to look at the screen until I say so..." mumbled Chris. "How come?" asked Poppy confused. "You all will see something you wished you hadn't unless you're a perv" said Chris. "..." It didn't take long to understand what Chris meant by that. So they all did what he said and looked away from the screen. As for Chris who had a blindfold on and then the show actually began. 

(I had no clue that the beginning of this film started like that...and I'm mortified). 

Branch slid in on the screen...nude as the day he was born. Not a sight most wish to see. Lucky for them they all had their eyes closed because no offense to Branch but not everyone wanted to see a globe and moon on his end. In his hand instead of pants...he had his leaf vest. Which was clothing but not the type most would rather prefer to be on your body covering a few better parts. He placed one hole of the vest on his arms and then the other. Like how most trollings are taught when they're young. He then finally put on some pants! Which in the end did have his ass move the slightest bit but we're not going to talk about that. 

"You can open your eyes now" said Chris who was still wearing a blindfold. "How come you're still wearing a blindfold then?" asked Smidge "...because I can't take this job flipping anymore" said Chris as he smiled with a strain on his face. "..." 

Branch could be shown getting ready for some big event going on. He was seen fixing his hair and wearing a bowtie making sure it was perfectly straight on. "Is that really necessary Branch?" asked Poppy. Branch answered with an eye roll and scoff "Of course it is. It'll annoy me for the rest of my life if it wasn't" he said annoyed with her. His bunker's mat opened up as Branch was on the lift bringing him up to the surface. He placed his earmuffs on and said "'Tis the season" he said as he had flowers in his hands. "You trolls were not kidding when you said you celebrated almost every day" mumbled Gristle. "Ow!" he yelped as Bridget gently hit him. "Be nice" she whispered. 

A hot air balloon from the last reaction was shown flying in the air as it came down closer to where Branch stood. Poppy on the slight edge of the hot air balloon ready to grab Branch. "And, got ya!" She took ahold of Branch and he entered the hot air balloon. The balloon said loudly "Buckle up, kids!" as she flew in the air going upwards. Branch was still looking like a million bucks as he wore a fancy tie and clothes with flowers behind his back away from Poppy's sight. "Hey, love the bow tie" said Poppy as she pointed out the bow tie as she moved it around a bit. 

"At least she saw the bow tie" mumbled a rock troll with a snicker which got an annoyed huff from Branch. "Well, you know, it is the holiday season. Which is why I brought you these" said Branch, he held out the flowers for Poppy to see. She was so happy to see that Branch got her some flowers that she grabbed hold of them and said "Mitten-Settas! My favorite" as she smelled them but then began to sneeze. She then brought up the fact that "It's too bad I'm allergic" she said as she still held the flowers in her hands. She sneezed again as the petals were now all over Branch's face and on him. "Yeah. Too bad"

"You think as her boyfriend you would know that" said a country troll. Branch grumbled annoyed by their words and scoffed at the end. "And we're done with that" he said as he threw the flowers seeing as Poppy wouldn't stop sneezing all over time. He removed the petals off his face and said "Yuck!" knowing some got into his mouth and were covering his face with her snot and stuff on them. He looked behind where Poppy stood and noticed something odd and said "Poppy, I know we're going on a picnic, but do we really need this much food?" he asked clearly confused. "A picnic? Is that why he's nicely dressed" asked a Pop troll still surprised Branch would be dressed half as good as he was on screen.

"A picnic date how romantic" teased Clay and Bruce snickered which got an annoyed glare from Branch. "Hey, no need to feel embarrassed I remember when I was your age and went out on cheesy picnic dates" he responded. He got a facepalm and deadpan looks from both John Dory and Floyd for his stupid response.

"It's not food" She picked up the picnic basket off the ground and explained "They're invitations that we're going to deliver for the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift-Swap!" she exclaimed as she showed a card to Branch despite his obviously clueless face. "You Popstar I would be annoyed if I knew my partner changed plans on me like that or if anyone did that" said Chris as he floated upside down hoping if he stayed like this long enough the blood from his body would kill him. "You get used to it after a while" answered Smidge which made Poppy feel embarrassed knowing all of Pop village agreed with Smidge's comment. 

