Chapter Text
Now that the bros have gained Dub Skull’s help and now know what they need to do. John Dory drove Rhonda with Faith and Dub Skull’s direction to avoid the now taken over Techno Reef, and eventually came ashore. Vesper guided him from here on. To pass the time on the ride to the tree, they all just conversated.
“So you were born with that look?” Spruce asked Dub Skull.
“Tech yeah.” He confirmed. “Had this handsome skull for as long as I can remember. Don’t know how or why. But does anyone ever really know how they were born as they are?.”
“That’s true I guess.” Floyd agreed.
“I have noticed something different between you and your brothers.” Faith pointed out to Floyd. “From what I’ve seen from your old pictures and scrapbooks, all your brothers have blue eyes, and yet you have purple.”
“I’ve never thought of that before.” Floyd said. “Vesper was right about you being perceptive.”
“Thank you.” She thanked. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“There’s a reason we called him the ‘sensitive one’.” Spruce mentioned.
“Also likely why the heart meter detects so high.” Dub Skull looked at the device again.
“Looking back now, it occurs to me you might’ve had the best relationship with Branch out of the rest of us.” JD said from the driver’s seat.
“I suppose since he was my only ‘little’ brother, I was extra soft on him.” Floyd agreed. “Not that I would play favorites, of course! I guess being the baby of the family before him, I understood what it was like to be pressured and coddled. I tried reassuring him and treating him as more than just a baby.”
“You didn’t want him to go through the same things you did.” Faith summarized.
“In a manner of speaking.” Floyd said. Faith noticed Spruce give a self-conscious look at Floyd’s response. “So you really think I have the best chance of getting through to Branch?” Floyd asked Dub Skull.
“Your familial connection definitely will provide an edge, but blood can only go so far on its own.” Dub Skull explains. “A close bond means he’ll likely have a soft spot for you. From what I’ve gathered given his upbringing, Branch will have very few of those for anyone.”
“Anyone besides Poppy.” Vesper chimes in.
“The others at the Troll Tree mentioned her.” Floyd said. “She’s the queen, right? Of we pop trolls?”
“That is absolutely right!” Vesper confirms. “She also happens to be Branch’s very special sweetheart.”
“Our baby brother landed a queen?” Spruce asked with praise. “So Branch has got serious game! I mean it’s impressive, I approve.”
“Me too.” JD agreed. “The queen of pop and BroZone’s youngest member? Talk about celebrity couple!”
“But you said she wasn't one of the ones to make it out?” Floyd queried. “Barb went for the troll leaders first.”
“Well she went for Poppy first, that much is true.” Vesper confirmed that. “But it didn’t go as intended.” Vesper gave Faith a look of concern.
“Oh, that was him wasn’t it?” Faith asked, to which Vesper nodded.
“What was who?” JD asked worriedly.
“Poppy was going to be Queen Barb’s first victim for the ultimate powerchord-” Faith started explaining, but knew the bros would be upset by the rest. “Then Branch came in to save her and…” The look of tension and worry escalated on their faces.
“Branch heroically, and romantically I might add, took the first blow for Poppy.” Vesper spoke theatrically. “Unknowingly sacrificing his free will for her.”
“So that’s the full story.” Floyd sighed. “They said Branch got turned, but they didn’t say how.”
“Taking the hit for his girl.” Spruce recounted. “Bro’s got guts, I believe I would’ve done the same.”
“Wait if he took the powerchord for her, how’d she get turned?” JD wondered. The girls gave uncertain glances at each other.
“You really wouldn’t like it.” Faith told them. “Are you sure you guys would want to know?”
“Faith, just tell us.” JD insisted, but she was reluctant.
“Barb used Branch to hold her still and then changed Poppy!” Vesper blurted. They all gave her stunned and hurt looks. Vesper saw they were going to keep pushing for that answer. She knew Faith was too kind hearted to break to them this hard truth, so she did it herself.
“So you’re saying after he took the hit, Barb forced him to hold her so she could subdue Poppy?” JD asked fuming. The girls just silently nodded.
“So after his sacrifice, Barb has Branch undo it immediately after by helping her take who he was trying to protect?” Spruce scoffed.
