Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was another rave from King trollex and 2 techno trolls were missing. Seaweed and Brine. Trollex was starting to get stressed from the disappearances. Where could they be going?....She hoped they would be okay.

To make matters worse, his two younger brothers were visiting Techno Reef soon; as Bliss Marina had given the idea to ask help from trollstopia. He agreed reluctantly. 

He had to make sure they were safe. So for now, no raves.

He learned the creature's pattern,is there a rave? Someone gets taken.

No rave? Every week only 1 gets taken. Every sunday. Like clockwork.

He had employed a buddy system that seemed to work. All he knew was lights. That's what it used to lure victims in. 

--------------Trollstopia, Techno Lagoon--------------

Synth: Alright Laguna, Bliss you all caught up on what I do right?

Laguna:Yep! I think really only Bliss had to learn…

Bliss Marina:Hey! Oh well but yeah we're ready to go Synth! Did you say goodbye to your boyfriend yet?

Synth:huh what boyfriend? Where ? when and sometimes why-

Laguna:please Synth it's really obvious.

Bliss:yeah I mean hello? The pet names??

Synth:okay fine maybe I am dating dubstep but yes I did say goodbye! I just need to make sure Lotus is ready to go as well. 

Synth waved goodbye to Bliss Marina and Laguna Tidepool who both had started to discuss how to section off tasks.

Okay maybe one more goodbye to Branch wouldn't hurt-

As soon as he popped his head out of the water he spotted Lotus who was already making his way to Techno lagoon.

Synth:Big bro Lolo! I'm here!

Lotus:Hey synthy! Finger guns

Synth climbed out of water as he always did and high fived Lotus before discussing with Lotus about the trip to Techno reef

Synth:How long did you say we’ll be gone again? Can't dubstep come too? Please? Synth made poppy eyes at Lotus aware that Lotus was more prone to letting synth do whatever then Trollex.

Lotus:Nope. He’s needed here. We’ll be gone for like a week at most~ relax. I'm sure finding this creature won't be too hard.

Synth:Okay….but can I say goodbye to dubstep one more time?

Lotus sighed and agreed even if Synth had already said goodbye…

----------------Poppy’s Pod--------------

Poppy read a letter to her that was from King of techno trolls, King Trollex over again.

Dear Poppy,

I hope trollstopia has been doing good, and yes, DJ Suki will be coming over next month.

You may be wondering why I had asked for my two younger brothers Synth and Lotus to come to Techno reef,so I will inform you so you can help me as well since this is a matter that concerns the safety of my people.

I need help finding some creature that has taken residence in the reef. It has been making techno trolls disappear, and never come back. My suspicion? It's eating the poor trolls

Since you pop trolls have experienced being in danger of being eaten, I'd like advice. I currently have a buddy system in place and warnings to not approach strange lights. It seems that's not helping as the creature still gets what it wants every week on a Sunday. 

Please help me out here Poppy.

-From, King Trollex 

Poppy looked over the letter, techno trolls? Being eaten!? Okay she HAD to be there now. Branch too, he had been very helpful in reforming the bergens.

Synth: Yo Poppy! We just poppin in to make sure you're aware we're on our way to techno reef, Kay? 

Poppy: oh wait! Trollex sent me a letter asking me to come over as well. I gotta get Branch to do his preps and we all head over-

Synth: YES! you hear that Lotus? Branch will be coming!

Lotus: sigh Yes I did hear Synth. Lotus shrugs and sits down So you're coming too then? 

Poppy:Yep! Now let's get Branch from his bunker!

-------------Branch’s Bunker------------

They all went down Branch’s bunker elevator, they were met with floyd who was making himself a nice snack for his watch of telenovelas.

Lotus:which show is it this time?...

Floyd: Not important, are you looking for Branch? He’s busy with Lownote.

Poppy:Great to know! Come on guys to lownote!!

Lotus:Catch me up on what happened later Floyd!! 

Floyd:Will do Lotus!

So as they made their way out of the bunker here came Branch along with Gary

Branch:Hey guys what are you all doing in my bunker?

Poppy:branch we are going on an adventure to techno reef!!

Branch:but no ones available to babysit Gary!