"First Annual what? What happened to the whole "balloon ride over Trolls Kingdom hang-out" kinda thing?" asked Branch clearly not liking the whole changing of plans idea. "Branch, We're still doing that. We're just multitasking" answered Poppy as she began to walk over to Branch, he crossed his arms and smiled at her "Multitasking, right" he answered with a smug look on his face. "All right, here's the deal. I put a name inside each invitation" Poppy began to explain the whole purpose of the invitations. "Uh-huh" said Branch making sure Poppy knew he was listening to her words. "Whoever gets your name is your secret person" She showed the inside of the card and the card Poppy had said Cooper's name on the slip. "Ooh!" said Branch as he tried to reach but Poppy stopped him and said "Ah, ah!" as he slapped his hand gently.

"Secret. Then in three days, we all meet back in Pop Village and let the gift giving commence!" she said as she put Cooper's slip card back with the others. She was obviously excited since she jumped and yelled out the last part. "You on board, Branchifer?" she asked and Branch not fully sure yet said "No" but was thrown a basket with cards towards him by Poppy. "That's what I like to hear! Now, help me dump these overboard" She had two baskets in hand. 

"Like a fool, I went and stayed too long" sang Poppy "Will every reaction have singing?" asked a bergen as they were a bit sick of all the singing. "Honestly speaking these songs are the only reason why I'm still kicking" mumbled Chris. "Alrighty then" the bergen mumbled a bit concerned. "Now I'm wondering if your love's still strong" sang Branch as he was twirled around by Poppy. Branch could tell his face was burning from how badly he was blushing and the teasing looks from his brothers. "Ooh, baby, here I am Signed, sealed, delivered I'm yours" they both sang as they threw the first basket of invitations off the edge of the hot air balloon. 

It panelled over to the classical trolls, who were ready to eat seeing as a classical troll showed up with a golden platter covered up and then the conductor opened it up with his baton. But instead of food being inside of the covered-up platter it was a bunch of invitations that flew into the air. "Then that time I went and said goodbye Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry" The invitations were happily accepted by the classical trolls as they opened them up to read them. All except one of them who used their knife to cut the invitation to eat it. 

"..." The classical trolls were slightly concerned for their well-being as they watched one of their kind eat the glittery invite. "I've unfortunately seen worse" mumbled Branch as he looked away from the screen in disgust. "Ooh, baby, here I am Signed, sealed, delivered I'm yours" Branch was singing as he and Poppy held a basket that they tied with rope and at the bottom of the basket was an anchor so they could throw it into the water so the Techno trolls could receive it. But the rope was too long and it got caught onto Branch's leg as he threw it. 

Poppy was concerned about Branch until she smiled realising he was fine knowing he safely landed into the water. BroZone was a bit concerned seeing as most bad things always seemed to happen to Branch. And it was a bit worrying seeing no one truly care about his overall safety. Not even himself.  Seeing as Branch just merely smiled as he landed in the water noticing King Trollex in the water swimming toward a pillar with lights with the missing bulb to light up the whole thing. He opened the basket that released the invites to all the Techno trolls. 

"I have many questions" said Chris as he looked ready to lose it. "First of all, how the bloody hell is he breathing? Second, how are the lights glowing underwater? Third, how did the invites stay dry?" asked Chris. The techno trolls had no way to answer any of his questions since Synth merely awkwardly laughed and looked away not sure what to say. None of the techno trolls said anything to answer Chris's questions. 

It panelled to two country trolls looking ready to kiss under the mistletoe but were stopped by an invite coming between them. It showed Delta building a 'snowman' out of tumbleweeds. That was supposed to look like her. She and the other two trolls with her grabbed the invites as she celebrated a bit after looking through it. Even the tumbleweed 'snowman' was happy after getting an invite. "As much as I hate snow I would hate living in a desert also" said Gristle. "It's not all that bad sugar, you'll get used to it" said Holly as she giggled. 

It showed the Rock trolls ready to take a picture with Queen Barb, King Thrash, and Val posing. "I've done a lot of foolish things" sang Barb and they did rock signs with their hands. All except King Thrash as he accidentally pointed out the middle finger. "That I really didn't mean" That's when they noticed what sign King Thrash did. All were shocked until a pile of invites landed on them into a pile. And the picture was taken only showing their hands.

