Chapter Text
Chapter 1 – Turn Back Time
Chronos, the God of Time itself… was feeling bored. Sat alone in their dimension, surrounded by infinite orbs… each one containing a world. They sat up and raised a hand, flexing a finger.
Instantly, a random orb floated over. A beautiful sheen like a pearl, with an otherworldly glow. When Chronos got bored, they liked to create entertainment. With a hum, they swirled their finger, watching the orb split into two perfect copies. The original floated back to where it had come from, but the other…
Chronos gently grasped the copied world in their hand, studying it.
Ah… they know this world. They had watched it before, or rather… watched a certain family of brothers. Trolls in fact. Such cute creatures, and highly entertaining too. The eldest had suffered greatly, the trauma causing a fracture in his family.
However, they overcame that with the rather unorthodox help from a Cloud. Fascinating. Even more so when the troll ended up paying a price for his choice, his life extending beyond centuries. They had rather enjoyed watching this world.
Yet Chronos was bored, and with this sandbox world within their hands, they came up with a plan. They wondered how the brothers would deal with this situation they will create, and what the outcome would be…
Everyone loves an alternate reality… even the God of Time themselves.
After thwarting the dastardly fake superstar duo at Mount Rageous, and rescuing Floyd in the nick of time, John Dory had taken them all in Rhonda and travelled back to Vacay Island.
It was the most logical next step to take for the trolls. Bruce needed to go back to his wife and children, and Floyd who was still terribly weak from his imprisonment needed rest and relaxation.
They all did.
Branch constantly hovered around Floyd, making sure his brother was comfortable and fine. Despite being free, the pink haired troll was still weak and even walking seemed to be a strenuous task.
Viva and Poppy sat on the couch and chatted away, catching up on their lost years. The two were already acting like they had known each other all their lives. The sight made Branch smile as he glanced over, knowing full well how much his girlfriend had desired to have a sister.
King Peppy was in for a shock, and a good long hard lecture from both his daughters about keeping secrets. A lecture he truly deserved for his unfortunate secret keeping habit.
As for the others... Branch was still a bit awkward with everyone, but at least he spoke to Clay, Bruce and Floyd with a half-hearted smile. No… he was mad at them for leaving him, Floyd less so. It was his oldest brother he still felt regret and anger towards despite everything they had been through in the last few days.
After all, John Dory was the catalyst. It was through his actions and obsession with being perfect that had destroyed their family, it was John Dory giving up first and leaving that caused everyone else to follow.
His negative feelings were only made worse by his brother’s lack of acknowledgement of this. John Dory simply acted like his baby brother hadn’t been left behind for twenty years, joking and acting all goofy with him, and constantly trying to join in with conversations he was having with the others.
Instead of saying anything, Branch simply glared or gave the teal haired troll a disproving glance. He wasn’t the only one either, his brother Clay seemed equally annoyed and frosty with the oldest brother.
Bruce seemed to tolerate it slightly, his patience huge. No doubt from being a father to thirteen children. Floyd was simply too exhausted to care.
John Dory must have noticed, because in the end, he simply fell silent and focused on driving Rhonda.
Branch huffed and glanced at Clay, who rolled his eyes before smiling. “Same old Bossy Dory.” He muttered under his breath.
Yeah… same old John Dory, and that’s what worried Branch.
After a few hours, and a press of the Hustle Button that made everyone feel funny and floaty, Rhonda came skidding to a stop on the beach before the restaurant, her feet spraying golden sand everywhere.
“Here we are.” John Dory grinned as he spun around in his seat and rubbed his hands together. “I say we get some relaxing done. Hit us with those tasty cocktails, Bruce my man!”
Bruce chuckled, with Tiny Diamond still sleeping in the little baby strap on his chest. He was about to say something, but Clay stepped forward and rolled his eyes.
“Er, hello? Can we focus on Floyd first?”
“Guys, I’m fine.” Floyd said, giving a weak smile. He tried to get up, but stumbled before being caught by Branch.
John winced. “Yeah, sorry about that bro. Let me help you get into the restaurant.”
He got up from his seat and was about to walk over, hands outstretched, but Branch simply shook his head, halting the teal haired troll in his tracks. “I’ve already got him thanks. Clay, can you grab his other arm?”
