Chapter Text
The Council could only stare at the two Hypno Trolls in the room. They had requested Lee to be there as well, so Poppy and Viva had to run and get him, leaving Branch and Judice alone with the other royals with Floyd between them.
Branch was on good terms with them, at least, so it was a relief that they didn’t stare at him with any strangeness after the reveal. Judice, however, was a stranger, and he felt bad at how many suspicious looks he was getting from each ruler. Floyd was there at least, holding Judice’s hand in a small squeeze. Judice gave him a bashful smile, one that made Branch smile.
At least Judice loves Floyd.
Something Lee could never do to John.
“We’re back!”
They turned to see Poppy and Viva drag in a Lee, still in his chains as he was on a wheelbarrow. Judice turned away, not wanting to see his brother, and Floyd took the motion to pull him close to him. Branch only glared at the older troll, stepping back to make some distance.
Poppy took a step forward. “Members of the Trollstopia Ruling Council, I present to you the criminal behind the kidnappings of trolls all over the kingdom; Lee Romeo.”
“That’s the Hypno Troll who was planning to take over the trolls?” Barb looked at the older troll up and down. “Really?”
“He looks less… intimidatin’ when chained,” Delta snorted.
“I’m guessing the gag and the blindfold is because of his powers?” Trollex questioned.
“Yep,” Poppy nodded. “We had to make sure he couldn’t use his hypnosis anyone while we have him in custody, especially towards the guards,”
Essence hummed and turned to face the Hypno Troll. “Lee Romeo, for all the crimes you committed against all of the tribes of music, you are to be placed on trial,” She spoke. “By the end of the trial, your future will be decided.”
“Everything you say will be used against you in the trial, so your cooperation is requested,” Quincy added.
A small humph came from the troll, ears flickering. Judice stepped behind Floyd, who pulled Branch close to him as well. Lee’s ear flickered again, and he pulled on his chains, alarming the rest of the council.
“He’s trying to escape!” Trollzart hissed.
“I’ve got him!” Viva pulled on the chains to hold him into place.
“Ya better get him back in your dungeon, Poppy,” Delta suggested. “Safer for everyone,”
“Okay! Be right back!” Poppy rushed to help her sister before they dragged the wheelbarrow out of the meeting room.
Branch only stared, watching his girlfriend take away the bastard. He turned to the rest of the council, who all gathered closer to murmur. He sighed and looked up, watching his… uncle keep Judice close to his chest. Their eyes met, and the older troll gave a smile.
“Are you okay?” His voice was gentle, and the younger troll felt relieved at the sound.
“Mm, I’ll be fine,” Branch nodded. He glanced at his uncle’s partner. “Is… Judice going to be okay?”
“He’ll… need time to adjust,” Floyd gently stroked his lover’s hair. “But he’ll be okay,”
“Great,” Branch smiled, but it slowly faltered at how his eyes stared at him then at Judice. His ears flickered, and he narrowed his eyes. “Floyd… is something wrong?”
“...no,” Floyd shook his head. “Everything is… fine,”
Fine.
Branch didn’t know why that word from his uncle sent a chill down his spine, but he couldn’t ask any further as Floyd moved to have Judice close to him at the corner of the room. Branch hummed, rubbing his arm.
Something’s wrong.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The day was tiring, and Floyd took Judice back to his pod. Mainly to rest, Judice had fallen asleep during the meeting, so he was visibly tired, but also, to talk.
“I’m not going back to the Bunker tonight,” he told Branch as they split. “I wanna be there for Judice,”
“Okay…” Branch slowly nodded. “Take care of yourself, alright?”
“Will do,” Floyd chuckled. “See you tomorrow,”
Branch waved as he turned to walk off. Floyd watched him leave. He breathed out a sigh of relief before he turned to head to Judice’s pod. Judice was still clinging to his arm, purring lightly as they walked. Floyd did his best to pay attention to the path they walked.
But his purrs are so cute…
…
Dammit, Floyd, PAY ATTENTION! FOCUS!
They soon made it to the pod. Judice unlocked the door and let Floyd in first before closing it. They went to bed almost immediately, with Judice yawning and cuddling with him.
Floyd sighed. “Judy… we need to talk,”
“Do we have to?” Judice pouted.
“Yes.”
“Fine…” Judice sighed and sat up with him. “What is it, Floy-Floy?”
Floyd held his hand, grasping it gently. “Can you put a pause on the plan?”
“What?” Judice tilted his head. “Why? I already got someone to help and-”
“I know, but it's too risky,” Floyd’s ears lowered. “You saw what they did to Lee. What if they do the same to you?” He pulled the other close to him, chin on his lover’s head. “I don't know what I'd do if I saw you chained up like that…”
“Floy-Floy…” Judice sighed, face reddening a little as he nuzzled him. “I didn't think you were that worried…”
“Of course I was!” Floyd hissed.
“The others aren't going to get hurt, I promise you that, remember?” Judice tried to offer a smile.
“It's not just the others!” Floyd held his shoulders. “It's you , Judice. I'm worried about you too! What if they banish Lee and you if you go on with that plan!?” His ears pinned. “I… I don't know what I'd do if I could never see you again…”
Judice fell silent, eyes moving downwards on the mattress. He pried himself gently from his lover’s hold before snuggling himself under him again. “Okay…” He closed his eyes. “I'll cut myself out from the plan,”
“Thank you,” Floyd sighed in relief, squeezing the other. “I love you, Judice,”
Judice smiled. “I love you too, Floyd,”
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
It was the dead of night.