"I thought this was supposed to be family friendly" said John Dory as he covered Branch's eyes. Who was annoyed by his eldest brother's antics but he knew that any of the others would have done the same. "Uh...I never said that" scoffed Chris as he looked away red in the face seeing as how embarrassed he was that he had to censor such a thing. 

Pop village was the last place that received their invitations. They happily collected them. It panelled over to Guy Diamond and Tiny Diamond on the palm of his hand. “Party time!” Said Cloud Guy. ”Ooh! Invitations!" said Guy with his auto-toned voice.As for Tiny he seemed pumped by the invitations so he quickly jumped off his father’s hand and made his way to the crowd. "Me next, me next! I want one! Give me one!” He yelled out as he pushed trolls to the side despite his small size. “Don't push, son! Be polite!” Yelled out Guy as he watched his son pushing trolls so he could make his way closer to where the invites were being thrown. 

“The kids a menace” mumbled a Bergen. “Oh, my” said Guy a bit ashamed about how bad he was doing at parenting. “Don’t worry Guy, I’m sure you’re an amazing parent” reassured Biggie. Chris snickered “If it makes you feel better most demon parents leave their kids at the age of four” said Chris. 

“Isn’t that a bit much?” said Spruce concerned. “I guess that’s something brothers do here too” mumbled Branch as he looked away annoyed. The brothers cringed slightly as none of them knew what to say. "Maybe...I should have kept my mouth shut" mumbled Chris as he put a lolly into his mouth. "You think?" said Clay as he also wondered where Chris kept getting all those items. 

Tiny ran near Legsly and shook the anklet and nicely asked "Excuse me. Little bit of help, please?" Legsly bent down slightly and said "Come on, Tiny! Going up!" She picked him up and they went up higher so he could grab an invite card that were in the air. "Oh, yeah" he exclaimed, and once high up he looked around trying to grab the best card out of all of them. And once he picked one he opened it and removed the slip to see his father's name on it. "Oh, I got my daddy! I know the perfect gift. A holiday rhyme!" 

"Aw, how sweet" exclaimed Poppy "I can't wait to hear his rhyme" said Guy as some music began to play and his rhyme began. "It's the holiday season Okay" he seemed pretty pumped with flow and everything "That special time of year Poppy's rolling out the gifts and she's bringin' lots of cheer" 

"My gift is for my daddy None other than Guy Diamond Gonna give him somethin' special that'll really blow his mimond" But the music quickly came to a stop. "Mimond? Hold up. Is that even a word?" he asked confused as to why he would even think of saying something like that.

"Not a word" said Branch "How would you know? Read a dictionary before all of this?" Teased John Dory, but Branch with the confidence of Hercules proudly said "Yes, Yes I have, I've read it not once or twice but thrice" A small snort came out of Spruce as he said "Thrice? Really, B?" Branch looked mildly offended. "Yes, Really" he said as he looked away with a tiny huff. 

"I can't think of a rhyme. What's happenin' to me?" Tiny was worried about his rhymes not working for him at the moment. "Sounds like you lost your flow" said Legsly "I've lost my flow?" Tiny said "What am I gonna do for my dad's holiday gift if I can't rhyme?" he asked Legsly not sure what to do. He couldn't rhyme unless he had his flow back. "You know, you should see my friend Rhyme-a-Saurus. He'll help you get your flow back" said Legsly hoping that this would help Tiny get his flow back. "Of course! Good lookin' out, Legsly" said Tiny as Legsly was placing him down so he can embark on his new journey on getting his flow back. "And to you, Tiny Baby Sir" said Legsly. 

"Oh, wait. We almost forgot to grab our own invitations" Back on the ground Poppy had realised neither of them had grabbed an invitation for themselves. "Oh, man. Gift-swaps are so my jam" said Poppy excited to see who she'll receive for this year's amazingly fun gift swap with the entire Trollstopia "Yeah, you do give the best gifts. It's super intimidating" said Branch a bit intimidated by Poppy and always finding something for others. 