Floyd(in the distance): I can babysit

Branch:great! Let me catch you up on what you need to do!!

Branch ran over to hand Gary off to Floyd and then start packing for the underwater adventure. 

After an hour…Branch was ready. 

Branch:All ready!

Synth:Yay! 

Poppy:Well, what are we waiting for? I already told Viva to take over for me and i'm sure the trollstopians won't struggle too much without our safety experts.

Lotus: I'm sure the funk,classical,techno and country trolls are just fine without us. The rock and pop trolls? Not so much.

Poppy:oh relax we'll be fine! Techno reef, here we come!

And so the investigation begins.

---------------------

Chapter Text

--------------Techno Reef-Palace------------------

Trollex went over the missing reports trying his hardest to connect the dots between the attacks and what he did know. Buddy systems seemed to not work as well as he hoped when last sunday rolled around. But luckily, one of the buddy techno trolls managed to get away and give a better description of the creature even if they were still badly hurt. He’ll appreciate Joy droplet for it a lot.

What he knew about the creature: larger than techno trolls but not by much. Maybe a head taller. Has an angler fish like attachment to it that attracts us to it naturally which is the light and small star like attachments. It at first looked dark in color, almost black before turning into a very light blue, in which it finally opened its red eyes. And….took another with its jaws pulling them down under.

He had appearance down. So now he could warn Techno trolls to stay away from suspicious Purple lights. He’ll avoid using purple for any raves so any purple light stands out.

As he thanked the injured troll and gave her some gifts for her troubles sending guards to escort Joy droplet home.

That's when his brothers arrived. And Poppy. And Branch.

Trollex:Hello you guys…I assume you all know what's been happening recently?

Lotus: Yep. you look…not great.

Synth:how much do you know about the…creature.

Trollex: I have appearance and its normal hunting pattern down. It seems to be freakishly strong though since in a buddy system ive been employing it recently took another and left the buddy badly injured.

Branch: Can you tell us what it looks like?

Trollex: looks like a techno troll, just about a head taller. Has lights attached to it which is what it's been using to attract techno trolls. This light is purple in color. Red eyes.

Lotus:how are you sure it's not just a cannibal techno troll?...

Trollex:We’re not. I have no idea what this thing is. I do know it seems to have a place of operation and it's below techno reef.

Poppy: well let's hold a rave then! We can start befriending it from there!!

Trollex:are you crazy this thing had ripped off Joy droplets arm!

Branch:Poppy may be onto something, we just need weapons to fight this thing…any known weaknesses?

Trollex:none we know off but immobilizing it should be most effective.

Branch: okay. Lotus, you know how to use weapons right?

Lotus:yep, the software I carry can even be weaponized, can make vocal booms.

Branch:great. Trollex have any collapsible spear? Lotus can carry that. I'll need some spears as well.

Trollex:So Lotus will be bait? Absolutely not!?

Lotus:relax i've lived alone without any help for at least 3 years im sure I can fend for myself.

Trollex: sigh Fine. ill host a rave but every citizen gets a weapon just in case this thing doesn't take you as bait

Lotus: cool.

And so, plans for a rave were announced and that seemed to give the citizens morale especially when they heard Trollex will be supplying weapons for everyone during the rave temporarily for self defense.

Chapter Text

Poppy hung up more lights making sure none were purple to spot it more easily. She managed to bring morale up.

Synth assembled a playlist that was sure to bring joy and happiness to the techno trolls.

Branch prepared defenses and planed safety along with helping the guard techno trolls know how to portal while having fun. 

Lotus did maintenance on equipment making sure everything was ready for the first rave in weeks for the techno trolls.

Trollex got his headphones on and The beat drop button was ready to go with him to the dj set.

It had been awhile. Hopefully this works and they can capture the creature

He turned the music on and started to turn the lights on and the techno trolls cheered.

Looks like Lotus already put everything to be ready to go. He’s learned so much…Now it was his turn in the plan

Trollex:WHATS UP MY TECHNO TROLLS!! It's been a while huh? But today, we rave for those we have lost as we need to be joyus somedays in order to keep living for all we have lost from this monster, as a reminder any suspicious purple lights should be avoided. 