“Sure.” He nodded, walking over to help support Floyd between him and his youngest brother. John Dory rubbed the back of his head, looking a bit awkward before shrugging and following after Bruce.
As the night fell upon Vacay Island, Bruce had everyone sat on one of the floating tables in a private pool at the end of the restaurant, so that they wouldn’t be accidently bumped into or splashed by the other Vacaytioners being lively in the venue.
An even smaller table was set up, troll sized that they all sat around on cushions. Bruce dished out drinks and snacks, as Poppy and Viva sat at the edge to chat away to Brandy as she worked.
Bruce’s kids were already in bed due to the time, and even Tiny Diamond was sleeping upstairs in the flat. The little trolling was completely tuckered out from the crazy rescue mission.
“This is nice.” Floyd smiled, clutching a drink between his still very white hands. “Us being all together like this.”
“It’s great!” John Dory beamed before knocking back his drink in one go. “I missed this.”
“Me too.” Clay nodded, rolling his drink between his hands as he glanced towards Viva now and then, watching her with a soft smile on his lips.
Bruce began to gather up some of the empty plates on the table. “You know, my kids are so excited to get to know their uncles. Hey Branch, can you help me with some of these?”
“Sure.” Branch nodded, getting up.
“I’ll help too!” John Dory said immediately, jumping up. He rushed over to grab some of the plates, accidently bumping into Branch in the process.
“Woah!” the blue troll gasped, stumbling back as he tried to gain balance. His heart plummeted as he felt the edge of the table under his heel, before someone grabbed his arm.
“Gotcha Bitty B. Sorry about that.” John Dory grinned sheepishly. “Guess I had too many to drink!” He laughed and pulled his brother away the edge.
Instead of gratitude, Branch bristled with annoyance and shoved his hand away. “Watch where you’re going John, and stop calling me that! I’m an adult!”
His brother chuckled, raising his hands in the air in a form of surrender. “No can-do little bro, it’s my duty as the eldest brother to treat you like the baby of the family.”
His words made something in him snap, as rage and resentment swelled up inside like poison.
“A shame your duty didn’t stop you walking out on me before.” Branch snapped, his voice sharp and cold. No sooner had the words left his mouth, he snapped his jaws shut, feeling instant regret.
John Dory froze as a hushed silence fell over Floyd, Clay and Bruce who stared at them in disbelief. Even Brandy looked over in shock, as well as Viva. Poppy looked appalled.
“Branch…” Floyd said softly, surprise lacing his facial features, but also understanding. Clay was no better as he looked away and crossed his arms, not saying a word as Bruce let out a nervous chuckle while scratching the back of his neck.
“John I… I didn’t mean…” Branch began, casting a glance at Poppy who looked disappointed in her boyfriend. It was her expression that made him feel even more guilty for his outburst.
Muses, what was wrong with him?
John Dory sucked in a breath, the hurt clear on his face. Then he gave a weak smile and raised a hand. “It’s fine Branch, I get it. I’m ah… gonna sit on the beach for a bit.” Then with his head down, he quickly walked away from the group and left the table using his hair.
Branch watched his oldest troll quickly leave the restaurant with a sense of guilt, before turning back to his brothers, panic growing inside as his ears pinned back. What if John Dory left again, because of his stupid mouth?
Why couldn’t he just keep quiet?
If he left, won’t the others leave too? He’ll be back to being abandoned by his family again. Not again, please not again!
“Branch! Breathe!”
Pink arms wrapped around him, as a familiar smell and warmth enveloped him. “Breathe Branchifer, it’s going to be ok.”
Poppy.
Branch relaxed and hugged his girlfriend back. “I didn’t mean… ugh… I was just…” He stumbled over his words, avoiding his brothers’ stares. “Oh man…”
“Branch, It’s ok.” Floyd smiled, slowly getting up to his feet.
Clay nodded as Viva walked over to sit next to him, her hand resting on his leg. “We don’t blame you bro, he almost knocked you off the table.”
“I know! It’s just… he’s been acting like nothing happened! Like he didn’t… you know, in the past.” Branch said, gritting his teeth. “What if he leaves again and, and I… I don’t want to lose you guys.”
Bruce instantly put down the empty plates and walked over, clasping his hands on his brothers’ shoulders. “Not going to happen, we’re not leaving you again.”