"Normally, I wouldn't care less about what you see but I wanna just quickly-" said Chris as he snapped his fingers and Poppy and Branch had blindfolds on and couldn't see the screen. "Oh!" exclaimed Poppy "What the-" started Branch "I wanna keep it a surprise dummies, Tiny receiving who he has isn't much of a huge deal to me since you know...yet to be born and all" said Chris as the screen to play who they had received. "Ooo! I love surprises" exclaimed Poppy as she also covered her ears to make sure she really didn't know who she received. "Just remember the ones who can see, don't ruin this surprise or you'll be considered a buzzkill in my fun" deadpanned Chris as a few gasped being considered a buzzkill could be in some sort of crime amongst fun. Especially, surprises. 

The screen showed Poppy opening her invitation up and the slip read none other than Branch himself. She gasped in delight and as for Branch he let out an "Oh, no" when he noticed he had received none other than his own girlfriend, Poppy. A few trolls let out small gasps of delight as for Branch's brothers merely laughed. "I can't say I'm surprised" said Spruce "Why did I have a feeling that would happen?" said a Bergen. 

It finally showed Poppy looking closely at her slip as she closed the actual invitation and said out loud "Oh, interesting" and Branch let out "Cool" "Cool" repeated Poppy as she anxiously looked at her slip as Branch nervously chuckled "Yeah, totally. So cool. Well... Totally cool" Branch had mumbled the last part as he looked at his slip again to make sure he was 100% sure he read it correctly. "Oh my stars, they're both such fricken dorks" snorted Chris.

"Bro bro gets his totally cute skills from me" said John Dory "Uh, yeah right, he gets them from-" began Clay but Spruced cut him and said "Me!" then the three brothers began to fight about this as Floyd facepalmed as he held Branch who was still blindfolded and confused about what was going on. "Ignore them Branch" Floyd said as he rolled his eyes at his three older brothers. "Uh...what?" said Branch confused. The trolls and Bergens merely watched the ex-popstar elder brothers having a petty fight about how their youngest brother got whoms skills. "Dude, this way more entertaining" said a rock troll. Chris looked over at them and deadpanned at them. 

"Better get to work on a present for whoever this is" said Poppy as she put the slip back into the invitation card as Branch smiled at her and replied with "Yeah, yeah, same here. Gotta take care of this... This person's gift" he said as his invitation was trying to fall from his hands as Poppy was walking away from Branch to begin her own gift for Branch. "Okay, catch up with you..." said Poppy as they both went opposite directions from each other. As Branch left her wasn't sure what he was going to gift Poppy and it could be read on his face as if he had printed it straight on his forehead. 

"Dorks" snorted Chris "Can't say I blame them either I wouldn't be able to find a gift for someone like that either" said a funk troll. Chris snapped his fingers and the blindfolds were removed from Poppy and Branch's eyes. "You can remove your hands from your ears" said Viva to Poppy as she quickly opened her eyes and exclaimed "I can't wait to find out who my gift swap buddy is!" as Branch groaned and rolled his eyes as he could hear Poppy's loud exclaim. 

Somewhere near a swamp stood Tiny Diamond as he read a sign that he was close to. "Rhyme-a-Saurus swamp. "No need to be nervous. Read sign out loud to fetch my service." he read out loudly to no one but himself. "Okay, well. I just did that... Oh! What the..." The ground began to shake as something was coming out the water. Guy Diamond was freaking out scared something would happen to his future baby boy.

"Hey, Guy, don't worry I'm sure Tiny will be fine" reassured Poppy as she hugged Guy Diamond who really needed a hug right about now. "Thanks, Poppy" he whispered as he hugged her back despite the fear in his voice still being present. 

Out from the water a large Rhyme-a -Saurus came out of the water. "Uh- What's that?" Asked a Rock troll clearly never seeing something like that before until now. "Who knows what that is and cares because that is so rock" exclaimed another rock troll. And suddenly they all agreed with their statement even a few other trolls from other tribes agreed. The Rhyme-a-saurus had a dinosaur's body and a book's face. It was fricking odd, to say the least, but at this point, everyone has seen weirder or close to something like that of sorts already. 