It was going well. The techno trolls were all happy and she continued everything as if it was a normal rave and he kept an eye on everyone looking for anyone suspicious but it seemed nothing was a miss.

Yet

----------------Rave floor----------------

Synth danced to the beat he had forgotten how great Trollex was at this and then he remembered he should probably stop goofing off and as he went to go find Lotus he bumped into someone

Synth:Oh sorry my bad! oh? Who are you?

???: My name is Sealume. Sorry Prince, I didn't see you there

Synth:Oh no need to formal Sealume! Woah sick outfit!

Sealume:Thank you.

Synth:Woah those lights are way cool in your hair you have to share how you did it with me these look really cool! Synth poked at the stars poking out from Sealumes hair before noticing a purple light poking out from his hair.

Synth:huh...I never knew lights could be so mesmerizing…Hey Sealume…? What part of the reef are you from?

No response

Synth:Sealume?....Sealume?

Sharp pain. Surged right in his chest something sharp. Very sharp he tried to wriggle out but the sharp pain seemed to be something gripping him

. ˚⋆｡˚⋆｡

˚⋆｡˚⋆｡ . ˚⋆｡˚⋆｡

˚⋆｡˚⋆｡ . ˚⋆｡˚⋆｡

. ˚⋆｡˚⋆｡˚⋆｡˚⋆｡

. ˚⋆｡˚⋆｡˚⋆｡

˚⋆｡˚

--------------------

It was all so sudden. There was panic as the creature was found but who it had chosen as target…!

The creature was running as it had a struggling Synth in its grasp as the safety precautions were put up and Sealume had been stopped by a pop troll for a bit to stop moving, Branch wasn't as proficient as swimming as Techno trolls could be but what he had an advantage is that Sealume didnt view him as food but as a threat to his meal. 

And that falter in Sealume’s path was enough for lotus to suddenly rush at it and loosen Sealumes grip on Synth enough for Synth to wiggle out with gashes to his chest from struggling on the tight grip 

Trollex:Synth! Are you alright?

Synth:I’m…fine Big bro..

Lotus Seabrook: You take him to get medical care, i'll help Branch.

Trollex:Just be carefu-

Before Trollex could finish his sentence he started to cough, sand!?

Sand was being kicked up and made it difficult to see and he saw red eyes approaching, must be the creature.

Trollex swam out of the sand with Synth but he felt a tug at his tail and he was suddenly pulled down into a hole in the ground, it was the hole the creature had used last week!

Trollex tried to struggle up but the creature pulled him down with it.

-------------???- Cave------------

It was all a blur. He heard screaming of his name and he knew sand was being kicked…Synth? SYNTH!

As Trollex opened his eyes he realized he was in some sort of Cave tied up with cut up fishing nets that would be intended for larger creatures but were cut up to accommodate for smaller creatures like himself

???: You're awake.

Trollex:huh?...You're…You're who was trying to take Synth! You- Trollex attempted to struggle out as a surge of anger jumped in him.

Sealume:easy there. You can't do much while you're tied up, you know? And i'm aware I was gonna eat this “synth” but I grabbed you first while trying to leave.

Trollex:well untie me!

Sealume:haha. No. I want dinner. I have fish I've caught and killed but you techno trolls…simply the best. Speaking of which is the reason I waited until you were awake!

Sealume grinned widely, its teeth viscous and sharp as it approached closer to me.

Chapter Text

Sealume was coming closer. 

Just what did it need me awake to do?!

That's not important! I have to run!

I tried to swim away but the fish nets made it hard to do so as Sealume kept approaching closer

It seemed to be looking for fear. Was this entertainment to it!?

It was suddenly right in front of me and it grabbed my face with its claws scraping my face and it smiled wider as I couldn't move.

I felt pain surge in my cheek and I stared down as I saw exposed flesh and some of the water turned slightly red from the flesh bitten out

Sealume:Shrimp. 

That's all it had to say as it wiped it’s mouth clean from the blood and I was left with exposed flesh before the creature returned and cleaned and patched up where it had bitten out.

Trollex:wh…what…

Sealume:taste test. You taste like shrimp.