“I know what Barb did was pretty bad.” Vesper started.
“Pretty bad?” JD questioned. “More like downright devious!”
“For what it’s worth, Barb is actually a good person.” Vesper defended. “She’s just on the wrong path. Barb may not know me personally but I know her.”
“How does that work?” JD asked, not understanding what she meant. Vesper shifted red into a rock troll form with fire styled hair.
“We’ve talked every now and then.” Vesper explained, gesturing to her rock troll self. “Sure she’s never known I’m a shapeshifter, but she was still nice in her own way.”
“True.” Dub Skull agreed. “And remember if her behavior worsens, it’s likely the powerchord corrupting her morals.”
“They’re right, guys.” Faith said. “No one’s beyond help. Whatever you have against Barb, remember you're still trying to help her too.”
“Yeah, I guess we-” Floyd was interrupted by Rhonda screeching to a halt. Everyone grunted and gasped by the sudden stop, trying to ground themselves, and grab ahold of anything near to keep from falling. Worried fearful calls from Rhonda could be heard outside.
“Something’s got Rhonda spooked.” JD warned.
“Any idea what it might be?” Floyd worried.
“Only one way to find out.” JD said, heading outside, grabbing a hammer tool for quick defense.
“We should check it out too.” Floyd suggested, about to follow. But Spruce stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.
“Or we could just let him check and stay in here to be safe.” Spruce countered. “Just in case.”
“In case of what?” Floyd asked. “Bruce, he’s our brother and we need to look out for him. I know what you’re thinking, he didn't really for us. But we need to be better than that.” He lightly pulled his shoulder from Spruce’s grasp to follow John Dory, while Spruce was left to contemplate. He’d begrudgingly have to help JD, but he needs to look out for Floyd.
“Think of it this way.” Faith came up. “You’re upset at John, but you still need him to hit the family harmony.” She reasoned.
“Okay, fine.” Spruce groaned. “You make a good point.”
“I usually do.” Faith said smugly, heading out after the others.
Rhonda’s door opened up, JD carefully stepped out on high alert. Floyd and Spruce came right behind him, as did Faith. Vesper was about to follow too, but Dub Skull stopped her. He gave her a shush hand signal, and gave her another like his hand was a crawling spider. Vesper understood what he meant, shift into a spider, lay low, and observe the situation. Dub Skull decided to stay out of sight and remain in Rhonda. As he instructed, Vesper changed into a small harmless spider and crawled outside after the others.
John Dory came up front to Rhonda and see how she was doing, she sounded distressed and was trembling. “Hey girl.” He pet Rhonda, trying to calm her down. “What’s wrong? You look real spooked, is something there?”
“We should be somewhere a ways past Pop Village.” Faith recalled, from the map and the path they took to and from the island. “The Troll Tree shouldn’t be too far.”
“Well, Rhonda’s not budging till we find out what’s bothering her.” JD remarked. His efforts to calm her down seemed in vain.
“I think I know.”
They all jumped at a sudden new voice, looking around trying to find the owner. Something that sounded like the hum of a motorcycle and a bug’s wings buzzing. Up above they heard cawing and saw a flock of birds circling them, the birds swooped down surrounding them. The flock looked antsy, flaring their wings and cawing like crazy.
Vesper was crawling nearby but out of sight. She knew the owner of the voice, things were about to get interesting. The buzzing got louder, a Beetle Bike flew into view, and its rider dismounted from it.
“So, you guys finally did come back.” Which turned out to be Branch, rock zombie and all stepping forward. “Took you long enough.”
The three older brothers were stunned to see who it was, their youngest brother. It was just as the Snack Pack told them, Barb turned him to her side.
“Branch…” Floyd gasped.
“Hey, Floyd.” Branch greeted emptily, turning towards the others. “Spruce, John Dory.” The later he scowled at. “Finally remembered I existed?”
“Branch, you know we’d never forget.” Spruce sighed. “It has been a long time though. These days I go by Bruce.”
“I’ll call you whatever I want to call you, bro.” Branch snapped. “I know full well how long it’s been, thank you. Over 20 years!”