"Hey, there, little friend. You seem like you're not okay. I hope that I can help you rhyme and have you on your way" said the Rhyme-a-Saurus after seeing Tiny Diamond "I'm looking for a word that rhymes with "diamond," so I can finish my rap and get my flow back. Got any suggestions?" Explained Tiny as he tried to get some suggestions so he could go back home and rap his song to his father. "Uh, let me give that one a think. Consult the page, review the ink" said the Rhyme-a-saurus as he opened the book after listening to Tiny's request. 

"Hmm... Diamond...'Almond... Science... Climate'" he reviewed the pages looking for the best fit for Tiny until he managed to land on "Climate! Yes, climate is the best I could find. Give that a shot, if you don't mind" he said to Tiny after believing the word Climate can help Tiny out for his rap. "Uh... Okay" after Tiny said that music and lights began to play and show up as Tiny's rap was about to begin as he danced a bit. But it seems the Rhyme-a-saurus had no clue what was happening and how the music and lights suddenly appeared. 

"I don't blame him for acting shocked that's how it feels like when they suddenly begin to sing and dance" said a Bergen. "Yeah, it's always a mystery how they all know the dance moves and songs before they play out" said another Bergen. And as the trolls sat there and listened they began to wonder how unnormal they were to other creatures at times. 

"It's the holiday, holiday season" Tiny was singing as he suddenly jumped on a line of ornaments and then jumped two where a bunch of gifts were nicely wrapped and sung "Gotta give my dad somethin' that is pleasin'" it showed Tiny then on the shoulder of Santa Clause before jumping to another scene of him on top of speakers and Guy Diamond in the background. "He's a special man A real, real special man" Tiny suddenly spawned a diamond in his hand as it spun on his finger "That's why I wanna give him everything that I can" It then showed the scene of him on top of a sticker saying 'Hello my name is Guy Diamond' which the Guy Diamond part was written and then to the side of his name was a tiny drawing of Guy. "He's my homie His name is Guy Diamond" He used his hands to make it look like he changed the scene to him standing in front of speakers as he said his last final lines. 

"Wanna give him something special that'll really blow his climate" By the end of the song he was in front of a weather chart pretty much just saying how nice the weather will be in the upcoming days. "Climate? No, I'm not feelin' that" But after the words came out his mouth he really wasn't feeling it either. "I mean at least he tried" said a classical troll. "It rhymed... just not the way he wanted it to" mumbled Prince D as he watched how grime and annoyed Tiny was after his song ended. How his flow still wasn't coming along. 

"Right. Well, then. Travel by land and sail the mighty seas. You need to consult with the great Wind-Breeze" said the Ryhme-a-Saurus after hearing Tiny complain how it still wasn't right. "Wind-Breeze? Okay, well, how do I find her?" questioned Tiny hoping to still find the perfect rhyme for his father. "Uh, she's right there" he pointed to a cave with crystals on top and the Wind-Breeze inside saying "Hello!" as she waved to Tiny Diamond. 

"I don't how to feel about all of this" said Guy Diamond as he watched his future son so far from Pop Village. "Come on Guy he'll be fine" said Biggie as he hugged his friend who looked a matter of seconds away from a panic attack from the stress of seeing his son so far from home. At this rate he was sorten that he would have to glue that kid onto him so he wouldn't run away like that. But at the same time, he wanted to give his son freedom. Partnering was confusing as hell.  

Back in Trollstopia, all types of trolls were planning for the biggest gift exchange ever to happen in the history of gift exchanges. It showed trolls running around with wrapping papers debating what to pick and what not to pick. Riff was sitting on the ground with a box in front of him and the same ugly sweater in both his hands and he debated which one to give to his gift exchange buddy. And suddenly the Queen of Pop herself popped out of nowhere and said "Definitely go with that one" She said towards the right one. "Oh, yeah, duh. You're a lifesaver, Poppy" he said as he threw into the box as he thanked Poppy. 

Barb looked at her right-hand man and gave him a deadpan expression. "Dude, they were both the same sweater" she said not understanding how difficult that was to understand. "You can always use a second opinion" said a funk troll. As Barb and Branch facepalmed after hearing that. "What's the point of this again?" he said as he looked over at Chris who was back to eating an even bigger tub of mint chocolate ice cream than the last one. "To be honest...I have no clue" he said as he ate the icy cold goodness. 