“Forget about Bossy Dory.” Clay rolled his eyes, before glaring towards the exit of the restaurant. “We’re not kids anymore, just ignore him. We’re not abandoning you again Branch, that was the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Yeah.” Floyd nodded as he walked over to wrapped an arm around his brother once Poppy stepped back. “We stick together, like we should have. John Dory is… John Dory. Give him some time.”
Clay scoffed, clearly not impressed. “Don’t excuse his behaviour, we’ve all noticed how he’s been acting since we reunited.”
“I’ll go talk to him.” Poppy smiled, then she playfully punched her boyfriend on the arm. “And…”
She trailed off with a confused expression, her ears flicking like mad.
Branch stared at the pink trolls sudden strange behaviour.
“Poppy? Everything ok?” Viva asked in concerned as she leaned forward slightly, as everyone else turned to stare at the pink troll.
“Yeah, it’s just… why has it gone so quiet?”
The group blinked and turned around, noticing for the first time how everything had gone silent. The Vacaytioners has gone still, as if frozen. Even Brandy was like a statue, a pan in her hand with a sizzling fish. Yet the weirdest thing was… the steam coming off the pan was frozen too.
“B-Brandy? My love?” Bruce called out, panic in his voice. “Brandy?”
“Woah… look at the water.” Viva gasped as she leaned over the edge of the large table, her eyes wide. Everyone rushed over to look, unable to comprehend what they were seeing. The rippling water was frozen in place.
Everything had stopped as if time itself was no longer working. All, but them.
“What the heck is going on!?” Branch stepped back, feeling freaked out.
“I don’t know, never seen anything like this before.” Poppy said, before jumping slightly. “Oh! JD!” She turned and raced off, leaping off the table and using her hair to land safely.
“Woah! Poppy wait! It might not be safe!” Branch called out before giving chase.
Out of the restaurant they left, running down the beach towards the frozen ocean. There sitting down, staring forlorn out to sea was John Dory. He was still and unmoving just like Brandy and the others. A frozen statue in time.
“It’s happened to him too.” Poppy said, biting her lip as she stared at the teal haired troll. Then she turned around to give Branch a scared look. “I don’t like this… everything feels wrong.”
“Yeah, this is super weird.” Branch muttered as he walked around to stand in front of his oldest brother. He reached out and poked his forehead, before swiftly bringing his hand back from the sudden sensation tingling in his fingers. Similar to pins and needles. “What the muses is going on?”
“JD is frozen too?”
Both trolls looked up to see Floyd, being supported between Bruce and Clay as they walked down the beach towards them. Viva walked beside her green haired companion, her hands rubbing together nervously.
“Yeah, seems like we’re the only ones not frozen.” Poppy replied, wrapping her arms around herself.
Silence fell over the group, not sure what to do. What can you do when time seemed to have stopped?
Then suddenly, the sky above them began to fracture with an almighty crack. Jagged white line zigzagged across the sky, as the very ground beneath their feet began to shake violently.
“Branch!” Poppy screamed as she reached for her boyfriend. Branch reached back, grabbing her hand for dear life.
Viva cried out as she fell from the tremors, eyes wide in fear as the trembling grew worse and worse.
“Earthquake!?” Bruce yelled as he pulled Clay and Floyd closer protectively, his hair bristling.
Before anyone could answer, the ground finally gave way. Crumbling as the trolls fell into the white void below, their screams of fear distorting. Then… they knew no more.
Chrono watched on, their work now done.
Branch groaned and slowly opened his eyes, feeling strange all over. A tingly sensation that barely distracted from the fact his body felt weird. Weird yet oddly familiar.
He seemed to be in some kind of room? Wait… no. Branch recognised this room. It couldn’t be, could it?
The blue troll sat up with wide eyes filled with shock and confusion. One moment he had been on the beach at Vacay Island with everyone, now he was in his old bed in Rosiepuff’s home? The very same pod that hung from the branches of the Troll Tree?
“What is going on… wait… my voice? Huh!?” He jolted and raised his hands, then quickly grabbed the blanket that was on him and ripped it off in a blind panic as he looked down.
No way. Impossible. He had to be dreaming.
Branch was back to being a two-year-old trolling, in his tiny little bed by the window as the sounds of the morning hustle and bustle floated in.
“Ugh… my head.” Groaned a familiar voice across the room.