“You’re mad Branch.” Floyd said. “And you have every right to be. We never meant to stay away so long.”
“You didn’t, Floyd.” Branch replied. “I remember your promise to come back, but you neglected to mention it’d take my entire childhood and most of my life.” He glanced at the older bros. “The rest of you however, never gave any hint of intention for coming back. In fact one of you, if I remember correctly, even said ‘goodbye forever’.” He glared at John.
“I did come back, Branch!” JD defended. “But no one was there at the Tree when I did.”
“That’s because if you had stuck around-” Branch started. “You’d know that the trolls moved out of the tree a long time ago. A few years after you guys left.”
“Before that, when the bergens kept you all for themselves.” Spruce said. “We know that… Grandma-” He couldn’t bring himself to finish.
“Branch, I know I told you to take care of her but-” Floyd sighed. Branch growled at what they brought up.
“But I was just a baby!” Branch finished for him. “I’ve spent a lot of that time blaming myself for it. Believing I had let you all down. Someone close to me helped me understand it never was my fault. And thanks to Queen Barb, I’ve come to realize who’s fault it really was, you guys!” He accused.
“What?” JD was stunned. “We weren’t even there!”
“Exactly!” Branch argued. “If you guys hadn’t left, you could've stopped it! That incident left me alone for a long time, and it’s all your guys' fault!”
“Branch, that’s not fair.” Spruce pleaded.
“Don’t talk to me about fair!” Branch yelled. “None of what I went through was ever fair! After that I avoided others and kept from making friends cause I was afraid they’d either leave me or be taken away. But thanks to someone special to me, I realized not everyone is like you guys. Some actually want to stick around and be there for you, even when you might not want them to.”
“It’s good to hear you found someone to care about you that way.” Floyd approved, knowing he was talking about Poppy.
“After you guys?” Branch said. “It could only be refreshing.” He looked over and saw Rhonda fearfully growling at him and trembling. “I take it you guys were just on your way back to the Troll Tree? Scouts saw your armadillo bus critter there leave the tree awhile ago. Care to tell me where you guys just were?”
“We would, if you weren’t like this.” JD gestured back to him in his rock zombie self.
“Like what?” Branch questioned. “Better than you in every way?”
“No!” JD yelled. “If you weren’t a rock zombie! Branch, you’re not yourself! Barb is forcing you to be this, and do what she wants!”
“Not myself?” Branch repeated. “You never knew who I was to begin with. As for being forced to do what others wanted, now that you’d know a lot about. Wouldn’t you, John?”
JD was stunned by the massive blow Branch had just struck at him. Spruce and Floyd were as surprised as he was. Worse given they understood where Branch was coming from. Meanwhile Faith didn’t know what to say, this conflict amongst the brothers was hard to intervene in. Especially since he did make a good point, there wasn’t much to justify JD.
“Working for you or working for Queen Barb, is it really so different?” Branch asked, but then thought for a moment. “Actually I can think of a few positives in Barb’s case.”
“Really, what sort of positives could possibly come from working for Barb?” Spruce disbelieved.
“For one she recognizes my individual talents beyond musical skills and promoted me to advisor.” Branch started. “I get to rule my own corner of the world for her, I’m part of an unstoppable rock empire, and now that Poppy doesn’t have to worry about being queen anymore, there’s nothing to impede our relationship.”
“I don’t think there’s convincing him out of being a rock zombie, guys.” Faith whispered to them. JD groaned at this, but they knew from what Dub Skull told them, she was right.
“So, you came out this way to find us.” JD began. “What exactly are you here to find us for?”
“What do you think?” Branch sneered, bringing out his guitar. “Queen Barb wants any non-rock turned trolls brought in immediately, and you guys are top on her most wanted list.” He pointed the riff of his guitar towards them, putting them on high alert.
“Y-yeah, why's that?” Spruce tried to remain composed. “And why would you do this by yourself?”
“Because the oh so great and powerful perfect family harmony is the only thing threatening Barb’s reign.” Branch explained. “We came close, so she wants you guys taken care of. As for why I’m taking you guys in solo, why for the memories of course.” They were all surprised by his explanation, for the first answer mostly. Dub Skull had only recently revealed to them their importance. How did Branch, or Barb for that matter know that herself?