It shows King Trollex trying to place a huge comb inside a tiny box as he grunts out "It won't fit" but Poppy manages to pop out of it. He was pretty annoyed about how the comb wouldn't fit and Poppy suddenly had an idea. "Hmm... Oh!" She turned the box and it showed how big the box really was. If King Trollex wasn't embarrassed watching the screen he diffently was now. "It's a holiday miracle!" he exclaimed which was the cherry on top since a bunch of different trolls laughed. "It's alright bro, it happens to the best of us" said Synth trying to comfort Trollex from how embarrassed he was despite Synth sitting far from him. He still managed to cheer him up from his embarrassment. 

A small Rock Trolling was pushing a wagon that Cloud Guy was sitting on as Poppy showed up and said to the two of them "Peppermint Troll-caccino?" which they both grabbed and Cloud Guy said "You just read my mind" As they both began to drink their Peppermint Troll-caccino's. Branch always seemed so annoyed by the Cloud's dumb annoying voice as he rolled his eyes the moment he saw him on screen. His brothers thought it was cute, to say the least. Viva thought a bit differently as she watched her baby sister running around making sure everything was going perfectly. She was scared she would hurt herself or go too far in some way or another. Which was a bit hypocritical of her seeing as she was the same way at times...okay all the time. But this was different Poppy was just her baby sister she shouldn't have to be worrying about all this. 

A huge box was shown as Poppy placed a few gems here and there on the box as she was being held up by a ribbon around her waist. As she decorated the box right behind her she could hear the Queen of Rock herself "Wow, Poppy. That is one massive gift" Barb exclaimed when she saw the gift Poppy was making for some special troll. Poppy twirled herself off the ribbon and landed on her feet. "Yeah, who's the lucky Troll?" asked Val curious as to who she got. 

"Okay! Time for earmuffs and blindfolds!" exclaimed Chris as he placed earmuffs on both Poppy and Branch. "Why on me!? This is about Poppy why do I need this?" yelled out Branch unaware of how loud he was due to his inability to hear his own voice. Chris merely smiled and removed them quickly and said "Why not?" and then put them back on which Branch seemed to find annoying. Poppy on the other hand was enlightened by all of this. "Eek! I can't wait to find out who's my gift swap buddy!" she exclaimed as she merely jumped in the air out of pure joy. Branch on the other hand didn't need to be seen to know from his dramatic sigh that he was so done with all of this. 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's a secret gift swap" said Poppy upon hearing Val say that "This vault is locked" as she used her hands as motions to zip her mouth shut. "That's cool. I respect that. Whatevs." the two rock trolls said as they could respect the queen's privacy. As they both walked away Poppy suddenly jumped in front of them and happily exclaimed "It's Branch. I got Branch. Isn't it so exciting?" Which surprised the two rock trolls. "Wait, you got your boyfriend? That's a lot of pressure" said Barb a bit worried that Poppy would overdo it. 

"Now that I think about...I would feel a bit of pressure knowing I got my partner" said a classical troll "She seems excited though" said a funk troll. "Now I'm curious on Branch's reaction to gettin' his girlfrien'" said a country troll. "If his reaction to seeing her name was any hint I'm sure he'll try to go over the top and then fail" said a pop troll. "I'm so B can think of something amazing" said John Dory in a prideful tone. Which got his brothers to playfully roll their eyes. 

"Pressure? Come on. It's me we're talking about. The Gift Master, the Gift-inator. I've got it covered" said Poppy not feeling the pressure of this whatsoever. Just to prove it she said to Barb "Who did you get?" and Barb replied "Mr. Dinkles... Whoever that is" as she read the name on the slip. "That's Biggie's pet. He's a worm" said Poppy explaining who Mr. Dinkles is to Barb. "A worm?" she started out not too sure about the idea of a worm "That's awesome. But, what do I get a worm?" she questioned not sure what to get a worm. Poppy gasped knowing what to give Mr.Dinkles. "Get him a hat. He lost his old one" she said sadly. 