Creek was digging up any leftover evidence of the possible Hypno Trolls invasion in his garden. He scowled at the fact that Branch, Poppy and their family managed to spoil the invasion plan before he could even take part.
Thankfully, Judice still needed him to take part in the backup plan, so he found himself still of use.
For now.
Creek grimaced at the possibility of being useless, especially to a Hypno Troll. He wasn't a fool, unlike most of the village. He himself had read a few books about multiple troll genres, mainly focusing on the auras they represent and how he should be avoiding any negativity from them. A great way to make friends and allies.
Judice was no exemption.
At first, he believed he was a lost troll, trying to find a place to stay. After all, he looked nothing like Branch, so he couldn't be a relative. The only option he could think of is that Branch’s Bunker was the closest to the outside, so that's where he walked to get directions.
The least he expected was for him to be a Hypno Troll, the rarest, and one of the most dangerous troll species to have ever existed.
One thing he definitely forgot is how clever Hypno Trolls were. There were rumors in the books he read that they could read a person’s aura easily, scratching someone out as good or evil with just one look or chatter.
And it seemed like it was true.
Truth be told, Creek was not particularly fond of the fact that neither of the royal family members had forgiven him. Understandable, sure, being a well known “traitor to Pop Troll Village” has its cons, but with everyone including most of Poppy’s friends forgiving him, he would think they'd forgive him too.
Unfortunately, there was a factor that he was sure was the cause of why Poppy still dislikes him;
Branch.
Creek had never been a fan of Branch, and he had been happy while avoiding him back when he was the “village hermit”. Much to his disappointment, Branch had climbed up the popularity status from “Hero of the Pop Trolls” to “the Queen’s boyfriend” in almost an instant, and it made their interactions more plausible, as the only yoga instructor in the village.
And then the possibility that Branch could become king? And possibly banish him or have him sent to the Funeral Dungeon?
It infuriated him.
It didn't help that the Fun Dungeon was no longer “fun” apart from the goofy drawings.
Queen Poppy made sure of that.
And Creek was going to make sure Branch never becomes king.
“Creek.”
He almost jumped, swiveling around to find the Hypno Trolls appear from within the darkness of the woods. A chill ran down his spine, but he forced himself to straighten up.
“I've hidden everything necessary, Master Judice,”
“Good.” Judice gave a faint smile. “The next part of the plan needs me MIA for a while, so I'm entrusting you to be able to get the trolls needed for the invasion,”
“Me?” Creek blinked.
“Why yes,” Judice nodded. “I'm sure you can convince a couple of trolls to befriend you enough to trust you. That's how Hypno Trolls work, Creek,”
“But… I'm not a Hypno Troll,” Creek frowned. “I have no abilities… how would it work?”
“You don't need powers of a Hypno Troll to manipulate, silly boy,” Judice scoffed, making the younger troll wince. “You're fantastic at doing that already. Playing nice so that Branch and Queen Poppy would never think you have any grudge against them… you're clever already,” He patted his shoulders. “I'm sure you can easily convince a whole army to follow your lead… and my hypnosis will just be a bonus,”
“I…” Creek paused in his words. He shouldn't back out now. Judice believed that he was capable of doing this… maybe he should take it.
Anything to make sure Branch never comes king.
“I'll do it.”
“Excellent,” Judice smiled, clapping softly. “I'll be waiting for the results, Creek.” His eyes glowed brightly in the darkness. “ Don't let me down.”
Creek bowed in an instant before running back into his pod to grab his supplies. He grabbed the camping materials he managed to swipe in case he needed to leave the village.
And with this mission, it seems he's going to have to be far, far away from the village for a long time.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
“You actually got Creek to do the plan by himself?” Floyd blinked as he watched his partner change clothings.
“Yep!” Judice wore a magenta sweater over himself with a chirp. “It wasn't too hard, considering he hates Branch and will do anything to keep him from becoming king or risk himself from getting outcasted,” He placed a bow on his hair for a while before shaking his head and placing it aside. “Any accessory ideas?”
“Try a butterfly pin,” Floyd suggested as he leaned back on the bed. “Do you really think he'll succeed?”
“If he does, I'll be impressed,” Judice snorted as he placed the pin. “Yay or nay?”
“Nay,” Floyd shook his head. “Try a flower,”
“Okie dokie, Floy-Floy!” Judice removed the pin. “But I doubt he'll succeed. Even if he does, he won't be able to use the hypnosis I give him on Branch, so it'll simply lead the plan downwards,”
“Hmm…” Floyd’s lips thinned. “How good of an idea do you think this is?”
“Not even close,” Judice placed the flower pin. “Yay or nay?”
“Yay! It looks nice,” Floyd smiled.
“Flower it is!” Judice beamed.
Floyd sighed. “Well, how long do you think it will take for him to come back with the trolls?”
“About four to five,” Judice replied as he got the brush to brush any leftover strands.
“Days?”
“Years.”
Floyd winced. “I feel a little bad for sending him out like that…”
“He literally betrayed the village, and he was given a chance to live in this joint, yet he continues to dislike Branch,” Judice scoffed.
“Ah, fair point,” Floyd nodded. “Speaking of, should we go see him, John and the eggs?”
“Yes!” Judice's eyes lit up as he twirled around. “Ready to go!”
“Of course you are,” Floyd laughed and got up, arms around the other. “You're so squishy and small…” He kissed his cheek and down to his neck.
“Floy-Floy! I'm ticklish!” Judice giggled.
“I know you are~” Floyd pulled him to the bed. “Maybe we can delay the visit just a little~”
Judice flushed but smirked. “Your lead, Emo Boy~”
Floyd grinned.
Definitely a very long delay.