This intrigued Vesper, observing off to the side still in her small spider form. She’s going to have to let her inside friends know to find out how she knew.
“Plus I thought since you guys missed so much of my life, you should get to know me.” Branch said, tuning his guitar. A duo of speaker critters hopped out of the hutch of his beatle bike and connected to his guitar. “Hard rock style!”
Since Faith knew how loud things were going to get. She took out a few sets of concert ear plugs she kept in her hair to muffle the sound. “Here guys.” Faith handed them out to the bros. “Unlike Val, I don’t think he’s going to be pulling any punches.”
At first Branch’s guitar riffs were soft. With the earplugs they could barely hear him. John foolishly thought the earplugs worked too well and they couldn’t hear him enough so took them out for a moment. Then Branch really got into the song and shredded his guitar hard, sending a small shock of rock at them. John Dory almost went flying, and immediately regretted taking the earplugs out, putting them back in right away.
Let's get the story straight
You were a poison
You flooded through my veins
You left me broken
By Branch’s choice of lyrics, it wasn’t hard for the bros to know he was singing at them.
You tried to make me think
That the blame was all on me
With the pain you put me through
And now I know that it's not me, it's you
It's not me, it's you!
Always has been you!
All the lies and stupid things you say and do, it's you!
It's not me, it's you!
All the lies and pain you put me through
He pointed to each of them with scorn.
I know that it's not me, it's you!
You!
You!
It's not me, it's
You!
You!
So here we go again
The same fight we're always in
Branch jabbed at the usual arguments they had.
I don't care, so why pretend?
Wake me when your lecture ends
He mocked them (mostly JD) with a hand puppet.
You tried to make me small
Make me fall, and it's all your fault
With the pain you put me through
And now I know that it's not me, it's you
It's not me, it's you!
Always has been you!
All the lies and stupid things you say and do, it's you!
It's not me, it's you!
All the lies and pain you put me through
I know that it's not me, it's you!
Let's get the story straight
You were a poison
Flooding through my veins
You're driving me insane
And now you've gone away
I'm no longer choking
From the pain you put me through
And now I know that it's not me, it's you
It's not me, it's...
You!
Always has been you!
All the lies and stupid things you say and do, it's you!
It's not me, it's you!
All the lies and pain you put me through
I know that it's not me, it's you!
Branch took a breath after finishing his song, turning off the amp of his critter friend.
“I believe I made a gnarly new first impression.” Branch smirked as the bros all took out their earplugs.
“You were right.” JD whispered to Faith. “He wasn’t pulling any punches. Val's song was way softer.”
Floyd was at a loss. Branch as he is, just wouldn’t listen. There had to be something he could do. Vesper knew and had to remind him how. She sneakingly crawled over to him, he felt her spider legs up his back. Which understandably gave him shivers. He looked over his shoulder to see her on his back, trying to stay out of Branch’s sight.
“Remember, you just might be able to reach him.” Vesper whispered. “Where words fail, music succeeds!”
Floyd thought about what she said for a moment. Dub Skull did say he’d have the best chance at bringing Branch out of it.
“You’re right Branch.” Floyd agreed, gaining the surprise of his brothers. Branch however looked both intrigued and confused. “You have every right to be mad at us for leaving, and we are truly sorry for that. We’ll make it up to you, I’ll make it up to you, by helping you out of this.”
I'm sorry for the day that we left
And left your heart hangin'
I can't imagine what that feels like
“What’re you…” Branch started to question, but he became distracted by his brother’s singing.
But that was another place
And that was another time
It's not fair to blame me now for those crimes
Branch growled, gripping his guitar tighter.
Just for a minute
Give me a chance
Let me inside
Branch wouldn’t admit it, but he was intrigued. He wanted to see where Floyd was going with this song.
Just for a minute
Please, just for a moment
Let me prove I'll do things right
Let down your guard
And show me your colors
Don't fight it anymore
Show me you're with me
Suddenly Branch grunted, pinching the bridge of his nose. Vesper noticed his mental struggle, it seemed Floyd’s song might be working.