An old picture tiny scene played out as Mr.Dinkles moved closer to an edge as the narrator said "Contemplating his existence, Monsieur Dinkles clings to the solace of his trusty hat" until that air blows away with his trusty hat. The one thing he clung to with his entire being was now gone. His love and light was easily blown away to be forgotten. "Poor Mr. Dinkles" said Biggie as he hugged Mr. Dinkles he let out a small "Meep" as he was hugged tightly. "See? I'm full of gift-spiration. And there's plenty to go around" said Poppy as the three trolls walked away from the huge gift. 

"Can we remove the blindfolds and earmuffs now!?" yelled out an annoyed Branch as he sat there for the past few minutes wearing the ridiculous thing. But Chris ignored him and Branch seemed to take the hint of 'no'. "How much longer will B have to wear that?" asked Spruce as he watched his baby brother adorably pout in anger, which both Clay and John Dory were cooing at. Which they were both lucky that Branch couldn't hear them coo because they would have gotten it for sure. "Not much longer" answered Chris as he messed with a freaked-out Creek that hung from the ceiling. 

It quickly panelled out to show Branch and the two funk princes in his bunker. "All right, guys, not gonna lie. I've been kinda freaking out over what to get the ultimate gift-giver" explained Branch as he walked around the room in a slight panic. "But I think I figured it out" explained Branch as he was holding a red string the entire time. He brought it up to a board that had a bunch of pictures that he drew and had them pinned up with pin and most of them had a red string tied to them. And then it zoomed out to show the entire wall was covered in drawings and red string. 

"Woah!" said Synth as he was not expecting that for a hot second. "He obviously got his planning skills from me" said Clay proudly. Which he received an eye roll from his brothers. "That boy truly knows how to plan," said a country troll. The entire room was a bit shocked to see how much Branch truly planned for something like just a gift swap. But the Pop troll just kind of laughed. "That's Branch alright" said Satin as her sister agreed with her. 

"Whoa, nice vision board, Branch" said Prince D "And not at all insane-looking" said Cooper in a sarcastic way but it seemed Branch didn't pick that up "Thank you" Branch replied. Chris snorted at that as he was still messing with Creek but swinging the rope just a bit. "Ironic, how the most sarcastic troll in Pop Village can't pick up sarcasm" said Barb with a smirk. "Okay. As everybody knows, giving the wrong gift can be a real relationship death sentence" said Branch a bit too serious about this entire gift-swap for Poppy. "Why do I feel like even if he didn't get Poppy this would have still happened?" said Holly Darling. "Because it definitely would have" said Synth. 

"If I go too small, I'll disappoint her. If I go too big, I'll freak her out" The pictures moved showing different scenarios depending on what may occur if this went horribly wrong according to Branch's mind. "Is that a wedding ring?" asked a bergen as one of the scenarios was Branch giving Poppy a ring and her freaking out. "Wow, I didn't think B was already on that step of marriage" joked Spruce. "I can't let that happen" While saying that Poppy packed her bag and left him after seeing the ring.

"I wonder where he came up with that idea?" said Chris as looked at the screen but the brothers could tell what he meant by that. And they all cringed and looked away from one another. "I mean not just anyone comes up with that idea in their head, right?" said Chris as he was 100% implying something, which many didn't seem to understand but four trolls who did. 

"So I came up with an equation that led me to the perfect gift for Poppy" said Branch as he pointed to another one of his ideas. "A" represents Queen Poppy. "B" is all of her queenly responsibilities. "C" is the amount of time spent doing her hair every morning. Therefore, "A plus B square, minus the cosine of square root of C..." (I have no clue what's going on so let's pretend we do, for my sanities sake). "You both see where I'm going with this" asked Branch toward the twins who both said "Yeah" despite having no clue on what was going on.

"Poppy never stops multi-tasking. So, I'm gonna build her something that will save her time" explained Branch as he showed what look like a torture chamber of a seat. "I give you the world's first Troll hair-doer. I just need to go to Poppy's place and get the exact measurements of her head without her noticing, and I'm good to go" explained Branch not realising how weird that sounds at all. But everyone else did. Since they looked over at Branch with questioning glances towards him despite knowing he can't see or hear anything. 

"Well, that doesn't sound creepy at all"