Trollex:.....?....uh….!?

Sealume:What are you offended you're not a high end fish since you're king? 

Trollex:No of course not okay maybe a little but why clean up my injury if you're going to eat me??

Sealume:keeping you alive. Making sure it's not infected. Anyways. I have ingredients I need if I want to make this the best feast for me!

Trollex: why cannibalize…

Sealume:oh come on can’t you be smarter? Sealume removed its own blue,blood stained bandanna and it’s upper body area was exposed. No pixel heart marking. It was bare. I'm not a techno troll. Just happen to look like one! I'm a Triple Angelren seadevil! Heard of em? Course you didn't, we rarely come this close up. I just happen to have discovered the taste of a techno troll and got addicted. 

Trollex:I…never heard of these “Triple Angleren…” wait. Angleren…like Bergen... the thing pop trolls were eaten by…

Sealume:Bergens? I guess trolls always have their predators. No idea what the main species looks like but i'm an anglerfish mostly probably. I mean hello? Sealume flashes his lights on the “bulb” attached to the end of the attachment

Trollex squinted at the bright light and Sealume chuckled at Trollex

Sealume: Oh well. Enjoy yourself,for in 3 days…. Sealume smiled widely and suddenly moved his hand up and claws sprouted out and sealume made a quick cutting motion near the neck area before it went to a different area of the cave.

Trollex was left there and the reality of the situation was catching up to him.

----------------Techno Reef--------------

This was bad. Very bad. King Trollex had just been taken.

Why did he not suspect the newcomer more?

Why not him?

Why was it doing this…Sealume. If that is even his real name.

These were all questions in Synth's mind as Branch sat next to him as he bandaged the gash marks left behind.

Synth would live. The injuries weren't fatal.

….

Lotus: Are you alright Synth?...

Synth:no.

Lotus:...Me too. I didnt expect this to happen…

Branch:you can never expect tragedy. For now all we can do is hope Trollex can escape and look for him. Have you tried looking for the creature's lair?

Lotus: I’ll ask. If I had to guess, it has to be somewhere below us. So we may have some trouble breathing.

Branch:Trouble breathing?

Lotus:the pressure gets higher the lower you go in water like how air gets thinner the higher you climb.

Branch: Makes sense I suppose huh…well. How are the citizens holding up?

Lotus:Poppy is trying to calm them down, she's letting the elderly and children stay in the castle and adults to stay hidden in their homes.

Branch:sounds like her…who will be taking charge while Trollex isnt here?

Lotus: Synth technically would be taking charge since by blood? He's next in line. But he's injured. I can take Trollex’s place for now.

Synth:I'm fine with you taking the throne before me anyways. You’re family after all Lotus. Don't forget it. You have a right as well.

Lotus:...Thanks Synthy. Now. I’m going to arrange all the guards to help me go down the hole the creature goes down.

Synth:Alright. be …careful Brookie. Please don't leave me. 

Lotus: I won’t. Bye Synth. Branch, Stay with him for me okay?

Branch:Got it.

Lotus left the room and swam down as a school of guppies and elderly trolls poured in.

Lotus:Welcome, My name is Lotus Seabrook. Synth trusted me to take charge while King Trollex is gone. Lets get you all to a safe resting area.

And so lotus led them all to different areas with Poppy’s help.

It was stressful sure, but he had to do this for Synth. For Trollex. For the techno trolls.

Lotus soon gathered up all the guard

Lotus: Alright. So have we ever tried  to find the creatures home? Where it takes it’s victims? Go down the tunnels?

Guard troll 1: No. that would be risky to try

Lotus:I see. But you want your king back right?

Guard troll 2: Yes but-

Lotus: Great, we will go down the tunnels. Lets strike in the morning, that's normally when a predator is out.

Guard troll 1: Yes sir…but what of the kingdom?

Lotus:they must stay inside the whole day while I leave Poppy, Branch and Synth to lead.

Guard troll 2:You’re coming?

Lotus:Of course. I can fight and I was keeping the creature at bay until it suddenly kicked up the sand.

Guard troll 1:Lets go then

Lotus:Glad we understand.