Open your arms
I'm not like the others
So don't fight it anymore, no
What will it takes for me to make you see
I'm not your enemy
Branch looked like he was trying to shake off his strain. The more he listened to Floyd sing, the worse it got.
Funny on the day that we left
I didn’t even stay there
It's become a nightmare
But I'll never rest
'Till you give your all
I'll take nothing less
'Till I hear happily ever after the end
JD and Spruce thought about that, feeling guilty for Branch’s sake. They also noticed Branch’s strain, Floyd must be breaking through to him!
Just for a minute
Give me a chance
Let me inside
Just for a minute
Please, just for a moment
Let me prove I'll do things right
JD and Spruce joined in as backup vocals for Floyd. Branch’s struggling seemed to worsen, he started clenching both sides of his head. The surrounding mo-hawks seemed spooked by what they were doing, and started flying off.
Let down your guard
And show me your colors
Don't fight it anymore
Show me you're with me
Open your arms
I'm not like the others
So don't fight it anymore, no
What will it takes for me to make you see
I'm not your enemy
Branch was in serious turmoil right now. Clenching his head, eyes shut tight, and now dropped to his knees. Floyd took this moment to carefully and caringly approach him.
How do you expect things to get any better
If you keep me on the sideline
Don't you know
There's a million things I wanna do
But you gotta meet me halfway
You gotta try,
Whoa
Floyd had come up to Branch and placed his hands on his shoulders, hoping to see him break through. Once Branch felt his touch, he stopped gripping his head, and even seemed to relax a bit. When Branch opened his eyes and looked up at Floyd, his brother was beyond relieved. Branch’s eyes were no longer glowing red! Relieved himself, Branch started singing with Floyd.
Floyd, (Branch)
Let down your guard
And show me your colors
(And show me your colors)
Don't fight it anymore
(Don’t fight it anymore,-)
Show me you're with me
(Show me you’re with me)
Open your arms
(Open your arms,-)
I'm not like the others
(I’m not like the others)
So don't fight it anymore, no oh
(So don’t fight it anymore)
What will it take for me to make you see
(What will it take for me to make you see)
I'm not your enemy
After Floyd finished his song, he and Branch embraced each other in a hug.
No longer needing to hide, Vesper shapeshifted back to her true form. “It worked!”
“Branch!” JD came over to them.
“You okay little bro?” Spruce asked, concerned seeing Branch rubbing his head.
“Define okay.” Branch groaned. “I feel like a ton of loud speakers were shoved into my brain and blasted at max volume.”
“Not too far off an assumption.” Dub Skull finally came out of Rhonda. “Just as I surmised. The ultimate powerchord is basically, forcibly played on constant repeat in a rock zombie’s head. Making the troll their rock personified self, compelled to do whatever Barb commands.”
“But it worked right?” JD asked. “Floyd snapped him out of it?”
“Maybe.” Vesper responded. “Maybe not.” She gave Branch a questionable look to which he was unnerved by. Vesper brought the side of her head up to Branch’s, as if listening for something.
“What?” Branch questioned. “What’s wrong?” Confused as to what Vesper is doing.
“Be quiet please.” She requested. Listening closely, she heard something. It was distant and quiet now, but definitely there. A shrill. “Yep, it’s still in there alright.” Vesper confirmed, bringing herself from Branch.
“What is?” Branch asked.
“The powerchord, of course.” Dub Skull clarified. “I told you all before. Unless you five together can reach the family harmony, any fix you do is only temporary. Sooner or later Branch will go back to being a rock zombie.”
“Yep, I can hear it!” Vesper confirmed. “Floyd suppressed it, but it’s getting louder with every passing minute.”
“So we can’t stop it from coming back?” Spruce asked.
“Only with the perfect family harmony.” Dub Skull answered. “This at least confirms that when the time comes, and you guys are ready to reach it, you’ll be able to bring Branch out of it to achieve it together.”
“Then we better make the most of this time.” Branch insisted, getting up. “Floyd, JD, Bruce. While I am admittedly still miffed at you guys, I’m also beyond relieved and happy to see you too.”