Branch snapped his gaze to the side, and saw Floyd sitting up who was rubbing his head. Floyd who was back to being eleven again.
His brother glanced over, confusion on his face as he took in the room before spotting Branch. “B-Branch? Wha… you’re a baby again? Is this a d-dream?”
A dream? If Floyd was asking that… could this actually be a dream? Everything felt so real…
“Yeah, I remember us all falling and then… I woke up here like this.” Branch said as he gestured to himself. “This is weird man.”
Floyd nodded and got out of bed, looking himself over. He jumped as their bedroom door swung open, as Clay came crashing in, back to looking young again too. Fourteen to be precise.
“Holy muses, holy muses!” He screeched, grabbing his hair that seemed more yellow then green now. “What the heck is happening!?”
“Woah, calm down.” Floyd soothed as he walked over to place a hand on his panicking brother’s shoulder. “We’re going to find out.”
Branch frowned as he began to stand on his bed to peer through the window, cursing his now small stature. “Something made us young again, but I don’t understand how we… Oh.”
The view he saw made his stomach sink, as dread and fear began to course through his tiny body. They were indeed back in Grandma Rosiepuff’s pod at the Troll Tree, which was filled with many other pods. There were trolls walking along the branches, and even the market below that was busy with life. A market he hadn’t seen in twenty years.
But that wasn’t what caught his attention, it was the large imposing cage that encased the Troll Tree, as Bergen Guards patrolled the outside.
Bergen Town itself was no longer clean and filled with joy, but back to it’s old decrepit and dirty state as the Bergens walked around utterly miserable. A few walked by near the cage, their beady eyes glancing at the trolls within. Beady eyes filled with longing and utter hunger.
With a swallow, Branch slowly turned around as his face went pale. “Guys? I think we went back in time.”
Clay and Floyd stared in horror, before rushing towards the window to see for themselves.
Branch sat down on his bed and covered his face with his hands. They went back in time… back to the nightmare of Trollstice and the never-ending fear of being eaten for joy.
How did this even happen?
Bruce came crashing into the room, so loud and violent that it caused Clay and Floyd to fall back on the bed with a yelp.
“Please tell me you guys remember!” Bruce said in a panic, his now purple hair back to normal troll size bristled in agitation. “Vacay Island, everyone froze and then we fell down a weird hole on the beach. Please tell me you guys remember that!”
Branch slipped off the bed. “Yeah, we do. Seems we went back in ti-!”
“Back in time?” Bruce muttered, cutting across him as he grabbed his hair. It was weird seeing him young and fit again. “Yeah, I know. Thank the muses you guys remember, I thought I was going crazy.”
Clay frowned as he sat up, his head tilting to the side. “Why are you so worried about us remembering? You almost tore off the door bro.”
Bruce began to pace, looking unnerved. “It’s John Dory. He doesn’t remember. I tried telling him, and he just looked at me weird. Then said I must have dreamed it all up.”
“John Dory doesn’t remember?” Floyd frowned, crossing his arms after sitting up. “But… how? We all do.”
Clay looked thoughtful, then lifted up his head with a sharp intake of breath. “Do you guys think… when we went back in time, we’re the only ones who remembered… because we didn’t get frozen like everything else?”
Silence fell over the group as the implication of what the yellow haired troll said registered with them. If that was true, then maybe Poppy and Viva still remembered too.
Bruce wailed and fell to his knees. “B-Brandy! By the muses… she was frozen too! And my kids! I’ve lost my family!” He slammed his fists into the floor and began to sob, as Clay and Floyd instantly went to his side to comfort him.
The grim reality was hitting them all pretty hard.
“Umm, guys?”
They looked over to see a teenage John Dory standing in the doorway, already dressed as he stared at them nonplussed and confused. “Come on, we don’t have time for this. Band practice is in an hour, we need to nail this new song down before next week.”
Bruce looked away and shook his head, his body trembling.
Clay growled in a protective manner and jumped up, marching over to John Dory who looked suddenly apprehensive. “Of course you’re the only one who doesn’t remember. Now we’re stuck dealing with Bossy Dory again.”
Branch caught a glimpse of his oldest brother face filling with confusion and hurt, before Clay slammed the door in his face.
In that moment, he felt a sudden need to rush to his oldest brother. To climb into his hair and comfort him and...
Branch stopped and shook his head.
What the hell was wrong with him?