“We understand Branch.” Floyd said. “You know I never intended to stay away as long as I did.”
“Clay and I.” Spruce started. “We didn’t mean to leave you. We were just upset at John, and you ended up paying for it. I’m sorry for it.”
“While it did hurt what you said, Branch, even if you weren’t in your right mind.” JD added. “You were right. I-I’m sorry for how I treated you, all of you.” JD apologized.
“You apologize?” Spruce teased. “I should mark this on my calendar.”
“Yeah, laugh it up.” JD sighed. “I deserve it.” Spruce was taken aback by his response.
“Hey, I was just joking.” Spruce reassured.
“So how does Barb know about the harmony?” Faith came up and asked.
“I don’t know.” Branch answered. “She said a close friend of hers told her. But no one except a select few are allowed to know who they are.”
“She made you an advisor and even you’re not allowed to know?” JD questioned.
“I think the only ones who know are her dad King Thrash, and Riff.” Branch answered. “Honestly when I change back, what’ll stop me from telling Barb what you guys just did?”
“I have an idea.” Dub Skull said. “I theorize in this shifting state of mind, if you concentrate on certain memories and ideas, you can block them from your other half’s knowledge.”
“So when he switches back to a rock zombie, Branch can make sure he doesn’t remember this?” Spruce asked.
“I mean it’s just a theory, but everyone I’ve had so far has proven correct.” Dub Skull considered. “I feel good about it too. Nothing to lose and everything to gain from trying. Why do you think Vesper and I didn’t reveal ourselves until after he snapped out of it?”
“It’s worth a tr-AGH!” Branch gripped his head.
“Branch!” Floyd exclaimed of concern, placing his hands on Branch. He was beyond tense now. “How are you doing?”
“Not good!” Branch grunted. “Sudden massive headache!”
“I take it that’s a sign the powerchord will be taking hold again, imminently.” Dub Skull guessed.
“That means very soon.” Vesper clarified.
“Yeah, we know.” JD said. “So there’s nothing we can do to stop it?”
“Not this time.” Dub Skull answered. “But this proves you can bring him out of it long enough so that when the time is right, together you’ll achieve the perfect family harmony, and cleanse every rock zombie's mind for good.”
“Then we need to go guys.” Faith insisted.
“We can’t just leave him here.” Spruce argued.
“No, she’s right.” Branch agreed. “You all need to leave before I change.”
“But, Branch-” Floyd started.
“No buts!” Branch interrupted. “Before, you guys left without my consent. This time, I’m telling you to go now!” His brothers exchanged looks of conflict and concern, but they knew he was right.”
“Alright Branch.” JD conceded. “If that’s really what you want.”
“Not really.” Branch sighed. “But it’s what needs to be done.”
“Okay little bro.” Floyd consoled, giving Branch a hug. “We promise to come back for you.” Spruce and JD joined in. Branch relaxed in their embrace, taking in his brothers’ presence.
“Just don’t make me wait as long.” Branch joked, which got small chuckles from his older brothers.
“Sure thing.” JD assured.
“We promise.” Spruce said.
Vesper, Dub Skull, and Faith were pleased to see this brotherly display. They were seeing the potential in their connection that could lead them to the harmony, and saving the world.
“Alright go.” Branch broke the hug, he could feel his headache was getting worse. There wasn't much time left for him. “Get out of here!” Their friends immediately headed back to Rhonda, who since Branch changed back had calmed down.
“Be seeing you Branch.” JD waved.
“Hope we’ll be able to help you then.” Spruce followed.
“I know we will.” Floyd agreed, giving Branch a comforting smile before departing. “We have too.”
“You’d better.” Branch smiled, he saw them all get back into Rhonda and she drove off to the Troll Tree.
They still won’t be safe there for long, but hopefully long enough. Suddenly Branch doubled over as a loud ringing sound filled his ears. It hurt as it got louder and louder until it went silent and Branch went limp.
The mo-hawks returned. Surrounding Branch and cawing trying to get his attention. It seemed he passed out, and their noise woke him up. But when he got up and opened his eyes, they once again glowed red.
To be continued.